Patent ID: 6174237
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
Classification: A63F,G07F

Abstract:
A method of playing a game of skill tournament having a qualifying round and a playoff round, and played over an interactive computer system, said interactive computer system having a host computer system, a plurality of terminals computers and compatible software, said method comprising the following steps:a. playing a game of skill in a qualifying round between a single player and the host computer;b. evaluating the results of said qualifying round to determine if said player qualifies to be classified within a specific performance level from a plurality of performance levels ranging from a low performance level to a high performance level;c. evaluating the results of said qualifying round to determine if said player qualifies to be classified within a qualifying performance level taken from said plurality of performance levels;d. distributing to said player a performance level award, said performance level award being dependent upon the specific performance level obtained;e. playing said game of skill in a playoff round between said player and the host computer simultaneously along with other players, wherein each player has been classified within a qualifying performance level;f. evaluating the results of said playoff round to determine a tournament winner and subsequent ranking of players; andg. distributing tournament awards to tournament participants.