DETAILED DESCRIPTION The invention is a multi-level elimination sports tournament format with a method of wagering by the players on their own results during competition. The tournament starts with a field of players. The field is divided into subsets or groups. Each group has a given number of players. The tournament is played in multiple rounds. Each group is a separate competitive entity within itself during a given round. The players of each group compete with each other in a sport such as golf, and they wager against each other on their play results as described below. The wagering method eliminates all but one player in each group. The end of a round occurs when there remains only a single survivor per group.
If PG is the number of players in each group in a given round, then the percentage of players eliminated in the given round is ((PG-1)/PG). For example, if there are 6 players per group in round 1, then 5 players will be eliminated per group in round 1, which is ? of the field. This format allows rapid reduction of a large field. The group sizes and number of rounds for a given tournament are decided in advance, based on the expected size of the field and the facilities and time available for running the tournament. All the groups in a given round are the same size at the time of invitation to the tournament. However, depending on the actual starting field after entries, cancellations, and replacements, the group sizes may be adjusted. Some groups may be smaller than the nominal size for a given round by one player. This allows high flexibility in running a tournament, and in making last-minute adjustments without delaying the start time.
In standard major golf tournaments, cuts are made after one or more rounds of a certain number of holes. In the present format, players are eliminated after they lose their wagering money and they cannot ante on the next hole. This may occur at different rates in different groups, so a round in the present specification is not defined by a set number of holes of golf or a set number of competitive sequences in general, but by the elimination of all but one player in each group.
The surviving players from a given round of the tournament constitute the field of players for the next round. These surviving players are regrouped, and again compete and wager within their groups, until again one player survives from each group. This hierarchy of successive eliminations continues until a final round is played in which there are only enough players for one group. The survivor of this group is the winner of the tournament.
This tournament format is especially appropriate for golf, but it can be used for any competition having a series of play sequences, each sequence comprising at least one competitive play action performed by each player in a group, and each sequence providing a quantitative measure of success by each player in the group.
When applying the present format to the sport of golf, the series of play sequences is the series of holes played, the play actions are the strokes toward a hole, and the measure of success is the number of strokes for a given hole. For clarity, the following description is in golf terms, but the present format and method can be generalized to include other types of competitive play.
The wagering terms for the present method are as follows: An ante is required for each hole. Players wager on the current hole after each stroke is completed by all players in the group. Players may go “all in” even if they cannot match a bet. Ties will split the pot. In the event that everyone in a group ties a hole, the ante's will carry over to the next hole. Players are eliminated when they cannot ante on a hole. They may not buy back in. In the event of an “all-in” tie that results in the combined ante carried over, a contestant will not be eliminated for being unable to meet the minimum new ante. He will play that hole as “all-in”.
The required ante preferably increases gradually during a round. For example, it may increase by a predetermined amount, such as a given fraction of the buy-in, after every hole. The player with the button starts the betting on each hole. He can bet, pass, or fold. The second player in line for the button may raise the bet, accept the bet (i.e., check the bet) or fold. The third and forth players in line may also accept the bet, raise the bet or fold). This can happen after each shot until the hole is completed. After each hole the button passes to the next player.
EXAMPLE Following is an example of a golf tournament conducted according to the present invention for a starting field of 432 players. To begin each round, the field is divided into groups. Each group is a separate competitive entity within itself. A dealer is provided for each group to track wagers made by the players. A chance selection method such as a drawing is used at the first hole to determine the play order within a group. The first player of the group controls the bet on the first hole, and is said to have the “button”. The second player controls the bet on the second hole. The “button” is said to pass to the second player. The third player controls the bet on the third hole. The fourth player of the group controls the bet on the fourth hole. Then the rotation starts again with the first player on the fifth hole, and so on until the end. On par fours and fives a first bet made after the first shot is made by all players in the group. On par threes a first bet is made before the first shot.
Round 1: Each player buys-in to the tournament with a given amount, or bank of $10,000. The starting field is divided into 108 foursomes. The ante starts at $500 and increases $200 each time the button passes, which is every hole. On hole one the ante is $500, on hole two the ante is $700, on hole 3 the ante is $900, on hole 4 the ante is $1,100 and so on. The minimum bet is $200. Players can go “all-in” at any time. The match continues until only one player remains per foursome to play the next round.
Round 2: Each player's bank is $40,000. The 108 surviving players from round 1 are divided into threesomes. The ante starts at $2,000 and increases $500 each time the button passes, which is every hole. The minimum bet is $500. Players can go “all-in” at any time. The match continues until only one player remains per threesome to play the next round.
Round 3: Each player's bank is $120,000. The 36 surviving players from round 2 are divided into sixsomes. The ante starts at $6,000 and increases $2,000 each time the button passes, which is every hole. The minimum bet is $2,000. Players can go “all-in” at any time. The match continues until only one player remains per sixsome to play the next round.
Round 4: Each player's bank is $720,000. The six surviving players from round 3 will play in one sixsome. The ante starts at $40,000 and increases $10,000 each time the button passes, which is every hole. The minimum bet is $10,000. Players can go “all-in” at any time. The match continues until the tournament winner is determined.
Prize money is preferably awarded to the survivors of each round based on a percentage of the total purse for that round in accordance with a payout schedule provided in advance by the tournament organizers. The players in the final round are preferably awarded prize money for that round based on their final placement in that round.
The present format and method can be used for either real or virtual competition. It is useful for actual large golf tournaments. It is also usable for virtual competition on a computerized system with multiple play stations, either at the same location or networked over multiple remote locations. The play actions can be simulated golf strokes on a simulated golf course. The simulated golf course is preferably based on a digital model of a real golf course that is selectable at the start of play. The results of simulated play actions can be determined by chance, using computerized randomization and simulation techniques to project a ball imperfectly toward a hole relative to the last shot. Or the play actions can be based on skill using a digitizing manual input device that gives the player manual control over the simulated trajectory of a ball. This digital input device can be one or more of a lever, plunger, wheel, knob, pedal, or even a golf club with transmitting accelerometers and/or other stroke digitizing means. The details of such input devices are not part of this invention. Preferably the simulated play action should model the slopes and speeds of real courses and greens under actual conditions of varying weather. The play actions preferably simulate golf, but they can alternately be a simulation of any other real or imagined sport, including various types of pinball.
Although the present invention has been described herein with respect to preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative, not restrictive. Modifications of the present invention will occur to those skilled in the art. All such modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention.
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