Multi-Player Bingo Game With Flexible Wagering And Consistent Awards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Bingo games face challenges in maintaining a consistent award structure and player engagement due to varying numbers of players and Bingo cards, leading to unpredictable odds for interim pattern awards, and lack of flexibility in wagering options, making it difficult to replicate the experience of Class III games like slot machines.
Innovation Solution
A method for a multi-player Bingo game on a gaming network where players can enroll multiple Bingo cards and vary their wagers, with a system that randomly selects game indicia and determines game-winning patterns, allowing for alternate outcome displays that mimic Class III games, enabling players to select wagering options that influence the number of cards and wager amounts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed number of Bingo cards is used to maintain consistent award structure, then the odds of interim pattern awards become predictable, but the game cannot adapt to varying player participation and demand
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-determines award amounts for different numbers of balls drawn (e.g., first award for 15 or fewer balls, second award for 16-30 balls, third award for 31-45 balls). This preliminary structuring of awards based on ball draw counts allows the game to maintain consistent payout structures even when the number of cards varies, as the award determination is based on the draw length rather than card count
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter used for award determination from 'number of cards played' to 'number of balls drawn'. By basing award structure on the ball draw parameter rather than card quantity, the system achieves both consistency in awards and adaptability to varying player participation, as the same ball draw threshold applies regardless of how many cards are played
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of Bingo cards varies with player enrollment, then the game can be played on demand with flexible participation, but the odds of interim pattern awards become unpredictable
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes award thresholds based on ball draw counts before the game begins. By determining in advance what award levels correspond to what ranges of balls drawn (e.g., 15 or fewer balls triggers first award level), the system ensures predictable odds regardless of how many cards are played, as the award structure is independent of card quantity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the actual ball draw results to determine awards. By monitoring how many balls were drawn to achieve patterns and comparing this against pre-set thresholds, the system dynamically adjusts award determination to maintain consistent odds structure even as card participation varies from game to game
3Ease of operation
If traditional Bingo award structures are used, then the game maintains simplicity, but it cannot replicate the engaging wagering experience of Class III games like slot machines
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the Bingo game into distinct wagering levels (first level, second level, third level) with different wager amounts and corresponding award structures. Each level offers different interim pattern award opportunities and ball draw thresholds, allowing players to choose their risk preference while maintaining the basic simplicity of Bingo play. This segmentation replicates the varied wagering experience of slot machines while keeping the core game easy to understand
Solution Approach 2:
The system makes the wagering structure dynamic by allowing players to select different wager levels and by adjusting award determination based on actual game outcomes (number of balls drawn). The dynamic elements include variable wager amounts per card, multiple award levels with different payout structures, and adaptive award determination that responds to game progression, all while maintaining the fundamental simplicity of Bingo
Data Source
AI summary
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 game-winning pattern, or one of a plurality of game-winning patterns, of game indicia on one or more game arrays having unique combinations of game indicia based on matching the game indicia on the game arrays to game indicia randomly selected for the occurrence of the wagering game. Each player matching a game-winning pattern may receive game-winning award, and may receive a game-winning award for each game array on which a game-winning pattern is matched. The method and gaming unit may further include an alternate outcome display wherein an outcome of a second wagering game may be displayed that corresponds to the outcome for the player on the one or more game arrays for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game.