Method for Multidimensional Parlay Sports Betting

Abstract

A method of wagering includes the steps of developing an NN grid based on selections from a bettor, the selections being based on different independent events conducted at different times; receiving a selection of at least one of the events; and displaying specific details of the selection. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, having encoded thereon program code, wherein, when the program code is executed by a machine, the machine implements the method is also provided. The method can be performed on any mobile computing device, computer, smart television, or other device properly equipped to perform and display such method.

Claims

1. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, having encoded thereon program code, wherein, when the program code is executed by a machine, the machine implements a method for placing a plurality of parlay wagers, the method comprising the steps of: (a) developing an NN grid based on selections from a bettor, the selections being based on different independent events conducted at different times; (b) receiving a selection of at least one of the events; and (c) displaying specific details of the selection.

2. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises the steps of: receiving a request from the bettor to place an M1 one-dimensional parlay betting option on the different independent events, wherein the one-dimensional parlay betting option comprises at least a 31 grid of wagerable events; receiving a request to form the NN grid using the independent events selected in step (a); and forming the NN grid.

3. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium according to claim 2, wherein the method further comprises the step of: allowing a user to move locations of the events on the grid to different locations on the grid.

4. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium according to claim 2, wherein the step of forming the NN grid comprises selecting N such that N.sup.2 M.

5. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium according to claim 2, wherein N.sup.2 is the first square >M.

6. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises selecting a single event.

7. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises selecting a plurality of events.

8. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises providing an indication that the event is complete and won.

9. A method for placing a plurality of parlay wagers, the method comprising the steps of: (a) developing an NN grid based on selections from a bettor, the selections being based on different independent events conducted at different times; (b) receiving a selection of at least one of the events; and (c) displaying specific details of the selection.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein step (a) comprises the steps of: receiving a request from the bettor to place an M1 one-dimensional parlay betting option on the different independent events, wherein the one-dimensional parlay betting option comprises at least a 31 grid of wagerable events; receiving a request to form the NN grid using the independent events selected in step (a); and forming the NN grid.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of: (d) allowing a user to move locations of the events on the grid to different locations on the grid.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of forming the NN grid comprises selecting N such that N.sup.2>M.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein N.sup.2 is the first square >M.

14. The method according to claim 9, wherein step (c) comprises selecting a single event.

15. The method according to claim 9, wherein step (c) comprises selecting a plurality of events.

16. The method according to claim 9, wherein step (c) comprises providing an indication that the event is complete and won.

17. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, having encoded thereon program code, wherein, when the program code is executed by a machine, the machine implements a method for placing a plurality of parlay wagers, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a request from a bettor to place a two-dimensional parlay betting option on different independent events conducted at different times; (b) receiving a request to form the NN grid using the independent events selected in step (a); and (c) forming the NN grid.

18. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium according to claim 17, further comprising the steps of: (d) receiving a selection of at least one of the events; and (e) displaying specific details of the selection.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the invention. In the drawings:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a flowchart of an existing method used to access a sportsbook for the purpose of placing a wager via mobile computing device, computer, smart television, or other device properly equipped to perform and display such method.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the method to deploy an interactive screen in the form of a graphical bettor interface, which will provide a bettor with the selections and decisions necessary to place a two-dimensional parlay wager.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting the method of receiving a bettor's selections, arrangements, and changes of wagering events for the purpose of calculating and displaying potential winning payouts and creating a two-dimensional parlay wager.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the method of processing a bettor's modifications to a two-dimensional parlay wager, identifying the individual parlay wagers that exist within the two-dimensional parlay, and receiving a bettor's request to place a wager.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the method of generating and settling a bettor's active betslip.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an existing operation of a sportsbook that allows a bettor to place wagering events onto a betslip prior to combining the wagering events to form a parlay wager.

[0018] FIG. 7 is an exemplary graphical bettor interface used for illustrations in the form of screenshots as used in FIGS. 8-14.

[0019] FIG. 8 is an illustration of an exemplary graphical interface that may be used with the method to display an interactive screen as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2.

[0020] FIG. 9 is an illustration of same graphical interface that may be used with the method to place a single two-dimensional wager as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2.

[0021] FIG. 10 is an illustration of same graphical interface that may be used with the method to provide a bettor with a category of wagering events as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2.

[0022] FIG. 11 is an illustration of same graphical interface that may be used with the method to receive bettor's selections and arrangements as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3.

[0023] FIG. 12 is an illustration of same graphical interface that may be used with the method to calculate and display potential winning payouts as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3.

[0024] FIG. 13 is an illustration of same graphical interface that may be used with the method to receive bettor's changes of wagering events as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3.

[0025] FIG. 14 is an illustration of same graphical interface that may be used with the method to receive bettor's changes of wagering events as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3.

[0026] FIG. 15 is an illustration that may be used with the method to process a bettor's removals 130 or modifications as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4.

[0027] FIG. 16 is an illustration that may be used with the method to process a bettor's removals 130 or modifications as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4

[0028] FIG. 17A is an illustration of an exemplary method of a parlay wager that exists within the two-dimensional parlay as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4.

[0029] FIG. 17B is an illustration of another exemplary method of a parlay wager that exists within the two-dimensional parlay as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4.

[0030] FIG. 17C is an illustration of still another exemplary method of a parlay wager that exists within the two-dimensional parlay as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4.

[0031] FIG. 17D is an illustration of yet another exemplary method of a parlay wager that exists within the two-dimensional parlay as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4.

[0032] FIG. 17E is an illustration of a further exemplary method of a parlay wager that exists within the two-dimensional parlay as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4.

[0033] FIG. 17F is an illustration of a still further exemplary method of a parlay wager that exists within the two-dimensional parlay as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4.

[0034] FIG. 17G is an illustration of yet another further exemplary method of a parlay wager that exists within the two-dimensional parlay as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4.

[0035] FIG. 18 is an illustration that may be used with the method to generate a bettor's active betslip as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5.

[0036] FIG. 19 is an illustration that may be used with the method to settling a bettor's active betslip as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5.

[0037] FIG. 20 is an illustration depicting an alternate design of a graphic interface to perform and display the methods previously described.

[0038] FIG. 21 is an illustration depicting alternate 44 dimensions of a two-dimensional parlay grid that, along with other dimensions, may exist on a graphical interface.

[0039] FIG. 22 is an illustration depicting an alternate design and dimensions of a three-dimensional cubed grid that may exist on a graphical interface, using similar methods as those described herein.

[0040] FIG. 23 is an illustration of an alternate, condensed 44 two-dimensional parlay grid for smaller screens.

[0041] FIG. 24 is an illustration of individual active and settled parlay betslip similar to those that currently exist in a sportsbook operation.

[0042] FIG. 24A is an illustration of an alternative individual active and settled parlay betslip similar to those that currently exist in a sportsbook operation.

[0043] FIG. 25 is an exemplary one-dimensional betslip for use with the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 26 is an exemplary illustration of a 44 grid with a box on the grid being selected by a user.

[0045] FIG. 27 is an exemplary GUI of details of the box selected in FIG. 26.

[0046] FIG. 28 is an exemplary illustration of a 44 grid with a parlay on the grid being selected by a user.

[0047] FIG. 29 is an exemplary GUI of details of the parlay selected in FIG. 28.

[0048] FIG. 30 is an exemplary GUI of a two-dimensional 33 betslip grid according to the present invention.

[0049] FIG. 31 is a selection of potential bets for a particular box on the grid of FIG. 30.

[0050] FIG. 32 is a selected bet for the box of FIG. 31.

[0051] FIG. 33 is the selected bet placed in the grid of FIG. 30.

[0052] FIG. 34 is a grid with all spaces selected.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout. Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. The embodiments illustrated below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. These embodiments are chosen and described to best explain the principle of the invention and its application and practical use and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention.

[0054] Reference herein to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase in one embodiment in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments necessarily mutually exclusive of other embodiments. The same applies to the term implementation.

[0055] As used in this application, the word exemplary is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as exemplary is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion.

[0056] The word about is used herein to include a value of +/10 percent of the numerical value modified by the word about and the word generally is used herein to mean without regard to particulars or exceptions.

[0057] Additionally, the term or is intended to mean an inclusive or rather than an exclusive or. That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, X employs A or B is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then X employs A or B is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles a and an as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean one or more unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form.

[0058] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, each numerical value and range should be interpreted as being approximate as if the word about or approximately preceded the value of the value or range.

[0059] The use of figure numbers and/or figure reference labels in the claims is intended to identify one or more possible embodiments of the claimed subject matter in order to facilitate the interpretation of the claims. Such use is not to be construed as necessarily limiting the scope of those claims to the embodiments shown in the corresponding figures.

[0060] It should be understood that the steps of the exemplary methods set forth herein are not necessarily required to be performed in the order described, and the order of the steps of such methods should be understood to be merely exemplary. Likewise, additional steps may be included in such methods, and certain steps may be omitted or combined, in methods consistent with various embodiments of the present invention.

[0061] Although the elements in the following method claims, if any, are recited in a particular sequence with corresponding labeling, unless the claim recitations otherwise imply a particular sequence for implementing some or all of those elements, those elements are not necessarily intended to be limited to being implemented in that particular sequence.

[0062] The present invention is directed to a sports betting application and associated computer implemented methods for online sports betting and wagering.

[0063] With reference to the drawings and in operation, the invention fulfills deficiencies related to the ineffective display of multiple parlay wagers on multiple screens or pages, through the use of a two-dimensional betslip. By providing a method to build and arrange a two-dimensional parlay wager, the invention also overcomes the loss of bettor engagement that occurs upon the loss of a single wagering event.

[0064] In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention can be utilized by a sportsbook operator that possesses a system capable of offering, accepting, and processing parlay wagers on sporting events, by an individual. As used herein, the terms, sportsbook operator, sportsbook, and operator are used interchangeably, referring to a company responsible for the management of a system designed to accept, process, and settle wagers on the outcomes of various sporting events and competitions. Sportsbook system functions include providing and managing bettor accounts, determining a bettor's geographic location, providing a selection of wagering events with betting terms, accepting single or basic (one-dimensional) parlay wagers, handling wagering event conflicts when creating parlay wagers, producing betslips, updating the live status of events on a real-time basis, and settling wagers. The invention described herein does not provide those functions, rather it relies on the use of a sportsbook's system to supply such functionality to the application. The terms wager and bet, herein used interchangeably, refer to a sum of money placed against another party's money, on the basis of the outcome of an event. The term wagering event refers to a specified outcome related to a sporting contest, activity, accomplishment, or lack of accomplishment by a player, team, related party, or combination of all. Betting terms refer to an identification of the specific terms and conditions that must be met for a wager to win or payout. Betting terms may include, but are not limited to, details of the specified event, odds, spread, over/under total points, moneyline, wager amount, props, and maximum possible win. The term betslip refers to a printed or electronic form that records how much money a bettor has wagered on the outcome of an event or series of events, the bettor's potential payout, as well as the betting terms for those wagers. The betslip is documented evidence of the wagers that a bettor places with a sportsbook. The term parlay wager refers to a wager that is dependent on the combined outcomes of two or more wagering events. Typically, a parlay wager only pays out if the bettor wins or ties all wagering events represented in the parlay wager.

[0065] Systems and methods of the invention are configured for a sportsbook to offer, accept, display, update, and settle a two-dimensional parlay wager. The term two-dimensional parlay as initially defined herein, and not previously defined elsewhere, refers to the allocation of a single wager to multiple parlay wagers, each comprised of several wagering events. These many individual parlay wagers are arranged in easily identifiable patterns which are viewed on a single two-dimensional grid or two-dimensional betslip. The terms two-dimensional parlay grid and grid, herein used interchangeably, refer to a two-dimensional array of rectangles or similarly sized shapes, known as betspaces, with a minimum of two horizontal rows and two vertical columns. The term betspace, as initially defined herein, and not previously defined elsewhere, relates to the positioning and identification of one wagering event, as selected by the bettor and placed on the grid. The grid provides a visual display of several parlay wagers arranged by the bettor. Each of the bettor's several parlay wagers can be identified through a common pattern such as a sequence of betspaces in a row, column, diagonal line, box, corners, etc.

[0066] A selected embodiment of the invention will now be explained in conjunction with references to drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following description of the embodiment of the invention is provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention.

[0067] In general, the invention is configured as an add-on application for an existing sportsbook system. An add-on application refers to an application that can be easily attached to a larger project, system, or website; also referred to as a bolt-on. The invention, as an add-on application, includes a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, having encoded thereon program code, wherein, when the program code is executed by a machine, the machine implements a method for placing a plurality of parlay wagers. The method begins operation once the sportsbook receives a request to open the two-dimensional parlay betting option. This request cannot be performed until the sportsbook has completed a series of steps as represented in FIG. 1. These steps include receipt of a request to open the sportsbook application in step 05, receipt of the bettor's profile credentials through a log-in process in step 10, the validation of the bettor's credentials in step 15, and the determination of the bettor's eligibility to place a wager from the bettor's location in step 20.

[0068] Satisfaction of those steps will release an interactive display of wagering events and betting options to the bettor in step 25. Referring to FIG. 6, bettor may utilize the existing sportsbook application to select wagering events in step 35, place the events on a betslip in step 40, and return to the main menu prior to placing a wager in step 45. Selection of the two-dimensional parlay betting option by the bettor will deploy the system and methods for the invention as described and represented in the following sections in step 30. The interactive display may be programmed in the form of a text-based interface or a graphical bettor interface. A graphical bettor interface refers to a form of bettor interface that allows bettors to interact with electronic devices through graphical icons or an audio indicator such as primary notation, instead of text-based bettor interfaces, typed command labels or text navigation. The selected embodiment and drawings assume the use of a graphical bettor interface 200 as shown in FIG. 7.

[0069] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the interactive components of the system, with further reference to FIGS. 8-10. In the exemplary embodiment, the invention, in the form of a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, will be prompted to display the two-dimensional parlay betting options available to the bettor, along with instructions or information as deemed necessary for bettor input in step 50. Betting options refer to the various grid dimensions available to the bettor, for the purpose of creating and arranging a two-dimensional parlay wager. In the selected embodiment, drawings refer to a three row by three column grid or 33. Grid dimensions may be of any size and dimension of at least two rows and two columns, or 22. An alternate 44 grid is shown in FIG. 21. An alternate 333 three-dimensional cube 250 is illustrated in FIG. 22. Each face of cube 250 can be considered a separate 33 two-dimensional grid, with a No Pick in the central block that cannot be seen from ay angle.

[0070] Upon receipt of the bettor's grid dimension selection in step 55, the application will furnish an interactive display to the bettor in step 60. While activities in the selected embodiment refer to the use of a single screen, elements of the application may be displayed on separate screens as deemed necessary to maximize sportsbook processing and display preferences of the bettor.

[0071] The interactive two-dimensional parlay display consists of three distinct components, illustrated on FIG. 8. A list of wagering events, as categorized by type of sport, league, date, or other criteria is furnished to the bettor 400. Additionally, a category exists for the bettor to access wagering events previously placed, but not wagered, which may exist on the bettor's betslip 401. Data related to wagering events resides in the existing system of the sportsbook operator. The application pulls this information, from the sportsbook, into the interactive display for reference, selection, and processing purposes. The screen displays a required entry of a betting amount 402 by the bettor2, representing their single bet or wager amount on the two-dimensional parlay. The bettor's betting amount will be further allocated to the several parlay wagers that exist within the grid. The bettor will have access to an empty 33 grid with bordering rectangles which provide information related to the individual parlay wagers 403. Unfilled betspaces, which total a quantity of nine for a 33 grid, are each displayed as an open slot 404. Betspaces are bordered by informational spaces 405. These informational spaces are used to display the parlay location, Max Win, wager amount, or other status of each of the several individual parlays that exist on the grid. The total combined possible payout for all of the individual parlay wagers is calculated and displayed 406. Max Win refers to the maximum possible payout which a bettor can win for a particular wager. Each individual parlay is referenced in the border space, by description of the location of the series of wagering events that comprise the individual parlay wager. As illustrated on a 44 grid in FIGS. 17A-17G, each individual parlay is represented as an easily identifiable one-or two-dimensional pattern, such as a vertical series/column 490, horizontal series/row 491, a diagonal series 492, a box 495, all corners 493, all spaces 494, or any other recognizable pattern 496. References to these individual parlays and patterns may be described in form as Row 1, Column 3, All Spaces, Bottom Right Diagonal, etc. or through the use of related abbreviations such as R1, C1, ALL, BRD, etc. While the selected embodiments in these drawings are provided for illustration purposes, it may not meet the space constraints of a hand-held device. Accordingly, FIG. 23 refers to an alternate, condensed layout 210 that provides similar functionality on a small handheld device.

[0072] The interactive display is capable of receiving various instructions from the bettor. These instructions may occur in the same or different order as reflected in the drawings, initiating various processes and calculations to be performed by the application. The application will receive the two-dimensional parlay wager or bet amount, in financial terms entered by bettor in step 80 in FIG. 2. The single wager is then allocated, proportionally to each of the individual parlays that exist within the two-dimensional parlay grid. FIG. 9 provides an example of an entry 410 of $20 by bettor, with an allocation of $2 to each of the ten individual parlays 412, as processed. The application will permit the bettor to revise the single wager amount and may include an option to modify the allocation of the wager to each individual parlay; further flowcharted in FIG. 4.

[0073] The two-dimensional parlay grid is built and arranged from the selections of wagering events and instructions received from the bettor. Upon selection of a wagering event category by the bettor, the application displays information and betting terms related to individual wagering events available from the sportsbook in step 85. In FIG. 10 the sportsbook offers information and betting terms related to an NFL contest between Philadelphia (PHI) and Atlanta (ATL) on Sep. 12, 2021 at 1: 00 pm 420. From that contest, the sportsbook offers a wagering event described as PHI-3.5 (110) 422, along with five other wagering events related to the same contest. To those familiar with the aspects of sports betting, selecting this particular wagering event translates to a bettor betting that Philadelphia's total final score, minus 3.5 points, will exceed Atlanta's total final score for the contest. Should the wager be a successful win for the bettor, the sportsbook would pay at a ratio of $100 for every $110 wagered by the bettor. Conversely, the full amount of the bettor's wager would be retained by the sportsbook if the wager was unsuccessful to the bettor. The sportsbook returns the wager to the bettor should a tie occur; this is also known as a push.

[0074] FIG. 3 is a schematic of the processes involved in building and arranging the two-dimensional parlay grid. Upon selection of a wagering event by bettor in step 90, the application will populate a designated betspace on the grid in step 95. Bettor may select the betspace to be filled with the selected wagering event, otherwise the application will default to the first available open slot. Bettor's selection and instructions may be performed on FIG. 11 through any input method available to the interface (screen tap, drag and drop, click, keyboard stroke, etc.) 430. The betspace will now contain information and betting terms similar to those provided in the list 432. Given the fluid nature of sports betting, betting terms on the betspace will be updated for changes, as they occur, and will require bettor confirmation prior to the final wager being placed and accepted by the sportsbook. Likewise, the list of available wagering events may be updated to remove or indicate the existence of specific wagering events that may conflict with the sportsbook's policy on parlay wagers in step 100. For example, a sportsbook may not permit a bettor to form a parlay with more than one wagering event from the same contest or a wagering event related to a contest that has already begun.

[0075] Upon the addition, removal, or movement of a wagering event on the grid in step 105, the application will calculate (or recalculate) the Max Win payout for each of the individual parlay wagers, and the total possible payout of all wagers that exist on the grid in step 110.

[0076] Step 115 determines whether the bettor has completed his/her selection of wagering events. If not, the process reverts to step 90; if so, the process proceeds to step 125 where the bettor is asked whether he/she is satisfied with their wagering events and placement on the grid. If not, the process reverts to step 105; if so, the process proceeds to step 130.

[0077] FIG. 12 displays a 33 grid with wagering events populating all nine betspaces. The Max Win is calculated for individual parlays 440 and in total 442. Once a wagering event has been placed on the grid, the application will permit the bettor to remove the wagering event from its betspace 450, thereby re-opening the betspace and returning it to the list of available wagering events 452 as illustrated in FIG. 13. The application will also permit the bettor to move a wagering event from one betspace to another using a drag and drop instruction as illustrated in FIG. 14. If the other betspace is occupied by a previously selected wagering event, the bettor will instruct the application will perform a swap of the two events in their respective betspace positions 460.

[0078] FIG. 4 is a schematic of processes related to optional capabilities and bettor selections which may permit modifications to default settings. Options to remove in step 130 and modifications in step 135 are not limited to those provided herein. FIG. 15 provides an example of a removal of two of the ten individual parlays that exist within the 33 grid 470. The removal option may take the form of a bettor's choice to delete the individual parlay or change the individual wager amount, for that parlay, to $0-. The receipt of a bettor's instruction to modify an individual parlay wager will open an edit option of the application. With the edit option open in FIG. 16, a bettor may modify the previously allocated wager amount for any individual parlay wager 480. The removal or modification of an individual parlay will result in a recalculation of the Max Win payouts as displayed 482, and the total bet amount 484.

[0079] Upon the removal or modification of an individual parlay, the application will once again recalculate the Max Win payout for each of the individual parlay wagers, and the total possible payout of all wagers that exist on the grid in step 140. Each individual parlay is represented as an easily identifiable one-dimensional pattern in step 145 as detailed in FIG. 17. The application will continue to take instructions from the bettor until the bettor is satisfied with the selection and placement of each wagering event, their associated betting terms, the wager amount, and the Max Win calculations as displayed in step 150. Betspaces may be left empty, at the bettor's discretion as illustrated in FIG. 21. An empty betspace 530 simply reduces the number of wagering events comprising an individual parlay. Upon receipt of the bettor's instruction to place the bet in step 152, the sportsbook will conduct a review of all betting terms associated with wagering events in the two-dimensional parlay and any potential conflicts within or between those events.

[0080] FIG. 5 is a schematic of the processes related to generating, displaying, managing, and settling a confirmed and active two-dimensional parlay wager. Once the bettor places the bet, the sportsbook will verify and may approve or reject the bet in step 155. A rejection by the sportsbook may require the bettor to accept revised terms, delete their wager, or modify a selection or amount in step 156. Bettor may agree to the modified betting terms in step 158, re-open the two-dimensional parlay and make modifications, or delete the request to place a bet.

[0081] Once both parties agree to the same betting terms, the sportsbook system will generate tickets, in the form of active betslips for each of the individual parlay wagers in step 160. An active betslip refers to a listing of all the bettor's wagers, with their corresponding wagering events and betting terms, where the Max Win is greater than $0 for the wager and the outcome of any wagering event in the individual parlay has not been determined 560 in FIG. 24. Additionally, for enhanced viewing purposes, the application will convert the aforementioned interactive display grid into a two-dimensional parlay active betslip (TDPABS) in step 165.

[0082] The TDPABS is similar in appearance to the two-dimensional parlay grid in step 170, without providing the bettor will the ability to modify information on the grid FIG. 18. The TDPABS displays a summary of the live status of each wagering event in its respective betspace 500. Upon selection of a wagering event or betspace on the TDPABS by bettor, the application may display an internal pop-up screen or connection to another application containing additional, enhanced information related to the contest and the wagering event; this may include links to external sources for stories, statistics, video/audio feed, highlights, etc. Upon the realization of the outcome of a wagering event (such as the completion of a contest), a win, loss, or tie will be determined and indicated for each of the bettor's selections on the grid 502. As the outcome of individual wagering events are realized, Max Win amounts for each of the individual parlays are recalculated and displayed accordingly 504. The sportsbook will settle each individual parlay in step 175, upon determination of a single wagering event loss, or the determination of all wagering events in the individual parlay by issuing a settled betslip 562 in FIG. 24A. For a winning wager by the bettor, the sportsbook will credit the bettor's account for the calculated winnings, plus the amount of the bettor's wager. The sportsbook will retain the amount of the bettor's wager for a losing wager, and the sportsbook will return the wager amount to the bettor in the event of a tie in step 180. Additionally, for enhanced viewing purposes, upon completion of all wagering events on the TDPABS, the TDPABS will convert from an active status 506 to a settled status. The TDPABS in a final and settled form 510, will be available to the bettor for future reference FIG. 19.

[0083] The method for multi-dimensional parlay sports betting shall not be limited to design elements provided in previous illustrations. FIG. 20 illustrates one of many possible designs for a two-dimensional parlay grid using various shapes 520 and borders 522. The grid, betspaces, and borders need only reflect an arrangement of elements to denote the linear patterns 524 representing each individual parlay wager. FIG. 21 represents an illustration of a grid with four rows and four columns, a dimension of 44. This illustration also includes an empty betspace, indicating NO PICK 530. The Max Win payouts associated with the open betspace appear to be lower 532 in comparison to the Max Win for other individual parlays 534 due to the reduced number of events (3 rather than 4) in that individual parlay. FIG. 22 is an illustration of a three-dimensional parlay cube. Aside from an exponential increase in the quantity of wagering events and individual parlays in a cube parlay, the display, processing functions, and bettor benefits, can be achieved using the same methods discussed herein.

[0084] Sportsbook systems, in their current form, are incapable of processing a two-dimensional parlay wager. Key elements of the invention include the ability to pull and convert single-dimension betting information into an interactive two-dimensional display and then, upon completion and confirmation of a two-dimensional parlay wager, convert information on the two-dimensional display into a number of individual parlay wagers for processing and storage by the current sportsbook system.

[0085] In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIGS. 25-29, different methods of populating a betting grid with different sports or other events and viewing details of the events are provided. The present system can be a standalone system, as described above, or, alternatively, can be an add-on to an existing betting program.

[0086] FIG. 25 shows a typical one-dimensional parlay 580 provided by a prior art betting program. When the present system is integrated with the prior art bet program, a SQUARLAY (a two-dimensional grid selection) button 582 is provided below the one-dimensional parlay. By pressing button 582, the one-dimensional M1 grid shown in FIG. 25 is converted to a two-dimensional grid on NN boxes, similar to the grid shown in FIG. 23. To develop the NN matrix, N.sup.2 is the next largest square greater than or equal to M. By way of example only, if M13, the next largest N.sup.2 is 16 (44). The system will randomly populate 13 boxes in the 44 grid with picks from the M selections and populate the three remaining boxes with No Pick. Also, in order for a two-dimensional grid to be developed, M must be at least 3 (next largest NN grid is 22), to generate a 22 grid with one No Pick box.

[0087] Alternatively, instead of randomly populating the boxes, the events can be populated in the grid in the order originally listed. Alternatively, artificial intelligence can be used to spread bets around to lower the risk of a payout.

[0088] Generally, for a one-dimensional grid with less than NN selections, excess boxes are populated with No Pick as describe above, and similar to the No Pick box in FIG. 23. The user can then drag and move selections around the grid as desired and described above with respect to FIG. 14.

[0089] Alternatively, a default size can be a minimum of a 44 grid, regardless of the total number of picks. For example, if only 8 picks are provided, a 44 grid is generated, with 8 No Picks randomly inserted into the grid. Alternatively, the No Picks can be specifically placed or not placed in certain locations, such as avoiding corners or the center of the grid or all at the beginning/end of the grid.

[0090] When a parlay grid is displayed on a screen 600, as shown in FIG. 26, the user can press a box 610 in a grid 620 and the screen 600 changes to the graphical user interface (GUI) 624 shown in FIG. 27 that displays the details of the pressed event. A check mark 626 next to the bet can indicate that the bet is complete and won.

[0091] To select the details of an entire parlay the user can swipe one or multiple fingers 631 across a desired parlay 630 of boxes 610, as shown in FIG. 28, which generates the GUI 632 shown in FIG. 29. Check marks 634 next to each individual bet in the parlay can indicate bets that are complete and won. For a 4-corners bet, the user presses and holds all four corner boxes 610 simultaneously.

[0092] Optionally, the user can wager a predetermined dollar amount on the entire grid and then the application allocates equally to each parlay ($50.00/20 bets=$2.50 per parlay). Alternatively, after the initial wager, the user can adjust individual parlay bets within the grid, resulting in a commensurate bet decrease across the remaining grid spaces. For example, for a $50.00 bet in a 20 bet grid, each parlay is allocated $2.50 of the $50.00. If the bettor decides to increase one pet to $5.00, 18 of the remaining 19 bets are all decreased to $2.37, with the remaining bet decreased to $2.34.

[0093] An alternative method to generate a two-dimensional parlay using a filtered pre-filled grid is now described. Referring to FIGS. 30-34, a user chooses to create a two-dimensional parlay. The user chooses the size of the grid, in this case, a 33 grid 700, and uses a filter to select similar events to be used in the grid. By way of example only, the filter can filter events such as this week's NFL games, tonight's NHL and NBA contests, the 1st round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament, or other suitable bettable events.

[0094] Spaces 702 on the grid 700 are randomly or systematically pre-filled with events that match the user's criteria/filter. Blank No Pick Spaces will complete the grid 700 if there are an insufficient number of events that meet the criteria. The user has the option to leave spaces empty or fill them at their discretion with other events that may not meet the initial criteria/filter. For example, college football games can be added to the grid 700 if several NFL teams are on a bye week

[0095] Each pre-filled grid space 702 will initially indicate general event information. For example: Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons, 1:00 pm (ET) on Sep. 14, 2025.

[0096] The user selects each pre-filled grid space 702, producing a pop-up screen, such as the GUI 710 of FIG. 31, to view and select from a list of possible betting options on the event. In this example, the user selects the first option, as highlighted in GUI 720 in FIG. 32.

[0097] The grid of FIG. 30 is updated as shown in FIG. 33 to reflect the event information and the terms of the bet for that space 702. The user continues selecting betting options on a space by space basis, until a selection has been made for all spaces on the grid 700 700, as shown in FIG. 34.

[0098] At any time prior to submitting the grid for betting, the user can remove any or all pre-filled events on the grid 700, add other events to the grid 700, or re-arrange events on the grid 700, as discussed above with respect to other embodiments of the present invention.

[0099] It will be further understood that various changes in the details,

[0100] materials, and arrangements of the parts which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the following claims.