Convertible gaming table

Abstract

A convertible gaming table includes, a table base that is adapted for play of a first casino game, a removable game table covering formed to fit the table base, and means for retaining the game table covering on the table base. The game table covering covers the first casino game and adapts the table base for play of a second casino game. Play of the first and second casino games can, thereby, be controlled by a single casino employee. The convertible gaming table is adaptable for use on traditional, unmonitored game tables as well as those in which a system for monitoring wagers, card play, and payoffs are incorporated. Accordingly, such convertible gaming tables optionally include monitoring devices and software running such devices to monitor the wagers of a plurality of players playing the first casino game, as well as those playing the second casino game. The convertible gaming table optionally includes monitoring devices and software running such devices for monitoring jackpots won by the plurality of players playing the first casino game, as well as those playing the second casino game. Another option of the convertible gaming table according to the present invention is a system for awarding a selected one of the plurality of players playing the first and second casino games a bonus.

What we claim as our invention is:  
     
         1 . A convertible gaming table, comprising: 
 a table base adapted for play of a first casino game;    a removable game table covering formed to fit said table base, cover said first casino game, and adapt said table base for play of a second casino game; and    means for retaining said game table covering on said table base.    
     
     
         2 . The convertible gaming table according to  claim 1 , wherein said play of said first casino game and said second casino game is controlled by a single casino employee.  
     
     
         3 . The convertible gaming table according to  claim 1 , wherein said first casino game comprises Blackjack and said second casino game comprises Craps.  
     
     
         4 . The convertible gaming table according to  claim 3 , wherein said retaining means comprises a rail, encompassing an upper surface of said table base and adapted to keep a roll of dice upon said upper surface.  
     
     
         5 . The convertible gaming table according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 first means for monitoring wagers of a plurality of players playing said first casino game;    second means for monitoring wagers of said plurality of players playing said second casino game; and    first means, mounted to said table base, for selecting operation of said first monitoring means and said second monitoring means.    
     
     
         6 . The convertible gaming table according to  claim 5 , wherein said first selecting means is adapted to select either of said first monitoring means or said second monitoring means.  
     
     
         7 . The convertible gaming table according to  claim 5 , wherein said first selecting means is adapted to select both of said first monitoring means or said second monitoring means.  
     
     
         8 . The convertible gaming table according to  claim 5 , wherein said first selecting means is adapted to select either of said first monitoring means or said second monitoring means, both of said first monitoring means or said second monitoring means, and neither of said first monitoring means or said second monitoring means.  
     
     
         9 . The convertible gaming table according to  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 third means for monitoring jackpots won by said plurality of players playing said first casino game; and    fourth means for monitoring jackpots won by said plurality of players playing said second casino game.    
     
     
         10 . The convertible gaming table according to  claim 9 , further comprising second means for selecting operation of said third monitoring means and said fourth monitoring means.  
     
     
         11 . The convertible gaming table according to  claim 10 , wherein said second selecting means is adapted to select either of said third monitoring means or said fourth monitoring means.  
     
     
         12 . The convertible gaming table according to  claim 10 , wherein said second selecting means is adapted to select both of said third monitoring means or said fourth monitoring means.  
     
     
         13 . The convertible gaming table according to  claim 10 , wherein said second selecting means is adapted to select either of said third monitoring means or said fourth monitoring means, both of said third monitoring means or said fourth monitoring means, and neither of said third monitoring means or said fourth monitoring means.  
     
     
         14 . The convertible gaming table according to  claim 5 , further comprising means for awarding a selected one of said plurality of players playing said first casino game a bonus.  
     
     
         15 . The convertible gaming table according to  claim 5 , further comprising means for awarding a selected one of said plurality of players playing said second casino game a bonus.  
     
     
         16 . The convertible gaming table according to  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 first means for awarding a selected one of said plurality of players playing said first casino game a bonus; and    second means for awarding a selected one of said plurality of players playing said second casino game a bonus.    
     
     
         17 . The convertible gaming table according to any of claims  14 ,  15 , or  16 , wherein said bonus comprises a progressive jackpot.  
     
     
         18 . The convertible gaming table according to  claim 16 , further comprising third means for selecting operation of said first awarding means and said second awarding means.  
     
     
         19 . The convertible gaming table according to  claim 18 , wherein said third selecting means is adapted to select either of said first awarding means and said second awarding means.  
     
     
         20 . The convertible gaming table according to  claim 18 , wherein said third selecting means is adapted to select both of said first awarding means and said second awarding means.  
     
     
         21 . The convertible gaming table according to  claim 18 , wherein said third selecting means is adapted to select either of said first awarding means and said second awarding means, both of said first awarding means and said second awarding means, and neither of said first awarding means and said second awarding means.  
     
     
         22 . A convertible gaming table, comprising: 
 a table base adapted for play of a first, playing card-based game;    a removable game table covering formed to fit said table base, cover said first game, and adapt said table base for play of a second, non-playing card-based game; and    means for retaining said game table covering on said table base;    wherein said play of said first game and said second game is controlled by a single casino employee.    
     
     
         23 . The convertible gaming table according to  claim 22 , wherein said first game is selected from the group consisting of Baccarat, Blackjack, Big Six, Caribbean Stud™, Casino War™, Let It Ride™, Pai Gow, and Spanish twenty-one™.  
     
     
         24 . The convertible gaming table according to  claim 22 , wherein said second game is selected from the group consisting of Craps and Roulette.  
     
     
         25 . A method of converting a casino gaming table, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a table base which is adapted for play of a first casino game;    providing a removable game table covering for a second casino game; and    covering said table base with said removable game table covering, and thereby adapting said table base for play of said second casino game.    
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , further comprising the steps of: 
 providing a means for retaining said game table covering on said table base; and    controlling play of said first game and said second game by a single casino employee.    
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein said retaining means comprises a rail encompassing an upper surface of said table base of a height sufficient to substantially prevent a pair of rolling dice from leaving said upper surface.  
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein said first casino game comprises a playing card-based game and said second casino game comprises a non-playing card-based game.  
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein said first and second casino games both comprise a playing card-based game.  
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein said first and second casino games both comprise a non-playing card-based game.  
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein said first casino game comprises a non-playing card-based game and said second casino game comprises a playing card-based game.