Game system and method for playing a game
A game system for two or more players is provided. Each player attempts to be the first player to achieve a whale status at a plurality of casinos and pay back an initial credit line. The game system comprises a main game board, at least one game of chance, a set of slot cubes displaying bars and 7's, a box of standard playing cards, a pair of playing dice, a set of betting chips, a set of activity cards, and a set of comp cards.
The present application is a continuation of pending provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/509,288, filed on Oct. 7, 2003, entitled “Game System and Method for Playing a Game”.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a game system and method for playing a game and, more particularly, the invention relates to a game system and method for playing a game which uses “Player's Club” status as the means for achieving victory.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A variety of different board games are known. However, it is believed that no game system exists which simulates achieving a Player's Club status for achieving victory.
SUMMARYThe present invention is a game system for two or more players. Each player attempts to be the first player to achieve a whale status at a plurality of casinos and pay back an initial credit line. The game system comprises a main game board, at least one game of chance, a set of slot cubes displaying bars and 7's, a box of standard playing cards, a pair of playing dice, a set of betting chips, a set of activity cards, and a set of comp cards.
In addition, the present invention includes a method for playing a game based on casino status. The method comprises starting at a non-status level, achieving a Player level, achieving a VIP level, and achieving a whale level.
The present invention further includes a game based on achieving levels of casino status. The game comprises a first status level, a second status level, a third status level, and a fourth status level.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
As illustrated in the figures, the present invention is a game system, indicated generally at 10, and method for playing a game. The game system 10 of the present invention allows a player to achieve increasing levels of Player, VIP, and Whale.
Object of the Game:
Be the first player to gain the casino Players Club Status of “Whale” at all four (4) casinos represented on the board (Mandalay Bay, Mirage, Venetian, and Bellagio, for example), and payback the initial $300 credit line.
Game Pieces Included:
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- One (1) main “The Whale” game board 12;
- One (1) Roulette Wheel and two balls;
- One (1) set of three (3) special slot cubes that display “bars and 7's;
- One (1) box of standard playing cards;
- A gaming felt that includes roulette and craps betting surfaces;
- A pair of playing dice;
- A set of betting chips; and
- A set of Activity Cards 14 and Comp Cards 16 for each of the four (4) represented casino resorts.
Setting Up:
Place the game board 12 on a flat surface. Place the activity cards 14 and comp cards 16 for each represented casino resort on the space provided on the main game board 12. Optionally, the players can place the roulette wheel in the middle of the main game board 12. Designate a player or a non-playing individual to take on the responsibility of the house for managing bets and the distribution of the playing chips throughout the game. The house controls the chips and provides the following chips to each player totaling $300.
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- Quantity: Ten (10), $1 chips
- Quantity: Ten (10), $5 chips
- Quantity: Five (10), $10 chips
- Quantity: Four (4), $25 chips
- Quantity: Two (2), $50 Chips
Once all chips have been distributed, each player should have $360 dollars in chips.
Playing Board:
The Start of Play:
All players roll one (1) die and the highest die designates who goes first and from them, the player pieces should move at a counter-clockwise direction. If there is a tie, then the players that tied will roll again until one has a highest die.
The player going first starts play by positioning their player piece on the lobby (any corner square) of one of the four casino hotels on the table. The players immediately fulfill all requirements for landing on a lobby square including paying the designated check-in amount and drawing the appropriate comp card 16.
Playing:
When it is a player's turn, he or she will roll one (1) die and move forward the number of squares on the game board 12 the die displays. Until a player gains a status upgrade that makes them a player at that hotel, they will be considered “non-status” and will follow the “non-status” betting minimums and maximums provided below. Once a player gains different players club status levels they will need to follow the betting minimums and maximums provided on the players club card reflecting their status at the particular casino resort.
Casino Lobby Space:
The casino lobby space is the location that the game pieces start the game. Once the game has started and the player lands on a lobby, the player must pay the amount shown on the space for checking in and then either draw a Comp Card 16 or roll the die again. If a player lands on the lobby of a casino in which they have the status of “Whale”, they no longer need to pay any fees or draw a Comp Card. The “Whale” player instead gets a free turn and should immediately roll the die again.
Activity Space:
If the player lands on an activity space they draw the appropriate activity card 14 for that casino and follows the instructions. Representative examples of the activity cards are illustrated in
Comp Space:
When a player lands on a comp space, they draw the appropriate Comp Card 16 for that casino. Comp Cards 16 can be used to counter or nullify parts or all requirements such as costs or loss of turns associated with various activity cards 14 or they can be collected to trade in for upgrades. Once a player collects two Comp Cards 16 from the same casino resort, the player can trade them in for one upgrade to their Players Club Card for that same casino at the beginning of their next turn. A Player can trade-in three comp cards 16 from the same hotel for an amount of chips equal to the next status upgrade level at that casino hotel. If the player lands on the Comp Card space of the same casino that they are designated a “Whale” then they do not draw a comp card 16, but instead receive an amount of chips equal to the casino's check-in fee identified on the lobby space. Representative examples of the Comp Cards 16 are illustrated in
Players Club Status Cards:
Each casino resort has a Players Club. Each player starts the game with no status. Once a player starts to upgrade their status, they must move through three (3) levels. These three (3) levels are the same at all four (4) casinos and include the Player, the VIP, and, ultimately the highest level, which the casinos call “The Whale”. As the player moves up through the status levels, the player gains certain comps, and at the same time certain betting level expectations. Each level requires that the player bet within certain minimums and maximums. These amounts are for each bet placed which means that if the player is a whale, then the minimum bet $10 is what the player must place on each location of the craps or the roulette table or the minimum $10 is the amount the player must play on each of the black jack hands played. If the player is low on money, then the player has the option to play fewer hands or bet less spots on the tables. Representative examples of the Players Club Cards 18 are illustrated in
Status upgrades can be achieved through a few ways. One is by paying the designated amount described by each casino and by each level at the beginning of the player's turn.
Another way to gain an upgrade is by collecting three (3) comp cards 16 for the particular casino and trading them in at the beginning of the player's turn. Collecting three (3) comp cards 16 gains the player one level upgrade. A third way to gain an upgrade is by drawing an automatic upgrade comp card. If a player upgrades to a “whale”, they can, on their next turn or any subsequent turn, trade in any Comp Cards 16 for that casino for the dollar amount identified on the cards as the “Trade-In Value”.
Betting Spaces:
Betting spaces include five (5) spaces on each side of the game board 12 that represent the games that are to be played. These squares include the table games of Craps, Roulette, and Black Jack, in addition to slots and the Sports Book. When a player lands on one of these squares, they will play the game represented using the rules that are provided for each game below. When the player who's turn it is lands on a table game (Craps, Roulette, or Black Jack) or the sports book, any other player who is on a space representing the same game anywhere on the game board 12 can also play that game and the dealer will deal all parties in the same deal. If the game is craps, then the players whose turn it is will always be the one to roll the dice. If the game is in the sports book, then the player whose turn it is will always choose the game.
Out of Money?:
If a player runs out of money, they can downgrade one or more of their status levels for fifty (50%) percent of the amount it cost to purchase the upgrade. For example, if a player trades in a Mandalay Bay “Player” status, then the player gets fifty (50%) percent of what it cost to purchase that status. In this case, the player would get fifty (50%) percent of the $40 purchase, which is $20. A player can also trade in three (3) matching casino Comp Cards 16 for chips worth the same value as that player's current Player's Club upgrade cost at that specific casino. If a player runs out of money and they no longer have any status, then they are out of the game.
Roulette Space:
A player that lands on this space will get to bet against a single spin of the wheel. A player can bet as much money as they want on the single spin as long as it is within the minimums and maximums stated by their players Club status. Any other players that are on the same or any other roulette space on the game board 12 may also bet on the same one spin.
Slot Space:
A player that lands on this space has the option of playing up to ten (10) rolls of the slot. They can play up to their maximum bet across all ten (10) rolls or they can bet in equal parts their max in any number under ten rolls. For example if the max is $10, then the player can bet $1 up to ten (10) times or $2 up to five (5) times. Whatever the amount, the player must notify the dealer before the player begins to roll and the amounts must be equal for all their rolls. The dealer will pay out the winnings as they are won and he or she is responsible for keeping track of the amount of the bet and counting the rolls as the player makes them.
Black Jack Space:
Specific rules: A player that lands on this space can play up to five (5) hands betting within the minimums and maximums their status requires. Any other players that are on a Black Jack space anywhere on the game board 12 can also bet up to five (5) hands against the dealer and are dealt at the same time as the player who's turn it is.
Sports Book Space:
The sports book is made up of a few games that are played using one to three dice. If there are other players on the same or any other sports book space, then they can also bet on the specific game chosen by the player who's turn it is.
Horse Racing:
When landing on the sports book space and using one dice, the player bets on a single number on the dice and roll. If the dice is the number, the player gets six (6) to one (1) payout. If the dice is one of the numbers either before or after the player's number, then the player gets two (2) to one (1) payout. In the case of a six (6) or one (1), they are considered adjacent and follow or precede the other. If the winner is a one (1) then the six (6) is considered to precede the (1) and still pays the two (2) to one (1).
Craps Space:
A player that lands on this space gets to bet and roll until they roll a “Seven Out”. Any other players that are on the same Craps space or any other Craps space on the board can also bet, but only the player who's turn it is can roll the dice. All players must bet within the minimums and maximum betting ranges required by their Players Club Status.
Standard Casino Game Rules:
Roulette
Black Jack Rules:
Standard Game Rules:
In blackjack, everyone plays against the dealer. In the hand dealt game, the players are dealt two cards face down. The dealer receives his/her first card face up and the second card face down. The object of the game is to get as close as possible to twenty-one (21) without going over twenty-one (21). If a hand goes over twenty-one (21), it is called a “bust” and the wager is lost. In twenty-one (21), jacks, queens, kings, and tens count as ten (10). An ace may be played as a one (1) or an eleven (11). All other cards are played at face value.
When a player receives the first two cards, the player may either “stand” or “hit”. When the player “stands”, it means that the player believes that he is close enough to twenty-one (21). If the player wishes to receive another card or “hit”, the player scratches the surface of the table with the first two cards (hand dealt games only).
The player may draw as many cards as desired until the player is close to twenty-one (21) or until the player “busts”. If the player is nearer to twenty-one (21) than the dealer, the player wins and is paid an amount equal to the player's original wager.
If the player's hand is less than the dealer's, the player loses. Ties are a standoff or “push” and the player's bet remains on the table.
Should the player's count total twenty-one (21) on the first two cards, the player has a blackjack, and the dealer will pay two (2) times the wager. If the dealer also has a blackjack, it's a push.
In twenty-one (21), the player has all the options. If the player receives a pair in the first two cards, the player may split the cards and match the original bet on the second hand. The player may then take as many hits as he or she wants. If the player splits a pair of aces, the player will receive only one card on each of the hands. Players also have the option of increasing the wager by “doubling down”. In the hand dealt versions, a player may double down if his first two cards equal ten or eleven. The player turns the cards face up and increases the bet up to the amount of the original bet. The dealer will then give the player another card face down.
The dealer makes no decisions on playing his hand. Dealers must hit at sixteen (16). The dealer must stand on seventeen (17) or better.
Craps Rules
Pass Line:
Also called the “Front Line,” this bet is made on a “come out” roll, when no point has been established. A first roll of seven (7) or eleven (11) (known as naturals) automatically wins. A first roll of two (2), three (3) or twelve (12) (known as craps) automatically loses. A first roll of four (4), five (5), six (6), eight (8), nine (9), or ten (10) establishes the number as the “point.” Once a point has been established, the “shooter” continues to roll the dice until either the point number rolls again (which is a pass line winner, and bettors are paid even money) or a seven (7) out rolls and all pass line bets lose. The dice always move clockwise to the next shooter after a “Seven Out.”
Come Line:
This bet is an extension of the pass line. Come bets can be made any time after a pass line point has been established (four (4), five (5), six (6), eight (8), nine (9), ten (10)). Seven (7) or eleven (11) wins; two (2), three (3), or twelve (12) loses; any other number becomes the player's come point and must be repeated before a seven (7) rolls in order to win even money.
Don't Pass:
Also called the “back line,” this bet can only be made on a come out roll when no point has been established. A first roll of seven (7) or eleven (11) (a natural) loses. A first roll of two (2) or three (3) is an automatic winner. If a twelve (12) is thrown, it is a standoff and the player pushes. If four (4), five (5), six (6), eight (8), nine (9), or ten (10) rolls, it becomes the “don't pass” point. Seven (7) must roll before the “don't pass” point rolls for the player to win. If the point number rolls before seven (7), the player loses.
Don't Come:
This is an extension of the Don't Pass line. Don't Come bets can be made any time after a point has been established. The same rules apply for the Don't Come as the Don't Pass. A first roll of seven (7) or eleven (11) loses, two (2) or three (3) wins, and twelve (12) is a standoff. Any other number becomes the Don't Come point. The player wins even money if seven (7) is rolled before the point is repeated.
Taking Odds:
This is an additional bet that can be made on the Pass Line or on a come bet, once a point has been established. A player will receive two (2) to one (1) on points four (4) and ten (10), three (3) to two (2) on points five (5) and nine (9) and six (6) to five (5) on the six (6) and eight (8). The reverse is true when a player is betting against a point. These are known as “True” odds.
Laying Odds:
This is an additional bet that can be made on a Don't Pass or a Don't Come bet after a point has been established. The odds pay opposite of Pass Line and Come odds.
- Four (4) or Ten (10): 1 to 2
- Five (5) or Nine (9): 2 to 3
- Six (6) or Eight (8): 5 to 6
Field Bet:
A Field Bet is a one roll bet that wins or loses every roll. If three (3), four (4), nine (9), ten (10), or eleven (11) rolls, the player wins even money. If a two (2) or a twelve (12) rolls, the player is paid double. If five (5), six (6), seven (7), or eight (8) rolls, all field bets lose.
Big Six (6) or Eight (8):
These are two separate bets in which the player bets either six (6) or eight (8) will roll before seven. This bet pays even money.*Not offered in Atlantic City.
Proposition Bet:
These bets are found in the center of the dice layout and are placed by the stickman. If the player makes a “prop” bet the following will happen:
- Any Craps—If the shooter rolls a two (2), three (3), or twelve (12) on the next roll, the player wins seven (7) to one (1).
- Any Seven—If the shooter rolls a seven (7) on the next roll, the player wins four (4) to one (1).
- Eleven—If the shooter rolls an eleven (11) on the next roll, the player wins fifteen (15) to one (1).
- Ace/Deuce—If the shooter rolls a three (3) on the next roll, the player wins fifteen (15) to one (1).
- Two—If the shooter rolls a two (2) on the next roll, the player wins thirty (30) to one (1).
- Twelve—If the shooter rolls a twelve (12) on the next roll, the player wins thirty (30) to one (1).
- Horn Bet—A Horn Bet is evenly divided between the numbers two (2), three (3), eleven (11), and twelve (12). If three (3) or eleven (11) rolls, the player wins three (3) to one (1). If two (2) or twelve (12) rolls, the player wins 6.75 to one (1).
- Hard Ways—A Hard Way bet will win if the shooter rolls a pair. Hard Ways lose if a seven (7) rolls or if the number is thrown “the easy way” (not a pair). Example: The player bets a hard eight (8). If each dice rolls four (4), the player will win the Hard Way bet. If one (1) dice rolls a five (5) and the other rolls a three (3), the player loses.
- Place Bets—Place Bets can be made at any time during play on any of the “point numbers.” Place Bets pay nine (9) to five (5) on the four (4) or ten (10), seven (7) to five (5) on the five (5) or nine (9) and seven (7) to six (6) on the six (6) or eight (8). These bets may be taken down, remain up or “pressed” up at any time.
- Buy Bets—A Buy Bet is similar to a Place Bet, but pays true odds in exchange for a five (5%) percent commission.
- Buy Behind or Lay Bets—Similar to a Buy Bet, but made against a point at true odds. The player is charged a five (5%) percent commission. (With this bet, the player is betting that the shooter will roll a seven (7) before he/she will roll the point number.)
There are several distinct advantages of the game system 10 of the present invention. First, new players can learn to play craps, roulette, blackjack, slots, and the sports book in a comfortable safe place cutting down on the time it takes for new visitors to jump into the complex games by providing confidence. Second, new players learn about a casino's Players Club and the benefits of joining thereby shortening the period of time that it takes visitors to join the Players Club by introducing them to the advantages that come with membership. Third, players learn about the activities, restaurants, and shows at a select group of casino resorts increasing the likelihood that players will visit the casino resorts that they are more familiar with. Fourth, the game system 10 of the present invention provides a media for advertising for the locations within the resort. Finally, playing the game system 10 introduces the players to other organizations around Las Vegas like golf courses, rental agencies, and off resort activities.
In addition, returning players refamiliarize themselves with the games, activities, and places they will experience. Players reacquaint themselves with the games of Las Vegas so they are more likely to dive right back in to them upon arrival which cuts down on the period of time for them to get into the game. Furthermore, the game system 10 of the present invention allows players to build their strategy which builds their confidence and introduces past visitors with the new activities and shows since their last visit.
The game system 10 of the present invention uses advertising for the actual activities in the elements of the game and can be used with any casino or casino resort. In addition, annual additions that reflect the continuous changes in Las Vegas activities can be incorporated. Game additions for other locations around the world (Monte Carlo, Atlantic City, etc.) are within the scope of the present invention.
The game system 10 of the present invention can have sponsors. Four casinos and other locations would sponsor their inclusion in the game. The examples provided in the description above are examples only and other casinos, games, bet amounts, betting odds, etc., are within the scope of the present invention.
Furthermore, the game system 10 of the present invention can be used in video games and online games.
In sum, a board game 10 is provided which involves competition between players to achieve the particular player status level for each section of the board, the first player to achieve the particular player status level at all four section of the board and payback the original sum of monetary units provided at the beginning of the game is designated the winner. Players achieve status by moving around a board with marked spaces or areas constituting a path of progression about the board and simulating the play of various gambling games in multiple casino settings. Each individual casino section of the board allows the player to be exposed to games of chance, a chance for fees, expenses and/or turns lost to be dropped and activities that are based on actual activities associated with that casino. Activity cards, status cards, and comp cards are provided for each of the four sections on the board and each possesses specific instructions on their effect on the game. Player pieces are provided with one piece representing each player, and chance-taking apparatus, such as a single die, determine the movement of each piece about the board. The game further includes the use of gambling chips that are distributed in the beginning of the game and are used to place bets on the games of chance that are played throughout the game.
The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the illustrative preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained in the drawings and described in detail, with varying modifications and alternative embodiments being taught. While the invention has been so shown, described and illustrated, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, and that the scope of the present invention is to be limited only to the claims except as precluded by the prior art. Moreover, the invention as disclosed herein, may be suitably practiced in the absence of the specific elements which are disclosed herein.
Claims
1. A game system for two or more players, each player attempting to be the first player to achieve a whale status at a plurality of casinos and pay back an initial credit line, the game system comprising:
- a main game board;
- at least one game of chance;
- a set of slot cubes displaying bars and 7's;
- a box of standard playing cards;
- a pair of playing dice;
- a set of betting chips;
- a set of activity cards; and
- a set of comp cards.
2. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the games of chance are selected from the group consisting of roulette, craps, blackjack, slots, sports betting, and horse racing.
3. The gaming system of claim 2 wherein the roulette game includes a roulette wheel having at least one roulette ball and a gaming felt having a roulette betting surface, the roulette wheel positionable in the approximate middle of the main game board.
4. The gaming system of claim 2 wherein the craps game includes a craps betting surface.
5. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the betting chips are divided among the players at the start of the game as follows:
- Ten (10), $1 chips
- Ten (10), $5 chips
- Five (10), $10 chips
- Four (4), $25 chips
- Two (2), $50 Chips
6. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the spaces in the gaming board are equally divided among four casinos, each casino being in a different corner of the main game board.
7. The gaming system of claim 6 wherein the activity cards and the comp cards each represent four casino resorts.
8. The gaming system of claim 7 wherein the activity cards and comp cards for each represented casino resort are positioned on a corresponding area on the main game board.
9. The gaming system of claim 6 wherein the spaces for each casino are randomly arranged as follows: Comp Card Space (take one) Qty two (2) for each casino Activity Card Space (take one) Qty one (1) for each casino Roulette Betting Space Qty one (1) for each casino Craps Betting Space Qty one (1) for each casino Slot Betting Space Qty one (1) for each casino Black Jack Betting Space Qty one (1) for each casino Sports Book Betting Space Qty one (1) for each casino
10. The gaming system of claim 6 wherein at the start of the game, each player positions a playing piece at one of the casinos and pays predetermined amount from betting chips.
11. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein each player follows a minimum and maximum betting depending on a status awarded in the game.
12. The gaming system of claim 6 wherein each time a player lands on a casino, the player must pay a predetermined amount unless the player has achieved a whale status at the casino, a player achieving whale status that lands on a casino gets a free turn and immediately rolls the die again.
13. The gaming system of claim 8 wherein a player landing on an activity card space draws an appropriate activity card for that casino and follow the instructions.
14. The gaming system of claim 8 wherein a player landing on a comp card space draws an appropriate comp card for that casino, once a player collects two comp cards from the same casino, the player can trade them in for one upgrade to their Players Club Card for that same casino at the beginning of their next turn.
15. The gaming system of claim 14 wherein a player can trade-in three comp cards from the same casino for an amount of chips equal to the next status upgrade level at that casino hotel.
16. The gaming system of claim 15 wherein a whale designated player landing on the comp card space for a casino in which the player is designated a whale, the player receives an amount of chips equal to the casino's predetermined costs.
17. The gaming system of claim of claim 1 wherein each casino has a Players Club such that once a player starts to upgrade the player's status, the player must move through three (3) levels including the Player level, the VIP level, and the whale level and predetermined comps are earned.
18. The gaming system of claim 17 wherein status upgrades can be earned by paying the designated amount described by each casino and by each level at the beginning of the player's turn.
19. The gaming system of claim 17 wherein status upgrades can be earned by collecting three (3) comp cards for the particular casino and trading them in at the beginning of the player's turn, each three (3) comp cards gaining the player one level upgrade.
20. The gaming system of claim 17 wherein status upgrades can be earned by drawing an automatic upgrade comp card.
21. The gaming system of claim 9 wherein a player landing on a betting space, the player must play the game indicated by the betting space.
22. The gaming system of claim 21 wherein any other player who is on a betting space representing the same betting game anywhere on the board can also play that betting game.
23. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein a player running out of money can downgrade one or more of their status levels for fifty (50%) percent of the amount it cost to purchase the upgrade or trade in three (3) matching casino comp cards for chips worth the same value as that player's current Player's Club upgrade cost at that specific casino.
24. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein a player which completely runs out of money no longer has any status and loses the game.
25. A method for playing a game based on casino status, the method comprising:
- starting at a non-status level;
- achieving a Player level;
- achieving a VIP level; and
- achieving a whale level.
26. The method of claim 25 and further comprising:
- achieving each level at four different casinos.
27. A game based on achieving levels of casino status, the game comprising:
- a first status level;
- a second status level;
- a third status level; and
- a fourth status level.
28. The game of claim 27 wherein the first status level is non-status, the second status level is player status, the third status level is VIP status, and the fourth status level is whale status.
29. The game of claim 27 wherein each status level is achievable for at least four casinos.
30. The game of claim 27 wherein the game can be played from the group consisting of a board game, computer game, and online game.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 7, 2004
Publication Date: Jul 21, 2005
Inventor: Craig Warthen (Superior, CO)
Application Number: 10/960,787
