Method and apparatus for linked play gaming

Abstract

The invention includes a system and method for providing linked play via gaming and other devices. In some embodiments, a casino server registers a group for linked play and a group objective and format are established. The linked play commences according to the group format on the gaming devices while the casino server, or another device, concurrently facilitates interaction between the group members operating the gaming devices. The linked play is terminated according to the group format and a determination is made by the casino server whether the group objective has been achieved. Prizes are awarded via the gaming devices if the group objective was achieved.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method comprising: 
 receiving at least one outcome from each of a plurality of gaming devices, wherein each gaming device is associated with at least one player;    deriving a group outcome based upon the outcomes; and    providing a payout if the group outcome is a winning outcome.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the players are associated with each other.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the payout is provided to at least one of the players.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising transmitting communications between the players.  
     
     
         5 . A method comprising: 
 receiving at least one outcome from each of a plurality of associated players;    deriving a group outcome based upon the outcomes of the plurality of associated players; and    determining if the group outcome satisfies at least one predefined criterion.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising: 
 providing a payout based upon whether the group outcome satisfies the at least one predefined criterion.  
 
     
     
         7 . A method comprising: 
 receiving at least one outcome from each of a plurality of players;    comparing outcomes of at least two different players among the plurality of players; and    determining a winner based upon comparing the outcomes.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising: 
 receiving a wager from each of the plurality of players; and  
 providing a payout amount based upon the wager to the winner.  
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein comparing the outcomes includes comparing an aggregate of each player's outcomes with that of other players among the plurality of players.  
     
     
         10 . A method comprising: 
 receiving at least one outcome from each of a plurality of players; and    determining if the outcomes together satisfy at least one predefined criterion,    wherein the at least one predefined criterion includes receiving related outcomes.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein receiving related outcomes includes receiving identical outcomes from at least two players within a predefined time period.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising: 
 providing a payout based upon whether the outcomes together satisfy the at least one predefined criterion.  
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein receiving related outcomes includes receiving outcomes from at least two players that are jackpot outcomes.  
     
     
         14 . A method comprising: 
 receiving at least one individual balance amount from at least one of a plurality of associated players;    combining the individual balance amounts into a group balance amount if there are more than one individual balance amounts, otherwise making the one individual balance amount the group balance amount; and    providing shared access to the group balance amount via a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device being operated by at least one of the associated players.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein providing shared access includes providing shared use of the group balance amount for wagering on the gaming devices.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein providing shared access includes crediting winnings earned on the plurality of gaming devices to the group balance amount.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein providing shared access includes debiting losses incurred on the plurality of gaming devices against the group balance amount.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  wherein providing shared access includes dividing the group balance amount among the associated players.  
     
     
         19 . A method comprising: 
 receiving a code from a plurality of players, each operating a gaming device;    associating the gaming devices; and    generating a progressive jackpot based on contributions from the associated gaming devices.    
     
     
         20 . A method comprising: 
 receiving a code from a plurality of players, each operating a gaming device;    associating the gaming devices;    receiving at least one balance amount from at least one of the players operating the associated gaming devices; and    providing shared access to the balance amount via the associated gaming devices.    
     
     
         21 . A method comprising: 
 receiving a group description;    inviting players operating a gaming device who meet the group description to join a group; and    associating players who accept the invitation with the group.    
     
     
         22 . A method comprising: 
 receiving user information from a plurality of players;    associating each of the plurality of players with at least one group based on the user information;    determining group information for each group;    determining at least one group objective based on the group information;    associating the at least one group objective with each group based on the group information;    tracking a play performance of each of the plurality of players;    aggregating the play performance of the players associated with each group; and    awarding a group a prize if the aggregated play performance of the group meets the associated at least one group objective.    
     
     
         23 . A method comprising: 
 registering a group for linked play;    establishing a group objective and a group format;    initiating the linked play according to the group format;    facilitating interaction among group members during linked play;    terminating the linked play according to the group format;    determining, based upon the linked play, whether the group objective was achieved; and    awarding at least one prize if the group objective was achieved.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein registering a group for linked play includes associating a plurality of players that each agree to share in the winnings or losses of the group as a whole.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23  wherein registering a group for linked play includes associating a plurality of players who each agree to contribute an amount to a group pool.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23  wherein registering a group for linked play includes associating a plurality of players who each agree to allow their individual winnings to be influenced by gambling performances of each other.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23  wherein registering a group for linked play includes associating a plurality of players who share at least one common characteristic.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23  wherein registering a group for linked play includes associating a plurality of players who opt to join the group.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23  wherein registering a group for linked play includes associating a plurality of players identified by a casino.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 23  wherein registering a group for linked play includes associating a plurality of players who present a predefined group code word to a gaming device.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 23  wherein registering a group for linked play includes associating a plurality of players who are invited to join the group.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 23  wherein registering a group for linked play includes associating a plurality of players who respond to a prompt to join the group.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  32  wherein the prompt to join the group is provided by at least one of a gaming device, another individual, a group, a group member, a casino, an email message, a phone call, an Internet message, a wireless signal, and a public address announcement.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 23  wherein registering a group for linked play includes displaying a description of available groups.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the description of existing groups includes at least one of names of current group members, names of players who will be invited to join the group, an objective of the group, an amount of money each group member will need to gamble as part of the group, how each group member's potential winnings and losses will be effected by being a member of the group, time commitments necessary for being a member of the group, game types the group will play, and group membership restrictions.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 23  wherein registering a group for linked play includes enabling existing group members to approve potential new members.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 23  wherein registering a group for linked play includes collecting an entry fee from a player interested in joining a group.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 23  wherein registering a group for linked play includes verifying completion of a qualifying activity by a player interested in joining a group.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 23  wherein registering a group for linked play includes verifying receipt of a qualifying outcome by a player interested in joining a group.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 23  wherein registering a group for linked play includes creating a group having a membership requirement that is beneficial to a casino.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 23  wherein registering a group for linked play includes creating a group having an objective that is profitable to a casino.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 23  wherein registering a group for linked play includes creating a group having a group format that is advantageous to a casino.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 23  wherein registering a group for linked play includes a casino creating a group by offering potential members an incentive to join the group.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 23  wherein establishing a group objective includes identifying at least one prize for which the group plays and at least one of: 
 a criterion to be satisfied in order to win the prize, and  
 a result that the group members are required to achieve in order to win the prize.  
 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 23  wherein establishing a group objective includes choosing a group objective by at least one of a casino, a group member, and a group.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 23  wherein establishing a group format includes establishing guidelines the group members are required to follow and a structure of the group.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 23  wherein establishing a group format includes establishing at least one of rules that specify how prizes will be distributed among group members, time periods during which linked play will occur, and an amount group members are required to gamble.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 23  wherein establishing a group format includes choosing a group format by at least one of a casino, a group member, and a group.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 23  wherein establishing a group format includes choosing at least one of an amount of betting that group members are required to make, a type of game that group members are required to play, a time during which group members are required to gamble, an incentive to provide to group members, a competitor, an amount for a prize pool, a prize structure for paying out prizes, and group play termination rules.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 23  wherein establishing a group format includes associating group members with at least one set of group format information in a database.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 23  wherein establishing a group format includes establishing a group format based upon at least one of combinations of outcomes, prizes dependent on an amount of linked play, sharing winnings and losses, group members competing, groups competing with other groups, asynchronous play, dependent outcomes, multi-player progressives, non-outcome based competition, and group events.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51  wherein establishing a group format based upon combinations of outcomes includes awarding a prize if a plurality of group members have at least one of: 
 net or gross winnings for a given time period that when combined in a predefined manner exceeds a threshold or matches a predefined amount,  
 temporally proximate winning, losing, equivalent, or identical outcomes,  
 temporally proximate outcomes that pay the same amount or have the same payout to wager ratio,  
 streaks of winning or losing outcomes that exceed or match a predetermined length,  
 streaks of winning or losing outcomes that when combined in a predefined manner exceed or match a predetermined length, and  
 streaks during which each group member made a handle pull synchronously with the other group members, and for each set of synchronous pulls, at least one of the group members achieved a predefined outcome.  
 
     
     
         53 . The method of  52  wherein temporally proximate outcomes includes outcomes that are temporally proximate based upon at least one of initiation of handle pulls, determination of outcomes, display of outcomes, resolution of outcomes, initiation of player decisions, and completion of a player decisions.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 51  wherein establishing a group format based upon combinations of outcomes includes adjusting payouts for individual play to offset costs associated with a lower effective hold percentage resulting from payouts for linked play.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 51  wherein establishing a group format based upon prizes dependent on an amount of linked play includes determining the amount of linked play based upon at least one of an amount of time gaming, an amount of tokens or credits wagered, an amount of money lost, an amount of money won, and a number of handle pulls made.  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 51  wherein establishing a group format based upon sharing winnings and losses includes distributing winnings and losses based upon at least one of a percentage as determined based upon an initial contribution to a common pool, a number of shares in a common pool acquired during gambling as determined based on coin-in, a percentage of a common pool as determined based on gambling performance, and a percentage of a common pool as determined based on quality of group members' decisions.  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 51  wherein establishing a group format based upon group members competing includes agreeing to determine a group winner based upon at least one of most winning outcomes, most winning outcomes above a threshold, most outcomes with payouts above a threshold, a longest duration of play without losing more than a defined amount of money, a longest duration of play without winning, a longest duration of play without running out of money, most of a particular symbol collected, most gaming devices played, a largest payout, a largest number of visits to at least one casino, most money spent at a casino including spending on gambling, shopping, meals, and entertainment, and most wins over the other group members on individual pulls.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 51  wherein establishing a group format based upon group members competing includes agreeing to determine a group winner based upon net or gross winnings.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 51  wherein establishing a group format based upon groups competing with other groups includes at least one of matching groups who express a desire to compete against other groups with compatible group format requirements, providing sponsorship of a prize to be awarded to a group competition winner, and matching groups who express a desire to compete against other groups with similar characteristics.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 51  wherein establishing a group format based upon asynchronous play includes at least one of cataloging individual group members' outcomes for comparison to other group members' cataloged outcomes, facilitating linked play wherein individual group members play at different times, facilitating linked play wherein individual group members play during specified time intervals, facilitating linked play wherein individual group members select subsets of gambling sessions to contribute to a group outcome, and facilitating linked play wherein individual group members select subsets of gambling sessions as an entry in a group competition.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 51  wherein establishing a group format based upon dependent outcomes includes establishing a group format wherein game elements are mutually exclusively allocated among individual group members during play.  
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 51  wherein establishing a group format based upon dependent outcomes includes establishing a group format wherein a portion of game elements are common to individual group members during play.  
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 51  wherein establishing a group format based upon multi-player progressives includes individual group members contributing a portion of each wager to a pool to be awarded to at least one group member who receives a predetermined outcome.  
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 51  wherein establishing a group format based upon non-outcome based competition includes agreeing to determine a group winner based upon a winner of a secondary game played while the group gambles.  
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 64  wherein the secondary game is at least one of a trivia contest, Scrabble®, Mah Jong, Chess, and Hearts.  
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 51  wherein establishing a group format based upon group events includes at least one of group meals, group outings, group pep rallies, group award ceremonies, presentation of group gifts, and group parties.  
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 23  wherein facilitating interaction among group members during linked play includes at least one of: 
 transmitting a representation to the group members that illustrates individual members' contribution toward achieving the group objective,  
 transmitting a representation to the group members that illustrates the group's gambling performance,  
 displaying the group's gambling performance or credit balance on credit meters of gaming devices operated by individual group members,  
 transmitting representations or images of individual members' gaming devices to other group members,  
 allowing individual members to provide advice regarding game play requiring decisions to other members,  
 allowing individual members to take control of other group members' gaming devices,  
 transmitting groups' gambling results to other groups,  
 transmitting individual members' gambling results to other groups,  
 selectively transmitting individual members' gambling results to other groups, and  
 notifying group members that other members of the group have arrived and begun participating in the linked play.  
 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 23  wherein facilitating interaction among group members during linked play includes transmitting individual members' gambling results to other group members.  
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 23  wherein facilitating interaction among group members during linked play includes transmitting a representation to the group members that illustrates the group's progress toward achieving the group objective.  
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 23  wherein facilitating interaction among group members during linked play includes transmitting representations or images of individual members to other group members.  
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 23  wherein facilitating interaction among group members during linked play includes providing communication channels between individual members.  
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 23  wherein terminating the linked play according to the group format includes terminating the linked play after at least one of: 
 a predetermined time period ends,  
 a predetermined number of handle pulls by each or all group members are reached,  
 at least one group member has exhausted a certain number of tokens,  
 at least one group member or the group as a whole has achieved the group objective,  
 it becoming clear the group will not achieve the group objective,  
 it becoming clear that one group member has won, or one group member has lost,  
 at least one group member has obtained one or more predetermined outcomes, and  
 at least one group member has obtained one or more predetermined symbols.  
 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 23  wherein terminating the linked play according to the group format includes continuing linked play by defining a second group format if a group member quits the group before linked play terminates according to a first group format.  
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 23  wherein terminating the linked play according to the group format includes continuing linked play by defining a new group objective if a group member quits the group before linked play terminates according to the group format.  
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 23  wherein terminating the linked play according to the group format includes continuing linked play by adding a substitute group member to the group if a group member quits the group before linked play terminates according to the group format.  
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 23  wherein terminating the linked play according to the group format includes dissolving the group and refunding any fees if a group member quits the group before linked play terminates according to any other provision of the group format.  
     
     
         77 . A system for performing the method of  claim 23 .  
     
     
         78 . A medium including computer executable instructions for performing the method of  claim 23 .  
     
     
         79 . A system comprising: 
 means for creating a group for linked play;    means for creating a group objective and a group format;    means for beginning the linked play according to the group format;    means for enabling interaction among group members during linked play;    means for ending the linked play according to the group format;    means for deciding, based upon the linked play, whether the group objective was achieved; and    means for providing at least one prize if the group objective was achieved.    
     
     
         80 . A casino server comprising: 
 a processor operable to execute a program, the program including: 
 a module for organizing a group for linked play;  
 a module for recording a group objective and a group format;  
 a module for executing the linked play according to the group format;  
 a module for facilitating interaction among group members during linked play;  
 a module for stopping the linked play according to the group format;  
 a module for resolving, based upon the linked play, whether the group objective was achieved; and  
 a module for granting at least one prize if the group objective was achieved.  
   
     
     
         81 . A gaming device comprising: 
 a processor, operable to generate outcomes for linked play, in communication with a server operable to execute a program, the program including: 
 a module for organizing a group for linked play;  
 a module for recording a group objective and a group format;  
 a module for executing the linked play according to the group format;  
 a module for facilitating interaction among group members during linked play;  
 a module for stopping the linked play according to the group format;  
 a module for resolving, based upon the linked play, whether the group objective was achieved; and  
 a module for granting at least one prize if the group objective was achieved.