System and method for playing an electronic card game

Abstract

A system provides an electronic card game to a plurality of players on an electronic card table. The electronic card table has a table top with a playing surface and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top. Each electronic player interaction area provides a player interface for interaction with one of the players. A database maintains a player account for each player. Each player account includes identification information and a monetary amount. A server computer is coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas and the database for administering the electronic card game using electronic cards and electronic chips. The server computer allows each player to log-in to one of the electronic player interaction areas, draw down at least a portion of the monetary amount in their player account, and purchase electronic chips using the drawn down portion of the monetary amount.

1 . A system for providing an electronic card game to a plurality of players, comprising: 
 an electronic card table having a table top with a playing surface and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of the players;    a database for maintaining a player account for each player, each player account including identification information and a monetary amount; and    a server computer coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas and the database for administering the electronic card game using electronic cards and electronic chips, the server computer for allowing each player to log-in to one of the electronic player interaction areas, draw down at least a portion of the monetary amount in their player account and purchase electronic chips using the drawn down portion of the monetary amount.    
   
   
       2 . A system, as set forth in  claim 1 , the server computer for assigning players to the electronic player interaction areas.  
   
   
       3 . A system, as set forth in  claim 1 , the player interfaces having a sit-in button, the server computer allowing the players to log-in to the one of the electronic player interaction areas in response to actuation of the sit-in button.  
   
   
       4 . A system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the player must enter a personal identification number to log-in to the electronic player interaction area.  
   
   
       5 . A system, as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one card reader located at the electronic card table, wherein the player must insert a player id card into the card reader to log-in to the system.  
   
   
       6 . A system, as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein each electronic player interaction area includes an associated card reader.  
   
   
       7 . A system, as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the player must also enter a personal identification number to log-in to the electronic player interaction area.  
   
   
       8 . A system, as set forth in  claim 1 , the server computer for allowing the player to fund their associated player account.  
   
   
       9 . A system, as set forth in  claim 1 , the server computer for allowing a player to leave the electronic card table and cash out, any remaining electronic chips associated with the player being converted into a monetary amount and (1) added to the monetary value in their player account, (2) paid to the player in cash, or (3) printed on a ticket.  
   
   
       10 . A system, as set forth in  claim 1 , the electronic card game having at least one betting round prior to the dealing of the at least one common card, the server computer for providing the players an opportunity to make a wager or fold during the betting round.  
   
   
       11 . A system, as set forth in  claim 1 , the electronic card table including a central display area located in a central location of the table top for displaying information to the players.  
   
   
       12 . A system, as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a cage computer coupled to the database for allowing the players to fund their player account and/or withdraw cash from their player account.  
   
   
       13 . A system, as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a kiosk coupled to the database for allowing the players to fund the player account and/or withdraw cash from the player account.  
   
   
       14 . A method for providing an electronic card game to a plurality of players using a plurality of electronic player interface areas and a server computer, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of the players, the server computer being coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas, comprising: 
 providing a database for maintaining a player account for each player, each player account including identification information and a monetary amount; and    allowing the players to log-in to one of the electronic player interaction areas;    allowing the players to draw down at least a portion of the monetary amount in their player account and purchase electronic chips using the drawn down portion of the monetary amount; and    administering, by the server computer, the electronic card game using electronic cards and the electronic chips.    
   
   
       15 . A method, as set forth in  claim 14 , including the step of assigning players to the electronic player interaction areas.  
   
   
       16 . A method, as set forth in  claim 14  the player interfaces having a sit-in button, wherein the step of allowing the one of the players to log-in to the electronic player interaction areas is in response to actuation of the sit-in button.  
   
   
       17 . A method, as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the step of allowing the players to log-in to the system includes the step of requiring the player to enter a personal identification number on the electronic player interaction area.  
   
   
       18 . A method, as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the step of allowing the players to log-in to the system includes the step of requiring the player to insert a player id card into a card reader located at the electronic card table.  
   
   
       19 . A method, as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein each electronic player interaction area includes an associated card reader.  
   
   
       20 . A method, as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the step of allowing the one of the players to log-in to the system includes the step of requiring the player to enter a personal identification number.  
   
   
       21 . A method, as set forth in  claim 14 , including the step of allowing the players to find their associated player account.  
   
   
       22 . A method, as set forth in  claim 14 , including the step of allowing a player to leave the electronic card table and cash out, any remaining electronic chips associated with the player being converted into a monetary amount and (1) added to the monetary value in their player account, (2) paid to the player in cash, or (3) printed on a ticket.  
   
   
       23 . A method, as set forth in  claim 14 , including the step of allowing the player to fund the account and/or withdraw cash from the account at a cage computer coupled to the database.  
   
   
       24 . A method, as set forth in  claim 14 , including the step of allowing the player to fund the account and/or withdraw cash from the account at a kiosk coupled to the database.  
   
   
       25 . A method for providing an electronic card game to a plurality of players using a plurality of electronic player interface areas and a server computer, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of the players, the server computer being coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas, comprising: 
 allowing the players to sign up for a player account;    creating a player account for each player in a database, the player account including identification information;    allowing each player to fund the account with a monetary amount and associating the monetary amount with the corresponding player account;    allowing the players to log-in to one of the electronic player interaction areas;    allowing the players to draw down at least a portion of the monetary amount in their player account and purchase electronic chips using the drawn down portion of the monetary amount; and    administering, by the server computer, the electronic card game using electronic cards and the electronic chips.    
   
   
       26 . A system for providing an electronic poker game to a plurality of players, comprising: 
 an electronic poker table having a table top with a playing surface and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of the players;    a database for maintaining a player account for each player, each player account including identification information and a monetary amount; and    a server computer coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas and the database for administering the electronic poker game using electronic cards and electronic chips, the server computer for allowing each player to log-in to one of the electronic player interaction areas, draw down at least a portion of the monetary amount in their player account and purchase electronic chips using the drawn down portion of the monetary amount.    
   
   
       27 . A method for providing an electronic poker game to a plurality of players using a plurality of electronic player interface areas and a server computer, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of the players, the server computer being coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas, comprising: 
 providing a database for maintaining a player account for each player, each player account including identification information and a monetary amount; and    allowing the players to log-in to one of the electronic player interaction areas;    allowing the players to draw down at least a portion of the monetary amount in their player account and purchase electronic chips using the drawn down portion of the monetary amount; and    administering, by the server computer, the electronic poker game using electronic cards and the electronic chips.    
   
   
       28 . A method for providing an electronic poker game to a plurality of players using a plurality of electronic player interface areas and a server computer, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of the players, the server computer being coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas, comprising: 
 allowing the players to sign up for a player account;    creating a player account for each player in a database, the player account including identification information;    allowing each player to fund the account with a monetary amount and associating the monetary amount with the corresponding player account;    allowing the players to log-in to one of the electronic player interaction areas;    allowing the players to draw down at least a portion of the monetary amount in their player account and purchase electronic chips using the drawn down portion of the monetary amount; and    administering, by the server computer, the electronic poker game using electronic cards and the electronic chips.