Method, apparatus and computer program product for enhanced bingo game

A method of playing a game of bingo comprising the steps of:

• providing a bingo card to a player, the bingo card including a plurality of numbered spaces having a range of numbers and being arranged in a matrix of rows and columns;
• providing a random number generator that generates random numbers within the range;
• providing at least a first set of indicators, the indicators capable of being displayed on the bingo card;
• designating at least one configuration of at least one pattern of at least one numbered space on the bingo card, the configuration determining a winner of the game;
• until the at least one configuration of at least one pattern of numbered spaces on the bingo card is matched to at least one indicator from the first set of indicators, iteratively generating a random number, matching the number to its corresponding numbered space if present on the bingo card, and, if the numbered space is not matched to an indicator, then randomly selecting an indicator and matching it to the pattern containing the numbered space;
• generating additional numbers and matching them to corresponding numeric spaces on the bingo card until the game has ended;
• awarding a prize to the player if the bingo card has numbers that match at least part of the configuration of at least one pattern matched with the indicators;
• calculating an increase in prize amount from a previous gaming session;
• showing on a display an unincremented prize amount;
• and
• incrementing the cash prize shown on the display.

A method of displaying a progressive cash prize during a gaming session to a player comprising the steps of:

• calculating an increase in prize amount from a previous gaming session;
• showing on a display an unincremented prize amount;
• and
• incrementing the cash prize shown on the display at an accelerated rate.

A method of playing a game of bingo comprising the steps of:

• providing a bingo card to a player, the bingo card including a plurality of numbered spaces having a range of numbers and being arranged in a matrix of rows and columns;
• providing a random number generator that generates random numbers within the range;
• providing at least a first set of colors, the colors capable of being displayed on the bingo card;
• designating at least one configuration of at least one pattern of at least one numbered space on the bingo card, the configuration determining a winner of the game;
• until the at least one configuration of at least one pattern of numbered spaces on the bingo card is matched to at least one color from the first set of colors, iteratively generating a random number, matching the number to its corresponding numbered space if present on the bingo card, and, if the numbered space is not matched to a color, then randomly selecting a color and matching it to the pattern containing the numbered space;
• generating additional numbers and matching them to corresponding numeric spaces on the bingo card until the game has ended;
• and
• awarding a prize to the player if the bingo card has numbers that match at least part of the configuration of at least one pattern matched with the colors.

A method of playing a game of bingo comprising the steps of:

• providing a bingo card to a player, the bingo card including a plurality of numbered spaces having a range of numbers and being arranged in a matrix of rows and columns;
• providing a random number generator that generates random numbers within the range;
• providing at least a first set of graphical images, the graphical images capable of being displayed on the bingo card;
• designating at least one configuration of at least one pattern of at least one numbered space on the bingo card, the configuration determining a winner of the game;
• until the at least one configuration of at least one pattern of numbered spaces on the bingo card is matched to at least one indicator from the first set of graphical images, iteratively generating a random number, matching the number to its corresponding numbered space if present on the bingo card, and, if the numbered space is not matched to a graphical image, then randomly selecting a graphical image and matching it to the pattern containing the numbered space;
• generating additional numbers and matching them to corresponding numeric spaces on the bingo card until the game has ended;
• and
• awarding a prize to the player if the bingo card has numbers that match at least part of the configuration of at least one pattern matched with the graphical images.

A computer program product containing instructions which, when executed by a computer, performs the steps of:

• providing a bingo card to a player, the bingo card including a plurality of numbered spaces having a range of numbers and being arranged in a matrix of rows and columns;
• providing a random number generator that generates random numbers within the range;
• providing at least a first set of indicators, the indicators capable of being displayed on the bingo card;
• designating at least one configuration of at least one pattern of at least one numbered space on the bingo card, the configuration determining a winner of the game;
• until the at least one configuration of at least one pattern of numbered spaces on the bingo card is matched to at least one indicator from the first set of indicators, iteratively generating a random number, matching the number to its corresponding numbered space if present on the bingo card, and, if the numbered space is not matched to an indicator, then randomly selecting an indicator and matching it to the pattern containing the numbered space;
• generating additional numbers and matching them to corresponding numeric spaces on the bingo card until the game has ended;
• and
• awarding a prize to the player if the bingo card has numbers that match at least part of the configuration of at least one pattern matched with the indicators.

A computer program product containing instructions which, when executed by a computer, performs the steps of:

• providing a bingo card to a player, the bingo card including a plurality of numbered spaces having a range of numbers and being arranged in a matrix of rows and columns;
• providing a random number generator that generates random numbers within the range;
• providing at least a first set of indicators, the indicators capable of being displayed on the bingo card;
• designating at least one configuration of at least one pattern of at least one numbered space on the bingo card, the configuration determining a winner of the game;
• until the at least one configuration of at least one pattern of numbered spaces on the bingo card is matched to at least one indicator from the first set of indicators, iteratively generating a random number, matching the number to its corresponding numbered space if present on the bingo card, and, if the numbered space is not matched to an indicator, then randomly selecting an indicator and matching it to the pattern containing the numbered space;
• generating additional numbers and matching them to corresponding numeric spaces on the bingo card until the game has ended;
• awarding a prize to the player if the bingo card has numbers that match at least part of the configuration of at least one pattern matched with the indicators;
• calculating an increase in prize amount from a previous gaming session;
• showing on a display an unincremented prize amount;
• and
• incrementing the cash prize shown on the display.

A computer program product containing instructions which, when executed by a computer, performs the steps of:

• providing a bingo card to a player, the bingo card including a plurality of numbered spaces having a range of numbers and being arranged in a matrix of rows and columns;
• providing a random number generator that generates random numbers within the range;
• providing at least a first set of colors, the colors capable of being displayed on the bingo card;
• designating at least one configuration of at least one pattern of at least one numbered space on the bingo card, the configuration determining a winner of the game;
• until the at least one configuration of at least one pattern of numbered spaces on the bingo card is matched to at least one color from the first set of colors, iteratively generating a random number, matching the number to its corresponding numbered space if present on the bingo card, and, if the numbered space is not matched to a color, then randomly selecting a color and matching it to the pattern containing the numbered space;
• generating additional numbers and matching them to corresponding numeric spaces on the bingo card until the game has ended;
• and
• awarding a prize to the player if the bingo card has numbers that match at least part of the configuration of at least one pattern matched with the colors.

A computer program product containing instructions which, when executed by a computer, performs the steps of:

• providing a bingo card to a player, the bingo card including a plurality of numbered spaces having a range of numbers and being arranged in a matrix of rows and columns;
• providing a random number generator that generates random numbers within the range;
• providing at least a first set of graphical images, the graphical images capable of being displayed on the bingo card;
• designating at least one configuration of at least one pattern of at least one numbered space on the bingo card, the configuration determining a winner of the game;
• until the at least one configuration of at least one pattern of numbered spaces on the bingo card is matched to at least one indicator from the first set of graphical images, iteratively generating a random number, matching the number to its corresponding numbered space if present on the bingo card, and, if the numbered space is not matched to a graphical image, then randomly selecting a graphical image and matching it to the pattern containing the numbered space;
• generating additional numbers and matching them to corresponding numeric spaces on the bingo card until the game has ended;
• and
• awarding a prize to the player if the bingo card has numbers that match at least part of the configuration of at least one pattern matched with the graphical images.

Apparatus for playing an enhanced game of bingo, comprising:

• a random number generator that generates random numbers within a range of numbers, the range of numbers corresponding to a bingo card having a plurality of numbered spaces arranged in a matrix of rows and columns;
• at least a first set of indicators, the indicators capable of being displayed on the bingo card;
• at least one configuration of at least one pattern of at least one numbered space on the bingo card, the configuration determining a winner of the game;
• and
• a selection means for determining the winner that iteratively generates a random number, matches the number to its corresponding numbered space if present on the bingo card, and, if the numbered space is not matched to an indicator, then randomly selects an indicator and matches it to the pattern containing the numbered space until the at least one configuration of at least one pattern of numbered spaces on the bingo card is matched to at least one indicator from the first set of indicators, and then generates additional numbers and matches them to corresponding numeric spaces on the bingo card until the game has ended.