System and method of conducting a game tournament with increased payout positions

Abstract

A system and method for conducting a game tournament having an independent secondary tournament to increase the number of payout positions. By way of example, in a conventional buy-in poker tournament with payouts for the standard top 10% of finishers, the system detailed herein may incorporate a secondary tournament option which pays participating players finishing, for example, in the top 50% of the tournament. To fund such additional payout slots, players pay an extra buy-in fee to participate in the secondary tournament and / or a separate portion of the primary tournament buy-in fee is used to fund the secondary tournament.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONDUCTING A GAME TOURNAMENT WITHINCREASED PAYOUT POSITIONSFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for conducting a game tournament (e.g., poker tournament) having multiple unique payout schemes to increase the number of payout positions.BACKGROUND

[0002] Gaming continues to grow throughout the United States. Poker is one game that has contributed to the increase in popularity. Poker is ideal for running tournaments as are Blackjack Baccarat, slots and other games of chance. Despite the popularity of poker and other tournament games, it is always a challenge to keep players interested and to attract new players.

[0003] Thus, it would be advantageous to develop a new tournament system and method which involves more payout slots and adds excitement and intrigue to tournaments of all types including poker tournaments.SUMMARY

[0004] The embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system and method for conducting a game tournament having an independent secondary tournament for increasing the number of payout slots or positions. By way of example, in a conventional buy-in poker tournament with payouts for the standard top 10% of finishers, the system detailed herein may incorporate a secondary tournament option which pays participating players finishing, for example, in the top 50% of the tournament. In such an embodiment, players pay an extra buy-in fee and house fee to participate in the secondary tournament.

[0005] In this manner, after entering the primary game tournament, players have the option to enter the secondary tournament which provides an additional opportunity to receive a return on their tournament investment. The embodiments of the present invention are suitable for both live events and online events.

[0006] While the detailed description herein focuses on the secondary tournament paying out eligible players finishing in the top 50% of all players, those skilled in the art will recognize that the percentage of players receiving a payout from the secondary prize pool may be greater then or less than 50% of the secondary tournament entrants.

[0007] Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evidentfrom the following detailed description, drawings and claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of components of an electronic gaming device for facilitating a game tournament according to the embodiments of the present invention;

[0009] Fig. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a standalone gaming device network for facilitating a game tournament according to the embodiments of the present invention;

[0010] Fig. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a wireless network including mobile devices for facilitating a game tournament according to the embodiments of the present invention;

[0011] Figs. 4A through 4D illustrate exemplary screen shots depicting an online poker tournament user interface according to the embodiments of the present invention; and

[0012] Fig. 5 illustrates a flow chart detailing one methodology for conducting a poker game tournament according to the embodiments of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed.

[0014] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of the present invention involve both hardware and software elements which portions are described below in such detail required to construct and operate a game method and system according to the embodiments of the present invention.

[0015] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.), or an embodiment combining software and hardware. Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

[0016] Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD- ROM), and optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0017] A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied thereon, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electromagnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0018] Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF and the like, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0019] Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like or conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language, AJAX, PHP, HTML, XHTML, Ruby, CSS or similar programming languages. The programming code may be configured in an application, an operating system, as part of a system firmware, or any suitable combination thereof. The programming code may execute entirely on the user’s computer, partly on the user’s computer, as a standalone software package, partly on the user’s computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on a remote computer or server as in a client / server relationship sometimes known as cloud computing. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user’s computer through any type of network, including a local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

[0020] Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0021] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function / act specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0022] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer- implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagrams. As used herein, a “gaming device” should be understood to be any one of a general purpose computer, as for example a personal computer or a laptop computer, a client computer configured for interaction with a server, a special purpose computer such as a server, or a smart phone, soft phone, tablet computer, personal digital assistant or any other machine adapted for executing programmable instructions in accordance with the description thereof set forth above.

[0023] The embodiments of the present invention may be facilitated by an electronic gaming device whereby a single player plays against the electronic gaming device’s processor as described herein. The electronic gaming device may be a standalone device and bar-top device forming part of a gaming device network or not. A block diagram of the electronic gaming device 100 is shown in Fig. 1. The exemplary electronic gaming device 100 may include a central processing unit (CPU) also deemed a processor 105 which controls the electronic gaming device100 based on instructions stored in program read-only memory (ROM) 110 and pay table ROM 115. Program ROM 110 stores executable instructions related to the operation of the gaming device 100 and which are generally permanent. CPU 105 may be connected to a video controller 120 which provides output to one or more video displays 125. Similarly, an audio controller 130 provides audio output as dictated by the CPU 105 through speakers 135. The aforementioned components, and others, may be attached to a circuit board forming a motherboard. In another embodiment, the electronic gaming device 100 may be linked to a central game server which allows players to select from a number of games via the electronic gaming device 100. In such an embodiment, one or more processors integrated into the central server control the gaming device 100 based on instructions stored in program ROM 110.

[0024] A user interface 140 may respond to buttons on button panel or display incorporating touch screen technology or any other devices providing means for users to communicate with, and instruct, the electronic gaming device 100. Wager memory 145 stores an amount of money / credits deposited into the electronic gaming device 100 by a player and specific wager information related to each play of the electronic gaming device 100. Payout system 150 includes a coupon printer or similar device for receiving money / coupon from the electronic gaming device 100.

[0025] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the configuration and features of the electronic gaming device 100 disclosed herein are exemplary and may be altered in any number of ways without impacting the embodiments of the present invention.

[0026] Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of a gaming network 175 which may be used to facilitate play of the game via linked, standalone gaming devices according to the embodiments of the present invention. The gaming network 175 comprises a central processor 180 (e.g., processor- equipped game server) in communication with multiple gaming devices 185-1 through 185-N as described in Fig. 1.

[0027] Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of a wireless system 200 which may be used to facilitate remote play of the game according to the embodiments of the present invention. The wireless network system 200 comprises a processor-equipped game server 205, including one or more processors 210 running game software, and remote devices 215-1 through 215-N (e.g., smart phones) configured to access said game server 205 facilitating game play on the remote devices 215-1 through 215-N. In another embodiment, the video game according to the embodiments of the present invention may be in the form of a software application (“App”) downloadable onto smart phones, tablets or computers and playable via processing power and a user interface associated therewith.

[0028] While poker tournaments are used herein to describe the embodiments of the presentinvention, those skilled in the art will recognize that any game, including Blackjack, Baccarat, slots, etc., may be utilized according to the embodiments of the present invention. Poker games may be selected from Texas Hold’em, Stud, Omaha, RAZZ, mixed poker games, etc.

[0029] Table 1 shows a first poker tournament schedule according to the embodiments of the present invention. As shown, 100 players have entered the poker tournament and paid the $1000 primary tournament buy-in fee creating a poker tournament pool of $100,000 which is paid out in a conventional fashion (i.e., top 10% of the finishers share in the $100,000 based on a pre- established payout scheme based on a finishing position). The poker tournament includes a secondary tournament whereby eligible players (i.e., those opting to pay the secondary tournament buy-in fee and house fee) finishing in the top 50% of all players receive an equal share of the secondary prize pool. In this instance, as shown in Table 1, the secondary prize pool is $50,000 funded by the 50 players paying the $1000 secondary tournament buy-in fee. In this embodiment, the secondary buy-in fee is equal to the primary tournament buy-in fee but those skilled in the art will recognize that the primary tournament buy-in fee and the secondary tournament buy-in fee may differ in amount. In this embodiment, the house fee for the primary tournament is $100 and the house fee for the secondary tournament is $75. The house fees are paid separate from the buy- in fees and are retained by the casino / operator / house managing the tournament.Table 1

[0030] Based on Table 1, if 30 secondary tournament players finish in the top 50%, each player receives $1667 (i.e., $50,000 / 30); if 28 secondary tournament players finish in the top 50%, each player receives $1786 (i.e., $50,000 / 28); if 25 secondary tournament players finish in the top 50%, each player receives $2000 (i.e., $50,000 / 25); if 22 secondary tournament players finish in the top 50%, each player receives $2273 (i.e., $50,000 / 25) and if 20 secondary tournament players finish in the top 50%, each player receives $2500 (i.e., $50,000 / 20).

[0031] Besides offering players a second chance at a payout, the secondary tournament generates a revenue increase for the casino / operator. For example, based on Table 1, if 60 players enter the secondary tournament, the house receives an extra $4500 for a 45% revenue increase; if 50 players enter the secondary tournament, the house receives an extra $3750 for a 37.5% revenue increase; if 40 players enter the secondary tournament, the house receives an extra $3000 for a 30% revenue increase and if 30 players enter the secondary tournament, the house receives an extra $2250 for a22.5% revenue increase;

[0032] Players entering the secondary tournament and finishing in the top 10% of players receive a payout from both the primary tournament pool and the secondary tournament pool.

[0033] In another embodiment, players entering the secondary tournament and finishing in the top 10% of players receive the conventional primary tournament pool payout and an enhanced secondary tournament pool payout. For example, in such an embodiment, players entering the secondary tournament and finishing in the top 10% of players receive a bonus payout (e.g., $100) from the secondary tournament pool before the secondary tournament pool is equally shared amongst all secondary tournament players finishing in the top 50%. For example, using the $5000 secondary prize pool and 50 players from Table 1 and assuming 20 players finish in the top 50% and assuming 5 of the 20 players also finish in the top 10%, the secondary tournament payout is calculated as: $5,000 representing the total pool minus $500 (5 x $100) representing the enhanced secondary tournament payout for the 5 players finishing in top 10% results in $4500 which is then divided equally between the 20 players so that each of the 20 players receive $255 ($4500 / 20 = $225) and the 5 players finishing in the top 15% receive the additional $100 each for a total of $325 each.

[0034] While Table 1 shows an increase in opportunities for players to receive a payout, Table 1 also shows an increase of 25% in the house take from $3000 to $3750 for operating the same tournament. That is, the manpower and time necessary to operate the tournament with or without the inclusion of the secondary tournament is generally the same resulting in a true increase in casino revenue for conducting the tournament.

[0035] Table 2 shows another poker tournament schedule according to the embodiments of the present invention. As shown, 1000 players have entered the poker tournament and paid the $1000 primary buy-in fee creating a poker tournament pool of $1,000,000 which is paid out in a conventional fashion (i.e., top 10% finishers share in the $1,000,000). In this instance, rather than provide players the option to enter the secondary tournament by paying a separate fee, the casino increases the house fee of, for example, $80 per player by 10% to 20% (i.e., between $88 and $96). Such an increase raises the house take from $80000 (1000 x $80) to between $88000 (1000 x $88) and $96,000 (1000 x $96). In this embodiment, the first 50% or 500 players eliminated from the tournament receive nothing. The next 40% or 400 players eliminated share 40% of the prize pool ($400,000) or $1,000 each. Thus, players receive back their buy-in fee (minus the house fee). The players finishing in the top 10% share 60% ($600,000) of the $1,000,000 prize pool in a conventional tournament format.Table 2

[0036] Figs. 4A through 4D shows exemplary screen shots of a user interface allowing players to enter an online or networked poker tournament using the embodiments of the present invention. Screen shot 400-1 of Fig. 4 A shows an online poker home page. The online poker home page shows different poker tables 405-1 through 405-N, table limits 410-1 through 410-N, game type 415, buy-in amounts 420, etc. Screen shot 400-2 of Fig. 4B shows a poker tournament home page showing available poker tournaments 425-1 through 425-N. Screen shot 400-3 of Fig. 4C shows a selected poker tournament page including the tournament date, time, primary buy-in fee 430 and secondary buy-in fee 435. Screen shot 400-4 of Fig. 4D shows a virtual poker table 440 where the player plays the tournament.

[0037] Fig. 5 shows a flow chart 500 detailing one methodology of conducting a poker tournament according to the embodiments of the present invention. At 505, players pay the primary tournament buy-in fee and house fee. At 510, it is determined if the players pay the optional secondary tournament buy-in fee and house fee. At 515, the system records tournament data including (i) the total number of tournament players; and (ii) primary tournament and secondary tournament payout schemes. At 520, the tournament is played. At 525, the system determines if the player has been eliminated. If not, the flow chart 500 loops back to 520. If so, at 530, it is determined if the eliminated player is in the top 50% of the total number of players. If not, at 535, the player receives no payout. If, at 530, it is determined that the eliminated player is in the top 50% of the total number of players, at 540, it is determined if the player paid the optional secondary tournament buy-in fee and house fee. If not, at 545, it is determined if the eliminated player is in the top 10% of the total number of players. If not, at 540, the player receives no payout. If, at 540, it is determined that the player paid the secondary tournament buy-in fee and house fee, at 550, the player is identified as a recipient of a payout for the secondary tournament. If, at 545, it is determined that the player is in the top 10% of the total number of players, at 555, the player is identified as a recipient of a payout for the primary tournament.

[0038] While online or networked poker tournaments benefit from the embodiments of the present invention, poker tournaments conducted in brick and mortar locations are just as suitable for the embodiments of the present invention. In such environments, a local computer system (e.g., Bravo) tracks players and payout schemes along with facility personnel. Displays positioned about the poker room(s) provide the real-time status of the poker tournament to all players. In a live environment, the buy-in fees and house fees are paid to casino personnel who use an electronic interface (e.g., laptop, POS device, etc.) to manage the monies and generate player receipts. The receipts may include bar codes, QR codes or the like for storing relevant data.

[0039] While the detailed description above focuses on the secondary tournament paying out players paying the secondary tournament buy-in fees and house fee and finishing in the top 50% of all players, the system may pay players paying the secondary tournament buy-in fees and house fees and finishing in the top 20% up to 50% or more as desired by the casino or operator. The smaller the percentage, the more likely the number of eligible players to receive a secondary tournament payout is reduced such that the secondary tournament payouts per player will increase assuming the same number of players paying secondary tournament buy-in fees and house fees.

[0040] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.

Claims

We claim:

1. A gaming tournament system comprising: one or more dealers; game chips; one or more gaming tables supporting a game playing area; one or more decks of playing cards, said one or more decks of playing cards comprising fifty -two cards including ranks of 2 through 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace associated with suits of Spades, Clubs, Diamonds and Hearts; a tournament structure including a primary tournament and secondary tournament played simultaneously, said second tournament pool optional to players entering said primary tournament; a primary tournament payout pool formed of mandatory primary tournament buy-in fees and payout scheme and a secondary tournament payout pool formed of optional secondary tournament buy-in fees and payout scheme; a recording system configured to record players entering said primary tournament and said secondary tournament; a tracking system configured to track and display a status of said primary tournament and said secondary tournament; and wherein said recording apparatus and tracking apparatus facilitate payouts according to said primary tournament payout scheme and said secondary tournament payout scheme based on where players finish said tournament.

2. The gaming tournament system of claim 1 wherein said primary tournament is based on a poker game, blackjack game, baccarat game or slot game.

3. The gaming tournament system of claim 1 wherein said secondary tournament pays out players paying said secondary tournament buy-in fee and finishing in a top 50% of total primary tournament entrants.

4. The gaming tournament system of claim 1 wherein said primary tournament buy-in fee and said secondary tournament buy-in fee are the same amount.

5. The gaming tournament system of claim 1 further comprising primary tournament housefees and secondary tournament house fees, said primary tournament house fees and secondary tournament house fees separate from said primary tournament buy-in fees and said secondary tournament buy-in fees.

6. The gaming tournament system of claim 5 wherein said secondary tournament house fee is in a range of 67% to 75% of said primary tournament house fee.

7. The gaming tournament system of claim 1 wherein said secondary tournament is funded by a portion of said primary tournament buy-in fee.

8. A gaming tournament system comprising: at least one processor configured to run a gaming tournament, said processor in communication with one or more gaming devices, each of said one or more gaming devices including a display and user interface, memory in communication with said at least one processor; and wherein said at least one processor is configured to conduct said gaming tournament utilizing one or more decks of simulated playing cards, said one or more decks of simulated playing cards comprising fifty -two cards including ranks of 2 through 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace associated with suits of Spades, Clubs, Diamonds and; and wherein said at least one processor is further configured to: (i) generate a primary tournament payout pool and payout scheme based on mandatory primary tournament buy-in fees and a secondary tournament payout pool and payout scheme based on optional secondary tournament buy-in fees; (ii) record players entering said primary tournament and said secondary tournament; (iii) manage a game of chance commensurate with said primary tournament until said primary tournament concludes; and (iv) facilitate said primary tournament payout scheme and said secondary tournament payout scheme based on where players finish said primary tournament.

9. The gaming tournament system of claim 8 wherein said primary tournament is based on a poker game, blackjack game, baccarat game or slot game.

10. The gaming tournament system of claim 8 wherein said secondary tournament pays out players paying said secondary tournament buy-in fee and finishing in a top 50% of total primary tournament entrants.

11. The gaming tournament system of claim 8 wherein said primary tournament buy-in fee and said secondary tournament buy-in fee are the same amount.

12. The gaming tournament system of claim 8 further comprising primary tournament house fees and secondary tournament house fees, said primary tournament house fees and secondary tournament house fees separate from said primary tournament buy-in fees and said secondary tournament buy-in fees.

13. The gaming tournament system of claim 12 wherein said secondary tournament house fee is in a range of 67% to 75% of said primary tournament house fee.

14. The gaming tournament system of claim 8 wherein said secondary tournament is funded by a portion of said primary tournament buy-in fee.

15. A method of conducting a gaming tournament comprising: forming a gaming tournament having a primary tournament and a secondary tournament; accepting mandatory buy-in fees for said primary game tournament and optional said buy-in fees for said secondary tournament; recording each player paying primary tournament buy-in fees and optionally paying secondary tournament buy-in fees; forming payout pools for said primary tournament and said secondary tournament; devising payout schemes for said primary tournament and said secondary tournament based on a number of players paying primary tournament buy-in fees and optionally paying secondary tournament buy-in fees; conducting said primary tournament to a conclusion; and making primary tournament payouts and secondary tournament payouts to eligible players.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising basing said primary tournament on a poker game, blackjack game, baccarat game or slot game.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising paying out said secondary tournament toplayers paying said secondary tournament buy-in fee and finishing in a top 50% of total primary tournament entrants.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein further comprising setting said primary tournament buy- in fee and said secondary tournament buy-in fee as the same amount.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising primary tournament house fees and secondary tournament house fees wherein said primary tournament house fees and secondary tournament house fees are separate from said primary tournament buy-in fees and said secondary tournament buy-in fees.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising setting said secondary tournament house fee in a range of 67% to 75% of said primary tournament house fee.

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