Syllabic roulette game with solmization, and method

Abstract

A roulette game enables single-spin formation of meaningful character strings, which character strings may be coupled to tones for enhancing the gaming experience. The meaningful character strings may be defined by solfege-enabling letter groups, which letter groups may prompt underlying tones in solmization. The syllabic roulette game comprises a roulette wheel, a wager-enabling layout, and a plurality of balls. The wheel comprises alphabetic characters against a rainbow colored backdrop for enabling various payout schemes. A color-coordinated wager support surface is preferably disposed adjacent the roulette wheel for facilitating wager placement.

Claims

1. A roulette apparatus comprising: a roulette wheel comprising a plurality of radially inward sphere-receiving sectors, each sphere-receiving sector comprising a pressure-sensitive switch that activates a tone-provision circuit, in response to the pressure-sensitive switch being actuated; a plurality of radially outward sphere-launching rings to launch a plurality of spheres, each sphere causing a respective auditory tone to be generated, in response to each sphere resting in a respective sphere-receiving sector and actuates a respective pressure-sensitive switch; and a jackpot controller to play a musical scale generated by a combination of pressure sensitive switches actuated by the plurality of spheres, in response to determining that the musical scale is a winning musical scale.

2. The roulette apparatus of claim 1, wherein each sphere-receiving sector further comprises a superior sector surface bearing a respective colorization, the respective colorization being selected from a color group consisting of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.

3. The roulette apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a wagering surface with a plurality of wager-receiving sections, each wager-receiving section comprising a superior section surface, the superior section surfaces each bearing a respective wager symbol.

4. The roulette apparatus of claim 2, wherein the superior sector surfaces of the sphere-receiving sectors co-operably form a predetermined character string, in response to the plurality of spheres resting in the sphere-receiving sectors.

5. The roulette apparatus of claim 4, wherein the predetermined character string corresponds to the musical scale.

6. The roulette apparatus of claim 1, wherein the winning musical scale is diatonically scaled.

7. The roulette apparatus of claim 1, wherein the winning musical scale is keyed to a syllabic letter couplet grouping in solmization.

8. The roulette apparatus of claim 1, wherein each sphere-receiving sector bears solfege-enabling characters.

9. The roulette apparatus of claim 1, wherein the jackpot controller is configured to select a winner when multiple players select the winning musical scale.

10. The roulette apparatus of claim 9, wherein the jackpot controller is further configured to produce a random number to select the winner.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other features of our invention will become more evident from a consideration of the following brief description of our patent drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first roulette wheel of the present invention showing a plurality of ball-receiving sectors, each bearing a select Roman alphabetic character and one of a series of seven rainbow colors.

(3) FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a second roulette wheel of the present invention showing a plurality of ball-receiving sectors, each bearing a select Roman alphabetic character, and two character-identifying balls being deposited in the D and O (or D.O.) character sectors.

(4) FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a third roulette wheel of the present invention showing a plurality of ball-receiving sectors, each bearing a select Roman alphabetic character, and three character-identifying balls being deposited in the W, I, and N (or W.I.N.) character sectors.

(5) FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a fourth roulette wheel of the present invention showing a plurality of ball-receiving sectors, each bearing a select Roman alphabetic character, and four character-identifying balls being deposited in the P, L, A, and Y (or P.L.A.Y.) character sectors.

(6) FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional side view of a portion of the second roulette wheel of the present invention depicting two character-identifying balls in two ball-launching track rings.

(7) FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional side view of a portion of the third roulette wheel of the present invention depicting three character-identifying balls in three ball-launching track rings.

(8) FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional side view of a portion of the fourth roulette wheel of the present invention depicting four character-identifying balls in four ball-launching track rings.

(9) FIG. 8 is a depiction of a first wager layout table of the present invention showing a Roman alphabetic character set with color removed for clarity.

(10) FIG. 9 is a first payout table of the present invention showing a first column of bet names, a first column of numbers, a first column of payouts, and a first column of expectations.

(11) FIG. 10 is a depiction of a three-leveled mystery jackpot table showing a mystery jackpot minimum column, a mystery jackpot maximum column, and a mystery jackpot percentage column.

(12) FIG. 11 is a depiction of a second payout table for the second roulette wheel of the present invention showing a second column of bet names, a second column of numbers, a second column of payouts, and a second column of expectations.

(13) FIG. 12 is a depiction of the first wager layout table with a sample second water layout table showing 13 table seats, each seat bearing its own unique three letter word all with color removed for clarity.

(14) FIG. 13 is a depiction of a third payout table for the third roulette wheel of the present invention showing a third column of bet names, a third column of numbers, a third column of payouts, and a third column of expectations.

(15) FIG. 14 is a depiction of a fourth payout table for the third roulette wheel of the present invention showing a fourth column of bet names, a fourth column of numbers, a fourth column of payouts, and a fourth column of expectations.

(16) FIG. 15 is a depiction of a third wager layout table of the present invention showing a Russian alphabetic character set with color removed for clarity.

(17) FIG. 16 is a depiction of a fifth payout table for the third wager layout table of the present invention showing a fifth column of bet names, a fifth column of numbers, a fifth column of payouts, and a fifth column of expectations.

(18) FIG. 17 is a depiction of a fourth wager layout table of the present invention showing a Russian alphabetic character set with color removed for clarity.

(19) FIG. 18 is a depiction of a sixth payout table for the fourth wager layout table of the present invention showing a sixth column of bet names, a sixth column of numbers, a sixth column of payouts, and a sixth column of expectations.

(20) FIG. 19 is a depiction of a two-leveled mystery jackpot table showing a mystery jackpot minimum column, a mystery jackpot maximum column, and a mystery jackpot percentage column.

(21) FIG. 20 is an enlarged depiction of the first wager layout table of the present invention showing a Roman alphabetic character set with seven representative colors included for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

(22) Referring now to the drawings, the preferred practice of the present invention generally involves a musical or tonal alphabet rainbow roulette game with at least two balls spun, and two alphabetic characters selected or identified by the balls when coming to rest. For purposes of the present invention, it is contemplated that rainbow type colors may preferably be included as a visually stimulating backdrop to the alphabetic characters, which colors may comprise Red as indicated at 30, Orange as indicated at 31, Yellow as indicated at 32, Green as indicated at 33, Blue as indicated at 34, Indigo as indicated at 35, and Violet as indicated at 36 in FIG. 1. The colors Red 30, Orange 31, Yellow 32, Blue 34, Indigo 35, and Violet 36 are further referenced in FIG. 20. It is contemplated that the preferred rainbow colors Red 30, Orange 31, Yellow 32, Green 33, Blue 34, Indigo 35, and Violet 36 may be incorporated into the design of the present invention according the familiar ROY G. BIV mnemonic device used for memorizing the traditional optical spectrum. It is believed that any number of other color variants and electromagnetic wavelengths may be incorporated into the design of the present invention according to the designer's taste or election.

(23) A first payout table 20 (for use in combination with a one-ball roulette wheel of the present invention) is illustrated and depicted in FIG. 9, which payout table 20 reflects the different odds of winning for a first embodiment of the present invention. A second payout table 21 (for use in combination with a two-ball roulette wheel of the present invention) is illustrated and depicted in FIG. 11, which payout table 21 reflects the different odds of winning for a second embodiment of the present invention. It will be seen from a comparative inspection of the payouts columns in FIG. 9 versus FIG. 11 that in FIG. 11 there are two payouts shown. This reflects different pays for hitting one or both of the selected numbers with the bet criteria selected. For example, if the user or player selects a rainbow color Yellow 32 and one of the balls lands on Yellow 32, he/she will be paid even money. However, if both balls 12 land on Yellow colors 32, he/she would be paid at 19:1.

(24) It is a primary purpose of the present invention to spell trigger words or syllables via a single roulette spin, and in this regard, it should be noted that a plurality of balls 12 enable the player to spell or form said trigger words or syllables. An added musical betting option called scales may be included which rewards the players with a progressive or jackpot prize if any of the following solfege letter couplets or syllables of the diatonic scale occur: DO, RE, MI, FA, SO, LA, TI. It is anticipated that this jackpot may be won about every 46 games. This gives scope for a low to medium jackpot prize amount depending upon how the jackpot parameters are configured, the means of betting on the jackpot, and the division of prizes.

(25) It is contemplated that if the forgoing jackpot scheme may be easily tailored to operate on an electronic slot machine type version of the roulette game, or in an online, networked, or Internet-based medium, in which individualized player-based machines may be linked to a chain of several similar machines, and which machines may all be linked to a common jackpot. In this scenario, there would be relatively frequent winners. The DO, RE, MI music or tonal scale would be played by the jackpot controller whenever there was a scales winner. In an alternative practice with a slot machine, there could be seven different slots in the jackpot with each one having a different scale station name. Thus, the probability of each station hitting on any spin would be reduced by a factor of seven, thereby resulting in higher prizes. The reader is directed to FIG. 11 for further information regarding the scales betting options contemplated by the present invention.

(26) In another extension or practice of the invention, it is contemplated that three balls 12 may be utilized. In this case, it is contemplated that an added progressive jackpot may be included based on whether the balls land such that a win may occur if a three letter word in a prescribed list is formed. For example, formation of the word, WIN (as generally depicted in FIG. 3) may mean the winning of a progressive prize. It may be seen from an inspection of FIG. 12 that thirteen seats 40 may be situated at the table, each seat 40 having its own unique three letter word 41.

(27) It is contemplated that for electronic slot machines (or online gaming portholes and the like) participating in a linked progressive, each slot could have its own unique three letter word/code. If that word/code appeared on the machine on which the player was gaming, the progressive jackpot would be won. The probability of any nominated three letter word 41 appearing in a single spin is 0.00038 or once in every 2,600 games. If a full table, with all thirteen seats 40 or stations active, it is anticipated that the progressive jackpot may be won once every 200 games on average. Notably, from a further inspection of FIG. 13, it may be seen that there are different payouts depending on how many balls 12 in the category are hit. For example, if Column bet is selected, then there is no payout if one ball 12 is hit; 2:1 if 2 balls 12 are hit; and 15:1 in all three balls 12 are hit.

(28) For a table game or linked electronic, slot-type or online porthole-type roulette game, it is contemplated that each seat 40 in the alphabet rainbow roulette table would have its own unique word 41 for which the progressive jackpot would apply for that seat 40 only. Thus one seat 40 could be assigned the word, WIN, another NOW, another RED, etc. as generally depicted in FIG. 12. This structure solves the problem of dramatically diminishing payouts otherwise exhibited if there were only a single progressive jackpot winning word 41 with plurality of winning patrons winning simultaneously. For a gaming machine, where each player is independent of all others participating in the progressive jackpot, the electronic table game (EGM) (a hybridized table game with slots) could either: automatically and randomly assign the word 41, or enable the player to select the word 41 from a prescribed list. In the former scenario, it is contemplated that the means for assigning the word 41 might comprise the step of nominating each slot station with a word 41 as directed from the Scales jackpot or WIN jackpot.

(29) It is contemplated that participation in the jackpot may comprise one of three options as encapsulated by the following: (1) Players may elect to place a bet on the jackpot word. This option may lead to higher payouts. (2) Players who place any other bets are automatically eligible to win the progressive if their word comes up. (3) Players who place at least a minimum bet amount, which may be a system set parameter, are automatically eligible to win the progressive if their word comes up. A further option on this variation is to spin or incorporate four balls 12 instead of three balls 12. Players would then have four letter words assigned from which they can win the progressive jackpot if all four letters of the word appear. The advantage of this structure is that higher progressive prizes may be achieved. Notably, any of the participation options set forth hereinabove may be opted.

(30) It is further contemplated that a mystery jackpot option may be incorporated into the structure. In this aspect of the invention, there will be only one winning word combination WIN for the three-ball game or version. The difficulty with only a single word is that many players will be sharing the jackpot and the prize will not be very large or unique. This problem may be easily addressed. In the situation where the jackpot win trigger occurs (e.g. the word WIN is spelled out with the three balls 12 drawn), a secondary jackpot winner selection process occurs. Each player may preferably be rated by the amount of money, credits, or similar other property he/she was wagered on all bets on that game.

(31) For example, assume that there were just two players (Player A and Player B) in the game with the WIN event occurred. Player A had bet 10 credits on that game while Player B had bet 90 credits. They would be given a rating of 10 and 90 each which would mean that a probability of 0.1 would be assigned to Player A and a probability of 0.9 to Player B. A random number would be drawn by the jackpot controller to decide which of the players was to winsay it was in the range of 0.01-1, then if the random number drawn was 0.05, Player A would win; if 0.75, Player B would win. This would be highly advantageous for the gaming establishment running the game for when the jackpot started incrementing up to a relatively high amount, players would be encouraged to make larger regular wagers in order to have a better chance of being the selected winner when the WIN jackpot occurred. The same principle could be applied with the scales jackpot discussed hereinabove.

(32) The foregoing thus describes a certain gaming award method inherently taught by the present invention. In this regard, it is contemplated that the gaming award method may well function to enhancing the gaming experience, and comprise the steps of accepting a plurality of wagered predictions, which wagered predictions predict an event outcome preferably definable by the formation of a meaningful character string formable via the alphabetic characters or the roulette game. Notably, the wagered predictions may necessarily comprise certain wager sums, which sums differ in magnitude. After accepting the predictions, probability ratings may be assigned thereto, which probability ratings correspond to the wager sum magnitudes. Then a (percentage-type) random number may be drawn from an award controller, the random number being selected from a number range ranging from 0.01 (1%) to 1 (100%). After drawing the random number, the same may be compared to the probability ratings noting the differences between the various probability ratings, which differences correspond to the initially offered wager sums. The differences may then be ranked and property, such as credits, tokens, or cash, awarded to the highest ranked wager sum.

(33) In terms of prompting tones in any of the games with two or more balls 12, it is contemplated that if a scale word or syllable is hit, a musical tone (corresponding to the letter couplet syllables: DO, RE, MI, FA, SO, LA, TI) in solmization may be provided. In this regard, it is contemplated that the select auditory tones may preferably be diatonically scaled and keyed to a syllabic letter couplet grouping in solmization, the syllabic letter couplet grouping consisting of DO, RE, MI, FA, SO, LA, and TI, wherein the syllabic letter couplet DO corresponds to a tonic in the diatonic scale. The DO trigger event is generally depicted in FIG. 2 for the reader's inspection.

(34) It is contemplated that the betting layout could conceivably cover three types of bets, including: (1) Grouped notes in the exact same concept as the field bet in craps, the concept being that if DO is hit, that it would pay roughly double what the other six notes would pay. (2) Individual side bets for each of the seven notes of the diatonic scale. (3) A trigger for the combined Progressive/Mystery jackpot. It will be noted that the syllabic word couplet DO is pronounced dough, a common slang term for money; the conventional prize or award sought in games of chance such as roulette. It is contemplated that this play on syllabic-tonal content is but one feature that may add to or enhance the gaming experience.

(35) If a mechanical roulette device were being utilized, with two balls 12 being spun, it is contemplated that the grouped or field bet would pay 36:1 if RE, MI, FA, SO, LA, or TI appeared and 73:1 if DO appeared. The overall return for this type of bet would be 91.08%. Each individual side bet would pay 295:1, and the overall return for this bet type would be 91.08%. If matching any of the 7 scale letter couplets (or syllables) were to trigger a jackpot, the occurrence of the jackpot would be about ever 46.5 games. If three balls 12 were to be spun, the grouped or field bet would pay 12:1 if RE, MI, FA, SO, LA, or TI appeared and 29:1 if DO appeared. The overall return for this type of bet would be 91.85%. Each individual side bet would pay 99:1, and the overall return for this bet type would be 91.38%. If matching any of the 7 scale words were to trigger a jackpot, the occurrence of the jackpot would be about every 15.75 games. It is contemplated that the payouts could be manipulated such that if two scale words were formed from the three balls, e.g. FAL, SOD, or MIT, extra sums would be paid. It should be noted that some gaming establishments may wish to limit the liability for large bets. For example, it is contemplated that a maximum payout of $10,000 may be practiced.

(36) It is contemplated that side bets may be summarized by the following: (1) the rainbow colors Red 30, Orange 31, Yellow 32, Blue 34, Indigo 35, and Violet 36 may function to enable 6 different bets, in the same manner as more conventional red and black. (2) Notably, Green 33 would not be necessary as it could represent a small street bet on the top line. (3) Columns. (4) First and last 12). (5) Street, Double Street. (6) Scales field bet. (7) Individual scales side bets (seven). (Pairs, Corners (groups of 4)).

(37) It is thus contemplated that the preferred embodiment of the present invention generally concerns a colorful syllabic roulette game, which game is designed to provide awards for forming meaningful character strings (including mono-syllabic words). The formed character strings may further be operably coupled to certain means for providing tones when triggered by the events. Thus the syllabic roulette game may well function to elicit an enhanced winning experience through visual and aural syllabic-based stimulation. The syllabic roulette game of the present invention preferably comprises a roulette wheel 10 as illustrated and referenced in FIGS. 1-7; a wagering layout or wager-enabling structure or surface 11 as illustrated and referenced in FIGS. 8, 12, 15, 17, and 20; and a plurality of sector-stimulating or character-identifying spheres or balls 12 as illustrated and referenced in FIGS. 2-7.

(38) The roulette wheel 10 preferably comprises a plurality of evenly spaced radially inward sphere-receiving sectors 13 as illustrated and referenced in FIGS. 1-4; a plurality of radially outward sphere-launching track rings 14 as illustrated and referenced in FIGS. 1-7; and certain means for providing auditory or aural tones or tone-provision means, schematically depicted (as a speaker in circuit with roulette wheel 10) at reference numeral 15 in FIG. 2. It may be seen from a comparative inspection of FIGS. 1-4 versus FIGS. 5-7 that track rings 14 may be preferably stepped in order to guide balls 12 initially in radially outward adjacency to sectors 13 (radially inward) to enhance random deployment from the rings 14 into various sectors 13. Further, depending on the number of balls 12 to be utilized or characters 18 to be identified, it is contemplated that the number of track rings 14 may preferably equal the number of balls 12 as a means to enhance random deployment as may be seen from a general consideration of FIGS. 5-7.

(39) As been noted hereinabove, it is contemplated that each sphere-receiving sector 13 may preferably comprise a colored superior sector surface, each of which surfaces preferably further bear a select alphabetic wheel-based character 18. As may be seen from an inspection of FIGS. 1 and 20, a plurality of colors is represented as depicted by various types of hatch markings. For example, the Roman alphabetic characters Y and Z as depicted in FIG. 1 are preferably accompanied by Green 33 coloration as depicted by hatch markings designated as green under United States Patent and Trademark Office rules of practice with regard to color depictions. Similarly, the Roman alphabetic characters A, H, O, and V are preferably accompanied by a Red 30 coloration; the Roman alphabetic characters B, I, M, and W are preferably accompanied by an Orange 31 coloration; the Roman alphabetic characters C, J, Q, and X are preferably accompanied by a Yellow 32 coloration; the Roman alphabetic characters E, L, R, and S are preferably accompanied by a Blue 34 coloration; the Roman alphabetic characters D, K, P, and U are preferably accompanied by an Indigo 35 coloration; and the Roman alphabetic characters F, G, N, and T are preferably accompanied by a Violet 36 coloration. As earlier set forth, the noted colors comprise or denote the popular mnemonic ROY (G.) BIV for the optical spectrum or rainbow of colors.

(40) For a mechanical version of the roulette game, it is contemplated that a plurality of select sphere-receiving sectors 13 may comprise certain pressure-sensitive portions for activating the tones (not specifically illustrated). The pressure-sensitive portions of the select sphere-receiving sectors 13 (i.e. those sectors that enable tone provision) may thus be considered to comprise, in part, the tone provision means. For example, it is contemplated that when a ball 12 comes to rest upon a select sector 13, a pressure-sensitive switch may be actuated for closing circuitry that operates to provide a select tone. For an electronic (slot-type or online gaming-type) version of the roulette game, it is contemplated that the select sectors 13 may be preprogrammed to play the tones as prompted by character-identifying balls 12.

(41) It is contemplated that the wagering surface or layout 11 or wager-enabling structure of the present invention may preferably be disposed adjacent the roulette wheel 10 for facilitating wager placement thereupon or thereby. In this regard, the reader is directed to FIGS. 8, 12, 15, 17, and 20. From an inspection of the noted figures, it will be seen that gamers may place wagers upon a plurality if wager-receiving or wager-enabling sections 16 prior to ball deposition. Each of the wager-receiving sections 16 comprise a superior section surface, which section surfaces each bear a select alphabetic wager-based character 17 having one-to-one correspondence with the wheel-based characters 18. It will be understood that the wheel-based and wager-based characters 18 and 17 have paired character correspondence, and thus the sections 16 also preferably comprise rainbow color backdrops corresponding to the previously specified breakdown. From an inspection of FIG. 20, for example, it may be seen that A comprises Red 30 coloration, C comprises Yellow 32 coloration; G comprises Violet 36 coloration; I comprises Orange 31 coloration; K comprises Indigo 35 coloration; and S comprises Blue 34 coloration. The remaining sections 16 as depicted in FIG. 20 have been purposely illustrated without coloration (otherwise necessarily present) for ease of visual interpretation.

(42) The sector-stimulating or character-identifying spheres or balls 12 are launchable from the sphere-launching track rings 14 and receivable in one of the sphere-receiving sectors 13 as generally depicted in FIGS. 2-4. When a triggering event such as the formation of a syllable in solmization (e.g. DO) occurs, a tone (as at reference numeral 19 in FIG. 2) may then be provided via the tone-provision means 15. In other words, the select sphere-receiving sectors 13 function to cooperably provide the select auditory tone 19 when the sector-stimulating spheres 12 are sector-received. Together, the paired character correspondence between the wheel 10 and the layout 11, and the select auditory tone 19 function to visually and aurally stimulate a user's senses for eliciting an enhanced gaming experience.

(43) While the above description contains much specificity, this specificity should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of the invention. For example, as is described hereinabove, it is contemplated that the present invention essentially discloses a syllabic roulette game for visually and aurally stimulating a game user, the syllabic roulette game comprising a certain roulette medium, such as a wheel, and a plurality of sector-stimulating balls. Where wagering on ball deposition outcomes is preferred, a wager support surface or layout may be further provided.

(44) The roulette medium may preferably comprise a plurality of ball-receiving sectors, and each ball-receiving sector may preferably comprise a sector surface bearing a select, medium-based, solfege-enabling, alphabetic character. In this last regard, it has been noted that Roman alphabetic characters are but one form of alphabetic character. From an inspection of FIGS. 15 and 17, it will be seen that other alphabetic characters, such as the Russian alphabetic character set, may be incorporated into the game and still be encompassed by the teachings set forth herein. Notably, payout structures and odds of winning may be slightly altered depending on the alphabet character set as may be seen from a comparative inspection of FIGS. 9, 11, 13, and 14 versus FIGS. 16 and 18. Other types of alphabet character sets such as Greek, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and similar other sets of alphabetic character sets may be used, it being noted that solmization is not limited to scales coupled to meaningful character strings dictated by Roman alphabetic character strings or the like.

(45) The sector-stimulating balls or character identifiers are receivable in one of the ball-receiving sectors for cooperably enabling single-spin word or syllable formation. It is contemplated that single spin word or syllable formation, enhanced by paired character correspondence may well function to visually stimulate a user and elicit an enhanced gaming experience. Notably, the roulette medium may bear select rainbow type colorization for enabling varying payout schemes including, but not limited to mystery jackpots and the like. Further, the roulette game may preferably comprise certain tone-provision means for providing auditory tones having one-to-one correspondence with the formed meaningful character strings.

(46) Further, it is contemplated that the concepts of the present invention teach certain roulette gaming methodology. In this regard, it is contemplated that the roulette gaming method of the present invention may well function to enhance the roulette gaming experience. The roulette gaming method may preferably comprise the steps of arranging visually perceptive alphabetic characters in radial adjacency to a central roulette wheel axis (of rotation); randomly depositing character identifiers (such as balls 12) in radial adjacency to the axis of rotation, as, for example, in ball-receiving sectors 13; identifying a plurality of alphabetic characters via the deposited character identifiers; forming meaningful character strings via the identified alphabetic characters; and comparing the formed meaningful character strings with prescribed meaningful character strings such as those meaningful character strings set forth in FIG. 12, namely, WIN, NOW, RED, SHE, FOR, HUG, MAN, BAR, YES, DOG, AXE, SUN, and CA, or the solfege-enabling character strings DO, RE, MI, FA, SO, LA, and TI.

(47) Other steps may include the arrangement of a rainbow type colors in radial adjacency to the axis of rotation before randomly depositing the character identifiers in radial adjacency to the axis of rotation. Notably, color arrangements may be randomly assigned or periodically altered in the case of an electronic (slot-type or online gaming-type) roulette format. Further, the prediction of a certain meaningful character string formation may occur before the random deposition of balls or character identifiers in radial adjacency to the axis of rotation, as would be the case when a gamer selects a select alphabetic character, color, or character string before the roulette spin is performed. Typically, the step of wagering property such as money, credits, or similar other property occurs during the step of prediction.

(48) Still further, the roulette gaming method may comprise the step of awarding property such as money, credits, or similar other property after comparing the formed meaningful character strings with the select prescribed character strings. The award may take the form of a mystery jackpot and any number of other payout structures. Notably, the step of sounding a select tone during meaningful character string formation may be included, in which case the formed meaningful character string may preferably correspond to the select tone in solmization.

(49) Accordingly, although the invention has been described by reference to a preferred roulette game and certain methodology associated therewith, it is not intended that the novel game or gaming method be limited thereby, but that modifications thereof are intended to be included as falling within the broad scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosure, the following claims and the appended drawings.