Methods of playing poker-type card games with wagering options

Abstract

Methods for playing card games having at least one player and a dealer. Wagering areas are provided in a vicinity of each player for wagering based on a point value of one or more cards dealt to each player. Additional wagering areas are provided for wagering based on a rank of a five-card poker hand made up of two cards dealt to a player or to the dealer and a number of community cards. Two cards are dealt to each player and community cards are dealt in a common area of a playing surface. Point values for the player's two cards are determined, poker hand ranks are determined and wagers are settled. Additional wagering possibilities based on card suits, colors and groupings are also provided.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to the field of casino gaming. More particularly, the invention relates to card-games wherein players may place wagers, the outcome of which is determined by point values, suits and/or colors of a card or cards dealt to a wagering player as well as values of a poker hand comprising cards dealt to a wagering player and community cards incorporated into each wagering player's hand.

2. The Prior Art

Poker is a well-known card game which may be played with one or more standard decks of playing cards. The playing cards may comprise two colors: black and red, and four suits: spades, clubs, hearts and diamonds. The suits of spades and clubs are typically black in color and the suits of hearts and diamonds are typically red in color.

A poker hand may comprise five cards held by a player. In games wherein a player is dealt or holds more than five cards, for example seven cards, five cards are selected to form the poker hand and the remaining cards are not considered as part of the poker hand.

A poker hand is assigned a particular rank or category based on the cards making up the hand. Poker hand ranks are arranged in a hierarchical order such that a player with the highest ranking hand in a round wins that round.

Typical poker hand ranks or categories, listed in order from highest to lowest rank include a royal flush, a straight flush, four of a kind, a full house, a flush, a straight, three of a kind, two pair, and one pair. A royal flush may be a five card hand consisting of an ace, a king, a queen, a jack, and a ten all of the same suit. A straight flush may be a five card hand consisting of five cards of the same suit in sequence. For example a hand consisting of a jack of clubs, a ten of clubs, a nine of clubs, an eight of clubs and a seven of clubs would be ranked as a straight flush.

Four of a kind may be a five card hand including four cards of the same rank, four example four threes. A full house may be a five card hand consisting of three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank, for example three kings and two sixes. A flush may be a five card hand consisting of five cards of the same suit. A straight may be a five card hand consisting of five cards of various suits in sequence. For example, a hand consisting of a ten of clubs, a nine of hearts, an eight of diamonds, a seven of spades and a six of diamonds would be ranked as a straight.

Three of a kind may be a five card hand including three cards of the same rank, for example three queens. Two pair may be a five card hand including two cards of one rank and two cards of another rank, for example two jacks and two sevens. A pair may be a five card hand including two cards of the same rank, for example two fours.

A five card hand which does not form a combination indicated above may be known as nothing or a may be ranked according to a highest card in the hand.

It is known in various card games, for example blackjack or “21” to assign various point values to individual playing cards. For example, each numbered card (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10) may be assigned a point value equal to its number. Face cards (kings, queens, and jacks)may be assigned a point value of ten. Aces may be assigned a point value of either one or eleven at the discretion of a player holding a hand which includes an ace.

The following references, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, relate to various methods or procedures concerning variations on or modifications of conventional blackjack or poker games: “Table Games” by ShuffleMaster, Inc. Las Vegas, Nev. 2004; U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,041 to Jones et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,586 to Marks et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,863,042 to Lo; U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,675 to Handelman et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,102 to Marks et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,456 to Long; U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,500 to Miller; U.S. Pat. No. 6,485,020 to Broadnax; U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,767 to Keller; U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,003 to Potter et al.; and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2003/0222400 to Collins et al.; 2003/0218303 to Walker et al.; and 2003/0057648 to Webb.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to the field of casino gaming. More particularly, the invention relates to card games wherein players may place wagers, the outcome of which is determined by point values, suits and/or colors of a card or cards dealt to a wagering player as well as values of a poker hand comprising cards dealt to a wagering player and community cards incorporated into each wagering player's hand.

In a method according to an embodiment of the invention, a first wagering area corresponding to an actual point value of one or more cards dealt to a player placing a first wager is provided in a vicinity of a player. A second wagering area corresponding to a five-card poker hand comprising two cards dealt to a player placing a second wager and three cards dealt as community cards is also provided in a vicinity of the player.

At least one player may place a first wager by placing one or more wagering devices in a portion of the first wagering area which indicates a predicted point value of one or more cards dealt to the player placing the first wager. At least one player may place a second wager by placing one or more wagering devices in the second wagering area. A first card and a second card are dealt to each player and three community cards are dealt.

An actual point value of the one or more cards dealt to each player placing a first wager is determined and compared to the predicted point value. If the predicted point value is not equal to the actual point value, an amount of the first wager may be collected from the player placing the first wager. If the predicted point value is equal to the actual point value, a predetermined multiple of the amount of the first wager may be paid to the player placing the first wager.

A rank of the five-card poker hand of a player placing a second wager is determined and a predetermined multiple of the amount of the second wager is collected from or paid to the player placing the second wager based on the rank of that player's five-card poker hand.

The first wagering area may comprise a plurality of first wager zones, each indicating a single possible total point value of two cards dealt to the player placing a first wager. The plurality of first wager zones may be arranged in a matrix of rows and columns and a player may place one or more wagering devices adjacent to at least one of the rows or columns of the matrix to indicate a predicted total point value corresponding to all total point values included in that row or column.

In another embodiment, the first wagering area may comprise a plurality of first wager zones, each indicating a range of possible total point values of two cards dealt to the player placing a first wager. For example, the first wagering area may include a first wager zone which indicates a total point value range of 2 to 8, a second wager zone which indicates a total point value range of 9 to 11, a third wager zone which indicates a total point value range of 12 to 16, a fourth wager zone which indicates a total point value range of 17 to 20, and a fifth wager zone which indicates a total point value of 21.

In a further embodiment, the first wagering area may comprising a plurality of first wager zones, each indicating a possible point value of a first card dealt to the player placing the first wager and another plurality of first wager zones, each indicating a possible point value of a second card dealt to the player placing the first wager.

Additionally, a third wagering area indicating a first color, for example black, and a fourth wagering area indicating a second color, for example red, may be provided in a vicinity of each player. At least one player may place a third wager by placing one or more wagering devices in one or more of the third and fourth wagering areas corresponding to a predicted color of both the first and second card dealt to the player placing the third wager.

If the first card and second card dealt to the player placing the third wager are not the same color, or if they are the same color but not the predicted color, an amount of the third wager is collected from the player placing the third wager. If the first card and second card dealt to the player placing the third wager are the same color and are the predicted color, a predetermined multiple of the amount of the third wager is paid to the player placing the third wager. A greater predetermined multiple may be paid if the first card and second card are also the same suit.

In a further embodiment, a greater predetermined multiple of an amount of the first wager may be paid if, in addition to the actual point value of one or more cards dealt to a player equaling a predicted value or being within a predicted value range, the first and second card dealt to the player placing the first wager are the same suit.

In another embodiment, a wagering area corresponding to the first and second card dealt to a player comprising a pair is provided in a vicinity of each player. At least one player place may place a wager by placing one or more wagering devices in this wagering area. If the first and second card dealt to the player placing this wager do not comprise a pair, an amount of the wager is collected from the player. If the first and second card dealt to the player placing this wager do form a pair, a predetermined amount of the wager is paid out to the player.

In another embodiment, a wagering area corresponding to either or both of the first and second card dealt to a player comprising an ace is provided in a vicinity of each player. At least one player may place a wager by placing one or more wagering devices in this wagering area. If neither of the first and second cards dealt to the player placing this wager is an ace, an amount of the wager is collected from the player. If either or both of the first and second cards dealt to the player placing this wager is/are an ace, a predetermined amount of the wager is paid out to the player.

In another embodiment, a wagering area corresponding to the first and second card dealt to a player comprising a same suit is provided in a vicinity of each player. At least one player may place a wager by placing one or more wagering devices in this wagering area. If the first and second card dealt to the player placing this wager do not comprise a same suit, an amount of the wager is collected from the player. If the first and second card dealt to the player placing this wager are the same suit, a predetermined amount of the wager is paid out to the player.

In a further embodiment, a wagering area corresponding to a five card poker hand comprising two cards dealt to a player placing a third wager and said three cards dealt as community cards in a vicinity is provided in a vicinity of each player. At least one player places a wager by placing one or more wagering devices in this wagering area. Two cards are dealt to each player and to the dealer. A rank of the wagering player's five-card poker hand and the dealer's five card poker hand (comprising the two cards dealt to the dealer and the three community cards) are determined. If the dealer's five-card poker hand outranks the five-card poker hand of the wagering player, an amount of the wager is collected from the player. If the wagering player's five-card poker hand outranks the dealer's five-card poker hand, a predetermined multiple of the amount of the wager is paid to the player.

In another embodiment, a pot area is provided and at least one player and the dealer contribute to a pot by placing one or more wagering devices in the pot area. An amount of the pot is paid to the player contributing to the pot or to the dealer holding the highest ranking five-card poker hand. If none of the five-card poker hands of the players contributing to the pot or the dealer equals or exceeds a pre-determined rank, for example, three of a kind, then the amount of the pot may not be paid out and instead accumulated to be paid out in a subsequent round of play.

In another embodiment, one or more of the community cards may be dealt in a face-down position and flipped to a face-up position. Players may make further contributions to the pot as the community cards are flipped.

In further embodiments, five community cards may be dealt and a player or the dealer's five-card poker hand may be selected from two cards dealt to a player or dealer and the five community cards.

An advantage of a card game according to an embodiment of the invention is that the game is based on conventional poker hand ranks and is simple to learn and play. Another advantage of a card game according to an embodiment of the invention is that multiple wagering opportunities are provided for each round of play such that a player has increased possibilities for winning in a particular game, thereby increasing player interest. A further advantage of a card game according to an embodiment of the invention is that the provision of a five-card poker hand allows for a variety of ranks of poker hands and a corresponding variety of predetermined payout ratios.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other benefits and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements:

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a playing surface which can be used to play a card game according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a top view of a player station which can be used to play a card game according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a top view of a player station which can be used to play a card game according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a top view of a player station which can be used to play a card game according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a top view of a player station which can be used to play a card game according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a top view of a player station which can be used to play a card game according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 shows a top view of a player station which can be used to play a card game according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 shows a shows a top view of a playing surface which can be used to play a card game according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 shows a top view of a playing surface which can be used to play a card game according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 shows a top view of a playing surface which can be used to play a card game according to another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 11 shows a top view of a playing surface which can be used to play a card game according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a top view of a top surface of a gaming table which can be used to play a card game according to an embodiment of the invention. Card games according to the invention may be played on, for example, a type of table typically used for blackjack or poker card games. The playing surface may be covered with felt or a similar material and may include various indicia imprinted on the surface. Such indicia may indicate various positions for players and or dealers to place cards and wagers and may indicate a name and/or rules of the particular game.

As shown in FIG. 1, a gaming table may comprise a semi-circular blackjack-type table having six player stations situated around a dealer station. Players may sit or stand at individual player stations and a dealer may sit or stand behind a back edge of the gaming table. Alternatively, games according to embodiments of the invention may be played using a gaming table having a circular, oval, square, rectangular or any other appropriate shape and size suitable to accommodate one or more players and a dealer.

Although FIG. 1 show a gaming surface suitable for six individual players and a dealer, games according to the embodiments of the invention are not limited to any particular number of players. For example, card games according to embodiments of the invention may be played with ten or fewer players, preferably five or six players. Furthermore, the term dealer includes any person who distributes cards to players. Thus, a dealer may also be a player in a particular game and need not be positioned as shown in FIG. 1.

Card games according to embodiments of the invention may be played with one or more decks of conventional playing cards, preferably a single deck. A continuous shuffler may be employed to shuffle the cards.

As shown in FIG. 1, a first wagering area 10 is provided in a vicinity of each player. First wagering area 10 may correspond to a predicted point value of one or more cards dealt to a player placing a first wager.

At least one player may place a first wager by placing one or more chips, markers, or other wagering devices in a first wagering area 10 associated with that player. Each chip or marker may have a predetermined value. The amount of a wager which a player may make for a particular game or table may be regulated between certain maximum and minimum values by a casino or other authority. A player makes a first wager by placing one or more wagering devices in a portion of first wagering area 10 which indicates a predicted point value of one or more cards to be dealt to the player. For example, a player may place a first wager by placing a wagering device on a portion of first wagering area 10 which indicates “8”. Such a wager corresponds to a bet that one or more cards dealt to the player will have a point value of 8.

A second wagering area 20 is provided in a vicinity of each player. Second wagering area 20 may correspond to a five-card poker hand comprising two cards dealt to a player and three cards dealt as community cards. Community cards may be dealt either face-up or face-down and flipped over, and may be positioned in a location where they can be easily seen by players and the dealer.

At least one player may place a second wager by placing one or more chips, markers, or other wagering devices in a second wagering area 20 associated with that player. Each chip or marker may have a predetermined value. As with a first wager, an amount of a second wager which a player may make for a particular game or table may be regulated between certain maximum and minimum values by a casino or other authority.

A first card and a second card are dealt to each player. Cards may be dealt to players either face-up or face-down. Three community cards may be dealt.

For each player placing a first wager, an actual point value is determined for one or more of the two cards dealt to the player. If an actual point value is equal to a predicted point value indicated by the player, the player is paid a predetermined multiple of an amount of the first wager. If the actual point value is not equal to the predicted point value, an amount of the first wager is collected from that player.

For each player placing a second wager, a rank of the five-card poker hand comprising the two cards dealt to the player and the three community cards is determined. For example the five-card poker hand may comprise a royal flush (an ace, king, queen, jack and ten all in the same suit), a straight flush (five cards of the same suit in sequence), four of a kind, a full house (three of a kind and a pair), a flush (five cards of the same suit), a straight (five cards in sequence), three of a kind, two pair or a single pair.

A predetermined multiple of an amount of a player's second wager is either collected or paid out based on the rank of the player's five-card poker hand. Generally, the higher the rank of the five-card poker hand achieved by the player, the greater the predetermined multiple or payout ratio. For example, a five-card poker hand comprising a royal flush may pay out at a ratio of 5000:1, a straight flush at a ratio of 1000:1, four of a kind at a ratio of 100:1, a full house at a ratio of 75:1, a flush at a ratio of 50:1, a straight at a ratio of 25:1, three of a kind at a ratio of 10:1, and two pairs at a ratio of 5:1.

Additionally a five card poker hand comprising a single pair or lower may pay at a ratio of −1:1. In other words, a player making an second wager based on a rank of the five-card poker hand comprising an initial hand of two cards dealt to the player and three community cards, who achieves a five-card poker hand of a pair or nothing may forfeit an amount of that player's second wager which may be collected by the dealer or house.

The payout ratios listed above are exemplary only and may be adjusted by a particular casino or other authority. For example the payout ratios may be adjusted to raise or lower the “house advantage” associated with a particular embodiment of a game according to the invention.

Furthermore, a particular card pair may have one payout ratio associated with it and another card pair may have another, different payout ratio associated with it. For example, a pair of jacks, kings, queens or aces (“jacks or better”) may pay out at a ratio of 3:1, whereas a pair of twos, threes, fours, fives, sixes, sevens, eights, nines or tens may pay out at a ratio of −1:1.

As shown in FIG. 2, first wagering area 10 may comprise a plurality of first wager zones, wherein each first wager zone indicates a single possible total point value of a hand of two cards dealt to a player placing a first wager. For example, first wagering area 10 may comprise twenty individual wager zones each indicating one value from 1-21. A player make a first wager by placing one or more wagering devices in one or more of the wager zones corresponding to a predicted total point value of the two cards dealt to the player. For the purposes of settling an outcome of a first wager, this predicted total point value is compared to an actual total point value determined by adding the point values of the two cards dealt to the wagering player.

The plurality of first wager zones may be arranged in a matrix of columns and rows. For example as shown in FIG. 2, a first wagering area 10 may comprise five rows and four columns wherein row 1 indicates total point values of 2, 3, 4 and 5; row 2 indicates total point values of 6, 7, 8 and 9; row 3 indicates total point values of 10, 11, 12 and 13; row 4 indicates total point values of 14, 15, 16 and 17; row 5 indicates total point values of 18, 19, 20 and 21; column 1 indicates total point values of 2, 6, 10, 14 and 18; column 2 indicates total point values of 3, 7, 11, 15 and 19; column 3 indicates total point values of 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20; and column 4 indicates total point values of 5, 9, 13, 17 and 21.

A player may place a first wager corresponding to all of the values in a particular column and/or row by placing one or more wagering devices adjacent to a particular column or row. For example, a player may place one or more wagering devices in an upper left hand corner of the matrix shown in FIG. 2, to the left of the region indicating “2”. Such a wager would correspond to a prediction that a total point value of a two card hand dealt to the player would be 2, 3, 4, or 5.

As shown in FIG. 3, a third wagering area 30 and a fourth wagering area 40 may also be provided in a vicinity of a player. Third wagering area 30 may indicate or correspond to a first color, for example black, and fourth wagering area 40 may indicate or correspond to a second color, for example red. Third and fourth wagering areas may be imprinted with the color they indicate and/or text reciting the associated color.

A player may make a third wager by placing one or more wagering devices in the third and/or fourth wagering areas 30, 40 corresponding to a predicted color of an initial two card hand dealt to the player placing the third wager.

If a player places a third wager by placing one or more wagering devices in one or more of wagering areas 30, 40 and a first card and a second card dealt to the player are of a different color or if the first card and second card are of the same color but not a predicted color, an amount of the third wager may be collected. If a player places a third wager by placing one or more wagering devices in one or more of third and fourth wager areas 30, 40 and a first card and a second card dealt to the player are of a same color and the color is a predicted color, a predetermined multiple of an amount of the third wager may be paid to the player.

As shown in FIG. 4, first wagering area 10 may comprise a plurality of first wager zones, wherein each first wager zone indicates a possible range of total point values of a hand of two cards dealt to a player placing a first wager. For example, first wagering area 10 may comprise a first wager zone which indicates a total point value range of 2 to 8, a second wager zone which indicates a total point value range of 9 to 11, a third wager zone which indicates a total point value range of 12 to 16, a fourth wager zone which indicates a total point value range of 17 to 20, and a fifth wager zone which indicates a total point value of 21. Other ranges are also contemplated and payout rates may be adjusted depending on a particular range indicated.

A player make a first wager by placing one or more wagering devices in one or more of the wager zones corresponding to a predicted total point value range of the two cards dealt to the player. For the purposes of settling an outcome of a first wager, this predicted total point value range is compared to an actual total point value determined by adding the point values of the two cards dealt to the wagering player. A player wins a first wager if an actual total point value of the two cards dealt to the player are within the predicted range.

FIG. 5 shows the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 provided with third and fourth wagering zones 30, 40 for placing a third wager based on a predicted color of a player's two card hand, as described above.

As shown in FIG. 6, first wagering area 10 may comprise a plurality of first wager zones 100 which indicate a possible point value of a first card dealt to a player and a plurality of first wager zones 200 which indicate a possible point value of a second card dealt to that player. Wager zones 100 may comprise, for example an arrangement of ten wager zones, each indicating a point value from 2 to 11. Wager zones 200 may also comprise an arrangement of ten wager zones, each indicating a point value between 2 and 11. A player make a first wager by placing one or more wagering devices in one or more of the wager zones 100 corresponding to a predicted point value of the first card dealt to the player and/or by placing one or more wagering devices in one or more of the wager zones 200 corresponding to a predicted point value of the second card dealt to the player. For the purposes of settling an outcome of a first wager, this predicted point value for a first and/or second card is compared to an actual point value of a first and/or second card.

FIG. 7 shows the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 provided with third and fourth wagering zones 30, 40 for placing a third wager based on a predicted color of a player's two card hand, as described above.

In an embodiment of a card game according to the invention, the step of paying a predetermined multiple of an amount of a first wager based on a point value of a player's first and/or second card or a third wager based on a color of a player's first and second card may include paying a greater predetermined multiple of an amount of the wager if the wagering player's first and second cards also are of the same suit (“suited”). For example, if a player makes a first wager by placing a wagering device in a first wagering area indicating 16 and draws a ten of diamonds as a first card and a six of clubs as a second card, the player wins the wager and is paid a predetermined multiple of an amount of the wager. However, if a player made the same wager and drew a ten of diamonds and a six of diamonds, the player would be paid a greater predetermined multiple of the amount of the first wager. Similarly, if a player made a third wager by placing a wagering device in third wagering area 30 indicating black, that player would be paid a higher multiple of an amount of the wager if the player drew two spades than if the player drew a spade and a club.

FIG. 8 shows a top view of a top surface of a gaming table which can be used to play a card game according to another embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 8, in addition to first wagering area 10 (corresponding to a point value of a player's first and/or second cards) and second wagering area 20 (corresponding to a rank of a five-card poker hand of a player), another wagering area 50 may be provided in a vicinity of each player. Wagering area 50 may correspond to a prediction based on the two cards dealt to the wagering player. For example, wagering area 50 may correspond to a bet or prediction that the first and second card dealt to a player will comprise a pair, will comprise two cards of the same suit, or that one or more of the first and second cards will be an ace. Wagers are made in wagering area 50 in the same manner as for wagering area 20. A player is paid a predetermined multiple of an amount of a wager made in wagering area 50 if a result of a first and second card dealt to the player corresponds to the wager and an amount of the wager is collected if the result of the two cards does not conform to the predicted result. For example, if wagering area 50 indicates a pair, and a player draws two jacks, the player is paid a predetermined amount of a wager placed in wagering area 50. Additionally, if wagering area 50 indicates an ace, a player may be paid one predetermined multiple if one of the two cards dealt to the player is an ace and the player may be paid a greater predetermined multiple if both cards dealt to the player are aces.

As shown in FIG. 8, an area 300 may be provided for dealing the three common or community cards. Area 300 is preferably located in a central portion of the gaming table with respect to all of the players and the dealer so that the community cards may be easily viewed by the dealer and players.

In addition to first wagering area 10 and second wagering area 20, another wagering area 60 may be provided in a vicinity of each player. Wagering area 60 may correspond to a “play” bet, wherein a player wagers that a five-card poker hand comprising two cards dealt to the player and the three community cards will have a greater rank than a dealer's five card poker hand comprising two cards dealt to the dealer and the three community cards. Accordingly, in this embodiment two cards are dealt to the dealer as well as to each player.

The “play” bet indicated by placing one or more wagering devices in wagering area 60 is a one-on-one poker bet between the player placing the bet and the dealer. After the cards are dealt to the player and the dealer and the community cards are dealt, the rank of a wagering player's and the dealer's five-card poker hands are determined and compared. If a player places a wagering device in wagering area 60 and that player's five-card poker hand outranks the dealer's five-card poker hand, the player is paid a predetermined multiple of an amount of the wager. If the dealer's five-card poker hand outranks the wagering player's five-card poker hand, an amount of a wager placed in wagering zone 60 is collected.

FIG. 9 shows a top view of a top surface of a gaming table which can be used to play a card game according to another embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 9, a pot area 400 may be provided, wherein players and/or the dealer may contribute to a “pot” by placing one or more wagering devices in pot area 400. After a round of play, an amount represented by the wagering devices placed in pot area 400 may be paid out to the player contributing to the pot who achieves the highest ranking five-card poker hand. Additionally, if the dealer is participating in a game by virtue of the dealer being dealt two cards, the pot may be paid to the dealer in the event the dealer's five-card poker hand outranks all of the contributing players' five-card poker hands.

In a further embodiment, an amount of the pot is paid out only if the highest ranking poker hand comprises or exceeds a predetermined rank, for example three of a kind. If none of the players or the dealer achieve a hand equaling or exceeding this threshold rank, the amount of the pot may be allowed to accumulate or “ride” until the next round of play when a player or the dealer achieve the required minimum poker hand rank. Additionally, players may make additional contributions to or “raise” the pot during a round of play. For example, the three community cards can be dealt in a face-down position and additional contributions to the pot can be made as individual or groups of community cards are flipped to a face-up position, revealing the identity of the community card or cards.

FIG. 10 shows a top view of a top surface of a gaming table which can be used to play a card game according to another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, card games are played as described above, however five community cards are dealt rather than three. The five community cards may be dealt face-up or face-down and may be dealt in area 500 which is preferably located in a central portion of the gaming table with respect to all of the players and the dealer so that the five community cards may be easily viewed by the dealer and players.

In this embodiment, a five-card poker hand of a player and/or of the dealer comprises five cards selected from the five community cards and the two cards dealt to the player or dealer. Typically, the five cards resulting in the highest ranking poker hand are selected from this group of seven cards and the remaining two cards are ignored for the purposes of wagers based on a poker hand. As shown in FIG. 11, a pot area 600 may be provided for incorporating a pot into the wagering as described for the three community card games disclosed herein. The five community cards may be dealt in a face-down position and the first three community cards may be flipped at one time (a “flop”), then the fourth community card (“fourth street”) may be flipped, followed by the fifth community card (“river card”). Players may make additional contributions to the pot or raises as individual or groups of community cards are flipped.

Accordingly, while several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for playing a card game having at least one player and a dealer and using at least one standard deck of playing cards, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a first wagering area in a vicinity of the at least one player, wherein said first wagering area corresponds to a predicted point value of one or more cards dealt to a player placing a first wager; b) providing a second wagering area in a vicinity of the at least one player, wherein said second wagering area corresponds to a five-card poker hand comprising two cards dealt to a player placing a second wager and three cards dealt as community cards; c) having at least one player place said first wager by placing one or more wagering devices in a portion of said first wagering area indicating said predicted point value of said one or more cards dealt to the player placing the first wager; d) having at least one player place said second wager by placing one or more wagering devices in said second wagering area; e) dealing a first card and a second card to each player; f) dealing three community cards; g) determining an actual point value of said one or more cards dealt to the player placing a first wager and comparing said actual point value to said predicted point value; h) collecting an amount of said first wager if said predicted point value is not equal to said actual point value and paying a predetermined multiple of said amount of said first wager if said predicted point value is equal to said actual point value; i) determining a rank of said five-card poker hand of the player placing said second wager; and j) paying or collecting a predetermined multiple of an amount of said second wager based on said rank of said five-card poker hand.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing a first wagering area further comprises providing a first wagering area comprising a plurality of first wager zones, wherein each of said plurality of first wager zones indicates a single possible total point value of two cards dealt to the player placing said first wager.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of first wager zones is arranged in a matrix of rows and columns.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of having at least one player place a first wager further comprises having the at least one player place a first wager by placing one or more wagering devices adjacent to at least one of said rows or said columns of said matrix, wherein placing a wagering device adjacent to said at least one of said rows or said columns indicates a predicted total point value corresponding to all total point values included in said row or said column.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing a first wagering area further comprises providing a first wagering area comprising a plurality of first wager zones, wherein each of said plurality of first wager zones indicates a possible range of possible total point values of two cards dealt to the player placing said first wager.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said plurality of first wager zones comprise a first wager zone which indicates a total point value range of 2 to 8, a second wager zone which indicates a total point value range of 9 to 11, a third wager zone which indicates a total point value range of 12 to 16, a fourth wager zone which indicates a total point value range of 17 to 20, and a fifth wager zone which indicates a total point value of 21.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing a first wagering area further comprises providing a first wagering area comprising a plurality of first wager zones each indicating a possible point value of a first card dealt to the player placing said first wager and a plurality of first wager zones each indicating a possible point value of a second card dealt to the player placing said first wager.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: a) providing a third wagering area and a fourth wagering area in a vicinity of each player, wherein said third wagering area indicates a first color and said fourth wagering area indicates a second color; b) having at least one player place a third wager by placing one or more wagering devices in one or more of said third and fourth wagering areas corresponding to a predicted color of both said first card and said second card dealt to the player placing said third wager; c) collecting an amount of said third wager if said first card and said second card dealt to the player placing said third wager are not of a same color or if said first card and said second card are of a same color but said same color is not said predicted color; and d) paying a predetermined multiple of said amount of said third wager if said first card and said second card dealt to the player placing said third wager are of a same color and said same color is said predicted color.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the step of paying a predetermined multiple of said amount of said third wager further comprises paying a greater predetermined multiple of said amount of said third wager if said first card and said second card dealt to the player placing said third wager are of a same suit.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of paying a predetermined multiple of said amount of said first wager further comprises paying a greater predetermined multiple of said amount of said first wager if said first card and said second card dealt to the player placing said first wager are of a same suit.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: a) providing a third wagering area in a vicinity of each player, wherein said third wagering area corresponds to said first card and said second card dealt to a player placing a third wager comprising a pair; b) having at least one player place said third wager by placing one or more wagering devices in said third wagering area; c) collecting an amount of said third wager if said first card and said second card dealt to the player placing said third wager do not comprise a pair; and d) paying a predetermined multiple of said amount of said third wager if said first card and said second card dealt to the player placing said third wager comprise a pair.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: a) providing a third wagering area in a vicinity of each player, wherein said third wagering area corresponds to one or both of said first card and said second card dealt to a player placing a third wager comprising an ace; b) having at least one player place said third wager by placing one or more wagering devices in said third wagering area; c) collecting an amount of said third wager if neither of said first card and said second card dealt to the player placing said third wager comprise an ace; and d) paying a predetermined multiple of said amount of said third wager if either or both of said first card and said second card dealt to the player placing said third wager comprise an ace.

13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: a) providing a third wagering area in a vicinity of each player, wherein said third wagering area corresponds to said first card and said second card dealt to the player placing a third wager comprising a same suit; b) having at least one player place said third wager by placing one or more wagering devices in said third wagering area; c) collecting an amount of said third wager if said first card and said second card dealt to the player placing said third wager do not comprise a same suit; and d) paying a predetermined multiple of said amount of said third wager if said first card and said second card dealt to the player placing said third wager comprise a same suit.

14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: a) providing a third wagering area in a vicinity of each player, wherein said third wagering area corresponds to a five card poker hand comprising two cards dealt to a player placing a third wager and said three cards dealt as community cards; b) having at least one player place said third wager by placing one or more wagering devices in said third wagering area; c) dealing two cards to the dealer; d) determining a rank of said five-card poker hand of the player placing said third wager and determining a rank of a five-card poker hand of the dealer, comprising said two cards dealt to the dealer and said three community cards; e) collecting an amount of said third wager if said five-card poker hand of the dealer outranks said five-card poker hand of the player placing said third wager; and f) paying a predetermined multiple of said amount of said third wager if said five-card poker hand of the player placing said third wager outranks said five-card poker hand of the dealer.

15. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: a) providing a pot area, wherein at least one player and the dealer contribute to a pot by placing one or more wagering devices in said pot area; b) dealing two cards to the dealer; c) determining a rank of said five-card poker hand of a player contributing to said pot and determining a rank of a five-card poker hand of the dealer, comprising said two cards dealt to the dealer and said three community cards; and d) paying an amount of said pot to the player contributing to said pot or to the dealer having a highest ranking five-card poker hand.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the step of paying an amount of said pot further comprises paying said amount of said pot only if a player or the dealer's five-card poker hand equals or exceeds a predetermined rank and letting said pot accumulate if a player or the dealer's five-card poker hand does not equal or exceed said predetermined rank.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said predetermined rank comprises three of a kind.

18. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the steps of dealing one or more of said three community cards in a face-down position, flipping said one or more community cards to a face-up position and permitting at least one player to make a further contribution to said pot before said one or more community cards are flipped to said face-up position.

19. A method for playing a card game having at least one player and a dealer and using at least one standard deck of playing cards, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a first wagering area in a vicinity of the at least one player, wherein said first wagering area corresponds to a predicted point value of one or more cards dealt to a player placing a first wager; b) providing a second wagering area in a vicinity of the at least one player, wherein said second wagering area corresponds to a five-card poker hand selected from two cards dealt to a player placing a second wager and five cards dealt as community cards; c) having at least one player place said first wager by placing one or more wagering devices in a portion of said first wagering area indicating a predicted point value of said one or more cards dealt to the player placing the first wager; d) having at least one player place said second wager by placing one or more wagering devices in said second wagering area; e) dealing a first card and a second card to each player; f) dealing five community cards; g) determining an actual point value of said one or more cards dealt to the player placing a first wager and comparing said actual point value to said predicted point value; h) collecting an amount of said first wager if said predicted point value is not equal to said actual point value and paying a predetermined multiple of said amount of said first wager if said predicted point value is equal to said actual point value; i) determining a rank of said five-card poker hand of the player placing said second wager; and j) paying or collecting a predetermined multiple of an amount of said second wager based on said rank of said five-card poker hand.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the step of providing a first wagering area further comprises providing a first wagering area comprising a plurality of first wager zones, wherein each of said plurality of first wager zones indicates a single possible total point value of two cards dealt to the player placing said first wager.

21. The method according to claims 20, wherein said plurality of first wager zones is arranged in a matrix of rows and columns.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of having at least one player place a first wager further comprises having the at least one player place a first wager by placing one or more wagering devices adjacent to at least one of said rows or said columns of said matrix, wherein placing a wagering device adjacent to said at least one of said rows or said columns indicates a predicted total point value corresponding to all total point values included in said row or said column.

23. The method according to claim 19, wherein the step of providing a first wagering area further comprises providing a first wagering area comprising a plurality of first wager zones, wherein each of said plurality of first wager zones indicates a possible range of possible total point values of two cards dealt to the player placing said first wager.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein said plurality of first wager zones comprise a first wager zone which indicates a total point value range of 2 to 8, a second wager zone which indicates a total point value range of 9 to 11, a third wager zone which indicates a total point value range of 12 to 16, a fourth wager zone which indicates a total point value range of 17 to 20, and a fifth wager zone which indicates a total point value of 21.

25. The method according to claim 19 wherein the step of providing a first wagering area further comprises providing a first wagering area comprising a plurality of first wager zones each indicating a possible point value of a first card dealt to the player placing said first wager and a plurality of first wager zones each indicating a possible point value of a second card dealt to the player placing said first wager.

26. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the steps of: a) providing a third wagering area and a fourth wagering area in a vicinity of each player, wherein said third wagering area indicates a first color and said fourth wagering area indicates a second color; b) having at least one player place a third wager by placing one or more wagering devices in one or more of said third and fourth wagering areas corresponding to a predicted color of both said first card and said second card dealt to the player placing said third wager; c) collecting an amount of said third wager if said first card and said second card dealt to the player placing said third wager are not of a same color or if said first card and said second card are of a same color but said same color is not said predicted color; and d) paying a predetermined multiple of said amount of said third wager if said first card and said second card dealt to the player placing said third wager are of a same color and said same color is said predicted color.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the step of paying a predetermined multiple of said amount of said third wager further comprises paying a greater predetermined multiple of said amount of said third wager if said first card and said second card dealt to the player placing said third wager are of a same suit.

28. The method according to claim 19, wherein the step of paying a predetermined multiple of said amount of said first wager further comprises paying a greater predetermined multiple of said amount of said first wager if said first card and said second card dealt to the player placing said first wager are of a same suit.

29. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the steps of: a) providing a third wagering area in a vicinity of each player, wherein said third wagering area corresponds to said first card and said second card dealt to a player placing a third wager comprising a pair; b) having at least one player place said third wager by placing one or more wagering devices in said third wagering area; c) collecting an amount of said third wager if said first card and said second card dealt to the player placing said third wager do not comprise a pair; and d) paying a predetermined multiple of said amount of said third wager if said first card and said second card dealt to the player placing said third wager comprise a pair.

30. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the steps of: a) providing a third wagering area in a vicinity of each player, wherein said third wagering area corresponds to one or both of said first card and said second card dealt to a player placing a third wager comprising an ace; b) having at least one player place said third wager by placing one or more wagering devices in said third wagering area; c) collecting an amount of said third wager if neither of said first card and said second card dealt to the player placing said third wager comprise an ace; and d) paying a predetermined multiple of said amount of said third wager if either or both of said first card and said second card dealt to the player placing said third wager comprise an ace.

31. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the steps of: a) providing a third wagering area in a vicinity of each player, wherein said third wagering area corresponds to said first card and said second card dealt to the player placing a third wager comprising a same suit; b) having at least one player place said third wager by placing one or more wagering devices in said third wagering area; c) collecting an amount of said third wager if said first card and said second card dealt to the player placing said third wager do not comprise a same suit; and d) paying a predetermined multiple of said amount of said third wager if said first card and said second card dealt to the player placing said third wager comprise a same suit.

32. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the steps of: a) providing a third wagering area in a vicinity of each player, wherein said third wagering area corresponds to a five card poker hand selected from two cards dealt to a player placing a third wager and said five cards dealt as community cards; b) having at least one player place said third wager by placing one or more wagering devices in said third wagering area; c) dealing two cards to the dealer; d) determining a rank of said five-card poker hand of the player placing said third wager and determining a rank of a five-card poker hand of the dealer, selected from said two cards dealt to the dealer and said five community cards; e) collecting an amount of said third wager if said five-card poker hand of the dealer outranks said five-card poker hand of the player placing said third wager; and f) paying a predetermined multiple of said amount of said third wager if said five-card poker hand of the player placing said third wager outranks said five-card poker hand of the dealer.

33. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the steps of: a) providing a pot area, wherein at least one player and the dealer contribute to a pot by placing one or more wagering devices in said pot area; b) dealing two cards to the dealer; c) determining a rank of said five-card poker hand of a player contributing to said pot and determining a rank of a five-card poker hand of the dealer, selected from said two cards dealt to the dealer and said five community cards; and d) paying an amount of said pot to the player contributing to said pot or to the dealer having a highest ranking five-card poker hand.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein the step of paying an amount of said pot further comprises paying said amount of said pot only if a player or the dealer's five-card poker hand equals or exceeds a predetermined rank and letting said pot accumulate if a player or the dealer's five-card poker hand does not equal or exceed said predetermined rank.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein said predetermined rank comprises three of a kind.

36. The method according to claim 33, further comprising the steps of dealing one or more of said five community cards in a face-down position, flipping said one or more community cards to a face-up position and permitting at least one player to make a further contribution to said pot before said one or more community cards are flipped to said face-up position.