GB2462799A

GB2462799A - Electronic poker game apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2462799A
Application number: GB0810089A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Jones; Peter Robinson
Original assignee: NOVA PRODUCTIONS Ltd
Current assignee: NOVA PRODUCTIONS Ltd
Priority date: 2008-06-03
Filing date: 2008-06-03
Publication date: 2010-02-24
Also published as: WO2009147649A1; WO2009147649A8; GB0810089D0

Abstract

Electronic game apparatus comprises a single graphic display screen 10 depicting a card table or game board having player positions 12 and common playing area 14. The apparatus incorporates software enabling the game to be played interactively while game progress is displayed on the display 10. The apparatus may include machine-readable player identification cards (16, fig. 2) which are placed on card readers 13 to enable a player to commence a game, and which store a player's identity and game ranking. The apparatus may selectively display two or more different card or board games, and may provide single player (see fig. 5) or multiplayer games. The display 10 may depict a poker game, with player cards 24 represented at the corresponding player position, touch-sensitive means allowing each player to selectively view and hide their cards 24, community cards represented at the common gaming area, and buttons 18, 19 at each player position allowing the players to play the game. The buttons 18, 19 may be touch sensitive, and the single graphic display 10 may be incorporated in a surround 11 which may be placed on a table, or mounted on a machine base which accepts coins to allow play.

Description

I

AN ELECTRONIC GAME MACHINE

This invention concerns game machines intended predominantly for players' amusement,, Many electronic machines have been developed to replicate games manually played on a card table or game board.

For the playing of a card game, for example, the use of actual playing cards, "betting" chips and the like, have been replaced, in many such machines, with electronic screens on which are depicted playing cards and the like, but such machines as are known at present include a separate display screen for each player in a multi-player game, and usually a common screen on which, in, for example a game of poker, the community cards are displayed The game is played using software-driven microprocessors which randomly select and displays the cards, while each player can, individually and separately, play the game based on the community cards displayed.

At least one game machine is known in which a single player can play against the machine on a single screen It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic game machine on which a game may be played interactively by two or more players in succession or simuItaneously According to the present invention an electronic game machine comprises a single graphic display screen depicting a card table or game board on which there are displayed a plurality of player positions and a common area depicting a game to be played, the machine incorporating a microprocessor and software enabling the game to be played interactively by two or more players in succession or simultaneously, the progress of play being displayed on the display screen,.

The machine may include, at or adjacent each player position, a removable machine-readable item, and means to display on the display screen a player's identity and game ranking when the item is placed on the machine, the item being capable of storing data representing the player's identity and game ranking..

The machine may include computer software to display selectively on the display screen two more different card or board games.

The machine may be adapted to enable a single player to play a game against the machine, the progress of play of the machine being displayed on the display screen together with that of the single player.

The single display screen may depict a game of poker including two or more player positions at each of which may be displayed cards randomly dealt to the player, a button which may be activated to reveal to the player on the screen the identity of the dealt cards, and a community card position at which the machine displays randomly selected community cards progressively, each player having buttons to select and display on the display screen an image representing the value of a bet placed by the player, the machine displaying, at the end of betting, each player's hand and the winning hand,, The single graphic display screen may be incorporated in a surround in the form of a transportable tabletop to be placed on a table.

The single graphic display screen may be incorporated in a surround mounted on a machine base incorporating a coin-feed mechanism to accept coins to enable play.

The removable machine-readable item may be a card incorporating a microchip on which is stored a player's identity and game ranking, interacting with a card reader permanently located within or adjacent the display screen, play at a player's position being enabled only when a card is placed on the card reader.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig 1 is a plan view of an electronic game machine made in accordance with the invention, and illustrating a game of Texas Holdem poker; Fig 2 illustrates how a machine-readable card may be placed on the machine to enable play by a player; Fig. 3 is a screen shot of a single graphic display screen being the predominant part of the machine, and illustrating a poker game in progress; Fig.. 4 illustrates how a player may reveal a hand of cards dealt to him; and Fig.. 5 is a screen shot showing a manner in which the machine may be adapted to enable a single player to play against the machine..

Referring now to the drawings, the machine comprises a single graphic display screen 10 housed within a surround 11 and being, in this example, adapted for play by up to four separate players, as will be described,, In this example the machine is described and illustrated such as to enable the playing of a game of Texas Holdem poker.. However, it is to be noted that software may be included to enable the playing of any other game normally played on a card table or game board,.

The surround 11 may be in the form of a transportable tabletop which may be placed on a table, or alternatively it may be mounted on a machine base incorporating a coin feed mechanism to accept coins to enable play..

It is to be realised that the gambling laws of many countries prevent such games being played for monetary gain and so the game will be described in relation to the winning of points for amusement purposes and to enable a player to establish a certain game ranking according to his or her ability. In Fig. 1 the single graphic display screen is set up to enable four players to play a game of Texas Holdem poker, each player having an individual player position, one at each corner of the screen 10 as shown at 12.. Adjacent each player position is an electronic card reader 13 In a central region 14 of the screen there is a common position at which community cards are displayed which are randomly selected by the machine, as will be described,, As shown at 15, when a player places a machine-readable card 16 as shown in Fig 2 on one of the card readers 13, he may then assign a name to his card, which name is then stored on the card for future use As shown at 17, when a player wishes to place a bet a touch screen button 18 is activated to display a number of betting pieces 19 of different values thus to enable the player to place a bet at 20 as the game progresses.

It is to be noted that all "buttons" are incorporated into the single graphic display screen as touch sensitive areas so that the player plays the game entirely on the screen 10 In an alternative arrangement, some or all of the touch sensitive buttons may be replaced by actual depressable buttons placed in the surround 11, although ideally they shalt all be incorporated into the screen, the only off-screen items being the card readers 13.

A dealer button 21 is shown in one corner of the community card region 14, and this button moves around from player to player as the play progresses The screen may include a display 22 of alt of the players' current states of play As will be described, the card 16, by way of a built-in microchip, is capable of storing the player's identity and his or her ranking representing, perhaps, the total number of points which a player has acquired through previous play, and this "star" ranking may be displayed against his or her play position as shown at 23 and represented by a number of stars.

Therefore, to commence a game of Texas Holdem poker on the machine, one player is selected as the dealer and the dealer button then appears at that player's position.

The machine may accept coins to enable play in which case after a predetermined delay from the deposit of the coin or coins, each player is automatically dealt two cards face down, as shown at 24. These cards are setected randomly by the machine software.

Referring now to Fig. 4, it can be seen that in the very corner region of the screen 10 each player has a touch button 24 which enables the player to reveal his or her dealt cards and the player would shield that part of the screen when touching the button 24 to prevent other players from seeing the revealed hand. Once the touch button 24 is released the cards resume their face down orientation, as shown at 24. At the end of each game the points won or lost by a player are added to or removed from the total recorded on the machine-readable card 16 After every player has received these "pocket cards" the next player in turn will post a bet called a "small blind" and the next player in turn then posts a larger bet called a "big blind", Then each player can bet or raise or fold according to the game of poker.. When the first betting round is completed and each player has placed a bet, the machine software randomly places three community cards in the central region 14 of the screen.

These cards are known as "flop" cards and are dealt face up so that each player may then use these cards to create the best poker hand with the player's own dealt cards, and again each player will then place a bet,, When the second betting round is complete the machine places a fourth community card face up which is called "the turn", and again each player places a bet using the standard bet, raise or fold options of the game of poker.

The machine then places the fifth and last community card face up called "the river" and then there is a final round of betting.

After all betting is finished and the bets are even, then the machine reveals all of the remaining players' pocket cards, that is of any player who has not folded during the previous betting rounds,, Each player uses his two cards and five community cards to create the best hand consisting of five cards for each player and the machine indicates the winning hand or hands,. These are determined according to the usual ten best hands of the game of poker from a Royal Flush down to a High Card.. In the event that all five of the community cards create the best hand, then the players split the pot of points comprised by the total of all player bets, The microprocessor and the software built into the machine is designed to allow the players to play simultaneously, thus avoiding the need for each player to play in turn, and so the game can be played more rapidly thus increasing the skill and judgement required to win a game,, Referring now to Fig. 5, the machine includes an option for use by a single player who may play a game against the machine,, In this case an imaginary player 26 is displayed on the screen and the player's cards are dealt at 24a,, The imaginary player 26 may be an animated figure displaying facial expressions depicting dismay or joy at the hand which, allegedly, the machine has dealt to the imaginary player, thus enabling the machine to "bluff" the player, In this mode, all of the play facilities described above are replicated for the single player as necessary in order for him to play a game alone against the machine.

Thus, it can be seen that such a machine may be used for multiple or single play and in this example by up to four players, although a larger machine may be provided for a greater number of players.

The surround 11 may be of any shape and size but will typically occupy an area roughly equivalent to a dining table, ie, in the region of im x 0,.5m, the single graphic display screen 10 occupying the majority of that area,. As a transportable item the machine may have a thickness of 20cm or less, while as an alternative the machine may be freestanding on a machine base (not shown) incorporating a coin feed slot for each player so that by inserting a coin that player's position is activated and a game can commence.. In this form, the machine is intended for use in amusement establishments, and any other location in which game machines are normally found, including casinos where, in some cases, games for monetary reward may be played legally.. In this case monetary nits instead of points may be recorded on the player's card..

A player's machine readable card, whether containing data representing points or money won, may, when "full" be replaced by a higher ranking card, perhaps of a different colour, which card is capable of storing a greater value., Thus a successful player may accumulate an increasing wealth of points or money.. Similarly, if value is lost the player may be forced to accept a card of lower value..

The foregoing description has alluded to a game of Texas Holdem poker, so the screen depicts a card table on which the game is played. Alternatively or in addition, the machine may include software to enable the screen to depict a game board upon which playing pieces are moved progressively during play.. The display is preferably coloured and includes graphics, moving or stationary, equivalent to the particular game being played and representing the progress of play which would conventionally be represented by playing pieces moved physically around the board..

The upper surface of the screen 10 is preferably of glass or other transparent material having a durable surface.

It is not intended to limit the invention to the above examples, many variations being possible without departing from the scope as defined by the appended claims. For example, a game may be played without a machine-readable card where a player does not require to retain a certain identity or a "star" ranking.. However, points displayed on a card may be transferred to the screen at the commencement of play.

Claims

CLAIMS1 An electronic game machine comprising a single graphic display screen depicting a card table or game board on which there are displayed a plurality of player positions and a common area depicting a game to be played, the machine incorporating a microprocessor and software enabling the game to be played interactively by two or more players in succession or simultaneously, the progress of play being displayed on the display screen..
2.. An electronic game machine according to claim 1, wherein the machine includes, at or adjacent each player position, a removable machine-readable item, and means to display on the screen a player's identity and game ranking when the item is placed on the machine, the item being capable of storing data representing the player's identity and game ranking..
3.. An electronic game machine according to claim 2, wherein the removable machine-readable item is a card incorporating a microchip on which is stored a player's identity and game ranking, interacting with a card reader permanently located within or adjacent the display screen, play at a player's position being enabled only when such a card is placed on the card reader..
4.. An electronic game machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the machine includes computer software to display selectively on the display screen two or more different card or board games.
5.. An electronic game machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the machine is adapted to enable a single player to play a game against the machine, the progress of play of the machine being displayed on the display screen together with that of the single player..
6.. An electronic game machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the single display screen may depict a game of poker including two or more player positions at each of which may be displayed cards randomly dealt to the player, a button which may be activated to reveal to the player on the screen the identity of the dealt cards, and a community card position at which the machine displays the randomly selected community cards progressively, each player having buttons to select and display on the display screen at their player position an image representing the value of a bet placed by the player, the machine displaying, at the end of betting, each player's hand and the winning hand,
7. An electronic game machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the single graphic display screen is incorporated in a surround in the form of a transportable tabletop to be placed on a table,,
8. An electronic game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the single graphic display screen is incorporated in a surround mounted on a machine base incorporating a coin-feed mechanism to accept coins to enable player.
9. An electronic game machine according to claim 6 wherein the buttons are touch sensitive areas on the display screen.