GB2405807A

GB2405807A - Prediction game

Info

Publication number: GB2405807A
Application number: GB0321385A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles Henry Read
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-09-12
Filing date: 2003-09-12
Publication date: 2005-03-16
Also published as: GB0321385D0

Abstract

Apparatus for playing a game between at least two players comprises data means (40), the data means (40) comprising a plurality of data records, with each record relating to a separate event such as a football match. The apparatus further comprises submission means (40) arranged to record a prediction made by each player relating to one event selected by the said player, and comparison means for comparing the submission means (40) to determine the winning player of the game, the comparison means comprising a set of rules in which points scores are allocated to each player on the basis of two different aspects of the selected events.

Description

A Method and Apparatus for Plavinq a Game The present invention relates to

a method and apparatus for playing a game.

Competitive arrangements such as football pools are well known, in which players attempt to predict the results of football matches in accordance with an aspect of the result of the matches. Typically a different number of points may be allocated depending on whether the result of the football match is correctly predicted to be a home win, a draw, or an away win. The accumulation of points then determines the winning player or players. In the case of football pools, each player plays "against the results" rather than against another player. Although the prediction of the results of the matches can involve skill, for the vast majority of players the pools are more usually regarded as a form of lottery, with the result completely dependent upon chance. Normally each pools selection covers one day of the fixture list, the next fixture list forming a new competition, requiring a new entry and payment of a new entry fee by the player.

The advent of the National Lottery has resulted in a decline in popularity of the football pools and there are a number of reasons put forward for this. The Lottery entry forms are simple to understand and quicker to fill out, the prize money on offer is higher, and in certain circumstances, the Lottery money rolls over from one week to the next, creating a larger jackpot and stimulating further interest.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of playing a game between at least two players, in which each player is provided with data means, the data means comprising a plurality of data records, each record relating to a separate event, each player selects one event, each player makes a prediction relating to the respective selected event, each player records the prediction on submission means, the submission means then being compared by comparison means to determine the winning player of the game, the comparison means comprising a set of rules in which points scores are allocated to each player on the basis of two different aspects of the selected events.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for playing a game between at least two players, the apparatus comprising data means, the data means comprising a plurality of data records, each record relating to a separate event, submission means arranged to record a prediction made by each player relating to one event selected by the said player, and comparison means for comparing the submission means to determine the winning player of the game, the comparison means comprising a set of rules in which points scores are allocated to each player on the basis of two different aspects of the selected events.

Preferably the players each select a plurality of events, and the players may each select the same number of events. Preferably each player selects six events. Preferably each event selected by one player is different to the other events selected by that one player.

Preferably each player makes the prediction by classifying the event into one of a plurality of result classifications. Preferably there are three result classifications. Preferably each player classifies an equal member of events into each of the result classifications. Preferably each player classifies two events into each of the result classifications.

Preferably the two different aspects comprise a first aspect and a second aspect, and the first and second aspects may be related. Preferably the first aspect is dependent on the accuracy of the respective prediction.

Preferably a first part of the second aspect is not dependent on the accuracy of the respective prediction. Preferably the first aspect is used to derive a first score for each player and the second aspect is used to derive a second score for each player. Preferably the first score and second score are used to derive a total score for each player. Preferably the total score for each player in the game is defined as the sum of the first and second scores.

Preferably the winning player is determined as the player having the highest total score.

Preferably the set of rules define a points score for each event correctly classified. Preferably the set of rules define different point scores for events correctly classified in different result classifications.

Preferably the first score is defined as the sum of the points relating to the correctly classified events.

Preferably the submission means is transmitted to a co-coordinating location for the comparison. Preferably the submission means comprises a form. The submission means may comprise the data means. Preferably initially the submission means comprises an empty area or areas. Preferably each player records the prediction in the area or one of the areas.

Preferably one area is defined for each result classification.

Preferably the comparison means comprises a computer. Preferably the computer comprises an algorithm which embodies the set of rules.

Preferably the computer is linked to a telecommunications network, and each player may communicate with the computer via the telecommunications network. Preferably the computer stores the data means, and the data means may be provided to each player via the telecommunications network.

Preferably the computer stores the submission means, and the submission means may be provided to each player via the telecommunications network. Preferably the submission means with the recorded prediction is transmitted to the computer via the telecommunications network.

Preferably means are provided whereby each player is made aware of the other player's prediction before the winning player has been determined.

Preferably each player is made aware of the other player's identity, and may be made so aware on or shortly after entry to the game and before each player records the prediction.

In one embodiment, the events may be football matches. The data means may comprise a fixture list, and each data record may comprise a fixture relating to a football match. Preferably the player makes the prediction by classifying the football matches as home wins, draws or away wins.

Preferably the second aspect comprises the first part, a second part, and a third part. Preferably each part is dependent on the goals scored in the match and may also be dependent on the result classification into which the match is classified. Preferably the first part comprises all of the goals scored in the match if the match was classified as a draw. Preferably the second part comprises the goals scored by the home team minus the goals scored by the away team if the match was classified as a home win. Preferably the third part comprises the goals scored by the away team minus the goals scored by the home team if the match was classified as an away win. Preferably the second score is defined as the sum of the first part, the second part and the third part for all of the matches selected.

Preferably each game is between only two players. A player may comprise an individual person or a plurality of people.

According to the present invention there is provided a method of arranging a competition, the competition comprising a plurality of sequential rounds, each sequential round comprising at least one game played according to any of the preceding fifteen paragraphs.

Preferably only the winning player takes part in the subsequent round.

Preferably the competition comprises a final round, and the final round JO may comprise only a single game. Preferably in the final round, all the players must select the same event, and the event may be a cup final.

Preferably in the final round, each player makes a prediction relating to a third aspect of the event. Preferably the third aspect comprises the match score at a predetermined point in the match. Preferably the predetermined point is the match referee's indication of the end of normal play. Preferably each player makes a plurality of predictions.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a competition according to the invention; Figure 2 is a flow diagram of a game according to the invention; and Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a combined data means and submission means.

Figure 1 shows in diagrammatic form a competition 10 comprising, in this example, four rounds 12, 14, 16 and 18 which are played sequentially.

The first round 12 comprises eight games 20, each game 20 being played between two players. The winner of each game 20 proceeds to the next round as indicated by lines 21, only a few of which are labelled. The second round 14 comprises four games 20, the third round 16 comprises two games and the final round 18 comprises one game 22.

Figure 2 shows a schematic flow diagram in general terms of one of the games 20. In the flow diagram, each referenced box represents an action. Initially, (as indicated by box 24) each player selects an event. Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of a combined data means and submission means in the form of a fixture list form 40. The fixture list form 40 is in the form of a table comprising rows 52 and columns 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50. Each row 52 comprises a data record relating to an event, which in this example is a football match. Second from left column 44 comprises teams playing at home and fourth from left column 48 comprises teams playing away from 1 5 home. Leftmost, middle and rightmost columns 42, 46, 50 and rows 52 define areas in the form of boxes 53 (only a few of which are indicated) which are initially empty.

Each player is provided with one of the forms 40 and selects six different matches (box 24). For each of the matches, the player makes a prediction (box 26) relating to the result of the match by classifying the match as "home", "draw" or "away". These classifications relate to a predicted result of the match. "Home" refers to a win by the home team, "draw" refers to a match in which both teams score an equal number of goals or both score no goals and "away" refers to a win by the team playing away from home. Each player selects the matches so that two of the selected matches are predicted to be home wins, two are predicted to be draws and two are predicted to be away wins. Each player then records the predictions on the form 40 (box 28) by marking an appropriate empty box 53 with a mark 54. A mark 54 in the leftmost column 42 indicates a home win, a mark 54 in the middle column 46 represents a draw, and a mark in the rightmost column 50 represents an away win.

The completed form 40 including the recorded predictions (an example of which is shown in Fig. 3) is then submitted (box 30) to a coordinating location.

Following the playing of the matches, the forms 40 including the recorded predictions are compared by comparison means (box 32) to determine the winning player (box 34). Table 1 below shows the results of the matches which were selected on the form 40 shown in Figure 3. The comparison means comprises a set of rules in which points scores are allocated to each player on the basis of two different but related aspects of the match results.

Man Utd 5 Newcastle 3 Ipswich 1 Coventry 2 Middlesbro 1 Man City 1 Stoke O Millwall 4 Fulham 1 Liverpool 3 Leicester 2 Rotherham 1

Table 1

The first aspect is dependent on the accuracy of the prediction. Table 1 shows a set of match results, relating to the matches selected by the player on the form 40 in Figure 3. Table 2 illustrates how a first points score is derived relating to the first aspect. The set of rules defines a points score for each match correctly predicted. Thus, a number of points are allocated if the player has chosen a correct home win, a correct draw or a correct away win.

When the player has predicted incorrectly, no points are scored. In the example shown in Table 2, one point is allocated for a correctly predicted home win, three points for a correctly predicted draw and two points for a correctly predicted away win. Thus the match between Manchester United and Newcastle was correctly predicted to be a home win and one point is scored. The first points score is then defined as the sum of the points relating to the correctly predicted matches. It will therefore be seen from Table 2 that the first score for this player is six.

Prediction _ Correct Points _ Prediction? Scored Home Man Utd 5 Newcastle 3 Yes 1 Home Ipswich Coventry 2 No O Draw Middlesbro 1 Man City 1 Yes 3 Draw Stoke O Millwall 4 No O Away Fulham 1 Liverpool 3 Yes 2 Away Leicester 2 Rotherham 1 No O

Table 2

The second aspect by which the forms 40 including the recorded predictions are compared is illustrated in Table 3. The second aspect is dependent on the goals scored in the selected matches and on the result classifications into which the matches were classified. The second aspect comprises a first part, a second part and a third part. The points scored in the first part are the total number of goals scored, whatever the result, in the matches predicted to be draws. Thus in table 3 the points scored in the first part are 1+1+0+4 = 6. It will be noted that this score is not dependent on the accuracy of the prediction. The points scored in the second part are the number of goals scored by the home teams minus the number of goals scored by the away teams in the matches predicted to be home wins. Thus in table 3, the points scored in the second part are 5-3+1-2 = 1. The points scored in the third part are the number of goals scored by the away teams minus the number of goals scored by the home teams in the matches predicted to be away wins. Thus, in table 3, the points scored in the third part are 3-1+1-2 =1.

It will be noted that the scores in the second and third parts are related to the accuracy of the predictions. A second score is then derived by adding together the points scored in each part. In the example shown in Table 3 the second score is eight.

Prediction _ _ _ _ = Po no Home Man Utd 5 Newcastle 3 2 Home Ipswich 1 Coventry 2 -1 Draw Middlesbro 1 Man City 1 2 Draw Stoke O Millwall 4 4 Away Fulham 1 Liverpool 3 2 Away Leicester 2 Rotherham 1 -1

Table 3

The total score for a player is then the sum of the first and second scores, which in the example shown in Tables 2 and 3 would be 6+ 8 = 14.

This total score is then compared to the total score scored by the other player I in the game, the winner being the player with the highest score. The winner then proceeds to the next round (box 36).

Play proceeds as described in the preceding paragraphs until the final I round 18 is reached. The final round 18 comprises a single game 22 only i which is of a different format to the games played in the preceding rounds.

The players select the same event, which could be a cup final, and make a prediction relating to a third aspect of the event, in the form of the match score at a predetermined point, such as the final whistle after normal time. The players toss a coin to determine who will have first choice of the available final i scores, and then take it in turns to pick from the remaining available final score options. Thus each player makes a plurality of predictions. The player i selecting the correct final score becomes the overall winner of the competition.

The players are charged a fee on entry to the first round of the competition, but winning players are not thereafter charged for entry to subsequent rounds. A proportion of the entry fee goes into a winnings pot, which is divided amongst the winning player and a defined number of runners up.

The comparison means comprises a computer (not shown in the figures) which is programmed with an algorithm based on the set of rules to allow rapid processing of the submission forms 40.

Following the submission of the forms 40, and before the results of the i matches become available, each player is made aware of the predictions made by the other player, and the identity of the other player.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Although the example relates to football matches, the I competition could be based on other forms of competitive activity in which two suitable aspects for comparison are present.

The competition could comprise a different number of rounds, and I could also comprise prequalifying rounds to reduce the number of players to a i convenient number which is a power of 2. In the prequalifying rounds a number of players may play the same game, with only a specified number of players proceeding to the next round.

In the example, the combined data and submission means comprises i the form 40. The data and submission means could be provided separately and could be transmitted to and from the players by post, by hand, transcribed i or texted over the telephone, faxed, or sent by e-mail or other electronic means to the coordinating location. The form 40 could be of different appearance to that shown in Fig. 3. The computer could be linked to a telecommunications network, for example, the Internet, and players could log on to access the fixture list form 40 and submit selections.

The number of selections could be varied, and the number of points allocated to each result classification could be varied.

The games in each round are ideally played on the same day, and preferably at the same time, subsequent rounds being played, for instance, at one week intervals. The game may thus extend over a period of several weeks, and players will continue to play in the game as long as they win.

Players could comprise individuals or teams of people.

Various rules may be introduced to accommodate particular situations.

For instance, if matches are abandoned, the result at the time of abandonment could count as the final result. Any matches void due to bad weather could result in no points being awarded, or could be awarded points in line with the result given by the football pools panel, which allocates results as home wins (1-0), no score draws (0-0), score draws (1-1), and away wins (0-1).

In the case where two player's totals are the same, the winner could be the player with the most correctly predicted results. If the two players are still tied, further criteria could be successively introduced, such as the player having the highest amount of points from correct results wins, the player having the most draws, the player having the most away wins and the player having the best previous week's score.

While matches are being played, displays could be provided showing the status of the relevant matches and the players scores at that particular time. As goals are scored, the displays could be updated and the players scores changed accordingly, enhancing the excitement and the enjoyment of the game.

It will thus be realised that the invention provides a number of advantages over present arrangements. With the payment of one entry fee, a player has the possibility of participating in the competition over a number of weeks without further cost, and the further possibility of a large prize, I depending on the number of original entrants. The competition is relatively easy to understand, and the forms are easy to fill in since only six selections are required, allowing the player to apply skill and experience to the selection of the matches and prediction of the results. The relatively small number of JO selections is of particular advantage for a game which can be played by players using mobile phones either by voice, text, or internet access. The players will be aware that only one aspect of the comparison is based entirely on the prediction being correct, the other aspect being in part not dependent on the prediction being correct. Draws are commonly the most difficult results to predict, and the players then have the choice of selecting matches which are likely to produce large goal totals. The feature of the combination of two different aspects as the basis for comparison increases the skill element of I the game, thereby improving the enjoyment of the game for the players. The enjoyment and excitement of the game is further improved by each player competing against a single other player in each game, and having knowledge of the other player's identity and predictions, so that both players may follow their own predictions and the other player's predictions as the match matches are played and as the results are announced.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. Apparatus for playing a game between at least two players, the apparatus comprising data means, the data means comprising a plurality of I data records, each record relating to a separate event, submission means arranged to record a prediction made by each player relating to one event selected by the said player, and comparison means for comparing the submission means to determine the winning player of the game, the comparison means comprising a set of rules in which points scores are allocated to each player on the basis of two different aspects of the selected events.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the players each select a : 15 plurality of events. 81'

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, in which the players each select the same number of events.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which each player selects six . : events l

5. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 4, in which each event selected by one player is different to the other events selected by that one player. : ë

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6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which each player makes the prediction by classifying the event into one of a plurality of result classifications.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, in which there are three result classifications . 14 1

8. Apparatus according to claims 6 or 7 when dependent on claim 2 and any claim dependent thereon, in which each player classifies an equal number of events into each of the result classifications.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, in which each player classifies two events into each of the result classifications.

10. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the two l O different aspects comprise a first aspect and a second aspect.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, in which the first and second aspects are related. ë

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12. Apparatus according to claims 10 or 11, in which the first aspect is dependent on the accuracy of the respective prediction. ë e

13. Apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 12, in which a first part of .e . the second aspect is not dependent on the accuracy of the respective ë . 20 prediction. i . :

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14. Apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 13, in which the first aspect is used to derive a first score for each player and the second aspect is used to derive a second score for each player.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, in which the first score and second score are used to derive a total score for each player. .. .

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, in which the total score for each player in the game is defined as the sum of the first and second scores.

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17. Apparatus according to claims 15 or 16, in which the winning player is determined as the player having the highest total score.

18. Apparatus according to claim 6 and any claim dependent thereon, in which the set of rules define a points score for each event correctly classified.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, in which the set of rules define different point scores for events correctly classified in different result l O classifications.

20. Apparatus according to claims 18 or 19 when dependent on any of claims 14 to 17, in which the first score is defined as the sum of the points relating to the correctly classified events. I 1

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21. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims in which the submission means is transmitted to a co-ordinating location for the as..

comparison. ë

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22. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the . .

submission means comprises a form. 8)

23. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the submission means comprises the data means.

24. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which initially the submission means comprises an empty area or areas. .e 8 8.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24, in which each player records the ..

prediction in the area or one of the areas. 8

26. Apparatus according to claims 24 or 25 when dependent on claim 6, in which one area is defined for each result classification.

27. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the comparison means comprises a computer.

28. Apparatus according to claim 27, in which the computer comprises an algorithm which embodies the set of rules.

29. Apparatus according to claims 27 or 28, in which the computer is linked to a telecommunications network.

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30. Apparatus according to any of claims 27 to 29, in which the computer e 15 stores the date means. .. ease

31. Apparatus according to claim 30 when dependent on claim 29, in which the data means is provided to each player via the telecommunications ..

. network. ë

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32. Apparatus according to any of claims 27 to 31, in which the computer stores the submission means.

33. Apparatus according to claim 32 when dependent on claim 29 and any claim dependent thereon, in which the submission means is provided to each player via the telecommunications network.

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34. Apparatus according to claim 33, in which the submission means with . the recorded prediction is transmitted to the computer via the telecommunications network. .

35. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which means are provided whereby each player is made aware of the other player's prediction before the winning player has been determined.

36. Apparatus according to claim 35, in which each player is made aware of the other player's identity on or shortly after entry to the game and before each player records the prediction.

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37. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the events are football matches.

38. Apparatus according to claim 37, in which the data means comprises a fixture list.

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39. Apparatus according to claim 38, in which each data record comprises

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a fixture relating to a football match. e.

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40. Apparatus according to any of claims 37 to 39 when dependent on e.

claim 7 and any claim dependent thereon, in which the player makes the e prediction by classifying the football matches as home wins, draws or away wins.

41. Apparatus according to any of claims 37 to 40 when dependent on claim 10 and any claim dependent thereon, in which the second aspect comprises the first part, a second part, and a third part.

.. . . . .

42. Apparatus according to claim 41, in which each part is dependent on the goals scored in the match. . . . .

43. Apparatus according to claim 42 when dependent on claim 6 and any claim dependent thereon, in which each part is also dependent on the result classification into which the match is classified.

44. Apparatus according to claim 43, in which the first part comprises all of the goals scored in the match if the match was classified as a draw.

45. Apparatus according to claims 43 or 44, in which the second part l O comprises the goals scored by the home team minus the goals scored by the away team if the match was classified as a home win.

46. Apparatus according to any of claims 43 to 45, in which the third part comprises the goals scored by the away team minus the goals scored by the e.: 1 5 home team if the match was classified as an away win. ee

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47. Apparatus according to any of claims 41 to 46 when dependent on .e.

claim 14 and any claim dependent thereon, in which the second score is .

. defined as the sum of the first part, the second part and the third part for all of e e 20 the matches selected. .ec

48. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which each game is between only two players.

49. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which a player comprises an individual person or a plurality of people.

50. A method of playing a game between at least two players, in which . each player is provided with data means, the data means comprising a ..

plurality of data records, each record relating to a separate event, each player selects one event, each player makes a prediction relating to the respective selected event, each player records the prediction on submission means, the l l submission means then being compared by comparison means to determine the winning player of the game, the comparison means comprising a set of rules in which points scores are allocated to each player on the basis of two different aspects of the selected events.

51. A method according to claim 50, in which the method includes any of the steps defined in claims 2 to 49.

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52. A method of arranging a competition, the competition comprising a plurality of sequential rounds, each sequential round comprising at least one game played according to claims 50 or 51.

53. A method according to claim 52, in which only the winning player takes : 15 part in the subsequent round. leas .

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54. A method according to claims 52 or 53, in which the competition e.

comprises a final round, and the final round comprises only a single game. ë

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55. A method according to claim 54, in which in the final round, all the . : players must select the same event.

56. A method according to claims 54 or 55, in which in the final round, each player makes a prediction relating to a third aspect of the event.

57. A method according to claim 56, in which the third aspect comprises the match score at a predetermined point in the match. ë

58. A method according to claim 57, in which the predetermined point is .

the match referee's indication of the end of normal play. : ..: Al

59. A method according to any of claims 56 to 58, in which each player I makes a plurality of predictions.

60. A method substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

61. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

62. Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon. >e >e. I. . - : I. .. . ace: e.. ... .. ë e.

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