Determination of game characteristics for a game of skill

Abstract

A method and associated system for automatically determining game characteristics for a game of skill, the method comprising: (a) determining or accepting a first numerical rating associated with said first participant; (b) determining or accepting a further numerical rating associated with a further participant in said game; wherein said first and further ratings are indicative of an ability level of said first and further participants, to the extent said ability level is known; (c) calculating a likelihood of a scenario, said scenario being representative of a specific outcome to said game, said likelihood being a mathematical function of said first and further numerical ratings; (d) generating betting odds based on said calculated likelihood. One application of the invention can be found in turn-based games of skill such as chess or the like.

1 . A method for automatically determining game characteristics for at least one participant in a turn-based game of skill, the method comprising:
 (a) determining or accepting a first numerical rating associated with said first participant;   (b) determining or accepting a further numerical rating associated with a further participant in said game;   wherein said first and further ratings are indicative of an ability level of said first and further participants, to the extent said ability level is known;   (c) calculating a likelihood of a scenario, said scenario being representative of a specific outcome to said game, said likelihood being a mathematical function of said first and further numerical ratings;   (d) generating a game characteristic for said proposed game between said first and further participants based on said calculated likelihood.   
   
   
       2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 accepting a first stake value from said first participant;   calculating a return due said first participant if said scenario is realised, said return being a function both of said stake value and said likelihood of said scenario.   
   
   
       3 . A method as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 calculating a further stake value for said further participant in dependence on said calculated return and said first stake value.   
   
   
       4 . A method as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said calculated return is a function of an associated fee. 
   
   
       5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 accepting a prize fund value;   calculating a stake value for each of the first and further participants in dependence on said prize fund value.   
   
   
       6 . A method as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said calculated stake values are each a function of an associated fee. 
   
   
       7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said specific outcome is a win by said first participant. 
   
   
       8 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said specific outcome is a draw. 
   
   
       9 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said game of skill is a game of chess or a variant thereof. 
   
   
       10 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising:
 adjusting said rating associated with at least one of the first and further participants in dependence on an actual outcome of said game, on completion of said game.   
   
   
       11 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the generation of said game characteristic comprises:
 generating a handicap for at least one of the first and further participants based on said likelihood;   generating a virtual rating for at least one of said first and further participants based on said handicap, and the or each associated numerical rating;   recalculating said likelihood of said scenario, using each generated virtual rating in place of the associated numerical ratings;   generating betting odds based on said calculated likelihood.   
   
   
       12 . A method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said handicap is generated such that said that each participant has an approximately equal chance of winning the game. 
   
   
       13 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the generation of said game characteristic comprises:
 generating a goal for a corresponding one of the first and further participants based on said likelihood, wherein on achievement of said goal said associated participant is designated winner of said game;   said goal being such that each participant has an approximately equal chance of winning the game.   
   
   
       14 . A method as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said goal comprises playing the game for a predetermined number of moves without losing the game. 
   
   
       15 . A method as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said goal comprises achieving a predetermined number of points or else preventing another participant achieving a predetermined number of points. 
   
   
       16 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said method is implemented on a central computer in a communications network. 
   
   
       17 . A method as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said communications network comprises the Internet. 
   
   
       18 . A method as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said communications network comprises a mobile phone I cell phone network. 
   
   
       19 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said method is implemented as stand alone application on an electronic device. 
   
   
       20 . A method for automatically determining odds for a wager placed by a first participant in a game of skill, the method comprising:
 (a) determining or accepting a first numerical rating associated with said first participant;   (b) determining or accepting a further numerical rating associated with a further participant in said game;   wherein said first and further ratings are indicative of an ability level of said first and further participants, to the extent said ability level is known;   (c) generating odds for a scenario, said scenario being representative of a specific outcome to said game, said odds being based on said first and further numerical ratings.   
   
   
       21 . A method of automatically determining game characteristics for at least one participant in a turn-based game of skill, the method comprising:
 (a) determining or accepting a first numerical rating associated with said first participant;   (b) determining or accepting a further numerical rating associated with a further participant in said game;   wherein said first and further ratings are indicative of an ability level of said first and further participants, to the extent said ability level is known;   (c) determining a differential relationship between said first and further numerical rating;   (d) generating a goal for an associated one of said players based on said differential relationship, wherein on achievement of said goal said associated player is designated winner of said game, said goal being biased in the favour of one participant so as to reduce a likelihood of the participant having a greater ability level winning the game.   
   
   
       22 . A method as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said game is chess or a variation thereof. 
   
   
       23 . A method as claimed in  claim 22  wherein said goal for said associated player is to capture a predetermined number of chess pieces from an opposing player before said opposing player obtains checkmate. 
   
   
       24 . A method as claimed in  claim 22  wherein said goal for said associated player is to capture chess pieces to a combined value equal to or exceeding a predetermined value from an opposing player before said opposing player obtains checkmate. 
   
   
       25 . A system for automatically determining game characteristics for at least one participant in a turn-based game of skill, the system comprising:
 input means for determining or accepting a first numerical rating associated with said first participant and a further numerical rating associated with a further participant in said game, wherein said first and further ratings are indicative of an ability level of said first and further participants, to the extent said ability level is known;   processing means for calculating a likelihood of a scenario, said scenario being representative of a specific outcome to said game and said likelihood being a mathematical function of said first and further numerical ratings;   wherein said processing means is arranged to generate a game characteristic for said proposed game between said first and further participants based on said calculated likelihood; and,   display means for communicating the game characteristic to a user.   
   
   
       26 . A system for automatically determining game characteristics for at least one participant in a turn-based game of skill, the method comprising:
 input means for determining or accepting a first numerical rating associated with said first participant and a further numerical rating associated with a further participant in said game, wherein said first and further ratings are indicative of an ability level of said first and further participants, to the extent said ability level is known;   processing means arranged to determine a differential relationship between said first and further numerical rating;   wherein said processing means is arranged to generate a goal for one of said players based on said differential relationship, such that on achievement of said goal said player is designated winner of said game, said goal being biased in the favour of one participant so as to reduce a likelihood of the participant having a greater ability level winning the game.   
   
   
       27 . A data carrier for operation of a system for automatically determining game characteristics for at least one participant in a turn-based game of skill, the data carrier comprising machine readable instructions for operation of said system to:
 (a) determine or accept a first numerical rating associated with said first participant;   (b) determine or accept a further numerical rating associated with a further participant in said game;   wherein said first and further ratings are indicative of an ability level of said first and further participants, to the extent said ability level is known;   (c) calculate a likelihood of a scenario, said scenario being representative of a specific outcome to said game, said likelihood being a mathematical function of said first and further numerical ratings;   (d) generate a game characteristic for said proposed game between said first and further participants based on said calculated likelihood.   
   
   
       28 . A data carrier comprising machine readable instructions for operation of a system according to  claim 26 .