Method and apparatus for playing a wagering game

[0003] This application claims priority based on provisional patent applications Serial No. 60/123,462, filed Mar. 9, 1999; Serial No. 60/123,460, filed Mar. 9, 1999; Serial No. 60/123,478, filed Mar. 9, 1999; Serial No. 60/123,466, filed Mar. 9, 1999; Serial No. 60/131,032, filed Apr. 26, 1999; and Serial No. 60/123,467, filed Mar. 9, 1999. All of the aforesaid applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] The present invention relates to a playing card wagering game that can be played with the higher ranking portion, said portion comprising the card ranks of Nine through Ace, of a typical fifty-two card Poker deck or conglomeration of multiple said portions or by video machine technology in a casino or home environment. In particular it does relate to a method and apparatus for playing a wagering game, wherein said game is not of Pinochle origin or set with rules for typical Pinochle play and provides players with the opportunity to make a plurality of separate bets or wagers during the course of the game.

[0005] There are many wagering games used for betting or chancing. Such games should be exciting to arouse players interest and uncomplicated so they can be easily understood by a large quantity of players. Ideally the games should offer more than one wagering opportunity during the course of the game, yet be able to be played swiftly to a wager resolving outcome. Wagering games particularly those intended for play in casinos should provide players with a sense of participation and control, the opportunity to make more than one card drawing and/or wagering decision and reasonable odds of winning although the odds favor the house or bank. The game must also accommodate the requirements of regulatory agencies.

[0006] The wagering game of the present invention may be played with the higher ranking cards or portion of a typical fifty-two card Poker deck, said portion comprising the card ranks of Nine through Ace. Card ranks of Two through Eight need not be used in the present invention. Said game does not involve the generally well recognized and accepted set of rules and procedures and hand resolving outcomes of typical Pinochle game play. The game method comprises of each player placing an initial wager (which may also be referred to herein as an initial bet) to participate in the game. The players are queried by a dealer to place their initial wagers into Common Betting Areas (CBAs) provided on the gaming table top. Players have the opportunity to place additional bets since the present invention offers players with multiple choices of separate wager opportunities for strategic game play on the basis of providing choices of, for example, Ranks, Zones and Ties wagering areas. After all players have made their additional bets, the dealer continues the hand by dealing cards in a typical fashion until a three of a kind match by rank has occurred in one or more dealer display card areas. If all distinct card positions in said areas are occupied with a card and said areas offer no three of a kind match by rank the hand is then over and declared a Tie. If a three of a kind match by rank occurs in either a display card area before or when all display card areas are occupied with a card, the dealer would query players of said three of a kind card match by rank and the hand is considered ended. The dealer queries the players of winning bets and prepares for the payouts of said bets and the collections of the losing bets.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the dealer uses a cup and playing dice outcome to determine first card position to allow random start of the game. Dealer pays out on the winning initial bets and collects the losing bets. Specifically, the participating players initial wager is a one part wager and is placed before the start-of-game playing die is rolled and before any cards are dealt by the dealer. Said initial wager is location restricted to only the Player-one zone wager area and to the Player-two zone wager area. Said zones are depicted by lettered words, for example, player-one zone wager area is depicted by the word “ONE” and the Player-two zone wager area is depicted by the word “TWO” in each CBA on the gaming table top. Said zones are common to the Player-one and Player-two display card areas also depicted by lettered words “ONE” and or “TWO”. Participating players are not playing against each other or against the dealer, but said initial wager is based on said players forecasting and betting on exactly where the location of, regarding said display card areas, the first card will be dealt after the start-of-game cup-die is rolled. After all players have placed said initial wager, dealer rolls said typical start-of-game playing die to determine which of the two display card areas (Player-one “ONE” or Player-two “TWO”) will receive the first card. Thus, for example, if the rolled die shows a number one, three or five then the Player-one display card area receives the first card dealt and if said die shows a number two, four or six then the Player-two display card area receives the first card dealt by the dealer. Dealer queries the players of the first card location and marks said location with a removable indicator apparatus. Dealer collects the losing players wagers and pays out even money (e.g., one to one, or three to one) to the winning players bets. Next the dealer queries the participating players that they can make additional bets by betting up to twenty-one separate bets in the depicted Common Betting Areas CBAs by physically placing said wagers onto the gaming table top into the depicted CBAs. Each CBA accommodates preferably two players but is not limited to said number of players. Next cards are dealt face up by the dealer to the Player-one display card areas distinct card positions and to the Player-two display card areas distinct card positions in a common typical staggered customary fashion. Said fashion is of a one for the Player-one display card area and then one for the Player-two display card area, said common method continuing until a three of a kind match by rank occurs in either the Player-one or the Player-two display card areas. Each said area comprises twelve separate and distinct card positions. Said card positions are segregated by a perforated vertical line every three card positions. Dealer continues dealing face up cards to both said areas positions only until a three of a kind match by rank occurs, leaving the remainder unused distinct card positions empty. If no three of a kind match by rank occurs, all distinct card positions in both the Player-one and Player-two display card areas will be occupied with a face up card. Said occurrence will consume a total of twenty-four face up cards and is declared a Tie hand. Dealer queries players of the winning bets and prepares for the payouts of said bets and the collections of the losing bets. Finally, the dealer resolves all bets by determining what payout, if any, each player is entitled to receive. Payouts are made to the winning hands according to a table or preselected payout schedule at that particular gaming table or casino, and the losing or non winning hands are collected by the dealer or house. Dealer collects the played or used cards and places said cards into the used card collection apparatus on the gaming table top and then prepares for the next new hand.

[0008] Apparatus is disclosed for playing the wagering game according to the method outlined above. A typical gaming table with a playing surface includes three Common Betting Areas CBAs, a Player-one display card area, a Player-two display card area, and six player positions.

[0009] In another embodiment of the present invention, the participating players initial wager is a one part wager and is placed before any cards are dealt by the dealer. Said initial wager is location restricted to only the Rank zone wager areas. Said zone wager areas are depicted by the capital lettered initials and numbers of A,K,Q,J, 10 and 9 and are area located in each of the three CBAs. Said players can place additional wagers into any of the five Zone wager areas depicted by the capital numbers of 1 through 5. Each said player can also place an additional wager into the Tie wager area depicted by the word Tie in each said CBA. Participating players are not playing against each other or against the dealer, but said initial wager is based on said players forecasting and betting on exactly what Rank regarding Ace through Nine a three of kind match by rank will occur. After all players have placed said initial wager each participating player can wager on a TIE or exactly in what Zone, for example, Zones 1,2,3,4 or 5, the said three of a kind match by rank will occur. Each said Zone comprises one two or six distinct card positions, wherein said Zone 5 comprises six said card positions, and Zones 1 and 2 comprise two card positions and Zones 3 and 4 comprise one said card position, thus having twelve total distinct card positions. Each CBA accommodates preferably two participating players but is not limited to said number of players. Next cards are dealt face up by the dealer and placed into the said distinct card positions in the dealer display card area in the customary fashion until a three of a kind match by rank occurs. Dealer only continues dealing face up cards until a three of a kind match by rank occurs thus leaving the remainder unused distinct card positions empty. Said card positions may be segregated by, for example, a perforated vertical line starting after the first six distinct card positions, said segregation occurring and continuing every one card position for two positions then every two positions thereafter. Thus, for example, if all twelve distinct card positions are occupied with a face up card and said dealer display area still offers no three of a kind match by rank then the hand is deemed a Tie. A true Tie hand consumes a total of twelve face up cards. Dealer queries players of said TIE or of a three of a kind match and collects the losing players wagers and pays out money or chips to the winning players bets. Dealer queries players of the winning bets and prepares for the payouts of said bets and the collections of the losing bets. Finally, the dealer resolves all bets by determining what payout, if any, each player is entitled to receive. Payouts are made to the winning hands according to a table or predetermined payout schedule at that particular gaming table or casino, and the losing or non winning hands are collected by the dealer or house. Dealer collects the played or used cards and places said cards into the used card collection apparatus on the gaming table top and then prepares for the next new hand.

[0010] Apparatus is disclosed for playing the wagering game according to the method outlined above. A typical gaming table with a playing surface includes specific areas that provide locations for player positions, placing of the wagers and for displaying cards.

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new approach to the wagering game industry, by detouring from the typical Poker game variations such as Five and Seven Card Stud.

[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide a card game that is based on plural wagering decisions. It is another aim of the present invention to provide the opportunity for players to make many decisions by giving said players the chance to make plural wagers or bets per hand.

[0013] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a unique and exciting card game for play in casinos or at home on various media including casino tables and or video machines.

[0014] It is an advantage of the game of the present invention that multiple wagering decisions are inherent to the game. The game enhances the players sense of participation and takes advantage of players inclination to make more than one wager decision, thereby providing an opportunity for the house to gain or profit due to player error.

[0015] FIG. 1 depicts a table top layout and apparatus used in playing a wagering game in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a Flow diagram representing the flow of play in said FIG. 1 game;

[0017] FIG. 3 depicts actual dimensions of specific areas on a gaming table top in accordance with the present invention and for use in said FIG. 1 game;

[0018] FIG. 4 depicts a table top layout and apparatus used in playing a wagering game in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention wherein cards are not shown;

[0019] FIG. 5 depicts the table top layout and apparatus used in playing the wagering game depicted in FIG. 4 wherein cards are shown;

[0020] FIG. 6 is a Flow diagram representing the flow of play in said FIG. 4 game; and,

[0021] FIG. 7 depicts actual dimensions of specific areas on a gaming table top in accordance with the present invention and for use in said FIG. 4 game.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus for a wagering game in accordance with the present invention includes a typical casino gaming, half sphere in geometric shape table 8. The table 8 has a flat surface 14 covered with cloth, felt or other appropriate material. The table 8 has a curved side 16 for accommodating up to six players and a straight side 10 for accommodating the dealer. Although six player positions or locations 18a-fare provided, it is not essential to the present invention that exactly six persons play. For professional or casino play a maximum of six players provides for a game that is easily manageable by the dealer. A house dealer position 30 along with including an area suitable for displaying both the Player-one 20, and the Player-two 21 display card areas cards is provided. Unique areas to the present invention are Common Betting Areas CBAs 38a-c.CBAs are designed to receive appropriate wagering settling means such as coins or chips (not shown). Said three Common Betting Areas 38a-care provided for the players positions 18a-f,with said CBA 38abeing common to player positions 18a-b,said CBA 38bbeing common to player positions 18c-d,and said CBA 38cbeing common to player positions 18e-f.Each CBA 38a-cconsists of twenty-one separate wagering areas comprising four Player-one roman zone wager areas 32a-dand four Player-two roman zone wager areas 33a-d,six Rank wager areas 36a-f,one distinct Tie wager area 37, four Quarter roman zone wager areas 42a-dcomprising the four perforated horizontal lines that are separating 32a-dfrom 33a-d,and one Player-one zone wager area 39 and one Player-two zone wager area 40. These distinct CBAs, comprising Zones, Ranks and Tie wager areas are unique to the present invention by quantity and geometric shape, said shapes being of hourglass, diamond and/or triangular geometric design. Said diamond shape areas are segregated horizontally midway by a perforated line designating Quarter roman zone wager areas 42a-dand separating Player-one roman zone wager areas 32a-dfrom Player-two roman zone wager areas 33a-d.Rank wager areas are depicted with the capital lettered symbols of A,K,Q,J,T,N (See FIG. 3) and are located in each of the three CBAs 38a-c.Also unique to the present invention are that each zone wager area is common to other areas, i.e. Player-one roman zone wager area 32ais common to Quarter roman zone I 42a,along with distinct card positions 20a-c.Player-one roman zone wager area 32bis common to Quarter roman zone II 42b,along with distinct card positions 20d-f.Player-one roman zone wager area 32cis common to Quarter roman zone III 42c,along with distinct card positions 20g-i.Player-one roman zone wager area 32dis common to Quarter roman zone IV 42d,along with distinct card positions 20j-l.Player-two roman zone wager area 33 a is common to Quarter roman zone I 42a,along with distinct card positions 21a-c.Player-two roman zone wager area 33bis common to Quarter roman zone II 42b,along with distinct card positions 21d-f.Player-two roman zone wager area 33cis common to Quarter roman zone III 42c,along with distinct card positions 21g-i.Player-two roman zone wager area 33dis common to Quarter roman zone IV 42d,along with distinct card positions 21j-l.These unique Roman zone wager areas 32a-dand 33a-dare for players 18a-fto forecast and wager on the exact card position in the Player-one 20 and/or the Player-two 21 display card areas where a three of a kind match by rank will occur. Thus, for example, if a three of a kind match by rank occurs at Player-one display card area 20fthen bets made at location 32balong with bets made on Quarter roman zone II 42band bets made at 39 are winning bets; if a three of a kind match by rank occurs at location 21fthen bets made at 33balong with bets made on Quarter roman zone II 42band bets made at 40 are winning bets. Bets are coins or chips actually placed into the Common Betting Areas 38a-con the gaming table top 14. A player wanting to wager or bet that a three of a kind match by rank will occur at location 20hand the three of a kind match by rank card will be a Queen, can place as desired separate bets at locations 32c,36c,42cand at location 40 in any of the CBAs 38a-c.These wager areas are provided for players at three Common Betting Areas 38a-cwhich give the players 18a-fthe opportunity to bet in more than one area by providing the players the opportunity to place a wager in the areas of 32a-d,33a-d,36a-f,39, 40, 42a-dand 37. Also available to the players is an opportunity to wager that no three of a kind match by rank will occur during a particular hand by placing the wager in area 37. Said hands are declared a Tie. All Tie hands consume or use a minimum of twenty-four cards, Player-one display card area 20 consuming twelve cards at locations 20a-land Player-two display card area 21 consuming a total of twelve cards at locations 21a-l.All non-Tie related bets during a Tie hand are losing bets and all bets made at location 37 during a tie hand are winning bets. Payouts are made to the winning hands and the non winning hands are collected. An exemplary payout schedule or table in may be as follows:

[0023] Both Player-one 20 and Player-two 21 display card areas are segregated into four equal sections (i.e., Quarter roman zone areas I, II, III and IV) by three perforated vertical lines. Said vertical lines are visually separating the Quarter roman zone areas I, II, III and IV. At one side of the dealer position 30, the apparatus for containing and dispensing the hand shuffled cards rests unmounted on the table top 14 and is commonly referred to as a card shoe 29. The card shoe 29 is of a typical open ended box for dispensing cards face down. Said shoe is loaded or filled with the hand shuffled cards by the dealer. At one side of the dealer position 30 is an apparatus for receiving the used cards which may be of a raised three wall type open ended box 28. Said apparatuses 8, 26, 28, 29 and 41 are provided by the house or casino.

[0024] Referring to the Flow diagram of FIG. 2, the initial step of playing the game of the present invention is preparing or shuffling the cards Flow 50. Preferably used is the higher ranking portion of a typical fifty-two card deck of Poker playing cards or conglomeration of multiple said portions, said portion comprising the card ranks of ACE, KING, QUEEN, JACK, TEN and NINE. The cards are then loaded into the card shoe 29. Card ranks of Two through Eight may be discarded and need not be used in the present invention. Hand shuffling by the dealer is used for preparing said cards. The participating players place their initial wagers Flow 51. This wager is restricted to only Player-one 39 and Player-two 40 zone wager areas and is placed prior to any cards being dealt. The dealer 30 rolls a single die 26 to determine the location of where the first card will be dealt (either 20aor 21a) by the dealer Flow 53 (i.e., whether the first card will be dealt in 20aof the Player-one “ONE” display card area 20 or in 21aof the Player-two “TWO” display card area 21). The dealer indicates said first card location by placing a removable indicator apparatus 41, onto the depicted name ONE next to the display card area 20 or onto the depicted name TWO next to the display card areas 21. The dealer resolves each players initial wager 39, 40 Flow 55 by paying even money to the winning bets and collecting the losing bets. The dealer queries said players that they now can make up to twenty-one additional wagers Flow 57. Said wagers are made or placed into the Common Betting Areas 38a-cin front of that player position 18a-f.After the players are content with their wager decisions the bets stand, that is, they remain at risk and can not be further manipulated. The dealer prepares for Flow 59. At Flow 59, the dealer deals the cards face up to both the Player-one display card area 20 and to the Player-two display card area 21 in a typical staggered fashion starting with the card location designated by the first card indicator apparatus 41. Said fashion continues until a three of a kind match by rank occurs in any of the card positions a-l in either the Player-one display card area 20 or in the Player-two display card area 21. Said dealt cards are common to all three CBAs 38a-c.When a three of a kind match by rank occurs, i.e., AAA, KKK, QQQ, JJJ, TTT or NNN, the dealer 30 queries the participating players 18a-fof the three of a kind match and ceases dealing in preparation for Flow 60. If no three of a kind match by rank occurs then the hand is declared a TIE. A true TIE hand in the present invention occurs only when the Player-one 20 display card area and the Player-two 21 display card area have each received twelve face up cards (i.e., each distinct card position 20a-lhas received a face up card and each distinct card position 21a-lhas received a face up card) and neither of said areas 20, 21 offers a three of a kind match by rank. Participating players during Flow 57 are attempting to place wagers in the distinct areas 32a-d,33a-d,36a-f,37, 39, 40, 42a-din the Common Betting Areas 38a-cthat correspond to Ranks, Ties, Zones or card locations a-l, in the Player-one display card area 20 or in the Player-two display card area 21 that said players forecast will be the exact card rank 36a-fand/or card position zone 32a-d,33a-d,39, 40, 42a-dthat the third card of any three of a kind match by rank will occur or be dealt to said card positions 20a-l,21a-land/or said zones. Said players analyses is based on that individual players 18a-fstrategic abilities and general gaming knowledge. Participating players can wager a minimum of one wager and a maximum number of wagers not to exceed twenty-one bets per hand. Two three of a kind matches by rank cannot occur in the present invention on the basis that the cards are not dealt beyond the first three of a kind match by rank occurring. Players prepare for Flow 60. At Flow 60 the dealer resolves each bet the participating players 18a-fwagered and determines what payout, if any, the said players are entitled to receive according to a payout schedule at that particular gaming table or casino. Bets on non winning hands are collected by the dealer or house 30. The hand is then over and the Flow of the game returns to Flow 51, players place bets. When cards are exhausted to an unplayable level, the Flow of the game then returns to Flow 50, preparing and shuffling cards.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 3, this is a diagram wherein the table top positions for the players wagers, dealer display card areas, Common Betting Areas and the author of the present inventions abbreviated company name “TABLETOP TECHNOLOGY” (TT) are depicted in standard numerical measurement.

[0026] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, an apparatus for a wagering game in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention includes a typical casino gambling or gaming table 108. FIG. 4 shows the table wherein cards are not shown and FIG. 5 shows the table wherein cards are shown. The table 108 has a flat surface 114 covered with cloth, felt or other appropriate material. The table 108 has a curved side 116 for accommodating up to six players and a straight side 110 for accommodating the dealer. Although six player positions or locations 118a-fare provided, it is not essential to the present invention that exactly six persons play and as many as fourteen players may participate. For casino play a maximum of six players provides for a game that easily manageable by the dealer and one in which the individual players feel more involved. A house dealer position 130 along with including an area 120 suitable for displaying the dealer display area cards 120a-lis provided. Unique areas to the present invention are Common Betting Areas, CBAs 138a-c.CBAs are designed to receive appropriate wagering indicators or settling means such as chips (not shown). Said three Common Betting Areas 138a-care provided for the players positions 118a-f,with said CBA 138 a being common to player positions 118a-b,said CBA 138bbeing common to player positions 118c-d,and said CBA 138cbeing common to player positions 118e-f.Each CBA 138a-cconsists of twelve separate wagering areas comprising six Rank wager areas 136a-f,one distinct Tie wager area 137, five Quint zone wager areas 142a-e.The Zone wager areas 142a-eare common to the distinct card position areas, which are separated therebetween with four vertical perforated lines that are separating 120a-f(distinct card position area 5) from 120g(distinct card position area 4), separating 120gfrom 120h(distinct card position area 3), separating 120hfrom 120i-j(distinct card position area 2) and separating 120i-jfrom 120k-i(distinct card position area 1). These distinct CBAs, comprising said Quint zones, Ranks and Tie wager areas are unique to the present invention by quantity and circular geometric shape, said shapes being arranged to imply floating balloons. Said arranged areas are organized and segregated by space. Rank wager areas 136a-fare depicted with the capital lettered symbols of A,K,Q,J,10,9 (see FIG. 7) and are located in each of the three CBAs 138a-c.Quint zone wager areas 142a-eare depicted by the numerical digits of 1,2,3,4,5, respectively, and the Tie wager area 137 is depicted by the actual word TIE. Also unique to the present invention are that each said Quint zone wager area is common to other areas, i.e., Quint zone wager area 142 a is common to distinct card position area 1, along with distinct card positions 120k-i.Quint zone wager area 142bis common to distinct card position area 2, along with distinct card positions 120i-j.Quint zone wager area 142cis common to distinct card position area 3, along with distinct card position 120h.Quint zone wager area 142dis common to distinct card position area 4, along with distinct card position 120g,and Quint zone wager area 142eis common to distinct card position area 5, along with distinct card positions 120a-f.These unique Quint zone wager areas 142a-eare for players 118a-fto forecast and wager on the exact card positions in the dealer display card area 120a-lwhere a three of a kind match by rank will occur. Thus, for example, if a three of a kind match by rank occurs at distinct card position 120fthen bets made at location 142eare winning bets; or, if a three of a kind match by rank occurs at distinct card position 1201 then bets made at 142aare considered winning bets. Bets are coins or chips actually placed in the Common Betting Areas 138a-con the gaming table top 114. A player wanting to wager or bet that a three of a kind match by rank will occur at location 120hand the three of a kind match by rank card will be a Queen can place as desired separate bets at locations 142c(which corresponds to the distinct card position area 3 and distinct card position 120h) and 136c(which corresponds to a card having a rank of Queen) in any of the CBAs 138a-c.These wager areas are provided for players at three Common Betting Areas 138a-cwhich give the players 118a-fthe opportunity to bet or wager in more than one area by providing the players the opportunity to place a wager in the areas of 142a-e,136a-fand area 137. Also available to the players is an opportunity to wager that no three of a kind match by rank will occur during a particular hand by placing the wager in area 137. Said hands are declared a Tie. All Tie hands consume or use a minimum of twelve cards, wherein the dealer display card area 120 will consume twelve face up cards at locations 120a-l.All non-Tie related bets during a Tie hand are losing bets and all bets made at location 137 during a tie hand are winning bets. Payouts are made to the winning hands and the non winning hands are collected by the dealer or house. An exemplary payout schedule or table may be as follows:

[0027] At one side of the dealer position 130, the apparatus for dispensing the cards is a card shoe 129. The card shoe 129 is of a typical open ended box for dispensing cards face down. Said shoe is loaded or filled with the hand shuffled cards by the dealer. At one side of the dealer position 130, is an apparatus for receiving the used cards and said may be of a raised three wall type open ended box 128.

[0028] Referring to the Flow diagram of FIG. 6, the initial step of playing the game of the present invention is preparing or shuffling the cards Flow 150. Preferably used is the higher ranking portion of a typical fifty-two card deck of Poker playing cards or conglomeration of multiple said portions, said portion comprising the card ranks of ACE, KING, QUEEN, JACK, TEN and NINE. Card ranks of Two through Eight may be discarded and need not be used in the present invention. Hand shuffling by the dealer is used for preparing said cards. The participating players place their initial wagers Flow 152. This wager is restricted to only the Rank wager areas 136a-f.The dealer queries said players that they now can make up to eleven additional wagers Flow 154. Said wagers are also made or placed into the Common Betting Areas 138a-cin front of that player position 118a-f.After the players are content with their wager decisions the bets stand, that is, they must remain at risk and cannot be further manipulated. The dealer prepares for Flow 156. At Flow 156, the dealer deals the cards face up into the dealer display card area 120 in a typical next after first fashion starting with the card location 120 a continuing towards location 120l.Said fashion continues until a three of a kind match by rank occurs in any of the card positions 120a-l.Said dealt cards are common to all three CRAs 138a-c.When a three of a kind match by rank occurs, i.e.. AAA, KKK, QQQ, JJJ, 101010 or 999, the dealer 130 queries the participating players 118a-fof the three of a kind match and ceases dealing in preparation for Flow 158. If no three of a kind match by rank occurs then the hand is declared a TIE. A true TIE hand in the present invention occurs only when all distinct card positions 120a-leach have received a face up card and the dealer display card area 120 still offers no three of a kind match by rank. Participating players during Flow 152 and Flow 154 are attempting to place wagers into the distinct areas in the Common Betting Areas 138a-cthat correspond to Ranks 136a-f,Zones 142a-eor Ties 137 that said players forecast will be the exact card position 120a-land or card rank 136a-fthat the third card of any three of a kind match by rank will occur or be dealt to said card positions 120a-l.Said players 118a-fanalyses is based on that individual players strategic abilities and general gaming knowledge. Participating players can wager a minimum of one wager and a maximum number of wagers not to exceed twelve bets. Two three of a kind matches by rank cannot occur in the present invention on the basis that the cards are not dealt beyond the first three of a kind match by rank occurring. Players prepare for Flow 158. At Flow 158 the dealer resolves each bet the participating players wagered and determines what payout, if any, the player is entitled to receive according to a payout schedule at that particular gaming table or casino. Bets on non winning hands are collected by the dealer or house 30. The hand is then over and the Flow of the game returns to Flow 152, players place bets. When cards are exhausted to an unplayable level, the Flow of the game then returns to Flow 150, preparing and shuffling the deck.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 7, this is a diagram wherein the table top positions for the players wagers, dealer display card areas, Common Betting Areas and the author of the present inventions abbreviated company name “TABLETOP TECHNOLOGY” (TT) are depicted in standard numerical measurement.

[0030] The method of the present invention does not require a shuffling machine as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,884 for facilitating and speeding the play of the said wagering game, however, said apparatus would facilitate and expedite the play of the game as well as add interest to the game.

[0031] The method of the present invention is not limited to a three of a king match by rank. The number of cards to match by rank and constitute a winning hand is determined before dealing the cards. The present invention contemplates a two of a kind match by rank, or even a four of a kind match by rank, so long as the cards provided for the game can support the required match by rank. Thus, for example, so long as the playing cards provided for the game have two cards that match by rank, all other cards provided may be different in a two of a kind match by rank method of playing the present game. Similarly, so long as the playing cards provided for the game have four cards that match by rank, all other cards provided may be different in a four of a kind match by rank method of playing the game. Of course, if the non match by rank playing cards are all different from one another, then the plurality of playing cards provided for the game will constitute something other than a typical Pinochle playing card deck.

[0032] The method of the present invention is not limited to three card hierarchy games such as Guts or Showdown but may be applied or used as a variation of typical Poker games such as Five and Seven Card Stud, or an alternative to other appropriate games such as Baccarat. The wagering game of the present invention might be played live in casinos with a dealer or in casinos or homes in interactive electronic or video form with automatic coin or betting means receptacles and payout capabilities, wherein the appropriate symbols for cards, wagers or score keeping would be displayed electronically. “A board type game” suitable for home, club or casino use may also be provided for practicing the method of the present invention. The present invention may also be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential attributes thereof. It is desired that the embodiment described above may be considered in all respects as illustrative, and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims.