Methods of playing commission-free pai gow poker games are disclosed. The commission-free pai gow poker games have multiple features, including a novel push mechanism and a novel copy-fostering mechanism, that provide a gaming establishment with an adequate house edge without the need to charge a commission on player wins. The features of the commission-free pai gow poker games may be incorporated in one or more instruction sets or software configured in one or more mechanical devices and/or electronic devices. Furthermore, the features may be configured in one or more displays in communication with one or more servers as desired. Furthermore, the commission-free pai gow poker games may be offered in a non-gaming media environment as desired.

Systems, apparatuses and methods for increasing potential payout opportunities using multiple card indicia representing multiple cards. One embodiment involves determining whether any one or more of a plurality of cards of a poker game having multiple poker hands are to be randomly provided with multiple card indicia representing multiple cards, presenting the plurality of cards of the poker hands, including the one or more of the plurality of cards determined to be randomly provided with multiple card indicia, and identifying a plurality of resulting hands for each of the multiple poker hands that include a multiple card indicia, where each of the plurality of resulting hands includes a different subset of a total of the indicia of the other cards in the respective poker hand and any cards provided with multiple card indicia.

A computer-implemented platform and associated method for conducting a competitive poker-based event, for example, in the form of a league of teams each made up of individual team players, incorporates a unique and unconventional methodology of resetting competitor chip stack sizes prior to the commencement of each dealt hand, such that each player begins each new hand with an identical total chip stack unit value. Players may participate remotely via portable electronic devices. Player rankings are determined based upon a unique skill set including statistical variables such as match success rate, uncontested chips accrued, and equity quotient. Competitive matches incorporate a unique event format featuring predefined time intervals (i.e. Quarters) and a betting time clock limiting a competitor's time to act when action is on that player. Events may be broadcasted over the Internet as well as via a television network.

A method of providing additional wagering options wherein the additional wagering options are integrated into conventional poker games such as but not limited to Texas Hold'em and Omaha. The present invention includes a table wherein the table is provided with a bonus play area for each player that can be accommodated at the table. Prior to the outset of the playing of the conventional poker game, the player is permitted to place a wager on the bonus play area. During play of the conventional poke game, the dealer will provide bonus payout options at various intervals within the poker game. If the player is in possession of cards that combine with the dealer and/or community cards that form a qualifying hand the player is paid a bonus payout in accordance with the present invention regulations.

A method of playing and presenting a game, such as at an electronic gaming device, offers players the opportunity for multi-tier wagering and side or proposition bets. In one embodiment a card game offers an ante, secondary, tertiary and quaternary wagering options on a player hand against a dealer hand and proposition bets on the player and/or dealer hands. The game may comprise a card game in which initial cards are dealt to each player and the dealer and then community flop, river and turn cards are dealt, with each player and the dealer forming a best five card poker hand from seven cards.

A bonus providing element distinct from an underlying game enables bonus awards to players at two or more player positions of the underlying game based upon receipt of a predetermined triggering outcome in the underlying game by the bonus providing element providing an indication of at least three individual random indicators, such as: a) a first random indicator configured to provide an identification of a first award to be awarded to qualifying players of the players of the underlying game; b) a second random indicator configured to provide an identification of a single one of the two or more player positions; and c) a third random indicator configured to provide an identification of a second award to be awarded to the player at the single one of the two or more player positions indicated by the second random indictor.

Systems, apparatuses and methods for increasing potential payout opportunities using multiple card indicia representing multiple cards. One embodiment involves determining whether any one or more of a plurality of cards of a poker game having multiple poker hands are to be randomly provided with multiple card indicia representing multiple cards, presenting the plurality of cards of the poker hands, including the one or more of the plurality of cards determined to be randomly provided with multiple card indicia, and identifying a plurality of resulting hands for each of the multiple poker hands that include a multiple card indicia, where each of the plurality of resulting hands includes a different subset of a total of the indicia of the other cards in the respective poker hand and any cards provided with multiple card indicia.

A bonus providing element distinct from underlying game play enables individual player unique benefits to an underlying game winning outcome by the bonus providing element providing a linear indication of at least three individual random indicators including: a) an identification of a single one of at least two different player positions; b) at least one of an absolute amount or multiplier of a winning outcome payout; and c) at least one of a multiplier, prize or an absolute amount larger than or smaller than any absolute amount or multiplier in b). When a winning outcome or triggering outcome by a first player position (any player position in a group of players) occurs in an underlying game, the bonus providing element is subsequently activated to randomly provide random outcomes for each of the at least three individual random indicators.

A blackjack game provides a side bet that the cards dealt to form the dealer's hand will match one of a predetermined set of winning poker hands. A blackjack hand is dealt to the player and a dealer, wherein each hand comprises a plurality of cards. The outcome of the blackjack hand is determined according to blackjack rules. The cards in the dealer's hand are then arranged to form a poker hand. Furthermore, the dealer's poker hand may be modified using cards selected from the player's hand into the dealer's hand to form the poker hand. Modification can be by substitution or addition of cards from the player's hand. The player wins the side bet if the dealer's poker hand matches one of a set of predetermined poker hands.

The present disclosure provides sports training devices for improving a user's technique. In some embodiments, the sports training device comprises a golf putting apparatus including a mat comprising a proximal end, a distal end, a top side and a bottom side; a plurality of distinct resting areas on the top side and near the distal end; a raised ridge on the top side between each of the distinct resting areas; and at least one origin spot on the top side and near the proximal end for placing a ball, such as a golf ball. In one embodiment, a method of improving a user's technique comprises striking a ball from one of the at least one origin spots towards a distinct resting area, such as a preselected resting area.