Skill-based gaming system incorporating over-hold storage and means for awarding the same to maintain a substantial equivalence between theoretical rtp and actual rtp

Abstract

A system and method for operating a skilled-based casino-style video game with an over-hold pool formed of a chance pool and skill pool. Both the chance pool and skill pool being funded by prizes/awards not awarded based on less-than optimal skilled play. Awards from the chance pool and skill pool serve to ensure that actual RTP converges with theoretical RTP as well as ensuring the minimum percentage requirements are met under recognized standards related to gaming devices in casinos.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A gaming machine comprising:
 at least a processor running executable instructions related to running a skill-based casino game;   a display;   a user interface;   memory in communication with said processor; and   wherein said processor: (i) monitors actual skilled play against optimal skilled play; (ii) maintains an over-hold pool related to less-than optimal skilled play; (iii) during subsequent plays of the skilled-based casino game, awards an amount of said over-hold pool based on randomness; (iv) during subsequent plays of the skilled-based casino game, awards an amount of said over-hold pool based on a level of monitored skilled play; and wherein said awards of amounts of said over-hold pool based on randomness and said awards of amounts of said over-hold pool based on a level of monitored skilled play cause a substantial equivalence between an actual return to player and a theoretical return to player.   
     
     
         2 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein said over-hold pool is formed of a chance pool and skill pool. 
     
     
         3 . The gaming machine of  claim 2  wherein said chance pool and said skill pool share equally in the over-hold pool due to less-than optimal skilled play. 
     
     
         4 . The gaming machine of  claim 2  wherein a random number generator determines award amounts from said chance pool and said skill pool. 
     
     
         5 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein said chance pool and said skill pool each include a trigger amount which must be reached for an award to be made from said chance pool and said skill pool. 
     
     
         6 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein said chance pool and said skill pool each include a threshold amount at which point an award must be made from said chance pool and said skill pool. 
     
     
         7 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein said chance pool and said skill pool each include a trigger amount which must be reached for an award to be made from said chance pool and said skill pool; a threshold amount at which point an award must be made from said chance pool and said skill pool; and a linear model under which amounts associated with said chance pool and said skill pool increment. 
     
     
         8 . A gaming machine comprising:
 at least a processor running executable instructions related to running a skill-based casino game;   a display;   a user interface;   memory in communication with said processor; and   wherein said processor: (i) creates an over-hold pool formed of a chance pool and skill pool related to less-than optimal skilled play; (ii) after a minimum chance pool threshold amount is reached and no later than a maximum chance pool threshold amount is reached, awards an amount of said over-hold pool based on randomness; (iii) after a minimum threshold amount and no later than a maximum threshold amount associated with said skill pool is reached, awards an amount of said over-hold pool based on a level of monitored skilled play; and wherein said awards of amounts of said over-hold pool based on randomness and said awards of amounts of said over-hold pool based on monitored skilled play cause a substantial equivalence between an actual return to player and a theoretical return to player.   
     
     
         9 . The gaming machine of  claim 8  wherein said chance pool and said skill pool share equally in the over-hold pool due to less-than optimal skilled play. 
     
     
         10 . The gaming machine of  claim 8  wherein a random number generator determines award amounts from said chance pool and said skill pool. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 utilizing a processor running executable instructions to run a skilled-based casino game on a gaming machine including a display, user interface, and memory in communication with said at least one processor; and   via said processor: (i) monitoring actual skilled play against optimal skilled play; (ii) maintaining an over-hold pool related to less-than optimal skilled play; (iii) during subsequent plays of the skilled-based casino game, awarding an amount of said over-hold pool based on randomness; (iv) during subsequent plays of the skilled-based casino game, awarding an amount of said over-hold pool based on a level of monitored skilled play; and causing a substantial equivalence between an actual return to player and a theoretical return to player based on said awards of amounts of said over-hold pool based on randomness and said awards of amounts of said over-hold pool based on a level of monitored skilled play.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising forming said over-hold pool of a chance pool and skill pool. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising forming said chance pool and said skill pool to share equally in the over-hold pool related to prizes not awarded due to less-than optimal skilled play. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising utilizing a random number generator to determine an award amount from said chance pool and said skill pool. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising including a trigger amount with said chance pool and skill pool which must be reached for an award to be made from said chance pool and said skill pool, respectively. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising including a threshold amount with said chance pool and skill pool at which point an award must be made from said chance pool and said skill pool, respectively. 
     
     
         17 . A method comprising:
 utilizing at least a processor running executable instructions related to running a skill-based casino game, a display, a user interface, memory in communication with said processor; and   via said processor: (i) creating an over-hold pool formed of a chance pool and skill pool related to less-than optimal skilled play; (ii) after a minimum chance pool threshold amount is reached and no later than a maximum chance pool threshold amount is reached, awarding an amount of said over-hold pool based on randomness; (iii) after a minimum threshold amount and no later than a maximum threshold amount associated with said skill pool is reached, awarding an amount of said over-hold pool based on a level of monitored skilled play; and wherein said awards of amounts of said over-hold pool based on randomness and said awards of amounts of said over-hold pool based on monitored skilled play cause a substantial equivalence between an actual return to player and a theoretical return to player.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising forming said chance pool and said skill pool to share equally in the over-hold pool due to less-than optimal skilled play. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising utilizing a random number generator to determine an award amount from said chance pool and said skill pool. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising basing awards under steps (ii) and (iii) on a random determination.