Gaming table playing surface

Abstract

Representative embodiments provide for a playing surface for a wagering game of chance, including a flexible base material defined by a peripheral shape defining a playing field of the wagering game of chance and configured to lie as a planar entity under the influence of gravity alone when supported by a planar surface, and a flexible surface material bonded to the flexible base material including indicia corresponding to the wagering game of chance. The invention further provides a method of replacing a playing surface of a gaming table for a wagering game of chance, including supporting a new playing surface using a planar surface of the gaming table, and removably securing an edging to the gaming table, wherein the new playing surface is configured to lie as a planar entity under the influence of gravity alone, and without stretching or adhesives, when supported by the planar surface.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A playing surface for a wagering game of chance, comprising: 
 a flexible base material defined by a peripheral shape defining a playing field of the wagering game of chance and configured to lie as a planar entity under the influence of gravity alone when supported by a planar surface; and    a flexible surface material bonded to the flexible base material including indicia corresponding to the wagering game of chance.    
     
     
         2 . The playing surface of  claim 1 , and wherein the playing surface further includes an aperture therethrough, and wherein the aperture is configured to accommodate usage of one of a chip tray, a chip sensor, or an electronic display.  
     
     
         3 . The playing surface of  claim 1 , and wherein the playing surface further includes a plurality of apertures therethrough, and wherein selected ones of the apertures are configured to accommodate usage of one of a chip tray, a chip sensor, or an electronic display.  
     
     
         4 . The playing surface of  claim 1 , and wherein the flexible base material is formed of at least one of neoprene, nitrile, silicon, ethylene vinyl acetate blended rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, or natural rubber.  
     
     
         5 . The playing surface of  claim 1 , and wherein the flexible surface material is formed of at least one of polyester, nylon, polyvinyl, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, polyethylene terephthalate, or polychloride.  
     
     
         6 . The playing surface of  claim 1 , and wherein the flexible base material is defined by a thickness of about 0.03125 inches to about 0.5 inches.  
     
     
         7 . The playing surface of  claim 1 , and wherein the flexible base material is defined by a thickness of about 0.375 inches to about 0.625 inches.  
     
     
         8 . The playing surface of  claim 1 , and wherein the indicia corresponding to the wagering game of chance are formed by at least one of dye sublimation or vinyl transfer.  
     
     
         9 . The playing surface of  claim 1 , and wherein the flexible surface material is formed of polyester, and wherein the indicia corresponding to the wagering game of chance are formed by dye sublimation.  
     
     
         10 . The playing surface of  claim 1 , and wherein the playing surface is further configured to be supported by a gaming table including the planar surface.  
     
     
         11 . The playing surface of  claim 1 , and wherein the wagering game of chance is defined by blackjack, baccarat, mini baccarat, poker, craps, roulette, pai gow, or a novelty wagering game of chance.  
     
     
         12 . A gaming table, comprising: 
 a stand;    a table top supported by the stand;    a playing surface supported by the table top, the playing surface including a flexible base layer and a top surface layer bonded to the flexible base layer, the playing surface defining a shape of a playing field of a wagering game of chance and corresponding to a shape of the table top, and wherein the top surface layer includes indicia corresponding to the wagering game of chance.    
     
     
         13 . The gaming table of  claim 12 , and wherein the playing surface includes an aperture therethrough, and wherein the aperture is configured to accommodate usage of one of a chip tray, a chip sensor, or an electronic display supported by the gaming table.  
     
     
         14 . The gaming table of  claim 12 , and wherein the playing surface includes a plurality of apertures therethrough, and wherein selected ones of the apertures are configured to accommodate usage of one of a chip tray, a chip sensor, or an electronic display supported by the gaming table.  
     
     
         15 . The gaming table of  claim 12 , and wherein the flexible base layer is formed of at least one of neoprene, nitrile, silicon, ethylene vinyl acetate blended rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, or natural rubber.  
     
     
         16 . The gaming table of  claim 12 , and wherein the flexible base layer is defined by a thickness of about 0.03125 inches to about 0.5 inches.  
     
     
         17 . The gaming table of  claim 12 , and wherein the flexible base material is defined by a thickness of about 0.375 inches to about 0.625 inches.  
     
     
         18 . The gaming table of  claim 12 , and wherein the top surface layer is formed of at least one of polyester, nylon, polyvinyl, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, PET, or polychloride.  
     
     
         19 . The gaming table of  claim 12 , and wherein the indicia corresponding to the wagering game of chance are formed by at least one of dye sublimation or vinyl transfer.  
     
     
         20 . The gaming table of  claim 12 , and wherein the top surface layer is formed of polyester, and wherein the indicia corresponding to the wagering game of chance are formed by dye sublimation.  
     
     
         21 . The gaming table of  claim 12 , and further comprising an edging configured to overlie at least a portion of a periphery of the playing surface, and wherein the edging is optionally defined by a padded armrest.  
     
     
         22 . The gaming table of  claim 12 , and wherein the wagering game of chance is defined by blackjack, baccarat, mini baccarat, poker, craps, roulette, pai gow, or a novelty wagering game of chance.  
     
     
         23 . A method of replacing a playing surface of a gaming table for a wagering game of chance, comprising: 
 supporting a new playing surface using a planar surface of the gaming table; and    removably securing an edging to the gaming table, wherein the edging is optionally defined by a padded armrest, and wherein the new playing surface is configured to lie as a planar entity under the influence of gravity alone when supported by the planar surface, and wherein no stretching of the new playing surface is performed in the replacing.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , and further comprising aligning an aperture through the new playing surface with one of a chip tray, a chip sensor, or an electronic display supported by the gaming table.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , and further comprising aligning selected ones of a plurality of apertures through the new playing surface with one of a chip tray, a chip sensor, or an electronic display supported by the gaming table.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , and wherein no adhesives are used in the replacing.  
     
     
         27 . A playing surface for a wagering game of chance, comprising: 
 a rigid, compliant base material defined by a peripheral shape defining a playing field of the wagering game of chance and configured to lie as a planar entity under the influence of gravity alone when supported by a planar surface; and    a flexible surface material bonded to the rigid, compliant base material, the surface material including indicia corresponding to the wagering game of chance.    
     
     
         28 . The playing surface of  claim 27 , and wherein the indicia corresponding to the wagering game of chance are formed by dye sublimation.  
     
     
         29 . The playing surface of  claim 27 , and wherein the flexible surface material is formed of polyester.  
     
     
         30 . The playing surface of  claim 27 , and wherein the playing surface includes a through aperture, and wherein the aperture is configured to accommodate usage of one of a chip tray, an chip sensor, or an electronic display.