Method and apparatus for skill game play and awards

Abstract

A skill game operates according to the look and feel of a game of chance. The skill game is, for example, a traditional game of chance modified so that a player's skill substantially determines the outcome of the game. In one embodiment, the skill game is a card game with face down cards and the chance elements of the card game are reduced or eliminated by providing a player of the skill game information about the face down cards. An example embodiment is wager acceptance, random prize determination, then skill game play. In one embodiment, the amount of skill required is adjustable to meet varying regulatory and gaming guidelines and/or operator goals. In one embodiment, the skill game pits players against each other and is played on a skill game machine that does not resemble a slot machine.

1 . A method, comprising the steps of: 
 accepting a wager from a player;    randomly generating a prize within a predetermined range of prizes after accepting the wager;    initiating a skill game with the player after generating the award value; and    awarding the prize to the player upon successful completion of the skill game.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the skill is played against another player.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the skill game is implemented in a gaming device that is readily distinguishable from a slot machine or gaming device.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the game is devoid of automation.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the randomly generated prize comprises a cash award.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the randomly generating a prize comprises a credit added to the player's skill game account.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the skill game comprises a card game.  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the skill game comprises a card game and the method further comprising the step of displaying probabilities of at least one card not visible to a player during regulation play of the card game.  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of displaying comprises displaying probabilities related to house face down cards.  
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the number of cards having displayed probabilities is based on an amount of skill required to successfully complete the skill game.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the amount of skill required to successfully complete the skill game is based on one of State and Federal regulations.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein an outcome of the skill game is based substantially on the player's skill.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the method is embodied in a set of computer instructions stored on a computer readable media;    said computer instructions, when loaded into a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps of the method.    
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said computer instruction are compiled computer instructions stored as an executable program on the computer readable media.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the steps of accepting a wager and randomly generating a prize are performed on a device comprising a casino style slot machine; and    the step of initiating and playing a skill game are performed on a second device other than the device accepting the wager and randomly generating a prize.    
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the second device comprises a big board.  
   
   
       17 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 identifying an established game of chance; and    altering the game of chance to provide a player an amount of control over the outcome of the game of chance.    
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said step of altering the game of chance maintains an original look and feel of the game of chance.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the amount of control provided comprises statistics regarding chance events in the game of chance.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the amount of control provided alters the game of chance such that the outcome of the game is substantially determined by the player's skill.  
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the amount of control provided alters the game of chance such that a player playing the altered game of chance according to rules of the game and all relevant information provided by the game, will, over time, statistically, win the game.  
   
   
       22 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 identifying an established game of chance;    altering the game of chance to provide a player an amount of control over the outcome of the game of chance; and    adding a prize mechanism configured to randomly determine an award for successfully completing the altered game of chance after accepting a wager and prior to playing the altered game of chance.    
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the traditional game of chance is a card game.  
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the step of altering comprises altering the card game of chance to show face down cards.  
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the step of altering comprises providing clues to chance events in the game.  
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the traditional game of chance comprises Caribbean stud.  
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the amount of control converts the traditional game of chance into a skill game.  
   
   
       28 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein awards not collected due to unsuccessful completion of the game are added to a prize pool that is stochastically awarded to players of subsequent games.  
   
   
       29 . A skill game, comprising: 
 a game initiator configured to accept a wager and then randomly determine a prize for successfully completing the skill game;    a gaming device configured to play the skill game after wager acceptance and prize determination;    wherein the skill game is a traditional game of chance modified such that a player has control over the outcome of the game.    
   
   
       30 . The skill game according to  claim 29 , wherein the outcome of the game depends substantially on the player's skill in playing the game.  
   
   
       31 . The skill game according to  claim 29 , wherein the outcome of the game is such that if the player plays according to an objective analysis of information provided to the player during the skill game, the player will win more times than losing.  
   
   
       32 . The skill game according to  claim 29 , wherein the skill game is a card game incorporating face down cards and modifications comprising information about the face down cards.  
   
   
       33 . The skill game according to  claim 29 , wherein the modifications further comprise a player option to purchase additional information about the face down cards.  
   
   
       34 . A skill game, comprising: 
 a game initiator configured to accept wagers from a plurality of game players and then randomly determine a prize for successfully completing the skill game;    a gaming device configured to play the skill game among the plurality of players after acceptance of the wagers and after random prize determination;    wherein the gaming device implements the skill game such that the players compete against each other and that the players must take an active role in play of the skill game in order to prevail.    
   
   
       35 . The skill game according to  claim 34 , wherein the skill game is implemented in a machine that does not resemble a slot machine in play, appearance, speed of play, and graphics.  
   
   
       36 . The skill game according to  claim 34 , wherein play of the skill game is devoid of automation.  
   
   
       37 . The skill game according to  claim 34 , wherein the player and other individuals win prizes unrelated to Class II machines.