Abstract:
A method and apparatus for playing a dice game utilizes advantageous aspects of the conventional Craps game while simplifying betting options. The game incorporates high-payoff wagers as well as a wager including no house advantage. The amount of the no house advantage wager is typically dependent upon the first wager and upon a role of the player. The game includes establishing a key player, receiving a primary wager that one of a plurality of events will occur, receiving an optional secondary wager that another of the plurality of events will occur, rolling the pair of dice, and resolving the primary wager and secondary wager based on the roll of the dice. The secondary wager is dependent upon the primary wager, which dependency is determined based on whether the player making the secondary wager is the key player.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/358,425, filed July 22, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,336,633, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for playing a dice game and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for playing a dice game that provides multiple wagering options and allows for active player participation. 
     Craps is a casino standard dice game wherein players take turns “shooting” a pair of dice while the shooter and other players make wagers on the dice result. The popularity of Craps relative to other casino games has decreased somewhat with new player reluctance to learn the game as well as an increasing number of casino game variations for play. There have been several attempts to introduce new dice games, but to-date, these games have had minimal impact. Mini-Craps, Crazy Bones and Mini-Dice are scaled down versions of Craps, and Pyramid Dice and Survival Dice use multiple roll numerical values. 
     For a novice player, the Craps layout, payoff scale and the procedure appear complicated. For the casino operator, Craps is a labor intensive game, typically with four staff dedicated to a table, compared to only one at a Blackjack table. Casino floor space is a valuable asset, but a Craps table requires double the space required by a Blackjack table. Moreover, staff training is more complicated due to betting and payoff complexities. 
     There are at least two features of Craps, however, that would be advantageously retained in any new dice game. First, the dice thrower or shooter retains the right to throw the dice until losing or “crapping out” according to the rules of the game. When a shooter is throwing with success, most players bet with the shooter, which thus encourages game sociability as most players are wishing for the same result. Second, there is an option for a bet with no house advantage. This option occurs after at least one roll when the shooter has established a “point.” Casinos allow the secondary bet in proportion to a primary bet, with exact odds being offered and no casino advantage. This bet will typically take an average of a few rolls to resolve. The proportion allowed can be increased as a casino promotion, with the traditional relationship being 1× or 2× odds, up to the recent very liberal 100× odds. Two three-dice games, Sic-Bo and Chuck-a-luck, do not have either of these features and include other drawbacks such as poor payoffs on propositions. As a consequence, Chuck-a-luck is virtually not played in U.S. casinos today, and Sic-Bo has only minimal play. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It would thus be desirable to provide a new dice game that incorporates advantageous features of a traditional Craps game while encouraging novice play. A new dice game should additionally be operational by a single dealer, have a simple layout and occupy at most a similar floor area to a Blackjack table. The dice game should advantageously also include allowing any bet on any throw, dice throwing rights retention for a winning shooter, a wager option with no casino advantage, and a range of payoffs at fair odds on propositions. 
     According to the present invention, a method of playing a dice game using a pair of dice is provided. The method includes (a) establishing a key player, (b) receiving a primary wager that one of a plurality of events will occur, (c) receiving an optional secondary wager that another of the plurality of events will occur, (d) rolling the pair of dice, and (e) resolving the primary wager and the secondary wager based on the roll of the dice. The secondary wager is dependent upon the primary wager, which dependency is determined based on whether the player making the secondary wager is the key player. Moreover, a payoff for the secondary wager is without a house advantage. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the primary wager is a wager that the rolled dice will include one or more of a specific symbol, and the secondary wager is a wager that a sum of the rolled dice will be EVEN or ODD. Step (e) may be practiced by paying a variable payoff on the primary wager, which is increased when one of the plurality of events is exceeded. That is, the variable payoff on the primary wager that the rolled dice will include one of a specific symbol is increased when the rolled dice includes two of the specific symbol. Preferably, a winning primary wager that the rolled dice will include one of a specific symbol pays 2 to 1, which is increased to 4 to 1 if two of the specific symbol result. A winning primary wager that two of the specific symbol result preferably pays 33 to 1. Winning secondary wagers preferably pay 1 to 1. 
     The secondary wager for a player other than the key player may be limited to an amount of the primary wager, and a secondary wager for the key player may be limited to a predetermined multiple amount of the primary wager such as two times the amount of the primary wager. 
     Steps (b)-(e) may be practiced until the key player withdraws or places a losing secondary wager. Step (c) may be practiced such that the secondary wager can only be placed if the primary wager is placed. The role of the key player may be performed by the dealer. Alternatively, step (a) may be practiced by players taking turns. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of playing a dice game using a pair of dice. The method includes (a) a player wagering that a first event will occur based on a roll of the pair of dice, (b) giving a player an option to wager that a second event will occur based on the roll of the pair of dice provided the player wagered on the first event, (c) rolling the pair of dice, and (d) resolving wagers according to the roll of the dice. The amount of the second event wager is dependent upon the first event wager and upon a role of the player. 
     According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus configured for playing a game using a pair of dice. The apparatus includes a display, a player interface for receiving player input, and a processor configured to effect game play, wherein the processor enables the method according to the invention. 
     In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes structure for effecting the method according to the present invention. 
     In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, there is provided a game including a playing surface having a plurality of betting areas and a pair of dice. The betting areas include a first betting area for a primary wager that one of a plurality of events will occur, and a second betting area for a secondary wager that another of the plurality of events will occur. The secondary wager is dependent upon the primary wager, which dependency is determined based upon a role of the player making the secondary wager. Additionally, a payoff for the secondary wager is without a house advantage. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of a table arrangement according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of a table arrangement according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure effecting game play according to the apparatus of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The dice game according to a first embodiment of the invention is played on a rectangular table with a dealer and preferably three dice. The table layout 10 is marked with bet areas  12 ,  14 , payoff information  16 , and rules  18  as in FIG.  1 . There is also preferably a device (not shown) for shaking the dice, although the game may be played with the players shooting the dice from their hands. Each player makes one or more bets of choice, the appointed shooter shakes the dice, and bets arc settled accordingly. 
     The layout  10  includes a primary wager area  12  for predicting one  12 A, two  12 B, or three  12 C dice of a specific number, with a higher payoff applying where the prediction is exceeded. That is, as shown in the payoff areas  16 , for example, if a player wagers that one dice will result in a particular number at waging area  12 A and two of that particular number arc rolled, the payoff is increased from 1 to 1 to 2 to 1. In the same example, if all three dice result in the predicted number, the payoff is further increased to 15 to 1. With a bet in waging area  12 B that two dice will result in a particular number, in the event that three dice result in a predicted number, the payoff is increased from 10 to 1 to 40 to 1. 
     The layout  10  also includes two secondary bet areas  14  named ODD and EVEN. As noted in FIG. 1, an ODD wager is a prediction that more odd-numbered dice ( 1, 3, 5) will result than even-numbered dice (2, 4, 6). EVEN is the opposite prediction. Alternatively, the ODD/EVEN wager may relate to the total sum of the dice, whether ODD or EVEN. It is preferable to require a bet in one of the waging areas  12 A,  12 B or  12 C to enable a bet to be made at the waging area  14 . The secondary wager at  14  is one that has no house advantage. Other  25  secondary wagers that do not have a house advantage will be contemplated by those of ordinary skill in the art, and the invention is not meant to be limited to the illustrated ODD and EVEN wagers. 
     Prior to commencing the game, a key player is established. In a preferred embodiment, the key player is the shooter who retains dice shaking rights until placing a losing ODD or EVEN bet at  14 . In an alternative embodiment, the key player is the dealer who shoots the dice as the players make wagers. Except for the key player, when the key player is not the dealer, a wager on ODD or EVEN at  14  is limited to the maximum amount bet in the primary waging areas  12 . The key player, or shooter in this embodiment, must bet ODD or EVEN at  14  but has an option to bet a multiple of a primary wager such as two times the primary wager. That is, if the shooter makes a primary wager at  12  of, for example, ten dollars, the shooter must bet ODD or EVEN but has an option to bet a multiple of the ten dollar primary wager, such as twenty dollars. 
     As noted, the shooter retains dice shaking rights until placing a losing ODD or EVEN bet. The dice shaking right and thus the secondary wager multiple bet right then passes to the next player. With the no house advantage ODD and EVEN bets, there is a built-in incentive for players to participate in the game and be a shooter. Additionally, there is an incentive for players to play alone or short-handed, which will result in the players being shooters more often, thereby reducing the likelihood of a table being unused. A player who has been a shooter on a round of the table may move to a new player position, but preferably may not be allowed to be a shooter twice during that round. If no player wishes to be the shooter, then the dealer acts as the shooter. In this context, the key player may be established by the dealer with an indicator such as a card, light or other indicating device, granting the designated key player the shooter rights noted above. 
     After the dice are rolled, all losing number wagers are taken and all winning number wagers are paid as follows: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 BET 
                 RESULT 
                 PAYOFF 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 One dice 
                 One dice 
                 1-1 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Two dice 
                 2-1 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Three dice 
                 15-1  
               
               
                   
                 Two dice 
                 Two dice 
                 10-1  
               
               
                   
                   
                 Three dice 
                 40-1  
               
               
                   
                 Three dice 
                 Three dice 
                 200-1.      
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The secondary ODD or EVEN wagers in betting area  14  are paid 1 to 1 and are resolved as follows: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 ODD WINS 
                 EVEN WINS 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 odd-odd-odd 
                 even-even-even 
               
               
                   
                 odd-odd-even 
                 even-even-odd 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The dice are preferably conventional six-sided dice including the numbers 1-6. Alternatively, dice with letters or symbols could be used, and the ODD or EVEN wager renamed accordingly, as for example YesDice and NoDice. Also, an alternative number of dice could be used as in, for example, the second embodiment of the invention described below. Moreover, the dice could be different rather than identical, wherein two of the three dice each is provided with six symbols and the third of the three dice has one of (1) three sides each of two symbols, respectively, (2) two sides each of three symbols, respectively, or (3) six different symbols. Each of the three dice may also be different including five symbols in common with a different sixth symbol. That is, each dice may be provided with five symbols, numbers or letters with, for example, Y for YesDice on one dice and N for NoDice on another dice and T for tie on the other(s), creating a slower resolution of the “free” bet. That is, if the “T” is rolled, regardless of whether a Y or N is rolled, the YesDice and NoDice wagers would be pushed (tied) and the bets held for the next roll. 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of a table arrangement according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The dice game according to the second embodiment is similarly played on a rectangular table with a dealer and two dice. The table layout  20  is marked with bet areas  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 , payoff information  30  and rules  32  as in FIG.  2 . There is also preferably a device (not shown) for shaking the dice, although the game may be played with the players shooting the dice from their hands. Each player makes one or more bets of choice, the appointed shooter rolls the dice, and bets are settled accordingly. 
     The layout  20  includes a primary wager area including a single line bet area  22  for predicting one dice of a specific number, with a higher payoff applying where the prediction is exceeded (i.e., both dice resulting in the predicted number), and a double line bet area  24  for predicting both dice of a specific number. The single line bet area  22  includes six bet areas, one for each number, where a winning payoff for a single dice is 2 to 1. If both dice result in the wagered number in the single line bet area  22 , the payoff is increased to 4 to 1. The double line bet area  24  also includes six bet areas, one for each number, where a winning double payoff is 33 to 1. Although the noted exemplary payoffs are preferable and are consistent with an operationally viable casino game, the invention is not necessarily meant to be limited to the particular payoffs described. Those of ordinary skill in the art may contemplate alternative payoffs that will affect the casino advantage. 
     The layout  20  also has secondary wager areas including an ODD line wager area  26  and an EVEN line wager area  28 . As noted in FIG. 2, an ODD wager is a prediction that the resulting roll will include one ODD dice and one EVEN dice (or an ODD dice sum), and an EVEN wager is a prediction that the resulting roll will include two ODD dice or two EVEN dice (or an EVEN sum). winning secondary wager pays 1 to 1. As in the first embodiment, the secondary wager at  26 ,  28  is thus a wager that has no house advantage. Similar to the first embodiment, it is preferable to require a bet in one of the primary wager areas  22 ,  24  to enable a bet to be made at one of the secondary wager areas  26 ,  28 . The key player advantages and conditions described in the first embodiment apply similarly in the second embodiment, and the description thereof will thus not be repeated. 
     As would be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art, the invention can be embodied in a wide variety and forms of media, but not limited to, single player slot video machines, multi-player slot video machines, electronic games and devices, lottery terminals, scratch-card formats, software, as well as in-flight, home and Internet entertainment. In addition, the invention can be readily implemented as a computer program product (e.g., floppy disk, compact disc, etc.) comprising a computer readable medium having control logic recorded therein to implement the features of the invention as described in relation to the other preferred embodiments. Control logic can be loaded into the memory of a computer and executed by a central processing unit (CPU) to perform the operations described herein. 
     In this context, referring to FIG. 3, a schematic arrangement is illustrated showing the components of an apparatus configured for playing the game according to the invention. The apparatus includes a display  40 , a player interface  42 ,and circuitry  44  such as a CPU for effecting game play according to the rules of the game. The apparatus can be a single player unit as shown, which can randomly generate temporary key player wager privileges, or can be embodied in a multi-player unit, which can allow a key player in respect of both shooting and wager benefits. 
     With the methodology according to the present invention, the advantages of a conventional Craps dice game can be utilized while providing a game that is easy to understand and exciting to play. The result is a more enjoyable and playable game that is suited for players of all levels. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.