Electronic amusement device and method for operating same

1. A method for directing a computing device to conduct a game of chance, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) generating causing a processor to generate a representation of a card having a first class rank and a first suit;

(b) displaying causing the processor to operate with a display device to display the representation of the card at a game set location, thereby displaying an indicia of the first class rank at the game set location and an indicia of the first suit at the game set location; and

(c) causing the processor to determine a forthcoming expiration of at least one of (1) the indicia of the first suit at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first rank at the game set location, and (2) the indicia of the first rank at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first suit at the game set location;

(d) displaying if the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first suit at the game set location, cause the processor to operate with the display device to display an indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first suit at the game set location; and

the first class corresponding to the representation of the card.

(e) if the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first rank at the game set location, cause the processor to operate with display device to display an indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first rank at the game set location.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of displaying an causing the processor to operate with the display device to display the indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the first class the indicia of the first suit at the game set location or the indicia of the first rank at the game set location includes displaying a countdown display.

3. An apparatus, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor in communication with the storage device, the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and the processor operative with the program to: perform the method of claim 1

(i) generate a representation of a card having a first rank and a first suit;

(ii) display the representation of the card at a game set location, thereby displaying an indicia of the first rank at the game set location and an indicia of the first suit at the game set location;

(iii) determine a forthcoming expiration of at least one of (1) the indicia of the first suit at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first rank at the game set location, and (2) the indicia of the first rank at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first suit at the game set location;

(iv) if the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first suit at the game set location, display an indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first suit at the game set location; and

(v) if the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first rank at the game set location, display an indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the first rank at the game set location.

4. A non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with a program for implementing a method, said program for directing a device to perform the steps of: the method of claim 1 :

(i) generate a representation of a card having a first rank and a first suit;

(ii) display the representation of the card at a game set location, thereby displaying an indicia of the first class at the game set location and the indicia of the first rank at the game set location;

(iii) determine a forthcoming expiration of at least one of (1) the indicia of the first suit at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first rank at the game set location, and (2) the indicia of the first rank at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first suit at the game set location;

(iv) if the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the first suit at the game set location, display an indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first suit at the game set location; and

(v) if the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first rank at the game set location, display an indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the first rank at the game set location.

5. A method comprising:

(a) receiving causing a processor to operate with an input device to receive a first request for a card;

(b) generating causing the processor to generate a first representation of a card having a first rank and a first suit;

(c) displaying causing the processor to operate with a display device to display the first representation at a location for new cards, thereby displaying an indicia of the first rank at the location for new cards and an indicia of the first suit at the location for new cards;

(d) receiving causing the processor to operate with the input device to receive a placement signal, the placement signal indicating a card location of a game set that comprises a plurality of card locations;

(e) displaying causing the processor to operate with the display device to display the first representation at the card location of the game set, thereby displaying the indicia of the first rank at the card location of the game set and the indicia of the first suit at the card location of the game set;

(f) causing the processor to, in response to expiration of a period of time, assigning assign to the first representation at the card location of the game set at least one of (1) a second rank and a second suit separately from a second suit, and (2) a second suit separately from a second rank;

(g) displaying if the assignment to the first representation is a second rank, causing the processor to operate with the display device to display the first representation at the card location of the game set, thereby displaying at least one of an indicia of the assigned second rank at the card location of the game set;

(h) receiving at least one of if the assignment to the first representation is a second suit, causing the processor to operate with the display device to display the first representation at the card location of the game set, thereby displaying an indicia of the assigned second suit rank at the card location of the game set;

(i) receiving causing the processor to operate with the input device to receive a second request for a card;

(j) generating causing the processor to generate a second representation of a card having a third rank and a third suit; and

(k) causing the processor to operate with the display device to, before the expiration of the period of time, displaying display the second representation of the card at the location for new cards, thereby displaying an indicia of the third rank at the card location for new cards and an indicia of the third suit at the card location for new cards.

6. A method comprising:

(a) generating causing a processor to generate a first subject game element having a first class first rank and a first suit;

(b) displaying causing the processor to operate with a display device to display the first subject game element at a first location new card location, thereby displaying an indicia of the first class rank and an indicia of the first suit;

(c) causing the processor to, in response to expiration of a period of time, assigning a second class to the first subject game element assign to the first subject game element at least one of (1) a second rank separately from a second suit, and (2) a second suit separately from a second rank;

(d) displaying if the assignment to the first subject game element is a second rank, causing the processor to operate with the display device to display the first subject game element at a second location a game set location, thereby displaying an indicia of the second class the assigned second rank at the game set location;

(e) if the assignment to the first subject game element is a second suit, causing the processor to operate with the display device to display the first subject game element at the game set location, thereby displaying an indicia of the assigned second suit at the game set location;

(f) generating causing the processor to generate a second subject game element having a third class third rank and a third suit; and

(g) causing the processor to operate with the display device to, before the expiration of the period of time, displaying display the second subject game element at the first new card location, thereby displaying an indicia of the third class rank at the new card location and an indicia of the third suit at the new card location.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising: receiving causing the processor to operate with the display device and an input device to, receive a placement signal; in which displaying the display of the first subject game element at the second game set location comprises: displaying the first subject game element at the second game set location based on the placement signal.

8. The method of claim 7 , in which displaying causing the processor to operate with the display device to, display the first subject game element at the second game set location comprises: displaying the first subject game element at the second game set location before the expiration of the period of time.

9. A method comprising:

(a) displaying causing a processor to operate with a display device to display a first representation of a card at a first location new card location, the first representation including an indicia of a first class rank and an indicia of a first suit;

(b) determining causing the processor to determine expiration of a period of time;

(c) receiving causing the processor to operate with the input device to receive a placement signal from a player, the placement signal indicating a second game set location;

(d) causing the processor to operate with the display device to, before the expiration of the period of time, displaying display the first representation at the second game set location;

(e) causing the processor to operate with the display device to, before the expiration of the period of time, displaying display a second representation of a card at the first location new card location, the second representation including an indicia of a second class rank and an indicia of a second suit;

(f) causing the processor to, in response to the expiration of the period of time, assigning assign to the first representation at least one of (1) a third class to the first representation rank separately from a third suit and (2) a third suit separately from a third rank; and

(g) displaying if the assignment to the first representation is the third rank, causing the processor to operate with the display device to display the first representation at the game set location, the first representation at the game set location including an indicia of a display of an indicia of the assigned third class rank; and

(h) if the assignment to the first representation is the third suit, causing the processor to operate with the display device to display the first representation at the game set location, the first representation at the game set location including a display of an indicia of the assigned third suit.

10. A method comprising:

(a) generating causing a processor to generate a subject game element having a first class a first rank and a first suit;

(b) displaying causing the processor to operate with a display device to display the subject game element at a first location new card location, thereby displaying an indicia of the first class rank and an indicia of the first suit;

(c) receiving causing the processor to operate with an input device to receive from a player a placement signal that indicates a second location game set location;

(d) displaying causing the processor to operate with the display device to display the subject game element at the second location; game set location,

(e) causing the processor to determine a forthcoming expiration of at least one of (1) the indicia of the first suit at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first rank at the game set location, and (2) the indicia of the first rank at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first suit at the game set location;

(f) displaying if the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first suit at the game set location, causing the processor to operate with the display device to display an indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first suit at the game set location,

(g) subject game element if the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first rank at the game set location, causing the processor to operate with the display device to display an indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first rank at the game set location; and

(h) receiving causing the processor to operate with the input device to receive a signal via a lock button, the signal effective to prevent the subject game element from expiring expiration of at least one of (1) the indicia of the first suit at the game set location or the indicia of the first rank at the game set location, and (2) the indicia of the first rank at the game set location or the indicia of the first suit at the game set location.

11. A method comprising:

generating a subject game element having a first class;

displaying the subject game element at a first location, thereby displaying an indicia of the first class;

receiving from a player a placement signal that indicates a second location;

displaying the subject game element at the second location;

displaying an indicia representing forthcoming expiration of the first class; and

receiving a signal via a lock button, the signal effective to prevent the first class from expiring.

12. A method comprising:

generating a subject game element having a first class;

displaying the subject game element at a first location, thereby displaying an indicia of the first class;

receiving from a player a placement signal that indicates a second location;

displaying the subject game element at the second location;

displaying an indicia representing forthcoming change of the subject game element; and

receiving a signal via a lock button, the signal effective to prevent the subject game element from changing.

13. A method comprising:

(a) generating causing a processor to generate a subject game element having a first class first rank and a first suit;

(b) displaying causing the processor to operate with a display device to display the subject game element at a first location new card location, thereby displaying an indicia of the first class rank and an indicia of the first suit;

(c) receiving causing the processor to operate with an input device to receive from a player a placement signal that indicates a second location game set location; and

(d) displaying causing the processor to operate with the display device to display the subject game element at the second location game set location; and

(e) displaying an indicia representing forthcoming expiration of the first class causing the processor to determine a forthcoming expiration of at least one of (1) the indicia of the first suit at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first rank at the game set location, and (2) the indicia of the first rank at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first suit at the game set location;

(f) if the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the first suit at the game set location, causing the processor to operate with the display device to display an indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first suit at the game set location; and

(g) if the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the first rank at the game set location, causing the processor to operate with the display device to display an indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first rank at the game set location.

14. A method comprising:

generating a subject game element having a first class;

displaying the subject game element at a first location, thereby displaying an indicia of the first class;

receiving from a player a placement signal that indicates a second location;

displaying the subject game element at the second location; and

displaying an indicia representing forthcoming expiration of the subject game element.

15. A method comprising:

(a) generating causing a processor to generate a subject game element having a first class rank and a first suit;

(b) displaying causing the processor to operate with the display device to display the subject game element at a first location new card location, thereby displaying an indicia of the first class rank and an indicia of the first suit;

(c) causing the processor to, in response to expiration of a period of time, assigning a second class assign to the subject game element at least one of (1) a second rank separately from a second suit, and (2) a second suit separately from a second rank;

(d) receiving causing the processor to operate with an input device to receive from a player a placement signal that indicates a second game set location; and

(e) displaying if the assignment to the subject game element is the second rank, causing the processor to operate with the display device to display the subject game element at the second game set location, thereby displaying an indicia of the second class second rank at the game set location; and

(f) if the assignment to the subject game element is the second suit, causing the processor to operate with the display device to display the subject game element at the game set location, thereby displaying an indicia of the second suit at the game set location.

16. A method comprising:

(a) generating causing a processor to generate a subject game element having a first class a first rank and a first suit;

(b) displaying causing the processor to operate with the display device to display the subject game element at a first location new card location, thereby displaying an indicia of the first class first rank and an indicia of the first suit;

(c) receiving causing the processor to operate with an input device to receive from a player a placement signal that indicates a second location game set location;

(d) displaying causing the processor to operate with the display device to display the subject game element at the second location game set location, thereby displaying the indicia of the first class rank at the game set location and the indicia of the first suit at the game set location;

(e) causing the processor to, in response to expiration of a period of time, assigning a second class to the subject game element assign to the subject game element at the game set location at least one of (1) a second rank separately from a second suit, and (2) a second suit separately from a second rank; and

(f) displaying causing the processor to operate with the display device to display the subject game element at the second location game set location, thereby displaying at least one of an indicia of the second class assigned second rank at the game set location and an indicia of the assigned second suit at the game set location.

17. A method comprising:

generating a subject game element having a first class;

displaying the subject game element at a first location, thereby displaying an indicia of the first class;

receiving from a player a placement signal that indicates a second location;

displaying the subject game element at the second location;

displaying an indicia representing forthcoming expiration of the subject game element; and

in response to expiration of a period of time, erasing the subject game element.

18. An apparatus comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor in communication with the storage device,

the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program to:

(i) generate a subject game element having a first rank and a first suit;

(ii) display the subject game element at a new card location, thereby displaying an indicia of the first rank and an indicia of the first suit;

(iii) receive from a player a placement signal that indicates a game set location;

(iv) display the subject game element at the game set location;

(v) determine a forthcoming expiration of at least one of (1) the indicia of the first suit at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first rank at the game set location, and (2) the indicia of the first rank at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first suit at the game set location;

(vi) if the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first suit at the game set location, display an indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first suit at the game set location; and

(vii) if the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first rank at the game set location, display an indicia of the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first rank at the game set location.

19. A non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with a program, said program for directing a device to:

(i) generate a subject game element having a first rank and a first suit;

(ii) display the subject game element at a location for new cards, thereby displaying an indicia of the first rank and an indicia of the first suit;

(iii) receive from a player a placement signal that indicates a game set location;

(iv) display the subject game element at the game set location;

(v) determine a forthcoming expiration of at least one of (1) the indicia of the first suit at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first rank at the game set location, and (2) the indicia of the first rank at the game set location separately from the indicia of the first suit at the game set location;

(vi) if the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the first suit at the game set location, display an indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first suit at the game set location; and

(vii) if the determination is the forthcoming expiration of the first rank at the game set location, display an indicia representing the forthcoming expiration of the indicia of the first rank at the game set location.