US20130307217A1

US20130307217A1 - Method of Playing A Casino Card Game

Info

Publication number: US20130307217A1
Application number: US13/693,197
Authority: US
Inventors: Thamian Tra
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-05-18
Filing date: 2012-12-04
Publication date: 2013-11-21

Abstract

A method of playing a card game including the steps of having each player place a required initial bet; dealing a preset number of cards to each player and to the dealer from a standard deck of cards, wherein the each Ace has a point value of 1, cards 2-9 each have a point value equal to their face value, and tens, jacks, queens, and kings having a zero point value; having each player and the dealer divide their cards into a highest hand and a 2^ndhigh hand with each hand having a preset subset of the dealt cards; wherein the value of each hand is equal to the least significant digit of the sum of the subset cards within the hand and the highest hand has to have a value greater than the value of the 2^ndhigh hand; comparing each player's high hand to the dealer's high hand and each player's 2^ndhigh hand to the dealer's 2^ndhigh hand; and declaring the player a winner only if both hands are higher than the dealer's hands.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. No. 61/648,912, filed on May 17, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to card games and, in particular, to casino and the like card games wherein players bet on hands of cards dealt to them by a dealer. The present invention provides a novel card game method and apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
A standard deck of playing cards typically has 52 cards, including four of each of the following cards: aces; twos through tens; jacks; queens; and kings Standard decks typically also include two jokers which are not usually used in certain games.
A great variety of games are known in the art wherein a dealer hands out a set of cards to each player. Although there are a great many games known in the art, there remains a continued need for games that are enjoyable for players of all skill levels and that are economically and functionally desirable for casino use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a unique card game method and apparatus that can be both enjoyable for all players and desirable for a casino or house. The games according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention are referred to herein by the preferred trade name Cao Cao Poker™. “Cao” which means nine in the traditional Han Vietnamese language is often thought of as a significant number. Cao Cao Poker (also called Double-Hand nine-nine count poker) is a strategic game played with a standard 52-card deck. It is played on a table with up to 7 players plus a dealer (total of 8 positions). Each player attempts to defeat the dealer.
Cao Cao Poker is a card counting game in which a player tries to reach a total base count, or a total sum wherein the least significant digit (LSD), which is closest to 9 or a royal hand in order to create a three-card hand. Nine is the ideal numerical value a player attempts to achieve. The object of the game is to win your bet by having a higher numerical total of all cards of the double hand than the numerical total of the designated dealer's double hand cards. Trying to reach closest to 9 in the Highest hand and a minimum of 5 on the 2nd High hand is often the basic strategy to use. Suits have no value, as only numerical value counts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A illustrates a top view of a casino card table in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B illustrates a top view of a casino card table in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B, a flowchart of the steps of a process for playing a card game of strategy, chance, and betting in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3A depicts a flowchart of the steps of a process for playing a card game of strategy, chance, and betting in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3B depicts a flowchart of the steps of a process for determining a winning hand, losing hand, tied hand, and payouts for the card game in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A preferred version of Cao Cao Poker will be described with reference to the drawings. Further preferred methods of implementing the game and optional features of the game will be described hereinafter.
Table Set Up
FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B each illustrate a top view of an exemplary casino card table 10, 10′, hereinafter referred to as “table”, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The table 10, 10′ may be a physical table, similar in size and structure to a standard blackjack table, or the table 10, 10′ may be a virtual table, for example, a computer generated table visible on a web page, within a mobile device application or the like. Up to seven players may be seated in designated player positions 11-17, with an addition an additional Dealer position 18, totaling eight positions. While the preferred embodiment includes seven player positions, the table 10 is not limited to such a set up and may include as few as one player position and the dealer position. In the exemplary tables 10, 10′, each of the seven player positions 11-17 includes five slots namely, Bonus Slot 23, Ante Slot 22, Play Slot 21, 2nd High Slot 20, and Highest Slot 19. The Dealer position 18 includes only two slots, lines or designators for 2nd High Slot 25 and Highest Slot 24. The House chips are stored in the designated chip slots 27.
Referring to FIG. 1A, the exemplary table 10 is configured for a Machine Shuffler Table Layout. A shuffler 28 is positioned to the right of the Dealer 18. The shuffler 28 may be a card shuffler used in standard casino practices or any other shuffling device. The shoe 26, is positioned to the left of the Dealer 18 and used for discarding.
Referring to FIG. 1B, the exemplary table 10′ is configured for a Manual and Hand Shuffling Table Layout. Since no shuffler exists in this configuration, new cards are stored in the shoe 26, positioned to the right of the Dealer 18, and discarded cards are stored in the discard rack 29, positioned to the left of the Dealer 18.
It is recognized that the tables 10, 10′, whether physical or virtual, may have other configurations and may include more or fewer dealing elements. Additionally, the slots 19-25 may also be alternatively arranged or configured and more or fewer slots may be utilized depending on the version of the game being played.
General Rules
Cao Cao Poker is a card counting game in which a player tries to reach a total base count, or a total sum wherein the least significant digit (LSD), in each hand which is closest to the target value or a royal hand in order to create a three-card hand. The target value is preferably 9. Each player and the dealer will each receive a designated number of cards, which in the preferred embodiment is six cards each. Each player and the dealer will separate their cards into two hands having a designated number of cards in each hand, which in the preferred embodiment is 3 cards in each hand. One of the hands will be the Highest Hand and the other will be the 2^ndHigh Hand. The 2^ndHigh Hand must have a rank lower than or equal to the rank of the Highest Hand.
In determining the rank of each hand, the cards used in Cao Cao Poker shall have the following point value: each ace has a point value of 1; cards 2-9 have a point value equal to their face value; each ten and each face card (J, Q, K) has a point value of zero. Examples of cards sum total (numerical value) for basic hands are as follows:
5, 5, 1=11 equal to 1 total point value
7, 2, 4=13 equal to 3 point value
A, A, Q=2 equal to 2 point value
5, J, 3=8
4, 5, K=9
While face cards have no point value, a combination of three face cards or royal cards (e.g. JJJ, QQQ, KKK, JQK, JJQ, JQQ, JKK, etc.) is considered a royal hand combination. A “super” combination hand shall be triple 3s (3,3,3 makes the perfect nine) and any combination of three face cards K,J,Q.=royal hand (highest value). Only one hand shall be considered higher than the super combination and that is a combination called “Perfect Cao Cao” and the combination hand will be 2nd High Hand as 2,3,4 and Highest as 3,3,3. Basically a combination hand that has triple 3s and only the combination of cards 2,3,4 (must contain all three number cards).
Certain card combinations will be considered higher hands when determining hand ranking and whether the player is entitled to a Bonus as described hereinafter. Illustrative higher hand combinations are set forth below.


Hand Name			Double
(2^ndHigh/			Hand
Highest)	Description	Example	Rank

234/333	A value of 9 using	2, 3, 4 - - - 3, 3, 3	Highest
(Perfect	the cards 2, 3, 4		Hand
Cao Cao)	and any triple 3s
333/Royal	Any triple 3s and	3, 3, 3 - - - K, J, Q	2^nd
(Super	Royal cards		Highest
Cao Cao)			Hand
Royal/	Any Royal cards and	J, K, Q - - - Q, K, K	3^rd
Royal	Royal cards		Highest
			Hand

9/Royal	Numerical value of	6, 3, 10 - - - J, J, K	4^th
	9 and Royal cards		Highest
			Hand

9/9	Total numerical of	4, 5, J - - - 7, 2, Q	5^th
	9 and 9		Highest
			Hand

Only the four highest hands, that is hands including only the 2,3,4 hand, triple 3s and Royal cards played together as a double hand combination, are eligible for the Highest Bonus. The fifth highest hand may be eligible for the 9/9 Bonus if played correctly according to the rules for the 9/9 Bonus as explained below. Any other combination will qualify it as just a total numerical value of 9.
With an understanding of the card values, an exemplary hand may be played as follows: if a player is dealt the cards 2, 5, J, 10, 7, and K, the player will have two options of setting their Highest Hand and their 2^ndHigh Hand. The player may set their hand as follows:
Highest: use 10, J, or K and in combination with the 7 and 2 to make a nine point value. The higher numerical three cards are placed on the bottom Highest slot 19. The 2^ndHigh Hand would use the remaining cards, namely, J, K and 5 to make a five point value. The lesser numerical value three cards are placed on the 2nd High slot 20. The double hand would have a total value of 5 on top and total value of 9 on the bottom.
Alternatively, the player can also play the hand as follows:
Highest: use 10, J, or K and in combination with the 5 and 2 to make a seven point value and the 2^ndHigh Hand would use the remaining cards, namely, 10, J, and 7 to make a seven point value. The double hand would have a total value of 7 on top and total value of 7 on the bottom. The cards are placed on the table 10, 10′ according to the slots 20, 19.
House Mandatory Strategy
In a preferred embodiment, the dealer does not have all of the same options in setting the dealer's hands but instead must follow the “House Mandatory Strategy”. In accordance with the House Mandatory Strategy, the dealer must follow these rules:
a. Dealer will always stand or play with Royal cards on Highest Slot, no matter what numerical value is on the 2^ndHigh Hand. For example, if the dealer is dealt K,Q,J,9,8,3, the dealer must play K,Q,J for the Highest Hand and 9,8,3 (which equal 0) for the 2^ndHigh Hand.
b. If the dealer's cards can make a numerical point value of 9 for the Highest Hand and the remaining cards make a 2^ndHigh Hand having a point value of 5 or more, the dealer must play the hand. For example, if the dealer is dealt 2, 5, J, 10, 7, and K (the example above), the dealer must play the 5/9 hand and can not play the 7/7 hand.
c. The numerical combination value of 4 or lower on 2^ndHigh slot and 9 on Highest slot is optional to stand if the numerical difference between Highest and 2nd High is higher than two points or more after splitting up the six cards for a different numerical combination. For example, if the dealer is dealt 3,7,9,10,Q,K, the only way the dealer can make a nine hand will be to play 3,7,10 on the 2^ndHigh Hand and 9,Q,K on the Highest for a combination hand of 0/9. Since the zero is outside of the “5/9 rule”, the dealer would examine the other possible hands, which could be 3,9,10- - - 7,Q,K for a combination of 2/7 or 3,10,Q - - - 7,9,K for a combination of 3/6. Since both of these other possible combinations have more than a two point difference between the hands, the dealer would have the option of playing the 0/9 combination or either of the other combinations.
In contrast, if the dealer is dealt 2, 4, J, 10, 6, and A, the dealer will not have the choice to play a 4/9 hand (4, J, 10)/(2, 6, A) since the dealer will have available the combination of 6/7 (4, 2, 10)/(6, A, J) which, since there is less than a 2 point difference, the dealer will have to play.
Determining a Winning Hand
The following provides the winning, push and loss scenarios in a preferred version of Cao Cao Poker. Other scenarios may alternatively be utilized without departing from the invention. A player's hand shall win if the Highest hand of the player is higher in rank than the Highest hand of the dealer and the 2^ndHigh hand of the player is higher in rank than the 2^ndHigh hand of the dealer.
A player's hand shall be a push if: (i) the Highest hand of the player is higher in rank than the Highest hand of the dealer, but the 2^ndHigh hand of the player is identical in rank to the 2^ndHigh hand of the dealer (copy hand) or lower in rank than the 2^ndHigh hand of the dealer; or (ii) the highest hand of the dealer is higher in rank than the Highest Hand of the player, but the 2^ndHigh hand of the Player is higher in rank than the Highest Hand of the Dealer.
A player's hand shall lose if: (i) the Highest hand of the player is lower in rank than the Highest hand of the dealer, and the 2^ndHigh hand of the player is lower in rank than the 2^ndHigh hand of the dealer; (ii) the Highest hand of the player is identical in rank to the Highest hand of the dealer and the 2^ndHigh hand of the player is identical in rank to the 2^ndHigh hand of the dealer (a “copy hand”), House has advantage; (iii) the Highest Hand of the player is identical in rank to the Highest hand of the dealer but the 2^ndHigh Hand of the player is lower in rank to the 2^ndHigh Hand of the dealer; (iv) the Highest Hand of the player was not set to as to rank equal to or higher than the 2^ndHigh Hand of that player; or (v) the two hands of the player were not otherwise set correctly in accordance with the rules of the game (for example, a player forms a 2 card 2^ndHigh Hand and a four card Highest Hand).
Wagering
The following provides the wagering rules for a preferred version of Cao Cao Poker. Other rules may alternatively be utilized without departing from the invention. Prior to any cards being dealt, each player interested in playing a hand of Cao Cao Poker must place an ante wager on the Ante Slot 22. At the same time, the player may optionally place a Bonus wager by placing it on the Bonus Slot 23. The Bonus and Ante wagers do not have to be the same amount. The wager may be made with chips, a match play coupon or any other form permitted by the House. The House may set minimum and maximum values for any of the wagers.
Once each player has been dealt their cards and have reviewed their cards, each player has the option to fold or play their cards. If the player wishes to play, the player must place a wager on the Play Slot 21. On the Play Slot 21, players will have the option to place the same value wager as the Ante slot 22 or they can double their wager on the Play Slot 21. If a player decides to fold, their cards will remain on the table in case they are eligible for the Bonus provided that they have placed a wager on the Bonus slot 23.
The preferred wager payouts are as follows: (i) if the player folds, they lose their Ante wager; (ii) if the player's hand wins, the player is paid 1 to 1 on the Ante wager and the Play wager; (iii) if dealer beats player's hand, the player loses the Ante and Play wagers; (iv) if the dealer's hand and the player's hand is a push, the player does not lose the Ante or Play wager. In each case, the cards remain on the table to determine whether the player is eligible for the bonus, if played.
If player bets on the Bonus, the player is in the running to potentially receiving one of the game's bonus hand payouts. A player will receive a Bonus payouts regardless of the dealer's hand. When a player bets both the Bonus and the Ante, including Play, the player is playing against two separate pay tables with two different criteria for payouts. In playing the Ante/Play wager, the object is to get a six-card poker hand that beats the dealer's six-card poker hand in the manner described above. In playing the Bonus wager, the object is to receive one of the Bonus hands. Players receive the Bonus payouts regardless of the dealer's hand.
The Bonus hands are the combination hands described above. An exemplary payout for Bonus wagers is as follows:


Hand Name
(2^ndHigh/			Bonus
Highest)	Description	Example	Payout

234/333	A value of 9 using	2, 3, 4 - - - 3, 3, 3	500:1
(Perfect	the cards 2, 3, 4
Cao Cao)	and any triple 3s
333/Royal	Any triple 3s and	3, 3, 3 - - - K, J, Q	100:1
(Super	Royal cards
Cao Cao)
Royal/	Any Royal cards and	J, K, Q - - - Q, K, K	50:1
Royal	Royal cards
9/Royal	Numerical value of	6, 3, 10 - - - J, J, K	15:1
	9 and Royal cards
9/9	Total numerical of	4, 5, J - - - 7, 2, Q	5:1
	9 and 9

These Bonus payout odds are exemplary only and the invention is not limited to such payouts.
Process of Exemplary Round of Cao Cao Poker
Now referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, depicted is a flowchart of the steps of the process for playing an exemplary embodiment of Cao Cao Poker. When starting a new game 100, the dealer 18 ensures the deck is shuffled in step 101. If the cards are not shuffled, the dealer 18 proceeds to do so in step 102, and is followed by an option cut 103 from one of the players 11-17.
Once the cards are shuffled and cut, the game proceeds to all players wagering normal bets in step 104 on the designated Ante Slot 22 and Bonus Slot 23 of table 10, and the dealer 18 deals six cards face down to the first position 11 in step 105. When dealing to a position, if a player is not playing the position, the cards are immediately discarded as shown in steps 106 and 107. The cards are continuously dealt, six at a time to each position until all positions are dealt, as shown in steps 108 and 109.
Once all cards are dealt, the players review their cards as at 110 and then decide whether to fold or play as indicated at 111. If the player folds, the player loses and the player's Ante wager is collected as indicated at 112. All players that choose to play place their Play wager at 113. At 114 the dealer checks to determine if all players that are not folding have placed an appropriate Play wager. All players must then arrange the six cards that were dealt to their position in two hands in step 115 in accordance with the rules of Highest Hand and 2^ndHigh Hand above.
In step 116, the dealer will wait for all players to place their Highest Hand in designated Highest Hand Slot 19 and 2^ndHigh Hand in the designated 2^nd High Hand Slot 20 on the table 10. Once step 116 is complete, the dealer must turn over their six cards and arrange them in the Dealer Highest Hand slot 24 and the Dealer 2^nd High Hand Slot 25.
The dealer then turns over the next player's hands 118 and compares the two hands of the current player to the two hands of the dealer in step 119. If the player displays an illegal hand in step 120, the player loses and the dealer collects the player's bets and cards in step 121, including the player's bonus bet if applicable. If the player has played a legal winning hand in step 122, the player is paid on the Ante and Play wagers in step 123. If the player has played a legal tying hand in step 124, then the result is a push in step 125 and the player's Ante and Play wagers remain in place. If the hand is not a winning hand or a push hand, the hand is a losing hand and the player's Ante and Play wagers are collected at step 126.
The dealer then considers at 127 whether the player has a bonus hand. If the hand is a bonus hand, the dealer pays the Bonus payout to the player at 128. If the hand is not a bonus hand, the dealer collects the Bonus wager at 129. The process is repeated at 130 until all hands have been considered. Once all hands have been exposed and considered, the cards are collected and discarded in step 131 and the round ends at 132.
Optional Banker Opportunity
A casino may, in its discretion, offer to all players at a Cao Cao Poker table the opportunity to bank the game. A player may not be the bank at the start of the game. For the purposes of this section, the start of the game shall mean the first round of play after the table is opened. After the first round of play, each player at the table shall have the option to either be the bank or pass the bank to the next player. The dealer shall, starting with the player farthest to the right of the dealer, offer the bank to each player in a clockwise rotation around the table until a player accepts the bank. The dealer shall place a marker designating the bank in front of the player who accepts the bank. If the first player offered the bank accepts, the player seated to the right of that player shall first be offered the bank on the next round of play. The initial offer to be the bank shall rotate clockwise around the table until it returns to the dealer. In no event may any player bank two consecutive rounds of play. If no player wishes to be the bank, the round of play shall proceed in accordance with the rules of play described herein.
Before a player may be permitted to bank a round of play, the dealer shall determine that: (i) the player placed a wager against the dealer during the last round of play in which there was no player banking the game; and (ii) the player has sufficient gaming chips on the table to cover all of the wagers placed by other players at the table for that round of play.
A casino may, in its discretion, offer the bank the option of having the casino cover 50 percent of the wagers made during a round of play. If the casino offers this option, it shall make it available to all players at the table. If the bank wishes to use this option, the bank must specifically request the dealer to accept responsibility for the payment of one-half of all winning wagers. When the bank covers 50 percent and the casino covers 50 percent of the winning wagers, it shall be known as “co-banking” and the dealer shall place a marker designating the co-bank in front of that player. When the dealer is co-banking, the dealer shall be responsible for setting the hand of the bank. When co-banking is in effect, the dealer may not place a wager against the bank.
If a player is the bank, the player may only wager on one betting area (no bonus play). Once the dealer has determined that a player may be the banker and after the cards have been shuffled, the dealer shall remove gaming chips from the table inventory container in an amount equal to the last wager made by that player against the dealer. This amount shall be the amount the dealer wagers against the bank. The bank may direct that the sum wagered by the dealer be a lesser amount or that the dealer places no wager during that round of play. Any amount wagered by the dealer shall be placed in front of the table inventory container.
The dealer shall deliver the cards to the first player to the left of the designated banker and continue clockwise. If the cards dealt to the dealer have not been previously collected, after each player has set his or her two hands and placed them on the appropriate area of the layout, the two hands of the dealer shall then be set. Once the dealer has formed the Highest and 2^ndHigh Hand, the dealer shall expose the hands of the bank and determine if the hands of the dealer are higher in rank than the hands of the bank. If the dealer wins, the cards of the dealer shall be stacked face up to the right of the table inventory container with the amount wagered by the dealer against the bank placed on top. If the dealer pushes, the dealer shall return the amount wagered by the dealer against the bank to the table inventory container. If the dealer loses, the amount wagered by the dealer against the bank shall be moved to the center of the layout.
If banking is in effect, once the dealer has determined the outcome of the wager of the dealer against the bank, if any, the dealer shall expose the hands of each player starting with the player farthest to the right of the dealer and proceeding clockwise around the table. The dealer shall compare the high and low hand of each player to the high and low hand of the bank and shall announce if the wager shall win, lose or be considered a push against the bank. All losing wagers shall be immediately collected and placed in the center of the table. After all hands have been exposed, all winning wagers, including the dealer's wager, shall be paid by the dealer with the gaming chips located in the center of the table. If this amount becomes exhausted before all winning wagers have been paid, the dealer shall collect from the bank, an amount equal to the remaining winning wagers and place that amount in the center of the layout. The remaining winning wagers shall be paid from the amount in the center of the layout. If, after collecting all losing wagers and paying all winning wagers, there is a surplus in the center of the table, this amount shall be given to the bank.
If co-banking is in effect, once the dealer has set the co-bank hand, the dealer shall expose the hands of each player starting with the player farthest to the right of the dealer and proceeding clockwise around the table. The dealer shall compare the Highest and 2^ndHigh Hand of each player to the Highest and 2^ndHigh Hand of the bank and shall announce if the wager shall win, lose or be considered a push against the bank. All losing wagers shall be immediately collected and placed in the center of the table. After all hands have been exposed, all winning wagers shall be paid by the dealer with the gaming chips located in the center of the table. If this amount becomes exhausted before all winning wagers have been paid, the dealer shall collect from the co-bank, an amount equal to one-half of the remaining winning wagers and place that amount in the center of the layout. The dealer shall remove an amount equal to one-half of the remaining winning wagers from the table inventory container and place that amount in the center of the layout. The remaining winning wagers shall be paid from the total amount in the center of the layout. I f, after collecting all losing wagers and paying all winning wagers, there is a surplus in the center of the table, this amount will be counted and the dealer shall place half of this amount into the table inventory container. The remaining amount shall then be given to the co-bank.
Immediately after a winning wager of the dealer is paid, this amount and the original wager shall be returned to the table inventory container. If a casino offers a bonus wager, the processing and resolution of such wagers shall be governed by the rules applicable to such wagers.
Process of Exemplary Round of Cao Cao Poker with Banker and No Play Wager
Now referring to FIG. 3A, depicted is a flowchart of the steps of the process for playing an exemplary embodiment of Cao Cao Poker with a banker and without a play wager. In such case, the Ante wager will be the only wager required to play a round.
When starting a new game 200, the dealer 18 ensures the deck is shuffled in step 201. If the cards are not shuffled, the dealer 18 proceeds to do so in step 202, and is followed by an option cut from one of the players 11-17.
Once the cards are shuffled and cut, the dealer 18 requests if any player would like to act as the banker in step 204. If the current round is the first round of play, no player may act as banker in steps 205 and 207. In addition, the dealer 18 must ensure that any player requesting to act as the banker possesses enough chips to cover necessary payouts in step 206. If the requesting player does not possess the minimum required chips, he/she may not act as banker in step 207 and the game proceeds to all players wagering normal bets in step 208 on designated Ante Slot 22 and Bonus Slot 23 of table 10, and the dealer 18 deals six cards face down to the first position 11 in step 209. If the requesting player does possess the required chips, that player acts as banker, wagers are made in step 210 on designated Ante Slot 22 and Bonus Slot 23 of table 10, and the first six cards dealt are to the next clockwise position of said player acting as banker in step 211. When dealing to a position, if a player is not playing the position, the cards are immediately discarded as shown in steps 212 and 213. The cards are continuously dealt, six at a time to each position until all positions are dealt, as shown in steps 214 and 215. Once all cards are dealt, all players not acting as banker begin to play in step 216. All players must then arrange the six cards that were dealt to their position in two hands in step 217 in accordance with the rules of Highest Hand and 2^ndHigh Hand above.
In step 218, the dealer will wait for all players to place their Highest Hand in designated Highest Hand Slot 19 and 2^ndHigh Hand in the designated 2^nd High Hand Slot 20 on the table 10. Once step 218 is complete, the acting banker must turn over their six cards and arrange them in their position's designated slots. If no player is acting as banker and dealer is the banker by default, the dealer plays their Highest Hand in Dealer Highest Hand slot 24, and their 2^ndHigh Hand in the Dealer 2^nd High Hand Slot 25.
Once the banker's hands are revealed and played, the dealer turns over the two hands of the next clockwise positioned player. The dealer then compares the two hands of the current player to the two hands of the acting banker in step 221. Further details of hand outcomes will be later described in accordance with the description of FIG. 3B below. If the player displays a losing hand or is shown to have played an illegal hand in step 222, the player loses and the dealer collects the player's bet and cards in step 223, as well as the player's bonus bet if applicable in step 229. If the player has played a legal winning hand in step 224, the player's wager remains in place and the dealer checks to see if the hand qualifies as a bonus hand in accordance with the rules above in step 227. If the winning hand is a bonus hand, then the dealer immediately pays the odds to the player in step 228 based on their bonus wage, if applicable. If the winning hand does not qualify as a bonus hand, the player's bonus wager, if applicable, is immediately collected in step 229. If the player has played a legal tying hand in step 225, then the result is a push in step 226 and the player's wager remains in place. The dealer then checks to see if the push hand qualifies as a bonus hand in accordance with steps 227, 228, and 229 described above.
If any other players' cards are face down, the dealer moves to the next clockwise position and repeats steps 220 to 229 until all players' cards are revealed in step 230. Once this is performed, the dealer then may, in clockwise order after the banker position, pay out all winning bets and collect each winner's respective cards in steps 230 and 231, if applicable, and thus ending a round of play in step 232.
Now referring to FIG. 3B, depicted is a flowchart to describe the steps taken in order to determine winning, losing and tying hands, as well as respective payouts for winning hands and bonus hands. For this drawing, “P1” will refer to player's Highest Hand, “P2” will refer to player's 2^ndHigh Hand, “B1” will refer to banker's Highest Hand, and “B2” will refer to banker's 2^ndHigh Hand.
When comparing a player's hands to the banker's hands in step 233, the dealer first checks to see if the player's hand is illegal in step 234. If the hand is illegal, then the player loses in step 239 and player's wager and bonus wager are collected by the dealer in step 240.
The dealer then checks to see if P1<B1 and P2<B2 in step 235; P1=B1 and P2≦B2 in step 236; or P1≦B1 and P2=B2 in step 237. If any of these scenarios is true, then the player loses. If those steps prove to be false, the dealer checks if the player has misplayed their hand by creating a hand where P1<P2 in step 238, in which the player would also lose.
If steps 234 to 238 are false, then dealer checks to see if P1>B1 and P2≦B2 in step 241; or P1≦B1 and P2>B2 in step 242. If either of these steps is true, then the result is a push in step 243 and the player retains his/her initial bet.
If steps 234 to 238 and 241 to 242 are false, then the result is a winning hand in which P1>B1 and P2>B2 in steps 244 and 245. In the result of a winning hand, the player is eventually paid the same amount bet on the wager as shown in step 246.
Subsequently, bonus wagers are determined by the dealer in steps 247 to 254 in accordance with table shown above. If a hand does not qualify as a bonus hand, then the bonus player's wager is collected by the dealer in step 255.
The following procedures describe a preferred manner of operating a Cao Cao Poker game within a casino or the like, however, the procedures are not intended to limit the invention.
Optional Procedures—Cards & Number of Decks
Cao Cao Poker shall generally be played with one deck of cards with backs of the same color and design, one additional cutting card and one additional cover card to be used in accordance with the procedures set forth below. The cutting card and cover card shall be opaque and in a solid color readily distinguishable from the color of the backs and edges of the playing cards. The deck of cards used to play Cao Cao Poker shall meet the requirements of the casino and shall include no joker. Nothing in the present invention shall prohibit a casino from using decks, which are manufactured with two jokers provided that only no jokers is used for gaming at Cao Cao Poker.
If an automated card shuffling device is used for Cao Cao Poker, a casino shall be permitted to use a second deck of cards to play the game, provided that: (i) each deck of cards complies with the requirements above; (ii) the backs of the cards in the two decks are of a different color; (iii) one deck is being shuffled by the automated card shuffling device while the other deck is being dealt or used to play the game; (iv) both decks are continuously alternated in and out of play, with each deck being used for every other round of play; and (v) the cards from one deck only shall be placed in the discard rack at any given time.
Optional Procedures—Opening of the Table For Gaming
After receiving a deck of cards at the table in accordance with House rules, the dealer shall sort and inspect the cards and the floor person assigned to the table shall verify the inspection as required. If the deck of cards used by the casino contains two jokers, the dealer and a casino supervisor shall ensure that no joker is utilized and that the jokers are discarded.
Following the inspection of the cards by the dealer and the verification by the floor person assigned to the table, the cards shall be spread out face up on the table for visual inspection by the first player to arrive at the table. The cards shall be spread out according to suit and in sequence and shall include no jokers.
After the first player is offered an opportunity to visually inspect the cards, the cards shall be turned face down on the table, mixed thoroughly by a “washing,” or “chemmy shuffle” of the cards and stacked. Once the cards have been stacked, they shall be shuffled in accordance with the procedure below.
If a casino uses an automatic card shuffling device to play the game of Cao Cao Poker and decks of cards are received, each deck of cards shall be separately sorted, inspected, verified, spread, inspected, mixed, stacked and shuffled in accordance with the provisions hereof immediately prior to the commencement of play.
All cards opened for use on a Cao Cao Poker table and dealt from a manual or an automated dealing shoe shall be changed at least every four hours.
Optional Procedures—Shuffle and Cut of Cards
Immediately prior to the commencement of play and after each round of play has been completed, the dealer shall shuffle the cards either manually or by use of an automated card shuffling device so that the cards are randomly intermixed. Upon completion of the shuffle, the dealer or device shall place the deck of cards in a single stack; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit an automated card shuffling device which, upon completion of the shuffling of the cards, inserts the cards directly into an automated or manual dealing shoe.
After the cards have been shuffled and stacked, the dealer shall: (i) if the cards were shuffled using an automated card shuffling device, deal or deliver the cards in accordance with the procedures set forth herein; or (ii) if the cards are shuffled manually, cut the cards in accordance with the procedures set forth herein.
Upon completion of a manual shuffle, the dealer shall place the stack of cards on top of the cover card. Thereafter, the dealer shall offer the stack of cards to be cut, with the backs facing up and faces facing the layout, to a determined player. If no player accepts the cut, the dealer shall cut the cards.
The cut of the cards shall be offered to players in the following order: (i) the first player to the table, if the game is just beginning; (ii) the player who accepts the bank if banking is utilized; provided, however, if the bank refuses the cut, the cards shall be offered to each player moving clockwise around the table from the bank until a player accepts the cut; or (iii) the player at the farthest position to the right of the dealer, if there is no bank during a round of play; provided, however, if there are two or more consecutive rounds of player where there is no bank, the offer to cut the cards shall rotate in a clockwise manner after the player to the far right of the dealer has been offered the cut.
The player or dealer making the cut shall place the cutting card in the stack at least 1 card from either end. Once the cutting card has been inserted, the dealer shall take the cutting card and all the cards on top of the cutting card and place them on the bottom of the stack. The dealer shall then remove the cover card and place it on the bottom of the stack. Thereafter, the dealer shall remove the cutting card and, at the discretion of the casino, either place it in the discard rack or use it as an additional cutting card to be inserted four cards from the bottom of the deck. The dealer shall then deal or deliver the cards in accordance with the procedures set forth herein.
After the cards have been cut and before any cards have been dealt, a casino supervisor may require the cards to be re-cut if he or she determines that the cut was performed improperly or in any way that might affect the integrity or fairness of the game. If a re-cut is required, the cards shall be re-cut, at the casino's option, by the player who last cut the cards, or by the next person entitled to cut the cards.
Whenever there is no gaming activity at a Cao Cao Poker table which is open for gaming, the cards shall be spread out on the table either face up or face down. If the cards are spread face down, they shall be turned face up once a player arrives at the table. After the first player is offered an opportunity to visually inspect the cards, the procedures outlined above shall be completed.
Optional Procedures—Wagers
All wagers at Cao Cao Poker shall be made by placing gaming chips, a match play coupon on the appropriate betting area of the Cao Cao Poker layout. A verbal wager accompanied by cash shall not be accepted at the game of Cao Cao Poker.
Only players who are seated at the Cao Cao Poker table may place a wager at the game. Once a player has placed a wager and received cards, that player must remain seated until the completion of the round of play.
Ante Wager at Cao Cao Poker shall be placed prior to the dealer announcing “No more bets” in accordance with the dealing procedures set forth herein. No Ante at Cao Cao Poker shall be made, increased or withdrawn after the dealer has announced “No more bets.”
Upon placing a Cao Cao Poker wager, a player may also, if a bonus wager is offered by the casino, place a bonus wager by placing a gaming chip onto the bonus slot designated for that player.
Optional Procedures—Procedures for Dealing the Cards From a Manual Dealing Shoe
If a casino chooses to have the cards dealt from a manual dealing shoe, the dealing shoe shall meet the requirements of the House. Once the shuffling procedures described above have been completed, the cards shall be placed in the manual dealing shoe and the dealer shall announce “No more bets.”
The dealer shall then deliver the six card stacks to each player starting with the first player to the dealer's left.
After the starting position for dealing the cards have been determined, each card shall be removed from the dealing shoe with the left hand of the dealer and placed face down on the appropriate area of the layout with the right hand of the dealer. The dealer shall deal the first card to the starting position and, moving clockwise around the table, deal a card to all other positions, including the dealer, regardless of whether there is a wager at the position.
After six cards have been dealt to each position, including the dealer, the dealer shall remove the remaining cards from the shoe and determine whether exactly four cards are left. (i) If four cards remain, the four cards shall not be exposed to anyone and shall be placed in the discard rack. The dealer shall then collect any cards dealt to a position where there is no wager and place them in the discard rack without exposing the cards. (ii) If more or less than four cards remain, the dealer shall determine if the cards were misdealt. If the cards were misdealt and a player or the dealer has more or less than six cards, all hands shall be void.
Optional Procedures—Dealing the Cards from the Dealer's Hand
A casino may, in its discretion, permit a dealer to deal the cards used to play Cao Cao Poker from his or her hand. If a casino chooses to have the cards dealt from the dealer's hand, the following requirements shall be observed: (i) once the shuffling procedures have been completed, the dealer shall place the deck of cards in either hand; Once the dealer has chosen the hand in which he or she will hold the cards, the dealer shall use that hand whenever holding the cards during that round of play and the cards held by the dealer shall at all times be kept in front of the dealer and over the table inventory container. (ii) The dealer shall then announce “No more bets” prior to dealing eight stacks of six cards each to the area in front of the table inventory container. The dealer shall deal by holding the deck of cards in the chosen hand and using the other hand to remove the top six cards of the deck and place it face down on the appropriate area of the layout.
(3) The dealer shall deal the first six cards moving from left to right until there are eight stacks of six cards. After eight stacks of six cards have dealt, the dealer shall determine whether exactly four cards are left by spreading them face down on the layout. (i) If four cards remain, the cards shall not be exposed to anyone at the table and shall be placed in the discard rack. (ii) If more or less than four cards remain, the dealer shall determine if the cards were misdealt. If the cards were misdealt and a stack has more or less than six cards, the round of play shall be void and the cards reshuffled.
The dealer shall deliver the first stack to the starting position as determined and, moving clockwise around the table, deliver the remaining stacks in order to all positions, including the dealer, regardless of whether there is a wager at the position. The dealer shall deliver each stack face down. After the eight stacks have been delivered to each position, including the dealer, the dealer shall collect any stacks dealt to a player position where there is no wager and place them in the discard rack without exposing the cards.
Optional Procedures—Dealing the Cards from an Automated Dealing Shoe
A casino may, in its discretion, choose to have the cards used to play Cao Cao Poker dealt from an automated dealing shoe which dispenses cards in stacks of six cards. If a casino chooses to have the cards dealt from an automated dealing shoe, the following requirements shall be observed. (i) once the shuffling procedures have been completed, the cards shall be placed in the automated dealing shoe; (ii) the dealer shall then announce “No more bets” prior to the shoe dispensing any stacks of cards.
Once the starting position has been determined, the dealer shall deliver the first stack of cards dispensed by the automated dealing shoe to that position. As the remaining stacks are dispensed to the dealer by the automated dealing shoe, the dealer shall deliver a stack in turn to each of the other positions, including the dealer, moving clockwise around the table, whether or not there is a wager at the position. The dealer shall deliver each stack face down.
After the eight stacks of six cards have been dispensed and delivered to each position, including the dealer, the dealer shall remove the remaining cards from the shoe and determine whether exactly four cards are left by spreading them face down on the layout. (i) If four cards remain, the cards shall not be exposed to anyone at the table and shall be placed in the discard rack. (ii) If more or less than four cards remain, the dealer shall determine if the cards were misdealt. If the cards were misdealt and a stack has more or less than six cards for a player, the round of play shall be void.
If the dealer determines the cards were dealt properly, the dealer shall then collect any stacks dealt to a position where there is no wager and place them in the discard rack without exposing the cards.
Optional Procedures—Setting of Hands
Each player at the table shall be responsible for setting his or her own hands and no other person except the dealer may touch the cards of that player. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a player requests assistance in the setting of his or her hands, the dealer may inform the requesting player of the manner in which the casino requires the hands of the dealer to be set in its Rules of the Games Submission. Each player shall be required to keep the six cards in full view of the dealer at all times. Once each player has set a high and low hand and placed the two hands face down on the appropriate area of the layout, the player shall not touch the cards again.
After all players have set their hands and placed the cards on the table, the six cards of the dealer shall be turned over and the dealer shall set his or her hands by arranging the cards into a Highest and 2nd Highest hand. The dealer shall then place the two hands face up on the appropriate area of the layout. If banking or co-banking is in effect, after all players have set their hands and placed the cards on the table, the player banking the game shall turn over his or her six cards and shall set the two hands by arranging the cards in a Highest and 2^ndHigh Hand on the appropriate area of the layout.
Optional Procedures—Payment and Collection of Wagers
Once the dealer has set a Highest and 2^ndHigh Hand, the dealer shall expose both hands of each player, starting from the next counterclockwise position around the table. The dealer shall compare the Highest and 2^ndHigh Hand of each player to the high and low hand of the dealer and shall announce if the Cao Cao Poker wager of that player shall win, lose or be considered a tie (“push”). If the player has placed a bonus wager, the dealer shall also examine the six cards of the player and announce if the bonus wager of that player is valid.
All losing Cao Cao Poker wagers and bonus wagers shall be immediately collected by the dealer and put in the table inventory container. Unless the player has a winning bonus payout wager, all losing Cao Cao Poker hands shall also be collected.
If a Cao Cao Poker wager is a push, the dealer shall not collect or pay the wager, but shall return the Cao Cao Poker wager to the player. Unless the player has a winning bonus wager, the dealer shall then immediately collect the cards of that player.
All hands that resulted in a winning Cao Cao Poker wager or winning bonus wager shall remain face up on the layout. Winning wagers shall be paid after each player's hand has been exposed. The dealer shall pay winning wagers beginning with the player farthest to the right of the dealer and continuing counter clockwise around the table.
Optional Procedures—Vigorish
A casino may elect to garner a vigorish on all winning Cao Cao Poker wagers such that the winning wagers shall be paid off by a casino at 1 to 1, except that the casino shall extract a division known as “Vigorish” from the winning player in an amount equal to five percent of the amount won; provided, however, that when collecting the vigorish the casino may round off the vigorish to cents or the next highest multiple of 25 cents. A casino shall collect the vigorish from a player at the time the winning payout is made. After a winning Cao Cao Poker wager has been paid and the vigorish collected, the dealer shall then, if applicable, pay the winning bonus wager of that player (no vigorish is collected for bonus winnings). The dealer shall then collect the cards from that player.
Optional Procedures—Player Wagering on More Than One Betting Area
A casino may, in its discretion, permit a player to wager on no more than two betting areas at a Cao Cao Poker table, which areas must be adjacent to each other.
If a casino permits a player to wager on two adjacent betting areas, the cards dealt to each betting area shall be played separately. If the two wagers are not equal, the player shall be required to rank and set the hand at his/her seated slot before ranking and setting the other hand. If the amounts wagered are equal, each hand shall be played separately in a clockwise rotation with the first hand being ranked and set before the player proceeds to rank and set the second hand. Once a hand has been ranked and set and placed face down on the appropriate area of the layout, the hand may not be changed.
Optional Procedures—Bonus Maximum Payout
Notwithstanding the minimum payout odds and the fixed bonus amount above, a casino may establish a maximum payout amount as approved by the Division that is parable to a player for one round of play, which amount shall be at least $25,000 or the maximum amount that, one player could win per round when betting the minimum permissible wager, whichever is greater. If the established payout limit is not included on the layout, each casino shall provide notice of any decrease in the payout. Any maximum payout limit established by a casino shall apply only to payouts of Cao Cao Poker bonus wagers placed.
Irregularities
If the dealer exposes any of the cards dealt to a player, the player has the option of voiding the hand. Without looking at the unexposed cards, the player shall make the decision either to play out the hand or to void the hand.
If a card or cards in the hand of the dealer or bank is exposed, all hands shall be void and the cards shall be reshuffled.
A card found turned face up in the shoe shall not be used in the game and shall be placed in the discard rack. If more than one card is found turned face up in the shoe, all hands shall be void and the cards shall be reshuffled.
A card drawn in error without its face being exposed shall be used as though it was the next card from the shoe.
If any player or the dealer is dealt an incorrect number of cards, all hands shall be void and the cards reshuffled.
If the dealer does not set his or her hands in the manner required, the hands must be reset in accordance with this submission and the round of play completed.
If the bank does not set his or her own hands correctly, the wager shall not be lost, and the dealer shall be required to reset the bank's hands in the correct manner so that the round of play may be completed.
If banker does not set his or her hands correctly to the mandatory strategy, then banker loses the hand and bets.
If a card is exposed while the dealer is dealing the eight stacks, the cards shall be reshuffled.
If cards are being dealt from the hand and the dealer fails to deal the eight stacks in the appropriate manner, the cards shall be reshuffled.
If an automated card shuffling device is being used and the device jams, stops shuffling during a shuffle, or fails to complete a shuffle cycle, the cards shall be reshuffled.
If an automated dealing shoe is being used and the device jams, stops dealing cards, or fails to deal all cards during a round of play, the round of play shall be void and the cards shall be removed from the device and reshuffled with any cards already dealt.
Any automated card shuffling device or automated doing shoe shall be removed from a gaming table before any other method of shuffling or dealing may be utilized at that table.
It will be understood from the foregoing description that modifications and changes may be made in various embodiments of the present invention without departing from its true spirit. While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and/or examples, but to include all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method of playing a card game comprising the steps of:

having each player place a required initial wager;

dealing a preset number of cards to each player and to the dealer from a standard deck of cards, wherein the each Ace has a point value of 1, cards 2-9 each have a point value equal to their face value, and tens, jacks, queens, and kings having a zero point value;

having each player and the dealer divide their cards into a highest hand and a 2^ndhigh hand with each hand having a preset subset of the dealt cards; wherein the value of each hand is equal to the least significant digit of the sum of the subset cards within the hand and the highest hand has to have a value greater than or equal to the value of the 2^ndhigh hand;

comparing each player's high hand to the dealer's high hand and each player's 2^ndhigh hand to the dealer's 2^ndhigh hand; and

declaring the player a winner only if both hands are higher than the dealer's hands.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein each player is positioned at a player position of a gaming table.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the gaming table is a physical structure.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the gaming table is an electronically generated image.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein each player position has at least one slot for the initial wager, the 2^ndhigh hand and the highest hand of the player.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein each player position includes an additional slot for a play wager.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein each player position includes an additional slot for a bonus wager.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein the gaming table further defines a dealer position with at least slots for the 2^ndhigh hand and the highest hand of the dealer.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein after the cards are dealt to each player, each player elects to fold or play their hand, wherein if the player decides to play their hand, the player is required to place a play wager.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the play wager must be equal in value to the initial wager or twice the initial wager.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein prior to dealing of the cards, each player has the option to place a bonus wager and the player will receive a bonus payout if the combination of the player's 2^ndhigh hand and highest hand define a bonus combination.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein a bonus combination is selected from the group including a Perfect Cao Cao combination, a Super Cao Cao combination, a Royal/Royal combination, a 9/Royal combination and a 9/9 combination wherein the Perfect Cao Cao combination is defined as any triple 3s and a value of 9 using the cards 2, 3, 4, the Super Cao Cao combination is defined as any triple 3s and any triple royal cards, the Royal/Royal combination is defined as two sets of triple royal cards, the 9/Royal combination is defined by a numerical value of nine and any triple royals, and the 9/9 combination is defined by two sets each with a numerical value of nine.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein in comparing the player's hands to the dealer's hands, except for special combination hands, hands are rank based on the value of the hand being closest to nine.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the special combination hands include a Perfect Cao Cao combination, a Super Cao Cao combination, a Royal/Royal combination, a 9/Royal combination and a 9/9 combination wherein the Perfect Cao Cao combination is defined as any triple 3s and a value of 9 using the cards 2, 3, 4, the Super Cao Cao combination is defined as any triple 3s and any triple royal cards, the Royal/Royal combination is defined as two sets of triple royal cards, the 9/Royal combination is defined by a numerical value of nine and any triple royals, and the 9/9 combination is defined by two sets each with a numerical value of nine, with the special combination hands ranking with the Perfect Cao Cao combination the highest hand, the Super Cao Cao combination the 2^ndhighest hand, the Royal/Royal combination the 3^rdhighest hand, the 9/Royal combination the 4^thhighest hand and the 9/9 combination the 5^thhighest hand.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the preset number of cards is six.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein one of the player's may elect bank a given round of play.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein a player may only bank the given round of play if (i) the player placed a wager against the dealer during the last round of play in which there was no player banking the game; and (ii) the player has sufficient funds in play to cover all of the wagers placed by other players at the table for that round of play.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dealer may retain a vigorish against all payments to winning players.

19. A method of playing a card game comprising the steps of:

having each player place a required initial wager at a respective player position of a gaming table;

20. The method according to claim 1, wherein the gaming table is a physical structure or at least a portion of the gaming table is an electronically generated image.