U.S. patent application number 10/390955 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-25 for bingo game and card.
Invention is credited to Banyai, Frank B..
Application Number | 20030178771 10/390955 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28045645 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030178771 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Banyai, Frank B. |
September 25, 2003 |
Bingo game and card
Abstract
A method of playing a game by a plurality of players comprising
the steps of: (a) each player placing a wager; (b) assigning to
each player designations from a set of designations, the assigned
designations arranged on a card in two adjacent lines, each of the
lines including at least three (and preferably four) of the
assigned designations, the assigned designations of the lines
arranged in a grid; (c) randomly drawing designations from the set
of designations; and (d) paying a prize to the first player whose
assigned designations matching designations drawn in step (c) are
arranged in a predetermined pattern on his or her card. In a
preferred embodiment of the game, additional prizes may be paid to
the first players respectively having designations matched in
different predetermined patterns on his card by designations drawn
from the set. The drawings of designations from the set is
continued until a first "blackout" occurs, whereupon a prize is
paid to the player holding the first card to achieve such blackout
and the game ends. In another preferred embodiment, the
predetermined pattern in step (d) is preselected from a plurality
of predetermined patterns, and the game ends when the preselected
pattern is first matched. In either of the preferred embodiments,
in step (a) the player may further place a wager to a progressive
pool with respect to one or the other or both of the lines on his
card, and a progressive prize is paid if the player's four
designations in such line are matched by the first four
designations successively drawn from the set. The invention further
comprises a bingo card having a display thereon of assigned
designations from a set of designations, the assigned designations
arranged in two adjacent lines each including at least three (and
preferably four) of the assigned designations, the assigned
designations of such lines arranged in a grid.
Inventors: |
Banyai, Frank B.; (Las
Vegas, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Law Office of David Weiss
Suite 100
12650 Riverside Drive
North Hollywood
CA
91607-3442
US
|
Family ID: |
28045645 |
Appl. No.: |
10/390955 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60366598 |
Mar 21, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/269 ; 463/19;
463/27 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 3/065 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/269 ; 463/19;
463/27 |
International
Class: |
A63F 003/06 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A method of playing a game by a plurality of players, comprising
the steps of: (a) each player placing a wager; (b) assigning to
each player designations from a set of designations, the assigned
designations arranged on a card in two adjacent lines, each of said
lines including at least three of said assigned designations, said
assigned designations of said lines arranged in a grid; (c)
randomly drawing designations from said set of designations; and
(d) paying a prize to the first player whose assigned designations
matching designations drawn in step (c) are arranged in a
predetermined pattern on his or her card.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: in step (b), the
quantity of assigned designations in each of said lines is
four.
3. The method according to claim 1, including: in step (d), paying
prizes to the first players whose assigned designations matching
designations drawn in step (c) are arranged in other predetermined
patterns on their cards respectively.
4. The method according to claim 1, including: prior to step (c),
selecting said predetermined pattern from a plurality of
predetermined patterns.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein in step (c), the
quantity of designations drawn is equal to the quantity of assigned
designations in each of said lines, and including the steps of: (e)
if no player's assigned designations matching designations drawn in
step (c) are arranged in said predetermined pattern, continuing to
draw designations from said set; and (f) paying a prize to the
first player whose assigned designations matching designations
drawn in steps (c) and (e) are arranged in said predetermined
pattern.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: in step (c), the
quantity of designations drawn is equal to the quantity of assigned
designations in each of said lines.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein: in step (a), each
player places said wager to a game pool and each player may place a
first progressive wager to a progressive pool, said first
progressive wager associated with one of said lines; in step (c),
the quantity of designations drawn is equal to the quantity of
assigned designations in said one of said lines; and in step (d),
said prize is paid from the game pool, and paying prizes from the
progressive pool to players placing said first progressive wager
whose assigned designations in said one of said lines match the
designations drawn in step (c).
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: in step (b), the
quantity of assigned designations in said one of said lines is
four.
9. The method according to claim 7, including: in step (d), paying
prizes from the progressive pool to players placing said first
progressive wager who have a predetermined quantity less than all
of the assigned designations in said one of said lines matching
designations drawn in step (c).
10. The method according to claim 8, including: in step (d), paying
prizes from the progressive pool to players placing said first
progressive wager whose assigned designations in said one of said
lines match three of the four designations drawn in step (c).
11. The method according to claim 7, wherein: in step (a), each
player may place a second progressive wager to the progressive
pool, said second progressive wager associated with the other of
said lines; in step (b), the quantity of assigned designations in
said other of said lines is equal to the quantity of assigned
designations in said one of said lines; and in step (d), paying
prizes from the progressive pool to players placing said second
progressive wager whose assigned designations in said other of said
lines match the designations drawn in step (c).
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein: in step (b), the
quantity of assigned designations in said one of said lines is
four.
13. The method according to claim 11, wherein: said predetermined
pattern in step (d) is preselected from a plurality of
predetermined patterns.
14. The method according to claim 11, including the step of: (e) if
no player's assigned designations matching designations drawn in
step (c) are arranged in said predetermined pattern, continuing to
draw designations from said set; and (f) paying a prize from the
game pool to the first player whose assigned designations matching
designations drawn in steps (c) and (e) are arranged in said
predetermined pattern.
15. The method according to claim 7, including: in step (d), paying
prizes from the game pool to the first players whose assigned
designations matching designations drawn in step (c) are arranged
in other predetermined patterns respectively.
16. The method according to claim 15, including: in step (d),
paying prizes from the progressive pool to players placing said
first progressive wager who have a predetermined quantity less than
all of the assigned designations in said one of said lines matching
designations drawn in step (c).
17. The method according to claim 15, wherein: in step (b), the
quantity of assigned designations in each of said lines is
four.
18. The method according to claim 17, including: in step (d),
paying prizes from the progressive pool to players placing said
first progressive wager whose assigned designations in said one of
said lines match three of the four designations drawn in step
(c).
19. The method according to claim 15, including the steps of: (e)
after step (d), continuing to draw designations from said set; and
(f) paying prizes from the game pool to the first players whose
assigned designations matching designations drawn in steps (c) and
(e) are arranged in predetermined patterns.
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein: in step (e) the
drawing of designations from said set is discontinued upon the
first occurrence of all of the assigned designations on a player's
card being matched by designations drawn in steps (c) and (e).
21. The method according to claim 1, wherein: each player may place
additional wagers in step (a) and have assigned to him or her
additional designations arranged on additional cards in step (b),
for simultaneously subjecting each of his or her cards to the play
of steps (c) and (d).
22. The method according to claim 1, including: providing a wild
designation for being randomly drawn as if a designation is said
set, and if drawn in step (c) each player may deem one of the
assigned designations on his or her card to have been drawn.
23. A method of playing a game by a plurality of players,
comprising the steps of: (a) each player placing a game wager; (b)
assigning to each player designations from a set of designations,
the assigned designations arranged on a card in two adjacent lines,
each of said lines including at least three of said assigned
designations, said assigned designations of said lines arranged in
a grid; (c) randomly drawing a plurality of designations from said
set of designations; and (d) paying game prizes to the first
players whose assigned designations matching designations drawn in
step (c) are arranged in predetermined patterns on their cards
respectively.
24. The method according to claim 23, wherein: in step (a), each
player may place a progressive wager associated with a one of said
lines on said cards; in step (c), the quantity of drawn
designations of said plurality is equal to the quantity of assigned
designations in said one of said lines; and in step (d), paying
progressive prizes to players placing said progressive wager whose
assigned designations in said one of said lines match the
designations drawn in step (c).
25. The method according to claim 24, wherein: in step (b), the
quantity of assigned designations in said one of said lines is
four.
26. The method according to claim 24, including: in step (d),
paying progressive prizes to players placing said progressive wager
who have a predetermined quantity less than all of the assigned
designations in said one of said lines matching designations drawn
in step (c).
27. The method according to claim 25, including: in step (d),
paying progressive prizes to players placing said progressive wager
whose assigned designations in said one of said lines match three
of the four designations drawn in step (c).
28. The method according to claim 24, including the steps of: (e)
after step (d), continuing to draw designations from said set; and
(f) paying prizes from the game pool to the first players whose
assigned designations matching designations drawn in steps (c) and
(e) are arranged in predetermined patterns.
29. The method according to claim 28, wherein: in step (e) the
drawing of designations from said set is discontinued upon the
first occurrence of all of the assigned designations on a player's
card being matched by designations drawn in steps (c) and (e).
30. The method according to claim 28, wherein: each player may
place additional wagers in step (a) and have assigned to him or her
additional designations arranged on additional cards in step (b),
for simultaneously subjecting each of his or her cards to the play
of steps (c) through (f).
31. The method according to claim 28, including: providing a wild
designation for being randomly drawn as if a designation in said
set, and if said wild designation is drawn each player may deem one
of the assigned designations on his or her card to have been
drawn.
32. A bingo card comprising: a card having a display thereon of
assigned designations from a set of designations, the assigned
designations arranged in two adjacent lines each including at least
three of said assigned designations, said assigned designations of
said lines arranged in a grid.
33. The bingo card according to claim 32, wherein: the quantity of
assigned designations in each of said lines is four.
34. The bingo card according to claim 32, wherein: said display
includes a first information area concerning a game wager and a
second information area concerning a progressive wager.
35. The bingo card according to claim 34, wherein: said display is
a video display and said first and second information areas include
touch-sensitive switching devices for respectively implementing a
player's placing of the game wager and placing of the progressive
wager.
36. The bingo card according to claim 32, wherein: said display
includes a first information area concerning a game wager, a second
information area concerning a progressive wager associated with one
of said lines, and a third information area concerning a
progressive wager associated with the other of said lines.
37. The bingo card according to claim 36, wherein: said display is
a video display and said first, second and third information areas
include touch-sensitive switching devices for respectively
implementing a player's placing of the game wager, placing of the
progressive wager associated with said one of said lines, and
placing of the progressive wager associated with said other of said
lines.
38. The bingo card according to claim 37, wherein: the quantity of
assigned designations in each of said lines is four.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/366,598, filed Mar. 21, 2002, and the disclosure
of said Provisional Application is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to match number gaming methods and
apparatus, and more particularly to a match number game similar to
bingo and a bingo card for playing the game.
[0003] The traditional game of bingo is played with a card having
twenty-four numbers arranged in a five-by-five matrix with a free
space in the center. As the game is played, various patterns may be
achieved from a draw of numbers from a set of numbers
conventionally totaling seventy-five in the United States and
ninety in other parts of the world. The first matching of numbers
forming any one of specific patterns (e.g., a line of five numbers
vertically, horizontally or diagonally) would create the game
ending event for which a prize is awarded.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The game of the present invention is similar to bingo but
with significant departures therefrom for enhanced excitement, is
particularly adaptable for casino play, and is preferably
electronically implemented as with video terminals although the
game may be played without the use of such terminals.
[0005] According to a preferred embodiment of the game of the
present invention, there is provided a method of playing a game by
a plurality of players, comprising the steps of: (a) each player
placing a game wager; (b) assigning to each player designations
from a set of designations, the assigned designations arranged on a
card in two adjacent lines, each of the lines including at least
three (and preferably four) of the assigned designations, the
assigned designations of the lines arranged in a grid; (c) randomly
drawing a plurality (preferably four) of designations from the set
of designations; and (d) paying game prizes to the first players
whose assigned designations matching designations drawn in step (c)
are arranged in predetermined patterns on their cards
respectively.
[0006] In step (a), each player may place a first progressive wager
to a progressive pool, the first progressive wager being associated
with one of the lines on the cards; in step (c), the quantity of
drawn designations of such plurality is equal to the quantity of
assigned designations in such one of the lines (i.e. preferably
four); and in step (d), the game prizes are paid from a game pool,
and prizes are paid from the progressive pool to players placing
the first progressive wager whose assigned designations in such one
line match the designations drawn in step (c).
[0007] In step (a), each player may place a second progressive
wager to the progressive pool, the second progressive wager being
associated with the other of the two lines; in step (b), the
quantity of assigned designations in each of the lines are the
same; in step (d), paying prizes from the progressive pool to
players placing the second progressive wager whose assigned
designations in the other of the two lines match the designations
drawn in step (c).
[0008] The game of this embodiment may continue with the steps of:
(e) after step (d), continuing to draw designations from the set;
and (f) paying game prizes to the first players whose assigned
designations matching designations drawn in steps (c) and (e) are
arranged in predetermined patterns. Preferably, in step (e), the
drawing of designations from the set is discontinued upon the first
occurrence of all of the assigned designations on the players card
being matched by designations drawn in steps (c) and (e), i.e. upon
the first occurrence of a "blackout".
[0009] According to a second preferred embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided a method of playing a game by a
plurality of players, comprising the steps of: (a) each player
placing a wager; (b) assigning to each player designations from a
set of designations, the assigned designations arranged on a card
in two adjacent lines, each of the lines including at least three
(and preferably four) of the assigned designations, the assigned
designations of the lines arranged in a grid; (c) randomly drawing
designations from the set of designations; and (d) paying a prize
to the first player whose assigned designations matching
designations drawn in step (c) are arranged in a predetermined
pattern on his or her card. The predetermined pattern may be
selected, prior to step (c), from a plurality of predetermined
patterns.
[0010] In step (a), each player may place a progressive wager
associated with one of the lines on the cards, and/or a progressive
wager associated with the other of the two lines; in step (c), the
quantity of drawn designations of such plurality is equal to the
quantity of assigned designations in the lines (i.e., preferably
four); and in step (d), paying progressive prizes to players
placing a progressive wager whose assigned designations in the line
associated with such progressive wager match the designations drawn
in step (c).
[0011] In step (c), as previously noted, the quantity of
designations drawn is preferably equal to the quantity of assigned
designations in each of the lines, toward facilitating the
progressive features of the game. The method of the second
embodiment may further include the steps of: (e) if no player's
assigned designations matching designations drawn in step (c) are
arranged in such predetermined pattern, continuing to draw
designations from the set; and (f) paying a prize to the first
player whose assigned designations matching designations drawn in
steps (c) and (e) are arranged in such predetermined pattern,
ending the game.
[0012] An aspect of the present invention includes a bingo card
comprising: a card having a display thereon of assigned
designations from a set of designations, the assigned designations
arranged in two adjacent lines each including at least three (and
preferably four) of said assigned designations, the assigned
designations of such lines arranged in a grid.
[0013] A preferred embodiment of the bingo card includes a display
having a first information area concerning a game wager, a second
information area concerning a progressive wager associated with one
of the lines on the card, and a third information area concerning a
progressive wager associated with the other line on the card. The
display is preferably a video display and the first, second and
third information areas preferably include touch-sensitive
switching devices for respectively implementing a player's placing
of the game wager, placing of the progressive wager associated with
one of the lines, and placing of the progressive wager associated
with the other of the lines.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The novel features believed to be characteristic of the
invention, together with further advantages thereof, will be better
understood from the following description considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of
the present invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to
be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the
purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended
as a definition of the limits of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 1 is an example of a preferred embodiment of a bingo
game card for playing the bingo game according to the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a preferred embodiment
of the method of playing the bingo game of the present
invention;
[0017] FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate the game card of FIG. 1, showing
two predetermined patterns of numbers matched during the play of
the present game, which patterns are capable of winning prizes from
a game pool as well as from a progressive pool;
[0018] FIG. 3c illustrates the game card of FIG. 1, showing an
example of a predetermined pattern of numbers matched during the
play of the game, capable of winning a prize from the progressive
pool;
[0019] FIGS. 4a, 4b, 5, 6a, 6b, 6c, 7a, 7b and 8 illustrate the
game card of FIG. 1, showing various predetermined patterns of
numbers matched during the play of the game, capable of winning
prizes from the prize pool; and
[0020] FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a second preferred
embodiment of the method of playing the bingo game of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] In the preferred embodiments of the present game illustrated
in the flow charts of FIGS. 2 and 9, the game is played by a
plurality of players situated at respective electronic player
stations such as video terminals including devices for the player
to enter his or her wagers and designations. The terminals further
include a video display for displaying information including the
player designations, the drawn designations and the prizes offered
and won. The designations or numbers are drawn from a set of
designations or numbers through utilization of a designation or
number generator, such as an electronic number generator or a
random number ball blower typically used in the gaming industry for
bingo, keno and other match number games (for example, ball blowers
available from Tripp Enterprises, Inc. of Sparks, Nev.).
[0022] The player terminals and number generator are networked with
a central computer and server for implementing the management and
accounting for the game including the requirements of the
progressive pool and the game pool, using techniques and apparatus
well known in the art. A gaming system including a plurality of
player terminals and central computer control apparatus is
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,674,128 to Niels C. Holch et al., the
disclosure of which patent is incorporated herein by reference. In
the present game, each player plays against the other players for
winning prizes from the game pool as well as from the progressive
pool.
[0023] Turning to FIG. 1, a preferred bingo card 50 according to
the present invention includes thereon a plurality of designations
or numbers 52 which are represented in the example of FIG. 1 as the
numbers "29", "3", "22", "14", "15", "7", "5" and "16", which
numbers 52 are arranged in two adjacent lines of at least three
(preferably four as shown in FIG. 1) designations each. For
example, as shown in FIG. 1, a first line 54 of numbers "29", "3",
"22", "14", and a second line 56 of numbers "15", "7", "5", "16",
are shown with such numbers 52 of both of the lines 54, 56 arranged
in a grid or matrix, with ones of the numbers 52 of the first line
54 being respectively adjacent ones of the numbers 52 of the second
line 56. In the example of the card 50 shown in FIG. 1, the two
lines 54, 56 of numbers 52 are vertically disposed (as viewed in
the drawing of FIG. 1) and the numbers 52 of each of the lines 54,
56 are arranged such that ones of the numbers 52 of the first line
54 are horizontally aligned with respective ones of the numbers 52
of the second line 56.
[0024] Specifically, in the example of FIG. 1, the first or
uppermost number "29" of the first line 54 is horizontally aligned
with the first or uppermost number "15" of the second line 56, the
second number "3" of the first line 54 is horizontally aligned with
the second number "7" of the second line 56, the third number "22"
of line 54 is horizontally aligned with the third number "5" of
line 56, and the fourth number "14" of line 54 is horizontally
aligned with the fourth number "16" of line 56. Of course, if the
card 50 were rotated 90.degree., the lines 54, 56 would be
horizontally disposed and the pairings of the numbers 52 of such
lines would be vertically disposed.
[0025] The word "card", as used herein, is meant to include a video
display of an array of designations (preferably numbers) 52, as
well as an array of designations or numbers printed on a tangible
substrate such as cardboard. The designations or numbers 52 on the
card are from a set of designations or numbers 52 that are
available for being drawn such as by an electronic number generator
or a ball blower as previously discussed. The set of designations
or numbers 52 may typically be between twenty-five and forty in
quantity, although the game may be played with fewer than
twenty-five or more than forty designations. If twenty-nine numbers
52 are employed in the set, such numbers 52 would be from "1"
through "29".
[0026] Turning to the first preferred game embodiment of flowchart
of FIG. 2, each player at his/her respective player terminal places
a wager to the game pool (block 58) and, at the player's option,
he/she may place a wager to the progressive pool with respect to
the first line 54 of numbers 52 on his card 50 and/or he may place
a wager to the progressive pool (block 62) with respect to the
second line 56 of designations 52 on his card 50. The wagers may be
placed and received by the player terminals by utilization of
devices and processes well known in the gaming art, including such
devices for receiving and accounting for coins, cash bills, debit
cards, credit cards and "smart" cards.
[0027] The placing of one or both of the wagers to the progressive
pool (blocks 60 and 62) may be mandatory rather than optional, and
in any event a single cash, debit or credit entry may be made by
the player with the terminal apportioning the amount entered to the
game pool and to the progressive pool. As shown in FIG. 1, the
video display of the card 50 may include an information area 64
concerning the game wager, and information areas 66 and 68
concerning the respective progressive wagers. Such information
areas 64, 66 and 68 may include touch sensitive switching devices
for permitting the player to implement the placing of the game
wager and the progressive wagers by touching the appropriate
information areas 64, 66, 68 on the video screen.
[0028] Continuing with the game of FIG. 1, each player is assigned
eight numbers 52 to his or her card 50 from the set of numbers 52,
four of the numbers 52 being assigned to the first line 54 and four
of the numbers 52 being assigned to the second line 56 on the card
50 (block 70). The eight numbers 52 for the card 50 may be assigned
to the card 50 by the casino, or each player may assign the eight
numbers 52 himself (i.e. he may select eight numbers from the set
of say twenty-nine numbers), or the player may select a
conventional "quick pick" feature on his terminal whereby eight
numbers are randomly selected by the game system and assigned to
him. The video display of the card 50 (see FIG. 1) shows a quick
pick area 72, which may be a switch touch-actuable by the player
for implementing the quick pick feature.
[0029] Each terminal is preferably capable of permitting a player
to play a plurality of cards simultaneously, i.e. the player may
place wagers with respect to multiple cards each of which having
eight numbers assigned thereto as may be selected by the player or
by the quick pick feature. For example, a player may play up to
sixteen cards, with up to four such cards being displayed on a
front video display or screen and the remaining cards displayed on
a secondary video screen; while playing the game, the best four
cards will preferably be caused to be displayed on the front
screen.
[0030] The playing of the game continues with the drawing of
numbers 52 from the set of numbers 52, up to four numbers (block
74). For example, if a ball blower is used which contains
twenty-nine balls bearing numbers "1" through "29", the drawing of
balls proceeds until four numbers 52 are drawn. The ball blower may
additionally contain a thirtieth ball which is undesignated or
un-numbered, and the undesignated ball if drawn may be deemed by
each player to represent any one of the eight assigned numbers 52
on each card not yet matched by the previously drawn numbered
balls. An example of a ball blower having an undesignated or
un-numbered ball is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,534 to Frank
B. Banyai, the disclosure of which patent is incorporated herein by
reference.
[0031] The four balls, as they are drawn by the ball blower (block
74), are compared with the eight numbers 52 assigned to each card
50 of each player to determine whether any of the eight numbers 52
on any player card 50 match the drawn numbers 52 when drawn, and
the game prizes are paid from the game pool to the first persons
whose matched numbers 52 on a card 50 are arranged in predetermined
patterns (block 76). Prize winning predetermined number patterns
are shown in FIGS. 3a, 3b and 4-6, in which a matched number is
indicated by shading in the area containing the matched number.
[0032] During this stage of the game, there are four predetermined
patterns of numbers 52 available for winning a percentage of the
prize pool. Specifically, the first card on which either the top
two numbers or the bottom two numbers are matched (see FIGS. 4a and
4b, respectively) will be awarded a prize, for example 5% of the
prize pool. A second winning predetermined pattern comprises
matching the top two and bottom two numbers 52, shown in FIG. 5;
the first card 50 to have four numbers matched form such pattern is
awarded a prize, say 7.5% of the prize pool. A third winning
predetermined pattern is a rectangular array or block of four
numbers (four corners touching) such as the top block of four
matched numbers 52 shown in FIG. 6a, the bottom block of four
matched numbers 52 shown in FIG. 6b, or the middle block of four
matched numbers 52 shown in FIG. 6c; the first card 50 to have four
numbers 52 matched forming any such block is paid a prize, say 7.5%
of the game pool. A fourth winning predetermined pattern of numbers
52 comprises matching the four numbers of the first line 54 (FIG.
3a) or the four numbers 52 of the second line 56 (FIG. 3b); the
first player having a card 50 with matched numbers 52 forming
either one of such linear patterns is awarded a prize from the
prize pool, say 10% of the prize pool.
[0033] Upon completion of the four number drawing step (block 74),
prizes are paid from the progressive pool for cards 50 in which
predetermined patterns of matched numbers 52 have occurred (block
78), provided the player holding any such card 50 had placed a
wager to the progressive pool with respect to the line 54 or the
line 56 in which such predetermined pattern has occurred.
Progressive prizes are normally pari-mutuel payoffs representing
predetermined percentages of the progressive pool which is funded
by the progressive wagers from all games.
[0034] The first predetermined pattern of matches comprises all
four numbers 52 in the first line 54 (FIG. 3a), and a prize from
the progressive pool is paid to such player holding a card 50 with
such matches from the first four balls drawn provided a wager was
placed to the progressive pool with respect to the first line 54
(block 60). If the first four balls drawn match all four numbers 52
in the second line 56 on a player's card 50, a prize from the
progressive pool is paid to such player provided a wager to the
progressive pool had been placed with respect to the second line 56
(block 62).
[0035] With respect to either the first or second lines 54 or 56,
the four matches of the first four numbers drawn may be with or
without the assistance of the undesignated ball or wild designation
which when drawn may be deemed by each player to represent any one
of the four assigned numbers 52 on each card not yet matched by the
drawn numbered balls.
[0036] In one manner of allotting progressive prizes for four
in-line matches from the first four balls drawn, the greatest
progressive prize may be paid to four assigned numbers matched in
positional order, from the first four numbered balls drawn; a
second smaller jackpot may be paid to four matches, in any order,
from the first four numbered balls drawn; and a third yet smaller
jackpot may be paid to four matches from the first four balls drawn
where three of the drawn balls are numbered and one of the four
drawn balls is the wild designation. A fourth and smallest prize
from the progressive pool may also be paid at this point, for a
card including three matched inline numbers 52 only (i.e. three but
not all four assigned numbers 52 in one line 54 or 56) matching
three of the four balls drawn, one example of which is shown in
FIG. 3c.
[0037] After the fourth ball or number 52 is drawn (block 74) and
any game prizes and/or progressive prizes are paid (blocks 76 and
78), the draw from the set of numbers 52 is continued (block 80)
and game prizes are paid to the first players holding cards
respectively having matched numbers 52 forming predetermined
patterns (block 82). Such predetermined patterns may include the
patterns shown in FIGS. 3a, 3b and 4-6 to the extent such patterns
have not occurred during the first four number draw (block 74), as
well as the first occurrence of a fifth predetermined pattern
comprising a "six-pack", i.e. six matched numbers creating a
rectangular array or block of six touching numbers as shown in
either of FIGS. 7a and 7b. The first person having a card with
matched numbers 52 in a six-pack pattern is paid a prize from the
game pool, say 20% of the game pool.
[0038] A final winning predetermined pattern of matched numbers
consists of a "blackout", i.e. all eight numbers 52 on a card 50
being matched by the drawn numbers 52 (shown in FIG. 8). The
occurrence of a blackout is the event that ends the game embodiment
of FIG. 2. The first player obtaining a blackout on one of his
cards 50 is paid a prize from the game pool, say 50% of the game
pool.
[0039] An exciting aspect of the game embodiment of FIG. 2 is that
the game will continue from pattern to pattern paying the players
for each win. In one example of such aspect, a player's card may be
the first to have two matching numbers in a pattern of FIG. 4a for
a first prize from the game pool, a pattern of FIG. 5 for a second
prize from the game pool, as well as other prize winning patterns
such as those of FIGS. 3, 6 and/or 7, and finally the blackout
pattern prize of FIG. 8. In another example, a player may hold a
card simultaneously winning both a progressive jackpot and a game
pool award upon occurrence of either of the patterns of FIG. 3a or
FIG. 3b from the first four balls or numbers drawn.
[0040] A truncated variation of the present game, illustrated by
the second preferred game embodiment flow chart of FIG. 9, provides
that not all of the various pattern matches of FIGS. 3a, 3b, 4-8
are awarded a prize from the game pool. In a preferred example of
this version, a game prize is awarded only with respect to the
first card 50 having matched numbers 52 arranged in a particular
one of the predetermined patterns, which particular predetermined
pattern had been preselected and preferably made known to the
players prior to the drawing of any designations.
[0041] Turning to FIG. 9, in the second preferred game embodiment
each player at his/her player terminal places a wager to the game
pool (block 58) and, either mandatorily or at the player's option,
he/she places wagers to the progressive pool with respect to the
first line 54 and/or the second line 56 of numbers 52 on any one or
more of his cards 50, and the player is assigned eight numbers in
two lines of four numbers each, for each of his cards 50, in
similar manner as described above with respect to the first
embodiment flow chart corresponding blocks of FIG. 2.
[0042] The step of preselecting (block 84) may comprise a random
selection from available predetermined pattern matches or it may
comprise a prescribed selection from available predetermined
pattern matches. Such preselection may take place before the
players place their wagers (block 58), or before or after the
players are assigned their eight numbers for each card played; in
any case, such preselection should take place before the drawing of
the first four numbers (block 86).
[0043] The predetermined pattern matches available for preselection
are preferably (although not necessarily) comprised of not fewer
than the quantity of numbers needed for winning the progressive
jackpot, such quantity being four in this example. Accordingly, the
two-number pattern matches illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4b may be
excluded from preselection.
[0044] The playing of the game (in the second preferred embodiment
of FIG. 9) continues with the drawing of numbers 52 from the set of
numbers 52, the quantity of numbers drawn being the same as the
quantity of numbers needed for winning the progressive jackpot,
such quantity being four in the example (block 86). The first four
numbers or balls (if a ball blower is used) drawn are compared with
the eight numbers assigned to each card of each player to determine
whether the progressive prizes have been won for three or four
matches in either of the lines 54 or 56 on a card 50 (as in the
examples of FIGS. 3a, b and c), and if so the applicable
progressive prizes are paid (block 78). At the same time, the eight
numbers 52 assigned to each card 50 of each player and the four
balls drawn are compared to determine whether any of the eight
numbers 52 on any player card 50 match the four numbers drawn such
that the matched numbers on the card form the preselected
predetermined pattern.
[0045] For example, if the preselected pattern is a four-number
in-line pattern of FIG. 3a or 3b, a card on which four in-line
numbers are matched as in either of FIG. 3a or FIG. 3b will be
awarded a prize from the game pool, and the game ends (block 90).
If the predetermined pattern of FIG. 5 had been preselected, the
game prize will be awarded to the player holding a card having such
match pattern, and the game ends; similarly, if a four-number block
is preselected, a game prize will be awarded to a player having a
card exhibiting a match number pattern of any of FIG. 6a, FIG. 6b
or FIG. 6c, and the game ends. The game may be played with or
without the undesignated ball being included with the drawn
numbered balls.
[0046] If the preselected predetermined pattern is not matched upon
the fourth number being drawn, the draw from the set of numbers 52
is continued until the first occurrence on any card of matched
numbers 52 forming the preselected predetermined pattern (block
92); a game prize is paid to the first player holding such card,
and the game ends (block 94). The matching of the preselected
pattern may occur with respect to the predetermined patterns shown
in FIGS. 3a, 3b, 5 and 6 (as well as in FIG. 4 if such pattern had
not been excluded from preselection) to the extent such patterns
have not occurred during the first four number draw (block 86), as
well as from a "six pack" illustrated in FIG. 7a or FIG. 7b, or
from a blackout illustrated in FIG. 8.
[0047] An exciting aspect of the game embodiment of FIG. 9 is the
speed with which succeeding games may be played, as well as the
variation from game to game provided by the preselecting of winning
game patterns for each game played. Furthermore, the game may be
played with combinations of the first and second embodiments, i.e.
more than one but not all matched patterns may be preselected in
one game for winning prizes from the game pool.
[0048] Thus, there have been described preferred embodiments of a
method of playing a match number game similar to bingo and a bingo
card for playing the game, the game being suitable for casino play
and particularly adapted for electronic implementation such as with
video terminals, preferably played by multiple players at a
plurality of terminals. Other embodiments of the present invention
and variations of the embodiments presented herein may be developed
without departing from the essential characteristics thereof.
Accordingly, the invention should be limited only by the scope of
the claims listed below.
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