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Title:
A MOBILE ENTERTAINMENT DEVICE OPERABLE TO CALCULATE A MODIFIED PLAYING SESSION SCORE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2014/081406
Kind Code:
A2
Abstract:
A mobile entertainment device includes a display (240) presenting a start array (110) of playing cards (112), each playing card (112) having a face value and the start array (110) having at least two playing cards (112), the display (240) being operable to present a series of "laid off' rounds via a column display format, each "laid off" round including the presentation of at least one playing card (112), and an input interface (242, 244). A game session is played on the mobile entertainment device to build the best possible "poker hand" in each respective column and a last card (112) is dealt with the player laying off this card (112) into the respective column that could best benefit from the card (112) in terms of its "poker hand."

Inventors:
SANDERBECK ANDREW (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2012/065977
Publication Date:
May 30, 2014
Filing Date:
November 20, 2012
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
SANDERBECK ANDREW (US)
International Classes:
A63F13/12
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
WARNOCK, Russell (30 Westgate Parkway #144Asheville, NC, US)
Download PDF:
Claims:
A MOBILE ENTERTAINMENT DEVICE OPERABLE TO

CALCULATE A MODIFIED PLAYING SESSION SCORES

An interactive display assembly, the interactive display assembly comprising: a display (240) for presenting a start array (110) of game piece representations (112), each game piece representation (112) having a face value and the start array (110) having at: least two game piece representations (1 2); an input interface (242, 244); and a control unit: (234), th control unit (234) being operalively connected to the display (240) and the input interface (242, 244), the control unit controlling the display (240) to present a series of laid off* rounds, each "laid off round including the presentation of at least one game piece representation (112), the input interface (242, 244) being operable to receive input from a player such that the player can associate each game piece representation (112) laid off in a "laid off"' round with a respective one of the start, array (110)

of the game piece representations (112), the display (240) being operable to indicate, folowing the association by the player of each game piece representation (112) laid off in a "laid off' round with a respective game piece representation (112) of the start array (110), the association of each laid off game piece representation (112) with the respective game piece representation (112) of the start array (110) with which it has been associated, the display (240) being operable to present a last: drawn game piece representation (112) in a last draw round, the input interface (242, 244) being operable to receive input from a player such that the player can associate the last game piece representation (112) with a respective game piece representation (112) of the start array (110) and the respective game piece representations (112) that have been associated therewith, each discrete group of a game piece representation (112) of the start array ( 10) game piece representation and the respective game piece representations (112) that have been associated therewith forming a submission proposal, whereupon the number of submission proposals that are

formed equals the number of game piece representations (112) in the start array (110), and the control unit (234) being operable to ascribe an initial point award to each point award proposal based upon a hierarchy system following the association by the player of the last drawn game piece representation (112) with a respective game piece representation (112) of the start array (110) and the respective game piece representations (112) that have been associated therewith, whereupon the hierarchy system is a system via which a selected combination of game piece representations (1 2) having one set of prescribed face values is ascribed a value different than another combination of game piece representations (112) having a different set of prescribed face values, the control unit (234) being operable to sum the initial point awards to yield a preliminary count, to compare the preliminary count to an on-target count, whereupon a given one of the following tally conditions will exist: (a) the preliminary count will be equal to the on-target count, ( b ) the preliminary count will be less than the on-target count, or (c) the preliminary count will be greater than the on-target

count, and to evaluate the preliminary count to arrive at a session score, the evaluation by the control unit to arrive at: a session score taking into accoun that one of the tally conditions is designated as a switchover tally condition and, in the event that the preliminary count results in a switchover tally condition, the control unit operating to adjust the preliminary count to yield a modified session score via a selected one of increasing the preliminary count to a value greater than the summation of the initial point awards or decreasing the preliminary count to a value less than the summation of the initial point awards in accordance with a heuristic rule that is in effect with respect to the status of the tally condition being a switchover tally condition.

2. The interactive display assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit (234) is operable to control the step of ascribing an initial point award to each submission proposal based upon a hierarchy system such that this step includes applying a hierarch system by which a traditional poker hand is evaluated.

T e interactive display assembly according to claim 2, wherein the control unit (234) is operable to control the step of permitting a player to associate each game piece representation (1 2) laid off in a "laid off' round with a respective one of the start array (110) game piece representations such that the step includes only permitting a player to associate each game piece representation (112) laid off in a "laid off" round with a respective one of the start array (1 0) game piece representations in a non-reversible manner during the session.

The interactive display assembly according to claim 3, wherein the control unit (234) is operable to control the step of evaluating the preliminary count to arrive at a session score such that the ste includes taking into account that two tally conditions are each designated as a switchover tally condition.

Description:
A MOBILE ENTERTAINMENT DEVICE OPERABLE TO

CALCULATE A MODIFIED PLAYING SESSION SCORE

Technical Field

The present invention generall relates to a mobile entertainment device operable to calculate a modified playing session score. One common version of the we!! known card game "poker" is played by dealing each player five card poker hands using a standard deck of playing cards. The high hand wins based on the priority of hands established under conventional five card poker rules. As a leisure time activity, poker and other card games have fascinated the public for years. A deck of cards, a playing surface, and a few participants are ail that is needed to provide a recreational few hours away from the stress and strain of daily life. Five card poker is a game with which many people are familiar and this game typically proceeds with the goal of maximizing a score based upon a well

known priority or rank order of winning poker hands - namely, in descending rank, the poker hand is ranked highest if it is Royal Flush, or is otherwise ranked, in descending rank, according to whether the poker hand is a Straight Rush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Fair or High card(s). Each player typically has an opportunity to attempt to form the best possible hand according to some pre-deterroined hierarchy of poker hand values. In some games, players are permitted to discard certain cards and receive new cards in an effort to form a better hand. While the play of poker games is obviously appealing to its many participants, it would be beneficial if a player could bring to bear the skis and experience acquired in playing poker to a card game format that can be played individually.

Summary Of The Invention

it is therefore desirable to provide a mobile entertainmen device operable to calculate a modified playing session score that: permits a person to play a card

game that is structured to reward the player for exercising good judgment based upon the player's experience and familiarity with a known card game, such as poker, while a!so being structured to reward a player for attempting calculated risks, it would also be desirable to provide a mobile entertainment device operable to calculate a modified playing session score that permits a player to play a novel card game readily adaptable to being played individually and which is relatively simple to learn for a new player and which can be played quickly. It would also be desirable to provide a mobile entertainment device operable to calculate a modified playing session score that permits a player to play a game which provides the player with opportunities to increase the points awarded for a session of play by using a target tally count that the player can seek to achieve during the session play.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile entertainment device operable to calculate a modified playing session score. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an interactive display assembly.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a deck of playing cards;

Figure 2: is a top elevational schematic view of one exemplary player arrangement;

Figure 3 is a schematic view of a first matrix of playing cards;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the player holding a freshly drawn card;

Figures 5 - 8 are each a schematic view of the first matrix of playing cards;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the player holding a freshly drawn card;

Figure 10 is a schematic view of the first matrix of playing cards;

Figure 11 is a schematic view of a second matrix of playing cards;

Figure 12 is a schematic view of a third matrix of playing cards;

Figure 13 is an illustration of a computer system for implementing the game playing method;

Figure 14 is a block diagram of the internal hardware of the computer illustrated In Figure 13; and

Figure 15 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a commercial establishment game unit.

Detailed Description Of The Pref erred Embodiment

The present invention provides, in one aspect thereof, a method of providing an entertainment diversion and the steps of this method, hereinafter referred to as the game playing method, wil now be described in connection with Figures 1 - 10, which collectively illustrate an exemplary single playing session of the game playing method. The game playing method may be played with any sustable "game piece" representation or surrogate and can be played in any suitable presentation format. As shown in Figure 1 , which is a perspective view of a deck of playing cards, one suitable "game piece" representation is a conventional playing card drawn from a playing card deck.

102 having a customary total of fifty-two playing cards. The game playing method can be played by an Individual player or can be played at the same time by two or more players each drawing playing cards from the same playing card deck 102 or each drawing playing cards from a dedicated playing card deck 102. As seen in Figure 2, which is a to elevational schematic view of one exemplary player arrangement, a dealer 104 may facilitate the pla of the game playing method by, for example, shuffling and reshuffling each playing card deck between playing sessions and two or more players 106 are seated at a playing surface 108 onto which the playing cards can be displayed or presented during play of the game playing method. The play of the game playing method by a single one of the players 108 will be described hereinafter for the purpose of illustrating the exemplary single playing session of the game playing method.

The game playing method proceeds with the ste of presenting a start array 110 of individual playing cards 112 that are drawn one at a time from the playing card deck 102,

each playing card having a face value and the start array having at feast two playing cards. The "face value" of a playing card Is deemed to be, solely for the exemplary purpose of Illustrating the exemplary single playing session of the game playing method, the actual printed denomination of a playing card - Le. s ! , a 2 * , .. "10", "Jack ' ", "Queen", "King", and "Ace", it being understood that other face values can be assigned to the "game piece" representations or surrogates. For example, "wild card" denominations can be assigned In a traditional card play sense - Le t a printed denomination of the numeral "9" on a playing card can be deemed to be a "wild card ,s permitting a player to assign that playing card an face value that the player determines best facilitates the card play situation.

The start array 110 may include any number of playing cards as dictated by the operational rules agreed to be applied by the player or players; in the exemplary single playing session of the game playing method shown in Figure 3, the start array comprises a total of five playing cards and these are presented horizontally In a row R- 1

without overlap on one another. To facilitate an understanding of the manner in which the exemplary single playing session of the game playing method proceeds, the following discussion makes reference in each of Figures 3 - 10 to a card position matrix having five vertical columns denominated as CI-AA f CI-BB, CI-CC, C!-DO f and CI-EE and five horizontal rows R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, and R-5, whereupon each interseetfon of a respective column and a respective row address defines a unique "address" at which a single playing card 112 can be placed and the position of each playing card 112 placed in the card position matrix can be uniquely identified by reference to the respective column and row address occupied by the playing card.

Figure 3 shows that Row R-1 includes the start array 110 having a four ["4 s ] of diamonds in CI-AA, a Queen of spades in CI-BB, a King of hearts in CI-CC, a three of diamonds in Ci-DD, and a ten [' 0 !! ] of clubs in CI-EE,

The game playing method proceeds with the presentation of a predetermined number of "laid off rounds, with the predetermined number being selected in

accordance with the operational rules agreed to be applied by the player or players. The action of presenting the 'laid off rounds may be effected by the player in that: the player successively draws the next: available (i.e., topmost) playing card of the card deck or a dealer may successively draw the next available (i.e., topmost) playing card of the card deck and place the freshly drawn playing card at a prescribed location at which th player may tak control of the playing card for the further steps of th session. This step of presenting a series of "laid off rounds follows the step of presenting the start array 110 of playing cards 112. Each ""laid off" round includes the presentation of at least one playing card; as shown in Figure 4, which is a perspective view of the player holding a freshly drawn card, a laid off" round may include the drawing of the next available (Le.. s topmost) playing card of the (now reduced in number) card deck and, as illustrated, the player has drawn an eight of diamonds.

The game playing method further proceeds with the step of permitting the player to associate each playing card

thai has been laid off in a "laid off" round with a respective one of the start array playing cards that have been organized in the start array of playing cards in row R-1. As shown in Figure 5, the player has elected to "lay off the drawn card of the eight f8"] of diamonds onto a column C!-DD which has a first card of th three [ a 3] of diamonds. The players election to "lay off the drawn card of the eight 8"] of diamonds onto the column CI-DO which already has a first card in the start: array row -1 leads to the eight ["8 B ] of diamonds now being "associated with this first card in the start arra row R-1 - namely, the three [' 3] of diamonds. The player considers certain factors and probabilities in deciding upon the particular start array playing card with which to "associate" each freshly drawn card and these factors and probabilities to be considered are a function of the heuristic rules that exist because of the operational rules agreed to be applied by the player or players.. As an example, in the exemplary single playing session of the game playing method, the operational rules agreed to be applied by the player includes a heuristic rule that points will

be scored for the successful assembly of a traditional poker card hand in each respective column of the card position matrix. It can thus be understood that the player therefore evaluates each respective start arra playing card - and evaluates as well the playing cards that may have a!ready been associated with this respective start array playing card - In the course of determining the best "lay off scenario that will yield the best possible number of poker card hands with the best possible points to be awarded in accordance with the operational rules agreed to be applied by the player or players. Moreover, as will be described in more detail hereinafter, th heuristic rules in effect may include a rule thai a player will receive the highest possible award for a session if the player is able to build a combination of poker card hands whose collective points total to a single predetermined number selected In accordance with the operational rules agreed to be applied by the player or players.

Returning again to Figure 4, the player, In considering the lay off or placement of the eight of

diamonds, may have considered laying off this card into CI-EE instead of laying off this card into Ci-DD; this alternative placement of the eight ["8"] of diamonds into CI-EE would provide the possibility that the coilective playing cards ultimately comprised in CI-EE may form a traditional poker hand of a "straight" - that is f five playing cards in consecutive order, in considering the possibility of building a traditional poker hand of a "straight" - tha is, five playing cards in consecutive order - in CI-EE, the player would consider the probability or likelihood that the start array playing card of C!-EE - namely, the ten ["10 55 ] of hearts - could, in combination wit the eight f8"j of diamonds, lead to the building of a "straight" comprised of, for example, the ten ["10"] of hearts, a nine [ :: 9 ;; ] of clubs (or any of the other three card suits of hearts, diamonds, or spades), the eight [ " S of diamonds, a seven [ :;i 7"| of clubs (or any of the other three card suits of hearts, diamonds, or spades) and six ["6"] of ciubs (or any of the other three card suits of hearts, diamonds, or spades). Solely for exemplary purposes, Figure 5 shows that the player has elected to instead lay off

the eight [ B 8 n ] of diamonds onto CI-DD as opposed to laying off th eight ["8 * ] of diamonds onto CI-EE. The lay off of the eight ["8"]of diamonds onto CI-DD offers the player the possibility to build a traditional poker hand of a "flush" - that is, five playing cards all of the same respective suit (clubs, hearts, diamonds, or spades) - comprised of th start: array playing card of CI-DD of the three ["3"} of diamonds, the eight [ 6! 8 !! ] of diamonds, and whatever later drawn playing cards tha can contribute to fulfilling the build of this "flush 55 poker hand.

The game playing method includes the ste of indicating the association of each laid off playing card wit the respective star array playing card win which it has been associated following the association by the player of each playing card laid off in a "laid off" round with a respective one of the start array playing cards. The indication that the eight ["8 * ] of diamonds has been placed or "laid off into CI-DD in association with the start array playing card of CI-DD of the three ["3"] of diamonds is effected via placing the eight ["8"] of diamonds vertically below and in alignment

with the start array playing card of C -DO of the three ["3"] of diamonds.

Figure 5 shows that Row R-2 includes a Jack of spades in Ci-AA, an Ace of hearts in CI-BB, a King of clubs in CI-CC, an eight ['8"] of diamonds in CI-DD, and a King of diamonds in Ci-EE.

The "laid off rounds are thus performed in accordance with the operational rules agreed to be applied by the player or players until the predetermined number of these rounds has been reached. Figures 6 - 8 illustrate the successive execution of these laid off rounds.

Figure 8 shows thai Row R-3 includes a ten ["10"] of hearts in CI-AA, a nine ["9"] of diamonds in CI-BB, a King of spades in C!-CC, a ten ["10 " ] of hearts in CI-DO, and a seven [ i: 7 i; ] of diamonds in CI-EE.

Figure 7 shows that Row R- 4 includes a two ["2"J of diamonds in CI-AA, a four [ * 4"1 of spades in Ci-BB, a seven ["7"] of clubs in CI-CC, a Jack of diamonds in Ci-DD, and an Ace of clubs in CI-EE.

Figure 8 shows thai Row R- 5 includes a three ["3 s ] of

clubs in CI-AA, a ten ['Ί 0 ] of spades in Ci-BB, a nine f"9 M ] of hearts in Ci-CC, a six [ * ¾"] of diamonds in CI-DD, and a four [ ; C] of hearts in Cf-EE.

After the predetermined number of laid off rounds in accordance with the operational rules agreed to be applied by the player or players have been performed, the game playing method proceeds with the step of presenting a last drawn playing card in a last draw round. As shown in Figures 3 - 8, the presentation of the start array of playing cards together with the presentation and "association * moves of the playing cards forming rows R-2, R-, R-4, and R-5 results in columns Col AA- EE and rows R-1 - R-5 of the card position matrix being filed with a total of twenty-five playing cards 110. Now, as shown in Figure 9, which is a perspective view of the player holding a freshly drawn card, the ste of presenting a last drawn playing card in a last draw round is effected via the drawing off of a twenty-sixth card from the card deck. For illy si ration purposes, this twenty-sixth card is the five ("5"] of diamonds. The game playing method now includes the step of permitting the

player to associate the last playing card with a respective start array playing card.. As shown in Figure 10, the player has elected to place or "lay off the twenty-sixth card of the five ["5 " ] of diamonds onto Ci-DD and so th player places this twenty-sixth card - the five [ !! 5"J of diamonds - onto CI-DD in a row R-6. With columns Col AA- EE and rows R- 1 - R-5 of the card position matrix now being filled with a total of twenty-five playing cards 11 OA {each respective row R-1 - R-5 having fiv playing cards) and with row R-6 having a single card {the twenty-sixth card of the five of diamonds), each discrete group of a start arra playing card and the respective playing cards that have been associated therewith forms a card hand, whereupon the number of card hands that are formed equals the number of start array playing cards. Each thus-formed card hand comprises the respective five playing cards in th respective column CI-AA, CI-BB, Cf-CC, and CI-EE, while CI-DD comprises six playing cards.

The game playing method then proceeds with the step of ascribing a card hand value to each card hand

based upon a hierarchy system in which a selected combination of playing cards having one set of prescribed face values is ascribed a value different than another combination of playing cards having a different set of prescribed face values following th association by the player of the last drawn playing card wi a respective start: array playing card. As noted, th hierarch system in effect for the exemplary single playing session of the game playing method is the hierarchy system by which a traditional poker hand is evaluated, Points are awarded in correspondence with the traditional hierarchy of poker hand values. A traditional hierarchy of poker is as follows, in descending rank with a "Royal Flush" being the highest winning hand:

1. Royal Flush

2. Straight Flush

3. Four of a Kind

4. Full House

5. Flush

6. Straight

7. Three of a Kind

8. Two Pair

0. One Pair

10. High Card in Hand

The game playing method includes the step of summing the card hand values to yield a preliminary count. Thus, applying the hierarchy system by which a traditional poker hand is evaluated to the card hands formed or " u lt" in the columns CI-AA - Cl-EE f it can be seen with reference to Figure 10 that a "three of a kind" poker hand comprised of three playing cards each having an actual denomination of a "King" has been built: in Cl-CC and a " flush" poker hand has been built in CI-DD; the card hands bull in the other columns C!-AA, CI-BB, and CI- EE do not yield any traditional poker hands. The hierarchy system by which a traditional poker hand is evaluated is a hierarchy system in which a selected combination of playing cards having one set of prescribed face values is ascribed a value different

t an another combination of playing cards having a different set of prescribed face values. For example, a "three of a kind" poker hand such as that comprised of three playing cards each having an actual denomination of a "King" as shown in C1-CC has a value less than a "flush" poker hand as shown in CI-DD and this lesser value of a "three of a kind * poker hand in comparison to a "flush" poker hand can be reflected in the particular point awarding protocol used by the player to apply values to the card hands formed in the columns CI-AA - CI-EE. For illustration purposes, the "three of a kind" poker hand such as that comprised of three playing cards each having an actual denomination of a "King" as shown in CI-CC is deemed to have a point value of fourteen [- 1 -] points while the "flush" poker hand as shown in CI-DD is deemed to have a point value of eighteen [~18~] points. The step of summing the card hand values to yield a preliminary count thus yields a preliminary count of thirty-two [~32~] upon the addition of the fourteen [~14~] and the eighteen [~18~3 points awarded to the "three of a kind" poker hand as shown in CI-CC and the "flush" poker hand as shown in CI-DD.

The game playing method now progresses to the step of comparing the preliminary count to an on-target count. In this connection, in accordance with the method of the present invention, a given one of the following tally conditions will exist upon comparing the preliminary count to an on-target count: (a) the preliminary count will be equal to the on-target count, (b) the preliminary count will be less than the on-target count, or (c) the preliminary count will be greater than the on-target count. The game playing method includes a final step of evaluating the preliminar count to arrive at a session score and the player can choose to conclude the play of the game playing method with no further sessions or may thereafter pla additional sessions until, for example, achieving or exceeding a cumulative session score count. The evaluating step includes the act of taking into account that one of the tall conditions is designated as a switchover tally condition in accordance with the operational rules agreed to b the player or players, in accordance with the game playing method, in the event that the preliminary count: results in a switchover tally

condition, the evaluating ste includes adjusting the preliminary count to yield a modified session score, with the process of adjusting the preliminary count to yield a modified session score including either increasing the preliminary count to a value greater than the summation of the card hand values or decreasing the preliminary count to a value less than the summation of the card hand values in accordance with a heuristic rule that Is in effect with respect to the status of the tally condition being a switchover tally condition.

The step of comparing the preliminary count: to an on-target count can be illustrated with continued reference to the exemplary session of the game playing method that has reached the placement of the twenty-sixth card on the card location matrix as shown in Figure 10. Merely for illustration purposes, it is presupposed that the player has chosen an on-target count of twenty-six [~26~J and. furthermore, it is presupposed that the player has chosen that two tally conditions that shall each be designated as a switchover tally condition - namely, the tally condition in

which the preliminary count wi be equal to the on-targel count is designated as a switchover tally condition and the tally condition in which the preliminary count is greater than the on-target count is also designated as a switchover tally condition. In contrast, the tally condition in which the preliminary count is less than the on-target count is not: designated as a switchover tally condition and so the operational rule that a tally condition not designated as a switchover tally condition means that a preliminary count that is less than the on-target count of twenty-si [~2β~] shall not be adjusted to a greater or lesser value but, instead, shall be regarded as the session score. Another operational rule stipulates that a preliminary count that: is greater than the on-target count, which has thus been designated as a switchover tally condition, shall be adjusted by a multiplier of two |~2.~], whereupon the preliminary count in this comparison category shall yield a session score that: is twice the preliminar count. A further operational rule stipulates that a preliminary count that is equal to the on- target count of twenty-six [~26~], which has thus been

designated as a swtchover taily condition, shal be deemed to yield a session score of one hundred [-100*]. Now considering that the ste of summing the card hand values yielded a preliminary count of thirty-two [~32~J, the evaluating step includes adjusting this preliminary count: of thirty-two [~32~] to yield a modified session score for the reason that: this preliminary count of thirty-two [~32~] is greater than the on-target count of twenty-six [~26~] and, therefore, is a switchover tally condition.

In accordance with the game playing method, the process of adjusting the preiiminary count to yield a modified session score includes either increasing the preliminary count to a value greater than the summation of the card hand values or decreasing the preliminary count to a value less than the summation of the card hand values in accordance with a heuristic rule that is in effect with respect to the status of the tally condition being a switchover tally condition. As noted, the heuristic rule in effect for a preliminary count that is greater than the on-target count, which has thus been designated as a swtchover tally

condition, is an adjustment of the preliminary count by a multiplier of two |~2~] and, in connection with the exemplary single playing session of the game playing method, this results in an adjustment of the preliminary count of thirty-two [-32-] to yield a modified session score of sixty-four [-6 *3, which is twice the preliminary count of thirty-two [~32~].

As seen in Figure 1 an alternative conclusion to a card playing session will now be illustrated. The steps of the game playing method are executed as discussed with respect to the exemplary session illustrated in Figures 1 - 10 with a player drawing and laying off playing cards until a last draw at which time the player makes a decision concerning the placement of the twenty-sixth card on the card location matrix, As seen in Figure 11 showing the location of the card placements that the player has made during this new session, the last: drawn card - the twenty-sixth card - has been placed in column GI-CC {at the intersection with row R-6), and the playing card is a five ["5"] of diamonds, thereby permitting the player to build a poker hand of a "full house" consisting of two fives ["5 * 3 a d three Kings. As

seen in Figure 11, columns CI-AA, Ct-BB, CI-DD, and CI-EE do not contain a grouping of cards which can be made into a poker hand such as a single pair, three of a kind, or a flush. Therefore, the only column offering points is column CI-B8. Merely for lustration purposes, it is presupposed thai the player has chosen an on-target count of twenty-six [~26" » ] and, furthermore, it is presupposed that the player has chosen thai one of the ta!!y conditions to be designated as a switchover tally condition - namely, the tally condition in which the preliminary count will be equal to the on-target count is designated as a switchover taily condition. A further operational rule stipulates that a preliminary count thai is equal to the on-target: count of twenty-six [-26*], which has thus been designated as a switchover tally condition, shall be deemed to yield a session score of one hundred CXH- if, then an operational rule regarding the points values to be ascribed to poker hands sets a point value of twenty-six [~26~J for a "full house" poker hand, it can be seen that the session conclusion shown in Figure 11 results

in a preliminary count equal to the on-target count of twenty- six ["-26*"] and designated as a switchover tally condition. Thus, in accordance with the operational rule stipulating that a prelminary count that is equal to the on-target count of twenty-six [~26~] shall be deemed to yield a session score of one hundred [~10ϋ~|, this operational rule is applied and the modified session score is one hundred [~10Q~].

As seen in Figure 12, an alternative conclusion to a card playing session will now foe illustrated. The steps of the game playing method are executed as discussed with respect to the exemplary session illustrated in Figures 1 - 10 with a player drawing and laying off playing cards until a last draw at which time the player makes a decision concerning the placement of the twenty-sixth card on the card location matrix. As seen in Figure 12 showing the location of the card placements that the player has made during this new session, the last drawn card - the twenty-sixth card - has been placed in column Ci-AA. It is presupposed that the player has composed or built, in CI-CC, a hand of three Kings which are ascribed a value of fourteen points [~14~]

and has also composed a hand of two fives in column Ci-AA, if, then an operational rule regarding the points values to be ascribed to poker hands sets a point value of fourteen [-14-] for a "three of a kind" poker hand and sets a point value of ten [-10-] for a "single pair" poker hand, the two poker hands built in CI-AA and Cl-CC yield a preliminary count of twenty-four [-24-]. Thus, in the description of the present example with respect to Figure 1.2 in which a preliminary count that is less than the on-target count of twenty-six [-26-] is not: deemed to be a switchover tally condition, the session score remains twenty-six [-26-] and is not modified.

A variation of the present example with respect to Figure 12 in which a preliminary count that is less than the on-target count of twenty-six [-26-] will now be discussed, i some game situations, a player or the players may chose to apply a heuristic rul that a preliminary count that is less than the on-target count of twenty-six [-26-] will be a switchover tally condition. Moreover, this heuristic rule that a preliminary count: that is less than the on-target count of

twenty-six [~2δ~] will be a switchover tally condition can be a rule that a player is "penalized 11 or subjected to a reduced session score if the preliminary count that is less than the on-target count of twenty-six [~28~J, For example, the heuristic rule may stipulate thai the preliminary count is to be multiplied by a multiplier of one-half [~0.50~]. An application of this heuristic rule in th present example described win respect to Figure 12, then, would result in an adjustment of the session scor of twenty-four |~24~| to yield a modified session score of twelve [~i2~] (i.e., 24 x 0.5 = 12). In contrast, in the description of the present example with respect to Figure 12 in which a preliminary count that is less than the on-target count of twenty-six [-26-] is not deemed to be a switchover tally condition, the session score remains twenty-six [-26~] and is not modified.

It is envisioned that the playing game can be offered in all suitable formats - traditional playing cards, electronic image playing cards such as on kiosks or mobile telephones, or on lottery tickets such as scratch-off tickets.

Figure 13 is an illustration of a computer system 218

for implementing the game playing method as a computer implemented stand-alone embodiment of the present invention. The herein described card game scenarios may be generated and controlled via suitable computer program procedures executed on a computer or network, of computers and the outputs of these computer program procedures may be in the form of visual displays of, for example, simulated playing cards, and in the form of audio outputs such as, for example, machine voice readouts of simulated playing cards on a visual display. The present invention also includes, in another aspect: thereof, devices for performing operations to implement the game playing method of the present invention. Each of these devices may be specially configured for the required purpose or it ma comprise a general purpose computer as selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer or stored In an external data storage element. The procedures presented herein are not inherently related to a particular computer or other apparatus. Various general purpose machines may be used with programs

written in accordance with toe teachings herein, or it may prove more convenient: to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps.. As seen in Figure 13, one such device suitable for implementing the game playing method is a computer system 218 that includes a display unit and a control unit operatively connected to the display unit and in the form of a central processing unit (234) having disk drives 236 aod 238. Disk drive indications 236 aod 238 are merely exemplary of the number of disk drives which might be accommodated in this computer system. These may include a floppy disk drive such as 236, a hard disk, drive (not shown either internally or externally) and a CD-ROM indicated by slot 238. The number and type of drives varies, typically with different computer configurations. The display unit includes a display (240) upon which information is displayed. A keyboard 242 and a mouse 244 are typically also available as input devices via a standard interface.

Figure 14 is a block diagram of the internal hardware of the computer .218 illustrated in Figure 13. As illustrated in

Figure 14, data bus 248 serves as the main information highway interconnecting the other components of the computer system. Centra! processing unit {CPU) 250 is the centra! processing unit of the system performing calculations and logic operations required to execute a program. Read-only memory 252 and random access memory 254 constitute the main memory of the computer, and may be used to store the simulation data.

External data controller 258 interfaces one or more external data storage elements to the system bus 248. These external data storage elements may be flash memory such as 262, internal or external hard drives such as 260, or CD- ROM or DVD (digital video disks) drives such as 258. A display interface 264 interfaces with display (240) and permits information from the bus 248 to be displayed on the display (240). Communications with the external devices can occur on communications pod 266. Memory media components such as a flash memory stick, or a CD-ROM, or a digital video disk may contain the pro-gram information for controlling the computer to execute the game playing method.

Figure 15 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a commercial establishment game unit 310 that can implement the game playing method of the present invention. Game unit 310 is a multi-function game station or game console which is intended to implement multiple types of games using one apparatus, as described below. Game unit 310 includes a housing 312, player controls 314, display screen 316, a monetary input device in the form of a coin slot: 318, speaker 320, and an award chit dispenser 322.

Housing 312 encloses and supports the components of the game unit 310. Player controls 314 allow a player to provide the player input that has been described with reference to Figures 1 - 12. The player controls 314 include a number of buttons 324 and a track ball 326. Buttons 324 can be used by a player to input selections or actions offered during games. For example, in connection with the step of permitting the player to associate each playing card that has been laid off in a "laid off round with a respective one of the start array playing cards, a button 324 can be

used to select cards, white track ball 326 allows a player to control a cursor to place or "lay off' the selected card in the respective column. Alternatively, many other types of player controls can be used. For example, display screen 316 can be configured as a touch screen for reading the positions of objects (such as fingers, styluses, etc.) that contact: the screen. This allows players to select objects displayed on the touch screen by pressing a finger or other object directly on the screen at the positions of the displayed objects, as is well known to those skilled in the art. Alternately, other input and output devices can also be included in game unit 310 as described with reference to game unit 310, such as a computer keyboard, mouse, stylus and tablet, etc.

Images can be displayed and updated on displa screen 316 by a game processor that can be configured as a suitable version of the computer system 218 or other controllers by methods known to those skilled in the art. Coin slot 312 is provided for the player to insert one or more coins before starting a game and can be Implemented as described above. Other monetary input devices, such as

card readers, can be provided in other embodiments. A multiple player version of the game unit 310 can be used in a variety of gaming environments. For example, game unit: 310 can be configured in a compact configuration that allows the game unit: to be provided as a "bar top" gam in a. bar, restaurant, gaming arcade, or similar environments and locales. The award chit dispenser 322 can be configured to issue a printed item - i.e., a "chit" - indicating a single session scor or a multiple session score. Th game unit 310 can offer one of several different versions of the game playing method utilizing images displayed on display screen 316. Multi-use game unit 310 can also be configured for linked or networked game play utilizing a suitable communication device 328. A single game unit 310 can be linked with one or more other game units 310 to allow multipiayer games,