System and method for providing a host console for adjust a pot or chip stack of a player of an electronic card game

Abstract

A host console and method for use with an electronic card table is disclosed. The electronic card table has plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table and a game computer. The game computer administers the electronic card table and is coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas. The host console is connected to the game computer. The host console includes a host display, a host interface, and a host controller. The host controller is coupled to the host display and the host interface and allows the host to replay a previous hand of an electronic card game.

1 . A host console, for use with an electronic card table, the electronic card table having a playing surface, a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table, and a game computer, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of a plurality of players, the game computer for administering one or more hands of an electronic card game on the table using electronic cards and chips and being coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas, each player having a plurality of electronic chips, each hand including a pot comprised of wagers made by the players, comprising: 
 a host display for displaying information to a host;    a host user interface for receiving host input; and,    a host controller coupled to the host display and the host user interface for adjusting the chip stack of one of the players in response to host input.    
   
   
       2 . A host console, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the host controller adjusts the chip stack of one of the players by refunding at least a portion of the pot to the one of the players.  
   
   
       3 . A host console, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the hand of the current game is paused while the chip stack is being adjusted.  
   
   
       4 . A host console, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the one of the players is automatically folded from the current hand in response to his chip stack being adjusted.  
   
   
       5 . A host console, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the host controller allows the host to enter a specific adjustment amount.  
   
   
       6 . A host console, as set forth in  claim 1 , the electronic poker table including a central display for displaying information to a plurality of players, the host controller displaying the replayed hand on the host display and/or the one or more of the electronic player interaction areas and/or the central display.  
   
   
       7 . A method for providing information to a host related to an electronic card table, the electronic card table having a playing surface, a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table, and a game computer, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of a plurality of players, the game computer for administering one or more hands of an electronic card game on the table using electronic cards and chips and being coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas, each player having a plurality of electronic chips, each hand including a pot comprised of wagers made by the players, including the steps of: 
 providing a host console, the host console being coupled to the electronic poker table;    receiving information from the host via a user interface of the host console; and,    adjusting the chip stack of one of the players in response to host input.    
   
   
       8 . A method, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the host controller adjusts the chip stack of one of the players by refunding at least a portion of the pot to the one of the players.  
   
   
       9 . A method, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the hand of the current game is paused while the chip stack is being adjusted.  
   
   
       10 . A method, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the one of the players is automatically folded from the current hand in response to his chip stack being adjusted.  
   
   
       11 . A method, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the host controller allows the host to enter a specific adjustment amount.  
   
   
       12 . A method, as set forth in  claim 1 , the electronic poker table including a central display for displaying information to a plurality of players, the host controller displaying the replayed hand on the host display and/or the one or more of the electronic player interaction areas and/or the central display.  
   
   
       13 . A system for providing an electronic card game to a plurality of players, comprising: 
 an electronic card table having a table top with a playing surface;    a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of the players;    a game computer coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas for administering a plurality of hands of an electronic card game; and,    a host console coupled to the game computer for replaying a previous hand of the electronic card game in response to host input.    for adjusting the chip stack of one of the players in response to host input.    
   
   
       14 . A host console, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the host controller adjusts the chip stack of one of the players by refunding at least a portion of the pot to the one of the players.  
   
   
       15 . A host console, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the hand of the current game is paused while the chip stack is being adjusted.  
   
   
       16 . A host console, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the one of the players is automatically folded from the current hand in response to his chip stack being adjusted.  
   
   
       17 . A host console, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the host controller allows the host to enter a specific adjustment amount.  
   
   
       18 . A host console, as set forth in  claim 1 , the electronic poker table including a central display for displaying information to a plurality of players, the host controller displaying the replayed hand on the host display and/or the one or more of the electronic player interaction areas and/or the central display.