Gaming table

Abstract

A method and apparatus for verifying players' bets on a gaming table is comprised of a system that can detect the monetary value of a wager that is placed by a particular player at a gaming table. Once all betting is finalized, the detected monetary value of the players' bets is locked and/or recorded thereby preventing that value from being changed by the addition or removal of betting chip(s) from a player's respective bet. If after the results of the gaming round, there is a discrepancy or mismatch between a player's wager and the locked monetary value of a player's bet, casino personnel will be alerted of the player's possible cheating practices thereby enabling them to investigate the matter. 36

1 . A gaming table having opposing upper and lower surfaces, the gaming table comprising:
 a. a plurality of betting positions designated upon an upper surface of the gaming table;   b. a series of grid lines formed within the gaming table, said series of grid lines sectioning one betting position from other betting positions adjacent thereto; and   c. a detector disposed proximate to the lower surface of the gaming table, the detector being responsive to said series of grid lines for detecting the locations of the plurality of betting positions, said detector also being responsive to at least one gaming token for determining the location of said at least one gaming token relative to the locations of the plurality of betting positions.   
   
   
       2 . The gaming table of  claim 1  wherein said at least one gaming token may be placed upon one or more grid lines to overlap two or more betting positions, and wherein said detector detects that said at least one gaming token overlies one or more grid lines. 
   
   
       3 . The gaming table of  claim 1  wherein said detector is responsive to at least two gaming tokens deposited upon the upper surface of the gaming table to place a bet, said at least two gaming tokens having first and second monetary values, said detector detecting the location and monetary value of each of said at least two gaming tokens. 
   
   
       4 . The gaming table of  claim 1  including a video screen associated with said detector, said video screen displaying the location of said at least one gaming token relative to the plurality of betting positions. 
   
   
       5 . The gaming table of  claim 4  wherein:
 a. said at least one gaming token having a monetary value;   b. said detector detects the monetary value of said at least one gaming token; and   c. said video screen displays the location and monetary value of said at least one gaming token.   
   
   
       6 . A gaming table having opposing upper and lower surfaces, the gaming table comprising:
 a. a plurality of betting positions designated upon an upper surface of the gaming table;   b. a plurality of coordinate points formed within the gaming table, the plurality of coordinate points bearing a fixed relationship with the plurality of betting positions; and   c. a detector disposed proximate to the lower surface of the gaming table, the detector being responsive to said plurality of coordinate points for detecting the locations of the plurality of betting positions, said detector also being responsive to at least one gaming token for determining the location of said at least one gaming token relative to the locations of the plurality of betting positions.   
   
   
       7 . The gaming table of  claim 6  wherein said at least one gaming token may be placed to overlap two or more betting positions, and wherein said detector detects that said at least one gaming token overlies two or more betting positions. 
   
   
       8 . The gaming table of  claim 6  wherein said detector is responsive to at least two gaming tokens deposited upon the upper surface of the gaming table to place a bet, said at least two gaming tokens having first and second monetary values, said detector detecting the location and monetary value of each of said at least two gaming tokens. 
   
   
       9 . The gaming table of  claim 6  including a video screen associated with said detector, said video screen displaying the location of said at least one gaming token relative to the plurality of betting positions. 
   
   
       10 . The gaming table of  claim 9  wherein:
 a. said at least one gaming token having a monetary value;   b. said detector detects the monetary value of said at least one gaming token; and   c. said video screen displays the location and monetary value of said at least one gaming token.   
   
   
       11 . A gaming table for allowing a game operator to conduct a game of chance, the gaming table including opposing upper and lower surfaces, the gaming table comprising:
 a. a plurality of betting positions designated upon an upper surface of the gaming table;   b. a detector disposed proximate to the lower surface of the gaming table, the detector being responsive to at least one gaming token for determining the location of said at least one gaming token relative to the locations of the plurality of betting positions; and   c. a video screen coupled to said detector and disposed proximate to the gaming table for observation by the game operator, the video screen displaying the location of said at least one gaming token relative to the plurality of betting positions.   
   
   
       12 . The gaming table of  claim 11  wherein:
 a. said at least one gaming token may be placed to overlap two or more betting positions;   b. said detector detects that said at least one gaming token overlies two or more betting positions; and   c. said video screen displays that said at least one gaming token overlies two or more betting positions.   
   
   
       13 . The gaming table of  claim 11  wherein:
 a. said detector is responsive to at least two gaming tokens deposited upon the upper surface of the gaming table to place a bet, said at least two gaming tokens having first and second monetary values, said detector detecting the location and monetary value of each of said at least two gaming tokens; and   b. said video screen displays the location and monetary value of each of said at least two gaming tokens.   
   
   
       14 . The gaming table of  claim 11  wherein:
 a. the at least one gaming token has a monetary value;   b. said detector detects the monetary value of said at least one gaming token; and   c. said video screen displays the location and monetary value of said at least one gaming token.