# US 2017/0287271 A1 · Game of chance with player performance based prize levels and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0287271 A1 - Document ID: US20170287271A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/621,737 - Filed: 2017-06-13 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2014-08-19 - Assignees: F&S Concepts, Inc. - Applicants: F&S Concepts, Inc. - Inventors: Stanley Michael Hubbard; Frank Walker Wendt - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170287271A1 ## CPC - G07F 17/3244: {Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes} - G07F 17/3267: {Game outcomes which determine the course of the subsequent game, e.g. double or quits, free games, higher payouts, different new games} - G07F 17/329: {Regular and instant lottery, e.g. electronic scratch cards} - G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00}) ## Abstract A process is presented to improve the method of playing bingo. The process allows player interaction to determine potential bonus prize amounts. In the preferred embodiment, the gaming method allows a player to experience various game environments during which the player's game performance is tracked through point tracking systems. A player participates in preliminary point games for a set period of time, and performance is tracked through electronic or manual tracking systems. Once a player finishes playing preliminary point games, he or she must have potential prize points verified. A player's potential bonus prize is correlated to verified prize points accumulated. To compete for set prizes and potential monetary bonuses, a player must take part in the primary game. In the preferred embodiment the primary game is Bonus Bingo which is a unique fast-paced paper bingo game. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A gaming method, comprising: providing an opportunity to play one or more preliminary games during a set time period; tracking player performance in the preliminary games through a point system; converting player points from the preliminary games to a potential monetary bonus; and providing a primary game with a set prize in addition to the potential monetary bonus. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The gaming method of claim 1, wherein the preliminary games and the primary game are sequential. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The gaming method of claim 1, where the preliminary games are selected from a group consisting of video games, skill games or chance games. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The gaming method of claim 1, where the preliminary games are networked to a central server. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The gaming method of claim 1, where the point system comprises the steps of: determining whether a player has participated in the gaming method previously; maintaining player profiles in a database; assigning base points to the player based on his player profile; recording whether the player purchased at least one bingo card prior to playing the preliminary games; establishing criteria for increasing or decreasing the base points based on the player's performance in the preliminary games; designating bonus conditions; and awarding bonus points if the player purchased at least one bingo card prior to playing the preliminary games and if the bonus conditions are satisfied. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The gaming method of claim 4, where the central server conducts tasks comprising: compiling the player's points from the preliminary games; awarding bonus points; converting the player's total points to the potential monetary bonus for the player in the primary game; and updating the player profile in the database. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The gaming method of claim 1, where the primary game comprises a bingo game. ### Claim 8 A gaming system, comprising: means for registering a player to play one or more preliminary games during a set time period; means for maintaining a database of player profiles; means for providing the preliminary games and a primary game in sequence; means for comparing the player profiles to set criteria to determine loyalty; means for assigning base points to the player based on loyalty to play preliminary games; means for recording whether the player purchased at least one bingo card; means for tracking a player's performance on the preliminary games through a point system; means for compiling a player's points from preliminary games; means for determining whether a bonus condition is satisfied, if so, applying a bonus to points accumulated by the player; means for validating the player's points; and means for converting the player's points to a potential monetary bonus for the player in the primary game. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The gaming system of claim 8, wherein the preliminary games and the primary game are networked to a central server. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The gaming system of claim 8 where the registering means comprises a computer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The gaming system of claim 8 where the registering means comprises a kiosk. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The gaming system of claim 8 where the tracking means comprises a computer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The gaming system of claim 8 where the tracking means comprises a voucher system. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The gaming system of claim 8 where the primary game is bingo. ### Claim 15 A gaming system, comprising: preliminary games and a primary game; a terminal with a computer to: register players during a set time period; assign base points to players; a server configured to: store player profiles; compare player profiles to set criteria to determine loyalty; record whether players purchase at least one bingo card; track player performance in the preliminary games through a point system; determine whether a bonus condition is satisfied, if so, apply a bonus to points accumulated by the player; validate player points; and convert player points to a potential monetary bonus for the player in the primary game. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The gaming system of claim 15 where the terminal comprises a printer to print player vouchers. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The gaming system of claim 15 where the primary game is bingo. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The gaming method of claim 1 where the preliminary games can be played over a network from remote locations. ### Claim 19 (depends on 8) The gaming system of claim 8 where the preliminary games can be played over a network from remote locations. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The gaming system of claim 15 where the preliminary games can be played over a network from remote locations.