U.S. patent application number 14/157566 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-17 for roulette based bingo game and method of playing bingo.
This patent application is currently assigned to innovate! Technologies Group, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is innovate! Technologies Group, LLC. Invention is credited to Troy Robin King.
Application Number | 20140197598 14/157566 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51164580 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140197598 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
King; Troy Robin |
July 17, 2014 |
Roulette Based Bingo Game and Method of Playing Bingo
Abstract
A roulette based bingo game and method of playing bingo is
disclosed. The game includes a bingo table that resembles a
traditional roulette table and a bingo wheel used to select
randomly from among a set of numbers. Players purchase primary and
interim bingo cards by placing chips on the bingo table in a manner
that evokes the experience of betting at a roulette table. Bingo
numbers are randomly selected by spinning the bingo wheel and
matching numbers are daubed or otherwise marked on player's bingo
cards. Players obtaining predetermined winning patterns of matched
numbers on their bingo cards are winners.
Inventors: |
King; Troy Robin;
(Montgomery, AL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
innovate! Technologies Group, LLC |
Montgomery |
AL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
innovate! Technologies Group,
LLC
Montgomery
AL
|
Family ID: |
51164580 |
Appl. No.: |
14/157566 |
Filed: |
January 17, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61753592 |
Jan 17, 2013 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/269 ;
273/309 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 3/062 20130101;
A63F 5/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/269 ;
273/309 |
International
Class: |
A63F 3/06 20060101
A63F003/06; A63F 5/00 20060101 A63F005/00 |
Claims
1. A roulette based bingo game table substantially as shown and/or
described.
2. A method of playing bingo substantially as shown and/or
described.
3. A bingo game including a bingo table that mimics the appearance
of a roulette table, a bingo wheel for randomly selecting among
bingo numbers, a zero, and a double zero, bingo cards associated
with a primary bingo game played at the bingo table, and a
plurality of interim bingo cards associated with corresponding
interim bingo games to be played at the bingo table during play of
a primary bingo game.
4. A method of playing a bingo session comprising the steps of: (a)
providing a bingo table that evokes the appearance of a roulette
table, the bingo table having a bingo wheel and a playing surface
with graphics resembling the graphics of a roulette table; (b)
providing primary bingo cards to at least two players who place
chips on the playing surface in a first designated location; (c)
providing interim bingo cards to players who place chips on the
playing surface in a second designated location; (d) spinning a
bingo wheel and launching a corresponding bingo ball to select
randomly from a predetermined set of numbers; (e) allowing players
to mark on their interim bingo cards and their primary bingo cards
numbers that match the randomly selected number; (f) if a
designated winning pattern is marked on a player's interim bingo
card, providing chips to the player based on a predetermined payout
ratio for the interim bingo game; (g) If a designated winning
pattern is not marked on a player's primary bingo game, returning
to step (c), otherwise ending the bingo session.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This provisional disclosure relates generally to the game of
bingo and more specifically to bingo and a method of playing bingo
that evokes the experience of playing the casino game of
roulette.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The game of bingo traditionally is played by a plurality of
players, each of whom holds a card bearing numbers arranged in a 5
by 5 matrix with the letters B I N G O heading respective columns
of numbers. A bingo game caller draws bingo balls randomly
generated by a bingo blower, each bingo ball being printed with a
combination of a letter and a number. For example, a bingo ball may
be printed with the designation "B-8" corresponding to a number 8
in the B column of the matrix or "O-74" corresponding to the number
74 in the O column of the matrix. If a drawn combination of column
and number appears on a player's bingo card, then the player covers
the number on his or her card.
[0003] A bingo game is won, i.e. a "BINGO" is obtained, by the
first person or persons covering a pre-designated pattern of
numbers on his or her bingo card. There are a large number of
possible patterns that can be designated as winning patterns, but
most fall within the categories of static patterns (patterns that
cannot be rotated or shifted), crazy patterns (patterns that can be
rotated by 90, 180, or 270 degrees), or wild patterns (patterns
that are fixed but can be shifted up and down or sided to side).
For example, a wild pattern comprising a line of covered numbers
across a bingo card may be designated as a winning pattern. The
first player to obtain a line of covered numbers across any of the
five rows of his or her bingo card may declare "BINGO" and win the
game. Alternatively, a pattern of one covered number in the left
column and one in the right column of a bingo card or simply a
number in one designated column may be designated as a winning
pattern. Any one or more of the very large number of possible
patterns may be designated as a winning pattern including, for
instance, happy faces, airplanes, diagonal lines, letters of the
alphabet, around the corners, and so on.
[0004] In many states, traditional bingo and other games similar to
bingo, which satisfy particular legal requirements, may be played
for charitable purposes as well as in Native American gaming
establishments on Native American land placed into trust for gaming
by the Department of Interior, or on a Native American Tribe's
reservation. These are sometimes referred to as Native American
casinos. High stakes bingo has evolved over the years within Native
American gaming facilities as Class II gaming where Class III
gaming is prohibited. Such high stakes bingo has received
considerable attention in recent years, and many Native American
Tribes have invested in high end casino-like facilities where Class
II bingo and other Class II games such as pull-tabs and electronic
bingo can be played. Although traditional high stakes bingo has
grown in popularity over the years, it typically requires a lot of
space and a relatively large number of players to be economically
feasible. Further, high stakes bingo has generally remained quite
traditional and basic, lacking not only the excitement of
Vegas-style gaming but also the intimacy and fast action of
electronic gaming and traditional table games such as blackjack,
poker, roulette and craps.
[0005] Variations in the game of bingo have been offered in the
past in attempts to increase the excitement of play while striving
to comply with the basic legal requirements for permissible bingo
games. Some of these variations have attempted to adapt bingo to
table play, with hopes of capturing the intimacy and excitement of
traditional table games. One such form of bingo, generally known as
"fast action" bingo and sometimes referred to as "lightning" or
"bullet" bingo, while differing from traditional bingo by using a
limited group of numbers (and in some cases three numbers), are
nevertheless labor intensive and require large numbers of players
to be financially successful, both for the players and for the
bingo game operator.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,534 of Banyai discloses a bingo table
game including a table having player stations arrayed around the
table. Players sit around the table in an intimate group. The game
permits each player to select a set of numbers to be matched during
play by randomly drawn numbers on bingo balls. The selection may
include a wild designation, which each player may deem to match one
of his or her selected numbers. A dealer or caller draws random
numbers printed on bingo balls and a "bingo" occurs whenever a
player has matched all of his or her selected numbers to a set of
randomly drawn numbers. The game is permitted to progress at
multiple levels of play notwithstanding the occurrence of prior
bingos in the game being played. While the bingo table game of
Banyai may be a step in the right direction, it nevertheless
remains quite simplified and still does not provide players with
the more exciting experience of playing a Vegas-style betting
game.
[0007] A need therefore persists for a Class II bingo table game
and a method of playing bingo that supplies players with the
excitement, intimacy, and enjoyment of playing a Vegas-style Class
III casino game while complying with the legal definitions of Class
II Bingo. A more specific need exists for a bingo game and method
that evokes the experience of playing a traditional roulette game.
It is to the provision of such a table game and method that the
present invention is primarily directed.
SUMMARY
[0008] Briefly described, a bingo table game is disclosed that
includes a table having a felt playing surface with graphics
printed thereon that evoke the appearance of a table for playing
the traditional betting game of roulette. Chips are purchased and
used by players during game play to buy bingo cards. A Bingo
Session includes a primary bingo game and interim bingo games that
are played while the primary bingo game is in progress. Primary
bingo game cards are purchased by players for playing the primary
bingo game and Interim bingo game cards are purchased by players
for playing one of a number of possible interim bingo games. The
roulette evoking graphics on the playing surface include at least
one first region designated for receiving chips used to purchase
primary bingo game cards for playing the primary bingo game. The
graphics also has a second region designated for receiving chips
used to purchase interim bingo game cards during play of a primary
bingo game. The second region resembles the surface of a roulette
table and includes an inside 3.times.12 matrix containing the
numbers 1 thru 36, an outside area containing the numbers 0 and 00,
and various other outside areas containing indicia corresponding to
a variety of interim bingo game card purchase options that relate
to the numbers in the inside matrix.
[0009] A bingo wheel is disposed adjacent to the playing surface
within the reach of a bingo dealer or caller who oversees game
play. The bingo wheel resembles a traditional roulette wheel and
may have a central rotor with pockets associated with the numbers 1
thru 36, a pocket associated with the numeral 0 (zero), and a
pocket associated with the number 00 (double zero). Half of the
numbers 1 thru 36 are associated with one color (the color red for
example) and the other half are associated with a different color
(the color black for example).
[0010] The periphery of the roulette wheel includes a sloped
surface and a track around which a bingo ball may be launched until
it loses momentum and falls into one of the pockets of the rotor,
thereby selecting randomly a number and color corresponding to the
pocket into which it settled. The bingo wheel is used by the bingo
dealer in much the same way as a roulette wheel by spinning the
rotor in one direction and launching the bingo ball in the other.
When the bingo ball falls into one of the pockets, the associated
number and color are selected for bingo game play.
[0011] A bingo session begins when two or more players purchase a
primary bingo card by placing a chip or chips in the first region
of the playing surface and the bingo dealer issues primary bingo
cards to the players. The bingo cards may take any form such as
paper, erasable boards, or even electronic cards or cards displayed
on a PDA. Once a primary bingo card has been purchased, a player
may purchase one or more interim bingo cards for playing interim
bingo games by placing chips in a variety of different positions
within the second region of the playing surface. The player
receives interim bingo cards corresponding to the positions of his
or her chips. The various possible chip positions and corresponding
interim bingo games evoke the sense or experience of different
kinds of bets that can be made in a traditional roulette game. When
all desired interim bingo cards have been purchased, the bingo
dealer spins the rotor of the bingo wheel in one direction and
launches the bingo ball in the opposite direction. When the ball
settles into a pocket, the corresponding number and color may be
considered to be randomly selected.
[0012] The bingo dealer verbally announces the randomly selected
number as, for instance "25." Players then cover or daub any
matching numbers on their primary bingo cards. They also daub any
matching numbers on any interim bingo cards they may have purchased
before the spin of the bingo wheel. The designated winning pattern
for an interim bingo game may be a single match on an interim bingo
card. Thus, a single match on an interim bingo card wins the
interim bingo game and the player is paid according to the payout
associated with the interim bingo card that was purchased.
Conversely, the designated winning pattern for the primary bingo
game may be a match of two numbers from spins of the bingo wheel on
a primary bingo card. Thus, in this example, primary bingo games
last a minimum of two spins of the bingo wheel, and usually last
for several spins of the bingo wheel.
[0013] Following each spin of the bingo wheel and consequent
selection of a number, players of interim bingo games having
matches on their interim bingo cards are "winners" and are paid
chips according to a designated payout ratio associated with the
interim bingo game that they won. The chips of players that do not
have matches are removed from the table and retained by the house.
Players may then purchase interim bingo cards to play another round
of interim bingo games on the next spin of the bingo wheel. Interim
bingo games continue to be played on each spin of the bingo wheel
until one or more players declares BINGO in the primary bingo game.
The winner or winners of the primary bingo game then receive all of
the chips of all players that purchased primary bingo cards, with
the house having no interest or involvement in the primary bingo
game winnings. Then a new Bingo Session is started as players again
place chips on the table to purchase primary bingo cards and then
interim bingo cards.
[0014] It will thus be seen that a bingo table game and a method of
playing bingo is now provided that is intimate, fast paced, fun,
and that provides players with a playing experience that evokes the
experience of playing a traditional casino game of roulette. These
and other aspects, features, and advantages of the table game and
method of this invention will be better appreciated by the skilled
artisan upon review of the detailed description set forth below,
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures, which
are briefly described as follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bingo game table that
embodies principles of the invention in one preferred form.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a top plan view illustrating one possible version
of graphics printed on the bingo table for playing bingo according
to the invention.
[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates the arrangement of numbers and associated
colors on the bingo wheel according to the invention.
[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates a possible appearance of a primary bingo
game card according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 5 shows one possible appearance of an interim bingo
game card according to aspects of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Reference will now be made in more detail to the drawing
figures, wherein like reference numbers identify like parts
throughout the several views. FIG. 1 illustrates one possible
embodiment of a game table for playing the bingo game of the
present invention. It will be recognized that the table 12
resembles a table for playing a traditional Vegas-style wagering
game of roulette. More specifically, the table 12 has a playing
surface 13 at least partially bordered by a rail 15 where bingo
players may stand during game play. A bingo dealer or caller
position 11 is located on a side of the table 12 opposite from the
player positions. The playing surface 13 preferably is covered with
felt and has graphics 14 printed thereon that resemble at least to
some extent the graphics one might find on a traditional roulette
table. The graphics 14 includes a first region 16 for receiving
chips from players to purchase primary bingo cards for playing a
primary bingo game, as detailed below. A second region 17 includes
various areas detailed below where players may place chips to
purchase interim bingo cards for playing interim bingo games during
a primary bingo game.
[0021] The table 12 further includes a bingo wheel 26, which, as
can be seen, resembles the roulette wheel of a traditional roulette
table. The bingo wheel 26 includes a rotor 27 that is mounted for
selective rotation about its axis, usually in the direction of
arrow 28 (it also may rotate in the opposite direction). The rotor
27 is made with a series of peripheral pockets 34 separated by
upstanding metal frets 35. In the preferred embodiment, there are a
total of 38 pockets, one each for the numbers 01 through 36, one
for the numeral zero and one for the number double zero. Alternate
pockets 34 are painted different colors, usually red and black. The
numbers 1 through 36, zero, and double zero are printed around the
periphery of the bingo rotor 27, one adjacent to and associated
with each of the pockets 34. An ornament 36 may project upwardly
from the center of the bingo wheel 26 and may be merely decorative
in nature.
[0022] A fixed downwardly sloped peripheral portion 29 of the bingo
wheel 26 surrounds the rotor 27 and the rotor 27 spins inside the
fixed peripheral portion 29. A ball track 31 is defined at the
extreme outer edge of the peripheral portion 29 and is configured
such that a bingo ball 32 can be launched around the ball track 31
by the bingo dealer in a direction opposite to the direction of
spin of the rotor; or, in this illustration, in the direction
indicated by arrow 33. During game play, the bingo dealer will
manually spin the rotor 27 in one direction such as the direction
28 and then will launch the ball 32 around the track 31 in the
opposite direction such as the direction 33. The ball 32 races
around the ball track 31 and gradually slows until its momentum is
insufficient to maintain it in the ball track 31. The ball 32 then
rolls down the sloped peripheral portion 29 of the bingo wheel and
ultimately lands in one of the pockets 34 of the rotor 27, thus
randomly selecting the number and color associated with that pocket
(or randomly selecting zero or double zero).
[0023] FIG. 2 is a more detailed illustration of one possible
design for the graphics printed on the felt of the playing surface
13 of the bingo table 12. The graphics has a first region 16 where
players may place chips to purchase primary bingo cards for playing
a primary bingo game. A second region 17 includes a number of areas
where players may place chips to purchase interim bingo cards for
playing interim bingo games during a primary bingo game. More
specifically, the second region 17 preferably includes a 3 by 12
matrix 18 with each of the 36 cells of the matrix bearing one of
the numbers 1-36 and its associated color from the bingo wheel 26.
A zeros area 19 has two cells bearing zero and double zero
respectively. A columns area 21 has three cells each corresponding
to one of the columns of the matrix 18 and each has a payout
indicia "2 to 1" printed therein.
[0024] A dozens area 22 has three cells each corresponding to a
contiguous 12 of the thirty six cells of the matrix 18. The indicia
"1.sup.st 12" printed in the leftmost cell indicates that this area
corresponds to the numbers 01-12 of the matrix 18; the indicia
"2.sup.nd 12" in the center cell indicates that this area
corresponds to the numbers 13-24 of the matrix 18; and the indicia
"3.sup.rd 12" in the rightmost area indicates that this area
corresponds to the numbers 25-36 of the matrix 18. An outside
region 23 has six cells each associated with an interim bingo game
that can be played by placing chips in one of the cells to receive
a bingo card associated with that cell. The first cell on the left
bears the indicia "1-18" corresponding to a "low" interim bingo
game, the next cell bears the indicia "Even" correspond to an
"even" interim bingo game, the next bears the color black
corresponding to a "black" interim bingo game, the next bears the
color red corresponding to a "red" interim bingo game, the next
"Odd" corresponding to an "odd" interim bingo game, and the last
bears the indicia "19-36" corresponding to a "high" interim bingo
game.
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates more clearly the number and color layout
37 on the bingo wheel. The layout includes black areas 37
corresponding to certain numbers, red areas 38 corresponding to
certain other numbers, one area that is green and bears the numeral
zero and another area that is green and bears the number double
zero. It will be appreciated by purveyors of wagering games that
the preferred layout in FIG. 3 corresponds to the layout on a
Vegas-style American roulette wheel, as opposed to a European
roulette wheel that has a zero but not a double zero.
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates one possible configuration of a bingo
card for playing a primary bingo game according to the invention.
The primary bingo card comprises a five by five matrix, all but the
center cell of which bears numbers. The center cell bears the
indicia FS meaning "Free Space." The columns may be headed by
letters or other indicia and, in this case, the columns are headed
by the letters "O L E T E" although this is not a limitation of the
invention. Thus, a primary bingo card bares twenty-four of the
possible thirty-six numbers that may be randomly drawn when the
bingo wheel is spun. In order to win a primary bingo game in the
preferred embodiment, a player must match two numbers from spins of
the bingo wheel, daub those numbers on his or her primary bingo
card, and announce "BINGO." Of course, other winning patterns of
matching numbers may be determined beforehand if desired.
[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates one possible configuration of a bingo
card for playing an interim bingo game according to the invention.
This particular figure shows a bingo card for playing an interim
"even" bingo game and, accordingly, bears in respective cells of
the matrix all of the 18 even numbers (excluding zero and double
zero) that can result from a spin of the bingo wheel. The remaining
six cells of the matrix bear null numbers (numbers that cannot
result from a bingo wheel spin) such as 50, 56, 65, 41, 51, and 45
and the designation FS. Bingo cards for other interim bingo games
are similar in appearance, but bear bingo numbers corresponding to
the particular interim bingo game being played, again in
combination with null numbers and FS.
[0028] Having described the roulette based bingo table and bingo
cards of the invention, a method of playing bingo according to the
invention will now be presented in more detail. A bingo session
begins when at least two players purchase a primary bingo card by
placing a chip on the BINGO CARD PURCHASES region of the playing
surface, where the chips stay during the bingo session. Each player
is then issued a primary bingo game card and, when the bingo dealer
is satisfied that all primary bingo cards have been distributed,
the dealer spins the bingo wheel to select randomly one of the 36
bingo numbers or zero or double zero. The selected number is
announced verbally by the dealer. If the selected number matches a
number on the primary bingo card of a player, the player covers or
daubs that number on his card with a marker, stamp, or other
device.
[0029] When a primary bingo player has matched a designated bingo
pattern (for example two matched numbers on his or her primary
bingo card), the primary bingo game is won and the player announces
BINGO. If two matching numbers is the designated pattern, it will
require at least two spins of the bingo wheel to win a primary
bingo game and, most often, several spins. A winner or winners of a
primary bingo game receive all the chips in the BINGO CARD
PURCHASES region of the playing surface, whereupon the bingo
session is over and a new bingo session can begin.
[0030] For each spin of the bingo wheel during a primary bingo
game, players have the opportunity to play any of a number of
interim bingo games by placing chips in designated locations in the
interim bingo region of the playing surface. The available interim
bingo games may include, for example, the following:
TABLE-US-00001 GAME DESCRIPTION Even Money These interim bingo
games include red, black, odd, even, low (1-18), interim bingo and
high (19-36). A player purchases a bingo card corresponding to
games one of these games by placing a chip on the corresponding
area of the outside region 23 of the playing surface corresponding
to the game. In doing so, the player hopes that a bingo number that
meets the criteria of the corresponding interim game will be
randomly selected on the next spin of the bingo wheel and thus
matches one of the numbers on his or her corresponding interim
bingo card. If so, the payout is 1 to 1. Dozens and A player
purchases a dozens interim bingo card by placing a chip on Columns
interim one of the three areas of the dozens region of the playing
surface. In bingo games doing so, the player hopes that one of the
twelve numbers associated with the selected interim bingo game is
randomly selected on the next spin of the bingo wheel and thus
matches one of the numbers on his or her corresponding interim
bingo card. If so, the payout is 2 to 1. A player purchases a
column interim bingo card by placing a chip on one of the three
areas of the columns region of the playing surface. In doing so,
the player hopes that one of the bingo numbers in the corresponding
column will be randomly selected on the next spin of the bingo
wheel and thus matches one of the numbers on his or her
corresponding interim bingo card. If so, the payout is 2 to 1
Corners interim A player purchases a corner interim bingo card by
placing a chip on bingo games the intersection of any four numbers
in the inside matrix of numbers 18 on the playing surface, for
instance 1, 4, 2, and 5. In doing so, the player hopes that one of
the four numbers will be randomly selected on the next spin of the
bingo wheel and thus match one of the numbers on his or her
corresponding interim bingo card. If so, the payout is 9 to 1.
Street interim A player purchases a street interim bingo card by
placing a chip on bingo games the outermost border line of the
three numbers in a line or "street," for instance 01, 04, 07 or 28,
31, 34. In doing so, the player hopes that one of the three numbers
in the street will be randomly selected on the next spin of the
bingo wheel and thus match one of the numbers on his or her
corresponding interim bingo card. If so, the payout is 12 to 1.
Split Numbers A player purchases a split numbers interim bingo card
by placing a interim bingo chip on the intersecting line between
two single number positions games situated across or down, for
instance, 1 and 4 or 16 and 17. In doing so, the player hopes that
one of the two numbers will be randomly selected on the next spin
of the bingo wheel and thus match one of the numbers on his or her
corresponding interim bingo card. If so, the payout is 18 to 1.
Single Number A player purchases a single number interim bingo card
by placing a interim bingo chip on a single number in the matrix
18. In doing so, the player games hopes that that number will be
randomly selected on the next spin of the bingo wheel and thus
match one of the numbers on his or her corresponding interim bingo
card. If so, the payout is 36 to 1. Zeros interim A player
purchases an interim bingo card involving the zero and the bingo
games double zero by placing a chip in one of three ways in the
zero and double zero areas. By placing a chip in the zero area, the
player hopes that zero, 01, or 02 will be randomly selected on the
next spin of the bingo wheel and thus match one of the numbers on
his or her corresponding interim bingo card. By placing a chip on
the line between zero and double zero, the player hopes that zero,
02, or double zero will be randomly selected on the next spin of
the bingo wheel and thus match one of the numbers on his or her
corresponding interim bingo card. Finally, by placing a chip on the
double zero area, the player hopes that double zero, 02, or 03 will
be randomly selected on the next spin of the bingo wheel and thus
match one of the numbers on his or her corresponding interim bingo
card. In either event, if one of the numbers is selected, the
payout is 12 to 1.
[0031] When the bingo dealer is satisfied that all desired interim
bingo cards have been purchased, the bingo dealer spins the bingo
wheel and launches the ball in the ball track. When the ball
settles in one of the pockets of the bingo wheel, the bingo dealer
verbally announces the number associated with the pocket. The
dealer also records the randomly selected number on a bingo board,
which may be an electronic display, a manual erasable board, or
other appropriate device. In this way, a history of randomly
selected numbers is maintained throughout each bingo session.
Interim bingo game players then daub or otherwise mark any matches
on their interim bingo cards and players with a match on a card
associated with any of the interim bingo games wins that game. The
winners are immediately paid chips equal to the payout ratio
associated with the interim bingo game that the winners won. All
chips of players who did not win an interim bingo game on the
previous spin of the bingo wheel are swept from the playing surface
and retained by the "house" or other establishment hosting the
bingo game.
[0032] Interim bingo games continue to be played in this manner
until a player (or players) obtains the designated winning pattern
on his or her primary bingo card and announces BINGO. The winners
of the primary bingo game then receive all of the chips in the
primary bingo card purchase region of the playing surface. This
ends the bingo session and the next bingo session is started when
two or more players purchase new primary bingo cards. Bingo
sessions continue in this manner indefinitely. The "house" or other
establishment does not participate in any way in the primary bingo
game winnings.
[0033] It will be understood from the forgoing that a bingo game
and a method of playing bingo is provided that mimics and evokes
the experience of playing a class III Vegas-style roulette game
while still satisfying the requirements and legal definitions of a
class II bingo game. It is thus believed that the present game and
method will be more enjoyable and exciting for players than bingo
played in the time honored traditional manner.
[0034] The invention has been described herein in terms of
preferred embodiments and methodologies considered by the inventor
to represent the best mode of carrying out the invention. It will
be understood by the skilled artisan, however, that a wide variety
of additions, deletions, and modifications, both subtle and gross,
might be made to the illustrated embodiments within the scope of
the invention. For instance, the illustrated layout of the bingo
table and the graphics thereon is presented as exemplary only and
is not intended to be limiting in any manner on the scope of the
invention. The appearance of the bingo cards in FIGS. 4 and 5
likewise is exemplary only and may well be changed or modified to
meet decorative or other requirements. These and other changes may
well be made by those of skill in the art without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention, which is delineated only by
the claims.
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