US20060214373A1

US20060214373A1 - Casino craps with cards

Info

Publication number: US20060214373A1
Application number: US11/089,722
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Christian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-03-25
Filing date: 2005-03-25
Publication date: 2006-09-28

Abstract

A craps game utilizing specially designed “craps cards” on a unique playing surface similar to a blackjack table with a special rail. There are one or two dealers who draw two cards from an automatic shuffler or shoe consisting of at least six decks. Each deck contains 48 cards, eight each of the six different indicia of those six surfaces on a dice. These two cards are wagered and used as though they were the “roll” in a standard craps game. The table surface utilizes a customized layout with the wagering indicia of a standard craps table and played and wagered in the same manner by one to ten players. The layout of the table has the proposition bets in the middle section and the number, field, come, don't come, pass and don't pass sections on either side. A specially designed rail system has two barrels for chips and a cushion rail.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Not applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the invention
This invention relates to games of wagering similar to the game of craps played in casinos, but using special cards and playing field.
Background of this invention goes back in the late 1800's when the game of craps was introduced using dice.
Casinos have utilized the game of craps since its introduction and profited quite well. The game is exciting with many variations to the betting, but is intimidating and confuses many players. Players must stand throughout the playing phase.
Players in a game of craps handle and throw the dice which has led to cheating and other abuses.
In some states, casinos are prevented from using any dice game. As gar back as the mid-1940's, there have been various attempts at using a deck of cards to play craps, but none has been successful, until now.
The standard craps table is very large and can accommodate up to twenty-four (24) people, thus requiring four (4) casino personnel to manage, and even then problems and confusion often occur.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The wagering game contained in this invention utilized all the benefits of craps and removes all the objectionable aspects. This invention is played on a conventional style blackjack table having the same configuration. The layout of the table is usually on felt or a type of cloth for maximum duration. The indicia on the layout contain all the betting elements of a standard craps game which includes: pass, don't pass, field, come, don't come, numbers and all proposition bets. These wagering areas are paid the same as a standard craps game.
Cards are used in place of dice. There are 6 cards to a set, and 8 sets to a deck. Each card face is identical to the faces of a die, namely 1 dot, 2 dots, 3 dots, 4 dots, 5 dots and 6 dots arranged in the same manner as on the face of a die. The game is played with at least six decks of 48 cards.
The dealer acts in all instances as the “shooter” so no players ever touch the cards. The dealer pulls two cards from an automatic shuffler as the initial throw. If a shoe is used, the dealer will always “burn” a first card. This pair of cards total is the “come out” roll. Subsequent play is continued as in regular craps.
Two dealers are normally used, each controlling his side of the table with a maximum of 5 players per side. These procedures prevent cheating, confusion, abuse and collusion. After 8 to 16 betting decisions, the second dealer returns the cards to the shuffler if used, or the deck is run to the “cut” card in the case of a shoe being used.
Players may all be able to sit on chairs as in blackjack since the table utilizes that configuration. A customized rail is used on the perimeter of the table. This rail contains two “barrels” such as a craps rail, for holding the players' chips. There is a cushion behind the barrels for the players' comfort. Between each barrel playing area is a drink holder section to divide the barrels and the individual playing area. There is a large space between the barrels and the first betting area, which is the pass line. No player's hands may infringe into this first betting area except between throws, when the dealer indicates betting may be done.
Objectives of this invention are: overcome the use of dice, reduce risks, reduce confusion, simplifies, make more comfortable and provides the same playing excitement and rewards as craps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 represents the cards used in this invention.
FIG. 2 represents the layout and indicia used in this invention.
FIG. 3 represents the rail used on the table in this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The cards used in this invention are shown in FIG. 1. Each card is of the exact size as a standard deck of cards. The backs of the cards can carry individual logos or manufacturer's logo as long as they are all the same. The front of each card contains a dot or dots measuring ⅝″ in diameter. Each dot is represented on the card in the same configuration as on a standard die.
On opposite corners of each card in FIG. 1, using the upper left and bottom right, is the printed number corresponding to the numbers of dots. For example, “3” is printed on the card with three dots. These cards replace the dice used in the game of craps.
The cards in FIG. 1 have a white background with the dots and numbers being in red. The dots and numbers may or may not be outlined in black to further distinguish them. The cards numbered from 1 to 6 make up a set of cards. Eight sets comprise a deck of 48 cards.
The wagering and play of this invention is carried out on a table or other similar surface which is covered with a layout as in FIG. 2. This layout is usually on felt, vinyl or baize cloth or other material suitable for the indicia printing. The table is essentially the same size and configuration as a standard eight-foot wide blackjack table.
The playing surface in FIG. 2 has a rear straight section 100 where the dealers stand, the sides (101) extend ninety degrees (90°) forward from the rear edge approximately 18 inches where they form an arcuate edge (102) which forms the front of the table. Areas comprising 101 and 102 are the player areas of the table.
From the players' edge 101 and 102 approximately 8 to 10 inches begins a line following the configuration of this table. This line marks the outer border of the pass line 103.
At the center of the table in the area 105 is the proposition bet area. This is a rectangle extending ninety degrees (90°) from the rear dealer edge 100, at about 10 inches from the edge. This area is located exactly in the middle of the table and divides the table into halves. All proposition bets are located within this area 105 and comprise the any craps (106), horn bets (107), any seven (108) and the hardways (109). Bets in this area 105 are paid off by the odds marked in each section.
On either side of the proposition area 105 are those areas for wagering as in a standard craps table. The pass line area 104 is the first section following the outline of the players' edges 101 and 102.
Adjacent to the pass line 104 is the don't pass area 110 which follows the linear placement of the table edges 101 and 102.
To the dealer edge 100 side of the don't pass line, to the side of the proposition area 105 and in an irregular trapezoid is the area 111, the field area. The field 111 has indicia identical to the field area of a craps table showing the numbers 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12 and the wording “FIELD.” On the 2 is a circle with 2:1 odds posted and on the 12 a circle with 3:1 odds written. The field area has printed at the players' side wording “ONE HAND ONLY.”
Adjacent to the field area 111 and towards the players' edge 101 is the irregularly shaped trapezoid area 112, the come area.
From the dealers' side and at the corner of the proposition area 105, a line extends to the dealers' edge 100 at the rear of the don't pass 110. Extending forward to the players' edge 102 is a rectangular section 113 which comprises the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10, each in a rectangle of itself These rectangles are separated by lines, and each section marked as stated above. At the dealers' edge of these numbers is another line parallel to the rear line of 113, in which the odds of payoff for each number is located.
In a triangular area between the proposition area 105 and the numbers area 113 is the don't come area 114.
The area behind the proposition area 105 to the dealers' edge 100 is a rectangle 115, where cards are placed when they are “rolled” from the shuffler.
On either side of 115 is a dealer's tray 116, where each dealer maintains the house chips.
Behind the right side dealer tray 116 and behind the dealer's edge 100 is optimally a shuffle machine or a shoe 117 where a minimum of 8 decks are placed. If a shoe, then a cut card is placed between ½and ¾ of the decks and the decks reshuffled when this cut card appears. If an automatic shuffler is used, after cards from 115 are ready for discard, they are placed in a card holder 118 by the second dealer on the left side of the table edge 100.
The lines delineating the separate areas are to be in white. The don't pass and don't come words are to be in black. The come word is to be in red. The proposition cards are to be white background with red dots. Generally, pass, field and number words will be in yellow. All other words and numbers to be in white. All colors could be changed to complement the general background of the layout which is optimally green.
Seating around the player edges 101 and 102 will be equally divided for a maximum of 10 players, optimally 9.
FIG. 3 shows the specially designed rail which surrounds the tabletop. The rear section 200 is flat and extends over table area 100 which is the dealers' edge.
Two “barrels” 201 are on the inner edge of the rail which are ½ of a circle and allow the players to place chips on edge in the barrel. These barrels are optimally made of stained wood. These barrels 201 and the cushion area 202 extend around the table on the players' sides of 101 and 102.
On the outer edge of the barrels 201 is a cushion area 202 extending over the outer edge and to below the table. This allows the players a soft area to rest. This cushion 202 is optimally a vinyl material over a foam padding.
Between each section of barrels 201 is a trapezoid piece of wood 203 with a circular centered area for drinks. This 203 pieces serves to divide individual player's areas, allows for an area for players' drinks and provide for the circular pattern of the rail.
The play and payoffs of wagering is exactly as in the game of craps. Betting is done at the same times as in casino-played craps. But instead of a player “rolling” the dice, the dealer acts as the players by pulling 2 cards from the shuffler to present the number as though he were the “shooter” in craps. When paying off a wager, the dealer starts on his left and works his way to the right, either paying or collecting bets. When this is complete, he indicates to the other dealer, and when the table action is clear, the next pair of cards is removed from the shuffler and play is resumed.
The second dealer removes the cards from the table and places them in a card holder after each decision. After completion of 8 to 16 decisions, when using an automatic shuffler, he returns them to the shuffler. If a shoe is used, the cards stay in the holder until the cut card is removed from the shoe.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms and departing from the central attributes thereof and accordingly, reference should be made to all the claims, drawings, specifications and procedures for the scope of this invention.
Any and all specifications of this invention may be introduced into software and applied to computers or slot machines as though they were part of this embodiment with all the claims within this invention.

Claims

1. A method and accompanying apparatus for playing the game of craps with a deck of cards that have the same surface features as the six surfaces of a die. The numbers are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, with dots representing the number on the card. This allows the game of craps to be played in the same manner and with the same rules, with cards substituting for dice.

2. The apparatus for claim 1 are cards, the exact same size as a standard deck of cards. Each deck consists of 48 cards. The front surface of the card has a number of dots on it corresponding to the 6 different faces of a die. The numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 (depicted on the 6 faces) constitute a set, there being 8 sets to a deck. The upper left corner and lower right corner of each card display the Arabic number corresponding to the number of dots. Example: 2 is on the card with two dots.

3. The method in claim 1 is the first 2 cards are removed by the dealer from the shoe or automatic shuffler in claim 1, and are used as the “come out” roll, just as in craps.

4. The method in claim 1 is subsequent cards removed from the shoe or automatic shuffler by the dealer are used as the “rolls” as in the game of craps.

5. All wagering in claim 1 is the same as in a game of craps.

6. The method in claim 1 is the dealer places the used cards in a discard tray after each roll. After 8 to 16 completed wagers, the dealer returns the cards to the machine, if an automatic shuffler machine is used. If a shoe is used, the shoe is cut as in multiple-deck blackjack and the cards are mixed and reshuffled as in blackjack. The cut card is placed between ½ and ¾ of the number of decks used. Discards are left in the discard tray until the cut card appears.

7. The method in claim 1 is continued, if a shoe is used, the first card out of the shoe prior to each roll is “burned.”

8. An apparatus used is a playing surface or layout used for this wagering game is a tabletop with the same size and dimensional designs as a large blackjack tabletop: flat area in rear for dealers; straight edges on the side and an arced front for the players.

9. An apparatus layout design in claim 8 consists of the rectangular proposition bet area in the middle of the table with the same design as the proposition bet area of a craps table.

10. An apparatus layout design in claim 8 consists of the rectangular betting areas of numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, plus their odds areas on either side of the proposition area and at an angle to this proposition area.

11. An apparatus used as the field area in claim 8 is located on each side of the table adjacent to the proposition area and between the numbers area and the “don't pass” line.

12. An apparatus used as the “come” area in claim 8 is located adjacent to the field area on each side of the table and between the numbers and the “don't pass” line.

13. An apparatus used as the “don't come” in claim 8 is located on each side of the table in a triangular area between the numbers and the proposition bet area.

14. An apparatus used as the pass line in claim 8 is located in a semi-circular area on the outer limit of the betting area, closest to the players following the curvature design of the tabletop.

15. An apparatus used as the “don't pass” line in claim 8 is located in the same semi-circular pattern as the pass line; adjacent to the pass line on the dealer side of the pass line.

16. An apparatus used is the rail on the outer edge. The edge on the player side of the table consists of two barrels placed front to back as in the rail around a craps table. On the player side of these barrels is a rounded cushion, similar to the player's cushion on a blackjack table. The rail overlaps onto the tabletop on the players' side, but is a flush straight edge along the dealers' side.

17. An apparatus used in claim 16 is the rail with a drink area trapezoid which separates the individual spaces of each player. This is spaced evenly to allow for 9 to 10 players.

18. An apparatus used is an area for two (2) dealers on the dealers' side of the table, each utilizing his/her own banking tray.

19. The play of this game is the same as craps with wagers and odds being the same. Bets are made by players in the areas of pass, don't pass, come, don't come, field and individual numbers. All odds and payoffs are the same as craps.