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(11) | EP 1 145 743 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Poker game |
| (57) In a poker game, two or more players play against the house, each player placing
a first bet to enter the game. Two cards are then dealt face-down to each player and
two cards are dealt face-down to the house. Three common cards are then dealt face-up.
If the player decides to continue with the game on the basis of the two cards dealt
face-down to him and the three cards dealt face-up, he then places a further "call"
bet. Two further common cards are then dealt face-up. The game is decided by comparing
the best hand of five cards from the two cards dealt to the player and five common
cards with the two cards dealt to the house and five common cards, the higher ranking
poker hand winning. |
[0001] The present invention relates to a casino house game which is a variant of five card stud poker.
[0002] Stud poker is a popular game, in casinos and the game has been adapted over the years to evolve new variants such as "Hold'em" and "Omaha". Hitherto, with such games and variants, the player plays against fellow players, rather than the casino.
[0003] US5382025 discloses a variant of stud poker in which three or more hands are dealt and the players are able to bet on whichever of the hands they believe will win.
[0004] The present invention provides a method of playing a poker game in which each player plays against a dealer.
[0005] This game requires a certain degree of skill and decision making which in turn makes the game challenging and interesting.
[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a card game comprises a conventional set of playing cards and a gaming cloth;
characterised in that the gaming cloth provides;
areas to which:
cards may be dealt to one or more players;
cards may be dealt to a dealer; and
common cards may be dealt;
a first area for each player in which an initial bet may be placed; and
a second area for each player in which a further bet may be placed; the game comprising:
the player placing an initial bet in the area provided therefor;
two cards being dealt face down to the player in the area provided therefor;
two cards being dealt face down to the dealer in the area provided therefor;
three common cards being dealt face-up to the area provided therefor;
the player placing a further bet in the area provided therefor, if he decides on the basis of the two cards dealt to him and three common cards, that he wishes to continue in the game;
two further common cards then being dealt face-up to the area provided therefor; and
hands of five cards made up from the two cards dealt to each player and five common cards and two cards dealt to the dealer and five common cards, then being compared to decide the outcome of the game.
[0007] The result of the game is decided on the conventional ranking of poker hands. If however the house's hand is below a predetermined minimum value, the house forfeits the game, paying out on the player's initial bet.
[0008] The minimum qualifying hand for the house may be of any specified rank, but will typically be a pair of fours.
[0009] According to a further embodiment of the game, if the player wins, the house would pay out odds, at least on the player's initial bet, depending on the rank of the player's hand.
[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, further areas are provided for each player in which further bets may be placed on the outcome of a comparison of the two cards dealt to each player plus optional additional cards and two cards dealt to the dealer plus optional additional cards, played in accordance with conventional blackjack rules.
[0011] The invention is now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Figure 1 illustrates a gaming cloth in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 2 illustrates a gaming cloth in accordance with a modification to the embodiment illustrated in Fig.1.
[0012] As illustrated in Fig.1 a gaming cloth 10 is marked with areas 12 in which cards from a conventional pack of playing cards may be dealt to one or more players; an area 14 in which cards may be dealt to a dealer; and an area 16 marked 'flop' in which common cards may be dealt.
[0013] A first betting box 18 marked 'ante' is provided for each player and a second betting box 20 marked 'call' is provided for each player.
[0014] Before the play, the player places a bet in the box 18 marked 'ante'. The dealer, on behalf of the house, then deals two cards in areas 12 to each player and two cards in area 14 to himself. All cards are dealt face-down.
[0016] If the players decide to continue with the game, then they place a bet, of double their initial bet, in the box 18 marked 'call'. Alternatively, the player may pass their hand and lose the bet placed in box 18.
[0018] Each player then selects five cards from the two dealt to him in area 12 and the five cards in area 16 to achieve the best poker hand on the basis of the conventional poker ranking.
| Poker Ranking | |
| Hand | Example |
| Royal Flush | A,K,Q,J,10(suited) |
| Straight Flush | 7,8,9,10,J(suited) |
| Four of a Kind | 3,3,3,3,K |
| Full House | 7,7,7,Q,Q |
| Straight | 3,4,5,6,7(unsuited) |
| Three of a Kind | 10,10,10,7,3 |
| Two Pair | A,A,7,7,J |
| One Pair | 5,5,K,J,7 |
| High Card in Hand | A,K,7,5,3(unsuited) |
[0019] The players best poker hand is then compared with the best poker hand made up from the two cards dealt face-down to the dealer in area 14 and five cards in area 16 to decide the winner.
[0020] If however the dealer's hand is lower than a pair of fours, he fails to qualify and pays the bets placed in box 18 of all the players who are still in the game.
[0021] If the dealer's hand is a pair of fours or better and he loses to a player then he pays the player's bets in boxes 18 and 20 at even money. If however the dealer's hand is higher than the player's hand then he takes the player's bets from both boxes 18 and 20.
[0022] In a variation of the game, if the player's hand is better than the dealer's hand, the house will pay odds on the players "ante" bet, for example, on the basis of the following lists.
| Hand | Odds | ||
| Version 1 | Version 2 | Version 3 | |
| Straight Flush | 20 to 1 | 20 to 1 | 50 to 1 |
| Four of a Kind | 10 to 1 | 5 to 1 | 20 to 1 |
| Full House | 3 to 1 | 3 to 1 | 2 to 1 |
| Flush | 2 to 1 | 2 to 1 | 6 to 4 |
[0023] In accordance with a modification to the embodiment illustrated in Fig.1, further boxes 22 may be provided in which each player may place an additional bet. The additional bet being decided after completion of the game described above, on the basis of the two cards dealt to each player in area 12 and two cards dealt to the dealer in area 14, one card being face-up and the other card being face-down. The additional bet being decided on the basis of the two cards plus optional additional cards, the value of the cards totalling 21 or under in accordance with conventional blackjack rules.
characterised in that the gaming cloth provides;
areas (12,14,16) to which:
cards may be dealt to one or more players;
cards may be dealt to a dealer; and
common cards may be dealt;
a first area (18) for each player in which an initial bet may be placed; and
a second area (20) for each player in which a further bet may be placed;
the game comprising:the player placing an initial bet in the area (18) provided therefor;
two cards being dealt face down to the player in the area (12) provided therefor;
two cards being dealt face-down to the dealer in the area (14) provided therefor;
three common cards being dealt face-up to the area (16) provided therefor;
the player placing a further bet in the area (20) provided therefor, if he decides on the basis of the two cards dealt to him in area (12) and three common cards, that he wishes to continue in the game;
two further common cards then being dealt face-up to this area (16) provided therefor; and
hands of five cards made up from the two cards dealt to area (12) and five common cards in area (16) and two cards dealt to area (14) and five common cards in area (16), then being compared to decide the outcome of the game.
characterised in that if the player wins, the house pays odds depending on the rank of the player's hand.
| Straight Flush | 20 to 1 |
| Four of a Kind | 10 to 1 |
| Full House | 3 to 1 |
| Flush | 2 to 1. |
| Straight Flush | 20 to 1 |
| Four of a Kind | 5 to 1 |
| Full House | 3 to 1 |
| Flush | 2 to 1. |
| Straight Flush | 50 to 1 |
| Four of a Kind | 20 to 1 |
| Full House | 2 to 1 |
| Flush | 6 to 4. |