Casino games
Apparatus and methods related to multi-player casino games are described. An electronic gaming device is provided that allows a live player to compete against a virtual player in a multi-player wager-based game using playing cards derived from the insertion of a physical denomination of currency. The electronic gaming device can be configured to simulate the decision making of a virtual player and associated behaviors of the virtual player during game play. In some instances, the simulated behaviors of the virtual player output at the electronic gaming device can be learned by a live player so that the live player can make better or more advantageous game play decisions. The simulated behaviors of the virtual player can be conveyed to the live player via visual images, such as simulated facial expressions of the virtual player.
1. A method for providing a multiplayer wagering game comprising the steps of:
receiving an input of a wager from a live player;
initiating a first game state comprising generating and displaying, via a video display, a first graphical representation of a virtual player;
randomly generating, by a controller, a first set of game information for said live player;
randomly generating, by said controller, a first set of game information for said virtual player;
generating and displaying, via said video display a second graphical representation of said first virtual player, said second graphical representation comprising behavioral information associated with said virtual player;
receiving a decision input from said live player, wherein the behavior when correctly interpreted by said live player increases a probability of said live player's input resulting in said live player winning the game; and
comparing, by said controller, said first set of game information for said live player to said combination of said first set of game information for said virtual player to determine a winner of said wagering game.
2. The method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said wager input is received from said live player at a gaming machine comprising a housing, said video display coupled to the housing, at least one player input device, and a monetary value accepting device for generating a credit balance from which said wager is placed.
3. The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising the step of awarding a winnings and crediting a credit balance with said winnings when said live player is determined to be said winner of said wagering game.
4. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said behavioral information comprises one or more simulated facial expressions.
5. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein displaying said second graphical representation comprises displaying video clips or still images of an actual person.
6. The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising the step of generating and presenting an audio representation said behavioral information.
7. The method in accordance with claim 6 wherein said audio representation comprises voice recordings of an actual person.
8. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said decision input comprises one of the following: a fold input, a call input, or a second wager input.
9. The method in accordance with claim 8 further comprising the steps of, when said decision input is a second wager input, initiating a second game state comprising randomly generating a second set of game information for said live player and randomly generating a second set of game information for said virtual player.
10. The method in accordance with claim 9 wherein the step of comparing comprises comparing a combination of said first set of game information for said live player and said second set of game information for said live player to a combination of said first set of game information for said virtual player and said second set of game information for said virtual player to determine a winner.
11. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said step of generating and displaying said behavioral information is triggered by the occurrence of an event.
12. The method in accordance with claim 11 wherein said event is one or more of the following: a current game position of said virtual player, a past game position of a virtual player, a winning streak of said virtual player, a losing streak of the virtual player, a decision made by said live player, and a wager amount made by said live player.
13. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the multiplayer wagering game comprises a poker game.
14. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said behavioral information is selected to reveal information related to one or more of the following: a current game position of said virtual player, a decision made by said virtual player, a decision to be made by said virtual player, and a game strategy of said virtual player.