Amusement devices: games – Card or tile games – cards or tiles therefor
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-23
2001-01-30
Pierce, William M. (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: games
Card or tile games, cards or tiles therefor
C273S274000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179292
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention pertains to card games in general, and in particular to card games wherein the objective is to achieve an established target numerical sum, such as the game of Blackjack.
BACKGROUND ART
Target numerical sum games are well known in the art. For example in the game of Blackjack, the cards have established numerical values, such as ace equals one or eleven, face cards equal ten, and other cards equal to their face values (e.g. a two has a numerical value of two, a three has a numerical value of three, etc.). A player tries to reach an established target numerical sum of 21 by sequentially accumulating cards and totaling their numerical values. Two cards are initially dealt, and the player then has the option of requesting and receiving one or more additional cards (“hits”). A player wins a wager if the final numerical sum of the player's cards is less than or equal to 21 and is closer to 21 than the numerical sum of the dealer's cards. If the numerical sum of the player's cards exceeds 21, the player's hand is a “bust”, and the wager is lost.
In certain states, such as California, Blackjack is illegal. Therefore, other similar Blackjack-type games have been devised. One such game is “California Blackjack” (U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,415) wherein the established target numerical sum is 22. A player tries to get closer to 22 than the dealer (usually a “player banker”). If the player's numerical sum exceeds 22 the hand is not a bust. Similarly, in the game of “LA Blackjack” the object of the game is to reach a target numerical sum of 22.
Another type of target numerical sum game is Baccarat (called “Jumping Jack” in Asia). In this game the objective is to achieve a target numerical sum of nine. The cards have established numerical values of ace equals one, face cards equal zero, and other cards equal to their face values (e.g. a two has a numerical value of two, a three has a numerical value of three, etc.). A player initially receives two cards, and may at his/her option receive one, and only one, additional card. If the total of the numerical sum of the player's cards exceeds nine, then the ten is subtracted to result in the final numerical sum.
Other established target numerical sums are of course also possible. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,300 the target numerical sum is 20. In fact, any target numerical sum that is consistent with the established numerical values of the cards may be used.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an improved method of playing any target numerical sum game, such as conventional Blackjack (21), California Blackjack, Baccarat, etc. The present invention simply adds the step of placing a supplemental wager that a player's cards will be of the same suit. The same suit wager is in addition to the conventional wager(s) of the target numerical sum game. The target numerical sum game is then played in accordance with established rules of play. If the player's cards are the same suit, the player receives a payoff. In one embodiment of the present invention, the player wins if his/her first two cards are of the same suit. In another embodiment, all of the player's or bankers cards must be the same suit, and the player or banker must also win the target numerical sum game in order for that individual to win. A preferred name for the present invention is COLOR JACK.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a method of playing a target numerical sum game comprises, a player placing a supplemental wager that the player's first two cards will be the same suit. The target numerical sum game is then played in accordance with established rules of play. The player receives a payoff if his/her first two cards are the same suit. The payoff may either be made before or after the completion of the target numerical sum game.
In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the target numerical sum game has a target numerical sum of one of 21, 22, 20, and 9.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention, a player places a supplemental wager that (1) all of the player's cards will be of the same suit, and also that (2) the player will win the target numerical sum game. The target numerical sum game is then played in accordance with established rules of play. The player receives a payoff if all of the player's cards are of the same suit and also the player wins the target numerical sum game. Conversely, the banker receives a payoff if all of the banker's cards are of the same suit and also the banker wins the target numerical sum game. If neither the player nor the banker has all cards of the same suit and also wins the target numerical sum game, the supplemental wager is a push.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5397128 (1995-03-01), Hesse et al.
patent: 5632485 (1997-05-01), Woodland et al.
patent: 5636843 (1997-06-01), Roberts
patent: 5673917 (1997-10-01), Vancura
patent: 5791989 (1998-08-01), Slinkman
patent: 5799945 (1998-09-01), Boylan et al.
patent: 5806846 (1998-09-01), Lofink et al.
patent: 5816575 (1998-10-01), Keller
Masters Ted
Pierce William M.
LandOfFree
Method of playing a target numerical sum game does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method of playing a target numerical sum game, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method of playing a target numerical sum game will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2515104