Video cribbage

Abstract

The present invention provides a game for play by a player using a plurality of cards. The game includes a wager placed by the player and a player hand including at least four cards. A player score is calculated for the player hand according to a set of cribbage rules. The player receives a payout based on the wager if the player score exceeds a predetermined total. The payout preferably increases as the player score increases based on the odds of achieving a given player score. The game may include an initial player hand, with the player replacing between none and all of the cards from the initial player hand to create the player hand. The game may be played using a video display or live.

1 . A game for play by a player using a plurality of cards, with each of said plurality of cards having a rank and a suit associated therewith, said game comprising:
 a wager placed by said player;   a final player hand including at least four cards; and   a player score calculated for said final player hand according to a set of cribbage rules;   wherein said player receives a payout based on said wager if said player score exceeds a predetermined total.   
   
   
       2 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein said payout increases as said player score increases. 
   
   
       3 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein said payout increases according to the odds of achieving said player score. 
   
   
       4 . The game of  claim 1 , further including an initial player hand including at least four cards, wherein said player may replace at least one card from said initial player hand to create said final player hand. 
   
   
       5 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein said set of cribbage rules includes a rule awarding points for each combination of cards from said player hand having ranks which sum to fifteen. 
   
   
       6 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein said set of cribbage rules includes a rule awarding points for each pair of cards from said player hand having the same rank. 
   
   
       7 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein said set of cribbage rules includes a rule awarding point for each card from said player hand in a rank sequence of three or more cards. 
   
   
       8 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein said set of cribbage rules includes a rule awarding points for three cards from said player hand being of the same suit. 
   
   
       9 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein said set of cribbage rules includes a rule awarding points for four cards from said player hand being of the same suit. 
   
   
       10 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein said game is played using a video display. 
   
   
       11 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein said game is played using a tangible display. 
   
   
       12 . A method of playing a wagering game using a group of symbols, said method comprising:
 placing of a wager by a player;   distributing a final player hand to said player, said final player hand including at least four symbols;   calculating a player score for said final player hand according to a set of cribbage rules; and   awarding a payout based on said wager to said player if said player score exceeds a predetermined total.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said final player hand is distributed according to the following steps:
 distributing an initial player hand to said player, said initial player hand including at least four symbols;   allowing said player an option to discard one or more symbols from said initial player hand;   distributing replacement symbols as necessary to create said final player hand.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said wagering game is played using one of a video display and a tangible display. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said symbols are playing cards. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said payout increases as said player score increases, said payout increasing according to the odds of achieving a given player score. 
   
   
       17 . A video cribbage game for play by a player using a plurality of symbols, said game comprising:
 a wager placed by said player;   a player hand including four symbols;   a player score calculated for said player hand according to a set of cribbage rules; and   a paytable including a plurality of scores;   wherein said player is awarded a payout based on said wager if said player score matches any of said plurality of scores included on said paytable.   
   
   
       18 . The game of  claim 17 , wherein each of said symbols has a rank and a suit associated therewith, said set of cribbage rules including rules awarding points for at least one of:
 each combination of symbols from said player hand having ranks which sum to fifteen;   each pair of cards from said player hand having the same rank;   each card from said player hand in a rank sequence of three or more cards;   three cards from said player hand being of the same suit; and   four cards from said player hand being of the same suit.   
   
   
       19 . The game of  claim 17 , wherein said paytable is generated based on the odds of achieving each of said plurality of scores. 
   
   
       20 . The game of  claim 17 , wherein said symbols are depicted as playing cards.