WO2011085476A1

WO2011085476A1 - High-low games with auxiliary wagering options

Info

Publication number: WO2011085476A1
Application number: PCT/CA2011/000033
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cary Michael Lucier
Original assignee: Fortuneteller Gaming Inc.
Priority date: 2010-01-15
Filing date: 2011-01-17
Publication date: 2011-07-21
Also published as: WO2011085476A4; CA2787293A1; SG182532A1; AU2011206873A1

Abstract

A high-low wagering game between a player and an opponent wherein the player plays a high hand against the opponent's high hand and a low hand against the opponent's low hand. The player places prediction wagers against one or both of the high hand and low hand.

Description

HIGH-LOW GAMES WITH AUXILIARY WAGERING OPTIONS

Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to the field of wagering games, and in particular, to high-low games, such as Pai Gow.

Background of the Invention

There are two well known versions of the high-low game Pai Gow: the traditional tile version of the game, and the more recently devised Pai Gow Poker, which is played with a standard deck of playing cards. Although the playing pieces used to play these games are distinct, the underlying premise of these games is substantially the same.

The basic object of each of these Pai Gow games is for a player to create two hands out of the playing pieces received from the dealer, where one hand, often called the "front" or "low" hand , has a lower value based upon a predetermined ranking system than the second hand, which is often called the "rear" or "high" hand. Each player attempts to defeat the banker, who may be the casino dealer representing the "house", or one of the other players at the table, in order to win the initial wager. The player may arrange the playing pieces in any combination according to their preference or strategy, provided that the high hand has a higher value than the low hand, in accordance with a predetermined ranking system. The banker is often required to arrange its playing pieces according to a set of predetermined rules governing the arrangement of the banker's playing pieces, referred to as the "house ways". The rules comprising house ways are typically created by each gaming establishment and are often published in view of the players.

High-low wagering games typically have a single wagering option available to the players, that being the standard wager. After the hands have been arranged, the player's hands are then compared with those of the banker. A player's front or low hand is compared with the banker's front or low hand, and the player's rear or high hand is compared with the banker's rear or high hand. In order for the standard wager to be successful, the value of both of the player's hands must be superior to the value of the banker's respective hands, when compared according to a standard hand ranking. If the value of neither of the player's hands is superior to the value of the banker's respective hands, the initial wager is lost to the banker. If the value of one of the player's hands is superior to the value of the banker's respective hand, and the value of the player's remaining hand is inferior to the value of the banker's respective hand, then a tie is declared, the player is said to "push" and the initial wager is returned to the player. The house typically receives a commission on all winning wagers, such as 5%. In addition, when the house is the banker, it receives the wager when the player loses a given hand. In Pai Gow, approximately 40% of the time, the outcome of the hands is a push, where the initial wager is returned to the player. On push outcomes, no revenue is gained by the gaming establishment.

There is a need for a variation of high-low type games, such as Pai Gow, which provide additional wagering options that may maintain the interest of players and attract new players. In addition, there is a need for a new game which has a decreased occurrence of ties to concomitantly increase revenues for the gaming establishment.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is a variation of conventional high-low games, such as Pai Gow and Pai Gow Poker, comprising a high hand prediction wager and a low hand prediction wager. These wagering options potentially decrease or may completely eliminate push outcomes from the underlying games, thereby increasing revenue for gaming establishments.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for playing a high-low wagering game between a player and an opponent, comprising the steps of: placing a high hand prediction wager and/or a low hand prediction wager; distributing playing pieces to the player and the opponent; arranging the player's playing pieces into a high hand and a low hand and arranging the opponent's playing pieces into a high hand and a low hand; comparing the value of the player's high hand with the value of the opponent's high hand and/or comparing the value of the player's low hand with the value of the opponent's low hand having regard to a standard hand ranking; and settling the high hand prediction wager and/or the low hand prediction wager based upon the comparison.

A plurality of players can play the high-low wagering game of the present invention against the same opponent.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The features of the present invention will become more apparent from the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a top view of a player wagering station according to one embodiment of the present invention wherein the playing pieces are cards;

Figure 2 is a top view of a player wagering station according to another embodiment of the present invention wherein the playing pieces are tiles;

Figure 3 is a top view of a player wagering station according to a further embodiment of the present invention wherein the playing pieces are cards; Figure 4 is a top view of a player wagering station according to yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein the playing pieces are tiles;

Figure 5A illustrates an exemplary method of an embodiment of the present invention comprising the high hand prediction wager, the low hand prediction wager and the standard wager; Figure 5B illustrates an exemplary method of another embodiment of the present invention comprising the high hand prediction wager, the low hand prediction wager and the standard wager; Figure 6A illustrates an exemplary method of a further embodiment of the present invention comprising the high hand prediction wager and the low hand prediction wager; and

Figure 6B illustrates an exemplary method of a still further embodiment of the present invention comprising the high hand prediction wager and the low hand prediction wager.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The specification is to be understood in the context of the following definitions: The phrase "high-low game" includes games where the player's playing pieces are arranged into a high hand and a low hand and the player's hands are then compared against the respective high and low hands of the opponent. Examples of such games include Pai Gow and Pai Gow Poker. Other types of high-low games are contemplated. The term "opponent" refers to any adversary whose high and low hand will be used as a comparison to the player's high and low hands for settling a wager placed by the player. For example, the opponent may be the banker, the dealer, the house, another player or a computer processor.

The phrase "playing pieces" includes the tiles or dominos that are typically used to play a traditional high-low game, such as Pai Gow, as well as one or more standard decks of cards, with or without the inclusion of a joker or wild card, or any other sort of implement that is typically used to play a high-low card game, such as Pai Gow Poker. Furthermore, "playing pieces" includes any variation of the traditional Pai Gow tiles and standard deck of playing cards which could be utilized in these or other high-low games, including the representation of tiles, dominos, cards or other pieces in electronic or other formats.

The term "hand" refers to a collection of playing pieces. A hand can be formed from any type of playing piece. A hand may have any number of playing pieces in accordance with the house ways. For example, in Pai Gow Poker, a hand may have seven cards arranged as two cards, known as the low hand, and five cards, known as the high hand.

The phrases "high hand" and "low hand" refer to hands that have been subdivided or arranged from the playing pieces received. In games such as Pai Gow, the high hand has a higher ranking than that of the low hand when compared according to the standard Pai Gow hand ranking. However, in other high-low games, the high hand may have a higher number of playing pieces than the low hand, whereas in other high-low games the designation of the subdivided hands as a high hand or a low hand is arbitrary and there may be no rules governing their arrangement.

The phrase "house ways" refers to a predetermined set of rules that dictate how the playing pieces are subdivided into a high hand and a low hand. These rules may vary between gaming establishments.

The phrase "standard hand ranking" refers to a predetermined set of rules that dictates the ranking of all hand values and outcomes possible using the playing pieces in a high-low game. For example, in Pai Gow Poker, the standard hand ranking is the poker hand ranking that would be known to one skilled in the art, namely, five of a kind (including joker), straight flush, four of a kind, full house, flush, straight, three of a kind, two pair, pair, high card. The phrase "gaming establishment" refers to any common gambling establishment operated for the purpose of gaming or gambling, including those accepting, recording, or registering bets, or carrying on a lottery, or playing any game of chance, for money or other thing of value. This phrase extends to traditional brick and mortar gaming establishments, such as casinos, private clubs and private dwellings, as well as to internet-based gambling websites, software programs or other electronic gaming.

There are three types of possible wagers, namely a "standard" wager, a "low hand prediction" wager and a "high hand prediction" wager. A "standard" wager refers to a wager placed by a player anticipating that the value of the player's high hand and the value of the player's low hand will be superior to the opponent's respective high hand and low hand when compared according to a standard hand ranking. A "low hand prediction" wager refers to a wager placed by a player in anticipation that the value of the player's low hand will be superior to the value of the opponent's low hand when compared according to a standard hand ranking, irrespective of how the player's high hand fares in comparison to the opponent's high hand. A "high hand prediction" wager refers to a wager placed by a player in anticipation that the value of the player's high hand will be superior to the value of the opponent's high hand, when compared according to a standard hand ranking, irrespective of how the player's low hand fares in comparison to the opponent's low hand. According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a high-low wagering game that comprises wagering options available to the player in addition to the standard wager. In particular, the present invention comprises a low hand prediction wager and a high hand prediction wager.

Figures 1 to 4 illustrate exemplary wagering stations for a high-low game and should not be considered limiting to the invention. For example, the size, shape, placement, colour and orientation of the wagering and hand placement areas are not limited to those depicted in Figures 1 to 4. Rather, these aspects of the wagering station can be up to the discretion of the gaming establishment. For example, the areas of the wagering station may be altered to conform to certain interior design schemes or themes of the gaming establishment. It is also contemplated that the wagering station could also comprise additional auxiliary wager areas.

Figure 1 is an exemplary illustration of one embodiment of the present invention showing a player wagering station comprising an area for placement of a high hand prediction wager 10, an area for the standard wager 20 and an area for placement of a low hand prediction wager 30. This station is incorporated into a high-low game where the playing pieces are, for example, standard playing cards. Once the playing pieces have been distributed to the player and arranged, the playing pieces may be placed in or on the wagering station at the area for placement of the low hand 40 and the area for placement of the high hand 50. Figure 2 is also an exemplary illustration of a player wagering station comprising an area for placement of a high hand prediction wager 10, an area for the standard wager 20 and an area for placement of a low hand prediction wager 30. This station is incorporated into a high-low game where the playing pieces are, for example, tiles or dominos. Similar to Figure 1 , once the playing pieces have been distributed and arranged, the playing pieces may be placed in or on the wagering station at the area for placement of the low hand 40' and the area for placement of the high hand 50'.

At the completion of a round of a high-low game, when a low hand prediction wager has been placed, if the value of the player's low hand is superior to the value of the opponent's low hand, the wager is successful for the player, and if the value of the player's low hand is inferior to the value of the opponent's low hand, the wager is not successful for the player.

At the completion of a round of a high-low game, when a high hand prediction wager has been placed, if the value of the player's high hand is superior to the value of the opponent's high hand, the wager is successful for the player, and if the value of the player's high hand is inferior to the value of the opponent's high hand, the wager is not successful for the player.

A decisive outcome will be realized on each low hand prediction wager and high hand prediction wager, and thus, each wager will be settled at the completion of the hand. In one embodiment, it is not possible to push the low hand prediction wager or the high hand prediction wager. Ties in the value of the player and opponent's respective hands are addressed below.

In one embodiment, if a player places either a low hand prediction wager or a high hand prediction wager prior to commencement of a hand, the player forfeits their right to arrange their playing pieces into high and low hands according to their preference or strategy. Rather, the player or the dealer will arrange the player's playing pieces and subdivide them into a high hand and a low hand according to the predetermined house ways. The opponent's playing pieces are also typically arranged into high and low hands according to the house ways, and therefore, each of the opponent and the player are using identical strategic standards for arranging their playing pieces.

In another embodiment, if the player places a standard wager in addition to the low hand prediction wager and/or the high hand prediction wager, the player still forfeits their right to arrange their playing pieces according to their preference or strategy. The playing pieces of the player and opponent are subdivided into a high hand and a low hand according to house ways.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, illustrated at Figures 3 and 4, there is provided a high-low wagering game that comprises a low hand prediction wager and a high hand prediction wager only. In this embodiment, the standard wager has been eliminated from the game, in contrast to the embodiments illustrated at Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 3 is an exemplary illustration of a player wagering station comprising an area for placement of a high hand prediction wager 10 and an area for placement of a low hand prediction wager 30. This station is incorporated into a high-low game where the playing pieces are, for example, standard playing cards. Once the playing pieces have been distributed and arranged, the playing pieces may be placed in or on the wagering station at the area for placement of the low hand 40 and the area for placement of the high hand 50. Figure 4 is also an exemplary illustration of a player wagering station comprising an area for placement of a high hand prediction wager 10 and an area for placement of a low hand prediction wager 30. This station is incorporated into a high-low game where the playing pieces are, for example, tiles or dominos. Once the playing pieces have been distributed and arranged, the playing pieces may be placed in or on the wagering station at the area for placement of the low hand 40' and the area for placement of the high hand 50'.

Similar to the embodiments described above, a low hand prediction wager is successful when the value of the player's low hand is superior to the value of the opponent's low hand. Likewise, the high hand prediction wager is successful when the value of the player's high hand is superior to the value of the opponent's high hand. The wagers are settled irrespective of the outcome of a comparison between the other hands.

According to this embodiment, only a high hand prediction wager and/or a low hand prediction wager can be placed, and thus, a decisive outcome will be realized, and each wager will be settled at the completion of the hand. A player may place wagers on both wager options simultaneously during a single hand of differing amounts. If the wagers are set at differing amounts, the player's hand may be set house ways as well.

According to one embodiment, the gaming establishment receives a commission on successful player wagers made in the high-low games of the present invention. A commission of about 5% is typical, however, the exact amount of the commission can be set by each individual gaming establishment.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when a player places a low hand prediction wager and a high hand prediction wager that are of equal value, the player may have the option of arranging their playing pieces into high and low hands according to their personal preference. However, when a player places a low hand prediction wager and a high hand prediction wager that are not of equal value, the player's playing pieces are arranged into high and low hands according to house ways. When both a high hand prediction wager and a low hand prediction wager are placed, in the event that both wagers are successful, the gaming establishment may remove a commission from each wager.

During play of any of the embodiments described above, it is possible that the player's hand and the corresponding opponent's hand will have an equal value when compared according to a standard hand ranking. These outcomes are sometimes called "copy hands", and are typically awarded to the opponent. According to an embodiment of the present invention, copy hands may be deemed a "Tie", where the player's wager is pushed and returned to the player, copy hands may be awarded to the player, or copy hands may be awarded to the opponent. This will be decided according to predetermined rules set by the gaming establishment. Wagers are typically placed before any playing pieces are distributed to the player(s), however, it is also possible that wagers can be placed after the playing pieces have been distributed but before the value thereof has been observed by or revealed to the player. Figure 5A is a flowchart depicting one embodiment of the present invention. At Step 100, the player places at least one of a high hand prediction wager, a standard wager and a low hand prediction wager. At Step 110, the playing pieces are distributed by the dealer to the player, the opponent and any additional players and the players may be free to subdivide their playing pieces into a high hand and a low hand. Alternatively, Step 110 may occur prior to Step 100, provided that the value of the playing pieces are not revealed to the player prior to the placement of a wager. At Step 120, the opponent or dealer will assess which of the players have placed a high hand prediction wager and/or a low hand prediction wager. If the player has only placed a standard wager, the game would be akin to the underlying high-low game, where at Step 180 the player is free to form their high and low hands with their playing pieces according to their own preference and strategy. At Step 190, the value of the player's hands is compared with the value of the opponent's respective hands and the standard wager is settled accordingly, i.e. if both of the player's hands are superior, there is a successful wager, if both of the player's hands are inferior, the wager is lost. If one hand is superior and the other hand is inferior, it is a pushed wager.

If the player has placed a high hand prediction wager and/or a low hand prediction wager of differing amounts, at Step 130, the player's playing pieces then are arranged to form the high and low hands according to the house ways. At Step 140, the value of the player's relevant hand is compared with the value of the opponent's respective hand. If the value of the player's relevant hand is higher than the value of the opponent's respective hand 150, the player wins 160 the initial high and/or low hand prediction wager, typically minus a commission. If the value of the player's relevant hand is lower than the value of the opponent's respective hand 150, then the player loses 170 the initial high and/or low hand prediction wager. A tie in the value of the player and opponent's hands will be settled based upon predetermined rules governing this outcome. If the player has placed a standard wager in addition to a high or low hand prediction wager, this wager will also be settled according to known rules, i.e. if both hands are superior, the player's wager is successful; if both hands are inferior, the player's wager is unsuccessful; and if one hand is superior and one hand inferior, the player's wager is pushed.

Figure 5B is a flowchart depicting another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5B is a similar embodiment to that shown in Figure 5A with the addition that at Step 125, if both a high hand prediction wager and a low hand prediction wager have been placed, it is assessed if the value of each wager is equal. If the wagers were of equal value 135, the player has the option to subdivide the playing pieces into a high hand and a low hand according to the player's personal preference, or, by the house ways. If the high hand prediction wager and low hand prediction wager were not of equal value, at Step 130, the player's playing pieces are subdivided into a high hand and a low hand according to house ways.

Figure 6A is a flowchart depicting another embodiment of the present invention. At Step 200, the player places at least one of a high hand prediction wager or a low hand prediction wager. At Step 210, the playing pieces are distributed by the dealer to the player, the opponent and any additional players and the players may be free to subdivide their playing pieces into a high hand and a low hand. Step 210 may occur prior to Step 200, provided that the value of the playing pieces is not revealed to the player prior to the placement of a wager. At Step 220, the player's playing pieces are arranged, either by the player or the dealer, to form the high and low hands according to the house ways. At Step 230, the value of the player's relevant hand is compared with the value of the opponent's respective hand. If the value of the player's relevant hand is higher than the value of the opponent's respective hand 240 then the player wins 250 the initial high and/or low hand prediction wager, typically minus a commission. If the value of the player's relevant hand is lower than the value of the opponent's respective hand, then the player loses 260 the initial high and/or low hand prediction wager. A tie in the value of the player and opponent's hands will be settled based upon predetermined rules governing this outcome. Figure 6B is a flowchart depicting another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6B is a similar embodiment to that shown in Figure 6A with the addition that at Step 215, if both a high hand prediction wager and a low hand prediction wager have been placed, it is assessed if the value of each wager is equal. If the wagers were of equal value 225, the player has the option to subdivide the playing pieces into a high hand and a low hand according to the player's personal preference, or, by the house ways. If the high hand prediction wager and low hand prediction wager were not of equal value, at Step 220, the player's playing pieces are subdivided into a high hand and a low hand according to house ways.

It will be appreciated that the high or low hand prediction wagers placed according to the present invention will have a decisive outcome of either a win or a loss for the player. When the present invention is used, the probability of a push may be decreased or eliminated from the game in comparison to a prior art game, potentially generating increased revenue for the gaming establishment.

The present invention can be a live table game practiced in gaming establishments or elsewhere. In addition, the invention can be played using different forms of media such as, for example, through software on a computer, via the Internet, or other electronic medium, slot video machines, electronic games and devices, such as at home or portable gaming devices, cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), lottery terminals and scratch-card formats.

Claims

1. A method for playing a high-low wagering game between a player and an opponent, comprising the steps of: a) Placing a high hand prediction wager and/or a low hand prediction wager by said player; b) Distributing playing pieces to said player and said opponent; c) Arranging both said player's and said opponent's playing pieces into a high hand and a low hand; d) Comparing the value of said player's high hand with the value of said opponent's high hand and/or comparing the value of said player's low hand with the value of said opponent's low hand having regard to a standard hand ranking; and e) Settling said high hand prediction wager and/or said low hand prediction wager based upon said comparison step.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said distributing step precedes said placing step

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said placing step occurs before said player receives notice of the value of said playing pieces.

4. The method of claims 1 or 2 wherein said placing step further includes a standard wager by said player.

5. The method of claims 1 or 2 wherein said arranging step is done in accordance with predetermined rules.

6. The method of claims 1 or 2 wherein said placing step is for both wagers and said wagers are not equal in value.

7. The method of claims 1 or 2 wherein said playing pieces is selected from the group consisting of cards, tiles, dominos and the representation of cards, tiles and dominos in electronic form.