Skill based poker tournament

Abstract

A poker tournament for exhibition to an audience, such as a TV audience, is conducted by selecting a first number of poker players and conducting a round of poker. The round includes having the selected players play poker with a fixed stake until all but one of the players is eliminated. The round of poker is captured for exhibition, including determining and displaying to an audience the hidden cards of each player. Points are awarded to at least some of said players according to the order in which said players are eliminated. The round of play is repeated for a selected number of rounds with the same players, and a winner is selected according to the total number of points assigned to each player for the selected number of rounds.

1 . A method for conducting a poker tournament for exhibition to an audience, comprising: 
 (a) selecting a first number of poker players;    (b) conducting a round of poker, said round including: 
 (1) having said selected players play poker with a fixed stake until all but one of said players is eliminated;  
 (2) capturing for exhibition play of said round of poker, including determining and displaying to an audience the hidden cards of each player; and  
 (3) assigning points to at least some of said players according to the order in which said players are eliminated;  
   (c) repeating step (b) for a second selected number of rounds with the same selected players; and    (d) selecting a winner according to the total number of points assigned to each player for said second selected number of rounds.    
   
   
       2 . The method specified in  claim 1  wherein the highest number of points is awarded to said one player who is not eliminated for each round, and wherein said winner is selected as the player having the highest total number of points.  
   
   
       3 . The method specified in  claim 2  wherein said poker tournament includes prize money, and wherein said prize money is awarded to said selected players according to said total number of points.  
   
   
       4 . The method specified in  claim 1  wherein the lowest number of points is awarded to the player who is not eliminated for each round, and wherein said winner is selected as the player having the lowest total number of points.  
   
   
       5 . The method specified in  claim 1  wherein said poker tournament includes prize money, and wherein said prize money is awarded to said selected players according to said total number of points.  
   
   
       6 . A method of conducting a series of poker tournaments in accordance with  claim 1  wherein after each tournament at least one player is selected and eliminated according to the total number of points and a different player is selected to replace said eliminated player.  
   
   
       7 . A method for conducting a poker tournament, comprising: 
 (a) selecting a first number of poker players;    (b) conducting a round of poker, said round including: 
 (1) having said selected players play poker with a fixed stake until all but one of said players is eliminated; and  
 (2) assigning points to at least some of said players according to the order in which said players are eliminated;  
   (c) repeating step (b) for a second selected number of rounds with the same selected players; and    (d) selecting a winner according to the total number of points assigned to each player for said second selected number of rounds.    
   
   
       8 . The method specified in  claim 7  wherein the highest number of points is awarded to said one player who is not eliminated for each round, and wherein said winner is selected as the player having the highest total number of points.  
   
   
       9 . The method specified in  claim 8  wherein said poker tournament includes prize money, and wherein said prize money is awarded to said selected players according to said total number of points.  
   
   
       10 . The method specified in  claim 7  wherein the lowest number of points is awarded to the player who is not eliminated for each round, and wherein said winner is selected as the player having the lowest total number of points.  
   
   
       11 . The method specified in  claim 7  wherein said poker tournament includes prize money, and wherein said prize money is awarded to said selected players according to said total number of points.  
   
   
       12 . A method of conducting a series of poker tournaments in accordance with  claim 7  wherein after each tournament at least one player is selected and eliminated according to the total number of points and a different player is selected to replace said eliminated player.