Card protector and associated methods

Abstract

Disclosed is a card protector for concealing playing cards during a card game and associated methods of use. The card protector functions to prevent common cheating techniques used during a card game, including card marking. The invention described herein also prevents having a poker hand erroneously “killed” by a card dealer or disqualified by an uncouth opponent.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A card protector for concealing playing cards during a card game, the card protector comprising:
 a body having an upper extent, a lower extent, and an intermediate extent therebetween, the intermediate extent having first and second sides, the first side having a first length and the second side having a second length, the first length being greater than the second length, wherein the first and second sides are parallel, and wherein the first length is about 3.5 inches or less;   a cut out for exposing a corner of the playing card, the cut out extending from the upper extent to the second side; and   a ridge formed along each of the first side, the second side, and the lower extent, the ridge creating a space for receiving at least one playing card therein.   
     
     
         2 . A card protector for concealing playing cards during a card game, the card protector comprising:
 a body having an upper extent, a lower extent, and an intermediate extent therebetween, the intermediate extent having first and second sides, the first side having a first length and the second side having a second length, the first length being greater than the second length; and   at least one ridge formed along a side, the ridge creating a space for receiving at least one playing card therein.   
     
     
         3 . The card protector as described in  claim 2  further comprising a ridge formed along the first side, the second side, and the lower extent. 
     
     
         4 . The card protector as described in  claim 2 , the body further comprising a cut out for exposing a corner of the playing card, the cut out extending from the upper extent to the second side. 
     
     
         5 . The card protector as described in  claim 2 , wherein the ridge is formed along the lower extent and further comprises a notch for exposing a portion of at least one playing card. 
     
     
         6 . The card protector as described in  claim 2 , wherein the first and second sides are parallel. 
     
     
         7 . The card protector as described in  claim 2 , wherein the first length is about 3.5 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The card protector as described in  claim 2 , wherein a distance between the first and second sides is about 2.25 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The card protector as described in  claim 2 , wherein a distance between the first and second sides is about 2.5 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The card protector as described in  claim 2 , wherein a distance between the upper extent and the lower extent is about 3.5 inches or less. 
     
     
         11 . The card protector as described in  claim 2 , the card protector is formed from a rigid opaque material. 
     
     
         12 . A method for reducing cheating and assuring conformance with pre-determined rules by players in a card game, the method comprising:
 requiring the players to use a card protector, the card protector comprising:
 a body having an upper extent, a lower extent, and an intermediate extent therebetween, the intermediate extent having first and second sides, the first side having a first length and the second side having a second length, the first length being greater than the second length; 
   dealing playing cards;   placing the playing cards under the card protector;   placing the card protector and the associated playing cards in view of other players and a dealer; and   pointing the lower extent of the card protector directly outwards from the players.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , the card protector further comprising a ridge formed along each of the first side, the second side, and the lower extent, the ridge creating a space for receiving at least one playing card therein, wherein the placing the playing cards under the card protector further comprises placing the playing cards within the space formed by the ridge, and wherein the ridge is in contact with a surface. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , the body further comprising a cut out for exposing a corner of the playing card, the cut out extending from the upper extent to the second side. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the ridge formed along the lower extent further comprises a notch for exposing a portion of at least one playing card. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the first and second sides are parallel. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the first length is about 3.5 inches. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein a distance between the first and second sides is about 2.25 inches. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein a distance between the upper extent and the lower extent is about 3.5 inches or less. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 11 , the card protector formed from a rigid opaque material.