SkillBet™ Method, System, and Computer Program Product for Online Gaming

Abstract

A computer implemented method, system, and software for an online gaming system to permit users to measure and improve their skill at playing games that include both chance and skill by competing against computer system players (directly or indirectly), and then comparing their performance against another user who has played an identical game. Games may comprise: cards (i.e., poker and blackjack), roulette, craps, backgammon, and chess. In SkillBet™, users play against computer players in identical games, and then compare their game results against the other users. Because users are presented the same game options as the other users, the winner is determined by the user's superior skill In Total Skill, users play a game against each other, while duplicate computer players play an identical game. The winner is the user who outperformed his/her duplicate computer player.

1 . A computer system enabling users to play a card game minimizing the effect of chance, comprising:
 a processor;   a computer memory;   a computerized graphical interface displaying two or more identical, mirrored card games comprising one user and at least one computer player per game; and,   software stored on a computer-readable medium which, when loaded and run by the processor, causes the processor to perform steps of:
 creating said graphical interface display; 
 dealing identical cards from simulated decks to all the mirror players in said games, wherein the user in the first game receives cards identical to those received by the user in the second game; and the computer player(s) in the first game receives cards identical to those received by the computer player(s) in the second game; 
 determining the score of each user after each hand as compared to the computer player(s) at their table; 
 comparing the points scored by each user to the other user(s) at said identical table(s); and, 
 awarding the difference in points to the user with the higher score. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said card game comprises poker, draw poker, Limit Texas Hold'em, No Limit Texas Hold'em, Ultimate Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Stud Poker, and community card poker. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said dealing of identical cards to each user occurs concurrently. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said users complete a minimum of 30 hands of poker, and hand-to-hand thereafter. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said game is poker and said gaming interface further comprises disclosing user's playing options in real-time comprising call, raise, fold, and the appropriate amount for said option. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the maximum award for each hand is the buy-in amount. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said dealing of identical cards to each user occurs non-concurrently, and within a designated time period after one user invites another user to play. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said award comprises the sum of the buy-in amount of the losing user(s) minus the rake charged by the house. 
     
     
         9 . A computer-implemented method for playing a card game, the method comprising,
 creating a computerized graphical interface displaying two or more identical, mirrored card games comprising one user and at least one computer player per game;   dealing identical cards from simulated decks to all the mirrored users/players in said games, wherein the user in the first game receives cards identical to those received by the user in the second game; and the computer player(s) in the first game receives cards identical to those received by the computer player(s) in the second game;   determining the score of each user after each hand as compared to his/her computer player(s) at their table;   comparing the points scored by each user to the other user(s) at said identical table(s); and,   awarding the difference in points to the user with the larger score.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein all users play against the computer player(s) at the same time. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein one user plays against the computer player(s) and issues an invitation to another user to play against identical computer player(s). 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said card game comprises poker, draw poker, Limit Texas Hold'em, No Limit Texas Hold'em, Ultimate Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Stud Poker, and community card poker. 
     
     
         13 . A computer system enabling players to play a card game minimizing the effect of chance, comprising:
 a processor;   a computer memory;   a computerized gaming table interface comprising a display of two identical card tables, wherein a first table comprises at least two users competing, and a second table comprises at least two computer players competing; and,   software stored on a computer-readable medium which, when loaded and run by the processor, causes the processor to perform steps of:
 dealing cards from a simulated deck to users at said first table, and dealing identical cards to computer players at said second table; 
 determining the winner of said users and the winning amount(1), and the winner of said computer players and the winning amount(2);
 if amount(1) is greater than or equal to amount(2), then awarding the winning user the difference between amount(1) and amount(2); and, 
 if amount(1) is less than amount(2), then awarding the losing user the difference between amount(1) and amount(2). 
 
   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said card game comprises poker, draw poker, Limit Texas Hold'em, No Limit Texas Hold'em, Ultimate Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Stud Poker, and community card poker. 
     
     
         15 . A computer-implemented method for playing a card game, the method comprising:
 serving an electronic card game interface to a plurality of users comprising a display of two or more identical card tables, wherein one table comprises said users, and one table comprises a plurality of computer players representing said users;   dealing cards from a simulated deck to said users at a first table;   dealing identical representation of said cards to the computer players at a second table;   determining the winner amongst said users and the winning amount(1), and the winner amongst said computer players and the winning amount(2);
 if amount(1) is greater than or equal to amount(2), then awarding the winning user the difference between amount(1) and amount(2); and, 
 if amount(1) is less than amount(2), then awarding the losing user the difference between amount(1) and amount(2). 
   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said card game comprises poker, draw poker, Limit Texas Hold'em, No Limit Texas Hold'em, Ultimate Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Stud Poker, and community card poker. 
     
     
         17 . A computer-implemented method for playing a game demonstrating the skill level of the users playing against duplicate computer players, the method comprising,
 creating a computerized graphical interface displaying two or more identical, mirrored games comprising one or more users and at least one computer player per game;   presenting identical game options to all mirrored players, wherein each user in the first game receives identical options as the user in the second game; and the computer player(s) in the first game receives identical options as the computer player(s) in the second game;   determining the score of each user after each game as compared to his/her computer player(s);   comparing the points scored by each user to the other user(s) in said identical games(s); and,   awarding the difference in points to the user with the larger score.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said game comprises cards, craps, roulette, backgammon, and chess. 
     
     
         19 . A computer-implemented method for playing a game demonstrating the skill level of the users against computer players playing a duplicate game, the method comprising,
 creating two computerized gaming images, wherein the first image displays users playing a game and the second image displays computer players playing a duplicate game;   presenting each user and their duplicate computer player with the same game options;   determining the winner of said users and the winning amount(1), and the winner of said computer players and the winning amount(2);
 if amount(1) is greater than or equal to amount(2), then awarding the winning user the difference between amount(1) and amount(2); and, 
 if amount(1) is less than amount(2), then awarding the losing user the difference between amount(1) and amount(2). 
   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said game comprises cards, craps, roulette, backgammon, and chess.