Multi-deck automatic smart card shuffler and security system configured to shuffle and deliver hands for a casino table game such as baccarat

Abstract

A card shuffler and dealing module shuffles eight decks of cards (or less) and delivers Baccarat hands (or other games) to a dealer. Cards are randomly selected from two pre-shuffle bins and delivered to a connected or integral dealing module. The card shuffler initially selects and delivers four cards (the minimum number needed for a hand of Baccarat) to a dealing area of the dealing module. Two additional cards (the maximum number of additional cards needed for a hand of Baccarat) are then selected and delivered to the dealing module rear of the four initial cards. Accordingly, up to six cards are available to be dealt during the Baccarat hand. The smart card shuffler tracks the rank of the cards and discerns the future outcome of the Baccarat game and adjusts the cards made available to the dealer via an automatic dealing module cover and card transport mechanism.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An automatic card shuffler comprising:
 a first pre-shuffle bin and a second pre-shuffle bin, said first pre-shuffle bin and said second pre-shuffle bin each configured to receive a plurality of cards;   a first card slide and second card slide configured to receive cards removed from said first pre-shuffle bin and said second pre-shuffle bin, respectively, said first card slide adjacent to said first pre-shuffle bin and a second card slide adjacent to said second pre-shuffle bin;   a common slide in communication with said first card slide and said second card slide, said common slide extending to a card removal area;   a flipper mechanism configured to move cards into a position to be removed from said card removal area; and   a roller bar configured to maintain said cards in said position from which to be removed from said card removal area.   
     
     
         2 . The automatic card shuffler of  claim 1  further comprising a pair of spaced discs to which said roller bar is connected. 
     
     
         3 . The automatic card shuffler of  claim 2  further comprising a motor and belt for selectively turning said discs and roller bar. 
     
     
         4 . The automatic card shuffler of  claim 1  wherein said flipper mechanism and roller bar are proximate to said card removal area. 
     
     
         5 . The automatic card shuffler of  claim 1  further comprising a wall at one end of said common slide defining said card removal area, said wall including an opening through which cards may be individually removed. 
     
     
         6 . An automatic card shuffler comprising:
 a first pre-shuffle bin and a second pre-shuffle bin, said first pre-shuffle bin and said second pre-shuffle bin each configured to receive a plurality of cards;   a first card slide and second card slide configured to receive cards removed from said first pre-shuffle bin and said second pre-shuffle bin, respectively, said first card slide adjacent to said first pre-shuffle bin and a second card slide adjacent to said second pre-shuffle bin;   a common slide in communication with said first card slide and said second card slide, said common slide extending to a card removal area; and   a processor running executable instructions to: (i) move cards from said first pre-shuffle bin and said second pre-shuffle bin to said first card slide and said second card slide, respectively; (ii) once said cards slide to said card removal area, raise cards into a position to be removed from said card removal area; and (iii) maintain said cards in said position from which to be removed from said card removal area.   
     
     
         7 . The automatic card shuffler of  claim 6  further comprising a flipper mechanism raise cards to move cards into a position to be removed from said card removal area. 
     
     
         8 . The automatic card shuffler of  claim 6  further comprising a roller bar to maintain said cards in said position from which to be removed from said card removal area. 
     
     
         9 . The automatic card shuffler of  claim 8  further comprising a pair of spaced discs to which said roller bar is connected. 
     
     
         10 . The automatic card shuffler of  claim 9  further comprising a motor and belt for selectively turning said discs and roller bar. 
     
     
         11 . The automatic card shuffler of  claim 6  further comprising a wall at one end of said common slide defining said card removal area, said wall including an opening through which cards may be individually removed. 
     
     
         12 . An automatic card shuffler comprising:
 a first pre-shuffle bin and a second pre-shuffle bin, said first pre-shuffle bin and said second pre-shuffle bin each configured to receive a plurality of cards;   a first card slide and second card slide configured to receive cards removed from said first pre-shuffle bin and said second pre-shuffle bin, respectively, said first card slide adjacent to said first pre-shuffle bin and a second card slide adjacent to said second pre-shuffle bin;   a common slide in communication with said first card slide and said second card slide, said common slide extending to a card removal area; and   a processor running executable instructions to: (i) alternatively move cards from said first pre-shuffle bin and said second pre-shuffle bin to said first card slide and said second card slide, respectively; (ii) once said cards slide to said card removal area, raise cards into a position to be removed from said card removal area; and (iii) maintain said cards in said position from which to be removed from said card removal area.   
     
     
         13 . The automatic card shuffler of  claim 12  further comprising a flipper mechanism raise cards to move cards into a position to be removed from said card removal area. 
     
     
         14 . The automatic card shuffler of  claim 12  further comprising a roller bar to maintain said cards in said position from which to be removed from said card removal area. 
     
     
         15 . The automatic card shuffler of  claim 14  further comprising a pair of spaced discs to which said roller bar is connected. 
     
     
         16 . The automatic card shuffler of  claim 15  further comprising a motor and belt for selectively turning said discs and roller bar. 
     
     
         17 . The automatic card shuffler of  claim 15  further comprising a wall at one end of said common slide defining said card removal area, said wall including an opening through which cards may be individually removed.