WO2008154588A1 - Table game session play - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for improving blackjack by selling blocks of hands to a player at a reduced price includes providing the player with some indication of a number of hands remaining in the session and some mechanism through which the player may make wagers on each hand of blackjack. The player may purchase the session through appropriate purchasing forms and receive payouts at the end of the session.

Description

TABLE GAME SESSION PLAY

PATENT APPLICATION RELATED APPLICATIONS

[01] The present application is claims priority to and the benefit of related to the following patent applications:

[02] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/012,230 filed December 7, 2007; [03] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/990,094 filed November 26, 2007; [04] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/986,382 filed November 8, 2007; [05] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/974,901 filed September 25, 2007; [06] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/957,021, filed August 21, 2007; [07] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/952,728, filed July 30, 2007; [08] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/949,962, filed July 16, 2007; [09] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/948,848, filed July 10, 2007; and [10] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/943,171, filed June 11, 2007. [11] The present application is also related to the following patent and patent applications: [12] U.S. Patent No. 6,077,163, issued June 20, 2000;

[13] U.S. Patent Application serial Nos. 11/293,016, filed November 2, 2001 and 11/270,016, filed November 9, 2005;

[14] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/098,074 filed April 4, 2008; [15] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/715,666, filed September 9, 2005 and 60/865,273, filed November 10, 2006;

[16] PCT Application No. WOUS05/28383 filed August 10, 2005; and [17] PCT Patent Application Serial No. WOUS08/50389 filed January 7, 2008. [18] Each of the above applications and patent is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[19] The present invention is related to playing blackjack and more particularly to playing a session of a predetermined number of hands for a predetermined price.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[20] Figure 1 illustrates a top plan view of a blackjack table suitable for use with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [21] Figure 2 illustrates a flow chart illustrating a method of implementing at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[22] Figure 3 A illustrates a session chip for use in the embodiment of Figure 2.

[23] Figure 3B illustrates a play token for use in the embodiment of Figure 2.

[24] Figure 4 illustrates a top plan view of a second blackjack table suitable for use with a different embodiment of the present disclosure.

[25] Figure 5 illustrates a block diagram of a chip suitable for use with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[26] Figure 6 illustrates a block diagram of components of the table of Figure 4.

[27] Figure 7 illustrates an exemplary method set forth as a flow chart using the table of

Figure 4.

[28] Figure 8 illustrates an exemplary screen shot of the table of Figure 4 in the middle of a session.

[29] Figure 9 illustrates an alternate display arrangement for the table of Figure 4.

[30] Figure 10 illustrates an exemplary methodology for the table of Figure 9.

[31] Figure 11 illustrates another alternate table arrangement.

[32] Figures 12A & 12B illustrate a drop ticket for use with the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[33] Figure 13 illustrates an exemplary methodology for use with the drop tickets of Figures

12A & 12B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[34] In traditional blackjack, a player determines a wager for each hand, places the wager, helps resolve the hand that the player is dealt after game initiation, and collects any winnings. The player repeats the process for each hand. A side effect of this process is that the player may not know how long or how many hands the player will be able to play for a given budget. For example, if the player plays poorly or has a string of bad luck, the player may exhaust her budget rapidly in a minimal number of hands. Conversely, a player who plays well or has a string of good luck may extend her playing time through a large number of hands, and may even walk away from the table with more money than she had before playing.

[35] The present disclosure describes how a player may purchase a session of a predetermined number of blackjack hands for a predetermined price and play such hands at a blackjack table. In some embodiments, each such hand may be restricted to a predetermined maximum wager amount. Thus, based on the parameters of the session, the player knows how many hands the player will be able to play at a given wager without having to worry about the vagaries of luck or how skillfully the player is able to play. In an exemplary embodiment, the predetermined price of the session is less than the sum of the costs of buying each hand individually. [36] The concepts of the present disclosure may be applied to a simple blackjack table 10 as illustrated in Figure 1. The blackjack table 10 may have a planar top surface 12. A dealer station 14 is positioned on one side of the blackjack table 10. The dealer station 14 may include a place for the dealer to stand, a chip rack 16, a card shoe 18, a slot 20 for a drop box (not shown, but typically secured to the underside of the table 10), a discard collection area 22, and a dealer hand area 24. Note that not all of these elements are necessary for a dealer station 14. Likewise, additional elements or repositioning of these elements is contemplated as being within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, a device that provides an alert when the dealer is dealt a natural blackjack could be added.

[37] The chip rack 16 includes tubes or slots sized to handle a number of chips as is well understood. In practice, chips of differing denominations are placed in different tubes or slots. The dealer removes chips to pay winning wagers and collects chips into the chip rack 16 as the dealer collects losing wagers. In one embodiment, chips may be designated for use with particular player positions. Thus, as described below, indicia may be provided on the chips to indicate this designation. Slots or tubes may be designated for different player positions to assist the dealer in tracking chips for each player such that the chips may be stored by player position. [38] The shoe 18 may include a shuffler or just dispense cards as is well understood in the casino industry. The shoe 18 may be a single deck shoe or a multi-deck shoe as desired, although usually shoes will be used only for four or more decks.

[39] The slot 20 provides a place for dealers to insert cash into the drop box. Typically, the dealer accepts cash from a player, provides chips to the player corresponding to the cash received and inserts the cash into the slot 20. A pit boss or other supervisory personnel may view and/or record the transaction to assist in the accounting of the gaming establishment. This process and the use of such drop boxes are well understood in the casino industry.

[40] Discard collection area 22 may be used to collect used cards after completion of a hand. The cards may be stacked neatly on the table surface or passed through an aperture into a locked container for later inspection and disposal as is well understood. Other discard collection mechanisms are also possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. [41] Dealer hand area 24 is the space into which the dealer deals his own hand. The dealer hand area 24 may have square indicia printed on the top surface 12 so that it is clear that cards placed proximate thereto are the dealer's cards. Still other techniques of denoting the dealer hand area 24 are also contemplated.

[42] A placard 26 may indicate the minimum and maximum bets, as well as any other rules particular to the blackjack table 10. Other rule indicia 28 may be printed on the top surface 12 as is well understood. A plurality of player stations 30 may be positioned at the table on a curved side opposite the dealer station 14. Each player station 30 may have a betting circle 32 printed on the top surface 12 as is well understood.

[43] In a first embodiment whose methodology is illustrated in Figure 2, the player approaches the blackjack table 10 (block 100). The player may view available sessions listed on the placard 26, verbally solicit a listing of available sessions from the dealer, or otherwise determine what sessions are available. Based on the available sessions, the player may purchase a session (block 102). The player may identify the session in myriad ways. The player may say she would like to buy a "50-hand session" or identify the session by a nickname or moniker displayed on the placard 26 (e.g., "Afternoon Blackjack Session") or point to a session on the placard 26. To purchase the session, the player provides equity to the dealer, such as by providing the dealer cash. Alternatively, the player may provide cashable gaming chips, a receipt for comp points, a promotional voucher, a voucher purchased from a kiosk, a stored value card, cashier station or through a web interface, a cashless gaming receipt, a line of credit marker from the casino, or other equity mechanism as is well understood. Based on the session purchased, the dealer may then issue the player session chips and play tokens (block 104).

[44] For the sake of example, the player purchases thirty hands of five dollar wager blackjack for twenty dollars. The dealer collects the forty dollars from the player, deposits the money in the slot 20 and issues the player one hundred fifty dollars of session chips 34 (see Figure 3A) and thirty play tokens 42 (see Figure 3B). Play tokens 42 represent a number of hands purchased by the player, although different embodiments may vary the use of play tokens to extend the session as explained in greater detail below. The value of the session chips 34 initially provided is called the initial value or initial balance. [45] Turning to Figure 3A, a session chip 34 may include indicia 36 indicating that the chip is a session-only chip, wager indicia 38 indicating the value of the wager, and rules indicia 40 indicating any rules associated with the session chip 34 such as that the session chip 34 is non- negotiable (i.e. has no cash value). Note that session chips 34 may come in a variety of denominations to facilitate payouts. Note further, that a player position and/or table identifier may be indicated through indicia on the chip 34 (e.g., as illustrated, the chip belongs to player position seven).

[46] Returning now to a discussion of Figure 2, session play commences and the player places a session chip 34 and play token 42 in the betting circle 32 (block 106). The dealer deals out the hands and resolves the hand of blackjack (block 108). Resolving the hand may involve providing additional cards to the player if the player indicates a hit, adding cards to the dealer hand according to the house rules (e.g., dealer hits on soft seventeen) as is well understood. Special wagers such as splitting and doubling down are addressed below. [47] The dealer determines if the player won (block 110). If the player lost, then the dealer collects the session chip 34 (block 112) and play token 42 and determines if the session is over (block 114). The session is over if the player has exhausted all of his play tokens 42. If the answer to block 114 is no, the session is not over (i.e., the player still has one or more play tokens 42), then the process repeats for the next hand. If however, the session is over, then the dealer accounts with the player (block 120) as explained in greater detail below. If the answer to block 110 is yes, the player won, then the dealer collects the play token 42 and awards the player a session chip 34 of the appropriate denomination (block 116). Note that wins and losses change the number of session chips 34 possessed by the player. Once the player has won or lost, the player effectively has a running balance of session chips 34.

[48] The dealer determines if the session is over (block 118) in much the same manner described above with reference to block 114. If the answer to block 118 is no, then the process repeats as indicated. If the answer to block 118 is yes, the session is over, then the dealer accounts with the player (block 120). Specifically, the player presents all of his collected session chips 34 to the dealer. The dealer then adds up the values on the session chips 34 (i.e., the running balance runs no longer and becomes a final balance or winning total) and compares this winning total to the initial value of the session chips 34 issued to the player. If the winning total exceeds the initial value, the dealer may then provide the player chips having a cash value equal to the winning total minus the initial value.

[49] As the above explanation may not be readily intuitive, an example is provided. Extending the example provided above, assume the player won twenty-five times during the thirty hand session. The player's total (sometimes called a "running balance" herein) would be one hundred seventy-five dollars (assuming that winning hands pay one to one as is common in blackjack, and the player received no natural blackjacks and no pushes and there have been no splits or double downs). This amount of one hundred seventy- five dollars becomes the winning total. In contrast, the initial value of the session chips is one hundred fifty dollars. The player would thus be paid $25 in cashable chips (e.g., $175-$150 = $25). Suppose, instead of winning twenty-five times, the player lost twenty times and won ten times. The player's total would then be $50, which is less than the initial value of $150, so the player is paid nothing (and, in many embodiments, owes nothing), but has enjoyed about a half hour of game play. [50] If the session chips 34 have different denominations, it is relatively easy to account for pushes and blackjacks, which do not pay out at the same one to one odds as a win. While it is specifically contemplated that during the accounting step 120 the dealer will pay the player any winnings with conventional chips having a cash value (rather than the session chips 34), it is also possible that the dealer provides cash, a cashless gaming receipt, or other item that reflects the winnings of the player. For example, the winnings could be returned to the dealer to pay for a marker signifying a loan from the casino or other technique as desired.

[51] Double downs and splits may require special rules to make the price point attractive. In a first embodiment, these options are simply not available to a player. In a second embodiment, the player is allowed to use an additional one of her play tokens 42 and appropriate session chips 34 to signify the split or double down. Such usage has the effect of reducing the total number of hands that the player has in a session, but preserves the "action" purchased by the player for a given session in that the player is allowed to put the same amount of money into play during the session, but at the expense of total number of hands in the session. In a third embodiment, the player is provided a fixed number of special wager chips (not illustrated) which can be used for splits and double downs. In another embodiment, the player may split and/or double down whenever the player desires (according to the standard rules of blackjack about the availability of such wagers). Still other techniques for accommodating such wagers are also possible. [52] Some players may be tempted to keep a session chip 34 or a play token 42. While in the abstract, retention of such chips is not a problem, some players may introduce the chips in a later session so as to get an extra hand during a hot streak or increase the amount paid to the player during the accounting step 120. To prevent this sort of player fraud, or simply to assist with accounting, the dealer may be provided specially sized session and/or play token trays or tubes within the chip rack 16. The tube is sized to accommodate a fixed number of session chips 34 or play tokens 42. If, during the accounting step 120 (or other time as desired), a tube is missing a chip, the dealer will easily be able to see that there is a chip missing. The dealer may speak to the player about the chip count, may alert a supervisor, or otherwise begin processes to account for the missing chip. Alternatively, the gaming establishment may not care if the players move chips around in this fashion and may not track such activity.

[53] While the embodiment of Figures 1-3B is one way that a player may experience session play for blackjack, the embodiment of Figures 1-3B is a bit simplistic and does not take full advantage of improvements in table technology that simplify and facilitate tracking the session as it evolves. Thus, a more robust table 50 is illustrated in Figure 4.

[54] The table 50 has a planar top surface 52 on which game play takes place. The table 50 further has a dealer station 54 and at least one player station 56 (seven shown). The dealer station 54 has space for the dealer to stand or sit and may include a dealer monitor 58, a discard collection area 60, a slot 62, a chip rack 64, a dealer hand area 66, a shoe 68, and a placard 70. The discard collection area 60, slot 62, dealer hand area 66, and placard 70 are substantially similar to the discard collection area 22, slot 20, dealer hand area 24, and placard 26 previously described although variations on the structure and arrangement on the table 50 are contemplated and embraced by the present disclosure.

[55] The dealer monitor 58 may be a display as that term is defined in the Rules of Interpretation and General Definitions set forth below. It is particularly contemplated that the dealer monitor 58 has touch screen functionality. Alternatively a keyboard or other input mechanism may be provided (not shown).

[56] Chips 72 (also illustrated in Figure 5) may be positioned in the chip rack 64 and used throughout the table 50. Chips 72 may appear visually similar to or identical to chips 34 (see Figure 3A), but internally may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or memory 82 with an electronic circuit or processor 84 and an antenna 86 (see Figure 5). The chip 72 may include functionality similar or identical to those disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,166,502; 5,676,376; 6,021,949; and 6,296,190, which are all incorporated by reference in their entireties. Gaming Partners International (GPI), of 1182 Industrial Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89102 and Shuffle Master, Inc. of 1106 Palms Airport Drive, Las Vegas Nevada 89119 both sell RFID chips suitable for use with the table 50, although neither product is specifically required to practice the concepts of the present disclosure. The GPI chip uses a standard microchip made by Philips Semiconductors called the Vegas S, each of which has a unique serial number. The gaming establishment (e.g., casino) or other entity may associate values with each serial number. The association may be in a look-up table or the like. Alternatively, the unique identifier may be encoded to include information therein. Likewise, the chips 72 may be color-coded or include other indicia, such as indicia 38 that indicate values to the player or dealer. The chips 72 may include further indicia 36, 40 similar to that previously described. In some embodiments, the value of a chip and/or other indicia displayed on the chip may be dynamically updated. For more information about chips with displays and dynamic updates to such chips, the interested reader is directed to U.S. Patent No. 7,267,614 and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/067,694, filed March 21, 2008 and PCT patent Application No. PCT/US08/57821 filed March 21, 2008. Each of these applications and patent are incorporated by reference in its entirety. [57] In use, the electronic circuit 84 and antenna 86 act as a transponder capable of responding to an interrogator (not shown). In essence, the interrogator sends out an electromagnetic signal that impinges upon the antenna 86, exciting a current within electronic circuit 84. In response to the excited current, the electronic circuit 84 causes the antenna 86 to emit a second electromagnetic signal as a response, which is received by the interrogator. The second signal has identifying information about the chip 72 encoded therein such that the interrogator can identify the chip on receipt of the second signal. The second signal may be generated passively or actively. That is, in a first embodiment, the energy from the interrogation signal provides sufficient power for the electronic circuit 84 to use to send the second signal. In a second embodiment, the electronic circuit 84 may include a battery or other power source, which is used to power the generation of the second signal. While batteries have increasingly small footprints and longer lives, it is generally more practical to have a passive transponder. [58] Placement and movement of the chips 72 may be tracked with various interrogators. The chip rack 64 may be one such interrogator. An exemplary chip rack of this sort is made by GPI under the trade name CHIP BANK READER. Alternatively, the interrogators described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,814,589; 5,283,422; 5,367,148; 5,651,548; and 5,735,742 - all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties - could be used. Another RFID tag and interrogator suitable for use with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure are produced by Texas Instruments as the TAG-IT™ product line. Another alternate interrogator is discussed in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2006/0077036, which is also incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[59] The shoe 68 may be an intelligent shoe such as the IS-T 1™ and IS-B 1™ or the MDl, MD2 sold by Shuffle Master or comparable devices. The shoe 68 may be able to determine which cards are being dealt to which player position through RFID technology, image recognition, a printed code on the card (such as a barcode), or the like. The particular technique used to recognize cards is not central to the present disclosure. Further information about intelligent shoes may be found in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,941,769 and 7,029,009, both of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties and U.S. Patent Application Publications 2005/0026681; 2001/7862227; 2005/0051955; 2005/0113166; 2005/0219200; 2004/0207156; and 2005/0062226 all of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. In place of an intelligent shoe, cameras may be used with pattern recognition software to detect what cards have been dealt to what player positions. One method for reading data from playing cards at table games is taught by German Patent Application No. P44 39 502.7. Other methods are taught by U.S. Patent Application Publication 2007/0052167 both of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Similarly, cameras may be used to detect when chips, markers, or tokens, are given or removed from a specific player. This information may be helpful should the gaming establishment need to audit a session.

[60] The player station 56 may include a player hand area 74, a betting circle 76, a player tracking mechanism 78, and a player display 80. The player hand area 74 is the area into which the dealer deals the cards for the player. Note that if the shoe 68 cannot or does not track the cards, it is possible to use RFID technology or other image recognition technology to determine what cards have been dealt to the player once the cards have been placed in the player hand area 74. The interested reader is referred to the previously incorporated application 2004/0207156. The betting circle 76 may further be associated with an interrogator so that chips 72 placed in the betting circle may be detected. Another technique to track cards would be to put a card reader in the discard collection area 22.

[61] The player tracking mechanism 78 may be a card reader adapted to receive a magnetic stripe card such as is commonly used in gaming establishments. Alternatively, the player tracking mechanism 78 may be a smart card reader, an RFID interrogator that interrogates a player tracking RFID fob, or other device as desired.

[62] The display 80 may be a display as that term is defined in the Rules of Interpretation and General Definitions set forth below. The display 80 may be a touch screen display and/or have associated input elements such as a keypad or keyboard. Collectively, the display 80 and any associated input elements are termed a player interface. Information about the player, about the session in which the player is participating, or other information may be presented on the display 80 as described herein. In a first embodiment (illustrated), each player station 56 has its own display 80.

[63] In an alternate embodiment, all the player stations 56 at the table 50 share a single display 80 (not shown). Appropriate indicia may be used to distinguish which information relates to which player. In this alternate embodiment, the display 80 may be positioned so that it is readily seen by each player. For example, the display may be vertically mounted proximate the placard 70. In still another alternate embodiment, one or more player stations 56 share one or more displays 80 (not shown). Another variation is to use a mobile terminal such as a personal digital assistant, palm-style computer, cellular phone, hand held or laptop computer as a display. [64] While not shown, the player station 56 may also include a bill acceptor and/or a cashless gaming receipt device such as the TITO bill validating device such as a FutureLogic GEN2™ PSA-66 device configured to operate within an EZ-P AY™ system by IGT. Still other devices may be added to the table 50 as desired. Likewise, components may be rearranged to improve or discourage access to such components as desired.

[65] The various electronic components of the table 50 may communicate with one another as better illustrated by the block diagram of Figure 6. A central processing unit (CPU) or processor 90 may act as the brains of the table 50. The processor 90 is a control system as that term is defined in the Rules of Interpretation and General Definitions set forth below. The processor 90 may be part of the table 50 or may be remotely positioned therefrom. It is possible that the processor 90 may be a central server that controls multiple tables concurrently if desired. The processor 90 may be communicatively coupled to the various components through a network (not labeled) as that term is defined in the Rules of Interpretation and General Definitions set forth below, a bus, or other communication system as desired.

[66] The processor 90 may control all the various components and perform all the calculations according to software stored in a computer readable format in a memory unit (not shown). For example, the processor 90 may receive data from the shoe 68 and or the interrogator associated with the chip rack 64. Such interrogator may be referred to as chip rack sensor 64A. Likewise, the processor 90 may control the player tracking mechanisms 78, the displays 80 and any sensors that track bets such as chip sensors 76A. Chip sensors 76A may be interrogators associated with betting circles 76. Alternatively, functions specific to individual player stations 56 such as control of the display 80, interpretation of data from the chip sensors 76A and the like may be controlled by player station processors 92. As yet another alternative (not illustrated), a single player station processor 92 may control all the player stations and a second processor 90 control the table such that the single player station processor 92 is a client for the processor 90. [67] While the table 50 is particularly contemplated, it may be possible to modify an existing table to include the functionality of some or all of the embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, PGI, with Shuffle Master and IGT, sells an intelligent table under the moniker INTELLIGENT TABLE SYSTEM™ together with software entitled TABLE MANAGER™. Other intelligent table systems sold by Progressive include the TABLELINK PLAYER TRACKING, TABLELINK CHIP TRACKING, TABLELINK GAME TRACKING, TABLELINK TOTALVIEW, and TABLELINK CUBE. Further intelligent table teachings can be found in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,676,517 and 7,011,309 as well as U.S. Patent Application Publications 2002/0147042; 2003/0003997; 2005/0026680; 2005/0051965; and 2005/0054408, all of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[68] Against such an automated table 50, the dealer's tasks and record keeping associated with the play session are greatly eased and facilitated by the automation of the table. An example of an exemplary method of using such a table 50 is presented with reference to the flow chart of Figure 7.

[69] As before, the player approaches the table 50 (block 200). The player may view the placard 70, verbally communicate with the dealer, or otherwise become aware of the availability of session play. The player may insert a player tracking card into the player tracking mechanism 78. The player may then purchase a session (block 202). The dealer accepts money or other equity from the player (e.g., by accessing an account associated with the player tracking card or the like) and creates a session for the control system of the table 50 (block 204). The dealer may do this by entering the session information through the dealer display 58 (if it is a touch screen display), through a keyboard, or other input mechanism associated with the dealer station 54. Collectively, the display 58 and its associated inputs (either from the touch screen aspect or the associated input elements) are termed the dealer interface. The session information may be stored in a database or otherwise tracked by the processor 90. Session information may include player position, wager size, number of hands, any ancillary rules associated with the session (e.g., player may not split and/or may not double down). Other information may be included as desired. For example, the session may be associated with the player through the player tracking mechanism 78 so that the player receives appropriate comp points for the session. Note further that in some embodiments, the session may be encoded into a bar code on a cashless gaming ticket. The session may be created by reading the information encoded in the bar code. [70] The session parameters are then presented to the player on the player display 80 (block 206). Pertinent information may include the player's current balance associated with the session, a number of hands remaining, and other information as desired. The dealer provides the player with one or more session chips 72 (block 208). The session chips 72 have wager values associated therewith as described above. The session chip(s) 72 may be scanned by the dealer with an interrogator to associate the identifier within the chip with the session just purchased by the player. Alternatively, the dealer may type in a chip identifier as part of the process of setting up the session. While linking the session chip(s) 72 to the player and the session are specifically contemplated, such is not required.

[71] The player places one or more session chips 72 in the betting circle 76 (block 210) where the interrogator 76A detects them (block 212). The interrogator 76A communicates the presence of the chip 72 in the betting circle along with an address to the processor 90 so that the processor 90 recognizes that the player at the given player position is playing as part of the session. Likewise, the control system is able to derive the amount wagered by the player based on the information from the interrogator 76A. The processor 90 or other control system operating the method then updates the session information. Specifically, the player's current balance has the value of the wager deducted therefrom, the number of hands is decremented, and any other updates are performed as desired. The information on the player display 80 is updated as well. For example, if the current balance is forty dollars, and the player wagers twenty- five dollars as indicated by five $5 session chips 72, the current balance is decremented to $15. [72] The dealer and the player resolve the hand, and a determination is made by the processor 90 whether the player won the hand, and if so, what the payout is for the hand (block 214). The processor 90 can determine whether the player is a winner because the processor 90 has received inputs from the shoe 68 and/or the dealer that indicate which player has received which cards compared to the dealer's hand. Resolution of the hand is according to whatever version of blackjack is currently available at the table as modified by any session specific rules (i.e., the rules determine when the dealer must hit, what the odds are, when the player can split or double down, and the like). Based on whether the player won or not, the session information is updated (block 216). For example, if the player won, the balance is updated and displayed. Continuing the above example, if the player wins the twenty-five dollar wager, the balance is now updated to $65.

[73] The processor 90 or other control system determines whether the session is over (block 218) by evaluating how many hands remain for the session. If the answer to block 218 is no, the process repeats as indicated. If however, the session is over, then the dealer accounts with the player (block 220) by providing a payout to the player if the player is owed such. The payout may be in the form of a cashless gaming receipt, a voucher for an amount of money, chips redeemable at a cashier station for cash, or other mechanism as desired. The payout may be based on the current balance for the session.

[74] One mechanism through which the exemplary methodology is facilitated is through the use of a negative credit balance. That is, the player starts the session with a credit balance of zero dollars. If the wager amount is ten dollars, then when the session is updated in block 212, the player's credit balance goes to negative ten dollars. If the player wins, the session balance is updated to positive ten dollars at step 216. If the player loses, the session balance remains at negative ten dollars until the next game start. If the player ends a session with a negative credit balance, the player owes the gaming establishment nothing; the player has already paid for the session, so the player can walk away from the table having experienced entertainment for his expenditure. More detail on the concepts of the negative credit balance for a flat rate play session can be found in U.S. Patent Publication 2007/0087818, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Alternatively, a zero-credit floor may be implemented (i.e., the credit balance never falls below zero) or the session may mirror an electronic version of the embodiment of Figures 1-3 with the initial balance, running total and final balance. [75] Note, that during the accounting phase of the method, or when the processor 90 determines that the session is over, the session only chip may be deactivated by the processor 90 and collected by the dealer. Further note that doubles, splits and the like may be processed similarly to the manner described above in that they may be prohibited; they may be allowed only a set number of times; their use may decrement the number of hands the player is allowed in the session; or they may be allowed freely, with the current balance decremented for their use but the number of hands unaffected. In this latter situation, the player may be provided necessary and sufficient number of chips 72 to allow the player to denote each split and double down wager appropriately.

[76] Figure 8 illustrates an exemplary table 50 in the middle of a session, essentially at block 214. The player display 80 has textual indicia 94 thereon showing the current session balance (negative thirty dollars) and the number of hands remaining (seventeen). As noted above, other information may be included or presented as desired.

[77] In between the simple table 10 and the smart table 50, there are myriad options available that may be used consistently with the present disclosure. Another exemplary table that lies along the continuum between tables 10 and table 50 is table 300 illustrated in Figure 9. The dealer station 54 is still present, but the shoe 68 is gone; the chip rack 64 is not an RFID interrogator; the dealer display 58 is gone; the chips 304 are not RFID chips; and the dealer is responsible for most of the work to facilitate the methodology set forth in Figure 10. The player station 56 has likewise been modified such that the sensors described for table 50 have been removed and the display 80 has been replaced with a display 302. Note that session chips 304 are still non-negotiable and may come in various denominations. The session chips 304 may be color coded to denote player position much as in roulette or this may be made explicit on the face of the chip 304. If color is used, bands of color (or other indicia such as a number imprinted on the edge) may thus designate player position and denomination. The session chips 304 may have other appropriate indicia indicating their non-negotiable nature and their intended use in session play only as previously described. [78] Display 302 may be retrofit into an existing table, incorporated into a table during assembly, or may be a portable computing device (e.g., dedicated to gaming or operable to facilitate non-gaming functions) such as a mobile terminal including, but not limited to: a personal digital assistant, a handheld computer, a cellular telephone, or the like that uses wireless or wirebased communications to communicate with a table control system (note that display 80 may likewise be such a display and need not be incorporated into table 50). In this embodiment, the display 302 merely provides a countdown of how many hands remain for the player. Also, while illustrated such that each player position 56 has its own display 302, a single display may be provided for the table and the all player positions refer to the single display to ascertain how many hands remain for a given player position (see, for example, display 96 in Figure 11). [79] As before, the player approaches the table 300 (block 400) and purchases a session (block 402). The dealer provides the player session chips 304 (block 404). For example, if the player has purchased one hundred hands of blackjack at between five and fifteen dollar wagers, the player may be provided three hundred five dollar session chips 304. The dealer notes the session with a lammer 306 denoting the value of the chips provided to the player. Extending the example, the lammer 306 may reflect the $1500 worth of chips the player has just received. The lammer 306 is essentially a conditional marker as will be explained in greater detail below. The display 302 is updated with the number of hands available to the player (block 408). [80] The player makes a wager using the session chips 304 previously provided to the player (block 410). The hand is resolved (block 412) and chip accounting is performed (block 414). That is, if the player wins, the player is awarded more session chips 304 reflecting the value won by the player. Alternatively, if the player lost, the dealer collects the session chips 304 that made up the player's wager and returns the session chips to the rack 64. The dealer looks at the display 302 to determine if the session is over (block 416). If the session is not over, play continues as noted with the display 302 being updated by decrementing the number of hands remaining. The dealer may decrement the number of hands remaining on the display 302 by pressing the appropriate buttons within the row of buttons 308.

[81] As illustrated, the row of buttons 308 has a positive button 308A and a negative button 308B. Thus, if for some reason, a hand is voided, the dealer may add the hand back to the display using the positive button 308A. But in normal play, the dealer will press negative button 308B, decrementing the number of hands remaining. If play is over, the player redeems her remaining session chips 302 and the lammer 306 (block 418). If the value of the session chips 302 exceeds the value noted on the lammer 306, then the player is provided a payout. The payout may be made using negotiable chips that are then redeemed in the cashier cage, a cashless receipt, or other technique as previously described. If the value of the lammer 306 exceeds the value of the session chips 304, then the player owes nothing, but receives no payout. The player has effectively purchased valuable entertainment for the cost of the session. [82] It is possible, if the player splits and/or doubles down frequently and loses most of these wagers, that the player may exhaust the session chips 304 that the dealer has provided to the player before exhausting the number of hands remaining in the session. In such an instance, the dealer may issue the player additional chips and a second lammer indicating the value of the additional chips provided. Alternatively, the dealer may retrieve the first lammer and issue a second lammer indicating the value of both chip issuances. In some embodiments, a second lammer may not be issued in conjunction with additional chips.

[83] A further note about the lammer 306 is merited. The lammer 306 may be thought of as representative of a conditional loan extended to the player. In an exemplary embodiment, the player has purchased the session at a price that is less than the cost of purchasing each hand individually. For example, if the player purchases one hundred hands of fifteen dollars per hand blackjack, a normal cost for this many hands would be one thousand five hundred dollars. Instead of this cost, the player may pay only one hundred dollars. While the gaming establishment could just provide the difference in value to the player out of kindness and general charitable intentions, most such gaming establishments are first and foremost businesses requiring profit. Thus, as explained in the related applications, one way to insure that the gaming establishment retains an appropriate profit is to provide a provisional or conditional loan to the player. The provisions/conditions of the loan are such that if the player makes enough money during game play, the player repays the loan. If, however, the player does not make enough money during game play to repay the loan, the player owes the gaming establishment nothing, having effectively purchased the provisional loan by purchasing the session. Thus, lammer 306 is a place holder that reflects the existence of this provisional loan. While illustrated as only reflecting the balance of session chips issued to the player, other indicia may also be provided on a surface of the lammer 306 including any terms of the session purchased, (e.g., number of hands, minimum and/or maximum wagers, or the like). [84] While a lammer 306 is contemplated, other tokens, beads, chits, markers, plaques, or items may be used including cards, paper receipts, and the like as desired. For example, as with many traditional loans, a player may provide a signature or other affirmation of his understanding of the terms of the loan. In one embodiment, the house may desire to record such affirmation digitally, whether by capturing the player's acceptance of loan terms on a video camera and/or microphone, receiving a digital input/signature from a player, or the like. Simple paperwork may also be provided (e.g., a dealer provides a player with a form and after reviewing the form along with the player's ID, deposits the form into a box (e.g., through the slot 20)). In another example, a "digital" or virtual marker may be provided with a stack of RFID chips. These chips may communicate marker information (e.g., each chip can broadcast that it belongs to a particular loan identifier, which comprises $1,000 in total chips) so that settlement may be facilitated (e.g., any time a chip is received for settlement, the appropriate marker information is digitally retrieved so that negotiable currency is paid correctly). Other permutations are also possible.

Alternate Embodiments

[85] There are a number of variations that can be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that many of these embodiments are not mutually exclusive and may be mixed and matched with one another and/or with embodiments previously described herein to arrive at a product that is still within the scope of the present disclosure. [86] As alluded to above, the degree of automation and "intelligence" of the table may be varied. The embodiment of Figures 1-3 has session chips and play tokens to track game play. In an alternate embodiment, the player may be issued a number of session chips equal to the number of hands purchased in the session. The session chips have a collective initial value. Each time the player plays a hand, the player surrenders the session chip. The player is paid in win chips of an appropriate denomination. In a first version, both the session chips and the win chips are non-negotiable. In a second version, the win chips may be negotiable, although this version has a higher contract price since the player may walk away with the chips without a normal accounting process. In the first version, at the end of the session, the player trades in his win chips. If the value of the win chips being traded in exceeds the initial value, the player is paid the difference. If the value of the win chips is less than the initial value, then the player is paid nothing, but has received entertainment by purchasing the session. An example is illustrative. The player purchases thirty hands of five dollar blackjack for twenty dollars. The player receives thirty five dollar session chips, which has an initial value of $150. The player plays one session chip for each hand in the session. If the player wins, the player receives a win chip denominated at $10; if the player pushes, the player receives a win chip denominated at $5; and if the player has a winning blackjack, the player receives a win chip denominated at $12.50. At the end of the session, if the player has win chips whose cumulative denominated value is more than $150 (e.g., $225), the player is paid the difference (e.g., 225-150 = 75). If however, the player lost more hands and has win chips worth less than the initial value (e.g., $90), then the player is paid nothing. As explained above, payouts may be made with cashable chips, cash, a cashless gaming receipt or other mechanism as desired. This embodiment, like the embodiment of Figures 1-3 requires no change to the table 10, but does require more elements for the dealer to track. Splits and double downs may require the player to risk another session chip, much as he risks an additional play token in the embodiment of Figures 1-3. Alternatively, splits and double downs may not be allowed, or may be allowed freely.

[87] One alternate embodiment is that the placement and nature of the displays 58 and 80 may be changed. For example, as illustrated in Figure 11 , a single display 96 may be a dual faced display that provides information to the player and the dealer simultaneously regarding the session. The dealer and player may use inputs 98A and 98B respectively to provide inputs to the processor 90.

[88] Another variation relates to the rules under which the player may make variant bets. For example, the player may be prohibited from splitting pairs or doubling down. In one embodiment, splitting and doubling may be limited. For example, a player may be prohibited from splitting tens and/or doubling on a natural blackjack. Alternatively, the player may be provided special session chips to reflect a split or doubled down wager. Use of such chips may be allowed without restriction. Alternatively, use of such a chip may impose an additional decrement of the session balance and/or number of hands remaining. As yet another alternative, such wagers may only be allowed if the player has a positive session balance. As still another alternative, such wagers only decrement the balance if the session balance is positive, or other rule as deemed appropriate by the gaming establishment.

[89] Note also that there is a continuum of tables on which the present disclosure may be implemented. Table 10 represents a simple, dumb table and table 50 represents a fairly intelligent almost automated table. In between some of the elements of table 50 may be removed and the function of such elements imposed on the dealer. The dealer may, through the dealer input devices, provide the information to the processor 90 so that the same functionality can be achieved. An exemplary middle intelligent table might require that the dealer visually determine the amount of the bet and type the value into the dealer interface. Instead of the dealer typing in the wager amount, the player may type in the wager amount in the player interface. Likewise, instead of the intelligent shoe 68 and/or cameras detecting what cards have been dealt to what player, the dealer may make an entry through the dealer interface as to what cards have been dealt and to whom. This entry may be verbal, such as through the BLOODHOUND system sold by Shuffle Master. Likewise, the dealer may announce and enter outcomes. Likewise, instead of the control system automatically adjusting the session balance, the dealer may adjust the session balance manually through the dealer interface.

[90] A progressive jackpot could be enabled for all session players with a portion of each wager contributing to the progressive jackpot. Alternatively, participation in such a progressive jackpot may require a separate wager. Such an arrangement may encourage players who have deeply negative session balances to continue playing.

[91] As still another variation, the size of the wager may be variable within a predefined range set by the session. For example, the wager might be between ten and twenty dollars. The player might be given four five dollar session only chips 72 with which to indicate each wager. Alternatively, the player may be given a set number of higher value chips which can only be used once each. Thus, the player would know in advance that she would only be allowed three (for example) higher dollar wagers. The cost of the session could be increased accordingly. However, when the player felt "hot" or felt the dealer was "due" to bust, the player could increase the wager. In still another variation, the size of the wager is fixed by the table. That is, for any game played on that particular table, the wager is a predetermined amount (e.g. $25). That way, the denomination of the chip need not be explicitly indicated. In yet another variation, a player may be allowed to place a bet with negotiable chips "on top of his bet with non- negotiable session chips; in other words, players can play hunches by posting additional out-of- pocket currency. Payouts could be made in cashable chips for the cashable part of the wager and session only chips for the non-negotiable portion of the wager. [92] In another embodiment, the player can make wagers of only two values (e.g., $10 and $20). In such an embodiment, the chip might reflect the different values on different sides. Thus, if a first side was up, the player was wagering $10. If the second side was up, the player was wagering $20.

[93] It is specifically contemplated that there may be a mix of players playing standard blackjack at the same table with session players. Alternatively, the players may be segregated so that players do not get confused by the differing rules under which people are playing. Still another alternative would be that all sessions must start and run concurrently. Such an arrangement may simplify the requirements for a dealer, especially at a dumb table. However, such is not required.

[94] In an alternate embodiment, instead of the player purchasing the session through the dealer and the dealer setting up the session, the player may use an input mechanism such as a touch screen feature on display 80 to peruse a menu of available sessions (or to customize a session), select one and perhaps even tender payment for the same. The payment may be made to a bill acceptor/cashless receipt acceptor, to the dealer or other manner as desired. In still another embodiment, a player may pre-purchase sessions and associate the sessions with a player tracking account. Such prepurchase could be over the internet, at a kiosk, at a cashier's cage, during check-in, through a server based slot machine, or the like. Then, when the player uses their player tracking device with a player tracking mechanism 58, a list of available sessions for the table (from amongst those prepurchased by the player) is provided on the display 80 and the player may select one. In still another embodiment, the player may use a mobile terminal to select and configure a session. If the player has purchased such a session away from the table, the player may be provided a receipt, other indicia (voucher, marker, token, card, etc.), or the purchase may be associated with the player identifier. The player then presents the receipt, indicia, or player tracking card to the dealer so that the dealer may physically set up the session (e.g., issue chips, set up a balance on a balance meter, issue a lammer, etc.). [95] Instead of a set number of hands, the session could be defined by time. For example, the player may purchase an hour of blackjack; forty- five minutes of blackjack, not to exceed thirty hands; thirty minutes of blackjack at a rate of one hand per minute; the greater of thirty minutes of blackjack or twenty-five hands; until the dealer is replaced; until the next shuffle of the card shoe; or a predefined block of time (e.g., between 8:00 PM and 10:30 PM). [96] Variations on how the dealer initiates the session are also contemplated. For example, after receiving cash and a verbal request from a player, the dealer uses the input mechanism associated with the display 58 to indicate that a player at a particular position has purchased a particular session at a particular denomination. The dealer may select from a menu or type in the parameters. The dealer might alternatively select an icon for a particular player position, and then select an icon for a number of hands. Instead of a number of hands, the dealer may tap a 10-hand button repeatedly until a desired number of hands are indicated. If increments of fewer than ten hands are sold, then the denomination of the button may change or additional such buttons could be provided.

[97] Instead of a negative credit balance, the player may start with a session balance equal to the amount of the buy in (or another amount not equal to the buy in but not negative, such as zero or another predetermined amount), but the player may not cash out until all hands have been exhausted. In such embodiments, negative balances may still be allowed. Alternatively, the player may suspend the session and return at a later time, but may not receive cash until all hands have been exhausted. In such a suspended session, the player may receive a voucher outlining the state of the session at suspension. For more information about such a suspended session, the interested reader is directed to U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0105836, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Alternatively, this information may be stored in a player tracking database (or both).

[98] Another behavioral limitation imposed on players is a requirement that the player not sit out (i.e., without wagering) more than a predefined number of hands in a row or over the course of the session.

[99] Instead of the RFID chips described above (or in addition to the chips), the player may be provided an indicator such as an LED that flashes showing the player is engaged in session play. Further, the player may indicate wagers through a button associated with the display 80, then another indicator (perhaps another LED) is used to indicate the wager. Additional lights or variable colors could be used to denote wagers of different sizes. Instead of an LED to indicate the player is engaged in session play a tent card or other physical object could be placed proximate the player position 54.

[100] Another variation may be requesting confirmation from the player at various stages of the process. For example, the purchase of the session may require affirmative confirmation from the player such as by pressing a button on the player interface, signing a form, speaking into a microphone that makes a recording of the player's acceptance, or the like as desired. The player may have to confirm a bet, especially during a session that allows variable wager amounts. The player may be prompted on the display 80 that the player has made a wager of a certain size (based on player input, detected chips 72, dealer input, or the like). If the player agrees with the displayed amount, the player presses a button and play proceeds. If the player detects an error or changes her mind, she may change the amount (either by moving chips or entering data through the player interface) and then accept.

[101] In another embodiment, the player may be offered an opportunity to purchase another session. This offer may be made through the display 80 and indicate the terms including the price and number of hands associated with the other session. If the session follows on the heels of a first session, the second session (also sometimes referred to as a future session) may be discounted. Alternatively, the second session may be provided at a discount only if the player cancels the previous session before finishing the session. Another variation would be to offer the discount only if the player had a losing session previously or if the player had a previous session that included more than a certain predetermined number of hands or value or if the player had purchased more than a certain predetermined number of sessions, is a hotel guest or the like. In an alternate embodiment, session chips from a first session may carry over into the just purchased second session. Further, the player may receive a bonus amount of session chips when purchasing the second session.

[102] The display 80, the placard 70, or other element may be used to present a plurality of different sessions to the player from which the player may make a selection. The sessions may be differentiated by wager amount, wager ranges, hand counts, or the like as desired. [103] The display 80 or other element such as a tent card could be used to denote that the player is participating in session play. This indication may be helpful to remind the dealer to interact with the player according to the terms of the session and not provide chips in the same manner as a transactional player. Instead of a tent card, a light or other visual indication may be used as desired.

[104] Where session only chips are used, it may be desirable to mark the chips with a table and player position so that if a player purposefully or unintentionally walks off with the chip, the chip may be returned to its proper location. Alternatively, the chips may be physically tethered to the table either by a cord or perhaps on a slider like an abacus. Likewise, the specially sized tubes in the chip rack discussed above may be helpful in controlling chip inventory and making sure that the chip count at the table is monitored. In another embodiment, if RFID chips are used, the RFID chip may be deactivated if the player removes it from the table. [105] While the present disclosure has focused on using chips to signal wager amounts, it is possible that a voucher, ticket or other physical object may be used to signal wager amounts. Indicia may be disposed on the physical object as desired so that viewers may readily ascertain the intended value of the wager being made. Alternately, wager amounts may be signaled electronically (e.g., by placing virtual chips on a smart table).

[106] As still another variation, one or more of the displays may provide session statistics such as the number of busts by the player, number of busts by the dealer, the number of pat hands, number of blackjacks, winning percentage, number of consecutive wins, or the like. [107] As a further note, nothing specifically in the present disclosure precludes the player from terminating a session early (i.e., before the number of hands remaining reaches zero). In a first embodiment for such an instance, the player may forfeit the remaining hands. Payouts would be made based on the player's current running balance relative to the value of the session. For example, the player's current chip count is compared to the initial balance (i.e., the value of the session chips provided to the player at the beginning of the session). If the player has chips exceeding the value of the initial balance, the player receives a payout. If not, the player owes nothing. In a second embodiment, the player may suspend the session and receive a marker or other indication that the player is owed a certain number of hands at a certain wager point at a later time. Restrictions may be put on when and at what tables the player may resume the session. Still other possibilities for early termination are described in the related applications. In particular, the previously incorporated U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/098,074 describes a session with a variety of termination events. Rental

[108] While the above discussion has spoken in terms of selling sessions to the player, it is also possible to reframe the discussion as the rental of chips. The above discussion has already mentioned that the chips that the session player may use may be non-negotiable or non-cashable chips. Likewise, the above discussion has mentioned that the session player may be subjected to certain bet maximums or other restrictions. The rental frame may be proposed as renting a certain predetermined value of chips for a set price. Consumers are familiar with rental concepts and are used to conditions being put on the rental. Thus, a player may rent, for example, a thousand dollars of chips for one hundred dollars subject to some conditions, such as, the chips are non-cashable, the maximum bet is $25, the player pays the $100 up front, the player has to return the chips at the end of the rental period, the player is paid only for chips whose value exceeds the thousand dollars in rented chips, and the player cannot take away or loan chips to other players. Thus, the rental may be advertised as a ten times value. A player may, in effect, be offered a choice of buying a small stack of chips for $100 or renting a large stack of chips for $100. Some consumers may respond well to such an advertising technique. The mechanics of this rental framework remain essentially the same as described above. Variable value session chips

[109] In some embodiments, the face value of chips provided for use in a table gaming session may change based upon certain conditions. Conditions that may affect the value of such chips include: a count of the balance of chips (e.g., chips are worth more when players have fewer, or when beneath a cashout threshold or deductible, etc.); a measure of the time, hands or termination counters left in the session (e.g., chips are worth less at the beginning of a session); cards or outcomes obtained within the session; a number of chips wagered; etc. In one embodiment, a display device associated with a betting chip may dynamically indicate its changing face value, as described in Applicant's co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent No. 60/826,977, filed September 26, 2006 and entitled GAMING CHIP WITH DISPLAY, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference for all purposes. Promotional sessions

[110] In some situations, it may be desirable to offer "promotional" sessions to players, either for free or at a reasonably low price. For example, through computer simulation, it may be determined that certain types of sessions may be relatively inexpensive to provide (i.e., sessions rules and payouts dictate a low expected value). Thus, players may be provided with means of executing such sessions (e.g., vouchers or codes) at physical tables, smart tables, or electronic gaming devices, either for free or for a small price. In one embodiment, promotional vouchers may be distributed to guests (e.g., as they leave a show) to encourage play on the gaming floor. [Ill] Various types of promotional or "low EV" sessions are contemplated. In one example, a player might be given 10 hands of blackjack at $100 per hand and $1,000 in non-negotiable chips for free, but the player may not be allowed to realize or "cash out" any session winnings below $1,200 (e.g., a "deductible" or cashout threshold makes it unlikely that players will walk away with any winnings). Conversely, a player may not be able to cash out any winnings above $1,200, thus creating a maximum possible cost for the session. In another example, players may be given 10 hands and $1,000 to wager with, but the session may end early if "Whammy" outcomes cause termination (e.g., any hand with an A* terminates the session, resulting in no winnings for the player). Varied bet minimums

[112] In some embodiments, players having purchased sessions may be able to play a minimum bet level that is different (lower) than an advertised level. Thus, it may be possible to conduct play at a physical table wherein various players have different minimum bet levels associated therewith.

"Protecting" play tokens

[113] As described, some embodiments of session play allow a table game player (blackjack player, baccarat player, pai gow player, roulette player, etc.) to purchase, for a flat fee, (i) a number of non-negotiable chips to place wagers with during the session, and (ii) a number of play tokens or counters representing various events that may accumulate to terminate a session (e.g., as described above with reference to Figures 1-3, a player is provided with thirty "session tokens" or play tokens, and must spend one token for each hand he plays, spending extra tokens for doubles and splits). In some embodiments, players may be given opportunities to "protect" or save these play tokens when they otherwise may have been collected, spent or otherwise consumed. Protecting these play tokens may then increase the length of the session, which some players may desire.

[114] For example, in one embodiment, players may chose to use either one or two "play tokens" per hand. When using one play token per hand, a player posts a base bet along with a single play token. Regardless of the outcome of the hand, the player loses this play token - playing the hand simply "costs" the player one play token (though it is contemplated that exceptions can be made, wherein play tokens are not collected in certain circumstances such as "bad beats," pushes, blackjacks, etc.). Players might choose to post two play tokens along with a base bet to protect the play token. In such a circumstance, winning the subsequent hand "protects" both tokens such that neither are collected (thus giving the player a chance to prolong the session), whereas losing or pushing results in the collection of both tokens. Such a mechanism allows players to "play hunches" before any given hand, and if successful, prolong their gaming session.

[115] In another example, players can protect play tokens by "insuring" them with non- negotiable session chips (or even negotiable chips). For example a player can spend a $5 session chip (in addition to his wager) to "back up" a play token, preventing the token from being collected if the player wins. If the player loses, he must forfeit his wager, but the play token and/or extra $5 chip may be protected. Of course, this situation could easily be reversed (a player protects his token from a loss instead of a win), or applied in different circumstances for collecting termination counters.

[116] In some embodiments, players may only "insure" certain hands in this manner, such as hands for which they are dealt a hard 17 to 21.

[117] Thus, in some embodiments, a session may conclude either by exhaustion of session chips, or exhaustion of termination counters (play tokens). Providing a player with means to trade off these elements provides more control over the session, appealing to the psychologies of different players in different ways. Settlement of play tokens

[118] In some embodiments, players who wish to terminate a session early may "settle" their remaining termination counters for some form of value, including hard currency, comp points, and the like. For example, a player who starts a session with thirty play tokens may wish to terminate the session after spending only twenty-two. The remaining eight tokens may be settled for $1 each. In some embodiments, the settlement value of the termination counters is dependent on the parameters of the session the player initially purchased. For example, promotional sessions may have a zero dollar settlement value, a low cost session (e.g., $40 for $100 in non- negotiable chips and thirty termination tokens) has a settlement value of $1, while a comparatively high cost session (e.g., $100 for $500 in non-negotiable chips and seventy play tokens) has a settlement value of $3. These values are exemplary and non- limiting. In some embodiments, other elements of a session may be "sold back" to the house. For example, "buy- back rates" may be available for wagering chips, termination counters, or any other elements provided to session players. Split the winnings with the house [119] In some embodiments, whether varied bet minimums are used or not, it is contemplated that the gaming establishment (or house) and the player participating in a session may split any winnings from a session. For example, assume a player purchases a session for $40 and is issued $100 worth of chips (e.g., non-cashable chips) to use for the session. From one perspective, it may be viewed that the player put up $40 of the bankroll for the session while the house put up $60 of the bankroll. Accordingly, it may be desired and/or reasonable for the house and the player to split any winnings resulting from the session. For example, assume that the session of the present example ends with the player having $170 worth of non-cashable chips, which the player returns at the end of the session. After deducting the $100 of the initial bankroll from the $170 worth of returned chips, the house and the player may split the remaining $70 (e.g., 50/50) such that the player receives only a portion of the $70 in cashable chips as the payout for the session (e.g., the player receives $35 worth of chips at the end of this session). While an even split is explicitly contemplated, other ratios may be used (e.g. 70/30; 60/40; 25/75, etc.) as desired. The ratio may be a function of the initial player payment (e.g., a session where the house has a lower portion (e.g., house 20/player 80) costs more than a session where the house has a higher portion (e.g., house 75/player 25). In another embodiment, the player's final balance is split according to the predefined ratio without requiring the player to repay the initial balance. Extending the example above, where the player/house contribution was $60/$40, and the final balance was $170, then the full $170 is split 60/40. Other variations on the split are within the scope of the present disclosure. Session extensions

[120] With respect to termination of a session, as has been described, in some embodiments a player may receive a predetermined number of tokens to track the number of hands of the wagering game of the session. As described, in some embodiments a player may place a play token for each hand the player is wagering on and the session may be determined to be over once the player uses up all of his play tokens. However, in some embodiments a session may be extended if the hand for which the player uses his last play token is a winning hand. For example, a gaming establishment may desire to not taint the good feeling a player may have upon achieving a winning hand by terminating a session upon the resolution of that hand. Accordingly, in some embodiments a gaming establishment may extend a session (e.g., by one hand) if the hand corresponding to the last play token is a winning hand (or, in some embodiments, a push). If that subsequent hand is also a winning hand, in some embodiments the gaming establishment may further extend the session until the player achieves a losing hand. In some embodiments, there may be a limit on the number of winning hands by which a session may be extended. "Refill" of wagering chips

[121] In one embodiment, a player exhausting his bankroll of wagering chips before a session concludes (e.g., before exhausting a balance of termination counters) may be provided with a "refill," "second installment" or "second stack" of wagering chips. For example, after being provided with $100 in wagering chips and 30 "play tokens" at the outset of a session, a player may possess 7 play tokens but $0 in wagering chips. The house may then provide another installment of $100, or some smaller amount. In some embodiments, the house may limit the number of such installments per session. The amount of such a refill may be added to the initial balance that the player has to repay before receiving any payout. For example, if the player has an initial balance of $100, and receives a refill of $100, then the player may have to pay back $200 before receiving cashable chips. Again, if the player's winnings are less than $200, the player owes nothing. "Double" sessions

[122] In some embodiments, players can purchase sessions of double or triple the length of a standard session, and receive escalating amounts of bonus game play for their dollar. For example, a player can purchase a $40 session of 30 hands with $200 in non-negotiable chips and various betting restrictions. A "double" session might give the player 70 hands and $400 in non- negotiable chips for $80. A "triple" session might give the player 120 hands and $600 in non- negotiable chips for $120. Coupons for sessions

[123] In some embodiments, coupons or discount codes may enable players to purchase table gaming sessions at less than their standard retail value. This concept is also described in Applicant's co-pending U.S. Application Serial No. 11/273,368, filed November 14, 2005 and entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISCOUNTING A FLAT RATE GAMING SESSION, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference for all purposes. Volatility [124] Blackjack may be thought of as a less volatile option for the gambler, especially as compared to other games such as roulette which offer potentially large payouts for small bets. Some players may seek more volatility in a blackjack session, particularly when they are "down" and must reach a threshold chip balance to realize any winnings before a session concludes. To introduce more volatility into the blackjack session, the player may be allowed to make a certain number of wagers over the normal maximum wager set by the session. For example, if a session is normally fifty hands of $25 maximum wager blackjack sold for $100, then the player may be provided one hand where he can wager $100. The special high wager hand may be denoted by a differently colored play token (e.g., forty-nine green tokens, and one black token). Various embodiments of conditionally offering high- volatility bets within session play are described in Applicant's co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/950,036, filed July 16, 2007, entitled METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING CONDITIONAL BETS IN A FLAT RATE PLAY SESSION, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

[125] In one embodiment, additional volatility may be introduced in the form of "tiebreaking" activity when a dealer and player "push" or tie on a given hand of blackjack. For example, a player and dealer may both resolve hands to a count of 20, but the "tie" may be broken in various manners (e.g., by dealing one or more separate hands that may be compared to a player and/or dealer hand, by using a RNG, by comparing various additional properties of player/dealer hands such as rank/suit, etc.). In one specific example, a player and a dealer may tie, and the tie may be "broken" by comparing the properties of each hand (e.g., the rank and suit of each card), with a "paytable" indicating payouts for certain matching conditions between the player hand and dealer hand (e.g., 1-card "perfect match" (rank and suit) pays 4:1; 2-card perfect match pays 15:1, 3-card perfect match pays $1,000; 4-card perfect match for a score of 17-20 pays $25,000; 4-card perfect match for a score of 21 pays $1 million. Note that the matches of one and two cards may be paid with non-negotiable chips and the higher payouts paid with cash, although other values or arrangements are also possible. In another example, the payouts could be one- card match 4:1; two-card match 15:1; three-card match $1000; four card match for a value of 17- 20 pays $5000; and four-card match for a value of 21 pays $10,000). Such a tiebreaker feature may be active for the duration of a session, active only upon certain conditions, toggled on/off by a player or dealer, etc. (e.g., an indicator, such as a plaque, lammer, chit, or the like may signal that a tiebreaker feature is active). Note that the existence of the tiebreaker feature in and of itself may actually provide positive expected value to the player, but this may be negated or offset by offering the feature in the context of a flat rate session with a negative expected value. Various embodiments of breaking ties in blackjack are described in U.S. Patent No. 7,156,734 and Patent Application Serial No. 60/914,398; these documents are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

[126] Players purchasing a prepaid blackjack session may be offered additional volatility (when compared to standard blackjack) in other ways. In one example, the odds at which player blackjacks are paid may be greater for players having purchased a prepaid session (e.g., standard blackjacks pay 3:2 whereas blackjacks achieved during a prepaid session pay 2:1). Certain types of blackjacks may even award a greater bonus (3:1 for a blackjack comprising two cards of the same color and 4:1 for a blackjack comprising two cards of the same suit).

[127] In yet another embodiment, when a player achieves a blackjack during the same hand as a dealer, the player may be paid a blackjack matching payout. Termination wager

[128] Another embodiment that may be used to increase volatility and cater to those customers that desire volatiility is the concept of an end game wager. When the player reaches the player's last hand (as indicated by the exhaustion of the play tokens, a desire to terminate early, or other technique), the player may indicate her desire to make an "all-in," "last chance" or end game wager. The player places any remaining play tokens 42 and any remaining non-cashable chips 34 into the wagering circle. If the player is dealt a natural blackjack, the player is refunded the cost of the session (e.g., flat cash purchase price of $20). If the player is dealt anything other than a natural blackjack, the player is paid nothing, but owes nothing. Such an endgame wager may be appropriate for a player that is deeply behind and cannot achieve a real payout otherwise. For example, if the player purchased a $20 session of thirty hands of $5 max bet blackjack and received $100 in non-cashable chips, but the player has played most of her hands such that she has only $25 in non-cashable chips and a single play token, the player may put all $25 in non- cashable chips and the play token into the betting circle as an "all-in" wager. If she is dealt a blackjack, she gets her initial $20 back, even though under normal circumstances, she would walk away with no payout. Likewise, if a player is behind rapidly, the player may preemptively make an all-in wager to receive her initial expenditure back. This embodiment only makes strategic sense for the player if she is otherwise going to have a payout that is less than the initial purchase price of the session. While there are limited times when it makes strategic sense to make a particular wager such as this, it should be noted that not all players are rational and/or make decisions that make strategic sense, so this wager may appeal to players at other times. [129] In another example of an end-game wager, a player may bet any remaining non- negotiable chips on a "long-shot" or proposition bet. For example, a player may have been given $200 in non-negotiable chips to start a session, but at the session's end, the player may only possess $80. As session rules may state that the player may exchange any non-negotiable chips above $200 for negotiable chips, the player may be well beneath this threshold. Still, it may be discouraging to simply forfeit $80 in non-negotiable chips. Thus, a player may be allowed to place a single long-shot bet, and if the player wins, he may earn real money. For example, in a game such as baccarat, the player may post his remaining $80 in non-negotiable chips on "player pair," "banker pair," or "tie," and if he wagers correctly, $80 in negotiable chips may be paid as a result. Thus, a player may place his remaining non-negotiable chips on an end-game long-shot bet, and if he is correct, turn his non-negotiable chips into negotiable chips. A similar concept may be applied to Roulette where the bet may be spread across two or more numbers. If the ball lands on one of those numbers, the player's entire wager (across all numbers or across just that number) may be converted to cashable chips. Drop Ticket

[130] Sale of sessions as described herein may, in some implementations, create some interesting accounting issues. Figures 12A & 12B illustrate a drop ticket 600 that may be used in some embodiments as one example methodology for facilitating resolution of accounting issues associated with the present disclosure. In particular, Figure 12A illustrates a front side of the drop ticket 600 and Figure 12B illustrates a back side. In a first embodiment, the drop ticket 600 is printed on a paper or other thin, flexible substrate and is sized to be the same size as legal currency (e.g., the same size as a dollar bill, or approximately 16 cm by 6.5 cm; in another country the drop ticket may be sized to be the same as the particular country's currency). Various indicia may be printed on one or both sides of the drop ticket 600 and provide various pieces of information to the viewer of the drop ticket 600. For example, gaming establishment indicia 602 may be printed on both sides with appropriate trademarks, logos, addresses, locations, and the like. The use of the gaming establishment indicia 602 serves the same purpose as printing the name of the gaming establishment on a chip. It is a form of advertising, but also a display of ownership. Cost indicia 604 tell the viewer how much a session associated with the drop ticket 600 costs (e.g., $100). A number of hands indicia 606 indicate how many hands are associated with the session (e.g., fifty hands). Bet limitation indicia 608 indicates any restrictions on wagers that are imposed by the session (e.g., a maximum bet of $25). A bar code 610 may also be printed on the drop ticket 600. The bar code may be associated with information about the pit and table at which the session was sold (e.g., as illustrated, this drop ticket is for pit 1, blackjack table 5). Additionally, session parameters such as session length, or session rules such as the max/min allowed may also be associated with the bar code. [131] The drop tickets 600 may be provided to the tables in the form of a coupon book, a banded stack, or other format as desired. The use of the drop ticket 600 is illustrated with reference to Figure 13. As before, the player approaches the table (block 650) and indicates a desire to purchase a session (block 652). The player then tenders equity to purchase the session (block 654). The tender of equity can be the layout of cash, cashable gaming chips, taking out a marker with the gaming establishment, redemption of a promotional coupon, redemption of comp points, or other technique as desired.

[132] The dealer then provides a stack of session chips 34 and play tokens 42 or other chips as herein described (block 656) in front of the dealer station 14, and, in a first embodiment, next to the equity that the player has provided. The dealer then rips a drop ticket 600 out of her coupon book and places that on the table (block 658). The pit boss, supervisor, or other gaming establishment personnel approves the transaction, and a security camera may record the layout of the chips 34, the drop ticket 600, and the equity (block 660). Additionally, a microphone may record the player's spoken acceptance of the terms of the session; the player may sign the drop ticket to indicate her acceptance of the terms of the session; or other indications may be made to provide a record of the transaction for auditing or other purposes.

[133] The dealer pushes the chips 34 to the player (block 662) and puts any cash tendered as part of the equity and the drop ticket 600 into the slot 20 (block 664). Play then commences. Note that the amount of verification or recordation of the transaction may be varied depending on regulatory or internal rules regarding session play and acceptance. Likewise, the order in which chips are provided to the player relative to inserting the drop ticket 600 into slot 20 and other minor variations in the sequence are not critical to the present disclosure. [134] While not illustrated as part of Figure 13, periodically, the drop box under the slot 20 is collected and taken to the cashier's station (or other accounting facility). This emptying may be done at dealer changes, hourly, shift changes, or the like depending on the rules of the gaming facility. The contents of the drop box are sorted. In a first embodiment, they may be sorted by hand, with all the currency being put in one stack for counting and all drop tickets 600, loan paperwork, and other material separated out for handling. The drop tickets 600 may be tallied, counted, or otherwise analyzed. In this way, the gaming establishment may ascertain what sessions are popular, which in turn may allow them to create new popular sessions; see when there are slow periods, test out the popularity of trial rules (i.e., if the establishment sells lots of sessions with a trial rule, it may be inferred that it is a popular rule variation), which tables (and maybe even dealers) are adept at promoting sessions; compare table profitability to session sales; and ascertain other information. Furthermore, the use of drop tickets 600 allows a ready accounting format so that the gaming establishment may pay any royalties or tax assessments associated with the use of session play. That is, the drop ticket tells what sort of session was sold, how much it cost, and how many hands were part of the session. From this information, any royalties due may be calculated.

[135] In a second embodiment, the currency and the drop tickets 600 are provided to a currency sorter such as the ABl 100, AB5000plus, or AB6000 sold by ACCUBANKER of 7104 NW 50^th Street, Miami Florida or comparable product. The currency sorter may scan the documents to detect fraudulent bills and denominations automatically. The drop tickets 600 will be rejected as non-currency documents and put in a rejection bin where they can be counted, sorted, and otherwise processed as previously described.

[136] In a third embodiment, the currency sorter may include a bar code reader which reads the bar code on the drop ticket 600 and automatically tabulates the information associated with the drop ticket 600. This tabulated information may be exported as a database or spreadsheet and processed as desired. Reading bar codes on currency sized tickets is well understood as evidenced by the deployment of the various cashless gaming receipt systems such as the TITO system by FutureLogic.

[137] While a physical piece of paper is contemplated as being the simplest form of the drop ticket 600, other session indicators could be used for the same purpose. Exemplary session indicators may be a money clip, a lammer, a chip, a money or chip wrapper, a receipt printed from a cashless gaming receipt printer or other device, a smart card, an RFID device, a form or rating sheet filled out by an employee of the gaming establishment, an envelope, or an electronic data file that is sent from the dealer interface and display 58.

[138] Information on the session indicator may duplicate, supplement or replace the information on the placard 22 as desired.

[139] Information available in the session indicator may include, but is not limited to: session denomination, session rules, session maximum bets, session minimum bets, session length (time, hands, termination events, etc.), session win/loss amounts, session parameter token amount (e.g., bust tokens, blackjack tokens, etc.), duration of the session, average bet amount (best accomplished with a smart table 50 that can track bets and add the information to the session indicator at the end of the session for transmission to the central server), or other promotional information.

[140] The session indicator may further include information about the player if such is known and can be readily added, such as a player tracking number, a player name, a date or time of day that the session was purchased, and the like.

[141] While Figures 12A & 12B show exemplary forms for the indicia, other forms such as color, size, seals, serial numbers, numeric codes, and the like may be used to convey the information illustrated or other information as desired. As intimated above, the information may be stored in memory of a smart card, an RFID device, magnetic stripe, or the like. The indicia may be displayed on a display as that term is defined in the Rules of Interpretation below, electronic paper, or the like. Still other forms of marking including a punch mark from a hole punch or stamping device. Ink stamps could be used. For example, the drop ticket 600 could have check boxes indicating various session parameters, which the pit boss punches or stamps, much like a ticket conductor. Note that these other forms may dictate other formats of information collection. For example, if the information is stored on an RFID device or a magnetic stripe, then an appropriate interrogator may be used to solicit the information stored therein. The interrogator may then communicate with a computer that stores the information electronically as desired. In another example, before the session identifier is put in the slot 20, a pit boss may read the data therefrom with a bar code scanner attached to a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal may wirelessly transmit information about the session to a central server for use by the gaming establishment. [142] Another variation is that multiple session indicators may be used for a single session. For example, a multi-part ticket (perhaps separated by perforations) may be used, with one part having information known at the beginning of a session and a second part used to record information at the end of the session (e.g., hands played, amount won/lost, time duration, average bet, etc.).

[143] The gaming establishment may enforce rules about the session indicators, such as, only authorized employees of the gaming establishment are allowed to move, control, handle, mark or otherwise manipulate the session indicator. In other embodiments, the session indicator may be purchasable at a remote location such as a kiosk, service desk, a remote personal computer, over the internet, through a mobile terminal or the like. This remotely generated (and potentially pre- purchased) session indicator may then be presented to the dealer when the player approaches the table and double as the equity that the player must provide or the player may pay for the session indicated by the session indicator on arrival at the table. Copies of the session indicator may be kept by the device that generated the session indicator and/or sent to the central server for the gaming establishment or collected from the device periodically. For example, a kiosk may keep physical copies of session indicators which are collected from the kiosk periodically and tabulated. A remote computer may send electronic versions of the information to the central server of the gaming establishment for incorporation into a database as desired. [144] In some embodiments, the equity used to purchase the session may be linked to the session indicator. For example, the dealer may insert the cash used to purchase the session in an envelope that doubles as the session indicator, make the appropriate markings (if required) on the outside of the envelope and insert the envelope into the slot 20. Instead of the envelope, a special clip or band that is the session identifier may be clipped to the money. Again, the dealer or other personnel may make any markings on the session identifier before insertion into the slot 20. In still another embodiment, the dealer or other personnel stamps the money with a special ink that is only visible under fluorescent lighting (or other specialized equipment) and then dropped in the slot 20. The stamp may include whatever indicia are desired to indicate information about the session purchased. In still another embodiment, a self-adhesive sticker (e.g. like a POST-IT®) may be attached to the money and then both put into the slot 20. [145] While it is specifically contemplated that the session indicator be put into the slot 20 for collection with other items in the drop box, it is possible that the session indicator may be kept separate, either in a separate drop box, in a bin behind the table, in a special rack proximate the table, or the like. Still another embodiment contemplates the pit boss or other supervisor collecting the session identifier immediately and taking it to the cashier's station periodically. [146] Instead of collecting the session indicators when the drop boxes are collected, it is possible that the player may have to present the session identifier to personnel for the gaming establishment to redeem any winnings at cash out. Dynamic payout threshold

[147] As described, a player's session may involve betting guidelines or restrictions. For example, a player may bet between $5 and $25 per hand. In some embodiments, a player may continually "under-bet" (e.g., a player can bet up to $25 per hand but consistently bets only $5). At the end of the session, the threshold above which the player can earn a cash payout may then be dynamically adjusted based on the player's bet activity. For example, the session's original threshold may have been $100, but as he under-bet, it is reduced to $80. The rationale for this adjustment is that if the player continually underbets, the hold percentage for the session increases. Thus, to offset the players misplay, the gaming establishment may provide this adjustment.

Bet installments during session

[148] In one embodiment, rather than provide an entire stake of non-negotiable chips at the outset of a session, the stake may be rationed out over the course of hands within the session. For example, rather than provide a player with $200 in non-negotiable chips at the outset of a 20- hand session, $10 may be allocated each hand. For example, a player purchasing a session may be given 20 play tokens 42 as described. Each time the player wishes to play a round, he presents a token 42, and a dealer may then (i) collect the token 42 and (ii) provide $10 in non- negotiable chips with which the player may bet.

[149] In one embodiment, the player must spend this "bet allowance" in its entirety on an immediately subsequent round of play. In another embodiment, the player may retain some of the allowance to place during a later round (e.g., the player bets $5 on a subsequent hand, but holds $5 to bet later).

[150] Whether through retaining bet allowances or accumulating chips through wins, the player may then develop a stack of chips that is larger than the bet allowance for any given round. As betting large amounts may increase session volatility and therefore increase the cost of offering flat-rate sessions, it may be desirable to reduce or limit the amount a player can bet. In one such embodiment, the maximum bet amount allowed on any round within the session may be twice the bet allowance (this would keep the flat payment amount required at the outset of the session relatively low). In another example, rather than limit bet amounts, the house might consider limiting payout amounts; this would work particularly well in a high- volatility game like roulette that offer payouts at ratios up to 35:1 (further examples described below). [151] In one embodiment, a chip tray or other device holding sets of non-negotiable chips may comprise markings, physical divisions, or other aides in separating bet allowances, such that dealers may easily grab an appropriate allowance and provide it to a player, repeatedly. Alternatively a chute or other automated mechanism may be used to dole out wager allowances without involving the dealer .

[152] While gaming establishments that implement embodiments of the present disclosure are likely to be for profit businesses that seek to maximize revenue, there may be occasions where the gaming establishment feels that the game may be overholding, or perhaps more importantly, perceived to be overholding (regardless of the actual hold percentage compared to the theoretical hold percentage). Alternatively, there may be situations where the game may be underholding. There are several possible ways in which to address this issue. Initially note that there are various parameters which dictate the theoretical hold including, but not necessarily limited to, price, number of hands, and the amount of the maximum/minimum bets. Adjusting one or more of these parameters changes the theoretical hold, and a new theoretical hold may be calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation or the like. Other potential variables include changing the threshold required to achieve a cash out. For example, if the starting balance is $100, then a hold percentage could be lowered by setting the cashout threshold at $90. Alternatively, the hold percentage could be raised by raising the cashout threshold to $110. Still another option would be to change blackjack payouts. For low value sessions, the payout on the blackjack could remain 3:2. However, for higher value sessions, the blackjack could progressively increase to a predetermined maximum. For example, sessions costing $20 may pay 3:2; sessions costing $40 may pay 2:1; sessions costing $60 or $80 may pay 3:1; and sessions costing $100 or more may pay 4:1. Again, simulations may provide insight as to what numbers are appropriate for what desired hold or perceived hold for the game. Tables [153] In case the myriad examples above are unclear, it should be noted that session-based blackjack products may be conducted at physical tables, smart tables, virtual electronic tables, standalone electronic gaming devices, smart tables with a virtual dealer, or the like. The smart table with a virtual dealer could have automated chip dispensing capabilities, RFID chip sensors, cameras, and either a robotic dealer or deal virtual cards. Note on additional games

[154] Aspects of the present invention as described above in the context of blackjack may be equally applicable to other table games, including but not limited to: baccarat, roulette, Pai Gow poker, Pai Gow tiles, Sic Bo, and variations of these and other common casino table games (e.g., Let it Ride™, Spanish 21™, Caribbean Stud™, Three-Card Poker™, etc.). For example, a player may buy a flat rate baccarat session, providing him game play and/or chips with which to wager, as described above (e.g., $40 buys 30 rounds of baccarat, given certain betting rules). In one example of a baccarat session, a player may be given wagering chips with various values/denominations (e.g., for a 30-hand session, a player may play 20 hands at a bet of up to $50, 8 hands at a bet of up to $100 and 2 hands at a bet of up to $200), such that the player has control enough to "play hunches" and vary his bet as seen appropriate. In a baccarat session, a player may be restricted from placing bets in various specific manners, such as restricted from wagering on "tie" a given number of times during a session (or at all). In another example, a player may purchase a roulette session, giving him 30 spins of a roulette wheel and a stack of chips, with various restrictions on his betting each spin. Specific examples of baccarat and roulette sessions follow, for illustrative purposes. Example baccarat sessions

[155] Baccarat "bet packages" may allow players to pre-pay for a session of bets. When players purchase bet packages, they receive non-cashable chips and play or bet tokens to use within the session. Some restrictions may govern how they may place bets within the session. [156] Play of the game is similar to standard baccarat, except players may not be able to place bets on an outcome of "tie". When ties occur, the player's bet may "push," and the player may be eligible for a bonus payout. Bonus payouts may occur when the player and dealer hands match according to certain schemes (e.g., "all 8's unsuited" pays $5,000; "all 8's suited" pays $250,000 and "all 8's spades" pays $1 million). [157] A player may purchase a baccarat bet package from a dealer. For example, three different types of packages may be advertised from which a player may indicate one. A "Monkey" package might give players 25 bet tokens and $22,500 in action (e.g., 5 $1500 bets, 10 $1000 bets, and 10 $500 bets). A "Tiger" package might give players 50 bet tokens and $50,000 in action. A "Dragon" package might give players 88 bet tokens and $88,500 in action. Each package includes a Starting Balance of non-cashable session chips (e.g., $10,000) and a "Payback Amount" (e.g., $11,000) above which the player is paid at the end of the session (e.g., the player can convert any non-cashable chips above $11,000 to cash).

[158] As above with blackjack, the player places a play or bet token along with a bet of non- cashable chips per every hand of the session. The baccarat session may end when the player runs out of bet tokens and/or chips ("re-buys" or second stacks of chips may not be available in such a baccarat product). Bet tokens provided to the player may indicate a maximum bet amount allowable in conjunction with the token; thus, of 25 tokens provided to a player, 5 allow a bet of up to $1,500, 10 allow a bet of up to $1,000 and 10 allow a bet of up to $500. The player may bet a lower amount than that shown on the bet token.

[159] In one example game, the player may not bet on ties (all bets within the session must be on "player" or "banker"). Standard commission rates may apply to winning banker bets. The player may add standard, cashable casino chips "on top" of his non-cashable bet (e.g., the player "caps" his session bet with an extra $100 from his pocket, as he feels a positive hunch about an upcoming hand). The total bet of all chips may not exceed the table maximum on any given hand. Note that topping bets with cashable chips may also be done in blackjack. [160] When the session ends, the player is paid in standard casino chips (or other hard currency) for any non-negotiable session chips above the Payback Amount. The player owes nothing if he finishes with an amount of non-negotiable session chips that is at or beneath the Payback Amount. The player settles up with the dealer by providing any remaining non- cashable chips forward when he is out of bet tokens, or earlier if he desires. [161] Instead of selling baccarat by the hand, it is also possible to sell sessions by time or by the shoe. This sort of session results in approximately fifty to seventy hands, and qualifies as a reasonably long session. [162] Instead of selling a session with a fixed number of hands, the session may be defined as a double or nothing session wherein players are allowed to wager until they double their money or lose all the initial balance.

[163] An extra item that may be added to the session is the ability to see one or more hands of baccarat without having to wager. Players may be provided a certain number of hands in which they do not have to place a wager as part of the session. These hands may be denoted with separate tokens or markers (e.g., a "no bet" token). In a variant embodiment, players may still be allowed to win on such hands without placing a wager. The win would be limited to a relatively small amount since the player was not risking any of their initial balance. For example, when the player uses a no bet token, ties pay a small amount.

[164] As another embodiment, players may win the right to place higher wagers during the session. That is, normally wager size is limited by the session, but in certain circumstances, the player may be allowed to exceed the wager limit. For example, certain outcomes (e.g., player 9:banker 1) may be a "dragon hand" and allow players to double their wager limit on the subsequent hand. Alternatively, the payouts for certain outcomes may be adjusted. For example, a "dragon card" (e.g., a suicide king) pays winners 3:1 or all 8s increase payouts. As another alternative, certain cards may reduce payouts (e.g., one eyed jacks lower payouts to 1 :3). Sessions could also be handled tournament style where redemption of the non-cashable session chips for cashable chips is dictated not by a starting balance, but by how the player did relative to other players or to a payscale (e.g., 0-$700 pays $0, $700-$1200 pays $500 and so on). Example roulette sessions

[165] As with other games above, a roulette session might offer a player, for a flat prepayment, (i) a number of bet tokens that may govern the length of the session (i.e., termination counters that expire or end a session once they all have been used), and (ii) a number of intra-session, non-negotiable betting chips, with some associated restrictions on bets/wins. [166] For example, the following hypothetical sessions may be offered for a flat prepayment: (i) a $20 session offering unlimited $.25 -denominated non-negotiable session chips for 15 spins, with a 40 max chip win on "inside" bets and 20 max chip win on "outside" bets; (ii) a $40 session offering unlimited $.25 -denominated non-negotiable session chips for 15 spins, with an 80 max chip win on "inside" bets and 40 max chip win on "outside" bets; (iii) a $60 session offering unlimited $.25 -denominated non-negotiable session chips for 15 spins, with a 120 max chip win on "inside" bets and 60 max chip win on "outside" bets; etc.

[167] Each of these sessions would provide a player with 15 bet tokens (termination counters) and unlimited $.25 -denominated chips (e.g., a player takes a stack of $1,000 in chips to start, and so his Payback Amount equals $1,000). Players place bets as they normally would within the session. Each spin requires that a bet token is placed in a special area, and the bet tokens are collected at the end of every spin. As noted above, a maximum payout for "inside" and "outside" bets may apply during a session. For example, a player may be limited to winning only 40 chips by placing "outside" (red/black, high/low, even/odd, dozens and columns) bets during the session; once the player reaches this threshold, winning outside bets are returned without being paid. Players exhausting their supply of session chips can ask for more, but this amount is added to the Payback Amount.

[168] Bonus payouts may be made available to session roulette players. For example, if certain results are achieved in a consecutive manner within the session, bonus payouts may be awarded. For example, if at any point during a session, three consecutive spins of a wheel resolve to the numbers 1 , 2 and 3 (in sequence), session players may receive a bonus payout. Larger bonus payouts may apply to more unlikely (longer) strings of outcomes.

[169] At the end of the session, any session chips players posses above and beyond what they started with may be converted to negotiable currency. Before the end of a session, a player can place a "last chance" bet if desired; the player places all remaining tokens/chips on a single number, and if the number hits, the player wins back his prepayment (e.g., $20 in cash paid at the session's outset).

[170] In another version of session-based roulette, players might be given a "bet balance" or "bet allowance" (e.g., for a particular spin or series of spins), perhaps as an alternative to enforcing a maximum amount of winnings per spin as described above. For example, a 15-spin session might feature a bet allowance of $20 in non-negotiable chips per spin. This bet allowance may describe a minimum, maximum or exact amount that must be placed, either in total on a given spin, or in a certain manner on a given spin (e.g., each spin has an "inside bet balance" of $10 and "outside bet balance" of $20, governing bet amounts placed in different areas of the felt). In either case, restricting bets or payouts in some manner may be advisable when offering sessions of a high-volatility game such as roulette; sessions can be sold at a perceived or actual "bulk discount" to players when this volatility is mitigated. More information on such reducing costs of roulette sessions by enforcing betting restrictions can be found in Applicant's co-pending U.S. Application Serial No. 11/392,828, filed on March 29, 2006 and entitled METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETERMINING AND SELLING OUTCOMES FOR ROULETTE GAMES TO BE VIEWED REMOTELY; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/891,154, filed on February 22, 2007 and entitled GAMING DEVICE FOR A FLAT RATE PLAY SESSION AND A METHOD OF OPERATING SAME; these applications are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes. With respect to the latter Application, it should be understood that any of the embodiments described herein (e.g., Roulette session embodiments) may be practiced utilizing a handheld device, such as that described in U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/891,154. Bet/payout management within electronic roulette sessions

[171] In some embodiments, a session-based roulette product may be conducted at an electronic table (a virtual betting terminal), smart table (using various electronic components), or standalone electronic gaming device. For example, each player may utilize an electronic betting terminal depicting a virtual felt, while results may be generated by a networked wheel (physical or virtual). The Rapid Roulette® product marketed by Shuffle Master, Inc. of Las Vegas, Nevada represents an example of such a roulette system featuring electronic player terminals. Such technological additions to the game of roulette may enhance or enable various aspects of session play.

[172] For example, a session-based roulette product may involve betting or payout restrictions. These restrictions might range from the simple (e.g., no more than $20 may be bet per spin) to the complex (e.g., the player may not bet any more than $10 total of his $20 per-spin bet allowance on any one number, including straight number bets, split bets, street bets and corner bets; no more than $40 per spin may be paid out on "inside" bets regardless of what has been bet). In a standard roulette environment, these rules may be difficult to enforce. However, technology (e.g., virtual or computer-readable betting chips, computer processing, electronic player interfaces) may enhance or enable the house's ability to ensure session guidelines are observed. Some examples of this will now be set forth.

[173] As described, a player may be given a bet allowance per spin, and this allowance may comprise a minimum, maximum or exact amount to be bet per spin. It is possible then that a player might "underbet" this allowance in a manner that is either not permissible or advisable on a given spin. In one such example, the system might automatically place bets on player's behalf to meet the minimum. A "Warning!" message may be output before this occurs. [174] In some embodiments, such automatic bet placement may be governed by system rules and/or player preferences. For example, system rules may be designed to place on the player's behalf any remaining bet amount from the allowance in a manner that is beneficial to the player, but least damaging to the house. Following a specific example, a player might have placed $10 of his $20 bet allowance on "red" and $6 of the allowance on the number "27," leaving him with $4 yet to be placed. If the player fails to place this amount before the spin must occur, it may be placed automatically by the system in a way that benefits the player while hurting the house the least. For example, the $4 may be placed on "even," hedging the player should "27" or "red" not occur, and without adding volatility to the bets already placed by the player (as stated above, the house may attempt to reduce volatility when selling roulette sessions). In another embodiment, the house might utilize a "default" bet (e.g., "red") for automatic bet placements made in such a manner. In yet another embodiment, if a player has placed bets on varied inside numbers, and the majority of them are of a particular color, an automatic bet may be placed on this dominant color.

[175] Automatic bet placements may also consider player preferences. These preferences may be explicitly submitted by the player or implied based on his betting activity. For example, a player's preference may be to choose even, black and 1st half over odd, red and 2nd half. In one example, options such as "Save as Favorite Bet" and "Apply Favorite Bet" may be made available to a player for general use, and bets a player has saved as preferential in this regard may be considered when automatically placing bets on a player's behalf. In another embodiment, the player might select a "default" bet (e.g., "red") for automatic bet placements made in such a manner.

[176] In other embodiments, a player might "overbet," or attempt to wager more on a given spin than is allowed by a bet allowance. The "overbet" may apply to the total amount being bet and/or to bets of a specific type (e.g., the player is within his total bet allowance, but no more than $X of this allowance may be bet "inside" on straight number bets, splits, streets, corners, etc.). This may be handled by an electronic roulette system in a variety of manners. [177] In one embodiment, the system might disallow overbets in the first place. For example, as players try to add more than is permitted (in total or of a particular type of bet), the system may prevent them, and a player interface (e.g., touch-sensitive display screen) might output a message explaining why the bet isn't allowed (e.g., "Sorry, in this session, you can't bet on any more than $10 on a single number" or "Sorry, you've reached your maximum bet on this column"). If a player is placing bets by selecting areas of a touch screen, pressing areas that are "locked out" may no longer result in the addition of virtual chips to that area. [178] In another embodiment, the system might indicate to players where on the felt they are allowed to bet and where on the felt they are not. This might be based on bets players have already placed from their allowance, and session restrictions for placing certain bets. For example, if a session rule states "only four coins may be bet on any inside number," and a player has placed four coins on "17," the number 17 may be "blacked out," "grayed out" or otherwise graphically adjusted such that a player can tell by glancing at the screen that no more bets are available on the number. In another example, a maximum of four coins may be bet on any number, and a player may have placed two coins directly on the number. Accordingly, rather than change in visual appearance so that the number appears unavailable, it may be dimmed, shaded, or the like, giving the appearance that it is approaching unavailability but still available. In this manner, the player might glance at a virtual felt and get a quick sense of where he is allowed to place his bet.

[179] Such measures may be taken to make sure a player doesn't overbet. However, if a player does indeed overbet, other measures may be taken.

[180] In one embodiment, the system might automatically reallocate the amount that has been overbet (the "overage") according to system rules and/or player preferences, as described above in the context of automatic placement to meet a bet minimum. For example, a player may be beneath his bet allowance for a given spin but may have overbet on a particular area (e.g., too much on a single number). Thus, any additional amounts placed on this area may be spread or allocated such that rules are satisfied. For example, a player may have reached a maximum of $10 in action on the number "17," and may have attempted to place a $6 corner bet including the number 17 and three other numbers. Instead of allocating the $6 evenly across all four numbers of the corner, the $6 may be allocated across the three numbers involved in the corner bet besides 17 (e.g., $2 each on "16," "19" and "20"). In another example, a player may have reached a maximum allowable bet on "inside" numbers, and so overage may be reallocated "outside" (e.g., on a default bet of "red").

[181] In one embodiment, if a player has overbet, overage amounts may not be paid. For example, if only $5 in action is allowed on a street bet and a player has placed $6, the extra $1 will not be paid.

[182] In another embodiment, if a player has overbet, overage amounts may be paid in an alternate form of currency or at a different rate. For example, if only $10 in action is allowed on a column bet and a player has placed $16, the overage bet amount of $6 may be paid in soft currency ("comp" points or merchandise/service credits), in hard currency but at a different rate

(e.g., 1.5:1 instead of 2:1), in credits for a different game or session, etc.

[183] In another example, a maximum payout amount may be enforced. For example, a player may bet $2 on "35," and the number may hit, so the player is due a payout of $70, but a rule may indicate that a maximum payout for any one number is $60. So, the first $1 bet may be paid in full, and the second $1 bet is paid at only 25:1, resulting in a payout of only $60.

[184] In another example, if a player has overbet, a bet allowance for a subsequent spin might be reduced. Conversely, if a player has underbet, a bet allowance for a subsequent spin might be increased. Other ways to enforce the desired volatility are also contemplated and within the scope of the present disclosure.

[185] While the present disclosure has alluded to the fact that various parameters may be stored and used for myriad purposes, it should be noted that the smart table 50 may be connected to a central server and upload all data from any session sold at the table 50 to the central server where it is stored. Such storage may assist in dispute resolution, auditing profitability, tracking game play by players for comp points, or other purpose as desired. The upload may occur automatically or at the request of casino personnel. The upload may be done at the table's initiative or in response to a polling command from the central server. Such uploads may occur periodically or after a certain threshold is reached (e.g., $2000 has been wagered in session play since the last upload). If the data is not uploaded substantially contemporaneously with its generation, the table 50 may store the data until such time as an upload occurs.

[186] If sessions are sold, redeemed, or otherwise manipulated at a remote terminal such as a kiosk, over the internet or the like, then the entity that provided such manipulation may similarly upload data to the central server. [187] As noted above, the dealer or other casino personnel may input session information into a computer at the table 50, such as through the display 58. Alternatively, a compute removed from the table, such as a pit computer, could be used to input the information.

[188] Chip rack 16, 64 may be used for storing session chips and may have indicators or markings on the side that reflect session information. A camera (not shown) at the table or a security camera (also not shown) can then be used to interpret and record session information based on comparing chip rack metering marks to the chips in the tray. Again, this information may be provided to the central server as desired.

[189] An example of use of the chip rack is provided. As session chips 34 and play tokens 42 are collected from a player, they are placed in specially marked tubes in the rack, depicting progress of the session. The session chips may also be colored differently to depict amounts for the camera.

[190] A dealer may have a manual counter, similar to a ball and strike counter used by baseball coaches. This small, handheld counter may have buttons that increment or decrement totals representing sessions purchased, session denomination, amount won, and the like.

Math notes

[191] It may not be readily intuitive how products made from this disclosure will be profitable.

Applicant notes that products outlined in the following table are specifically contemplated and have the noted expected profit for the gaming establishment. Each product assumes thirty hands and an average bet equaling the maximum bet.

[192] The financial results have been calculated by simulating with a Monte Carlo simulation at least one million sessions for each row of data presented, and makes the following assumptions: 50 hands per seat per hour, which is slightly slower than a normal blackjack table's typical 60 hands per seat per hour, but reflects for reductions in the speed of play that may occur due to issuing chips, play tokens, collecting the same, accounting and the like. Likewise, simulated players use a suboptimal blackjack hit strategy, which in transactional play would result in a total house advantage of 2%. Most blackjack tables experience a house advantage of between 0.5% and 3.5% depending on the skill of the player and the house rules. Additionally, the simulation is based on an eight deck shoe. Note also that if players bet below the maximum wager, the house profitability increases. The contract cost is equal to what an average player will have after the accounting.

Rules of Interpretation and General Definitions

[193] Numerous embodiments are described in this disclosure, and are presented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not, and are not intended to be, limiting in any sense. The presently disclosed invention(s) are widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the disclosed invention(s) may be practiced with various modifications and alterations, such as structural, logical, software, and electrical modifications. Although particular features of the disclosed invention(s) may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments and/or drawings, it should be understood that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or drawings with reference to which they are described, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[194] The present disclosure is neither a literal description of all embodiments nor a listing of features of the invention that must be present in all embodiments.

[195] Neither the Title (set forth at the beginning of the first page of this disclosure) nor the Abstract (set forth at the end of this disclosure) is to be taken as limiting in any way as the scope of the disclosed invention(s).

[196] The term "product" means any machine, manufacture and/or composition of matter as contemplated by 35 U.S. C. §101, unless expressly specified otherwise. [197] The terms "an embodiment", "embodiment", "embodiments", "the embodiment", "the embodiments", "one or more embodiments", "some embodiments", "one embodiment" and the like mean "one or more (but not all) disclosed embodiments", unless expressly specified otherwise.

[198] The terms "the invention" and "the present invention" and the like mean "one or more embodiments of the present invention." [199] A reference to "another embodiment" in describing an embodiment does not imply that the referenced embodiment is mutually exclusive with another embodiment (e.g., an embodiment described before the referenced embodiment), unless expressly specified otherwise.

[200] The terms "including", "comprising" and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to", unless expressly specified otherwise.

[201] The terms "a", "an" and "the" mean "one or more", unless expressly specified otherwise.

[202] The term "plurality" means "two or more", unless expressly specified otherwise.

[203] The term "herein" means "in the present disclosure, including anything which may be incorporated by reference", unless expressly specified otherwise.

[204] The phrase "at least one of, when such phrase modifies a plurality of things (such as an enumerated list of things) means any combination of one or more of those things, unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, the phrase at least one of a widget, a car and a wheel means either (i) a widget, (ii) a car, (iii) a wheel, (iv) a widget and a car, (v) a widget and a wheel, (vi) a car and a wheel, or (vii) a widget, a car and a wheel.

[205] The phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on", unless expressly specified otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" describes both "based only on" and "based at least on".

[206] Where a limitation of a first claim would cover one of a feature as well as more than one of a feature (e.g., a limitation such as "at least one widget" covers one widget as well as more than one widget), and where in a second claim that depends on the first claim, the second claim uses a definite article "the" to refer to the limitation (e.g., "the widget"), this does not imply that the first claim covers only one of the feature, and this does not imply that the second claim covers only one of the feature (e.g., "the widget" can cover both one widget and more than one widget).

[207] Each process (whether called a method, algorithm or otherwise) inherently includes one or more steps, and therefore all references to a "step" or "steps" of a process have an inherent antecedent basis in the mere recitation of the term 'process' or a like term. Accordingly, any reference in a claim to a 'step' or 'steps' of a process has sufficient antecedent basis.

[208] When an ordinal number (such as "first", "second", "third" and so on) is used as an adjective before a term, that ordinal number is used (unless expressly specified otherwise) merely to indicate a particular feature, such as to distinguish that particular feature from another feature that is described by the same term or by a similar term. For example, a "first widget" may be so named merely to distinguish it from, e.g., a "second widget". Thus, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers "first" and "second" before the term "widget" does not indicate any other relationship between the two widgets, and likewise does not indicate any other characteristics of either or both widgets. For example, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers "first" and "second" before the term "widget" (1) does not indicate that either widget comes before or after any other in order or location; (2) does not indicate that either widget occurs or acts before or after any other in time; and (3) does not indicate that either widget ranks above or below any other, as in importance or quality. In addition, the mere usage of ordinal numbers does not define a numerical limit to the features identified with the ordinal numbers. For example, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers "first" and "second" before the term "widget" does not indicate that there must be no more than two widgets.

[209] When a single device or article is described herein, more than one device or article (whether or not they cooperate) may alternatively be used in place of the single device or article that is described. Accordingly, the functionality that is described as being possessed by a device may alternatively be possessed by more than one device or article (whether or not they cooperate).

[210] Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein (whether or not they cooperate), a single device or article may alternatively be used in place of the more than one device or article that is described. For example, a plurality of computer-based devices may be substituted with a single computer-based device. Accordingly, the various functionality that is described as being possessed by more than one device or article may alternatively be possessed by a single device or article.

[211] The functionality and/or the features of a single device that is described may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices that are described but are not explicitly described as having such functionality and/or features. Thus, other embodiments need not include the described device itself, but rather can include the one or more other devices which would, in those other embodiments, have such functionality/features. [212] Devices that are in communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. On the contrary, such devices need only transmit to each other as necessary or desirable, and may actually refrain from exchanging data most of the time. For example, a machine in communication with another machine via the Internet may not transmit data to the other machine for weeks at a time. In addition, devices that are in communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

[213] A description of an embodiment with several components or features does not imply that all or even any of such components and/or features are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present invention(s). Unless otherwise specified explicitly, no component and/or feature is essential or required.

[214] Further, although process steps, algorithms or the like may be described in a sequential order, such processes may be configured to work in different orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be explicitly described does not necessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of processes described herein may be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously despite being described or implied as occurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is described after the other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by its depiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated process is exclusive of other variations and modifications thereto, does not imply that the illustrated process or any of its steps are necessary to the invention, and does not imply that the illustrated process is preferred. [215] Although a process may be described as including a plurality of steps, that does not indicate that all or even any of the steps are essential or required. Various other embodiments within the scope of the described invention(s) include other processes that omit some or all of the described steps. Unless otherwise specified explicitly, no step is essential or required. [216] Although a product may be described as including a plurality of components, aspects, qualities, characteristics and/or features, that does not indicate that all of the plurality are essential or required. Various other embodiments within the scope of the described invention(s) include other products that omit some or all of the described plurality.

[217] An enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. Likewise, an enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of the items are comprehensive of any category, unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, the enumerated list "a computer, a laptop, a PDA" does not imply that any or all of the three items of that list are mutually exclusive and does not imply that any or all of the three items of that list are comprehensive of any category.

[218] Headings of sections provided in this disclosure are for convenience only, and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

[219] "Determining" something can be performed in a variety of manners and therefore the term "determining" (and like terms) includes calculating, computing, deriving, looking up (e.g., in a table, database or data structure), ascertaining, recognizing, and the like. [220] A "display" as that term is used herein is an area that conveys information to a viewer. The information may be dynamic, in which case, an LCD, LED, CRT, LDP, rear projection, front projection, or the like may be used to form the display. The aspect ratio of the display may be 4:3, 16:9, or the like. Furthermore, the resolution of the display may be any appropriate resolution such as 48Oi, 48Op, 72Op, 1080i, 1080p or the like. The format of information sent to the display may be any appropriate format such as standard definition (SDTV), enhanced definition (EDTV), high definition (HD), or the like. The information may likewise be static, in which case, painted glass may be used to form the display. Note that static information may be presented on a display capable of displaying dynamic information if desired. Some displays may be interactive and may include touch screen features or associated keypads as is well understood. [221] The present disclosure frequently refers to a "control system". A control system, as that term is used herein, may be a computer processor coupled with an operating system, device drivers, and appropriate programs (collectively "software") with instructions to provide the functionality described for the control system. The software is stored in an associated memory device (sometimes referred to as a computer readable medium). While it is contemplated that an appropriately programmed general purpose computer or computing device may be used, it is also contemplated that hard-wired circuitry or custom hardware (e.g., an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) may be used in place of, or in combination with, software instructions for implementation of the processes of various embodiments. Thus, embodiments are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software.

[222] A "processor" means any one or more microprocessors, CPU devices, computing devices, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, or like devices. Exemplary processors are the INTEL PENTIUM or AMD ATHLON processors. [223] The term "computer-readable medium" refers to any medium that participates in providing data (e.g., instructions) that may be read by a computer, a processor or a like device. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media include DRAM, which typically constitutes the main memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a system bus coupled to the processor. Transmission media may include or convey acoustic waves, light waves and electromagnetic emissions, such as those generated during RF and IR data communications. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, a USB memory stick, a dongle, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer can read.

[224] Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying sequences of instructions to a processor. For example, sequences of instruction (i) may be delivered from RAM to a processor, (ii) may be carried over a wireless transmission medium, and/or (iii) may be formatted according to numerous formats, standards or protocols. For a more exhaustive list of protocols, the term "network" is defined below and includes many exemplary protocols that are also applicable here.

[225] It will be readily apparent that the various methods and algorithms described herein may be implemented by a control system and/or the instructions of the software may be designed to carry out the processes of the present invention.

[226] Where databases are described, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that (i) alternative database structures to those described may be readily employed, and (ii) other memory structures besides databases may be readily employed. Any illustrations or descriptions of any sample databases presented herein are illustrative arrangements for stored representations of information. Any number of other arrangements may be employed besides those suggested by, e.g., tables illustrated in drawings or elsewhere. Similarly, any illustrated entries of the databases represent exemplary information only; one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the number and content of the entries can be different from those described herein. Further, despite any depiction of the databases as tables, other formats (including relational databases, object-based models, hierarchical electronic file structures, and/or distributed databases) could be used to store and manipulate the data types described herein. Likewise, object methods or behaviors of a database can be used to implement various processes, such as those described herein. In addition, the databases may, in a known manner, be stored locally or remotely from a device that accesses data in such a database. Furthermore, while unified databases may be contemplated, it is also possible that the databases may be distributed and/or duplicated amongst a variety of devices.

[227] As used herein a "network" is an environment wherein one or more computing devices may communicate with one another. Such devices may communicate directly or indirectly, via a wired or wireless medium such as the Internet, LAN, WAN or Ethernet (or IEEE 802.3), Token Ring, or via any appropriate communications means or combination of communications means. Exemplary protocols include but are not limited to: Bluetooth™, TDMA, CDMA, GSM, EDGE, GPRS, WCDMA, AMPS, D-AMPS, IEEE 802.11 (WI-FI), IEEE 802.3, SAP, SAS™ by IGT, OASIS™ by Aristocrat Technologies, SDS by Bally Gaming and Systems, ATP, TCP/IP, gaming device standard (GDS) published by the Gaming Standards Association of Fremont CA, the best of breed (BOB), system to system (S2S), or the like. Note that if video signals or large files are being sent over the network, a broadband network may be used to alleviate delays associated with the transfer of such large files, however, such is not strictly required. Each of the devices is adapted to communicate on such a communication means. Any number and type of machines may be in communication via the network. Where the network is the Internet, communications over the Internet may be through a website maintained by a computer on a remote server or over an online data network including commercial online service providers, bulletin board systems, and the like. In yet other embodiments, the devices may communicate with one another over RF, cable TV, satellite links, and the like. Where appropriate encryption or other security measures such as logins and passwords may be provided to protect proprietary or confidential information.

[228] Communication among computers and devices may be encrypted to insure privacy and prevent fraud in any of a variety of ways well known in the art. Appropriate cryptographic protocols for bolstering system security are described in Schneier, APPLIED CRYPTOGRAPHY, PROTOCOLS, ALGORITHMS, AND SOURCE CODE IN C, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2d ed., 1996, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. [229] The present disclosure provides, to one of ordinary skill in the art, an enabling description of several embodiments and/or inventions. Some of these embodiments and/or inventions may not be claimed in the present disclosure, but may nevertheless be claimed in one or more continuing applications that claim the benefit of priority of the present disclosure.

Claims

ClaimsWhat is claimed is:

1. A method comprising: providing a blackjack table; receiving payment from a player for a session of a predetermined plurality of blackjack hands; dealing a first hand; determining a first payout for the first hand; adjusting a balance of funds associated with the session based on the first payout; dealing a second hand; determining a second payout for the second hand; and adjusting the balance of funds associated with the session based on the second payout.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining a first outcome for the first hand on which the first payout is based.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein adjusting the balance comprises adjusting an electronic balance.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising accounting with the player at the end of the session.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein accounting with the player comprises providing the player an element having a cash value if the player has a positive balance.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein providing the player the element comprises providing the player with a cashless gaming receipt.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein providing the player the element comprises providing the player with one or more chips adapted to be redeemed for cash.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the session has a beginning and further comprising setting the balance to zero at the beginning of the session.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising decrementing the balance by a wager amount for each hand within the plurality of blackjack hands.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising allowing the balance to go negative.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising restricting a wager amount which the player is eligible to make during the session.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein restricting the wager amount comprises allowing on a predetermined wager amount.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein restricting the wager amount comprises allowing only wager amounts within a predetermined range of wager amounts.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a physical betting chip to the player for use during the session.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein providing the physical betting chip comprises providing the player a chip that is not redeemable for currency.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein providing the physical betting chip further comprises restricting use of the physical betting chip to signal a wager amount within the session.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising tracking a number of hands remaining of the predetermined plurality of blackjack hands during the session.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising indicating to the player the number of hands remaining.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein providing a blackjack table comprises providing a blackjack table with a player station having a video monitor associated therewith.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the video monitor comprises at least one of: an LCD touch-screen, a CRT screen, a plurality of LEDs, or a plasma screen.

21. The method of claim 19 further comprising indicating, via the video monitor, at least one of: an electronic balance, a number of hands remaining, a future session to be purchased, a purchase price associated with a future session to be purchased, a current wager amount per hand, a payout amount, or an indication that the session is active.

22. The method of claim 1 further comprising offering a plurality of different sessions from which the player may choose.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein offering the plurality of different sessions comprises offering sessions with different wager amounts.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein offering the plurality of different sessions comprises offering sessions with different price points.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein offering the plurality of different sessions comprises offering sessions with different numbers of hands.

26. The method of claim 1 further comprising indicating that the player is participating in session play.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein indicating that the player is participating in session play comprises placing a tent card in front of the player.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein indicating that the player is participating in session play comprises illuminating a light at a player position associated with the player.

29. The method of claim 1 further comprising session and transactional blackjack at the table substantially concurrently.

30. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a player with a physical object for signaling a wager amount.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein the physical object comprises at least one of: a voucher or a ticket.

32. A blackjack table comprising: a dealer station; a player station; and a control system operatively coupled to the dealer station and player station and adapted to: receive payment from a player for a session of a predetermined plurality of blackjack hands; determine a dealt first hand; determine a first payout for the dealt first hand; adjust a balance of funds associated with the session based on the first payout; determine a dealt second hand; determine a second payout for the dealt second hand; and adjust the balance of funds associated with the session based on the second payout.

33. The blackjack table of claim 32 wherein the dealer station comprises a display.

34. The blackjack table of claim 33 wherein the display comprises a touch screen display.

35. The blackjack table of claim 32 wherein the player station comprises a display.

36. The blackjack table of claim 35 wherein the display comprises a touch screen display.

37. The blackjack table of claim 35 wherein the display is adapted to present an indication of a number of hands remaining in the session.

38. The blackjack table of claim 35 wherein the display is adapted to present an indication of a number of hands finished in the session.

39. The blackjack table of claim 32 wherein the dealer station comprises an intelligent shoe adapted to determine cards dealt.

40. The blackjack table of claim 32 further comprising a display adapted to present player information in a first portion of the display and dealer information in a second portion of the display.

41. The blackjack table of claim 32 wherein the control system is remotely positioned from the table.

42. A computer readable medium comprising software with instructions adapted to: receive payment from a player for a session of a predetermined plurality of blackjack hands at a table; determine a dealt first hand at the table; determine a first payout for the dealt first hand; adjust a balance of funds associated with the session based on the first payout; determine a dealt second hand; determine a second payout for the dealt second hand; and adjust the balance of funds associated with the session based on the second payout.

43. The computer readable medium of claim 42 further comprising instructions to determine a wager amount associated with the first hand.

44. The computer readable medium of claim 43 wherein the instructions to determine the first payout comprise instructions to determine the first payout based on the dealt first hand and the wager amount.

45. The computer readable medium of claim 42 further comprising instructions to determine a wager amount associated with the second hand.

46. The computer readable medium of claim 45 wherein the instructions to determine the second payout comprise instructions to determine the second payout based on the dealt second hand and the wager amount.

47. A method comprising: establishing, at a table, an electronic balance for a player; issuing the player at least one physical wagering token; conducting a game of chance at a table for the player; receiving, from the player, an indication of a wager from the player through use by the player of the at least one physical wagering token; determining an outcome for the game of chance; and adjusting the electronic balance based on the outcome.

48. The method of claim 47 further comprising displaying the electronic balance.

49. The method of claim 47 wherein issuing the player at least one physical wagering token comprises issuing the player a chip having a demonimation.

50. The method of claim 47 wherein establishing the electronic balance comprises accepting cash from the player.

51. The method of claim 47 wherein establishing the electronic balance comprises accepting a cashless gaming receipt from the player.

52. The method of claim 47 wherein establishing the electronic balance comprises accepting chips having a cash value from the player.

53. The method of claim 47 wherein conducting the game of chance comprises conducting a game of blackjack.

54. The method of claim 47 wherein conducting the game of chance comprises conducting a session comprising a plurality of game starts of a game of chance.

55. The method of claim 47 wherein issuing the player at least one physical wagering token comprises issuing the player a token having no cash value.

56. A computer readable medium comprising software with instructions to: establish an electronic balance for a player; receive an indication that a game of chance is occurring at a table for the player; receive an indication that the player has placed a wager using a physical marker; receive an indication of an outcome for the game of chance; and adjust the electronic balance based on the outcome.

57. A gaming table comprising: a player station comprising a plurality of physical chips through which a player may place a wager on a game of chance; a dealer station; and a control system operatively coupled to the player station and the dealer station and adapted to: establish an electronic balance for a player; receive an indication that the game of chance is occurring a the table for the player; receive an indication of a wager made by the player; receive an indication of an outcome for the game of chance; and adjust the electronic balance based on the outcome.

58. A method comprising : receiving equity from a player indicating a desire to purchase a session of blackjack; providing an initial balance of non-negotiable session chips and a predetermined number of play tokens corresponding to a number of hands in the session; receiving at least a play token and a non-negotiable session chip from the player for each wager for each hand of the session; awarding further non-negotiable session chips to create a running balance; concluding the session when the player has no more play tokens and a final balance corresponding to the running balance at conclusion of the session; and accounting with the player by comparing the final balance to the initial balance and paying the player only if the final balance exceeds the initial balance.

59. The method of claim 58 wherein paying the player comprises providing the player cashable chips.

60. The method of claim 58 further comprising requiring the player to provide a second play token in any hand the player double downs or splits.

61. The method of claim 60 further comprising at least an additional session chip from the player if the player double downs or splits.

62. The method of claim 58 further comprising offering a plurality of sessions at varying prices to the player.

63. The method of claim 58 further comprising allowing the player to use two play tokens in a single hand and refraining from collecting the play tokens if the player wins that hand.

64. The method of claim 58 further comprising imposing minimum and maximum bets on the player during the session.

65. The method of claim 58 further comprising allowing the player to conclude the session before exhausting the play tokens.

66. The method of claim 58 further comprising collecting all session chips and play tokens at session conclusion.