U.S. patent application number 11/811773 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-11 for system and method for facilitating back bet wagering.
This patent application is currently assigned to Shuffle Master, Inc.. Invention is credited to Zbigniew Czyzewski, Sheri D. Johnson, James R. Roberts.
Application Number | 20080305855 11/811773 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40096372 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080305855 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Czyzewski; Zbigniew ; et
al. |
December 11, 2008 |
System and method for facilitating back bet wagering
Abstract
A system and method for facilitating back bet wagering is
disclosed. The system includes a central processor in communication
with information gathering devices that gather information about
game play and a display device. The central processor is able to
manipulate the information provided by the information gathering
devices in order to generate data regarding game play, such as a
ranking of perceived lucky players, and the display device provides
a visual display of this data. The method includes recording game
data in real-time, associating the game data with active players in
the game, assigning a rank to the active players based on the
associated game data, presenting the ranking of active players to
one or more passive players and receiving back betting wagers from
the one or more passive players.
Inventors: |
Czyzewski; Zbigniew;
(Henderson, NV) ; Roberts; James R.; (North Las
Vegas, NV) ; Johnson; Sheri D.; (Sandy Valley,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Dickstein Shapiro LLP
1825 Eye Street NW
Washington
DC
20006
US
|
Assignee: |
Shuffle Master, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
40096372 |
Appl. No.: |
11/811773 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/25 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A gaming system for facilitating back bet wagering comprising: a
gaming table comprising: a card reading sensor least one wager
sensor; a processor in communication with the card reading sensor
and the at least one wager sensor, the processor being configured
to manipulate data provided by the card reading sensor and the at
least one wager sensor to generate game result data suitable for
use in back bet wagering; and a display in communication with the
processor, the display being configured to provide a visual display
of data generated by the processor.
2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the wager sensor is at
least one sensor selected from the group consisting of an overhead
imaging system, a wager election sensor and a wager amount
sensor.
3. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the card reading sensor is
part of an apparatus selected from the group consisting of a card
reading shoe, a card reading shuffler, a table top card reading
system and an overhead card imaging system, wherein the sensor is
configured to read the suit and/or rank of each card dealt.
4. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the display is
incorporated into a handheld device that is in wireless
communication with the processor.
5. The gaming system of claim 1, and further comprising a dealing
shoe, the card reading sensor and microprocessor contained therein,
wherein the data received by the processor from the microprocessor
includes hand outcome, wherein the data received by the processor
further includes at least one of wager elections made by each
active player, and wager amount for each active player.
6. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the data received by the
processor is processed to determine which player or player position
is on a lucky streak.
7. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the data received by the
processor is manipulated to generate at least one statistic
selected from the group consisting of: a player/position with the
most hands won per unit of time; a player/position that wins most
often as compared to all other players/player positions being
monitored; a first player/position in time frame "X" to win a hand;
a most recent player/position to win; the player/position who won
at a predetermined time; a player/position that has won the most
consecutive hands in the last "X" unit of time; a player/position
that has won the most often at a particular table; a
player/position that has won the most often in a particular pit; a
player/position that has won the most often in a particular
property; a player/position that has won the most often playing a
particular game; a player/position that has won the most often
playing two or more different games; a player/position that has
earned the most per unit of time; a player/position that has won
the most side wagers; a player/position that has won the most often
on the base game and side wagers combined; a player/position that
has won the most money in a gaming session; and a player/position
that has most accurately predicted banker/player/tie wins.
8. The gaming system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of
gaming tables, each gaming table comprising a card reading sensor
and at least one wager sensor, wherein the processor is in
communication with each of the card reading sensors and each of the
wager sensors.
9. The gaming system of claim 8, wherein the same game is being
played at each of the plurality of gaming tables.
10. The gaming system of claim 8, wherein the same game is not
being played at each of the plurality of gaming tables.
11. A gaming system for facilitating back bet wagering on live
table games, the system comprising: a central processor in
communication with information gathering devices associated with
the live game tables that gather information regarding game play;
and at least one display device in communication with the central
processor, wherein the central processor is configured to
manipulate the information provided by the information gathering
devices in order to generate game result data suitable for use in
back bet wagering, and wherein the display device provides a visual
display of game result data generated by the central processor.
12. The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the information
gathering devices include at least one of a card reading sensor and
a wager sensor.
13. The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the information gathered
by the information gathering devices includes, for each hand
played, data selected from the group of hand outcome, wager
elections made by each active player, and wager amount for each
active player.
14. The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the display device is
incorporated into a handheld device that is in wireless
communication with the central processor.
15. The gaming system of claim 14, wherein the handheld device
allows a player to place a back bet wager.
16. The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the game result data
generated by the central processor includes statistical data
summarizing the information gathered by the information gathering
devices.
17. The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the game result data
generated by the central processor indicates a player that is on a
lucky streak.
18. A method for facilitating back bet wagering comprising the
steps of: recording game data relating to game events in real-time;
associating the game data with active players involved in the game;
assigning a rank to the active players based on the associated game
data and according to predetermined criteria; presenting the
ranking of active players to one or more passive players; receiving
back betting wagers from the one or more passive players relating
to future game events associated with one or more active players;
and resolving the back betting wagers on game events as they occur
in real-time.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the game data is recorded by at
least one of a card reading shoe, wager election selectors and
optional wager amount sensors.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein assigning a rank to the active
players further comprises: manipulating the game data based on the
predetermined criteria to generate at least one of the following
data: a player/position with the most hands won per unit of time; a
player/position that wins most often as compared to all other
players/player positions being monitored; a first player/position
in time frame "X" to win a hand; a most recent player/position to
win; the player/position who won at a predetermined time; a
player/position that has won the most consecutive hands in the last
"X" unit of time; a player/position that has won the most often at
a particular table; a player/position that has won the most often
in a particular pit; a player/position that has won the most often
in a particular property; a player/position that has won the most
often playing a particular game; a player/position that has won the
most often playing two or more different games; a player/position
that has earned the most per unit of time; a player/position that
has won the most side wagers; a player/position that has won the
most often on the base game and side wagers combined; a
player/position that has won the most money per unit of time; and a
player/position that has most accurately predicted
banker/player/tie wins; and determining a rank for each of the
active players by placing the generated data in a ranked order.
21. The method of claim 18, wherein presenting the ranking of
active players comprises displaying a ranked order list on a
display device.
22. The method of claim 18, wherein receiving the back betting
wagers further comprises providing a handheld device configured to
receive back bet wagers.
23. The method of claim 18, wherein presenting the ranking of
active players comprises displaying a menu of criteria for
determining a ranked order of players.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates generally to casino gaming machines,
and more particularly, to a method and system for facilitating back
bet wagering. This application is related to U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/585,026, entitled "WIRELESS COMMUNAL GAMING
SYSTEM" ("the '026 application") and U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/585,025, entitled "SECURITY DEVICES FOR IMPLEMENTING
HAND-HELD WAGERING" ("the '025 application"), both filed on Oct.
23, 2006, and the entirety of each of which is incorporated herein
by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In a traditional casino environment, players play casino
games against a real or virtual dealer while sitting at a physical
game table where the desired game is being played. Those game
tables have limited space for players. A substantial disadvantage
to the way such games are currently presented, is that a player may
participate in a game in only certain specified locations within
the gaming environment (e.g., a casino). This limits the number of
players who may wager on a particular game at any given time. Such
a gaming environment hampers players' accessibility to different
games and reduces their opportunities to play such games.
[0003] Another way in which players may wager on these traditional
communal casino games is to place a "back-up bet" or "back bet." A
"back-up bet" or "back bet" is wagering jargon for a wager on
another player's hand. Typically, back betting involves a first
person that is not a player in a game wagering that a second person
that is a player in a game will win in the game's next round. The
first player is referred to herein as the passive player while the
second player is referred to as the active player. Although
atypical, a passive player may also be playing in the same or a
different game as the active player. Furthermore, more than one
passive player is permitted to back bet on one active player or on
multiple active players. Back betting is especially popular in
communal games, especially those which involve little, if any,
player decision making or input during game play. Despite the
passive player wagering on game events or the game outcome, the
passive player's wager has no effect on the active player and the
passive player may not make any game decisions. In the most basic
back betting format, the passive player wins when the active player
wins their wager, and conversely, the passive player loses when the
active player loses their wager.
[0004] For example, Baccarat incorporates a simple premise and play
structure such that there is no skill required to play the game and
players have no influence over the outcome. In its basic form,
there are three outcomes a player can wager on: that is, (1) the
player winning, (2) the banker winning or (3) a player-banker tie.
The cards are dealt according to the traditional rules of the game
of Baccarat and the player himself has no influence on the outcome.
Once the final cards have been dealt, the position (i.e., player or
banker) that has a hand value closest to 9 wins the round, unless
there is a player-banker tie. More details on the rules of Baccarat
and game play can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/558,810, entitled "CASINO TABLE GAME MONITORING SYSTEM," filed
on Nov. 10, 2006 ("the '810 application"), an assigned attorney
docket no. PA1712.ap.US, the entirety of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
[0005] Baccarat is one of the most popular games worldwide. A
casino's Baccarat tables are often filled to capacity, particularly
on weekends and holidays, or during the normally busy evening
hours. Providing the opportunity for back betting in a game such as
Baccarat would permit greater wagering and allow more players to
play the game. Back betting also permits players to place wagers on
other players they may believe are likely to win, so that they win
along with them. However, in order to place a back bet, the passive
player must first pick an active player who is playing at an actual
table.
[0006] Patrons of gaming establishments often consider placing such
back bets when they believe that a particular player or player
position is lucky, temporarily on a "lucky streak" (i.e., involved
in a series of consecutive games that result in what appears to be
an improbably high frequency of winning outcome), or when there are
no seats available at a particular gaming table.
[0007] Some players desire the opportunity to place back bet wagers
on other players. Casinos would like to appease these players and
provide for further wagering when existing gaming tables are full.
As stated previously, in order to place a back bet, the passive
player must pick an active player who is playing at an actual
table. Accordingly, there is a need and desire for a system and
method for facilitating back betting in gaming establishments. It
is further desirable to have a system and method that facilitates
the identification and selection of players and/or positions that
are "lucky" or otherwise likely to win.
[0008] Though historical game outcomes are no indication of future
game outcomes, many players believe that there is a connection.
This belief system is especially apparent when one observes
Baccarat players. Baccarat players elect to wager on a banker hand,
a single player hand or on a tie hand. Baccarat players will record
the player/banker/tie information for each hand on a printed score
card as it is played and watch for trends. If one of two hands is
hot (banker or player), this information will motivate some players
to wager on that hand in the future.
SUMMARY
[0009] The present disclosure contemplates a gaming system that is
able to collect, compile and present data to players that can be
used to identify and aid in the selection of another player (or
player position) that is experiencing a lucky streak. The system
allows players to back bet on the identified player (or player
position), thereby riding on that player's good luck.
[0010] The present disclosure also contemplates a method for
facilitating back bet wagering. This method includes the steps of
recording game data relating to game events in real-time,
associating the game data with active players involved in the game,
and assigning a rank to the active players based on the associated
game data. According to predetermined criteria, the ranking of
active players is presented by means of a display to one or more
passive players. The method further includes the step of receiving
back betting wagers from the one or more passive players relating
to future game events associated with one or more active players.
The back betting wagers are resolved based on the result of game
events as they occur in real-time.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The present disclosure will now be described for purposes of
illustration and not limitation, in connection with the following
figures, wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a gaming table implementing an
embodiment of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a casino floor implementing an
embodiment of the invention; and
[0014] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a casino floor implementing
another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments
of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying figures. It is to be understood that the figures and
descriptions of the present disclosure included herein illustrate
and describe elements that are of particular relevance to the
present disclosure, while eliminating, for the sake of clarity,
other elements found in typical casino gaming systems.
[0016] It should be appreciated that aspects of the back betting
systems and methods described herein may also be included in
processor-based apparatuses, multiprocessor-based systems, and
articles of manufacture that contain instructions which, when
executed by a processor, cause the processor to execute a back
betting routine.
[0017] Any reference in the specification to "one embodiment," "a
certain embodiment," or any other reference to an embodiment is
intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure or
characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is
included in at least one embodiment and may be utilized in other
embodiments as well. Moreover, the appearances of such terms in
various places in the specification are not necessarily all
referring to the same embodiment. References to "or" are
furthermore intended as inclusive so "or" may indicate one or
another of the "or" ed terms or more than one "or" ed term.
[0018] The present disclosure contemplates a gaming system that is
able to collect, compile and present data to players that can be
used to identify another player (or player position) that is
experiencing a lucky streak. The system then allows players to back
bet on the identified player (or player position), thereby riding
on that player's good luck.
[0019] The embodiments of the invention collect this game data and
present it in such a way that the data will influence players to
place back bets on the hands of a particular player or player
position perceived to be lucky. One way to administer the
placement/payment of back bets is for the passive back betting
player to stand behind an active player and physically place chips
on or near the active player's wager location. A more preferable
manner of accepting back bets is to provide passive players with a
handheld gaming device, such as the wireless handheld gaming device
disclosed in the '026 application. Players would then use the
device to select the perceived lucky player/position in response to
viewing displayed information and then wager on credit using the
handheld device.
[0020] One example embodiment is implemented using a conventional
live Baccarat gaming table. FIG. 1 shows a conventional casino
gaming table 10 that has been modified to implement an embodiment
of the invention. The table 10 includes player card positions 114,
116, banker card positions 118, 120 and three player wagering
positions 20. Each player wagering position 20 includes a position
P for wagering on the player hand (comprising cards dealt to the
player card positions 114, 116), a position B for wagering on the
banker hand (comprising cards dealt to the banker card positions
118, 120) and a position T for wagering that there will be a tie
(also known as a standoff) between the player and banker hands. The
gaming table 10 is further equipped with several information
collection and processing devices for generating win/loss data and
other relevant data. The table 10 may be equipped with a number of
electronic equipment components. First, a card rank/suit reading
sensor is provided. In a first preferred embodiment, the sensor is
contained within a card reading shoe 12, and each card is read as
the card is manually removed from the shoe. Another component is an
electronic wager election selectors 14 at each player position 20.
The election sensors may be in the form of three optical sensors,
one for each betting circle, a series of push buttons, a three
position switch and the like. Optional wager amount sensors (not
shown) such as RFID antennas that read RFID embedded chips may be
provided at each player position 20. A game processor 16 may be
provided internal to the card reading shoe, external to the shoe,
or multiple game processors may be provided. An additional
component is a player display 18. The display may be part of a
hand-held wireless or wired remote terminal, may be an upright
common table or pit display or may be a display screen embedded for
example in the back of the live player chairs.
[0021] One known device that may be used as the card reading device
is a card reading shoe 12. One example of such a device is the
Shuffle Master, Inc. iShoe.TM. device as disclosed in U.S.
Publication No. 2005/0242500 entitled "UNIQUE SENSING SYSTEM AND
METHOD FOR READING PLAYING CARDS". Other examples of devices that
are suitable for use as the card reading shoe 12 are described in
U.S. Publication No. 2005/0012270, entitled "INTELLIGENT BACCARAT
SHOE," filed Aug. 10, 2004 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,029,009, entitled
"PLAYING CARD DEALING SHOE WITH AUTOMATED INTERNAL CARD FEEDING AND
CARD READING," issued on Apr. 18, 2006, the entirety of each of
which is incorporated herein by reference. One preferred card
reading shoe 12 contains a microprocessor and a game rules module
that is able to determine rank and suit as well as the hand result.
Other embodiments of the present invention utilize card reading
sensors built into the gaming table itself or into other card
handling devices. An example of a suitable card handling device
with card rank/suit reading capability is a hand-forming shuffler
disclosed in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/598,259,
filed Nov. 9, 2006 entitled "CARD HANDLING DEVICES AND METHODS OF
USING THE SAME" and assigned attorney docket number PA1717.ap.US.
The content of this application is herein incorporated by
reference,
[0022] Another alternative way to read card rank and suit is to
deal the cards face up onto the gaming table and to provide an
overhead imaging system such as the system described in U.S. Patent
Publication No.'s 2005/0272501 and pending U.S. application Ser.
No. 11/558,810 (cited and incorporated by reference, above). The
content of the above published specification is incorporated by
reference herein. The overhead camera system can also
advantageously be used as a wager election sensor (described
below).
[0023] The present invention employs the use of at least one wager
sensor to determine which positions are active. The wager sensor
can take on a number of forms. One preferred form is particularly
useful when administering the game of Baccarat. Since the players
must select one bet from the possibilities of a Player, Banker or
Tie, a wager election selector is provided. This selector provides
information that a) a player position is active, and b) data needed
by processor 16 in resolving the game. The wager election selectors
14 may be implemented as three optical sensors each that send a
single signal to processor 16 to indicate that a wager has been
placed and the identity of the election made (player/banker/tie).
The wager amount sensors, if used, record the amount of the wagers
for each active player. Alternatively, an optical, magnetic or
other type of object sensing device may be employed. Such a sensor
is particularly useful when the only decision the player makes is
whether he will wager or not wager. Another example of a wager/chip
sensor mechanism is described as an overhead camera imaging system
as described in more detail in the '810 application. The bet
presence sensors may be used alone or in combination with wager
amount sensors, such as known RFID sensing systems as disclosed in
French, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,651,548 and 5,735,742. Examples of known
optical chip recognition systems include Schubert, U.S. Pat. No.
6,313,871 and Fishbine et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,781,647.
[0024] According to the invention, a display 18 is provided for the
purpose of displaying game result information to players. The
display 18 may be a typical computer display or flat panel monitor,
or alternatively may be implemented by PDAs or handheld wired or
wireless gaming devices provided to each of the passive players or
combinations thereof.
[0025] The card reading shoe 12 and the wager election selectors 14
are in communication with the processor 16, as shown by the dashed
line between the card reading shoe 12 and the processor 16 in FIG.
1. For simplicity, the communication lines between the wager
election selectors 14 and the processor 16 are not shown in FIG. 1.
The processor 16 is connected (wired or wirelessly) to and outputs
information to the display 18. The processor 16 may be located
within the shoe 12 or outside of the shoe. The processor 16 may
also comprise multiple processors and at least one of those
processors may be located in the shoe 12. For example, the shoe 12
may be equipped with a card reading processor for administering the
game of blackjack, but the game rules may reside in processor 16
rather than the microprocessor within shoe 12. All communication
may be implemented by way of wired connections or by wireless
communications.
[0026] In one example embodiment, game hand outcomes (e.g., whether
the winning wager was player, banker or tie) are determined by the
microprocessor located in the card reading shoe 12. The processor
16 receives hand outcome information from the card reading shoe 12
and also receives election information from the wager election
selectors 14. The processor 16 correlates the information and
calculates various types of information, such as a win/loss
percentage for each player position 20, as described in more detail
below. This information is then displayed on the display 18
viewable by active players seated at the player positions 20 (who
can also place back bets) and by back bettors. Players may view the
data on the display 18 and decide for themselves what the data
means (i.e., which player in on a winning streak) and place their
back bet wagers accordingly. In other embodiments, the game play
outcomes are analyzed according to various algorithms and the
players are ranked for example, according to the percentage of
hands won. The identity of the luckiest player or player position
is then displayed on display 18.
[0027] In another example embodiment, shown in FIG. 2, the
processor 16 receives information from the card reader 12 and the
wager election selectors 14 associated with a number of tables 10a,
10b, 10c, 10d. In one embodiment, the table number and seat
position of each player in rank order, from best record to worst
record, is determined by the processor 16 and posted on the display
18. In a desired embodiment, the processor 16 further identifies
the "hot seat," e.g., the player position 20 determined to be
having the best active lucky streak. Any players, including active
players who wish to make a "hot seat" bet can wager on the player
position identified by the processor 16 as being the hottest seat.
This embodiment may also be implemented using the gaming tables 10
that do not all provide the same game, such as for example, a set
of tables providing a combination of Baccarat and Blackjack.
[0028] When gaming tables configured to offer other games such as
Blackjack and poker variants are included as part of the system, it
is desirable for the game rules to reside in an external processor
16 rather than within the card reading shoe 12. This is because the
algorithms used to determine game outcome are more extensive and
require greater processing capability.
[0029] In a further embodiment, the features of the invention may
be available on other electronic gaming platforms, such as those
referred to as slot machines, e.g., Shuffle Master Inc. products
such as the Vegas Star.RTM. and Table Master.RTM. multiplayer
platforms. An exemplary multi-player gaming platform is disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 6,607,443 and U.S. Patent Publication No.
2005-0164759 A1, and assigned attorney docket no. PA0958.ap.US. The
entire content of the above mentioned patent and published
application are incorporated by reference herein. The existing
display or hardware systems associated with these platforms may be
configured to provide access to player interfaces in accordance
with embodiments of the invention. Win/loss information is
assembled by the system computer of the video platform or by a
separate processor. The system computer then determines which
player/position is on a "hot streak."
[0030] In another embodiment, the system computer is equipped to
communicate with a number of stand alone video gaming machines used
as remote wagering terminals used to place back bets. Examples of
suitable stand alone gaming machines are video poker machines and
video slot machines. This communication may be implemented by way
of hard wiring or a wireless connection. Players that are playing
at the stand alone video gaming machines access the information on
the player/player positions that are "hot" on the live or communal
video gaming machines and may place a back bet wager on such
players/positions. Preferably, the implementation of embodiments of
the invention on these electronic gaming platforms is configured
and adapted such that players may continue playing the games
provided by the platforms while also placing back betting wagers
using the system described herein.
[0031] Back betting can also be offered as part of a different type
of single player platform. For example, multiple single player
gaming machines could be linked together for team baccarat play.
When the games are linked such that all players play a common game,
players may be provided with information to be used to identify the
lucky player or terminal and be given an opportunity to back bet on
that player. An external computer monitors game play win/loss
information of players and a common display or individual player
identifies the lucky machine or player.
[0032] For example, a multiplayer electronic gaming platform may be
configured to provide players with the opportunity to place a "hot
seat" wager, that is, automatically place a back betting wager on
whichever player seat that is currently designated as having the
highest ranking within a certain group. The group may include one
or more electronic gaming platforms with the same game thereon, or
may extend to other games and other platforms for playing those
games, such as live table games. Each player position on the
electronic gaming platform may be configured to include a button or
touch screen controls for placing an optional hot seat wager, while
also allowing players to participate as active players at their own
seated position.
[0033] In a further embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, a handheld
communicating device 30, wireless or otherwise, is configured to
provide players with the features of the invention. For example, a
wireless handheld device 30 such as that disclosed in the '026
application may be used. The wireless handheld device 30 is in
communication with processor 16, which is in turn in communication
with, for example, game tables, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d. The tables may
be configured for the play of public domain Baccarat, Baccarat
variants such as Dragon Bonus.RTM. Baccarat, Blackjack, Blackjack
variants, Craps, Craps variants, poker specialty games such as
Three Card Poker.RTM., Let it Ride.RTM. or Crazy 4 Poker.RTM.,
Caribbean Stud Poker.RTM. and the like, or a number of other known
casino card and dice games. Further, display 18 of the invention is
incorporated into the handheld device 30. Passive players may use
such handheld devices 30 to stand near actual play of the game and
watch active players or may bet on the active players from a
distance, merely based on the information provided on the handheld
device. Players may then use the input buttons 32 to back bet
either directly on the active player or to mimic active player
wagers by betting in the same manner on the handheld devices. This
embodiment may also be employed by passive players to place wagers
at remote locations inside or outside a casino. In one embodiment,
hand-held device 30 may be programmed to automatically bet with the
hot seat player without further player input over a period of time,
over a number of rounds, until a credit amount reaches a
predetermined threshold or on another basis.
[0034] Any of the previously described embodiments may incorporate
any type of player interface which enables passive players to place
wagers on active players. The option to place back bet wagers may
also be provided in various implementations. It should be readily
apparent that any of the formats and devices or combinations
thereof which may conceivably assist passive players in receiving
the benefits and utilizing the features of embodiments of the
invention may be employed in as many locations, remote or
otherwise, as desired.
[0035] The embodiments of the invention may also be embodied in
online applications via the World Wide Web or through a local
network within a casino. Also, independent kiosks or terminals,
which can be mobile or stationary, with passive player interfaces
may provide the features described herein to passive players inside
or outside casinos. One preferred terminal is a video gaming
machine adopted to communicate with computer 16. Additional
embodiments include games implemented on hand-held devices and on
personal computers, for practice play or embodying actual
wagering.
[0036] In each of the previously described embodiments, processor
16 (or the system computer) collects information from the card
reader, which in one embodiment is contained in the card reading
shoe 12, contained in a shuffler (not shown), is embedded in the
table surface (not shown) or is captured by overhead imaging, for
example. Information collected by the processor 16 may include
information on the hand outcome (e.g., player/banker/tie for
Baccarat), the wager election (e.g., player/banker/tie) made by
each active player, and the amount of the wager made by each active
player. The processor 16 then uses this information to generate
game play data. The game play data may be calculated by the
processor 16 in real-time such that the information may be used as
it is being generated. One type of data that is useful is win/loss
data, such as the percentage of winning elections for each player
position. This information can be used to determine if any
particular player or player position is on a perceived hot streak.
The processor 16 generates this information and outputs it for
viewing on the display 18 or other device. Other nonlimiting
examples of methods of evaluating players include gross win amount
in a play session, net win amount, most wagers placed per unit
time, highest betting frequency, highest average wager, highest
frequency of placing side bets, highest win frequency on side bets,
and the like.
[0037] The processor 16 may utilize a variety of methods for
analyzing the recorded information in order to identify the
luckiest players, rank the active players and/or present that
information to passive players. Different algorithms, ranging in
complexity, may be employed to develop statistics relating player
performance. These algorithms may employ differing criteria for
determining the "hot seat". Players may select the method of
determining the "hot seat" from a menu of criteria. The various
criteria may identify the same or different players as being "hot".
For example, in one embodiment, where player seat position is used
to identify players, one possible means for assessing luck could
involve comparing the average amount of wins at each player seat
over a particular number or set of the last game rounds, regardless
of the identify of the player or number of players having occupied
that position during that particular number of rounds.
Additionally, the degree of difficulty of winning the particular
game may also be taken into account and the rank adjusted for
comparison purposes with active players involved in other
games.
[0038] Other data may also be generated by the processor 16 and
displayed on the display 18 or other device. This data may be used
to identify the "hot seat" or to allow the player to make his or
her own determination of the hot seat player based on the displayed
data. The "hot seat" position using one criteria may or may not be
the same as the player position that is "hot" based on the criteria
of current win/loss percentage. Other nonlimiting examples of data
that can be generated to determine the "hot seat" may include: (1)
the player/position with the most hands won per unit of time; (2)
the player/position that wins most often as compared to all other
players/player positions being monitored; (3) the first
player/position in time frame "X" to win a hand; (4) the most
recent player/position to win; (5) the player/position who won at a
predetermined time (e.g., exactly at midnight on New Years); (6)
the player/position that has won the most consecutive hands in the
last "X" unit of time; (7) the player/position that has won the
most often at a particular table; (8) the player/position that has
won the most often in a particular pit; (9) the player/position
that has won the most often in a particular property; (10) the
player/position that has won the most often playing a particular
game; (11) the player/position that has won the most often playing
two or more different games; (12) the player/position that has
earned the most in gross earnings per unit of time; (13) the
player/position that has won the most side wagers; (14) the
player/position that has won the most often on the base game and
side wagers combined; (15) the player/position that has won the
most money per unit of time; and/or (16) the player/position that
has most accurately predicted banker/player/tie wins.
[0039] In one embodiment, passive players will use some or all of
the data that is provided on the display 18 to infer which of the
active players are lucky, or more particularly, which player is on
a lucky streak. The data may cause different players to reach
different conclusions about the seat that is the hottest. However,
as previously discussed, embodiments of the invention may also
utilize methods for ranking active players and present that
information directly, whereby passive players do not have to imply
which active player is lucky or on a lucky streak. For example, the
active player ranked the highest may be identified prominently as
the "hot player" or as being in the "hot seat." Furthermore,
passive players may be provided with a betting option (e.g., a "hot
seat bet") that allows them to automatically place a wager on the
highest ranking active player according to the most current data.
The passive player may or may not be provided with data indicating
which player or player position is the "hot seat" position. This
game data collected by the system described herein is used in
ranking player positions and in determining the hot position. The
game data is also advantageously used to resolve back bet wagers.
This game data may be recorded manually by casino personnel, but is
preferably recorded and maintained through automatic data
collection and computing systems (i.e., systems or devices
including sensors, processors, memory, etc.) which are configured
to record data and associate the data with active players, among
other things. The data may be associated with the corresponding
active player by the seating position of the active player at the
gaming table, or by other player identification methods such as
player cards and corresponding card readers. It should be readily
apparent that there are many ways in which game data may be
recorded and associated with the active players. The particular
components of a system and method according to embodiments of the
invention are not vital to their full implementation so long as (1)
passive players are provided with a system and method for selecting
an active player on which to place a back bet wager, and (2) back
bet wagers based on the performance of the active player in future
games are resolved.
[0040] In each of the previously discussed embodiments, data could
also be recorded, analyzed and presented to active or passive
players that may identify or suggest a lucky game, lucky gaming
table, lucky dealer, lucky pit, etc., in addition to identifying a
lucky player. Furthermore, information may be recorded, analyzed
and presented regarding passive player wagering according to
methods described herein so that other passive players may place
back betting wagers which correspond with other passive players or
may back bet directly on the passive player, similarly to the
manner in which passive players wager on active players.
[0041] It should also be readily apparent that there are many ways
in which the game data can be used to rank players in comparison to
other players, active or otherwise, such as historically
significant players, celebrity players, professional players, etc.
Preferably, the invention is configured to provide regular updates
so that information may be assessed in as close to real-time
conditions as possible and active players on seemingly lucky
streaks may be identified and ranked accordingly.
[0042] It should also be readily understood that while the
embodiments of the invention are described with respect to the game
of Baccarat, that this particular game is used only as an example
and that the system and method described herein may be applied to
any game, communal or otherwise, in which back betting is desired
(e.g., black jack, craps, roulette, etc.).
[0043] While the disclosure has been described in detail and with
reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to
one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can
be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
embodiments. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover
the modifications and variations of this disclosure, provided they
come within the scope of the appended claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *