Is it possible to copyright a rule change/different format for NL Hold Em?

Do you think it is possible to copyright a new version of Texas Hold Em with just minor changes in rules?

Would other sites than Full Tilt be able to offer Rush Poker (assuming they maybe changed the name) without breaching copyright?
They do already for DONs so it would seem that wasn't copyrightable.

If you invent a whole new game obviously you can copyright it but I'm just wondering if you can copyright slightly altered rules for an existing game like poker which is clearly uncopyrightable in itself.

i could have swore i saw a site offering a similar game to ft pokers rush ...but i dont remember the site...

The short answer is yes, if it meets the criteria it can be patented. You'll notice every time Full Tilt mentions rush poker in an e-mail or press release or whatever they'll proudly tell you they have patents pending on it.

Once a game variation is patented anyone else who wants to offer it has to pay the patent holder a licensing fee.

This is a big money business in live casinos BTW. The guy who patented the Perfect Pairs side game on blackjack tables a few years ago is filthy rich now because casinos around the world want that game on their tables and they all have to pay him a fee for the privilege. I'm sure this is what Full Tilt has in mind for rush poker too.

As Oz said you can but you would have to make sure that it has not been played that way before. It would have to be very unique to get a patent.

Slight rule changes will not cut it.

The other alternative is if there's some patentable technological component. I know Rapid Roulette was granted a patent for live casinos and the only difference between it and a regular game of roulette is the players have a touch screen in front of them to make their bets with. Somehow that allowed it to qualify for a patent.