Method and apparatus to execute bets

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided to execute bets in an agile manner. The method and apparatus incorporate new functions that make it easier for a bettor to enter, modify, generate derived bets and register wagers. The entering and registration of pari-mutuel wagers is made easier by the apparatus and method.

1 . An apparatus to make and place bets, including a keyboard connected to a computing means via electronic circuit means; wherein the keyboard comprises: 
 a plurality of buttons for selecting a type of bet, wherein each button represents a different type of bet;    a plurality of buttons for selecting competitors;    a plurality of buttons for selecting an initial combination of groups of competitors to finish in particular places for creating an original bet; and    a plurality of buttons for creating derivative bets,    wherein the computing means is adapted to compute, retrieve, deliver and display data and results in accordance of the buttons selected such that said buttons for creating derivative bets modifying the initial combination of groups of competitors to create derivative combinations of said original bet.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the buttons for selecting an initial combination of groups of competitors to finish in particular places include a button for selecting the same group of competitors as those chosen to finish in a preceding place to also finish in a place other than such preceding place.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said button additionally provides the ability to add or remove competitors from the group by pressing the buttons of the competitors desired.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the buttons for selecting competitors to finish in particular places include a button for selecting at once all the competitors in a race.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said button additionally provides the ability to remove or add competitors from the group by pressing the buttons of the competitors desired.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the buttons for selecting an initial combination of groups of competitors to finish in particular places include a button for selecting at once all pairs or none competitors.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the buttons for selecting an initial combination of groups of competitors to finish in particular places include a button for deleting the last competitor entered from a group of competitors being selected to finish in a particular place.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the buttons for modifying the initial combination to create derivative bets include a button for switching from a group of competitors to finish in a particular place, to a group of competitors to finish in a place other than such preceding place.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the buttons for modifying the initial combination to create derivative bets include a button selected from the group consisting of: 
 a button for generating multiple bets by automatically generating all possible combinations of the groups of competitors previously selected to finish in a position other than first, while maintaining fixed for first place in each combination, the group of competitors previously chosen to finish in first place;    a button for generating multiple bets by automatically generating all possible combinations of the groups of competitors previously selected to finish in a position other than second, while maintaining fixed for second place in each combination the group of competitors previously chosen to finish in second place;    a button for generating multiple bets by automatically generating all possible combinations of the groups of competitors previously selected to finish in a position other than third, while maintaining fixed for third place in each combination the group of competitors previously chosen to finish in third place;    a button for generating multiple bets by automatically generating all possible combinations of the groups of competitors previously selected to finish in a position other than fourth, while maintaining fixed for fourth place in each combination the group of competitors previously chosen to finish in fourth place; and    a button for generating multiple bets by automatically generating all possible combinations of the groups of competitors previously selected to finish in the different places.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a button for removing a competitor selected from any derivative bet to finish in an place selected.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a button for recalling the original bet.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the buttons for modifying the initial combination to create derivative bets include a button for transforming an exacta bet into a trifecta bet and vice-versa, wherein an exacta bet is transformed into a trifecta bet by repeating for third place finishes the same group of competitors previously selected to finish in second place, and wherein a trifecta bet is transformed into an exacta bet by incorporating into the group of competitors previously chosen to finish in second place those competitors chosen to finish in third place that are missing from the group chosen to finish in second.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the buttons for modifying the initial combination to create derivative bets include a button for automatically deleting from all betting combinations entered so far a competitor whose participation in the race has been cancelled.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a display for showing the cost of the bet entered for the user and provide a warning of the cost of a derived bet.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the derived bet is a Trifecta when the bet entered is an Exacta; or a Trifecta and/or Superfecta when the bet entered is a Trifecta; or a Trifecta when the bet entered is a Superfecta.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a communication peripheral.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a button that sends betting information entered to the communications peripheral.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the communications peripheral communicates with a locality for the registration of bets.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is portable.  
   
   
       20 . A method to execute bets using an apparatus for making bets, said apparatus including a plurality of buttons for selecting a type of original bet, wherein each button represents a different type of bet; a plurality of buttons for selecting competitors, wherein each button represents a different competitor; a plurality of buttons for selecting an initial combination of groups of competitors to finish in particular places for the original bet; and a plurality of buttons for creating derivative bets, said buttons for creating derivative bets modifying the initial combination of groups of competitors to create derivative combinations of said original bet, said method comprising: 
 selecting a type of original bet with the apparatus; and    selecting an initial combination of groups of competitors to finish in particular places with the apparatus.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein selecting an initial combination of groups of competitors to finish in particular places comprises selecting, through use of the apparatus, the same group of competitors as those chosen to finish in a preceding place to also finish in a place other than such preceding place.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising adding or removing competitors from the group by pressing the buttons of the competitors desired.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein selecting an initial combination of groups of competitors to finish in particular places comprises selecting at once, through use of the apparatus, all the competitors in a race.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising adding or removing competitors from the group by pressing the buttons of the competitors desired.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein selecting an initial combination of groups of competitors to finish in particular places comprises selecting at once, through use of the apparatus, pairs or none competitors.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein selecting an initial combination of groups of competitors to finish in particular places comprises deleting, through use of the apparatus, the last competitor entered from the group of competitors being selected to finish in a particular place.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein selecting an initial combination of groups of competitors to finish in particular places comprises selecting, thorough use of the apparatus, to switch from choosing a group of competitors to finish in a particular place, to choose a group of competitors to finish in a subsequent place.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising generating, through use of the apparatus, multiple bets from the group consisting of: 
 of all possible combinations of groups of competitors previously selected to finish in a position other than first, while maintaining fixed for first place selection in each combination the group of competitors previously chosen to finish in first place;    of all possible combinations of groups of competitors previously selected to finish in a position other than second, while maintaining fixed for second place selection in each combination the group of competitors previously chosen to finish in second place;    of all possible combinations of groups of competitors previously selected to finish in a position other than third, while maintaining fixed for third place selection in each combination the group of competitors previously chosen to finish in third place;    of all possible combinations of groups of competitors previously selected to finish in a position other than fourth, while maintaining fixed for fourth place selection in each combination the group of competitors previously chosen to finish in fourth place; and    all possible combinations of groups of competitors previously selected to finish in the different places.    
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising automatically deleting from all derivative bets, through use of the apparatus, at last one competitor selected from any derivative bet to finish in a place selected.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising transforming, through use of the apparatus, an exacta bet into a trifecta bet and/or vice-versa, wherein a exacta bet is transformed into a trifecta bet by repeating for third place finishes the same group of competitors previously selected to finish in second place, and wherein a trifecta bet is transformed into an exacta bet by incorporating into the group of competitors previously chosen to finish in second place those competitors chosen to finish in third place that are missing from the group chosen to finish in second.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising automatically deleting from all betting combinations entered so far, through use of the apparatus, a competitor whose participation in the race has been cancelled.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the type of bet selected comprises an exacta, trifecta, or superfecta bet.