FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wagering games, and in particular, methods and apparatus for playing such games.

BACKGROUND

Card, dice and roulette games are popular wagering games played around the world. The apparatus used in card, dice and roulette games for casinos are easy to use and manufacture. Many card games are used for gambling purposes, and often these games are played against the casino/bank and players. Many card games provide options for players to place wagers on possible game outcomes of the cards on a wagering layout, known as side bets.

There are many dice games used for gambling . Typical dice wagering games allow players to place their wagers on the outcome of the roll of one or more dice. Betting options typically include wagering on the sum of the dice numbers and various combinations of the faces of the dice.

Roulette games are commonly used for gambling. The roulette game involves a wheel divided into segments. A traditional wheel includes 36 segments, numbered 1 to 36, which are divided into two distinct colours, traditionally in red and black. One additional segment, numbered "0", also appear on the wheel, traditionally in green. Players place wagers on possible game outcomes on a wagering layout. The game outcome is determined by spinning the wheel and dropping a ball onto the wheel. The game outcome is defined by the segment in which the ball comes to rest.

A variety of betting options are normally provided for these card, dice and roulette games. However having numerous betting options require the provision of more betting time for players to place their bets. It is desirable to provide a game with less betting options to expedite game play, thereby benefitting both the players and game operators.

Games with a variety of betting options generally results in diverse bets amongst the players against the casino/bank, leading to a mixture of players hoping for a different game outcome. Such games bring out less emotions of the players . It is thus desirable to provide a game rule where players play against the casino/bank collectively, thereby creating a certain camaraderie among the players.

Games with a variety of betting options also results in more rules and various payouts for the - casino/bank. Some of such payouts are more cumbersome and time consuming to manage, particularly in physical payout table games. It is desirable to provide a game with simple rules and a more communal payout odd to players collectively in a game to speed up game play, to reduce the possibility of dealer errors and to provide players confidence in play. Although the game play for card, dice and roulette games are easy to comprehend among casino games, the lack of ability to reward larger payout can cause players to lose interest in the game. Similar issues can be found in other traditional casino games. It is desirable to provide some form of enhancement to the payouts to such wagering games in order to maintain the interest of the player. It is thus an object to introduce the possibility of a larger payout for a single bet in a game.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present invention is a method of playing a wagering game, said method including steps of:

providing the wagering game comprising wagering elements that include any one or more of playing cards, dice, and roulette wheel and ball, and an associated wagering field, wherein the wagering game will be carried out in multiple rounds of game play within a game, with a predetermined highest possible round of game play;

one or more players placing a wager on possible Round One game play outcomes;

conducting a Round One game play through one of the wagering elements;

determining the Round One game play outcome;

collecting the wager if the player loses on the Round One game play outcome and ending the game for that player;

conducting a Round Two game play through one of the wagering elements for the player who wins on the Round One game play outcome;

determining the Round Two game play outcome;

rewarding a predetermined base odds payout to the player who wins on the Round One game play outcome but loses on the Round Two game play outcome, and ending the game;

conducting a Round Three game play through one of the wagering elements for the player who wins on the Round Two game play outcome;

determining the Round Three game play outcome;

rewarding a predetermined step-up 1 odds payout to the player who wins on the Round Two game play outcome but loses on the Round Three game play outcome, and ending the game; rewarding a predetermined step-up 2 odds payout to the player who wins on the Round Two game play outcome and wins on the Round Three game play outcome, and ending the game if the game provides highest two rounds of game play; further conducting subsequent rounds of game play, if the game provides more than highest two rounds of game play, through one of the wagering elements whenever the player wins on a subsequent round of game play outcome until the predetermined highest possible round of game play is reached;

ending the game whenever the player loses on a subsequent round of game play outcome or until the predetermined highest possible round of game play is played; and

further rewarding a predetermined step-up 2 odds payout to the player who wins on the Round Three game play outcome but loses on the Round Four game play outcome, rewarding a predetermined step-up 3 odds payout to the player who wins on the Round Four game play outcome but loses on the Round Five game play outcome and so forth, until the

predetermined highest possible round of game play;

wherein the step-up 1 odds payout is an incremental odds payout in relation to the base odds payout, the step-up 2 odds payout is higher than the step-up 1 odds payout, the step-up 3 odds payout is higher than the step-up 2 odds payout, and so forth.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a gaming machine adapted to carry out the methods.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a software product to program a gaming system to carry out the methods.

The game apparatus comprises:

a game surface comprising wagering areas for wagering on possible Round One game play outcomes; and

wagering elements that include any one or more of playing cards, dice, and roulette wheel and ball.

The present method could take a number of different embodiments. For example, in one embodiment, players make wagers in a game comprising wagering elements that include playing cards and dice, with a highest four rounds of game play within a game.

In another example, players make wagers in a game comprising wagering elements that include dice and roulette wheel and ball, with a highest four rounds of game play within a game.

In another example, players make wagers in a game comprising wagering elements that include playing cards, with a highest three rounds of game play within a game.

In another example, players make wagers in a game comprising wagering elements that include dice, with a highest four rounds of game play within a game. In another example, players make wagers in a game comprising wagering elements that include playing cards and dice, with a highest three rounds of game play within a game. The present method could be embodied in an electrical, mechanical, electro-mechanical, or video gaming device or any of the combinations thereof.

Further objects of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan drawing of a wagering field according to an optional embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an example of a pay table for the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan drawing of a wagering field according to an optional embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a plan drawing of a wagering field according to an optional embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is ah example of a pay table for the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a roulette wheel arrangement for use with the wagering field shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, according to an optional embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is plan drawing of a wagering field according to an optional embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an example of a pay table for the embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is plan drawing of a wagering field according to an optional embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an example of a pay table for the embodiment of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an plan drawing of a game surface according to an optional embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an example of a pay table for the embodiment of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 illustrates the general process steps involved in an embodiment of the present invention with a highest three rounds of game play within a game; and

FIG. 14 illustrates the general process steps involved in an embodiment of the present invention with a highest four rounds of game play within a game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred to by like numerals throughout. There are a number of possible embodiments of the wagering elements and the wagering fields in the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the present invention, a wagering field 100 is provided. The game begins with players making wagers in a game comprising wagering elements that include playing cards and dice, with a highest four rounds of game play within a game, in a manner described in more detail below.

The terms for the payouts with a highest four rounds of game play within a game are as follows:

a) the base odds payout refers to a payout for the players who win Round One game play but lose Round Two game play;

b) the step-up 1 odds payout refers to a payout for the players who win Round Two game play but lose Round Three game play;

c) the step-up 2 odds payout refers to a payout for the players who win Round Three game play but lose Round Four game play; and

d) the step-up 3 odds payout refers to a payout for the players who win Round Four game play.

The Round One game play outcome is resolved in a two-dice game. Each player makes a bet on one or more wagering areas of the wagering field 100. A player may place a wager on a particular combination of two dice colours, for example, wagering area "RED, RED - MULTIPLIER ONE" 101 and wagering area "BLACK, RED - MULTIPLIER TWO" 102. In addition, players can wager on a combination of two dice scores of "1 or 6 AND 1 or 6", for example, wagering area "1 OR 6, 1 OR 6 - MULTIPLIER TWO" 103.

As shown in FIG. 1, MULTIPLIER ONE 110 and MULTIPLIER TWO 111 include two different types of predetermined base and predetermined step-up odds payout as depicted in FIG. 2.

In Round One game play, the dealer rolls two different coloured dice, DICE 1 in white and DICE 2 in grey, the dice each containing scores 1 through 6 represented through a corresponding number of dots, and each containing three faces (scores 1 through 3) of red colour dots and three faces (scores 4 through 6) of black colour dots. Based on the outcome of the two dice, wagers of the losing bets are collected and the game ends for those bets while wagers of the winning bets are awarded a Round Two game play.

For example, suppose Round One game play outcome is other than "DICE 1 RED, DICE 2 BLACK", a player who places a wager on a wagering area "RED, BLACK - MULTIPLIER ONE" 104 will lose the wager and the game ends for that player . However, if Round One game play outcome is "DICE 1 RED, DICE 2 BLACK", the player will be awarded a Round Two game play. The Round Two game play outcome is resolved in a two-cards game. The dealer deals two cards from one or more decks of standard playing cards without Jokers, the cards having values 1 through 10, whereby Kings, Queens and Jacks count as 10, Aces count as 1 and cards from 2 to 9 count as their respective face values. If the sum of values of the two cards is an "EVEN" number, all players lose. The players will be paid a base odds payout and the game ends. However, if the sum of values of the two cards is an "ODD" number, all players win. The players will be awarded a Round Three game play.

For example, suppose Round Two game play outcome is an "EVEN" number, a player who places a wager on a wagering area "RED, BLACK - MULTIPLIER ONE" 104 will be paid a payout of 1 to 1 and the game ends. However, if Round Two game play outcome is an "ODD" number, the player will be awarded a Round Three game play.

The Round Three game play outcome is resolved in a two-cards game. The dealer deals another two cards preferably from the same deck or decks of standard playing cards. If the sum of values of the two cards is an "EVEN" number, all players lose. The players will be paid a step-up 1 odds payout and the game ends. However, if the sum of values of the two cards is an "ODD" number, all players win. The players will be awarded a Round Four game play.

For example, suppose Round Three game play outcome is an "EVEN" number, a player who places a wager on a wagering area "RED, BLACK - MULTIPLIER ONE" 104 will be paid a step-up payout of 4 to 1 and the game ends. However, if Round Three game play outcome is an "ODD" number, the player will be awarded a Round Four game play.

The Round Four game play outcome is resolved in a one-dice game. The dealer rolls one dice, the dice containing numbers 1 through 6. If the outcome of the dice is not "DICE SCORE OF 6", all players lose. The players will be paid a step-up 2 odds payout and the game ends. However, if the outcome of the dice is "DICE SCORE OF 6", all players win. The players will be paid a step-up 3 odds payout and the game ends.

For example, suppose Round Four game play outcome is not "DICE SCORE OF 6", a player who places a wager on a wagering area "RED, BLACK - MULTIPLIER ONE" 104 will be paid a step-up payout of 5 to 1 and the game ends. However, if Round Four game play outcome is "DICE SCORE OF 6", the player will be paid a step-up payout of 10 to 1 and the game ends.

Winning wagers would be rewarded as indicated in the pay table of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, in another embodiment of the present invention, a wagering field 300 is provided. The game begins with players making wagers in a game comprising wagering elements that include dice and roulette wheel and ball, with a highest four rounds of game play within a game, in a manner described in more detail below.

The terms for the payouts with a highest four rounds of game play within a game are as follows:

a) the base odds payout refers to a payout for the players who win Round One game play but lose Round Two game play; ^"

b) the step-up 1 odds payout refers to a payout for the players who win Round Two

game play but lose Round Three game play;

c) the step-up 2 odds payout refers to a payout for the players who win Round Three game play but lose Round Four game play; and

d) the step-up 3 odds payout refers to a payout for the players who win Round Four game play.

The Round One game play outcome is resolved in a roulette wheel and ball game. Each player makes a bet on one or more wagering areas of the wagering field 300. A player may place a wager on a particular colour, for example, wagering area "BLACK" 301. In addition, players can wager on a grouping of four numbers wagering area "1, 11, 21 OR 28" 302 and a single number wagering area "0" 303.

In Round One game play, the dealer spins a roulette wheel 600 and drops a ball onto the wheel, the wheel 600 includes 36 segments, numbered 1 to 36, which are divided into four distinct colours of red, orange, blue and black and one additional segment numbered "0" appears on the wheel in green. Based on the outcome of the segment in which the ball comes to rest, wagers of the losing bets are collected and the game ends for those bets while wagers of the winning bets are awarded a Round Two game play.

For example, suppose Round One game play outcome is other than "RED", a player who places a wager on a wagering area "RED" 304 will lose the wager and the game ends for that player. However, if Round One game play outcome is "RED", the player will be awarded a Round Two game play.

The Round Two game play outcome is resolved in a three-dice game. The dealer rolls three dice, the dice each containing scores 1 through 6. If the outcome of the three dice is not "AT LEAST ONE DICE SCORE OF 6", all players lose. The players will be paid a base odds payout and the game ends. However, if the outcome of the three dice is "AT LEAST ONE DICE SCORE OF 6", all players win. The players will be awarded a Round Three game play. For example, suppose Round Two game play outcome is not "AT LEAST ONE DICE SCORE OF 6", a player who places a wager on a wagering area "RED" 304 will be paid a payout of 1 to 1 and the game ends. However, if Round Two of the game outcome is "AT LEAST ONE DICE SCORE OF 6", the player will be awarded a Round Three game play. The Round Three game play outcome is resolved in a three-dice game. The dealer rolls three dice, the dice each containing scores 1 through 6. If the outcome of the three dice is not "AT LEAST ONE DICE SCORE OF 6", all players lose. The players will be paid a step-up 1 odds payout and the game ends. However, if the outcome of the three dice is "AT LEAST ONE DICE SCORE OF 6", all players win. The players will be awarded a Round Four game play.

For example, suppose Round Three game play outcome is not "AT LEAST ONE DICE SCORE OF 6", a player who places a wager on a wagering area "RED" 304 will be paid a step-up payout of 4 to 1 and the game ends. However, if Round Three game play outcome is "AT LEAST ONE DICE SCORE OF 6", the player will be awarded a Round Four game play.

The Round Four game play outcome is resolved in a one-dice game. The dealer rolls one dice, the dice containing numbers 1 through 6. If the outcome of the dice is not "DICE SCORE OF 6", all players lose. The players will be paid a step-up 2 odds payout and the game ends. However, if the outcome of the dice is "DICE SCORE OF 6", all players win. The players will be paid a step-up 3 odds payout and the game ends.

For example, suppose Round Four game play outcome is not "DICE SCORE OF 6", a player who places a wager on a wagering area "RED" 304 will be paid a step-up payout of 5 to 1 and the game ends. However, if Round Four game play outcome is "DICE SCORE OF 6", the player will be paid a step-up payout of 20 to 1 and the game ends.

Winning wagers would be rewarded as indicated in the pay table of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 4, in another embodiment of the present invention, a wagering field 400 is provided. The wagering field comprises a number betting area from 0 to 36 which is similar to a conventional roulette betting layout, and a colour betting area. In one embodiment of the wagering field, the numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16 and 18 are red, the numbers 20, 22, 24,

26, 28, 29, 31, 33 and 35 are black, the numbers 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 32, 34 and 36 are blue, the numbers 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15 and 17 are orange, and number 0 is green. The game begins with players making wagers in a game comprising wagering elements that include dice and roulette wheel and ball, with a highest four rounds of game play within a game, in a manner described in more detail below.

The Round One game play outcome is resolved in a roulette wheel and ball game. Each player makes a bet on one or more wagering areas of the wagering field 400. A player may place a wager on a particular single number or colour, for example, single number wagering area "36" 401 and wagering area "ORANGE" 402. In addition, players can wager on groupings of four adjoining numbers by placing one or more chips or markers at the intersection of the four adjoining numbers, for example, a grouping of four numbers wagering area "1, 2, 4 AND 5" 403 and "31, 32, 34 AND 35" 404.

In Round One game play, the dealer spins a roulette wheel 600 and drops a ball onto the roulette wheel, the wheel 600 includes 36 segments, numbered 1 to 36, which are divided into four distinct colours of red, orange, blue and black and one additional segment numbered "0" appears on the wheel in green. Based on the outcome of the segment in which the ball comes to rest, wagers of the losing bets are collected and the game ends for those bets while wagers of the winning bets are awarded a Round Two game play.

For example, suppose Round One game play outcome is other than "1, 2, 4 OR 5", a player who places a wager on a grouping of four numbers wagering area "1, 2, 4 AND 5" 403 will lose the wager and the game ends for that player. However, if Round One game play outcome is "1, 2, 4 OR 5", the player will be awarded a Round Two game play.

The Round Two game play outcome is resolved in a three-dice game. The dealer rolls three dice, the dice each containing scores 1 through 6. If the outcome of the three dice is not "AT LEAST ONE DICE SCORE OF 6", all players lose. The players will be paid a base odds payout and the game ends. However, if the outcome of the three dice is "AT LEAST ONE DICE SCORE OF 6", all players win. The players will be awarded a Round Three game play. For example, suppose Round Two game play outcome is not "AT LEAST ONE DICE SCORE OF 6", a player who places a wager on a grouping of four numbers wagering area "1, 2, 4 AND 5" 403 will be paid a payout of 3 to 1 and the game ends. However, if Round Two game play outcome is "AT LEAST ONE DICE SCORE OF 6", the player will be awarded a Round Three game play.

The Round Three game play outcome is resolved in a three-dice game. The dealer rolls three dice, the dice each containing scores 1 through 6. If the outcome of the three dice is not "AT LEAST ONE DICE SCORE OF 6", all players lose. The players will be paid a step-up 1 odds payout and the game ends. However, if the outcome of the three dice is "AT LEAST ONE DICE SCORE OF 6", all players win. The players will be awarded a Round Four game play.

For example, suppose Round Three game play outcome is not "AT LEAST ONE DICE SCORE OF 6", a player who places a wager, on a grouping of four numbers wagering area "1, 2, 4 AND 5" 403 will be paid a step-up payout of 8 to 1 and the game ends. However, if Round Three game play outcome is "AT LEAST ONE DICE SCORE OF 6", the player will be awarded a Round Four game play.

The Round Four game play outcome is resolved in a one-dice game. The dealer rolls one dice, the dice containing numbers 1 through 6. If the outcome of the dice is not "DICE SCORE OF 6", all players lose. The players will be paid a step-up 2 odds payout and the game ends. However, if the outcome of the dice is "DICE SCORE OF 6", all players win. The players will be paid a step-up 3 odds payout and the game ends.

For example, suppose Round Four game play outcome is not "DICE SCORE OF 6", a player who places a wager on a grouping of four numbers wagering area "1, 2, 4 AND 5" 403 will be paid a step-up payout of 15 to 1 and the game ends. However, if Round Four game play outcome is "DICE SCORE OF 6", the player will be paid a step-up payout of 60 to 1 and the game ends.

Winning wagers would be rewarded as indicated in the pay table of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 depicts a roulette wheel 600 arrangement for use with the wagering field shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the roulette wheel arrangement includes only one house number, the single zero (0) and thirty-six numbers, for a total of thirty-seven segments. The roulette wheel shown in FIG. 6, is a roulette wheel having an example arrangement of indicia according to the roulette wheel arrangement, the indicia including numbers from 1 to 36 arranged at standardised positions around the perimeter of the wheel with red and black numbers alternating in one side of the wheel, and blue and orange numbers alternating in another side of the wheel.

In one embodiment of the roulette wheel 600, the numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16 and 18 are red (represented by letter "R" in FIG. 6), the numbers 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31, 33 and 35 are black (represented by letter "B" in FIG. 6), the numbers 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 32, 34 and 36 are blue (represented by letter "b" in FIG. 6), the numbers 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15 and 17 are orange (represented by letter "O" in FIG. 6), and number 0 is green (represented by letter "G" in FIG. 6). However, the roulette wheel and corresponding wagering field of the invention is not so limited, and many different variations of the wheel and wagering field configurations are contemplated.

Referring to FIG. 7, in another embodiment of the present invention, a wagering field 700 is provided. The game begins with players making wagers in a game comprising wagering elements that include playing cards, with a highest three rounds of game play within a game, in a manner described in more detail below. The terms for the payouts with a highest three rounds of game play within a game are as follows:

a) the base odds payout refers to a payout for the players who win Round One game play but lose Round Two game play;

b) the step-up 1 odds payout refers to a payout for the players who win Round Two game play but lose Round Three game play; and

c) the step-up 2 odds payout refers to a payout for the players who win Round Three game play but lose Round Four game play.

The Round One game play outcome is resolved in a one-card game. Each player makes a bet on one or more wagering areas of the wagering field 700. A player may place a wager on a particular suit of a card, for example, wagering area "SPADE - MULTIPLIER ONE" 701. In addition, players can wager on a rank of a card, for example, wagering area "JACK OR QUEEN - MULTIPLIER ONE" 702 and wagering area "KING - MULTIPLIER TWO" 703. As shown in FIG. 7, MULTIPLIER ONE 710 and MULTIPLIER TWO 711 include two different types of predetermined base and predetermined step-up odds payout as depicted in FIG. 8.

In Round One game play, the dealer deals one card from one deck of standard playing cards without Jokers. Based on the outcome of the card, wagers of the losing bets are collected and the game ends for those bets while wagers of the winning bets are awarded a Round Two game play.

For example, suppose Round One game play outcome is other than "KING", a player who places a wager on a wagering area "KING - MULTIPLIER ONE" 704 will lose the wager and the game ends for that player. However, if Round One game play outcome is "KING", the player will be awarded a Round Two game play.

The Round Two game play outcome is resolved in a two-cards game. The dealer deals two cards preferably from the same deck of standard playing cards, the cards having values 1 through 10, whereby Kings, Queens and Jacks count as 10, Aces count as 1 and cards from 2 to 9 count as their respective face values. If the sum of values of the two cards is an "EVEN" number, all players lose. The players will be paid a base odds payout and the game ends. However, if the sum of values of the two cards is an "ODD" number, all players win. The players will be awarded a Round Three game play.

For example, suppose Round Two game play outcome is an "EVEN" number, a player who places a wager on a wagering area " KING - MULTIPLIER ONE" 704 will be paid a payout of 6 to 1 and the game ends. However, if Round Two game play outcome is an "ODD" number, the player will be awarded a Round Three game play.

The Round Three game play outcome is resolved in a two-cards game. The dealer deals another two cards preferably from the same deck of standard playing cards. If the sum of values of the two cards is an "EVEN" number, all players lose. The players will be paid a step-up 1 odds payout and the game ends. However, if the sum of values of the two cards is an "ODD" number, all players win. The players will be paid a step-up 2 odds payout and the game ends.

For example, suppose Round Three game play outcome is an "EVEN" number, a player who places a wager on a wagering area " KING - MULTIPLIER ONE" 704 will be paid a step-up payout of 12 to 1 and the game ends. However, if Round Three game play outcome is an

"ODD" number, the player will be paid a step-up payout of 20 to 1 and the game ends.

Winning wagers would be rewarded as indicated in the pay table of FIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 9, in another embodiment of the present invention, a wagering field 900 is provided. The game begins with players making wagers in a game comprising wagering elements that include dice, with a highest four rounds of game play within a game, in a manner described in more detail below.

The terms for the payouts with a highest four rounds of game play within a game are as follows:

a) the base odds payout refers to a payout for the players who win Round One game play but lose Round Two game play;

b) the step-up 1 odds payout refers to a payout for the players who win Round Two game play but lose Round Three game play;

c) the step-up 2 odds payout refers to a payout for the players who win Round Three game play but lose Round Four game play; and

d) the step-up 3 odds payout refers to a payout for the players who win Round Four game play.

The Round One game play outcome is resolved in a two-dice game. Each player makes a bet on one or more wagering areas of the wagering field 900. A player may place a wager on a particular combination of two dice colours, for example, wagering area "RED, RED -

MULTIPLIER ONE" 901 and.wagering area "BLACK, RED - MULTIPLIER TWO" 902. In addition, players can wager on a combination of two dice scores of "1 or 6 AND 1 or 6", for example, wagering area "1 OR 6, 1 OR 6 - MULTIPLIER TWO" 903. As shown in FIG. 9, MULTIPLIER ONE 910 and MULTIPLIER TWO 911 include two different types of predetermined base and predetermined step-up odds payout as depicted in FIG. 10.

In Round One game play, the dealer rolls two different coloured dice, DICE 1 in white and DICE 2 in grey, the dice each containing scores 1 through 6 represented through a corresponding number of dots, and each containing three faces (scores 1 through 3) of red colour dots and three faces (scores 4 through 6) of black colour dots. Based on the outcome of the two dice, wagers of the losing bets are collected and the game ends for those bets while wagers of the winning bets are awarded a Round Two game play.

For example, suppose Round One game play outcome is other than "1 or 6 AND 1 or 6", a player who places a wager on a wagering area "1 OR 6, 1 OR 6 - MULTIPLIER TWO" 903 will lose the wager and the game ends for that player. However, if Round One game play outcome is "1 or 6 AND 1 or 6", the player will be awarded a Round Two game play.

The Round Two game play outcome is resolved in a three-dice game. The dealer rolls three dice, the dice each containing scores 1 through 6. If the outcome of the three dice is not "AT LEAST ONE DICE SCORE OF 6", all players lose. The players will be paid a base odds payout and the game ends. However, if the outcome of the three dice is "AT LEAST ONE DICE SCORE OF 6", all players win. The players will be awarded a Round Three game play. For example, suppose Round Two game play outcome is not "AT LEAST ONE DICE SCORE OF 6", a player who places a wager on a wagering area "1 OR 6, 1 OR 6 -

MULTIPLIER TWO" 903 will be paid a payout of 4 to 1 and the game ends. However, if Round Two game play outcome is "AT LEAST ONE DICE SCORE OF 6", the player will be awarded a Round Three game play.

The Round Three game play outcome is resolved in a three-dice game. The dealer rolls three dice, the dice each containing scores 1 through 6. If the outcome of the three dice is not "AT LEAST ONE DICE SCORE OF 6", all players lose. The players will be paid a step-up 1 odds payout and the game ends. However, if the outcome of the three dice is "AT LEAST ONE DICE SCORE OF 6", all players win. The players will be awarded a Round Four game play.

For example, suppose Round Three game play outcome is not "AT LEAST ONE DICE SCORE OF 6", a player who places a wager on a wagering area "1 OR 6, 1 OR 6 - MULTIPLIER TWO" 903 will be paid a step-up payout of 8 to 1 and the game ends.

However, if Round Three game play outcome is "AT LEAST ONE DICE SCORE OF 6", the player will be awarded a Round Four game play. The Round Four game play outcome is resolved in a one-dice game. The dealer rolls one dice, the dice containing numbers 1 through 6. If the outcome of the dice is not "DICE SCORE OF 6", all players lose. The players will be paid a step-up 2 odds payout and the game ends. However, if the outcome of the dice is "DICE SCORE OF 6", all players win. The players will be paid a step-up 3 odds payout and the game ends.

For example, suppose Round Four of the game outcome is not "DICE SCORE OF 6", a player who places a wager on a wagering area "1 OR 6, 1 OR 6 - MULTIPLIER TWO" 903 will be paid a step-up payout of 13 to 1 and the game ends. However, if Round Four of the game outcome is "DICE SCORE OF 6", the player will be paid a step-up payout of 40 to 1 and the game ends.

Winning wagers would be rewarded as indicated in the pay table of FIG. 10.

Referring to FIG. 11, in another embodiment of the present invention, a game surface 1100 formed substantially in the shape of a semicircle is provided. The game surface 1100 has a substantially linear side 1110 along the diameter of the semicircle and a curved side 1111 along the circumference of the semicircle. As shown, seven individual player wagering areas are arranged along the circumference of the semicircle playing surface and are spaced a similar distance apart. The number of individual player wagering areas can be more or less, but preferably this number is limited to seven to facilitate monitoring by the dealer. A minimum of one and a maximum of seven players may occupy a seated position in the game. More players may participate in the game via backline betting. The game begins with players making wagers in a game comprising wagering elements that include playing cards and dice, with a highest three rounds of game play within a game, in a manner described in more detail below.

The terms for the payouts with a highest three rounds of game play within a game are as follows:

a) the base odds payout refers to a payout for the players who win Round One game play - but lose Round Two game play;

b) the step-up 1 odds payout refers to a payout for the players who win Round Two game play but lose Round Three game play; and

c) the step-up 2 odds payout refers to a payout for the players who win Round Three game play but lose Round Four game play.

The Round One game play outcome is resolved in a two-dice game. Each player makes a bet on one or more wagering areas of the wagering field in the game surface 1100. A player may place a wager on a particular combination of two dice colours, for example, wagering area "RED, RED - MULTffLIER ONE" 1101 and wagering area "BLACK, RED - MULTIPLIER TWO" 1102. In addition, players can wager on a combination of two dice scores of "1 or 6 AND 1 or 6", for example, wagering area "1 OR 6, 1 OR 6 - MULTIPLIER TWO" 1103. As shown in FIG. 11, MULTIPLIER ONE 1120 and MULTIPLIER TWO 1121 include two different types of predetermined base and predetermined step-up odds payout as depicted in FIG..12.

In Round One game play, the dealer rolls two different coloured dice, DICE 1 in white and DICE 2 in grey, the dice each containing scores 1 through 6 represented through a corresponding number of dots, and each containing three faces (scores 1 through 3) of red colour dots and three faces (scores 4 through 6) of black colour dots. Based on the outcome of the two dice, wagers of the losing bets are collected and the game ends for those bets while wagers of the winning bets are awarded a Round Two game play.

For example, suppose Round One game play outcome is other than "DICE 1 RED, DICE 2 BLACK", a player who places a wager on a wagering area "RED, BLACK - MULTIPLIER ONE" 1104 will lose the wager and the game ends for that player. However, if Round One game play outcome is "DICE 1 RED, DICE 2 BLACK", the player will be awarded a Round Two game play.

The Round Two game play outcome is resolved in a two-cards game. The dealer deals two cards from one or more decks of standard playing cards without Jokers, the cards have values 1 through 10, whereby Kings, Queens and Jacks count as 10, Aces count as 1 and cards from 2 to 9 count as their respective face values. If the sum of values of the two cards is an "EVEN" number, all players lose. The players will be paid a base odds payout and the game ends. However, if the sum of values of the two cards is an "ODD" number, all players win. The players will be awarded a Round Three game play.

For example, suppose Round Two game play outcome is an "EVEN" number, a player who places a wager on a wagering area "RED, BLACK - MULTffLIER ONE" 1104 will be paid a payout of 1 to 1 and the game ends. However, if Round Two game play outcome is an "ODD" number, the player will be awarded a Round Three game play.

The Round Three game play outcome is resolved in a two-cards game. The dealer deals another two cards preferably from the same deck or decks of playing cards. If the sum of values of the two cards is an "EVEN" number, all players lose. The players will be paid a step-up 1 odds payout and the game ends. However, if the sum of values of the two cards is an "ODD" number, all players win. The players will be paid a step-up 2 odds payout and the game ends. For example, suppose Round Three game play outcome is an "EVEN" number, a player who places a wager on a wagering area "RED, BLACK - MULTIPLIER ONE" 1104 will be paid a step-up payout of 4 to 1 and the game ends. However, if Round Three game play outcome is an "ODD" number, the player will be paid a step-up payout of 5 to 1 and the game ends. Winning wagers would be rewarded as indicated in the pay table of FIG. 12.

The wagering field of the invention is not so limited, and many different variations of the wagering field configurations are contemplated.

The general process steps involved in an embodiment of the present invention with a highest three rounds of game play within a game is shown in FIG. 13. A new game is started at step 1301. The player selects and places wagers on possible Round One game play outcomes at step 1302. After the wagers are placed, Round One game play outcome is determined at step

1303. The determination of whether the player wins Round One game play outcome is at step

1304. If the player loses, the wager is collected at step 1305. If no player wins Round One game play outcome, a new game is restarted at step 1301. However, if any player wins Round One game play outcome, Round Two game play outcome is determined at step 1306. The determination of whether the player wins Round Two game play outcome is at step 1307. All players in the game win or lose collectively base on the Round Two game play outcome. If the player loses, the player is provided a base odds payout at step 1308 and a new game is restarted at step 1301. However, if the player wins Round Two game play outcome, Round Three game play outcome is determined at step 1309. The determination of whether the player wins Round Three game play outcome is at step 1310. All players in the game win or lose collectively base on the Round Three game play outcome. If the player loses, the player is provided a step-up 1 odds payout at step 1311 and a new game is restarted at step 1301. However, if the player wins Round Three game play outcome, the player is provided a step- up 2 odds payout at step 1312 and a new game is restarted at step 1301.

There are a number of predetermined highest possible round of game play within a game. In another example, the general process steps involved in an embodiment of the present invention with a highest four rounds of game play within a game is shown in FIG. 14.

As alluded to above, the present game could be played on a mechanical, electrical, electro- mechanical, or video gaming device or any of the combinations thereof. For example, one embodiment may include a conventional mechanical game apparatus and a live dealer.

Another embodiment may include an electronic table and a live dealer.

A further embodiment may include an electronic table without any dealer. In another further embodiment, the game is a multiplayer unit with individual bet stations and a central video representation of the game.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.