Gambling system and method through a computer network
First Claim
1. A method for enabling players to gamble directly with one another, comprising the steps of:
- a) for each player, receiving at a host server a bet conveyed from a machine connected to the host server through a distributed network;
b) combining the received bets from a set of players into a pot;
c) commencing a hosted game among the set of players by prompting the players at their respective machines for inputs;
d) receiving the inputs at the host server;
e) selecting at least one winner of the hosted game from among the set of players based on the received inputs; and
f) allocating the pot of the hosted game to the at least one winner in accordance with prescribed rules.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods operable through a distributed computer network are disclosed which enable direct game play against remotely situated players, of the same skill, and with payout rules of their choosing. One method enables players to gamble directly with one another. In this method, a host server receives a bet from a machine operated by each player, with each machine being connected to the host server through a distributed network. The received bets are combined into a pot, and a hosted game commences among the set of players that contributed to the pot, by prompting the players at their respective machines for inputs. Inputs are then received at the host server and at least one winner is selected from among the set of players on the basis of the received inputs. The pot is then allocated to the at least one winner in accordance with prescribed rules. Another method enables teams of players to compete directly against each other for money. That method includes the steps of establishing several teams across a distributed network., receiving an ante conveyed from each player'"'"'s machine and combining the antes from all of the players into a pot. A hosted game is then commenced among the teams by prompting the players of each team at their respective machines for inputs. Inputs are thereafter received at the host server, and at least one winning team is selected from among the teams based on the received inputs. The pot is then allocated to the at least one winning team in accordance with prescribed rules.
264 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for enabling players to gamble directly with one another, comprising the steps of:
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a) for each player, receiving at a host server a bet conveyed from a machine connected to the host server through a distributed network;
b) combining the received bets from a set of players into a pot;
c) commencing a hosted game among the set of players by prompting the players at their respective machines for inputs;
d) receiving the inputs at the host server;
e) selecting at least one winner of the hosted game from among the set of players based on the received inputs; and
f) allocating the pot of the hosted game to the at least one winner in accordance with prescribed rules. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27)
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26. A method for enabling teams of players to compete directly against each other for money, comprising the steps of:
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a) establishing at least a first team and a second team, the teams including non-overlapping sets of players each of which is connected by a machine to a host server through a distributed network;
b) receiving at the host server an ante conveyed from each player'"'"'s machine;
b) combining the antes from all of the players into a pot;
c) commencing a hosted game among the teams by prompting the players of each team at their respective machines for inputs;
d) receiving the inputs at the host server;
e) selecting at least one winning team from among the teams based on the received inputs; and
f) allocating the pot of the hosted game to the at least one winning team in accordance with prescribed rules.
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Specification