GB2381757A

GB2381757A - A prize giving entertainment machine

Info

Publication number: GB2381757A
Application number: GB0126933A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Wilson
Original assignee: Bell Fruit Games Ltd
Current assignee: Bell Fruit Games Ltd
Priority date: 2001-11-09
Filing date: 2001-11-09
Publication date: 2003-05-14
Also published as: GB0126933D0

Abstract

An entertainment machine of the coin pusher type comprises a playing surface 102 to support a plurality of playing pieces, playing piece counter (302 figure 2), controller 314 and a prize dispensing means (328 figure 2) where the counter detects the playing pieces as they fall from the playing surface and signals the controller to allow the prize dispenser to dispense a prize when one or more predetermined detection signals have been sent. The playing pieces may have RFID tags which gives each piece an identity and assigns a value to each piece where each piece as it falls over the "win" 99 edge of the playing surface the counter detects the playing piece value and signals the controller to instruct the prize dispenser to issue a prize. There may be a plurality of prize dispensers where each dispenser issues a prize of different value to the player, where the prizes may be non monetary equivalents to the value of the playing pieces that have fallen over the win edge of the playing surface. Also included is a method of increasing player appeal by issuing non monetary prizes.

Description

A PRIZE GIVING ENTERTAINMENT MACHINE This invention relates to an entertainment machine, and a method of improving the player appeal of an entertainment machine. In particular, but not exclusively, the entertainment machine is of the type referred to as a pusher.

Pushers are machines that contain a plurality of playing pieces provided on a roughly horizontal surface, and which are arranged to periodically disturb the playing pieces such that playing pieces periodically fall from the surface. Such playing pieces falling from the surface are generally paid directly to the player.

Previously, machines have been proposed which include a closed loop in which playing pieces are recirculated within the machine, and are never paid to the player. An example of such a machine is shown in GB 2 303 309. Before the advent of machines such as that shown in GB 2 303 309, coins paid in to the machine by the player were directly passed on to the playing surface, and the coins functioned as the playing pieces.

Further, it is known to place non-monetary prizes, such as watches, or the like, onto the playing surface. As the playing pieces on the playing surface are pushed towards the winning edge, the non-monetary prizes also progress in the same direction. The prize is paid to the player when it falls over the winning edge. Although such arrangements may provide more player appeal to players of the machine, they lead to an increased work load for the operators of the machine. The operators must ensure that the prizes are placed at positions on the playing surface that provide good player appeal. A further problem with such an arrangement is that

it can be relatively easy for players to cheat and obtain the prize by tipping the machine, etc. in order to cause the prize to fall from the playing surface.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome, or at least reduce, the problems of the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an entertainment machine comprising a playing surface arranged to support a plurality of playing pieces, at least one counter arranged to detect playing pieces falling from the playing surface and generate a detection signal that is passed to a controller, and at least one prize dispenser, the machine being arranged such that the controller is arranged to allow the prize dispenser to dispense a prize when one or more predetermined detection signals have been received thereby.

An advantage of such a machine is that a prize may provide a greater incentive than simply collecting coins (or the monetary equivalent of playing pieces) that have fallen from the playing surface, which have previously been paid by such machines. A further advantage is that staff or management of the premises in which the machine is placed have less of a burden imposed on them in maintaining the machine. It is necessary that the prize dispenser is loaded with prizes, but there is no need to ensure that prizes, etc. are optimally placed on the playing surface, etc.

Preferably, the playing surface comprises at least one winning edge, and the machine is arranged such that playing pieces falling over the winning edge count towards an award to be made to a player of the machine. The playing surface may further comprise at least one losing edge, and the machine is arranged such that playing pieces falling thereover do not

count towards an award to be made to a player. Such an arrangement is convenient because it is familiar to players of such machines.

A counter may be provided to count playing pieces passing over the winning edge and a counter may be provided to count playing pieces passing over the losing edge. Alternatively, one counter may be arranged to count playing pieces passing over both the winning and losing edges.

The at least one counter preferably is arranged to allow the controller to count the playing pieces falling from the playing surface. Such an arrangement is convenient because it allows the controller to determine how many playing pieces are on the playing surface at any one time. (If it is also determined how many playing pieces are added to the playing surface).

Conveniently, the machine may be arranged to assign a value to playing pieces. For example a single playing piece may be assigned a monetary equivalent, a number of points, or the like. An advantage of such an arrangement is that it may make the value of playing pieces falling from the playing surface more real to a player of the machine.

The counter may be arranged to detect the value assigned to a playing piece, and may be arranged to pass the value of the playing piece to the controller.

The machine may comprise a win bank, which may be a portion of a memory of the controller, arranged to accumulate the number of playing pieces and/or the value of playing pieces falling from the playing surface, preferably from the winning edge of the playing surface.

The machine may comprise a display, which is driven by the controller.

The display may be arranged to display the value held in the win bank

(which may be the number of pieces falling from the playing surface, or the value of playing pieces falling from the playing surface). Such an arrangement is convenient because it provides feedback to the player as to how many pieces have fallen, and therefore, informs them as to how well he/she is doing in his/her turn at the machine.

The prize dispenser may be arranged to dispense containers holding a prize. Such an arrangement is convenient because it allows prizes of a variety of sizes and shapes to be dispensed more easily.

In some embodiments the machine may comprise two or more prize dispensers. Such an arrangement may prove convenient because it allows prizes of different values to be dispensed. Prizes having a first value may be dispensed from a first prize dispenser and prizes having a second value may be dispensed from a second prize dispenser, etc.

The prize dispenser may be arranged to be added to an existing machine.

Such an arrangement is convenient because it may allow prize dispenser to be retro-fitted.

Conveniently, the prize dispenser contains a stack of containers. Further, the prize dispenser may be arranged to move, preferably by pushing, one of the containers from the stack to award a prize to a player. It is convenient if it is the bottom, or the top, container in the stack, but it possible to move any one of the containers within the stack.

Preferably, the machine is provided with a prize dispense request input means arranged to provide a prize request to the controller. Such an arrangement is convenient because it allows a player to convert his/her winnings into prize, which is subsequently dispensed from the prize dispenser.

The machine may be arranged to associate a value with a prize dispensed from the machine. Further, the machine may be arranged such that the controller decrements the value associated with a prize from the value held in the win bank when a prize is caused to be dispensed. Such an arrangement is convenient because it allows players to accumulate value in the win bank and then convert this value into a prize. Therefore, the player can play the machine and"save"for prizes requiring a higher number of points.

Preferably, the controller will only cause the prize dispenser to dispense a prize on receipt of a prize request if the value held in the win bank is greater than, or equal to, the value associated with the prize that has been requested. Such an arrangement, of course, prevents players from obtaining prizes having a greater value than they have won.

The prize dispense request input means may simply comprise a button, or the like, that a player can press to cause a prize to be delivered from the prize dispensing means.

Alternatively, or additionally, the prize dispense request input means may comprise a selector from which a player can select the prize he/she desires. The prize from which they can select may be prizes held within the machine, or may be from a range of prizes that can be obtained externally of the machine.

The selection means may comprise a display arranged to display various prizes to a player. Alternatively, or additionally, the selection means may be arranged to allow a player to input a code associated with the players desired prize to cause the prize dispenser to deliver that prize.

The machine may be arranged to dispense non-monetary prizes. Alternatively, or additionally, the machine may be arranged to dispense cash prizes. The player may be able to chose between having a cash prize paid to him/her, or the prize dispensed by the prize dispensing means may comprise a cash prize. (For example, the prize may comprise coins/ notes within a container).

Preferably, the machine is arranged to be freed for play by coins, tokens, credit cards, or any other suitable means for introducing credits.

The machine may comprise a transfer means arranged to transport playing pieces to the dispenser, generally from the counter, or alternatively, from a collection region after playing pieces have fallen from the playing surface.

In the preferred embodiment, the machine may comprise a closed loop, which comprises the playing surface, the counter, the transfer means, and the dispenser. Such an arrangement is convenient because it separates coins paid into the machine by a player from the playing pieces on the playing surface. Of course, the machine may be arranged to use coins as the playing pieces. The invention is advantageous for such machines having a closed loop, because it allows a variety of prizes to be paid to the player. It will be appreciated that prior art machines without closed loops allow objects to be placed on the playing surface, which are then awarded to the player when they fall from the playing surface. However, as discussed above, such arrangements lack security, etc.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a machine according to the first aspect of the invention in which there are provided a plurality of playing pieces for use in the machine.

In one embodiment the playing pieces comprise a set of playing pieces containing playing pieces of different values. Conveniently, playing pieces of different value are visually discernible from one another. For example playing pieces of a first value may be a first colour and playing pieces of a second value may be a second colour. Such an arrangement is convenient because a player can readily determine the value of playing pieces that are in a region of an edge of the playing surface. Therefore, if there are high value playing pieces in a region of the edge of the playing surface, a player may be provided with more incentive to play the machine.

At least one of the playing pieces may have identification means therein allowing them to be identified. The identification means may comprise RFID tags, or the like.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of increasing the player appeal of an entertainment machine arranged to provide a plurality of playing pieces upon a playing surface such that said playing pieces are capable of being dislodged from the surface, and the method comprising causing the machine to dispense non-monetary prizes after a predetermined number and/or value of playing pieces have fallen from the playing surface.

The method may comprise associating a predetermined value with a playing piece and may further comprise providing playing pieces of two or more predetermined values on the playing surface. An advantage of such a method is that the player appeal of the machine may be increased if a playing piece having a high value is about to fall from the playing surface.

The method may comprise providing one or more playing pieces of a predetermined value. For example, playing pieces having a first predetermined value and a second predetermined value may be placed on to the playing surface. The method may further comprise providing more playing pieces of the first predetermined value, when compared to playing pieces of the second predetermined value. For example, the ratio of playing pieces of the first value to playing pieces of the second value may be roughly any one or more of the following (or any ration inbetween) : 2: 1,3 : 1,4 : 1,5 : 1,6 : 1,7 : 1,8 : 1,9 : 1,10 : 1, 15: 1,20 : 1, 25: 1.

The method may comprise providing a prize when a playing piece having a predetermined value, preferably the second predetermined value, falls from the playing surface, and preferably falls over a winning edge of the playing surface.

Conveniently, the method allows a player to determine whether they wish to receive a prize, or receive a monetary equivalent of a prize. Such a method is convenient because it may provide more appeal to a wider range of players; some players may prefer cash, whilst others may prefer a prize. Generally, through the advantages of bulk purchasing, etc. the owners of the machine may be able to provide prizes of greater value, or greater perceived value, than cash payouts that could be made from the machine and keep the machine running at a profit.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a machine readable medium containing instructions to cause an entertainment machine to perform the method of the third aspect of the invention.

The machine readable medium may comprise any one or more of the following: a floppy disk, a CDROM, a DVD ROM/RAM, a magneto

optical disk, a transmitted signal (which may be an internet download, or any other transmission between two or more computing devices).

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following drawings :- Figure 1 shows a pusher type entertainment machine; Figure 2 schematically shows the components of the machine of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows schematically a selector allowing a player to select a prize; Figure 4 schematically shows a front elevation of the machine of Figure 1 onto which a prize dispenser has been added; and Figure 5 shows a side elevation of the prize dispenser of Figure 5.

The machine of Figure 1 is of the type known as a pusher and is housed in a cabinet 100. A playing surface 102 is provided by a generally flat horizontal surface on which a plurality of playing pieces (not shown) are distributed. A pusher 104, in the form of a stage or box is provided, which moves reciprocally over at least a portion of the playing surface 102.

The playing surface 102 comprises a winning edge 99, comprising the front edge thereof. Any playing pieces caused to fall over this winning edge 99 causes points to be awarded to a player, as will be explained hereinafter, that can be accumulated towards a prize. The playing surface 102 further comprises two losing edges 97,98. If a playing pieces

fall over a losing edges 97,98 then a player is not awarded a prize, nor points which may be accumulated. Side walls 95,96 limit the length of the losing edges 97,98.

A dispenser, which in this case is a directional playing piece dispenser 106 is provided above the playing surface 102 and is arranged to oscillate over an arc of roughly 90 . When playing pieces are released from the dispenser 106, they fall from a random point towards the playing surface 102. The playing pieces are released into a substantially vertical transparent region 108. The transparent region 108 comprises, in this embodiment, a sheet of transparent material substantially parallel to a back wall 107 of the cabinet spaced such that there is a gap between the sheet of transparent material and back wall 107 just larger than a playing piece's thickness. At its lower end, the transparent region 108 is open to allow playing pieces to fall onto playing surface 102. The playing surface 102, pusher 104, playing piece dispenser 106 and transparent region 108 are enclosed by a transparent screen 109, which has the effect of isolating the playing pieces from the player. Thus, a player can view playing pieces falling from the dispenser 106 onto the playing surface 102, through both the screen 109 and the transparent sheet.

As can be seen from Figure 3 the machine also comprises a win chute 300 arranged such that a playing piece falling from the winning edge 99 of the playing surface 102 fall thereinto. The win chute 300 is connected to a hopper, or playing piece counter, 302, which is arranged to count the number of playing pieces passing therethrough. The machine further comprises lose chutes 304,306, which are arranged to catch playing pieces falling over the losing edges 97,98 of the playing surface 102. A further hopper, or playing piece counter 308 is provided to count playing pieces falling into the lose chutes 304,306 from the losing edges 97,98.

Both of the playing piece counters 302,308 empty into a transfer means,

which in this case is a coin escalator 310. The transfer means 310, is arranged to elevate playing pieces to the directional playing piece dispenser 106.

A further button 330 is provided to allow a player to cause the machine to make a cash payout rather than delivering a prize to a player.

The machine provides a coin slot 110, for providing payment which in this embodiment, is in the form of coins. The coin slot 110 is connected to a coin validator 312, which in turn is connected to a controller 314.

The machine further provides a playing piece release button 112, which, when pressed, allows playing pieces to be released from directional playing piece dispenser 106. The playing piece release button provides an input to the controller 314.

A payout collection box 114, from which a player may collect their winnings, if any, is also provided. A coin store 316 is provided between the coin validator 312 and the payout collection box 114 such that coins paid into the coin slot 110 can later be used to award a prize to a player. The coin store 316 has a release mechanism, which is under the control of the controller 314. The coin slot 110, playing piece release button 112 and payout collection box 114 are situated at a convenient user operable height.

Inside of the cabinet, there is further provided a tilt detection mechanism 116, which is arranged to detect when the machine is tilted.

In this embodiment, the tilt detection mechanism 116 comprises a wire coil 318 forming the first arm of a switch, with a wire pendulum 320 hanging therethrough, and forms the second arm of the switch. Should the coil 318 and the pendulum 320 come into contact then a tilt is

detected. In other embodiments, the tilt detection mechanism could comprise mercury tilt switches, or the like.

A display 324 is provided, driven by the controller 314, and arranged to display the value of playing pieces that have fallen over the winning edge 99. The value shown on the display shows the value of a win bank maintained within a portion of the memory 118 of the controller 314. Each playing piece is arranged to have a predetermined value, which can be different for different playing pieces. For instance, some of the playing pieces (RFID playing pieces) may contain radio frequency identification tags (RFID), or the like, which allow these playing pieces to be differentiated from the others. Such identifiable playing pieces are coloured differently from the others, so that a player can identify them on the playing surface. Such RFID tokens are disclosed in the British Patent application GB 0121651.4. The content of this application is hereby incorporated by reference, and the skilled person is directed to read this earlier application to understand such identifiable playing pieces. The RFID playing pieces have a higher value than the others, which value will be determined by the ratio of non-RFID playing pieces to RFID ones.

For example, if there are ten times as many RFID playing pieces the RFID playing piece may be worth ten times more than the non-RFID playing piece.

A prize dispenser 328 is provided, as can be seen from Figure 4, on the side of the machine and arranged to dispense a small container, containing a prize. At a top region 400 of the prize dispenser, at a convenient height for a user to view, there is provided a window 116 within a prize-dispensing flap. One of the prize containers can be seen through the window 116, providing an opportunity for a player to determine whether he/she wishes to be awarded the prize, and so providing an incentive to play the machine. Each of the prizes has clearly

associated therewith the number of credits that are needed to win that prize. The prize dispenser 328 is controlled by the controller 314 and arranged to dispense the containers through the prize-dispensing flap.

The prize dispenser 328 is a unit attached to the side of the machine. As can be seen from Figures 4 and 5, within the dispenser 328, there is a stack 402 of containers, each of which contains a prize. In this embodiment the containers are cardboard boxes. A crank 404 driven by an electric motor can be activated to push the upper most container 406 from the stack out through the prize-dispensing flap of the prize dispenser 328. Once a prize has been dispensed the crank 404 is retracted, allowing the stack of containers to be raised so that the process can be repeated the next time that it is desired to dispense a prize. A pulley mechanism 408 within the dispenser 328 allows the stack 402 to be raised and also provides a guiding function ensuring that the containers remain stacked on top of one another. The prize-dispensing flap has a mechanism to ensure that a player cannot reach inside an remove a container, unless it is pushed out by the crank 404.

Further, a prize dispense request input means 326 is provided on the front of the machine, and provides an input to the controller 314, allowing a player to select a prize from the prize dispenser 328.

In use, a player inserts one or more coins into the coin slot 110 until a desired total payment is made. This will determine the number of playing pieces that can be released from the directional coin dispenser 106 by pressing the playing piece release button 112. Once the player presses the playing piece release button 112 playing piece are released from the directional coin dispenser 106 into the transparent region 108 and onto the playing surface 102 (as long as the player has sufficient credits). The playing piece release button 112 is connected to the controller 314, which

has determined how may coins have been inserted into the coin slot 110 through its connection to the coin validator 312. Thus, the controller only causes the dispenser 106 to release playing pieces if the player has sufficient credit.

One, or more, playing pieces are released onto the playing surface 102 in the hope that the action of the playing piece pusher 104 on that playing pieces, and on the body of playing pieces already dispersed on the playing surface 102, will cause one or more playing pieces to fall from the winning edge 99 of the playing surface 102 into the win chute 300.

Playing pieces which fall into the win chute 300 are counted by the counter 302. The number of playing pieces counted by the counter 302 is used to calculate an award, such as a cash equivalent of the playing pieces, or a prize, which will form a part of a payout to the player.

Once the playing pieces have been counted, they will be transferred to the transfer means 310, ready for reuse in the machine, by recirculation to the dispenser 106.

In normal use, the player continues to press the playing piece release button 112 until no more playing pieces will be released from the directional playing piece dispenser 106. The player may then either insert more coins into the coin slot 110, or may collect his/her winnings, if any, from the payout collection box 114, or cause the prize dispensing means 328 to dispense a prize.

The counter 302 counts playing pieces that have fallen from the playing surface 102, and also detects any RFID tokens within these playing pieces. A signal containing the number of playing pieces and the number of RFID playing pieces is fed to the controller 314, which updates the display 324. In the embodiment shown it can be seen that a player has

caused playing pieces having a value of forty credits to fall into the win chute 300.

The player can view an example of a prize through the window 116, and see prizes that are on offer. The value, in credits, of each of the prizes in the prize dispensing means is shown thereon, or on a container containing the prize, and once the player has accumulated enough credits they can cause the prize dispenser 328 to dispense a prize from the prize dispenser 328, by activating the prize selection means 326. A single prize dispensing means may pay out a single type of prize, or may contain a variety of prizes. Some embodiments of the machine may be provided with a number of prize dispensing means, each dispensing one prize, which may be different from prizes in the other prize dispensers. The player may decide that they wish to receive a cash award from the machine rather than a prize, in which case they may press the button 330 to cause a cash prize to be paid to the payout collection box 114 from the coin store 316.

Although the prize selection means 326 is simply a button in this embodiment, the skilled person will appreciate that more complex selection mechanisms may be provided.

For example, Figure 3 shows a selector, which in this case, comprises an LCD screen 350 that is touch sensitive. The prizes that are left within the machine are displayed pictorially 352 (In this case a watch is displayed). The picture of the prize 352 is accompanied by the number of credits that a player must accumulate to win that prize 354.

At a bottom region of the selector backward 356, and forward 358 scroll input regions are provided, allowing a player to scroll through the available prizes by touching that region of the selector. Further, a select

input region 360 is provided, which a player can touch should he/she wish to be given the prize displayed (assuming of course they have enough credits in the win bank).

In some embodiments the machine may be arranged to award a prize if a predetermined event occurs. For example, if an RFID token, or the like, were to fall from the playing surface over the winning edge.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An entertainment machine comprising a playing surface arranged to support a plurality of playing pieces, at least one counter arranged to detect playing pieces falling from the playing surface and generate a detection signal that is passed to a controller, and at least one prize dispenser, the machine being arranged such that the controller is arranged to allow the prize dispenser to dispense a prize when one or more predetermined detection signals have been received thereby.
2. The machine according to Claim 1 in which the prize dispenser is arranged to dispense non-monetary prizes.
3. The machine according to Claim 1 or 2 in which the playing surface comprises at least one winning edge, and the machine is arranged such that playing pieces falling over the winning edge count towards an award to be made to a player of the machine.
4. The machine according to any preceding Claims which is arranged to assign a value to playing pieces.
5. The machine according to Claim 4 in which a counter is arranged to detect the value assigned to a playing piece falling from the surface and to pass the value of the playing piece to the controller.
6. The machine according to Claim 5 which further comprises a win bank, and in which the controller is arranged to pass the value of the playing piece to the win bank.

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7. The machine according to Claim 6 which is arranged such that the controller decrements a value associated with a prize from the value held in the win bank when a prize is caused to be dispensed.
8. The machine according to any preceding Claim in which the prize dispenser contains a plurality of containers.
9. The machine according to Claim 8 in which the prize dispenser is arranged to move at least one of the containers to award a prize to a player.
10. The machine according to any of the preceding Claims in which the prize is selected from a range of prizes held within the prize dispenser.
11. The machine according to any of the preceding Claims which is provided with a prize dispense request input means arranged to provide a prize request to the controller.
12. The machine according to Claim 11 as it depends directly or indirectly from Claim 6 or 7 in which the controller is arranged to cause the prize dispenser to dispense a prize on receipt of a prize request if the value held in the win bank is greater than, or equal to, the value associated with the prize that has been requested.
13. The machine according to Claim 11 or Claim 12 in which the prize dispensing request means comprises a button.
14. The machine according to any of Claims 11 to 13 in which the prize dispense request input means comprises a selector from which a player can select the prize he/she desires.

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15. The machine according to Claim 14 in which the selector comprises a display arranged to display various prizes to a player.
16. The machine according to Claim 14 or Claim 15 in which the selector is arranged to allow a player to input a code associated with the player's desired prize to cause the prize dispenser to deliver that prize.
17. The machine according to Claim 2 or any claim dependent therefrom which is arranged such that the player is able to chose between having a cash or non-cash prize paid to him/her.
18. The machine according to any of Claim 15 in which a display is arranged to display the value held in the win bank.
19. The machine according to any of the preceding Claims which is arranged to be freed for play by coins, tokens, credit cards, or any other suitable means for introducing credits.
20. The machine according to any preceding Claim which further comprises a playing piece dispenser arranged to dispense playing pieces onto the surface.
21. The machine of any of Claim 20 which further comprises a transfer means arranged to transport playing pieces to the dispenser, once they have fallen from the surface.
22. The machine according to Claim 22 which comprises a closed loop, for circulation of playing pieces within the machine comprising one or more of the following: the surface; the counter; the transfer means; the playing piece dispenser.

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23. The machine according to any of the preceding Claims in which there are provided a plurality of playing pieces for use in the machine.
24. The machine according to Claim 23 in which the playing pieces comprise a set of playing pieces containing playing pieces of different values.
25. The machine according to Claim 24 in which the playing pieces of different value are visually discernible from one another.
26. The machine according to any of Claims 3 to 5 in which at least one of the playing pieces has an identification means therein allowing it to be identified.
27. The machine according to Claim 26 in which the identification means comprises an RFID tag.
28. A method of increasing the player appeal of an entertainment machine arranged to provide a plurality of playing pieces upon a playing surface such that said playing pieces are capable of being dislodged from the surface, and the method comprising causing the machine to dispense non-monetary prizes after a predetermined number and/or value of playing pieces have fallen from the playing surface.
29. The method of Claim 28 which further comprises associating a predetermined value with a playing piece and further comprises providing playing pieces of two or more predetermined values on the playing surface.
30. The method of Claim 29 which further comprises providing one or more playing pieces of a predetermined value.

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31. The method of Claim 32 which further comprises providing more playing pieces of a first predetermined value, when compared to playing pieces of a second predetermined value.
32. The method of Claim 30 or Claim 31 which further comprises providing a prize when a playing piece having a predetermined value falls over a winning edge of the playing surface.
33. The method of any of Claims 28 to 32 which allows a player to determine whether they wish to receive a prize, or receive a monetary equivalent of a prize.
34. A machine readable medium containing instructions to cause an entertainment machine to perform the method Claims 28 to 33 when programmed into a machine.
35. The machine substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
36. A method of increasing player appeal of an entertainment machine substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
37. A machine readable medium containing instructions to cause an entertainment machine to function as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 27 when programmed thereinto.