US20050218599A1

US20050218599A1 - Modified playing cards and method of use

Info

Publication number: US20050218599A1
Application number: US10/818,982
Authority: US
Inventors: Peter Malone; Jerome Roed
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-04-05
Filing date: 2004-04-05
Publication date: 2005-10-06
Also published as: US7404763B2; US20060125181A1; WO2005097275A3; WO2005097275A2

Abstract

A deck of modified playing cards enhances traditional wagering card games. In a first example, traditional card ranks are replaced with letters. For example, each Ten, Jack, Queen, King and Ace of one or more suits in a deck of playing cards is replaced with the letters “V”, “E”, “G”, “A”, and “S”, respectively. In another example, all Jacks are replaced with the numeral “11” to facilitate a 7/11 bonus game. In another example, all Kings are replaced with the number “13” and all Sevens are replaced with the letter “L” and word “Lucky.” In yet another example, pre-established cards are replaced with logos such that the logo card in a final card hand acts as bonus card or may act as a wild card. In such an arrangement, casino logos can be used to promote the casino and its amenities. In one version, awards include comps to businesses represented by the logo.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to playing cards. More particularly, modified playing cards for use in live games and games facilitated by electronic gaming devices.

BACKGROUND

Traditional playing cards have been in existence for centuries. A traditional deck of playing cards includes four suits, namely clubs, diamonds, spades and hearts. Each suit comprises an Ace, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Jack, Queen and King for a total deck of 52 cards.
Traditional cards have facilitated many games of chance including Poker, Blackjack, Cribbage, Pinochle, etc. In each instance, the rank and suit of the card is depicted on its face. While it is understood that new games of chance utilizing traditional cards may be developed, the ability to create corresponding new and unique game enhancements is quite limited. That is, traditional cards no longer provide a great deal of versatility.
The ability to provide versatility is more important given the proliferation of electronic gaming devices, namely video poker machines. Indeed, video poker machines are now more popular than live games of chance. Correspondingly, there is a need for modified playing cards which benefit both live games of chance and wagering games facilitated by electronic gaming devices.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a modified deck of cards wherein card ranks are replaced with letters. For example, each Ten, Jack, Queen, King and Ace in a deck of playing cards is replaced with the letters “V”, “E”, “G”, “A”, and “S”, respectively. Each of the letter cards also include suits.
In another embodiment, all Jacks are replaced with the numeral “11” to facilitate a 7/11 bonus. Similarly, an enhanced royal flush comprises a 7, 11, Queen, King and Ace. The traditional royal flush (i.e., 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace) may be paid at a reduced rate.
In another embodiment, all Kings are replaced with the number “13” and all Sevens are replaced with the letter “L” and word “Lucky.” Other embodiments comprise replacing all cards with letters and/or numbers to facilitate unique objectives.
In yet another embodiment, pre-established cards are replaced with logos such that the logo card in a final card hand acts as bonus card or may act as a wild card. In one such embodiment, casino logos are used to promote the casino offering the games of chance. As described in more detail below, the logos may be used to award player comps as well.
The use of the modified cards disclosed herein provides a means for enhancing traditional card games and personalizing games for individual casinos and related gaming venues.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a modified portion of a deck of cards wherein letters replace royal flush cards;
FIG. 2 shows a modified portion of a deck of cards wherein Jacks are replaced by the numeral “11”;
FIG. 3 shows a modified portion of a deck of cards wherein Sevens are replaced with the letter “L” and Kings are replaced with the numeral “13”;
FIG. 4 shows a modified portion of a deck of cards wherein Tens are replaced with logos; and
FIG. 5 shows a gaming device which may facilitate electronic games of chance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While both live games (e.g., Blackjack) and wagering games facilitated by electronic gaming devices (e.g., video poker) may utilize the modified cards of the present invention, for the sake of brevity, gaming devices, more particularly gaming devices facilitating video poker, are relied upon throughout the detailed description. Traditional video poker comprises a player receiving five cards on a display of a video poker machine. The player then elects, via a player interface, which cards to hold and fold. Folded cards are replaced with remaining cards in the deck. Players are then paid based on the strength of the player's final poker hand.
Video poker machines are controlled by processors in communication with a random number generator, memory device, display and player interfaces. The operation of video poker machines is well known to those skilled in the art and need not be overly described herein.
Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred to by like numerals throughout. FIG. 1 illustrates a modified portion of a deck of cards 100, wherein the royal flush cards are replaced with the letters “V”, “E”, “G”, “A” and “S” 110-1 through 110-5. While spades 120 are shown, any of the cards of the four suits in the deck may be similarly modified. Indeed, each of the selected cards of the four suits may be modified in a single deck simultaneously.
The royal flush is the highest achievable hand in standard video poker. There are four possible royal flushes in a standard deck of playing cards. That is, each suit comprises one royal flush. In the VEGAS arrangement of FIG. 1, players attempt to obtain the five letters in sequential order or random order to win pre-established payouts. Should only one suit be modified, obtaining the five letters in any order can be subject to a large award as cards in only one suit (i.e., five cards) have the letters. Moreover, obtaining the letters in a sequential (i.e., VEGAS) or reverse sequential order (i.e., SAGEV) can have a very large award since there is only one way to achieve the hands.
Now referring to FIG. 2, the four Jacks in the deck are replaced with numerals “11” 130. In addition, Sevens are modified by replacing the large suit icons or pips 140 with a single large numeral “7” 145. Such a modified deck facilitates the play of new interesting games. For example, 7-11 royal flush poker creates a new royal flush poker hand comprising the 7, 11, Queen, King and Ace. The traditional royal flush (i.e., 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace) may still pay the player, but in a lower amount. In another example, 7-11 full house poker pays players a bonus for obtaining a full house comprising 7-11 only (e.g., 7-7-11-11-11 or 11-11-11-7-7). Based on the dice game of craps, 7-11 are popular numbers in gaming circles and serve to enhance the traditional game of video poker.
In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, Sevens are replaced with the letter “L” 150 and word “LUCKY” 155 and Kings are replaced with the numeral “13” 160. This arrangement facilitates a bonus award for final hands comprising four 13s and a designated LUCKY card (i.e., LUCKY 13). Other bonus hands are also conceivable using the combination of the LUCKY cards and 13s.
Yet another embodiment, utilizing logo cards, is shown in FIG. 4. The logo cards may be used as replacement cards for any cards in the deck. In one example, the Tens from a Blackjack deck of cards are replaced with logos 170. In one bonus scheme, players receive a bonus payout when receiving a two card Blackjack wherein one card is the logo card (i.e., the Ten). So, an Ace and logo card results in a bonus award above and beyond the traditional Blackjack payout. In a video poker example, logos 170 replace Twos and act as wild cards.
The benefits of the logo cards include enhancing old games of chance and provide a mechanism for advertising. In one approach, the casino offering the game of chance places its logo on the cards simulated on each and every video poker machine on the casino floor. The casino may also place on the cards logos which represent restaurants, shops and related businesses within the casino. Then, bonus awards can include free dinners and/or merchandise (i.e., comps) from the business represented by the logo. A myriad of different promotional concepts are possible with the logo cards. For example, having one or more logo cards may provide the player with a steak dinner or free movie tickets.
Now referring to FIG. 5, an electronic gaming device 200 of the type which may facilitate the embodiments of the present invention is shown. The general external features of the gaming device 200, include a display 210, coin slot 220, a bill reader 230, a card reader 240 and a credit display 250. The gaming device 200 also includes several player buttons which act as interfaces between the player and the machine processor. Player buttons include hold/discard buttons 260, a one coin wager button 270, a maximum coin wager button 280 and a deal button 290. While not shown, the device 200 may also incorporate a ticket dispenser for printing tickets for redemption at a cashier window. Such cashless systems are becoming increasingly popular in most gaming jurisdictions. It is noted that any of the functions facilitated by the gaming machine buttons 260-300 can be accomplished by a display employing touchscreen technology.
The operation of electronic gaming devices, including slot machines and video poker machines, is well known in the industry so that the minute details are not set forth herein. In general terms, slot machines and video poker machines are controlled by processors including, or in communication with, a random number generator. The random number generator generates the machines' outcomes. A display in communication with the processor provides visual information to players.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A deck of playing cards comprising:

a plurality of cards grouped into four suits, said suits comprising diamonds, hearts, clubs and spades, wherein each of the plurality of cards depicts a suit in two diagonally opposite corners of a card face;

the plurality of cards comprising a front face and a back;

said plurality of cards including one or more first cards depicting on the front face traditional card ranks, each first card further depicting a number of pips matching the card rank or a picture denoting a face card;

said plurality of cards further including one or more second cards depicting on the front face a letter or logo near a card center in place of the card rank, pips and picture, said second cards depicting only the letter or logo in combination with a suit; and

wherein the first cards in combination with the second cards form the complete deck of playing cards.

2. The deck of playing cards of claim 1 wherein the first cards include traditional card ranks two through nine and the second cards include letters V, E, G, A and S in place of the traditional ace, king, queen, jack and ten, respectively.

3-4. (canceled)

5. The deck of playing cards of claim 1 wherein the first cards include traditional ranks ace through nine and jack through king and the second cards include a logo in place of the traditional ten.

6. The deck of playing cards of claim 1 wherein the first cards include traditional ranks ace and three through king and the second cards include a logo in place of the traditional two.

7. The deck of playing cards of claim 1 wherein the logo is selected from the group consisting of a casino, restaurant, spa, show, club and shop.

8. The deck of playing cards of claim 1 wherein the cards are simulated on an electronic gaming device.

9. The deck of playing cards of claim 8 wherein the electronic gaming device facilitates the play of video poker or blackjack.

10. A method of playing card games comprising:

accepting a player wager;

providing a plurality of cards grouped into four suits, said suits including diamonds, hearts, clubs and spades, said plurality of cards comprising a first set of cards having traditional card ranks, each first card in the first set further comprising a number of pips matching the card rank or a graphic denoting a face card and a second set of cards incorporating a numeral, letter, logo or symbol in place of the card rank, pips and picture, said second cards identified by suit;

selecting a pre-established number of random cards from the plurality of cards formed by a combination of the first set and the second set of cards; and

awarding a player a payout based on the player wager, said award being related to the selected random cards.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the first set of cards includes traditional card ranks two through nine and the second set of cards includes letters V, E, G, A and S in place of the traditional ace, king, queen, jack and ten, respectively.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the player receives an award in response to holding one or more of the cards from the second set cards in a final player hand.

13. The method of claim 1 1 wherein a player receives an award for holding each of the five letters of the same suit in a final hand.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the first set of cards includes traditional card ranks ace through six, eight through ten, queen and king and the second set of cards includes numerals 7 and 11 in place of the traditional seven and jack.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the player receives an award for holding a one or more of the cards from the second set of cards in a final hand.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the player receives an award for holding a full house comprising only cards from the second set of cards.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the player receives an award for holding a 7, 11, queen, king and ace of the same suit in a final hand.

18. The method of claim 10 wherein the first set of cards includes traditional card ranks ace through six and eight through queen and the second set of cards includes the word lucky in place of the traditional seven and a numeral 13 in place of the traditional king.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the player receives an award for holding one or more of the cards from the second et of cards in a final hand.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the player receives an award for holding four 13s and the word lucky in a final hand.

21. The method of claim 10 wherein the first set of cards includes traditional ranks ace through nine and jack through king and the second set of cards includes a logo in place of the traditional ten.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the player receives an award for holding one or more of the cards from the second set of cards in a final hand.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the logo is selected from the group consisting of a casino, restaurant, spa, show, club and shop.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the payout is a comp related to the casino, restaurant, spa, show, club or shop.

25. The method of claim 21 wherein the card from the second set of cards are deemed wild cards.

26. The method of claim 10 facilitated by an electronic gaming device.

27. A method of playing card games comprising:

accepting a player wager;

providing a plurality of cards grouped into four suits, said suits including diamonds, hearts, clubs and spades, said plurality of cards comprising a first set of cards having traditional card ranks, each card in the first set further comprising a number of pips matching the card rank or a graphic denoting a face card and a second set of cards incorporating a logo;

providing the player an award based on an amount of the player wager and the arrangement of the selected random cards, said award being complimentaries to one or more businesses represented by the logo.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the complimentaries include discounts on business merchandise.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein the logo is selected from the group consisting of a casino, restaurant, spa, show, club and shop.