GB2214389A

GB2214389A - Video Brag Game Machine with Higher-Lower Gamble Feature

Info

Publication number: GB2214389A
Application number: GB8824626A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Phillips Mccann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-01-08
Filing date: 1988-10-02
Publication date: 1989-08-31
Anticipated expiration: 2008-10-02
Also published as: GB8824626D0; GB2214389B

Abstract

A video card game machine displays three cards face up and awards prizes for the combination according to the rules of brag. Displayed cards may be exchanged. A player may gamble prizes on a card value game in which he or she guesses the value of a comparison card displayed face down relative to an initial card displayed face up. The card value game may be played several times, resulting in the displaying of several cards face up, in which case a bonus prize may be awarded if these cards form a good poker or brag hand.

Description

A VIDEO GAME MACHINE The present invention relates to a video card game machine.

Generally speaking, conventional video card game machines award prizes according to chance, with a minimum amount of skill involved. There is thus a need for a video card game machine which provides a gambling opportunity combined with the exercise of skill.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a video card game machine.

In this Specification the term "brag" is intended to cover any form or variation of brag game and associated rules or any similar game for example poker.

According to the invention there is provided a video card game machine comprising: B visual display uni; a user control pAnel: acceptance means for accepting currency or tokens representing currency; and a control unit comprising means for directing the playing of a brag game in which three cards are displayed on the visual display unit at any one time; means for awarding prizes according to a combination of three cards displayed; means for directing the playing of a card value game in which an initial card is randomly displayed face up and a comparison card is displayed face down; and means for awarding prizes corresponding to a user guess of the value of the comparison card relative to the initial card.

In one embodiment the control unit comprises means for initiating the card value game subsequent to the brag game if a user achieves a pre-set prize level at the brag game, the brag game prize being gambled in the card value game.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method of operating a video card game machine comprising the steps of: inserting currency or tokens representing currency into the card game machine; the card game machine initiating a brag game by displaying three cards face up and awarding prizes according to the combination of three cards according to the rules of brag; the card game machine then initiating a card value game by displaying an initial card face up and a comparison card face down if a user achieves a pre-set prize level; inputting a guess as the value of the comparison card relative to the initial card; and the card game machine awarding prizes according to the guess.

Ideally, the step of playing the brag game includes the further step of exchanging one of the displayed cards for another displayed card.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a video card game machine according to the invention; and Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating portion of the machine in more detail.

Referring to the drawings, there is provided a video card game machine indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The machine 1 comprises a visual display unit (VDU) 2, a control panel 3, a control unit 4 and a hopper 5 with associated solenoids for reception of currency or tokens representing currency. The video card game machine 1 further comprises indicating lights 6 for indicating use of the control panel 3. The control unit 4 (three Fig. 2) comprises a microprocessor 8, input ports 12 and output ports 13, A programmable memory is provided by an EPROM 9 and a RAM circuit 10. A battery back-up circuit 11 is provided for the RAM circuit 10. The video card game machine 1 includes prize dispensing means, not shown for paying out prizes, preferably money prizes.

To play the machine, a player inserts one or more coins into the hopper S and the machine, in turn, initiates a brag game by displaying three playing cards. The machine 1 is programmed to award a prize if the displayed cards form a desired combination, according to the rules of brag. The prizes awarded depend on the quality of the combination for example, three Threes will have a higher prize than three Kings. In this embodiment, the machine can also display two jokers which may be regarded as "wild" cards. The player has the option of exchanging any of the displayed cards in an effort to improve his or her "hand". However, only three cards are displayed at any time.

If a prize is awarded for the brag game, the machine then proceeds by displaying an initial card and instructions to give the player the option of receiving the prize awarded or gambling the prize in a further game of chance, namely, a card value game. The player uses the control panel 3 to indicate his or her choice of whether or not to proceed.

In this embodiment, a comparison card is illustrated face down on the visual display unit 2 until the player guesses its value relative to the initial card displayed. The guess is then fed into the machine by the player and the comparison card displayed. If the guess is correct, the player is awarded a prize double that won in the brag game, however, if the guess is incorrect the original prize from the brag game is withdrawn.

At this stage the player again has the option of receiving his award or opting to continue with another guess game.

In this latter case the visual display unit 2 displays another comparison card "face down" and the card value game is again played. As long as the player guesses correctly the process is continued until five cards are displayed face up on the visual display unit 2. If the player has guessed correctly for each of the five cards, the fifth card is moved to the left and becomes an initial card for a repetition of the card value game. The process is then repeated one more time only. The player may be awarded a bonus prize if the set of five cards forms a good poker or brag hand.

The prizes awarded for the card value game need not necessarily be double the prize for the brag game.

It is envisaged that a speaker may be provided for instructing players. The player need not necessarily be given the option of withdrawing at certain stages, in which case it may be specified that one brag game plus any specified number of card value games must be played. The video card game machine need not necessarily combine the cards used for the card value game to form a poker or brag hand for bonus prizes.

It will be appreciated that by displaying only three cards for the brag game, the game is kept relatively simple while at the same time it is exciting and enjoyable. A large amount of skill is involved in the card value game and a player may choose the amount of gambling desired by ending after the brag game or any of the card value games.

Further, a player may exercise skill in the brag game by exchanging one or more of the three cards displayed.

Claims

~CLAI138

1. A video card game machine comprising± a visual display unit; a user control panel; acceptance means for accepting currency or tokens representing currency; and a control unit comprising means for directing the playing of a brag game in which three cards are displayed on the visual display unit at any one time; means for awarding prizes according to a combination of three cards displayed; means for directing the playing of a card value game in which an initial card is randomly displayed face up and a comparison card is displayed face down; and means for awarding prizes corresponding to a user guess of the value of the comparison card relative to the initial card.

2. A video card game machine as claimed in claim 1 in which the control unit comprises means for exchanging a displayed card in the brag game according to user instructions.

3, A video card game machine as claimed in claims 1 or 2 in which the control unit comprises means for initiating the card value game subsequent to the brag game if a user achieves a pre-set prize level at the brag game, the brag game prize being gambled in the card value game.

4. A video card game machine as claimed in claim 3 in which the prize awarded for the card value game is double that awarded for the brag game.

5. A video card game machine as claimed in any preceding claim in which the control unit comprises means for directing the playing of additional card value games if a user achieves a pre-set prize level at the first card value game.

6. A video card game machine as claimed in claim 5 in which the control unit comprises means for awarding a pri2e for the combination of a plurality of cards displayed face up in the card value games according to the rules of brag.

7. A video card game machine as claimed in any preceding claim in which the control unit includes a random access memory device and an independent battery for the random access memory device.

8. A method of operating a video card game machine comprising the steps of: inserting currency or tokens reprenenting currency into the card game machine; the card game machine initiating a brag game by displaying three cards face up and awarding prizes according to the combination of three cards according to the rules of brag; the card game machine then initiating a card value game be displaying an initial card face up and a comparison card face down if a user achieves a pre-set prize level; the user inputting a guess of the value of the comparison card relative to the initial card; and the card game machine awarding prizes according to the guess.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8 in which the step of playing the brag game includes the further step of exchanging a displayed card for another displayed card.

10. A method as claimed in claim 8 or 9 in which the prizes awarded according to the guess are a multiple of the prizes awarded according to the combination of three cards displayed.

11. A video card game machine substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

12. A method of operating a video card game machine substantially as described with reference to the drawings.