Method and system for providing deal-making in multiplayer tournaments

Abstract

A system and method for deal-making in a multiplayer game-of-chance tournament are described. The system and method are applicable to poker, blackjack, mah-jongg, video slots, and other betting games of chance at online and live casinos. The system includes a graphical interface which depicts the game-of-chance and a deal-making interface. The deal-making interface allows players to negotiate the distribution of a divisible prize (a prize pool split). The graphical interface may also include a chat window, displayed along with the deal-making interface, for allowing communication among players.

1 . A graphical interface for deal-making in a multiplayer game-of-chance, comprising in combination:
 a game play environment depicting the game-of-chance; and   a deal-making interface for allowing players of the game-of-chance to negotiate a distribution of a divisible prize associated with the game-of-chance, wherein the deal-making interface is depicted with the game-of-chance in the graphical interface.   
   
   
       2 . The graphical interface of  claim 1 , further comprising a chat window for allowing communication among the players of the game-of-chance. 
   
   
       3 . The graphical interface of  claim 1 , wherein the deal-making interface includes a distribution display showing a measure of each player's standing in the game-of-chance relative to other players' standing in the game-of-chance. 
   
   
       4 . The graphical interface of  claim 3 , wherein the measure is chip count. 
   
   
       5 . A method for providing deal-making in a multiplayer game-of-chance, the method comprising:
 providing a game play environment depicting the game-of-chance; and   providing a deal-making interface for allowing players of the game-of-chance to negotiate a distribution of a divisible prize associated with the game-of-chance, wherein the deal-making interface is depicted with the game-of-chance in a single view.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising providing a chat window for allowing communication among players of the game-of-chance. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein providing the deal-making interface includes providing a distribution display showing a measure of each player's standing in the game-of-chance relative to other players' standing in the game-of-chance. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the measure is chip count. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising automatically displaying a deal defining a proposed prize pool split. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising calculating the proposed prize pool split based on a measure of each player's standing in the game-of-chance relative to other players' standing in the game-of-chance. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising receiving a proposal from a player of the game-of-chance to split a prize pool. 
   
   
       12 . A gaming station, comprising in combination:
 a monitor for presenting to a user a display depicting game play corresponding to a game-of-chance, wherein the display further depicts a deal-making interface for allowing players of the game-of-chance to negotiate a distribution of a divisible prize associated with the game-of-chance;   a processor; and   a memory containing processing instructions executable by the processor for displaying the deal-making interface with the game play on the monitor.   
   
   
       13 . The gaining station of  claim 12 , wherein the memory further contains processing instructions executable by the processor for displaying on the monitor a chat window for allowing communication among the players. 
   
   
       14 . The gaming station of  claim 13 , wherein the chat window is displayed on the monitor with the deal-making interface and the game play. 
   
   
       15 . The gaining station of  claim 12 , wherein the deal-making interface includes a distribution display showing a measure of each player's standing in the game-of-chance relative to other players' standing in the game of chance. 
   
   
       16 . The gaming station of  claim 15 , wherein the measure is chip count. 
   
   
       17 . A gaining system, comprising in combination:
 a gaming station having a workstation and a monitor for presenting to a user a display depicting game play corresponding to a game-of-chance, wherein the display further depicts a deal-making interface for allowing players of the game-of-chance to negotiate a distribution of a divisible prize associated with the game-of-chance; and   a server having a processor and memory containing processing instructions executable by the processor for displaying the deal-making interface and the game play in a same view on the monitor.   
   
   
       18 . The gaming system of  claim 17 , wherein the memory further contains processing instructions executable by the processor for displaying on the monitor a chat window for allowing communication among players. 
   
   
       19 . The gaming system of  claim 17 , wherein the deal-making interface includes a distribution display showing a measure of each player's standing in the game-of-chance relative to other players' standing in the game of chance. 
   
   
       20 . The gaming system of  claim 19 , wherein the measure is chip count.