Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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VIDEO BINGO GAME
AND METHOD THEREFOR
Inventors:
Gary Weingardt
Gamin Weingardt
Gary L. Loebig
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent
Application 09/949,311, filed September 7, 2001 which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/745,706, filed Dec. 26, 2000 in the name of the Applicant, to
which priority is claimed.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This invention relates generally to bingo games, and
more particularly to a video bingo game and method that utilizes
bingo rules to present video games having the look and feel of
video poker and slot games, and that preferably utilize multiple
ball draws to provide a pace of play beneficial to fast and slow
players alike.
[0003] The rules of play for conventional bingo are well-known.
Players receive individual game cards, generally featuring a matrix
of five rows and five columns. The columns are lettered B I N G 0
from left to right across the top of the matrix and each bingo card
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has five numbers in each row, except for the center I column which
has a "free space" at the intersection of the third row and the
third column.
f0004) Bingo balls individually numbered 1-75 are mixed
together and balls are selected one at a time. As each ball is
selected, the number is announced to the players, who cover any
corresponding number on their bingo card. When a player achieves a
predetermined arrangement of covered spots on his bingo card, that
player yells out "Bingo!" or hits the bingo button and he wins the
game.
[0005] Bingo is increasingly being played in electronic form.
Players operate linked machines that display one or more bingo
cards. Numbers are called by live ball draw, or a bonanza game and
the called numbers are daubed on the player cards on each linked
machine. Each game is played until a winning card on at least one
linked machine is produced, after which another game may be
started.
[0006] But there are a number of drawbacks associated with
prior art electronic bingo games. Many players prefer the fast
action of video poker and slot machines to relatively slower
traditional bingo games. Such players will tend to avoid
electronic bingo games entirely, in favor of competing games.
[0007]Moreover, even for those who prefer to play bingo, prior
art video bingo games are not entirely satisfactory. One drawback
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is timing. Depending on the player, the game may be too fast or
too slow. Thus, each game will have a single ball draw and a time
limit, perhaps in the range of about 20 seconds. A fast player
might be able in significantly less than the allotted time to
complete his or her selections and be ready to play the next game--
only to be forced to wait until the game has closed and the next
one begun with another ball draw. After a series of games, a
player who is required to spend a significant time waiting may well
opt to leave the machine and choose a faster-paced game.
[0008] On the other hand, a slower player might find that he or
she cannot make the required selections in time, with the result
that the game closes before they have finished. Players who cannot
finish the game in the allotted time can also be expected to lose
interest.
[0009]A need therefore existed for an electronic bingo game
having the look and feel of a non-bingo game, including for example
video poker or video slots (sometimes also referred to as "fruit
machines"). A need further existed for an electronic bingo game
that accommodates the play habits of both fast and slow players.
The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other,
related, advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
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electronic bingo game and method having the look and feel of a non-
bingo game, including for example video poker or video slot
machines.
[0011] It is a further object of the present invention to
provide an electronic bingo game and method that accommodates the
play habits of both fast and slow players.
[0012] It is a still further object of the present invention to
provide a bingo game and method that provides a "near-miss" or
"case" bingo reward or the like to provide a payout, in addition to
the normal slot payouts as reflected on a pay table, and further
that provides a progressive jackpot for case bingos.
[0013] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from a consideration of the
following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] A video bingo poker game comprising: providing each
player with an individual flashboard, each flashboard having an
equal number of spaces, each space defined by a column label and a
space number, wherein the space number is randomly selected from a
predefined number range for each column; providing a plurality of
bingo balls, wherein each bingo ball has markings associated with
one of the plurality of spaces; randomly selecting a first group of
bingo balls; displaying to each player the markings associated
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with each selected bingo ball of the first group of bingo balls;
marking each square associated with each of the first group of
bingo balls on each individual flashcard; and determining any
winning flashboard.
[0015] The features, functions, and advantages can be achieved
independently in various embodiments of the disclosure or may be
combined in yet other embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Embodiments of the disclosure will become more fully
understood from the detailed description and the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0017] Fig. 1 provides an exemplar of a video terminal,
including display screen, of one embodiment of a bingo game of the
present invention.
[0018] Fig. 2 provides an exemplar of a video terminal,
including display screen, of another embodiment of a bingo game of
the present invention.
[0019] Fig. 3 provides an exemplar of a video terminal,
including display screen, of yet another embodiment of a bingo game
of the present invention.
[0020] Fig. 4 shows a flashboard component of an embodiment of
a bingo game of the present invention, with two flashboard squares
shown in detail.
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[0021] Fig. 5 provides an exemplar of a video terminal,
including display screen, of still another embodiment of a bingo
game of the present invention.
[0022] Fig. 6 is a front view of a flashboard used in another
embodiment of the bingo poker game of the present invention.
[0023] Fig. 7 is a front view of a flashboard showing
embodiments of different progressive winning patterns.
[0024] Fig. 8 shows a front view of a sample draw poker
paytab].e for the bingo poker game of the present invention.
[0025] Fig. 9 shows a front view of an initial ball call state
for the bingo poker game of the present invention.
[0026] Fig. 10 shows a front view of a game over state-bingo
win for the bingo poker game of the present invention.
[0027] Fig. 11 shows a front view of a game over state-poker
win for the bingo poker game of the present invention.
[0028] Fig. 12 shows a front view of game over state-poker win
(No Card Display) for the bingo poker game of the present
invention.
[0029] Fig. 13 shows a front view of a game over state-
progressive win for the bingo poker game of the present invention.
[0030] Fig. 14 shows a gaming network implementing the bingo
poker game of the present invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] Referring first to Figs. 1-4, an embodiment of the bingo
game of the present invention having the look and feel of video
poker is shown. For ease of reference, this game will be referred
to as "Bingo Poker" herein.
[0032] Referring first to Fig. 4, each player is provided with
a flashboard/bingo card 10 (hereinafter "flashboard 10"). The
flashboard 10 may optionally be displayed to the player on a video
screen, or may simply be provided to the game terminal but not
displayed. In order to provide a less cluttered appearance, and to
enhance the poker-like look of the game, it will be preferred to
not display the flashboard 10 on the gaming machine screen.
[0033] In its preferred configuration, the flashboard 10
contains a plurality of individual squares 12. Each square 12 is
intended to correspond to a particular numbered ball used in the
game, with the total number of squares corresponding to the total
number of numbered balls used. As
shown in Fig. 4, in this
embodiment, there are 52 squares 12, corresponding to 52 balls. As
will be discussed below, it will be possible to vary the number of
squares 12 and balls, and indeed, it would be possible to provide a
noncorresponding number of squares 12 and balls.
[0034] It should be noted further that if the flashboard 10 is
to be displayed to the player, the configuration shown in Fig. 4--
having four rows of thirteen squares each, with, reading from left
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to right, row A having squares 1-13, row B having squares 14-26,
row C having squares 27-39, and row D having squares 40-52--is only
one of many that would be possible. Thus, it would be possible to
organize the squares 12 into any desired combination of rows and
columns or other display arrangement.
[0035] Preferably, each individual square 12 has assigned
thereto appropriate indicia corresponding to the specific game that
is to be played. For Bingo Poker, the indicia will comprise suit
and value indicia commonly displayed on playing cards. For
example, as shown in Fig. 4, square 32 has been assigned as its
suit and value indicia the six of clubs.
Square 41 has been
assigned as its suit and value indicia the two of diamonds. In a
Bingo Poker game that utilizes 52 balls and thus at least 52
squares 12, each square 12 will have different suit and value
indicia, so that each card in a 52 card deck is represented in a
different square 12.
[0036]While, in this embodiment, the indicia used correspond
to that displayed on playing cards, it should be understood that
indicia from other card-type games could be used, and the game
played according to rules for such card-type game.
[0037] The suit and value indicia may be randomly generated on
each square 12 of each flashboard 10 before each game.
Alternatively, different flashboards 10 may be created before play
is begun by the players depressing an appropriate button/key or
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otherwise commanding the player machine to generate randomly
different indicia locations on flashboard 10. However created,
each flashboard 10 will have its unique (or nearly unique)
placement of indicia, thus providing preferably different
flashboards 10 for each player and different outcomes for each
machine. For example, while square 32 on player one's flashboard
might have a Club suit indicia and a Six value indicia, square 32
on player two's flashboard might have a Heart suit indicia and a
Queen value indicia. Thus, the calling of ball/number 32 will
provide player one with a Six of Clubs and player two with a Queen
of Hearts.
[0038] As each ball is drawn and called, the result is
electronically communicated to each player machine. (It should be
understood that the reference to a ball draw and call is intended
to include an electronic draw and an electronic communication of
the results of the draw to player machine, and is not meant to be
restricted to a manual ball draw or live call by a person.)
Referring now to Fig. 1, an exemplar of a player machine 14 is
shown. The player machine 14 preferably includes a display screen
16 and a play selection area 18. (It should be understood that the
play selection area 18 could be positioned on the player machine 14
separate from the display screen 16 as shown in Fig. 1, or could be
displayed on the display screen 16 using touch screen technology or
the like.)
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[0039] Still referring to Fig. 1, the results of the calling of
five balls are displayed on the display screen 16, in the form of
cards 20 having suit and value indicia corresponding to numbered
squares 12 on the flashboard 10. As shown in Fig. I, the preferred
form for displaying the results of the call is in card form, giving
the Bingo Poker game the look and feel of a video poker terminal.
In the event that the flashboard 10 is also displayed on the
display screen 16, it is preferred that upon the calling of each
ball, the corresponding square 12 is lit or otherwise modified to
indicate that the ball corresponding to that square has been
called.
[0040] In the preferred embodiment of Poker Bingo, ten balls
are called at the beginning of the game. As shown in Fig. 1, only
the results for the first five balls will initially be displayed.
With respect to the remaining five balls, they are either not
initially depicted in any form to the player as shown in Fig.. 1,
or, referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, may be represented by an image
of a card back 22 or in some other form. (In the event that the
flashboard 10 is displayed to the player on the display screen 16,
the squares 12 and indicia associated with second group of five
balls are not indicated on the flashboard 10 either.)
[0041]Each player then electronically daubs those of the first
five balls that the player desires to keep by, one card 20 at a
time, daubing each card 20 that the player wishes to hold or
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discard. Daubing is preferably accomplished by the player
depressing the daub button 24 for each card to be held--which daub
button 24 may be a depressible button or key located in the play
selection area 18, a selectable area on a display screen 16 having
touch screen capability, or some other vehicle for allowing a
player to communicate card selection. (It would also be possible
to provide that depression of the daub button 24 would have the
effect of highlighting those cards 20 that are to be discarded.)
[0042) Once daubing is complete, the player depresses the draw
button 26. (It should be noted that the names for the buttons as
shown in the drawing figures and as used herein represent examples
only, and may be changed as desired.) The undaubed cards 20 are
then discarded and replaced with a corresponding number of cards 20
corresponding to balls from the second group of five. If the
player daubs (holds) all five cards 20, then no replacement cards
are used and the winning hand will be determined using only the
original five balls drawn.
[0043]There are several possibilities with respect to the
manner in which replacement cards 20 are selected from the group
corresponding to the second group of five balls. In
one
embodiment, the machine randomly selects the replacement cards 20
from the second group. In another embodiment, replacement cards 20
are selected from the second group of five balls according to the
order in which these balls were called--so that the sixth ball
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called will be the first replacement, and so on. In yet another
embodiment, as depicted for example in Fig. 2, the replacement
cards 20 selected will be those corresponding in order to the first
five balls selected--so that, for example, the first ball selected
will be represented by the first card 20 on the far left side,
while the sixth ball selected will be represented by the card back
22 positioned behind the first card 20 on the far left side, and so
on.
[0044] In still another embodiment, as depicted for example in
Fig. 3, the player can select which replacement cards 20 will be
revealed from a row of card backs 22 shown on the display screen.
Selection may be accomplished, if touch screen technology is
employed, by the player touching the desired card backs 22.
Alternatively, the player may depress the daub button 24 associated
with the desired card back 22--which, in the configuration shown in
Fig. 3, would be the daub button 24 positioned directly below the
desired card back 22--revealing each replacement card 20.
[0045] It should be noted that the Bingo Poker game and method
of the present invention may be adapted to play poker or other card
games according to the rules for the particular game. For example,
in one variation, only five balls would be drawn, and there would
be no replacement balls. Based on the hand produced by the five
called balls, the player receives any payout to which he or she is
entitled. (Such a game might have the appearance of that shown in
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Fig. 1.) This variation is similar to 5 card stud poker, in which
a player is paid according to a pay table without any replacement
cards being available.
[0046] In another variation, seven balls are called and, again,
there are no replacement balls. Based on the best hand produced by
any five of the seven called balls, the player receives any payout
to which he or she is entitled. This variation is similar to 7
card stud poker.
[0047] Examples of other poker games that could be played using
this method would include triple play , bonus poker, Caribbean stud
poker , holdem poker, and double down stud . The present invention
could also be utilized to play card games other than poker.
[0048] Still other variations are possible to the basic
components of the bingo game as discussed above. For example, it
would be possible to add a 53rd ball as well as a corresponding
53rd square on the flashboard 10, with the 53rd square representing
a wild card or joker. If called, the wild card could be used by
the player to represent any suit/value indicia combination that
increases the payout to the player.
[0049] It would also be possible to provide fewer squares 12
than balls, with an individual square 12 having more than one set
of value and suit indicia. If, for example, a particular square 12
had two sets of value and suit indicia, the calling of the ball
corresponding to that square 12 would result in an extra card being
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dealt to the player. The player could either be permitted to keep
the extra card or the option of selecting between the two cards
corresponding to the square 12, increasing the player's winning
prospects. Other variations are also possible.
[00501 Another embodiment of the present invention addresses
the problem presented by a single ball draw. In this embodiment,
overlapping ball draws--possibly though not necessarily from
multiple locations--are provided, allowing the playing of
overlapping games. For example, if a game takes two minutes to
play, a new draw could commence every thirty seconds. Fast player
one and slower player two each begin the same game at 1:00 p.m.,
which game is started by ball draw one. Fast player one, upon
finishing the game at 1:00:45 p.m., can participate in a second
game, started by a ball draw commencing at 1:01:00 p.m.¨even
before the first game has closed at 1:02 p.m. Meanwhile, player
two can finish his game using all of the allotted time until 1:02
p.m., and participate in a new game commencing at 1:02:00 p.m. or
1:02:30 p.m., etc. Of course, the actual frequency and method of
overlapping ball draws can be varied as desired.
[0051] One advantage of the multiple ball draw is that the
duration of each bingo game can be increased over prior art games,
since there is no need to maximize the amount of games that one
single ball drawing source can generate. Thus, it can be seen that
with multiple ball draws, the needs of slow and fast players can be
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accommodated. Slow players can play games with longer closing
times, so that they can complete their play. On the other hand,
fast players can follow one game immediately with another. It
should be noted that the multiple ball draw disclosed herein could
be incorporated into any bingo-style electronic game--including
prior art games currently practiced using a single ball draw--and
not only with bingo-style games otherwise described herein.
[0052] Bingo rules often require the disclosure to all players
at the end of each game how many players were winners in each game
and how much they won. This information can be provided in a small
square preferably at the bottom of the screen. In one embodiment,
the five previous game winners will be disclosed at the bottom of
the screen--although more or less than this could be shown. This
allows the slower player to take his or her time and to have his or
her potential winnings posted before the game is closed.
[0053] In another embodiment of the present invention, the
rules of bingo can be adopted to provide an electronic game having
the look and feel of a video slot machine, and includes on the
display a plurality of reels. This game is referred to herein as
"Bingo Slots." As with Bingo Poker, in Bingo Slots, each player is
provided with at least one flashboard, which flashboard may or may
not be displayed on the player's display screen. The flashboard
should comprise individual squares having therein at least one
indicia--including for example cherries, plums, bells, bars, blanks
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and other indicia of the type often seen on slot machines--
corresponding to the number of bingo balls to be drawn. For
example, if there are 90 balls (numbered 1-90), the flashboard
should have 90 "squares," numbered 1-90, having indicia therein.
(As discussed above, it would be possible to provide a
noncorresponding number of flashboard squares and balls.)
[0054] Preferably, three balls will be called in a game (i.e.,
one ball for each reel)--although games with less or more balls may
also be played.
When the balls are called, the values are
communicated to each player machine and the corresponding values on
each player flashboard are displayed in any desired format--such as
squares or rectangles having images of the indicia therein or
thereon. Preferably, the display will have the look and feel of
prior art slot machine reels.
[0055] Although each player has the same indicia values on his
or her flashboard (e.g., 20 cherries, 20 bars, 10 blanks, 10 plums,
30 bells)--each player should have these indicia arranged on the
flashboard in a unique or nearly unique manner, so that outcomes
among players will be unique or nearly unique. For
example,
squares 15, 25, and 35 on player one's flashboard might all be
cherries, while these squares on player two's flashboard are a
cherry, plum, and bar, respectively. There can of course be
instances wherein a single machine has multiple type slot games to
choose from and individual games can have varying degrees of
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difficulty. An example of these slot games are "Double Diamond ",
"Red, White & Blue ", "Triple Diamond ", "Wheel of Fortune ",
"Elvis ", "Betty Boope" "Slottoe", "Pink Panther ", "Reel 'Em In ",
"Monopoly ", "Jackpot Party ", "Addams Family ", "I Dream of
Jeannie " and "Battleshipe". The payout will be a function of the
difficult of achieving a desired combination, based on the
frequency with which a particular value appears on the flashboard.
[0056] While it would be possible to provide a single
flashboard from which three indicia will be selected as described
herein, it would be preferred to provide multiple flashboards per
player machine, and preferably one flashboard for each reel in a
Bingo Slot game. Thus, if there are three reels, three flashboards
are preferably provided. In this manner, the odds of achieving a
particular winning combination can be increased exponentially,
creating the possibility of relatively large payouts and thus
increasing player excitement.
Similarly, the number of
balls/flashboard squares can be varied as desired to achieve
desired game probabilities.
[0057]As shown in the following table, the use of multiple
flashboards and the variation in the number of balls can
substantially alter slot odds:
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Slot Odds - One bar
Number of Reels Number of Balls per reel
1 75 75 to one
1 90 90 to one
1 105 105 to one
2 75 5,625 to one
2 90 8,100 to one
2 105 11,025 to one
3 75 421,875 to one
3 90 729,000 to one
3 105 1,157,625 to one
4 75 31,640,625 to one
4 90 65,610,000 to one
4 105 12.1,550,625 to one
[005810f course, the numbers 75, 90 and 105 are meant to be
exemplary only, and the actual number of balls used could be varied
as desired.
[0059] Referring now to Fig. 5, an exemplar of a video terminal
30 embodying the Bingo Slots variant of the present invention is
shown. The video terminal 30 includes a display screen 32, on
which is displayed the indicia 34 from the flashboard squares
corresponding to the called balls. To use the video terminal 30, a
player will place his or her bet using one of the betting keys 36.
The player then commences play and accesses the results of the ball
draw by pulling the handle 38. The results of the ball draw are
then displayed on the display screen 32. To complete play, and
consistent with the rules of bingo, the player daubs the indicia 34
appearing on the display screen 32 by depressing the daub keys 40--
or by daubing in some other designated manner.
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[0060] Of course, the features of the video terminal 30 may be
altered in any desired fashion. For example, the handle 38 may be
replaced with a button, touch screen icon, or other means for
commencing play. One daub key 40 could be used in place of
individual daub keys 40 for each indicia 34 displayed. It would
also be possible to display more than one row of indicia 34 for
double, triple, nine-line, etc. play. Still further, it would be
possible to substitute a machine having mechanical reels for the
video terminal 30 and still be within the scope of the present
invention.
[0061] Referring now to Figs. 6-14, another embodiment of the
bingo game of the present invention having the look and feel of
video poker is shown. For ease of reference, this game will be
referred to as "Bingo Poker" herein. The Bingo Poker game is
similar to the previous embodiments so differences will be
discussed below.
[0062] Bingo Poker is a traditional electronic bingo game
requiring at least two players to begin where the first player to
cover a previously designated bingo pattern (12 spot center box as
shown in Fig. 6) on a bingo card 10' wins the game. Draw Poker
style bonus prizes may be awarded for creating a winning five card
poker hand defined entirely by the spots hit on the player's bingo
card 10' within the first ten bingo balls drawn. An additional
progressive jackpot bonus prize may be awarded based on a far-miss
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bingo criterion as will be disclosed below.
Like traditional
bingo, each player terminal has a unique bingo card and all players
in a specific game receive the same ball call.
[0063] The game may be facilitated by player terminals
providing players with an entertaining interface for interacting
with the game, game servers for collecting players into games and
delivering game results, and a computer network to facilitate
communication between the player terminals and game servers as
shown in Fig. 14.
[0064] In the present embodiment, Bingo Poker is played
similarly to a traditional bingo game where a series of balls are
drawn from a 52 ball population and matched by players to bingo
cards 10' with the goal of being the first player to achieve a pre-
designated game ending bingo pattern 10A (12 spot center box).
Other designated game ending bingo patterns may be used without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0065] Each player has a single, unique 4x13 spot BIGO card 10'
with no free space where the numbers 1-13 are placed in random
order in the 1st column labeled "B", 14-26 are randomly ordered in
the second ("I") column, 27-39 are randomly ordered in the third
("G") column, and 40-52 are randomly ordered in the fourth ("On
column.
[0066] In accordance with one embodiment, Bingo Poker may use a
unique dual perm system for generating bingo cards 10' for the
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game. Each player is assigned a 52 spot bingo card at the
beginning of the game session that may be used for each game played
unless the player chooses to swap cards between games by touching
the bingo card 10'. Each 52 spot bingo card is dealt in order from
a shuffled card perm of tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands
of pre-generated bingo cards selected to minimize the probability
of multiple players achieving game ending patterns or progressive
jackpot prizes on the same ball, thus resulting in split prizes.
[0067] In addition to the persistent bingo card, a second, 52
spot poker card overlay is dealt to each player immediately after a
minimum number of players has been established for each game and
immediately prior to the first ball being called. Although in some
instances the overlay may be generated after the first ball is
drawn. This secondary card consists of all 52 playing card faces
from a standard deck of 4 suits (hearts, diamonds, spades, and
clubs) numbered 2 through 10 and J, Q, K, and A. These overlay
cards are dealt in order from a card permutation selected to insure
all poker hands have probabilities of being achieved equal to those
of a randomly generated draw poker game. For games that require
two or more decks, multiple overlay perms could be used with the
persistent bingo card, with all perms using the same ball draw.
Random number generators may be used in lieu of perms if permitted
by gaming regulators.
[0068] The bingo poker game consists of a buy in period, an
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initial ball call (5 balls), a final ball call, and a prize
awarding period.
[0069] The buy in period remains open until at least 2 players
have joined the game or a configurable amount of time expires
resulting in no game played and a refund of the purchase. A player
joins the game by selecting a buy in amount and pressing the "Deal"
button 50. A game will begin as soon as at least two players have
purchased bingo cards 10' within the buy in period. Bingo cards
10' cost a minimum of 1 credit and a maximum of 5 credits. Players
can be grouped together in games regardless of the price of the
card purchased.
[0070] Multiple games with overlapping buy in periods may be
offered to minimize player wait time between games. Players can be
grouped within a single facility or across multiple facilities to
efficiently build adequate minimums to start each game.
[0071] The initial ball call begins upon the buy in period
closing. Five balls are delivered to the player terminal and
displayed in the order they were drawn in the ball call display
area 52 and displayed on the appropriate squares 12 on the bingo
card 10'.
[0072]Upon the player pressing the "Draw" button 54, the
remaining balls are revealed to the player and displayed in the
order they were drawn in the ball call display area 52 and on the
appropriate matching squares on the bingo card 10'. The "Draw"
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button 54 serves multiple functions including daubing the first 5
balls, revealing and daubing the remaining balls, and claiming any
prizes that are won as a result of the game. The number of balls
in the final ball call is variable depending on the number of balls
required for the first card participating in the current game to
achieve the game ending bingo pattern.
[0073] Prizes are awarded immediately after the final ball call
is displayed for any player that has achieved the game ending bingo
pattern and for bonus prizes. In
accordance with the present
embodiment, there are three types of prizes in Bingo Poker as shown
in Fig. 7:
1) Game Ending Bingo Prize - The game ending prize is a minimum
of 1 cent or a pre-configured percentage of the players bet
(whichever is larger) awarded for the first player to achieve
the game ending bingo pattern.
2) Far-miss Bingo Progressives - The far-miss bingo progressives
are one or more bonus prizes awarded to player or players with
few spots marked in the game ending pattern at the time the
game ends due to another player achieving the game ending
pattern. If two or more players achieve the jackpot in the
same game, all players will split the progressive jackpot
prize. The current game design supports up to four far-miss
progressives, but only three are being used.
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a. Progressive 1: Mega Jackpot Wide Area Progressive - This
progressive is won by the player with no spots covered in
the game ending pattern at the time the game ends.
b. Progressive 2: Super Jackpot Wide Area Progressive - This
progressive is won by the player with only 1 spot covered
in the game ending pattern at the time the game ends.
c. Progressives 3 and 4: Local Area Jackpots (optional)-One
or both of these progressives can be activated by the
local operator by configuring a win criteria based on the
number of spots away from achieving a game ending bingo,
similar to progressives 1 and 2. The current game design
leverage progressive 3 as a far-miss, local area
progressive won by having only 2 hits in the game ending
pattern at the time the game ends.
3) Poker Bonus Prizes-The poker bonus prizes are determined based
on the poker hand achieved by the player during the course of
the bingo game according to the poker paytable discussed below
and shown in Fig. 8. It would also be possible to require the
players to make a separate wager to qualify for the
progressive jackpot (s).
[0074] The draw poker game is a secondary bonusing mechanism
based entirely on the spots marked on each player's bingo card 10',
but uniquely incorporating the player's skill at making a winning
poker hand for determining bonus prizes.
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[0075]After the buy in period has closed and prior to the
first ball being delivered to the player terminal, a secondary
bingo card consisting of 52 playing card faces from a separate card
perm is delivered to each player and displayed face down (only card
backs 56 showing) on top of the player's traditional bingo card.
This secondary bingo card creates a unique bingo card to playing
card mapping for each player.
[0076] Immediately following the delivery of the secondary
poker overlay card and the initial ball draw, the playing card
corresponding to the spot marked on the bingo card for each of the
first 5 balls drawn is displayed in order on the player's game
screen 58. This grouping of 5 cards is equivalent to the "deal"
hand in a draw poker game.
[0077] The player touches between 0 and 5 cards to be kept for
the final poker hand. After selecting the cards to be kept (or no
cards to be kept), the player presses the 'Deal/Daub' 50 button to
swap any cards that were not daubed and to reveal any prizes won by
the poker game. Cards are swapped in order based on the 6th-10th
balls called beginning with card face corresponding to the 6th ball
replacing the first card swapped (not kept) and continuing through
the playing cards corresponding with the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th balls
drawn as required to replace the remaining swapped cards.
[0078] Prizes are awarded at the conclusion of the bingo game
based on the poker hand created by each player according to the
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poker paytable. An example of a typical draw poker paytable is
shown in Fig. 8.
[0079] While the invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will
be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and
other changes in form and details may be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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