US20140312567A1

US20140312567A1 - Paradise Baccarat Table

Info

Publication number: US20140312567A1
Application number: US14/217,623
Authority: US
Inventors: Jay Chun
Original assignee: Jay Chun
Current assignee: International Game Technology
Priority date: 2007-03-19
Filing date: 2014-03-18
Publication date: 2014-10-23
Also published as: US20080230993A1; WO2008113157A1; CA2681358A1

Abstract

A device for playing a game comprising: jackpot betting sensors comprising a betting sensor and a lamp; a baccarat table; a local server coupled to the jackpot betting sensors; a monitor attached to a pole; the jackpot betting sensors are mounted on top of the baccarat table allowing a first player to play the baccarat game on the baccarat table and allowing the first player or a second player to place a jackpot bet by placing a betting chip on the betting sensor; wherein the lamp in the jackpot betting sensor turns on when a betting chip covers the jackpot betting sensor to indicate that the jackpot bet is placed; and wherein the baccarat table is adapted to permit the second player to place the jackpot bet without placing a bet for the baccarat game; and wherein the local server causes the winning combination to be shown on the monitor.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to a method of play and apparatus for playing a baccarat game.
Baccarat is one of the more popular gambling games played in casinos or gaming establishments. As is well known, the game is played on an elongated table having a game board displayed along the upper surface of the table. The game board displays certain wagering areas, and the elongated table allows for the seating of multiple players or bettors (1-16) and the positioning of the multiple dealers (3) necessary for operating the casino game. Bettor locations are typically numbered on the table and each bettor location has an area designated for a wager on the bank hand and an area designated for a wager on the player hand. Baccarat uses a standard deck of 52 playing cards and is usually dealt from a shoe having multiple decks that have been shuffled together prior to the beginning of play.
A feature of conventional baccarat games is that they have relatively simple rules. However, the simplicity of the rules has led to a corresponding simplicity in the relatively few types of wagers which can be placed during the play of the game, which may limit interest on the part of the player(s) and thus further limit the casino in terms of profit and payout.
The embodiments described below address the above-described issues and needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a Paradise Baccarat Table for baccarat game. The Paradise Baccarat Table comprises: (a) a device comprising jackpot betting buttons and/or sensors, (b) a traditional baccarat table, and (c) a local server for processing and computing jackpot wagering and payout. The betting buttons and sensors of the device are mounted on the top of the traditional baccarat table. The sensor comprises an indicator to indicate that a bet is placed by a player. In some embodiments, the Paradise Baccarat Table can further include a chip. In some embodiments, the local server is linked to a central server, and the central server receives jackpot wagering and payout data from the local server of each Paradise Baccarat Table for the processing and computation of a grand jackpot. In some embodiments, the local sever and the central server can be linked via Intranet or leased lines.
In some embodiments, the Paradise Baccarat Table can further comprise a monitor at each Paradise Baccarat Table which displays the grand jackpot with a rolling jackpot figure.
In some embodiments, the Paradise Baccarat Table can further comprise an intelligent card dealing shoe capable of (a) scanning a card's point and suit when a dealer draws out a card from the intelligent card dealing shoe for a baccarat game to generate a signal that comprises information comprising the card's point and suit, and (b) sending the signal to the local server so that where a winning combination, with regard to or regardless of suit, of the jackpot occurs, the local server causes the winning combination, with regard to or regardless of suit, to be shown on the monitor attached to a pole next to the Paradise Baccarat Table. In some embodiments, the Paradise Baccarat Table can further comprise a key pad or touch screen attached to the local server to allow the dealer to key in the point and suit of each card dealt in a baccarat game or key in the code for a specific winning combination, with regard to or regardless of suit, for a jackpot through the key pad or touch screen, wherein the key pad or touch screen is capable of causing the winning combination, with regard to or regardless of suit, to be shown on the monitor.
In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of playing baccarat. The method includes (a) allowing a player to play a baccarat game according to conventional baccarat rules, and (b) allowing the player to bet on jackpot using the Paradise Baccarat Table according to the present invention.
The present invention also discloses a software program or a set of software programs for carrying out any or all steps of the betting method described herein. The traditional baccarat game can also be incorporated into an electronic device or an entertainment gaming machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a general layout of an embodiment of the baccarat system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a Paradise Baccarat Table for baccarat game. The Paradise Baccarat Table comprises: (a) a device comprising jackpot betting buttons and/or sensors, (b) a traditional baccarat table, and (c) a local server for processing and computing jackpot wagering and payout. The betting buttons and sensors of the device can be mounted on the top of the traditional baccarat table. The sensor comprises an indicator to indicate that a bet is placed by a player. In some embodiments, the Paradise Baccarat Table can further include a chip. In some embodiments, the local server is linked to a central server, and the central server receives jackpot wagering and payout data from the local server of each Paradise Baccarat Table for the processing and computation of a grand jackpot. In some embodiments, the local sever and the central server can be linked via Intranet or leased lines.
In some embodiments, the Paradise Baccarat Table can further comprise a monitor at each Paradise Baccarat Table which displays the grand jackpot with a rolling jackpot figure.
In some embodiments, the Paradise Baccarat Table can further comprise an intelligent card dealing shoe capable of (a) scanning a card's point and suit when a dealer draws out a card from the intelligent card dealing shoe for a baccarat game to generate a signal that comprises information comprising the card's point and suit, and (b) sending the signal to the local server so that where a winning combination, regardless of suit, of the jackpot occurs, the local server causes the winning combination, regardless of suit, to be shown on the monitor attached to a pole next to the Paradise Baccarat Table. In some embodiments, the Paradise Baccarat Table can further comprise a key pad or touch screen attached to the local server to allow the dealer to key in the point and suit of each card dealt in a baccarat game or key in the code for a specific winning combination, regardless of suit, for a jackpot through the key pad or touch screen, wherein the key pad or touch screen is capable of causing the winning combination, regardless of suit, to be shown on the monitor.
In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of playing baccarat. The method includes (a) allowing a player to play a baccarat game according to conventional baccarat rules, and (b) allowing the player to bet on jackpot using the Paradise Baccarat Table according to the present invention.
In some embodiments, the jackpot gaming method allows the banker to make initial contributions for the jackpot game. As used herein, a zero-point card refers to any of the 10, J, Q, or K, and the banker refers to one who owns or operates the traditional baccarat establishment.
In general, the method for playing traditional baccarat described herein includes the following steps:
dealing cards to a player hand and a bank hand according to a set of conventional baccarat rules,
allowing at least a first player to place a bet on traditional baccarat,
allowing at least a second player to place a bet on jackpot where the second player can be the same as or different from the first player,
determining the outcome of the traditional baccarat game according to the set of conventional baccarat rules, and determining the outcome of the jackpot according to a combination of cards defined below.
The present invention also discloses a software program or a set of software programs for carrying out any or all steps of the betting method described herein. The traditional baccarat game can also be incorporated into an electronic device or an entertainment gaming machine.

Baccarat Game

The object of baccarat is for the bettor to successfully wager on whether the bank's hand or the player's hand is going to win. The bettor receives even money for his wager if he selects the winning hand and loses his wager if he selects the losing hand. Because of the rules of play of baccarat, the bank's hand has a slightly higher chance of winning than does the player's hand. Therefore, if the bettor wagers on the bank's hand, the bettor is required to pay to the gaming establishment a commission (typically 5%) of the amount the bettor wins. No commission is paid if the bettor successfully wagers on the player's hand.
The term “wager”, as used herein, can be used interchangeably with the term “bet.” The term “wagering” is used interchangeably with the term “betting.”
Conventional methods of playing baccarat are described as follows:
A multiple number of decks of standard playing cards, 52 in number, are used; typically six to twelve decks are shuffled together and placed in a shoe from which the cards are dealt during the play of the game.
Each bettor makes a wager on whether the bank's hand or the player's hand will win. After all wagers are made, two cards are dealt from the shoe to the bank position and two cards are dealt from the shoe to the player's position on the table layout. The cards are turned face up and the value of the bank hand and the player hand is determined.
Aces count as one; kings, queens, jacks and tens count as zero and the other cards count as their respective face value. The suits (hearts, diamonds, spades and clubs) have no meaning in baccarat. The highest hand value in baccarat is nine. All hand values range from a low of zero to a high of nine. If when the cards are added together, the total of the hand exceeds nine, then the hand value is determined by subtracting ten from the total of the hand. For example, a seven and nine total sixteen, but the hand value is six. An Ace and a nine total ten, but the hand value is zero.
A two card total of eight or nine is called a “natural”; a two card total of zero is called a “baccarat”. As will be explained hereafter, in certain situations in the play of the game, a third card will be dealt. The value of this third card is added to the total of the first two cards and a new hand value is established. Again, if the new hand total exceeds nine, the hand value is determined by subtracting ten from the total of the hand. Wagering locations are provided on the baccarat table layout. Whichever of the bank hand or the player hand is closest to a total of nine is the winner.
The way of betting may differ in different gaming establishments. In the U.S., for example, prior to the deal, each bettor can make one of three wagers: 1) that the bank hand will win, 2) that the player hand will win, or 3) that the bank hand and the player hand will tie. In Macau, for example, one can make one of five wagers: 1) that the bank hand will win, 2) that the player hand will win, 3) that the bank hand and the player hand will tie, 4) that the first two cards in the bank hand are of the same kind, regardless of the type of suit, forming a Bank Pair, or (5) that the first two cards in the player hand are of the same kind, regardless of the type of suit, forming a Player Pair.
All winning bank hand wagers in scenario 1) in both the U.S. and Macau are paid off at odds of one-to-one and the house charges a five percent (5%) commission on the amount won by the bettor. For example, if a bettor wagers $100 on the bank hand and the bank hand wins, the bettor wins $100 and is charged a $5 commission on the amount that the bettor won. The bettor is not charged any commission on the amount of his wager.
All wagers that select winning player hand in scenario 2) in both the U.S. and Macau are paid off at odds of one-to-one and the bettor is not charged any commission on the amount of his winnings or his wager.
All winning wagers on the tie in scenario 3) in both the U.S. and Macau can be paid off at odds of eight-to-one (depending on the gaming establishment) and the bettor is not charged any commission on the amount of his winnings or his wager. If a tie hand occurs, all wagers on the bank hand and all wagers on the player hand are “pushes” and the amount wagered is returned to the bettor.
All winning wagers on the Bank Pair bet in scenario 4) in Macau can be paid off at odds of eleven-to-one (depending on the gaming establishment) and the bettor is not charged any commission on the amount of his winnings or his wager.
All winning wagers on the Player Pair bet in scenario 5) in Macau can be paid off at odds of eight-to-one (depending on the gaming establishment) and the bettor is not charged any commission on the amount of his winnings or his wager.
The play of baccarat typically uses three casino dealers to operate the game. The casino dealers jointly participate in the shuffling of the decks of cards. After the shuffle is completed, one of the players is typically asked to cut the decks using a plastic cut card. The dealer then separates and restacks the cards from the point of the cut and the dealer or a player then inserts the plastic cut card no less than fifteen cards (in Las Vegas, U.S.) or no less than twelve cards (in Macau) from the ends of the stacked decks and the entire stacked decks are placed into a shoe from which the cards are dealt during the play of the game. When the inserted plastic cut card appears during play, the hand in progress is completed and that round of play then ends. The cards are reshuffled to prepare for the next round of baccarat.
In conventional baccarat, the bettors deal the cards used in the game. Initially, one of the casino dealers (called the “caller”) passes the shoe to the bettor sitting in seat number “1” at the baccarat table. After all wagers have been made, the caller tells the bettor with the shoe to begin the deal. The bettor deals a first card to the caller, a first card to himself, a second card to the caller and a second card to himself. All cards are dealt face down. The two cards given to the caller represent the player hand and the two cards kept by the bettor who is dealing the cards represent the bank hand.
The caller then allows one of the other bettors to turn up the player's hand. Traditionally, this honor is given to the bettor who has made the largest wager. The bettor turns up the two cards of the player's hand and tosses them to the caller. The caller places these two cards face up in the table location designated for the “player hand” and the caller announces the point total of the player hand.
The bettor who has the shoe then turns over the cards of the bank hand and tosses these two cards to the caller. The caller places these two cards face up in the table location designated for the “bank hand” and the caller announces to point total of the bank hand. Depending on the point total of the player's hand and the bank's hand, one more card can be dealt to either the player's hand, the bank's hand, or both. The rules for determining whether a third card is dealt are fixed rules, there is no discretion for either the player's hand or the bank's hand on whether a third card is dealt.
If either the player hand or the bank hand has a point total of eight or nine on the first two cards, no third card is dealt to either hand and the hand with the highest point total is the winner (or the hand is a tie, as the case can be). If neither the player hand or the bank hand has a point total of eight or nine, then there is a possibility of a third card draw.
The third card draw rules are as follows:
Rule #1: If the initial two card player hand has a point total of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, draws a third card. If the initial two card player hand has a point total of 6 or 7, the player hand stands and does not receive a third card.
Rule #2: If the player hand stands and does not draw a third card, then the bank hand follows Rule #1. In other words, if the player hand has a point total of 6 or 7, the bank hand draws a third card on a point total of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 and the bank hand stands on a point total of 6 or 7.
Rule #3: If the player hand draws a third card, the bank hand must draw or stand as described in Table 1.

TABLE 1

Bank hand two	Bank hand draws when the	Bank hand stands when the
card point total	player's hand third card is:	player's hand third card is:

0, 1 or 2	Bank always draws	—
3	0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 9	8
4	2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7	0, 1, 8 or 9
5	4, 5, 6 or 7	0, 1, 2, 3, 8 or 9
6	6 or 7	0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 or 9
7	—	Bank always stands

All third card draw determinations are automatically made by the caller who is skilled in the game of baccarat. When the rules of baccarat require a third card for the player hand, the caller will request a card for the player hand. After the player hand is completed, the bank hand is completed in the same fashion. The caller then declares which hand has the highest point total and declares that hand the winner (or the caller declares a tie hand as the case can be).
In conventional baccarat the bettor who acts as the dealer continues to deal the cards until the player hand wins. As soon as the player hand wins, it is customary to pass the shoe counterclockwise around the baccarat table to the next bettor so that each bettor has the opportunity to deal the cards. Any bettor may decline to deal the cards. The fact that one of the bettors is physically, dealing the cards has no affect on the outcome of the game because the rules for drawing and standing do not allow any discretion on the part of the players.
The players can play the game according to conventional baccarat rules, which may vary from place to place. In one embodiment, the baccarat game is played according to the U.S. rules as used in Las Vegas. In another embodiment, the baccarat game is played according to the baccarat rules promulgated by the government of Macau Special Administration Region.
In some embodiments, there is a maximum limit on the total bet can be made through a single betting terminal for the traditional baccarat game. In one embodiment, the maximum bet can be made through one terminal for traditional baccarat is, for example, HK$20,000.
The baccarat can be any baccarat game governed by rules of any country or state. For example, in some embodiments, the baccarat can be a baccarat game played by the rules set forth by the government of Macau. It is noteworthy that the baccarat rules can be subject to revision(s). For example, the baccarat rules set forth by the Macau government was revised on Feb. 22, 2007 by Macau government. Such revision(s) does not affect the novelty of the Jackpot described herein.
Jackpot
The method and system described herein provide a method for jackpot betting, Paradise Jackpot™. A system for Paradise Jackpot™ is referred to as Paradise Jackpot Table. The players of a traditional baccarat game can make a separate bet for jackpot. The jackpot bet can be placed with a bet for traditional baccarat or without a bet for the same traditional baccarat.
In some embodiments, the outcome of the jackpot betting is determined by the combination, with regard to or regardless of suit, of cards that includes zero-point cards. The combination includes at least one zero-point cards, which are 10, J, Q and K. In one embodiment, the rules for playing Paradise Jackpot™ are described below:
(1) The gaming system provides a jackpot. Players who wish to bet on the Paradise Jackpot™ can place a separate bet, e.g. HKD 20 per game in minimum, which will be referred to as bet unit. The maximum number of bet units will not be restricted.
(2) Player's can bet in Paradise Jackpot™ without placing bet in the same traditional baccarat game. Each player can place more than one bet unit in one game. When the Paradise Jackpot™ is won, the payout for each bet unit will be equal to the money in the Paradise Jackpot™ pool divided by the total number of bet unit.
(3) If the first 5 cards drawn in one baccarat game resulting in A, K, Q, J, 10 in spade, regardless of the sequence, then 100% of the Paradise Jackpot™ is won. In some embodiments, 100% of the Paradise Jackpot can also be won if A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit, regardless of the sequence, occurs in a game.
(4) If the first 5 cards drawn in one baccarat game resulting in K, Q, J, 10 in spade and A in either heart, club or diamond, regardless of the sequence, then 10% of the Paradise Jackpot™ is won. In some embodiments, 10% of the Paradise Jackpot can also be won if the following combinations occur in a baccarat game, regardless of the sequence:
Spade A plus K, Q, J, 10 in Heart, Club or Diamond;
Heart A plus K, Q, J, 10 in Spade, Club or Diamond;
Club A plus K, Q, J, 10 in Spade, Heart or Diamond; or
Diamond A plus K, Q, J, 10 in Spade, Heart, or Club.
In some other embodiments, the Paradise Jackpot™ can be played according to Rules (I)-(III), defined below:
(I) The Paradise Jackpot™ is won if any of the following is met:
1) any five cards forming a sequence (with regard to or regardless of suit), regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., A, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 9, 10, J, Q, K;
2) five cards of a kind, e.g. A, A, A, A, A or K, K, K, K, K;
3) four cards of a kind (with regard to or regardless of suit), regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., K, K, K, K, 2 or 2, K, K, K, K;
4) three cards of a kind plus a pair (with regard to or regardless of suit), regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., 10, 10, 10, 2, 2;
5) three cards of a kind (with regard to or regardless of suit), regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., 2, 2, 2, 10, J
6) two pairs (with regard to or regardless of suit), regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., Q, Q, 2, K, K;
7) all the 5 cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade, heart, club or diamond, e.g., A (spade), 10 (spade), J (spade), K (spade), Q (spade); or
8) any specific combination, with regard to or regardless of suit, of five cards as specified from time to time.
(II) The Paradise Jackpot™ is won by any specific combination of the first four, three or two cards drawn in a traditional baccarat game, with regard to/regardless of the drawn sequence. Specifically, the Paradise Jackpot™ is won if any of the following is met:
(A) if the first four cards that are drawn form a combination as defined below:

- 1) the first four cards forming a sequence, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., A, 2, 3, 4, or 10, J, Q, K, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 2) the first four cards of a kind, e.g. A, A, A, A or J, J, J, J, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 3) three cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., K, K, K, 2 or 10, 10, 10, 2, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 4) two cards of a kind plus a pair, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., 2, 2, J, J, which is a two pair sequence, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 5) two cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., 10, 10, Q, Q, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 6) all the four cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade, heart, club or diamond, e.g., A (spade), 10 (spade), J (spade), K (spade); or
- 7) any specific combination of the first four cards as specified from time to time,

(B) if the first three cards that are drawn form a combination as defined below:

- 1) the first three cards forming a sequence, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., A, 2, 3, or 10, J, K, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 2) the first three cards of a kind, e.g. A, A, A or 2, 2, 2, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 3) two cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., K, K, 2 or 10, 10, 2, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 4) two cards forming a pair, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., 2, J, J or J, J, 2, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 5) all the three cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade, heart, club or diamond, e.g., A (spade), J (spade), K (spade); or
- 6) any other specific combination of the first four cards as specified from time to time, or

(C) if the first two cards that are drawn form a combination as defined below:

- 1) the first two cards forming a sequence, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., A, 2, or J, Q, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 2) the first two cards of a kind, e.g. A, A or 10, 10, which is also a pair, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 3) the first two cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade, heart, club or diamond, e.g., A (spade), 10 (spade); or
- 4) any other specific combination of the first four cards as specified from time to time.

(III) The Paradise Jackpot™ is won by any specific combination of the last six, five, four, three, and two cards drawn in a traditional baccarat game, with regard to/regardless of the drawn sequence. Specifically, the Paradise Jackpot™ is won if any of the following is met:
(A) if the last six cards that are drawn form a combination as defined below:

- 1) the last six cards forming a sequence, with regard to/regardless of the drawn sequence they are drawn, e.g., A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 2) six cards of a kind, e.g. A, A, A, A, A, A or 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 3) five cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., K, K, K, K, K, 2 or 2, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 4) four cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., K, K, K, K, 2, 10 or 2, A, J, J, J, J, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 5) four cards of a kind plus a pair, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., K, K, K, K, 2, 2 or 2, 2, J, J, J, J, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 6) three cards of a kind plus a pair, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., 2, 2, 2, J, J, A or J, J, 2, 2, 2, K, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 7) three cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., A, A, A, 10, J, K or 10, J, K, 2, 2, 2, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 8) three pairs, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., Q, Q, K, K, J, J or 2, 2, 10, 10, K, K, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 9) all the six cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade, heart, club or diamond, e.g., A (spade), 10 (spade), J (spade), K (spade), Q (spade), 2 (spade); or
- 10) any other specific combination of six cards as specified from time to time.

(B) if the last five cards that are drawn form a combination as defined below:

- 1) the last five cards forming a sequence, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., A, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 9, 10, J, Q, K, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 2) five cards of a kind, e.g. A, A, A, A, A or 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 3) four cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., K, K, K, K, 2 or 2, 10, 10, 10, 10, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 4) three cards of a kind plus a pair, regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., 2, 2, 2, J, J, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 5) three cards of a kind, regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., 2, 2, 2, 10, Q, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 6) two pairs, regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., Q, Q, A, 10, 10, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 7) all the 5 cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade, heart, club or diamond; e.g., A (spade), 10 (spade), J (spade), K (spade), Q (spade); or
- 8) any other specific combination of five cards as specified from time to time,

(C) if the last four cards that are drawn form a combination as defined below:

- 1) the last four cards forming a sequence, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., A, 2, 3, 4, or 10, J, Q, K, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 2) the last four cards of a kind, e.g. A, A, A, A or 10, 10, 10, 10, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 3) three cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., K, K, K, 2 or 10, 10, 10, 2, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 4) two cards of a kind plus a pair, regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., A, A, J, J, with regard to or regardless of suit, which is a two pair sequence;
- 5) two cards of a kind, regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., 2, 2, Q, Q, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 6) all the four cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade, heart, club or diamond, e.g., A (spade), 10 (spade), K (spade), Q (spade); or
- 7) any other specific combination of the first four cards as specified from time to time,

(D) if the last three cards that are drawn form a combination as defined below:

- 1) the last three cards forming a sequence, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., A, 2, 3, or J, Q, K, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 2) the last three cards of a kind, e.g. A, A, A or Q, Q, Q, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 3) two cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., K, K, 2 or 10, 10, 2, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 4) two cards forming a pair, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., 2, J, J or J, J, 2, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 5) all the last three cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade, heart, club or diamond, e.g., A (spade), J (spade), K (spade); or
- 6) any other specific combination of the first four cards as specified from time to time,

(E) if the last two cards that are drawn form a combination as defined below:

- 1) the last two cards forming a sequence, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., A, 2, or 10, J, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 2) the last two cards of a kind, e.g. A, A or 2, 2, which is also a pair, with regard to or regardless of suit;
- 3) the last two cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade, heart, club or diamond, e.g., A (spade), 10 (spade); or
- 4) any other specific combination of the first four cards as specified from time to time.

In some embodiments, a Paradise Jackpot can be won if three cards of a kind, four cards of a kind, five cards of a kind, or six cards of a kind, with respect to or regardless of suit, occurs in a game. Examples of the cards can be, A, A, A, A, A; Q, Q, Q, Q; K, K, K; J, J, J, etc.
The combinations of cards not defined above can be readily derived from time to time with or without the assistance of a computer following established rules of forming combinations of a set of defined members. The amount of Paradise Jackpot™ award can be determined by and distributed according to, e.g., the probability of a combination of cards as defined above or otherwise specified from time to time.
There can be more than one traditional baccarat game going on simultaneously in different casinos in Macau. In some embodiments, all Paradise Jackpot™ bets from different traditional baccarat tables will contribute to one grand Paradise Jackpot™ pool. If the Paradise Jackpot™ is won in any one traditional baccarat table, all players who place Paradise Jackpot™ bets, regardless of the traditional baccarat table they bet, will share the grand Paradise Jackpot™ pool according to the bet units that each player placed in the jackpot betting.
Paradise Jackpot™ can be played with bets from players as the sole source of the jackpot pool or with bets and an initial contribution from the banker. The term “banker” generally refers to the owner of a gaming establishment operating the traditional baccarat defined herein or one who operates the traditional baccarat game. In one embodiment, the banker contributes a sum of money as the initial Paradise Jackpot™ (e.g., HKD 50,000). A certain percentage, e.g., 55%, of the Paradise Jackpot™ bets from the players will be contributed towards the Paradise Jackpot™ pool, a certain percentage (e.g., 40%) of the bets will be collected by the banker as profit, and the remaining portion (e.g., 5%) of the bets will be accumulated as the seed for the next game.
In some embodiments, the jackpot can be played in a traditional baccarat table. For example, such traditional baccarat table can be a baccarat table in Macau, in the U.S., South Korea, Russia, or any other country.
In another aspect of the present invention, it is provided a software program or a set of software programs that allows a user or player to any or all of the various aspects of playing the traditional baccarat Paradise Jackpot™ described herein. The software program can be written by one of ordinary skill in the art.
The game tables can be conventional baccarat game tables, jackpot baccarat game tables as described in the U.S. application Ser. No. 11/042,732, filed on Jan. 24, 2005, Ser. No. 11/198,218, filed on Aug. 5, 2005 and Ser. No. 11/312,150, filed on Dec. 19, 2005, and Macau Patent Application Nos. 1/150, filed on Feb. 4, 2005 and 1/265, filed on Jan. 24, 2006, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, the game tables can be any game tables played in a casino or internet. In some embodiments, the game table is a traditional baccarat table playing baccarat games according to the rules provided by the Macau government, which can be revised from time to time or according to the rules provided by any state in the U.S., e.g., Nevada, New Jersey, California, Connecticut, Florida, or rules provided by any country, e.g., Korea, Russia, etc.
The betting terminal can take any form. In one embodiment, the betting terminal described herein is one for baccarat, for example, a baccarat gaming system that allows one to play a traditional baccarat jackpot as described in the U.S. application Ser. No. 11/042,732, filed on Jan. 24, 2005, Ser. No. 11/198,218, filed on Aug. 5, 2005 and Ser. No. 11/312,150, filed on Dec. 19, 2005, and Macau Patent Application Nos. 1/150, filed on Feb. 4, 2005 and 1/265, filed on Jan. 24, 2006, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In some embodiments, the betting terminal is described in the U.S. application Ser. No. 11/497,708, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Paradise Baccarat Table

In some embodiments, the present invention is a conventional baccarat table that allows one to play Paradise Jackpot™ where a player sits and places bets at a dealing table (“Paradise Baccarat Table”). The Paradise Jackpot Table described above can be readily rolled out in existing traditional baccarat dealing tables in casinos. A general layout of the Paradise Baccarat Table is shown in FIG. 1. 100 illustrates the general layout of a traditional bacarat table, and 200 illustrates the sensors or buttons for jackpot betting, which are also sometimes referred to as jackpot sensors or buttons or jackpot betting sensors or buttons.
The Paradise Baccarat Table can allow a player to play a traditional baccarat game and allow the player to play a jackpot according to any rules commonly adopted in a gaming establishment. In some embodiments, the jackpot is Paradise Jackpot™.
In some embodiments, the Paradise Jackpot Table is a device. The device includes a local server, which is sometimes referred to as a local computer, and a sensor which has a light sensor in the center to detect light. When a chip covers the light sensor, the lamp in the sensor will turn on to indicate a bet has been placed on jackpot. A signal will be sent to the local computer to record the bet. In some embodiments, the device can have a button mechanism whereby when a chip is placed on an specific area/circle for betting on jackpot, a button next to that circle will be pressed by a dealer. The lighting mechanism inside the button will turn on to indicate that bet has been placed on jackpot, and a signal will be sent to the local computer to record the bet. The chip can be collected by the dealer before/after the cards are dealt according to conventional baccarat rules. Once the game result is available and payout is made, the lamp inside the button will be turned off and the button can be pressed for jackpot betting in next game.
Player can also place bet on banker win, player win, tie or pairs as in conventional baccarat game according to conventional baccarat rules at the Paradise Baccarat Table described herein. Once the game result is available, the dealer will make the payouts on jackpot bet manually if a winning card combination occurs. The sensor light will be turned off and be ready for accepting jackpot bet for the next game.
In some embodiments, the jackpot betting sensors or buttons are linked to a computer/server, which can be placed within the game place or casino, e.g., under the dealing table. This local computer/sever can handle the jackpot wagering and payout at a local table level and send the data to a central server for grand jackpot computation, described above. Computers/servers of Paradise Baccarat Tables in the same casino or different casinos can be linked through intranet or leased lines to a central server which aggregates and computes the mega jackpot pool. In some embodiments, there is a monitor at each Paradise Baccarat Table which displays the grand rolling jackpot figure.
The detection of card combinations in Paradise Baccarat Table can either be carried out with an intelligent card dealing shoe which can scan a card's point and suit when a dealer draws out a card from the shoe for a baccarat game. The shoe can then send the signal to the local computer so that when a winning combination, with regard to or regardless of suit, of the jackpot occurs, the type of the winning combination, with regard to or regardless of suit, can be shown on the monitor attached to a pole next to the table. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the dealer can key in the point and suit of each card dealt in a baccarat game or key in the code for a specific winning combination, regardless of suit, for a jackpot through a key pad or touch screen attached to the local computer which would effect the winning combination, with regard to or regardless of suit, be shown on the monitor.
In some embodiments, the betting system can automatically generate commonly accepted format of past results of played games on the screen to provide references for players.
In a further embodiment, the baccarat jackpot game can be played in a non-baccarat game, e.g., blackjack, or showhand. The rules of these games other than baccarat games are known to one in the art.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications can be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A device for playing a baccarat game, the device comprising:

jackpot betting sensors comprising a betting sensor and a lamp;

a baccarat table;

a local server coupled to the jackpot betting sensors for processing and computing jackpot wagering and payout;

a monitor attached to a pole next to the baccarat table;

wherein the jackpot betting sensors are mounted on top of the baccarat table allowing a first player to play the baccarat game on said baccarat table and allowing the first player or a second player to place a jackpot bet by placing a betting chip on the betting sensor;

wherein said lamp in said jackpot betting sensor turns on when a betting chip covers said jackpot betting sensor to indicate that the jackpot bet is placed; and

wherein the baccarat table is adapted to permit the second player to place the jackpot bet without placing a bet for the baccarat game; and

wherein the local server causes the winning combination to be shown on the monitor attached to a pole next to the baccarat table.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising an electronic chip,

wherein the indicator of the jackpot betting sensor is a light indicator, and

wherein the electronic chip is capable of causing the light indicator to turn on to indicate that a bet is placed.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a central server,

wherein the local server is linked to a central server, and

wherein the central server receives jackpot wagering and payout data from the local server of each baccarat table for the processing and computation of a grand jackpot.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprising a monitor at each baccarat table which displays the grand jackpot with a rolling jackpot figure.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the local sever and the central server are linked via Intranet or leased lines.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a key pad or touch screen attached to the local server to allow the dealer to key in the point and suit of each card dealt in a baccarat game or key in the code for a specific winning combination, with regard to or regardless of suit, for a jackpot through the key pad or touch screen, wherein the key pad or touch screen is capable of causing the winning combination to be shown on a monitor.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a chip, wherein the indicator of the sensor or button is a light indicator, and wherein the chip is capable of causing the light indicator to turn on to indicate that a bet is placed by the player.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the local server is linked to a central server, and

wherein the central server receives jackpot wagering and payout data from the local server of each Paradise Baccarat Table for the processing and computation of a grand jackpot.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a monitor at each Paradise Baccarat Table which displays the grand jackpot with a rolling jackpot figure.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising an intelligent card dealing shoe capable of:

scanning a card's point and suit when a dealer draws out a card from the intelligent card dealing shoe for a baccarat game to generate a signal that comprises information comprising the card's point and suit, and

sending the signal to the local server so that where a winning combination, with regard to or regardless of suit, of the jackpot occurs, the local server causes the winning combination to be shown on the monitor attached to a pole next to the Paradise Baccarat Table.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a key pad or touch screen attached to the local server to allow the dealer to key in the point and suit of each card dealt in a baccarat game or key in the code for a specific winning combination, with regard to or regardless of suit, for a jackpot through a key pad or touch screen, wherein the key pad or touch screen is capable of causing the winning combination to be shown on the monitor.

12. A baccarat jackpot system comprising a plurality of the baccarat tables according to claim 1.

13. A method of playing jackpot baccarat, comprising

allowing a player to play a baccarat game according to conventional baccarat rules, and

allowing the player to bet on jackpot using the device according to claim 1.

14. A system for playing a jackpot game based on a number of baccarat games being played simultaneously with the jackpot game, the system comprising:

a plurality of baccarat tables, each baccarat table having jackpot betting sensors mounted on the baccarat table, the jackpot betting sensors having a betting sensor and a lamp;

a monitor attached to a pole next to the baccarat table;

local servers coupled to the jackpot betting sensors for processing and computing jackpot wagering and payout; and

a central server coupled to the local servers, the central server receiving jackpot wagering and payout data from the local servers for computation of a grand jackpot,

wherein each of the baccarat tables allows a first player to play a baccarat game on the baccarat table and allows the first player or a second player to bet on a jackpot,

wherein the lamp in the jackpot betting sensor turns on when a betting chip covers the jackpot betting sensor to indicate that the jackpot bet is placed,

wherein the system is adapted to allow the second player to play the baccarat game or not play the baccarat game, and

15. A Paradise Baccarat Table for baccarat game, comprising a device comprising jackpot betting buttons or jackpot betting sensors, a traditional baccarat table, and a local server for processing and computing jackpot wagering and payout, wherein the jackpot betting buttons and sensors of the device are mounted on the top of the traditional baccarat table, and wherein the sensor or button comprises an indicator to indicate that a bet is placed by a player.