2156results about "Board games" patented technology

A computer gaming system and method of operation thereof are provided that both drastically reduce the cost of gaming stations and allow contemporaneous access to multiple game programs from a single gaming station. The computer gaming system of the present invention allows for transparent modifications and upgrades to the gaming programs by executing gaming programs on a server/host computer connected to a plurality of client/terminal computers via communication pathways. Each client/terminal computer comprises a client/terminal program that allows input and output streams of the gaming program executed on the server/host computer to be separated and redirected to the client/terminal computers. Since the gaming programs are executed entirely on the server/host computer, with only wagering input and display output operations being executed on the client/terminal computers, the cost of the hardware and software required for each client/terminal computer is greatly reduced. A patron of a client/terminal computer can access any of the gaming programs executed on the server/host computer. Modifications and upgrades of the gaming programs only need to be performed on the server/host computer. By using a stereo head-mounted display together with a joystick input device and wireless communication pathways, the present invention allows a patron to participate in a mobile gaming environment.

Embodiments of the instant invention are directed to a method, apparatus and system for lottery gaming, wherein a simple, objective, verifiable and reliable method of selecting the winning lottery numbers is provided. In preferred embodiments, a user accesses the game via a wide area network or by some other remote means and inputs required information, including payment information and the user's selections for the game. Prior to any user participating in the game, the game provider selects elements that comprise a winning combination. Preferably, the elements that comprise the winning combination are objective and verifiable elements, such as, for example, a portion of the closing stock market price on a given day for a specified set of markets. As such, the elements comprising the winning combinations are objective and can be verified by all of the users. The definition of the winning combination can be redefined for each new game, or as it is generated from a indicia providing source, can remain the same for all games or a set number of games.

A gaming machine and method for operating the same has gameplay elements provided in a manner that can be visualized, with the gameplay elements having a specific nature which is revealed to the player at a beginning to the game. That is, the player knows the value, or ranking, or position, etc., of the gameplay elements upon inception of the game. In a base level for the game of the gaming machine, no unknown gameplay element or random event is injected into the gameplay elements. This is a full information format for the gaming machine and method, and success is measured by the player's ability to manipulate the gameplay elements presented. A gaming machine and a method for operating the same is also provided with the gameplay elements once again having a specific nature which is known to the player at a start to game play, and in a preferred embodiment not subject thereafter to a random or unknown event, with the gameplay elements being arranged in one of a variety of different arrangements presenting a plurality of choices to a player for subsequent play of the elements. Outcome of the game is dependent upon the choices made by the player, with a given choice potentially influencing the next choice that may be available. Embodiments of the invention in the form of a checkers game and in the form of a poker-type game are disclosed, among others.

A method of application of popular casino, lottery, and sports games formatted and modified specifically for the parimutuel race industry. The invention games possess unique rules and formats to govern their play within parimutuel race wagering while reflecting existing games from casinos, lotteries and sports. Wagers are placed electronically with parimutuel race operators who retain a percentage of all bets as determined by individual state law. Outcomes of the invention games are determined by their unique rules and interpretation of current parimutuel racing results.

A system automatically monitors playing of a game and gathers data in real time. An overhead imaging system automatically images the game table and provides an overhead view of the game table and/or the dealer's chip tray. A lateral imaging system images the gaming area, especially the wagering regions, to provide a lateral view of the chips on the table. An automatic card shoe system dispenses cards and automatically images at least one card immediately prior to its withdrawal from the shoe. A positioning module processes images from the overhead imaging system to automatically track the position of gaming objects such as for example playing cards, chips, currency bills on the gaming table. An identity module processes images from the overhead imaging system to automatically track the identity of gaming objects on the gaming table. A chip identity module processes overhead images of the chip tray and lateral images of the gaming region to automatically determine, the identity and position of gaming chips. A card-shoe software associated with the automatic card shoe system processes signals from the automatic card shoe system to automatically identify the game related value of at least one card immediately prior to its withdrawal from the shoe by a dealer.

The invention relates to a game set which comprises communicating elements, in the form of pieces, figurines, cards or dice, each having a radio-frequency tag provided with an individual identification code. A game board comprises a digital processing circuit which is connected to a plurality of antennas, arranged such as to form a sensor matrix, for detecting the presence, type and position of the communicating elements. Radio-frequency readers are respectively connected to m corresponding input/output terminals of the digital processing circuit. Each radio-frequency reader is connected to an associated group of antennas, preferably by means of a corresponding multiplexer. The game board may consist of a removable assembly of basic boards, each comprising a basic digital processing circuit which is connected to the antennas of the corresponding basic board.

A networked casino game rules violation alert system that captures game data from numerous game security systems/devices in real time, integrates the data, and compiles the integrated data. The system interprets the compiled data, associates the interpreted data with game rules, analyzes and compares the data to determine if there have been invalid actions (i.e., cheating by the player and/or dealer), detects any game anomalies, categorizes the anomalies, generates alerts based on the anomalies and the priority assigned to the anomaly, and dispatches alerts to various systems and alert mechanisms linked to the network. The system can also be used to collect game statistics, per player and dealer, and can determine and respond to historical anomalies as deemed appropriate.

A dual wagering game method for one or more players based on simultaneous participation in two mutually exclusive game components with a payoff being the product of the game component outcomes. Wagers are made in both a repeatable base game component and a nonrepeatable bonus game component which components are mutually exclusive. The outcome of the bonus game component results in a multiplier value. Winnings from repeated plays of the base game component are accumulated until a game ending event occurs and the player receives a payout of any accumulated winnings from the base game component multiplied by the multiplier value determined in the bonus game component.

A system for determining the skill of a player eliminates the element of chance by comparing players who have the same initial position. In the case of cards, the initial position is the hand dealt to the player and in tile games, it is the initial distribution and arrangement of tiles. A player with a less than advantageous initial position may win a game over an opponent having a better initial position. It cannot conclusively be said whether this win is due to the good play of the winner or the bad play of the loser. However, it can clearly be said that the winning player has a higher skill level than the losing player.

In some embodiments of the present invention a gambling game system is disclosed, comprising a central station including a plurality of betting-type game devices, and an electronic camera for each game device. A plurality of player stations remotely located with respect to the central stations, each one including a monitor for displaying a selected game device at the central station, and input means for selecting a game device and for placing a bet by a player at the player's station relating to an action involving an element of change to occur at the selected game device.

Physical objects may be employed with a virtual game layout to enhance wager and non-wagered based gaming. Displays subsystems may provide a changeable or selectable virtual game layout with demarcations appropriate to a selected game. A sensor subsystem may detect physical aspects of game related pieces (e.g., playing cards, chips, markers, dice, spinners, tokens, tiles) as well as media (e.g., identity media, financial media). All gaming functions may occur through interaction with a playing surface, as well as functions such as order food, beverages and services. Automated tracking of players, dealers and games may be realized along with bonusing and promotions.

A lottery game system includes a number of lottery tickets, a playing area disposed on each lottery ticket, the playing area having a number of paths each traversing in the playing area. A starting point and a finishing point are disposed on the playing area. A first winning predetermined path begins at the starting point and ends at the finishing point and is initially concealed from a player prior to commencing play of the lottery game. A special point is disposed among the various paths and a second winning path, defined as a portion of the first winning path, begins at the starting point and ends at the special point. The special point is positioned before the finishing point. The second winning path results in a higher winning amount than the first winning path. The lottery game system may further include a lottery wand manipulated by a user wherein the lottery wand remains in contact with said lottery ticket along said winning path. Further, the lottery game system may include at least one lottery terminal which is operative to print at least one playing area and to dispense at least one lottery ticket.

One embodiment of the present invention provides for receiving a player identifier, transmitting the player identifier to a central server, receiving data corresponding to the player identifier from the central server, and configuring play of a casino game based on the data.

The method of the present invention involves card games in which the player plays multiple hands of cards during one play session. The cards are dealt out in horizontal fashion and may include three card, five card, seven card or higer card games. The player may wager on each horizontal row of cards dealt separately and each row of cards will be played as a separate poker game. The player may also make a separate wager (Parlay Wager) that will payoff if multiple winning hands are obtained in one play session. Additional versions of the game also provide for additional wagering. For example in a three card three hand game, the horizontal dealing of the cards are such that each row of cards are situated in sequential order so that first hand is directly over the second hand and the second hand is directly over the third so that a three card by three card matrix is created. In addition to having the ability to wager and win the three hands drawn in horizontal fashion and the parlay wager for multiple winning hands, the player also has the ability to win five additional ways (i.e., three vertical paylines and two diagonal combinations paylines).

A method of playing a wagering game is disclosed which simulates a knowledge base same. The method electronically selects one of the plurality of questions, displays the electronically selected question to the player in the format of the simulated knowledge base game and displays a plurality of electronically selected answers associated with said electronically selected question to the player in the format of the simulated knowledge base game. The method electronically selects one of the answers associated with the electronically selected question, displays the electronically selected answer to the player in the format of the simulated knowledge base game, displays to the player any value assigned to the electronically selected and presented answer in the format of the simulated knowledge based game and awards to the player the displayed value.

A spinning reel slot machine comprises a plurality of mechanical rotatable reels and a video display. In response to a wager, the reels are rotated and stopped to randomly place symbols on the reels in visual association with a display area. The video display provides a video image superimposed upon the reels. The video image may be interactive with the reels and include such graphics as payout values, a pay table, pay lines, bonus game features, special effects, thematic scenery, and instructional information.

Methods, systems, and computer programs for generating an interactive space viewable through at least a first and a second device are presented. The method includes an operation for detecting from the first device a location of the second device or vice versa. Further, synchronization information data is exchanged between the first and the second device to identify a reference point in a three-dimensional (3D) space relative to the physical location of the devices in the 3D space. The devices establish the physical location in the 3D space of the other device when setting the reference point. The method further includes an operation for generating views of an interactive scene in the displays of the first and second devices. The interactive scene is tied to the reference point and includes virtual objects. The view in the display shows the interactive scene as observed from the current location of the corresponding device. Moving the device in the 3D space causes the view to change according to the perspective from the current location.

An electronic amusement device and a method for operating the device are disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, a slot machine server controls a secondary game of chance played at a client slot machine. The server receives a player identifier corresponding to a player and a client identifier corresponding to a client slot machine. The server retrieves registration data relating to a secondary game of chance corresponding to the player identifier and the client identifier. The server further receives an outcome from the client slot machine and analyzes the outcome based on game requirements associated with the secondary game of chance, thereby determining whether the outcome satisfies at least one of the game requirements. Once all of the game requirements have been satisfied, the server updates a session status indicating the completion of the game requirements.

An electronic gambling unit for allowing a user to play a main gambling game and a bonus round game, and for dispensing value to the user at the conclusion of the bonus round game, may generally include a display unit capable of generating color images or other display mechanism capable of displaying symbols associated with the main gambling game and the bonus round game. The electronic gambling unit may further include an input device that allows the user to make a plurality of input selections, a currency-accepting mechanism capable of allowing the user to deposit a medium of currency, a value-dispensing mechanism capable of dispensing value to the user, and a controller operatively coupled to the display unit, the input device, the currency-accepting mechanism, and the value-dispensing mechanism. The controller may include a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor.

The specification discloses a progressive gaming system having a central system, at least one prize, a progressive method, and at least one monetary transaction acceptor. The central system is adapted to associate the progressive method with the prize and the monetary transaction acceptor thereby allowing the monetary transaction acceptor to participate for the prize. The progressive method is adapted to determine a participation outcome based at least on the monetary transaction acceptor's contribution percent factor. The specification also discloses a progressive gaming system and methods having the ability to expand the participation base for a progressive prize to include a wide variety of monetary transaction acceptors. The progressive gaming system and methods may have the capability to accept a monetary transaction value in a plurality of currencies or a plurality of denominations of the same currency. The progressive gaming system and methods may support multiple prizes simultaneously. Each monetary transaction acceptor may be linked to one or more prizes.

A card game combines the play of Blackjack (“21”) with a side wager. Each player places a basic Blackjack wager and an optional side wager before the cards are dealt. Each player is dealt at least one hand of two cards with the dealer receiving a face-up card. A side wager hand consists of the at least one 2-card hand dealt to that player and the dealer's face-up card. The side wager hand is resolved according to a numerical total of the hand and in some embodiments also a Poker rank. Subsequently, the game of Blackjack continues in a typical fashion. The invention advantageously retains all the features and advantages of Blackjack as well as provides the dynamics of novel side wager, without interfering with the card sequence, for enhanced player anticipation and enjoyment.

A gaming system simulates events in a casino table card wagering game where there has traditionally been a dealer, whether or not the dealer is an active player in the game. Two distinct video areas are preferably provided, one providing video images of a virtual dealer, and the second video display providing a simulation of a table top for player cards, and optionally also dealer cards. The players have individual play areas with player input, and these play areas have individual processing intelligence that communicates directly with at least one processor. Delivery order of cards is determined by actual shuffling or randomization of a physical deck of cards, reading the cards, then creating an electronic file of the order of the shuffled or randomized cards, then using an order of cards contained in the electronic file to deliver virtual cards to players, dealer and flop as needed.

The invention is directed to methods and gaming units for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in a gaming network having a plurality of operatively coupled gaming units. A progressive jackpot award amount may be determined in part based on the amount of the player's wager for the occurrence of the wagering game in relation to a maximum wager amount that may be made on one of the gaming units in the gaming network. The progressive jackpot pool may include a main pool and a reserve pool. Portions of players' wagers being added to the progressive jackpot pool may be apportioned between the main pool and the reserve pool based on calculation performed at the gaming network, with the apportionment being at least partially determined by the amount in the main pool. In addition, the main pool may be reseeded from the reserve pool after a progressive jackpot is awarded. The amount added to the main pool may be determined based on the amount of the progressive jackpot award, predetermined minimum seed amounts and other parameters.

The present invention features a playing card shuffling device, which through the use of a small image capturing means, captures an image of the face value of each card and stores the image in memory. This image is sorted in the format of a bitmap image. The operator of the machine would be able to recall through the use of a key pad, the images of the cards that comprised the individual hands in the previous game. This feature allows for verification of a winning hand after a game has been completed. Thereby, a quick recheck of hands before paying a winning hand is performed. The face value of each card is determined by character recognition software. These card values would be stored in memory for archival access for use in monitoring the randomness of the game and determining the number of winning hands.

A sensing device for use with a surface, the sensing device including a motion sensor configured to generate movement data indicative of movement of the sensing device relative to the surface, a nib for marking the surface, the nib having associated nib information indicative of at least one surface-marking characteristic of the nib, and a transmitter for transmitting the movement data together with the nib information to a computer system.

A method of playing a modified twenty-one card game by at least a dealer includes the steps of placing a wager awarded when the player bets that the dealer will score at least one of a predetermined number of dealer outcomes, and playing the twenty-one game. The method also includes the steps of determining the score of the dealer, and comparing the score of the dealer to the predetermined number of dealer outcomes bet by the player. The player is awarded responsive to the wager and a coincidence between the dealer score and one of the predetermined number of dealer outcomes.

A system and method for tracking game of chance proceeds are provided. The invention includes a point of sale computer electronically communicating registered player purchase information to a sponsor computer. The invention further includes a sponsor computer calculating a registered player set aside based upon the registered player purchase information. The invention further includes the sponsor computer electronically communicating registered player set aside to an account manager with the account manager maintaining registered player account for the benefit of the registered player. The registered player accounts can be personal retirement accounts, medical savings accounts, real estate investment accounts, small business investment accounts and/or educational savings accounts. The invention further comprises methodologies and tools for facilitating game of chance proceed tracking.

A card game wherein a player has the choice of playing the player's initial hand of cards as either a poker hand or a modified blackjack hand. If the player elects to play the hand as a poker hand, the player will win if he or she acquires a poker hand that matches one of a plurality of predetermined poker hands. If the player elects to play the hand as modified blackjack hand, the player wins if the player acquires a hand that qualifies as a winning hand. If the player wins, the player has the option of playing the dealer in a second type of card game wherein the player has the option of wagering all of his or her winnings (“Double Down”) or wagering only half of his or her own winnings (“Half Down”).

An apparatus and a method of play in the practice of the present invention that are described below. An apparatus supporting the play of a casino table card game according to the present invention may comprise: A playing surface; A card-delivery device; A microprocessor operatively connected to the card-delivery device; Player controlled election identifiers that provide a visible signal of an election; At least two areas for display of at least partial card hands from which only one card hand may be elected for a wagering game by a player; The card-delivery device having at least one sensor thereon for sensing the presence of cards in a delivery area of the card-delivery device from which cards may be removed; The at least one sensor on the card-delivery device providing a signal to the microprocessor that a sensed set of cards has been removed from the delivery area; and in response to the signal, the microprocessor preventing players from entering a new election. The apparatus delivery device is preferably a card-shuffling device. The card-shuffling device may both shuffle cards and create sets of predetermined, preselected numbers of cards to be used in play of a card game. The card-shuffling device may be capable of being programmed to provide sets of cards of different numbers of cards to be used in the play of a card game. The apparatus signal to the microprocessor could comprise a signal that a sensed set of cards has been removed from the delivery area is in response to removal of either a) at least a portion of a player's hand or b) at least a portion of common cards. The signal to the microprocessor that a sensed set of cards has been removed from the delivery area may be in response to removal of at least a portion or all of common cards to be used in play of a game. A method of using this apparatus also constitutes a practice of the present invention.

The invention is directed to methods and gaming units for conducting a multi-player wagering game in which at least one of the players may win the occurrence of the wagering game by matching a predetermined game-winning pattern of game indicia on a game array having a unique combination of game indicia based on matching the game indicia on the game array to game indicia randomly selected for the occurrence of the wagering game. The wagering game may various methods for determining a game-winning award amount for a player being the first to match the game-winning pattern on a game array. The game-winning award may be determined based on the game-winning pattern matched by the player, on the number of randomly selected game indicia required to match the game-winning pattern, on the amount wagered by the player on the occurrence of the wagering game, on the outcome of a secondary wagering game, and on other factors as discussed herein.