Live card playing station

Abstract

A system and method for enabling an individual to remotely participate in an actual casino card game, such as Poker, Blackjack and the like. A card playing station is provided that is integrated or interconnected with a conventional card table that is capable of being operatively interconnected to a remote computer via a secure, preferably web-based communications link. The card playing station is provided with means such as web cams to view the casino environment and enable the participant to remotely interact with the dealer and other players. The card playing station is further provided with means for receiving, reading and discharging playing cards, as well as waging bets and tallying gains and/or losses. The systems and methods thus enable the participant to actually play in a conventional casino-style environment and further afford the participant the opportunity to participate in gaming in virtually any casino throughout the world.

1 . A card playing station operative to enable an individual to participate remotely in a card game by means of a personal computer associated with the individual, the station comprising:
 a housing adapted to be received upon or within a conventional card playing table, the housing having a communications link for connecting with said personal computer of said individual;   means for receiving at least one playing card and transmitting information associated with at least one playing card to said personal computer associated with said individual; and   means integrated with said housing for enabling said remote individual to wager bets and make playing card gaming decisions through said personal computer to said housing via said communications link in response to a card game being conducted on said card playing table.   
   
   
       2 . The card playing station of  claim 1  wherein said card playing station is provided with a card reader/scanner for providing information associated with said at least one playing card to said personal computer. 
   
   
       3 . The card playing station of  claim 1  wherein said communications link comprises a secure web-based communications link. 
   
   
       4 . The card playing station of  claim 1  further comprising a visual display having at least one webcam associated therewith for enabling said remote individual and any players associated with the card game being conducted on said card table to view and interact with one another. 
   
   
       5 . The card playing station of  claim 4  further comprising means for tallying and keeping track of gains or losses accumulated by said remote individual from said remote individual's gaming activities associated with the individual's card playing activity. 
   
   
       6 . The card playing station of  claim 5  wherein said system further comprises means for crediting or debiting a credit card or an account with sums commensurate with gains or losses accumulated by said remote individual via wagering made by said individual. 
   
   
       7 . The card playing station of  claim 1  wherein said card playing station and card playing table associated therewith are operated in a casino. 
   
   
       8 . A method for conducting a casino-type card game involving at least one remote participant, said method comprising the steps:
 a. providing a casino-type card table with a live dealer;   b. providing a card playing station, said card playing station comprising:
 a housing adapted to be received upon or within a conventional card playing table, the housing having a communications link for connecting with a personal computer of a remote participant; 
 means for receiving at least one playing card and transmitting information associated with said at least one playing card to a personal computer; and 
 means integrated with said housing for enabling said remote participant to wager bets and make playing card gaming decisions in response to a card game being conducted on said card playing table; 
   c. providing a remote participant having a personal computer associated with said remote participant;   d. establishing a communications link between said personal computer of said remote participant in step (c) with said remote playing card station of step (b); and   e. engaging in a casino-type card game involving said dealer and said remote participant by means of interaction through said card playing station, on one hand, and said remote participant's personal computer, on the other hand.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said casino-type card game is selected from the group consisting of Blackjack, Poker and Texas Hold 'Em.