US5544892A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-tiered wagering method and game
Assignee: SHFL Enterteiment Inc
•
Filing: 1995-02-14
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Granted: 1996-08-13
•
Expires: 2015-02-14
Abstract
Abstract A multi-tiered wagering game and method, including a playing card wagering game, involves placing a first game wager and an optional second wager and entry fee to participate in the multi-tiered game. Cards are dealt by the dealer, two face down to the dealer and three face down to each player. Players inspect or "sweat" their cards and the dealer gives each player the opportunity to withdraw one part of the bet. Each player decides and the dealer then turns over one of the cards and again gives each player the opportunity to withdraw a second part of the bet. The players decide, their cards are shown, and based on the shown cards the remaining game wagers are resolved. Also based on the shown cards, players that placed the optional second wager and entry fee become eligible for bonus payouts and to participate in a second game to determine the winner of a super jackpot, respectively.
Inventors
- 👤 John G. Breeding
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:56
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; G07F17/326; G07F17/3262; A; A63; A63F; A63F3/00; A63F3/00003; A63F3/00157; A63F1/00; A63F2001/008; A63F2003/00167; A63F2003/0017
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A method for playing a series of casino card games between a casino and a plurality of players, with a super jackpot comprising: each player placing a first wager to become a participant in the casino card game; each player placing a combined second wager and entry fee to become eligible to win a bonus payout and the super jackpot; dealing a hand of cards to each player; resolving each player's first wager based on said hand, wherein if a player's hand comprises a predetermined arrangement of cards, that player wins a preselected amount from the casino; resolving each player's second wager based on said hand, wherein if a player's hand comprises a subset of the predetermined arrangement of cards, that player wins a preselected bonus pay-off from the casino; resolving each player's entry fee based on said hand wherein if a player's hand comprises a narrower subset of the predetermined arrangement of cards, that player becomes a finalist eligible to win the super jackpot; and playing a second game to select a winner of the super jackpot from said finalists.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
181 words
A method for playing a series of casino card games between a casino and a plurality of players, with a super jackpot comprising: each player placing a first wager to become a participant in the casino card game; each player placing a combined second wager and entry fee to become eligible to win a bonus payout and the super jackpot; dealing a hand of cards to each player; resolving each player's first wager based on said hand, wherein if a player's hand comprises a predetermined arrangement of cards, that player wins a preselected amount from the casino; resolving each player's second wager based on said hand, wherein if a player's hand comprises a subset of the predetermined arrangement of cards, that player wins a preselected bonus pay-off from the casino; resolving each player's entry fee based on said hand wherein if a player's hand comprises a narrower subset of the predetermined arrangement of cards, that player becomes a finalist eligible to win the super jackpot; and playing a second game to select a winner of the super jackpot from said finalists.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1, said second game occurring after an accumulation period defined by said jackpot reaching a predetermined amount.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 1, said second game occurring after a predetermined jackpot accumulation period.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 3, wherein the number of finalists is limited to those said participants becoming finalists during said accumulation period.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1, said second game occurring when a predetermined number of finalists is selected.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 2, wherein the number of finalists is limited to those said participants becoming finalists during said accumulation period.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the preselected amount is a multiple of the amount of the first wager.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 7, wherein the preselected bonus payout is a fixed amount.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the preselected bonus payout is a fixed amount.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the casino card game is poker, wherein the predetermined arrangement of cards is a pair of tens or better, two pairs, three-of-a-kind, a straight, a flush, a full house, four-of-a-kind, a straight flush or a royal flush, wherein the subset of the predetermined arrangement is a straight, a flush, a full house, four-of-a-kind, a straight flush or a royal flush, and wherein the narrower subset is a designated number of the highest hands, including ties, selected from said subset.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein the preselected amount is a multiple of the first wager.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 11, wherein the preselected bonus payout is a fixed amount.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 10, wherein the preselected bonus payout is a fixed amount.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the casino card game is poker, wherein the predetermined arrangement of cards is a pair of tens or better, two pairs, three-of-a-kind, a straight, a flush, a full house, four-of-a-kind, a straight flush or a royal flush, wherein the subset of the predetermined arrangement is a straight, a flush, a full house, four-of-a-kind, a straight flush or a royal flush, and wherein the narrower subset is a royal flush.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the super jackpot payout is comprised of said entry fees.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the super jackpot payout is comprised of a portion of said entry fees.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 16, wherein the super jackpot payout is comprised of a substantial portion of said entry fees.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the super jackpot payout is a fixed amount.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the super jackpot is comprised of said entry fees accumulated for a selected period of time.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said super jackpot is formed by an accumulation of a portion of each player's said entry fee.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 20, wherein said super jackpot amount is fixed prior to the commencement of said second game.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said second game is a playoff or tournament.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
167 words
A method for playing a series of casino card games between a casino and a plurality of players, with a super jackpot comprising: each player placing a first wager to become a participant in the casino card game; each player placing a second wager to become eligible to win a bonus pay-off and the super jackpot; dealing a hand of cards to each player; resolving each player's first wager based on said hand, wherein if a player's hand comprises a predetermined arrangement of cards, that player wins a preselected amount from the casino; resolving each player's second wager based on said hand, wherein if a player's hand comprises a subset of the predetermined arrangement of cards, that player wins a predetermined bonus pay-off from the casino, and further wherein if a player's hand comprises a narrower subset of the predetermined arrangement of cards, that player becomes a finalist eligible to win the super jackpot; and playing a second game to select a winner of the super jackpot.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
167 words
A method for playing a series of casino card games between a casino and a plurality of players, with a super jackpot comprising: each player placing a first wager to become a participant in the casino card game; each player placing a second wager to become eligible to win a bonus pay-off and the super jackpot; dealing a hand of cards to each player; resolving each player's first wager based on said hand, wherein if a player's hand comprises a predetermined arrangement of cards, that player wins a preselected amount from the casino; resolving each player's second wager based on said hand, wherein if a player's hand comprises a subset of the predetermined arrangement of cards, that player wins a predetermined bonus pay-off from the casino, and further wherein if a player's hand comprises a narrower subset of the predetermined arrangement of cards, that player becomes a finalist eligible to win the super jackpot; and playing a second game to select a winner of the super jackpot.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for playing a series of casino card games between a casino and a plurality of players, with a super jackpot comprising: each player wagering at least one gaming token or wager to become a participant in the casino card game; each player placing a combined second wager and entry fee to become eligible to win a bonus payout and the super jackpot; dealing a hand of cards to each player; resolving each player's first wager based on said hand, wherein if a player's hand comprises a predetermined arrangement of cards, that player wins a preselected amount from the casino; resolving each player's second wager based on said hand, wherein if a player's hand comprises a subset of the predetermined arrangement of cards, that player wins a preselected bonus pay-off from the casino; resolving each player's entry fee based on said hand wherein if a player's hand comprises a narrower subset of the predetermined arrangement of cards, that player becomes a finalist eligible to win the super jackpot; and playing a second game to select a winner of the super jackpot from said finalists.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for playing a series of casino card games between a casino and a plurality of players, with a super jackpot comprising: each player wagering at least one gaming token or wager to become a participant in the casino card game; each player placing a combined second wager and entry fee to become eligible to win a bonus payout and the super jackpot; dealing a hand of cards to each player; resolving each player's first wager based on said hand, wherein if a player's hand comprises a predetermined arrangement of cards, that player wins a preselected amount from the casino; resolving each player's second wager based on said hand, wherein if a player's hand comprises a subset of the predetermined arrangement of cards, that player wins a preselected bonus pay-off from the casino; resolving each player's entry fee based on said hand wherein if a player's hand comprises a narrower subset of the predetermined arrangement of cards, that player becomes a finalist eligible to win the super jackpot; and playing a second game to select a winner of the super jackpot from said finalists.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 24, said second game occurring after an accumulation period defined by said jackpot reaching a predetermined amount.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 25, wherein the number of finalists is limited to those said participants becoming finalists during said accumulation period.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 24, said second game occurring after a predetermined jackpot accumulation period.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 24, said second game occurring when a predetermined number of finalists is selected.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method according to claim 24, wherein the casino card game is poker, wherein the predetermined arrangement of cards is a pair of tens or better, two pairs, three-of-a-kind, a straight, a flush, a full house, four-of-a-kind, a straight flush or a royal flush, wherein the subset of the predetermined arrangement is a straight, a flush, a full house, four-of-a-kind, a straight flush or a royal flush, and wherein the narrower subset is a designated number of the highest hands, including ties.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 24, wherein said second game is a playoff or tournament.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-08-13 | 2000-02-12 | 2000-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-08-13 | 2004-02-12 | 2004-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-08-13 | 2008-02-12 | 2008-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |