Abstract:
A method of selling a player&#39;s position or part of that position in a game, comprising of: evaluating a current value of a player&#39;s position in a game; obtaining a buyer for the position according to the current value; and continuing the game where the buyer owns or shares said position.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority and the benefit under 119(e) from U.S. Provisional application no. 60/765,161 filed on Feb. 6, 2006 and U.S. provisional application 60/869,954 filed 14 Dec 2006, both including inventor Sweary, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. The application is also related to a PCT application filed on even date with this application, by same applicants in the IL receiving office, attorney docket 34850, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present application relates to gaming games and in particular to exchanging or sharing positions in a gaming game. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Gaming has become even more popular since the internet era. Such gaming includes among others skill games, such as poker, backgammon or other card games, lottery, novelty, fantasy, sport, betting and prediction games. 
         [0004]    It is also known in the art to store information, including the financial position of a player in a game. For example U.S. 2005/0107164 provides a portable storage device having information associated with a player stored therein and a plurality of gaming units. The player is allowed to play a group of gaming units based on the information associated with the player stored on the storage device. 
         [0005]    It is further known in the art to estimate the financial or other position of a participant at certain stages of the game. U.S. 2004/0176157 for example allows a player to terminate a game prior to its natural conclusion. The player receives a termination value that can be based on the expected winnings of the player in the game. U.S. 2006/0121973 for example, monitors a card game and summarizes recently played hands, thereby specifying the tactics and chances of each player of the game. 
         [0006]    The disclosures of the above publications are incorporated herein by reference. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    An aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to a system for selling a player&#39;s position in a game, such as a card or prediction game. In such games the players are joined by physically being located at a same place or by using remote connection such as internet, intranet, peer to peer, interactive TV, cellular, or telephone. Optionally, some of the players are virtual players. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention the players of the game join together via a mutual provider or via a channel representing the mutual provider are not joined together, for example, in a lottery game. In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the players are joined together by participating in the game. 
         [0008]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention the system comprises an evaluating unit that provides a current value of a player&#39;s position at any time during the playing of the game, or before starting thereof. In one embodiment of the invention the current value is evaluated according to the player&#39;s achievements in the game until that time. Alternatively or additionally, the current value is calculated according to statistics of the player&#39;s playing behavior and/or prediction of his next steps. Optionally, the player&#39;s achievements in previous games are also taken into account when evaluating the current value. Optionally, the current value may be set to a market value, defined by how much one or more other players are willing to pay for the position. Optionally, the total winnings that can be gained in the game or the number of players are taken into account when calculating the current value. Optionally, prediction of the other players&#39; next steps is also taken into account when evaluating the current value. Optionally, the luck of the player is taken into account when evaluating the current value. Optionally, statistical analysis of one or more considerations is taken into account when evaluating the current value. 
         [0009]    In an embodiment of the invention, the current value is arbitrarily set by the game system. The current value of a player&#39;s position may change after each step of the game, or between steps of the game, depending on the method of evaluation. An owner of a player&#39;s position may be the player itself or someone who bought the position. Optionally, a player&#39;s position is owned by more than one individual. 
         [0010]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is provided an administration unit configured to assemble sale offers from owners and buy request from buyers for player&#39;s positions. An owner of a player&#39;s position who is interested in selling its position sends a sale offer to the administration unit. Optionally, the owner owns only certain percentages of the position. A sale offer may be for the entire position or only certain percentages thereof, at which the seller seeks for an investor rather than a replacer. Alternatively or additionally, a sale offer includes an offer for exchanging the player of the position. 
         [0011]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention the buyer is a player in the game and the sale or buy request are for exchange between players. 
         [0012]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention the owner of the position requests a price differing from the current value for the position. 
         [0013]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the circulation medium requested for the position is cash money. Alternatively or additionally, any other financial arrangement may be requested, including one depending on future predicted winnings for the position. Alternatively or additionally, the circulation medium is not financial. 
         [0014]    The requests can be accessed by any buyer interested in buying or investing in a player&#39;s position in the game. The buyer is then shown the current value of the seller&#39;s position, and/or the price requested for the position or for a percentage of the position, and decides whether to buy or not. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention the administration unit manages a negotiation between the seller and one or more buyers on the price of the player&#39;s position or positions. In another embodiment, the seller and buyer negotiate the price directly, without intermediaries. Optionally, this negotiation is by peer to peer connection. 
         [0015]    The actual price paid for a player&#39;s position, or percentage thereof, can be higher, equal or lower than the current value of a player. Optionally, the position is bought by two or more buyers. 
         [0016]    After selling the player&#39;s position a player representing the buyer may participate in the game instead of the seller. Alternatively, the previous player may continue to play and the buyer owns or invests in the game without actually playing it, optionally compensating the player for a positive outcome. In an exemplary embodiment, the exchange of owners and/or players does not affect the progress of the game. If the evaluation of the current value of a player takes into consideration the player&#39;s behavior and the player is replaced, the current value may be updated to reflect the exchange of players. The current value may be updated to zero if the new player is not known in the game, or if the new player is known, the current value may be updated according to the new player&#39;s known behavior. 
         [0017]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the games is played at one or more kiosk (manned or fully automatic) where a service provider allows a player access to a device which is programmed or dedicated to allowing a user to play in a multi-participant game and which device supports evaluation (local or remote), publishing, viewing, buying and/or selling of game positions. 
         [0018]    There is thus provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention a method of selling a player&#39;s position or part of that position in a game, comprising of: 
         [0019]    evaluating a current value of a player&#39;s position in a game; 
         [0020]    obtaining a buyer for the position according to the current value; and 
         [0021]    continuing the game where the buyer owns or shares said position. 
         [0022]    In an exemplary embodiment the method further comprises: 
         [0023]    replacing the player of said position by another player or an entity representing the buyer. 
         [0024]    Optionally, obtaining a buyer for the position comprises obtaining a buyer for a percentage of the position. 
         [0025]    Optionally, the game comprises a card game. Optionally, the game comprises a prediction game. Optionally, the game comprises a skill game. Optionally, the game comprises a sport game 
         [0026]    In an exemplary embodiment evaluating a current value of a player&#39;s position comprises evaluating according to achievements of the player in the game. Optionally, evaluating a current value of a player&#39;s position comprises evaluating according to statistics of the player&#39;s behavior in the current or previous games. Optionally, evaluating a current value of a player&#39;s position comprises evaluating according to the player&#39;s luck in the current or previous games. Optionally, evaluating comprises evaluating according to the total amount that can be won in the game. 
         [0027]    In an exemplary embodiment the method further comprises: 
         [0028]    negotiating on the price to be paid for the position. 
         [0029]    Optionally, the players of the game join together using remote connection. Optionally, the players of the game join together using interactive TV. Optionally, the players of the game join together using cellular connection. Optionally, the players of the game join together using telephone. Optionally, the players of the game join together via a mutual provider or via a channel representing the mutual provider. Optionally, at least one of the players in the game is a virtual player. Optionally, at least some of the players are physically located at one place. 
         [0030]    In an exemplary embodiment the buyer is a player in the game. 
         [0031]    There is further provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention a system for selling a player&#39;s position in a game, comprising of: 
         [0032]    an evaluation unit adapted to evaluate the current value of players&#39; positions in a game; 
         [0033]    an administration unit adapted to assemble and negotiate between position sale offers from owners of player&#39;s positions and buy requests from buyers, in accordance with the current value of said position, 
         [0034]    wherein the administration unit is adapted to exchange between the owner and the buyer of said position if said negotiation succeeds. 
         [0035]    In an exemplary embodiment the administration unit is further adapted to exchange between the player of said position and a player representing the buyer. 
         [0036]    In an exemplary embodiment the owner of the player&#39;s position comprises the player himself. Optionally, the owner of the player&#39;s position comprises more than one individual. 
         [0037]    In an exemplary embodiment said sale offer comprises a sale offer for a percentage of said position. 
         [0038]    Optionally, said game comprises a card game. Optionally, said game comprises a prediction game. Optionally, said game comprises a skill game. Optionally, the game comprises a sport game. 
         [0039]    Optionally, said negotiation occurs between owners and buyers on a peer to peer connection. Optionally, the players of the game are joined together using remote connection. Optionally, the players of the game join together using interactive TV. Optionally, the players of the game join together using cellular connection. Optionally, the players of the game join together using telephone. Optionally, the players of the game join together via a mutual provider or via a channel representing the mutual provider. Optionally, at least one of the players in the game is a virtual player. Optionally, at least some of the players are physically located at one place. 
         [0040]    In an exemplary embodiment the current value is evaluated according to achievements of the player in the game. Optionally, the current value is evaluated according to statistics of the player&#39;s behavior in the current or previous games. Optionally, the current value is evaluated according to the total price to be won in the game. 
         [0041]    In an exemplary embodiment the buyer is a player in the game and the exchange is a switching between players in the game. 
         [0042]    There is further provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention a system for selling a player&#39;s position in a game, comprising of: 
         [0043]    an administration unit adapted to receive sale offers from owners of player&#39;s positions and buy requests from buyers; and 
         [0044]    a negotiation unit adapted to enable negotiation between the owner and a buyer for said position,
       wherein the administration unit is adapted to transfer at least part of the ownership of the position between the owner and the prospective purchaser if said negotiation succeeds.       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0046]    In the drawings, identical structures, elements or parts that appear in more than one drawing are generally labeled with the same numeral in all the drawings in which they appear. Dimensions of components and features shown in the drawings are chosen for convenience and clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. 
           [0047]      FIG. 1  is a flowchart of a method of selling a player&#39;s position according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0048]      FIG. 1  is a flowchart of a method  100  of selling a player&#39;s position in a gaming game according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Gaming games include but are not limited to skill games, prediction games, poker or other card games, backgammon, lottery, novelty, fantasy, sport and betting. 
         [0049]    At  102  the players join together and the game starts. In another embodiment of the invention, the game starts first and players join the game after the starting thereof. 
         [0050]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the players join together using remote connection, such as internet, intranet, peer to peer, interactive TV, cellular, or telephone. Optionally, one or more of the players are virtual players. Optionally, some or all of the players participate in from the game via a mutual provider or via a channel representing the mutual provider. 
         [0051]    In another embodiment of the invention, some or all of the players are physically located at one place when they play the game. 
         [0052]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, players can join the game after the starting thereof, at different time intervals in the game. 
         [0053]    At  103  the owners of the player&#39;s positions are determined. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the default owner of a player position is the player himself. 
         [0054]    The positions of all the players participating in the game are evaluated at  104 . There are several methods for evaluating a player&#39;s position according to embodiments of the invention. 
         [0055]    In one embodiment, the current value of a position is evaluated according to known values. This embodiment is preferable when a pure chance game is played or when a game where the player&#39;s playing skills have no significant influence on the game. For example, as disclosed, in provisional application 60/765,161 filed on Feb. 6, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, a prediction game in which a plurality of players can compete by predicting the outcome of a series of sequentially occurring future events. The current value of a player&#39;s position in this game is optionally evaluated according to the total price to win divided by the number of players left in the game. Alternatively or additionally, the luck of the player is also taken into account when evaluating the current value. 
         [0056]    The following section in the earlier incorporated provisional application is considered to be especially relevant to this application: 
         [0057]    “Optionally, at any point in time during the game unit a player is allowed to transfer his list of submitted answers or parts thereof to another active or potential player. Transferring lists or portions of lists between active or potential players could involve specific negotiations concerning percentages. offered bonus points. bids. value estimates and the like.” 
         [0058]    In another embodiment of the invention the current value of a position is evaluated according to statistics of the player&#39;s behavior during the game. This embodiment is preferable in games where the playing skills of the player have an impact on the game. In a poker game, for example, it is common to evaluate a player according to known hands played by the player under certain conditions. In this manner the player is classified as taking high risks or playing safe and the current value of his position can be appraised according to these statistics. It should be noted that known values, such as the cards the player currently has in hand and/or the size of the pot, can also be taken into consideration. 
         [0059]    In an embodiment of the invention, the current value may be set to a market value, defined by how much one or more other players are willing to pay for the position. Optionally, the total winnings that can be gained in the game or the number of players are taken into account when calculating the current value. Optionally, prediction of the other player&#39;s next steps is also taken into account when evaluating the current value. 
         [0060]    In an embodiment of the invention, the current value is set arbitrarily by the game system. 
         [0061]    The current value of a player&#39;s position may change after each step of the game, depending on the method of evaluation. The method of evaluation may change during the game. Optionally, multiple evaluation methods are provided by the evaluation unit and the players and/or buyers choose the evaluation method. Units as described herein may be, for example, hardware, software on a dedicated or general purpose computer and/or firmware. In addition, such a unit may be distributed and/or may share hardware with another component of the system or another system. 
         [0062]    In an embodiment where players join the game after the starting thereof, the determination of the owner ( 103 ) and evaluation of current value ( 104 ) is executed for each joining player. 
         [0063]    When an owner decides to sell his position he sends a sale offer, optionally to the administration unit at  106 . Such sale offers include offers for selling of an entire position or investing in a position. Alternatively or additionally, a sale offer includes a request for exchange of players in the game. Alternatively or additionally, the offer includes a price differing from the current value of the position. Alternatively or additionally, the offer includes circulation medium, such as cash money or future predicted winnings for the position. Optionally, the owner owns only a certain percentage of the position. 
         [0064]    Potential buyers can monitor the gaming and view the current values of players&#39; positions at any time during the game ( 108 ). When a buyer desires to buy one or more of the positions in the game, he sends a buy request to the administration unit ( 110 ). Such buy requests include requests to invest in or own a position. Alternatively or additionally, a buy request includes a request to replace the player of the position. 
         [0065]    The administration unit assembles all sale offers and buy requests ( 112 ) and checks for matches between sellers and buyers. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the administration unit negotiates between a seller and a buyer on the actual price of the position or percentage thereof ( 114 ). In another embodiment, the seller and buyer negotiate directly, without intermediaries. Optionally, the selling is by way of auction and the position or percentage thereof is sold to the highest bidder. Optionally, the negotiation and/or selling of the position is by peer to peer connection between the owner and the buyer. The actual price paid for a position or percentage thereof can be higher or lower than the current value of the position and can be influenced by time constraints or negotiation skills of one of the parties. Optionally, the position is bought by two or more buyers. 
         [0066]    At  116 , the actual price of the position is agreed to by the parties and the position selling transaction is completed. The game continues at  118  when the buyer owns the position or a percentage thereof. If the transaction included exchange of players, a player representing the buyer (or the buyer himself), replaces the player of the position. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the buyer is a player in the game and the transaction includes switching of positions between players in the game. Optionally, one of the players is compensated by a circulation medium in addition to the exchange of positions. 
         [0067]    It is noted that some of the above described embodiments may describe a best mode contemplated by the inventors and therefore may include structure, acts or details of structures and acts that may not be essential to the invention and which are described as examples. Structure and acts described herein are replaceable by equivalents which perform the same function, even if the structure or acts are different, as known in the art. In addition, features described with one embodiment, may be omitted and/or used with features described for another embodiment. Therefore, the scope of the invention is limited only by the elements and limitations as used in the claims. When used in the following claims, the terms “comprise”, “include”, “have” and their conjugates mean “including but not limited to”. 
         [0068]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described above. Rather, the scope of the invention is limited solely by the claims, which follow.