NL1016623C2 - Automated progressive jackpot device for casino table enabling bets to be detected automatically whilst preventing fraudulent late bets - Google Patents

Abstract

Includes a gaming table, for e.g. a casino game, several player positions (1) and a betting position, a jackpot calculator (32), and display (34) for displaying the state of the jackpot. Each player position has a detector (20) for detecting an action carried out by a player or croupier for that player position. The detector of each player position is linked to the jackpot calculator, so that on detection of a player's bet an instruction is sent automatically to the jackpot calculator to raise the jackpot progressively.

Description

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Brief indication: Device for playing a selection game, as well as use of such a device.

The invention relates to a device for playing a game using a series of symbols according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention is particularly suitable for use in a casino.

In addition to the existing range of board and casino games, people are always looking for something new. In particular casino games should preferably be able to be played quickly and should be simple in design so that everyone can learn it quickly. Well-known casino games are, for example, roulette, blackjack and electronic bingo. Because some of these games do not require active player action in addition to chips, and other games are seen by many people as a difficult to learn game, it has been found that there is a need for an easy-to-learn game in which a player can have a greater influence on the course of the game.

The invention has for its object to provide a device which meets this need, and in particular has the allure and appearance of a live casino game and at the same time also contains the voltage and entertainment of an electronic gaming machine.

This object is achieved according to the present invention by a device according to claim 1. The selection game of chance is very simple in design and easy to learn. Because the player or players themselves can operate a control button for selecting a player symbol from their own display, they have the feeling that they can exert a major influence on the course of the game. By automatically holding the symbols in the display of the player that correspond to the respective selected player symbols during a game round, an attractive game is created that can be applied both independently and as an addition to existing games. The aim can be, for example, to get all the symbols from the player's 6623 "2 play fully permanently activated in several game rounds or to get certain combinations of symbols from his display permanently activated.

Advantageously, the control unit is adapted to activate a game symbol for the player position (s) at the start of each game round. The control unit is also arranged, after each player has selected a player symbol, to check whether the condition "activated game symbol" is met corresponds to "selected player symbol". If this is indeed the case, an extra reward takes place, for example, by keeping an entire row, column and / or diagonal of symbols from a matrix in the first display of the relevant player position.

The device is preferably also arranged for playing an additional game, wherein the player symbols selected during each game round can also be used for the additional game, or wherein a symbol resulting from a game round of the additional game serves as activated game symbol.

In a preferred embodiment, the additional game is formed by a high / low game according to claims 7, 8 and 9.

The additional game can also be formed by an electronic blackjack game in which each time the card drawn first in a game round is used as an activated game symbol or selected player symbol, or a roulette game where the activated game symbol originates from the number in which the roulette ball 25 falls, and the player symbol is selected by the player by operating his control button. Variants are also conceivable for other electronic or semi-electronic games in which the player plays the traditional game and in addition automatically has the chance to win an extra prize with the selection game according to the invention.

Further preferred embodiments of the invention are laid down in the other sub-claims.

The invention will be further elucidated with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 shows a gaming table layout for playing a selection game of chance combined with a high / low game with a device according to the invention; and Fig. 2 shows a display window of a player position in Fig. 1.

101 66 2 3 ^ 3

In Fig. 1, the gaming table layout comprises seven player positions 1. Each player position 1 has a readout window 3 which is further shown in Fig. 2, and comprises a first, a second and a third display 5, 6, 7. The first display 5 shows a series of numbers from 1 to 5. Lighting is provided under each of the numbers that can be flashed or permanently controlled. Below the second display 6 there is arranged a rotatable symbol roll with the numbers 1 to 25 shown therein in a random order. Below the third display 7 there is arranged a rotatable image roller with the images hearts, clover shown therein in an arbitrary order , diamonds and spades. There are bet places 8 above each display window 3 to place bets. A dealer position 10 is located at the head of the table. The dealer position 10 is provided with a start button 11 that can be operated by the dealer for simultaneously moving or unlocking the rotatable symbol rolls.

Next to the start button 11 there is a stop button 12 with which the dealer can stop the rotating symbol roles again. Furthermore, the dealer has a stack of cards 13 at his disposal.

Each player position 1 comprises an operating button 20 for stopping by the player his rollers set in motion by the dealer. The control button 20 is connected to a random generator which in turn is connected to drives for the rollers. The random generator ensures that after the player operates his stop button 20, the reel spins until it reaches a position that the ran-25 generator has calculated. So it seems to the player that he has influence on the position where the roll stops, while this is not the case because the random generator calculates this position. This ensures that the game according to the invention is a pure game of chance.

Operating the control button 20 for the first time in a game round results in the symbol role being stopped and a number appearing in the second display 6 of the player position 1. This preceding number is defined for the relevant player position 1 in this game round as the selected player number.

The device further comprises a central control unit (not shown) which is coupled to the dealer's start button 10 and to a random generator for activating game numbers at the start of each game round, SO 5 Va / 4 game numbers from the first displays 5 of the player positions 1. This can be the same number as well as a different game number for each player position 1. The game number activated for the player position is indicated in its first display 5 by flashing the relevant number. The control unit is also adapted to perform a comparison check for each player position 1 after the player has operated his control button 20, and as a result thereof has stopped his symbol role, or has the condition that the activated game number corresponds to the selected player number. The numbers in the first display 5 are arranged as a matrix. The control unit is in particular adapted to keep the row, column and / or diagonal of numbers in the matrix activated for at least the next game round in the matrix in which the number corresponding to the selected player number is present, if satisfied with the condition "activated game number" = "selected player number". This entire row, column and / or diagonal is then permanently highlighted. If the condition is not met, the control unit in the first display 5 of the relevant player position 1 will only illuminate the symbol 20 corresponding to the selected player number.

In addition, the control unit is adapted to determine the player positions 1 which have the highest and lowest selected player numbers in a next step of the game round.

Operating the control button 20 for the first time has the result that the display roller will rotate below the third display 7 of the relevant player position 1. Operating the control button 20 a second time in the game round has the result that the image roll is stopped in a position calculated by the random generator, and an image appears in the third display 7 of the player position 1. lie. This preceding image is defined for the relevant player position 1 in this game round as the selected player image. With this selected player image, an additional game with winning odds is played in combination with cards to be turned over by the dealer from the stack of cards 13.

In a variant, the control unit is adapted to deactivate a number that has been kept activated from a previous game round and, if desired, the row, column and / or diagonal in which that number is located, if the condition "selected" is met player number "=" one of the already held numbers ". This increases the tension of the selection game and prevents a first display 5 of a player position 1 from being fully illuminated in a premature stage.

In a variant, the control unit is adapted to connect a joker to a player position 1 for each row, column and / or diagonally lifted in the relevant first display 5. The joker is hereby coupled by the control unit to the image carrier of the relevant player position 1 for use during the game round step with the selected game and player images. This coupling can advantageously take place if the rotatable image roll has been replaced by an electronic buffer of images. The jokers can then easily be added to this buffer.

The course of the game is now, for example, as follows:

The first game round step:

After all players have placed their bets, the dealer starts spinning the symbol reels and the control unit randomly determining and temporarily activating a game number for each player position 1, and draws a blind starting card. The players can now press their control button 20 and thus select a player number. For the unoccupied player positions 1 the dealer can operate his stop button 12 and thus stop the symbol roles thereof. When all symbol roles have been stopped, the selected player numbers of the player positions 1 are automatically compared. The player positions 1 with the highest and lowest numbers win, for example, once the bet.

The first display:

Each player will have to try, as it were, to stop his symbol role under the second display 6 at the activated game number. If the player succeeds, the entire row, column and / or diagonal running through this number are permanently highlighted in his first display 5 during at least the next game round. If the player does not succeed, only the number selected by him will be highlighted in his first display 5. The goal is to achieve a fully highlighted first display 5 in 35 game rounds, which results in a certain fixed bonus.

The second game round step: IC ”BS 2 3« ^ 6

The dealer unlocks the image rolls under the third displays 7 and now turns over the blind starting card. The players can now stop the rotation of their image roll by pressing the control button 20 and thus select a player image. When all images in-5 have been stopped, the dealer compares the image of the starting card with the selected player images. The joker applies to each of the card images. Each player decides for himself in this second round. If the image of the starting card is different from the selected player image, he loses his bet to the dealer. If for a player position 1 the image below its third display 7 is a joker or matches the image on the turned over starting card, then the following situations may occur: a) The value on the starting card is equal to the selected player number below the second display 6. A payment of, for example, five times the bet takes place; b) The value on the starting card is higher than the selected player number. The player retains his bet; c) The value of the starting card is lower than the selected player number. The player can pass or turn over additional cards.

If the player turns over additional cards, it is always checked whether the sum of the values of the cards is still lower than the selected player number. The player can always decide to turn over an extra card or pass. If the value of the drawn cards exceeds the selected player number, he loses his bet to the dealer. If the value of the cards drawn together remains lower than or equal to his selected player number, then a payment will be made depending on the number of cards drawn.

Subsequently, new game rounds can be played in which the numbers kept activated in the first displays 5 remain lit until they are possibly deactivated.

Many variations of the game described above are possible.

A possible game variant is the addition of a so-called jack-35 pot. The jackpot should preferably be able to be won by playing only one game round. For example, in the combination of the selection game with the high / low game, the jackpot can be paid out if a player draws a certain number of cards that all have the same image as their selected player image and whose total value is exactly the same as its selected player number. There is no need to bet separately to participate in the jackpot. In yet another variant, additional payouts can be made with certain combinations of numbers or images. The cards turned over by the dealer are advantageously scanned and fed back to the control unit. A central dealer display can also be provided for the dealer with a movable image carrier coupled to a random generator below.

Thus, according to the invention, an attractive game is provided, which is particularly suitable for being played in a casino. The game is a pure game of chance that cannot be influenced by the players to their advantage, while the players still have the impression that the latter is indeed the case. The rules 15 of the game can be kept very simple, and can be expanded or adapted in a number of variants. Many design variants are conceivable for the table layout. For example, the number of player positions is variable, and as a symbol and image carrier instead of a rotatable roller, an electronically controlled buffer of symbols and images can also be used. Instead of numbers, the symbols can also relate to other symbols that are distinguishable from each other. The movable symbol carriers and image carriers can also be combined with each other, and with one operation of an operating button both lead to the selection of both a player symbol and a player image, optionally under one and the same display.

The game according to the invention is not only suitable for use in a casino, but is also suitable for the computer, television and board games in the home.

In addition to the combination with a high / low game described here, the selection chance game can also be used individually or in combination with other games.

1016623-

Claims (12)

Device for playing a selection game of chance using a series of symbols, in particular numbers, comprising one or more player positions (1), each player position (1) comprising: - a display window (3) including at least a first display (5) with the entire series of symbols thereon or a selection thereof; 10, characterized in that each player position (1) further comprises: - an operating button (20) which can be operated by the player and which is coupled to a random generator for selecting a player symbol from the sequence of symbols during each game round, the device further comprising: - a central control unit which is adapted to keep the symbol in the first display (5) corresponding to the selected player symbol activated for at least the next game round. 20 2. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the symbols in the first display (5) are arranged as a matrix, the central control unit being coupled to a random generator for activating a game symbol from the series of symbols at the beginning of each game round and wherein the control unit is adapted to keep that row, column and / or diagonal of symbols in the first display (5) in which the symbol corresponding to the selected player symbol is located, for at least the next game round in the matrix if the condition is met: 30 activated game symbol = selected player symbol. 3. Device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control unit is adapted to deactivate a symbol kept activated from a previous game round, and if desired of the row, column and / or slide in which that symbol is located, if the symbol is met condition: activated game symbol = selected player symbol = one of the already held symbols. ··· Λ ·? m w '\ J L. O ™ r Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the control unit is adapted to provide a player with a reward if his entire series of symbols is kept activated in the first display 5 (5). 5. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the device is also adapted to play a second game, also making use of said set of symbols, and wherein the control unit is adapted to both the selection chance game and the game of chance in each game round. second game linking the player symbol selected for each player position, or is arranged to link an activated game symbol to both the selection game and the second game in each game round. 15 6. Device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the control unit is adapted to connect a joker to a player position (1) for each row, column and / or diagonally which is kept activated, which joker can be used in at least the next game round. the second game. 7. Device as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the device is also adapted to play a high / low game, the series of symbols can be arranged from high to low, a plurality of player positions (1) are provided, and wherein the control unit is arranged for determining in a step of each game round those player positions (1) which have the highest or lowest selected player symbols relative to the other player positions (1), and payment of a determined payment to the associated players. 30 The device of claim 7, each player position (1) further comprising: a) a second display (6) including a movable symbol carrier with said sequence of symbols displayed thereon; B) a third display (7) including a movable image carrier with images displayed thereon that can be distinguished by type; C) at least one betting position (8) for betting money, tokens or the like, the operating button (20) operable by the player being coupled to the symbol carrier for stopping a symbol carrier set in motion for the following step of each game round selecting the player symbol from the sequence of symbols, which selected player symbol is placed in front of the second display (6), and wherein a dealer position (10) is provided comprising: d) a dealer-operated start button (11) for starting at least the symbol carrier for each player position (1) at the start of each game round; e) a stop button (12) operable by the dealer for stopping symbol carriers of any unoccupied player positions (1) set in motion; and f) a stack of cards (13) with one of said images displayed on each card, or a central dealer display including a movable image carrier with said images displayed thereon. Use of a device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: - having the player select a player symbol in a step of each game round; and - keeping the symbol in the first display (5) corresponding to the selected player symbol activated for at least the next game round. 9. Use according to claim 8, further comprising the steps of: - activating a game symbol for each player position (1) at the start of each game round; and - keeping the row, column and / or diagonal in the first display (5) in which the symbol corresponding to both the player symbol and the activated game symbol is located for at least the next game round. 35 Use of a device according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising the steps of: - players placing an amount, chips or the like; - moving the movable symbol carriers for all player positions (1); - the stopping of the symbol carrier associated with his player position (1) by each player, wherein a selected player symbol comes to lie before the second display (6); - the termination by a dealer of symbol bearers of any vacant player positions (1); - determining those player positions (1) which have the highest or lowest selected player symbols relative to the other player positions (1), and payment of a determined win to the associated players; - setting the movable image carriers in motion for all player positions (1); - the stopping of the image carrier associated with his player position (1) by each player, whereby a selected player image comes to lie before the third display (7); and - for at least the player positions (1) that do not have the highest or lowest selected player symbols, having the dealer determine a game image by turning a card or by stopping an image under the central dealer display, and have the relevant player at least retain his bet if the condition is met: game image = selected player image. 101 SO 2 3—