• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    A casino gambling game is played using beans or tokens. A winning outcome is determined by separating a group of beans into smaller groups of a defined number of beans and counting the remaining number of beans. A table laydown permits gambling at different odds of success based on different wagers on individual winning outcomes or combinations or series of winning outcomes.
    公开号:CA2285850A1
    申请号:C2285850
    申请日:1999-10-12
    公开日:2000-04-15
    发明作者:Henry Mah；Brian Lee；Andrew Mah；Dick Wong
    申请人:Henry Mah；Brian Lee；Andrew Mah；Dick Wong；
    IPC主号:A63F3-06
    专利说明:
    CANADIAN PATENTDocket No. 11920-004 ETY CASINO GAMBLING GAMECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONSThis application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/104,350 filed on October 15, 1998 as docket no. 11920-001 and entitled Casino Betting Game, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates to a casino table gambling game designed to be played in a formal regulated casino gaming environment. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Casino gambling games are very popular and include blackjack or twenty-one, baccarat and roulette amongst many other games. A popular betting game based upon counting of beans or tokens, sometimes referred to as fan tan, is often played casually but has not been played in a formal regulated casino environment. The basic object of fan tan is to predict the number of remaining beans from a group of beans after multiples of a defined integer is subtracted from the group. For example, if the defined integer is 4 and the group consists of 27 beans, the successful predicted outcome is 3. The possible outcomes are 1, 2, 3 or 4. Fan tan possesses many desirable aspects as a betting game but has not been played in a formal regulated casino environment. One limitation has been the lack of betting options which are attractive to casino gamblers and yet permit the house to receive a commission on the bets placed by the players. Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a method and apparatus for playing a formal casino game based on the basic object of fan tan as described above. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe gambling game of the present invention is an alternative type of table game I 0 which may be offered to casino players. The separation and counting of beans to determine the winning outcome is the main characteristic of the game which differentiates the present game from other casino table games, such as Blackjack, Craps or Roulette which utilize cards, dice and a wheel to determine the winning outcomes.The key element of the playing procedures for the present invention begins with defining the outcome multiple. The outcome multiple represents the separation procedure.Specifically, the beans are physically separated into smaller groups, and the outcome multiple determines how many beans are in each group. In the preferred embodiment, the outcome multiple is 4, however, the outcome multiple could range from 2 to 6 or conceivably higher.Therefore, defining the outcome multiple as 4, creates 4 possible winning outcomes. Based on a multiple of 4, a selected group of beans is separated in groups of four, and the winning outcome will be either 1, 2, 3 or 4 as determined by the number of beans remaining after separating all the beans into the maximum number of four bean groups.Therefore, in one aspect of the invention, the invention comprises a method of playing a game by one or more players betting against the house, comprising the steps of:(a) providing a plurality of beans;
    (b) choosing an outcome multiple (x) which is an integer such that potential outcomes comprise x, x-1, x-2 ... and 1;(c) allowing the players) to place a wager on any potential outcome being the winning outcome;(d) separating a random sample of beans (y) and determining a winning outcome which is one of the potential outcomes wherein the winning outcome is the number of beans remaining after groups of x beans are removed from the sample until only x or fewer beans remain; and (e) paying the players who wagered on the winning outcome and collecting the wagers of players who wagered on other outcomes.In the preferred embodiment, x equals 4 and there are additional wagering options available to the players) comprising wagers which have numerical odds of winning of 1 in 3 and 1 in 2. Higher risk, higher payout wagering options may also be provided such as wages on the winning outcomes of a consecutive series of games. Preferably, the amount of each wager is in an amount which includes a commission payable to the house which is kept by the house regardless of whether the player wins or loses. Alternatively, the payout odds may be varied from the numerical odds of success to provide a house advantage. In another aspect of the invention, the invention comprises an apparatus for playing a casino game comprising the methods disclosed herein, said apparatus comprising a table laydown comprising 3 concentric shapes wherein:(a) an outer shape represents a betting area where the numerical odds of success are 1 in 2 and payout odds are 1 to 1;
    (b) an intermediate shape represents a betting area where the numerical odds of success are 1 in 3 and the payout odds are 2 to 1;(c) an inner shape represents a betting area where the numerical odds of success are 1 in 4 and payout odds are 3 to 1; and wherein the laydown is divided radially into sectors associated with each potential outcome such that a player may wager on any potential outcome at one of the payout odds desired. The shapes are preferably squares. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe following are drawings which illustrate preferred table laydowns of the present invention:Figure 1 is an illustration of the main table laydown of a preferred embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides for a gaming method to be played in a formal regulated casino environment. When describing the present invention, the following terms have the following meanings, unless indicated otherwise. All terms not defined herein have their common art-recognized meanings.A. Definitions The term "game" refers to a single round of play which results in a winning outcome.
    The term "house" refers to the casino organisation which hosts the playing of the game.The term "laydown" refers to the layout or configuration of the playing surface used to play the game and make wagers. The construction of laydowns is well-known to those skilled in the art.B. Description The following elements are desirable to play the preferred game of the present invention:(a) a large number of beans, total number of beans required is in the range of 2000 and are held in the pot when not used in an individual game;(b) a pot or container to hold the total number of beans;(c) a laydown which is preferably attached to a gaming table top;(e) an apparatus used to separate the beans into the outcome multiple, referred to herein as a counting stick;(f) an apparatus used to conceal the selected group of beans before separation and counting, referred to herein as a umbrella;(g) an apparatus used to signify the winning outcome by being placed on a designated area on the table laydown for each winning outcome, referred to herein as a lammer;
    (h) a designated person who is responsible for selecting, separating and counting a group of beans and who conducts and controls the operation of the game, referred to herein as a dealer;(i) a designated persons) who is responsible for paying winning wagers and retrieving losing wagers after a winning outcome is determined, referred to herein as a chipper;(j) persons who place wagers on the predicted winning outcome of a game, referred to herein as players;(k) an apparatus used to signify the first, second, third or fourth occurrence of a specific winning outcome in a consecutive series bet/sequential outcome bet, referred to herein as a marker.Each individual game begins by the dealer selecting a group of beans from the pot. The physical selection is conducted by the dealer by extracting a handful of beans ("group") from the pot by hand. The dealer places the group down in a designated area near the table laydown and covers or partially covers the group with the umbrella. The dealer then directs the players to place their wagers. Once wagering is completed, the dealer removes the umbrella and proceeds to separate the group into multiples of 4 using the counting stick. Optionally, there may be a specified number of disqualified or burnt beans identified as the initial step in the separation process. Three alternative procedures may be used to specify the number of burnt beans:( 1 ) The winning outcome from the previously completed game;(2) A fixed number of burnt beans ranging from 1 to 4; or (3) The specified number of burnt beans is zero.
    The specified number of burnt beans is separated from the group of beans by the dealer using the counting stick. The burnt beans are physically separated from the main group and are not counted. The dealer then proceeds to separate and count the remaining beans in the group using the outcome multiple. The removal of burnt beans increases the randomness of the winning outcome.The determination of the winning outcome is as follows:( 1 ) if the group of beans can be separated evenly into multiples of 4, the winning outcome is 4;(2) if the group of beans cannot be separated evenly into multiples of 4 and there is 1 additional bean not included in any multiple of 4 beans, the winning outcome is 1;1 S (3) if the group of beans cannot be separated evenly into multiples of 4 and there are 2 additional beans not included in any multiple of 4 beans, the winning outcome is 2;(4) if the group of beans cannot be separated evenly into multiples of 4 and there are 3 additional beans not included in any multiple of 4 beans, the winning outcome is 3.Preferably, to maximize the randomness of the winning outcome, the total count of a group of beans in a single game should exceed 24, not counting the burnt beans. If the total count of beans is less than 24, that particular game may be considered null and void. The beans are returned to the pot and a new group of beans is selected to begin a new game. Additionally, if a single bean is damaged in any manner whatsoever, it is removed from the selected group and not replaced. If the removal of a damaged beans) results in the total count of beans falling below the minimum of 24, the game is considered null and void. The minimum bean count may range from 12 to 48.Once a conclusive winning outcome is determined, the dealer verbally communicates the winning number to the players and places the lammer on the winning outcome on the table laydown. The chippers) then proceeds to retrieve all losing wagers and pay all winning wagers.By way of an example, the types of wagers that may be placed on the table laydown are shown in Figure l and their associated payouts are shown in Table 1. The table laydown shown in Figure I uses an outcome multiple of 4, therefore, the potential winning outcomes are as described above: 1, 2, 3 or 4.The table game laydown ( 10) is affixed to the top surface of a table. The preferred geometric design of the table laydown is as shown in Figure 1. There are 4 separate squares of decreasing dimensions arranged such that the squares are positioned inside each other, concentrically. The dimensions of the squares provided herein are examples only and are not intended to be limiting of the invention.The squares are divided into four sectors each of which is associated with a single winning outcome. In the example illustrated, the squares are divided into 4 triangular sectors by lines which diagonally cross the squares. Of course, the squares may be circles or other polygons or the sectors may be quadrants. The specific shapes used in the illustrated example are not intended to be limiting of the invention as claimed.It is preferred that each square represent bets of increasing risk from the outer square (12) inward. Therefore, the outermost square will be referred to as the single or even square (12).The next square will be referred to as the double square (20) while the next square will be referred to as the triple square (30). A bet in the even square will carry even odds; a bet in the _g_ double square will carry odds of 2 to 1; and a bet in the triple square will carry odds of 3 to 1 against the player. The dimensions of the even square (12) are 22 inches in length and width. The dimensions of this square can range from 11 inches to 44 inches. The "even bet" square contains designated wagering locations for center ( 14) and corner bets ( 16) which are described in Table 1. The distance between the borders of the even bet square ( 12) and the double bet square (20) in Figure 1 is 3.5 inches and can range from 2 inches to 5 inches. Center ( 14) and corner ( 16) bets have numerical odds of 1 in 2 of winning. In a center bet, one outcome is a winning outcome, one outcome is a losing outcome while the other two are push outcomes. For example, a bet in ' the area marked "EVEN" and "1" is a center bet where 1 is the winning outcome, 3 is the losing outcome and 2 and 4 are push outcomes. In a corner bet, there are two winning outcomes and two losing outcomes. For example, a bet placed in the corner area (16a) straddling the "1" and "4" sectors is a corner bet where 1 and 4 are winning outcomes and 2 and 3 are losing outcomes.The "double" square (20) is contained within the even bet square (12). The dimensions of the double square are 15 inches in length and width. The dimensions of this square can range from 7.5 inches to 30 inches. The distance between the borders of the double and the triples squares in Figure 1 is 3 inches and can range from 1.5 inches to 4.5 inches. As illustrated in Figure 1, the word "DOUBLE" is clearly marked on each side of the double square. In a two outcome combination in the double square (20), the bet would be placed on a portion of the laydown which is identifiable as designating one outcome as the primary outcome and a second outcome as a push outcome. For example, in Figure l, a wager placed in area 22a would designate 1 as the primary outcome and 2 as the push outcome. A wager placed in area 22b would designate 1 as the primary outcome and 4 as the push outcome. There is no way to play 1 and 3 or 2 and 4 as two outcome combination bets in the double square as illustrated in Figure 1.The "triple" square (30) is contained within the double square (20). The dimension of the triple square is 9 inches in length and width. The dimensions of this square can range from 4.5 inches to 18 inches. The distance between the borders of the double square and the smallest squares in Figure 1 is 3 inches and can range from 1.5 inches to 4.5 inches. As illustrated in Figure 1, the word "triple" is clearly marked on each side of the triple square. A bet in the triple square has one winning outcome and three losing outcomes. For example a bet placed in the triple square in the "I" sector is a triple bet where 1 is a winning outcome and 2, 3 and 4 are losing outcomes.The small, innermost square (40) is a 3 inch square as illustrated in Figure 1 and merely marks the centre of the laydown. It has no role in the playing of the game. The marking of the possible outcome (I, 2, 3 and 4) are marked just outside the small square (40).The laydown (10) is therefore arranged such that a player may bet on a the winning outcome in a variety of different wagers having different levels of risk and therefore different levels of payout in the event the player wins.ISOptionally, another form of wager may be provided in the form of an even or odd wager.In this case, a player would bet on the winning outcome being either an even number or an odd number. The odds of success would be 1 in 2, the betting odds are 1 to I as is shown in Table I.In a preferred embodiment of the game, a high risk, large payout bet may be available to players in the form of a sequential outcome bet on the winning outcome of consecutive games.For example, a bet referred to herein as a Big 3 (or 2 or 4) bet may be placed where the player wagers that a potential outcome will be the winning outcome twice, three times or four times in a row. The numerical odds of the same potential outcome winning twice in a row is I in 16; three times in a row is I in 64; and four times in a row is 1 in 256. As a further example, a bet referred to herein as a Run bet may be placed where a player wagers that the winning outcome in any four consecutive games will be 1, 2, 3 and 4 or in reverse order. The odds of either of those series of winning outcomes is I in 256. Of course, players may be allowed to wager on runs of 2 or 3 numbers as well. Suitable payout odds may be provided to winning wagers in any of these alternatives which would be attractive to gamblers but retain a statistical advantage in favour of the house.Table laydowns to play these optional or alternative wagers may be easily devised by one skilled in the art. These laydowns may designate the betting area for each of the potential outcomes and the progress of the sequence or series which has been bet upon.Essential to any game played in a formal casino environment is a commission or advantage to the house. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the commission is built into the amount of the wager permitted by the house. Table 1 illustrates the numeric odds against the players and compares the amount of a wager to the possible payout in the event the player wins. Wager TypeDescription Numeric Payout Commission Odds Odds TripleWager is placed for a3 to 1 300 to 105 5% Bet single winning outcome. $105 wager receives a $300 payout DoubleWager is placed on a two-number2 to 1 200 to 105 5% Bet combination. For example, $105 wager if a 3-4 double bet is placed, receives a 3 represents the winning $200 payout outcome prediction, and 4 represents a neutral outcome ("push") such that the player neither wins nor loses. I and 2 represents the losing outcomes. If a 3-2 double bet is placed, 3 again represents 3$ the winning outcome prediction, and 2 represents the push outcome. 1 and 4 represent the losing outcomes. CenterWager is placed on a three-number1 to 1 100 to 105 5% Bet combination. For example, $105 wager if a center 3 betis placed,the receives playera is wagering on a 3-2-4, $100 payout three number combination. 3 represents the winning outcome prediction. 2 and 4 represent the push outcomes and I represents the losing outcome. Similarly, for a center $ 4 bet, 4 represents the winning outcome.1 and 3 represent the push outcomes and 2 represents the losing outcome. I 0 Odd/Even Bet Wager is placed on whether 1 to 1 100 to 105 5%The winning outcome is an odd $105 wager number or an even number. receives a $100 payout I$Corner Bet Wager is placed on a two-number 100 to 105 5%1 to 1 combination. For example, if a$105 wager corner bet is placed, either 2receives a or 3 represents a winning outcome. 1 $100 payout or 4 20 represents a losing outcome. Similarly, for a 1-4 corner bet, either I or 4 represents a winning outcome and either 2 or 3 represents a losing outcome. 25 There are no push outcomes on a corner bet. Big 3 Bet A wager is placed on the occurrence50 to 1 21.8%of 64 to I of the same winning outcome being $1 wager realized in three consecutive games.receives a 30 For example, a player will wager $50 payout that a winning outcome of 1 will occur three times in a row. Run Bet A wager is placed one the occurrence200 to 1 21.8%of a 256 to 1 35 Consecutive series of winning outcomes$1 wager Being 1,2,3,4 or 4,3,2,1. Receives a $200 payout 40 Once all winning wagers are paid by the chippers) and the players have removed them from the table laydown, the dealer returns the group of beans to the pot. A new game commences by the dealer selecting a new group of beans.Wining bets are subject to commission on the payout only. In a player's original wager, 45 there is on commission amount including upfront. The commission percentage is taken only on a winning payout (i.e., $1 OS original bet pays $100 on a 1 to 1 center bet). This represents a 5%commission on winning corner bets.An example of wagering schedule with associated payouts is as follows: Wager Odds 1 to 1 2 to 1 3 to Payouts WagerCenter Double Triple And Amount Corner Bet Bet Bet $ 10.50 $ 10.00 $ 20.00 $ 30.00 $ 21.00 $ 20.00 $ 40.00 $ 60.00 $ 31.50 $ 30.00 $ 60.00 $ 90.00 $ 42.00$ 40.00 $ 80.00 $ 120.00 $ 52.50 $ 50.00 $ 100.00 $ 150.00 $ 63.00 $ 60.00 $ 120.00 $ 180.00 $ 73.50 $ 70.00 $ 140.00 $ 210.00 $ 84.00 $ 80.00 $ 160.00 $ 240.00 $ 94.50 $ 90.00 $ 180.00 $ 270.00 Commission 5% 5% 5% In the preferred embodiment, the wagering amounts for the game are pre-determined in betting multiples of $10.50, as is shown in Table 2. This pre-determination sets the commission rate on all winning bets at 5% except the Big 3. The commission rate can be adjusted to a different percentage by altering the betting multiple. For example, if the betting multiple is changed to $11.00, the commission rate is 10% as shown in the following schedule. Wager Odds 1 to 1 2 to 1 3 to 1 Center And Double Triple Wager Corner Bet Bet Bet Amount Payout Payout Payout $11.00 $ 10.00 $ 20.00 $ 30.00 $22.00 $ 20.00 $ 40.00 $ 60.00 $ 33.00 $ 30.00 $ 60.00 $ 90.00 $ 44.00 $ 40.00 $ 80.00 $ 120.00 $ 55.00 $ 50.00 $ 100.00 $ 150.00 $66.00 $ 60.00 $ 120.00 $ 180.00 $ 77.00 $ 70.00 $ 140.00 $ 210.00 $ 88.00 $ 80.00 $ 160.00 $ 240.00 $ 99.50 $ 90.00 $ 180.00 $ 270.00 Commission10%10% 10% It is preferable to permit betting only in multiples of pre-determined amount or a "betting multiple". If a player places a wager amount which differs from a betting multiple, the chipper will confirm with the player which betting multiple amount is desired and will then subsequently change the wager amount to correspond to the desired betting multiple. The dollar differential from the original wager is then returned to the player. Players cannot wager an amount which does not correspond to a betting multiple. The purpose of utilizing a betting multiple is to increase the speed and ease of play. The paying of winning wagers is significantly expedited because payout amounts are fixed in multiples of $10.00, $20.00 or $30.00 depending on the wager odds. The fixed payout amounts is a preferred feature which increases the speed and ease of play which makes the present invention more adaptable to a formal casino environment.The objects necessary to play the game are not claimed features of the invention, except for the table laydown. The beans may be any small object, however, there are preferably certain distinguishing characteristics. One side of the bean should be flat so that the bean cannot roll around which may facilitate separation and counting. The size of the bean should be large enough that the bean can be easily counted and manipulated but not so large as to prevent an adequate number of beans from being scooped up to start a game. The composition of the bean may be of any durable material such as plastic, steel, aluminum, glass, marble or wood.The pot holds the reservoir of beans and must be adequate in size to hold approximately 200 to 1000 beans. The diameter of the top opening must be large enough to accommodate the dealer's hand. Another distinguishing characteristic of the pot is that the composing material should be opaque in order to conceal the beans from the players prior to commencement of a game.The umbrella covers the beans prior to separation and counting, must be sufficient in size to cover a handful of beans. The distinguishing characteristic of the umbrella is that the composing material must be opaque in order to conceal the numbers of beans from the players prior to separation and counting.As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, various modifications, adaptations and variations of the foregoing specific disclosure can be made without departing from the scope of the invention claimed herein.
    权利要求:
    Claims (10)
    [1] 1. A method of playing a game by one or more players betting against the house, comprising the steps of:(a) providing a plurality of beans;(b) choosing an outcome multiple (x) which is an integer such that potential outcomes comprise x, x-1, x-2 ... and 1;(c) allowing the player(s) to place a wager on any potential outcome being the winning outcome;(d) separating a random sample of beans (y) and determining a winning outcome which is one of the potential outcomes wherein the winning outcome is the number of beans remaining after groups of x beans are removed from the sample until only x or fewer beans remain; and (e) paying the players who wagered on the winning outcome and collecting the wagers of players who wagered on other outcomes.
    [2] 2. The method of claim 1 wherein x equals 4 and there are additional wagering options available to the player(s) comprising a wager which has numerical odds of winning of 1 in 3.
    [3] 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the additional wagering options comprises a wager that one potential outcome is a winning outcome and another potential outcome is a push outcome.
    [4] 4. The method of claim 2 wherein there are additional wagering options available to the player(s) comprising a wager which has numerical odds of winning of 1 in 2.
    [5] 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the additional 1 in 2 wager comprises:(a) a wager on one potential outcome as a winning outcome and on two other potential outcomes as push outcomes; and/or (b) a wager on two potential outcomes as winning outcomes; and/or (c) a wager that the winning outcome is either an odd number or an even number.
    [6] 6. The method of claim 1 comprising an additional wagering option wherein a player may wager on the winning outcomes of a consecutive series of games.
    [7] 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of each wager is in an amount which includes a commission payable to the house which is kept by the house regardless of whether the player wins or loses.
    [8] 8. An apparatus for playing a casino game comprising the method of claim 4, said apparatus comprising a table laydown comprising 3 concentric shapes wherein:(a) an outer shape represents a betting area where the numerical odds of success are 1 in 2 and payout odds are 1 to 1;(b) an intermediate shape represents a betting area where the numerical odds of success are 1 in 3 and the payout odds are 2 to 1;(c) an inner shape represents a betting area where the numerical odds of success are 1 in 4 and payout odds are 3 to 1; and wherein the laydown is divided radially into sectors associated with each potential outcome such that a player may wager on any potential outcome at one of the payout odds desired.
    [9] 9. The table laydown of claim 6 wherein the shapes are squares.
    [10] 10. The table laydown of claim 7 which is substantially as illustrated in Figure 1.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    法律状态:
    2002-10-15| FZDE| Dead|
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US10435098P| true| 1998-10-15|1998-10-15||
    US60/104,350||1998-10-15||
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