Novel games, and methods and apparatus for game play in games of chance

Abstract

The inventions herein relate to novel games of chance and apparatus and methods for their play. In one embodiment, a multi-level game of chance is played by presenting the player with multiple options, where there is at least one positive option and at least one negative option. By way of example, at each level the player selects one of four boxes, where two have a monetary amount, and one has a strike. Optionally, the fourth box may comprise a ‘mystery box’, which requires a decision within a decision. When presented with the mystery box, the player may elect to open it or not. If they do not open it, game play resumes at the existing game level. If they open it, one of multiple options is presented, including a positive option and a negative option. In the preferred embodiment, the positive option could include: a multiplier of the winnings of the player, e.g., a double of the money in the player's account, or the updating of the safe level for the player. A negative result could be an additional strike. Preferably, the probability of a negative outcome from the opening of the mystery box should be the same as the probability of a negative event the general playing of the game. In studio participation, casino based play, or play over an electronic network, such as the Internet, is contemplated. In another embodiment, a series of numbers are randomly drawn for the player and the system, and a win determined based upon predefined rules, e.g., four of a kind beats three of a kind. In yet another embodiment, an ancillary game is performed using the substantially real time determination of the number of lottery players still remaining in the game.

1 . A game of chance comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a buy-in from a player,    randomly selecting multiple indicia from a predefined set,    providing the player with a graphical depiction of the randomly selected indicia,    randomly selecting a second group of multiple indicia from the predefined set,    comparing the first and second sets under a predefined set of rules to establish a winner, and    providing payment to those winning under the rules.    
   
   
       2 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the predefined set is from 1 to 10.  
   
   
       3 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the predefined set includes non-numeric indicia.  
   
   
       4 . The game of  claim 1  wherein five indicia are randomly selected.  
   
   
       5 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the graphical depiction includes an image of a number.  
   
   
       6 . The game of  claim 5  wherein the graphical depiction includes a number on a ball.  
   
   
       7 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the amount of the buy-in is indicated by the player.  
   
   
       8 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the player communicates with the system on-line.  
   
   
       9 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the player communicates with the system over a telecommunications network.  
   
   
       10 . The game of  claim 9  wherein at least one player communicates over a wireless network.  
   
   
       11 . The game of  claim 9  wherein at least one player communicates over a wired network.  
   
   
       12 . The game of  claim 1  wherein a single player plays against the system.  
   
   
       13 . The game of  claim 1  wherein multiple players play against each other.  
   
   
       14 . The game of  claim 13  wherein the multiple players play in a peer-to-peer arrangement.  
   
   
       15 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the game is a game of skill.  
   
   
       16 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the game requires no skill.  
   
   
       17 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the game is a probability game.  
   
   
       18 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the game is a predetermined game.  
   
   
       19 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the selected indicia are displayed on a television.  
   
   
       20 . The game of  claim 19  wherein the selected indicia are displayed on an interactive television.  
   
   
       21 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the game is played over the internet.  
   
   
       22 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the game is played on a handheld device.  
   
   
       23 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the game is played on a cellular phone.  
   
   
       24 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the game is played with simple messaging service (SMS).  
   
   
       25 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the game is played on a device which downloads applications.