Patent Publication Number: US-10311678-B2

Title: Wagering on intermediate points of a race event

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/488,413, filed Jun. 4, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/927,240 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,192,262), filed Oct. 29, 2007, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/021,848 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,306,514), filed Dec. 22, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/879,972 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,500,529), filed Jun. 28, 2004, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates in general to betting on events and, more particularly, to a system and method for gaming based upon intermediate points in a race event. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Wagering on sporting events, such as horse races, for example, is a large and growing industry in many parts of the world. Various types of betting products or systems are available for various types of sporting events For example, typical horse racing bets allow bettors to bet on the finishing position of a single horse or several horses in a particular race or series of races. For instance, a bettor can bet on a particular horse to finish first (win), finish in the top two (place), or finish in the top three (show). A bettor may also make various combination bets with multiple horses, such as an exacta bet (covering the top two finishing horses in order) or a trifecta bet (covering the top three finishing horses in order). In addition, a bettor may bet on a series of races, such as the daily double (winners of two consecutive races), the pick-three (winners of three consecutive races), and the pick-six (winners of six consecutive races), for example. 
     In a pari-mutuel betting system, all bets regarding a particular event are aggregated, a commission (or “take-out”) is taken by the track, and the remainder is distributed among the winning bettors. For example, pari-mutuel betting systems are commonly used in North America (and other various places throughout the world) for betting on horse races. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one embodiment, a method of gaming is provided that comprises receiving a determination of a particular race participant in a race event having a plurality of race participants. The method continues by determining a particular position of the particular race participant at each of a plurality of intermediate points within the race event. The method continues by determining a plurality of simulated playing cards based at least in part upon the determined positions of the particular race participant. The method concludes by determining an outcome of a game based at least in part upon the determined simulated playing cards. 
     According to another embodiment, a method of providing and managing bets is provided. One or more particular race participants in a race event are determined. For each intermediate point within a race event, one or more particular possible positions of race participants at that intermediate point is determined. A bet comprising a plurality of bet components is generated, one or more of the bet components being defined by the particular race participants and the particular possible positions of race participants determined for at least one of the intermediate points. Intermediate race results are received for each intermediate point identifying the actual positions of the particular race participants at that intermediate point. A result of at least one bet component is determined based on the particular race participants, the particular possible positions of race participants determined for at least one intermediate point, and the received intermediate race results for at least one intermediate point. 
     According to another embodiment, another method of providing and managing bets is provided. A bet identifying one or more particular race participants in a race event is received. The bet regards the positions of the one or more particular race participants at one or more intermediate points within the race event. Intermediate race results identifying the positions of each of the one or more particular race participants at the one or more intermediate points are received, and a result of the bet is determined based at least in part on the received intermediate race results. 
     According to yet another embodiment, another method of providing and managing bets is provided. A determination of one or more particular race participants in a race event having a plurality of race participants is received. A bet matrix is generated, which includes a plurality of columns extending in a first direction and a plurality of rows extending in a second direction, each column corresponding with one of a plurality of intermediate points in a race event. For each of a plurality of intermediate points within the race event, one or more particular possible positions of race participants at that intermediate point are determined. Each column in the bet matrix is populated with entries identifying the one or more possible positions determined for the intermediate point corresponding with that column. A bet associated with the bet matrix is provided and includes one or more bet components. At least one of the bet components is defined at least in part by (a) at least one of the one or more particular race participants and (b) the arrangement of the numbers within one or more columns of the bet matrix. 
     Intermediate race results for each of the plurality of intermediate points are received which identify the race participants that were actually positioned in each of the one or more possible positions determined for that intermediate point. Matched entries (if any) are identified within the bet matrix based on the received intermediate race results. A matched entry is a matrix entry that identifies a possible position in which one of the particular race participants was actually positioned at the intermediate point corresponding with the column in which that matrix entry is located. The result for each bet component is determined based at least in part on the relative locations of each of the determined matched entries within the bet matrix. For example, particular bet components may require a particular number of matched entries aligned consecutively in a single direction (such as horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) within the bet matrix. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention may benefit from numerous advantages. It should be noted that one or more embodiments may benefit from some, none, or all of the advantages discussed below. 
     One advantage of the invention is that bets may be offered regarding the positions of particular race participants (such as horse or dogs, for example) at one or more intermediate points in a race event (such as a horse race or dog race, for example). Thus, more betting events and types of bets are available to customers for each race event. In addition, some bettors may place interval bets on race events when they would not have otherwise placed traditional bets on the event. This may increase the total pool of wagers on the race event, which may increase the purses offered for race events and/or the profits of the entities that collect a commission or take-out from such wagers. Another advantage of the invention is that such interval bets may be provided in a pari-mutuel betting system in which all bets regarding a particular event are pooled. 
     Another advantage of the invention is that timing and/or recording devices may be located at intermediate points along a race track in order to determine the positions of race participants at such intermediate points. As discussed above, this positional information may then be used as input for determining the results of various bet components of interval bets. In addition, a computerized system may generate a bet matrix for an interval bet, which may be printed on a bet ticket and provided to the customer placing the interval bet. By using such a computerized system, bet matrices may be generated nearly instantaneously, including populating at least a portion of such bet matrices with randomly generated entries. Moreover, the computational power of a computerized system can be used to generate and process sophisticated, multi-dimensional bet matrices that may be difficult to perform otherwise. Each bet matrix may at least partially define various bet components of an interval bet such that the customer may track the progress and/or results of the various bet components. 
     Other advantages will be readily apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention and for further features and advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example system for providing and managing interval bets regarding intermediate points in a race event in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an overview of an example race track used in the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example two-dimensional bet matrix that at least partially defines one or more bet components of an interval bet in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example three-dimensional bet matrix that at least partially defines one or more bet components of an interval bet in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an example table indicating the actual positions of particular participants at each intermediate point and at the finish line of a race event; 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating an example method of receiving and managing interval bets in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating another example method of receiving and managing interval bets in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an example race track for use in generating and managing a blackjack type interval bet; and 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an example race track for use in generating and managing a poker type interval bet. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example system  10  for providing and managing interval bets regarding intermediate points in a race event in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. System  10  includes one or more betting system interfaces  14  and a betting system platform  16  coupled by one or more communications networks  18 . In general, one or more customers  20  may receive betting information (such as event times, betting rules, betting options and odds, for example) and/or place bets  12  via betting system interfaces  14 . In some embodiments, bets  12  are received by betting system interfaces  14  and communicated to betting system platform  16 . Betting system platform  16  may then store the received bets  12 , determine appropriate odds, bet results and payouts, and communicates such odds, bet results and payouts to one or more of the betting system interfaces  14 . 
     System  10  permits customers  20  to place interval bets  30  on a race event having a group of race participants, such as a horse race, dog race, or auto race, for example. In some embodiments, each interval bet  30  may include one or more bet components  32 , each comprising a bet regarding the positions of one or more particular race participants at one or more intermediate points in the race event and/or at the finish of the race event. Thus, a particular interval bet  30  may in fact comprise a number of different bets. For instance, in a one-mile horse race, an example interval bet  30  may include a first bet component  32   a  regarding whether Horse #3 will be in 5th place at the ¼ mile point of the race; a second bet component  32   b  regarding whether Horse #3 will be in 2nd place at the ½ mile point of the race; a third bet component  32   c  regarding whether Horse #3 will be in 7th place at the ¾ mile point of the race; and a fourth bet component  32   d  regarding whether Horse #3 will be in 1st place at the finish line (i.e., the 1 mile point) of the race. Interval bets  30  and bet components  32  of interval bets  30  are described below in greater detail. 
     In some embodiments, system  10  may also permit customers  20  to place traditional bets  34  in addition to interval bets  30 . Traditional bets  34  may include bets such as win bets, place bets, show bets, exacta bets, trifecta bets, wheel bets, box bets, daily double bets, and pick-six bets, among others, for example. In some embodiments, a customer  20  may place one or more traditional bets  34  and one or more interval bets  30  on the same race event or group of race events. 
     Odds and/or payouts for bets  12  provided by system  10  (including interval bets  30  and/or traditional bets  34 ) may be determined in any suitable manner. For example, odds and/or payouts for some bets  12  provided by system  10  may be determined according to a pari-mutuel system in which the wager amounts for a group of bets  12  (such as a particular type of bet  12  or bets  12  regarding a particular race event, for example) are pooled, a commission (or “take-out”) is taken by the track or other wagering provider, and the remainder is distributed among the winning bettors. Alternatively, odds and/or payouts for some bets  12  provided by system  10  may be determined according to some other system, such as a betting system in which customers  20  take positions against a bookmaker, for example. For some bets  12 , predetermined or fixed odds may be determined and communicated to customers  20 . 
     In particular, bet components  32  for interval bets  30  may be determined in a pari-mutuel manner, using predetermined or fixed odds, or in any other suitable manner. Certain interval bets  30  may include one or more pari-mutuel bet components  32  (bet components  32  whose odds and/or payouts are determined in a pari-mutuel manner) and one or more bet components  32  whose odds and/or payouts are otherwise determined (such as based on fixed odds). In some embodiments, a separate pari-mutuel pool is provided for each type of pari-mutuel bet component  32  included in an interval bet  30 . The wager amounts for each type of pari-mutuel bet component  32  included in an interval bet  30  placed by one customer  20  may then be pooled with the wager amounts for the same type of bet component  32  of interval bets  30  placed by other customers  20 . In addition, a different set of pari-mutuel pools may be provided for each race event. In some embodiments, when there are no winning bet components  32  in a particular pari-mutuel pool, the wager amounts in that pool may be returned to the customers  20 , carried over to a new pari-mutuel pool for a subsequent race, or otherwise managed. 
     Betting system interfaces  14  may include any suitable interface between a customer  20  and betting system platform  16 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , betting system interfaces  14  may include physical interfaces, such as track interfaces  40  and/or off-track interfaces  42 . Track interfaces  40  are generally located at a track, while off-track interfaces  42  are generally located at an off-track-betting (OTB) establishment, such as an OTB parlor. Track interfaces  40  and off-track interfaces  42  may include tellers  44 , which may receive bets  12  from and distribute payouts to customers  20 , and/or monitors  46 , which may be viewed by customers  20  to monitor betting information such as the event time, the current odds, and the projected or actual payouts for various bets  12 , for example. In some situations, such information may be updated substantially in real time or at preset intervals (such as every 30 seconds or after each intermediate point in the race event, for example) as new bets  12  are placed and/or as information regarding the event changes, for example. Monitors  46  may include, for example, tote-boards or closed-circuit televisions located at a track or OTB establishment. 
     Track interfaces  40  and/or off-track interfaces  42  may also include one or more self-service betting machines  48 . In some embodiments, self-service betting machines  48  allow customers  20  to insert payment into the machine (such as cash or by using a voucher or a credit or debit card), place one or more interval bets  30  and/or traditional bets  34 , and receive a printout (such as a ticket, for example) indicating the bet or bets placed. Printouts for winning bets may be inserted into the self-service betting machine, such as to receive a payment voucher (which may be used to receive a payout from a teller  44 ) or to place additional bets  12 . In other embodiments, self-service betting machines  48  allow customers  20  to use a credit or debit card to place bets  12 . The credit or debit card may have an associated account, which may be a betting account provided and/or managed by a betting account provider. In some embodiments, after the race event is completed, a customer  20  may insert or swipe his or her credit or debit card in the self-service betting machines  48  in order to update the balance on the card. Self-service betting machines  48  may also allow the customer  20  to print out payment vouchers which may be presented to a teller  44  in order to receive payments. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , betting system interfaces  14  may also include various non-physical interfaces, such as one or more telephone operators  50  and one or more web pages  54 . Customers  20  may access or communicate with such non-physical interfaces via one or more communications networks  56 . Communications networks  56  may include one or more servers, routers, switches, repeaters, backbones, links and/or any other appropriate type of communication devices coupled by links such as wire line, optical, wireless, or other appropriate links. In general, communication network  56  may include any interconnection found on any communication network, such as a telephone network, a local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), the Internet, portions of the Internet, or any other data exchange system. To access betting system interface  14  using communication networks  56 , customers  20  may use a computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cell-phone, a remote paging device, an electronic mail communication device, a handheld betting device, or any other suitable mobile device. In certain embodiments, customers  20  may receive any suitable information, such as betting information, from betting system platform  16  via mobile devices using, for example, communication networks  56  and betting system interfaces  14 . 
     Telephone operators  50  may communicate betting information (such as event times, betting rules, betting options and odds, for example) to, and take bets  12  from, customers  20 . Similarly, web pages  54  may communicate betting information to customers  20  and allow customers  20  to place bets  12 . One or more of such web pages  54  may be hosted by one or more servers associated with system  10 , which server or servers may also host betting system platform  16  in some embodiments. In some embodiments, betting information available to customers  20  via web pages  54  may be updated substantially in real time or at preset intervals (such as every 30 seconds, for example) as new bets  12  are placed and/or as information regarding the event changes, for example. 
     In some embodiments, one or more web pages  54  may be provided by, or associated with, an Internet betting provider  58 , for example. Internet betting provider  58  may provide Internet account wagering by providing online betting accounts to one or more customers  20 . Using an online betting account, a customer  20  may interface with one or more web pages  54  associated with the Internet betting provider  58  in order to fund the account, view betting information regarding race events, and place bets  12  (such as interval bets  30  and/or traditional bets  34 ). Such online betting accounts may include one or more various types of accounts, such as deposit accounts, credit accounts, stop-loss accounts, and hybrid accounts, for example. 
     Some or all of the betting system interfaces  14  of system  10  may be operable to offer or receive both interval bets  30  and traditional bets  34 . However, in some embodiments, one or more betting system interfaces  14  may only offer or receive either interval bets  30  or traditional bets  34 . For example, in a particular embodiment, a set of web pages associated with betting system platform  16  may allow customers  20  to place both interval bets  30  and traditional bets  34 , while a particular self-service betting machine  48  may only allow customers  20  to place interval bets  30 , or vice versa. 
     As discussed above, betting system platform  16  is operable to receive bets  12  (including both interval bets  30  and traditional bets  34 ) from betting system interfaces  14 , store the received bets  12 , determine appropriate odds, bet results and payouts, and communicate such odds, bet results and/or payouts to one or more of the betting system interfaces  14 , which may then display such odds, bet results and/or payouts to customers  20 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , betting system platform  16  includes a processor  70  coupled to a memory  72 . Processor  70  is generally operable to execute a betting system software application  74  or other computer instructions to determine current odds data  76 , bet results  78 , and payouts  80 , which are discussed below in greater detail. 
     As discussed above, betting system platform  16  comprises processor  70  and memory  72 . Processor  70  may comprise any suitable processor that executes betting system software application  74  or other computer instructions, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or other microprocessor, and may include any suitable number of processors working together. Memory  72  may comprise one or more memory devices suitable to facilitate execution of the computer instructions, such as one or more random access memories (RAMs), read-only memories (ROMs), dynamic random access memories (DRAMs), fast cycle RAMs (FCRAMs), static RAM (SRAMs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs), or any other suitable volatile or non-volatile memory devices. 
     Memory  72  is generally operable to store various information that may be used by processor  70  in determining odds, bet results and/or payouts. For example, memory  72  may comprise any suitable number of databases, which may be co-located or physically and/or geographically distributed. In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , memory  72  may store any or all of the following: betting system software application  74 , current odds data  76 , bet results  78 , payouts  80 , race event parameters  82 , bet parameters  84 , race results  86 , and bet matrices  150 . 
     Current odds data  76  may include current or near-current data regarding, for example, (a) the wager amounts stored in pari-mutuel pools for various bets  12  (including interval bets  30 , bet components  32  and/or traditional bets  34 ), (b) current odds data for various bets  12  (whether such bets  12  are pari-mutuel or fixed odds bets), and/or (c) potential payout data for various bets  12 , such that customers  20  may determine the potential payouts for bets  12  based on the wager amounts of such bets  12 . As discussed above, processor  70  is operable to execute betting system software application  74  to determine such current odds data  76 . Processor  70  may determine such current odds data  76  based at least on data received from memory  72  and/or one or more betting system interfaces  14 . In addition, processor  70  may update such current odds data  76  based on new information being received by betting system platform  16 . In some embodiments, processor  70  may update current odds data  76  in real time, substantially in real time, or at preset intervals (such as every 30 seconds, for example). 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , current odds data  76  may be communicated to one or more betting system interfaces  14  via communications network  18 , as indicated by arrow  90 . Current odds data  76  may then be made available to customers  20 , such as via tote boards or monitors  46  located at a track or OTB establishment, for example, or in appropriate web page(s)  54  that may be accessed by customers  20 , for example. In this manner, customers  20  may have access to real-time or substantially real-time current odds data  76  regarding various bets  12  or race events. 
     Bet results  78  may comprise various data regarding the results of various bets  12  (including interval bets  30 , bet components  32  and/or traditional bets  34 ), such as the identity of the customer  20  who placed the bet  12 , the result of the bet, the determined payout  80  for the bet  12  and/or whether the payout  80  was distributed to the customer  20 , for example. Possible results for a bet  12  may include, for example, “win,” “lose,” “push,” or “no action.” Processor  70  may determine such results for a bet  12  based on race event parameters  82  regarding one or more relevant race events, bet parameters  84  regarding the bet  12 , race results  86  regarding one or more relevant race events (which may include the positions of various race participants at each intermediate point  104  and at the finish line  108  of the race as illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 2 ), and bet matrices  150  generated by betting system platform  16 . 
     Processor  70  may determine payouts  80  for each winning bets  12  based on various data depending on whether the bet  12  is a pari-mutuel, fixed-odds, or other type of bet. Processor  70  may determine payouts  80  for winning pari-mutuel and fixed-odds bets  12  according to known methods for determining payouts for such types of bets. It should be understood that the payouts  80  determined by betting system platform  16  may comprises potential payouts and profits, which may be calculated and/or updated dynamically prior to the race, or actual payouts and profits, which may be calculated after betting on the race has been closed, or after the race has been run and/or declared “official.” 
     Race event parameters  82  may comprise various parameters of one or more race events, such as, for example, the type of race event, the time, date and location of the race event and/or the number (or in some cases, the name) of each of the participants in the race event. 
     Bet parameters  84  may comprise various parameters of one or more received bets  12  (including interval bets  30 , bet components  32  and/or traditional bets  34 ), such as the identity of the customer  20  who placed the bet  12 , the manner in which the bet  12  was placed (such as via telephone, the Internet, or in person at a track or OTB establishment, for example), the type of bet  12  (such as whether the bet  12  is an interval bet  30  or a traditional bet  34 , for example), the commission rate on the bet  12 , the particular participants determined (for example, selected by the customer  20  or determined by betting system platform  16  randomly, based on previous race results, or based on the participants determined for other customer&#39;s bets  12  and/or the wager amounts of such other bets, or otherwise determined) for an interval bet  30 , and/or the wager amount of the bet  12 . 
     Race results  86  may comprise various data regarding the results of one or more race events, such as the position of each participant at various intermediate points and at the finish line of a race, whether there was a tie for any position and/or whether any participants did not finish the event, for example. Race results  86  may be received from various intermediate point recording devices and finish line recording devices located around a racetrack, as discussed in greater detail below with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
     Bet matrices  150  may define various bet components  32  of an interval bet  30 . Bet matrices  150  may by generated by betting system platform  16  based on various inputs, such as race event parameters  82  regarding one or more race events and particular bet parameters  84  (which may be selected by a customer  20  or determined by betting system platform  16 ), for example. In some embodiments, betting system platform  16  may populate (or fill in) at least a portion of a bet matrix  150  with randomly determined numbers representing possible positions of race participants at various intermediate points and/or at the finish line of a race event. In some embodiments, bet matrices  150  are physically printed on bet tickets  92  and given to customers  20  who place interval bets  30  such that a customer  20  may follow the progress of his interval bet  30  and determine the results of the bet components  32  of the interval bet  30 . In other embodiments, bet matrices  150  are not physically printed on bet tickets  92 . In either embodiment, bet matrices  150  are stored and utilized by betting system platform  16  to define and manage bet components  32 . In some embodiments, by using a computerized betting system platform  16 , bet matrices  150  may be generated and/or recorded nearly instantaneously, including populating at least a portion of such bet matrices  150  with randomly generated entries. 
     It should be understood that references herein to making “random” determinations (such as randomly determining numbers for a bet matrix, randomly determining possible positions of race participants, or randomly determining particular race participants for an interval bet  30 , for example) includes using a computer (such as a computer associated with betting system platform  16 , for instance) to determine “random” or “pseudo-random” numbers using any known or otherwise suitable algorithms or techniques. 
     As discussed above, one or more communications networks  18  couple and facilitate wireless or wireline communication between one or more betting system interfaces  14  and betting system platform  16 . Each communication network  18  may include one or more servers, routers, switches, repeaters, backbones, links and/or any other appropriate type of communication devices coupled by links such as wire line, optical, wireless, or other appropriate links. In general, each communication network  18  may include any interconnection found on any communication network, such as a local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), the Internet, portions of the Internet, or any other data exchange system. 
     It should also be understood that one, some or all of the components of betting system platform  16  may be located together or may be physically or geographically distributed. In addition, one, some or all of the components of betting system platform  16 , as well as any wager pools (such as pari-mutuel pools, for example) associated with interval bets  30 , may be located at a track at which race events associated with such interval bets  30  are hosted or at any other suitable location, such as at another track or OTB entity, for example. In some embodiments, for example, pari-mutuel pools for particular interval bets  30  (or bet components  32 ) are hosted by the track at which the race events covered by such bets are occurring. In other embodiments, pari-mutuel pools for particular interval bets  30  (or bet components  32 ) are hosted by a track or OTB entity separate from the track at which the race events covered by such bets are occurring. 
     Example Track Configuration 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an overview of a race track  100  for an example race event. Race track  100  may be any suitable length and shape, such as a one-mile oval track, for example. Intermediate point recording devices  102  may be located at each of one or more intermediate points  104  along race track  100 , and finish line recording devices  106  may be located at the finish line  108  of race track  100 . Intermediate point recording devices  102  and finish line recording devices  106  may comprise any devices suitable for recording the actual positions of race participants as such race participants cross intermediate points  104  and finish line  108 . For example, intermediate point recording devices  102  and/or finish line recording devices  106  may include a teletimer, a camera and/or other suitable timing and recording devices. In some embodiments, intermediate point recording devices  102  include timing and recording devices similar to those commonly found at the finish line of race events. 
     In the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , track  100  is a one-mile oval track having seven intermediate points  104   a - 104   g , one at each ⅛ mile along track  100  (not counting the finish line  108 ). Intermediate point recording devices  102  are located at each intermediate point  104   a - 104   g  and finish line recording devices  106  are located at the finish line  108 . Different numbers of intermediate points  104   a - 104   g  may be used for races of various lengths. For example, for a ¾ mile race that begins at intermediate point  104   b , the race may include five intermediate points  104  ( 104   c - 104   g ) and the finish line  108 . For a one-mile race, the race may include all seven intermediate points  104   a - 104   g  and the finish line  108 . In races that are longer than one mile (i.e., one full lap around track  100 ), the finish line  108  may act as an intermediate point  104  as well as the finish line  108 . For example, for a 1½ mile race that begins at intermediate point  104   d , the race may include intermediate points  104   e - 104   g  and finish line  108  acting as an intermediate point  104 , and then a full lap including intermediate points  104   a - 104   g  and the finish line  108  acting as the finish line of the race. Although particular shapes and lengths are used to provide details regarding an example track  100 , it should be understood that in other embodiments, track  100  may have any shape and length, and may include any number of intermediate points  104  arranged in any configuration and at any distance from each other. In this regard, intermediate points may or may not be equidistant from each other. 
     Interval Bets  30   
     As discussed above, system  10  permits customers  20  to place interval bets  30  on race events having a plurality of race participants, such as horse races, dog races, or auto races, for example. Each interval bet  30  may include one or more bet components  32 , each comprising a bet regarding the positions of one or more particular race participants at one or more intermediate points  104  and/or at the finish line  108  of the race event. 
     As discussed above, each bet component  32  of an interval bet  30  may be defined by one or more various bet parameters  84 , such as one or more particular race participants, one or more particular intermediate points  104 , and one or more possible positions of race participants at such intermediate points  104  and/or at the finish line  108 , for example. Further, the result of each bet component  32  of an interval bet  30  may be determined based on whether one or more particular race participants determined for the interval bet  30  are positioned in one or more possible positions determined for one or more particular intermediate points  104 . For some interval bets  30 , each bet component  32  corresponds with one of the plurality of intermediate points  104 , and the result of each bet component  32  is determined based on whether one or more particular race participants determined for the interval bet  30  are positioned in one or more possible positions determined for the intermediate points  104  corresponding to that bet component  32 . For example, a first bet component  32  of an interval bet  30  may comprise a bet on whether three particular horses—Horses #2, #7 and #5—are positioned in order in three randomly-determined possible positions—Positions #3, #8 and #1 (i.e., 3rd place, 8th place, and 1st place)—at a first intermediate point  104   a  of a horse race. A second bet component  32  of the same interval bet  30  may comprise a bet on whether the same three particular horses—Horses #2, #7 and #5—are positioned in order in three other randomly-determined particular possible positions—Positions #4, #3 and #7 (i.e., 4th place, 3rd place, and 7th place)—at a second intermediate point  104   b  of the same horse race. Additional bet components  32  of the same interval bet  30  may be based on whether the same or different horses are positioned any suitable number and combination of other randomly-determined possible positions at other intermediate points  104  or the finish line  108  of the same race. 
     The particular race participants determined for an interval bet  30  may be determined in any suitable manner. For example, one or more of the particular race participants may be selected by the customer  20  placing the interval bet  30 . As another example, one or more of the particular race participants may be randomly selected by betting system platform  16 . As another example, one or more of the particular race participants may be selected by betting system platform  16  based on race results regarding one or more previous race events. For instance, betting system platform  16  may select the particular race participants for an interval bet  30  based on (1) the finishing positions (or positions at some intermediate point) of race participants in a particular previous race and the numbers worn by such race participants, (2) results from one or more previous races regarding particular jockeys riding in the current race event, or (3) the finish positions (or positions at some intermediate point) in one or more previous races of one or more of the race participants participating in the current race. In a particular embodiment, betting system platform  16  may select as the particular race participants for an interval bet  30  the participants wearing the numbers of the one or more top-finishing participants in a particular previous race. 
     As yet another example, in embodiments in which interval bets  30  (or particular bet components  32 ) are pari-mutuel bets, one or more of the particular race participants for an interval bet  30  may be selected by betting system platform  16  based on (a) the participants selected for other customer&#39;s interval bets  30  on the same race event and/or (b) the wager amounts of such other interval bets  30 . In some embodiments, betting system platform  16  may select the particular race participants for an interval bet  30  based on one or both of such inputs in order to increase or maximize (at least at the time that the particular race participants are selected for the interval bet  30 ) the potential payout(s)  80  for the customer  20  placing the interval bet  30  if the interval bet  30  (or particular bet components  32  of the interval bet  30 ) are winning bets. For example, for a particular interval bet  30  being generated for a particular race event, betting system platform  16  may determine for each race participant in the particular race event, the total wager amount of all other interval bets  30  for which that race participant was selected. Betting system platform  16  may then select the one or more race participants having the least associated total wager amount as the particular race participants for the particular interval bet  30 . Thus, the potential payout(s) for the particular interval bet  30  may be increased or maximized (at least at the time that the particular race participants are selected for the particular interval bet  30 ) for the customer  20  placing the particular interval bet  30 . An interval bet  30  in which the particular race participants are selected in such a manner may be referred to as a “value bet,” since such bet may provide increased or maximum value to the customer  20 . In an alternative embodiment, the same particular race participants are determined for each interval bet  30  associated with a particular race event. In such an embodiment, the possible positions of race participants determined for each intermediate point  104  and/or finish line  108  may be different for different interval bets  30 . Thus, multiple customers  20  placing interval bets  30  on the race event are assigned the same race participants, but different possible positions at each intermediate point  104  and/or finish line  108 , such that the results of the multiple interval bets  30  are (or may be) different. 
     Like the particular race participants determined for an interval bet  30 , the particular possible positions determined for each intermediate point  104  and/or the finish line  108  of a race event may be determined in any suitable manner. For example, one or more of the particular race participants may be selected by the customer  20  placing the interval bet  30 . As another example, one or more of the particular race participants may be randomly selected by betting system platform  16 . As another example, one or more of the particular race participants may be otherwise determined by betting system platform  16  or otherwise determined by a bet-providing entity, such as a race track, OTB entity, or tote entity, for example. 
     An interval bet  30  may include one or more single-point bet components  32  and/or one or more multi-point bet components  32 . A single-point bet component  32  corresponds with a single intermediate point  104  in a race event. Thus, a single-point bet component  32  corresponding with a particular intermediate point  104  in a race may comprise a bet on whether one or more particular race participants are positioned in one or more particular possible positions determined for the particular intermediate point  104 . Various parameters of each single-point bet component  32  may define how to determine whether that single-point bet component  32  is a winning bet, such as (a) the number of particular race participants that must be actually positioned in the particular possible positions, and (b) whether such particular race participants must finish in such particular possible positions in a particular order. In certain embodiments, various interval bets  30  may include a single bet component  32  covering an individual intermediate point  104 , multiple bet components  32  each covering a particular intermediate point  104 , a single bet component  32  covering multiple intermediate points  104 , multiple bet components  32  each covering multiple intermediate points  104 , or any other number of bet components  32  each covering any number and combination of intermediate points  104 . 
     As an example, with reference to  FIG. 2 , a single-point bet component  32  corresponding with intermediate point  104   c  may comprise a bet on whether three particular race participants are positioned in three particular possible positions determined for intermediate point  104   c . In order for the example single-point bet component  32  to be a winning bet, the three particular race participants must be actually positioned in the three particular possible positions, in a particular order. The one or more particular race participants and the one or more particular possible positions may be determined in various manners. For instance, as discussed below in greater detail, one or more of such particular race participants and/or particular possible positions may be selected by a customer or randomly determined by betting system platform  16 . 
     In contrast, a multi-point bet component  32  corresponds with multiple intermediate points  104  and/or the finish line  108  of a race event. Thus, a multi-point bet component  32  corresponding with a group of intermediate points  104  and/or the finish line  108  of a race may comprise a bet on whether one or more particular race participants are positioned in one or more particular possible positions determined for the particular intermediate points  104  and/or the finish line  108 . Various parameters of each multi-point bet component  32  may define how to determine whether that multi-point bet component  32  is a winning bet, such as (a) the number of particular race participants that must be actually positioned in the particular possible positions determined for each of the particular intermediate points  104  and/or the finish line  108 , (b) whether such particular race participants must finish in such particular possible positions in a particular order, and (c) the number and identity of particular intermediate points  104  (and/or the finish line  108 ) for which such particular race participants must be positioned in the correct possible positions. 
     As an example, with reference to  FIG. 2 , a multi-point bet component  32  corresponding with intermediate points  104   b ,  104   d ,  104   f  and finish line  108  may comprise a bet on whether three particular race participants are positioned in three particular possible positions determined for intermediate points  104   b ,  104   d ,  104   f  and finish line  108 . In this example, in order for the multi-point bet component  32  to be a winning bet, at each of intermediate points  104   b ,  104   d ,  104   f  and finish line  108 , at least one of the three particular race participants must be positioned in one of the three particular possible positions determined for that intermediate point  104  or finish line  108 . As discussed above, the one or more particular race participants and the one or more particular possible positions may be determined in various manners, such as being selected by a customer or randomly determined by betting system platform  16 . 
     Two-Dimensional Bet Matrix  150   
     In some embodiments, betting system platform  16  generates a bet matrix  150  which at least partially defines the one or more bet components  32  of an interval bet  30 .  FIG. 3  illustrates an example two-dimensional bet matrix  150  that comprises a number of entries  152  arranged in a plurality of columns  154  extending in a first direction  156  and a plurality of rows  158  extending in a second direction  160 . 
     Bet matrix  150  may include one column  154  corresponding with each intermediate point  104  and one column  154  corresponding with the finish line  108  of a particular race event. In the example bet matrix  150  shown in  FIG. 3 , each of columns #1-#7 corresponds with one of seven intermediate points  104   a - 104   g  of a race event, respectively, and column #8 corresponds with the finish line  108  of the race event. For each column  154 , the entries  152  in that column  154  are numbers representing possible positions of race participants at the intermediate point  104  (or finish line  108 ) corresponding with that column  154 . In some embodiments, some or all of the numbers (representing possible positions) in each column  154  are determined randomly by betting system platform  16 . The remaining numbers in each column  54  (if any) may be determined by a customer  20 . 
     Bet matrix  150  may include any number of rows  158  depending on the type of the interval bet  30  associated with the bet matrix  150 . For some interval bets  30 , bet matrix  150  includes the number of rows  158  equal to the number of possible positions at each intermediate point  104  or the finish line  108 , which equals the number of race participants in the race event. For instance, for an interval bet  30  regarding a horse race having nine participating horses, the bet matrix  150  for the interval bet  30  may include nine rows  158  such that each column  154  may include numbers representing each of the nine possible positions of each horse in the race. For other interval bets  30 , bet matrix  150  includes less rows  158  than the number of possible positions (or race participants) in the race event. For instance, for an interval bet  30  regarding a horse race having 12 participating horses, the bet matrix  150  for the interval bet  30  may include only three rows  158  such that each column  154  may include three numbers representing only three of the 12 possible positions of each horse at that intermediate point  104  or finish line  108 . 
     The example bet matrix  150  shown in  FIG. 3  includes eight rows  158 , namely rows #1-#8. The entries  152  in each column #1-#8 are numbers representing the first eight possible positions of race participants at the intermediate point  104  (or finish line  108 ) corresponding with that column  154 . In this example, the entries  152  in columns #1-#7 are randomly determined possible positions, and the entries  152  in column #8 (corresponding with the finish line  108 ) are the first eight possible positions in order from 1 to 8. In other embodiments, the entries  152  in any of columns #1-#8 may be otherwise determined. For example, the entries  152  in all of the columns  154  in bet matrix  150  (including a column  154  corresponding to the finish line  108 ) may be randomly determined. In another example, the entries  152  in all columns  154  in bet matrix  150  may be determined by the customer  20 . In still other embodiments, a portion of the entries  152  are randomly determined by platform  16  while the others are determined by the customer  20 . 
     An indication of the one or more particular race participants determined for an interval bet  30 , indicated as particular race participants  162 , may be associated with bet matrix  150 . Particular race participants  162  for interval bet  30  may be determined from the group of race participants in the race event in any suitable manner, such as being selected by the customer  20  placing the interval bet  30  or randomly determined by betting system platform  16 , for example. In the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the particular race participants  162  determined for an interval bet  30  are three horses—Horses #1, #4 and #6—selected from ten horses (Horse #1-Horse #10) in a particular horse race. 
     As discussed above, bet components  32  may comprise bets on whether one or more particular race participants are positioned in one or more particular possible positions determined for one or more particular intermediate points  104  or finish line  108 . Bet matrix  150  may define various types of bet components  32  for an interval bet  30  based on the occurrence and/or location of “matched” entries  170  within bet matrix  150 . A matched entry  170  is an entry  152  in which one of the determined particular participants  162  is positioned in the possible position indicated by that entry  152 . For example, if a particular entry  152  in a particular column  154  contains the number “3” (indicating 3rd place), the entry  152  is a matched entry  170  if one of the particular participants  162  is positioned in 3rd place at the intermediate point  104  (or finish line  108 ) corresponding with the particular column  154 . 
     For some interval bets  30  or bet components  32 , an entry  152  is a matched entry  170  if any of the particular participants  162  is positioned in the possible position indicated by that entry  152 . For example, in the example shown in  FIG. 3 , entry  152  located at column #1, row #1 (i.e., number “6”) is a matched entry  170  if any of Horses #1, #4 and #6 is positioned in 6th place at the first intermediate point  104   a  in the race. As another example, entry  152  located at column #3, row #4 (i.e., number “5”) is a matched entry  170  if any of Horses #1, #4 and #6 is positioned in 5th place at the third intermediate point  104   c  in the race. 
     For other interval bets  30  or bet components  32 , an entry  152  is a matched entry  170  only if a particular one of the particular participants  162  is positioned in the possible position indicated by that entry  152 . For example, for some interval bets  30  or bet components  32 , the particular participants  162  must be positioned in a particular order in the possible positions indicated by one or more entries  152 . For instance, an example bet component  32  based on the bet matrix  150  shown in  FIG. 3  is a winning bet only if the three particular participants  162 —Horses #1, #4 and #6—are positioned in order in the three possible positions indicated by the first three entries  152  (i.e., the entries in rows #1-#3) in a column  154 . Thus, regarding column #1 of bet matrix  150 , (a) Horse #1 must be positioned in 6th place, (b) Horse #4 must be positioned in 3rd place, and (c) Horse #6 must be positioned in 7th place at the first intermediate point  104   a.    
     As discussed above, bet matrix  150  may define various types of bet components  32  based on the occurrence and/or location of “matched” entries  170  within bet matrix  150 . For example, some bet components  32  are winning bets if a particular number of matched entries  170  are aligned consecutively in direction  156  within a particular column  154 . As another example, some bet components  32  are winning bets if a particular number of matched entries  170  are aligned consecutively in direction  160  within a particular row  158 . As another example, some bet components  32  are winning bets if a particular number of matched entries  170  are aligned consecutively in a diagonal direction within bet matrix  150 . As yet another example, some bet components  32  are winning bets if a particular number of matched entries  170  are aligned consecutively in any direction—vertically, horizontally or diagonally—within bet matrix  150 . 
     The number of matched entries  170  that must be consecutively aligned for such bet components  32  may be any suitable number that is predetermined, randomly determined, determined by a customer  20 , or otherwise determined. For some bet components  32 , the number of matched entries  170  that must be consecutively aligned is equal to the number of determined race participants  162 . Thus, in the example shown in  FIG. 3 , three matched entries  170  must be consecutively aligned for some bet components  32  to be winning bets. In other examples, the number of matched entries  170  that must be consecutively aligned could be randomly determined by platform  16  when the interval bet  30  is placed. In still other examples, a customer  20  may have the option of choosing the number of matched entries  170  that must be consecutively aligned. The payments  80  for a particular interval bet  30  (or bet component  32 ) may increase or decrease based on the number of matched entries  170  that must be consecutively aligned. In this regard, an internal bet  30  (or bet component  32 ) that requires three consecutively aligned matched entries  170  may pay out more than a bet  30  (or bet component  32 ) that requires two consecutively aligned matched entries  170  but less than a bet  30  (or bet component  32 ) that requires four consecutively aligned matched entries  170 . 
     As yet another example, some bet components  32  are winning bets if a particular number of matched entries  170  are located in a particular row  158  and need not be aligned consecutively. The number of matched entries  170  required in the same row  158  may be any suitable number that is predetermined, randomly determined, determined by a customer  20 , or otherwise determined. As with the number of consecutively aligned matched entries  170  described above, the payouts  80  for a bet component  32  may be based at least in part on the number of matched entries  170  in the same row  158  required to win. For example, in the example shown in  FIG. 3 , a bet component  32  may be a winning bet if at least five matched entries  170  are located in the same row  158  within bet matrix  150 . As yet another example, some bet components  32  are winning bets if a particular number of matched entries  170  are located in a particular column  154  and need not be aligned consecutively. For example, in a bet matrix  150  that includes only three rows  158 , a bet component  32  may be a winning bet if at least two matched entries  170  are located in the same column  154  within bet matrix  150 . The payouts  80  for a bet component  32  that can win based on matched entries  170  in the same row  158  or column  154  may be less than those for bet components  32  requiring that same number of consecutively aligned matched entries  70 . 
     As yet another example, some bet components  32  are winning bets if a particular number of matched entries  170  are located in the four corners of bet matrix  150 . For example, a bet component  32  may be a winning bet if at least three matched entries  170  are located in the four corners of bet matrix  150 . As yet another example, some bet components  32  are winning bets only if all of the entries  152  in the bet matrix  150  are matched entries  170 . For example, in a bet matrix  150  that includes only one, two or three rows  158 , a bet component  32  may be a winning bet only if all of the entries  152  in all of such rows  158  are matched entries  170 . 
     It should be understood that other types of bet components  32  may be otherwise defined based on the occurrence and/or location of any number and combination of matched entries  70  within a bet matrix  150 . It should be understood that an interval bet  30  may include any number of bet components  32 , including any number of various different types of bet components  32 . 
     Managing Various Types of Bet Components  32  Using a Bet Matrix  150   
     To illustrate some example types of bet components  32 , suppose an interval bet  30  including four bet components  32  including: 
     (a) a first bet component  32   a  that is a winning bet if three or more instances of three matched entries  170  aligned in consecutive order either vertically, horizontally or diagonally are located within bet matrix  150 ; 
     (b) a second bet component  32   b  that is a winning bet if any row  158  includes at least six matched entries  170 ; 
     (c) a third bet component  32   c  that is a winning bet if all eight of the entries  152  in row #1 of bet matrix  150  are matched entries  170 ; and 
     (d) a fourth bet component  32   d  that is a winning bet if the first three entries  152  in column #8 (i.e., the “win,” “place” and “show” positions) of bet matrix  150  are matched entries  170 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a table  200  indicating the actual positions  202  of each of the particular race participants  162 —Horses #1, #4 and #6—at each intermediate point  104   a - 104   g  and at the finish line  108  of the race. In addition, the columns  154  of bet matrix  150  corresponding to each intermediate point  104   a - 104   g  and the finish line  108  are indicated below table  200  in  FIG. 4 . 
     Such actual positions  202  may be received by betting system platform  16  from recording devices  102  and  106  (discussed above) as race results  86 . The actual positions  202  in table  200  may be used to identify matched entries  170  in bet matrix  150 . For example, as shown in table  200 , Horse #1 is positioned in 2nd place at intermediate point  104   a . Thus, the entry  152  at column #1, row #5 of bet matrix  150  (see  FIG. 3 ) is a matched entry  170  since that entry  152  is a “2,” which indicates 2nd place. Further, Horse #4 is positioned in 7th place at intermediate point  104   a . Thus, the entry  152  at column #1, row #3 of bet matrix  150  is a matched entry  170  since that entry  152  is a “7,” which indicates 7th place. Further, Horse #6is positioned in 12th place at intermediate point  104   a . Since the entries  152  in bet matrix  150  include only numbers 1-8, there are no matched entries in column #1 corresponding to the 12th place position of Horse #6. This process may similarly be used to determine the matched entries  170  (if any) in rows #2-#8 of bet matrix  150 . Each matched entry  170  in bet matrix  150  is indicated for illustrative purposes by a circle around that entry  152 . 
     Once the matched entries  170  have been identified in bet matrix  150 , results for each of the four bet components  32   a - 32   d  of the example interval bet  30  may be determined as follows: 
     Regarding the first bet component  32   a , two instances of three matched entries  170  aligned in consecutive order are identified, including a first instance of three matched entries  170  aligned vertically in column #6, as indicated by dashed line  210 , and a second instance of three matched entries  170  aligned diagonally and extending from column #2, row #7 to column #4, row #5, as indicated by dashed line  212 . Thus, since first bet component  32   a  required three or more of such instances, first bet component  32   a  may be considered a losing bet. 
     Regarding the second bet component  32   b , six matched entries  170  are located in row #5, as indicated by dashed line  214 . Thus, since second bet component  32   b  required six or more matched entries  170  in a single row  158 , second bet component  32   b  may be considered a winning bet. 
     Regarding the third bet component  32   c , only three of the eight entries  152  in row #1 are matched entries  170 . Thus, since third bet component  32   c  required all eight entries  152  in row #1 be matched entries  170 , third bet component  32   c  may be considered a losing bet. 
     Regarding the fourth bet component  32   d , only one of the first three entries  152  in column #8 (i.e., the “win,” “place” and “show” positions) are matched entries  170 . Thus, since fourth bet component  32   d  required all of the first three entries  152  in column #8 be matched entries  170 , fourth bet component  32   d  may be considered a losing bet. 
     Thus, second bet component  32   b  may be considered a winning bet, while first, third and fourth bet components  32   a ,  32   c  and  32   d  may be considered losing bets. A payout  80  for second bet component  32   b  may be determined based on pari-mutuel rules or based on predetermined odds, depending on the particular embodiment. 
     Three-Dimensional Bet Matrix 
     As discussed above, bet matrix  150  is a two-dimensional bet matrix of entries  152  used to define various bet components  32  of an interval bet  30 . However, for some interval bets  30 , a three-dimensional bet matrix may be used to define various bet components  32  of an interval bet  30 .  FIG. 5  illustrates an example three-dimensional bet matrix  400  that comprises a number of two dimensional bet matrices  402 . Each two-dimensional bet matrix  402  may be similar to two-dimensional bet matrix  150  discussed above with reference to  FIG. 3 . Each two-dimensional bet matrix  402  within a three-dimensional bet matrix  400  may correspond to one of a group of race events, such as a group of races at a particular track in a single day or night, for example. Thus, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , three-dimensional bet matrix  400  includes three two-dimensional bet matrices  402   a ,  402   b  and  402   c , each corresponding to one of three races scheduled to be run at a particular track on a particular night. 
     Each two-dimensional bet matrix  402   a ,  402   b  and  402   c  includes a number of entries  404  representing possible positions of race participants at an intermediate point  104  and/or the finish line  108  of the race corresponding to that two-dimensional bet matrix  402   a ,  402   b  or  402   c . As discussed above regarding bet matrix  150 , each column  154  in each bet matrix  402  may correspond with an intermediate point  104  or the finish line  108  of the race corresponding to that bet matrix  402 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , for each bet matrix  402 , columns #1-#3 correspond with an intermediate point  104  in the race corresponding to that bet matrix  402  and column #4 corresponds with the finish line  108  of that race. 
     Entries  404  that are “matched” are indicated as circled entries  404  in  FIG. 5 , and denoted as matched entries  410 . As discussed above regarding bet matrix  150 , each matched entry  410  is an entry  404  in which one of the particular race participants (for example, the three selected horses  162  shown in  FIG. 5 ) is positioned in the possible position indicated by that entry  404  at the intermediate point  104  or finish line  108  corresponding with the column  154  in which that entry  404  is located. 
     Like two-dimensional bet matrix  150 , three-dimensional bet matrix  400  may at least partially define one or more various types of bet components  32  for an interval bet  30 . For example, as discussed above regarding bet matrix  150 , certain bet components  32  may regard whether a particular number of matched entries  404  are aligned consecutively in a particular direction, such as vertically within a single column  154 , horizontally within a single row  158 , or diagonally across multiple columns  154  and rows  158 . Supposing that example bet components  32  require three or more matched entries  404  aligned consecutively either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, example winning bets are shown in  FIG. 5  by the groups of matched entries  404  indicated by dashed lines  412  (vertical),  414  (horizontal) and  416  (diagonal). 
     In addition, certain bet components  32  may regard whether a particular number of matched entries  404  are aligned consecutively in a direction perpendicular to the two-dimensional matrices  402 . In other words, a particular bet component  32  may require a particular number of matched entries  404  in the same column  154  and row  158  across more than one of the two-dimensional matrices  402 . For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , a particular bet component  32  may require matched entries  404  in the same column  154  and row  158  of each of the three two-dimensional matrices  402   a ,  402   b  and  402   c . An example winning bet of this type of bet component  32  is shown in  FIG. 5  at column #3, row #2 of each matrix  402   a ,  402   b  and  402   c , as indicated by the group of three matched entries  410   a ,  410   b  and  410   c.    
     It should be understood that other types of bet components  32  may be otherwise defined based on the occurrence and/or location of any number and combination of matched entries  404  within bet matrix  400 , including groups of matched entries  404  in any direction (for example, horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) within a single two-dimensional matrix  402  or across multiple two-dimensional matrices  402 . 
     Jackpot Bets 
     In some embodiments, some or all interval bets  30  and/or bet components  32  provided by betting system platform  16  may have a jackpot bet component  94 , which may be implemented in various ways. Generally, a jackpot bet component  94  is a relatively (or very) low-odds wager having a relatively (or very) high payout. For instance, regarding a two-dimensional bet matrix  150 , example jackpot bet components  94  may comprise bets such as: (1) a bet that all (or a particular minimum number) of the entries  152  in one or more particular rows  158 , (b) a particular minimum number of rows  158 , or (c) all of the rows  158 , of a bet matrix  150  will be matched entries  170 ; (2) a bet that all (or a particular minimum number) of the entries  152  in (a) one or more particular columns  154 , (b) a particular minimum number of columns  154 , or (c) all of the columns  154 , of a bet matrix  150  will be matched entries  170  (which bet may or may not require the particular race participants to be in a particular order in the possible positions indicated by the entries  152  in each of such particular columns  154 ); and (3) a bet that a particular minimum number of entries  152  in bet matrix  150  will be matched entries  170 . A jackpot bet component  94  may be a particular bet component  32  of an interval bet  30  or may comprise a portion of an interval bet  30  or one or more particular bet components  32  of an interval bet  30 . 
     In some embodiments, a fraction of the wager amount of an interval bet  30  placed by a customer  20  may be assigned to one or more jackpot bet components  94 , either automatically or upon selection by the customer  20 . For example, a customer  20  may have the option of having a particular percentage of the wager amount of his interval bet  30  allocated to one or more particular jackpot bet components  94 . As another example, a particular percentage of the wager amounts of interval bets  30  received from customers  20  may be automatically allocated to one or more particular jackpot bet components  94 . For instance, for a one-mile race event having seven intermediate points  104 , betting system platform  16  may automatically allocate the wager amount for an interval bet  30  placed by a customer  20  into nine equal portions for nine bet components  32 —one for each of the seven intermediate points  104 , one for the finish line  108 , and one jackpot bet component  94 . 
     In some embodiments, a jackpot bet component  94  may be associated with a rolling pot (or “jackpot pool”) that grows over time (e.g., over a number of race events, days, weeks, or years) until a customer  20  has a winning jackpot bet component  94  and wins the jackpot pool. Thus, if there are no winning bets on a particular jackpot bet component  94  for a particular race, the wager amounts allocated to such jackpot bet components  94  may be maintained in a jackpot pool and carried forward to one or more subsequent races. A separate jackpot pool may be maintained for each type of jackpot bet component  94  such that multiple jackpot pools may be maintained simultaneously. Alternatively, a single jackpot pool may be used for multiple (or all) types of jackpot bets  94  offered at a particular track or by betting system platform  16 , for example. 
     In other embodiments, rather than having a rolling jackpot pool, a jackpot bet component  94  may be associated with a single race event. For example, a jackpot bet component  94  may comprise a bet regarding the (1) the number of rows  158  in a bet matrix  150  having a particular number of matched entries  170 ; (2) the number of columns  154  in a bet matrix  150  having a particular number of matched entries  170 ; or (3) the total number of matched entries  170  in a bet matrix  150 . The interval bet(s)  30  having bet matrices with the greatest number of such rows  158 , columns  154 , or total matched entries  170  may be deemed as having a winning jackpot bet component  94  and payouts  80  may be awarded to the customer(s)  20  that placed such interval bet(s)  30 . 
     Example Operation of System  10   
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating an example method of receiving and managing interval bets  30  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At step  300 , bets  12 —including interval bets  30  and/or traditional bets  34 —regarding a particular race event are received from customers  20  via one or more betting system interfaces  14 , such as described above with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
     At steps  302 - 308 , a particular customer  20   a  places an interval bet  30   a  regarding a particular horse race as follows. At step  302 , customer  20   a  selects one or more bet parameters  84   a  for an interval bet  30   a , including, for example, a type of interval bet  30   a , one or more bet components  32 A of the interval bet  30   a , one or more particular horses from the group of horses scheduled to race in the particular horse race, and/or a wager amount for the interval bet  30   a  or for each bet component  32 A of interval bet  30 A. In other embodiments, the one or more particular horses for interval bet  30   a  may be otherwise determined, such as randomly determined by betting system platform  16 , for example. In this example, suppose customer  20   a  selects two horses, for example Horse #3 and Horse #7. At step  304 , customer  20   a  communicates the bet parameters  84   a , as well as the wager amount, to a betting system interface  14 , which communicates the bet parameters  84   a  to betting system platform  16 . At step  306 , betting system platform  16  generates a bet matrix  150   a  for customer  20   a &#39;s interval bet  30  based on the received bet parameters  84   a  and various event parameters  82  regarding the particular horse race, such as the length of the race and the number of horses scheduled to compete in the race, for example. In other embodiments, all or portions of bet matrix  150   a  may be generated by customer  20   a . For example, customer  20   a  may select some or all of the entries  152  of bet matrix  150   a . In any event, betting system platform  16  may store the generated bet matrix  150   a  in memory  72 . At step  308 , betting system platform  16  communicates the bet matrix  150   a  to an appropriate betting system interfaces  14 , such as a teller  44  or self-service machine  48 , for example, such that the betting system interfaces  14  may print a bet ticket  92  for customer  20   a  that includes some or all of the following: (a) a printed version of the bet matrix  150   a , (b) the wager amount, (c) an indication of the track and particular race event, (d) the scheduled time for the particular race event, and (e) an indication of the two horses (Horse #3 and Horse #7) selected by customer  20   a . Customer  20   a  may use bet ticket  92  to track the progress of his interval bet  30   a  and determine a result for each bet component  32   a  of interval bet  30   a , such as discussed below at step  314 . 
     At step  310 , betting system platform  16  may allocate the wager amount of interval bet  30   a  among the various bet components  32   a  of interval bet  30   a . Such allocation may be made (a) according to selections made by customer  20   a  when placing interval bet  30   a , (b) based on predetermined wager allocation rules maintained by betting system platform  16 , or (c) according to other criteria. In some embodiments, betting system platform  16  allocates an equal portion of the wager amount of interval bet  30   a  to each of the bet components  32   a  of interval bet  30   a . For example, for an interval bet  30   a  having three bet components  32   a , betting system platform  16  allocates a third of the wager amount to each of the three bet components  32   a . As another example, for a race event having eight bet components (such as a one mile race having a bet component  32  corresponding to each ⅛ mile of the race, for example), 12.50 of each $1.00 wagered on an interval bet  30  may be allocated to each of the eight bet components  32 . In some embodiments, betting system platform  16  may automatically allocate the wager amount of an interval bet  30   a  based on the length of the race event or the number of intermediate points  104  in the race event. For example, in a seven-furlong (⅞ mile) race event having intermediate points  104  at each furlong (i.e., each ⅛ mile), betting system platform  16  may automatically allocate the wager amount of an interval bet  30   a  on the race event into sevenths, wherein one-seventh is allocated to each of seven bet components  32  (one corresponding to each of six intermediate points  104  and one corresponding to the finish line  108 ). In other embodiments, betting system platform  16  and/or a betting system interface  14  may allow customer  20   a  to provide input regarding the allocation of the wager amount of interval bet  30   a  among the various bet components  32   a  of interval bet  30   a . For example, supposing interval bet  30   a  includes three bet components  32   a , customer  20   a  may request to allocate 50% of the wager amount to one of the bet components  32   a  and 25% to each of the other two bet components  32   a . In embodiments in which interval bets  30  are pari-mutuel bets, the allocation of the wager amount to each of the bet components  32   a  of interval bet  30   a  may include allocating the wager amount into one or more pari-mutuel pools. For example, in an embodiment in which a separate pari-mutuel pool is provided for each type of bet component  32   a , betting system platform  16  may allocate the wager amount into the various pari-mutuel pools according to any of the criteria discussed above. 
     At step  312 , the particular race event begins. At step  314 , race results  86  are communicated from the track, an OTB entity, or some other entity to betting system platform  16 . Race results  86  may indicate at least the actual positions  202  of each horse in the particular race at each intermediate point  104  and at the finish line  108  of the race. For example, race results  86  may include the type of data in table  200  shown in  FIG. 4 . In some embodiments, such race results  86  are also communicated to one or more betting system interfaces  14  such that customers  20  may track the progress of the race and/or their bets  12  on the race. In some embodiments, race results  86  are communicated to betting system platform  16  and/or betting system interfaces  14  in real time or substantially in real time. 
     At step  316 , betting system platform  16  may determine a bet result  78  for each bet component  32   a  of interval bet  30   a  based on the received race results  86  regarding the race, bet parameters  84  regarding each bet component  32   a , and bet matrix  150   a  generated at step  306 . For example, betting system platform  16  may determine whether each bet component  32   a  is a “win,” “loss,” “push,” or “no action” using one or more of the techniques discussed above with reference to  FIGS. 3-4 . 
     At step  318 , betting system platform  16  may determine a payout  80  for each bet component  32   a  determined to be a winning bet at step  316 . In a pari-mutuel system, betting system platform  16  may determine a payout  80  for each bet component  32   a  according to known methods for determining pari-mutuel payouts. Betting system platform  16  may take out a commission, or “take out,” from the wager amount of the interval bet  30   a  or from the portion of the wager amount allocated to each bet component  32   a . For example, in some embodiments, such commission or “take out” may be a predetermined percentage (such as 10% for example) of the wager amount. In some instances, payouts  80  determined for customer  20   a  may be paid to customer  20   a  via one or more betting system interfaces  14 . Alternatively, betting system platform  16  may update a wagering account for customer  20   a  based on the amounts of such payouts  80 . 
     If it is determined that, for a particular pari-mutuel pool, none of the bet components  32   a  assigned to that pool are winning bets, the wager amounts for such bet components  32   a  may be returned to the customers  20  who placed such bets, carried forward to a new pari-mutuel pool associated with a subsequent race, or otherwise handled. 
     It should be understood that the example method described above may also apply to interval bets  30  using other type of bet matrices, such as a three-dimensional bet matrix  400 , within the scope of the invention. It should also be understood that in various embodiments, the steps of the methods shown in  FIG. 6  may be performed in any suitable order and may overlap in whole or in part without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, various steps and methods shown in  FIG. 6  may be performed in serial or parallel, notwithstanding the example representations shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     In some embodiments, interval bets  30  may further comprise bets regarding the outcome of a game that is based at least in part upon the intermediate results  86  of the race event. For example, the interval bet  30  may comprise a bet regarding the outcome of a hand of blackjack or poker. In these examples, the hand of blackjack or poker associated with the customer  20  placing the bet  30  is comprised of simulated playing cards that are determined according to the position and/or time of a particular race participant at various intermediate points  104  in a race event. The hand of blackjack or poker associated with a first customer  20  is compared against a hand of blackjack or poker, respectively, associated with another customer  20  or a house entity to determine the result of the bet  30 . 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating an example method of receiving and managing interval bets  30  regarding the outcome of a game in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At step  500 , an interval bet  30  regarding the outcome of a game is received from a customer  20  via one or more betting system interfaces  14 , such as described above with reference to  FIG. 1 . At step  502 , processor  70  determines bet parameters  84  associated with the interval bet  30  received at step  500 . For example, processor  70  determines the particular race participant to be used in the interval bet  30 . The particular race participant is one of many race participants in the particular race event, and may be selected by customer  20  or randomly by betting system platform  16 . In this example, suppose customer  20  selected Horse #7 from a particular horse race to be used in the interval bet  30 . Processor  70  also determines a wager amount associated with the interval bet  30 . 
     The race event begins at step  504  and platform  16  determines intermediate race results  86 . In particular, at step  506 , processor  70  determines the actual position  202  of the particular race participant, Horse #7, among all of the participants at a particular intermediate point  104 . At step  506 , processor  70  determines the actual time of the particular race participant, Horse #7, at the particular intermediate point  104 . Although the description is detailed with reference to determining and using the actual times of the particular race participant selected or assigned to the customer  20  at various intermediate points in the race, it should be understood that the actual time of the lead participant at various intermediate points in the race may also be determined and used for processing interval bets  30 . The lead participant comprises the participant that is leading the race (or at least tied for the lead) at the particular intermediate point  104  in the race. The actual time of the particular race participant (or the lead participant) may comprise the time that has elapsed from the beginning of the race, from a previous intermediate point  104 , or from any other suitable point in the race event, to the point where the particular race participant (or the lead participant) reached the particular intermediate point  104 . 
     Processor  70  determines a simulated playing card for the customer  20  at step  510  based on the determined position and/or time of the particular race participant (or the lead participant) at the particular intermediate point  104 . In one embodiment, processor  70  determines the value of the simulated playing card (e.g., A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K) based on the position  202  of the particular race participant among all race participants at the particular intermediate point  104 , and processor  70  determines the suit of the simulated playing card (e.g., Heart, Diamond, Club, Spade) based on the time of the particular race participant at the intermediate point  104  (or the time of the lead participant at such intermediate point  104 ). In other embodiments, processor  70  determines the value of the simulated playing card based on the time of the race participant (or the lead participant) and determines the suit of the simulated playing card based on the position  202  of the race participant. In still other embodiments, both the value and suit of the simulated playing card are determined based on either the position  202  or time of the race participant, or upon any other suitable number and combination of factors associated with the race event. 
     To determine the value of the simulated playing card, processor  70  may map the position  202  determined at step  506  to one of the following card values: A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, and K. For example, processor  70  may randomly assign one or more card values to each possible position  202  at the beginning of a race event and/or at each intermediate point  104  in the race event, and at the finish line  108 . Processor  70  may use the same or different randomly assigned mapping of positions  202  and card values for each customer  20  placing an interval bet  30  regarding a particular race event. Therefore, for a particular intermediate point  104  in a race event having eight participants, processor  70  may randomly determine the following mapping of positions  202  and card values for one or more customers  20 . 
                                         Position   Card Value                      1   3, Q           2   A, 4           3   5, J           4   7, 10           5   K, 8           6   6           7   2           8   9                    
For a subsequent intermediate point  104 , processor  70  may determine the same or different mapping of positions  202  and card values for one or more customers  20 . The mapping of positions  202  and card values may further be determined by customers  20 , the results of previous race events, or any other suitable number and combinations of characteristics associated with one or more race events.
 
     To determine the suit of the simulated playing card, processor  70  may map the time determined at step  508  to one of the following card suits: Heart, Diamond, Club, and Spade. For example, processor  70  may randomly assign one or more card suits to fractional values of time. This assignment may occur at the beginning of a race event and/or at each intermediate point  104  in the race event and at the finish line  108 . Processor  70  may use the same or different randomly assigned mapping of time and card suits for each customer  20  placing an interval bet  30  regarding a particular race event. Alternatively, processor  70  may use a fixed mapping of time and card suits for all intermediate points  104  and finish line  108  for all customers  20 . Therefore, for a first intermediate point  104  in a race event having eight participants, processor  70  may determine the following mapping of time and card suits. 
                                         Time (seconds)   Card Suit                      .00-.24   Heart           .25-.49   Diamond           .50-.74   Club           .75-.99   Spade                    
For a subsequent intermediate point  104 , processor  70  may determine the same or different mapping of time and card suits for one or more customers  20 . The mapping of time and card suits may further be determined by customers  20 , the results of previous race events, or any other suitable number and combinations of characteristics associated with one or more race events.
 
     Although a particular mapping of time to card suit is described above, it should be understood that any suitable level of granularity in time may be used to perform the mapping. For example, a mapping could be 0.00 seconds=Hart; 0.01 seconds=Diamond; 0.02 seconds=Club; 0.03 seconds=Spade; 0.04 seconds=Hart; 0.05 seconds=Diamond; 0.07 seconds=Club; and 0.08 seconds=Spade; etc. 
     Continuing with the example using the first mapping set forth above, suppose Horse #7 reached the first intermediate point  104  in seventh place with a fractional time of 0.55 seconds. In this example, processor  70  would determine a simulated playing card of “2 of Clubs” for customer  20 . 
     Execution proceeds to step  512  where processor  70  determines whether to provide another simulated playing card to the customer  20 . This decision may be based at least in part upon the rules of the game being played and/or upon instructions received from the customer  20 . For example, in a blackjack game, the customer  20  may determine that the hand that has been created by the previously determined simulated playing cards is sufficient and, therefore, the customer  20  may communicate a “stand” command indicating that the customer  20  does not wish to receive any more simulated playing cards. This “stand” command may be communicated by the customer  20  using any suitable voice or data based communication device, such as those associated with betting system interfaces  14 . If simulated playing cards are being associated with a house entity in blackjack, then the determination at step  512  may be based upon rules associated with blackjack that determine whether a dealer must or must not receive another card. For example, as in blackjack, the house entity may be required to continue receiving simulated playing cards and/or be required to stop receiving simulated playing cards based upon the current hand of cards already associated with the house entity. 
     With respect to poker, the customer  20  may continue receiving simulated betting cards at any number and combination of intermediate points  104  until a suitable number of simulated playing cards have been associated with the customer  20  per the rules of the type of poker being played. In some embodiments, the customer  20  receives a simulated playing card at each intermediate point  104  of the race event, and then determines a hand of poker to be played based upon at least a portion of the simulated playing cards that have been determined for the customer  20 . For example, the customer  20  may receive eight simulated playing cards and then determine the best hand for playing poker using five of the simulated playing cards, thereby discarding three of the simulated playing cards from the hand. One of skill in the art can therefore appreciate that any variety of poker may be implemented using these techniques and that any number and combination of simulated playing cards may be determined for the customer  20  at intermediate points  104  to satisfy the rules of the particular type of poker being played. 
     If it is determined at step  512  that another simulated playing card is to be determined for the customer  20 , then execution returns to steps  506 - 508  where processor  70  determines another simulated playing card for the customer  20  based upon the position and/or time of the particular race participant at another intermediate point  104 , such as the next intermediate point  104 , in the race event. Steps  506 - 512  are therefore repeated until it is determined that no additional simulated playing cards are to be determined for the customer  20 . At this point, execution proceeds to step  514 , where processor  70  determines the outcome of the game and payouts for the interval bets  30 . 
     To determine the outcome of a blackjack game, for example, processor  70  compares the hand of simulated playing cards determined for the customer  20  with the hand of simulated playing cards determined for a house entity. Based at least upon this comparison and the rules of blackjack, it is determined whether the customer  20  won the interval bet  30 . If so, the customer  20  receives a pari-mutuel payout for the interval bet  30  based at least in part upon the amount wagered by the customer  20  and the size of the betting pool associated with the interval bet  30 . The betting pool may comprise the sum of all amounts wagered on a blackjack type interval bet  30  for the particular race event, less a takeout or commission charged by the race track. 
     To determine the outcome of a poker game, for example, processor  70  compares the hand of simulated playing cards determined for the customer  20  with the hands of simulated playing cards determined for other customers  20 . Based at least upon this comparison and the rules of poker, it is determined whether the customer  20  won the interval bet  30 . In one embodiment, the group of all customers  20  that placed a poker type interval bet  30  for a particular race event is divided into sub-groups to mimic a “poker table.” Each poker table may comprise any number of customers  20 . In a particular embodiment, the composition of each poker table may be randomly determined before the race event begins. In another embodiment, each poker table is comprised of any suitable number of customers  20  that placed sequential interval bets  30  for the particular race event. For example, the first ten customers  20  that placed interval bets  30  for the particular race event may be placed at one poker table. The next ten customers  20  that placed interval bets  30  for the particular race event may be placed at another poker table. Each additional poker table may comprise the next ten customers  20  that placed interval bets  30  for the particular race event. 
     To win the interval bet  30  in an embodiment using poker tables, a customer  20  assigned to a particular poker table need only establish a winning hand of simulated playing cards among all of the customers  20  at the poker table. The winning customer(s)  20  receives a pari-mutuel payout for the interval bet  30  based at least in part upon the amount wagered by the customer(s)  20  and the size of the betting pool associated with the interval bet  30 . The betting pool may comprise the sum of all amounts wagered by all the customers  20  at the particular poker table, less a takeout or commission charged by the race track. 
     In still other embodiments, the customer  20  plays poker against a house entity. If the customer  20  wins, then processor  70  may determine a pari-mutuel payout for the customer  20  based at least in part upon the amount wagered by the customer and the size of the entire betting pool associated with the interval bet  30 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an example race track  100  for use in generating and managing a blackjack type interval bet  30 . As explained above with regard to  FIG. 7 , simulated playing cards  520  are determined for the customer  20  at various intermediate points  104  of the race event. In this example, simulated playing cards  522  are determined for a house entity against whom the customer  20  will play a hand of blackjack for determining the outcome of the interval bet  30 . 
     In particular, based upon the particular position and/or time of the particular race horse associated with customer  20 , such as Horse #7 used in the example above, at intermediate point  104   a , processor  70  determines a simulated playing card  520   a  of “Ace of Diamonds” for the customer  20 . Simulated playing card  520   a  may be presented to the customer  20  in real time using any suitable voice or data based communication device, such as those associated with betting system interfaces  14 . In addition, based upon the particular position and/or time of the particular race horse associated with the house entity at intermediate point  104   a , processor  70  determines a simulated playing card  522   a  of “5 of Spades” for the house entity. The first simulated playing card  522   a  may or may not be presented to the customer  20 . At this point, each of the customer  20  and the house entity has been “dealt” a first simulated playing card. 
     At intermediate point  104   b , processor  70  again determines simulated playing cards  520  and  522 . For example, processor  70  may determine a simulated playing card  520   b  of “10 of Diamonds” for customer  20  and a simulated playing card of “King of Hearts” for the house entity based upon the position and/or time of the appropriate race participants assigned to the customer  20  and house entity, respectively, at intermediate point  104   b . The simulated playing card  520   b  may be presented to the customer  20  in real time using any suitable voice or data based communication device, such as those associated with betting system interfaces  14 . At this point, the customer  20  has a cumulative blackjack count of twenty against a house entity hand of fifteen. Customer  20  may therefore decide to issue a “stand” command  524  indicating that no further simulated playing cards  520  are to be associated with the customer  20  in this hand of blackjack. In this regard, the “stand’ command can be used to determine the number of cards  520  that are “dealt” to the customer  20 . If the customer  20  does not issue a command  524  before a predetermined time or a predetermined point in the race event, such as the next intermediate point  104 , then another simulated playing card  520  is automatically determined for the customer  20 . According to the rules of blackjack, the house entity cannot “stand” with a count of fifteen. Therefore, processor  70  determines another simulated playing card  522   c  of “10 of Hearts” for the house entity at intermediate point  104   c  based upon the position and/or time of the horse associated with the house entity. The addition of the ten to the blackjack count of fifteen already maintained by the house entity creates a blackjack count of twenty-five for the house entity. 
     Processor  70  compares the blackjack count of twenty associated with the customer  20  against the blackjack count of twenty-five associated with the house entity and, according to the rules of blackjack, determines that the customer wins the hand of blackjack because the house entity “busted.” As a winner of the interval bet  30 , the customer  20  receives a payout comprising a pari-mutuel share of the entire betting pool for the interval bet  30 , less a takeout or commission charged by the race track. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an example race track  100  for use in generating and managing a poker type interval bet  30 . As explained above with regard to  FIG. 7 , simulated playing cards  520  are determined for the customer  20  at various intermediate points  104  of the race event. In particular, based upon the particular position and/or time of the particular race horse associated with customer  20 , such as Horse #7 used in the example above, at intermediate point  104   a , processor  70  determines a simulated playing card  520   a  of “7 of Hearts” for the customer  20 . 
     Customer  20  may receive simulated betting cards  520  at any number and combination of additional intermediate points  104  until a suitable number of simulated playing cards  520  have been “dealt” to the customer  20  to play the type of poker associated with the interval bet  30 . For example, customer  20  may receive the following simulated playing cards  520   b - 520   h  based upon the position and/or time of Horse #7 at intermediate points  104   b - 104   g  and at finish line  108 : “8 of Diamonds” at intermediate point  104   b ; “7 of Diamonds” at intermediate point  104   c ; “6 of Diamonds” at intermediate point  104   d ; “5 of Hearts” at intermediate point  104   e ; “7 of Spades” at intermediate point  104   f ; “7 of Hearts” at intermediate point  104   g ; and “9 of Hearts” at finish line  108 . Simulated playing card  520   a - 520   h  may be presented to the customer  20  using any suitable communication device in real time using any suitable voice or data based communication device, such as those associated with betting system interfaces  14 . Customer  20  may then select a portion of the simulated playing cards  520 , and discard other cards  520 , to formulate a hand of poker that will be used to determine the outcome of the interval bet  30 . In one embodiment, a customer  20  may receive and use duplicate cards  520 , such as cards  520   a  and  520   g  (e.g., “7 of Hearts”), in the hand of poker. In this embodiment, customer  20  may select simulated playing cards  520   a ,  520   c ,  520   f ,  520   g , and  520   h  such that the customer has four cards with a value of seven, also referred to as “four-of-a-kind.” In other embodiments where a customer  20  may not use duplicate cards, one of cards  520   a  and  520   g  are automatically discarded. In this embodiment, the customer  20  may select simulated playing cards  520   a ,  520   b ,  520   d ,  520   e , and  520   h  such that the customer has five cards of sequential value, also referred to as a “straight.” 
     Processor  70  compares the appropriate hand of poker associated with customer  20  with the hands of poker held by other customers  20  of the interval bet  30 , such as, for example, hands of poker held by other customers  20  at the same poker table, or with a hand of poker held by a house entity. Based at least upon this comparison and the rules of poker, it is determined whether the customer  20  won the interval bet  30 . As a winner of the interval bet  30 , customer  20  receives a payout comprising a pari-mutuel share of the appropriate betting pool for the interval bet  30 , less a takeout or commission charged by the race track. 
     Although embodiments of the invention and their advantages are described in detail, a person skilled in the art could make various alterations, additions, and omissions without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.