Abstract: A gaming system comprises a primary wagering facility which is usable by a player to place an initial wager on a turn of a game of blackjack, and a secondary wagering facility which automatically places a side wager on the same turn of the game of blackjack. The side wager relates to an outcome which is a function of a number of different playing cards contained in the blackjack hand dealt to the player in turn of the game of blackjack. The side wager is paid at odds of at least 2 to 1 if the first dealt card in the player's hand is of a predetermined rank.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for providing a novel video gaming experience on a play surface on which reconfigurable information is displayed.

Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a central processing unit and a pendulum. The central processing unit operates the gaming machine in response to a wager and selects a game outcome from a plurality of possible game outcomes. The pendulum indicates the game outcome selected by the central processing unit.

Abstract: A gaming machine having features for increasing player appeal is set forth. The machine generally includes a processor, a display, and a memory device. The processor randomly selects one of a plurality of outcomes of the gaming machine in response to a wager. The display displays visual elements to be viewed by the player. The memory device is coupled to the processor and stores at least two data sets for producing at least two different types of visual and/or audio elements in the basic game or bonus game, or at least two different types of bonus game formats. The processor selects one of the two data sets in response to the occurrence of a predetermined time, a number of wager inputs by players of the gaming machine, or after determining a favorite play content based on the number of wager inputs by players.

Abstract: At least two betting terminals for playing a game, comprising a network of terminals linked to different game tables, wherein each of the terminals comprises a mechanism to switch on a plurality of games so as to allow a player at one terminal to switch to different tables and place bets at different games at a time.

Abstract: A method and system for playing jackpot and live baccarat games are provided. One feature of the jackpot method involves the use of card combinations that includes at least one zero-point card. Another feature of the jackpot method involves initial jackpot contribution from the banker who operates the baccarat game. It is also provided a software program or a set of software program for carrying out any or all the steps of the disclosed gaming method.

Abstract: A method and system for playing jackpot and live baccarat games on a baccarat machine with an option for insurance betting. After first two cards are dealt to a player's hand and a banker's hand, according to a set of baccarat rules, and one or more of the players are allowed to place a bet on live baccarat on either the banker's hand to win or the player's hand to win, an insurance bet becomes available for the player to be placed on the player's hand or the banker's hand and various rules are set forth for winning the insurance bet.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, systems, methods, apparatus, computer program code, and means for filtering options data include receiving options feed data including a first set of options feed data having a changed quote, identifying, from the first set of options feed data, a second set of the options feed data meeting at least a first filter criteria, producing a filtered options feed by filtering out the second set of the options feed data, and disseminating the filtered options feed.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting a game between at least one live player and at least one computer-controlled player includes executing a training program between at least two agents to generate probability weights correlating actions or meta-actions representing a set or sequenced set of actions with a probability that the action or meta-action will produce a game outcome meeting a specified criterion or specified criteria. A game is conducted in which at least one live player plays against at least one computer-controlled player in which the computer-controlled player selects actions at one or more of the decision nodes in the game based, at least in part, on the probability weights.

Abstract: In a game system, a PC control unit controls an attack on an enemy character by a player's character. An enemy character control unit controls an attack on the player's character by the enemy character. An MP management unit stores, in an MP storage, a current value of a magic point indicative of the power required for a magic attack and manages an increase and decrease in the current value of the magic point. The magic point stored in the MP storage is used commonly by the player's character and the enemy character. When the player's character attacks the enemy character and the enemy character attacks the player's character, the MP management unit subtracts a value required for the attack, from the current value of the magic point.

Abstract: The present invention extends a slot machine game by providing an initial opportunity to form winning symbol combinations and then, if any winning combinations appear in the symbol matrix, providing one or more subsequent opportunities by removing and replacing the symbols comprising the winning combinations.

Abstract: A gaming device includes a plurality of symbol groups which each include a plurality of symbols. In one embodiment, each of the symbols is associated with a probability of being generated. The gaming device includes a plurality of player selectable selections. The gaming device includes a plurality of outcome pools. Each pool includes the number of designated symbols which are generated for each selection. That is, each pool determines how many symbols will be generated for the indicated group for each selection. Each time a player picks one of the selections, the gaming device selects one of the pools. The gaming device generates the designated number of symbols associated with the picked selection which is determined by the selected pool. The gaming device provides the player an outcome or award, based at least in part, on the generated symbols.

Abstract: One or more gaming machines include an incentive supply storage, along with at least one play incentive dispenser to deliver play incentives to a player at a gaming machine. Play of each gaming machine includes definition of at least one incentive qualifying event, resulting in dispensing a play incentive to a player. Optionally, some of the play incentives have substantially nominal value and some of the play incentives have non-nominal value. Incentive qualifying events may be random or based on outcomes generated during play of a gaming machine. Optionally, a play incentive may be dispensed along with issuance of a prize awarded through a game of chance. A prize award may be indicated by or on the play incentive, which may be awarded along with the play incentive. Optionally, the play incentives may be concealed in a packaging.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a unique interactive game that includes multiple dynamic layers in which a participant may complete a variety of challenges and/or tasks. For example, the participant may obtain a toy “wand” from a retail phase that is usable in an interactive entertainment phase. The interactive entertainment phase may include multiple interrelated layers such that progress in one or more layers may affect the participant's experience in one or more other layers. The participant may also receive training on how to use the wand and/or complete one or more special effects, adventures and/or quests. During or following the interactive entertainment phase, the participant may use accumulated points and/or powers to redeem prizes and/or compete against other participants, such as in a duel.

Abstract: A game device provides a question to a plurality of players. The game device counts the number of players each having provided an answer to the question or each having provided a correct answer to the question. When the counted number of players reaches a predetermined number of players, a predetermined time limit is set. The game device measures an elapsed time from when the time limit has been set (i.e., a correct answer elapsed time), and stops accepting an answer to the question when the correct answer elapsed time reaches the time limit.

Abstract: Gaming devices may generate outcomes to be sold in printed form. Representations of the outcomes, corresponding payouts, and other information are printed on sheets of paper. Multiple printed outcomes are assembled into books, wrapped, and sold to consumers. Consumers may purchase the books and browse through the printed outcomes at their leisure. When finished with a book, a consumer may submit a portion of the book to the casino that sold the outcomes. The casino may then pay the player based on the payouts associated with the outcomes in the book.

Abstract: A gaming device including a primary game having one or more symbol generators and one or more secondary games associated with the symbol generators. The gaming device activates the symbol generators for a number of activations. When the symbol generator generates one or more predetermined symbols, the gaming device operates one or more of the secondary games associated with the symbol generators. In one embodiment, the gaming device continues to activate the symbol generators until at least one of the symbol generators generates one or more termination symbols, or until there are no activations remaining in the primary game.

Abstract: A wager manipulation feature for a wagering game is provided. The feature may be implemented after the player's wager is set but before game play takes place, after game play takes place or both simultaneously. If before game play, the feature enables the player to undo or nullify the wager, for example, if the player changes his or her mind or enters a wager incorrectly. If after game play, the feature provides a bonus to the player in which the player may nullify a bet after an unsuccessful outcome or increase the bet to enhance a favorable outcome. In any case, the redo feature can be accumulated in one embodiment and stored and/or restored on a gaming device ticket, player tracking card or promotion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for method for playing a game which involves placing on a game board including a grid disposed thereon a plurality of game pieces assigned to each of at least two players, such that each game piece is placed on the game board in a space defined by the grid. Each player in turn selects at least one of a plurality of dice, each player making the selection based on a purpose of the player's turn. The player rolls the selected die or dice to either determine a number of spaces which a game piece moves in a single turn, or to stage an attack on an opponent's game piece. Where an attack is staged on an opponent's game piece, a first die determines a number of spaces which a game piece moves and a second die determines the number of spaces covered by a firing range of the game piece.

Abstract: When an operation block collides a stacked block in an X-direction, a part of the stacked block facing an operation block is shifted to the X-direction to allow the operation block to be absorbed in the stacked block and an end being opposite to the end facing the operation block of the shifted stacked block to be ejected from the stacked block. The ejected block can collide with the stacked block again as an operation block. Such a collision operation is repeatedly performed after the completion of a predetermined arrangement in the stacked block.

Abstract: A gaming machine is provided for playing a wagering game. The gaming machine includes a wager-input device and at least one display for displaying a bonus game of the wagering game. The bonus game has a plurality of outcomes. A probability of winning a certain one or more of the plurality of outcomes varies in response to an occurrence of a predetermined event during the bonus game.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gaming terminal and a method of playing a wagering game at a gaming terminal whereby multiple players make selections and accumulate bonus awards as the game is passed from one player to another. Play continues until a game-terminating object is selected. At that time, each player that participated in the wagering game receives his or her accumulated awards plus any awards won by subsequent players.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to fully automated systems and methods for shuffling and scrambling playing instruments, such as cards, before being dealt to one or more players. In one embodiment, a rotating device is utilized to scramble playing instruments. In yet a further embodiment, the rotating device is coupled with air, vacuum, or combinations thereof to further scramble the cards. The scrambling device may be coupled to an aligning device for realigning the playing instruments upon being adequately shuffled. According to another aspect of the invention, physical cards are utilized in a gaming environment that may be scrambled, shuffled, and/or played remotely over a network. In one embodiment, the physical cards are traditional poker-style gaming cards. The cards include at least one identifier that may be read upon the card being dealt. The identifier may contain information that is remotely communicated to a player.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide systems and methods relating to online gaming utilizing virtual playing instruments generated from physical playing instruments. According to one aspect of the invention, physical playing instruments are utilized in a gaming environment that may be scrambled, shuffled, and/or played remotely over a network. In one embodiment, the physical playing instruments are traditional poker-style gaming playing cards. The playing instruments include at least one identifier that may be read upon being dealt, such as identified and stored on a computer-readable medium before a game. In one such embodiment, computer-executable instructions may utilize the information on the computer-readable medium in conjunction with one or more games. Further aspects relate to validating the playing instruments and/or systems before, during, and/or after conducting one or more games with the playing instruments.

Abstract: A method and system for playing a game are provided. In one embodiment, a party selects one or more songs. A set of songs is then randomly selected from those songs that were actually played, e.g., by a radio station, during a time period. These randomly-selected songs are the contesting-winning songs. If the song(s) that the party selected matches any of the songs in the randomly-selected set, the party is awarded a prize. Accordingly, the party wins a prize if (1) the radio station plays one of the songs the party selected and (2) that song is one of the randomly-selected songs. The award can be tiered such that the size of the prize increases as the number of songs the party guesses correctly increases.

Abstract: A gaming system and method that enables tournament table games and non-tournament table games to be played simultaneously at a same gaming table with a processor automatically determining the results of the tournament. The players at a gaming table may play a tournament game simultaneously with other tournament players, may play the tournament at different times with tournament players on gaming tables simultaneously playing tournament games as other players play non-tournament games on a same gaming table and a single player may simultaneously or sequentially play tournament and non-tournament games at a gaming table with suitable chip identification devices. During the tournament the gaming system tracks at least the tournament players' wagers wins, losses, and chip totals and/or chip values with suitable chip identification devices and automatically determines the results of the tournament based on the chip identification.

Abstract: A game for providing gameplay on a display device is provided. The game apparatus includes a game controller that communicates with the display device. The game controller includes a receiving area having one or more game piece slots that receive one or more game pieces, where each game piece slot is associated with a reading device that reads data records retained by the one or more game pieces placed on the one or more game piece slots and that generates game piece input signals. A game processor provides a game having a current game activity that is based on the game piece input signals and transmits output signals to display a representation of the current game activity by the display device.

Abstract: A gaming system which provides the player a plurality of playing cards to form an initial primary poker hand and also displays one or more other poker hands. The player selects one or more of the initially dealt cards in the primary poker hand to hold or to discard. The held cards are also held in one, more or each of the other simultaneously displayed hands. The gaming device evaluates the held cards and determines which poker game outcomes are possible based on the held cards and the remaining cards in the deck. The gaming device utilizes a stored table of different distributions of poker game outcomes which would result in each payout amount and a table regarding which poker game outcomes are possible based on the player's held cards to determine a distribution of outcomes that provides a total payout equal to the payout of the predetermined game outcome.

Abstract: A processor controlled gaming device having a display device in communication with the processor. When the display device receives an input from the player, gaming device randomly generates an outcome, the display device displays an event having the outcome and the gaming device provides the player with a payout in association with the outcome and the selected input. The inputs have paytables that vary in range. One input has a large, risky payout range with big and small payouts. One input has a small, conservative payout range with intermediate payouts. Other inputs have ranges that fall in between the risky and conservative ranges. Each of the ranges has the same overall expected value, so that the gaming device does not favor the player's choice of a risky or conservative input.

Abstract: A method for hosting a word-based lottery game having a plurality of players is disclosed. A player selects a plurality of cells from a playslip and these cells will be converted to a plurality of letters and symbols by a lottery game machine. The player will use these letters and symbols along with one or more letter(s) drawn by the lottery to form words and compare these words with a list of words. For each formed word that is on the list, a point is awarded and extra bonus points may be awarded to some special words. The total points obtained by the player is compared with a prize table and the player is awarded a prize according to the prize table.

Abstract: In the game, instead of filling up an entire board as is done in the known Othello® game, a certain amount of moves are made by the game, such as two moves, while the player makes a same amount of moves. The game moves first, followed by the player. The moves flank or bound and convert at least one of the opposing chips to a chip belonging to the entity making the move. For example, upon a game move, at least one player chip is bounded or flanked by game chips and converted to a game chip. Likewise, upon a player move, at least one game chip is converted to a player chip. The game and player go back and forth in that manner until each of the game moves and player moves is exhausted. The player's remaining chips are assigned values that total to an award for the player.

Abstract: A wager manipulation feature for a wagering game is provided. The feature may be implemented after the player's wager is set but before game play takes place, after game play takes place or both simultaneously. If before game play, the feature enables the player to undo or nullify the wager, for example, if the player changes his or her mind or enters a wager incorrectly. If after game play, the feature provides a bonus to the player in which the player may nullify a bet after an unsuccessful outcome or increase the bet to enhance a favorable outcome. In any case, the redo feature can be accumulated in one embodiment and stored and/or restored on a gaming device ticket, player tracking card or promotion.

Abstract: This invention consists of the methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture for a game and a gaming system. The game is designed to test a player's skill at discerning the accuracy or inaccuracy of statements made by another player and conversely, to test a player's skill at misleading another player. The game may be played between two human players, a human player and simulated player controlled by the gaming system, or multiple human and/or simulated players.

Abstract: Internet-based business system and management programs therefor, and more particularly to financial investment management characterized by a unique system of attracting and identifying the Best Investors, including offering, facilitating and managing performance-based investment competitions based on model (virtual) investment portfolios, creating actual portfolios for the identified Best Investor, creating and operating actual mutual funds based on the identified Best Investors as fund managers, and providing a full suite of related subscriber and investor services associated therewith as a fund supermarket. The invention includes facilitation of daily feedback of one or more significant and appropriate financial performance metric(s), preferably the NAV (iTAV), of identified stocks and funds. Performance ranking of advice is provided so that the investor knows the track record (ranking), on an ongoing basis, of a particular advisor, thereby establishing credibility of comments.

Abstract: An indication of actions by participants taking part in an interactive environment that can represent peripheral information or tells (i.e., not essential to participating in the environment) are communicated to computing devices used by other participants in the interactive environment. Each such action or behavior being monitored is associated with a corresponding indicator. After one of the additional behaviors is detected, the corresponding indicator can be presented to another participant by a computing device used by the other participant. Thus, the other participant may perceive, and respond to the peripheral behavior. For example, if the interactive environment is a card game, a player's act in reordering cards that are held, counting chips, moving the input device in a spurious manner, and other such behaviors are indicated to other players. Receiving indicators of these behaviors enables other players to respond to these behaviors, making the interactive environment more like playing face-to-face.

Abstract: A method and information processing system for allowing a plurality of users to compete against one another via a network in at least one game. The method includes providing at least one virtual environment comprising at least one game tournament for a game of skill and chance. The game tournament includes a plurality of hierarchical rounds that include at least a first round and a second round. A registration service is provided to a plurality of users for registering to participate in the game tournament. Each user in the plurality of users is assigned an entry into the first round thereby resulting in a plurality of Entrants. The registration service is configured for allowing at least one user in the plurality of users to register an unlimited number times wherein the one user is assigned a separate entry into the first round for each registration by the one user.

Abstract: The present invention provides a game for play by a player using a plurality of cards. The game includes a wager placed by the player and a player hand including at least four cards. A player score is calculated for the player hand according to a set of cribbage rules. The player receives a payout based on the wager if the player score exceeds a predetermined total. The payout preferably increases as the player score increases based on the odds of achieving a given player score. The game may include an initial player hand, with the player replacing between none and all of the cards from the initial player hand to create the player hand. The game may be played using a video display or live.

Abstract: A method of operating a game comprising displaying a plurality of selectable objects associated with a characteristic. A first player selection and a subsequent player selection are received. The characteristic of the subsequent player selection is compared to the characteristic of the precedent selection or precedent selections to determine, based on said comparison, if the steps of receiving a subsequent player selection and of comparing said characteristics are repeated. A game apparatus and a computer programs are also provided by the present invention.

Abstract: A wagering game in which a graphical indicator may be used to identify a positive outcome, or a negative outcome, or where multiple graphical indicators may be used to identify and distinguish both positive and negative outcomes in a selection game, which has a plurality of player selectable markers. The player may select markers to reveal an outcome. The outcome may be a credit award, a multiplier, or any other award that provides a player with a benefit, either monetary, or in the context of game play (e.g., a free selection). The graphical indicator is provided the player either on a random basis, as an incentive award for a player tracking system, or simply provided on the basis of game play criteria. The graphical indicator may also be used to denote a subset of markers, at least one of which has the indicated outcome.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage medium for implementing a casino wagering game. The game allows the player to borrow funds against equity earned in a game currently in progress. When the game is over, any borrowed funds can be paid with winnings from the game.

Abstract: A gaming machine, with which a plurality of players play a game against each other, is provided so as to enable the players to perform realistic tactical interactions with each other. In a player-versus-player type gaming machine, a plurality of players including a virtual player prepared in advance play the game. Each virtual player is provided with individual personality data and/or response data and images of players are arranged to be displayed in accordance with these data. A change in expression of a real player may be captured by an image taking device.

Abstract: A competitive interactive video game for a group of players includes a plurality of game elements, preferably playing cards, which comprise four different types of cards distributed to a group of players. The cards include cliche cards, attach cliche cards, pause cards, and rewind cards. The cliche cards each contain a written description and a point value while the attach cliche cards cancel the previous play of a cliche card by another player. The game further includes a means for providing a video presentation containing scenes which match the written descriptions on the cliche cards and which is viewed by the players. As the video presentation is viewed and the scenes matching the written descriptions on the cliche cards are recognized by the players, the players play their cards according to the rules of play and points are awarded to the players according to the point value on the cards.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide systems and methods relating to online gaming utilizing virtual playing instruments generated from physical playing instruments. According to one aspect of the invention, physical playing instruments are utilized in a gaming environment that may be scrambled, shuffled, and/or played remotely over a network. In one embodiment, the physical playing instruments are traditional poker-style gaming playing cards. The playing instruments include at least one identifier that may be read upon being dealt, such as identified and stored on a computer-readable medium before a game. In one such embodiment, computer-executable instructions may utilize the information on the computer-readable medium in conjunction with one or more games. Further aspects relate to validating the playing instruments and/or systems before, during, and/or after conducting one or more games with the playing instruments.

Abstract: A board game system includes a board 1 of a board game played by moving a gamepiece along a track formed by a plurality of spaces drawn on the board, and a game device 10 for displaying a predetermined image on a screen. The board includes at least one event space 5, 6, 7 drawn thereon indicating that an event is to be executed by using the game device when a gamepiece lands on the space. The game device includes: input accepting means 15 for accepting an input from a player; and event process executing means 31 for executing an event process corresponding to the event space when there is a player input obtained by the input accepting means.

Abstract: During operation of a casino game, a hint feature is displayed with a displayed decision-making game round under control of a processor. A memory may store a plurality of decision-making game rounds. A hint contains response information for a player to increase the player's odds in winning the game round The displaying of the hint feature may occur at a random statistical frequency, based upon player hesitation, or a prevailing position in the game round. The hint is stored with each game round or is dynamically determined for the displayed game round.

Abstract: The inventive method consists in marking sold articles with codes and storing them in a server database. Questions and answers are formed and transmitted to user devices. A random code is produced and compared with a user code. The number (N) of questions is determined according to an expression N=S?M+k, wherein S is the total number of symbols in the sequence of the random code, M is a number of coincided symbols in the sequence of random and user code, k is a whole number. The operations of transmitting questions from the server and receiving correct answers from the user device are repeated, the number of transmitted questions and received correct answers being limited according to said mathematical expression. The played user codes are stored in the server database in order to prevent the participation thereof in following draws.

Abstract: An electronic game board assembly includes a game board for defining a playing surface grid and a plurality of ports connected thereto. The assembly further includes a plurality of player display panels removably connectable to the plurality of ports. An output device includes a mechanism for verifying and displaying player data. Such an output device is connectable to the game board and communicates with the plurality of player display panels for sending player data thereto. The assembly further includes a plurality of game pieces selectively positionable onto the grid. The plurality of game pieces include an interface circuit removably attachable to the grid and further include a smart chip connected to the interface circuit for containing data therein, respectively. The assembly further includes a mechanism for communicating with the plurality of game pieces and for determining data contained therein.

Abstract: The present invention is a seven-card-stud poker game, played with at least one standard poker deck of 52 cards, plus at least one Joker. Two or more players may participate in the game. One of the players is the Banker whom other players play against. A Player who is not a Banker may place a Poker Bet wager and/or a Pair Of Aces Or Better Bet wager; after at least one of two said wagers is placed, the Player has the option to place a Bonus Bet wager. Subsequently each Player and the Banker are each dealt seven cards, and then the Players and the Banker each then selects and keeps his or her best 5-card poker hand and discards two other cards from his or her own seven cards. To win a Poker Bet wager, a Player's best 5-card poker hand must rank higher than the Banker's best 5-card poker hand. To win a Pair Of Aces Or Better Bet wager, a Player's best 5-card poker hand must be a pair of Aces or better.

Abstract: A assembly to play a variation of the game baccarat including a computer processor, a display and a user actuatable selector is provided. The computer processor is structured to determine a winning hand in accordance with rules of baccarat. Additionally, the computer processor monitors the nature of the winning hand and/or monitors consecutive ones of the user's hands and indicates a bonus payout for user in the event that the winning hand totals a natural nine or that consecutive ones of the user's hands have a final number count equal to a natural nine. In one variation, the user is further able to designate one of the initial cards that comprise the player's hand or the banker's hand in exchange for a new card to complete the initial hand and/or may view the initial cards before selecting whether to play the banker's hand or the player's hand.

Abstract: The invention is a six-card-stud poker game, played with at least one but preferably one standard poker deck of 52 cards plus at least one but preferably two Jokers. Two or more but preferably seven players may participate in the game; one of the players is the Banker whom other players play against, a Player who is not a Banker may play Poker Bet playing against the Banker's hand, and/or one to seven side bets betting on the contents of the Player's own hand. After at least one wager is placed, each Player and the Banker are each dealt six cards; the Players and the Banker each then selects and keeps his best 5-card poker hand from his six cards and discards one card. To win a Poker Bet wager, a Player's best 5-card poker hand must rank higher than the Banker's best 5-card poker hand. To wins a side-bet wager, a Player's best 5-card poker hand must be one of the predetermined winning hands of the type of the side bet he bets on.