GB2424593A

GB2424593A - Winning number game and apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2424593A
Application number: GB0506181A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Cornelius Hearn; Michael Hearn; Thomas Hearn
Original assignee: STANHOPE CINEMA Co Ltd
Current assignee: STANHOPE CINEMA Co Ltd
Priority date: 2005-03-29
Filing date: 2005-03-29
Publication date: 2006-10-04
Also published as: GB0506181D0

Abstract

The invention concerns a game and apparatus for playing the same in which a prize is won when a selected number matches a winning number derived from a bingo game. The apparatus for playing the game includes a computer, data entry means 12, a display means 11 means for issuing a unique identifier to a transaction 14, means for inputting the winning number of a bingo game, means for issuing a prize, and a computer program. The computer program matches selected winning numbers with the winning number derived from the bingo game. The winning number derived from the bingo game is preferally the last number called in the bingo game, and the means for issuing a unique identifier to the transaction is preferally a ticket or receipt printer 14.

Description

WINNING NUMBER GAME AND APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

This invention relatcs to a game in which the winner of the game is decided by the selection of a number which forms part of another game, and to an apparatus for playing the game.

Background of the Invention

For many years the game of bingo has been played in bingo halls. Typically, a number players each purchase one or more bingo cards, or books of cards, or opportunities to play in an electronic form of the game. Each card or representation of a card is marked with a plurality of lines of numbers, each line generally consisting of five numbers. In the most common form of bingo each number is between I and 90, and the numbers on the cards are one of a number of permutations of numbers. To play the game a caller pulls a ball marked with a number between I and 90 out of a bag or other storage means and calls out the number on the ball. If the number called out matches a number of an individual player, that player indicates the match, for example in card based bingo by striking through the number on the card. The winner of the bingo game is the first person having all the numbers required to win that game, for example the first person to strike through all the numbers in a line, or the first person to strike through all the numbers on a card. The winning player receives a prrie, usually cash or cash equivalent. Other games based on bingo may be played, for example, the bingo hail may award prues for the first person to match the corners of a bingo card (or representation of a card when played electronically) with numbers called Out.

Playing bingo is a form of gambling and in the united Kingdom bingo halls must be licensed under the Gaming Act 1968. However, playing bingo is also a social event, with players attending a bingo hail for a whole afternoon or a whole evening. Ihis has resulted in bingo halls developing into leisure businesses having bars and restaurants. Through the course of an afternoon or evening a player attending the bingo hail may spend a considerable proportion of his or her lime occupied other than by playing bingo.

Wh1st bingo is principally played by individual participants striking through numbers printed on a card with a marker, the game can easily be computerised, with the game being played using a keyboard or touch sensitive screen. Numbers may be called out by a traditional caller, displayed on a display means that a group of participants view, or transmitted to individual screens of participants.

Computcrisatioii allows players to join in a game of bingo from a remote location.

In order to increase levels of interest in playing bingo it would be desirable to provide a game that can be played alongside bingo. Attempts have been made to provide games to run alongside bingo games. US 4,252, 322 patent describes a bingo game with an associated bonus game.

In one of the bonus games if a player covers a specified number of bonus numbers before a winning line is struck, he can win a prize. In another bonus game if the player who strikes the winning line had additionally covered a specified number of bonus numbers, he also wins a bonus prize. In a third bonus game the first player who covers all the bonus numbers on his board wins the bonus prize.

US 6,582,305 describes a bonus game to be played with a game known as "blackout bingo", i.e. to win all the numbers on a card have to be read out by the caller, in the bonus game a prize is awarded to the player winning the blackout bingo game if the final number chosen to have all the numbers on the player's card selected is the date of the month on which the game of blackout bingo is being played.

\Vhilsi- the above-mentioned patents describe games that are related to bingo, and might serve to increase interest in the bingo game, they fail to provide a game that does not require the individual to actively play the bingo game.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a game that can be played whilst a player is not actively playing bingo.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for playing a game as specified in Claim 1.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of playing a game as specified in Claim 19.

The new game is based on a bingo game and involves a participant placing a stake with the possibility of winning a prize. When the participant places a stake he or she selects a number or range of numbers, the number or range of numbers being numbers forming part of a bingo game, eg numbers between I and 90. The winner of the new game is the player whose number, or range of numbers, matches the number that results in a game of bingo being won, or an event based on bingo occurring. Where the winning number results from an event based on bingo occurring, a player of the new game may be selecting what the winning number of a particular line of numbers might be, or the number that results in the numbers at the corners of a bingo card being struck out by a particular player (whether manually or electronically).

When referring to a range of numbers, the player of the new game may select a number between n and n1, e.g. between numbers I and 10 to be the winning number. That player wins if the winning number is between 1 and 10. however, the odds paid out will be commensurately less than if the player had selected a specific number. Similarly, a player may simply select odd or even, lIthe player selected "odd", that player wins if the winning number is "odd". If the player selected "even", that player wins if the winning number is "even". Other ranges of numbers that may be selected could be "higher" or "lower" than a specific number. For example, the player may select that the winning number be greater than or equal to 46 "higher", or that the winning number is lcss than or equal to 45, "lower". Certain range selections may he combined to lengthen the odds, thereby giving the player a potentially bigger pay out, for example the player may select "higher/odd" in which case he wins if the winning number is higher than a particular number, and is odd. Likewise, the player may select "lower/even" in which case he wins if the winning number is lower than a particular number. And is even. Many other permutations are possible.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of a winning number game according to the invention, and arc by way of example: Figure 1 is a systems diagram illustrating the hardware and software utilised in playing the game; and Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a user interface used in playing the game.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The game of the invention involves placing a bet on the number that will be the winning number in a game of bingo. The game is put into effect by means of computer apparatus illustrated in Figure 1.

A computer I is connected to a data entry means 2, display means 3, means for accepting credit 4, means for allocating a unique identifier to a transaction 5, a bingo winning number input means 6, means for matching a number selected with the winning number in a bingo game 7, and a means for issuing a prize 8. Ihe means for inputting the bingo winning number may be the data entry means 2 or an electronic connection between the computer 1 and a computer associated with the bingo game.

The means for allocating a unique identifier to a transaction may include a printer. The unique identifier includes a transaction reference, together with details of the stake placed, winning number or combination of numbers selected and bingo game or games upon which the winning number game is being played are printed.

The means for issuing prize money 8 may be embodied in the software run on the computer, prize money being credited electronically to an account of a participant. The account may be a credit or debit card or a card capable of being credited.

The software run on the computer records all unique identifiers and the stake and number selections associated with each unique identifier. The winning number(s) or combination(s) selected arc compared with the winning number derived from the bingo game. When the winning number selected is matched with the winning number of a bingo game, the status of the unique transaction identifier is updated to indicate that the transaction wins the winning number game.

rhe winning number of the bingo game may be entered manually, or by an electronic hnk between a computer used in the bingo game and the computer 1.

Referring now to Figure 2, the data entry means 2, display means 3, means for accepting credit 4 and means for allocating a unique identifier to a transaction 5 all form part of a user interface 10. The user interface 10 includes a screen 11 upon which information can be displayed to a player of the game. Keys 12 are displayed on the screen 11. By providing keys with the numerals 0 to 9, any number between 0 and 90 can be selected. The user interface also includes a card reader 13 and a printer 14. The screen 11 displays prompts to the player. For instance, the player is prompted to "select a bingo game", "select a stake" or "select a number". The card reader allows a credit or debit card, or a pre-payment card to be read so that when a stake is selected the appropriate funds can be debited from the card. When prompted to "select a bingo game", the bingo games to be played in a particular session are displayed on the screen 11. The player uses the keys 12 to enter the desired bingo game on which he wishes to play the winning number game. Having entered the bingo game the participant is asked to con firm or reject his selection. When prompted to "select a stake", the player uses the numbered keys 12 to enter his stake. Using the "confirm" key 15 or "reject" key 16 player either confirms his stake or rejects it. If the player rejects his stake he is again asked to "select a stake". When a stake has been selected and confirmed by a player, the player is asked to "select a number". The number must fall between I and 90. Once the bingo game, stake and number have been selected, a ticket is printed by ticket printer 14. The ticket has printed thereon a unique identifier, which includes details of the game of bingo upon which the bingo game is being played, the stake placed, and the winning number selected. The stake is deducted from the credit supply means.

The prize may be based on fixed odds, for example 10-1, or on a totalisator system in which the prize fund is based on the number of participants and the stakes placed, and the odds for a particular number relate to the number of participants selecting the particular number and the total amount staked on the particular number.

The entertainment value of the winning number game may be enhanced by providing opportunities to place different bets. For example, a participant may be offered the possibility of placing a double, treble or accumulator bet. In the case of a double, the participant would select winning numbers for two bingo games or chances in a bingo game or games in a session of bingo.

In a treble the participant selects the winning numbers to match the winning numbers of each game of a sequence of three games of bingo. In an accumulator, the participant would select the winning number for each game of bingo in a session, and by placing additional stakes could have more than one chance to win in any one game. ilie participant would select a stake. If the first selected winning number were to win, the prize would constitute the stake for the next selected winning number and so on until the either a winning number selected by a participant does not match the winning number of a bingo game in a session, or the winning number of the last game in the session matches the selected winning number for that game, in which case the participant wins the accumulator bet.

In an embodiment of the winning number game based on pool betting if no player in the winning number game selects a number matching the winning number, thcn the player whose number is the nearest to the winning number wins. If two or more players' sdected numbers are equally far away, those players will share the prize.

Whilst the winning number game has been described in the context of bingo played in a bingo hall, the game could equally be based on bingo games played remotely from the location of a particular player of the winning number game. For example, in bingo halls a game known as "National Bingo" is played. In this game a number of bingo halls are connected together by electronic communication means. Individuals in each connected bingo hail can participate in the "National Bingo" game. The winning number game of the invention could equally be based on a number derived from the National Bingo game, such as the winning number, a line winning number in the National Bingo game, or one of the numbers in the sequence of numbers called out in the National Bingo game.

Tn another embodimeiit of the invention the winning number game is based on a bingo game played on an internet website.

A participant in the winning number game of the invention can begin playing the game at any time prior to commencement of the bingo game. User interfaces 10 may be located around a bingo hail, away from the floor where participants in the bingo game sit, for example in a bar or café.

Conversely, user interfaces may be installed on or near to chairs occupied by players of the bingo game.

The winning number game of the invention allows individuals to participate in a game associated with bingo. Tins allows a bingo hail to provide other sources of entertainment for its customers. For example, by placing user interfaces in bars individuals who are not playing bingo can take part in a game. Ejually, by placing user interfaces on or near to seats or tables in a bingo hail, individuals involved in the bingo game can participate in the winning number game. This provides players of bingo with an added interest in the game of bingo. They may not win the actual bingo game, but they may win the winning number game. Also, there is often a significant interlude between the end of one bingo game and the beginning of the next bingo game. The time when a player of the winning number game selects his stake and number fails between bingo games, thereby providing another form of entertainment for the bingo players.

Claims

Claims 1. Apparatus for playing a winning number game comprising: a

computer, data entry means, display means, means for accepting credit, means for allocating a unique identifier to a transaction, means for inputting a winning number derived from a bingo game, means for matching a selected winning number with the winning number derived from the bingo game, and means for issuing a prize, and a computer program, wherein the computer program commands the display on the display means of a number of prompts including "select a stake" and "select a winning number", the said stake and winning number being selected by a participant using the data entry means, the computer program further commanding the debiting of credit matching the stake from a supply of credit, and allocating a unique identifier to the transaction, and wherein the computer program compares all selected winning numbers with the inputted winning number derived from the bingo game, identifies the selected number matching the winning number and updates all transactions in which the selected winning number matches the winning number of the bingo game to indicate that thosc transactions are prize winners, and wherein the means for issuing a prize issues a prize in relation to the or each transaction indicated as a prize winner.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes a user interface.
3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the user interface provides the display means, data entry means, and means for accepting credit.
4. Apparatus according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the user interface includes a printer for printing the said unique identifier.
5. Apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the user interface includes a screen.
6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the data entry means comprises a key pad.
7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for accepting credit comprises a card reader.
8. Apparatus according to any of Claims I to 6, wherein the means for accepting credit comprises cash receiving means.
9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for inputting the winning number derived from a bingo game comprises an electronic connection to a computer.
10. Apparatus according to any of Claims I to 8, wherein the means for inputting the winning number derived from a bingo game is the said data entry means.
11. Apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 10, wherein the means for issuing a prize is part of the user interface.
12. Apparatus according to any preceding clam-i, wherein the selected winning number is one number.
13. Apparatus according to any of Claims I to 11, wherein the selected winning number is a group of numbers.
14. Apparatus according to Claim 13, wherein the group of numbers consists of numbers that are odd.
15. Apparatus according to Claim 13, wherein the group of numbers consists of numbers that are even.
16. Apparatus according to any of Claims 13 to 15, wherein the group of numbers consists of all numbers greater than or equal to a first threshold and below the highest number of the bingo game.
17. Apparatus according to any of Claims 13 to 15, wherein the group of nunibers consists of all numbers less than or equal to a second threshold and above the lowest number of the bingo game. I0
18. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the winning number is the winning number of a bingo game, or the winning number of a line of bingo, or one of the numbers in the sequence of numbers called out in a bingo game.
19. Apparatus for playing a winning number game substantially as shown In, and as described with reference to, the drawings.
20. A method for playing a winning number game using the apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, the method comprising the steps of: i) selecting a stake; ii) selecting a number to be the winning number derived from a bingo game; iii) paying for the stake; iv) receiving a unique transaction identifier; v) receiving a prize if the number selected matches the winning number derived from the bingo game.