Abstract:
A wagering game utilizing a table game layout and multiple dice is disclosed. The game allows players to place wagers on whether the sum of multiple rolled dice will be higher or lower than a preestablished value. When using two dice the preestablished value is seven. The “higher” or “lower” wagers are based on two consecutive rolls of the dice. In other words, the “higher” and “lower” wagers are won if the sum of the two dice on two consecutive rolls is above seven or falls below seven, respectively. For example, successive rolls of eleven and twelve result in a winning “higher” wager. Larger payouts are associated with winning “higher” or “lower” wagers predicated on two consecutive identical sums. Players may also wager on single roll outcomes. Such single roll outcomes include a seven/eleven, two/three and eleven/twelve wager. The game is also implementable in an electronic version.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of playing a dice wagering game. 
   BACKGROUND 
   As legalized gaming continues to burgeon around the world, particularly in the. United States, the need for new games of chance likewise proliferates. Indeed, creative minds are utilizing a great deal of energy to develop new wagering games conducive to a casino environment. Unfortunately, to date, a vast majority of the new games have not found their way onto casino floors. The reasons for such failures typically relate to common wagering game shortcomings. 
   The common shortcomings include, slow pace of play, complex rules, poor player odds and, in some cases, the lack of a significant jackpot or large payout opportunity. Focusing on table games, one discovers that casinos throughout the United States offer a limited choice of the same table games. The limited game choices comprise Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Carribean Stud® Poker, Let it Ride®, Three Card Poker, Pai Gow Poker, Casino War, Baccarat and others. In addition, many casinos offer variations of the aforementioned games. Even with the limited number of existing table games and ever-increasing pool of new games, casinos have been slow to integrate new table games. As mentioned above, one reason for the slowness has been the lack of viable new table games. A second reason is the increased popularity of electronic wagering games. Based on the popularity of electronic gaming machines, casinos have apportioned a higher percentage of their floor space for electronic gaming machines (naturally less floor space is then apportioned for table games). Of course, in almost all cases, table games can be implemented in an electronic version as well. Thus, a viable table game can also provide a complimentary electronic gaming machine embodiment.  
   Obviously, to be successful new table games must avoid the shortcomings set forth above. Moreover, the games must be exciting to play, have simple rules and provide reasonable player odds. It is also beneficial for the games to use common gaming props (e.g., playing cards or dice) and to provide a jackpot or large payout opportunity. In addition, casinos desire new table games which allow their existing tables to be utilized thereby decreasing the costs to the casinos. For example, if a new card game layout can be accommodated by an existing Blackjack table, it is more attractive to the casino. 
   Thus, there continues to be a need for new wagering games exhibiting the aforementioned characteristics which are implementable in both a live embodiment and electronic gaming machine embodiment. 
   SUMMARY 
   Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention provide a wagering game having the advantageous characteristics sought by casinos. Moreover, the live table game embodiments of the present invention are facilitated by existing Craps tables. 
   In a live embodiment of the present invention, a table game layout and two dice form the basis for a wagering game. The underlying concept of the game is to wager on whether the sum of two dice on consecutive rolls will be higher than seven or lower than seven. Players are also provided with opportunities to wager on specific one roll dice combinations, such as seven and eleven, two and three and eleven and twelve. 
   The higher and lower wagers are based on two consecutive rolls of the dice. Therefore, to win a “higher” wager, the sum of the two dice on consecutive rolls must exceed seven. For example, a first roll of eight and second roll of nine qualifies as a winning “higher” wager. If either roll is seven or less, the “higher” wager is lost. Similarly, a winning “lower” wager requires that the sum of the two dice on consecutive rolls be less than seven. For example, a first roll of six and a second roll of three  qualifies as a winning “lower” wager. In one embodiment, winning “higher” and “lower” wagers are paid 3 to 1. 
   Other payouts correspond to the single roll wagers on seven or eleven, two or three and eleven or twelve. Obviously, other single roll dice sums can be the subject of wagers and corresponding payouts. 
   To increase the level of excitement, larger payouts correspond to consecutive winning “higher” and “lower” rolls which are identical. For example, should the winning “higher” rolls both be eleven, the payout increases from 3 to 1 to 25 to 1. Similarly, should the winning “lower” rolls both be two, the payout increases from 3 to 1 to 100 to 1. 
   Other embodiments, modifications and variations are evident from the corresponding drawings, detailed description and claims as set forth herein. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a full gaming table layout which may be used to facilitate live embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates one-half of the gaming table layout further depicting wager payouts; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of a table and display arrangement for enhancing the features of the live embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a flow chart outlining a sample play of one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a table depicting a house edge associated with certain wagers; and 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a gaming machine for facilitating an electronic version of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred to by like numerals throughout.  FIGS. 1 and 1A  illustrate a gaming table layout generally  denoted as reference numeral  100 .  FIG. 1  shows the full layout  100  which  FIG. 1A  is close-up view of the layout  100  further depicting the wagering payouts. To reduce casino costs and for ease of use, the cloth layout  100  is designed to conform to the dimensions of a conventional Craps table. It is envisioned that, like Craps, dealers, croupiers and stickmen will work the table. Their duties include paying winning wagers, collecting losing wagers, operating a display device, explaining game rules and generally interacting with players. 
   Wager areas  110  and  120  correspond to “higher” and “lower” wagers, respectively. Each “higher” and “lower” wager area  110 ,  120  incorporates the payouts associated with winning the respective wager. To win the “higher” or “lower” wager requires the sum of two dice on consecutive rolls to be more than seven or less than seven, respectively. Therefore, a winning “higher” wager may comprise a first roll of nine and a second roll of ten. Likewise, a winning “lower” wager may comprise a first roll of six and a second roll of two. In the aforementioned examples, the payout  130  for a winning “higher” or “lower” wager is 3 to 1. A 5 to 4 payout is provided for players who, after a first successful “higher” or “lower” roll, decide to quit play or collect early on their two roll “higher” or “lower” wager. 
   In the event the consecutive winning “higher” rolls or “lower” rolls are the same (e.g., eight/eight or three/three, respectively), alternative payouts  140  are provided. The alternative payouts  140  as shown can be as large as 100 to 1 or more depending on the desires of the particular casino. Such large payouts are attractive to players and add anticipation and excitement to the live embodiment of the game. 
   Along with the “higher” and “lower” wager areas  110 ,  120  is a seven/eleven wager area  150 . The wager area  150  incorporates payouts  160  and  170 . The payouts  160 ,  170 , unlike the payouts  130 ,  140 , correspond to the outcome of a single roll of the two dice. Therefore, on a single wager, a roll of seven pays 1 to 1 (i.e., even money) and a roll of eleven pays 10 to 1. The roll of eleven qualifies as a “higher” outcome as well. 
   Wager areas  180  and  190  also correspond to single roll wagers on combinations of two numbers. Specifically, wager area  180  corresponds to a single roll  wager on an outcome of two or three. Similarly, wager area  190  corresponds to a single roll wager on an outcome of eleven or twelve. Both wagers have a payout  200  of 10 to 1. While the payouts  130 ,  140 ,  160 ,  170  and  200  are depicted on the layout  100 , they can alternatively be shown on game brochure or displayed on a placard proximate the layout  100 . 
   Running along the layout  100 , above and adjacent to the “higher” wager area  110 , is a number index  210  for tracking the “higher” and “lower” wagers. The tracking assists both players, dealers, stickmen and croupiers with the resolution of the “higher” and “lower” wagers. In a first embodiment, the wagers placed on either the “higher” and “lower” wagers areas  110 ,  120  are moved (or marked as discussed below) to the square of the number index  210  corresponding to the rolled number. Wagers moved (or alternatively marked) to the number index  210  remind the dealers and/or croupiers that their resolution depends on the following dice roll. It also functions to record the first rolled number so that a second identical rolled number activates an enhanced payout  140 . 
   Like Craps, dealers and/or croupiers keep track of player wagers by placing each player wager in each wager area according to the player&#39;s position around the table. Thus, if a first roll outcome is an eight, the dealer and/or croupier moves (or alternatively marked) all of the “higher” wagers to the eight square on the number index  210 . Each player wager is positioned on the eight square corresponding to the player&#39;s position about the table. Any “lower” wagers are collected as losing wagers. The “lower” wagers are moved (or alternatively marked) to the number index  210  and the “higher” wagers are collected when the first roll is a number less than seven. If a seven is rolled, all “higher” and “lower” wagers are collected as losing wagers. 
   Alternatively, the player wagers remain in the “higher” or “lower” wager area  110 ,  120  and are marked (or moved as discussed above) with a coin, chip or other indicator to signify that their resolution depends on the following dice roll. For example, after a first roll, each wager in the “higher” or “lower” wager area  110 ,  120  is marked with a red chip indicating that the wager is dependent upon the next roll. The next round of wagers placed in the “higher” and “lower” wager areas  110 ,  120  can be left  uncovered or covered with an alternatively colored chip indicating that they are only on their first roll. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , a display device  220  proximate the table  230  is used to record the outcomes  225  of a preestablished number of prior rolls. Such a system is similar to Roulette which incorporates a display device for displaying the previous twenty or more game outcomes. The display  220  is controlled by the dealer and/or croupier with a number input pad (not shown) in communication with the display  220 . The arrangement of the numbers on the display  220  can take any form as long as it allows players to discern the previous game outcomes (i.e., dice sums). Players often use displayed game outcomes to decide which types of wagers to make. It also contemplated that elevated signage (not shown) can be placed nearby the table  230  to inform patrons of the game name and to generally attract new players. 
   Now referring to  FIG. 3 , a flow chart is used to outline one embodiment of the present invention. At step  300 , wagers are placed. At step  310 , the two dice are rolled by a selected player. Ideally, each player is permitted to roll until a seven appears and then the dice are passed to an adjacent player in a clockwise fashion. Alternative dice rolling schemes are obviously possible. At step  320 , the dealers and/or croupiers resolve the single roll wagers, such as the wagers on the seven/eleven, the two/three and the eleven/twelve. At step  330 , the “higher” and “lower” wagers are either moved/marked or collected. That is, if the outcome of the roll is in the “higher” group, the “higher” wagers are moved to the number index  210  or marked and the “lower” wagers are collected as losing wagers. If a seven is the outcome of a first roll, both the “higher” and “lower” wagers are collected as losing wagers. At step  340 , players place new wagers. At step  350 , the two dice are rolled again by the selected player. At step  360 , the dealers and/or croupiers resolve the new single roll wagers. At step  370 , the dealers and/or croupiers resolve the moved or marked wagers. At step  380 , the new “higher” or “lower” wagers placed at step  340  are moved or marked. The flow chart now loops back to step  340  for new wagers to be placed. It is noted that the flow chart steps are illustrative and can be rearranged without altering the game.  
     FIG. 4  illustrates a table  400  listing the house edge  410  corresponding to wager types  420 , outcomes  430  and associated payouts  440  as depicted on the layout  100  as shown in  FIG. 1A . The payouts shown in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 4  are illustrative only and the actual offered payouts and therefore house edge will ultimately be determined by the casino offering the embodiments of the present invention to its patrons. 
     FIG. 5  illustrates a gaming machine  500  for implementing the present invention in an electronic format. The operation of electronic gaming machines, including slot machines and video poker machines, is well known in the industry so that the minute details are not set forth herein. In general terms, electronic gaming machines are controlled by processors including, or in communication with, a random number generator. The random number generator generates the machines&#39; outcomes. In this case, the rolls of the dice. A display in communication with the processor provides visual and graphic information to players. The processor then controls the game, including tracking wagers and payouts. 
   The general external features of the gaming machine  500 , include a display  510 , coin slot  520 , a bill reader  530 , a card reader  540  and a credit display  550 . The gaming machine  500  also includes several player buttons which act as interfaces between the player and the machine processor. Player buttons include a one coin wager button  560 , a maximum coin wager button  570 , wager selection buttons  580  and a roll the dice button  590 . While not shown, the machine  500  may also incorporate a ticket dispenser for printing tickets for redemption at a cashier window. Such cashless systems are becoming increasingly popular in most gaming jurisdictions. It is noted that any of the functions facilitated by the gaming machine buttons  560 – 590  can be accomplished by a display employing touchscreen technology. 
   As described thus far, the two dice have been conventional dice having six faces. Each die face includes a different number of pips from one to six. It is conceivable that unconventional dice could be used to facilitate variations of the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirt or scope of the present invention. For example, dice are available with a multitude of faces (e.g., twelve), such dice could be used to facilitate wagers on whether the sum was higher  or lower than a value other than seven depending on the possible outcomes of the selected dice. In addition, more than two conventional dice can be used to increase the complexity of the present invention. More particularly, with three conventional dice, players could wager on whether the sum is higher than eleven, lower than ten or exactly ten or eleven. Many modifications can be achieved by selecting unconventional dice and/or altering the number of dice used. 
   It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with an explanation of various possible embodiments and modifications thereto, this disclosure is illustrative only and changes may be made within the spirit of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.