U.S. patent application number 10/802230 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-23 for device and method for supporting wagering systems in games of chance.
Invention is credited to Nicely, Mark.
Application Number | 20040185933 10/802230 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32994618 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040185933 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nicely, Mark |
September 23, 2004 |
Device and method for supporting wagering systems in games of
chance
Abstract
The device and method of the present invention configures a
gaming device to have an improved data input key set to facilitate
the players wagering activity according to one or more wagering
systems such as Martingale, Anti-Martingale and others. The device
and method can also configure a processor to detect wagering
according a system and thereafter display the suggested next wager
according to the system.
Inventors: |
Nicely, Mark; (Daly City,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Anderson & Morishita, L.L.C.
Suite 102
2725 S. Jones Blvd.
Las Vegas
NV
89146
US
|
Family ID: |
32994618 |
Appl. No.: |
10/802230 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60455472 |
Mar 17, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3244 20130101; G07F 17/3262 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/025 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An improved gaming device for a player to play a series wagering
game plays A.sub.1-N of the type that, for each play, produces at
least one of a winning or losing outcome, and where, if a losing
outcome is produced, the player loses their wager on that play, and
where, if a winning outcome is produced, the player wins an award
based upon their wager, said device comprising: an electronic
display; means to select and display at said display game indicia
according to the rules of the game to serially produce said game
play outcomes; a processor; a data input device in communication
with said processor for a player to input a wager for each of said
game plays, said input device having a plurality of wager value
input keys arranged according to at least one wager strategy for
determining the wager amount for a play based upon at least at
least whether the next preceding game play outcome, data
corresponding to said wager amount stored by said processor; means
for a player, for a first game play A.sub.1 according to said wager
strategy, to select with said input device an initial wager W, data
corresponding to said selected initial wager transmitted to said
processor; said processor configured to determine if the outcome of
play A.sub.1 is a winning or losing outcome, said data input device
value input keys operable by the player based upon said outcome of
play A.sub.1 to input the game wager for the next play based upon
said strategy.
2. The improved device of claim 1 comprising said data input device
configured to include an input key to input the wager for the next
play which inputs the wager for the next play according to the
wagering strategy of Play Wager=W.times.2.sup.(number of
consecutive losing outcomes)
3. The improved device of claim 1 comprising said data input device
configured to include an input key to input the wager for the next
play which that inputs the wager for the next play according to the
wagering strategy of Play Wager=W.times.2.sup.(number of
consecutive winning outcomes)
4. The improved device of claim 1 comprising said data input device
having an input key to input the wager for the next play according
to the wagering strategy of, Play Wager=W+(M.times..+-.1 wager
unit), where M is equal to the number of consecutive wins (+) or
losses (-).
5. The improved device of claim 1 comprising said input device
having a wager input key actuation of which by the player doubles
the next preceding game wager.
6. The improved device of claim 5 comprising said processor
configured to define a maximum game play wager and to interrupt
actuation of said key for doubling the game play wager when said
resulting wager would exceed said maximum game play wager.
7. The improved device of claim 1 comprising said input device
having a wager input key actuation of which by the player halves
the next preceding game wager.
8. The improved device of claim 7 comprising said processor
configured to define a minimum game play wager and to interrupt
actuation of said key for halving the game play wager when said
resulting wager would be less than said minimum game play
wager.
9. The improved device of claim 1 comprising said input device
having wager input keys actuation of which by the player increases
or decreases the next preceding game play wager by one unit for the
game play wager.
10. The improved device of claim 1 comprising said processor
configured to control the display to display data corresponding to
the historical game play wagers input by the play for a plurality
of the preceding plays to the player.
11. The improved device of claim 1 comprising said processor
configured to include data corresponding to at least one wagering
strategy, to compare the data corresponding to the player's
preceding game wagers to said wagering strategy data and if there
is a correspondence to control the display to display to the player
data corresponding to the value for the next game play wager
according to said strategy.
12. The improved device of claim 11 comprising said input device
having an input keys actuation of which by the player controls the
processor to display data corresponding to the initial game play
wager to be made according to said wager strategy.
13. A method for a player to play a series wagering game plays
A.sub.1-N of the type that, for each play, produces at least one of
a winning or losing outcome and where, if a losing outcome is
produced, the player loses their wager on that play and where if a
winning outcome is produced the player wins an award based upon
their wager, said method comprising: providing an electronic
display to display data to the player and a processor; selecting
and displaying at said display game indicia according to the rules
of the game to serially produce said game play outcomes; the player
inputting data with an input device to input a wager for each of
said game plays using wager value input keys arranged according to
at least one wagering strategy for determining the wager amount for
a play based upon at least at least whether the next preceding game
play outcome; storing the wagers input by the player in said
processor; for a first game play A.sub.1 according to said wager
strategy, selecting with said input device an initial wager W; said
processor determining if the outcome of play A.sub.1 is a winning
or losing outcome and operating said data input device value input
keys based upon said outcome of play A.sub.1 to input the game
wager for the next play based upon said strategy.
14. The method of claim 13 comprising configuring said data input
device to include an input key to input the wager for the next play
according to the wagering strategy of Play
Wager=W.times.2.sup.(number of consecutive losing outcomes)
15. The method of claim 13 comprising configuring said data input
device to include an input key to input the wager for the next play
according to the wagering strategy of Play
Wager=W.times.2.sup.(number of consecutive winning outcomes)
16. The method of claim 13 comprising said configuring said data
input device having an input key to input the wager for the next
play according to the wagering strategy of, Play
Wager=W+(M.times..+-.1 wager unit), where M is equal to the number
of consecutive wins (+) or losses (-).
17. The method of claim 13 comprising configuring said input device
to have a wager input key, the player doubling their wager from the
next preceding wager by actuation of said key.
18. The method of claim 17 comprising defining a maximum game play
wager and said processor interrupting actuation of said key for
doubling the game play wager when said resulting wager would exceed
said maximum game play wager.
19. The method of claim 13 comprising configuring said input device
to have a wager input key, the player halving the game play wager
from the next preceding game wager by actuation of said key.
20. The method of claim 19 comprising defining a minimum game play
wager and said processor interrupting actuation of said key for
halving the game play wager when said resulting wager would be less
than said minimum game play wager.
21. The method of claim 13 comprising configuring said input device
to have wager input keys, actuating of which by the player
increases or decreases the next preceding game play wager by one
unit for the game play wager.
22. The improved device of claim 13 comprising said processor
controlling the display to display data corresponding to the
historical game play wagers input by the play for a plurality of
the preceding plays to the player.
23. The improved device of claim 13 comprising said processor
comparing configured to include data corresponding to at least one
wagering strategy, to compare
24. The improved device of claim 13 comprising comparing the data
corresponding to the player's preceding game wagers to said
wagering strategy data and if there is a correspondence to control
the display to display to the player data corresponding to the
value for the next game play wager according to said strategy. said
input device having an input keys actuation of which by the player
controls the processor to display data corresponding to the initial
game play wager to be made according to said wager strategy.
25. A system to facilitate a player to alter their wager between
the play of hands according to a selected wagering system for a
wagering game comprising: an electronic or electro-mechanical
device for a player to enter an amount of a wager to play the next
round of play, said device including a plurality of input keys;
means to input wagers according to said wagering system an
electronic display to display data to the player concerning the
player's wager amount; and means for the player to prompt initiate
the play of the game with the selected wager.
26. The system of claim 25 comprising said device including a
plurality of input keys for making at least the following wagers in
relation to the wager (W) for the previous round of play (i) same
wager, (ii) double the wager.
27. The system of claim 26 comprising an additional input key for
removing the wager.
28. The system of claim 26 comprising said device including a
plurality of input keys for making at least the following
additional wager in relation to the wager (W) for the previous
round of play: half the wager.
29. The system of claim 25 comprising said device including a
plurality of input keys for making at least the following
additional wagers in relation to the wager (W) for the previous
round of play (i) same wager, (ii) double the wager (iii) W+X,
where X is a predetermined integer, (iv) W-X or (v) Y.times.X where
Y is a preselected integer.
30. The system of claim 25 comprising a display that shows the
progress of the current betting series.
31. The system of claim 30 comprising the ability to directly
select the equivalent wager displayed in the current betting series
display as our active wager.
32. The system of claim 25 comprising an input key for placing a
wager of the size indicated by the specified betting system and the
prior betting history.
33. The system of claim 32 comprising an input key for advancing to
any bet amount within the betting system series
34. The system of claim 32 comprising an input key for backing up
to any bet amount with the given betting system series.
35. The system of claim 32 comprising game specific adjustments
that take into account the effect of mid-play betting adjustments
and that take into account commission fees on winnings.
36. A method for facilitating wagering on successive rounds of play
of a game according to a predetermined wagering strategy
comprising: providing an electronic or electro-mechanical device
for a player to enter an amount of a wager to play the next round
of play, said device including a plurality of input keys;
configuring said keys to enable the inputting of wagers according
to said wagering system; and displaying data to the player
concerning the player's wager amount.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a conversion of prior filed and commonly
owned provisional patent application No. 60/455,472 filed Mar. 17,
2003 and titled "Method and System For Supporting Betting Systems
In Games of Chance".
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to electronic gaming systems
and devices and more particularly to methods and systems providing
for a player to enter their desired wager amounts for games of
chance.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Casino wagering games are very popular. Such games range
from live games such as Blackjack, Craps, Pai Gow Poker, Baccarat
to electronic video games such as video Poker, slot machines, video
Blackjack and other virtual games. Modernly it has been known to
provide live and virtual games through the Internet to remotely
located players. These games are received by the player at their
home, personal computer or personal data assistant (PDA) or
cellular telephone for play. Play may be based upon actual money
wagered or for purely entertainment by providing for the wagering
of virtual credits.
[0004] For wagering with real money monetary and/or wagering with
fictitious credits, there are a number of popular betting systems
that recommend changing your bet size based on your prior outcomes.
These betting systems are popular with many gamblers for many
reasons, including: providing a structured approach to their
wagering experience, giving the player a high likelihood of
achieving a small gain by risking a much larger bankroll and
appealing to people's intuitive sense of how game outcomes should
normally occur.
[0005] Some examples of these systems are described below.
[0006] According to the Martingale System, if you lost your
previous bet, then you should double your last bet for the next
hand, play, round or spin. Otherwise you should drop your wager to
your normal starting bet for the system sequence. This wagering
system may be expressed as follows, where W is the player selected
base, or initial series wager;
Play Wager=W.times.2.sup.(number of consecutive losing
outcomes)
[0007] In this wagering strategy, it is very unlikely that you will
lose a number of outcomes in a row, so by risking a large bankroll,
you very high chance of winning the equivalent of his initial
wager. For example, you chose 5 as your base wager to place on the
BLACK bet in roulette. If you win, you are up 5 units. The next
play you again wager 5 units. If you lose the first bet of 5 units,
for the next game you bet 10 units. If you win this bet, then you
will have bet 5+10 units over the two games and have 20 units in
winnings, therefore you will be ahead 5 units. If you lose the 10
unit bet, you double the wager on the next game to 20. If you win
this bet, you will have bet 5+10+20 and have 40 in winnings so you
will be up 5.
[0008] The Anti-Martingale System protocol is that if you won your
previous bet, then double your last bet for the next round of play;
otherwise wager the normal starting bet chosen for your sequence.
Thus this wagering strategy may be expressed as follows, where W is
the player chosen starting wager for the sequence,
Play Wager=W.times.2.sup.(number of consecutive winning
outcomes)
[0009] This strategy appeals to people who believe in trying to
take advantage of lucky streaks. This viewpoint may occasionally
have some validity in a game like blackjack whereby depletion of
certain cards in the deck may make improve expected payback for the
player.
[0010] The Labouchere System (or cancellation system) requires you
write down a series of numbers e.g. the numbers 1, 5, 15 and 25.
The initial bet is sum of first and last numbers of the series
multiplied by the selected base wager W for the series. If you
lose, then the next bet is sum of 2nd and 2nd to last numbers, etc.
until you either win or until you've completed the series. This
wagering strategy may be expressed as follows,
Play Wager=W.times.(1+25); first play loss change bet to
W.times.(5+15).
[0011] The appeal of this system may lie in people's viewpoint that
in order to lose on this betting system, the player must lose more
than twice as often as he wins.
[0012] The d'Alembert System wager strategy is started with any
base bet amount, if you win, increase your bet by 1 unit (which may
be, for example $5, $10 or the amount of the strategy sequence
starting wager W) for the next round of play. If you lose, decrease
you bet by 1 unit. This strategy may be generally expressed as
follows:
Play Wager=W+(M.times..+-.wager unit), where M is equal to the
number of consecutive wins (+) or losses (-).
[0013] For the Regression System you start with a wager of 2 units,
if you win, increase bet for the next round by 1 unit, if you lose,
decrease by 1 unit. For the Parlay System, if you win, you add your
winnings to your original bet for the next bet, for a specific
number of times (e.g. only once or only twice). If you lose you
drop your bet to the beginning amount.
[0014] This invention addresses two independent areas of
improvement to assist people who wish to play a betting system.
[0015] Whether for a live table game, or video-based game or other
gaming device, the player must mentally, or using paper and pencil,
keep track of where they are in their chosen system progression to
know how to vary their bet. It would be advantageous to provide a
display for the player that indicates where they are in their
betting series and what the next wager should be based upon their
chosen betting system.
[0016] For live table games, it is relatively easy for the player
to manipulate their money, coins, chips or other monetary tokens in
order to vary their bet size. However for a video-based game or
other gaming device, including an Internet video game, where the
player controls their wager by control buttons, either as part of a
video touch screen and/or as physical buttons, keys or knobs or by
manipulating a cursor on a video screen by a mouse, joystick or
other pointing device, it can be cumbersome for the player to vary
their bet. For example, some video based games require the player
to increase or decrease their bet by 1 unit by making a separate
button press on a BET UP or BET DOWN button for each 1 unit change.
So, to raise your bet from 20 to 40, you may need to press the BET
UP button 20 times. Other video game systems offer the player a bet
control interface that is based upon casino chips of different
size. The player can raise his bet by the selected size, by, for
example, clicking on the selected chip icon on the video screen or
by dragging and dropping the chip icon from the chip area to the
bet area or by clicking on the betting icon on the video screen
after having clicked on the appropriate chip icon on the betting
screen. For a player to place a 40-credit bet, he may have to first
select the 5 chip and then add this bet eight times. Alternately,
he could select the 25 chip, add this bet once, then select the 5
chip and bet it three times.
[0017] It would be useful in video-based game applications,
especially for video-based applications over the Internet to
provide the player with keys, buttons or shortcuts for quickly
wagering according to betting system strategies.
[0018] Finally, it should be pointed out that some of the bet
control features described in this invention may be of use to
players who are not necessarily following a betting system but who
which to take advantage of these innovative betting conveniences.
For example, a player who wishes to easily increase their bet to
take advantage of a higher bankroll made possible by winning
outcomes may wish to use a Double Bet feature. Likewise, a player
whose bankroll is diminishing may wish to quickly lower his betting
size with a HALF BET feature.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] There is, therefore, set forth according to the present
invention an improved device and method which simplifies and
provides shortcuts for a player to place wagers on a series of
games according to one or more wagering strategies.
[0020] Toward this end, there is set forth an improved gaming
device and method for a player to play a series wagering game plays
A.sub.1-N of the type which, for each play, produces at least one
of a winning or losing outcome and where, if a losing outcome is
produced, the player loses their wager on that play and where if a
winning outcome is produced the player wins an award based upon
their wager. For example the games may be Blackjack, Baccarat, Pai
Gow Poker or other wagering card games, Roulette, Craps or even
video based games such as video Poker or slot machines. The games
may be computer generated or may be live games such as a live
Blackjack game broadcast over the Internet to players playing the
games from remote terminals or computers.
[0021] The device includes an electronic display. Means are
provided to select and display at said display game indicia
according to the rules of the game to serially produce said game
play outcomes. These means may include a game computer to generate
the game symbols on a player's terminal or may be a broadcast
system to broadcast images of live play for players to play from a
remote terminal.
[0022] A processor is provided, as is a data input device in
communication with said processor, for a player to input a wager
for each of said game plays The input device includes a plurality
of wager value input keys arranged to allow a player to more easily
wager according to a betting strategy by allowing player to specify
a new wager based upon their previous wager. That is, for example,
if the preceding game play was a loss, a particular wagering
strategy or system (such as Martingale or Anti-Martingale) may
suggest doubling the player's next game play wager. Hence a key for
this system may be a "DOUBLE" key which, if actuated by the player,
doubles his previous bet. Data corresponding to the player's wager
amounts are stored by said processor.
[0023] Means are provided for a player and for a first game play
A.sub.1 according to said wager strategy, to select with the input
device an initial wager W. That is, for example under the
Martingale System and for the first wager of the wagering strategy,
the player may select $5. Data corresponding to said selected
initial wager transmitted to said processor. The processor is
configured to determine if the outcome of play A.sub.1 is a winning
or losing outcome. The data input device value input keys are
operable by the player, based upon said outcome of play A.sub.1, to
input the game wager for the next play based upon said strategy.
For example, for the Martingale System or Anti-Martingale System,
there may be the DOUBLE bet key as described above to double the
previous wager for a loss and a SAME BET key to make the same wager
as was made for the previous game play.
[0024] The device and method may be configured to include other
shortcut keys for players to implement one or more wagering system
strategies.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] These and other features and advantages will become better
appreciated as the same becomes better understood with reference to
the description wherein:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a display illustrating one embodiment of the
present invention showing the key features according to the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 2 shows a partial display illustrating a further
embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 3 shows a partial display illustrating yet a further
embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 4 shows an example of a presentation of the keys
according to one embodiment of the present invention; and
[0030] FIG. 5 shows a logic diagram for a Martingale wagering
system strategy that can be implemented with the key features of
the present invention.
DESCRIPTION
[0031] 1. Overview
[0032] This invention covers the addition of possible mechanisms to
give the player easier control over their bet amounts, especially
when done in conjunction with popular betting systems and
strategies. These are most appropriate in situations where the
player is betting via some form of computer interface, or via
control buttons, keys or other input devices.
[0033] The present invention can be used in regards to displays for
the play of live table games or for electronic games,
electro-mechanical game and games played over the Internet.
[0034] Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows one display 10
according to one embodiment of the present invention where the
betting system. The display 10 is controlled by a computer
processor (not shown) of conventional design. The processor
controls the display 10 to display information for the play of the
game. In a game area 12 the indicia for the play of the game are
displayed for wagering action by the player as well for, when
appropriate, play of the game. For example, if the game is a live
game the game area 12 may display representation of the dealt
playing cards or of virtual cards dealt for the play of the game.
Where the game is played from a remote location such as for play
through the Internet, the game area 12 would display the playing
cards for the chosen game. Based upon the indicia or cards dealt in
the game area 12, the player may be required to take action such as
to complete the hand of cards of a hand a Blackjack according to
the rules of the game. Other games may be played as well such as
Caribbean Stud Poker.RTM., Baccarat, Roulette or other such
games.
[0035] The display 10 may also be controlled to display, for
example, a pay table 14 for the game to provide information to the
player as to the awards available for designated outcomes.
[0036] The display is also controlled to display to the player the
amounts paid at 16, as well as the amount previously bet at 18. To
help the player enter chosen wagers, certain keys, buttons or other
data input means are provided such as unit keys 20a-d for the
player to designate the units being wagered, e.g. a 5 unit wager at
20a, a ten unit wager at 20b, a twenty-five unit wager at 20c and a
one hundred unit wager at 20d. Where the display 10 is a player's
computer monitor, the display 10 may be a touch screen display
whereby by touching the keys the corresponding units are wagered.
Other data input means may include a mouse to locate a cursor on
the selected key, keyboard or other data input means.
[0037] For facilitating the wagering according to known betting
systems, the device and method of the present invention also
includes system keys 22a-c. Key 22a clears any prior wager and
permits the player to begin a new wager or series of wagering
according to a betting system. Key 22b is a double the bet button
or key that prompts the processor to enter a wager for the next
hand or round of play that is twice the prior bet. For example,
under one wagering system protocol such as the Martingale system,
if the player has lost the previous game, the system suggests
wagering double the previous wager for the next game play. This key
can be used in conjunction with re-bet button or key (FIGS. 2 and
3)) that would wager the same amount as in the previous hand or
round. The double the bet key 22b could then cause this value to
double as is suggested in the Martingale and Anti-Martingale
betting systems. Optionally, the double the bet key 22b could be
used to always double the current bet every time it is
activated.
[0038] If bet doubling would cause the wager to exceed table
maximum, the processor could be configured as follows: the key 22b
could be come inactive when it cannot do a full double the bet
could be increased to match the table maximum prompting the player
to ask them if they wish to
[0039] do nothing
[0040] increase their bet to the table maximum
[0041] move to a higher denomination table, if available (with a
starting bet equal to twice the current wager)
[0042] Likewise, if the players balance is not large enough to
exactly double the bet, then similar options are possible:
[0043] the button could be come inactive when there is insufficient
funds to do a full double
[0044] the button could be increased up to the remaining amount
available
[0045] the player could be prompted, telling them of the state of
their balance and offering to
[0046] do nothing
[0047] apply remainder of balance to the bet
[0048] go to screen allowing player to add more money to their
balance
[0049] Like the double the bet key 22b, there may be provided a
halve the bet Button or key: This key (not shown) is similar to the
double the bet key but instead it cuts your bet in half every time
it is pressed or entered. Instead of table maximum, this would be
limited by table minimum. If a bet cannot be evenly cut in half, it
could be rounded up to the nearest betable unit.
[0050] Also not shown but which may be provided is an add 1 unit
key. This button or key adds 1 unit to the last bet for the next
round of play. In combination with a Subtract 1 unit key, this
would provide support for a d'Alembert betting system. While some
video-based gambling games have as their sole betting interface, an
Add 1 button and a Subtract 1 button, (which can be found, for
example, in Microgaming's online casino game user interface)s, the
innovation here is the addition of an Add 1 button and Subtract 1
button as an adjunct to a chip based betting control for the
purpose of making systems betting easier to accomplish.
[0051] Current chip based betting controls currently do not support
the easy adjustment of a bet by one unit up or down. For example,
if your current bet is $10, and you want to make it $9, you usually
have to remove $5 and then add four $1 bets or remove all $10 and
then add a $5 (if available) and four $1 bets or add nine $1
bets.
[0052] With reference to FIG. 3 there may also be provided a
feature of adding N units, e.g. +5 units as shown by key 30. This
key, if prompted would add the N unit increment to the next wager
to accommodate, for example, the d'Alembert System. Like Add 1
Unit, but where the player gets to specify the increment
amount.
[0053] The Subtract N unit key 32 may be provided as the converse
to the Add X units key 30 to also accommodate certain betting
systems.
[0054] Not shown, there may also be provided a Next Button or key:
This key, if prompted, updates your bet to be the next value in the
series. This could be a use-once button that sets the bet value to
the proper value. Alternately, if pressed multiple times, it could
continue to advance as if the next outcome were the same as the
last. For example, for a Martingale system where the player lost a
$10 bet, first press of Next would bet $20, the 2nd press would bet
$40 (as if you had a loss on the $20).
[0055] A Previous button or key compliments of the Next button.
This key allows the player to go the other direction in the
sequence. For example, if you double press the Next button, then
pressing the Previous Bet button brings you to state equal to
single Next, and another press of Previous button yields your prior
bet.
[0056] All of the above buttons or keys could work in conjunction
with a CLEAR or CLEAR BETS button, which removes all placed wager.
At this point, REBET, DOUBLE, NEXT etc. would-work just as they
would right after the end of the prior game.
[0057] Instead of, or in addition to, the previous button control,
there could also be presented a series of possible bet amounts that
the player could pick. For example, this could present the forward
and reverse series, as well as the base bet for the player to pick.
As a further example, for a base bet of 5 in a Martingale System
after a $40 loss, the series could be $5-$20-$40-$80-$160, which
correspond to base bet, prior to last bet, last bet, recommended
next bet, bet after next (which is same as double-double). The $80
would be the default value but the player can choose any of the
others via mouse click or screen press or pressing navigation
buttons or navigation keys and an activation button or activation
key, etc.
[0058] A special bet series display may optionally be provided.
This could show the bet history through a given series. For
example, showing the history of lost bets, and their singular
values and cumulative value until a bet is won or until the player
decides to start again. For a Labouchere System, the display 10
could display the number series being worked upon, including those
numbers scratched off the series due to losing bets.
[0059] Game specific support for most of the betting innovations
described herein can be provided. For example, for games like Pai
Gow Poker or wagers like the "Bank" bet in Baccarat with a 5%
commission on wins, then pure doubling of your bets won't
necessarily guarantee that you will be ahead after successfully
finishing a sequence. Therefore, a Smart Double or Smart Next could
provide a sufficient boost above double in order to guarantee that
the player will end a successful streak with a positive increase in
balance.
[0060] Another example special steps can be taken for outcomes
involving adjustments to bets during the course of play, such as
double down and split in Blackjack, or making a Raise bet in
Caribbean Stud Poker.RTM. or based on whether wagers are withdrawn
from Let It Ride.RTM.. Additionally, there are sometimes
exceptional pays in games such as a natural 21 in Blackjack or a
particularly high hand outcomes in Caribbean Stud Poker.RTM.. For
the d'Alembert System, these kinds of mid-play betting adjustments
or extra large pays result in an additional unit being applied for
each extra original wager. For doubling systems, the bet in the
series could be based on the actual amount won (Martingale) or lost
(Anti-Martingale.) instead of just the initial size of the previous
wager.
[0061] Players could be given control over a number of these
functions. For example, for the Next or Next button and Previous
buttons, the player could select their betting system of choice.
Additionally, if a Labouchere System is supported, the player might
be able to chose from a number of different series and/or specify
their own series.
[0062] The device and these methods can be applied to almost any
gambling game, but especially those in games with high hit
frequencies, such as game with hit frequency of 30% or more,
including Blackjack, Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Caribbean Stud
Poker.RTM., Stud Poker, Casino War.RTM., Video Poker, Three Card
Poker.RTM., Pai Gow Tiles, Let it Ride.RTM., etc.
[0063] Additionally there could be offered and Auto Play key. One
could offer the above features in conjunction with an auto-play
mode whereby you establish a starting bankroll, a starting bet
size, a betting strategy (including bet the same amount) and
betting strategy options, if any, and your ending criteria which
could include: quit after X credits won, quit after Y credits lost,
quit after N hands won, quit after M hands lost, quit after K hands
played, quit after J hands lost in a row, quit after L hands won in
a row, etc. This could be done for game that requires no play
strategy, such as roulette, or for games of skill where an
auto-hold feature is available, such as Pai Gow Poker, or for games
where a customizable auto-hold feature could be possible, such as a
selecting play criteria for Blackjack.
[0064] The Auto Play feature can also be offered with display
options which represent the history of play and current state of
exit criteria, etc. For example, you could represent wining and
losing outcomes, amounts won and lost in these outcomes, etc. You
might also be able to give some indication of how many more trials
might be possible. This could be optimistic and/or pessimistic. For
example, for a game with straight betting with a 20 hands stopping
criteria, you could show minimum number of possible hands in one
color and maximum number (20) in a different color. The display
could also include summary statistics including data such as hands
won, hands lost, betting sequences completed successfully, betting
sequences finished without a success, total amount won (or lost),
total remaining in the active bankroll, estimate of minimum and
maximum hands remaining, number of special wins (like Blackjack or
Double Down in the game of blackjack), number of streak wins (2 in
a row, 3 in a row, etc.), number of streak losses (2 in a row, 3 in
a row, etc.).
[0065] This invention can be described as a device Information
storage device to store prior game outcomes including size of
wagers, size of winnings. Input device for player to control bet
using mechanisms described above. Optional display device that can
show things like:
[0066] game history
[0067] history of current bet series
[0068] state of betting series, if appropriate
[0069] suggested next bet size
[0070] 2. A Device
[0071] Turning to FIG. 4 there is illustrated an example of a
device 100 configured according to the present invention. The
device 100 has a housing 102 that mounts a display 104 such as a
VRT, plasma display of other electronic display. Disposed within
the housing is a processor 106 that controls the display 104 and
the other features of the device 100.
[0072] The exemplary device 100 shown in FIG. 4 is configured for
the play of a game of Casino War, which, by its nature, includes
the display of a player hand card 108 in the player card display
area 109 and a dealer hand card 110 in the dealer card display area
111. For this example, it is assumed that this game is defined as
follows. The player places a wager, initiates play, and wins if his
card is of higher rank than the dealer. In this example, the player
loses if his rank is less than or matches that of the dealer (a
tie), though in the traditional Casino War games offered in
casinos, there are additional rules to handle player-dealer
ties.
[0073] As referenced above, in one embodiment, the processor 106
may be configured and programmed to select and display at the
display 104 the cards for each hand. Alternatively, where the play
is live, the display 104 would display the cards for each hand of
play as broadcast from a live gaming table as, for example, over
the Internet. Suffice it to say, the processor 106 and display 104
are configured to display the cards selected for the player and
dealer hands 108, 110. There is display area for game information
112, which could include winner designation information, player
prompts, prior card history, marketing messages, etc. There is a
display area for betting information, which can include such data
as amount wagered, amount won, amount carried in balance, betting
history, bet series status, etc. As is known in the art, the player
using various control keys and buttons the player can control play
to obtain an outcome for the game play. In this sample device,
there is shown both touch screen controls 121-128 (soft buttons) in
the screen control area 120 and the equivalent controls offered via
hard buttons 131-138 in the hard button control area 130. The
device 100 also features a mechanism for accepting wagers 140 and a
mechanism for the player to cash out his winnings and or credit
balance 142.
[0074] With continuing reference to FIG. 4, the device 100 has a
plurality of game control buttons. A DEAL soft button 128 and the
DEAL hard button equivalent 138 is a deal button that prompts the
processor 106 to present the cards for an initial hand of play,
e.g. one card to the player hand 108 and one card to the dealer
hand 110. A CASH OUT soft button 121 and hard button equivalent
131, if actuated by the player, prompts the processor 106 to
dispense the accumulated credits and funds to the player as by
dispensing tokens or printing a credit voucher which is dispensed
from a ticket writer 142. A "BET One +1" soft button 124 and hard
button equivalent 134 enables a player to wager in single credit or
unit increments by depressing that button. A "BET -1" soft button
123 and hard button equivalent 133 enables a player to reduce the
wager in single credit or unit increments by depressing that
button. A CLEAR BETS soft button 122 and hard button equivalent 132
enables a player to undo all wagers by depressing that button.
[0075] The DOUBLE BET soft button 126 and hard button equivalent
136, if actuated by the player, doubles the wager from the
immediately preceding game play hand for the next hand of play. For
example, if the player on the last hand wagered $10, actuation of
the DOUBLE BET soft button 126 or the DOUBLE BET hard button 136
would input a wager to the processor 106 of $20. Without the DOUBLE
BET soft button 126 or the DOUBLE BET hard button 136 the player
would not have to remember their prior bet and manipulate the bet
buttons to make the doubling wager. As stated above, according to
some systems (Martingale and Anti-Martingale) the outcome of the
previous hand controls whether the next bet should be doubled. The
DOUBLE BET soft button 126 and DOUBLE BET hard button 136, if
depressed when a wager is already present, will double the value of
that wager. This provides a convenient method to allow the player
to increase his bet size.
[0076] The REBET soft button 127 and REBET hard button equivalent
137, is active when no wager is yet placed and if depressed when
active, causes the wager amount from the prior game to be placed.
This provides a quick and convenient method to restore the prior
bet.
[0077] The BASE BET soft button 125 and hard button equivalent 135,
if depressed, causes the current wager amount to be set the amount
from the last game whose wager amount was directly set. This is
useful for supporting certain betting systems as can be shown in
the following example.
[0078] To play the game using, for example, a Martingale wagering
system strategy, the player makes a first wager to begin the system
series. For example, the player begins with a wager of 5 units by
pressing the "BET +1" button 124 five times and the pressing the
DEAL button 120. The hand is played to produce, for example a
player hand winning outcome. The processor 106 is configured to
determine whether each outcome is a winning or losing outcome
(where the game-type may produce a tie, those are recorded as
well). Thus, since the player wagered 5 units and had a winning
outcome he would win 5 units and be paid 10 units (paid back his
wager plus the win amount). The table below sets forth an example
of a series of outcomes (winning and losing) and the wagering that
would be done by the player.
1 Hand Wager Outcome Pay A.sub.1 5 Units Win 10 A.sub.2 5 Units
Loss Lost 5 Units A.sub.3 10 Units Loss Lost 10 Units A.sub.4 20
Units Loss Lost 20 Units A.sub.5 40 Units Win 80 Units A.sub.6 5
Units Win 10 Units
[0079] As stated above, under the Martingale system, when the
player loses they continue to double the previous wager until they
win. When they win they return to the base wager of, in this
example, 5 units.
[0080] By providing the REBET soft button 127 and hard button
equivalent 137, the player can easily restore his prior wager with
one button press in hand A.sub.2 By providing the DOUBLE BET soft
button 126 and DOUOBLE BET hard button equivalent 136 according to
the present invention, the player can easily implement the system
strategy by allowing the player to double his prior bet with a
single input. When there is a loss, such as after hands
A.sub.2through A.sub.4, the player simply actuates the DOUBLE BET
soft button 126 or DOUBLE BET hard button 136. When the player wins
after one or more losses, he can restore his original wager by
pressing the BASE BET soft button 125 or BASE BET hard button
135.
[0081] The processor 106 may be configured to keep and display an
historical record of the player's wagers in the betting info
display area 114 and the outcomes for each so the player may keep
track of where they are in the wagering strategy process. Still
further, the processor 106 may be configured for the player to
select a wagering system to be implemented and based thereon,
control the display 102 to display or highlight what would be the
next wager according to the system. For the example above, the
processor 106 would highlight the DOUBLE BET button 126 or DOUBLE
BET hard button 136 when the outcome is a loss.
[0082] The processor 106 may be configured to detect that the
player is wagering according to a system protocol. Accordingly the
processor 106 would be programmed to historically compare the
player's wagers and the outcomes to data that would correspond to a
known wagering system. If the processor 106 detects a
correspondence, it would control the display 102 to highlight the
appropriate wager or wagering button for the next game play.
[0083] As can be appreciated with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the
display 104 may be configured to have the keys or buttons as
described with reference thereto.
[0084] Turning to FIG. 5, a logic diagram is shown for
implementation of a Martingale wagering system according to the
present invention. At 200 the player inputs a wager to play the
game play, e.g. hand of casino War. At the beginning of a series
this wager may be designated as W.sub.1 and may be, for example,
ten units. At 202 the device 100 selects of displays the game play
outcome according to the rules of the game. At 204 the processor
106 (or the player) determines whether the outcome was a winning or
a losing outcome. If the outcome is a winning outcome, the player,
using the data input keys, enters the base wager W.sub.1 (ten
units) for the next game play as shown by rebet 206. If the outcome
was a loss, the Martingale system suggests the player double his
prior bet. At 208 the player would enter a wager that is double the
prior wager, e.g. twenty units. At 210 the processor 106 compares
the doubling bet to a predetermined maximum wager permitted for the
game, e.g. 500 units. If the doubling wager is less than the
maximum wager permitted, the doubling wager is entered and made for
the next hand of play. If at 210 the processor 106 determines that
the doubling wager would exceed the maximum permitted wager, the
processor 106 at 212 controls the display 104 to display this
condition and to set forth the maximum wager permitted (which is
less than the doubling wager. The player would then (1) rebet the
prior wager (not double) or (2) accept a wager of the maximum
amount.
[0085] Thus the various data input keys of the present invention
provide the player with easy shortcuts for the player to input
wagers according to one or more wagering systems. It is believed
that by providing the shortcut keys, the rate of play and/or the
wager sizes can be increased, which results in more revenues to the
casino. Further, the keys make wagering more convenient to the
player and can actually reduce their overall betting exposure. For
example, if the player is using a wagering system that recommends
the following series: $10, $20, $40, $80, without this invention, a
player would be likely to over wager with a wager series that is
much easier to specify: $10, $25, $50, $100.
[0086] While I have shown and described certain embodiments of the
present invention it should be understood that it is subject to
many modifications and changes without departing from the spirit
and scope of the claims.
* * * * *