Games, and methods and apparatus for game play in games of chance

• US 6,488,280 B1
• Filed: 09/27/2000
• Issued: 12/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Milestone Entertainment LLC
• Original Assignee: Milestone Entertainment LLC
• Inventors: Dawson, Gary, Katz, Randall Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Benjamin H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Collins, Dolores R.
• Application Number:
  US09/672,179
• Time in Patent Office: 797 Days
• Field of Search: 273/138.1, 273/139, 273/241, 273/236, 273/17, 273/20, 273/25, 463/12, 463/13
• US Class Current: 273/138.1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/06 Lottos or bingo games; Systems, apparatus or devices for checking such games small boxes with balls used for generating random numbers A63F7/048; lottery apparatus G07C15/00; lottery gaming stations, online lottery or bingo G07F17/329; printing processes for lottery tickets B41M3/005
• 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

The inventions herein relate to novel games of chance and apparatus and methods for their play. In one embodiment, a multi-level game of chance is played by presenting the player with multiple options, where there is at least one positive option and at least one negative option. By way of example, at each level the player selects one of four boxes, where two have a monetary amount, and one has a strike. Optionally, the fourth box may comprise a ‘mystery box’, which requires a decision within a decision. When presented with the mystery box, the player may elect to open it or not. If they do not open it, game play resumes at the existing game level. If they open it, one of multiple options is presented, including a positive option and a negative option. In the preferred embodiment, the positive option could include: a multiplier of the winnings of the player, e.g., a double of the money in the player'"'"'s account, or the updating of the safe level for the player. A negative result could be an additional strike. Preferably, the probability of a negative outcome from the opening of the mystery box should be the same as the probability of a negative event the general playing of the game. In studio participation, casino based play, or play over an electronic network, such as the Internet, is contemplated.

Claims

1. A method for game play in a multi-level game of chance culminating in a final level, comprising the steps of:

presenting, at a given level, a plurality of random options wherein at least one option is a positive option, another option is a negative option, and a third option requires a further decision,

receiving a selection regarding which one of the plurality of random option is selected, and

if the positive option was selected, cumulating the positive option result with the prior positive option results, but

if the negative option was selected, cumulating the negative option result, comparing the cumulative result with a predetermined number, and replaying the same level if the cumulative number is less than the predetermined number or terminating the game if the cumulative number equals the predetermined number, and

if the third option was selected, receiving a selection regarding the decision,

respecting the above steps until the player stops, the predetermined number of negative events occurring or the final level is related.

2. The method for game play of claim 1 wherein the positive result comprises a monetary amount.

3. The method for game play of claim 1 wherein the positive result comprises a point amount.

4. The method for game play of claim 1 wherein the negative result comprises a strike.

5. The method for game play of claim 1 wherein the predetermined number is three.

6. The method for game play of claim 1 wherein the predetermined number is greater than three.

7. The method for game play of claim 1 wherein the number of random options is three.

8. The method for game play of claim 1 wherein the number of random options is four.

9. The method for game play of claim 8 wherein there are two positive options among the random options at a given level.

10. The method for game play of claim 9 wherein the two positive options are the same.

11. The method for game play of claim 1 wherein the two positive options are different.

12. The method for game play of claim 1 wherein there are at least give levels.

13. The method for game play of claim 1 wherein there are at least ten levels.

14. The method for game play of claim 1 wherein there are at least fifteen levels.

15. The method for game play of claim 1 wherein the options are presented in a graphical display.

16. The method for game play of claim 15 wherein the graphical display has one object for each option.

17. The method for game play of claim 16 wherein the display is a numbered box.

18. The method for game play of claim 16 wherein the display is a lettered object.

19. The method for game play of claim 16 wherein the display includes graphical images of objects.

20. The method for game play of claim 1 wherein the options are selected by a random selection.

21. The method for game play of claim 20 wherein the random selection is a ball draw.

22. The method for game play of claim 1 wherein the random selection is an electronic random number generator.

23. The method for game play of claim 1 wherein the random selection is a wheel.

24. The method for game play of claim 1 wherein a response is received whether the third option is selected or not.

25. The method for game play of claim 24 wherein the third option includes a positive option and a negative option.

26. The method for game play of claim 25 wherein the positive option is a monetary amount.

27. The method for game play of claim 1 wherein the positive option is a monetary multiplier.

28. The method for game play of claim 27 wherein the multiplier is a doubler.

29. The method for game play of claim 1 wherein the final level is a monetary value.

30. The method for game play of claim 29 wherein the monetary value of the final level is carried over to a subsequent game play.

31. The method for game play of claim 1 wherein the final level is achieved, and offering game play in a second game.

32. The method for game play of claim 31 wherein the second game includes a plurality of levels.

33. The method for game play of claim 32 wherein the levels of the second game overlap with the levels of the first game.

34. The method for game play of claim 33 wherein the overlap is a single monetary amount of overlap.

35. The method for game play of claim 1 wherein a vesting level is provided.

36. The method for game play of claim 35 wherein the vest level is increased through game play.