Poker cube game apparatus and method of play

Abstract

A poker cube game apparatus includes five game cubes with the faces of each cube containing specific images representing the motifs of playing cards. The game cubes are positioned for free movement on a turntable. The turntable is rotated for “shuffling” the cubes within a transparent dome. The upstanding faces of the cubes are read when the turntable comes to a rest mode. Winning hands are determined by comparison with bets placed on betting stations prior to rotating the turntable.

1 . A poker cube game apparatus comprising a substantially horizontal base member, a transparent dome secure to the base member in an overlying relationship, a substantially vertical shaft extending through the dome and journaled for rotation within the base member, a handle at an upper end of the shaft for rotating the shaft, a substantially circular turntable affixed to the shaft and positioned within the dome and above the base member, a bumper member mounted to the base member in surrounding relationship to the turntable, a plurality of game cubes, each of said game cubes having six faces, at least some of the faces being configured with a motif corresponding to the face of a playing card, with said game cubes being freely moveable on the turntable. 
   
   
       2 . A poker cube game apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said game cubes are urged toward the bumper member during rotation of the turntable, said bumper member being adapted to deflect the game cube for randomizing the occurrence of a particular upstanding cube face when the turntable comes to a rest position. 
   
   
       3 . A poker cube game apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  wherein bumper member defines an undulated contact surface with the game cube for maximizing cube agitation. 
   
   
       4 . A poker cube game apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  further including a wagering surface, said surface defining a plurality of stations, said stations having indicia corresponding to different combinations of playing card motifs appearing on the cube faces. 
   
   
       5 . A method of playing a poker cube game as claimed in  claim 1  including the following steps:
 (a) placing a bet within a selected station on a wagering surface;   (b) rotating the shaft to spin the turntable;   (c) agitating the cubes by contact with the bumper member;   (d) reading the motifs on the upstanding cube faces define a virtual poker hand when the turntable comes to a rest position;   (e) comparing the virtual poker hand with the bets; and   (f) determining if there is a winning bet.   
   
   
       6 . A poker cube game apparatus comprising a plurality of six-sided game cubes with each of said sides being representative of the face of a different playing card, a substantially planar turntable for accommodating said game cubes on one of the respective cube sides, a transparent dome for enclosing said turntable and the game cubes, a shaft for rotating the turntable, said turntable including a peripheral bumper for contact with the game cubes during rotation, said bumper being effective for deflecting and agitating the cubes to randomize the occurrence of a particular upstanding side of said game cube when the turntable comes to a rest position. 
   
   
       7 . A poker cube game apparatus as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the upstanding sides of said game cubes are representative of a virtual poker hand. 
   
   
       8 . A poker cube game apparatus as claimed in  claim 7  further including a wagering surface containing a plurality of betting stations, said betting stations being denoted as selective poker hands, with correspondence to the virtual poker hand being determine of a winning bet.