Technical field of the invention

This invention relates to a low cost device for gaming.

Background to the invention The applicant is aware of lottery style scratch cards. The winnings of such cards are predetermined and the player has no control over the outcome. Most of these cards are provided with a losing outcome.

It is an object of the invention to provide a gaming device in which a player's decisions determine the outcome. It is a further object of the invention to provide a gaming device in which there is always a winning set of indicia available.

General description of the invention

According to the invention there is provided a gaming device, which device includes:

a paper or virtual card with a selected number of indicia printed thereon, which indicia are arranged in a plurality of lines and columns, wherein either the lines or columns include a predetermined set of indicia;

a removable covering for covering the indicia; and

wherein the device is configured such that the predetermined set of indicia or part thereof only needs to be uncovered to qualify as a win. An indication or description of the requirements of a win may be included on the device, which may be in the form of printed instructions and alternatives for winning conditions and other rules relating to the gaming device. In a first embodiment, the set of indicia may include a number of different indicia equal to the number of columns if the set is arranged in the line and vice versa. Typically, in this case, one indicia from each column or each row needs to be uncovered to expose the win set or part thereof. The lines or rows and columns may be arranged in the form a table of indicia printed on a paper or displayed virtually.

The invention also extends to variations of the above definition, in which the different indicia of the set include associated indicia or a predetermined set. In other words, associated indicia may be two or more of a set making up a winning combination and wherein the winning combination is available to be selected. Also, for example, the associated indicia may include duplicates, where selection of a certain number of the same indicia determines the winning outcome.

The positions of the indicia a randomised during printing, however the winning combinations needs to be available on each card.

A virtual card can be represented on a screen or a touch sensitive screen and the card can be generated by software and the selections, or "virtual scratching" may then also be controlled by appropriate software.

The device may have a code or number printed thereon, with the code indicating the win combination of indicia. The code or number may be encrypted such that it is not obvious what winning combination is indicated and the code may be covered by the removable covering. It will be appreciated that a person who is appointed to issue a winning prize can determine the authenticity of the device and winning combination from the code once he uncovered the code. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a gaming device which includes:

a card with a plurality of indicia printed thereon, wherein a combination of win condition indicia are included in the printed indicia; a removable covering for covering the indicia and which covering is configured to be removed to reveal indicia; and

wherein the device is configured such that a win condition is achieved if only the win condition indicia are revealed.

The device or game may be themed such that the object and winning conditions of the game relates to games of sport or similarly games of chance. In a further embodiment, e.g. "Soccer", the set may be selected from numbers wherein one or more of the indicia in each row or column, as the case may be must be equal to or more than a selected number.

In a further embodiment, e.g. "Stud Poker" the set may be selected from indicia such as play cards or the like, wherein each column or row, as the case may be, may include a pair of indicia and each of the pairs need to be uncovered for a predetermined number of rows or columns to qualify as a win.

In a further embodiment, similar to the above embodiment, e.g. "Craps" the set may be selected from indicia such as dice numbers or the like, wherein each column or row includes two indicia (similar to a pair) which equals a selected number such as 7, for example, of which a predetermined number of the two indicia needs to be selected to qualify as a win. Also, the columns or rows may be split into two, for example, and one from each needs to be uncovered to equal the predetermined number. Similarly, for a "Blackjack" game, two play card indicia in each row or column, as the case may be may equal the number 21.

In a further embodiment, e.g. "Roulette", the set may be selected from indicia such as numbers of which one in each row or column matches a number indicated on the card such that each matching number, or a minimum number thereof, in the row or column must be uncovered to qualify as a win. In a further embodiment, e.g. "5 Card 21", the set may a indicia such as a play card of which one in each of the rows or columns equals a predetermined number such as 21 such that one in each row or column must be uncovered to equal 21 to qualify as a win. Similarly, in a further example, "Bingo" one letter indicia in each of the rows or columns makes up a predetermined word, "Bingo" in this example.

In a further embodiment, "Texas Hold'em" the set may be indicia such as a play card of which one from each row or column, as the case may be, together provides a "full house" to qualify as a win and two from each row or column may be uncovered to increase the odds for a player.

In a further embodiment, "Punto Banco" the set may be play card indicia of which two numbers to be uncovered must respectively beat two numbers indicated on the device to qualify as a win.

In a further embodiment, "Slots" each row or column, as the case may be may include a selected number of each of a selected number of different indicia such as typical slot indicia configured such that if one in each row or column is uncovered a combination of four of any of the same indicia would qualify as a win. Less of higher paying indicia can be included in the rows or columns and more of the lower paying indicia.

Detailed description of the invention

The invention is now described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figures 1 and 2 show, sports related examples of a gaming device, in accordance with the invention;

Figures 3 and 4 show, card game related examples of a gaming device, in accordance with the invention; Figures 5 to 7 show dice game related examples of a gaming device, in accordance with the invention;

Figures 8 and 12 show further card game related examples of a gaming device, in accordance with the invention;

Figures 13 and 14 show a bingo game related example of a gaming device, in accordance with the invention;

Figures 15 and 16 show a slots related example of a gaming device, in accordance with the invention; and

Figures 17 and 18 show a roulette game related example of a gaming device, in accordance with the invention.

Referring now to Figure 1 , the gaming device, in accordance with the invention, includes a paper or card with a selected number of indicia printed thereon and removable covering (not shown) for covering the indicia. The indicia are arranged in a plurality of lines and columns, wherein each line includes a set of indicia, which set includes the number of different indicia equal to the number of columns. In this case the set of indicia includes an indicium representing a corner, a penalty and a goal. A person would then remove the covering of one indicium in the first row, one in the second and so forth. If 5 goals are selected, the player obtains the highest number of points or highest pay out and the least if five corners are selected.

Referring now to Figure 2, the gaming device, in accordance with the invention, includes a card with a selected number of indicia printed thereon and removable covering (not shown) for covering the indicia. The indicia are arranged in a plurality of lines and columns, wherein each line includes a set of indicia. Each line is also provided with a target score. A person would then remove the covering of two indicia in each row. If the sum of the numbers revealed is greater than the target score the person would score a "win" in that line. One of the win conditions for this embodiment of the device is obtaining four wins in four lines. Referring now to Figure 3, the gaming device, in accordance with the invention, includes a paper or card with a selected number of indicia printed thereon and removable covering for covering the indicia. The indicia are arranged in a plurality of lines and columns, wherein each line includes a set of indicia, which set includes the number of different indicia equal to the number of columns. In this case the set of indicia includes indicia for five cards selected from a 10, jack, queen, king and an ace. A person would then remove the covering of one indicium in the first row, one in the second and so forth. If 5 of a kind are selected, the player obtains the highest number of points or highest pay out, a middle range pay out for a full house and the least if a straight hand is selected.

Referring now to Figure 4, the gaming device, in accordance with the invention, includes a card with a selected number of indicia printed thereon and removable covering for covering the indicia. The indicia are arranged in a plurality of lines and columns, wherein each line includes a set of indicia, which set includes the number of indicia equal to the number of columns. In this case the set of indicia includes indicia for any card selected from a deck of cards, but includes at least two of the same card. A person would then remove the covering of two indicia in the first row, two in the second and so forth. If 5 pairs are uncovered, the player obtains the highest number of points or highest pay out, a middle range pay out for a lesser number of pairs may also be provided.

Referring now to Figure 5, the gaming device, in accordance with the invention, includes a paper or card with a selected number of indicia printed thereon and removable covering for covering the indicia. The indicia are arranged in a plurality of lines and columns, wherein each line includes a set of indicia, which set includes the number of different indicia equal to the number of columns, 6 in this case. In this case the set of indicia includes an indicium representing each of the six sides of a dice. A person would then remove the covering of one indicium in the first row, one in the second and so forth. If 3 matching indicia are selected, the player obtains winning points. Referring now to Figure 6 the gaming device, in accordance with the invention is arranged similar to the embodiment depicted in Figure 4 with the object in this case being to uncover a pair of indicia in each line the sum of which should be equal to 7.

Referring now to Figure 7 the gaming device, in accordance with the invention is arranged similar to the embodiment depicted in Figure 2 with the object in this case being to uncover a pair of indicia in each line the sum of which should be equal to the established point provided.

Referring now to Figures 8 and 9, the gaming device, in accordance with the invention, includes a paper or card with a selected number of indicia printed thereon and removable covering for covering the indicia. The indicia are arranged in a plurality of lines and columns, wherein each line includes one of a set of indicia, which set includes a preselected set of cards or numbers selected such that the card always have a 21 combination which can be selected. A person would then remove the covering of one indicium in the first row, one in the second and so forth. If a 21 is selected, the player obtains the highest number of points or highest pay out.

Referring now to Figures 10 to 12 which show card game related examples of the gaming device, in accordance with the invention. In these examples the faces of card shaped indicia are uncovered in order to match the winning conditions of knows card games namely Black Jack, Texas Holdem and Punto Blanco respectively.

Referring now to Figures 13 and 14, the gaming device, in accordance with the invention, includes a paper or card with a selected number of indicia printed thereon and removable covering for covering the indicia. The indicia are arranged in a plurality of lines and columns, wherein each line includes one of a set of indicia, which set includes a preselected set of cards or numbers selected such that the card always have a combination spelling the word bingo which can be selected. A person would then remove the covering of one indicium in the first row, one in the second and so forth. If the word bingo is selected, the player obtains the highest number of points or highest pay out. For this example The total number of combinations that can be selected are equal to 243. The chance that the correct letters are revealed to spell "Bingo" is 4/243 and the chance that 5 stars will be selected is 8/243. This example results in a win ration of 4.94% with a total of 12 winning conditions that can be selected.

Referring now to Figures 15 and 16, the gaming device, in accordance with the invention, includes a paper or card with a selected number of indicia printed thereon and removable covering for covering the indicia. The indicia are arranged in a plurality of lines and columns, wherein each line includes one of a set of indicia, which set includes a preselected slot symbols. The set includes one gold, one 7 and four cherries (duplicates). One blank indicia is arranged on one of the grid positions. A person would then remove the covering of one indicium in the first row, one in the second and so forth. If four gold indicia is selected, the player obtains the highest number of points or highest pay out, less for four 7's and the least for four cherries. The total number of combinations that can be selected by a person is 1296. The chance that the person will select 4 gold bars is therefore 1/1296 and the chance that 4 sevens will be selected is 6/1296. Finally the chance that a selection of 4 cherries will be achieved is 96/1296. The win ratio for this type of gaming device is therefore predicted to be 103/1296 (7.95%) or 1 in every 12.58 players.

Referring now to Figures 17 and 18, the gaming device, in accordance with the invention, includes a paper or card with a selected number of indicia printed thereon and removable covering for covering the indicia. The indicia are arranged in a plurality of lines and columns, wherein each line includes one of a set of indicia, which set includes a preselected roulette symbols. The set includes one "N" (neighbours to zero), 5/8 (series) and "ORP" (orphans), duplicates. A person would then remove the covering of one indicium in the first row, one in the second and so forth. If four N indicia is selected, the player obtains the highest number of points or highest pay out, less for four 5/8's and the least for four orphans. For the example given in Figure 18 the total number of combinations that can be selected is 243. The chance of obtaining 5 neighbours is 1/243 and 4 neighbours 10/243. The chance of selecting 5 orphans or 5 series is also 1/243. The card is configured with a win ration of 5.35% (statistically 1 for every 18.69 players) which should be considered when determining the cost of sale of the card and the possible pay-out relating to this card.

It shall be understood that the examples are provided for illustrating the invention further and to assist a person skilled in the art with understanding the invention and are not meant to be construed as unduly limiting the reasonable scope of the invention.