Abstract: A method of playing a multi-level board game provides at least three playing levels with each playing level constituting a separate playing surface. The playing surfaces are divided into a plurality of rows, wherein each row has a plurality of alternating playing and non-playing squares. The adjacent rows have their playing and non-playing squares offset from one another forming a diagonal between the playing squares of adjacent rows. Each playing surface has an identical arrangement of playing and non-playing squares. Two sets of game pieces are provided and arranged at opposite ends of the playing surfaces so that each playing surface has an identical arrangement of game pieces. The game pieces have non-capturing and capturing movement provisions within a playing level restricting each game piece to moving diagonally from a playing square to another playing square within the playing level.

Abstract: An educational board game includes a game board that has a plurality of spaces marked on a surface of the game board. The spaces include a pair of win spaces, a start space, and a plurality of medial spaces divided between a pair of tracks. Each of the tracks extends between the start space and an associated one of the win spaces. Tokens are provided for moving between adjacent spaces by a player. Movement of tokens on the game board is determined by a combination of chance elements including cards, dice, and spinners for determining direction and number of spaces moved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of playing a card game such as Blackjack provides a player with at least one additional option for playing the card game. For example, a Blackjack player who has made an initial bet and was dealt an unfavorable starting hand may be provided with at least one additional option, such as making a bust insurance bet or mortgaging a round of play. If the player makes a bust insurance bet, he will receive a payout if he then busts upon drawing an additional card. If the player selects a mortgaging option, he agrees to play the current round of play or at least one future round of play in accordance with a revised rule that is unfavorable for the player in exchange for receiving an advantage during the current round of play.

Abstract: A marble game includes a game board in the form of a cruciform and requires a player to move marbles around a board, or to and from a center location. Each player is provided with five marbles and the first player to move all five marbles either to and from the center location, or around the board wins the game. Some marbles have to be returned to a home position during the game when certain occurrences happen.

Abstract: A novel game board comprises a base board (100) with rotating tiers (105, 405, 410, and 415) which rotate on a shaft (430) and bearings (402, 404, and 407) or a lazy susan (115), a pointer 120 or a rotating pointer knob (425) which points at numbers (305) and game fields (310) on a tier (300). Progress through the game is indicated by individual players' tokens (135). Game cards and play money (140, 320, 325, 330, and 335) are also provided. Multiple results can arise from the same players' moves. Hidden game fields (700) under the edges of square or rectangular tiers (405, 410, and 415) provide added excitement. Instructions in the game fields (300, 406, etc.) can apply to a single player or to all players simultaneously, resulting in advantages or disadvantages for one or all. No dice are used to play, only a rotating pointer knob (425) or a rotating tier 105 with a stationary pointer (120) are required to urge progress through the game.

Abstract: A game that has a map of the contiguous U.S. with the players trying to construct roads at random locations between cities. Four cities on the map are selected at random, the first to construct roads between the cities wins the game using selected cards and overcoming other obstacles.

Abstract: A wagering system is provided in which the payment on either side of a “neutral” bet, or center point, increases as the amount of win or loss diverges from the center point. The system is particularly applicable to bets placed in legalized bookmaking establishments, which set a line for sports betting and permit bettors to wager on either side of the line. In a preferred embodiment, the amount of win or loss increases arithmetically with the departure of the final result from the center point. The system also includes the potential for placing caps (maximums) on the win/loss multiples, and providing cushions (i.e., deviations proximate to the center point) before which the increased wins and/or losses commence.

Abstract: A multiple level board game for providing a challenging game for people of all ages. The multiple level board game includes a game board having a top side and a plurality of game-piece movement sections displayed upon the top side thereof and a plurality of deck placement sections also being displayed upon the topside thereof; and also includes a plurality of multi-level game-pieces for moving upon the game-piece movement sections; and further includes decks of cards each determining movement of the game-pieces and each being used for a particular player level of the multiple level board game; and also includes pairs of dice each being used for a particular player level of the multiple level board game.

Abstract: A game played for amusement is disclosed. The game requires a response to trigger information that remains hidden until a predetermined theme information has been selected. A player that correctly matches or, by agreement of one or more player(s) or an operator, most closely matches the trigger information to the randomly selected predetermined theme information is the winner. Numerous repeats of the game can be performed, the ultimate winner being the player that has correctly identified the most trigger information to the randomly selected predetermined themes. The game may be played using cards and dice, using on computer(s) or in other forms. Such an embodiment may be particularly appropriate as a travel game printed on a card, in an airline magazine or in other book form. Where a response is desired to be submitted, this may be done via a communications means such as mail, fax, or the like.

Abstract: A spinning reel slot machine comprises a plurality of mechanical rotatable reels and a video display. In response to a wager, the reels are rotated and stopped to randomly place symbols on the reels in visual association with a display area. The video display provides a video image superimposed upon the reels. The video image may be interactive with the reels and include such graphics as payout values, a pay table, pay lines, bonus game features, special effects, thematic scenery, and instructional information.

Abstract: The subject invention involves chess pieces made primarily from hardware components and chess sets of such chess pieces. Each chess piece comprises a center shaft component comprising a vertical threaded rod having a bottom end, a top end, and a surface from the rod's bottom end to its top end that is partially or wholly cylindrical and threaded. The center shaft component optionally comprises a head at either its bottom or top end. Each chess piece also comprises holed components, each holed component having a hole through which or into which the center shaft component projects. The holed components are stacked along the length of the center shaft component. All the holed components are secured in place by one or more holed components which are nuts having threads complementary to those of the threaded rod, and optionally by the head of the center shaft component.

Abstract: A payout scheme for a card game is based on a numerical difference between a player's hand and a dealer's hand. The method is suited for card games wherein the numerical value of a player's hand affects the outcome of the game. Preferably, the game is a Blackjack derivative, wherein the payout based on the original wager is determined in accordance with an amount by which the player's hand exceeds the dealer's hand, without exceeding an upper limit. Alternatively, the game may be based on a modified numerical value system where aces count as 1, cards numbered 2-9 count as face value, cards numbered 10 count as either ½ or 0, and picture cards count as ½.

Abstract: A disclosed gaming machine provides a thermal management system comprised of fans, vents and a particular configuration of thermal sources (e.g. CPU, power supply, monitor) and gaming machine components (e.g. printer, coin hopper, etc.). For a given component packaging scheme within the gaming machine cabinet, the thermal management system uses natural convention and a system of fans to cool the gaming machine cabinet by pulling air over the thermal sources and directing the air towards the top of the gaming machine. The pulling action of the fans helps to maintain laminar flow within the gaming machine cabinet which reduces heat transfer with the gaming machine cabinet. Additionally, the fans are configured to prevent dust accumulation on sensitive components such as the CPU and other electronics and to minimize the noise level outside of the gaming machine.

Abstract: Multiple playing levels in a stacked multilevel game, appear with unique indicia on different playing levels, and these indicia provide different pathways of movement for game pieces between multiple apertures which extend through the multiple playing levels. By switching the playing level relative to the game pieces, the situations and events faced by different players is altered. In a “book” format, switching playing levels is achieved simply by turning the pages forward or backward. Other formats include a “map” style, wherein different playing levels are secured to adjacent levels by folds in the game board, and a “stacked layer” style, wherein a plurality of playing levels are achieved by stacked layers.

Abstract: A method of playing a card game is made up of steps dealing a first hand consisting of a first predetermined number of cards, requiring one or more players to each elect whether or not to play a second hand, comparing each of the first hands to determine whether or not they constitute a winning hand, dealing a second hand consisting of a second predetermined number of cards and including the first hand, comparing each of the second hands using a predetermined ranking as a criterion for comparison to determine a winning hand, and designating as a winner each player who had a winning first hand and/or a winning second hand. The first predetermined number of cards consists of two cards, and the first hand is played as a Blackjack hand. The second predetermined number of cards consists of a number of cards, in addition to the cards drawn by each player for the Blackjack hand, to make up a poker hand.

Abstract: A multi-hand poker game is disclosed. In one embodiment, the game includes the steps of dealing a first hand of a predetermined plurality of cards, selecting cards from the first hand to be duplicated into a second hand, selecting cards to be held from the first hand, discarding cards from the first hand which are not held, replacing the discarded cards in the first hand to complete the first hand, adding cards to the second hand to complete the second hand of a predetermined plurality of cards, and determining if the first or second hands comprise a predetermined combination of winning cards. In one embodiment, none, one or more or all of the cards of the first hand may be duplicated in to the second hand, and none, one or more or all of the cards in the first hand may be held. The cards which are duplicated and the cards which are held may be different.

Abstract: A method for playing a casino game is set forth wherein, in a table game format, players make a pot and an outcome wager. Each player is dealt a plurality of cards and a plurality of cards, some face up and some face down, some dealt as community cards. Players are given the option of increasing their outcome wagers and raising the pot during play. The pot won by the player with the highest ranking hand and outcome wager(s) are won based upon a schedule of winning outcomes. For an electronic version, the method includes the player making wagers as indicia are revealed and given the opportunity of holding or discarding indicia during play. In certain embodiments, the casino wins at least a portion of the pot based upon either certain community or non-dealt card combinations thus foregoing exacting a levy.

Abstract: A method of playing a chess-like board game including traditional chess pieces comprising kings, queens, bishops, knights, rooks and pawns, in which pieces can capture one another as in traditional chess, and in which the traditional chess pieces are constrained in their base moves to move as in the traditional chess game, the method comprising: upon capture of an opponent's chess piece with the player's capturing chess piece, allowing the capturing chess piece, in addition to its existing moving capabilities, to assume some, all or none of the moving capabilities of the captured piece, but for only one subsequent move of the capturing chess piece; and after the capturing chess piece has made the assumed subsequent move, removing the assumed moving capabilities.

Abstract: A nutrition board game is disclosed which has a game board, movable pieces, food group cards, a menu card, and a spinner for simulating a healthful eating diet. The board piece is marked to follow a path with the movable pieces based on the roll of a die.

Abstract: Provided herein is a novel method of game play and game components that in one embodiment are in the form of trading cards (10, 12, 40, 42, 44, 48, 54, 60, 64). However, the game components may take other forms, such as a board game, or the game may be played in different media, such as electronic games, video games, computer games, and inter-active network. In one version, the game components comprise energy or mana cards 40 and command or spell cards (10, 12, 42, 44, 48, 54, 60, 64) having command or spells associated therewith that utilize the energy to enable a player to attack, defend and modify the effect of other mana cards, spell cards, and the fundamental rules of play. The goal of the game is to reduce the life points of other players to a level below one. In this game of strategy and chance, players construct their own library of cards, preferably from trading cards, and play their library or deck of cards against the deck of cards of an opposing player.