System and method for performing bet protection

• US 20050227756A1
• Filed: 03/07/2005
• Published: 10/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Scientific Games Corporation
• Original Assignee: Scientific Games Corporation
• Inventors: Herrmann, Mark E., Kane, Steven N., Yanowitz, Jason, Roseman, Stuart
• Granted Patent: US 7,722,459 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/00 Card games aspects of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions showing representations related to the game A63F13/00; card games played on a gaming machine G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2001/003 Blackjack; Twenty one
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00157 Casino or betting games horse races A63F3/00082
• 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

Abstract

A method of playing a game (e.g., blackjack or other wagering game), where the user is provided with the option of purchasing bet insurance by paying an additional fee at the time the time he/she pays the subscription fee. At a predetermined time during the course of the subscription period, and if the player is below a predetermined number of total points or other standing, the player'"'"'s bet protection is automatically applied, and the player is refunded his initial subscription fee with the gaming operator keeping the insurance fee. Further, the player is eliminated from the plurality of game sessions for the remaining time of that subscription period.

Claims

1. A method of conducting a game, comprising acts of:

providing for an entry of a player in a plurality of game sessions;

accepting payment of an entry fee associated with the plurality of game sessions;

determining a standing of the player in the game; and

determining whether the determined standing is determined to meet a predetermined standing, and, if not, refunding at least a portion of the entry fee.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the act of providing an entry includes an act of entering the player in a plurality of game sessions of blackjack.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the act of determining whether the determined player in a plurality of game sessions of blackjack has accrued a minimum number of points.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising an act of receiving an entry fee from the player before the player plays the plurality of game sessions of a blackjack game.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the act of receiving the entry fee further comprises an act of providing the player with an option of paying a bet protection fee.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the bet protection fee is accepted by a gaming operator.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising an act of eliminating a player from the plurality of gaming sessions if the player does not meet the predetermined standing.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein the player meets the predetermined standing at a midpoint of the plurality of game sessions;

and

wherein if it is determined that the player does meet the predetermined standing, the bet protection fee is not refunded to the player.

9. The method according to claim 6, if the player does meet the predetermined standard, the method further comprises an act of permitting the player to continue play in the plurality of game sessions.

10. The method according to claim 5, if the player meets the predetermined standard, the method further comprises an act of retaining the bet protection fee.

11. The method according to claim 5, if the player chooses not to pay the bet protection fee, and the player does not achieve a winning standing in the plurality of game sessions, the method further comprises an act of retaining the entry fee.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising an act of providing for an entry of the player in at least one game session using an alternative method of entry (AMOE).

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the AMOE is performed by at least one of a mail entry or through the Internet.

14. A system for conducting a plurality of game sessions comprising:

an interface that receives from a user an entry to a plurality of game sessions;

a payment component adapted to accept an entry fee associated with the plurality of game sessions, and is adapted to accept a bet protection fee that offsets at least a portion of the risk of losing the entry fee.

15. The system according to claim 14, further comprising a controller adapted to determine a standing of the player in the plurality of game sessions.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the controller is further adapted to conduct the plurality of game sessions.

17. The system according to claim 14, further comprising means for storing a predetermined standing, and wherein the controller is adapted to compare the determined standing and the predetermined standing.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the controller is further adapted to, if the player does not meet the predetermined standing, eliminate the player from playing in the plurality of game sessions.

19. The system according to claim 14, wherein the payment component is adapted to provide payment to an external payment system.

20. The system according to claim 14, wherein the payment component is located in a legal gambling jurisdiction.

21. The system according to claim 14, further comprising means for entering the player in at least one game session using an alternative method of entry (AMOE).

22. The system according to claim 21, further comprising means for entering the player using AMOE by at least one of a mail entry or through the Internet.