Wagering Game With Physical Game Input

Abstract

A gaming system is disclosed that is configured to present a wagering event, linked to a physical game, to a player. The system includes a physical game configured to accept physical input from a player and generate performance outcome data representing outcomes of the physical game. The wagering system comprises a processor and memory and the memory contains machine readable code executable by the processor which receives the performance outcome data and accepts a wager to establish a wagering event for the player of the physical game. The gaming system processes the performance outcome data to either initiate the wagering event or change one or more aspects of the wagering event. Then, the system provides the wagering event by generating a random outcome, which is compared to one or more predetermined winning outcomes. A winning outcome results in an award to the player.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/561,758 filed on Nov. 18, 2011.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a wagering game and in particular to a method and apparatus for incorporating wagering opportunities into a physical game played by one or more players.

2. RELATED ART

The gaming industry, and casinos in particular, are in a continual search to consistently entice and engage patrons to visit through innovative games, amenities and entertainment. To satisfy these needs, casinos have provide non-gaming amenities such as bowling, movie theaters, sports bars, and arcades while separately offer slot machines and other wagering opportunities. Likewise, non-gaming establishments often to increase customer traffic and attendance by offering promotions and new events for customers.

The wagering and non-wagering sections and activities within a casino have typically been maintained separate. Hence, slot players can play slot or video poker while seated at a gaming machine. Just the opposite, customers of the non-wagering facilities would participate in the non-wagering physical activities and games, but not have an opportunity to wager while performing these other more physical, active, or interactive games.

This separation suffers from numerous drawbacks. One such drawback is that patrons that enjoy one of these types of activities are not able to cross-participate in the other activity. For example, a gambler at a slot machine is typically limited to that activity, which is solitary in nature such that they must sit one to a machine and play their slot machine. Likewise, for a person wanting to bowl or play another physically active, that person is limited to only playing that physical game and is not provided an opportunity to wager.

From a casino's or other business entity's perspective, the separation of these elements creates several disadvantages. First, customers may not participate in either activity because neither activity fulfills all of their activity preferences. Hence that customer may not visit the casino or business. Likewise, by separating these activities, the full revenue producing potential of a space and particular activity is not realized.

To overcome these drawbacks and provide additional benefits, disclosed below is a method and apparatus for providing wagering and wagering game opportunities in combination with physical games or physical activities.

SUMMARY

To overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and provide additional benefits, a gaming system is disclosed that is configured to present a wagering event to a player. In one embodiment, this system includes a physical game configured to accept physical input from a player as part of play of the physical game which generates performance outcome data representing one or more outcomes of the physical game. Linked to or associated with the physical game is wagering system comprising a processor and memory, the memory containing machine readable code executable by the processor that is configured to take one or more steps. In this embodiment, these steps include accepting player input to link the wagering system to the physical game played by the player and accept a wager from the player to establish a wagering event for the player of the physical game. The machine readable code is further configured to receive performance outcome data from the physical game and process the performance outcome data to either initiate the wagering event or change one or more aspects of the wagering event. Then, the machine readable code provides the wagering event to the player and generates a random outcome. The random outcome is compared to one or more predetermined winning outcomes. Based on the outcome and the comparing, the code determines if the random outcome is a winning outcome and provides an award to the player if the random outcome is a winning outcome.

In one embodiment, the physical game is selected from the group of game consisting of bowling, darts, skeeball, arcade basketball, and pool. The step of processing the performance outcome data to initiate the wagering event includes accepting the performance outcome data as a trigger to initiate a gaming outcome. Initiating a gaming outcome may comprise activating a random number generator to generate a random number which is processed to generate a wagering game outcome. In one configuration, processing the performance outcome data to change one or more aspects of the wagering event may include changing a paytable to increase the award or decrease the award, changing an odds table which in turn changes the player's chance of receiving a winning outcome, or changing one or more visual aspects of the game which is presented to the player.

Also disclosed herein, is a wagering game method for use by a player of the wagering game. In one embodiment, this method comprises accepting a wager from a player such that the wager is based on an outcome of a wagering component associated with a physical game. Then, providing a physical game for play by the player, such that the physical game is associated with a wagering component. This method then receiving physical input to the physical game by the player to generate a physical game result and receives or presents the physical game result to the wagering component such that the physical game result is generated in response to physical input to the physical game by the player. This method then processes the input from the physical game at the wagering component to generate a wagering component result and compares the wagering component result to a paytable to determine if the wagering component result is a winning wagering component result. The method also provides an award to the player if the wagering component result, generated in response to the input from the physical game, is a winning wagering component result.

In one embodiment, the physical game is selected from the group of games consisting of bowling, darts, skeeball, arcade, basketball and pool. This method may further comprise modifying one or more aspects of the wagering component based on the physical game result. The step of modifying one or more aspects of the wagering component may include changing the paytable of the wagering component. The step of modifying one or more aspects of the wagering component may include changing odds associated with the player receiving a winning wagering component result. The step of modifying one or more aspects of the wagering component may include changing one or more visual aspects of the wagering component that is presented to the player. In one embodiment, the physical game result is the trigger that initiates the wagering component.

Also disclosed is a method for playing a wagering game comprising accepting a wager from a player on an outcome of a second game and then presenting a first game to the player. The first game requires physical input to a first game item to causes an effect in the game to generate performance outcome data representing one or more outcomes of the physical game. The method then presents the performance outcome data to the second game and, responsive to the second game receiving the performance outcome data, the method generates a second game outcome. In this embodiment, the second game outcome is a random outcome. The method then compares the second game outcome to a paytable to determine if the second game outcome is a winning outcome. If the second game outcome is a winning outcome, then the player is provided an award.

In one embodiment the first game item is an item selected from the following items: ball, or dart. It is contemplated that the performance outcome data may be data representing an outcome resulting from play of the first game by the player. This method may also include modifying, in response to the performance outcome data, the odds of receiving a winning outcome in the second game such that the amount of modification is dependent on a value of a performance outcome data.

In one embodiment, the method further comprising modifying, in response to the performance outcome data, an amount of an award provided to the player such that the amount of the award is dependent on the value of a performance outcome data. The method may also include modifying, in response to the performance outcome data, and audio or visual component of the second game based on the performance outcome data. It is also contemplated that the method may further comprise presenting a bonus game to the player in response to the player having performance outcome data having a value in the first game that is above a predetermined amount.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary gaming kiosk configured to receive one or more inputs from a physical game.

FIG. 2 is an example screen or display layout for a user interface screen block diagram illustrating a simplified portable transceiver.

FIG. 3 is an operation flow diagram of a method offering a wagering game having triggering event from a physical game performance outcome.

FIG. 4 is an operation flow diagram of a method offering a wagering game having the odds of winning modified by a physical game performance outcome.

FIG. 5 is an operation flow diagram of a method offering a wagering game having the pay out rate or pay table modified by a physical game performance outcome.

FIG. 6 is an operation flow diagram of a method offering a wagering game having the wagering game or its associated display components modified by a physical game performance outcome.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for combining wagering, or a wagering game, with a physical game or activity. By combining these two enjoyable activities, a participant or player is able to overcome the drawbacks in the prior art, provide additional entertainment opportunities for a player and additional revenue opportunities for a casino or business.

The term ‘physical game’ is defined as a game, which requires physical activity and/or skill to participate in or play and causes or results in one or more physical results or outcomes. Discussed below are various ‘physical games’ and associated ‘physical performance outcomes’ associated with each game. These exemplary physical games are provided for discussion and not limitation as it is contemplated that the principles disclosed herein may be combined with other physical games.

The following games are example of physical games. Numerous additional physical games are contemplated for use with the method and apparatus disclosed herein.

Bowling

Bowling is a physical game played on a lane with a ball and 10 pins. The game of ten-pin bowling is divided into ten rounds (called “frames”). In a frame, each player is given two opportunities to knock down the pins. The player rolls the first ball at the pins. If the first ball knocks down all ten pins, it is called a “strike” and the frame is completed. When pins are left standing after the first ball, those that are knocked down are counted and then removed. Then the player rolls a second ball and if all the remaining pins are knocked down, it is called a “spare”. There are bonuses for removing all the pins. If there is more than one player scheduled on a lane, play passes to the next player until all players have completed the frame. Then play continues with the next frame. The final or tenth frame of a game may involve three balls.

The ten pins are usually automatically set by machine into four rows which form an equilateral triangle where there are four pins on a side (Pythagorean Tetractys). There are four pins in the back row, then three, then two, and finally one in the front at the center of the lane. The pins are numbered one through ten, starting with one in front, and ending with ten in the back to the right. Due to the spacing of the pins and the size of the ball (about 8.6 inches (22 cm) in diameter), it is impossible for the ball to contact every pin during a roll of the ball.

In order to count, a pin must be knocked over entirely. If the pin is wobbling as the automatic pin machine picks it up (or the machine itself knocks over the pin while it is wobbling), it is still considered standing and is not scored. Also, if a pin is moved, it does not change its designation. For example, if the 10 pin were still standing and the 7 pin slid into the 8 pin position, converting this spare would still be considered and given a 7-10 split award.

With regard to lane upon which the game is played, the sport often-pin bowling is performed on a straight, narrow surface known as a lane. This bowling lane is 60 feet (18.29 m) from the foul line to the head pin. About 15 feet (4.57 m) from the foul line are a set of guide arrows. The lane is 41.5 inches (1.05 m) wide and normally consists boards or a synthetic material. The bowling ball is round with three holes and circumference of the ball must not be more than 2.25 feet cannot weigh more than 16 pounds and the ball must have a smooth surface over its entire circumference except for holes or indentations used for gripping the ball.

During game play, a game of bowling consists of ten frames. In each frame, the bowler will have two chances to knock down as many pins as possible with his bowling ball. In games with more than one bowler, as is common, every bowler will take his frame in a predetermined order before the next frame begins. If the bowler knocks down all 10 pins in the tenth frame, the bowler is allowed to throw 3 balls for that frame. This allows for a potential of 12 strikes in a single game, and a maximum score of 300 points, a perfect game.

In general, one point is scored for each pin that is knocked over. So if a player bowls over three pins with the first shot, then six with the second, the player would receive a total of nine points for that frame. If a player knocks down 9 pins with the first shot, but misses with the second, the player would also score nine. When a player fails to knock down all ten pins after their second ball it is known as an open frame.

Bowling Performance Outcomes

During the physical game of bowling numerous performance outcomes are generated. These outcomes result from the player's performance of the physical game. These performance outcomes include but are not limited to the following: number of pins knocked down, score for frame, number of pins left standing, time frame started, time frame ended, time first pin knocked down, speed of ball, whether a strike occurred, whether a spare occurred, players total or running score, a mathematical combination of any of these outcomes such as addition of two or multiplication of several of these outcomes and player rank in relation to other players. As discussed below in greater detail, one or more of these performance outcomes are used as part of or as a trigger to the wagering game.

Darts

Darts is another possible physical game. Darts is a form of throwing game where darts are thrown at a circular target (dartboard) fixed to a wall. Though various different boards and games have been used in the past, the term “darts” usually now refers to a standardized game involving a specific board design and set of rules. As well as being a professional competitive sport, darts is a traditional pub or bar game. The equipment used to play darts is a dart board and one or more darts.

A regulation board is 17¾ inches in diameter and is divided into 20 radial sections. Each section is separated with metal wire or a thin band of sheet metal and assigned different point values when a dart lands in that area. In the standard game, the dartboard is hung so that the bullseye is 5 feet 8 inches from the floor. The line behind which the throwing player must stand is generally 7 feet 9¼ inches from the face of the dartboard measured horizontally.

The standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, scoring from 1 to 20 points, by wires running from the small central circle to the outer circular wire. Circular wires within the outer wire subdivide each section into single, double and triple areas. Various games can be played (and still are played informally) using the standard dartboard. However, in the official game, any dart landing inside the outer wire scores as follows. Hitting one of the large portions of each of the numbered sections, traditionally alternately colored black and white, scores the points value of that section. Hitting the thin inner portions of these sections, roughly halfway between the outer wire and the central circle colored red and green, scores triple the point value of that section. Hitting the thin outer portions of these sections, again colored red or green, scores double the point value of that section. The double-20 is often referred to as double-top, reflecting the 20's position on the dartboard. The central circle is divided into a green outer ring worth 25 point and a red inner circle, worth 50 points. The term “bullseye” can mean either the whole central part of the board or just the inner red section. The term “bull's ring” usually means just the green outer ring. Hitting outside the outer wire scores nothing. Any dart that does not remain in the board after throwing (for example, a dart that hits a wire and bounces out of the board or drops out with the impact of a later throw) also scores nothing; exception should be noted if play is on any electronic board: darts falling out are counted. A dart only scores if its point is embedded in or is touching the playing surface. A dart which hits the board side on or at an angle but remains in situ because it is held in place by two other darts for example, will either score where its point touches or not at all. The highest score possible with three darts is 180,

There are many games that can be played on a dartboard, but darts generally refers to a game whereby the player throws three darts per visit to the board with the goal of reducing a fixed score, commonly 501 or 301, to zero, with the final dart landing in either the bullseye or a double segment. A game of darts is generally contested between two players, or two teams, who take turns in throwing up to three darts.

Darts Performance Outcomes

During the physical game of darts numerous performance outcomes are generated. These performance outcomes include but are not limited to the following: hit location of the dart, score of the dart hit on the board, score for all three dart hits, the dart hitting the dart board or the time at which the dart hits the board, bullseye hit on the dart board or hit on any particular location on the dart board, players total or running score for a dart game, a mathematical combination of any of these outcomes such as but not limited to addition of two of these outcomes or multiplication of several of these outcomes and player rank in relation to other players. As discussed below in greater detail, these performance outcomes may be used as part of a wagering game.

Skeeball

Skeeball is a common arcade game. It is similar to bowling except it is played on an inclined lane and the player aims to get the ball to fall into a hole rather than knock down pins. The object of the game is to collect as many points as possible by rolling balls up an incline and into the designated point value holes.

Game play varies depending on the skeeball machine, but is generally similar. The player, after inserting appropriate coin payment or token equivalent into the coin slot, is given a set of baseball-sized balls to use, made from either smooth polished hardwood or heavy plastic. Most machines provide the player with nine balls per game; this can vary from machine to machine, however. Each machine has an inclined ramp 10-13 feet long, up which the player must roll the balls. A sudden increase in incline at the end of the ramp (the ball-hop) launches the balls above the plane of the ramp toward a series of rings that direct the balls into holes of varying point values, the harder-to-reach holes usually giving the most points. When the balls are exhausted, the player is given tickets dispensed by the machine or a score based on how many points were earned.

Skeeball Performance Outcomes

During the physical game of skeeball numerous performance outcomes are generated. These performance outcomes include but are not limited to the following: particular score for a ball roll, score for game, time at which ball roll occurred or ended; whether a particular ball roll hit or did not hit a particular location players total or running score, a mathematical combination of any of these outcomes such as but not limited to addition of two of these outcomes or multiplication of several of these outcomes and player rank in relation to other players. As discussed below in greater detail, these performance outcomes may be used as part of a wagering game.

Another physical game is a basketball arcade game having a basketball hoop contained within a housing or cage which directs basketballs shot at the hoop back toward the player. Points are awarded for baskets. Likewise, the physical game may comprise traditional basketball played on a traditional basketball court. The rules for basketball are known by one of ordinary skill in the art. The performance outcomes for the game of basketball may comprise points, shots, free throws, layups, three point shot attempted or made, time at which baskets occur, time of possessions, fouls, or any other statistic associated with basketball.

Another physical game is pool. Pool is played on a rectangular pool table such that glass or ceramic pool balls are shot by a player using a pool cue. A player's score is determined by the number of balls which are shot in pockets on the table. A typical table has 6 pockets spaced at each table corner and in the middle of long side of the table.

It is also contemplated that the physical game may comprise archery such that the player shoots arrows or other objects, using a bow, gun, or other ‘shooter’, at a target to develop performance outcomes. It is also contemplated that any of the physical games described herein may be implemented in a reduced size such as the miniaturized versions such as basketball arcade games or games which fit in the form factor of a traditional wagering machine.

Gaming Kiosk

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a gaming kiosk 100 at which the game of chance with physical game inputs may be implemented or used. In one embodiment, the gaming kiosk 100 is a wager-based gaming system configured to display or accept player input as part of the wagering game during or associated with play of a physical game. It is contemplated that the gaming kiosk 100 may be used during set up of the physical game, to accept wagers before or during play of the physical game and to display game results, such as physical game results or wagering game results to player. During play of the physical game, which triggers or initiates a wagering event or wagering event, such games offer the possibility of an award of winnings. Of course, the gaming kiosk 100 could be configured to present games or amusing activities based upon payment and either not award winnings or offer the event for points, tickets, prizes or the like.

In one embodiment, the gaming kiosk 100 defines a generally enclosed interior space for housing one or more components. As illustrated, the gaming kiosk 100 generally comprises a housing or cabinet 102 for supporting and/or enclosing various components required for operation of the gaming kiosk. In the embodiment illustrated, the housing 102 may include a door 106 located at a front thereof, the door capable of being moved between an open position which allows access to the interior and a closed position in which access to the interior is generally prevented. The configuration of the gaming kiosk 100 may vary. In the embodiment illustrated, the gaming kiosk 100 has an “upright” configuration. However, the gaming kiosk 100 could have other configurations, shapes or dimensions (such as being of a “slant”-type, bar top, or other configuration as is well known to those of skill in the art) or incorporated into other systems that are associated with the physical game. It is noted that the configuration of the door 106 may vary, such as dependent upon the configuration of the gaming kiosk 100. The system may not be configured as a cabinet, but more of a computing device.

The gaming kiosk 100 preferably includes at least one display device 104 configured to display game information. The display device 104 may be a mechanical, electro-mechanical or electronic display, such as one or more rotating reels, a video display or the like. When the display device 104 is an electronic video display (screen), it may comprise a cathode ray tube (CRT), high resolution flat panel liquid crystal display (LCD), projection LCD, plasma display, field emission display, digital micro-mirror display (DMD), digital light processing display (DLP), LCD touch screen, a light emitting display (LED), organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, projector, or other suitable displays now known or later developed, in a variety of resolutions, sizes and formats (e.g. 4:3, widescreen or the like). The display 104 may be capable of projecting or displaying a wide variety of information, including images, symbols and other indicia or information associated with the physical game play, the wagering game, game promotion or other events. In one embodiment, the display 104 may be used to present one or more paytables, game symbols, jackpot/payout amounts, bonus game information, etc or any information or function shown in FIG. 2. It is contemplated that more than one display 104 may be provided in a gaming kiosk. Each display 104 may present different information. For example, a display 104 may be used to present one or more paytables while another display is used to present a game.

The gaming kiosk 100 may be configured to present various styles or configurations of games having the inventive features described herein. These may include games in Class III, such as video poker games, keno, slot-type games, and blackjack or other card, dice or various other games now known or later developed, as well as games in Class II, including central determinant games such a video lottery, bingo and bingo-based games, and other games now known or later developed. The games may also be skill based or include one or more skill components. In addition, the only game result may be the results of the physical game and the wagering system, which receives input in the form of at least performance outcomes, may trigger or modify the wagering system to provide the appearance of the physical game being the wagering game.

In one embodiment, certain game outcomes may be designated as winning outcomes. Awards may be provided for winning outcomes, such as monetary payments (or representations thereof, such as award of credits), prizes or the like. As is well known in the art, the number of winning outcomes may vary dependent upon the desired payout or winning percentage offered to the players as compared to wagers that are retained by the gaming establishment.

The gaming kiosk 100 may include one or more player input devices 108 (such as input buttons, a touch-screen display, joystick, touch-pad or the like) that may be utilized by the player to facilitate game play. The gaming machine 100 may include a coin accepting mechanism 112 for accepting coins and/or a currency or bill acceptor 114 for accepting cash or paper currency. It is also contemplated that other mechanisms now known or later developed may be provided for accepting value for game play, such as credit card, ticket readers or input devices whereby a player may have funds paid from a remote account. The gaming kiosk 100 may also include a “bet credit” button 118 or the like, such as to permit a player to wager monetary credits credited to the kiosk.

In one embodiment, the gaming kiosk 100 may include one or more microprocessors or controllers for controlling the gaming machine, including receiving player input and the input from the physical game and sending output signals for controlling the various components of the kiosk 100 (such as generating game information for display by the display 104). The kiosk may accept input from multiple players or from multiple physical games. The controller may be arranged to display the game of chance, send signals for determining winning combinations, and to cause the display 104 to display winning amount information. In addition, the controller is preferably arranged to determine if a round of game play has resulted in a win, and if so, the amount to be paid to the player for that win.

The gaming kiosk 100 may include a means for paying a player any winnings accumulated during game play. For example, a “cash out” button 116 may be provided for permitting a player to be paid the winnings or redeeming any credits initially paid into the gaming machine 100. The term “cash out” is used herein to define an event initiated by the player wherein the player receives a number of coins or currency that is equivalent to the value of the player's accrued credit base. Typically when a player cashes out, the player receives either a paper currency voucher or currency in the form of a coin disbursement. If the player decides to receive a coin disbursement, the gaming kiosk 100 may activate a coin hopper or coin handling device (not shown) which physically counts and delivers the proper number of coins to the player. The coin handling device is commonly configured to transport coins from a supply source (hopper or bin filled with coins) to a coin tray or payout receptacle where the player physically receives the coins. The player might also elect to cash out by having a ticket or other media dispensed, such as via a printer.

The gaming kiosk 100 may be configured as a stand-alone device or be in communication with one or more external devices at one or more times. For example, the gaming kiosk 100 may be configured to communicate with a server or as a server based device to thereby obtain game code or game outcome information from a remote server. The gaming kiosk 100 may also communicate with one or more gaming servers 120, physical game systems, or external controllers. These one or more gaming servers 120 may be configured to perform accounting, player tracking, tracking and monitoring of the physical game and performance outcomes, bonusing, game generation, random outcome and payout generation, or other functions. In one embodiment if the player achieves or exceeds a particular score or event in the physical game, the player is provided a bonus round or bonus event. This bonus round or event may not be available unless the player achieves or exceeds a particular score or event in the physical game.

In addition to the electronic gaming kiosk of FIG. 1, it is contemplated that the game of chance and the supplemental features may be offered for play on a personal computer or mobile device (smart phone, pad or table computing device) having a display, memory, and processor operating is described in FIG. 1. Likewise, the personal computer or mobile device may be linked over a computer or cellular network to interface with other players or a remote server to play the game of chance with supplemental features.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary screen display of a player interface screen for the wagering system. This is but one possible screen display. The screen display may be on a stand alone machine or kiosk, or part of the physical game. For example, bowling lanes often have a screen or terminal which displays which accept player input. These are presently used to enter game and player information but could be supplemented to accept wager game information and provide an interface for the player to the wager game system and to show wager game information. Likewise, many bowling facilities display game information on an overhead display. This same display could be used to display a wagering game or wager game information/outcomes for view by multiple people such as the players of the physical game.

Shown in FIG. 2 is a physical display 204 or projected image area. The display or screen may be a touch or motion activated screen. Shown on the screen 204 are numerous information fields such as a game information display area 208 that displays game information. Any type game information may be displayed. The game information may be the physical game, the wagering game, or both.

Also shown are one or more buttons, touch screen areas, or display areas for other game information. A wager game area 212 displays present or prior wager amounts, such as an amount bet by the player. A credit field 216 displays available credits for the game or a player. A winnings field 220 displays the amount or number of winning events or credits won in the wagering gaming. A help field or button 224 may comprise a call for live help or on-line assistance. An age verification area 228 provides the option or requirement for the player to provide or verify their age. A performance event selection area 232 is provided to allow a player to identify the physical game or type of physical game to which the wagering game is linked. As set forth below, the physical game provides data input, such as performance outcomes to the wagering game. Area 236 displays or allows a player to provide data regarding player information such as name, participation order, numeric player identifiers, or icons. A player rewards club or player data entry field 250 may be provided to allow physical game or wagering game play to be linked to a player club or player reward program.

Displayed at area 244 is performance outcome data. As discussed above for each game type, performance outcomes are generated during play of the physical game. These performance outcomes are relevant to the wagering game and are displayed to the players in field 244. This area 244 may also be used for the player to enter or select which performance outcomes the player wants to use as an input to the wagering game.

It is contemplated that the display screen would be generated by machine readable software code executing on a processor. The machine readable code is stored on a memory or the data for generating the image on the display may be received from a server.

Wagering Game

The wagering game may comprise any type wagering game currently developed or created in the future which accepts one or more inputs to generate a random or non-random output which may be associated with the payout of a monetary or other type award. By way of example and not limitation, the wagering game may comprise a slot game, keno game, poker based game, roulette game, card game, bingo or lottery ball game. In addition, the game may just be the determination of whether the wager is a winner after the occurrence of the physical game and the providing of the performance outcome to the wagering game. Hence, it would appear to the player that the wagering game is the physical game and the result (winning or losing) of the wagering is based on the performance outcome. In this regard, the wagering game outcome may be based on skill or random in nature.

Performance Outcome or Physical Game Play is Trigger to RNG

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram for linking and using physical game outcomes as a trigger for a wagering game. This is but one possible embodiment and one of ordinary skill may determine variations from this method play. In this embodiment the player selects a physical game type to play. These games types may include those described above or any other physical game generating performance outcomes resulting from a physical game. This occurs at a step 304. The selection process for selecting a physical game may be more a general process, such as selecting to play bowling or darts and paying the casino or other business to play these games. As such, in each step in this figure, and all figures herein, the player activity also indicates a corresponding action, involvement or activity by the casino, business, physical game system, or wagering game system.

At a step 308 the player selects one or more physical performance outcomes or a mathematical combination of the physical performance outcomes to be used as a trigger to the wagering game. Mathematically processing or combining the data representing one or more performance outcomes may be implemented in any of the methods of operation discussed herein. In other embodiments this step is pre-determined by the system. The various performance outcomes are set forth above for each game type and may comprise any outcome resulting from any physical game.

At a step 312 the player places a wager to the wagering system. The wager may cover the entire physical game or one or more subparts, rounds, turns, or frames of the physical game. At a step 316 the wagering system establishes a base payout table or rates in the wagering system for various outcomes of the wagering system, which will offer the wagering game.

At a step 320 the wagering system establishes the base odds table for the selected physical game in the wagering system. An odds table, which is one possible method for defining or establishing the chance of winning, may be based on the amount wagered. In other embodiments, a random number mapping or modification may adjust a player's chance of receiving a winning outcome. A random number may be mapped into an odds table to determine if a player receives a winning outcome and which winning outcome the player receives.

At a step 324 the player performs physical play of the physical game to generate one or more performance outcomes. The performance outcomes may be related to key elements of the game or simply that the player played the physical game or took their turn. The performance outcomes could also be non-relevant game events, which are random or non-controllable. Then, one or more of the performance outcomes or a mathematical combination of the performance outcomes are sent or transmitted to the wagering system as a trigger or input to a random number generator at a step 328. For example, the system may synthesize a random number using the score of the bowler from one frame or the current time as a seed number of a slot algorithm. It is contemplated that the performance outcomes may be represented as data which is transmitted or provided directly to the wagering system or transmitted over a computer network to a wagering system. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the performance outcome may be the wagering game outcome such that the performance outcomes are mapped or processed to generate the wagering game outcome without use of a random number generator and corresponding random number. This may establish the game as a game of skill or a game of chance.

At a step 332, the wagering system generates a random number in response to or as a result of the performance outcome acting as the trigger. Then, at a step 336 the wagering system maps the random number, or the one or more performance outcomes, to a list or database of potential winning and losing outcomes associated with the wagering game using the base odds table to determine if the outcome of the waging game is a winning or losing wagering outcome or wagering game outcome.

At a step 340 the gaming system may optionally display to the player of the physical game a graphic event or game on a screen or projection representing the wagering game or the physical game, or just the outcome of the wager provide a representation or visualization of the wagering game. At a decision step 344 the wagering system determines if the wagering game had a winning outcome. The order of step 344 and step 340 may be reversed.

If at the decision step 344 the system determines that there was a winning outcome for the wagering game, then the operation advances to a step 348 and an award payout is provided to the player according to the base payout table. The operation may then return to step 312 or 324 depending on how the wagering game is configured.

Alternatively, if the system determines that there was not a winning outcome for the wagering game, then the operation advances to a step 352. At step 352 the wagering system determines that no payout is to be awarded to the player and the system initiates the next round of wagering or play of the physical game by returning to steps 312 or step 324.

Performance Outcome Modified Odds Table

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram for linking and using physical game outcomes as a trigger for a wagering game. This is but one possible embodiment and one of ordinary skill may determine variations from this method play. In this embodiment the player selects a physical game type to play. These games types may include those described above or any other physical game generating physical performance outcomes. This occurs at a step 404. The selection process for selecting a physical game may be more a general process, such as selecting to play bowling or darts and paying the casino or other business to play these games. As such, in each step in this figure, and all figures herein, the player activity also indicates a corresponding action, involvement or activity by the casino, business, physical game system, or wagering game system.

At a step 408 the player selects one or more physical performance outcomes to be used as a trigger to the wagering game. In other embodiments this step is pre-determined by the system. The various performance outcomes are set forth above for each game type and may comprise any outcome resulting from any physical game.

At a step 412 the player places a wager to the wagering system. The wager may cover the entire physical game or only one or more subparts, rounds, turns, or frames of the physical game. At a step 416 the wagering system establishes a base payout table or rates for a winning outcome in the wagering system.

At a step 420 the wagering system establishes the odds table for the selected physical game in the wagering system. The odds table, which is one possible method for defining or establishing the chance of winning, may be based on the amount wagered. In other embodiments, a random number mapping or modification may adjust a player's chance of receiving a winning outcome.

At a step 424 the player performs physical play of the physical game to generate one or more performance outcomes. The performance outcomes may be related to key elements of the game or simply that the player played the physical game or took their turn. The performance outcomes could also be non-relevant game events which are random or non-controllable. Then, one or more of the performance outcomes are sent or transmitted to the wagering system at a step 428. These may or may not act as a trigger or input to a random number generator. It is contemplated that the performance outcomes may be represented as one or more items of data, which are provided to the wagering system or this data may be transmitted over a network to the wagering system.

Alternatively, it is contemplated that the performance outcome may be the wagering game outcome such that the performance outcomes are mapped or processed to generate the wagering game outcome without use of a random number generator. This may establish the game as a game of skill or a game of chance. In such an embodiment a random number generator is not required.

At a step 432, the performance outcomes are mapped or otherwise used to modify the base odds table to create a modified odds table. In this manner, the performance outcome(s) changes the player's chance of receiving a winning outcome. As discussed below, it is contemplated that the game wagering outcome is still randomly generated but that the chance of winning a winning outcome is increased or decreased based on the performance outcome.

Then, at a step 436 the wagering system generates a random number in response to the physical game play or the performance outcome which was sent or otherwise transmitted to the wagering system. Random number generation is known in the gaming art and hence not described in great detail herein.

At a step 440 wagering system maps the random number, or the one or more performance outcomes, to a list or database of potential winning and losing outcomes associated with the wagering game using the modified odds table to determine if the outcome of the waging game is a winning or losing wagering game outcome. For example, if the player rolls the bowling ball and earns a strike, then the odds of receiving a winning outcome for that player and that round may increase. Subsequent rounds may see the chance of receiving a winning outcome based on the random number that is generated return to normal or even decrease to maintain a stable payout rate (rate of return to the player or house take).

At a step 442 the gaming system may optionally display a graphic event on a screen or as a projection to the player to represent the wagering game, the physical game or both. Then, at a decision step 444 the wagering system determines if the wagering game had a winning outcome. The order of step 444 and step 442 may be reversed.

If at the decision step 444 the system determines that there was a winning outcome for the wagering game, then the operation advances to a step 448 and an award payout is provided to the player according to the base payout table. The operation may then return to step 412 or 424 depending on how the wagering game is configured.

Alternatively, if the system determines that there was not a winning outcome for the wagering game, then the operation advances to a step 452. At step 452 the wagering system determines that no payout is to be awarded to the player and the system initiates the next round of wagering or play of the physical game by returning to steps 412 or step 424.

Performance Outcome Modified Pay Table

Alternatively FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram for linking and using physical game outcomes as a trigger for a wagering game. This is but one possible embodiment and one of ordinary skill may determine variations from this method play. In this embodiment the player selects a physical game type to play. These games types may include those described above or any other physical game generating physical outcomes. This occurs at a step 504. The selection process for selecting a physical game may be more a general process, such as selecting to play bowling or darts and paying the casino or other business to play these games. As such, in each step in this figure, and all figures herein, the player activity also indicates a corresponding action, involvement or activity by the casino, business, physical game system, or wagering game system.

At a step 508 the player selects one or more physical performance outcomes to be used as a trigger or input to the wagering game. In other embodiments this step is pre-determined by the system. The various performance outcomes are set forth above for each game type and may comprise any performance outcome resulting from any physical game.

At a step 512 the player places a wager to the wagering system. The wager may cover the entire physical game or for one or more subparts, rounds, turns, or frames of the physical game. At a step 516 the wagering system establishes a base pay table or payout rates for the wagering game for various possible outcomes of the wagering game as determined by the wagering system. This pay table determines the pay out or award rate for winning outcomes of the wagering game.

At a step 520 the wagering system establishes the odds table for a selected physical game in the wagering system. The odds table, which is one possible method for defining or establishing the chance of winning, may be based on the amount wagered. In another embodiment, a random number mapping or modification may adjust a player's chance of receiving a winning outcome.

At a step 524 the player performs physical play of the physical game to generate one or more performance outcomes. The performance outcomes may be related to key elements of the game or simply that the player played the physical game or took their turn. The performance outcomes could also be non-relevant game events which are random or non-controllable. Then, one or more of the performance outcomes are sent or transmitted to the wagering system as a trigger or input to a random number generator at a step 528. In one embodiment, a bowling score can be used as a multiplicative factor for the pay-out while the time of arrival of the score on the display can be the seed for the random number generator. It is contemplated that the performance outcomes may be represented as data, which are transmitted or provided directly to the wagering system or this data may be transmitted over a network to the wagering system. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the performance outcome may be the wagering game outcome itself such that the performance outcomes are directly mapped or processed to generate the wagering game outcome without use of a random number generator. This may establish the game as a game of skill or a game of chance.

At a step 532, the performance outcomes are mapped or otherwise used to modify the base pay table to create a modified pay table. In this manner, the performance outcome changes the player's payout rate when receiving a winning outcome in the wagering game. The payout rate or awards may be adjusted upward or downward to meet return to player rates or house hold rate. For example, certain performance outcomes may result in an increased payout should the randomly determined winning wagering game outcome occur. As discussed below, it is contemplated that the game wagering outcome is still randomly generated but that the award for a winning outcome is modified upward or downward based on the performance outcome. This adjustment may be for just one round and may be averaged over time or over the course of the physical game.

Then, at a step 536 the wagering system generates a random number in response to the physical game play or the performance outcome which is sent or otherwise transmitted to the wagering system. Random number generation is known in the gaming art and hence not described in great detail herein.

At a step 540 wagering system maps the random number, or the one or more performance outcomes, to a list or database of potential winning and losing outcomes associated with the wagering game using the base odds table to determine if the outcome of the waging game is a winning or losing wagering game outcome. In the event a random number is not generated, the performance outcomes could be mapped directly into the odds table or processed and then mapped into the odds table to determine if a winning outcome has occurred.

At a step 542 the gaming system may optionally display a graphic event on a screen or project the graphic event to the player to represent the wagering game, the physical game or both to provide a representation of the wagering game. Then, at a decision step 544 the wagering system determines if the wagering game had a winning outcome. The order of step 544 and step 542 may be reversed.

If at decision step 544 the system determines that there was a winning outcome for the wagering game, then the operation advances to a step 548 and an award payout is provided to the player according to the modified pay table. The operation may then return to step 512 or 524 depending on how the wagering game is configured.

Alternatively, if the system determines that there was not a winning outcome for the wagering game, then the operation advances to a step 552. At step 552 the wagering system determines that no payout is to be awarded to the player and the system initiates the next round of wagering or play of the physical game by returning to steps 512 or step 524.

Performance Outcome Modifies Wagering Game

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram for linking and using physical game outcomes as a trigger for a wagering game. This is but one possible embodiment and one of ordinary skill may determine variations from this method play. In this embodiment the player selects a physical game type to play. These games types may include those described above or any other physical game generating physical outcomes. This occurs at a step 604. The selection process for selecting a physical game may be more a general process, such as selecting to play bowling or darts and paying the casino or other business to play these games. As such, in each step in this figure, and all figures herein, the player activity also indicates a corresponding action, involvement or activity by the casino, business, physical game system, or wagering game system.

At a step 608 the player selects one or more physical performance outcomes to be used as a trigger to the wagering game. In another embodiment this step is pre-determined by the system. The various performance outcomes are set forth above for each game type and may comprise any outcome resulting from any physical game.

At a step 612 the player places a wager to the wagering system. The wager may cover the entire physical game or for one or more subparts, rounds, turns, or frames of the physical game. At a step 616 the wagering system establishes a base payout table or payout rates in the wagering system for various winning outcomes of the wagering game.

At a step 620 the wagering system establishes the odds table for selected physical game in the wagering system. The odds table, which is one possible method for defining or establishing the chance of winning, may be based on the amount wagered. In other embodiments, a random number mapping or modification may adjust a player's chance of receiving a winning outcome.

At a step 624 the player performs physical play of the physical game to generate one or more performance outcomes. The performance outcomes may be related to key elements of the game or simply that the player played the physical game or took their turn. The performance outcomes could also be non-relevant game events, which are random or non-controllable. Then, one or more of the performance outcomes are sent or transmitted to the wagering system as a trigger or input to a random number generator at a step 628. It is contemplated that the performance outcomes may be represented as data, which are provided to the wagering system directly or this data may be transmitted over a network to the wagering system. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the performance outcome may be the wagering game outcome such that the performance outcomes are mapped or processed to generate the wagering game outcome without use of a random number generator. This may establish the game as a game of skill or a game of chance.

At a step 630 the performance outcomes modify the wagering game that is displayed to the player or one or more aspects of the wagering game. By way of example and not limitation, if the physical game is bowling, then a performance outcome comprising a strike may result in a first wagering game or graphic being displayed to the player while a gutter ball may result in a second and different wagering game or graphic being displayed to the player. Hence, the wagering game and graphic, which are displayed, offered, or shown vary based on the performance outcome and the physical gaming being played. Likewise different players may also be provided different wagering games according to selected themes or performance outcomes.

At a step 632, the wagering system generates a random number in response to the performance outcome acting as the trigger. Then, at a step 636 the wagering system maps the random number, or the one or more performance outcomes, to a list or database of potential winning and losing outcomes associated with the wagering games using the base odds table to determine if the outcome of the waging game is a winning or losing wagering game outcome.

At a step 640 the gaming system displays a graphic event or wagering game on the screen or by projection to the player representing the wagering game based on the physical performance outcomes, the physical game or both to provide a representation of the wagering game or graphic. The displayed game or graphics changes based on the performance outcome. At a decision step 644 the wagering system determines if the wagering game had a winning outcome. The order of step 644 and step 640 may be reversed.

If at decision step 644 the system determines that there was a winning outcome for the wagering game, then the operation advances to a step 348 and an award payout is provided to the player according to the base payout table. The operation may then return to step 612 or 624 depending on how the wagering game is configured.

Alternatively, if the system determines that there was not a winning outcome for the wagering game, then the operation advances to a step 652. At step 652 the wagering system determines that no payout is to be awarded to the player and the system initiates the next round of wagering or play of the physical game by returning to steps 612 or step 624.

In one embodiment, numerous physical games and the associated wagering games are linked to provide for combined jackpots, such as progressives or mystery awards. In addition, the players may compete against players playing in other lanes or at other locations to create tournaments.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention. In addition, the various features, elements, and embodiments described herein may be claimed or combined in any combination or arrangement.

Claims

1. A gaming system configured to present a wagering event to a player comprising:

a physical game configured to accept physical input from a player as part of play of the physical game which generates performance outcome data representing one or more outcomes of the physical game;

a wagering system comprising a processor and memory, the memory containing machine readable code executable by the processor and configured to:

accept player input to link the wagering system to the physical game played by the player so that the physical game triggers the wagering event to thereby initiate the wagering event to provide the appearance of the physical game being the wagering game;

accept a wager from the player prior to the physical game to establish the physical game as a wagering event for the player of the physical game;

receive performance outcome data from the physical game to trigger the wagering event;

executing the wagering event by using one or more performance outcomes from the physical game to generate the random outcome and comparing the random outcome to one or more predetermined winning outcomes;

determining if the random outcome is a winning outcome based on the comparing; and

providing an award to the player if the random outcome is a winning outcome.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the physical game is selected from the group of game consisting of bowling, darts, skeeball, arcade basketball, and pool.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising receiving input from the player regarding which performance outcomes are used to generate the random outcome.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein using one or more performance outcomes comprises performing a mathematical computation on at least one performance outcomes to generate the random number without use of a random number generator.

5. The system of claim 3 further comprising processing the performance outcome data to change a paytable to increase the award or decrease the award.

6. The system of claim 3 further comprising processing the performance outcome data to change an odds table which in turn changes the player's chance of receiving a winning outcome.

7. The system of claim 3 further comprising processing the performance outcome data to change one or more visual aspects of the game which is presented to the player.

8. A wagering game method for use by a player of the wagering game, the method comprising:

accepting a wager from a player, the wager based on a physical game result of a physical game;

providing a physical game for play by the player, the physical game associated with a wagering component, the wagering component providing for wagering on the physical game and the physical game providing the only game results;

receiving physical input to the physical game by the player to generate a physical game result;

receiving the physical game result at the wagering component, the physical game result being generated in response to physical input to the physical game by the player;

processing the input from the physical game at the wagering component to: trigger the wagering component to initiate the wagering component such that the physical game is presented as the wagering game; and process, through mathematical computation, of at least one physical game result to generate a wagering component result;

comparing the wagering component result to a paytable to determine if the wagering component result is a winning wagering component result;

providing an award to the player of the physical game if the wagering component result resulting from the physical game and generated in response to the input from the physical game, is a winning wagering component result.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the physical game is selected from the group of games consisting of bowling, darts, skeeball, arcade, basketball, and pool.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising modifying one or more aspects of the wagering component based on the physical game result.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein modifying one or more aspects of the wagering component includes changing the paytable of the wagering component.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein modifying one or more aspects of the wagering component includes changing odds associated with the player receiving a winning wagering component result.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein modifying one or more aspects of the wagering component includes changing one or more visual aspects of the wagering component that is presented to the player.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein the physical game result is the trigger that initiates the wagering component without further input from the player.

15. A method for presenting a wagering event as part of play of a physical game comprising:

accepting a wager from a player on an outcome of the physical game, the physical game being the only game presented to the player as part of the wagering event;

presenting the physical game to the player, the physical game requiring physical input to a game item to cause an effect in the physical game to generate performance outcome data representing one or more outcomes of the physical game;

processing the performance outcome data from the physical game to generate random outcome, the random outcome based only on the one or more outcomes of the physical game;

comparing the random outcome based only on the one or more outcomes of the physical game to a paytable to determine if the random outcome is a winning outcome;

responsive to the physical game outcome being a winning outcome, providing an award to the player in response to the player's physical input to the physical game.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein processing the performance outcome data comprises performing a mathematical operation on one or more outcomes of the physical game to create the random outcome.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the performance outcome data comprises data representing an outcome resulting from play of the physical game by the player.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising modifying, in response to the performance outcome data, the odds of receiving a winning outcome in the physical game such that the amount of modification is dependent on a value of a performance outcome data.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising modifying, in response to the performance outcome data, an amount of an award provided to the player, the amount of the award being dependent on the value of a performance outcome data.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising modifying, in response to the performance outcome data, and audio or visual component of an event associated with the physical game based on the performance outcome data.

21. The method of claim 15 further comprising presenting a bonus game to the player in response to the player having performance outcome data having a value in the physical game that is above a predetermined amount.