초록 ▼

The present invention is a game playing method and apparatus for automating games such as blackjack, poker, craps, roulette, baccarat and pai gow, wherein players may play continuously and asynchronously, and information related to advertised items can be exchanged between players and advertisers. I

The present invention is a game playing method and apparatus for automating games such as blackjack, poker, craps, roulette, baccarat and pai gow, wherein players may play continuously and asynchronously, and information related to advertised items can be exchanged between players and advertisers. In one embodiment, each instance of a game is likely unique from all other current game instances. The games do not require a manual dealer and in one embodiment, played in a gaming establishment using low cost gaming stations. The present invention may also be used to play such games on the Internet or an interactive cable television network wherein a game controller communicates with players at network nodes in their homes and at their leisure since there is no game tempo requirement. During a game, advertising is selectively provided by comparing player personal information with a desired demographic profile. Player responses to advertising are used for evaluating advertising effectiveness. The invention is useful for test marketing of products, advertisements, and reduces advertising costs.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method for conducting one or more tournaments, comprising:identifying players requesting to join one of the tournaments, wherein each tournament includes a plurality of instances of a game for playing by each of the players identified, wherein for each of the players,

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method for conducting one or more tournaments, comprising:identifying players requesting to join one of the tournaments, wherein each tournament includes a plurality of instances of a game for playing by each of the players identified, wherein for each of the players, at least one of the following (a) and (b) must be satisfied for the player to complete one of the tournaments:(a) a predetermined number of instances of the game must be played by the player;(b) a predetermined amount of time must elapse between the commencement of the tournament and the termination of the tournament;for each tournament, the following steps are performed:(A1) selecting the identified players to be included in the tournament;(A2) grouping the players into groups, wherein for each group, the players therein compete against one another in playing instances of the game;(A3) determining one or more winning players for each group;(A4) establishing a modified version of the game by changing a rule of the game while retaining another rule for the game;(A5) combining the winning players from different groups into one or more new groups for competing against one another in playing instances of the modified version of the game.