Electronic poker table and method

Abstract

An electronic poker table and method provide an electronic poker game to a plurality of players. A hand of the electronic poker game is administered using electronic cards. The hand of the electronic poker game includes at least one community card displayed face-up on a central display and at least one hole card for each player displayed on a respective electronic player interaction area. The at least one common card being displayed in a larger size than the at least one hole card.

1 . An electronic poker table for providing an electronic poker game to a plurality of players, comprising: 
 a 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 central display area located in a central location of the table top for displaying information to the players; and,    a game computer coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas and the central display area for administering a hand of the electronic poker game using electronic cards, the hand of the electronic poker game including at least one community card displayed face-up on the central display and at least one hole card for each player displayed on the respective electronic player interaction area, the at least one common card being displayed in a larger size than the at least one hole card.    
     
     
         2 . An electronic poker table, as set forth in  claim 1 , the game computer for administering the electronic poker game using electronic chips.  
     
     
         3 . An electronic poker table, as set forth in  claim 1 , the at least one hole card being displayed in a first size ratio relative to a standard playing card, the at least one community card being displayed in a second size ratio relative to a standard playing card, the second size ratio being large than the first size ratio.  
     
     
         4 . An electronic poker table, as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the first size ratio is equal to one.  
     
     
         5 . An electronic poker table, as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the first size ratio is equal greater than one.  
     
     
         6 . An electronic poker table, as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the first size ratio is equal to less than one.  
     
     
         7 . An electronic poker table, as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the first and second size ratios are configurable.  
     
     
         8 . An electronic poker table, as set forth in  claim 1 , the game computer for assigning players to the electronic player interaction areas.  
     
     
         9 . An electronic poker table, as set forth in  claim 1 , the hand of the electronic poker game having at least one betting round, the game computer for providing the players an opportunity to make a wager or fold during the betting round.  
     
     
         10 . An electronic poker table, as set forth in  claim 1 , the game computer for determining a winner of the hand of the electronic poker game and awarding a pot to the winner.  
     
     
         11 . A method for providing an electronic poker game to a plurality of players using a plurality of electronic player interface areas, a central display area, and a game computer, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of the players, the game computer being coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas and the central display area, comprising: 
 dealing, by the game computer, a hand of the electronic poker game using electronic cards, the hand of the electronic poker game including at least one community card and at least one hole card for each player;    displaying the at least one community card face-up on the central display;    displaying the at least one hole card for each player on their respective electronic player interaction area, the at least one common card being larger than the at least one hole card; and,    administering the hand of the electronic poker game.    
     
     
         12 . A method, as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the hand of the electronic poker game is administered using electronic chips.  
     
     
         13 . A method, as set forth in  claim 11 , the at least one hole card being displayed in a first size ratio relative to a standard playing card, the at least one community card being displayed in a second size ratio relative to a standard playing card, the second size ratio being large than the first size ratio.  
     
     
         14 . A method, as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the first size ratio is equal to one.  
     
     
         15 . A method, as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the first size ratio is less than one.  
     
     
         16 . A method, as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the first size ratio is greater than one.  
     
     
         17 . A method, as set forth in  claim 13 , including the step of allowing the first and second size ratios to be configurable.  
     
     
         18 . A method, as set forth in  claim 11 , the hand of the electronic poker game having at least one betting round, the method including the step of providing the players an opportunity to make a wager or fold during at least one betting round.  
     
     
         19 . An electronic poker table, as set forth in  claim 11 , including the steps of determining a winner of the hand of the electronic poker game and awarding a pot to the winner.