Wagering system with possible tie

Abstract

A pari-mutual wagering system offering a plurality of wagering options to bettors for individual predictions of the individual outcomes sporting contests in contest groupings having a plurality of such sporting contests. At least one of the individual sporting contests of each plurality will have a at least one overtime period to determine a contest winner in the event of a tie at the end of regulation play. The wagering options include a bet on a tie at the end of regulation play and before such an overtime period for contests which have an overtime period. Winners from the bettors betting on any grouping would receive larger prize awards correlating to their correct number of outcomes. The system can also be employed as a game for fun where points are awarded for the most correct predictions of outcomes or a prize is awarded to the bettor with the most correct predictions.

1 . A pari-mutual wagering system comprising the steps of: 
 offering a plurality of wagering options to bettors;    said wagering options including individual predictions of the individual outcomes of individual sporting contests, in a grouping having a plurality of said sporting contests;    at least one of said individual sporting contests of each said plurality having a regulation play period and having at least one overtime play period to determine an ultimate winner in said individual sporting contest should a tie occur upon cessation of said regulation play period;    providing means for bettors to designate an outcome of either a winner or a tie at the end of said regulation play period but before said overtime play period in said individual sporting contests in said grouping; and    awarding bettors prize awards proportional to their respective correct number of said outcomes predicted from said grouping of said sporting contests, wherein said bettors with the highest number of correct said outcomes receive a larger of said prize awards than said bettors with lower numbers of said correct outcomes.    
   
   
       2 . The pari-mutual wagering system of  claim 1 , additionally comprising: 
 providing means for bettors to designate a final outcome of said individual sporting contests in said grouping in said individual sporting contests when said outcome at the end of said regulation play is a tie; and    allowing said bettors to designate a final outcome of said individual sporting contests in said grouping in said individual sporting contests if they also predict said tie at the end of said regulation play.    
   
   
       3 . The pari-mutual wagering system of  claim 1 , additionally comprising: 
 collecting said wagers from said bettors to form a pool of said wagers;    allocating a portion of said pool for an operator of said wagering system; and    allocating a remaining portion of said pool for said prize awards.    
   
   
       4 . The pari-mutual wagering system of  claim 2 , additionally comprising: 
 collecting money wagers from said bettors to form a pool of said wagers;    allocating a portion of said pool for an operator of said wagering system; and    allocating a remaining portion of said pool for said prize awards.    
   
   
       5 . The pari-mutual wagering system of  claim 1 , additionally comprising: 
 defining a points system whereby said prize awards are points.    
   
   
       6 . The pari-mutual wagering system of  claim 2 , additionally comprising: 
 defining a points system whereby said prize awards are points.    
   
   
       7 . The pari-mutual wagering system of  claim 1 , additionally comprising: 
 designating an individual prize to be awarded; and    awarding said individual prize to a respective said bettor having a highest correct number of said outcomes predicted from said grouping of said sporting contests.    
   
   
       8 . The pari-mutual wagering system of  claim 2 , additionally comprising: 
 designating an individual prize to be awarded; and    awarding said individual prize to a respective said bettor having a highest sum total of said predictions.    
   
   
       9 . The pari-mutual wagering system of  claim 5 , additionally comprising: 
 designating an individual prize to be awarded; and    awarding said individual prize to a respective said bettor having a highest number of said points.    
   
   
       10 . The pari-mutual wagering system of  claim 6 , additionally comprising: 
 designating an individual prize to be awarded; and    awarding said individual prize to a respective said bettor having a highest number of said points.    
   
   
       11 . The pari-mutual wagering system of  claim 1  wherein said individual sporting contests are one or a combination of sports contests from a group consisting of football, basketball, soccer, boxing, wrestling, tennis, hockey and handball.  
   
   
       12 . The pari-mutual wagering system of  claim 2  wherein said individual sporting contests are one or a combination of sports contests from a group consisting of football, basketball, soccer, boxing, wrestling, tennis, hockey and handball.  
   
   
       13 . The pari-mutual wagering system of  claim 3  wherein said individual sporting contests are one or a combination of sports contests from a group consisting of football, basketball, soccer, boxing, wrestling, tennis, hockey and handball.  
   
   
       14 . The pari-mutual wagering system of  claim 4  wherein said individual sporting contests are one or a combination of sports contests from a group consisting of football, basketball, soccer, boxing, wrestling, tennis, hockey and handball.  
   
   
       15 . The pari-mutual wagering system of  claim 5  wherein said individual sporting contests are one or a combination of sports contests from a group consisting of football, basketball, soccer, boxing, wrestling, tennis, hockey and handball.  
   
   
       16 . The pari-mutual wagering system of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of wagering options is provided indicia on individual cards, said indicia providing points on said card for said bettor to designate said final outcome theron.  
   
   
       17 . The pari-mutual wagering system of  claim 2  wherein said plurality of wagering options is provided indicia on individual cards, said indicia providing points on said card for said bettor to designate said final outcome theron.  
   
   
       18 . The pari-mutual wagering system of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of wagering options is provided by computer screens over a network to said bettor, said computer screens providing points on said screen for said bettor to designate said final outcome.  
   
   
       19 . The pari-mutual wagering system of  claim 2  wherein said plurality of wagering options is provided by computer screens over a network to said bettor, said computer screens providing points on said screen for said bettor to designate said final outcome.