Tournament gaming method and system

• US 7,798,901 B2
• Filed: 08/18/2003
• Issued: 09/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Binh T., Paulsen, Craig A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elisca; Pierre E
• Application Number:
  US10/642,898
• Publication Number:
  US 20050043088A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,591 Days
• Field of Search: 463 1- 29, 463 40- 42, 273/143.R, 273/269, 273/143
• US Class Current: 463/29
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• 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

Abstract

In an embodiment of a gaming method, a gaming tournament time of a gaming tournament may be designated, the gaming tournament time having a start time and an end time. Enrollment data may be received from a plurality of players at respective gaming computers, wherein enrollment data corresponding to a first player of the plurality of players indicates the first player wishes to play in the gaming tournament for a first subset of the gaming tournament time. Each of the gaming computers may be enabled for playing at least one game in the gaming tournament during the gaming tournament time, wherein the gaming computer corresponding to the first player is enabled for the first subset of the gaming tournament time. A first winning player may be determined, if any, from the plurality of players based on outcomes of the games played by the plurality of players. If the first winning player is determined, data indicative of a first value payout to be awarded to the first winning player may be generated.

Claims

1. A gaming method, comprising:

designating a gaming tournament time of a gaming tournament, the gaming tournament time having a start time and an end time;

receiving enrollment data from a plurality of first players at respective player computers;

enabling each of the player computers for playing at least one game in the gaming tournament during the gaming tournament time;

receiving enrollment data from a second player including authorization data indicative of the second player authorizing a software agent to play games in the gaming tournament on behalf of the second player, the software agent to be executed by a proxy computer;

enabling the software agent to play at least one game via the proxy computer during the gaming tournament time;

configuring a game playing behavior of the software agent to allow the second player to select game playing behavior corresponding to selected categories of particular predetermined high, moderate or low skill levels;

determining a first winning player, if any, from the plurality of first players and the second player based on outcomes of the games played by the plurality of first players and the software agent; and

if the first winning player is determined, generating data indicative of a first value payout to be awarded to the first winning player.

2. A gaming method according to claim 1, further comprising:

determining a second winning player, if any, from the plurality of first players and the second player based on outcomes of the games played by the plurality of first players and the software agent; and

if the second winning player is determined, generating data indicative of a second value payout to be awarded to the second winning player.

3. A gaming method according to claim 1, wherein configuring the game playing behavior of the software agent includes prompting the second player to answer a questionnaire.

4. A gaming method according to claim 1, further comprising analyzing game playing behavior of the second player to generate behavior parameters;

wherein configuring the game playing behavior of the software agent further includes configuring the software agent to play according to the generated behavior parameters.

5. A gaming method according to claim 4, wherein analyzing game playing behavior of the second player includes analyzing actions of the second player during game play.