Apparatus and Methods for Playing Electronic Table Card Games

Abstract

Electronic card game devices and methods incorporate progressive jackpot operations controlled by a central server computer. If a system game device is selected by the central server computer to win a progressive jackpot award, the system game device is programmed to display secondary game outcome symbols on playing cards being displayed during game play to indicate winning of the award.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An electronic card game wagering system comprising:
 an electronic device for playing a card game; and a second computer programmed with steps for executing a symbol award system, said symbol award system generating one or more symbol awards associated with a secondary event outcome to occur at a future time, said second computer in operative communication with said device for playing a card game;   wherein, if said second computer sends a message to said electronic card gaming device including a symbol award, said electronic card gaming device is programmed to commence card game play by generating playing card graphics depictions including at least a card value and card suit; and one or more depictions of an additional predetermined graphical representation associated with the symbol award; and,   wherein if said second computer sends a message to said electronic device for playing a card game that does not include a symbol award, said electronic device for playing a card game is programmed to commence card game play by generating playing card graphics depictions without said one or more depictions of an additional predetermined graphical representation associated with a symbol award;   wherein, upon receiving a card that includes a symbol award, a player becomes eligible for a secondary award based upon outcome of said secondary event to occur at a future time.   
     
     
         3 . The electronic card gaming system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one said electronic device for playing a card game is programmed to play a poker game. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic card gaming system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one said electronic device for playing a card game is programmed to play a blackjack game. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic card gaming system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one said electronic device for playing a card game is programmed to play a tournament. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic card gaming system of  claim 2 , wherein said secondary future event is rolling one or more dice. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic card gaming system of  claim 2 , wherein said secondary future event is selecting one or more bingo balls. 
     
     
         8 . The electronic card gaming system of  claim 2 , wherein said secondary future event is a card game. 
     
     
         9 . The electronic card gaming system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one said electronic device for playing a card game is a mobile phone. 
     
     
         10 . The electronic card gaming system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one said electronic device for playing a card game is a video lottery terminal (VLT). 
     
     
         11 . An electronic card gaining system comprising:
 an electronic card gaming device programmed with steps for executing a multi-hand electronic card game and displaying electronically generated graphic depictions of one or more hands of playing cards, each said hand of playing cards depicted being dealt from a separate deck of playing cards;
 a second computer programmed with steps for executing a progressive jackpot system; and selecting one or more jackpot award events from a plurality of jackpot event outcomes; said second computer being in operative communication with said electronic card gaming device; 
 wherein, if said second computer sends a message to said electronic card gaming device including a chance for a player to win a progressive jackpot award, said electronic card gaming device is programmed to commence multi-hand card game play by generating, upon at least one card dealt in at least one of said playing hands, playing card graphics depictions including at least a card value and card suit; 
   and one or more depictions of an additional predetermined graphical representation associated with a jackpot award; and
 wherein, a player is allowed to draw a replacement card if desired that has one of the following properties: 
 1) the same card suit and value as said at least one card dealt but a potentially different one or more outcome representations for said jackpot award; 
 2) a different suit and/or value for said at least one card dealt but the same one or more outcome representations for said jackpot award; and, 
 3) a different suit or value for said at least one card dealt and potentially different outcome representations of said jackpot award; 
 whereby a player has the option for each card to hold the initial playing card suit and value, the jackpot award representations, or the combined initial playing card suit and value and the jackpot award representations. 
   
     
     
         12 . The electronic card gaming system of  claim 11 , wherein at least one said electronic card gaming device is programmed to play a poker game. 
     
     
         13 . The electronic card gaming system of  claim 11 , wherein at least one said electronic device for playing a card game is a video lottery terminal (VLT). 
     
     
         14 . The electronic card gaming system of  claim 11 , wherein said electronic card gaming device is a mobile phone application. 
     
     
         15 . The electronic card gaming system of  claim 11 , wherein said electronic card gaming device is an internet application. 
     
     
         16 . An electronic card game wagering system comprising:
 an electronic card gaming device for playing a card game; and a server computer programmed with steps for executing a symbol award system, said symbol award system generating one or more symbol, said server computer in operative communication with said device for playing a card game;   wherein, if said server computer sends a message to said electronic card gaming device including a symbol award, said electronic card gaming device is programmed to commence card game play by generating playing card graphics depictions including at least a card value and card suit; and one or more depictions of an additional predetermined graphical representation associated with the symbol award; and,   wherein if said server computer sends a message to said electronic card gaming device that does not include a symbol award, said electronic card gaming device is programmed to commence card game play by generating playing card graphics depictions without said one or more depictions of an additional predetermined graphical representation associated with a symbol award;   
     
     
         17 . The electronic card gaming system of  claim 16 , wherein at least one said electronic card gaming device is programmed to play a poker game. 
     
     
         18 . The electronic card gaming system of  claim 16 , wherein at least one said electronic card gaming device is programmed to play a blackjack game. 
     
     
         19 . The electronic card gaming system of  claim 16 , wherein said electronic card gaming device is a mobile phone application. 
     
     
         20 . The electronic card gaming system of  claim 16 , wherein said at least one said electronic card gaming device is programmed to utilize one or more services of said server computer. 
     
     
         21 . The electronic card gaming system of  claim 16 , wherein said at least one said electronic card gaming device is programmed to digitally verify one or more software object(s) for security purposes.