Method of playing a dice game

A novel game and board or surface is played in combination with two sets of playing pieces consisting of three dice each, one set being visibly distinguishable from the second set and wherein in one embodiment all bets are placed on the board or surface before the first set of dice is throw to speed up the method of play and payoffs for each bet are set by the house. Optionally, the house may set and take additional bets between a throw of the first set of dice and a throw of the second set of dice. In another embodiment of the invention, players use the two sets of dice in sequence wherein winning bets are related to poker hands such as open numbers from 3-35; 3 of a kind; 4 of a kind; 5 of a kind, straight; any 3 pair; 6 of a kind, and six sixes (but specifically excluding two of a kind to provide decisive winning odds for the house) and where the payoffs for each bet are 2 for 1, 3 for 1, 4 for 1, 5 for 1, 8 for 1, 8 for 1,12 for 1, and 20 for 1, respectively, for example. In yet another embodiment of the invention, odds for all bets are again set by the house and a defined whole or percentage of the remaining losing bets form a progressive pot for 6 of a kind and/or six sixes comprises part of the betting.

30 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets

1

METHOD OF PLAYING A DICE GAME

Matter enclosed in heavy brackets [ ] appears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additions 5 made by reissue.

This is a divisional application of application Ser. No. 09/391,445 filed Sep. 8, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,423. Applicant claims the benefit of the filing thereof for all 10 commonly disclosed subject matter.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to casino games, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a wagering game employing dice in combination with common pokerlike winning hands that is intended to be played in gambling casinos, but which game can also be played in non-gambling 2Q settings. Even more particularly, the instant invention is intended to give a novel and new look and feel to the currently popular games of craps and poker, yet have simplified rules and procedures designed both to encourage use by novice gamblers and to increase the betting decisions per ^ hour to maximize casino profit.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Games of chance employing dice are as old as the invention of dice themselves. The concept of using dice boxes in which to play dice games is also old. Even so, the 30 prior art discloses many novel dice box apparatuses and many novel dice games to be played in them. Dice games generally employ one or more dice which, when thrown or rolled upon a horizontal surface, determine a score based upon indicia displayed by the upwardly facing sides or faces 35 of the resting dice. Each die is in the form of a six sided cube, and each side commonly has thereon different quantities of spots respectively representing the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. U.S. Pat. No. 2,657,065 is one such game wherein dice are projected at a cylindrical chamber, the score being 40 determined by the score on the dice which hit the chamber. U.S. Pat. No. 4,247,114 discloses a game board with a walled center player area. U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,602 discloses a hexagonal dice box, with a circumferential rim on which score may be kept. Dice thrown into a dice box can 45 occasionally result in a miss, wherein the dice miss the box or fly out of it after being thrown. When this happens, the dice are usually retrieved and thrown again. However, a game such as the present invention which allows the player an opportunity to improve his score when he throws again, 50 combined with a double dice box provides a novel and entertaining way to play dice.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,430,780 issued in 1990 to Goodman et al. discloses a method of playing a dice game wherein a dice box having two play compartments is separated by a com- 55 mon wall, one compartment of which is used to catch the dice when thrown, the second compartment acting as a holding area in which dice are placed that have been counted in scoring, taking them temporarily out of action. The game is played with six dice. Ones, fives and certain multiple 60 combinations are scored. Players may re-throw any dice which miss the play compartment, and any score changes being caused by one die hitting another in the play compartment are counted. A player must voluntarily surrender his turn while still accumulating score in order for that score 65 to be counted; if he fails to score on any throw of the dice, any score accumulated during that turn is canceled.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,175 which issued in 1994 to DiLullo et al. discloses a method of playing a novel betting game with dice. A playing surface includes numerical zones that represent the possible outcomes of the sum of either two rolls of a pair of dice or three rolls of a pair of dice. Certain of these zones are defined as walls, and the other zones are provided with payout rewards. In play, a number of players place "survival" bets. One player is selected to begin rolling the pair of dice until either the maximum number of rolls is achieved without hitting a wall, or the sum of each roll of the dice falls within a wall. If the sum of the rolls of the dice falls within a wall, the survival bets are collected, the dice are passed to another player, and the game begins again. Otherwise, the appropriate payout reward is paid to each player who made a survival bet. Other single-roll side bets may be included for allowing players to bet upon the chance outcome of high numbers, low numbers, doubled, or a natural 12.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,467 which issued in 1995 to Hoover discloses a method of playing a poker dice game for entertaining players. The inventive game utilizes a plurality of dice and may include score cards, a rule book, a dice agitator cup, and a storage box. A method of play of the game includes rolling up to five dice and computing a score in accordance with the numbers generated. Score is kept for each player with the winner being declared as the player obtaining a score within a predetermined scoring window or spread.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,642 was issued to Stewart in 1996 and discloses a novel casino game using three dice, one having the color red and the other two having bodies of white. The red die is rolled first followed by a roll of the two white dice. A better wins when the two white dice show a total number larger than the number on the red die and the total number on the white dice and the number on the red die are both odd or both even. Payoff ratios can be varied and various side bets, depending upon the outcome of the dice rolls may be arranged.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,183 which issued in 1997 to Skratulia discloses and claims a novel set of dice for producing a range of numerical values as well as a method of using the novel set of three die for producing a range of numerical values and includes a plurality of dice each having a representation of a selected number disposed on each of its six sides. In one embodiment the set of dice includes first die, a second die, and a third die, and the range of numerical values produced is one through eight. In a second embodiment the set of dice includes a different first die and a different second die, and the range of numerical values produced in one through nine.

Later in 1997 U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,704 was issued to Dobbin for a method of playing a dice game of the type wherein points are accumulated based upon the scores received for various combinations of numerical values displayed from a roll or throw of a plurality of dice, and by increasing a thrown score and deducting from or adding to the accumulated score this increased score based upon a roll of a die. The dice game comprises the steps of providing six playing dice; providing a bonus die having six faces, three faces having "DOUBLE" marked thereon and three faces having "TRIPLE" marked thereon; establishing an initial order of play; initiating play by throwing the playing dice for displaying a side of each die, wherein each player in turn throws the dice in an attempt to achieve a score of 10,000 points to be declared a winner; wherein upon reaching a score of 650 points a player may choose to "dare," whereby, the player throws the bonus die and doubles or triples the