Method, apparatus, and computer readable storage medium for improved tracking of casino players

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage which determines and tracks a player's error in a game of skill such as video poker. The player error is stored in a player's slot club account so that a beginning player may be entitled to additional complimentaries from the casino. The method includes (a) reading account information on a player's slot club card; (b) allowing the player to complete the hand; (c) calculating expected value points for the hand which incorporate a numerical computation of the player's error; and (d) accumulating the expected value points in the player's slot club account using information stored on the slot club card.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of tracking casino players playing a hand of a game involving skill, the method comprising: 
 reading account information on a player's slot club card;    allowing the player to complete the hand;    calculating expected value points for the hand which incorporate a numerical computation of the player's error; and    accumulating the expected value points in the player's slot club account using information stored on the slot club card.    
     
     
         2 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the game comprises video poker.  
     
     
         3 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 deciding whether to offer a promotion to the player using the accumulated expected value points in the slot club account.    
     
     
         4 . A method as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the promotion comprises converting accumulated expected value points to an incentive dollar amount for discounts.  
     
     
         5 . A method as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the promotion comprises placing playable money for the incentive dollar amount in the player's slot club account.  
     
     
         6 . A method as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the promotion comprises sending a check to the player for the incentive dollar amount.  
     
     
         7 . A method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the check is cashable only at a particular casino or casino group.  
     
     
         8 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising accumulating standard comp points in the player's slot club account based on the player's wager which do not incorporate error separate from the expected value points.  
     
     
         9 . A method as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising deciding whether to offer a promotion to the player using information incorporating both the accumulated expected value points in the slot club account and standard comp points in the slot club account.  
     
     
         10 . A method as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising aggregating the standard comp points and the expected value points into one value.  
     
     
         11 . A method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the aggregating is performed by a casino computer not a video poker machine implementing the hand.  
     
     
         12 . A method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising deciding whether to offer a promotion to the player using the aggregated points.  
     
     
         13 . A method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising converting the value to an incentive dollar amount for discounts.  
     
     
         14 . A method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein a promotion comprises placing playable money for the incentive dollar amount in the player's slot club account.  
     
     
         15 . A method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the promotion comprises sending a check to the player for the incentive dollar amount.  
     
     
         16 . A method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the check is cashable only at a particular casino or casino group.  
     
     
         17 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the calculation of expected value points also takes into consideration the player's choice of machine.  
     
     
         18 . A method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the calculated expected value points incorporates an optimal return for the machine.  
     
     
         19 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the expected value points are not automatically disclosed to the player electronically.  
     
     
         20 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the expected value points comprise an equivalent of (optimal value of the dealt hand−expected value of played hand)*bet.  
     
     
         21 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the expected value points take into consideration a return of the player's machine choice.  
     
     
         22 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the expected value points comprise an equivalent of (optimal strategy house edge for machine+optimal value of the dealt hand−expected value of played hand)*bet.  
     
     
         23 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the expected value points take into consideration cash back given to the player.  
     
     
         24 . A method as recited in  claim 23 , wherein the expected value points comprise an equivalent of (optimal strategy house edge for machine−cash back percentage+optimal value of the dealt hand−expected value of played hand)*bet.  
     
     
         25 . A method as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the deciding takes into consideration cash back already given or allotted to the player.  
     
     
         26 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the expected value points take into consideration cash back given to the player and a return of the player's machine choice.  
     
     
         27 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising computing a player's skill level as (total expected value points/total amount wagered).  
     
     
         28 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising computing a player's skill level as (optimal strategy return−(expected value points/total amount bet)).  
     
     
         29 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising computing a player's skill level as (optimal strategy return+cash back−(expected value points/total amount bet)).  
     
     
         30 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising computing a future expected loss of the player using the expected value points.  
     
     
         31 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising computing a future expected daily loss of the player as (average house edge*average hands per day*average wager).  
     
     
         32 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising computing an average expected value of hands played by the player.  
     
     
         33 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 inputting, by a casino employee, the player's identification information on a computer;    outputting the player's standard information; and    outputting expected value information based on the accumulated expected value points.    
     
     
         34 . A method as recited in  claim 33 , wherein the expected value information comprises a measure of the player's skill.  
     
     
         35 . A method as recited in  claim 33 , wherein the expected value information is equivalent to the average expected value of the player's hands.  
     
     
         36 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 inputting, by a casino player, the player's slot club card into a card reader;    outputting on a display standard points accumulated by the player stored in the player's slot club account identified on the slot club card; and    keeping the expected value points shielded from the player on the display.    
     
     
         37 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 identifying the player as an advantage player based on the player's expected return.    
     
     
         38 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 identifying the player as an advantage player if the player's (expected total return)>a predetermined expert return.    
     
     
         39 . A method as recited in  claim 38 , further comprising identifying the player as an advantage player if a total number of hands player>a predetermined sample of hands.  
     
     
         40 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 identifying the player as an advantage player if the player's (expected total expected value points/amount wagered)<a predetermined amount.    
     
     
         41 . A method as recited in  claim 40 , further comprising identifying the player as an advantage player if a total number of hands player>a predetermined sample of hands  
     
     
         42 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 offering a comp amount based on the expected value points and reduced by an amount of standard comps already given.    
     
     
         43 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the calculated expected value points is a floating point number which is transmitted to a casino computer where the expected value points are accumulated in the player's slot club account.  
     
     
         44 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the calculated expected value points is a floating point number which is transmitted to a casino computer using an integer representation, the casino computer accumulating the expected value points in the player's slot club account.  
     
     
         45 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein a unit that performs the calculating is installed as a plug-in on a video poker machine implementing the game of video poker.  
     
     
         46 . A method of tracking casino players playing a hand of a video poker game, the method comprising: 
 reading account information on a player's slot club card;    allowing the player to complete the hand of video poker;    calculating expected value points for the hand which incorporate the player's error;    accumulating the expected value points in the player's slot club account using information stored on the slot club card;    deciding whether to offer a promotion to the player using the accumulated expected value points in the slot club account;    computing a player's skill level as (optimal strategy return+cash back−(expected value points/total amount bet));    computing a future expected daily loss of the player as (average house edge* average hands per day*average wager);    identifying the player as an advantage player if the player's (expected total return /amount wagered)>a predetermined amount;    offering a comp amount based on the expected value points and reduced by an amount of standard comps already given;    computing an average expected value of hands played by the player;    inputting, by a casino employee, the player's identification information on a computer;    outputting the player's standard information; and    outputting expected value information based on the accumulated expected value points,    inputting, by a casino player, the player's slot club card into a card reader;    outputting on a display standard points accumulated by the player stored in the player's slot club account identified on the slot club card; and    keeping the expected value points shielded from the player on the display,    wherein the expected value points comprise an equivalent of (optimal strategy house edge for machine+optimal value of the dealt hand−expected value of played hand)*bet,    wherein the promotion comprises converting accumulated expected value points to an incentive dollar amount for discounts,    wherein the promotion comprises placing playable money for the incentive dollar amount in the player's slot club account, wherein the promotion comprises sending a check to the player for the incentive dollar amount,    wherein the check is cashable only at a particular casino or casino group,    wherein the calculated expected value points is a floating point number which is transmitted to a casino computer where the expected value points are accumulated in the player's slot club account,    wherein the expected value information is equivalent to the average expected value of the player's hands,    wherein a unit that performs the calculating is installed as a plug-in on a video poker machine implementing the game of video poker.    
     
     
         47 . A method of tracking casino players playing a hand of a game involving skill, the method comprising: 
 reading account information on a player's slot club card;    allowing the player to complete the hand;    calculating expected value points for the hand which incorporate a numerical computation of the player's error;    combining the expected value points with standard comp points; and    accumulating the combined points in the player's slot club account using information stored on the slot club card.    
     
     
         48 . A method as recited in  claim 47 , further comprising maintaining a ratio of the expected value points to the standard comp points in the player's slot club account.  
     
     
         49 . A method as recited in  claim 47 , wherein the game comprises video poker.  
     
     
         50 . A method as recited in  claim 49 , further comprising: 
 deciding whether to offer a promotion to the player using the accumulated combined points in the slot club account.    
     
     
         51 . A method as recited in  claim 50 , wherein the promotion comprises converting the combined points into an incentive dollar amount for discounts.  
     
     
         52 . A method as recited in  claim 51 , wherein the promotion comprises placing playable money for the incentive dollar amount in the player's slot club account.  
     
     
         53 . A method as recited in  claim 52 , wherein the promotion comprises sending a check to the player for the incentive dollar amount.  
     
     
         54 . A method as recited in  claim 53 , wherein the check is cashable only at a particular casino or casino group.  
     
     
         55 . A method as recited in  claim 47 , wherein the accumulating accumulates the standard comp points and accumulates an extra standard comp point or points when the expected value points reach a certain level.  
     
     
         56 . A method of tracking casino players playing a hand of a video poker, the method comprising: 
 reading account information on a player's slot club card;    allowing the player to complete the hand;    calculating expected value points for the hand based on the player's machine choice; and    accumulating the expected value points in the player's slot club account using information stored on the slot club card.    
     
     
         57 . A method of marketing to casino players, the method comprising: 
 computing and accumulating expected value points based on a player's error and the player's wager;    computing the player's skill level based on the player's error;    considering the player's expected value points and the player's skill level to decide whether to offer the player a promotion or incentive.    
     
     
         58 . A method of storing player records, the method comprising: 
 storing standard player information in a player record;    storing expected value information based on a player's error and wager alongside the standard player information in the player record; and    retrieving the standard player information and the expected value information when requested by a client.    
     
     
         59 . A method as recited in  claim 58 , wherein the expected value information comprises points stored as a floating point number.  
     
     
         60 . A method of tracking casino players playing a hand of a game blackjack, the method comprising: 
 receiving account information on a player's slot club card;    allowing the player to complete the hand of blackjack;    calculating expected value points for the hand which incorporate the player's error; and    accumulating the expected value points in the player's loyalty account using information stored on the slot club card.    
     
     
         61 . A method as recited in  claim 60 , further comprising: 
 deciding whether to offer a promotion to the player based on the accumulated expected value points in the loyalty account.    
     
     
         62 . A method as recited in  claim 60 , wherein the expected value points comprise an equivalent of (optimal value of the dealt hand−expected value of played hand)*bet.  
     
     
         63 . A method as recited in  claim 60 , wherein the expected value points comprise an equivalent of (optimal value of the dealt hand−expected value of played hand)*bet.  
     
     
         64 . A method as recited in  claim 60 , further comprising computing a player's skill level as (total expected value points/total amount wagered).  
     
     
         65 . A method as recited in  claim 60 , further comprising computing a future expected loss of the player using the expected value points.  
     
     
         66 . A method as recited in  claim 60 , further comprising computing a future expected daily loss of the player as (average house edge*average hands per day*average wager).  
     
     
         67 . A method as recited in  claim 60 , further comprising computing an average expected value of hands played by the player.  
     
     
         68 . A method as recited in  claim 60 , further comprising sending the player a check with an amount based on the expected value points.  
     
     
         69 . A method as recited in  claim 60 , wherein the expected value points reflect the optimal return on the variation of blackjack game played.  
     
     
         70 . A method as recited in  claim 60 , further comprising accumulating standard comp points in the player's loyalty account based on the player's wager which do not incorporate error separate from the expected value points.  
     
     
         71 . A method as recited in  claim 70 , further comprising deciding whether to offer a promotion to the player using information incorporating both the accumulated expected value points in the loyalty account and standard comp points in the loyalty account.  
     
     
         72 . A method as recited in  claim 70 , further comprising aggregating the standard comp points and the expected value points into one value.  
     
     
         73 . A method as recited in  claim 72 , further comprising determining an award based on the aggregated value.  
     
     
         74 . A method as recited in  claim 60 , further comprising computing a player's skill level as (total expected value points/total amount wagered).  
     
     
         75 . A method as recited in  claim 60 , further comprising computing a player's skill level as (optimal strategy return−(expected value points/total amount bet)).  
     
     
         76 . A method as recited in  claim 60 , further comprising computing a player's skill level as (optimal strategy return+cash back−(expected value points/total amount bet)).  
     
     
         77 . A method, comprising: 
 displaying a game of skill hand during a playing session resulting in a player entering a choice on the player's computer;    the choice either comprising perfect play or comprising erroneous play;    displaying to the player an offered promotion based on erroneous play by the player,    wherein the promotion is displayed at a subsequent session later than the playing session.    
     
     
         78 . A method as recited in  claim 77 , wherein the offered promotion is displayed after a sum of the player's error reaches a value.  
     
     
         79 . A method as recited in  claim 77 , wherein the offered promotion is displayed after a sum of the player's ((optimal value of respective dealt hands−expected value of respective played hands)*respective bet) reaches a value.  
     
     
         80 . A method as recited in  claim 77 , wherein the offered promotion is displayed after a sum of the player's ((optimal strategy house edge for game chosen+optimal value of the respective dealt hands−expected value of respective played hands)*respective bet) reaches a value.  
     
     
         81 . A method as recited in  claim 77 , wherein the offered promotion is displayed after a sum of the player's ((optimal strategy house edge for game chosen−cash back percentage+optimal value of the respective dealt hands−expected value of respective played hands)*respective bet) reaches a value.  
     
     
         82 . A method as recited in  claim 77 , wherein the game of skill hand is received from a remote server.  
     
     
         83 . A method as recited in  claim 77 , wherein the promotion includes bonus money placed in a player's gaming account.  
     
     
         84 . A computer readable storage medium storing a method of tracking casino players playing a hand of a game involving skill, the storage medium controlling a computer by: 
 reading account information on a player's slot club card;    allowing the player to complete the hand;    calculating expected value points for the hand which incorporate the player's error; and    accumulating the expected value points in the player's slot club account using information stored on the slot club card.    
     
     
         85 . A computer readable storage medium as recited in  claim 84 , wherein the game comprises video poker.  
     
     
         86 . An apparatus tracking casino players playing a hand of a game involving skill, the apparatus comprising: 
 an input unit reading account information on a player's slot club card;    a game apparatus allowing the player to complete the hand;    a calculating unit calculating expected value points for the hand which incorporate the player's error; and    an accumulating unit accumulating the expected value points in the player's slot club account using information stored on the slot club card.    
     
     
         87 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 86 , wherein the game apparatus comprises a video poker machine.  
     
     
         88 . An apparatus for tracking casino players playing a hand of a game involving skill, the apparatus comprising: 
 means for reading account information on a player's slot club card;    means for allowing the player to complete the hand;    means for calculating expected value points for the hand which incorporate a numerical measure of the player's error; and    means for accumulating the expected value points in the player's slot club account using information stored on the slot club card.