System, Apparatus, and Method For Calculating Bets In Casino Table Games, In Particular For Poker Games

Abstract

System, in particular for counting bets in a table game utilizing chips each equipped with a radio-frequency identification microcircuit, data in the microcircuit indicating the value of the chip, where the system includes at least one area for reading data written in the radio-frequency identification microcircuits, each reading area including antenna apparatus for reading data from each chip in the reading area, and further includes apparatus for computing a total amount corresponding to the sum of those values, there being at least one reading area on said tabletop.

1 - 39 . (canceled) 
   
   
       40 . A counting system for counting bets in a table game utilizing chips each equipped with a radio-frequency identification microcircuit, data in said radio-frequency identification microcircuit indicating the value of the chip, the system comprising: a gaming tabletop, at least one reading area for reading data written in said radio-frequency identification microcircuits, each reading area comprising antenna apparatus that reads data from each chip in said reading area, and said system further comprising computing apparatus that computes a total amount corresponding to a sum of chip values, there being at least one reading area on said tabletop. 
   
   
       41 . The system of  claim 40 , further comprising apparatus that initiates reading. 
   
   
       42 . The system of  claim 40 , wherein the antenna apparatus comprises (a) at least one antenna, optionally positioned under a gaming mat that covers the tabletop, and (b) an RFID-type reader connected to said at least one antenna. 
   
   
       43 . The system of to  claim 40 , wherein at least one of said at least one reading area comprises a plurality of overlapping antennas and multiplexing apparatus for reading sequentially the antennas of said at least one of the at least one reading area. 
   
   
       44 . The system of  claim 40 , wherein said at least one reading area is a plurality of reading areas comprising a plurality of antennas and wherein said system further comprises multiplexing apparatus for reading sequentially the antennas of said reading areas. 
   
   
       45 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein said microcircuits comprise individual identification data of each chip and the system further comprises unique counting apparatus for counting once only the value of a chip read by at least two antennas of said at least one of the at least one reading area. 
   
   
       46 . The system of  claim 40 , wherein the at least one reading area comprises at least one bet area or pot, optionally located in a central area of the tabletop, the total amount of the values corresponding to the chips in the at least one bet area or pot forming a pot total. 
   
   
       47 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein there is a plurality of bet areas or pots that optionally can be a central pot and two secondary pots, and in that the computation apparatus are adapted to add the values of the pots together. 
   
   
       48 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the computation apparatus comprises apparatus that computes an amount that is a function of the pot total. 
   
   
       49 . The system of  claim 48 , further comprising apparatus that sets parameters of the function. 
   
   
       50 . The system of  claim 40 , wherein the at least one reading area comprises at least one player area for reading the chips held by a player at a given time. 
   
   
       51 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein the player area coincides with a bet area on the tabletop and the computation apparatus comprises apparatus that assigns the chips to a given player of a plurality of players. 
   
   
       52 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein the player area is an area specific to a player on the tabletop in the vicinity of a place assigned to a specific player. 
   
   
       53 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein the player area is mobile, optionally by way of a trolley on wheels, relative to the tabletop and adapted to be moved close to each player, and the computation apparatus comprises apparatus that assigns the sum of the chips to a given player of a plurality of players. 
   
   
       54 . The system of  claim 40 , further comprising apparatus that identifies a position of a button on the tabletop, optionally in a reading area assigned to each player individually. 
   
   
       55 . The system of  claim 40 , wherein the microcircuit includes unique identification data for each chip and in that the system further comprises apparatus that identifies each chip in the reading area. 
   
   
       56 . The system of  claim 40 , further comprising a plurality of groups of antennas, multiplexed antennas assigned to one or more reading areas, the data collected by said antennas is read by a respective RFID reader assigned to each group, and said RFID readers are optionally synchronized with each other. 
   
   
       57 . The system of  claim 40 , further comprising a reading area in a commission teller station, apparatus that automatically computes a sum of the values of commission chips in said commission teller station by said reading area, and apparatus that compares the sum of the values of commission chips in said commission teller station with the amount computed from the values of the chips in the bet area. 
   
   
       58 . The system of  claim 40 , further comprising apparatus that stores one or more of the computed amounts. 
   
   
       59 . The system of  claim 40 , which equips a poker gaming table. 
   
   
       60 . A device for broadcasting a table game, optionally a poker game, optionally by television or via the Internet, comprising a system according to  claim 40 , which includes apparatus that displays information deduced automatically from data read in the reading areas. 
   
   
       61 . A method for determining the value of bets in a table game, optionally a poker game, utilizing chips each equipped with an RFID microcircuit containing data indicating the value of the chip, comprising:
 placing the chips bet in a specific reading area called the bet area,   after each player places his bet, initiating reading of the values of the chips in the bet area,   adding said read values.   
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising computing an amount that is a function of the sum of the values of the chips bet. 
   
   
       63 . A method for following phases of the game utilizing the method of  claim 61 , comprising storing sums successively bet and comparing the differences between two successive sums. 
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 63 , further comprising deducing an action undertaken by a player. 
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 63 , further comprising verifying that the sum bet corresponds to a possible action, where applicable an action stated by the player who placed the bet. 
   
   
       66 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the microcircuit in each chip includes unique identification data, wherein said method further comprises reading identification data. 
   
   
       67 . The method of  claim 66 , further comprising deducing authenticity of each chip in a reading area, optionally by comparison with a database. 
   
   
       68 . The method of  claim 66 , further comprising assigning each chip to an identified player. 
   
   
       69 . The method of  claim 68 , further comprising modifying an assignment of a chip each time that it changes hands. 
   
   
       70 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising computing a value of the chips held by each player at a given time, optionally at least one of, at a beginning and at an end of a game, utilizing a reading area for the chips held by the players, or a player area. 
   
   
       71 . The method of  claim 70 , further comprising inviting each player at the same table successively to place his chips in a reading area. 
   
   
       72 . The method of  claim 71 , further comprising utilizing the bet area, to which a player area function is assigned. 
   
   
       73 . The method of  claim 71 , further comprising utilizing a specific common player area that is optionally mobile. 
   
   
       74 . The method of  claim 70 , further comprising utilizing an individual player area on the playing tabletop in front of each player. 
   
   
       75 . The method of  claim 74 , further comprising utilizing the individual player area to determine in real time the reserve of chips of each player. 
   
   
       76 . The method of  claim 75 , further comprising utilizing a button that is equipped with an RFID microcircuit and is placed in the individual player area to individualize a specific player. 
   
   
       77 . The method of  claim 70 , further comprising:
 providing a reading area in a commission teller station;   automatically computing the sum of the values of the commission chips in said commission teller station and read in said reading area; and then   comparing the sum of the values of the commission chips in said commission teller station to a result of adding the values read in the bet area.   
   
   
       78 . A method of broadcasting a table game, optionally a poker game, optionally by television or via the Internet, comprising displaying information deduced automatically from data read in reading areas. 
   
   
       79 . The method of  claim 78  wherein, said table game is a poker game. 
   
   
       80 . The method of  claim 78  wherein, the table game is broadcast by television or via the Internet. 
   
   
       81 . The method of  claim 73  wherein, the specific common player area is mobile. 
   
   
       82 . The method of  claim 70  wherein, the value is computed at least one of, at a beginning or at an end of a game. 
   
   
       83 . The method of  claim 67  wherein, said deducing is accomplished by comparison with a database. 
   
   
       84 . The method of  claim 61  wherein, the table game is a poker game. 
   
   
       85 . The method of  claim 60  wherein, said table game is a poker game. 
   
   
       86 . The method of  claim 60  wherein, the table game is broadcast by television or via the Internet. 
   
   
       87 . The system of  claim 56  wherein, said RFID readers are synchronized with each other. 
   
   
       88 . The system of  claim 54  wherein, the apparatus for identifying the position of a button on the tabletop is in a reading area assigned to each player individually. 
   
   
       89 . The system of  claim 53  wherein, the player area is mobile by a trolley on wheels. 
   
   
       90 . The system of  claim 46  wherein, the at least one bet area or pot is located in a central area of the tabletop. 
   
   
       91 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein said at least one antenna is positioned under a gaming mat that covers a tabletop. 
   
   
       92 . A combination of a table and chips for a table game, comprising:
 chips each equipped with a radio-frequency identification microcircuit, data in said radio-frequency identification microcircuit indicating the value of the chip;   a gaming tabletop having at least one reading area for reading data written in said radio-frequency identification microcircuits, each reading area comprising antenna apparatus that reads data from each chip in said reading area, and said system further comprising computing apparatus that computes a total amount corresponding to a sum of chip values, there being at least one reading area on said tabletop.