Skill-based wagering methods, devices and systems including variable game equipment
Embodiments of the invention comprise skill-based wagering games, systems and devices. In one embodiment of the invention, the game is configured so that the odds of winning the game, and thus the payout for a winning outcome, depends upon the game equipment which is selected to be used in playing the game. In other embodiments, the payouts or awards offered to players are fixed and the difficultly level for achieving a winning outcome is adjusted by changing the game equipment used to play the game.
1. A system for presenting a skill-based gaming event to a player comprising:
a game server comprising a processor, a memory, at least one sensor configured to sense an action associated with input by a player to an element of physical game equipment associated with a set of game equipment, and a communication interface;
machine readable code fixed in a tangible medium and configured, when executed by said controller, to cause said processor of said game server to determine said set of game equipment used by said player in playing said skill-based gaming event, said selected set of game equipment selected from at least a first set of game equipment and a second set of game equipment, wherein said first set of game equipment is associated with first odds of achieving a winning outcome of said skill-based gaming event and said second set of game equipment is associated with second odds of achieving a winning outcome of said skill-based gaming event;
machine readable code fixed in a tangible medium and configured, when executed by said controller, to cause said processor of said game server to determine a payout value for a winning outcome of said skill-based gaming event based upon said selected set of game equipment and the odds associated therewith;
machine-readable code fixed in a tangible medium and configured, when executed by said controller, to cause said controller of said game presentation device to, upon placement of a wager by said player, present said skill-based gaming event to said player, comprising displaying game event information to said player via said at least one video display, wherein said skill-based game event is played with said selected set of game equipment;
machine-readable code fixed in a tangible medium and configured, when executed by said controller, to cause said controller of said game presentation device to determine an outcome of said at least one skill-based gaming event based at least in part upon an output of said at least one sensor relative to said sensed action; and
machine-readable code fixed in a tangible medium and configured, when executed by said controller, to cause said controller of said game presentation device to award an award to said player in the event of a winning outcome of said at least one skill-based gaming event, a size of said award dependent at least in part upon said payout value.
2. The system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said game presentation device further comprises at least one monetary value input device for receiving an item having associated monetary value, said controller configured to generate a credit balance in response to the player providing said item having associated value.
3. The system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said element of game equipment comprises a golf club, said input comprise a swing of said golf club, and wherein said first set of game equipment comprises at least one first golf club and said second set of game equipment comprises at least one second golf club that differs from said first golf club.
4. The system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said selected set of game equipment is selected by input by said player.
5. The system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said selected set of game equipment is selected by said game server.
6. The system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said payout value is further determined with reference to a skill level of said player.
7. The system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said skill-based gaming event comprises a golf event and said first and second sets of game equipment comprise at least one of different numbers of golf clubs and different golf clubs.
8. The system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said skill-based gaming event comprises a racing game and said first and second sets of game equipment comprise at least one of a different vehicles and similar vehicles having different characteristics.
9. A method of presenting a machine-implemented skill-based gaming event comprising the steps of:
receiving at a game server, from a gaming device configured to present at least one skill-based gaming event, information from at least one sensor of an action associated with at least one input from a player to a golf club associated with a selected set of game equipment used in playing said skill-based gaming event, said selected set of game equipment selected from at least a first set of game equipment which comprises at least one first golf club and a second set of game equipment which comprises at least one second golf club, wherein said first and second golf clubs vary by at least one of type and number, wherein said first set of game equipment is associated with first odds of achieving a winning outcome of said skill-based gaming event and said second set of game equipment is associated with second odds of achieving a winning outcome of said skill-based gaming event;
determining, at said game server, a payout value for a winning outcome of said event, said payout value based upon said selected set of game equipment and the odds associated therewith;
transmitting said payout value from said game server to said gaming device;
accepting a wager from said player to participate in said skill-based gaming event;
presenting said one skill-based gaming event to said player using said selected set of game equipment;
determining, at said gaming device, an outcome of said skill-based gaming event based at least in part on said information received from said at least one sensor; and
awarding an award to said player in the event of a winning outcome of said skill-based gaming event, a size of said award dependent at least in part upon said payout value.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein said game presentation device further comprises at least one monetary value input device for receiving an item having associated monetary value, said controller configured to generate a credit balance in response to the player providing said item having associated value.
11. The method in accordance with claim 9 , wherein said at least one sensor comprises a motion detection device and said input comprises a swing of said golf club.
12. The method in accordance with claim 9 , wherein said payout value is further determined with reference to a skill level of said player.
13. The method in accordance with claim 9 , wherein said gaming device comprises at least one mobile communication device which is in communication with said at least one sensor which is associated with said selected set of game equipment for receiving an output of said sensor based upon use of said selected set of game equipment by said player.
14. A system for presenting a skill-based gaming event to a player comprising:
a game server comprising a processor, a memory, at least one sensor configured to sense a player's swing of a golf club and associated movement of a golf ball, wherein said golf club is associated with a set of game equipment, and a communication interface;
machine readable code fixed in a tangible medium and configured to cause said processor of said game server to determine said set of game equipment used by said player in playing said skill-based gaming event, said selected set of game equipment selected from at least a first set of game equipment which comprises at least one first golf club and a second set of game equipment which comprises at least one second golf club, wherein said first and second golf clubs vary by at least one of type and number;
machine readable code fixed in a tangible medium and configured to cause said processor of said game server to determine odds of achieving a winning outcome of said skill-based gaming event using said selected set of game equipment, wherein said odds vary depending upon whether said selected set of game equipment comprises said first set or said second set of game equipment;
machine readable code fixed in a tangible medium and configured to cause said processor of said game server to determine a payout value for a winning outcome of said event based upon said odds;
machine-readable code fixed in a tangible medium and configured to cause said controller of said game presentation device to, upon placement of a wager by said player, present said skill-based gaming event to said player with said selected set of game equipment;
machine-readable code fixed in a tangible medium and configured, when executed by said controller, to cause said controller of said game presentation device to determine an outcome of said at least one skill-based gaming event based at least in part upon input by information from said at least one sensor regarding said swing and said movement of said golf ball; and
machine-readable code fixed in a tangible medium and configured to cause said controller of said game presentation device to award an award to said player in the event of a winning outcome of said at least one skill-based gaming event, a size of said award dependent at least in part upon said payout value.
15. The system in accordance with claim 14 , wherein said set of game equipment is selected by input by said player.
16. The system in accordance with claim 14 , further comprising machine-readable code fixed in a tangible medium and configured, when executed by said controller, to cause said controller to cause at least one video display to display game information to said player regarding said skill-based gaming event.
17. The system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said element of physical game equipment comprises a bowling ball, and said first and second sets of game equipment comprise at least one bowling ball and a bowling lane.