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Electronic poker table and methodRelated Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Including Means For Processing Electronic Data (e.g., Computer/video Game, Etc.), In A Chance Application, Lot Match Or Lot Combination (e.g., Roulette, Lottery, Etc.)Electronic poker table and method description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060068879, Electronic poker table and method. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/939,772, filed Sep. 13, 2004, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/610,262 filed on Sep. 15, 2004, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to electronic poker tables and more particularly to an electronic poker table which displays electronic community cards and hole cards. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Gaming is an increasingly popular form of entertainment. Games, particularly, games of chance and skill in which one or more players play and place wagers on the outcome thereof may be played in a variety of ways, including at a casino or other venue or on the Internet. Of the various forms of games which are available for play, many are played with playing cards. Of these, poker is arguably the most popular. [0004] Traditionally, poker is played at a table with several players wagering paper, coin money or chips on a series of playing cards dealt from a deck of fifty-two cards. This deck is comprised of four suits at thirteen cards per suit. This form of poker requires a human dealer to coordinate the game, including dealing, wagering, folding, etc. One of the problems with traditional poker is that it suffers from the possibility of human/dealer error. In "social" card games, especially poker, the players take turns acting as the dealer, but in licensed commercial gaming establishments, such as casinos, the dealer is typically a non-playing employee. Thus, another problem associated with traditional poker games in this context is the training and retention of dealers. [0005] One alternative form of gaming, with particular reference to poker, has flourished on the Internet. Internet gaming has become quite successful in that it provides many choices for the players. In particular, Internet gaming is fast and convenient, with registration, betting and payouts available from almost any computer with Internet access and with payments typically arranged via a pay service, such as PayPal. [0006] Video poker or other card games may also be provided by stand-alone machines similar to slot machines. [0007] One major drawback of Internet and stand-alone type games is the lack of the human element. Many people prefer to play poker against other players, due in part to the drama associated with "live" gaming. Undoubtedly, an elevated level of competition exists when humans compete directly against one another. In gaming establishments, experienced players are trying to hone strategy and read other players' intentions through their movements and style of play to be more competitive. [0008] The present invention is aimed at one or more of the problems set forth above. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] In a first aspect of the present invention, an electronic poker table for providing an electronic poker game to a plurality of players is provided. The electronic poker table includes a table top with a playing surface and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top. Each electronic player interaction area provides a player interface for interaction with one of the players. The electronic poker table also includes a central display area located in a central location of the table top for displaying information to the players and a game computer coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas and the central display area for administering a hand of the electronic poker game using electronic cards. The hand of the electronic poker game includes at least one community card displayed face-up on the central display and at least one hole card for each player displayed on the respective electronic player interaction area. The at least one common card being displayed in a larger size than the at least one hole card. [0010] In a second aspect of the present invention, a method for providing an electronic poker game to a plurality of players is provided. The method includes the step of dealing, by a game computer, a hand of the electronic poker game using electronic cards. The hand of the electronic poker game includes at least one community card and at least one hole card for each player. The method also includes the steps of displaying the at least one community card face-up on the central display and displaying the at least one hole card for each player on their respective electronic player interaction area. The at least one common card is larger than the at least one hole card. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: [0012] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a system for providing an electronic poker game on one or more electronic poker tables, according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0013] FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram of a table top of the electronic poker tables of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0014] FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram of a table top of the electronic poker tables of FIG. 1, according to another embodiment of the present invention; [0015] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0016] FIG. 5 is a second block diagram of the system of FIG. 1, including the element of an electronic poker table, according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0017] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of an electronic poker table, according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0018] FIG. 7 is a top view of the electronic poker table of FIG. 6; [0019] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of a module of the electronic poker table of FIG. 6, according to an embodiment of the present invention; Continue reading about Electronic poker table and method... Full patent description for Electronic poker table and method Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Electronic poker table and method patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Electronic poker table and method or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Wagering game with moveable bonus trigger to initiate bonus features Next Patent Application: Marking lottery card and method for constructing database using the same Industry Class: Amusement devices: games ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Electronic poker table and method patent info. 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