Bingo type numbers game

Abstract

A numbers game somewhat similar to bingo has features of player-selected numbers, a field of numbers for each number position, and a geometric pattern formed by the number positions. Played on either a card or on a video monitor, the game prompts the player to select preferably one number from each of a plurality of fields of numbers, each being in a different number position and a different part of the pattern. Numbers are randomly selected by the game provider, and a win is determined by matching the winning numbers in one or more number positions so as to form a segment of the pattern, or a group of positions which have been pre-designated as a winning combination.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A game of picking numbers, comprising: 
 a playing field with a plurality of number positions arranged in a pattern,    a field of player-selectable numbers for each number position, with indication to the player of the numbers in each field for selection of at least one number therefrom, for each position,    winning number selection means outside the control of the player for selecting from each field a number as a winning number for that field, and    whereby a winning play can be defined by a player's correctly selecting numbers matching winning numbers in a designated group of number positions or a single position designated to constitute a winner.    
     
     
         2 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein the pattern comprises substantially an X configuration.  
     
     
         3 . The game of  claim 2 , wherein the X configuration has a number position at an intersection of two lines forming the X, such number position being free and without a field of numbers, always counted as a match in that position.  
     
     
         4 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein some of the number positions have fields with more numbers than other number positions.  
     
     
         5 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein the fields of numbers in each number position each contain unique numbers not found in any other field.  
     
     
         6 . The game of  claim 1 , including means for advising the player of the winning number for each field so that the player can determine matches.  
     
     
         7 . The game of  claim 6 , wherein the means for advising comprises a video screen on which the winning numbers are announced.  
     
     
         8 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein said pattern is a geometric pattern.  
     
     
         9 . The game of  claim 8 , wherein the geometric pattern has at least three linear segments, said designated group of number positions forming a segment or part of a segment.  
     
     
         10 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein the pattern comprises essentially X configuration with two lines of number positions forming four segments.  
     
     
         11 . The game of  claim 10 , wherein each segment includes at least two number positions.  
     
     
         12 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein the pattern has segments each defined by a plurality of number positions, said designated group of number positions forming a segment or part of a segment.  
     
     
         13 . A method for playing a game of numbers, comprising: providing a playing field with a plurality of number positions arranged in a pattern, 
 establishing and presenting to the player a field of player-selectable numbers for each number position, and providing instruction to the player to select from each field a number, thus being the player's number for each position,    instructing the player as to what will constitute a winning play, in accordance with pre-ordained criteria as to winning combinations of positions,    outside the control of the player, selecting from each field a number as winning number for the field and number position,    displaying the winning numbers of the pattern to the player so that the player can determine whether any of the player-selected numbers matches the winning number for each number position, and    declaring a winner for any player having numbers matching the winning numbers in accordance with the pre-ordained criteria as to winning combinations of positions.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the playing field is on a player card, with provision for the player's choosing a number from each field by hand, and including providing a player with a new card showing the player-selected numbers in the pattern, after the player made number selections.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein in the playing field is provided on a video screen.