Abstract:
A method of operating a video gaming system having program instructions, the programming instructions comprising: providing each player with at least one individual flashboard having suit and value indicia and a game ending pattern outlined thereon; providing a plurality of bingo balls; randomly selecting a first group of bingo balls; displaying to each player the markings associated with each selected bingo ball of the first group of bingo balls; marking each square associated with each of the first group of bingo balls on each individual flashcard; selecting a second group of bingo balls, wherein a total number of bingo balls in the first group and the second group is equal to a least amount of balls needed to completely fill the game ending pattern; displaying to each player the markings associated with each selected bingo ball of the second group of bingo balls; and determining any winning flashboard.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/949,311, filed Sep. 7, 2001 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/745,706, filed Dec. 26, 2000 in the name of the Applicant. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to bingo games, and more particularly to a video bingo game and method that utilizes bingo rules to present video games having the look and feel of video poker and slot games, and that preferably utilize multiple ball draws to provide a pace of play beneficial to fast and slow players alike. 
         [0003]    The rules of play for conventional bingo are well-known. Players receive individual game cards, generally featuring a matrix of five rows and five columns. The columns are lettered BINGO from left to right across the top of the matrix and each bingo card has five numbers in each row, except for the center I column which has a “free space” at the intersection of the third row and the third column. 
         [0004]    Bingo balls individually numbered 1-75 are mixed together and balls are selected one at a time. As each ball is selected, the number is announced to the players, who cover any corresponding number on their bingo card. When a player achieves a predetermined arrangement of covered spots on his bingo card, that player yells out “Bingo!” or hits the bingo button and he wins the game. 
         [0005]    Bingo is increasingly being played in electronic form. Players operate linked machines that display one or more bingo cards. Numbers are called by live ball draw, or a bonanza game and the called numbers are daubed on the player cards on each linked machine. Each game is played until a winning card on at least one linked machine is produced, after which another game may be started. 
         [0006]    But there are a number of drawbacks associated with prior art electronic bingo games. Many players prefer the fast action of video poker and slot machines to relatively slower traditional bingo games. Such players will tend to avoid electronic bingo games entirely, in favor of competing games. 
         [0007]    Moreover, even for those who prefer to play bingo, prior art video bingo games are not entirely satisfactory. One drawback is timing. Depending on the player, the game may be too fast or too slow. Thus, each game will have a single ball draw and a time limit, perhaps in the range of about 20 seconds. A fast player might be able in significantly less than the allotted time to complete his or her selections and be ready to play the next game—only to be forced to wait until the game has closed and the next one begun with another ball draw. After a series of games, a player who is required to spend a significant time waiting may well opt to leave the machine and choose a faster-paced game. 
         [0008]    On the other hand, a slower player might find that he or she cannot make the required selections in time, with the result that the game closes before they have finished. Players who cannot finish the game in the allotted time can also be expected to lose interest. 
         [0009]    A need therefore existed for an electronic bingo game having the look and feel of a non-bingo game, including for example video poker or video slots (sometimes also referred to as “fruit machines”). A need further existed for an electronic bingo game that accommodates the play habits of both fast and slow players. The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other, related, advantages. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0011]    A method of operating a video gaming system, wherein said video gaming system has a processor for executing program instructions and a memory coupled to the processor for storing the program instructions, the programming instructions comprising: displaying on a screen of a terminal of the video game system a combination bingo and poker video game; providing each player with at least one individual flashboard, each flashboard having an equal number of spaces, each space defined by a column label and a space number, wherein the space number is randomly selected from a predefined number range for each column, wherein the individual flashboard has indicia for each space on each flashboard, wherein the indicia comprises each of suit and value indicia, the individual flashboard having a game ending pattern outlined thereon; providing a plurality of bingo balls for common use for all players, wherein each bingo ball has markings associated with one of the plurality of spaces, a total number of bingo balls corresponding to a number of the plurality of spaces on an individual flashboard; randomly selecting a first group of bingo balls for common use for all players; displaying to each player the markings associated with each selected bingo ball of the first group of bingo balls; marking each square associated with each of the first group of bingo balls on each individual flashcard; randomly selecting a second group of bingo balls for common use for all players, wherein a total number of bingo balls in the first group of bingo balls and the second group of bingo balls is equal to a least amount of balls needed to completely fill the game ending pattern; displaying to each player the markings associated with each selected bingo ball of the second group of bingo balls; and determining any winning flashboard. 
         [0012]    A method of operating a video gaming system, wherein said video gaming system has a processor for executing program instructions and a memory coupled to the processor for storing the program instructions, the programming instructions comprising: displaying on a screen of a terminal of the video game system a combination bingo and poker video game; providing each player with a plurality of individual flashboards, each flashboard having an equal number of spaces, each space defined by a column label and a space number, wherein the space number is randomly selected from a predefined number range for each column, wherein the individual flashboard has indicia for each space on each flashboard, wherein the indicia comprises each of suit and value indicia, the individual flashboard having a game ending pattern outlined thereon; providing a plurality of bingo balls for common use for all players, wherein each bingo ball has markings associated with one of the plurality of spaces, a total number of bingo balls corresponding to a number of the plurality of spaces on an individual flashboard; randomly selecting a first group of bingo balls for common use for all players; displaying to each player the markings associated with each selected bingo ball of the first group of bingo balls; marking each square associated with each of the first group of bingo balls on each of the plurality of individual flashcard; randomly selecting a second group of bingo balls for common use for all players, wherein a total number of bingo balls in the first group of bingo balls and the second group of bingo balls is equal to a least amount of balls needed to completely fill the game ending pattern; displaying to each player the markings associated with each selected bingo ball of the second group of bingo balls; and determining any winning flashboards. 
         [0013]    The features, functions, and advantages can be achieved independently in various embodiments of the disclosure or may be combined in yet other embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Embodiments of the disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  provides an exemplar of a video terminal, including display screen, of one embodiment of a bingo game of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  provides an exemplar of a video terminal, including display screen, of another embodiment of a bingo game of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  provides an exemplar of a video terminal, including display screen, of yet another embodiment of a bingo game of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  shows a flashboard component of an embodiment of a bingo game of the present invention, with two flashboard squares shown in detail; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  provides an exemplar of a video terminal, including display screen, of still another embodiment of a bingo game of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a front view of a flashboard used in another embodiment of the bingo poker game of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a front view of a flashboard showing embodiments of different progressive winning patterns; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  shows a front view of a sample draw poker paytable for the bingo poker game of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  shows a front view of an initial ball call state for the bingo poker game of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  shows a front view of a game over state-bingo win for the bingo poker game of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  shows a front view of a game over state-poker win for the bingo poker game of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  shows a front view of game over state-poker win (No Card Display) for the bingo poker game of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  shows a front view of a game over state-progressive win for the bingo poker game of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  shows a gaming network for playing the bingo poker game of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a front view of a flashboard having a highlighted game ending pattern used in an embodiment of the bingo poker game of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 16  shows a front view of an initial ball call state for the bingo poker game of the present invention with player&#39;s keep/swap sections; 
           [0031]      FIG. 16   a  shows another front view of an initial ball call state for the bingo poker game of the present invention with player&#39;s keep/swap sections; 
           [0032]      FIG. 17  shows a front view of a final game state depicting winning bonus poker hands of a first bingo card; 
           [0033]      FIG. 17   a  shows another embodiment of a front view of a final game state depicting winning bonus poker hands of a first bingo card; 
           [0034]      FIG. 17.1  shows a front view of a final game state depicting winning bonus poker hands of a second bingo card; 
           [0035]      FIG. 17.1   a  shows another embodiment of a front view of a final game state depicting winning bonus poker hands of a second bingo card; 
           [0036]      FIG. 17.2  shows a front view of a final game state depicting winning bonus poker hands of a third bingo card; 
           [0037]      FIG. 17.2   a  shows another embodiment of a front view of a final game state depicting winning bonus poker hands of a third bingo card; 
           [0038]      FIG. 18  shows a front view of a winning game screen of  FIG. 17  with alternate “ball only” display; 
           [0039]      FIG. 18   a  shows a front view of a winning game screen of  FIG. 17   a  with alternate “ball only” display; 
           [0040]      FIG. 19  shows the bingo cards and associated overlay cards at the beginning of the game depicted in  FIGS. 16 ,  17 , and  18 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 20  bingo card  1  and associated overlay card depicted after player keep/swap decision, corresponds with  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 21  bingo cards 2 and 3 along with their associated overlay cards after player keep/swap decision; 
           [0043]      FIG. 22  overlay cards 2 and 3 after swap to correct poker indicia mismatch; 
           [0044]      FIG. 23  shows the final bingo and overlay cards depicting 8 balls and associated poker indicia used in determination of poker bonus prizes and correspond to  FIG. 17 , clear numbers and indicia are used in the final bonus payout poker hands, all bingo hits, whether shaded or not, are used in game ending pattern and determination of progressive prizes; 
           [0045]      FIG. 24  shows a game screen depicting progressive win for Spot the Daub game; and 
           [0046]      FIG. 24   a  shows another embodiment of a game screen depicting progressive win for Spot the Daub game; 
           [0047]      FIG. 25  shows a winning arrangement/combination table; and 
           [0048]      FIG. 25   a  shows another embodiment of a winning arrangement/combination table. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0049]    Referring first to  FIGS. 1-4 , an embodiment of the bingo game of the present invention having the look and feel of video poker is shown. For ease of reference, this game will be referred to as “Bingo Poker” herein. 
         [0050]    Referring first to  FIG. 4 , each player is provided with a flashboard/bingo card  10  (hereinafter “flashboard  10 ”). The flashboard  10  may optionally be displayed to the player on a video screen, or may simply be provided to the game terminal but not displayed. In order to provide a less cluttered appearance, and to enhance the poker-like look of the game, it will be preferred to not display the flashboard  10  on the gaming machine screen. 
         [0051]    In its preferred configuration, the flashboard  10  contains a plurality of individual squares  12 . Each square  12  is intended to correspond to a particular numbered ball used in the game, with the total number of squares corresponding to the total number of numbered balls used. As shown in  FIG. 4 , in this embodiment, there are 52 squares  12 , corresponding to 52 balls. As will be discussed below, it will be possible to vary the number of squares  12  and balls, and indeed, it would be possible to provide a noncorresponding number of squares  12  and balls. 
         [0052]    It should be noted further that if the flashboard  10  is to be displayed to the player, the configuration shown in FIG.  4 —having four rows of thirteen squares each, with, reading from left to right, row A having squares 1-13, row B having squares 14-26, row C having squares 27-39, and row D having squares 40-52—is only one of many that would be possible. Thus, it would be possible to organize the squares  12  into any desired combination of rows and columns or other display arrangement. 
         [0053]    Preferably, each individual square  12  has assigned thereto appropriate indicia corresponding to the specific game that is to be played. For Bingo Poker, the indicia will comprise suit and value indicia commonly displayed on playing cards. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , square 32 has been assigned as its suit and value indicia the six of clubs. Square 41 has been assigned as its suit and value indicia the two of diamonds. In a Bingo Poker game that utilizes 52 balls and thus at least 52 squares  12 , each square  12  will have different suit and value indicia, so that each card in a 52 card deck is represented in a different square  12 . 
         [0054]    While, in this embodiment, the indicia used correspond to that displayed on playing cards, it should be understood that indicia from other card-type games could be used, and the game played according to rules for such card-type game. 
         [0055]    The suit and value indicia may be randomly generated on each square  12  of each flashboard  10  before each game. Alternatively, different flashboards  10  may be created before play is begun by the players depressing an appropriate button/key or otherwise commanding the player machine to generate randomly different indicia locations on flashboard  10 . However created, each flashboard  10  will have its unique (or nearly unique) placement of indicia, thus providing preferably different flashboards  10  for each player and different outcomes for each machine. For example, while square 32 on player one&#39;s flashboard might have a Club suit indicia and a Six value indicia, square 32 on player two&#39;s flashboard might have a Heart suit indicia and a Queen value indicia. Thus, the calling of ball/number 32 will provide player one with a Six of Clubs and player two with a Queen of Hearts. 
         [0056]    As each ball is drawn and called, the result is electronically communicated to each player machine. (It should be understood that the reference to a ball draw and call is intended to include an electronic draw and an electronic communication of the results of the draw to player machine, and is not meant to be restricted to a manual ball draw or live call by a person.) Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an exemplar of a player machine  14  is shown. The player machine  14  preferably includes a display screen  16  and a play selection area  18 . (It should be understood that the play selection area  18  could be positioned on the player machine  14  separate from the display screen  16  as shown in  FIG. 1 , or could be displayed on the display screen  16  using touch screen technology or the like.) 
         [0057]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the results of the calling of five balls are displayed on the display screen  16 , in the form of cards  20  having suit and value indicia corresponding to numbered squares  12  on the flashboard  10 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the preferred form for displaying the results of the call is in card form, giving the Bingo Poker game the look and feel of a video poker terminal. In the event that the flashboard  10  is also displayed on the display screen  16 , it is preferred that upon the calling of each ball, the corresponding square  12  is lit or otherwise modified to indicate that the ball corresponding to that square has been called. 
         [0058]    In the preferred embodiment of Poker Bingo, ten balls are called at the beginning of the game. As shown in  FIG. 1 , only the results for the first five balls will initially be displayed. With respect to the remaining five balls, they are either not initially depicted in any form to the player as shown in  FIG. 1 , or, referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , may be represented by an image of a card back  22  or in some other form. (In the event that the flashboard  10  is displayed to the player on the display screen  16 , the squares  12  and indicia associated with second group of five balls are not indicated on the flashboard  10  either.) 
         [0059]    Each player then electronically daubs those of the first five balls that the player desires to keep by, one card  20  at a time, daubing each card  20  that the player wishes to hold or discard. Daubing is preferably accomplished by the player depressing the daub button  24  for each card to be held—which daub button  24  may be a depressible button or key located in the play selection area  18 , a selectable area on a display screen  16  having touch screen capability, or some other vehicle for allowing a player to communicate card selection. (It would also be possible to provide that depression of the daub button  24  would have the effect of highlighting those cards  20  that are to be discarded.) 
         [0060]    Once daubing is complete, the player depresses the draw button  26 . (It should be noted that the names for the buttons as shown in the drawing figures and as used herein represent examples only, and may be changed as desired.) The undaubed cards  20  are then discarded and replaced with a corresponding number of cards  20  corresponding to balls from the second group of five. If the player daubs (holds) all five cards  20 , then no replacement cards are used and the winning hand will be determined using only the original five balls drawn. 
         [0061]    There are several possibilities with respect to the manner in which replacement cards  20  are selected from the group corresponding to the second group of five balls. In one embodiment, the machine randomly selects the replacement cards  20  from the second group. In another embodiment, replacement cards  20  are selected from the second group of five balls according to the order in which these balls were called—so that the sixth ball called will be the first replacement, and so on. In yet another embodiment, as depicted for example in  FIG. 2 , the replacement cards  20  selected will be those corresponding in order to the first five balls selected—so that, for example, the first ball selected will be represented by the first card  20  on the far left side, while the sixth ball selected will be represented by the card back  22  positioned behind the first card  20  on the far left side, and so on. 
         [0062]    In still another embodiment, as depicted for example in  FIG. 3 , the player can select which replacement cards  20  will be revealed from a row of card backs  22  shown on the display screen. Selection may be accomplished, if touch screen technology is employed, by the player touching the desired card backs  22 . Alternatively, the player may depress the daub button  24  associated with the desired card back  22 —which, in the configuration shown in  FIG. 3 , would be the daub button  24  positioned directly below the desired card back  22 —revealing each replacement card  20 . 
         [0063]    It should be noted that the Bingo Poker game and method of the present invention may be adapted to play poker or other card games according to the rules for the particular game. For example, in one variation, only five balls would be drawn, and there would be no replacement balls. Based on the hand produced by the five called balls, the player receives any payout to which he or she is entitled. (Such a game might have the appearance of that shown in  FIG. 1 .) This variation is similar to 5 card stud poker, in which a player is paid according to a pay table without any replacement cards being available. 
         [0064]    In another variation, seven balls are called and, again, there are no replacement balls. Based on the best hand produced by any five of the seven called balls, the player receives any payout to which he or she is entitled. This variation is similar to 7 card stud poker. 
         [0065]    Examples of other poker games that could be played using this method would include triple play®, bonus poker, Caribbean stud poker®, holdem poker, and double down stud®. The present invention could also be utilized to play card games other than poker. 
         [0066]    Still other variations are possible to the basic components of the bingo game as discussed above. For example, it would be possible to add a 53rd ball as well as a corresponding 53rd square on the flashboard  10 , with the 53rd square representing a wild card or joker. If called, the wild card could be used by the player to represent any suit/value indicia combination that increases the payout to the player. 
         [0067]    It would also be possible to provide fewer squares  12  than balls, with an individual square  12  having more than one set of value and suit indicia. If, for example, a particular square  12  had two sets of value and suit indicia, the calling of the ball corresponding to that square  12  would result in an extra card being dealt to the player. The player could either be permitted to keep the extra card or the option of selecting between the two cards corresponding to the square  12 , increasing the player&#39;s winning prospects. Other variations are also possible. 
         [0068]    Another embodiment of the present invention addresses the problem presented by a single ball draw. In this embodiment, overlapping ball draws—possibly though not necessarily from multiple locations—are provided, allowing the playing of overlapping games. For example, if a game takes two minutes to play, a new draw could commence every thirty seconds. Fast player one and slower player two each begin the same game at 1:00 p.m., which game is started by ball draw one. Fast player one, upon finishing the game at 1:00:45 p.m., can participate in a second game, started by a ball draw commencing at 1:01:00 p.m.—even before the first game has closed at 1:02 p.m. Meanwhile, player two can finish his game using all of the allotted time until 1:02 p.m., and participate in a new game commencing at 1:02:00 p.m. or 1:02:30 p.m., etc. Of course, the actual frequency and method of overlapping ball draws can be varied as desired. 
         [0069]    One advantage of the multiple ball draw is that the duration of each bingo game can be increased over prior art games, since there is no need to maximize the amount of games that one single ball drawing source can generate. Thus, it can be seen that with multiple ball draws, the needs of slow and fast players can be accommodated. Slow players can play games with longer closing times, so that they can complete their play. On the other hand, fast players can follow one game immediately with another. It should be noted that the multiple ball draw disclosed herein could be incorporated into any bingo-style electronic game—including prior art games currently practiced using a single ball draw—and not only with bingo-style games otherwise described herein. 
         [0070]    Bingo rules often require the disclosure to all players at the end of each game how many players were winners in each game and how much they won. This information can be provided in a small square preferably at the bottom of the screen. In one embodiment, the five previous game winners will be disclosed at the bottom of the screen—although more or less than this could be shown. This allows the slower player to take his or her time and to have his or her potential winnings posted before the game is closed. 
         [0071]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the rules of bingo can be adopted to provide an electronic game having the look and feel of a video slot machine, and includes on the display a plurality of reels. This game is referred to herein as “Bingo Slots.” As with Bingo Poker, in Bingo Slots, each player is provided with at least one flashboard, which flashboard may or may not be displayed on the player&#39;s display screen. The flashboard should comprise individual squares having therein at least one indicia—including for example cherries, plums, bells, bars, blanks and other indicia of the type often seen on slot machines—corresponding to the number of bingo balls to be drawn. For example, if there are 90 balls (numbered 1-90), the flashboard should have 90 “squares,” numbered 1-90, having indicia therein. (As discussed above, it would be possible to provide a noncorresponding number of flashboard squares and balls.) 
         [0072]    Preferably, three balls will be called in a game (i.e., one ball for each reel)—although games with less or more balls may also be played. When the balls are called, the values are communicated to each player machine and the corresponding values on each player flashboard are displayed in any desired format—such as squares or rectangles having images of the indicia therein or thereon. Preferably, the display will have the look and feel of prior art slot machine reels. 
         [0073]    Although each player has the same indicia values on his or her flashboard (e.g., 20 cherries, 20 bars, 10 blanks, 10 plums, 30 bells)—each player should have these indicia arranged on the flashboard in a unique or nearly unique manner, so that outcomes among players will be unique or nearly unique. For example, squares 15, 25, and 35 on player one&#39;s flashboard might all be cherries, while these squares on player two&#39;s flashboard are a cherry, plum, and bar, respectively. There can of course be instances wherein a single machine has multiple type slot games to choose from and individual games can have varying degrees of difficulty. An example of these slot games are “Double Diamond®”, “Red, White &amp; Blue®”, “Triple Diamond®”, “Wheel of Fortune®”, “Elvis®”, “Betty Boop®” “Slotto®”, “Pink Panther®”, “Reel &#39;Em In®”, “Monopoly®”, “Jackpot Party®”, “Addams Family®”, “I Dream of Jeannie®” and “Battleship®”. The payout will be a function of the difficult of achieving a desired combination, based on the frequency with which a particular value appears on the flashboard. 
         [0074]    While it would be possible to provide a single flashboard from which three indicia will be selected as described herein, it would be preferred to provide multiple flashboards per player machine, and preferably one flashboard for each reel in a Bingo Slot game. Thus, if there are three reels, three flashboards are preferably provided. In this manner, the odds of achieving a particular winning combination can be increased exponentially, creating the possibility of relatively large payouts and thus increasing player excitement. Similarly, the number of balls/flashboard squares can be varied as desired to achieve desired game probabilities. 
         [0075]    As shown in the following table, the use of multiple flashboards and the variation in the number of balls can substantially alter slot odds: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Slot Odds - One bar 
               
               
                 Number of Reels  
                 Number of Balls 
                 per reel 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 75 
                 75  
                 to one 
               
               
                 1 
                 90 
                 90  
                 to one 
               
               
                 1 
                 105 
                 105  
                 to one 
               
               
                 2 
                 75 
                 5,625  
                 to one 
               
               
                 2 
                 90 
                 8,100  
                 to one 
               
               
                 2 
                 105 
                 11,025  
                 to one 
               
               
                 3 
                 75 
                 421,875  
                 to one 
               
               
                 3 
                 90 
                 729,000  
                 to one 
               
               
                 3 
                 105 
                 1,157,625  
                 to one 
               
               
                 4 
                 75 
                 31,640,625  
                 to one 
               
               
                 4 
                 90 
                 65,610,000  
                 to one 
               
               
                 4 
                 105 
                 121,550,625  
                 to one 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0076]    Of course, the numbers 75, 90 and 105 are meant to be exemplary only, and the actual number of balls used could be varied as desired. 
         [0077]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an exemplar of a video terminal  30  embodying the Bingo Slots variant of the present invention is shown. The video terminal  30  includes a display screen  32 , on which is displayed the indicia  34  from the flashboard squares corresponding to the called balls. To use the video terminal  30 , a player will place his or her bet using one of the betting keys  36 . The player then commences play and accesses the results of the ball draw by pulling the handle  38 . The results of the ball draw are then displayed on the display screen  32 . To complete play, and consistent with the rules of bingo, the player daubs the indicia  34  appearing on the display screen  32  by depressing the daub keys  40 —or by daubing in some other designated manner. 
         [0078]    Of course, the features of the video terminal  30  may be altered in any desired fashion. For example, the handle  38  may be replaced with a button, touch screen icon, or other means for commencing play. One daub key  40  could be used in place of individual daub keys  40  for each indicia  34  displayed. It would also be possible to display more than one row of indicia  34  for double, triple, nine-line, etc. play. Still further, it would be possible to substitute a machine having mechanical reels for the video terminal  30  and still be within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0079]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6-14 , another embodiment of the bingo game of the present invention having the look and feel of video poker is shown. For ease of reference, this game will be referred to as “Bingo Poker” herein. The Bingo Poker game is similar to the previous embodiments so differences will be discussed below. 
         [0080]    Bingo Poker is a traditional electronic bingo game requiring at least two players to begin where the first player to cover a previously designated bingo pattern ( 12  spot center box as shown in  FIG. 6 ) on a bingo card  10 ′ wins the game. Draw Poker style bonus prizes may be awarded for creating a winning five card poker hand defined entirely by the spots hit on the player&#39;s bingo card  10 ′ within the first ten bingo balls drawn. An additional progressive jackpot bonus prize may be awarded based on a far-miss bingo criterion as will be disclosed below. Like traditional bingo, each player terminal has a unique bingo card and all players in a specific game receive the same ball call. 
         [0081]    The game may be facilitated by player terminals providing players with an entertaining interface for interacting with the game, game servers for collecting players into games and delivering game results, and a computer network to facilitate communication between the player terminals and game servers as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0082]    In the present embodiment, Bingo Poker is played similarly to a traditional bingo game where a series of balls are drawn from a 52 ball population and matched by players to bingo cards  10 ′ with the goal of being the first player to achieve a pre-designated game ending bingo pattern  10 A (12 spot center box). Other designated game ending bingo patterns may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0083]    Each player has a single, unique 4×13 spot BIGO card  10 ′ with no free space where the numbers 1-13 are placed in random order in the 1 st  column labeled “B”, 14-26 are randomly ordered in the second (“I”) column, 27-39 are randomly ordered in the third (“G”) column, and 40-52 are randomly ordered in the fourth (“O”) column. 
         [0084]    In accordance with one embodiment, Bingo Poker may use a unique dual perm system  60  for generating bingo cards  10 ′ for the game. Each player is assigned a  52  spot bingo card at the beginning of the game session that may be used for each game played unless the player chooses to swap cards between games by touching the bingo card  10 ′. Each 52 spot bingo card is dealt in order from a shuffled card perm of tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of pre-generated bingo cards selected to minimize the probability of multiple players achieving game ending patterns or progressive jackpot prizes on the same ball, thus resulting in split prizes. 
         [0085]    In addition to the persistent bingo card, a second, 52 spot poker card overlay is dealt to each player immediately after a minimum number of players has been established for each game and immediately prior to the first ball being called. Although in some instances the overlay may be generated after the first ball is drawn. This secondary card consists of all 52 playing card faces from a standard deck of 4 suits (hearts, diamonds, spades, and clubs) numbered 2 through 10 and J, Q, K, and A. These overlay cards are dealt in order from a card permutation selected to insure all poker hands have probabilities of being achieved equal to those of a randomly generated draw poker game. For games that require two or more decks, multiple overlay perms could be used with the persistent bingo card, with all perms using the same ball draw. Random number generators may be used in lieu of perms if permitted by gaming regulators. 
         [0086]    The bingo poker game consists of a buy in period, an initial ball call (5 balls), a final ball call, and a prize awarding period. 
         [0087]    The buy in period remains open until at least 2 players have joined the game  62  or a configurable amount of time expires resulting in no game played and a refund of the purchase. A player joins the game by selecting a buy in amount and pressing the “Deal” button  50 . A game will begin as soon as at least two players have purchased bingo cards  10 ′ within the buy in period. Bingo cards  10 ′ cost a minimum of 1 credit and a maximum of 5 credits. Players can be grouped together in games regardless of the price of the card purchased. 
         [0088]    Multiple games with overlapping buy in periods may be offered to minimize player wait time between games. Players can be grouped within a single facility or across multiple facilities to efficiently build adequate minimums to start each game. 
         [0089]    The initial ball call begins upon the buy in period closing. Five balls are delivered to the player terminal and displayed in the order they were drawn in the ball call display area  52  and displayed on the appropriate squares  12  on the bingo card  10 ′. 
         [0090]    Upon the player pressing the “Draw” button  54 , the remaining balls are revealed to the player and displayed in the order they were drawn in the ball call display area  52  and on the appropriate matching squares on the bingo card  10 ′. The “Draw” button  54  serves multiple functions including daubing the first 5 balls, revealing and daubing the remaining balls, and claiming any prizes that are won as a result of the game. The number of balls in the final ball call is variable depending on the number of balls required for the first card participating in the current game to achieve the game ending bingo pattern. 
         [0091]    Prizes are awarded immediately after the final ball call is displayed for any player that has achieved the game ending bingo pattern and for bonus prizes. In accordance with the present embodiment, there are three types of prizes in Bingo Poker as shown in  FIG. 7 :
       1) Game Ending Bingo Prize—The game ending prize is a minimum of 1 cent or a pre-configured percentage of the players bet (whichever is larger) awarded for the first player to achieve the game ending bingo pattern.   2) Far-miss Bingo Progressives—The far-miss bingo progressives are one or more bonus prizes awarded to player or players with few spots marked in the game ending pattern at the time the game ends due to another player achieving the game ending pattern. If two or more players achieve the jackpot in the same game, all players will split the progressive jackpot prize. The current game design supports up to four far-miss progressives, but only three are being used.
           a. Progressive 1: Mega Jackpot Wide Area Progressive—This progressive is won by the player with no spots covered in the game ending pattern at the time the game ends.   b. Progressive 2: Super Jackpot Wide Area Progressive—This progressive is won by the player with only 1 spot covered in the game ending pattern at the time the game ends.   c. Progressives 3 and 4: Local Area Jackpots (optional)—One or both of these progressives can be activated by the local operator by configuring a win criteria based on the number of spots away from achieving a game ending bingo, similar to progressives 1 and 2. The current game design leverage progressive 3 as a far-miss, local area progressive won by having only 2 hits in the game ending pattern at the time the game ends.   3) Poker Bonus Prizes—The poker bonus prizes are determined based on the poker hand achieved by the player during the course of the bingo game according to the poker paytable discussed below and shown in  FIG. 8 . It would also be possible to require the players to make a separate wager to qualify for the progressive jackpot(s).   
               
 
         [0098]    The draw poker game is a secondary bonusing mechanism based entirely on the spots marked on each player&#39;s bingo card  10 ′, but uniquely incorporating the player&#39;s skill at making a winning poker hand for determining bonus prizes. 
         [0099]    After the buy in period has closed and prior to the first ball being delivered to the player terminal, a secondary bingo card consisting of 52 playing card faces from a separate card perm is delivered to each player and displayed face down (only card backs  56  showing) on top of the player&#39;s traditional bingo card. This secondary bingo card creates a unique bingo card to playing card mapping for each player. 
         [0100]    Immediately following the delivery of the secondary poker overlay card and the initial ball draw, the playing card corresponding to the spot marked on the bingo card for each of the first 5 balls drawn is displayed in order on the player&#39;s game screen  58 . This grouping of 5 cards is equivalent to the “deal” hand in a draw poker game. 
         [0101]    The player touches between 0 and 5 cards to be kept for the final poker hand. After selecting the cards to be kept (or no cards to be kept), the player presses the “Deal/Daub”  50  button to swap any cards that were not daubed and to reveal any prizes won by the poker game. Cards are swapped in order based on the 6 th -10 th  balls called beginning with card face corresponding to the 6 th  ball replacing the first card swapped (not kept) and continuing through the playing cards corresponding with the 7 th , 8 th , 9 th , and 10 th  balls drawn as required to replace the remaining swapped cards. 
         [0102]    Prizes are awarded at the conclusion of the bingo game based on the poker hand created by each player according to the poker paytable. An example of a typical draw poker paytable is shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0103]    Referring now to  FIGS. 15-25   a , another embodiment of the bingo game of the present invention is shown. For ease of reference, the game will be reference as Spot the Daub. Spot the Daub is a variation on the above Bingo Poker disclosed above. However, Spot the Daub allows a player to play multiple bingo cards simultaneously where the symbol match is based on selections made on the first of the multiple bingo cards. In the embodiment disclosed below, Spot the Daub will be described as using three bingo cards. However, this is shown as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner. 
         [0104]    Referring now to  FIG. 15 , one embodiment of the flashboard/bingo card  110 ′ (hereinafter flashboard  100 ′) is shown. The flashboard  110 ′ generally has a plurality of spots  112 . In the present embodiment, a 4×13 array of spots  112  is formed having 4 rows and 13 columns. There are no free spaces. Numbers 1-13 are placed in random order in the 1st column labeled “B”. Numbers 14-26 are randomly ordered in the second (“I”) column. Numbers 27-39 are randomly ordered in the third (“G”) column. Numbers 40-52 are randomly ordered in the fourth (“O”) column. Since the numbers are randomly ordered in each column, on each card, most all flashboards  110 ′ are unique as to their overall configuration. The above embodiment is not meant to be a limitation on the types of bingo cards; it is merely descriptive of one of the preferred embodiments. 
         [0105]    Each flashboard  110 ′ may further have a card overlay in each spot  112 . The card overlay may be represented by a card from a standard deck of 52 playing cards. Thus, the card overlays may consist of 13 Symbols in each of four suits, i.e., hearts, clubs, diamonds, and spades. The 13 symbols in each suit are ranked sequentially in descending order, according to common playing card values—with Ace being the highest and the Deuce being lowest symbol values. The Ace can also be used as low in certain circumstances. The Card Overlays are randomly generated and grouped in a series and may be subdivided into smaller series/sets. Alternatively, in other versions of the game, other symbol designations could be utilized, such as slot machine fruit symbols, cartoon symbols, Hawaiian Island Symbols or pictures of famous personalities. These indicia are randomly distributed across the 52 square overlay card face, overlaying one indicia to each spot  112 . The overlay card consists of 52 squares, organized into four columns and 13 rows. 
         [0106]    All flashboards  110 ′ may have a designated pattern  110 A. The designated pattern  110 A may be of different configurations. In the present embodiment, the designated pattern  110 A may be a block of 12 plus 1 pattern as shown in  FIG. 15 . 
         [0107]    Referring now to  FIGS. 15-25   a , description of the game will be described. The game initially has a buy in period. The buy in period generally remains open until at least 2 players have joined the game or a configurable amount of time expires resulting in no game played and a refund of the purchase. A player joins the game by selecting a buy in amount and pressing the “Daub/Draw” button  150 / 154 . A game will begin as soon as at least two players have purchased 1 or more flashboards  110 ′ within the buy in period, with each flash board  110 ′ representing a bingo card. In accordance with one embodiment, each player may purchase  1  to  3  flashboards  110 ′. Each flashboard  110 ′ generally costs a minimum of 1 credit and a maximum of 5 credits for a total possible purchase of 15 credits per game per player (3 cards at 5 credits each). Players can be grouped together in games regardless of the quantity or price of cards purchased. 
         [0108]    As with the previous embodiments, multiple games with overlapping buy in periods may be offered to minimize player wait time between games. Players can be grouped within a single facility or across multiple facilities to efficiently build adequate minimums to start each game. 
         [0109]    Once a game has begun, a screen  158  may display the player&#39;s flashboard  110 ′ at a flashboard display area  155 . Each flashboard  110 ′ may show the designated number generated at each spot  112 . A card backing  156  may also be show relating to the card overlay at each spot  112 . The screen  158  may further have a switch  174  to switch between and show which card is being displayed, a designated card serial number displayed in area  160  of the screen  158 , and a game number display shown in area  162  of the screen  158 . 
         [0110]    An initial ball call begins upon the buy in period closing. Initially, five balls are generally delivered to the player terminal and displayed in the order they were drawn in a top area  166  of the ball call display area  152 . The initial ball call may also be displayed on the appropriate squares on the player&#39;s flashboard  110 ′. 
         [0111]    Upon the player pressing the “Daub/Draw” button  150 / 154 , a second group of balls are revealed to the player and displayed in the order they were drawn in the ball call display area  152  and on the appropriate matching squares of each flashboard  110 ′. The “Daub/Draw” button  150 / 154  serves multiple functions including daubing the first 5 balls, revealing and daubing the remaining balls, and claiming any prizes that are won as a result of the game. In this embodiment the final ball call consists of a minimum of 8 additional balls, but the actual number of balls called is variable depending on the number of balls required for the first card participating in the current game to achieve the game ending bingo pattern. Thus, in the present example, the initial ball call was 5 balls, and the final ball call is 8 balls totaling 13 balls the minimum needed to form the game ending pattern  110 A. It should be noted in the Symbol Match game with poker cards, no cards/balls are discarded. They are swapped (replaced) in order based on the 6th-10th balls called and continue to be used in the game ending pattern prize and the progressive jackpot prizes. 
         [0112]    Prizes may be awarded immediately after the final ball call is displayed for any card that has achieved the game ending bingo pattern and for bonus prizes. In general, there are three types of prizes in Spot the Daub:
       1) Game Ending Bingo Prize—The game ending prize is a minimum of 1 cent or a pre-configured percentage of the players bet (whichever is larger) awarded for the first player to achieve the game ending bingo pattern  110 A (Block of 12 plus 1).   2) Far-miss Bingo Progressives—The far-miss bingo progressives are one or more interim bonus prizes awarded to a player or players with few spots marked in the game ending pattern at the time the game ends due to a card in play achieving the game ending pattern. If two or more players achieve the same progressive jackpot prize in the same game, each card meeting the progressive criteria will receive an equal share of the progressive jackpot achieved. The current game design supports up to four far-miss progressives.
           a. Progressive 1: Mega Jackpot Wide Area Progressive—This progressive is won by the player with no spots  192 ′ covered in the game ending pattern at the time the game ends.   b. Progressive 2: Super Jackpot Wide Area Progressive—This progressive is won by the player with only 1 spot covered in the game ending pattern at the time the game ends.   c. Progressives 3 and 4: Local Area Jackpots (optional) —One or both of these progressives can be activated by the local operator by configuring a win criteria based on the number of spots away from achieving a game ending bingo, similar to progressives 1 and 2. The current game design includes progressives 3 and 4 as far-miss, local area progressives won by having only 2 or 3 hits respectively in the game ending pattern at the time the game ends.   
           3) Poker Bonus Prizes—The poker bonus prizes are determined based on the poker hand achieved by the player during the course of the bingo game according to the poker paytable discussed below.       
 
         [0119]    The draw poker game is a secondary interim prize bonusing mechanism based entirely on the spots marked on each of the flashboards  110 ′ in play by each player, but uniquely incorporating the player&#39;s skill at making a winning poker hand for determining bonus prizes. 
         [0120]    As disclosed above, each flashboard  110 ′ may further have a card overlay in each spot  112 . The card overlay may be represented by a card from a standard deck of 52 playing cards. Each flashboard  110 ′ may show the designated number generated at each spot  112 . A card backing  156  may also be show relating to the card overlay at each spot  112 . 
         [0121]    Immediately following the delivery of the secondary poker overlay card and the initial ball draw, the playing card corresponding to the spot marked on the first bingo card for each of the first 5 balls drawn is displayed in order on the player&#39;s game screen  158  as draw poker hand one (See  FIGS. 16-16   a ). This grouping of 5 cards is equivalent to the “deal” hand in a draw poker game. 
         [0122]    The player may touch between 0 and 5 balls/cards to be kept for the final poker hand. Upon selecting the balls/cards to be kept (or no cards to be kept), the draw poker hands corresponding to flashcards  110 ′ 2 and 3 (if the player is playing more than 1 flashcard  110 ′) are populated with the kept poker cards in the same positions as in the “dealt” hand corresponding to the first bingo card. The player presses the “Daub/Draw” button to replace any balls/cards that were not kept in all three hands based on the unique mapping between each bingo card and its corresponding draw poker overlay card and to reveal any prizes achieved by the final draw poker combination for cards 1, 2, and 3 (See FIGS.  17 - 17 . 2   a ). Cards are replaced in order based on the 6th-10th balls called beginning with card face corresponding to the 6th ball replacing the first card swapped (not held) and continuing through the playing cards corresponding with the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th balls drawn as required to replace the remaining swapped cards. 
         [0123]    Prizes are awarded at the conclusion of the bingo game based on each of the poker hands created by each player according to the poker paytable. Examples of the paytable may be seen in  FIGS. 25-25   a.    
         [0124]    Spot the Daub uses a unique dual perm system for generating flashboards  110 ′ for the game. Each player is assigned up to three  52  spot flashboards  110 ′ at the beginning of the gaming session that will be used for each game played unless the player chooses to exchange cards between games by touching the flashboard  110 ′. Each 52 spot bingo card is dealt in order from a shuffled card perm of tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of pre-generated flashboards  110 ′ selected to minimize the probability of multiple players achieving game ending patterns or progressive jackpot prizes on the same ball, thus resulting in split prizes. Each player receives one poker hand per bingo card in play. The use of overlay card perms is not meant to be limiting as random number generators could be used to generate poker indicia if permitted by regulators. 
         [0125]    Each player may further have a second 52 spot poker overlay card for each flashboard  110 ′ in play (1 to 3) immediately after a suitable number of players has been established for each game and immediately prior to the first ball call being called. This secondary card consists of all 52 unique symbols from a standard deck of 4 suits (hearts, diamonds, spades, and clubs) numbered 2 through 10 and J, Q, K, and A. These poker overlay cards are also dealt in order from a card permutation that has been generated and randomly distributed by a Random Number Generator. 
         [0126]    Like the previous embodiment disclosed above, single hand Bingo Symbol Match, the first of these poker overlay cards is fixed throughout the game and provides a unique mapping of bingo card spots to poker symbols. Unlike single hand Bingo Symbol Match, the poker overlay to bingo card mapping for cards 2 and 3 may change for anywhere from 0 to all 5 of the initial balls drawn based on the player&#39;s keep/swap decisions on the first hand. 
         [0127]    Swapping the poker symbol locations on these poker overlays is best illustrated with the following example. The game begins with three cards and three associated poker overlays as shown in  FIG. 19 . Each card has a 1 to 1 mapping of columns and rows. In our example, the first five balls drawn bear the numbers 5, 28, 1, 51, and 37 mapping to an initial Poker Symbol hand of KC, 8C, KH, 2D, and 4C (See  FIG. 16   a ). The player elects to keep the KC and KH, spots  180  on the flashcard  110 ′ ( FIGS. 16 and 20 ) followed by a pressing the Daub/Draw button  150 / 154 . 
         [0128]    Pressing the Daub/Draw button  150 / 154  releases the remaining balls (at least 8) and populates hands 2 and 3 with bingo balls 5 and 1 (spots  180 ) since the player elected to keep these two based on the poker hand displayed. 
         [0129]    Since the balls drawn do not map correctly to the KC and KH on 2 nd  and 3 rd  flashcards  110 ′, these symbols are swapped from their original positions on the poker overlay card to the positions corresponding to the 1st and 3rd balls called, numbers 5 and 1. This provides the bingo to poker mapping needed to allow the keep/swap decisions based on the 1 st  flashcard  110 ′ to also drive the 2 nd  and 3 rd  flashcards  110 ′ (See  FIG. 21 ). The result of the swap is a matching of the bingo number spot to a poker symbol overlay mapping for kept poker cards for poker hands 2 and 3 (See  FIGS. 22 and 23 ). 
         [0130]    While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.