Pari-mutuel electronic and live table gaming

The invention provides electronic video casino games in which the players are competing against each other to win from a common pool and are not wagering against the house. The invention also provides live casino table games in which the players are competing against each other to win from a common pool and are not wagering against the house. The house retains an preestablished commission. The player cashes out his accrued credits or his accrued gaming chips for an amount determined by the value of the common pari-mutuel pool. The present invention also provides for pari-mutuel pools to be distributed to all coin columns in a predetermined manner so as to allow all participants to be able to win a predetermined mathematical proportional share of the pari-mutuel progressive jackpot payouts. The invention also provides for seeding of the pools by the gaming establishment and for funding of future pools by setting aside into future pools portions of wagers made by current players. In pari-mutuel table games, each game is funded from the master pari-mutuel pool for the operation of the individual game. Should any table game become short of credits or chips, the master pool will disperse credits as needed to the respective tables. Should any tables have an excessive amount of credits, these credits will be transferred into the master pari-mutuel pool. All credits cashed out by the players come out of the master pari-mutuel pool.

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Claims

1. A method of playing a live casino table game comprising:

a) a player making a wager to participate in the live casino table game;
b) allocating a portion of the wager to the gaming establishment as its share of the wager for providing the game;
c) allocating the remainder of the wager to a common pari-mutuel pool to provide a source of funds for paying the player;
d) determining whether the player is a winner or loser for a particular play of the game;
e) paying the player a predetermined payout amount from the common pari-mutuel pool for a winning play; and
f) collecting all losing wagers into the common pari-mutuel pool.

2. The method of claim 1 in which the live casino table game is twenty-one and the predetermined payout amount is based on conventional twenty-one winning combinations.

3. The method of claim 1 in which the live casino table game is craps and the predetermined payout amount is based on conventional craps winning combinations.

4. The method of claim 1 in which the live casino table game is baccarat and the predetermined payout amount is based on conventional baccarat winning combinations.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of allocating a portion of the wager to the gaming establishment is effected by designating a percentage of the player's wager to the gaming establishment.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of allocating a portion of the wager to the gaming establishment is effected by designating a preestablished amount of the player's buy in to the gaming establishment.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of allocating a portion of the wager to the gaming establishment is effected by imposing a flat fee charge to the player and designating that flat fee charge to the gaming establishment.

9. The method of claim 47 wherein the flat fee charge is imposed at the beginning of play.

10. The method of claim 47 wherein the flat fee charge is imposed on a time period basis.

11. The method of claim 1 further including allocating a portion of the predetermined payout amount to the gaming establishment.

12. A method of playing a plurality of live casino table games linked together and sharing a common pari-mutuel pool comprising:

a) a player making a wager to participate in one of the live casino table games;
b) allocating a portion of the wager to the gaming establishment as its share of the wager for providing the game;
c) allocating the remainder of the wager to a common pari-mutuel pool to provide a source of funds for paying the player;
d) determining whether the player is a winner or loser for a particular play of the game;
e) paying the player a predetermined payout amount from the common pari-mutuel pool for a winning play; and
f) collecting all losing wagers into the common pari-mutuel pool.

13. The method of claim 12 in which all of the live casino table games are twenty-one and the predetermined payout amount is based on conventional twenty-one winning combinations.

14. The method of claim 12 in which all of the live casino table games are craps and the predetermined payout amount is based on conventional craps winning combinations.

15. The method of claim 12 in which all of the live casino table games are baccarat and the predetermined payout amount is based on conventional baccarat winning combinations.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of allocating a portion of the wager to the gaming establishment is effected by designating a percentage of the player's wager to the gaming establishment.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of allocating a portion of the wager to the gaming establishment is effected by designating a preestablished amount of the player's buy in to the gaming establishment.

20. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of allocating a portion of the wager to the gaming establishment is effected by imposing a flat fee charge to the player and designating that flat fee charge to the gaming establishment.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the flat fee charge is imposed at the beginning of play.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein the flat fee charge is imposed on a time period basis.

23. The method of claim 12 further including allocating a portion of the predetermined payout amount to the gaming establishment.

24. A method of playing a plurality of various live casino table games, the live casino table games being linked together and each type of live casino table games sharing a common pari-mutuel pool and all of the common pari-mutuel pools sharing a master casino pari-mutuel pool comprising:

a) a player making a wager to participate in one of the variety of live casino table games;
b) allocating a portion of the wager to the gaming establishment as its share of the wager for providing the game;
c) allocating the remainder of the wager to a common pari-mutuel pool for that particular variety of live casino table game to provide a source of funds for paying the player;
d) determining whether the player is a winner or loser for a particular play of the game;
e) paying the player a predetermined payout amount from the common pari-mutuel pool for a winning play; and
f) collecting all losing wagers into the common pari-mutuel pool;
g) allocating a portion of the common pari-mutuel pool to a master casino pari-mutuel pool to provide a source of funds for the common pari-mutuel pool as needed.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of allocating a portion of the wager to the gaming establishment is effected by designating a percentage of the player's wager to the gaming establishment.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of allocating a portion of the wager to the gaming establishment is effected by designating a preestablished amount of the player's buy in to the gaming establishment.

28. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of allocating a portion of the wager to the gaming establishment is effected by imposing a flat fee charge to the player and designating that flat fee charge to the gaming establishment.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the flat fee charge is imposed at the beginning of play.

30. The method of claim 28 wherein the flat fee charge is imposed on a time period basis.

31. The method of claim 24 further including allocating a portion of the predetermined payout amount to the gaming establishment.

32. A method of playing a plurality of various live casino table games and electronic pari-mutuel gaming devices, the live casino table games and electronic pari-mutuel gaming devices being linked together and each type of live casino table games sharing a common pari-mutuel pool and each type of electronic pari-mutuel gaming device sharing a common pari-mutuel pool and all of the common pari-mutuel pools sharing a master casino pari-mutuel pool comprising:

a) a player making a wager to participate in one of the variety of live casino table games or electronic pari-mutuel gaming devices;
b) allocating a portion of the wager to the gaming establishment as its share of the wager for providing the game;
c) allocating the remainder of the wager to a common pari-mutuel pool for that particular variety of live casino table game or electronic pari-mutuel gaming device to provide a source of funds for paying the player;
d) determining whether the player is a winner or loser for a particular play of the game;
e) paying the player a predetermined payout amount from the common pari-mutuel pool for a winning play; and
f) collecting all losing wagers into the common pari-mutuel pool;
g) allocating a portion of the common pari-mutuel pool to a master casino pari-mutuel pool to provide a source of funds for the common pari-mutuel pools as needed.

34. The method of claim 32 wherein the step of allocating a portion of the wager to the gaming establishment is effected by designating a percentage of the player's wager to the gaming establishment.

35. The method of claim 32 wherein the step of allocating a portion of the wager to the gaming establishment is effected by designating a preestablished amount of the player's buy in to the gaming establishment.

36. The method of claim 32 wherein the step of allocating a portion of the wager to the gaming establishment is effected by imposing a flat fee charge to the player and designating that flat fee charge to the gaming establishment.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein the flat fee charge is imposed at the beginning of play.

38. The method of claim 36 wherein the flat fee charge is imposed on a time period basis.

39. The method of claim 32 further including allocating a portion of the predetermined payout amount to the gaming establishment.

40. A method of playing a plurality of various live casino table games, electronic pari-mutuel gaming devices and live pari-mutuel games, the live casino table games, electronic pari-mutuel gaming devices and live pari-mutuel sporting events being linked together and each type of live casino table game sharing a common pari-mutuel pool, each type of electronic pari-mutuel gaming device sharing a common pari-mutuel pool and each type of live pari-mutuel sporting event sharing a common pari-mutuel pool and all of the common pari-mutuel pools sharing a master pari-mutuel pool comprising:

a) a player making a wager to participate in one of the variety of live casino table games, electronic pari-mutuel gaming devices or live pari-mutuel sporting events;
b) allocating a portion of the wager to the gaming establishment as its share of the wager for providing the game;
c) allocating the remainder of the wager to a common pari-mutuel pool for that particular variety of live casino table game, electronic pari-mutuel gaming devices or live pari-mutuel sporting events to provide a source of funds for paying the player;
d) determining whether the player is a winner or loser for a particular play of the game;
e) paying the player a predetermined payout amount from the common pari-mutuel pool for a winning play; and
f) collecting all losing wagers into the common pari-mutuel pool;
g) allocating a portion of the common pari-mutuel pool to a master pari-mutuel pool to provide a source of funds for the common pari-mutuel pools as needed.

42. The method of claim 40 wherein the step of allocating a portion of the wager to the gaming establishment is effected by designating a percentage of the player's wager to the gaming establishment.

43. The method of claim 40 wherein the step of allocating a portion of the wager to the gaming establishment is effected by designating a preestablished amount of the player's buy in to the gaming establishment.

44. The method of claim 40 wherein the step of allocating a portion of the wager to the gaming establishment is effected by imposing a flat fee charge to the player and designating that flat fee charge to the gaming establishment.

45. The method of claim 44 wherein the flat fee charge is imposed at the beginning of play.

46. The method of claim 44 wherein the flat fee charge is imposed on a time period basis.

47. The method of claim 40 further including allocating a portion of the predetermined payout amount to the gaming establishment.

48. A method of playing a casino game which includes a pari-mutuel pool that is closed comprising:

a) a player making a wager to participate in the casino game;
b) allocating a portion of the wager to the gaming establishment as its share of the wager for providing the game;
c) allocating the remainder of the wager to a common pari-mutuel pool to provide a source of funds for paying the player;
d) determining whether the player is a winner or loser for a particular play of the game;
e) paying the player a predetermined payout amount from the common pari-mutuel pool for a winning play;
f) collecting all losing wagers into the common pari-mutuel pool;
g) declaring after a length of time that the common pari-mutuel pool is closed;
h) paying the next winning player all of the amount collected in the common pari-mutuel pool.

49. The method of claim 48 in which the casino game is twenty-one and the predetermined payout amount is based on conventional twenty-one winning combinations.

50. The method of claim 48 in which the casino game is craps and the predetermined payout amount is based on conventional craps winning combinations.

51. The method of claim 48 in which the casino game is baccarat and the predetermined payout amount is based on conventional baccarat winning combinations.

53. The method of claim 48 in which the casino game is an electronic device and is selected from the group consisting of slot machines, electronic video poker.Iadd., electronic keno, electronic craps.Iaddend.and electronic twenty-one.

54. The method of claim 48 wherein the step of allocating a portion of the wager to the gaming establishment is effected by designating a percentage of the player's wager to the gaming establishment.

55. The method of claim 48 wherein the step of allocating a portion of the wager to the gaming establishment is effected by designating a preestablished amount of the player's buy in to the gaming establishment.

56. The method of claim 48 wherein the step of allocating a portion of the wager to the gaming establishment is effected by imposing a flat fee charge to the player and designating that flat fee charge to the gaming establishment.

57. The method of claim 56 wherein the flat fee charge is imposed at the beginning of play.

58. The method of claim 56 wherein the flat fee charge is imposed on a time period basis.

59. The method of claim 48 further including allocating a portion of the predetermined payout amount to the gaming establishment..Iadd.

60. The method of claim 1 in which the live casino table game is keno and the predetermined payout amount is based on conventional keno winning combinations..Iaddend..Iadd.61. The method of claim 12 in which the live casino table games are keno and the predetermined payout amount is based on conventional keno winning combinations..Iaddend..Iadd.62. The method of claim 48 in which the casino game is keno and the predetermined payout amount is based on conventional keno winning

combinations..Iaddend..Iadd.. The method of claim 1 in which the live casino table game is a card came and the predetermined payout amount is based on conventional winning combinations for the card game..Iaddend..Iadd.64. The method of claim 1 in which the live casino table game is a dice game and the predetermined payout amount is based on conventional winning combinations for the dice game..Iaddend..Iadd.65. The method of claim 12 in which all of the live casino table games are a card game and the predetermined payout amount is based on conventional winning combinations for the card game..Iaddend..Iadd.66. The method of claim 12 in which all of the live casino table games are a dice game and the predetermined payout amount is based on conventional winning combinations for the dice game..Iaddend..Iadd.67. The method of claim 24 in which the live casino table games are a card game and the predetermined payout amount is based on conventional winning combinations for the card

game..Iaddend..Iadd.68. The method of claim 24 in which the live casino table games are a dice game and the predetermined payout amount is based on conventional winning combinations for the dice game..Iaddend..Iadd.69. The method of claim 32 in which the live casino table games are a card game and the predetermined payout amount is based on conventional winning combinations for the card game..Iaddend..Iadd.70. The method of claim 32 in which the live casino table games are a dice game and the predetermined payout amount is based on conventional winning combinations for the dice game..Iaddend..Iadd.71. The method of claim 40 in which the live casino table games are a card game and the predetermined payout amount is based on conventional winning combinations for the card game..Iaddend..Iadd.72. The method of claim 40 in which the live casino table games are a dice came and the predetermined payout amount is based on conventional winning

combinations for the dice game..Iaddend..Iadd.73. The method of claim 48 in which the casino game is a card game and the predetermined payout amount is based on conventional winning combinations for the card game..Iaddend..Iadd.74. The method of claim 48 in which the casino game is a dice game and the predetermined payout amount is based on conventional winning combinations for the dice game..Iaddend.

Referenced Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
3697698 October 1972 Oswald et al.
4842278 June 27, 1989 Markowicz
5159549 October 27, 1992 Hallman, Jr. et al.
5226661 July 13, 1993 Wolf
5282620 February 1, 1994 Keesee
5364104 November 15, 1994 Jones et al.
5364105 November 15, 1994 Jones
5368305 November 29, 1994 Rodda et al.
Patent History
Patent number: RE35864
Type: Grant
Filed: Nov 6, 1996
Date of Patent: Jul 28, 1998
Inventor: Gary Weingardt (Las Vegas, NV)
Primary Examiner: Jessica Harrison
Assistant Examiner: Michael O'Neill
Attorney: John Edward Roethel
Application Number: 8/743,672
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Parimutuel Pool (463/28); Credit/debit Monitoring Or Manipulation (e.g., Game Entry, Betting, Prize Level, Etc.) (463/25)
International Classification: A63F 924;