Communal play system with individual station secondary play

Abstract

A communal gaming system and method has a processor, a central display area for displaying a common wagering event on a communal display facility and at least two individual player wagering terminals configured to enable wagering on the common wagering event. The at least two individual wagering terminals each have individual mechanical components providing individual gaming events and input controls for those individual gaming events.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A communal gaming system having a processor, a central display area for displaying a common wagering event on a communal display facility and at least two individual player wagering terminals configured to enable wagering on the common wagering event,
 wherein the at least two individual wagering terminals each have individual mechanical components providing individual gaming events and input controls for those individual gaming events.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the display facility comprises at least one flat screen. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the display facility comprises a three-dimensional display. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the display facility comprises a holographic display stage. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the individual systems comprises an individual mechanical wagering event providing a wagering outcome for the individual system. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the individual mechanical event comprises an enclosed mechanical dice casting system. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the individual mechanical event comprises an enclosed mechanical spinning wheel and ball drop and catch system. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the individual mechanical event comprises an enclosed mechanical spinning wheel and pointer system. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the individual mechanical event comprises an enclosed mechanical reel slot system. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the individual systems comprises an individual electronic wagering event executed by the processor providing an electronic wagering outcome for the individual system. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 4  wherein at least one of the individual systems comprises an individual mechanical wagering event providing a wagering outcome for the individual system. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the individual mechanical event is selected from the group consisting of an enclosed mechanical dice casting system, an enclosed mechanical spinning wheel and ball drop and catch system, an enclosed mechanical spinning wheel and pointer system and an enclosed mechanical reel slot system. 
     
     
         13 . A method of wagering on a communal gaming system comprises steps of:
 a wager is placed through one of at least two individual player wagering terminals to a central processor executing code on a communal wagering game accessible for wagering by the at least two individual player wagering terminals,   the central processor acknowledges wagers on a communal game from the at least two individual player wagering terminals,   the processor executes code to provide a random outcome determination on the communal game and resolve the wagers on the communal game from the at least two individual wagering terminals;   at least one of the individual player terminals receives local instructions on the terminal of a local wager on a wagering game unique to the individual player terminal;   the wagering game unique to the individual player terminal progresses to a random outcome;   and a processor resolves the local wager with respect to the wagering game unique to the individual player terminal.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the wagering game unique to the individual player terminal comprises an electromechanical wagering system. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the electromechanical wagering system comprises a system selected from the group consisting of an enclosed mechanical dice casting system, an enclosed mechanical spinning wheel and ball drop and catch system, an enclosed mechanical spinning wheel and pointer system and an enclosed mechanical reel slot system. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein a processor resolves the local wager with respect to the wagering game unique to the individual player terminal and this processor is distinct from the central processor. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein a processor resolves the local wager with respect to the wagering game unique to the individual player terminal and this processor is distinct from the central processor. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein a processor resolves the local wager with respect to the wagering game unique to the individual player terminal and this processor is distinct from the central processor.