Game related systems, methods, and articles that combine virtual and physical elements

Abstract

Disclosed are physical objects which may be employed with a virtual game layout to enhance wager and non-wagered based gaming. Display subsystems may provide a changeable or selectable virtual game layout with demarcations appropriate to a selected game. A sensor subsystem may detect physical aspects of game related pieces (e.g., playing cards, chips, markers, dice, spinners, tokens, tiles) as well as media (e.g., identity media, financial media). All gaming functions may occur through interaction with a playing surface, as well as functions such as ordering food, beverages and services. Automated tracking of players, dealers and games may be realized along with bonusing and promotions.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A hybrid wagering game apparatus, comprising:
 a playing surface;   one or more physical elements selectively positionable on the playing surface, the one or more physical elements including at least one physical game piece having a respective monetary value associated therewith, the at least one physical game piece having a bottom side that is placed on the playing surface during game play and having the respective monetary value optically coded on the bottom side;   one or more virtual elements comprising one or more virtual game pieces displayable on at least a portion of the playing surface;   at least one processor;   at least one sensor positioned below the playing surface to detect at least a placement and the optically coded respective monetary value of the at least one physical game piece having the respective monetary value associated therewith as an award paid to a player as a result of a game outcome;   wherein the at least one sensor is communicably coupled to the at least one processor to provide information indicative of the placement of the award to the at least one processor; and   wherein the at least one processor is configured to compare the award against a known paytable for the game to ensure that the award was correct.   
     
     
         2 . The hybrid wagering game apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the physical elements comprise one or more of a card, a chip, and a playing piece, the chip having the respective monetary value and at least one of the card or the playing piece is without any associated monetary value. 
     
     
         3 . The hybrid wagering game apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the playing surface includes a game field with one or more demarcations associated with the game field, and the game field is physically marked on or virtually displayed on the playing surface. 
     
     
         4 . The hybrid wagering game apparatus as in  claim 3  wherein the game field comprises a representation of a blackjack table surface. 
     
     
         5 . The hybrid game as in  claim 3  wherein the game field comprises a representation of a roulette table surface, a wheel, and a ball spinnable about the wheel. 
     
     
         6 . The hybrid game as in  claim 3  wherein the game field comprises a representation of a roulette table surface and a wheel, and one of the one or more physical elements is a ball. 
     
     
         7 . The hybrid wagering game apparatus as in  claim 3  wherein the game field comprises a representation of a board game. 
     
     
         8 . The hybrid wagering game apparatus as in  claim 3  wherein the game field comprises a representation of a poker table. 
     
     
         9 . The hybrid wagering game apparatus as in  claim 3  wherein the game field comprises a representation of one or more portions of slot machines and the game is a first game; the representation including the first game replaceable by a second game upon an event. 
     
     
         10 . The hybrid game as in  claim 9  wherein the first game comprises a main game; and the second game comprises a bonus game. 
     
     
         11 . The hybrid wagering game apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the at least one sensor is operable to detect an interaction by at least one individual with the one or more virtual elements displayed on the playing surface. 
     
     
         12 . The hybrid wagering game apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the at least one sensor is operable to detect an interaction by at least one individual with the one or more virtual elements displayed on the playing surface which indicates a new location for the one or more virtual elements on the playing surface. 
     
     
         13 . The hybrid wagering game apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the at least one sensor is operable to detect a hand gesture made by at least one individual. 
     
     
         14 . The hybrid wagering game apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the at least one sensor is operable to detect a hand gesture made by at least one individual, the hand gesture indicative of a movement of the one or more virtual game pieces. 
     
     
         15 . The hybrid wagering game apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the at least one sensor is operable to detect a hand gesture made by at least one individual, the hand gesture indicative of a movement of a portion of the game field. 
     
     
         16 . A method of operating a hybrid wagering game apparatus, comprising the steps of:
 displaying images related to one or more games to be played on a game playing surface, the images including a virtual game layout including a number of demarcations of at least one area associated with the play of the games, the images including a plurality of virtual game pieces;   detecting by at least one sensor, positioned below the playing surface, at least one physical aspect of and an optically coded respective monetary value associated with at least one physical game piece when the physical game piece is placed on the first game playing surface as an award paid to a player as a result of a game outcome;   communicating from the at least one sensor to the at least one processor information indicative of the placement and monetary value of the award; and   comparing the monetary value of the award against a known paytable for the game to ensure that the award was correct.   
     
     
         17 . The method as in  claim 16  wherein detecting by at least one sensor at least one physical aspect includes sensing a position and at least one physical characteristic of at least one second physical game piece placed on the game playing surface, where the at least one second physical game piece is without any monetary value. 
     
     
         18 . The method as in  claim 16  wherein detecting by the at least one sensor includes detecting a hand gesture. 
     
     
         19 . The method as in  claim 16  wherein detecting by the at least one sensor includes detecting a hand gesture made by at least one individual, the hand gesture indicative of a movement of one or more of the plurality of virtual game pieces. 
     
     
         20 . The method as in  claim 16  wherein detecting by the at least one sensor includes detecting a hand gesture made by at least one individual, the hand gesture indicative of a movement of a portion of the game layout, and further comprising updating a display of the game layout in response to detection of the hand gesture.