Method of playing a multiple play video poker game and apparatus

Abstract

A method of playing a primary poker game which allows for the play of three to ten 5-card hands for a single wager; increasing the wager before the initial deal allows for a secondary game which provides a same single additional card to be added to each hand in the primary game, creating a 6-card stud hand. A single deck of 52 or up to 54 (with jokers) cards is utilized in the play of the primary game. Unlike most multiple play games, each card in the deck is used only once in the totality of primary game hands, there being no duplication of any particular card. The single additional card for the secondary game, which is then duplicated into each of the primary 5-card hands, is dealt from the remaining unused cards. The method of play in the primary game requires a choice of playing from three to ten hands at once, the additional choice of placing from three to ten cards (“Place ′Em cards”) into the chosen number of hands, and a wager of equal or unequal credits per hand to be played. A wager in addition to the primary game wager allows for play of a secondary game based on the results of the primary game. The primary game begins with the deal of a different single card into each wagered hand. The totality of available Place ′Em cards are distributed one-at-a-time by the player into any of each wagered hand, up to a total of 5 cards per hand. Once all Place ′Em cards have been placed, cards from the remaining deck are dealt into each wagered hand until all hands contain 5 cards. All hands are then evaluated and paid according to a predetermined paytable. If an additional wager for the secondary game was indicated, one card from the remaining unused cards in the original deck is added to each 5-card hand. Each resulting 6-card stud hand is then evaluated for the best 5-card hand, and paid according to a separate predetermined paytable.

1 . A method of playing a video poker wagering game comprising: 
 a) a player placing a wager on a video wagering game;    b) selecting a number of hands greater than one hand to be played in the game;    c) one card being provided from at least one virtual deck to each hand selected;    d) at least a first placeable card provided from remaining cards in the at least one virtual deck;    e) the player placing the first placeable card in all or less than all of the selected number of hands from among the number of hands selected;    f) completing all of the number of hands selected; and    g) resolving the wager.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein less than all of the selected number of hands consists of only a single hand.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein only a single virtual deck is used as the at least one virtual deck.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein there are 52 cards in the single virtual deck.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the number of hands selected are between 3 and 10 hands, inclusive.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the number of hands selected are between 3 and 10 hands, inclusive.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the hands are completed to provide a 5-card poker hand.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the hands are completed to provide a 5-card poker hand.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the hands are completed to provide a 5-card poker hand.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a second wager may be placed before step f) to have an additional card provided as a common card to all or fewer than all poker hands when completed.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 2  wherein a second wager may be placed before step f) to have an additional card provided as a common card to all or fewer than all poker hands when completed.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 2  wherein a second wager may be placed before step c) to have an additional card provided as a common card to all or fewer than all poker hands when completed.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 5  wherein a second wager may be placed before step c) to have an additional card provided as a common card to all or fewer than all poker hands when completed.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein a second wager may be placed before step c) to have an additional card provided as a common card to all or fewer than all poker hands when completed.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the player is allowed to place only 10 or fewer cards in repeated steps.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 5  wherein a second wager may be placed before step c) to have an additional card provided as a common card to all or fewer than all poker hands when completing steps d) and e) 9 or fewer times.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 9  wherein a second wager may be placed before step c) to have an additional card provided as a common card to all or fewer than all poker hands when completing steps d) and e) 9 or fewer times.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11  wherein a second wager may be placed before step c) to have an additional card provided as a common card to all or fewer than all poker hands when completing steps d) and e) 9 or fewer times.  
   
   
       19 . A video gaming apparatus having a video monitor, processor and player controls that is programmed to enable play of the method of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       20 . A video gaming apparatus having a video monitor, processor and player controls that is programmed to enable play of the method of  claim 2.