METHODS, APPARATUSES, AND SYSTEMS FOR ADMINISTERING WAGERING GAMES

Abstract

Methods of administering wagering games may comprise accepting an ante wager from each player. Player cards may be dealt, face up, and community cards may be dealt, face down. A series of check indications or Play wagers may be accepted from each participating player, with Play wagers of decreasing value being placed with each subsequent round of checking or betting. A community card may be revealed after each round of checking or betting. Once all cards are revealed, a best hand for each eligible player may be identified. A first payout may be paid on a first basis for the ante wager and a second payout may be paid on a second, different basis for any Play wager to each eligible player holding a best hand of a predetermined rank or higher.

Description

FIELD

[0001] The disclosure relates generally to methods of administering wagering games for casinos and other gaming establishments, and related systems and apparatuses. More specifically, disclosed embodiments relate to methods of administering wagering games wherein players are given multiple opportunities to place Play wagers, with Play wagers of greater value being placed at earlier stages in the game and with less information available to the players, and wherein different bases are used for payouts on ante and Play wagers.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Poker is a popular wagering game played in casinos and other gaming establishments. Many variants of poker have been developed, including without limitation, five card draw, five card stud, seven card stud, Mississippi Stud®, Texas Hold'em, and Ultimate Texas Hold'Em®. However, avid players are always open to new and more interesting ways to play existing poker games, particularly when the reward for a winning outcome at the end of a round of play, or the odds of achieving a winning outcome, may be enhanced.

[0003] Since the number of cards employed in a poker game is fixed within certain practical limits, and various poker hands and their relative ranks are and have been well-established for over a century, evolution of the game of poker in terms of meaningful variations is somewhat constrained.

[0004] In addition, it has been recognized, through play of certain wagering games such as Let it Ride®, a variation of five card stud poker, that many players prefer to play against paytables and not against a dealer hand. In Let it Ride®, three player cards and two community cards are used to form a five card hand. A portion of a player's Ante wager may be withdrawn from the pot prior to each of the two community cards being revealed. However, some players who enjoy Let it Ride® also desire greater game volatility, and more wager opportunities, particularly in the course of a round of play.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0005] In some embodiments, methods of administering wagering games may comprise accepting an ante wager from each participating player. Player cards may be dealt to each participating player, face up. At least three community cards may be dealt, face down. A first check indication or a first bet indication may be received from each participating player and a first Play wager of a first, greatest value may be accepted from each participating player who made the first bet indication. A first community card of the at least three community cards may be revealed. A second check indication or a second bet indication may be received from each eligible player and a second Play wager of a second, intermediate value may be accepted from each eligible player who made the second bet indication. A second community card of the at least three community cards may be revealed. A fold indication or a third bet indication may be received from each eligible player and a third Play wager of a third, least value may be accepted from each eligible player who made the third bet indication. A third community card of the at least three community cards may be revealed. A best hand for each eligible player may be identified from the player cards and the at least three community cards. A first payout may be paid on a first basis for the ante wager and a second payout may be paid on a second, different basis for any Play wager to each eligible player holding a best hand of a predetermined rank or higher.

[0006] In other embodiments, methods of administering wagering games may comprise accepting an ante wager and a blind wager from each participating player. An optional bonus wager may be accepted from at least one participating player. Three player cards may be dealt to each participating player, face up. Three community cards may be dealt, face down. A first check indication or a first bet indication may be received from each participating player and a first Play wager of a first, greatest value may be accepted from each participating player who made the first bet indication. A first community card of the three community cards may be revealed. A second check indication or a second bet indication may be received from each eligible player and a second Play wager of a second, intermediate value may be accepted from each eligible player who made the second bet indication. A second community card of the three community cards may be revealed. A fold indication or a third bet indication may be received from each eligible player and a third Play wager of a third, least value may be accepted from each eligible player who made the third bet indication. A third community card of the three community cards may be revealed. A best five-card poker hand for each player who did not fold may be identified from the three player cards and the three community cards. A best three-card poker hand for each player who made the optional bonus wager may be identified from the three player cards. An even-money payout for the ante wager, a blind fixed odds payout based on a blind paytable for the blind wager, with increasing amounts being paid for higher ranked hands, and a Play fixed odds payout based on a different Play paytable for any Play wager, with increasing amounts being paid for higher ranked hands, may be paid to each player holding a best five-card poker hand of a predetermined rank or higher who did not fold. A bonus fixed odds payout based on a still different bonus paytable for any bonus wager, with increasing amounts being paid for higher ranked hands, may be paid to each player holding a best three-card poker hand of another predetermined rank or higher who made the bonus wager.

[0007] Further embodiments may include one, some, or all of the following: The acts of the dealer may be carried out by a visual representation of a dealer, the visual representation being generated and/or displayed by a computer. The visual representation may be a virtual person (e.g., an animation), or may be a transmission (e.g., a video) of an actual person. The visual representation may be part of an online gaming experience of the disclosed game. The acts described in this disclosure associated with a dealer, including dealing cards, displaying or turning cards over, receiving or paying bets, or any other actions, may be represented in any way when used in an online environment. For example, the cards associated with a dealer action, described as being dealt or otherwise handled by a dealer, may appear as virtual cards or as transmitted pictures of physical cards. This may include a display of virtual card decks where each deck, individual card, and hand is displayed to an online player in a manner consistent with the game play disclosed herein, but may or may not include a visual representation of a dealer with the cards. Likewise, betting activity may be displayed in any manner to a player, including, but not limited to, virtual chips, betting pools, numbers, or other indicia of a bet amount.

[0008] The online experience may involve players playing remotely (e.g., in a different physical location) from the dealer, the location of a game server, or both, interacting through a networked connection that may include but is not limited to the Internet. The online game play may involve players who are also physically remote from each other. Remote connections may use networks involving several types of network links, including but not limited to the Internet. Networked connections allowing physically remote players to play a game using a game server or system may be part of an implementation of a virtual or online gaming environment.

[0009] The actions described in this disclosure as the acts of a player, including betting, card selection (if any), card discards (if any), or any other actions, may be carried out over a network where the indicated actions are received as input to a device. The input-receiving device is typically physically remote from the game server or game host and connected over a long-distance network, but could be implemented over a wired or wireless LAN in one building, or even in one room, for example. In one embodiment, game play generated at the server or host location may be displayed on the same device as the receiving device. In some embodiments, game play may be conveyed to remote players in devices separate from the devices receiving input from a player, such as public screens or publicly broadcast data about a game coupled with individual or private input devices. The reception of an input at a device may be accomplished through any technology adapted for such a purpose, including but not limited to keypads, keyboards, touchpads, mice, optical location devices, eye movement/location detectors, sound input devices, etc. When discussing a device, it is understood the device may comprise multiple components and be complex, including hardware components combined with firmware and/or software, and may itself be a subcomponent of a larger system.

[0010] Yet other embodiments may comprise apparatuses and systems for administering wagering games according to embodiments of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] While the disclosure concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming embodiments within the scope of the disclosure, various features and advantages of embodiments encompassed by the disclosure may be more readily ascertained from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a flow chart diagram of a method of administering a wagering game;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a playing surface for implementation of the wagering game;

[0014] FIG. 3 is an enlarged diagram of one of the player positions of the playing surface of FIG. 2;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an individual electronic gaming device configured for implementation of embodiments of wagering games;

[0016] FIG. 5 is a top view of a suitable table configured for implementation of embodiments of wagering games;

[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a suitable table configured for implementation of embodiments of wagering games having a virtual dealer;

[0018] FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a gaming system for implementing waging games according to an embodiment; and

[0019] FIG. 8 is a high-level block diagram of a computer for acting as a gaming system according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The illustrations presented herein are not meant to be actual views of any particular act in a method of administering a wagering game, apparatus for use in administering a wagering game, or component thereof, but are merely idealized representations employed to describe illustrative embodiments. Thus, the drawings are not necessarily to scale. Additionally, elements common between figures may retain the same or similar numerical designation.

[0021] Disclosed embodiments relate generally to methods of administering wagering games wherein players are given multiple opportunities to place Play wagers, with Play wagers of greater value being placed at earlier stages in the game and with less information available to the players, and wherein different bases are used to calculate appropriate payouts on ante and Play wagers. More specifically, disclosed are methods of administering wagering games that may entice players to place bets earlier during game play, place higher bets, and participate in the wagering game for longer periods through monetary rewards, increased excitement (e.g., by varying availability of information to the players), and player interaction and control (e.g., by offering multiple opportunities to check, bet, or fold and having players compete against a paytable).

[0022] The terms "gaming," "gambling," or the like, refer to activities, games, sessions, rounds, hands, rolls, operations, and other events related to wagering games such as web games, casino games, card games, dice games, and other games whose outcome is at least partially based on one or more random events ("chance" or "chances"), and on which wagers may be placed by a player. In addition, the words "wager," "bet," "bid" or the like, refer to any type of wagers, bets or gaming ventures that are placed on games whose outcome is at least partially based on one or more random events, whether of monetary or non-monetary value. Points, credits, and other items of value may be purchased, earned, or otherwise issued prior to beginning the wagering game. In some embodiments, purchased points, credits, or other items of value may have an exchange rate that is not one-to-one to the currency used by the user. For example, a wager may include money, points, credits, symbols, or other items that may have some value related to a wagering game.

[0023] Wagers may be placed in wagering games that are "play for pay", as well as virtual wagers placed on "play for fun" games. Play for fun games may include simulated wagering using, for example, non-redeemable credits. Both types of games are described in more detail below.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, a flow chart diagram of a method 100 of administering or playing a wagering game is shown. The method 100 may begin with the making an ante bet, accepting an ante bet, or receiving an indication that an ante bet (which may also be called an "ante wager") has been made or received from each participating player, or at a location associated with a particular player, as indicated at 102. For the purposes of this description, it will be understood that when an action related to accepting wagers, making payouts, dealing cards, selecting cards, or other actions associated with a player or a dealer are described, the description includes a player or dealer taking the action, the results of the action on a live or virtual table or display, and, if applicable, the reception or detection of such an action in an electronic form where player and dealer choices, selections, or other actions are received at an electronic interface. This further includes the results of a virtual dealer and virtual players, where the actions described are actually generated by a computer (typically associated with an on-line game). By way of a further example, if dealing of a card is described herein, the description includes (but is not limited to): the dealing of a card by a dealer from a deck, shuffler, or other card source and the reception or placement of the card at a table location associated with a player, or reception directly by a player; the generation and transmission of an electronic indication of a card from a game play source or server to an electronic receiver, where the receiver may be at a table (using virtual cards) including players and/or virtual players and/or a dealer or virtual dealer, at a public display in a casino, at a remote location (e.g., using on-line or Internet game play), or other locations; also included is the representation of a card on a display or displays, and, if applicable to the action described, an electronic reception of an indication that the card has been received, selected, or otherwise interacted with at a location associated with a player, or, associated with a virtual player.

[0025] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the ante wager may be made by each player wishing to participate in the upcoming wagering game (which may represent the start of one game play; a game session may comprise one or more individual game plays). This description includes any form of wagering value, including money, casino chips, or other physical means for payment, to on-line or remote electronic authorization of a wager in any acceptable form to the casino or on-line or virtual game host. Also included are physical representations of money (e.g., casino chips) at a local gaming table 300 or 400 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), or by electronically authorizing a transfer of money or digital representations of money (e.g., digital representations of bills or coins, digital representations of chips, numerical quantities of money, numerical quantities of points, or numerical quantities of credits) at a local or remote electronic gaming device 200, 300, 400, 520, or 600 (see FIGS. 2 through 6). As a specific, non-limiting example, the individual players may begin a gaming session at an electronic gaming table 300 or 400 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) (e.g., by logging into a player account, by swiping a player account card, or by swiping a credit card) and interact with personal interface devices 232, 316, 432, 610, 614, 618 (see FIGS. 2 through 6) (e.g., touchscreens, keyboards, buttons, switches, etc.) to authorize placement of the ante wager. The ante wager may be accepted, for example, by placing physical money or physical representations of money in a designated area of a gaming table 300 or 400 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), by displaying digital representations of money in a designated area of at least one display screen 274, 316, 330, 432, 460, 464, or 618 (see FIGS. 2 through 4 and 6), or by displaying a monetary amount of the first wager on at least one display screen 274, 316, 330, 432, 460, 464, or 618 (see FIGS. 2 through 4 and 6), which may be remotely located from a dealer or game server 506 (see FIG. 7).

[0026] In some embodiments, a blind wager may be accepted in addition to the ante wager. For example, the wagers placed at the initiation of the wagering game may comprise an initial ante to play the underlying wagering game and a blind wager, each of which may be mandatory. Further, if a blind wager is made, the ante wager and blind wager may be required to be equal in value. As a specific, non-limiting example, the ante wager may comprise an initial ante wager amount and a mandatory blind wager of equal value to the ante wager. Having a required ante wager and blind wager may enable paytables and their associated odds to be made against both wagers independently. For example, the ante wager and blind wager may be made against a single paytable applicable to both wagers, or the ante wager may be made against a first paytable and the blind wager may be made against a second, different paytable. In some embodiments, the ante and blind wagers made by the players may be equal in value, regardless of whether the paytables against which the wagers are made are the same or are different. In some embodiments, one or more additional, mandatory wagers may be accepted at the beginning of the wagering games, which may be made against a paytable that is the same as, or different than, the paytable against which the ante wager, the blind wager, or both are made.

[0027] In some embodiments, at least one bonus wager (e.g., a side bet) may be accepted from at least one participating player, as indicated at 103. In some embodiments, the bonus wager or wagers may be accepted before any cards are dealt. In other embodiments, players may be dealt a card or cards and then permitted to place a bonus wager or side bet. A bonus wager may comprise, for example, a wager that player cards held by an individual player (i.e., cards available to individual players not including community cards) will form a hand of a predetermined a rank or better.

[0028] Cards may be dealt to each participating player, as indicated at 104. For example, physical cards that have been randomized (e.g., by manual or automated shuffling) may be distributed sequentially to each participating player, the order of which may be dictated by a set of game rules. In additional embodiments, digital representations of cards (e.g., images resembling physical cards or characters and symbols) may be displayed on personal display screens 274, 316, 432, or 618 (see FIGS. 2 through 4 and 6) for individual players. In some embodiments, the electronically generated cards may be displayed, for example, to remote players over networks.

[0029] In some embodiments, each player may be dealt and allowed to see one set of cards, called player cards. Each set of cards may be dealt to a specific player, and in one embodiment consists of three cards for each player. In some embodiments, the player cards may only be visible to the individual player to whom they were dealt. In other embodiments, one, two, or three of the cards may be made visible to both the player to whom they were dealt, and, other players, for example, by dealing them face up. Further embodiments may involve dealing any predetermined or selected number of cards face up, up to and including all the cards dealt to each individual player.

[0030] In some embodiments, community cards available to all the participating players may be dealt face down. For example, the face down cards may be split between player face down cards and community face down cards, or, may be all player face down cards. When discussing face down cards as community cards, it is understood that other embodiments may involve dealing any combination of player cards face down, community cards face down, or player and community cards face down, which may be turned face up during game play.

[0031] Prior to revealing any community cards initially dealt face down, a first check indication (i.e., an indication that a player will not risk any additional amounts at this time, but will stay in the game) or a first bet indication (e.g., a Play wager) may be received from each participating player, as indicated at 106. The players may make their decisions based on their player cards, such as, for example, three player cards dealt face up to each player. If a player chooses to make the first bet, the first bet may be placed by placing chips on a play bet location 122 on an table top 120 (see FIG. 2). In another embodiment, the first check or first bet indication may be received by perceiving a visible or audible indication made by participating player. More specifically, the first check or first bet indication may be received, for example, by perceiving physical placement of money or chips, a finger tap, a hand wave, or the spoken words "bet" or "check." As another example, the first check or first bet indication may be received by receiving an electronic signal at a processor 314, 328, or 542 (see FIGS. 5 and 8), which electronic signal may be generated from player interaction with a personal interface device 232, 316, 432, 610, 614, 618 (see FIGS. 2 through 6). More specifically, the first check or first bet indication may be received, for example, by receiving an electronic signal at a processor 314, 328, or 542 (see FIGS. 5 and 8) of a server 502, 504, or 506 (see FIG. 7).

[0032] The ante wager, any blind wager, and any bonus wagers of players who make the first check indication, rather than the first bet indication, may remain in play, although the total value of wagers in play for players who check may remain unchanged at this stage in the game. In some embodiments, a player may give a fold indication, which may be received by performing a folding action similar to those described previously in connection with the first check and first bet indications. Upon receiving the fold indication, the ante wager and any blind wager of the folding player is collected by the house, although any bonus wagers may remain in play in some embodiments.

[0033] A first Play wager of a first value may be accepted from each participating player who made the first bet indication, as indicated at 108. When the first Play wager is accepted, the players may have the least amount of information available to them, other than when making the ante wager and any blind wager. In some embodiments, the first value permitted to be placed for the first Play wager may be larger than the value of any Play wager permitted to be placed after this point in the game. In some embodiments, the players may be allowed to select a less-than-maximum amount to bet for the first wager, and a maximum allowed bet amount may be larger than subsequent maximum amounts for Play bets to be placed later in the game. The first value may be a fixed, predetermined quantity, set by the house. As a specific, non-limiting example, the first value may be a multiple of the ante wager (e.g., two times, three times, four times, five times, etc.). Structuring the wagering game such that the greatest value Play wager is placed when players have relatively little information available to them may entice players to make the first Play wager and may increase revenue for the house. The first Play wager may be accepted by performing any of the actions described previously in connection with the ante wager.

[0034] In some embodiments, after a player makes a Play bet (at any stage in the game) the player may not have any more selections to make and the player may wait for the end of the game to determine if there is a winning hand. Put differently, the game play as shown in FIG. 1 allows players to place a Play bet at three points during game play. Placing a Play bet at any point may preclude placing any further Play bets or electing to check or fold for the rest of the game; the player has made all the permitted bets and will now wait until the cards are exposed and any winnings determined.

[0035] As indicated at 110, at least one card dealt face down may be revealed. In some embodiments, the at least one card dealt face down that is revealed may be a community card. For example, at least one face down card may by physically turned over or may be electronically displayed on a screen or on screens 274, 316, 330, 432, 464, 460, 520, or 558 (see FIGS. 2 through 8) for each participating player. As a specific, non-limiting example, a first single face down card (e.g., one of three dealt face down) may be revealed. After the face down card is revealed, more information is available to the players on which to base their wagering decisions.

[0036] Either a second check indication or a second Play bet indication may be received from each eligible player (which may exclude players who made the first Play wager, who now wait until the end of the game), as indicated at 112. The second check and second Play bet indications may be received by performing any of the actions described previously in connection with the first check and first bet indications. The ante wager, any blind wager, and any bonus wagers of players who make the second check indication may remain in play, and the total value of wagers in play for players who check may remain unchanged. In some embodiments, a player may be allowed to give a fold indication, which may be received by performing any of the actions described previously in connection with the first check and first bet indications. Upon receiving the fold indication, the ante wager and any blind wager of the folding player is collected by the house, although any bonus wagers may remain in play in some embodiments.

[0037] Although a specific example is being described where only players who made the first check indication are eligible to make the second bet indication, all players who have not yet folded may be eligible to make the second bet indication in some embodiments.

[0038] A second Play wager of a second, lesser value (relative to the first value of the first Play wager) may be accepted from each eligible player who made the second bet indication, as indicated at 113. When the second Play wager is accepted, the players have more information available to them than when they made the first check or the first bet indication due to the fact that an additional card that may be used to form their final hands has been revealed. The maximum second value of the second Play wager may be less than the maximum first value of the first Play wager. In some embodiments, the amount a player bets is allowed to be less than the permitted maximum of the second Play wager.

[0039] In some embodiments, the second value may be a fixed, predetermined quantity set by the house. As a specific, non-limiting example, the second value may be a multiple of the ante wager (e.g., one time, two times, three times, four times, etc.). Structuring the wagering game such that Play wagers of decreasing value are placed as more information is made available to the players corresponds with the player's assumed risk. The second Play wager may be accepted by performing any of the actions described previously in connection with the ante wager.

[0040] As indicated at 114, at least another card dealt face down may be revealed. In some embodiments, the at least another card dealt face down that is revealed may be a community card. For example, at least another face down card may by physically turned over or may be electronically displayed on a screen or on screens 274, 316, 330, 432, 464, 460, 520, or 558 (see FIGS. 2 through 8) for each participating player. As a specific, non-limiting example, a second single face down card (e.g., a second of three dealt face down) may be revealed. After the face down card is revealed, more information is available to the players on which to base their wagering decisions.

[0041] A fold indication or a third bet indication may be received from each eligible player, as indicated at 115. The fold and third bet indications may be received by performing any of the actions described previously in connection with the first check and first bet indications. Upon receiving the fold indication, the ante wager and any blind wager of the folding player is collected by the house, although the bonus wager may remain in play in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the bonus wagers of players who make the fold indication may also be collected by the house.

[0042] In some embodiments, only players who made the first and second check indications may be eligible to make the third bet indication. By limiting eligibility, the house may reduce the risk that players with initially very strong hands may wager, and therefore likely win, unacceptably high quantities of money. In other embodiments, all players who have not yet folded may be eligible to make the third bet indication.

[0043] A third Play wager of a third, still lesser value may be accepted from at least one eligible player who made the third bet indication, as indicated at 116. When the third Play wager is accepted, the players may have more information available to them than when they made the first and second check or bet indications. The third value of the third Play wager may be less than the second value of the second Play wager. For example, the maximum value allowed to be placed for the third Play wager may be the lowest maximum value of any Play wager permitted to be placed during the wagering game. The third value may be, for example, a fixed, predetermined quantity set by the house. As a specific, non-limiting example, the third value may be a multiple of the ante wager (e.g., one time, two times, three times, etc.). Structuring the wagering game such that Play wagers of decreasing value are placed as more information is made available to the players may entice players to make Play wagers and may increase revenue for the house. The third Play wager may be accepted by performing any of the actions described previously in connection with the ante wager.

[0044] In some embodiments, at least a third face down card may be revealed, as indicated at 117. As a specific, non-limiting example, a third single face down card (e.g., a third of three dealt face down) may be revealed. In some embodiments, revealing the third single face down card may involve revealing all remaining face down cards (e.g., where the three player cards and two of the three community cards are face up, and only one remaining community card is face down). In some embodiments, the third face down card that is revealed may be a community card. The face down card (or cards) may be revealed by performing any of the actions described previously in connection with revealing the first face down card. After a final face down card (or cards) is revealed, the wagers may be resolved.

[0045] In some embodiments, the wagering game may be resolved after the third face down card is revealed. In other embodiments, subsequent rounds of receiving bet or check indications, with the accompanying acceptance of additional bets, and revealing face down cards may be administered. In such embodiments, players may be permitted to make a third check indication, rather than fold, after the second face down card is revealed. As a specific, non-limiting example, players may be permitted to fold or make a fourth bet indication, after which a fourth single face down card (e.g., a fourth of four dealt face down) may be revealed. The face down card (or cards) may be revealed by performing any of the actions described previously in connection with revealing the first face down card. After the face down card (or cards) is revealed, more information may be available to the players on which to base their wagering decisions.

[0046] A best hand for each participating player may be identified from cards available to each participating player, as indicated at 118. The hands formed may comprise, for example, hands for poker or a variant of poker (e.g., two-card hands, three-card hands, four-card hands, five-card hands, etc.) according to poker hand rankings or hands for blackjack or a variant of blackjack (e.g., two-card hands, three-card hands, four-card hands, five-card hands, etc.) according to blackjack hand rankings. Identifying the best hand may comprise visually reviewing the available cards and announcing the hand or hand rank formed by the cards or electronically comparing all hands that could possibly be formed by the available cards using a processor 314, 328, or 542, selecting a particular group of cards to form the best possible hand given the cards available from which to select if using the processor 314, 328, or 542, and displaying the hand on a screen or on screens 274, 316, 330, 432, 464, 460, 520, or 558 for each participating player (see FIGS. 2 through 8).

[0047] In embodiments where at least one player made the bonus wager, a best player card hand may be identified using only player cards available to the respective player (i.e., not including community cards). The best player card hand may be identified by performing any of the actions described previously in connection with the best hand on the cards held by the individual player and not available to other players.

[0048] A payout may be paid on the ante wager, any blind wager, and any Play wagers to each eligible player holding a best hand of a predetermined rank or higher, as indicated at 119. For example, the best hand held by each player may be compared to a pay table listing predetermined winning hand rankings to determine whether the player wins the ante, any blind wager, and any Play wagers. More specifically, a player may win the ante wager, any blind wager, and any Play wagers when that player's cards and the community cards are combined to form a five-card poker hand ranked a pair of tens or higher. The bases on which the payouts for the ante wager, any blind wager, any Play wagers, or any combination of these may be different from one another. As a specific, non-limiting example, a fixed multiple of the ante wager may be awarded (i.e., a fixed payout), an award proportional to the odds of achieving a particular poker hand may be awarded (i.e., an odds payout), or a fixed multiple of any blind wager and any Play wagers with increasing multipliers for less likely hands may be awarded (i.e., a fixed odds payout). The ante wager, any blind wager, and any Play wagers may be collected by the house if the best hand held by a respective player is not of the predetermined rank or higher. The players eligible to receive the payout on the ante wager, any blind wager, and any Play wagers may be those who have not yet folded. The payout may be paid, for example, by physically giving money or a representation of money (e.g., a chip or token) or by granting electronic authorization to transfer funds to a player account (e.g., a credit account or a bank account). More specifically, the payout may be paid, for example, by physically placing chips within a player position 122 on a playing surface 120 of a playing table 300 or 400 (see FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6) or by granting electronic authorization at a processor 314, 328, or 542 to transfer funds from an account server 510 to a player account (see FIGS. 5, 7, and 8).

[0049] A payout may be paid on the bonus wager to each eligible player holding a best player card hand of a predetermined rank or higher. For example, the best player card hand held by each eligible player may be compared to a pay table listing predetermined winning hand rankings to determine whether the player wins the bonus wager. More specifically, a player may win the bonus wager when that player's cards are combined to form a three-card poker hand ranked a pair or higher (i.e., a "pair plus"). The bonus wager of each eligible player whose individual player cards are not combinable to form a best player card hand of the predetermined rank or higher may be collected by the house. The players eligible to receive the payout on the bonus wager may be all players who made the bonus wager, regardless of whether they have folded in some embodiments. In other embodiments, a player must have made the bonus wager and not have folded in order to receive the payout on the bonus wager. A payout on the bonus wager may be paid by performing any of the actions described previously in connection with the payout on the ante and Play wagers. Losing wagers may be collected by the house, which may involve, for example, physically taking money or representations of money or authorizing a transfer of funds from a player account to a house account.

[0050] Various platforms are contemplated that are suitable for implementation of embodiments of wagering games according to the present disclosure. For example, embodiments of wagering games may be implemented such that one or more players may place wagers and engage in game play according to the rules of the wagering games. For example, wagering games may be implemented on gaming tables, which may include physical gaming features, such as physical cards, physical chips, and may include a live dealer. More specifically, a live dealer may deal physical cards, accept wagers, issue payouts, and perform other administrative functions of game play. Some embodiments may be implemented on electronic devices enabling electronic gaming features, such as providing electronic displays for display of virtual cards, virtual chips, game instructions, paytables, etc. Some embodiments may include features that are a combination of physical and electronic features.

[0051] As an example, embodiments of wagering games may be implemented on an individual gaming device for accepting wagers that has a display screen and inputs for enabling game play of the wagering games. Such an individual gaming device may be linked with other gaming devices that may be operated, for example, by other players. Some individual electronic gaming devices may be referred to as an individual player "cabinet" and may be stationary, such as being located on a casino floor. Other individual electronic gaming devices may be portable devices that may be carried to different locations by the player. Portable devices may include both display of the ongoing game play and input reception for game play by a player, may be configured for receiving input from a player while the game play is displayed on a public monitor, or other display device.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 2, a diagram of a playing surface 120 for implementation of wagering games within the scope of the present disclosure is shown. Such an implementation may comprise a felt layout on a physical gaming table 300 or 400 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) or an electronic representation on a video display 274, 316, 330, 432, 464, 460, 520, or 558 for each participating player position 122 (see FIGS. 2 through 8). The playing surface 120 may define a plurality of participating player positions 122 within which the activity (e.g., wagering and card dealing) for individual players may take place. The playing surface 120 may also define a community card position 124 within which community cards may be dealt. For example, the community card position 124 may comprise a first card area 126, a second card area 128, and a third card area 130 into which individual community cards may be dealt. The playing surface 120 may further define a player card position 132 within which player cards may be dealt for each player position 122.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 3, an enlarged diagram of one of the player positions 122 of FIG. 2 is shown. Each player position 122 may further define an ante wager position 134 within which representations of money may be placed or displayed when the first wager is accepted. In embodiments where players make an ante wager and a blind wager, each player position 122 may define an initial ante position 134 and a blind wager position 136. Each player position may define a Play wager position 138 within which representations of money may be placed or displayed when the first, second, third, and any other Play wagers are accepted and a bonus wager position 140 within which representations of money may be placed or displayed when the bonus wager is accepted.

[0054] With combined reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a specific implementation of the wagering game described in connection with FIG. 1 is presented. An initial ante wager and a blind wager may be accepted from each participating player position 122 by receiving chips in the ante position 134 and the blind wager position 136. For example, participating players may be required to place chips of equal value in the ante position 134 and the blind wager position 136, respectively. Bonus wagers may, optionally, be accepted by receiving chips in the bonus wager position 140. For example, at least one participating player may exercise the option to place chips in the bonus wager position 140. Three player cards may be dealt to the player card position 132 of each participating player position 122, face up. Three community cards may be dealt to the community card position 124, face down, with a respective card in each of the first card area 126, the second card area 128, and the third card area 130.

[0055] A first check indication or a first bet indication may be received from each participating player. For example, at least one player may make the first check indication by waving his or her hand, and at least one player may make the first bet indication by placing a chip of up to three times the value of the initial ante into the Play wager position 138, which may also constitute accepting the first Play wager. After each participating player has checked, made the first Play wager, or folded, the face down community card in the first card area 126 may be revealed.

[0056] A second check indication or a second bet indication may be received from each eligible player. Only those players who made the first check indication may be eligible to make the second check indication or the second bet indication. For example, at least one player may make the second check indication by waving his or her hand, and at least one player may make the second bet indication by placing a chip of up to two times the value of the initial ante into the Play wager position 138, which may also constitute accepting the second Play wager. After each participating player has checked, made the second Play wager, or folded, the face down community card in the second card area 128 may be revealed.

[0057] A fold indication or a third bet indication may be received from each eligible player. Only those players who made the first and second check indications may be eligible to make the third bet indication. For example, at least one player may make the fold indication by waving his or her hand, and at least one player may make the third bet indication by placing a chip of equal value to the initial ante into the Play wager position 138, which may also constitute accepting the third Play wager. The ante and blind wagers of any players who folded may be collected by the house. After each participating player has made a Play wager or folded, the face down community card in the third card area 130 may be revealed.

[0058] A best five-card poker hand may be identified for each participating player who made one of the first, second, and third Play wagers using five of the six total cards available to the players: three player cards available to respective individual players and the three community cards available to all players. A best three-card poker hand may be identified for each participating player who made the bonus wager using only the three player cards available to respective individual players.

[0059] Payouts may be paid on the initial ante wager, blind wager, and Play wagers to players whose best five-card poker hand is a pair of tens or better. For example a payout equal to the value of the initial ante may be paid on the initial ante. A fixed odds payout on the blind wager may be paid, for example, according to the following paytable:

TABLE-US-00001 Best Hand Achieved Payout Royal Flush 1,000 to 1 Straight Flush 200 to 1 Four-of-a-Kind 30 to 1 Full House 4 to 1 Flush 3 to 1 Straight 2 to 1 Three-of-a-Kind 1 to 1 Pair of Tens or Better Push

[0060] A fixed odds payout on the Play wager may be paid, for example, according to the following paytable:

TABLE-US-00002 Best Hand Achieved Payout Royal Flush 100 to 1 Straight Flush 20 to 1 Four-of-a-Kind 10 to 1 Full House 6 to 1 Flush 5 to 1 Straight 4 to 1 Three-of-a-Kind 3 to 1 Two Pair 2 to 1 Pair of Tens or Better 1 to 1

[0061] A payout may be paid on the bonus wager to each player who made the bonus wager and achieved a best three-card poker hand of a predetermined rank or higher, regardless of whether that player folded on the initial ante and the blind wager. For example, a fixed odds payout on the bonus wager may be paid according to the following paytable:

TABLE-US-00003 Best Hand Achieved Payout Straight Flush 40 to 1 Three-of-a-Kind 30 to 1 Straight 6 to 1 Flush 3 to 1 Pair 1 to 1

[0062] Referring to FIG. 4, an example of an individual electronic gaming device 200 configured for implementation of embodiments of wagering games according to the present disclosure is shown. The individual electronic gaming device 200 may include an individual player position 214 that includes a player area 232 for a player to interact with the individual electronic gaming device 200. The electronic gaming device 200 may include a gaming screen 274 configured to display indicia for interacting with the individual electronic gaming device 200, such as through processing one or more stored programs to implement the rules of game play at the individual electronic gaming device 200. Accordingly, game play may be accommodated without involving physical playing cards, poker chips, and/or live personnel. The action may instead be simulated by a control processor (not shown) interacting with and controlling the individual electronic gaming device 200. Although the figure has an outline of a traditional gaming cabinet, gaming device 200 may be implemented in any number of ways, including but not limited to client software downloaded to a portable device, such as a smart phone, tablet, or laptop personal computer. Gaming device 200 may also be a non-portable personal computer (e.g., a desktop or all-in-one computer) or other computing device. In some embodiments, client software is not downloaded but is native to the device, or otherwise delivered with the device when received by a player.

[0063] The gaming screen 274 may be carried by a generally vertically extending cabinet 276 of the individual electronic gaming device 200. The individual electronic gaming device 200 may further include banners (not shown) configured to communicate rules of game play and/or the like, such as along a top portion 278 of the cabinet 276 of the gaming device 200. The individual electronic gaming device 200 may further include additional decorative lights (not shown), and speakers (not shown) for transmitting and/or receiving sounds during game play. Further detail of an example of an individual electronic gaming device (as well as other embodiments of tables and devices) is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/215,156, filed Aug. 22, 2011, and titled "Methods of Managing Play of Wagering Games and Systems for Managing Play of Wagering Games," the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.

[0064] Some embodiments may be implemented at locations that include a plurality of player stations. Such player stations may include an electronic display screen for display of game information, such as displaying virtual cards, virtual chips, and game instructions, and for accepting wagers and facilitating credit balance adjustments. Such player stations may, optionally, be integrated in a table format. While some features may be automated through electronic interfaces (e.g., virtual cards, virtual chips, etc.), some features may remain in the physical domain. As such, the game play may be administered by a live dealer, a virtual dealer, or a combination of both.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 5, an example of a suitable table 300 configured for implementation of embodiments of wagering games according to the present disclosure is shown. The table 300 may include a playing surface 304. The table 300 may include a plurality of player stations 312a-312g. Each player station 312a-312g may include a player interface 316a-316g, which may be used for display of game information (e.g., game instructions, input options, wager information including virtual chips, game outcomes, etc.). The player interface 316a-316g may include a display screen in the form of a touch screen, which may be at least substantially flush with the playing surface 304 in some embodiments. Each player interface 316a-316g may be coupled respectively with its own game processor 314a-314g (shown in dashed lines), although in some embodiments, a central game processor 328 (shown in dashed lines) may be employed. In some embodiments, a combination of individual game processors 314a-314g and a central game processor 328 may be employed.

[0066] The table 300 may further include additional features, such as a dealer chip tray 320, which may be used by the dealer to cash players in and out of the wagering game, whereas wagers and balance adjustments during game play may be performed using virtual chips. For embodiments using physical cards 306a, 306b, the table 300 may further include a card handling device 322 that may be configured to shuffle, read, and deliver physical cards for the dealer and players to use during game play or, alternatively, a card shoe configured to read and deliver cards that have already been randomized. For embodiments using virtual cards, such virtual cards may be displayed at the individual player interfaces 316a-316g. Common virtual cards may be displayed in a common card area (not shown).

[0067] The table 300 may further include a dealer interface 318, which, like the player interfaces 314a-314g, may include touch screen controls for assisting the dealer in administering the wagering game. The table 300 may further include an upright display 330 configured to display images that depict game information such as paytables, hand counts, historical win/loss information by player, and a wide variety of other information considered useful to the players. The upright display 330 may be double sided to provide such information to players as well as to the casino pit.

[0068] Further detail of an example of a table and player displays is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2010/0016050, filed Jul. 15, 2008, and titled "Split Screen on a Chipless Gaming Table," the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. Although an embodiment is described showing individual discrete player stations, in some embodiments, the entire playing surface 304 may be an electronic display that is logically partitioned to permit game play from a plurality of players for receiving inputs from, and displaying game information to, the players, the dealer, or both.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 6, another example of a suitable table 400 configured for implementation of embodiments of wagering games having a virtual dealer according to the present disclosure is shown. The table 400 may include player positions 414 that are arranged in a bank about an arcuate edge 420 of a video device 458 that may comprise a card screen 464 and a dealer screen 460. The dealer screen 460 may display a video simulation of the dealer (i.e., a virtual dealer) for interacting with the video device 458, such as through processing one or more stored programs to implement the rules of game play at the video device 458. The dealer screen 460 may be carried by a generally vertically extending cabinet 462 of the video device 458. The card screen 464 may be configured to display at least one or more of the dealer's cards, community cards, and/or player's cards by the virtual dealer on the dealer screen 460 (virtual dealer not shown in FIG. 6).

[0070] Each of the player positions 414a-414e may include a player area 432a-432e which is configured for wagering and game play interactions with the video device 458 and/or virtual dealer. Accordingly, game play may be accommodated without involving physical playing cards, poker chips, and/or live personnel. The action may instead be simulated by a control processor (not shown) interacting with and controlling the video device 458. The control processor may be located internally within, or otherwise proximate to, the video device 458. The control processor may be programmed, by known techniques, to implement the rules of game play at the video device 458. As such, the control processor may interact and communicate with display/input interfaces and data entry inputs for each player area 432a-432e of the video device 458. Other embodiments of tables and gaming devices may include a control processor that may be similarly adapted to the specific configuration of its associated device.

[0071] The video device 458 may further include banners (not shown) configured to communicate rules of play and/or the like, which may be located along one or more walls 470 of the cabinet 462. The video device 458 may further include additional decorative lights (not shown) and speakers (not shown), which may be located on an underside surface 466, for example, of a generally horizontally depending top 468 of the cabinet 462 of the video device 458 generally extending towards the player positions 414a-414e.

[0072] Further detail of an example of a table and player displays is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2005/0164762, filed Jan. 26, 2004, and titled "Automated Multiplayer Game table with Unique Image Feed of Dealer," the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. Although an embodiment is described showing individual discrete player stations, in some embodiments, the entire playing surface (e.g., player areas 432a-432e, card display 464, etc.) may be an electronic display that is logically partitioned to permit game play from a plurality of players for receiving inputs from, and displaying game information to, the players, the dealer, or both.

[0073] Wagering games in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure may be administered over the Internet, or otherwise online, in one embodiment using a gaming system employing a client server architecture. Referring to FIG. 7, a schematic block diagram of a gaming system 500 for implementing wagering games according to an embodiment is shown. The gaming system 500 enables end users to access proprietary and/or non-proprietary game content. Such game content may include, without limitation, various types of wagering games such as card games, dice games, big wheel games, roulette, scratch off games ("scratchers"), and any other wagering game where the game outcome is determined, in whole or in part, by one or more random events. This includes, but is not be limited to, Class II and Class III games as defined under 25 U.S.C. §2701 et seq. ("Indian Gaming Regulatory Act"). Such games may include banked and/or non-banked games.

[0074] The wagering games supported by the gaming system 500 may be operated with real currency or with virtual credits or other virtual (e.g., electronic) value indicia. For example, the real currency option may be used with traditional casino and lottery-type wagering games in which money or other items of value are wagered and may be cashed out at the end of a game session. The virtual credits option may be used with wagering games in which credits (or other symbols) may be issued to a player to be used for the wagers. A player may be credited with credits in any way allowed, including but not limited to a player purchasing credits, being awarded credits as part of a contest or a win event in this or another game (including non-wagering games), being awarded credits as a reward for use of a product, casino or other enterprise, time played in one session, games played, or may be as simple as virtual credits upon logging in at a particular time or with a particular frequency, etc. Although credits may be won or lost, the ability of the player to cash out credits may be controlled or prevented. In one example, credits acquired (e.g., purchased or awarded) for use in a play for fun game may be limited to non-monetary redemption items, awards, or credits usable in the future or for another game or gaming session. The same credit redemption restrictions may be applied to some or all of credits won in a wagering game as well.

[0075] An additional variation includes sites having both play for fun and wagering games, including issuance of free credits usable to play the play for fun games. This may attract players to the site and to the games before they engage in wagering. In some embodiments, a limited number free or promotional credits may be issued to entice players to play the games. Another method of issuing credits includes free credits in exchange for identifying friends who may want to play. In another embodiment, additional credits may be issued after a period of time has elapsed to encourage the player to resume playing the game. The system may enable players to buy additional game credits to allow the player to resume play. Objects of value may be awarded to play for fun players, which may or may not be in a direct exchange for credits. For example, a prize may be awarded or won for a highest scoring play for fun player during a defined time interval. All variations of credit redemption are contemplated, as desired by game designers and game hosts (the person or entity controlling the hosting systems).

[0076] The gaming system 500 may include a gaming platform that establishes a portal for an end user to access a wagering game hosted by a game server 506 through a user interaction server 502. The user device 520 may communicate with a user interaction server 502 of the gaming system 500 using a network 530 (e.g., the Internet). The user interaction server 502 may communicate with the game server 506 and provide game information to the user. In some embodiments, the game server 506 may also be a game engine. In some embodiments, a single user device communicates with a game provided by the game server 506, while other embodiments may include a plurality of user devices 520 configured to communicate and provide end users with access to the same game provided by game server 506. In addition, a plurality of end users may access a single user interaction server 502, or, a plurality of user interaction servers 502 to access game server 506.

[0077] The user interaction server 502 may communicate with the user device 520 to enable access to the gaming system 500. The user interaction server 502 may enable a user to create and access a user account and interact with gaming server 506. The user interaction server 502 may enable users to initiate new games, join existing games, and interface with games being played by the user.

[0078] The user interaction server 502 may also provide a client 522 for execution on the user device for accessing the gaming system 500. The client 522 provided by the gaming system 500 for execution on the user device 520 can comprise a variety of implementations according to the user device and method of communication with the gaming system 500. In one embodiment, the user device 520 connects to the gaming system 500 using a web browser and the client 522 executes within a browser window or frame of the web browser. In another embodiment, the client 522 is a stand-alone executable on the user device 520.

[0079] In one embodiment, the client 522 may comprise a relatively small amount of script (e.g., JavaScript®), also referred to as a "script driver," including scripting language that controls an interface of the client 522. The script driver may include simple function calls requesting information from the gaming system 500. In other words, the script driver stored in the client 522 may merely include calls to functions that are externally defined by, and executed by, the gaming system 500. As a result, the client 522 may be characterized as a "thin client." As that term is used herein, the client 522 may be little more than a script player. The client 522 may simply send requests to the gaming system 500 rather than performing logic itself. The client 522 receives player inputs and the player inputs are passed to gaming system 500 for processing and executing the wagering game. In one embodiment, this includes providing specific graphical display information to client 522 as well as game outcomes.

[0080] In other embodiments, the client 522 comprises an executable rather than a script. In that case, client 522 may do more local processing than does a script driver, such as calculating where to show what game symbols upon receiving a game outcome from game server 506 through user interaction server 502. In one embodiment, it may be that portions of asset server 504 are loaded onto the client 522, and used by the client in processing and updating graphical displays. Due to security and integrity concerns, most embodiments will have the bulk of the processing of the game play performed in the gaming system 500. However, some embodiments may include significant game processing by client 522 when the client and user device 520 are considered trustworthy, or, when there is reduced concern for security and integrity in the displayed game outcome. In most embodiments, it is expected that some form of data protection, such as end-to-end encryption, will be used when data is transported over network 530. Network 530 may be any network, including but not limited to the Internet.

[0081] In an embodiment where the client 522 implements further logic and game control methodology beyond the thin client, the client 522 may parse and define player interactions prior to passing the player interactions to the gaming system 500. Likewise, when the client 522 receives a gaming interaction from the gaming system 500, the client 522 may be configured to determine how to modify the display as a result of the gaming interaction. The client 522 may also allow the player to change a perspective or otherwise interact with elements of the display which do not change aspects of the game.

[0082] The gaming system 500 may include an asset server 504 which may host various media assets (e.g., audio, video, and image files) that may be sent to the client 522 for presenting the various wagering games to the end user. In other words, in this embodiment the assets presented to the end user may be stored separately from the client 522. In one embodiment, the client 522 requests the assets appropriate for the game played by the user; in other embodiments, especially those using thin clients, just those assets that are needed for a particular display event will be sent by game server 500 when the game server determines they are needed, including as few as one asset. In one example, the client 522 may call a function defined at the user interaction server 502 or asset server 504 which may determine which assets are to be delivered to the client 522 as well as how the assets are to be presented by the client 522 to the end user. Different assets may correspond to the various clients that may have access to the game server 506 or to different games to be played.

[0083] The game server 506 is configured to perform game play methods and determine game play outcomes that are provided to the user interaction server 502 to be transmitted to user device 520 for display on the end user's computer. For example, the game server 506 may include game rules for one or more wagering games, such that the game server 506 controls some or all of the game flow for a selected wagering game, as well as the determining game outcomes. Game server 506 may include paytables and other game logic. The game server 506 also performs random number generation for determining random game elements of the wagering game. In one embodiment, the game server 506 is separated from the user interaction server 502 by a firewall or other method of preventing unauthorized access to the game server 506 from the general members of the network 530.

[0084] The user device 520 may present a gaming interface to the player and communicate the user interaction to the gaming system 500. The user device 520 may be any electronic system capable of displaying gaming information, receiving user input, and communicating the user input to the gaming system 500. As such, the user device 520 can be a desktop computer, a laptop, tablet computer, set-top box, mobile device including but not limited to smart phones, kiosk, terminal, or other computing device. The user device 520 may operate the client 522 for connecting to the interactive gaming system 200 as described above. The client 522 may be a specialized application or may be executed within a generalized application capable of interpreting instructions from the interactive gaming system 500, such as a web browser.

[0085] The client 522 may interface with an end user through a web page, or an application that runs on a device including but not limited to a smartphone, tablet, or general computer, or be any other computer program configurable to access the gaming system 500. The client 522 may be illustrated within a casino webpage (or other interface) indicating that the client 522 is embedded into a webpage, which is supported by a web browser executing on the client device 520.

[0086] In one embodiment, the gaming system 500 may be operated by different entities. The user device 520 may be operated by a third party, such as a casino or an individual, that links to the gaming system 500, which may be operated, for example, by a wagering game service provider. Therefore, in some embodiments, the user device 520 and client 522 may be operated by a different administrator than the operator of the game server 506. In other words, the user device 520 may be part of a third-party system that does not administer or otherwise control the gaming system 500 or game server 506. In another embodiment, the user interaction server 502 and asset server 504 are provided by a third-party system. For example, a gaming entity (e.g., a casino) may operate the user interaction server 502 or user device 520 to provide its customers access to game content managed by a different entity which may control game server 506, amongst other functionality. In some embodiments, these functions are operated by the same administrator. For example, a gaming entity (e.g., a casino) may elect to perform each of these functions in-house, such as providing both the access to the user device 520 and the actual game content and providing administration of the gaming system 500.

[0087] The gaming system 500 may communicate with external account servers 510, optionally through another firewall. For example, the gaming system 500 itself may not directly accept wagers or issue payouts. That is, the gaming system 500 may facilitate online casino gaming, but may not be part of a self-contained online casino itself. Instead, the gaming system 500 may facilitate the play of wagering games owned and controlled by a company offering games and gaming products and services, such as Shuffle Master, Inc. Another entity (e.g., a casino or any account holder or financial system of record) may operate and maintain its external account servers 510 to accept bets and make payout distributions. The gaming system 500 may communicate with the account servers 510 to verify the existence of funds for wagering, and instruct the account server 510 to execute debits and credits.

[0088] In some embodiments, the gaming system 500 may directly accept bets and make payout distributions, such as in the case where an administrator of the gaming system 500 operates as a casino. As discussed above, the gaming system 500 may be integrated within the operations of a casino rather than separating out functionality (e.g., game content, game play, credits, debits, etc.) among different entities. In addition, for play for fun wagering games, the gaming system 500 may issue credits, take bets, and manage the balance of the credits according to the game outcomes, but may not permit payout distributions or be linked to account server 510 that permits payout distributions. Such credits may be issued for free, through purchase, or for other reasons, without the ability for the player to cash out. Such play for fun wagering games may be played on platforms that do not permit traditional gambling, such as to comply with jurisdictions that do not permit online gambling.

[0089] The gaming system 500 may be configured in many ways, from a fully integrated single system to a distributed server architecture. The asset server 504, user interaction server 502, game server 506, and account server 510 may be configured as a single, integrated system of code modules running on a single server or machine, where each of the servers is functionality implemented on a single machine. In such a case, the functionality described herein may not be implemented as separate code modules. The asset server 504, user interaction server 502, game server 506, and account server 510 may also be implemented as a plurality of independent servers, each using its own code modules running on a separate physical machine, and may further include one or more firewalls between selected servers (depending on security needs). Each server could communicate over some kind of networked connection, potentially as varied as that described for network 530. Further, each single server shown in FIG. 7 may be implemented as a plurality of servers with load balancing and scalability factors built into the embodiment. All such embodiments and variations are fully contemplated.

[0090] Additional features may be supported by the game server 506, such as hacking and cheating detection, data storage and archival, metrics generation, messages generation, output formatting for different end user devices, as well as other features and operations. For example, the gaming system 500 may include additional features and configurations as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/353,194, filed Jan. 18, 2012, and titled "Network Gaming Architecture, Gaming Systems, and Related Methods," which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety by this reference.

[0091] The network 530 may enable communications between the user device 520 and the gaming system 500. A network (not shown) may also connect the gaming system 500 and account server 510, and further one or more networks may interconnect one or more of the other servers shown collectively as game system 500. In one embodiment, the network 530 uses standard communications technologies and/or protocols. Thus, the network 530 can include links using technologies such as Ethernet, 802.11, worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), 3G, digital subscriber line (DSL), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), InfiniBand, PCI Express Advanced Switching, etc. Similarly, the networking protocols used on the network 530 can include multiprotocol label switching (MPLS), the transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), the hypertext transport protocol (HTTP), the simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP), the file transfer protocol (FTP), etc. The data exchanged over the network 530 can be represented using technologies and/or formats including the hypertext markup language (HTML), the extensible markup language (XML), etc. In addition, all or some of links can be encrypted using conventional encryption technologies such as secure sockets layer (SSL), transport layer security (TLS), virtual private networks (VPNs), Internet Protocol security (IPsec), etc. In another embodiment, the entities can use custom and/or dedicated data communications technologies instead of, or in addition to, the ones described above. Depending upon the embodiment, the network 530 can include links comprising one or more networks such as the Internet.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 8, a high-level block diagram of a computer 540 for acting as a gaming system 500 according to one embodiment is shown. Illustrated are at least one processor 542 coupled to a chipset 544. Also coupled to the chipset 544 are a memory 546, a storage device 548, a keyboard 550, a graphics adapter 552, a pointing device 554, and a network adapter 556. A display 558 is coupled to the graphics adapter 552. In one embodiment, the functionality of the chipset 544 is provided by a memory controller hub 560 and an I/O controller hub 562. In another embodiment, the memory 546 is coupled directly to the processor 542 instead of the chipset 544.

[0093] The storage device 548 is any non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as a hard drive, compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), DVD, or a solid-state memory device (e.g., a flash drive). The memory 546 holds instructions and data used by the processor 542. The pointing device 554 may be a mouse, track ball, or other type of pointing device, and is used in combination with the keyboard 550 to input data into the computer system 540. The graphics adapter 552 displays images and other information on the display 558. The network adapter 556 couples the computer system 540 to a local or wide area network.

[0094] As is known in the art, a computer 540 can have different and/or other components than those shown in FIG. 8. In addition, the computer 540 can lack certain illustrated components. In one embodiment, a computer 540 acting as a gaming system 500 lacks a keyboard 550, pointing device 554, graphics adapter 552, and/or display 558. Moreover, the storage device 548 can be local and/or remote from the computer 540 (such as embodied within a storage area network (SAN)).

[0095] The gaming system 500 may comprise several such computers 540. The gaming system 500 may include load balancers, firewalls, and various other components for assisting the gaming system 500 to provide services to a variety of user devices.

[0096] As is known in the art, the computer 540 is adapted to execute computer program modules for providing functionality described herein. As used herein, the term "module" refers to computer program logic utilized to provide the specified functionality. Thus, a module can be implemented in hardware, firmware, and/or software. In one embodiment, program modules are stored on the storage device 548, loaded into the memory 546, and executed by the processor 542.

[0097] Embodiments of the entities described herein can include other and/or different modules than the ones described here. In addition, the functionality attributed to the modules can be performed by other or different modules in other embodiments. Moreover, this description occasionally omits the term "module" for purposes of clarity and convenience.

[0098] Some portions of the detailed description are presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps (instructions) leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical, magnetic, or optical signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It is convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. Furthermore, it is also convenient at times to refer to certain arrangements of steps requiring physical manipulations or transformation of physical quantities or representations of physical quantities as modules or code devices, without loss of generality.

[0099] However, all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as "processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining," "displaying," "determining," or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device (such as a specific computing machine), that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.

[0100] Certain aspects of the embodiments include process steps and instructions described herein in the form of an algorithm. It should be noted that the process steps and instructions of the embodiments can be embodied in software, firmware, or hardware, and when embodied in software, could be downloaded to reside on and be operated from different platforms used by a variety of operating systems. The embodiments can also be in a computer program product which can be executed on a computing system.

[0101] Some embodiments also relate to an apparatus for performing the operations herein. Such an apparatus may be specially constructed for the purposes, e.g., a specific computer, or it may comprise a general-purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, such as, but is not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, and each coupled to a computer system bus. Memory can include any of the above and/or other devices that can store information/data/programs and can be transient or non-transient medium, where a non-transient or non-transitory medium can include memory/storage that stores information for more than a minimal duration. Furthermore, the computers referred to in the specification may include a single processor or may be architectures employing multiple processor designs for increased computing capability.

[0102] The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general-purpose systems may also be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the method steps. The structure for a variety of these systems will appear from the description herein. In addition, the embodiments are not described with reference to any particular programming language. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the embodiments as described herein, and any references herein to specific languages are provided for disclosure of enablement and best mode.

[0103] Additional, non-limiting example embodiments include the following:

Embodiment 1

[0104] A method of administering a wagering game may comprise accepting an ante wager from each participating player. Player cards may be dealt to each participating player, face up. At least three community cards may be dealt, face down. A first check indication or a first bet indication may be received from each participating player and a first Play wager of a first, greatest value may be accepted from each participating player who made the first bet indication. A first community card of the at least three community cards may be revealed. A second check indication or a second bet indication may be received from each eligible player and a second Play wager of a second, intermediate value may be accepted from each eligible player who made the second bet indication. A second community card of the at least three community cards may be revealed. A fold indication or a third bet indication may be received from each eligible player and a third Play wager of a third, least value may be accepted from each eligible player who made the third bet indication. A third community card of the at least three community cards may be revealed. A best hand for each eligible player may be identified from the player cards and the at least three community cards. A first payout may be paid on a first basis for the ante wager and a second payout may be paid on a second, different basis for any Play wager to each eligible player holding a best hand of a predetermined rank or higher.

Embodiment 2

[0105] The method of Embodiment 1, further comprising: dealing at least one additional community card, face down; receiving a third check indication from at least one player; administering at least one subsequent round of receiving check indications or bet indications, with accompanying acceptance of Play wagers of reducing value with each passing round from players who make the bet indications; and revealing a face down card.

Embodiment 3

[0106] The method of Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2, wherein paying the first and second payouts to each participating player holding a best hand of the predetermined rank or higher comprises paying the first and second payouts to each eligible player holding a pair of tens or better.

Embodiment 4

[0107] The method of any one of Embodiments 1 through 3, wherein paying the first payout on the ante wager and the second, different payout on any Play wager comprises paying an even-money payout on the ante wager and paying a Play fixed odds payout based on a paytable, with increasing amounts being paid for higher ranked hands, on any Play wager.

Embodiment 5

[0108] The method of Embodiment 4, further comprising accepting a blind wager from each participating player when accepting the ante wager and paying a blind fixed odds payout based on a different, blind wager paytable, with increasing amounts being paid for higher ranked hands, on the blind wager to each eligible player holding a best hand of the predetermined rank or higher.

Embodiment 6

[0109] The method of Embodiment 5, further comprising accepting a bonus wager from at least one participating player, forming a best player card hand of only player cards held by the at least one player, and paying a bonus fixed odds payout based on a different, bonus wager paytable, with increasing amounts being paid for higher ranked hands, on the bonus wager to the at least one participating player if the best player card hand is of another predetermined rank or higher.

Embodiment 7

[0110] The method of Embodiment 6, wherein paying the bonus fixed odds payout to the at least one participating player if the best player card hand is of the another predetermined rank or higher comprises paying the bonus fixed odds payout if the best player card hand is a pair or better.

Embodiment 8

[0111] The method of Embodiment 6 or Embodiment 7, wherein paying the bonus fixed odds payout to the at least one participating player if the best player card hand is of the another predetermined rank or higher comprises paying the bonus fixed odds payout regardless of whether the at least one player has folded on the ante wager and any play wagers.

Embodiment 9

[0112] The method of any one of Embodiments 6 through 8, wherein paying the Play fixed odds payout, the blind fixed odds payout, and the bonus fixed odds payout comprises paying according to the following paytables for each respective wager:

TABLE-US-00004 Best Hand Achieved Play Wager Payout Royal Flush 100 to 1 Straight Flush 20 to 1 Four-of-a-Kind 10 to 1 Full House 6 to 1 Flush 5 to 1 Straight 4 to 1 Three-of-a-Kind 3 to 1 Two Pair 2 to 1 Pair of Tens or Better 1 to 1

TABLE-US-00005 Best Hand Achieved Blind Wager Payout Royal Flush 1,000 to 1 Straight Flush 200 to 1 Four-of-a-Kind 30 to 1 Full House 4 to 1 Flush 3 to 1 Straight 2 to 1 Three-of-a-Kind 1 to 1 Pair of Tens or Better Push;

and

TABLE-US-00006 Best Hand Achieved Bonus Wager Payout Straight Flush 40 to 1 Three-of-a-Kind 30 to 1 Straight 6 to 1 Flush 3 to 1 Pair 1 to 1

Embodiment 10

[0113] The method of Embodiment 4, further comprising accepting a bonus wager from at least one participating player, forming a best player card hand of only player cards held by the at least one player, and paying a bonus fixed odds payout based on a different, bonus wager paytable, with increasing amounts being paid for higher ranked hands, on the bonus wager to the at least one participating player if the best player card hand is of another predetermined rank or higher.

Embodiment 11

[0114] The method of Embodiment 10, wherein paying the bonus fixed odds payout to the at least one participating player if the best player card hand is of the another predetermined rank or higher comprises paying the bonus fixed odds payout if the best player card hand is a pair or better.

Embodiment 12

[0115] The method of Embodiment 10 or Embodiment 11, wherein paying the bonus fixed odds payout to the at least one participating player if the best player card hand is of the another predetermined rank or higher comprises paying the bonus payout regardless of whether the at least one player has folded on the ante wager and any play wagers.

Embodiment 13

[0116] The method of any one of Embodiments 1 through 12, further comprising taking the ante wager of each participating player who did not make at least one of the first, second, and third play wagers.

Embodiment 14

[0117] A method of administering a wagering game may comprise accepting an ante wager and a blind wager from each participating player. An optional bonus wager may be accepted from at least one participating player. Three player cards may be dealt to each participating player, face up. Three community cards may be dealt, face down. A first check indication or a first bet indication may be received from each participating player and a first Play wager of a first, greatest value may be accepted from each participating player who made the first bet indication. A first community card of the three community cards may be revealed. A second check indication or a second bet indication may be received from each eligible player and a second Play wager of a second, intermediate value may be accepted from each eligible player who made the second bet indication. A second community card of the three community cards may be revealed. A fold indication or a third bet indication may be received from each eligible player and a third Play wager of a third, least value may be accepted from each eligible player who made the third bet indication. A third community card of the three community cards may be revealed. A best five-card poker hand for each player who did not fold may be identified from the three player cards and the three community cards. A best three-card poker hand for each player who made the optional bonus wager may be identified from the three player cards. An even-money payout for the ante wager, a blind fixed odds payout based on a blind paytable for the blind wager, with increasing amounts being paid for higher ranked hands, and a Play fixed odds payout based on a different Play paytable for any Play wager, with increasing amounts being paid for higher ranked hands, may be paid to each player holding a best five-card poker hand of a predetermined rank or higher who did not fold. A bonus fixed odds payout based on a still different bonus paytable for any bonus wager, with increasing amounts being paid for higher ranked hands, may be paid to each player holding a best three-card poker hand of another predetermined rank or higher who made the bonus wager.

Embodiment 15

[0118] The method of Embodiment 14, wherein paying the payouts for the ante wager, the blind wager, and any Play wager to each player holding a best five-card poker hand of the predetermined rank or higher comprises paying the payouts to each player holding a best five-card poker hand of a pair of tens or better who did not fold and wherein paying the payout on the bonus wager to each player holding a best three-card poker hand of another predetermined rank or higher who made the bonus wager comprises paying the payout to each player holding a best three-card poker hand of a pair or better who made the bonus wager.

Embodiment 16

[0119] A gaming table for administering a wagering game may comprise a playing surface including at least one player interface for at least one player position, at least one dealer interface, and at least one processor. The at least one processor may be programmed to: accept an ante wager from each participating player; process rank and suit information of player cards dealt to each participating player, face up; process rank and suit information of at least three community cards, face down; receive from each participating player a first check indication or a first bet indication and accept a first Play wager of a first, greatest value from each participating player who made the first bet indication; verify revelation of a first community card of the at least three community cards; receive from each eligible player a second check indication or a second bet indication and accept a second Play wager of a second, intermediate value from each eligible player who made the second bet indication; verify revelation of a second community card of the at least three community cards; receive from each eligible player a fold indication or a third bet indication and accept a third Play wager of a third, least value from each eligible player who made the third bet indication; verify revelation of a third community card of the at least three community cards; identify a best hand for each eligible player from the player cards and the at least three community cards; and pay a first payout on a first basis for the ante wager and a second payout on a second, different basis for any Play wager to each eligible player holding a best hand of a predetermined rank or higher.

Embodiment 17

[0120] A system for administering a wagering game over a network may comprise a game server configured to be accessed by a client server. The game server may be programmed to: accept an ante wager from each participating player; deal player cards to each participating player, face up; deal at least three community cards, face down; receive from each participating player a first check indication or a first bet indication and accept a first Play wager of a first, greatest value from each participating player who made the first bet indication; reveal a first community card of the at least three community cards; receive from each eligible player a second check indication or a second bet indication and accept a second Play wager of a second, intermediate value from each eligible player who made the second bet indication; reveal a second community card of the at least three community cards; receive from each eligible player a fold indication or a third bet indication and accept a third Play wager of a third, least value from each eligible player who made the third bet indication; reveal a third community card of the at least three community cards; identify a best hand for each eligible player from the player cards and the at least three community cards; and pay a first payout on a first basis for the ante wager and a second payout on a second, different basis for any Play wager to each eligible player holding a best hand of a predetermined rank or higher.

Embodiment 18

[0121] An electronic gaming machine for administering a wagering game may comprise at least one player display and at least one player interface; wherein the player interface enables a player to input a wager instruction, and at least one processor. The at least one processor may be programmed to: accept an ante wager from each participating player; deal player cards to each participating player, face up; deal at least three community cards, face down; receive from each participating player a first check indication or a first bet indication and accept a first Play wager of a first, greatest value from each participating player who made the first bet indication; reveal a first community card of the at least three community cards; receive from each eligible player a second check indication or a second bet indication and accept a second Play wager of a second, intermediate value from each eligible player who made the second bet indication; reveal a second community card of the at least three community cards; receive from each eligible player a fold indication or a third bet indication and accept a third Play wager of a third, least value from each eligible player who made the third bet indication; reveal a third community card of the at least three community cards; identify a best hand for each eligible player from the player cards and the at least three community cards; and pay a first payout on a first basis for the ante wager and a second payout on a second, different basis for any Play wager to each eligible player holding a best hand of a predetermined rank or higher.

Embodiment 19

[0122] The method of Embodiment 18, wherein the at least one player display comprises a single player display configured for single player play.

Embodiment 20

[0123] The method of Embodiment 18, wherein the at least one player display comprises a common display, wherein the machine is configured for multiple players to play the same game.

[0124] While certain illustrative embodiments have been described in connection with the figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and appreciate that embodiments encompassed by the disclosure are not limited to those embodiments explicitly shown and described herein. Rather, many additions, deletions, and modifications to the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the scope of embodiments encompassed by the disclosure, such as those hereinafter claimed, including legal equivalents. In addition, features from one disclosed embodiment may be combined with features of another disclosed embodiment while still being within the scope of the disclosure, as contemplated by the inventors.

Claims

1. A method of administering a wagering game, comprising: accepting an ante wager from each participating player; dealing player cards to each participating player, face up; dealing at least three community cards, face down; receiving from each participating player a first check indication or a first bet indication and accepting a first Play wager of a first, greatest value from each participating player who made the first bet indication; revealing a first community card of the at least three community cards; receiving from each eligible player a second check indication or a second bet indication and accepting a second Play wager of a second, intermediate value from each eligible player who made the second bet indication; revealing a second community card of the at least three community cards; receiving from each eligible player a fold indication or a third bet indication and accepting a third Play wager of a third, least value from each eligible player who made the third bet indication; revealing a third community card of the at least three community cards; identifying a best hand for each eligible player from the player cards and the at least three community cards; and paying a first payout on a first basis for the ante wager and a second payout on a second, different basis for any Play wager to each eligible player holding a best hand of a predetermined rank or higher.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: dealing at least one additional community card, face down; receiving a third check indication from at least one player; administering at least one subsequent round of receiving check indications or bet indications, with accompanying acceptance of Play wagers of reducing value with each passing round from players who make the bet indications; and revealing a face down card.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein paying the first and second payouts to each participating player holding a best hand of the predetermined rank or higher comprises paying the first and second payouts to each eligible player holding a pair of tens or better.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein paying the first payout on the ante wager and the second, different payout on any Play wager comprises paying an even-money payout on the ante wager and paying a Play fixed odds payout based on a paytable, with increasing amounts being paid for higher ranked hands, on any Play wager.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising accepting a blind wager from each participating player when accepting the ante wager and paying a blind fixed odds payout based on a different, blind wager paytable, with increasing amounts being paid for higher ranked hands, on the blind wager to each eligible player holding a best hand of the predetermined rank or higher.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising accepting a bonus wager from at least one participating player, forming a best player card hand of only player cards held by the at least one player, and paying a bonus fixed odds payout based on a different, bonus wager paytable, with increasing amounts being paid for higher ranked hands, on the bonus wager to the at least one participating player if the best player card hand is of another predetermined rank or higher.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein paying the bonus fixed odds payout to the at least one participating player if the best player card hand is of the another predetermined rank or higher comprises paying the bonus fixed odds payout if the best player card hand is a pair or better.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein paying the bonus fixed odds payout to the at least one participating player if the best player card hand is of the another predetermined rank or higher comprises paying the bonus fixed odds payout regardless of whether the at least one player has folded on the ante wager and any play wagers.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein paying the Play fixed odds payout, the blind fixed odds payout, and the bonus fixed odds payout comprises paying according to the following paytables for each respective wager: TABLE-US-00007 Best Hand Achieved Play Wager Payout Royal Flush 100 to 1 Straight Flush 20 to 1 Four-of-a-Kind 10 to 1 Full House 6 to 1 Flush 5 to 1 Straight 4 to 1 Three-of-a-Kind 3 to 1 Two Pair 2 to 1 Pair of Tens or Better 1 to 1

TABLE-US-00008 Best Hand Achieved Blind Wager Payout Royal Flush 1,000 to 1 Straight Flush 200 to 1 Four-of-a-Kind 30 to 1 Full House 4 to 1 Flush 3 to 1 Straight 2 to 1 Three-of-a-Kind 1 to 1 Pair of Tens or Better Push;

and TABLE-US-00009 Best Hand Achieved Bonus Wager Payout Straight Flush 40 to 1 Three-of-a-Kind 30 to 1 Straight 6 to 1 Flush 3 to 1 Pair 1 to 1

10. The method of claim 4, further comprising accepting a bonus wager from at least one participating player, forming a best player card hand of only player cards held by the at least one player, and paying a bonus fixed odds payout based on a different, bonus wager paytable, with increasing amounts being paid for higher ranked hands, on the bonus wager to the at least one participating player if the best player card hand is of another predetermined rank or higher.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein paying the bonus fixed odds payout to the at least one participating player if the best player card hand is of the another predetermined rank or higher comprises paying the bonus fixed odds payout if the best player card hand is a pair or better.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein paying the bonus fixed odds payout to the at least one participating player if the best player card hand is of the another predetermined rank or higher comprises paying the bonus payout regardless of whether the at least one player has folded on the ante wager and any play wagers.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising taking the ante wager of each participating player who did not make at least one of the first, second, and third play wagers.

14. A method of administering a wagering game, comprising: accepting an ante wager and a blind wager from each participating player; accepting an optional bonus wager from at least one participating player; dealing three player cards to each participating player, face up; dealing three community cards, face down; receiving from each participating player a first check indication or a first bet indication and accepting a first Play wager of a first, greatest value from each participating player who made the first bet indication; revealing a first community card of the three community cards; receiving from each eligible player a second check indication or a second bet indication and accepting a second Play wager of a second, intermediate value from each eligible player who made the second bet indication; revealing a second community card of the three community cards; receiving from each eligible player a fold indication or a third bet indication and accepting a third Play wager of a third, least value from each eligible player who made the third bet indication; revealing a third community card of the three community cards; identifying a best five-card poker hand for each player who did not fold from the three player cards and the three community cards; identifying a best three-card poker hand for each player who made the optional bonus wager from the three player cards; paying an even-money payout for the ante wager, a blind fixed odds payout based on a blind paytable for the blind wager, with increasing amounts being paid for higher ranked hands, and a Play fixed odds payout based on a different Play paytable for any Play wager, with increasing amounts being paid for higher ranked hands, to each player holding a best five-card poker hand of a predetermined rank or higher who did not fold; and paying a bonus fixed odds payout based on a still different bonus paytable for any bonus wager, with increasing amounts being paid for higher ranked hands, to each player holding a best three-card poker hand of another predetermined rank or higher who made the bonus wager.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein paying the payouts for the ante wager, the blind wager, and any Play wager to each player holding a best five-card poker hand of the predetermined rank or higher comprises paying the payouts to each player holding a best five-card poker hand of a pair of tens or better who did not fold and wherein paying the payout on the bonus wager to each player holding a best three-card poker hand of another predetermined rank or higher who made the bonus wager comprises paying the payout to each player holding a best three-card poker hand of a pair or better who made the bonus wager.

16. A gaming table for administering a wagering game, comprising: a playing surface including at least one player interface for at least one player position; at least one dealer interface; and at least one processor programmed to: accept an ante wager from each participating player; process rank and suit information of player cards dealt to each participating player, face up; process rank and suit information of at least three community cards, face down; receive from each participating player a first check indication or a first bet indication and accept a first Play wager of a first, greatest value from each participating player who made the first bet indication; verify revelation of a first community card of the at least three community cards; receive from each eligible player a second check indication or a second bet indication and accept a second Play wager of a second, intermediate value from each eligible player who made the second bet indication; verify revelation of a second community card of the at least three community cards; receive from each eligible player a fold indication or a third bet indication and accept a third Play wager of a third, least value from each eligible player who made the third bet indication; verify revelation of a third community card of the at least three community cards; identify a best hand for each eligible player from the player cards and the at least three community cards; and pay a first payout on a first basis for the ante wager and a second payout on a second, different basis for any Play wager to each eligible player holding a best hand of a predetermined rank or higher.

17. 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 each participating player; deal player cards to each participating player, face up; deal at least three community cards, face down; receive from each participating player a first check indication or a first bet indication and accept a first Play wager of a first, greatest value from each participating player who made the first bet indication; reveal a first community card of the at least three community cards; receive from each eligible player a second check indication or a second bet indication and accept a second Play wager of a second, intermediate value from each eligible player who made the second bet indication; reveal a second community card of the at least three community cards; receive from each eligible player a fold indication or a third bet indication and accept a third Play wager of a third, least value from each eligible player who made the third bet indication; reveal a third community card of the at least three community cards; identify a best hand for each eligible player from the player cards and the at least three community cards; and pay a first payout on a first basis for the ante wager and a second payout on a second, different basis for any Play wager to each eligible player holding a best hand of a predetermined rank or higher.

18. An electronic gaming machine for administering a wagering game, comprising: at least one player display and at least one player interface; wherein the player interface enables a player to input a wager instruction; and at least one processor programmed to: accept an ante wager from each participating player; deal player cards to each participating player, face up; deal at least three community cards, face down; receive from each participating player a first check indication or a first bet indication and accept a first Play wager of a first, greatest value from each participating player who made the first bet indication; reveal a first community card of the at least three community cards; receive from each eligible player a second check indication or a second bet indication and accept a second Play wager of a second, intermediate value from each eligible player who made the second bet indication; reveal a second community card of the at least three community cards; receive from each eligible player a fold indication or a third bet indication and accept a third Play wager of a third, least value from each eligible player who made the third bet indication; reveal a third community card of the at least three community cards; identify a best hand for each eligible player from the player cards and the at least three community cards; and pay a first payout on a first basis for the ante wager and a second payout on a second, different basis for any Play wager to each eligible player holding a best hand of a predetermined rank or higher.

19. The electronic gaming machine of claim 18, wherein the at least one player display comprises a single player display configured for single player play.

20. The electronic gaming machine of claim 19, wherein the at least one player display comprises a common display, wherein the machine is configured for multiple players to play the same game.

Images