Dice Patents (Class 273/146)
  • Patent number: 6394903
    Abstract: A toy dice comprising a cubical body having six sides, and an internal electronic operating circuit including an integrated circuit configured to perform six electronic playing functions associated with the sides of the dice body respectively. A position sensor is located within the dice body and connected to the integrated circuit for sensing which side of the dice body faces up when the dice is rolled and, in response, triggering the integrated circuit to perform the corresponding playing function associated with that side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Star H.K. Electronic Ltd.
    Inventor: Kim Wing Lam
  • Patent number: 6378869
    Abstract: A process for playing a casino style game using three six-sided dice, being rolled at separate times through the course of completing each hand. In action, this splitting of a hand's roll, first rolling two-dice, then rolling a third-single die, establishes a unique consequences for not only the applicants' game but, also his industry of casino gaming. Furthermore, a hand begins with the first rolling of a pair of dice baring an outcome possibility of two through twelve. In example, say the first roll is a two-dice roll of seven (20) having a first predetermined payoff (21) showing above such a first winning field number. Moreover, immediately after establishing a first winning number the third-single, and final die, is rolled for its outcome of a one through six respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventors: J. Richard Hedge, Jr., Aviva R. Hedge
  • Publication number: 20020036380
    Abstract: A method for playing a stand-alone and a bonus casino poker dice having X dice, each of the X dice having F faces with a different symbol thereon so as to form a set {S} of symbols on each of the X dice. The method of the present invention includes the steps of placing a wager; rolling the dice; holding none, any, or all of the rolled dice; ending the casino poker dice game when the dice are all held or when re-rolling occurs Y times; paying any winning combinations of symbols based on the placed wager and in response to the step of ending the game; re-rolling the non-held dice when less than all the X dice are held; and repeating various of these steps until the game ends. Variations on this basic method are set forth for stand-alone games, bonus games, used in conjunction with underlying gaming machines, and playing a bonus game of the present invention in parallel with an underlying game so that a number of hands are played.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth Allan Perrie, Olaf Vancura
  • Publication number: 20020030322
    Abstract: A game assembly suitable for simultaneous play by both sighted and sight-impaired individuals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventor: Danielle Connelly
  • Publication number: 20020024176
    Abstract: A game piece which includes a body having a first face and a second face. The first face and the second face are integrally formed with one another. The first face is defined by a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, a first end edge, and a second end edge. The second face is defined by a third lateral edge, a fourth lateral edge, a third end edge, and a fourth end edge. Each of the first lateral edge, the second lateral edge, the third lateral edge, and the fourth lateral edge possesses a first length. Each of the first end edge, the second end edge, the third end edge, and the fourth end edge possesses a second length. The first length is greater than the second length. The game piece further includes a first gaming indicia secured to the first face, and a second gaming indicia secured to the second face. An associated method of playing a game is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Garrett J. Donner, Michael S. Steer
  • Patent number: 6336633
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for playing a dice game utilizes advantageous aspects of the conventional Craps game while simplifying betting options. The game incorporates high-payoff wagers as well as a wager including no house advantage. The amount of the no house advantage wager is typically dependent upon the first wager and upon a role of the player. The game includes establishing a key player, receiving a primary wager that one of a plurality of events will occur, receiving an optional secondary wager that another of the plurality of events will occur, the key player rolling the plurality of dice, and resolving the primary wager and secondary wager based on the roll of the dice. The secondary wager is dependent upon the primary wager, which dependency is determined based on whether the player making the secondary wager is the key player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Prime Table Games LLC
    Inventor: Derek J. Webb
  • Patent number: 6331145
    Abstract: An object (10) having n faces, includes wireless transmitting means (12) for transmitting the value of at least the face of the object lying on a surface. In one embodiment, the face of the object (10) has n faces, includes at least n−1 sensors (S) installed therein, a controller (27, 101) coupled to each of the n−1 sensors (S) and a wireless transmitter device (12) coupled to the controller unit (27, 101) for transmitting data from each of the n−1 sensors (S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Cibro Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Refael Sity, Joshua Bronfeld
  • Patent number: 6318720
    Abstract: A die construction includes a body having first and second, opposite end caps and an extension member therebetween. The extension member has a first number of discrete facets and no more than the first number. Each of the discrete facets is identically shaped and have equal surface areas. The first end cap has a second number of discrete facets and no more than the second number. The second number is one-half of the first number. Each of the first end cap discrete facets is identically shaped and has an equal surface area to one another. The second end cap has the second number of discrete facets, that is, the same number as the first end cap, and has no more than the second number. Each of the second end cap discrete facets is identically shaped as the first end cap discrete facets. Each of the second end cap discrete facets has a surface area equal to a surface area of each of the first end cap discrete facets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Michael A. Bowling
  • Patent number: 6318725
    Abstract: A challenging and patience developer toy for two or more players. This invention relates to four six-sided Jacks and a ball, specifically to a kind of Jacks marked with words, letters, numbers, and suits attributes so that the Jacks can be used during the game where the markings showings on the upper surfaces of the Jacks after being thrown will instruct the player either to follow the pinnacle of the game or to do some other activities described later on in the summary of the game. The game begins by holding all four trapezoidal Jacks in one hand. Turn hand over and gently drop Jacks onto playing surface. The object of the game is to drop the ball pick up the Jacks, then catch the ball with the same hand. Let the ball hit the surface only once. Begin game by picking up only one Jack, then two, then three, then four. The rule of the game is to do the repetition of this numerically increasing activity for side A, then side B, then side C, then side D. Working your way to the pinnacle of the competition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Emmanuel Saint-Victor
  • Patent number: 6305686
    Abstract: A method for playing a stand-alone and a bonus casino poker dice having X dice, each of the X dice having F faces with a different symbol thereon so as to form a set {S} of symbols on each of the X dice. The method of the present invention includes the steps of placing a wager; rolling the dice; holding none, any, or all of the rolled dice; ending the casino poker dice game when the dice are all held or when re-rolling occurs Y times; paying any winning combinations of symbols based on the placed wager and in response to the step of ending the game; re-rolling the non-held dice when less than all the X dice are held; and repeating various of these steps until the game ends. Variations on this basic method are set forth for stand-alone games, bonus games, used in conjunction with underlying gaming machines, and playing a bonus game of the present invention in parallel with an underlying game so that a number of hands are played.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Mikohn Gaming Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Allan Perrie, Olaf Vancura
  • Patent number: 6302395
    Abstract: A gambling game includes a dice table having an upper throwing surface on which dice can be thrown; at least one die to be thrown on the upper throwing surface by a player, each die having a plurality of faces, each face having a number and a color thereon, with the numbers and colors of at least some of the faces being different from the numbers and colors of other ones of the faces, and with one face including an ALL LOSE designation; a rotatable wheel to be rotated by a dealer and positioned adjacent the dice table, the rotatable wheel having a plurality of segmented areas with different numbers and colors thereon, and at least one segment including an ALL LOSE designation; an indicator associated with the rotatable wheel for indicating one of the segmented areas of the rotatable wheel; a plurality of cards, each card having a number and a color thereon; and a wagering area for wagering on number and colors combinations from a combination of at least one number and color on an upper face of the at least on
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Inventor: Morteza Astaneha
  • Patent number: 6299166
    Abstract: The game of Olé is a dice game played between at least two players using a pair of conventional six-sided dice. All possible combinations of the values of upturned faces of the pair of dice are exhaustively ranked. A session of play consists of a number of turns, wherein in each turn, each player rolls the pair of dice. The value of each player's rolled dice is ranked and a losing player is determined to be the player having rolled the worst-ranked combination. The losing player then deducts a point from a collection of points assigned to him at the start of the game. Turns are played until only one player has at least one point remaining, and is declared the winner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventor: Eduardo Factor
  • Patent number: 6286834
    Abstract: In methods for playing wagering games, a player is afforded an opportunity to place a wager, and then the dealer rolls four dice and sums the total to obtain the dealer's score. The player is then afforded an opportunity to select to roll one, two, three, or four dice in an effort to beat the dealer's score. The player then rolls the selected number of dice, and sums the total to obtain the player's score. If the player's score is greater than the dealer's score, the player wins the wager according to a predetermined pay table, with fewer dice rolled to beat the dealer's score resulting in higher monetary awards. Apparatus for playing wagering games is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Scott A. Caputo
  • Publication number: 20010015526
    Abstract: In a die which has a regular polyhedron form and which can be opened into a continuous polygonal form on a plane, boundary areas (Rb) between planes (11 through 16) on the inner side of the regular polyhedron have inclination angles determined according to the regular polyhedron. In addition, engaging portions (21a, 21b, 24a, 24b, 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b) not exceeding the respective boundary areas (Rb) are placed on the boundary areas (Rb) of predetermined planes (11 through 16). Such a die is formed by injecting plastic resin within a mold (31, 32) according to the form of the opened die. This realizes a three-dimensional die capable of being opened onto a two-dimensional plane, which has only been fictionally conceived, and further provides a manufacturing method thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventors: Shoji Dewa, Akihiro Takatoku
  • Patent number: 6273423
    Abstract: A novel game and board or surface is played in combination with two sets of playing pieces consisting of three dice each, one set being visibly distinguishable from the second set and wherein in one embodiment all bets are placed on the board or surface before the first set of dice is throw to speed up the method of play and payoffs for each bet are set by the house. Optionally, the house may set and take additional bets between a throw of the first set of dice and a throw of the second set of dice. In another embodiment of the invention, players use the two sets of dice in sequence wherein winning bets are related to poker hands such as open numbers from 3-35; 3 of a kind; 4 of a kind; 5 of a kind, straight; any 3 pair; 6 of a kind, and six sixes (but specifically excluding two of a kind to provide decisive winning odds for the house) and where the payoffs for each bet are 2 for 1, 3 for 1, 4 for 1, 5 for 1, 8 for 1, 8 for 1, 12 for 1, and 20 for 1, respectively, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Rocco R. Promutico
  • Patent number: 6270411
    Abstract: A gaming machine comprising a presentation element controlled by a processor in response to a wager amount. The presentation element is capable of presenting a basic game screen and a start animation outcome that activates an animation feature. The animation feature represents an animation game being played and results in an animation outcome. The animation outcome provides an animation payoff. The animation feature covers a portion of the basic game screen less than all of the basic game screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Damon E. Gura, Joel R. Jaffe, Ismaelito B. Raneses
  • Patent number: 6257580
    Abstract: A wagering game for casinos and the like is disclosed. The wagering game includes a game table, a plurality of decks of cards, and a pair of dice. The object of the game is to have the highest total score by combining the score of a card summed with the score rolled on a die. All face cards count as 10 with the exception of the Ace which counts as 1. The numbered cards have a numerical designation which is identical to the number which appears thereon. Two die are provided, the die may preferably be of different colors. The general course of play is as follows. The players make a wager. A side bet that a 16 will be dealt may also be made. The dealer deals a single card to the players as well as to himself. The dealer then rolls the two dice. A first color die represents the dealer and the second color die represents the players. The cards of the players are summed with the player's die score and the card of the dealer is summed with the dealer's die score. The highest possible score is 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: Ben Brown
  • Patent number: 6220594
    Abstract: A device is provided for automatically discriminating a spot number of an upward face of a die with six faces. The device includes a signal transmitter embedded in the dice and a receiver device. The receiver device includes a set of receiver and an operation computer. The signal transmitter includes a substrate embedded in the die with respect to one of the six faces of the die. A sensor chip is mounted on the substrate. The substrate further includes four comer areas each having a conductive element mounted thereon. Each mercury switch extends upward and outward from and electrically connects to each conductive element in a manner that each mercury switch is at an angle of 15°˜75° with the substrate. Each mercury switch contains conductive mercury therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Yun-Ching Peng
  • Patent number: 6209874
    Abstract: A player may make any of six types of wagers on the result of rolling three dice. A first type of wager is on the face-up sides of a selected two of the dice indicating a selected number. A second type of wager is on the face-up side of a selected one of the dice indicating a selected number. A third type of wager is on the face-up side of a selected one of the dice indicating a number that is alternatively higher or lower than numbers indicated by the other two dice. A fourth type of wager is on the face up sides of the dice each indicating a number selected by the player. A fifth type of wager is on the face-up sides of the dice indicating numbers having a sum which is a selected total number. A sixth type of wager is on the sum of numbers indicated by the face-up sides of the three dice being alternatively an odd number or an even number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Paul Jones
  • Patent number: 6209870
    Abstract: A combination golf dice game is disclosed in which the scoring on a golf course with respect to each hole is simulated by rolling a die bearing different stroke numbers and a par value. After playing all the holes, the player with the best overall score of all the dice wins the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventors: Patrick J Shea, Zane A Tabari
  • Patent number: 6193233
    Abstract: A dice game for simulating a wide variety of sports. The dice game includes a plurality dice. The plurality of dice is at least one pair of dice. A first pair of the dice has action indicia thereon representative of a game of soccer. The dice game is played according to the rules of soccer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventor: Michael Lipman
  • Patent number: 6176489
    Abstract: A gambling game includes a dice table having an upper throwing surface on which dice can be thrown; two dice to be thrown on the upper throwing surface by a player, each die including six faces, with numbers “1” through “6” and three colors, with only two faces having a common color; a rotatable wheel to be rotated by a dealer and positioned adjacent the dice table, the rotatable wheel having eight segmented areas, six including respective numbers “1” through “6” and three colors, with only two segmented areas having a common color, and two segmented areas being all lose segmented areas in which a player loses all wagers, regardless of color combinations and number combinations that result; a pointer fixed at a periphery of the rotatable wheel and positioned to point to each area as the areas pass by the pointer; and a wagering area for wagering on color combinations and number combinations from a combination of colors and numbers both on the upper faces of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Inventor: Morteza Astaneha
  • Patent number: 6173955
    Abstract: A method for playing a stand-alone and a bonus casino poker dice having X dice, each of the X dice having F faces with a different symbol thereon so as to form a set {S} of symbols on each of the X dice. The method of the present invention includes the steps of placing a wager; rolling the dice; holding none, any, or all of the rolled dice; ending the casino poker dice game when the dice are all held or when re-rolling occurs Y times; paying any winning combinations of symbols based on the placed wager and in response to the step of ending the game; re-rolling the non-held dice when less than all the X dice are held; and repeating various of these steps until the game ends. Variations on this basic method are set forth for stand-alone games, bonus games, used in conjunction with underlying gaming machines, and playing a bonus game of the present invention in parallel with an underlying game so that a number of hands are played.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Mikohn Gaming Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Allan Perrie, Olaf Vancura
  • Patent number: 6158738
    Abstract: A die which generates higher values of random numbers. The die for generating a randomly occurring number between 1 and X comprises: a central body which has a lateral cross section which is an x sided polygon having sides of equal length when cut perpendicularly anywhere along a longitudinal axis. A number ranging between 1 and x is marked on an upper portion of the die when the die is resting on a lateral side, said number designating the side on which the die is resting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventor: Robert A. Van Buskirk
  • Patent number: 6123333
    Abstract: A method of playing a wagering game against a house which includes the steps of wagering an amount of credits, randomly selecting and displaying at least two symbols, and making a payout based on the payout value for the combination of symbols selected. The symbols selected are from a finite set of multi-dimensional symbols which have at least two values. Each value is from a distinct dimension having at least two distinct values wherein all values within a dimension are equally probable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Inventors: Richard G. McGinnis, Sr., Richard G. McGinnis, Jr., Adam Politzer, Charles McGinnis
  • Patent number: 6123332
    Abstract: A die construction includes a body having first and second, opposite end caps and an extension member therebetween. The extension member has a first number of discrete facets and no more than the first number. Each of the discrete facets is identically shaped and have equal surface areas. The first end cap has a second number of discrete facets and no more than the second number. The second number is one-half of the first number. Each of the first end cap discrete facets is identically shaped and has an equal surface area to one another. The second end cap has the second number of discrete facets, that is, the same number as the first end cap, and has no more than the second number. Each of the second end cap discrete facets is identically shaped as the first end cap discrete facets. Each of the second end cap discrete facets has a surface area equal to a surface area of each of the first end cap discrete facets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Inventor: Michael A. Bowling
  • Patent number: 6116603
    Abstract: A multiplication capturing and recapturing game system is disclosed. The system comprises 2 equilateral-triangular game boards, a pair of eight-sided dice and 36 playing pieces. The game can be played by 2 to 4 players. Each player throws two dice to begin a turn and captures or recaptures a location to end the turn. The player who finishes all 9 pieces first wins the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventor: Pingsheng Huang
  • Patent number: 6109608
    Abstract: A die or dice is provided having an outer surface with four faces. The faces are arranged contiguously so as to form a single generally spherical body. Each face has at least in part the shape of a segment of a sphere and carries identifying indicia. The center of each face is located on the angular points of a symmetrical tetrahedron. Any three of the four faces, which faces are situated mutually in pairs adjacent one another, touch one another at a trihedral point. The trihedral point is situated diametrically with regard to the fourth face. The die is provided on its outer surface with four support positions. Each support position has as a center the trihedral point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: Adar Golad
  • Patent number: 6062563
    Abstract: Game apparatus comprising a playing surface 1 layout 1a and a random result generator comprising either two or more dice or a single deck of convential playing cards, said layout being marked out with various designated betting areas 2-5 (some of which specify the pay-offs) for the reception of players' chips. The layout has a grid configuration constituted by betting areas labelled Banker 3 and Player 4 which represent an Even money wager and a betting area 5 depicting a horseshoe and a column of poker hands/rankings. In addition an area marked Insurance represents a third wager with solid circles/spots for the reception of players' chips. In the preferred embodiment of the game the dice are characterized by indicia in the form of spots representing the numerals 1-6 and two sets of five dice are utilized, one set by the dealer/Banker and one set by the shooter/Player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: David Guy de Keller
  • Patent number: 6042116
    Abstract: A fair three-sided die having three edges and three sides. A first edge has an identical symbol on either side of the first edge representing the number one. A second edge has another identical symbol on either side of the second edge representing the number two. A third edge has another identical symbol on either side of the third edge representing the number three.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventor: Matthew Underwood
  • Patent number: 6007065
    Abstract: A game die has a plurality of faces arrayed about a central vertical axis, each face displaying numerical or other indicia. These faces are tapered at an angle relative to said vertical axis, allowing the die to be thrown or spun and causing the die to roll about a central point once it ceases sliding across a surface. The die also defines an internal cavity for receiving a portion of a second die, thereby allowing stacking of the dice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Inventor: Gary A. Ress
  • Patent number: 5997000
    Abstract: A combined dice and card game utilizes three conventional six-sided dice and a twenty-four card deck formed by removing all cards other than ace, two, three, four, five, and six of a conventional four-suit fifty-two playing card deck. In a preferred embodiment, one of a plurality of players is selected as the banker and posts a fixed sum of money or chips as a bank. Remaining players place bets against the bank. Each player and the banker then receive three cards dealt from the ace through six stripped playing card deck, and subsequently discard one card, leaving each player and the banker with two cards, ranging from ace through six. The banker, and subsequently the players, then roll the dice and attempt to roll an automatically winning dice combination or to establish a winning point, while attempting to avoid rolling an automatically losing dice combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventors: Yoshio Nakano, Don Zewin
  • Patent number: 5961117
    Abstract: A die for use with a croupier type gaming table for which there are many games which are devised and played appropriately with the die. The die includes a core and a skin disposed on the core. The core has a shape that is a regular octahedron with eight faces that are congruent equilateral triangles which intersect each other at their edges which intersect each other at their vertices. The skin includes eight equilateral triangular pyramids, each of which has a base that is triangular, three lateral faces that are triangular and meet in a common vertex and intersect each other at three lateral edges. The base of each pyramid of the skin is disposed on, and is congruent with, a respective face of the core, with a respective pyramid extending outwardly therefrom. A lateral face of a pyramid of the skin and a lateral face of an adjacent pyramid of the skin, which share a common edge of a respective face of the core, together define a set, with the skin having a total of twelve sets thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Hand Rolle Inc.
    Inventor: Antonio Scarselli
  • Patent number: 5957452
    Abstract: The invention uses dice-like polyhedral solids (30) (32) (44) to generate randomly the lines of I Ching hexagrams. It produces outcomes according to a traditional and theoretically important frequency distribution. That distribution requires that the four line types of the I Ching system (36) (42) (38) (40) occur in a relative frequency of 1:3:5:7. The invention accomplishes this through a specific arrangement of indicia (26) (28) (46) (48) (50) on the dice. The dice are so constructed and the indicia so disposed that any roll shall yield one of the numerical results 6, 7, 8, or 9. These values correlate with the four line types, and the statistical likelihood of each possible result conforms to the theoretically ideal frequency distribution of all such results. Three dice are used in the preferred embodiment, each of a rounded, substantially tetrahedral form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: David L. Patton
  • Patent number: 5938197
    Abstract: A die construction includes a body having first and second, opposite end caps and an extension member therebetween. The extension member has a first number of discrete facets and no more than the first number. Each of the discrete facets is identically shaped and have equal surface areas. The first end cap has a second number of discrete facets and no more than the second number. The second number is one-half of the first number. Each of the first end cap discrete facets is identically shaped and has an equal surface area to one another. The second end cap has the second number of discrete facets, that is, the same number as the first end cap, and has no more than the second number. Each of the second end cap discrete facets is identically shaped as the first end cap discrete facets. Each of the second end cap discrete facets has a surface area equal to a surface area of each of the first end cap discrete facets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Inventor: Michael A. Bowling
  • Patent number: 5931471
    Abstract: The conventional manner of play of Craps is modified by removing some of the wagers, adding other wagers and modifying still other wagers that are associated with conventional Craps. On the Come out roll, the player has the option of making an Insurance Wager to protect against a 2, 3 or 12 being rolled. The Insurance Wager pays 6 for 1 and is still up (a push bet) if a 7 or 11 is rolled. The traditional Field Bet is replace by a Player's Bet. The winning numbers on the Player's Bet are 2, 3, 4, 10, 11 and 12--11 pays one-to-one odds; 2, 3, 4 and 10 pay two-to-one odds; and 12 pays three-to-one odds. After a point is established on the Come out roll, a player may make a Money Line Hard Way wager which is only available when the point is 4, 6, 8 or 10. A hardway 4 or 10 pays 8 for 1 and a hardway 6 and 8 pays 10 for 1. Also, after the point is established, a player may Surrender his money line wager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Catalina Dice, L.L.C.
    Inventor: John P. Bonito
  • Patent number: 5918881
    Abstract: The invention sets forth an improved procedure and facile supporting apparatus, enabling players in a game for example, to make unbias determination by sole virtue of chanch, (as a random pointer-device employed in place of a traditional spinner), as to whom shall be the player selected for virtually any imaginable purpose. The apparatus is a platonic-solid,--that is, having equal faces, equal vertices, equal dihedral-angles between the faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventor: Matthew A. Kirby
  • Patent number: 5909874
    Abstract: A die of uniformly distributed material comprising a plurality of faces having a triangular shape and a plurality of numbers imprinted on the die. Each of the plurality of numbers imprinted on the die appear on a separate face, wherein each number appears on at least twice on the die. The dice are capable of generating random numbers, including negative and positive numbers, for use with board games, lotteries, stock market determinations, scientific work and other applications where random numbers are needed. For more complex random number generation, the system includes at least two dice having a distinct color and at least twenty faces, and a pattern of numbers imprinted on each dice, each number of the pattern appearing on a separate face of the dice, wherein the numbers have a different color than the dice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Inventors: Maurice Daniel, David J. Pristash, Michael D. Miller
  • Patent number: 5890716
    Abstract: A dice-like toy composed of a polygonal body with main surfaces located in pairs opposite each other, which are respectively used as resting surfaces and as display surfaces. The main surfaces are arranged on the body in such a way that the axis of symmetry of oppositely located resting and display surfaces are inclined relative to each other. This results in a shape of the toy which, in contrast to conventional dice, no longer generates an essentially straight-line throw, but causes more direct and more abrupt directional changes in the course of progress because of increasingly occurring edges. In this connection, elliptical surfaces are particularly preferred as the main game surfaces, wherein the two elliptical main axes of oppositely located main surfaces extend perpendicularly to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Dieter Holzle Technik-Projetke GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Bofinger, Wolfgang Geisler, Manfrd Springer
  • Patent number: 5884915
    Abstract: A golf game apparatus is provided including a game sheet for tracking a score of a plurality of players at each of a plurality of holes of golf. Also included is a plurality of dice each representing a different set of numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Inventor: James E. Koziol
  • Patent number: 5839725
    Abstract: A board that has markings for placement of teams in tournament style. Teams are identified by chips bearing the names of the teams. Dice are provided for rolling to determine wins, and rates of advancement. Also cards are provided with instructions, for adding or subtracting score points. The dice are of different kinds, having different numbers of sides having numerals and blanks for producing different probabilities according to seeded and unseeded teams respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Inventor: Andrew D. Conway
  • Patent number: 5833237
    Abstract: A game piece, or die, includes two flattened ends on either side thereof. Designated numbers, playing card symbols, and/or letters are marked or placed on the flattened ends to provide various game combinations. The die is dropped onto a hard, flat playing surface in an attempt to make the die stand on one of its flattened ends, thus showing the marking on the other flattened end. Target playing boards provide additional variations to games played with the playing piece. Die pieces with letters marked thereon are used in cryptographic-type games. Numbered playing cards and numbered letter cards using the same indicia or marking scheme as the die are also used as game pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventor: James F. Velich
  • Patent number: 5806847
    Abstract: A game of chance having a playing surface including a plurality of betting areas. The betting areas have a plurality of betting squares for wagering upon a selected result produced by a random result selector such as dice. In one embodiment, the random result selector comprises a plurality of dice having a plurality of faces, each face embossed with either a number or a special symbol. Each betting square contains result indicators that correspond to a selected one of the plurality of results. In addition, each betting square contains payoff indicator that indicates the payoff associated with a winning wager on the selected betting square. A single random result leads to a final and unequivocal outcome of all bets made on all betting squares. The playing surface is adapted to be placed over existing casino equipment, or may be used alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventors: Roger L. White, John A. Bell
  • Patent number: 5803461
    Abstract: A game set which comprises a set of two-dimensional or three-dimensional game pieces of the same size and geometrical configuration and a method of playing with this game set, with or without a computer. In preferred embodiment, each game piece has a square-shaped playing surface. Each of the four sides of each playing surface of each game piece has a selected visible indicia. The criteria determining how the indicia are to be arranged on the sides are mathematically selected so as to permit the use of the game as a mathematical puzzle that may be played by one player, played competitively by two players, or for other purposes of entertainment or intellectual simulation. In many of the games, the game pieces are arranged in a mutually abutting side-by-side relationship, whereby the indicia on each of the sides may match and align with the indicia on respective abutting sides of other game pieces of the set, and with the top surfaces of the abutting game pieces forming a square.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Zoran Pavlovic
  • Patent number: 5791651
    Abstract: A casino type board game is provided in which chips may be purchased from the house. Three dice are employed which may be hexagonal and have an equal number of sides bearing the same indicia of one to three. The board is arranged with an area for wagering on triples of pre-selected identical one, two or three indicia. The central area is flanked by one or two side sections for wagering on Pass, Don't Pass and Any Triples. Additional proposition bets such as Straights, HI-LO and the like may be provided as desired. Winning wagers are paid by the house while losing wagers are collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Inventor: Richard S. Bryant
  • Patent number: 5791649
    Abstract: A board game apparatus includes a game board having a plurality of sequentially arranged game squares which follow a path of progression along the game. The game squares list a plurality of traditional poker hands thereon. A six-sided numeric die is provided for determining advancement of token playing pieces along the path of progression on the game board. Nine six-sided dice each side having one of fifty-two different playing card indicia listed thereon as well as two sides listing a joker or other wild card indicia are provided for attempted attainment of the poker hand listed on the game square that a token playing piece sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Inventor: Nicholas Mark DiSandro
  • Patent number: 5746428
    Abstract: This invention provides dice with integers assigned to die faces in such manner to permit fair and mathematically simple betting odds in the game of craps. Using the dice of this invention the probabilities of "pass" and "don't pass" outcomes are equal, and fair payoffs on winning "place" bets and "point" bets for each of the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 are integer multiples of the amount bet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Inventor: Edward A. Fredenburg
  • Patent number: 5732948
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dice wagering game method involving rolling two standard six-sided dice either manually or electronically, wherein a least one wager is placed and the two dice are rolled a first time to yield a total count of one of the counts of two through twelve inclusive. If a seven total is rolled the wager is resolved by paying a player a multiple of the amount of the wager and the game is terminated, but if any other total is rolled, that total and its equal-odds pair total are designated as point numbers, and the game is continued by rolling two dice a second time. If a seven total is rolled, the wager is resolved by returning the wager to the player, and the game is terminated, and if a total equal to a designated point number is rolled, the wager is resolved by paying the player an equal or higher multiple of the amount of the wager, and the game is terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Shuffle Master, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark L. Yoseloff
  • Patent number: 5694045
    Abstract: An object has a plurality of parts, wherein each part of the plurality of parts can face a predetermined direction. A plurality of resonant circuits are mounted in different predetermined positions of the object, and have different resonance frequencies. A sending unit sends signals having a plurality of frequencies corresponding to the resonance frequencies of the plurality of resonant circuits. A detecting unit detects resonance signals of the plurality of resonant circuits. A plate has therein the sending unit and detecting unit. A determining unit determines a part of the object placed on the plate, the part facing the predetermined direction, using differences of detected levels of the resonance signals of the plurality of resonant circuits of the object detected by the detecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Sega Enterproses, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Ikeda, Takeshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: D430565
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Silicon Bandwidth, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanford W. Crane, Jr., Kevin J. Link, Daniel J. Michalski, Moises Behar