Systems and methods for playing a game of chance including a plurality of patterns

Abstract

Systems and methods enable a player to play a game of chance. The methods include providing a player card to be used with the game, wherein the player card includes a predetermined number of spaces for displaying player indicia. A processor enables a player to select one of a plurality of available patterns for the player card, wherein a plurality of the spaces is included within each of the available patterns. The processor also enables the player to select a plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern, wherein each player indicia is displayed within one of the spaces included within the selected pattern. A plurality of house indicia is randomly selected. The processor determines whether the house indicia matches the selected player indicia for the selected pattern, and determines a payout based upon the determination whether the house indicia matches the selected player indicia for the selected pattern.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of playing a game of chance, said method comprising:
 providing a player card to be used with the game, wherein the player card includes a predetermined number of spaces for displaying player indicia;   enabling, by a processor, a player to select one of a plurality of available patterns for the player card, wherein a plurality of the spaces is included within each of the available patterns;   enabling, by the processor, the player to select a plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern, wherein each player indicia of the selected plurality of player indicia is displayed within one of the plurality of spaces included within the selected pattern;   randomly selecting a plurality of house indicia;   determining, by the processor, whether the plurality of house indicia matches the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern; and   determining, by the processor, a payout based upon the determination whether the plurality of house indicia matches the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the game continues after a determination that the plurality of house indicia matches the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the game continues until a predetermined number of house indicia is selected. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein a plurality of players are enabled to play the game, each player having at least one player card with a pattern to be matched by the selected house indicia, and wherein the game continues until each pattern of each player card is matched by the selected house indicia. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein randomly selecting a plurality of house indicia comprises selecting a first plurality of house indicia, and wherein determining whether the plurality of house indicia matches the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern comprises determining whether the first plurality of house indicia matches the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein additional house indicia are selected after the first plurality of house indicia have been selected, and wherein the processor determines whether the first plurality of house indicia and the additional house indicia match the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern after each additional house indicia is selected. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the payout starts at a first value, and the payout is reduced each time an additional house indicia is selected. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein additional house indicia are selected until a second plurality of house indicia have been selected, and wherein the game ends when the second plurality of house indicia have been selected. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a server initially selects a first plurality of player indicia for use with the player card, and wherein the plurality of player indicia selected by the player is a second plurality of player indicia that replaces at least a portion of the first plurality of player indicia. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a server initially selects each player indicia to be used with the player card, and wherein the plurality of player indicia selected by the player replaces the server selected player indicia included within the selected pattern. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of player indicia included within the selected pattern is a first plurality of player indicia and a second plurality of player indicia is included within the first plurality of player indicia, and wherein the processor determines a payout based on a determination that the plurality of house indicia matches the second plurality of player indicia. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising generating the player card such that the plurality of spaces within the selected pattern are the only spaces of the player card in which player indicia are displayed. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising displaying at least one filler object within each of the spaces of the player card that are not included within the selected pattern. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein enabling, by a processor, a player to select one of a plurality of available patterns for the player card includes enabling the player to create a pattern to be included in the plurality of available patterns. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the game ends after a determination that the plurality of house indicia matches the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the processor determines at least a portion of the payout to include a progressive prize. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the game is played on a player device that includes a random number generator for randomly selecting the plurality of house indicia, and wherein the player does not compete against other players for the payout. 
     
     
         18 . A method of playing a game of bingo, said method comprising:
 providing a player card to be used with the game, wherein the player card includes a predetermined number of spaces for displaying indicia;   displaying, on an electronic player device, a plurality of available patterns to be used with the player card, wherein a plurality of the spaces is included within each of the available patterns;   enabling a player to select one of the available patterns for the player card using the electronic player device;   displaying a plurality of player indicia on the electronic player device;   enabling the player to select the plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern using the electronic player device, wherein each player indicia of the selected plurality of player indicia is displayed on the electronic player device within one of the spaces included within the selected pattern;   randomly selecting a plurality of house indicia;   determining, by the processor, whether the plurality of house indicia matches the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern; and   determining, by the processor, a payout based upon the determination whether the plurality of house indicia matches the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising receiving, by the processor, data representative of the selected pattern and the selected plurality of player indicia from the electronic player device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising authenticating the electronic player device by the processor. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the game continues after a determination that the plurality of house indicia matches the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the game continues until a predetermined number of house indicia is selected. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein a plurality of players are enabled to play the game, each player having at least one player card with a pattern to be matched by the selected house indicia, and wherein the game continues until each pattern of each player card is matched by the selected house indicia. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein randomly selecting a plurality of house indicia comprises selecting a first plurality of house indicia, and wherein determining whether the plurality of house indicia matches the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern comprises determining whether the first plurality of house indicia matches the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein additional house indicia are selected after the first plurality of house indicia have been selected, and wherein the processor determines whether the first plurality of house indicia and the additional house indicia match the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern after each additional house indicia is selected. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the payout starts at a first value, and the payout is reduced each time an additional house indicia is selected. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein additional house indicia are selected until a second plurality of house indicia have been selected, and wherein the game ends when the second plurality of house indicia have been selected. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein a server initially selects a first plurality of player indicia for use with the player card, and wherein the plurality of player indicia selected by the player is a second plurality of player indicia that replaces at least a portion of the first plurality of player indicia. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein a server initially selects each player indicia to be used with the player card, and wherein the plurality of player indicia selected by the player replaces the server selected player indicia included within the selected pattern. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 issuing a ticket with the player card having the selected pattern and the selected plurality of player indicia; and   transmitting the ticket to the electronic player device.   
     
     
         31 . A method of playing a game of bingo, said method comprising:
 displaying, on a terminal, a player card to be used with the game, wherein the player card includes a predetermined number of spaces for displaying indicia;   identifying, by a processor, a plurality of available patterns to be used with the player card, wherein a plurality of the spaces is included within each of the available patterns;   displaying the plurality of available patterns on the terminal;   enabling a player to select one of the available patterns for the player card using the terminal;   displaying a plurality of player indicia on the terminal;   enabling the player to select the plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern, wherein each player indicia of the selected plurality of player indicia is displayed within one of the plurality of spaces included within the selected pattern;   randomly selecting a plurality of house indicia;   determining, by the processor, whether the plurality of house indicia matches the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern; and   determining, by the processor, a payout based upon the determination whether the plurality of house indicia matches the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the game continues after a determination that the plurality of house indicia matches the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the game continues until a predetermined number of house indicia is selected. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein a plurality of players are enabled to play the game, each player having at least one player card with a pattern to be matched by the selected house indicia, and wherein the game continues until each pattern of each player card is matched by the selected house indicia. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein randomly selecting a plurality of house indicia comprises selecting a first plurality of house indicia, and wherein determining whether the plurality of house indicia matches the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern comprises determining whether the first plurality of house indicia matches the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein additional house indicia are selected after the first plurality of house indicia have been selected, and wherein the processor determines whether the first plurality of house indicia and the additional house indicia match the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern after each additional house indicia is selected. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the payout starts at a first value, and the payout is reduced each time an additional house indicia is selected. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein additional house indicia are selected until a second plurality of house indicia have been selected, and wherein the game ends when the second plurality of house indicia have been selected. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein a server initially selects a first plurality of player indicia for use with the player card, and wherein the plurality of player indicia selected by the player is a second plurality of player indicia that replaces at least a portion of the first plurality of player indicia. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein a server initially selects each player indicia to be used with the player card, and wherein the plurality of player indicia selected by the player replaces the server selected player indicia included within the selected pattern. 
     
     
         41 . A method of playing a game of bingo, said method comprising:
 scanning, using a scanning device, a physical player card that includes a predetermined number of spaces for displaying indicia, wherein the player card includes at least one pattern marking indicative of a player selected pattern shaped to enclose at least a plurality of the spaces, and at least one indicia marking indicative of at least one player indicia selected by the player;   identifying, using a processor, a selected pattern based on the at least one pattern marking;   identifying, using the processor, a selected plurality of player indicia based on the at least one indicia marking;   randomly selecting a plurality of house indicia;   determining, by the processor, whether the plurality of house indicia matches the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern; and   determining, by the processor, a payout based upon the determination whether the plurality of house indicia matches the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the game continues after a determination that the plurality of house indicia matches the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the game continues until a predetermined number of house indicia is selected. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein a plurality of players are enabled to play the game, each player having at least one player card with a pattern to be matched by the selected house indicia, and wherein the game continues until each pattern of each player card is matched by the selected house indicia. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein randomly selecting a plurality of house indicia comprises selecting a first plurality of house indicia, and wherein determining whether the plurality of house indicia matches the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern comprises determining whether the first plurality of house indicia matches the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein additional house indicia are selected after the first plurality of house indicia have been selected, and wherein the processor determines whether the first plurality of house indicia and the additional house indicia match the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern after each additional house indicia is selected. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the payout starts at a first value, and the payout is reduced each time an additional house indicia is selected. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein additional house indicia are selected until a second plurality of house indicia have been selected, and wherein the game ends when the second plurality of house indicia have been selected. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein a server initially selects a first plurality of player indicia for use with the player card, and wherein the plurality of player indicia selected by the player is a second plurality of player indicia that replaces at least a portion of the first plurality of player indicia. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein a server initially selects each player indicia to be used with the player card, and wherein the plurality of player indicia selected by the player replaces the server selected player indicia included within the selected pattern. 
     
     
         51 . A system comprising:
 a randomization device configured to randomly select house indicia;   a selection device configured to:
 receive a player card to be used with a game of chance, wherein the player card includes a predetermined number of spaces for displaying indicia; 
 receive a plurality of available patterns to be used with the player card, wherein a plurality of the spaces is included within each of the available patterns; 
 enable a player to select one of the available patterns for the player card; and 
 enable the player to select a plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern, wherein each player indicia of the selected plurality of player indicia is displayed within one of the plurality of spaces included within the selected pattern; and 
   a server coupled to said randomization device and to said selection device, said server comprising a processor programmed to:
 select a plurality of house indicia using said randomization device; 
 determine whether the plurality of house indicia matches the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern; and 
 determine a payout based upon the determination whether the plurality of house indicia matches the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern. 
   
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein said server is configured to continue the game after a determination that the plurality of house indicia matches the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern. 
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 52 , wherein said server is configured to continue the game until a predetermined number of house indicia is selected. 
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 52 , wherein a plurality of players are enabled to play the game, each player having at least one player card with a pattern to be matched by the selected house indicia, and wherein said server is configured to continue the game until each pattern of each player card is matched by the selected house indicia. 
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein said server is configured to:
 select a plurality of house indicia by selecting a first plurality of house indicia; and   determine whether the plurality of house indicia matches the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern by determining whether the first plurality of house indicia matches the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern.   
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein said server is configured to:
 select additional house indicia after the first plurality of house indicia have been selected; and   determine whether the first plurality of house indicia and the additional house indicia match the selected plurality of player indicia for the selected pattern after each additional house indicia is selected.   
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein said server is configured to:
 start the payout at a first value; and   reduce the payout each time an additional house indicia is selected.   
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein said server is configured to select additional house indicia until a second plurality of house indicia have been selected, and to end the game when the second plurality of house indicia have been selected. 
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein said server initially selects a first plurality of player indicia for use with the player card, and wherein the plurality of player indicia selected by the player is a second plurality of player indicia that replaces at least a portion of the first plurality of player indicia. 
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein said server initially selects each player indicia to be used with the player card, and wherein the plurality of player indicia selected by the player replaces the server selected player indicia included within the selected pattern.