US20050253332A1

US20050253332A1 - Game of chance and method for playing thereof

Info

Publication number: US20050253332A1
Application number: US10/847,136
Authority: US
Inventors: Primo Bonici
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-05-17
Filing date: 2004-05-17
Publication date: 2005-11-17

Abstract

A game of chance comprising a matrix having a series of rows and columns; wherein each intersection thereof represents a possible event; wherein each row is depicted by a letter of the alphabet, and wherein each column is represented by a numerical value, each selected from a predetermined range.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a game of chance, and a method for playing thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a game of chance having the primary objective of entertainment on the part of the player while primarily financially benefiting the house, yet providing palatable odds from the perspective of the player sufficient to induce the player to make their Best Bet. In order to accomplish the foregoing objective, it is preferred that the game of chance include a matrix having a series of rows and columns; wherein each intersection thereof represents a possible event; wherein each row is depicted by a letter of the alphabet, and wherein each column is represented by a numerical value, each selected from a predetermined range.
Other objectives, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawing(s), in which like reference characters indicate like parts, are provided for illustration of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention in any manner whatsoever, wherein:
FIG. I depicts a top view of preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following descriptions of the preferred embodiments are presented to illustrate the present invention and are not to be construed to limit the claims in any manner whatsoever.
In reference to the drawings FIG. I, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed, which is directed to a game of chance I. The game of chance I includes a matrix having a series of rows and columns; wherein each intersection thereof represents a possible event; wherein each row is depicted by a letter of the alphabet, and wherein each column is represented by a numerical value, each selected from a predetermined range, providing a predetermined prize amount for a possible event.
In a preferred embodiment, said matrix represents a subset of 2,600 possible events (e.g., twenty-six (26) letters by one-hundred (I00) numbers). Moreover, the predetermined range of numbers of the columns is one-hundred; preferably the predetermined range of numbers of the columns is from one (I) to one-hundred (I00).
In a preferred embodiment of this game of chance, nine (9) columns are selected, wherein the first of the nine columns begins with number ninety-seven (97), and each subsequent column sequentially progresses up to one-hundred, whereafter the numbering restarts at the number one (I) and continues through the number five (5).
As such, said matrix includes a series of twenty-seven (27) rows, wherein each column of first and second rows, when viewed together, represent one possible event and the corresponding prize associated therewith, said row is selected from the group consisting of the letters A and Z. For example, the selection of the event A97 would yield a $25 prize to the player. Alternatively, the last row is selected from the group consisting of the letters Z and A. For example, if the first row is A the last would be Z, and vice versa.
The third row through the penultimate row begins with the letter B and sequentially progresses through the alphabet to the letter Y.
Furthermore, a center column is awarded the highest payout for the given row, wherein the first row is awarded the highest payout and each subsequent row is awarded a lesser amount than the first row, but equal to or less than the immediately preceding row. Moreover, the center column optionally includes the reference header A through Z for each row.
In order to assist one in the understanding of the operation of the present invention I, it would be advantageous to consider use in practice.
In the preferred embodiment, at least one conventional bingo-like apparatus may be used to draw the winning number(s), wherein the apparatus contains a set of balls, each ball having a unique indicia depicted thereon. For example, if one apparatus is used, then each ball would have both a letter and a number thereon. Another example, if two apparatus where used, one would be dedicated as the letter apparatus, and the second dedicated as the number apparatus. In both scenarios, it is the combination of the two (the letter indicia and number indicia) that are necessary to determine the winning event. Hence, in the former scenario only one ball would need be selected, and in the later scenario two balls, i.e., one from the letter and one from the number apparatus.
In all scenarios, ideally from the house's perspective, the winning combination would be selected only after all payable combinations set forth on the Best Bet card had bets placed thereon. However, this could lead to marketing issues as players would wander away waiting for all bets to be placed. Hence, pragmatically, the frequency of selecting the winning numbers could be set to a time interval. As such, any Best Bet combinations that happen to be selected as the winning combination that remained unchosen by a player would result in all bets placed by all players in the given game to go to the house. More specifically, by default, unchosen combinations by the player become chosen combinations by the house.
In another preferred embodiment, a roulette wheel may be used in lieu of the bingo-like apparatus; wherein the roulette wheel may contain one or more bowls having the events set forth thereon. For example, one ring on the roulette wheel may contain the letters, and the second ring may contain the numbers.
In still another preferred embodiment, a digital device may be used to draw the winning number(s). For example, a display may contain the two indicia, the winning letter and the winning number.
The present invention also includes a method of playing the game of chance. Particularly, a method of playing a game of chance comprising selecting a letter and a number combination from within a predetermined range defined by the game of chance by a player; placing monies on a selection having a prize associated therewith; and determining whether the combination drawn by the house matches the combination selected by the player; upon a match the player wins the prize amount set forth. For example, as illustrated in FIG. I, if a player placed a five dollar bet on the combination AI, the player would win four thousand dollars ($4,000); A2 one hundred dollars; BI four hundred dollars; D5 five dollars (and would hence break even of D5) and so on.
All of the above referenced patents; patent applications and publications are hereby incorporated by reference. Many variations of the present invention will suggest themselves to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above detailed description. All such obvious modifications are within the full-intended spirit and scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A game of chance comprising: a matrix having a series of rows and columns; wherein each intersection thereof represents a possible event; wherein each row is depicted by a letter of the alphabet, and wherein each column is represented by a numerical value, each selected from a predetermined range.

2. A game of chance as in claim I, wherein said matrix includes a series of twenty-seven (27) rows.

3. A game of chance as in claim I, wherein each column of first and second rows, when viewed together, represent one possible event and the corresponding prize associated therewith, wherein one of said rows is selected from the group consisting of the letters A and Z; and wherein the last row is selected from the group consisting of the letters Z and A.

4. A game of chance as in claim I, wherein the third row through the penultimate row begins with the letter B and sequentially progresses through the alphabet to the letter Y.

5. A game of chance as in claim I, wherein the predetermined range of numbers of the columns is one-hundred (I00).

6. A game of chance as in claim I, wherein the predetermined range of numbers of the columns is from one (I) to one-hundred (I00).

7. A game of chance as in claim I, wherein nine (9) columns are selected.

8. A game of chance as in claim 7, wherein the first of the nine (9) columns begins with number ninety-seven (97), and each subsequent column sequentially progresses up to one-hundred (I00), whereafter the numbering restarts at the number one (I) and continues through the number five (5).

9. A game of chance as in claim I, wherein a center column is awarded the highest payout for the given row.

10. A game of chance as in claim 9, wherein the first row is awarded the highest payout and each subsequent row is awarded a lesser amount than the first row, but equal to or less than the immediately preceding row.

11. A method of playing a game of chance comprising:

selecting a letter and a number combination from within a predetermined range defined by the game of chance by a player;

placing monies on said selection having a prize associated therewith; and

determining whether the combination drawn by the house matches the combination selected by the player; upon a match the player wins the prize amount set forth.