Abstract: A method of transaction processing in a system comprising a plurality of distributed nodes, the method comprising the steps of receiving a message at a first node, the message defining an operation to be performed on data associated with an entity, queuing the message for processing by a message handler running on the node, permitting the message handler to process the message, in the event that no other message handler is operating on the data and forwarding the message to a second node for subsequent processing.

Abstract: A method of determining liability for a plurality of multiples bets placed via a computerised betting system, each multiples bet comprising a single transaction on a plurality of outcomes selected from a group of possible transactions, the method comprising selecting a most popular transaction from the group, evaluating all other transactions within the group on the basis that the most popular transaction is a winning transaction to produce a first result, evaluating all other transactions within the group on the basis that the most popular transaction is not a winning transaction to produce a second result and selecting one of the first and second results that indicates the worst case liability.

Abstract: Users of a betting exchange system are permitted to bet on poker and other games in which the game has a number of rounds. For a Texas Holdem poker game, each round allows users to submit bets backing and laying one or more hands of cards during a betting window between game transitions, which result in the display to the plurality of users of selected hole or community cards, depending on the round. After each transition, the hands are evaluated to determine if there are any winners or losers and further betting on selected hands may be permitted, or the game may proceed to settlement.

Abstract: A method of transaction processing in a system comprising a plurality of distributed nodes, the method comprising the steps of receiving a message at a first node, the message defining an operation to be performed on data associated with an entity, queuing the message for processing by a message handler running on the node, permitting the message handler to process the message, in the event that no other message handler is operating on the data and forwarding the message to a second node for subsequent processing.

Abstract: A betting exchange system receiving bet requests from a plurality of users over a communications network, each of the requests comprising a bet backing an outcome or laying an outcome. The betting exchange system matches respective bets which back and lay a given outcome, and automatically arbitrages unmatched bet requests to thereby generate one or more implied bets made by the system in respect to an outcome for which no bet requests have been received. The implied bets are generated so that the system does not lose money on the implied bets taken together.

Abstract: A method of determining liability for a plurality of multiples bets placed via a computerised betting system, each multiples bet comprising a single transaction on a plurality of outcomes selected from a group of possible transactions, the method comprising selecting a most popular transaction from the group, evaluating all other transactions within the group on the basis that the most popular transaction is a winning transaction to produce a first result, evaluating all other transactions within the group on the basis that the most popular transaction is not a winning transaction to produce a second result and selecting one of the first and second results that indicates the worst case liability.

Abstract: A betting exchange system receiving a plurality of bet requests backing a given outcome, each backing bet request specifying a price and a size at which an originator of the request is prepared to bet that the given outcome will occur. The betting exchange system receiving a plurality of bet requests laying the given outcome, each laying bet request specifying a price and a size at which an originator of the request is prepared to bet that the given outcome will not occur. The betting exchange system aggregating backing bet requests specifying the same price, aggregating laying bet requests specifying the same price, automatically matching a received backing bet request with individual or aggregated laying bet requests to complete a betting transaction, and automatically matching a received laying bet request with individual or aggregated backing bet requests to complete a betting transaction.

Abstract: Users of a betting exchange system are permitted to bet on poker and other games in which the game has a number of rounds. For a Texas Holdem poker game, each round allows users to submit bets backing and laying one or more hands of cards during a betting window between game transitions, which result in the display to the plurality of users of selected hole or community cards, depending on the round. After each transition, the hands are evaluated to determine if there are any winners or losers and further betting on selected hands may be permitted, or the game may proceed to settlement.