Network gaming system

Abstract

The present invention is a game playing method and apparatus for automating games such as blackjack, poker, craps, roulette, baccarat and pai gow, wherein players may play continuously and asynchronously, and information related to advertised items can be exchanged between players and advertisers. In one embodiment, each instance of a game is likely unique from all other current game instances. The games do not require a manual dealer and in one embodiment, played in a gaming establishment using low cost gaming stations. The present invention may also be used to play such games on the Internet or an interactive cable television network wherein a game controller communicates with players at network nodes in their homes and at their leisure since there is no game tempo requirement. During a game, advertising is selectively provided by comparing player personal information with a desired demographic profile. Player responses to advertising are used for evaluating advertising effectiveness. The invention is useful for test marketing of products, advertisements, and reduces advertising costs.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 753,513 filed Jan. 8, 2004 (abandoned), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 502,285 filed Feb. 11, 2000, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 105,401 filed Jun. 26, 1998 (now issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,183,366), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 759,895 filed Dec. 3, 1996 (now issued U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,879), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 010,703 filed on Jan. 26, 1996, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 010,361 filed on Jan. 19, 1996.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention is related to a method and apparatus for automating the playing games such as blackjack so that they can be played continuously and asynchronously by a potentially large plurality of players substantially, and wherein information related to goods and services for sale can ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017] The present invention is a computerized interactive advertising system (i.e., method and apparatus) for exchanging information regarding goods and/or services between a first population of users (hereinafter also known as “players” or “users”) and a second population of users (hereinafter also known as “sponsors” or “advertisers”). In particular, the sponsors or advertisers may present information related to goods and/or services to the players using the present invention and the players may view this information while, for example, intera

Problems solved by technology

The cost effective automation of playing certain games, like blackjack, has been difficult due to the fact that these games typically require a dealer and only a relatively small number of players may play the game with a single dealer.

Furthermore, it has been difficult to cost-effectively provide a network gaming system on such networks as the Internet in that gaming restrictions prohibit wagering and ante fees in most contexts except such situations as local area networks within a casino.

However, if a player's card hand goes over 21, the player may lo

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