Patent Grant
9679442
1. Field
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a gaming system and method for playing bingo and related games.
2. Background
Bingo is a game of chance played with randomly drawn articles typically having numbers or other indicia that players match against corresponding indicia on a player card or ticket. Traditional bingo games have numbers pre-arranged in a table, grid, matrix, or array, with winners determined by making a predetermined winning pattern with called numbers. The numbers may be printed on paper or cardstock, or electronically represented on a display with the subset of numbers for each play generally referred to as cards or tickets. When a single paper or other playing piece includes multiple cards, each may be referred to as a card face with the group of card faces referred to as a card or ticket. Players try to obtain the winning pattern or number of matches on their faces by covering or marking numbers on their cards as numbers are randomly selected or preselected from a predetermined group of numbers, such as 75 or 90 numbers, for example. Once a winning pattern is achieved or a predetermined number of calls are made, the game ends.
In contrast to keno, lotto, and related odds-based numbers games, regulations for bingo and related games generally include some requirement that the game must be played to conclusion. Although requirements may vary considerably by jurisdiction, this requirement is generally interpreted as requiring one or more winners. As such, if there are no winners in the prescribed number of calls, players continue to play for a consolation prize. Consolation prizes may be a fixed amount or a pari-mutuel prize based on the total or aggregate number and price of cards or tickets purchased by all players for that game. Payment of consolation prizes may be a significant operating expense for bingo gaming establishments. In addition, because of the uncertainty in the number of calls that may be required for a consolation prize winner, the use of consolation prizes to meet the requirement that the game be played to conclusion may reduce the total number of games that can be played in a given time period and thereby adversely affect scheduling of games and overall revenue for the operator.
Alternative methods of play have been developed to increase participation by creating excitement. Since its invention in 1934, modern bingo has evolved into multiple variations, with each jurisdiction's gambling laws regulating how the game is played. There are also nearly unlimited winning criteria that may be specified for playing a particular game. Some patterns only require one number to be matched whereas cover-all games require an entire card to be matched or covered to award the jackpot. Other games may award prizes to players for matching no numbers or achieving none of the specified patterns.
There are many variations of bingo games and even bingo cards. For example, double-action cards have two numbers in each square. However, the most common bingo cards are flat pieces of cardboard or paper that contain 25 squares arranged in five vertical columns and five horizontal rows. More recently, computer generated visual representations of bingo cards and related game cards or tickets may be presented on a screen or display. Each space in the grid contains a single number, except there may be one or more “Free” spaces, which typically include at least the center space. The “Free” spaces are considered covered or filled from the beginning of the game. For games played utilizing 75 numbers or another multiple of 5 numbers, the letters B, I, N, G, O may be pre-printed above the five vertical columns with one letter appearing above each column to assist players in more quickly locating a called number on their card(s). Players often play multiple cards for each game. For 75 number games, the numbers printed on the card are commonly arranged as follows: 1 to 15 in the B column; 16 to 30 in the I column; 31 to 45 in the N column; 46 to 60 in the G column and 61 to 75 in the O column. Depending on how many numbers are in each column for a particular game, the numbers are generally randomly selected from the number ranges above for each column. For example, a standard bingo game may include 25 spaces with 5 randomly selected numbers between 1 and 15 assigned to the B column, and so on. However, one variation randomly assigns the numbers to the available columns. In another variation, sometimes referred to as “U-Pick'Em” bingo, players may be issued three cards each having ⅓ of the total available numbers with all numbers that may be called or drawn included. Players then identify or mark which numbers they wish to play and then cover or mark the selected numbers when a corresponding number is called or drawn. Rather than a predetermined pattern, a predetermined number (such as 5 or 10) of matches to the called numbers determines a winning card.
With the expansion of Tribal gaming across the U.S., there are numerous versions of bingo that emulate the fast action of casino-like table games, but utilize the principals of bingo where players mark and monitor grid or matrix cards. Casino games like Roulette, Acey Duecy, and Money Wheel have bingo counterparts, which are permitted to be played under bingo licenses in many parts of the country. Similarly, U Pic'Em-style bingo is played in many markets, including in Native American bingo halls across the United States, and has been federally recognized as Class II gaming pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act codified at 25 U.S.C. §2703. It is similar to keno in that players are seeking to match a specific set of numbers rather than a set of numbers that form a specific pattern on a bingo card. In keno, 20 numbers are drawn from a pool of 80 numbers. Players select 1 to 20 numbers and prizes are awarded based on the probabilities of matching a specific set or sets of numbers. Keno is strictly odds-based with a known theoretical chance to win. In contrast, U-Pic'Em bingo games generally have a pool of 75 or 90 available numbers or indicia rather than the 80 used in keno, and the number of indicia drawn is generally 24 rather than the 20 numbers drawn in keno. Unlike keno, a U-Pic'Em game may be combined or offered as a bonus in combination with a more traditional bingo game having a winning criterion associated with a pattern formed on a player card or ticket by the matched numbers in addition to the number of matched indicia, and played to conclusion, i.e. until at least one player wins a prize.
In some variants of U-Pic'em Bingo, a specific set of numbers (usually three or five) are not chosen by the player, but instead are pre-printed at the top of a bingo card. In other variations, players choose their numbers (usually six to eight) and write them down on two-part paper, depositing one part in a locked box and keeping the other part to track their numbers. This method generally requires manual verification and is rather time consuming and labor intensive for the operators. There may also be variations on the way(s) to win with the numbers. For example, one common method is if the first n numbers (usually in the three to five number variant) drawn during the course of the bingo game match the numbers a player has, the player wins a bonus prize that is above and beyond the prize for completing the winning bingo pattern(s). Other variations (more commonly found in the six to eight number variant) include awarding a prize to the player who matches the greatest number of indicia, or to all players who match specific numbers of indicia. The latter variant does not require the indicia be called as part of a session-based bingo game, is odds-based similar to keno, and facilitates play in locations that may not offer bingo, as well as those facilities that have more traditional bingo games.
Some jurisdictions do not recognize odds-based games as being bingo, though many do. However, odds-based games may still be classified as bingo or Class II gaming when players are competing against one another for a prize, or where a winner is determined and a prize awarded for every game as previously described. In addition to prize awards based on the number of player indicia matching called or house indicia, various patterns may be used to determine a winner for a particular game. In addition to a straight horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line, many bingo halls consider other patterns as a valid bingo, usually in special games. For example, a 2×2 square in the upper right-hand corner would be considered a “postage stamp”. Another common special game requires players to cover each of the four corner squares. Games may also require two lines (double) or three lines (triple) to win. Combination games may have multiple bingos and/or winners based on different winning criteria, such as matching numbers or patterns of numbers. For example, the players first play to achieve a first winning pattern, such as a single line, to determine a first winner and then continue playing with the same cards and numbers to achieve a second winning pattern, such as a double line or coverall for a another prize.
The called numbers may be randomly selected using various methods for any of the variations of the game. With the expansion of computer technology, electronic random number generators (RNG) are now commonplace in many jurisdictions. However, some jurisdictions require physical draws that may utilize a randomly shuffled deck of bingo or other calling cards, a mechanical ball blower that mixes balls with blown air, or a cage that is turned to mix small wooden balls, for example. All methods essentially generate a sequence and/or group of random numbers for players to match to their card(s) or ticket(s).
In another version of play sometimes referred to as “Quick Shot”, numbers are pre-drawn and players purchase sealed cards that are then matched against the pre-drawn numbers. If a specified pattern is achieved, then the player usually wins a prize according to a prize table. This is an odds-based, keno-like game that may be found on various Class II gaming devices manufactured by companies such as GameTech, Video King, Lightning Games, and others. Some versions are played until a player achieves a top level prize, and then new numbers are drawn and the game begins anew. This type of bingo may be played over days, weeks, or months depending on the difficulty of achieving a top level prize.
In “Bonanza Bingo” played with 75 numbers, typically 45 numbers are pre-drawn at the beginning of a bingo session. Players purchase sealed cards that are then matched against the pre-drawn numbers. At a designated time, the caller asks if anyone has a winning pattern or bingo. If no winners are identified, the caller then draws one more ball. This game is commonly played as a “progressive” game, where the jackpot increases as more cards are sold. If no one has achieved bingo after the single ball has been drawn, players then hold their cards for the next session of bingo, which may take place the following day or following week, for example. During each session thereafter, a single ball is drawn and players may continue to purchase additional sealed cards until someone achieves a cover-all.
Many bingo gaming establishments have a call board or flashboard with called numbers illuminated or displayed for the players to see previously called numbers. In U.S. style bingo using 75 numbers, the flashboard is often arranged in 5 rows of 15 columns with the numbers arranged in sequence from left to right. In a version referred to as “Horse Racing Bingo” up to 15 players are randomly issued a number from 1 to 15 corresponding to the top row of numbers on the flashboard. Numbers are then drawn and the first person to match all five numbers in their assigned column wins. This is a fast paced and exciting form of bingo typically played in fraternal organizations.
As previously described, various types of bingo games may use different types of progressive prizes. The first involves increasing a prize amount based on contributing a portion (either fixed amount or percentage) of each ticket sold to the progressive prize pool. Some progressive prize pools are increased per unit of time, such as a day, week, etc. Progressive prize pools may be grouped in different ways, including by winning pattern, days of the week, bingo session (time of day), etc. Some progressive prize games may change the contribution amount after the game starts and/or stop contributions once the prize reaches a certain value. Progressive prize pools may also be aggregated across multiple gaming locations.
In virtually all keno, lottery, bingo, and slot machines, the progressive portion of the prize is split when there are multiple winners. The progressive portion is the current amount of the progressive meter less the amount of the base jackpot. The progressive portion grows by allocating a portion of every wager to the progressive meter. Thus, when there are multiple winners, the progressive amount is generally split evenly among all winners. For example, a game starts with a base jackpot of $10,000. As players make wagers, a portion of each wager is added to the progressive meter causing it to grow to $14,000. If two people were to win the progressive jackpot during the same game, they would each be paid the base amount of $10,000 in addition to half of the progressive amount of $4,000 for a total prize award of $12,000. Additionally, in many instances the progressive prize is paid on an aggregate basis and would be split evenly among the winners for $7,000 each in this example.
The various styles of bingo and related games generally have some common features. For example, a particular game (i.e. winning criterion) ends when the first winner satisfies the winning criterion. In combined games, play may continue after a first winner, but the winning criterion and/or prize are changed for a second or subsequent winner, i.e. matching a group of player selected numbers and continuing play to match one or more patterns, such as a single line followed by double line, or a double line followed by a coverall. Similarly, because many jurisdictions require bingo and related games to be played to conclusion (in contrast to keno or lotto type games where it is acceptable to not have a winner), if there is no winner matching the winning criterion within the required number of calls, the winning criterion and/or prize may be changed for a consolation game that is played until a winner is determined, for example. Another common feature of the various games, including keno, lotto, and progressive style games, is that multiple winners generally split or share the prize.
Systems and methods for playing a game of chance, which may be played as a standalone game of chance or in combination with another game of chance, have winning criteria associated with matching indicia such as objects, graphics, symbols, numbers, letters, or the like on a player card to indicia determined or selected by operator calls or an equivalent selection of game or house indicia identified by the gaming establishment, which may be generated manually by hand, ball cage, ball blower, playing cards, roulette wheel, etc., or electronically by a random number generator or the like, and selected and displayed individually and/or selected as a group during play and/or pre-selected prior to play. The systems and methods include determining a winner based on the number of player indicia matching house indicia and continuing game play until at least one winner is determined. Embodiments include a fixed draw with prizes awarded to all players based on the number of player indicia matching house indicia, as well as a draw that continues until at least one player matches a predetermined number of house indicia.
In one embodiment, each player selects a first predetermined number of player indicia from a pool having a second number of indicia and the selected player indicia are recorded on a player ticket. Various embodiments include player tickets and/or number selection devices with available numbers depicted as a bingo flashboard having five rows with each row associated with a designated bingo letter. In one embodiment, players may use a wireless mobile device, such as a cell phone or hand-held computing device to communicate selected numbers to a gaming operator. In another embodiment, the number selection device is implemented by a machine readable paper flashboard ticket. For each game, a third predetermined number of house indicia are selected from the pool by a gaming operator, and players are awarded a prize based on the number of player indicia matching the house indicia with either a prize awarded for every possible number of matching indicia or the game continuing until at least one player satisfies a winning criterion and is awarded a prize. House indicia may be generated manually by hand, ball cage, ball blower, playing cards, roulette wheel, etc., pre-selected, pre-called, or electronically called or sequenced by a random number generator or the like.
Various embodiments include a seeded prize with other embodiments played on a pari-mutuel basis with no seed money to begin the game. Similarly, seeded jackpot games as well as pari-mutuel games may include a progressive jackpot for a single location or aggregated across multiple gaming locations.
In one embodiment, a system for playing a game of chance includes a player indicia selection device that may be used by players to select and record some or all of the player indicia for one or more games on a player card or ticket. At least some player indicia may be preselected by the house or a third party in various embodiments. A first plurality of indicia is selected from a pool of a second plurality of indicia and recorded using the selection device. In one embodiment, the selection device includes all numbers of the pool arranged in rows and columns with each row having an associated letter, similar to a bingo flashboard. Embodiments include selection devices implemented by a paper flashboard that may be machine readable, as well as embodiments using a wired or wireless electronic device having a video display, such as a cell phone, handheld computing device, or dedicated gaming device. The system includes a house indicia device for determining or selecting called, game, or house indicia from the pool of indicia, and a display associated with the house indicia device for determining or selecting called indicia and displaying the called indicia, the display viewable by game players, wherein the system includes an associated pay table that determines prize awards for specified winning criteria. In one embodiment, the pay table includes a prize for every possible outcome or number of matches after a predetermined number of house indicia have been selected so that every game is played to conclusion and at least one winner is determined. In another embodiment, the pay table includes prize awards for a subset of possible outcomes and the game continues with additional house indicia selected until at least one player satisfies a winning criterion to conclude the game.
Systems and methods for gaming according to embodiments of the present disclosure have a number of associated advantages. For example, flashboard bingo and related gaming according to the present disclosure provides players more fun and excitement and reinvigorates operator revenues. Gaming strategies according to the present disclosure may be used to eliminate consolation prizes or to shift responsibility for consolation prizes and/or other prizes from the game operator to a third-party. Similarly, pay tables and progressive prize awards may be adjusted for particular player demographics and/or operator requirements. Various embodiments of flashboard bingo and related gaming according to the present disclosure provide a computerized ticket/card issuing and tracking system to reduce or eliminate manually matching of tickets. The computerized system may be used to manage and account for multiple progressive jackpots at a single gaming location and/or linked progressives across multiple locations. Embodiments may also include a computerized gaming system that facilitates player tracking to collect and analyze player demographics and behavior. In addition, a digital content manager may be provided to facilitate full motion video advertising on player video devices. Embodiments according to the present disclosure allow operators to generate more profit and eliminate prize exposure in favor of a fixed cost per ticket such that profits increase with increased ticket sales.
Gaming strategies according to the present disclosure may be applied to virtually any existing or future variations of bingo and similar games of chance. Various embodiments may be used with any winning pattern, combination, or number selections and the like. Cards or tickets may comprise paper, card stock, fixed, portable, or handheld electronic displays, and the like. Embodiments according to the present disclosure may be applied to fixed odds payouts, pari-mutuel, progressive, or any combination thereof. Similarly, embodiments may also be played with any approved method of determining, selecting, or calling house or game indicia such as numbers, words, or other elements to be matched including but not limited to pre-called games, random number generators, ball blowers, card draws, roulette style draws, and the like.
Various embodiments of flashboard bingo and related games may be played with at least one player that is playing one or more card faces or selection of indicia. Multi-player implementations may be required in some jurisdictions. For example, Class II gaming may require the game to be played with at least two players. The flashboard bingo and related games according to the present disclosure may also be used in various computer or machine based implementations.
An implementation of flashboard bingo in which prize amounts are offered for all possible outcomes provides a means for effectively offering a pari-mutuel game without requiring the use of meters to increment the prize values. The fixed odds payouts provide the operator with a known theoretical cost for each selection of indicia
The above advantages and other advantages and features will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Embodiments of the present disclosure described herein are recited with particularity in the appended claims. However, other features will become more apparent, and the embodiments may be best understood by referring to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features of the embodiments illustrated and described with reference to any one of the Figures may be combined with features illustrated in one or more other Figures to produce embodiments that may not be explicitly illustrated or described in detail. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical gaming applications for bingo and related games. However, various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of the present disclosure may be desired for particular applications or implementations. The representative embodiments used in the illustrations relate generally to a game of chance, such as bingo or a related game, with multiple prizes and/or winners. Those of ordinary skill in the art may recognize similar games or other applications or implementations not specifically described, but that are within the scope of the claims.
The descriptions of various styles of bingo and related gaming are purely illustrative. The systems and methods for gaming according to various embodiments of the present disclosure are generally independent of the size of the pool of indicia and are not limited to the 75 or 90 indicia, elements, balls, or numbers used in traditional bingo as played in the United States or Europe as described with respect to various representative embodiments. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any reference to balls or ball calls apply equally to games where other indicia such as letters, words, names, symbols, constellations, figures, patterns, and the like may be used in place of, or in combination with numbers
In general, the flashboard bingo strategies described with reference to various embodiments of the present disclosure are independent of the particular manner or strategy for selecting, determining, sequencing, calling, etc. of the house or game indicia. As such, the winning combination, matched selection, number of matches, etc. may generally be obtained by any predetermined or random selection of indicia using manual, electrical, mechanical, electronic, or computer controlled or assisted devices to match less than or equal to the total number of possible selections. Likewise, operator calls, house or game indicia may be determined, selected, or sequenced individually one at a time, and/or in groups or sets and subsequently displayed or otherwise provided to game players. Whether selected individually or as a group or set, house or game indicia may be displayed or presented individually and/or as a group. For example, a group of game or house indicia may be pre-selected prior to the beginning of a game and displayed or presented as a group to the players. Subsequent selection and presentation may occur for individual calls in substantially real time during game play. As another example, all of the available pool of indicia may be pre-selected or sequenced prior to game play and then called or presented individually to the game players to determine prize awards as described herein.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the flashboard bingo strategies illustrated in various embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to virtually any existing or future variation of bingo and related games. The strategies may be used with any winning pattern, combination, number selections, and the like. Similarly, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be played with tickets or cards on paper, card stock, or electronically via a video screen on a kiosk or handheld device, for example. Flashboard bingo strategies according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to games based on fixed odds payouts, pari-mutuel, progressive jackpots, or any combination thereof. Similarly, although various embodiments may refer to a ball call, an operator call or more generally selection or determination of house or game indicia, the flashboard bingo strategies illustrated may be used in games that incorporate various methods for selecting or determining house or game indicia, which may include a number, letter, word, graphic, picture, etc., including but not limited to pre-called games, random number generators, ball blowers, card draws, roulette style draws, and the like.
Gaming devices used in a system or method for flashboard bingo and related games of chance according to the present disclosure may include at least one device as generally represented by reference numeral 120 for selecting house indicia or called objects from a pool of available objects for a particular game. For example, device 120 may be implemented by one or more of a ball cage 122, an electronic or computer controlled random number generator (RNG) 124, a deck of cards 126, or a ball blower/console 128, although typically only one device is used in any particular game. RNG 124 may be implemented by a dedicated hardware device with associated embedded software. Alternatively, RNG 124 may be implemented entirely in software executing on computer server 102 or another computer or server. In one embodiment, RNG 124 is implemented by a dedicated hardware device or network appliance that communicates via a standard network protocol, such as Ethernet, and supports multiple games at multiple locations with house/game draws of between two and one-hundred-twenty numbers. RNG 124 may be programmed via hardware, software, or firmware, to provide a particular range of numbers and numbers of draws for a particular application. For example, in one embodiment of flashboard bingo according to the present disclosure, RNG 124 provides 24 randomly generated numbers having values between 1 and 75 for each game similar to a traditional bingo draw. Additional draws or numbers may be provided to play the game to conclusion depending on the particular implementation as described in greater detail herein.
Although various house indicia selection devices or methods may have advantages over others, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the present disclosure is independent of the particular type of device 120 or method used to select, sequence, or otherwise determine house indicia represented by called numbers or objects as previously described. Depending on the particular device used to select or otherwise determine house indicia, the selected indicia may be manually entered by an operator and/or automatically determined and communicated to computer server 102 in near real time and/or as a group upon conclusion of a game or at other selected intervals. For example, a ball blower console 128 may be used to manually draw each number. Each ball drawn is electronically or otherwise detected by console 128 or an associated device, and communicated to computer server 102. In applications having an RNG 124, selected house indicia are automatically communicated to server 102 in response to a particular request, which may be manually or automatically initiated. For example, an operator may initiate an electronic ball draw via an associated touch screen display 140 or similar device as illustrated and described herein. Alternatively, touch screen 140 may be used to enter ball calls determined using a manual device, such as ball cage 122, cards 126, ball blower 128, or the like, which are then communicated to server 102. In one embodiment, a desk terminal implemented using touch screen 140 with embedded software facilitates various game functions, such as game close, clear boards, and re-display, for example. In other embodiments, server 102 may automatically generate a request for multiple draws when a game is initiated. Of course, various other manual and/or automatic strategies for selecting or otherwise determining house indicia may be used.
As also shown in
Writer terminal 150 may be directly connected or otherwise in communication with various peripheral or accessory devices such as a mark sense reader 152 and ticket/card printer 154, for example. Reader 152 may be used to automatically read player tickets/card requests, which may include one or more player requested indicia. In one embodiment, players may request numbers printed on a paper ticket request by marking the paper with a pen or pencil. The ticket request is then fed into reader 152 which reads the marks and communicates associated information to writer terminal 150. As described in greater detail below, writer terminal 150 communicates this information to server 102. The ticket/card request form may include all available numbers depicted as a bingo flashboard, for example, as generally represented by flashboard 160. Of course, various other arrangements may be provided. For example, a ticket request may only include numbers written by hand by the player. Ticket requests may be presented to an operator with requested player indicia automatically and/or manually entered via writer terminal 150 as described in greater detail herein. However, use of a machine-readable ticket request in combination with a corresponding device such as reader 152 reduces or eliminates errors associated with manually selecting player indicia requested by a particular player. Upon collecting an associated wager and verifying ticket information, a paper ticket or card 170 may be printed by printer 154. Alternatively, or in combination, a virtual ticket/card may be provided in electronic form to an associated display on a player terminal and/or handheld device, such as cell phone 192. As also illustrated in
System 100 includes a plurality of player cards or tickets 170 (as also shown and described with respect to
Various accessories or peripherals may also be provided as generally represented by card/ticket checker 156, barcode scanner 158, and display or flashboard 160. Ticket checker 156 may include a barcode reader in addition to a magnetic stripe reader. The magnetic stripe reader may be used to read a customer affinity program card and display associated information, for example. Ticket checker 156 is a player activated device that may be used to scan a ticket and determine the ticket ID and display the status of that ticket. For example, ticket checker 156 may scan the barcode on a ticket to determine the ticket ID. The ticket ID information is communicated to server 102 to determine the status of the ticket. Ticket status is returned to ticket checker 156 and displayed on an embedded display. Ticket status may include a variety of information related to the game or games associated with the particular ticket, such as the date and time the ticket was issued, the wager, the time of completion of associated games, any winnings, and the like. Barcode scanner 158 may also be used to scan or read machine-readable information encoded on a ticket/card. Information is communicated to server 102 to identify the ticket. Associated information stored in a database in server 102 may then be communicated to any associated terminal or display.
Flashboard 160 may be used to present or display house indicia to players within a gaming establishment. While illustrated as a dedicated display, flashboard 160 may be alternatively implemented by a general-purpose display. Similarly, house indicia may be communicated in various other formats depending upon the particular application and implementation. In addition to a local display, house indicia may be presented to players via wireless devices such as cell phone 192. Wireless devices may communicate with server 102 via an associated antenna or tower 190. Antenna or tower 190 generally represents any wireless transmitting device such as a wireless router, cell phone tower, and the like. Alternatively, or in combination, house indicia and other related gaming information may be presented to one or more computers or servers 108 via the Internet 106 and/or any local private or public networks. Likewise, any devices illustrated in
In operation, a game of chance, such as flashboard bingo or a related game, is played for prizes, including monetary prizes, with cards/tickets 170 bearing numbers or other designations. Players or cardholders may cover the selected numbers or other designations when objects similarly numbered or designated as represented by balls 122, 128, or cards 126, for example, are drawn or electronically determined, such as by random number generator 124. Depending upon the particular implementation, the game may be won by the first person covering a previously designated number of numbers or other designations on card 170, which may include at least some of the player numbers or other designations selected by a player. Numbers or other designations may be selected using a printed or electronic representation of a bingo flashboard as generally represented by flashboard 160, for example. In one embodiment, at least some of the numbers or other designations are selected by a player using a handheld mobile device, such as cell phone 192, for example. Numbers may be requested or selected by a player using a standard text messaging protocol, such as SMS or a similar protocol, for example. Similarly, players may request one or more player indicia for a particular card/ticket by marking or requesting a quick pick, for example. In this case, the player requested indicia are randomly generated by server 102 and/or an associated random number generator 124. In one embodiment, the game is played to conclusion by continuing to draw or electronically determine objects until at least one cardholder covers the previously designated number of numbers or other designations. Alternatively, the game ends after a fixed number of draws by awarding every cardholder a prize associated with the number of numbers or other designations covered after the predetermined number of objects are drawn. In one embodiment of flashboard bingo, 24 numbers or other designations are drawn or electronically determined from a pool of 75 numbers or other designations with a prize awarded for every card corresponding to the number of numbers or other designations covered after the 24 numbers or other designations have been drawn.
Prizes are awarded based on an associated pay table stored within server 102 as explained in greater detail herein. Prize awards may be determined on a pari-mutuel basis based on wagers made less a designated house portion. Alternatively, prize awards may include a seeded prize beginning at a minimum value and increasing based on a cumulative amount of wagers or other meter until a winner is determined. As previously described, a ticket/card may be valid for a predetermined number of future games based on a corresponding wager amount for each game.
Representative functions for operating and managing flashboard bingo or a related game of chance may include vending a ticket 220, voiding a ticket 222, paying a ticket 224, refunding a ticket 226, and computing a ticket 228, for example. Various other functions, such as an audit function 230 and advertising control function 240, for example, may also be provided. Of course the functions illustrated in
A flowchart illustrating operation of a representative pay ticket function for a flashboard bingo or related game of chance is shown in
When the server receives the final draw as represented by block 740, the player indicia on all active tickets are compared with the selected house indicia to determine matches for each ticket as represented by block 750. The associated pay table (or tables for combination or consecutive games) is then used to compute prizes as represented by block 760. Depending upon the particular implementation, the total of all winners may be compared to an aggregate limit. If the aggregate limit is exceeded, each ticket win amount may be adjusted to prevent the total of all winners from exceeding the aggregate limit. If the total of progressive meter payments exceed the meter amount, the meter portion of ticket winners may be adjusted so that the total of the meter win amounts does not exceed the associated limit. After completing the calculations, the associated databases are updated as represented by block 770. The game results may then be communicated to one or more display devices, websites, handheld mobile devices, and the like as represented by block 780.
A flowchart illustrating operation of a representative audit function for flashboard bingo and related games of chance according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown in
Another representative user interface for managing flashboard bingo or related games of chance according to the present disclosure is illustrated in
As also shown in
User interface 1300 may also include an operator interface 1330 associated with various functions that may be performed by an operator at a ticket/card writer station. For example, operator interface 1330 may include various function buttons, a keypad and a ball draw area 1344. Selected or drawn balls or other indicia may be depicted using a bingo flashboard arrangement as generally represented at 1342.
The system and method continue with randomly selecting a first predetermined number of house indicia from a pool of available indicia as represented by block 1420. After selecting the house indicia, the system and method may include automatically determining a prize amount based on the identification code and associated player indicia relative to an associated pay table as represented by block 1422. Gameplay is continued to conclusion, i.e. until a winner is determined, as represented by block 1424. A winner may be determined by awarding a prize for all possible outcomes as represented by block 1426. Alternatively, additional house indicia may be selected until at least one winner is determined as represented by block 1428.
A flowchart illustrating operation of a representative system or method for requesting or selecting player indicia for flashboard bingo or a related game of chance using a wireless device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown in
Depending upon the particular application, a ticket request may be received by a centralized server or may be communicated to a device associated with a writer terminal or station. When communicated to a writer station, the ticket request may be manually entered by a station operator. The server then verifies the ticket request as represented by block 1522. The ticket identification number and/or symbol is assigned for valid requests as represented by block 1524. The ticket information is then sent to the player using the dedicated application, a text message, image, or other representation. The ticket identification may be designated as a pending ticket until a corresponding wager is collected as represented by block 1526. Collecting a wager may include identifying a pending ticket/player as represented by block 1528 using the associated ticket ID. The player may then pay a writer station operator, cashier, or provide appropriate payment via a kiosk as represented by block 1530. For example, a player may use a player card to debit an associated player account using a kiosk having a card reader or other input device. Alternatively, or in combination, wagers may be collected electronically with appropriate authorization as represented by block 1532. After the wager has been collected, the server activates the corresponding card/ticket as represented by block 1534.
Although traditional bingo games and related games of chance generally have winning criterion based on forming a pattern on a player card, various embodiments of flashboard bingo and related games according to the present disclosure offer a prize for correctly matching a predetermined number of the called numbers on a playing card after a designated number of calls. For example, a grand prize or jackpot may be awarded in a “Pick 8” game for matching 8 numbers on a card after 24 calls. Similarly, different games may be played where players must match a designated number of house numbers after 24 calls with the designated number ranging between 3 and 11 in one embodiment. Of course, any designated number of matches may be used to win a particular jackpot depending on the particular player population, market, and/or other considerations. Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a series of pay tables may be constructed for different numbers of calls and associated prizes offered individually or collectively based on whether the game is played on a pari-mutuel basis, with progressive jackpots, with a seeded prize amount, etc. As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, any game structured with payouts for all possible combinations effectively allows the operator to offer a pari-mutuel game without having any progressive meters or allocations. Pay tables may also be adjusted to allocate a portion of each wager to gaming operators and distributors, for example, depending upon the particular gaming regulations applicable in each jurisdiction. In general, various types of flashboard bingo may be characterized as attempting to match X selections to a draw of Y numbers. Corresponding pay tables may be determined based on the probability or odds of matching a particular number, and whether a prize is awarded for all possible outcomes, or only for a selected number of outcomes as previously described.
In the examples of
Where N represents the number of objects in the pool from which to choose and K represents the number of objects chosen. Once the number of combinations has been determined, the probability of a particular outcome, such as a winner or no winner, may be established by the ratio of that outcome to all possible outcomes.
Flashboard bingo and related games of chance according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may also include bonus prizes or prize awards for combinations or multiple winning games on a particular card or ticket. For example, a bonus prize or multiplier may be awarded for winning prizes in two or more consecutive games. As such, a corresponding bonus prize or prize multiplier pay table may be associated with corresponding consecutive game outcomes and stored in the gaming server to determine prize awards for winning consecutive games.
As illustrated by the previously described embodiments, systems and methods for gaming according to embodiments of the present disclosure have a number of associated advantages. For example, flashboard bingo and related gaming according to the present disclosure provides players more fun and excitement and reinvigorates operator revenues. Gaming strategies according to the present disclosure may be used to eliminate consolation prizes or to shift responsibility for consolation prizes and/or other prizes from the game operator to a third-party. Similarly, pay tables and progressive prize awards may be adjusted for particular player demographics and/or operator requirements. Various embodiments of flashboard bingo and related gaming according to the present disclosure provide a computerized ticket/card issuing and tracking system to reduce or eliminate manually matching of tickets. The computerized system may be used to manage and account for multiple progressive jackpots at a single gaming location and/or linked progressives across multiple locations. Embodiments may also include a computerized gaming system that facilitates player tracking to collect and analyze player demographics and behavior. In addition, a digital content manager may be provided to facilitate full motion video advertising on player video devices. Embodiments according to the present disclosure allow operators to generate more profit and eliminate prize exposure in favor of a fixed cost per ticket such that profits increase with increased ticket sales.
Gaming strategies according to the present disclosure may be applied to virtually any existing or future variations of bingo and similar games of chance. Various embodiments may be used with any winning pattern, combination, or number selections and the like. Cards or tickets may comprise paper, card stock, fixed, portable, or handheld electronic displays, and the like. Embodiments according to the present disclosure may be applied to fixed odds payouts, pari-mutuel, progressive, or any combination thereof. Similarly, embodiments may also be played with any approved method of determining, selecting, or calling house or game indicia such as numbers, words, or other elements to be matched including but not limited to pre-called games, random number generators, ball blowers, card draws, roulette style draws, and the like.
Various embodiments of flashboard bingo and related games may be played with at least two players each playing one or more card faces to satisfy Class II gaming requirements. The flashboard bingo and related games according to the present disclosure may also be used in various computer or machine based implementations. The flashboard bingo games according to the present disclosure provide players more excitement than traditional bingo while simplifying selection of player indicia using a familiar bingo flashboard arrangement. Various embodiments facilitate selection of player indicia using handheld mobile devices, such as cell phones and handheld computing devices via various messaging protocols, such as email, SMS (text messaging), and the like.
While one or more embodiments have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible embodiments within the scope of the claims. The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. While various embodiments may have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, as one skilled in the art is aware, one or more features or characteristics may be compromised to achieve desired overall attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. These attributes include, but are not limited to: cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, distribution, etc. The embodiments described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics are not outside the scope of the disclosure and may be desirable for particular applications or implementations.
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