Bingo game using a limited number of designations

Abstract

The invention consists in a wagering game of the same kind as a bingo game characterized by the use of a set of game indicia (bingo balls) bearing the same identifications as the area identifications of the game card or cards. Furthermore, no additional game indicia bearing identification not borne by the game card are included in the set of game indicia. Furthermore, the invention consists in a method of playing said game wherein at least one player places a bet. Upon reception of said bet, the player is provided with at least one game card bearing area designations. Designations are drawn according to the rules of the game. Card areas are daubed based on a match between the drawn designations and card designations. At the end, the card is evaluated to determine whether it fulfills a winning criterion, with a prize being awarded in the case of a positive evaluation.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of playing a wagering game comprising: 
 receiving a bet from at least one player;    providing to said at least one player at least one game card having a plurality of areas, with all game cards bearing all designations from a first set of designations;    randomly selecting designations from said first set of designations;    daubing game card areas based on a match criterion between the game card designations and the selected designations;    designating a winner when a player's game card fulfills a win criterion; and    awarding said winner with a prize.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the number of said players playing the game is limited to  1 .  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one designation is duplicated on said card.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said game card is displayed on an electronic display and said daubing is displayed on said display.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein a single player is playing the game per electronic display on a network of said electronic displays.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said random selection comprises selecting a predetermined number of designations that are selected for the play of said game.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein at least one further group of designations are selected in response to player input following said selection of said predetermined number of designations.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein an additional bet is required from the player for the selection of each one of said further group of designations.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein a pay schedule used for the determination of a prize value is based on a number of designations selected and used to fulfill said win criterion.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein a value of said prize is calculated on the basis of whether or not the designations fulfilling the win criterion are from a single group of designations.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a value of said prize is calculated on the basis of at least one of at least one designation participating in winning said prize, and draw order of at least one designation participating in winning said prize.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein designations are selected until said win criterion is fulfilled.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said steps (a) through (f) are performed sequentially in order.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said steps (c) and (d) are repeated for each selected designation following input from said player to continue or to stop play of the game.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein determining a play sequence based on inputs from a player creates a multiple-step game.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one duplicated designation is different for at least some of said at least one card.