I expect to get flamed, but recently I came up with an idea for a game type which has more action than Texas Hold 'Em but also appears much simpler than Omaha Hold 'Em. I expect recreational players will love this game and it could become quite popular. (Or fall flat like Pineapple, the Matrix tournaments, etc., although those structures are a bit more flawed than my idea)

The problem is that in the event that it does happen to become a popular game, I want to be able to have some sort of compensation for coming up with the idea.

So I ask those in the forum who are smarter than me (probably should have picked a better place than 'the zoo') what is my best course of action for pitching this idea to the sites? Is it necessary to have this idea patented first (can you even patent a poker game type?).

I'm really excited about what I have come up with and I think it's the next game in the evolution of poker.

In before smart-arsed comments and put-downs.

Yeah I know.

But hopefully I've been around here long enough and most posters will realize that I recognize what makes a good game type.

I'm wondering if I can pitch the idea to a site with a simple 'NDA' and if that would give me enough recourse if the idea is turned down but then appears down the road.

Anybody? (Maybe this should move this to BFI)

Great picture (but not a really great game in the practical sense...unless consuming lots of alcohol of course!)

Look into whatever group it was that was pitching Rush Poker to FT and to Stars maybe. I heard that it was pitched to Stars and they turned it down. So I don't think it was something that the FT people themselves invented but maybe I'm wrong about that. Something you should check out anyway.

I have no idea how patent stuff works with ANYTHING much less specifically to poker game types but maybe somebody in this forum has a clue about.

Look again dude. With cards in their hands AND on their head this game appears far more complex and interesting and exciting than tradition Indian Poker has most people know it.

True geniuses and revolutionaries they are...just like you!

Also note how the rules of this game evidently require the inclusion of a hot blonds chick. The game these people are playing is clearly way ahead of its time.

copyright / patent the game...

sell it to casino / online sites...

profit?

pm the exact details of this game type

i'll make sure you get compensated after i sell it

OP I'm sure you probably have saw this before. Most all companies have a disclaimer that says if you submit an idea or a suggestion and they implement it you are SOL.
Before you should do anything you need to at least consult a patent attorney and get your idea to a 'patent pending' status, and proceed from there. No offense intended here (as I don't have this knowledge either) but if you do not know enough about what is needed to protect your idea even after you are in a patent pending phase any dealings that go on with the site(s) needs to by a lawyer that specializes in patents.
Of course this could be plain drivel as I'm not a lawyer and in no way qualified to give legal advice.

make sure it has 1 round of betting for no more than 20bbs so every site will want it.

How to Patent a Game Idea
http://www.ehow.com/how_4899582_patent-game-idea.html

and
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/featur..._the_game_.php
multiple pages

I cudda bet serious cash that someone comes up with this suggestion...

1p0kerboy - Does this new game-type at least involve a hot blonde?

Thanks for those links VP$P.

Make certain your concept meets the patent test. There are essentially two criteria it must meet: It must be in some respect innovative, and it must be unfamiliar.

You just have to submit a patent application to claim patent pending.

If your idea is not patentable, you are unlikely to get someone to pay you for it anyway.

But five aces, right?

Clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades and cheese.

If you can't patient it, you won't be able to sell it since whichever site pays for it won't be able to hold onto it by itself.

I can see why the no low quailifier would be too close, as the game is played with different quailifiers as is in the past.

Any know what happened to underpoker? I read in william jokusch's book about it, he claimed it was a variation he had invented with a special deck, but i couldnt find any more details anywhere.

Both Over and Under were tried throughout the recent years, Over was Much better, and could be transitioned to meet the 20bb, 1 street test.

So they dropped Under.

To become popular nowadays your version must be TV friendly like HE. Omaha is just a jumble of cards when watching and that turns people off - too much concentration needed.

cool...where do i find out about it? Like rules and stuff?

just spit it out

dont build it up too much, there is a 99% chance we are all going to read it and say cool/meh and then forget about it.