Method of combining a casino game with a game of skill

• US 5,718,429 A
• Filed: 02/06/1997
• Issued: 02/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sonsub International Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Sonsub International Ltd.
• Inventors: Keller, Claude Emery Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pierce, William M.
• Application Number:
  US08/796,743
• Time in Patent Office: 376 Days
• Field of Search: 273/274, 273/118 R, 273/143 R, 273/138.1, 273/138.2, 273/317, 273/108, 273/440, 273/459, 463/12, 463/13, 463/20, 463/48, 473/1, 473/54, 473/131, 473/415, 473/505, 473/516
• US Class Current: 273/274
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00157 Casino or betting games horse races A63F3/00082
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/18 Question-and-answer games

Abstract

A method for conducting an entertainment in which people may place a stake in a casino game and win a cash prize in a skill game. Stakes in the casino game are placed with chips, which may be purchased in exchange for the services of conducting the casino game. A winning stake is rewarded with a token, rather than with money. A token may be exchanged for an opportunity to demonstrate a skill in the skill game. Those that successfully demonstrate the skill are awarded a cash or other prize. The nature of the prize is correlated to an indicium on the token.

Claims

1. A method of combining a casino game with a game of skill, the method comprising:

providing a setting in which a player can place a stake in a casino game, the stake having a probability of success;

conducting the casino game;

awarding a winner of a stake in the casino game with a token, the token having no redeemable monetary value;

providing a setting in which a token owner can engage in a skill game in exchange for the token;

conducting the skill game; and

awarding a winner of the skill game with a prize.

2. The method of claim 1, in which the player is given chips in order to place a stake in the casino game.

3. The method of claim 1, in which two different types of tokens are used, each with a different indicium.

4. The method of claim 1, in which a winner of a stake in the casino game is awarded a token correlated to successfulness of the stake.

5. The method of claim 1, in which a winner of a stake in the casino game is awarded a token correlated to size of the stake.

6. The method of claim 1, in which a winner of a stake in the casino game is awarded a token correlated to the probability of success of the stake.

7. The method of claim 1, in which a winner of a stake in the casino game is awarded a token correlated to size of the stake and the probability of success of the stake.

8. A method of combining a casino game with a game of skill, the method comprising:

providing a service of conducting a casino game in exchange for an amount of money;

affording a player with an opportunity to place a stake in the casino game, the stake having a probability of success;

awarding a winner of a stake in the casino game with a token, the token having no redeemable monetary value and including an indicium;

affording a token owner with an opportunity to engage in a skill game in exchange for the token;

playing the skill game; and

awarding a winner of the skill game with a prize corresponding to the indicium on the token.

9. The method of claim 8, in which the player is given chips in order to place a stake in the casino game.

10. The method of claim 8, in which two different types of tokens are used, each with a different indicium.

11. The method of claim 8, in which a winner of a stake in the casino game is awarded a token correlated to the amount of money the winner paid for the services of conducting the casino game, the probability of success of the stake, or a combination of the amount of money the winner paid for the service and the odds that the stake would succeed.

12. The method of claim 8, in which the skill game provides a player with three chances to successfully perform a skill.

13. A method for conducting a game of skill using rules of a casino game, the method comprising:

providing a service of conducting a casino game and, as part of that service, affording a player with an opportunity to place a stake in the casino game in exchange for a price for the service of conducting the casino game;

awarding a token to a winner of the casino game, the token have no redeemable monetary value;

affording a token owner with an opportunity to engage in a skill game in exchange for the token; and

awarding a winner of the skill game with a prize.

14. The method of claim 13, in which the player is given a chip in exchange for the price paid for the service of conducting the casino game.

15. The method of claim 13, in which two different types of tokens are used, each with a different indicium.

16. The method of claim 13, in which:

two different types of tokens are used, each with a different indicium; and

the cash prize that is awarded is dependent upon the indicium on the token.

17. The method of claim 13, in which a winner of a stake in the casino game is awarded a token correlated to the amount of money the winner paid for the services of conducting the casino game, the probability of success of the stake, or a combination of the amount of money the winner paid for the service of conducting the casino game and the odds that the stake would succeed.

18. The method of claim 13, in which the skill game provides a participant with three tries to successfully perform a skill.