GAMING METHOD AND SURFACE THEREFOR

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of casino games.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Poker is a well known casino game. Craps is a well know casino game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Forming one aspect of the invention is a method using dice. In the method: each player places a wager on an outcome selected from the group comprising: pair only;

• • two pairs or better;
  • 3 of a kind or better;
  • 4 of a kind or better;
  • full house or better; straight or better, and
  • five of a kind
  • the outcome is generated by a dice roll each player that has wagered accurately upon the outcome is paid bets are collected from players that have inaccurate wagers.

According to another aspect, the outcome can be generated by a single roll of five identical dice.

According to another aspect of the invention: each player has the option of placing a zilch wager; and

a zilch wager is deemed accurate if the outcome is not one of: pair only; two pairs or better; 3 of a kind or better; 4 of a kind or better; full house or better; straight or better, and five of a kind.

According to another aspect of the invention, if the outcome is not one of: pair only; two pairs or better, 3 of a kind or better; 4 of a kind or better; full house or better; straight or better; and five of a kind:

• • a. each player has the option of placing a five-of-a-single-kind wager;
  • b. one or more dice rolls are effected;
  • c. after each roll, each die presenting the kind is removed from play;
  • d. if, within a predetermined number of rolls, all dice of the kind are removed from play, each player that has placed a five-of-a-single-kind wager is paid.

According to another aspect of the invention, if the outcome is not one of: pair only; two pairs or better; 3 of a kind or better; 4 of a kind or better; full house or better; straight or better; and five of a kind:

• • a. each player has the option of none of the kind wager,
  • b. if, within the predetermined number of rolls, none of the kind have been removed from play, each player that has placed the none-of-a-kind wager is paid.

According to another aspect of the invention, the dice each bear the numbers 1-6.

According to another aspect of the invention, the kind is the number 6.

A gaming table forms another aspect of the invention and comprises a plurality of player areas, each: associated with a seat for a player; and being demarcated with eight distinct betting areas.

According to another aspect of the invention, seven of the eight distinct betting areas can bear the following demarcations:

• • 1. pair only
  • 2. two pairs or better
  • 3. 3 of a kind or better
  • 4. 4 of a kind or better
  • 5. full house or better,
  • 6. straight or better; and
  • 7. five of a kind.

According to another aspect of the invention, the eight distinct betting areas can bear the following demarcations:

• • 1. pair only
  • 2. two pairs or better
  • 3. 3 of a kind or better
  • 4. 4 of a kind or better
  • 5. full house or better,
  • 6. straight or better;
  • 7. five of a kind; and
  • 8. zilch.

Advantages and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following detailed description and appended drawing, the latter being briefly described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a layout of a gaming surface

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In an exemplary embodiment of the method each player places a wager on an outcome selected from the group comprising: pair only; two pairs or better; 3 of a kind or better; 4 of a kind or better; full house or better; straight or better; and five of a kind each player has the option of placing a zilch wager the outcome is generated by a single roll of five identical dice bearing numerals 1-6 a zilch wager is deemed accurate if the outcome is not one of: pair only; two pairs or better, 3 of a kind or better, 4 of a kind or better, full house or better; straight or better; and five of a kind. Each player that has wagered accurately upon the outcome is paid bets are collected from players that have inaccurate wagers.

If the outcome is not one of: pair only; two pairs or better; 3 of a kind or better; 4 of a kind or better; full house or better; straight or better; and five of a kind:

• • a. each player has the option of placing a five-sixes wager and a no-sixes wager;
  • b. one or more dice rolls are effected;
  • c. after each roll, each die presenting the number 6 is removed from play;
  • d. if, within five rolls, all of the dice have been removed from play, each player that has placed a five-sixes wager is paid.
  • e. if, within five rolls, none of the dice have been removed from play, each player that has placed the no-sixes wager is paid.

Rules of the Game, including exemplary payout tables, are set forth in the pages following.

Overview Casino Table Game—on a Roll Dice Poker: Rules of the Game

On A Roll Dice Poker is a poker game played with five dice that have its six sides bearing circular spots from one to six. Patrons compete against a pay table, not against the Dealer or other players.

Table Layout

An On A Roll Dice Poker table is imprinted with an area for the placement of all approved wagers.

Other Gaming Equipment

Each On A Roll Dice Poker table is equipped with the following:

a) “On” button;
b) “Off’ button;
c) Bonus lammers (5); and
d) Dice shaker.

DEFINITIONS

Dice Poker—Is a mandatory one roll wager. A player must make at least one wager out of the seven combinations which include a Pair Only, Two Pair or Better, Three of a Kind or Better, Full House or Better, Straight or Better, Four of a Kind or Better or Five of a Kind. The wager wins if the combination is rolled and it loses if it is not rolled.

Zilch—This is an optional one roll side wager that can be placed anytime the “Off’ button is in use. The player must place a Dice Poker wager in order to place an Zilch wager. Players are wagering that the Shooter will roll Zilch or No Pair. If achieved, players have a guaranteed payout and qualify for the 5 Sixes Bonus Round

The 5 Sixes Bonus Round is a completely separate bonus round where each player has the opportunity at an additional payout if the Shooter can roll 5 Sixes in up to 5 rolls. After each roll the Dealer removes each six that has been rolled. The Shooter continues rolling the remaining dice until 5 Sixes is achieved or for 5 rolls, whichever comes first.

The Shooter is the player with control of the dice. This player may continue to shake the dice provided they wagered on the winning Dice Poker combination or until Zilch is rolled and the 5 Sixes Bonus Round is completed. The Dealer will shake the dice if no player wants to, until someone elects to become the Shooter.

Poker Rankings

On A Roll Dice Poker hands are determined by the number of spots appearing on the uppermost sides of the dice. Only one face on each die is considered uppermost. Rankings include all 5 dice and are, in order of highest to lowest rank:

• i) Five of a Kind—A roll which has the same number of spots showing on all five dice;
• ii) Four of a Kind—A roll which has the same number of spots showing on four dice. The outcome of the 5th die when it does not improve the hand is inconsequential;
• iii) Straight—A roll which has one die showing six spots, one die with five spots, one die with four spots, one die with three spots and one die with two spots OR one die with five spots, one die with four spots, one die with three spots, one die with two spots and one die with one spot. Both Straights are of equal value;
• iv) Full House—A roll which has the same number of spots showing on three dice and the same but different number of spots showing on two dice;
• v) Three of a Kind—A roll which has the same number of spots showing on three dice. The outcome of the 4th & 5th dice when they do not improve the hand are inconsequential;
• vi) Two Pairs—A roll which has the same number of spots showing on two dice and the same but different number of spots on two dice. The outcome of the 5th die when it does not improve the hand is inconsequential;
• vii) Pair Only—A roll which has the same number of spots showing on two dice. The outcome of the 3rd, 4th & 5th dice when they do not improve the hand are inconsequential;
• viii) Zilch—A roll which does not contain any of the above combinations. Specifically the rolls include the following:
  • a. one die showing six spots, one die with five spots, one die with four spots, one die with three spots and one die with one spot;
  • b. one die with six spots, one die with five spots, one die with four spots, one die with two spots and one die with one spot;
  • c. one die with six spots, one die with five spots, one die with three spots, one die with two spots and one die with one spot;
  • d. one die with six spots, one die with four spots, one die with three spots, one die with two spots and one die with one spot.

Wagers

All wagers are made by placing gaming chips, plaques, or coupons on the appropriate wagering areas on the table layout. Verbal wagers accompanied by cash may be accepted provided they are confirmed by the Dealer and/or Floor Supervisor. The cash is converted into gaming chips or plaques prior to the round of play.

Wagers cannot be made, increased, decreased or withdrawn after the dice are rolled.

Prior to the Dealer closing wagering and the dice rolled, players must make a Dice Poker wager.

Each player may also place an additional wager on the Zilch wager.

Only seated players who place a wager may become a Shooter when it is their turn to roll the dice. A player cannot play more than one hand.

When a Dice Poker wager is placed, a player is wagering on the results of all 5 dice after each roll and each winning combination is paid separately.

A player who places a Dice Poker wager on Two Pair or Better, Three of a Kind or Better, Full House or Better, Straight or Better or Four of a Kind or Better is paid at the odds where their wager is placed if that combination or Better is rolled.

Payout Odds

Dice Poker wagers are settled as follows:

At the discretion of the Casino Operator, winning Dice Poker wagers are paid according to one of the following tables:

	Pay	Pay	Pay	Pay
Dice Poker Ranking	Table 1	Table 2	Table 3	Table 4
Five of a Kind	1200 to 1	1200 to 1	1000 to 1	1000 to 1
Four of a Kind or	45 to 1	40 to 1	45 to 1	40 to 1
Better
Straight or Better	17 to 1	15 to 1	17 to 1	15 to 1
Full House or Better	10 to 1	10 to 1	9 to 1	10 to 1
Three of a Kind	3 to 1	3 to 1	3 to 1	3 to 1
or Better
Two Pair or Better	1 to 1	1 to 1	1 to 1	1 to 1
One Pair	1 to 1	1 to 1	1 to 1	1 to 1

At the discretion of the Casino Operator, winning Zilch wagers and the 5 Sixes Bonus Round is paid according to one of the following tables:

	Pay	Pay	Pay	Pay
	Table A	Table B	Table C	Table D

Zilch
Guaranteed Payout	12 to 1	10 to 1	7 to 1	5 to 1
& Entry to 5
Sixes Bonus Round

5 Sixes Bonus Round

1 Roll	500 to 1	1000 to 1	1000 to 1	1000 to 1
2 Rolls	100 to 1	500 to 1	500 to 1	500 to 1
3 Rolls	50 to 1	100 to 1	200 to 1	300 to 1
4 Rolls	30 to 1	50 to 1	100 to 1	100 to 1
5 Rolls	20 to 1	25 to 1	40 to 1	70 to 1

The Casino Operator may establish a Maximum Payout amount and/or an Aggregated Payout amount for On A Roll Dice Poker. The amount is displayed at each table.

The Zilch and 5 Sixes Bonus Round payouts may be included in the Maximum Payout amount or the Aggregated Payout amount.

Dealing the Game

During regular play, the dice are placed in the dice shaker by the Dealer and are shaken in an up and down motion prior to being passed out to the player.

Starting with the player furthest to the left, the dice and shaker are passed out to the player to shake the dice at least three times in an up and down motion to ensure a random outcome. If no one wants to be the Shooter, the Dealer shakes the dice. The Dealer removes the lid and announces the outcome.

If there is no Zilch wagers, or Zilch is not rolled, the Dealer places an “Off’ button on the winning combination. Losing Dice Poker wagers are taken and winning combinations are paid.

If there is an active Zilch wager and the Shooter rolls Zilch the Dealer places an “On” button in the Zilch circle. Losing Dice Poker wagers are taken, all Zilch wagers are paid and enter the 5 Sixes Bonus Round.

When a Shooter qualifies for the 5 Sixes Bonus Round, the Dealer places all 5 dice in the shaker, shakes the dice once in an up and down motion and then passes it to the Shooter to shake.

The lid is uncovered and the Dealer removes each six that was rolled and returns the remaining dice and shaker to the Shooter to keep rolling until 5 Sixes is achieved or for 5 rolls, whichever comes first.

When a Shooter enters the 5 Sixes Bonus Round, the Dealer places a “Bonus 1” lammer in the 1st Roll area of the layout. When the next combination is rolled the Dealer places the “Bonus 2” lammer on the 2nd Roll area, the “Bonus 3” lammer on the 3rd Roll area and so on until 5 Sixes has been rolled or for 5 rolls, whichever comes first.

Completion of a Round of Play

Whenever a Pair Only is rolled, all other Dice Poker and Zilch wagers lose.

Whenever the Shooter rolls a Dice Poker combination where they have no wager, the dice pass clockwise around the table to the next Shooter, unless Zilch is rolled.

Whenever Zilch is rolled, the 5 Sixes Bonus Round is completed and the dice pass clockwise around the table to the next Shooter.

A Shooter does not have to have a Zilch wager to roll the dice during the 5 Sixes Bonus Round.

A player may elect to forfeit their opportunity to be the Shooter and shake the dice at any time. When this happens, the dice are offered to the next player moving clockwise around the table and the round is completed. If no one elects to shake the dice, the Dealer shakes the dice.

Wagers are paid and/or taken in order pursuant with the established Pay Table.

Irregularities

All irregularities are resolved at the discretion of the Casino Operator. The Casino Operator will not violate the above rules to resolve the irregularity.

Casino Table Game—on a Roll Dice Poker No Six Addendum: Rules of the Game

No Six Addendum is Played According to the Rules of the Game for on a Roll Dice Poker with the Following Exception:

Overview

No Six is an optional side wager that can be placed once Zilch has been obtained and prior to the 5 Sixes Bonus Round commencing.

DEFINITIONS

Zilch—an optional one roll side wager that can be placed anytime the “Off’ button is in use. The player must place a Dice Poker wager in order to place a Zilch wager. Players wager the Shooter will roll Zilch. If achieved, players receive a guaranteed payout and qualify for the 5 Sixes Bonus Round.

Sixes Bonus Round—a separate bonus round where each player has the opportunity at an additional payout if the Shooter can roll 5 sixes in up to 5 rolls. After each roll, the Dealer removes each six that has been rolled. The Shooter continues rolling the remaining dice until 5 Sixes is achieved or for 5 rolls, whichever comes first.

No Six—an optional side wager that can only be placed once Zilch has been obtained and prior to the 5 Sixes Bonus Round commencing. Players wager the Shooter will not roll a Six during the 5 Sixes Bonus Round.

Wagers

A player must first make a Dice Poker wager and an additional Zilch wager. Once Zilch has been obtained a player may bet that the Shooter will not roll a six during the 5 Sixes Bonus Roll. The wager is placed in the designated betting area by the Dealer after the Zilch payout is made.

The No Six wager wins if the Shooter does not roll a six during the 5 Sixes Bonus Round. After each roll of the 5 Sixes Bonus Round, where a six is not rolled, the player has the option of collecting their winning wager or letting it ride for a chance at increased payouts. If a six is rolled at any time the No Six wagers loses.

Payout Odds

No Six wagers are settled as follows:

Winning No Six wagers are paid according to the following table:

	No Six	Pay Table 1
	Roll 1	1 to 1
	Roll 2	5 to 1
	Roll 3	12 to 1
	Roll 4	35 to 1
	Roll 5	90 to 1

The game can conceivably be played anywhere, on any surface and using dice bearing any indicia. However, for the purpose of simplification of bet tracking, a gaming table can be provided. The surface 20 of an exemplary gaming table is shown in FIG. 1. The surface 20 will be seen to define a plurality of player areas 22, each associated with a seat for a player and demarcated with eight distinct betting areas 24-38. The betting areas 24-38 are demarcated with the various outcomes previously described, namely:

• • 1. pair only
  • 2. two pairs or better
  • 3. 3 of a kind or better
  • 4. 4 of a kind or better
  • 5. full house or better;
  • 6. straight or better;
  • 7. five of a kind; and
  • 8. zilch.

Players place wagers upon the outcomes in a conventional manner, that is, by placing chips upon the associated betting area.

The gaming table shown also include a variety of reporting areas 40, wherein dealers will place chips to evidence the status of the game as it progresses. This is primarily to ensure accountability within the casino [so that surveillance cameras can monitor the table for cheating and theft] and does not impact upon play and accordingly further detail thereon is not provided.

Whereas specific embodiments are shown, it will be evident that variations are possible.

For example, whereas a five-sixes round is contemplated, the game could be played equally successfully with five-of-any-kind.

As well, whereas five dice are used, with poker hands being defined by notional cards bearing the numbers of the die presented upwardly in the roll, greater or lesser numbers of dice could be used. If four dice were used, for example, the outcomes would be: pair only; two pairs or better; 3 of a kind or better; Four-card-straight or better; and 4 of a kind.

Further, whereas numeric dice are mentioned, dice bearing letters, symbols or playing card symbols, such as Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Ten and Nine could be used.

Accordingly, the invention should be understood to be limited only by the accompanying claims, purposively construed.