Title of Invention: Method and Apparatus for Playing a Casino

Poker Game Having Two Side Games

Technical Field

Technical Field

[1] This invention relates to the field of gaming and in particuarl to a method and

apparatus for playing a casino poker game having two side games.

Background Art

[2] Casinos, and other gaming establishments, must continually look to increase their revenue by introducing games that are not only advantageous for the house but also games that excite and satisfy their patrons gaming interests. Traditional poker is a hugely popular game among gaming enthusiasts. However, many casinos feel that poker does not earn high enough revenues to justify its operation.

[3] Another problem associated with typical casino poker games is that, while games are idle and not open, paid employees are also idle and not working.

[4] Another problem associated with traditional poker games is that games usually

consist of ten players. Many players do not consider a poker table full and will not sit until all ten seats at the table are occupied. As such, ten players and a dealer on one large table require a significant amount effort to open and begin play. Full tables also require a significant amount of floor space. The most common problem with starting traditional poker games is having enough players available, at the same time, to start playing.

[5] A further problem associated with traditional casino poker games is that the vast majority of new players have learned to play on the much faster Internet tables. Many new players are hesitant to play live cash games because traditional ten-handed games are now commonly spread in casinos. Ten-handed games are much slower than what these players are now used to. Internet trained players crave faster action than what is usually found in a traditional poker game.

[6] Yet another problem associated with a traditional casino poker game is that when less experienced players sit down at a poker table to play against more skilful and more experienced players they generally do not fare well. The skilled players usually win the less skilled players' money. This is money that will not be won by the house. The less skilful players are also the players who will wager more often against the house. Less skilful players are generally bigger risk takers than more skilful players. These players generally know less about winning percentages than more skilful players know, and they will be the players who tend to bet bigger and more often on the flop bet Disclosure of Invention

Technical Solution

[7] The present invention is a method of playing a casino poker game comprising the steps of:

[8] 1. 1. dealing a first hand of a main poker game between up to seven players, wherein the main poker game includes a step of turning a three card flop, and wherein the main poker game includes a main poker pot;

[9] 1. 2. concurrently playing a mandatory first side game having a jackpot wherein a jackpot payout is dependent upon the three card flop;

[10] 1. 3. concurrently playing an optional second side game being an optional flop bet game wherein a flop bet payout is dependent upon the three card flop;

[11] 1. 4. providing a j ackpot game payout schedule for determining a j ackpot to be shared between a set of jackpot game winners;

[12] 1. 5. providing a flop bet payout schedule for determining a flop bet payout for a set of flop bet winners;

[13] 1. 6. paying the flop bet payout to the set of flop bet winners; and,

[14] 1. 7. providing to the set of jackpot game winners a jackpot button to identify each jackpot game winner.

[15] The first hand of the main game is completed and the main pot is paid out to the winner.

[16] The pit boss calculates a quantum of the jackpot according to a jackpot payout

schedule and then instructs the house dealer to payout the quantum to each jackpot game winner. The pit boss adjusts the jackpot display to a new estimated value

[17] The house dealer starts another hand of the main game.

[18] The invention also provides for a playing table for accommodating up to seven

players, a computer system for dynamically estimating the jackpot, an electronic display board connected to the computer system for displaying the estimated jackpot, providing a house and a house dealer for managing the playing table, a pit boss for managing a plurality of playing tables.

[19] The table comprises a numbered seating area for each player of said up to seven players, a seating area for the house dealer, a playing area for each player, a player betting area for the main poker game, a betting area for the first side game jackpot, a betting area for the second side game flop bet, a player card placement area, a flop board placement area, a turn card placement area, a river card placement area, a dealer tray, a card shuffler for shuffling two decks of cards, a main pot area for the main poker game, a left dealer drop slot and a right dealer drop slot.

[20] The main game pot is funded by the players. The first side game jackpot is funded by the players and the second side game flop bet is funded by the house.

Advantageous Effects

[21] One object of the present invention is to add a secondary source of revenue other than the per hand 'house rake'. The optional flop bet offered to the players has built in house advantages thus increasing overall house revenue.

[22] Another object of the present invention is to increase the speed at which the casino takes their rake (more hands per hour) which also increases profits.

[23] A further object of the invention is to attract more players to the game.

[24] One objective of the invention is to introduce a poker game having an added jackpot and flop bet to allow less experienced players the opportunity to win more often.

[25] One advantage of the current invention is that the game is easier to open and quicker to fill up allowing the casino to operate a greater number of tables producing greater revenues.

[26] Another advantage of the present invention is that the game has a built in strategy to operate more quickly and also operate games for longer periods of time.

[27] Still another advantage of the present invention is that the game allows the table to open with as little as one player. A single player can sit and begin playing against the house wagering side games. This function allows paid employees to be more properly utilized because games open and begin play earlier.

[28] Another advantage of the present invention is that it uses a smaller table and so the utilization of floor space is considerably reduced.

[29] One advantage of the invention is that fewer players are required to open a table.

Players are able to join the present game table as they arrive resulting in less effort opening new games.

[30] Still another advantage of the present invention is that casinos can open a greater number of games. The largest influx of new poker players have recently learned to play on the internet. Many of which have learned and are accustomed to playing either heads up or at six or less, handed tables. Faster paced and shorter than 10 handed games attract these new players to the casino which, in turn allows casinos to earn more money.

[31] The faster seven-handed game of this invention will attract a greater number of new players to the casino to play.

Description of Drawings

[32] Figure 1 is a view of the table layout for the poker game of the present invention.

[33] Table 1 is a payout schedule for one embodiment of the invention.

[34] Table 2 is a payout schedule for a second embodiment of the invention.

[35] Table 3 is a payout schedule for a third embodiment of the invention. [36] Table 4 is a payout schedule for a fourth embodiment of the invention.

[37] Table 5 is a payout schedule for a fifth embodiment of the invention.

Best Mode

[38] The Playing Table

[39] Referring to Figure 1, the table 10 layout has seven (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24) individual betting areas: one for each player. These betting areas are to be situated directly in front of each players sitting position around the end cap 26 of table 10. Each betting area also has a secondary betting circle (28 to 40) designated for the Flop bet. The circle will be situated directly in front of each players betting area (12 to 24), within reach of the player and dealer 42. Situated directly in front of the dealer is a dealer tray 44 used for storing house chips and in front of the dealer tray there is an area used for the flop 46, turn card 48, and river card 50. A drop slot (52 & 54) will be located on either side of the dealer tray 44. The slot to the left 54 of the dealer tray is used to collect the jackpot ante and the slot 52 to the right hand side of the tray is used to collect the house rake from the poker game. Also to the left of the dealer tray will be an area for the automatic shuffle machine 56.

[40] The Jackpot Display

[41] An electronic reader board 58 will display an estimate of the current jackpot pool.

The electronic reader board is driven by a computer system that dynamically estimates the value of the jackpot.

[42] The Shuffle Machine

[43] A professional style card shuffler 56 will be used to ensure a random shuffle each deal.

[44] The Game Play Buttons

[45] Game play buttons will be used to signify certain options players have in the game.

The Wicked Slick Poker buttons will include a dealer button, a missed big blind button, a missed small blind button, a sitting out button, a seat change button, a dinner break button, and an additional button (marker) used to signify current jackpot winners.

[46] The Wicked Slick Poker (WSP) Game

[47] I have called the new game The Wicked Slick Poker (WSP) game which is a blended poker and table game that combines traditional poker, first side game having a player funded jackpot, and a house-banked game having a house funded pot where players bet on the outcome of the three card flop. The play of the game requires a dealer, two decks of cards that alternate each hand, and a shuffle machine. The game also requires a customized table, similar in size to a standard blackjack table, and a computer system with a display for tracking estimated jackpot totals.

[48] WSP is played with a maximum of seven players; however, the house-banked game may be played with as little as one player. By limiting the number of players to seven, the game allows the casino to maximize floor space by using significantly smaller tables than would be required for a traditional poker games. Additionally, a seven handed poker game plays faster and elicits greater player action than that of a traditional ten handed poker game. Other benefits to limiting the game to seven players, as opposed to ten, are: the game will average more hands per hour creating higher rake for the house. Furthermore, by averaging more hands (flops) per hour, the jackpot will in turn be observed as hitting more frequently, which, increases player excitement and contributes to increased flop betting.

[49] The usual poker game is preferably a seven card game such as Texas Hold'em.

However, any game using a three-card flop, such as Omaha Hold'em can be played at the Wicked Slick table. Traditional rules of poker will apply to the main poker game. Additionally a modified Seven Card Stud game can be played as long as the game uses a three card flop. Players will play against each other and the house will take its rake on each hand.

[50] The Side Games

[51] The game of the present invention offers two additional side games which can be played in conjunction with the primary Wicked Slick game.

[52] Side Game #1: Mandatory Jackpot Game

[53] Each side game adds another exciting element to the traditional game of poker.

[54] Many people enjoy the game of poker; however, some players also enjoy the action that table games bring them. Many players would like to gamble more while playing poker but do not because they are cautious not to over play their hands, consequently losing their money to the other more skilful players. The first side game is a jackpot game dependent on the outcome of the three card flop. The jackpot game is a mandatory player funded game.

[55] The player funded jackpot game is not a traditional jackpot, but rather a jackpot game that pays out much more frequently than a traditional bad beat jackpot, creating greater player excitement and the regular appearance of players winning. Along with the usual small and big blind for the main jackpot of traditional poker, the player or 'dealer' on the button will post an additional smaller blind (usually $1). This posted blind will be 'live' and will be collected into the jackpot prize pool before any starting cards are dealt to the players. Subsequently, a running total of the collective jackpot prize pool will be posted to all players on the display 58 showing them an estimate of potential jackpot payoffs. Irrespective of the action in the hand, a three-card board will be flopped every deal giving any players remaining in the hand a chance at sharing the jackpot. As opposed to standard poker, if all players fold to the big blind 62 or the pot is raised resulting in all other players folding, any of the players remaining in the hand will have a chance to see the flop and win any qualifying jackpot by him or herself. As such, all jackpot bets will be paid or collected by the house depending on the outcome of the three-card flop regardless of the action in the main poker game.

[56] A portion of the first side game jackpot is won when any three-card board appears with all the same rank cards (trips) or an ace, king, queen of the same suit (Slick). This is set out in a payout schedule for the jackpot game. According to the jackpot payout schedule, a varying percentage of the jackpot is awarded to the player or players remaining in the hand depending on which board appears. If multiple players remain in the hand at the time of the flop, each player in the hand will split an equal share of the winning amount. As aforementioned, if only one player remains in the hand then any jackpot won in that hand will be awarded to the lone player.

[57] Any money won from a winning jackpot hand will be paid out of the dealer tray and then a new reduced jackpot total will be posted on the electronic display to the players. Any jackpot funds paid out of the house's dealer tray will be repaid to the house from the jackpot at some later time keeping the jackpot a completely player funded game.

[58] Side Game #2

[59] The second side game is a house-funded optional flop bet. The flop bet gives the players an alternative form of gambling while at the poker table. The players playing the flop bet do not have to play the main game or the jackpot game. Therefore, they do not have to 'over gamble' in the main poker game or leave the game to find another game to satisfy their urge to be in action. Poker players who do bet and lose money on the flop bet will justify their actions from the occasional big win that the flop bet produces. In addition, the flop bet also satisfies the house by providing an additional revenue stream other than the usual poker rake.

[60] The second side game is an optional flop bet where players may wager against the dealer. For the sake of simplicity and convenience, only one bet will be available to the players. One bet will cover all of the possible outcomes on the three-card board (flop). Players making this optional bet are betting that either a jackpot hand (slick or trips), or a pair as little as deuces, will appear on the flop. A designated flop bet payout schedule is posted which will show the amount the players will win when each or any of these flops occur. The payout schedule or odds against for the flop bet may be adjusted to increase or decrease the house advantage. A variety of flop bet payout schedules are set out in this specification but other payout schedules are possible. This, in turn, allows the house to choose a payout schedule that most effectively meets their needs. Any flop bets wagered and placed in the betting circle must be made prior to any cards being dealt to the players. Once all flop bets have been made and the deal begins, the flop bets are deemed to be in action and cannot be removed from the table layout.

[61] Payouts [62] After the players have been dealt their cards, and all bets and raises in the main card game are called or folded, the dealer will turn the three-card flop. If a pair comes on the flop, the dealer will pay all flop bets according to the payout schedule in effect at the table before action in the poker hand continues. If a jackpot hand appears on the flop, the dealer shall call the pit boss and alert him or her to the event. All winning flop bets larger than one pair are to be paid at this time under the supervision of the pit boss.

[63] Each player who is remaining in the hand at the time the flop is turned is eligible for a portion of the jackpot and will be awarded an equal share of the winning amount at the end of the hand. To ensure a simple and accurate payout to the players, the dealer will issue a jackpot marker to each winning player, which, will later signify to the pit boss the players who have won a share of the jackpot. The game will continue after the flop bets have been paid out and while the game continues the pit boss will prepare the necessary paperwork to calculate the jackpot payout per player remaining and update the displayed jackpot total. At the completion of the poker hand, the dealer will push the main game poker pot to the winning player. At this point, the pit boss will instruct the dealer to pay the appropriate jackpot shares to the winning players who were issued a jackpot marker during the hand. At completion of the jackpot payment, the next hand of the main game will commence and the next poker hand will be dealt. Every hand in the main game will include a flop bet and a jackpot. In this way, the game is more exciting, fast moving and results in more payouts for the players enticing them to continue playing.

[64] On average, a pair will occur on the flop and be paid by the dealer approximately every 5 hands and a jackpot qualifier will occur and be paid by the dealer approximately every 395 hands (roughly every 11 hrs for a single game). As additional games are opened and begin play, jackpot qualifiers will appear more frequently creating a more winning and excitement for the players.

[65] Advantages of the Wicked Slick Poker Game Jackpot

[66] In the past, poker room managers have attempted to make positive changes to

increase action in their poker games, however, these changes do not always accomplish what they are designed to do. Adding a traditional jackpot to poker games is a change designed to bring players into the card room to play for big prizes. One problem associated with traditional bad beat jackpots is that the payoffs are generally very large and qualifying hands occur infrequently. Due to the infrequency of traditional jackpot payouts, many players never get a chance to be part of a winning jackpot. Another problem associated with traditional bad beat jackpots is that players who are lucky enough to win a majority share many times take their large win outside the casino and use the money for other than gaming purposes. Furthermore, players who are not part of winning jackpots may not want to participate in funding the jackpot as they may feel like they have been charged the extra rake for nothing.

[67] To overcome these problems, the invention, Wicked Slick Poker, the jackpot side game is designed to allow players to win smaller, but more frequent prizes. Because the wins are smaller, and split between multiple players, the majority of the money paid out to players remains in play and available for gaming. Although the side game jackpot does not necessarily bring players in for the big win, it does allow the game's players to feel better about their gaming experience by increasing player excitement with more frequent winning. The traditional poker game becomes more fun to play and players tend to stay and play longer. Many players enjoy participating in funding the jackpot because the winning happens much more frequently by virtually every player.

[68] Another positive after-effect of the jackpot occurs when players begin to notice the texture of the three card flops; they are waiting to see if jackpot-qualifying hands appear. If they are not currently wagering on the flop bet they begin to notice when flop bets are paid to the other players. Players begin to feel like they have missed an opportunity when payouts are made to the other players who are wagering on the flop bet. This naturally encourages players to make a flop bet wager. The two side games work very well together, one game creates excitement with small frequent payoffs and the other flop bet creates a viable revenue stream for the casino.

[69] The Rules

[70] Players must use the betting squares (12 to 24 for the main game pot; 80 to 94 for the jackpot for the first side game; and, 28 to 40 for the second side game flop bet) on the table layout to place all calls and raises. In addition, the flop bet (28 to 40) is required to be separated from the main betting squares. After the flop bet is wagered and the flop is down, the flop bet must be settled before the players play out the main game hand. The play of the main game hand continues only after all flop bets are settled.

[71] Traditional poker rules do not allow players to remove chips or add multiple small buy-ins to their stack. Since Wicker Slick game players will be allowed to use their chip stack to make flop bets with, it makes sense that when they win a small amount they be required to add that amount to their stack for the play of the hand. The addition of chips won from the flop bet will be added to the players stack prior to the completion of the poker hand. The addition of chips to a player's stack from a first side game jackpot, regardless of the amount, may not be added to the players stack until the following hand begins. One exception to this rule occurs when players hit a jackpot or flop bet payout that exceeds the maximum table buy in. In this case, the player would have the option to keep the chips in play or to take them off the table and out of play during the following hand (not the current hand). This allows opposing players a reasonable estimate of their opponents chips at the onset of the hand. [72] Typical house poker rules dictate that players may only add one 'short buy-in' per game. This rule is often confusing to the house and the other players when players have entered, left, and re-entered the same game. A simple solution to this problem is to have no short buy-ins allowed but to simply allow a minimum and a maximum buy- in. The minimum buy-in is to be no less than 20 times the big blind and the maximum buy-in is to be no more than 200 times the big blind. Additionally, this minimum buy- in rule should also help to eliminate multiple side pots which slows the speed of the main poker game. One exception to this rule, as previously noted, is when a player has won a smaller than a minimum buy-in amount from the jackpot or a flop bet wager. In this prior example the player would be required to add the small amount to their stack during the current hand that they receive the chips.

[73] A player may choose to be dealt out of the poker game, but wish to continue playing against the dealer wagering on the flop bet. However, he or she may only continue betting the flop bet without playing the poker game when no waiting list to sit and play the main game exists. If another player wishes to play the main game, the player being dealt out of the main poker game must give up his or her seat to the waiting player. The following exceptions apply to this rule. A player may continue betting the flop bet when there is a waiting list only after they have recently returned from taking a break and they are waiting for the big blind to reach them or only after a player has moved seats away from the big blind and they are also waiting for the blind to reach them.

[74] All-in bets, prior to the flop, should be announced to the dealer and the other players before the player's chips are pushed into the betting square. The main pot and any side pots are collected and settled after the flop is down and only after all flop bets have been settled. All-in bets occurring after any flop bets have been settled are handled with the same procedure, all in bets must be verbally declared to the dealer and other players prior to their chips pushed into the middle. The player's chips are then pushed into the betting squares for the dealer to settle. Moreover, all raises must be either verbally declared or the dealer must be made aware by a common hand signal.

[75] In the case of heads up play, the player on the button is required to post both the small blind and the jackpot ante. He is also required to act first before the flop. The player in the first position is required to post the big blind and is also required to act first after the flop and after all other subsequent betting rounds. The jackpot ante is considered live. Usual poker dealing procedures dictate that the first hand is always dealt to the small blind in front of the button, however, when playing heads up the first hand is dealt to the small blind on the button.