WO2001084515A2

WO2001084515A2 - Gaming method and apparatus for calculating an auxiliary prize

Info

Publication number: WO2001084515A2
Application number: PCT/CA2001/000605
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gérald DUHAMEL
Original assignee: Labtronix Concept Inc.
Priority date: 2000-05-03
Filing date: 2001-05-03
Publication date: 2001-11-08
Also published as: WO2001084515A3; AU2001256028A1

Abstract

A method of using side bets along with a casino-type game. The method consists of receiving a contribution by the gamer to participate in a side bet game. Afterwards, the player plays the game as usual, including placing a bet to participate in the game, playing the game to its final outcome, and being awarded a prize in accordance of the final outcome yielded in the game. Furthermore, the play of the side bet consists of monitoring the winnings of the gamer occurring in the regular game during a series of plays, and to evaluate these winnings in regards to predetermined criteria. If a gamer succeeds in matching a predetermined criterion, they are awarded a side bet prize. Accordingly the difficulty of matching the criteria is in relation to the value of the side bet prize.

Description

GAME APPARATUS AND METHOD INCLUDING EVALUATING AND REWARDING A WINNING STREAK WITHIN A SIDE BET ENVIRONMENT

FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to a method of calculating an auxiliary prize to be paid during the play of a principal casino-type game. Furthermore, the present method is particularly used in electronic gaming devices for gambling games.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The object of all casino games by their nature is to furnish excitement in addition to an interesting expectation for the gamers. Furthermore, it is also to furnish interesting profits to casinos. To do this, the games must be easy to understand, easy to play and fun for the gamers. The kind of games played in casinos, are the kind wherein the strategy of gamers, therefore their know-how, influences the outcomes of the games. Typical examples of these kinds of games are Blackjack and Poker. Depending on the strategy of the gamer and his playing experience, the payoff a gamer will be able to achieve will differ from one gamer to another. To increase the interest of gamers in these kinds of games, side bet wagering methods have been developed.

The particular advantage of a side bet wagering method is meant to be optional. This way, gamers can choose to place a side bet or not depending if the criteria for winning a side bet prize appeals to them. From a casino's point of view, the side bet being optional is also desirable. The risks associated with a table or an electronic gaming device presenting a side bet are very limited. If the side bet wagering method used does not please the gamers, the game reverts to its original denotation.

A first type of side bet wagering method consists of awarding side bet prizes regarding criteria totally independent from the gamers, such as with the Blackjack game; a side bet in regard to Over/Under 13 (consisting of placing a side bet in favor of obtaining with the first two (2) card dealt a count either higher or lower than 13), Super 7s (consisting of obtaining a card count of 21 composed of three sevens) or using the METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A WAGERING GAME of Boylan et al. (a.k.a. Royal Match), U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,107. As described above, these methods do not offer to gamers any control over their side bet. They are dependent only on the cards dealt. A second type of side bet wagering method consists of placing a side bet to participate in a jackpot game, such as the AUXILIARY GAME WITH RANDOM PRIZE GENERATION of Huard et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,800 and the METHODS OF PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT GAMING of Jones et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,726 wherein the criteria relate to gamers: having a particular card, having a series of cards, being at a particular table, etc. These criteria can be used alone or in combination to award side bet prizes. However, these methods do not keep the interest of gamers over numerous plays.

A third type of side bet wagering method consists of betting on the occurrence of an event in regard to the present play with the gamer having an influence on the occurrence of this event. With this side bet wagering method, the expected outcome in the regular game can influence the results regarding the side bet, and the expectations regarding the side bet both can influence the results in the regular game. The consequence is a possible modification of the best strategy of playing the regular game. A perfect example of this is the METHOD OF PLAYING A CASINO BLACKJACK SIDE WAGER of Vancura, U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,917. The method of Vancura consists to placing a side bet on the number of hits (i.e. the number of additional cards dealt) the gamers and/or the dealer will take in the present play without busting. With this method, gamers can win much more substantial prizes regarding the side bet than those possible in a standard Blackjack game (that being about 72 to 1). Hence, as shown above, the expectations of winnings of the side bet game influence the regular game. Therefore, gamers may decide to win less in the regular game to hopefully win more in the side bet game. Furthermore, this method can only be applied to Blackjack games. This method is in no way adaptable to any other games such as slot machine games or poker games.

A fourth type of side bet wagering method consists of placing a side bet regarding a result concerning a series of consecutive plays in a game. Like the last method above, this side bet wagering method can influence, thus modify the strategy of playing the game. Another common characteristic of these two types of side bet wagering methods is to offer to gamers much more substantial prizes than those possible in standard games, and especially with a standard Blackjack game wherein, typically, the most sizable prize being 2,5 times the bet for a card count of twenty-one with the two initial cards dealt. A point example of this kind of method is the ELECTRONIC GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MULTIPLE PLAY WAGERING of Ornstein, U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,885, wherein gamers place a side bet on an anticipated number of consecutive wins in a Blackjack game. For gamers who achieve the number of consecutive wins they betted on, a prize corresponding to this number of consecutive wins is awarded to them. Gamers loosing a draw before achieving the number of consecutive wins expected loose their side bet also. However, this method is difficult to apply with other games without losing the interest in the side bet game. Therefore, the principal object of all the side bet wagering methods presented before are the same: to increase the interest of gamers with the possibility of valuable winnings and that of a very limited risk for the casinos. Another objective is to maintain this interest on numerous games. Moreso, game designers want to achieve a side bet wagering method while operating either with a live casino tables or electronic gaming devices, therefore with the distribution of cards coming from either real card decks or with a random selection of virtual cards.

Gamers are always interested in new side bets offering new opportunities and new prizes, therefore creating larger interest. Furthermore, gamers want to have a sense of control over the side bet prize. Instant wins are interesting to gamers. However, even Moreso with gamers addicted to strategy games, a control over the side bet wins is important.

Therefore, there is a need created for a new side bet wagering method. This method is applied in regards to a series of plays in a game already known by the gamers that is exciting, easy to play, difficult to beat by card-counting, all that without imposing a strategy to gamers. This side bet wagering method does not change the rules of the game nor have a negative influence on it. Furthermore, this method is robust in terms of adaptability to different games.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide a side bet wagering method associated with conventional casino games played at live casino tables or on electronic gaming devices.

Another objective is to offer a method that does not change the rules of the games, nor as suggesting new strategies to plays.

Another objective is to offer a method that is robust, therefore that can be adapted to multiple games without greatly changing the rules of the side bet method. Furthermore, the method will offer the same interest and the same stability in whatever the games being played.

This side bet wagering method consists of: 1) placing a fixed side bet in form of credits, money, tokens, chips, or any wagering medium used by a casino, and to place this side bet before each play of the game, 2) playing numerous plays in the game, 3) being awarded regular prizes in the game regarding the outcome, 4) simultaneously, monitoring the outcome of the regular games over a predetermined number of consecutive plays, and 5) awarding a side bet prize depending if the sum of the outcomes monitored in the regular game together succeed in matching or overshooting a predetermined criterion.

A particular advantage in the use of this side bet wagering method is that it does not change the rules of the game played in a casino. All the rules, all the elements influencing the strategy of the gamers including the pay table of the game, remain the same. Furthermore, this side bet wagering method can be played in association with numerous casino games, such as Blackjack, Poker, roulette, craps, etc. the application of the method does not depend on the game itself; it depends on the outcome expectations of gamers over numerous consecutive plays in the game. Gamers have a tendency to think that a series of bad outcomes must be followed by good ones. This method relies on this belief. Therefore, this method can be used with many different games with very few modifications.

A first embodiment of this side bet wagering method consists of applying this method in regard to the outcome of a Blackjack game on an electronic gaming device. The number of consecutive plays monitored in this embodiment is fixed and predetermined. Moreover, depending of a global result in regard to the outcome over these consecutive plays, a different side bet prize is awarded.

Another embodiment is an application on another electronic gaming device offering a Poker game. In this embodiment, gamers choose themselves the number of consecutive plays and/or the expected result in regard to the outcome to be awarded a side bet prize. In this embodiment, depending if gamers succeed or not to obtain their predetermined results previously of the series of plays, they win or loose their side bet. If a gamer succeeds, the gamer is awarded regardless if the result achieved within a lower number of plays. However, even if the gamer achieves within a much less number of plays, the value of the winnings are not modified.

A third embodiment consists of applying the method to a live roulette game at a casino table where gamers place a sole side bet in respect to a fixed amount of bets over the number of roulette spins they decide. Depending on the prizes awarded over the predefined amount of bets; an additional side bet prize can be awarded to gamers.

The side bet wagering method of the present invention can be used concurrently with any other side bet wagering method such as, the JACKPOT SIDE BET WAGERING METHOD of Huard et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,800), or the BLACKJACK SIDE BET WAGERING METHOD of Vancura (U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,917) without being obstructive to the existing method. For example, a casino table offering a Blackjack game can concurrently offer in combination the side bet wagering method of the present invention and the JACKPOT SIDE BET WAGERING METHOD of Huard et al., therefore gamers place a sole side bet used for both methods. It allows gamers the chance to win with both methods without having to bother placing two side bets, moreover without loosing the essentials of each of the two side bet wagering methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following descriptions and accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a front elevation view of a schematic representing an electronic gaming device;

Figure 2 is a playing screen of the electronic gaming device in figure 1 wherein the side bet wagering method is used along with a Blackjack game; Figure 3 is a block diagram of playing a Blackjack game with a side bet such as seen on the playing screen in figure 2;

Figure 4 presents a flow chart illustrating the steps of playing a Blackjack game with a side bet such as on the playing screen in figure 2;

Figure 5 is the playing screen of the electronic gaming device in figure 1 wherein the side bet wagering method is used along with a Poker game;

Figure 6 present a flow chart representing the steps of playing a Poker game with a side bet such as that on the playing screen in figure 5;

Figure 7 is a table for playing a roulette game in a casino with all the features needed for a side bet; and Figure 8 is a flow chart representing the steps of playing a roulette game with a side bet on the roulette table in figure 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DIFFERENT EMBODIMENTS

The first embodiment constructed following the side bet wagering method of the present invention is an electronic gaming device 2, illustrated in figure 1 , on which a Blackjack game is played. The electronic gaming device 2 is comprised of standard features like a playing screen 4, controls 6 such as push buttons for playing the game, credit receiver 8 such as a slot, a bill validator or a card reader, a prize awarding means 10 such as a prize ticket printer, and possibly other features not represented on this drawing.

The Blackjack game played on the electronic gaming device and does not differ from any standard Blackjack game. The rules of the game are identical. The only particularity of this Blackjack game is the fact that the game is played on an electronic gaming device. The card deck used to distribute the cards is initialized at each play. Therefore, because the cards distributed in the previous play are always from the equivalent of a new card deck, it is impossible for gamer to count the cards over numerous plays. The play of the Blackjack game is possible using the medium of the electronic gaming device screen. The playing screen illustrated in figure 2 displays the information related to the gamers credits, the Blackjack play, and the side bet played. With this embodiment, there are characteristics and criteria for the play of the side bet. First, a predetermined amount, corresponding to the basic credit value that gamers must place before each play in the Blackjack game, is the fixed bet value of the side bet. Second, the criteria to award side bet prizes are evaluated over a fixed number of consecutive plays in the Blackjack game. Third, before a play, when no new side bets are placed by the gamer, the history of the previous plays taking part of the side bet criteria are erased. Fourth, the outcome of the different plays in the Blackjack game are monitored regardless of the amount bet on the game, i.e. the outcome monitored has the same value regardless of if the number of credits bet by the gamer for that particular play. Fifth, when all the number of predetermined plays are played to their final outcome, both counters monitoring the plays are reinitialized. And sixth, a multi- step pay table is used with this application of the side bet wagering method, i.e. different side bet prizes are awarded in function of the sum of outcomes obtained, with prizes of greater value awarded for outcomes of greater sums. For example, Table 1 , as shown below and on the screen play, consists of the side bet pay table 12 including the Win value criteria 14 and the side bet Prize 16 associated to the Blackjack game over the outcome monitoring of ten (10) consecutive plays 18.

Table 1 : Table of Prizes regarding Win value evaluated on ten (10) plays for a

Blackjack game

Furthermore, regarding the side bet, the screen shows the number of consecutive plays 20 previously played and actually monitored and the Win value 22 displaying the sum of the outcome values monitored taking part in the actual side bet sequence of plays. It permits gamers to follow the evolution of the winnings in regard to their side bet and to make a better decision about either continuing to place credits in the side bet or not in consequence to all the information they are given. Additionally, the amount of the side bet 24 is also displayed on the screen of the electronic gaming device.

When a play begins without a side bet, the Win value 22 and the number of consecutive plays 20 return to zero. Then, when wins are yielded in the game, the outcomes gathered in the Win value 22 are always considered in the same manner: the basic value of the prize whatever the value of the bet (as if the bet was for one single credit value). For example, a gamer bets 4 credits and obtains a natural jackpot, i.e. a card sum of twenty-one with the first two cards. The gamer receives a prize in the Blackjack game of 10 credits (two and a half (2¹/2) times their bet of four (4) credits) and the side bet display is increased by one (1) play for the number of consecutive plays 20 and by two and a half (2¹/2) credits for the win value 22 such as if the bet placed in the Blackjack game was one (1) credit.

When the number of consecutive plays 20 reaches the predetermined number of ten (10) plays, the Win value 22 is evaluated. Depending if the Win value reaches its criterion, a prize is awarded in function of this criterion or not. A typical example consists to a series of plays allowing the Win value 22 to reach fifteen (15) credits after all ten (10) consecutive plays have been played. In accordance with the information of the pay table 12, the side bet prize awarded is sixty credits.

The block diagram, figure 3, illustrates the different systems being part of playing on the present electronic gaming device. In the electronic gaming device, a credit controller 26 such as a token recognition system or a card reader, receives and manages the credits inserted by a gamer in the electronic gaming device, and used afterward to place bets. The value corresponding to the inserted credits is kept in memory by the bank controller 28 wherein the value of one credit is withdrawn each time a bet or side bet corresponding to one credit is placed on the game with the bet controls 30 and the side bet controls 32. Tentative to the presence in a side bet, the side bet controller 36 stays ready to update its counters regarding the Win value and the number of consecutive plays. If there is no side bet placed, both variables (Win value and number of consecutive plays) return to zero (0). When a minimum of one bet is placed on the Blackjack game, the game controller 34 allows the actual gamer to play a play to its final outcome. Afterwards, the outcome is evaluated and paid in regard to the Blackjack game, regardless of the side bet. However, the value of the prize paid is evaluated in regards to the bet placed on the regular Blackjack game and the corresponding pay table 38. Then, the game controller 34 sends information to the side bet controller 36 pertaining to the outcome for a possible update of its counters. When the counter associated with the number of consecutive plays reaches ten (10), the side bet controller 36 evaluates if the Win value matches a criterion of the side bet pay table 40. In the affirmative, a side bet prize is awarded. The values of both prizes are displayed by the prize awarding controller 42 on the screen and added by the bank controller 28 to the bank of credits of the gamer. Before leaving the electronic gaming device, the gamer informs the electronic gaming device to transfer all the credits still managed by the bank controller 28 to the credit paying system 44. The credit paying system 44 thereafter pays the credits in the same manner as they were received.

The flow chart of figure 4 illustrates the steps of playing a play of a Blackjack game on the electronic gaming device. First, a gamer inserts credits 46 in the electronic gaming device. The value of these credits is kept in the memory bank 48 of the electronic gaming device. Then, the gamer places his bets 62 and 50 consisting of a minimum of one (1) credit on the regular Blackjack game and an optional side bet 50 corresponding to a fixed and predetermined value. If their is no side bet 52 present at the beginning of the play, the counters corresponding to the Win value and the number of consecutive plays are reinitialized 54, therefore returned to zero (0). Afterwards, these counters stay unchanged until a side bet is placed at the beginning of a following play.

When all the bets 62 and 50 the gamer wants to place are correctly distributed, the play of the Blackjack game begins and is played 64 to its final outcome. At the end of the play, a Blackjack prize is determined 66 in regard to the final outcome and the corresponding pay table. Depending if a side bet was placed 52 at the beginning of the play, the side bet counters (the counter of the Win value and the counter of the number of consecutive plays) are updated 56 in consequence of the final outcomes of the Blackjack game. The winning prize (if any) is then displayed 68 and added 48 to the credit bank. When a number of ten (10) consecutive plays are reached 58, an evaluation 60 is made to potentially award a side bet prize. Afterwards, the counters are returned to zero (0) 70. Concurrently, the electronic gaming device displays 68 and credits 48 the amount corresponding to the side bet prize to the gamer by adding their side bet win value to the bank value. However, if the number of consecutive plays is under ten (10), the following game continues without any changes to the side bet monitoring counters.

At the moment a gamer decides to stop playing 72, they receive the credit value 78 left in the bank, therefore emptying the bank 76. Consecutively, the side bet counter return to zero (0) 74 also. If the gamer wants to continue, nothing stops them. They return to the steps of potentially adding credits to the electronic gaming device. Afterwards, whether there are new credits inserted or not, the game continues. The second embodiment consists of using the same kind of electronic gaming device as the one used prior, see figure 1. In this circumstance, the game available to play on the electronic gaming device is a Poker game. Moreover, to illustrate the adaptability of the side bet wagering method of the present invention, new criteria different from those used with the Blackjack game above are applied. With the method of this embodiment, the characteristics of the application of the side bet wagering method in an environment of play of Poker are: 1) a fixed and predetermined value to place for the side bet corresponding to the basic and minimum credit value that gamers must place before each play in the Poker game, 2) in the case of a play without a side bet placed previously, the counters monitoring the sum amount and counting the consecutive plays are frozen until a new side bet is placed, therefore the outcome of the following plays are not gathered; the win value and the play count monitoring the number of plays are not incremented, 3) the outcomes monitored are considered in the same manner independently from the bet placed in the Poker game, and 4) when the play count reaches the chosen number of consecutive plays, the win value and the play count return to zero. Furthermore, the process regarding the criteria used in regards to this embodiment consists of awarding side bet prizes evaluated on the sum of multiple outcome values over a number of consecutive plays chosen by the gamers, and to determine the value of the side bet prize in regard to succeeding to match the criteria chosen by the gamer, the amount of the side bet prize not being influenced by gamers achieving better results.

For example, Table 2 shows hypothetical Play count, Win values and Side bet prizes that can be used as a pay table with the Poker game played on the electronic gaming device of this embodiment.

Table 2: Table showing the pay table associated with a Poker game

For example, if a gamer places a side bet with the criteria of obtaining a win value of eighteen (18) credits over eight (8) plays and obtain sixteen (16) credits, the gamer is not awarded any prize. But if the same gamer achieves twenty-six (26) credits, the side bet prize awarded is twenty-five (25) credits as if the gamer only obtain eighteen (18) credits.

The playing screen of this device, figure 5, shows the portion of the screen dedicated especially to play a typical Poker game 80 following standard rules of Poker, and another portion used as a side bet display 82 comprised of a play count display 84 and a win value display 85 informing gamers of the evolution of their side bet. A win control display 86 and a play count control display 88 controlled with touch screen commands 90-92 allowing gamers to choose themselves the criteria regarding the number of plays monitored for the side bet and the value to obtain to be awarded a side bet prize. The prize display 94 is automatically updated according to the modification of information on both displays 86 and 88. When a play count display 84 shows a play count over 0, the commands 90-92 are frozen. To change the values, the gamer must reinitialize, with a touch screen command 96, the side bet option. Furthermore, a following side bet information display 98 shows if a side bet as been placed in regard to the following play. When the play count display 84 presents the same value that the play count control display 88, the win value display 85 is evaluated in consequence of matching or overshooting the value of the win control display 88 initially chosen by the gamer some plays ago. If the win value matches or overshoots this initially chosen value, a side bet prize is awarded, therefore displayed on the side bet prize display 94. Afterwards, the value of the side bet prize is credited to the gamer.

For gamers, placing a side bet is not more complicated than playing a standard Poker game. The gamers have to decide initially if they want to place a side bet when preparing for their first play. Thereafter, they have to choose the value of the wins they expect to yield, and over which number of plays. Then, the gamer having passed through these three simple steps can play the Poker game such as on any regular Poker machine. Furthermore, the side bet can be automatically repeated before each play if the gamer wants to. during the plays, the gamer sees the evolution of the win value, therefore if the expected win value 86 becomes impossible to obtain, and the gamer judges it impossible, they can resign by reinitializing 96 the side bet value to zero (0). Nothing obliges gamers to play all the plays of the side bet, gamers can quit whenever they want.

The block diagram, figure 3, shows the different systems in action while playing on the present electronic gaming device. In the electronic gaming device, a credit controller 26 receives and manages the credits inserted by gamers and used afterward to place bets. The value corresponding to the inserted credits is kept by the bank controller 28 that withdraws one credit each time a bet or side bet having a value of one credit is placed on the game with bet controls 30 or side bet controls 32. Tentative to the presence of a side bet, the side bet controller 36 stays ready to update the different counters regarding the Win value and the number of consecutive plays. When a minimum of one bet is placed on the Poker game, the game controller 34 allows the actual gamer to play a play to its final outcome. The outcome is afterwards evaluated and a prize is awarded according to the evaluation of the Poker game, regardless of the side bet, only in regards to the bet placed on the Poker game and in regards to the pay table 38 associated with the game. The game controller 34 sends information to the side bet controller 36 to update the counters according to the outcome. When the counter associated with the number of consecutive plays reaches the number of plays previously determined by the gamer, the side bet controller 36 evaluates the Win value. If the Win value reaches the value determined previously by the gamer for the play, a side bet prize is awarded to the gamer. The amount for both the regular prize associated to the Poker game and the side bet prize are displayed on the prize awarding controller 42 on the electronic gaming device screen and concurrently added by the bank controller 28 to the bank of credits the gamer owns. Finally, before leaving the electronic gaming device, the gamer cashes out all their credits managed by the bank controller 28 with the credit paying system 44 if any credits are still available in the bank controller 28. During the cashing out process, the electronic gaming device pays the credits withdrawn from the electronic gaming device in the same manner that they were inserted.

The steps to playing a Poker game with this Poker machine, figure 6, begins with a gamer inserting credits 100 in the electronic gaming device, credits that are accumulated by the credit bank 102. Then, the gamer places a bet 116 to play the Poker game and an optional side bet 104 to have a chance to win a side bet prize over a sequence of plays in the Poker game. After that, the gamer can choose the side bet criteria 130-132, therefore determining the goal to aim regarding an expected win and the number of plays necessary to succeed. Regarding this information, the side bet prize value is also determined. The side bet prize changes automatically along with modifications to the criteria. However, if the sequence of play taking part of the side bet has already begun 124, reinitializing 126 the side bet 128 allows new criteria to be chosen, even if it is automatically associated with the loss of all the information accumulated regarding the sequence of plays played with the previous side bet information. The credit placed to participate in the side bet can be place 104 either before or after choosing the criteria 130 and 132, at the preference of the gamer. However, if there is no credit placed to participate in the side bet 106 when a play of the Poker game begins 118, the following play will have no influence on counters associated with the side bet. But, if there are credits placed as a side bet, the counters of the side bet are updated 108 in regard to the outcome of the play of the Poker game.

The Poker game is played 118 as on any standard electronic Poker gaming device, with the prize won 120 determined by the device in regard to the outcome and to the bet placed by the gamer, display of the prizes 122 awarded, and added to the prize in the credit bank.

For the side bet, after updating its counters 108, a step of prize determination 112 begins when the play count reaches the number of plays chosen by the gamer 110. At this moment, when the play count reaches the defined number of plays, according to the counter dedicated to the monitoring of winnings, a side bet prize is awarded or not. Then, the side bet prize is displayed 122 and added to the credit bank 102. Concurrently, the counters regarding the side bet are reinitialized 114.

When the gamer decides to stop playing 134, the gamer cashes out and receives his credits 138-140 left in the bank, resulting also of reinitializing the side bet counters 136.

The last embodiment presented here, figure 7, consists of a casino table 142 allowing gamers to play a roulette game. The table 142 features a roulette apparatus 144, a standard roulette mat representing betting areas 146, and two special betting areas for each gamer: a side bet area 148 and a total bet area 150. On the dealer's side, one win area 152 is dedicated to keep tracks of winnings per gamer.

With this embodiment, the characteristics used for the side bet are: 1 ) one optional side bet at the discretion of the gamer regarding a fixed betting amount over numerous plays, 2) a predetermined pay table determining the prizes according to the win value and the total amount of bets placed by the gamer, and to complete, an additional step in the process of play demanding the dealer to accumulate the gamer's prizes until the predetermined total amount of the gamer's wagers have been played.

For example purpose, Table 3 displays a possible pay table for a game of roulette with a side bet option. The value of the Prize awarded is in accordance to the Win value of the gamer regardless of their betting strategy.

Table 3: Pay table of a live roulette game over 100 credits of bets

Playing at a casino roulette table 142 having side bet possibility is comprised of multiple steps. The first step consists of placing a side bet on the side bet area 148 and placing the amount of credits as defined by the table rules on the total bet area 150. The amount of credits put on the table is then used, in the following plays, to place bets in the roulette game. The bets are placed, as in standard roulette table plays, on standard betting areas 146 comprised of multiples options of bets such as betting by numbers, betting by colors, betting on even numbers, betting on non-even numbers, etc. Afterwards, the dealer places a marble on the spinning roulette 144. The position where the marble stops determines a number and color showing therefore multiple winning possibilities on the betting area. The dealer thereafter places the wins of each gamer on the corresponding win area 152 dedicated to each gamer. When the total amount of credits of a gamer have been placed on the table as bets, the winnings of the gamer, located on the dealer's win area 152, are evaluated and given back to the gamer. These winnings, the gamers owns, the gamers have won them. Then, an additional side bet prize is also awarded to a gamer if the amount of the wins overshoot the criterion of the pay table. Otherwise, the side bet of the gamer is simply removed from their side bet area 148.

Figure 8 presents the steps of playing a roulette game with a side bet option. When a gamer sits at the roulette table, they place a side bet 156 on the side bet area at his discretion and in an amount of credits 154 corresponding to a predetermined value on the total bet area as requested by the table rules. Then, the gamer places bets 158 at their discretion on the different options of the betting area of the table. The credits used to place these bets are taken from the total bet area, therefore allowing both gamer and dealer to verify that not only all the credits but also only the predetermined number of credits are being used for the side bet process. Afterwards, the dealer places the marble on the spinning roulette. The roulette slows down and the marble stops in a slot corresponding to a number and color on the roulette. This allows the dealer to determine the wins 160 and losses according to the number and color where the marble stopped. The dealer then places the winnings of each gamer on their corresponding win area 162. The process continues with the same steps until the amount of credits played by the gamer, therefore the credits initially on the total bet area, are totally wagered on the betting areas 164 and the winnings corresponding to all these bets have been redistributed to the gamers in their win area. The dealer then returns the winnings 168 to the gamer after calculating the amount of the winnings 166. Accordingly to the sum of the winnings 170, an additional side bet prize 172 is awarded accordingly to the pay table displayed near the roulette table. The description of the above embodiments of the present invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and is not intended to limit the invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by appended claims. Various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in appending claims.

Claims

1. A method of calculating an auxiliary prize to be paid during the play of a principal casino-type game, the method comprising the steps of: defining a number of plays of said principal game constituting a group of plays; defining auxiliary game values corresponding to outcomes in said principal game; monitoring outcomes in said principal game over said group of plays to obtain a total of said auxiliary game values; calculating a value for said auxiliary prize based on said total.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a step of receiving payment from a gamer to participate in said auxiliary prize, said auxiliary prize value being calculated to be zero when no payment is received from said gamer.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said payment is received to participate for each play of said group of plays.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein said auxiliary game values are substantially proportional to a value of payouts for said outcomes in said principal game, whereby the auxiliary game values are essentially a scaled version of a payout table of said principal game.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said auxiliary game values and/or said auxiliary prize value are invariable as a function of gamer participation payment.

6. The method as claimed in claims 1 to 5, wherein said group of plays comprises at least eight (8) plays.

7. The method as claimed in claims 1 to 6, wherein said group of plays consists of consecutive plays.

8. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said group of plays corresponds to the number of said plays required for receiving a predetermined payment amount from a gamer.

9. The method as claimed in claims 1 to 8, wherein said principal game is a Poker game.

10. The method as claimed in claims 1 to 8, wherein said principal game is a slot-type game.

11. The method as defined in claims 1 to 10, wherein said method is executed automatically in an electronic gaming device.

12. A computer program comprising code means adapted to perform all steps of any one of the above claims 1 to 10, embodied on a computer readable medium.

13. A computer program comprising code means adapted to perform all steps of any one of the above claims 1 to 10, embodied on an electrical or electromagnetic signal.

14. A gaming device comprising: a betting controller receiving information from a gamer, further said information being interpreted as payments; a game controller generating signals representing outcomes in a primary game; a display controller displaying a representation of said signals on a gaming display; a prize awarding means to award prizes accordingly to said outcomes and said bets; and wherein said gaming device executes the steps as defined in any one of claims 1 to 10.