Multiplayer card tournaments and methods

Abstract

The invention provides a multiplayer card tournament for playing on a communications network and methods for conducting and determining a winner of the tournament.

1 . A multiplayer card tournament that is played over a communications network, the tournament comprising a sequence of card games that are played concomitantly by at least two players against a house until a winner is determined, wherein prior to the tournament the players are provided with a number of points that are used to make wagers, and wherein the winner is the player that obtains the highest number of points compared to the house and the other players.  
   
   
       2 . The multiplayer tournament according to  claim 1 , wherein the tournament is a blackjack tournament.  
   
   
       3 . The multiplayer tournament according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the games comprise (a) each player placing a wager; (b) a dealer dealing cards to each player; (c) each player assessing their cards; and (d) determining a winner.  
   
   
       4 . The multiplayer tournament according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein a predetermined number of games is played.  
   
   
       5 . The multiplayer tournament according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the tournament comprises inference relations.  
   
   
       6 . The multiplayer tournament according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein a score and/or a wager of at least one player is presented on a screen that the at least one player can observe.  
   
   
       7 . A method for conducting and defining a winner in a multiplayer card tournament that is played over a communications network, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a sequence of card games on a communications network, wherein the card games are played concomitantly by at least two players against a house until a winner is determined, wherein prior to the tournament the players are provided with a number of points that are used to make wagers; and    (b) identifying a player that obtains the highest number of points compared to the house and the other players.    
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the tournament is a blackjack tournament.  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 7  or  8 , wherein the method comprises the steps of (a) each player placing a wager; (b) a dealer dealing cards to each player; (c) each player assessing their cards; and (d) determining a winner.  
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 7  or  8 , wherein a predetermined number of games is played.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 7  or  8 , wherein the tournament comprises inference relations.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 7  or  8 , wherein a score and/or a wager of at least one player is presented on a screen that the at least one player can observe.