Wagering method, device, and computer readable storage medium, for wagering on pieces in a progression

• US 20040204213A1
• Filed: 04/10/2003
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Schugar
• Original Assignee: David Schugar
• Inventors: Schugar, David, Shackleford, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,294,054 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/6
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3288 Betting, e.g. on live events, bookmaking

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage, for wagering on a game of chance which includes (a) offering, before a game of chance progression commences, an initial wager on any of a plurality of pieces to first complete the progression, an initial payout for the initial wager based on the pieces having equal chances of winning; and (b) offering, during the progression, a real time wager on any of a plurality of pieces to first complete the progression, a real time payout for the real time wager based on computed chances of a selected piece first completing the progression based on current positions of the plurality of pieces.

Claims

1. A method of wagering, the method comprising:

offering, before a game of chance progression commences, an initial wager on any of a plurality of pieces to first complete the progression, an initial payout for the initial wager based on the pieces having equal chances of winning; and

offering, during the progression, a real time wager on any of a plurality of pieces to first complete the progression, a real time payout for the real time wager based on computed chances of a selected piece first completing the progression based on current positions of the plurality of pieces.

2. A method of wagering, the method comprising:

receiving from a player a wager on a selected piece from a plurality of pieces;

displaying and completing a game of chance progression of the plurality of pieces;

if the selected piece completes the progression ahead of non-selected pieces, paying compensation to a player;

if the selected piece completes the progression behind one of the non-selected pieces, taking compensation from the player; and

if the selected piece ties with one of the non-selected pieces to complete the progression first, taking compensation from the player.

3. A method of wagering as recited in claim 2, wherein when the selected piece ties, the taking compensation from the player comprises taking a fraction of the wager.

4. A method of wagering as recited in claim 2, wherein when the selected piece ties, the taking compensation from the player comprises taking one half of the wager.

5. A method of wagering as recited in claim 2, wherein the completing a progression comprises:

rolling a respective die for each piece; and

moving each piece based on the rolling of the respective die.

6. A method of wagering as recited in claim 2, wherein the game of chance progression is progressed by using an advancing mechanism which generates advancing numbers with each of the numbers having an equal chance of being generated.

7. A method of wagering as recited in claim 2, wherein the progression comprises moving horses around a racetrack.

8. A method of wagering as recited in claim 2, wherein the progression comprises moving climbers up a building.

9. A method of wagering as recited in claim 2, wherein the method is implemented as a table game.

10. A method of wagering as recited in claim 2, wherein the method is implemented as an electronic gaming device.

11. A method of wagering as recited in claim 2, wherein the method is implemented in a gaming parlor.

12. A method of wagering as recited in claim 2, further comprising offering a wager that a piece chosen by the player will tie with another piece.

13. A method of wagering, the method comprising:

after a game of chance progression of a plurality of pieces has commenced, calculating and displaying a payout for each of the plurality of pieces to first complete the progression, the calculating based on each of the respective piece'"'"'s chances of first completing the progression based on current positions of the plurality of pieces;

receiving from a player a wager based on a selected piece after the progression has commenced;

completing the progression; and

if the selected piece completes the progression ahead of non-selected pieces, paying compensation to the player based on the selected piece'"'"'s respective payout.

14. A method of wagering as recited in claim 13, wherein

if the selected piece completes the progression behind one of the non-selected pieces, taking compensation from the player;

and

if the selected piece ties with one of the non-selected pieces to complete the progression first, taking compensation from the player.

15. A method of wagering as recited in claim 13, wherein the calculating a payout involves no human intervention.

16. A method of wagering as recited in claim 13, wherein if the selected piece ties with one of the non-selected pieces to complete the progression first, the taking compensation from the player takes the entire player'"'"'s original wager.

17. A method of wagering as recited in claim 13, wherein the progression is divided into divisions, and the calculating and displaying a payout is performed after each division.

18. A method of wagering as recited in claim 15, wherein the progression is divided into divisions, and the calculating and displaying a payout is performed after each division.

19. A method of wagering as recited in claim 13, wherein the displaying a payout displays when a piece has a zero chance of first completing the progression, and a wager based on the piece with a zero chance cannot be received.

20. A method of wagering as recited in claim 13, wherein the calculating a payout is performed by a digital computer running an iterative progression simulation.

21. A method of wagering as recited in claim 17, wherein the payout comprises true odds of a respective piece winning adjusted with a percentage commission for a casino or house.

22. A method of wagering as recited in claim 13, wherein the game of chance progression is progressed by using an advancing mechanism which generates advancing numbers with each of the numbers having an equal chance of being generated.

23. A method of wagering as recited in claim 13, wherein the method is implemented as a table game.

24. A method of wagering as recited in claim 13, wherein the method is implemented as an electronic gaming device.

25. A method of wagering as recited in claim 13, wherein the method is implemented in a gaming parlor.

26. A method of wagering as recited in claim 13, wherein the wager comprises selecting two pieces to first finish the progression.

27. A method of wagering as recited in claim 13, wherein the wager comprises selecting three or more pieces to first finish the progression.

28. A method of wagering as recited in claim 13, wherein the player has an option to surrender his wager and receive a surrender amount.

29. A method of wagering as recited in claim 13, wherein the calculated payout is calculated using a variable commission.

30. A method of wagering as recited in claim 13, wherein if the player bets on a piece that lands on a bonus slot, the payout is increased.

31. A method of wagering as recited in claim 13, further comprising offering a bet on a next outcome of an advancing mechanism.

32. A method of wagering as recited in claim 13, further comprising automatically advertising a particular bet to the player.

33. A method of wagering as recited in claim 13, further comprising offering a multi progression bet.

34. A method of wagering as recited in claim 13, further comprising offering a parlay bet on subsequent progressions.

35. A method of wagering as recited in claim 13, further comprising offering a bet on how many executions of an advancing mechanism are required for a particular piece to pass a finish line.

36. A method of wagering, the method comprising:

receiving from a player a wager on a first selected piece from a plurality of pieces before a game of chance progression of the plurality of pieces begins;

carrying out the progression by;

rolling a respective die for each respective piece of the plurality of pieces;

moving each piece based on the rolling of the respective die;

displaying the moving;

after the progression has commenced, calculating and displaying a payout for each of the plurality of pieces to first complete the progression, the calculating based on each of the respective piece'"'"'s chances of first completing the progression based on current positions of the plurality of pieces;

receiving from a player a wager based on a second selected piece after the progression has commenced;

if the first selected piece completes the progression ahead of non-selected pieces, paying compensation to the player;

if the first selected piece completes the progression behind one of the non-selected pieces, taking compensation from the player;

if the first selected piece ties with one of the non-selected pieces to complete the progression first, taking compensation from the player,

wherein when the first selected piece ties, the taking compensation from the player comprises taking one half of the wager,

if the second selected piece completes the progression ahead of other pieces, paying compensation to the player based on the second selected piece'"'"'s respective payout;

if the second selected piece completes the progression behind one of the non-selected pieces, taking compensation from the player; and

if the second selected piece ties with one of the non-selected pieces to complete the progression first, taking compensation from the player comprising the player'"'"'s entire original wager;

offering a bet on a next outcome of an advancing mechanism;

advertising automatically a particular bet to the player;

offering a multi progression bet;

offering a parlay bet on subsequent progressions,

wherein the progression comprises moving climbers up a building,

wherein the progression is divided into divisions, and the calculating and displaying a payout is performed after each division,

wherein the displaying a payout displays when a piece has a zero chance of first completing the progression, and a wager based on the piece with a zero chance cannot be received,

wherein the calculating a payout is performed by a digital computer running an iterative progression simulation,

wherein the payout comprises true odds of a respective piece winning adjusted with a percentage commission for a casino or house,

wherein the method is implemented as an electronic gaming device,

wherein the wager comprises selecting three or more pieces to first finish the progression,

wherein the player has an option to surrender his wager and receive a surrender amount,

wherein the calculated payout is calculated using a variable commission,

wherein if the player bets on a piece that lands on a bonus slot, the payout is increased,

wherein the game of chance progression is progressed by using the advancing mechanism which generates advancing numbers with each of the numbers having an equal chance of being generated.

37. A method of wagering, the method comprising:

implementing a game of chance progression involving a plurality of pieces; and

offering a real time wager after the progression commences with odds determined by a computer simulation.

38. A method of wagering, the method comprising:

posting and offering wagers with equal opening payouts on competing pieces with equal chances of winning a game of chance progression before the start of the progression; and

posting and offering wagers with varying automatically computed payouts on competing pieces with varying chances of winning the progression at various divisions after the progression commences.

39. A method of wagering, the method comprising:

calculating, during a game of chance, a payout on a wager on an outcome of the game of chance; and

offering the wager with the calculated payout to a player during the game of chance.

40. A method of wagering, the method comprising:

allowing a player to select a number of pieces to compete in a game of chance progression;

using the selected number of pieces to adjust a payout for a wager on an outcome of the progression; and

offering the wager to the player.

41. A method of wagering, the method comprising:

allowing a player to select a number of slots in a path used by a plurality of pieces in a game of chance progression; and

using the selected number of slots to adjust a payout for a wager on an outcome of the progression; and

offering the wager to the player.

42. A method of wagering, the method comprising:

allowing a player to select a range of numbers an advancing mechanism generates;

using the selected range to adjust a payout for a wager on an outcome of a game of chance progression which uses numbers generated by the advancing mechanism; and

offering the wager to the player.

43. A method of wagering, the method comprising:

offering a wager to a player on a number of times an advancing mechanism is needed for a particular piece in a game of chance progression to pass a finish line; and

displaying the game of chance progression.

44. A method of wagering, the method comprising:

allowing a player to select a bonus slot in a path for a plurality of pieces in a game of chance progression; and

displaying the game of chance progression,

wherein if a piece selected by the player lands in the bonus slot, a monetary bonus is offered to the player.

45. A method of wagering, the method comprising:

implementing and displaying a game of chance; and

checking automatically, during the game, for a hedging situation where a player can make a bet to ensure a profit,

wherein if a hedging situation exists, automatically advertising the situation to the player.

46. A wagering apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

an offering device offering, before a game of chance progression commences, an initial wager on any of a plurality of pieces to first complete the progression, an initial payout for the initial wager based on the pieces having equal chances of winning,

the offering device offering, during the progression, a real time wager on any of a plurality of pieces to first complete the progression, a real time payout for the real time wager based on computed chances of a selected piece first completing the progression based on current positions of the plurality of pieces.

47. A wagering apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a wagering device receiving from a player a wager on a selected piece from a plurality of pieces;

a display displaying and completing a game of chance progression of the plurality of pieces;

if the selected piece completes the progression ahead of non-selected pieces, paying compensation to a player using the wagering device;

if the selected piece completes the progression behind one of the non-selected pieces, taking compensation from the player using the wagering device; and

if the selected piece ties with one of the non-selected pieces to complete the progression first, taking compensation from the player using the wagering device.

48. An apparatus as recited in claim 47, wherein when the selected piece ties, the taking compensation from the player comprises taking a fraction of the wager.

49. An apparatus as recited in claim 47, wherein when the selected piece ties, the taking compensation from the player comprises taking one half of the wager.

50. An apparatus as recited in claim 47, wherein the completing a progression comprises:

rolling a respective die for each piece; and

moving each piece based on the rolling of the respective die.

51. An apparatus as recited in claim 47, wherein the game of chance progression is progressed by using an advancing mechanism which generates advancing numbers with each of the numbers having an equal chance of being generated.

52. An apparatus as recited in claim 47, wherein the progression comprises moving horses around a racetrack.

53. An apparatus as recited in claim 47, wherein the progression comprises moving climbers up a building.

54. An apparatus as recited in claim 47, wherein the wagering device is implemented as a table game.

55. An apparatus as recited in claim 47, wherein the wagering device is implemented as an electronic gaming device.

56. An apparatus as recited in claim 47, wherein the wagering device is implemented in a gaming parlor.

57. An apparatus as recited in claim 47, wherein the wagering device offers a wager that a piece chosen by the player will tie with another piece.

58. A wagering apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a wagering device, after a game of chance progression of a plurality of pieces has commenced, calculating and displaying a payout for each of the plurality of pieces to first complete the progression, the calculating based on each of the respective piece'"'"'s chances of first completing the progression based on current positions of the plurality of pieces; and

an input device, receiving from a player a wager based on a selected piece after the progression has commenced,

wherein the wagering devices completes the progression; and

if the selected piece completes the progression ahead of non-selected pieces, pays compensation to the player based on the selected piece'"'"'s respective payout.

59. A wagering apparatus as recited in claim 58, wherein

if the selected piece completes the progression behind one of the non-selected pieces, the wagering device takes compensation from the player;

and

if the selected piece ties with one of the non-selected pieces to complete the progression first, the wagering device takes compensation from the player.

60. A wagering apparatus as recited claim 58, wherein the calculating a payout involves no human intervention.

61. A wagering apparatus as recited in claim 58, wherein if the selected piece ties with one of the non-selected pieces to complete the progression first, the wagering device takes compensation from the player takes the entire player'"'"'s original wager.

62. A wagering apparatus as recited in claim 58, wherein the progression is divided into divisions, and the calculating and displaying a payout is performed after each division.

63. A wagering apparatus as recited in claim 60, wherein the progression is divided into divisions, and the calculating and displaying a payout is performed after each division.

64. A wagering apparatus as recited in claim 58, wherein the displaying a payout displays when a piece has a zero chance of first completing the progression, and a wager based on the piece with a zero chance cannot be received.

65. A wagering apparatus as recited in claim 58, wherein the calculating a payout is performed by a running an iterative progression simulation.

66. A wagering apparatus as recited in claim 62, wherein the payout comprises true odds of a respective piece winning adjusted with a percentage commission for a casino or house.

67. A wagering apparatus as recited in claim 58, wherein the game of chance progression is progressed by using an advancing mechanism which generates advancing numbers with each of the numbers having an equal chance of being generated.

68. A wagering apparatus as recited in claim 58, wherein the wagering apparatus is implemented as a table game.

69. A wagering apparatus as recited in claim 58, wherein the wagering apparatus is implemented as an electronic gaming device.

70. A wagering apparatus as recited in claim 58, wherein the wagering apparatus is implemented in a gaming parlor.

71. A wagering apparatus as recited in claim 58, wherein the wager comprises selecting two pieces to first finish the progression.

72. A wagering apparatus as recited in claim 58, wherein the wager comprises selecting three or more pieces to first finish the progression.

73. A wagering apparatus as recited in claim 58 wherein the player has an option to surrender his wager and receive a surrender amount.

74. A wagering apparatus as recited in claim 58, wherein the calculated payout is calculated using a variable commission.

75. A wagering apparatus as recited in claim 58, wherein if the player bets on a piece that lands on a bonus slot, the payout is increased.

76. A wagering apparatus as recited in claim 58, wherein the wagering device offers a bet on a next outcome of an advancing mechanism.

77. A wagering apparatus as recited in claim 58, wherein the wagering device automatically advertises a particular bet to the player.

78. A wagering apparatus as recited in claim 58, wherein the wagering device offers a multi progression bet.

79. A wagering apparatus as recited in claim 58, wherein the wagering device offers a parlay bet on subsequent progressions.

80. A wagering apparatus as recited in claim 58, further comprising offering a bet on how many executions of an advancing mechanism are required for a particular piece to pass a finish line.

81. A wagering apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a processing unit implementing game of chance progression involving a plurality of pieces; and

an output unit offering a real time wager after the progression commences with odds determined by a computer simulation.

82. A wagering apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

an input/output unit posting and offering wagers with equal opening payouts on competing pieces with equal chances of winning a game of chance progression before the start of the progression; and

a processing unit progressing the progression,

the input/output unit posting and offering wagers with varying automatically computed payouts on competing pieces with varying chances of winning the progression at various divisions after the progression commences.

83. A wagering apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a calculating unit calculating, during a game of chance, a payout on a wager on an outcome of the game of chance; and

an output unit offering the wager with the calculated payout to a player during the game of chance.

84. A wagering apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

an input unit allowing a player to select a number of pieces to compete in a game of chance progression;

a processing unit using the selected number of pieces to adjust a payout for a wager on an outcome of the progression; and

an output unit offering the wager to the player.

85. A wagering apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

an input unit allowing a player to select a number of slots in a path used by a plurality of pieces in a game of chance progression; and

a processing unit using the selected number of slots to adjust a payout for a wager on an outcome of the progression; and

an output unit offering the wager to the player.

86. A wagering apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

an input unit allowing a player to select a range of numbers an advancing mechanism generates;

a processing unit using the selected range to adjust a payout for a wager on an outcome of a game of chance progression which uses numbers generated by the advancing mechanism; and

an output unit offering the wager to the player.

87. A wagering apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

an input unit inputting a wager from a player on a number of times an advancing mechanism is needed for a particular piece in a game of chance progression to pass a finish line; and

an output unit displaying the game of chance progression.

88. A wagering apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

an input unit allowing a player to select a bonus slot in a path for a plurality of pieces in a game of chance progression; and

an output unit displaying the game of chance progression,

wherein if a piece selected by the player lands in the bonus slot, a monetary bonus is offered to the player.

89. A wagering apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a processing unit implementing and displaying a game of chance on a display unit; and

a checking unit checking automatically, during the game, for a hedging situation where a player can make a bet to ensure a profit,

wherein if a hedging situation exists, automatically advertising the situation to the player.

90. A computer readable storage medium storing a program controlling a computer to perform:

receiving from a player a wager on a selected piece from a plurality of pieces;

displaying and completing a game of chance progression of the plurality of pieces;

if the selected piece completes the progression ahead of non-selected pieces, paying compensation to a player;

if the selected piece completes the progression behind one of the non-selected pieces, taking compensation from the player; and

if the selected piece ties with one of the non-selected pieces to complete the progression first, taking compensation from the player.

91. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 90, wherein when the selected piece ties, the taking compensation from the player comprises taking a fraction of the wager.

92. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 90, wherein when the selected piece ties, the taking compensation from the player comprises taking one half of the wager.

93. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 90, wherein the completing a progression comprises:

rolling a respective die for each piece; and

moving each piece based on the rolling of the respective die.

94. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 90, wherein the game of chance progression is progressed by using an advancing mechanism which generates advancing numbers with each of the numbers having an equal chance of being generated.

95. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 90, wherein the progression comprises moving horses around a racetrack.

96. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 90, wherein the progression comprises moving climbers up a building.

97. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 90 further comprising offering a wager that a piece chosen by the player will tie with another piece.

98. A computer readable storage medium storing a program controlling a computer to perform:

after a game of chance progression of a plurality of pieces has commenced, calculating and displaying a payout for each of the plurality of pieces to first complete the progression, the calculating based on each of the respective piece'"'"'s chances of first completing the progression based on current positions of the plurality of pieces;

receiving from a player a wager based on a selected piece after the progression has commenced;

completing the progression; and

if the selected piece completes the progression ahead of non-selected pieces, paying compensation to the player based on the selected piece'"'"'s respective payout.

99. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 98, wherein

if the selected piece completes the progression behind one of the non-selected pieces, taking compensation from the player;

and

if the selected piece ties with one of the non-selected pieces to complete the progression first, taking compensation from the player.

100. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 98, wherein the calculating a payout involves no human intervention.

101. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 98, wherein if the selected piece ties with one of the non-selected pieces to complete the progression first, the taking compensation from the player takes the entire player'"'"'s original wager.

102. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 98, wherein the progression is divided into divisions, and the calculating and displaying a payout is performed after each division.

103. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 100, wherein the progression is divided into divisions, and the calculating and displaying a payout is performed after each division.

104. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 98, wherein the displaying a payout displays when a piece has a zero chance of first completing the progression, and a wager based on the piece with a zero chance cannot be received.

105. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 98, wherein the calculating a payout is performed by a digital computer running an iterative progression simulation.

106. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 102 wherein the payout comprises true odds of a respective piece winning adjusted with a percentage commission for a casino or house.

107. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 98, wherein the game of chance progression is progressed by using an advancing mechanism which generates advancing numbers with each of the numbers having an equal chance of being generated.

108. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 98, wherein the method is implemented as a table game.

109. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 98, wherein the method is implemented as an electronic gaming device.

110. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 98, wherein the method is implemented in a gaming parlor.

111. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 98, wherein the wager comprises selecting two pieces to first finish the progression.

112. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 98, wherein the wager comprises selecting three or more pieces to first finish the progression.

113. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 98, wherein the player has an option to surrender his wager and receive a surrender amount.

114. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 98, wherein the calculated payout is calculated using a variable commission.

115. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 98, wherein if the player bets on a piece that lands on a bonus slot, the payout is increased.

116. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 98, further comprising offering a bet on a next outcome of an advancing mechanism.

117. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 98, further comprising automatically advertising a particular bet to the player.

118. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 98, further comprising offering a multi progression bet.

119. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 98, further comprising offering a parlay bet on subsequent progressions.

120. A computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 98, further comprising offering a bet on how many executions of an advancing mechanism are required for a particular piece to pass a finish line.

121. A computer readable storage medium storing a program controlling a computer to perform:

implementing a game of chance progression involving a plurality of pieces; and

offering a real time wager after the progression commences with odds determined by a computer simulation.

122. A computer readable storage medium storing a program controlling a computer to perform:

posting and offering wagers with equal opening payouts on competing pieces with equal chances of winning a game of chance progression before the start of the progression; and

posting and offering wagers with varying automatically computed payouts on competing pieces with varying chances of winning the progression at various divisions after the progression commences.

123. A computer readable storage medium storing a program controlling a computer to perform:

calculating, during a game of chance, a payout on a wager on an outcome of the game of chance; and

offering the wager with the calculated payout to a player during the game of chance.

124. A computer readable storage medium storing a program controlling a computer to perform:

allowing a player to select a number of pieces to compete in a game of chance progression;

using the selected number of pieces to adjust a payout for a wager on an outcome of the progression; and

offering the wager to the player.

125. A computer readable storage medium storing a program controlling a computer to perform:

allowing a player to select a number of slots in a path used by a plurality of pieces in a game of chance progression; and

using the selected number of slots to adjust a payout for a wager on an outcome of the progression; and

offering the wager to the player.

126. A computer readable storage medium storing a program controlling a computer to perform:

allowing a player to select a range of numbers an advancing mechanism generates;

using the selected range to adjust a payout for a wager on an outcome of a game of chance progression which uses numbers generated by the advancing mechanism; and

offering the wager to the player.

127. A computer readable storage medium storing a program controlling a computer to perform:

offering a wager to a player on a number of times an advancing mechanism is needed for a particular piece in a game of chance progression to pass a finish line; and

displaying the game of chance progression.

128. A computer readable storage medium storing a program controlling a computer to perform:

allowing a player to select a bonus slot in a path for a plurality of pieces in a game of chance progression; and

displaying the game of chance progression,

wherein if a piece selected by the player lands in the bonus slot, a monetary bonus is offered to the player.

129. A computer readable storage medium storing a program controlling a computer to perform:

implementing and displaying a game of chance on a display unit; and

checking automatically, during the game, for a hedging situation where a player can make a bet to ensure a profit,

wherein if a hedging situation exists, automatically advertising the situation to the player.