Patent Grant
10198898
The present invention is generally directed to a gaming system that allows a player to select and play one or more live casino game(s) such as a live baccarat game and/or a non-live casino game(s).
In casino games, such as the baccarat game, there is generally a count-down time during which a player of the game will need to wait for the count-down result. This waiting period results in frustration of the player, waste of the resource of the gaming establishment, and, as the result, reduced revenue by the gaming establishment.
Additionally, casino games are generally ad hoc in nature. Games in a casino resort are generally played around the resort in several locations. Player(s) therefore have to go around the casino resort to select, view or play casino games. This also leads to waste of time, and, as the result, reduced revenue by the gaming establishment.
The embodiments described below address the above-described issues and needs.
The present invention provides a centralized gaming center in a casino resort. The gaming system comprises a computer server and a cabinet that allows a player to play any one or more games the player selects. All the games in one casino resort or several casino resorts can be linked to the computer server via a network. The network can be wired network or wireless network. The cabinet can include one, two, three, four, or several screens for displaying live casino games or non-live casino games. The cabinet can also include features such as key pads or key boards allowing a player to select a desired game or desired games and features common in a casino gaming terminal.
In some embodiments, the gaming system or gaming center allows a player to play a baccarat game and one or more other casino game. The one or more other casino games can be another baccarat game or a non-baccarat game. In some embodiments, the non-baccarat game can be a slot machine game, a casino card game, or a felt-table games. In some embodiments, the casino games are live casino games such as a baccarat game, a Sic Bo game, a Roulette game, a Fish-Prawn-Crab game, or a Wheel of Fortune game. In some embodiments, the casino game can be a non-live casino game such as a slot machine game. In some embodiments, the casino game can be video server based games including video slot games and other form of video games while players could also use many forms of mechanism including using touch screen mechanism to participate in the process.
In some embodiments, the main cabinet, or betting terminal, comprises a upper screen and a lower screen for playing the live casino game described above. The screen for displaying the non-live casino game, e.g., slot machine game, can be stand-alone screen or can be connected to the main cabinet. The screen for displaying the slot machine game can be fixed or foldable. In some embodiments, the screen for displaying the slot machine game is connected to the main cabinet, e.g., either connected to the upper screen or connected to the lower screen through a connection mechanism. The connection mechanism can be a hinge(s) or an arm(s). In some embodiments, the connection mechanism is integrated extension of the main cabinet, e.g., the upper or the lower screen. In some embodiments, the connection mechanism comprises hinge(s) (e.g., one, two, three or more hinges), allowing the screen for displaying the non-live casino game such as slot machine game to be folded to the main cabinet to cover up the upper screen or the lower screen. In some embodiments, the connection mechanism comprises a metallic arm or metallic arm(s) (e.g., one, two, three, or more arms).
In some embodiments, the screen for displaying a non-live casino game such as slot machine game and/or the live casino game such as live baccarat game can also allow the playing of non-live casino game such as slot machine games or baccarat games based on a stand alone server.
The mechanism for playing a casino game is well known in the art of gaming. Systems (e.g., devices and apparatus) or parts or components thereof embodying such gaming mechanism or a part thereof is either commercially available or can be readily constructed or built by an ordinary artisan.
In some embodiments, the present invention also provides a software program or a set of software programs for carrying out any or all steps of the betting method described herein. The gaming system can also be incorporated into an electronic device or an entertainment gaming machine. Representative electronic devices include, but are not limited to, laptop computers or desktop computers.
The present invention provides a centralized gaming center in a casino resort. The gaming system comprises a computer server and a cabinet that allows a player to play any one or more games the player selects. All the games in one casino resort or several casino resorts can be linked to the computer server via a network. The network can be wired network or wireless network. The cabinet can include one, two, three, four, or several screens for displaying live casino games or non-live casino games. The cabinet can also include features such as key pads or key boards allowing a player to select a desired game or desired games and features common in a casino gaming terminal.
In some embodiments, the gaming center includes a Paradise Box Gaming System as described in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/800,885 with the server described above installed in the Paradise Box Gaming System.
In some embodiments, the gaming system or gaming center allows a player to play a baccarat game and one or more other casino game. In some embodiments, the gaming system includes a computer server. The one or more other casino games can be another baccarat game or a non-baccarat game. In some embodiments, the non-baccarat game can be a slot machine game, a casino card game, or a felt-table games. In some embodiments, the casino games are live casino games such as a baccarat game, a Sic Bo game, a Roulette game, a Fish-Prawn-Crab game, or a Wheel of Fortune game. In some embodiments, the casino game can be a non-live casino game such as a slot machine game. In some embodiments, the casino game can be video server based games including video slot games and other form of video games while players could also use many forms of mechanism including using touch screen mechanism to participate in the process.
In some embodiments, the main cabinet comprises a upper screen and a lower screen for playing the live casino game described above. The screen for displaying the non-live casino game, e.g., slot machine game, can be stand-alone screen or can be connected to the main cabinet. The screen for displaying the slot machine game can be fixed or foldable. In some embodiments, the screen for displaying the slot machine game is connected to the main cabinet, e.g., either connected to the upper screen or connected to the lower screen through a connection mechanism. The connection mechanism can be a hinge(s) or an arm(s). In some embodiments, the connection mechanism is integrated extension of the main cabinet, e.g., the upper or the lower screen. In some embodiments, the connection mechanism comprises hinge(s) (e.g., one, two, three or more hinges), allowing the screen for displaying the non-live casino game such as slot machine game to be folded to the main cabinet to cover up the upper screen or the lower screen. In some embodiments, the connection mechanism comprises a metallic arm or metallic arm(s) (e.g., one, two, three, or more arms).
In some embodiments, the screen for displaying a non-live casino game such as slot machine game and/or the live casino game such as live baccarat game can also allow the playing of non-live casino game such as slot machine games or baccarat games based on a stand alone server.
The mechanism for playing a casino game is well known in the art of gaming. Systems (e.g., devices and apparatus) or parts or components thereof embodying such gaming mechanism or a part thereof is either commercially available or can be readily constructed or built by an ordinary artisan.
In some embodiments, the present invention also provides a software program or a set of software programs for carrying out any or all steps of the betting method described herein. The gaming system can also be incorporated into an electronic device or an entertainment gaming machine. Representative electronic devices include, but are not limited to, laptop computers or desktop computers.
The rules of playing each casino game is well known in the art and well documented. Sometimes, rules for a game can be provided by gaming authorities. For examples, Macao Special Administrative Region the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau of Macao Special Administrative Region, China, provides rules for rules for each casino games played in the region (http://www.dicj.gov.mo/CH/index.htm).
Rules for a few representative casino games are described below.
Live Baccarat Game
Baccarat games are common casino games. The object of baccarat is for the bettor to successfully wager on whether the banker's hand or the player's hand is going to win. The bettor receives even money for his wager if he selects the winning hand and loses his wager if he selects the losing hand. Because of the rules of play of baccarat, the banker's hand has a slightly higher chance of winning than does the player's hand. Therefore, if the bettor wagers on the banker's hand, the bettor is required to pay to the gaming establishment a commission (typically 5%) of the amount the bettor wins. No commission is paid if the bettor successfully wagers on the player's hand.
Conventional methods of playing baccarat are described as follows:
A multiple number of decks of standard playing cards, 52 in number, are used; typically six to twelve decks are shuffled together and placed in a shoe from which the cards are dealt during the play of the game.
Each bettor makes a wager on whether the banker's hand or the player's hand will win. After all wagers are made, two cards are dealt from the shoe to the bank position and two cards are dealt from the shoe to the player's position on the table layout. The cards are turned face up and the value of the banker's hand and the players hand is determined.
Aces count as one; kings, queens, jacks and tens count as zero and the other cards count as their respective face value. The suits (hearts, diamonds, spades and clubs) have no meaning in baccarat. The highest hand value in baccarat is nine. All hand values range from a low of zero to a high of nine. If when the cards are added together, the total of the hand exceeds nine, then the hand value is determined by subtracting ten from the total of the hand. For example, a seven and nine total sixteen, but the hand value is six. An Ace and a nine total ten, but the hand value is zero.
A two card total of eight or nine is called a “natural”; a two card total of zero is called a “baccarat”. As will be explained hereafter, in certain situations in the play of the game, a third card will be dealt. The value of this third card is added to the total of the first two cards and a new hand value is established. Again, if the new hand total exceeds nine, the hand value is determined by subtracting ten from the total of the hand. Wagering locations are provided on the baccarat table layout. Whichever of the banker's hand or the players hand is closest to a total of nine is the winner.
The way of betting may differ in different gaming establishments. In the U.S., for example, prior to the deal, each bettor can make one of three wagers: 1) that the banker's hand will win, 2) that the player's hand will win, or 3) that the bather's hand and the player's hand will tie. In Macau, for example, one can make one of five wagers: 1) that the bathers hand will win, 2) that the player's hand will win, 3) that the banker's hand and the player's hand will tie, 4) that the first two cards in the banker's hand are of the same kind, regardless of the type of suit, forming a Bank Pair, or (5) that the first two cards in the player's hand are of the same kind, regardless of the type of suit, forming a Player Pair.
All winning bathers hand wagers in scenario 1) in both the U.S. and Macau are paid off at odds of one-to-one and the house charges a five percent (5%) commission on the amount won by the bettor. For example, if a bettor wagers $100 on the bathers hand and the banker's hand wins, the bettor wins $100 and is charged a $5 commission on the amount that the bettor won. The bettor is not charged any commission on the amount of his wager.
All wagers that select winning player's hand in scenario 2) in both the U.S. and Macau are paid off at odds of one-to-one and the bettor is not charged any commission on the amount of his winnings or his wager.
All winning wagers on the tie in scenario 3) in both the U.S. and Macau can be paid off at odds of eight-to-one (depending on the gaming establishment) and the bettor is not charged any commission on the amount of his winnings or his wager. If a tie hand occurs, all wagers on the banker's hand and all wagers on the player's hand are “pushes” and the amount wagered is returned to the bettor.
All winning wagers on the Bath Pair bet in scenario 4) in Macau can be paid off at odds of eleven-to-one (depending on the gaming establishment) and the bettor is not charged any commission on the amount of his winnings or his wager.
All winning wagers on the Player Pair bet in scenario 5) in Macau can be paid off at odds of eight-to-one (depending on the gaming establishment) and the bettor is not charged any commission on the amount of his winnings or his wager.
The play of baccarat typically uses three casino dealers to operate the game. The casino dealers jointly participate in the shuffling of the decks of cards. After the shuffle is completed, one of the players is typically asked to cut the decks using a plastic cut card. The dealer then separates and restacks the cards from the point of the cut and the dealer or a player then inserts the plastic cut card no less than fifteen cards (in Las Vegas, U.S.) or no less than twelve cards (in Macau) from the ends of the stacked decks and the entire stacked decks are placed into a shoe from which the cards are dealt during the play of the game. When the inserted plastic cut card appears during play, the hand in progress is completed and that round of play then ends. The cards are reshuffled to prepare for the next round of baccarat.
In conventional baccarat, the bettors deal the cards used in the game. Initially, one of the casino dealers (called the “caller”) passes the shoe to the bettor sitting in seat number “1” at the baccarat table. After all wagers have been made, the caller tells the bettor with the shoe to begin the deal. The bettor deals a first card to the caller, a first card to himself, a second card to the caller and a second card to himself. All cards are dealt face down. The two cards given to the caller represent the player's hand and the two cards kept by the bettor who is dealing the cards represent the banker's hand.
The caller than allows one of the other bettors to turn up the player's hand. Traditionally, this honor is given to the bettor who has made the largest wager.
The bettor turns up the two cards of the player's hand and tosses them to the caller. The caller places these two cards face up in the table location designated for the “player's hand” and the caller announces the point total of the player's hand.
The bettor who has the shoe then turns over the cards of the bather's hand and tosses these two cards to the caller. The caller places these two cards face up in the table location designated for the “banker's hand” and the caller announces to point total of the banker's hand. Depending on the point total of the players hand and the banker's hand, one more card may be dealt to either the players hand, the bankers hand, or both. The rules for determining whether a third card is dealt are fixed rules, there is no discretion for either the player's hand or the bather's hand on whether a third card is dealt.
If either the player's hand or the banker's hand has a point total of eight or nine on the first two cards, no third card is dealt to either hand and the hand with the highest point total is the winner (or the hand is a tie, as the case may be). If none of the player's hand or the bather's hand has a point total of eight or nine, then there is a possibility of a third card draw.
The third card draw rules are as follows:
All third card draw determinations are automatically made by the caller who is skilled in the game of baccarat. When the rules of baccarat require a third card for the player's hand, the caller will request a card for the player's hand. After the player's hand is completed, the bather's hand is completed in the same fashion. The caller then declares which hand has the highest point total and declares that hand the winner (or the caller declares a tie hand as the case may be).
In conventional baccarat the bettor who acts as the dealer continues to deal the cards until the player's hand wins. As soon as the player's hand wins, it is customary to pass the shoe counterclockwise around the baccarat table to the next bettor so that each bettor has the opportunity to deal the cards. Any bettor may decline to deal the cards. The fact that one of the bettors is physically dealing the cards has no affect on the outcome of the game because the rules for drawing and standing do not allow any discretion on the part of the players. The conventional baccarat rules can vary in different gaming jurisdictions. For example, in Macao, all other felt games must be handled by licensed and registered persons.
The players can play the game according to conventional baccarat rules, which may vary from place to place. In one embodiment, the baccarat game is played according to the U.S. rules as used in Las Vegas.
In another embodiment, the baccarat game is played according to the baccarat rules promulgated by the government of Macau Special Administration Region. In Macao, only dealers are eligible to touch the shoe at all time unless on very special situation in VIP rooms. In live baccarat game in Macau, all cards are being handled by licensed and registered dealers representing the concessionary holders (e.g., one of the 6 concessionary holders in Macao, namely, SJM, Galaxy, MGM, LVS etc).
Roulette
Roulette games are generally grouped into two categories: the European Roulette or English Roulette or the American Roulette. The following provides a general description of the game of Roulette and the rules playing the game.
American Roulette
The Wheel
The game of American Roulette is played on a wheel which consists of thirty-eight slots, each with its own number. The numbers on a Roulette wheel are 1-36, 0, and 00. The numbers alternate pairs of odd numbers with pairs of even numbers. The numbers also alternate between black and red. Both the 0 and 00 slots are green. A dealer, or croupier spins the wheel in one direction and then rolls a small ball in the other direction. The ball then drops into one of the slots as it begins to slow down.
The Table
The table is designed so that the numbers, not including 0 and 00, are lined up into three columns, each of twelve numbers, the first row is 1, 2, 3; the second row is 4, 5, 6 and so on. The rest of the table is devoted to the myriad bets the game entails. Betting is broken down into two major categories, inside bets and outside bets. There is no limit to the number of bets one can play
Inside Bets
Straight Bets
This is betting that one particular number on the wheel will come up. This bet is done by placing a chip on top of the number on which you want to bet. If that number wins, the payoff is 35 to 1.
Split Bets
This is betting that one of two numbers that lie next to each other on the table will win. Placing a chip on the line that separates two numbers does this. You win if the ball lands on either number. The payoff is 17 to 1.
Street Bet, Trio Bet, or Three Number Bet
In this bet, a player is wagering that any number in a particular row will hit on the next spin. To make this bet, you must place a chip in the outside line of the row on which you want to bet. You win if any number in the row comes up. The payoff is 11 to 1.
Corner Bet, Square Bet, or Four-Number Bet
This bets that one of four numbers will hit on the next spin. The numbers should all be touching and moving a chip into the center of four numbers places the bet. If one of these numbers comes up, you win. This bets pays 8 to 1.
Five-Number Bet
This is betting that either the 0, 00, 1, 2, or 3 will come up on the next roll. To take this bet, place a chip on the outside line that divides the 0 and 1. You will be paid 6 to 1 if any of these numbers come up.
Six Line Bet
This is betting that one of six numbers in two adjacent rows will come up. Place a chip in between two rows on the outside line. If the ball lands on any number in the two rows, you will be paid 6 to 1.
Outside Bets
Red
You are betting that the next number to come up is a red. If the next number landed is red, you will be paid 1 to 1, or even money. To play this bet, place a chip on the box marked “Red”.
Black
You are betting that the next number to come up is a black. If the next number landed is black, you will be paid 1 to 1, or even money. To play this bet, place a chip on the box marked “Black”.
Even
This is wagering that the ball will land on an even number. This bet does not include 0 or 00. The payoff is 1 to 1. To play this bet, place a chip on the box marked “Even”.
This is wagering that the ball will land on an odd number. The payoff is 1 to 1 if the next number to come up is odd. To play this bet, place a chip on the box marked “Odd”.
Low Bet
This is a bet that the next number will be between 1 and 18. The payout is 1 to 1. To play this bet, place a chip on the box marked “Low”.
High Bet
This is a bet that the next number will be between 19 and 36. The payout is 1 to 1. To play this bet, place a chip on the box marked “High”.
Dozen Bet
These bets divide the table into the numbers 1-12, 13-24, and 25-36. To play this bet, put a chip in one of the three boxes marked “1st 12”, “2nd 12” or “3rd 12”. This bet pays 2 to 1.
Column Bet
This bets that a number in a particular column will come up on the next spin. The payoff is 2 to 1 and is done by placing a chip at the end of the layout below your desired column where it is marked “2 to 1”.
English Roulette
The major difference between English and American Roulette is that English has only a 0 instead of both 0 and 00.
Sic Bo
Sic Bo is an ancient Chinese game meaning ‘Dice Pair’. It is played in Southeast Asia, Korea, Nevada and Australia. It is also popular in the Philippines, where it is called ‘Hi-Lo’. Sic Bo is played with three dice. The object of the game is to select the individual numbers, or combinations of numbers, that will appear on the dice after the ‘throw’.
The possibilities include single dice numbers, two of a kind, three of a kind, or combinations of any two or three of the dice. These are displayed along with payoff odds on the table's layout.
To start, the players make their selection of a possible outcome and place a bet on a chosen possibility. After the bets are made, the dice tumbler is rotated and then set on the table. All winning possibilities of the three dice appear illuminated on the layout.
Winning payoffs range from 1:1 even money for one-of-a-kind, to 180:1 for a specific trio.
Slot Machine Games
Slot machine games are common in all the casino resorts. The rules and general steps of playing a slot machine game is described below:
Description of the Gaming System
The gaming system described herein can be in any design.
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The main cabinet may also be a betting terminal and be an electronic device of entertainment gaming machine. For example, this could be a desktop computer, a cellphone, a hand held personal computer, a smart phone, a tablet or a handheld person digital assistant.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications can be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.
This application is a continuation of, claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/939,019, filed on Nov. 12, 2015, which is a continuation of, claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/525,419, filed on Oct. 28, 2014, which is a continuation of, claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/665,991 filed on Nov. 1, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of, claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/897,590 filed on Aug. 31, 2007, which is a continuation-in-part of, claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/800,885, filed on May 7, 2007, and which is a continuation-in-part of, claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/042,633 filed on Mar. 8, 2011, which is a continuation of, claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/497,708 filed on Aug. 1, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part of, claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/312,150 filed on Dec. 19, 2005, and which is a continuation-in-part of, claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/198,218, filed on Aug. 5, 2005, and which is a continuation-in-part of, claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/042,732, filed on Jan. 24, 2005, the entire contents of which are each incorporated by reference herein.
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