US20080176624A1

US20080176624A1 - Systems And Methods For Competition Roulette

Info

Publication number: US20080176624A1
Application number: US11/938,005
Authority: US
Inventors: Gareth Phillips; Scott Olive; Lattamore D. Osburn; John Denlay; Christine J. Denlay; Michael Dugan; Gary Frerking; Kent Reisdorph
Original assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-11-10
Filing date: 2007-11-09
Publication date: 2008-07-24

Abstract

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for competition roulette including a roulette game, a display, and a competition processing component. The competition processing component is adapted to monitor the roulette game. The competition processing component is adapted provide a competition roulette game to a plurality of players of the roulette game. The competition roulette game allows at least two of the plurality of players to compete with each other for a prize. The competition processing component is adapted to utilize the display to indicate a status of the competition roulette game.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to roulette gaming. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for competition roulette.
In a traditional game of roulette, a player makes one or more wagers based on where the player believes a ball will stop on a roulette wheel. For example, in the traditional game, the roulette wheel is spun and a ball is placed on the wheel. At some point in time, the ball may land on a track or pocket associated with one of the numbers on the roulette wheel. In the traditional roulette game, the numbered pocket at which the ball stops moving is the winning number.
The wagers made by individual players in the traditional game of roulette are made against the house. That is, players place wagers and either win or lose based on the resting place of a ball placed on a spinning roulette wheel, not on other players' actions. The success or failure of other players' wagers has no impact on any other player.
The game of roulette has many wagering opportunities for its players. However, additional wagering opportunities may provide players with more excitement in playing roulette as well as the opportunity to increase their winnings. Further, with additional wagering opportunities, more players are likely to play roulette, thus potentially resulting in increased revenue for the operators of the improved roulette game.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for competition roulette including a roulette game, a display, and a competition processing component. The competition processing component is adapted to monitor the roulette game. The competition processing component is adapted provide a competition roulette game to a plurality of players of the roulette game. The competition roulette game allows at least two of the plurality of players to compete with each other for a prize. The competition processing component is adapted to utilize the display to indicate a status of the competition roulette game.
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for competition roulette including registering a plurality of players to participate in a competition roulette game, monitoring wagers of the plurality of players at the at least one roulette game for at least one round of the competition roulette game, and determining a winner of the competition roulette game based at least in part on the monitored wagers. The competition roulette game allows at least two of the plurality of players to compete with each other for a prize. The plurality of players are playing at least one roulette game. The winner is awarded the prize.
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a computer-readable medium including a set of instructions for execution by a processor, the set of instructions including a display routine configured to display status information about a competition roulette game and a competition processing routine configured to provide the competition roulette game to a plurality of players of a roulette game. The competition roulette game allows at least two of the plurality of players to compete with each other for a prize.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system for competition roulette in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram for a method for competition roulette according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Providing a more competitive feel for players wagering in roulette may increase the number of players interested in playing roulette. That is, providing players with the ability to compete with other roulette players at the same or different roulette table may increase the interest and participation in roulette among players. In addition, increasing the number of players wagering on roulette may increase the revenue for a gambling house. Meeting such a need may increase player interest and participation, thereby increasing the revenue of the gambling house.
Embodiments of the presently described technology provide for roulette to be played by players in a competitive atmosphere. That is, individual players at one or more roulette games may compete against one another for additional prizes or winnings. In addition, in certain embodiments, groups of players at one or more roulette tables may compete against one another as well. Certain embodiments provide for “roulette wars” where a roulette tournament is held among a plurality of players and/or roulette tables.
FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for competition roulette in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 includes four roulette games 110, 120, 130, and 140, a competition processing component 150, and a display 160.
While the system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes four roulette games 110-140, a larger or smaller number of roulette games may be used in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. For example, as few as a single roulette game 110 may be used in accordance with certain embodiments.
The competition processing component 150 is in communication with the roulette games 110-140 and the display 160. The competition processing component 150 may communicate with games 110-140 and/or the display 160 through one or more wired and/or wireless electronic communications connections, for example.
In operation, the system 100 provides players playing roulette at each of the participating roulette games 110-140 with the ability to participate in a competition roulette game. That is, the system 100 provides players the ability to compete against one another or to compete as a group of players against another group of players, with the results and competition tracked by the competition processing component 150 and results or standings displayed on the display 160.
Each of roulette games 110-140 is a roulette game or table. For example, each of games 110-140 may be a table roulette game, an electromechanical roulette game, or an electronic roulette game. One or more of games 110-140 may be played as typical roulette games in certain embodiments. As discussed above, in a traditional game of roulette, a player makes one or more wagers based on where the player believes a ball will stop on a roulette wheel. For example, in the traditional game, the roulette wheel is spun and a ball is placed on the wheel. At some point in time, the ball may land on a track or pocket associated with one of the numbers on the roulette wheel. In the traditional roulette game, the number at which the ball stops moving is the winning number.
The roulette games 110-140 are adapted to allow a player to play competitively with one or more other players. The one or more other players may be at the same or different game 110 than the player. For example, two players at game 120 may play competitively with each other. As another example, a player at game 110 may play competitively with a player at game 130. In certain embodiments, the games 110-140 are adapted to allow a group of players to play competitively with one or more other players. For example, one group of players at game 110 may play competitively with another group of players at game 110. As another example, a one group of players at game 110 may play competitively with another group of players at game 120. As another example, the group of players may play competitively with a single player at the same or different game.
In certain embodiments, a player wishing to play competitively with another player registers with the system 100. For example, the games 110-140 may be adapted with a touch screen or similar interface to register the player with the competition processing component 150. As another example, players playing at each of games 110-140 may automatically be registered with the system 100 to compete as a group with the other participating games 110-140. That is, players at game 110, for example, may automatically be registered as a group playing against games 120-140, for example. As another example, each player at game 110 may be automatically registered with the competition processing component 150. Registration may be done through the use of the player's casino loyalty card, for example. At the roulette table, the player has their loyalty card read by, for example, a card reader which identifies the player to the system 100. A display may verify registration and identify the players registered for the competition.
The competition processing component 150 is adapted to provide a competition roulette game. The competition processing component 150 provides the competition roulette game to players of games 110-140, for example. The competition processing component 150 is adapted to monitor or track the wagers placed, payouts/wins and/or losses at one or more of roulette games 110-140 that are participating in competitive play. A winner of the competition roulette game may be determined at the end of each round of the competition roulette component and/or after a predetermined number of rounds have been played and/or after some other criteria has been met. Other criteria may include, for example, a certain number of wagers placed, a certain amount of wins/losses by one or more or all participating players, or a certain time period.
The competition processing component 150 may be implemented as a computing device, computer, or “CPU”, for example. In addition, various devices and apparatuses comprising a processor and capable of carrying out one or more functions at the direction of a set of instructions for a computer (such as computer software applications or code) may be used as competition processing component 150 without departing from the scope of embodiments of the presently described technology.
The display 160 is adapted to display information regarding the status of one or more competitions in the system 100. For example, the display 160 may provide a list of players and/or roulette games 110-140 participating in competitive play and the winnings and/or losses of the players and/or groups. The display 160 may be embodied in a computer monitor, a CRT display, plasma, LCD, LED, or other visual display, for example.
The competition roulette game may be divided into one or more rounds. In certain embodiments, a round of the competition is determined based at least in part on a time period. The round is for a competition between individual players or groups of players wagering at one or more roulette games 110-140 participating in the competition. The time period may be set by the competition processing component 150, for example. For example, a round of 20 minutes may be set by the competition processing component 150. Once the time period begins, players and/or groups of players participating in the competition make wagers at their respective games 110-140. The competition processing component 150 monitors the wins and losses of each participating player and/or group of players. At the end of the round, the competition processing component 150 determines the player(s) and/or group(s) of players that have won the most money and/or the largest number of wagers. This player (or these players in case of a tie) or group (or groups in case of a tie) may then be deemed the winner(s) of that round of competitive play. In certain embodiments, a round is based on a predetermined number of plays of game 110-140. That is, the round continues until the ball has been dropped the predetermined number of times in each of games 110-140. In certain embodiments, a round is based on a single play of the game 110-140. That is, for a single drop of the ball in the games 110-140. In certain embodiments, the display 160 is adapted to display a time period or amount of time remaining in competitive play. In certain embodiments, the display 160 is adapted to display one or more of the current round number, the number of rounds remaining in the competition, and the number of plays into/remaining in the current round.
In certain embodiments, the roulette games 110-140 participating in a particular competition are substantially synchronized. This may be referred to as a “roulette wars” mode, for example. By “substantially synchronized,” it is meant that each round of betting at each participating roulette game 110-140 commences and terminates at about the same time. For example, in certain embodiments, rounds may start and/or stop within 5 to 10 seconds of each other. As another example, in certain embodiments, rounds may by synchronized by the competition processing component 150 when the participating games 110-140 are electronically controlled (e.g., electronic roulette tables).
In certain embodiments, a prize (whether monetary or otherwise) is awarded to the player(s) or group(s) of players that have won or lost the most money and/or largest number of wagers in a given round of competition. This prize may increase in amount or value as the rounds of competition progress, for example. That is, in a competition where players or groups of players are eliminated as several rounds of competition are played, the amount of the prize at the end of each round for the player(s) or group(s) of players winning that round may increase each round. As another example, the amount or value of the prize may be fixed for each round of competition. In certain embodiments, a prize is awarded after some number of rounds is played. For example, the prize may be awarded at the end of a competition roulette game of five rounds. In certain embodiments, a prize is awarded after some amount of money has been wagered, won, and/or lost.
In certain embodiments, the competition processing component 150 is adapted to cause the display 160 to display a ranking of players or groups of players during a round of competition. The ranking may display the order of players and/or groups of players in ascending order by the amount of money won and/or the number of wagers won, for example. The ranking may be updated by competition processing component 150 as the competition proceeds (that is, during the competition) or once a round of competitive play has completed, for example. The display of players rankings on display 160 may attract additional players to the competition and result in additional players participating in the competition.
In certain embodiments, the competition processing component 150 is adapted to monitor the winnings of players and/or groups of players (such as all players at a given game 110-140) and display these results on display 160 without any round of competition or competition being played. That is, even though no competition is going on, the success and/or failures of various players and/or groups of players at various games 110-140 may be displayed on the display 160.
In certain embodiments, one or more of games 110-140 are associated with a separate display 160. In such embodiments, a given display 160 may display only the results of the wagers placed at the associated roulette games 110-140, for example. Alternatively, each display 160 may display information similar to that discussed above.
In another embodiment of the presently described technology, the rules for the roulette game being played at one or more of games 110-140 may be changed or adjusted to fit a competition or tournament. For example, the maximum bet allowed at each of the games participating in a competition or tournament may be adjusted so that each game has the same maximum bet allowed.
In certain embodiments, the competition processing component 150 may monitor or track “side wagers” in a competition or tournament. A “side wager” is a wager that is made in addition to the roulette game being played in the competition or tournament in addition to the traditional wagers made during roulette. For example, in a competition or tournament, the competition processing component 150 may randomly select a roulette number or color at a given point in time and all players who wagered on that number or color win all or a portion of that “side wager.” In another example, in a competition or tournament, competition processing component 150 may randomly select a roulette number or color at a given point in time and a random selection is made from all players who wagered on that number or color to determine which player wins all or a portion of that “side wager.” The “side wager” may include all additional wagers made by all players participating in the tournament/competition. For example, players interested in winning the side wager may make an additional wager towards the side wager. In an embodiment, only those players who made the side wager are eligible to win that side wager.
In certain embodiments, a progressive prize may be associated with a particular wager or roulette number. For example, during competitive play, the competition processing component 150 may randomly determine when a progressive prize is to be awarded. If several games of roulette (a “game of roulette” meaning a single round of wagering at a roulette table) or rounds of competition proceed without any player or group of players winning the prize, the prize may increase in value. For example, competition processing component 150 may determine that after three games of roulette in which no red number has won, a progressive prize becomes associated with all red numbers. Any player then wagering on red numbers will then win the progressive prize if a red number wins in a game of roulette. In an embodiment, as additional games of roulette proceed with no red number winning, the progressive prize may increase in amount, for example.
In certain embodiments, the competition processing component 150 is adapted to determine that after a given number of games of roulette in which a particular outcome has occurred, a progressive prize will be awarded to any player wagering on a different particular series of outcomes. For example, if a red number has been the winning number in three straight games of roulette at a given game 110-140, competition processing component 150 may determine that a progressive prize is to be awarded to any player who wagers that the next three games of roulette at that same table will result in three black numbers being the winning numbers.
In certain embodiments, a progressive game may be utilized with one or more of the games 110-140. For example, upon activation of a game of roulette or a round of competition roulette or a tournament of competitive roulette (a tournament indicating that a plurality of rounds of competitive roulette is to be played), the competition processing component 150 may initiate and assign a random number to each participating player. The competition processing component 150 may then compare the random number to the associated player's wager to modify that player's odds of winning that wager.
Certain embodiments of the system 100 may be implemented in software, firmware, and/or hardware, for example. For example, certain embodiments may be implemented as a set of instructions or routines stored on a machine-readable medium, such as a CD, DVD, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, hard disk, floppy disk, RAM, ROM, flash memory, and/or other medium, for execution on a computer and/or other processing device. Certain embodiments may be implemented on a standalone gaming terminal, a bank of gaming terminals, a network of gaming terminals, and/or a client-server system communicating with one or more gaming terminals and/or other devices, for example.
FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram for a method 200 for competition roulette according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method 200 includes the following steps, which will be described below in more detail. At step 210, players are registered to participate in a competition roulette game. At step 220, wagers of the players are monitored. At step 230, a winner of the competition roulette game is determined. The method 200 is described with reference to elements of systems described above, but it should be understood that other implementations are possible.
At step 210, players are registered to participate in a competition roulette game. The competition roulette game may be similar to the competition roulette game described above, for example. The players may be registered with a competition processing component similar to the competition processing component 150, described above, for example. The competition roulette game may be provided by the competition processing component, for example.
The players may play competitively with one or more other players. For example, a player at a roulette game may be registered to compete with the other players at the roulette game. For example, two players at game 120 may play competitively with each other. As another example, a player at game 110 may play competitively with a player at game 130. In certain embodiments, a group of players plays competitively with one or more other players. For example, one group of players at game 110 may play competitively with another group of players at game 110. As another example, a one group of players at game 110 may play competitively with another group of players at game 120. As another example, the group of players may play competitively with a single player at the same or different game.
Roulette games, such as roulette games 110-140 described above, may be adapted to register the players. For example, the roulette games 110-140 may be adapted to register the players with a touch screen or similar interface. In certain embodiments, the players may be registered automatically. The players may be registered automatically simply by participating in a roulette game that is part of a competition roulette game system, for example.
At step 220, wagers of the players are monitored. The wagers the players registered at step 210, described above, make at a roulette game are monitored. The wagers may be monitored by a competition processing component similar to the competition processing component 150, described above, for example. The competition processing component may monitor or track the wagers placed, payouts/wins and/or losses at one or more of roulette games participating in the competition roulette game.
The competition roulette game may be divided into one or more rounds. In certain embodiments, a round of the competition is determined based at least in part on a time period. The round is for a competition between individual players or groups of players wagering at one or more roulette games participating in the competition. The time period may be set by the competition processing component, for example. For example, a round of 20 minutes may be set by the competition processing component 150. Once the time period begins, players and/or groups of players participating in the competition make wagers at their respective games. The wins and losses of each participating player and/or group of players are monitored. In certain embodiments, a round is based on a single play of the game. That is, for a single drop of the ball in the games. In certain embodiments, a round is based on a predetermined number of plays of game. That is, the round continues until the ball has been dropped the predetermined number of times in each of games.
At step 230, a winner of the competition roulette game is determined. The winner may be determined by a competition processing component similar to the competition processing component 150, described above, for example.
A winner of the competition roulette game may be determined at the end of each round of the competition roulette component and/or after a predetermined number of rounds have been played and/or after some other criteria has been met. Other criteria may include, for example, a certain number of wagers placed, a certain amount of wins/losses by one or more or all participating players, or a certain time period. For example, at the end of the round, the player(s) and/or group(s) of players that have won the most money and/or the largest number of wagers. This player (or these players in case of a tie) or group (or groups in case of a tie) may then be deemed the winner(s) of that round of competitive play.
In certain embodiments, a prize (whether monetary or otherwise) is awarded to the player(s) or group(s) of players that have won or lost the most money and/or largest number of wagers in a given round of competition. This prize may increase in amount or value as the rounds of competition progress, for example. That is, in a competition where players or groups of players are eliminated as several rounds of competition are played, the amount of the prize at the end of each round for the player(s) or group(s) of players winning that round may increase each round. As another example, the amount or value of the prize may be fixed for each round of competition. In certain embodiments, a prize is awarded after some number of rounds is played. For example, the prize may be awarded at the end of a competition roulette game of five rounds. In certain embodiments, a prize is awarded after some amount of money has been wagered, won, and/or lost.
In certain embodiments, information regarding the status of one or more competitions is displayed. The information may be displayed on a display similar to the display 160, described above, for example. For example, the display may provide a list of players and/or roulette games 110-140 participating in competitive play and the winnings and/or losses of the players and/or groups. The display may be embodied in a computer monitor, a CRT display, plasma, LCD, LED, or other visual display, for example.
In certain embodiments, a time period or amount of time remaining in competitive play is displayed. In certain embodiments, one or more of the current round number, the number of rounds remaining in the competition, and the number of plays into/remaining in the current round are displayed.
In certain embodiments, a ranking of players or groups of players during a round of competition is displayed. The ranking may display the order of players and/or groups of players in ascending order by the amount of money won and/or the number of wagers won, for example. The ranking may be updated as the competition proceeds (that is, during the competition) or once a round of competitive play has completed, for example.
In certain embodiments, the results of the winnings of players and/or groups of players (such as all players at a given game 110-140) are displayed without any round of competition or competition being played. That is, even though no competition is going on, the success and/or failures of various players and/or groups of players at various games may be displayed.
In certain embodiments, a progressive prize may be provided. The progressive prize may be associated with a particular wager or roulette number, for example. For example, during competitive play, a progressive prize may be randomly determined to be awarded. If several games of roulette (a “game of roulette” meaning a single round of wagering at a roulette table) or rounds of competition proceed without any player or group of players winning the prize, the prize may increase in value. For example, after three games of roulette in which no red number has won, a progressive prize becomes associated with all red numbers. Any player then wagering on red numbers will then win the progressive prize if a red number wins in a game of roulette. In an embodiment, as additional games of roulette proceed with no red number winning, the progressive prize may increase in amount, for example.
In certain embodiments, after a given number of games of roulette in which a particular outcome has occurred, a progressive prize will be awarded to any player wagering on a different particular series of outcomes. For example, if a red number has been the winning number in three straight games of roulette at a given game, a progressive prize may be awarded to any player who wagers that the next three games of roulette at that same table will result in three black numbers being the winning numbers.
In certain embodiments, a progressive game may be provided. For example, upon activation of a game of roulette or a round of competition roulette or a tournament of competitive roulette (a tournament indicating that a plurality of rounds of competitive roulette is to be played), a random number may be assigned to each participating player. The random number may then be compared to the associated player's wager to modify that player's odds of winning that wager.
In certain embodiments, a “side wager” may be received in a competition or tournament. A “side wager” is a wager that is made in addition to the roulette game being played in the competition or tournament in addition to the traditional wagers made during roulette. For example, in a competition or tournament, a roulette number or color may be randomly selected at a given point in time and all players who wagered on that number or color win all or a portion of that “side wager.” In another example, in a competition or tournament, a roulette number or color may be randomly selected at a given point in time and a random selection is made from all players who wagered on that number or color to determine which player wins all or a portion of that “side wager.” The “side wager” may include all additional wagers made by all players participating in the tournament/competition. For example, players interested in winning the side wager may make an additional wager towards the side wager. In an embodiment, only those players who made the side wager are eligible to win that side wager.
One or more of the steps of the method 200 may be implemented alone or in combination in hardware, firmware, and/or as a set of instructions in software, for example. Certain embodiments may be provided as a set of instructions residing on a computer-readable medium, such as a memory, hard disk, DVD, or CD, for execution on a general purpose computer or other processing device.
Certain embodiments of the present invention may omit one or more of these steps and/or perform the steps in a different order than the order listed. For example, some steps may not be performed in certain embodiments of the present invention. As a further example, certain steps may be performed in a different temporal order, including simultaneously, than listed above.
Thus, certain embodiments provide systems and methods competition roulette. Certain embodiments have a technical effect of competition roulette.
While particular elements, embodiments and applications of the present invention have been shown and described, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teaching. It is therefore contemplated by the appended claims to cover such modifications and incorporate those features that come within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A system for competition roulette, the system comprising:

a roulette game;

a display; and

a competition processing component, wherein the competition processing component is adapted to monitor the roulette game, wherein the competition processing component is adapted provide a competition roulette game to a plurality of players of the roulette game, wherein the competition roulette game allows at least two of the plurality of players to compete with each other for a prize, and wherein the competition processing component is adapted to utilize the display to indicate a status of the competition roulette game.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the competition processing component is adapted to provide the competition roulette game to a first group of players of the roulette game and a second group of players of the roulette game.

3. The system of claim 1, further including a second roulette game, wherein the competition processing component is adapted to provide the competition roulette game to players of both the roulette game and the second roulette game.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the players of the roulette game compete with the players of the second roulette game.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the competition processing component is adapted to provide the competition roulette game to a first group of players of the roulette game and a second group of players of the second roulette game.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the competition roulette game is divided into a plurality of rounds.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein at least one of the plurality of rounds is based on a time period.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein at least one of the plurality of rounds is based on a predetermined number of plays of the roulette game.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the competition processing component is adapted to provide a progressive prize to players participating in the competition roulette game.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the competition processing component is adapted to support side wagers on the competition roulette game.

11. A method for competition roulette, the method comprising:

registering a plurality of players to participate in a competition roulette game, wherein the competition roulette game allows at least two of the plurality of players to compete with each other for a prize, wherein the plurality of players are playing at least one roulette game;

monitoring wagers of the plurality of players at the at least one roulette game for at least one round of the competition roulette game; and

determining a winner of the competition roulette game based at least in part on the monitored wagers, wherein the winner is awarded the prize.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of players includes a first group of players and a second group of players competing in the competition roulette game.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first group of players and the second group of players are at the same roulette game.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first group of players is at a different roulette game than the second group of players.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one round of the competition roulette game is based on a time period.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one round of the competition roulette game is based on a predetermined number of plays of the at least one roulette game.

17. The method of claim 11, further including displaying status information about the competition roulette game.

18. The method of claim 11, further including providing a progressive prize to the plurality of players.

19. The method of claim 11, further including determining a winner of a side wager on the competition roulette game.

20. A computer-readable medium including a set of instructions for execution by a processor, the set of instructions including:

a display routine configured to display status information about a competition roulette game; and

a competition processing routine configured to provide the competition roulette game to a plurality of players of a roulette game, wherein the competition roulette game allows at least two of the plurality of players to compete with each other for a prize.