Gambling game system and method for remotely-located players

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

0001The present invention relates to gambling game systems and methods, and particularly to such systems and methods enabling remotely-located players to participate in the gambling system.

0002With the increasing use of personal computers by private individuals and the increasing use of the internet communication network, many gambling game systems have been developed and are now in use enabling remotely-located players to play gambling games via the internet. The presently-available systems are virtual systems which desplay, on the player's screen, a simulated or virtual game device, such as a roulette wheel, card table, or slot machine, on which the player may place a bet at the player station. A data processor system “automatically” credits the player for the “wins” and debits the player for the “losses” according to the specific game choice.

0003However, such known systems, in which the player views on the player's screen a simulated or virtual image of the game device, does not produce the same feeling or excitement as that in a gambling casino, nor does it instill in the player the same confidence in the integrity of the gambling system against the possibility of electronically manipulating the results. In fact, some jurisdictions even outlaw gambling systems involving simulated or virtual images of the game devices because of the possibility of electronically manipulating the results. A further drawback in many of the existing virtual game device systems is that the player must frequently download large quantities of software into the player's computer before the player can even start to play the game.

OBJECT AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0004A broad object of the present invention is to provide a gambling game system and method having advantages in the above respects.

0005According to one broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gambling game system, comprising: a central station including a plurality of betting-type game devices each involving an element of chance, and an electronic camera for each game device; a plurality of player stations remotely located with respect to the central station, each of the player stations including a monitor for displaying a selected game device at the central station, and input means for selecting a game device and for placing a bet by a player at the player's station relating to an action involving an element of chance to occur at the selected game device; and data processing means for: (a) establishing communication between the central station and each of the player stations; (b) enabling a player at each player station via the input means at the player station to select a game device at the central station, to see via the monitor at the player station what occurs at the selected game device, and to place a bet via the input means at the player station relating to the action involving an element of chance to occur at the selected game device; (c) displaying in the monitor at the player's station the action involving an element of chance as the action occurs at the selected game device; (d) determining whether the action, after it occurs, resulted in a “win” or “loss” of the placed bet; and (c) maintaining a current account for the player in which each win is registered as a credit, and each loss is registered as a debit, according to the rates of the selected game device.

0006Such a system, preferably utilizes an actual casino as the central station and displays the actual game device to the remotely-located player during the actual playing of the game. Thus, the system in effect moves the player to the casino, or the casino to the player. This increases the feeling and excitement in the remotely-located players of being present in a real gambling casino. It also increases the confidence of the players in the integrity of the system against the possibility of electronical manipulation.

0007According to further preferred features in the embodiment of the invention described below, the casino also includes a microphone at each game device; and each of the players stations also include a speaker; enabling a player at each player station to hear, as well as to see, what occurs at the selected game device as it occurs at the casino. These features add to the transfer of the gambling casino atmosphere to the remotely-located player's station, and to the confidence of the players in the integrity of the system against the possibility of manipulation.

0008According to further preferred features in the preferred embodiment of the invention described below, the current account for the player is continuously displayed and updated at the respective player station. In this manner, the player is continuously informed as to the state of the player's account.

0009Preferably, the plurality of betting-type game devices at the central station include at least one in which the action involving an element of chance to occur at the game device is an action effected by a house person at the central station (casino). Described examples of this type of game include those involving a table, such as a roulette table or card game table, on which the action involving an element of chance is effected by the house person, such as a dealer, at the casino. In such game devices, the casino would preferably also include a display for each game device; and a data processor means would also display at the casino the bet played by each player with respect to each game device, and the current account for each player.

0010For example, where the game device is for playing a card game, such as black-jack, in which the card table has a player position for each of the players to play the card game, the central station (the casino) would include a camera for imaging each player position of the card table, and a display for displaying the bet and the current account of the player at each player position of the card table; and each player station would include means enabling the player thereat to input commands to the house person at the casino relating to choices made by the player in playing the card game.

0011Preferably, the player at each player station would use the normal monitor and input means provided in personal computers, which would be programmed, by software downloaded from the system into the player's personal computer, to perform the various display and input functions. In some cases, however, player stations may be provided with an electronic camera selectively energizable by the player at that station for transmitting the player's image to the display of the respective player position at the card table. This feature would add even further to creating the atmosphere of an actual gambling casino.

0012According to further features in the described preferred embodiment, the table may be a roulette table including a roulette wheel, the roulette table being displayed in the monitor at the respective player station such that the player may place a bet thereon by the input means at the player station.

0013According to still further features, the plurality of betting-type game devices at the central station the (casino) would include at least one game device in which the action involving an element of chance to occur at the selected game device is an action effected by the player at the player station. Examples of the latter type game devices include slot machines to be activated remotely by the player at the player station, or dice games for dice to be thrown remotely by the player at the player station.

0014According to still further features in the described preferred embodiment, the data processor means includes a data processor at each player station, a data processor at the casino for each game device thereat, a central data processor for all the game devices at the casino, and a communication system establishing communication between all the data processors. There may be a plurality of such casinos connected together in a network, the data-processor means enabling the player at the player station to select both a particular casino, and a particular game device at the selected casino for placing a bet.

0015The plurality of player stations may be a different locations connected to the casino or casinos via the internet communication network, telephone lines, closed cable lines, or any other data communication system. It is also contemplated, however, that the plurality of player stations may be at a common location, e.g., at one or more satellite locations of a main gambling casino, remotely located from the main gambling casino but connected thereto by the communication network.

0016The invention also involves a method of providing gambling services to remotely-located players as described above.

0017Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0018The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

0019<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1A and 1B</figref> are pictorial illustrations of one form of gambling game system constructed in accordance with the present invention;

0020<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a block diagram illustrating a portion of the system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> involved in one game device, e.g., a black-jack table at the central station (an actual casino);

0021<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a pictorial illustration of a black-jack card table at the casino of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2</figref>, including the cameras, microphones and displays thereat;

0022<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a pictorial illustration of the displays and inputs at a player station for remotely playing the game of black-jack at the black-jack card table of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>;

0023<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> illustrates another dealer's keyboard for use at the black-jack card table of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>;

0024<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> illustrates a typical display and the inputs at a player's station for playing roulette;

0025<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> illustrates a dealer's keyboard at a roulette table in the casino;

0026<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8a</figref> illustrates a slot machine, camera, and data processor at the casino;

0027<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8b</figref> pictorially illustrates a typical display and the inputs at the player's station for playing the slot machine of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8a</figref>;

0028<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a flow chart illustrating the overall operation of the system;

0029<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> illustrates a Home Page which is displayed to the player when initially establishing contact with the gambling game systems;

0030<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> illustrates a registration form to be displayed to the player, and to be completed by the player, as one means for establishing the necessary credit;

0031<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> illustrates a cashier form, to be displayed to the player and to be completed by the player, as another means for establishing credit;

0032<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> illustrates an example of a display to the player to enable the player to select a casino and a game device;

0033<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> illustrates a display to the player when the player selects the game black-jack;

0034<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> illustrates a display to the player in order to enable the player to select another form of entertainment other than gambling, e.g., while waiting for an opening in a selected game device;

0035<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref> is a pictorial illustration of a Caribbean stud poker table at the casino of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2</figref>;

0036<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref> is a pictorial illustration of the displays and inputs at a player station for remotely playing the game of Caribbean stud poker at the card table of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref>;

0037<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref> illustrates the dealer's keyboard for use at the Caribbean stud poker table of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref>;

0038<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref> is a pictorial illustration of the monitor of the player/ customer for the game of stud poker;

0039<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref> is a pictorial illustration of a Baccarat table at the casino of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2</figref>,

0040<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21</figref> is a pictorial illustration of the displays and inputs at a player station for remotely playing the game of Baccarat at the card table of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref>; and

0041<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 22</figref> pictorially illustrates the dealer's keyboard for the game of Baccarat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

0042Overall System

0043<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> pictorially illustrates a gambling game system constructed according to the present invention and including a plurality of central stations, <b>2</b>a, <b>2</b>n, each including a plurality of betting-type game devices. For simplification purposes, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> illustrates only two central stations <b>2</b>a, <b>2</b>n, and only one of several types of game devices at each central station. Thus, central station <b>2</b>a illustrates a slot machine <b>3</b>, a roulette table <b>4</b>, and black-jack table <b>5</b>, while central station <b>2</b>n illustrates a dice game <b>6</b>, a black-jack table <b>7</b>, and a roulette table <b>8</b>. It will be appreciated that each of the two illustrated central stations <b>2</b>a, <b>2</b>n, would include a large number of slot machines, black-jack tables, roulette wheels, and/or dice tables (and/or other game devices) in order to accommodate a large number of players for each type game device. The central stations <b>2</b>a, <b>2</b>n, could be, and preferably would be, real gambling casinos for receiving the gamblers on their premises, and therefore having the atmosphere of an actual gambling casino.

0044The present invention, in effect, brings the real casino to remotely-located players, such as may be located in other regions or in other countries, and brings such distant players to the real casino, such as to enable the distant players to experience a close approximation of the same atmosphere as a real gambling casino. As indicated earlier, this not only enhances the players excitement in playing the game devices, but also increases the players confidence in the integrity of the game devices against possible manipulation, as compared, for example, to the currently-known virtual gambling systems.

0045As further shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, each of the game devices includes its own computer. Thus, the slot machine <b>3</b> includes its computer <b>3</b>c; the roulette table <b>4</b> includes its computer <b>4</b>c; the black-jack table <b>5</b> includes its computer <b>5</b>c; and so on with respect to the other game devices illustrated in the two casinos <b>2</b>a, <b>2</b>b. Each casino further includes a server for serving the computers of all the game devices at that casino. Thus, casino <b>2</b>a includes server <b>10</b>a serving the computers schematically shown at <b>3</b>c-<b>5</b>c, of the game devices at that casino; and casino <b>2</b>b includes a server <b>10</b>b servicing the computers <b>6</b>c-<b>8</b>c of the game devices at that casino.

0046The servers <b>10</b>a, <b>10</b>b, of the casinos <b>2</b>a, <b>2</b>b, communicate with a central site server computer, generally designated <b>20</b>, which may be located at one of the casinos, or at another location. The central site server computer <b>20</b> includes a main controller <b>21</b> which processes data regarding all the game devices in all the casinos of the system. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> schematically illustrates the data handled by the main controller <b>21</b> as including: financial data, indicated by block <b>22</b>, (e.g., credit cards, E-purses, establishing credit, etc.); casino data, indicated by block <b>23</b>, (e.g., casino list, game list, vacancies available, etc.); game data, indicated by block <b>24</b>, (e g., the rules of each game); and security data, as indicated by block <b>25</b>, securing all the data handled by the system.

0047<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> also illustrates a plurality of player stations, schematically indicated as <b>30</b>a-<b>30</b>n, each remotely located with respect to the casinos <b>2</b>a, <b>2</b>b, and each enabling a player to play a selected game device at a selected casino from that remote location. For example, any remote location having a personal computer and access to the internet network or other communication system could play a selected game at a selected one of the casinos. All the player station would require would be a computer modem <b>31</b> including a monitor <b>32</b> and a telephone <b>33</b>, having a microphone and speaker. As will be described more particularly below, the monitor <b>32</b> is used for displaying, at the respective player station, the selected game at the casino, what occurs there and other information; the microphone within the telephone <b>33</b> may be used by the player to transmit messages to a dealer at the selected game device at the casino; and the speaker within the telephone may be used for reproducing at the player station the sound at the selected game device in the casino, including messages by the dealer to the player. If the monitor <b>32</b> is a television receiver, the speaker within the receiver can be used for reproducing the sounds and messages from the casino.

0048The computer <b>31</b> at each of the player stations <b>30</b>a-<b>30</b>n may communicate with the casino <b>52</b>a, <b>2</b>b, either by a direct connection with the casino, or in most cases, via the central site server computer <b>20</b>. This communication may be by any of the known communication media. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> illustrates, for purposes of example, these communication options as including a direct line <b>41</b>, the internet <b>42</b>, the telephone line <b>43</b>, or by an ISDN line <b>44</b>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> also schematically illustrates the communication between the central site server computer <b>20</b> and each of the casinos <b>2</b>a, <b>2</b>n in the network by the internet protocol (IP), via lines <b>45</b>, <b>46</b>, <b>47</b>, <b>48</b>, respectively.

0000The Black-Jack Table

0049<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a block diagram illustrating one of the player games at one of the casino stations, in this case the black-jack table <b>5</b> at casino <b>2</b>a of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, black-jack table <b>5</b> includes a computer <b>5</b>c connected to the <b>65</b> casino main server <b>10</b>a, which is connected to the central site server computer <b>20</b>. The black-jack table <b>5</b> in turn may be connected to any of the player's computers <b>31</b> at the remote locations <b>30</b>a-<b>30</b>n via communication lines <b>41</b>-<b>48</b>, as described above with respect to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> pictorially illustrates the black-jack table <b>5</b> at the casino, including its displays and cameras; <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> pictorially illustrates the displays and inputs at each of the player stations <b>30</b>; and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> pictorially illustrates another dealer's keyboard that may be used at the black-jack table in the casino. For purposes of simplifying the description, the black-jack table <b>5</b> is shown as including positions for only two players, where in most cases, such black-jack tables accommodate a larger number of player positions.

0050As shown particularly in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2 and 3</figref>, the black-jack table <b>5</b> includes two monitors <b>51</b>a, <b>51</b>b, one for each of the two player positions. Monitors <b>51</b>a, <b>51</b>b display information, as will be described more particularly below, relating to the player at the respective player position of the table. Each player position further includes an electronic camera <b>52</b>a, <b>52</b>b, which is focussed on the portion of the black-jack table <b>5</b> allocated to the respective player position.

0051A further camera <b>53</b> is focussed to view the complete black-jack table <b>5</b>; and a still further camera <b>54</b> is focussed on the dealer to view both the dealer and the dealer's cards as played by the dealer.

0052Each black-jack table <b>5</b> is further equipped with a table microphone <b>56</b> to pick-up the sounds at the table, in general, and with a dealer microphone <b>57</b> to pick up the sounds, (e.g., instructions or messages) made by the dealer.

0053Each black-jack table <b>5</b> further includes a keyboard <b>58</b> which may be used by the dealer for inputting certain information, and/or for communicating various messages to the players, as will be described more particularly below with respect to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, also illustrating a keyboard but a slightly different construction than keyboard <b>58</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>.

0054<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> illustrates the monitor generally designated <b>60</b>, at one of the player stations at a remote location with respect to the casino. Thus, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> monitor <b>60</b> includes the following displays: display <b>61</b>, for displaying the dealer's cards as viewed by the dealer's camera <b>54</b>; display <b>62</b>, for displaying the player's card as viewed by the player's camera <b>52</b>a, <b>52</b>b at the respective player position of the black-jack table; and display <b>63</b>, for displaying all the cards on the table as viewed by the table camera <b>53</b>.

0055Monitor <b>60</b> further displays a plurality of messages relating to various types of information which can be selected by the player in the course of playing the game. The selection of a message can be effected in any one of the known manners using a monitor screen, e.g., by moving a cursor, via a mouse, to the selected message block and “clicking” the mouse. If selecting a message also involves selecting the amount of a bet, the amount can be selected by the number of “clicks” according to rules and rates supplied to the player in the software.

0056The messages illustrated for purposes of example in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> which may be selected by the player include: “card”, asking to receive another card; “stop”, asking not to receive another card; “split”, to split two of the same cards; “double”, to double the cards; “pass”, to pass the player's turn; “shuffle”, requesting the dealer to shuffle the cards; and “quit/collect”, to indicate to the dealer that the player has finished playing and wishes to collect his winnings, if any.

0057Monitor <b>60</b> includes another area, generally designated <b>65</b>, to display the credit available to the player, which the player must establish beforehand as will be described more particularly below, and also to display the bet made by the player for the respective game. The area <b>65</b> of monitor <b>60</b> maintains a running account for the respective player, in which each “win” is registered as a credit, and each “non-win” is registered as a debit, according to the rates and rules of the respective black-jack table.

0058If the game is played with both cards open, the player's cards would be displayed to the player at the remote location by display section <b>62</b> of monitor <b>60</b>. If the game is played with one card covered and one card open, the table would be provided with a scanner, as shown at <b>66</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, to scan the covered card and to display it to the remote player on section <b>62</b> of the monitor.

0059As also shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the table computer <b>5</b>c for black-jack table <b>5</b> includes the appropriate video/audio circuitry <b>67</b> connected to the various cameras and microphones for the respective player, and also the appropriate modem <b>68</b> according to the specific communication medium used between the remotely-located player and the selected game device at the casino. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> further shows all the game device of the particular casino being connected to the casino server computer <b>10</b>a and where there a plurality of casinos in the network, all the casino computers being connected to the central site server computer <b>20</b>.

0060<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> illustrates another dealer keyboard, generally designated <b>70</b>, which may be used instead of keyboard <b>58</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>. When keyboard <b>70</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is used, the depression of the keys thereon by the dealer would perform the following functions:

0061<tables id="TABLE-US-00001" num="00001"><table frame="none" colsep="0" rowsep="0" pgwide="1"><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="7"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="49pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="2" colwidth="14pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="3" colwidth="49pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="4" colwidth="14pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="5" colwidth="49pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="6" colwidth="14pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="7" colwidth="91pt" align="left" /><thead><row><entry namest="1" nameend="7" rowsep="1">TABLE 1</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="7" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row></thead><tbody valign="top"><row><entry>Bet</entry><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>PLACE YOUR BET</entry></row><row><entry>BET</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>No</entry><entry /><entry /><entry>→</entry><entry>NO BET</entry></row><row><entry>?</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>BET</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>(1 OR 2 OR 3)</entry><entry>→</entry><entry>DO YOU BET?</entry></row><row><entry>YES</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>BET</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>(1 OR 2 OR 3)</entry><entry>→</entry><entry>BET ACCEPTED</entry></row><row><entry>?</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>CARD</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>(1 OR 2 OR 3)</entry><entry>→</entry><entry>DO YOU WANT A CARD?</entry></row><row><entry>YES</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>CARD</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>(1 OR 2 OR 3)</entry><entry>→</entry><entry>YOU CAN PULL A CARD</entry></row><row><entry>NO</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>CARD</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>(1 OR 2 OR 3)</entry><entry>→</entry><entry>YOU CANNOT PULL A</entry></row><row><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>CARD</entry></row><row><entry>?</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>SPLIT</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>(1 OR 2 OR 3)</entry><entry>→</entry><entry>DO YOU WANT TO SPLIT?</entry></row><row><entry>YES</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>SPLIT</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>(1 OR 2 OR 3)</entry><entry>→</entry><entry>SPLIT ACCEPTED</entry></row><row><entry>NO</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>SPLIT</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>(1 OR 2 OR 3)</entry><entry>→</entry><entry>YOU CANNOT SPLIT</entry></row><row><entry>(1 OR 2 OR 3)</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>?</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>DOUBLE</entry><entry>→</entry><entry>DO YOU WANT TO</entry></row><row><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>DOUBLE?</entry></row><row><entry>(1 OR 2 OR 3)</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>YES</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>DOUBLE</entry><entry>→</entry><entry>DOUBLE ACCEPTED</entry></row><row><entry>(1 OR 2 OR 3)</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>NO</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>DOUBLE</entry><entry>→</entry><entry>YOU CANNOT DOUBLE</entry></row><row><entry>COLLECT</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>(1 OR 2 OR 3)</entry><entry /><entry /><entry>→</entry><entry>INFORM ABOUT LOSS</entry></row><row><entry>PAY</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>(1 OR 2 OR 3)</entry><entry /><entry /><entry>→</entry><entry>WIN</entry></row><row><entry>B. J.</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>(1 OR 2 OR 3)</entry><entry /><entry /><entry>→</entry><entry>BLACK-JACK</entry></row><row><entry>NO</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>PAY = NO</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>COLLECT</entry><entry>→</entry><entry>DICE TIE/DREW</entry></row><row><entry>?</entry><entry /><entry>CASHIER</entry><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>DO YOU WANT TO</entry></row><row><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>CHANGE MORE CREDIT</entry></row><row><entry>CASHIER</entry><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>THANK YOU FOR</entry></row><row><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>CHOOSING US AS YOUR</entry></row><row><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>CASINO</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="7" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

0062The Roulette Table

0063Each roulette table (e.g. <b>6</b>, <b>7</b>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) at the selected casino would include the same cameras and microphones for each player, position as described above for the black-jack table illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2 and 4</figref>, except that the table would be a roulette table instead of a card table, and would include a roulette wheel as schematically shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> illustrates an example of the display and inputs provided by the monitor <b>70</b> for each remotely-located player selecting the roulette game; and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> illustrates an example of a dealer's keyboard which may be provided at the casino for each roulette table.

0064Thus, the monitor <b>70</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>) at the remotely-located player station includes a section <b>71</b> displaying the actual roulette table at the casino, including all its numbers and colors and the wheel. Also reproduced on monitor <b>70</b> is a reproduction of the roulette table at <b>72</b> such as to enable the players to place a bet by moving a betting piece, schematically indicated at <b>73</b>, to overlie a displayed number, or to straddle plurality of displayed numbers, according to the rules of the roulette game. It will be appreciated that the software provided the player reproduces the roulette table displays <b>71</b> and <b>72</b> on the player's monitor <b>70</b>, and enables the player to move the betting piece <b>73</b> by the conventional input means provided on the player's computer, e.g., by using a mouse to move the cursor and clicking the mouse to effect the number selection, the amount selection being specified by the number of “clicks”, according to the rules and rates provided initially to the player, as indicated above.

0065The player's monitor <b>70</b> further includes a section <b>74</b> for displaying the selected number of the bet, a section <b>75</b> for displaying the amount of the bet, and a section <b>76</b> for displaying the current credit status of the player's account.

0066<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> illustrates an example of a dealer's keyboard <b>77</b> which may be provided at the casino for each roulette table, the selected depression of the keys by the dealer producing the following messages in section <b>78</b> of the monitors for all players playing at the respective table.

0067<tables id="TABLE-US-00002" num="00002"><table frame="none" colsep="0" rowsep="0"><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="5"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="42pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="2" colwidth="14pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="3" colwidth="42pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="4" colwidth="14pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="5" colwidth="105pt" align="left" /><thead><row><entry namest="1" nameend="5" rowsep="1">TABLE 2</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="5" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row></thead><tbody valign="top"><row><entry>BET</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>YES</entry><entry>→</entry><entry>PLACE YOUR BET</entry></row><row><entry>BET</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>NO</entry><entry>→</entry><entry>BETTING CLOSED</entry></row><row><entry>WINNING</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>22</entry><entry>→</entry><entry>WINNING NUNIBER IS 22</entry></row><row><entry>NUMBER</entry><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /></row><row><entry>BET</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>? + 3</entry><entry>→</entry><entry>PLAYER 3 - DO YOU BET?</entry></row><row><entry>?</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>CASHIER</entry><entry>→</entry><entry>DO YOU WANT TO</entry></row><row><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>CHANGE MORE CREDIT?</entry></row><row><entry>CASHIER</entry><entry /><entry /><entry>→</entry><entry>THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING</entry></row><row><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>US AS YOUR CASINO</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="5" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

0068The Slot Machine

0069<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> illustrates an example of a slot machine (such as slot machine <b>3</b>, in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>), that may be provided in any desired number at the casino; and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8b</figref> illustrates an example of the monitor displays and inputs produced at the remotely-located player station.

0070Thus, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8a</figref>, the slot machine <b>3</b> is a the real slot machine at the casino, preferably of the type that is actuated by the depression of a button. Each slot machine <b>3</b> is provided with a camera <b>80</b> viewing the slot machine, particularly its rotary wheels, and a microphone <b>81</b> picking-up the sounds of the slot machine <b>3</b>. The outputs of the camera <b>80</b> and microphone <b>81</b> are fed to the slot machine computer <b>3</b>c which in turn is connected to the casino server <b>10</b>, as briefly described above with respect to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

0071<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8b</figref> illustrates the monitor <b>82</b> at the remotely-located player station when the player selects a slot machine for playing. This monitor includes a section <b>83</b> for displaying the rotary wheels of the slot machine <b>3</b> at the casino. It also includes a section <b>84</b> to input a “BET” command and to specify the amount of the BET; a section <b>85</b> to input a “SPIN” command to actuate the slot machine at the casino; and a section <b>86</b> to input a “QUIT” command, to indicate this player has decided to discontinue further playing the slot machine. In addition to these input devices, monitor <b>82</b> further includes a section <b>87</b> for displaying the “WINS” and “LOSSES”; and a section <b>88</b> for displaying the current credit status of the account. Preferably, monitor <b>82</b> also includes a section <b>89</b> for displaying the WIN possibilities of the slot machine.

0072The Dice Game

0073The dice game <b>6</b> illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> may be played in a similar manner as the slot machine except that the player, instead of remotely actuating the slot machine, would remotely throw the dice. For example, the dice could be included in a cage as shown at <b>6</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>; and the actuation of the dice could be effected by flipping over the cage. Alternatively, the dice could be ejected onto a table by the player from the remote location.

0074The dice game may also be played by the remote player in a passive manner, i.e., by merely placing bets with respect to dice thrown by another player, for example, a player at the actual casino or another remotely-located player.

0075Operation

0076<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a flow chart illustrating the main steps in the operation of the system by a remotely-located player having a computer. In this example, it will be assumed that the player uses the internet network for establishing communication with the system.

0077Thus, when the player enters the internet (block <b>90</b>), the monitor at the player's computer displays a Home Page (block <b>91</b>). An example of a Home Page display is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>. It includes a section <b>91</b>a for displaying an actual casino in real time; another section <b>91</b>b for enabling the player to obtain further information, to register, to establish credit, etc.; another section <b>91</b>c for enabling the player to select a desired casino; and a further section <b>91</b>d for enabling the player to select the desired game. If the player has previously been registered as a subscriber, another section <b>91</b>e of the Home Page display enables the player to enter the subscriber number.

0078As shown by blocks <b>92</b> and <b>93</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, the player may then choose a casino via section <b>91</b>c of the Home Page display (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>), and a game via section <b>91</b>d of the Home Page display.

0079The player must then establish credit (block <b>94</b>). This may be done by registering as a subscriber for future participation as well, or by establishing credit with the cashier for only the one time participation. An example of a registration display for registering as a subscriber is illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>, and an example of a display for establishing one-time credit with the cashier is illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>.

0080Once the player's credit has been established, the player may then obtain the necessary software according to the game and casino selected (block <b>95</b>). <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> illustrates a display that may then appear on the player's monitor for this purpose, enabling the player to inform the system of the particular computer equipment available to the player at the remote location. If the player has not yet selected a casino or game, the display in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> would now require the player to specify this information before continuing.

0081<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> illustrates an example of a display appearing on the player's monitor specifying the game black-jack. This display would identify to the player the name of the casino, the table number, seat number, the minimum and maximum limit of the respective table, etc. This display would also enable the player to select another game, or another casino, or not to gamble for the time being, e.g., while waiting for a vacant place at a desired table in a desired casino. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> illustrates an example of a display that may appear on the players monitor when selecting entertainment, rather than gambling.

0082When the player selects gambling (block <b>96</b>), the player's monitor displays the actual game device selected at the selected casino, and enables the player to actually participate in the game as if the player were present in the casino, in the manner described above. The remotely-located player thus actually sees the hears events occurring at the game table, and receives a running account of the WINS and LOSSES, and the current status 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 and can provide other messages or instructions by the use of the dealer's keyboard, e.g., <b>58</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, <b>69</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, or <b>76</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>. As also described above, the various displays on the player's monitor enable the player to specify the desired BET, and also to provide whatever other information is needed for playing the game.

0083For example, in playing black-jack, the player <b>10</b> informs the remotely-located dealer whether another card is desired, etc., (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>) by inputting the appropriate command in section <b>64</b> of the players monitor, by speaking the appropriate command via the telephone microphone, or by making the appropriate hand signal to the dealer if the player's location is equipped with a camera.

0084If the player prefers to wait for an opening in a desired game device in a desired casino, the player may select “entertainment” (block <b>96</b>), rather than “gambling” whereupon a non-gambling menu will be displayed, such as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref>, for selection by the player.

0085When the player decides to quit the gambling session (block <b>97</b>), this is also communicated to the system in one of the above-described manners, whereupon the system makes an accounting of the results of that particular gambling session (block <b>98</b>). The player may then disconnect the communication with the casino site (block <b>99</b>), and turn off the computer (block <b>100</b>).

0086It is a feature of the gambling game system of the invention that the real casino atmosphere is especially applicable to card games in which one or more cards or hidden and where cards are dealt by the player, such as traditional poker and baccarat, which will be described in further detail below. The physical involvement of the players is an integral part of these games and it is a further feature of the present invention that the remote player can view the player's physical reactions as if he was sitting at the same table, as described below.

0000Caribbean Stud Poker Table

0087<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref> pictorially illustrates a Caribbean stud poker table <b>110</b> at the casino, including its displays and cameras; FIG. <b>17</b> pictorially illustrates the displays and inputs at each of the player stations; and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref> pictorially illustrates the dealer's keyboard <b>130</b> that may be used at the Caribbean stud poker table <b>110</b> in the casino. The Caribbean stud poker table <b>110</b> also shows the positions for each of seven players, referenced SP<b>1</b> to SP<b>7</b>. However, for purposes of clarity, only two of the monitors <b>112</b>a, <b>112</b>b, one for each of the two player positions (numbers <b>2</b> and <b>6</b>). Monitors <b>112</b>a, <b>112</b>b, display information, similar to that described hereinabove with respect to the blackjack table of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3-5</figref>. Each player position includes an electronic camera CP<b>2</b>, CP<b>6</b>, which is focussed on the portion of the Caribbean stud poker table <b>110</b> allocated to the respective player position. Only the specific player can see his own hidden cards.

0088A table camera <b>114</b> is focussed to view the complete Caribbean stud poker table <b>110</b> and the dealer to view both the dealer and the dealer's cards as played by the dealer. The Caribbean stud poker table <b>110</b> is further equipped with a table microphone <b>116</b> to pick-up the sounds at the table, in general, and the instructions and messages made by the dealer.

0089Each Caribbean stud poker table <b>110</b> further includes a keyboard <b>130</b> which may be used by the dealer for inputting certain information, and/or for communicating various messages to the players, similar to that described above with respect to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>.

0090In the game of Caribbean stud poker, each player wishing to take part places his bet (known as ante) and is dealt a five-card hand, The dealer also receives five cards but only one of which is exposed. The player now either folds, losing his ante or bets an additional amount equal to twice the ante. The dealer then reveals the four remaining cards of his hand. If the dealer's hand is not Ace-King or better, the player is paid even money on the ante and nothing on the bet. If the dealer's hand is better then Ace-King, it qualifies for play against the player. Should the dealer have a better hand than the player, the player loses both his ante and the bet. If the player has a better hand, he receives a payout depending on the player's hand. There is also an optical independent side bet of $1.00 is available for which the player is paid for being dealt premium hands (flush or better). The payoff is usually progressive depending on the hand.

0091<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref> illustrates the monitor generally designated <b>120</b>, at one of the player stations at a remote location with respect to the casino. In the game of Caribbean stud poker, the monitor <b>120</b> displays the following: display frame <b>122</b>, showing the player's card as viewed by the player's camera <b>112</b>a, <b>112</b>b at the respective player position of the table; and display <b>123</b>, for displaying all the cards on the table as viewed by the table camera <b>114</b> including the dealer's cards. The face up cards are displayed in display frame <b>123</b> as viewed by the table camera <b>114</b> and the covered (or hidden) cards are displayed via the scanner <b>66</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) located below the table <b>110</b> in frame <b>122</b>.

0092Monitor <b>120</b> further displays a plurality of messages relating to various types of information which can be selected by the player in the course of playing the game, including the table data <b>124</b> for each of the players (SP<b>1</b>-SP<b>7</b>). The selection of a message can be effected in any one of the known manners as described hereinabove.

0093For example purposes only, the messages illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref> which may be selected by the player include: “ante” <b>126</b> for his initial entry into the game; “bet” <b>127</b> to add twice the ante after seeing his hand; and “bonus” <b>127</b> for the side bet.

0094Monitor <b>120</b> also includes a credit display <b>128</b> established by the player beforehand as described above, and displays showing the ante, bet and bonus (if applicable) made by the player for the respective game. Each “win” in registered as a credit, and each “non-win” is registered as a debit, according to the rates and rules of the game.

0095The table computer for the card table <b>110</b> includes the appropriate video/audio circuitry connected to the various cameras and microphones for the respective player, and also the appropriate modem according to the specific communication medium used between the remotely-located player and the selected game device at the casino, similar to that shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>.

0096<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref> illustrates the dealer's keyboard, generally designed <b>130</b>. Keyboard <b>130</b> is similar to keyboard <b>70</b> illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> except that different keys are shown, each key or combination of keys performing different functions, examples of which are shown in Table 3. Several functions are similar to that described in Table 1.

0097<tables id="TABLE-US-00003" num="00003"><table frame="none" colsep="0" rowsep="0" pgwide="1"><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="7"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="35pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="2" colwidth="14pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="3" colwidth="42pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="4" colwidth="14pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="5" colwidth="56pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="6" colwidth="14pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="7" colwidth="112pt" align="left" /><thead><row><entry namest="1" nameend="7" rowsep="1">TABLE 3</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="7" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row></thead><tbody valign="top"><row><entry>BET</entry><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>PLACE YOUR BET</entry></row><row><entry>BET</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>NO</entry><entry /><entry /><entry>→</entry><entry>NO BET</entry></row><row><entry>?</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>BET</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>PLAYER # (1, 2</entry><entry>→</entry><entry>DO YOU BET?</entry></row><row><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>ETC)</entry><entry /><entry /></row><row><entry>YES</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>BET</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>PLAYER 4 (1, 2</entry><entry>→</entry><entry>BET ACCEPTED</entry></row><row><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>ETC)</entry><entry /><entry /></row><row><entry>COLLECT</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>PLAYER</entry><entry /><entry /><entry>→</entry><entry>INFORM ABOUT LOSS</entry></row><row><entry /><entry /><entry>#(1, 2 ETC)</entry><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /></row><row><entry>PAY</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>PLAYER #</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>PAIR</entry><entry>→</entry><entry>PLAYER # CREDITED WIN (1:1) +</entry></row><row><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>BONUS IF APPLICABLE</entry></row><row><entry>PAY</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>PLAYER #</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>TWO PAIR</entry><entry>→</entry><entry>PLAYER # CREDITED WIN (2:1) +</entry></row><row><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>BONUS IF APPLICABLE</entry></row><row><entry>PAY</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>PLAYER #</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>3 OF KIND</entry><entry>→</entry><entry>PLAYER # CREDITED WIN (3:1) +</entry></row><row><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>BONUS IF APPLICABLE</entry></row><row><entry>CASHIER</entry><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>THANKS FOR CHOOSING US AS</entry></row><row><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>YOUR CASINO</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="7" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables><br /> Traditional Poker Table

0098<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref> pictorially illustrates the displays and inputs at each of the player stations for a game at a traditional poker table <b>140</b> at the casino. The poker table <b>140</b> is similar to the Caribbean stud poker table <b>110</b> illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref>. The dealer's keyboard for traditional poker is also similar to the dealer's keyboard <b>130</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref>. Elements, such as the poker table and keyboard, having similar functions are similarly designated and will not be further described.

0099In contrast to Caribbean stud poker, players of traditional poker have the option of replacing one or more of the five cards there are dealt. Also, betting between the players can continue for several rounds until either a player ‘folds’ his cards or ‘passes’ (that is, exits from the game and loses his bets) and only one player remains as the winner of the ‘pot’.

0100<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref> illustrates the monitor generally designated <b>140</b>, of the player/customer at a remote location with respect to the casino. The monitor <b>140</b> displays the following: display frame <b>142</b>, showing the player's card as viewed by the player's scanner camera <b>66</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) located below the table <b>110</b>. At the end of each round, the cards are turned over and displayed, as previously described, are viewed by the table camera <b>114</b>.

0101Since bluffing is an integral element in the game of poker, it is vital that the remote players see the expressions on the faces of the other players. The faces of the other players (referenced P<b>1</b> . . . P<b>5</b>) are thus displayed on the monitor <b>140</b>. In addition their betting status (referenced SP<b>1</b> . . . SP<b>5</b>) is also displayed below the picture of the corresponding player. For example, the status SP<b>1</b> of player P<b>1</b> indicates that he has changed one card and that his last bet was S<b>10</b>. The status SP<b>3</b> of player P<b>3</b> indicates that three cards were changed and that the player passed and did not bet. The other players (SP<b>2</b>, SP<b>4</b> and SP<b>5</b>) are still in the game, player P<b>5</b> having changed one card and raised the bidding to $50. The display of the status messages can be effected in any one of the known manners as described hereinabove.

0102In addition, the player's betting data is also displayed. For example the data displayed includes information regarding the “ante” <b>146</b> position for his initial entry into the game and his “bet” position <b>148</b> during the game. In both cases, the player can indicate his actions. Thus if he wishes to play he selects ante (yes/no) and enters the amount (<b>150</b>) of the ante. He can change cards by selecting “change” <b>152</b> and entering the number (#) <b>153</b>. If he continues playing, he can bet (<b>148</b>) by selecting ‘yes’ and entering the amount (<b>154</b>) of the bet.

0103The monitor <b>140</b> also includes a credit display (not shown for clarity) established by the player beforehand, as described above.

0104Finally, monitor <b>140</b> displays messages <b>156</b> (such as “you can place a bet” sent by the dealer.

0000Baccarat Table

0105Reference is now made to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 20-22</figref>, which schematically illustrate the game of Baccarat at the Baccarat table <b>160</b> at the casino. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref> illustrates the Baccarat table <b>160</b> together with the table's camera <b>162</b> and microphone <b>163</b> and the dealer's camera <b>164</b> and microphone <b>165</b>. For each of the players, there is a monitor <b>166</b> and microphone <b>168</b>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21</figref> pictorially illustrates the displays and inputs at the monitor <b>170</b> of remote player stations and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 22</figref> pictorially illustrates the dealer's keyboard <b>180</b> for the game. The Baccarat table <b>160</b> allows for 14 participants (S<b>1</b> . . . S<b>14</b>) seated around the table. There is a scanner located below the table for each player to show him his hidden cards.

0106The cameras, microphones and player monitors are similar to the devices described hereinabove and will not be further described.

0107Briefly, Baccarat is a card game that is dealt each time by one of the players (Banco) from a shoe <b>169</b> that holds 6 or 8 decks of cards. The dealer acts a supervisor not taking part in the game itself, but making declarations, ensuring that the game is played according to the rule, moving the shoe to the player who is dealing (Banco) and organizing the cards that are dealt.

0108Two hands (“banker” and “player”) are dealt by the house dealer. Before the hands are dealt, bets may be placed on the banker hand (Banco), the player hand (Punto) or on a tie (Egalite). Once a bet had been placed, there are no opportunities for further decisions and hands are dealt according to fixed rules. The value of the hand equals the value of the cards, with 10 and picture 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 may act as banker.

0109<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21</figref> pictorially illustrates the player/customer monitor <b>170</b> displays and inputs at the remote player stations. The monitor <b>170</b> displays the table <b>160</b> with the dealt cards on the table as viewed by the table camera <b>162</b>. As previously described, the face up cards are viewed by the table camera <b>162</b> and the covered cards are displayed via the scanner <b>66</b> (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) located below the table <b>160</b>. The scanned card is seen in frame <b>172</b>. A control <b>174</b> allows for the scanning speed to be adjusted so as to simulate the speed of turning over of the face-down card. The dealing player's scanned card is only seen by his scanner. The card is seen by the table only after the card is turned over by the dealer as viewed by camera <b>162</b>.

0110Also reproduced on monitor <b>170</b> is a reproduction of the Baccarat table <b>160</b>, specific keys, generally designated <b>176</b>, for the player to enter his instructions, a credit display <b>178</b> (established by the player beforehand) and the amount of the bet <b>179</b>, as well as a “bet confirm key <b>182</b>” and the betting position <b>184</b>. The monitor <b>170</b> also displays the dealer's instructions and messages <b>186</b>.

0111Optionally, in addition, the player can enter data <b>188</b> related to each of the 14 player positions around the table to keep a record of the type of bets each player makes. The monitor <b>170</b> also has a key <b>190</b> for contacting the cashier who sits opposite the dealer. The cashier's instructions using his own keyboard <b>192</b> (FIG <b>20</b>) which may be relayed to the player in a similar manner to that of the dealer.

0112FIG <b>21</b> illustrates the Baccarat dealer's keyboard <b>180</b>. Keyboard <b>180</b> is similar to keyboard <b>70</b> and <b>130</b> illustrated in FIGS <b>5</b> and <b>18</b>, respectively, except that the keys are specifically coded for the game, each key or combination of keys performing different functions, examples of which are shown in Table 4. Several functions are similar to that described in Tables 1, and 3.

0113<tables id="TABLE-US-00004" num="00004"><table frame="none" colsep="0" rowsep="0" pgwide="1"><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="7"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="35pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="2" colwidth="14pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="3" colwidth="35pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="4" colwidth="14pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="5" colwidth="70pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="6" colwidth="14pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="7" colwidth="105pt" align="left" /><thead><row><entry namest="1" nameend="7" rowsep="1">TABLE 4</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="7" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row></thead><tbody valign="top"><row><entry>BET</entry><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>PTACE. YOUR BET</entry></row><row><entry>BET</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>NO</entry><entry /><entry /><entry>→</entry><entry>NO BET</entry></row><row><entry>?</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>BET</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>PLAYER # (1, 2 ETC)</entry><entry>→</entry><entry>DO YOU BET?</entry></row><row><entry>BET</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>NO</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>PLAYER # (1, 2 ETC)</entry><entry>→</entry><entry>PLAYER # BET NOT ACCEPTED</entry></row><row><entry>YES</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>BET</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>PLAYER # (1, 2 ETC)</entry><entry>→</entry><entry>BET ACCEPTED</entry></row><row><entry>BANKO</entry><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>BANKO WINS</entry></row><row><entry>BANKO</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>CASHIER</entry><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>INSTRUCTION TO CASHIER TO</entry></row><row><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>PAY BANKO WINNERS</entry></row><row><entry>EGALITE</entry><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>EGALITE WINS</entry></row><row><entry>EGALITE</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>CASHIER</entry><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>INSTRUCTION TO CASHIER TO</entry></row><row><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>PAY EGALITE WINNERS</entry></row><row><entry>PLAYER</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>CARD</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>PLAYER # (1, 2 ETC)</entry><entry /><entry>PLAYER # DEALS CARD</entry></row><row><entry>CARD</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>YES</entry><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>PULL A CARD PLEASE</entry></row><row><entry>CARD</entry><entry>+</entry><entry>NO</entry><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>NO MORE CARDS</entry></row><row><entry>CASHIER</entry><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>THANKS FOR CHOOSING US</entry></row><row><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry /><entry>AS YOUR CASINO</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="7" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

0114While the invention has been described with respect to one preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that this is set forth merely for purposes of example, and that many other variations, modifications, and applications of the invention may be made. For example, commands by the players can be by voice and converted by voice recognition techniques. Also, each table can be used at the same time by both remote players and regular players physically on the premises.

0115It will be further appreciated that the various casino games which have been described are only illustrative of the system and that the system is not restricted to any particular game, but may be adapted to suit the applicable rules and regulations. The operation of the system, as described hereinabove, is applicable to all games of chance such as card games including card games which have ‘hidden’ cards and games such as roulette. The system enables the remote player to effectively participate in the games as if he is present in the casino, remotely receiving the feel and atmosphere of the casino.