Selection apparatus

Abstract

A selection apparatus for use with a gaming apparatus having an ordered array of winning areas which are adapted to be selected by selection means, each winning are being associated with one of a plurality of identifiers. The selection apparatus comprises: a first ordered array of alternately offset selection areas; and a second ordered array of alternately offset identifier areas interleaved with the first array such that each area of each array is adjacent to a plurality of areas of the other array. Each identifier area is associated with one of the plurality of identifiers such that the ordering of the identifier areas is the same as the ordering of the winning areas.

1 . A selection apparatus for use with a gaming apparatus having an ordered array of winning areas which are adapted to be selected by selection means, each winning area being associated with one of a plurality of identifiers, the selection apparatus comprising:
 a first ordered array of alternately offset selection areas;   a second ordered array of alternately offset identifier areas interleaved with the first ordered array such that each area of each array is adjacent to a plurality of areas of the other array,   wherein each identifier area is associated with one of the plurality of identifiers such that the ordering of the identifier areas is the same as the ordering of the winning areas.   
   
   
       2 . A selection apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein, for each identifier, the neighbouring areas of the winning and identifier areas with which the identifier is associated are associated with the same set of identifiers. 
   
   
       3 . A selection apparatus according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the array of winning areas comprises a circular array. 
   
   
       4 . A selection apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein, the winning areas comprise pockets on a rotatably mounted rotor into which a ball can be received. 
   
   
       5 . A selection apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein an identifier comprises at least one of: a symbol; a number; a letter; a logo; a colour; an image; and a pattern. 
   
   
       6 . A method of playing a game, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a gaming apparatus having an ordered array of winning areas which are adapted to be selected by selection means, each winning area being associated with a number;   providing a selection apparatus comprising: a first ordered linear array of alternately offset selection areas; and a second ordered linear array of alternately offset identifier areas interleaved with the first ordered array such that each area of each array is adjacent to a plurality of areas of the other array, wherein each identifier area is associated with a number such that the ordering of the identifier areas is the same as the ordering of the winning areas;   selecting a first selection area of the first ordered linear array so as to select a plurality of identifier areas adjacent to the first selection area with a single selection;   operating the gaming apparatus in accordance with predetermined rules so as to select a winning area; and   determining if the selected winning area corresponds with any one of the selected plurality of identifier areas.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the gaming apparatus comprises a roulette wheel having a circular array of winning areas adapted to be selected by a ball. 
   
   
       8 . A method of playing a game, the method embodied in a computer program product for use with a computer system, the computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer readable program means embodied in the medium for performing the steps of the method, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a gaming apparatus having an ordered array of winning areas which are adapted to be selected by selection means, each winning area being associated with a number;   providing a selection apparatus comprising: a first ordered linear array of alternately offset selection areas; and a second ordered linear array of alternately offset identifier areas interleaved with the first ordered array such that each area of each array is adjacent to a plurality of areas of the other array, wherein each identifier area is associated with a number such that the ordering of the identifier areas is the same as the ordering of the winning areas;   selecting a first selection area of the first ordered linear array so as to select a plurality of identifier areas adjacent to the first selection area with a single selection;   operating the gaming apparatus in accordance with predetermined rules so as to select a winning area; and   determining if the selected winning area corresponds with any one of the selected plurality of identifier areas.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the gaming apparatus comprises a roulette wheel having a circular array of winning areas adapted to be selected by a ball.