Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – In a chance application
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-30
2001-08-28
Martin-Wallace, Valencia (Department: 3713)
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
In a chance application
C463S017000, C283S117000, C283S901000, C283S903000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06280324
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method of operating a game of chance, to a ticket used in such method, and to a method of operating a computer to utilize the ticket and perform the game.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Lottery games are wide spread in many countries. A very common type of lottery game involves selecting a set of numbers at random. The numbers are marked on a computer readable ticket, with a computerized print-out then being provided at the lottery sales outlet, while the computer records each combination of numbers. The entries on each ticket sold at each sales outlet are transmitted to a cental computer and recorded there.
A random draw is then performed, commonly by selecting (with a special machine) ping pong balls from a collection of ping pong balls having numbers marked on them. The process of drawing or selecting the ping pong balls is not particularly exciting and has no symbiotic effect in aiding other fields of activity.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention in one aspect to provide a game of chance similar to a lottery in which entrants select a set of numbers at random, and then a set of numbers is drawn from a collection of numbers, so that the person who has chosen a set corresponding to the drawn set wins the lottery. However, in the method of the invention, the set of numbers selected by an entrant is based on the post positions and expected finishing positions of horses in a horse race, while the set of numbers corresponding to the set “drawn” in a conventional lottery is obtained from the post positions and actual finishing positions of the horses in the race. The method is arranged such that it is based entirely on luck, with no element of skill involved, so as to eliminate unfairness toward persons with little knowledge of horse racing.
Because the winning set of numbers is based on the finishing positions of horses in the race, it is far more exiting than watching ping pong balls being blown into a line of balls. In addition, the method has the effect of encouraging interest in a worthwhile activity, namely horse racing, which has existed for hundreds if not thousands of years.
In one aspect the invention provides a method of operating a game of chance for players, based on a horse race in which horses are assigned post positions 1 to X, said method comprising (a) providing a ticket having a first column containing a plurality of rows, one row for each horse number 1 to X; (b) each row containing a set of entry locations for finishing positions, one finishing position for each horse number 1 to X; (c) having a player mark in each row of said column one expected finishing position for a horse, a different finishing position for each row, thereby producing a player data set, all prior to assigning post positions to said horses; (d) entering each player data set in a central computer and providing each player with a receipt showing such player's data set; (e) after said horses have been assigned said post positions, entering said post positions in said central computer to provide a post position data set therein; (f) after the race is run, entering in said central computer an outcome data set comprising the actual finishing position of each horse matched to the post position number for such horse; (g) and comparing the outcome data set with each player data set to determine whether any player data sets correspond to said outcome data set.
In another aspect the invention provides a ticket for a game of chance, based on a horse race in which horses are assigned post position numbers, said ticket comprising a plurality of rows, one row for each post position number, each row containing a set of entries for finishing positions, one finishing position for each post position number:
In yet another aspect the invention provides a method of operating a computer system having a central computer and a sales outlet computer linked to central computer by a communication link, said method comprising: (a) entering in said sales outlet computer a player data set comprising one expected finishing position for each of a plurality of horses, a different finishing position for each horse, prior to assigning post positions to said horses; (b) transmitting said player data set from said sales outlet computer over said communication link to said central computer; (c) providing each player with a receipt showing such players data set; (d) after said horses have been assigned post positions, entering said post positions in said central computer to provide therein a post position data set; (e) after a horse race involving said horses has been run, entering in said central computer an outcome data set comprising the actual finishing position of each horse matched to the post position number for such horse; (f) and comparing said outcome data set with each player data set to determine whether any player data sets correspond to said outcome data set.
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Bereskin & Parr
Martin-Wallace Valencia
White Carmen D.
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