Apparatus for Improved Live Table Game

Abstract

A system comprising a camera and a processor is programmed to identify cards dealt at a gaming table. By identifying the cards as they are dealt, the security of the gaming table may be improved. In addition, new betting opportunities may be provided based upon the increased information made available. The system may also be used to directly award prizes to players. The prizes may be awarded in conjunction with or independent of traditional game play.

1 . An improved casino table game utilizing a deck of playing cards comprising:
 a processor operatively connected to a memory and a video display;   the memory storing a set of rules comprising an at least one initial rule and an at least one modified rule for the game, and the processor programmed to display the at least one initial rule on the video display at a start of the game;   a means for determining a rank and/or a suit of each playing card in a group of playing cards that have been played after the start of the game and that may not be played in a future round of the game, said determining means operatively coupled to the processor;   the processor programmed to replace the at least one initial rule with the at least one modified rule and to display the at least one modified rule on the video display in response to the ranks or the suits of the group of playing cards that have previously been played.   
     
     
         2 . The improved casino table game of  claim 1 , wherein a pay table determines a payout for an at least one specific hand, and the at least one initial rule and the at least one modified rule determine the payout for the specific hand. 
     
     
         3 . The improved casino table game of  claim 2 , wherein the table game is black jack and the specific hand is a black jack combination comprising an ace and a face card or a ten. 
     
     
         4 . The improved casino table game of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one initial rule is that the black jack combination pays 3 to 2. 
     
     
         5 . The improved casino table game of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one modified rule is that the black jack combination pays more than 3 to 2. 
     
     
         6 . The improved casino table game of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one modified rule is that the black jack combination pays less than 3 to 2. 
     
     
         7 . The improved casino table game of  claim 2 , wherein the table game is black jack and the specific hand is a hand combination other than a black jack combination comprising an ace and a face card or a ten. 
     
     
         8 . The improved casino table game of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one initial rule is that the black jack combination pays 6 to 5. 
     
     
         9 . The improved casino table game of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one modified rule is that the black jack combination pays more than 6 to 5. 
     
     
         10 . The improved casino table game of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one modified rule is that the black jack combination pays less than 6 to 5. 
     
     
         11 . An improved casino table game utilizing a deck of playing cards, where each playing card has a face and a back, comprising:
 a processor operatively connected to a memory and a video display;   the memory storing a neural network set for identifying the face of each playing card, a set of rules comprising an at least one initial rule, and an at least one modified rule for the game;   the processor programmed to display the at least one initial rule on the video display at a start of the game;   a camera operatively connected to the processor and positioned to view the face of the playing cards as they are played;   the processor programmed to receive images from the camera and use the neural network to determine a rank and/or a suit of each playing card in a group of playing cards that have been played after the start of the game and that may not be played in a future round of the game;   the processor programmed to replace the at least one initial rule with the at least one modified rule and to display the at least one modified rule on the display device in response to the ranks or the suits of the group of playing cards that have previously been played.   
     
     
         12 . The improved casino table game of  claim 11 , wherein there is a shoe for containing and distributing the deck of playing cards and the shoe comprises a ramp down which the playing cards move face down;
 a window located proximate to the ramp;   the camera is positioned below the window so that the camera can view the face of the playing cards when they travel down the ramp and across the window.   
     
     
         13 . The improved casino table game of  claim 12 , wherein a pay table determines a payout for an at least one specific hand, and the at least one initial rule and the at least one modified rule determine the payout for the specific hand. 
     
     
         14 . The improved casino table game of  claim 13 , wherein the table game is black jack and the specific hand is a black jack combination comprising an ace and a face card or a ten. 
     
     
         15 . The improved casino table game of  claim 14 , wherein the payout associated with the at least one initial rule is greater than the payout associated with the at least one modified rule. 
     
     
         16 . The improved casino table game of  claim 14 , wherein the payout associated with the at least one initial rule is less than the payout associated with the at least one modified rule.