Method of playing cards

Abstract

A method of playing cards is provided which is suitable for use with video poker machines and other casino arrangements. A player is dealt two hole cards, followed by a matrix including nine flop cards arranged in three rows and three columns. The player may then select three connecting flop cards, including one from each column. The player is dealt a turn card and a river card. The highest ranking five-card hand from the two hole cards, the three selected flop cards, the turn card and the river card is then determined.

1 . A method of playing cards, comprising the steps of: 
 a) dealing two hole cards;    b) dealing at least nine flop cards in a matrix which includes at least a first row, a second row, a third row, a first column, a second column and a third column;    c) selecting a first flop card from the first column;    d) selecting a second flop card from the second column;    e) selecting a third flop card from the third column;    f) dealing a turn card;    g) dealing a river card; and    h) determining a highest ranking five-card hand from the two hole cards, the three selected flop cards, the turn card and the river card.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second selected flop card is horizontally or diagonally adjacent to the first selected flop card and the third selected flop card is horizontally or diagonally adjacent to the second selected flop card, in the matrix.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first, second and third selected flop cards are in the first row.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein all of the cards are dealt face up.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the cards are dealt face down.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein steps a, b, f, g and h are performed by a dealer and steps c, d and e are performed by a player.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the dealer is a video machine and the cards are electronically dealt.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the dealer is a casino dealer.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the steps a through h are performed by a dealer.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein any one of steps c, d and e is performed by a player and the remaining steps are performed by a dealer.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein any two of steps c, d and e is performed by a player and the remaining steps are performed by a dealer.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein steps c, d and e are performed after steps a and b and before steps f and g.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of steps c, d and e is performed after steps f and g.  
   
   
       14 . A method of playing cards, comprising the steps of: 
 a) dealing two hole cards;    b) dealing nine flop cards;    c) selecting first, second and third flop cards from the nine cards dealt;    d) dealing a turn card;    e) dealing a river card; and    f) determining a highest ranking five-card hand from the two hole cards, the three selected flop cards, the turn card and the river card.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein all of the cards are dealt face-up.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the nine flop cards are dealt in a matrix including a first row, a second row, a third row, a first column, a second column and a third column.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of selecting the first, second and third flop cards comprises the steps of selecting the first flop card from the first column, selecting the second flop card from the second column, and selecting the third flop card from the third column.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the second selected flop card is horizontally or laterally adjacent to the first selected flop card and the third selected flop card is horizontally or laterally adjacent to the second selected flop card.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein steps a, b, e and f are performed by a video machine, and the cards are electronically dealt.  
   
   
       20 . A method of playing cards, comprising the steps of: 
 a) dealing two hole cards;    b) dealing at least nine flop cards in a matrix which includes at least first, second and third rows and first, second and third columns;    c) selecting three connecting flop cards, including one flop card from each of the three columns;    d) dealing a turn card;    e) dealing a river card; and    f) determining a five-card hand from the two hole cards, the three selected flop cards, the turn card and the river card.