Patent Grant
7694971
The invention relates to apparatuses for playing roulette and methods for arranging indicia on roulette game surfaces and roulette wheels.
Roulette is a well-known game of chance enjoyed throughout the world. The equipment used for playing roulette generally comprises a roulette wheel and a game surface.
The roulette wheel generally comprises a horizontally disposed wheel mounted in a bowl-shaped housing. The wheel is adapted to rotate about a vertical axis and includes a plurality of pockets disposed around its periphery. Each pocket has a unique number associated with the pocket, as well as a color associated therewith. Each pocket is adapted to receive a small ball which is introduced into the bowl shaped housing by an operator or croupier as the wheel is set in motion. The wheel is typically spun in one direction and the ball projected around the circumference of the housing in an opposite direction. As the ball loses speed, it rolls down the concave housing wall, eventually coming to rest in one of the pockets. The outcome or result of the spin is the number and color associated with the pocket in which the ball comes to rest.
The game surface includes a plurality of wagering areas indicating various numbers, colors, parities (the odd or even quality of a number) and groupings of numbers. One or more players make wagers on a predicted outcome of a spin of the roulette wheel. A players indicates his or her wager by placing one or more wagering devices, such as chips or markers representing an amount of the wager, at a predetermined location on the game surface corresponding to a predicted outcome of a spin of the roulette wheel.
A prior art roulette game surface or board is shown in
A player may place a wager on a particular number by placing one or more chips or markers within the wagering area corresponding to that number. In addition, players can wager on groupings of individual numbers. For example, a player can wager on a column of numbers by placing one or more chips or markers adjacent to the column of numbers, on a row of numbers by placing one or more chips or markers adjacent to the row of numbers, on two rows of numbers by placing one or more chips or markers adjacent to the two rows of numbers, and on four adjoining numbers by placing one or more chips or markers at the intersection of the four adjoining numbers.
As shown in
Winning wagers in the game of roulette are paid out at predetermined multiples based on the probability of the particular predicted outcome. For example, a winning wager for an individual number may pay out at a ratio of 35 to 1; a winning wager for a row of three numbers may pay out at a ratio of 11 to 1; a winning wager for a group of four adjacent numbers may pay out at a ratio of 8 to 1; a winning wager for two adjacent rows of number may pay out at a ratio of 5 to 1; a winning wager for the combination of numbers 1 to 18 or the combination of numbers from 19 to 36 may pay out at a ratio of 1 to 1; a winning wager on a column of numbers may pay out at a ratio of 2 to 1; a winning wager on a block of twelve consecutive numbers (first twelve, second twelve or last twelve) may pay out at a ratio of 2 to 1, and a winning wager on an odd number; an even number, a red number or a black number may pay out even money. Other wager combinations and associated payout ratios may also be used.
The prior art American roulette wheel arrangement is shown in
The numbers from 1 to 36 are arranged at standardized positions on the prior art American wheel as shown. Black and red numbers alternate and directly across the wheel from each odd number is the next highest even number (for example the number 10 is directly across the wheel from the number 9).
The arrangement of numbers and colors on the prior art roulette game surface shown in
As shown in
In the prior art roulette game surface arrangement, the first column consists of six red numbers (1, 7, 16, 19, 25 and 34). Of these six red numbers, however, four numbers are odd (1, 7, 19 and 25) and only two numbers are even (16 and 34). Moreover, two of the odd red numbers (1 and 7) are in the first dozen wagering area, whereas the second and third dozen wagering areas each have one red odd and one red even number in the first column (16, 19 and 25, 34, respectively) Thus, the first column includes one even red number (16) in the second dozen wagering area, one even red number (34) in the third dozen wagering area, but no even red numbers in the first dozen wagering area.
The first column in the prior art roulette game surface further includes six black numbers (4, 10, 13, 22, 28, and 31). Of these six black numbers, however, four numbers are even (4, 10, 22, and 28) and only two numbers are odd (13 and 31). Moreover, two of the black even numbers (4 and 10) are in the first dozen wagering area, whereas the second and third dozen wagering areas each have one black odd and one black even number in the first column (13, 22 and 28, 31, respectively). Thus the first column includes one odd black number (13) in the second dozen wagering area, one odd black number (31) in the third dozen wagering area, but no odd black numbers in the first dozen wagering area.
In the prior art roulette game surface arrangement, the second column consists of four red numbers (5, 14, 23 and 32). Of these four red numbers, two are in the second dozen wagering area (14 and 23) while the first and third dozen wagering areas have only one red number each (5 and 32, respectively). Additionally, the first dozen wagering area includes no even red numbers in the second column and the third dozen wagering area includes no odd red numbers in the second column.
The second column in the prior art roulette game surface further includes eight black numbers (2, 8, 11, 17, 20, 26, 29 and 35). Of these eight black numbers, three (2, 8 and 11) are in the first dozen wagering area and three (26, 29 and 35) are in the third dozen wagering area, while the second dozen wagering area only includes two black numbers (17 and 20). Moreover, the first dozen wagering area includes two even black numbers (2 and 8) and only one odd black number (11) in the second column. The third dozen wagering area includes two black odd numbers (29 and 35) and only one black even number (26) in the second column. The second wagering area includes one black odd number (17) and one black even number (20) in the second column.
In the prior art roulette game surface arrangement, the third column consists of eight red numbers (3, 9, 12, 18, 21, 27, 30 and 36). Of these eight red numbers, three (3, 9 and 12) are in the first dozen wagering area and three (27, 30 and 36) are in the third dozen wagering area, while the second dozen wagering area includes only two red numbers (18 and 21). Moreover, the first dozen wagering area includes two odd red numbers (3 and 9) and only one even red number (12) in the second column. The third dozen wagering area includes two red even numbers (30 and 36) and only one red odd number (27) in the second column. The second wagering area includes one red even number (18) and one red odd number (21) in the second column.
The third column in the prior art roulette wheel arrangement further includes four black numbers. Of these four black numbers, two are in the second dozen wagering area (15 and 24) while the first and third dozen wagering areas have only one black number each (6 and 33, respectively) Additionally, the first dozen wagering area includes no odd black numbers in the third column and the third dozen wagering area includes no even black numbers in the third column.
Turning to the dozen wagering areas or groups on the prior art roulette game surface, the first dozen wagering area (1-12) includes six red numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 12) and six black numbers (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 11). However, of the six red numbers, five are odd (1, 3, 5, 7 and 9) and only one is even (12). Moreover, of the six black numbers in the first dozen wagering area, five are even (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10) and only one is odd (11). Accordingly, the first dozen wagering area of the prior art roulette game surface is unbalanced with respect to the distribution of red, black, odd and even numbers.
The second dozen wagering area (13-24) of the prior art roulette game surface arrangement includes six red numbers (14, 16, 18, 19, 21 and 23), three of which are even (14, 16 and 18) and the remaining three (19, 21 and 23) of which are odd. This represents a balanced arrangement. Moreover, the second dozen wagering area includes six black numbers (13, 15, 17, 20, 22 and 24), three of which are odd (13, 15 and 17) and the remaining three of which are even (20, 22 and 24). This represents a balanced arrangement.
The third dozen wagering area (25-36) of the art roulette game surface arrangement includes six red numbers (25, 27, 30, 32, 34 and 36) and six black numbers (26, 29, 31, 33 and 35). However, of the six red numbers, four are even (30, 32, 34 and 36) and only two are odd (25 and 27). Moreover, of the six black numbers in the third dozen wagering area, four are odd (29, 31, 33 and 35) and only two are even (26 and 28). Accordingly, the third dozen wagering area of the prior art roulette game surface is also unbalanced with respect to the distribution of red, black, odd and even numbers.
In addition to the uneven distribution of red, black, odd and even numbers on the prior art roulette game surface, it has been observed that the arrangement of corresponding numbers on the prior art roulette wheels (both American and European) has a relationship to various arrangements of colors, odds, evens, columns and groups on the roulette game surface as set forth below.
The relationships among adjacent numbers on the prior art roulette wheels and their corresponding positions, groupings and characteristics on the prior art roulette game surface may allow experienced players to combine bets on red, black, even and odd numbers, columns and dozen groups to increase the player's chances of winning. For example in the prior art arrangements, players may “flower” the wheel by placing bets corresponding to a group of numbers positioned on the roulette wheel adjacent or in close proximity to one another. By utilizing progressive betting techniques and taking advantage of the relationship between the positions of the numbers on the roulette wheel and the various betting schemes (red, black, odd, even, column, dozen group) a professional or experienced player may increase his or her odds of winning.
As shown in
Moreover, the three numbers 18, 6 and 21 are arranged consecutively on the wheel, and all are in the same column, namely the third column, on the game surface. The numbers 18 and 21 are also in the same group, the second dozen wagering area, and adjacent to one another on the game surface (18 is positioned directly above 21).
The four numbers 18, 6, 21 and 33 are arranged consecutively on the wheel, and all are in the same column, namely the third column, on the game surface. The numbers 18 and 21 are adjacent one another on the game surface, and 18 and 6 are both even numbers and adjacent to one another on the wheel. The numbers 21 and 33 are both odd numbers and adjacent on the wheel. Two of the numbers from this grouping (18 and 21) are in the second dozen wagering area, wherein 6 is in the first dozen wagering area and 33 is in the third wagering area. Accordingly, this grouping of numbers is unbalanced.
The numbers 16 and 4 are adjacent to one another on the wheel, are both even and are in the same column, namely the first column, on the game surface. The numbers 23 and 35 are adjacent to one another on the wheel, are both odd and are in the same column, namely the second column, on the game surface.
The three numbers 23, 35 and 14 are arranged consecutively on the wheel, and all three are in the same column, namely the second column, on the game surface. Two of the numbers from this group (23, 35) are odd numbers.
The four numbers 23, 35, 14 and 2 are arranged consecutively on the wheel and all four are in the same column, namely the second column of the game surface. Two of the numbers from this grouping (14 and 23) are in the second dozen wagering area, wherein 2 is in the first dozen wagering area and 35 is in the third wagering area. Accordingly, this grouping of numbers is unbalanced.
The groups of four consecutive numbers on the wheel consisting of first group 18, 6, 21 and 33, which are all in the third column on the game surface, and second group 23, 35, 14 and 2, which are all in the second column on the game surface, are only separated on the prior art wheel by a single pair of adjacent numbers, 16 and 4. This grouping of ten consecutive numbers on the prior art American roulette wheel is not balanced by any corresponding grouping on the other side of the wheel.
Moving clockwise from the single zero (0) house number of the prior art American roulette wheel layout shown in
The three numbers 20, 32 and 17 are arranged consecutively on the wheel, and all three are in the same column, namely the second column, on the game surface. Two of the numbers from this group (20 and 32) are even numbers. The numbers 20 and 17 are adjacent to each other on the game surface and both in the second dozen wagering area. The four numbers 20, 32, 17 and 5 are arranged consecutively on the wheel, and all four are in the same column, namely the second column, on the game surface. The numbers 20 and 32 are both even. Two numbers from this grouping (17 and 20) are in the second dozen wagering area, one number (5) is in the first dozen wagering area and one number (32) is in the third dozen wagering area. Accordingly, this grouping of numbers is unbalanced.
The numbers 22 and 34 are adjacent to one another on the wheel, both are even and both are in the same column, namely the first column, on the game surface. The numbers 15 and 3 are adjacent to one another on the wheel, both are odd and both are in the same column, namely the third column, on the game surface.
The three numbers 15, 3 and 24 are arranged consecutively on the wheel and are all in the same column, namely the third column, on the game surface. Two of the numbers (15 and 3) are odd numbers. The four numbers 15, 3, 24 and 36 are arranged consecutively on the wheel and all four numbers are in the same column, namely the third column, on the game surface. Two numbers from this grouping (15 and 24) are in the second dozen wagering area, one number (3) is in the first dozen wagering area and one number (36) is in the third dozen wagering area. Accordingly, this grouping of numbers is unbalanced.
The groups of four consecutive numbers on the wheel consisting of first group 20, 32, 17 and 5, which are all in the second column on the game surface, and second group 15, 3, 24 and 36, which are all in the third column on the game surface, are only separated on the wheel by a single pair of adjacent numbers, 22 and 34. This grouping of ten consecutive numbers on the prior art American roulette wheel is not balanced by any corresponding grouping on the other side of the wheel. In particular, there are two numbers (13 and 1) between this grouping often numbers (20, 32, 17, 5, 22, 43, 15, 3, 24, and 36) and the house number 00, while the grouping of ten numbers 18, 6, 21, 33, 16, 4, 23, 35, 14 and 2 on the other half of the wheel is adjacent to the house number 0. Thus the groupings are not balanced or symmetric with respect to their arrangement on the wheel.
Additionally, the numbers 13 and 1 are adjacent to one another on the wheel, are both odd and are in the same column, namely the first column, on the game surface.
As shown in
Additionally, on the prior art European roulette wheel, the numbers 10 and 5 are adjacent to one another and both numbers are in the first dozen wagering area on the game surface. The numbers 16 and 24 are adjacent to one another on the wheel, are both even and are both in the second dozen wagering area on the game surface. The numbers 14 and 20 are adjacent to one another on the wheel, are both even, are both in the second column and are both in the second dozen wagering area on the game surface.
The numbers 22 and 18 are adjacent to one another on the wheel, are both even and are both in the second dozen wagering area on the game surface. The numbers 7 and 28 are adjacent to one anther on the wheel and are both in the same column, namely the first column, on the game surface. The numbers 26 and 32 are separated only by the house number 0, are both even, are both in the second column and in the third dozen wagering area of the game surface.
Accordingly there exists a need for improved roulette board game surface and wheel arrangements having a balanced layout wherein red and black and even and odd numbers are evenly distributed. Moreover, the need exists for an improved roulette game surface and wheel arrangement wherein relationships between adjacent pairs or groups of numbers on the wheel and the arrangement and characteristics of numbers on the game surface is eliminated.
The game of roulette has always been restricted to a game having about 36 numbers on the wheel and one or two house numbers designated as 0 or 00 or both. However, there is nothing magical about having 36 numbers on the wheel. The present invention is directed to a super-roulette same having more than 36 numbers having a balanced layer on the board game surface and wheel arrangement.
The present invention includes a roulette wheel apparatus that contains more than 36 numbers, excluding the house numbers, as defined herein. Indicia on a game surface are associated with the roulette wheel. The indicia on the game surface include all of the whole numbers on the roulette wheel arranged in numerical order, wherein one half of the whole numbers are associated with a first color and the remaining half are associated with a second color. The whole numbers are arranged on the game surface in columns and rows in ascending order beginning from a top left corner and proceeding from left to right across the rows. The whole numbers are arranged on the game surface such that the amount of whole numbers in each column is the same, and the amount of whole numbers in each row is the same. However, the number of rows may or may not be equal to the number of columns, and the number of whole numbers in the columns may or may not be equal to the number of whole numbers in the rows. The whole numbers in the game surface may be further grouped. But each grouping must contain the same number of whole numbers. But, the number of groups may or may not equal the number of rows or the number of columns. Further, the mount of whole numbers in each group may be the same or different from either the amount of whole numbers in each row or the amount of whole numbers ion each column.
If the roulette wheel contains house numbers, the game surface indicia may or may not contain the house numbers. If house numbers are included in the game surface, they are arranged in an area separate from the indicia of whole numbers.
Excluding the house numbers, the number of whole numbers on the roulette wheel cannot be a prime number. In addition, the number of whole numbers on the roulette wheel is a number, which is an even number. Further, it is a number, which is evenly divisible by the number of columns and rows described hereinabove on the game surface. In an embodiment, the whole numbers on the game surface are divisible by 3 or 4.
Examples of amount of whole number on the roulette wheel, excluding house numbers are 42, 48, 54, 60, 72 and the like.
However, no matter how large the amount of whole numbers there are on the roulette wheel, no two adjacent numbers on the roulette wheel are associated with the same color, are disposed in the same group on the game surface, are disposed in the same column on the game surface, or are disposed adjacent one another on the game surface.
For example, when the roulette wheel contains sixty whole numbers, excluding the house numbers, the game surface may be divided into three groups of twenty numbers, 1-20, 21-40 and 41-60. In addition, there may be 5 columns, consisting of 12 rows, each row containing 5 whole numbers in numerical order, 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20, 21-25, 26-30, 31-35, 36-40, 41-45, 46-50, 51-55, and 56-60.
In the embodiment, no two adjacent numbers on the roulette wheel are associated with the same color or disposed in the same group on the game surface, are disposed in the same column on the game surface or are disposed adjacent to one another on the game surface. The pattern may be the same or different in each half of the roulette wheel.
A method for arranging indicia on a game surface and on an associated roulette wheel for a roulette game according to an embodiment of the invention includes arranging indicia indicating one or more house numbers on the game surface. In the example of a roulette wheel having 60 numbers, excluding house numbers, indicia indicating sixty whole numbers comprising the numbers 1 through 60 are arranged on the game surface, wherein one half of the whole numbers are associated with a first color and a remaining half of the whole numbers are associated with a second color. The whole numbers are arranged on the game surface in a matrix of five columns and twelve rows in ascending order beginning from a top left corner and proceeding from left to right across the rows.
The whole numbers are arranged in three groups of twenty numbers each, a first group comprising the numbers 1 through 20, a second group comprising the numbers 21 through 40 and a third group comprising the numbers 41 through 60. Each of said first, second and third groups comprises five even numbers associated with the first color, five odd numbers associated with first color, five even numbers associated with the second color and five odd numbers associated with the second color.
Indicia indicating the one or more house numbers are arranged on the roulette wheel. Although the house number(s) may be any symbol or any number except 1-60, typically, the house numbers are 0 or 00 or combination thereof. They are typically arranged symmetrically on the roulette wheel. For example if 6 house numbers are present on the roulette wheel, obviously there are 10 numbers on the roulette wheel separating each house number; if 5 house numbers are on the wheel, there are 12 numbers separating each house number; if there are 4 house numbers on the wheel, there are 15 numbers separating each of them; if there are 3 house numbers present on the wheel, there are 20 numbers separating each of them; if there are two house numbers on the roulette wheel, there are 30 numbers separating each of them. Finally, if there is one house number, then there are 61 numbers on the wheel, ranging from 0 to 60 (there are 60 number in separating the one house number.) Although normally if one house number is present, one cannot have a symmetrical relationship, for purposes of this application, when discussing the arrangement of house numbers, it is to be understood when there are the same amount of numbers separating each house number or when there are 60 numbers separating each house number, it is to be designated as the house number are symmetrically arranged.
The roulette wheel is divided into thirty numbers, 1-30 and 31-60. Indicia indicating each of the sixty whole numbers are arranged on the roulette wheel in a circumferential manner by selecting a first whole number associated with the first color or the second color and disposed in one of the five columns and one of the three groups and indicating the first whole number on the roulette wheel.
A second whole number associated with another of the first color or the second color and disposed in another of the five columns and another of the three groups is selected and indicated on the roulette wheel adjacent to the first number; a third whole number is selected which is associated with the first color or the second color and disposed in one of the five columns not previously selected and in another of the three groups and indicating the third whole number on the roulette wheel adjacent to the second where number on the roulette wheel not previously selected. A fourth whole number is selected which is associated with the first color or the second color and disposed in another of the five columns not previously selected but is disposed in the first group previously selected and indicating the fourth whole number on the roulette wheel adjacent to the third whole number on the roulette wheel; a fifth whole number is selected which is associated with the first color or the second color and disposed in one of the five columns not previously selected and in the second of the three groups previously selected, and indicating the fifth whole number on the roulette wheel adjacent to the fourth whole number on the roulette wheel.
This pattern is repeated on the roulette wheel such that no two adjacent numbers on the roulette wheel are associated with a same color, are disposed in a same group on the game surface, are disposed in a same column on the game surface, are disposed in a same row on the game surface, or are disposed adjacent one another on the game surface. The pattern may be the same or different in each half of the roulette wheel.
Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, at least about 67% of the numbers are arranged on the roulette wheel such that each number, when traversing the roulette wheel clockwise, beginning at a first pocket location, of a first half of the roulette wheel and a corresponding positioned number when traversing the roulette wheel counterclockwise beginning at the first pocket location of the second half of the roulette wheel will add up to 61 for each pair of like positioned numbers. It is noted that within the remaining numbers (the other about ⅓ of the numbers), there are pairs of numbers that also add up to 61. Moreover, in a particular embodiment, e.g., when the roulette wheel contains an even number of house numbers or 0 house numbers, the numbers are arranged on the roulette wheel such that, each number when traversing the roulette wheel clockwise beginning at a first pocket location of a first half of the roulette wheel and a corresponding positioned number when traversing the roulette wheel counter-clockwise beginning at the first pocket location of the second half of the roulette wheel will add up 61 to for each pair of like positioned numbers. If the roulette wheel has an even number of house numbers, e.g., two, four, etc., it is preferred that the numbers on the roulette wheel are so arranged such that each number, when traversing the roulette wheel clockwise beginning at a first pocket location of the first half of the roulette wheel and a corresponding positioned number when traversing the roulette wheel counter-clockwise beginning at the first pocket location of the second half of the roulette wheel will add up to 61 for each pair of like positioned numbers. When there are an odd number of house numbers, about two-thirds and more preferably at least about 67% of the numbers, excluding house numbers, beginning at first pocket location of the first half of the roulette wheel and a corresponding positioned number when traversing the roulette wheel counter-clockwise beginning at the first pocket location of the second half of the roulette wheel add up to 61 for each pair of like positioned numbers. For the remaining about one-third of the numbers, it is to be noted that one-half of those remaining are in one half of roulette wheel and the remaining one-half of those remaining are in the other half of the roulette wheel. The total amount of numbers that remains which do not fit the pattern on the top half of the roulette wheel equal the amount of numbers on the bottom wheel which do not fit the pattern. However, the remaining numbers may be arranged to form another pattern. For example, the remaining numbers may be arranged so that each number, when traversing roulette wheel clockwise beginning at a pocket location of the remaining numbers of a first half of the roulette wheel and a corresponding positioned number of the remaining about one-half of those remaining on the other half of the roulette wheel when traversing the roulette wheel counter-clockwise beginning at the corresponding positioned number also add to 61 for each pair of the positioned numbers.
Moreover, each of the corresponding positioned number pair on the wheel that adds to 61 is of the same color.
Roulette game apparatuses comprising game surfaces and roulette wheels conforming to the method are also disclosed.
An advantage of a method for arranging indicia on a roulette game surface and on an associated roulette wheel and of roulette game apparatuses according to embodiments of the invention is that the relationships between adjacent numbers on the prior art roulette wheel and their corresponding characteristics and positions on the prior art game surface are eliminated or minimized. Accordingly, players using a game surface and roulette wheel according to embodiments of the invention are unable to take advantage of the relationship between the positions of the numbers on the prior art roulette wheel and the betting combinations available on the prior art game surface to increase their odds of winning.
The game surface and wheel arrangements according to embodiments of the invention achieve fairness, balance and consistency for the player and casino by providing a perfect balance of red, black, odd and even numbers on the game surface and a roulette wheel layout which is matched to a corresponding game surface or board to eliminate relationships between groups of numbers on the wheel and betting arrangements on the game surface.
A further advantage of a super roulette wheel arrangement according to a method and apparatus of the invention is that an arrangement may be provided that is adaptable for both American and European use with a common game surface have substantially the same arrangement of numbers. This feature may increase player interest, as players familiar with one of the American or European roulette wheel arrangement will also be easily familiarized with the other style wheel.
Moreover, it is understood that the concept of the super roulette wheel of the invention herein may be adapted for use in other like gaming devices, e.g., a pin-wheel game.
Other benefits and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.
In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements:
In the drawings, numbers and symbols in regular typeface indicate a first color, for example red. Numbers and symbols in bold typeface indicate a second color, for example black. Numbers in an outline type format indicate a third color, for example green.
Applicant's U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/593,322 is directed to a novel roulette wheel and game board surface arrangement that includes thirty-six individual number wagering areas, each corresponding to a whole number from 1 to 36 are arranged on the game surface. The thirty six individual number wagering areas are arranged in ascending order from left to right in a matrix of three columns and twelve rows. In the accompanying game surface, the thirty six individual whole numbers are evenly distributed in a perfectly balanced manner wherein nine odd numbers are associated with a first color (for example red), nine odd numbers are associated with a second color (for example black), nine even numbers are associated with a first color (for example red) and nine even numbers are associated with a second color (for example black). Moreover, each of the three columns in a game surface comprises six numbers associated with the first color and six numbers associated with the second color. Each of the columns in a game surface comprises six odd numbers and six even numbers. Each of the columns in a game surface comprises three even numbers associated with the first color, three even numbers associated with the second color, three odd numbers associated with the first color and three odd numbers associated with the second color. Additionally, each of the three groups of twelve numbers corresponding to the first, second and third dozen wagering areas in a game surface comprises three even numbers associated with the first color, three even numbers associated with the second color, three odd numbers associated with the first color and three odd numbers associated with the second color. Moreover, Applicant's U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/593,322 further describes the pockets and corresponding numbers on the roulette wheel as being arranged such that no two adjacent numbers on the roulette wheel are associated with a same color, are disposed in a same group on an associated game surface, are disposed in a same column on an associated game surface, are disposed in a same row on an associated game surface, or are disposed adjacent one another on an associated game surface.
An embodiment of the present application refers to a roulette wheel apparatus containing more than 36 whole numbers thereon. In an embodiment of the present invention, the roulette game apparatus comprises:
a) a game surface comprising:
b) a roulette wheel comprising a plurality of pockets disposed in a circumferential manner, each of said pockets corresponding to a house number or to a whole number from 1 to a number greater than 36, wherein each of the whole numbers is associated with said first color or said second color as on said game surface, and wherein said pockets are arranged on said roulette wheel such that no two adjacent numbers on the roulette wheel are associated with a same color, are disposed in a same group on the game surface, are disposed in a same column on the game surface, are disposed in a same row on the game surface, or are disposed adjacent one another on the game surface and such that the roulette wheel contains an even number of whole numbers, excluding house numbers, and such that the number of whole numbers on the wheel is a number in which goes evenly into the number of rows and columns on the game surface, and the number of whole numbers on the roulette wheel is divisible by three or four, and wherein the number of whole numbers is an even number. It is preferred that the there are only three other waging areas, the first corresponding from 1 to one-third of the numbers on the roulette wheel, a second other wagering area containing the second third of the numbers on the roulette wheel, and a third other wagering corresponding to the final third of the whole numbers on the roulette wheel.
For example, in an embodiment of the present invention wherein the roulette wheel contains 60 whole numbers and where the roulette game apparatus has 60 individual number wagering areas, the roulette game apparatus comprises:
b) a roulette wheel comprising a plurality of pockets disposed in a circumferential manner, each of said pockets corresponding to a house number or to a whole number from 1 to 60, wherein each of the whole numbers is associated with said first color or said second color as on said game surface, and wherein said pockets are arranged on said roulette wheel such that no two adjacent numbers on the roulette wheel are associated with a same color, are disposed in a same group on the game surface, are disposed in a same column on the game surface, are disposed in a same row on the game surface, or are disposed adjacent one another on the game surface.
The roulette game apparatus described herein additionally comprises one to four house numbers on the roulette wheel evenly spaced apart, as defined herein.
As illustrated in
A game surface according to an embodiment of the invention further includes a low number wagering area 6 for wagering on the numbers from 1 to 30 and a high number wagering area 7 for wagering on the numbers from 31 to 60. A first other wagering area 8 for wagering on the numbers from 1 to 20, a second other wagering area 9 for wagering on the numbers from form 21 to 40, and a third other wagering area 10 for wagering on the numbers from 41 to 60 are also disposed on the game surface.
Sixty individual number wagering areas 11, each corresponding to a whole number from 1 to 60 are arranged on the game surface. As shown, the sixty individual number wagering areas are arranged in ascending order from left to right in a matrix of five columns and twelve rows.
As shown in
Moreover, each of the five columns in a game surface according to an embodiment of the invention comprises six numbers associated with the first color and six numbers associated with the second color. Each of the columns in a game surface according to an embodiment of the invention comprises six odd numbers and six even numbers. Each of the columns in a game surface according to an embodiment of the invention comprises three even numbers associated with the first color, three even numbers associated with the second color, three odd numbers associated with the first color and three odd numbers associated with the second color.
Additionally, each of the three groups of twenty numbers corresponding to the first, second and third other wagering areas in a game surface according to an embodiment of the invention comprises five even numbers associated with the first color, five even numbers associated with the second color, five odd numbers associated with the first color and five odd numbers associated with the second color.
For example, as shown in the game surface illustrated in
Without any limitation, as shown in
As shown in
According to an embodiment of the invention, the pockets and corresponding numbers on the roulette wheel are arranged such that no two adjacent numbers on the roulette wheel are associated with a same color, are disposed in a same group on an associated game surface, are disposed in a same column on an associated game surface, are disposed in a same row on an associated game surface, or are disposed adjacent one another on an associated game surface. In terms of the game surface, two adjacent numbers may be considered as two numbers which are directly above or below one another (for example 4 and 9), side by side (for example 7 and 8) or directly diagonal from one another (for example 10 and 4).
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the pockets and corresponding numbers on the roulette wheel 100 as shown in
Thus, as shown in
In this example roulette wheel arrangement shown in
Likewise, in this example roulette wheel arrangement shown in
It is understood that the roulette wheel may comprise values according to similar repeating patterns that begin with any Group/Column combination. Thus, in another example embodiment for the arrangement of numbers in the roulette wheel 300 depicted in
In this example roulette wheel arrangement shown in
Likewise, in this example roulette wheel arrangement shown in
As previously mentioned, in the embodiments of the roulette wheel 100 of
A further example roulette wheel arrangement is now depicted as shown in
In this example roulette wheel arrangement shown in
It is also noted that if one traverses clockwise at number 58, (next to house number at 415) and traverses counter-clockwise the roulette wheel starting at number 3, and ignoring the house numbers, the sums of each pair of numbers equals 61 when one reaches 54 in the counter-clockwise direction. The numbers 54 to 12 in the counter-clockwise direction do not fit the pattern. Moreover, if one counts clockwise from number 3 and counter-clockwise from number 58, the sums of each pair of numbers equals 61, until one reaches number 7 in the counter-clockwise direction of 49 in the clockwise direction. However, if one starts from number 49 in the lower half and traverses in the clockwise direction, and one starts from 12 and traverses the roulette wheel in the counter-clockwise direction until the number 54 is reached, it is noted that the sum of each pair of numbers also equals 61. Nevertheless, these remaining numbers starting from 49 in the lower half until “7” in a clockwise direction and starting from 12 until 54 in the counterclockwise direction need not add up to 61, as long as the remaining criteria described herein are met.
Although not shown, it is understood that in the embodiments depicted in
A further advantage of a roulette game surface and wheel arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention is that the arrangement of numbers, colors and odd and even numbers is significantly more balanced than in the prior art arrangements.
In the prior art arrangements shown in
In the arrangements shown in FIGS. 4,5, for example, the sum of the fifteen odd black numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 and 49,) equals 425, and the sum of the fifteen odd red numbers (11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 51, 53, 55, 57 and 59) equals 475, giving a total of 900 as the sum of the odd numbers. The sum of the fifteen even black numbers in the arrangements shown in
Thus, as shown in
Moreover, as shown in the embodiment of the roulette wheel depicted in
In roulette wheel arrangement depicted in
As used herein, the term divisible or evenly divisible means that upon performing the division, there is no remainder,
Accordingly, while several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the concept of the super roulette wheel of the invention as described herein may be adapted for use in other like gaming devices, e.g., a pin-wheel game.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20080224393 A1 | Sep 2008 | US |
