Computer networked game system utilizing subscription based membership and alternative methods of entry

Abstract

A computer networked, multi-user game system utilizing subscription based membership and alternative methods of entry, as well as the award of prizes of immediate value to the winner is described. A game tournament is played on client computers operated by participating players. The games offered are games that involve elements of both skill and/or chance and require active player participation and decision making. A subscription-based membership is established for each player by charging a fee for a pre-determined membership time period. An alternative method of entry is provided to allow non-subscription players to participate in the tournament without payment of the fee. The non-subscribing players receive equal access to the games and at least the same chance of winning as the subscribing players, but are limited to a single entry per game or tournament. At least one game or tournament is played within the period, and players are potentially eliminated until a winning player and any runner-up players are determined. A prize pool is disbursed to the winning players in the form of cash, cash-equivalent notes, or prizes that have an immediate or future value.

1 . A computer-implemented method of allowing a plurality of players to play a game over a computer network, the method comprising the steps of: 
 establishing a subscription-based membership for each player of the plurality of players by charging each player a fee for a membership time period;    hosting at least one game tournament for subscription-based players for a game that has elements of chance during the membership time period, the tournament consisting of at least one game round, each game round potentially eliminating one or more participant players until a winning player and one or more runner-up players are determined, wherein each player is required to make playing choices throughout the game;    establishing a prize pool for the tournament;    allowing a non-subscription player to participate in the tournament without payment of the fee by submitting information relating to the non-subscription player prior to the hosting of the tournament; and    disbursing the prize pool to the winning player and any eligible runner-up players in the form of prizes that have value.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the game tournament is managed by a game administrator operating a game server computer coupled to one or more client computers operated by the participating players.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the computer network comprises the Internet.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the game comprises a card game.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the prize pool includes prizes having an immediate value or a potential future value.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the prize pool includes an entry into a future game or tournament.  
   
   
       7 . A computer-implemented method of allowing a plurality of players to play a game over a computer network, the method comprising the steps of: 
 establishing a subscription-based membership for each player of the plurality of players by charging each player a fee for a membership time period;    hosting at least one game tournament for subscription-based players for a game that has elements of chance during the membership time period, the tournament consisting of at least one game round, each game round potentially eliminating one or more participant players until a winning player and one or more runner-up players are determined, wherein each player is required to make playing choices throughout the game;    establishing a prize pool for the tournament;    distributing a fixed number of tokens to each player participating in the tournament for betting in the tournament, the fixed number not dependent upon any consideration provided by the player;    allowing to participate in the tournament without payment of the fee by submitting information relating to the non-subscription player prior to the hosting of the tournament;    distributing at least the same number of tokens to each non-subscription player participating in the tournament as each subscription player participating in the tournament, for betting in the tournament; and    disbursing the prize pool to the winning player and any eligible runner-up players in the form of prizes that have value.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the game tournament is managed by a game administrator operating a game server computer coupled to one or more client computers operated by the participating players.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the computer network comprises the Internet.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the game is a card game.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the card game comprises poker.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the prize pool includes a future subscription.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the prize pool includes an entry into a future tournament.  
   
   
       14 . A computer-implemented method of allowing a plurality of players to play a game over a computer network, the method comprising the steps of: 
 establishing a membership for the plurality of players by charging each player a fee;    playing at least one game that has elements of chance for subscription-based players, the game consisting of eliminating one or more participant players until a winning player is determined, wherein each player is required to make playing choices throughout the game;    establishing a prize pool for the game;    allowing a non-membership player to participate in the game without payment of the fee by submitting information relating to the non-subscription player prior to the game; and    disbursing the prize pool to the winning player.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step: 
 establishing a peer to peer network for the plurality of players without a host server computer.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of: 
 providing a server computer that is coupled to the computer network; wherein the server computer performs at least one of the following functions: organizing the game, organizing a tournament that includes a plurality of games or providing payment services for the fees, or disbursing the prize pool to the winning player.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the game is a card game.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the card game comprises poker.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the prize pool includes a plurality of tokens.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the prize pool includes a future subscription or an entry into a future tournament.