Betting layout for casino games and method of use

Abstract

A betting layout ( 30, 30 a , 130 ) for playing a casino game for increasing the betting capacity of the game. The betting layout ( 30, 30 a , 130 ) includes a dealer position ( 37, 37 a ), a plurality of player betting positions ( 41 - 46 ), indicia uniquely identifying each the player betting position ( 41 - 46 ), and a plurality of gallery betting positions ( 51 - 56 ) extending about the dealer position ( 37, 37 a ) and past each of the plurality of player betting positions ( 41 - 46 ). Respective ones of the gallery betting positions ( 51 - 56 ) include indicia corresponding to that of a respective one of the player betting positions ( 41 - 46 ). A method of using the betting layout ( 30, 30 a , 130 ) is also disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A betting layout for a casino game comprising: 
 a plurality of player betting positions provided on the layout;    indicia identifying each said player betting position and distinguishing it from the other player betting positions;    at least one gallery betting position provided on the layout in a location for betting by a non-player on a selected one of the players' results; and    said gallery betting position including indicia corresponding to that of at least one of said players' betting positions.    
     
     
         2 . The betting layout according to  claim 1  wherein, 
 the gallery betting position is located at a location enabling betting by players and non-players without interfering with betting by the other.  
 
     
     
         3 . The betting layout according to  claim 1  wherein, 
 said betting layout is provided for use on a top of a table for wagering on a card game played at the table.  
 
     
     
         4 . The betting layout according to  claim 1  wherein, 
 the betting layout is provided on a display screen of a electronic gaming machine to enable betting on a simulated card game.  
 
     
     
         5 . The betting layout according to  claim 1  wherein, 
 the layout includes a plurality of gallery betting positions each including indicia corresponding to each of the indicia identifying each of the player betting positions.  
 
     
     
         6 . A betting layout according to  claim 1  wherein, 
 said gallery betting positions are proximate each of said plurality of player betting positions.  
 
     
     
         7 . A betting layout according to  claim 5  wherein, 
 the player betting positions and the gallery betting positions extend in a continuous array in front of the players and the non-players.  
 
     
     
         8 . A betting layout according to  claim 7  wherein, 
 the continuous array is a substantially semicircular configuration.  
 
     
     
         9 . The betting layout according to  claim 8  wherein, 
 the layout includes a dealer position centrally located on the layout, and said player betting positions and said gallery betting positions are circumferentially spaced about semi-circular configuration.  
 
     
     
         10 . A betting layout according to  claim 2  wherein, 
 said player betting positions and said gallery betting positions are provided by circumferentially extending betting bands with respect to said dealer position.  
 
     
     
         11 . A betting layout according to  claim 10  wherein, 
 said player betting positions and said gallery betting positions are provided by a plurality of concentric semicircles, respective ones of said semicircles including indicia identifying each of said player betting positions.  
 
     
     
         12 . A betting layout according to  claim 11  wherein, 
 said indicia identifying each player betting position comprises a color uniquely identifying each said player betting position.  
 
     
     
         13 . A betting layout according to  claim 12  wherein, 
 said layout includes between four and seven player betting positions and a gallery betting position between each player betting position.  
 
     
     
         14 . A betting layout according to  claim 5  wherein, 
 said indicia uniquely identifies each said player betting position and an indicia identifying a dealer betting position, said betting layout includes six player betting positions and seven gallery betting positions, each player betting position and each gallery betting position including indicia corresponding to that of each of said player betting positions and said dealer betting position.  
 
     
     
         15 . A betting layout according to  claim 14  wherein, 
 said gallery betting positions extend between adjacent player betting positions allowing a non-player to bet on one or more players' hands or the dealer's hand without physically interfering with the betting of players.  
 
     
     
         16 . A method of playing a casino game having rules, said method comprising: 
 providing a betting layout including a plurality of player betting positions and a plurality of gallery betting positions located to enable non-players to wager on player's hands without interfering with the player's play of the game;    permitting a player at one of said player betting positions to place a wager on a result of the game as played by the player;    permitting a non-player to place a bet on a gallery betting position as to the result of the game as played by said player; and    paying out on said wagers in accordance with the rules of the casino game to both said player and said non-players.    
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein, 
 the step of providing a betting layout is accomplished by providing a betting layout on a top of table suitable for the play of a card game on top of the layout.  
 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein, 
 the step of providing a betting layout is accomplished by providing the betting layout on the screen of a gaming machine.  
 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 16 , and the step of: 
 permitting a plurality of players, each betting at a respective one of said player    betting positions, to place a wager on their respective hands;    permitting each said plurality of players to place a wager on the hand of another one of said plurality of players; and    permitting said non-players to place at least one bet on the hand of at least one of the players.    
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19 , and the step of: 
 permitting a plurality of non-players to place a bet on the hand of any one of the players.    
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 20 , and the step of: 
 permitting a plurality of non-players to place a plurality of bets on the hands of a plurality of the players.    
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 21  wherein, 
 said providing step is accomplished by providing betting layout having a plurality of concentric semicircular gallery betting bands extending past each of a plurality of player positions, respective ones of said concentric semicircular gallery betting bands corresponding to a respective one of said player betting positions.  
 
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 21  wherein, 
 said gallery betting bands extend between adjacent player betting positions, said method includes the step of:  
 permitting said plurality of non-players to place bets on concentric semicircular gallery betting bands at locations between said player betting positions whereby the plurality of non-players can bet on one or more players' hands without physically interfering with the betting of the players.