Abstract:
Apparatus for a game comprises a set of at least three identical standardly numbered dice, and a betting device ( 10 ) comprising a grid ( 16 ) marking out a plurality of discrete regions, wherein each region bears an individual number selected between the lowest and the highest combined scores of a throw of the set of dice, inclusive, and wherein each region is associated with pre-valued odds, the odds being paid to any player who has placed a stake on that region of the plurality identified by the combined score of a throw of the set of dice. The betting device can be one of a mat, a board or a table.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a game, suitable particularly (but not exclusively) to use in a casino.  
       BACKGROUND ART  
       [0002]     In most jurisdictions, casino games are highly regulated with the aim of protecting players from unscrupulous casino owners and of limiting the incidence of disputes between players and casinos. Only games meeting with the approval of the relevant regulator may be offered to players.  
         [0003]     This means that the available supply of games is limited, with most casinos offering roulette and craps. Roulette is well known but offers only a limited level of player interaction. Craps offers greater involvement and thus excitement.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The present invention therefore provides an apparatus for a game comprising a set of at least three identical standardly numbered dice, and a betting device comprising a grid marking out a plurality of discrete regions, wherein each region bears an individual number selected between the lowest and the highest combined scores of a throw of the set of dice, inclusive, and wherein each region is associated with pre-valued odds, the odds being paid to any player who has placed a stake on that region of the plurality identified by the combined score of a throw of the set of dice.  
         [0005]     The betting device can be one of a mat, a board or a table. It can also include regions corresponding to a plurality of numbers. The apparatus can comprise discrete regions for placing stakes to cover the throwing of combined scores that represent defined subsets of the possible combined scores. The subsets can include one or more selected from even scores, odd scores and selected numerical sub-ranges within the complete range.  
         [0006]     In general, higher odds can be associated with regions corresponding to numbers less likely to be the result of the combined score per throw of the set of dice. The highest sets of odds are generally associated with scores corresponding to those in which all the dice have the same score, particularly outcomes in which all three dice in fact have the same score. The highest odds possible can be associated with the lowest and highest possible combined scores of a throw of the set of dice.  
         [0007]     It is further preferred that the set of dice has three dice, and that the dice have six sides.  
         [0008]     Markers can be provided for marking each player&#39;s ongoing winnings.  
         [0009]     In a further aspect, the present invention also provides a method of playing a game, comprising;  
         [0010]     a) providing a set of at least three identical standardly numbered dice,  
         [0011]     b) providing a betting device comprising a grid marking out a plurality of discrete regions, wherein each region bears an individual number selected between the lowest and the highest combined scores of a throw of the set of dice, inclusive;  
         [0012]     c) associating each region with pre-valued odds;  
         [0013]     d) arranging for the dice to be thrown;  
         [0014]     e) paying the odds to any player who has placed a stake on that region of the plurality identified by the combined score of a throw of the set of dice.  
         [0015]     The preferred aspects of the apparatus as set out above can also be applied advantageously to the above-defined method.  
         [0016]     In a still further aspect, the present invention proposes the use of the above-defined apparatus and/or method as a commercial game for long-term profit of the banker. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying figures in which;  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  shows a plan view of a first design of gaming table embodying the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  shows the betting grid of the table of  FIG. 1   
         [0020]      FIG. 3  shows a first odds card for the game;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  shows a second odds card for the game;  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  shows a dice shaker for use in the game;  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  shows a puck for marking the active player;  
         [0024]      FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  show side and plan views respectively of a betting chip for use in the game;  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  shows a plan view of the bank area of the table of  FIG. 1 , and  FIGS. 8   a,    8   b  and  8   c  show perspective views of the areas marked A, B and C respectively;  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  shows a plan view of the bank area in a ready for play state; and  
         [0027]      FIG. 10  shows a second design of table for use in the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0028]     This embodiment of the game is based on the combined score of a throw of three dice, and (to an extent) the Individual scores which lead to that combined score. The name chosen for the game is “Latrey” and in the following description this name will be used both to denote the game and to denote the specific outcome of a throw in which all three dice show the same number. This outcome is special to the game and is thus referred to as a “Latrey”.  
         [0029]      FIG. 1  shows a gaming table  10  for the game of Latrey. It consists of a gaming area  12  and a bank area  14 . In the gaming area, a betting grid  16  (shown In  FIG. 2 ) is provided, generally to the centre. The grid comprises a series of squares on which players may place chips to denote a bet. As is commonplace in the field, the chips are allocated a monetary equivalent value and thus the number of chips indicates the value of the bet. Likewise, the location of the chips on the grid provides a visual indication of the nature of the bet, i.e. the outcome that is being bet on.  
         [0030]     Players can take up positions around two sides of the table in front of markers such as that at  18 . A rail  20  is provided along these two edges to prevent spillage of a player&#39;s chips and to provide a soft surface on which to lean.  
         [0031]     The dealer can take up position on a third edge adjacent the bank area  14 . This edge is also provided with a rail  22 . From this position the dealer is able to control play around the grid  16  and also access the bank  14 . A money slot  24  is provided in the table surface within reach of the dealer, to allow the dealer to deposit funds paid by a player in return for play chips removed from the bank  14 .  
         [0032]     In the game, the number total for three dice is described as either “Easy Way”, in which the three dice do not show the same top number, or “Latrey Way”, in which the three dice all show the same top number. The Latrey Way is less probable and therefore attracts higher odds, but it will be apparent that the some numerical outcomes can be obtained via either way. Equally, some numerical outcomes can only be reached by one way.  
         [0033]      FIG. 2  shows a 42 position Latrey grid. The numbered regions in the central area  26  of the table denote bets on that numerical outcome via either way (Easy or Latrey). Numbers 3 and 18 can only be obtained the Latrey way. Certain pairs of numbers have a “SPLIT PAIR BET” area  28  marked between them, which denotes a bet on either of the numbers adjacent thereto. Thus, a bet placed on the split pair bet area  28  between the  4  and  8  regions is a bet that the combined score of the dice will be 4 or 8.  
         [0034]     To one side of the central area  26  are four regions  30  which refer to a range of numbers, being  3  to  6 ,  7  to  10 ,  11  to  14  and  15  to  18 . These denote bets that the combined score will fall within these ranges. The central area  26  has 16 regions arranged in a 4×4 square, and the regions  30  are located such that each such region is at the end of the line of numbered squares that they cover. Thus, the location is intuitive for the player.  
         [0035]     Likewise, there are four regions  32  marked  1   st    4 ,  2   nd    4 ,  3   rd    4  and  4   th    4  which are located at the end of the perpendicular rows or the central area  26 . thus, the  1   st    4  region denotes a bet of 3, 7, 11 or 15, the  2   nd    4  region denotes a bet of 4, 8, 12 or 16, etc.  
         [0036]     Regions are also provided for bets that the numerical outcome will be odd 34, even 36, 11 or above (“high”) 38 or 10 or less (“low”) 40.  
         [0037]     With the exception of the  3  and  18  regions, all of the above regions correspond to outcomes that can be reached via the easy way, i.e. not all dice showing the same number. If all three show the same number, i.e. the Latrey way, then the low, high, even and odd bets do not pay out, to ensure that the probabilities of these bets is less than 50%.  
         [0038]     The grid also shows areas that are specific to Latrey outcomes. Two squares  42  are provided marked “Latrey” to denote an outcome of any Latrey, i.e. any specific number shown on the dice provided that all three show the same. Regions marked  6 ,  9 ,  12  and  15  are shown to denote a bet of a total score of that figure obtained the Latrey way only. Regions need not be provided for 3 and 18 as these cannot be obtained the easy way and thus correspond to the numbered regions in the central area  26 .  
         [0039]     The split pair bets can be omitted if desired to obtain a simpler  34  position grid.  
         [0040]     Odds card shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  are provided for inspection by the players, showing the total payouts if a bet is successful.  FIG. 3  shows the odds card for an “easy way” outcome whilst  FIG. 4  shows the odds for a Latrey way outcome.  
         [0041]      FIG. 5  shows a dice tumbler device  46 , operated manually. This is available on the table and is used to tumble the three standard dice sealed within its glass dome  28 . The device has a removable dome cover  50 , used to conceal the dice during the tumbling process.  
         [0042]      FIG. 6  shows a puck  52 , used when players use the dice tumbler. The puck is moved around player&#39;s mat positions  18  to indicate the player who has the next turn to use the tumbler. The puck is marked with suitable indicia  54  in an appropriate language meaningful to the players.  
         [0043]     Prior to the start of gaming, a supervisor will ensure that there is a set of three dice. To satisfy present gaming regulations, the dice must be numbered 1 to 6, opposite sides of the dice must equal 7; the dice must be in good condition and secured inside the dice tumbler. The dice tumbler must have the proper cover fitted.  
         [0044]     The casino house rules will generally dictate who operates the dice tumbler. The possibilities are;  
         [0045]     Dealer operated: Only the dealer may handle and operate the dice tumbler, the dealers mat is the only mat used to place the dice tumbler.  
         [0046]     Dealer-Player operated: A player may at the management&#39;s discretion make a shake of the dice; the dice tumbler would be placed on the players mat by the dealer.  
         [0047]     Player operated: The dealer offers the dice tumbler to each player in turn  
         [0048]     Wagers in the game of Latrey are placed using Latrey or House Color chips (that is, non-value chips denoted by an emblem or mark specific to the table of issue)  
         [0049]     Using Color Chips  
         [0050]     Where cash or cheque plaques are offered by a player for a buy in, they must be exchanged for Color chips (at an agreed value) as soon as possible. This should be controlled by rules as follows:  
         [0051]     Only one person may play Color chips of a particular color;  
         [0052]     A player buying in for Color chips should agree the value of each chip with the dealer at the time of exchange;  
         [0053]     The value of the Color must be indicated by a marker button placed in a marker rack or tree displayed in a prominent position on the table, prior to the color chip being passed to the player;  
         [0054]     When the player cashes in their Color chips, the dealer must confirm that all chips of that color have been returned and then remove the marker button indicating the value in accordance with Section 1.28;  
         [0055]     If a color is not currently being used, there should be no marker in place for that color.  
         [0056]     Using Cash Chips  
         [0057]     If a player places cash chips on the layout, the dealer should announce, for example, “cash chips play Any Latrey”. A Supervisor should decide the value of cash chips to ensure the bet does not exceed the table limits. The dealer, to avoid disputes during a winning payout, should identify the player. After the decision the player should be offered a colour marked up as required.  
         [0058]     Using Cash  
         [0059]     If a player offers cash to cover a wager, it should not be placed on the layout.  
         [0060]     The dealer will announce, for example, “Cash plays Number Seven” to confirm the Player&#39;s Wager request. They will then count the cash in the working area and announce the value. A Supervisor must confirm the amount, before the dealer exchanges the cash for cash chips or color chips to the same value and places the chips on the number. The cash will then be dropped through the cash slot  24 . 
 
---oOo---
 
         [0061]     The types of available bet can be summarised as follows. There are 42 possible betting options on a Latrey table, or if Split Pair Betting (SPB) is not available there are 34 betting positions available.  
         [0062]     The type of bets available and the odds that are paid are as follows:  
                                                                     EASY   LATREY               WAY   WAY       BET   Description of Bet   Pays   Pays                                Specific   Wins if the total is 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 or 18   0   200       Latrey   and achieved the Latrey Way       Nos       LATREY   Wins if any Number is achieved the   0   32           Latrey Way       LOW   Wins if the total is 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10   1   0           via the Easy Way only       HIGH   Wins if the total is 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,   1   0           16, or 17 via the Easy Way only       ODD   Wins if the total is 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 or   1   0           17 via the Easy Way only       EVEN   Wins if the total is 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 or   1   0           16 via the Easy Way only                  
 
 of cash chips to ensure the bet does not exceed the table limits. The dealer, to avoid disputes during a winning payout, should identify the player. After the decision the player should be offered a colour marked up as required. 
 
         [0063]     Using Cash  
         [0064]     If a player offers cash to cover a wager, it should not be placed on the layout.  
         [0065]     The dealer will announce, for example, “Cash plays Number Seven” to confirm the Player&#39;s Wager request. They will then count the cash in the working area and announce the value. A Supervisor must confirm the amount, before the dealer exchanges the cash for cash chips or color chips to the same value and places the chips on the number. The cash will then be dropped through the cash slot  24 .  
         [0066]     The types of available bet can be summarised as follows. There are 42 possible betting options on a Latrey table, or if Split Pair Betting (SPB) is not available there are 34 betting positions available.  
         [0067]     The type of bets available and the odds that are paid are as follows:  
                                                                     EASY WAY   LATREY WAY       BET   Description of Bet   Pays   Pays                                Specific   Wins if the total is 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 or 18 and   0   200       Latrey Nos   achieved the Latrey Way       LATREY   Wins if any Number is achieved the Latrey Way   0   32       LOW   Wins if the total is 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 via the   1   0           Easy Way only       HIGH   Wins if the total is 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,   1   0           or 17 via the Easy Way only       ODD   Wins if the total is 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 or   1   0           17 via the Easy Way only       EVEN   Wins if the total is 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 or 16   1   0           via the Easy Way only       Single No 4   Wins if the total is 4 the Easy Way   65   0       Single No 5   Wins if the total is 5 the Easy Way   32   0       Single No 6   Wins if the total is 6 the Easy Way or   18   35           the Latrey Way       Single No 7   Wins if the total is 7 the Easy Way or   13   0           the Latrey Way       Single No 8   Wins if the total is 8 the Easy Way   9   0       Single No 9   Wins if the total is 9 the Easy Way or   6   40           the Latrey Way       Single No 10   Wins if the total is 10 the Easy Way   6   0       Single No 11   Wins if the total is 11 the Easy Way   6   0       Single No 12   Wins if the total is 12 the Easy Way   6   40           or the Latrey Way       Single No 13   Wins if the total is 13 the Easy Way   9   0       Single No 14   Wins if the total is 14 the Easy Way   13   0       Single No 15   Wins if the total is 15 the Easy Way   18   35           or the Latrey Way       Single No 16   Wins if the total is 16 the Easy Way   32   0       Single No 17   Wins if the total is 17 the Easy Way   65   0        1 st  4   Wins if the total is 15, 11, 7 or 3 the Easy   2   25           Way or Latrey Way        2 nd  4   Wins if the total is 16, 12, 8 or 4 the Easy   2   40           Way or Latrey Way        3 rd  4   Wins if the total is 17, 13, 9 or 5 the Easy   2   40           Way or Latrey Way        4 th  4   Wins if the total is 18, 14, 10 or 6 Easy   2   25           Way or Latrey Way        3 to 6   Wins if the total is 3, 4, 5 or 6 the Easy   8   20           Way or Latrey Way        7 to 10   Wins if the total is 7, 8, 9 or 10 the Easy   1   30           Way or Latrey Way       11 to 14   Wins if the total is 11, 12, 13 or 14 Easy   1   30           Way or Latrey Way       15 to 18   Wins if the total is 15, 16, 17 or 18 Easy   8   20           Way or Latrey Way       SPB 3 or 7   Wins if the total is 3 Latrey Way or 7 Easy Way   0 or 6   100 or 0        SPB 4 or 8   Wins if the total is 4 or 8 the Easy Way   25 or 5    0 or 0       SPB 5 or 9   Wins if the total is 5 Easy Way or 9   15 or 3     0 or 15           Easy or Latrey Way       SPB 6 or 10   Wins if the total is 6 Easy or Latrey Way   6 or 3   35 or 0            or 10 Easy Way       SPB 11 or 15   Wins if the total is 11 Easy Way or   3 or 6    0 or 35           15 Easy or Latrey Way       SPB 12 or 16   Wins if the total is 12 Easy or Latrey Way    3 or 15   15 or 0            or 16 Easy Way       SPB 13 or 17   Wins if the total is 13 or 17 the Easy Way    5 or 25   0 or 0       SPB 14 or 18   Wins if the total is 14 Easy Way or   6 or 0    0 or 100           18 Latrey Way                  
 
         [0068]     For the split pair bets, the payout odds are shown respective of the outcome. Thus, is a bet is placed In SPB 4 or 8 then an outcome of 4 will lead to a 25:1 payout whilst an outcome of 8 will lead to a 5:1 payout.  
         [0069]     The payout odds and the associated house margin are shown in the following table:  
                                                                         Easy Way   Latrey Way   Probability   House       Table Bet   Pays   Pays   of Win   Edge                                6   0   200   0.46%   6.94%       9   0   200   0.46%   6.94%       12   0   200   0.46%   6.94%       15   0   200   0.46%   6.94%       LATREY   0   32   2.78%   8.33%       LOW   1   0   48.61%   2.78%       HIGH   1   0   48.61%   2.78%       3   0   200   0.46%   6.94%       4   65   0   1.39%   8.33%       5   32   0   2.78%   8.33%       6   18   35   4.63%   4.17%       3 OR 7   0 or 6   100 or 0    7.41%   4.63%       4 OR 8   25 or 5    0 or 0   11.11%   5.56%       5 OR 9   15 or 3     0 or 15   14.35%   3.70%        6 OR 10   6 or 3   35 or 0    17.13%   4.17%       7   13   0   6.94%   2.78%       8   9   0   9.72%   2.78%       9   6   40   11.57%   3.24%       10   6   0   12.50%   12.50%       11   6   0   12.50%   12.50%       12   6   40   11.57%   3.24%       13   9   0   9.72%   2.78%       14   13   0   6.94%   2.78%       11 OR 15   3 or 6    0 or 35   17.13%   4.17%       12 OR 16    3 or 15   15 or 0    14.35%   3.70%       13 OR 17    5 or 25   0 or 0   11.11%   5.56%       14 OR 18   6 or 0    0 or 100   7.41%   4.63%       15   18   35   4.63%   4.17%       16   32   0   2.78%   8.33%       17   65   0   1.39%   8.33%       18   0   200   0.46%   6.94%       1ST 4   2   25   24.54%   5.09%       2ND 4   2   40   25.46%   6.02%       3RD 4   2   40   25.46%   6.02%       4TH 4   2   25   24.54%   5.09%       3 TO 6   8   20   9.26%   5.56%        7 TO 10   1   30   40.74%   5.09%       11 TO 14   1   30   40.74%   5.09%       15 TO 18   8   20   9.26%   5.56%       LATREY   0   32   2.78%   8.33%       ODD   1   0   48.61%   2.78%       EVEN   1   0   48.61%   2.78%                  
 
         [0070]     Other payout odds could of course be offered, but the inventor has found the above odds to be both acceptable and able to provide an adequate margin to the house.  
         [0071]      FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  show the gaming chips  56 . These are marked with the game name on one face to identify the table or group of tables to which they belong. To identify which table and which player (or player position), a range of indicia can be used. This includes the color of the chip  56 , the color of an encircling band  58  placed on the chip surface, the extent of the band  58 , such as complete (as shown), divided into two, three of four segments, etc, and the orientation and shape of logo devices  60  on the edge ( FIG. 7   a ).  
         [0072]      FIG. 8  shows the bank area  14  in which unallocated chips are stored. First, second and third regions  62 ,  64  and  66  are defined by a side wall  68  and by appropriately positioned spacers  70 . Within the regions thus defined, chips can be stored in stacks as shown in  FIGS. 8   a,    8   b  and  8   c.    
         [0073]      FIG. 9  shows the bank area  14  in an open state ready to play. This state offers easy access to stacks of chips during use, whereas the state shown in  FIG. 8  allows a compact storage of the chips, dice shaker etc, which can then be covered with a suitably shaped locking lid.  
         [0074]      FIG. 10  shows a table  100  according to a second design. The same grid  102  is provided in the centre, but players are arranged around three sides  104 ,  106 ,  108 . A rail  110  is provided for players to rest against. The dealer stands behind the fourth edge  112  which has a wall  114  against which the chips  116  can be stacked. A cash slot  118  is provided in front of the dealer. Thus, suitable designs of table can be adopted as desired according to the available space, the desired number of players, and applicable regulations.  
         [0075]     It will of course be understood that many variations may be made to the above-described embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. Likewise, the above description includes a range of concepts and suggestions that are novel to the field of betting and gaming, and these concepts may be applicable outside the game of Latrey. Protection for such concepts in respect of other games may be sought.