WO2017048227A1

WO2017048227A1 - Interactive television game show and method for playing an interactive television game show

Info

Publication number: WO2017048227A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/050022
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bakula GUILLERMO
Original assignee: Guillermo Bakula
Priority date: 2015-09-14
Filing date: 2015-09-14
Publication date: 2017-03-23

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an interactive television game show and method for playing an interactive game show. The interactive television game show structure comprises a communication system, such as a network, audience/viewers, at least one user, a computing platform with a data base, a game show studio with interactive devices and a financial institution. The television game show is intended to provide interaction with user and audience. Several lifelines will be created that will offer advice to a selected participant during the game. Some of the advices may be when to hit, when to stay, when to double down, when to change tables, when to change games or when to quit. Selected participant may disagree with the decisions of the lifelines, but if they're losing and drop below host or system administrator threshold the selected participant go home empty-handed or with a consolation prize with a high perceived value.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

Interactive Television Game Show and Method for Playing an Interactive Television Game Show STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

N/A

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 62/049,585 filed on September 12, 2014.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates televised game shows, and more particularly, a live or recorded television game show, involving the participation of TV- viewing audiences.

DISCUSSION OF THE BACKGROUND

Presently there are many different types of television game shows. However, none combine the interactive features described herein.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to an interactive television game show and method for playing an interactive game show involving games such as, Baccarat, Blackjack, Roulette, slot tournaments or any other game of chance, skill or knowledge. The interactive television game show structure comprises a communication system, such as a network, audience/viewers, at least one user, a computing platform with a data base, a game show studio with interactive devices and a financial institution.

In one exemplary embodiment, the game show host provides each player with a line of credit of a predetermined amount wherein anything over that amount at the end of the game belongs to the player or lucky participant. However, if the player drops below the game show host's threshold, the game is over. Furthermore, several life lines will be provided to the player to offer him or her advice during the game such as, when to stay in the game, when to double down, when to change tables, when to change games or when to quit. The player may disagree with a lifeline decision. However, if the player loses, then the player is terminated from the show and leaves empty handed or with a consolation prize. As previously mentioned, once a player drops below the game show host's threshold, the player goes home empty-handed or with a consolation prize.

The game show host can make an offer to the player at any given moment during the game. For example, the offer may be that if the player loses the next three hands in a row, the player will be automatically kicked out of the game. However, if the player wins the next two hands in a row, the player can continue to play the game or he can choose to take an offer of $50,000.00 from the game show host if he decides to leave before the first hand is dealt. This "take-the-money-and-run" offer will allow the player not to leave empty-handed. During this time the home audience may vote via phone, SMS text messaging, APP, mobile devices or via the WEB. If the player decides to continue and wins the first hand, the player must win another hand to stay in the game. If the player loses the next two hands in a row, the game show host will make another "take-the-money-and-run" offer, which the host may increase or decrease to another amount or prize. The amount or prize offered will depend on the situation and risk factors of each particular situation. During this time the home audience will have the chance to vote, give their opinion or play along. In addition, the audience will be automatically enrolled for a chance to be a future contestant on the game show. If the player chooses to take the cash then the game is over and a new contestant is chosen. However, if the player wants to continue, then the game goes on. If the player decides to continue, then the game show host will detail the new rules with respect to how many hands, rolls of the dice, spin of the wheel or slot pulls the player will have to win or lose in a row to stay or be out of the game. The player must play for a total of at least 30 minutes to have a free pass to leave the game with all the cash it has won. However, after the clock hits the 1 hour mark, the game will be deemed over regardless of whether the player was wining, losing or if the game had ended in a draw, unless the audience votes the player to be allowed to play the Golden Deck option, as described below.

The claimed game show allows the audience at home to interact with the game show to win different types of prizes, which may include cash or discounts while accumulating "game show currency" via a loyalty rewards program. Furthermore, the home audience may interact with the game show by voting via phone, SMS text messaging, APP's, mobile devices or via the WEB to have a chance to give their opinion or play along and have a chance to be a future contestant on the game show.

The game show's currency is called STACKS and the minted denominations are called CHIPS to COINS. Members have the ability to save, trade, play and make purchases from a plurality of providers. The currency is stored in an account called STACKBOX, balances are accounted by STACKTRACK and the technology storing all the data in the cloud is called STACKBANK. By opening an account, members automatically gets a STACKBOX account number and the ability to track all of their activities and balances via STACKTRACK stored in the STACKBANK.

Players can increase or reduce their STACK balance of CHIPS to COINS by trading, playing, making purchases or earning interest. Members have the option of trading, transferring or cashing in their CHIPS to COINS anytime. All CHIPS to COINS which have been accumulated via the STACKBOX do not expire and will be tradable with other rewards programs such as AMERICAN EXPRESS®, CHASE®, SPG®, HILTON® and others. CHIPS to Coins are like a currency, which are redeemable not only in the gaming platform where you are playing at, but in other locations for all kinds of goods and services. The chips include an identifier to certify that the chip is legit.

New members will need to register their personal information with the game show and be given a unique STACKBOX ACCOUNT number. New members will also have to provide their personal information such as, name, address, credit card number to have access to their STACKBOX ACCOUNT. The member will be then provided numerical STACKBOX ACCOUNT ID, membership name or card to be used when making purchases or playing any of the game show's games.

Members can accumulate CHIPS to COINS and earn interest by playing the games offered by the game show, or by consuming products or services. By accumulating more CHIPS to COINS in their STACKBOX the members will have more chances to participate as a contestant on the televised game show. The more CHIPS to COINS a member accumulates, the more entries they will have in the drawing pool to be the next contestant on the show. In other words, CHIPS to COINS can be used as entry tickets to the drawing, as tradable virtual currency, for discount, purchases and can be applied to any of the products or services offered by game show's providers to the membership base.

Additionally, the CHIPS to COINS currency system may be backed by tangible assets, such as diamonds, gold or any other. The CHIPS to COINS are also fully transferable, accrue interest and can be used as points or currency with providers outside the game show's closed environment. Furthermore, members will be able to accumulate CHIPS to COINS by earning interest, playing games which can accumulate or decrease their STACKS of chips or coins. The members can also transfer or store their CHIPS to COINS in their STACKBOX which can be utilized for purchases or discounts with other providers of products and services like Hilton®, SPG®, American Express® or others.

Furthermore, members have the ability to track, exchange, trade, earn interest, buy and redeem CHIPS to COINS for miles, points, rewards or virtual currency within the game show's membership line of products and services offered by the game show or from other providers. The CHIPS to COINS acts just like a currency in a bank account. The mechanism of exchanging, trading, buying and redeeming the CHIPS to COINS is accomplished by strategic alliances with companies like POINTS.COM®, COSTCO®, SAM'S CLUB®, HILTON®, SPG®, AMERICAN EXPRESS®, AMERICAN AIRLINES® and others.

In the aforementioned exemplary embodiment there are multiple options that a player may have. The player will only have a total of five options at a negotiated value to choose from during the game, but the player can also buy additional ones with their own money. After using all five options, the player may purchase five additional options, one option at a time. However, players cannot use or buy the same option more than once. The game show follows a series of rules, as further described below.

Still other features relating to the aforementioned interactive game show are contemplated in the present application, as described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a general view of an interactive system in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a general view of some elements interaction in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of the account creation process in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the graphical unit interface for accessing the platform in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of the graphical unit interface for several options provided by the platform in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of the selection process for the lucky participant in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of the lucky participant and other users with the

TV show in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of the lucky participant and other users with the

TV show in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of the playing options of lucky participant in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary flowchart of the playing options for lucky participant in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary flowchart of the playing options for lucky participant in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The embodiments of the invention disclosed herein may be implemented, through the useral-programming languages (such as C or C++). The program code can be disposed in any known computer-readable medium including semiconductor, magnetic disk, or optical disk (such as CD-ROM, DVD-ROM). The code can be transmitted over communication networks such as, the Internet.

In the present disclosure, the terms "computer program medium" and "computer-usable medium" are used to generally refer to media such as a removable storage unit or a hard disk drive. Computer program medium and computer-usable medium can also refer to memories, such as system memory and graphics memory which can be memory semiconductors (e.g., DRAMs, etc.). These products are examples of how to provide software to a computer system.

The embodiments are also directed to computer products comprising software stored on any computer-usable medium. Such software, when executed in one or more data processing devices, causes a data processing device(s) to operate as described herein or, allows for the synthesis and/or manufacture of computing devices (e.g., ASICs, or processors) to perform embodiments described herein. Embodiments employ any computer-usable or -readable medium, and any computer-usable or -readable storage medium known now or in the future. Examples of computer-usable or computer-readable mediums may include, but are not limited to, primary storage devices (e.g., any type of random access memory or read-only memory), secondary storage devices (e.g., hard drives, floppy disks, CD ROMS, ZIP disks, tapes, magnetic storage devices, optical storage devices, MEMS, nanotechnological storage devices, etc.), and communication mediums (e.g., wired and wireless communications networks, local area networks, wide area networks, intranets, etc.).

For purposes of this discussion, the term "module" may include at least one of software, firmware, and hardware (such as one or more circuits, microchips, or devices, or any combination thereof), and any combination thereof. In addition, it will be understood that each module may include one or more components within an actual device, and each component that forms a part of the described module can function either cooperatively or independently of any other component forming a part of the module. Conversely, multiple modules described herein may represent a single component within an actual device. Further, components within a module may be in a single device or distributed among multiple devices in a wired or wireless manner.

FIG 1 illustrates a general view of an interactive system 100. Interactive System 100 may include an input module 120, an output module 140, and a computing platform 30. Computing platform 30 may include or may be otherwise operatively coupled to a database 300, which may be stored in a computer-usable medium. Database 300 may include more than one database or another type of electronic repository. Computing platform 30 includes software functionality and hardware capabilities for receiving data for analysis (i.e. by mean of interactive graphical interfaces) through input module 120 and to implement images or visual confirmation of interactions with the computing platform 30 through the output module 140. Further the computing platform may access, read, and write to the database 300. For example, one of the main purposes of the platform 30 is to exchange currency into virtual currency, by means of a studio of instructions or software, at the computer-usable medium of said computing platform 30, to provide options to trade, play, gamble and/or purchase between users.

The results of data received from a user may be provided as output from computing platform 30 to output module 140 for printed display, viewing, and/or further communication to other system devices. Such output may include, for example, mobile device, TV or any other device capable of providing a visual confirmation or display of the studio of instructions provided by said computing platform 30. In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in Fig. 2, several features interact between each other by means of a communication system. The communication system, as explained above comprises a network 20. The present interactive television game show 1, comprises an audience 70, at least one user 12, a computing platform 30 with a data base 300, a game show studio 100 with interactive devices 101 and a financial institution 111. The interaction between features is explained in more details below, however is important to understand that the computing platform 30 controls and manage the information most of the interaction.

The computing platform 30 manages and controls the access to information related to the interactive television game show 1. For example the computing platform manages the registration of new user to the system. FIG 3 is an exemplary embodiment of the account creation process in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, wherein a user 12 creates or log in the platform through an interface 302. Each user is provided with an account number and the information related said particular account is saved at the data base 300. The computing platform is capable of providing several graphical units to the user. For example, as shown in FIG 4 an exemplary embodiment of the first graphical unit interface 302 for accessing the platform, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, is provided. A user can create or activate the button for creating a new account 303 or log-in 301 using previous recorded information. Further, the computing platform 30 provides options for the user, said options 401, such as play 411, buy coins 413, trade 412, purchase 414, profile and save 403 are provided in the form of a second graphical unit interface 400, as shown in FIG 5. Further, information regarding the account could be provided through a graphical unit. Once a user is registered the information is stored at the platform 30. The information provided by the user is used to select a lucky participant LW, wherein said lucky participant is selected for playing a game show with a host or system administrator 50. FIG 6 is an exemplary embodiment of the selection process for the lucky participant LW in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Several users 10, 11, 12 are connected or registered to the computing platform 30 through a network 20, wherein a system administrator 50 decides who is the lucky participant LW based on the information stored at the data base 300. Once the system administrator 50 selects the lucky participant LW, a certificate 121 indicating said selection is generated. The digital certificate 121 at least includes particular indicia, such as a password or code, and the lucky participants account number. After said lucky participant LW is selected, the system administrator 50 transferred a pre-determined amount of virtual currency 123 from the financial institution 121 to the platform 30. Further the computing platform 30 associates said digital certificates 121 to said pre-determined amount of virtual currency 123 or CHIPS to COINS generating a digital ticket 122. Further, the digital ticket 122 is emailed to the lucky participant LW is the form of an email or SMS.

The lucky participant LW participates either directly or indirectly with the game show studio 100. Direct participation exists when the user or lucky participant LW visits or is physically present at the game show studio 100. Furthermore, indirect participation exists when the lucky participant LW interacts with the game show studio 100 by any communication system. As shown in FIG 7, the interactive device 101 is located at the game show studio 100. The interactive devices 101 assist the host or system administrator 50 to acquire information provided by the lucky participant LW, any other user 10, 11 and the audience 70. The computing platform 30 manages, analyzes and controls the data and/or information exchanged between the game show studio 100 and the lucky participant LW. Furthermore, when the user interacts directly with the game show studio 100, the information is also managed, analyzed and controlled by the computing platform 30. In addition, the host or system manager may complete transactions with the financial institution 111 in order to manipulate money requested by the users 10, 11, 12 and/or the host 50 itself. All the data or information exchanged is stored at the data base 300.

The interactive television game show 1 is preferred to be played in real time so that the audience 70 is involved with the game procedures in real time. However, an alternative to the audience that is not capable of interacting in real time is provided. FIG 8 is directed to the procedures wherein audience 70 interacts with the television game show 1 in non-real-time. For example, if a game is performed somewhere during the day, it might be possible that in other time zones the audience is sleeping or without access to an input module, therefore audience participation is limited. In order to overcome the present limitation several possible plays are recorded and stored at the computing platform during the real time presentation. Said alternatives or possible ends stored at the data base 300 are manipulated by the computing platform when a user access a recorded or previous game played. The computing platform manipulates the outcomes of the recorded game based on the recorded ends. Therefore the interactive factor from the audience is still present, even when the game was previously played. It is important to understand that a set of instructions is provided in the computing platform for the management of recorded ends. Similar to FIG 7 the computing platform controls the data and information exchange; however the only non-recorded variable is the users 11, 10 and audience 70 interactions with the platform 30. During the game, recorded or not-recorded, the lucky participant LW completes or selects different options. The game rules, explained below, provide a time frame for playing, for providing option to the lucky participant LW and to finish or end the game. FIG 9 is directed to the several options that the lucky participant LW could select in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure which may include baccarat, blackjack, roulette, slot tournaments and a series of options is explained in more details below.

The game is intended to provide interaction with user and audience. For example, several lifelines will be created that will offer advice to the lucky participant LW during the game. Some of the advices may be when to hit, when to stay, when to double down, when to change tables, when to change games or when to quit. Lucky participant LW may disagree with the decisions of the lifelines, but if they're losing and drop below host or system administrator threshold the lucky participant LW could go home empty-handed or with a consolation prize with a high perceived value. One of the unique procedures provided by the present game is the opportunity to generate more currency when a threshold is reached. The threshold is pre-defined by the host and/or system administrator 50.

Once the threshold is reached the host or system manager could make an offer to the lucky participant LW if they are in a losing streak or at any given moment during the game, for example, as shown in FIG 10, the offer may be if the lucky participant LW loses the next three hands in a row they are automatically kicked out of the game, but if they win the next two hands in a row they continue to play or they can choose to take the host's offer in cash in a take the money and run basis if they leave before the first hand is dealt, in-order to not leave empty handed. During all this time the home audience 70 can vote using an input module 120 (i.e. via a toll free number, SMS text messaging, APP, mobile devices or via the WEB). FIG 11 is directed to some of the playing options that lucky participant LW may choose when in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Each alternative is explained below.

Some of the BTH options are:

A. Ask the Expert

The lucky participant LW will have a chance to ask a top expert for advice on the particular game and how they should play any particular situation he or she has encountered during their playing time. If the game is blackjack, baccarat, roulette, craps, slots or any other game in the casino floor, the advice needs to be executed or denied by the player before the game is played out. This option will only be available once per player.

B. Ask the Wizard of Odds

The lucky participant LW will have a chance to ask an external entity (i.e. wizard of odds) for statistical advice in the particular game and how they should play any particular situation he or she has encountered during their playing time. Whether the game is blackjack, baccarat, roulette, craps, slots or any other game in the casino floor, the advice needs to be executed or denied by the lucky participant LW before the game is played out. This option will only be available once per player.

C. Free Peek of the Dealers Card, Free Spin or Free Roll

The lucky participant LW will have a chance to free peek of the dealer's card, free spin or free roll in the particular game. This will allow the lucky participant LW to know the potential outcome of the situation and help the contestant play out any particular situation he or she is encountering during this particular bet. Whether the game is blackjack, baccarat, roulette, craps, slots or any other game in the casino floor, the option needs to be executed or denied by the player before the game is played out. This option will only be available once per player. D. Dead Hand Call, Spin or Roll

The lucky participant LW will have a chance to call dead any card hand, spin or roll of the dice in any game. This will cause the potential outcome of any situation to be null and void, as if the bet never happened. The purpose of this option is to help the contestant play out a particular situation he or she is encountering during the particular bet without risk. Whether the game is blackjack, baccarat, roulette, craps, slots or any other game in the casino floor, the option needs to be executed or denied by the player before the game is played out. This option will only be available once per player.

E. New dealer

"New Dealer" is another option wherein the lucky participant LW will have a chance to request a new dealer in any game. This will allow the lucky participant LW to change the casinos personnel to better his or her luck. Whether the game is blackjack, baccarat, roulette, craps, slots or any other game in the casino floor, the option needs to be executed or denied by the player before the game starts. This option will only be available once per player.

F. Re-Shuffle, New Dice or New Table

The lucky participant LW will have a chance to request Re-shuffle, new dice or new table in any game, this will allow to move around tables, machines, re-shuffle or change the dice anytime to better his or her luck, Whether the game is blackjack, baccarat, roulette, craps, slots or any other game in the casino floor, the option needs to be executed or denied by the player before the game starts. This option will only be available 3 times in each game per player.

G. Ask the audience

The lucky participant LW will have a chance to request the advice of the audience via a mobile device, the internet, a computer or any other technology available to collect data related to the advice and suggestion given to the lucky participant LW by the audience 70 or other users 11, 10. Whether the game is blackjack, baccarat, roulette, craps, slots or any other game in the casino floor, the option needs to be executed or denied by the player before the game is played out. This option will only be available 3 times per player.

H. Ask the dealer

"Ask the Dealer." is another option wherein the lucky participant LW will have a chance to ask the dealer for advice on the particular game and how they should play any particular situation he or she has encountered during their playing time. Whether the game is blackjack, baccarat, roulette, craps, slots or any other game in the casino floor, the advice needs to be executed or denied by the player before the game is played out. This option will only be available once per player.

I. Take a Practice Break

"Take a Practice Break." is option wherein the lucky participant LW will have a chance to take a practice break, practice and sharpen his or her gaming skills with the top experts in the world or go out into town, go to a club, dinner, shoot machine guns or some exotic lifestyle activity. This option can be executed anytime by the player during the game. This option will only be available only six times per player.

J. Use the MIT computer

"Use the MIT Computer" is another option. The lucky participant LW will have a chance to tap into a super computer for advice on the particular bet while playing. The computer will run every possible permutation according to what has happened up to that point and give the lucky participant LW all the options according to the results. The super computer will output how the contestant should play any particular situation he or she has encountered during their playing time based on the players past playing data. Whether the game is blackjack, baccarat, roulette, craps, slots or any other game in the casino floor, the advice needs to be executed or denied by the player before the game is played out. This option will only be available once per player.

K. Call the Psychic

"Call the Psychic" is another option. Here, the lucky participant LW have a chance to call a psychic for advice on the particular bet while playing. The psychic will run every possible cognitive oracle to help predict the outcome and advise on what to do. The lucky participant LW will discuss with the psychic what has happened up to that point in their life and give the psychic all of the information necessary for the psychic to works its magic. Whether the game is blackjack, baccarat, roulette, craps, slots or any other game in the casino floor, the advice needs to be executed or denied by the lucky participant LW before the game is played out. This option will only be available once per player.

L. The Golden Deck

In the "The Golden Deck" option the game show host or system manager 50 may offer the player to participate in or the audience 70 can vote them in also. The golden deck participation process will be for those whom at the end of the game have won very little money and now have the opportunity to double triple multiply their winnings up to by ten times depending how much of a percentage of their winning they are willing to put up to play the golden deck, the multiples given to the player will be prorated by the percentage put up for this single bet and for all the money the lucky participant LW has left, the more they put up the greater the multiples. The price paid for all options will be negotiated at that moment. The player will be instructed to make a deposit which may be used for any losses the lucky participant LW may have accrued by the end of game. If the lucky participant LW comes out a winner then the monies paid for the options will go to the game show host to do as he wishes with the funds.

As an example, a lucky participant LW may have a total earning of $10,000 at the end of their game. At this time the game show host asks how much of its earning is the lucky participant LW willing to risk to play the golden deck and the lucky participant LW decides to play $9,000 of their $10,000 (i.e., 90% of the lucky participant's total earnings). At this time a golden deck calculator will calculate the prorated multiples offered to the lucky participant LW to be nine times the bet. So if the lucky participant wins the bet the lucky participant walks away with $9,000 X 9 for a total of $81,000 plus the $10,000 left over which they did not put on the golden deck bet. If the lucky participant loses the bet, then he or she walks away with a mere $1 ,000. This is played in one single hand on a do-or-die type of scenario. During this time the home audience can vote via a call to action mechanism like a phone, SMS text messaging, APP, mobile devices or via the WEB to advice the lucky participant what to do with the earnings.

M. SafeBet

The lucky participant LW from time to time may ask the host or system administrator 50 for a SafeBet option. A SafeBet is a mechanism whereas the player can buy insurance from the host or system administrator 50. This type of insurance will cover the lucky participant LW in case of a loss, but if there is a win, then the whale will take the winnings and apply them as he wishes. During all this time the home audience 70 and users 10, 11 can vote via a call to action mechanism like a phone, SMS text messaging, APP, mobile devices or via the WEB on what to do with the winnings.

N. SafeOffers The host or system administrator 50 from time to time may tell the lucky participant LW that if they lose the next three hands they are automatically out, but if they win two hands in a row they stay. At the same time the whale may offer the lucky participant LW pre-determined amount to leave right now.

If the player decides to not take the pre- determined amount, then the game continues with new parameters offered by the host or system administrator 50, some of the offers may be to take the money and run, change games, change table, change dealers, re-shuffle, and so on . During all this time the home audience can vote via a phone, SMS text messaging, APP, mobile devices or via the WEB.

O. The Shark

Another option is "The Shark". The Shark is a banker from whom the contestant can get a short term loan to continue to be in the game. The loan terms will have usurious interest and there will be a presumption that the borrower will be in danger of being kicked out of the game. If the borrower defaults within the time period or terms offered by the shark, the borrower could be kicked out of the game, but the game show host or system administrator 50 may ask the viewers/audience to vote via a call to action to give a second chance to the borrower. The second chance could come by virtue of the game show host either paying down the loan to the shark forgiving of the loan from the loan. This loan will have no collateral attached to it.

P. Pawn Shop

The "Pawn Shop" is another option wherein the lucky participant LW will have the opportunity to replenish its losses by going to a virtual Pawn Shop which offers loans in exchange for personal property as equivalent collateral. If the loan is repaid in the contractually agreed time frame, the collateral may be repurchased at its initial price plus interest. If the loan cannot be repaid on time, the collateral may be liquidated by the pawn shop to the game show host and the player may be kicked out of the show.

Q. You've been 86^th

The "Be 86^th" is another option wherein the lucky participant LW will be out of or banned from an establishment due to constant bad decisions during the game. At any time during the game the game show host or system administrator 50 may ask the viewers/audience to vote via a call to action mechanism whether the lucky participant LW should be 86^th from the show, at which time the viewer's vote will be asked to vote to either 86^th the lucky participant LW or not, if the vote count to "86^th the lucky participant LW" is greater than "not to 86^th the lucky participant LW," the lucky participant's participation in the game will end.

R. Welch the Bet

Another option is "Welch the Bet." Welch the bet is an option where the lucky participant LW may choose to play the hand after the cards have been dealt. The lucky participant's intentions are to avoid paying for the bet if he loses prior to the hand being revealed. The game show host or system administrator 50 may opt to buy the hand from the player, if the game show host wins, then the game show host or system administrator 50 will choose to take one option away, as a fine for welching on the bet, if the game show host loses the hand the lucky participant LW loses two options for the list.

In an exemplary embodiment, the game show follows a series of rules, as described below.

Rules:

1. Lucky participants LW needs to log at least 30 minutes of playtime Lucky participant LW will have to log at least 30 minutes of playtime whether he/she is losing or winning. This may be divided into three 10 minute sessions; one straight 30 minute session; or any combination of playing time the player wishes to play. The playing time will be logged by actual playing time. All results are displayed on the bottom of the screen for the viewers to follow. The results shown on the bottom of the screen will refer to the time played, remaining time, hands won, hands lost, average bet, money won or lost, remaining total money, options left, tips to the dealers and on, much like a scoreboard or a dashboard. If the lucky participant LW chooses to take the cash then the game is over and a new contestant is chosen. If the lucky participant LW decides to continue, then the game goes on.

2. Lucky participants LW will not be allowed to play more than 1 hour

After 1 hour of actual logged playing time or if the lucky participant reaches a win of 1 Million the game is over, whether win, lose or draw.

3. Host or system administrator 50 makes all offers during the game and once accepted by the player they are final

The lucky participants LW will have up to 120 seconds to accept of decline the offer. The time used to make a decision will be deducted from the player's playing time, if no decision is made by the player within the 120 seconds time, the offer is automatically of the table and the game continues. The player can opt to use one of its options, but that will also cause the deduction of an additional 60 seconds from the players playing time.

4. Host or system administrator 50 may take all or part of the credit line if player is up more than $250,000.00

If the lucky participants LW is up $250,000.00 dollars or more the host or system administrator 50 can take the entire line of credit or part thereof. This is done so that the lucky participant LW can play with its own money. This decision is based on the game show host or system administrator's 50 discretion, but the player may request for the audience to vote via a call to action to influence the game show host's decision. The voting option is available only once per player or anytime requested by the game show host.

5. All games will be played by table or casino rules

As another rule, casino standard rules apply to all games, but the lucky participant LW has the option, via the game show host or system administrator's 50 influence with the casino manager, to bend the rules a bit. A call-to-action to vote will be promoted to help the casino manager make a decision of the requested accommodation. The "bending of the rules" may include, for example, asking for re-shuffle or changing the dealer.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the method of the present disclosure. Other embodiments of the method will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the method disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the forthcoming claims.

Claims

We claim:

1. An interactive television game show comprising: a game show studio, a live studio audience, wherein said live studio audience present in the game show studio; at least one game host; at least one game show contestant present in the game show studio who plays the game show, wherein the at least one game show contestant selects a game of chance, skill or knowledge from a list of predefined options; a live viewing audience, comprising a plurality of members of the live TV-viewing audience, wherein the viewing audience is connected to a non-transitory computer platform that includes a processor via a network in which the game show host selects the at least one game show contestant based on information stored in a data base; a digital certificate that indicates the selection of the least one game show contestant by the game show host wherein the digital certificate includes an identification element, such as a password, and the participant's account number; a pre-determined amount of virtual currency that is transferred to the to the non-transitory computer platform; a digital ticket that is generated by associating the digital certificate with the pre-determined amount of virtual currency; wherein the digital ticket is sent via an electronic message to the at least one game show contestant.

2. The interactive game show of claim 1 wherein the game show host is also a system

administrator.

3. The interactive game show of claim 1 wherein the at least one game show contestant is not present at the game show studio.

4. The interactive game show of claim 3 wherein the computing platform manages,

analyzes and controls the data exchanged between the game show studio and the at least one game show contestant.

5. The interactive game show of claim 1 wherein the live viewing audience interacts with the game show via an input module.

6. The interactive game show of claim 5 wherein the input module is a mobile application, a mobile device, a website or a telephone.

7. The interactive game show of claim 1 wherein the game of chance, skill or knowledge is one of: baccarat, blackjack, roulette or slot tournaments.

8. The interactive game show of claim 7 wherein the at least one game show contestant may choose one of the following options during the game of chance, skill or knowledge: "Ask the Expert," "Ask the wizard of Odds," "Free Peek of the Dealers Card, Free Spin or Free Roll," "Dead Hand Call, Spin or Roll," "New Dealer," "Re-Shuffle, New Dice or New Table," "Ask the Audience," "Ask the dealer," "Take a Practice break," "Use the MIT computer," "Call the Psychic," "The Golden Deck," "SafeBet," "SafeOffers," "The Shark," "Pawn Shop," "You've been 86th," and "Welch the Bet."

9. The interactive game show of claim 8 wherein the game show is pre-recorded and

includes at least one alternate play to the one shown during the game show in real time.

10. The interactive game show of claim 9 wherein the at least one alternate play is stored in the data base and controlled by the non-transitory computer platform.

11. A method for providing an interactive television game show comprising the steps of: providing a game show studio, a live studio audience, said live studio audience present in the game show studio; providing at least one game host; providing at least one game show contestant present in the game show studio who plays the game show, wherein the at least one game show contestant selects a game of chance, skill or knowledge from a list of predefined options; providing a live viewing audience, comprising a plurality of members of the live TV- viewing audience, wherein the viewing audience is connected to a non-transitory computer platform that includes a processor via a network in which the game show host selects the at least one game show contestant based on information stored in a data base; providing a digital certificate that indicates the selection of the least one game show contestant by the game show host wherein the digital certificate includes an identification element, such as a password, and the participant's account number; providing a pre-determined amount of virtual currency that is transferred to the to the non- transitory computer platform; providing a digital ticket that is generated by associating the digital certificate with the predetermined amount of virtual currency; wherein the digital ticket is sent via an electronic message to the at least one game show contestant;

12. The method for providing an interactive game show of claim 11 wherein the game show host is also a system administrator.

13. The method for providing an interactive game show of claim 11 wherein the at least one game show contestant is not present at the game show studio.

14. The method for providing an interactive game show of claim 13 wherein the computing platform manages, analyzes and controls the data exchanged between the game show studio and the at least one game show contestant.

15. The method for providing an interactive game show of claim 11 wherein the live viewing audience interacts with the game show via an input module.

16. The method for providing an interactive game show of claim 15 wherein the input

module is a mobile application, a mobile device, a website or a telephone.

17. The method for providing an interactive game show of claim 11 wherein the game of chance, skill or knowledge is one of: baccarat, blackjack, roulette or slot tournaments.

18. The method for providing an interactive game show of claim 17 wherein the at least one game show contestant may choose one of the following options during the game of chance, skill or knowledge: "Ask the Expert," "Ask the wizard of Odds," "Free Peek of the Dealers Card, Free Spin or Free Roll," "Dead Hand Call, Spin or Roll," "New Dealer," "Re-Shuffle, New Dice or New Table," "Ask the Audience," "Ask the dealer," "Take a Practice break," "Use the MIT computer," "Call the Psychic," "The Golden Deck," "SafeBet," "SafeOffers," "The Shark," "Pawn Shop," "You've been 86th," and "Welch the Bet."

19. The method for providing an interactive game show of claim 18 wherein the game show is pre-recorded and includes at least one alternate play to the one shown during the game show in real time.

20. The method for providing an interactive game show of claim 19 wherein the at least one alternate play is stored in the data base and controlled by the non-transitory computer platform.