A card shuffler or other card handling apparatus defines a card receiving and/or dispensing area that accepts cards. The card shuffler also includes a shuffling compartment. A trap door is provided to transport the cards from the receiving and/or dispensing area to the shuffling compartment.

A moving ball-in-a-maze puzzle game includes at least two moving maze rings. Each maze ring includes a respective maze, the maze rings moving relative to one another over a platform, defining dynamic paths therebetween enabling maneuvering a ball on the platform from a start position to an end position through the mazes, while passing between the respective moving maze rings.

An improved system, apparatus and method for flipping gaming objects, such as dice, in a random, reliable manner. An object flipping platform can be contained within a container associated with an electronic gaming machine. The container can be at least partially transparent so that users (e.g., game players) are able to view the objects flipping. The object flipping platform can be used to flip objects (e.g., dice) from one side to an opposite side, and vice versa.

A card shuffler that moves cards one at a time to randomly designated single-card receptacle in a receiving or dealing rack, and a method for shuffling and for dealing cards.

A wheel for an amusement game is disclosed that is rotated by a motor at a constant speed and has a plurality of apertures, wherein each aperture is provided with a sensor that positioned on the wheel and consequently, when a game piece or ball falls passes though the aperture it is immediately read by the sensor and therefore the wheel element can provide a signal to a processor to provide immediate feedback to a player reflecting the detection such as by providing sound effects, lighting effects and the activation of a ticket dispenser.

A card shuffler that moves cards one at a time to randomly designated single-card receptacle in a receiving or dealing rack, and a method for shuffling and for dealing cards.

An improved system, apparatus and method for flipping gaming objects, such as dice, in a random, reliable manner. An object flipping platform can be contained within a container associated with an electronic gaming machine. The container can be at least partially transparent so that users (e.g., game players) are able to view the objects flipping. The object flipping platform can be used to flip objects (e.g., dice) from one side to an opposite side, and vice versa.

The invention provides a three-dimensional apparatus for problem solving, learning and presentation for modeling, teaching and illustrating exemplary problem solving or thinking. Some embodiments provide a puzzle-like form. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention provides for the building of a problem or topic or situation specific or custom learning or problem solving or investigatory or presentation aid. Embodiments of the invention may also incorporate or use electronic, digital, electro-mechanical, mechanical, electric or other devices, processors, controllers, or mechanisms, or input or output to or from such or similar elements, and wired or wireless or other networks or interfaces.

Automatic card shufflers may include a card input mechanism for inputting cards into the card shuffler, a card storage device for receiving cards from the card input mechanism and temporarily storing cards within the card shuffler, and a card output mechanism for outputting cards from the card shuffler. The automatic card shufflers may randomly select an internal compartment to be an overflow compartment for inserting cards when a failure of insertion of a card to a selected primary card position occurs.

A moving ball-in-a-maze puzzle game includes at least two moving maze rings. Each maze ring includes a respective maze, the maze rings moving relative to one another over a platform, defining dynamic paths therebetween enabling maneuvering a ball on the platform from a start position to an end position through the mazes, while passing between the respective moving maze rings.