Proximity Range Roulette

The present invention relates to an apparatus for playing a modified version of Roulette.

According to one aspect of the present invention an apparatus for playing a modified version of Roulette comprises a roulette wheel having a plurality of differently numbered locations with indicator means to indicate a single winning location as a result of a spin of the roulette wheel; and a playing surface upon which bets on the outcome of two or more spins of the roulette wheel may be placed, the playing surface defining a multi-spin betting area comprising a plurality of boxes equal to the number of numbered locations on the roulette wheel, each box being numbered to correspond to a different one of the numbered locations on the roulette wheel, the boxes defined by the playing surface being arranged in abutting relationship, such that each box is abutted by at least two other boxes.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the boxes defined by the playing surface are arranged in a continuous loop, each box being bounded on two sides by adjacent boxes. However the continuous loop may alternatively be defined by adjoining rows or columns of boxes, each row or column being connected to the adjacent row or column by the boxes at the end of the row or column to form a continuous loop. The boxes may be numbered sequentially or in random order, for example the same order as the order used on the roulette wheel.

The apparatus in accordance with the present application may be used as a stand alone version of Roulette or may be used as a secondary bstting option for conventional Roulette, in which case the playing surface will define a conventional Roulette layout in addition to the mnlti- spin betting area of the present invention.

The invention is now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;_

Figure 1 shows the playing surface in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention:

Figure 2 shows the playing surface in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 shows the playing surface for the second embodiment of the invention for use as a secondary betting option of a conventional roulette game; and

Figure 4 shows an alternative playing surface in accordance with the present invention for use as a secondary betting option of a conventional roulette game.

In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus for playing a modified version of Roulette comprises a roulette wheel defining a plurality of differently numbered locations and indicator means to indicate one of said numbered locations following the spin of the wheel. The roulette wheel may be of conventional design comprising a disk mounted for rotation about a central vertical axis. A plurality of angularly spaced pockets are provided about the periphery of the disc, each pocket being uniquely numbered. On a conventional European roulette wheel there are 37 pockets which are numbered "0 to 36". The conventional US roulette wheel has 38 pockets numbered "0 to 36" and "00".

The indicator means, in the form of a ball, is introduced on to the spinning disc, the ball coming to rest in one of the numbered pockets to indicate the winning number. Other wheel devices may be used in place of the conventional roulette wheel, for example a multifaceted drum with unique numbers on each of the faces, or a circular array of numbers and a pointer mounted for rotation about an axis located at the centre of the array of numbers. The wheel may have any number of numbered locations.

The Apparatus also includes a playing surface 10 on which bets may be placed on the outcome of two or more spins of the roulette wheel. As illustrated in figure 1 , the playing surface 10 defines a multi-spin betting area 1 1 having plurality of boxes 12 equal to the number of differently numbered locations on the roulette wheel, each box 12 representing a different one of the numbered locations on the roulette wheel. The boxes 12 are arranged in a continuous loop 14, so that each box 12 shares a common boundary with two other adjoining boxes 12, i.e. one in a clockwise direction and the other in an anticlockwise direction. As illustrated the boxes 12 are numbered "0 to 36" sequentially. Alternatively the boxes 12 may be numbered in any sequence, for example the order in which the numbers appear on the roulette wheel or in random order.

In the embodiment illustrated in figure 2, the boxes 22 are arranged in a matrix 24 comprising two abutting columns 26, 28, each column 26, 28 having eighteen boxes 22. A double width box 30 spanning both columns 26, 28 is located at the top of the matrix 24. The box 30 is numbered 0 and boxes 22 are numbered, from top to bottom of column 26 and from bottom to top of column 28, in the same sequence as they appear on a conventional European Roulette Wheel. The matrix 24 described above defines a continuous loop of boxes 22, 30, the boxes 22 at the upper ends of the columns 26, 28 sharing a common boundary with box 30, the box 22 at the lower end of column 26 sharing a common boundary with box 22 at the lower end of column 28, and the intermediate boxes in columns 26, 28 sharing common boundaries with adjoining boxes 22 in each column 26, 28. As with the first embodiment any sequence of numbers may be used with this embodiment.

The multi-spin betting area 1 1 describe with reference to figures 1 and 2 may be used for a standalone game, or may be used to provide a secondary betting option to a conventional Roulette game.

As illustrated in figure 3 the multi-spin betting area 1 1 described with reference to figure 2 may be combined with a conventional Roulette betting area 14. As illustrated in figure 3, the playing surface 10 defines the conventional Roulette betting area 14, comprising a matrix of boxes 32 arranged in three columns of twelve rows. The boxes 32 are numbered sequentially from "1 to 36", across the rows. An additional box 34 spans the three columns at the top and ^■ is numbered "0". An additional row of boxes 36 is provided at the foot of the columns, in which bets may be placed on the numbers in each individual column. Further boxes 38, 40, 42 and 44 are provides to one side of the matrix of boxes 32, in which bets may be placed on numbers "1 to 12"; numbers "13 to 24"; numbers "25 to 36"; numbers "1 to 18"; numbers "19 to 36"; even numbers; odd numbers, red numbers; or even numbers.

The matrix 24 as described with reference to figure 2, is positioned to the side of the matrix of boxes 32 remote from boxes 38, 40, 42 and 44. The boxes 22 of the matrix 24 may be numbered in any desired sequence. According to an alternative embodiment, the matrix of boxes 24 may be replaced with the loop of boxes 12 illustrated in figure 1.

Figure 4 shows and alternative playing surface 10 comprising the conventional roulette betting area 14 as described above. That betting area 14 is combined with a multi-spin betting area 40 comprising a second matrix of boxes 42, which corresponds to the matrix of boxes 32. An additional column of twelve boxes 44 is provided to the side of the matrix of boxes 42 remote from the matrix of boxes 32, the column of boxes 44 being numbered the same as the column of boxes 42 on the side of the matrix of boxes 42 adjacent the matrix of boxes 32.

The layouts described with reference to figures 1 and 2 may be used to play a modified version of Roulette in which a bet may be placed on the outcome of two of more spins of the roulette wheel.

In accordance with one embodiment of the game a player may forecast the outcome of first and second spins of the roulette wheel by placing a bet in the boxes 12 or 22 of the multi-spin betting area 1 1 illustrated in figures 1 or 2, corresponding to the selected number.

The roulette wheel is then spun for a first time. If the number indicated as a result of the first spin, the master number, is that selected by the player then the player has won the bet, otherwise the bet is lost.

The roulette wheel is then spun a second time. If the master number is the number selected by the player and the number indicated as a result of the second spin, the slave number, is the same as the master number, the players bet is paid out at odds of 200 to 1. If the master number is that selected by the player and the slave number is a number corresponding to one of the two boxes 12; 22, 30 immediately to either side the box 12; 22, 30 corresponding to the master number in the clockwise and anticlockwise directions, then the player is paid out at odds of 100 to 1. Otherwise if the master number is that selected by the player but the slave number is not equal to the master number or corresponds to a box 12, 22 immediately on either side of that of the master number, the player is paid out at odds of 25 to 1.

For example using the layout illustrated in figure 1, if a bet is placed in box 12 representing the number "15": if the master number is other than "15", the bet is lost; if the master number is "15" and the slave number is "15" the bet is paid out at odds of 200 to 1. if the master number is "15" and the slave number is "14" or "16" then the bet is paid out at odds of 100 to 1 ; and if the master number is "15" and the slave number is not "15", "14" or "16" then the bet is paid out at 25 to 1.

Similarly, with the layout illustrated in figure 2, if a bet is placed in box 22 representing the number "10": if the master number is other than "10", the bet is lost; if the master number is "10" and the slave number is "10" the bet is paid out at odds of 200 to 1. if the master number is "10" and the slave number is "23" or "5" then the bet is paid out at odds of 100 top 1 ; and if the master number is "10" and the slave number is not "10", "23" or "5" then the bet is paid out at odds of 25 to 1.

According to an alternative embodiment if the player predicts the master number and the slave number is the same as the master number, the player is paid out at odds of 170 to 1. If the player predicts the master number and the slave number corresponds to a number represented by one of four boxes 12, 22, two immediately to either side of that of the master number in the clockwise and anticlockwise directions, then the bet is paid out at odds of 70 to 1. If the player predicts the master number but the slave number is not the same as the master number or one of the four numbers represented by the boxes 12, 22 two immediately to either side of the box 12, 22 corresponding to the master number, then the bet is paid out at odds of 25 to 1.

For example with the layout illustrated in figure 1 , if a bet is placed in box 12 representing the number "36": if the master number is other that "36" the bet is lost; if the master number is "36" and the slave number is "36", then the bet is paid out at odds of 170 to 1 ;

if the master number is "36" and the slave number, is "34", "35", "0" or "1", then the bet is paid out at 70 to 1 ; and

if the master number is "36" and the slave number is other than "34", "35", "36", "0" or "1", then the bet is paid out at odds of 25 to 1.

Similarly with the layout illustrated in figure 2, if a bet is placed in box 30 representing the number "0": if the master number is other that "0" the bet is lost; if the master number is "0" and the Siave number is "0", then the bet is paid out at odds of 170 to 1 ;

if the master number is "0" and the slave number is "3", "26", "32" or "15", then the bet is paid out at 70 to 1 ; and if the master number is "0" and the slave number is other than "3", "26", "0", "32" or "15", then the bet is paid out at odds of 25 to 1.

With the playing surface layout illustrated in figure 3, bets may be placed on the outcome of a single spin of the roulette wheel by placing a bet on one or more of the boxes 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 or 44 of the conventional roulette betting area 14, in conventional manner. A secondary bet on two spins of the roulette wheel may also be made by placing the bet in one of the boxes 22, as described above. With the playing surface layout illustrated in figure 4, bets on a single spin of the roulette wheel may be placed on the conventional roulette betting area 14, in conventional manner as with the layout illustrated in figure 3. Secondary bets may be made on the outcome of two or more spins of the roulette wheel, by placing a bet to cover two adjacent numbers represented by the boxes 42 or 44 of the multi-spin betting area 40. To place the bet, a chip 50 is placed on the common boundary between the boxes 42 or 44 representing the selected numbers. The roulette wheel is then spun twice to produce the master and slave numbers, as described above. If the master number is other than one of the numbers represented by one of the selected boxes, the bet is lost. If the master number corresponds to one of the selected boxes and slave number corresponds to one of the selected boxes, then the bet is paid out at odds of 1 1 1 to 1. If the master number corresponds to one of the selected boxes 42 or 44, but the slave number does not then the bet is paid at odds of 1 1 to 1.

For example if a bet is placed on the boundary between boxes 42 representing numbers "26" and "29", as illustrated in figure 4: if the master number of other than "26" or "29" the bet is lost; if the master number is "26" or "29" and the slave number is "26" or "29", then the bet is paid at odds of 1 1 1 to 1 ; and if the master number is "26" or "29 and the slave number is other that "26" or "29", then the bet is paid at odds of 1 1 tol .

Alternatively if the bet is placed on the boundary between boxes 42 and 44 representing numerals "7" and "9", as illustrated in figure 4: if the master number of other than "7" or "9" the bet is lost: if the master number is "7" or "9" and the slave number is "7" or "9", then the bet is paid at odds of 1 1 1 to 1 ; and if the master number is "7" or "9 and the slave number is other that "7" or "9", then the bet is paid at odds of 1 1 to 1.

In an alternative version of the game played on the playing surface illustrated in figure 4, a secondary bet may be placed on a line or street (3 numbers), by placing a chip 52 on the outer boundary of the row defining that line, as illustrated in figure 4, or on two adjacent lines (6 numbers) by placing a chip 54 on the outside boundary of the rows defining the lines the chip overlapping the two rows, as illustrated in figure 4. This version of the game may be played as a two or three spin option, the odds being adjusted accordingly. For example for a three spin option the odds paid may be as follows:-

Single line (Street) bet (3 numbers):

First spin: hits one of the three selected numbers, the bet is paid out at odds of 5 to 1 , the initial bet remaining in action; dose not hit one of three selected numbers, the bet loses and the initial bet is forfeited;

Second spin; hits one of the three selected numbers, the bet is paid out at odds of 50 to 1, the initial bet remains in action; does not hit one of the three selected numbers, the bet loses and the initial bet is forfeited;

Third spin hits one of the three selected numbers, the bet is paid out at odds of 408 to 1 , and the initial bet is returned; does not hit one of the three selected numbers, the bet loses and the initial bet is forfeited.

Two line bet (6 numbers)

First spin: hits one of the six selected numbers, the bet is paid out at odds of 2 to 1, the initial bet remaining in action; dose not hit one of three selected numbers, loses bet and the initial bet is forfeited;

Second spin; hits one of the six selected numbers, the bet is paid out at odds of 1 1 to 1, the initial bet remains in action: does not hit one of the three selected numbers, the bet loses the initial bet is forfeited;

Third spin hits one of the six selected numbers, the bet is paid out at odds of 78 to 1 , and the initial bet is returned; does not hit one of the three selected numbers, the bet loses and the initial bet is forfeited.

Other versions of the secondary bet may be played using the layout illustrated in figure 4, for example by selecting different combinations of numbers such as; four numbers corresponding to boxes sharing a common corner, by placing a chip 56, on the junction of the four boxes; or on a twelve numbers corresponding to the boxes 42, 44 in one of the columns, by placing a chip 58 on the outside boundary of the column as illustrated in figure 4; the odds being set accordingly.

According to a further variation of the Street bet described above, a Street bet on the outcome of two spins of the roulette wheel could be indicated by placing a chip 60 within a box 42, 44. as illustrated in figure 4, the box 42, 44 in which the chip is placed corresponding to the master number, while the slave number may be any one of the three numbers represented by the boxes 42, 44 in the same row as that in which the chip has been placed.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example the positioning of the boxes in the playing area are described above by way of example only. Any suitable arrangement of boxes which will permit the selection of a combination of boxes, may be used. Furthermore while the specific examples describe to two of three spin versions of Roulette, the invention relates to multi-spin versions. Furthermore while the apparatus claimed in the present application is used for multi-spin versions of roulette, it may used be for a single spin betting option, although the various betting combinations possible, will be restricted as compared to the betting combinations possible with the conventional roulette betting area.

The playing surface of the invention may be provided in the form of a playing cloth. Alternatively, the roulette wheel and playing surface may be a virtual image for use as an electronic game or to be played on the internet, World Wide Web, by remote betting, local or remote area networks, on video screens or interactive televisions.