U.S. patent application number 10/430715 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-18 for method of playing game and gaming device with an additional payout indicator.
Invention is credited to Adams, William R..
Application Number | 20040051240 10/430715 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34622536 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040051240 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Adams, William R. |
March 18, 2004 |
Method of playing game and gaming device with an additional payout
indicator
Abstract
Gaming devices comprising a standard gaming unit, e.g., three
reels, and a discernible additional payout indicator, e.g., a
rotatable wheel. A preferred bonus payout indicator is clearly
visible by the player and is actuatable when the reels of the slot
machine stop on certain predetermined indicia. A preferred
embodiment further comprises a payout multiplier which displays a
plurality of values by which a payout may be multiplied.
Inventors: |
Adams, William R.; (Las
Vegas, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL, GERSTEIN & BORUN LLP
6300 SEARS TOWER
233 S. WACKER DRIVE
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
34622536 |
Appl. No.: |
10/430715 |
Filed: |
May 6, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10430715 |
May 6, 2003 |
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10157608 |
May 29, 2002 |
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6605000 |
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10157608 |
May 29, 2002 |
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09444986 |
Nov 22, 1999 |
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09444986 |
Nov 22, 1999 |
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09169668 |
Oct 9, 1998 |
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09169668 |
Oct 9, 1998 |
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08622430 |
Mar 25, 1996 |
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5823874 |
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08622430 |
Mar 25, 1996 |
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08311783 |
Sep 23, 1994 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/143R |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3244 20130101; A63F 3/00157 20130101; G07F 17/3267
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/143.00R |
International
Class: |
A63F 001/18 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A gaming device comprising: a first, standard gaming unit for
displaying a randomly selected combination of indicia, said
displayed indicia selected from the group consisting of reels,
indicia of reels, indicia of playing cards, and combinations
thereof; means for generating at least one signal corresponding to
at least one select display of indicia by said first, standard
gaming unit; means for providing at least one discernible indicia
of a mechanical bonus indicator, said discernible indicia
indicating at least one of a plurality of possible bonuses, wherein
said providing means is operatively connected to said first,
standard gaming unit and becomes actuatable in response to said
signal.
2. A gaming device according to claim 1 wherein said discernible
indicia comprises a wheel.
3. A gaming device according to claim 2 wherein said wheel is
rotatable.
4. A gaming device according to claim 1 wherein said first,
standard gaming unit comprises indicia of reels.
5. A gaming device according to claim 4 wherein said discernible
indicia comprises at least one reel.
6. A gaming device according to claim 1 wherein said first,
standard gaming unit comprises indicia of reels.
7. A gaming device according to claim 1 wherein said first,
standard gaming unit comprises indicia of playing cards.
8. A gaming device according to claim 1 further comprising means
for generating at least one discernible indicia of a payout
multiplier.
9. A gaming device according to claim 8 wherein said multiplier
generating means broadcasts a plurality of values by which a payout
may be multiplied.
10. A gaming device according to claim 8 wherein said multiplier
generating means broadcasts at least one message other than a
multiplier by which a payout may be multiplied.
11. A gaming device according to claim 8 wherein said multiplier
generating means is randomly controlled.
12. A gaming device according to claim 8 wherein said multiplier
generating means is controlled, at least in part, by a player's
skill.
13. A gaming device according to claim 8 wherein said multiplier
generating means comprises a device for shooting projectiles.
14. A gaming device according to claim 13 wherein said projectiles
are coins.
15. A gaming device according to claim 1 further comprising means
for receiving player input, said input receiving means is
operatively connected to said providing means for actuating said
providing means, and wherein said input receiving means receives
said signal.
16. A gaming device according to claim 15 further comprising means
for generating at least one discernible indicia of a payout
multiplier.
17. A gaming device according to claim 16 wherein said multiplier
generating means broadcasts a plurality of values by which a bonus
payout may be multiplied.
18. A gaming device according to claim 16 wherein said multiplier
generating means broadcasts at least one message other than a
multiplier by which a bonus payment may be multiplied.
19. A gaming device according to claim 16 wherein said multiplier
generating means is randomly controlled.
20. A gaming device according to claim 16 wherein said multiplier
generating means is controlled, at least in part, by a player's
skill.
21. A gaming device according to claim 1 wherein said providing
means comprises a video screen.
22. A gaming device according to claim 21 wherein said providing
means comprises an audio speaker.
23. A gaming device according to claim 1 wherein said providing
means comprises an audio speaker.
24. A gaming device comprising: a first, standard gaming unit for
displaying a randomly selected combination of indicia, said
displayed indicia selected from the group consisting of reels,
indicia of reels, indicia of playing cards, and combinations
thereof; means for generating at least one signal corresponding to
at least one select display of indicia; means for providing at
least one discernible indicia of a mechanical payout indicator,
said providing means indicating at least one of a plurality of
possible additional payouts, wherein said providing means is
operatively connected to said first, standard gaming unit and
actuatable in response to said signal; and means for generating at
least one discernible indicia of a payout multiplier.
25. A gaming device according to claim 24 wherein said multiplier
generating means broadcasts a plurality of values by which a payout
may be multiplied.
26. A method of conducting a wagering game of chance comprising the
steps of: providing a player with an opportunity to place a wager;
displaying a randomly selected combination of indicia, said
displayed indicia selected from the group consisting of reels,
indicia of reels, indicia of playing cards, and combination
thereof; generating at least one signal corresponding to at least
one select display of said indicia; providing at least one
discernible indicia of a mechanical bonus indicator, said bonus
indicator indicia indicating at least one of a plurality of
possible bonuses, wherein said bonus indicator indicia is in the
form of a wheel or reel and is actuatable in response to said
signal.
27. A method of conducting a game of chance according to claim 26
wherein said displaying step comprises displaying a plurality of
reels.
28. A method of conducting a game of chance according to claim 27
wherein said providing step comprises displaying a plurality of
bonus indicia on a wheel.
29. A method of conducting a game of chance according to claim 26
wherein said providing step comprises displaying a plurality of
bonus indicia on a wheel.
30. A method of conducting a game of chance according to claim 26
further comprising the step of displaying at least one value by
which a payout may be multiplied.
31. A method of conducting a game of chance according to claim 26
further comprising the step of displaying a plurality of values by
which a payout may be multiplied.
32. A gaming device comprising: a first, standard gaming unit for
displaying a randomly selected combination of indicia, said
displayed indicia selected from the group consisting of reels,
indicia of reels, indicia of playing cards, and combinations
thereof; means for generating at least one signal corresponding to
at least one select display of indicia by said first, standard
gaming unit; means for indicating an additional possible payout,
said additional payout indicating means continuously displaying a
plurality of possible additional payouts and comprising means for
indicating whether at least one of said plurality of additional
payouts will be provided to a player, wherein said additional
payout indicating means is operatively connected to said first,
standard gaming unit and becomes actuatable in response to said
signal.
33. A gaming device according to claim 32 wherein said payout
indicating means further comprises indications that a player will
receive a reduced payout.
34. A gaming device according to claim 32 wherein said payout
indicating means further comprises indications that a player will
not receive a payout.
35. A gaming device according to claim 32 further comprising means
for generating at least one discernible indicia of a payout
multiplier.
36. A gaming device according to claim 35 wherein said multiplier
generating means broadcasts a plurality of values by which a payout
may be multiplied.
37. A gaming device according to claim 35 wherein said multiplier
generating means broadcasts at least one message other than a
multiplier by which a payout may be multiplied.
38. A gaming device according to claim 35 wherein said multiplier
generating means is randomly controlled.
39. A gaming device according to claim 35 wherein said multiplier
generating means is controlled, at least in part, by a player's
skill.
40. A gaming device according to claim 35 wherein said multiplier
generating means comprises a device for shooting projectiles.
41. A gaming device according to claim 40 wherein said projectiles
are coins.
Description
[0001] The present invention is directed to novel gaming devices
and, more particularly, to gaming devices comprising at least one
bonus indicator capable of indicating at least one of a plurality
of bonuses.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Games of chance have been enjoyed by people for thousands of
years and have enjoyed widespread popularity in recent times. Many
people enjoy playing a wide variety of games that they have not
played before. Playing new games adds to the excitement of this
recreational activity particularly when some form of "gaming" is
involved. As used herein, the term "gaming" and "gaming devices"
are used to indicate that some form of wagering is involved, and
that players must make wagers of value, whether actual currency or
some equivalent of value, e.g., token or credit.
[0003] One popular game of chance that has long been enjoyed by
many players is the slot machine. Conventionally, a slot machine is
configured for a player to input something of value, e.g., a
standard denomination of currency or house token or other
representation of currency or credit, and then to permit the player
to activate the device which causes a plurality of reels to spin
and ultimately stop to display a random combination of some form of
indicia, for example, numbers or symbols. If this display contains
one of a preselected plurality of winning combinations, the machine
releases money into a payout chute or onto a credit meter for the
player. For example, if a player initially wagered two coins of a
national currency and that player won a high payout, that player
may receive fifty coins of the same denomination in return.
[0004] Since it is desirable to offer players games which they have
not played before, it would be desirable to provide a player with
new games and additional opportunities to receive winning
payouts.
[0005] Those familiar with games involving winning payouts, such as
the popular television game show entitled "WHEEL OF FORTUNE" will
realize that as players and observers watch a large wheel spin and
gradually come to rest, the players experience a heightened feeling
of anticipation and excitement as the wheel is slowing down to
indicate a possible prize.
[0006] It would therefore also be desirable to provide a payout
indicator which is discernible by a player and/or other
observers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Various embodiments of the present invention comprise gaming
devices having a first gaming unit, e.g., rotatable reels and at
least one discernible indicia of a mechanical bonus payout
indicator. According to the most preferred embodiments, the bonus
payout indicator is clearly visible to a player and is operable
when primary reels of a slot machine stop on certain predetermined
indicia. According to one preferred embodiment of the present
invention, a bonus indicator is in the form of a rotatable bonus
wheel which can be caused to spin automatically or in response to
some action by a player, e.g., the player pushing a button, when
the primary reels indicate one of a predetermined plurality of
indicia. When the wheel stops, a pointer indicates the bonus payout
to be awarded to the player.
[0008] Another preferred embodiment of the present invention
further comprises a discernible multiplier which provides the
ability to change either the payout from the primary gaming unit or
the bonus indicator, or both. As described in more detail below, it
is within the scope of the present invention to provide a payout
from the primary gaming unit, a payout indicated by the bonus
indicator only, a payout from the primary gaming unit or the bonus
indicator as changed by the multiplier, or a separate, plurality of
payouts from the primary gaming unit and the bonus indicator either
with or without modification by a multiplier.
[0009] According to one preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the mechanical bonus payout indicator is
electro-mechanically operated and is linked to a random number
generator which determines where the bonus indicator actually
stops.
[0010] According to another preferred embodiment of the present
invention, when the primary reels stop on one of a predetermined
plurality of winning indicia sets, a bonus actuator is placed in an
active state. According to this embodiment, a person, such as the
player, must actuate the actuator in order to operate the bonus
indicator.
[0011] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the bonus actuator requires operator intervention so that a player
must involve a casino attendant who can activate the bonus
indicator.
[0012] According to another preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the bonus indicator is connected to a drive mechanism
which gradually reduces the rate of spin of the bonus wheel before
the bonus wheel stops.
[0013] Still other embodiments of the present invention comprise
gaming devices having electronic means for displaying indicia of
rotatable reels such as a video screen and/or means for displaying
indicia of a bonus payout indicator, such as a video screen. The
present invention also comprises methods for playing a game of
chance. One preferred method comprises the steps of a first,
standard gaming unit for displaying a randomly selected combination
of indicia, said displayed indicia selected from the group
consisting of slot reels, indicia of reels, indicia of playing
cards, and combinations thereof; said first, standard gaming unit
comprising means for generating at least one signal corresponding
to at least one select display of indicia; means for providing at
least one discernible indicia of a mechanical bonus indicator, said
bonus indicator indicia providing means indicating at least one of
a plurality of possible bonuses, wherein said bonus indicator
indicia providing means is operatively connected to said first,
standard gaming unit and actuatable in response to said signal.
[0014] Further embodiments of the present invention comprises a
method of conducting a game of chance comprising the steps of
providing a player with an opportunity to place a wager; displaying
a randomly selected combination of indicia, said displayed indicia
selected from the group consisting of reels, indicia of reels,
indicia of playing cards, and combination thereof; generating at
least one signal corresponding to at least one select display of
said indicia; providing at least one discernible indicia of a
mechanical bonus indicator, said bonus indicator indicia indicating
at least one of a plurality of possible bonuses, wherein said bonus
indicator indicia is in the form of a wheel or reel and is
actuatable in response to said signal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view one of a gaming device of one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is another embodiment of a gaming device of the
present invention.
[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The various embodiments of the present invention are
designed to provide added excitement to a gaming device in order to
increase the enjoyment to players and to serve as an added
attraction to potential players. One preferred embodiment of the
present invention, illustrated in FIG. 1, comprises a primary
gaming unit which comprises three rotatable reels 10, each of which
comprise a plurality of indicia on the periphery thereof. The
illustrated gaming device comprises a mechanical lever 12, coin
slot 14, currency validator 16 and a credit card validator 18. In a
manner which will be recognized by those skilled in the art, each
reel 10 is designed to rotate and then stop in order to visually
display at least one, and preferably a number of indicia. If the
collection of indicia displayed by the three reels is one of a
predetermined plurality of winning indicia sets, then the player
can typically be provided with a winning payout either through coin
chute 20 which deposits winnings into a coin trough 30 or by
increasing the player's credits in a credit window 40.
[0019] According to one aspect of the present invention, when the
reels 10 display a particular indicia set then the player is
provided with an opportunity for a bonus. According to this
illustrated embodiment of the present invention, a bonus actuator
button 50 is placed in an operative state when reels 10 display a
bonus indicia set. A player must then depress bonus actuator 50 in
order to start bonus indicator 70 spinning. In the illustrated
embodiment, bonus indicator 70 is in the form of a rotatable wheel.
The wheel may be a carnival-type wheel comprising pegs and a
clapper or could take one or more other forms, such as a fanciful
wheel typically used in a roulette game as shown in the embodiment
of FIG. 2. The facing surface of bonus indicator 70 of FIG. 1
comprises four distinct areas bearing indicia of the bonus payout
to the player. In the illustrated embodiment, the bonus indicator
has areas indicating bonuses of $25.00, $50.00, $100.00, and
$2,000.00. When bonus indicator 70 stops, an indicator (not shown)
will indicate the area on the bonus wheel corresponding to the
amounts of the bonus to be provided to the player.
[0020] In a manner which will be appreciated by those skilled in
the art, bonus indicator 70 can be operatively linked to a "payout"
mechanism which provides a bonus payout to a player through
currency chute 20 or by increasing the amount of winnings shown in
credit window 40. As stated above, the payout of the bonus
indicator can be in addition to a standard payout by the primary
gaming unit or can be in place of the payout normally associated
with the primary gaming unit.
[0021] Those familiar with gaming and game shows, will appreciate
that players and observers typically experience a heightened level
of anticipation and excitement as they observe one or more moving
objects approaching a winning position. It is therefore most
preferred for the bonus indicator of the present invention to be
readily discernible, e.g., clearly visible and/or audible to the
player.
[0022] According to another preferred embodiment of the present
invention, a bonus indicator is connected to a electro-mechanical
control unit, for example a motor, which gradually decreases the
rate of movement of the bonus indicator before the bonus indicator
stops. According to this embodiment of the present invention,
players can be provided with a realistic sense of a totally
mechanical indicator. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that
such a control unit can also readily be connected to a random
generator which will randomly select the winning payout according
to a predetermined frequency of occurrence for each individual
bonus payout, and then cause the bonus indicator to stop at the
desired area.
[0023] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
when reels 10 display an indicia set which will provide a bonus,
the bonus indicator becomes activatable but requires intervention
by a house attendant, such as a casino attendant, in order to
actuate the bonus indicator. According to this embodiment of the
present invention, the casino is provided with greater control over
the actuation of the bonus indicator and, if desired, can accompany
the actuation of the bonus indicator with great fanfare. It will be
appreciated that the amounts of the bonus indicated in the figures
are merely for purposes of illustration and, if desired, one of the
amounts on the bonus indicator can have a significantly greater
value. For example, one of the areas on the bonus indicator may
correspond to a new automobile, a luxury vacation or a very large
sum of money.
[0024] While the illustrated embodiment of the present invention in
FIG. 1 is generally in the form of a rotatable wheel, other
visible, mechanical indicia can be provided, whether controlled
totally mechanically, electro-mechanically, or electronically
without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, in order to provide additional levels of
excitement, indicia of the possible bonuses are preferably visibly
displayed within the slot machine. For example, in the illustrated
embodiment, a shelf is preferably displayed comprising piles of
currency equal to the amounts on the bonus indicator. While actual
cash is preferred, the slot machine may also be provided with fake
currency or simply indicia of actual currency or the other bonus
prizes.
[0026] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 2 wherein a gaming device 100 comprises a
primary gaming unit in the form a standard three-reel slot machine
which displays reels 110. Suitable controls and currency mechanisms
including a coin slot 114, bill validator 118, payout shoot 120 are
provided. Furthermore, suitable player controls including CHANGE
button 132, CASH/CREDIT button 134, BET ONE button 136, SPIN button
138 and BET MAX button 130 are also provided.
[0027] In addition to these standard controls the control panel of
this preferred illustrated embodiment of the present invention
comprises a SPIN THE WHEEL button 140 which becomes actuatable when
the primary gaming unit, as indicated by reels 110, has randomly
selected one of a plurality of predetermined indicia sets. While
the primary gaming unit shown in the lower portion of the cabinet
of gaming device 100 will typically have the ability to provide a
plurality of winning payouts, the SPIN THE WHEEL button 140 can
become actuatable when the stopped reels 110 indicate some subset
of the primary unit's winning indicia, when any one of the winning
reel indicia are displayed, or further in response to one or more
other predetermined indicia, or a combination thereof.
[0028] When the SPIN THE WHEEL button 140 is actuated by a player,
bonus wheel 150 is caused to rotate and randomly select and display
one of a plurality of different areas. According to the preferred
illustrated embodiment, all of the bonus areas indicate an
increased winning value for the player. However, it is within the
scope of the present invention to provide non-monetary prizes or
losing spaces wherein no additional prize is provided and/or
wherein the prize normally associated with the indicia shown on the
primary gaming unit reels 110 is reduced. In the illustrated
embodiment, a pointer 160 advantageously indicates the result of
the bonus indicator 150.
[0029] In addition to the bonus wheel 150, this preferred
illustrated embodiment of the present invention also comprises a
bonus multiplier 170. The multiplier 170 preferably randomly
selects a value by which the bonus indicated by bonus wheel 150 is
multiplied. For example, the bonus indicator 170 can have an LED
screen which cycles through multipliers of "times one", "times two"
and "times three" which will indicate that the bonus is as
indicated, doubled, or tripled, respectively. The multiplier 170
can be programmed to select a multiplier either totally randomly or
according to some other predetermined frequency of occurrence
wherein certain multipliers will occur more frequently than other
multipliers. While this illustrated embodiment comprises whole
number multipliers, it is also within the scope of the present
invention to utilize values other than whole numbers or to include
multipliers which will result in a decrease in the value shown by
the bonus indicator 150. For example, a multiplier sequence could
include a "times zero" value. When bonus wheel indicator 150 is not
in use, the multiplier LED window can be set to an attract mode
wherein a message is displayed to players or potential players. For
example, the LED display could show a message, either in complete
form or can be set to sequentially display either words or
individual letters, such as "S P I N - T H E - W H E E L".
[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates a less preferred embodiment of the
present invention wherein a gaming device 200 comprising similar
controls as the controls illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 3.
In this illustrated embodiment, and wherein a bonus indicator 250
is in the form of an electronically generated image, such as a
video screen or an LED display and provides discernible indicia,
e.g., a visual video display, of a bonus wheel. For example, the
video display can show a wheel of the type used in a roulette game
such as the wheel 150 illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0031] The slot machine shown in FIG. 3 comprises a video display
210, such as a video screen, which displays three reels 110, each
of which comprise a plurality of indicia. In addition, this slot
machine comprises a video display 250, such as a second video
screen, for displaying a bonus payout indicator. While separate
screens are preferred, both the reels and the bonus payout
indicator could be displayed on the same video screen. According to
this embodiment of the present invention, the bonus payout
indicator displays indicia of a wheel or a reel.
[0032] In a manner known in the art, the gaming device comprises a
coin slot 214, a currency validator 218, and a coin chute 220.
After placing a wager, a player determines the amount of his wager
by either pressing the BET ONE button 236 or the BET MAX button
230. After the player has selected the amount of his wager, he
depresses the SPIN button 238 which "spins" the reels shown in
video display window 210.
[0033] Each indicia of a displayed reel 210 is designed to indicate
rotation and then stop in order to visually display at least one,
and preferably a number of indicia. When reels 210 display a
particular indicia set or one of a predetermined plurality of
indicia sets, then the additional payout mode is activated and
video display 250 displaying payout indicator is placed in an
operable state. In this illustrated embodiment, the displayed
payout indicator 250 displays an indicia of a rotating wheel
comprising a plurality of distinct areas bearing indicia of payouts
to the player. Payout indicator 250, is caused to selectively
indicate one of the plurality of indicia, either automatically,
upon intervention of a casino or house attendant, or upon a player
depressing SPIN THE WHEEL button 240 in order to start indicator
250 spinning. It will be appreciated that the amounts of the payout
indicated in FIG. 2 are merely for purposes of illustration and, if
desired, one of the amounts on the bonus indicator can have a
greater value, e.g., a new automobile, a luxury vacation or large
sum of money which may be collected subsequently, or lesser values,
e.g., no payout.
[0034] The displayed reels 210 and displayed bonus indicator 250
can be operably controlled by suitable controls to slow down as
they come to a complete stop, displaying a selected reel indicia
and a bonus indicia, respectively.
[0035] The embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG.
2 is considered most preferable since it is believed that players
prefer to see actual slot reels and an actual bonus wheel spinning
in a gaming device. Other, less preferred embodiments are also
possible while providing some of the advantages of the present
invention. Specifically, it is feasible to replace the spinning
reels with other forms of standard gaming units, for example, a
visible indicia of reels or indicia of playing cards, shown for
example on a video screen. It is also possible to replace the wheel
with some other discernible indicia of a mechanical bonus indicator
which is operatively connected to the first standard gaming unit
and which either automatically commences or is actuatable in
response to the result provided by the standard gaming unit.
According to the present invention, both of the standard gaming
unit and bonus indicator are controlled to provide random
results.
[0036] From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that
embodiments of the present invention, which are specifically
directed to gaming and gaming devices, comprise three different
indicators. The most preferred embodiments comprise a primary
(standard) gaming unit, an additional payout indicator, preferably
in the form of a wheel, and a payout multiplier. While the
illustrated payout multiplier of the illustrated embodiments is in
the form of an electronically selected value, it is also within the
scope of the present invention to have a multiplier which involves
some skill on the part of a player. For example, according to an
additional preferred embodiment of the present invention, a player
will shoot actual projectiles, such as coins, at one or more
targets in an effort to increase the value of the multiplier. In
any of the embodiments of the present invention utilizing a
multiplier, the multiplier can affect the value of a payout from
the standard gaming unit, the additional payout indicator, or both
the standard gaming unit and the payout indicator.
[0037] As stated above, the present invention also includes methods
of conducting a wagering game of chance comprising the steps of
providing a player with an opportunity to place a wager; displaying
a randomly selected combination of indicia, said displayed indicia
selected from the group consisting of reels, indicia of reels,
indicia of playing cards, and combination thereof; generating at
least one signal corresponding to at least one select display of
said indicia; providing at least one discernible indicia of a
mechanical bonus indicator, said bonus indicator indicia indicating
at least one of a plurality of possible bonuses, wherein said bonus
indicator indicia is in the form of a wheel or reel and is
actuatable in response to said signal. A further preferred method
comprises the step of displaying at least one value by which a
payout may be multiplied.
* * * * *