Keno game

• US 5,909,875 A
• Filed: 09/26/1997
• Issued: 06/08/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gary Weingardt
• Original Assignee: Gary Weingardt
• Inventors: Weingardt, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): Pierce, William M.
• Application Number:
  US08/939,077
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: 273/269, 273/274, 273/270, 273/148 R, 273/292
• US Class Current: 273/269
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/0017 progressive jackpot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2007/4043 with balls of three or more different colours
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/0645 Electric lottos or bingo games
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 7/048 used for generating random numbers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/0468 Electronic dice; electronic dice simulators

Abstract

All of the possible keno numbers are displayed on an electronic reader board in the keno game room or on the electronic keno gaming machine. After each player has marked his keno ticket and prior to the start of drawing keno balls, an electronic random number generator is used to select a predetermined group of keno numbers to be "red" numbers for that particular game. All of the other remaining keno numbers are "white" numbers for that particular game of keno. When a player achieves a winning keno ticket, the player wins certain preestablished payouts depending upon whether the player has an all "red" keno winning combination, an all "white" winning keno combination or a "mixed color" winning keno combination. A bonus jackpot feature can be also added to the method of play of keno. In one version of this bonus jackpot feature, the player wins the traditional keno payout for achieving a regular winning combination of matching numbers selected by the player. The player also wins a bonus jackpot amount if the player'"'"'s matching numbers are all (or a high percentage) of the same color. In another version of this bonus jackpot feature, the player makes a separate, additional wager to be eligible for the bonus jackpot feature payouts. These bonus jackpot feature payouts can be flat amounts or progressive amounts. Progressive jackpot pools can be established for all "red" winning keno combinations or all "white" winning keno combinations or certain "mixed" color winning keno combinations.

Claims

1. The method of playing a game of keno comprising:

a) providing a player with a keno ticket having a plurality of numbered spaces;

b) providing a plurality of keno balls each having individual numbers corresponding to the numbered spaces on the keno card;

c) providing an electronic keno number reader board having a plurality of numbered spaces corresponding to the number of keno balls used in the keno game;

d) a player making a wager to be eligible for the keno game;

e) the player selecting one or more numbers on his keno ticket to be active numbers during the game;

f) randomly designating a portion of the numbered spaces on the keno board with at least a first designated marking;

g) designating the remaining numbered spaces on the keno board as a second designated marking;

h) randomly selecting a predetermined number of keno balls;

i) if the player achieves a predetermined winning combination on the keno ticket of selected numbers having only the first designated marking, awarding the player a first preselected amount.

2. The method of claim 1 further including if the player achieves a predetermined winning combination on the keno ticket of selected numbers having only the second designated marking, awarding the player a second preselected amount.

3. The method of claim 1 in which if the player achieves a predetermined winning combination on the keno ticket of selected numbers having both the first designated marking and the second designated marking, awarding the player a third preselected amount.

4. The method of claim 1 in which a portion of the wager is allocated to a progressive pool and the player is awarded a predetermined amount of the progressive pool for achieving a predetermined winning combination.

5. The method of claim 1 in which a portion of the wager is allocated to a first progressive pool and the first preselected amount is a predetermined amount of the first progressive pool and a portion of the wager is allocated to a second progressive pool and the second preselected amount is a predetermined amount of the second progressive pool.

6. The method of playing a game of keno comprising:

a) providing a player with a keno ticket having a plurality of numbered spaces;

b) providing a plurality of keno balls each having individual numbers corresponding to the numbered spaces on the keno ticket;

c) providing an electronic keno number reader board having a plurality of numbered spaces corresponding to the number of keno balls used in the keno game;

d) a player making a first wager to be eligible for the keno game,

e) a player making a second wager to be eligible for a bonus jackpot;

f) the player selecting one or more numbers on his keno ticket to be active numbers during the game;

g) randomly designating a portion of the numbered spaces on the keno number reader board with at least a first designated marking;

h) designating the remaining numbered spaces on the keno number reader board as a second designated marking;

i) randomly selecting a predetermined number of keno balls;

j) awarding an amount when the player achieves a regular winning keno combination on the keno card;

k) designating a portion of the second wager to a first bonus pool;

l) establishing first predetermined combinations as winning combinations for the first bonus pool; and

m) awarding a portion of the first bonus pool to the player when he achieves one of the first predetermined winning combinations.

7. The method of claim 6 in which at least one of the first predetermined combinations comprises selected numbers having only the first designated marking.

8. The method of claim 6 in which the amount awarded to the player is a flat amount.

9. The method of claim 6 in which the amount awarded to the player is a progressive amount.

10. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

a) designating a portion of the second wager to a second bonus pool;

b) establishing second predetermined combinations as winning combinations for the second bonus pool; and

c) awarding a portion of the second bonus pool to the player when he achieves one of the second predetermined winning combinations.

11. The method of claim 10 in which at least one of the second predetermined combinations comprises selected numbers having only the second designated marking.

12. The method of claim 10 in which the amount awarded to the player is a flat amount.

13. The method of claim 10 in which the amount awarded to the player is a progressive amount.