Method and apparatus for a card game tournament

Abstract

A method and apparatus for a card tournament with elimination hands is presented. The method and apparatus of the present invention provides for a multi-round blackjack tournament with periodic hands wherein players with the lowest chip or point total are eliminated from the game. A home/portable edition implementation is also provided for, allowing players to conduct a card game tournament in venues outside of the traditional casino environment.

1 . A method of conducting a card game tournament played in accordance with predetermined game rules by a plurality of players playing a predetermined number of hands in a predetermined number of rounds of the card game tournament, the method comprising: 
 designating at least one said hand in each said round as an elimination hand in which: 
 for each said player, a chip total is derived from: 
 each said player's cards; and  
 each said player's chip wagers; and  
 
 eliminating from the card game tournament the player having the lowest said derived chip total.  
   
   
   
       2 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined number of rounds is one round.  
   
   
       3 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising establishing an initial chip total for each said player.  
   
   
       4 . The method as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said initial chip total is a predetermined monetary value.  
   
   
       5 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising determining a player seating order.  
   
   
       6 . The method as defined in  claim 5 , wherein determining a player seating order further comprises each of said players drawing a card from a deck or shoe, and determining seating order according to the rank of the cards chosen by each of said players.  
   
   
       7 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 (a) determining a player wager and play order;    (b) placing bets by the plurality of players in order of said wager and play order;    (c) dealing a plurality of cards to the one or more players in order of said wager and play order;    (d) making play decisions, by the players;    (e) resolving, according to the predetermined game rules, whether said play decisions result in said players forfeiting their bets or receiving payouts; and,    (f) accumulating new player chip totals as a result of step (e).    
   
   
       8 . The method as defined in  claim 7 , wherein step (a) further comprises: 
 placing a play order indicia before a player that has been designated as a first player for a particular hand; and,    beginning play and betting with said first player.    
   
   
       9 . The method as defined in  claim 8 , wherein at the beginning of said round said play order indicia is placed before the player seated at a table location designated as seat 1.  
   
   
       10 . The method as defined in  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 after completion of one of said hands, moving said play order indicia to a next ranked player in said seating order.    
   
   
       11 . The method as defined in  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 after completion of one of said hands, moving said play order indicia to a player seating position located clockwise from a current position occupied by said play order indicia.    
   
   
       12 . The method as defined in  claim 7 , wherein step (b) further comprises a time limit for placing said bets, and if said bets are not placed within said time limit, a player failing to place said bet within said time limit will be compelled to place a mandatory minimum bet.  
   
   
       13 . The method as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said time limit is established at one value for a non-elimination hand, and a second value for an elimination hand.  
   
   
       14 . The method as defined in  claim 7 , wherein step (d) further comprises a time limit for making play decisions, and if a player fails to make one of said play decisions within said time limit, a said player being compelled to stand with dealt cards.  
   
   
       15 . The method as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said time limit is established at one value for a non-elimination hand, and a second value for an elimination hand.  
   
   
       16 . The method as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the predetermined game rules comprise the rules of a blackjack game.  
   
   
       17 . The method as defined in  claim 7 , wherein step (b) further comprises eliminating players who are unable to place at least a mandatory minimum bet.  
   
   
       18 . The method as defined in  claim 7 , wherein step (b) further comprises eliminating players who have a chip total less than said mandatory minimum bet.  
   
   
       19 . The method as defined in  claim 7 , wherein at least one of said bets in step (b) is a secret bet.  
   
   
       20 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined number of rounds in the card game tournament is 5.  
   
   
       21 . The method as defined in  claim 1  wherein the predetermined number of hands to be played in each predetermined number of rounds is selected from the group consisting of 30 hands and in the range of 10 to 60 hands.  
   
   
       22 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the designating one or more hands as elimination hands step further comprises designating hand numbers 8, 16, and 25 as elimination hands.  
   
   
       23 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising, when two or more players are tied for said lowest derived chip total, holding a playoff between the tied players.  
   
   
       24 . The method as defined in  claim 23 , wherein the playoff further comprises: 
 setting a number of playoff hands equal to the number of tied players in the playoff;    establishing a number of playoff chips for each tied player equal to the number of chips belonging to each of said tied players at the beginning of the playoff;    playing, by the tied players, the number of playoff hands;    ranking the tied players based on the number of playoff chips remaining for each of said tied players; and,    designating the tied player with the lowest rank as a player to be eliminated.    
   
   
       25 . A method for wagering in a hand of cards, the method comprising: 
 before cards are dealt, a player rendering an indicia of a hidden bet, the indicia indicating a first monetary value of the hidden bet; and,    after cards are dealt, said player modifying the indicia to a second monetary value of the hidden bet.    
   
   
       26 . The method as defined in  claim 25 , further comprising: establishing a predetermined time limit for rendering said hidden bet.  
   
   
       27 . The method as defined in  claim 25 , further comprising compelling said player to wager a mandatory minimum bet if said player failed to render said indicia within a specified time limit.  
   
   
       28 . The method as defined in  claim 25 , wherein said second monetary value of the hidden bet represents a wager for doubling down.  
   
   
       29 . The method as defined in  claim 25 , wherein said second monetary value of the hidden bet represents a wager for taking insurance.  
   
   
       30 . The method as defined in  claim 25 , wherein said second monetary value of the hidden bet represents a wager for a split hand.  
   
   
       31 . The method as defined in  claim 25 , wherein said second monetary value of the hidden bet represents a wager for a side bet.  
   
   
       32 . The method as defined in  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 eliminating said player from a tournament if said player possesses a chip total representing an amount less than the sum of said first monetary value and second monetary value.    
   
   
       33 . The method as defined in  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 revealing said hidden bet; and    reconciling said first amount of monetary value and said second amount of monetary value as if said first amount and second amount had been placed as non-confidential wagers.    
   
   
       34 . The method as defined in  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 placing one or more tokens upon a surface to indicate the player's intent to place a secret bet.    
   
   
       35 . A method of conducting a card game tournament played in accordance with predetermined game rules by a plurality of players, the card game tournament having a predetermined number of rounds and a predetermined number of hands to be played in each of the predetermined number of rounds, the method comprising: 
 designating one or more of said hands to be played as an elimination hand;    before cards are dealt, one or more said players rendering an indicia of a hidden bet, the indicia indicating a first monetary value of the hidden bet;    dealing cards to said plurality of players;    after cards are dealt: 
 said one or more said players modifying the indicia to a second monetary value of the hidden bet;  
 adjusting an individual chip total for each of said players;  
 ranking the players in order of their individual chip totals; and  
 when said hand being played is an elimination hand, removing from the tournament the player that was ranked lowest in said ranking step.  
   
   
   
       36 . The method as defined in  claim 35 , further comprising removing from the tournament any of said players that have a chip total below a mandatory minimum bet amount.  
   
   
       37 . The method as defined in  claim 36 , wherein said mandatory minimum bet amount is less than one tenth of an initial chip total given to said players at the beginning of a round.  
   
   
       38 . The method as defined in  claim 35 , wherein said adjusting an individual chip total for each of said players further comprises: 
 revealing the hidden bet;    reconciling the player's card play according to said predetermined game rules;    grading the first monetary value and second monetary value as if said first monetary value and second monetary values had been placed as bets with chips;    awarding to said player an amount of chips, if required by said predetermined game rules; and,    decrementing said player's chip total if required by said predetermined game rules.    
   
   
       39 . A method for wagering in a hand of cards, the method comprising: 
 before cards are dealt, rendering an indicia of a hidden bet of a player;    indicating a monetary value of the hidden bet of the player before a camera; and,    revealing said monetary value of the hidden bet to at least one person not participating in said hand of cards.    
   
   
       40 . The method as defined in  claim 39 , wherein said camera is situated at a location not visible to a second player participating in said hand of cards, and said one person not participating in said hand of cards views an image produced by said camera.  
   
   
       41 . The method as defined in  claim 40 , wherein said location is within an at least partially enclosed booth.  
   
   
       42 . The method as defined in  claim 39 , wherein said camera produces a video feed.  
   
   
       43 . The method as defined in  claim 42 , wherein said video feed is recorded for broadcast.  
   
   
       44 . The method as defined in  claim 42 , wherein said video feed is transmitted by radio frequency broadcast.  
   
   
       45 . The method as defined in  claim 42 , wherein said video feed is provided to a cable television network.  
   
   
       46 . The method as defined in  claim 42 , wherein said video feed is distributed to subscribers of a cable television service.  
   
   
       47 . The method as defined in  claim 42 , wherein said video feed from said camera is displayed to an audience.  
   
   
       48 . The method as defined in  claim 47 , wherein said audience is viewing said hand of cards live.  
   
   
       49 . The method as defined in  claim 47 , wherein said audience is located at a pari-mutuel betting facility.  
   
   
       50 . The method as defined in  claim 42 , further comprising: 
 delaying said video feed from said camera by a predetermined period of time; and    broadcasting the delayed video feed.    
   
   
       51 . The method as defined in  claim 42 , wherein said video feed is simultaneously displayed to an audience in attendance at said hand of cards and recorded for broadcast.  
   
   
       52 . The method as defined in  claim 42 , wherein said video feed is simultaneously displayed to an audience in attendance at said hand of cards and broadcast live.  
   
   
       53 . A game set to be used with playing cards and wager chips in accordance with card game rules, the set comprising a plurality of game tokens bearing indicia that include: 
 a first indicator of a hand selected from a predetermined number of total hands; and    a second indicator that enacts a provision of the rules whereby one player of the card game is to be eliminated after completion of the hand on a basis of a value of that player's remaining wager chips.    
   
   
       54 . The game set as defined in  claim 53 , wherein the card game rules further comprise rules for a blackjack game.  
   
   
       55 . The game set as defined in  claim 53 , wherein said basis of a value is a determination that a value of said one player's remaining wager chips is less than any other player's remaining wager chips.  
   
   
       56 . The game set as defined in  claim 53 , wherein said card game rules further comprise a provision whereby one of said game tokens is placed in a location that indicates an order that is selected from the group consisting of a betting order and a play order.  
   
   
       57 . The game set as defined in  claim 53 , further comprising one or more secret bet cards for recording a confidential monetary value of a secret bet.  
   
   
       58 . The game set as defined in  claim 53 , further comprising one or more action cards used for performing a function selected from the group consisting of concealing a bet, making a play decision, keeping the amount of a double-down bet concealed, keeping the amount of a surrender bet concealed, and concealing a decision to stand.  
   
   
       59 . The game set as defined in  claim 53 , further comprising a timer for measuring available time for placing bets and executing play choices.  
   
   
       60 . The game set as defined in  claim 53 , further comprising one or more decks of playing cards for playing said card game.  
   
   
       61 . The game set as defined in  claim 53 , further comprising a portable surface upon which a blackjack game is played.  
   
   
       62 . The game set as defined in  claim 61 , wherein said surface further comprises a felt surface bearing indicia utilized in a game of blackjack.  
   
   
       63 . A method of playing a hand of blackjack comprising: 
 before each player is dealt at least two cards, each said player optionally placing: 
 a secret bet token on the blackjack table; and  
 a secret bet card indicating a secret wager under the secret bet token;  
   after each player is dealt at least two cards, each said player optionally placing an additional wager; and    after a result is determined for each player's hand: 
 revealing each secret wager; and  
 summing, for each said player, the secret and additional wagers.  
   
   
   
       64 . The method as defined in  claim 63 , where said additional wager comprises a secret bet.  
   
   
       65 . The method as defined in  claim 63 , wherein said player optionally placing an additional wager further comprises: 
 removing the secret bet card from under the secret bet token;    modifying the secret bet card to include a second bet amount; and,    placing the secret back card underneath the secret bet token.    
   
   
       66 . The method as defined in  claim 63 , where said additional wager represents a wager for doubling down.  
   
   
       67 . The method as defined in  claim 63  where said additional wager represents a wager for taking insurance.  
   
   
       68 . The method as defined in  claim 63  where said additional wager represents a wager for a split.  
   
   
       69 . The method as defined in  claim 63 , further comprising eliminating a secret betting player having game chips less than sum of said secret betting player's secret and additional wagers.  
   
   
       70 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the elimination hands are designated at a plurality of times during the card game tournament.  
   
   
       71 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the elimination hands are designated at certain intervals corresponding to a plurality of times during the card game tournament.  
   
   
       72 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein at the occurrence of each of a plurality of particular times, the at least one said hand in each said round is designated.  
   
   
       73 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the eliminating occurs at particular times during the card game tournament.  
   
   
       74 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the player having the lowest said derived chip total is eliminated at particular times during the card game tournament.  
   
   
       75 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said eliminating from the card game tournament the player having the lowest said derived chip total comprises eliminating the player having the lowest said derived chip total at a plurality of times during the card game tournament.  
   
   
       76 . A blackjack tournament played by a plurality of players with a player elimination method comprising: 
 at each of a plurality of particular times: 
 deriving, for each said player, a chip total from: 
 the player's cards; and  
 the player's chip wagers;  
 
   eliminating from the blackjack tournament the player having the lowest said derived chip total.    
   
   
       77 . The player elimination method as defined in  claim 76 , wherein: 
 the blackjack tournament has one or more rounds each having: 
 a predetermined number of hands; and  
 at least one said particular time;  
   the player elimination method further comprises: 
 before each player is dealt at least two cards, each said player optionally placing a secret chip wager;  
 after each player is dealt at least two cards, each said player optionally placing an additional chip wager; and  
 after a result is determined for each player's hand, summing, for each said player, the player's chip wagers to include the player's secret and additional chip wagers.