Match the Dealer

This invention relates to gaming tables, in particular to a game played at multiple table units clustered about a central processing unit where tracking, jackpots, and wagering status are monitored.

Gambling has become very popular in recent years as shown by the number of states having legalized landbased casino gambling such as Las Vegas and Reno, Nev.; Atlantic City, N.J., and New Orleans, La. Riverboat gambling has also become popular and is in several states including Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois. Most forms of gambling center around automated slot machines, roulette wheels, dice, or card games such as poker and blackjack played on the tables on the casino floors.

Card games used in gambling are traditionally limited to blackjack, poker, and the like. While the rules for versions of these games may vary, almost no new card games are ever created for players.

These traditional card games are generally controlled manually by having a dealer pass out cards to players seated around a table, where the dealer manually controls the wagering and jackpot payouts. Attempts have been made to automate aspects of these card games. See for example: U.S. Pat. No. 4,531,187 to Uhland; U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,549 to Hallman, Jr. et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,874 to Dickinson; U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,104 to Pease et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,973 to Jones et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,067 to Paulsen et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,079 to LeStrange et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,259 to Weingardt. However, these devices and systems generally are complex and expensive and still do not allow for monitoring from a central point the tracking, jackpots, and wagering status of the games.

The first objective of the present invention is to provide an electronic method for determining each Players' status relative to participation in a progressive jackpot.

The second objective of the present invention is to provide a central processing system for calculating and displaying the actual value of the progressive jackpot on a real time basis.

The third objective of the present invention is to provide a novel card game in which a deck of 50 cards, all the same suit, consisting of five each Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 is dealt one by one to each Player and the Dealer, face down, until each hand has five cards. No card is superior.

The fourth objective of this invention is to provide a novel gambling card game wherein the Player(s) wins if one or more of the cards in the Player selected "MATCH" hand is matched by one or more cards in the Dealer hand. Each Player hand is independent.

The fifth objective of the present invention is to provide a simple, non-intimidating table card game for the recreational player with the opportunity to win substantial cash payouts by participating in the Progressive Jackpot.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment which is illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing the steps in order to play the "Match the Dealer" invention.

FIG. 2A is a chart representing the "MATCH" bet payouts when a player's hands has a match with the dealer's hands.

FIG. 2B shows the PLAYER HAND ONLY payouts without having to "MATCH" a dealer's hand.

FIG. 3A shows exemplary "MATCH" Pot Payouts.

FIG. 3B shows priority of hands for 25% of Jackpot payout.

FIG. 4 is a top view showing a cluster arrangement of four tables arranged in a cluster connected to a central processing node.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a single player table used in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a dealer control input and display panel for use with the table of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a player display panel for use with the table of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8a is a schematic of the display board circuitry of the player display panel.

FIG. 8b is a display board layout of the schematic of FIG. 8a.

FIG. 9 is a schematic of the table interface board circuitry used in the preferred embodiment of the Match the Dealer invention.

FIG. 10 is a table control board layout of the schematic of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of the tables, and CPU operation of Match the Dealer.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of the interrupt service routine for the Match the Dealer data communication link from the table to the CPU.

Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

The novel invention includes a card game entitled: MATCH THE DEALER.TM.. The game centers around a dealer and one to seven players at a table. A single suit deck of 50 cards is used having five of each card from Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. For the rules, each player and the dealer receives five cards face down. Each player's hand stands on its own. The dealer hand is for MATCH purposes only. None of the cards is superior to the other cards. The object of the game is for each player to select from their dealt hand either a single card, two of a kind, or three of a kind as the "MATCH" hand. The player wins if the dealer's hand has one or more cards that match the player "MATCH" hand.

For example, a player can have a five card hand of: Ace, two, four, seven, nine. The player can select any card, pair, or three of a kind as the "MATCH" hand. A dealer can have a hand of: Ace, three, five, seven and ten. If the player had used the Ace or seven as the "MATCH" hand there would be a MATCH and the player wins. invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a game starts 5, with a deck of 50 cards, where there are five each of Ace, 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 and 10. All cards are the same suit. In step 10, a player places bet in the "MATCH" circle in front of each player. A minimum bet can be $5.00. In step 20, a player elects participation in a Progressive Jackpot by purchasing credits from the Dealer. The value of each credit can be $1.00 and can be purchased in any increment. For example, five can be a common amount. Entry into a game is one credit or $1.00. These credits are then displayed electronically in the digital read out in front of each Player station, which is described in greater detail in reference to FIGS. 5 and 7. In step 30 a dealer locks in the progressive bets by electronically deducting one credit from each participating Player. In step 40 the dealer gives each Player and the Dealer five cards face down. In step 50, each Player selects the "MATCH" hand from their five cards. The "MATCH" hand can be a single card, a pair of the same cards, or three of the same cards. The "MATCH" hand is placed face down in the "MATCH BOX" so labeled in front of each Player. The remaining cards are placed face down in the discard area in front of each Player. In step 60, the dealer collects the discards. In step 70, the dealer displays the dealer hand. In step 80, the players display their "MATCH" hands. In step 90, players with cards in their "MATCH BOX" which are matched by one or more of the cards in the Dealer hand win and are paid according to FIG. 2A. The game ends 95, and further hands are dealt by repeating steps 10-90.

FIG. 2A is a chart representing the "MATCH" bet payouts when a player's hands has a match with the dealer's hands for one, two and three of a kind. FIG. 2B shows the PLAYER HAND ONLY payouts without having to "MATCH" a dealer's hand for: I. four of a kind, and II. five of a kind.

FIG. 3A shows exemplary "MATCH" Pot Payouts. Under scenario I, based on TOTAL MATCHING CARDS between each player and the dealer's hand, five(5) total matching cards is equal to $50.00. Under scenario II, based on a player hand only of five(5) aces, the pot payout is 100% of the "MATCH" Pot. Based on a player hand only of Five of a kind (from cards 2-10), payout is $10,000.00 Any four of a kind cards on a player hand only, the payout is $100.00. Under scenario III, the best hand of the month can receive 25% of the accumulated Jackpot at the end of each cycle.

FIG. 3B shows the priority of each hands for 25% of the Jackpot payout. In the event of a tie(s), the 25% can be distributed evenly among the winners. Four scenarios cover the best hand. Under scenario I, a player hand only can be five of a kind(any of the cards 2-10). Under scenario II of the best hand, any combination of 5 matching cards between the individual player and the dealer hands. Under scenario III of the best hand, the player hand only can be be four of a kind. Under scenario IV of the best hand, any combination of four matching cards between the individual player and the dealer hands.

FIG. 4 is a top view showing a cluster arrangement 100 of four tables 200 arranged in a cluster around multimedia displays 120 connected to a central processing node 140. Multi media displays 120 are computer driven displays consisting of prerecorded digital images, video sequences and/or real time displays updated by table inputs. The type of information that will be displayed is the progressive jackpot totals, marketing graphics, game play rules, and payoff odds. Displays 120 can be standard television monitors such as but not limited to 26", 32" Panasonic Television monitors, RGB video monitors, digital signs, digital flat screen displays, and the like. The central processor node 140 can be an IBM based 586 equipped with a CD ROM drive, a sound board with audio outputs and an interface board capable of handling the serial data interfaces RS-485, and the like, that connect the tables 200 to the CPU 140. Tables 200 interface the CPU 140 over a serial data interface line 195 such as an RS-485, and the like. Data such as progressive bet summary data, win status along with payoff data for the progressive jackpot flows from the tables 200 to CPU 140. This data can be used to update the progressive summary displays and for compilation of statistical information relating to game performance.

FIG. 5 is a top view 200 of a single player table used in FIG. 4. Table 200 includes a half-round or crescent shape 210 with an overall length, L1, of approximately 86 inches and a width, W1, of approximately 36 inches. The top 210 can be constructed from material such as but not limited to plywood, composite material having a top playing surface 211 finished with a standard card playing felt material. Table 200 can have a padded elbow support rail 215 on the curved player side. Table 200 can have a height above ground level of approximately 42 inches. In front of the rail 215 are player match boxes 250, player match bet areas 270, player displays 400 (shown in greater detail in reference to FIG. 7), discard area X, 240, dealer hand spot 220, a chip storage rack 230 to support betting chips, and a dealer operates a dealer control input panel 300 (shown and described in greater detail in reference to FIG. 6).

FIG. 6 is a top view of the electronic dealer control input and display panel 300 for use with the table of FIG. 5. Dealer display panel 300 includes back panel 310, a two digit LED display 320, numerical input keypad 330, with the numeral 1-7. Display 320 can be used to display the contents of any of the play registers, during credit purchasing or cash out operations by the dealer. Depressible LED lighted push buttons 330, 340, 352, 354, 356, 362, 364 will now be described. Buttons 330 are used to select which player position the dealer is viewing on the dealer display 320. Buttons 340 are used for entry of credit values of 1-99 for transfer to the player displays. Button 352 is used to zero the dealer register for cashout operations. Button 354 is used to lockout the dealer keypad operations prior to execution of a hand. Buttons 356 is used to decrement all active player registers immediately prior to execution of a hand of play. Button 362 is used to indicate to the CPU that a player hand has won the progressive jackpot. Button 364 is used to back up the sequence of keypad's entry's 1 step.

The operation of display 300 of FIG. 6 will now be described. For the dealer to credit player one with 23 progressive credits and execute on hand of play, the following steps can be followed. First, player one would request 23 credits from the dealer and pay the dealer 23 dollars. Next, the dealer would depress the "1" button in the 330 row of buttons. An LED in button labelled "1" would light and the display would indicate any credits already residing in player one's total. Next, the dealer would depress the +1, +2 and the +20 pushbuttons labelled 340. The dealer display 320 LED would indicate the total of 23 plus the original value in the player one register. The dealer would then press the "1" button in the 330 row of push buttons to transfer the dealer register contents to the player one display. The dealer would then press the End 354 button to lockout any other dealer data operations. The dealer would then depress the Play 356 button that decrements all active player registers. The hand is then dealt and play is commenced

FIG. 7 is a top view of a player display panel 400 for use with the table 200 of FIG. 5. Player display panel 400 includes a mounting frame 410, and LED numerical display 420. Player display 420 indicates the players progressive credits available for inclusion in the progressive. The LED's 1 and 2 are to indicate if a player is included in the progressive bet for the hand currently in play. A left red LED light 1, 430, shows if the player is included in the current progressive bet. A right LED green light 2, 440, shows if the player is excluded in the current progressive bet.

FIG. 8a is a schematic 600 of the display board circuitry. FIG. 8b is a display board layout 700 of the schematic of FIG. 8a. FIG. 9 is a schematic 800 of the table interface board circuitry used in the preferred embodiment of the Match the Dealer invention. FIG. 10 is a table control board layout 850 of the schematic of FIG. 9. Table 1 is a listing breakdown of the electrical components of FIGS. 8a, 8b, 9 and 10.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart 1000 of the tables, and CPU operation of Match the Dealer. The following functional flow will power up the system and credit player three(3) with 1 progressive credit using the dealer display panel of FIG. 6. The play mode will be entered and the single credit will be subtracted from player 3 leaving no more players with progressive credits on the table. This scenario is for functional logic flow analysis only and does not include all possible logic paths through the system. At 1010, system if powered on. At 1020 system is initialized. At 1030, a power check is completed and corrected. At 1040, input, output and displays are initialized with current register values(in this example all are 0). At 1050 is the system in Play mode? No, at 1070 has any function key been pressed? Yes, at 1080 has the play key been pressed? No, at 1090 has the 1,5,10 or 20 key been pressed? Yes, the 1 key. At 1091 add the value 1 to the dealer display. At 1100, the player 3 key is pressed and the logic branches at any player key block with a yes condition. At 1110 are we in the player edit mode? No at 1120 is dealer Value equal to 0? No, at 1130 add dealer value to selected player. At 1140 is result greater than 99? No, at 1150 transfer value to player display and clear dealer display. Logic branches at the in Play mode decision block. At 1150 is the table in the Play mode? No, the Play pushbutton is pressed. At 1070 any function key? Yes at 1080 is the Play key pressed? Yes at 1200 is the dealer display equal to 0? Yes at 1210 are we in player edit mode? No at 1220 is TOTPLYD greater than 0? Yes at 1230 set play mode. At 1240 subtract 1 from each player. At 1250 add total to TOTPLYD. At this point all the player registers are zero and the TOTPLYD register is equal to 1. Boxes 1060-1065 represent that shutting down of the main power supply(such as a 120 volt house supply) to the system eventually causes the battery 1063 to run out and power down 1065 where the system 1000 is no longer operational. Applying main power supply on at 1030 or turning on the power supply on within 5 seconds at 1062 restored input output and displays of 1040, 1064.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart 2000 of the interrupt service routine for the Match the Dealer data communication link from the tables to the CPU which were represented in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 12, at 2100 the host PC signals that it is ready to receive data from a table. At 2200 the table detects a request to send data from the host PC. At 2300 the value stored in TOTPLYD is sent to the PC. At 2400 the value stored in each of the seven player registers is sent to the PC. At 2500 the status of the WIN bit(ON or OFF) is sent to the PC. At 2600 the PC sends an acknowledge to the table. If the table does not receive the acknowledge then the TOTPLYD and WIN values are not cleared and the routine is exited. If the table does receive an acknowledge then the data transmission was successful and the TOTPLYD register is cleared at 2700. If the WIN status is set then it is cleared at 2800. The program return's to normal program execution occurs at 2900.

The tracking status generated tracks actual dollar input into the progressive "Match Pot."

While the preferred embodiment is described for use with gaming tables connected to a multimedia display and a central processor, the invention can be used in a Video game version such as those found in the video poker games manufactured by Balleys and IGT.

Although the preferred embodiment describes using the "MATCH THE DEALER" card game on the tables and central processing unit, other types of card games such as but not limited to blackjack, and the like can be used.

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.