System and method for randomized virtual golf game with wagering

• US 9,514,604 B1
• Filed: 10/30/2015
• Issued: 12/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2015
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BFMM, LLC, INOV8 Golf, Inc.
• Original Assignee: INOV8 Golf, Inc.
• Inventors: Cioe, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Myhr, Justin
• Application Number:
  US14/927,925
• Time in Patent Office: 403 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/573 using trajectories of game objects, e.g. of a golf ball according to the point of impact
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5553 user representation in the game field, e.g. avatar
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3237 about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/326 Game play aspects of gaming systems
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3269 Timing aspects of game play, e.g. blocking/halting the operation of a gaming machine
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3286 Type of games
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3295 Games involving skill, e.g. dexterity, memory, thinking

Abstract

A system and method for playing a multiple iteration, goal-oriented game with wagering involved at each iteration, such as in a golf wagering application. The system and method comprises providing a computer application to connect multiple users in a network to play through bet sequences and play sequences during multiple iterations of play such as each golf hole, wherein in each play sequence each user moves closer to the goal such as taking the lowest number of virtual strokes on a virtual golf hole. Players may win by reaching the goal before other players, or by causing opponents to drop out of a game during betting sequences.

Claims

1. A method for playing a virtual golf game for a plurality of users, comprising:

a. providing a computer application for a computing device that when run by the computing device, causes the computing device to;

i. manage a user account stored in a database and accessible from a server, wherein the user account comprises a user identification, a virtual currency amount associated with the user account, an avatar, and a progression system, wherein the avatar represents a user when playing the virtual golf game, wherein the avatar is customizable by a plurality of customization options, wherein customization options are purchasable from a virtual store, wherein the progression system provides rewards associated with the user account, and wherein the rewards comprise customization options;

ii. play the virtual golf game, wherein the virtual golf game comprises a starting point, a play sequence, a bet sequence, a termination condition, and a resolution event;

1. wherein the starting point comprises a display of a golf hole on a golf course, a display of each connected user playing in the game, a display of an ante requirement for each user to commence play on the golf hole, and a control option for each user to pay the ante requirement, wherein the ante of each user is virtually placed into a virtual pot when the each user confirms to proceed;

2. wherein the play sequence comprises a display of a distance of each user to the golf hole, a control option to actuate a random number generator to effectuate a virtual golf shot by each user, wherein an outcome of each user'"'"'s golf shot is dependent on the random number generator and a distance and a location of each user relative to the golf hole, wherein the distance and the location of each user relative to the golf hole is updated based on the outcome of the user'"'"'s golf shot, and wherein the play sequence is repeated depending on a par of the hole and the outcome of each user'"'"'s golf shot, wherein the computing device selects a table from a plurality of tables, the table comprising a list of numbers, each number corresponding to a possible shot outcome, wherein the random number generator randomly selects a number from the list of numbers from the table selected, wherein when the number is selected the possible shot outcome corresponding to the selected number becomes the outcome, wherein the table selected is determined by any one or more variables selected from the group consisting of the current location and distance from the hole, a club selected, and an environmental condition, wherein a combination of the probability of each possible outcome being selected is different for each table in the plurality of tables;

3. wherein the bet sequence, which occurs prior to each user playing their respective golf shot, comprises a percentage likelihood that their respective golf shot will be holed out, and a plurality of wagering options for each user, including;

(a) to become inactive, (b) match the wager by all other active users, or (c) raise the wager of one or more other active users, and wherein the bet sequence further comprises a timer for each user that automatically causes the user to become inactive if the user does not choose a wagering option within a predetermined time limit;

4. wherein the play sequence and bet sequence alternate until the termination condition occurs, wherein the termination condition is one of the following;

(a) one active user remaining at an end of a bet sequence or (b) at least one user having the lowest score on a golf hole, wherein if a termination condition occurs, then the system proceeds to the resolution event;

5. wherein the resolution event comprises a display of each user and a display of a transfer of virtual currency from the virtual pot to at least one winner of the virtual golf game.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the computer application further causes the computing device to play a virtual golf tournament, wherein the virtual golf tournament comprises a plurality of virtual golf games played in sequence, wherein each user enters the virtual golf tournament with a set amount of virtual currency, and wherein a winner is determined based on which user possesses the highest amount of virtual currency at an end of the virtual golf tournament.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the computer application further causes the computing device to play a virtual golf tournament, wherein the virtual golf tournament comprises a plurality of virtual golf games played in a bracket format, wherein each user begins each of the plurality of virtual golf games with the same amount of currency as other users, and wherein a winner of each of the plurality of virtual golf games advances to a next round in the bracket format until only one user remains undefeated.

4. A system of playing a virtual golf game among a plurality of users comprising:

a. a server;

b. a database;

c. a computing device comprising a display, at least one processor, memory, and at least one program, wherein the at least one program is stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the at least one processor, the at least one program including instructions to;

i. manage a user account stored in the database and accessible from the server, wherein the user account comprises a user identification and a virtual currency amount associated with the user account;

ii. play the virtual golf game, wherein the virtual golf game comprises a starting point, a play sequence, a bet sequence, a termination condition, and a resolution event;

1. wherein the starting point comprises a display of a golf hole on a golf course, a display of each connected user playing in the game, a display of an ante requirement for a user to commence play on the golf hole, and a control option for each user to pay the ante requirement, wherein the ante of each user is virtually placed into a virtual pot when the each user confirms to proceed;

2. wherein the play sequence comprises a display of a distance of each user to the golf hole, a control option to actuate a random number generator that determines an outcome of each user'"'"'s golf shot, wherein the distance and a location of each user relative to the golf hole is updated based on the outcome of each user'"'"'s golf shot, and wherein the play sequence is repeated depending on a par of the hole and the outcome of each user'"'"'s golf shot, wherein the computing device selects a table from a plurality of tables, the table comprising a list of numbers, each number corresponding to a possible shot outcome, wherein the random number generator randomly selects a number from the list of numbers from the table selected, wherein when the number is selected the possible shot outcome corresponding to the selected number becomes the outcome, wherein the table selected is determined by any one or more variables selected from the group consisting of the current location and distance from the hole, a club selected, and an environmental condition, wherein a combination of the probability of each possible outcome being selected is different for each table in the plurality of tables;

3. wherein the bet sequence, which occurs prior to each user playing their respective golf shot, comprises a percentage likelihood that their respective golf shot will be holed out, and a plurality of wagering options for each user to become inactive, match the wager by all other active users, or raise the wager of one or more other active users;

4. wherein the play sequence and bet sequence alternate until the termination condition occurs, wherein the termination condition is one active user remaining at an end of a bet sequence or at least one user having the lowest score on a golf hole, and wherein if a termination condition occurs, then the system proceeds to the resolution event;

5. wherein the resolution event comprises a display of each user and a display of a transfer of virtual currency from the virtual pot to at least one winner of the virtual golf game.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the bet sequence further requires a bet sequence ante.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the bet sequence ante increases at least once during the virtual golf game.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the outcome of each user'"'"'s golf shot is further dependent on the distance and the location of each user relative to the golf hole.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one program further comprises instructions to play a virtual golf tournament, wherein the virtual golf tournament comprises a plurality of virtual golf games played in sequence, wherein each user enters the virtual golf tournament with a set amount of virtual currency, and wherein a winner is determined based on which user has the highest amount of virtual currency at the end of the virtual golf tournament.

9. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one further comprises instructions to play a virtual golf tournament, wherein the virtual golf tournament comprises a plurality of virtual golf games played in a bracket format, wherein each user begins each of the plurality of virtual golf games with the same amount of currency as other users, and wherein a winner of each of the plurality of virtual golf games advances to a next round in the bracket format until only one user remains undefeated.

10. The system of claim 4, wherein the user account further comprises a progression system, wherein the progression system provides rewards associated with the user account, and wherein progression is, and rewards are, earned by playing the virtual golf game.

11. The system of claim 4, wherein the bet sequence further comprises a timer for each user that automatically causes the user to become inactive if the user does not choose a wagering option within a predetermined time limit.

12. A method for playing a virtual golf game for a plurality of users, comprising:

a. providing a computer application for a computing device that when run by the computing device, causes the computing device to;

i. manage a user account stored in the database and accessible from the server, wherein the user account comprises a user identification and a virtual currency amount associated with the user account;

ii. play the virtual golf game, wherein the virtual golf game comprises a starting point, a play sequence, a bet sequence, a termination condition, and a resolution event;

1. wherein the starting point comprises a display of a golf hole on a golf course, a display of each connected user playing in the game, a display of an ante requirement for each user to commence play on the golf hole, and a control option for each user to pay the ante requirement, wherein the ante of each user is virtually placed into a virtual pot when each user confirms to proceed;

2. wherein the play sequence comprises a display of a distance of each user to the golf hole, a control option to actuate a random number generator that determines an outcome of each user'"'"'s golf shot, wherein the distance and a location of each user relative to the golf hole is updated based on the outcome of each user'"'"'s golf shot, and wherein the play sequence is repeated depending on a par of the hole and the outcome of each user'"'"'s golf shot, wherein the computing device selects a table from a plurality of tables, the table comprising a list of numbers, each number corresponding to a possible shot outcome, wherein the random number generator randomly selects a number from the list of numbers from the table selected, wherein when the number is selected the possible shot outcome corresponding to the selected number becomes the outcome, wherein the table selected is determined by any one or more variables selected from the group consisting of the current location and distance from the hole, a club selected, and an environmental condition, wherein a combination of the probability of each possible outcome being selected is different for each table in the plurality of tables;

3. wherein the bet sequence, which occurs prior to each user playing their respective golf shot, comprises a percentage likelihood that their respective golf shot will be holed out, and a plurality of wagering options for each user to become inactive, match the wager by all other active users, or raise the wager of one or more other active users;

4. wherein the play sequence and bet sequence alternate until the termination condition occurs, wherein the termination condition is one active user remaining at an end of a bet sequence or at least one user having the lowest score on a golf hole, and wherein if a termination condition occurs, then the system proceeds to the resolution event;

5. wherein the resolution event comprises a display of each user and a display of a transfer of virtual currency from the virtual pot to at least one winner of the virtual golf game.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the bet sequence further requires a bet sequence ante.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the bet sequence ante increases at least once during the virtual golf game.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the outcome of each user'"'"'s golf shot is further dependent on the distance and the location of each user relative to the golf hole.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the outcome of each user'"'"'s golf shot is further dependent on the distance and the location of each user relative to the golf hole.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the outcome of each user'"'"'s golf shot is further dependent on the distance and the location of each user relative to the golf hole.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the computer application further causes the computing device to play a virtual golf tournament, wherein the virtual golf tournament comprises a plurality of virtual golf games played in sequence, wherein each user enters the virtual golf tournament with a set amount of virtual currency, and wherein a winner is determined based on which user has the highest amount of virtual currency at the end of the virtual golf tournament.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the computer application further causes the computing device to play a virtual golf tournament, wherein the virtual golf tournament comprises a plurality of virtual golf games played in a bracket format, wherein each user begins each of the plurality of virtual golf games with the same amount of currency as other users, and wherein a winner of each of the plurality of virtual golf games advances to a next round in the bracket format until only one user remains undefeated.