Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a system and method for playing casino-type games, and more particularly, to a system and method for playing a poker-based game.
Many variations of poker have been developed to enhance player interest and to increase the attractiveness of the wagering game. For example, bonus games have been utilized in connection with a primary poker-based game. Generally, bonus games generate additional winnings beyond that which can usually be won during the normal play of a wagering game. The opportunity to receive the additional winnings entices the player to play a particular wagering game.
However, bonus games do not provide casino game players with the opportunity to increase the chances of winning in the primary game. Additionally, bonus games are often subject to the occurrence of random conditions that are beyond the control of the casino game player. Often, the casino game player loses interest in the game before a bonus event occurs. In addition, to further entice players to continue playing, some poker-based games have been developed where the player must pay a second wager to increase his opportunity of winning in a primary based game. However, not all casino players are interested in paying for a “second chance.”
What is needed is a new and interesting type of poker-based game that provides a player with an increased opportunity of winning a primary poker-based game.
Briefly, and in general terms, various embodiments for playing an improved poker-based game are provided. One method for playing a poker game comprises dealing an initial hand from a deck of playing cards. The player is allowed to discard and replace none, one or more cards from the initial hand. The resulting hand is evaluated to determine whether the player has a three-of-a-kind, and if so, a second draw is triggered. The second draw provides the player with another opportunity to obtain a four-of-a-kind, without the need for an additional wager, by allowing the player to discard at least one card and draw a replacement card for each card discarded. The resulting hand is then compared to a pay table and the appropriate award is distributed to the player.
Another embodiment provides a method for playing a poker game. The method, under the control of a game player, comprises receiving one or more cards dealt from a standard deck of playing cards. As few as none, or as many as all of the received cards, are selected to remain in the hand. The cards not selected to remain in the hand are discarded and replacement cards are drawn to complete the hand. If the hand comprises a three-of-a-kind, a second draw option is triggered. The second draw option provides the player with another opportunity to obtain a four-of-a-kind, without the need for an additional wager, by allowing the player to discard at least one card and draw a replacement card for each discarded card.
Optionally, another embodiment provides a gaming machine configured to provide a poker game. The poker game comprises dealing an initial hand of cards to a player. The player is allowed to discard and replace none, or one or more cards from the dealt hand. The hand is then evaluated to determine whether it contains a three-of-a-kind, and, if so, a second draw is triggered. The second draw provides the player with another opportunity to obtain a four-of-a-kind, without the need for an additional wager, by allowing the player to discard at least one card and draw a replacement card. The resulting hand is compared to a pay table and the player is awarded the appropriate win amount.
In another embodiment, a system provides a poker game to be played in conjunction with a gaming machine. The system comprises a means for dealing a hand of five cards randomly drawn from a deck of playing cards and a means for discarding as few as none and as many as all of the five cards in the dealt hand. Each of any discarded cards is replaced by a card from the standard deck of playing cards. Additionally, the system further comprises a means for evaluating the hand to determine if a player has a three-of-a-kind, and if so triggering a second draw, wherein the player is allowed to discard at least one card and draw a replacement card for each discarded card, without the need for an additional wager, thereby providing the player with another opportunity to obtain a four-of-a-kind.
Various embodiments are directed to a system and method for playing a poker game, wherein the player is provided with at least one additional opportunity for obtaining a four-of-a-kind. Embodiments of the game system and method are illustrated and described herein, by way of example only, and not by way of limitation.
In one embodiment, a poker-based game is provided to be played in conjunction with an increased opportunity of obtaining a four-of-a-kind without the need for an additional wager. The increased opportunity is provided upon the occurrence of a triggering event. The occurrence of the triggering event provides the game player with the opportunity to generate extra winnings. Generally, the poker-based wagering game can be any casino-type poker game, which may include, but is not limited to stand alone card games or video-based poker game machines.
Associated with the poker game are triggers for activating a second draw. Generally, triggers are defined events occurring during the play of the poker game. Virtually any event can be defined as a triggering event. In one embodiment, a triggering event can be defined as a particular winning combination of cards. For example, the occurrence of a three-of-a-kind may be defined as the triggering event. The triggering event may further be defined by how the winning combination occurs. For example, if the triggering event is defined as the occurrence of a three-of-a-kind, it can be further stipulated that the three-of-a-kind must occur when the initial hand is dealt. Alternatively, in an optional embodiment, the three-of-a-kind may occur at any time. Other triggering events such as player status, time of day, wagered amount and the like may also be used to trigger a second draw to the initial hand.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like or similar elements throughout the drawings, and more particularly to
In one embodiment, the poker-based game uses a five-card single-hold-and-draw poker game. Optionally, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, any poker-based game where a player ends up with four or more cards at the end of the game may be used.
In one embodiment, a standard deck of cards is used to play the game. Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the standard deck of cards may comprise more or less than fifty-two cards. For example, a wild card may be added to the deck of cards. Alternatively, more than one wild card may be added to the deck of cards. Optionally, more than one deck of cards may be used in a game.
Referring now to
Once the cards have been dealt, the player is allowed to discard and to draw replacement cards for the hand 20. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the number of allowed discards will vary for different poker-based games. In one embodiment, the game player may discard as few as none and as many as all of the cards received in the initial hand. For example, in a game where five cards are dealt to the player, then as many as five cards may be discarded. If any cards are discarded, replacement cards from the same standard deck of cards are drawn or dealt to complete the hand. The hand is then compared to a standard poker payout table to determine a payout amount. Alternatively, any type of pay table may be used.
It is important to note that the game player is not required to discard any of the cards dealt in the initial hand, and may choose to hold all of the originally dealt cards. However, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, the game player may be required to discard at least one of the dealt cards.
For the purposes of this example, the player selects two cards to discard, which is illustrated in
Referring back to
The hand 20, as shown in
In one embodiment, the three-of-a-kind must occur on the initial deal to trigger the second draw option. For example, the hand 20 shown in
Optionally, in another embodiment, in order to trigger the second draw option, a three-of-a-kind must occur as a stand-alone result and not part of a four-of-a-kind, full house, or the like. For example, referring to
Alternatively, triggering the second draw option requires a three-of-a-kind drawn in the initial deal and not part of another winnable combination after the hand is completed. For example, referring back to
However, if instead the player drew replacement cards 34′ and 36′ (as shown in
In another, separate embodiment, more than one hand of cards may be dealt to the game player, wherein each additional hand contains the same number of cards as the first dealt hand. For example, referring to
Referring back to
The three replacement cards needed to complete the hand 140 are drawn from the deck 135, which is the same deck used initially to deal the hand 140. In
The presence of a three-of-a-kind triggers a second draw option. As previously stated, different variants of the three-of-a-kind trigger may be utilized. For example, the three-of-a-kind may be required to occur in the initial deal hand to trigger the second draw option.
Referring back to
Furthermore, the various methodologies described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the invention. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that various modifications and changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the present invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.
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