System and method for creating and scoring a prediction game

• US 20090270155A1
• Filed: 04/28/2008
• Published: 10/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pikum! Holdings Ltd. (Pikum! Worldwide Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Pikum! Holdings Ltd. (Pikum! Worldwide Ltd.)
• Inventors: Radchenko, Peter, Veverka, Patrick, Glass, Sean, Larcher, Johannes, Lindsell, Logan
• Application Number:
  US12/150,434
• Publication Number:
  US 20090270155A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/16
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3288 Betting, e.g. on live events, bookmaking

Abstract

A method is provided for creating a prediction game. This method includes the steps of selecting an outcome relative to which a prediction may be made; receiving predictions regarding the outcome from a plurality of players; measuring the accuracy of each player'"'"'s prediction compared with the actual outcome, and computing a score for each player in accordance therewith; and ranking the players in accordance with the respective scores. In an embodiment, the game is a competition among the players, to see who makes the most accurate predictions. The measuring step may also include calculating a value for each player representing a difference between the player'"'"'s prediction and the actual outcome. The computing step may also include performing a statistical analysis of all the values relating to the outcome.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

selecting an outcome relative to which a prediction may be made;

receiving predictions regarding said outcome from a plurality of players;

measuring the accuracy of each player'"'"'s prediction compared with the actual outcome;

computing a score for each player in accordance with said measuring; and

ranking the players in accordance with the respective scores.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein

said measuring comprises calculating a value for each player according to a difference between the player'"'"'s prediction and the actual outcome, and

said computing comprises performing a statistical analysis of all said values relating to the outcome.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein computing the score for a player further comprises determining the relative accuracy of all players'"'"' predictions.

4. A method according to claim 2, further comprising calculating a distribution of said differences for all players.

5. A method according to claim 4, further comprising using a statistic related to said distribution to calculate said value.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the score for each player is based on predictions of a plurality of outcomes relating to one event.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the score for each player is based on predictions of outcomes relating to a plurality of events.

8. A method according to claim 2, further comprising:

computing a maximum value based on a statistic relating to all said values; and

assigning a score of zero to a player for a prediction for which said value exceeds said maximum value.

9. A method according to claim 2, wherein the statistical analysis is performed on a distribution of all said values.

10. A method according to claim 2, wherein the statistical analysis includes computing a median of the values.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of outcomes are selected, and further comprising specifying a relative importance of predictions for each of said outcomes.

12. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an entry fee from each player;

awarding payouts to the players in accordance with said ranking.

13. A method according to claim 12, further comprising retaining a portion of the entry fees prior to awarding the payouts.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the portion retained varies according to the entry fee for each player and the total number of players.

15. A method according to claim 1, further comprising restricting participation by a player in accordance with a jurisdiction where that player is located.

16. A system comprising:

a computing device configured to

construct a prediction game in accordance with a host selecting an outcome relative to which a prediction may be made;

receive predictions regarding said outcome from a plurality of players;

measure the accuracy of each player'"'"'s prediction compared with the actual outcome;

compute a score for each player in accordance with said measuring; and

rank the players in accordance with the respective scores.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein

said computing device is configured to calculate a value for each player according to a difference between the player'"'"'s prediction and the actual outcome, and

said computing device is configured to perform a statistical analysis of all said values relating to the outcome.

18. A system according to claim 16, wherein said computing device is configured to determine the relative accuracy of all players'"'"' predictions.

19. A system according to claim 17, wherein said computing device is configured to calculate a distribution of said differences for all players.

20. A system according to claim 19, wherein said computing device is configured to use a statistic related to said distribution to calculate said value.

21. A system according to claim 17, wherein the statistical analysis is performed on a distribution of all said values.

22. A system according to claim 17, wherein the statistical analysis includes computing a median of the values.

23. A system according to claim 16, wherein said computing device is configured to

tabulate entry fees received from the players;

and

specify payouts to be awarded to the players in accordance with said ranking.

24. A computer-readable storage medium having stored therein instructions for performing a method, the method comprising:

constructing a prediction game in accordance with a host selecting an outcome relative to which a prediction may be made;

receiving predictions regarding said outcome from a plurality of players;

measuring the accuracy of each player'"'"'s prediction compared with the actual outcome;

computing a score for each player in accordance with said measuring; and

ranking the players in accordance with the respective scores.

25. A computer-readable storage medium according to claim 24, wherein in said method

said measuring comprises calculating a value for each player according to a difference between the player'"'"'s prediction and the actual outcome, and

said computing comprises performing a statistical analysis of all said values relating to the outcome.

26. A computer-readable storage medium according to claim 25, wherein in said method computing the score for a player further comprises determining the relative accuracy of all players'"'"' predictions.

27. A computer-readable storage medium according to claim 25, further comprising calculating a distribution of said differences for all players.

28. A computer-readable storage medium according to claim 27, further comprising using a statistic related to said distribution to calculate said value.

29. A computer-readable storage medium according to claim 25, wherein the statistical analysis is performed on a distribution of all said values.

30. A computer-readable storage medium according to claim 24, wherein said method further comprises:

tabulating an entry fee from each player;

specifying payouts to be awarded to the players in accordance with said ranking.

31. A user interface comprising:

a first section for composing a prediction game, including

a list of events,

a list of outcomes relating to each of the events,

a maximum number of points to be awarded based on a prediction of an outcome,

an entry fee for each player, and

a schedule for making payouts to players; and

a second section for viewing the prediction game while under construction.

32. A user interface according to claim 31, further comprising a status viewing area for viewing the status of the game while under construction.

33. A user interface according to claim 32, further comprising an area for displaying a message indicating that the game has been launched.

34. A user interface according to claim 31, further comprising an area for sending messages to persons in a social network regarding the prediction game.