WO2010025497A2

WO2010025497A2 - A game for spectators

Info

Publication number: WO2010025497A2
Application number: PCT/AU2009/001132
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dennis James O'keefe
Original assignee: Sports Sweep Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2008-09-02
Filing date: 2009-09-01
Publication date: 2010-03-11
Also published as: WO2010025497A3; AU2008207686A1

Abstract

A method for playing a game, the method comprising receiving a televised or otherwise broadcasted sports game, and in association with the broadcast playing a board game, the board game comprising a number of zones each zone having identifying indicia that can correspond to a particular player or team in the sports game and a particular comparative result relative to another player or team in the sports game, and providing a win when that particular player or team achieves a particular comparative result in the sports game.

Description

A Game for spectators

This invention is directed to a game, and particularly to a board game that is played in conjunction with a televised or otherwise broadcasted sports game such as rugby, soccer, cricket and the like and which can create atmosphere and excitement for players of the game.

It is well known to bet on the outcome of games such as rugby, soccer, cricket and the like. This type of betting is directed to the chance of a particular team winning. With this type of betting, the outcome is a single result determined at the end of the game. That is, this type of betting does not provide any "winners" other than the final result and therefore is a big picture result that does not provide extra interest for avid fans of the sports game.

Other games of chance such as lotteries are also well known. In these games, the probability of winning or losing is on chance alone and such a game is not played in association with any broadcasted sports game to provide atmosphere and excitement.

Many hotels, clubs and the like, like to provide atmosphere and excitement. One way by which this can be achieved is to televise sports games such as rugby, cricket, and the like and the sports games can be local games or overseas games. A disadvantage with betting on the outcome of such games is that while there may be some interest in the game itself, most interest occurs only in a single result towards the end of the game, when the outcome becomes known and therefore when the "winnings" can be distributed. Another disadvantage with this arrangement is that if the outcome of the game is known well in advance (eg a strong team against a weak team), interest in the game is lost, and patronage can decrease.

Therefore, there would be an advantage if it were possible to provide a means by which excitement and interest in a televised (for example) game could be maintained, and possibly where winners and losers could be dependent on a range of results of the game. The present invention is directed to a game such as a board game that can be played by ordinary people and where the board game is typically played in conjunction with a broadcasted live sports game such as rugby etc or in conjunction with a replay of the game etc. However, it is considered most exciting to play the board game in conjunction with a live game as opposed to a replay.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

It is an object of the invention to provide a game such as a board game that can be played in conjunction with a live game and which can overcome at least some of the above-mentioned disadvantages or provide a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in a method for playing a game, the method comprising receiving a televised or otherwise broadcasted sports game, and in association with the broadcast playing a board game, the board game comprising a board, a number of zones on the board, each zone having identifying indicia that can correspond to a particular comparative result between two players or teams in the sports game, placing at least one bet that corresponds with at least one zone and therefore with a particular result in the sports game, and providing a win when that particular player or team achieves a particular comparative result in the sports game.

A method for playing a game, the method comprising receiving a televised or otherwise broadcasted sports game, and in association with the broadcast playing a board game, the board game comprising a board, a number of zones on the board, the number of zones corresponding with the number of players in the sports game, each zone having identifying indicia that can correspond to a particular player and a particular comparative result relative to another player in the sports game, placing at least one bet that corresponds with at least one zone and therefore with a particular player in the sports game, and providing a win when that particular player achieves a particular comparative result in the sports game. The plurality of zones on the board game relate to different comparative margins of player statistics in the sports game.

The invention also provides a method for playing a game, the method comprising receiving a televised or otherwise broadcasted sports game, and in association with the broadcast playing a board game, the board game comprising a board, a number of zones on the board, each zone having identifying indicia that can correspond to a margin of a result between teams at the end of the sports game, placing at least one bet that corresponds with at least one zone and therefore with a particular result of a margin between teams at the end of the sports game, and providing a win when that particular margin of a result between teams at the end of the sports game achieves that particular result in the sports game.

The plurality of zones on the board game relate to different comparative winning margins.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, and to provide an element of excitement and chance to the board game, it is preferred that the person placing a bet does not know when particular comparative result has been selected until after the bet has been placed. For instance, a person can place a bet, receive a ticket, and remove a cover portion of the ticket to reveal the comparative result. The ticket can contain any suitable type of removable panel or area that can be peeled off, rubbed off and the like to reveal the comparative result. Of course, no limitation should be placed on the method by which the identification of a comparative result cannot be determined until after the bet has been placed, and the invention should not be limited merely by describing a ticket having a removable cover portion as an example of such a method.

Thus, the game actually bets on a comparison of two particular players or teams doing something (such as scoring a goal, or making a certain number of runs (for cricket) as opposed to simply betting on the outcome of the game, that is the winning team.

Consequently, people playing the board game have greater interest in the entire conduct of the sports game that is being televised ' or broadcast etc as a the comparative result can continually change until the final result. It is envisaged that the game will bet on a particular player or team achieving a comparative result to another player or team. The result will depend on the type of sport that is being played. However, it is envisaged that the result will need to be something exceptional and statistically recorded such as scoring a try, or hitting a six (in cricket). The invention however is broad enough to envisage a game that may bet on a player doing something else such as making the comparative result of tackles between players or teams, comparative result of distance run by players or teams, comparative result of the number of penalties of players or teams and it is considered that an almost unlimited (and only bound by imagination) comparison of different types of "results" can be used.

It is envisaged that a number of board games could be used for a single televised game. For instance, if the televised game is a rugby game, there could be provided a number of board games each board game betting on a different type of result. Thus, patrons that favour try scoring can bet on the board game that provides a win on a particular comparative result of two players scoring tries and other patrons can bet on a different board that may provide a win when something else occurs (for instance the comparative result of penalties awarded to particular players or teams). It is envisaged that this can create considerable atmosphere and excitement for customers/patrons in an establishment and provides great versatility to cater for the likes and dislikes of different customers.

In particular for "educated" players who have detailed knowledge of a sports game (or believe they have) the interest is not only in the win but also in knowing intricate details of the players and teams and therefore likely statistical results. The educated player can now have a comparison of two teams and therefore not only need to know who will win or lose but the winning margin. Therefore more interest occurs between a plurality of the "educated" players as to who is going to be shown to be right.

Further, in more detail, the "educated" players can have a belief on the effectiveness of one forward against another and be able to bet on the comparative result of tackles made or tackles missed. The term "televising" and "broadcasting" is meant to show that no particular limitation should be placed on the invention merely by the means by which the sports game is made available to the customers or players of the board game. It is envisaged that the most likely scenario will be televising the game, especially in clubs and hotels. However, the method may also be suitable for use with a radio broadcast (especially in places where the television quality is poor) and the like.

The term "sports game" is not meant to be interpreted in a limiting fashion and should extend to all types of games that involve a number of players. Thus, the games will typically cover ball games such as rugby, rugby league, Australian rules football, soccer, netball, baseball, basketball, cricket, etc. The; term "sports game" can also cover games that do not fall within the definition of ball games, and this can include athletics, swimming, and the like. As an example, for swimming, the board game can provide a comparison of the times of the two swimmers at the end or at "split" times such as at the halfway mark, or some other place, which is other than just the ultimate winning time. However, the term "sports game" could also extend to cover horse racing, dog racing and the like and where the board game bets on comparison of results which is something different to just the winner of the race.

The term "board" is meant to be interpreted broadly. This term is meant to include a hardboard such as a cardboard, a wooden board, a plastic board, but is also meant to include any type of backing member or support member such as paper, plastic, and the like that can have the zones etc applied to it. The board can be flexible (eg cloth like) resilient and the like.

The term "zones" is meant to be interpreted broadly and may comprise areas or regions on the board that can be identified as separate to other areas or regions. Typically, the zones will be identified by a box around the zone, but this is not essential, and is not considered that the term "zone" is meant to be interpreted in an unnecessarily narrow manner. The zones may be printed, drawn, or otherwise applied to the board by any suitable method or means. The shape and size of the zones may vary and the zones may be rectangular in shape, triangular, circular, oval, have an irregular shape, may comprise a particular outline (such as a human shape outline) may comprise a facsimile of the team mascot, the team logo, the team name, and the like and it is again emphasized that the term "zone" is not meant to be construed in a narrow manner.

The number of zones on the board will typically be a fixed range of comparative results in the sports game. Thus, in the game of rugby league, where two teams play, and the score can be of the order of 10s then the comparative results can result in 24 zones.

In other games, the number of zones can vary but it is envisaged that the number of zones will be sufficient to enable each player in the sports game to be uniquely identified. The number of zones may be different to the number of players to cater for substitute players and the like.

It is envisaged that in certain sports games (such as Australian Rules football) the zones on the board are positioned to emulate the initial position of the particular players on the field. This may increase interest in the method.

Each zone has some form of identifying indicia to enable the zone to be identified with a certain player in the sports game. It is not considered that any particular restriction should be placed on the invention by how this is achieved. In one embodiment, it is envisaged that the zone may be provided with the jersey number of the player, but this will be suitable only for games where players have jersey numbers. In another embodiment, the zone may be provided with a number, a shape, or any other type of identifying indicia that can be used to "connect" the zone to a particular player.

The term "player" should not be interpreted in an unnecessarily narrow manner. While it is certainly considered that the term should include active players in the sports game, the term should also include reserve players, referees, and the like.

The method may have a number of zones that do not correspond to a particular comparative result in the sports game. If a number of different boards or even identical boards are used in conjunction with the particular sports game, it is preferred that each board is separately identified, and this can be done by any suitable method including providing a serial number and the like. If the method is very popular, it is considered that a single board may be insufficient for the number of customers or patrons that wish to play, and therefore a number of boards may need to be provided, and to avoid confusion amongst the customers or patrons, it is considered useful for each board to have a unique identifier.

It is preferred that only a single bet can be placed on a single zone to avoid confusion and dilution of the winnings. However, the bet may comprise a syndicated bet where a number of people pool together tb place a single bet. How a bet can be placed on a particular zone should not have any unnecessarily limited interpretation placed on it.

However, to prevent confusion, it is preferred that each zone is associated with some form of ticket member and where the ticket member and the particular zone are identified in such a manner that when the ticket is "purchased" it is quite clear on which zone the bet has been made (the bet being made when the ticket is purchased).

Thus, in a simple version of the invention, the board can be produced separately, and a sheet of tickets can be produced separately. The sheet of tickets is numbered or otherwise identified to correspond with the zones on the board. Thus, when a ticket is purchased, it is usually removed from the remainder of the sheets, thereby making it clear that that particular ticket (zone on the board) is no longer available for a further bet.

In another simple version of the invention, each zone can be at least partially covered by a ticket and purchasing the ticket to make the bet and removing the ticket prevents another bet being made on that particular zone.

It is considered that the invention may comprise a means where bets can be placed without purchasing a ticket. For instance, if the bet is made in the particular zone, the name of the person making the bet can be written in the zone or otherwise associated with the zone. Alternatively, when the bet is made, the zone can be simply crossed out to show that that zone has received a bet, and the name of the person can be placed on a separate list etc. Again it is considered that no particular limitation should be placed on how the bet is made.

In a more sophisticated version of the invention, a more rigid backing board can be provided with zones and some form of sliding or hinging cover member on each zone such that when the bet is made, the cover member can be moved to cover the zone to make it clear that a bet has been placed on that zone and therefore on a particular player in the sports game.

The system further could be on a computer and involve a computer touch screen or tablet or other means for recording selection of zones and bets.

The value of the bet can vary. It is considered that the bet will typically be between less than one dollar and more than $10 per bet. However, obviously the value of the bet can vary to suit. The bet will typically comprise a monetary bet, but no limitation should be placed on this, and the bet may also be any other type of wager such as a non-monetary wager and the like.

In order that the invention is more readily understood an embodiment will be described by way of illustration with reference to the drawing wherein: Figure 1 is a drawing of a board game in accordance with the invention.

In this example the board game 11 relates to a winning margin game and is identified as such with label zone 13. Further the ticket price for a bet is identified at ticket price zone 12.

The board game comprises a board with a number of zones on the board. In this case there are twenty four zones with each zone having identifying indicia that corresponds to a margin of a result between teams at the end of the sports game. However the zones are either fixed margin zones 21 that advise of a particular single margin or are range of margin zones 22, 23 that advise of a particular range of margins. It can be seen that different ranges of comparative winning margins on a zone on the board game are predetermined such that the size of the range is increased the further away the range is from an expected comparative result. In particular the range of margin zones 22 have a range of 5 since it is closer to the more likely result, the range of margin zones 23 have a range of 10 since they are further from the more likely result whereas the range of margin zones 24 has a range of everything above the 40 score as it is furthest away. In this way the risk of choosing a result further away than expected is rewarded by the range and therefore it is worth the risk of the bet on these zones.

In use the patrons at a venue receive a televised or otherwise broadcasted sports game, and in association with the broadcast play the board game. The patron becomes a game player by buying tickets relating to zones 21, 22, 23 or 24 before a sports game and thereby placing at least one bet that corresponds with at least one zone and therefore with a particular result of a margin between teams at the end of the sports game. When the result of the sports game is seen there is provided a win on the board game when that particular margin of a result between teams at the end of the sports game corresponds with that particular result in the sports game.

It can be seen that the board game includes a serial no. Label 31 that indicate the particular game and tickets on the zone are similarly identified with the serial no. A separate ticket sheet contains tickets, with each ticket corresponding to a particular zone on the board, whereby a bet can be placed on a particular zone on the board by purchasing a ticket that corresponds to that particular zone.

Preferably a game board is not in play until all tickets of a game board are sold.

Preferably details of a particular comparative result in the sports game are hidden upon purchase of the ticket, and the purchaser of the ticket can then determine which result that ticket covers.

It should be understood that the above description is of a preferred embodiment and included as illustration only. It is not limiting of the invention. Clearly variations of the method would be understood by a person skilled in the art without any inventiveness and such variations are included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. In particular the sports game can be a virtual sports game determined by players playing a virtual game generated by users or by virtual random generation or virtual probability generation.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A method for playing a game, the method comprising a. receiving a televised or otherwise broadcasted sports game, b. and in association with the broadcast playing a board game, i. the board game comprising a board, ii. a number of zones on the board, iii. each zone having identifying indicia that can correspond to a particular comparative result between two players or teams in the sports game, c. placing at least one bet that corresponds with at least one zone and therefore with a particular result in the sports game, and d. providing a win when that particular player or team achieves a particular comparative result in the sports game.

2. A method for playing a game, the method comprising a. receiving a televised or otherwise broadcasted sports game, b. and in association with the broadcast playing a board game, i. the board game comprising a board, ii. a number of zones on the board, iii. the number of zones corresponding with the number of players in the sports game, iv. each zone having identifying indicia that can correspond to a particular player and a particular comparative result relative to another player in the sports game, c. placing at least one bet that corresponds with at least one zone and therefore with a particular player in the sports game, and d. providing a win when that particular player achieves a particular comparative result in the sports game.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the plurality of zones on the board game relate to different comparative margins of player statistics in the sports game.

4. A method for playing a game, the method comprising a. receiving a televised or otherwise broadcasted sports game, b. and in association with the broadcast playing a board game, i. the board game comprising a board, ii. a number of zones on the board, iii. each zone having identifying indicia that can correspond to a margin of a result between teams at the end of the sports game, c. placing at least one bet that corresponds with at least one zone and therefore with a particular result of a margin between teams at the end of the sports game, and d. providing a win when that particular margin of a result between teams at the end of the sports game achieves that particular result in the sports game.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the plurality of zones on the board game relate to different comparative winning margins.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein at least some of the plurality of zones on the board game relate to different ranges of comparative winning margins.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein different ranges of comparative winning margins on a zone on the board game are predetermined such that the size of the range is increased the further away the range is from an expected comparative result.

8. The method of any one of the preceding claims comprising a separate ticket sheet containing tickets, each ticket corresponding to a particular zone on the board, whereby a bet can be placed on a particular zone on the board by purchasing a ticket that corresponds to that particular zone.

9. The method of any one of the preceding claims wherein a board game is in play when a bet on all of the zones of the board game has occurred.

10. The method of any one of the preceding claims wherein the game includes a plurality of board games, and each board game is in play when a bet on all of the zones of the board game has occurred.

11. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the ticket sheet contains details of a particular comparative result in the sports game, and the details are hidden upon purchase of the ticket, and the purchaser of the ticket can then determine which result that ticket covers.

12. The method of any one of the preceding claims wherein the sports game is a virtual sports game determined by players playing a virtual game generated by users or by virtual random generation or virtual probability generation.

13. A board game for use with the method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the board game comprising a board, a number of zones on the board, each zone having identifying indicia that can correspond to a particular comparative result between two players or teams in the sports game.

14. A board game of claim 13 wherein the plurality of zones on the board game relate to different comparative winning margins.

15. The board game of claim 14 wherein at least some of the plurality of zones on the board game relate to different ranges of comparative winning margins.

16. The board game of claim 15 wherein different ranges of comparative winning margins on a zone on the board game are predetermined such that the size of the range is increased the further away the range is from an expected comparative result.

17. A method for playing a game, the method comprising the steps of a. selecting a broadcast game b. predetermining a plurality of particular margins of possible results of the broadcast game c. providing a different predetermined odds of winning for the plurality of particular margins of possible results d. one or more players selecting one or more of the predetermined plurality of possible margins of possible results e. a game being in play when all of the predetermined possible margins of possible results have been selected by the one or more players f. determining the winner by comparing the actual margin of the result of the broadcast game to determine the winning one of the predetermined plurality of particular margins.

18. A method according to claim 17 wherein different odds are provided at least in part by providing different ranges of particular margins compared to predetermined expected result.

19. A method according to claim 17 wherein different odds are provided at least in part by providing different rates of return for winning.

20. A method according to claim 17 wherein the different odds are not revealed until after selection by the one or more players.

21. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.