US 6,585,592 B1 · Non-banked gaming system

Abstract

A gaming system is provided which permits the hold value to be determined independently of the distribution of winning outcomes, e.g., to avoid or prevent volatility in the hold value. Preferably each time a wager is placed, a hold value (such as a predetermined and/or fixed percentage) is retained and the remainder is allocated to one or more prize pools. If a pool is too large or too small, or if a pool's rate of growth is too large or too small, the central computer sends a message to all terminals which contribute to the pool, causing the terminals to modify operations so as to bring the pool size or rate of growth to within desired target ranges. Preferably, the current prize amounts corresponding to various potential winning game outcomes are displayed when a game is won, the displayed amount corresponding to the type of win paid. Preferably, a portion of wages is retained as a background amount to at least partially replenish a paid-out prize.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for non-banked gaming, which comprises:

communicating at least one game terminal to a central controller defining a plurality of prize pools in an electronic memory of the central controller;
playing wagering games using said terminals;
varying the values of said prize pools in response to communications from the gaming terminal in a manner responsive to amounts wagered and amounts won in said games;
determining whether at least one of said prize pools is within a target range;
and
altering at least one parameter of the game being played when the at least one prize pool is not within said target range to have the effect of bringing said one prize pool within said target range.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Non-banked gaming system

Life of this patent

Non-banked gaming system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20