Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A PARADISE BACCARAT TABLE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is generally directed to a method of play and apparatus
for
playing a baccarat game.
Baccarat is one of the more popular gambling games played in casinos or gaming
establishments. As is well known, the game is played on an elongated table
having a game
board displayed along the upper surface of the table. The game board displays
certain
wagering areas, and the elongated table allows for the seating of multiple
players or
bettors (1-16) and the positioning of the multiple dealers (3) necessary for
operating the
casino game. Bettor locations are typically numbered on the table and each
bettor location
has an area designated for a wager on the bank hand and an area designated for
a wager on
the player hand. Baccarat uses a standard deck of 52 playing cards and is
usually dealt
from a shoe having multiple decks that have been shuffled together prior to
the beginning
of play.
A feature of conventional baccarat games is that they have relatively simple
rules.
However, the simplicity of the rules has led to a corresponding simplicity in
the relatively
few types of wagers which can be placed during the play of the game, which may
limit
interest on the part of the player(s) and thus further limit the casino in
terms of profit and
payout.
The embodiments described below address the above-described issues and needs.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a Paradise Baccarat Table for baccarat game.
The
Paradise Baccarat Table comprises: (a) a device comprising jackpot betting
buttons and/or
sensors, (b) a traditional baccarat table, and (c) a local server for
processing and
computing jackpot wagering and payout. The betting buttons and sensors of the
device are
mounted on the top of the traditional baccarat table. The sensor comprises an
indicator to
indicate that a bet is placed by a player. In some embodiments, the Paradise
Baccarat
Table can further include a chip. In some embodiments, the local server is
linked to a
central server, and the central server receives jackpot wagering and payout
data from the
local server of each Paradise Baccarat Table for the processing and
computation of a grand
jackpot. In some embodiments, the local sever and the central server can be
linked via
Intranet or leased lines.
In some embodiments, the Paradise Baccarat Table can further comprise a
monitor
at each Paradise Baccarat Table which displays the grand jackpot with a
rolling jackpot
figure.
In some embodiments, the Paradise Baccarat Table can further comprise an
intelligent card dealing shoe capable of (a) scanning a card's point and suit
when a dealer
draws out a card from the intelligent card dealing shoe for a baccarat game to
generate a
signal that comprises information comprising the card's point and suit, and
(b) sending the
signal to the local server so that where a winning combination, with regard to
or regardless
of suit, of the jackpot occurs, the local server causes the winning
combination, with regard
to or regardless of suit, to be shown on the monitor attached to a pole next
to the Paradise
Baccarat Table. In some embodiments, the Paradise Baccarat Table can further
comprise
a key pad or touch screen attached to the local server to allow the dealer to
key in the point
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and suit of each card dealt in a baccarat game or key in the code for a
specific winning
combination, with regard to or regardless of suit, for a jackpot through the
key pad or
touch screen, wherein the key pad or touch screen is capable of causing the
winning
combination, with regard to or regardless of suit, to be shown on the monitor.
In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of playing
baccarat.
The method includes (a) allowing a player to play a baccarat game according to
conventional baccarat rules, and (b) allowing the player to bet on jackpot
using the
Paradise Baccarat Table according to the present invention.
The present invention also discloses a software program or a set of software
programs for carrying out any or all steps of the betting method described
herein. The
traditional baccarat game can also be incorporated into an electronic device
or an
entertainment gaming machine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING
Figure 1 shows a general layout of an embodiment of the baccarat system of the
present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention provides a Paradise Baccarat Table for baccarat game.
The
Paradise Baccarat Table comprises: (a) a device comprising jackpot betting
buttons and/or
sensors, (b) a traditional baccarat table, and (c) a local server for
processing and
computing jackpot wagering and payout. The betting buttons and sensors of the
device
can be mounted on the top of the traditional baccarat table. The sensor
comprises an
indicator to indicate that a bet is placed by a player. In some embodiments,
the Paradise
Baccarat Table can further include a chip. In some embodiments, the local
server is linked
to a central server, and the central server receives jackpot wagering and
payout data from
the local server of each Paradise Baccarat Table for the processing and
computation of a
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grand jackpot. In some embodiments, the local sever and the central server can
be linked
via Intranet or leased lines.
In some embodiments, the Paradise Baccarat Table can further comprise a
monitor
at each Paradise Baccarat Table which displays the grand jackpot with a
rolling jackpot
figure.
In some embodiments, the Paradise Baccarat Table can further comprise an
intelligent card dealing shoe capable of (a) scanning a card's point and suit
when a dealer
draws out a card from the intelligent card dealing shoe for a baccarat game to
generate a
signal that comprises information comprising the card's point and suit, and
(b) sending the
signal to the local server so that where a winning combination, regardless of
suit, of the
jackpot occurs, the local server causes the winning combination, regardless of
suit, to be
shown on the monitor attached to a pole next to the Paradise Baccarat Table.
In some
embodiments, the Paradise Baccarat Table can further comprise a key pad or
touch screen
attached to the local server to allow the dealer to key in the point and suit
of each card
dealt in a baccarat game or key in the code for a specific winning
combination, regardless
of suit, for a jackpot through the key pad or touch screen, wherein the key
pad or touch
screen is capable of causing the winning combination, regardless of suit, to
be shown on
the monitor.
In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of playing
baccarat.
The method includes (a) allowing a player to play a baccarat game according to
conventional baccarat rules, and (b) allowing the player to bet on jackpot
using the
Paradise Baccarat Table according to the present invention.
In some embodiments, the jackpot gaming method allows the banker to make
initial contributions for the jackpot game. As used herein, a zero-point card
refers to any
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of the 10, J, Q, or K, and the banker refers to one who owns or operates the
traditional
baccarat establishment.
In general, the method for playing traditional baccarat described herein
includes
the following steps:
dealing cards to a player hand and a bank hand according to a set of
conventional
baccarat rules,
allowing at least a first player to place a bet on traditional baccarat,
allowing at least a second player to place a bet on jackpot where the second
player
can be the same as or different from the first player,
determining the outcome of the traditional baccarat game according to the set
of
conventional baccarat rules, and
determining the outcome of the jackpot according to a combination of cards
defined below.
The present invention also discloses a software program or a set of software
programs for carrying out any or all steps of the betting method described
herein. The
traditional baccarat game can also be incorporated into an electronic device
or an
entertainment gaming machine.
Baccarat Game
The object of baccarat is for the bettor to successfully wager on whether the
bank's
hand or the player's hand is going to win. The bettor receives even money for
his wager if
he selects the winning hand and loses his wager if he selects the losing hand.
Because of
the rules of play of baccarat, the bank's hand has a slightly higher chance of
winning than
does the player's hand. Therefore, if the bettor wagers on the bank's hand,
the bettor is
required to pay to the gaming establishment a commission (typically 5%) of the
amount
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the bettor wins. No commission is paid if the bettor successfully wagers on
the player's
hand.
The term "wager", as used herein, can be used interchangeably with the term
"bet."
The term "wagering" is used interchangeably with the term "betting."
Conventional methods of playing baccarat are described as follows:
A multiple number of decks of standard playing cards, 52 in number, are used;
typically six to twelve decks are shuffled together and placed in a shoe from
which the
cards are dealt during the play of the game.
Each bettor makes a wager on whether the bank's hand or the player's hand will
win. After all wagers are made, two cards are dealt from the shoe to the bank
position and
two cards are dealt from the shoe to the player's position on the table
layout. The cards are
turned face up and the value of the bank hand and the player hand is
determined.
Aces count as one; kings, queens, jacks and tens count as zero and the other
cards
count as their respective face value. The suits (hearts, diamonds, spades and
clubs) have
no meaning in baccarat. The highest hand value in baccarat is nine. All hand
values range
from a low of zero to a high of nine. If when the cards are added together,
the total of the
hand exceeds nine, then the hand value is determined by subtracting ten from
the total of
the hand. For example, a seven and nine total sixteen, but the hand value is
six. An Ace
and a nine total ten, but the hand value is zero.
A two card total of eight or nine is called a "natural"; a two card total of
zero is
called a "baccarat". As will be explained hereafter, in certain situations in
the play of the
game, a third card will be dealt. The value of this third card is added to the
total of the first
two cards and a new hand value is established. Again, if the new hand total
exceeds nine,
the hand value is determined by subtracting ten from the total of the hand.
Wagering
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locations are provided on the baccarat table layout. Whichever of the bank
hand or the
player hand is closest to a total of nine is the winner.
The way of betting may differ in different gaming establishments. In the U.S.,
for
example, prior to the deal, each bettor can make one of three wagers: 1) that
the bank hand
will win, 2) that the player hand will win, or 3) that the bank hand and the
player hand will
tie. In Macau, for example, one can make one of five wagers: 1) that the bank
hand will
win, 2) that the player hand will win, 3) that the bank hand and the player
hand will tie, 4)
that the first two cards in the bank hand are of the same kind, regardless of
the type of suit,
forming a Bank Pair, or (5) that the first two cards in the player hand are of
the same kind,
regardless of the type of suit, forming a Player Pair.
All winning bank hand wagers in scenario 1) in both the U.S. and Macau are
paid
off at odds of one-to-one and the house charges a five percent (5%) commission
on the
amount won by the bettor. For example, if a bettor wagers $100 on the bank
hand and the
bank hand wins, the bettor wins $100 and is charged a $ 5 commission on the
amount that
the bettor won. The bettor is not charged any commission on the amount of his
wager.
All wagers that select winning player hand in scenario 2) in both the U.S. and
Macau are paid off at odds of one-to-one and the bettor is not charged any
commission on
the amount of his winnings or his wager.
All winning wagers on the tie in scenario 3) in both the U.S. and Macau can be
paid off at odds of eight-to-one (depending on the gaming establishment) and
the bettor is
not charged any commission on the amount of his winnings or his wager. If a
tie hand
occurs, all wagers on the bank hand and all wagers on the player hand are
"pushes" and the
amount wagered is returned to the bettor.
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All winning wagers on the Bank Pair bet in scenario 4) in Macau can be paid
off at
odds of eleven-to-one (depending on the gaming establishment) and the bettor
is not
charged any commission on the amount of his winnings or his wager.
All winning wagers on the Player Pair bet in scenario 5) in Macau can be paid
off
at odds of eight-to-one (depending on the gaming establishment) and the bettor
is not
charged any commission on the amount of his winnings or his wager.
The play of baccarat typically uses three casino dealers to operate the game.
The
casino dealers jointly participate in the shuffling of the decks of cards.
After the shuffle is
completed, one of the players is typically asked to cut the decks using a
plastic cut card.
The dealer then separates and restacks the cards from the point of the cut and
the dealer or
a player then inserts the plastic cut card no less than fifteen cards (in Las
Vegas, U.S.) or
no less than twelve cards (in Macau) from the ends of the stacked decks and
the entire
stacked decks are placed into a shoe from which the cards are dealt during the
play of the
game. When the inserted plastic cut card appears during play, the hand in
progress is
completed and that round of play then ends. The cards are reshuffled to
prepare for the
next round of baccarat.
In conventional baccarat, the bettors deal the cards used in the game.
Initially, one
of the casino dealers (called the "caller") passes the shoe to the bettor
sitting in seat
number "1" at the baccarat table. After all wagers have been made, the caller
tells the
bettor with the shoe to begin the deal. The bettor deals a first card to the
caller, a first card
to himself, a second card to the caller and a second card to himself. All
cards are dealt face
down. The two cards given to the caller represent the player hand and the two
cards kept
by the bettor who is dealing the cards represent the bank hand.
The caller then allows one of the other bettors to turn up the player's hand.
Traditionally, this honor is given to the bettor who has made the largest
wager. The bettor
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turns up the two cards of the player's hand and tosses them to the caller. The
caller places
these two cards face up in the table location designated for the "player hand"
and the caller
announces the point total of the player hand.
The bettor who has the shoe then turns over the cards of the bank hand and
tosses
these two cards to the caller. The caller places these two cards face up in
the table location
designated for the "bank hand" and the caller announces to point total of the
bank hand.
Depending on the point total of the player's hand and the bank's hand, one
more card can
be dealt to either the player's hand, the bank's hand, or both. The rules for
determining
whether a third card is dealt are fixed rules, there is no discretion for
either the player's
hand or the bank's hand on whether a third card is dealt.
If either the player hand or the bank hand has a point total of eight or nine
on the
first two cards, no third card is dealt to either hand and the hand with the
highest point
total is the winner (or the hand is a tie, as the case can be). If neither the
player hand or the
bank hand has a point total of eight or nine, then there is a possibility of a
third card draw.
The third card draw rules are as follows:
Rule #1: If the initial two card player hand has a point total of 0, 1, 2, 3,
4 or 5,
draws a third card. If the initial two card player hand has a point total of 6
or 7, the player
hand stands and does not receive a third card.
Rule #2: If the player hand stands and does not draw a third card, then the
bank
hand follows Rule #1. In other words, if the player hand has a point total of
6 or 7, the
bank hand draws a third card on a point total of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 and the
bank hand stands
on a point total of 6 or 7.
Rule #3: If the player hand draws a third card, the bank hand must draw or
stand as
described in Table 1.
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Table 1
Bank hand two Bank hand draws when the Bank hand stands when the
card point total player's hand third card is: player's hand third card is:
0, 1 or 2 Bank always draws --
3 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7or9 8
4 2,3,4,5,6or7 0,1,8or9
4,5,6or7 0,1,2,3,8or9
6 6or7 0, 1,2,3,4,5,8or9
7 -- Bank always stands
All third card draw determinations are automatically made by the caller who is
skilled in the game of baccarat. When the rules of baccarat require a third
card for the
5 player hand, the caller will request a card for the player hand. Afler the
player hand is
completed, the bank hand is completed in the same fashion. The caller then
declares which
hand has the highest point total and declares that hand the winner (or the
caller declares a
tie hand as the case can be).
In conventional baccarat the bettor who acts as the dealer continues to deal
the
cards until the player hand wins. As soon as the player hand wins, it is
customary to pass
the shoe counterclockwise around the baccarat table to the next bettor so that
each bettor
has the opportunity to deal the cards. Any bettor may decline to deal the
cards. The fact
that one of the bettors is physically dealing the cards has no affect on the
outcome of the
game because the rules for drawing and standing do not allow any discretion on
the part of
the players.
The players can play the game according to conventional baccarat rules, which
may vary from place to place. In one embodiment, the baccarat game is played
according
to the U.S. rules as used in Las Vegas. In another embodiment, the baccarat
game is
played according to the baccarat rules promulgated by the government of Macau
Special
Administration Region.
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In some embodiments, there is a maximum limit on the total bet can be made
through a single betting terminal for the traditional baccarat game. In one
embodiment,
the maximum bet can be made through one terminal for traditional baccarat is,
for
example, HK$20,000.
The baccarat can be any baccarat game governed by rules of any country or
state.
For example, in some embodiments, the baccarat can be a baccarat game played
by the
rules set forth by the government of Macau. It is noteworthy that the baccarat
rules can be
subject to revision(s). For example, the baccarat rules set forth by the Macau
government
was revised on February 22, 2007 by Macau government. Such revision(s) does
not affect
the novelty of the Jackpot described herein.
Jac~ot
The method and system described herein provide a method for jackpot betting,
Paradise JackpotTM. A system for Paradise JackpotTM is referred to as Paradise
Jackpot
Table. The players of a traditional baccarat game can make a separate bet for
jackpot.
The jackpot bet can be placed with a bet for traditional baccarat or without a
bet for the
same traditional baccarat.
In some embodiments, the outcome of the jackpot betting is determined by the
combination, with regard to or regardless of suit, of cards that includes zero-
point cards.
The combination includes at least one zero-point cards, which are 10, J, Q and
K. In one
embodiment, the rules for playing Paradise JackpotTM are described below:
(1) The gaming system provides a jackpot. Players who wish to bet on the
Paradise JackpotTM can place a separate bet, e.g. HKD 20 per game in minimum,
which
will be referred to as bet unit. The maximum number of bet units will not be
restricted.
(2) Players can bet in Paradise JackpotTM without placing bet in the same
traditional baccarat game. Each player can place more than one bet unit in one
game.
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When the Paradise JackpotTM is won, the payout for each bet unit will be equal
to the
money in the Paradise JackpotTM pool divided by the total number of bet unit.
(3) If the first 5 cards drawn in one baccarat game resulting in A, K, Q, J,
10 in spade,
regardless of the sequence, then 100% of the Paradise JackpotTM is won. In
some
embodiments, 100% of the Paradise Jackpot can also be won if A,K,Q,J,10 of the
same
suit, regardless of the sequence, occurs in a game.
(4) If the first 5 cards drawn in one baccarat game resulting in K, Q, J, 10
in spade and A
in either heart, club or diamond, regardless of the sequence, then 10% of the
Paradise
JackpotTM is won. In some embodiments, 10% of the Paradise Jackpot can also be
won if
the following combinations occur in a baccarat game, regardless of the
sequence:
Spade A plus K,Q,J,10 in Heart, Club or Diamond;
Heart A plus K,Q,J, 10 in Spade, Club or Diamond;
Club A plus K,Q,J,10 in Spade, Heart or Diamond; or
Diamond A plus K, Q, J, 10 in Spade, Heart, or Club.
In some other embodiments, the Paradise JackpotTM can be played according to
Rules (I)-(III), defined below:
(I) The Paradise JackpotTM is won if any of the following is met:
1) any five cards forming a sequence (with regard to or regardless of suit),
regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., A,2,3,4,5 or 9,10,J,Q,K;
2) five cards of a kind, e.g. A,A,A,A,A or K,K,K,K,K;
3) four cards of a kind (with regard to or regardless of suit), regardless of
the order
they are drawn, e.g., K,K,K,K,2 or 2,K,K,K,K;
4) three cards of a kind plus a pair (with regard to or regardless of suit),
regardless
of the order they are drawn, e.g., 10,10,10,2,2;
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5) three cards of a kind (with regard to or regardless of suit), regardless of
the
order they are drawn, e.g., 2,2,2,10,J
6) two pairs (with regard to or regardless of suit), regardless of the order
they are
drawn, e.g., Q,Q,2,K,K;
7) all the 5 cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade, heart, club or
diamond,
e.g., A(spade),10(spade),J(spade),K(spade),Q(spade); or
8) any specific combination, with regard to or regardless of suit, of five
cards as
specified from time to time.
(II) The Paradise JackpotTM is won by any specific combination of the first
four, three or two cards drawn in a traditional baccarat game, with regard
to/regardless of
the drawn sequence. Specifically, the Paradise JackpotTM is won if any of the
following is
met:
(A) if the first four cards that are drawn form a combination as defined
below:
1) the first four cards forming a sequence, with regard to/regardless of the
order they are drawn, e.g., A,2,3,4, or 10,J,Q,K, with regard to or regardless
of suit;
2) the first four cards of a kind, e.g. A,A,A,A or J,J,J,J, with regard to or
regardless
of suit;
3) three cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order they are
drawn, e.g., K,K,K,2 or 10,10,10,2, with regard to or regardless of suit;
4) two cards of a kind plus a pair, with regard to/regardless of the order
they are drawn, e.g., 2,2,J,J, which is a two pair sequence, with regard to or
regardless of
suit;
5) two cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn,
e.g., 10,10,Q,Q, with regard to or regardless of suit;
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6) all the four cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade, heart, club or
diamond, e.g., A(spade),10(spade),J(spade),K(spade); or
7) any specific combination of the first four cards as specified from time to
time,
(B) if the first three cards that are drawn form a combination as defined
below:
1) the first three cards forming a sequence, with regard to/regardless of the
order they are drawn, e.g., A,2,3, or tO,J,K, with regard to or regardless of
suit;
2) the first three cards of a kind, e.g. A,A,A or 2,2,2, with regard to or
regardless of suit;
l0 3) two cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order they are
drawn,
e.g., K,K,2 or 10,10,2, with regard to or regardless of suit;
4) two cards forming a pair, with regard to/regardless of the order they are
drawn, e.g., 2, J,J or J,J,2, with regard to or regardless of suit;
5) all the three cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade, heart, club or
diamond, e.g., A(spade),J(spade),K(spade); or
6) any other specific combination of the first four cards as specified from
time to time, or
(C) if the first two cards that are drawn form a combination as defined below:
1) the first two cards forming a sequence, with regard to/regardless of the
order they are drawn, e.g., A,2, or J,Q, with regard to or regardless of suit;
2) the first two cards of a kind, e.g. A,A or 10,10, which is also a pair,
with
regard to or regardless of suit;
3) the first two cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade, heart, club or
diamond, e.g., A(spade),10(spade); or
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4) any other specific combination of the first four cards as specified from
time to time.
(III) The Paradise JackpotTM is won by any specific combination of the last
six,
five, four, three, and two cards drawn in a traditional baccarat game, with
regard
to/regardless of the drawn sequence. Specifically, the Paradise JackpotTM is
won if any of
the following is met:
(A) if the last six cards that are drawn form a combination as defined below:
1) the last six cards forming a sequence, with regard to/regardless of the
drawn sequence they are drawn, e.g., A,2,3,4,5,6 or 8,9,10,J,Q,K, with regard
to or
.0 regardless of suit;
2) six cards of a kind, e.g. A,A,A,A,A,A or 2,2,2,2,2,2, with regard to or
regardless of suit;
3) five cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order they are
drawn,
e.g., K,K,K,K,K,2 or 2,10,10,10,10,10, with regard to or regardless of suit;
4) four cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order they are
drawn, e.g., K,K,K,K,2,10 or 2,A,J,J,J,J, with regard to or regardless of
suit;
5) four cards of a kind plus a pair, with regard to/regardless of the order
they are drawn, e.g., K,K,K,K,2,2 or 2,2, J,J,J,J, with regard to or
regardless of suit;
6) three cards of a kind plus a pair, with regard to/regardless of the order
Z0 they are drawn, e.g., 2,2,2,J,J,A or J,J,2,2,2,K, with regard to or
regardless of suit;
7) three cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order they are
drawn, e.g., A,A,A,10,J,K or 10,J,K,2,2,2, with regard to or regardless of
suit;
8) three pairs, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g.,
Q,Q,K,K,J,J or 2,2, 10, 1 0,K,K, with regard to or regardless of suit;
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9) all the six cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade, heart, club or
diamond, e.g., A(spade),10(spade),J(spade),K(spade),Q(spade),2(spade); or
10) any other specific combination of six cards as specified from time to
time.
(B) if the last five cards that are drawn form a combination as defined below:
1) the last five cards forming a sequence, with regard to/regardless of the
order they are drawn, e.g., A,2,3,4,5 or 9,10,J,Q,K, with regard to or
regardless of suit;
2) five cards of a kind, e.g. A,A,A,A,A or 2,2,2,2,2, with regard to or
regardless of suit;
3) four cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order they are
drawn, e.g., K,K,K,K,2 or 2,10,10,10,10, with regard to or regardless of suit;
4) three cards of a kind plus a pair, regardless of the order they are drawn,
e.g., 2,2,2,J,J, with regard to or regardless of suit;
5) three cards of a kind, regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g.,
2,2,2,10,Q, with regard to or regardless of suit;
6) two pairs, regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., Q,Q,A,10,10, with
regard to or regardless of suit;
7) all the 5 cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade, heart, club or
diamond; e.g., A(spade),10(spade),J(spade),K(spade),Q(spade); or
8) any other specific combination of five cards as specified from time to
time,
(C) if the last four cards that are drawn form a combination as defined below:
1) the last four cards forming a sequence, with regard to/regardless of the
order they are drawn, e.g., A,2,3,4, or 10,J,Q,K, with regard to or regardless
of suit;
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2) the last four cards of a kind, e.g. A,A,A,A or 10,10,10,10, with regard to
or regardless of suit;
3) three cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order they are
drawn, e.g., K,K,K ,2 or 10,10,10,2, with regard to or regardless of suit;
4) two cards of a kind plus a pair, regardless of the order they are drawn,
e.g., A,A,J,J, , with regard to or regardless of suit, which is a two pair
sequence;
5) two cards of a kind, regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., 2,2,Q,Q,
with regard to or regardless of suit;
6) all the four cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade, heart, club or
diamond, e.g., A(spade), 1 0(spade), K(spade),Q(spade); or
7) any other specific combination of the first four cards as specified from
time to time,
(D) if the last three cards that are drawn form a combination as defined
below:
1) the last three cards forming a sequence, with regard to/regardless of the
order they are drawn, e.g., A,2,3, or J,Q,K, with regard to or regardless of
suit;
2) the last three cards of a kind, e.g. A,A,A or Q,Q,Q, with regard to or
regardless of suit;
3) two cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn,
e.g., K,K,2 or 10,10,2, with regard to or regardless of suit;
4) two cards forming a pair, with regard to/regardless of the order they are
drawn, e.g., 2, J,J or J,J,2, with regard to or regardless of suit;
5) all the last three cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade, heart,
club or diamond, e.g., A(spade), J(spade),K(spade); or
6) any other specific combination of the first four cards as specified from
time to time,
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(E) if the last two cards that are drawn form a combination as defined below:
1) the last two cards forming a sequence, with regard to/regardless of the
order they are drawn, e.g., A,2, or 10,J, with regard to or regardless of
suit;
2) the last two cards of a kind, e.g. A,A or 2,2, which is also a pair, with
regard to or regardless of suit;
3) the last two cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade, heart, club or
diamond, e.g., A(spade),10(spade); or
4) any other specific combination of the first four cards as specified from
time to time.
In some embodiments, a Paradise Jackpot can be won if three cards of a kind,
four
cards of a kind, five cards of a kind, or six cards of a kind, with respect to
or regardless of
suit, occurs in a game. Examples of the cards can be, A,A,A,A,A; Q,Q,Q,Q;
K,K,K; J,J,J,
etc.
The combinations of cards not defined above can be readily derived from time
to
time with or without the assistance of a computer following established rules
of forming
combinations of a set of defined members. The amount of Paradise JackpotTM
award can
be determined by and distributed according to, e.g., the probability of a
combination of
cards as defined above or otherwise specified from time to time.
There can be more than one traditional baccarat game going on simultaneously
in
different casinos in Macau. In some embodiments, all Paradise JackpotTM bets
from
different traditional baccarat tables will contribute to one grand Paradise
JackpotTM pool.
If the Paradise JackpotTM is won in any one traditional baccarat table, all
players who
place Paradise JackpotTM bets, regardless of the traditional baccarat table
they bet, will
share the grand Paradise JackpotTM pool according to the bet units that each
player placed
in the jackpot betting.
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Paradise JackpotTM can be played with bets from players as the sole source of
the
jackpot pool or with bets and an initial contribution from the banker. The
term "banker"
generally refers to the owner of a gaming establishment operating the
traditional baccarat
defined herein or one who operates the traditional baccarat game. In one
embodiment, the
banker contributes a sum of money as the initial Paradise JackpotTM (e.g., HKD
50,000).
A certain percentage, e.g., 55%, of the Paradise JackpotTM bets from the
players will be
contributed towards the Paradise JackpotTM pool, a certain percentage (e.g.,
40%) of the
bets will be collected by the banker as profit, and the remaining portion
(e.g., 5%) of the
bets will be accumulated as the seed for the next game.
0 In some embodiments, the jackpot can be played in a traditional baccarat
table.
For example, such traditional baccarat table can be a baccarat table in Macau,
in the U.S.,
South Korea, Russia, or any other country.
In another aspect of the present invention, it is provided a software program
or a
set of software programs that allows a user or player to any or all of the
various aspects of
5 playing the traditional baccarat Paradise JackpotTM described herein. The
software
program can be written by one of ordinary skill in the art.
The game tables can be conventional baccarat game tables, jackpot baccarat
game
tables as described in the U.S. application Serial Nos. 11/042,732, filed on
January 24,
2005, 11/198,218, filed on August 5, 2005 and 11/312,150, filed on December
19, 2005,
,0 and Macau Patent Application Nos. 1/150, filed on February 4, 2005 and
1/265, filed on
January 24, 2006, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.
In some
embodiments, the game tables can be any game tables played in a casino or
internet. In
some embodiments, the game table is a traditional baccarat table playing
baccarat games
according to the rules provided by the Macau government, which can be revised
from time
;5 to time or according to the rules provided by any state in the U.S., e.g.,
Nevada, New
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Jersey, California, Connecticutt, Florida, or rules provided by any country,
e.g., Korea,
Russia, etc.
The betting terminal can take any form. In one embodiment, the betting
terminal
described herein is one for baccarat, for example, a baccarat gaming system
that allows
one to play a traditional baccarat jackpot as described in the U.S.
application Serial Nos.
11/042,732, filed on January 24, 2005, 11/198,218, filed on August 5, 2005 and
11/312,150, filed on December 19, 2005, and Macau Patent Application Nos.
1/150, filed
on February 4, 2005 and 1/265, filed on January 24, 2006, the teachings of
which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In some embodiments, the
betting
0 terminal is described in the U.S. application No. 11/497,708, the teachings
of which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Paradise Baccarat Table
In some embodiments, the present invention is a conventional baccarat table
that
allows one to play Paradise JackpotTM where a player sits and places bets at a
dealing
5 table ("Paradise Baccarat Table"). The Paradise Jackpot Table described
above can be
readily rolled out in existing traditional baccarat dealing tables in casinos.
A general
layout of the Paradise Baccarat Table is shown in Figure 1. 100 illustrates
the general
layout of a traditional bacarat table, and 200 illustrates the sensors or
buttons for jackpot
betting, which are also sometimes referred to as jackpot sensors or buttons or
jackpot
;0 betting sensors or buttons.
The Paradise Baccarat Table can allow a player to play a traditional baccarat
game
and allow the player to play a jackpot according to any rules commonly adopted
in a
gaming establishment. In some embodiments, the jackpot is Paradise JackpotTM.
In some embodiments, the Paradise Jackpot Table is a device. The device
includes
;5 a local server, which is sometimes referred to as a local computer, and a
sensor which has
CA 02681358 2009-09-21
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a light sensor in the center to detect light. When a chip covers the light
sensor, the lamp in
the sensor will turn on to indicate a bet has been placed on jackpot. A signal
will be sent
to the local computer to record the bet. In some embodiments, the device can
have a
button mechanism whereby when a chip is placed on an specific area/circle for
betting on
jackpot, a button next to that circle will be pressed by a dealer. The
lighting mechanism
inside the button will turn on to indicate that bet has been placed on
jackpot, and a signal
will be sent to the local computer to record the bet. The chip can be
collected by the
dealer before/after the cards are dealt according to conventional baccarat
rules. Once the
game result is available and payout is made, the lamp inside the button will
be turned off
0 and the button can be pressed for jackpot betting in next game.
Player can also place bet on banker win, player win, tie or pairs as in
conventional
baccarat game according to conventional baccarat rules at the Paradise
Baccarat Table
described herein. Once the game result is available, the dealer will make the
payouts on
jackpot bet manually if a winning card combination occurs. The sensor light
will be
5 turned off and be ready for accepting jackpot bet for the next game.
In some embodiments, the jackpot betting sensors or buttons are linked to a
computer/server, which can be placed within the game place or casino, e.g.,
under the
dealing table. This local computer/sever can handle the jackpot wagering and
payout at a
local table level and send the data to a central server for grand jackpot
computation,
:0 described above. Computers/servers of Paradise Baccarat Tables in the same
casino or
different casinos can be linked through intranet or leased lines to a central
server which
aggregates and computes the mega jackpot pool. In some embodiments, there is a
monitor
at each Paradise Baccarat Table which displays the grand rolling jackpot
figure.
The detection of card combinations in Paradise Baccarat Table can either be
:5 carried out with an intelligent card dealing shoe which can scan a card's
point and suit
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when a dealer draws out a card from the shoe for a baccarat game. The shoe can
then send
the signal to the local computer so that when a winning combination, with
regard to or
regardless of suit, of the jackpot occurs, the type of the winning
combination, with regard
to or regardless of suit, can be shown on the monitor attached to a pole next
to the table.
Alternatively, in some embodiments, the dealer can key in the point and suit
of each card
dealt in a baccarat game or key in the code for a specific winning
combination, regardless
of suit, for ajackpot through a key pad or touch screen attached to the local
computer
which would effect the winning combination, with regard to or regardless of
suit, be
shown on the monitor.
.0 In some embodiments, the betting system can automatically generate commonly
accepted format of past results of played games on the screen to provide
references for
players.
In a further embodiment, the baccarat jackpot game can be played in a non-
baccarat game, e.g., blackjack, or showhand. The rules of these games other
than baccarat
5 games are known to one in the art.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and
described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and
modifications can
be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects.
Therefore, the
appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and
modifications
.0 as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.
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