Method and System for Providing Electronic Multiplayer Tournaments with Real-Money Prizes During Tournament Play
AssigneeWaterleaf Limited
InventorsMartin Paul Moshal, Theo Naicker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electronic multiplayer tournament is provided in which participating players can win real-money prizes during tournament play, that is, prizes that can be redeemed for value outside of the context of the tournament prize, in addition to overall tournament prizes at the close of tournament play. The real-money prizes may include any one or more of a jackpot prize, a progressive jackpot prize or a wide-area progressive jackpot prize. A portion of a tournament entry fee can be utilized to fund the cost of the real-money prize, in direct proportion to the probability of the real-money prize being won by a participating player.
Claims30
A method of managing an electronic multiplayer tournament, comprising the steps of:
- receiving a tournament entry fee from each player in the electronic multiplayer tournament;
- allocating a portion of the tournament entry fee to real money prizes and tournament prize money;
- and
- awarding real money prizes and tournament prize money to one or more of the players according to rules of the electronic multiplayer tournament.
A method of facilitating play of game involving an electronic multiplayer tournament format, the method comprising:
- receiving an indication of a receipt of tournament entry fee from each player in the electronic multiplayer tournament;
- allocating a portion of the tournament entry fee for overall tournament prize money;
- allocating a portion of the tournament entry fee for real-money prizes awarded during tournament play;
- during tournament play, identifying players in the electronic multiplayer tournament meeting requirements to receive at least one real-money prize awarded during the tournament play;
- and
- at the close of tournament play, identifying players in the electronic multiplayer tournament meeting requirements to receive a portion of the overall tournament prize money.
A method of conducting play of game involving an electronic multiplayer tournament format, the method comprising:
- receiving an indication of a receipt of tournament entry fee from each player in the electronic multiplayer tournament;
- allocating a portion of the tournament entry fee from each player for overall tournament prize money;
- allocating a portion of the tournament entry fee from each player for real-money prizes awarded during tournament play;
- when a player makes a maximum wager amount during play of the electronic multiplayer tournament, making a contribution from the player's portion of the tournament entry fee allocated for real-money prizes awarded during tournament play to a jackpot prize;
- and
- at the close of the tournament play, returning remaining funds un-contributed to the jackpot prize from each player's portion of the tournament entry fee allocated for real-money prizes awarded during tournament play to each respective player.
A server for managing an electronic multiplayer tournament, the server comprising:
- a first program code for receiving a tournament entry fee from each player in the electronic multiplayer tournament;
- a second program code for allocating a portion of the tournament entry fee to real money prizes and tournament prize money;
- and
- a third program code for awarding real money prizes and tournament prize money to one or more of the players according to rules of the electronic multiplayer tournament.
A system for providing an electronic multiplayer tournament comprising:
- electronic gaming devices that present a display of game-play to players participating in multiplayer tournament games;
- and
- a server coupled through a communication network to the electronic gaming devices, wherein the server manages the game-play of the multiplayer tournament games such that players participating in the multiplayer tournament games can win real-money prizes during tournament play in addition to overall tournament money prizes at the close of tournament play.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.