Bingo ball games

Abstract

A system and method for using bingo balls for gaming devices. One embodiment relates to a system and method for bingo ball poker, a second embodiment relates to a system and method for bingo ball slots.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to using bingo balls to play gaming machines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 6,478,677 relates to a numerical total keno game. A game of chance is based on a keno-type game which uses one or more groups of number ranges, such as a HI group of number ranges, a LO group of number ranges and a HI/LO group of number ranges. A player makes a wager on one or more of the groups of number ranges. Each number range in a group has payout odds assigned thereto. After all wagers are made, a predetermined amount of numbers, say twenty, are randomly selected from the pool of numbers, say eighty. The numbers randomly selected are added up to determine a numerical total. The number range in which the numerical totals falls is determined and the player is provided an award based on the payout odds for the number range within which the numerical total falls. The number range feature of the present invention may also be used in conjunction with a regular game of keno.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,114 relates to a method and apparatus for playing a poker type game. A gaming arrangement includes a betting table, a random selection device for selecting the “Dealer's Spot” or hand and playing cards. The betting table is laid out in a system facilitating the betting rules of a new game known as Action Poker™. which automatically permits a player to know where he stands from an odd or no-pay standpoint after each card. The random selection device for selecting the Dealer's Spot comprises a clear plastic cylinder, having a ball located therein, a ball release mechanism and a plurality of various designated slots at the lower end of the cylinder to receive the ball when released and thus determines the dealer's hand.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,470 relates to a card game pinball amusement device. The playing field contains four slots with sensors for determining the suit of the cards and at least 12 slots with sensors representing the value of the cards. The game is played by launching a ball along an inclined playing field to determine cards used in poker, blackjack and the like.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,677 relates to a poker game using tossed balls. A poker game using a playing surface for placing wagers that correspond to player selected poker hands. A plurality of balls are tossed into a hopper that directs the tossed balls to a surface that has a plurality of card positions. Each of the card positions are adapted to receive and retain a tossed ball and represent the playing cards of a poker deck and a joker. The card positions indicated cards that are selected by operation of the players tossing balls into the hopper and having the tossed balls being retained in the card positions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and method for using bingo balls for gaming devices. It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for bingo ball poker. It is an object of the present invention for bingo balls to be blown to the top of the device and show up as cards on a video screen. It is an object of the present invention to have 52 bingo balls with each bingo ball having on it a label from a deck of 52 cards. It is an object of the present invention for the device to incorporate a ball reader, which identifies the card, which is put on the screen. It is an object of the present invention to provide a shaded area on top of the device, which prevents players from altering the outcome of the game. It is an object of the present invention to place poker balls into a bingo type blower. It is an object of the present invention to use buttons to hold desired balls. It is an object of the present invention for a player to press a deal button, which begins the balls blowing, to press hold to send the balls in the slots and to press deal again to have the balls blowing again.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bingo ball slot device. The device comprises bingo balls placed in a bingo type blower. The balls are labeled with symbols from a slot machine. A video screen also contains the symbols, which are placed on the balls. Reels spin and land on the symbols that correspond with the balls that are picked by the blower. It is an object of the present invention for the ball reader to identify the symbol and place it on the screen.

The present invention relates to a bingo ball poker device comprising: a bingo blower containing 52 bingo balls. The bingo balls have labels on the balls from a deck of cards. The device has a deal key and discard keys. The device also has slots for receiving the blown balls. It is an object of the present invention for the device to comprise a video screen. It is an object of the present invention for the device to further comprise a shaded area which prevents players from altering an outcome of the game. It is an object of the present invention for the device to comprise a ball reader.

The present invention relates to a bingo ball slot device comprising a bingo blower containing bingo balls which have labels comprising symbols from a slot machine. The device further comprises a spin key. The device has three slots for receiving the balls. It is an object of the present invention for the device to comprise a video screen. It is an object of the present invention for the device to comprise a shaded area which prevents players from altering an outcome of the game. It is an object of the present invention for the device to further comprise a ball reader.

The present invention relates to a method of playing bingo poker comprising: placing bingo balls having a label from a deck of cards into a bingo ball blower The user then presses a deal key which then blows the bingo balls. Five of the balls are blown into five slots in the bingo blower. It is an object of the present invention to discard the unwanted balls. It is an object of the present invention for the user to pres the deal key to then blow the balls into the open slots. It is an object of the present invention to display the labels on the balls blown into the slots on a video screen.

The present invention relates to a method of playing bingo ball slots comprising placing bingo balls having a label related to slot machines into a bingo ball. The user then presses a spin key which starts the balls blowing. Three of the balls are blown into three slots on the bingo blower. It is an object of the present invention to display the labels on the balls blown into the slots on a video screen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 relates to a bingo ball poker device. A bingo type blower 10 contains bingo balls 20. The bingo balls 20 have labels on the balls from a deck of cards. There are a total of 52 balls placed in the blower 10. A player presses the deal key 30 which begins the balls 20 blowing in the blower 10. Five balls are blown up through slots 40. Those balls each have a label corresponding to a number and suite on a deck of cards. These are then displayed on video screen 50. The player can then discard any number of balls by placing discard keys 60. A shaded area 70 prevents players to alter the outcome of the game.

FIG. 2 relates to a bingo ball poker device. A bingo type blower 110 contains bingo balls 120. The bingo balls 120 have labels on the balls from a deck of cards. There are a total of 52 balls placed in the blower 110. A player presses the deal key 130 to begin the balls 120 blowing in the blower 110. The balls 120 are blown to the top in five separate slots 140. The labels showing the cards show up on video screen 150. The user presses hold buttons 160 and all other balls 120 fall back into the blower 110. The user then places the deal key 130 to fill the remaining slots. A shaded area 170 prevents players from attempting to alter the outcome of the game. The device of the present invention incorporates a ball reader 180 to identify the card to put on the video screen 150.

FIG. 3 relates to a bingo ball slot device. A bingo type blower 210 contains bingo balls 220. The bingo balls 220 have labels which are symbols from a slot machine. For example, the labels can be bars, sevens or fruits such as cherries. The balls are placed in the bingo blower 210 in a preferred embodiment 50 to 100 balls are placed in the blower 210. A player presses the spin key 230 to begin the balls blowing. The balls 220 then fill the slots 240 which the symbol on the balls are then placed on the video screen 250. A ball leader 260 identifies the symbol and places it on the video screen 250.

Claims

1. A bingo ball poker device comprising:

a bingo blower containing 52 bingo balls;

said bingo balls having labels on said balls from a deck of cards;

a deal key;

five slots for receiving said balls;

discard keys;

said discard keys allowing a user to discard any one of said balls in said five slots.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a video screen.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a shaded area which prevents players from altering an outcome of the game.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising a ball reader.

5. A bingo ball slot device comprising;

a bingo blower containing bingo balls which have labels comprising symbols from a slot machine;

a spin key;

three slots for receiving said balls;

discard keys;

said discard keys allowing a user to discard any one of said balls in said three slots.

6. The device of claim 5 further comprising a video screen.

7. The device of claim 5 further comprising a shaded area which prevents players from altering an outcome of the game.

8. The device of claim 5 further comprising a ball reader.

9. A method of playing bingo poker comprising:

placing bingo balls having a label from a deck of cards into a bingo ball blower;

pressing a deal key;

blowing said balls;

blowing five of said balls into five slots on said bingo blower;

discarding said unwanted balls;

pressing said deal key;

blowing said balls into said open slots.

10. (canceled)

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

displaying said labels on said balls blown into said slots on a video screen.

12. A method of playing bingo ball slots comprising placing bingo balls having a label related to slot machines into a bingo ball blower;

pressing a spin key;

blowing said balls;

blowing three of said balls into three slots on said bingo blower;

discarding said unwanted balls;

pressing said deal key;

blowing said balls into said open slots.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

displaying said labels on said balls blown into said slots on a video screen.