Abstract:
Systems and methods for providing a game related to fantasy sports is described herein where a database includes information associated with live sporting events, a user module receives information associated with the live sporting events, a gaming server communicatively coupled to the database and the computing device is configured to display a list of the live sporting events, receive selections from teams of event outcomes, receive event outcome information from the database, display event outcome information on the user module, and determine whether the team is a winning team or a losing team. Winning teams are awarded points based on the number of losing teams and a predetermined multiplier. Losing teams are deduced points based on the number of winning teams and a predetermined multiplier. Adjusted spreads associated with the live sporting events may be calculated and applied to confer a competitive advantage to the teams.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     The subject patent application claims priority to and all the benefits of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/045,346, filed on Sep. 3, 2014, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to fantasy sports leagues. More specifically, the present invention relates to systems and methods related to fantasy sports leagues. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     One way to more actively follow sports is through sports betting. Sports betting has become increasingly popular, especially with the promotion of gaming via the Internet. In sports betting, combining two or more games into a single wager is known as a “parlay” wager. Traditional parlay wagers require that all of the two or more games chosen by the bettor beat the predetermined “spread”, which is a range of outcomes rather than a “win or lose” outcome. Because it is more difficult to win a parlay wager rather than an individual wager, the payout for parlay wagers is often higher than the payout for an individual wager. 
     In traditional sports betting, the spread of a particular sporting event changes as a majority of wagers move to one side over the other. This distributes the wagers to level the playing field for subsequent wagers prior to the start of the sporting event. The payout is based on the odds the bettor received at the time of placing the wager. 
     For sports enthusiasts who cannot or do not want to engage in traditional sports betting, fantasy sports leagues have emerged as an alternative. Fantasy sports participants select individual players from professional sports leagues to create their own teams. Participants manage these teams throughout the course of an entire season, and participants often join fantasy sports leagues with their friends, family members, and/or colleagues. Participants are awarded points based on the real-life performance of the players on their fantasy teams. Fantasy scoring relies on the performance of only a few all-star athletes at a time. This can be frustrating for participants, as the game does not focus on the teams on the field, but only the individuals on the participant&#39;s fantasy team. The management of fantasy teams can be a very long and time-consuming process, as participants must manage their fantasy teams on a weekly basis. 
     As a result, a system that allows league members the ability to participate in a competition that automatically determines a winner without requiring a large investment of time is desirable. Thus, participants may more actively follow sporting events. Finally, it is desirable for a game that utilizes sports betting concepts in a league-based game. 
     The present invention is aimed at one or more of the problems identified above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention generally relates to a game related to fantasy sports leagues using adjusted spreads where the losing teams pay or distribute points to the winning teams. 
     Some embodiments are directed to a system for providing a game related to fantasy sports where a database includes information associated with live sporting events, a user module receives information associated with the live sporting events, a gaming server communicates with the database and the computing device and displays a list of the live sporting events, receives selections from teams of event outcomes, receives event outcome information from the database, displays event outcome information on the user module, and determines whether the team is a winning team or a losing team. Winning teams are awarded points based on the number of losing teams and a predetermined multiplier. Losing teams are deduced points based on the number of winning teams and a predetermined multiplier. 
     In some embodiments, a system for providing a game related to fantasy sports is provided where a database includes information associated with live sporting events, a user module receives information associated with the live sporting events, a gaming server communicates with the database and the computing device and displays a list of the live sporting events, receives a predetermined spread adjustment value from a game administrator, retrieves a spread for each of the live sporting events from the database, and applies the spread adjustment value to the spread to produce an adjusted spread for each of the live sporting events. 
     Some embodiments are directed to a method for providing a game to a user via a computing device that includes storing information associated with live sporting events, receiving information associated with the live sporting events, displaying a list of live sporting events on the computing device, receiving during a certain time period a team&#39;s selection of event outcomes, receiving event outcome information, displaying event outcome information on the computing device, determining whether the selected event outcomes occurred during the time period, and determining whether the team is a winning team or a losing team based on the selected event outcomes. 
     In some embodiments, a method for providing a game related to fantasy sports is provided where a database stores information associated with a live sporting events, information is received associated with the live sporting events, a list of live sporting events is displayed, a predetermined spread adjustment value from is received from a game administrator, a spread for each of the live sporting events is retrieved from the database, and the spread adjustment value is applied to the spread to produce an adjusted spread for each of the live sporting events. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates typical hardware in a network system environment in accordance with a preferred embodiment and the most preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary user registration method. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a graphical user interface on a display showing an exemplary payment option screen. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary game play method. 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates a listing of all gaming events available for a particular week. 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates a listing of the selections of each team in the league, chosen by the team managers from the listing of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 5C  illustrates a listing of the results of the selections of each team in the league. 
         FIG. 5D  illustrates a listing of the calculated balances for each team. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an adjusted spread calculation and total points calculation for a single team&#39;s weekly selections. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary formula for calculating the Sporting Event Dynamic Visual Aid for spreads and adjusted spreads. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary graphical user interface on a display showing use of a Sporting Event Dynamic Visual Aid on a team&#39;s selections. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary display of an electronic communications device showing options available to users for social interaction. 
         FIG. 10A  illustrates the gaming events available for selection in an exemplary week of a post-season league. 
         FIG. 10B  illustrates an alternative listing of gaming events available for selection in a week of a post-season league. 
         FIG. 11A  illustrates an exemplary notification schedule for a league that follows a professional sports league. 
         FIG. 11B  illustrates an exemplary notification schedule for a league that follows a collegiate sports league. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a graphical user interface on a display showing an exemplary user profile. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a graphical user interface on a display showing an exemplary team web page. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Persons of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following description of the present invention is illustrative only and not in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons. 
     With reference to the drawings and description, the present invention overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of known fantasy sports leagues. The fantasy sports league of the present invention utilizes and aggregates real-world scores and adjusted odds to produce an engaging and challenging social competition. 
     Game Hardware 
       FIG. 1  depicts a communications network hardware  100  that includes a gaming server  102 . Communications network hardware  100  also at least one electronic communications device  104 . Electronic communications device  104  may comprise a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet, smart phone, or any other device capable of electronic communications. Gaming server  102  and electronic communications device  104  are in electronic communication with each other over a communications network  106 . Network  106  may be a private communications network or the Internet, and may be hardwired, wireless, or a hybrid thereof. In a preferred embodiment, network  106  constitutes the Internet and connects users to the gaming system&#39;s web site. Network  106  may alternatively comprise a private communications network configured as a closed-loop, which may include local area networks (LANs) and dedicated wide area networks (WANs). 
     Gaming server  102  includes a processor  108  memory device  110  from which gaming information and other relevant data is accessible to electronic communications device  104 . Memory device  110  includes a computer-readable medium, such as, without limitation, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, a diskette, a flash drive, a compact disc, a digital video disc, and/or any suitable device that enables processor  108  to store, retrieve, and/or execute instructions and/or data. 
     Gaming server  102  may include one or more internal data storage devices, e.g. a hard drive (not shown), for storing content for communication to electronic communications device  104 . Gaming server  102  is connected to an external data storage device  112 , from which gaming server  102  obtains information concerning sporting events for communication to electronic communications device  104 . Server computer  102  is controlled by software to provide content to electronic communications device  104 . 
     Gaming server  102  accesses information on future sporting events from external data storage device  112  and information on the outcome of the sporting events from this device or from a sports wire service. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that this process involves communication through routers and other network components in addition to suitable servers, as is dictated by the particular network environment. 
     Electronic communications device  104  includes a display device  114  for providing a display, such as, for example and without limitation, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, light-emitting-diode (LED) display, liquid-crystal-diode (LCD) display, plasma display, or tactile display. Electronic communications device  104  further includes a user input device  116 , such as, for example and without limitation, a keyboard, mouse, trackball, touchpad, or microphone. 
     Electronic communications device  104  is controlled by software, which may include network communication and browser software to allow a user to request, receive and display information from or through gaming server  102  via communications network  106 . 
     User Registration and Team Formation 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , a flowchart illustrates an exemplary user registration method. According to the  FIG. 2  flowchart, a user who desires to participate in a league establishes a connection in step  200  on a wide area computer network between an electronic communications device  104  (see  FIG. 1 ) and a gaming server  102 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , a user may optionally download a mobile application to an electronic communications device at step  202 . 
     Once a user has established a connection with gaming server  102  ( FIG. 1 ), the player accesses home page in step  204  ( FIG. 2 ). At step  206 , the user accesses a sign-up page via a link from the home page. Once a user has accessed the sign-up page, the user is prompted to enter personal information at step  208 . Personal information may include, for example, name, address, date of birth, user name, password, and method of payment information. At step  210 , the personal information is conveyed to and verified by gaming server  102  ( FIG. 1 ). If the information is accepted, gaming server  102  allows the user to access a gaming page in step  212 . 
     Once connected to the gaming page, the user may create or join one or more leagues at step  214 . The leagues may be chosen from, for example, a drop-down list or other selectable list format. Each league may have an unlimited number of users. In a preferred embodiment, each league has a minimum of 4 users and a maximum of 200 users. A league may be formed at the start of a regular season of a particular sport, during the season, or in the post-season. The creator of a league may be designated the “league commissioner.” The league commissioner may elect a payment option for teams participating in the league. The league commissioner may select, for example, a “Pay Individually” option, in which all league teams will pay their own fees. Alternatively, the league commissioner may select a “Sponsor” option, where a participant pays for another participant&#39;s fees.  FIG. 3  illustrates a graphical user interface on a display showing an exemplary payment option screen. 
     Leagues may be public or private, based on the settings chosen by the league commissioner. Any user around the world may join a public league for free. A private league is open to invited users only. Joining a private league may require a unique password. However, private leagues allow access to additional features, such as Powerups (described in more detail below). Joining leagues may be free or may require payment of a fee to the game administrator. 
     For each league the user joins, the user may then create a team or join an existing team at step  216 . An existing team may be chosen from, for example, a drop-down list or other selectable list format. Each team comprises one or more users and has at least one manager that makes decisions on behalf of the team. Multiple users may co-manage a single team from multiple user accounts, if desired. Each team has an associated balance, which may consist of points and/or currency. 
     The game of the present invention may be applied to any professional or collegiate sport, including but not limited to American football, soccer, basketball, baseball, golf, and hockey. The length of league play may be a week, a single game, a full season, a post-season period, or any other time period determined by the game administrator or league commissioner. 
     Basic Game Play 
     The number of selections that each team may make for a particular time period is determined by the league commissioner. Each selection is associated with a gaming event, for which there is an associated adjusted spread value. Any number combinations of these three variables (number of selections, adjusted spread, and time period) may be used. In a preferred embodiment, there are four selections per team per week and the adjusted spread value is two scores. The adjusted spread value could be expressed in other ways, such as a percentage of the spread or a multiple of the spread. The following preferred embodiment assumes game play occurring during a regular sports season, but game play during a post-season period would work in substantially the same manner. 
     In the preferred embodiment, each team must make four selections each week using the adjusted spread values. Each team may make weekly selections independently and confidentially from one another. In other embodiments, teams may make selections publicly. In the preferred embodiment, the adjusted spread values are increased with two scores (+14 points) for each selection. For example, if Denver (DEN) is playing Seattle (SEA), and DEN is favored by 6 points, the regular spread would be: DEN −6 and SEA +6. In the preferred embodiment, the adjusted spread would be DEN +8 and SEA +20. The calculation of the adjusted spread is shown below:
 
Team DEN+8(−6+14=+8)
 
Team SEA+20(+6+14=+20)
 
     A team manager may want to choose the following selections for a given week:
         CHI +3   HOU −16   GB −14   DET −7.5       

     Using the adjusted spread of the preferred embodiment, the selections would be displayed as:
         CHI +17   HOU −2   GB +0 (even)   DET +6.5       

     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a flowchart illustrates an exemplary game play method using the predetermined number of selections and adjusted spread of the preferred embodiment. 
     At step  400 , the gaming events available for selection for the week are displayed on the web page for the users. At step  402 , the spreads are displayed for each of the available gaming events. At step  404 , the adjusted spread for each available gaming event is determined and displayed. At optional step  406 , the adjusted spreads may be locked at a predetermined date and time, which may be communicated to the users (for example, a message may be displayed on the web page: “Weekly Spreads are posted each Wednesday at Noon (EST).”). 
     At step  408 , the user (the team manager) makes four selections of the available gaming events for the week. The user may use the adjusted spreads to decide which teams he thinks will be winners during the week. The selection window, the time period during which the selections must be made, will be displayed on the web page so the user knows when he is allowed to make his selections (for example, a message may be displayed on the web page: “Thursday Night Game Picks are Due by 5 μm. (EST) on Thursday. All Other Picks Due by Saturday at Noon (EST).”). 
     At step  410 , live updates regarding the scores of the gaming events are retrieved and displayed on the web page. Updates may also be communicated to users via other methods, such as by push notifications on smart phones or tablets. Referring back to  FIG. 1 , gaming server  102  accesses information about the gaming events the external data storage device  112  and information on the outcome of game-based sporting events either from this device or from one or more sports wire services, such as Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). The API connectivity allows the gaming server  102  to pull betting odds from reputable sources. The APIs further retrieve scores for professional and college-level sporting events in real-time, allowing gaming server  102  to organize and output the data for display to the users on the electronic communications device  104 . 
     Game Payout 
     Referring again to  FIG. 4 , at step  412 , the number of winning selections by the user is determined by comparing the user&#39;s selections with the scoring data for the gaming events. If all four of a user&#39;s selections are correct, the team is a winning team for the week. At step  414 , the winning team is awarded points based on the total number of losing teams for the week, multiplied by a point increment that has been predetermined by the game administrator. 
     If any one of the user&#39;s four selections is incorrect, the team is a losing team for the week. At the option of the game administrator or league commissioner, a tie (or “push” with the adjusted spread) may be counted as an incorrect selection. At step  416 , the system determines whether more than one of the user&#39;s selections is incorrect. If only one of the user&#39;s selections is incorrect, at step  418 , points are deducted based on the total number of winning teams, multiplied by a point increment that has been predetermined by the league commissioner. If more than one of the user&#39;s selections is incorrect, at step  420 , points are deducted based on the total number of winning teams, multiplied by a point increment that has been predetermined by the league commissioner, and additional points are deducted based on the number of incorrect selections. 
     In any given week (or other time period determined by the league commissioner), if there are no losing teams (all winning teams) or no winning teams (all losing teams), then a different scoring mechanism may be applied. An “FP Score” for each team in the league may be calculated. The “FP Score” measures the total quality of each team&#39;s selections. The teams with the top 50% of the FP Scores will be considered winning teams. The teams with the bottom 50% of the FP Scores will be considered losing teams. 
     In an alternative embodiment, if there are no losing teams (all winning teams) or no winning teams (all losing teams) in the given time period, there may be “No Action” or “Carry Over”. In the “No Action” variation, every team scores zero and there is no payout during the given time period for any team. In the “Carry Over” variation, the increment doubles for the subsequent time period. For instance, if the increment is set at $10 during week one and there are no winning teams or no losing teams, then the increment will be increased to $20 during week two only. In week three, the increment would return to the standard $10. 
     At step  422 , the cumulative team balance is determined based on the awarding or deducting of points. It will be understood that “points” as used herein could include non-monetary points or currency. 
     At step  424 , the method of game play is repeated on a weekly basis. In alternative embodiments, the method may not be repeated (as in the case of single-week leagues), or could be repeated weekly for only part of a sports season (partial-season leagues), or could be repeated every week for an entire sports season (full-season leagues, typically 17 weeks, or a full-season plus post-season league). Any other suitable time period could be used for a league (such as, for example, a Playoff league that runs only during a playoff period for a particular sport). 
     After the final week, a champion is determined based on the teams&#39; cumulative balances. 
     Examples of Game Play 
     An example of the method of  FIG. 4  is described herein, using an American football league.  FIG. 5A  shows a listing of all gaming events, one of which is labeled  500 , available for a particular week. This listing will be reviewed by the teams before making their selections. The listing also shows the spread  502  and the adjusted spread  504  associated with each gaming event.  FIG. 5B  shows a listing of the selections of each team in the league, chosen by the team managers from the listing of  FIG. 5A . In this example, each team  506  was allowed four selections  508  for the week.  FIG. 5C  shows a listing of the results of the selections of each team in the league. The losing selections are highlighted, one of which is labeled  510 . The final result is also shown, and includes WINNER  512 , LOSER  514 , DOUBLE LOSER  516 , TRIPLE LOSER  518 , and QUADRUPLE LOSER (not shown).  FIG. 5D  shows a listing of the calculated balances for each team  520 . The payouts after the weekly results are shown in the first column  522 . The cumulative balances, or “Standings,” are shown in the second column  524 . 
     In an alternative example, an adjusted spread calculation and total points calculation for a single team&#39;s weekly selections is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . In this example, the team chose the following selections: DEN, Pick  1  ( 600 ), CHI, Pick  2  ( 602 ), IND, Pick  3  ( 604 ), and WAS, Pick  4  ( 606 ). All selections were correct selections. The final scores of the events are listed, one of which is labeled  608 . The spread  610  for each event is also listed. Points  612  are added according to the predetermined spread adjustment value. The adjusted spread  614  is calculated by adding points  612  to the spread  610 . The adjusted spread  614  is added to the final score  608 , and the opponent&#39;s score  616  is subtracted, to determine the total score for the events, known as FP Points  618 . The FP Points  618  for each selection is calculated, and a total  620  is calculated for the week, which is the amount that is multiplied by the predetermined point increment and added to the team&#39;s balance. 
     Powerups 
     As users are playing directly against the other users in their league(s) as opposed to against a bookie or the house, this game includes a strategic element. For each user, the ideal outcome is to be on a winning team for the time period. The fewer the winning teams, the higher the payout for the winning teams. As a result, it is important that users maintain some secrecy in their selection process. 
     Users may acquire or purchase “Powerups,” which each confer a potential competitive advantage to users who own them. The following are examples of Powerups that may be acquired or purchased by users and are intended as illustrative and not limiting. 
     Pick Revealer: 
     Before making its selections, a team can reveal another targeted team&#39;s selection(s). For instance, Team A may acquire a single Pick Revealer to review one of Team B&#39;s selections. Team A may acquire as many of these Powerups as desired to see all of Team B&#39;s (and/or Team C&#39;s, and/or Team D&#39;s, etc.) selections. The team who acquires this Powerup may use it only when the target team has already made its selections. 
     Pick Percentage: 
     Before making its selections, a team can choose one or more “selection” (e.g., one team playing in a sporting event) from the available selections and display the percentage of users that made that selection out of all selections that have been made by all teams. These percentages will only display the submitted selections at the time the Powerup is executed, and as such, it may be beneficial to use this Powerup as close as possible to the end of the selection window. Teams may buy multiples of this Powerup to see percentages associated with more than one selection. Alternatively, teams may purchase subscriptions to see percentages of one or more selections throughout the league play period. 
     Spread the Spread: 
     A team may be more confident about certain selections over others. This Powerup allows the team to move some of the adjusted spread points between their selections. For instance, suppose a team made following selections: CHI +17, HOU −2, GB +0 (even), DET +6.5. However, the team is very confident that CHI will beat the spread, but less certain that GB will beat the spread. This Powerup would allow one point from the CHI spread to be moved to the GB spread. The resulting spreads would be: CHI +16, HOU −2, GB +1, DET +6.5, thus giving the team better odds for the GB selection. 
     The Leveler (I): 
     If a team has been a losing team for more than a certain number of weeks consecutively, this Powerup will become available to the team. If implemented, the team can “black out” a particular game from the league&#39;s first place team (or all first place teams, if there are multiple teams tied for first place), such that the team(s) could not select the game as one of its allotted selections. All other teams in the league would still be able to select the game. 
     The Leveler (2): 
     If a team has been a losing team for more than a certain number of weeks consecutively, this Powerup will become available to the team. If implemented, the team can “black out” a particular game from all other teams in a league, except the team using the Powerup, such that no other team is able to select the game as one of its allotted selections. 
     Ask the Gurus: 
     A team can pay for the advice of a Guru, who will provide recommended selection combinations for the week. Each Guru&#39;s advice price may vary based on the Guru&#39;s record. As an added function, the selections may automatically generate in the team&#39;s selection box, if chosen by the team. 
     Late Picker: 
     Should a team fail to make its allotted selections prior to the closing of the selection window, normally the team may be an automatic loser for the week or may receive an “underdog” lineup. That is, the events least likely to result in a winning outcome (based on the adjusted spreads) will automatically be chosen for the team. However, utilizing this Powerup will randomly select four new selections for the team. 
     Value Finder: 
     The adjusted spreads for a league may be locked when they are released for display to the users (see  FIG. 3 , step  306 ). However, in reality, spreads fluctuate each day. To save time, a team can use this Powerup to quickly display how the spread for each gaming event has moved since it was locked. The team may find this information useful in making their selections. 
     The Degenerate: 
     After a team makes an incorrect selection, it may exercise this advanced feature to make one additional selection from the remaining available gaming events. Depending on the league commissioner&#39;s settings for the league, the team may be required to risk additional points to take advantage of this feature. 
     Team Behavior Reporting: 
     Selection behaviors of each team participating in a league will be recorded and may be displayed to other league teams to show tendencies and biases. This information may be used by other teams in developing their own selection strategies. Examples of behaviors by league teams include, for example and not by way of limitation, biases towards favorites, underdogs, home athletes or athletic teams, away athletes or athletic teams, athletes or athletic teams from particular cities, athletes or athletic teams from particular conferences, and athletes or athletic teams from particular divisions. 
     Adjusted Spread Specific Reporting: 
     Statistical analysis of adjusted spread specific reporting on athletic teams will be recorded and displayed to show tendencies and biases. This information may be used by participating league teams in developing their own selection strategies. Examples of behaviors include, for example and not by way of limitation, how an athletic team plays at home when the designated adjusted spread, how an athletic team plays on the road with the designated adjusted spread, how an athletic team plays in different weather conditions with an adjusted spread, and how an athletic team plays in the post-season with an adjusted spread. 
     Additional Game Features 
     Multiple Incorrect Selections: A penalty pot is created for teams who have a certain number of incorrect selections in a single week. Losing teams may be required to contribute to the penalty pot by a predetermined increment or multiple of the increment, which may be chosen by the league commissioner. For example and not by way of limitation, an increment of $10 may be chosen by the league commissioner with the following multiples: Double Loser (×1), Triple Loser (×2), Quadruple Loser (×3). In this scenario, a Double Loser would contribute $10 to the penalty pot, a Triple Loser would contribute $20, and a Quadruple Loser would contribute $30. Alternatively, the league commissioner may determine a flat contribution amount across the board (e.g., all losers pay the same amount, such as $10) or differing flat amounts for each tier (e.g., Double Losers pay $10, Triple Losers pay $30, Quadruple Losers pay $50). Many variations of the penalty pot calculation are possible. 
     Make a Donation Penalty: 
     As an optional feature, the league commissioner may implement a penalty whereby a losing team that has made 2 (“Double Loser”), 3 (“Triple Loser”), 4 (“Quadruple Loser”), or some other predetermined number of incorrect selections in a single week must donate a minimum amount to a designated charity. 
     Sporting Event Dynamic Visual Aid for Spreads and Adjusted Spreads: A unique meter is displayed on the gaming page that acts as a dynamic visual aid based on a selection&#39;s performance, which is updated in real time. As the game progresses, the visual aid will change based on how the particular selection is performing.  FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary formula for calculating the Sporting Event Dynamic Visual Aid for spreads and adjusted spreads.  FIG. 8  shows an exemplary graphical user interface on a display illustrating the use of the Sporting Event Dynamic Visual Aid on a team&#39;s selections, where different shading represents different colors for wins  800 , losses  802 , and pending games  804 , allowing the user to see quickly and easily how the team is performing in the weekly competition. Colors, symbols, or any other visual cue may be used to illustrate performance in the Sporting Event Dynamic Visual Aid. 
     The Straddle: 
     In traditional gaming, it is possible to bet on both teams competing in a single gaming event. However, it is impossible to win both of the bets, since once team will win and one team will lose. Due to the nature of the adjusted spread of the present invention, it is possible that a team can select both teams competing in a single gaming event and that both of those selections will be correct, or “winning,” selections. 
     Social Hub: 
     The present invention may include a Social Hub, where users may communicate with one another, purchase Powerups, and purchase apparel or other merchandise. When registering for league play, users may be required to enter a telephone number and/or an email address (see  FIG. 2 , step  208 ). Users may utilize a tool from the website and/or mobile application that allows communication between players of the same or different teams via e-mail, text/SMS, or telephone. This feature also extends into any other third-party communication platform including but not limited to any internet-based site used as a medium of communication between individuals.  FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary display of an electronic communications device showing options available to users for social interaction, such as talk  900 , text  902 , and e-mail  904  icons. 
     Additional Game Day Information: 
     Additional information may be displayed to teams that may be helpful in making selections, including, for example, weather information, player injury reports, spread information, and game location. 
     Number of Pickers: 
     When the selection window has closed, all teams will have either made their selections, or selections will have been automatically assigned. Immediate following the selection window closing, teams may view each other&#39;s selections. Certain statistics, such as the number of teams that made certain selections, may also be viewable. 
     Automatic Pick Email System: 
     At times, an automated mail system may send e-mail messages to all users or a subset of users based on custom settings of the league commissioner or the game administrator. Example message topics may include, but are not limited to, spreads, selections, and results/payouts. 
     Late Picker Settings: 
     The league commissioner may decide that a team that miss the selection window is automatically a losing team. The team may be given an option to pay a nominal fee (e.g., $1-$5) to generate selections and thus have a second chance at being a winning team (e.g., “underdog” lineup based on adjusted spread, “underdog” lineup based on team records, random selection generator, etc.). 
     Loser Alerts: 
     An automated mail system may send e-mail messages to all users or a subset of users when a team is about to become a Double Loser, Triple Loser, Quadruple Loser, or other losing team based on multiple losing selections, as determined by the league settings. 
     The Prize Pool: 
     Additional points may be awarded to the top finishing teams at the end of a season. Additional points may be awarded to the top finishing teams at the quarter-point or mid-point of a season. The prize pool is calculated by deducting a predetermined amount from all teams, which is then awarded to the prize pool winner or winners. Users may join multiple leagues under the same user account, and the sum of the user&#39;s overall standings in each league may be calculated for prizes and/or other rewards. 
     Post-Season Leagues 
     Teams may have the option to participate in a bonus playoff after the end of a regular season. Game play during post-season periods works in substantially the same manner as described in the foregoing examples. The scoring of the post-season leagues may be separate from the scoring rules of the regular season (e.g., the standings are cleared and re-start with the post-season league). For instance, in the case of American football, the post-season playoff league would take place during the three professional football playoff weekends and the professional football championship, for a total of 4 weeks. 
     Depending on the number of gaming events available during the post-season league, the predetermined number of selections may be increased or decreased (e.g., only 3 selections are required instead of the standard 4 required during the regular season). Moreover, the spread may be adjusted differently during the post-season league (e.g., the spread may be adjusted by 10 points instead of the standard 14 points during the regular season). 
       FIG. 10A  illustrates the gaming events available for selection in an exemplary week of a post-season league. Each available gaming event  1000  is displayed with an associated spread  1010  and item number  1020 . 
       FIG. 10B  illustrates an alternative listing of gaming events available for selection in a week of a post-season league. Each available gaming event  1030  is displayed with an associated spread  1040  and item number  1050 . Rather than each gaming event being associated with a team (which may be a winner or a loser), here the gaming events include other types of events, including total points scored during a game, half-time scores, quarterly scores, and other similar events. 
     Notification Schedules 
     Notification schedules may assist league commissioners and/or game administrators with the communication of timing of selections and the posting of results to a league&#39;s teams.  FIG. 11A  illustrates an exemplary notification schedule for a league that follows a professional sports league (e.g., the NFL, NBA, or the like).  FIG. 11B  illustrates an exemplary notification schedule for a league that follows a collegiate sports league (e.g., the NCAA or the like). 
     User Profiles 
     Each user that registers for a league may have a customizable user profile.  FIG. 12  illustrates a graphical user interface on a display showing an exemplary user profile. A listing of the teams and/or leagues that the user has joined may be displayed  1200 , along with team information, such as the team&#39;s record  1210  and balance information  1220 . Other information may be accessible from this page, including the league home page  1230 , league settings  1240 , scoring information  1250 , and a “Pick Center”  1260  where selections for each team may be researched and entered. 
     The individual team web pages may be accessible via links from the user&#39;s profile.  FIG. 13  illustrates a graphical user interface on a display showing an exemplary team web page. Information about the team, including, for example, the team name  1300 , manager or co-manager names  1310 , a primary e-mail address  1320  and telephone number  1330 , may be displayed. Moreover, the user may choose which alerts or messages to receive regarding the team updates, including, for instance, Triple Loser alerts  1340 , Quadruple Loser alerts  1350 , and a reminder when selections are due via SMS  1360  or e-mail  1370 . Alerts may be sent for other reasons, including, for instance, alerts regarding a losing team based on a different number of multiple losing selections (e.g., Double Loser Quintuple Loser, etc.), as determined by the league settings.