Jackpot System

Abstract

This invention relates to the awarding of prizes for games, such as for example, table games like card games. In one form the present invention is suitable for use in the game of Blackjack and provides a system for awarding a game prize, comprising: determining a tally corresponding to each game completed at two or more locations at which games are played; and awarding the prize to a second game upon the completion of a first game which causes the tally to reach a predetermined number. Alternatively, the present invention provides a system for awarding a game prize, comprising: determining a tally of predetermined results produced by the play of a game; and awarding the prize to a second game when a predetermined result associated with a first game causes the tally to reach a predetermined number.

1 - 53 . (canceled) 
   
   
       54 . A method for awarding a game prize, the method comprising the steps of:
 determining a tally of predetermined results produced by the play of at least one type of game; and awarding the prize to a second game when the tally of predetermined results reaches a predetermined number upon a predetermined result being produced by a first game.   
   
   
       55 . A method as claimed in  claim 54  wherein the tally corresponds to predetermined results produced by games played at one or more locations. 
   
   
       56 . A method as claimed in  claim 55  wherein the same type of game is played at said one or more locations. 
   
   
       57 . A method as claimed in  claim 55  wherein different types of games are played at said one or more locations. 
   
   
       58 . A method as claimed in  claim 55  wherein the step of awarding comprises distributing the prize to the location of the second game among eligible players of the second game. 
   
   
       59 . A method as claimed in  claim 55  wherein the step of determining a tally comprises:
 communicating a packet comprising an indication of each game location; and   accumulating a count of each communicated packet to form the tally.   
   
   
       60 . A method as claimed in  claim 55  wherein the first game and the second game are one and the same game. 
   
   
       61 . A method as claimed in  claim 54  wherein the first game is completed prior to the start of the second game. 
   
   
       62 . A method as claimed in  claim 61  wherein the step of awarding further comprises the step of adding the prize to a primary game award associated only with the second game. 
   
   
       63 . A method as claimed in  claim 54  wherein the step of determining further comprises the step of maintaining an updated tally responsive to at least one of as games are completed and as predetermined results are produced. 
   
   
       64 . A method as claimed in  claim 54  wherein the step of determining further comprises the step of providing at least one player with an incrementing means for causing the tally to be updated. 
   
   
       65 . A method as claimed in  claim 54  wherein the tally corresponds to games won and the step of determining a tally comprises incrementing the tally only when a game is won by a player who has made a side bet. 
   
   
       66 . A method as claimed in  claim 54  wherein the value of the prize is randomly selected from within two or more prize scales comprising at least a higher-value prize scale and a lower-value prize scale and the probability of the prize being selected from each one of the prize scales is predetermined. 
   
   
       67 . A method as claimed  claim 54  further comprising the step of continuously displaying to players of games one or more of:
 the tally; and   the predetermined number.   
   
   
       68 . A method as claimed in  claim 54  wherein the games comprise one or a combination of:
 a table game;   a gaming machine game;   slot games;   video card games;   video bingo; and   video keno.   
   
   
       69 . A method as claimed in  claim 68  wherein the games comprise a combination of one or more of the following types of games:
 Blackjack;   Pontoon;   Baccarat;   Roulette;   Poker;   Bingo; and   Keno.   
   
   
       70 . Apparatus for awarding a game prize, comprising:
 determining means for determining a tally of predetermined results produced by the play of at least one type of game; and   awarding means for awarding the prize to a second game when the tally of predetermined results reaches a predetermined number upon a predetermined result being produced by a first game.   
   
   
       71 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 70  wherein the tally corresponds to games played at one or more locations. 
   
   
       72 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 71  wherein the same type of game is played at said one or more locations. 
   
   
       73 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 71  wherein different types of games are played at said one or more locations. 
   
   
       74 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 71  wherein the awarding means comprises:
 distributing means for distributing the prize to the second game wherein the distributing means comprises a computer network configured for packet communications.   
   
   
       75 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 70  wherein the determining means comprises:
 communication means for communicating a packet comprising an indication of each game location; and   accumulating means for accumulating a count of each communicated packet to form the tally.   
   
   
       76 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 70  wherein the first game and the second game are one and the same game. 
   
   
       78 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 74  wherein the distributing means is configured to distribute the prize at the location of the second game among eligible players of the second game. 
   
   
       79 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 70  wherein the first game is completed prior to the start of the second game. 
   
   
       80 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 79  wherein the awarding means further comprises prize adding means for adding the prize to a primary game award associated only with the second game. 
   
   
       81 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 70  wherein the determining means further comprises incrementing means, associated with at least one player, for causing the tally to be updated. 
   
   
       82 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 70  wherein the determining means further comprises incrementing means for incrementing the tally only when a game is won by a player who has made a side bet. 
   
   
       83 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 70  further comprising prize selection means for randomly selecting the value of the prize from within two or more prize scales which comprise at least a higher-value prize scale and a lower-value prize scale and the probability of the prize being selected from each one of the prize scales is predetermined. 
   
   
       84 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 70  further comprising display means for continuously displaying to players of games one or more of:
 the tally; and   the predetermined number.   
   
   
       85 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 70  wherein the games comprise one of:
 a table game;   a gaming machine game;   slot games;   video card games;   video bingo; and   video keno.   
   
   
       86 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 85  wherein the games comprise a combination of one or more of the following types of game:
 Blackjack;   Pontoon;   Baccarat;   Roulette;   Poker;   Bingo; and   Keno.   
   
   
       87 . Apparatus for awarding a game prize, said apparatus comprising:
 a processor;   memory, operatively coupled to the processor, for storing computer-executable instructions, which when executed by the processor perform the method of:   determining a tally of predetermined results produced by the play of at least one type of game; and   awarding the prize to a second game when the tally of predetermined results reaches a predetermined number upon a predetermined result being produced by a first game.   
   
   
       88 . A computer readable storage medium comprising computer-executable instructions stored thereon, which when executed by a processor perform the method of:
 determining a tally of predetermined results produced by the play of at least one type of game; and   awarding the prize to a second game when the tally of predetermined results reaches a predetermined number upon a predetermined result being produced by a first game.