Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ROULETTE GAME
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[00011 The present invention relates generally to wagering games, and
more particularly to a roulette game having numbers in repeating or random
sequences with identical numbers having different colors.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0002] The general concept of the roulette wheel having a large number
of wagering positions has been known for some time. Game rules generally
permit players to place wagers on one or more of the positions on the wheel,
with various wagering combinations being permitted, e.g., single numbers,
odd or even numbers, numerical series, colors, etc. In most roulette games,
one or more "zero" positions are provided, which provide the casino with a
winning "edge." In other situations, the house provides lower than actual
odds for payment of winning wagers, in order to provide a house profit. An
example of a conventional roulette game (but involving electronic or
computerized simulation of play) is found on a web page published by SBG
Global.com, at least as of February 5, 2007, which describes conventional
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roulette play and wagers. House profit is provided by payment of lower
odds, rather than by retaining a percentage of player winnings.
[0003] In other games, players are permitted to place wagers on any of
the positions on the wheel, with the house payment for winning wagers being
lower than actual odds in order to provide a profit for the gambling
establishment. However, none is seen to describe the instant invention as
claimed. Thus, a roulette game solving the aforementioned problems is
desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The roulette game has a roulette wheel incorporating plural
sequentially or randomly repeating series of numbers in combination with a
plurality of sequentially or randomly repeating color sets. The combination
of numbers and colors provides a unique number and color combination at
each position on the wheel. The colors may be selected to represent the
colors of a national flag, e.g., red, white and blue for the U.S. flag, etc.
Additional positions may be provided on the wheel by the use of multiple
colors at those additional positions or by other dedicated positions. The
wheel may lie in a horizontal plane with a vertical axle, or may be installed
upon a horizontal axle to lie in a vertical plane, or at some intermediate
angle between the horizontal and vertical.
[0005] The roulette game lends itself well to use as a gambling or
casino type game, including various methods of play and payout provisions.
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Wagers may be placed upon any single number, a range of numbers, odd or
even numbers, and/or one or more of the colors on the wheel, as desired.
Preferably, payment of winning wagers is made according to the actual odds
determined by the number of positions on the wheel, e.g., 29:1 for a wager
on a single position in a wheel having thirty positions. House profit may be
provided by retention of a percentage of the payout, rather than by adjusting
the payout odds. Alternatively, additional positions may be provided on the
wheel for the house, and/or the payout odds may be adjusted to allow a
house profit margin.
[0006] The aspect of house retention of a percentage of the winning
wager facilitates another aspect of play, in which players may place
progressive wagers. The method of play preferably waives the retention of a
percentage of winning wagers to players who continue to play a given
number or combination through multiple consecutive turns, i.e., place
progressive wagers. This encourages players to place such progressive
wagers by providing a higher payout to a winning player who places a
progressive wager for the next round of play. The provision for retention of
a percentage of winning wagers for the house profit greatly facilitates such a
system of rewarding players who place progressive wagers. The waiver of
retention of a percentage of a winning wager, is much easier than
determining some other financial encouragement for a progressive wagering
player when the house profit is determined by adjusting the payout odds.
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[0007] Alternatively, additional positions may be placed upon the wheel
and table to expand the number of possible winning positions. These
additional positions may be in the form of an emblem or logo representative
of the game, multiple colors representing the colors of a national flag or the
like and matching the multiple colors disposed about the wheel, or other
patterns or configurations as desired. The payout would remain the same as
for a wheel without those additional positions, in order to provide a house
margin.
[0008] These and other features of the present invention will become
readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an exemplary horizontally oriented
roulette wheel for a roulette game according to the present invention,
showing its features.
[0010] Fig. 2 is a front elevation view of a vertically oriented wheel for a
roulette game according to the present invention, illustrating various details
thereof.
[00111 Fig. 3 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of a wheel
for a roulette game according to the present invention, illustrating details
thereof.
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[0012] Fig. 4 is a top plan view of an exemplary wagering table for a
roulette game according to the present invention, which may be used with
the wheel of either Fig. 1 or Fig. 2.
[0013] Fig. 5 is a top plan view of an exemplary wagering table for a
roulette game according to the present invention for use with a wheel that
incorporates the colors of the flag of Mexico.
[0014] Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the basic steps in the method of
play of a roulette game according to the present invention.
[0015] Fig. 7 is a top plan view of another alternative embodiment of a
wheel for a roulette game according to the present invention, illustrating
details thereof.
[0016] Fig. 8 is a partial top plan view of a portion of another alternative
embodiment of a wheel for a roulette game according to the present
invention, illustrating details thereof.
[0017] Fig. 9 is a top plan view of an alternative exemplary wagering
table for a roulette game according to the present invention, which may be
used with the wheel of either Fig. 7 or Fig. 8.
[0018] Fig. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the basic components of a
network system for playing an electronic version of a roulette game
according to the present invention.
[0019] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] The present invention relates to different embodiments of a
roulette game in which, in at least one embodiment, payouts to winning
players are adjusted advantageously for winning players who continue to play
over more than one round of play, i.e., place progressive wagers. The wheel
and corresponding wagering layout (table, felt, etc.) include novel
combinations of numbers and colors for the wagering positions thereon.
[00211 Fig. 1 of the drawings provides a top plan view of a horizontally
disposed roulette wheel 10 according to the present invention. The wheel 10
rotates about an axle 12 oriented vertically, at least generally. The axle 12
is
preferably aligned with the vertical as closely as is practicable and extends
upwardly from a substantially horizontal table or supporting surface 14. The
wheel 10 correspondingly rotates in a substantially horizontal plane. The
evenly distributed wagering positions 16 disposed about the wheel periphery
18 are preferably divided conventionally in order for a conventional roulette
ball to drop into one of the positions to determine the winning position at
each turn.
[0022] Specific wagering positions 16 are described in accordance with
the unique number and color combination provided for each position, e.g.,
white zero at about the five o'clock position as shown in Fig. 1, red seven at
about the ten o'clock position, etc. The wagering positions 16 of the
exemplary wheel 10 of Fig. 1 comprise three sets of regularly repeating
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number sequences from zero to nine inclusive, i.e., each set contains ten
numbers for a total of thirty positions disposed about the wheel periphery.
[0023] The numbered positions are further distinguished by color, with
ten sets of regularly repeating colors of three colors each being provided
upon the wagering positions 16. Preferably, the quantity of each set of
numbers and the quantity of each set of colors, e.g., ten numbers and three
colors in the case of the wheel 10 of Fig. 1, have no mutually common factor.
In the case of the wheel 10 of Fig. 1, this requires a total of thirty
positions
16 about the wheel 10 before a repeat of a specific number and color can
occur. Thus, each of the thirty wagering positions 16 of the wheel 10
comprises a unique number and color combination, with like numbers having
different colors and like colors being numbered differently from one another.
[0024] Fig. 2 of the drawings illustrates an alternative embodiment of a
wheel 20 for use with the roulette game, with the wheel 20 having a
substantially horizontally disposed axle 22 and rotating in a substantially
vertical plane. The axle 22 extends from a substantially vertically disposed
column 24a, which extends upwardly from a base 24b. Rather than utilizing
a ball which drops into one of the wagering positions of a horizontally
oriented wheel, the vertical wheel 20 of Fig. 2 may include a series of pins
25a disposed about the periphery 28 thereof and extending normal to the
plane of the wheel 20, with a resilient finger 25b extending from the top of
the column 24a to engage the pins 25a as the wheel 20 rotates.
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[0025] The wheel 20 of Fig. 2 has essentially the same configuration as
the wheel 10 of Fig. 1, having a plurality of evenly distributed wagering
positions 26 disposed about the periphery 28 thereof. The wagering
positions 26 of the wheel 20 of Fig. 2 will be seen to correspond exactly to
the wagering positions 16 of the wheel 10 of Fig. 1 , i.e., having three sets
of
regularly repeating number sequences from zero to nine inclusive, with each
set containing ten numbers for a total of thirty positions disposed about the
wheel periphery 28. The numbered positions are further distinguished by
color, with ten sets of regularly repeating colors of three colors each being
provided upon the wagering positions 26. Specific wagering positions 26 of
the wheel 20 of Fig. 2 are described in the same manner as used for the
positions 16 of the wheel 10 of Fig. 1, e.g., blue two at about the eight
o'clock position as shown in Fig. 2, white six at about the two o'clock
position, etc.
[0026] Fig. 3 provides a view of an exemplary alternative embodiment
roulette wheel 30 of the roulette game. The wheel 30 is disposed upon an
axle 32. The axle 32 may be oriented either vertically or horizontally, with
the wheel 30 being normal to the axle, as in the examples of Figs. 1 and 2.
The wheel 30 of Fig. 3 includes a total of forty evenly distributed wagering
positions 36 disposed about its periphery 38, rather than only thirty such
positions, as in the examples of Figs. 1 and 2. The wagering positions 36 of
the wheel 30 of Fig. 3 comprise four sets of regularly repeating number
sequences from zero to nine inclusive, with each set containing ten numbers
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for a total of forty positions disposed about the wheel periphery 38. The
numbered positions are further distinguished by color, with ten sets of
regularly repeating sets of three colors and a fourth multiple color position
each being provided upon the wagering positions 36. Specific wagering
positions 36 of the wheel 30 of Fig. 3 are described in the same manner as
used for the positions 16 of the wheel 10 of Fig. 1 and positions 26 of the
wheel 20 of Fig. 2, e.g., blue five at about the seven o'clock position, as
shown in Fig. 3, multiple color two at about the two o'clock position, etc.
[0027] It will be noted that there are two factors for the quantity of
numbers used in each number set and the quantity of different colors
(including the multiple color positions) in each color set in the wheel 30,
i.e.,
forty, the total number of positions, and twenty. Thus, it will be seen that
each wagering position 36 is repeated twice on the wheel 30 of Fig. 3. This
enables players to double their chances with a wager upon a single number
and color combination, with the payout odds being adjusted accordingly.
Alternatively, the quantity of colors could be changed to avoid multiple
factors relative to the numbers of the wheel, and/or the quantity of numbers
in each set could be adjusted, as desired.
[0028] Fig. 4 provides an illustration of a wagering layout 40, i.e., table
surface layout or "felt," which may be used with either of the three-color
wheels 10 or 20 respectively of Figs. 1 and 2. The wagering layout 40 may
comprise a single common surface for use by all players in placing wagers in
the roulette game, or may, alternatively, comprise a separate, individual
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surface for each player in the game. In either case, the wagering layout 40
includes a plurality of wagering positions 42 corresponding to the wagering
positions 16 (or 26) of the wheel 10 (or 20).
[0029] The wagering positions 42 comprise three sets of regularly
repeating number sequences from zero to nine inclusive, i.e., each set
contains ten numbers for a total of thirty positions disposed upon the layout
40. The numbered positions are further distinguished by color, with ten sets
of regularly repeating colors of three colors each being provided upon the
wagering positions 42. Thus, the series of wagering positions 42 of the
wagering layout 40 have a direct, one-to-one correspondence with the
wagering positions 16 of the wheel 10, or positions 26 of the wheel 20, with
each of the wagering positions 42 comprising a unique number and color
combination. It will be seen that forty such wagering positions could be
provided, if so desired, to correspond with the forty positions of the wheel
30 of Fig. 3.
[0030] The above-described wagering positions permit players to place
wagers upon any given unique number and color position combination.
However, the roulette game also provides for wagers similar to those of other
roulette games, e.g., wagers upon all of the even numbers of the wheel or all
of the odd numbers of the wheel. "Even" and "Odd" positions, respectively
44a and 44b, are provided on the wagering layout for such even or odd
wagers. In addition, players may place wagers upon all of the positions
having a common color, e.g., red, white, or blue. Provision for such color
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position wagers is accomplished by a series of corresponding color wager
positions, e.g., a "red line" position 46a, a "white line" position 46b, and a
"blue line" position 46c, on the wagering layout 40. It will be understood
that the number of color positions, and the payout odds, may be adjusted to
correspond with the addition of more colors to the wagering positions of the
wheel, as in the case of the multiple color positions added to the wheel 30 of
Fig. 3.
[00311 Players may also place wagers upon individual numbers,
regardless of color, if they so choose. This is provided for by the series of
ten numbered playing positions 48 of the wagering layout 40. A wager
placed upon any one of the numbered playing positions 48 is a wager upon
all of the corresponding numbers of the wheel, e.g., three playing positions
in the case of the wheels 10 and 20 respectively of Figs. 1 and 2, with their
thirty positions each. As there are nine possible losing numbers for each
potential winning number, the payout odds in the present game are nine to
one, assuming that the house does not adjust the payout odds to retain a
profit margin. Preferably, the house retains a percentage of any winning
wager as a house profit, as discussed further below.
[0032] The roulette game permits players to place progressive wagers,
i.e., to place a subsequent wager upon the same or a different wagering
position after winning on the previous turn. As an example of the above, a
player playing the number seven (regardless of color) by placing a wager on
the "any 7" position 48 of the wagering layout 40, would win his or her wager
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if any of the three positions containing the number seven were to turn up on
a play of the wheel. That winning player could then make a progressive
wager on the next play, wagering that the same number (or alternatively, a
different number, if the player wishes to change his or her wager to a
different number) will win. This progressive wagering provision is indicated
by the "Wow it" designations 49 disposed upon each of the number playing
positions 48 on the layout 40. Alternatively, some other designation may be
used to indicate provision for progressive wagers, if desired.
[0033] It will be noted that the colors provided on the wheels 10, 20,
and 30, respectively, of Figs. 1, 2, and 3, and the table layout 40 of Fig. 4,
are red, white, and blue. These three colors have been selected intentionally
to represent the colors of the American flag. It will be seen that any colors
may be selected as desired to represent the colors of the flag of a particular
nation, or perhaps a school or college, a sports team, a business or other
organization, etc. The colors selected for the table layout 40 of Fig. 4, also
correspond with the selected red, white, and blue colors of the roulette
wheels 10 and 20 of Figs. 1 and 2.
[0034] Fig. 5 provides an illustration of an alternative table layout 50 in
which the selected colors are red, white, and green, i.e., the national colors
of Mexico. It will be seen that the various wagering positions, i.e., the
series
of individual wagering positions 52, the even and odd number wagering
positions 54a and 54b, the color wagering positions 56a, 56b, and 56c, the
number wagering positions 58, and the progressive or "wow it" wagering
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positions 59, all correspond to the equivalent positions 42 through 49 of the
wagering layout 40 of Fig. 4, with the exception being the substitution of the
color green on the layout 50 of Fig. 5 for the color blue of the layout 40 of
Fig. 4. Thus, every third numbered position 52 of the layout 50, i.e., three,
six, nine, twelve, etc., is colored green, rather than blue as in the layout
40,
and rather than having a blue color wagering position, as in the position 46c
of the layout 40, the layout 50 includes a green color wagering position 56c.
[0035] Accordingly, the table layout 50 of Fig. 5 would find great favor
in a casino in Mexico, or a Mexican theme casino, hall, or gaming room or
the like. The roulette wheel used with the red, white, and green table layout
50 is configured substantially identically to the wheels 10 and 20 of Figs. 1
and 2, but uses green for the color in lieu of the blue portions of those
wheels 10 and 20 in order to match precisely the colors used on the Mexican
themed table layout 50 of Fig. 5. It will also be seen that either of the
table
layouts 40 or 50 may be expanded to include more numbers and colors (or
multiple color combinations), in keeping with the roulette wheel 30 of Fig. 3
and its multiple color positions.
[0036] Fig. 6 provides a flow chart illustrating the basic steps in the
method of play of the present roulette game. Initially, participating players
each place at least one wager on a selected wagering position(s) on the table
layout, with the selected wagering position(s) corresponding to the wagering
position(s) of the roulette wheel of the game, generally as indicated by the
first step 60 of Fig. 6. These wagers may be placed upon a specific number
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or series of numbers (e.g., odd or even), a specific color or colors, etc., as
desired and as permitted by the rules of the gaming house and/or controlling
authority (gaming commission, etc.).
[00371 Many players may elect to play a certain specific number or
numbers, regardless of colors or color combinations. This is provided for by
the number playing positions 49 and 59, respectively of the table layouts 40
and 50 of Figs. 4 and 5. A wager(s) placed upon these number positions is
not limited by color. Thus, a wager placed upon a single number actually has
three chances of winning on the roulette wheels 10 and 20 of Figs. 1 and 2,
as each number repeats three times in the thirty positions about the wheel.
This alternative wager is represented by the second step 62 of Fig. 6. At this
point, the wheel is spun to randomly determine the winning position, as
indicated by the third step 64 of Fig. 5. A marker (e.g., representation of
the
Statue of Liberty, for an American themed game, etc.) may be placed upon
the winning position of the table layout, to indicate this winning position.
[00381 At this point, three different general possibilities exist. First, all
players whose wagers were different than the winning position, lose their
wagers. (This possibility is not indicated in the flow chart of Fig. 5, as it
is
conventional.) However, winning players are provided with two options at
this point. Winning players who do not wish to continue play may leave the
game at this point. However, the casino retains a percentage of the player's
winning wager as the house profit, rather than lowering the payout odds to
the player.
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[0039] As an example of the above, a player placing a wager upon one
of the three colors of the wheel 10 or 20 of Figs. 1 or 2, has a one in three
chance of winning. Thus, the odds against the player are two to one, i.e.,
two losing colors and one winning color. Accordingly, the house payout is
two to one, or precisely the odds provided by chance in the game. In order
to make a profit, the house may retain some percentage of the winning
wager (e.g., five percent, or as provided for by the rules), generally as
indicated by the fourth step 66 of the flow chart of Fig. 6. This system of
payment of the actual odds and retention of a percentage of winning wagers
simplifies the wagering system for progressive wagers, as explained below.
[0040] The roulette game rules provide encouragement for winning
players who wish to continue play, i.e., progressive wagering over more than
one turn of play. In accordance with the rules of play, winning players who
place a subsequent wager for the next turn or round of play are rewarded by
the casino waiving the retention of the house profit percentage, generally as
indicated by the fifth step 68 of Fig. 6. However, the payout for all winning
wagers remains exactly the same as the odds of winning, e.g., nine to one for
a player betting on one of the ten numbers, with the house profit coming
only from the retention of a percentage of winning wagers by non-continuing
players. Successful progressively wagering players may be acknowledged by
placement of a marker (e.g., "superfecta man," etc.) at that player's position
for a series of consecutive winning wagers, if so desired.
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[00411 The above rule may be adjusted by restricting progressive
wagers only to numerical designations on the wheel, i.e., to the placement of
wagers on one or more of the number playing positions 48 (or 58) of the
wagering or table layout 40 of Fig. 4 (or 50 of Fig. 5). In accordance with
this
rule, a player placing an even or odd number bet, or a color bet, could
continue play after winning, but would have his winning wager treated in the
manner of a terminating player by the house retaining a percentage of the
winning wager. Alternatively, the rules could allow all winning players who
continue in the next turn of play to be considered as progressive wagering
players regardless of the specific type of wager made, i.e., the house waiving
retention of a profit percentage of any and all winning wagers for continuing
players, if so desired and if in accordance with the rules of play.
[0042] The rules may be adjusted further if in accordance with any
limitations imposed by the gaming commission and/or other governing
body. For example, the rules may permit the casino or house to retain a
greater percentage of winning wagers in the case of consecutive winning
turns of play, i.e., progressive wagers. As an example, the house may retain
ten percent of winning consecutive or progressive wagers, rather than the
five percent (or other percentage) of wagers retained after a single turn or
round of play. This higher retention of winning progressive wagers is likely
acceptable to the winning player, as he or she will have won at least two
consecutive rounds or turns of play by this point, with corresponding
winnings.
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[0043] Figs. 7 through 10 of the drawings illustrate additional
embodiments of a roulette game, with Fig. 7 illustrating an exemplary
roulette wheel 70. The roulette wheel 70 is similar to that of Fig. 1, having
a
generally vertical axle (not shown in Fig. 7, but substantially as provided in
Fig. 1) extending upwardly from a table or supporting surface 74. The wheel
70 includes a series of evenly spaced or distributed first indicia wagering
positions 76 about its periphery 78, e.g., three groups of ten positions 76 in
each group; more or fewer such groups, or groups having different numbers
of positions, may be provided, as in the case of the wheel 30 of Fig. 3 with
its
four groups of ten positions each. The positions are separated from one
another to allow a roulette ball to drop into one of the positions during
play,
as is conventional with roulette wheels. Alternatively, the wheel 70 could be
placed on a horizontal axis with its plane disposed vertically and provided
with a pin and resilient pointer for determining the winning position during
play, as in the case of the wheel 20 of Fig. 2.
[0044] The numbered first indicia positions are further distinguished by
color, with ten sets of regularly repeating colors of three colors each being
provided upon the wagering positions 16. These colored positions comprise
a series of second indicia positions on the wheel 70, with the first and
second indicia positions comprising a series of primary wagering positions
disposed about the wheel 70. More or fewer colors may be provided as
desired, so long as each number (first indicia position) and color (second
indicia position) combination is unique, or so long as there are equal
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quantities of each specific first and second indicia combination, e.g., two
red
ones, two blue threes, etc., as shown in the exemplary wheel 30 of Fig. 3.
[0045] The wheel 70 further includes two supplemental wagering
positions 76a and 76b, designated as "Wow It" positions on the wheel 70.
These supplemental wagering or "Wow It" positions 76a, 76b are preferably
diagonally opposite one another, although their relative positions may be
distributed otherwise, if desired. The first supplemental wagering position
76a is marked by a combination of all three colors used to designate the
colored second indicia positions 76 of the wheel 70. Alternatively the "Wow
It" positions may be marked by a single solid color as in the case of the
second position 76b, if so desired. These secondary or "Wow It" positions
76a, 76b are provided primarily to expand the total number of positions on
the wheel 70 without needing another complete set of ten more primary
positions. This provides the house or casino with a reasonable "edge" while
providing a payout of 29:1 to winning players who have bet on a single
position. Players may also place a wager on either or both "Wow It" positions
76a and/or 76b, if so desired. It will be seen that the two "Wow It" positions
76a, 76b, along with the thirty primary wagering positions 76, provide a total
of thirty-two wagering positions on the wheel 70. Alternatively, a single
supplemental "Wow It" wagering position may be provided, or more than two
such positions may be provided, as desired.
[0046] It will be noted in Fig. 7 that all of the numbered primary
wagering positions 76 of the wheel 70 are in sequential order from zero to
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nine, with three repeats. However, sequential positioning of the numbers in
each set is not a requirement of the present roulette game. Fig. 8 illustrates
a broken away portion of an exemplary roulette wheel 80 and table 84
wherein the primary wagering positions 86 are randomly disposed about the
periphery 88 of the wheel 80. It will be seen that Fig. 8 illustrates only a
portion of the wheel 80, and the entire wheel 80 may include one or more
supplemental "Wow It" positions similar to those shown as positions 76a and
76b in Fig. 7, if so desired. It will also be noted that the secondary
wagering
positions comprising the differently colored positions are also in random
order. Alternatively, it will be seen that the sequential order of the
secondary
colored wagering positions shown on the wheel of Fig. 7 may be combined
with the random order of the numbered first wagering positions of the wheel
of Fig. 8, or the randomly numbered positions of Fig. 8 may be combined
with sequentially colored positions, if so desired.
[0047] Fig. 9 provides an illustration of a wagering layout 90, i.e., table
surface layout or "felt," which may be used with either of the three-color
wheels 70 or 80, respectively, of Figs. 7 and 8. The wagering layout 90 may
comprise a single common betting surface or area for use by all players in
placing wagers in the roulette game, or may, alternatively, comprise a
separate, individual surface for each player in the game. In either case, the
wagering layout or betting area 90 includes a plurality of wagering positions
92 corresponding to the wagering positions 76 (or 86) of the wheel 70 (or
80).
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[0048] The wagering positions 92 comprise three sets of regularly
repeating numbered first indicia sequences from zero to nine inclusive, i.e.,
each set contains ten numbers for a total of thirty positions disposed upon
the layout or betting area 90. The numbered positions are further
distinguished by color, with ten sets of regularly repeating colored second
indicia sequences of three colors each being provided upon the wagering
positions 92. Thus, the series of wagering positions comprising first and
second indicia sequences 92 of the wagering layout or betting area 90 have a
direct, one-to-one correspondence with the indicia sequences 76 of the
wheel 70, or first and second indicia positions 86 of the wheel 80, with each
of the positions 92 comprising a unique number and color combination. It
will be seen that forty such wagering positions could be provided, if so
desired, to correspond with the forty positions of the wheel 30 of Fig. 3.
[0049] The above-described wagering positions permit players to place
wagers upon any given unique number and color position combination.
However, the roulette game also provides for wagers similar to those of other
roulette games, e.g., wagers upon all of the even numbers of the wheel or all
of the odd numbers of the wheel. "Even" and "Odd" positions, respectively
94a and 94b, are provided on the wagering layout for such even or odd
wagers. In addition, players may place wagers upon all of the positions
having a common color, e.g., red, white, or blue. Provision for such color
position wagers is accomplished by a series of corresponding color wager
positions, e.g., a "red line" position 96a, a "white line" position 96b, and a
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"blue line" position 96c, on the wagering layout or betting surface or area
90.
It will be understood that the number of color positions, and the payout
odds, may be adjusted to correspond with the addition of more colors to the
wagering positions of the wheel, as in the case of the multiple color
positions
added to the wheel 30 of Fig. 3.
[0050] Players may also place wagers upon individual numbers,
regardless of color, if they so choose. This is provided for by the series of
ten numbered playing positions 98 of the wagering layout or betting area 90.
A wager placed upon any one of the numbered playing positions 98 is a
wager upon all of the corresponding numbers of the wheel, e.g., three
playing positions in the case of the wheels 10 and 20 respectively of Figs. 1
and 2 or wheels 70 and 80 of Figs. 7 and 8, with their thirty positions each.
As there are nine possible losing numbers for each potential winning
number, the payout odds in the roulette game are nine to one, assuming that
the house does not adjust the payout odds to retain a profit margin.
Preferably, the house provides a payout of slightly less than the actual odds
or alternatively retains a percentage of any winning wager as a house profit,
as discussed further below.
[00511 The betting layout or area 90 further includes at least one "Wow
It" designation, and preferably a plurality of such designations or positions,
e.g., first and second "Wow It" positions or indicia 99a and 99b. These
positions 99a and 99b correspond to the exemplary "Wow It" supplemental
indicia positions 76a and 76b of the wheel 70 of Fig. 7. While two such
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positions are shown on the wheel 70 and on the betting area 90, it will be
understood that more or fewer such positions may be provided as desired, so
long as there is a one-to-one correspondence between the number on the
wheel and on the betting area. Payout odds are adjusted according to the
number of "Wow It" wagers placed by a player.
[0052] Roulette play using the wheel 70 or 80 of Fig. 7 or 8 and the
layout or betting area 90 of Fig. 9 is accomplished substantially in keeping
with the procedure described further above and shown generally on the
flowchart of Fig. 6 with respect to the wheels 10, 20, or 30, respectively, of
Figs. 1, 2, or 3 and the wagering layout or betting surface 40 or 50 of Fig. 4
or Fig. 5. The wheel is spun and a winning position on the wheel is
determined by conventional means, i.e., a ball spinning in a race with the
ball
dropping into one of the wagering positions, or a flexible detent stopping the
wheel at one of the wagering positions in the case of the wheel 20 of Fig. 2.
[0053] The odds of winning are clearly established in roulette, and
depend purely upon the number of evenly spaced positions about the
periphery of the wheel in a fairly run game. Accordingly, the house or casino
determines the odds and provides a payout to any player who has selected
the winning position prior to the wheel spin. The house may pay out at
lesser odds than defined by the number of positions on the wheel in order to
make a profit, e.g., 29:1 for a wheel with 30 primary wagering positions and
two supplemental "Wow It" positions. Alternatively, the house may provide
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payment in accordance with the actual odds, and retain a percentage of the
payout as a profit margin.
[0054] The roulette wheels 70 and 80 of Figs. 7 and 8 and their
wagering table or betting area 90 of Fig. 9 may also provide for progressive
wagering by players in the manner described further above and shown
generally in the flowchart of Fig. 6, if so desired. The house or casino may
encourage placement of progressive wagers by waiving retention of the
house percentage for winning progressive players, or providing higher
payout odds for winning progressive players where the house does not retain
a percentage of winning bets. It may be desirable for the house to provide a
payout in accordance with the actual odds, e.g., 30:1 for a wheel with 31
positions thereon, for progressive wagers. Such a policy would negate any
house profit, of course, but the progressive wagering player will eventually
lose, thereby providing the house with its profit for the gaming transaction.
The house or casino may restrict progressive wagers to certain portions of
the betting area 90, e.g., to only the numbered first indicia series, if so
desired, or may alternatively restrict such progressive play to the colored
indicia. Alternatively, the house may allow progressive wagers (and payouts
as discussed above) for wagers on any of the positions of the board or area
90, if so desired.
[0055] The above roulette apparatus and methods of play have been
described and illustrated as physical objects and actions. However, it will be
seen that the roulette game, in its various embodiments, is also adaptable to
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computerized or electronic play through an electronically simulated roulette
wheel. Fig. 10 of the drawings provides a general example of such a system
for electronic play, comprising an electronic game program 100 running on a
computer, electronic game machine, electronic slot machine, or the like
through a computer network 102. A series of individual game stations or
computers 104a, 104b, 104x, etc. may be used by players during
simultaneous or sequential play, as desired. Such a system may be
controlled through the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, or other
distributed
network system, e.g., as a series of gaming stations in a single casino
wherein a server computer regulates the selection of game type and betting
amounts, the winning position is determined by a random number algorithm
executed by a processor, and the server computer determines payoff
amounts in accordance with game activity and popularity. Alternatively, the
electronic play system may comprise a single computer, e.g., computer 104a,
with the program 100 installed directly therein and bypassing the network
102 to allow for personal play, if so desired.
[00561 It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to
the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all
embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
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