Real-money online multi-player trivia system, methods of operation, and storage medium

Abstract

An apparatus, method, and storage medium for a real-money online multi-player trivia system which allows users to compete, via a computer network, in one or more simultaneous trivia style games with a plurality of questions while wagering real and/or play money. The trivia style games can be either a single trivia game between multiple players or a tournament style game with a plurality of single games linked together. A trivia style game may allow betting before a question is delivered, after a question is delivered, or after a question is answered. Further, the amount of a player's wager may be withheld from the other players and/or whether the player answered a question correctly or incorrectly.

1 . A trivia based wagering game, the system comprising:
 a communications network for providing a plurality of trivia based games to a plurality of individuals via a network;   a means for uniquely identifying each of said individuals;   a means for said individuals to establish a stored value account, said stored value account having a real currency amount and a play currency amount;   a means for said individuals to adjust said stored value account;   a means for a predetermined number of said individuals to enroll in at least one of said trivia based games;   a means for said individuals to place a wager in at least one of said trivia based games, said wager being deducted from said stored value account;   a means for delivering at least one question to said individuals;   a means for accepting an answer to said question from each of said individuals;   a means for evaluating if said answer is correct; and   a means for allocating said wagers between a rake and said stored value accounts.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said network is the Internet. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of said trivia based games are associated together to form a tournament style game. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein each said individual in said tournament style game wagers the same amount of currency. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said wagers are not disclosed to other said players. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said wager is not made by said player until after said answer is accepted. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  including a means for said individuals to communicate with each other. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said communication is disabled when said question is delivered. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said means for placing said wager includes allowing said individuals to place said wager before said individuals turn. 
   
   
       10 . A method of using a trivia based wagering game, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a plurality of trivia based games to a plurality of individuals via a network;   uniquely identifying each of said individuals;   establishing a stored value account for said individuals, said stored value account having a real currency amount and a play currency amount;   allowing said individuals to adjust said stored value account;   enrolling a predetermined number of said individuals in at least one of said trivia based games;   allowing said individuals to place a wager in at least one of said trivia based games, said wager being deducted from said stored value account;   delivering at least one question to said individuals;   accepting an answer to said question from each of said individuals;   evaluating if said answer is correct; and   allocating said wagers between a rake and said stored value accounts.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said network is the Internet. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein a plurality of said trivia based games are associated together to form a tournament style game. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein each said individual in said tournament style game wagers the same amount of currency. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said wagers are not disclosed to other said players. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said wager is not made by said player until after said answer is accepted. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of allowing said individuals to communicate with each other. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said communication is disabled when said question is delivered. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said step for placing said wager includes allowing said individuals to place said wager before said individuals turn. 
   
   
       19 . A computer readable medium encoded with a program for a trivia based wagering game, the program performing the steps of:
 providing a plurality of trivia based games to a plurality of individuals via a network;   uniquely identifying each of said individuals;   establishing a stored value account for said individuals, said stored value account having a real currency amount and a play currency amount;   allowing said individuals to adjust said stored value account;   enrolling a predetermined number of said individuals in at least one of said trivia based games;   allowing said individuals to place a wager in at least one of said trivia based games, said wager being deducted from said stored value account;   delivering at least one question to said individuals;   accepting an answer to said question from each of said individuals;   evaluating if said answer is correct; and   allocating said wagers between a rake and said stored value accounts.   
   
   
       20 . The medium of  claim 19  wherein said network is the Internet. 
   
   
       21 . The medium of  claim 19  wherein a plurality of said trivia based games are associated together to form a tournament style game. 
   
   
       22 . The medium of  claim 21  wherein each said individual in said tournament style game wagers the same amount of currency. 
   
   
       23 . The medium of  claim 19  wherein said wagers are not disclosed to other said players. 
   
   
       24 . The medium of  claim 19  wherein said wager is not made by said player until after said answer is accepted. 
   
   
       25 . The medium of  claim 19  further comprising the step of allowing said individuals to communicate with each other. 
   
   
       26 . The medium of  claim 25  wherein said communication is disabled when said question is delivered. 
   
   
       27 . The medium of  claim 19  wherein said step for placing said wager includes allowing said individuals to place said wager before said individuals turn.