Amusement gaming system

Abstract

Method and apparatus employed by an amusement gaming system for setting up a game for one or a plurality of players including controlling a numbers of factors such as regulating rate of play, betting limits, providing advertising matter, creating a tournament, to name just a few. The system typically includes a plurality of player stations each having a display and user interface controls communicating with a central controller for storing and accumulating data such as the aforementioned factors as well as player profiles and players history of prior individual and tournament play. Table and/or community displays are provided for entertainment and ease of viewing by both players and spectators. Players' displays are limited to displaying only items specific to the player at that player station. Formulas are stored by the controller for determining player awards. The regulation of play is automatic with the option of adjusting factors affecting play under control of a system manager.

1 . An amusement gaming system for regulating play of at least one player, comprising: 
 a rules database for moderating rules of a game being played the at least one player, said database including rules related to possible locations at which the at least one player may be situated during play of said game; and    a control device responsive to a rule associated with the location occupied by the at least one player for controlling an aspect of the game peculiar to said location.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the control device limits the at least one player to playing for amusement only responsive to a rule that said location prohibits gambling for money.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the control device enables the at least one player to playing for amusement only to be eligible for a non-monetary prize responsive to a rule that said location prohibits gambling for money, while permitting awarding a non-monetary prize.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the control device enable the at least one player to play for a monetary prize responsive to a rule that said location permits gambling for money.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein there are a plurality of players each in remote locations, each player being provided with a device interacting with said system by one of a wired and wireless connection.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the database comprises rules for each of said locations, the rules of at least some of the locations being different from the rules of the remaining locations, said rules being selected based upon the location of each player, wherein at least some of the players are regulated by rules different from the rules regulating the remaining players, even though all of the players are playing the same game.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the control device limits bets permitted by the at least one player responsive to a rule that said location permits gambling for money and sets betting limits.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the players devices are connected with the system through one of an intranet and the Internet.  
   
   
       9 . An amusement gaming system comprising: 
 a table having a plurality of player locations substantially equi-spaced about said table;    a controller for regulating play at said table;    each location being provided with an individual player display configured for displaying graphics and indicia specific to the player using the player display, and a user interface for communicating player choices and responses relating to the game to said controller; and    one of a public display and a community display, each being configured to displaying the graphics and indicia of all players playing at said table responsive to said controller.    
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein each individual display is oriented and configured to substantially limit viewing of a player display to the player at the display location.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the community display is substantially centrally positioned on said table to enable easy viewing by players at said table.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the public display is positioned to enable easy viewing by spectators as well as players at said table.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 9  wherein each individual display is configured to display an image of other players at the table responsive to the user interface.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 9  wherein at least one of the community display and public display is configured to display an image of other players at the table responsive to said controller.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 9  wherein each individual display is configured to display an advertising banner responsive to the controller.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 9  wherein each individual display is configured to display an invitation to order selected items responsive to the controller.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the invitations relate to food and beverages.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the controller controls a rate at which players at the table must play in order to continue playing at the table.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 9  wherein each player interface is configured to provide a first group of manually operable controls to make fixed, specific selections and at least one variable control which is manually operable to make a variable selection with a permissible range.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the variable control comprises a keypad interface.  
   
   
       21 . A method employed by an amusement gaming system for controlling a plurality of players participating in a given game, comprising: 
 providing a plurality of player stations communicating with a central controller;    operating said central controller for controlling rate of play of a game based on criteria stored at said controller, said criteria including at least one of: betting level, time to bet, time between games, round of betting, round of tournament and modify based on round, wherein the rate of play is regulated according to at least one of said criteria.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  comprising: 
 reducing time allotted a player to bet or fold at an early round of a game and increasing time allotted a player to bet or fold during subsequent rounds, based on the betting level criteria.    
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21  comprising: 
 reducing time allotted players between rounds of a game at early rounds and increasing time allotted players between rounds during subsequent rounds, based on the time between games criteria.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21  comprising: 
 the controller being configured to adjust the criteria responsive to a game manager's input; and    modifying the rate of play based on a modify based on round adjustment entered by the game manager.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising: 
 modifying the rate of play responsive to at least one of a food item and a beverage ordered by a player responsive to an invitation from the gaming system.    
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising: 
 changing the rake percentage of a pot to affect rate of play.    
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising: 
 changing the entrance fee to affect rate of play.    
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising: 
 changing at least one of the blind amount and ante to affect rate of play.    
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising: 
 changing at least one of the minimum permitted raise and maximum permitted raise to affect rate of play.    
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising: 
 regulating an amount collected by the system based upon bets made and number of players participating to maintain a desired collection rate per a given interval of time.    
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising: 
 regulating an amount collected by the system based upon bets made and number of players participating to maintain a desired collection rate per a given interval of time.    
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising: 
 reducing rate of play during a higher rake and increasing rate of play during a higher rake.    
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising: 
 compiling a waiting list of players waiting to play; and    increasing rate of play based on an increasing number of players waiting to play.    
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising: 
 selecting a game to be played based on at least one of betting rate, time to bet, rake percentage and amount of desired to be collected per a given period of time.    
   
   
       35 . A method employed by an amusement gaming system for setting up and regulating a tournament in which a plurality of players participate in a given game, comprising: 
 providing a plurality of player stations communicating with a central controller;    operating said central controller, comprising:    selecting a sponsor;    selecting a game; and    selecting players according to at least one of the criteria of: betting history, ranking of player, geographical location, game preferences of player.    
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 35  wherein player rankings are determined by: 
 storing tournament points awarded to players based on their finishes in previous tournaments;    prioritizing players according to their total tournament points; and    selecting the players so that players having greater total points are selected prior to players having fewer total points.    
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 35  further comprising: 
 awarding tournament points based on a number of players in a tournament and the player's finishing position.    
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 35  further comprising: 
 awarding tournament points based on the expression, P=[√n/p] where n=number of players in a tournament; p=finishing position of a player; and P=points awarded.    
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 35  further comprising: 
 awarding tournament points based on the expression, P=[√n/p]*[1+log(b+0.25)] where n=number of players in a tournament; p=finishing position of a player; b=the buy in when gambling for money is permitted; and P=points awarded.    
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 35  further comprising: 
 regulating at least one of an amount and a frequency of ads presented on a player's display to increase total revenue earned in a tournament.    
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 35  further comprising: 
 awarding tournament points by determining ranks comprising: averaging and normalizing player finishes in prior tournaments, normalization being determined by z=(x−u)/s where z=the normalized vector, x=the original vector, u=the mean of vector x, and s is the standard deviation, vector x=the number of players in the tournament+1 less every player's finish, divided by the number of players in a tournament.    
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising: 
 providing ads during tournament play.    
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 42  further comprising: 
 presenting the ads on a players display.    
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 42  further comprising: 
 storing data representing a player's profile, provided by the player; and    targeting the ads on a players' display based on the stored profile data.    
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising: 
 selecting ads based on a players' level of success in the current tournament by displaying more expensive items when a player is successful and displaying less expensive items when a player is not successful.    
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising: 
 selecting ads based on a players' level of success in the current tournament by displaying expensive items when a player is successful and inviting the player to other games when a player is not successful.    
   
   
       47 . A method employed by an amusement gaming system for setting up and regulating a game in which a plurality of players participate in said game, comprising: 
 providing a plurality of player stations communicating with a central controller;    operating said central controller, comprising:    accumulating and storing player data including: when they play, how long they play, skill level, stakes they play for, and history of games results;    associating the accumulated data with a unique identifier representing the player;    accessing the accumulated data responsive to entry of a player's identifier; and    providing tips on how to improve play based on the accumulated data.    
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 47 , further comprising: 
 providing invitations to other games based on the accumulated data.    
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 47 , further comprising: 
 a player:    inputting the players' unique identifier and profile information for storage with data accumulated by the controller; and    the controller:    inviting players having common profile features to a given game.    
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 47 , further comprising: 
 a player:    inputting the players' unique identifier and profile information for storage with data accumulated by the controller; and    the controller:    inviting players having common profile features to a given game, and recommending the given game based on the stored data of the invited players.    
   
   
       51 . A method employed by an amusement gaming system for setting up and regulating a game in which a plurality of players participate in said game, comprising: 
 providing a plurality of player stations communicating with a central controller;    operating said central controller, comprising:    communicating invitations to potential sponsors;    receiving and storing acceptance in the order they are received; and    declining further acceptances received after accumulating a given number of acceptances.    
   
   
       52 . A method employed by an amusement gaming system for setting up and regulating a tournament in which a plurality of players participate in said game, comprising: 
 providing a plurality of tables;    providing a plurality of player stations at each table communicating with a central controller;    operating said central controller, comprising:    regulating the games played during the tournament at all, of said tables;    assigning players remaining in the tournament from their original table to a different table as players are eliminated; and    eliminating a table from the tournament when it no longer has players to consolidate play.    
   
   
       53 . A method employed by an amusement gaming system for setting up and regulating games available to a plurality of players, comprising: 
 providing a plurality of player stations communicating with a central controller;    providing each player station with a display and interactive user controls;    operating said central controller, comprising:    providing a message on the displays inviting players to insert one of a unique identifier, money, a token or indicia bearing card and a game selection:    at least one of said player stations, operated by a player:    entering one of a unique identifier, money, a token or indicia bearing card and a game selection;    said controller regulating the selected game; and    being provided with operator controls for providing at least one of:    type of ads presented on the payers' displays, and rate of play settings.    
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 53  wherein the rate of play settings further include: 
 providing adjustments for:    cost of play, type of blind, ante, upper and lower betting limits, length of betting period, and length of time between games.    
   
   
       55 . A method for setting up a tournament for participation of a plurality of players, comprising: 
 providing a plurality of tables;    providing each table with a plurality of player stations communicating with a central controller;    providing each player station with a display and interactive user controls;    operating said central controller, comprising:    accumulating and storing data represent players desiring to participate;    notifying a player waiting to participate through that players' display;    accumulating and storing data of winners and losers in the tournament; and    advancing table winners to play other table winners.    
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 55 , further comprising: 
 the controller:    instructing winning players to move to a given one of said tables and thereby eliminating those tables which are no longer needed.    
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 55 , further comprising: 
 the controller:    storing data representing rules and restrictions relating to different geographical regions; and    regulating players participating in the tournament according to the rules and restrictions of the geographical region in which the player is located.    
   
   
       58 . A method employed by an amusement gaming system for setting up and regulating games available to a plurality of players, comprising: 
 providing a plurality of player stations communicating with a central controller;    providing each player station with a display and interactive user controls for betting, folding, calling, requesting sequential display of previous hands;    the central controller:    providing images on the players' display responsive to the user controls operated by the player at that display.    
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 58 , further comprising: 
 the controller:    displaying a list of table action for a previous hand, together with the last hand responsive to a players' request.