Abstract: A computer-implemented game system enables users to simulate the trading of financial instruments in a financial market. Among other things, the system simulates the purchasing of a financial instrument, the specification of conditions for holding or selling the financial instrument, and the selling of a financial instrument to realize simulated gains and losses. The performance of each user is tracked and displayed, such that users can compare their performance against other users. The performance of each user is used to determine a payout for that user.

Abstract: Games for play on a device connected to a communications network are described. Each game allows players to make predictions about some future event or sequence of events by using their devices to enter information indicative of the players' predictions. For example, some games allow players to predict market behavior during a particular time frame with respect to particular products, services, commodities, etc. The players' predictions are scored and can be ranked for each game. All players are awarded zero or more payouts (e.g., points) that are placed into accounts for those players. A player can redeem accumulated payouts that are stored in his account for cash or other awards.