WO2012075540A2

WO2012075540A2 - A game and method of gaming

Info

Publication number: WO2012075540A2
Application number: PCT/AU2011/001595
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Manttan
Original assignee: Place Your Bet Pty Limited
Priority date: 2010-12-08
Filing date: 2011-12-08
Publication date: 2012-06-14
Also published as: CN104023801A; US20140001704A1

Abstract

A method of playing a dice game is described. The dice game includes at least a first dice set and a second dice set, each dice set including a plurality of dice for shaking so that in use their outcomes can be compared, the method including the steps of: receiving bets from players for predicting a winning set of dice, the bets received in one or more playing zones of a playing area; shaking the first and second dice sets to obtain an outcome for each dice set; comparing the scores on one die of each dice set to establish the lower score, that being a winning low score of a winning set of dice; and rewarding the bets of the players for correctly predicting the winning set of dice.

Description

A Game and Method of Gaining

Field of the invention

The invention relates generally to a dice game and a method of playing a dice game. In preferred embodiments the dice game is played in a casino. Other arrangements include electronic dice games which may be played on a standalone computer, or networked terminal or other device such as for example a mobile phone. Background of die invention

Dice games have become extremely popular throughout the world. Some dice games have overly complex rules, are played only with one set of dice, and play extends over a plurality of consecutive throws of the single dice sets. They require a great deal of research to understand and are not easy for a new player to reasonably quickly grasp. This reduces the appeal of these games to new players and casino operators.

Not only do known dice games have onerous rules which arc too numerous and lengthy to recite and then inwardly digest, their associated tabic layouts on which the games are played are highly convoluted and confusing to a player's eye.

The present invention seeks to provide a game that is easy to learn and play, with interactive player options, some strategy and faster playing options for any player. The present invention also seeks to ameliorate one or more of the

abovementioned disadvantages, and/or seeks to provide a new game and game method or at least provides new and existing players with a new gaming option. In mis specification, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date:

(a) part of common general knowledge; or

(b) known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned. Definitions:

In this specification and the claims that follow, the term 'shaking' and its variants refers to any manner by which dice (physical or virtual) may be manipulated to produce a random outcome. Where the embodiment of the invention involves a physical game, 'shaking' therefore encompasses vigorous juggling or other movement (within a shaking vessel or otherwise), throwing or rolling, such that the dice will end up in a random orientation, one lace uppermost on each. A corresponding randomness of result can be provided by the 'shaking' of an electronic simulation of dice, the 'shaking¹ in effect controlled by an

electronic random number generator.

In this specification and the claims max follow, the term "Reward" and its variants usually includes payment but may include another form of reward including game credits, tokens, or other form of remuneration or award.

In this specification and the claims that follow, dice is intended to refer to a plurality of die, virtual or physical, where die is intended to refer to a single multi- sided virtual or physical item for olling or snaking to randomly select a number by showing that number on its upper face.

Summary of the invention

In a broad form, the invention provides a method of playing a game involving players betting on which of a plurality of sets of dice (or similar) will come up with die lowest score, represented by the lowest numerical value on a selected one or more dice in each set In parallel to this, the method may involve the players also placing bets on which of a set of dice (or similar) will come up with the hi hest score, represented by the highest aggregate of the numerical values on a selected two or more dice in each set.

According to one form of the invention a method of playing a dice game is provided, the dice game including at least a first dice set and a second dice set, each dice set including a plurality of dice for shaking so that in use their outcomes can be compared, the method including the steps oft

receiving bets from players for predicting a winning set of dice, the bets received in one or more playing zones of a playing area; shaking the first and second dice sets to obtain an outcome for each dice set;

comparing the scores on one die of each dice set to establish the lower score, that being a winning low score of a winning set of dice; and

rewarding the bets of the players for correctly predicting the winning set of dice.

Preferably the first and second sets of dice include a first type of dice and a second type of dice. The first and second types of dice may differ from one another in shape, configuration or pattern or ornamentation. Preferably the differing shapes or configurations include number of sides or different corner or edge treatment, such as for example a bevel or a radius. Preferably however, the different pattern or ornamentation is a differing colour. Any colour may be used to denote differing types of dice, including for example purple, black, white, blue or yellow. In one preferred embodiment the colour of the first type of dice is red and the colour of the second type of dice is green.

In some arrangements the number of sides and the numbers thereon may vary. For example there may be dice that are 100-sided, or 50-sided, 25-sided, 20-sided, 12-sided, 10-sided, or 8-sided. The numbers on the dice may be in multiples of ten, six or any suitable number. However, in preferred embodiments each of the dice is a six-sided die so as to randomly generate the outcome, and the outcome is shown on an upper face of the dice in the usual manner. The numbers on the six sided dice are preferably 1 to 6 in the usual manner, In some embodiments the first type of dice may have a selected number of sides and the second type of dice may have a different selected number of sides.

The number of dice in each set may also vary between, say, two and ten, however, in preferred embodiments the first set of dice includes three dice and the second set of dice includes three dice. Preferably the first and second sets each include two red dice and one green die. Preferably the low score for a winning set of dice

Preferably the method includes the step of adding a score shown on each die in each set and comparing the added results to establish a high score foe a vanning set of dice. In some arrangements some other mathematical manipulation may be used to arrive at an outcome. The method preferably also includes the step of rewarding or paying bets of players if those bets correctly predicted the winning high set of dice.

The method may also include the step of receiving bets from players where the bet is for a tied high score.

Preferably the method also includes the step of forfeiting to the casino all, or half of all, or some other selected amount, of bets made by the players if the compared outcome for the low score is a selected outcome, such as for example 1-1. The forfeiting step may also occur on other selected outcomes, such as for example, 2- 2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5 or 6-6.

Preferably the method also includes the step of rewarding or paying bets where the bet is for a selected tied low score. Preferably the selected tied low score is 1-1 but it could be 6-6, 5-5, 4-4, 3-3 or 2-2.

Preferably the method also includes the step of rewarding or paying bonus bets where the bet correctly predicts a selected pairing of dice in a winning high set of dice. For example if two selected dice in the winning high set show the same number, the bet is paid.

The selected dice for pairing in the whining high set of dice may be of the same colour or of a different colour. If the selected dies for pairing are of the same colour the payout will differ from a situation where the selected dies for pairing are of a different colour. For example, the payout for a 6-6 pairing on red and green dice may pay twice the original bet, where a 6-6 pairing on both red dice may pay six times the original bet.

It can be seen that in operation of the method, the winning high set of dice and the winning low set of dice can be the same set of dice, or a dufcrent set of dice, since the criteria for selecting the winning high set and the winning low set are different. Therefore bets on a single set of dice to have bom the winning high score the winning low score by the same player are both paid on the same shake.

The shaking of the dice may be conducted in any suitable manner, using physical or computational methods such that the outcomes of the first and second dice sets are generated randomly or pseudo-randomty, In some arrangements, shaking may occur -virtually, by any suitable means including by the player or a dealer or operator pressing an actuation button on a shaking machine or computer, shaking an electronic device such as a smartphone equipped with accelerometeis or other suitable means. Preferably, however, physical dice are provided and the physical dice are shaken by manually shaking the first set of dice in a first shaker, and a manually shaking the second set of dice in a second shaker. Preferably the method includes opening the shakers to reveal the outcome of the dice shake.

Preferably, a casino representative manually shakes each of the shakers containing one or more sets of dice or presses the actuation button on die shaking machine or computer. In some arrangements the players may manually shake the shakers.

Preferably, a first shaker and a second shaker are provided to shake respective sets of dice therein. The or each shaker may comprise an opaque generally flat base and an opaque domed cover. Preferably, the method includes the step of removing the domed cover from the shakers after shaking so that the upper faces of the dice are shown when the sets of dice are resting on the generally flat base.

According to another form of the invention a method of playing a dice game is provided, the dice game including at least a first dice set and a second dice set, each dice set including a plurality of dice for shaking so that in use their outcomes can be compared, the method including the steps of:

receiving bets from players for predicting a winning set of dice, the bets received in one or more playing zones of a playing area;

shaking the sets of dice to obtain an outcome for the first and second sets of dice;

adding a score shown on each die in each set and comparing the added scores to establish a high score for a winning set of dice;

comparing the scores on one die of each dice set to establish the lower score, that being a winning low score of a. winning set of dice; and

According to yet another form of the invention a method of playing a dice game is provided, the dice game including at least a first dice set and a second dice set, each dice set including a plurality of dice for shaldng so that in use their outcomes can be compared, the method including the steps oft

shaking the sets of dice to display a score on each face of the dies in each set, the sets of dice each comprising one or more dice of a first type and one or more dice of a second type;

comparing the scores on each dice set in accordance with selected rules; and

rewarding bets.

Preferably a table is provided which includes a playing surface which comprises a plurality of playing zones. Preferably the method includes the step of providing a table with a playing surface comprising a plurality of playing zones. Preferably the or each playing zone includes a first side and a second side, which may be referred to for convenience as a player side and a bank side, or a dragon and a tiger side, or a gold and a silver side, for receiving bets. A bet on a selected side indicates a player's prediction that the selected side will contain the winning set of dice. Preferably a Win High Zone and a Win Low Zone are provided on each of the player and bank sides (or dragon/tiger etc) to indicate bets on those outcomes. Preferably the playing zones include a Tie Zone for indicating a tied high score total.

Preferably the method includes the step of establishing payout figures for selected bets. Preferably a successful Win High Zone bet will be assigned a reward of even money, or the amount of the bet. Preferably a successful Win Low Zone bet will be assigned a reward of even money. Preferably a successful Tie Zone bet will be assigned a reward of nine to one, or nine times the amount of the bet. Preferably any bet placed in a Win High or Win Low Zone is refunded if the compared outcome is tied.

In one arrangement, the method includes the step of assigning one or more players a turn to shake one or other of the player or bank (or dragon/tiger etc) dice shakers. The assignment of the shaking turn may be based on determining the player or players who have made the highest bets on either the player or bank or both.

According to a yet further form of the invention an apparatus to play a game is provided, the apparatus including a playing surface comprising one or more playing zones, the or each playing zone including at least a first side and a second side, so that a player may place a bet on a first and or a second separate randomly generated set of indicia to prevail over another set or the other set.

Preferably the apparatus includes a first dice set and a second dice set to randomly generate the indicia, each set of dice comprising one or more dice of a first type and one or more dice of a second type. Preferably the first type of dice is red in colour and the second type of dice is green in colour.

Preferably the apparatus includes a first shaker and a second shaker for shaking respective dice sets.

According to an even further aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer that is arranged for operation in accordance with the gaming method hereindescribed.

According to a still even further aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program for instructing a computer and arranged so that, when loaded in the computer, the computer operates as a gaming system in accordance with that hereindescribed.

According to another even farther aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer readable program code embodied therein for causing a computer medium to operate as a gaming system in accordance with that hereindescribed.

According to a still yet farther aspect of the present invention there is provided a data signal having a computer readable program code embodied therein for causing a computer to operate in accordance with the gaming system

hereindescribed.

According to one form of the invention a method of playing a game of chance is provided, the method including the steps of:

receiving bets from one or more players relating to a forecast of a winner of a comparison of one or more indicia in a first set of indicia with indicia in a second set of indicia, each set of indicia comprising a selected group of numerical marks-,

randomly generating the indicia from both sets of indicia;

comparing at least one selected numerical mark in the first set of indicia with ax least one selected numerical mark in the second set of indicia to establish a winning low score for a winning low set of indicia;

establishing odds for the outcomes; and

rewarding players whose bets align with the winning low set of indicia in accordance with the established odds.

Brief Description of the drawings

The invention will now be further explained and illustrated by reference to the accompanying drawings in which;

Figure 1 is a plan view of a table surface on which an embodiment of the invention may be played;

Figure 2 is a flow diagram setting out the steps of an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is an example of a gaming machine apparatus which is one embodiment of the invention and a machine apparatus on which an embodiment of the present invention ma be played;

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the gaming machine apparatus of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of components of the memory of the gaming machine apparatus of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a gaming system in accordance with an alternative embodiment of die present invention with the gaming system implemented over a network

Figure 7 is a perspective view of two sets of dice and a shaker for use with an embodiment of the Invention; and

Figure 8 is a plan view of an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of a. Preferred Embodiment

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a table surface 10 on which a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be played, The tabic surface 10 includes a playing surface 11 which comprises a plurality of playing zones 12 marked thereon. Play is operated by a casino which receives bets on the playing surface 11. The casino pays bets if the bets win and the casino keeps (or removes bets from the table) if the bets lose.

Each playing zone 12 includes a player side 13 and a bank side 14 for receiving bets indicating which side a player predicts to win for each kind of bet during play of the game. The player side 13 may be indicated as a dragon side and the bank side may be indicated as Tiger side, or any convenient nomenclature, such as Gold side/ Silver side, and the like.

So, a Win High Zone 15, 16 and a Win Low Zone 17, 18 are provided on each of the player and bank sides to receive bets on those predicted outcomes. A Tie Zone 19 for receiving a bet predicting a tied high score total is also provided.

Eight playing zones 12 are provided so that eight players may play the game and during play, bets may be received from up to eight players.

Outcome marker zones are provided at 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 to indicate the outcome of a shake or a turn.

A player region 9 and a bank region 8 is provided to indicate the side to which selected dice sets are related. Dice zones are provided at 26 and 27 so that dice sets may be placed thereon for easy viewing by players and to indicate which dice relate to which betting option.

Referring to Figures 2 and 7, a game in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention operates according to a method wherein during a round of play, two different sets of dice are shaken, displayed and compared. That is, a first set of dice (shown in Figure 7 at 35) is separately shaken and compared with a separately-shaken second set of dice (shown in Figure 7 at 37). Each set of dice contains three die; one die in each set is green 36 and the other two dice in each set are red 38.

The scores on the upper faces of each die in each set are displayed on upper faces on each of the three die after dice in each set of three dice are shaken. In one embodiment each die is six-sided and each face is marked with one of numerical marks 1 - 6 which are in the form of pips. Playing an example embodiment

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 and 7, players place bets, and the casino receives the bets, on the playing zones of the playing surface, on what the players predict to be the winning set of dice in accordance with the rules set out herein. Play then proceeds in accordance with the steps shown in Figure 2. Each game is over after one shake of each dice, the outcomes arc compared and bets paid or removed and absorbed by the casino. Another round may ensue if players are willing to bet.

The first set of dice (Figure 7) may be referred to as the player side (or tiger, or silver etc) dice set and comprises three dice, two being coloured red and one being coloured green. The first dice set is shaken in a shaker comprising a domed lid and a flat base. The base is placed on the player dice zone 26 and the domed lid removed. The score shown on the upper surfaces of all of the three (red and green) dice are added to create a high score, and the score on the green die is noted to create a low score.

The same process occurs for the second set of dice (Figure 7) being referred to herein as the bank (or dragon, or gold etc) side dice set. The two sets of dice are two identical but separate and physically distinct sets of dice and may be shaken and displayed simultaneously or a second set shaken and displayed after a first set is shaken and displayed, depending on the drama and theatre desired by the casino dealers and players.

The two displayed high scores are compared to identify a winning high set of dice and the low scores are compared to identify a winning low set of dice,

Payments are given to winning bets on an even-money basis for bets on high, low or combination of either high or low scores.

All bets in this embodiment are forfeited to (or received by) the casino when the score on the green dice is 1-1. A stand off will ensue if the green dice are not 1-1 but the high or low scores are equal in total. Standoff bets are refunded to players, unless a player originally bet on a tied outcome, in which case the casino pays the player nine times his or her bet.

A bet may be made that the score on the green dice is 1-1 , which pays 33-1.

hi some embodiments, players may shake the dice, but preferably the casino operator does the shaking. In the Figure 7 shown, the high score on the first set of dice 35 is 9, whereas the high score on the second set of dice 37 is 18. Thus the winning high bet would be a bet on the second set of dice 37. The score on the green die 36 in the first set 35 is 3, and die score on the green die 36 in the second set 37 is 6· Therefore the winning low bet this round is the first set 35.

Figure 8 shows another table layout showing that bets can be made on a high tie and a bet can be made on a low tic.

Figure 4 shows a block diagram of operative components of a gaming machine 100 which may be the same as or different to the gaming machine shown in Figure 3. The game of preferred embodiments of the present invention ma be played on such a machine or a smartphone or other computer, generally as hereinafter described.

The gaming machine 100 includes a game controller 101 having a processor 102. Instructions and data to control operation of the processor 102 in accordance with the present invention are stored in a memor 103 which is in data communication with the processor 102.

Typically, the gaming machine 100 will include both volatile and non-volatile memory and more than one of each type of memory, with such memories being collectively represented by the memory 103.

Figure 5 shows a block diagram of the main components of an exemplary memory 103. The memory 103 includes RAM 103A, EPROM 103B and a mass storage device 103C. The RAM 103A typically temporarily holds program files for execution by the processor 102 and related data. The EPROM 103B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or game related code. The mass storage device 103C is typically used to store game programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/or authenticated by the processor 102 using protected code from the EPROM 103B or elsewhere.

The gaming machine has hardware meters 104 for purposes including ensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, an input output (I O) interface 105 for communicating with a player interface 120 of the gaming machine 100, the player interface 120 having several peripheral devices. The input/output interface 105 and/or the peripheral devices maybe intelligent devices with their own memory for storing associated instructions and data for use with the input output interlace or the peripheral devices. A random number generator module 113 generates random numbers for use by the processor 102.

In the example shown in Figure 4, the peripheral devices that communicate with the game controller 101 comprise one or more displays 106, a touch screen and/or bank of buttons 107, a card and or ticket reader 108, a printer 109, a bill acceptor and/or coin input mechanism 10 and a coin output mechanism 111. Additional hardware may be included as part of the gaming machine 100, or hardware ma be omitted as required for the specific implementation.

In addition, the gaming machine 100 may include a communications interface, for example a network card 112. The network card may, for example, send status information, accounting information or other information to a central controller, server or database and receive data or commands from the central controller, server or database.

It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming machine 100 to be distributed, for example input/output devices 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111 maybe provided remotely from the game controller 101.

Figure 6 shows a gaming system 200 in accordance with an alternative

embodiment. The gaming system 200 includes a network 201, which for example may be an Ethernet network, a IAN or a WAN. In this example, three banks 203 of two gaming machines 202 are connected to the network 201. The gaming machines 202 provide a player operable interface and may be the same as the gaming machines 40, 100 shown in Figures 3 and 4, or may have simplified functionality depending on the requirements for implementing game play. While banks 203 of two gaming machines are illustrated in Figure 6, banks of one, three or more gaming machines are also envisaged.

One or more displays 204 may also be connected to the network 201. The displays 204 may, for example, be associated with one or more banks 203 of gaming machines. The displays 204 may be used to display representations associated with game play on the gaming machines 202, and/or used to display other representations, for example promotional or informational material. In a thick client embodiment, a game server 20S implements part of the game played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gaming machine 202 implements part of the game. With mis embodiment, as both the game server 205 and the gaming machine 202 implement part of the game, they collectively provide a game controller. A database management server 206 may manage storage of game programs and associated data for downloading or access by the gaming devices 202 in a database 206A. Typically, if the gaming system enables players to participate in a Jackpot game, a Jackpot server 207 will be provided to monitor and carry out the Jackpot game.

In a variation of the above thick client embodiment, the gaming machine 202 may implement the game, with the game server 205 functioning merely to serve data indicative of a game to the gaming machine 202 for implementation.

With this Implementation, a data signal containing a computer program usable by the client terminal to implement the gaming system may be transferred from the game server to the client terminal, for example in response to a request by the client terminal.

In a thin client embodiment, the game server 205 implements most or all of the game played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gaming machine 202 essentially provides only the player interface. With this embodiment, the game server 205 provides the game controller. The gaming machine will receive player instructions, and pass the instructions to the game server which will process them and return game play outcomes to the gaming machine for display. In a thin client embodiment, the gaming machines could be computer terminals, e.g. PCs running software that provides a player interface operable using standard computer input and output components.

Servers are also typically provided to assist in the administration of the gaming system 200, including for example a gaming floor management server 208 and a licensing server 209 to monitor the use of licenses relating to particular games. An administrator teiminai 210 is provided to allow an administrator to monitor the network 201 and the devices connected to the network. The gaining system 200 may communicate with other gaming systems, other local networks such as a corporate network, and/or a wide area network such as the Internet, for example through a firewall 211.

A loyalty program server 212 may also be provided.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in accordance with known techniques, functionality at the server side f the network may be distributed over a plurality of different computers. For example, elements may be run as a single "engine" on one server or a separate server may be provided. For example, the game server 205 could run a random number generator engine. Alternatively, a separate random number generator server could be provided.

Examples of specific implementations of the gaming system will now be described in relation to a stand alone gaming machine 50, 100 although it will be understood that implementation may also be carried out using other gaming system architectures such as a network architecture of the type shown in Figure 6. In this example, the gaming system is operable in normal game mode, such as for playing a base game, and special game mode, such as for playing a feature game.

In the embodiments shown in Figures 3 - 6, the game may be played by players placing bets on the high, low, and/or tie, double 1 and the bonus bets by pressing actuation buttons on the screen or keyboard. The casino receives the bets and places them on the table. The shaking and display on a screen may be done automatically after a selected time has elapsed for betting or at the prompt of a player. The random generation of indicia are conducted in the machine's architecture, local or distributed. Several players may be playing online in various locations or on a single machine.

The word 'comprising' and forms of the word 'comprising' as used in this description do not limit the invention claimed to exclude any variants or additions.

Modifications and improvements to the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and improvements are intended to be within the scope of this invention.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows;

1. A method of playing a dice game, the dice game including at least a first dice set and a second dice set, each dice set including a plurality of dice for shaking so that in use their outcomes can be compared, the method including the steps of:

shaking the first and second dice sets to obtain an outcome for each dice set;

comparing the scores on one die of each dice set to establish the lower score, that being a winning low score of a winning set of dice; and rewarding the bets of the players for correctly predicting the winning set of dice.

2. The method of playing a dice game in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first and second sets of dice include a first type of dice and a second type of dice.

3. The method of playing a dice game in accordance with claim 2 wherein each of the first and second sets includes one die of the first type and at least one die of the second type.

4. The method of playing a dice game in accordance with claim 2 or 3 wherein the first and second types of dice differ from one another in shape, configuration or pattern or ornamentation.

5. The method of playing a dice game in accordance with any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the colour of the first type of dice is red the colour of the second type of dice is green.

6. The method of playing a dice game in accordance with any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the first and second sets of dice each include two of the first type dice and one of the second type of die.

7. The method of playing a dice game in accordance with claim 3 wherein the low score is established by comparing the scores on the second type of dice in each set

8. The method of playing a dice game in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the method includes the step of adding a score shown on each die in each set and comparing the added results to establish a high score for a winning set of dice.

9. The method of playing a dice game in accordance with any one of claims 1 to Θ wherein the method further includes the step of paying bets of players if those bets correctly predicted the winning high set of dice.

10. The method of playing a dice game in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the method includes the step of receiving bets from players where the bet is for a tied high score.

11. The method of playing a dice game in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the method also includes the step of forfeiting or removing all bets from playing zones made by players if the low score in both sets of dice is a tie.

12. The method of playing a dice game in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the method also includes the step of rewarding bets where the bet is for a selected tied low score.

13- The method of playing a dice game in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the method also includes the step of rewarding a bonus bet where the bet correctly predicts a selected pairing of dies in a winning high set of dice.

14, The method of playing a dice game in accordance with claim 13 wherein the selected dies for pairing in the winning high set of dice are of the same colour or of a different colour.

15. The method of playing a dice game in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the shaking of the physical dice is conducted using one or more physical shakers which are shaken manually by a dealer.

16. The method of playing a dice game in accordance with claim 15 wherein the first set of dice is shaken in a first shaker and the second set of dice is shaken in a second shaker.

17. The method of playing a dice game in accordance with claim 15 or 16 wherein the players manually shake the shakers.

18. The method of playing a dice game in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein the method further includes the step of establishing payout figures for selected bets .

19- The method of playing a dice game in accordance with claim 18 wherein a bet on a winning set of dice be paid even money, or the amount of the bet.

20. The method of playing a dice game in accordance with claim 18 or 19 wherein a bet on a tied high score will be paid nine to one.

21, A method of playing a dice game, the dice game including at least a first dice set and a second dice set, each dice set including a plurality of dice for shaking so that in use their outcomes can be compared, the method including the steps of:

22. A method of playing a dice game, the dice game including at least a first dice set and a second dice set, each dice set including a plurality of dice for shaking so that in use their outcomes can be compared, the method including the steps of;

shaking the sets of dice to display a score on each face of the dies in each set, the sets of dice each comprising one or more dice of a first type and one or more dice of a second type; comparing the scores on each dice set in accordance with selected rules; and

rewarding bets.

23. A game apparatus for playing a dice game, the game apparatus including a table covering including a playing surface which comprises a plurality of playing zones wherein the or each playing zone includes a first side and a second side for receiving bets thereon, wherein a bet on a selected side indicates a player's forecast that the selected side will indicate the winning set of dice.

24. The game apparatus in accordance with claim 23 wherein a Win High Zone and a in Low Zone are provided oa each of the player and bank sides to indicate bets on those outcomes.

25, The game apparatus in accordance with claim 23 or 24 wherein the playing zones include a Tie Zone for indicating a tied high score total.

26. The game apparatus in accordance with claim 23 or 24 or 25 wherein die game apparatus includes a first dice set and a second dice set, each dice set comprising one or more dice of a first type and one or more dice of a second type.

27. The game apparatus in accordance with claim 26 wherein the first type of dice is red in colour and the second type of dice is green in colour.

28. The game apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 23 to 27 wherein the apparatus includes a first shaker and a second shaker for shaking respective dice sets.

29· A computer that is arranged for operation in accordance with the gaming method of any one of claims 1 to 22.

30. A computer program for instructing a computer and arranged so that, when loaded in the computer, the computer operates as a gaming system in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 22.

31. A computer readable program code embodied therein for causing a

computer medium to operate as a gaming system in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 22. A data signal having a computer readable program code embodied therein for causing a computer to operate in accordance with the gaming method of any one of claims 1 to 22.