Continuous real time pari-mutuel method

Abstract

This present invention provides a Pari-Mutuel method for table games (Blackjack, Pai-Gow, etc.), and real time electronic gaming (slots, draw poker, keno, bingo and others). Players compete only against other players for non-banked prizes, which are paid from accrued player pools. In the preferred embodiment, players must pay rent for apparatus use before they can wager. The house does not seed the pool, nor take money from it. Rapid build-up of a player pool occurs without seeding. The player pool receives one hundred percent (100%) of player bets, less winnings, not just a fractions of bets. Paylines are not posted (or paid) at full odds, when the pool is small. The pool rises with bets, and falls with wins. A Top-prize feature prevents the pool from dropping to zero. One overall system pool has many money pots, having individual accrual rates. The apparatus operates in a stand-alone mode, or in a network (including Internet) of linked machines controlled by a management system. It provides for local or remote control. Centralized pools give large jackpots. But when the network is disabled, stand-alone machines continue to operate independently with an (invention formalized) pre-established allocation of the central pool. The network can degrade completely, while individual machines continue play, although with smaller pool sizes.