Apparatus and method for gaming, gameplay and betting

Abstract

Apparatus for play by a user comprises generating means operable to randomly generate a plurality of symbols, each symbol being one in a predetermined set of symbols, a gaming region defining a plurality of areas, each of which comprises locations relating to respective symbols within a set of symbols, and selection means to enable the selection of one or more locations in two or more areas with a single selection.

1 . Apparatus for play by a user comprising generating means operable to randomly generate a plurality of symbols, each symbol being one in a predetermined set of symbols, a gaming region defining a plurality of areas each of which comprises locations each relating to a respective symbol within a set of symbols, and selection means to enable the selection of one or more locations in two or more of the areas with a single selection.  
   
   
       2 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the selection means enables a user to select one or more locations within an area independently of any selection in that or another area.  
   
   
       3 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the selection means enables a user to select a plurality of locations within each area.  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , in which the selection means provides for selection of a plurality of locations within an area with a single selection.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , in which the selection means provides for selection of a plurality of locations within an area with a single selection where said locations are mutually adjacent.  
   
   
       6 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , in which the selection means enables selection of adjacent locations when a user selects a boundary between said locations.  
   
   
       7 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the number of areas in the gaming region is the same as the number of symbols generated.  
   
   
       8 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the selection means comprises one or more sensors operable to sense which location(s) have been selected by a user.  
   
   
       9 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , in which the selection means comprises one or more sensors operable to sense contact by a user, such as a touch sensitive screen.  
   
   
       10 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , in which the selection means comprises one or more sensors operable to sense location of an object, such as a counter, betting chip or the like on the gaming region by a user.  
   
   
       11 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , in which the sensor(s) are heat, light, weight and/or touch sensitive.  
   
   
       12 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the identification of selected locations is made visually by an operative of the apparatus, such as a croupier.  
   
   
       13 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the selection means enables a user to make at least the same number of selections, per play of the apparatus, as the number of symbols generated.  
   
   
       14 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the apparatus comprises means to determine the number of selections a user can make in any one game.  
   
   
       15 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , in which the means determines the number of selections according to the amount of credit in the apparatus.  
   
   
       16 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which each location in an area comprises a representation of a respective symbol from a set of symbols.  
   
   
       17 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which each area has a complete set of symbols associated therewith.  
   
   
       18 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , in which each area has the same number of locations as there are symbols in the respective set of symbols and each location relates to its own symbol within the set.  
   
   
       19 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the generating means is operable to randomly generate a symbol corresponding to one symbol from a predetermined set of symbols.  
   
   
       20 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 19 , in which each symbol is generated independently of the others.  
   
   
       21 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which a reference set is provided which comprises an index of all possible symbol combinations that could be produced using one symbol from each of the predetermined sets of symbols, and the generating means is operable to randomly select one combination from the reference set.  
   
   
       22 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which each set of symbols is the same.  
   
   
       23 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the symbols in each set comprise a sequence of numbers.  
   
   
       24 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 23 , in which the symbols are represented in numerical order in the respective area.  
   
   
       25 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which each symbol has two identifiable characteristics, which are both represented in the location relating to that symbol in the respective area, whereby to provide for enhanced gaming options.  
   
   
       26 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 25 , in which each symbol has a colour characteristic associated therewith.  
   
   
       27 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 26 , in which the symbols alternate with regard to their colour characteristic along the sequence of symbols.  
   
   
       28 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 26 , in which one of said symbols has its own colour not shared with any other symbol in the set.  
   
   
       29 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the generating means comprises a plurality of reels, each of which has a set of symbols therearound, and each of which relates to an area.  
   
   
       30 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 29 , in which the symbols and the sequence of the symbols on each reel are the same as the symbols and the sequence of the locations relating to the symbols in the corresponding area.  
   
   
       31 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 29 , in which each reel is aligned with the associated area on the gaming region to facilitate play.  
   
   
       32 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the generating means comprises a plurality of roulette-type wheels, one or more roulette wheels comprising a plurality of balls, means to select balls or other objects from sets of the same bearing symbols, computer means or any other suitable means for randomly generating symbols from predetermined sets of symbols.  
   
   
       33 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 29 , in which the reels, wheels, objects, balls etc. are real, virtual, simulated or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       34 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the apparatus comprises further gaming regions at which a user can select defined locations relating to predetermined combinations of symbols.  
   
   
       35 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the apparatus comprises a further gaming region which defines two locations relating to each set of symbols, one of said locations relating to a part of the set of symbols and the other said location to another part.  
   
   
       36 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 35 , in which each location relates to a part of equal size to the other in a set, according to one or both characteristics of the symbol.  
   
   
       37 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 35 , in which each location comprises two sub-locations, one relating to one characteristic of that part and the other to the other characteristic.  
   
   
       38 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 37 , in which selection means generally as described above is provided to enable sub-locations to be selected together by a single selection, or independently.  
   
   
       39 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the apparatus comprises a still further gaming region which defines a plurality of still further locations relating to predetermined groups of symbols within a set of symbols and/or between sets of symbols.  
   
   
       40 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 39 , in which the still further locations relate to groups of symbols in more than one and desirably all the areas.  
   
   
       41 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 39 , in which one or more, and desirably each group comprises more than two symbols in a set.  
   
   
       42 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 39 , in which selection means, generally as above, is provided to enable selection of said still further locations by a user during use.  
   
   
       43 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the apparatus comprises means to calculate the sum of symbols generated where said symbols have a numerical value characteristic.  
   
   
       44 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 43 , in which the apparatus provides a sum gaming region comprising sum gaming locations each relating to a predetermined sum figure or figures.  
   
   
       45 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 44 , in which each sum gaming location is selectable by a user.  
   
   
       46 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 44 , in which each sum gaming location relates to a range of sum figures.  
   
   
       47 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the apparatus further comprises processing means operable to compare symbols generated by the generating means and symbols relating to (a) location(s) selected by a user in play and to determine whether the player has successfully predicted the symbols generated.  
   
   
       48 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 47 , in which the processing means also determines the probability of a user selecting the symbols generated in the light of the locations selected and determines any reward or pay out to the user.  
   
   
       49 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 48 , in which the processing means determines any reward or pay-out according to a predetermined fixed-odds system.  
   
   
       50 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the apparatus comprises reward dispensing means, such as credit, money, ticket, voucher or token dispensing means for dispensing reward to a user.  
   
   
       51 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the apparatus is actuated upon insertion of appropriate credit by a user, which credit may be in the form of tokens, money, credit cards or other payment means.  
   
   
       52 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 51 , in which credit is made to the apparatus remotely, such as electronically.  
   
   
       53 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the number of locations selectable during play is determined by the amount of credit in the apparatus.  
   
   
       54 . A method for a user to play a game comprising the steps of: 
 providing a gaming region defining a plurality of areas each of which comprises locations relating to respective symbols within a set of symbols,    providing selection means to enable a user to select one or more locations in two or more of the areas with a single selection,    randomly generating a plurality of symbols, each symbol being one in a predetermined set of symbols;    comparing the symbols generated and the locations selected, and    determining whether the user made a successful prediction in relation to the symbols generated.    
   
   
       55 . A method as claimed in  claim 54 , in which a user selects a plurality of locations within each area.  
   
   
       56 . A method as claimed in  claim 55 , in which the user can select more than one location within an area with a single selection.  
   
   
       57 . A method as claimed in  claim 55 , in which a user can make a selection in one area independently of any selection in that or another area.  
   
   
       58 . A method as claimed in  claim 54 , in which a user can select a plurality of locations where said locations are mutually adjacent by a single selection.  
   
   
       59 . A method as claimed in  claim 58 , in which a user can select a plurality of adjacent locations by selecting a boundary between the locations.  
   
   
       60 . A method as claimed in  claim 54 , in which a user selects a location according to the symbol represented on that location.  
   
   
       61 . A method as claimed in  claim 54 , in which a generated symbol is generated using generating means operable to randomly generate a plurality of symbols, each symbol being one in a predetermined set of symbols, a gaming region defining a plurality of areas each of which comprises locations each relating to a respective symbol within a set of symbols, and selection means to enable the selection of one or more locations in two or more of the areas with a single selection.  
   
   
       62 . A method as claimed in  claim 61 , in which symbols are generated having two identifiable characteristics, such as a numerical value and colour.  
   
   
       63 . A method as claimed in  claim 62 , in which a user makes a selection according to his choice of one or both of the characteristics of a symbol at a given location.  
   
   
       64 . A method as claimed in  claim 54 , in which locations can be selected which relate to predetermined groups and/or combinations of symbols at further, still further and sum gaming regions defining a plurality of areas each of which comprises locations each relating to a respective symbol within a set of symbols.  
   
   
       65 . The use of apparatus for play by a user comprising generating means operable to randomly generate a plurality of symbols, each symbol being one in a predetermined set of symbols, a gaming region defining a plurality of areas each of which comprises locations each relating to a respective symbol within a set of symbols, and selection means to enable the selection of one or more locations in two or more of the areas with a single selection.  
   
   
       66 . A computer program for performing the steps of the method for a user to play a game comprising the steps of providing a gaming region defining a plurality of areas each of which comprises locations relating to respective symbols within a set of symbols, providing selection means to enable a user to select one or more locations in two or more of the areas with a single selection, randomly generating a plurality of symbols, each symbol being one in a predetermined set of symbols; comparing the symbols generated and the locations selected, and determining whether the user made a successful prediction in relation to the symbols generated.  
   
   
       67 . A memory device embodying the computer program for performing the steps of the method for a user to play a game comprising the steps of providing a gaming region defining a plurality of areas each of which comprises locations relating to respective symbols within a set of symbols, providing selection means to enable a user to select one or more locations in two or more of the areas with a single selection, randomly generating a plurality of symbols, each symbol being one in a predetermined set of symbols; comparing the symbols generated and the locations selected, and determining whether the user made a successful prediction in relation to the symbols generated.