AU742836B2 - Casino racing aces game - Google Patents

Description

P/00/01 1 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 a a a. a ORI GINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention title: CASINO RACING ACES GAME a a The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: dxbMM0llO3l67890l95579 21.05.1999 Casino Racing Aces Game Field of the invention The invention relates to a game. More particularly, the invention relates to a game for use as a board or table game. It is therefore adapted to be used in a casino.

Background of the invention Gambling has always been a very popular pastime. Its popularity is increasing as the number of legal gaming venues and casinos increases. Both horse racing and card games o are very popular and gambling on the results of each of these has always provided a oeooo S" fascination to a large number of people.

A card game known as racing aces has been played in Australia. This game involves a race where the movement of the tokens in the race is determined by the turning of cards from a pack. Cards were taken from the pack to both mark the course and to determine the odds to be fixed by a 'book maker'. As with horse racing the game has involved betting on the winner of the race only. The game utilised the aces from the pack as the tokens to be moved in the race and accordingly, aces were not included in the cards to be turned over. Jokers were not utilised in this game at all. Accordingly, the cards to be turned over never included jokers.

a. a Whilst playing of this game was enjoyable, it is limited in its potential application to a gaming environment by reason of its restricted use of cards and limited options of wagering. Accordingly, further research of this basic type of game has been carried out to devise a game of increased interest and applicability to a gaming environment.

Object of the invention It is an object of the invention to provide a game which combines cards and racing and betting on certain outcomes, and which is appropriate for use in casinos and other gaming venues.

Summary of the invention According to the invention there is provided a game for use in gaming venues and casinos comprising: a gaming course comprising at least 4 tracks, each of the tracks being divided into a common number of predetermined sites comprising a starting site, intermediate sites and a finishing site; at least 4 tokens such that in use one token is used for each track; at least one randomly ordered deck of cards comprising at least 4 suits of cards and at least one wild card, each suit in use being exclusively associated with one 10 of the tracks; and means to record at least one wager relevant to a selection of cards and/or the progression of the tokens along their respective tracks; wherein a card is selected from the randomly ordered deck of cards and depending upon :the suit of the card selected or if a wild card is selected, at least one of the tokens may be moved in a predetermined manner between the starting site and the finishing site; and/or a wager relevant to the selection; and/or (ii) the progression of the tokens along their respective tracks, is credited to a certain participant in the game; and further wherein the game is completed when a predetermined number of the tokens advance onto the finishing site, or when two wild cards are selected.

The game is similar to a race. Preferably the gaming course is on a board or table.

Typically, there are four tracks and four intermediate sites. To add to the visual appeal of the game, the tokens may be shaped to resemble horses.

Preferably two decks of cards are used. Preferably the wild cards are jokers. Preferably four wild cards are used. In this alternative, each deck of cards will usually have two jokers. Further preferably, the jokers are denoted as being neither red nor black, nor of a particular suit, nor an ace.

Typically the means to record the wagers comprises sections marked on the table or board, and objects which represent particular monetary values. Alternatively, electronic S. 10 means may be used to record wagers.

Preferably, each horse starts at the starting site of the gaming course and moves one intermediate site along the gaming course. The movement of a particular horse occurs if the card selected is of a suit which corresponds to the suit of the track in which that horse is located. Typically, the horse to reach the finishing site first is the winner.

Further preferably, the game is over when the second horse reaches the finish site.

Preferably, wagers are made by placing the objects representing monetary value on the section which corresponds to the wager to be made. Preferably sections are marked on the table or board to correspond to all possible wagers within the game.

Preferably, it is possible to wager on the following outcomes: the winning horse; and/or the horses which will come first and second; and/or whether a particular horse will still be at the start when the game is over; and/or whether 2 jokers will be dealt prior to termination of the game as a result of two horses reaching the finish.

Preferably, it is also possible to wager on the following: whether the next card will be red or black; and/or the suit of the next card to be revealed; and/or the number of aces to be revealed in a single game; and/or whether the next card will be an ace; and/or whether the next card to be revealed will be a specific ace; and/or whether the next card to be revealed will be a joker; and/or wether the next card to be revealed will be a court card (ie) Jack, Queen or King.

In one form of the game, the occurrence of a wild card could mean that some wagered amounts then current are forfeited to the game operator (ie the casino).

Detailed description of the invention The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 shows the table for use in the invention; and Figure 2 shows the gaming course for use in the invention.

The invention is a game which involves a horse race conducted on a gaming course 1.

The race is dictated by the turning of cards and wagering on various possible outcomes 10 in the game. The gaming course 1 includes a start 2 and a finish 3 and four sections in between 4, 5, 6, and 7. The game utilises four tokens in the shape of horses and each horse is placed on a track 10, 11, 12, 13 on the gaming course 1. Each track 10, 11, 12 and 13 corresponds to a suit in a pack of cards diamonds, hearts, spades or clubs) and accordingly, each horse is effectively allocated to a suit. Alternatively, it is possible that the tracks (10, 11, 12, 13) are not allocated to a particular suit, but that each horse is marked or allocated to a particular suit.

At least two decks of cards (all 13 cards in all four suits of both decks and at least four jokers) are used. The use of one or more jokers increases the chances of the casino or gaming venue winning the wager. The jokers are 'wild cards'. They are neither red nor black nor of a particular suit, nor an ace and their selection means that some wagers then current are forfeited to the casino or gaming venue. Further, the selection of two wild cards during a single game means that most wagers, then current are forfeited to the casino or gaming venue and the game is terminated.

To begin, the dealer 8 shuffles the deck of cards and starts a new game or race. It is possible to wager on a number of outcomes and accordingly, some wagers may be placed by gamblers before the turning of each card. All gambling options are explained below.

The odds are also indicated in each case. It will be understood that these can be varied by the use of different numbers of cards. If the card turned over by the dealer 8 corresponds to the suit of a track (10, 11, 12, 13) then the horse racing in that track will move forward one section 5, 6, 7 and 3) on the gaming course 1. Alternatively, each horse may be allocated a suit. However, this is essentially the same. Turning the cards continues until two horses have reached the finish 3. That is deemed the end of the game. Alternatively, it is possible for the game to continue until three of the horses finish, or until all of the horses finish. However, this would vary the odds of some bets.

The gambling options are as follows. It is possible to wager on: Which horse will win the race. This bet must be placed prior to the first card 10 being turned at the beginning of the race. It is possible to bet on each 'suit' or token. The odds in this case would be 3:1.

Which horses will come first and second. This is irrespective of which horse comes first and which comes second. These bets must also be placed at the beginning of the race. These are 'quinella' wagers and the odds are 10:1 in each case.

Whether a particular horse will still be at the beginning of the race, when the game has finished. These bets must be placed prior to the beginning of the race and the odds are 100:1. The odds assume that the game ends when two horses finish the race. This wager will not be available if the game does not end until all horses finish the race.

S Whether the next card to be turned will be red or black. These bets may be placed prior to the turning of each card. This wager shall continue to be available for all cards turned over until the end of the game even if one horse has already won and the card turned over is of the same suit as the winner. The odds are 1:1.

o The suit of the next card to be revealed. These bets may be placed prior to the turning of each card. This wager shall continue to be available for all cards turned over until the end of the game even if one horse has already won and the card turned over is of the same suit as the winner. The odds are 5:2.

0 Whether the next card will be an ace. These bets may be placed prior to the turning of each card. The odds are 12:1.

Whether the next card will be a specific ace. These bets may be placed prior to the turning of each card and the odds are 35:1 for each ace.

o How many aces will be revealed during a particular game. These bets must be placed prior to the beginning of the race and the odds are as follows: no ace 4:1, one ace 2:1, two aces 2:1, three aces 4:1, and four aces 20:1.

Whether the next card will be a joker. These bets may be placed prior to the turning of each card and the odds are 33:1.

10 0 Whether the next card will be a court card. These bets may be placed prior to OoO..

the turning of each card and the odds are 4:1 for each court card.

Whether two wild cards will be dealt during the game. These bets must be placed before the beginning of the game and the odds are 10:1.

Clearly the odds could be altered by the casino or gaming venue or those playing the game.

When a joker is revealed, it is regarded as being neither red nor black and accordingly, all those who wager on red or black lose their bet. Likewise it is not regarded as being of a particular suit, nor is it an ace, and accordingly, all those who wager on the suit of the next card, or whether the next card would be an ace or a specific ace, also lose the wager.

The turning of a second joker shall terminate the entire race or game causing all bets to be lost to the house with the following exceptions: any bets on two wild cards (that person wins bet); any bets placed on correct number of aces.

The table 22 on which the game is played is set out with the dealer 8 behind the gaming course 1. The dealer takes cards from the dealers shoe 9. Clearly the game could also be played on a board. The gaming course 1 can be elevated or lowered for better viewing.

The gambling options are set out in front of the gaming course 1. Those gaming options which enable betting on the turn of each card are set out on either side of the front of the gaming course 1, i.e. 23, 24. Those betting options which allow betting only before the beginning of the race are set out centrally in front of the gaming course 1 i.e. 25, 26.

The public 21 may stand around the front and sides of the table 22. This arrangement could be altered as preferred in any situation.

The word 'comprising' and forms of the word 'comprising' as used in this description and in the claims does not limit the invention claimed to exclude any variants or additions.

Modifications and improvements to the invention will be readily apparent to those S• skilled in the art. Such modifications and improvements are intended to be within the scope of this invention.

Claims (14)

1. A game for use in gaming venues and casinos comprising: a gaming course comprising at least 4 tracks, each of the tracks being divided into a common number of predetermined sites comprising a starting site, intermediate sites and a finishing site; at least four tokens such that in use one token is used for each track; at least one randomly ordered deck of cards comprising at least 4 suits of 0: cards and at least one wild card, each suit in use being exclusively S. associated with one of the tracks; and 10 means to record at least one wager relevant to a selection of cards and/or the progression of the tokens along their respective tracks; wherein a card is selected from the randomly ordered deck of cards and depending upon the suit of the card selected or if a wild card is selected, at least one of the tokens may be moved in a predetermined manner between the starting site and the finishing site; and/or a wager relevant to the selection; and/or (ii) the progression of the tokens along their respective tracks, is credited to a certain participant in the game; and further wherein the game is completed when a predetermined number of the tokens advance onto the finishing site, or when two wild cards are selected.

2. The game according to claim 1 where there are four tracks, each track having a start, a finish and four intermediate sides.

3. The game according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein two decks of cards are used having all four jokers.

4. The game according to any of the previous claims wherein the jokers are wild cards.

5. The game according to any of the previous claims wherein the Jokers are not red or black, or a particular suit, or an Ace for the purposes of wagers.

6. The game according to any of the previous claims wherein the game is conducted on a table and the table has the four tracks marked and also sections for the ooooo S" wagers to be recorded.

7. A game according to any of the previous claims wherein the wagers are recorded electronically.

8. A game according to any of the previous claims wherein the tokens are in the form of horses, and each horse is allocated to a particular track.

9. A game according to any of the previous claims wherein each track is allocated a particular suit.

10. A game according to any of the previous claims wherein each token starts at the starting site of the gaming course and moves if the card selected is of a suit which corresponds to the suit of the track in which that token is located.

11. A game according to any of the previous claims wherein the token to reach the finishing site first is the winner.

12. A game according to any of the previous claims wherein the game is over when the second token reaches the finish.

13. A game according to any of the previous claims wherein wagers are made by placing the objects representing monetary value on the section which corresponds to the wager to be made.

14. A game according to any of the previous claims wherein it is possible to wager on the following outcomes: the winning horse, the horses which will come first and second, whether a particular horse will still be at the start when the game is over, whether 2 jokers will be dealt during the game, whether the next card will be red or black; the suit of the next card to be revealed, the number of aces to be revealed in a single game, whether the next card will be an ace, whether the next card to be revealed will be a specific ace, whether the next card to be revealed will be a joker, and whether the next card to be revealed will be a court card (ie) Jack, Queen or King. Robert McLaney McCully and Shane Francis Templeton 21 May, 1999 g .o oa o