Statistical event prediction method and apparatus

Abstract

A method and apparatus for predicting the likely outcome of an event out of a number of possible outcomes relies on past statistical occurrences of each of said possible outcomes selected by a random-number generator. In a preferred embodiment of the invention a table game provides for realistic simulation of known athletes' performance in the context of a virtual game predicated upon the career statistics of those athletes, uses card carrying along one of their edges, space-proportioned zones representing the percentage of occurrence of each possible outcome of a player's move during that player's career. A random number generator drives a display of a series of individually selectable points or locations that are matched to one of the zones in order to determine the outcome of a virtual move. The game is particularly adapted to the simulation of baseball, cricket, basketball, or golf competitions.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A statistical method for predicting the likely outcome of an event among a plurality of possible outcomes, said method being based on past observations of outcomes in a plurality of previous similar ones of said event, said method comprising: 
 marking a record-carrying medium with a plurality of zones, each of said zones representing one of said possible outcomes, and being sized in proportion to the percentage of occurrence of said outcomes in the course of said previous similar ones of said event;    operating a random-selector device aimed at said zones wherein the larger a zone is the most likely it is to be selected by said device; and    adopting the outcome represented by the zone selected by said device.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said zones on said medium are sequentially distributed along a first line of a given length, and the ratio of the linear dimension of each of said zone over said length is equal to said percentage; and 
 said random-selection device comprises a display of an array of a plurality of a areas along a second line of said length.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said zones and said arrays are linearly contiguous.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said zones form a bar of contiguous segments having different lengths; 
 said array comprises a series of contiguous, individually selectable areas of equal lengths; and    said apparatus further comprises means for placing said first line along said second line.    
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein 
 each of said media comprises a card having said bar along a first edge;    said random selection device further comprises a counter;    means for selectively illuminating one of said areas in response to a number of pulse accumulated in said counter; and    means for sequentially accumulating random numbers of pulses into said counter.    
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  which further comprises a frame shaped and dimensioned to hold said card wherein said array is positioned along a side of said frame proximate the bar of said card.