Bingo Table Game And Method Of Playing Bingo

Abstract

A method of playing bingo includes the steps of providing a bingo game table that is similar in appearance to the appearance of a table for playing the game of craps; activating Primary Bingo Game cards for two or more players who place chips in a first region of the game table entitling the players to play a Primary Bingo Game; providing via computer controlled display access by each of the two or more players to images of the Primary Bingo Game cards activated for the player; activating Interim Bingo Game cards for players who place chips in a second region of the game table entitling the players to play an Interim Bingo Game during play of the Primary Bingo Game; providing via computer controlled display to each player for whom Interim Bingo Game cards were activated access to images of Interim Bingo Cards activated for the player; randomly selecting a bingo number; allowing players to mark on displayed images of their bingo cards numbers that match the randomly selected bingo number; determining winners of the Interim Bingo Game by examining the Interim Bingo Game cards of the players holding Interim Bingo Game cards; and repeating Interim Bingo Games until it is determined that a player has won the Primary Bingo Game.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of playing a bingo game wherein two or more players are arranged around a table having an accessible playing surface with graphics thereon evoking the appearance of a table for playing a game of craps, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing the ability to select a random number from a set of numbers associated with the bingo game;   (b) receiving at least one chip from each of the two or more players in a first region of the playing surface associated with a Primary Bingo Game to be played;   (c) activating a Primary Bingo Game card for chips received from the at least two players in step (b), each Primary Bingo Game card having a plurality of designated regions at least some of which bear numbers selected from the set of numbers;   (d) providing each player access to an image of each Primary Bingo Game card activated for that player in step (c), wherein access is provided through a computer controlled display;   (e) providing an opportunity for players to place at least one chip in at least one second region of the playing surface associated with an Interim Bingo Game desired to be played by the players during play of a Primary Bingo Game;   (f) activating at least one Interim Bingo Game card for players who placed at least one chip in the at least one second region in step (e), each Interim Bingo Game card having a plurality of designated regions at least some of which numbers selected from the set of numbers;   (g) providing each player access to an image of each Interim Bingo Game card activated for that player in step (f), wherein access is provided through a computer controlled display;   (h) randomly selecting a number from the set of numbers;   (i) identifying the randomly selected number to the players;   (j) allowing players to indicate on their images of Primary Bingo Game cards and their images of Interim Bingo Game cards numbers that match the number identified in step (i);   (k) paying a player if the Interim Bingo Game card of the player indicates that the player won an Interim Bingo Game as a result of step (j),   (l) repeating steps (e) through (k) until at least one player's Primary Bingo Game card indicates that the player won the Primary Bingo Game;   (m) distributing the chips from the first region of the playing surface to the Primary Bingo Game winners from step (l), and   (n) retaining chips remaining in the at least one second region.   
     
     
         2 . A method of playing a bingo game as claimed in  claim 1  wherein step (a) comprises prompting a computer to select the random bingo number using a certified random number generator. 
     
     
         3 . A method of playing a bingo game as claimed in  claim 1  where in step (c) the Primary Bingo Game card includes a 5×5 matrix of designated regions. 
     
     
         4 . A method of playing a bingo game as claimed in  claim 3  wherein one of the designated regions is designated a free space. 
     
     
         5 . A method of playing a bingo game as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the designated regions other than the region designated a free space are designated with numbers. 
     
     
         6 . A method of playing a bingo game as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the columns of the 5×5 matrix are headed by letters. 
     
     
         7 . A method of playing a bingo game as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the letters comprise O-C-R-P-S. 
     
     
         8 . A method of playing a bingo game as claimed in  claim 1  wherein step (e) comprises providing an opportunity for players to place at least one chip in a plurality of second regions of the playing surface each associated with an Interim Bingo Game desired to be played by the players during play of a Primary Bingo Game. 
     
     
         9 . A method of playing a bingo game as claimed in  claim 1  wherein step (i) comprises displaying the selected number to the players on a computer controlled display. 
     
     
         10 . A method of playing a bingo game as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the display is visible to all players. 
     
     
         11 . A method of playing a bingo game as claimed in  claim 1  wherein step (i) comprises audibly calling out the randomly selected number. 
     
     
         12 . A method of playing a bingo game as claimed in  claim 1  wherein step (j) comprises allowing players to touch the display at the location of the matching indicia. 
     
     
         13 . A method of playing a game of bingo comprising:
 (a) providing a bingo game table that is similar in appearance to the appearance of a table for playing the game of craps;   (b) activating Primary Bingo Game cards for two or more players who place chips in a first region of the game table entitling the players to play a Primary Bingo Game;   (c) providing, via computer controlled display, access by each of the two or more players to images of the Primary Bingo Game cards activated for the players in step (b);   (d) activating Interim Bingo Game cards for players who place chips in a second region of the game table entitling the players to play an Interim Bingo Game during play of the Primary Bingo Game;   (e) providing via computer controlled display to each player for whom Interim Bingo Game cards were activated in step (d), access to images of Interim Bingo Cards activated for the player;   (f) randomly selecting a number;   (g) allowing players to mark on displayed images of their bingo cards, numbers that match the randomly selected number in step (f);   (h) determining winners of the Interim Bingo Game by examining the Interim Bingo Game cards of the players holding Interim Bingo Game cards; and   (i) repeating steps (d) through (h) until it is determined that a player has won the Primary Bingo Game.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein steps (b) and (d) comprising entering information into a computer that communicates with the computer controlled displays. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein step (f) comprises randomly selecting a number and displaying the number on a computer controlled display. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of displaying on a computer controlled display an animation corresponding to the selected bingo number. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising the step of displaying on a computer controlled display information about the Primary Bingo Game and Interim Bingo Games during play. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  wherein steps (c) and (e) comprise locating a computer controlled display at the location of each player. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13  wherein step (f) comprises paying each winner of an Interim Bingo Game according to a payout associated with the Interim Bingo Game. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13  where in step (a), the table has player positions located around the table and a computer controlled display located at each player station.