| Method and apparatus for playing roulette with active working wagers -> Monitor Keywords |
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Method and apparatus for playing roulette with active working wagersMethod and apparatus for playing roulette with active working wagers description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060170155, Method and apparatus for playing roulette with active working wagers. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/648,804, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Playing an Enhanced Casino Roulette Game" filed Feb. 1, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This application relates generally to a method and apparatus for playing a game of chance; more particularly to a method and apparatus for playing a modified version of roulette (e.g., a game where players wager on the particular slot of a rotating disk in which a small ball will come to rest) in which working wagers may be made that are active until a specific losing event occurs; and more particularly still to a method and apparatus for playing roulette in which a player may make working wagers which remain active until either a losing event occurs or the player requests that the working wager be removed/discontinued. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Roulette is one of the easiest casino games to play because there is no strategy to learn that can increase the likelihood of winning, such as in blackjack. Therefore, players usually bet on what they feel are trends of occurrence or lucky numbers. It also offers players a slower-paced game that can increase the gambling time with a given bankroll. This combination of attributes account, at least partly, for the game's popularity. [0004] Roulette offers casino operators one of the highest advantages of all casino games, with a 5.26% house edge on virtually all bets for a standard American roulette table with 38 numbers (e.g., eighteen black numbers, eighteen red numbers, a green zero, and a green double zero). The game features a variety of bets which are made by players placing one or more chips having a color designated specifically for that player on either a specific number, a combination of numbers (by placing a chip on the intersecting lines for those numbers), and/or a group of numbers designated by a special box. For any spin of a roulette wheel, players are generally free to make as many of these described bets as are allowed by minimum and maximum bets for that table. The chart set forth below in Table 1 summarizes the available bets in a standard game of American roulette: TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Betting Scenario Probability Payout House Edge (%) Any Red 47.37% 1:1 5.26 Any Black 47.37% 1:1 5.26 Any Even 47.37% 1:1 5.26 Any Odd 47.37% 1:1 5.26 1 to 18 47.37% 1:1 5.26 19 to 36 47.37% 1:1 5.26 1 to 12 31.58% 2:1 5.26 13 to 24 31.58% 2:1 5.26 25 to 36 31.58% 2:1 5.26 Any one number 2.63% 35:1 5.26 Either of two 5.26% 17:1 5.26 numbers Any of three 7.89% 11:1 5.26 numbers Any of four 10.53% 8:1 5.26 numbers Any of six numbers 15.79% 5:1 5.26 0, 00, 1, 2 or 3 13.16% 6:1 7.89 [0005] The betting options set forth in Table 1 have remained essentially the same since the game was introduced. It will be appreciated that the common factors being that virtually every bet has the same house advantage and every bet either wins or loses based on a single spin of the roulette wheel. Numerous variations of roulette have been proposed that combine the game with other casino games, as well as variations of the game that include additional wheels or bonus bets and jackpots. However, these games have not been successfully marketed due to the appeal of the original game's inherent simplicity. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] The present invention introduces the concept of "working bets" to the game of roulette. A "working bet" is defined as a bet that is "live" or active until either a specific losing event occurs or the player asks that his bet be discontinued. By introducing the concept of working bets to roulette, the present invention offers roulette players betting options that have the potential to pay off numerous times and ensures that the player does not lose the bet unless a specific losing event occurs. Much like the "place number" bets in the game of craps, where a player can bet that certain dice values will occur before the dice value of seven occurs and vice versa, the present invention offers roulette players the same style of action by letting them bet that specific outcomes from the spin of the roulette wheel will occur before other specific outcomes from the spin of the roulette wheel. The working bets of the present invention are preferably implemented by using a system of tokens to help identify the specific working bets made by the player. [0007] By applying the concept working wagers to certain combinations of numbers--based on their numeric value, color orientation and/or arrangement on the roulette table--the invention enables a number of new wagering options. One feature of these working wagers is that they may be working for more than one spin of the wheel. Another feature is that the working wagers allow players to limit the risk of a bet to a select group of possible outcomes and the wagers may be provided with different odds than those typically offered in roulette. Yet another feature is that the working wagers provide the casino with an opportunity for incremental income without requiring additional space, tables or game surveillance. Further, implementation of the invention does not alter the playing surface, playing procedure or fundamental mechanics of the game. [0008] The present invention can easily be adapted to various gaming formats and media platforms in addition to standard roulette tables, including single-player and multi-player video slot machines, electronic games and devices, lottery terminals, lottery scratch-off cards, home-entertainment software, online gaming applications and online non-gaming applications. [0009] Therefore, according to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of playing roulette, comprising: placing wagers prior to a first spin of the roulette wheel that at least one of a first set of designated outcomes from the first spin of the roulette wheel will occur before one of a second set of designated outcomes from the first spin of the roulette wheel, wherein the sum of the probabilities for all designated winning and losing outcomes on any given spin of the roulette wheel is less than the total probability for all possible outcomes on any given spin of the roulette wheel; spinning the roulette wheel to determine the result of the first spin; and determining if the wager is satisfied, wherein: the placed wager is won only when at least one of the first set of designated outcomes occurs; the placed wager is lost only when at least one of the second set of designated outcomes occurs; and the placed wager is neither won or lost if neither of the first or second sets of designated outcomes occurs during the first spin of the roulette wheel. [0010] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of playing roulette in accordance with the preceding paragraph, and further comprising: allowing the placed wager to be removed or maintained prior to a second spin of the roulette wheel; and spinning the roulette wheel and determining if the placed wager is satisfied in accordance with the preceding paragraph if the placed wager has been maintained. [0011] According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for playing roulette according to the preceding paragraphs, and further comprising allowing placement of additional wagers prior to a second spin of the roulette wheel and determining if the placed wager and placed additional wager is satisfied. [0012] While the invention will be described with respect to preferred embodiment configurations, particular groups of working wagers, and recommended payouts, it will be understood that the invention is not to be construed as limited in any manner by either such configuration, working wagers or recommended payouts described herein. Also, while the particular roulette game table layouts, tokens and equipment are described herein, it will be understood that such particular table layouts, tokens and equipment are not to be construed in a limiting manner. Instead, the principles of this invention extend to a roulette game in which players may make active working wagers. These and other variations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a more detailed description of the invention. [0013] The advantages and features which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. For a better understanding of the invention, however, reference should be had to the drawings which form a part hereof and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the configurations represented by the following drawings and that the various embodiments of the invention can be configured in other manners in view of the present disclosure. [0015] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a token used to indicate a wager in accordance with the principles of the invention. [0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a first working wager example according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0017] FIG. 3 illustrates a second working wager example according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0018] FIG. 4 illustrates a third working wager example according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0019] FIG. 5 illustrates a fourth working wager example according to an embodiment of the present invention. Continue reading about Method and apparatus for playing roulette with active working wagers... Full patent description for Method and apparatus for playing roulette with active working wagers Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method and apparatus for playing roulette with active working wagers patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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