Patent Grant
7156397
This invention relates primarily to electronic video poker games, and more particularly to electronic video poker games that are single player games in which a player plays one or more poker hands against a pay table, and not against a dealer's hand. The player attempts to achieve final card combinations that are based on poker hand rankings. Typically an initial hand is dealt to the player and the player is allowed to discard unwanted cards and to replace the unwanted cards with replacement cards. The final poker hand is compared to a pay table to determine winning and losing hands. During the play of the game, the player may achieve special bonus hand combinations that allow the player the chance to achieve higher payouts.
The present invention has many variations with the common thread being that bonus payouts are available to the player when the player's initial hand has a one or more of a certain preselected combination of cards. In one variation, the player is provided a special pay table with higher payouts whenever the player is dealt a starting hand of a certain preselected combination of cards, such as Three-of-a-Kind. In another variation, the player is provided an additional poker hand to play whenever the player is dealt a starting hand of a certain preselected combination of cards, such as Three-of-a-Kind. In still another variation, the player is taken to a bonus round whenever the player's initial poker hand is a certain preselected combination of cards, such as a Straight or Better. In yet another variation, whenever the player receives a predetermined starting hand, the player is offered the opportunity to exchange his starting hand for one or more different starting hands. In still another variation, the player is offered the opportunity to buy additional starting hands of the same cards when the player receives a predetermined starting hand.
The method of present invention involves dealing the player a starting hand of cards, such as five cards. If the player's starting hand of cards has a poker hand ranking of any preselected combination of cards, such as a Three-of-a-Kind, the player is given the option of buying a second hand of cards identical to the first hand of cards which is accomplished by making another wager. The player then plays out both the first hand and the second hand by discarding and drawing replacement cards. The final first hand and the final second hand are then compared to the pay table to determine winning and losing combinations based on poker hand ranking. This method of play may also be played in a multiple hand format.
The present invention includes a variety of electronic video poker games. Each electronic video poker game is designed to be played by having one or more poker hands displayed on a video screen to a player. These are “player's hand only” poker games in which the player does not play against a dealer's hand or against other players, but merely attempts to achieve a winning poker hand combination using the player's final cards of the hand.
An initial deal of cards comprises the player's initial hand. By manipulating the buttons on the gaming device or by using conventional touch screen technology, the player selects which cards he wishes to hold in his hand and thus which cards he wishes to discard. Replacement cards are then displayed for the discarded cards and the outcome of the play of the hand is determined. The resulting poker hand ranking of the final hand is then compared to a pay table to determine whether the player has a winning hand combination. A player is paid an award based on the poker hand ranking of the final hand and the number of coins, tokens or credits wagered by the player as shown in the pay table.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the video screen display shows a credit meter 22 and a display 24 of the number of credits bet per hand. The video screen display also has touch screen locations to allow the player to DRAW 47 replacement cards, to make his initial BET 26 and to choose a SECOND PAY TABLE 28. Each of the card locations on the video screen display can also be touch screen locations so that the player may designate which cards he wishes to hold by merely touching the card location on the video screen display 20.
The gaming machine 10 also has a button panel 40 which includes typical buttons that the player may press to activate various actions during the play of the method of the present invention. A CASH OUT button 41 is provided to allow the player to collect any credits which the player has accrued on the credit meter 22. A BET MAX button 42 and a BET ONE button 44 are provided to allow the player to wager either the maximum amount of credits permitted by the gaming machine or to wager one credit at a time on the play of the game as desired by the player. A DRAW button 46 is provided to allow the player to effect the draw step of the method of play as desired should the player prefer to use the button panel instead of the DRAW touch screen location 47 on the video screen display 20. A plurality of HOLD buttons 48 are also provided to allow the player to select which cards the player wishes to hold should the player prefer to use the button panel instead of the card touch screen locations on the video screen display 20.
The gaming machine 10 also includes a coin head 50 to allow the player to insert coins or gaming tokens as wagers to allow play of the gaming machine 10. A bill acceptor slot 52 is also provided on the gaming machine 10. In order to accrue credits that may be used to play the gaming machine 10, the player inserts paper currency or other suitable script or gaming coupons into the bill acceptor slot 52 behind which, on the interior of the gaming machine 10, is mounted a bill acceptor which takes in and validates the currency. The monetary value of the inserted currency is then applied to the credit meter 22, the credits on which the player may use to play the gaming machine.
Any other conventional and suitable equipment can be included in the gaming machine.
The method of play of electronic video poker may be modified in accordance with the present invention by adding various bonus features.
Version #1. Bonus Feature on Dealt Three-of-a-Kind
This bonus feature is applied to a five card draw poker game. In a typical five card draw poker game, the player is initially dealt five cards all face up. The player then selects none, one or more of the initial five cards as cards to be held. The unselected cards are discarded and replacement cards for the discarded cards are dealt to the player. The poker hand ranking of the final five card hand determines whether the player has a winning or losing hand. A pay table, such as the one shown in Table 1, shows the winning poker hand combinations and the amount that the player wins for winning hand combinations is based on the amount of the player's wager.
The bonus feature of this Version #1 occurs whenever the player is dealt a Three-of-a-Kind on the initial deal of five cards. The player is presented with a second pay table, such as the pay table shown in Tables 2–10, that is different from the first pay table and offers higher payouts to the player for poker hand card combinations that can be achieved when the player's starting hand is Three-of-a-Kind. The player is given the option of selecting the second pay table as the pay table to be used when the player holds the Three-of-a-Kind and continues with the draw and replacement card steps of the method of play.
Table 1 shows a representative pay table that can be the first pay table that is provided to the player during the normal play of the video poker game.
The example shown in Table 1 is for a pay table that can be used with a Double Double Bonus Poker format for a video draw poker game. This pay table offers the player an expected return of approximately 95%. Alternatively, other payout tables can be utilized as the first pay table depending on the expected return the house wishes to offer to the player. The method of Version #1 of the present invention can be applied to any other suitable video poker formats such as Draw Poker, Bonus Poker, Double Bonus Poker, Triple Bonus Poker, Super Double Bonus Poker, Joker Poker, Deuces Wild Poker and the like.
Table 2 shows a representative pay table that can be the second pay table that is provided to the player whenever the player is dealt a Three-of-a-Kind during the play of the video poker game. Higher payouts are provided for the various Four-of-a-Kinds that can be achieved when the player holds the initial Three-of-a-Kind. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the player must hold the initial Three-of-a-Kind in order to be eligible to select the second pay table.
This pay table offers the player an expected return of approximately 98.89%.
The player the holds the Ace of Hearts 101, Ace of Clubs 102 and the Ace of Spades 105 and receives two replacement cards as shown in
If the payout for a Full House is increased to seven credits per coin wagered, an even better second pay table can be offered to the player. This pay table is shown in Table 3.
This pay table offers the player an expected return of approximately 99.02%.
If the payout for a Full House is increased to eight credits per coin wagered, a yet even better second pay table can be offered to the player. This pay table is shown in Table 4.
This pay table offers the player an expected return of approximately 99.15%.
In each of Tables 2, 3 and 4, the payout for Three-of-a-Kind is kept at three credits for each coin wagered. The player does not give up any of the payout for Three-of-a-Kind that the player would have received in the first pay table by selecting to play the second pay table when the player is initially dealt a Three-of-a-Kind.
If the payout for a Three-of-a-Kind is decreased to two credits for a Three-of-a-Kind in the initial hand, different second pay tables can be offered to the player as the bonus feature of the method of play. These pay tables require the player to make a choice between staying with the first pay table that provides the player three credits for each coin wagered for the Three-of-a-Kind or giving back some of the player's win in order to have the chance to win an even higher payout if the player improves the Three-of-a-Kind to a Four-of-a-Kind or a Full House.
Table 5 shows a representative second pay table with Three-of-a-Kind having a payout of two credits for each coin wagered, but with higher payouts for Four-of-a-Kinds and a Full House.
This pay table offers the player an expected return of approximately 98.76%.
Table 6 shows another representative second pay table with Three-of-a-Kind having a payout of two credits for each coin wagered, but with a slightly higher payouts for Four-of-a-Kind (Fives through Kings) and a lesser payout for a Full House.
This pay table offers the player an expected return of approximately 98.81%.
Table 7 shows another representative second pay table with Three-of-a-Kind having a payout of two credits for each coin wagered, but with a slightly higher payouts for Four-of-a-Kind (Four 2's, 3's and 4's with a kicker).
This pay table offers the player an expected return of approximately 98.01%.
If the payout for a Three-of-a-Kind is decreased to one credit for a Three-of-a-Kind in the initial hand, another set of different second pay tables can be offered to the player as the bonus feature of the method of play. These pay tables also require the player to make a choice between staying with the first pay table that provides the player three credits for each coin wagered for the Three-of-a-Kind or giving back most of the player's win in order to have the chance to win an even higher payout if the player improves the Three-of-a-Kind to a Four-of-a-Kind or a Full House.
Table 8 shows a representative second pay table with Three-of-a-Kind having a payout of one credit for each coin wagered, but with higher payouts for Four-of-a-Kinds and a Full House.
This pay table offers the player an expected return of approximately 98.36%.
Table 9 shows another representative second pay table with Three-of-a-Kind having a payout of two credits for each coin wagered, but with a slightly higher payouts for certain Four-of-a-Kinds.
This pay table offers the player an expected return of approximately 98.70%.
Table 10 shows another representative second pay table with Three-of-a-Kind having a payout of two credits for each coin wagered, but with a slightly higher payouts for a certain Four-of-a-Kind (Four 2's, 3's and 4's with a kicker).
This pay table offers the player an expected return of approximately 98.80%.
Alternatively, other payout tables can be utilized depending on the expected return the house wishes to offer to the player.
As mentioned above, this bonus feature on dealt Three-of-a-Kinds can also be applied to other poker game formats. For example, one of the poker game formats could be Super Double Bonus Poker in which increased payouts are offered for various Four-of-a-Kinds, such as Four 2's, 3's or 4's; Four Kings, Queens or Jacks; and Four Aces.
A typical Super Double Bonus Poker pay table is shown in Table 11 and would be the first pay table provided to the player.
Whenever the player is dealt a Three-of-a-Kind on his initial hand, the player is then offered a second pay table with increased payouts whenever the player improves his hand, i.e. achieves a Full House or a Four-of-a-Kind. Table 12 shows such a second pay table.
This pay table offers the player an expected return of approximately 99.42%.
Alternatively, other payout tables can be utilized depending on the expected return the house wishes to offer to the player.
This Version #1 may also be applied to multiple hand games such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,873, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference. In this variation, the player would make multiple wagers to play two or more hands. If the player was dealt an initial hand of Three-of-a-Kind, the player would have the option of playing each of these multiple hands against the second pay table which would offer higher payouts in the player were to improve any or all of the hands into a final poker hand ranking of higher than Three-of-a-Kind.
Version #2. Bonus Hand on Dealt Three-of-a-Kind
Another variation of the present invention involves offering the player an additional bonus hand to play whenever the player achieves a particular predetermined starting hand in the regular draw poker game. For example, if the player is dealt a Three-of-a-Kind on his first five card starting hand and the player holds the Three-of-a-Kind, the player is awarded with an additional bonus hand of the same Three-of-a-Kind that the player has on his first hand. The player then plays out his first hand (by holding the Three-of-a-Kind and drawing two replacement cards) to achieve a final five card hand on this first hand. The player also plays out his second bonus hand by holding the Three-of-a-Kind and drawing two replacement cards to achieve a final five card hand on this second hand. Awards to the player are based on a pay table for the poker hand ranking of the final first hand and the poker hand ranking of the final second hand.
In one of the preferred embodiments of this invention, the method of play uses a separate decks of cards for each of the initial hand and the bonus hand. For example, the initial hand is dealt using a first standard fifty-two card deck and the replacement cards for the initial come from the forty-seven remaining cards. Likewise, the replacement cards for the bonus hand are dealt from another deck of forty-seven cards which comprises a standard fifty-two card deck having the player's five initial cards omitted therefrom. This would allow the player, for example, to theoretically make two of the same Four-of-a-Kinds in each of the two separate hands.
Alternatively, a single deck of fifty-two playing cards can be used as the source of the replacement cards for both the initial hand and the bonus hand.
If the player is not dealt a Three-of-a-Kind on his initial five card first hand, the game continues in the conventional manner with just a single hand.
Any suitable pay table may be used for this version #2 and a representative pay table is shown in Table 13.
The example shown in Table 13 is for a pay table that can be used with a Double Double Bonus Poker format for a video draw poker game. This pay table offers the player an expected return of approximately 95%. Alternatively, other payout tables can be utilized depending on the expected return the house wishes to offer to the player. The method of Version #2 of the present invention can be applied to any other suitable video poker formats such as Draw Poker, Bonus Poker, Double Bonus Poker, Triple Bonus Poker, Super Double Bonus Poker, Joker Poker, Deuces Wild Poker and the like.
An example of the method of play of this Version #2 is shown in
As shown in
In the second hand 210, the player's final five card hand has the Ace of Clubs 201, the Seven of Spades 211, the Ace of Diamonds 203, the Ace of Hearts 204 and the Ace of Spades 212. This is a Four-of-a-Kind (Aces) and the player wins eight hundred credits based on his original wager of five credits as shown in Table 13.
Other starting hands can be used as the triggering event in which the player would be awarded with additional free hands to play. For example, whenever the player has a starting hand of Two Pair, the player could be awarded with an additional hand of the same Two Pair. A suitable pay table would be provided for this embodiment in which Two Pair in the starting hand is the triggering event.
This version #2 can also be applied to multiple hand video poker games such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,873, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference. As an example of this variation, the player makes three separate wagers, one for each of the hands the player is going to play. A initial hand of five cards is dealt to the player and the player selects which, if any, of the initial five cards are to be held. The held cards, if any, are then used in each of the three hands being played by the player. Each hand is then completed to have a final five card hand. Winning and losing hands are determined based on the poker hand ranking of each hand against a pay table.
In this Version #2, whenever the player is dealt a Three-of-a-Kind on the initial five cards and the player holds the Three-of-a-Kind, the player is provided with a fourth hand of the same Three-of-a-Kind. Just as each of the first three hands are completed to a final five card hand by dealing additional cards, so is the fourth hand completed to a final five card hand by dealing additional cards. Winning and losing hands are determined based on the poker hand ranking of each hand against a pay table.
Thus, the player is given a free fourth hand whenever the player is dealt a Three-of-a-Kind and holds the Three-of-a-Kind on his initial three hands. A representative pay table for this embodiment is shown in Table 14.
The example shown in Table 14 is for a pay table that can be used with a Double Double Bonus Poker format for a video draw poker game. This pay table offers the player an expected return of approximately 95%. Alternatively, other payout tables can be utilized depending on the expected return the house wishes to offer to the player. The multiple hand variation of the method of Version #2 of the present invention can be applied to any other suitable video poker formats such as Draw Poker, Bonus Poker, Double Bonus Poker, Triple Bonus Poker, Super Double Bonus Poker, Joker Poker, Deuces Wild Poker and the like.
Version #3. Pair of Aces+Bonus Game on Player's Starting Hand
This version #3 involves a secondary event bonus game in which the player is awarded a separate bonus game to play whenever the player achieves a pre-established starting hand in the regular video poker game. Any suitable starting hand can be used as the triggering event to take the player to a secondary event bonus round of play.
In the preferred embodiment of this Version #3 of the present invention, whenever the player achieves a Straight or Better as his starting hand in a game of video poker, the player wins the secondary event bonus round. A suitable bonus round can involve one or more hands of stud poker.
An example of a preferred bonus round for this version #3 can be shown using the bonus screen displays shown in
If the player achieves a Three-of-a-Kind in Aces in the first bonus hand 300, the player is awarded with the second bonus screen as shown in
If the player achieves a Four-of-a-Kind in Aces in the second bonus hand 310, the player is awarded with the third bonus screen as shown in
These three bonus screens are merely representative of the types of bonus rounds that can be made available to the player whose final hand comprises a pre-selected ending hand arrangement of cards. As an alternative to the three bonus hands described above, the player could receive a single bonus hand as his bonus round, the player could receive two cumulative bonus hands as his bonus round or the player could receive four or more cumulative bonus hands as his bonus round. The player could also receive as his bonus round a free multiple hand play, such as a free round of a Triple Play game.
Another variation of this Version #3 involves having the player receive multiple hand bonus screens. Instead of only receiving a single bonus hand to play in each of the bonus screens as shown in
An example of this variation can also be shown using
If the player achieves a Three-of-a-Kind in Aces in any of the first bonus hands 400, 410 or 420 the player is awarded with the second bonus screen as shown in
If the player achieves a Four-of-a-Kind in Aces in any one of the second bonus hands 430, 440 or 450, the player is awarded with the third bonus screen as shown in
Version #4A. Exchange Starting Hand for One or More Different Starting Hands
This version #4A of the present invention involves offering the player the option of exchanging his starting hand for one or more different partial starting hands. The offer is made whenever the player achieves a pre-established starting hand in the regular video poker game. Any suitable starting hand can be used as the triggering event to trigger the offer to the player to exchange the starting hand for a different starting hand.
In the preferred embodiment of this Version #4A of the present invention, whenever the player achieves a Pair of Jacks, a Pair of Queens or a Pair of Kings as his starting hand in a game of video poker, the player is offered to exchange his starting hand for one or more partial starting hands of Three to a Royal Flush; this is known as the Chase the Royal game.
An example of this version #4A is shown using the screen displays in
As shown in
Any suitable manner can be used to select which of the three cards that will form the Three to a Royal Flush can be used. For example, the computer controls of the gaming machine can be programmed to always display the same three honor cards of one of the suits. Preferably, the computer controls would randomly shuffle the five honor cards (the five honor cards of any suit are the Ace, King, Queen, Jack and Ten of that suit) and randomly select three of the honor cards to be displayed as the Three to a Royal Flush. From the standpoint of mathematical probability, which suit is used is irrelevant, but to add variety for the player, the particular suit can also be randomly selected.
After the new hand of Three to a Royal Flush has been displayed, the remaining two cards for the new hand are dealt and displayed to the player. For example, as shown in
Any suitable pay table can be used for the Three to a Royal Flush hand or hands. The usual winning hands that would be provided for in the pay table would be a Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Flush, Straight, Three-of-a-Kind, Two Pair and a pair of Jacks or Better.
This same Three-to-a-Royal exchange hand feature can be used with multiple hand poker games, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,873. Whatever number of starting the hands the player initially wagers on to play, the same number of new hands of Three-to-a-Royal Flush would be offered to the player who achieves a predetermined starting hand, such a Pair of Jacks, a Pair of Queens or a Pair of Kings. For example, if the player is playing TRIPLE PLAY DRAW POKER™, and the player is dealt a starting hand that includes a Pair of Jacks, a Pair of Queens or a Pair of Kings, the player would be offered the opportunity to exchange his TRIPLE PLAY DRAW POKER™ starting hand for three new partial hands of Three-to-a-Royal Flush. All three new hands could have the same Three-to-a-Royal Flush cards or they each could have different Three-to-a-Royal Flush cards.
The two additional cards for all three hands (six cards in all) can be dealt from the remaining deck of forty-nine cards. Or the two additional cards for each of the three hands can be dealt from three separate decks each having the remaining forty-nine cards. There is no mathematical difference in whichever way is chosen.
If the player should decline the exchange offer, the method of play continues in accordance with the conventional manner of play of the game.
In a variation of this Version #4A, rather than offering the player the opportunity to exchange his starting hand for one or more new partial hands, the exchange could simply be mandatory. Whenever the player received on the initial deal a hand that qualifies for an exchange, the computer controls of the gaming machine effect the exchange and the game simply continues in the same manner as described above in conjunction with the method of play in which the player elects to accept the exchange offer.
Version #4B. Exchange Starting Hand for Two or More Different Starting Hands
This version #4B of the present invention involves offering the player the option of exchanging his starting hand for two or more different partial starting hands. The offer is made whenever the player achieves a pre-established starting hand in the regular video poker game. Any suitable starting hand can be used as the triggering event to trigger the offer to the player to exchange the starting hand for two or more different starting hand.
In the preferred embodiment of this Version #4B of the present invention, whenever the player achieves a Pair of Aces as his starting hand in a game of video poker, the player is offered to exchange his starting hand for two or more partial starting hands of Two Aces.
An example of this version #4B is shown using the screen displays in
As shown in
Any suitable manner can be used to select which of the two cards that will form the Pair of Aces can be used. For example, the computer controls of the gaming machine can be programmed to always display the same two Aces of two of the suits. Preferably, the computer controls would randomly shuffle the four Ace cards and randomly select two of the Aces to be displayed as the Pair of Aces. From the standpoint of mathematical probability, which Aces from which two suits are used is irrelevant, but to add variety for the player, the particular two Aces can be randomly selected.
After the new hands of a Pair of Aces have been displayed, the remaining three cards for each new hand are dealt and displayed to the player. For example, as shown in
In hand 620, the player has received a Ten of Hearts, an Ace of Clubs and an Ace of Spades to complete the second final hand 620. The poker hand ranking of this hand improved to a Four-of-a-Kind Aces. In hand 630, the player has received a Ten of Spades, a Ten of Hearts and an Ace of Spades to complete the third final hand 630. The poker hand ranking of this hand improved to a Full House.
Any suitable pay table can be used for the Pair of Aces new partial starting hands. The usual winning hands that would be provided for in the pay table would be Four Aces (with or without a Kicker [a deuce, three or four are the typical Kicker cards used in video poker]), a Full House, Three-of-a-Kind, Two Pair and just the Pair of Aces.
Depending on the type of pay table that is desired to be offered to the player, the pay table may require the player to improve a hand beyond a Pair of Aces in order to have a winning hand. In such a situation, the payouts can be higher than would be usual and still maintain a decent game return to the gaming establishment.
The three additional cards for each of the three hands can be dealt from three separate decks each having the remaining fifty cards. Alternatively if the same Two Aces are displayed to the player, the three additional cards for each of the three partial hands can be dealt from a single deck of fifty cards.
If the player should decline the exchange offer, the method of play continues in accordance with the conventional manner of play of the game.
In a variation of this Version #4B, rather than offering the player the opportunity to exchange his starting hand for one or more new partial hands, the exchange could simply be mandatory. Whenever the player received on the initial deal a hand that qualifies for an exchange, the computer controls of the gaming machine effect the exchange and the game simply continues in the same manner as described above in conjunction with the method of play in which the player elects to accept the exchange offer.
Version #5A. Option to Buy an Additional Hand on Designated Starting Hands
This version #5A of the present invention involves offering the player the option of making an additional wager and buying one or more additional hands of the same starting hand. The offer is made whenever the player achieves a pre-established starting hand in the regular video poker game. Any suitable starting hand can be used as the triggering event to trigger the offer to the player to buy one or more additional starting hands.
In the preferred embodiment of this Version #5A of the present invention, whenever the player achieves a Three-of-a-Kind as his starting hand in a game of video draw poker, the player is offered the option of making an additional wager and buying one more starting hand of the same cards as the original starting hand.
An example of this version #5A is shown using the screen displays 20 in
Awards to the player are based on a pay table for the poker hand ranking of the final first hand and the poker hand ranking of the final second hand and the amount wagered on each hand.
In one of the preferred embodiments of this invention, the method of play uses a separate decks of cards for each of the first hand and the second hand. For example, the initial hand is dealt using a first standard fifty-two card deck and the replacement cards for the initial come from the forty-seven remaining cards. Likewise, the replacement cards for the bonus hand are dealt from another deck of forty-seven cards which comprises a standard fifty-two card deck having the player's five initial cards omitted therefrom. This would allow the player, for example, to theoretically make two of the same Four-of-a-Kinds in each of the two separate hands.
If the player is not dealt a Three-of-a-Kind on his initial five card first hand, the game continues in the conventional manner with just a single hand.
Any suitable pay table may be used for this version #5A and a representative pay table is shown in Table 15.
The example shown in Table 15 is for a pay table that can be used with a Double Double Bonus Poker format for a video draw poker game. Alternatively, other payout tables can be utilized depending on the expected return the house wishes to offer to the player. The method of Version #5A of the present invention can be applied to any other suitable video poker formats such as Draw Poker, Bonus Poker, Double Bonus Poker, Triple Bonus Poker, Super Double Bonus Poker, Joker Poker, Deuces Wild Poker and the like.
Other starting hands can be used as the triggering event in which the player would be awarded with additional free hands to play. For example, whenever the player has a starting hand of Two Pair or a Pair of Aces, the player could be awarded with an additional hand of the same Two Pair or the same Pair of Aces. A suitable pay table would be provided for this embodiment in which Two Pair in the starting hand is the triggering event.
Version #5B. Option to Buy One or More Additional Hands on Designated Starting Hands in Multiple Hand Games
This version #5B can be applied to multiple hand video poker games such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,873, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference. As an example of this variation, the player makes three separate wagers, one for each of the hands the player is going to play. A initial hand of five cards is dealt to the player and the player selects which, if any, of the initial five cards are to be held. The held cards, if any, are then used in each of the three hands being played by the player. Each hand is then completed to have a final five card hand. Winning and losing hands are determined based on the poker hand ranking of each hand against a pay table.
In this Version #5B, whenever the player is dealt a designated starting hand, for example a Pair of Aces, on the initial five cards, the player is giving the opportunity to buy additional starting hands of the same Pair of Aces. The player may buy one or more additional starting hands of the same cards by making additional wagers.
In a preferred embodiment of the this version of the present invention, the player may buy up to three additional starting hands by making up to three additional wagers—one additional wager of each additional starting hand the player wishes to buy.
For example, as shown in
Since this hand has the designated starting hand to be eligible to purchase additional hands, namely a Pair of Aces, the player is offered the opportunity to buy up to three additional starting hands of the same cards. As shown in
The player now plays out each hand by holding any cards his wishes to hold and receiving replacement cards for the unheld, discarded cards. In reality, the player would probably hold the Pair of Aces in each hand and receive three replacement cards in each hand. The poker hand ranking of each final hand would be determined. Awards to the player are based on a pay table for the poker hand ranking of the each of the final hands and the amount wagered on each hand.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the player is playing three hand multiple hand draw poker and is dealt a Two Pair in the starting hands, the player is given the opportunity to buy one or more additional starting hands, most preferably up to two more starting hands. Likewise, when the player is playing three hand multiple hand draw poker and is dealt a Three-of-a-Kind in the starting hands, the player is given the opportunity to buy one additional starting hand.
Any suitable designated starting hand may be used to trigger the offer to the player to buy one or more additional starting hands. Any suitable payout tables can be utilized depending on the expected return the house wishes to offer to the player. The multiple hand variation of the method of Version #5B of the present invention can be applied to any suitable video poker formats.
In the preferred embodiments of the various versions of the present invention, the method of play uses a standard fifty-two card deck. One or more cards may also be designated as wild cards or one or more Jokers may be added to the deck to accommodate various forms of Joker Poker.
While the invention has been illustrated with respect to several specific embodiments thereof, these embodiments should be considered as illustrative rather than limiting. Various modifications and additions may be made and will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention should not be limited by the foregoing description, but rather should be defined only by the following claims.
This application is a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 08/495,952, entitled “Poker-Style Card Game”, filed Jun. 28, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,448; and is also based on and is a Continuation-in-Part of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/019,879, entitled “Electronic Video Poker Games”, filed Jun. 17, 1996; and is also a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 08/755,174, entitled “Electronic Video Poker Games”, filed Nov. 25, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,950; and is also a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 08/900,965, entitled “Electronic Video Poker Games”, filed Jul. 25, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,873; and is also a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 09/083,531, entitled “Electronic Video Poker Games”, filed May 22, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,066; and is also a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 09/175,226, entitled “Electronic Video Poker Games”, filed Oct. 20, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,985; and is also a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 09/558,892, entitled “Bonus Feature on Starting Hands”, filed Apr. 26, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,578; and is also a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 10/140,855, entitled “Bonus Feature on Starting Hands”, filed May 7, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,959. The disclosure of each of these earlier applications is incorporated herein by this reference, with each of these earlier applications being commonly owned with this application.
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