Method and apparatus for playing roulette with active working wagers

Abstract

A method and apparatus for playing casino-style roulette that offers players the option of placing specific wagers that limit the winning and losing outcomes to a subset of all possible outcomes for any given spin of the roulette wheel. Using a system of tokens to indicate the unique betting scenarios, the invention provides players with additional betting opportunities that increase the dynamics and enjoyment of the game while providing casino operators with the opportunity for incremental revenue.

1 . A method of playing roulette, comprising: 
 a) placing wagers prior to a first spin of the roulette wheel that at least one of a first set of designated outcomes from the first spin of the roulette wheel will occur before one of a second set of designated outcomes from the first spin of the roulette wheel, wherein the sum of the probabilities for all designated winning and losing outcomes on any given spin of the roulette wheel is less than the total probability for all possible outcomes on any given spin of the roulette wheel;    b) spinning the roulette wheel to determine the result of the first spin; and    c) determining if the wager is satisfied, wherein: 
 i) the placed wager is won only when at least one of the first set of designated outcomes occurs;  
 ii) the placed wager is lost only when at least one of the second set of designated outcomes occurs; and  
 iii) the placed wager is neither won or lost if neither of the first or second sets of designated outcomes occurs during the first spin of the roulette wheel.  
   
   
   
       2 . The method of playing roulette according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a) allowing the placed wager to be removed or maintained prior to a second spin of the roulette wheel; and    b) spinning the roulette wheel and determining if the placed wager is satisfied in accordance with steps b) and c) of  claim 1  if the placed wager has been maintained.    
   
   
       3 . The method of playing roulette according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a) allowing placement of additional wagers prior to a second spin of the roulette wheel in accordance with step a) of  claim 1;  and    b) spinning the roulette wheel and determining if the placed wager and placed additional wager is satisfied in accordance with steps b) and c) of  claim 1 .    
   
   
       4 . The method of playing roulette according to  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a) allowing placement of additional wagers prior to a second spin of the roulette wheel in accordance with step a) of  claim 1;  and    b) spinning the roulette wheel and determining if the placed wager and placed additional wager is satisfied in accordance with steps b) and c) of  claim 1  if the placed wager has been maintained.    
   
   
       5 . The method of playing roulette according to  claim 1 , wherein the roulette wheel provides for 38 possible outcomes by action of a ball coming to rest in one of 38 numbered and colored slots.  
   
   
       6 . The method of playing roulette according to  claim 1 , wherein the roulette wheel provides for 37 possible outcomes by the action of a ball coming to rest in one of 37 numbered and colored slots.  
   
   
       7 . The method of playing roulette according to  claim 5 , wherein the 38 possible outcomes are comprised of the numbers 1 through 36, 0 and 00.  
   
   
       8 . The method of playing roulette according to  claim 6 , wherein the 37 possible outcomes are comprised of the numbers 1 through 36 and 0.  
   
   
       9 . The method of playing roulette according to  claim 5 , wherein the numbers 1 through 36 are colored either red or black.  
   
   
       10 . The method of playing roulette according to  claim 6 , wherein the numbers 1 through 36 are colored either red or black.  
   
   
       11 . The method of playing roulette according to  claim 1 , wherein the first set includes any one number 1-36, 0 and 00, and the second set includes any one other number 1-36, 0 and 00.  
   
   
       12 . The method of playing roulette according to  claim 1 , wherein the first set includes any one number 1-36, 0 and 00, and the second set includes any one, two, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, seventeen, or eighteen other numbers 1-36, 0 and 00.  
   
   
       13 . The method of playing roulette according to  claim 1 , wherein the first set includes any of two numbers 1-36, 0 and 00, and the second set includes any one, two, eight, ten, twelve, or eighteen other numbers 1-36, 0 and 00.  
   
   
       14 . The method of playing roulette according to  claim 1 , wherein the first set includes any of three numbers 1-36, 0 and 00, and the second set includes any one, two, nine, twelve, fifteen, or eighteen other numbers 1-36, 0 and 00.  
   
   
       15 . The method of playing roulette according to  claim 1 , wherein the first set includes any of four numbers 1-36, 0 and 00, and the second set includes any one, two, eight, twelve, fourteen, or eighteen other numbers 1-36, 0 and 00.  
   
   
       16 . The method of playing roulette according to  claim 1 , wherein the first set includes: 
 any of five numbers occurring before the second set of any of nine other numbers;    any of five numbers occurring before the second set of any of twelve other numbers;    any of five numbers occurring before the second set of any of fifteen other numbers;    any of five numbers occurring before the second set of any of eighteen other numbers;    any of six numbers occurring before the second set of any one other number;    any of six numbers occurring before the second set of either of two other numbers;    any of six numbers occurring before the second set of any of six other numbers;    any of six numbers occurring before the second set of any of twelve other numbers;    any of six numbers occurring before the second set of any of eighteen other numbers;    any of eight numbers occurring before the second set of either of two other numbers;    any of eight numbers occurring before the second set of any of eight other numbers;    any of eight numbers occurring before the second set of any of ten other numbers;    any of eight numbers occurring before the second set of any of eighteen other numbers;    any of ten numbers occurring before the second set of either of two other numbers;    any of ten numbers occurring before the second set of any of eight other numbers;    any of ten numbers occurring before the second set of any of ten other numbers;    any of ten numbers occurring before the second set of any of eighteen other numbers;    any of twelve numbers occurring before the second set of either of two other numbers;    any of twelve numbers occurring before the second set of any of six other numbers;    any of twelve numbers occurring before the second set of any of twelve other numbers;    any of eighteen numbers occurring before the second set of any of eight other numbers; and    any of eighteen numbers occurring before the second set of any of ten other numbers.    
   
   
       17 . The method of playing roulette according to  claim 1 , wherein a token is used to mark the placed wager, the token having markings to indicate specific parameters of the wager.  
   
   
       18 . The method of playing roulette according to  claim 17 , wherein the markings include identification of the wager as a live wager, the specific winning and losing parameters of the wager and the payout consequent to a successful outcome for the wager.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the spinning the roulette wheel step is performed using computerized random number generation technology.  
   
   
       20 . The method of playing roulette according to  claim 1 , wherein the first set includes any one number 1-36 and 0, and the second set includes any one other number 1-36 and 0.  
   
   
       21 . An apparatus for playing roulette, comprising: 
 a) means for placing wagers prior to a first spin of a roulette wheel that at least one of a first set of designated outcomes will occur before one of a second set of designated outcomes, wherein the sum of the probabilities for the predetermined winning and losing outcomes for any given spin of the roulette wheel is less than the total probability for all possible outcomes on any giving spin of the roulette wheel;    b) means for determining an outcome of a first spin of the roulette wheel; and    c) means for determining if the wager is satisfied, wherein: 
 i) the placed wager is won only when at least one of the first set of designated outcomes occurs;  
 ii) the placed wager is lost only when at least one of the second set of designated outcomes occurs; and  
 iii) the placed wager is neither won or lost if neither the first or second sets of designated outcomes occurs during the first spin of the roulette wheel.  
   
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the means for placing wagers, means for determining an outcome of the first spin of the roulette wheel and means for determining if the wager is satisfied includes a computer.