Poker Game Method and Playing Area

Abstract

A method of playing a poker game including the steps of: dealing hands to players; during one or more betting rounds, requiring each player to check, call, raise or fold within a predetermined time; for each player, indicating incremental elapsing of at least a portion of the predetermined time; if a player does not check, call, raise or fold within the predetermined time: declaring the player's hand dead if no bet exists in the betting round; or holding the player to a check if a bet exists in the betting round; after all betting rounds are completed, determining betting by ranking remaining hands.

1 . A method of playing a poker game, comprising:
 dealing hands to players;   during one or more betting rounds, requiring each player to check, call, raise or fold within a predetermined time;   for each player, indicating incremental elapsing of at least a portion of the predetermined time;   if a player does not check, call, raise or fold within the predetermined time:
 holding the player to a check if no bet exists in the betting round; or 
 declaring the player's hand dead if a bet exists in the betting round; and 
   after all betting rounds are completed, determining betting by ranking remaining hands;   wherein the predetermined time is less than 60 seconds.   
   
   
       2 . The method of playing a poker game according to  claim 1 , wherein the poker game is Texas Hold'em that includes four betting rounds per hand of play. 
   
   
       3 . The method of playing a poker game according to  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined time is up to or around 15 seconds and the elapsing of the last 10 seconds are indicated in increments of seconds. 
   
   
       4 . The method of playing a poker game according to any one of  claims 1 - 3 , wherein incremental elapsing of at least a portion of the predetermined time for individual players is indicated by a warning, said warning including at least one of an audible and visual alert. 
   
   
       5 . The method of playing a poker game according to  claim 4 , wherein said warning is audible counting. 
   
   
       6 . The method of playing a poker game according to  claim 4 , wherein said warning is a visual alert including a plurality of lights, wherein each of said lights corresponds to a time increment. 
   
   
       7 . The method of playing a poker game according to  claim 6 , wherein the lights are red LEDs. 
   
   
       8 . The method of playing a poker game according to either one of  claims 6  or  7 , wherein said lights are arranged to form a pathway associated with an individual player. 
   
   
       9 . The method of playing a poker game according to any one of  claims 1 - 3  or  5 - 7 , further comprising:
 applying a betting limit pre-flop, said betting limit corresponding to a predetermined pot limit; and   removing said betting limit post-flop.   
   
   
       10 . A playing area for a poker game including:
 at least one dealer station, a plurality of player stations and a corresponding plurality of pathways, each pathway extending from a central portion of the playing area towards a player station;   wherein each pathway includes a plurality of consecutive elements that individually indicate incremental elapsing of at least a portion of a predetermined time in which each player is required to check, call, raise or fold during one or more betting rounds of the poker game;   wherein said predetermined time is less than 60 seconds.   
   
   
       11 . A playing area for a poker game according to  claim 10 , wherein the poker game is Texas Hold'em. 
   
   
       12 . A playing area for a poker game according to either one of  claims 10  or  11 , further including a clock for determining the predetermined time. 
   
   
       13 . A playing area for a poker game according to any one  claims 10  or  11 , wherein the playing area is included in a gaming table. 
   
   
       14 . A playing area for a poker game according to any one  claims 10  or  11 , wherein the playing area is represented in a video format for a video representation of a poker game. 
   
   
       15 . A playing area for a poker game according to  claim 14 , wherein the video format is displayed in a video broadcast. 
   
   
       16 . A playing area for a poker game according to  claim 14 , wherein the video format is displayed by a computer or over a network of computers. 
   
   
       17 - 18 . (canceled)