WO2012166908A2

WO2012166908A2 - Gaming system with bad beat and big hand jackpot

Info

Publication number: WO2012166908A2
Application number: PCT/US2012/040193
Authority: WO
Inventors: Malcolm B. Davis
Original assignee: Brain Games, L.C.
Priority date: 2011-05-31
Filing date: 2012-05-31
Publication date: 2012-12-06
Also published as: WO2012166908A3; US20120309481A1

Abstract

In a method of operating an electronic gaming system including a machine- implemented two player symmetric game between a human user and the machine- implemented electronic game value is received from a human user of a machine- implemented electronic game in the form of a wager on the outcome of the game, indicia prompting the human user to select a game option is displayed and input from the human user is received via a user interface associated with a user device whereby the human user selects the game option such that the human user may receive a jackpot if the human user's position at the conclusion of the machine-implemented game is greater than a predetermined criteria regardless of the position of the machine-implemented game, the game is played, an outcome determined, and value transferred to the human user if the human user wins the machine-implemented electronic game or if the human user's position at the conclusion of the game is equal to or greater than the predetermined criteria.

Description

GAMING SYSTEM WITH BAD BEAT AND BIG HAND JACKPOT CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a Patent Cooperation Treaty Application of U.S. Patent Application No. 13/483,985, filed May 30, 2012, entitled GAMING SYSTEM WITH BAD BEAT AND BIG HAND JACKPOT (Atty. Dkt. No. DKT. BRGM- 31252) [which application claims priority of U.S. Application Serial No. 61/491,527, filed May 31, 2011, and entitled GAMING SYSTEM WITH BAD BEAT AND BIG HAND JACKPOT (Atty. Dkt. No. DKT. BRGM-29994)], the specifications of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The following disclosure relates to machine-implemented games, and in particular, to machine -implemented games implementing "Bad Beat," "Big Hand" or similar jackpots that enable a player to win a jackpot with a losing hand or position or with a sufficiently strong or high hand or position.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Machine-based game machines such as slot machines and video games are well known and widely used in casinos and similar establishments. The popularity of such machines is due to the entertainment value of the game machine along with the expectation of human players that they have an opportunity to win awards or pots in excess of their wager or wagers. Human players tend to play game machines that are simple, but interesting, and offer different features and greater entertainment value along with the perception that there is a significant probability that the player may win an award substantially greater than their wagers. This perception may be enhanced when a game played on a game machine provides multiple ways that a human player may win.

[0004] The popularity of poker-type games has increased substantially over the last few years, especially in connection with a particular poker game known as Texas Hold' em. Poker-type games, including Texas Hold' em, are offered on game machines in casinos and similar establishments. Typically, the games are heads-up, two player games, i.e., the human player vs. the game machine. In most instances, the human player will make one or more wagers during the course of the game and the human player wins a pot based on a pay-out table if he or she has a superior hand at the completion of the game. [0005] Most poker players have experience of a "bad beat." A "bad beat" occurs when a player is dealt a hand or position that would normally win and is, however, beaten by a superior hand or position. In order to make the game more appealing to human players, there is disclosed herein a system and method for enabling a human player to win a pot if he or she has a hand or position that would normally win, but is nevertheless beaten by a superior hand or position "dealt" to the game machine. Further, there exists a need to make machine-based games, such as poker-style games more interesting and entertaining. There also exists a need to enhance the perception of the human player that he or she has a chance of winning if dealt a high-value hand or position. The method and system described herein addresses these needs. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In one embodiment, a method of operating an electronic gaming system includes the steps of: a) receiving value from a human user of an electronic gaming machine in the form of a wager on the outcome of the game, b) initiating a machine- implemented game on the electronic gaming machine and displaying indicia prompting the human user to select a game option whereby the human may receive a jackpot if the human user's position at the end of the game is greater than a predetermined criteria regardless of the position of the machine -implemented game, d) receiving input from the human user via a user interface associated with the electronic gaming machine whereby the human user selects the game option, e) determining an outcome of the game and one of: i) if the human user wins the game, transferring value from the electronic gaming machine to the human user, and ii) comparing the human user's position at the end of the game to the predetermined criteria and if the human user's position is equal to or exceeds the predetermined criteria, transferring value in the amount of the jackpot from the electronic gaming machine to the human user.

[0007] In one embodiment the machine-implemented game is poker and the predetermined criteria is a poker hand of having a given value rank to other poker hands, for example, at least four of a kind. In different variations, the value of the jackpot is funded from deductions from wagers placed by human users of the electronic gaming machine. The predetermined criteria is selected prior to initiation of the game by a human user and may change during the course of a game. In some variations, the machine-implemented game is symmetric and the electronic gaming machine may use artificial intelligence to determine actions taken during the course of the game. Instructions and programs for executing the machine-implement game may be stored on a central processor linked to a plurality of electronic gaming machines or user devices by means of a public or private network.

[0008] In another variation, an electronic gaming system includes a central processor operative to control a plurality of user devices to enable a human user to play a machine-implemented electronic game. The machine-implemented electronic game includes a game option whereby the human user may receive a jackpot if the human user's position at the conclusion of the machine-implemented game is greater than a predetermined criteria regardless of the position of the machine-implemented game.

[0009] A display associated with the user devices, displays indicia prompting the human user to select the game option and an interface associated with the user device is operable to receive input from the human user whereby the human user selects the game option, initiates the machine-implement game, and plays the game to completion. The central processor is operable to determine an outcome of the game and, if the human user loses the game, compare the human user's position at the end of the game to the predetermined criteria and transfer the value of the jackpot to the human user if the human user's position is equal to or exceeds the predetermined criteria. The system may include a data storage device connected to the central processor with instructions for enabling human users to play the machine- implemented game with the user devices. In some embodiments the machine- implemented electronic game is a two player symmetric game such as Texas Hold' em and the electronic game utilizes artificial intelligence to determine and take actions during the course of the game.

[0010] In yet another variation, according to method of operating an electronic gaming system value is received from a human user of a machine-implemented electronic game in the form of a wager on the outcome of the game. The machine- implemented electronic game may by a two player symmetric game between the human user and the machine -implemented electronic game. Indicia prompting the human user to select a game option is displayed to the human user. Input from a human user is received via a user interface associated with a user device whereby the human user selects the game option and may receive a jackpot if the human user's position at the conclusion of the machine-implemented game is greater than a predetermined criteria regardless of the position of the machine -implemented game. The system is configured to transfer value to the human user if the human user wins the machine-implemented electronic game or if the human user's position at the conclusion of the game is equal to or greater than the predetermined criteria. [0011] In different variations, the machine-implemented game is one of Texas Hold'em poker, stud poker and liar's poker. In one variation, the machine- implemented game is Texas Hold'em poker wherein the machine -implemented electronic game and the human user are dealt private cards and public cards and wherein the private cards must be used to make a hand that is equal to or exceeds the predetermined criteria. The game may be symmetric, and during the course of the game, the machine-implemented electronic game may use artificial intelligence to determine actions taken during the course of the game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] For a more complete understanding, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings in which: [0013] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a system for implementing machine-based games featuring "Bad Beat," "Big Hand" or similar jackpots;

[0014] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of one game machine suitable for implementing machine-based games featuring "Bad Beat," "Big Hand" or similar jackpots in the system of Fig. 1, or alternatively, on a stand-alone basis; [0015] Fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary display screen for enabling a human player to select "Bad Beat," "Big Hand" jackpot feature;

[0016] Fig. 4 is an exemplary display screen illustrating a possible outcome of a machine-based game wherein a "Big Hand" jackpot feature is implemented;

[0017] Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of incorporating a "Bad Beat" jackpot feature in connection with a machine-based game; and

[0018] Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of incorporating a "Big Hand" jackpot feature in connection with a machine -based game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Although the preferred embodiment has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0020] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a system for implementing a machine-implemented game in which a "Bad Beat Jackpot" and/or "Big Hand Jackpot" may be implemented. As illustrated, system 100 may include a central office 102. Central office 102 may include a processor having a CPU 104 including an associated data storage unit 106 and a communications interface 108. Central office 102 may communicate via a data link 103 with a network 110, which in turn enables communications between the central office 102 and one or more game machines 112. Network 110 may be a private hard- wired network such as a LAN, a private wireless network and/or a public network such as the Internet in which case the machine-implemented game may be played with user devices having Internet access. Central office 102 may also communicate via network 110 with an administrative terminal 114 for accounting and/or monitoring game machines 112 from a local or remote location. It will be appreciated that the system may be used in connection with game machines at different locations and may be implemented in the form of a network game whereby users may access and play the game via a private network or a public network such as the Internet.

[0021] CPU 104 may download games or similar information stored on data storage unit 106 via data link 103 and network 110 to game machines 112. CPU 104 of central office 102 may also upload information from game machines 112 via network 110 and data link 103. CPU 104 may also provide monitoring functions for monitoring the activity on game machines 112 in realtime or at periodic intervals. In one embodiment, CPU 104 implements one or more game engines schematically represented as 105 for controlling and monitoring games played by patrons on game machines 112. In some embodiments, games played on game machines 112 that implement a "Bad Beat" or "Big Hand Jackpot" feature will be part of a symmetric game portfolio, in which the game machine and the human player play by the same rules, and wherein the game machine makes strategic decisions determined by artificial intelligence. For example, actions by the game machine may be determined with an algorithm based on the different probabilities associated with the particular game state at that time. [0022] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of an exemplary game machine 112. As illustrated, game machine 112 typically includes a housing 200 and a display 210. Display 210 is part of a user interface or patron interface generally designated 202 that enables patrons to interface with the machine to play one or more games on the machine. User interface 202 may also include a plurality of buttons, knobs, dials or similar devices 218 to facilitate the playing of a game on the machine. Game machine 112 also typically includes a processor or CPU 204 with an associated communications interface 206 for communicating with central office 102 via network 110 (Fig. 1). One or more data storage devices 208 associated with CPU 204 may be utilized to store preprogrammed instructions for executing different games on the game machine 112. Data storage unit 208 may also be used to store various parameters and information regarding activities or games played on game machine 112. Depending upon the particular embodiment, game machine 112 may be a "dumb" machine, i.e., controlled on a realtime basis by central office 102. In this embodiment, instructions and programs for executing a game may be performed using CPU 104 of central office 102 in response to input by a player or patron utilizing user interface 202. In other words, a game is actually played by CPU 204 rather than on game machine 112. In other embodiments, game machine 112 may be a "smart" unit wherein programs and instructions utilized to play various games are stored on a data storage device 208 and executed using CPU 204 in response to input by a player using player interface 202. In this embodiment, game results, statistics and disbursements may be reported at periodic intervals or at the end of each game played to central office 102. In yet other variations, instructions and programs for playing a game on game machine 112 may be executed in part on the game machine and in part by CPU 104 of central office 102. [0023] Game machine 112 also includes a bank module 212. Bank module 212 includes a payment input/output device 214 that enables a player to input, for example, a credit card, a debit card, smart card, bar coded ticket or other stored value card for maintaining a balance to draw from during play. Alternatively, payment input device 214 may be a currency reader. In one embodiment, bank module 212 may include a cash, ticket or token dispenser 216 for making cash payments or dispensing tokens or tickets to a player. Many game systems, however, use a stored value card that allows a player to move from game to game and maintains the player's balance on the card. In this case, bank module 212 may be eliminated and a card read/write device 220 may be utilized to debit and credit a player's balance on a stored value card.

[0024] Fig. 3 is an exemplary display screen 300 that may be presented to a player via display 210 of game machine 112 (Fig. 2). Display screen 300 enables a player to select a "Bad Beat Jackpot" and/or a "Big Hand Jackpot" option for a particular game that the player has elected to play on game machine 112. In one embodiment, display screen 210 of game machine 112 comprises a touch screen or similar graphical user interface. In this case, a player may elect to choose a "Bad Beat Jackpot" and/or a "Big Hand Jackpot" by means of pressing buttons 302 on display screen 210. If game machine 112 is not equipped with a touch screen display or similar graphical user interface, the player may select the "Bad Beat Jackpot" and/or a "Big Hand Jackpot" by means of buttons 218 mounted in console 222 of game machine 112. [0025] The "Bad Beat Jackpot" is a feature that enables a player to win under unusual circumstances in which the player has a relatively high hand or position, e.g., four eights, and is still beaten by the game machine 112, which has drawn a straight flush. Typically, the "Bad Beat Jackpot" and "Big Hand Jackpot" features are implemented in connection with a machine implemented heads-up poker-type game, for example, Texas Hold' em, various types of stud poker and liar's poker. Typically, in the case of poker games such as Texas Hold' em where both the machine and the player are dealt "hole" or private cards and public cards, the private cards must be used to make a hand that qualifies for the "Bad Beat" or "Big Hand" jackpots.

[0026] Variations on the different games are possible. For example, in the case of a machine-implemented liar's poker game (played with integers), a jackpot may be determined by combining both the machine's and the player's hands. In this case, a hand might not be restricted to five numbers. In one embodiment, wherein the machine-implemented game is liar's poker, the machine and the player may each hold up to eight numbers. However, the "Bad Beat Jackpot" and "Big Hand Jackpot" features may be offered with other types of machine-implemented games. [0027] In the case of the "Bad Beat Jackpot," a player may win the jackpot even if game machine 112 has a superior position or hand if the player's position or hand is high enough. For example, a player in a machine -implemented poker game may draw four of a kind, normally a winning hand. However, the player may still be beaten if the machine has a superior hand, for example, a straight flush. However, if the player has elected the "Bad Beat Jackpot" feature, the player may still win the jackpot even with an inferior hand.

[0028] Fig. 4 is an exemplary display screen 402 illustrating one circumstance under which a player may win a "Bad Beat Jackpot." Display screen 400 illustrates possible hands held by a player and by game machine 112 at the end of a Texas Hold' em game. In this exemplary game, to qualify for the "Bad Beat Jackpot" the player must have selected the feature at the beginning of the game before play. In order to qualify for the "Bad Beat Jackpot," the player must have a minimum hand or position of four of a kind. In the exemplary game illustrated in Fig. 4, the player has two private cards 404, an eight of clubs and an eight of diamonds while the machine has two private cards 406, a five of hearts and a seven of hearts. The public or community cards 408, which are visible to both the player and machine, include an eight of spades, an eight of hearts, a six of hearts, a four of hearts and a queen of diamonds.

[0029] In this case, the player has a relatively high hand, i.e., four eights. However, the machine has a superior hand - a straight flush (a four, five, six, seven and eight of hearts). Normally, the player would lose the hand and would receive nothing. However, if the player had selected the "Bad Beat Jackpot" feature, the player would be entitled to receive the "Bad Beat Jackpot" since the player's hand was equal to or greater than the predetermined minimum hand or position required to qualify for the jackpot. In this case, four of a kind. The value of a qualifying hand may be arbitrarily set, for example, a full house or four of a kind, when the game or games featuring the "Bad Beat Jackpot" are initiated. In one embodiment, the value of a qualifying hand may increase progressively as the jackpot increases.

[0030] The "Bad Beat Jackpot" (and "Big Hand") jackpots may be funded or accumulated in a variety of ways. Typically, the jackpot is funded by small deductions from pots won by a player or wages made by a player. In some instances, the owner/operator of the game machine may partially fund the jackpot and/or guarantee some minimum payout. In one embodiment, the jackpot payouts are drawn from an accumulated pot, as opposed to being determined by a pay table. The pot may be machine specific, casino-game specific, or possibly specific to games in several networked casinos. In one embodiment, if a player selects the "Bad Beat Jackpot" at the beginning of a game session, a small amount may be deducted from each pot that the player wins.

[0031] In other embodiments, a small amount may be deducted from each wager or wagers that the player makes during the game. The deductions from the pots that the player wins or from the player's wager or wagers may be accumulated over a period of time to fund the jackpot. In one embodiment, the "Bad Beat Jackpot" is funded solely upon games played on a single machine. In other embodiments, the jackpot may be funded from games played on linked machines such as illustrated in Fig. 1. In either case, the jackpot may increase in a progressive fashion until the jackpot is won. Preferably, the jackpot is funded by means of small deductions from pots won by players that elect the "Bad Beat Jackpot" feature. In some embodiments, after a player has won the jackpot, the owner or operator of the game machines 112 may elect to place a sum into the jackpot in order to "seed" the pot and to stimulate interest in the "Bad Beat Jackpot" feature. Alternatively, the owner or operator of game machine 112 may elect to withhold or allocate a portion of the jackpot after a player has won the jackpot to initially fund the jackpot after a player has won. To further stimulate interest in the "Bad Beat Jackpot" and "Big Hand Jackpot" features, the amount 304 of the jackpot (Fig. 3) is displayed at the beginning of the game session or throughout the game session in order to stimulate interests in the feature. [0032] Fig. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method of implementing a "Big Hand Jackpot" feature in connection with a slot-type machine -implemented game, for example poker. The process begins at step 500 where a player selects or initiates a game using game machine 112 (Fig. 1). At step 502, the player may be presented with a display screen such as illustrated in Fig. 3 enabling the player to select, for example, a "Bad Beat Jackpot" or "Big Hand Jackpot" feature in connection with the game. At decision block 504, the player may elect not to select the "Bad Beat Jackpot" or "Big Hand Jackpot" features, in which case, the process ends at 506. At step 508, the game is played to completion. If the player wins a hand at decision block 510, a deduction for the "Big Hand Jackpot" is made at step 512. At step 514, the value of the pot is dispensed to the player less the deduction for the "Big Hand Jackpot" after which the process ends at step 516.

[0033] If the player does not win the hand, at step 518 a determination is made as to whether the player has previously selected the "Bad Beat Jackpot" feature at step 504. If the player did not select the feature, the process ends at step 516. If the player did select the "Bad Beat Jackpot" feature at decision block 520 a determination is made as to whether the player has a qualifying hand or position, i.e., a high enough hand or position to qualify for the "Bad Beat Jackpot." If the player has a qualifying hand or position, at step 522 a percentage of the jackpot may be received by the house or game owner/operator. At step 524, the value of the "Bad Beat Jackpot," less the house percentage, is dispensed to the player after which the process ends at step 526. [0034] In addition to the "Bad Beat Jackpot" feature, a "Big Hand Jackpot" option may also be incorporated into a game such as machine-implemented poker. The "Big Hand Jackpot" is awarded to a player that receives or is dealt a qualifying hand or position, e.g., equal to or superior to a predetermined hand or position, for example, four deuces. The "Big Hand Jackpot" may be awarded to a player regardless of whether the player wins or loses the hand. The "Big Hand Jackpot" is typically awarded to the player at the completion of the hand or game or at the time the player receives or is dealt a hand or position that qualifies for the jackpot.

[0035] Fig. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method implementing a "Big Hand Jackpot" feature in a machine -implemented casino-type game such as poker. The process begins at step 600 where a player selects or initiates a game on game machine 112. In this variation, at step 602 the player makes an initial wager after which the player is presented with a display giving the player the option of selecting the "Big Hand Jackpot" feature in connection with the game. At decision block 606, the player may elect not to select the "Big Hand Jackpot" option, in which case, the process ends at step 607. If the player selects the "Big Hand Jackpot" option at decision block 606, a small percentage of the player's wager may be deducted at step 608 to fund the "Big Hand Jackpot." Alternatively, the "Big Hand Jackpot" may be funded by a small deduction from each pot that the player wins during the game session as discussed in connection with Fig. 5 above.

[0036] The game is played to completion at step 610 after which the determination is made as to whether the player won at step 612. If the player won the game, at step 614 the value of the pot is dispensed to the player after which the process moves to decision block 616. Alternatively, if the player did not win the pot, the process loops to decision block 616 to determine whether the player selected the "Big Hand Jackpot" option at decision block 606. If the player did not select the "Big Hand Jackpot" option, the process ends at step 618. If the player previously selected the "Big Hand Jackpot" option, at decision block 620 a determination is made as to whether the player has a qualifying hand, e.g., a hand or position superior to the predetermined hand or position required to qualify for the jackpot. If the player's hand or position does not qualify, the process ends at step 622. Alternatively, if the player has a qualifying hand, at step 624, the value of the jackpot, less any deduction for the house, is dispensed to the player and the process ends at step 626.

[0037] As will be appreciated, the method and system disclosed herein is particularly suitable to two-player (machine and human) machine-implemented poker- type games. The method and system make such games more appealing insofar as the human player is afforded an opportunity to win a jackpot with a losing hand or position, assuming the human's losing hand is sufficiently high or strong to qualify for the jackpot. The method and system also makes the game more interesting and enhances the entertainment value of the game.

[0038] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that this machine-implemented gaming system with "Bad Bead" and "Big Hand Jackpot" provides a means of enhancing the perception of a human player that he or she may win a jackpot, which makes the machine -implemented game more interesting and entertaining. It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description herein are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive manner, and are not intended to be limiting to the particular forms and examples disclosed. On the contrary, included are any further modifications, changes, rearrangements, substitutions, alternatives, design choices, and embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope hereof, as defined by the following claims. Thus, it is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such further modifications, changes, rearrangements, substitutions, alternatives, design choices, and embodiments.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method of operating an electronic gaming system comprising:

a) receiving value from a human user of an electronic game machine in the form of a wager on the outcome of the game;

b) initiating a machine-implemented game on the electronic gaming machine and displaying indicia prompting the human user to select a game option whereby the human may receive a jackpot if the human user's position at the end of the game is greater than a predetermined criteria regardless of the position of the machine-implemented game;

d) receiving input from the human user via a user interface associated with the electronic gaming machine whereby the human user selects the game option;

e) determining an outcome of the game and one of:

i) if the human user wins the game, transferring value from the electronic gaming machine to the human user; and

ii) comparing the human user's position at the end of the game to the predetermined criteria and if the human user's position is equal to or exceeds the predetermined criteria, transferring value in the amount of the jackpot from the electronic gaming machine to the human user.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting the predetermined criteria prior to initiation of the game by a human user.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the predetermined criteria is changed during the course of a game initiated by a human user.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the machine-implemented game is a poker game.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the machine-implemented game is symmetric and the electronic gaming machine uses artificial intelligence to determine actions taken during the course of the game.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the value of the jackpot is funded from deductions from wagers placed by human users.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein a plurality of game machines, each configured to provide a human user with the game option are linked to a central processor.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein instructions and programs for executing the machine-implemented game are stored on a central processor.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the central processor executes instructions to play the machine-implemented game via the electronic gaming machines.

10. A method of operating an electronic gaming system comprising:

a) receiving value from a human user of a machine-implemented electronic game in the form of a wager on the outcome of the game, wherein the machine-implemented electronic game is a two player symmetric game between the human user and the machine-implemented electronic game;

b) displaying indicia prompting the human user to select a game option whereby the human user may receive a jackpot if the human user's position at the conclusion of the machine-implemented game is greater than a predetermined criteria regardless of the position of the machine -implemented game;

c) receiving input from the human user via a user interface associated with a user device whereby the human user selects the game option;

d) initiating the machine-implemented game on the user device;

e) determining an outcome of the game; and

f) if the human user loses the game, comparing the human user's position at the end of the game to the predetermined criteria and transferring the value of the jackpot to the human user if the human user's position is equal to or exceeds the predetermined criteria.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the machine-implemented game is one of Texas Hold'em poker, stud poker and liar's poker.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the machine -implemented game is poker and the machine-implemented electronic game uses artificial intelligence to determine actions taken during the course of the game.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the machine-implemented game is Texas Hold' em poker and wherein the machine-implemented electronic game and the human user are dealt private cards and public cards and wherein the private cards must be used to make a hand that is equal to or exceeds the predetermined criteria.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising selecting the predetermined criteria prior to initiation of the game by a human user.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the jackpot is funded by deductions from wagers by, or winnings of, human players over time.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the value of the jackpot is variable, depending upon the value of the human user's position.

17. An electronic gaming system comprising:

a) a central processor operative to control a plurality of user devices, the user devices operative to enable a human user to play a machine- implemented electronic game including a game option whereby the human user may receive a jackpot if the human user's position at the conclusion of the machine-implemented game is greater than a predetermined criteria regardless of the position of the machine-implemented game;

b) a display associated with the user devices, the display operative to display indicia prompting the human user to select the game option;

c) an interface associated with the user device operable to receive input from the human user whereby the human user a game selects the game option, initiates the machine-implement game, and plays the game to completion; and wherein, the central processor is operable to determine an outcome of the game and, if the human user loses the game, compare the human user's position at the end of the game to the predetermined criteria and transfer the value of the jackpot to the human user if the human user's position is equal to or exceeds the predetermined criteria.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein a data storage device connected to the central processor includes instructions for enabling human users to play the machine- implemented game with the user devices.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the machine-implemented electronic game is a two player symmetric game.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the value of the jackpot is funded from deductions from wagers placed by human users.