AU2021201610A1 - Mahjong roulette gaming system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

An aspect of the present invention is a fusion of roulette and mahjong. A version of the game may feature a roulette wheel assembly, which interacts with at least one ball so as to randomly select mahjong symbols. A version of the roulette wheel assembly may comprise circumferentially-aligned mahjong tiles respectively associated with ball-receiving sectors. In yet another embodiment the wheel comprises ball-receiving sectors. A further embodiment makes use of four separate roulette wheels, each having ball receiving sectors. Examples of various possible pay-out tables are provided in figure 17. Further versions of the game include the provision of progressive jackpots and/or mystery jackpots. WO 2008/067596 PCT/AU2007/001869 4/21 606 WINNER WINNE[R WINNER WINNEfR Ri H[EE 1 IKE[ 2- WHE[ 3 WHE i lANE \~\i' ~ 2028 26 27 FIG4

Description

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TILE: MAHJONG ROULETTE GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION PRIOR HISTORY

This patent application is associated with the following: (1) U.S. Patent

Application No. 11/634,780, filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office

on December 5, 2006; (2) U.S. Patent Application No. 11/711,374 filed in the United

States Patent and Trademark Office on February 27, 2007; (3) U.S. Patent Application

No. 11/711,546 filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on February 27,

2007; and (4) U.S. Patent Application No. 11/732,995 filed in the United States Patent

and Trademark Office on April 5, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to games of chance, and some

embodiments relate more particularly to novel variations on the roulette wheel and

wagers placed thereon. A preferred embodiment of the present invention essentially

comprises a roulette wheel comprising mahjong or similar other symbols for effecting

a mahjong or symbolic roulette gaming experience.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Gaming is ancient. Over time, core gaming themes and gaming rules have

developed, which continue to enjoy wide popularity. In order to infuse some element of novelty into ancient games, gaming enthusiasts continually strive to enhance the gaming experience through inventive approaches to play. Roulette, for example, has been credited to many ancient sources, including Chinese origins and Roman origins.

Whatever its origin, roulette has evolved into a casino and gambling game in

which a croupier turns a round roulette wheel having 37 or 38 separately numbered

pockets in which a ball must land. Conventional roulette wheels comprise pockets or

wheel sectors numbered non-sequentially from 1 to 36 alternating between red and

black backdrops. Most modern Roulette wheels further comprise at least one green

pocket numbered "0". Further, in the United States (as opposed to Europe), most

roulette wheels comprise a second green pocket marked "00" ostensibly for increasing

the house advantage in the United States as compared to house advantage in European

play.

A mah jongg or mahjong game set comprises tiles - of which there are 34

different types. These are the four Winds, East, South, West and North, the three

Dragons, Green, Red and White, the Bamboo tiles, numbered one to nine, the Circles

tiles, numbered one to nine, and the Wan tiles, again numbered one to nine. For each

of the 34 different tile types there are four identical pieces provided in a Mah Jongg or

mahjong set. The total number of playing tiles in the game is therefore 136 tiles.

However in a set there are also eight special tiles that are used solely for the purpose

of scoring bonus points, the Flower and Season tiles, we therefore have a total of 144

tiles in a mahjong set as generally illustrated in Figure No. 6. The ordering depicted

in Figure No. 6 is called the Symbolic Square of Mahjong and shows all 144 tiles in

the game.

Mahjong sets are mainly colored using only three colors, namely, red, blue,

and green. These together represent the Three Extremities, namely, Mankind, Heaven

and Earth, or more particularly, as follows:

* Red signifies blood and therefore Mankind and more generally Life.

* Blue signifies the sky, the Heavens and therefore dignity and purity. * Green symbolizes the Earth and nature, fertility and natural richness

In traditional United States-based roulette play, if a player bets on a single

number and wins, the payout is 35:1. A number of other betting options, however,

have become available to the gamer, which options offer lower payoffs, including bets

on multiple numbers in various combinations or ranges, on all odd or all even

numbers, or by color. Over time, variants on the basic roulette theme have evolved

including electronic betting through computer stations, fully electronic ball spin/wheel

simulations, stand alone games on a slot machine or through Internet gaming, multiple

balls, and characters other than numerals, such as zodiac symbols and the like.

Bearing in mind that the present application sets forth roulette gaming systems and

methodology incorporating both traditional roulette concepts (ball-identifying

winning symbols) with traditional mahjong symbols, it is noted that state of the art

relating to roulette gaming devices and the like is well developed, and a search into

the state of roulette art reveals that a number of inventive roulette-based gaming

devices are known in the prior art. Some of the more pertinent prior art relating to

roulette type gaming devices of which the present inventors are aware, is briefly

described and set forth below.

United States Patent No. 3,853,324 ('324 Patent), which issued to Reiner et

al., discloses a Combined Game of Chance and Skill. The '324 Patent teaches a

combined game of chance and skill which is a modified form of the popular game known as bingo. The game includes a circular playing field, a longitudinal alley extending therefrom and a ball-propelling mechanism mounted at one end of the alley for propelling small and large indicating balls along the alley and onto the playing field. The playing field includes an outer member and an inner disc which are rotatably driven in opposite directions. The outer member is provided with a plurality of indicia-carrying partitions which are spaced to trap the large indicating ball which is propelled onto the playing field but are spaced to allow the small indicating ball to pass through the partitions and onto the inner disc. The inner disc is provided with a plurality of indicia-carrying, ball-receiving pockets adapted to receive the small indicating ball which passes through the partitions.

United States Patent No. 4,222,561 ('561 Patent), which issued to Whitten,

discloses a Game Device. The '561 Patent teaches a roulette type device whereby a

predetermined set of word category cards are selected randomly one at a time together

with spinning a roulette wheel to select the first letter designation for a word response

by the players which satisfies both the category and first letter so selected. It will be

seen from an inspection of the '561 Patent that the roulette type wheel comprises a

series of letters of the Roman alphabet thereon. The Whitten wheel includes a total of

thirty-six lettered positions thereon, with certain of the letters being duplicitous.

Whitten utilizes the device to enable random selection of a letter by his wheel to

designate the first letter of an object from a group of related objects, e.g., kinds of

fruit, etc. The subject user or gamer must come up with an object having a name that

begins with the letter selected on the Whitten roulette wheel in order to win that

particular play or turn.

United States Patent No. 4,887,819 ('819 Patent), which issued to Walker,

discloses a Casino Board Game. The '819 Patent teaches a relatively complex game, incorporating use of a roulette wheel and combines aspects of several different traditional or conventional gambling games. In this regard, the player uses either a card game similar to blackjack or a slot machine to determine the number of spaces to be moved along a segmented path, the particular game being selected by the instructions contained in the segment on which the player landed on the prior move.

Each segment also contains further instructions, some of those instructions

designating a further gambling apparatus and giving odds. These further apparatuses

are a roulette game or a dice game, and the player landing on that segment may

gamble at these games at the designated odds. Other players can join in the gambling

when the roulette game and the dice game are played. The objective of the game is

for a player to avoid penalties designated on the game board, acquire a majority of the

playing chips until either all of the other players become "busted" or the casino bank

becomes "busted". Notably, no alphabetic layout for the roulette wheel is disclosed.

United States Patent No. 5,259,616 ('616 Patent), which issued to Bergmann,

discloses a Roulette-Type Coin-Operated Gaming Machine. The '616 Patent teaches

a process for operating a slot machine that works as a roulette wheel. According to

the process, the gambler determines the amount of the stake by introducing coins then

by pressing selection keys. A microprocessor determines the result of the game by

means of random algorithm. When the chosen number is hit, the microprocessor

instructs the coin distributing unit to eject the main prize. When a chosen number is

hit, the microprocessor drives another processor with a random generator. The

random generator determines, depending on a written algorithm, a gain multiplier

which is multiplied by the amount of the stake on the number that was hit. The

payment unit is then instructed to distribute an amount in coins which corresponds to

the product of the stake on the number that was hit and the gain multiplier.

United States Patent No. 5,553,853 ('853 Patent), which issued to Sackitey,

discloses a Game Apparatus and Method of Play for Teaching DNA Related

Technologies. The '853 Patent teaches a game including a selector for selecting a

nucleotide from a group of nucleotides normally associated with DNA. By randomly

selecting nucleotides and recording the selected nucleotides, each player creates a

unique DNA sequence. The DNA sequence is used in one of a variety of game motifs

to determine the winner of the game. It will be seen from an inspection of the '853

Patent that a roulette-type wheel having a series of seventy-one lettered positions

thereon enables play. Certain alphabetic characters are repeated, with several

(Roman) alphabetic characters being omitted from the wheel.

United States Patent No. 5,755,440 ('440 Patent), which issued to Sher,

discloses an Enhanced Roulette-Style Game. The '440 Patent teaches a new Roulette

apparatus comprising multiple balls and separate tracks for launching each of the

balls. In a preferred embodiment there are two balls and two tracks, and a special

apparatus for launching the balls. In one embodiment the launching apparatus is air

powered, and in another the apparatus is mechanical with the balls accelerated by

contact with a spinning wheel. In either case the launching apparatus may be hand

held or mounted to a frame and positioned to propel the balls into the tracks. In

another aspect of the invention the wheel of the Roulette apparatus is provided as a

dynamic display, which may be of several different types, such as LCD and dynamic

holographic displays, and electronic player stations are provided wherein players may

customize and place bets. In many embodiments the games are enhanced by audio

effects including such sounds as balls being launched, balls rolling in Roulette

apparatus, thunder strikes, and music.

United States Patent No. 6,164,647 ('647 Patent), which issued to Chee, discloses a

Casino Wheel Game System. The '647 Patent teaches a roulette assembly comprising

a lower wheel divided into a plurality of sections each representative of at least one of

a unique number and a unique color. Also included is an upper wheel rotatably

mounted on the lower wheel and divided into a plurality of sections each

representative of at least one of a unique number and a unique color. Upon the upper

wheel and the lower wheel being spun, the upper wheel slows to engage with the

lower wheel and a unique number and color combination is indicated. It will be seen

from an inspection of the '647 Patent that a mechanically complex roulette wheel is

disclosed. Upper and lower wheels may be randomly joined to select a specific color

and number outcome on the lower wheel. Notably, no alphabetic designations on the

wheel are disclosed.

United States Patent Nos. 6,227,542 ('542 Patent) and 6,663,106 ('106

Patent), both of which issued to Cosmi, disclose certain Roulette of Improved Type

and New Gambling Game Providing for the Use of Said Improved Roulette. The '542

and '106 Patents teach roulette of a new type including two bowls coaxial to each

other and rotating around the same axis and two small balls, each ball rolling around

one of the bowls, where on each bowl are engraved data which refer to an

independent event. On a first embodiment, the two independent events are: the signs

of the zodiac, the numbers from 0 to 31, where the signs of the zodiac are preferably

engraved on the external, ring-shaped bowl, while the numbers from 0 to 31 are

preferably engraved on the internal bowl. On a second embodiment, the events

engraved on the two bowls are related to one or more of the calendars used in Asiatic

countries (China, Korea, Japan and so on). Furthermore, a new gambling game

providing for the use of said improved roulette is described.

United States Patent No. 6,406,022 ('022 Patent), which issued to Nadibaidze,

discloses a Method of Playing a Roulette-Type Mass Amusement Game Having a

Betting Field with Zodiac Signs. The '022 Patent teaches a method of mass

amusement using a stake field simulating a roulette-type betting field with various

color stake squares with various-color information marks from 1 to 36 formed

thereupon and the twelve Zodiac signs in the stake squares with digital information

marks 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, and 31. Also formed is a flat image of a

stationary roulette wheel having 36 main sectors and one or two additional sectors,

with each main sector to contain, first, the images of digits from 1 to 36 with the

images of the twelve Zodiac signs in the places of location of the prime numbers 1, 2,

3, 5 ,7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, and 31, and, secondly, two images of the hexagonal die

with information marks being various number of spots: from one to six. Then, the

players place their bets on the stake squares of the stake field, the procedure to be

followed by choosing two pairs of random gambling indices by means of double

simultaneous casting of two hexagonal dice.

United States Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0285336, which was

authored by Ilievski, discloses an alphabetic roulette game comprising a roulette

wheel having twenty-five positions thereon, comprising the twenty-six letters of the

Roman alphabet and a double letter position. A wagering surface or table provides for

the placement of wagers upon the chance of any of the single letters (or the double

letters) or a letter of any of several groups of letters turning up on a spin of the wheel.

The game also provides for wagers on the chance of a given letter turning up on two

or more consecutive turns of the wheel. A further wagering opportunity is provided

for wagering upon the chance of a letter within a given word or words coming up on a

turn of the wheel. The alphabetic positions on the wheel, and corresponding positions on the table, may be colored to allow players to place wagers on a color or colors, as desired.

It will be seen from a further review of the above-referenced patents and other

prior art generally known to exist, however, that the prior art does not teach a roulette

type game for telling a mahjong story as summarized in a mahjong event. In this

case, the mahjong event may be said to comprise the identification of multiple

mahjong symbols by way of a roulette medium. The prior art thus perceives a need

for a roulette medium for effecting a mahjong event or for otherwise dealing a hand.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like

which has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a

context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of

these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in

the field relevant to the present invention as it existed in Australia or elsewhere before

the priority date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a combination

roulette-mahjong gaming medium. In a first preferred practice of the present

invention, a roulette-gaming system is provided for effecting or eliciting a multi

wheel roulette gaming experience. In this regard, it is contemplated that a roulette

gaming system of the present invention may be said to comprise a grouped series of

roulette wheel assemblies; a player participation area; certain central-processing

means; and certain visual display means. Each roulette wheel assembly may further

comprise a roulette wheel; a roulette ball; a dome for preventing balls from escaping from the roulette wheel(s); certain automated rotation means for rotating the roulette wheel about a wheel axis of rotation; certain automated launch means for launching the roulette ball; and certain means for automatically detecting in which slot(s) the ball(s) have landed.

Each roulette wheel comprises a plurality of ball-receiving sectors and at least

one ball-launching track. Each ball-receiving sector comprises a superior sector

surface, which superior sector surfaces each bear or are otherwise cooperable with a

select wheel symbol as may be preferably defined by a mahjong symbol or as may be

alternatively defined by similar other symbolism, such as traditional playing card

symbols. The roulette balls are respectively launchable from the ball-launching tracks

and respectively receivable in one of the ball-receiving sectors for providing a multi

sector event. The multi-sector event may be defined by the group of symbols

identified by the balls as they come to rest in the ball-receiving sectors.

In other words, the multi-sector event, if bearing a mahjong motif, is

essentially a mahjong event. Mahjong symbols each represent meaning beyond one

dimension. And thus, combinations of symbols may be combined to essentially tell a

story or mahjong event. For example, the Bambool symbol represents the Chinese

character: "Kung". The first tile of the first suit, of the three suits (the others being

Circles and Wan) - it primarily signifies success. However success can lead to pride,

which in turn can lead to vanity. The Bambool symbol is a peacock - an emblem of

beauty that represents a lady, in the prime of her life, gazing in a mirror. The mirror is

the symbol of the cosmos, depending on the interpretation, and the lady can be

admiring her own reflection or contemplating her own mortality. The mirror

frequently indicates a change of direction in life. The Circle1 symbol is the Chinese

character: "Chu". It is the first of the Circles suit and represented by the pearl - its

Chinese name is "the Moon from the Bottom of the Sea". Pearls indicate the

refinement of a connoisseur and so this tile suggests luxury and wealth.

The Wan Isymbol is Chinese character: "Ju". This symbol is represented by

the Chinese character for one and resembling the bar of a door. Therefore the

significance is of a barrier being lifted, or a door being opened, bringing new

opportunities ahead. Finally, the Red Dragon symbol is represented by the Chinese

character: "Chung", which means centre or middle. The "Chung" character represents

an interpretive arrow striking the centre of a target. The meaning of this tile is

therefore - success or achievement. Notably, this tile is the counterpart of the Green

Dragon tile which shows the arrow about to leave the bow. It is commonly called the

Red Dragon in western mahjong sets because the "Chung" character is generally

drawn in red ink.

In the foregoing recitation, the multi-sector event may thus be defined as a

Bambool, Circlel, Wan1, Red Dragon event. If a player had been wagering on this

combination of symbols, he or she may have done so because of some underlying

meaning to that player. It being noted that each mahjong symbol has underlying

meaning, the combination of symbols may effectively provides a story of sorts. For

example, in the foregoing example, the player who may have wagered this event may

have been seeking a change of direction in the player's life (Bamboo1) for the

purpose of enhancing the player's wealth (Circlel). The new opportunities presented

(Wan1) via the change in life's direction, lay the potential for greater success or

achievement (Red Dragon). Thus, the mahjong event or multi-sector event

represented by the four symbols: Bamboo, Circle1, Wan1, and Red Dragon are more

than just four symbols to the player. The roulette medium enables random selection of symbols, which selection process may be viewed by players as fate-based and meaningful beyond the face of the tile.

In addition to mahjong symbolism, the invention uses mahjong scoring

combinations to define winning events such as progressive jackpot triggers. For

example, a progressive jackpot may be triggered by a Kong, which may be defined as

four hits or ball-identifications of the same symbol; or a Pung, which may be defined

as three hits or ball-identifications of the same symbol. Further, players may choose

to wager on a Chow as may be defined by three consecutive tiles or symbols in the

same suit.

Players may congregate in the player participation area spatially separated

from the roulette wheel assemblies and together experience the mahjong events as

they unfold. The player participation area may thus preferably comprise certain

wager-inputting means for enabling electronic entry of wagers, which wagers identify

select wager symbols. Together, the wheel symbols and wager symbols have paired

symbol correspondence for yielding a winning event. The central processing means

essentially function to (1) collect the wagers, (2) govern the automated rotation and

launch means, (3) compare the wagers to the multi-sector event, (4) calculate payouts

to players should a wager match the multi-sector event, and (5) govern credits-debits

during roulette gaming.

The visual display means essentially function to visually display activity at the

grouped series of roulette wheel assemblies or grouped roulette wheel assembly action

(comprising the multi-sector event) to the player participation area. Notably, the

player participation area is spatially separated from the site of wheel action and thus

the visual display means may well function to add excitement to the roulette gaming

experience by enabling theatrical or cinematic type viewing of the gaming events.

The grouped roulette wheel assembly action may be said to further comprise wheel

rotations, roulette ball action, and, as noted, the multi-sector event. The visual

display(s) may well take the form of either a large centralized screen in an auditorium

type area or via individualized screens at player seats or stations.

It is contemplated that in the preferred embodiment, the wheel symbols and

the wagerable symbols are defined by mahjong symbols and that the automated

launch means comprise certain ball-conducting conduit for converting a potentially

energetic roulette ball to a kinetically energetic roulette ball and for outletting the

kinetically energetic roulette ball upon the roulette wheel. In this last regard, the

reader is further directed to U.S. Patent Application No. 11/711,546 ('546

application), filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on February 27,

2007. This application claims the benefit of the '546 application and the specification

of the '546 application is hereby incorporated by reference thereto. It may be readily

seen from an inspection of the '546 application that the same more fully specifies a

variety of inventive ball-delivery systems and apparatus, including multi-ball delivery

devices and the like usable in combination with the essential mahjong or symbolic

roulette set forth in this specification.

In a second preferred practice, it is contemplated that the present invention

teaches a mahjong roulette game for ball-effecting a mahjong event, and which

mahjong roulette game comprises a plurality of grouped roulette wheel assemblies

and a player participation area. Each roulette wheel assembly comprises a roulette

wheel; a roulette ball; means for rotating the wheel; means for launching the roulette

ball; and certain means for automatically detecting in which slot(s) the ball(s) have

landed.

Each roulette wheel comprises a plurality of ball-receiving sectors and at least

one ball-launching track. Each ball-receiving sector comprises a superior sector

surface bearing a select mahjong wheel symbol. The roulette balls are respectively

launchable from the ball-launching tracks and respectively receivable in one of the

ball-receiving sectors for providing a multi-symbolic event. The player participation

area enables wagering input and comprises select mahjong wager symbols, the wheel

and wager symbols having paired symbol correspondence, the paired symbol

correspondence and the multi-symbolic event for effecting a mahjong event.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention there is provided an electronic

gaming apparatus having central processing means, wager inputting means and a

visual display unit, the apparatus being configured to perform a game or method as

defined herein.

Preferably the apparatus takes the form of a slot machine, a mobile device, a

personal computer, a touch screen monitor, a hand held data input - output device, a

cell phone, a tablet, a kiosk, a digital television or a personal digital assistant.

In some contemplated embodiments the apparatus may include

communication means, which may include the use of any one or more of a wireless

connection, an internet connection, a cellular connection, a connection across a local

area network or a connection across a wide area network.

Preferably the central processing means is configured so as to selectively

cause the visual display unit to display at least one wheel and at least one ball. In one

contemplated embodiment the wheel and the ball may be simulated and outcome of a

game may be at least partially dependent upon an output of a random number

generator. In another contemplated embodiment the wheel and the ball may be real and the outcome of a game may be at least partially dependent upon the wheel and the ball.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided an

electronically-readable medium containing executable code for instructing an

electronic gaming apparatus to perform a game or method as defined herein.

Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations thereof such

as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated

element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion

of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Other preferred features of the present invention, as well as particular elements,

and advantages thereof, will be elucidated or become apparent from, the following

description and the accompanying drawing figures, which are provided by way of non

limiting example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features of our invention will become more evident from a consideration

of the following brief description of our patent drawings:

Figure No. 1 is a top perspective depiction of a first roulette wheel assembly of

the present invention as combined with a fanciful creature and with an enlarged sectional

view of the superior wheel surface showing ball-receiving sectors and mahjong symbols

associated therewith.

Figure No. 2 is a fragmentary top perspective type depiction of a roulette gaming

system of the present invention depicting a centralized, grouped series of automated

roulette wheel assemblies, visual displays of the individual roulette wheel assemblies,

visual displays of ball-identified symbols, and a visual display of a progressive jackpot

award.

Figure No. 3 is a top plan type depiction of the roulette gaming system otherwise

depicted in Figure No. 2 depicting a centralized, grouped series of automated roulette

wheel assemblies, a rearward visual display portion, and a forward, theater or auditorium

style player participation area.

Figure No. 4 is a reduced top plan type depiction of the roulette gaming system

otherwise depicted in Figure No. 3 as shown upon a personal viewing screen, which

personal viewing screen may be integrated with a hand-held unit (shown at the left of the

figure), a touch screen liquid crystal display tablet (shown at the upper right of the

figure), and a notebook computer (shown at the lower right of the figure). An enlarged

sectional type depiction of the player participation area is further shown with a player

seated at a gaming interface device.

Figure No. 5 is a depiction of an exemplary visual output for players showing an

animated table layout, a credits-bank section, and live coverage portion of the grouped

roulette wheel assembly action.

Figure No. 6 is a Symbolic Square of Mahjong showing all 144 tiles that

comprise a traditional mahjong tile or card deck.

Figure No. 7 is a top plan type depiction of an upper wheel surface of a roulette

wheel for playing basic mahjong roulette. The figure depicts a total of forty-two tiles or

symbols arranged circumferentially around the roulette wheel.

Figure No. 8 is a plan type depiction of a first symbolic wagering table depicting

the forty-two basic mahjong tiles or symbols and certain additional wagering selections.

Figure No. 9 is a top plan type depiction of an upper wheel surface of a roulette

wheel for playing grand dragon mahjong roulette. The figure depicts a total of one

hundred forty-four (144) ball-receiving sectors outfittable with the 144 tiles or symbols

otherwise depicted in Figure No. 6.

Figure No. 9(a) is a file layout depicting the preferred circumferential

arrangement of the 144 tiles or symbols around the periphery of the roulette wheel

otherwise depicted in Figure No. 9.

Figure No. 10 is a top plan type depiction of a first roulette wheel of the grouped

series of roulette wheel assemblies otherwise depicted in Figure Nos. 2 -4 showing a

total of thirty-six tiles or symbols circumferentially arranged and a roulette ball

identifying the "bamboo7" symbol.

Figure No. 11 is a top plan type depiction of a second roulette wheel of the

grouped series of roulette wheel assemblies otherwise depicted in Figure Nos. 2 - 4 showing a total of thirty-six tiles or symbols circumferentially arranged and a roulette ball identifying the "bamboo5" symbol.

Figure No. 12 is a top plan type depiction of a third roulette wheel of the grouped

series of roulette wheel assemblies otherwise depicted in Figure Nos. 2 -4 showing a

total of thirty-six tiles or symbols circumferentially arranged and a roulette ball

identifying the "bamboo2" symbol.

Figure No. 13 is a top plan type depiction of a fourth roulette wheel of the

grouped series of roulette wheel assemblies otherwise depicted in Figure Nos. 2 - 4

showing a total of thirty-six tiles or symbols circumferentially arranged and a roulette

ball identifying the "bamboo9" symbol.

Figure No. 14 is a fragmentary top plan type depiction of an alternative

embodiment of the roulette wheel adjacent a partially presented traditional playing card

deck showing traditional playing card symbols associated with the ball-receiving sectors.

Figure No. 15 is a first payout table as positioned adjacent a second symbolic

table for basic mahjong roulette or roulette comprising forty-two ball-receiving sectors

with a breakdown of various possible wager selections.

Figure No. 16 is a second payout table for basic mahjong roulette or roulette

comprising forty-two ball-receiving sectors with a breakdown of various possible wager

selections.

Figure No. 17 depicts a first pair of payout tables with a breakdown of various

possible wager selections for four-wheel mahjong roulette (upper table) or roulette with

four balls and a single wheel comprising 144 ball-receiving sectors (middle table) and it

also depicts parameters for various levels of progressive jackpots (lower table).

Figure No. 18 is a sample hits table showing possible mahjong events resulting

from four-ball roulette gaming and 144 possible mahjong symbols.

Figure No. 19 is a bets/payouts table corresponding to the sample hits table

otherwise shown in Figure No. 18.

Figure No. 20 is a generic depiction of a slot machine and a cellular telephone as

exemplary of electronic gaming devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Dragon Mahjong Roulette is a fusion of two traditional games from two

distinct cultures. In other words, the heart of this invention is a fusion between two

traditional games, namely roulette and mahjong. Mahjong is a traditional, social /

gambling game played by many Chinese as well as other cultures. The symbols used

are from mahjong - those that have been around for thousands of years. The game

involves one or more roulette wheels of various configurations. However, in order to

appeal primarily to the orient and the explosion of casino gambling in the East,

instead of using numbers or letters, we instead will use the Mahjong symbols or tiles.

Additionally, in some of the more complex variations of the game we integrate other facilities terminology from Mahjong, especially to provide new forms of progressive jackpots.

It is contemplated that basic dragon roulette or mahjong roulette comprises

one roulette ball 10, which ball(s) 10 are illustrated and referenced in Figure Nos. 1, 7,

9, and 10 - 13; and a roulette wheel assembly 11. A number of individual roulette

wheel assemblies 11 or roulette wheels are generally illustrated and referenced in

Figure Nos. 1 - 5, 7, and 10 - 14. The roulette wheel assembly 11 for use during the

basic mahjong roulette game of the present invention preferably comprises forty-two

(42) mahjong symbols 16 as generally illustrated and depicted in Figure No. 7.

Mahjong symbols 16 are further generally depicted and referenced in Figure

Nos. 1, 2, 4 - 9, and 10 - 13. Figure No. 6 depicts a full set of mahjong symbols 16.

By way of comparison, a traditional playing card deck comprising four suits (Spades,

Clubs, Diamonds, and Hearts) with thirteen cards (numbered one (or an ace) through

10, a Jack or (J), a Queen (Q), and a King (K)) in each suit is exemplified in Figure

No. 14. It is contemplated that a mahjong playing deck (entirely depicted in Figure

No. 6) is akin to a traditional playing card deck (partially depicted in Figure No. 14)

insofar as each may be utilized to form a symbolic hand, the symbolic hand being

formed comprising a plurality of cards or tiles dealt or otherwise selected from the

respective deck.

Each of the mahjong symbols 16 may preferably be assigned to a slot or ball

receiving sector 12 of the roulette wheel 11 as generally depicted in certain of the

noted figures. Sectors 12 are further referenced in Figure Nos. 7, 9, and 10 - 14. An

exemplary payout table 13 for the basic dragon roulette or mahjong roulette according

to the present invention is generally depicted and referenced in Figure No. 15. Extra payouts for a basic mahjong roulette game are further generally depicted in payout table 17 as illustrated and referenced in Figure No. 16.

The appeal of some contemplated embodiments of the single ball game may

be further enhanced by adding progressive jackpot features to attract player interest.

One such example is to add one or more levels of so called Mystery Jackpots (i.e

jackpot levels where the prize winning event and prize winner are determined by

random means not associated with the actual result of the game). In these mystery

jackpots, the probability of winning is generally directly proportional to the amount

bet on the particular game. Such schemes were discussed in U.S. Patent Application

No. 11/634,780, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety by

way of reference.

In some contemplated embodiments a participation progressive jackpot may

be added. The participation jackpot trigger may be defined to be a series of specific

results in consecutive games or spins. Various levels may be set. For example, if the

specific result happens in three games in a row, a major progressive prize is won, and

if the specific result happens in two games in a row, a minor progressive prize is won.

In one such contemplated embodiment, a progressive jackpot win trigger could be the

Wind of the Round, for example, occurring in two or three games in a row.

In some contemplated embodiments players may elect to participate in the

progressive jackpot by making a separate bet (in a similar manner as the side bet in

the progressive jackpot in Caribbean Stud Poker games). Once bets are placed, a first

spin is taken and if the result of the first spin does not match the desired result, all bets

are lost and they are collected by the dealer. However, if the desired result does occur,

the bets are moved to a special area which indicates that the first hit has occurred. A

second spin is then taken, and if the result of the second spin does not match the desired result, again all bets are lost and they are collected by the dealer. On the other hand, if the desired result does occur on the second spin there will now be a progressive prize, the bets are moved to a special area which indicates that the second hit has occurred. A third spin is taken and if the result does not match the desired result, the minor jackpot prize is paid. However, if the result of the third spin does match the desired result, the majorjackpot prize is paid.

The participation jackpot level would increment by the amounts bet. Further

interest in the game may be added by attributing a small portion of every mahjong

roulette wager into the jackpot pool so that the progressive level(s) typically increase

over time.

It is possible that more than one player may have played the initial game in a

specific participation progressive jackpot hit. In such a case, the progressive jackpot

payout amount may be divided between the players; typically with the payout shares

being proportional to the respective amounts placed on the participation bet.

Another alternative is to assign each seat at the table a specific mahjong

symbol e.g. a seven seat table could have the seats labelled as the 4 winds and 3

dragons. Then the progressive result would be 2 or 3 in a row of the occurrence result

of the same symbol as the player's seat. Other players could not participate on that

result unless the person in the seat did not elect to play that participation progressive

jackpot.

For such a contemplated embodiment, the hit rates are as shown in the

following table.

Two triggers in arow 0.0005533960 30.1 hours Three triggers in arow 0.0000131761 52.7 days

The win frequency periods may be enhanced by defining the "trigger result" to

be more than one symbol. For example, a table with nine seats could be labelled one

through nine. In such a contemplated embodiment the person at table one would have

the trigger hit if any of the One Bamboos, Circles or Wans is hit. This gives much

more manageable hit frequencies. In yet another contemplated embodiment a Grand

jackpot for hitting four triggers may be provided in accordance with the following

table:

Two triggers in arow 0.0047376093 3.5 hours Three triggers in arow 0.0003384007 2 days Four triggers in arow 0.0000260308 27.7 days

It is contemplated that the ball-delivery for the basic mahjong roulette game

may be the same as ina traditional roulette game insofar as ball-delivery may be by

way ofan operator or croupier. However, itis further contemplated that ball-delivery

may also be achieved by launching balls with an automatic or automated roulette

wheel assembly or via any number of inventive ball-delivery means as set forth in

more specificity in U.S. Patent Application No. 11/711,546, the specification of which

is hereby further incorporated by reference thereto. As earlier stated, it may be seen

from an inspection of the '546 application that the same sets forth anumber of

different ball-delivery means usable in combination with the teachings here presented.

Further, it isnoted that any number of state of the artautomated roulette wheel

assemblies may be utilized to provide amahjong roulette gaming experience. Further,

it is contemplated that the basic mahjong or dragon roulette set-up may lend itself to a

variation in the form of fully electronic versions orin the form ofa mahjong roulette

slot machine.

A more elaborate version of the game may be referred to as Grand Dragon

(mahjong) Roulette. In this version, it is contemplated that a roulette wheel assembly

11 may be positioned adjacent a fanciful creature 14 such as a dragon as generally

depicted in Figure No. 1. The fanciful creature 14 may be formed so as to effect a

wheel-holding or wheel-guarding pose as generally depicted in the noted figure. The

roulette wheel assembly 11 may comprise the basic number (i.e. 42) of

circumferentially-aligned mahjong tiles as borne by, or otherwise cooperably

associated with, ball-receiving sectors 12 and presented under the opening

specifications for basic mahjong roulette. However, it is further contemplated that

Grand Dragon Roulette may preferably comprise 144 ball-receiving sectors 12 for

receiving and circumferentially aligning 144 tiles as generally illustrated and

referenced in Figure Nos. 6 and 9.

Figure No. 9 is essentially a skeletal roulette wheel 11 for receiving the tiles or

symbols 16 otherwise represented in Figure No. 6 and circumferentially arranged as

generally depicted. Figure No. 9(a) depicts a file layout of the 144 tiles or symbols 16

with a file name for each ball-receiving sector 12 otherwise depicted in Figure No. 9.

It is contemplated that Figure No. 9(a) sets forth the preferred arrangement of the 144

mahjong symbols 16 left to right and top to bottom. In other words, the right most

symbol in a first row is immediately followed by the left most symbol in a second

row. For example, referencing Row No. 1 in Figure No. 9, the sixth symbol is "cir4"

(last position as at reference numeral 40). The seventh symbol is "wan9" and located

in Row No. 2 (first position as at reference numeral 41).

In this last regard, it will be recalled that a mahjong game set comprises tiles

of which there are 34 different types. These are the four Winds, namely East, South,

West and North; three Dragons, namely, Green, Red and White; Bamboo tiles, numbered one to nine; Circles tiles, numbered one to nine; and Wan tiles, again numbered one to nine. For each of the 34 different tile types there are four identical pieces provided in a mahjong set. The total number of playing tiles in the game is therefore 136 tiles. However in a set there are also eight special tiles that are used solely for the purpose of scoring bonus points, the Flower and Season tiles.

The preferred Grand Dragon roulette table or roulette wheel assembly 11

according to the present invention thus comprises a total of 144 tile-receiving sectors

as at 12 in Figure No. 9. Notably, Figure No. 9 is not specifically illustrated with all

144 symbols actually set upon the tile-receiving sectors 12, but slightly exploded

therefrom in circumferential arrangement in order to keep the noted figure relatively

clean for enhancing clarity of reference. In this regard, the reader should consider the

144 tiles or symbols 16 as depicted in Figure No. 6, which tiles may be

circumferentially aligned or other otherwise cooperably associated with the sectors 12

of the wheel assembly 11 in Figure No. 9. The ordering of mahjong tiles depicted in

Figure No. 6 is called the Symbolic Square of Mahjong, which symbolic square

formally orders all 144 tiles in the game.

From a comparative inspection of Figure Nos. 6 and 9, it may be readily

understood that the roulette wheel assembly 11 of the Grand Dragon roulette game

preferably comprises 144 slots or ball-receiving sectors 12 and each one of those

sectors 12 is assigned a single mahjong symbol 16. This game accounts for all of the

144 symbols that can be used in the traditional game of mahjong. The game requires

the use of four (4) roulette balls 10 launched upon the upper wheel surface

substantially simultaneously. Because the Grand Dragon Roulette version may

require multiple roulette balls 10, it is contemplated that this version of the game may

require certain specialized multi-ball delivery means.

In this regard, it is noted that this application claims the benefit of the '546

application, which application substantially sets forth a number of multi-ball delivery

means. The specification of the '546 application more fully supports of the notion

that multiple balls may be delivered to the upper wheel surface. In addition to those

means set forth in the '546 application, it is contemplated that certain state of the art

automated ball-delivery means, and so-called "slingshot" type ball-delivery means

may also be utilized to provide ball-launching means for the present invention. So

called "slingshot" ball delivery means may be exemplified by products manufactured

and sold under the same brand or utility driven name by CAMMEGH LIMITED with

current business address of Old Surrenden Manor, Bethersden, Ashford, Kent TN26

3DL, Great Britain.

Notably, this patent application further claims the benefit of U.S. Patent

Application No. 11/634,780 ('780 application), filed in the United States Patent and

Trademark Office on December 5, 2006 and U.S. Patent Application No. 11/711,374

('374 application) (a continuing application of the '780 application), filed in the

United States Patent and Trademark Office on February 27, 2007. The subject patent

applications also set forth a roulette medium for effecting non-numeric, symbol based

roulette gaming. The '780 and '374 applications thus bear a strong resemblance to the

present teachings and the specifications of the noted applications are thus hereby

incorporated by reference thereto as being supportive of the concepts here delineated.

More specifically, whereas the symbols in the '780 and '374 applications tend to

support syllable formation and word formation as a means to enhance the gaming

experience, the symbols of the present application tend to support grouped symbol,

tile, or card formation in which the symbols have multi-dimensional underlying

cultural meaning. In this regard, it is noted that grouped tiles or grouped cards are often referred to as a "hand" to use a well known gaming vernacular, and this it is contemplated that the present invention supports a system, apparatus, and method for dealing or forming a hand, which hand may comprise a number of symbolic tiles or cards and thereby elicit or effect a certain gaming effect.

For example, a four-ball game according to the present invention may thus

ball-identify four tiles as generally depicted in Figure No. 9, and a five-ball game

according the present invention may identify five cards or tiles (as for example, may

be practiced by way of a typical playing card deck (comprising fifty-two total cards

with four suits and thirteen cards in each suit) as generally depicted in Figure No. 14.

The odds of securing any given five-card hand by way of a traditional playing card

deck are well known in the arts and thus it is contemplated that payout structures for

this type of structure need not be presented here.

Multi-wheel, multi-ball mahjong roulette may be exemplified by the structures

generally illustrated and referenced in Figure Nos. 2 - 5, and 10 - 13, inclusive. From

an inspection of the noted figures, it is contemplated that the multi-wheel, multi-ball

version of mahjong roulette contemplates four roulette wheels 11 and four roulette

balls 10 (respectively identified in the four Figure Nos. 10, 11, 12, and 13), in which

one roulette ball 10 is launchable upon each roulette wheel 11. This variation may be

preferably defined by four roulette wheels 11 with thirty-six ball-receiving sectors 12

on each wheel 11. From an inspection of the noted figures, it may be readily seen that

each respective roulette wheel 11 preferably comprises thirty-four identical symbols

16 (arranged in differing arrangements), while further comprising a unique Season

and Flower tile on each of the four roulette wheels 11. Exemplary four-ball payout

tables 18 are generally illustrated and referenced in Figure No. 17. For example, a

sequence of four tiles in a single suit (e.g. 3-4-5-6 of Bamboos), referred to in some contemplated embodiments as a "Super Chow", yields a payout multiple of 434 in the

4-Wheel game (as shown in the "Any Chow" / "Pay 4" position of the upper table)

and it yields a payout multiple of 400 in the Grand Dragon game (as shown in the

"Any Chow" / "Pay 4" position of the middle table).

With the lower table of Figure No. 17 in view, the following points should be

noted: the overall progressive jackpot return is 6%. With the base-game prizes being

structured around a 90% return, this gives a total player return of around 96%. The

winner selection method occurs in two stages in which the game outcome (i.e. Kong

or Pung) determines whether a jackpot has been won and the mystery jackpot

selection methodology (set forth in more detail in the '780 and '384 applications) is

used to select a winner or winners in proportion to the amount bet. It is contemplated

that the start-up amounts will be set relatively low roughly in proportion to the worst

case scenario of a single player only playing a single unit per game. As play is likely

to be much greater than that, a portion of each progressive jackpot level will be held

in Reserve Pools (for the 4 Wheel game, 1.01%, 1.45% and 1.12% respectively). The

Reserve Pools will be incremented as each wager is placed and decremented by the

start-up amount whenever the progressive jackpot level is won. Rules for transferring

amounts in the Reserve Pool to progressive levels when a level is won will be

established e.g. all of the current Reserve Pool is transferred when a hit occurs or the

minimum start-up amount, whichever is greater. Additionally, a scheme can be

developed where the amount transferred to the Reserve Pool decreases as the Reserve

Pool grows and hence the increment to the current level increases. The timeframe for

winning these progressive jackpots for the 4 wheel game, based upon an estimated

game rate of one game per minute is, as follows:

• Kong: about every 34 days (the progressive jackpot growing ever larger in the interim);

• Dragon/Wind Pung: about every 28 hours

• Suit Pung: about every 7 hours. The timeframe for winning these progressive jackpots for the Grand Dragon

Game, based upon an estimated game rate of one game per minute is, as follows:

• Kong: about every 350 days; • Dragon/Wind Pung: about every 3 days • Suit Pung: about every 19 hours. It is contemplated that one way to improve the foregoing rates and thus

increase or enhance the overall gaming excitement (with rapidly incrementing

progressive jackpot pools), is to link multiple tables, each with their own set of

roulette wheels, to a common progressive jackpot. If, for example, eight tables were

to be linked to a common progressive jackpot, the foregoing hit rates may reduce, as

follows:

• Kong: about every 4.25 days; • Dragon/Wind Pung: about every 30 minutes; and • Suit Pung: about every 2 minutes.

Figure No. 18 generally depicts the results of seven rounds of four-ball

mahjong roulette gaming. It may be readily seen from an inspection of Figure No. 18

that during the first sample round, Ball No. 1 hit or identified a Green Dragon; Ball

No. 2 identified a Red Dragon; Ball No. 3 identified a Green Dragon; and Ball No. 4

identified a Circle1. Figure No. 19 then depicts the bets/payouts depending on the

bet. For example, from a comparative inspection of the noted figures, it may be seen

that a Green Dragon straight with hit 1 would pay back 32 for every unit bet (i.e. 31 to

1 or 32 for 1). Further, with different results, it should be noted that "suit pung",

"dragon/wind pung", and "kong" progressive jackpots could also be paid out

according to the mystery jackpot prize.

It is contemplated that the mahjong or symbolic roulette gaming of the present

invention may well be played by way of a multi-terminal game as well as one that can

be adapted for mobile device(s), such as computers, including notebook and/or other

personal computers 20, a touch screen liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor 50, a

tablet, a kiosk, a digital television or other hand held data input - output device such

as a personal digital assistant (PDA) 21 as generically depicted and referenced in

Figure No. 4. In some contemplated embodiments a combination of various types of

electronic apparatuses would interact together so as to facilitate game play amongst a

plurality of players. It is noted that a touch screen LCD monitor 50 such as the type

generally depicted in Figure No. 4 is more feasible option in a Casino or gaming

establishment and thus may define the preferred interface for player(s) 100. It is

further noted that player(s) 100 are often desirous of visualizing how winning

combinations are effected (i.e. ball-effected through a roulette medium) because of

suspicions of results obtained through a random number - symbol generator.

Although a random number or symbol generator would be at the heart of some of the

electronic embodiments, it is contemplated that certain facets of the present teachings

could well be practiced with fully or partially electronic version(s).

A further embodiment of the present invention contemplates centralizing a

grouped series of roulette wheel assemblies 11 in a theater or auditorium style setting

19 as generally depicted in Figure Nos. 2 - 4. The grouped series of (preferably

automated) roulette wheel assemblies 11 are preferably viewable from above as

enabled, for example, via certain visual display means. It is contemplated that the

visual display means may be defined by certain visual input means such as camera

type hardware 22 as generically illustrated and referenced in Figure No. 2; and certain visual output means such as one or more visual display screen(s) 23 as further generically illustrated and depicted in Figure Nos. 2 and 3.

It is contemplated that the visual display means may function to visually

display each separate roulette wheel assembly 11 in a grouped series of roulette wheel

assemblies 11 as well as being operable to train in on the ball-identified sectors 12 and

symbols 16 and display the same in individualized screens as at reference numeral 24

in Figure Nos. 2 and 4. In this regard, it is contemplated that the roulette balls 10 are

thus operable to ball-effect a mahjong event or similar other type symbolic event (i.e.

a multi-tile or multi-card episode defined by the grouped symbols 16 or cards

identified by roulette balls 10 coming to rest in ball-receiving sectors 12).

As earlier noted, it is preferred that the roulette wheel assemblies 11 be

automated via state of the art automation means. To the rear of the grouped series of

roulette wheel assemblies 11, a large screen 23 may also visually display the results

(as at 24) and progressive jackpot (as at 25) for any given gaming episode. In

addition to the results 24 and the progressive jackpot 25, it is further contemplated

that peripheral type symbols and animation may be displayed relating, which symbols

and animation relate to mahjong and/or Chinese culture. Said visual displays could

also be utilized as an advertising medium at the election of the gaming house or

provider.

Opposite the visual output display(s) or visual display screen 23, players may

participate in the gaming event(s) in a player participation area as at 26. The player

participation area 26 may be preferably defined by comprising auditorium or theater

type seating 27 as generally illustrated and depicted in Figure Nos. 3 and 4. From an

inspection of the noted figures, it may be readily understood that players (as at 100)

may congregate in the participation area and utilize individualized data input means

28 for placing wagers on the gaming event and tracking debits/credits resulting from

the wagering and gaming event(s). Notably, there is no table as such, and the data

input means 28 may be preferably defined by notebook computer 20 or by hand-held

data input - output device 21.

Given that there is no table per se, it is contemplated that a table layout may be

available by way of an animated format on the data input means 28 or visual display

means 23 as generally depicted in Figure No. 5. It is further contemplated that the

means for providing a virtual table layout may also be defined by a state of the art

mobile gaming device communicating via a wireless connection. Certain generic

depictions of wireless enabled communication(s) are illustrated in Figure Nos. 3 and 4

at reference numeral 60. It is contemplated that these and similar other devices may

well function to enable the player to input credits (for example via a swiped credit

card 29 as generally depicted in Figure No. 4); place wagers as at 30 and generally

depicted in Figure No. 4; and enable the player to otherwise track credits and debits

during the wagering - gaming events. Other examples of communication means that

may be employed by embodiments of the invention include the use of an internet

connection, a cellular connection, a connection across a local area network or a

connection across a wide area network.

U.S. readers may well be familiar with traditional playing card deck

comprising four suits (Spades, Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts) with each suit comprising

thirteen cards (numbered 1 (or ace) through 10, a Jack (J), a Queen (Q), and a King

(K). Similarly, the Mahjong deck comprises (1) Circles (four sets of nine = thirty-six

total); (2) Bamboos (four sets of nine = thirty-six total); (3) Wans (characters) (four

sets of nine = thirty-six total); (4) Winds (four sets of four = sixteen total); (5)

Dragons (four sets of three = twelve total); (6) Flowers (four total); and Seasons (four

total).

The foregoing tiles or cards are represented or set forth in their totality in

Figure No. 6, which tiles are configurable upon the roulette wheel assembly 11 as

generally depicted in Figure No. 7. It is contemplated that in the four-ball variation of

dragon or mahjong roulette according to the present invention, the basic scoring

elements may be defined, as follows: Kong - four of the same tile (i.e. 4 circles, 4

bamboos, 4 wans, 4 like dragons, or 4 like winds); Pung - three of the same tile (i.e. 3

circles, 3 bamboos, 3 wans, 3 like dragons, or 3 like winds); Chow - three in a row of

the same suit (e.g. Wan 3, Wan 4, Wan 5); and a "Wind of the Round". For example,

if a bet is placed on any wind, and the Wind of the Round was drawn, the prize could

be doubled. The Wind of the Round could be selected sequentially or randomly.

Notably, the present teachings set forth a roulette gaming system involving

multiple roulette balls 10 for identifying multiple, hand-forming symbols, particularly

mahjong symbols16. Roulette gaming involving multiple roulette balls 10 and a

progressive jackpot may benefit from certain means for tracking chips and for

transferring data to the progressive jackpot controller, as may be governed by

centralized processing means or a central processing unit 31 as generally depicted in

Figure No. 3. In this regard, it is contemplated that a player 100 may complete a

transaction either through a cashier or alternatively through a chip dispenser to

acquire chips. Via the transaction with the cashier or the chip dispenser, it is

contemplated that the player may preferably be identified by way of a player card 32

as generally depicted and referenced in Figure No. 4.

The primary purpose of identifying the player 100 through a player card 32 is

to enable effective payout delivery to player(s) 100. The chips may well further be outfitted with a certain radio frequency identification devices and once they are placed on the dragon mat in a wagering pattern their positions can be tracked. If they are placed on bets that are linked to the progressive/mystery jackpot (as specified in more detail in the '780 and '374 applications), it can be calculated as soon as the transaction is completed (i.e. the chip is placed in position). Side bets not involving a progressive jackpot could be identified in the traditional manner by associating colors with particular players. In the electronic version, or the versions where remote technology is used, the calculations in terms of progressive jackpots and the like may be calculated by the machine. Note that in some variations of purely mystery jackpots, all bets may be eligible to win these jackpot prizes with the probability of winning generally in proportion to the amount wagered.

The preferred practice of the present invention generally involves the

combination of roulette and mahjong gaming. In a first preferred practice, it is

contemplated the present invention may be said to teach a roulette-gaming system for

effecting or providing a multi-wheel roulette gaming experience. In this regard, it is

contemplated that the roulette-gaming system of the present invention may be said to

comprise a grouped series of roulette wheel assemblies 11 as generally depicted in

Figure Nos. 2 - 4; a player participation area 26 as generally depicted in Figure Nos. 2

- 4; certain central-processing means as generically depicted as a black box CPU 31

in Figure No. 3; and certain visual display means, the output means of which is

generally depicted and referenced in Figure Nos. 2 - 4 at reference numeral 23, and

the input means of which is generally depicted and referenced in Figure No. 2 at

reference numeral 22.

Each roulette wheel assembly further comprises a roulette wheel; a roulette

ball 10; a dome (as at 34 in Figure No. 2) for preventing balls 10 from escaping from the roulette wheel(s) 11; certain automated rotation means for rotating the roulette wheel about a wheel axis of rotation as referenced at an axis extending into the page at 101 in Figure Nos. 7 and 9; certain automated launch means for launching the roulette ball 10; and certain means for automatically identifying in which slots or sectors 12 the roulette ball(s) 10 have landed. In this last regard, the reader is further directed to the '546 application for guidance as to certain means for automatically identifying in which sectors 12 the ball(s) 10 have landed.

Each roulette wheel comprises a plurality of ball-receiving sectors 12 and at

least one ball-launching track 30 as illustrated and referenced in Figure No. 1. Each

ball-receiving sector 12 comprises a superior sector surface as at 31, which superior

sector surfaces 31 each bear or are otherwise cooperable with a select wheel symbol

as may be preferably defined by a mahjong symbol 16 or as may be alternatively

defined by similar other symbolism, such as traditional playing card symbols as at 33

in Figure No. 14. The roulette balls are respectively launchable from the ball

launching tracks 30 and respectively receivable in one of the ball-receiving sectors 12

for providing a multi-sector event. The multi-sector event may be defined by the

group of symbols identified by the balls as they come to rest in the ball-receiving

sectors 12.

In this last regard, the reader is directed to Figure Nos. 10 - 13, inclusive.

Figure Nos. 10 - 13 depict a collective group of four mahjong-tiled roulette wheels

(as otherwise depicted in Figure Nos. 2 - 4). Wheel No. 1 is generally depicted in

Figure No. 10 and has been illustrated to ball-identify a 7 wan character. Wheel No. 2

is generally depicted in Figure No. 11 and has illustrated to ball-identify a 5 wan

character. Wheel No. 3 is generally depicted in Figure No. 12 and has been illustrated

to ball-identify a 2 wan character. Wheel No. 4 is generally depicted in Figure No. 13 and has been illustrated to ball-identify a 9 wan character. In this example, the multi sector event may thus be defined as a 7 bamboo, 5 bamboo, 2 bamboo, 9 bamboo event. If a player 100 had been wagering on this combination of symbols 16, he or she may have done so because of some underlying meaning to that player. It should be noted that each mahjong symbol 16 has meaning, and in this example, the combination of symbols 16 provides a story of sorts.

For example, in the foregoing example, a 7 bamboo represents the Chinese

character: "Kuei". This character is symbolized by the tortoise, and often indicates

dissatisfaction with the length of time that is being taken to resolve an issue. The tile

therefore signifies that thought is required and that progress will be achieved

gradually. It is also a symbol of longevity, given the great age that a tortoise can

achieve. The tortoise is one of the four great Chinese astrological constellations

covering the Northern part of the sky and is therefore associated with the North Wind,

Winter and Water. The 5 bamboo represents the Chinese character: "Lien". This

character is symbolized by the lotus flower and represents new birth, possibly a

spiritual awakening, or on a more material level, the birth of a child. It can also

suggest regeneration following an experience of extreme or endured hardship,

indicating that there is a need to come to terms with the present and begin life anew.

The 2 bamboo represents the Chinese character: "Ya". This character is

represented by the duck - the Chinese believe that a pair of ducks remains together for

life, so the symbolism of the duck is an enduring partnership and/or fidelity. Finally,

the 9 bamboo represents the Chinese character: "Liu". This character is symbolized

by the willow tree; its meaning is strength through flexibility, in a word - diplomacy.

This is because the willow bends to the wind during winter, survives, and once more

flourishes again upright and strong in the spring. The player 100 who wagers this event may thus be seeking longevity (7 bamboo), spiritual awakening (5 bamboo), and diplomatic (9 bamboo) monogamy (2 bamboo). The mahjong roulette medium provides a means for ball-effecting or ball-eliciting a multi-sector event or mahjong event as exemplified by the foregoing example. Figure No. 2, by way of comparison, depicts an East wind, a 9-circles, a 6-bamboo, and a 1-circle event as shown in the sector-displaying screens 24.

The player participation area 26 is believed to enable grouped player

participation and is spatially separated from the roulette wheel assemblies as generally

depicted in Figure Nos. 2 - 4. The player participation area preferably comprises

wager-inputting means for enabling electronic entry of wagers, which wagers identify

select wager symbols. Together, the wheel symbols and wager symbols have paired

symbol correspondence for yielding a win event. The central processing means

essentially function to (1) collect the wagers, (2) govern the automated rotation and

launch means, (3) compare the wagers to the multi-sector event, (4) calculate payouts

to players should a wager match the multi-sector event, and (5) govern credits-debits

during roulette gaming. It may be readily seen from an inspection of Figure No. 3

that the central processing means as generically depicted at CPU 31 is a hub

interconnecting the features of the system.

The visual display means essentially function to visually display activity at the

grouped series of roulette wheel assemblies or grouped roulette wheel assembly action

(comprising the multi-sector event) to the player participation area 26. It will be

recalled that the player participation area 26 is spatially separated from the site of

wheel action and thus the visual display means may well function to add excitement

to the roulette gaming experience by enabling theatrical or cinematic type viewing of

the gaming events. The grouped roulette wheel assembly action may be said to further comprise wheel rotations, roulette ball action, and, as noted, the multi-sector event. As earlier specified, this display could be via either a large centralized screen in an auditorium type area or via individualized screens 36 at player seats or stations as generally depicted in Figure Nos. 4 and 5.

It is contemplated that in the preferred embodiment, the wheel symbols and

the wagerable symbols are defined by mahjong symbols and that the automated

launch means comprise certain ball-conducting conduit for converting a potentially

energetic roulette ball 10 to a kinetically energetic roulette ball 10 and for outletting

the kinetically energetic roulette ball 10 upon the roulette wheel 11. In this last

regard, the reader is directed to the '546 application for a more in-depth discussion

regarding a variety of inventive ball-delivery systems usable in combination with the

mahjong and/or symbolic roulette features here delineated.

In a second preferred practice, it is contemplated that the present invention

essentially teaches a mahjong roulette game for ball-effecting a mahjong event, and

which mahjong roulette game comprises a plurality of grouped roulette wheel

assemblies and a player participation area. Each roulette wheel assembly comprises a

roulette wheel, a roulette ball, means for rotating the wheel, and means for launching

the roulette ball. Each roulette wheel comprises a plurality of ball-receiving sectors

and at least one ball-launching track. Each ball-receiving sector comprises a superior

sector surface bearing a select mahjong wheel symbol. The roulette balls are

respectively launchable from the ball-launching tracks and respectively receivable in

one of the ball-receiving sectors for providing a multi-symbolic event. The player

participation area enables wagering input and comprises select mahjong wager

symbols, the wheel and wager symbols having paired symbol correspondence, the paired symbol correspondence and the multi-symbolic event for effecting a mahjong event.

While the above descriptions set forth certain specificity, this specificity

should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an

exemplification of the invention. For example, as is described hereinabove, it is

contemplated that the present invention essentially discloses a mahjong roulette game

for ball-effecting a mahjong event. The mahjong roulette game according to the

present invention may thus be said to essentially comprise a roulette medium.

Essentially, the roulette medium comprises a plurality of ball-receiving sectors and a

plurality of balls. Each ball-receiving sector comprises a superior sector surface, the

superior sector surfaces each bearing a select mahjong wheel symbol. The roulette

balls are respectively receivable in one of the ball-receiving sectors. Together, the

select ball-receiving sectors and the roulette balls ball-effecting or ball-elicit a

mahjong event.

Stated another way, the roulette game of the present invention may be said to

ball-effect or ball-elicit a hand event, which hand event is akin to a multi-sector event

or mahjong event in the sense that multiple cards or tiles, when grouped or dealt via a

roulette medium, may yield a hand. In this regard, it is contemplated that the roulette

game essentially comprises a grouped series of roulette wheel assemblies, wherein

each roulette wheel assembly comprises a roulette wheel and a roulette ball. Each

roulette wheel comprises a plurality of ball-receiving sectors, and each ball-receiving

sector comprises a select hand-forming card. The roulette balls are respectively

receivable in one of the ball-receiving sectors for effecting a multi-card hand event.

Alternatively, the game may be said to teach or support a roulette card game for ball

effecting a hand event in which the card game comprises a roulette wheel assembly having a roulette wheel and a plurality of roulette balls. The roulette wheel comprises a plurality of ball-receiving sectors and each ball-receiving sector comprises a select hand-forming card. The roulette balls are respectively receivable in one of the ball receiving sectors for effecting a multi-card hand event.

The roulette game may thus well operate to effect a wagerable hand event and

comprise a roulette medium having a plurality of ball-receiving sectors and a plurality

of balls. The ball-receiving sectors may preferably comprise certain select hand

forming symbolism such as mahjong symbols or traditional playing card symbolism,

well known in the gaming arts. The roulette balls are respectively receivable in the

ball-receiving sectors for ball-effecting a wagerable hand event, such as the formation

of a Royal Flush or four of a kind as generally depicted in Figure No. 14 at 37.

A further embodiment of the present invention contemplates the game

operating in a stand alone manner on an electronic gaming device. This device might

be a standard slot machine 61 as generically illustrated and referenced in Figure No.

20; a hand held mobile terminal or personal digital assistant (PDA) as at 21; a cell

phone as generically illustrated and referenced at 62 in Figure No. 20; or similar other

electronic gaming device. Each such gaming device would preferably comprise

certain random number generating means for generating game results, and which

means may be preferably defined by (1) a random number generator or (2) access to a

random number generator. It is contemplated that the random number generating

means may well function to generate game outcome slot(s) for the simulated dragon

roulette game.

It is contemplated that in one embodiment, a one-wheel 11 / one-ball 10 game

would be made available to the player 100. It is further contemplated that the betting

layout would be as generally depicted in Figure No. 15, as would the payouts depicted in Figure No. 15. The player would use buttons or a touch screen to select wagering options. When "play" is initiated by the player 100, the central processing means would simulate the spinning of a simulated wheel as exemplified by the wheel 11 in

Figure No. 7. The central processing means would also cause a simulated ball as

exemplified by the ball in Figure No. 7 to be depicted on the visual display unit as

spinning around the simulated wheel and coming to rest in a simulated sector. If the

simulated ball were to land in a sector wagered by the player, payouts would be added

to a credit meter as at 63 in Figure No. 5, or via a hand pay initiated for relatively

large winnings. As stated, the payout table might be as exemplified in Figure No. 15,

or alternatively, it might be reduced and/or modified as gaming devices generally

return on the order of 90 - 92%.

In another contemplated embodiment, the spinning of a real (as opposed to

simulated) wheel and ball may be depicted on the visual display means of the

electronic gaming apparatus and the outcome of the game may be dependent upon the

physical sector in which the ball comes to rest. In yet another contemplated

embodiment, the outcome may be dependent upon a combination of the resting

position of one or more physical ball(s) and the output of a random number generator.

A more exciting form for this aspect of the invention will be the four ball

roulette game. This can be the 144 slot simulated wheel and four simulated balls

being spun as otherwise generally depicted in Figure No. 9. Alternatively, the

representation could be four wheels of 36 slots each with a single ball spin simulated

on each, as otherwise generally depicted in Figure Nos. 10 - 13. The winner selection

process would be identical to the multi-sector event as earlier set forth in this paper.

The payout tables could be the ones shown in Figure No. 17 as standalone gaming

devices generally return on the order of 90 - 92%.

The main advantage of the four ball multi-sector event is that the gaming

device can be linked into common progressive jackpot(s). This provides excitement

in the form of many additional players and translates into rapidly incrementing

progressives and also the frequency of progressive trigger hits would be much greater

and hence the excitement of the frequent winning of the progressive jackpots created.

For example, if one hundred gaming devices were linked to a common progressive

jackpot and each was paying at the rate of once every 5 seconds, there would be 20

results per second which could mean that the major "Kong" jackpot could be hit as

frequently as once every 40 minutes and the others commensurately more frequent.

The gaming devices could be linked to a standard progressive jackpot

controller which would perform the accumulation of the individual progressives, drive

the overhead displays, and payout the winning prizes when jackpot hit events are

notified by the gaming device. There is no need for the secondary jackpot winner

selection phase in this configuration.

In addition to the game apparatus and such, it is contemplated that the

foregoing specifications further support certain roulette gaming methodology. The

roulette gaming method according to the present invention may be said to enhance a

roulette gaming experience, and comprises the initial steps of arranging mahjong

symbols 16 in radial adjacency to a central axis as at 101, which central axis may

preferably be an axis of rotation. The method comprises a further steps of randomly

depositing symbol identifiers (for example roulette balls 10) in radial adjacency to the

central axis; identifying a plurality of mahjong symbols 16 via the deposited symbol

identifiers; and effecting a multi-symbolic event via the identified mahjong symbols.

It should be noted that the mahjong symbol arrangement is preferably rotatable about

the axis of rotation to facilitate random symbol identifier deposition. It should be further noted or recalled that mahjong symbols 16 tell a story, and the essential roulette medium provides a unique way to tell a mahjong story. Additional steps may include predicting the multi-symbolic event before randomly depositing symbol identifiers in radial adjacency to the axis of rotation; wagering property while predicting the multi-symbolic event; and awarding property after wagering property should the predicted event match the multi-symbolic event.

It is further contemplated that the roulette medium may well operate to effect a

hand event and thus not be limited to mahjong symbols, but usable with any deck of

cards or tiles. The foregoing specifications describe the use of the roulette medium to

effect a four of a kind hand. This is but one example of the type of hand that may be

formed via a roulette medium. The method for dealing a hand event according to the

present invention may thus be said to comprise the steps of: arranging hand-forming

symbols in radial adjacency to a central axis; randomly depositing symbol identifiers

in radial adjacency to the central axis; identifying a plurality of hand-forming symbols

via the deposited character identifiers; and effecting a dealt hand event via the

identified hand-forming symbols.

Accordingly, although the invention has been described by reference to certain

preferred embodiments and certain methodology associated therewith, it is not

intended that the novel game or gaming methods be limited thereby, but that

modifications thereof are intended to be included as falling within the broad scope and

spirit of the foregoing disclosure, the following claims and the appended drawings.

Claims (52)

We claim:

1. A roulette-gaming system, the roulette-gaming system for effecting a multi

wheel roulette gaming experience, the roulette-gaming system comprising:

a grouped series of roulette wheel assemblies, each roulette wheel

assembly comprising a roulette wheel, a roulette ball, automated rotation

means for rotating the roulette wheel, and automated launch means for

launching the roulette ball, each roulette wheel comprising a plurality of ball

receiving sectors, each ball-receiving sector comprising a select wheel symbol,

the roulette balls being respectively receivable in one of the ball-receiving

sectors for providing a multi-sector event;

a player participation area, the player participation area for enabling

grouped player participation, the player participation area being spatially

separated from the roulette wheel assemblies and comprising wager-inputting

means, the wager-inputting means for enabling entry of wagers, the wagers for

identifying select wager symbols, the wheel and wager symbols having paired

symbol correspondence;

central processing means, the central processing means for collecting

the wagers, for governing the automated rotation and launch means, for

comparing wagers to the multi-sector event, for calculating payouts to players

should a wager match the multi-sector event, and for governing credits-debits

during roulette gaming; and

visual display means, the visual display means for visually displaying

grouped roulette wheel assembly action to the player participation area, the

grouped roulette wheel assembly action comprising the multi-sector event, the grouped wheel assembly action for effecting a multi-wheel roulette gaming experience.

2. The roulette gaming system of claim 1 wherein the wheel and wagerable

symbols are defined by mahjong symbols.

3. The roulette gaming system of claim 1 wherein the automated launch means

are defined by comprising ball-conducting conduit, the ball-conducting

conduit for converting a potentially energetic roulette ball to a kinetically

energetic roulette ball and for outletting the kinetically energetic roulette ball

upon the roulette wheel.

4. A roulette-gaming system, the roulette-gaming system for effecting a multi

symbol roulette gaming experience, the roulette-gaming system comprising:

a roulette wheel assembly, the roulette wheel assembly comprising a

roulette wheel and a plurality of roulette balls, the roulette wheel comprising a

plurality of ball-receiving sectors, each ball-receiving sector comprising a

select wheel symbol, the roulette balls being respectively receivable in one of

the ball-receiving sectors for providing a multi-sector event;

a player participation area, the player participation area for enabling

grouped player participation, the player participation area comprising wager

inputting means, the wager-inputting means for enabling entry of wagers, the

wagers for identifying a series of wagerable symbols, the wheel and wagerable

symbols having paired symbol correspondence, the multi-sector event for

effecting a multi-symbol roulette gaming experience.

5. The roulette gaming system of claim 4 wherein the wheel and wagerable

symbols are defined by mahjong symbols, the mahjong symbols for effecting a

mahjong event.

6. The roulette gaming system of claim 5 comprising visual display means, the

visual display means for visually displaying roulette wheel assembly action to

the player participation area.

7. The roulette gaming system of claim 4 comprising means for effecting a self

launching roulette ball, said means comprising ball-conducting conduit, the

ball-conducting conduit for converting a potentially energetic roulette ball to a

kinetically energetic roulette ball and for outletting the kinetically energetic

roulette ball upon the roulette wheel.

8. A mahjong roulette game, the mahjong roulette game for ball-effecting a

mahjong event, the mahjong roulette game comprising:

a grouped series of roulette wheel assemblies, each roulette wheel

assembly comprising a roulette wheel, a roulette ball, means for rotating the

wheel, and means for launching the roulette ball, each roulette wheel

comprising a plurality of ball-receiving sectors, each ball-receiving sector

comprising a select mahjong wheel symbol, the roulette balls being

respectively receivable in one of the ball-receiving sectors for providing a

multi-symbolic event; a player participation area, the player participation area for enabling wagering input and comprising select mahjong wager symbols, the wheel and wager symbols having paired symbol correspondence, the paired symbol correspondence and the multi-symbolic event for effecting a mahjong event.

9. The mahjong roulette game of claim 8 comprising visual display means, the

visual display means for visually displaying the multi-symbolic event to the

player participation area.

10. The mahjong roulette game of claim 9 wherein the means for launching the

roulette ball are defined by means for effecting a self-launching roulette ball,

said means comprising ball-conducting conduit, the ball-conducting conduit

for converting a potentially energetic roulette ball to a kinetically energetic

roulette ball and for outletting the kinetically energetic roulette ball upon the

roulette wheel.

11. A mahjong roulette game, the mahjong roulette game for ball-effecting a

mahjong event, the mahjong roulette game comprising:

a roulette wheel assembly, the roulette wheel assembly comprising a

roulette wheel, a plurality of roulette balls, the roulette wheel comprising a

plurality of ball-receiving sectors, each ball-receiving sector comprising a

select mahjong wheel symbol, the roulette balls being respectively receivable

in one of the ball-receiving sectors for providing a multi-symbolic event; and

a player participation area, the player participation area for enabling

wagering input and comprising select mahjong wager symbols, the wheel and wager symbols having paired symbol correspondence, the paired symbol correspondence and the multi-symbolic event for effecting a mahjong event.

12. The mahjong roulette game of claim 11 comprising visual display means, the

visual display means for visually displaying the multi-symbolic event to the

player participation area.

13. The mahjong roulette game of claim 12 comprising means for effecting a self

launching roulette ball, said means comprising ball-conducting conduit, the

ball-conducting conduit for converting a potentially energetic roulette ball to a

kinetically energetic roulette ball and for outletting the kinetically energetic

roulette ball upon the roulette wheel.

14. A mahjong roulette game, the mahjong roulette game for ball-effecting a

mahjong event, the mahjong roulette game comprising:

a roulette medium, the roulette medium comprising a plurality of ball

receiving sectors and a plurality of balls, each ball-receiving sector comprising

a select mahjong wheel symbol, the roulette balls each being receivable in one

of the ball-receiving sectors, the select ball-receiving sectors and the roulette

balls for ball-effecting a mahjong event.

15. The mahjong roulette game of claim 14 comprising visual display means, the

visual display means for visually displaying the multi-symbolic event to a

player participation area.

16. The mahjong roulette game of claim 14 comprising means for effecting a self

launching roulette ball, said means comprising ball-conducting conduit, the

ball-conducting conduit for converting a potentially energetic roulette ball to a

kinetically energetic roulette ball and for outletting the kinetically energetic

roulette ball upon the roulette wheel.

17. A roulette game, the roulette game for ball-effecting a hand event, the roulette

game comprising:

a grouped series of roulette wheel assemblies, each roulette wheel

assembly comprising a roulette wheel and a roulette ball, each roulette wheel

comprising a plurality of ball-receiving sectors, each ball-receiving sector

comprising a select hand-forming symbol, the roulette balls being respectively

receivable in one of the ball-receiving sectors for effecting a multi-symbol

hand event.

18. The roulette gaming system of claim 17 wherein the hand-forming symbols

are defined by mahjong symbols, the mahjong symbols for effecting a

mahjong event.

19. The roulette game of claim 17 comprising visual display means, the visual

display means for visually displaying the multi-symbol hand event to a player

participation area.

20. The roulette game of claim 17 comprising means for effecting a self-launching

roulette ball, said means comprising ball-conducting conduit, the ball- conducting conduit for converting a potentially energetic roulette ball to a kinetically energetic roulette ball and for outletting the kinetically energetic roulette ball upon the roulette wheel.

21. A roulette card game, the roulette card game for ball-effecting a hand event,

the roulette card game comprising:

a roulette wheel assembly, the roulette wheel assembly comprising a

roulette wheel and a plurality of roulette balls, the roulette wheel comprising a

plurality of ball-receiving sectors, each ball-receiving sector identifying a

select hand-forming card, the roulette balls being respectively receivable in

one of the ball-receiving sectors for effecting a multi-card hand event.

22. The roulette gaming system of claim 21 wherein the hand-forming cards

comprise mahjong symbols, the mahjong symbols for effecting a mahjong

event.

23. The roulette card game of claim 21 comprising visual display means, the

visual display means for visually displaying the multi-card hand event to a

player participation area.

24. The roulette card game of claim 21 comprising means for effecting a self

launching roulette ball, said means comprising ball-conducting conduit, the

ball-conducting conduit for converting a potentially energetic roulette ball to a

kinetically energetic roulette ball and for outletting the kinetically energetic

roulette ball upon the roulette wheel.

25. A roulette game, the roulette game for effecting a wagerable hand event, the

roulette game comprising:

a roulette medium, the roulette medium comprising a plurality of ball

receiving sectors and a plurality of balls, the ball-receiving sectors comprising

select hand-forming symbolism, the roulette balls being respectively

receivable in the ball-receiving sectors for ball-effecting a wagerable hand

event via the hand-forming symbolism.

26. The roulette gaming system of claim 25 wherein the hand-forming symbolism

comprises mahjong symbolism, the mahjong symbolism for effecting a

mahjong event.

27. The roulette card game of claim 25 comprising visual display means, the

visual display means for visually displaying the wagerable hand event to a

player participation area.

28. The roulette card game of claim 25 comprising means for effecting a self

launching roulette ball, said means comprising ball-conducting conduit, the

ball-conducting conduit for converting a potentially energetic roulette ball to a

kinetically energetic roulette ball and for outletting the kinetically energetic

roulette ball upon the roulette wheel.

29. A roulette gaming method, the roulette gaming method for enhancing a

roulette gaming experience, the roulette gaming method comprising the steps

of:

arranging mahjong symbols in radial adjacency to a central axis;

randomly depositing symbol identifiers in radial adjacency to the

central axis;

identifying a plurality of mahjong symbols via the deposited character

identifiers; and

effecting a multi-symbolic event via the identified mahjong symbols.

30. The roulette gaming method of claim 29 wherein the central axis is an axis of

rotation, the mahjong symbol arrangement being rotatable about the axis of

rotation to facilitate random symbol identifier deposition.

31. The roulette gaming method of claim 30 comprising the step of predicting the

multi-symbolic event before randomly depositing symbol identifiers in radial

adjacency to the axis of rotation.

32. The roulette gaming method of claim 31 comprising the step of wagering

property while predicting the multi-symbolic event.

33. The roulette gaming method of claim 32 comprising the step of awarding

property after wagering property.

34. A method for dealing a hand event, the method comprising the steps of: arranging hand-forming symbols in radial adjacency to a central axis; randomly depositing symbol identifiers in radial adjacency to the central axis; identifying a plurality of hand-forming symbols via the deposited character identifiers; and effecting a dealt hand event via the identified hand-forming symbols.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein the central axis is an axis of rotation, the

hand-forming symbol arrangement being rotatable about the axis of rotation to

facilitate random symbol identifier deposition.

36. The method of claim 35 comprising the step of predicting the hand event

before randomly depositing symbol identifiers in radial adjacency to the axis

of rotation.

37. The method of claim 36 comprising the step of wagering property while

predicting the hand event.

38. The gaming method of claim 37 comprising the step of awarding property

after wagering property.

39. A standalone gaming system, the gaming system for enabling mahjong

roulette play, the gaming system comprising at least one gaming device, each

gaming device comprising: random number generating means, the random number generating means for generating game results; visual display means, the visual display means for displaying at least one roulette wheel and at least one roulette ball; wagering means, the wagering means for enabling a player to wager from a mahjong roulette wager grouping; and central processing means, the central processing means for comparing generated game results with wagers and for awarding prizes if the generated game results match wagers and produce jackpot hit events.

40. The gaming system of claim 39 comprising multiple gaming devices, the

gaming devices being linked to a progressive jackpot controller, the jackpot

controller for controlling the accumulation of individual progressives, driving

the visual display means, and paying out the awarded prizes when jackpot hit

events are notified by respective gaming devices, the jackpot hit events being

triggered by mahjong specific combinations of multi-symbolic events.

41. An electronic gaming apparatus having central processing means, wager

inputting means and a visual display unit, said apparatus being configured to

perform a game as defined in any one of claims 8 to 28.

42. An electronic gaming apparatus having central processing means, wager

inputting means and a visual display unit, said apparatus being configured to

perform a method as defined in any one of claims 29 to 38.

43. An electronic gaming apparatus according to claim 41 or 42 wherein the

apparatus is any one of a slot machine, a mobile device, a personal computer, a

touch screen monitor, a hand held data input - output device, a cell phone, a

tablet, a kiosk, a digital television or a personal digital assistant.

44. An electronic gaming apparatus according to any one of claims 41 to 43

wherein said apparatus includes communication means.

45. An electronic gaming apparatus according to claim 44 wherein said

communication means includes the use of any one or more of a wireless

connection, an internet connection, a cellular connection, a connection across a

local area network or a connection across a wide area network.

46. An electronic gaming device according to any one of claims 41 to 45 wherein

said central processing means is configured so as to selectively cause the

visual display unit to display at least one wheel and at least one ball.

47. An electronic gaming device according to claim 46 wherein the at least one

wheel and the at least one ball are simulated.

48. An electronic gaming device according to claim 46 wherein the at least one

wheel and the at least one ball are real.

49. An electronic gaming device according to any one of claims 41 to 48 wherein

an outcome of a game is at least partially dependent upon an output of a random number generator.

50. An electronic gaming device according to any one of claims 41 to 49 wherein

an outcome of a game is at least partially dependent upon at least one real

wheel and at least one real ball.

51. An electronically-readable medium containing executable code for instructing

an electronic gaming apparatus to perform a game as defined in any one of

claims 8 to 28.

52. An electronically-readable medium containing executable code for instructing

an electronic gaming apparatus to perform a method as defined in any one of

claims 29 to 38.