Abstract: A patron inserts a coded game card into a game machine which reads the code and determines whether the game card has been played within a designated time period. If the game card has been played within such period, the game machine is not permitted to operate and a message will be generated. If the card has not been played within the time period, the game machine operates and randomly positions a number of product and/or service representations with respect to one another. Prescribed combinations of the representations permit the patron to win a prize. Symbols, which may include symbols representing a business identity, may optionally be employed as wild cards in forming the prescribed combinations. In addition to bearing a unique game card code, the game card can also contain establishment codes which permit a game card to be played only at particular establishments. Other game cards can be specially coded to provide maintenance instructions to the game machine.

Abstract: A patron inserts a coded game card into a game machine which reads the code and determines whether the game card has been played within a designated time period. If the game card has been played within such period, the game machine is not permitted to operate and displays that game card's previous time of play. If the card has not been played within the time period, the machine operates and randomly positions a number of product or services representations with respect to one another. Prescribed combinations of the representations, including at least one pair of matched representations, permits the patron to obtain as a prize the product or service whose representations matched In addition to bearing a unique patron code, the game card can also contain establishment codes which only permit a game card to be played at particular establishments. Other game cards can be specially coded to provide maintenance instructions to the game machine.