Multi-player bingo game with real-time game-winning pattern determination

• US 7,946,915 B2
• Filed: 09/01/2004
• Issued: 05/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Cannon, Lee E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Suhol; Dmitry
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pierce; Damon J.
• Application Number:
  US10/931,673
• Publication Number:
  US 20050059470A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,456 Days
• Field of Search: 463/19, 463/16, 463/20, 463/21, 463/22, 463/42, 273/269
• US Class Current: 463/19
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3279 wherein the competition is one-to-one, e.g. match
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/329 Regular and instant lottery, e.g. electronic scratch cards

Abstract

The invention is directed to methods and gaming units for conducting a multi-player wagering game, such as a Bingo game, in which at least one of the players may win the occurrence of the wagering game by matching a predetermined game-winning pattern of game indicia on a game array having a unique combination of game indicia based on matching the game indicia on the game array to game indicia randomly selected for the occurrence of the wagering game. The game-winning pattern or patterns for an occurrence of the wagering game may be determined for each occurrence based on the total number of game arrays enrolled in the occurrence of the wagering game. The game-winning patterns may be determined so that a desired statistical distribution of the number of randomly selected game indicia required for a player to match a game-winning pattern may be achieved regardless of the total number of game arrays enrolled by the players.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for a multi-player wagering Bingo game, wherein each player has a Bingo card having a unique combination of Bingo numbers from a range of Bingo numbers for an occurrence of the Bingo game, wherein individual Bingo numbers are randomly selected from the range of Bingo numbers during the occurrence of the Bingo game, the computer-implemented method comprising:

determining, by a processor, a statistical distribution of the number of randomly selected Bingo numbers needed to match a first game-winning pattern and a second game-winning pattern for an occurrence of the Bingo game to be played, wherein the statistical distribution includes a desired probability of achieving the first and second game-winning patterns in a given number of draws of Bingo numbers;

determining, by the processor, criteria for selecting the first and second game-winning patterns for the occurrence of the Bingo game to be played based on a total number of Bingo cards used in the occurrence of the Bingo game such that the statistical distribution of the number of randomly selected Bingo numbers needed to match the first and second game winning patterns is achieved, wherein determining the criteria includes determining a number of spots shared between the first and second game-winning patterns; and

determining, by the processor, the first and second game-winning patterns for the occurrence of the Bingo game to be played based on the criteria for selecting the first and second game-winning patterns corresponding to the total number of Bingo cards.

2. A computer-implemented method for determining game-winning patterns for a multi-player wagering Bingo game in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

comparing Bingo numbers on a player'"'"'s Bingo card matching the randomly selected Bingo numbers to a predetermined interim pattern, wherein only Bingo numbers on the player'"'"'s Bingo card matching the randomly selected Bingo numbers selected up to the lesser of a plurality of Bingo numbers drawn to match a game-winning pattern on one of the Bingo cards enrolled in the occurrence of the Bingo game and a predetermined maximum number of the randomly selected Bingo numbers are compared to the interim pattern; and

awarding the player an interim pattern award corresponding to an interim pattern if the matched Bingo numbers on the player'"'"'s Bingo card match the interim pattern,

wherein the statistical distribution further comprises a uniform probability distribution for each occurrence of the Bingo game for a game-winning pattern to be matched on at least one Bingo card enrolled for the occurrence of the Bingo game in less than the predetermined maximum number of randomly selected Bingo numbers.

3. A computer-implemented method for determining game-winning patterns for a multi-player wagering Bingo game in accordance with claim 1, wherein the statistical distribution further comprises a uniform probability distribution for each occurrence of the Bingo game for a game-winning pattern to be matched on at least one Bingo card for the occurrence of the Bingo game in less than a predetermined maximum number of randomly selected Bingo numbers.

4. A computer-implemented method for determining game-winning patterns for a multi-player wagering Bingo game in accordance with claim 1, wherein the criteria comprise at least one of the number of game-winning patterns and the number of Bingo numbers in the game-winning patterns.

5. A computer-implemented method for determining game-winning patterns for a multi-player wagering Bingo game in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

storing a plurality of game-winning patterns meeting the criteria for each total number of Bingo cards in an occurrence of the Bingo game; and

selecting at least one game-winning pattern from the plurality of stored game-winning patterns based on the total number of Bingo cards in the occurrence of the Bingo game.

6. A computer-implemented method for determining game-winning patterns for a multi-player wagering Bingo game in accordance with claim 1, further comprising generating at least one of the first and second game-winning patterns for the occurrence of the Bingo game at the beginning of the occurrence of the Bingo game, the at least one of the first and second game-winning patterns being generated based on the total number of Bingo cards in the occurrence of the Bingo game and the criteria for selecting the first and second game-winning pattern.

7. A computer-implemented method for determining game-winning patterns for a multi-player wagering Bingo game in accordance with claim 1, further comprising maintaining a payout rate by changing the number of Bingo numbers shared by the first and second game-winning patterns, wherein the payout rate changes based on a change in the total number of Bingo cards used for the occurrence of the Bingo game.

8. A computer-implemented method for determining game-winning patterns for a multi-player wagering Bingo game in accordance with claim 1, wherein the criteria for selecting the first and second game-winning patterns based on the total number of Bingo cards in the occurrence of the Bingo game include a number of Bingo numbers shared by the first and second game-winning patterns.

15. A computer-implemented method for determining game-winning patterns for a multi-player wagering Bingo game in accordance with claim 8, further comprising:

storing a plurality of game-winning patterns for each total number of Bingo cards that may be enrolled in the occurrence of the Bingo game; and

selecting at least one game-winning pattern from the plurality of stored game-winning patterns based on the total number of Bingo cards actually enrolled in the occurrence of the Bingo game.

9. A computer-implemented method for a multi-player wagering Bingo game, wherein each player has a Bingo card having a unique combination of Bingo numbers from a range of Bingo numbers for an occurrence of the Bingo game, wherein individual Bingo numbers are randomly selected from the range of Bingo numbers during the occurrence of the Bingo game, the computer-implemented method comprising:

allowing a plurality of players to enroll in an occurrence of the Bingo game;

calculating a total number of Bingo cards for the players enrolled in the occurrence of the Bingo game;

configuring, by a processor, the gaming machine with criteria for selecting first and second game-winning patterns for the occurrence of the Bingo game based on the total number of Bingo cards such that a statistical distribution of the number of randomly selected Bingo numbers needed to match the first and second game-winning patterns for the occurrence of the Bingo game is achieved, wherein the statistical distribution comprises a desired probability of achieving the first and second game-winning patterns in a given number of draws of Bingo numbers and wherein configuring the gaming machine with the criteria includes configuring the gaming machine with a number of spots shared between the first and second game-winning patterns; and

determining, by the processor, the first and second game-winning patterns for the occurrence of the Bingo game based on the criteria for selecting the first and second game-winning patterns corresponding to the total number of Bingo cards.

10. A computer-implemented method for determining game-winning patterns for a multi-player wagering Bingo game in accordance with claim 9, further comprising:

comparing Bingo numbers on a player'"'"'s Bingo card matching the randomly selected Bingo numbers to a predetermined interim pattern, wherein only Bingo numbers on the player'"'"'s Bingo card matching the randomly selected Bingo numbers selected up to the lesser of a plurality of Bingo numbers drawn to match a game-winning pattern being matched on one of the Bingo cards enrolled in the occurrence of the Bingo game and a predetermined maximum number of the randomly selected Bingo numbers are compared to the interim pattern; and

awarding the player an interim pattern award corresponding to the interim pattern if the Bingo numbers on the player'"'"'s Bingo card match the interim pattern,

wherein the statistical distribution further comprises a uniform probability distribution for each occurrence of the Bingo game for a game-winning pattern to be matched on at least one Bingo card enrolled for the occurrence of the Bingo game in less than the predetermined maximum number of randomly selected Bingo numbers.

11. A computer-implemented method for determining game-winning patterns for a multi-player wagering Bingo game in accordance with claim 9, wherein the statistical distribution further comprises a uniform probability distribution for each occurrence of the Bingo game for a game-winning pattern to be matched on at least one Bingo card enrolled for the occurrence of the Bingo game in less than a predetermined maximum number of randomly selected Bingo numbers.

12. A computer-implemented method for determining game-winning patterns for a multi-player wagering Bingo game in accordance with claim 9, wherein the criteria comprise at least one of the number of game-winning patterns and the number of Bingo numbers in the game-winning patterns.

13. A computer-implemented method for determining game-winning patterns for a multi-player wagering Bingo game in accordance with claim 9, further comprising:

storing a plurality of game-winning patterns for each total number of Bingo cards that may be enrolled in the occurrence of the Bingo game; and

selecting at least one game-winning pattern from the plurality of stored game-winning patterns based on the total number of Bingo cards actually enrolled in the occurrence of the Bingo game.

14. A computer-implemented method for determining game-winning patterns for a multi-player wagering Bingo game in accordance with claim 9, further comprising generating at least one of the first and second game-winning pattern for the occurrence of the Bingo game at the beginning of the occurrence of the Bingo game, the at least one of the first and second game-winning patterns being generated based on the total number of Bingo cards enrolled in the occurrence of the Bingo game and the criteria for selecting at least one of the first and second game-winning patters.

16. A computer-implemented method for determining game-winning patterns for a multi-player wagering Bingo game in accordance with claim 9, comprising generating at least one of the first and second game-winning patterns for the occurrence of the Bingo game at the beginning of the occurrence of the Bingo game, the at least one of the first and second game-winning patterns being generated based on the total number of Bingo cards enrolled in the occurrence of the Bingo game.

17. A computer readable medium for a multi-player wagering Bingo game, wherein each player has at least one Bingo card having a unique combination of Bingo numbers from a range of Bingo numbers for an occurrence of the Bingo game, wherein individual Bingo numbers are randomly selected from the range of Bingo numbers during the occurrence of the Bingo game, the computer readable medium including computer program code comprising:

at least one instruction operable to determine a statistical distribution of the number of randomly selected Bingo numbers drawn for at least one player to match a first game-winning pattern and a second game-winning pattern for an occurrence of the Bingo game to be played, wherein the statistical distribution includes a desired probability of achieving the first and second game-winning patterns in a given number of draws of Bingo numbers;

at least one instruction operable to determine criteria for selecting the first and second game-winning patterns for the occurrence of the Bingo game to be played based on a total number of Bingo cards used in the occurrence of the Bingo game such that the statistical distribution of the number of randomly selected Bingo numbers drawn for the at least one player to match the first and second game winning patterns is achieved, wherein the criteria include a number of spots shared between the first and second game-winning patterns; and

at least one instruction operable to determine the first and second game-winning patterns for the occurrence of the Bingo game to be played based on the criteria for selecting the first and second game-winning patterns corresponding to the total number of Bingo cards .

18. A computer readable medium for a multi-player wagering Bingo game, wherein each player has at least one Bingo card having a unique combination of Bingo numbers from a range of Bingo numbers for an occurrence of the Bingo game, wherein individual Bingo numbers are randomly selected from the range of Bingo numbers during the occurrence of the Bingo game, the computer readable medium including computer program code comprising:

at least one instruction operable to allow a plurality of players to enroll in an occurrence of the Bingo game;

at least one instruction operable to calculate a total number of Bingo cards for the players enrolled in the occurrence of the Bingo game;

at least one instruction operable to determine criteria for selecting a first game-winning pattern and a second game-winning pattern for an occurrence of the Bingo game based on the total number of Bingo cards such that a statistical distribution of the number of randomly selected Bingo numbers drawn for at least one players to match the first and second game-winning patterns for an occurrence of the Bingo game is achieved, wherein the statistical distribution comprises a desired probability of achieving the first and second game-winning patterns in a given number of draws of Bingo numbers, wherein the criteria include include a number of spots shared between the first and second game-winning patterns; and

at least one instruction operable to determine the first and second game-winning patterns for the occurrence of the Bingo game based on the criteria for selecting the first and second game-winning patterns corresponding to the total number of Bingo.