Gaming system and method for multiple play wagering

Abstract

A gaming method and system which allows a player to wager varying amounts on whether that player will have multiple consecutive wins, losses, or ties of a game of chance and having the option of withdrawing from a consecutive wins, loss or tie bet before reaching the number of consecutive wins, losses or ties originally selected and select a reduced payoff or to make a consecutive wins, losses or ties bet without selecting a predetermined number of consecutive wins, losses or ties and which provides a simplified arrangement for monitoring the progress of such bets made by one or more players, as well as providing a multiple outcome bet tracking system and mark matching system to protect against bet tampering.

Description

This invention relates generally to games of chance such as are found in casinos and other legal gambling establishments and more particularly to a gaming system which can be used to play blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat and poker either at a table or a video machine or slot machine and also provides a technique to prevent bet tampering.

The same gaming system can be applied to the home video, home computer and arcade markets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In those areas of the United States and the rest of the world where gambling is legal, there is a constant demand and need for new or improved games of chance to attract gamblers to casinos and other gaming establishments. At the same time, experienced players have become familiar with traditional games of chance and gaming machines such as slot machines, video games, blackjack tables, roulette tables, baccarat tables, crap tables and poker tables. Therefore, it is desirable that any new gaming machine or system, which, while taking advantage of this familiarity create new or added interest in the game.

One technique that can be used to increase the attraction of games of chance and lengthen the time in which the players will stay at a particular gaming table or casino is to base the player's ultimate winning payoff not just on a single play of a game but on their success on repeated plays. In other words, a player is given an opportunity to increase his or her payoff odds by winning, losing or tying the game two, three or four consecutive times, for example. Unfortunately, using prior art gaming tables and systems, there has not been an efficient way for casinos and casino dealers to keep track of consecutive wins, losses, or ties by a player at a particular time in order to readily determine and calculate payoffs based on successive wins, losses, or ties.

What is needed, then, is a gaming method and system which can accommodate one or more gamblers while allowing for multiple play wagering, that is, where the player receives an ultimate payoff based upon achieving a pre-selected number of consecutive wins at the game of chance. U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,885 invented by one of the inventors of the present invention, teaches an electronic gaming system for playing such a game. However, it is desirable to provide a simplified, non-electronic and non-electromechanical technique for use in applications where the expense of the equipment disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,885 is not warranted. Such a simplified and yet efficient system is lacking in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,431, invented by one of the inventors of the present invention, teaches a simplified, non-electronic and non-electromechanical technique for use in applications where the expense of the equipment disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,885 is not warranted; however, the novel features set forth herein are not disclosed in the prior art, including U.S. No. 5,570,885.

Multiple play wagering, where the player receives an ultimate payoff based upon achieving a pre-selected or non pre-selected number of consecutive wins, losses or ties at the game of chance, and games of chance with multiple chip receiving regions, i.e., craps, roulette, baccarat, etc., lack a tracking method and system which can protect the casino against bet tampering. It is also important to provide a simplified protective system that will not unduly slow down the relevant game of chance but will alert casino staff and CCTV surveillance as to any wrongdoing. Such a simplified and yet efficient system is lacking in the prior art. The embodiment set forth under Brief Description of the Invention set forth below is one usage in the game of blackjack. However, the system can be applied to any game of chance wherein multiple play wagering and/or multiple chip receiving regions are utilized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive tracking method and system that allows a player to receive an enhanced payoff based on achieving a pre-determined number of consecutive wins, losses or ties at a game of chance.

Another object of the gaming system of the present invention is to allow multiple players at a gaming table to place bets based on number of consecutive wins, losses, or ties and to provide means to easily and readily monitor the progress towards winning such bets.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a game with a consecutive wins, losses or ties bet and which includes a tracking method whereby bet tampering is prevented.

In accordance with these and other objects, which will become apparent below, the gaming method and system of the present invention is based on a consecutive game win/loss/tie monitoring technique which allows an operator, such as a dealer, to keep track of each individual player's consecutive bet outcomes.

The system can be used to play conventional games of chance, such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps and poker or any game of chance wherein the player's chance to win, lose or tie any one bet within a specified number of consecutive rounds is fifty percent (50%) less a reasonable house edge resulting from the inherent rules of the relevant game. The same gaming system can be used to play any game of chance wherein the player's chance to win, lose or tie any one bet within a specified number of consecutive rounds is significantly less than 50%, less a reasonable house edge resulting from the inherent rules the relevant game. The system can be easily incorporated into any conventional game of chance, such as blackjack, in which each player's seating area at the table, or machine, is provided with a player-specific bet selection areas. Bet selection markers are used by the player to indicate how many consecutive wins, losses, or ties the player believes he will achieve in order to receive an enhanced payoff, based on predetermined odds. A player also selects a bet value, which, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the system, is entered by placing a chip, or chips of the desired denomination upon the desired consecutive win (lose or tie) mark.

A plurality of chip marking locations is provided convenient to a dealer and adjacent to each player's position about a gaming table, or machine such as for example a blackjack table. Chips placed on a consecutive betting region represent only the consecutive bet. Conventional bets will continue to be made by placing a chip or chips on the conventional betting region of each player and separate from the consecutive win, losses or ties betting region. In one preferred embodiment, up to five consecutive wins may be selected by a player, however the method allows an unlimited number of consecutive betting regions representing and signifying the relevant number of consecutive wins, losses or ties to be attempted. Each consecutive win loss or tie betting region preferably contains a number, which identifies the number of consecutive wins, losses or ties the player believes he/she will achieve order to receive an enhanced payoff, based on predetermined odds.

Another embodiment may include a single consecutive bet region whereby the player's selection of the number of consecutive wins, losses or ties to be attempted is eliminated and the consecutive side bet is made without a selection of the number of wins to be attempted. The consecutive bet payouts will be based on a predetermined payoff, which may be printed on the game layout, or on signs at the given table.

In another embodiment the selection of the number of consecutive wins, losses, or ties to be attempted becomes the primary bet and a conventional bet is not required. This embodiment may include a single consecutive bet region whereby the player's selection of the number of consecutive wins, losses or ties to be attempted is not required, or it may be used whereby a plurality of consecutive bet regions are provided convenient to a dealer and adjacent to each player's position about a gaming table or machine. In one preferred embodiment, up to five consecutive wins may be selected by a player; however the method allows an unlimited number of consecutive betting regions representing and signifying the relevant number of consecutive wins, losses or ties to be attempted. Each consecutive betting region preferably contains a number, which identifies the number of consecutive wins, losses or ties the player believes he/she will achieve order to receive a payoff, based on predetermined odds.

The separate chip receiving regions in roulette would include the following “even money” bet categories: black, red, even, odd, 1-18, 19-36, inclusive or any combination thereof and with the use of a single consecutive betting region for each “even money” bet category, reflecting therein the number of consecutive wins or losses to be attempted and the relevant odds therein. This system can be monitored with a lammer added to or placed next to or upon the consecutive betting region after each consecutive win or loss. Once the player loses a consecutive win or loss bet, or the lammers placed on the “even money” category are equal to the number of consecutive wins or losses attempted as marked within the respective bet region, the player's chips are removed or the player is paid for a successful consecutive wins losses bet at the odds posted. Of course, this procedure could be reversed by starting with the number of lammers equaling the number of consecutive wins bet and removing a lammer after each consecutive win or loss.

This same embodiment can also be used to play roulette wherein the players odds to win or lose any one attempt, within a predetermined number of consecutive wins or losses to be attempted, is considerably less than fifty percent (50%).

This embodiment, at the option of the particular casino, will allow a single bet or more than one bet to be placed on any single roulette number 1-36 or 0, or 00, within the consecutive betting region to be located separately from the conventional betting regions of a standard roulette area and closer to the dealer than the conventional betting regions. The odds to be paid for consecutive win or loss bet will be listed separately from the consecutive betting regions.

This particular embodiment of the consecutive bet may be monitored by using lammers to be placed upon or adjacent to the relevant number (betting region) selected by the player. For example: a player bets $1 on number two (2) for three (3) consecutive wins. The first lammer is placed on the chip or chips within the number two (2) betting region, after the ball lands on number two (2). A second lammer is placed on the number two (2) betting mark after the second consecutive win on number two (2). With two (2) lammers on the betting region for number two (2), the entire area (occupied by players and the dealer), is alerted that another consecutive win number two (2) would result in a big payoff. Of course, the procedure could be reversed by starting with the number of lammers equaling the number of consecutive wins bet and removing a lammer after each consecutive win.

Once again, the same separate betting region and monitoring systems as described previously can be used to play other conventional games of chance such as baccarat, five (5) card draw poker, hold-em poker, seven card stud, five card stud, draw low ball, razz (seven card stud low ball), and any other game of chance where the dealer and player's chance of winning a particular bet are nearly even or exactly even. When the players chance of winning a consecutive wins bet is considerably less than even, i.e., a 37-1 chance of a roulette number winning, or a 35-1 chance of a two or twelve rolled in craps, the conventional betting areas and monitoring systems used in roulette preferably apply.

Any poker game can be played with the dealer dealing either individual hands to each player and himself dealt face up or down, or a common hand to all players and himself, dealt face up or down, or any combination thereof. Each player's hand will be either beat or lose to the dealer's hand according to the rules of poker. May or may not make a conventional bet according to the rules of the game, but will select a consecutive wins, loss or ties bet as bet in blackjack. The betting regions will be laid out as in blackjack, the monitoring of the game will be the same as blackjack and the odds for consecutive wins, losses or ties will be appropriately less than blackjack, because there is no inherent casino advantage in the game of poker and its variations. Only an appropriate return for the casino will be deducted from the “true odds” payoff, in order to determine the odds for the relevant number of consecutive wins, losses or ties to be attempted.

In this version the higher the number of successful consecutive wins, loses or ties the larger the payoff. The minimum number of consecutive wins, loses or ties required before a payoff to a player is permitted, will vary depending on the odds of the relevant bet and the relevant game of chance. The consecutive side bet may also include a bonus payment for a player opting to accept a lower number of consecutive wins, losses or ties before a higher number of consecutive wins, losses or ties is attained. This side bet version may be best utilized when the odds of a successful consecutive bet is significantly greater than a blackjack win, for example, selecting a specific number at roulette at 37 to 1 odds or pre-selecting a 2 or 12 to be rolled in a game of craps at 35 to 1 odds.

Under this alternative version the need for multiple betting regions for consecutive wins, losses or ties is eliminated. A single consecutive betting region is used. The need for placement of a marker in a higher number of consecutive wins betting area upon the occurrence of each win is eliminated. This version merely requires the addition of a higher numbered marker which is placed on top of or adjacent to the player's bet to reflect the current number of consecutive wins, loses or ties. Alternatively, the addition of a lammer on top of the last lammer put down next to (or on top of) the player's bet to reflect the current number of consecutive wins, losses or ties can be used.

As an alternative, the relevant casino may choose to allow the side bet without the player making the conventional bet. If so, the player is dealt cards as if he had made the conventional bet. The “side bet” then becomes the only bet.

As an alternative to a player selecting the number of consecutive wins for a side bet, the side bet may be made without a selection of the number of wins, losses or ties to be attempted. The consecutive bet payout will be based on a predetermined payoff, posted at or near each game site. The higher the number of consecutive wins, losses or ties the larger the payout. The payouts will be lower than when a player specifically is required to reach the win plateau selected, because the player will be achieving additional payouts more often and will have more opportunities to receive payouts without penalty, or failure. When a player making such a side bet wins the conventional game (blackjack, for example), a lammer is placed on the consecutive bet indicating the number of rounds won (for example, a lammer labeled “1”). As each consecutive round is won by the player, the previous lammer is replaced by a lammer representing the current number of consecutive wins until the player loses a round.

The consecutive bet may be used in conjunction with a progressive jackpot. A specific consecutive wins, losses or ties bet can be earmarked for the progressive jackpot. The earnings of that specific consecutive win bet are earmarked and placed in a pool which builds progressively with each bet made. Contributions to the progressive pool may be made by players on a single consecutive bet enhanced table, or by players on the other consecutive bet enhanced tables within the same casino, or by players on the consecutive bet enhanced tables within a group of casinos in a state, or region. The total bets attributed to the progressive pool maybe tallied by casino staff manually, and or electronically. The odds and total sum within the progressive pool currently will be displayed on a current basis at the table(s) where the progressive consecutive win, loss or tie bet is offered. A player's consecutive wins, losses or ties are tracked using anyone of the lammer tracking systems described herein.

When a player achieves the specified number or consecutive wins, losses or ties, the total of the progressive jackpot would be awarded to that player and the progressive jackpot reset at zero, until such time a player contributed to the pool by placing a progressive consecutive bet. It would optional that the casino, or game proprietor would place a guaranteed minimum sum within the pool to entice bets, prior to the progressive pool building to a desirable sum.

As an additional attraction, consecutive wins losses or ties may also be used as a bonus payout to the player's conventional bet rather than as a sidebet. Employing this alternative, the player is not required to make a sidebet but will receive a bonus after achieving a given number of consecutive wins, losses or ties. The bonus payouts and odds for the number of consecutive wins, losses or ties achieved may be displayed within easy view of all players at a game. A player's consecutive wins, losses or ties are tracked using anyone of the lammer tracking systems described herein.

Another preferred embodiment of the consecutive bet allows for a specialized tracking system to be used on table game layouts such as roulette, craps or baccarat, wherein bets leading to very large payouts can be located nearer the dealer for control purposes, yet within reach of the player in order to minimize dealer participation, while preventing both dealer and player bet tampering.

In the play of each game, once all conventional wagers have been decided, the dealer shall collect all losing conventional and consecutive wagers and pay off all winning conventional wagers in accordance with the rules of the game. If the player has won the current round, the dealer shall remove a lammer from his table rack and place that lammer on the player's designated consecutive betting/tracking area labeled “2” and align the marking on the lammer with the matching mark to the side of the “2” consecutive bet region. The lammer on top of the number “2” signifies that the player's next round will be his second attempt to win, lose or tie consecutively.

If the player wins the next consecutive round, and that player had placed a consecutive wager on that number of consecutive wins, losses or ties and /or the table offers a bonus for achieving that number of consecutive wins, losses or ties, then the player is paid an appropriate predetermined payout on two consecutive wins, losses or ties in addition to the conventional payout. That player's consecutive pendancy then is terminated, if no further consecutive wagers had been placed, or if no further consecutive bonuses are offered at that game, upon termination of a consecutive pendancy, the dealer will collect the lammer and place it in the table rack for storage.

Or, If the player had originally placed multiple consecutive wagers, or if multiple consecutive bonuses are offered on that game, and the player wins, loses or ties the next round, then the dealer shall advance the lammer to that player's designated consecutive betting area labeled “3” and rotate/align the marking on the lammer with the matching mark to the side of the “3” consecutive betting area. The lammer on top of the number “3” signifies that the player's next round will be his third attempt to win, lose or tie consecutively. If the player then wins, loses or ties the third consecutive round, he or she is paid the predetermined payout for the third consecutive win, loss or tie, in addition to the conventional payout. That player's pendancy is then terminated if no further consecutive wagers had been placed, or no further consecutive bonuses are offered at that game. Upon termination of a consecutive pendancy, the dealer will collect the lammer and place it in the table rack for storage.

Or, if the player had originally placed multiple consecutive wagers, or if multiple consecutive bonuses are offered on that game, then the dealer shall advance the lammer to that player's designated consecutive betting area labeled “4” and rotate/align the marking on the lammer with the matching mark to the side of the “4” consecutive betting area. If the player then wins, loses or ties the fourth consecutive round, he or she is paid the predetermined payout for the fourth consecutive win loss or tie, in addition to the conventional payout. That player's pendancy is then terminated if no further consecutive wagers had been placed, or if no further consecutive bonuses are offered at that game. Upon termination of a consecutive pendancy, the dealer will collect the lammer and place it in the table rack for storage.

In the event that a player selects more than four consecutive wins (i.e. four or five consecutive wins, losses or ties, or five and ten consecutive wins losses or ties) the lammer, after four consecutive wins is moved to the marker indicating five consecutive wins, and so forth. The lammer markings and matching mark locations are designed to simplify and ease the responsibility of the dealer in the monitoring of consecutive win, loss or tie bets. The lammers are always in the control of the dealer so that the players may never have access to a lammer to place in an attempt to cheat the casino. Furthermore, the lammers and betting regions have special markings which when mismatched signify bet tampering.

An example of the system as depicted under FIG. 8 is a method to protect against bet tampering. The dealer is provided with a Streak lammer, as shown in FIG. 8a, with markings sufficiently large and of a color contrasting with the conventional betting chips and easily identifiable by both game supervisors and CCTV surveillance. The consecutive win bet receiving region, as shown in FIG. 4a, is marked similarly at each chip receiving region with a marking sufficiently large and of a color easily identifiable by both game supervisors and CCTV surveillance. The dealer is required to match the markings of the Streak lammer to the matching marking at the consecutive bet receiving region after a successful consecutive bet round by the player and during the advancement of the Streak lammer to the appropriate consecutive bet receiving region. The dealer maybe required to follow specific hand and/or wrist movements during the matching of the two markings, which can be of a design which requires a rotation of the lammer in order to make a match to the marking adjacent to the next progressive consecutive betting region. Using FIGS. 8 and 8a as examples, the lammer must be rotated a 180 degrees clock wise in order to match the marks when progressing the consecutive bet lammer from the “2” to “3” betting regions, indicating that the player has achieved his second consecutive round. After placing the consecutive win, loss or tie bet, the player is not permitted to tamper, touch, or manipulate in any manner the consecutive bet. Therefore, a mismatched set of lammer and betting region markings would indicate that player bet tampering has occurred.

Another embodiment of the system allows the casino the option to offer reduced payoff odds based on predetermined odds if the player chooses to withdraw from his consecutive wins bet after successfully reaching a number of consecutive wins lower than his predetermined number of consecutive wins, losses or ties originally selected. The player, of course would be made aware of this option through games rules and optional payoffs posted by the casino.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the system of the present invention in which the game of chance is blackjack played at a multiple player blackjack table.

FIG. 2 is a detailed plan view showing the markers and chips utilized by the dealer for monitoring the consecutive play bets for each player.

FIGS. 3 a through 3e show the manner in which the marking locations of FIG. 2 are utilized during play.

FIGS. 4, 4 a and 5 through 7 are plan views of additional embodiments of the system of the present invention in which the game of chance is, respectively: roulette played at a roulette table; craps; baccarat and five-card stud poker and in which the consecutive betting method and system are employed.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of another embodiment of the present invention for playing blackjack. FIG. 8a is a plan view showing a chip for use in the game of FIG. 8 in actual size and enlarged size.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS THEREOF

Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the gaming system is shown. In this embodiment, the game of chance is blackjack, a game having rules and objectives well known to those of ordinary skill in the art as well as those in the gaming community as a whole. In gaming casinos, blackjack is conventionally played at a blackjack table 11 having multiple player seating areas 12 to allow more than one player to participate at single table 11. The game is run by a dealer who stands in the dealer area 13. The dealer area 13 and multiple player seating areas 12, including the players' conventional betting areas 17 are sometimes distinguished from one another by a divider 20 to eliminate or reduce the risk of accidental mixing of the dealer cards and player cards. Betting areas 15 are provided for each player to receive a chip or chips representing a conventional blackjack bet and/or a consecutive wins, losses or ties bet, the detailed arrangement being shown in FIG. 2. Placed convenient to each player seating area 12 and betting area 15, and convenient to the dealer, is a betting area 17 in which are placed chips utilized for the conventional blackjack bet. As discussed below, the conventional blackjack bet may be placed in a betting area 15 when the player makes a consecutive wins, losses or ties bet and said bet remains active. A casino may choose to restrict conventional bets to section 15, whether or not a consecutive bet is active.

A casino may recommend to remove the conventional bets from section 15 and use four (4) chip receiving areas for consecutive bets or perhaps add more chip receiving areas to increase consecutive bet opportunities beyond five (5) consecutive wins. Ming reference to FIG. 2 the region 15 includes four circles C1 through C4 respectively. The betting regions are designed to accommodate circular-shaped chips, as is currently the standard in casinos. The same chips used to make a conventional blackjack bet will be used to make a consecutive bet. The chip receiving regions C1 through C4 each preferably carry a numeric indication namely “2” through “5”, respectively. This is a position where the consecutive bet chips are placed, when a predetermined consecutive bet is the chosen embodiment. A chip or chips are placed in the chip receiving areas C1, and/or C2, and/or C3, and/or C4 representing the player's consecutive bet and having a denomination lying between the minimum and maximum bet allowed by the casino. When a consecutive bet is chosen the player will place all conventional bets in betting area 17. The value of the chip or chips placed therein is typically limited by the casino. For example, some tables may have a $25.00 minimum bet and a maximum bet of $1,000.00. A casino may also at its option use different betting minimum-maximum bet limits for the consecutive bet.

FIG. 1 has the legend “2 consecutive wins pays 3 to 1” associated therewith. If the player places a betting chip on location C-1, the player is betting that he will win two consecutive wins, losses or ties.

If the player places a betting chip on location C-2, the player is betting that he will achieve three consecutive wins, losses or ties, at 7-1 odds.

In a similar fashion, consecutive bet receiving area C3 advises the player and dealer that four consecutive wins pays 17 to 1; chip receiving area C4 advises the player and dealer that five consecutive wins pays 27 to 1;

Making reference to FIGS. 3a through 3d, typical cycles of play are as follows:

Prior to selecting a consecutive wins, for example, the player makes a conventional bet by placing a chip (or a number of chips), representing currency, within betting circle C1 up to the maximum bet amount allowed by that casino or “house”.

The consecutive number of wins is selected and the amount to be bet is simultaneously selected by placing a chip (or chips) of the desired denomination on the desired consecutive bet receiving region which is one of the regions C2 through C4. FIG. 3a shows an example where the player has made an consecutive bet by placing a chip BC2 in betting region C4 indicating that the player expects to win five games in a row.

After the play of the first hand and assuming that the player making the bets in FIG. 3a has a winning hand, a consecutive bet lammer, which is under the control of the dealer, is placed in region C1 by the dealer. The player's conventional bet is paid off and the player then makes another conventional bet preparatory to initiation of the second round, as shown in FIG. 3b.

Assuming that the player is a winner during the second round, preparatory to the third round, the dealer pays off the player at the location shown in FIG. 3c on the conventional bet and moves the lammer to the receiving region C2. The betting chip BC2 representing the five consecutive wins bet made by the player remains in region C4. The player makes another conventional bet preparatory to the play of the third game, as shown in FIG. 3c.

Assuming that the player wins the play of the third hand preparatory to the fourth play, the dealer pays off the player as shown in FIG. 3c on the original bet and moves the lammer to the receiving region C4. The betting chip or chips representing the five consecutive wins bet made by the player remains in region C4 under the lammer. If the player wins the fifth consecutive hand, the dealer pays the player the amount of the conventional bet and an amount representing 27 times the consecutive bet (i.e. five consecutive wins) bet as represented by FIG. 3d.

In the event that a player loses any round prior to winning five continuous rounds i.e. if the player loses to the dealer during any one of the first, second, third or fourth games, the house wins the consecutive bet.

Although the example given provides for a consecutive bet of five consecutive wins, a player can select a consecutive bet of two consecutive wins, losses or ties or three consecutive wins, loses or ties and/or any combination thereof, as desired. If desired, a greater number of consecutive wins, losses or ties may be offered.

When the lammer reaches the consecutive bet, i.e. if placed upon the consecutive bet chip BC2 as shown in FIG. 3d, the player and the dealer know that the next hand is the potential consecutive win. Conversely, if a player loses the fifth round or any round prior to the play of the fifth round, the casino wins.

Conventional bets must be played during the process and the play rules for conventional bets are not changed in any way except that conventional bets without consecutive bets may be placed in betting area 17 A relevant casino may choose to eliminate the conventional betting area 17 and use area 15 for conventional betting, whether or not a consecutive bet (i.e. consecutive wins, loses or ties) is made. A relevant casino may recommend to remove the conventional bets from section 15 and use any number bet receiving areas for consecutive bets For example, more chip receiving areas to increase consecutive bet opportunities beyond five consecutive wins, losses or ties. A relevant casino may recommend to reverse the position of 15 and 17 in order to have the larger payouts of consecutive wins closer to the dealer. With respect to consecutive wins or losses bets, the nature of the conventional game may require that pushes (ties) may either advance a consecutive wins or losses bet, or result in a tie with no effect on the consecutive bet. In this example, the relevant payoff of the consecutive bet will be affected by the relevant casino's decision to count pushes as wins or ties. In a similar manner, the nature of the conventional game may require that the player have the option of splitting the conventional bet one or more times. In this instance, the consecutive bet will win or lose depending on the net result of the split. If the net result of the split is neither a win nor a loss, the consecutive bet remains intact. Double downs of a conventional bet result in a single win or a single loss.

If desired, consecutive bets may be utilized in the play of roulette as shown in FIG. 4a or in craps as shown in FIG. 5 or baccarat as shown in FIG. 4.

The arrangement shown in FIG. 2 is used by the dealer to indicate to the player and the dealer how many consecutive bets in roulette (see FIG. 4) are selected by the player in order for the player to receive an enhanced payoff amount. In the embodiment of FIG. 4a, the game of roulette the player can play any even money bet—i.e. odd or even, black or red and 1 to 18 or 19 to 36 numbers selection area.

Players select a dollar amount for the consecutive bet in the same manner as was previously described for FIGS. 1-3d. The conventional roulette bets, however, are placed directly on the odd/even, red/black 1-18 or 19-36 numbers area or directly on specific numbers or a specific range of numbers. The player also selects a number of consecutive wins, or losses which may be the consecutive number of assorted even bet wins or losses, i.e.—odd bet wins or losses, red bet wins or losses, black bet wins or losses, or number wins or losses, according to the type of consecutive bets permitted by the house. For example, the house may limit the consecutive win or losses bet to the number of consecutive odd wins or losses or consecutive even wins or losses or may limit the bet to consecutive red wins or losses or black wins or losses, or any combination thereof. Each player area for receiving consecutive win bets is of the type shown in FIG. 2 and is convenient to both the player and the croupier.

Each game is played in the same fashion as a conventional game of roulette with the croupier keeping a count of the number of consecutive wins, or losses, using the same technique described in conjunction with FIGS. 2 through 3e, a winner, or loser, being determined in accordance with the rules set forth hereinabove.

Another embodiment to the roulette game shown in FIG. 4a, is the consecutive wins or losses bet wherein the player's chance to win or lose one individual bet within the number of consecutive wins or losses selected is significantly less than 50%. An example is a bet on any single number—the odds of winning being 1 chance in 38. 1st twelve numbers, 2nd twelve numbers or 3rd twelve numbers—12 chances in 38. 1st, 2nd and 3rd column—12 chances in 38. The bet receiving regions, the odds paid and monitoring thereof are discussed in detail under “Brief Description of the Invention.”

In the embodiment of FIG. 4a, a lammer will be placed on the betting region 62 selected by the player. Each lammer 61 placed on the relevant betting region 62 signifies another consecutive win or loss on the number bet 62.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4a, the player has the option to play only one type of single number consecutive wins or losses bet as offered by the relevant casino's layout and as detailed under “Brief Description of the Invention”, but can select any one of the single numbers from 0 and 00, or 1-36 to place a consecutive single number bet.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4a, the player can wager a consecutive wins or losses bet on any one of the six even money bets 64, by placing his chips in the relevant betting region 64. The game is monitored by a lammer 61 placed on the relevant betting region 64 after the ball has landed on one of the corresponding numbers indicated within the betting region 64, thereby indicating a consecutive win or loss. The lammer 61 may be numbered or unnumbered as previously discussed.

FIG. 5 is a third embodiment of the system where the game of chance is craps played at a craps table 71. Similar to the blackjack and roulette tables described above, a conventional craps table 71 is modified by distributing a plurality of consecutive betting areas and placing them at each multiple player standing area 72 which is also convenient to the croupier. Each betting area 75 includes bet receiving regions an example of which is shown in FIG. 2, which is used by the player and dealer to make a bet and further to monitor the consecutive wins or losses in order to determine if a player is entitled to an enhanced payoff. In the game of craps, and in this embodiment of the system, the player also has the choice of indicating whether the player believes he will win or lose. The player selection of consecutive wins or losses will be identified by use of a lammer to be placed in a region near a players consecutive betting regions. The player will indicate his choice or a winning or losing consecutive bet and the croupier will place an appropriate lammer in the area identifying the consecutive bet(s) as either for the player winning or losing. This lammer can be marked with the words “win” or “lose”. Thus, the player can achieve an enhanced payoff by placing a bet which indicates that he believes he will win a consecutive number of rounds or lose a given number of consecutive rounds, or any combination thereof. Of course, the dollar amount of the bet is signified by the player placing his chips within betting area 76 and successive plays are monitored by the dealer in the same manner as described above in connection with the game of blackjack, for example.

Another embodiment to the craps game is the consecutive wins bet wherein the players chance to win one bet within the number of consecutive wins selected is considerably less than fifty percent (50%). Examples are: a bet placed within the betting region 76 on whether a “two (2) or twelve (12)” will be rolled (1 chance in 36), a bet placed within the betting region 76 on whether “three (3) or eleven (11)” will be rolled (2 chances in 36), a bet placed within the betting region 76 on whether “any craps” (2, 3, or 12) will be rolled (4 chances in 36), a bet placed within the betting region 76 on whether seven (7) will be rolled (6 chances in 36), a bet placed within the betting region 76 on whether a horn bet will be rolled (6 chances in 36), a bet placed within the betting region 76 on whether a field bet will be rolled (16 chances in 36). The player can receive an enhanced payoff by placing a bet on any of the conventional betting regions mentioned above and by placing consecutive wins bet(s) in regions 76, at a payoff at true odds less an appropriate return to the casino.

FIG. 4 shows a sixth embodiment of the system in which the game of chance is baccarat, played at a baccarat table 81, having multiple player seating areas 82 distributed around table 81 and a dealer area 83. Each player seating area 82 has a consecutive betting area 85, which includes chip receiving markings of the type shown in FIG. 2. In one embodiment of the system as used with baccarat, the player has the option of indicating to the system whether he believes that the player will win, or that the bank will win or the player and bank will tie. This is done with the use of three lammers marked player, banker, and tie. As used in one embodiment of consecutive wins with craps, the dealer places a lammer near the consecutive betting region indicating the nature of the players consecutive bet. The game of baccarat is played in the conventional manner with the dealer monitoring the number of wins for each player employing a consecutive bet lammer(see FIG. 2). The player either wins or loses a consecutive wins bet according to substantially the same rules as set forth hereinabove, namely if a player loses the last game or any one of the games played before reaching the selected number of consecutive wins or consecutive ties, the player loses.

In another embodiment of the game of baccarat the player places his consecutive bet and a conventional bet for his choice of dealer, player, or tie. The consecutive bet will be based on his success with the conventional bet. ie: The player places a two consecutive wins bet; the player also places a banker bet; the round is played out in accordance with conventional baccarat rules; the dealer bet wins; the dealer places a lammer on the number two consecutive betting region, thus indicating that the player is attempting his second consecutive win. In the next round, the player places a conventional bet for player; the round is played out in accordance with conventional baccarat rules; the player bet wins. The player receives an enhanced payout for placing a successful consecutive wins bet.

It should be understood that the odds for the number of consecutive wins for the various games such as roulette, craps, baccarat and poker will be different as compared with the odds of winning a consecutive number of blackjack games.

Another example of the system of the present invention, as depicted in FIG. 8 is a method to protect against bet tampering. The dealer is provided with consecutive lammers of the type shown in FIG. 8a with identifying markings sufficiently large and of a color sufficiently detectable by both game supervisors and CCTV surveillance. Each consecutive bet receiving region is marked similarly with an identical marking sufficiently large and of a color sufficiently detectable by both game supervisors and CCTV surveillance. The dealer is required to match the marks of the consecutive lammer to the marking at the consecutive bet receiving region after each successful consecutive wins, losses or ties round won by the player and during the advancement of the lammer to the appropriate consecutive bet receiving region. The dealer maybe required to follow specific wrist and/or hand movements during the matching of the two markings. After placing a consecutive bet, The player is not permitted to tamper with the consecutive bet and consecutive betting regions. Therefore, a mismatched marking will indicate that player bet tampering has occurred.

Another embodiment of the system allows the casino the option to offer reduced payoff odds based on predetermined odds if the player chooses to withdraw from his consecutive bet after successfully reaching a number of consecutive wins, losses or ties lower than his predetermined number of consecutive wins, losses or ties originally selected. The player of course, would be made aware of this option through game rules and optional payoffs posted by the casino.

FIG. 7 is a fourth embodiment of the system in which the game of chance is five card stud poker, played a poker table 90 having multiple player spots 91 as to allow more than one player to participate at a single table 90. The game is run by a dealer who stands at the dealer area 92. Betting regions 94 are provided for each player to place a chip or chips representing a consecutive bet. Each betting region 94 includes a chip receiving pattern 95 of the type shown in FIG. 2, within which will be up to eight chip receiving areas. In the various games of poker, the winning hand (dealer vs. player) will be determined by the rules of the relevant poker game. In the various poker games, the consecutive bet is determined only by whether the player's hand wins or loses to the dealer's hand. The dollar amount of the bet is signified by the player placing the desired number of chips within the relevant betting area 96. The number of consecutive wins, loses or ties to be attempted will be determined by the placement of betting chips in the relevant betting area 96, as selected by the player. The lammer 97 monitors the poker game exactly as described in the description covering FIG. 1, blackjack.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein described. Furthermore, it should be understood that all of the protective features of the bet tracking system and method detailed above can be used at any game of chance whereby the casino has a need to track the bet or prevent bet tampering. Finally, the consecutive win, loss or tie bet and the methods described herein are applicable for use with all games of chance and with all methods of playing such games of chance, whether used at a casino table game, on a video gaming device, on personal computer gaming software, on an internet gaming site, or within a games arcade.

Claims

1. A method of playing a game of chance using cards, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a conventional bet receiving region and a plurality of consecutive bet receiving regions or a single consecutive bet receiving region for each player, the plurality of consecutive bet regions identifying a number of consecutive wins, losses, or ties starting with the number two and up to a maximum number of chip receiving regions permitted by the casino or relevant regulatory agency; (b) the player having the option of making or not a conventional bet of a denomination within the denomination range permitted by rules of the game; (c) the player making a bet selecting a predetermined number of consecutive wins, losses or ties by placing the bet in one of a predetermined group of consecutive bet receiving regions for use by the player, each bet receiving region representing a different number of consecutive wins, losses or ties; or the player making a bet without selecting a predetermined number of consecutive wins, losses or ties by placing a bet in a singular consecutive bet receiving region, with a numbered consecutive lammer placed upon or to the side of the consecutive bet, thereby indicating the number of consecutive wins, losses or ties to be attempted. The bet being of a denomination permitted by the casino or relevant regulatory agency; (d) dealing the player and dealer a predetermined number of cards; (e) dealing the player and the dealer additional cards, when necessary until the game is complete; (f) deciding the winner of the game in accordance with conventional blackjack rules; (g) providing a lammer for use in monitoring a number of consecutive wins, losses or ties made by the player or providing a series of pre-numbered lammers for use in monitoring a number of consecutive wins, losses or ties to be attempted by the player, and a number of consecutive wins, losses or ties successfully made by the player; (h) placing the lammer upon the chip receiving region “2” thereby identifying the player's success in the first round and upcoming attempt to successfully win, lose or tie the second round; or placing a numbered lammer upon the single consecutive betting region identifying the player's success in the first round and upcoming attempt to successfully win, lose or tie the second round; (i) repeating step (b) preparatory to the play of the third round; (j) repeating steps (d) through (f) during the play of each succeeding round; (k) transferring the lammer to successively higher numbered consecutive bet receiving regions until the lammer is placed upon the consecutive bet receiving area in which the consecutive bet was originally placed or replacing the numbered lammer referenced in 1(g) and 1(h) with a numbered lammer indicating after the first successful consecutive round the current number of consecutive rounds won, lost or tied. (l) paying a player an amount equal to the denomination of the consecutive bet made by the player at step (c) multiplied by the odds for the consecutive wins, losses or ties selected when the player wins a round following step (k).

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: (m) designating the player as a losing player if the player loses any game representing the total number of consecutive wins, losses or ties selected at step (c) by the player and removing the player's consecutive bet.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the permissible number of consecutive wins is to be determined by the casino and/or relevant gaming authority and the designated consecutive bet receiving areas are identified by designating numerals or the one chip receiving region referenced in 1(c) accepting a numbered consecutive bet to be attempted signified on the lammer, said unlimited number of attempts to be determined by the relevant casino or regulatory authority.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein step (g) further includes marking the consecutive bet tracking lammer so as to distinguish the tracking lammer from any betting chip used by the player.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) is further comprised of providing an indication of the payment odds for achieving the number of consecutive wins, losses or ties for each associated consecutive bet receiving region or single consecutive bet receiving region.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the range of odds provided will only be limited by minimum/maximum bet levels imposed by a casino or relevant regulatory authority.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising advancing the lammer to a next higher number consecutive bet receiving region when a dealer's hand and the player's hand have the same value or replacing a numbered lammer located in a single consecutive bet receiving region with a lower numbered lammer, thereby indicating that one less consecutive win, loss or tie is needed in order to win the original consecutive bet when a dealer's hand and the player's hand have the same value.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the tracking lammer is not advanced to a next higher consecutive bet receiving region when a dealer's hand and a player's hand have a same value or wherein the numbered lammer is not replaced by a lower numbered lammer when a dealer's hand and a player's hand have a same value.

9. The method of claim 1 whereby, the game of chance is played with cards and wherein a player splits a hand one or more times during a play of any game prior to winning a consecutive wins, loss or tie bet, the consecutive bet will win or lose depending on the net result of the split or splits, a net result of no gain will not result in a loss nor will result in a lammer advancing to the next higher consecutive bet receiving region nor will result in a lammer being replaced or lowered.

10-14. (canceled)

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the game of chance is blackjack.

16. The method of claim I wherein the game is baccarat and the player may bet on a predetermined number of consecutive banker, or player, or tie wins.

17-22. (canceled)

23. The method of claim 1 wherein the player may switch his conventional bet in between an end of one game and a beginning of the following game.

24-36. (canceled)

37. The method of claim 1 further comprising protecting against dealer/player collusion and/or player dishonesty, by: (m) marking the lammer of step (g) with a marking sufficiently large and of a color sufficiently detectable by both game supervisors and game surveillance; (n) marking the relevant game layout at the consecutive bet receiving regions of step (a) with a matching marking sufficiently large and of a color sufficiently detectable by both game supervisors and surveillance; (o) requiring the dealer to match the markings of the lammer at steps (b) to the marking at the consecutive bet receiving region after a successful consecutive wins, losses or ties round by the player and during the advancing of the lammer to the appropriate consecutive bet receiving region (of step (j): (p) the option of requiring the dealer to follow specific hand and/or wrist movements during the matching of the two markings; and (q) once a consecutive bet has been placed and until the pendancy has been completed, disallowing the player to tamper with the lammer and consecutive bet receiving region.

38. The method of claim 37 further comprising: employing the surveillance for monitoring at least the consecutive bet receiving region with a camera and recording images of the monitored area in a storage means to ascertain if any tampering of lammers placed in the consecutive bet region have been mismatched.

39-40. (canceled)

41. The method of claim 37 with allowable modifications to be used with any game of chance.

42-44. (canceled)

45. Using the method of claim 1 further comprising rewarding the player with a predetermined bonus payout for achieving a given number of consecutive wins, losses or ties in addition to the bet made in step (c).

46-48. (canceled)

49. The method of claim 1 further comprising collecting and paying a progressive jackpot to a player for achieving a given number of consecutive wins, losses or ties.

50-51. (canceled)

52. The method of claim 37 further comprising collecting and paying a progressive jackpot to a player for achieving a given number of consecutive wins, losses or ties.

53. A game of chance incorporating one of multiple gaming platforms, a casino table game, a video gaming device, a personal computer incorporating gaming software, and an internet gaming site, the game of chance employing a method utilizing the method steps of claim 1.

54-57. (canceled)

58. The method of claim I wherein the player may switch his conventional bet upon a start of a new game.

59. (canceled)