BACKGROUND

Live-dealer online gambling has become very popular in recent years. In live-dealer online gambling, a real (as opposed to computer generated), live dealer in a casino or a studio deals a casino gambling game, such as blackjack, to one or more players who are remote from the dealer. One or more cameras and microphones capture video and audio of the dealer and surrounding environment (which may include a real (as opposed to computer generated) gaming table, such as a blackjack table) and transmit the video and audio to the player(s) for presentation on their computer(s). For example, in live-dealer online blackjack, the video may show the dealer dealing real (as opposed to computer generated) playing cards to up to seven locations (each a virtual seat) on the real gaming table. The computer(s) of the player(s) may also present a graphical user interface that is presented with the video and audio that enables the player(s) to make wagers, see information about the game (such as game history, available wager options, etc.), and chat with dealer and/or other players.

A limitation of many approaches to live-dealer online gambling is that there is a limit to the number of players that can virtually sit at a gaming table. For example, in many instances of live-dealer online blackjack, a maximum of seven players can participate in gaming at a table.

Accordingly, new mechanisms for live-dealer online gambling are desired.

SUMMARY

In accordance with some embodiments, systems, methods, and media for removing playing cards from a gaming table are provided.

In some embodiments, systems for removing a card from a gaming table are provided, the systems comprising: a gaming table having a table surface; and a door mounted on the table surface, wherein the door is configured to automatically open downward when a playing card is placed on the door so that the playing card slides downward to a space below the table surface. In some of these embodiments, the systems further comprise a hardware processor that detects when the playing card is placed on the door and controls the opening of the door, and optionally further comprise a stepper motor that is controlled by the hardware processor and that is coupled to the door so that the stepper motor can cause the door to open under the control of the hardware processor. In some of these embodiments, the systems further comprise a sensor on the door that detects the presence of the playing card on the door, wherein the sensor is optionally an optical sensor. In some of these embodiments, the systems further comprise a hardware processor that generates a graphics version of the playing card and presents the graphics version of the playing card on a player's computer display after the playing card has slid below the table surface. In some of these embodiments, the systems further comprise a container positioned below the table surface that captures the playing card, and optionally: (1) a rail to which the container is coupled and a motor that causes the container to move from a position proximate to the door to a position proximate to the dealer; and/or (2) wherein the container has an angled platform that is at an angle of 52 degrees relative to a side of the container going from a top of the container to a bottom of the container.

In some embodiments, methods for removing a card from a gaming table are provided, the methods comprising: detecting when a playing card is placed on a door on a table surface of a gaming table; and causing the door to automatically open downward when the playing card is detected as being placed on the door so that the playing card slides downward to a space below the table surface. In some embodiments, these methods further comprise controlling the opening of the door using a hardware processor, and optionally using a stepper motor to control the opening of the door. In some embodiments, the detecting uses a sensor on the door that detects the presence of the playing card on the door, wherein the sensor is optionally an optical sensor. In some embodiments, these methods further comprise generating a graphics version of the playing card; and presenting the graphics version of the playing card on a player's computer display after the playing card has slid below the table surface. In some embodiments, these methods further comprise positioning a container below the table surface that captures the playing card, and optionally: (1) coupling the container to a rail and causing the container to automatically move from a position proximate to the door to a position proximate to the dealer; and/or wherein the container has an angled platform that is at an angle of 52 degrees relative to a side of the container going from a top of the container to a bottom of the container.

In some embodiments, non-transitory computer-readable media containing computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method for removing a card from a gaming table are provided, the method comprising: detecting when a playing card is placed on a door on a table surface of a gaming table; and causing the door to automatically open downward when the playing card is detected as being placed on the door so that the playing card slides downward to a space below the table surface. In some embodiments these non-transitory computer-readable media, the method further comprises: generating a graphics version of the playing card; and presenting the graphics version of the playing card on a player's computer display after the playing card has slid below the table surface.

