U.S. patent application number 11/469474 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-05 for system and method for tracking and rewarding gamblers based on relative wagering characteristics.
Invention is credited to Stacy Friedman.
Application Number | 20070077988 11/469474 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37902576 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070077988 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Friedman; Stacy |
April 5, 2007 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING AND REWARDING GAMBLERS BASED ON
RELATIVE WAGERING CHARACTERISTICS
Abstract
A gambler reward system wherein gamblers in a casino can use
their comp card to be ranked by play data relative to other
gamblers in the casino (or connected properties). Gamblers who rank
the highest can be identified and can be given rewards. A rank can
be determined by many characteristics, such as the number of comp
points earned or the amount won.
Inventors: |
Friedman; Stacy; (Beaverton,
OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MUSKIN & CUSICK LLC
30 Vine Street
SUITE 6
Lansdale
PA
19446
US
|
Family ID: |
37902576 |
Appl. No.: |
11/469474 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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60713787 |
Sep 1, 2005 |
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60713858 |
Sep 1, 2005 |
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60713947 |
Sep 1, 2005 |
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60713946 |
Sep 1, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3255 20130101;
G07F 17/3239 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/025 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A method for rewarding gamblers, the method comprising:
receiving, from a gambler, cash wagers each of which can either be
instantly lost or else result in an immediate cash award; ranking
the gambler with other gamblers based on at least one
characteristic or outcome of the gambler's cash wagers to produce a
list of ranks; and giving a reward to a top ranked gambler on the
list of ranks.
2. The method recited in claim 1, further comprising identifying a
gambler to a casino system by receiving the gambler's comp card in
a comp card reader associated with a slot machine, prior to
receiving the cash wagers.
3. The method recited in claim 1, wherein the characteristic
comprises comp points the gambler has earned.
4. The method recited in claim 1, wherein the characteristic
comprises a biggest jackpot the gambler has won.
5. The method recited in claim 1, wherein the characteristic
comprises a total net win for the gambler.
6. The method recited in claim 1, wherein the characteristic
comprises a total wager amount wagered by the gambler.
7. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising displaying
a result of the ranking on an output device in a casino.
8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the displaying is
updated in real time.
9. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
associating the gambler with a group of competitors, wherein the
ranking is limited to be among other gamblers of the group.
10. A method for rewarding gamblers, the method comprising:
communicating to a casino a group of gamblers; determining that a
gambler is a member of the group by using information on the
gambler's comp card which is inserted in a comp card reader;
ranking the gambler among the group of gamblers according to
respective play data; and rewarding reward(s) based on the
ranking.
11. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising:
displaying a result of the ranking on an output device on a casino
floor.
12. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the play data used
for the ranking comprises each gambler's net win.
13. A method for rewarding gamblers, the method comprising:
allowing two or more gamblers to compete against each other in two
or more games of bingo; ranking the gamblers based on at least one
characteristic of each gambler's play data to produce a list of
ranks; and giving a reward to a gambler on the list of ranks.
14. The method as recited in claim 13, further comprising
displaying the list of ranks.
15. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the characteristic
is each gambler's total winnings.
16. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the characteristic
is each gambler's smallest number of drawn balls to make bingo.
17. A method for rewarding gamblers, the method comprising:
receiving, from a gambler, cash wagers on two or more wagering
propositions with associated potential cash awards; ranking the
gambler with other gamblers based on at least one characteristic or
outcome of the gambler's cash wagers to produce a list of ranks;
and giving a reward to a gambler on the list of ranks.
18. The method recited in claim 17, wherein the at least one
characteristic comprises comp points the gambler has earned.
19. The method recited in claim 17, wherein the at least one
characteristic comprises a total net win the gambler has won.
20. The method recited in claim 17, wherein the at least one
characteristic comprises a biggest jackpot the gambler has won.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit to provisional application
No. 60/713,787, which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety. This application also claims benefit to provisional
application No. 60/713,858, which is incorporated by reference
herein in its entirety. This application also claims benefit to
provisional application No. 60/713,947, which is incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety. This application also claims
benefit to provisional application No. 60/713,946, which is
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present inventive concept relates to a system, method,
and computer readable storage, for rewarding gamblers based on
relative wagering characteristics across a set of two or more
propositions.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Casino wagering is a multi-billion dollar industry. Casinos
routinely introduce new promotions and specials in the ongoing
effort to bring new players to their properties. One primary method
of player attraction and retention is the casino complimentary, or
"comp". Players earn comps through gambling activity. In a common
method, gambling activity is translated into points based on the
total dollar amount wagered. These points are typically redeemable
for free food, entertainment, extra room nights or room upgrades,
amenities like golfing or spa treatments, or even cash back.
[0006] A player's comp points, or comp balance, increments as a
result of his or her wagering activity. As such, the factors that
influence the player to keep playing, or to play more, are based
partly on the desire to redeem comp points for rewards. Certain
casinos have special promotions where the rate of point accrual is
increased when compared to normal. This has been shown to increase
wagering activity and thereby casino revenues as well as overall
profits in spite of the higher cost of offering additional
comps.
[0007] Further, casino tournaments (for wagering games such as
blackjack, slot machine, or video poker) are known in the art.
Contests generally fall into two categories: those with entry fees,
and those without (also known as "freerolls"). A freeroll slot
tournament can be conducted as follows: a selected set of players
is invited to participate in a free slot tournament which is to
occur at a particular location (a bank of machines, usually
separate from the main gaming area) at a particular time. The
casino has designated that the total prize pool will be, for
example, $10,000. The players must show up at the starting time at
the particular location. Each player then gets a designated
machine, and when the tournament starts, players continually spin
the reels on the machine and accumulate awards. Players may be
given a large amount of virtual "credits" to play the machines, but
these are not real credits as they are not redeemable for cash.
Additionally, at least in slot tournaments, the slot machines are
typically configured to pay back well in excess of 100% of the
virtual credits wagered; thus, the player's credit total is
expected to increase over time. When the tournament is over (at a
certain time), the player with the highest number of credits in his
win meter wins the tournament. The player does not win the amount
of credits in his win meter but instead wins an award (such as a
cash prize of $1,000, a free room, etc.) representing some
percentage of the prize pool. Other players, with the second,
third, or fourth-highest number of credits, may win second, third,
or fourth prizes.
[0008] In a non-freeroll table poker tournament, for example a
tournament played with the game Texas Hold'Em, each player pays an
entry fee into the prize pool. The entry fee typically consists of
an amount to be redistributed at the end of the tournament, and an
additional smaller amount to compensate the casino for running the
tournament. For example, a tournament may have a $110 entry fee,
with $100 going to the prize pool and $10 to the casino. In that
way, if 100 players enter, the prize pool will be $10,000 and the
casino will keep $1000. The entry fee usually purchases a large
quantity of "tournament chips", for example T10,000. Players play
poker as normal against each other using these tournament chips
until one player has all the chips, and that player wins the
tournament. Typically, the tournament winner wins a significant
percentage of the prize pool, while players that did not win but
came in second, third, fourth, etc. would win smaller percentages
of the prize pool. As in the previous slot tournament example, the
players necessarily must play at the same time and same
location.
[0009] A disadvantage of tournament play for the casino is that
while players are playing the tournament, the gaming equipment
being used for the tournament (slot machines, poker tables, etc) is
unable to receive cash wagers and therefore, is not providing
revenue for the casino. The tournament entry fee ($10 in the poker
tournament example above) may not be sufficient to compensate the
casino for the lack of wagering revenue during the tournament
period. In a freeroll tournament, the casino earns neither an entry
fee nor wagering revenues.
[0010] A further disadvantage of tournament play for the casino is
that a specialized staff of casino employees, including a
tournament director, is required to actively manage the operation
of a tournament. Equivalent active management is not necessary for
normal cash wagering play.
[0011] A disadvantage of tournament play for the player is that the
player must be physically present at the location and time of the
tournament. If a player feels tired, or wants to play golf or eat
dinner while a tournament is going on, the player will be directly
and significantly hurting their chances of winning the
tournament.
[0012] A further disadvantage of tournament play for the player is
that if the player pays an entry fee and does not win, they have
lost the entry fee since it is redistributed to other winning
players.
[0013] A further disadvantage of tournament play for the player is
that the player cannot win large cash awards during the tournament
beyond the value of the prize pool. For example, a slot machine may
have a jackpot that happens once every 100,000,000 spins (on
average) and an award of $3,000,000. In a slot tournament as
described above, with a prize pool of $10,000, if a player happens
to achieve the jackpot spin during the tournament, they cannot win
three million dollars as they would have with cash wagering.
Instead, they may win three million virtual credits. While this
event may ensure their victory in the tournament, winning the
largest share of a $10,000 prize pool is hardly compensation for
the loss of a $3,000,000 jackpot.
[0014] The tournaments described above limit participants to
particular locations, times, non-cash wagers, and limited cash
awards. Thus, what is needed is an improved player ranking and
reward system which allows players more flexibility and
excitement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] It is an aspect of the present invention to provide methods
to reward players which can generate additional player
interest.
[0016] The above aspects can be obtained by a method that includes
(a) receiving, from a gambler, cash wagers each of which can either
be instantly lost or else result in an immediate cash award; (b)
ranking the gambler with other gamblers based on at least one
characteristic or outcome of the player's cash wagers to produce a
list of ranks; and (c) giving a reward to a top ranked gambler on
the list of ranks.
[0017] The above aspects can also be obtained by a method that
includes (a) communicating to a casino a group of gamblers; (b)
determining that a gambler is a member of the group by using
information on the gambler's comp card which is inserted in a comp
card reader; (c) ranking the gambler among the group of gamblers
according to respective play data; and (d) rewarding reward(s)
based on the ranking.
[0018] The above aspects can also be obtained by a method that
includes (a) allowing two or more gamblers to compete against each
other in two or more games of bingo; (b) ranking the gamblers based
on at least one characteristic of each gambler's play data to
produce a list of ranks; and (c) giving a reward to a gambler on
the list of ranks.
[0019] The above aspects can also be obtained by a method that
includes (a) receiving, from a gambler, cash wagers on two or more
wagering propositions with associated potential cash awards; (b)
ranking the gambler with other gamblers based on at least one
characteristic or outcome of the gambler's cash wagers to produce a
list of ranks; and (c) giving a reward to a gambler on the list of
ranks.
[0020] These together with other aspects and advantages which will
be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and
operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed,
reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part
hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Further features and advantages of the present invention, as
well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the
present invention, will become apparent and more readily
appreciated from the following description of the preferred
embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of
which:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of
rewarding incentives to players, according to an embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 2A is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of
tracking characteristics of a group of players, according to an
embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 2B is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of
ranking members in a group, according to an embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently
preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference
numerals refer to like elements throughout.
[0026] The present general inventive concept relates to a method,
system, and computer readable storage which allows players to earn
comps based on the relative characteristics of their wagers and
wager outcomes. The term "contest" will be used herein to describe
the method of ranking players who place cash wagers on propositions
and rewarding them based on those rankings if they rank highly
enough.
[0027] Players who play table games, slot machines, or other games
can be identified by their comp cards or other identifying method
and their wagering characteristic(s) and wager outcomes can be
recorded in their slot club (or loyalty) account. Players can be
ranked according to certain of these characteristics or outcomes
("play data") over a particular temporal range (e.g. a day), and
their rank may optionally be displayed publicly. The top ranked
players can be rewarded with cash or non-cash rewards. The ranking
of cash-wagering players according to predetermined criteria can be
considered to be a "contest", to be distinguished from a tournament
wherein players do not wager cash (among other distinctions
discussed herein).
[0028] A player can place a cash wager at a table game or slot
machine and if he or she wins, receive an immediate cash (or
equivalently-valued) award (e.g. the award is paid out almost
instantaneously after the wager is made and spin button is
pressed). An "award" is typically defined as what a player wins
after a wager or proposition is resolved in favor of the player. In
contrast, a "reward" is typically defined as an incentive a casino
provides to a player, not by paying out an award for winning a cash
wager, but as a marketing incentive for the player to return and
gamble some more (or other purpose such as to generate goodwill, or
generally as recognition of the value of the player's past play).
Hence if the casino wishes to give a frequent player who likes to
play slots a free dinner as an enticement toward further play or as
a measure of thanks for previous patronage, this can be considered
a reward.
[0029] Similar to a "high score" list in video games, a casino can
easily determine and display player rankings using common
player-tracking methods. Some example criteria ("play data") for
comparing among some or all players (and the winning condition),
and optionally displaying the largest amounts, are included in
Table I:
Table I
[0030] 1) Most money wagered [0031] 2) Most bets wagered [0032] 3)
Most money won [0033] 4) Highest jackpot won [0034] 5) Most comp
points earned [0035] 6) Most time spent wagering [0036] 7) Most
money lost [0037] 8) Longest winning streak [0038] 9) Longest
losing streak [0039] 10) Greatest number of rolls (for a craps
game) [0040] 11) Best hand made (for poker-like games) [0041] 12)
Smallest number of draws before winning Bingo [0042] 13)
Longest-odds sportsbook wager won [0043] 14) Best player video
poker skill
[0044] These criteria may be further subdivided by game type (i.e.
blackjack vs. slot machines), game denomination (i.e. quarter slots
vs. dollar slots), and time period (daily, weekly, monthly). Play
data can be any data that is derived from the playing history of a
player, both with regard to the player's actions and/or the
outcomes (e.g. outcomes of a slot machine ). Note a player's skill
at video poker can be computed as described in patent application
entitled, "Method, apparatus, and computer readable storage medium
for improved tracking of casino players," application Ser. No.
10/460,238, publication number 2004/0254005, which is incorporated
by reference herein in its entirety. Thus, players can be ranked by
who has the best skill (best theoretical rate of return) at video
poker, regardless of who wins the most.
[0045] Note that the longest winning streak can be determined by a
number of consecutive pulls of a slot machine a player has won an
award, or by a table game dealer or table game management system
keeping track of a player's winning streak. Similarly, the longest
losing streak can be determined by a number of consecutive pulls of
a slot machine which have resulted in no award for the player (or a
net loss for the player), or by a table game dealer or table game
management system keeping track of a player's losing streak. Note
that comp points can be computed in numerous ways, depending on the
casino. One method that can be used to compute comp points is that
one comp point=x*one dollar wagered, where x is a conversion
coefficient. Thus if x=10, then one comp point is accrued for each
ten dollars wagered. Comp points earned are maintained in each
player's respective loyalty account.
[0046] Unlike video games and their high score lists, however, the
present invention contemplates rewarding the player or players who
are ranked as top, or in the top N, of a given category. For
example, the player who won the casino's highest slot jackpot of
the week may receive a complimentary for a free steak dinner. The
player who wagered the most money in a given month may receive $100
cash back. The top three blackjack players based on hours at the
table in a 3-month period may be given 5, 3, and 2 nights free stay
at the hotel, respectively. The bingo player who won the greatest
number of games during the year may receive a free week-long beach
vacation. The craps player with the longest hand of the week may be
given a day trip to the spa. Or, the biggest loser for the month
may be given a suite for the weekend as a booby prize.
[0047] In general, any suitable criteria for ranking one player
over another may be used to sort the players for the purposes of
this invention, and any of the complimentary rewards commonly used
by casinos may be used as rewards.
[0048] Additionally, any suitable wagering proposition may be used
as the basis for determining the player rankings thereon. This
invention contemplates that the casino may hold a contest for all
loyalty club players, or only all slot machine players, or only all
blackjack players. The casino may also hold a contest for all bingo
players, or sportsbook players, or poker players. Note that a poker
contest, as contest is defined herein, is distinct from a poker
tournament, as the tournament would involve an optional up-front
entry fee, requirements to play at the same time and in the same
location as everyone else, a tournament management staff, non-cash
wagering and non-cash awards from each individual poker outcome
(poker hand), and a pari-mutuel distribution of the prize pool. In
contrast, a "poker contest" would instead track poker players as
they play in their normal cash games (at any time or location),
rank them based on a relative characteristic of their wagers or
wagering outcomes (e.g. longest winning streak, biggest pot won,
highest-ranked poker hand, etc.) and reward the highest-ranked
players complimentary rewards based on a set of rewards determined
by the casino, not based on a pari-mutuel distribution of a prize
pool.
[0049] It is noted that individual Bingo games, poker tournaments,
horse races and other pari-mutuel propositions ultimately involve
making an individual cash wager which is repaid based on the
player's rank relative to other players at the end of the game or
tournament. However, this invention contemplates a patentably
distinct ranking of players, not within an individual wager or
tournament or to divide a pari-mutuel prize pool, but across
multiple wagering propositions and to achieve a predetermined
reward. To illustrate, consider that a bingo game itself is a
pari-mutuel game wherein bingo players are ranked by the speed with
which they achieve bingo; that is, the fastest player to bingo wins
the bingo game and the associated award. However, a "bingo contest"
would be a contest, as defined herein, which ranks bingo players
across multiple bingo games based on relative characteristics of
their bingo wagers or outcomes. For example, a bingo contest may
rank players by the overall fastest number of draws to achieve
bingo, or alternately by the largest number of bingo wins achieved.
If the contest runs for a day, the player who achieved the single
fastest bingo across all games will earn a complimentary reward,
and the player who achieved the most overall games won will earn a
different complimentary reward. As with the poker contest example
above, the rewards are not drawn from a pari-mutuel prize pool
funded by players, are not necessarily cash, and provide an
incentive to play the underlying cash bingo game rather than
playing a tournament with virtual credits.
[0050] Additionally, the present invention contemplates that even
tournaments themselves may be used as the wagering proposition used
to rank players. For example, poker players may play in regular
weekly tournaments in the same casino. The casino could run a poker
"tournament contest" wherein the poker player with the longest
tournament top-five finishing streak over the course of a year will
receive a reward. Alternately, since in tournament poker play
continues until one player has won all the tournament chips, it is
possible to track the number of times one player knocks another
player out of the tournament. It is contemplated that the "total
number of knock-outs" can form a ranking criteria for a poker
tournament contest, where the total number of knock-outs is
accumulated over the course of the contest (from multiple poker
tournaments) and that the player with the largest number of
knock-outs can earn a reward.
[0051] Furthermore, it is contemplated that information about the
current player ranking may be made available to players using one
or more of the following methods (either alone or in any
combination). For example, current rankings can be displayed on the
comp card reader (displayed on a machine (slot machine or comp
station machine) associated with a comp card reader). This
information can be similar to the typical greeting a player
receives via electronic display when they insert their player card,
and it will inform them of their standing in any relevant
categories, as well as the prizes to be won.
[0052] Another method that current rankings can be displayed is on
display in a visible location with names, or to protect patron
privacy, initials or some other identification, and the current
standings and prizes. For example, a publicly displayed LCD or
other display means can display the rankings (using any method
described herein). Table Ia and IIb illustrate two sample outputs
(lists of ranks) on such an LCD display, which use the most comp
points earned in a given day or the longest craps hand of the month
(by number of rolls) to identify the potential reward winners.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE IIa Today, Jun. 1, 2006, biggest comp point
earners: Name ID# today's comp points Bill S. 3423 25,043 Sally M.
3424 23,243 Joan Z. 2122 21,203 Mike F 1920 20,221 Billy Y. 4223
14,332
[0053] Top 5 point earners today (before midnight) earn free meals
at Funny Bone Steak House. TABLE-US-00002 TABLE IIb June, 2006,
longest craps hands: Name ID# number of rolls Tony Q. 3882 84 Mark
N. 3921 66 Brian M. 9949 65 Gina T. 8482 52 Sally M. 3424 45 Top 5
longest hands for June win a motorized foot massager.
[0054] Such as display as exemplified in Tables Ia or IIb can be
applied to any play data, for example the day's (or any other time
period) top net winners can be ranked in order of biggest winner to
smallest and displayed.
[0055] On video slot machines, an on-screen display can display
some of the rankings and prizes (either upon insertion of a
player's comp card or else using a comp card may not be required to
trigger the display). This can display a table such as illustrated
in Table Ia or IIb.
[0056] Such information can drive higher revenues as players
compete to win prizes above and beyond the normal range of
complimentary rewards. Since only one or a small number of players
will win these rewards relative to the total customer base, the
casino can make the prizes significant, especially over longer
periods. A casino would likely be able to profitably offer a top
monthly prize of $1000, and such a prize would certainly attract
more players.
[0057] FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of
rewarding incentives to players, according to an embodiment.
[0058] The method can begin with operation 100, which receives a
player's comp card in a comp reader associated with a gaming
device. This can be done as known in the art. A comp card can also
be received by a human operator, such as pit boss, who can process
the player's gaming activity manually.
[0059] The method can proceed to operation 102, which tracks the
player's play characteristics while the player is playing.
Currently, certain characteristics are already tracked, such as a
player's individual wagers (on a slot machine). Characteristics
that can be tracker for purposes of the present inventive concept
can be any quality or quantity relating to a player's play,
including (but not limited to) those in table I. Tracked
characteristics are stored in the player's loyalty account so that
if a player removes his player card and reinserts it later (at a
same or different machine), all prior player activity is
accumulated and tracked.
[0060] It is noted that the player can place real cash wagers and
win real cash awards as typically done at slot machines, video
poker machines, gaming tables, etc. The player is also not limited
to a particular bank of machines but can have his play tracked at
any machine in the casino (and even related casino properties). It
is common that different casinos are owned by the same group and
thus the casino databases are linked together. Thus, it is even
possible for two different players to compete and be ranked against
each other while playing at two different casinos, as long as both
casinos are linked together for purposes of implementing methods
described herein. A single player can also play at two different
related casinos, and have his aggregate play tracked and thus
ranked, without any relevance that the player has played at two
different casinos.
[0061] In addition to the player(s) placing real wagers and
receiving potential real cash awards, the player's play is also
tracked and made available for purposes of ranking, and potentially
earning rewards, as described herein. Thus, a player can gamble
normally and also be eligible for further reward prizes based on
his ranking(s).
[0062] From operation 102, the method can proceed to operation 104,
which ranks players according to predetermined characteristics (for
example any of those illustrated in Table I, but of course not
merely limited to these). For example, a predetermined
characteristic can be a number of comp points earned. Thus, the top
(e.g. top 5 or top 10, etc.) comp point earners can be identified.
This can be done by comparing the records for all players in the
database (or just those players that have played during the
timeframe in question) and sorting the top N (5, 10, etc.) comp
point earners (or other characteristic being used for the ranking)
players using any known sorting technique (e.g. numerically
descending) or algorithm (e.g. insertion sort, etc.)
[0063] From operation 104, the method can proceed to operation 106,
which can display the top ranking players as a list of ranks (e.g.
the top 10 largest comp point earners). The display can be
performed using any method described herein, such as on a LCD on
the casino floor. The display can be updated in real time, and thus
rankings can change quickly. Of course, once a time period has
expired for a particular contest, then the list of ranks would
remain permanent.
[0064] From operation 106, the method can proceed to operation 108,
which determines if the time period is over. For example, if the
top five comp point earners in a given day are to be given an
incentive, then on midnight of that day, the comp points earned in
that day (or other characteristic being used for the rankings) will
then be finalized (e.g., further play by the players will not
affect that day's point totals) and top players will be ranked.
Also, operation 104 may be optionally executed again (so that all
play (even those in the last second of the day) on a given day will
be ensured to be included the rankings). Thus, once a current time
has passed a predetermined time (e.g., midnight of that night),
then the time period is over. Otherwise, the method can continue
and any of the prior operations continue to be implemented (in any
order).
[0065] If the determination in operation 108 determines that the
time period is over, then the method proceeds to operation 110,
which gives the top ranked players their rewards (incentives). For
example, the top 5 comp point earners in a week can all receive a
$100 credit towards room, food, or beverage (RFB). Further, the
rewards do not need to be equal. For example, the top earner can
win a $1,000 RFB credit, while the second ranked earner can earn a
$500 RFB credit, while the third through tenth earners can all earn
free meals at a casino restaurant.
[0066] In a further embodiment, operation 106 can be optional and
the top players need not be displayed (publicized). Yet, the top
earning players after the time period has expired will nevertheless
earn their special incentives.
[0067] The method illustrated in FIG. 1 can implement a contest
available to all players in a casino, or a contest can be limited
to a subset of players.
[0068] In a further embodiment, a group of players (or subset of
players) can be eligible for special comps, bonuses, or contests.
For example, a special conference (or private party such as a
wedding, etc.) can identify to a casino (or casino group) the
identities of participants. This group can then compete among each
other for prizes using any table games or machines (not limited to
a particular bank) and at any time (only limited by a temporal
range specified by the conference). Thus, for example, Joe can be
having a bachelor party in Las Vegas and he instructs the casino
(by filling out a physical or online form which is automatically or
manually processed by the casino or casino group) that he wishes
all his friends to have a contest for Dec. 1, 2006 through Dec. 8,
2006. Joe would also identify all of his friends, either by name
(and optionally address), or comp account number, or other
identifying information. All of Joe's friends can now compete to
see who wins the most playing slots, craps, blackjack, roulette, or
any other game. At the end of the week, the biggest winner can win
a prize (funded by Joe, or the casino) The casino may offer
multiple such contests for groups of players, as well as one or
more contests open to players generally, and a given player's play
may serve to earn points or ranking in multiple contests
simultaneously.
[0069] FIG. 2A is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of
tracking characteristics of a group of players, according to an
embodiment.
[0070] The method can begin with operation 200, which identifies to
a casino (or casino group) all members in a group of players. This
can be done in numerous ways. For example, the party doing the
identifying can be considered the group administrator. He can
present a list (on paper or entered online) of members and/or their
comp account numbers. Alternatively, members can go to a slot host
(or register online) to identify themselves as members in the
contest (their names can optionally be verified with the list
provided by the group administrator). Once a member of the group is
identified as a member, then his member status can be notated in
his player loyalty account record along with an identifier
identifying the group.
[0071] From operation 200, the method can proceed to operation 202,
which receives a player's comp card. This can be done as known in
the art.
[0072] From operation 202, the method can proceed to operation 204,
which determines if the player is part of the group. This can be
accomplished by checking the player's loyalty account record to see
which, if any, group the player is associated with. If the player
is not a member of a group, then player tracking can continue as
normal (not pictured).
[0073] If the determination in operation 204 determines that the
player who inserted his comp card is a member of a particular
group, then the method can proceed to operation 206, which tracks
player characteristics required for the group. For example, if a
group is having a contest who wins the biggest jackpot, then each
time the player wins an award it will be tracked (or alternatively
only a jackpot bigger than that player's highest to date jackpot),
which can be stored in the player's loyalty account record. Thus,
whatever characteristics that the group's contest is based on will
now be tracked whenever the player plays a machine game (or
optionally a table game or other game as well).
[0074] It is noted that some casinos may track all possible
information by default, whether or not the player is a member of a
group. If this is the case, then operations 204 and 206 may not be
necessary, as all information for all players is being tracked
anyway. It is also noted that members of a group that play in a
contest can typically play from any machine in the casino (or
associated property), without the need for a special bank of
machines to be cordoned off.
[0075] Once the casino player database has all of the play data
relating to every member of the group, this data can be used to
rank the members.
[0076] FIG. 2B is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of
ranking members in a group, according to an embodiment.
[0077] The method can start with operation 208, which ranks players
in the group. T
[0078] This can be done by identifying a particular characteristic
that the group's contest is based on (by checking a database record
for the group), e.g., biggest jackpot, longest play, biggest
winner, biggest loser, etc.
[0079] From operation 208, the method can proceed to operation 210,
which displays the top rankings of the group. For example, the top
five winners of the group can be displayed, either on a television
monitor in the casino, on a slot machine display, on a special page
on the world wide web, etc. Alternatively, no display of the top
rankings of the group is required.
[0080] From operation 210, the method can proceed to operation 212,
which determines if the time period is over. Each group has a
record associated with it in the casino's database which contains
rules, such as the contest/ranking criteria (or criterion), time
duration, members, etc. If the time period is not over, then the
method can continue to operation 208, which continues to rank
players in the group. Note that the operations illustrated in FIG.
2A can also be occurring simultaneously while some or all of the
operations in FIG. 2B are being implemented as well.
[0081] If the time period for the group's contest is determined in
operation 212 to be over, then the method can proceed to operation
214 which rewards the top (winning) players. The top players may
also be displayed to the group as well (using any method described
herein or known in the art). The rewards can be provided by the
group (e.g. the group administrator will pay the casino $100 to
ultimately pay the winner of the contest), or through arrangement
with the casino, the rewards can also (in full or part) be paid by
the house as well.
[0082] As a further example of the methods illustrated in FIGS.
2A-2B, consider a video poker contest. Members of the group are
invited to play (for example by a standard mailing in the regular
mail). A date (or time) range is also specified (e.g., Friday night
Aug. 25, 2006 starting 8 pm through Sunday Aug. 27, 2006 ending at
1:00 pm). The members can be informed that the contest will rank
(and reward) the biggest net money winner earned from play during
this time range. Thus, money won before this range (or after) will
not count towards each members group rankings. Players would
typically have to fund their own play (and play normally) during
the contest. The rankings of the top 5 (or any number) money
winners during the contest can be displayed (or it may not be).
Once the contest is over (i.e. on Aug. 27, 2006 at 1:00 pm), all of
the members are ranked and rewards can be distributed. For example,
the biggest money winner may win a cash prize of $1,000. The second
through tenth money winners may win a free meal at a hotel
restaurant. This is in addition to any money won/lost during
standard video poker play.
[0083] In a further embodiment, a player's participation in a
contest may not be limited by actual time, but alternatively by a
number of spins (or number of hands if playing video poker, or
number of other individual wagering propositions). For example, a
video poker contest can be implemented wherein each participant
must present his or her comp card in a reader associated with a
video poker machine in order to identify himself/herself and have
their play recorded so that they can be ranked in the contest. The
contest may last for a finite number of hands (e.g. 100), after
which the player's participation in the contest is over even though
the contest may not close for several days or weeks. The winner of
the contest (and hence the order or rankings) can be based on the
overall win. Thus, the player who has won the most over the 100
hands would be ranked first, and the next highest winner will be
ranked second, etc. In this manner, instead of setting aside a
particular bank of machines for a slot or video poker contest, and
a particular time as well, players can play at their own leisure. A
player can even play half of the contest in one setting (e.g. 50
hands) and finish the remaining 50 hands at another session
(assuming of course the time for completing the contest has not
expired).
[0084] As an example of the methods described herein, consider the
following. John, Shawn, Clint, and Stacy are all slot players in
the Sunshine Casino (and in fact on a particular day they are the
only slot players in the whole casino). They all play normally on
the day using their respective comp cards. John wins $10, Shawn
wins $25, Clint wins $1, and Stacy loses $10. Note that the players
play at different times of the day and using different machines,
yet as long as they use their comp card the casino tracking system
will track all of their respective play (and any data described
herein) including their net win. At this point in the day, a video
monitor displays a ranking, "TODAYS TOP WINNERS--#1 Shawn #242, #2
John #982, #3 Clint #122." The numbers can be the last three digits
of each player's player number (alternatively the entire number can
be used, or any other identifying information so player's can
identify if they themselves are on the rankings). At the end of the
day (midnight), the day's contest is over and (assuming the four
players haven't played any more), then Shawn is determined to be
the winner (the winning conditions in this case is the player with
the day's biggest net win). Shawn then receives a letter in the
mail congratulating him on being the day's top winner and also
receives a reward of a coupon for two for the casino steakhouse.
John then receives a coupon for $5 in free play (for coming in
second place). Clint does not receive any reward for coming in
third place.
[0085] As a further example, suppose John, Shawn, Clint, and Stacy
are all guests in town for John's private party. John notifies the
casino about the four group members and these group members then
can have the contest among each other (even though the casino can
have other slot players not participating in this particular
contest).
[0086] Further, the order of any of the operations described herein
can be performed in any order and wagers can be placed/resolved in
any order. Any embodiments herein can also be stored in electronic
form and programs and/or data for such can be stored on any type of
computer readable storage medium (e.g. CD-ROM, DVD, disk, etc.)
[0087] The many features and advantages of the invention are
apparent from the detailed specification and, thus, it is intended
by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of
the invention that fall within the true spirit and scope of the
invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will
readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to
limit the invention to the exact construction and operation
illustrated and described, and accordingly all suitable
modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within
the scope of the invention.
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