Methods and apparatus wherein multiple simultaneous entries to a single game of chance are eligible for awards based on both matching and non-matching symbols

Abstract

A system and process for generating, distributing and processing entries to a game of chance (e.g. a lottery, lotto, or other Game of chance), based on the fact that a player has the ability to play multiple wagers simultaneously in one combined and simultaneous entry. For each individual wager played, the win/loss status of the wager is determined based on the number of matching selections. If a player decides to play multiple simultaneous wagers in one entry, an additional win/loss status for the combined entry (if eligible) is determined based on the number of nonmatching selections. Wagers and entries are appropriately priced, and are validated at the point of sale by a central controller in which the entry information is stored. Subsequent to each closing of the game of chance (e.g. lottery drawing), the winning selection of symbols is compared to the wagers and entries in a central database to determine the maximum number of matches among the individual wagers, and the minimum number of matches among the combined entries. Winning wagers and entries are appropriately identified. A methodology to price wagers and combined, simultaneous entries is provided. A method and apparatus are further provided whereby a participant in the game of chance may query the win status of a wager or entry.

1 . A method of operating a lottery or lottery-style game of chance in which one or more players may play one or more wagers each comprising a player selecting m play symbols out of a set of n play symbols, with each player having the option of playing p wagers simultaneously in one entry, and the result of playing the wagers being determined by a random drawing of m winning play symbols out of said set of n play symbols by a central authority and comparing the m winning play symbols with each player's selection of m play symbols for a wager to determine a winning wager; said method further comprising the steps of: 
 generating a “p wagers indicator” identifying as a group (entry) p wagers played simultaneously by a player, eligible for an award based on non-matching selections;    storing each entry of p wagers played simultaneously and the related p wagers indicator on a central server operated by a central authority;    comparing the m winning play symbols of said random drawing with each entry of p wagers played simultaneously that are identified by said p wagers indicator and declaring as a winner each entry of p wagers played simultaneously that are identified by said p wagers indicator if said entry of p wagers consists collectively of no more than x play symbols matching said m winning play symbols, where x is 0 or a predetermined number less than m; and    calculating an award value for said winning entry or entries.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 an entry of p wagers played simultaneously and eligible for an award based on non-matching selections can be purchased for multiple (q) drawings;    said entry to include and identify in said p wagers indicator if the entry is to represent p entries for q drawings in the game of chance;    said entry to be declared a winning entry if collectively no more than x play symbols matched the winning play symbols of q drawings, where x is 0 or a predetermined number less than m.    
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the playing of a wager is evidenced by issuance of an identifying confirmation (e.g. a printed ticket, an electronic message, a dynamic web page, a sense mark form, or another confirmation) and each entry of p wagers played simultaneously is evidenced by a single combined confirmation, and further including storing with each wager and entry a date and a unique identifying number, and storing with each winning wager and winning entry of p wagers played simultaneously as evidenced by a single combined confirmation a winning date and an award value.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1  further including the identification of additional winning individual wagers with less than m matching symbols (m-1, m-2, etc.) and additional winning entries for p multiple wagers played simultaneous with collectively more than 0 matching symbols (1, 2, etc.), and calculating corresponding additional award values.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1  further including charging a fee for playing each wager, with the total fee for an entry consisting of a group of p wagers played simultaneously and eligible for an award based on non-matching selections being based in part on said p wagers indicator; wherein calculating said fee includes the steps of: 
 determining a plurality of potential payouts of said game of chance, based on the number of matching play symbols in each wager;    determining a plurality of potential payouts of said same of chance, based on the number of non-matching play symbols in one or more of p entries represented by a p wagers indicator;    determining a total number for said plurality of said payouts and a value for each of said plurality of potential payouts;    determining the probability of each of said plurality of potential payouts; and    calculating said fee for each wager and each entry of p wagers played simultaneously at least in part on said determined total number and said determined probability.    
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein all entries are comprised of a minimum of p wagers played simultaneously.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the play symbols of said multiple p wagers played simultaneously and identified by a p wagers indicator consist at least in some instances of play symbols randomly generated on behalf of the player.  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said central authority: 
 receives a request to purchase play of one or more wagers played simultaneously (an entry), with the request identifying the m play symbols for each wager played;    stores said request on a central server,    receives with said requests an indicator whether said request is for multiple (p) wagers played simultaneously and eligible for an award based on the number of play symbols in said multiple wagers that do not match the m play symbols determined by said random drawing; and    provides a confirmation of receipt of said request.    
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said central authority: 
 receives a request (e.g. verbally, by telephone, electronically, in writing, on a sense mark form or through other means) for the win/loss status of one or more entries, said request to include said p wagers indicator;    outputs data (e.g. verbally, by telephone, electronically, in writing, on a sense mark form or through other means) identifying the status of said one or more entries, such data including the date of purchase of the entry, the date of the drawing(s), whether or not said entry constitutes a winning entry, and the value of the award.    
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for operating a game of chance, comprising a memory and a processor to which the memory is connected; 
 said memory serving as a store for the following: 
 the result of a random drawing of m play symbols from a set of n play symbols;  
 a plurality of wagers played by one or more players, each wager comprising a selection of m play symbols out of a set of n play symbols;  
 identifying numbers selected by a central authority identifying each individual wager and each entry (group) of p wagers played simultaneously by a player; and  
 a “p wagers indicator” for each entry of p wagers played simultaneously, eligible for an award based on non-matching selections; and  
   said processor being operative to: 
 determine if a stored individual wager has all m play symbols matching said m winning play symbols of said result;  
 identify a stored entry of p wagers played simultaneously as a winning entry if collectively said p wagers of said stored entry have no more than x play symbols matching said m winning play symbols, where x is 0 or a predetermined number less than m.  
   
   
   
       11 . An apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein said memory is further operative to store: 
 an entry of p wagers played simultaneously and eligible for an award based on non-matching selections for multiple (q) drawings of the game of chance;    said entry to include and identify in said p wagers indicator if the entry is to represent p entries for q drawings in the game of chance; and    said processor being operative to determine an entry as a winning entry if collectively no more than x play symbols matched the winning play symbols of q drawings, where x is 0 or a predetermined number less than m.    
   
   
       12 . An apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein said processor generates an identifying confirmation (e.g. a printed ticket, an electronic message, a dynamic web page, a sense mark form, or another confirmation), where each entry of p wagers played simultaneously is evidenced by a single combined confirmation, wherein said memory stores a date and said identifying confirmation for each individual wager and each entry as a group of p wagers played simultaneously by a player, and also stores with each winning wager and each winning entry a winning date and an award value.  
   
   
       13 . An apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein said processor is further operative to identify additional individual winning wagers with less than m matching symbols (m-1, m-2, etc.) and additional winning entries of p multiple wagers played simultaneously with collectively more than 0 matching symbols (1, 2, etc.), said processor also being operative to calculate the corresponding additional award values.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein said processor is further operative to calculate a fee for each wager, with the total fee for an entry consisting of a group of p wagers played simultaneously and eligible for an award based on non-matching selections being based in part on said p wagers indicator, said processor being operative to calculate said fee through the steps of: 
 determining a plurality of potential payouts of said game of chance, based on the number of matching play symbols in each wager;    determining a plurality of potential payouts of said same of chance, based on the number of non-matching play symbols in one or more of p entries represented by a p wagers indicator;    determining a total number for said plurality of said payouts and a value for each of said plurality of potential payouts;    determining the probability of each of said plurality of potential payouts; and    calculating said fee for each wager and each entry of p wagers played simultaneously at least in part on said determined total number and said determined probability.    
   
   
       15 . An apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein all entries are comprised of a minimum of p wagers played simultaneously.  
   
   
       16 . An apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein the play symbols of said multiple p wagers played simultaneously and identified by said p wagers indicator consist at least in some instances of play symbols randomly generated on behalf of the player.  
   
   
       17 . An apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein said game of chance is operated by a central authority, said processor being operative to: 
 receive a request (e.g. verbally, by telephone, electronically, in writing, on a sense mark form or through other means) to purchase play of one or more wagers played simultaneously (an entry), with the request identifying the m play symbols for each wager played;    transmit said request to the remote central authority;    store said request on a central server;    receive with said requests an indicator whether said request is for multiple (p) wagers played simultaneously and eligible for an award based on the number of play symbols in said multiple wagers that do not match the m play symbols determined by said random drawing; and    providing a confirmation of receipt of said request.    
   
   
       18 . An apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein said processor is operative to: 
 receive a request (e.g. verbally, by telephone, electronically, in writing, on a sense mark form or through other means) for the win/loss status of one or more entries, said request to include said p wagers indicator;    output data (e.g. verbally, by telephone, electronically, in writing, on a sense mark form or through other means) identifying the status of said one or more entries, such data including the date of purchase of the entry, the date of the drawing(s), whether or not said entry constitutes a winning entry, and the value of the award.    
   
   
       19 . An apparatus for operating a game of chance comprising: 
 means for receiving the result of a random drawing of m winning play symbols from a set of n play symbols;    means for storing a plurality of wagers played by one or more players with each wager comprising a selection of m play symbols from said set of n play symbols;    means for identifying all stored wagers played by one or more players and distinguishing entries (groups) of p wagers played simultaneously by a player and eligible for an award based on non-matching selections from other stored wagers by a “p wagers indicator”;    means for comparing said result to said stored wagers and determining if an individual stored wager comprises all m winning play symbols, declaring said individual wager a winning wager;    means for comparing said result to said stored wagers and determining if an entry of p wagers played simultaneously by a player (and identified by a p wagers indicator) collectively comprises a maximum of x symbols matching the m winning play symbols of said result, where x is 0 or a predetermined number less than m, and declaring said entry a winning entry.    
   
   
       20 . An apparatus according to  claim 19  further including: 
 means for storing an entry of p wagers played simultaneously and eligible for an award based on non-matching selections for multiple (q) drawings of the game of chance;    means for including and identifying in said p wagers indicator if the entry is to represent p entries for q drawings in the game of chance; and    means for determining an entry as a winning entry if collectively no more than x play symbols matched the winning play symbols of q drawings, where x is 0 or a predetermined number less than m.    
   
   
       21 . An apparatus according to  claim 19  further including means for generating an identifying confirmation (e.g. a printed ticket, an electronic message, a dynamic web page, a sense mark form, or another confirmation), where each entry of p wagers played simultaneously is evidenced by a single identifying confirmation, storing a date and said identifying confirmation for each individual wager and each entry as a group of p wagers played simultaneously by a player, and also storing with each winning wager and each winning entry a winning date and an award value.  
   
   
       22 . An apparatus according to  claim 19  further including means for the identification of additional winning individual wagers with less than m matching symbols (m-1, m-2, etc.) and additional winning entries for p multiple wagers played simultaneous with collectively more than 0 matching symbols (1, 2, etc.), and means for calculating corresponding additional award values.  
   
   
       23 . An apparatus according to  claim 19  further including means for calculating a fee for playing each wager, with the total fee for an entry consisting of a group of p wagers played simultaneously and eligible for an award based on non-matching selections being based in part on said p wagers indicator; said calculation of said fee to include the steps of: 
 determining a plurality of potential payouts of said game of chance, based on the number of matching play symbols in each wager;    determining a plurality of potential payouts of said same of chance, based on the number of non-matching play symbols in one or more of p entries represented by a p wagers indicator;    determining a total number for said plurality of said payouts and a value for each of said plurality of potential payouts;    determining the probability of each of said plurality of potential payouts; and    calculating said fee for each wager and each entry of p wagers played simultaneously at least in part on said determined total number and said determined probability.    
   
   
       24 . An apparatus according to  claim 19  wherein all entries are comprised of a minimum of p wagers played simultaneously.  
   
   
       25 . An apparatus according to  claim 19  further including means to—at least in some instances—randomly generate play symbols on behalf of the player for entries of multiple p wagers played simultaneously and identified by a p wagers indicator.  
   
   
       26 . An apparatus according to  claim 19  further comprising: 
 means for a central authority operating the game to chance to receive a request (e.g. verbally, by telephone, electronically, in writing, on a sense mark form or through other means) to purchase play of one or more wagers played simultaneously (an entry), with the request identifying the m play symbols for each wager played;    means to transmit said request to said remote central authority;    store said request on a central server;    receive with said requests an indicator whether said request is for multiple (p) wagers played simultaneously and eligible for an award based on the number of play symbols in said multiple wagers that do not match the m play symbols determined by said random drawing; and    providing a confirmation of receipt of said request.    
   
   
       27 . An apparatus according to  claim 19  further comprising: 
 means to receive a request (e.g. verbally, by telephone, electronically, in writing, on a sense mark form or through other means) for the win/loss status of one or more entries, said request to include said p wagers indicator;    means to output data (e.g. verbally, by telephone, electronically, in writing, on a sense mark form or through other means) identifying the status of said one or more entries, such data including the date of purchase of the entry, the date of the drawing(s), whether or not said entry constitutes a winning entry, and the value of the award.    
   
   
       28 . A computer useable medium having a computer program thereon for operating a game of chance, said computer program comprising: 
 program code for receiving the result of a random drawing of m winning play symbols from a set of n play symbols;    program code for storing a plurality of wagers each comprising a selection of m play symbols out of a set of n play symbols;    program code for storing a “p wagers indicator” characterizing an entry as a group of p wagers played simultaneously by a player, eligible for an award based on non-matching selections;    program code for comparing the m winning play symbols of said result to a plurality of stored individual wagers and determining which, if any, of said stored wagers has m play symbols matching the m winning play symbols;    program code for identifying each stored individual wager having m play symbols that match the m winning play symbols as a winning wager;    program code for comparing the m winning play symbols of said result to each entry of p wagers played simultaneously by a player (as identified by a p wagers indicator) and determining if said entry collectively has a maximum of x play symbols matching the m winning play symbols, where x is 0 or a predetermined number less than m; and    program code for identifying each said entry representing a group of p wagers played simultaneously by a player that has a maximum of x play symbols matching the winning m play symbols as a winning entry.    
   
   
       29 . A computer useable medium according to  claim 28  wherein said program further includes: 
 program code for identifying an entry of p wagers played simultaneously and eligible for an award based on non-matching selections for multiple (q) drawings of the game of chance;    program code for including and identifying in said p wagers indicator if the entry is to represent p entries for q drawings in the game of chance; and    program code for determining an entry as a winning entry if collectively no more than x play symbols matched the winning play symbols of q drawings, where x is 0 or a predetermined number less than m.    
   
   
       30 . A computer useable medium according to  claim 28  wherein said program includes program code operative to generate an identifying confirmation (e.g. a printed ticket, an electronic message, a dynamic web page, a sense mark form, or another confirmation), where each entry of p wagers played simultaneously is evidenced by a single combined confirmation; to store with each wager and group of p wagers played simultaneously a date and a unique identifying number; and to store with each winning wager and each winning group of p wagers played simultaneously a winning date and an award value.  
   
   
       31 . A computer useable medium according to  claim 28  wherein said program has program code that is operative to identify additional winning wagers with less than m matching symbols (m-1, m-2, etc.) and additional winning entries for p multiple wagers played simultaneous with collectively more than 0 matching symbols (1, 2, etc.), and to calculate corresponding additional award values.  
   
   
       32 . A computer useable medium according to  claim 28  wherein said program further includes program code operative to calculate a fee for each wager, with the total fee for an entry consisting a group of p wagers played simultaneously by a player and eligible for an award based on non-matching selections being based in part on said p wagers indicator; said program code being operative to calculate said fee to include the steps of: 
 determining a plurality of potential payouts of said game of chance, based on the number of matching play symbols in each wager;    determining a plurality of potential payouts of said same of chance, based on the number of non-matching play symbols in one or more of p entries represented by a p wagers indicator;    determining a total number for said plurality of said payouts and a value for each of said plurality of potential payouts;    determining the probability of each of said plurality of potential payouts; and    calculating said fee for each wager and each entry of p wagers played simultaneously at least in part on said determined total number and said determined probability.    
   
   
       33 . A computer useable medium according to  claim 28  wherein said program code is operative to only process entries to the game of chance which are comprised of a minimum of p wagers played simultaneously.  
   
   
       34 . A computer useable medium according to  claim 28  wherein said program includes program code operative to—at least in some instances—randomly generate play symbols on behalf of the player for entries of multiple p wagers played simultaneously and identified by a p wagers indicator.  
   
   
       35 . A computer useable medium according to  claim 28  wherein said program includes program code operative to: 
 receive a request (e.g. verbally, by telephone, electronically, in writing, on a sense mark form or through other means) to purchase play of one or more wagers played simultaneously (an entry), with the request identifying the m play symbols for each wager played;    transmit said request to a remote central authority operating the game of chance;    store said request on a central server;    receive with said requests an indicator whether said request is for multiple (p) wagers played simultaneously and eligible for an award based on the number of play symbols in said multiple wagers that do not match the m play symbols determined by said random drawing; and    providing a confirmation of receipt of said request.    
   
   
       36 . A computer useable medium according to  claim 28  wherein said program includes program code operative to: 
 receive a request (e.g. verbally, by telephone, electronically, in writing, on a sense mark form or through other means) for the win/loss status of one or more entries, said request to include said p wagers indicator;    output data (e.g. verbally, by telephone, electronically, in writing, on a sense mark form or through other means) identifying the status of said one or more entries, such data including the date of purchase of the entry, the date of the drawing(s), whether or not said entry constitutes a winning entry, and the value of the award.