Roulette game with jackpot

[0001] This invention relates generally to the field of roulette gaming, and more specifically to the game of roulette with a jackpot.

[0002] The term “Roulette” is derived from a French word meaning small wheel. Some sources state that Blaise Pascal, a 17th Century French mathematician invented the roulette wheel, other sources state that the game originated in China and was brought to Europe by Dominican monks who were trading with the Chinese. During the late 18th century the Roulette wheel became very popular when Prince Charles, ruler of Monaco at the time, introduced gambling to Monaco as a way of alleviating the region's financial problems. The modern version of the roulette wheel did not appear until 1842 when Frenchmen Francois and Louis Blanc modified the two “0” version, having slots for each of number 1 through 36, 0 and 00, to the single “0” roulette game. The game was then brought to America in the early 1800s. However, the single “0” modification was largely rejected in America and the two zeros “00” were returned to the roulette wheel. The roulette wheel gained a great deal of popularity in America during the California Gold Rush.

[0003] Thus, there are two types of roulette games. The American Roulette Wheel contains 38 numbers including 0, 00 and 1 to 36. In the standard betting payout odds configuration, having two zeros (0, 00) gives the house a 5.26% advantage. In other words, for every $100.00 a gambler bets, the house will make $5.26 in profit. The French or European Roulette Wheel contains 37 numbers including 0 and 1 to 36. Having one zero (0) gives the house a 2.70% advantage. In other words, for every $100.00 a gambler bets, the house will make $2.70 in profit.

[0004] One other difference between the two roulette games pertains to the color of the gambling chips. While American casinos typically give each player different colored chips, which will allow the players to differentiate their chips and bets from other players, the European casinos typically give players the same colored chips. Thus, unlike the players at American casinos, gamblers at European casinos need to rely on memory to distinguish their chips and bets from those of other players. Another difference between the two games is that in European casinos, croupiers or the people who operate the roulette tables, use a long stick known as the Rake to sweep in all chips, while the American casino dealers will use their hands and arms to sweep the chips off the table. The last major difference between the two types of Roulette games is that if the ball lands on the zero (0) in a European casino, then the gambler is offered the option of utilizing the en prison rule, whereby he may choose to either surrender one half of his/her outside wagers or to leave them for the next game. These differences do not, in large part, have impact on the present invention.

[0005] With reference to the American Roulette wheel of FIG. 1, to play roulette, after purchasing chips from the dealer, each player places them on the desired positions on the table in an attempt to predict where the ball will land after the wheel is spun and the ball comes to a stop. Once the chips are placed on the table and the bets are made, the dealer spins the roulette wheel while spinning the ball in the opposite direction inside the roulette wheel. Players are allowed to continue placing their bets during the spin until the dealer says “No more bets”. When the wheel slows down and the ball drops into one of the numbered slots, the dealer places a marker on the winning number on the roulette table. The players who bet on the winning number are rewarded while the players who bet on the losing number(s) lose their chips to the casino.

[0006] A variety of bets are allowed in roulette. Such bets include a Column Bet. As seen in FIG. 1, the roulette table betting area layout is divided into three columns. A column bet is a wager that the ball will fall in a numbered slot corresponding to one of the numbers in the column. For example, if the player selects the second column bet, it is a wager that the ball will fall in either the number 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, or 35 slot. The payout for a column bet is typically 2 to 1.

[0007] A Corner Bet is a bet that the ball will fall in a numbered slot corresponding to one of the four numbers whose squares touch each other at a corner. For example, a player may put a bet at the corner where the squares for the numbers 1, 2, 4 and 5 meet, wagering that the ball will fall in to one of the slots corresponding to 1, 2, 4, or 5. The payout for a corner bet is typically 8 to 1.

[0008] A Dozen Bet is a bet that the ball will fall into a numbered slot corresponding to one of twelve squares, either the group 1 to 12, the group 13 to 24, or the group 25 to 36. The payout for a dozen bet is typically 2 to 1.

[0009] An Even-Odd Bet is a bet that the ball will fall into a numbered slot that corresponds to one of either the group of even numbers, except 0 and 00, or the group of odd numbers. The payout for an even-odd bet is typically 1 to 1.

[0010] A Five Number Bet is a bet that the ball will fall into a numbered slot that corresponds to one of the group 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. The payout for a five number bet is typically 6 to 1.

[0011] A High-Low Bet is a bet that the ball will fall into a numbered slot that corresponds to the group of numbers 1 to 18 for a ‘low’ bet or the group of numbers 19 to 36 for a ‘high’ bet. The payout for a high or low bet is typically 1 to 1.

[0012] A Red-Black Bet is a bet that the ball will fall into a numbered slot that corresponds to the group of numbers with a red background, i.e., the shaded numbers in FIG. 1, or the group of numbers that corresponds to the group of numbers with a black background, i.e., the numbers without shading in FIG. 1. The payout for a red or black bet is typically 1 to 1. Often, the 0 and 00 are green and do not count as red or black and are shaded differently in FIG. 1.

[0013] An Outside Bet is a bet on red, black, odd, even, high or low numbers, column bets, or dozen bets.

[0014] A Split Bet is a bet that the ball will fall into a slot corresponding to one of the group of numbers that are adjacent to one another on the board, e.g., 7 or 8. The payout for a split bet is typically 17 to 1.

[0015] A Straight Bet or Straight Up Bet is a bet that the ball will fall into a numbered slot corresponding to a particular number, e.g., the number 15. The payout for a straight bet is typically 35 to 1.

[0016] There is a desire for a roulette game that allows for a building of excitement from the players and attracts a large number of players and observers.

[0017] It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a casino roulette game that generates increased enthusiasm from players, the house and onlookers.

[0018] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a casino roulette game comprises a standard roulette wheel and table wherein the improvement comprises a jackpot betting area and payout from the jackpot bets based upon pre-established consecutive outcomes.

[0019] Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

[0020] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 1 is an overhead view of a roulette gaming table and roulette wheel in accordance with prior art.

[0022] FIG. 2 is an overhead view of a roulette gaming table and roulette wheel in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Various aspects of the invention may be inverted, or changed in reference to specific part shape and detail, part location, or part composition. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

[0024] Turning to FIG. 2 there is shown a modified American roulette table and wheel 10 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The table and wheel 10 are in all respects the same as a conventional roulette table and wheel as in FIG. 1, except for the jackpot betting area 15. Jackpot betting area 15 provides gambles the ability to wager on particular consecutive outcomes of the ball falling into the numbered slots on the wheel. In the preferred embodiment, the jackpot payout is made when the ball falls into the same numbered slot three consecutive times and four consecutive times. After the ball falls into the same numbered slot three consecutive times, a payout of $500.00 is made to each person making the jackpot wager. After the ball falls into the same numbered slot four consecutive times, the jackpot amount is divided among the jackpot betters.

[0025] In the preferred embodiment, during play, players may make the jackpot wager as they are making their other wagers, but may not make a jackpot wager after the ball has fallen into the same numbered slot two consecutive times, three consecutive times or four consecutive times, nor may they make a wager on the first turn of the table for the playing session. The jackpot amount is approximately 76 percent of the cumulative amount wagered on the jackpot bet following a jackpot payoff for the ball falling into the same numbered slot four consecutive times, and may be set at a minimum amount of, for example, $15,000.00. Each jackpot wager may be in any amount specified by the casino and in the preferred embodiment is $1.00.

[0026] As an example of play, the following sequence is illustrated. The ball falls into the numbered slots in consecutive turns in the following order: 7 (the first turn of the roulette session), 8, 9, 9, 10, 11, 11, 11, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13, 13, 14. The first jackpot wager is allowed following the ball falling into slot numbered 7 and before the ball falls into the slot numbered 8. Such a bet is a bet that at least the next two turns will result in the ball falling in the slot numbered 7. Upon the ball falling into slot numbered 8, the jackpot wagers in connection with the slot numbered 7 are removed without payoff. A jackpot wager is allowed following the 8 and before the ball falls into slot numbered 9. Such a bet is a bet that at least the next two turns will result in the ball falling in the slot numbered 8. Upon the ball falling into slot numbered 9, the jackpot wagers in connection with the slot numbered 8 are removed without payoff. A jackpot wager is allowed following the 9 and before the ball falls into slot numbered 9 the second time, no additional jackpot bets are allowed in connection with the slot numbered 9. Upon the ball falling into slot numbered 10, the jackpot wagers in connection with the slot numbered 9 are removed without payoff. A jackpot wager is allowed following the 10 and before the ball falls into slot numbered 11. Such a bet is a bet that at least the next two turns will result in the ball falling in the slot numbered 10. Upon the ball falling into slot numbered 11, the jackpot wagers in connection with the slot numbered 10 are removed without payoff. A jackpot wager is allowed following the 11 and before the ball falls into slot numbered 11 the second time. Such a bet is a bet that at least the next two turns will result in the ball falling in the slot numbered 11. Upon the ball falling into the slot numbered 11 the second time, no additional jackpot bets are allowed in connection with the slot numbered 11. Upon the ball falling into slot numbered 11 a third time, a jackpot payoff of $500.00 is made to each player making the jackpot bet in connection with the slot numbered 11, and the jackpot amount is reduced accordingly, but may be kept at a minimum, as discussed above, of, for example, $15,000.00. Upon the ball falling into slot numbered 12, the jackpot wagers in connection with the slot numbered 11 are removed without further payoff. A jackpot wager is allowed following the 12 and before the ball falls into slot numbered 12 a second time. Such a bet is a bet that at least the next two turns will result in the ball falling in the slot numbered 12. Upon the ball falling into slot numbered 12 the second time no additional jackpot bets are allowed in connection with the slot numbered 12. Upon the ball falling into slot numbered 12 a third time, a jackpot payoff of $500.00 is made to each player making the jackpot bet in connection with the slot numbered 12, and thereby reducing the total amount of the jackpot as described above. Upon the ball falling into slot numbered 12 a fourth time, a jackpot payoff is made to each player making the jackpot bet in connection with the slot numbered 12, wherein the amount in the jackpot is split equally among the jackpot betters. After the fourth consecutive turn of slot numbered 12, no further bets regarding this series of consecutive 12's are allowed. After the balls falls into the slot numbered 12 a fifth time, it is considered as if the ball fell into slot numbered 12 a single time and a jackpot bet is allowed after the fifth 12. Such a bet is a bet that at least the next two turns will result in the ball falling into the slot numbered 12. Upon the ball falling into slot numbered 13, the jackpot wagers in connection with the slot numbered 12 are removed without payoff. A jackpot wager is allowed following the 13 and before the ball falls into slot numbered 13 a second time. Such a bet is a bet that at least the next two turns will result in the ball falling in the slot numbered 13. Upon the ball falling into the slot numbered 13 the second time, no additional jackpot bets are allowed in connection with the slot numbered 13. Upon the ball falling into slot numbered 14, the jackpot wagers in connection with the slot numbered 13 are removed without payoff.

[0027] It will be appreciated that the number of consecutive repeat slotted numbers may be varied, as may be the amount of the wager, the time of placing wagers, or the particular outcome scheme for jackpot payoff without departing from the invention.

[0028] For example, an alternate sequence for jackpot payout may be any two, three, four, or more numbers in accordance with re-established rules, and the jackpot wager would be not allowed only during the sequence. As an example, the casino may establish the following jackpot payout rule: the jackpot is paid when the ball falls into any consecutively numbered slots in two consecutive turns, three consecutive turns, four consecutive turns, or more. In this case, bets are allowed before any turn, including before the first turn of the session. As another example, the casino may establish the following jackpot payout rule: the jackpot is paid when the ball falls into the slots numbered 15, 18, 27, and 34 in consecutive rolls. In this case, bets are allowed anytime except immediately after the balls into slot numbered 15, immediately after the ball has fallen into first slot numbered 15 and then slot 18 in consecutive turns, and immediately after the ball has fallen into first slot numbered 15, then slot numbered 18, then slot numbered 12, in consecutive turns. It will also be appreciated that the present invention is applicable to in-person roulette games, as well as video, internet and other virtual based roulette games. Further, several roulette tables, whether in-person or virtual, may be linked together in that jackpot bets from several tables may be combined and payout may be made at any one table at which the pre-established sequential numbers occur.

[0029] While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.