US20100244381A1

US20100244381A1 - Method of Playing Pai Gow Poker

Info

Publication number: US20100244381A1
Application number: US12/415,707
Authority: US
Inventors: Kevin Chan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-03-31
Filing date: 2009-03-31
Publication date: 2010-09-30

Abstract

The invention is an improved version of poker wherein the house collects no commission or percentage of the winnings from the dealer-player or other players. Instead, the players place initial ante bets, review their dealt seven card hands, and determine whether they want to continue playing. If the player wishes to continue, the player places an additional bet, which matches the initial ante bet. If the player does not wish to continue, the player folds and loses the ante bet. The house has no need to charge a commission because it makes money by collecting the forfeited antes.

Description

BACKGROUND

Poker is one of the world's most popular casino games. As a result, many variations of poker have been invented by poker enthusiasts. One version is Pai Gow poker, which uses a standard 52-card deck, plus a joker. It is played on a table set for six players, plus the dealer. Each player attempts to defeat the banker (who may be the casino dealer, or one of the other players at the table).
The object of Pai Gow poker is for a player to create two poker hands out of the seven-card hand the player is dealt by the dealer: a five-card hand, and a two-card poker hand. The five-card hand's value must exceed the two-card hand's value. The two-card hand is often called the “low” hand. The five-card hand is called the “high” hand (because the five card hand must be higher or stronger than the two card hand). The strength of each hand is determined by using standard poker rankings. For the two card hand, only high card, (typically the Ace), or pairs, are used to determine the hand strength. Straights and Flushes are meaningless.
In Pai Gow poker a standard card deck, plus one joker, are shuffled, and then dealt to the table in seven face-down piles of seven cards per-pile. The remaining four cards are discarded. Betting positions are assigned a number from one to seven, starting with whichever player is acting as banker that hand, and counting counter-clockwise around the table. Preferably, a number from one to seven is randomly chosen (electronically), but if the number is chosen manually (with dice), three dice are used to output a number between 3 and 18. Whatever number is rolled, the position before that number is the starting point. For example, if the dice comes out to 3, the starting point is position two. If the dice comes out to 16, the starting point is position one. If a 6 is rolled, the starting point is position five. The dealer is positions one, eight, and fifteen.
Although six players, plus a banker, may play, the game may be played by as few as one player, plus a banker. All players who are playing must place a bet or wager in front of them before they are given their seven cards.
After receiving their seven cards, the players organize the cards into the two and five card hands. Similarly, the banker organizes the cards into two and five card hands. If the banker is a house dealer, the banker's hand is organized with the “house way.” The cards are then revealed. If both of the player's now-separated hands beat the banker's corresponding hand then he wins the bet. If only one of his hands beats the banker, and the other does not, then he pushes. If both of his hands lose to the banker then he loses.
On each hand, ties go to the banker (for example, if a player's five-card hand loses to the banker and his two-card hand ties to him then he loses); this gives the banker a small advantage. If the player fouls his hand, meaning that his low hand outranks his high hand, or that there are an incorrect number of cards in each hand, there will be a penalty: either re-arrangement of the hand according to house rules or forfeiture of the hand.
In casino-banked games, the banker is generally required to set his hand in a pre-specified manner, called the “house way”, so that the dealer does not have to implement any strategy in order to beat the players. When a player is banking, he is typically free to set the hand however he chooses; however, players have the option of “co-banking” with the house, and if this option is chosen, then the player's hand must also be set in the “house way.”
Play begins when players make a wager. Next, all the wagered players, and the banker, receive seven cards. A roll of the dice or a randomly generated number determines which player gets the first set of cards. Each player then arranges his seven cards into a five-card hand and a two-card hand. The five-card hand is ranked as in poker. The two-card hand is scored by pairs beating two singletons, then by the individual ranks. The highest two-card hand is a pair of aces, and the lowest is Two-Three.
After each player has arranged his hand, the banker arranges his according to a set of fixed rules known as the “house way.” Then the player's five-card hand is compared to the dealer's five-card hand, the higher hand wins. Likewise, the player's two-card hand is compared to the dealer's two-card hand. In the event of an exact match between hands, called a copy, the tie goes to the banker. If the player beats the dealer with both hands the player wins even money on his bet, less a commission. If the player wins one hand and loses one hand, then the bet is a push, or a tie, and the player gets the wager back. If the player loses both hands, then the player loses the entire wager. The commission ensures that the casino or house makes a cut when the banker is another player.
When setting the hands, the two-card hand must be lower or worse than the five-card hand. If the two card hand is higher or better than the five card hand, then both hands are deemed “foul” and both lose. The joker is usually only used to complete a straight, flush, or straight flush; otherwise it is treated as an ace. When used in a flush, the joker takes the rank of the highest unused card.
One of the deficiencies to the standard Pai Gow poker game is that it frequently is a slow paced game. This slow pace results primarily from two sources. First, the flow of the game is slowed and interrupted when the house takes a commission from the player's winnings. Second, pushes, and thus slow paced games, are frequent because players often only win one of the two hands that are played. What is needed is a method for an improved game of Pai Gow poker that reduces pushes and eliminates commissions.
Several variations on Pai Gow poker have strived to overcome the deficiencies of the standard Pai Gow poker game. One such variation is disclosed in United States Patent Application Publication 2007/0170653, filed by Brunelle et al. Brunelle discloses a variation of Pai Gow poker that allows a player to make a supplemental bet following arrangement of the player cards, but before arrangement of the dealer cards. Although Brunelle's variation of Pai Gow poker allows a player to make a supplemental bet, it fails to remove the need for a commission to be charged because the supplemental bet is not mandatory and because the initial bet is not forfeited to the house in place of paying a commission on winnings. Indeed, Brunelle's version of Pai Gow poker simply does not allow the player to fold; it merely allows the player to choose to make a supplemental bet. Therefore, Brunelle's variation of Pai Gow poker does not eliminate the need for a commission and does not reduce the number of pushes that occur.
Another variation of improved Pai Gow poker games, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,871,855, issued to Ko, describes a commission free Pai Gow poker game that compares the banker and player hands to each other and to a standard. If the standard is met by the banker hand, the player pays additional money. Although the Ko variation eliminates the need for a commission it does so in a way that actually slows down the game even more because it requires an extra comparison and determination and an additional payout after that determination. Further, the Ko solution does not involve the player in the solution and, thus, the solution adds no fun for the players.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,424, issued to Evers et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,631,906, issued to Timpano, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,568, issued to Franklin, discloses ways to eliminate Pai Gow Poker pushes. Evers discloses an improved method of playing Pai Gow wherein the pushes are eliminated because, if a player and banker are in a traditional push, the player wins if her hand is higher than a predetermined hand, and the banker wins if the player's hand is lower than a predetermined hand. Although Evers eliminates pushes and likely speeds up the pace of the Pai Gow poker game, this improvement is utterly arbitrary and offers no opportunity for the player to strategize. As such, the Evers' improved game of Pai Gow poker heavily favors the house and is unlikely to be played by players. Additionally, The Evers' improvement fails to eliminate the need for commission.
Timpano discloses an improved method of playing Pai Gow wherein a supplemental wager is used to resolve pushes. Although this supplemental wager does resolve pushes, the supplemental wager itself slows the game down and Timpano fails to eliminate the need for commission.
Franklin discloses an improved method of playing Pai Gow wherein a third, three card poker hand is also made from the 7 cards dealt to each player. Because the players and the banker compare three hands, no pushes are possible. Although adding a third hand to the game does indeed solve the push problem, Franklin fails to eliminate the need for commission.
Thus, what is needed is an improved game of Pai Gow poker that is commission free, reduces the number of pushes, offers the players additional opportunities to strategize, and speeds up the pace of the play of the Pai Gow poker game.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention discloses an improved method of playing Pai Gow poker.
One embodiment of the invention is a method for playing an improved game of Pai Gow poker, the steps comprising: placing a first bet by one or more players; dealing a hand of seven cards to the one or more players and a banker; wherein the one or more players review the hand of seven cards and determine whether to continue playing or folding; wherein the one or more players continuing to play place a second bet, and wherein the folding players forfeit the first bet and wherein the folding players hand of seven cards is discarded; wherein a house collects the forfeited first bets; arranging the hand of seven cards into a five card high hand and a two card low hand by the banker and by the one or more players continuing to play; exposing the hands of the banker and of the one or more players continuing to play; determining a winner between the banker and the one or more players continuing to play based on a standard rules of Pai Gow poker; wherein the winning banker collects the first bet and the second bet from one or more losing players continuing to play; wherein the winning players continuing to play collect an even money payout to the first bet and the second bet from the banker; and wherein the house collects no commission or percentage of the even money payouts. The second bet is identical to the first bet. The improved game of Pai Gow poker is preferably played as a casino table game.
Another embodiment of the improved game of Pai Gow poker is played as an electronic game, wherein the electronic game has a display, a player interface, a processor, and a payout interface.
An object of this invention is to overcome the limitations of the prior art.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved game of Pai Gow poker that is commission free and wherein no percentage of the players' winnings is collected.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved game of Pai Gow poker that may be played as a casino table wager game or may be played as an electronic wager game.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved game of Pai Gow poker that reduces the number of pushes and speeds up the pace of play of the Pai Gow poker game.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved game of Pai Gow poker that offers players additional opportunities to strategize, which enhances the fun of the game.
The present invention is an improved variation of Pai Gow poker, wherein the improvement includes allowing the players to view their hands and decide whether to continue or to fold. If a player decides to fold, that player's initial wager, or ante, is forfeited to the house or casino. In this manner, the casino will collect the forfeited antes in place of collecting a commission. If a player decides to continue playing, the player must place a second wager, or check bet. Once this second wager is placed, the improved game of Pai Gow poker is concluded in a manner identical to the standard game of Pai Gow poker.
These, as well as other components, steps, features, objects, benefits, and advantages, will now become clear from a review of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The drawings disclose illustrative embodiments. They do not set forth all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition or instead. Details that may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save space or for more effective illustration. Conversely, some embodiments may be practiced without all of the details that are disclosed. When the same numeral appears in different drawings, it is intended to refer to the same or like components or steps.

FIG. 1 is a detailed illustration of the table layout used in playing the improved game of Pai Gow poker of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram representing the flow of play in the game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments are now discussed. Other embodiments may be used in addition or instead. Details that may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save space or for a more effective presentation. Conversely, some embodiments may be practiced without all of the details that are disclosed.
FIG. 1 is a detailed illustration of the table layout used in playing the improved game of Pai Gow poker of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 the table layout for playing the improved Pai Gow poker of the present invention includes a rounded table 1 at which six players and a dealer may gather. Each player has a designated location to place the five card high hand 5 and the two card low hand 8. FIG. 1 shows how the table has an identification area “P B” 15, wherein each player is preferably marked as either a “P”, for player, or a “B” for banker. Further, FIG. 1 shows that each player's area has a designation number 20 that allows the play, shuffles, dealings, and bet orders to be tracked. Additionally, each player has two wagering areas, bet 30 and check 40. Bet 30 is the first or initial bet and is also known as the ante bet. Check 40 is the second or additional bet and is also known as the check bet. Area 50 is where the dealer operates and displays cards if the dealer is acting as a house banker. Finally, FIG. 1 shows fold 60, which is where players who are folding discard their cards to let the dealer know that they are forfeiting their bet 30.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram representing the flow of play in the game. As shown in FIG. 2, the improved game of Pai Gow poker typically starts by providing, preparing, and shuffling a standard Pai Gow poker deck of cards 200. The standard Pai Gow poker deck is fifty-two cards plus a joker. The Players then place a first bet 202. The cards are dealt and each wagering player and the banker or dealer receive a seven card hand 204. Preferably there is at least one player and one banker. The banker may be another player or the banker may be a house dealer. If the banker is a house dealer, up to six players may play at the same time. The players review their hands and decide whether to fold or continue 206. Players that fold forfeit their first bet to the house and their cards are discarded 208. Players that continue must place a second bet. Preferably this second bet is identical to the first bet 210. Steps 206, 208, and 210 are important improvements to the standard game of Pai Gow poker, and until the present invention, have never been part of any Pai Gow poker game. The seven card hands of the players that continue and the seven card hand of the banker are sorted into a five card high hand and a two card low hand and exposed 212. The players' hands are compared to the banker's hand and a winner, between the banker and each player, is determined by the standard rules of Pai Gow poker 214. If the banker wins, she collects both the first and second bet. If the banker and player push, the first and second bets are returned to the player. If the player wins, she collects even money on both the first and second bets 216, and in addition, the player's first and second bets are returned. Preferably, when the player wins, no commission on the winnings, from either the first or the second bet, is collected 218.
Because players are likely to fold if they have a bad hand, this speeds up the play of the game by eliminating the need to compare the folding players' hands with the banker's hand. Additionally, because players may fold unless they have a fairly strong hand, the number of pushes that occur will be reduced. Finally, because no commission will need to be calculated or paid, the payout portion of the Pai Gow poker game is streamlined and more efficient.
As with most table casino wagering games, this improved game of Pai Gow poker can also be embodied in an electronic wagering apparatus. The electronic embodiment of the present invention preferably has a display, a processor, a payout apparatus or mechanism, and a player interface that both accepts wagers and allows a player to fold or place a second bet and continue. Preferably, the electronic embodiment of the present invention has a high resolution audio/visual display; accepts cash, tokens, and electronic or other types of magnetic cards for payment; and has manual, electronic, or touch screen buttons or other interface switches.
Although the present invention is preferably combined with the standard Pai Gow poker game, it may also be combined with other variations of Pai Gow poker.
The components, steps, features, objects, benefits and advantages that have been discussed are merely illustrative. None of them, nor the discussions relating to them, are intended to limit the scope of protection in any way. Numerous other embodiments are also contemplated. These include embodiments that have fewer, additional, and/or different components, steps, features, objects, benefits and advantages. These also include embodiments in which the components and/or steps are arranged and/or ordered differently.
Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain.
Nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is recited in the claims.
The scope of protection is limited solely by the claims that now follow. That scope is intended and should be interpreted to be as broad as is consistent with the ordinary meaning of the language that is used in the claims when interpreted in light of this specification and the prosecution history that follows and to encompass all structural and functional equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for playing an improved game of Pai Gow poker, the steps comprising:

placing a first bet by one or more players;

dealing a hand of seven cards to said one or more players and a banker;

wherein said one or more players review said hand of seven cards and determine whether to continue playing or folding;

wherein said one or more players continuing to play place a second bet, and wherein said folding players forfeit said first bet;

wherein a house collects said forfeited first bets;

arranging said hand of seven cards into a five card high hand and a two card low hand by said banker and by said one or more players continuing to play;

exposing said hands of said banker and of said one or more players continuing to play;

determining a winner between said banker and said one or more players continuing to play based on a standard rules of Pai Gow poker;

wherein said winning banker collects said first bet and said second bet from one or more losing players continuing to play; and

wherein said winning players continuing to play collect an even money payout to said first bet and said second bet from said banker.

2. The method of playing an improved game of Pai Gow poker of claim 1, wherein said house collects no commission on, or percentage of, said even money payouts.

3. The method of playing an improved game of Pai Gow poker of claim 2, wherein said second bet is identical to said first bet.

4. The method of playing an improved game of Pai Gow poker of claim 3, wherein said improved game of Pai Gow poker is played as a casino table game.

5. The method of playing an improved game of Pai Gow poker of claim 1, wherein said banker does not have a qualifying minimum hand; and

wherein said winning players continuing to play collect an even money payout to said first bet and do not collect on said second bet from said banker.

6. The method of playing an improved game of Pai Gow poker of claim 2, wherein said second bet is double said first bet.

7. A method for playing an improved game of Pai Gow poker, the steps comprising:

placing a first bet by one or more players;

dealing a hand of seven cards to said one or more players and a banker;

wherein a house collects said forfeited first bets;

wherein said banker reviews said banker hand of seven cards and determines whether said banker hand of seven cards is a qualifying hand;

wherein if said banker does not have said qualifying hand, then said banker without said qualifying hand pays said one or more players continuing to play on said first bet;

arranging, if said banker has said qualifying hand, said hand of seven cards into a five card high hand and a two card low hand by said banker and by said one or more players continuing to play;

8. The method of playing an improved game of Pai Gow poker of claim 7, wherein said second bet is double said first bet.

9. The method of playing an improved game of Pai Gow poker of claim 7, wherein said banker and said one or more players continuing to play push if neither wins both said five card high hand and said two card low hand.

10. The method of playing an improved game of Pai Gow poker of claim 7, wherein said improved game of Pai Gow poker is played as a casino table game.

11. The method of playing an improved game of Pai Gow poker of claim 7, wherein said house collects no commission on, or percentage of, said even money payouts.

12. The method of playing an improved game of Pai Gow poker of claim 7, wherein said banker has said qualifying hand;

wherein at least one of said one or more players continuing to play has an ante bonus qualifying hand; and

wherein said one or more players continuing to play with said ante bonus qualifying hand collect a scaled first bet bonus payout to said first bet.

13. The method of playing an improved game of Pai Gow poker of claim 12, wherein said ante bonus qualifying hand is a Full House or better.

14. The method of playing an improved game of Pai Gow poker of claim 13, wherein said ante bonus qualifying hand is selected from the group consisting of said Full House, a Four of a Kind, a Straight Flush, a Royal Flush, and a Five Aces.

15. The method of playing an improved game of Pai Gow poker of claim 14, wherein said scaled first bet bonus payout of said Full House is one to one, wherein said scaled first bet bonus payout of said Four of a Kind is two to one, wherein said scaled first bet bonus payout of said Straight Flush is five to one, wherein said scaled first bet bonus payout of said Royal Flush is ten to one, and wherein said scaled first bet bonus payout of said Five Aces is fifty to one.

16. The method of playing an improved game of Pai Gow poker of claim 15, wherein said qualifying hand of said banker is a pair of Nines or better.