| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20080200232 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING A FREE SPIN GAME - A gaming device including a re-initiation mode wherein the probability of extending the bonus game is increased by fixing the reel or reels displaying a locking symbol on the reel. In the re-initiation mode embodiment, the gaming device re-activates some or all of the reels except the reel displaying the locking symbol for a predetermined number of additional free spins or until the reactivated reels display or indicate a terminating symbol on the reels. The gaming device provides any outcomes associated with indicated symbols or combination of symbols. In one embodiment, if a terminating symbol is displayed on designated reels during one of the additional free spins, the gaming device re-initiates the bonus game. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080200237 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING A MULTI-FUNCTION FREE GAME BONUS - An apparatus and method for a free spins game including a plurality of reels, an outcome and a plurality of sections associated with the outcome. The gaming device or player activates the reels to indicate a designated symbol combination including at least two section indicator symbols. When a designated symbol combination including the section indicator symbols is indicated on the reels, the gaming device obtains the corresponding section. The gaming device or player continues to activate the reels until there are no free spins remaining in the game or until all of the sections are obtained. The gaming device then provides the outcome to the player. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080214272 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING PLAYER SELECTABLE AWARD DIGITS AND AWARD MODIFICATION OPTIONS - The present invention provides a gaming device that has a player selectable award feature that may be implemented with a primary or bonus game. More specifically, the present invention provides a processor controlled gaming device that randomly generates a plurality of positions or digits of an award and enables the player to pick which position or digit receives a first randomly generated number, which digit receives a second randomly generated number, etc., until each of the positions have a number, whereby the gaming device determines the player's ultimate award. This sequence or feature may be employed in a bonus game, in a known base or primary game or in any stand alone game. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080214280 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING ODDS OF WINNING WHICH INCREASE AS A PLAYER'S WAGER INCREASES - A gaming device having a game which requires the same average investment from a player to win an award, including a jackpot award, regardless of the amount that the player bets at any one time. The award can be unchanging, e.g., $10,000, each time a player plays the gaming device. The award can also vary such as with a progressive jackpot, i.e., the jackpot builds until a player “hits” the jackpot. The game enables the average investment necessary to win the jackpot to be uniform by varying the odds of winning the jackpot as the players bet varies. That is, a player betting less money needs to play the game more times, on average, to win the jackpot. Likewise, a player betting more money needs to play the game less times, on average, to win the jackpot. The average overall bet or investment thus remains constant despite the player's betting habits or betting ability. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080220851 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING DIFFERENT SETS OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY REEL SYMBOLS - An apparatus and method for a gaming device having a bonus game that provides a player with a primary set of reel symbols having a primary probability of winning and a secondary set of reel symbols having a secondary probability of winning, where the secondary probability of winning is greater than the primary probability of winning. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080318668 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD HAVING PURCHASABLE GAME ADVANTAGES - A gaming device and method enables players to purchase one or more features that provide an advantage in a bonus event. In one embodiment, a player can purchase an advantage by paying a fee. In one embodiment, the advantage is applied to a bonus game, such as a head start in the bonus game. In an alternative embodiment, the player can purchase features that provide an advantage in obtaining a progressive award or in obtaining a level of a multiple-level progressive. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090017891 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING A WHEEL WITH MULTIPLE INDICATORS - A wagering game including a wheel and multiple section indicators. The wheel includes a plurality of sections having awards associated with each of the sections. The section indicators associated with the wheel simultaneously indicate sections on the wheel. The awards associated with the sections indicated by the activated section indicators are summed and provided to a player. The number of activated section indicators is predetermined, randomly determined, determined by the player's wager in the primary or base game, determined in a primary game or determined by a sub-game or a set. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090036202 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN ADDITIONAL GAMING CURRENCY - A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The gaming system includes a point or count based system to provide one or more awards to one or more players. Such points are accumulated by a player based on one or more events associated with the player's gaming experience. The points or counts utilized in the gaming system are selectively redeemed by the player in exchange for one or more opportunities to win an award. It should be appreciated that in one embodiment, the equalizing units disclosed herein are different, separate and independent from any monetary based points or credits, any promotional based points or credits, or any player tracking points. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090042652 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD PROVIDING SIMULTANEOUS GAMING WITH LINKED PAYTABLE EVENTS - The gaming device disclosed herein includes a plurality of simultaneously, substantially simultaneously or sequentially played primary games, wherein a designated triggering event in at least one of the games causes the gaming device to change, modify, supplement, add to, activate or otherwise influence the paytable of at least another game. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090117970 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD PROVIDING A COLLECTION GAME - A gaming system and method providing a collection game independent from the primary games of a gaming system. In one embodiment, the collection game includes a plurality of elements and a winning element combination. During play of the collection game, randomly or upon an occurrence of a triggering event, the gaming system releases one of the plurality of elements to players. The gaming system repeats the process of releasing elements until one of the players collects all of the elements of the winning element combination. The first player to collect all of the elements of the winning element combination wins an award or prize. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090117979 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A BONUS BASED ON NUMBER OF GAMING MACHINES BEING ACTIVELY PLAYED - A gaming system includes a controller linked to a plurality of gaming devices. The central server tracks: (i) a quantity of gaming devices being actively played by players, or (ii) a quantity of players actively playing at the gaming devices. The controller determines the players' eligibility for different awards based on the tracked quantity. When the controller tracks a first quantity, the controller provides the active players with an opportunity to win a first award. When the central server tracks a second quantity, the central server provides the active players with an opportunity to win a second award. As the tracked quantity changes, the controller determines or modifies the number of awards available to the players actively playing at the gaming devices. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090121434 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE, AND METHOD PROVIDING POKER GAME WITH AWARDS BASED ON ODDS OF WINNING - A gaming device includes a poker game where two cards are dealt face-up to at least one player and to a dealer. The gaming device enables the player to place an optional wager based on the initially dealt two card hand. A pay out for the optional wager is determined based on the probability that the final player hand will outrank the final dealer hand. The pay out is inversely proportional to the probability that the player will win. Therefore, if the player has a high probability of winning, the associated pay out will be relatively small. Also, if the player has a low probability of winning, the associated pay out will be relatively small. The gaming device enables the player to place multiple wager after each of a plurality of community cards are dealt, where the associated pay out changes according to a revised probability of winning. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090124316 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE, AND METHOD PROVIDING A CARD GAME WITH PAYOUTS BASED ON ODDS OF ACHIEVING CERTAIN EVENTS - A gaming device includes a poker game where two cards are dealt face-up to at least one player and to a dealer. The gaming device enables the player to place an optional wager based on the initially dealt two card hand. A pay out for the optional wager is determined based on the probability that the final player hand will outrank the final dealer hand. The pay out is inversely proportional to the probability that the player will win. Therefore, if the player has a high probability of winning, the associated pay out will be relatively small. Also, if the player has a low probability of winning, the associated pay out will be relatively small. The gaming device enables the player to place multiple wager after each of a plurality of community cards are dealt, where the associated pay out changes according to a revised probability of winning. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090124332 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD HAVING CONFIGURABLE BONUS GAME TRIGGERING OUTCOMES - A gaming system and method which provides for one or more gaming device triggered bonus games to be skipped or otherwise not provided to the players at the gaming devices which triggered such bonus games. The average expected payouts of skipped gaming device triggered bonus games are contributed to a bonus accumulation pool or fund. The accumulation pool is subsequently utilized to provide one or more gaming system triggered bonuses to one or more players at one or more of the gaming devices in the gaming system. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090124334 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A WAGERING SOLITAIRE GAME - The present disclosure provides a method of determining suitable paytables for wagering Solitaire games or type games and a gaming system, gaming device and method for providing such wagering games with such paytables. In one embodiment, the paytable includes the outcomes in the form of ranges of the total numbers of cards which are banked at the time play terminates and the awards associated with each range. In various embodiments, the paytable is constructed such that certain of the awards increase non-linearly as the ranges of numbers of banked cards increase. In other words, in various embodiments, certain awards in the paytable have a different upper ratio to the number of cards banked than other awards in the paytable. In various embodiments, the Solitaire game includes one stage or multiple stages. The present disclosure also provides a paytable for multiple related plays of the Solitaire game. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090124346 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD HAVING CONFIGURABLE BONUS GAME TRIGGERING OUTCOMES - A gaming system and method which provides for one or more gaming device triggered bonus games to be skipped or otherwise not provided to the players at the gaming devices which triggered such bonus games. The average expected payouts of skipped gaming device triggered bonus games are contributed to a bonus accumulation pool or fund. The accumulation pool is subsequently utilized to provide one or more gaming system triggered bonuses to one or more players at one or more of the gaming devices in the gaming system. A player's accumulated triggering symbols determine, at least in part, the player's probability of winning part of the bonus accumulation pool and/or the player's portion of the bonus accumulation pool. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090124351 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE, AND METHOD HAVING ANCILLARY PRIZES - A gaming system and method disclosed herein is operated by a casino or other gaming establishment. The gaming system and method disclosed herein enable players to earn entitlement offers for goods or services at gaming machines at a reduced cost to the players and the casino. The gaming system displays entitlement offers to one or more players after a designated threshold or criteria is met or exceeded. The entitlement offers give the players a right to purchase a good or service at a reduced or discount price. In one example, the gaming system generates or displays one or more entitlement offers to a player after a credit meter of one of the gaming machines changes by a designated amount. In another example, the gaming system generates or displays one or more entitlement offers to a player after an award threshold is met. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090124363 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING TEAM PROGRESSIVE AWARDS - A gaming system and method which forms, tracks and maintains one or more groups or teams. The gaming system and method also maintains at least one team progressive award. At any designated point in time, each group or team includes one or more players, wherein as a player plays one or more games at one or more gaming devices, the player accumulates or builds up equity in their current team or group. Upon a determination to provide a team progressive award to a player of a designated team, each eligible player actively associated with the designated team (i.e., each player actively belonging to the team) is provided a portion of the team progressive award. Each player's provided portion of the team progressive award is based on that player's relative accumulated equity in the designated team compared to each other eligible player's accumulated equity in the designated team. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090124384 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD PROVIDING THIRD PARTY PROMOTIONS - A gaming system and method disclosed herein enable players to earn promotional awards at gaming machines without sacrificing or surrendering player tracking points. The gaming system and method also provide value to players without the casino absorbing the cost of such value. The gaming system and method disclosed herein creates a new type of currency redeemable for a good or service (or a discount on a good or service) associated with a point-of-sale independent of the casino. In one form, the player tracking currency does not cost the casino or the player anything. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090131134 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING USER INTERFACE WITH UPLOADING AND DOWNLOADING CAPABILITY - A game table having a multiplayer interactive display/input device which enables multiple players to simultaneously play primary or base wagering games and/or secondary or bonus games using the display/input device. The display/input device enables multiple players to simultaneously interact with the gaming system, the game table and the various games using the same display/input device. The gaming system also enables use of a card that is encoded or encrypted with a tag (such as an radio frequency tag) that the cameras or readers of the game table can detect. The card interacts with the display/input device of the game table. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090131147 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING A FREE SPIN GAME - A gaming device including a re-initiation mode wherein the probability of extending the bonus game is increased by fixing the reel or reels displaying a locking symbol on the reel. In the re-initiation mode embodiment, the gaming device re-activates some or all of the reels except the reel displaying the locking symbol for a predetermined number of additional free spins or until the reactivated reels display or indicate a terminating symbol on the reels. The gaming device provides any outcomes associated with indicated symbols or combination of symbols. In one embodiment, if a terminating symbol is displayed on designated reels during one of the additional free spins, the gaming device re-initiates the bonus game. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090143133 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING ODDS OF WINNING WHICH INCREASE AS A PLAYER'S WAGER INCREASES - A gaming device having a game which requires the same average investment from a player to win an award, including a jackpot award, regardless of the amount that the player bets at any one time. The award can be unchanging, e.g., $10,000, each time a player plays the gaming device. The award can also vary such as with a progressive jackpot, i.e., the jackpot builds until a player “hits” the jackpot. The game enables the average investment necessary to win the jackpot to be uniform by varying the odds of winning the jackpot as the player's bet varies. That is, a player betting less money needs to play the game more times, on average, to win the jackpot. Likewise, a player betting more money needs to play the game less times, on average, to win the jackpot. The average overall bet or investment thus remains constant despite the player's betting habits or betting ability. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090170588 | GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD HAVING PURCHASABLE ENHANCED PAYTABLES - An apparatus and method for a game having a paytable selection feature which may be implemented with a primary or base game, a secondary or bonus game, or both. In one embodiment, the gaming device employs an initial paytable and enables a player pay a fee to purchase a different paytable for a plurality of plays of the game. If the player chooses to purchase a different paytable, the gaming device determines a game outcome for a plurality of plays of the game and provides any awards based on the different paytable. If the player does not choose to select a different paytable, the gaming device determines a game outcome for each of those plays and provides any awards based on the initial paytable. In one embodiment, the player has the opportunity to see the different paytable prior to paying the fee to purchase it. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090189351 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING MULTIPLE PLAYER SIMULTANEOUS DISPLAY/INPUT DEVICE - A game table having a multiplayer interactive display/input device which enables multiple players to simultaneously play primary or base wagering games and/or secondary or bonus games using the display/input device. The display/input device enables multiple players to simultaneously interact with the game table and the various games using the same display/input device. The game table enables multiple players to manipulate displayed objects (such as virtual cards or other game symbols) displayed by the display/input device at the same time. This enables the display/input device to simultaneously display the same game to multiple players in an integrated seamless manner without the need for multiple different sets of display devices and input devices for each of the players. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090191964 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENABLING A PLAYER TO SELECT PROGRESSIVE AWARDS TO TRY FOR AND CHANCES OF WINNING PROGRESSIVE AWARDS - The present disclosure provides a gaming device, a gaming system and a method for operating a gaming device or gaming system with a plurality of progressive awards. The gaming device enables a player to select one of the progressive awards. The player's selection of which progressive award to play for is based, at least in part, on a relative probability of the player winning the selected progressive award compared to the relative probabilities of the player winning the non-selected progressive awards. After selecting which award to play for, the gaming device either provides the selected progressive award to the player or modifies the relative probability that the player will win the selected progressive award with one or more of any award selections remaining. Such a configuration enables the player to strategically select which award to play for and the order that the player will play for the awards. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090197676 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING A DISPLAY/INPUT DEVICE CONFIGURED TO INTERACTIVELY OPERATE WITH EXTERNAL DEVICE - A game table having a multiplayer interactive display/input device which enables multiple players to play primary or base wagering games and/or secondary or bonus games using the display/input device. The display/input device enables multiple players to simultaneously interact with the game table and the various games using the same display/input device. In various embodiments, the game table operates with one or more separate physical input devices, each having one or a plurality of the encoded patterns and each being sized and configured to be placed on top of the game table. The separate physical input devices enable the player to interact with the display/input device. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090280904 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING AUTOMATED CASINO-STYLE TABLE TOURNAMENTS - A gaming system and method that enables players to sequentially wager in a casino-style table tournament on gaming machines. The gaming system provides real-time wagering information and bankroll information of each player to the other players of the tournament so that players may determine their wagers based on what other players wager. The gaming system enables players to make one or more secret wagers during the tournament that are not immediately indicated or displayed to other players to try to gain an advantage in the tournament. All normal wagers are displayed to the players in real-time but the secret wagers are not displayed to players until after the close of wagering creating excitement in the tournament. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090305771 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING A PRIMARY GAME SCHEME INVOLVING A SYMBOL GENERATOR AND SECONDARY AWARD WHEELS - A gaming device with a primary game scheme including one or more symbol generators and a plurality of wheels where each wheel is associated with a different one of the symbol generators. When one or more of the symbol generators generates at least one predetermined symbol, the gaming device activates or spins the wheel associated with that symbol generator. The gaming device provides any awards associated with the activated wheels to a player. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20100016062 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING PROGRESSIVE AWARDS AND SUPPLEMENTAL AWARDS - A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine(s) will provide progressive awards and/or supplemental bonus awards, wherein the number of provided supplemental awards is determined based on the number of active gaming machines. Each supplemental bonus award provided by each gaming device is based on any accumulated wagers placed at that gaming device. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100016065 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICES, AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN ENHANCED MULTIPLE-PLAYER BONUS REDEMPTION GAME - A gaming system and methods provide a plurality of gaming devices configured to operate a multiple-player bonus or secondary game. Each gaming device of the gaming system generates targets upon occurrences of target-generation events. Each gaming device also generates collectors upon occurrences of collector-generating events. The collectors may be used in conjunction with the aforementioned targets to obtain awards in a bonus sequence as described. Upon the occurrence of a redemption event at one of the plurality of gaming devices, the gaming device provides all players playing at one of the gaming devices in the gaming system the opportunity to redeem all accumulated collectors and targets in a bonus sequence. In the bonus sequence, the gaming system determines any awards associated with the redemption of accumulated collectors and targets and provides them to the players. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100041468 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD PROVIDING AN AWARD FOR DESIGNATED LOSING CONDITIONS - The gaming system and method disclosed herein provides an award to one or more players for a non-occurrence of a designated event. The gaming system monitors a plurality of games played at a plurality of gaming devices. If the designated event occurs, the gaming system resets an event counter associated with tracking the non-occurrence of the designated event. If the designated event does not occur, the gaming system: (i) increments the event counter to account for the non-occurrence of the designated event, and (ii) determines if the quantity of games played since the last event occurred at least equals a predetermined quantity of games played. If the quantity of games played since the last event occurred at least equals the predetermined quantity, the gaming system provides one or more of the players an award for the non-occurrence of the designated event. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100113138 | PROVIDING ALTERNATIVE GAMING PAYOUTS - An apparatus is provided including a display unit configured to provide game images to a player, an input unit for receiving a wager from a player, a memory area for storing a threshold value and a processor coupled to the display, input unit and memory area. The processor is programmed to control a game for display to the player, determine the outcome of a game, determine the payout value based at least partially on a wager placed by the player, compare the determined payout value with the threshold value and determine a plurality of payout options where at least one of the options includes a cash payout less than the threshold value. Embodiments of the invention may reduce a player's tax liability, attract players to a particular machine, attract repeat players, and enable a gaming operator to offset a cash payout by offering non-cash prizes. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100120486 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD PROVIDING SERVER BASED CONFIGURABLE GAME PRESENTATIONS - The gaming system and method disclosed herein provides a player with the opportunity to simultaneously make separate inputs for a plurality of different games. In one embodiment, the gaming system includes a first input device and a second input device which, at a first point in time, each enable a player to make separate inputs associated with a first game. At a second point in time, such as after a designated event, the first input device enables the player to make an input associated with the first game and the second input device enables the player to make an input associated with a second, different game. That is, after the designated event, the gaming system changes the functionality of the second input device to enable the player to simultaneously make separate inputs in association with the first and second games using the first and second input devices. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100120494 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING GROUP EVENT WITH INDIVIDUAL GROUP EVENT ELIGIBILITY TIMERS - A gaming system and method which provides a community group event to a plurality of players at a plurality of the gaming devices in the gaming system. Each gaming device participating in the group event is associated with an individual group event eligibility timer. Such individual group event eligibility timers regularly decrement based on time and may increment based on one or more aspects of the player's gaming experience, such as wagers placed. If the individual group event eligibility timer associated with a gaming device participating in the group event lapses before the conclusion of a group event timer or mode, that gaming device is eliminated from the group event. Upon the conclusion of the group event, a group event award is shared amongst the players at the remaining or non-eliminated gaming devices (i.e., the gaming devices associated with individual group event eligibility timers with any amount of remaining time). | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100120521 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD OF PROVIDING COLLECTORS AND TOKENS ASSOCIATED WITH COLLECTORS - Various embodiments of the disclosed gaming system, gaming device and method provide a selection game having a plurality of tokens which are assignable to a plurality of token collectors. Each of the token collectors has a designated capacity which may be the same or different for the token collectors. In one embodiment, the designated capacity of one or more token collectors is a number of tokens. In various other embodiments, the designated capacity of one or more token collectors is a total award value. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100120525 | SERVER BASED GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING DEFERRAL OF BONUS EVENTS - A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The gaming system includes a bonus event unit based system to provide one or more awards to one or more players. Such bonus event units are accumulated by a player based on one or more events associated with the player's gaming experience. The bonus event units utilized in the gaming system are selectively redeemed by the player in exchange for one or more opportunities to win an award. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100124971 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING THE AVERAGE EXPECTED PAYBACK ASSOCIATED WITH A PLAY OF A WAGERING GAME - A gaming system and method which provides a player with a higher average expected payback for making a gaming system wager on a gaming system wagering event in addition to making a primary game wager on a primary game. If the player places the gaming system wager on the gaming system wagering event, the player obtains the chance to win a gaming system award in addition to the player's chance of winning an award based on the outcome of the primary game, wherein the gaming system award is based, at least in part, on the primary game outcome. By placing a gaming system wager on the gaming system wagering event, the overall average expected payback associated with the play of the game increases, without changing the average expected payback of the primary game. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100124973 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR ENABLING A CURRENT BET TO BE PLACED ON A FUTURE PLAY OF A WAGERING GAME - The gaming system, gaming device, and gaming method disclosed herein provide an opportunity for a player to place a replay wager for a group or set of a plurality of plays of a wagering game. In one embodiment, the replay wager activates a replay feature which the player can use a designated number of times (such as one time) over the plurality of plays of the wagering game. The player's use of the replay feature causes the gaming system to redisplay the previous play of the wagering game, and provide any awards associated with the previous play of the wagering game. After the player uses the replay feature over each of the designated number (such as one) of the plurality of plays of the wagering game, the player cannot use the replay feature for any of the remaining plays of the plurality of plays of the wagering game. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100190546 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENABLING A PLAYER TO SELECT PROGRESSIVE AWARDS TO TRY FOR AND CHANCES OF WINNING PROGRESSIVE AWARDS - The present disclosure provides a gaming device, a gaming system and a method for operating a gaming device or gaming system with a plurality of progressive awards. The gaming device enables a player to select one of the progressive awards. The player's selection of which progressive award to play for is based, at least in part, on a relative probability of the player winning the selected progressive award compared to the relative probabilities of the player winning the non-selected progressive awards. After selecting which award to play for, the gaming device either provides the selected progressive award to the player or modifies the relative probability that the player will win the selected progressive award with one or more of any award selections remaining. Such a configuration enables the player to strategically select which award to play for and the order that the player will play for the awards. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100227677 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING MULTIPLE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROGRESSIVE AWARDS - A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The gaming system includes a plurality of different types of progressive awards adapted to be provided to one or more players of the gaming machines in the gaming system. In one embodiment, one or more progressive awards are each associated with a progressive hit value, wherein when each progressive award increments to its respective progressive hit value, a triggering event occurs and such progressive award is provided to a player. In one embodiment, one or more progressive awards are each associated with a secondary game, wherein if the secondary game is triggered, a player is provided either a fixed award or one of the progressive awards associated with the secondary game based on a play of the secondary game. In one embodiment, one or more progressive awards are each associated with an outcome of a primary game, such as a designated symbol combination, wherein if the associated primary game outcome is generated, such progressive award is provided to a player. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100234089 | GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD PROVIDING SLOT GAME HAVING VIRTUAL MAP DRIVEN REEL STOP POSITION DETERMINATIONS - Various embodiments of the disclosed gaming device include a housing which supports a plurality of mechanical reels and a plurality of stop input devices which are configured to provide a Pachisuro-style slot game. Each of the plurality of reels is associated with a different one of the plurality of stop input devices. Each stop input device enables a player to stop the respective reel when the reel is spinning by activating the stop input device. Each reel includes a plurality of stop positions and each stop position includes a symbol. The gaming device also includes a processor and a memory device. For each reel, the processor randomly determines the stop position at which the reel ultimately stops based on a virtual map stored in the memory device for an initiating stop position of that reel which is selected by the player's activation of the stop input device for that reel. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100234091 | GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD PROVIDING SLOT GAME HAVING VIRTUAL MAP DRIVEN REEL STOP POSITION DETERMINATIONS - Various embodiments of the disclosed gaming device include a housing which supports a plurality of mechanical reels and a plurality of stop input devices which are configured to provide a Pachisuro-style slot game. Each of the plurality of reels is associated with a different one of the plurality of stop input devices. Each stop input device enables a player to stop the respective reel when the reel is spinning by activating the stop input device. Each reel includes a plurality of stop positions and each stop position includes a symbol. The gaming device also includes a processor and a memory device. For each reel, the processor randomly determines the stop position at which the reel ultimately stops based on a virtual map stored in the memory device for an initiating stop position of that reel which is selected by the player's activation of the stop input device for that reel. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100240443 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PLAYER REWARDS - Players in a player loyalty scheme are awarded points based on their point-generating activity and are then ranked in order of generated points. Rank-based points are then associated with each rank according to a predefined mapping scheme. The rank-based point totals may be updated periodically. Rank-based points may also be used in tournament play. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100267441 | GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD HAVING PURCHASABLE ENHANCED PAYTABLES - An apparatus and method for a game having a paytable selection feature which may be implemented with a primary or base game, a secondary or bonus game, or both. In one embodiment, the gaming device employs an initial paytable and enables a player pay a fee to purchase a different paytable for a plurality of plays of the game. If the player chooses to purchase a different paytable, the gaming device determines a game outcome for a plurality of plays of the game and provides any awards based on the different paytable. If the player does not choose to select a different paytable, the gaming device determines a game outcome for each of those plays and provides any awards based on the initial paytable. In one embodiment, the player has the opportunity to see the different paytable prior to paying the fee to purchase it. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100285864 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING A SELECTIVELY ACCESSIBLE BONUS SCHEME - A gaming device having a bonus scheme, wherein the player may choose when to play a bonus scheme, so long as the player is qualified to do so. The method of qualifying the player to enter the bonus round connects or links the base game operation of the gaming device with the bonus scheme. The reels of the base game contain symbols which alone or in combination with other symbols yield one or more bonus awards to a player. The bonus awards are escrowed and displayed a bonus award escrow display. Once the player obtains a single bonus award, the player becomes eligible or qualified to play the bonus round and the player may choose to do so at any time. The player can accumulate bonus awards and use multiple bonus awards at one time. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100291991 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING MULTIPLE GAMING MACHINES WHICH PROVIDE BONUS AWARDS - A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards. In one embodiment, the number of secondary bonus awards is determined based on the number of active gaming machines. The selected gaming machine then determines a component of or the amount of the bonus award to be provided to the gaming machine selected by the central server. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20110039610 | GAMING APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING ONE OR MORE GAMING SESSIONS - A gaming system tracks the outcomes of a plurality of plays of a primary game. For example, for each of a plurality of blackjack hands, the gaming system tracks the sum of the cards of that hand. The plurality of tracked primary game outcomes form a gaming session. During the gaming session, the gaming system aggregates (such as by adding) the outcomes of the plurality of plays of the primary game, and determines a corresponding gaming session outcome. The gaming system provides a primary award is provided for any winning primary game outcomes, and a secondary award based on the gaming session outcome. In one embodiment, the gaming system tracks the outcomes of a plurality of simultaneous gaming sessions. In one embodiment, the gaming system enables a plurality of players to participate in at least one of the gaming sessions. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110070946 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING BONUS GAME DEPENDENT UPON VARIABLE WAGER COMPONENT SELECTION - A primary and secondary game for a wagering gaming machine. In one embodiment, the number of lines wagered or a slot machine makes the player eligible for a bonus game, and a wager made per payline effects how many moves or positions on a meter the player advances upon achieving the bonus triggering symbol or combination of symbols. When the player advances the meter to the end, the gaming device displays a payout event. The payout event can be any type of bonus gaming event that potentially provides an award to the player. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110092274 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING COMPETITION CONFIGURATION, ATTACK AND COUNTERMEASURE GAME - A gaming device operable upon a wager by at least one player includes: (i) a display device; (ii) first and second entities displayed on the display device, the first entity representing the player; (iii) at least one input device configured to enable the player to choose an offensive play and a defensive play fore the first entity; (iv) wherein the display device is countered to display the offensive and defensive plays being countered by a defensive and offensive play, respectively, for the second entity; and (v) a processor configured to determine an outcome for the player based on at least one of (a) a comparison of the offensive play for the first entity to the defensive play for the second player, and (b) a comparison of the defensive play for the first entity to the offensive play for the second entity. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110111818 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A GAME HAVING A DYNAMIC AWARD SCHEME - Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide gaming systems, gaming devices and methods which have casual games with dynamic award schemes. Each game has a designated number of elements such as positions, moveable elements, or the combination of positions and moveable elements. For each play of the wagering game, the gaming system: receives a wager from a player; determines a number of the designated number of elements which will function as or be designated as payout elements; determines which of the designated number of elements to make the payout elements; for each payout element, determines the payout value associated with that payout element; and (e) determines a game ending condition. The gaming system enables the player to play the wagering game in accordance with the predetermined rules of the wagering game. This includes enabling the player to employ the elements until the game ending condition occurs. For each payout element, if the payout element is employed in that play of the wagering game in a designated manner in accordance with the predetermined rules of the wagering game, the gaming system provides the player the payout value associated with that payout element. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110111826 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING SYMBOL COMBINATIONS WITH DYNAMIC AWARDS - The gaming system and method disclosed herein provides a plurality of symbol combinations that are each associated with a dynamic award. Such dynamic awards increase based, at least in part, on one or more random events which occur in association with one or more plays of a game. In one embodiment, the gaming system increases the dynamic award of a designated symbol combination based on the random generation of another, different symbol combination. In this embodiment, if the gaming system randomly generates the other symbol combination, the gaming system: (i) provides any award associated with this other symbol combination, and (ii) increases the dynamic award of the designated symbol combination. Additionally, if the gaming system randomly generates the designated symbol combination, the gaming system provides to a player the dynamic award of the designated symbol combination. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110117981 | Gaming System, Gaming Device and Method for Determining an Outcome of a Secondary Game Based on One or More Events Which Occur in Association with a Primary Game - In various embodiments, the gaming system, gaming device, and gaming method disclosed herein includes an accumulation sequence and a competition sequence. In one embodiment, the gaming system includes competitor points which determine (i) a competitor's eligibility to participate in the competition sequence and (ii) the competitor's relative probability of success in the competition sequence. In this embodiment, a competitor (which is either representative of an actual player or a virtual, gaming system controlled player) accumulates competitor points during one or more point accumulation sequences which occur in association with designated events. For a subsequent competition sequence, the gaming system determines if a competitor will participate in the triggered competition sequence based on the competitor's accumulated competitor points. For the subsequent competition sequence, the gaming system further determines the competitor's relative probability of success in the competition sequence based on the competitor's accumulated competitor points. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110117990 | RAPID BONUS FEATURES USING OVERLAID SYMBOLS - A gaming machine includes an electronic display device and a controller coupled to the display device. The controller is configured to present a base game via the display device, wherein the base game includes a plurality of base game symbols, and to transmit display coordinates of at least a portion of the plurality of base game symbols to a bonus controller via a network. The display device is configured to display, under control of the bonus controller, an overlay image including at least one bonus symbol having substantially similar display coordinates as at least one of the at least a portion of the plurality of base game symbols. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110117991 | TIME-BASED AWARD SYSTEM WITH DYNAMIC VALUE ASSIGNMENT - A coupled to at least one server via a network includes a display device configured to display a base game to a player playing at the gaming machine, and a controller coupled to the display device. The controller is configured to determine an outcome during play of the base game, and award at least one token based on the outcome of the base game, wherein a value of the token based on as additional play of the base game by the player. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110124395 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING A RE-TRIGGERING SYMBOL BONUS SCHEME - A gaming device having a bonus scheme wherein a combination of bonus symbols trigger a bonus game and any one of the bonus symbols in the bonus game provides a player with an award. The award may be an extension of the bonus game by providing the player with additional spins or games. Also, the award may modify the combination and type of bonus symbols needed to enter the bonus game. Furthermore, the award may modify the award values in the bonus game. Therefore, a combination of bonus symbols triggers the bonus game and also triggers the gaming device to provide bonus awards in the bonus game. The re-triggering symbol award bonus scheme changes the probability of winning for the player and therefore creates a higher level of excitement and enjoyment of the game. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110124402 | GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING BENEFIT IN A FUTURE PLAY OF A WAGERING GAME - On embodiment of the gaming system: receives a base wager from a player for a play of a wagering game; enables the player to select to cause a modifier to be applied to the play of the wagering game or the modifier to not be applied to the play of the wagering game; displays an outcome of the play of the wagering game; if the outcome is a losing outcome and if the player caused the modifier to be applied to the play of the wagering game, reset the modifier; if the outcome is the losing outcome and if the player caused the modifier to not be applied to the play of the wagering game, increase the modifier; if the outcome is a winning outcome and the player caused the modifier to not be applied to the play of the wagering game, provide a first award to player based on the winning outcome and the base wager, and reset the modifier; and if the outcome is a winning outcome and the player caused the modifier to be applied to the play of the wagering game provide a second different award to the player based on the winning outcome, the base wager, and the modifier, and reset the modifier. | 05-26-2011 |
