Methods and apparatus for managing network linked gambling video games

1. A method for team play in video games, comprising:

receiving a request to initiate a gambling game for a player of a first networked machine;

joining a second player of a second networked machine to a team;

enabling transfer of currency between the first and second players of the team using the networked machines during play of the gambling game;

debiting an account of a player using the networked machine that transferred the currency and crediting an account of a player that that received the currency;

enabling wagers in the gambling game using the credited currency;

displaying an avatar of the first player on a display of the second networked machine;

displaying an avatar of the second player on a display of the first networked machine;

wherein the avatars of the first player and the second player provide hints regarding game position, the method being executed by at least one processor.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising,

assigning the team to compete with another team of players;

monitoring win progress of each of the teams; and

assigning a prize to the team that accumulates a higher win total.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gambling game is a poker game managed by at least one networked server.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transfer is processed in response to one player graphically moving the currency from one location on a graphical user interface to another location in the graphical user interface.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising,

receiving a request to add additional players to the team, the request being in response to detecting selection of join team play from a graphical user interface.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising,

receiving a request to search a server to identify other teams to join.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transfer is processed in response to one player graphically moving the currency from one location on a graphical user interface to another location in the graphical user interface.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising,

receiving a request to add additional players to the team, the request being in response to detecting selection of join team play from a graphical user interface.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising,

receiving a request to search a server to identify other teams to join.

10. A method for team play in video games, comprising:

receiving a request to initiate a gambling game for a player of a first networked machine;

joining a second player of a second networked machine to a team;

enabling transfer of currency between the first and second players of the team using the networked machines during play of the gambling game;

debiting an account of a player using the networked machine that transferred the currency and crediting an account of a player that that received the currency;

enabling wagers in the gambling game using the credited currency; and

processing data to forward to one of the first or second players to identify a likelihood of bluffing during the gambling game, the method being executed by at least one processor.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the likelihood of bluffing is computed by a bluff meter that graphically indicates the likelihood of an opponent bluffing during game play.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the likelihood is computed from statistics of prior game play.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the transfer is processed in response to one player graphically moving the currency from one location on a graphical user interface to another location in the graphical user interface.

14. The method of claim 10 , further comprising,

receiving a request to add additional players to the team, the request being in response to detecting selection of join team play from a graphical user interface.

15. The method of claim 10 , further comprising,

receiving a request to search a server to identify other teams to join.

16. A method for team play in video games, comprising:

receiving a request to initiate a gambling game for a player of a first networked machine;

joining a second player of a second networked machine to a team;

enabling transfer of currency between the first and second players of the team using the networked machines during play of the gambling game;

debiting an account of a player using the networked machine that transferred the currency and crediting an account of a player that that received the currency;

enabling wagers in the gambling game using the credited currency;

generating bonus conditions for particular other teams that are available for joining; and

receiving a request from the first player or the second player to join a new team associated with a bonus condition and enabling leaving of the team, the method being executed by at least one processor.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the transfer is processed in response to one player graphically moving the currency from one location on a graphical user interface to another location in the graphical user interface.

18. Non-transitory computer readable media having program instructions for performing the method of claim 1 .

19. Non-transitory computer readable media having program instructions for performing the method of claim 10 .

20. Non-transitory computer readable media having program instructions for performing the method of claim 16 .