Abstract: An in-progress sports betting system able to provide improved estimated payoff odds for non-fixed-odds betting, where the house places bets along with players. The system includes an intelligent subsystem (AI) designed to estimate real-time probabilities of outcomes associated with live events, and a host computer able to accept bets from players, place bets on behalf of the house based on the real-time probability estimates, maintain a detailed electronic record on all betting activity (including house betting activity), continuously estimate and post payoff odds for the players based on the electronic record, and distribute payoffs on wining bets when the betting events terminate. The purpose of the house bets is to continuously and strategically adjust the real-time posted payoff odds and to create additional revenue for the house. Players can communicate with the host computer and place bets through physical devices, such as mobile electronic devices, personal computers, or stationary kiosks.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and an apparatus for transmitting and collecting data in order to administer a lottery-like game between a host computer and a plurality of peripheral user interface devices. The invention further generates and utilizes automated host players (bots) to set a minimum prize level for the winner in a way that assures the house still has an edge or benefit. The prize amount can reliably be announced before the game begins and before the actual number of human players is known.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and an apparatus for administering a lottery-like game between a host computer and a plurality of peripheral user interface devices, where numbers (or other identifiers) are selected from a selection set by placing one of two types of electronic tokens on the desired selection (i.e., type 1 and type 2 tokens). Players hope to choose the winning number as with other lotteries, but the winning number is determined based on the collective placements of type 1 and type 2 tokens by the players, and not by a random number generator as with other lottery games. Players use type 1 tokens to choose numbers they hope will win. Additionally, players are able to designate numbers that are ineligible to win with type 2 tokens. The methods and apparatus of the present invention are able to transmit and collect necessary data to determine the winners.

Abstract: An in-progress sports betting system able to provide improved estimated payoff odds for non-fixed-odds betting, where the house places bets along with players. The system includes an intelligent subsystem (AI) designed to estimate real-time probabilities of outcomes associated with live events, and a host computer able to accept bets from players, place bets on behalf of the house based on the real-time probability estimates, maintain a detailed electronic record on all betting activity (including house betting activity), continuously estimate and post payoff odds for the players based on the electronic record, and distribute payoffs on wining bets when the betting events terminate. The purpose of the house bets is to continuously and strategically adjust the real-time posted payoff odds and to create additional revenue for the house. Players can communicate with the host computer and place bets through physical devices, such as mobile electronic devices, personal computers, or stationary kiosks.

Abstract: A tournament played over a network consisting of rounds (hands) of a poker-like game based on the action in one or more live sporting events. The number of hands played, and the timing of those hands, are the same for every player in the tournament, and are independent of the number of players in the tournament. The number of players in the tournament can be arbitrarily large or small. The prize structure can also be independent of the number of players, and announced in advance. The tournament is preferably based on a collection of closely associated betting events, like the drives in a single football game; or a collection of closely associated sporting events. The poker-like games played in each round of the tournament utilize chips where the winners of the tournament are the players with the largest chip counts at the end of the tournament.

Abstract: An in-progress sports betting system able to provide improved estimated payoff odds for non-fixed betting odds, where the house places bets along with players. The system may include an artificial intelligence (AI) unit designed to estimate real-time probabilities of outcomes associated with live events, and a host computer able to accept bets from players, place bets on behalf of the house based on the AI estimates, maintain a detailed electronic record on all betting activity (including house betting activity), estimate and post up-to-date payoff odds based on the electronic record, and distribute payoffs on wining bets when the betting events terminate. The purpose of the house bets is to continuously and strategically adjust the real-time posted payoff odds and/or to create additional revenue for the house. Players can communicate with the host computer and place bets through physical devices, such as mobile electronic devices, personal computers, or stationary kiosks.

Abstract: A tournament played over a network consisting of rounds (hands) of a poker-like game based on the action in one or more live sporting events. The number of hands played, and the timing of those hands, are the same for every player in the tournament, and are independent of the number of players in the tournament. The number of players in the tournament can be arbitrarily large or small. The prize structure can also be independent of the number of players, and announced in advance. The tournament is preferably based on a collection of closely associated betting events, like the drives in a single football game; or a collection of closely associated sporting events. The poker-like games played in each round of the tournament utilize chips where the winners of the tournament are the players with the largest chip counts at the end of the tournament.

Abstract: A lottery-like game played by a plurality of players, where each player chooses a whole number within some specified range. The winner(s) are determined by a simple rule that depends on the particular choices the players make. The game can be played by a small group in proximity, or by a large group over the internet.

Abstract: A lottery-like game played by a plurality of players, where each player chooses a whole number within some specified range. The winner(s) are determined by a simple rule that depends on the particular choices the players make. The game can be played by a small group in proximity, or by a large group over the internet.

Abstract: A poker-like game played during a live sporting event utilizing cards corresponding to scores, statistics, teams, athletes and various contingencies associated with the sporting event. The game is preferably played during a live sporting event with a sequence of betting events. A player can make a bet during a betting event, as long as said player is still in the game, and as long as said player was not the last player to make a bet. If a player makes a bet, then each of the remaining players must call the bet within a given time or fold. The values of the cards are determined by the outcome of the sporting event, so they are not known with certainty until the betting event terminates. When the betting event terminates, the remaining player with the best hand, as determined by the values of the cards, wins the pot.

Abstract: A method of conducting a parimutuel betting operation that reduces the volatility of the posted odds on the betting choices while the betting line is open by placing one or more seed bets in the betting line. A pool seeder (preferably a trained odds maker) uses a pool seeding screen to control the flow of house money into the pools associated with the betting choices. The pool seeding screen allows the pool seeder to adjust the estimates of the true probabilities of the betting choices in real time. The pool seeder may also use a software expert system based on historical data to help set the estimates of the true probabilities. The house money flows into the pools in a continuous stream at a rate determined by the present settings on the pool seeding screen.

Abstract: A poker-like game played during a live sporting event utilizing cards corresponding to scores, statistics, teams, athletes and various contingencies associated with the sporting event. The game is preferably played during a live sporting event with a sequence of betting events. A player can make a bet during a betting event, as long as said player is still in the game, and as long as said player was not the last player to make a bet. If a player makes a bet, then each of the remaining players must call the bet within a given time or fold. The values of the cards are determined by the outcome of the sporting event, so they are not known with certainty until the betting event terminates. When the betting event terminates, the remaining player with the best hand, as determined by the values of the cards, wins the pot.

Abstract: A parimutuel betting game based on events unfolding during a determinate sporting event, such as a trivia game, a principal objective being to acquire the largest number of betting tokens by the end of the sporting event. Participants are asked a plurality of questions, each question being a betting event. One or more betting lines are opened in each betting event. Players are allowed to bet tokens on an open betting line until it is closed by the administrator. Once a line is closed, a new line opens within the betting event. When a termination event occurs for a given betting event, the betting event is terminated and all lines are paid off in parimutuel style. Payoffs may be made in a hierarchical manner, such that players placing riskier bets in a betting line receive a higher parimutuel style payoff. The game may be played over the Internet.

Abstract: A parimutuel betting game based on events unfolding during a live sporting event, a principal objective being to acquire the largest number of betting tokens by the end of the sporting event. An administrator conducts a plurality of betting events based on events occurring during the sporting event. One or more betting lines are opened in each betting event. Players are allowed to bet tokens on an open betting line until it is closed by the administrator. Once a line is closed, a new line opens within the betting event. When a termination event occurs in the sporting event for a given betting event, the betting event is terminated and all lines are paid off in parimutuel style. Payoffs are preferably made in hierarchical manner, such that players placing riskier bets in a betting line receive a higher parimutuel style payoff. The game may be played over the Internet.

Abstract: A parimutuel betting game based on events unfolding during a live sporting event, a principal objective being to acquire the largest number of betting tokens by the end of the sporting event. An administrator conducts a plurality of betting events based on events occurring during the sporting event. One or more betting lines are opened in each betting event. Players are allowed to bet tokens on an open betting line until it is closed by the administrator. Once a line is closed, a new line opens within the betting event. When a termination event occurs in the sporting event for a given betting event, the betting event is terminated and all lines are paid off in parimutuel style. Payoffs are preferably made in hierarchical manner, such that players placing riskier bets in a betting line receive a higher parimutuel style payoff. The game may be played over the Internet.