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CA2585144A1 - Enhanced gaming system - Google Patents

Enhanced gaming system Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2585144A1
CA2585144A1 CA002585144A CA2585144A CA2585144A1 CA 2585144 A1 CA2585144 A1 CA 2585144A1 CA 002585144 A CA002585144 A CA 002585144A CA 2585144 A CA2585144 A CA 2585144A CA 2585144 A1 CA2585144 A1 CA 2585144A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
bonus
game
player
game outcome
bonus feature
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002585144A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Terry O'halloran
Murray Nicol
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Stargames Corp Pty Ltd
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2004906139A external-priority patent/AU2004906139A0/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of CA2585144A1 publication Critical patent/CA2585144A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/326Game play aspects of gaming systems
    • G07F17/3272Games involving multiple players
    • G07F17/3276Games involving multiple players wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3286Type of games
    • G07F17/3288Betting, e.g. on live events, bookmaking
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07CTIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C15/00Generating random numbers; Lottery apparatus

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Slot Machines And Peripheral Devices (AREA)

Abstract

A dealer determined communal gaming system and method for operating the communal game is provided. The system includes a plurality of electronic player terminals and a game outcome determining device (10). Each terminal allows a respective player to place wagers on possible game outcomes. One possible game outcome is a bonus feature (14). The game has two modes: a primary mode, in which the game outcome is determined by using the game outcome determining device (10); and a bonus mode. The bonus mode is instigated only when the game outcome of the primary mode is the bonus feature (14) and at least one winning player placed a wager on this bonus feature (14) outcome. In the bonus mode, the winning player is allowed to select a bonus option at their terminal.

Description

ENHANCED GAMING SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to casino gaming systems and methods of operating casino games having enhanced game play.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Casinos offer a wide variety of gambling games. Although these games are characterised in that they are games of chance, each game has its own rules of game play which need to be known in order to play the game properly. The complexity of the rules vary from game to game. For first-time or novice players, games having more complex rules prove to be daunting and, hence, less appealing to play.
The game of Big Wheel (or Chocolate Wheel as it is otherwise commonly known) is generally regarded as being one of the easiest games to play.
Furthermore, Big Wheel is a dealer determined communal game, in that a plurality of players can participate in the same game, although they may wager on different game outcomes, and only the dealer, as opposed to any players, can physically effect the game outcome. The Big Wheel is a rotatable wheel, split into a plurality of segments, and an indicator. The Big Wheel game is played by spinning the wheel and allowing the wheel to come to rest. The resulting segment indicated by the indicator, when the wheel comes to rest, determines the outcome of the game.
Each segment includes some form of symbol or insignia. Different symbols appear on a different number of segments. Before the game is begun, players place wagers on which symbol will be the outcome of the game. The rate of return on a wager on a particular symbol depends upon how many segments carry the symbol. Therefore, a symbol which appears on a large number of segments, eg 24 of 52 segments, has a much greater chance of being the outcome of a game than a symbol which appears on only one or two segments, and hence would provide a relatively small rate of return. Conversely, the symbol which appears on only one or two segments would provide larger rates of return.
The simplicity of the Big Wheel game play proves to be initially attractive to first-time or novice players. However, the repetitiveness and lack of variety associated with the game play ultimately results in players losing interest in the game. Furthermore, the rates of return on each symbol are fixed; hence, more experienced players tend to prefer other games over Big Wheel which provide more varied and potentially larger rates of return.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming system and a method of operating a gambling game which can attract longer interest in game play for a player.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operating a gambling game, the game being a communal game and including a plurality of player terminals which permit wagers to be placed on possible game outcomes, the method including the steps of:
receiving player wagers on possible game outcomes, one possible game outcome being a bonus feature, at said terminals;
determining the game outcome;
crediting any player winnings resulting from the game outcome, other than the bonus feature; and if said determined game outcome is the bonus feature, then:
displaying bonus options on a respective terminal of each bonus feature player, being each player who wagered on the bonus feature;
receiving a selected bonus option from said respective terminal; and crediting each said bonus feature player based upon their selected bonus option.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a gaming system, including a plurality of electronic player terminals and a game outcome determining device, each terminal allowing a respective player to place wagers on possible game outcomes of said game outcome determining device, wherein one possible game outcome is a bonus feature, said game having a primary mode, in which a game outcome is determined by using said game outcome determining device, and a bonus mode, which is instigated only when the game outcome of said primary mode is the bonus feature and there is at least one winning player that placed a wager on said bonus feature, said bonus mode allowing said at least one winning player to select a bonus option at the respective winning player terminal.
The present invention advantageously provides a player with the option of placing a wager on a bonus feature, thereby, enhancing the variety of potential game play and providing variety in potential rate of returns on wagers placed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further features and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment given in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a preferred game outcome determining device in the form of a Big Wheel;
Fig. 2 shows a preferred pre-game screen shot on a player terminal;
Fig. 3 shows a preferred bonus feature screen shot; and Fig. 4 shows the outcome screen shot of Fig. 3 after a bonus option is selected.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Fig. 1 shows a game outcome determining device in the form of a Big Wheel 10. The Big Wheel 10 has 52 segments. 50 of the segments include symbols or insignia selected from the letters A to E. The Big Wheel 10 can be spun by a human operator (dealer). When the Big wheel comes to rest, an indicator 12 points to a segment which is. determined to be the outcome of a game.
The letters A to E appear in different numbers of segments. This affects the chance that each letter will be the outcome to a game and the rate of return that each letter provides against a player's wager. The following table sets out a possible rate of return for the Big Wheel 10 of Fig. 1:

Potential Game Outcome Rate of Return Chance of winning A 1:1 24/52 B 3:1 12/52 C 5:1 8/52 D 11:1 4/52 E 23:1 2/52 The Big Wheel 10 also includes two bonus segments 14, which have a 2/52 chance of being the outcome of a game. The significance of the bonus segments will be discussed later.
In close proximity to the Big Wheel are a number of player terminals via which players are able to place wagers on a game. The terminals include output means in the form a display and input means to allow players to, place their wagers. The input means is preferably in the form of a touch screen display.
The terminals are all connected to a central controller.
Fig. 2 shows a preferred screen shot of a player terminal prior to the commencement of a game. In this screen shot the possible game outcomes A to E are represented by the playing cards 10 through to Ace. A player is able to select and place a wager on the potential outcomes, which also includes the bonus segment. The display includes the time remaining to place a wager on the next game. Once this time reaches zero no more wagers are accepted.
Once the time for placing wagers has ended, a human operator (dealer) spins the Big Wheel 10 to begin the game. When the Big Wheel comes to rest, the segment indicated by the indicator 12 is determined. A sensor is preferably provided which detects the game outcome and informs the central controller.
Alternatively, the operator is provided with a terminal via which the game outcome is manually inputted and the central controller informed, although this is less preferred as an implementation as it is more prone to human error.
When the game outcome is not a bonus segment, the central controller determines whether there are any winning players and credits any calculated winnings to the respective terminals of winning players.
When the game outcome is a bonus segment and there are any winning players, the central controller instigates a bonus feature on the respective terminals of the winning player(s). Fig. 3 shows a preferred screen shot of a winning player terminal. The winning player is provided with a number of mystery bonus prize options to select from. To minimise the delay in the start of the next normal game, the winning player is provided with a certain amount of time to select a bonus option. The time remaining is displayed. When the winning player selects a bonus option, the bonus prize is revealed, see Fig. 4, and the central controller credits the winning player's terminal accordingly.
If the winning player does not select a bonus option within the time provided, a bonus option is randomly selected on the player's behalf.
5 Of course, the present invention may be implemented so that other wagers may be won when the bonus feature is the game outcome. In that case, the other wagers may be credited before, during or after determination of the bonus feature outcome.
It will be appreciated that many modifications may be made to the gaming system described above subject to falling within the scope of the annexed claims.
Big Wheel is anticipated to be only one type of communal game to which the present invention could be applied. With modifications to accommodate the rules of the respective games, the present invention could be applied to many communal games.
Furthermore, although the system has been primarily described with terminals in close proximity to the Big Wheel, the system could be implemented with remote player terminals. Where remote player terminals are employed, these terminals would require a live video feed, or similar display, of the current game.

Claims (13)

1. A method of operating a gambling game, the game being a dealer determined communal game and including a plurality of player terminals which permit wagers to be placed on possible game outcomes, the method including the steps of:
receiving player wagers on possible game outcomes, one possible game outcome being a bonus feature, at said terminals;
determining the game outcome;
crediting any player winnings resulting from the game outcome, other than the bonus feature; and if said determined game outcome is the bonus feature, then:
displaying bonus options on a respective terminal of each bonus feature player, being each player who wagered on the bonus feature;
receiving a selected bonus option from said respective terminal; and crediting each said bonus feature player based upon their selected bonus option.
2. The method according to claim 1, further including:
providing a predetermined period of time within which the winning player must select a bonus option.
3. The method according to claim 2, further including:
displaying the time remaining of said predetermined period of time on said respective terminal.
4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein if said player does not select a bonus option within the predetermined period of time then:
selecting a random bonus option.
5. The method according any one of the preceding claims, wherein player winnings resulting from the game outcome, other than the bonus feature, are credited before the bonus feature is played.
6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein player winnings resulting from the game outcome, other than the bonus feature, are credited after the bonus feature is played.
7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the game is Big Wheel.
8. A dealer determined communal gaming system, including a plurality of electronic player terminals and a game outcome determining device, each terminal allowing a respective player to place wagers on possible game outcomes of said game outcome determining device, wherein one possible game outcome is a bonus feature, said game having a primary mode, in which a game outcome is determined by using said game outcome determining device, and a bonus mode, which is instigated only when the game outcome of said primary mode is the bonus feature and there is at least one winning player that placed a wager on said bonus feature, said bonus mode allowing said at least one winning player to select a bonus option at the respective winning player terminal.
9. The gaming system according to claim 8, wherein said at least one winning player is provided with a predetermined period of time within which to select the bonus option.
10. The gaming system according to claim 9, wherein the time remaining of said predetermined period of time is displayed on said respective winning player terminal.
11. The gaming system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, further including means for automatically detecting a game outcome of said primary mode.
12. The gaming system according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein said game outcome determining device is a Big Wheel.
13. A software product operatively adapted to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
CA002585144A 2004-10-25 2005-08-25 Enhanced gaming system Abandoned CA2585144A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2004906139 2004-10-25
AU2004906139A AU2004906139A0 (en) 2004-10-25 Enhanced Gaming System
PCT/AU2005/001286 WO2006045137A1 (en) 2004-10-25 2005-08-25 Enhanced gaming system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2585144A1 true CA2585144A1 (en) 2006-05-04

Family

ID=36226687

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002585144A Abandoned CA2585144A1 (en) 2004-10-25 2005-08-25 Enhanced gaming system

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1817750A4 (en)
CA (1) CA2585144A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2006045137A1 (en)
ZA (1) ZA200704126B (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2006235950A1 (en) * 2006-11-10 2008-05-29 Shuffle Master Australasia Pty Limited Automated dice game

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5785594A (en) * 1996-12-03 1998-07-28 H. Betti Industries, Inc. Spinning wheel amusement device
AU2537499A (en) * 1998-02-18 1999-09-06 John Huxley Limited Casino games and gaming apparatus
AUPQ610700A0 (en) * 2000-03-08 2000-03-30 Crown Limited Automatic table game
AU2001295344B2 (en) * 2000-10-20 2006-08-17 Deq Systemes Corp. Method and system for controlling and managing bets in a gaming environment
US6749510B2 (en) * 2001-02-07 2004-06-15 Wms Gaming Inc. Centralized gaming system with modifiable remote display terminals
US6663489B2 (en) * 2001-08-24 2003-12-16 Igt Gaming device having an award distributor and an award accumulator bonus game
US6869361B2 (en) * 2001-11-29 2005-03-22 Igt System, apparatus and method employing controller for play of shared bonus games
US6837793B2 (en) * 2001-12-19 2005-01-04 Igt Method and apparatus for gaming machines with a quasi-competition play bonus feature
GB2387950A (en) * 2002-04-23 2003-10-29 Gamesoft Ltd Tournament play gaming machine
US7628696B2 (en) * 2002-07-12 2009-12-08 Atronic International Gmbh Gaming device with network port for selecting jackpot frequency

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1817750A4 (en) 2007-10-24
WO2006045137A1 (en) 2006-05-04
ZA200704126B (en) 2008-08-27
EP1817750A1 (en) 2007-08-15

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
EEER Examination request
FZDE Discontinued