Gambling game system and method for remotely-located players

ES 2 324 459 T3

DESCRIPTION

System and method of gambling for players in remote situations.

Sector and background of the invention

The present invention relates to gambling systems and methods, and particularly to systems and methods that enable players located in remote or "remote" locations to participate in the gambling system.

As the use of individual personal computers increases and with the growing use of the internet communications network, many gambling systems have been developed that are used today, allowing players in remote situations to play games of chance through from Internet. The systems currently available are virtual systems that display, on the player's screen, a simulated or virtual gaming device, such as a roulette wheel, card table, or slot machine, into which the player can place a bet on your own station, that is, the player's station. A data processing system "automatically" credits the player for "winnings" and charges the player for "losses", according to the specific choice of the game.

However, said known systems, in which the player sees on his screen a simulated or virtual image of the gaming device, do not produce the same feeling of fun as in a gaming casino, nor do they induce in the player the same confidence in the game. integrity of the game system with regard to the possibility of electronic manipulation of the results. In fact, some administrations prohibit gaming systems that contain simulated or virtual images of gaming devices because of the possibility of electronically manipulating the results. A further drawback of many of the virtual gaming device systems is that the player must frequently download large amounts of software to the player's computer before the player can even begin playing the game.

Document US-A-4 339 798 relates to a remotely available gaming system for use with a betting or gaming establishment, such as a casino.

Document US-A-5 762 552 refers to an interactive, real-time network game system.

Object and brief summary of the invention

A broad aspect of the present invention is to provide a system and method for gambling that has advantages over the above aspects.

In accordance with a broad aspect of the present invention, a random gaming system is disclosed, comprising: a central station that includes a series of betting-type gaming devices, each of which comprises an element of chance , and an electronic camera for each game device; a series of player stations located at remote or remote positions with respect to the central station, each of the player stations including a monitor for displaying a selected gaming device at the central station and input means for selecting a gaming device and for placing a bet by a player at the player's station relating to a action involving an element of chance that can occur on the selected gaming device; and data processing means for: (a) establishing communication between the central station and each of the player stations; (b) authorize a player, at each player station, via input means at the player station to select a game device at the central station, to view through the player station monitor what is happening at the selected gaming device and placing a bet through input devices at the player's station relative to the action involving the appearance of an element of chance on the selected gaming device; (c) displaying on the monitor of the player's station the action that involves an element of chance as an action that takes place on the selected game device; (d) determine whether such action, after it has occurred, has resulted in a "win" or "loss" on the bet placed; and (e) maintain a checking account for the player in which each win is recorded as a credit, and each loss as a debit or charge, according to the rates of the selected gaming device.

This system preferably uses a real casino as the central station and displays the real gaming device to the remotely located player during the real game of chance. Therefore, the system effectively moves the player to the casino, or the casino to the player. This increases the feeling and excitement for remote players that they are present in a real gambling casino. It also increases players' confidence in the integrity of the system against the possibility of electronic tampering.

According to other preferred characteristics of the embodiment of the invention that will be described later, the casino also comprises a microphone in each gaming device and each of the players' stations also comprises a loudspeaker; enabling a player at each player station to hear and also see what is happening on the selected gaming device as it occurs in the casino. These features increase the transfer of the atmosphere from the gaming casino to the remotely located player's station, as well as the players' confidence in the integrity of the system against the possibility of tampering.

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According to other preferred features of the preferred embodiment of the invention described below, the player's current account is continuously displayed and updated at the player's respective station. In this way, the player continuously receives information regarding the status of his account.

Preferably, the series of gambling type gaming devices at the central station comprises at least one in which the action involves an element of chance occurring on the gaming device in an action carried out by a person from the house at the central station (casino). The examples described of this type of game include those involving a table, such as a roulette table or a card game table, on which the action involving an element of chance is carried out by the person in the house. , such as the so-called dealer ("dealer"), in the casino. In such gaming devices, the casino would preferably also include a screen for each gaming device, and a data processing device would also display in the casino the bet made by each player with respect to each gaming device, as well as the current account. for each player.

For example, in case the gaming device is intended to play a card game, such as "blackjack", in which the card table has a player position for each of the players to play the game of letters, the central station (the casino) would comprise a camera to represent each of the card table player positions and a screen to display the bet and the player's current account at each card table game position, and each player station would include means for enabling the player to enter commands to the person of the house in the casino regarding the choices made by the player in playing the card game.

Preferably, the player at each gaming station would use the normal monitor and input means provided on personal computers, which would be programmed by software downloaded from the system on the player's personal computer to carry out the different display and input functions. However, in some cases, the player stations may be provided with an electronic camera selectively activatable by the player of the station to transmit the image of the player to the display of the respective player position on the card table. This feature would further enhance the creation of the atmosphere of a real gambling casino.

According to other characteristics of the preferred embodiment that has been described, the table can be a roulette table comprising a roulette wheel, the roulette wheel being displayed on the monitor of the corresponding player station, in such a way that the player You can place a bet on the table by the means of entry available at the player's station.

According to yet another feature, the suite of gaming devices at the central station (the casino) would include, at a minimum, one gaming device in which the action involving an element of chance occurring on the gaming device selected, it is an action carried out by the player in his station. Examples of gaming devices of the latter type include slot machines to be remotely activated by the player at the player's station or dice games to remotely roll dice by the player at the player's station.

According to other additional characteristics of the described preferred embodiment, the data processor means comprise a data processor in each player station, a data processor in the casino for each gaming device thereof, a central data processor for all casino gaming devices, and a communication system that establishes communication between all data processors. There may be a number of said casinos networked together, the data processor means enabling the player at the gaming station to select both a specific casino and a specific gaming device at the selected casino to place a bet.

The series of player stations can be found in different locations connected to the casino or casinos via the internet communication network, telephone lines, closed cable lines or any other data communication systems. It is also envisaged, however, that the series of player stations may be in a common location, for example in one or more satellite communications of a main gaming casino, located remote from the gaming casino, but connected to the same by the communications network.

The invention also comprises a method of providing gaming services to remotely located players, as described above.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention is described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a simplified illustration of one form of the gaming system made in accordance with the present invention;

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Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a part of the system of Figure 1 involved in a gaming device, for example, a blackjack table at the central station (a real casino);

Figure 3 is a simplified view of a blackjack card table in the casino of Figures 1 and 2, comprising the cameras, microphones and monitors thereof;

Figure 4 is a simplified representation of the screens and inputs at a player station for remotely playing the game of blackjack at the blackjack card table of Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows another dealer or dealer keyboard for use on the blackjack card table of Figure 3;

Figure 6 shows a typical screen and entries at a player station for playing roulette;

Figure 7 shows a "dealer" keyboard at a casino roulette table;

Figure 8a shows a slot machine, camera and data processor of the casino;

Figure 8b shows in a simplified way a typical screen and the inputs at the player's station for playing with the slot machine of Figure 8a;

Figure 9 is a flow chart showing the general operation of the system;

Figure 10 shows a presentation page ("Home Page") that is displayed to the player when initially making contact with the gaming systems;

Figure 11 shows a registration form to be shown to the player and to be filled out by the player as a means of establishing the necessary credit;

Figure 12 shows the cashier form to be shown to the player and which must be filled out by the player as another means of establishing credit;

Figure 13 shows an example of a screen displayed to the player to enable the player to select a casino and gaming device;

Figure 14 shows a display to the player when he selects the game of "black-jack";

Figure 15 shows a screen to be shown to the player, in order to enable the player to select another form of entertainment other than gaming, for example, while waiting for the opening on a selected gaming device;

Figure 16 is an illustration of a "Caribbean" open poker table in the casino of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 17 is a simplified illustration of the displays and inputs at a player station for remotely playing the open poker game "Caribbean" at the card table of Figure 16;

Figure 18 shows the keyboard of the dealer or "dealer" for use in the open poker table "Caribbean" of Figure 16;

Figure 19 is a simplified illustration of the player / customer monitor for open poker game;

Figure 20 is a simplified illustration of a baccarat table in the casino of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 21 is a simplified illustration of the displays and inputs at a player station for remotely playing the baccarat game at the card table of Figure 20; Y

Figure 22 shows in a simplified way the keyboard of the dealer or "dealer" for the game of baccarat.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

General system

Figure 1 schematically shows a gambling system made in accordance with the present invention and comprising a series of central stations (2a, 2n), each of which comprises a series of gambling devices of the bet type . For the sake of simplicity, Figure 1 shows only two central stations (2a, 2n), and only one of several types of gaming devices at each central station. Thus, the central station (2a) shows a slot machine (3), a roulette table (4) and a black-jack table (5),

ES 2 324 459 T3 while the central station (2n) shows a dice game (6), a “black-jack” table (7) and a roulette table (8). It will be noted that each of the two illustrated central stations (2a, 2n) would comprise a large number of slot machines, blackjack tables, roulette wheels and / or dice tables (and / or other gaming devices) , in order to receive a large number of players for each type of gaming device. The central stations (2a, 2n) could preferably be and would be real gambling casinos to receive the players in their premises and thus having the atmosphere of a real gambling casino.

The present invention indeed brings the real casino to remotely located players who may be located, for example, in other regions or other countries, and brings such distant players to the real casino, so that it enables such remote players to experience an immediate approach to the same atmosphere as a real gambling casino. As stated above, this not only increases the fun of the players when playing with the gaming devices, but also increases the confidence of the players in the integrity of the gaming devices against possible tampering, in comparison, for example, with currently known virtual gaming systems.

As further shown in Figure 1, each of the gaming devices comprises its own computer. Therefore, the slot machine (3) comprises its computer (3c); the roulette table (4) comprises the computer (4c); the blackjack table (5) comprises the computer (5c); and so on with respect to the other gaming devices shown in the two casinos (2a, 2b). Each of the casinos also comprises a server for servicing the computers of all the gaming devices of said casino. Thus, the casino (2a) comprises a server (10a) that serves the computers shown schematically in (3c-5c) of the gaming devices of said casino, and the casino (2b) comprises a server (10b) that provides service to the computers (6c-8c) of the gaming devices of said casino.

The servers (10a, 10b) of the casinos (2a, 2b) communicate with a server computer in a central place, generally indicated by numeral (20), which may be located in one of the casinos or in another location . The central location server computer (20) comprises a main controller (21) that processes data relating to all gaming devices in all casinos in the system. Figure 1 shows schematically the data manipulated by the main controller (21) including: financial data, indicated by the block (22), (for example, letters of credit, E bags, initial credit, etc.); casino data indicated by block (23), (for example, list of casinos, list of games, available seats, etc.); game data indicated by block (24), (for example, rules of each game); and security data, as indicated by block (25) securing all the data manipulated by the system.

Figure 1 also shows a series of player stations indicated schematically as (30a-30n), each of them located remotely with respect to the casinos (2a, 2b) and each of them making it possible for a player to play with a selected gaming device at a casino of your choice from such remote location. For example, any remote location that has a personal computer and access to the internet communication network or other communication system, could play a selected game at the selected casino. All that the player station would require would be a computer modem (31) including a monitor (32) and a telephone (33) having a microphone and a speaker. As will be more particularly described below, the monitor (32) is used to display, at the corresponding player station, the game selected in the casino, what happens there and other information; The microphone inside the phone (33) can be used by the player to transmit messages to a dealer or dealer of the chosen gaming device in the casino, and the microphone inside the phone can be used to reproduce the player's station. sound of the selected gaming device in the casino, including messages from the dealer to the player. If the monitor 32 is a television receiver, the receiver's speaker can be used to reproduce the sounds and messages from the casino.

The computer (31) of each of the player stations (30a-30n) can communicate with the casino (2a), (2b), through a direct connection with the casino or in most cases through the computer ( 20) from the central place server. This communication can take place by any known means of communication. Figure 1 shows, for the purposes of example, these communication options that include a direct line (41), the internet network (42), the telephone line (43), or through an ISDN line (44). Figure 1 also schematically shows the communication between the computer (20) of the central site server and each of the casinos (2a), (2n) in the network with the internet protocol (IP), through the lines (45), (46), (47), (48), respectively.

The black jack table

Figure 2 is an illustrative block diagram of one of the player's games at one of the casino stations, in this case the blackjack table (5) of the casino (2a) of Figure 1. As Shown in the figure, the blackjack table (5) comprises a computer (5c) connected to the main server of the casino (10a), which is connected to the computer (20) of the server of the central place. The blackjack table (5) can in turn be connected to any of the player's computers (31) in remote locations (30-30n) through communication lines (41-48) such as It has been described in the above with respect to Figure 1. Figure 3 schematically shows the blackjack table (5) in the casino, including its screens and cameras; Figure 4 schematically shows the displays and inputs at each of the player's stations (30) and Figure 5 schematically shows another dealer keyboard that can be used at the blackjack table in the casino. For the sake of simplification of the description, the “black-jack” table (5) has been shown including positions for two players.

ES 2 324 459 T3 only, so that in most cases, said blackjack tables receive a large number of player positions.

As shown particularly in Figures 2 and 3, the blackjack table (5) comprises two monitors (51), (51b) one for each of the two player positions. Monitors 51a, 51b display information, as will be described more specifically below, regarding the player at the respective player position at the table. Each player position further comprises an electronic camera (52a), (52b) which is focused on the part of the blackjack table (5) assigned to the respective position of the player.

Another camera (53) is focused to view the complete blackjack table (5) and another additional camera (54) is focused on the dealer to observe both the dealer and the cards of the dealer as they are played by the dealer.

Each of the black-jack tables (5) is also equipped with a table microphone (56) to collect the sounds from the table in general and with a carver microphone (57) to collect the sounds (for example , instructions or messages) made by the carver.

Each of the blackjack tables (5) further comprises a keyboard (58) that can be used by the dealer to enter certain information and / or to communicate different messages from the players, as will be described more particularly more Forward with respect to Figure 5, which also shows a keyboard but with a slightly different construction than the keyboard (58) shown in Figure 3.

Figure 4 shows the monitor generally designated 60 at one of the player stations at a remote location from the casino. Thus, as shown in Figure 4, the monitor (60) comprises the following screens: screen (61) for displaying the carver's cards as seen by the carver's camera (54); screen (62) for displaying the player's card displayed by the player's camera (52a), (52b) at the corresponding player position on the blackjack table; and screen (63) for displaying all the cards on the table as viewed by the table camera (53).

The monitor (60) also displays a series of messages related to various types of information that can be selected by the player in the course of the game. The selection of the message can be effected in any of the known ways using a monitor screen, for example by moving a cursor, by means of a mouse, to the selected message block and "clicking" the mouse. If the selection of the message also includes the selection of the amount of the bet, the amount can be selected by the number of "clicks" in accordance with the rules and rates provided to the player in the software.

The messages shown for purposes of example in Figure 4, which can be selected by the player include: "letter", requesting to receive another letter; "Stop", asking that another letter not be served; "Split", to split two of the same letters; "Double", to fold the cards; "Pass", to pass the player's time; “Shuffle”, asking the dealer to shuffle the cards and “come out / collect”, to indicate to the dealer that the player has finished playing and wishes to collect their winnings if they exist.

The monitor (60) comprises another area indicated in general with a numeral (65), to display the credit available to the player, which must be established by the player in advance as will be described more particularly later, and also to display the bet made by the player for the respective game. This area (65) of the monitor (60) maintains a current account for the respective player in which each "win" is recorded as a credit or credit and each "no win" is recorded as a debit or charge, according to the rates. and rules of the corresponding blackjack table.

If the game is played with both cards open, the player's cards must be displayed to the player at the remote location by the display section (62) of the monitor (60). If the game is played with a covered card and an open card, the table would be equipped with a scanner, as shown with numeral (66) in figure 2, to scan the covered card and to show it to the player in a remote position. or section (62) of the monitor.

As shown in figure 2, the desktop computer (5c) for the black-jack table (5) comprises the appropriate video / audio circuits (67) connected to the different cameras and microphones for the corresponding player, and also the appropriate modem (68) in accordance with the specific communication medium used between the remotely located player and the selected gaming device at the casino. Figure 2 also shows all the gaming services of the specific casino connected to the computer (10a) of the casino server and in which there is a series of casinos in the network, all the casino computers being connected to the computer (20) of the server. from the central place.

Figure 5 shows another carver keyboard indicated in a general way with numeral (70), which can be used instead of the keyboard (58) of figure 3. When the keyboard (70) of figure 5 is used, the actuation of the keys of the same by the carver would carry out the following functions:

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TABLE 1

BET

BET

YES + BET

LETTER?

+

Yes

LETTER +

DO NOT

LETTER +

START +

YES

START +

NO +

<img file="ES2324459T3_D0001.tif" />

+ BET

START

<td> 1</td><td> 0</td><td> 2</td><td> 0</td><td> 3)</td><td> +</td><td> 7</td><td> +</td><td>DOUBLE</td>

<td> 1</td><td> 0</td><td> 2</td><td> 0</td><td> 3)</td><td> +</td><td>YES</td><td> +</td><td>DOUBLE</td>

<td> 1</td><td> 0</td><td> 2</td><td> 0</td><td> 3)</td><td> +</td><td>DO NOT</td><td> +</td><td>DOUBLE</td>

ATM

ATM

<td>PLACE YOUR BET</td>

<td>NO BET</td>

<td>DO YOU BET?</td>

<td>BET ACCEPTED</td>

<td>DO YOU WANT A LETTER?</td>

<td>CAN GET LETTER</td>

<td>CAN'T GET LETTER</td>

<td>DO YOU WANT TO GO?</td>

<td>PARTITION ACCEPTED</td>

<td>CANNOT START</td>

<td>DO YOU WANT TO DOUBLE?</td>

<td>BENDING ACCEPTED</td>

<td>CANNOT FOLD</td>

<td>REPORT LOST</td>

<td>GAIN</td>

<td>BLACK JACK</td>

<td>TIE DICE / WITHDRAWAL</td>

<td>WANT TO EXCHANGE MORE CREDIT?</td>

<td>THANK YOU FOR CHOOSE US AS YOUR CASINO</td>

Roulette table

Each roulette table (eg 4, 7, figure 1) in the selected casino would include the same cameras and microphones for each player position as described above for the blackjack table shown in the figures. 2 and 4, except that the table would be a roulette table instead of a card table and would include the roulette wheel, as shown schematically in figure 1. Figure 6 shows an example of the screen and inputs provided by the monitor (70) for each remotely located player who selects the roulette game, and Figure 7 shows an example of a dealer keyboard that can be provided on the casino for each roulette table.

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Therefore, the monitor 70 (FIG. 6) of the remotely located player section includes a section 71 that shows the actual roulette table of the casino, including all its colored numbers and the wheel. A reproduction of the roulette table at (72) is also reproduced on the monitor (70) in order to enable the players to place a bet by moving a bet piece indicated schematically with the numeral (73), superimposed on a displayed number or ride on a series of the numbers shown, according to the rules of the game of roulette. It will be appreciated that the software provided to the player reproduces the displays (71) and (72) of the roulette table on the player's monitor (70) and enables the player to move the betting piece (73) through the input means. Conventionals arranged on the player's computer, such as using the mouse to move the cursor and click the mouse to make the number selection, the quantity selection specified by the number of "clicks", in accordance with the rules and rates initially indicated to the player, as indicated above.

The player's monitor (70) further indicates a section (74) to display the selected number of the bet, a section (75) to show the magnitude of the bet and a section (76) to show the momentary credit status of the bet. player account.

Figure 7 shows an example of a carver keyboard (77) that can be arranged in the casino for each roulette table, with the selected actuation of the keys by the carver producing the following messages in the section (78) of the monitors for all the players who play at the corresponding roulette table.

TABLE 2

<td>BET</td><td colspan="2">+ YES</td><td> -►</td><td>PLACE YOUR BET</td>

<td>BET</td><td> +</td><td>DO NOT</td><td> -►</td><td>BETS CLOSED</td>

<td>WINNER NUMBER</td><td> +</td><td> 22</td><td></td><td>THE WINNING NUMBER IS 22</td>

<td>BET</td><td> + ?</td><td> + 3</td><td></td><td>PLAYER 3 - DO YOU BET?</td>

<td> 7</td><td colspan="2">+ CASHIER</td><td> -►</td><td>WANT TO EXCHANGE MORE CREDIT?</td>

<td>ATM</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING US AS</td>

<td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>YOUR CASINO</td>

Slot machine

Figure 8a shows an example of a slot machine (such as the machine (3) of Figure 1) that can be arranged at any desired number in the casino and Figure 8b shows an example of the displays and monitor inputs produced in the player station arranged remotely.

Therefore, as shown in Figure 8a, the slot machine (3) is a real casino slot machine, preferably of the type operated by pressing a button. Each of the slot machines (3) is provided with a camera (80) that views the slot machine, particularly the rotating wheels and a microphone (81) that picks up the sounds of the slot machine (3). The outputs of the camera (80) and of the microphone (81) are provided to the computer (3c) of the machine (36) which in turn is connected to the casino server (10), as briefly described in the foregoing. with respect to figure 1.

Figure 8b shows the monitor 82 at the remotely located player station when the player selects a slot machine to play. This monitor comprises a section (83) for displaying the rotating wheels of the slot machine (3) of the casino. It also comprises a section (84) for entering a "BET" command and for specifying the amount of the BET; a selection (85) to enter a "SPIN" command to operate the slot machine in the casino; and a section (86) for entering a "QUIT" instruction, to indicate that the player has decided to interrupt the continuation of the game with the slot machine. In addition to these input devices, the monitor (82) further comprises a section (87) for displaying "GAINS" and "LOSSES"; and a section (88) for displaying the current credit status of the account. Preferably, monitor 82 also includes a section 89 for displaying the "WIN" possibilities of the slot machine.

Dice game

The dice game (6) shown in Figure 1 can be played similarly to the slot machine except that the player, instead of remotely operating the slot machine, would remotely roll the dice. By

For example, the dice could be arranged in a cage, as shown with numeral (6) in figure 1; and the actuation of the dice could be effected by inverting the cage. Alternatively, the dice could be thrown on a table by the remotely located player.

The game of dice can also be played by the remote player passively, that is, simply by placing bets on dice thrown by another player, for example a real casino player or another remote player.

Functioning

Figure 9 is a flow chart showing the main stages of system operation by a remote player having a computer. In this example, it will be assumed that the player uses the Internet to establish communication with the system.

Therefore, when the player enters the Internet (block 90), the monitor of the player's computer displays a page of instructions ("Home Page") (block 91). An example of the instructions page (“Home Page”) is shown in figure 10. It comprises a section (91a) for displaying a real casino in real time; another section (91b) to enable the player to obtain additional information, to register, to establish credit, etc; another inscription (91c) to enable the player to select a desired casino; and another section (91d) to enable the player to select the desired game. If the player has previously registered as a subscriber, another section (91e) of the instructions page allows the player to enter the subscriber number.

As shown by blocks 92 and 93 of Figure 9, the player can choose a casino through section 91c of the instruction page (Figure 10), and a game through section (91d) of the display of said instruction page.

The player must then establish credit (block 94). This can be done by registering as a subscriber also for future shares, or by establishing credit with the cashier only for a one-time entry. An example of an enrollment display for signing up as a subscriber is shown in Fig. 11, and an example of a screen for establishing one-time credit with the teller is shown in Fig. 12.

Once the player's credit has been established, the player can obtain the necessary software according to the game and the selected casino (block 95). Figure 13 shows a display that may appear on the player's monitor for this purpose, enabling the player to inform the computer system of the specific computer available to the player located in a remote location. If the player has not selected a casino or game, the screen in Figure 13 would now require the player to specify this information before continuing.

Figure 14 shows an example of a screen that appears on the player's monitor specifying the game of “black-jack”. This screen would identify the player the name of the casino, the table number, seat number, minimum and maximum limit of the respective table, etc. This screen would also enable the player to select another game, or another game, or another casino, or not to play at the moment, for example, while waiting for a seat at a desired table in a desired casino. Figure 15 shows an example of a screen that may appear on the player's monitor when entertainment is selected, rather than game.

When the player selects to play (block 96), the player's monitor displays the actual gaming device selected at the selected casino, and enables the player to actually participate in the game just as if the player were present at the casino, from the as described above. The remotely located player therefore sees and hears what is happening at the gaming table, and receives a current account of the PROFITS and LOSSES, as well as the current situation of the player's credit account. If the player's account is not sufficient to cover a BET, the dealer can inform the player of this fact and can provide other messages or instructions by using the dealer's keyboard, for example, (58) in figure 3, (69 ) in Figure 5 (76) or Figure 7. As described above, the different screens of the player's monitor allow the player to specify the desired BET, and also provide any other information necessary to play the game. For example, when playing blackjack, the player (10) informs the dealer remotely if another card is desired, etc. (Figure 4) by entering the appropriate instruction into the player's monitor section (64), by voice-prompting the appropriate instruction through a telephone microphone, or by giving the appropriate hand signal to the dealer if the player's location is provided with camera.

If the player prefers to wait for the opening of a desired gaming device in a desired casino, the player can select "entertainment" (block 96), instead of "game" which will show him a menu that does not correspond to game, as shown in Figure 15 for selection by the player.

When a player decides to leave the gaming session (block 97), this is also communicated to the system in one of the ways that have been described after which the system summarizes the results of the specific gaming session (block 98 ). The player can then disconnect communication with the casino (block 99) and disconnect the computer (block 100).

ES 2 324 459 T3

It is a feature of the gambling system of the invention that the real atmosphere of the casino is especially applicable to card games in which one or more cards are hidden and in which the cards are played by the player, such as poker. traditional and baccarat, which will be described in detail later. The physical involvement of the players is an integral part of these games and it is an additional feature of the present invention that the player remotely can see the physical reactions of the player as if they were sitting at the same table, as described further. go ahead.

Open poker table "Caribbean"

Figure 16 schematically shows a poker table (110) of the "open" type ("stud") "Caribbean" of the casino including its screens and cameras; Figure 17 schematically shows the screens and inputs at each of the player's stations and; Figure 18 schematically shows the carver keyboard (130) that can be used at the "Caribbean" open poker table (110) in the casino. The "Caribbean" open poker table (110) also shows the positions of each of seven players, which have been indicated (SP1) to (SP 7). However, for the sake of clarity only monitors 112a, 112b, one for each of the two player positions (numbers 2 and 6) have been shown. Monitors 112a, 112b display information, similar to what has been described above with respect to the blackjack table of Figures 3-5. Each player position comprises an electronic camera (CP2), (CP6), which is focused on the part of the "open" poker table "Caribbean" (110) located at the corresponding position of the player. Only the specific player can see their own hole cards.

A tabletop camera (114) is focused to view the entire "Caribbean" open poker table (110) and the dealer to view both the dealer and the dealer's cards as they are played by the dealer. The "Caribbean" open poker table (110) is also equipped with a table microphone (116) to collect the sounds of the table, in a general way, and the instructions and messages made by the dealer.

Each "Caribbean" open poker table (110) further comprises a keyboard (130) that can be used by the dealer to enter certain information and / or to communicate different messages to the players, in a similar way to that described above with respect to figure 5.

In the open poker game "Caribbean", each player who wishes to take part places his initial bet (designated as "ante") and receives a batch of five cards. The dealer also receives five cards but only shows one of them. The player folds, losing his "ante" or bets an additional amount equal to double the "ante". The dealer then reveals the four remaining cards in his hand. If the dealer's hand is not Ace-King or better, the player is paid for the initial bet ("ante") and nothing for the main bet. If the dealer's hand is higher than Ace-King, he is qualified to play against the player. In case the dealer has a better hand than the player, the player loses both his initial bet and the main bet. If the player has a better hand, he receives a suit that depends on the player's hand. There is also a separate and optional $ 1.00 side bet available for which the player is paid for having held premium hands (flux or higher). The payout is usually progressive depending on the hand.

Figure 17 shows the monitor indicated generally at 120, at one of the player stations at a remote location from the casino. In the "Caribbean" "open" poker game, the monitor (120) shows the following: the display screen (122), which shows the player's cards as viewed by the player's camera (112a-112b) in the corresponding position of the player at the table; and the display (123), which shows all the cards on the table as viewed by the table camera (114) including the dealer's cards. The cards turned are shown on the screen (123) as seen by the camera (114) of the table and the cards covered (turned down) are shown through the scanner (66) (figure 2) located below the table (110) on the screen (122).

The monitor (120) also shows a series of messages related to different types of information that can be selected by the player in a game course, including the data (124) of the table for each of the players (SP1-SP7) . The selection of a message can be done in any of the known ways, as described above.

By way of example only, the messages shown in Figure 17 that can be selected by the player include: "ante" (126) for their initial entry into the game; "Bet" (127) to double the initial bet after seeing your own hand, and "bet" (127) for the side bet.

The monitor (120) also includes a credit screen (128) established by the player in advance as described above, and that shows the display of the initial bet, bet and improvement (if applicable) made by the player. for the rest of the respective game. Each one of the "winnings" is recorded as a credit or credit, and each one of the "no winnings" is recorded as a charge in accordance with the rates and rules of the game.

The table computer for the card table (110) comprises the appropriate video / audio circuits connected to the different cameras and microphones for the corresponding player, and also the appropriate modem according to the specific communication medium used between the player. remotely located and the selected gaming device in the casino, similar to what is shown in figure 2.

ES 2 324 459 T3

Figure 18 shows the carver's keyboard indicated generally by (130). The keyboard (130) is similar to the keyboard (70) of figure 5 except that different keys have been shown, each key or combination of keys performing different functions, examples of which are shown in table 3. Several functions are similar to those described in table 1.

TABLE 3

<td>BET</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td> -►</td><td colspan="3">PLACE YOUR BET</td>

<td>BET</td><td> +</td><td>DO NOT</td><td></td><td></td><td> -&gt;</td><td colspan="3">NO BET</td>

<td> 7</td><td> +</td><td>BET</td><td colspan="2">+ PLAYER # (1,2ETC)</td><td></td><td colspan="3">DO YOU BET?</td>

<td>Yes</td><td> +</td><td>BET</td><td colspan="2">+ PLAYER # (1,2ETC)</td><td> -&gt;</td><td colspan="3">BET ACCEPTED</td>

<td>CHARGE</td><td colspan="2">+ PLAYER # (1,2ETC)</td><td></td><td></td><td> ►</td><td colspan="3">INFORMATION ABOUT LOSSES</td>

<td>TO PAY</td><td> +</td><td>PLAYER#</td><td> +</td><td>PAIR</td><td></td><td>GAIN</td><td>SUBSCRIBER</td><td>TO</td>

<td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>PLAYER#</td><td> (1:1)</td><td> +</td>

<td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td> —►</td><td>IMPROVEMENT</td><td>YES</td><td>IT IS</td>

<td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>APPLICABLE</td><td></td><td></td>

<td>TO PAY</td><td> +</td><td>PLAYER#</td><td> +</td><td>TWO PAIRS</td><td></td><td>GAIN</td><td>SUBSCRIBER</td><td>TO</td>

<td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>PLAYER#</td><td> (2:1)</td><td></td>

<td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>IMPROVEMENT</td><td>YES</td><td>IT IS</td>

<td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>APPLICABLE</td><td></td><td></td>

<td>TO PAY</td><td> +</td><td>PLAYER#</td><td> +</td><td>3 EQUAL</td><td></td><td>GAIN</td><td>SUBSCRIBER</td><td>TO</td>

<td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>PLAYER#</td><td> (3:1)</td><td> +</td>

<td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td> —►</td><td>IMPROVEMENT</td><td>YES</td><td>IT IS</td>

<td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>APPLICABLE</td><td></td><td></td>

<td>ATM</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>THANK YOU</td><td colspan="2">BY</td>

<td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td> —►</td><td colspan="2">CHOOSE US AS</td><td>ITS</td>

<td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>CASINO</td><td></td><td></td>

Traditional poker table

Figure 19 shows in a simplified manner the screens and inputs at each of the player stations for a game at a traditional poker table 140 in the casino. The poker table (140) is similar to the "Caribbean" "open" poker table (110) shown in Figure 16. The dealer's keyboard for traditional poker is also similar to the dealer's keyboard (130) shown in Fig. figure 18. Items, such as the poker table and keyboard, that have similar functions are indicated in a similar manner and will not be described further.

In contrast to “Caribbean” “open” poker, traditional poker players have the option of substituting one or more of the five cards they receive. Also, betting between players can continue for several rounds until one player "turns over his cards" or "checks" (ie exits the game and loses his bets) and only one player remains the winner of the "pot".

Figure 19 shows the monitor indicated generally with numeral 140, of the player / client located in a remote or remote location with respect to the casino. The monitor (140) shows the following: display screen (142) showing the player's cards as viewed by the camera (66) of the player's scanner (Figure 2) located below the table (110). At the end of each pass, the cards are turned up and displayed, as described above, viewed by table camera 114.

Since bluffing is an integral element of the game of poker, it is vital that remote players see the expressions on the other players' faces. The faces of the other players (indicated P1-P5) are therefore displayed on the monitor (140). In addition, their betting situation (reference SP1SP5) is also displayed below the image of the corresponding player. For example, the situation (SP1) of the player (P1) indicates that he has changed a card and that his last bet was $ 10. The status (SP3) of the player (P3) indicates that it has changed

ES 2 324 459 T3 three cards and that the player has checked and has not bet. The other players (SP2, SP4 and SP5) are still in the game, the player (P5) has changed a card and increased the bet to $ 50. The display of the status messages can be done in any known way, as described above.

Also, the player's betting data is displayed as well. For example, the displayed data includes information regarding the "ante" position (146) regarding your initial entry into the game and your "main bet" position (148) during the game. In both cases the player can indicate his actions. Therefore, if you want to play, select initial bet (YES / NO) and enter the amount (150) of the initial bet. You can change cards by selecting “change” (152) and entering the number (#) (153). If you continue playing, you can bet (148) by selecting "yes" and entering the amount (154) of the bet.

Monitor 140 also includes a display of the credit (not shown for clarity) set by the player in advance, as described above.

Finally, the monitor (140) displays messages (156) (such as "you can bet" sent by the dealer).

Baccarat table

Reference will now be made to Figures 20-22, which schematically show the game of baccarat at the casino baccarat table 160. Figure 20 shows the baccarat table (160) together with the table camera (162) and the microphone (163) and the carver's camera (164) and microphone (165). For each of the players, there is a monitor (166) and a microphone (168). Figure 21 schematically shows the screens and inputs on the monitor (170) of the remote player stations and Figure 22 schematically shows the keyboard (180) of the carver for the game. The baccarat table (160) allows 14 participants (S1-S14) to sit around the table. There is a scanner located under the table for each player to show them their hole cards.

The player's cameras, microphones, and monitors are similar to the devices described above and will not be described in further detail.

Briefly, baccarat is a card game that is played each time by one of the players (bank) from a position (169) that has 6 or 8 decks of cards. The dealer acts as a supervisor and does not actually take part in the game, but instead makes assertions to ensure that the game is played according to the rules, shifting the base position (“shoe”) to the player who is acting as carver (bench). and organizing the cards that are played.

The house dealer manages two hands ("banker" and "player"). Before playing the hands, bets can be placed on the banker's hand (bank), the player's hand (punto) or on a tie (egalite). Once the bet has been made, there is no opportunity for other decisions and the hands are played according to fixed rules. The value of the hand is equal to the value of the cards, with 10 and face cards having a value of 0. Only the last digit is counted and the hand with the highest value wins. Any player including the remote player can act as a banker.

Figure 21 schematically shows the player / client displays and inputs at the remote player stations. Monitor 170 displays table 160 with cards that have been played on the table as viewed by table camera 162. As previously described, the upturned cards are observed by the table camera (162) and the covered or upturned cards are visualized through the scanner (66) (figure 2) located below the table. (160). The scanned card is viewed on the screen (172). A control (174) allows adjustment of the scanning speed, so that the speed of turning the letters directed downward is simulated. The carver player's card that has been scanned is seen only by his scanner. The card is viewed by the table only after the card has been turned upward by the carver as viewed by the camera (162).

A reproduction of the baccarat table (160) is also reproduced on the monitor (170), specific keys indicated in general with a numeral (176), for the player to enter his instructions, a credit screen (178) (established by the player in advance) and the bet amount (179), as well as a "bet confirmation key" (182) and the bet position (184). Monitor 170 also displays player instructions and messages 186.

Optionally, in addition, the player can enter data (188) relative to each of the 14 player positions around the table to keep a record of the type of bets made by each player. The monitor 170 also has a key 190 for contacting the cashier sitting in front of the dealer. Instructions from the cashier using its own keyboard 192 (Figure 20) can be sent to the player in a similar manner to the dealer.

Figure 21 shows the keyboard (180) of the baccarat carver. The keyboard (180) is similar to the keyboard (70) and (130) shown in Figures 5 and 18, respectively, except that the keys are coded specifically for the game, with each key or combination of keys performing different functions, having Examples of them are shown in table 4. Several functions are similar to those described in tables 1 and 3.

ES 2 324 459 T3

TABLE 4

<td colspan="8">BET</td><td>PLACE YOUR BET</td>

<td>BET</td><td> +</td><td>DO NOT</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td> -►</td><td>NO BET</td>

<td> 9</td><td> +</td><td>BET</td><td> +</td><td>PLAYER</td><td> #</td><td>(1,2ETC)</td><td> -►</td><td>DO YOU BET?</td>

<td>BET</td><td> +</td><td>DO NOT</td><td> +</td><td>PLAYER</td><td> #</td><td>(1,2ETC)</td><td></td><td>PLAYER BET # NOT ACCEPTED</td>

<td>YES</td><td> +</td><td>BET</td><td> +</td><td>PLAYER</td><td> #</td><td>(1,2ETC)</td><td></td><td>BET ACCEPTED</td>

<td>BANKO</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>BANK WINS</td>

<td>BANKO</td><td> +</td><td>ATM</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>INSTRUCTIONS TO CASHIER TO PAY TO THE WINNERS OF BANKO</td>

<td>EGALITE</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>WIN EGALITE</td>

<td>EGALITE</td><td> +</td><td>ATM</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>INSTRUCTION TO THE CASHIER ARA PAY THE EGALITE WINNERS</td>

<td>PLAYER</td><td> +</td><td>LETTER</td><td> +</td><td>PLAYER</td><td> #</td><td>(1,2ETC)</td><td></td><td>PLAYER # PLAY CARD</td>

<td>LETTER</td><td> +</td><td>YES</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>DRAW A CARD FOR FAVOR</td>

<td>LETTER</td><td> +</td><td>DO NOT</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>NO MORE LETTERS</td>

<td>ATM</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING US AS YOUR CASINO</td>

While the embodiment has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that this is for example only, and that many other variations, modifications, and applications of the invention are possible. For example, player instructions can be made by voice and converted into speech recognition techniques. Likewise, each table can be used at the same time by both remote players and normal players who are physically on the premises.

It will be further noted that the different casino games that have been described are only illustrative of the system and that it is not restricted to any particular game, but can be adapted to suit the applicable rules and regulations. The operation of the system, as described above, is applicable to all games of chance, such as card games including card games having "hidden" cards and games such as roulette. The system enables the remotely located player to effectively participate in the games as if they were present in the casino, remotely receiving the feel and atmosphere of the casino.