GAME OF CHANCE WITH WAGERING

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

This invention relates to games of chance in which players select a group of symbols, such as numbers displayed on balls, and wager on whether their selection will match the result of a randomised game process.

A wide range of games such as Keno have been developed for wagering purposes of this kind. The games are usually played on a group basis, at a bar or casino for example, in which large numbers of individuals make selections and place bets in relation to a single game process. The process is repeated regularly and over the course of an evening and each player may place a large number of bets. Variations of Keno are described in US 6,702,669 and US 2004/0192428 for example.

In general terms, the players each select a set of numbers from a range, and bet on whether their numbers will match the outcome of a game process involving a random selection of numbers from the range. The players generally use game cards or electronic terminals to record their selections and to place their bets. In casinos the terminals may be networked and the results displayed on a central screen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an alternative to existing games of chance with wagering.

In one aspect the invention resides in a method of playing a game of chance, including: providing a display containing an array of symbols to be selected by a player in relation to an array of possible locations for the symbols, receiving a selection of symbols and corresponding locations from the player, along with wager information to determine a payoff for the player once the game is complete, activating a game process to determine a

series of symbols and place the symbols in available locations, and calculating the payoff by comparing the player selection with the result of the game process.

Preferably the game process includes randomly selecting a series of symbols and randomly placing each symbol in a location. The player is typically offered a series of games based on a given selection of symbols and locations. The display is preferably provided as a touch screen or as a game card.

Preferably the wager information includes one or more bets based on permutations and/or combinations of the symbols in the locations. The wager information may also include one or more bets based on groupings of locations.

In one embodiment the symbols are indicated numerically from 0 to 9, and the locations are indicated numerically from 0 to 9. The symbols may be indicated on balls and the locations may form a linear distribution.

The invention may also be said to reside in a card or electronic device which assists implementation of a game according to a method as defined above.

The invention may also be said to reside in any alternative combination of features that are indicated in the description or drawings. All equivalents of these features are deemed to be included whether or not explicitly set out.

LIST OF FIGURES

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 shows how the game may be presented on a touchscreen, Figure 2 shows a game card which may alternatively be provided for players, and Figure 3 outlines the overall game process.

DESCRLPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings it will be appreciated that the invention may be implemented in a variety of different ways for a variety of different gaming environments. It will also be appreciated that the invention described here is a prototype given by way of example only.

Figure 1 shows schematically how the game may be presented to a player on a touchscreen, in the case when the game is played on an electronic terminal. The terminal may or may not form part of a wider network of terminals. Two boxes are displayed on the screen, one allowing player input on the right, and the other providing output of the game process on the left. A commercial version of the screen would generally provide a more detailed and colourful layout.

The player first selects a "bet type", such as "3/exact" which implies 3 symbols in three specific locations (a single combination of the symbols), or "4/any" which implies 4 symbols arranged in any order in four locations (any possible permutation of the symbols in the locations). The player may then select an amount to wager from the column headed

"bet", having paid an appropriate sum into a cache to provide sufficient funds for a series of games. The player may select "$1" per game for example. The payout for each bet is tied to the likelihood of achieving all or part of the selection of symbols and locations during the subsequent game process. A number of successive games may also be selected by a rollover mechanism in the region headed "game".

In general terms a player then selects the appropriate number of symbols (3 or 4 in the examples above) and their corresponding locations. In this case the symbols are numbers in the range 0..9 which appear in the column headed "numbers", and the locations are also numbers in the range 0..9 which appear in the column headed "positions". Each symbol is therefore associated with a location, such as number "3" in position "4". During the game process the symbols are preferably presented as numbered balls for example, but symbols of any kind may be presented. Similarly the locations are presented as a linear array, as

shown along the lower edge of the left hand display box, although other layouts such as triangular or square arrays may also be used.

Various other options may also be presented, such as a division of the results into spatially different groups of locations indicated as "red (1,2,3,4,5)" or "blue (6,7,8,9,0)" for example, with the outcome determined by the cumulative values of the symbols which fall in the different groups, or such as a jackpot in which all ten symbols are selected in ten exact positions. Many variations may be added to the basic selection of symbols and locations. The basic symbols and locations may also be varied, as the numbers in the range 10..99 for example, with corresponding locations, although the numbers of symbols and locations need not be the same. There might be 15 symbols and 10 locations for example, with 10 symbols drawn and the remainder discarded. Multiple balls may also fall into the same location.

The player then selects the "START" control when ready to commence, and the terminal then selects a series of symbols, being numbers from the range 0..9 in this case, and places them in locations, being the linear array of numbered positions 0..9. The symbols are typically presented as balls which fall from an upper part of the left hand screen to the lower part, and may bounce before they come to rest in a particular position. If the player has selected "3/exact" for example, the game process delivers three balls which may or may not fall in the specific locations which the player has selected. On the other hand, if the player has selected "3/any" then each of the balls has three possible locations for the player to be successful. A payout is then determined by the number of symbols and locations which match those selected by the player, and the other wagering information provided by the player.

Figure 2 shows how a player may use a game card to select symbols and locations, and to enter wagering information for the game process. The symbols and locations must be displayed in a tabular form, and the player simply marks the required symbols and locations using a pen or pencil. The bet type is indicated in relation to the number of symbols, either as an exact combination of symbols in specific locations, or as the full

range of permutations of the symbols in the locations. A bet amount must also be indicated along with the number of games in which the selected symbols and locations may be played. An option to group the results or to claim a jackpot may also be provided. Once complete the card is typically processed by a computer reading device, and the result of the game process is presented on a central display.

Figure 3 outlines the steps taken as the game operates. A player first provides monetary input, such as tokens, and completes the required form, by way of a touchscreen or a game card. A payout calculation is then made depending on the number of players who have entered, and generally also the volume of their bets and/or games. Alternatively, the payouts may have constant values with only the jackpot having a progressive value over time. The game process takes place, typically as a sequence of balls randomly selected from a collection of available balls. This process may be carried out by computer or by a mechanical system in which balls are randomly distributed and then selected. A comparison of the outcome against the selections of the various players is then made in order to award prizes, typically monetary amounts proportional to the amounts which were bet by the successful players. The game may be continued indefinitely while the player has funds.

The following notes indicate a range of variations in the way the game may be offered to players. References to "balls" can mean symbols, numbers, characters or pictures. A "position" means the location a ball falls into. Any representation using a letter or symbol (eg "1-n") indicates a fixed number. Using different letters or symbols (eg "1-n", "1-x") indicates either the same or a different number of balls or locations.

Option 1 n positions , n balls placed in these positions. 1 in each position Row 2 (1-n)

Row 1 (1-n)

Row 2 indicates the numbered ball drawn. Only 1 ball may be placed in each location in row 1

Row 1 indicates the number of available locations. Example: The more positions matched to the drawn ball gives a greater prize 3 2 5 1 4 1 2 3 4 5

Option 2 n positions , n balls placed in these positions. 1 in each position Extra x balls drawn (row 3), placed randomly in any of the n positions. This ball(s) will be drawn from another set of x balls Row 3 allows the player to use the value in Row 2 or 3 to be the result. The players' prize will be determined by the number of correct matchings from the base game. The substitution of the Wild Ball into the base game allows the player another chance at matching the base game.

Row 3 (1-x)

Row 2 (1-n)

Row 1 (1-n)

Row 3 indicates the numbered ball drawn. Row 2 as in Base game Row 1 as in Base game Example: The player may substitute a '2' into position '4'

2

3 2 5 1 4 1 2 3 4 5

Option 3

Base game plus x extra ball(s). This ball will be drawn from another set of x balls

The player must select all Draw A numbers and positions plus the Draw B extra ball to win the major prize

Draw B does not require a position selection

Draw A

Row 2 (1-n)

Row 1 (1-n)

Draw B (extra position) (1-x) Example: The player must match all of Draw A and choose 3 as the MagicBall Draw A 32514 12345 Draw B

3

Option 4 Base game plus y extra position(s)

This position(s) will be drawn from another set of x balls

The ball(s) will be drawn from further set of x balls

This is effectively the base game plus another base game based on a different (or same) number of locations

Draw A

Row 2 (1-n)

Row 1 (1-n)

Draw B (extra position) Row 2 (1-y)

Row 1 (1-y)

Draw A

32514 12345 Draw B 14 32

Option 5

Base game results. Sum up Row 2 positions 1-3 for Red and 4-6 for Blue. The player chooses if Red or Blue will be greater

Example 324 I 651 1231456

This game result is Red 9 vs Blue 12. Therefore Blue wins

Option 6

Base game results including WiIdBaIl. Sum up Row 2 and 3 positions 1-3 for Red and 4-6 for Blue.

The player chooses if Red or Blue will be greater or Red and Blue are 'exact'ly the same Example

3 324 I 651

123|456 This game result is Red 12 vs Bluel2. Therefore Exact wins