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Insurance Abstract
A method and system for playing jackpot and live baccarat games
with an option for insurance betting are provided. It is also provided
a software program or a set of software program for carrying out
any or all the steps of the disclosed gaming method.
Insurance Claims
1. A method of playing a live baccarat game which allows a player
to place an insurance bet, comprising dealing first two cards to
a player's hand and two cards to a banker's hand according to a
set of conventional baccarat rules, allowing at least a first player
to place a bet on live baccarat on either the banker's hand to win
or the player's hand to win, determining (1) that an insurance bet
for the banker's hand is available for the player to place the insurance
bet if the sum of the first two cards of the banker's hand is larger
than that of a player's hand; and/or (2) that an insurance bet for
the player's hand is available for the player to place the insurance
bet if the sum of the first two cards of the player's hand is larger
than that of a banker's hand, allowing the first player to place
(1) the insurance bet for the banker's hand if the first player
has betted on the banker's hand to win on live baccarat; or (2)
the insurance bet for the player's hand if the first player has
betted on the player's hand to win on live baccarat, determining
(1) the outcome of the insurance bet for the banker's hand according
to a payout ratio for the insurance bet for the banker's hand if
the player's hand wins on live baccarat after a third card is dealt
on the banker's hand and/or the player's hand; and/or (2) the outcome
of the insurance bet for the player's hand according to a payout
ratio for the insurance bet for the player's hand if the banker's
hand wins on live baccarat after a third card is dealt on the banker's
hand, and determining the outcome of the live baccarat game according
to the set of carat rules.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the payout ratio for the insurance
bet for the banker's hand is determined according to the table below:
TABLE-US-00005 Payout ratio if the Player wins after a third card
is/are Sum of first 2 cards Sum of first 2 cards dealt on either/both
of Banker's hand of Player's hand hand(s) 4 0 to 3 1.5.times. 5
0 to 4 2.times. 5 5 1.times. 6 0 to 5 3.times. 7 0 to 5 4.5.times.
and wherein the payout ratio for the insurance bet for the player's
hand is determined according to the table below: TABLE-US-00006
Payout ratio if the Banker wins after a Sum of first 2 cards Sum
of first 2 cards third card is dealt of Player's hand of Banker's
hand on the Banker's hand 6 0 to 5 3.times. 7 0 to 5 4.5.times.
3. A method of playing a live baccarat game which allows a player
to place an insurance bet, comprising dealing first three cards
to a player's according to a set of conventional baccarat rules,
allowing at least a first player to place a bet on live baccarat
on either the banker's hand to win or the player's hand to win,
determining that an insurance bet for the player's hand is available
for the player to place the insurance bet if the sum of the three
cards of the player's hand is larger than the sum of the first two
cards of the banker's hand, allowing the first player to place the
insurance bet for the player's hand if the first player has betted
on the player's hand to win on live baccarat, determining the outcome
of the insurance bet for the player's hand according to a payout
ratio for the insurance bet for the player's hand if the banker's
hand wins on live baccarat after a third card is dealt on the banker's
hand, and determining the outcome of the live baccarat game according
to the set of conventional baccarat rules.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the payout ratio for the insurance
bet is determined according to the table below: TABLE-US-00007 Payout
ratio if the Banker wins after a Sum of first 3 cards Sum of first
2 cards third card is dealt of Player's hand of Banker's hand on
the Banker's hand 4 0 to 3 1.times. 5 0 to 4 2.times. 8 0 to 5 9.times.
9 0 to 5 11.times.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: allowing at least
a second player to place a bet on jackpot where the second player
can be same as or different from the first player, and determining
the outcome of the jackpot according to a combination of cards that
comprises at least one zero-point cards.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the bet on live baccarat is selected
from the group consisting of a bet on player's hand win, a bet on
banker's hand win, a tie bet, a bet on player pair, and a bet on
bank pair, where the bet on player's hand win or the bet on banker's
hand win can combine with any or all of the tie bet, the bet on
player pair and the bet on bank pair.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the jackpot is won by a combination
of cards that comprises A, K, Q, J, and 10, regardless of the suit.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein the jackpot is won by a combination
of cards that comprises A, K, Q, J, 10 in spade, regardless of the
sequence.
9. The method of claim 6, wherein the jackpot is won by a combination
of cards that comprises K, Q, J, 10 in spade and A in either heart,
club or diamond, regardless of the sequence.
10. The method of claim 5, wherein the outcome of the jackpot is
determined according to Rule (I), which provides that Paradise Jackpot.TM.
is won if any of the following is met: 1) any five cards forming
a sequence, regardless of the order they are drawn, 2) five cards
of a kind, 3) four cards of a kind, regardless of the order they
are drawn, 4) three cards of a kind plus a pair, regardless of the
order they are drawn, 5) three cards of a kind, regardless of the
order they are drawn, 6) two pairs, regardless of the order they
are drawn, or 7) all the 5 cards of the same symbols (same suit):
spade, heart, club or diamond,
11. The method of claim 5, wherein the outcome of the jackpot is
determined according to Rules (II) (A-C), which provide that the
Paradise Jackpot.TM. is won by any specific combination of the first
four, three or two cards drawn in the live baccarat game, wherein:
Rules (II)(A) specifies that the first four cards that are drawn
form a combination selected from the group consisting of: 1) the
first four cards forming a sequence, with regard to/regardless of
the order they are drawn; 2) the first four cards of a kind; 3)
three cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order they
are drawn; 4) two cards of a kind plus a pair, with regard to/regardless
of the order they are drawn, which is a two pair sequence; 5) two
cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order they are
drawn; and 6) all the four cards of the same symbols (same suit:
spade, heart, club or diamond, Rule (II)(B) specifies that the first
three cards that are drawn form a combination selected from the
group consisting of: 1) the first three cards forming a sequence,
with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn; 2) the first
three cards of a kind; 3) two cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless
of the order they are drawn; 4) two cards forming a pair, with regard
to/regardless of the order they are drawn; and 5) all the three
cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade, heart, club or diamond,
and Rule (II)(C) specifies that the first two cards that are drawn
form a combination selected from the group consisting of: 1) the
first two cards forming a sequence, with regard to/regardless of
the order they are drawn; 2) the first two cards of a kind, which
is also a pair; and 3) the first two cards of the same symbols (same
suit): spade, heart, club or diamond.
12. The method of claim 5, wherein the outcome of the jackpot is
determined according to Rules (III)(A-E), which provide that the
Paradise Jackpot.TM. is won by any specific combination of the last
six, five, four, three or two cards drawn in the live baccarat game,
with regard to/regardless of the drawn sequence they are drawn,
wherein: Rule (III)(A) provides that the last six cards that are
drawn form a combination selected from the group consisting of:
1) the last six cards forming a sequence, with regard to/regardless
of the drawn sequence they are drawn; 2) six cards of a kind; 3)
five cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order they
are drawn; 4) four cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of
the order they are drawn; 5) four cards of a kind plus a pair, with
regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn; 6) three cards
of a kind plus a pair, with regard to/regardless of the order they
are drawn; 7) three cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of
the order they are drawn; 8) three pairs, with regard to/regardless
of the order they are drawn; and 9) all the six cards of the same
symbols (same suit): spade, heart, club or diamond, Rule (III)(B)
provides that the last five cards that are drawn form a combination
selected from the group consisting of: 1) the last five cards forming
a sequence, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn;
2) five cards of a kind; 3) four cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless
of the order they are drawn; 4) three cards of a kind plus a pair,
regardless of the order they are drawn; 5) three cards of a kind,
regardless of the order they are drawn; 6) two pairs, regardless
of the order they are drawn; and 7) all the 5 cards of the same
symbols (same suit): spade, heart, club or diamond, Rule (III)(C)
provides that the last four cards that are drawn form a combination
selected from the group consisting of: 1) the last four cards forming
a sequence, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn;
2) the last four cards of a kind; 3) three cards of a kind, with
regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn; 4) two cards of
a kind plus a pair, regardless of the order they are drawn, which
is a two pair sequence; 5) two cards of a kind, regardless of the
order they are drawn; and 6) all the four cards of the same symbols
(same suit): spade, heart, club or diamond, Rule (III)(D) provides
that the last three cards that are drawn form a combination selected
from the group consisting of: 1) the last three cards forming a
sequence, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn;
2) the last three cards of a kind; 3) two cards of a kind, with
regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn; 4) two cards forming
a pair, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn; and
5) all the last three cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade,
heart, club or diamond, and Rule (III)(E) provides that the last
two cards that are drawn form a combination selected from the group
consisting of: 1) the last two cards forming a sequence, with regard
to/regardless of the order they are drawn; 2) the last two cards
of a kind, which is also a pair; and 3) the last two cards of the
same symbols (same suit): spade, heart, club or diamond.
13. The method of claim 3, further comprising: 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, and determining
the outcome of the jackpot according to a combination of cards that
comprises at least one zero-point cards.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the bet on live baccarat is
selected from the group consisting of a bet on player's hand win,
a bet on banker's hand win, a tie bet, a bet on player pair, and
a bet on bank pair, where the bet on player's hand win or the bet
on banker's hand win can combine with any or all of the tie bet,
the bet on player pair and the bet on bank pair.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the jackpot is won by a combination
of cards that comprises A, K, Q, J, and 10, regardless of the suit.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the jackpot is won by a combination
of cards that comprises A, K, Q, J, 10 in spade, regardless of the
sequence.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the jackpot is won by a combination
of cards that comprises K, Q, J, 10 in spade and A in either heart,
club or diamond, regardless of the sequence.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein the outcome of the jackpot
is determined according to Rule (I), which provides that Paradise
Jackpot.TM. is won if any of the following is met: 1) any five cards
forming a sequence, regardless of the order they are drawn, 2) five
cards of a kind, 3) four cards of a kind, regardless of the order
they are drawn, 4) three cards of a kind plus a pair, regardless
of the order they are drawn, 5) three cards of a kind, regardless
of the order they are drawn, 6) two pairs, regardless of the order
they are drawn, or 7) all the 5 cards of the same symbols (same
suit): spade, heart, club or diamond,
19. The method of claim 13, wherein the outcome of the jackpot
is determined according to Rules (II) (A-C), which provide that
the Paradise Jackpot.TM. is won by any specific combination of the
first four, three or two cards drawn in the live baccarat game,
wherein: Rules (II)(A) specifies that the first four cards that
are drawn form a combination selected from the group consisting
of: 1) the first four cards forming a sequence, with regard to/regardless
of the order they are drawn; 2) the first four cards of a kind;
3) three cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order
they are drawn; 4) two cards of a kind plus a pair, with regard
to/regardless of the order they are drawn, which is a two pair sequence;
5) two cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order they
are drawn; and 6) all the four cards of the same symbols (same suit):
spade, heart, club or diamond, Rule (II)(B) specifies that the first
three cards that are drawn form a combination selected from the
group consisting of: 1) the first three cards forming a sequence,
with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn; 2) the first
three cards of a kind; 3) two cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless
of the order they are drawn; 4) two cards forming a pair, with regard
to/regardless of the order they are drawn; and 5) all the three
cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade, heart, club or diamond,
and Rule (II)(C) specifies that the first two cards that are drawn
form a combination selected from the group consisting of: 1) the
first two cards forming a sequence, with regard to/regardless of
the order they are drawn; 2) the first two cards of a kind, which
is also a pair; and 3) the first two cards of the same symbols (same
suit): spade, heart, club or diamond.
20. The method of claim 13, wherein the outcome of the jackpot
is determined according to Rules (III)(A-E), which provide that
the Paradise Jackpot.TM. is won by any specific combination of the
last six, five, four, three or two cards drawn in the live baccarat
game, with regard to/regardless of the drawn sequence they are drawn,
wherein: Rule (III)(A) provides that the last six cards that are
drawn form a combination selected from the group consisting of:
1) the last six cards forming a sequence, with regard to/regardless
of the drawn sequence they are drawn; 2) six cards of a kind; 3)
five cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the order they
are drawn; 4) four cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of
the order they are drawn; 5) four cards of a kind plus a pair, with
regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn; 6) three cards
of a kind plus a pair, with regard to/regardless of the order they
are drawn; 7) three cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of
the order they are drawn; 8) three pairs, with regard to/regardless
of the order they are drawn; and 9) all the six cards of the same
symbols (same suit): spade, heart, club or diamond, Rule (III)(B)
provides that the last five cards that are drawn form a combination
selected from the group consisting of: 1) the last five cards forming
a sequence, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn;
2) five cards of a kind; 3) four cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless
of the order they are drawn; 4) three cards of a kind plus a pair,
regardless of the order they are drawn; 5) three cards of a kind,
regardless of the order they are drawn; 6) two pairs, regardless
of the order they are drawn; and 7) all the 5 cards of the same
symbols (same suit): spade, heart, club or diamond, Rule (III)(C)
provides that the last four cards that are drawn form a combination
selected from the group consisting of: 1) the last four cards forming
a sequence, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn;
2) the last four cards of a kind; 3) three cards of a kind, with
regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn; 4) two cards of
a kind plus a pair, regardless of the order they are drawn, which
is a two pair sequence; 5) two cards of a kind, regardless of the
order they are drawn; and 6) all the four cards of the same symbols
(same suit): spade, heart, club or diamond, Rule (III)(D) provides
that the last three cards that are drawn form a combination selected
from the group consisting of: 1) the last three cards forming a
sequence, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn;
2) the last three cards of a kind; 3) two cards of a kind, with
regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn; 4) two cards forming
a pair, with regard to/regardless of the order they are drawn; and
5) all the last three cards of the same symbols (same suit): spade,
heart, club or diamond, and Rule (III)(E) provides that the last
two cards that are drawn form a combination selected from the group
consisting of: 1) the last two cards forming a sequence, with regard
to/regardless of the order they are drawn; 2) the last two cards
of a kind, which is also a pair; and 3) the last two cards of the
same symbols (same suit): spade, heart, club or diamond.
21. A software program or a plurality of software programs that
allows one to play a baccarat game according to the method as defined
in claim 1.
22. A software program or a plurality of software programs that
allows one to play a baccarat game according to the method as defined
in claim 3.
23. A software program or a plurality of software programs that
allows one to play a baccarat game according to the method as defined
in claim 5.
24. A software program or a plurality of software programs that
allows one to play a baccarat game according to the method as defined
in claim 13.
25. A system for playing live baccarat game, comprising the software
program as defined in claim 21.
26. A system for playing live baccarat game, comprising the software
program as defined in claim 22.
27. A system for playing live baccarat game, comprising the software
program as defined in claim 23.
28. A system for playing live baccarat game, comprising the software
program as defined in claim 24.
29. An electronic device or entertainment gaming machine comprising
the software program or the plurality of software programs as defined
in claim 21.
30. An electronic device or entertainment gaming machine comprising
the software program or the plurality of software programs as defined
in claim 22.
31. An electronic device or entertainment gaming machine comprising
the software program or the plurality of software programs as defined
in claim 23.
32. An electronic device or entertainment gaming machine comprising
the software program or the plurality of software programs as defined
in claim 24.
33. The electronic device of claim 29, which is a laptop or desktop
computer.
34. The electronic device of claim 30, which is a laptop or desktop
computer.
35. The electronic device of claim 31, which is a laptop or desktop
computer.
36. The electronic device of claim 32, which is a laptop or desktop
computer.
37. An electronic lighting device in a gaming system that involves
a card dealing process, comprising a lighting mechanism capable
of the card dealing process.
38. A dealing table in a gaming system, comprising the electronic
lighting device of claim 37.
Insurance Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of
U.S. application Ser. No. 11/198,218, filed on Aug. 5, 2005.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is generally directed to a method
of play and apparatus for playing a live baccarat game. In particular,
the present invention relates to a method for playing a live baccarat
game and playing jackpot with an option for insurance betting.
[0003] 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 banker's hand and an area
designated for a wager on the player's 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.
[0004] 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 may 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.
[0005] The embodiments described below address the above-described
issues and needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Provided herein are methods and systems therefore for playing
a modified live baccarat game. The methods allow the wagering on
the live baccarat games according to conventional rules. In addition,
the methods provided herein allow betting on a site bet or wager
for jackpot with an option for insurance betting. In some embodiments,
outcomes of the jackpot betting can be determined by combinations
of cards that involve at least one zero-point card, described below.
In some other embodiments, outcomes of the jackpot betting can be
determined by specific combinations of cards defined below. The
present invention also provides a jackpot gaming method that allows
the banker to make initial contributions for the jackpot game.
[0007] The method for playing live baccarat described herein includes
the following steps:
[0008] dealing cards to a player's hand and a banker's hand according
to a set of conventional baccarat rules,
[0009] allowing at least a first player to place a bet on live
baccarat,
[0010] 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,
[0011] determining the outcome of the live baccarat game according
to the set of conventional baccarat rules, and
[0012] determining the outcome of the jackpot according to a combination
of cards defined herein.
[0013] The method described herein also provides an option for
insurance betting. As an example, the method includes the following
steps:
[0014] dealing first two cards to a player's hand and two cards
to a banker's hand according to a set of conventional baccarat rules,
[0015] allowing at least a player to place a bet on live baccarat
on either the banker's hand to win or the player's hand to win,
[0016] determining (1) that an insurance bet for the banker's hand
is available for the player to place the insurance bet if the sum
of the first two cards of the banker's hand is larger than that
of a player's hand; and/or (2) that an insurance bet for the player's
hand is available for the player to place the insurance bet if the
sum of the first two cards of the player's hand is larger than that
of a banker's hand,
[0017] allowing the first player to place (1) the insurance bet
for the banker's hand if the first player has betted on the banker's
hand to win on live baccarat; or (2) the insurance bet for the player's
hand if the first player has betted on the player's hand to win
on live baccarat,
[0018] determining (1) the outcome of the insurance bet for the
banker's hand according to a payout ratio for the insurance bet
for the banker's hand if the player's hand wins on live baccarat
after a third card is dealt on the banker's hand and/or the player's
hand; and/or (2) the outcome of the insurance bet for the player's
hand according to a payout ratio for the insurance bet for the player's
hand if the banker's hand wins on live baccarat after a third card
is dealt on the banker's hand, and
[0019] determining the outcome of the live baccarat game according
to the set of conventional baccarat rules.
As another example, the method that provides for an option for
insurance betting includes the steps of:
[0020] dealing first three cards to a player's according to a set
of conventional baccarat rules,
[0021] allowing at least a player to place a bet on live baccarat
on either the banker's hand to win or the player's hand to win,
[0022] determining that an insurance bet for the player's hand
is available for the player to place the insurance bet if the sum
of the three cards of the player's hand is larger than the sum of
the first two cards of the banker's hand,
[0023] allowing the first player to place the insurance bet for
the player's hand if the first player has betted on the player's
hand to win on live baccarat,
[0024] determining the outcome of the insurance bet for the player's
hand according to a payout ratio for the insurance bet for the player's
hand if the banker's hand wins on live baccarat after a third card
is dealt on the banker's hand, and
[0025] determining the outcome of the live baccarat game according
to the set of conventional baccarat rules.
[0026] 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 live baccarat game can
also be incorporated into an electronic device or an entertainment
gaming machine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 is a flow chart disclosing the incorporation of the
present betting methods in the game of baccarat.
[0028] FIG. 2 shows a system embodying live baccarat jackpot of
the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 3 shows the general layout of a baccarat machine.
[0030] FIGS. 4A and 4B show the detailed layout of the betting
terminal of a baccarat machine; FIGS. 4C and 4D show a variant of
the layout of the betting terminal shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.
[0031] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the overall design of the
betting terminal.
[0032] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the overall interior
design of the betting terminal.
[0033] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the design of the dealing
table.
[0034] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the layout of the dealing
table.
[0035] FIG. 9A shows an embodiment of the layout of the dealing
table having lights indicating the order of the card dealing process.
[0036] FIG. 10 shows the side view of a design of the dealing table.
[0037] FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of the overall layout of betting
terminals and the dealing table.
[0038] FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of one design of the Live Baccarat
of present invention.
[0039] FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of another design of the Live
Baccarat betting terminal of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] Provided herein are methods and systems therefore for playing
a modified live baccarat game. The methods allow the wagering on
the live baccarat games according to conventional rules. In addition,
the methods provided herein allow betting on a site bet or wager
for jackpot with an option for insurance betting. The present invention
also provides a jackpot gaming method that 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 live baccarat establishment.
[0041] In general, the method for playing live baccarat described
herein includes the following steps:
[0042] dealing cards to a player's hand and a banker's hand according
to a set of conventional baccarat rules,
[0043] allowing at least a first player to place a bet on live
baccarat,
[0044] 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,
[0045] determining the outcome of the live baccarat game according
to the set of conventional baccarat rules, and
[0046] determining the outcome of the jackpot according to a combination
of cards defined below.
[0047] The method described herein also provides an option for
insurance betting. As an example, the method includes the following
steps:
[0048] dealing first two cards to a player's hand and two cards
to a banker's hand according to a set of conventional baccarat rules,
[0049] allowing at least a player to place a bet on live baccarat
on either the banker's hand to win or the player's hand to win,
[0050] determining (1) that an insurance bet for the banker's hand
is available for the player to place the insurance bet if the sum
of the first two cards of the banker's hand is larger than that
of a player's hand; and/or (2) that an insurance bet for the player's
hand is available for the player to place the insurance bet if the
sum of the first two cards of the player's hand is larger than that
of a banker's hand,
[0051] allowing the first player to place (1) the insurance bet
for the banker's hand if the first player has betted on the banker's
hand to win on live baccarat; or (2) the insurance bet for the player's
hand if the first player has betted on the player's hand to win
on live baccarat,
[0052] determining (1) the outcome of the insurance bet for the
banker's hand according to a payout ratio for the insurance bet
for the banker's hand if the player's hand wins on live baccarat
after a third card is dealt on the banker's hand and/or the player's
hand; and/or (2) the outcome of the insurance bet for the player's
hand according to a payout ratio for the insurance bet for the player's
hand if the banker's hand wins on live baccarat after a third card
is dealt on the banker's hand, and
[0053] determining the outcome of the live baccarat game according
to the set of conventional baccarat rules.
As another example, the method that provides for an option for
insurance betting includes the steps of:
[0054] dealing first three cards to a player's according to a set
of conventional baccarat rules,
[0055] allowing at least a player to place a bet on live baccarat
on either the banker's hand to win or the player's hand to win,
[0056] determining that an insurance bet for the player's hand
is available for the player to place the insurance bet if the sum
of the three cards of the player's hand is larger than the sum of
the first two cards of the banker's hand,
[0057] allowing the first player to place the insurance bet for
the player's hand if the first player has betted on the player's
hand to win on live baccarat,
[0058] determining the outcome of the insurance bet for the player's
hand according to a payout ratio for the insurance bet for the player's
hand if the banker's hand wins on live baccarat after a third card
is dealt on the banker's hand, and
[0059] determining the outcome of the live baccarat game according
to the set of conventional baccarat rules.
[0060] The present invention also provides a software program or
a set of software programs for carrying out any or all steps of
the betting method described herein. The baccarat game can also
be incorporated into an electronic device or an entertainment gaming
machine. Representative electronic devices include, but are not
limited to, laptop computers or desktop computers.
Live Baccarat Game
[0061] The object of baccarat is for the bettor to successfully
wager on whether the banker'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 banker's hand has
a slightly higher chance of winning than does the player's hand.
Therefore, if the bettor wagers on the banker'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.
[0062] The term "wager", as used herein, can be used
interchangeably with the term "bet." The term "wagering"
is used interchangeably with the term "betting."
[0063] The term "bettor", as used herein, is used interchangeably
with the term "gambler" or "player".
[0064] Conventional methods of playing baccarat are described as
follows:
[0065] 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.
[0066] Each bettor makes a wager on whether the banker'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 banker's hand and
the player's hand is determined.
[0067] 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.
[0068] 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 banker's hand or the player's hand is closest to a total
of nine is the winner.
[0069] 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 banker's hand will win, 2) that
the player's hand will win, or 3) that the banker's hand and the
player's hand will tie. In Macau, for example, one can make one
of five wagers: 1) that the banker's hand will win, 2) that the
player's hand will win, 3) that the banker's hand and the player's
hand will tie, 4) that the first two cards in the banker's 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's hand
are of the same kind, regardless of the type of suit, forming a
Player Pair.
[0070] All winning banker's 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 banker's hand
and the banker's 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.
[0071] All wagers that select winning player's 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.
[0072] 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 banker's hand and all wagers on the player's hand
are "pushes" and the amount wagered is returned to the
bettor.
[0073] 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.
[0074] 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.
[0075] 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.
[0076] 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's
hand and the two cards kept by the bettor who is dealing the cards
represent the banker's hand.
[0077] The caller than 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's hand" and the caller announces the point
total of the player's hand.
[0078] The bettor who has the shoe then turns over the cards of
the banker's hand and tosses these two cards to the caller. The
caller places these two cards face up in the table location designated
for the "banker's hand" and the caller announces to point
total of the banker's hand. Depending on the point total of the
player's hand and the banker's hand, one more card may be dealt
to either the player's hand, the banker'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 banker's hand
on whether a third card is dealt.
[0079] If either the player's hand or the banker's 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 may be). If none of
the player's hand or the banker's hand has a point total of eight
or nine, then there is a possibility of a third card draw.
[0080] The third card draw rules are as follows:
[0081] Rule #1: If the initial two card player's hand has a point
total of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, draws a third card. If the initial
two card player's hand has a point total of 6 or 7, the player's
hand stands and does not receive a third card.
[0082] Rule #2: If the player's hand stands and does not draw a
third card, then the banker's hand follows Rule #1. In other words,
if the player's hand has a point total of 6 or 7, the banker's hand
draws a third card on a point total of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 and the
banker's hand stands on a point total of 6 or 7.
[0083] Rule #3: If the player's hand draws a third card, the banker's
hand must draw or stand as described in Table 1. TABLE-US-00001
TABLE 1 Bank hand two card Bank hand draws when the Bank hand stands
when the 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
[0084] 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's hand, the caller
will request a card for the player's hand. After the player's hand
is completed, the banker's 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 may be).
[0085] In conventional baccarat the bettor who acts as the dealer
continues to deal the cards until the player's hand wins. As soon
as the player's 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.
[0086] 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.
[0087] In some embodiments, there is a maximum limit on the total
bet can be made through a single betting terminal for the live baccarat
game. In one embodiment, the maximum bet can be made through one
terminal for live baccarat is, for example, HK$20,000.
[0088] Jackpot
[0089] The method and system described herein provide a method
for jackpot betting, Paradise Jackpot.TM.. The players of the live
baccarat game can make a separate bet for jackpot. The jackpot bet
can be placed with a bet for live baccarat or without a bet for
the same live baccarat.
[0090] In some embodiments, the outcome of the jackpot betting
is determined by the combination 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.TM. are described below:
[0091] (1) The gaming system provides a jackpot. Players who wish
to bet on the Paradise Jackpot.TM. 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.
[0092] (2) Players can bet in Paradise Jackpot.TM. without placing
bet in the same live baccarat game. Each player can place more than
one bet unit in one game. When the Paradise Jackpot.TM. is won,
the payout for each bet unit will be equal to the money in the Paradise
Jackpot.TM. pool divided by the total number of bet unit.
[0093] (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.TM. is won.
[0094] (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.TM.
is won.
[0095] In some other embodiments, the Paradise Jackpot.TM. can
be played according to Rules (I)-(III), defined below:
[0096] (I) The Paradise Jackpot.TM. is won if any of the following
is met:
[0097] 1) any five cards forming a sequence, regardless of the
order they are drawn, e.g., A,2,3,4,5 or 9,10,J,Q,K;
[0098] 2) five cards of a kind, e.g. A,A,A,A,A or K,K,K,K,K;
[0099] 3) four cards of a kind, regardless of the order they are
drawn, e.g., K,K,K,K,2 or 2,K,K,K,K;
[0100] 4) three cards of a kind plus a pair, regardless of the
order they are drawn, e.g., 10,10,10,2,2;
[0101] 5) three cards of a kind, regardless of the order they are
drawn, e.g., 2,2,2,10,J
[0102] 6) two pairs, regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g.,
Q,Q,2,K,K;
[0103] 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
[0104] 8) any specific combination of five cards as specified from
time to time.
[0105] (II). The Paradise Jackpot.TM. is won by any specific combination
of the first four, three or two cards drawn in a live baccarat game,
with regard to/regardless of the drawn sequence. Specifically, the
Paradise Jackpot.TM. is won if any of the following is met:
[0106] (A) if the first four cards that are drawn form a combination
as defined below: [0107] 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; [0108] 2) the first four cards of a kind, e.g. A,A,A,A
or J,J,J,J; [0109] 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; [0110]
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;
[0111] 5) two cards of a kind, with regard to/regardless of the
order they are drawn, e.g., 10,10,Q,Q; [0112] 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 [0113] 7) any specific
combination of the first four cards as specified from time to time,
[0114] (B) if the first three cards that are drawn form a combination
as defined below: [0115] 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; [0116] 2) the first three cards of a kind, e.g. A,A,A
or 2,2,2; [0117] 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; [0118] 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; [0119] 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 [0120] 6) any other specific combination
of the first four cards as specified from time to time, or
[0121] (C) if the first two cards that are drawn form a combination
as defined below: [0122] 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; [0123] 2) the first two cards of a kind, e.g. A,A or 10,10,
which is also a pair; [0124] 3) the first two cards of the same
symbols (same suit): spade, heart, club or diamond, e.g., A(spade),
10(spade); or [0125] 4) any other specific combination of the first
four cards as specified from time to time.
[0126] (III) The Paradise Jackpot.TM. is won by any specific combination
of the last six, five, four, three, and two cards drawn in a live
baccarat game, with regard to/regardless of the drawn sequence.
Specifically, the Paradise Jackpot.TM. is won if any of the following
is met:
[0127] (A) if the last six cards that are drawn form a combination
as defined below: [0128] 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; [0129] 2) six cards of a kind,
e.g. A,A,A,A,A,A or 2,2,2,2,2,2; [0130] 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; [0131] 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; [0132] 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; [0133] 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; [0134] 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;
[0135] 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; [0136] 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 [0137] 10) any other specific combination of six cards as specified
from time to time.
[0138] (B) if the last five cards that are drawn form a combination
as defined below: [0139] 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; [0140] 2) five cards of a kind, e.g. A,A,A,A,A or
2,2,2,2,2; [0141] 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; [0142]
4) three cards of a kind plus a pair, regardless of the order they
are drawn, e.g., 2,2,2,J,J; [0143] 5) three cards of a kind, regardless
of the order they are drawn, e.g., 2,2,2,10,Q; [0144] 6) two pairs,
regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g., Q,Q,A,10,10; [0145]
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 [0146] 8) any other specific combination of five cards as specified
from time to time,
[0147] (C) if the last four cards that are drawn form a combination
as defined below: [0148] 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; [0149] 2) the last four cards of a kind, e.g. A,A,A,A
or 10,10,10,10; [0150] 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; [0151]
4) two cards of a kind plus a pair, regardless of the order they
are drawn, e.g., A,A,J,J, which is a two pair sequence; [0152] 5)
two cards of a kind, regardless of the order they are drawn, e.g.,
2,2,Q,Q; [0153] 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 [0154] 7) any other specific combination of
the first four cards as specified from time to time,
[0155] (D) if the last three cards that are drawn form a combination
as defined below: [0156] 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; [0157] 2) the last three cards of a kind, e.g. A,A,A or
Q,Q,Q; [0158] 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; [0159] 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; [0160] 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 [0161] 6) any other specific
combination of the first four cards as specified from time to time,
[0162] (E) if the last two cards that are drawn form a combination
as defined below: [0163] 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; [0164] 2) the last two cards of a kind, e.g. A,A or 2,2,
which is also a pair; [0165] 3) the last two cards of the same symbols
(same suit): spade, heart, club or diamond, e.g., A(spade),10(spade);
or [0166] 4) any other specific combination of the first four cards
as specified from time to time.
[0167] Option for Insurance Betting
[0168] In some embodiments, the method and system described herein
provided for options for insurance bet for Banker's hand and/or
Player's hand.
[0169] For example, in some embodiments, the insurance options
can be available after the first 2 cards have been distributed to
each of the Banker's hand and the Player's hand, respectively.
[0170] In some embodiments, the rules for insurance option for
Banker's hand are as follows:
[0171] An insurance bet for Banker's hand can be only available
to the gambler who has already betted on the Banker's hand to win
in the same baccarat game. If the sum of the first two cards of
Banker's hand is larger than that of Player's hand, the insurance
betting option button for Banker's hand will flash on the screen
(e.g., flashing for 15 seconds), indicating the insurance betting
option for Banker's hand is available for players to put the insurance
bets according to the insurance betting rules. The insurance betting
option button for Banker's hand will flash on the screen with a
payout ratio, which can be, for example, one according to the table
below (Table 2) for betting on the winning of Player's hand after
a third card is/are dealt on either/both hand(s). TABLE-US-00002
TABLE 2 Payout ratio if the Player wins after a third card is/are
Sum of first 2 cards Sum of first 2 cards dealt on either/both of
Banker's hand of Player's hand hand(s) 4 0 to 3 1.5.times. 5 0 to
4 2.times. 5 5 1.times. 6 0 to 5 3.times. 7 0 to 5 4.5.times.
[0172] In some embodiments, the rules for insurance option for
Player's hand are as follows:
[0173] An insurance bet for Player's hand can be only available
to the gambler who has already betted on Player's hand to win in
the same baccarat game. If the sum of the first two cards of Player's
hand is larger than that of Banker's hand, the insurance betting
option button for Player's hand will flash on the screen (for example,
flashing for 15 seconds), indicating the insurance betting option
for Player's hand is available for players to put the insurance
bets according to the insurance betting rules. The insurance betting
option button for Player's hand will flash on the screen with a
payout ratio, which can be, for example, one according to the table
below (Table 3) for betting on the winning of Banker's hand after
a third card is dealt on Banker's hand: TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Payout
ratio if the Banker wins after a Sum of first 2 cards Sum of first
2 cards third card is dealt of Player's hand of Banker's hand on
the Banker's hand 6 0 to 5 3.times. 7 0 to 5 4.5.times.
[0174] In some embodiments, an insurance bet for Player's hand
can be available after the first 3 cards have been distributed to
Player. This insurance bet can be only available to the gambler
who has already betted on Player's hand to win in the same baccarat
game. If the sum of the three cards of Player's hand is larger than
the sum of the first two cards of Banker's hand, the insurance betting
option button for Player's hand will flash on the screen (e.g.,
flashing for 15 seconds), indicating the insurance betting option
for Player's hand is available for players to put the insurance
bets according to the insurance betting rules. The insurance betting
option button for Player's hand will flash on the screen with a
payout ratio, which can be, for example, one according to the table
below (Table 4) for betting on the winning of Banker's hand after
a third card is dealt on Banker's hand: TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Payout
ratio if the Banker wins after a Sum of first 3 cards Sum of first
2 cards third card is dealt on of Player's hand of Banker's hand
the Banker's hand 4 0 to 3 1.times. 5 0 to 4 2.times. 8 0 to 5 9.times.
9 0 to 5 11.times.
[0175] In some embodiments, the embodiments of the insurance betting
described above and the various embodiments of jackpot described
previously can be combined.
[0176] 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.TM. 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.
[0177] There may be more than one live baccarat game going on simultaneously
in different casinos in Macau. In some embodiments, all Paradise
Jackpot.TM. bets from different live baccarat tables will contribute
to one grand Paradise Jackpot.TM. pool. If the Paradise Jackpot.TM.
is won in any one live baccarat table, all players who place Paradise
Jackpot.TM. bets, regardless of the live baccarat table they bet,
will share the grand Paradise Jackpot.TM. pool according to the
bet units that each player placed in the jackpot betting.
[0178] Paradise Jackpot.TM. 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 live
baccarat defined herein or one who operates the live baccarat game.
In one embodiment, the banker contributes a sum of money as the
initial Paradise Jackpot.TM. (e.g., HKD 50,000). A certain percentage,
e.g., 55%, of the Paradise Jackpot.TM. bets from the players will
be contributed towards the Paradise Jackpot.TM. 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.
[0179] An embodiment of the general gaming method described herein
is shown in the flowchart in FIG. 1. The flowchart shows the steps
in playing the live baccarat games described herein. Step 110 shows
the baccarat is ready to start a game. In step 120, the dealer presses
the Start button on the baccarat machine to count-down the time
for accepting bets. In step 130, the betting terminal, BU, accepts
bets. Step 140 shows that the time for accepting bets is over and
the dealer press the Cut-off button on the machine. In step 150,
the server, which is also referred to as betting computation and
track record central processing unit (BCPU), receives all bets from
betting terminals. The dealer then obtains and displays cards in
step 160. In step 170, the baccarat game gives results and the dealer
presses approve button, approving the card dealing made, game results
and payouts. The server, BCPU, then computes and distributes wins
in step 180. The live baccarat game is over, as shown in step 190,
and the machine is ready for next round of baccarat game that begins
with step 110.
[0180] 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 live
baccarat game described herein. The software program can be written
by one of ordinary skill in the art.
Gaming System
[0181] One aspect of the present invention provides a baccarat
gaming system that allows one to play the live baccarat jackpot
with options for insurance betting described herein. One embodiment
of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2. Referring FIG. 2, the
baccarat gaming system includes three members: (1) the control unit
for automatic shuffle mechanism (CU) (210), (2) betting computation
and tract record central processing unit (BCPU) (220), and (3) betting
terminal for players (BT) (230) (FIG. 2). The control unit 210 may
further contain control buttons (212) that allows the dealer to
control the shuffling mechanism, which can be manual or automatic,
and/or a shuffle master (214), which can be manual or automatic,
for shuffling the cards. In some embodiments, shuffle master 214
can automatically scan the cards dealt and send the card results
in the player's hand and/or banker's hand to CU210 and/or BCPU220.
The CU 210 can include any or all of the components which may include
control buttons that allow input from dealer and/or capable of (1)
receiving the shuffle mechanism input, (2) sending visual output
to a screen, and/or (3) sending card results in the player's hand
and/or banker's hand to BCPU 220. The BCPU 220 has components or
members capable of performing any or all of (1) receiving betting
from BT (230), (2) receiving card results from CU 210, (3) sending
betting results to BT 230, and/or (4) sending credit to BT 230.
[0182] The betting terminal for players, BT 230, has components
or members capable of performing any or all of (1) sending betting
to BCPU 220, (2) receiving betting results from BCPU 220, and/or
(3) receiving credit from BCPU 220. Note, the baccarat gaming system
can have a number of betting terminals, depending on the need of
a gaming establishment. For example, if desirable, the baccarat
gaming system can have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10, up to,
e.g., 50 or 250 BTs. CU 210, BCPU 220, and BT 230 can be linked
together via a local area network (LAN) (240) to form a baccarat
gaming network between one, two, three or several gaming establishments.
[0183] The live baccarat game can have different variations. For
example, the game can be played separately as a single live baccarat
game. In some embodiments, the individual baccarat games as played
in each betting terminal can be linked together. The individual
games can all be played in a casino or gaming establishment or in
several casino or gaming establishments. The individual games played
in different betting terminals can be the same or different. Therefore,
some or all of the baccarat games played in individual betting terminals,
which can be the same or different baccarat games, can be linked
together for a single jackpot.
[0184] A layout for the live baccarat game described herein is
shown in FIGS. 3, 4A and 4B. FIG. 3 shows the overall layout of
the betting terminal (300), which has two screens, the upper screen
(400) and the lower screen (500), shown in detail in FIGS. 4 and
B. Referring to FIG. 4A, upper screen 400 includes an upper part
(410) for displaying the result; score and latest jackpot amount,
the center part (420) for displaying a live video of the gambling
table, and a messenger screen (430) for displaying messages. In
one embodiment, the jackpot amount digits can be programmed to be
in rolling motion to reflect the increasing jackpot pool. The center
part of the upper screen has a section designated as Player (440),
which has a small screen (450), and another section designated as
Banker (460), which also has a small screen (470). The small screens
450 and 470 are for display of card values of the player's hand
and the banker's hand respectively. The current limits available
for betting on Player (player's hand) and Banker (banker's hand)
in a live baccarat game are shown in small screens 480 and 490 below
small screens 450 and 470, respectively.
[0185] Referring to FIG. 4B, the lower screen 500 is an operating
touch screen for betting, which includes bet-option buttons (510),
bet-amount buttons (520), and credit window (530). The bet-option
buttons 510 include the various betting selections described above,
e.g., betting for player's hand (511) win with a payoff rate of
1:1, for the banker's hand (512) win with a payoff rate of 1:0.95,
for tie (513) with a payoff rate of 1:8, for Player Pairs (514)
with a payoff rate of 1:11, for banker pairs (515) with a payoff
rate of 1:11, and for Jackpot bet (516), the rules of which are
described above. Box 517 shows the pops up when bets are placed
on a particular bet option. The number inside Box 517 corresponds
to the amount placed on a particular bet option. The bet-amount
buttons 520 as shown in the layout, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000,
provide the players the convenience of adding up betting amounts
in a fast manner. To illustrate, for a bet of 10,000 USD or HKD,
the player can simply press the "1000" button ten times
to reach the desired betting amount. Note, the bet-amount buttons
520 shown are illustrative and non-exclusive. Buttons designated
for other amounts, e.g., "1", "5", "10",
"100", "100,000", "1,000,000" can
be readily added to the screen. The credit window 530 shows the
remaining balance of a player's credit. The player may insert bills
or chips into or transfer money from a credit card account and/or
a bank account to the machine to add up the credit amount from time
to time. If the player desires to stop playing the baccarat game
and to cash out, he may ask the operator to authorize a cash-out
procedure, and then obtain the remaining balance.
[0186] Still referring to FIG. 4, the lower screen 500 further
includes language selection button (540), which can switch the operation
language of the baccarat game between, e.g., English, Portuguese,
Italian, French, Spanish, Russian, German, Arabic, Japanese, and
Korean, etc, Rule selection button (550), which prompts the display
of rules for live baccarat and Paradise Jackpot.TM., Cancel button
(560), which allows the bettor to cancel all bets made before the
cards are dealt, Operator button (570), which allows the bettor
to call for assistance from the casino staff when there is machine
failure or the bettor wishes to exit from the game, and Results
Bars (580, 590) which display the results for previous live baccarat
games. Once results of a game are confirmed, the losing bet shown
in the bet option buttons (510) in the center of lower screen will
disappear while the winning bet in the bet option buttons (510)
in the lower screen will flash with the total amount won.
[0187] FIG. 4C is an alternative design of the upper screen 400
as shown in FIG. 4A, which has a similar layout as the one shown
in FIG. 4A except that the top right corner of the upper screen
displays the words "Paradise Jackpo.TM.", and the bottom
rim has a blank bar and numbers 1 through 20 on top of the bar.
[0188] FIG. 4D is an alternative design of the lower screen of
500 as shown in FIG. 4B, which as a similar layout as the one shown
in FIG. 4B except that the top rim of the lower screen 500 bears
letters indicating the left side as the Player side and the right
side and the Banker side, a screen at the far up-left corner indicating
the maximum bet on the player's hand accepted by the dealing table
in a game, and a screen at the far up-right corner indicating the
maximum bet on the banker hand accepted by the dealing table in
a game.
[0189] FIGS. 5 and 6 show two embodiments of the betting terminal
(BT) 230. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of BT 230 that has an opaque
cover 232. FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the interior design of
BT 230.
[0190] In some embodiments, the gaming system includes a dealing
table. An embodiment of the dealing table is shown in FIG. 7, which
includes a main body 600, an overhead video camera 610 supported
by a handle 612, a signaling mechanism (e.g., a touch screen) 620
for prompting the dealer of the dealing process, a lighting mechanism
630 for indication of the order the card dealing process, and rings
640 marking the space for placing the card shuffle master and box
for disposal of played cards. The main body 600 has an outer rim
602 and inner rim 604.
[0191] Another embodiment of the dealing table is shown in FIG.
8, which has a main body (DT 600), a touch screen 620 that includes
a screen 622 and a pop up mechanism 624 for the touch screen, a
lighting mechanism 630, and rings 640 marking the space for placing
the card shuffle master and box for disposal of played cards. The
main body 600 has an outer rim 602 and inner rim 604. In one embodiment,
the main body 600 of the dealing table shown in FIG. 8 has an overall
dimension of 1600 mm.times.1000 mm, the outer rim having an outer
dimension of 1600 mm.times.1000 mm and an inner dimension of 1440
mm.times.840 mm, and the inner rim having an outer dimension of
1440 mm.times.840 mm and an inner dimension of 1350 mm.times.750
mm. The touch screen 620 includes a screen 622 having a dimension
of 220 mm.times.130 mm and a pop up mechanism 624 having a dimension
of 275 mm. The lighting mechanism has a dimension of 500 mm.times.400
mm.
[0192] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the lighting mechanism 630
of the dealing table as shown in FIG. 7 or 8. The lighting mechanism
630 includes lighting 632 indicating the next card shall be dealt
to the Player and lighting 634 indicating the next card shall be
dealt to the Banker. In one embodiment, the lighting mechanism can
have a dimension of 500 mm.times.400 mm.
[0193] FIG. 10 shows a side view of an embodiment of the dealing
table of the present invention, which shows the main body 600 and
the overhead video camera 610 supported by handle 612. In one embodiment,
the main body 600 can have a length of 1600 mm and a height of 850
mm, and handle 612 can have a height of 850 mm.
[0194] FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of the gaming system of the
present invention that includes a dealing table and a betting terminal.
FIG. 12 shows the overall layout of an embodiment of the gaming
system of the present invention, which includes a dealing table
and a plurality of betting terminals. FIG. 13 shows the overall
layout of a further embodiment of the gaming system of the present
invention.
[0195] In some other embodiments, the baccarat jackpot game can
be played in an entertainment setting, e.g., in the form of game
device such as laptop or desktop computers.
[0196] 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.
[0197] 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.
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