Video numbers game

• US 6,331,143 B1
• Filed: 06/05/1997
• Issued: 12/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: SHFL Entertainment Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Yoseloff, Mark L.
• Primary Examiner(s): ONEILL, MICHAEL W
• Application Number:
  US08/869,930
• Time in Patent Office: 1,657 Days
• Field of Search: 463/19, 463/18, 463/17, 463/16, 463/27, 463/37, 273/85.CP, 273/85.G, 273/138.A, 273/269
• US Class Current: 463/18
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 15/006 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/329 Regular and instant lottery, e.g. electronic scratch cards

Abstract

A method of playing electronic video numbers game is disclosed. The method includes the steps of a player placing a wager to participate in the game; the player selecting at least one subset of symbols to play from the original set of symbols; activating a random selection process for picking a second subset of winning symbols from the original set of symbols; and awarding the player a prize if a predefined number of symbols in the subset of symbols played matches the subset to winning symbols. The number of symbols in the subset to play is equal to the number of winning symbols. A video wagering device for playing the numbers game of the present invention is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of playing an electronic wagering game on a gaming device that generates electronic representations of symbols, and includes a video screen for displaying selected symbols from a predefined set of game symbols, comprising the steps of:

a player placing a wager to participate in the game;

selecting at least one first subset of symbols chosen to play from the predefined set of game symbols, wherein the first subset of game symbols chosen to play consists of x symbols and wherein only the first subset of symbols and not the entire predefined set of game symbols is electronically displayed on a video screen;

activating a random selection process for identifying a second subset of y symbols from the predefined set of game symbols, wherein the second subset of symbols are also displayed on the video screen, wherein x and y are integers of equal value, and wherein each symbol in the first and second subsets are selected from the complete set of predefined game symbols; and

awarding the player an immediate payout when a predefined number of symbols in the first subset of symbols matches a predefined number of symbols included in the second subset of symbols.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the predefined set of game symbols includes at least two types of symbols.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the types of symbols comprise at least two colors.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein x and y are of a value between 3 and 6.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein x and y are equal to five.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein x and y are equal to four.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of gaming devices are electronically linked, and at least a portion of the wagers placed in each gaming device are used to fund a progressive jackpot.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein a number of symbols in the predefined set of game symbols is equal to 32.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of symbols consists of the numbers from 0000 to 9999.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the symbols comprise video representations of numbered balls.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the winning symbols are displayed as video representations of a plurality of numbered balls that have been blown into a tube.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the symbols comprise numbers, and a plurality of first subsets of numbers are selected by a player prior to the activation step.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein one wager is placed for each first subset of symbols played.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the payouts are based on a straight bet, box bet, positional bet and back-up bet.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the predefined set of symbols comprises two or more types.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the predefined set of symbols consists of 32 numbered balls, and wherein the first type is a first color and the second type is a second color.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein each symbol in the predefined set of game symbols is different from the remaining symbols in the predefined set of game symbols.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein the selection of the first subset of symbols is made by means of a random selection process.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein the selection of the first subset of symbols is made by the player.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the number of matching symbols is at least two.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the predefined set of game symbols consists of two types of symbols.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein the types of game symbols includes two colors.

14. A video wagering device comprising:

a video game terminal with a video monitor, a microprocessor programed to display and control play of a video wagering game, player controls capable of sending electronic signals to the microprocessor, and an acceptor for accepting a wager, wherein the microprocessor is programmed to;

permit a player to select x symbols defining a first subset of symbols to play from a predefined set of game symbols;

display only the first subset of symbols and not the entire predefined set of game symbols;

randomly select and display a second subset of y symbols in response to a player manipulating player controls, wherein the second subset of symbols is selected from the complete predefined set of game symbols; and

pay the player an immediate payout if a predetermined number of symbols in the first subset of symbols to be played matches symbols in the second subset of symbols, wherein x and y are integers of equal value.

15. The device of claim 14, and further comprising touch screen controls for sending electronic signals to the microprocessor.

23. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the selection of the first subset of symbols is made by means of a random selection process.

24. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the selection of the first subset of symbols is made by the player.

19. A method of playing an electronic wagering game on a gaming device which generates electronic representations of numbered balls, and includes a video screen for displaying selected numbered balls, comprising the steps of:

a player placing a wager to participate in the game;

selecting at least one first subset of five numbers chosen to play from a predefined set of thirty two numbers, wherein only the selected subset of numbers and not the entire predefined set of numbers is electronically displayed on a video screen;

activating a random selection process for identifying a second subset of 5 numbers from the complete predefined set of numbers, wherein only the second subset of numbers and not the complete predefined set of 32 numbers are also displayed on the video screen; and

awarding the player an immediate payout when at least two numbers in the first subset of numbers matches at least two numbers included in the second subset of numbers.

26. A method of playing an electronic wagering game on a gaming device that generates electronic representations of symbols, and includes a video screen for displaying selected symbols from a predefined set of game symbols, comprising the steps of:

a player placing a wager to participate in the game;

selecting at least one first subset of symbols chosen to play from the predefined set of game symbols wherein the set comprises at least two types of game symbols, wherein the first subset of game symbols chosen to play consists of x symbols and wherein the first subset of symbols and not the entire predefined set of game symbols is electronically displayed on a video screen;

activating a random selection process for identifying a second subset of y symbols from the predefined set of game symbols, wherein the second set of symbols are also displayed on the video screen, wherein x and y are integers of equal value, and wherein each symbol in the first and second subsets are selected from the complete set of predefined game symbols; and

awarding the player an immediate payout when a predefined number of symbols in the first subset of symbols matches a predefined number of symbols included in the second subset of symbols.