Patent ID: 8668589

Claim:
An apparatus for providing live-play, network-based gaming, comprising: a memory device configured to store processor-executable instructions; a processor configured to execute the processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to: provide a game to a first player on a first video display screen of a first electronic gaming device located at a first authorized gaming establishment and to a second player on a second video display screen of a second electronic gaming device located at a second gaming establishment, the game comprising a live game of chance and/or skill having multiple rounds of wagering played between the first and second players or between the first and second players and a house entity; determine that an indication should be provided to the first and second electronic gaming devices that a player position has become available upon determining whether a player position has become available for one or more other games different from the game; determine a first timing that the first electronic gaming device should present the indication on a third video display screen of the first electronic gaming device, the third video display screen being different than the first video display screen; determine a second timing that the second electronic gaming device should present the indication on a fourth video display screen, the fourth video display screen being different than the second video display screen and the second timing being different than the first timing; and provide the first timing and the second timing to the first and second electronic gaming devices, respectively, so as to enable the first and second electronic gaming devices to present the indication at different times; and a network interface configured to electronically couple the apparatus to the first electronic gaming device, the second electronic gaming device, and to other electronic gaming devices that are located within the first or second authorized gaming establishments.