Electronic poker game

Abstract

An electronically implemented method of video poker whereby a plurality of playing cards are displayed in a predetermined pattern. Card patterns include a pyramid, hour glass, bow tie, etc. Each pattern includes multiple pay lines along which a player may be eligible for a distinct pay out. After an initial wager and deal, players have one opportunity to hold and discards any number of cards. Players are paid, according to a pre-established pay table, for winning combinations along each active pay line. The number of active pay lines is dependent upon the wager made by the player. The present invention provides players with unique decision-making possibilities not available with conventional video poker games. A player is further eligible for a bonus pay out if each final card in the pattern is the same color of either red or black.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An electronic video poker gaming machine comprising: 
 display means for displaying a pyramid pattern of concealed playing cards, a plurality of pay lines, each said pay line corresponding to a unique combination of said playing cards, means for a player to select one or more of the pay lines prior to game play, means for said player to activate said gaming machine to cause said machine to reveal said concealed playing cards, means for said player to hold or discard each revealed playing card, said discarded playing cards being replaced by a new playing card and means for paying said player a predetermined award based on predesignated winning combinations corresponding to each pay line played.    
     
     
         2 . The video poker gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein a game is played with a single traditional 52 card deck of playing cards.  
     
     
         3 . The video gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein said pyramid is formed of fifteen total cards including a five card base, a four card second level, a three card third level, a two card fourth level and a single card apex.  
     
     
         4 . The video poker gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein a second predetermined award is paid if each playing card forming the pyramid is of the same color.  
     
     
         5 . An electronic video poker gaming machine comprising: 
 display means for displaying an hour glass pattern of concealed playing cards, a plurality of pay lines, each said pay line corresponding to a unique combination of said playing cards, means for a player to select one or more of the pay lines prior to game play, means for said player to activate said gaming machine to cause said machine to reveal said concealed playing cards, means for said player to hold or discard each revealed playing card, said discarded playing cards being replaced by a new playing card and means for paying said player a predetermined award based on predesignated winning combinations corresponding to each pay line played.    
     
     
         6 . The video poker gaming machine of  claim 4  wherein a game is played with a single traditional 52 card deck of playing cards.  
     
     
         7 . The video gaming machine of  claim 4  wherein said hour glass is formed of eleven total cards including an upper and lower row of three cards each, two intermediate rows of two cards, each intermediate row between said upper and lower rows and a single card between the intermediate rows.  
     
     
         8 . The video poker gaming machine of  claim 4  wherein a second predetermined award is paid if each playing card forming the hourglass is of the same color.  
     
     
         9 . An electronic video poker gaming machine comprising: 
 display means for displaying a bow tie pattern of concealed playing cards, a plurality of pay lines, each said pay line corresponding to a unique combination of said playing cards, means for a player to select one or more of the pay lines prior to game play, means for said player to activate said gaming machine to cause said machine to reveal said concealed playing cards, means for said player to hold or discard each revealed playing card, said discarded playing cards being replaced by a new playing card and means for paying said player a predetermined award based on predesignated winning combinations corresponding to each pay line played.    
     
     
         10 . The video poker gaming machine of  claim 9  wherein a game is played with a single traditional 52 card deck of playing cards.  
     
     
         11 . The video gaming machine of  claim 9  wherein said bow tie is formed of eleven total cards including a left-most column and a right-most column of three cards each, two intermediate columns of two cards, each intermediate column between the left-most and right-most columns and a single card between the intermediate columns.  
     
     
         12 . The video poker gaming machine of  claim 9  wherein a second predetermined award is paid if each playing card forming the bow tie is of the same color.  
     
     
         13 . A electronically implemented method of playing video poker comprising: 
 displaying a pyramid pattern of concealed playing cards;    providing a plurality of pay lines, each said pay line corresponding to a unique combination of said playing cards;    providing means for a player to select one or more of the pay lines prior to game play;    providing means for said player to activate said gaming machine to cause said machine to reveal said concealed playing cards;    providing means for said player to hold or discard each revealed playing card, said discarded playing cards being replaced by a new playing card and means for paying said player a predetermined award based on predesignated winning combinations corresponding to each pay line played.    
     
     
         14 . The method of playing video poker of  claim 13  wherein a game is played with a single traditional 52 card deck of playing cards.  
     
     
         15 . The method of playing video poker of  claim 13  wherein said pyramid is formed of fifteen total cards including a five card base, a four card second level, a three card third level, a two card fourth level and a single card apex.  
     
     
         16 . The method of playing video poker of  claim 13  wherein a second predetermined award is paid if each playing card forming the pyramid is of the same color.  
     
     
         17 . A electronically implemented method of playing video poker comprising: 
 displaying an hour glass pattern of concealed playing cards;    providing a plurality of pay lines, each said pay line corresponding to a unique combination of said playing cards;    providing means for a player to select one or more of the pay lines prior to game play;    providing means for said player to activate said gaming machine to cause said machine to reveal said concealed playing cards;    providing means for said player to hold or discard each revealed playing card, said discarded playing cards being replaced by a new playing card and means for paying said player a predetermined award based on predesignated winning combinations corresponding to each pay line played.    
     
     
         18 . The method of playing video poker of  claim 17  wherein a game is played with a single traditional 52 card deck of playing cards.  
     
     
         19 . The method of playing video poker of  claim 17  wherein said hour glass is formed of eleven total cards including an upper and lower row of three cards each, two intermediate rows of two cards, each intermediate row between said upper and lower rows and a single card between the intermediate rows.  
     
     
         20 . The method of playing video poker of  claim 17  wherein a second predetermined award is paid if each playing card forming the hour glass is of the same color.  
     
     
         21 . A electronically implemented method of playing video poker comprising: 
 displaying a bow tie pattern of concealed playing cards;    providing a plurality of pay lines, each said pay line corresponding to a unique combination of said playing cards;    providing means for a player to select one or more of the pay lines prior to game play;    providing means for said player to activate said gaming machine to cause said machine to reveal said concealed playing cards;    providing means for said player to hold or discard each revealed playing card, said discarded playing cards being replaced by a new playing card and means for paying said player a predetermined award based on predesignated winning combinations corresponding to each pay line played.    
     
     
         22 . The method of playing video poker of  claim 21  wherein a game is played with a single traditional 52 card deck of playing cards.  
     
     
         23 . The method of playing video poker of  claim 21  wherein said bow tie is formed of eleven total cards including a left-most column and a right-most column of three cards each, two intermediate columns of two cards, each intermediate column between the left-most and right-most columns and a single card between the intermediate columns.  
     
     
         24 . The method of playing video poker of  claim 21  wherein a second predetermined award is paid if each playing card forming the bow tie is of the same color.