US20080122178A1

US20080122178A1 - Pot poker game and method therefor

Info

Publication number: US20080122178A1
Application number: US11/603,590
Authority: US
Inventors: Andrew Regos
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-11-24
Filing date: 2006-11-24
Publication date: 2008-05-29

Abstract

A method for playing a game of poker pits a dealer against two or more players. Players make an opening bet, the outcome of which may be determined, on a player by player basis, by comparing a hand value of each player hand to the dealer hand. Players may make a pot bet, the outcome of which may be determined by comparing hand values of all hands, including the dealer hand and all player hands. Player may additionally make a bonus bet, the outcome of which may be determined by comparing a value of at least one player hand to a bonus bet pay table. In one embodiment, players may make a low range bonus bet, in which the outcome of the bet is determined by comparing the value of the betting player's hand against the pay table. In one embodiment, players may make a high range bonus bet, in which the outcome of the bet is determined by comparing the value of all player hands against the pay table. A specially-configured table, adapted for the play of embodiments of the poker game of the present invention, may also be provided.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to card games and methods therefor and, more particularly, to an improved poker game and method therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Card games are popular both socially and for gambling purposes. Poker, and its many variations, is among the most common card games, especially for gambling. The general aim of poker is to collect a five card hand that is superior to the five card hand of one or more opponents or to try to bet in such a way as to cause opponents to believe that their hand is inferior and subsequently “fold” (concede or turn in) their hand. In the game of poker, several players compete against one another for one cumulative “pot” or sum of money. In casinos, the dealer or “house” draws a percentage, otherwise known as “the rake”, of each pot, thus generating revenue regardless of which player wins each hand.
There are many separate types of games within the poker family (such as Texas Hold'em, Seven-Card Stud, Draw Poker, Hi-low, and Omaha) all of which provide alternative formats for competing over a five card hand. Typically, these games involve a standard 52-card deck, although some variations use multiple decks or add a few cards called jokers which can be used as a substitute for any card in the deck.
Of all the many variations of poker, Texas Hold'em is the arguably the most famous, and perhaps the most popular. However, many poker players find that waiting for a high-quality poker hand is both time consuming and boring. Attempts have been made to liven up the game in several different ways. Gaming machines, such as video poker machines, allow poker players the ability to play games with greater frequency. In addition, many of these machines offer variations on the game of poker which cannot be found in casino poker rooms, such as the use of multiple decks and jokers. The proliferation of so many different variations of poker and the use of joker cards is a sign that poker player crave change.
A need exists for providing a new, exciting variation of poker, including a method therefore.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method for playing a card game of poker is disclosed. The method comprises: a dealer dealing a plurality of cards to two or more players and to the dealer; wherein the plurality of cards dealt to the dealer are used to form a dealer hand and wherein the plurality of cards dealt to the two or more players are used to form player hands; accepting an opening bet from the two or more players; accepting a pot bet from the two or more players; determining a value of the dealer hand; determining a value of the player hands; determining an outcome of the opening bet, on a player by player basis, by comparing a value of each player hand to a value of the dealer hand, and awarding an amount to a player having a hand value greater than the value of the dealer hand; and determining an outcome of the pot bet by comparing the value of each player hand to each other player hand and to the value of the dealer hand, and awarding proceeds of the pot bet to the hand having the highest value.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for playing a card game of poker is disclosed. The method comprises: a dealer dealing a plurality of cards to two or more players and to the dealer; wherein the plurality of cards dealt to the dealer are used to form a dealer hand and wherein the plurality of cards dealt to the two or more players are used to form player hands; wherein the dealer deals seven cards each to the dealer and to the two or more players, and wherein each of the dealer hand and the player hands is constructed from five of the seven cards; accepting an opening bet from the two or more players; accepting a pot bet from the two or more players; determining a value of the dealer hand; determining a value of the player hands; determining an outcome of the opening bet, on a player by player basis, by comparing a value of each player hand to a value of the dealer hand, and awarding an amount to a player having a hand value greater than the value of the dealer hand; and determining an outcome of the pot bet by comparing the value of each player hand to each other player hand and to the value of the dealer hand, and awarding proceeds of the pot bet to the hand having the highest value.
In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a poker table is disclosed. The poker table comprises, in combination: a dealer station and a plurality of player stations marked on a surface of a table; at least one bonus bet pay table located on the surface of the table, a card area located proximate each player station; a toss area located proximate each player station; an opening bet area located proximate each player station; a pot bet area located proximate each player station; a first bonus bet area located proximate each player station; and a second bonus bet area located proximate the first bonus bet area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a table configured to play a poker game consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a table illustrating a bonus payout pay table for a bonus bet, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The basic object of the game of the present invention is to achieve the best possible poker hand. Hand values may be calculated in the same manner as in traditional poker games. Depending on the embodiment, a player hand may be compared to a dealer hand, to other player hands, and/or to a bonus pay table.
In one embodiment, the game may be played with a standard 52-card deck of cards. In another embodiment, the game may be played with a standard 52-ard deck, plus a single joker. If desired, more than one joker may be utilized.
For various embodiments of the game of the present invention, at least three different bets or wagers are contemplated. These are as follows:
A “Bet”—this is the opening wager of the player, and is placed against the dealer's (house's) hand. The amount of the bet may be any desired amount between the table minimum and maximum bet. For example, if the table limits for a particular table are $5 to $2,000, a player may place a bet in the amount of $5; $2,000; or an amount in between these two (e.g., $20).
B. “Pot Bet”—this is a wager that is placed before any card is dealt. It is a special wager. All players on the table must make this bet and, preferably, the dealer/house also makes this bet. The pot, consisting of all pot bets, will be awarded to the highest ranking poker hand on the table, including the dealer/house hand. In the event of a tie between two or more hands (including the house/dealer hand), the pot will be divided equally among those holding such hands. Preferably, the pot bet is equal to the table minimum.
C. “Bonus Bet”—this is a special wager that is placed before any card is dealt. A bonus bet is optional. Preferably, a range is provided for a bonus bet—e.g., $1-$100. It is further preferred to provide, within the bonus bet range, a low range (e.g., $1-$4) and a high range (e.g., $5-$100). A bonus within the low range will be a bet on the player's hand only, and the outcome of the bet will be determined by comparing the individual player hand to a first bonus bet pay table. A bonus bet within the high range will be a bet on all player hands (but excluding the dealer/house hand), and the outcome of the bet will be determined by comparing all player hands to a second bonus bet pay table.
In one embodiment of a poker game of the present invention, play proceeds as follows:
1. Each player makes an opening bet and a “pot bet.” The pot bet equals the table minimum. (A pot bet may only be made if at least two players are playing against the dealer.)
2. Optionally, a player may additionally place a bonus bet. In one embodiment, there are two types of bonus bets—a low range bet and a high range (or “all excess”) bet. For the low range bet, a player places a bet only on the player's own hand, which will be compared at the conclusion of play to hands appearing in a column on a bonus bet pay table (see FIG. 2) to determine the outcome of the bonus bet. For the high range bet, a player places a bet only on all player hands (but preferably not the dealer hand), all of which will be compared at the conclusion of play to hands appearing in another column of a bonus bet pay table (see FIG. 2) to determine the outcome of the bonus bet. As the names imply, the low range bet preferably costs less than the high range bet. For example, the low range bet may cost between $1-$4, while the high range bet may cost between $5 and $100. Of course, the amounts can be varied as desired.
3. Every player receives seven cards, which are dealt face down.
4. Players examine their cards, discard two, and play their best five by placing their hand in a designated area on the table. Preferably, discarded cards are placed in a designated discard area. (See FIG. 1).
5. After all players have made their discards, the dealer turns over its hand, discards two cards, and plays its best five. Preferably, the dealer places its hand in full view of the players, in front of the chip tray. Again, discarded cards are preferably placed in designated discard area.
6. Once the dealer band is exposed, players may not touch their cards or reset their hands.
7. The dealer will take the player cards, working one position at a time, and turn them over and spread them on the table so that the hand value may be determined and displayed to all players. The dealer compares the dealer hand to each player hand, individually. If there are bonus bets, the dealer will also compare the player hands to a bonus pay table. To make the comparison between player and dealer hands, the dealer will use a designated hand ranking system, which may be the traditional poker ranking system.
8. If the player hand is better than the dealer hand, the player wins the opening bet, and the dealer will pay the player. If the player hand is worse than the dealer hand, the player loses and the dealer will take the player's opening bet The rules may provide that a tie results in a player loss or a push (i.e., a return of the player wager), as desired.
9. If the player has additionally made a low range bonus bet based on his or her own hand, the dealer will also compare the player hand to the first bonus bet pay table. If the player hand appears on the pay table, the dealer will pay the player as provided by the first bonus bet pay table. If the player hand does not appear on the pay table, the dealer will take the player's bonus bet.
10. If the player has made a high range bonus bet, the dealer will leave all player hands on the table, until the dealer has compared each player hand individually to the dealer hand. After that comparison, the dealer will determine, for each player who has made a high range bonus bet, the outcome of such bet by a comparison of all player hands to the second bonus bet pay table.
11. In addition, whether before or after determining the outcome of any high range bonus bet, the dealer will also determine the outcome of the pot bets. This is accomplished by comparing all hands, including all player hands and dealer hands, and then awarding the pot bets to the highest hand. In one embodiment, a tie between highest hands, including where one of the hands is a dealer hand, results in a sharing of the pot between the tying hands.
It may be desired to provide that winning opening wagers are paid even money, subject to a commission for the house. For example, it may be provided that all winning bets will be charged a 5% commission, which will be collected immediately by the dealer. Such a commission may be charged in increments of 25 cents. Thus, where a player has placed a winning bet of $25, the 5% commission will be $1.25. The commission on odd unit bets may be charged on the next highest unit For example, where a player bets $28 and wins, the bet the commission would be $1.50, the same as it would be on a $30 bet. Preferably, no commission is charged on the pot or bonus payout, though one may be charged if desired.
Referring to FIG. 1, the positions of the players and dealer around the table may be assigned numerical values. For example, the dealer station may be position 7 and the player hands may be positions 1-6. In one embodiment, station 1 is assigned to the first player position to the farthest left of the dealer, and the continuing sequentially until reaching position 6, which is the farthest position to the right of the dealer.
In one embodiment, the order in which players receive cards is determined by the use of a random number generator. For example, if the random number generator generates the number 4, the dealer will begin dealing at player position 4. In one embodiment, the dealer continues the deal moving from left to right—e.g., 4, 5, 6, 7, 1, 2, 3. The random number generator could be electronic or, for example, could be a dice.
Where a random number generator is not used, it may be desired to begin the deal with player position 1, and to continue the deal moving from the dealer's left to right—e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. In this embodiment, the dealer receives the final set of cards.
It should be understood that in all embodiments, the dealer will only deal to occupied player positions, and will skip over empty positions. For example, if only player positions 2, 4, and 5 are occupied by players who have placed bets, and assuming, there is no random number generator, the dealer will skip position 1, deal to position 2, skip position 3, deal to positions 4 and 5, skip position 6, and then deal to the dealer at position 7. As shown by way of example on FIG. 1, the bonus bet pay table(s) 12 may be displayed on the surface of the poker table 10. Players may be provided with a card area 14, where the player hand may be retained in a face down position until it is time to expose the hand and compare hand values. A toss area 16 may be additionally provided, for use by players for tossing their discarded cards, for an embodiment in which players are dealt seven cards and play five. An opening bet area 18 may be provided, for use by a player in placing the opening bet, and a pot bet area 20 for use by a player in placing the pot bet.
In addition a first bonus bet area 22 may be provided, with a second bonus bet area 24 proximate thereto. A bonus bet may be placed in bonus bet area 22. During the process of hand value comparison, a dealer will examine any bonus bet located in bonus bet area 22. If high and low range bonus bets are possible and a low range bonus bet has been made, the dealer may immediately determine the outcome of the bonus bet by comparing the player's hand value to the bonus bet pay table 12. If the player has made a high range bonus bet and the player hand does not itself qualify for a bonus bet payoff, the dealer may slide the bonus bet to second bonus bet area 24, until all player hands have been exposed and had their values determined, so that the outcome of the high range bonus bet may then be determined.
In one embodiment of this invention, a Joker may be utilized. According to one embodiment involving a Joker, the Joker may be used to fill any Straights or Flushes, to pair up, use as of the third card with any pair for a Three of a Kind, use as of the fourth card with a three of a kind for Four of a Kind and use as of the fifth card with four more Aces only. For this embodiment, hand ranking issues may be resolved according to the following order:
Highest hand: Five of a Kind (four Aces plus one Joker)

Royal Flush (natural, without a Joker)

Royal Flush (with the Joker)

Straight Flush (no Joker) (Note—the Highest rank Flush or Straight Flush: A-K-Q-J-10

The second highest Flush or Straight Flush: A-2-34-5)

Straight Flush (with Joker)

Four of a Kind (no Joker)

Four of a Kind (three of Kind plus the Joker)

Full House (no Joker)

Full house (with Joker), (unless two Aces plus the Joker)

Flush (no Joker)

Flush (with Joker)

Straight (no Joker)

Straight (with Joker)

Three of a Kind (no Joker), (except two Aces and the Joker)

Three of a Kind Pair and the Joker)

Two Pair (no Joker)

Two Pair (with Joker), (unless one pair contains an Ace and Joker)

One Pair (no Joker)

One Pair (with Joker), (except the pair is an Ace with the Joker)

High card: In case the hands compared have no pair, the hand with the highest card will be declared as the winner.
If both hands have the same high card, the next highest card is counted in conjunction with the highest card to determine the winner (e.g., If one hand has a King and a Queen and the other hand has a King and a Jack, the hand with the King and the Queen win be the winner).
In accordance with this hand ranking, construction of hands may proceed in accordance with the following examples:
Example 1—If there is not at least one pair out of seven cards, the player/dealer will toss the two lowest valued cards. Thus, if the hand has a King, Jack-9-7-4-3 and 2 that are not identically suited, player/dealer will toss the 3 and 2. The hand will be a high card hand (King high)—K-J-9-7-4.
Example 2—Generally, dealer/player will keep a pair and toss the two (2) lowest ranked cards. An exception occurs when a when Straight or Flush can be preserved, in which case it should be played. Thus, if the hand has K-J-8-8-5-4-3 that are not identically suited, player/dealer will toss the 4 and 3. The hand will be one pair (Pair of 8's).
Example 3—If the hand has K-J-8-8-5-4-3 where the cards are all identically suited except for one of the 8 and the 5, the player/dealer will toss the 8 and the 5. The hand will be a flush (K-J-8-4-3 suited).
Example 4 —if the hand has two pairs, player/dealer will generally toss the two lowest valued cards. A player/dealer who has K-K-Q-10-10-9-8-7 (not identically suited) will toss the 8 and 7, and will have a hand that includes two pairs (Pair of Kings and Pair of 10's). An exception occurs when a straight or flush can be preserved, in which case the player/dealer will break up one or both pairs if needed. Thus, a player/dealer who has K-K-Q-J-10-10-9 (not identically suited) will toss one K and one 10. This creates a straight (K-Q-J-10), which is a higher ranked poker hand then a hand that contains two pairs.
Example 5—if the seven card hand has three pairs, the player will keep the two highest pairs and, depending on which is the better card to keep, one card from the pair to be broken up or the last card of the seven deal cards—whichever is higher. If the dealer/player hand consists of A-A-8-8-7-7-6 (not identically suited), the player/dealer will toss the 6 and one 7, and the resulting hand value will be two pairs (a pair of Aces and a pair of 8's, with a 6 as the high card). If the dealer/player hand consists of A-A-K-8-8-7-7 (not identically suited), the player/dealer will toss the pair of 7's, and the resulting hand value will be two pairs (a pair of Aces and a pair of 8's, with a K as the high card).
Example 6—if the seven card hand has three of a kid, this will be kept unless a straight or a flush can be preserved. If the player/dealer hand has A-A-A-9-8-6-4 (not identically suited), the 6 and 4 will be tossed, and the resulting hand value will be three Aces. If the hand has A-A-A-9-8-6-4 (identically suited except for two of the Aces), the two differently-suited Aces will be tossed, and the resulting hand value will be a flush consisting of A-9-8-6-4.
Example 7—if the seven card hand has two threes of a kind, the seventh card will be tossed and the lower three of a kind will be broken up. The hand that will be played will be the higher three of a kind and a pair from the second three of a kind, which will together be played as a full house. If the hand has K-K-K-9-9-9-8, the 8 and one 9 will be tossed, with the resulting hand being K-K-K-9-9.
Example 8—generally, a straight will always be played even if it is necessary to toss a pair or break up a three of a kind. However, if a flush or straight flush can be constructed, than the hand should be played at the highest hand value possible. If the hand is K-Q-10-9-3-3-3, with K-Q-10-9-3 being identically suited, the pair of 3's will be tossed and the resulting hand will be a flush. (It should be noted that in one embodiment; the joker can be used to complete any straight, flush or straight flush.)
Example 9—if the seven card band includes a three of a kind with two pairs, the lower-ranked pair will be tossed. If the hand is K-K-K-7-7-5-5, the pair of 5's will be tossed, resulting in a hand value that is a full house based on a pair of 7's and three Kings. Example 10—if the seven card hand includes four of a kind, that will always be played. Four of a kind can be achieved naturally, or using a joker In one embodiment, five of a kind is possible using the Joker. In one Joker embodiment, only five Aces is permitted, and the Joker may not be utilized to achieve any other five of a kind combination.
In one embodiment, a tie between dealer and player hands results in a loss for the player hand. For example, if the player hand has two jacks, a 9 of hearts, a 5 of clubs and an 8 of diamonds, the player hand will tie a dealer hand consisting of two jacks, a 5 and a 9 of diamonds, and an 8 of hearts. In such instance, the dealer wins. If the player and dealer hands are each straights, high card determines the winner. If they are both flushes, high card determines the winner—followed by second highest card and so on in the event individual cards are tied. For example, if there are two flushes on the table and both start with an Ace as the highest card of the hand, and if the second card of one of the flush is a King and the second card of the other flush is a Jack, the first flush will be declared the winner between these two hands.
The following table illustrates hand value probabilities, for a game of poker played in accordance with the examples provided above and consistent with an embodiment of the present invention:


HAND	COMBINATIONS	PROBABILITY

FIVE ACES	1128	0.00000732
STRAIGHT/ROYAL	210964	0.00136862
FOUR OF A KIND	307472	0.00199472
FULL HOUSE	4188528	0.02717299
FLUSH	6172088	0.04004129
STRAIGHT	11236028	0.07289350
THREE OF A KJND	7470676	0.04846585
TWO PAIR	35553816	0.23065464
PAIR	64221960	0.41663862
NOTHING	24780420	0.16076246
TOTAL	154143080	1

The following table illustrates the probability outcome of each hand, and how the hand should be set to maximize its value, for a game of poker played in accordance with the examples provided above and consistent with an embodiment of the present invention:


5-Card	5-card hand	2-Card hand	2-Card hand

9 high	0.0002	3-2	0.0007
10 high	0.0018	4-2	0.0021
Jack	0.0081	4-3	0.0034
Q-5	0.0086	5-2	0.0046
Q-6	0.0108	5-3	0.0057
Q-7	0.0154	5-4	0.0068
Q-8	0.0209	6-2	0.0079
Q-9	0.0247	6-3	0.0089
Q-10	0.0257	6-4	0.0099
Q-J	0.0257	6-5	0.0108
K-5	0.0265	7-2	0.0118
K-6	0.0299	7-3	0.0128
K-7	0.0374	7-4	0.0138
K-8	0.0479	7-5	0.0149
K-9	0.0586	7-6	0.0164
K-10	0.0654	8-2	0.0178
K-J	0.0671	8-3	0.0187
K-Q	0.0671	8-4	0.0196
A-6	0.0671	8-5	0.0206
A-7	0.0829	8-6	0.0222
A-8	0.1019	8-7	0.0259
A-9	0.1245	9-2	0.0292
A-10	0.1453	9-3	0.0301
A-J	0.1575	9-4	0.0309
A-Q	0.1608	9-5	0.0319
A-K	0.1608	9-6	0.0335
Pair of	0.1729	9-7	0.0376
Pair of	0.2048	9-8	0.0472
Pair of	0.2377	10-2	0.0543
Pair of	0.2716	10-3	0.0553
Pair of	0.3067	10-4	0.0563
Pair of	0.3432	10-5	0.0574
Pair of	0.3842	10-6	0.0591
Pair of	0.4274	10-7	0.0632
Pair of	0.4691	10-8	0.073
Pair of	0.5125	10-9	0.0921
Pair of	0.564	J-2	0.105
Pair of	0.6184	J-3	0.1062
Pair of	0.6852	J-4	0.1073
2 Pair	0.7503	J-5	0.1085
2 Pair	0.7543	J-6	0.1102
2 Pair	0.7601	J-7	0.1142
2 Pair	0.7676	J-8	0.1232
2 Pair	0.7767	1-9	0.1414
2 Pair	0.7867	J-10	0.1729
2 Pair	0.7969	Q-2	0.1931
2 Pair	0.8074	Q-3	0.1945
2 Pair	0.8146	Q-4	0.1957
2 Pair	0.8203	Q-5	0.197
2 Pair	0.8257	Q-6	0.1989
2 Pair	0.8261	Q-7	0.2027
Three	0.8286	Q-8	0.2109
Three	0.8340	Q-9	0.2269
Three	0.8393	Q-10	0.2551
Three	0.8446	Q-J	0.2994
Three	0.8499	K-2	0.3268
Three	0.8552	K-3	0.3285
Three	0.8609	K-4	0.3302
Three	0.8665	K-5	0.3323
Three	0.8718	K-6	0.3350
Three	0.8771	K-7	0.3398
Three	0.8823	K-8	0.3487
Three	0.8876	K-9	0.3641
Three	0.8909	K-10	0.3895
Straight	0.9030	K-J	0.4291
Straight	0.9105	K-Q	0.4858
Straight	0.9176	A-2	0.5196
Straight	0.9211	A-3	0.5217
Straight	0.9246	A-4	0.5242
Straight	0.9316	A-5	0.5272
Straight	0.9385	A-6	0.5312
Straight	0.9453	A-7	0.5378
Straight	0.9522	A-8	0.5483
Straight	0.9623	A-9	0.5647
Flush 6	0.9654	A-10	0.5892
Flush 7	0.9659	A-J	0.6248
Flush 8	0.9662	A-Q	0.6744
Flush 9	0.9668	A-K	0.7409
Flush10	0.9682	Pair of 2's	0.7899
Flush J	0.9705	Pair of 3's	0.8116
Flush Q	0.9744	Pair of 4's	0.8320
Flush K	0.9804	Pair of 5's	0.8512
Flush A	0.9974	Pair of 6's	0.8693
Full	0.9984	Pair of 7's	0.8884
4 of a	0.9995	Pair of 8's	0.9083
Straight	1	Pair of 9's	0.9268
Five	1	Pair of 10's	0.9439
		Pair of Jacks	0.9593
		Pair of Queens	0.9726
		Pair of Kings	0.9839
		Pair of Aces	0.9945

The following table illustrates the number of combinations, probability and return for each hand in a game of poker played in accordance with the examples provided above and consistent with an embodiment of the present invention:


Event	Pays	Combinations	Probability	Return

Five Aces	400 to 1	1128	0.00000732	0.0029
Royal Flush/No	200 to 1	26020	0.0001688	0.0000
Royal Flush W/	150 to 1	26020	0.0001688	0.0253
Straight Flush/No	100 to 1	184644	0.00119787	0.0001
Straight Flush	50 to 1	184644	0.00119787	0.0598
Four of the Kind	30 to 1	307472	0.00199472	0.0336
Four of the Kind	25 to 1	307472	0.00199472	0.0498
Full House/No	15 to 1	4188528	0.02717299	0.1358
Full House	10 to 1	4188528	0.02717299	0.0479
Flush/No Joker	8 to 1	6172088	0.04004129	0.1601
Flush W/Joker	5 to 1	6172088	0.04004129	0.1513
3 of the Kind/No	4 to 1	7672500	0.04977518	0.1693
3 of the Kind	3 to 1	7672500	0.04977518	0.1647
Straight/No Joker	2 to 1	11034204	0.07158417	0.1431
Straight W/Joker	1 to 1	11034204	0.07158417	0.1994

The following table illustrates the return for a high range bonus bet for a game of poker played in accordance with the examples provided above and consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. For a high range bonus bet, the value is 0.0463/b, where b is the amount of the bet. Each additional player at the table is worth 0.93%.


Five Aces	100 to 1	1128	0.00000732	0.0001
Royal Flush/No	50 to 1	26020	0.0001688	0.0003
Royal Flush	25 to 1	26020	0.0001688	0.0049
Straight Flush/No	20 to 1	184644	0.00119787	0.0324
Straight Flush W/	15 to 1	184644	0.00119787	0.1358
Four of the Kind	10 to 1	307472	0.00199472	0.0479
Four of the Kind	5 to 1	307472	0.00199472	0.1513
Full House/No	4 to 1	4188528	0.02717299	0.1693
Full House	3 to 1	4188528	0.02717299	0.1647
Flush/No Joker	2 to 1	6172088	0.04004129	0.1431
Flush W/Joker	1 to 1	6172088	0.04004129	0.1994
3 of the Kind/No	0	7672500	0.04977518	0
3 of the Kind	0	7672500	0.04977518	0
Straight/No Joker	0	11034204	0.07158417	0
Straight W/Joker	0	11034204	0.07158417	0

The following table shows the overall house edge according to both the pay table and the number of players for a game of poker played in accordance with the examples provided above and consistent with an embodiment of the present invention:


	Number of Players	House Edge

	6	5.52%
	5	6.06%
	4	6.60%
	3	7.14%
	2	7.68%
	1	8.22%

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for playing a game of poker comprising:

a dealer dealing a plurality of cards to two or more players and to the dealer;

wherein the plurality of cards dealt to the dealer are used to form a dealer hand and wherein the plurality of cards dealt to the two or more players are used to form player hands;

accepting an opening bet from the two or more players;

accepting a pot bet from the two or more players;

determining a value of the dealer hand;

determining a value of the player hands;

determining an outcome of the opening bet, on a player by player basis, by comparing a value of each player hand to a value of the dealer hand, and awarding an amount to a player having a hand value greater than the value of the dealer hand; and

determining an outcome of the pot bet by comparing the value of each player hand to each other player hand and to the value of the dealer hand, and awarding proceeds of the pot bet to the hand having the highest value.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the dealer deals seven cards each to the dealer and to the two or more players, and wherein each of the dealer hand and the player hands is constructed from five of the seven cards.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising accepting a bonus bet from at least one of the two or more players, wherein the outcome of the bonus bet is determined by comparing a value of at least one hand against a bonus bet pay table.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising accepting a low range bonus bet from at least one of the two or more players, wherein the outcome of the low range bonus bet is determined by comparing a value of the hand belonging to the player who has made the bonus bet against a low range bonus bet pay table.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising accepting a high range bonus bet from at least one of the two or more players, wherein the outcome of the high range bonus bet is determined by comparing a value of each hand belonging to the two or more players against a high range bonus bet pay table.

6. The method of claim 3 further comprising determining an outcome of the bonus bet by comparing the value of at least one hand against the bonus bet pay table.

7. The method of claim 4 further comprising determining an outcome of the low range bonus bet by comparing the value of the hand belonging to the player who has made the bonus bet against a low range bonus bet pay table.

8. The method of claim 5 further comprising determining an outcome of the high range bonus bet by comparing the value of each hand belonging to the two or more players against a high range bonus bet pay table.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising including a Joker in a deck of cards used to play the game of poker.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising permitting the Joker to be used to create a hand consisting of five Aces, while prohibiting the Joker from being used to create any other five of a kind hand.

11. The method of claim 1 further requiring payment of a commission by a player upon receipt of a payoff of a successful opening bet.

12. A method for playing a game of poker comprising:

a dealer dealing a plurality of cards to two or more players and to the dealer,

wherein the dealer deals seven cards each to the dealer and to the two or more players, and wherein each of the dealer hand and the player hands is constructed from five of the seven cards;

accepting an opening bet from the two or more players;

accepting a pot bet from the two or more players;

determining a value of the dealer band;

determining a value of the player hands;

determining an outcome of the opening bet, on a player by player basis, by comparing a value of each player hand to a value of the dealer hand, and awarding an amount to a player having a band value greater than the value of the dealer hand; and

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising accepting a bonus bet from at least one of the two or more players, wherein the outcome of the bonus bet is determined by comparing a value of at least one hand against a bonus bet pay table.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising accepting a low range bonus bet from at least one of the two or more players, wherein the outcome of the low range bonus bet is determined by comparing a value of the hand belonging to the player who has made the bonus bet against a low range bonus bet pay table.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising accepting a high range bonus bet from at least one of the two or more players, wherein the outcome of the high range bonus bet is determined by comparing a value of each hand belonging to the two or more players against a high range bonus bet pay table.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising determining an outcome of the bonus bet by comparing the value of at least one hand against the bonus bet pay table.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising determining an outcome of the low range bonus bet by comparing the value of the hand belonging to the player who has made the bonus bet against a low range bonus bet pay table.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising determining an outcome of the high range bonus bet by comparing the value of each hand belonging to the two or more players against a high range bonus bet pay table.

19. The method of claim 12 further comprising including a Joker in a deck of cards used to play the game of poker and permitting the Joker to be used to create a hand consisting of five Aces, while prohibiting the Joker from being used to create any other five of a kind hand.

20. A poker table comprising, in combination:

a dealer station and a plurality of player stations marked on a surface of a table;

at least one bonus bet pay table located on the surface of the table;

a card area located proximate each player station;

a toss area located proximate each player station;

an opening bet area located proximate each player station;

a pot bet area located proximate each player station;

a first bonus bet area located proximate each player station; and

a second bonus bet area located proximate the first bonus bet area.