Card handling apparatus and related methods

Abstract

A system and method including card game dispensing shoe includes a scanner that discerns the value and suit of each card dispensed, and includes a CPU and a memory storing data such as rules for dealing cards, data representing player strategy criteria and card inventory data. The CPU, with the scanner data and wagering data can determine player proficiency in regards to player strategies, can determine whether the card inventory is in favor of the player, determine player first card advantage and can, on a floating basis, determine permitted deck penetration. The system and method can be incorporated into games to be broadcast over a communications network such as the Internet.

Description

FIG.22.

${\text{net}}_i=\sum _{j<1}{\text{W}}_{\mathrm{ij}}*{\text{X}}_j$
X_i=logsigmoid (net_I)
Y_i=X_I+N (X₀=1)
The neural network preferably used with the present invention for card suit identification as shown in FIG. 8 will map a 42 pixel image to one of four card suits, and requires 42 inputs to represent the image grid, and 4 neurons in its output layer. FIG. 9 depicts the preferred neural network used with the present invention to recognize card value. This neural network will map a 42 pixel image to one of 13 card values, and requires 42 inputs to represent the image grid, and 13 neurons in its output layer. The two neural networks above described have a hidden layer to improve their function approximation capabilities.

In the present invention, the neural network is trained to identify card suits and values using back-propagation. The back-propagation technique adjusts the weights (W_ij) of each neuron connection until the output vector is correct for the input vector sets that would represent a given card value or suit. After training, the values of the weights will be fixed and the network will be able to identify card suit and value for any card presented to the neural network.

The networks are trained to output a 1 in the correct position of the output vector and fill the rest of the output vector with 0's. For example, if the neural network identified an “ace” input vector 1, then the first position of the output vector would be 1 and all other positions would be 0.

As stated above other scanners (optical or non-optical) can be used with complementary configured cards to acquire the card data. However, a system which can scan and read standard card decks is preferred so that specially configured cards are not required.

F. Card Dispensing Shoe with Scanner Apparatus, System and Method: Alternate Embodiment Operation

Reference is made to FIGS. 10, 12, 15 and 17, with respect to the following description of an alternative embodiment of a card dispensing shoe with scanner (shoe 10 hereafter). The description will highlight differences from the previously described embodiments.

In this embodiment, CPU system 34 (see FIGS. 1, 5 and 6) may be disposed internal to shoe 10, or may be an external CPU (not shown) coupled to shoe 10 via an I/O port 56 (see FIGS. 11, 12, 16 and 17), and coupled in turn to the optical scanner 41 and to other components of the present invention, including keyboards and LCD displays. As noted, the external CPU can function as an independent CPU, may be coupled to and function with or as part of a LAN, server network, or mainframe system.

Referring to FIG. 13, an enhanced keyboard 60 on top of shoe 10, and LCD display 6 at the front of the shoe (see FIGS. 10, 15 and 17), and keyboard(s) 102 embedded in Baccarat game table 101 (see FIGS. 19 and 21) according to the present invention may be used in different combinations and can replace the keyboards and displays in the previously described embodiments of the present invention.

Preferably all keyboards and LCD displays attached to the shoe 10 can function independently of each other, or can interact with the other keyboards and LCD displays. Preferably all keyboard and LCD displays are coupled to an internal CPU (not shown) or to an external CPU that may be a custom CPU or an off-the-shelf portable or desktop personal computer coupled to the shoe via I/O port 56, see FIG. 11, 12, 16 and 17.

In contrast to the first embodiment, the alternative embodiment of shoe 10 now under discussion does not include load switch 32 (see FIGS. 1 and 6), but includes as a replacement shuffle key 46, as shown in FIGS. 13, 19 and 21. Referring to FIGS. 10, 15, and 17, when the playing cards are removed from chute 16 to be shuffled by the dealer, or when shuffled and are replaced in card chute 16, Shuffle key 46 is pressed or otherwise activated to provide a signal that a fresh deck has been shuffled and placed in chute 16, and a new deal is about to begin. Shuffle key 46 preferably is located on keyboard 60 (FIG. 13) or keyboard 102 (FIGS. 19 and 21), or embedded in game table top 101 (FIG. 19). Note that the deck count, card value, card rank, and card suit counts are always zero or reset to zero at the beginning of a new deal.

At the beginning of a new deal, before any cards are dealt to the game players, at least one card is removed from the deck in the chute 16 in shoe 10, and is “burned”, i.e., discarded. To record the burn card(s), the dealer will press the Burn key 43 located on either keyboard 60 or keyboard 102, or the Burn key 43 embedded in the game table top 101 (see FIGS. 13, 19, and 21). When the dealer has removed the last burn card from shoe 10, the dealer will press the Deal key 7 on shoe 10, or Deal key 7 on keyboard 102, or the Deal key 7 embedded in the game table top 101 (see FIGS. 19 and 21). The game card value, card rank, card suit and the number of game cards burned will be considered by the software when calculating the number of cards remaining in shoe 10, and the number of card values, and card ranks for each card suit remaining in the card chute 16.

At this juncture, the software can begin calculations for the game cards dealt to the game players for the newly shuffled deck contained within the chute 16. As shown in FIGS. 10, 12, 15, and 17, when the last round indicator 8 lights, the dealer will announce that one more game round will be dealt from the cards remaining in the shoe 10 before shuffling. When the last round has been dealt from shoe 10, the remainder of the deck is to be removed from the shoe to be shuffled with the cards previously dealt from the shoe and placed in the game table card discard rack 81 (see FIG. 14), or in the card discard can slot 95 (see FIG. 19). Shuffle key 46 of keyboard 60 (see FIG. 13) or keyboard 102 (see FIGS. 19 and 21), or the Baccarat game table 101 (see FIG. 19) is pressed to end the software's calculations for the deck of playing cards most recently dealt from shoe 10.

As noted, it is understood that optical scanner 41 and other components of the earlier described embodiments of the present invention are included within this embodiment unless otherwise noted, and will function as previously described.

A standard computer keyboard is coupled to the card dispensing shoe and Baccarat game table apparatus can be used to open and close one or more software programs that have been installed in the CPU 79, or that reside on the host computer network (not shown), to access specific screens of the software programs on call, and to enter the SetUp game information for the baccarat game evaluation and player rating software.

A function of keyboard 60 and keyboard 102 (see FIGS. 13 and 21) is to signal at least one computer program whether a designated game table seat, i. e. numbered one through fifteen in FIG. 21 is active/inactive, and/or is/is not being played by a player playing the game in progress that is to be evaluated by the present invention's software program. It is noted that typical mini-Baccarat and midi-Baccarat game tables have from one to nine seats, and a standard size Baccarat game table normally has fourteen seats. Preferably keyboards and LCD displays carried by or attached to shoe 10 have a mechanism to signal at least one computer program that a designated game table seat is active/not active and/or is/is not being played by any customer playing the game in progress.

The various keys and displays shown in FIGS. 13 and 21 (and elsewhere) include a deal key 7, a sit-out key 11, a tie key 13, a rate mode key 15, a clear key 17, a player key . (not shown), set-up menus such as Operator Data Entry Options, Casino Staff Program Users, Game Entry Options, Game Set Up, Comps Default Options, Tables, Rules, Password, and Comps were called. It is also assumed that data relevant to the casino's staff and the parameters of the baccarat game offered by the casino to its baccarat customers were entered. In this example, Rotate has been selected from the Operator Data Entry Options as the display mode for the shoe's segmented LCD display 30, as shown in FIG. 11, and/or as the game data display of the Baccarat evaluation software data entry screen. Selection of Rotate display mode can result in the current evaluation's game data for each active seat or player, during and at the end of each game round dealt from the shoe. Such data includes rounds played, betting proficiency, game advantage, probability of player having prior knowledge of the value of the first card dealt to the Player hand each game round played, and win or loss for the current playing session.

H. Player and Bank Hand Advantages When Baccarat Card Game

Players Have Prior Knowledge of the Value of the First Card to be Received by the Player Hand

More than one method may be used to calculate a Baccarat player's betting proficiency when for each hand played during each round of the game, the sum of the player's bets vary in direct relationship to a selected card count system's true count at the beginning of the round to be dealt. An exemplary method to calculate a player's betting proficiency is given herein.

I. Software Features when Utilizing a LAN Network System

Software associated with the present invention is also useful in interfacing with a casino LAN network system coupling the game tables.

Information obtained by a shoe according to the present invention can be coupled to the LAN to enable additional casino personnel to monitor and oversee game play at any selected game table. Network functions include, without limitation, calculating and displaying simultaneously on at least one remote monitor during real time total of the game cards comprising Player and Bank hands at a particular game table, card value and rank and suit and sequence in which each game card was dealt from the shoe.

Thus, on a real time basis, all pertinent game data for a game table under evaluation can be displayed and recorded remotely, without knowledge of the game players at the table, whose game skills may be under observation. Such information may be merged with existing casino video and VCR game and security facilities to provide a comprehensive system to better enable the casino to identify individual(s) suspected of cheating or other undesired game activities. The casino may then choose to take the appropriate action to protect themselves from such players to prevent unwanted table losses, thus saving the casino substantial amounts of money.

As described later herein with respect to FIGS. 23A and 23B, the shoe software may also be interfaced with a server system that can communicate with remotely located bettors over various communications media, including the internet. Such individuals can see video of the game table top including OCR scanned views of each card dispensed from the shoe, and can bet over the media. Bets can be resolved by a server system coupled to the shoe. Winning bettors can have their accounts with the casino incremented in real time, and losing bettors will have their accounts debited in real time.

J. Card Dispensing Shoe with Scanner Apparatus, System and Method: Alternate Embodiment Operation:

FIG. 22 depicts the front card outlet 22 of a shoe 10 whose housing 12 contains a left movable barrier 116 operatively coupled to a moving mechanism 117, and that contains a right movable barrier 119 operatively coupled to a moving mechanism 118. Barriers 116 and 119 function to prevent any person from removing a card from housing 12 before the rules of a game in play permit. As such, barriers 116, 119 are movable between a blocking or barring position (raised in FIG. 22) in which no card can be removed from shoe 10, and a non-barring or non-blocking position (downward or lowered in FIG. 22) in which a card can be pushed out of shoe 10 in a normal fashion through-the card outlet 22.

In the embodiment described, software associated with CPU system 34 is pre-programmed with game rules for the card game currently being played at game table 79, the cards for which will be dispensed from shoe 34. An output signal from CPU system 34 can command moving mechanisms 117 and 118 to move their respective barriers into the barring or non-barring position, according to the rules of the game. Without limitation, mechanisms. 117, 118 may be small solenoids or electromagnets that mechanically or electromagnetically move barriers 116, 119 into the position commanded by CPU 34.

For example, assume that shoe 10 is used to secure and monitor a game of Baccarat to be played at table 79. Software associated with CPU system 34 will include the rules for Baccarat. System 34 preferably is coupled to receive output from scanner 41, and thus knows when the final card for a game round has been dealt from shoe 10, and will command moving mechanisms 117, 118 to move barriers 116, 119 into a raised position to block removal of any additional cards from shoe 10. The game dealer can now settle wages on the completed game round, without having to scrutinize the shoe. The various players will now make their bets for the upcoming game round before removal and delivery of the top card from the deck within shoe 10. Since game rules preclude removing a card from the shoe during this phase, barriers 116, 119 remain in a card blocking position. Once bets have been made, the dealer will record the amounts and bet types (e.g., Player, Bank, Tie) for each player (or the system itself can be used to so record), and will then press an input device such as a keyboard key carried by the shoe, or embedded in the game table top 79, 101. The input device will signal CPU system 34 (e.g., via wires, or wirelessly), whereupon moving mechanisms 117, 118 will move barriers 116, 119 in a lowered position (in this example) to allow removal of game cards from shoe 10 for delivery during the current game round.

CPU system 34, by executing associated software will know when card access via card slot outlet 22 in shoe 10 is against the Baccarat game rules. Importantly, when game rules so require, CPU system 34 will command moving mechanisms 117, 118 to move barriers 116, 119 into the blocking position, to prevent anyone from removing the top card or even attempting to turn up a corner of that card to get a glimpse at what the suit or value might be. As noted elsewhere here, in Baccarat, prior (illicit) knowledge of what the top card that is about to be dealt will be can enable individuals with such knowledge to make large bets with a substantially high statistical probability of success as to game outcome of each game round.

Barriers 116, 119 are hidden from view of the dealer and players, as the barriers preferably are internal to housing 12. However while the barriers are in the blocking position, any person attempting to move a card out of slot 22 will be unsuccessful because the barriers physically obstruct preferably at least 0.75″ at each end of the card when an attempt is made to remove the card from shoe 10 via outlet 22. (A standard playing card is 3.5″ high and 2.5″ wide, and a deck of cards is laid on its side when placed in shoe 10.) Indeed, in the blocking position, the outermost corner edges of the card are protected by the barriers. Thus, neither a card nor a card portion, can be (illegally) pushed out of the shoe by any person for a sneak peek as to what the suit or value of the first card to be removed from the shoe for delivery to the Player hand will be.

Once all bets have been made, as signaled automatically into CPU system 34 by electronic placing of the bets themselves, or as signaled into CPU system 34, e.g., by game table bet sensors 86, 87 and 88, or by the casino dealer using input mechanism 60, the rules of the game permit access to the top card in deck 16. Accordingly, the software executed by CPU system 34 will result in the CPU commanding barriers 116, 119 to be moved into the unblocking position by their respective moving mechanisms. At this juncture, with the barriers in the unblocking or unbarring position, a card may be withdrawn from shoe 10.

Note that confidence in the integrity of the play of the game is enhanced by virtue of the blocking shoe mechanism shown in FIG. 22. Even if the dealer was somehow unaware of the game rules, was fatigued or otherwise inadvertent or perhaps even dishonest, no one can gain access to the top card of the deck within the shoe until all active player seats have made a bet for the upcoming game round. As such, experienced and inexperienced players alike can have more confidence in the integrity of the game, playing the game of Baccarat. Further, other individuals who may wish to bet on the game outcome can similarly have enhanced confidence in the integrity of the game, including bettors who are far remote from the casino game table where play of the subject game is being monitored by 10.

Further in reference to FIG. 22 a color coded game round results indicator light 25 may be housed within the shoe 10 in front of the card outlet 22. CPU 34 is programmed with the game rules and calculates the score for the game rounds played. When the system identifies that the game hands have tied the game round results indicator light 25 will illuminate preferably with the color Rose, when the Player hand wins the game round the game round indicator light 25 will illuminate preferably with the color Gold, and when the Bank hand wins the game round indicator light 25 will illuminate preferably with the color Blue. A color coded 3^rd Card Rule tutorial light 19 for the Player hand, and a color coded 3^rd Card Rule tutorial light 21 for the Bank is housed by the shoe 10 in front of the card outlet 22. When the original two cards that comprise the Player and Bank hands have been dealt from the shoe, if the rules of the game require the Player hand to draw a 3^rd Card, the 3^rd Card Rule tutorial light 19 for the Player will illuminate preferably Green, prompting the game dealer to call and draw, or call for the designated player Banker to draw, a 3^rd Card for delivery to the Player hand; and if the rules of the game require the Player hand to stand on the original two cards that comprise the Player hand the 3^rd Card Rule tutorial light 19 for the Player hand will illuminate preferably Red indicating that no more cards are to be dealt to the Player hand for the current game round. When the Player hand has been completed the 3^rd Card Rule tutorial light 21 for the Bank hand will illuminate preferably Green prompting the game dealer to call and draw, or ask the designated player Banker to draw, a 3^rd Card for delivery to the Bank hand if the game rules require the Bank hand to take a third card; and if the rules of the game require the Bank hand to stand on the original two cards that comprise the Bank hand the 3^rd Card Rule tutorial light 21 for the Bank hand will illuminate preferably Red indicating that no more cards are to be dealt to the Bank hand for the current game round. When the Bank hand has been completed the game round is over and the system software will automatically raise and lock the card barriers 116 and 119 to prevent the game dealer from removing any additional cards, or from having any access to the face of the top card in the shoe until all wagers for the upcoming game round have been made by the game players.

A tricolored light emitting diode 44 (LED) is contained within each of the 3^rd Card tutorial lights 19 & 21, and within the game round results indicator light 25.

K. Use of Card Dispensing Shoe with Scanner Apparatus System With Remote Bettors

From a casino's standpoint, one problem with Baccarat is that for substantial periods of time there are no customers playing at an open Baccarat game table, yet the overhead and labor costs associated with keeping a Baccarat game open, with or without wagering customers, is high. It would indeed be productive if the casino could process bets on each of its open Baccarat tables, essentially twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year.

The rules for the game of Baccarat are fixed, and the individual or customer receiving the game cards designated for the Player or Bank hands can make no arbitrary decisions on the received hand, the outcome of each Baccarat game round (or game play) is essentially pure luck, absent cheating. Thus it matters little whether actual players played the game wagered on the outcome of each game round, or whether casino employees (shills) played the game, and outsiders (local to the game casino game tables, or remotely located) made bets on the outcome of each game.

Use of the various embodiments of the present invention, including the security enhancing shoe described with respect to FIG. 22, can expedite the play of the game. Further, the present invention can prevent and identify errors made by the dealer or acting “Banker” when delivering cards to the Player and Bank hands during each game round, and can identify any game rounds in which one or more cards dealt from shoe 10 may have been substituted or switched, and thereby instill and maintain player and bettor confidence in the integrity of the game. Collectively these functions can assure players and bettors (including remotely located bettors) that the game is above board and that the outcome of a game round will not be reversed due to a challenged dealer error, or due to substitution or switching of a game round card, if in fact shoe 10 can preclude dealer error and can identify when a card dealt to the Player or Bank hand has been illegally substituted or switched by a dishonest dealer or player.

FIG. 23A depicts a casino game table 79 (or 101) at which a dealer and a number of players equal to N are physically present. Assume that the game to be played is Baccarat and that a shoe 10 as described herein in its various embodiments is used to dispense game cards from deck 16 to the Player and Bank hands. A video camera 135 focuses upon the game table 79 (or 101) and shows shoe 10, and the various cards as they are dealt from the shoe, but preferably does not show the players' faces unless in fact each player wishes to be shown. (In practice, a sign posted on each game table will inform the game players that a video image of the game and players may be broadcast, for example over the internet.)

A circuit 133 can combine the scanner 41 information that can be processed by CPU system 34 with video information from video camera 135, for example, to enable video signals from camera 135 to show not only what is on table 79 but to also include a computer generated image of each card (excluding burn cards) that passes over the scanner 41 housed within shoe 10 as each card is removed from the shoe for delivery to game players, or to the Player and Bank hands for each game round. The computer generated image can be generated from scan image data, or can be independently generated. An interface system 137 then promulgates the combined video information and other data via at least one medium, e.g., medium 1 and/or medium 2 and/or medium 3 in FIG. 23 for receipt by at least one remote bettor. By “remote” it is understood the bettor in question could be hundreds of feet from the actual gaming table or could be many thousands of miles distant.

Without limitation, a medium may include the internet, wireless transmission, optical cables, telephone lines, etc. The remote bettors can place bets on the outcome of each game round being played on table 79 (or 101) by players, some of whom may in fact be casino employees (shills) if there are no of independent players actively playing the game. Bet information from a remote bettor need not be communicated back to interface system 137 by precisely the same medium used to send information to the bettor. Thus, remote bettor 2 might received receive video information via medium 1, the internet perhaps, but might send bet information via medium 2, the telephone system perhaps, back to interface 137.

FIG. 23B depicts a typical video information display 141 as seen by each remote bettor, perhaps on a computer monitor or a TV screen. The display will include an actual image 143 of the game, showing table 79 (or 101), shoe 10, and each card 147 dealt from the shoe. Preferably the display will also include the scanned image 145 of each card dealt, such that a remote bettor need not sit close to display 141 to actually see each card dealt. Using a home computer or telephone or other system (not shown), the remote bettor can place a bet via a medium back to system 137. The remote bettors have incentive to bet on the game play in that they know it will occur rapidly and securely, due to the use of a shoe 10, according to the present invention. After each game round, bets can be resolved rapidly, preferably by a server-type computer system 147 coupled to the remainder of the system, as indicated by FIG. 23A. It is anticipated that resolving settlement of literally thousands of bets from remote bettors could occur within less than thirty-seconds. The presence of shoe 10 thus enables and encourages remote betting, to the economic advantage of the host casino. Further the ability of remote bettors to access, view and wager on a live casino card game can serve to tutor the timid player in the play of the game before the player's potential visit to a real casino. Thus, bettor and the casino can each benefit from the remote bettor's experience with wagering over the internet or other medium.

L. Use of the System and Method in Connection with Blackjack

Where the shoe 1 is to be used in connection with the game of Blackjack, the CPU 79 has stored in its memory data representing various known player Blackjack play criteria which are intended to give the player and advantage or to minimize the casino edge for the game. This criteria may relate to a count system where players count the values of one or more cards to determine the constituency of the inventory of the cards remaining in the shoe. Depending upon the constituency of the inventory, the inventory may be “positive” in favor of the player. In such circumstances the player may (1) increase their wager to take advantage of the “positive” inventory and/or (2) make decisions as to standing or hitting his hand to try to win the game.

Still further, the CPU 79 can compare the player's play, including his wager and player hand decisions, to data stored in memory to determine the proficiency of the player in adherence with one or more player Blackjack strategies.

To frustrate possible strategy players, including card counters, the system and method includes a floating deck (inventory) penetration feature. According to prior art Blackjack dealt from multiple decks or multiple deck shoes, it has been known to command reconstitution and reshuffling of the card inventory. For example, when the dealer first shuffles and loads a shoe, he typically places a marker card in the inventory about one deck from the last card. Cards are dealt from the shoe until the marker card is dealt at which time the current hand is completed. The dealer then gathers all of the played, burned and cards remaining in the shoe to reconstitute the inventory to, for example its, dealer's original six decks, and re-shuffles to randomize the inventory. The stack of shuffled decks of cards is placed in front of a player who places the marker card in the stack and the stack is cut at the marker card and thereafter is re-loaded back into the shoe. The marker card is placed in the stack about one deck (52 cards) from the last card of the shoe to signal the dealer when to re-shuffle.

If there is a suspicion that a player is playing proficiently according to some system or criteria, the pit boss may command more frequent shuffling. Frequent shuffling results in an economic loss to the casino since the time the dealer is reconstituting and re-shuffling interrupts play (and the placement and loss of wagers) and may cause impatient players to leave the table. For example, it is believed that if shoe penetration (dealing from the inventory) can be to a level of 92% (26 cards left in inventory before re-shuffling) versus 85% (where 52 cards remain in inventory), that where the average bet is $20 and there are and an average of 3.8 player's per table and assuming a round dealt every 38 seconds, the savings in less frequent re-shuffling would amount to approximately $30,000.00 per table per-eight hour shift. With some casinos having many tables, the annual savings of permitting penetration from 85% to 92% is significant. It is believed that 92% penetration versus a more shallow penetration, e.g. 75%, can produce even greater savings.

The CPU 79 according to the present invention can be configured to determine inventory penetration before re-shuffling based upon the strategy and/or betting proficiencies of the players. For example, when the shoe is loaded with the six decks of shuffled cards before the first hand, the memory for the system can include data representing the number of cards, i.e. 52×6=312 cards as well as the constituency of the inventory (at least values of cards according to the valuation of cards according to the rules of Blackjack). As cards are “burned” and dealt the scanned data of the cards is processed to determine one or more of the following (1) the cards dealt to each player hand and the dealer hand, (2) the number of cards left in inventory, (3) the count of the inventory according to any one of known card counting systems (4) the player's proficiency in accordance with player play criteria or (5) the dealer's cards. By providing for changing deck penetration versus player proficiency, the aforesaid savings can be realized. For example, the CPU 79 may be configured to have a default penetration to a point where there are 26 cards left in inventory. When the 26 cards in inventory is reached, the present hand is completed before reconstitution and re-shuffling is commanded. The CPU 79 may generate a perceptible signal (visual or audible or both) to indicate re-shuffling is required or may control the barriers to close the shoe 1 outlet after completion of the hand to prevent the dealing of any additional cards before re-shuffling. If there is detected a player having a high proficiency with respect to a player play strategy or if the shoe is positive, the CPU 79 is configured to command re-shuffling with a lesser penetration, e.g. with 52 or 78 cards remaining in inventory. Thus where there is low proficiency, penetration can be made to the highest permitted, e.g. until 26 or less cards remain, whereas with one or more proficient players and/or where the inventory is positive in favor of the player, re-shuffling will be commanded at a lesser penetration.

Further, in regards to “back counters” referred to above, the CPU 79 may control the activation of seats previously unoccupied during previous rounds based on the composition of the deck, relative to one or more card count systems, and/or the positive or negative composition of the deck, where a positive deck represents a deck being favorable to the game players, and where a negative deck is unfavorable to the game players; or whereas the deck may in combination be positive and Ace rich. The system software would be programmed to prevent the dealer from activating a seat that was inactive the previous round when the decks true count for the upcoming game round is a positive true count greater than a predetermined value “X”; and whereas the system would allow the dealer to activate a seat that was inactive the previous game round when the decks true count for the upcoming game round is a negative true count, or a positive true count less than X. In this fashion, players may be permitted to begin play at any time since a previously non-playing card counter, aka back counter, would be prevented from gaining an unfair advantage by not being allowed to enter the game mid-shoe.

In still another aspect, it is known to broadcast both live and virtual games over the Internet for live play by remote players at their computer terminals. For particularly live games, there is a risk that the remote player would play a Blackjack card counting system with or without the aid of a computer card counting software. It would be advantageous in situations where particularly live gaming is being broadcast to be able to determine the likelihood of such activity to either control that player's participation or to command reconstitution and re-shuffling the real or virtual shoe to prevent players employing a card count system from obtaining an advantage over the casino.

Although the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to various preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A game monitoring system for a Blackjack card game including a dealer hand at least one player hand of cards where a player makes a wager and exercises options with respect to the player's hand according to the rules of the game, the system comprising:

a shoe including a housing having an outlet slot, said housing sized to store a plurality of playing cards defining a card inventory and configured for a dealer to dispense said cards one at a time through said outlet slot to complete said hands according to the rules of the game;

a scanner to scan said playing cards and generate a set of scanner signals determinative of the identity of cards dispensed from the shoe to each hand;

means for acquiring data representing the wager(s) made by the player;

a memory storing data representing at least one predetermined Blackjack game play criteria in relation to at least one of the player's wager or the cards dealt to at least one of said hands and data representing the constituency of the card inventory; and

a computer processor to receive said scanner signals and said wager data, said processor configured to compare said acquired data to said at least one predetermined game play criteria to determine adherence by the player to said at least one predetermined game play criteria, and further configured to select the number of cards to remain in the inventory and not dealt from the shoe for reconstitution and reshuffling of the inventory, said processor processing the scanner data to determine depletion of cards from the inventory by dealing, and to leave said selected number of cards undealt and in response thereto, sending a signal to command reconstitution and re-shuffling of the inventory.

2. The system of claim 1 comprising said processor configured to alter said selected number of cards to remain in said inventory in response to said processor determining adherence by any player to said at least one predetermined game play criteria.

3. The system of claim 2 comprising a moveable barrier at said shoe outlet and said processor configured to control said barrier upon (i) determination of depletion of cards from the inventory by dealing to said selected number and (ii) completion of the current hand of play, to block further dealing of cards from said shoe.

4. The system of claim 3 comprising increasing said selected number of cards in said inventory to remain undealt in response to said processor determining adherence by any player to said at least one predetermined game play criteria.

5. The system of claim 1 comprising said game play criteria comprising a card count system and said processor configured to, from said scanner signals determine a card count system advantage for said inventory according to said card count system.

6. The system of claim 1 comprising a communication network in communication with at least one terminal located remotely from said game, a display for each terminal, means at each terminal for a remote player to input a wager according to the rules of the game, said processor configured to issue signals over said network to control the terminal display to display representations of the scanned cards dealt to each hand and determine whether the remote player has won or lost their wager.

7. The system of claim 1 comprising a communication network in communication with at least one terminal located remotely from said game, a display for each terminal, means at each terminal for a remote player to input game play strategy decisions according to the rules of the game, said processor configured to issue signals over said network to control the terminal display to display representations of the scanned cards dealt to each hand and determine whether the remote player has won or lost their wager.

8. The system of claim 7 comprising a communication network in communication with at least one terminal located remotely from said game, a display for each terminal, means at each terminal for a remote player to input game play strategy decisions according to the rules of the game, said processor configured to issue signals over said network to control the terminal display to display representations of the scanned cards dealt to each hand and determine whether the remote player has won or lost their wager.

9. A game monitoring method for a Blackjack card game which includes a dealer hand at least one player hand of cards where a player makes a wager and exercises options with respect to the player's hand according to the rules of the game, the method comprising:

dealing cards according to the rules of the game to the hands from a shoe which includes a housing having an outlet slot, said housing sized to store a plurality of playing cards defining a card inventory;

scanning said playing cards and generating a set of scanner signals determinative of the identity of cards dealt from the shoe to each hand; acquiring data representing the wager made by the player;

storing data in a memory representing at least one predetermined Blackjack game play criteria in relation to at least one of the player's wager or the cards dealt to at least one of said hands and data representing the constituency of the card inventory;

a computer processor receiving said scanner signals and said wager data, said processor comparing said acquired data to said at least one predetermined game play criteria to determine adherence by the player to said at least one predetermined game play criteria;

selecting the number of cards to remain in the inventory and not dealt from the shoe before reconstitution and reshuffling of the inventory; and

said processor processing the scanner data to determine depletion of cards from the inventory by dealing, and to leave said selected number of cards undealt and in response thereto sending a signal to command reconstitution and re-shuffling of the inventory.

10. The method of claim 9 comprising said processor altering said selected number of cards to remain in said inventory in response to said processor determining adherence by any player to said at least one predetermined game play criteria.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising providing a moveable barrier at said shoe outlet and said processor controlling said barrier upon (i) determination of depletion of cards from the inventory by dealing to said selected number and (ii) completion of the current hand of play, to block further dealing of cards from the shoe.

12. The method of claim 10 comprising increasing said selected number of cards in said inventory to remain undealt in response to said processor determining adherence by any player to said at least one predetermined game play criteria.

13. The system of claim 9 comprising storing said criteria data as data representing a card count system and said processor determining a card count system advantage for said inventory according to said card count system.

14. The system of claim 9 comprising establishing a communication link between said processor and at least one player terminal located remotely from said game, the player at the remote terminal inputting a wager according to the rules of the game, said processor issuing signals over said link controlling a display at the terminal to display said scanned cards dealt to each hand according to the rules of the game and determine whether the remote player has won or lost their wager.

15. A card handling apparatus, comprising:

a card shoe that is separate from any card shuffling devices, the card shoe including a housing having a card inlet positioned at an exterior portion of the housing and a card outlet positioned at another exterior portion of the housing separate from the card inlet, the housing configured to dispense playing cards through the card outlet directly to a dealer; and

at least one barrier disposed within the housing and at the card outlet, the at least one barrier automatically movable between a blocking position in which at least one playing card stored in the housing is prevented from being dispensed through the card outlet and an unblocking position enabling the at least one playing card to be dispensed through the card outlet.

16. The card handling apparatus of claim 15, wherein the housing is configured to dispense playing cards through the card outlet one at a time when the at least one barrier is in the unblocking position.

17. The card handling apparatus of claim 15, further comprising at least one solenoid operatively coupled to move the at least one barrier between the blocking position and the unblocking position.

18. The card handling apparatus of claim 17, wherein the at least one solenoid is operatively coupled to move the at least one barrier from the blocking position to the unblocking position and from the unblocking position to the blocking position.

19. The card handling apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a switch in communication with at least one mechanism for moving the at least one barrier between the blocking position and the unblocking position, the switch configured to command the at least one mechanism to move the at least one barrier between the blocking position and the unblocking position.

20. The card handling apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a processor in communication with at least one mechanism for moving the at least one barrier between the blocking position and the unblocking position, the processor programmed to command the at least one mechanism to selectively move the at least one barrier between the blocking position and the unblocking position.

21. The card handling apparatus of claim 20, wherein the processor is programmed to command the at least one mechanism to move the at least one barrier automatically responsive to a status of a card game.

22. The card handling apparatus of claim 21, further comprising at least one sensor operatively associated with the processor and configured to sense a status of the card game.

23. A card handling apparatus, comprising:

a housing having a card outlet, the housing configured to dispense playing cards through the card outlet, the housing including a stationary card storage area positioned adjacent to the housing, the stationary card storage area being fixed relative to the housing;

at least one barrier disposed within the housing, the at least one barrier movable between a blocking position in which at least one playing card stored in the housing is prevented from being dispensed through the card outlet and an unblocking position enabling the at least one playing card to be dispensed through the card outlet;

a processor in communication with at least one mechanism for moving the at least one barrier between the blocking position and the unblocking position, the processor programmed to command the at least one mechanism to selectively move the at least one barrier between the blocking position and the unblocking position;

a scanner disposed in the housing to scan each playing card dispensed through the card outlet and to generate a signal representative of an identity of each card; and

a memory configured to store predetermined rules for a card game, wherein the processor is in communication with the scanner and the memory and programmed to process the signal and to identify each card dispensed through the card outlet, and wherein the processor is programmed to command the at least one mechanism to move the at least one barrier automatically responsive to the predetermined rules for the card game stored in the memory.

24. The card handling apparatus of claim 23, wherein the memory stores predetermined rules for Baccarat.

25. The card handling apparatus of claim 20, wherein the at least one barrier is movable into the blocking position by the at least one mechanism responsive to the processor and movable into the unblocking position by the at least one mechanism responsive to the processor.

26. A method of handling cards, comprising:

disposing a plurality of cards within a card shoe that is separate from any card shuffling devices, the card shoe comprising a housing having a card outlet;

positioning at least one barrier in a blocking position to prevent cards of the plurality of cards in the housing from being dispensed through the card outlet with the at least one barrier;

positioning the at least one barrier in an unblocking position to enable cards of the plurality of cards to be dispensed through the card outlet;

dispensing cards of the plurality of cards from the housing through the card outlet; and

moving the at least one barrier between the blocking position and the unblocking position according to rules of a card game and responsive to a processor command.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising moving the at least one barrier between the blocking position and the unblocking position with at least one mechanism.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

moving the at least one barrier to the blocking position with a solenoid; and

moving the at least one barrier to the unblocking position with a solenoid.

29. The method of claim 26, further comprising moving the at least one barrier between the blocking position and the unblocking position responsive to a manually controlled switch.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein moving the at least one barrier between the blocking position and the unblocking position responsive to a processor command comprises moving the at least one barrier according to rules of Baccarat.