WO1997039810A1 - Modified baccarat game - Google Patents

Abstract

Modifications to the game of Baccarat which permit the addition of bets which are not available in the normal game. In the first form of modified game, the player can bet on two or three tied results and, if the first such result occurs, a marker is used to indicate no further bets. If there is a second tie, the marker is used to indicate that payout is being made to persons with live bets on double ties. If a third tie results, the marker is again changed to indicate the status before payout. The game also provides a jackpot system which may also use ties or other rare results and is arranged so that there are payouts for various events leading up to the jackpot and, on the predetermined series of events triggering the jackpot, players having a live bet share part of or the total jackpot.

Description

MODIFIED BACCARAT GAME

This invention relates to improvements in games, and in particular, to improvements in the table

game Baccarat.

Basically, Baccarat, is designed to be played between the Casino, or house, which is the banker,

and a number of other players. In Baccarat, there are seats for eight or more, up to fourteen other

players. This game uses eight packs of cards. In another version of the game, called Mini-

Baccarat, there can be seats for seven players, and which uses six packs of cards.

In this specification, the term Baccarat will be used for each of these, and they will be

differentiated only where necessary.

It will be appreciated that the reason for the substantial number of cards, is to prevent any player

meaningfully counting the cards so that they can maximise their chances of a winning bet.

The Baccarat table normally has positions in front of each player, the positions containing a

number, an area in which bets can be placed on the Player's result succeeding, a further second

position in front of each player, in which there can be placed on the Banker's result succeeding,

and a still further position in association with each player which is for tied bets.

In normal play, each player bets against the house or bank, and when the cards are being dealt

one hand is for the bank and one for the players. If the Banker's hand prevails, then all Player's bets are lost, and are taken by the house, and

Banker's bets are paid at even money less commission (normally 5%) and if the Player's hand

prevails then each Player's bet is good and is paid at even money and all Banker's bets are taken

by the house.

In the case of hands where the bank and the players cards are equal in value, that is a tie, then all

bets stand. In these circumstances, if a player has a bet against a tie, then this bet is paid at

relatively substantial odds, normally 8-1. If there is no tie then such bets are recovered by the

house.

It is the object of this invention to add to the game of Baccarat certain further bets which can add

to the interest ofthe game, and which can also, if successful, lead to a substantially higher return

to the player than can otherwise be the case. Of course, in order to do this, the odds against the

bet succeeding are proportionally high.

The invention includes in the game of Baccarat, a table layout which has in addition to the

normal stations of a Baccarat table, and at least one further betting station, in which the player

can place a bet or bets in respect of a result which is less common than those normally achieved

in Baccarat.

In one aspect ofthe invention, the additional betting station includes a place for betting against

a double tie, that is two consecutive ties, or a triple tie, that is three consecutive ties. The invention also includes in a game of Baccarat having additional betting stations, means

whereby the status of the bet can readily be seen, thus permitting the operators to control the

placement of and paying the bets.

These means may comprise a marker bearing indices to indicate the status ofthe bet, or could

comprise a series of lights, operated by the croupier which indicate the status ofthe bet.

The arrangement could also be used for specific ties, rather than a number of ties. For example

the arrangement could be for a payment to be made when each ofthe Banker's and the Players'

hand have naturals or, say, there is a six card tie with all the cards being the same number but of no specific suit or ofthe same suit.

The further object ofthe game is to provide a means whereby, Baccarat can be used to trigger

a jackpot game, with the jackpot being available for the particular table or in the form of a linked

jackpot, amongst a number of tables or even a number of venues.

In this aspect, the invention includes the provision in a Baccarat table, and associated with each

player position a slot or the like which is adapted to receive a marker, which will be used towards

the jackpot, means whereby the total sums invested on a jackpot bet can be ascertained and

means whereby on the triggering event of the jackpot occurring, the sum payable to those persons

betting on the jackpot on that particular hand, can be paid. In order that the invention can be more readily understood, I will describe in relation to the

accompanying drawings aspects ofthe game. In these drawings;

Fig 1. Shows one half of a full Baccarat table layout showing a double/triple tie line;

Fig 2. Shows 2 views of one form of marker to indicate the status ofthe multiple ties game; and

Fig 3. Shows a form of Mini-Baccarat table adapted for use with the jackpot game, together

with the multiple ties game, although the jackpot game can be played without the

multiple ties game..

Referring firstly to Fig 1 of the drawings, the table used by the players can be considered

effectively similar to a completely standard Baccarat table, with the exception ofthe insertion of an additional set of betting positions, shown in the figure between the tie line and the position

where the cards are dealt. As illustrated, each of these positions, in fact, is effectively divided

into two, on one of which there can be an indication that it is for a double tie, and as will be

described, this can pay at 90-1 , or a triple tie, which can pay at 900-1.

As far as playing the game is concerned, the normal play is completely unaffected. That is to

say, a player can place a bet on the Player or Banker station associated with his seat, or on the

tie line as associated with his seat.

In the Baccarat game, where there can be 14 seated players, there can be additional player

stations and tie stations separate from those associated with seats, which can be used by standing

players who cannot get a seat at the table. The difference lies in the provision ofthe double and triple tie line provided.

If a player wishes to place a bet on a double tie or a triple tie, or both, the required tokens are

placed in the appropriate positions on this line.

The normal Baccarat hand is played, and if either the bank or the players win, then the bet on the

tie lines are removed as losing bets.

If there is a tie, that is if both the hands add to the same, then any bets on the tie line are paid,

again in the completely conventional way, at 8-1 to the appropriate player.

At this time, the dealer indicate that the players are playing for a double tie on the table, and any

double or triple tie bets are frozen. The method of marking can be by the use of a marker as

illustrated in Fig 2 or an electronic version of this which can be mounted above the table and can

either take a form similar to the marker, or could be differently set up. The marker, at this time

is set up as illustrated in the upper view of Fig 2 so that the marking "MULTIPLE TIE BETS FROZEN".

Players can still bet on the normal tie line.

When the next hand is played, if there is a further tie, then the marker is rotated to the second

position, illustrated in the second view of Fig 2 with "2^ND TIES" being directed towards the players and those players who have a live bet on the double tie will be paid at 90-1. If there is

no tie, then the bets on the double and triple tie positions are lost, and the marker is removed.

Should the next hand be a tie, then the marker is again rotated so that the face towards the player

shows "3^RD TIES" players who have live bets on the triple tie are paid at 900-1. Because ofthe

effective odds, the movement of the marker to this position can alert the pit boss and the

scrutineers that a high value bet has been won.

If a subsequent tie does not occur, then all bets on the triple ties are lost and the tie lines are

cleared and new bets can be placed on these.

Under either result, the tie bets are then completed and the next hand is a conventional hand and

any ofthe tie bets can be placed.

It will be seen that the addition of the feature of the invention can add substantially to the

excitement ofthe game, particularly if a double tie has occurred, but at the same time it does not

in any way slow down the game, the only additional time taken is to set up the marker and to pay

the additional bets.

Having these, does not in any way, minimise the profitability ofthe table, as indeed, it will be

obtaining profits from the tie bets and the relatively small number of successful triple tie bets

would not mean that the payment of relatively large sums would overly delay the game. To ascertain the true odds ofthe game, I had an actuary run a simulation of 273,405 shoes using

eight decks of cards, which led to 22,254,900 hands being played. During the playing of these

hands, there were:

167,839 double ties;

14,836 triple ties;

1 ,404 quadruple ties; and

150 quintuple ties.

This means that the odds of:

Double ties were 118:1;

Triple ties 1,355:1;

Quadruple ties 14,319:1;

Quintuple ties 134,034:1.

From these odds it was decided that paying double ties at 90-1 and triple ties at 900-1, gave

results which were generally satisfactory to the player and to the house. These odds could be varied as required by the casino within limits permitted by the appropriate gaming authorities.

In an alternative form ofthe invention, rather then using the number of ties to provide a result,

I can use particular ties. For example, I have had actuarial tests done using 284,000 shoes of eight decks of cards which

resulted in 23,516,862,00 hands being played, and during these hands looked for the following

results.

The frequency ofthe results is associated with each of these.

Result 1 , a six card tie with all six cards being the same number, but any suit, results 98, odds

239,966:1.

Result 2, a four card tie with all four cards being the same number and the same suit, results are 113, odds 208,112:1.

Result 3, a five card tie with all the cards being the same suit, results 2,995, odds 7,851:1.

Result 4, a four card tie with all four cards being the same number but any suit, results 4,033,

odds 5,830:1

Result 5, a five card tie with the cards being any suit, results 686,397, odds 33.3:1.

I could use these results, with adopted odds sufficient to provide a reasonable hold for the house,

but at the same an attractive result for the player to provide additional bets for players. I could also incoφorate in such a game certain results which have a meaning in Baccarat, such

as a tie using a natural eight and a natural nine tie. Such a tie, in any suit, has actuarial odds of

54: 1. Such a tie could be paid at a pay out of, say 45-1.

If such a bet was based on a same suit result, the actuarial odds is 3117: 1 and this could be used

to provide a bonus of, say, $500 per live entry.

A further alternative would be for ties where the Players' hand has a natural nine, a 9 and 10 of

any suit and the Banker a 5 and a 4 or he Players' hand a natural eight, an 8 and 10 of any suit

and the Banker a 5 and 3.

The odds of either of these, with any suit is 450:1 and the same suit 37,558:1.

The pay out odds could be, say 400-1 with a bonus of $1,000 for the same suit.

In a further aspect ofthe game I provide a jackpot system which can be used on a single table or

which can be used linked with a number of other tables, and possibly with tables not only in a

single venue but also in linked separate venues. This can be introduced separately from the

double and triple tie arrangement described above or can be used in association therewith.

In this aspect ofthe invention, as shown in Fig 3, 1 provide a betting slot associated with each

players position, which slot is adapted to receive a token and which has associated therewith,

means to recognise the fact that a token has been inserted and, possibly, also, the value ofthe token. As illustrated, the slot is between the triple tie and double tie positions but if the

double/triple tie and jackpot combination are not to be used, the slots can be placed in any

satisfactory position on the table.

In this form of game, when bets are being placed for each hand, it is open to each player to insert

a token or tokens into the slot.

The insertion of the tokens actuates an indicator to show that the jackpot bet is live for that

particular player for that hand, and, at the same time, the values of the tokens inserted, less a

house percentage, are summed into the jackpot pool and the hand is played in the conventional way.

One form of jackpot result could be by way of ties, as in the first embodiment.

One possible arrangement is that if there is a first tie, all players having a live jackpot bet get 4/1 ,

and for the purposes of description, this is considered to be $4. If there is a second tie, then each

player with a live bet will get 40/1, if a third 400/1, these payments coming out of the house

percentage. If there are four consecutive ties, 10% of the jackpot is shared between all players

who have live bets in the jackpot and if a fifth tie, the remainder of the jackpot is shared between

the players having live bets on the table.

The jackpot could also be triggered by a rare result, or a combination of rare results, but it is

believed that repetitive ties is the most satisfactory method of selecting winners ofthe jackpot., Whilst we have described herein a number of different aspect ofthe game ofthe invention, it is

to be understood that variations and modifications of these can be added without departing from

the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

Claims

We claim:

1. In the game of Baccarat, a table layout which has in addition to the normal stations of a

Baccarat table, and at least one further betting station, in which the player can place a bet

or bets in respect of a result which is less common than those normally achieved..

2. A game of Baccarat as claim in claim 1 wherein the additional betting station includes

a place for betting against a double tie, that is two consecutive ties, or a triple tie, that is

three consecutive ties.

3. In a game of Baccarat as claim in claim 1 or claim 2 having additional betting stations,

means whereby the status ofthe bet can readily be seen, thus permitting the operators to

control the placement of and paying the bets.

4. A game of Baccarat as claimed in claim 3 wherein the means to show the status ofthe bet

comprises a marker bearing indices to indicate the status of the bet, which market is

placed on a required position on the table by the dealer.

5. A game of Baccarat as claimed in claim 3 wherein the means to show the status of the

bet, comprise at least one indicator light, operated by the dealer which indicate the status

ofthe bet.

6. In a game of Baccarat as claimed in claim 1 an arrangement where a result is triggered

by specific predetermined ties, rather than a number of ties.

7. A game as claimed in claim 6 wherein the result is triggered when each ofthe Banker's

and the Players' hands have naturals or, say, there is a six card tie with all the cards being

the same number but of no specific suit or ofthe same suit.

8. The provision in a Baccarat table, and associated with each player position a slot or the

like which is adapted to receive a marker, which will be used towards a jackpot, means

whereby the total sums invested on a jackpot bet can be ascertained and means whereby

on the triggering event of the jackpot occurring, the sum payable to those persons betting

on the jackpot on that particular hand, are paid.

9. A Baccarat game using a table as claimed in claim 8 wherein the Jackpot can be triggered

by the occurrence of a number of events and wherein the Jackpot can progressively be

paid over a number of different events.

10. A game as claimed in claim 9 wherein the events are ties.

11. A game as claimed in claim 10 wherein for a low number of ties in adjacent hands, fixed

sums are paid and for higher numbers of ties, a percentage ofthe total Jackpot is paid, the

arrangement being such that on a pre-determined number of ties, the total Jackpot is

divided amongst those players having live bets.

12. A game as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the events are different hands in a tie, the Jackpot

being paid on a hand which has a substantial degree of rarity.

13. A game as claimed in claim 12 wherein there can be part payments of the Jackpot on

hands which have a lesser degree of rarity.