Card Game with Improved Fairness

The present invention relates to an improved card game and specifically but not exclusively to an improved poker card game.

In various card.games, including many forms of poker, it is possible for players to go "All-in", that is bet all their remaining chips on a hand. If the bet is called, (and there are no other players still involved in with the hand), and there are more cards left to be dealt, standard play provides that the winner is determined by dealing the remainder of the cards, and analysing who has the winning hand. In this scenario the player with the best hand after the cards have all been dealt wins the whole pot.

The problem with this approach is that it means that the end result is determined by luck rather than skill. A skilful player may have manoeuvred another player in to an all-in situation and "deserve" to win the pot as a result of his superior hand.

However, the cards remaining to be dealt may come up in such a way as to give the inferior player the winning hand and win the whole pot even though this was unlikely to occur. This is known as a "bad beat". After the all-in bets, the game effectively becomes a game of chance, with the skilfulness of the players not being a factor in determining the outcome.

Another problem is that of two players going all-in and finding themselves with a roughly equal chance of winning. This is known as a "coin flip" situation. The decision to go all-in can have been quite reasonable for both players, but the result is then determined solely by luck - as if by flipping a coin - the skill of the players does not enter in to the outcome.

Thus, in a tournament game this may result in two players "flipping a coin" for their tournament life, and in a cash game, potentially for a large sum of money. Neither case is satisfactory or desired by card game players.

There is therefore a need for a card game which overcomes the problems with existing games and which improves the fairness of games for players.

Viewed from a first aspect there is provided a method of playing a card game comprising the steps of dealing two cards face down to each player (the hole cards); conducting a round of betting wherein one or more players can wager all his money and be an all-in player; if all players are all-in then exposing the two face down cards of each player and determining how the money bet thus far is to be split between the players and ending the game; dealing three face-up community cards

(the flop cards) to be shared by the players; conducting a round of betting wherein one or more players can wager all his money and be an all-in player; if all players are all-in then exposing the two face down cards of each player and determining how the money bet thus far is to be split between the players and ending the game; dealing one face-up community card (the turn card) to be shared by the players; conducting a round of betting wherein one or more players can wager all his money and be an all-in player; if all players are all-in, exposing the two face down cards of each player, and determining how the money bet thus far is to be split between the players and ending the game; dealing one face-up community card (the River card) to be shared by the players; conducting a final round of betting; and exposing the two face down cards of each remaining player, and determining how the money bet thus far is to be split between the players and ending the game.

Thus, there is provided a game in which the total pot of money which has been bet by the players is divided according to the probability of each player winning based on the cards which the players holds and the cards which remain to be dealt.

The game may be played by any number of players with each player having the option to play 'all-in' and have his probability of winning determined.

The improved game according to the present invention removes an element of luck from the game and increases the reliance of the result of the game on the skilfulness

of each of the players. This improves the game, and will be appreciated by skilful players. The invention is a methodology by which these situations may be resolved fairly, that is removing the element of luck which pervades after the all-in situation. This will make the game more of a game of skill and reduce variability in players bank rolls as, for example, swings due to "bad beats" are eliminated. The approach can be applied to and benefits the skilful play of both tournament games, and cash games.

The fair split of the pot between each of the players is preferably determined in accordance with the rules of the particular game i.e. based on the cards the player holds and the cards which would be played in accordance with the rules of the game. The fair split of the pot is preferably determined by calculating what the probability is of each player winning or drawing the hand at the all-in point. The pot it then split proportionally according to the determined probabilities for each player i.e. to each player's expected return. It will be appreciated that suitable probability calculations are well known to those skilled in the art.

The fair split may be determined in any suitable way. For example a look-up table may be provided indicating the probabilities of each player for various card combinations i.e. the determination may be made manually by a game player or game controller or the like.

Preferably the determination is made by means of a data processing device such as a computer, hand-held processing device or the like which is arranged to receive data indicating the card positions (i.e. which cards are held and which cards are to be played) and to output a probability. Most preferably the data processor is also arranged to receive data indicating the bet pot and thereby arranged to output the fair split of the pot to each player.

The data processor may, as described above, be any suitable processing device. The data processor may be provided with data storage means arranged to contain a lookup table of probabilities for each and every card combination. Preferably the data

processor is configured with a suitable algorithm which outputs a probability and/or fair split on receipt of card location data and pot data.

The data processor is preferably provided with a suitable visual display device to communicate the probabilities and/or fair split to the players or game controller.

The data processor is also preferably provided with suitable means to receive the location of each of the cards being played. This may for example be by means of a manual input device in which a game controller (i.e. a person) inputs the data of the cards as they are played. A determination of the fair way to split the money bet can then be made by the data processing apparatus.

Preferably the location of the cards are determined passively to remove the requirement for an individual to input data, thus the determination of the fair split can be made more accurately and more quickly. The location of the card may be determined using any suitable means. For example, the play area may be provided with camera apparatus (such as a digital camera) arranged to communicate data from each player to the data processing apparatus. The data processing apparatus may in turn be provided with suitable image recognition means e.g. software so as to be able to determine which cards a player holds. This may similarly be applied to the chips each player has bet so as to determine the pot size.

More preferably the cards may each be provided with a suitable tag such as a radio frequency identity tag (RFID) which can be used to determine the location of the cards. This may also be used to determine the location of the chips. It will be appreciated that other suitable identity means may be used to determine the location of the tags and chips.

In such as arrangement the 'tagged' cards and chips may be read by a reader suitably disposed proximate the game area. The game area may be provided with defined areas into which cards/chips must be placed so as to be read. This may for example be incorporated into a gaming table. A further aspect of an invention disclosed

herein relates to a gaining table comprising a plurality of game areas wherein each game area is providing with means to determine the cards which are present within or proximate said area. The gaming table is preferably arranged to communicate data indicating the locations of cards to a data processor of the type described above. In such an arrangement there is provided an integrated apparatus for playing a game according to a method described herein.

The fair split calculation may be made locally i.e. proximate the game area or table and may be determined by a suitable data processor programmed with suitable software. The fair split may alternatively be determined remotely by means of a data processor disposed at another location. A remote data processor may be arranged to communicate and to receive data from the game area (i.e. card and pot data) using any suitable means. For example the data processor may be arranged to communicate with the game area over the internet, hi such an arrangement there may be provided a local data processing apparatus arranged to receive or to determine the card locations and a remote data processing apparatus arranged to make the fair split calculation and to return the probability and/or fair split.

It will be appreciated that the method according to the present invention may be played in a conventional way between a number of people in one location using conventional playing cards such as at a tournament.

Alternatively, the method may be performed as part of a computer or video game or on a suitably programmed computing device. Alternatively the method may be performed all or in part over the internet between one or more data processors, computers or the like.

Thus, the method may be performed over a distributed computer network arranged to communicate using a suitable means such as the internet. Such a distributed computer system may comprise one or more local data processing means each arranged at a particular game area and a central game server arranged to receive data and to calculate probability data and/or fair split data and to communicate same to

one or more local data processors. The local data processors may be disposed at various locations in various jurisdictions such that the game can be played by players in different countries. In such an arrangement the central server may be arranged to simulate a card game according to a method described above and to communicate display information showing cards and to receive instructions from player controlling the local data processors indicating their intentions in accordance with the steps of the game.

It will be recognised that each or all of the steps may be performed on a computer in the form of software so that one or more users can play the game on a computer or over a network (wired or otherwise). Thus, the invention extends to a computer based method of playing a card game wherein the representations of cards are displayed on suitable visual display units on client computers with the steps of the method being performed on a client computer, on a central server or in any suitable combination.

It will be recognised that the local computers may be any suitable computing device such as a desktop PC having suitable software in accordance with the invention or internet access allowing the computer to operate software from the central server. In effect a game according to a method described herein is simulated in a computer environment.

Viewed from another aspect there is provided a computer system comprising a server and at least one or more clients each of which is arranged to communicate with the server, wherein the server is configured in accordance with the steps of a method referred to herein. Viewed from another aspect there is provided a server configured to operate as part of a computer system and to perform one or more steps of a method referred to herein. Viewed from yet another aspect there is provided a method of operating a computer system in accordance with the steps of a method claimed herein. Still further, viewed from another aspect there is provided a method of operating a server in accordance with one or more steps of a method referred to herein.

Still further, other aspects include a computer software product for configuring a server to operate in accordance with a computer system described herein; a client or user personal computer configured to operate as part of a computer system; a method of operating a client in accordance with one or more steps of a method referred to herein; and a computer software product for configuring a client to operate in accordance with a computer system.

Each of the steps may be performed on a computer system as recited above. Alternatively some steps may be performed on a server and some on a client. Preferably, the servers are arranged to receive data from each client, to process the data centrally and to return data for display on the client computer. Thus, the server and clients maybe arranged in one or more jurisdictions.

Computer software for configuring elements of the system may be provided on physical media such as a CD, DVD or the like, or may be supplied as signals from a remote location, for example as a file that can be downloaded over a network such as the Internet.

Examples of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying figures in which :

FIGURE 1 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps of the game;

FIGURE 2 illustrates an arrangement wherein the game is played on a distributed network.

Figure 1 shows a flow diagram illustrating the steps of a game according to an embodiment of the invention. The example relates to a game of Texas Hold 'Em, but it will be recognised that the methodology can be applied to any game where a player can bet AU-In. In each example the probabilities are determined by a suitably programmed data processor described further with reference to Figure 2 below.

The terminology used herein is described in detailed at the end of the description of figures and examples.

Example 1:

Taking the game of Texas Hold-Em played online (for example over the internet), two players may remain in a pot:

Player A has hole cards of Ace of Diamonds and Ace of Hearts Player B has hole cards of Seven of Spades and Two of Clubs

Player B bets all-in in an attempt to bluff Player A, Player A calls. Both players have $50 in the pot for a total of $100.

The software calculates the probability of Player A winning at this point as 87.24%, the probability of Player B winning is 12.40% and the probability of a draw is 0.36%.

Using the "Fair Split" approach according to the present invention, the software then splits the pot proportionally according to the probability of each player winning or drawing. After rounding to the smallest chip size (in this example, $1), Player A receives $87 and Player B receives $13.

If the Fair Split approach had not been used, the remaining Board cards dealt could have included the remaining three sevens from the pack and resulted in a win of 100% of the pot for Player B, rewarding his poor play.

Example 2 :

In a live tournament game of Texas Hold-Em, two players remain in the pot.

Player A has hole cards of Ace of Hearts and King of Hearts

Player B has hole cards of Queen of Spades and Queen of Clubs

Both players move all-in. Both have very good hands and betting all their chips is a reasonable move for a skilful player in both cases. There is $ 100 in the pot. The smallest chip size is $5.

The dealer places the two sets of hole cards on to premarked boxes on the playing surface of the gaming table where a camera scans and reads the cards for example using suitable optical character recognition apparatus. He then enters the chip count in to a keypad, and the software calculates that the probability of Player B winning this pot is 53.59% and the probability of a draw is 0.39% i.e. the odds are virtually even for both players. This situation is known in poker as a "coin flip". In the normal tournament situation, it results in these two skilful players effectively "flipping a coin" for their future in the tournament.

Under the Fair Split mechanism, the software reports to the dealer that $45 should be returned to Player A and $55 to Player B.

The 'fair split' of the pot can be calculated as follow. In the circumstance where one of more players are 'All-in' and there are cards left to be dealt, a precise probability can be calculated for each player winning, or for a draw resulting.

Once the probability is know, an Expected Return can be calculated (the probability of an outcome multiplied the winnings returned should that outcome occur). This value is the fair amount to return to each player in the hand.

One way of calculating these probabilities is to test every possible combination of cards which are left to be dealt, and record whether that combination results in a win, loss or draw for each player. Every combination has an equal chance of occurring.

Within the game of Texas Hold 'Em, the principle can be applied at each betting round except the last, i.e. Pre-Flop, Post-Flop, Post-Turn. The following table lists the number of combinations of remaining Board cards which could be dealt at each stage, assuming two players remain and one is All-in:

Betting Round Number of Cards Number Of Cards Possible

Left To Come Left In Pack Combinations

Pre-Flop 5 48 1,712,304

Post-Flop 2 45 990

Post-Turn 1 44 44

The combinations can be calculated using the standard mathematical formula for combinations:

_n C _r = n! where n is the number of cards left in the pack,

(n - r)!r! and r is the number of cards left to be dealt.

Detailed Example 1 :

In a game of Texas Hold 'Em, two players remain in the game, and one player is all- in. The pot size is $100.

Player A's Hole Cards are the Ace of Diamonds and the Ace of Hearts.

Player B's Hole Cards are the Seven of Spades and the Two of Clubs.

The stage of the game is "Pre-Flop", i.e. no Board cards have yet been dealt. This means there are 5 cards yet to come.

The software tests each combination of possible Board cards. There are 5 cards to be selected from the 48 cards remaining in the pack. The order of the 5 cards is irrelevant to the final poker hand for each player. Therefore, there are ^C ₅ , or

1,712,304 possible combinations of Board cards that can be dealt from the pack of 48 cards remaining, each set of which is equally likely.

The software records, for each for combination of possible board cards, which player wins, or whether a draw results.

In the above example, Player A would win 1,493,820 times, Player B would win 212,248 times, and a draw would result 6,236 times.

Since the pot is split if the Board cards result in a draw, the fair amount to be returned to Player A is:

(p(A wins) x pot size) + (p(A and B draw) x half pot size), i.e:

1493820 x $100 + 6236 x $50 = $87 (rounded to the nearest $)

1712304 1712304

And Player B would receive the remaining $13.

Detailed Example 2:

The principle may also be extended to when one player moves All-in, and two or more players still have chips and continue to play.

In this case, the pot is divided by standard poker rules in to a main pot and one or more side pots. In order to implement the Fair Split methodology, the process above would be applied separately to each pot. An example follows:

Player A's Hole Cards are the Jack of Diamonds and the Three of Hearts. Player B's Hole Cards are the Seven of Spades and the Two of Clubs. Player Cs Hole Cards are the Jack of Hearts and the Two of Diamonds.

Player A bets AU-In at the Pre-Flop stage of the game. Player B and Player C call his bet, and the main pot stands at $150. Player A now has no further decisions to make in the game, while Players B and C continue.

The Flop cards are: Jack of Spades, Seven of Hearts and Two of Spades

At the Post-Flop stage of the game, Player B bets All-in for a further $20, and Player C calls his bet. The side pot stands at $40.

The chip distribution is calculated as follows:

For the Main Pot:

The division of the main pot is calculated for Player A only, as the other two players were not All-in at that stage and continued to make further decisions in the hand - their results are not purely determined by luck as is the case for Player A once he is All-in.

When Player A went All-in, there are 6 known cards (the Hole Cards of each of the three players), and 46 cards remained in the pack. There were five Board cards remaining to be dealt, so the number of possible combinations of those five cards from the 46 available was 4 ₆ C ₅ , or 1,370,754.

The software examines each possible combination of Board cards, and evaluates each player's poker hand. It determines that:

Player A would win 300,607 times. Players A and B would draw (and beat player C) 0 times. Players A and C would draw (and beat player B) 524,636 times. Players A, B and C would all draw 22,539 times.

Thus, Player A receives:

(p(A wins) x pot size) + (p(A and B draw) x half pot size) +

(p(A and C draw) x half pot size) + (p(A, B and C draw) x one third pot size)

300607 x $150 + 0 x $75 + 524636 x $75 + 22539 x $50

1370754 1370754 1370754 1370754

= $63.

The remaining $87 is carried forward to be split between Players B and C, so the total to be split between players B and C is $127.

Player B's Hole Cards are the Seven of Spades and the Two of Clubs. Player Cs Hole Cards are the Jack of Hearts and the Two of Diamonds. The Flop cards are: Jack of Spades, Seven of Hearts and Two of Spades

There are two cards left to be dealt on to the Board, from 43 cards remaining in the pack (Player A's cards are assumed to be known at this point and therefore do not form part of the pool of cards from which the final two Board cards will be dealt). This means that there are ₄₃ C ₂ or 903 possible combinations of cards possible.

Evaluating each of the possible 903 sets of Turn and River cards, we establish that Player B will win 126 times, Player B will win 777 times, and a draw will result 0 times.

Player B is paid as follows:

p(B wins) x pot size + p(B and C draw) x half pot size

_126_ x $127 + _0_ x $63.50 = $18 903 903

Player C is paid the remaining $109.

The principle can be extended to the more unusual situations when more than two players have moved All-in, and also to splitting the pot fairly if one or more players fold after a player has moved All-in. In each case, the Expected Return at the point the player moves All-in is calculated.

It will be appreciated that variations of the improved game according to the present invention are possible. For example, several opportunities exist for House Rules to be created which may favour players with better hands, make the game move faster, make the game appear fairer etc. For example :

1. For tournament play, a minimum level of payout after a split could be established (for example at the level of the Big Blind), to avoid players remaining in the tournament with unpractically small stacks.

2. Given the likelihood that players will remain in tournaments for longer, given that they are more unlikely to be knocked out of the tournament in a single hand, it is likely that Blind levels will need to be increased faster than in a non-Fair Split game. 3. We assume in the examples above, that the split is always rounded to the smallest chip size. The rounding could be set to any value, for example the size of the Small or Big Blinds, to allow for ease of paying out winnings, with the larger pay out receiving any odd chips.

4. In the case where more than one player moves All-in at different stages of the game, the Hole Cards of earlier All-in players can be either included or excluded in the pool of cards from which the remaining Board cards are dealt.

5. In the case where more than one player moves All-in, the Hole Cards of a player who folded after another player moved All-in could be either excluded or included from the calculation of possible winning hands for the earlier player.

In the examples described above, which reference to the game of Texas Hold 'Em, the following rules are used :

A dealer is selected, and the player immediately to the left of the dealer places a predefined number of chips (the Small Blind) in to the pot. The next player places a further bet called the Big Blind (often double the Small Blind) into the pot.

The Blinds are forced bets which ensure that every hand has at least some money in the pot for the players to contend.

Each player is dealt two cards face down, these are known as the Hole Cards.

A betting round ensues (see figure 1). The first player to act is the one following the Big Blind, and the round continues at least once around the table giving every player the opportunity to bet.

Three cards are then turned face up on the table. These are communal cards and are known as the Flop. Another betting round occurs.

A further communal card is then turned face up on the table. This is known as the Turn card. Another betting round ensues.

One further communal card is then turned face up on the table. This is known as the River card. Another betting round ensues.

All cards turned face up in the table are known as Board cards.

After the final betting round, the players remaining in the hand chose the five cards from the seven available to them (two Hole Cards plus five Board cards) that they wish to play based on the standard five card poker hand rankings. The player with the best hand wins the pot.

If two or more players choose the same ranked hand, then they may share the pot.

If, at any stage, a player bets all the chips he has in front of him, he is know as "AIl- In". He takes no further part in betting rounds, but is entitled to win a share of the pot if he has the best poker hand. If further chips are bet into the pot by other players after a player has moved All-in, these chips are kept in a separate Side Pot, and the All-in player has no entitlement to share in those chips.

Figure 1 illustrates a typical game scenario for a player in which :

T is the current total level of bet S is the player's stack size B is the player's bet R is the new total bet after this player raises

During any betting round in a game of poker, a player (Player A) may have the option to fold, check (bet zero), bet, or raise. Figure 1 is a flow diagram showing the options for the player.

The outcomes are as follows:

1. Fold — Player A discards his cards and takes no further part in the hand

2. Next - The next player makes a decision. If a subsequent raise is made in to the pot, Player A will have to act again, following the same flow chart with T representing the additional bets.

3. AU-In — Player A has put all his chips in to the pot. He makes no further decisions, although play may continue between other players who have chips remaining.

In Figure 2 there is shown one way in which the invention can be implemented on a distributed computer network such as over the internet.

A typical Internet poker solution would consist of a server (1) (which may be arranged in an jurisdiction separate to that of the client computers), connected to a number of player's home computers (Player's Computer (2)) via the Internet (3) using suitable communication channels (4). Each Player's Computer (2) runs a software program which they have downloaded from the Poker Server Computer (1). The software running on the Player's Computer (2) is known as the Poker Client Software or PCS (5).

The Poker Server Computer (1) performs a number of functions, shown as modules on the diagram - including Communications (4) to Player's Computers (2) via the Internet (3), implementation of the rules of poker (the Poker Engine (6)), and the handling of customers' deposits and disbursements (the Cashier function (7)) which it carries out by communication with a bank or credit card company (8).

The functions of the Poker Server Computer (1) may be implemented on one computer or multiple, in a single location or multiple locations, and by various communication methods.

In order to implement the invention in this example, an additional software module which contains the rules and calculation routines of the Fair Split methodology is added to the Poker Server Computer (1). This software code is implemented as a library which can be called from the Poker Engine (6) - it is shown on the drawing as the Fair Split Library (9).

In this example, two players are engaged "head-to-head" in a game of Texas Hold 'Em poker. Each player is running a copy of the PCS on his home computer (2).

The game starts with the Poker Engine randomising the 52 cards in a virtual deck of cards. Each player is then "dealt" two cards. This is done by the Poker Engine (6)

informing each of the PCS instances of the two cards dealt to their respective players in Internet messages sent via the Communications interface/module (5) and over the Internet (3).

The PCS handles the interaction with the player - displaying the cards and the opponent's moves, and receiving and transmitting the player's response to the server.

In this example, Player A has hole cards of Ace of Diamonds and Ace of Hearts, and Player B has hole cards of Seven of Spades and Two of Clubs.

After the transmission of several message from the PCS to and from the server, the situation is as follows: Player B bets all in for his remaining $50 in an attempt to bluff Player A, but Player A calls for $50. Both players have $50 in the pot for a total of $100.

In a traditional online game, the Poker Engine (6) would then "deal" the next five cards from the virtual deck by transmitting messages to the PCSs. The PCSs would show the shared board cards to their players and the server would calculate which player had won by analysing which had the better hand. One player's balance would be debited $50 and one player's balance credited $50 (except in the case of a draw), and the resulting balances would be transmitted to the PCSs.

Using the Fair Split methodology, the Poker Engine (6) would at this point refer to the Fair Split Library (9) to determine how the pot should be shared between the two players.

In software terms, a function call would be made from the Poker Engine to the Fair Split Library, specifying all relevant factors: e.g. the cards held by each player, the size of the pot, and the rounding parameters. The Fair Split Library would return to the Poker Engine the values of chips to return to each player.

In this example, the inputs to the Fair Split Library would be:

Player A: Ace of Diamonds, Ace of Hearts Player B: Seven of Spades, Two of Clubs Pot Size: $100

Rounding Value: $1

and the outputs would be:

Player A: $87

Player B: $13

The Poker Engine (3) would adjust each player's balances accordingly and send messages to the PCS instances telling them the way the pot was split and the resulting balances so they can display this information to their players.

It may be for performance reasons that the Fair Split Library is incorporated into the Poker Client Software as opposed to the running on the Poker Server Computer. It is likely that players would appreciate having a feature where they could examine the calculations behind the way the pot is split. To implement this, the return values from the Fair Split Library would be expanded as necessary to provide the level of information required.

The following terminology has been used with reference to the aspects, examples and embodiments described herein :

All-in — If a player bets all the chips from his stack in to the pot, he is know as All- in. He takes no further part in the hand, but has an opportunity to win the pot(s) in to which he has contributed chips. To prevent a player with a smaller stack from being out-bet by a player with a bigger stack, a standard rule of poker is that if a player bets more chips than another player has in his stack, the smaller stacked player may call the bet by placing all his chips in to the pot, and the larger stacked

player must reduce his bet to the same size as the smaller stacked player. This occurs often during poker tournaments and cash games. For example, in a tournament every player except the eventual winner will be All-in against a larger stack at least once.

Bet - A player is the first player in the round to bet some chips in to the pot. Subsequent players have to at least match the value of the bet, or fold. (Unless they have insufficient chips in their stack, in which case the AH-In rules apply)

Betting Round - A stage of the game after one or more cards have been dealt, where each player still involved with the hand has the opportunity to bet chips in to the pot in turn.

Big Blind - the larger of the two blinds placed in to the pot at the beginning of each hand.

Blind - A forced bet placed into the pot at the beginning of a hand. The blinds ensure there are chips in the pot in every hand.

Board - The communal cards dealt face up to the middle of the table in several poker games including Texas Hold 'Em. These cards may be used by the players to form part of their hand, for evaluating whether they have won the pot.

Call - A player matches the value of a bet made by a previous player.

Cash Game - A series of poker hands in which players can generally add to their stack between hands, and join and leave games at will.

Check - A player makes a bet of zero chips.

Chip - Small clay disk (a virtual disk in the case of the online game), representing a particular amount of money, and used by players to bet in to the pot.

Expected Return - The probability of the return occurring multiplied by the value to the player of that return occurring. Also, if the hand could be played out an infinite number of times, the average amount of return one would expect.

Flop - The first three communal board cards which are dealt face upward on the table.

Fold — A player discards his Hole Cards, and takes no further part in the hand. Any chips he has placed in to the pot are lost.

Hand(l) - One complete game of cards, beginning with the cards being shuffled and dealt, and ending with one or more players winning the pot. A hand usually consists of several rounds of betting.

Hand (2) - The set of cards that a player holds. The strength of the hand is determined by a set of standard hand rankings for each game. In Texas Hold 'Em, a player's hand consists of five cards that he chooses out of the seven available to him - two Hole Cards, and five Board Cards.

Hole Cards - Cards dealt face down to each player at the start of a hand. In the case of Texas Hold 'Em, this consists of two cards.

Main Pot - the first pot which starts to build during the first round of betting. If any player moves All-in, a "side pot" is created, and further betting occurs in to the side pot. The All-in player can only win pot(s) in to which he contributed chips.

Post-Flop - the stage of the game where the Hold Cards and Flop have been dealt, and a betting round occurs.

Post-River - the final stage of the game where the Hold Cards, Flop, Turn and River cards have been dealt, and a betting round occurs.

Post-Turn - the stage of the game where the Hold Cards, Flop, and Turn cards have been dealt, and a betting round occurs.

Pot - the chips that have been bet from players' stacks during the hand of cards.

There may be a main pot and one or more side pots, if one or more players are All- in.

Pre-Flop — the stage of the hand where the Hold Cards have been dealt, but no Board cards have yet been dealt, and a betting round occurs.

Raise — A player places more chips than the current bet value in to the pot. Subsequent players have to at least match the total now bet, or fold. (Unless they have insufficient chips in their stack, in which case the AU-In rules apply)

River - The fifth and final communal Board card which is dealt face upward on the table.

Side Pot - If a player moves AH-In, and there are two or more other players still with chips, a side pot is created. Any further bets are placed in to this pot.

Small Blind - the smaller of the two blinds placed in to the pot at the beginning of each hand.

Stack — the chips that each player has on the table during the game. He may draw on these chips to bet in to the pot if he so desires. In a cash game, players may add to their chips between hands. In a tournament game, players can generally not add additional chips, except under controlled situations.

Tournament - A structured series of hands in which players start with a fixed stack size, and can generally not add to their stack until a winner is decided. Players are

knocked out of the tournament by losing all their chips, and the winner is the final player remaining.

Turn - The forth communal Board card which is dealt face upward on the table.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof (and specifically with reference to the game of Texas Hold' Em), it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

It will be appreciated that the features of each aspect, method and embodiment described herein may be used is any convenient combination.