Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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EDUCATIONAL GAMES OF CHANCE
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to card, board, roulette games or
other
types of games of chance and, more particularly to aspects of such games that
can use
cards, mechanical devices or an electronically generated display for showing
representations related to the game and to how such games can have an
educational effect.
Background of the Invention
Gambling is a large and growing industry throughout the world and various
types
of betting products and systems exist that facilitate betting on the outcome
of a particular
result, which has or appears to have an element of chance or "randomness."
For example, a patron in a casino may bet on a single hand of blackjack, a
pull on
a slot machine, a roll of the dice, etc. Typical horse racing bets allow
bettors to wager on
a single horse, on several horses in a particular race or series of races A
bettor may also
make various combination bets with multiple horses, such as an "exacta" bet
(covering the
top two horses in order) or a "trifecta" bet (covering the top three horses in
order). In
addition, a bettor may bet on a series of races, such as the daily double
(winners of two
consecutive races), the pick-three (winners of three consecutive races), and
the pick-six
(winners of six consecutive races).
Those betting on other sports may wager, for instance, on various aspects of
the
outcome of a particular game, including the winning team, the point margin by
which that
team wins, the combined final score of both teams, and so on.
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Games or events (the terms "games" and "events" are used interchangeably to
connote some probabilistic occurrence) upon which wagers may be placed may be
viewed
as games of pure chance (e.g., a coin toss or roulette wheel spin assuming the
game is a
"fair" one with no intervening human or mechanical influence skewing
mathematical
random distributions of outcome); games of mixed skill and chance (e.g.,
blackjack or
horse racing); or games perceived of as consisting of pure skill (e.g.,
soccer, chess). All
these games and events are believed to be at least somewhat probabilistic in
nature. That
is, there is more than one possible outcome that is not preordained. Even in
gaines that
are perceived as games of pure skill, it is believed that an effectively
random element
(based on, e.g., weather conditions, unforeseen player injuries, etc.) is
almost always
present.
For some, like gambling, the world's financial markets have an apparent
randomness about them. Yet, the interest in the financial markets has grown
significantly
in recent years. An increasing number of small individual investors
participate in these
markets, and there is a growing interest among the population as to how such
markets
function. Thus, there is a desire to learn about these markets. This is
exacerbated by the
sophisticated nature of the products in these markets where, in addition to
equities, trading
in derivatives and other sophisticated financial products has matured, and new
types of
financial products such as exchange traded funds and hedge funds are being
introduced.
Despite the growing popularity of both casino gambling and financial markets,
these concepts have not previously been integrated in casino games. The
present
invention addresses this shortcoming in the prior art, and is directed to
novel games that
are based on activity in financial markets and, which can, if need be have an
educational
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impact by making people more informed of, interested in and familiar with the
financial
markets..
Summary of the Invention
The present invention is, therefore, directed generally to games of chance
and,
more particularly to such games that use apparently random or uncontrollable
data from
the financial markets to determine winning results.
In accordance with one aspect, the present invention is directed to an
apparatus for
conducting a game of chance. The apparatus includes a machine that accepts a
wager
from a player. The machine receives live financial market data. A display
coupled to the
machine shows the current value of a security, market index, economic or
financial market
indicator, foreign exchange rate, physical commodity or interest rate, wherein
the current
value includes at least four digits. A random number generator generates at
least four
random digits that are shown on at least one row of the display when digits on
the display
spin. In one embodiment, the machine pays the player a jackpot if at least one
of the
random digits shown on the at least one row matches a digit representing the
current value
of the security, market index, economic or financial market indicator, foreign
exchange
rate, physical commodity or interest rate, when the digits on the display stop
spinning;
otherwise, the machine retains the wager. Alternatively, the machine pays the
player a
jackpot if at least one of the random digits shown on a specific one or ones
of the rows
matches a digit representing the current value of the security, market index,
economic or
financial market indicator, foreign exchange rate, physical commodity or
interest rate,
when the digits on the display stop spinning; otherwise, the machine retains
the wager. In
another embodiment, in order for there to be a payout, there must be
positional
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correspondence between at least one of the random digits shown on the at least
one row
and a digit representing the current value of the security, market index,
economic or
financial market indicator, foreign exchange rate, physical commodity or
interest rate,
when the digits on the display stop spinning. In still further embodiments,
the payout may
be progressively higher as more digits are matched. The machine may randomly
select
the security, market index, economic or financial market indicator, foreign
exchange rate,
physical commodity or interest rate for the player or, alternatively, the
machine may
include an input that permits selection of the security, market index,
economic or financial
market indicator, foreign exchange rate, physical commodity or interest rate
by the player.
The machine may be a pllysical slot machine located in a casino, or a virtual
slot machine
iinplemented on-line over a computer network using, for example, a remote
client
computer accessed by the player and a server connected to the client computer
over the
computer network.
In accordance with a further aspect, the present invention is directed a
machine
that accepts wagers from a plurality of players betting on a race, and assigns
a security,
market index, economic or financial market indicator, foreign exchange rate,
physical
commodity or interest rate, to each player. The machine receives live
financial market
data: A display coupled to the machine shows a plurality of securities, market
indices,
economic or financial market indicators, foreign exchange rates, physical
commodities or
interest rates, assigned to the players. In one embodiment, the machine
determines a
winning security, market index, economic or financial market indicator,
foreign exchange
rate, physical commodity or interest rate, using the live financial market
data, by
identifying the security, market index, economic or financial market
indicator, foreign
exchange rate, physical commodity or interest rate shown on the display that
increases in
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value the most by percentage during the race, wliich lasts a fixed period of
time. At the
end of the race, the machine pays winnings to each player assigned to the
winning
security, market index, economic or financial market indicator, foreign
exchange rate,
physical commodity or interest rate. In one embodiment, the machine accepts
combination bets (e.g., exactas, trifectas, daily double, pick three and pick
six) from each
player. The machine may be a pliysical machine located in a casino, or a
virtual machine
implemented on-line over a computer network using remote client computers
accessed by
the players and a server connected to the client computers over the computer
network.
In accordance with a still furtller aspect, the present invention is directed
to a
machine that accepts wagers from one or more players of a game. A port in the
machine
receives live financial market data, and a display coupled to the machine
shows a value of
a security, market index, economic or financial market indicator, foreign
exchange rate,
physical commodity or interest rate, during a countdown period of the game.
The display
also shows a plurality of value ranges for the security, market index,
economic or
financial market indicator, foreign exchange rate, physical commodity or
interest rate, and
odds for each value range. Each wager accepted by the machine corresponds to a
selected
one of the plurality of value ranges. The machine determines a winning value
range using
the live financial market data by identifying the value range that the
security, market
index, economic or financial market indicator, foreign exchange rate, physical
commodity
or interest rate is within at the end of the game. The machine pays winnings
at the end of
the game, in accordance with the odds, for each wager having a selected value
range
corresponding to the winning value range. In some embodiments, the machine
accepts
wagers for more than one value range from a single player. This game can be
configured
as a where (i) the security, market index, economic or financial market
indicator, foreign
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exchange rate, physical commodity or interest rate and/or (ii) the selected
value range are
selected by the player; alternatively, the game could be implemented where all
such
choices are made at random by the machine or a gambling operator or casino.
Again, the
machine may be a physical machine located in a casino, or a virtual machine
implemented
on-line over a computer network using remote client computers accessed by the
players
and a server connected to the client computers over the computer network.
In accordance with a further aspect, the present invention is directed to a
machine
for conducting a game. The machine accepts wagers from a plurality of players
betting on
a race, and a port in the machine receives live financial market data. A
display coupled to
the machine shows a plurality of securities, market indices, economic or
financial market
indicators, foreign exchange rates, physical commodities or interest rates,
and streaming
financial data for each of the securities, market indices, economic or
financial market
indicators, foreign exchange rates, physical commodities or interest rates
during a
countdown period. Wagers are accepted during the countdown period, and each of
the
wagers corresponds to one or more of the plurality of securities, market
indices, economic
or financial market indicators, foreign exchange rates, physical commodities
or interest
rates selected by a player. The machine determines a winning security, market
index,
economic or financial market indicator, foreign exchange rate, physical
commodity or
interest rate at the end of the race, using the live financial market data, by
identifying the
security, market index, economic or financial market indicator, foreign
exchange rate,
physical commodity or interest rate shown on the display that increases (or
decreases, in
alternate embodiments) in value the most by percentage during the race. At the
end of the
race, the machine pays winnings on each wager that corresponds to the winning
security,
market index, economic or financial market indicator, foreign exchange rate,
physical
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commodity or interest rate. In one embodiment, the machine accepts combination
bets
(e.g., exactas, trifectas, daily double, pick three and pick six) from each
player. The
machine may be a physical machine located in a casino, or a virtual machine
implemented
on-line over a computer network using remote client computers accessed by the
players
and a server connected to the client computers over the computer network.
In accordance with yet a further aspect, the present invention is directed to
a
machine that accepts wagers from at least one player, wherein the wager is
associated with
a given security, market index, economic or financial market indicator,
foreign exchange
rate, physical commodity or interest rate, and includes a selected direction
for a value of
the given security, market index, economic or financial market indicator,
foreign
exchange rate, physical commodity or interest rate , and a number of
consecutive
predefined periods in which the value of the given security, market index,
economic or
financial market indicator, foreign exchange rate, pllysical commodity or
interest rate will
move in the selected direction. A port in the machine receives live financial
market data.
A display coupled to the machine shows streaming financial data for the given
security,
market index, economic or financial market indicator, foreign exchange rate,
physical
commodity or interest rate. The machine uses the live financial market data to
monitor
the value of the given security, market index, economic or financial market
indicator,
foreign exchange rate, physical commodity or interest rate during the game,
and pays
winnings to the player if, during each of the consecutive predefined periods
associated
with the wager, the value of the given security, market index, economic or
financial
market indicator, foreign exchange rate, physical commodity or interest rate,
moves in the
selected direction associated with the wager. This game can be configured
where (i) the
security, market index, economic or financial market indicator, foreign
exchange rate,
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physical commodity or interest rate, (ii) the selected price direction, and
(iii) the number
of consecutive periods are selected by the player; alternatively, the game
could be
implemented where all such choices are made at random by a machine provided by
a
gambling operator or casino. Again, the machine may be a physical machine
located in a
casino, or a virtual machine implemented on-line over a computer network using
a remote
client computer accessed by the player and a server connected to the client
computer over
the computer network.
In accordance with yet a further aspect, the present invention is directed to
a
method for conducting a game where a gaming sponsor provides a forum where
each
player plays against other players. Each player privately predicts before a
round what a
closing value of a given security, market index, economic or financial market
indicator,
foreign exchange rate, physical commodity or interest rate will be at the end
of the round.
After making their private prediction, and during the round, each player has
an
opportunity to bet into a pot or fold. A player wins some or all of the pot
if, at the end of
the round, (i) the private prediction of the player is closer to the closing
value than any
private prediction of any other player in the game, or (ii) all other players
have folded. In
some embodiments, players whose price predictions are the second and third
closest to the
actual closing value receive lesser amounts from the pot. In a still further
variant, during
the round, each player can buy a right to make a small change to their private
prediction
by adding a certain amount to the pot. In a yet further embodiment, a player
may place a
side bet against one or more other players. The game may be played on a
physical table
located in a casino, on-line over a computer network using remote client
computers
accessed by the players and a server connected to the client computers over
the computer
network, or any other suitable forum provided by a gaming sponsor.
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In accordance with a still further aspect, the present invention is directed
to a card
game where each player plays against other players. A deck of cards is
provided, wherein
each card in the deck is associated with a symbol corresponding to one of a
defined list of
possible securities, market indices, economic or financial market indicators,
foreign
exchange rates, physical commodities or interest rates. An ante wager is
received from
each player. After receipt of the ante wager from each player, a portfolio is
assigned to
each player by dealing a plurality of cards from the deck to each player.
After the cards
are dealt, a betting round is provided where each player is permitted to bet
into a pot or
fold. After the betting round, streaming financial data provided to the game
is used to
monitor a percentage increase in value in the portfolio of each player. Some
or all of the
pot is awarded to a player if, at the end of a predetermined period, the
portfolio assigned
to the player increased in value by percentage more than the portfolio of any
other
remaining player in the game or all other players have folded. In some
variants, some of
the cards are dealt face-up, whereby a portion of each player's portfolio is
revealed to the
other players in the game. In other variants, some of the pot is awarded to a
player if, at
the end of the predetermined period, the portfolio assigned to the player
increased in value
by percentage less than the portfolio of any other remaining player in the
game. The game
may be played on a physical table located in a casino, on-line over a computer
network
using remote client computers accessed by the players and a server comlected
to the client
computers over the computer network, or any other suitable forum provided by a
gaming
sponsor or gambling operator.
In yet a further embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method for
conducting a game where each player plays against other players. An ante wager
is
received from each player, and a portfolio selection is received from each
player, wherein
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the portfolio selection includes a plurality of securities, market indices,
economic or
financial market indicators, foreign exchange rates, physical commodities or
interest rates,
selected from a set of possibilities fixed by the house. After the portfolio
selection is
made by each player, a betting round is provided where each player is
permitted to bet
into a pot or fold. After the betting round, streaming financial data provided
to the game
is used to monitor a percentage increase in value in the portfolio of each
player. Some or
all of the pot is awarded to a player if, at the end of a predetermined
period, the portfolio
selected by the player increased in value by percentage more than the
portfolio of any
other remaining player in the game or all other players have folded. A portion
of each
player's portfolio may be revealed to the other players in the game during or
before the
betting round. In one variant, some of the pot is awarded to a player if, at
the end of the
predetermined period, the portfolio selected by the player increased in value
by percentage
less than the portfolio of any other remaining player in the game. The game
may be
played on a physical table located in a casino, on-line over a computer
network using
remote client computers accessed by the players and a server connected to the
client
computers over the computer network, or any other suitable forum provided by a
gaming
sponsor.
In accordance with s still further aspect, the present invention is directed
to a card
game that uses a deck of cards, wherein each card in the deck is associated
with a symbol
corresponding to one of a defined list of possible securities, market indices,
economic or
financial market indicators, foreign exchange rates, physical commodities or
interest rates.
An ante wager is received from each player in the game. After receipt of the
ante wager
from each player, a portfolio is assigned to each player and the house by
dealing a
plurality of cards from the deck to each player and the house, respectively.
After the cards
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are dealt, a betting round occurs during where each player is permitted to
fold or raise
their wager in the game. After the betting round, streaming financial data
provided to the
game is used to monitor a percentage increase (or decrease) in value in the
portfolio of
each player and the portfolio of the house during a race. At the end of the
race, a player
remaining in the game wins if the player has a portfolio that increased by
percentage more
than the portfolio of the house. In some embodiments, the cards are dealt face-
down to
the players, and at least one card is dealt face-up to the house. In other
embodiments, a
player places a side bet against one or more other players. The game may be
played on a
physical table located in a casino, or on-line over a computer network using
remote client
coinputers accessed by the players and a server connected to the client
computers over the
computer network.
Thus, by way of summary, a set of rules is established for each game in
accordance with the present invention, wherein the rules define at least one
winner based
on at least one financial market data value that fluctuates based on market
activity in a
financial market that is distinct from the game. Updates to the financial
market data value
are received electronically from a third-party data source. A forum is
electronically
coupled to the third-party data source, where the players play the game and
bet against a
house, or in a pari-mutuel format, in accordance with the established set of
rules and the at
least one financial market data value. The forum is electronically coupled to
one or more
third-party market makers who establish odds for the game and provide
liquidity for bets
of all players. The one or more third-party market makers payout winning bets
to one or
more winning players based on the established odds, and retain losing bets of
one or more
losing players. In some embodiments, the financial market data value
corresponds to a
value of a financial market instrument selected from the group consisting of:
a stock,
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option, future, fund, bond or physical commodity. Alternatively, the financial
market data
value may correspond to an interest rate, index, exchange rate, or data
release. The forum
where the game is played may correspond to a casino where all of the players
are
physically present during the game. Alternatively, the forum may correspond to
an on-
line forum that includes a computer network that permits communication among
physically separated players during the game.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 illustrates a forum for conducting a game in accordance with the
present
invention, wherein the players are physically present in a common location
during the
game.
Figure 2 illustrates an on-line forum for conducting a game in accordance with
the
present invention, wherein the players are physically separated from each
other during the
game.
Figure 3 is a screen shot illustrating an exemplary implementation of one game
in
accordance with the present invention.
Figure 4 is a screen shot illustrating an exemplary implementation of another
game
in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 5A is a screen shot illustrating an exeinplary implementation of the
countdown period of yet another gaine of the present invention.
Figure 5B is a screen shot illustrating an exemplary implementation of the
game in
Figure 5A during the duration of the game.
Figure 5C is a screen shot illustrating an exemplary interface for used in the
game
in Figure 5A during the mid-point of the game.
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Figure 6A is a screen shot illustrating an exemplary implementation of the
countdown period of the "Racing" game, in accordance with the present
invention.
Figure 6B is a screen shot illustrating an exemplary implementation of the
"Racing" game during the duration of the gaine.
Figure 6C is a screen shot illustrating an exemplary interface for accepting
wagers
in the "Racing" game according to the present invention.
Figure 7 illustrates an exemplary table layout of the "2-Cards" game, in
accordance with the present invention.
Figure 8A is a screen shot showing an exemplary user interface for accepting
wagers in the "Run" game of the present invention.
Figure 8B is a screen shot showing the user interface of Figure 8A during the
playing of the "Run" game of the present invention.
Figure 8C is a screen shot showing the user interface of Figure 8A during a
pre-
game period of the "Run" game of the present invention.
Figure 8D illustrates an exemplary table layout of the "Run" game, in
accordance
with the present invention.
Figure 9A is a screen shot illustrating an exemplary main game display for
implementing the "Portfolio" game, in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 9B is a screen shot illustrating an exemplary personal game display for
implementing the "Portfolio" game, in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 9C is a screen shot of an exemplary display illustrating each player's
initial
two-stock combined totals, in accordance with the "Porfolio" game of the
present
invention.
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Figure 9D is a screen shot of an exemplary display illustrating each player's
third
and fourth stock picks, in accordance with the "Porfolio" game of the present
invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
The present invention includes methods and systems for creating and
playing casino games that can be played in a physical gaming room or online,
where the
players bet, and the elements of the game use, for example, actual financial-
based data
values. Financial data values that could be used in the games include any of
the
following: the values of financial securities, market indices, economic data
or indicators,
financial market data and indicators, foreign exchange rates, physical
commodities and
interest rates. Financial instruments which trade constantly, in significant
volume, with
higher than average volatility will be most attractive for use in these games
as they will
provide short-term movements that will keep the games exciting and fast-paced.
Although in the description below, various embodiments of the present
invention are
described as being based on the use of financial instruments, it will be
understood that
each of these embodiments may be based on any financial data value such as the
ones
listed above.
The casino games of the present invention optionally combine elements,
rules and strategies traditionally found in casino games and betting with
strategies
traditionally utilized in financial investing; thereby attracting players with
knowledge and
skills in both gambling and investing. In addition, since the players are
betting against
each other, or the house, and not against the overall financial markets as a
wliole, the
games have particular appeal to players who believe, for one reason or
another, that they
possess superior knowledge or skill in the financial markets. Moreover,
depending upon
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the odds of the bet placed by the player, a financial gambling player could
win a relatively
substantial amount of money from a relatively small winning bet based on a
tiny change,
or even no change in a financial data point; something not reasonably possible
by
investing in the actual financial markets. For example, in a pari-mutuel
payout financial
gambling game, a player betting that a historically volatile financial data
point will not
change during the course of a game could win a substantial ainount of money
given the
odds the historically volatile instrument would in fact change during the
course of the
game would be substantial.
In various embodiments of the present invention, the players play the game
and bet against the house. In such embodiments, the gambling forum may be
electronically coupled to one or more third-party market makers who establish
odds for
the game and provide liquidity for bets of all players. The third-party market
maker(s)
payout winning bets to winning players based on the established odds, and
retain losing
bets of losing players. The third-party market maker(s) provide liquidity by
ensuring that
all bets placed by the players in the game are implemented and optionally
collect a fee for
providing market making services for the game. In some embodiments, the
gambling
operator or casino and the third-party market maker(s) share in amounts
retained from the
losing bets. The third-party market maker(s) may put their capital at risk in
accepting the
bets of the players in the game, and the gambling operator or casino may
utilizes only one
or multiple third-party market makers to provide odds and liquidity for the
game.
In the embodiments that include the third-party market maker(s), computer
systems of the gambling operator or casino and the third-party market maker(s)
preferably
communicate securely in real-time (e.g., using SSL encryption) to facilitate
establishing
odds and providing liquidity for the game. In addition, the computer systems
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gambling operator or casino and the third-party market maker(s) are preferably
integrated
(e.g., via data transfer in XML format) to support reconciliation of the bets
placed by the
players and accepted by the third-party market maker(s), subsequent payment of
winning
bets to winning players of the game, retaining of the losing bets by the third-
party market
maker(s), and fees owed to the gambling operator or casino for conducting the
game and
the third-party market maker(s) for supporting the game.
In other embodiments of casino games of the present invention, the players bet
against the other players in the game, and the winnings paid to the winning
players of the
games consist of losses from the losing players in the games. This feature
eliminates the
requirement for the casino to make odds on the games or to define a spread for
the games,
and more importantly eliminates the requirement for the casino to make odds or
to define
a spread for the underlying elements of the game, specifically the financial
markets. In a
pari-mutuel payout format financial gambling game, where the players making
winning
bets divide the total amount of money bet during the game, the gambling
operator utilizes
commonly accepted high-speed electronic calculators, known as totalizators or
tote
boards, to record and display up-to-the-minute odds on the betting action by
the players.
The payouts at the end of these games are based on the odds calculated by the
totalizators
on a pari-mutuel basis where the players making winning bets divide the total
amount of
money bet during the game, minus the fee collected by the gambling operator or
casino.
Among other things, the present invention allows players within a physical
or online casino to gamble in a gaming format that combines both financial
investment
and casino gaming and betting strategies. For example, in a casino game where
the
players bet on who can assemble the best performing financial portfolio during
a short-
term time period, all the player's financial portfolios could lose value, but
still the player
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whose portfolio performed the best, would win the game and the subsequent
gambling
winnings.
In one embodiment, players are "dealt" or they assemble (based on their
own financial strategies) their portfolio from a menu (for basic games simple
securities,
like just equities would be on the menu, for advanced games, players could
choose from a
wide array of options, futures, commodities, currencies, etc.). Each player
then competes
against the other players in the game to generate the best return on their
portfolio. The
game could have similar elements to other casino games. For example, players
could
"parlay" or "double down" additional bets, or make an "all-in" wager, as the
game
proceeded, or place an "insurance" bet analogous to the one included in casino
blackjack
games. The games could either be for a predefined time frame where, upon
ending,
players are paid out according to their position, just like a payout at the
end of a hand of
cards, or there could be a continuous game where each player would be paid out
based on
how he did vs. the other players from the time he started or "logged into" the
game, to the
moment he ended or "logged out" of the game. The game could have similar
elements to
other pari-mutuel gainbling games. For example, a player might be able to make
various
combination bets with multiple financial data points, such as an "exacta" bet,
covering the
top two data points in order, or a "trifecta" bet, covering the top three data
points in order.
In addition, a bettor may bet on a series of games, such as a "daily double"
bet, where the
player attempts to predict the wiiming financial data points of two
consecutive games, a
"pick-three" bet, where the player attempts to predict the winning financial
data points of
three consecutive games, and a "pick-six" bet, where the player attempts to
predict the
winning financial data points of six consecutive games. In some embodiments,
in order to
participate in a game, each player must initially convert his/her money into
chips issued
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by the casino, the player then uses the chips for wagering during the game
and, when the
player exits the game or the game ends, the player converts the chips back
into money.
The game could be played online, or in a physical gaming room of a
casino. Players online would adjust their positions via the online user-
interface using their
mouse and keyboards, while casino players could either have a console by which
they
could play the game, or the casino could even simulate a market trading floor
where
players would call out or hand signal their positions to casino workers (e.g.,
workers 25 in
Figure 1) who would make the appropriate adjustments to their portfolio as
signaled. The
financial gambling game would continuously stream financial market and game
data to
the players on their respective screens or on large LCD screens in the casino.
Figure 1 illustrates a forum for conducting a casino game in accordance with
the
present invention, wherein the players 20 are physically present in a common
location
(i.e., financial gambling room 10 of a casino) during the game. The gambling
operator or
casino establishes a set of rules for the game. The rules define one or more
players 20 as
winners, based on at least one financial market data value that fluctuates
based on market
activity in a financial market 30 that is distinct from the game. Financial
market 30
corresponds, for example, to a govermnent-regulated financial market or an
over-the-
counter financial market. For purposes of this description, each player 20
corresponds
either to a single person or a group of persons that collectively participate
in the game as a
team.
The gambling operator or casino subscribes to one or more financial market
data
services, collects financial market information including the at least one
financial market
data value from the market data services using computerized networks 50, 52,
stores the
financial market information in database 60, and displays the financial market
data and
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other pertinent game data, to the players 20 on large screens 70 visible to
all players 20.
In an alternate embodiment, the streaming financial and game data is provided
to each of
the players on a computer screen of an individual gaming console. The
financial data 40
provided to the gambling operator or casino from the third-party data source
may
comprise streaming financial data such as that provided by Bloomberg or other
recognized
financial data services. The financial market data value(s) used in the game
correspond to
a value of a financial market instrument such as a stock, option, future,
fund, bond or
physical commodity, or a value of an interest rate, index, exchange rate, or
data release.
Updates to the financial market data value are electronically received from a
third-party
data source 40 over computer networks 50, 52. Financial gambling room 10 is
electronically coupled to the third-party data source 40. During the game,
players 20 play
and bet against each other in accordance with the established set of rules and
the at least
one financial market data value. The financial market data value(s) used in
the game
correspond to a financial market instrument such as a stock, option, future,
fund, bond or
physical commodity, or an interest rate, index, exchange rate, or data
release. The casino
collects a fee for conducting the game.
The gambling operator or casino's database 80 stores the gaming history of
each player 20 including previous game scores, bets and winnings. As described
below,
the player's gaming history stored in database 80 is used by the gambling
operator or
casino to determine eligibility for participation in future games, tiers, or
tournaments.
Based on information stored in database 80 and criteria established by the
gambling
operator or casino, the casino may establish one or more gaming tiers or
levels for players
to compete. A player's ability to compete within a tier or level could be
based upon the
player's historical bets and winnings. Players move between different tiers or
levels as
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they reach a particular threshold which promotes the player into a higher tier
or level, or
demotes the player down to a lower tier or level. The gaming tiers or levels
may be
established to promote or demote players from higher or lower stakes games, or
in a
tournament format where winning players continue to participate in the
tournament, and
losing players are eliminated from the tournament. In one embodiment, each
gaming tier
or level specifies one or more maximum bets that each player may make.
Optionally, the
stored gaming history for a player may include both past scores and winnings
of the player
that occurred during participation by the player in an on-line forum where the
player was
physically separated from other players during the game, and past scores and
winnings of
the player that occurred during participation by the player in a forum where
the player was
physically present with other players during the game. The database 80 also
optionally
maintains an odds book based on bets placed by the players 20 and displays the
results to
the players on screens 70 prior to commencement of a game. In this embodiment,
payouts
at the end of the game are based on the pari-mutuel odds calculated by the
totalizators.
A variety of fees may be charged by the gambling operator or casino for
conducting or hosting the game. For example, the casino may charge an initial
fee (or an
entry fee) to each player 20 who participates in the game. A fee corresponding
to a
percentage of amounts wagered by the players 20 during the game can also be
collected
by the casino. Alternatively, the fee collected by the casino may correspond
to a fixed fee
associated with each round of the game, or a percentage of winnings.
The casino game of the present invention optionally utilizes a gaming element
witli an outcome based on chance such as, for example, playing cards, dice, or
a wheel. In
these embodiments, the outcome of the game is determined in accordance with
the at least
one financial market data value that fluctuates during the game and an outcome
of the
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gaming element. In one such embodiment the outcome of the game could be based
on
whether or not a financial data point matches a random number, or series of
nuinbers.
Using a slot or similar machine to generate a random number from at least one
spinning
wheel, a player would win the game if the randomly generated numbers from the
machine
matched all, or a portion of, a particular financial data point. The outcome
of the game
may further be determined in accordance with the betting strategy of the
winner or other
players 20.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the outcome of the game is
determined in accordance with an accuracy by which the winner predicts a
future value of
the at least one financial market data value (e.g., the future value of a
stock, bond or
interest rate). The outcome of the game may also be fully or partially
determined by the
amount of money a player has won from other players in the game.
In one embodiment where, for example, each player holds a portfolio of
financial
instruments, each player assigns varying weights of importance to one or more
financial
data values or predictions about how each of the financial instruments will
perform during
the game, and the weiglits are used to calculate a score for the player.
Alternatively, each
player may wager varying amounts on each of a plurality of financial data
values or
predictions.
During the game, the score of each player, the financial data points held by
each player, and/or the accuracy of predictions made by each player about how
each of the
financial instruments held by the player will perform during the game, may be
displayed
to all other players during the game on screens 70 or individual gaming
consoles (not
shown). Alternatively, some or all of this information about the position of a
player in the
game may be maintained in secret from one or more other players during one or
more
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segments of the game, or during all of the game. For example, some or all of
this
information for a particular player may only be revealed to other players
during one or
more intermediate segments of the game. In other embodiments, the players
might not
know the financial data points and/or the accuracy of predictions made by the
player, until
the very end of the game. Such embodiments provide opportunities where players
could
implement gambling strategies such as those implemented in poker to bluff
other players
into believing they held a superior and potentially winning combination of
financial data
points and/or predictions, when in fact they held an inferior and most likely
a losing
combination of the same. If the strategy worked, and the other players in the
game folded,
the player with the inferior and most likely losing combination of financial
data point
and/or predictions would win the game based on their gambling strategy. In
another
embodiment, the game rules may be such that a player is eliminated from the
game when
the score of the player or a financial market data value reaches or falls
below a
predetermined threshold.
As mentioned above, the rules of the game may provide for the random
assignment of financial instruments to each player (e.g., each player is dealt
a set of cards
by the casino, where each of the cards corresponds to a different financial
instrument). In
some of these embodiments, the game rules may provide for exchange, during at
least one
game interval, of one or more financial instruments initially assigned at
random to each
player for one or more further financial instruments assigned at random to the
player. For
example, a player may "discard" one of the financial instruments previously
"dealt" to the
player at which time another financial instrument will be "dealt" to the
player. The game
rules may also provide for the elimination of financial instruments that are
performing
poorest at one or more intervals during the game, and players holding
eliminated financial
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instruments are either eliminated from the game, or are permitted to re-pick
(or are dealt)
one or more financial instruments from remaining financial instruments in the
game.
The casino may maintain odds for the game (e.g., odds that each player
will win) and may periodically recalculate the odds for each player during the
game. In
these embodiments, the rules established by the casino may permit each player
to adjust
their positions or predictions during the game, and a player who selects a
correct position
or makes a correct prediction will win a varying amount depending upon when
the player
selected the correct position or made the correct prediction. For example, the
winnings of
a player who selects a correct position or makes a correct prediction will
decrease over
time depending on when the player selected the correct position or made the
correct
prediction.
In some embodiments, players must increase their bets at certain intervals
of the game in order to remain in the game, or players must match a bet of at
least one
other player at certain intervals of the game in order to remain in the game.
The rules may
also set a minimum wager (e.g., an ante), a maximum wager, or both, for each
player in
the game. The rules established by the casino may also provide each player
with an
ability to wager money in order to purchase an option that permits the player
to trade-out
one financial instrument for another financial instrument held by the player,
change a
weighting or prediction assigned to a financial instrument, increase a bet, or
purchase
insurance against an unfavorable outcome.
The rules may be established such that the game ends after a predetermined
period of time has elapsed. Alternatively, the game may have an indefinite end
time. For
example, the casino may pay each player when the player leaves the game or at
one or
more intermediate points during the game, based on the relative performance of
the player
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compared to the other players in the game, from the time the player joined the
game to a
later time. In other embodiments, the game ends when a score of a player
reaches a
predetermined threshold, or when the value of a particular financial
instrument or other
financial data value reaches a predetermined threshold.
Based on information stored in database 80 and criteria established by the
casino, the casino may establish one or more gaming tiers or levels for
players to compete.
A player's ability to compete within a tier or level could be based upon the
player's
historical performance or winnings. Players move between different tiers or
levels as they
reach a particular threshold which promotes the player into a higher tier or
level, or
demotes the player down to a lower tier or level. The gaming tiers or levels
may be
established to promote or demote players from higher or lower stakes games, or
in a
tournament format where winning players continue to participate in the
tournament, and
losing players are eliminated from the tournament. In one embodiment, each
gaming tier
or level specifies one or more maximum bets that each player may make.
The game rules may permit players to bet on the relative performance of a
common predefined set of financial instruments over a predetermined set of
time. In these
embodiments, the rules may provide that the winners of the game are those
players who
made correct predictions and the winnings paid to those players will include
losses from
the players with the incorrect predictions. In an example of such a game, each
player
ranks the common set of financial instruments from 1 to X, where X equals the
total
number of financial instruments in the set, and places a bet that the
performance of the
financial instruments in the common set during a predetermined period of time
will rank
in the same order as the rankings made by the player.' The rules may also
permit each
player to place a combined bet on the financial instruments from the common
set that will
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perform best, second best and third best, during a predetermined period of the
game or
during successive predetermined periods of the game. Such bets would be
analogous to
"win", "place" or "show" bets, or exacta or trifecta bets in the case of horse
racing. The
rules may also permit each player to place a combined bet on the financial
instruments
from the common set that will perform worst, second worst and third worst,
during a
predetermined period of the game.
The payouts made by the casino to the players at the end of the game may
vary. For example, a first place winner of the game can be paid the total
amount of the
bets placed during the game by all the players, minus the fee collected by the
casino.
Alternatively, the first place winner of the game will receive the highest
share of the total
bets placed during the game by all the players, minus the fee collected by the
casino, and
some or all of the other participants receive smaller shares of the total bets
placed during
the game by all the players. In a still further embodiment, each player that
made a correct
prediction about the performance of a financial instrument wins and all other
players lose.
In one einbodiment, the gaine may include a progressive jackpot made, for
example, by pooling a small percentage of all money wagered during previous
game(s).
The progressive jackpot could be triggered by, for example, a player winning a
fixed
number of games in a row or by an amount that exceeds a certain tlireshold.
The jackpot
will continue to grow as more people play until the progressive jackpot is
triggered. The
progressive jackpot could correspond to a stand alone progressive jackpot,
which is linked
only to a single game at a casino. Alternatively, the progressive jackpot
could correspond
to an in-house or proprietary progressive jackpot, where wagers from a group
of games
linked together and owned and operated by the casino are pooled to create the
jackpot. In
addition, the progressive jackpot may correspond to a wide area progressive
jackpot,
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where wagers from different games are linked together from many unrelated
casinos, and
are operated by an independent operator rather than a single gaming company.
The casino
shares in a percentage of the winnings but the operator owns the progressive
jackpot
aspect of the game.
Figure 2 illustrates an on-line forum for conducting a casino game in
accordance
with the present invention. In contrast to Figure 1, in the embodiment of
Figure 2, players
20 are physically separated from each other during the game. Rather than all
the players
being physically present in the same gambling room, each of the players 20 in
this
embodiment is connected to the other players and the casino by computer
networks 50,
52. In the online einbodiment shown, each player 20 creates an account within
the online
forum for accessing the game over the computer network. During creation of the
online
account, each player 20 establishes an online payment method for funding bets,
such as a
credit card, bank draft, electronic check, electronic funds transfer or PayPal
services.
Except for the fact that the players are located remotely from each other, the
game forum
shown in Figure 2 functions substantially the same as the forum of Figure 1.
It will be
understood that various combinations of the game forums shown in Figures 1 and
2 are
possible, such that some of the players will be physically present in the
gambling room 10
while other players will be connected to the gambling room 10 remotely over
computer
networks 50, 52.
Considering the breadth of gambling games, financial data points and
investment strategies, there are numerous games that could be created from the
combination of gambling games and financial instruments. All such combinations
are
considered to be within the scope of the present invention. For purposes of
illustration,
several specific examples of games in accordance with the present invention
are set forth
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below.
Each game described by this disclosure, as well as the specific examples
below,
corresponds to a game that is predominately determined by chance where a
player pays
valuable consideration for the opportunity to win a prize of greater value, or
corresponds
to a game between two or more participants where the winner is determined in
whole or in
part by apparently random or uncontrollable data from financial markets as
well as by the
skill of the player.
Example No. 1 - "Match 4" Game
An exemplary screen shot illustrating the implementation of this game is
shown in Figure 3. The "Match 4" game may be implemented on, for example, a
physical
slot machine in a casino, or a virtual slot machine iinplemented as part of an
on-line game.
When a virtual slot machine is used, the player may, for example, use a remote
client
computer coupled over a coinputer network to a server for playing the game. In
the case
of a virtual slot machine implemented with a remote client computer in
cominunication
with a server, the functionality used to implement the slot machine may be
split between
the client computer and the server, or implemented entirely on one of such
devices.
In one einbodiment of the "Match 4" game, the current value 301 of a
security (e.g., Microsoft stock in the example shown), market index, economic
or financial
market indicator, foreign exchange rate, physical commodity or interest rate,
is displayed
on a screen on the slot machine. The current value 301 is provided to the
display screen
via live financial market data that is streamed to the machine used for
implementing the
game. The player deposits his/her bet in the slot machine, and then "spins"
the machine.
In response to the "spin," a random number generator in the machine generates
numbers
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that are shown in rows 302, 304, 306. During the "spin," the randomly
generated numbers
scroll past the player. In one embodiment, the machine pays the player a
jackpot if at least
one of the random digits shown on at least one row 302, 304, 306 matches a
digit
representing the current value 301 of the security, market index, economic or
financial
market indicator, foreign exchange rate, pliysical commodity or interest rate,
when the
digits on the display stop spinning, otherwise, the machine retains the wager.
Alternatively, the machine pays the player a jackpot if at least one of the
random digits
shown on a specific one or ones of the rows 302, 304, 306 matches a digit
representing the
current value 301 of the security, market index, economic or financial market
indicator,
foreign exchange rate, physical commodity or interest rate when the digits on
the display
stop spinning, otherwise, the machine retains the wager. In other embodiments,
in order
for there to be a payout, there must be positional correspondence between at
least one of
the random digits shown on at least one row 302, 304, 306 and a digit
representing the
current value 301 of the security, market index, economic or financial market
indicator,
foreign exchange rate, physical commodity or interest rate when the digits on
the display
stop spinning (e.g., the left-most digit in the current value 301 must match a
digit in the
left-most column of rows 302, 304, 306, etc.). In still further embodiments,
the payout
may be progressively higlier as more digits are matched. For example, a higher
payout
may occur if, at the end of the spin, all the numbers in one or more of the
rows 302, 304,
306 of the slot machine exactly match the current value 301. Like traditional
slot
machines, the machine used for implementing the "Match 4" game will be
programmed to
provide the house with a slight advantage.
In one specific embodiment of the "Match 4" game, the slot machine (or a
computer coupled thereto) randomly selects a stock with a price ranging from
$10.00 to
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$99.00. If the random number generator in the slot machine generates the exact
same
numbers on one or more of rows 302, 304, 206, the player wins. This game could
be
implemented in other denominations, in order to match player preferences.
Using the
game controls, players can "spin again" on the same security, market index,
economic or
financial market indicator, foreign exchange rate, physical commodity or
interest rate, or
spin again with a new randomly selected security, market index, economic or
financial
market indicator, foreign exchange rate, physical commodity or interest rate.
In addition,
a "Match 5" version of the game could be implemented on stocks and commodities
prices
at more than $100.00, or a market index, economic or financial market
indicator, or
foreign exchange rate that is more than five digits.
A progressive jackpot could also be implemented witli the "Match 4"
game. In cases where a progressive jackpot is used, higher bets from players
may increase
the likelihood of winning the progressive jackpot, thus encouraging higher
wagers from
players.
Example No. 2 - "Racing" Game
A machine used for implementing the game randomly picks securities,
market indices, economic or financial market indicators, foreign exchange
rates, physical
commodities or interest rates, to participate in a race, and picks a security,
market index,
economic or financial market indicator, foreign exchange rate, physical
commodity or
interest rate for each player betting on the race. For example, the machine
used for
implementing the "Racing" Game will randomly pick six stocks to participate in
a race.
The machine will also randomly assign one of the six stocks to each player
betting on the
race. In addition, just like at a track, players are given the option to place
combinations of
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bets including exactas, trifectas, daily double, pick three and pick six. The
machine used
for implementing the "Racing" game will be programmed to provide the house
with a
slight advantage.
A screen shot illustrating an exemplary implementation of this game is
shown in Figure 4. The "Racing" Game may be implemented on, for example, a
physical
machine in a casino, or a virtual machine iinplemented as part of an on-line
game. When
a virtual machine is used, each player may, for example, use a remote client
computer
coupled over a computer network to a central server for playing the game. In
the case of a
virtual machine implemented with remote client computers in communication with
a
server, the functionality used to implement the machine may be split between
the client
computers and the server.
In the specific embodiment of the "Racing" Game shown in Figure 4, the
machine randomly selects six stocks (401-406) in a race lasting a
predetermined amount
of time (e.g., 2 minutes in the example shown). The six stocks 401-406 are
shown on a
display coupled to the machine, as shown in Figure 4. Greater than or fewer
than six
stocks could alternatively be used, and other types of securities, market
indices, economic
or financial market indicators, foreign exchange rates, physical commodities
or interest
rates could be used instead of stocks. In the example, shown, the machine
randomly
selects one of the six stocks for each player betting on the race. The current
price of each
of the six stocks 401-406 is provided via live financial market data that is
streamed to the
machine used for implementing the gaine. The stock that increases in value the
most on a
percentage basis during the period of the race (e.g., 2 minutes in the example
shown) wins
the game. Bets are settled at the end of the race, and player(s) holding the
winning stock
are paid.
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In some embodiments of this game, the race could be setup to last as long
as an entire trading day, or short-term versions could last just 1 or 2
minutes. The house
could assign "win" bets or "lose" bets to the players. "Win" bets would be for
a security,
market index, economic or financial market indicator, foreign exchange rate,
physical
commodity or interest rate, to go up the most (either in percentage or gross
amount)
during the race, and "lose" bets would be for a security, market index,
economic or
financial market indicator, foreign exchange rate, physical commodity or
interest rate, to
go down the most during the race. In such versions, the machine used for
implementing
the game would automatically pick one of the six securities, market indices,
economic or
financial market indicators, foreign exchange rates, pllysical cormnodities or
interest rates,
for each player betting on the race, and whether that security, market index,
economic or
financial market indicator, foreign exchange rate, physical commodity or
interest rate, had
to win or lose the race. In some versions of the game, players could have the
option of
surrendering their bet, or raising their bet at various predetermined points
during the
game. Functionality on the machine used for implementing the game could also
permit
players to select Win, Place or Show bets for their security, market index,
economic or
financial market indicator, foreign exchange rate, physical commodity or
interest rate.
Exainple No. 3 - "Rangers" Game
This game offers an instant and exciting way for players to bet on
movements in financial data. Players simply place their bets on the range of
values they
believe a security, market index, economic or financial market indicator,
foreign exchange
rate, physical commodity or interest rate, will be within at the end of a
given period of
time. In one embodiment, the game pays fixed odds for each range of values.
Screen
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shots illustrating an exemplary implementation of this game are shown in
Figures 5A-5C.
The "Rangers" game may be implemented on, for example, a physical machine in a
casino, or a virtual machine implemented as part of an on-line game. When a
virtual
machine is used, each player may, for example, use a remote client computer
coupled over
a computer network to a server for playing the game. In the case of a virtual
machine
implemented with one or more remote client computers in communication with a
server,
the functionality used to implement the machine may be split between the
client
computer(s) and the server.
In the specific embodiment of the "Rangers" game shown in Figures 5A-
5C, a machine used for implementing the game displays a security 501 (e.g.,
Google stock
in the example shown) (or a market index, economic or financial market
indicator, foreign
exchange rate, physical commodity or interest rate), a few minutes before the
game and
then starts a countdown 502 to the beginning of the game (shown as preset
start time 504).
The security 501 may be selected by the player from a fixed universe of
possibilities, or
pre-selected by the machine or gaming sponsor. During the countdown period
(shown
specifically in Figure 5A), a graph 503 illustrating the value of the security
501 during the
countdown period is shown on the display. Live financial data is streamed to
the machine
and used to generate the graph 503, and track the current price of security
501 during the
game (see Figure 5B). The machine also sets an end time (505) for the game,
which is
also shown on the display.
The security, market index, economic or financial market indicator, foreign
exchange rate, physical commodity or interest rate, used during the game, the
duration of
the game, the available betting ranges (510-516) and the odds shown for each
betting
range, may be established by the house or a third-party market maker. Odds
paid are
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slightly discounted to the actual odds. The odds shown on the display are
controlled by
the house or a third-party market maker during the countdown period by
adjusting the
ranges/odds as the real-time market data (shown in graph 503) moves. Bets are
settled at
the end of the game in accordance with the fixed odds shown for each range.
Referring still to Figure 5A, during the countdown period, and up until the
preset start time 504, players select and bet on one or more ranges of values
510-516 that
they believe the security 501 (or a market index, economic or financial market
indicator,
foreign exchange rate, physical commodity or interest rate), will be within at
the end time
505. Players may bet on more than one range. For example, if a player bets on
ranges
510 and 511, and range 511 wins the game, the payer would be paid 3:1 on their
range
511 bet, and lose their range 510 bet. The machine used for implementing the
gaine may
randomly select the security 501 (or a market index, economic or financial
market
indicator, foreign exchange rate, physical coinmodity or interest rate), a few
minutes
before the game. In some embodiments, the duration of each game (from start
time (504)
to end time (505)) will be from 1-5 minutes; other durations may alternatively
be used.
As shown in Figure 5C, in some embodiments of the game, players may be given
an
option to surrender their bet or double-down half-way through the game.
Example No. 4 - "Rangers" Game (Alternate Embodiment)
This game is substantially the same as the game described in Example 3
above, except (i) the security, market index, economic or financial market
indicator,
foreign exchange rate, physical commodity or interest rate, and (ii) the
selected value
range are randomly selected by the machine or a gambling operator or casino.
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Example No. 5 - "Racing" Game (Alternate Embodiment)
This game is similar to the game described above as Example 2, except in
this game each player selects the security, market index, economic or
financial market
indicator, foreign exchange rate, physical commodity or interest rate to bet
on (rather than
having the security, market index, economic or financial market indicator,
foreign
exchange rate, physical commodity or interest rate randomly assigned to the
player). Just
like at a track, players are given the option to place coinbinations of bets
including
exactas, trifectas, daily double, pick three and pick six. Players may also be
given the
chance to bet on both winners and losers of the race. The machine used for
iinplementing
the game will be programmed to provide the house with a slight advantage.
Screen shots illustrating an exeinplary implementation of this game are
shown in Figures 6A-6C. The "Racing" gaine may be implemented on, for example,
a
physical machine in a casino, or a virtual machine implemented as part of an
on-line
game. When a virtual machine is used, each player may, for example, use a
remote client
computer coupled over a computer network to a central server for playing the
game. In
the case of a virtual machine implemented with remote client computers in
communication with a server, the functionality used to implement the machine
may be
split between the client computers and the server.
In the specific embodiment of the "Racing" game shown in Figures 6A-6C,
a machine used for implementing the game displays six securities 601-606 (or
market
indices, economic or financial market indicators, foreign exchange rates,
physical
commodities or interest rates) a few minutes before the game and then starts a
countdown
610 to the beginning of the game. (Greater than or fewer than six securities,
market
indices, economic or financial market indicators, foreign exchange rates,
physical
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commodities or interest rates could alternatively be used.) During the
countdown period
(shown specifically in Figure 6A), graphs illustrating the value of each
security 601-606
(or market index, economic or financial market indicator, foreign exchange
rate, physical
commodity or interest rate) during the countdown period are shown on the
display. Live
financial data is streamed to the machine and used to generate the graphs, and
track the
current value of the securities 601-606 (or market indices, economic or
financial market
indicators, foreign exchange rates, physical commodities or interest rates)
during the
game. In addition, the players can use the current financial data displayed on
the graphs
to formulate their security/market index/economic or financial market
indicator/foreign
exchange rate/physical commodity/interest rate selection and betting strategy.
As shown
in Figure 6B, during the duration of the game, the machine displays a timer
612 showing
time remaining until the end time for the game.
The securities 601-606 (or market indices, economic or financial market
indicators, foreign exchange rates, physical commodities or interest rates)
used during the
game, the duration of the game and the odds (621-626) shown for each security,
market
index, economic or financial market indicator, foreign exchange rate, physical
commodity
or interest rate,, may be established by the house or a third-party market
maker. Odds
paid are slightly discounted to the actual odds. The odds shown on the display
are
controlled by the house or a third-party market maker during the countdown
period by
adjusting the ranges/odds as the real-time market data (shown in the graphs on
Figure 6A)
moves. Bets are settled at the end of the game in accordance with the odds
shown for
each security, market index, economic or financial market indicator, foreign
exchange
rate, physical commodity or interest rate.
Referring still to Figure 6A, during the countdown period, and up until the
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preset start time, players bet on the security, market index, economic or
financial market
indicator, foreign exchange rate, physical commodity or interest rate that
will win, place
and or show (using, for example, the interface shown in Figure 6C). During the
race (as
shown in Figure 6B), the percentage increase or decrease (relative to the
start time) of
each of the six stocks 601-606 is calculated via the live financial market
data that is
streamed to the machine, and shown to the players. The security, market index,
economic
or financial market indicator, foreign exchange rate, physical commodity or
interest rate
that increases in value the most on a percentage basis during the period of
the race (e.g., 2
minutes in the example shown) wins the game. In some embodiments of this game,
the
race could be setup to last as long as an entire trading day, or short-term
versions could
last just 1 or 2 minutes.
Example No. 6 - "2-Cards" Game
This game invites players to match their wits against the house. Figure 7
illustrates an exemplary table layout of the "2-Cards" game, in accordance
with the
present invention. The exemplary table layout includes five player locations
701-705. A
dealer from the house is positioned at table location 706. A deck of playing
cards is
provided. Each card in the deck includes a stock symbol on one side of the
card
corresponding to one of a defined list of possible securities, market indices,
economic or
financial market indicators, foreign exchange rates, physical commodities or
interest rates.
As with poker, each player will first ante into the game. The dealer deals
all players, as well as the house, two cards. Thus, each player and the house
are assigned
two random securities, market indices, economic or financial market
indicators, foreign
exchange rates, physical commodities or interest rates, from a defined list of
possibilities.
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The player's cards are dealt "face down," such that players can see their own
securities,
market indices, economic or financial market indicators, foreign exchange
rates, physical
commodities or interest rates, but not the securities, market indices,
economic or financial
market indicators, foreign exchange rates, physical commodities or interest
rates of the
other players. One card dealt to the house is dealt "face-up" (such that all
player's can see
the security, market index, economic or financial market indicator, foreign
exchange rate,
physical commodity or interest rate) and the other card dealt to the house is
dealt "face
down." In cases where the game is implemented in a physical casino, RFID
technology
embedded in the cards is used in combination with sensors proximate the table
to display
relevant portfolio information to each player. After the cards are initially
dealt, each
player places a bet that the two securities, market indices, economic or
financial market
indicators, foreign exchange rates, physical commodities or interest rates
dealt to the
player will be beat the house in a portfolio race that begins at a
predetermined time. The
portfolio race is similar to the races described in Examples 2 and 5 above,
however, in this
gaine the portfolio of each player is "racing" against the portfolio dealt to
the house.
Similar to poker, players will have the option of folding or raising their
bets at various
points during the game. In one embodiment, the house edge is derived from
capturing the
ante and bets from players who fold during the hand.
In one embodiment of the "2-Cards" game, all players must ante in each
round, and the house "deals" or assigns to each player, as well as the house,
two blue-chip
stocks. Each player can see only his/her stocks (or other securities, market
indices,
economic or financial market indicators, foreign exchange rates, physical
commodities or
interest rates) and one stock (or or other security, market index, economic or
financial
market indicator, foreign exchange rate, physical commodity or interest rate)
of the house.
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Live financial market data is streamed to one or more displays associated with
the game.
The players are only playing their portfolio against the house, and players
will fold or bet
into the game before the "race" begins. At various points during the game,
players will be
allowed to either fold, and lose only what they bet so far, or raise their
bets against the
house similar to surrendering and doubling-down in black-jack. The initial
bet, and all
additional bets, will be limited to a multiple of the amount of each player's
ante at the
beginning of the game. Each "race" will last a predetermined amount of time,
after which
the portfolio of any remaining player that increased by a greater percentage
basis than the
house will win.
In other versions of the game, player could place a second side bet against
other players in the game. In a still further version, both of the house's
stocks would be
dealt up for the players to view.
Example No. 7 - "Run" Game
In this game, players simply wager that a security, market index, economic
or financial market indicator, foreign exchange rate, physical commodity or
interest rate
will make a "run" in one direction of another. A run is defined as a
consecutive number
of predefined time segments in which the value of the security, market index,
economic or
financial market indicator, foreign exchange rate, physical commodity or
interest rate
moves in a given direction. Again, the "Run" game may be implemented on, for
example,
a physical table (as shown in Figure 8D) in a casino, or a virtual table
(Figure 8D could
alternatively correspond to a virtual table layout) implemented as part of an
on-line game.
When a virtual table is used, each player may, for example, use a remote
client computer
coupled over a computer network to a server for playing the game. In the case
of a virtual
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table implemented with one or more remote client computers in communication
with a
server, the functionality used to implement the table may be split between the
client
computer(s) and the server.
In the specific embodiment of the "Run" game shown in Figures 8A-8D, a
machine used for implementing the game monitors live financial data streamed
to the
machine, and the value of a selected security, market index, economic or
financial market
indicator, foreign exchange rate, physical commodity or interest rate is
reported to the
player in regular intervals (e.g., every 5 seconds). The player bets on how
many times in a
row a given security, market index, economic or financial market indicator,
foreign
exchange rate, physical commodity or interest rate will move in a given
direction (i.e.,
either up or down). The game may run on a continuous basis such that players
can jump
into the action whenever they sense a run by a security, market index,
economic or
financial market indicator, foreign exchange rate, physical commodity or
interest rate.
Referring now to Figure 8A, in the live rolling game, players can place a bet
at any time
on any of the available stocks 801-803 (or other securities, market indices,
economic or
financial market indicators, foreign exchange rates, physical commodities or
interest rates)
by selecting the security, market index, economic or financial market
indicator, foreign
exchange rate, physical commodity or interest rate (Step 1), selecting a
direction for the
run (Step 2), entering a wager ainount in window 804 (Step 3) and selecting a
number of
consecutive value moves in the selected direction (Step 4). Referring now to
Figure 8B,
as live financial market data is continuously streamed to the game and
displayed on the
machine during the game, positions of players are updated and/or closed out
after each
predefined time segment of the game (e.g., every 5 seconds.)
As shown in Figure 8A, different odds are applied depending on the
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number of consecutive value moves selected. The odds are dynamically created
by the
house, or with the support of a third-party market maker, and posted on the
screen shown
in Figure 8A on a continuous basis. Odds paid are slightly discounted to the
actual odds.
In this game, bets can be simple, such as a bet on one stock or commodity
moving up three times in a row. Alternatively, players can place advanced
racing bets by
parlaying multiple data points into a bet, e.g., betting three different
stocks will all move
up 3 times in a row.
Example No. 8 - "Run" Game (Alternate Embodiment)
This game is substantially the same as the game described in Example 7
above, except (i) the security, market index, economic or financial market
indicator,
foreign exchange rate, physical cominodity or interest rate, (ii) the selected
price direction,
and (iii) the number of consecutive periods are selected at random for each
player by a
machine provided by a gambling operator or casino.
Example No. 9 - "Pick 'em" Game
In one embodiment, the "Pick 'em" game is implemented through periodic,
tournament-style action where sophisticated traders and gamers compete head-to-
head
against each other. In these implementations, a player only has to be the best
at the table
to win. The table can correspond to a physical table at a casino, a virtual
table
implemented on line using a plurality of remote player computers coupled to a
central
server over a global computer network, or any other suitable forum provided by
a gaming
sponsor. The implementations optionally preserve the look and feel of poker
action
including antes, increasing bets, folding hands, bluffing and scooping the
pot.
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In the "Pick 'em" game, each player privately predicts w11at the closing
value of a given security, market index, economic or financial market
indicator, foreign
exchange rate, physical commodity or interest rate will be at the end of a
round. A round
runs for a set period of time (e.g., 2-5 minutes.) After the players make
their private
predictions, and during the round, players can increase their bets (bets are
made into the
pot) or fold. The player whose price prediction is closest to the actual
closing value at the
end of the round wins the pot. Alternatively, the last player in the round
will win the pot
if all others have folded. In an alternate implementation, players whose price
predictions
are the second and third closest to the actual closing value receive lesser
amounts from the
pot. In a still further variant of this game, a player can buy the right to
make a small
change to his/her prediction by adding a certain amount to the pot.
Example No. 10 - "Three Card Draw" Game
This game is implemented using cards and a table substantially the same as
that described above in connection with the "2-Cards" game. In one embodiment,
the
"Three Card Draw" game is implemented through periodic, tournament-style
action where
sophisticated traders and gamers compete head-to-head against each other. In
these
implementations, a player only has to be the best at the table to win. Again,
the table can
correspond to a physical table at a casino, a virtual table implemented on
line using a
plurality of remote player computers coupled to a central server over a global
computer
network, or any other suitable forum provided by a gaming sponsor or gambling
operator.
The implementations optionally preserve the look and feel of poker action
including antes,
increasing bets, folding hands, bluffing and scooping the pot.
In one embodiment of the "Three Card Draw" game, the house assigns a
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set number of securities, market indices, economic or financial market
indicators, foreign
exchange rates, physical commodities or interest rates (e.g., three or four)
to each player
by dealing cards (such as those described above in connection with the "2-
Card" game) to
each player. Each hand lasts for a defined period of time, and the deals are
random.
Some of the cards are dealt face-up, other cards are dealt face-down. In some
variants, it
is possible for a player to draw or turn in certain cards at specified times
during hand, or to
"Go Low", i.e., bet that the player's portfolio will have the lowest
performance when
compared to the portfolios of all other players in the game. A
processor/monitor will
automatically calculate and display in real time the aggregate perfonnance of
the portfolio
held by the player during the round, for the player's private viewing. The
monitors will
show publicly the aggregate performance of each player's "face-up" stocks. The
player
with the best aggregate performance will win the pot, or if all other players
have folded,
the last player in the hand will win the pot. Each player will have multiple
opportunities
during the hand to increase his bet at set times (bets are made into the pot),
or fold.
Example No. 11 - "Portfolio" Game
This game is implemented using cards and a table substantially the same as
that described above in connection with the "2-Cards" and "Three Card Draw"
games. In
one embodiment, the "Portfolio" game is implemented through periodic,
tournament-style
action where sophisticated traders and gamers compete head-to-head against
each other.
In these implementations, a player only has to be the best at the table to
win. Again, the
table can correspond to a physical table at a casino, a virtual table
implemented on line
using a plurality of remote player computers coupled to a central server over
a global
computer network, or any other suitable forum provided by a gaming sponsor.
Some
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implementations optionally preserve the look and feel of poker action
including antes,
increasing bets, folding hands, bluffing and scooping the pot. In other
implementations,
each player stakes an initial equal wager, picks their portfolio, and
winner(s) are
automatically credited with the proceeds at the end of the round.
The "Portfolio" game is similar to the "Three Card Draw" game described
above, except, rather than being dealt securities, market indices, economic or
financial
market indicators, foreign exchange rates, physical commodities or interest
rates, each
player selects his/her portfolio from a fixed universe of securities, market
indices,
economic or financial market indicators, foreign exchange rates, physical
commodities or
interest rates (e.g., the NASDAQ 100). In one embodiment, some picks of each
player are
made known to other players, while other picks remain private. In a further
variant,
similar to "Texas Hold 'em, players may share a common set of randomly
assigned cards
that are dealt "face-up", and select others that remain private. As in the
"Three Card
Draw Game," a processor/monitor will automatically calculate and display in
real time the
aggregate performance of the portfolio held by the player during the round,
for the
player's private viewing. The monitors will show publicly the aggregate
performance of
each player's "face-up" stocks. The player with the best aggregate performance
will win
the pot, or if all other players have folded, the last player in the hand will
win the pot.
Eacli player will have multiple opportunities during the hand to increase his
bet at set
times (bets are made into the pot), or fold. In other implementations, each
player stakes
an initial equal wager, picks their portfolio, and winner(s) are automatically
credited with
the proceeds at the end of the round.
In a specific tournament-style embodiment of the "Portfolio" game, there are 5
or
6 seats to a table, and each player will have an initial ante at the table
minimum. Multiple
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tables are provided. Wagering is pari-mutuel, and the house earns a rake from
each round
played at the table. The length of each game is approximately 3 minutes from
beginning
to end. All players at each table are concurrently playing at the same time,
not one at a
time. This maintains fast action and exciting maneuvering opportunities.
Referring still to the specific tournainent-style embodiment of the
"Portfolio"
game, each segment of the game has a time limit. A timer is displayed on a
main game
display (shown in Figure 9A) in front of the players and on a personal 12x12
display
(Shown in Figure 9B) in front of them. There are 4 opportunities to wager in
each game:
the ante, once after the initial two securities, market indices, economic or
financial market
indicators, foreign exchange rates, physical commodities or interest rates are
evaluated,
selected then displayed (which are then posted on the left side main display),
after the
third security, market index, economic or financial market indicator, foreign
exchange
rate, physical commodity or interest rate is selected by each player (hidden,
not showed to
others yet), and then once the 3rd selection is displayed visually on the
right side main
game display, then a chance for raising is encouraged.
The actual step-by-step play of the specific tournament-style embodiment of
the
"Portfolio" game is as follows:
1. Each player antes and the table host activates timer. The initial timer is
set for
60 seconds. The action begins.
2. Each player presses their game start button and begins evaluating the
securities,
market indices, economic or financial market indicators, foreign exchange
rates, physical
commodities or interest rates using live market data on their personal
displays. Each
player must have evaluated, analyzed and selected two securities, market
indices,
economic or financial market indicators, foreign exchange rates, physical
commodities or
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interest rates by the end of the 60 second timer and pressed the display
button (shown in
Figure 9B) for the two selections to be posted on the left side main game
display. Figure
9C shows the main game display illustrating each player's initial two-stock
combined
totals at this point in the game.
3. The host then instructs the players that they have 15 seconds to place
their
wagers based on all players initial stock portfolio. At the end of 15 second
wager window,
the players then have another 45 seconds to select two more securities, market
indices,
economic or financial market indicators, foreign exchange rates, physical
commodities or
interest rates which will be initially hidden from the other players. Figure
9D illustrates
an additional personal game display showing a player's third and fourth stock
selection,
that is initially hidden from the other players.
4. At the end of 45 seconds each player will discard one of the two hidden
selections on their personal display (using the buttons shown in Figure 9D)
and have 15
seconds to place a wager based on the hidden security, market index, economic
or
financial market indicator, foreign exchange rate, physical commodity or
interest rate they
have selected. The goal is to have the 3 item portfolio outperform the
competitive players
3 item portfolio. Once that wager has been completed, the host posts the
hidden selections
and opens a 15 second opportunity for players to raise their wagers. Once that
wager is
done, the host then activates the final gaine timer for the last 30 seconds of
the game.
During that last 30 seconds the hidden selection and the first two selections
are combined
and the real time market results of each players portfolio is calculated in
real time from
the live market data and displayed on the main game display (shown in Figure
9C) to the
finish.
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5. The winner is the remaining player who has combined a 3 item portfolio that
outperforins the competitors at the table for the highest percentage gains.
The winner
takes the pot and a new game begins.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made
to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive
concept
thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to
the particular
embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover modifications within the
spirit and scope
of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.
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