Entertainment Apparatus with Preview Feature

Abstract

A skill game rewards a player after a round of play only upon the entry of a “correct play” that is based on the rules of the game being played. A “correct play” is determined under the rules of the particular game being played and is one that gives the player a better chance to obtain the outcome desired by the player. In some games, the “correct play” is defined mathematically. In other games, the “correct play” is determined by knowing the rules of the game being played. A combination of both methods is typical. The execution by the player of a correct play is a skill. If the player enters the correct play, the player is rewarded. The reward may be to continue the play of the game and to reward a prize to the player based on the outcome of the game.

1 . A method for operating an electronic entertainment device, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) displaying on a video display device the next event that will be played in an entertainment game before the player elects to play the entertainment game by paying money to initiate the entertainment game;   (b) allowing a potential player to view the next event as a previewed event that is displayed in step (a) before the play decides to pay to play the entertainment game;   (c) accepting payment from the player after step (b); and   (d) after step (c), displaying the previewed event as the next actual event to be played by the player.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of enabling a player to input a game play decision using a player interface after step (d). 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of allowing the player to initiate the preview of the next event to be played. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising the step of initiating the preview by pressing a preview button. 
     
     
         5 . A machine for playing an entertainment game, the entertainment machine comprising:
 a body;   an output device carried by the body; the output device communicating a preview next play event that will be played in an entertainment game before the player elects to play the entertainment game by paying money to initiate the entertainment game;   a payment input mechanism configured to receive a physical item representing a monetary value for establishing a credit balance, the credit balance being increasable and decreasable based at least on playing activity;   an output mechanism configured to provide payouts to a player; and   a game controller configured, after a payment made from the established credit balance, to communicate the same preview next play event that was communicated to the player prior to payment as the actual active play event that determines at least a portion of the outcome of the entertainment game.   
     
     
         6 . The machine of  claim 5 , wherein the output device is a viewable display screen. 
     
     
         7 . The machine of  claim 5 , wherein the output device is a speaker. 
     
     
         8 . The machine of  claim 5 , wherein the next event is the final result of the game. 
     
     
         9 . The machine of  claim 5 , further comprising an input device that allows the player to input a play decision into the game controller.