US20040056417A1

US20040056417A1 - Slots in a box

Info

Publication number: US20040056417A1
Application number: US10/252,172
Authority: US
Inventors: Rita Kyle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-09-23
Filing date: 2002-09-23
Publication date: 2004-03-25
Anticipated expiration: 2022-09-23
Also published as: US6705614B1

Abstract

Slots in a box is a multi-player manual slot game designed to simulate mechanical and computerized casino slot machines and computerized slot games. This game uses game tiles, chips, paytables, and interchangeable sets of game tiles to enhance variety, vary the odds, add bonuses, and incorporate current trends. Players draw tiles according to the game rules. The object is to match the predetermined paylines on the paytable. The bank pays winning paylines; the bank collects losing wagers. Interest is maintained by permitting the players to make decisions on where to place some of the tiles. Allowing the players to select tile placement in predetermined rows and columns enhances odds of winning. Odd of losing are controlled by placement-as-drawn in the final column(s)

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. The Field of the Invention

The invention relates to the field of recreational games and more particularly to the method for innovative, creative, chance game that requires decisions and “luck of the draw” characteristics.

2. The Background Art

Casino slot machines, personalized computer slots games and Internet slots are a source of great entertainment for millions of players. The casino, internet, and personal computer slots are an individual activity. This manual slot game provides an opportunity for social interaction with friends and family.

The strategy is to choose wisely the placement of second column tiles. The odds of winning will increase by allowing the player to chose the first two column tile placements. Computerized or mechanical slot machines are programmed or geared to a certain payout. Payouts cannot be programmed into a manual game, as tile selection is random and chance. Reducing the number of blanks in the pool, and choice in second column placement increases the odds of win. However, controlling the placement of tiles in Column 3 increases the odds to lose.

The game will be upgradeable with future playsets to reflect current trends in popular activities, themes, sports, and current events. Future playsets will adhere to the spirit and intent of the game.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is comprised of sets of tiles marked with any imaginable depiction of any material or innate object to represent a group to match. (For example: Bars, Circles, Fruits, cars, horses, cats, dogs, stars, numbers). For clarity and ease of explanation description is based on two 3×3 matrixes. (FIG. 2) This is not to limit the matrix.

Each player will have a tray divided into a two matrixes, usually but not limited to three rows and three columns on each side and an interchangeable paytable. Tile tray will be filled with tiles selected in rotation from a pool of facedown tiles. Each player will have a chip rack filled with an equal number of Chips. All players begin the session equal. Matching three (or more) tiles in horizontal rows, vertical, diagonal, or asymmetrical path creates a payline. Players determine by consent how may paylines to play (FIGS. 2. 1 to 2.5). Wagers must be made on each payline and each payline must have an equal wager.

On a basic 3×3 matrix a total of three rows and 10 paylines will be used and illustrated. Other asymmetrical paths are possible. Players determine if the chips will be assigned a monetary value (nickel, dime, quarter, dollar, etc). The player holding the largest monetary value is determined the winner.

The players may elect to not assign a monetary value and the player holding the largest quantity of chips is the session winner. The bank will have chips and simulated currency for “payouts.” If only “quantity of chips” is used to determine the winner, then no simulated currency is used.

To keep the game fun and enjoyable, at the end of any game if any player has no chips to wager the session ends, the player with highest value or the greatest quantity is declared the Winner.

The bank never goes broke, but can give “markers” to high winners if additional chips or simulated currency are needed.

The odds of drawing a specific tile or creating a payline will depend on the number of players and the specific playset in use. There will be adequate tiles of each to permit each player to draw a matching set. For example, if a playset is for six players, there will be at least 18 tiles of the “highest” pay set.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED [EMOBIDIMENTS] EMBODIMENTS

For clarity and ease of explanation, description is based on two 3×3 matrixes. [0014]
Begin Session: [0015]
Each player will have a tile collection tray, and chip rack containing equal number of chips. The banker will have chips, chip rack, simulated currency and tray, and display the paytable for current playset. Players will determine the time limit or other method for conclusion of session. [0016]
Begin Game: [0017]
First Rotation: [0018]
Players determine the quantity and play the same number of paylines. Horizontal rows must be played before the addition of other paths (FIG. 2.[0019] 1). One to six rows may be chosen for paylines. Including vertical, asymmetrical, and diagonal paths will increase paylines when playing three or six rows.
All players in the session must play the same number of paylines. Independent of other players, each player wages an equal number of chips for each payline. For Example, if playing six rows, six chips must be wagered, one per payline, or 12 chips if two chips per payline. Expanding paylines by using asymmetrical, diagonal, or vertical paylines requires an equal wager. For example: if playing six rows, including the vertical lines of the columns as paylines (FIG. 2.[0020] 3), requires a minimum of 12 chips.
After the first tile is drawn, no wagers may be withdrawn or changed. [0021]
Depending on the number of players the quantity of tiles selected at each rotation depends on the number of paylines. [0022]
1-player-select one tile at time [0023]
2-players-select two tiles a time [0024]
3-or more players—select three tiles at a time [0025]
Winning paylines consist if matching tiles or a combination of tiles according to the paytables. [0026]
First Column rotation selection may be place in any position of [0027] Column 1, rows 1-6 or number of rows chosen. After tiles are placed, tiles cannot be moved.
[0028] Column 1 Rows of play must be filled before Column 2 rows can be placed. Second Column rotation begins after all players have filled Column 1 rows of play.
Second Column rotation tiles may be placed in any row of play in [0029] Column 2. Tiles must be revealed one at a time and placed. No tile can be moved after placement. Rotation continues until all players have drawn tiles to fill Column 2 of the rows in play.
The final rotation(s) to fill [0030] Column 3 of selected rows: Tiles must be placed in order drawn from the pool by turning tiles face-up one at a time. Beginning with first tile revealed, place in Column 3, row 1; if playing 2 rows, second tile revealed must be placed in Column 3, Row 2; if playing 3 rows, third tile revealed must be placed in Column 3, Row 3. Play continues in this manner until Column 3 of all selected rows have been filled in order revealed.
If more than three rows are selected, the first three are filled at first rotation of [0031] Column 3 draws, the additional rows are filled at the next rotation.
Selection of tiles ceases when all players have completed all selected rows of [0032] Column 3.
Winning combinations are identified by the player, confirmed by the banker and compared to the paytable for that game. The banker pays the winners in chips or simulated currency. Losing paylines chips are collected by the banker. All tiles are returned to the pool face down, remixed by hand and a new game begins. [0033]
If any player is bankrupt at the end of any game, session concludes and the player with the largest assigned value or greater number of chips is declared the winner and a new session is begun. [0034]
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit, intent, or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended [0035] claim 1 rather than by the forgoing description. Changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of claim 1 are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

What is claimed and desired to be secured by a United States Patent is:

1. A method for playing a game of Slots comprising:

apparatus for a playset is comprised of but not limited to interchangeable tiles with markings of geometric(s), graphics of any variety of plant, animal, mineral, or any conceivable created design by individuals or computer graphics, any alphanumeric character(s) heavenly or earthly representations; chips of various designs, materials, colors, with and without dominations, with and without logos and/or graphics, tile collection racks, chips and chip racks, simulated currency and tray(s) and paytable(s).

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

apparatus—a matrix tile collection tray for placement of tiles. Matrixes of any number of rows and columns can be used.

3. The method of claim 1

wherein a chip may be assigned a value by the players, or simply valued by quantity.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein

the number of available tiles will vary with the chosen playset. An average pool of tiles for selection will be approximately 250.

5. The method of claim 1

wherein an interchangeable playset replaces selected or accompanies game pieces of playset.

For Example:

An interchangeable playset may consist of “Wild” tiles as an addition to, or replacement of, specific marked tiles in basic playset, and an accompanying paytable to reflect the tiles in use.

An interchangeable playset may consist of “Cherry” tiles as an addition to, or replacement of, specific marked tiles in basic playset, and an accompanying paytable to reflect the tiles in use.