GAMING TABLE WITH SIDE BETS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a gaming table with side bets and has been devised particularly though not soley for playing the ancient Chinese game of Sic Bo, also known as Tai Sai, whereby wages are made on the outcome of the roll of three dice.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The game of Sic Bo is typically played in casinos where various tables and graphic layouts are provided for the placing of bets on the outcome of the roll of three dice. These bets may typically include bets on the total number shown on the sum of the three dice, various combinations of two dice, bets on various triple outcomes such as three fours or three sixes and bets on whether the total number shown on the three dice is a big number between eleven and seventeen inclusive or a small number between four and ten inclusive, or whether the total on the three dice is an even number or an odd number.

Many of the gaming tables used to play Sic Bo in casinos are modern electronic tables with illuminated areas underneath the various outcomes where gaming chips are placed to represent bets being lit to indicate a successful outcome.

The present invention seeks to enhance the game of Sic Bo by the provision of additional betting options.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly in one aspect the present invention provides a game whereby wagers are made on the outcome of the roll of three dice, including the option of placing one or more bets on a successive run of predetermined outcomes.

Preferably the outcome of the roll of the three dice is determined according to the rules generally applied in the ancient Chinese game of Sic Bo.

Preferably said one or more bets are known as side bets.

Preferably one said side bet is on the predetermined outcome of whether the sum of the numbers on the three dice is an even or odd number.

Preferably one said side bet is on the predetermined outcome of whether the sum of the numbers on the three dice is a big number between eleven and seventeen inclusive or a small number between four and ten inclusive.

Preferably a bet on a successive ran of predetermined outcomes is paid on five or more consecutive identical outcomes.

Preferably the odds paid out on a winning bet on a successive ran of predetermined outcomes increase for each identical outcome beyond five. In a further aspect the present invention provides a gaming table incorporating areas on which players can place gaming chips representing bets for the playing of a game as described in any one or more of the preceding paragraphs.

Preferably the areas are selectively lit to represent successful bets resulting from the outcome of the roll of the three dice. Preferably the table includes one or more areas for placing bets on a successive ran of predetermined outcomes, known as side bets.

Preferably the areas for placing side bets comprise charts with progressive sub- areas indicating progress along a successive ran of identical predetermined outcomes.

Preferably the progressive sub-areas indicate odds to be paid out to players once five progressive sub-areas have indicated the predetermined outcome.

Preferably the progressive sub-areas in the side bet charts are lit as long as the successive ran of identical predetermined outcomes continues.

Preferably the sub-areas on a side bet chart are lit in a flashing manner once the preceding ran of identical predetermined outcomes has been broken, indicating that new bets can now be placed on the alternative predetermined outcome.

BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms that may fall within its scope, one preferred form of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a representation of the graphics on a gaming table set up to play a game according to the invention,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 1 showing a portion of the gaming table representing a side bet chart according to the invention, and Fig. 3 is a similar view to Fig. 2 showing an alternative side bet chart from the gaming table shown in Fig. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In the preferred form of the invention the traditional game of Sic Bo is played on a gaming table surface represented by the area shown at 10 in Fig. 1 augmented by an additional area shown at 11 which allows for the placing of side bets on a successful run of identical predetermined outcomes. The two side bets shown in the accompanying drawings and described hereafter are firstly whether the outcome of the sum of the three numbers showing on the rolled dice will be big, i.e. between 11 and 17 inclusive, or small i.e. between 4 and 10 inclusive. The second side bet shown in the accompanying drawings is on a successive run of identical predetermined outcomes on whether the total shown on the three dice is an odd number or an even number.

Throughout this specification the successive run of identical predetermined outcomes is typically referred to as a "streak". For example five or more successive odd numbers rolled on the three dice would constitute an odd streak and five or more successive outcomes where the total of the three numbers shown on the dice are between 11 and 17 would constitute a big streak.

The Odd/Even Streak and the Big/Small Streak bets are placed on two separate charts 12 and 13 respectively located adjacent to the main Sic Bo betting area 10. Patrons participate in the Streak bets by placing a gaming chip on the appropriate Streak chart at the appropriate time. By placing a Streak wager, a patron is effectively wagering that at least the next four consecutive results (Odd/Even or Big/Small) will be the same as the result for which the patron placed the wager. In other words, the patron is wagering that this is the start of a "streak" or "run" of Big/Small or Odd/Even results, and that the streak will continue for at least the next four games after this game. If the streak terminates within the next four games, all wagers lose. If the streak continues for four or more consecutive games following the game that established the streak, all wagers will win. The amount won is determined by the length of the streak, according to the pay table represented in the chart. There are several suggested pay tables offered. The casino can choose to offer the pay table they think is most appropriate. A typical pay table as shown in Figs 2 and 3 will pay six to one for a streak of four, ten to one for a streak of five, and so on - up to a maximum of five hundred to one for a streak of twelve. (Note that these streak lengths do not include the game that establishes the streak.)

- A -

A "Small" result occurs when the total of the three dice is between four and ten inclusive, except where a triple result has been thrown. Triple two and triple three therefore do not result in a Small result. A "Big" result occurs when the total of the three dice is between eleven and seventeen inclusive, except where a triple result has been thrown. Triple four and triple five therefore do not result in a big result.

Similarly, "Odd" and "Even" results occur when the total of the three dice is odd or even respectively, with the exception of where a triple result has been thrown.

Triple results have no effect on the Streak wagers. If a triple result is thrown, the Streak wagers are effectively "frozen". No wagers may be made or lost as a result of a triple result.

Streak bets may only be placed at the termination of a streak or run. In other words, if the result of the previous game was Big and the result of the current game is Small, or vice versa, then the previous streak has ended and this marks the beginning of a new streak. Patrons may only make a Streak wager at such a "changeover". Whilst in the midst of a streak, no wagers are won or lost, and players may not make additional streak wagers.

The Big/Small and Odd/Even Streak side bets are independent of each other. A changeover from Big to Small (or vice versa) can occur in the middle of an Odd or Even streak, and vice versa. Under some circumstances, both Streak bets will terminate (and therefore changeover) simultaneously.

Once a streak has been established, patrons may place a Streak bet by placing a gaming chip on the appropriate part of the gaming layout during the "Place Your Bets" phase of the game. This is typically shown on an electronic gaming table by lighting the relevant side bet chart in a flashing manner. As the streak progresses, the number of successive identical predetermined outcomes (e.g. big or small; odd or even) is shown by progressive sub-areas such as 14 and 15 in Fig.2, or 16, 17, 18, 19 in Fig. 3, being lit.

If the streak terminates before four more consecutive similar results, all wagers lose. If the four consecutive results continue the establishing game streak, all wagers will win. The amount won depends on the length of the streak. Winners are paid when the streak ends, or when it reaches twelve consecutive results following the establishing game.

The odds played out once five or more identical outcomes have been reached are shown in the progressive sub-areas 20 to 27 on each table in Figs 2 and 3.

The end of a streak denotes the start of a new streak - the opposite streak. When a Big Streak ends, a Small Streak is now underway, and vice versa. When an Odd Streak ends, an Even Streak is now in progress.

No wagers can be placed on the Super Streak bets for the very first game after the Sic Bo table has opened, because no streaks have been established. The first game will establish the current streaks (Big or Small, and Odd or Even).

Example: Game 1

No Streaks are established yet, as this is the first game since the pit was opened. The result is 1-3-4 (total 8, which is Small and Even).

Game 2

Because of the previous result, the Big/Small streak is Small and the Odd/Even streak is

Even. Patrons place bets variously on Small Streak and Even Streak.

The result is 1-5-6 (total 12, which is Big and Even).

The Big/Small Streak loses - dealer takes all chips off the Big/Small Streak area. The Odd/Even streak continues.

Game 3

Patrons place bets on Big/Small Streak (but cannot place bets on Odd/Even because it is still in progress). The result is 2-4-6 (total 12, which is Big and Even). Both Streak bets are still active

Game 4

No Streak bets may be placed (both are still active). The result is 2-3-3 (total 8, Small and Even).

The Big/Small streak loses - dealer takes all chips off the Big/Small Streak area. The Odd/Even streak continues.

Game 5

Patrons place bets on Big/Small Streak (as this is the start of a Small streak). The Odd/Even Streak is still active so it cannot have more bets placed on it. The result is 4-4-4 - a triple, therefore neither Big nor Even. Both streak bets remain untouched.

Game 6

Patrons place bets on Big/Small Streak. Because the previous game was a triple, this game is still considered the start of a Small streak. The result is 5-5-6 (total 16, which is Big and Even).

The Big/Small Streak loses - dealer takes all chips off the Big/Small Streak area.

The Odd/Even streak continues, and moves into a winning phase. Even if the next game loses, patrons who placed a water on Odd/Even back in game 2 are assured of a win when the streak eventually terminates.

Game 7

Patrons place bets on Big/Small Streak (as this is the start of a Big streak).

The Odd/Even Streak is still active so it cannot have more bets placed on it.

The result is 4-4-6 (total 14, which is Big and Even). Both Streak bets are still active.

Game 8

No Streak bets may be placed (both are still active). The result is 2-3-6 (total 11, Big and Odd). The Big/Small streak continues

The Odd/Even streak finally loses. Consulting the pay table, each patron who had placed a wager on Odd/Even back in game 2 wins 10 to 1 on their original Streak wager.

Game 9 Patrons place bets on Odd/Even Streak (as this is the start of an Odd streak). The Big/Small Streak is still active so it cannot have more bets placed on it. The result is 1-4-6 (total 11, Big and Odd). Both Streak bets continue.

In this manner the game of Sic Bo is enhanced by the provision of side bets on runs or streaks of predetermined successive outcomes, giving greater options and enjoyment to the players.