Methods of administering wagering games and related systems and apparatuses

Abstract

A card wagering game wherein availability of at least one card for inclusion in a player hand for resolution of the wagering game is dependent upon winning of a wager. In some embodiments, a player wagers that a second unrevealed player card is higher or lower in rank than a first already revealed card. If the player wins, the wager remains in play and the second player card is available for inclusion in the player hand. In some embodiments, a player further wagers that a third unrevealed player card is higher or lower in rank than the second already revealed card. If the player wins, the wager remains in play and the third player card is available for inclusion in the player hand.

1 . A method of administering a wagering game comprising:
 accepting an initial wager from each participating player position;   dealing a plurality of cards to each participating player position;   dealing a plurality of cards to a common card position;   receiving a check or an additional play wager from each participating player position;   responsive to receiving a check decision, or if the additional play wager is lost according to game rules, at a participating player position, removing at least one of the plurality of player cards from that respective participating player position;   if the additional play wager is not lost according to the game rules, leaving the additional wager in play;   if the additional play wager is not lost according to the game rules, receiving another check or a second additional play wager from each participating player position;   responsive to receiving the another check decision, or if the second additional play wager is lost according to game rules, at a participating player position, removing at least another of the plurality of player cards from that respective participating player position; and   if the second additional play wager is not lost according to the game rules, leaving the additional wager in play;   revealing the plurality of cards at the common card position;   the dealer considering the plurality of cards remaining at each participating player position in conjunction with the plurality of cards at the common card position to define a group of cards forming a hand for that respective participating player position; and   paying a payout for a predetermined winning player hand composition.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 offering participating players an opportunity to place a bonus wager on a hand formable solely with the plurality of community cards; and   responsive to receiving a bonus wager from a participating player position, paying a payout for a predetermined winning community hand composition.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising paying the payout for the predetermined winning player hand composition and the payout for the predetermined winning community hand composition using a common pay table. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the payout for the predetermined winning player hand composition is made according to a pay table. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined winning hand is determined based on poker hand rankings. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the additional play wager is 1× the initial wager. 
     
     
         7 . A method of administering a wagering game, comprising:
 the dealer receiving an Ante wager from each player participating in the game;   the dealer dealing at least three cards to each player, face down;   the dealer placing a first card of the at least three cards in a first card area, a second card of the at least three cards in a second card area, and a third card of the at least three cards in a third card area, face down, for each player;   the dealer dealing a plurality of common cards;   the dealer revealing the first card in the first card area for each player;   the dealer accepting one of a check and an additional wager from each player;   when the dealer accepts a check from a player, the dealer removing at least the second card from the second area for that respective player;   when the dealer receives an additional wager from a player, resolving the additional wager for that respective player by:
 revealing the second card for that respective player; 
 taking the additional wager and removing the second card responsive to an additional wager that the second card will be either higher or lower in rank than the first card and the rank of the second card is respectively not higher or lower than the first card; and 
 leaving the additional wager in play, and leaving the second card in play responsive to an additional wager that the second card will be either higher or lower in rank than the first card and the rank of the second card is respectively higher or lower than the first card; 
   the dealer receiving one of another check or a second additional play wager from each player;   when the dealer receives a second additional play wager from a player, resolving the second additional play wager for that respective player by:
 revealing the third card for that respective player; 
 taking the second additional play wager and removing the third card responsive to a player predicting that the third card will be either higher or lower in rank than the second card and the rank of the third player card is not higher or lower than the second card; and 
 leaving the second additional bet in play, and leaving the third card in play responsive to a player predicting that the second card will be either higher or lower in rank than the first card and the rank of the second card is respectively higher or lower than the first card; 
   the dealer revealing the plurality of common cards;   the dealer determining, for each player, a hand rank by combining the revealed, and not removed cards for each player with the plurality of common cards; and   paying a payout to a player when the player hand rank is a predetermined winning hand rank.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 offering players an opportunity to place a bonus wager on a hand formable solely with the plurality of common cards; and   responsive to receiving a bonus wager from a player, paying a payout for a predetermined winning common card hand composition.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the dealer deals four common cards. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising paying the payout for a predetermined winning player hand composition and the payout for the predetermined winning community hand composition using a common pay table. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the payout for the predetermined winning player hand composition is made according to a pay table. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the predetermined winning hand is determined based on poker hand rankings. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the additional wager is 1× the initial wager. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein, in determining whether the second card is either higher or lower in rank than the first card in resolving the additional wager, an Ace is always high, and when the first and second cards are of the same rank, the player wins. 
     
     
         15 . A method of administering a wagering game, comprising:
 accepting an Ante wager from each player participating in the game;   the dealer dealing at least three cards to each participating player, face down;   the dealer dealing a plurality of cards to a common card position;   the dealer positioning each card dealt to a participating player face down in one of at least a first position, a second position, and a third position;   the dealer revealing a card in the first position for each participating player;   the dealer accepting, from each participating player, an election to check, or a high wager or a low wager that a card for the player in the second position will be respectively higher or lower than the revealed card for that player in the first position, and for each participating player:
 the dealer revealing at least one remaining card of the at least three cards; 
 the dealer removing all cards for a player except the card in the first position when a player checks; 
 the dealer taking the high wager and removing the card in the second position when the card in the second position is lower in rank than the card in the first position; 
 the dealer leaving the high wager in play when the card in the second position is higher in rank than the card in the first position; 
 the dealer taking the low wager and removing the card in the second position when the card in the second position is higher in rank than the card in the first position; and 
 the dealer leaving the low wager in play when the card in the second position is lower in rank than the card in the first position; 
   if the card in the second position is not removed, and before revealing the cards in the common card position: the dealer accepting, from each participating player, another election to check, or a high wager or a low wager that a card for the player in the third position will be respectively higher or lower than the revealed card for that player in the second position, and for each participating player:
 the dealer revealing a remaining card of the three cards in the third position; 
 the dealer removing the card in the third position for a player when a player checks; 
 the dealer taking the high wager and removing the card in the third position when the card in the third position is lower in rank than the card in the second position; 
 the dealer leaving the high wager in play when the card in the third position is higher in rank than the card in the first position; 
 the dealer taking the low wager and removing the card in the third position when the card in the third position is higher in rank than the card in the second position; and 
 the dealer leaving the low wager in play when the card in the third position is lower in rank than the card in the second position; 
   the dealer revealing the plurality of cards in the common card position;   the dealer combining the revealed card or cards for each participating player with the at least one common card to form a poker hand; and   paying each participating player having a predetermined winning hand a payout on the Ante wager and on a high wager not taken or a low wager not taken.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 offering players an opportunity to place a bonus wager on a hand formable solely with the plurality of cards in the common card position; and   responsive to receiving a bonus wager from a player, paying a payout for a predetermined winning common card hand composition.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising paying the payout for a predetermined winning player hand composition and the payout for the predetermined winning community hand composition using a common pay table. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the payout for the predetermined winning player hand composition is made according to a pay table. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the high wager or the low wager is 1× the Ante wager. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein, in determining whether the card in the second position is either higher or lower in rank than the card in the first position in resolving the additional wager, an Ace is always high, and when cards in the first position and the second position are of the same rank, the player wins. 
     
     
         21 . A gaming apparatus for administering a wagering game, comprising:
 a playing surface including at least one player interface for a player position;   at least one dealer interface; and   at least one processor programmed to:
 accept a wager from the at least one player interface; 
 deal a plurality of cards associated with the at least one player interface; 
 deal a plurality of cards to a common card position; 
 receive a check or an additional play wager from the at least one player interface; 
 responsive to receiving a check decision from the at least one player interface, or if the additional play wager is lost according to game rules, removing at least one of the plurality of cards from association with the at least one player interface; 
 if the additional play wager is not lost according to the game rules, leave the additional wager in play; 
 receive a check or another additional play wager from the at least one player interface; 
 responsive to receiving a check decision from the at least one player interface, or if the another additional play wager is lost according to game rules, removing at least one other of the plurality of cards from association with the at least one player interface; 
 if the another additional play wager is not lost according to the game rules, leave the another additional wager in play; 
 reveal the plurality of cards at the common card position; 
 consider the plurality of remaining cards associated with the at least one player interface in conjunction with the plurality of cards at the common card position to define a group of cards forming a hand for the at least one player; and 
 pay a payout for a predetermined winning player hand composition. 
   
     
     
         22 . A gaming apparatus for administering a wagering game, comprising:
 a playing surface including a player interface for at least one player position;   at least one dealer interface; and   at least one processor programmed to:
 receive an Ante wager from the at least one player position; 
 deal at least three unrevealed cards, a first card of the at least three cards for display in a first card area, a second card of the at least three cards in a second card area, and a third card of the at least three cards in a third card area, for the at least one player position; 
 deal a plurality of common cards for display; 
 reveal the first card in the first card area for the at least one player position; 
 accept one of a check, and an additional wager from the at least one player position; 
 when accepting a check from the at least one player position, deleting the second card from the second area; 
 when receiving an additional wager from the at least one player position, resolving the additional wager for the at least one player position by:
 revealing the second card for the at least one player position; 
 taking the additional bet and deleting the second card responsive to a wager that the second card will be either higher or lower in rank than the first card and the rank of the second card is not higher or lower than the first card; 
 leaving the additional bet in play, and leaving the second card in play responsive to a wager that the second card will be either higher or lower in rank than the first card and the rank of the second card is higher or lower than the first card; 
 
   accept one of a check, and another additional wager from the at least one player position;   when accepting a check from the at least one player position, deleting the third card from the third area;   when receiving the another additional wager from the at least one player position, resolving the another additional wager for the at least one player position by:
 revealing the third card for the at least one player position; 
 taking the another additional bet and deleting the third card responsive to a wager that the third card will be either higher or lower in rank than the second card and the rank of the third card is not higher or lower than the second card; 
 leaving the additional bet in play, and leaving the third card in play responsive to a wager that the third card will be either higher or lower in rank than the second card and the rank of the third card is higher or lower than the second card; 
   reveal the plurality of common cards;   determine, for the at least one player position, a hand rank by combining the revealed, and not deleted cards for the at least one player position with the at least one common card; and   pay a payout to a player position when the player hand rank is a predetermined winning hand rank.   
     
     
         23 . A gaming apparatus for administering a wagering game, comprising:
 a playing surface including at least one player interface;   at least one dealer interface; and   at least one processor programmed to:
 accept an Ante wager from the at least one player interface; 
 deal at least three cards, unrevealed, associated with the at least one player interface, in at least one of a first position, a second position, and a third position; 
 deal a plurality of cards to a common card position; 
 reveal a card associated with the at least one player interface in the first position; 
 accept, from the at least one player interface, an election to check, or a high wager or a low wager that a card for in the second position will be respectively higher or lower than the revealed card in the first position, and:
 reveal at least one remaining card of the at least three cards; 
 delete all cards associated with the at least one player position except the card in the first position responsive to a check; 
 take the high wager and delete the card in the second position when the card in the second position is lower in rank than the card in the first position; 
 leave the high wager in play when the card in the second position is higher in rank than the card in the first position; 
 take the low wager and delete the card in the second position when the card in the second position is higher in rank than the card in the first position; and 
 leave the low wager in play when the card in the second position is lower in rank than the card in the first position; 
 
   accept, from the at least one player interface, an election to check, or another high wager or another low wager that a card for in the third position will be respectively higher or lower than the revealed card in the second position, and:
 reveal at least one remaining card of the at least three cards; 
 delete all remaining cards associated with the at least one player position except the cards in the first position and the second position responsive to a check; 
 take the high wager and delete the card in the third position when the card in the third position is lower in rank than the card in the second position; 
 leave the high wager in play when the card in the third position is higher in rank than the card in the second position; 
 take the low wager and delete the card in the third position when the card in the third position is higher in rank than the card in the second position; and 
 leave the low wager in play when the card in the third position is lower in rank than the card in the second position; 
   reveal the plurality of cards at the common card position;   combine the revealed card or cards for the at least one player interface with the at least one common card to form a poker ranking; and   pay the at least one player interface having a predetermined winning hand a payout on the Ante wager and on a high wager not taken or a low wager not taken.   
     
     
         24 . A system for administering a wagering game over a network, comprising:
 a game server configured to be accessed by a client server, the game server being programmed to:
 accept a wager authorized over a communication network from at least one remote user device; 
 deal a plurality of cards associated with the at least one remote user device for remote display; 
 deal a plurality of cards to a common card position for remote display; 
 receive a check or an additional play wager over the communication network from the at least one remote user device; 
 responsive to receiving a check decision from the at least one remote user device, or if the additional play wager is lost according to game rules, removing at least one of the plurality of cards from association with the at least one remote user device; 
 if the additional play wager is not lost according to the game rules, leave the additional wager in play; 
 receive a check or another additional play wager over the communication network from the at least one remote user device; 
 responsive to receiving a check decision from the at least one remote user device, or if the another additional play wager is lost according to game rules, removing at least one other of the plurality of cards from association with the at least one remote user device; 
 if the another additional play wager is not lost according to the game rules, leave the another additional wager in play; 
 reveal the plurality of cards at the common card position for remote display; 
 consider the plurality of remaining cards associated with the at least one remote user device in conjunction with the plurality of cards at the common card position to define a group of cards forming a hand for the at least one player; and 
 pay a payout associated with the at least one remote user device for a predetermined winning player hand composition. 
   
     
     
         25 . A system for administering a wagering game over a network, comprising:
 a game server configured to be accessed by a client server, the game server being programmed to:
 receive an Ante wager over a communication network from at least one remote user device; 
 deal at least three unrevealed cards, a first card of the at least three cards for remote display in a first card, and a second card of the at least three cards in a second card area, and a third card of the at least three cards in a third card area, for the at least one remote user device; 
 deal a plurality of common cards for remote display; 
 reveal the first card in the first card area for the at least one remote user device; 
 accept one of a check, and an additional wager from the at least one remote user device; 
 when accepting a check from the at least one remote user device, deleting the second player card from the second area; 
 when receiving an additional wager from the at least one remote user device, resolving the additional wager for the at least one player position by:
 revealing the second card for the at least one remote user device; 
 taking the additional bet and deleting the second card responsive to a wager that the second card will be either higher or lower in rank than the first card and the rank of the second card is not higher or lower than the first card; 
 leaving the additional bet in play, and leaving the second card in play responsive to a wager that the second card will be either higher or lower in rank than the first card and the rank of the second card is higher or lower than the first card; 
 
   accept one of a check, and another additional wager from the at least one remote user device;   when accepting a check from the at least one remote user device, deleting the third player card from the third area;   when receiving the another additional wager from the at least one remote user device, resolving the another additional wager for the at least one player position by:
 revealing the third card for the at least one remote user device; 
 taking the another additional bet and deleting the third card responsive to a wager that the third card will be either higher or lower in rank than the second card and the rank of the third card is not higher or lower than the second card; 
 leaving the additional bet in play, and leaving the third card in play responsive to a wager that the third card will be either higher or lower in rank than the second card and the rank of the third card is higher or lower than the second card; 
   reveal the at least one common card for remote display;   determine, for the at least one remote user device, a hand rank by combining the revealed, and not deleted cards for the at least one player position with the at least one common card; and   pay a payout associated with the at least one remote user device when the player hand rank is a predetermined winning hand rank.   
     
     
         26 . A system for administering a wagering game over a network, comprising:
 a game server configured to be accessed by a client server, the game server being programmed to:
 accept an Ante wager from at least one remote user device; 
 deal at least three cards, unrevealed, associated with the at least one remote user device, for remote display in at least one of a first position, a second position, and a third position; 
 deal a plurality of cards for remote display in a common card position; 
 reveal a card associated with the at least one player interface in the first position for remote display; 
 accept, from the at least one remote user device, an election to check, or a high wager or a low wager that a card for in the second position will be respectively higher or lower than the revealed card in the first position, and:
 reveal the card in the second position; 
 delete all cards associated with the at least one remote user device except the card in the first position responsive to a check; 
 take the high wager and delete the card in the second position when the card in the second position is lower in rank than the card in the first position; 
 leave the high wager in play when the card in the second position is higher in rank than the card in the first position; 
 take the low wager and delete the card in the second position when the card in the second position is higher in rank than the card in the first position; 
 
   leave the low wager in play when the card in the second position is lower in rank than the card in the first position;   accept, from the at least one remote user device, an election to check, or another high wager or another low wager that a card for in the third position will be respectively higher or lower than the revealed card in the second position, and:
 reveal the card in the third position; 
 delete all cards associated with the at least one remote user device except the card in the first position and the card in the second position responsive to a check; 
 take the high wager and delete the card in the third position when the card in the third position is lower in rank than the card in the second position; 
 leave the high wager in play when the card in the third position is higher in rank than the card in the second position; 
 take the low wager and delete the card in the third position when the card in the third position is higher in rank than the card in the second position; 
 leave the low wager in play when the card in the third position is lower in rank than the card in the second position; 
   reveal the plurality of cards at the common card position for remote display;   combine the revealed card or cards for the at least one remote user device with the at least one common card to form a poker ranking; and   pay a payout associated with the at least one remote user device having a predetermined winning hand a payout on the Ante wager and on a high wager not taken or a low wager not taken.