Patent ID: 8147325

Claim:
A method for conducting a tournament-style game by a game operator using a computer system including a processor coupled to a computer-readable medium, the method comprising acts of: providing, by the processor to at least one first player, a paid method of entry into a session of the tournament-style game, the paid method of entry requiring at least one of payment and previous game play; receiving, by the processor from the at least one first player, a first entry into the session of the tournament-style game via the paid method of entry; recording, by the processor, the first entry on the computer-readable medium; providing, by the processor to at least one second player, an alternative method of entry (AMOE) into the session of the tournament-style game, the AMOE requiring neither payment, previous game play, previous payment, or previous wagering or gambling, such that no existing or previous relationship with the game operator is necessary, and being accessible via a free Internet website that allows the at least one second player to determine the session from a plurality of specific game sessions to which AMOE entries are assigned; and receiving, by the processor from the at least one second player, a second entry into the session of the tournament-style game via the AMOE; and recording, by the processor, the second entry on the computer-readable medium allowing, by the processor, the at least one player and the at least one second player to compete, within the session, for at least one prize pool funded by entry fees.