Patent Publication Number: US-6698755-B2

Title: Two level game

Description:
This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/333,218, filed Nov. 14, 2001. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to gaming systems and, more particularly, to a lottery-type gaming system. 
     Lottery-type games of chance have exhibited enduring popularity since such games typically permit a player to make a relatively small investment—by buying a ticket—with a chance of winning a significantly larger award. In addition to the entertainment value that such games provide for the players, these types of games typically provide a source of revenue for the operator, normally a charity, but sometimes a municipality or a business establishment. 
     One type of game system which has proven quite popular with players is the so-called break-open ticket game. In this type of game, players purchase playing cards for a relatively nominal sum, with each playing card displaying game symbols, selected ones of which correspond to award values. In a typical configuration, each playing card comprises a lamination of upper and lower plies of material, such as paper, with the game symbols displayed on the inside surface of the lower ply. The game symbols are thus initially sealed, and are revealed by “breaking open” one or more flap-like portions of the upper ply. 
     As will be appreciated, affording players an opportunity to win awards in different ways enhances the entertainment value of the game. It has, therefore, been considered desirable to develop a new and improved seal card game and method for playing same which would meet the above stated needs and others and provide advantageous overall results. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly, one aspect of the present invention relates to a system for use in playing a game of chance. The system includes a plurality of playing cards, each of the playing cards including one or more game symbols displayed thereon. Several of the playing cards may display instant win symbols which entitle the holder to collect an associated award. Several of the playing cards may display potentially winning symbols, which entitle the holder to enter a bonus level of play. Several of the playing cards display bonus ticket symbols, which entitle the holder to receive one, or more preferably, a set of bonus tickets. Several of the bonus tickets may display instant win symbols which entitle the holder to collect an associated award. A master game card is provided for use in conjunction with the plurality of playing cards and bonus tickets. 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a system for use in playing a game of chance is provided. The system includes a plurality of playing cards. Each of the playing cards includes at least one game symbol displayed thereon. Some of the playing cards display a bonus ticket symbol which entitles a holder of the playing card to receive at least one bonus ticket. The system further includes a plurality of the bonus tickets. Each bonus ticket displays a game symbol. At least one of the bonus tickets includes a winning one of the bonus ticket symbols which associated with a bonus ticket award. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a system for use in playing a game of chance includes a plurality of playing cards. Each of the playing cards includes at least one of a plurality of game symbols displayed thereon. Some of the playing cards display one of the game symbols which is bonus ticket game symbol. Each bonus ticket game symbol entitles a holder of the ticket to receive a plurality of bonus tickets. Some of the playing cards displaying one of the game symbols which is an eligible game symbol, eligible for a bonus round award. The system further includes a plurality of the bonus tickets. At least one of the bonus tickets includes an indicia for identifying the bonus ticket as a winning bonus ticket. A master game card is provided for use in conjunction with the playing cards. The master game card includes means for identifying one of the eligible game symbols as a winning game symbol. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of playing a game of chance is provided. The method includes distributing a set of playing cards to a plurality of players. At least one cover member on each of the playing cards is removed to reveal at least one of a plurality of game symbols. Some of the playing cards include an eligible one of the game symbols which is eligible for a bonus round of play. Some of the playing cards include one of the game symbols which is a bonus ticket game symbol. This entitles a holder of the playing card displaying the eligible game symbol to receive at least one bonus ticket from a plurality of bonus tickets. A cover member is removed from at least one of the bonus tickets. At least one of the bonus tickets includes an identifier for identifying an instant win award. In the bonus round of play, a winning game symbol selected from said eligible game symbols associated with a bonus award is revealed. A holder of the playing card displaying the winning game symbol receives the bonus award. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of playing a game of chance is provided. The method includes distributing a set of playing cards to a plurality of players. The playing cards are configured for selectively revealing a plurality of game symbols. At least a first of the game symbols is employed in a first level of play and at least a second of the game symbols is employed in a second level of play. At least some of the plurality of game symbols are revealed. In a first level of play, at least one bonus ticket of a plurality of bonus tickets is awarded to at least one of the players holding one of the playing cards which displays the first game symbol. Some of the bonus tickets include an identifier for identifying an instant win award. 
     In a second level of play, a bonus award is awarded to at least one of the players holding a card which displays the second game symbol. 
     The advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, preferred embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a front face of a playing card for a multiple level game system according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a rear face of the playing card of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rear face of the playing card of FIG. 2 with five flaps opened; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rear face of a second playing card; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rear face of a third playing card; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a front face of a bonus ticket according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the rear faces of four of the bonus tickets of FIG. 6 with the flaps open; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a book of the bonus tickets of FIGS. 6 and 7; 
     FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a master game card of the game system according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the master game card of FIG. 9 with the flap open to reveal the winning symbols; and 
     FIGS. 11 and 12 are top plan views showing two portions of a flier describing the game and providing exemplary definite payouts for various embodiments of the game. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, several preferred embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood that the Figures are to be considered only as exemplifying the principles of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
     FIGS. 1-5 illustrate playing cards or tickets  10 , FIGS. 6-8 illustrate bonus tickets  12 , and FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a master game card  14 . The playing cards  10 , bonus tickets  12 , and master game card  14  are used in combination for playing a game of chance, namely a two level game system according to the present invention. Certain ones of the players are eligible to participate in the selection of a bonus award on the master game card  14 . While the game is described with reference to a first “instant win” level of play followed by a single bonus round of play, it will be appreciated that the instant win level may be modified and additional bonus rounds may be used, for example, two, three, four, or more bonus levels of play. 
     Playing card  10  is intended as exemplary, in that the present game system includes a substantial number of such playing cards. In a preferred embodiment, for example, about 300 to about 2,000 cards are employed. Each of the playing cards  10  is purchased by a game player for a nominal sum, such as $1. The playing card price is preferably printed on the card  10 , although it is also contemplated that a game organizer may be free to set the playing card price and thus determine the total profit accordingly. 
     The playing cards  10  and bonus tickets  12  are preferably packaged as a set or deal, in a clear wrapping (not shown), together with the master game card  14 . By having a fixed number of cards  10  and tickets  12  in the set of playing cards and bonus tickets, the total payout and the profit to the organizer can be predetermined (assuming all playing cards  10  in the set are sold and all bonus tickets  12  are redeemed for awards). Additionally, the sets of bonus tickets  12  and playing cards  10  are assembled such that the total payout is the same for each deal. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, each of the playing cards  10  preferably comprises upper and lower layers or plies  16  and  18  of material, laminated together at the edges of their inner surfaces, and formed from paper, card, or the like. An outer, first face  20  of one of the plies  16  may be used to display information about the game, such as the rules of the game  22 , examples of winning combinations  24  of “instant win” symbols, information about the bonus tickets, and the like (see FIG.  1 ). The price of each playing card ($1.00 in the illustrated embodiment) is also printed on the first face  20  or elsewhere on the playing card  10 . Alternatively, the first face may be left blank. An identifying character  26 , such as a serial number, is optionally printed on the front face  20  or a rear face  28  of the card  10  for identifying the playing card  10  as being part of the set of playing cards, all with the same serial number and associated with a corresponding serial number printed on the master game card  14 . This avoids the instance of a player from a previous game trying to collect an award in a subsequent game using the same card  10  or ticket  12 . 
     With particular reference to FIG. 3, each of the playing cards  10  displays at least one, more preferably, a plurality of game symbols  30 . The symbols  30  may be letters, numbers, and/or characters, such as fruit, diamonds, dollar signs, crowns, bells, and the like commonly associated with lottery games, which may be arranged singly, or in groups. Each of the cards  10  includes a plurality of cover members, a single cover member, or other game symbol concealing means, such as a scratch-off layer. Preferably, the symbols  30  are displayed on an inside surface  32  of the upper ply  16  of the card. This type of card  10  is typically referred to as a “break-open” playing card, in that the cover member comprises one or more flap-like portions  34  of the lower ply  18  (five flaps  34  for each card  10  are shown in FIGS. 2-5) which each cover one or more game symbols  30 . The flaps  34  can be selectively opened (e.g., peeled away from the card  10 ) in order to reveal windows  36  displaying the respective one or group of game symbols  30  beneath, after the card has been purchased. The flaps  34  have perforated edges  38 , allowing them to be readily separated from the surrounding upper ply material. 
     In its first, “instant win” level of play, the game preferably has two types of instant win game symbols, “immediate win” symbols  40  and “bonus ticket” symbols  42 . The immediate win symbols  40  are those symbols which identify an immediate instant winner. To assist players in ascertaining winning cards at the first level of play, a listing  24  of the winning groups of immediate win award symbols is provided on the front face of each playing card and/or the master game card. The present game system provides awards  44  to those players having cards which display a predetermined immediate win winning symbol or combination of award symbols  40 . 
     In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, by way of example, a winning group of award symbols  40  comprising three diamonds wins a $150 award  44  instantly; three crowns wins $75; while a group of numbers ending in red  77  wins $5, and so forth. The playing card holder compares the symbol or groups of symbols under each flap  34  with the different groups of immediate win award symbols on the listing  24  to determine whether the playing card is an immediate-winning playing card. FIG. 5 exemplifies an immediate win card  10   a  having a group of three diamonds under one of the flaps  34   d . Optionally, the adjacent flap  34   d  reveals the amount of $150, which is the value of the award associated with the three diamonds symbol  40 . An immediate-win game player takes the winning playing card  10   a  to a game organizer and receives the winning amount accorded to the particular winning symbol or group of symbols  40  (FIG.  1 ). 
     In another embodiment, the immediate win symbols are not used. In this embodiment, all instant win prizes are awarded through the bonus ticket symbols  42 . 
     The second type of instant win symbol  30  is the bonus ticket symbol  42 . This symbol is not associated with a particular award, but gives the holder of the playing card the chance to win an award. Preferably, for convenience of the game organizer, a single playing card displays no more than one instant win symbol  40 ,  42 , although multiple instant win game symbols may, alternatively, be provided on a single card. FIG. 3 exemplifies a playing card  10   b  showing an award indicator or bonus ticket symbol  42  revealed by one of its flaps  34   d.    
     A player who uncovers a bonus ticket symbol  42  takes the card  10   b  to the game organizer and receives one or more bonus tickets  12  (FIGS.  6 - 7 ). Preferably, the player receives a set  50  of bonus tickets  12  (FIG.  8 ). For convenience, the set of bonus tickets may be packaged in a clear wrapping. Alternatively, the organizer may have a stack of, for example, one-hundred bonus tickets, and hand out ten of these to each holder of a bonus ticket symbol  42 . FIG. 8 by way of example, shows a set  50  of ten of these tickets  12  arranged in a booklet  52 , joined together with peel apart adhesive at a spine  54 , although other arrangements of the tickets  12  are also contemplated. It is contemplated that several of the playing cards  10  show a bonus ticket symbol  42 . In one embodiment, ten of the playing cards  10  can display a bonus symbol  42 . 
     Each of the bonus tickets  12  in the set  50  is similar to playing card  10  in that a game symbol or symbols  60  is covered with a cover member  62  or members. The symbols  60  may be letters, numbers, and/or characters, such as fruit, diamonds, dollar signs, crowns, bells, and the like commonly associated with lottery games, which may be arranged singly, or in groups. The bonus tickets  12  are preferably marked with a serial number (not shown) which corresponds to the serial number marked on the master game card  14  and playing cards  10 . Each of the bonus tickets in this embodiment preferably includes only a single cover member  62 , or other game symbol concealing means. Preferably, the symbols are displayed on the inside surface  64  of an upper ply  66  of the card. The bonus ticket  12  is thus preferably a “break-open” playing card, in that the cover member  62  comprises a flap-like portion of a lower ply  68  which covers one or more game symbols  60 . The flap  62  can be selectively opened (e.g. peeled away as shown in FIG. 7) from the ticket  12  in order to reveal a window  70  displaying the respective one or group of game symbols  60  beneath, after the set of cards have been distributed. The flap  62  has a perforated edge  72  allowing it to be readily separated from the surrounding upper ply material. 
     However, it will be understood that a game embodying the principles of the present invention may include playing cards, bonus tickets and a master game card otherwise configured, such as including “scratch-off” arrangements for initially concealing game symbols or groups of game symbols. 
     In a preferred embodiment, several of the symbols  60  on the bonus tickets are winning bonus ticket symbols  76 . In the illustrated embodiment, the symbols  76  comprise the words “Ring of Fire” and “cash, tickets, or merchandise.”Each winning bonus symbol  76  is associated with a specified instant win award  78 . In the embodiment of FIG. 7, bonus tickets  12   a ,  12   b , and  12   c  display winning awards  78  in the amounts of $25, $10, and $5, respectively. The holders of such winning bonus tickets  12  take their tickets to the game organizer to receive their bonus ticket awards  78 . 
     In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the awards  78  may be in the form of cash, tickets, or merchandise, the holder of the bonus ticket  12  being given the opportunity to accept the award in any one of these three forms. Or, the game organizer may specify which one or two of the three forms the player may accept (for example, if no merchandise is available, the organizer may specify cash or tickets, or, if the game is the last one to be played at an event, the organizer may specify cash or merchandise). If the award is accepted in the form of tickets, these are preferably game playing cards  10  to be used in a subsequent lottery game of the same type. Or, the game organizer may award playing cards or bonus tickets for use in the same game or in another type of lottery game. 
     The remainder of the bonus tickets  12  display a “non-winning” symbol or symbols  79 . For example, non-winning symbols may comprise numbers, as illustrated on the ticket  12   d  of FIG.  7 . Alternatively, the non-winning tickets  12  may be left blank or otherwise marked as a non-winner. In another embodiment, the “non-winning” tickets  12  may display Bingo numbers, such as B02, N32, etc. These tickets  12  can then be used in a subsequent Bingo-type game. 
     In yet another embodiment, a single multi-flap bonus ticket (not illustrated) is awarded in place of a set  50 . The single ticket may have a plurality of flaps similar to flaps  34 ,  62 , each concealing a symbol or group of symbols similar to symbols  60 . 
     In one embodiment, the sets  50  of bonus tickets  12  (or single multiple-flap ticket) are assembled such that each set contains a maximum of one bonus award  78 . In a more preferred embodiment, however, some of the sets  50  in the deal contain more than one award, for example, 2, 3, 4, or 5 bonus symbols  76 . Thus, for example, the holder of one set of bonus tickets may win $100 by having four bonus tickets with $25 awards. Another player may win $50 by having a $25 award, two $10 awards, and one $5 award. Thus the holder of the set of bonus tickets  12  would need to open every flap  62  to ensure that no awards are missed. The sets  50  may be assembled such that every set includes one (or more) award  78 . Alternatively, the sets  50  of bonus tickets may be arranged such that some of the sets contain no award, while the remainder contain one or more awards. 
     In its additional, bonus level(s) of play, the present system permits selected ones of the players to become eligible for a bonus award through use of the master game card  14 . 
     The bonus level of play of the present game system entails establishing selected game players who become eligible for the bonus award or awards, with these players then listed on the master game card  14  in the illustrated embodiment. To this end, the master game card  14  includes a sign up area  80 , for listing the selected, eligible players (FIG.  9 ). The eligibility of these selected players is established by those players having cards having a predetermined selected one or more of the game symbols. In the illustrated embodiment, such predetermined eligible game symbols  82  comprise numeric designations ending in a red  13  (i.e.,  113 ,  213 ,  313 , etc.). FIG. 4 exemplifies a playing card  10   c  which reveals the eligible symbol  414  under one of the flaps  34   b . Other characters could alternatively be used in place of the numerals preceding the number  13 . Each of the eligible game symbols  82  is printed on one of the game playing cards. 
     Upon opening a flap  34  to reveal an eligible game symbol or group of eligible game symbols  82  (both will be referred to hereinafter simply as eligible game symbols), the game player preferably enters his name on the sign up area in the appropriate location (e.g., adjacent his eligible symbol  82 ). In the embodiment of FIG. 9, for example, eighteen eligible game symbols  82 , all ending in the numerals “13”, are contained within sign-up area  80  and are thus identified as being eligible game symbols  82 . 
     Associated with each eligible game symbol  82  of sign-up area  80  is a name region  84 . Each name region  84  provides space for the recordation of the name, or other indicia, identifying the holder of a playing card  10  which displays the associated eligible game symbol  82 . 
     As shown in FIG. 9, the master game card  14  preferably comprises a lamination of upper and lower plies of material  86  and  88 . The master game card  14  further includes an arrangement whereby a selected one (or more than one) of the listed, eligible players is identified as a winner in the bonus round (or in more than one bonus rounds) of play. 
     The master game card  14  is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 as including a single bonus playing round, although it will be appreciated that more than one bonus round may be included. In the illustrated embodiment, the master game card  14  includes at least one award identifier  90 , which is associated with the bonus round (FIG.  9 ). The award identifier  90  identifies an award  92  or awards ($599 in the illustrated embodiment). At least one winning game symbol  94  is associated with each award (FIG.  10 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the winning game symbol  94  is printed on an upper surface  98  of the lower ply  88  (FIG.  10 ). The winning game symbol  94  is covered by a cover member  100 , such as a perforated flap similar to those on the playing cards  10 , or other cover member, such as a scratch-off portion. The flap  100  is formed in the top ply  86  of the master game card and is pulled away to reveal the winning game symbol or symbols  94 . The award  92 , such as a monetary amount, is printed on a top surface of the flap  100 , as shown in FIG. 9, or elsewhere on the master game card  14  or on playing cards  10 . In the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10, for example, a single award of $599 is awarded to a single winner. The holder of the playing card  10  with the winning symbol  94  collects the award from the organizer. 
     If more than one winning game symbol  94  is used, there may be two or more winning symbols revealed, either by opening a single flap  100 , or by opening more than one flap. Where more than one award is to be made, the awards may be of the same value or of different amounts. Where more than one flap  100  is provided, the flaps are preferably opened sequentially, in order of increasing value of the award or awards, to add to the excitement. For example, a first flap may be opened to reveal the winning game symbol(s)  94  corresponding to a $50 award, a second flap, the winner of a $150 award, and a third flap, the winner of a $399 award. 
     The holder of a winning playing card  10  (i.e., a card displaying a winning game symbol  94 ) receives the award  92  associated with the winning game symbol  94  present on that playing card, or which is associated with the particular winning game symbol  94 , where more than two awards  92  are associated with the bonus round. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 10, the playing card  10  showing the winning symbol  94  having the numeric designation “1413” is the bonus round winner. The holder of the playing card displaying winning game symbol “1413” thus receives a $599 award. 
     Initially, the flap (or flaps)  100  on the master game card is in a closed position, covering the associated winning game symbol  94  (or symbols), as shown in FIG.  9 . The playing cards  10  are distributed and the players provided with time to open their flaps  34  and collect any instant win awards (i.e., the immediate win and bonus ticket awards). Then, the flap  100  on the master game card is opened in order to reveal the winning game symbol(s)  94  displayed beneath or information sufficient to identify the winning game symbol(s). 
     Although, in the illustrated embodiment, winning game symbol concealment is achieved through the use of a 2-ply master game card construction, the winning game symbol cover member  100  or members may have numerous alternative configurations. For example, master game card  14  may comprise only a single ply construction, with the winning game symbol cover member  100  comprising a flap-like member affixed to master game card  14  along one or more sides of the flap-like member. Alternatively, the winning game symbol cover member  100  may comprise a removable opaque substance, such as conventionally known “scratch-off” material. 
     In operation, the plurality of playing cards  10  are distributed to players of the present gaming system, who become holders of the playing cards  10  (it is of course contemplated that a player may give one or more of his playing cards to another person who then becomes the holder). If the present gaming system is being employed for fundraising purposes, each player will purchase one or more playing cards for a predetermined price, $1.00 in the illustrated embodiment. The holders of the playing cards remove or open the flaps  34  to reveal the game symbols  30  displayed upon the playing card  10 . Holders of cards  10  displaying immediate instant-winning game symbols  40 , such as three bars, three bells, or three fruits, as shown in FIG. 1, receive the corresponding designated awards. Holders of the cards  10  displaying bonus ticket symbols  42  receive one or more bonus tickets  12 . The holders of the bonus tickets  12  then open their flaps  62  to determine if there are any winning bonus ticket symbols  76 . Holders of bonus tickets  12  displaying winning bonus ticket symbols  76  receive the corresponding designated awards. 
     The names of the holders of playing cards displaying eligible game symbols  82 , which, in the illustrated embodiment, are game symbols ending in the numeric designation “13”, can be recorded within the sign-up area  80  at any time throughout this period. Once all the playing cards are sold and the holders of playing cards displaying eligible game symbols  82  have been identified, the winning game symbol cover member  100  is selectively removed or opened. 
     The assembled game system can include a set of playing cards  10 , several sets of bonus tickets  12 , and a master game card  14 , as well as a printed set of instructions for play  110  (FIGS.  11  and  12 ). The instructions may include information about the payout, which can be a definite payout, when all of the cards are sold. The profit for the game organizer can also be displayed, based on the total income from the cards and the definite payout, optionally also taking into account the cost to the organizer of the set of cards. 
     As shown in FIG. 12, the award amounts and number of playing cards and bonus tickets in the deal can be tailored to meet the requirements of different game organizers. For example, one version of the game may have 1680 playing cards, for organizers of large games, another, 1140 playing cards, and so forth. The versions will all have different total payouts, as illustrated in FIG. 12, and may also have different percentage payouts, although it is preferable for the payout percentage to be the same or approximately the same so that players and the game organizer are familiar with the expected awards. The instructions may also contain information about the numbers of multiple winners and the payouts for the multiple winners. 
     In another embodiment, no playing card price is set on the playing card. The game proprietor can thus determine the payout ratio or design its own game. 
     As will be appreciated, variations of the present system can be made within the purview of the present invention. As noted, the playing cards  10  and bonus tickets  12  can be otherwise configured, as can the master game card  14 . If desired, fewer or more than the disclosed levels of play can be provided. Additionally, plural arrangements can be provided for establishing the eligibility for bonus play of selected players. For example, two listings of eligible players can be provided on the master game card, with two different criteria identified for establishing eligibility. The playing card  10  is exemplary of the present invention in that the present game system includes a plurality of such playing cards such as, for example, in the illustrated embodiments, about 1140 cards or 1680 cards. Each of these playing cards  10  is separately purchased by a game player. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to a master game card  14 , other means for identifying a bonus round winner are also contemplated. For example, holders of playing cards displaying eligible game symbols  82  may participate in another game of chance to determine the winning eligible game symbol  94 , such as by rolling a die or by use of Bingo-type balls. In yet another embodiment, there is no bonus round and all awards are made through the playing cards  10  or bonus tickets  12 . 
     The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, alterations and modifications will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations as fall within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.