US20100276884A1

US20100276884A1 - Mega Poker

Info

Publication number: US20100276884A1
Application number: US12/387,726
Authority: US
Inventors: Gilberto Aguilera
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-04-30
Filing date: 2009-04-30
Publication date: 2010-11-04

Abstract

Mega poker is a new game of chance played on a table similer to the table used in the casino game of Craps, but with a different layout design: 18 places for bets are provided, color printed on the table surface within 3 large and 4 small triangles; playing chips specifically designed for Mega Poker are round discs color printed on both their sides with the symbols: arrow, balloon, bullet, camel, canoe, diamond, dolphin, football, horse, mermaid, pyramid, parrot and turtle; a Spin Wheel device is used to select winners, it functions much the same as a lazy susan, featuring an outer circle which is stationary and shows the same identical bets as displayed on the table surface, and an inner circle which is manually made to rotate and it has an arrow to point at a specific winning hand when its spin comes to a rest.

Description

BACKGROUND

Wheels, as games of chance, have been traced back to ancient Greece, where its soldiers would spin their shields and bet where it would stop, a sword pointing out the winning slot. In Rome, Caesar and his court played chariot wheels with an arrow pointer which he had installed in the game room in his palaces. Some events, even the fate of disfavored ones were sealed by Caesar using the spin of a wheel as an oracle. From such elementary beginnings emerged games of spinning wheels that were further developed in France, early in the 19th century. In modern times wheels are still used to play some very interesting games that magnetize the attention of many players.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Title of Invention: Mega Poker.
Equipment:
The Table:

- A rectangular shape with round corners.
- Dimensions: 9 Ft. wide
  - 6 Ft. deep
  - 38″ high

A railing 6″ wide and 12″ high from the table surface provides 14 players positions and chip racks. Foot rests for players are built-in at the bottom of the table.
With a green felt backdrop the table surface is divided into 14 color printed zones: 5 on the right hand side, 5 on the left hand side, and 4 on the front. See FIG. 1
Lines and colors separate these zones, their colors are: lilac, lime, pink, gray and orange. Letters: L L P G O. The 4 players at the front share the last 12 of a total 21 bets, keeping their bets separate by placing them inside their respective zones. In theory, space is limited, but in actual practice the table dimensions allow these 4 zones also to display the entire 21 bets.
Color printed in the zones are the various symbols that represent the bets:


a) NINE poker hands:	Royal Flush	Full House
	Straight Flush	Flush
	5 of a kind	Straight
	4 of a kind	3 of a kind
		2 pairs
b) TWELVE symbols:	Mega	Hearts
	Joker	Spades
	Odd	Diamonds
	Even	Clubs
	Black	Red
		White
		Blue

The hand 1 pair has been excluded on purpose to accommodate other symbols and yet keep total bets at 21.
As referenced in this text the words: symbols and bets have the same meaning.
The Spin Wheel:
At rear center of table is located a Spin Wheel Device 18″ in diameter containing the exact same symbols displayed on the table surface.
The spin wheel is illustrated in FIG. 2 as two concentric circles. The inner circle rotates and has an arrow point to show, when spin stops, the bets that win, and by default the bets that lose.
With a function similar to that of a Lazy Susan, the inner circle of the spin wheel rotates on casters fitted with bushings to keep them in their tracks.
The outer circle is stationary. Its perimeter shows the exact same quantity and type of symbols displayed on the table.
The bets in the outer circle may be interspersed at random or listed in their ranking values order as presented above.
The Chips:
Players may buy Mega Poker chips from the table bank. These thin discs have numbers color printed on both their sides: 1, 5, 25, etc., indicative of their value.
For the players their value is the price paid for them. Mega Poker chips valid only at Mega Poker table. Their value or use somewhere else is none. Must be redeemed at the Mega Poker table.
The Personnel:

- a) The dealers (2) who help run the game, may spin the wheel, place bets at players' requests, pay all winners bets and collect all losers bets.
- b) The Boxman (1) who supervises the game, spins the wheel and handles currency.
- c) The players.

Rules of Mega Poker-First Format:
Table limits: Minimum: 5 dollars

- Maximum: 5 thousand dollars

ALL bets are ONE dollar each without ceiling. This means that larger bets are accepted up to the 5 thousand maximum.
One or more single 5 dollars bets or 5 or more separate ONE dollar each, bets meet the table minimum requirement.
Every time the spin wheel stops and points at a bet, a decision is made: some bets win, and by default, other bets lose, except as provided otherwise by these rules.
Special Features of Some Bets:

- a) MEGA and JOKER bets,inherently have 3 spins or chances to win. If in their 3 turns they do not win, they do not lose either, they are given a stand off and await the next spin for a decision. On the FOURTH spin if they do not win then they lose.
- b) Players may take odds on MEGA and on JOKER bets before their second spin and again before their third spin. These additional odds bets may be less but not more than 3 times the original bet.
- Dealers keep track of spins with discs numbered 1st, 2nd, and 3rd spins. Remember: on the 4th spin MEGA and JOKER bets either win or lose.
- c) BLACK: when this bet is pointed ALL bets lose, except MEGA and JOKER in their 1st, 2nd and 3rd spins.
- d) Bets on BLACK to win allowed.

The Pay Offs:


2 pairs
3 of a kind	{close oversize brace}	2 for 1
Straight
Flush
	3 for 1
Full House		4 for 1
4 of a kind		5 for 1
5 of a kind		6 for 1
straight Flush		7 for 1
Royal Flush		31 for 1
MEGA		13 for 1
JOKER		13 for 1
Odd		11 for 1
Even		12 for 1
Black		ALL bets lose, except
		MEGA and JOKER 1st,
		2nd and 3rd spins.
BLACK (bet to win)		11 for 1
Match dealer		10 for 1
Higher than dealer		9 for 1
Lower than dealer		9 for 1
Hearts
Spades
Diamonds
Clubs	{close oversize brace}	2 for 1
Red
White
Blue

The management retains unlimited authority to establish all pay offs.
The management also retains the right to alter above rules and format with the prior written consent of the Inventor.
A total of 21 bets is shown on both the table surface and the wheel, the management further retains the right to change the total bets to be either 7, 11, 13, 15 or 18 and adjust table surface and wheel displays to conform,if it is more suitable for their purposes.
How to Play Mega Poker:
It is easy. After all bets are placed the Boxman spins the wheel, and when it stops and points at a given symbol, dealers pay all winning bets and collect all losers bets.
Then, new bets are placed and the game goes on.
Second Format:
Included in this application for a Patent for Mega poker is an alternative method to play the game:
Under this variant, the same table shape and dimensions is retained, and the rules are the same.
But now the dealers' spin wheel is only 12″ in diameter, PLUS each player has his own mini wheel 8″ in diameter.
All above wheels as well as the table surface display the exact same symbols for bets as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4
Instead of red, white and blue, 3 different new bets are added: Match dealer, Higher than dealer and Lower than dealer.
And an extra slot is added to the dealers wheel: PLAYERS WIN actually this slot is not a bet, rather a way for the bank to reward the players. When it wins ALL bets are paid even money at face value up to 5 dollars each bet. Bets for more than 5 dollars each, still get paid the 5 dollars limit.
Chips for this SECOND format are also different, they are still round thin discs but either with:

- a) Colors printed on both their sides: Aqua, black, blue, brown, coral, gold, gray, green, ivory, lilac, lime, olive, orange, pink, purple, red, white, yellow.
- b) Figures inlaid on both their sides: Arrow, balloon, bullet, camel, canoe, diamond, football, pearl, pyramid, robot, star, apple, lemon, rose, cherry, eagle, dolphin, frog, horse, mermaid, parrot, turtle.

SECOND format Mega Poker table display is different from the table display in FIRST format. The bets are within pyramids, are separated by lines, and the players may share bet spots while keeping their bets apart because each player uses his own color or inlaid chips.
In Mega Poker FIRST format only the dealer has a spin wheel, and its results can be seen by both the dealer and the players to decide which bets win or lose.
In the SECOND format of Mega Poker the spin results can also be seen by both the dealer and by each player in turn, but the comparison is made between the dealers' wheel and the players' mini wheels to decide which bets win or lose.
How to Play Mega Poker-Second Format
After all bets are in place, the Boxman and ALL the players spin their wheels at the same time.
As the wheels are turning the dealers cover all the players' mini wheels with a black, round, plastic lid which does not prevent the mini wheels' spin.
Players are not allowed to touch the lid.
Dealers' wheel spins uncovered.
When dealers' wheel stops spinning the dealer uncovers each players' mini wheel one at a time in left to right rotation, and compares results to decide which bets win, and by default, which bets lose.
The dealers pay all winners bets and collect all losers bets.
Then, new bets are placed and the game goes on.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 Top view of table

- This drawing illustrates the table surface for Mega Poker FIRST format. Shown are the locations of the Dealers (2) and the Boxman, (letters D, B, D) At mid center is the site of the dealers 18″ Spin Wheel. At rear top of the table is a small rectangle indicating where the bank stacks its currency. Also identified in this drawing are 14 players positions. The table surface displays 14 zones, one per player. Zones divided by lines and colors, and within the 21 bets available. Zones colors are: lilac, lime, pink, gray and orange, described on the table with the letters: L L P G and O.

FIG. 2 Top view Spin Wheel

- Refers to FIRST format. Drawing illustrates dealers' 18″ diameter Spin Wheel as 2 concentric circles. The inner circle rotates and has an arrow point to indicate, when spin comes to a rest, the bets that win, and by default the bets that lose. The outer circle is stationary and its perimeter shows the exact same symbols displayed on the table surface. Symbols may be interspersed at random, or displayed in ranking order sequence. Wheel function is similar to that of a Lazy Susan, turns on casters fitted with bushings to keep them in their tracks. The letters
  - a) indicates the arrow point
  - b) the spin knob
  - c) direction of rotation.

FIG. 3 Top view of table

- Illustrated here is the table surface for Mega Poker SECOND format. Note bets are within pyramids and separated by lines. The inset at top rear of table specifies where the bank keeps its currency. At mid center top is the site for the dealers' wheel which is now 12″ in diameter. Also portrayed here are the 14 players' mini wheels, they are 8″ in diameter. The numbers 1 through 14 define the players' positions. Note: red, white and blue bets replaced with 3 new ones: Match dealer, Higher than dealer, and Lower than dealer. Letters D, b, and D show location of dealers (2) and Boxman.

FIG. 4 Top view Spin Wheel

- This drawing for Mega Poker SECOND format shows the players' mini wheel 8″ in diameter, as 2 concentric circles. The inner circle rotates and has an arrow point. When spin stops the point identifies bets that win, and by default bets that lose. Symbols may be interspersed at random, or listed in ranking order sequence. The outer circle is stationary, and its perimeter shows the exact same symbols displayed on the table surface, and on the dealers' 12″ diameter wheel.

The letters:

- a) indicate the arrow point
- b) the spin knob
- c) direction of rotation.

Note the extra wheel slot: PLAYERS WIN, which is not actually a bet, rather a way for the bank to reward the players.

Claims

1. Mega Poker is a new game of chance played on a table surface similar to the table used in the casino game of Craps, but with a different layout design featuring 18 places for bets within 3 large and 4 small triangles.

2. Playing chips also specifically designed for Mega Poker are rounds discs color printed on both their sides with the symbols: arrow, balloon, bullet, camel, canoe, diamond, dolphin, football, horse, mermaid, pyramid, parrot, star, and turtle; different symbol chips are assigned to each player so their bets are not confused.

3. The Spin Wheel device as shown on FIG. 2 has a function similar to that of a lazy susan, illustrated here as two concentric circles, the inner circle rotates, it is manually activated, and it is fitted with an arrow to point at a given symbol as the winning hand, when its spin comes to a rest; the outer circle is stationary and displays the same identical bets as shown on the surface of the table within the 3 large and 4 small triangles.