U.S. patent application number 09/802599 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-14 for roulette game with a randomly selected bonus.
Invention is credited to Herman De Raedt, Peter Wolfgang Paul, West, Jonathan Charles.
Application Number | 20020167126 09/802599 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25184176 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020167126 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Herman De Raedt, Peter Wolfgang
Paul ; et al. |
November 14, 2002 |
Roulette game with a randomly selected bonus
Abstract
A method and assembly for playing roulette wherein normal bets
are placed by players and a roulette wheel having a plurality of
pocket numbers is rotated to randomly receive a ball by chance to
determine a winning roulette number. The invention is characterized
by randomly selecting a plurality of numbers as bonus game numbers,
randomly selecting a plurality of numbers as player positions,
randomly selecting a bonus odds prize, and awarding the selected
player a bonus payout on all winning bets.
Inventors: |
Herman De Raedt, Peter Wolfgang
Paul; (Reno, NV) ; West, Jonathan Charles;
(San Diego, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Hal Milton
HOWARD & HOWARD ATTORNEYS, P.C.
The Pinehurst Office Center, Suite #101
39400 Woodward Avenue
Bloomfield Hills
MI
48304-5151
US
|
Family ID: |
25184176 |
Appl. No.: |
09/802599 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/142E |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3244 20130101;
A63F 5/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/142.00E |
International
Class: |
A63F 005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of playing roulette comprising the steps of; placing
roulette bets by at least one player, rotating a roulette wheel
(14) having a circular periphery and a plurality of ball receptor
pockets (16) each having a different number and disposed about the
circular periphery thereof, moving a ball (18) about a ball track
(20) above the pockets (16) for falling into one of the pockets
(16) by chance to determine a winning roulette number, randomly
selecting a plurality of numbers as bonus game numbers, randomly
selecting a plurality of numbers as player positions, selecting a
bonus prize by virtue of the randomness of a roulette wheel
awarding the selected player a bonus payout.
2. A method as set forth in claim 1 further defined as awarding the
selected player bonus pay-outs on any winning bets.
3. A method as set forth in claim 2 including selecting odds and
applying the odds to the winning bets of the selected player.
4. A method as set forth in claim 3 further defined as randomly
selecting the odds.
5. A method as set forth in claim 4 including establishing a table
of different odds and applying the table of odds to different
roulette numbers each time the wheel is spun.
6. An assembly for playing roulette comprising; an area for placing
roulette bets by at least one player, a roulette wheel (14) having
a circular periphery and a plurality of ball receptor pockets (16)
each having a different number and disposed about the circular
periphery thereof, a ball (18), a ball track (20) above the pockets
(16) for depositing the ball (18) into one of the pockets (16) by
chance to determine a winning roulette number, said assembly
characterized by a processor (22) for randomly selecting a
plurality of numbers as bonus game numbers, randomly selecting a
plurality of numbers as player positions, randomly selecting a
bonus prize awarding the selected player a bonus payout.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The subject invention relates to a roulette game with a
bonus payout.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] The game of roulette is well known and is played by rotating
a roulette wheel having a circular periphery and a plurality of
ball receptor pockets each having a different number and disposed
about the circular periphery thereof and moving a ball about a ball
track above the pockets for falling into one of the pockets by
chance to determine a winning roulette number. The players may
place an inside bet on any one of thirty-eight roulette numbers
1-36, 0 and 00 and an outside bet on any one of EVEN, ODD, RED,
BLACK, 1-12, 13-24 and 25-36. Many operators have tried to switch
from double zero (00) roulette wheels to single zero (0) wheels in
order to increase play at the roulette tables. The players are
encouraged because the double zero roulette table has a house
advantage nearly double the house advantage for a single zero
roulette table.
[0005] In addition, various enhancements or add-ons to roulette
have been developed to increase participation. Examples of such are
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,442 to Orselli et al., U.S. Pat.
No. 5,588,650 to Eman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,798 to Adams et
al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,659 to Busch et al.
[0006] However, all of these enhancements contain at least one of
the following characteristics:
[0007] a. the award of a progressive jackpot prize
[0008] b. the stipulation that the jackpot prize be won only by a
`straight-up` bet
[0009] c. the house advantage remains fixed at 5.26% for a `00`
game and 2.7% for a `0` game
[0010] d. the obligatory placing of an additional bet
[0011] e. the additional bet being of a fixed denomination
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES
[0012] Accordingly, it is an object of the subject invention to
provide a roulette game with the following characteristics:
[0013] a. The awarding of `bonus` prizes which are not part of a
`progressive` jackpot.
[0014] b. The bonus prizes are not confined to `straight-up` bets,
and are won by any winning bet on the layout (i.e. splits, corners,
odd, even etc.).
[0015] c. The house advantage is not fixed at 5.26% (`00`) or 2.7%
(`0), and may be configured to any % the house wants.
[0016] d. An additional bet is optional, not mandatory.
[0017] e. The additional bet may be of whatever denomination the
player chooses.
[0018] The invention provides a method of playing roulette
comprising the steps of placing roulette bets by at least one
player, rotating a roulette wheel having a circular periphery and a
plurality of ball receptor pockets each having a different number
and disposed about the circular periphery thereof, and moving a
ball about a ball track above the pockets for falling into one of
the pockets by chance to determine a winning roulette number. The
method is characterized by
[0019] a. randomly selecting a plurality of numbers from 1-38, to
determine a Bonus game, either using a Random Number Generator or a
Time-based formula
[0020] b. randomly selecting a plurality of numbers, such plurality
being equal to the number of player positions available at the
table, e.g. from 1-7 in a 7-player game, 1-6 in a 6-player game, to
determine a player position, either using a Random Number Generator
or a Time-based formula
[0021] c. offering a bonus prize to said player, such prize
determined randomly by the winning number of the roulette wheel
[0022] d. paying the bonus prize to any and all of selected
player's winning bets
[0023] The invention also provides an assembly for use with a
roulette wheel that is characterized by a processor 22 for a.
randomly selecting a plurality of numbers from 1-38 as bonus game
numbers, b. randomly selecting a plurality of numbers from 1-7 (in
a 7-player game), to determine a player position, c. offering a
bonus prize determined by the winning number of the roulette
wheel.
[0024] The invention also provides an assembly for use with a
roulette wheel that is characterized by a Sign 23 for
[0025] a. displaying the selected winning player position
[0026] b. displaying the bonus prize
[0027] c. announcing via an audible alert that a Bonus Game is in
effect
[0028] d. displaying the previous sequence of winning numbers
[0029] The invention also provides an assembly for use with a
roulette wheel that is characterized by a chip rack 24 for
[0030] a. displaying the positions of all the players at the table
via a colored wheelcheck representing each player's different
wheelcheck color
[0031] b. displaying the value of each of the players' wheelchecks
via a denomination marker (lammer)
[0032] c. containing an adjacent section for additional bets
indicating the player's participation in the Bonus Game, and
subsequent eligibility for prizes being awarded
[0033] d. such chip rack being an optional assembly if the house
wishes to charge players a `fee` for participating in the Bonus
Game.
[0034] e. such `fee` being one wheelcheck or chip that the player
is currently using
[0035] Accordingly, the subject invention increases the enjoyment
and excitement of a standard roulette game by offering frequent and
random payouts to a randomly selected player.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily
appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to
the following detailed description when considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0037] FIG. 1 is schematic view of a roulette gaming layout used in
the subject invention;
[0038] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the steps of awarding a payout in
accordance with the subject invention;
[0039] FIGS. 3 and 4 are a sign used in the subject invention;
[0040] FIG. 5 is a chip rack used in the subject invention
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0041] Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate
like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, an
assembly for playing roulette is shown in FIG. 1. The assembly
comprises an area generally indicated at 12 for placing roulette
bets by at least one player. The game is usually played with up to
seven players. A roulette wheel 14 having a circular periphery and
a plurality of ball receptor pockets 16 each having a different
number and disposed about the circular periphery thereof is
included, as is well known in the art. Also well known in the art
is a ball 18 and a ball track 20 above the pockets 16 for
depositing the ball 18 into one of the pockets 16 by chance to
determine a winning roulette number.
[0042] The assembly is characterized by a processor or controller
22 for
[0043] a. randomly selecting a plurality of numbers from 1-38,
(where `0`=37, `00`=38, all other numbers representing the actual
number selected--1=1, 2=2 etc.), to determine a Bonus game, either
using a Random Number Generator or a Time-based formula.
[0044] b. randomly selecting a plurality of numbers, such plurality
being equal to the number of player positions available at the
table, e.g. from 1-7 in a 7-player game, 1-6 in a 6-player game, to
determine a player position, either using a Random Number Generator
or a Time-based formula, if a Bonus Game number was detected in the
preceding step.
[0045] c. offering a bonus prize to selected player, such prize
determined randomly by the winning number of the roulette wheel
[0046] d. redistributing the table of Bonus Prizes automatically
via the controller 22 with each different spin of the roulette
wheel
[0047] The playing of roulette comprises the known steps of placing
roulette bets by at least one player, rotating the roulette wheel
14 and moving the ball 18 about the ball track 20 above the pockets
16 for falling into one of the pockets 16 by chance to determine a
winning roulette number. However, the method of the subject
invention is characterized by the steps of randomly selecting a
plurality of numbers as bonus game numbers, randomly selecting a
plurality of numbers as player positions, selecting a Bonus Prize
determined by the winning number of the roulette wheel, and paying
the selected player the prize on any and all of that player's
winning bets. The prize will take the form of `.times. Odds` (times
odds), as per:
[0048] 2.times. Player wins double the normal payoff
[0049] 3.times. Player wins triple the normal payoff
[0050] 4.times. Player wins four times the normal payoff
[0051] 5.times. Player wins five times the normal payoff etc.
[0052] Each prize will simultaneously apply only to either `inside`
bets or `outside` bets, as displayed on the Sign 23, where `IN`
means `inside, and `OUT` means outside.
[0053] The prize will be valid on all of that player's winning
bets, irrespective of how many winning bets are present.
[0054] The hit frequency of bonus games is determined by the number
of numbers assigned as bonus numbers. The more numbers that are
assigned, the greater chance there is of triggering a Bonus Game.
The following table indicates this:
1 Number of roulette numbers Bonus Bonus Game assigned as Bonus
numbers Numbers hit frequency 3 out of the 38 numbers 1/2/3 Every
12.66 games 4 out of the 38 numbers 1/2/3/4 Every 9.50 games 5 out
of the 38 numbers 1/2/3/4/5 Every 7.60 games 6 out of the 38
numbers 1/2/3/4/5/6 Every 6.30 games 7 out of the 38 numbers
1/2/3/4/5/6/7 Every 5.30 games 8 out of the 38 numbers
1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8 Every 4.75 games 9 out of the 38 numbers
1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9 Every 4.22 games 10 out of the 38 numbers
1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10 Every 3.80 games
[0055] The bonus odds prizes are all allocated to specific wheel
numbers, in the form of a `table` of odds. The controller may be
programmed to change both the bonus odds prizes and the number of
pockets ascribed to the prizes.
[0056] The following tables illustrate this:
2TABLE 1 Bonus Odds Wheel Number Wheel Position 2X IN1 1111 2X
OUT12 2211 3X IN23 297 3X OUT30 367 4X IN37 1 4X OUT38 1 5X IN 5X
OUT
[0057]
3TABLE 2 Bonus Odds Wheel numbers Wheel positions 2X IN1 108 2X
OUT11 208 3X IN21 266 3X OUT27 326 4X IN33 343 4X OUT35 363 5X IN37
2 5X OUT38 2
[0058] The winning number (WN) will determine the bonus odds
awarded.
[0059] Each of the bonus odds prizes is assigned to a number on the
wheel, in the form of a table of odds. At the end of each spin, the
controller 22 will automatically re-assign the numbers
corresponding to the bonus odds prizes, in order to maintain
randomness,
[0060] Numerous options are therefore available and can be
pre-configured by the operator in order to offer whatever house
advantage is deemed attractive.
[0061] The house advantage is determined, via the controller 22, by
a combination of factors:
[0062] a. Bonus Game Frequency
[0063] b. Number of Player Positions
[0064] c. Number of Prizes
[0065] d. Level of Prizes
[0066] The following tables illustrate 3 possible options:
4 OPTION 1 OVERALL HOUSE ADVANTAGE 3.63% BONUS GAME frequency (on
average) 6.33 BONUS GAME House Advantage (on average) -5.09% BONUS
GAME House Advantage Every Other Pocket/Prize Prize Selected Player
Player Overall Allocation 2 .times. IN -44.74% 5.26% -1.88% 11 2
.times. OUT -44.74% 5.26% -1.88% 11 3 .times. IN -92.11% 5.26%
-8.65% 7 3 .times. OUT -92.11% 5.26% -8.65% 7 4 .times. IN -139.47%
5.26% -15.41% 1 4 .times. OUT -139.47% 5.26% -15.41% 1 5 .times. IN
-186.84% 5.26% -22.18% 5 .times. OUT -186.84% 5.26% -22.18% 38
[0067]
5 OPTION 2 OVERALL HOUSE ADVANTAGE 2.30% BONUS GAME frequency (on
average) 5.43 BONUS GAME House Advantage (on average) -10.78% BONUS
GAME House Advantage Every Other Pocket/Prize Prize Selected Player
Player Overall Allocation 2 .times. IN -44.74% 5.26% -1.88% 6 2
.times. OUT -44.74% 5.26% -1.88% 6 3 .times. IN -92.11% 5.26%
-8.65% 5 3 .times. OUT -92.11% 5.26% -8.65% 5 4 .times. IN -139.47%
5.26% -15.41% 4 4 .times. OUT -139.47% 5.26% -15.41% 4 5 .times. IN
-186.84% 5.26% -22.18% 4 5 .times. OUT -186.84% 5.26% -22.18% 4
38
[0068]
6 OPTION 3 OVERALL HOUSE ADVANTAGE 1.51% BONUS GAME frequency (on
average) 4.75 BONUS GAME House Advantage (on average) -12.56% BONUS
GAME House Advantage Every Other Pocket/Prize Prize Selected Player
Player Overall Allocation 2 .times. IN -44.74% 5.26% -1.88% 7 2
.times. OUT -44.74% 5.26% -1.88% 7 3 .times. IN -92.11% 5.26%
-8.65% 6 3 .times. OUT -92.11% 5.26% -8.65% 6 4 .times. IN -139.47%
5.26% -15.41% 4 4 .times. OUT -139.47% 5.26% -15.41% 4 10 .times.
IN -423.68% 5.26% -56.02% 2 10 .times. OUT -423.68 5.26% -56.02% 2
38 Bonus game Average-12.56%
[0069] The invention can be implemented with the following logical
modules:
[0070] a. Payout display
[0071] b. Sound module
[0072] c. Dealer console
[0073] d. Chip rack
[0074] The system can be placed on any roulette game without any
modifications to the table. The system can be incorporated into an
existing automatic winning number display, to produce a Game Sign
23. If no automatic systems are available it is possible to use a
manual keyset to enter the winning numbers.
[0075] The only data collected from an existing system is the
winning number roulette message. Once a bonus game has been
selected it will be announced as a jackpot or payoyt game sound
effect via speaker inside the display. The display will then show
the winning player (1-7) and the odds prize or payout (2.times.,
3.times., 4.times., 5.times. etc.--IN or OUT). The dealer console
will also display the prize, in addition to the Game Sign 23. The
chip rack will highlight the winning position and associated chip
color.
[0076] The dealer console will consist of a small box with a 2
line, 16 character LCD and a 4*3 button keypad (0-9, * and #) and
an internal beeper. The # key will be used as ENTER. When used in
conjunction with an automatic detection system, the console will
only inform the dealer about the result of the game. The keypad
will be disabled in this mode, except when the manual data entry
mode has been enabled or when the key has been turned. However,
when no automatic detection system is available, the console can be
used by the dealer to enter the winning number. The console will
also be used to configure the game and to review the log of the
pay-outs made by the game. These functions are only accessible by a
key-switch that is built-into the console.
[0077] Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present
invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The
invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described
within the scope of the appended claims, wherein that which is
prior art is antecedent to the novelty set forth in the
"characterized by" clause. The novelty is meant to be particularly
and distinctly recited in the "characterized by" clause whereas the
antecedent recitations merely set forth the old and well-known
combination in which the invention resides. These antecedent
recitations should be interpreted to cover any combination in which
the incentive novelty exercises its utility. In addition, the
reference numerals in the claims are merely for convenience and are
not to be read in any way as limiting.
* * * * *