US20190262695A1

US20190262695A1 - Methods for conducting and playing lottery games

Info

Publication number: US20190262695A1
Application number: US15/907,567
Authority: US
Inventors: Ronald Borruso
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-02-28
Filing date: 2018-02-28
Publication date: 2019-08-29
Also published as: WO2019168746A2; WO2019168746A3

Abstract

A method of conducting and playing a lottery game includes providing a chance to win including consecutively drawn player characters selected from a first pool of characters and a trigger player character selected from a second pool of characters, providing a result including consecutively drawn result characters selected from the first pool of characters and a trigger result character selected from the second pool of characters, and comparing the chance to win to the result. When the trigger player character matches the trigger result character, a basic prize is won when all or a plurality of the player characters matches all or a plurality of the result characters, and a second more valuable prize is won when the same conditions apply in addition to when the position of at least one of the player characters matches the position of at least one of the result characters.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to lotteries.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lottery is a procedure for distributing something (usually money or prizes) among a group of people by lot or chance. The type of lottery considered here is a form of gambling in which a usually large number of people purchase chances called lottery tickets, in which the winning tickets are drawn from a pool composed of all tickets sold or offered for sale. The value of the prizes is the amount remaining after expenses, which include the profits for the promoter, the costs of promotion, the portion allocated to designated state purposes, and the taxes and other charges. In most large-scale lotteries, a very large prize is offered along with many smaller ones. Lotteries have wide appeal as a means for raising money; they are simple to organize, easy to plan, and, in general, popular but controversial.
The practice of determining the distribution of property by lot is traceable to ancient times. Among dozens of Biblical examples, the Old Testament (Numbers 26:55-56) has the Lord instructing Moses to take a census of the people of Israel and to divide the land among them by lot. The Roman emperors Nero and Augustus used lotteries to give away property and slaves during Saturnalian feasts and other entertainments. Modern lotteries of a similar type include those used for military conscription, commercial promotions in which property is given away by a random procedure, and the selection of jury members from lists of registered voters. Under the strict definition of a gambling type of lottery, however, payment of a consideration (property, work, or money) must be made for a chance of receiving the prize.
The basic elements of modern lotteries are simple. First, there must be some means of recording the identities of the bettors, the amounts staked by each, and the number or other symbol on which the money is bet. The bettor may write his name on a ticket that is deposited with the lottery organization for subsequent shuffling and possible selection in the drawing. Or the bettor may buy a numbered receipt, in the knowledge that this number will be entered into a pool of numbers, the bettor having the responsibility of determining later if his ticket was among the winners. Another procedure requires only that the bettor inform a representative of the lottery which number he guesses will be drawn, and the representative is trusted to appear later with the prize, if any is won. This is the usual procedure in the illegal numbers game, which has been popular for several decades in many cities throughout the United States.
A second element of all lotteries is the drawing. The drawing, a procedure for determining winning numbers, may take the form of a pool or collection of tickets or their counterfoils from which the winners are extracted. The tickets must first be thoroughly mixed by some mechanical means, such as shaking or tossing; this is a randomizing procedure designed to insure chance and only chance determines the selection of winners. Computers have increasingly come into use for this purpose because of their capacity for storing information about large numbers of tickets and for generating random numbers for identifying the winners. Promoters of public, especially of large-scale, lotteries may exploit the opportunity to make the drawing and/or mixing process as colorful and dramatic as possible.
The third element common to all lotteries is the existence of a mechanism for collecting and pooling all the money placed as stakes. This is usually accomplished by a hierarchy of sales agents who pass money paid for the tickets up through the organization until it is “banked.” A practice common in many national lotteries is to divide tickets into fractions, usually tenths. Each fraction when sold separately costs slightly more than its share of the total cost of an entire ticket. Many people then buy whole tickets, in effect at a premium or discounted price, for marketing in the streets where customers can place relatively small stakes on the fractions. In a large-scale lottery, the use of the regular mail system is desirable for communicating information and transporting tickets and stakes. In the United States and some other countries, however, postal rules prohibit use of the mails. Postal prohibitions apply also to international mailings of lotteries. Though post-office authorities are diligent, smuggling and other violations of interstate and international regulations occur.
A fourth requirement is a set of rules determining the frequencies and sizes of the prizes. Costs of organizing and promoting the lotteries must be deducted from the pool, and a percentage normally goes as revenues and profits to the state or sponsor. Of the remainder available for the winners, a decision must be made on whether to pay few large prizes or many smaller ones. Potential bettors seem to be attracted to lotteries that offer very large prizes, whereas other bettors prefer a chance to win smaller prizes. Authorities on lotteries disagree about which of these choices is better for the welfare of the people and the economic success of the lottery. The amount of the pool returned to the bettors tends to be between 50 percent and 60 percent.
A modern form of lottery ticket sales is the on-line sale, in which tickets are printed by a terminal/printer in a merchant's store. In an online sale where the player chooses numbers, the input/terminal/printer is connected to a secure central computer or lottery game computer system operated by the state lottery commission, and it is that central computer system that recognizes and accepts the players' choices of numbers and sends signals to the remote terminal/printer to print the ticket with selected numbers and records the transaction in a secure central database or databank. In a “quick-pick” type of transaction, which is ubiquitous in modern numbers lotteries, the central computer provides the numbers and sends a signal to the remote terminal/printer to print the ticket with those numbers and then records that transaction in the secure central databank.
In multi-state games such as Powerball®, the procedure is basically the same, with each participating state being responsible for verification and winner files, and then reporting to the central coordinating group. In on-line lottery games, a matrix is established that governs the winning combinations and the prize structure. All on-line tickets bear special secure coding to help minimize fraud. On-line lottery tickets have become less popular than instant lottery tickets, due mostly to the fact that instant tickets are much more likely to be purchased on impulse than on-line tickets.
In instant lottery sales, participating merchants receive a number of pre-printed tickets, which are furnished with secure coding minimizing fraud. Like on-line sales, the prizes printed on such tickets are also determined by a matrix that governs winning combinations and the prize structure, based on the prize pay-outs desired, the number of retailers participating, and the populations they serve. To see the numbers or prizes printed on the tickets and determine if they hold a winning ticket, players scratch off the coating that obscures the printing. Although winning combinations have been printed on some of those instant tickets, no one knows where they are in the package, or even which store received packages containing big winner tickets.
There are also other variations of instant games including punch-board, pull-tab and break-opens. Unlike on-line tickets and scratch-off instant tickets, these variations come in pre-set, pre-determined packages where the matrix has already been built in according to some pre-determined formula suitable for smaller establishments. Unlike scratch-off games, these games have an advantage in that it is a simple matter to add an additional retailer because the addition of that retailer will not affect the matrix because it has been pre-determined, based on the number of tickets comprising the package.
In both online and instant ticket lotteries, prizes that remain unclaimed after some statutorily prescribed period that varies from state to state, ranging up to one year, become void as winning tickets. After the winning tickets become void, any prize money can revert to the state, or be added to future prize pools.
Among the family of modern lottery games are the “passive” or “passive draw” game, the “instant” game, the “pick” game, and the “lotto” game. The “passive draw” game includes a purchase of a pre-numbered ticket. Passive draw tickets are generally sold in ascending numerical order and after a certain period of time a winning number is selected and a prize is awarded to the holder of the ticket bearing the winning number. Another version of a passive game is to add various ways to win. Take an Example in which the number selected in a passive drawing is 978571. Holders of tickets matching the first two digits of 97 win prizes, tickets matching the first three digits 978 win prizes, and so forth.
In an “instant” game, a player purchases a preprinted ticket with revealable numbers, symbols, or other game characters. Instant games are usually based on a theme such as card games, lucky numbers, familiar characters, etc. Tickets containing three like symbols win a prize, in which the prize level is preset. If a player's card is a winning card, then the player can immediately (instantly) cash the ticket and receive a prize. There is no traditional drawing to determine a winner in an instant game, and there are literally hundreds of variations of instant games.
In an example of a “pick” game, a player selects a three-digit number from 000-999. A random number from 000-999 is drawn. If the drawn number matches the number selected by a player, then the player wins a prize. This type of pick game is a “straight bet” game. Another example of a pick game involves a player who selects to play just the first two digits or the last two digits of, for instance, a three-digit number. In this case, the prize that may be won is lower but the player only has to match the two digits, in exact order, instead of all three digits. These are called “front and back pair” bets. Yet another variation is called a “box” bet, in which a player selects, for instance, a three-digit number but is playing every order of the three digits. For instance, if a player plays the number 123 boxed, then the player really has purchased 6 bets, one each on 123 132, 231, 213, 312, and 321. If any one of these numbers is drawn, the player wins.
A “lotto” game is often referred to as a matrix game, in which a player selects X numbers from a pool of Z numbers. The lottery draws Y numbers from the pool of Z numbers. Players win a prize if enough of their selections match the selections drawn by the lottery. As an example, if the lotto game were a 6-6-36, then the player would select 6 numbers from a pool of 36 and the lottery would draw 6 numbers from the pool of 36 numbers. Players would win if their selections match 3, 4, 5, or 6 of the lottery selections. In this type of game, numbers cannot be duplicated. In other words, every number in a lotto style game is unique, and the order is not relevant in a lotto game.
Many lotteries in the United States and other countries offer games where play is based on the Lottery drawing a three-digit number from 000-999. Drawings may be performed daily, multiple times daily, or several times per week or per month. The Lottery's selection of the three-digit winning number may be from groups of balls or from a random number generator or other selection method. These types of games are commonly referred to as “pick 3” games.
In an example of a pick 3 game, a player selects a three-digit number from 000-999. A random number from 000-999 is drawn. If the drawn number matches the number selected by the player, then the player wins a prize. This type of pick 3 game is a “straight bet” game. Another example of a “pick” game involves a player who selects to play just the first two digits or the last two digits of, for instance, a three-digit number. In this case, the prize that may be won is lower but the player only need match the two digits, in exact order, instead of all three digits. These are called “front and back pair” bets. Yet another variation is called a “box” bet, in which a player selects, for instance, a three-digit number but is playing every order of the three digits. For instance, if a player plays the number 123 boxed, then the player really has purchased six bets, one each on 123, 132, 231, 213, 312, and 321. If any one of these numbers is drawn, the player wins.
Many Lotteries in the United States and other countries offer games where play is based on the Lottery drawing a four-digit number from 0000-9999. Drawings may be performed daily, multiple times daily, or several times per week or per month. Selection of the four-digit number may be from groups of balls or from a random number generator or other selection method. Similar games may be offered with additional digits, such as five digits, six digits, etc., with similar methods of play.
In all the methods of play above for the three-digit and four-digit games, the player is restricted to matching all the digits selected by the lottery regardless of exact or any order. If all of the digits played are not matched, the player does not win. Under the current straight and boxed methods of play, players often match two of the three numbers but not the third and do not win even a secondary prize for coming close. Under the front pair and back pair methods of play, players must match both numbers to win.
Another type of lottery game is the “double-matrix” game in which a player selects X numbers from a first pool of numbers and then selects a single number from a second pool of numbers. The lottery then draws or generates X numbers from the first pool of numbers and a single number from the second pool of numbers. Players win by matching some or all of their X numbers drawn from the first pool and the single number drawn from the second pool with some or all of the X numbers generated by the lottery and the single number generated by the lottery, respectively. Typically, lesser prizes are assigned to wins that have a fewer number of matches between the player's numbers and the lottery's numbers or that do not match the number drawn from the second pool, and greater prizes are assigned to wins that have more matches between the player's numbers and the lottery's numbers.
Although the art is replete with various systems and methods for conducting and playing lotteries, needed is yet another that is simple to conduct, uncomplicated, and that provides players with many ways to win.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the principle of the invention, a method of conducting and playing a lottery game includes providing a chance to win including consecutively drawn player characters selected from a first pool of characters, and a trigger player character selected from a second pool of characters, providing a result including consecutively drawn result characters selected from the first pool of characters, and a trigger result character selected from the second pool of characters, and comparing the result to the chance to win. When all or a plurality of the plurality of player characters matches all or a plurality of the plurality of result characters, respectively, and the trigger chance character matches the trigger result character, in one embodiment the method includes assigning a basic win having a basic value to the chance to win when the position of none of the plurality player characters matches the position of none of the result characters, assigning a premium win having a premium value to the chance to when the position of one of the plurality of the player characters matches the position of one of the plurality of the result characters, wherein the premium value is greater than the basic value, assigning a basic prize having the basic value to the chance to win, when the basic win is assigned to the chance to win, and assigning a premium prize having the premium value to the chance to win, when the premium win is assigned to the chance to win. When all or a plurality of the plurality of player characters matches all or a plurality of the plurality of result characters, respectively, and the trigger chance character matches the trigger result character, in another embodiment the method includes assigning a basic win having a basic value to the chance to win when the position of none of the plurality player characters matches the position of none of the result characters, assigning a premium win having a premium value to the chance to when the positions of all or a plurality of the plurality of player characters matches the positions of all or a plurality of the plurality of result characters, wherein the premium value is greater than the basic value, assigning a basic prize having the basic value to the chance to win, when the basic win is assigned to the chance to win, and assigning a premium prize having the premium value to the chance to win, when the premium win is assigned to the chance to win. In an exemplary embodiment, the consecutively drawn player characters include at least four consecutively drawn player characters, the consecutively drawn result characters include at least four consecutively drawn result numbers, the first pool of characters is greater than the second pool of characters, and the chance to win is issued to a player with a lottery ticket dispensing system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1-7 illustrates double-matrix lottery tickets of lottery drawings according to various embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to the principle of the invention, methods of conducting and playing a lottery game, a new and improved form of a “double-matrix” lottery game according to the invention, is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a method of conducting and playing a lottery game includes providing a chance to win including consecutively drawn player characters selected from a first pool of characters, and a trigger player character selected from a second pool of characters, providing a result including consecutively drawn result characters selected from the first pool of characters, and a trigger result character selected from the second pool of characters, and comparing the result to the chance to win. When all or a plurality of the plurality of player characters matches all or a plurality of the plurality of result characters, respectively, and the trigger chance character matches the trigger result character, in one embodiment the method includes assigning a basic win having a basic value to the chance to win when the position of none of the plurality player characters matches the position of none of the result characters, assigning a premium win having a premium value to the chance to when the position of one of the plurality of the player characters matches the position of one of the plurality of the result characters, wherein the premium value is greater than the basic value, assigning a basic prize having the basic value to the chance to win, when the basic win is assigned to the chance to win, and assigning a premium prize having the premium value to the chance to win, when the premium win is assigned to the chance to win. When all or a plurality of the plurality of player characters matches all or a plurality of the plurality of result characters, respectively, and the trigger chance character matches the trigger result character, in another embodiment the method includes assigning a basic win having a basic value to the chance to win when the position of none of the plurality player characters matches the position of none of the result characters, assigning a premium win having a premium value to the chance to when the positions of all or a plurality of the plurality of player characters matches the positions of all or a plurality of the plurality of result characters, wherein the premium value is greater than the basic value, assigning a basic prize having the basic value to the chance to win, when the basic win is assigned to the chance to win, and assigning a premium prize having the premium value to the chance to win, when the premium win is assigned to the chance to win. In an exemplary embodiment, the consecutively drawn player characters include at least four consecutively drawn player characters, the consecutively drawn result characters include at least four consecutively drawn result numbers, the first pool of characters is greater than the second pool of characters, and the chance to win is issued to a player with a lottery ticket dispensing system, such as one of a standard lottery game computer system, a standard networked computer environment, such as a local area network or a global computer network, or a standard gaming unit. The lottery ticket dispensing system from which the chance to win is issued is preferably pre-programmed before a drawing with the first pool of characters, and the second pool of characters.
An exemplary embodiment includes issuing the chance to win to the player, the chance to win including consecutively drawn player characters selected from a first pool of characters, and a trigger player character selected from a second pool of characters. The consecutively drawn player characters are an ordered sequence of player characters. The characters of the first pool of characters are greater in number than the characters of the second pool of characters. Each one of the player characters has a position. The first pool of characters is greater than the second pool of characters. In an exemplary embodiment, the first pool of characters is from 20-40 characters, and the second pool of characters is from 5-10 characters. Preferably, the first pool of characters includes twenty-nine characters, and the second pool of characters includes five characters. As way of drawing player characters in a chance to win, a player can be issued player characters selected from a random draw of player characters, if desired, from the first pool of characters, or the player can select the player characters. The player characters, as with the result characters, can be one or more of the following including letters, numbers, objects, symbols, colors, pictures, etc., and are preferably numbers in an illustrative embodiment.
The chance to win, the player characters, is preferably presented on a lottery ticket that is issued to the player in any manner where chances to win are issued to players in a lottery where there is drawing for determining a winner or winners. For instance, in one embodiment the chance to win is issued to the player over a networked computer environment, such as a local area network, a global computer network, etc. In another embodiment, the chance to win is issued to the player with a conventional lottery ticket dispensing system, such as from a standard lottery game computer system. In yet a further embodiment, the chance to win is issued to a player over a conventional gaming unit or individual gaming unit, which also pays prizes to winning chances. An example of a gaming unit or individual gaming unit is machine such as a slot machine or a video lottery terminal, in which the drawing for the result consists of the player activating the machine in a game of play to cause the machine to produce the result, or cause the machine to provide or receive a result from a centralized or remote gaming control system. In a machine scenario, prizes are paid out to winning chances in accordance with normal machine practice. The chance to win from a gaming unit, such as a slot machine or a video lottery terminal, can be issued by the gaming unit, or from another source, or input into the gaming unit, whether by a player or by some other person. Other forms of gaming units can be adapted and arranged to carry out the invention in accordance with the teachings thereof, if desired. The player can be required to make a purchase of a consumer item and/or purchase a lottery ticket to enter into the lottery game of the invention, although the chance to win can be issued to the player without the need for the player to purchase them or to make a purchase of a consumer item. Typically, a lottery ticket incorporating the chance to win under the invention is purchased by the player. Each of the above examples is exemplary of a lottery ticket dispensing system.
After the chance to win is provided, is issued to the player, a random drawing is conducted, such as in a straight drawing procedure or other form of random drawing procedure, in which there is a step of receiving from the drawing a result including consecutively drawn result characters selected from the first pool of characters, and a trigger result character selected from the second pool of characters. The consecutively drawn result characters are an ordered sequence of result characters. The result characters are equal in number to the player characters, each one of the result characters has a position, and the positions of the result characters correspond to the positions of the player characters. As a matter of example, the consecutively drawn player characters of the chance to win includes at least four consecutively drawn player characters, and the consecutively drawn result characters also include at least four consecutively drawn result characters. Although four result characters and four player characters are disclosed in a preferred embodiment, less or more can be used, whether three, five, six, seven, etc. As the result is provided, the method next includes comparing the result to the chance to win. In a particular embodiment, when all or a plurality of the plurality of player characters matches all or a plurality of the plurality of result characters, respectively, and the trigger chance character matches the trigger result character the method includes assigning a basic win having a basic value to the chance to win when the position of none of the plurality player characters matches the position of none of the result characters, assigning a premium win having a premium value to the chance to when the position of at least one of the plurality of the player characters matches the position of one of the plurality of the result characters, wherein the premium value is greater than the basic value, assigning a basic prize having the basic value to the chance to win, when the basic win is assigned to the chance to win, and assigning a premium prize having the premium value to the chance to win, when the premium win is assigned to the chance to win. In another embodiment, when all or a plurality of the plurality of player characters matches all or a plurality of the plurality of result characters, respectively, and the trigger chance character matches the trigger result character the method includes assigning a basic win having a basic value to the chance to win when the position of none of the plurality player characters matches the position of none of the result characters, assigning a premium win having a premium value to the chance to when the position of all or a plurality of the plurality of player characters matches the position of all or a plurality of the plurality of result characters, wherein the premium value is greater than the basic value, assigning a basic prize having the basic value to the chance to win, when the basic win is assigned to the chance to win, and assigning a premium prize having the premium value to the chance to win, when the premium win is assigned to the chance to win.
In each of the sequences of player and result characters, the consecutively drawn player characters and the consecutively drawn result characters, each character is a term, and each term has a position, and the positions are consecutive, i.e. first, second, third, etc. Furthermore, in playing the lottery game there can be “basic” win chances to win and “premium” win chances to win. Accordingly, in the “double-matrix” lottery game disclosed herein there is a “basic” winning paradigm for “basic” winning chances to win, and a “premium” winning paradigm for “premium” winning chances to win. This is discussed more fully below. Although in the various embodiments of the invention the result is drawn after issuance of the chance to win, the result can be drawn before issuance of the chance to win. According to the invention, the result can be provided before the chance to win is provided or after the chance to win is provided without departing from the invention.
According to the principle of the invention, examples of chances to win and results obtained from drawing in a double-matrix lottery game according to this disclosure are set forth below in Examples A-G. In these examples, the player characters, the result characters, and the trigger characters are numbers/numerals.

Example A

	Position 1	Position 2	Position 3	Position 4	Trigger

Chance

	02	09	06	13	05
Result	12	02	13	08	05

In Example A, there is a chance to win including an ordered sequence of four player numbers from the first pool of numbers, and one trigger number, a chance trigger number, from the second pool of numbers, and there is a result including an ordered sequence of result numbers from the first pool of numbers, and one trigger number, a result trigger number, from the second pool of numbers. The result numbers are equal in number to the player numbers, there being four result numbers and four player numbers. Each one of the player numbers of the ordered sequence of player numbers has a position, the first player number of the ordered sequence being Position 1, the second player number of the ordered sequence being Position 2, the third player number of the ordered sequence being Position 3, and the fourth player number of the ordered sequence being Position 4. Each one of the result numbers of the ordered sequence of result numbers has a position, the first result number of the ordered sequence being Position 1, the second result number of the ordered sequence being Position 2, the third result number of the ordered sequence being Position 3, and the fourth result number of the ordered sequence being Position 4. Positions 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the result numbers correspond to the respective Positions 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the player numbers. Accordingly, Positions 1, 2, 3, 4 of the result numbers correspond positionally, the term “positionally” in the “double-matrix” lottery game meaning by position, with the respective Positions 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the player numbers. The player numbers include first player number 2 at Position 1, second player number 9 at Position 2, third player number 6 at Position 3, and fourth player number 13 at Position 4, and the chance trigger number is 5. The result numbers include first result number 12 at Position 1, second result number 2 at Position 2, third result number 13 at Position 3, and fourth result number 8 at Position 4, and the result trigger number is 5.
In Example A, player number 2 at Position 1 matches result number 2 at Position 2, player number 13 at Position 4 matches result number 13 at Position 3, the remaining player numbers match none of the remaining result numbers, and chance trigger number 5 matches result trigger number 5. Since the chance trigger number 5 matches the result trigger number 5, a plurality of the player numbers, player numbers 2 and 13, match a corresponding plurality of result numbers, result numbers 2 and 13, without position matching, in which two of the four player numbers match two of the four result numbers, and Positions 1 and 4 of player numbers 2 and 13 do not match Positions 2 and 3 of the matching result numbers 2 and 13, the chance to win in Example A is a basic winning chance to win, a basic winner, having a value, a basic value, in which the method further includes assigning a prize having the basic value to the chance to win.

Example B

	Position 1	Position 2	Position 3	Position 4	Trigger

Chance

	02	09	06	13	05
Result	09	02	13	08	05

In Example B, there is a chance to win including an ordered sequence of four player numbers from the first pool of numbers, and one trigger number, a chance trigger number, from the second pool of numbers, and there is a result including an ordered sequence of result numbers from the first pool of numbers, and one trigger number, a result trigger number, from the second pool of numbers. The result numbers are equal in number to the player numbers, there being four result numbers and four player numbers. Each one of the player numbers of the ordered sequence of player numbers has a position, the first player number of the ordered sequence being Position 1, the second player number of the ordered sequence being Position 2, the third player number of the ordered sequence being Position 3, and the fourth player number of the ordered sequence being Position 4. Each one of the result numbers of the ordered sequence of result numbers has a position, the first result number of the ordered sequence being Position 1, the second result number of the ordered sequence being Position 2, the third result number of the ordered sequence being Position 3, and the fourth result number of the ordered sequence being Position 4. Positions 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the result numbers correspond to the respective Positions 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the player numbers. Accordingly, Positions 1, 2, 3, 4 of the result numbers correspond positionally, meaning by position, with the respective Positions 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the player numbers. The player numbers include first player number 2 at Position 1, second player number 9 at Position 2, third player number 6 at Position 3, and fourth player number 13 at Position 4, and the chance trigger number is 5. The result numbers include first result number 9 at Position 1, second result number 2 at Position 2, third result number 13 at Position 3, and fourth result number 8 at Position 4, and the result trigger number is 5.
In Example B, player number 2 at Position 1 matches result number 2 at Position 2, player number 9 at Position 4 matches result number 9 at Position 1, player number 13 at Position 4 matches result number 13 at Position 3, the remaining player number does not match the remaining result number, and chance trigger number 5 matches result trigger number 5. Since the chance trigger number 5 matches the result trigger number 5, a plurality of the player numbers, player numbers 2, 9 and 13, match a corresponding plurality of result numbers, result numbers 2, 9 and 13, without position matching, in which three of the four player numbers match three of the four result numbers, and Positions 1, 2 and 4 of player numbers 2, 9 and 13 do not match Positions 1, 2 and 3 of the matching result numbers 9, 2, and 13, the chance to win in Example B is another embodiment of a basic winning chance to win, a basic winner, having a value, a basic value, in which the method further includes assigning a prize having the basic value to the chance to win. Since three of the four player numbers match three of the four result numbers in Example B, two of the four player numbers match two of the four result numbers in Example A, the basic value of the chance to win in Example B is greater than the basic value of the chance to win in Example A.

Example C

	Position 1	Position 2	Position 3	Position 4	Trigger

Chance

	02	09	06	13	05
Result	09	02	13	06	05

In Example C, there is a chance to win including an ordered sequence of four player numbers from the first pool of numbers, and one trigger number, a chance trigger number, from the second pool of numbers, and there is a result including an ordered sequence of result numbers from the first pool of numbers, and one trigger number, a result trigger number, from the second pool of numbers. The result numbers are equal in number to the player numbers, there being four result numbers and four player numbers. Each one of the player numbers of the ordered sequence of player numbers has a position, the first player number of the ordered sequence being Position 1, the second player number of the ordered sequence being Position 2, the third player number of the ordered sequence being Position 3, and the fourth player number of the ordered sequence being Position 4. Each one of the result numbers of the ordered sequence of result numbers has a position, the first result number of the ordered sequence being Position 1, the second result number of the ordered sequence being Position 2, the third result number of the ordered sequence being Position 3, and the fourth result number of the ordered sequence being Position 4. Positions 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the result numbers correspond to the respective Positions 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the player numbers. Accordingly, Positions 1, 2, 3, 4 of the result numbers correspond positionally, meaning by position, with the respective Positions 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the player numbers. The player numbers include first player number 2 at Position 1, second player number 9 at Position 2, third player number 6 at Position 3, and fourth player number 13 at Position 4, and the chance trigger number is 5. The result numbers include first result number 9 at Position 1, second result number 2 at Position 2, third result number 13 at Position 3, and fourth result number 6 at Position 4, and the result trigger number is 5.
In Example C, player number 2 at Position 1 matches result number 2 at Position 2, player number 9 at Position 4 matches result number 9 at Position 1, player number 6 at Position 3 matches result number 6 at Position 4, player number 13 at Position 4 matches result number 13 at Position 3, and chance trigger number 5 matches result trigger number 5. Since the chance trigger number 5 matches the result trigger number 5, all of the player numbers, player numbers 2, 9, 6 and 13, match all of the result numbers 2, 9, 6 and 13, without position matching, in which all four player numbers match all four result numbers, and Positions 1, 2, 3 and 4 of player numbers 2, 9, 6 and 13 do not match Positions 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the matching result numbers 9, 2, 13, and 6, the chance to win in Example C is another embodiment of a basic winning chance to win, a basic winner, having a value, a basic value, in which the method further includes assigning a prize having the basic value to the chance to win. Since all four of the four player numbers match all four of the four result numbers in Example C, three of the four player numbers match three of the four result numbers in Example B, and two of the four player numbers match two of the four result numbers in Example A, the basic value of the chance to win in Example C is greater than the basic value of the chance to win in Example B, and is still greater than the basic value of the chance to win in Example A.

Example D

	Position 1	Position 2	Position 3	Position 4	Trigger

Chance

	02	09	06	13	05
Result	02	12	13	08	05

Example D is similar to Example A, with the differences being result number 2 is at Position 1, and result number 12 is at Position 2, and, like Example A, result number 13 is at Position 3, and result number 8 is at Position 4. In Example D, player number 2 at Position 1 matches result number 2 at Position 1, player number 13 at Position 4 matches result number 13 at Position 3, the remaining player numbers match none of the remaining result numbers, and chance trigger number 5 matches result trigger number 5. The matching chance and result numbers 2 are each at Position 1 in Example D and, therefore, match positionally, or by position. Since the chance trigger number 5 matches the result trigger number 5, a plurality of the player numbers, player numbers 2 and 13, match a corresponding plurality of result numbers, result numbers 2 and 13, and the position of player number 2 at Position 1 matches the position of matching result number 2 at Position 1, in which two of the four player numbers match two of the four result numbers and a pair of matching chance and result numbers share a common position, Position 1, and Position 4 of player number 13 does not match Position 3 of the matching result number 13, the chance to win in Example D is a premium winning chance to win, a premium winner, having a value, a premium value, in which the method further includes assigning a prize having the premium value to the chance to win. According to the invention, the premium value of the chance to win in Example D is greater than the basic value of the chance to win in Example A, and lesser than the basic value of the chance to win in Example B. Although in Examples A and D the chance and result trigger numbers match and two of the four player numbers match two of the four result numbers, the premium value of Example D is greater than the basic value of Example A because of the position matching at one position, Position 1 of the chance and result numbers.

Example E

	Position 1	Position 2	Position 3	Position 4	Trigger

Chance

	02	09	06	13	05
Result	02	09	13	08	05

Example E is similar to Example B, with the differences being result number 2 is at Position 1, and result number 9 is at Position 2, and, like Example B, result number 13 is at Position 3, and result number 8 is at Position 4. In Example E, player number 2 at Position 1 matches result number 2 at Position 1, player number 9 at Position 2 matches result number 9 at Position 2, player number 13 at Position 4 matches result number 13 at Position 3, and the remaining player number 6 at Position 3 does not match the remaining result number 8 at Position 4. In Example E, the matching chance and result numbers 2 are each at Position 1 and, therefore, match positionally, and the matching chance and result numbers 9 are each at Position 2 and, therefore, match positionally. Since the chance trigger number 5 matches the result trigger number 5, a plurality of the player numbers, player numbers 2, 9 and 13, match a corresponding plurality of result numbers, result numbers 2, 9 and 13, the position of player number 2 at Position 1 matches the position of matching result number 2 at Position 1, and the position of player number 9 at Position 2 matches the position of matching result number 9 at Position 2, in which three of the four player numbers match three of the four result numbers and two pairs of matching chance and result numbers share common positions, respectively, Position 1 and Position 2, and Position 4 of player number 13 does not match Position 3 of the matching result number 13, the chance to win in Example E is a premium winning chance to win, a premium winner, having a value, a premium value, in which the method further includes assigning a prize having the premium value to the chance to win. According to the invention, the premium value of the chance to win in Example E is greater than the basic value of the chance to win in Example B, and lesser than the basic value of the chance to win in Example C. Although in Examples B and E the chance and result trigger numbers match and three of the four player numbers match three of the four result numbers, the premium value of Example E is greater than the basic value of Example B because of the position matching at two positions, Positions 1 and 2, of the chance and result numbers.

Example F

	Position 1	Position 2	Position 3	Position 4	Trigger

Chance

	02	09	06	13	05
Result	02	09	08	13	05

Example F is similar to Example E, with the differences being result number 8 is at Position 3, result number 13 is at Position 4 and, like Example E, result number 2 is at Position 1, and result number 9 is at Position 2. In Example F, player number 2 at Position 1 matches result number 2 at Position 1, player number 9 at Position 2 matches result number 9 at Position 2, player number 13 at Position 4 matches result number 13 at Position 4, and the remaining player number 6 at Position 3 does not match the remaining result number 8 at Position 3. In Example E, the matching chance and result numbers 2 are each at Position 1 and, therefore, match positionally, the matching chance and result numbers 9 are each at Position 2 and, therefore, match positionally, and the matching chance and result numbers 13 are each at Position 4 and, therefore, match positionally. Since the chance trigger number 5 matches the result trigger number 5, a plurality of the player numbers, player numbers 2, 9 and 13, match a corresponding plurality of result numbers, result numbers 2, 9 and 13, the position of player number 2 at Position 1 matches the position of matching result number 2 at Position 1, the position of player number 9 at Position 2 matches the position of matching result number 9 at Position 2, and the position of player number 13 at Position 4 matches the position of matching result number 13 at Position 4, in which three of the four player numbers match three of the four result numbers and three pairs of matching chance and result numbers share common positions, respectively, Position 1, Position 2, and Position 4, the chance to win in Example F is another example of a premium winning chance to win, a premium winner, having a value, a premium value, in which the method further includes assigning a prize having the premium value to the chance to win. According to the invention, the premium value of the chance to win in Example F is greater than the basic value of the chance to win in Example B, lesser than the basic value of the chance to win in Example C, and greater than the premium value of the chance to win in Example E. Although in Examples E and F the chance and result trigger numbers match and three of the four player numbers match three of the four result numbers, the premium value of Example F is greater than the premium value of Example E because of the position matching at three positions, Positions 1, 2, and 4 of the chance and result numbers.

Example G

	Position 1	Position 2	Position 3	Position 4	Trigger

Chance

	02	09	06	13	05
Result	02	09	06	13	05

Similar to Example C, in Example G, the result trigger numbers are the same and the chance and result numbers are the same. However, in Example G result number 2 is at Position 1, result number 9 is at Position 2, result number 6 is at Position 3, and result number 13 is at Position 4. In Example G, player number 2 at Position 1 matches result number 2 at Position 1, player number 9 at Position 2 matches result number 9 at Position 2, player number 6 at Position 3 matches result number 6 at Position 3, and player number 13 at Position 4 matches result number 13 at Position 4. In Example G, the matching chance and result numbers 2 are each at Position 1 and, therefore, match positionally, the matching chance and result numbers 9 are each at Position 2 and, therefore, match positionally, the matching chance and result numbers 6 are each at Position 3 and, therefore, match positionally, and the matching chance and result numbers 13 are each at Position 4 and, therefore, match positionally. Since the chance trigger number 5 matches the result trigger number 5, all of the player numbers, player numbers 2, 9, 6 and 13, match all of the result numbers, result numbers 2, 9, 6 and 13, the position of player number 2 at Position 1 matches the position of matching result number 2 at Position 1, the position of player number 9 at Position 2 matches the position of matching result number 9 at Position 2, the position of player number 6 at Position 3 matches the position of matching result number 6 at Position 3, and the position of player number 13 at Position 4 matches the position of matching result number 13 at Position 4, in which all four player numbers match all four result numbers and all of the four pairs of matching chance and result numbers share common positions, respectively, Position 1, Position 2, Position 3, and Position 4, the chance to win in Example G is still another example of a premium winning chance to win having a value, a premium value, in which the method further includes assigning a prize having the premium value to the chance to win. According to the invention, the premium value of the chance to win in Example G is greater than the basic value of the chance to win in Example C and greater than the premium value of the chance to win in Example F. Although in Example C the chance and result trigger numbers match and all of the player numbers match all of the result numbers, the premium value of Example G is greater than the basic value of Example C and greater than the premium value of Example F because all four player numbers match all for result numbers and because of the position matching at all four positions, Positions 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the chance and result numbers.
According to the invention, the “double-matrix” lottery game provides a player with many ways of winning and with prizes of varying values, from the “basic” winning paradigm to the “premium” winning paradigm as discussed herein. In basic winning tickets in the “double-matrix” lottery game according to this disclosure, the basic value increases as the number of matching chance and result numbers increases. In premium winning tickets in the “double-matrix” lottery game according to this disclosure, the premium value increases as the number positionally matching pairs of matching chance and result numbers increases.
As explained above, each chance to win discussed in Examples A-G is preferably presented on a lottery ticket, and an example of such lottery tickets are illustrated in FIGS. 1-7. FIG. 1 illustrates lottery ticket 40 corresponding to the chance to win in Example A, FIG. 2 illustrates lottery ticket 50 corresponding to the chance to win in Example B, FIG. 3 illustrates lottery ticket 60 corresponding to the chance to win in Example C, FIG. 4 illustrates lottery ticket 70 corresponding to the chance to win in Example D, FIG. 5 illustrates lottery ticket 80 corresponding to the chance to win in Example E, FIG. 6 illustrates lottery ticket 90 corresponding to the chance to win in Example F, and FIG. 7 illustrates lottery ticket 100 corresponding to the chance to win in Example G. Consistent with the chance to win of Example A, lottery ticket 40 in FIG. 1 is imprinted the sequence of with player numbers 12, 2, 13 and 8 at Positions P1, P2, P3, and P4, respectively, and chance trigger number 5. Consistent with the chance to win of Example B, lottery ticket 50 in FIG. 2 is imprinted the sequence of with player numbers 9, 2, 13, and 8 at Positions P1, P2, P3, and P4, respectively, and chance trigger number 5. Consistent with the chance to win of Example C, lottery ticket 60 in FIG. 3 is imprinted the sequence of with player numbers 9, 2, 13 and 6 at Positions P1, P2, P3, and P4, respectively, and chance trigger number 5. Consistent with the chance to win of Example D, lottery ticket 70 in FIG. 4 is imprinted the sequence of with player numbers 2, 12, 13 and 8 at Positions P1, P2, P3, and P4, respectively, and chance trigger number 5. Consistent with the chance to win of Example E, lottery ticket 80 in FIG. 5 is imprinted the sequence of with player numbers 2, 9, 13 and 8 at Positions P1, P2, P3, and P4, respectively, and chance trigger number 5. Consistent with the chance to win of Example F, lottery ticket 90 in FIG. 6 is imprinted the sequence of with player numbers 2, 9, 8 and 13 at Positions P1, P2, P3, and P4, respectively, and chance trigger number 5. Consistent with the chance to win of Example G, lottery ticket 100 in FIG. 7 is imprinted the sequence of with player numbers 2, 9, 6 and 13 at Positions P1, P2, P3, and P4, respectively, and chance trigger number 5. The imprinting of the chances to win on the lottery tickets of FIGS. 1-7 enables user to easily compare the chances to win to the result of the eventual drawing.
In each of lottery tickets 40-100, when a player selects player numbers and a chance trigger number, they are entered into the lottery ticket dispensing system from an input, such as a register, terminal, workstation, or the like. When a player elects to have the chance to win chosen or selected for him, a corresponding entry is made from the given input, commanding the lottery ticket dispensing system to randomly choose or select the chance to win. Once the chance to win is chosen or selected at the given input, whether randomly chosen or deliberately chosen by the player, the lottery ticket dispensing system is responsive and issues the lottery ticket to the player through a standard output, a printer, imprinted with and bearing the chance to win. Lottery tickets 40-100 are each a printed document and is a legal document, as is the case with conventional lottery tickets. With the lottery ticket imprinted with the chance to win as shown and described in conjunction with each of lottery tickets 40-100, the lottery ticket is presented and made available to the player of the lottery game at the given input for use to that player in the form of a display/printed document, which the player may use to determine whether the player characters imprinted on the lottery ticket represent a win based on the discussion above in Examples A-G based on a comparison of the player characters, the player numbers and the trigger player number, of the given lottery ticket to a result, the result characters, the result numbers and the trigger result number, obtained from a drawing. Preferably, the given input is formed with or otherwise associated with a chosen output, a printer or other output that prints and presents lottery tickets to players. As previously described, the use of a lottery game computer system and an input is exemplary of an on-line lottery ticket sale or issuance, in which the “double-matrix” lottery tickets according to this disclosure are printed by terminal/printer of the input, such as at a merchant's store. In an online sale where the player chooses numbers, the input is connected to the lottery game computer system, which recognizes and accepts chosen players' choices of numbers or chooses/selects numbers for players in automatic or random selections for players, and sends signals to the given output to print the lottery ticket with the player characters as explained above.
In sum, exemplary methods of conducting and playing a “double-matrix” lottery game are disclosed, which include providing a chance to win including consecutively drawn player characters selected from a first pool of characters, and a trigger player character selected from a second pool of characters, providing a result including consecutively drawn result characters selected from the first pool of characters, and a trigger result character selected from the second pool of characters, and comparing the result to the chance to win. When all or a plurality of the plurality of player characters matches all or a plurality of the plurality of result characters, respectively, and the trigger chance character matches the trigger result character, in one embodiment the method includes assigning a basic win having a basic value to the chance to win when the position of none of the plurality player characters matches the position of none of the result characters, assigning a premium win having a premium value to the chance to when the position of one of the plurality of the player characters matches the position of one of the plurality of the result characters, wherein the premium value is greater than the basic value, assigning a basic prize having the basic value to the chance to win, when the basic win is assigned to the chance to win, and assigning a premium prize having the premium value to the chance to win, when the premium win is assigned to the chance to win. When all or a plurality of the plurality of player characters matches all or a plurality of the plurality of result characters, respectively, and the trigger chance character matches the trigger result character, in another embodiment the method includes assigning a basic win having a basic value to the chance to win when the position of none of the plurality player characters matches the position of none of the result characters, assigning a premium win having a premium value to the chance to when the positions of all or a plurality of the plurality of player characters matches the positions of all or a plurality of the plurality of result characters, wherein the premium value is greater than the basic value, assigning a basic prize having the basic value to the chance to win, when the basic win is assigned to the chance to win, and assigning a premium prize having the premium value to the chance to win, when the premium win is assigned to the chance to win. In an exemplary embodiment, the consecutively drawn player characters include at least four consecutively drawn player characters, the consecutively drawn result characters include at least four consecutively drawn result numbers, the first pool of characters is greater than the second pool of characters, and the chance to win is issued to a player with a lottery ticket dispensing system. In the “double-matrix” lottery game disclosed herein, the value of the wins can vary depending on bet amounts. Pay amounts may be determined based on a percentage of play or by pari-mutual calculations. The prizes are preferably monetary prizes, but they can be consumer goods, tickets to entertainment events, etc. Duplication of characters in each chance to win, and in the result, can be prohibited, if desired. In another embodiment, duplication of characters in each chance to win, and in the result, can be permitted, if desired. The various embodiments of the invention can be carried out with a single player and a corresponding single chance to win, or a plurality of players and a corresponding plurality of chances to win, in which the method for a single chance to win applies to each of the chances to win. In other words, after there is a number of chances to win provided and the result is provided, each of the chances to win is compared to the result (it is envisioned that each player will compare his chance to win with the result) for the purpose of determine whether the given chance to win is a winner, a basic or premium winner.
The present invention is described above with reference to illustrative embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made in the described embodiments without departing from the nature and scope of the present invention. Various further changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.

Claims

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is:

1. A method of conducting and playing a lottery game, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a chance to win including consecutively drawn player characters selected from a first pool of characters, and a trigger player character selected from a second pool of characters;

providing a result including consecutively drawn result characters selected from the first pool of characters, and a trigger result character selected from the second pool of characters;

comparing the result to the chance to win; and

when all or a plurality of the plurality of player characters matches all or a plurality of the plurality of result characters, respectively, and the trigger chance character matches the trigger result character, assigning a basic win having a basic value to the chance to win when the position of none of the plurality player characters matches the position of none of the result characters, assigning a premium win having a premium value to the chance to when the position of one of the plurality of the player characters matches the position of one of the plurality of the result characters, wherein the premium value is greater than the basic value, assigning a basic prize having the basic value to the chance to win, when the basic win is assigned to the chance to win, and assigning a premium prize having the premium value to the chance to win, when the premium win is assigned to the chance to win.

2. The method of conducting and playing a lottery game according to claim 1, wherein the consecutively drawn player characters comprise at least four consecutively drawn player characters, and the consecutively drawn result characters comprise at least four consecutively drawn result numbers.

3. The method of conducting and playing a lottery game according to claim 1, wherein the first pool of characters is greater than the second pool of characters.

4. The method of conducting and playing a lottery game according to claim 1, wherein the chance to win is issued to a player with a lottery ticket dispensing system.

5. A method of conducting and playing a lottery game, the method comprising the steps of:

comparing the result to the chance to win; and

when all or a plurality of the plurality of player characters matches all or a plurality of the plurality of result characters, respectively, and the trigger chance character matches the trigger result character, assigning a basic win having a basic value to the chance to win when the position of none of the plurality player characters matches the position of none of the result characters, assigning a premium win having a premium value to the chance to when the positions of all or a plurality of the plurality of player characters matches the positions of all or a plurality of the plurality of result characters, wherein the premium value is greater than the basic value, assigning a basic prize having the basic value to the chance to win, when the basic win is assigned to the chance to win, and assigning a premium prize having the premium value to the chance to win, when the premium win is assigned to the chance to win.

6. The method of conducting and playing a lottery game according to claim 5, wherein the consecutively drawn player characters comprise at least four consecutively drawn player characters, and the consecutively drawn result characters comprise at least four consecutively drawn result numbers.

7. The method of conducting and playing a lottery game according to claim 5, wherein the first pool of characters is greater than the second pool of characters.

8. The method of conducting and playing a lottery game according to claim 5, wherein the chance to win is issued to a player with a lottery ticket dispensing system.