Networked computerized wager-based game system

Abstract

A wager-based gaming system provides a wager-based game playable by a player from a player computer on the table. The player computer receives player inputs, including wagers, from the player and transmits them to a game server communicably connected thereto and which applies game logic defining the game and defined in a game logic module, to generate game outputs, including an outcome for the game for the player, which is displayed on the player computer. The game logic module is selectable and configurable from a backend server and which contains player data for the player, including an account balance from which the wagers may be placed. A card reader connected to the player computer reads a portion of the player data is validated against the player data on the backend to authorize or deny access to the player data.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]Benefit of U.S. Provisional Application for Patent Ser. No. 60 / 794,140, filed on Apr. 24, 2006, is hereby claimed.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention concerns computerized wager-based games, and more particularly a networked computer wager-based gaming system and method, as well as a table therefor.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Networked computerized wager-based game systems in which players play a wager-based game, such as poker, blackjack, bingo, roulette or other like games involving placement of wagers, using computers connected on a network, such as the Internet, are well known in the art. For example, PartyGaming PLc of Gibraltar provides a system (accessible from URL: www.partypoker.com) in which players may play a game of poker from their home computers over the Internet. However, such systems typically require players to download cumbersome, and often voluminous, client software applications to their own personal ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]An advantage of the present invention is that the computerized network wager-based game system and table provided thereby allows users to play the game in physical proximity to one another at the table, thereby allowing face-to-face interaction between players.

[0008]A further advantage of the game system and table provided by the present invention is that players may securely place wagers for the game.

[0009]Still another advantage of the present invention is that players may play the wager-based game provided by the game system and the table without having to download software to their own personal computers.

[0010]Still another advantage of the present invention is that response time of game system is minimized.

[0011]Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the wager-based game available for play on the table may be seamlessly and instantly changed to another wager-based game.

[0012]Still another advantage of the present invention is that a portion of the wager-based game may be replayed for any player computer on a requested computer without interrupting play on other player computers.

Problems solved by technology

However, such systems typically require players to download cumbersome, and often voluminous, client software applications to their own personal computers so as to be able to play.

In addition, such systems typically offer little face-to-face social interaction with other players.

Also, not all players wish to download such client applications to their own personal computers, due to security concerns regarding viruses, spyware, or the like.

Unfortunately, such magnetic strip cards are notoriously insecure and can be easily copied by unauthorized users, thus creating a risk of fraud.

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