Method, System and Apparatus for Roulette Betting

Abstract

This disclosure relates to an improved roulette table and method of planning roulette. The improved roulette table comprises an additional area on a conventional roulette layout for accepting bets that a pattern will exist between two consecutive winning outcomes. Additionally, the method of gaming comprises placing a bet that a pattern will exist between two consecutive winning outcomes.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/387,893, filed Sep. 29, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This disclosure relates to the field of roulette, and particularly to roulette tables and types of roulette bets.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] The world of gambling is wide and various, it offers many different games by means of which you can earn money and get pleasure from the process. The most common place where you can meet with the world of gambling is called a casino. One type of common gambling game is known as roulette.

[0006] Although there exists several types of roulette, including French, European, and American, generally players may choose to place bets on either a single number or a range of numbers, the colors red or black, or whether the number is odd or even, among other bets. To determine the winning number and color, the croupier (or dealer) spins a wheel in one direction, then spins the ball in the opposite direction around a tilted circular track running around the circumference of the wheel. The ball will eventually slow down and fall into one of colored and numbered pockets (generally 36 to 38 pockets) on the wheel, determining the winning number.

[0007] Even with the numerous types of gambling games available, casinos are constantly looking for new ways to entice players to gamble. With currently known roulette betting, a player may simply place a bet on the last number spun and will be paid accordingly, generally 35-1, if the number is repeated. However, his original bet is then returned to him and if the number repeats a second time he is paid nothing for that win. Similarly, a player is not paid anything for a win involving another pattern of number, e.g., sequential (either increasing or decreasing), continuously odd or even, multiples, or any other pattern or any combination of patterns. Thus, there exists a need for a new betting system and table in which the player can place bets for a pattern of numbers or colors (including, for example, but not limited to a repeating or sequential number).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The following is a summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. The sole purpose of this section is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0009] Because of these and other problems in the art, described herein, among other things is a method of gaming. In an embodiment, the method comprises: providing a roulette table having a roulette wheel and a conventional layout including an additional pattern betting area on the layout; placing a bet on the pattern betting area indicating that a pattern will exist between multiple successive spins of the roulette wheel; spinning the roulette wheel to determine a first winning outcome; spinning the roulette wheel a second time to determine a second winning outcome, wherein the second spin is in succession with the first spin; and if there is a pattern between the winning outcomes, then paying an enhanced payout.

[0010] In one embodiment of this method, the first winning outcome and the second winning outcome are the same number. In another embodiment, the first winning outcome and the second winning outcome are the same color. In yet another embodiment, the second winning outcome is in sequence with the first winning outcome. In still yet another embodiment of this method, the first winning outcome and the second winning outcome are the same mathematical parity.

[0011] In an alternative embodiment, the conventional layout further includes a croupier's pattern betting area. Additionally, the method may further comprise moving the bet to the croupier's pattern betting area after the placing step.

[0012] Also disclosed herein is an improved roulette table having a roulette wheel for determining winning outcomes and a conventional layout having thereon a plurality of numbers corresponding to an identical numbered indicia group on the roulette wheel, an area to bet on all odd numbers, an area to bet on all even numbers, an area to bet on the color of the number, and areas to bet on series of numbers, wherein the improvement comprises an additional area on the layout for accepting bets that a pattern will exist between multiple successive spins of the roulette wheel. In another embodiment, the improvement further comprises a croupier's pattern betting area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 provides an aerial view of an apparatus for roulette betting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0014] The method, system and apparatus for roulette betting of the present disclosure has numerous advantages over currently known betting systems and tables. First, the betting system allows for a player's greater chance and opportunity of a significantly increased payout by allowing the player to place a bet on a pattern of numbers or colors. Additionally, this gives the player a larger risk while offering a greater opportunity to win a larger amount. At the same time, the casino (or any place of gambling) is given the chance of a larger payout as well, in the event of a losing bet. This also gives the casino an additional type of betting to entice new players into the game. Finally, the apparatus of the present disclosure allows for previously unknown types of betting systems.

[0015] The present disclosure is directed to a method, system and apparatus for roulette betting. With reference to FIG. 1, embodiments of the apparatus will first be described, followed by a description of embodiments of the method and system of betting. Although the present disclosure generally refers to gambling within a casino, one of ordinary skill in the art would readily recognize that this gambling could take place anywhere, including but not limited to a home, office, church, meeting hall, or the like.

[0016] Turning now to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the apparatus for roulette betting according to the present disclosure will be described. Generally, the apparatus for roulette betting comprises a table (100). Generally, a croupier (108) (also known as a dealer and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art) will stand on one side of the table (100) and players (109) will stand on another. Generally, the croupier (108) and the players (109) will not be on the same side of the table (100); however, this is by no means necessary. Additionally, the precise location of the croupier (108) and the players (109) in the depicted embodiment is by no means necessary. Alternatively, for example, the players (109) may be substantially across from the croupier (108).

[0017] Generally, in an embodiment, the table (100) includes a roulette wheel (120) and a "layout" (101), an area covered in cloth where the players make bets. The layout (101) is generally divided into an inner section (102) and an outside section (103). The inner section (102) of the layout (101) generally has a number area (104), where series of numbers (e.g., 36) located inside colored boxes (e.g., red and black) are arranged horizontally and vertically. Each three consecutive horizontal numbers create a row, vertical lines create columns, which contain twelve numbers in each column. The inner section (102) could contain any number of other betting areas, including vertical bets (106), where the player bets on numbers in the vertical columns and "0" bets (111) or "00" bets, not depicted. The series of colored boxes and the "0" and "00" correspond to an identical numbered indicia group on the roulette wheel.

[0018] The outside section (103) of the layout (101) generally has an "outside bet" section (105), as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In the depicted embodiment, this consists of nine separate types of bet, including "1st 12", "ODD", "EVEN", "2nd 12", "Red", "Black", "3rd 12", "1-18", and "19-36". The precise arrangement of these "outside bets" is in no way limited to the disclosed embodiment, and the arrangement can vary in an alternative embodiments and may contain the same, or different and additional types of "outside bets".

[0019] Importantly, the layout (101) of the table contains two separate pattern betting areas ((107) and (110)). The croupier's pattern betting area (107) will generally be in close proximity to the croupier (108) and the players' pattern betting area (110) will generally be in close proximity to the players (109). Additionally, the croupier's pattern betting area (107) will generally have numerous separate areas for various different types of pattern bets, as discussed more fully below. This layout, however, is by no means necessary. What is important is that there are two separate areas, and as discussed more fully below, there is one area for the players to place a pattern bet and another area for the croupier to control the pattern bets. In an alternative embodiment, although not depicted, the table (100) may include any number of other and additional pattern betting areas to accommodate different pattern bets at one time (e.g., as discussed more fully below and including, but not limited to, repeating number bets, sequential number bets, repeated odd/even bets, repeated black/red bets, or multiples bets, or any combination thereof).

[0020] To determine the winning number and color, a croupier spins the wheel (120) in one direction, then spins a ball in the opposite direction around a tilted circular track running around the circumference of the wheel. The ball eventually loses momentum and falls on to the wheel (120) and into one of the colored and numbered pockets on the wheel.

[0021] The precise arrangement of the above described layout is by no means necessary. As one of ordinary skill in the art would readily recognize, the different betting areas could be arranged in any manner that enables a player to place bets. For example, the number area (104) could alternatively be placed on the outside section (103). Additionally, four consecutive numbers could create a row, rather than the depicted three numbers. The number area (104) may additionally contain fewer or greater than 36 numbers, and the outside section (103) may contain fewer or greater than 9 outside bets. Any other known type of roulette bet could also be included on the layout (101). These different discussed types of bets and arrangements are merely exemplary and various different arrangements of areas can be used without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

[0022] In one embodiment of the method and system of roulette betting, the player may place a bet on whether a winning number will be repeated. If the winning number is repeated (i.e., the ball falls in the same previous numbered pocket) the player will be paid for that bet. Then, the original bet will be moved to a new area of the betting table, by the croupier, to indicate a new bet on whether the winning number will be the same as the previous winner. As discussed herein, this type of bet is termed a "repeating number bet."

[0023] For example, in an embodiment, a player approaches the table and places a bet in the players' pattern betting area (110) (in this system, e.g., the pattern betting area may be termed the "players' repeated number betting area"). Although by no means necessary, the player may also may make a conventional bet on the number 22 in the number area, for example. On the next spin of the wheel (120), if the number 22 is determined to be the winning number, the croupier pays the player the payout for correctly betting on the number 22. The croupier then moves the original pattern bet to the croupier's pattern betting area (107) (in this system, e.g., the pattern betting area may be termed the croupier's repeated number betting area and would be placed on the 2X). This area is only accessible by the croupier or operators, and it is designated to being a winning bet if the winning number is repeated a second time.

[0024] If the next winning number is 22 again, the croupier will pay the player an enhanced payout on his repeating number bet (e.g., 25 to 1--this payout is arbitrary and by no means necessary and can be adjusted based on the desired expected value of the bet as determined by the game operators, actuary, or any similar odds maker). At this time the player, if he/she wishes, may make the same bet again on the players' pattern (repeated number) betting area (110). The croupier will then move the original repeating number bet to a different croupier's pattern betting area (e.g., 3X) designated to be a winning spin if the same number repeats a third time. In an embodiment, the making of this bet has no effect on the first bet. Alternatively, if the player wishes, he/she may let the original repeating number bet ride (i.e., do not accept the first enhanced payout) such that he/she is betting again on the players' pattern (repeated number) betting area (110). If the next winning number is 22 again, the croupier will pay the player an enhanced payout on his first original bet (e.g., 250 to 1 and 25 to 1 if he chose to place a new, first repeating number bet--again, these payouts are arbitrary and by no means necessary and can be adjusted based on the desired expected value of the bet as determined by the game operators, actuary, or any similar odds maker). Essentially, the croupier will continue to move bets to new betting areas, if the player so chooses, designating higher payouts if the winning number continues to repeat. If at anytime the winning number is not the same as the previous winning number, all repeating number bets are lost and cleared from the table.

[0025] As described above, the layout (101) may be set to pay out anywhere from a 2X repeated bet to an indefinite amount. In the embodiment in FIG. 1, for example, there exists five separate repeated bets (e.g., 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, 6X). These five repeated bets are merely exemplary and there could be either more or less repeated bets in alternative embodiments. Exemplary payouts include, but are not limited to: repeated once equals 25 to 1; repeated twice equals 250 to 1; repeated three times equals 2500 to 1; repeated four times equals 25000 to 1, repeated five times equals 250000 to 1; and so on and so forth.

[0026] In another embodiment of the method and system of roulette betting, the player may place a bet on whether the next winning number will be in sequence with the previous winning number. If the winning number is sequential (i.e., the ball falls in the pocket with a number one digit either above or below the previous winning number) the player will be paid for that bet. Then, the original bet will be moved to a new area of the betting table, by the croupier, to indicate a new bet on whether the winning number will be in sequence with the previous winners. As discussed herein, this type of bet is termed a "sequential number bet."

[0027] For example, in an embodiment, a player approaches the table and places a bet in the players' pattern betting area (110) (in this system, e.g., the pattern betting area may be termed the "players' sequential number betting area"). On the next spin of the wheel (120), if the number 11 is determined to be the winning number, the croupier then moves the original pattern bet to the croupier's pattern betting area (107) (in this system, e.g., the pattern betting area may be termed the croupier's sequential number betting area and would be placed on the 2X). Again, this area is only accessible by the croupier or operators, and it is designated to being a winning bet if the winning number is in sequence with the first winning number.

[0028] If the next winning number is 12, the croupier will pay the player an enhanced on his first original bet (e.g., 25 to 1--again, this payout is arbitrary and by no means necessary and can be adjusted based on the desired expected value of the bet as determined by the game operators, an actuary, or any similar odds maker). At this time the player, if he/she wishes, may make the same bet again on the players' pattern (sequential number) betting area (110). The croupier will then move the original sequential number bet to a different croupier's pattern betting area (e.g., 3X) designated to be a winning spin if the number is in sequence with the prior two winning numbers. In an embodiment, the making of this bet has no effect on the first bet. Alternatively, if the player wishes, he/she may let the original repeating number bet ride (i.e., do not accept the first enhanced payout) such that he/she is betting again on the players' pattern (repeated number) betting area (110). If the next winning number is 13, the croupier will pay the player an enhanced payout on his first original bet (e.g., 250 to 1 and 25 to 1 if he chose to place a new, first repeating number bet--again, these payouts are arbitrary and by no means necessary and can be adjusted based on the desired expected value of the bet as determined by the game operators, actuary, or any similar odds maker). Essentially, the croupier will continue to move bets to new betting areas, if the player so chooses, designating higher payouts if the winning number continues to fall in sequence. If at anytime the winning number is not in sequence with the previous winning number, all sequential number bets are lost and cleared from the table.

[0029] As described above, the layout (101) may be set to pay out anywhere from a 2X sequential bet to an indefinite amount. In the embodiment in FIG. 1, for example, there exists five separate sequential bets (e.g., 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, 6X). These five sequential bets are merely exemplary and there could be either more or less sequential bets in alternative embodiments. Exemplary payouts include, but are not limited to: in sequence once equals 25 to 1; in sequence twice equals 250 to 1; in sequence three times equals 2500 to 1; in sequence four times equals 25000 to 1, in sequence five times equals 250000 to 1; and so on and so forth.

[0030] Although only two types of pattern betting are described in the above embodiments, one of ordinary skill in the art would readily recognize that any other type of pattern betting would be within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the pattern betting may comprise a system and method where a player places a same color or mathematical parity (i.e., odd or even) repeating bet. In this embodiment, the player is betting that the same color or mathematical parity will repeat; examples include, but are not limited to, a bet that black will repeat, a bet that red will repeat, a bet that either red or black will repeat, a bet that odd numbers will repeat, a bet that even numbers will repeat, or a bet that either odd or even numbers will repeat. Additionally, any combination of pattern bets may be employed in a single system and method. For example, in an alternative embodiment, a player could place both a repeating number bet and a sequential number bet after placing a conventional bet.

[0031] Generally speaking, in a method and system of the disclosed embodiments, a bet placed on the pattern betting area, whether placed there as the original bet or placed there after successfully winning a conventional bet, sacrifices a larger payout than just placing a bet on the number itself (or red, black, odd, even, etc.) in exchange for an opportunity to win a much larger amount if there is a pattern in the numbers (e.g., the winning number is repeated more than once or is sequential). This method and system allows the casino to offer a much larger payout than previously allowed for patterns. In an embodiment, though, the player may be prohibited from accessing the pattern betting area in certain situations. For example, if a number has won 3 times in a row, but the player had not been making the repeating bet, the player will not be allowed to simply place a bet on the 4X repeating bet area. Instead, the player would have had to place a bet on the first repeating bet area from 2 spins previous. Alternatively, the player could place a bet on the 2X pattern bet area, even though the number has already won 3 times in a row.

[0032] In a roulette game, a player, having made a conventional roulette bet on a conventional roulette betting layout, e.g., on one of the numbers in number area (104) of layout (101), may make a second or side bet on a designated area of the roulette layout. A winning bet is determined to be the outcome, if there is a pattern between the previous number/color and the current color/number. If a winning bet is determined, the player is paid for his bet, and the original wager is moved to a new area of the roulette layout as a new wager. If on the subsequent spin, the same pattern continues (e.g., repeated or sequential), the wager is paid and the original wager is moved to a third new and different betting area. If on the subsequent spin, the same pattern continues (e.g., repeated or sequential), the wager is paid and the original wager is moved to a fourth new and different betting area. This process can continue infinitely. Additionally, multiple pattern bets could be placed at the same time.

[0033] While the invention has been disclosed in conjunction with a description of certain embodiments, including those that are currently believed to be the preferred embodiments, the detailed description is intended to be illustrative and should not be understood to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, embodiments other than those described in detail herein are encompassed by the present invention. Modifications and variations of the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method of gaming, the method comprising: providing a roulette table having a roulette wheel and a conventional layout including an additional pattern betting area on said layout; placing a bet on said pattern betting area indicating that a pattern will exist between multiple successive spins of the roulette wheel; spinning said roulette wheel to determine a first winning outcome; spinning said roulette wheel a second time to determine a second winning outcome, wherein said second spin is in succession with said first spin; and if there is a pattern between said winning outcomes, then paying an enhanced payout.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said first winning outcome and said second winning outcome are the same number.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said first winning outcome and said second winning outcome are the same color.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said second winning outcome is in sequence with the first winning outcome.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said first winning outcome and said second winning outcome are the same mathematical parity.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said conventional layout further includes a croupier's pattern betting area.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising moving said bet to said croupier's pattern betting area after said placing step.

8. An improved roulette table having a roulette wheel for determining winning outcomes and a conventional layout having thereon a plurality of numbers corresponding to an identical numbered indicia group on the roulette wheel, an area to bet on all odd numbers, an area to bet on all even numbers, an area to bet on the color of the number, and areas to bet on series of numbers, wherein the improvement comprises an additional area on the layout for accepting bets that a pattern will exist between multiple successive spins of the roulette wheel.

9. The improved roulette table of claim 8, wherein the improvement further comprises a croupier's pattern betting area.

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