# US 8,740,217 B2 · Roulette-type game with multiple tracks > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,740,217 B2 - Document ID: US8740217B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/002,597 - Filed: 2009-07-06 - Published: 2011-05-12 - Granted: 2014-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2008-07-04 - Assignees: Ingenio, Filiale De Loto-Quebec Inc. - Applicants: Harold Thibault; Felix Tremblay; Francis K Lalumiere; Suzie Dumont; Elise Dubois; Marta Zalewska - Inventors: Harold Thibault; Felix Tremblay; Francis K Lalumiere; Suzie Dumont; Elise Dubois; Marta Zalewska - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8740217B2 ## CPC - A63F 5/02: Roulette-like ball games - G07F 17/3213: {Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members} - G07F 17/3244: {Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes} - A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - 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 The play of roulette-type game is made more enticing by offering for a single bet a range of payouts from very modest with a high frequency to very great with low frequency. This is achieved without changing the underlying roulette-type game. In a twelve-position roulette, six balls can be used to provide over a 30% chance of getting a match, while the very low probability of getting 3 or more matches provides for generous payouts. Bets can also be placed on patterns of positions of balls. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for playing a game of chance, said apparatus comprising a station for receiving a wager on a desired one of a plurality of potential outcomes in said game of chance, a game controller for randomly selecting one of said plurality of outcomes in accordance with rules of said game of chance, and a win controller for comparing said desired outcome to said randomly selected outcome, and for providing a win signal if said desired outcome is the randomly selected outcome, said apparatus characterized in that said apparatus is configured to repeatedly cause said game controller to play said game with said win controller using said desired outcome for a predetermined number of plays of said game, and in that said apparatus further comprises: a multiple game win collector for counting a total number of said win signals provided during said predetermined number of plays of said game by said game controller; and a multiple game play payout controller for calculating a payout greater than 0 credits if said number of win signals counted during said predetermined number of plays is greater than 0, for calculating said payout as a function of said number of win signals and said wager, and for providing said calculated payout, wherein the odds of said win controller providing at least one of said win signals during said predetermined number of plays is equal to or greater than 25%. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said predetermined number of plays is greater than 2. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said multiple game play payout controller increases said payout with each of said win signals provided during said predetermined number of plays. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said station is for receiving a wager on each of at least two desired ones of said plurality of available outcomes. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said payout is equal to or greater than 100 times said wager when said total number of said win signals is equal to said predetermined number of plays. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said payout is equal to or greater than 1000 times said wager when said total number of said win signals is equal to said predetermined number of plays. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the number of said potential outcomes is greater than 4 and less than 26. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said number of said potential outcomes is greater than 7 and less than 17, and said predetermined number of plays is greater than 3 and less than 9. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said odds of said win controller providing at least one of said win signals during said predetermined number of plays is equal to or greater than 30%. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an interface controller for causing a display of a symbol that moves along a track before stopping at a randomly selected one of a plurality of potential positions along said track, wherein said game controller comprises a random number generator for randomly selecting said position, each of said potential positions is one of said potential outcomes, and said randomly selected position is said randomly selected outcome. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said station receives a wager on a pattern of at least three positions, said interface controller causes a simultaneous display of said randomly selected positions during said predetermined number of plays, said win controller determines whether any combination of said randomly selected positions matches said pattern, and said multiple game play payout controller calculates a payout greater than 0 credits if at least one combination of said randomly selected positions matches said pattern. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said interface controller causes a simultaneous display of a predetermined number of symbols, wherein each of said symbols corresponds to a distinct one of said predetermined plays, each of said symbols is displayed as moving along a distinct track before stopping at a randomly selected one of a plurality of potential positions along said distinct track, and each of said randomly selected positions is said randomly selected outcome of a corresponding one of said plays. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said pattern is an alignment of at least three positions. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said station receives a wager on one of a plurality of potential patterns, and said payout controller assigns a greater payout factor to those of said potential patterns having a greater number of said potential positions. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said station further comprises a matrix of positions for defining said pattern. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said game controller randomly selects each one of said randomly selected positions from a distinct subset of said plurality of potential positions. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said payout controller counts a number of combinations of said randomly selected positions that match said pattern, and increases said provided payout with each of said combinations. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said game controller comprises, either physically or virtually: a ball; and a roulette wheel having a track and a plurality of indentations, wherein each of said indentations is one of said potential outcomes, and said random selection of one of said potential outcomes is performed by propelling said ball around said track, and identifying the one of said indentations in which said ball lands as said randomly selected outcome. ### Claim 19 A method of playing a game of chance using a game controller comprising: receiving a wager of a player on a desired one of a plurality of potential outcomes in said game; randomly selecting a predetermined number of said potential outcomes in accordance with rules of said game; the game controller recording said randomly selected outcomes over said predetermined number of plays of said game, and comparing in the game controller said desired outcome and said randomly selected outcomes recorded to generate a comparison result; and the game controller calculating a payout as a function of said comparison result, said payout being greater than 0 credits if said desired outcome is one of said randomly selected outcomes, wherein the odds that said desired outcome is at least one of said randomly selected outcomes is equal to or greater than 25%. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 further comprising providing said calculated payout to said player. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20 wherein said payout increases with each random selection of said desired outcome within said predetermined number of selected outcomes. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20 wherein said odds that said desired outcome is at least one of said randomly selected outcomes is equal to or greater than 30%. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20 further comprising: receiving a second wager on a second desired one of said plurality of potential outcomes; comparing said second desired outcome and said randomly selected outcomes; and calculating a payout as a function of said second wager and results of said comparing, said payout being greater than 0 credits if said second desired outcome is one of said randomly selected outcomes, wherein the odds that said second desired outcome is at least one of said randomly selected outcomes is equal to or greater than 25%. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 wherein said number of randomly selected outcomes is greater than 2. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24 wherein said payout is equal to or greater than 100 times said wager when each of said randomly selected outcomes is said desired outcome. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24 wherein said payout is equal to or greater than 1000 times said wager when each of said randomly selected outcomes is said desired outcome. ### Claim 27 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 wherein the number of said potential outcomes is greater than 4 and less than 26. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27 wherein the number of said potential outcomes is greater than 7 and less than 17, and said number of randomly selected outcomes is greater than 3 and less than 9. ### Claim 29 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 further comprising displaying a symbol that moves along a track before stopping at a randomly selected one of a plurality of potential positions along said track, wherein each of said potential positions is one of said potential outcomes, and said randomly selected outcome is said randomly selected position. ### Claim 30 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 wherein said randomly selecting one of said plurality of outcomes comprises propelling a ball along a track of a roulette wheel, and identifying the one of a plurality of roulette wheel indentations in which said ball lands as said randomly selected outcome, wherein each of said indentations is one of said outcomes. ### Claim 31 An apparatus for playing a game of chance comprising: a station for receiving a wager on some desired ones of a plurality of potential patterns of at least three positions; a game controller for randomly selecting at least three of a plurality of potential positions; and a payout controller for providing a payout as a function of said wager if any combination of said randomly selected positions matches any one of said desired patterns. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the number of said potential patterns is greater than 2. ### Claim 33 (depends on 31) The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said payout controller assigns a greater payout factor to each of said potential patterns than to those of said potential patterns of fewer said potential positions. ### Claim 34 (depends on 31) The apparatus of claim 31 wherein at least one of said potential patterns is an alignment of at least three of said potential positions. ### Claim 35 (depends on 31) The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said payout controller counts a number of combinations of said randomly selected positions that match each one of said desired patterns, and increases said provided payout with each of said combinations. ### Claim 36 (depends on 31) The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said station further comprises a matrix of positions for defining at least a custom one of said desired patterns. ### Claim 37 (depends on 31) The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said station is for selecting a desired one of a plurality of potential positions and for placing a wager on said desired position, and said payout controller is for providing a payout as a function of said wager placed on said desired position if said desired position is at least one of said randomly selected positions. ### Claim 38 (depends on 31) The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said game controller comprises a random number generator for said random selection. ### Claim 39 (depends on 31) The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said game controller randomly selects each one of said potential positions from a distinct subset of said plurality of potential positions. ### Claim 40 (depends on 31) The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said game controller comprises: a ball; and a roulette wheel having a track and a plurality of indentations, wherein each of said indentations is one of said potential positions, and said random selection of one of said potential positions is performed by propelling said ball around said track, and identifying the one of said indentations in which said ball lands as said randomly selected position. ### Claim 41 A method of playing a game of chance using a game controller comprising: selecting some desired ones of a plurality of potential patterns of at least three positions; placing a wager on said desired patterns; the game controller randomly selecting in a game controller at least three of a plurality of potential positions; and the game controller determining in a game controller a payout as a function of said wager if any combination of said randomly selected positions matches any of said desired patterns. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) The method of claim 41 wherein the number of said potential patterns is greater than 2. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) The method of claim 42 wherein each of said potential patterns is assigned a greater payout factor than those of said potential patterns of fewer said potential positions. ### Claim 44 (depends on 41) The method of claim 41 wherein at least one of said potential patterns is an alignment of at least three of said potential positions. ### Claim 45 (depends on 41) The method of claim 41 wherein said providing a payout comprises calculating a number of combinations of said randomly selected positions that match each one of said desired patterns, and increasing said payout with each of said combinations. ### Claim 46 (depends on 41) The method of claim 41 wherein said selecting some desired patterns comprises defining at least a custom one of said desired patterns. ### Claim 47 (depends on 41) The method of claim 41 wherein each of said potential positions is randomly selected from a distinct subset of said potential positions. ### Claim 48 (depends on 41) The method of claim 41 further comprising: selecting a desired one of a plurality of potential positions placing a wager on said desired position; and providing a payout as a function of said wager placed on said desired position if said desired position is at least one of said randomly selected positions. ### Claim 49 An apparatus for playing a game of chance comprising: a station for receiving a first wager on a desired one of a plurality of potential positions, and for receiving a second wager on a desired one of a plurality of potential patterns of at least three positions; a game controller for randomly selecting at least three of said plurality of potential positions; and a payout controller for providing a payout as a function of said first wager if said desired position is one of the randomly selected positions, and for providing a payout as a function of said second wager if any combination of said randomly selected positions matches said desired pattern. ### Claim 50 (depends on 49) The apparatus of claim 49 wherein the number of said potential patterns is greater than 2. ### Claim 51 (depends on 50) The apparatus of claim 50 wherein said payout controller assigns a greater payout factor to each of said potential patterns than to those of said potential patterns of fewer said potential positions. ### Claim 52 (depends on 51) The apparatus of claim 51 wherein said station further comprises a matrix of positions for defining said desired pattern. ### Claim 53 (depends on 49) The apparatus of claim 49 wherein at least one of said potential patterns is an alignment of at least three of said potential positions. ### Claim 54 (depends on 49) The apparatus of claim 49 wherein said payout controller counts a number of combinations of said randomly selected positions that match said desired pattern, and increases said provided payout with each of said combinations. ### Claim 55 (depends on 49) The apparatus of claim 49 wherein said game controller comprises a random number generator for said random selection. ### Claim 56 (depends on 49) The apparatus of claim 49 wherein said game controller randomly selects each one of said potential positions from a distinct subset of said plurality of potential positions. ### Claim 57 (depends on 49) The apparatus of claim 49 wherein said game controller comprises: a ball; and a roulette wheel having a track and a plurality of indentations, wherein each of said indentations is one of said potential positions, and said random selection of one of said potential positions is performed by propelling said ball around said track, and identifying the one of said indentations in which said ball lands as said randomly selected position. ### Claim 58 An apparatus for placing wagers on potential outcomes of a game of chance, said apparatus comprising: a station for receiving a first wager on a desired one of said potential outcomes, and for receiving a second wager on a desired group of at least two of said potential outcomes; a first interface controller for causing a display of said potential outcomes along a first closed shape, and for causing a display of a visual indicator of said first wager over said desired outcome; and a second interface controller for causing a display of groups of at least two of said potential outcomes along a second closed shape, and for displaying a visual indicator of said second wager over said desired group, wherein those of said displayed outcomes belonging to a same one of said displayed groups are contiguous, and each of said displayed outcomes is aligned with those of said displayed groups to which it belongs. ### Claim 59 (depends on 58) The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said second interface controller causes a display of said groups within boundaries defined by said first closed shape. ### Claim 60 (depends on 58) The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said station is for receiving a third wager on a second desired group of at least three of said potential outcomes, said apparatus further comprising a third interface controller for causing a display of groups of at least three of said potential outcomes along a third closed shape, and for displaying a visual indicator of said third wager over said second desired group. ### Claim 61 (depends on 60) The apparatus of claim 60 wherein said closed shapes are circular and have a same center. ### Claim 62 In a multiplayer game of chance in which players can place their wagers at any time over the course of a wager phase, an apparatus for identifying in real-time, and to said players, one of two stations from which each of said wagers is placed, said apparatus comprising: a first one of said stations for receiving some of said player wagers and for providing a wager signal to a wager sequencer upon receiving each one of said first station player wagers, wherein said first station wager signals comprise the identity of said first station; a second one of said stations for receiving some of said player wagers and for providing a wager signal to said wager sequencer upon receiving each one of said second station player wagers, wherein said second station wager signals comprise the identity of said second station; said wager sequencer for providing said first and said second station wager signals to an interface controller in the order in which they were provided by said first and said second station; and said interface controller for causing a display of a visual indicator of one of said first and said second station that received each of said wagers upon being provided each of said first and said second station wager signals. ### Claim 63 (depends on 62) The apparatus of claim 62 further comprising a communal panel surrounded by said stations, wherein said interface controller causes said visual indicator to be displayed on said panel. ### Claim 64 (depends on 63) The apparatus of claim 63 wherein said interface controller causes said display of said visual indicator to move from said station to be identified to a center of said communal panel. ### Claim 65 (depends on 62) The apparatus of claim 62 wherein said interface controller causes a play of a sound indicator identifying to said players said station to be identified. ### Claim 66 (depends on 65) The apparatus of claim 65 further comprising a payout controller for identifying a winning one of said first station wagers, for providing a payout signal comprising said first station identity to said interface controller upon identifying said winning first station wager, for identifying a winning one of said second station wagers, and for providing a payout signal comprising said second station identity to said interface controller, wherein said interface controller causes a display of a second visual indicator of one of said first and said second station that received each of said winning wagers upon being provided each of said first and said second station payout signal. ### Claim 67 (depends on 66) The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said payout signal comprises a payout, and said second visual indicator identifies said payout. ### Claim 68 (depends on 66) The apparatus of claim 66 wherein said interface controller displays said second visual indicator for no more than 5 seconds. ### Claim 69 (depends on 62) The apparatus of claim 62 wherein said wager signal comprises an amount wagered, and said visual indicator identifies said amount. ### Claim 70 (depends on 62) The apparatus of claim 62 wherein said interface controller displays said visual indicator for no more than 5 seconds. ### Claim 71 In a game of chance that offers a plurality of wager options, an apparatus for displaying winning ones of said options after an outcome of said game has been determined, said apparatus comprising: a winning wager options controller for identifying those of said options that are met by said determined outcome, namely said winning options; a winning wager options sequencer for dividing said winning options into at least two groups of winning options, and for providing each of said groups to an interface controller individually and at predetermined intervals of time; and said interface controller for causing an individual display of a most recently provided one of said groups. ### Claim 72 (depends on 71) The apparatus of claim 71 wherein at least one of said groups comprises at least two of said winning options. ### Claim 73 (depends on 71) The apparatus of claim 71 wherein said interface controller causes a simultaneous display of all wager options, and causes a display of a visual indicator over those of said displayed options belonging to said displayed group. ### Claim 74 (depends on 71) The apparatus of claim 71 wherein said game of chance is a roulette-type game, said interface controller causes a display of a plurality of symbols of said game, each of said displayed symbols is one of said plurality of wager options, and said interface controller causes a display of a visual indicator over those of said displayed symbols belonging to said displayed group. ### Claim 75 (depends on 71) The apparatus of claim 71 wherein each of said groups comprises no more than one of said winning options. ### Claim 76 (depends on 71) The apparatus of claim 71 further comprising a payout controller for identifying those of said stations that have received wagers on those of said winning options belonging to said displayed group, wherein said interface controller causes a display of a visual indicator of said winning stations.