U.S. patent application number 10/660291 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-18 for gaming terminal with free play mode method.
Invention is credited to Vancura, Olaf.
Application Number | 20040053666 10/660291 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31994231 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040053666 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vancura, Olaf |
March 18, 2004 |
Gaming terminal with free play mode method
Abstract
A method of playing a casino game having a normal play mode and
a free play mode, the method comprising: initiating said normal
play mode of said casino game; establishing a probability of
entering said free play mode from said normal play mode in each
play of said casino game within said normal play mode, said
probability being a first probability; establishing a probability
of exiting said free play mode in each play of said casino game
within said free play mode, said probability of exiting said free
play mode being a second probability; entering said free play mode
from said initiated normal play mode according to said established
first probability; and exiting said free play mode according to
said established second probability, said established second
priority providing a variable number of consecutive plays of said
casino game in said free play mode.
Inventors: |
Vancura, Olaf; (US) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Leslie S. Garmaise, Esq.
Dorr, Carson, Sloan & Birney, P.C.
3010 East 6th Avenue
Denver
CO
80206
US
|
Family ID: |
31994231 |
Appl. No.: |
10/660291 |
Filed: |
September 11, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60410987 |
Sep 16, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3267 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/016 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of playing a casino game with a normal play mode and a
free play mode, the method comprising: receiving a wager for the
casino game in said normal play mode, generating a game outcome in
response to receiving the wager in normal play mode; initiating the
free play mode when the game outcome matches a first game outcome;
continuing in said free play mode to play the casino game until the
game outcome matches a second game outcome which stops the free
play mode and returns the casino game to the normal play mode.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said continuing comprises:
continuing play of said casino game in said free play mode until a
stop signal is generated by said casino game.
3. A method of playing a casino game with a normal play mode and a
free play mode comprising: randomly entering the free play mode
from the normal play mode, randomly entering the normal play mode
from the free play mode, such that the frequency of entering the
free play mode from the normal play mode is less than the frequency
of entering the normal play mode from the free play mode.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein said randomly entering said normal
play mode from said free play mode provides a variable number of
consecutive plays of said casino game between different instances
of said free play mode.
5. A method of playing a casino game comprising: using the symbols
shown as the outcome of the base game and the selection of at least
one of them for starting an additional bonus game.
6. A method of playing a casino game having a normal play mode and
a free play mode, the method comprising: initiating said normal
play mode of said casino game; entering said free play mode of said
casino game from said initiated normal play mode; enabling play of
the casino game to remain in said free play mode for a variable
number of plays of said casino game; and exiting said free play
mode of said casino game upon completion of said variable number of
plays.
7. The method of claim 6 further comprising: for a given casino
game outcome, paying a multiplier award equal to the
normal-play-mode award for said given casino game outcome
multiplied by a multiplying factor, for at least a portion of said
plays of said casino game in said free play mode.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the multiplying factor equals
three.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein said paying comprises: paying only
said normal-play-mode award level for bonus game awards occurring
in said free play mode.
10. The method of claim 6 wherein said initiating comprises:
receiving a wager from said player.
11. The method of claim 6 wherein said enabling comprises:
permitting said play of said casino game to remain in said free
play mode until a randomly occurring triggering event takes
place.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein said permitting comprises:
ending said play in said free play mode upon incurring an
appearance of a stop symbol in a game outcome during said
free-play-mode play.
13. The method of claim 6 wherein said entering comprises:
selecting a free-play-mode value at random from a plurality of
values.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein said selecting comprises:
randomly assigning each of a plurality of values to a different one
of a plurality of player input devices; and activating a player
input device of said player input devices having said
free-play-mode value assigned thereto.
15. A method of playing a casino game having a normal play mode and
a free play mode, the method comprising: initiating said normal
play mode of said casino game; entering said free play mode of said
casino game from said initiated normal play mode upon occurrence of
a particular game outcome in said normal play mode; remaining in
said free play mode until an occurrence of a randomly occurring
triggering event; and re-entering said normal play mode from said
free play mode upon the occurrence of said triggering event.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein said entering comprises:
randomly generating said particular game outcome from a plurality
of possible game outcomes.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein said remaining comprises:
generating a game outcome for each play of the casino game in said
free play mode; evaluating, after each said play of said casino
game in said free play mode, whether said game outcome includes a
signal operative to stop said free play mode; and ending said free
play mode only if said stop signal is provided.
18. The method of claim 17 further comprising: providing an at
least substantially equal probability of inclusion of said stop
signal in said game outcome for each said play of said casino game
in said free play mode.
19. The method of claim 17 further comprising: providing an
identical probability of inclusion of said stop signal in said game
outcome for each said play of said casino game in said free play
mode.
20. A method of playing a casino game having a normal play mode and
a free play mode, the method comprising: initiating said normal
play mode of said casino game; establishing a probability of
entering said free play mode from said normal play mode in each
play of said casino game within said normal play mode, said
probability being a first probability; establishing a probability
of exiting said free play mode in each play of said casino game
within said free play mode, said probability of exiting said free
play mode being a second probability; entering said free play mode
from said initiated normal play mode according to said established
first probability; and exiting said free play mode according to
said established second probability, said established second
probability providing a variable number of consecutive plays of
said casino game in said free play mode.
21. The method of claim 20 further comprising: adjusting said first
probability and said second probability to control a house
advantage of said casino game.
22. The method of claim 20 wherein said first probability is at
least substantially equal for all plays of said casino game in said
normal play mode.
23. The method of claim 20 wherein said providing a variable number
of consecutive plays comprises: providing a variable number of
consecutive plays of said casino game in said free play mode,
between said entering and said exiting, among different instances
of said free play mode.
24. The method of claim 20 wherein said initiating said normal play
mode comprises: receiving a wager from a player for play of said
casino game.
25. Apparatus for playing a casino game having a base game and a
bonus game, the apparatus comprising: a wager/award input/output
for receiving a wager from a player to initiate said base game; a
player input operative to enable entry into said bonus game from
said initiated base game; a memory for storing a stop signal
indicative of a bonus-game-ending game outcome of said bonus game;
a computer, connected to said wager/award input/output, said player
input, and said memory, wherein said computer is operative to:
provide at least one consecutive bonus game outcome, said at least
one consecutive bonus game outcome being selected from a plurality
of possible game outcomes; determine whether a latest bonus game
outcome matches said bonus-game-ending game outcome; and end said
bonus game upon discovering a match between said latest bonus game
outcome and said bonus-game-ending game outcome, said computer
generating said stop signal upon ending said bonus game.
26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said base game is a
normal-play-mode game in which a wager is received for each play of
said base game.
27. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said bonus game is a
free-play-mode game in which play of said bonus game proceeds for
free until said generation of said stop signal.
28. The apparatus of claim 25 further comprising: a game display
operative to inform a player of said casino game of options for
activation of said player input.
29. Apparatus for playing a casino game having a normal play mode
and a free play mode, the apparatus comprising: a wager/award
input/output for receiving a wager from a player to initiate said
normal play mode of said casino game; a player input operative to
enable entry into said free play mode from said initiated normal
play mode; a memory for storing a stop signal indicative of a
free-play-mode-ending game outcome of play in said free play mode;
a computer, connected to said wager/award input/output, said player
input, and said memory, wherein said computer is operative to:
provide at least one consecutive free play mode game outcome, said
at least one consecutive free play mode game outcome being randomly
selected from a plurality of possible game outcomes; determine
whether a latest free play mode game outcome matches said
free-play-mode-ending game outcome; and end said free play mode
upon discovering a match between said latest free play mode game
outcome and said free-play-mode-ending game outcome, said computer
generating said stop signal upon ending said free play mode.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/410,987, entitled "Gaming Terminal With
Free Play Mode Method", filed Sep. 16, 2002, the disclosure of
which application is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for
providing casino games of chance in an electronic gaming terminal
and, in particular, to a method and system for providing such free
games without using an internal free game counter. And also in
particular, to a method and a system for using the symbols shown in
the outcome of the base casino game of chance for starting a bonus
casino game-of chance.
[0004] 2. Background Information
[0005] It is well known to provide "free spin" symbols in the reels
of gaming terminals such as casino slot games. In such games, a set
number (e.g., 5) of free spins are awarded usually appearing as a
multiple value (e.g., 5.times. for 5 free spins). Indeed, when in a
free spin mode of operation, it is further conventional to provide
even additional free spins that may be won by the player when the
free spin symbol appears once again in the game outcome during a
free spin mode.
[0006] In such prior art approaches, a form of a hardware or
software counter exists in the gaming terminal which starts at
either a predetermined or a random value known to the player. When
in the free spin mode of operation, the counter decrements once for
each free spin (and if additional free spins are won during the
free spin mode, the counter increments). Eventually the counter
reaches zero, at which point the play reverts back to normal play
mode.
[0007] In U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,452, free game rounds (or free spins)
are provided in which the overall, long-term averaged pay back
amount is unchanged when the free game round is incorporated into a
gaming terminal. In this patent, if a game outcome results in two
free spins and a 2.times. multiplier occurs in the game outcome,
the 2.times. multiplier is applied to the two free spins to result
in an award of 4 free spins. The 4 free spins occur and the free
spin mode is over.
[0008] A need exists to eliminate a finite number of free spins (or
free games) in order to further increase player interest and
excitement in the play of the gaming terminal as the player does
not know and so cannot grow accustom to and feel limited to a
finite number of free spins. A need exists to provide a free spin
mode of play in which the player believes he/she is gambling for
free. This provides, psychologically, a powerful motivator to
encourage play. Hence, a need exists to provide a free play mode
that continues (i.e., uninterrupted) until a triggering event kicks
the player back into normal play mode for the casino game of chance
play (base game) at the gaming terminal. Finally, a need exists to
use the symbols shown as the outcome of the base game and the
selection of at least one of them for starting an additional bonus
game.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides a base casino game of chance
such as a video slot reel game in which a wager is received from a
player in normal play mode. The base casino game of chance
generates a game outcome in normal play mode. When the game outcome
or a portion thereof matches a free play mode game outcome (first
game outcome), then continuing in free play mode to play the base
casino game of chance until a game outcome or a portion thereof
matches a stop free play mode game outcome (second game outcome).
The base casino game of chance then returns to normal play mode.
The player, in one embodiment selects the first game outcome to
enter free play mode. The frequency of entering the free play mode
from the normal play mode is less than the frequency of entering
the normal play mode from the free play mode.
[0010] The present invention uses the symbols shown in the play
outcome of the base game casino game of chance for starting or
participating in an additional bonus game such as a free play
mode.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 sets forth a representation of a five reel, prior
art, slot pay line display in one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 sets forth the display of FIG. 1 wherein a special
symbol of the present invention appears carrying a message.
[0013] FIG. 3 sets forth the five reel slot of FIG. 2 wherein the
player selects a symbol paying an award.
[0014] FIG. 4 sets forth the five reel slot of FIG. 2 and the
selection by a player of a symbol providing a free play.
[0015] FIG. 5 sets forth the slot display of FIG. 4 indicating to
the player the start of the free play mode.
[0016] FIG. 6 sets forth the slot display ending the free play mode
by the appearance of a stop symbol.
[0017] FIG. 7 sets forth the method of operating in the free play
mode of the present invention shown in FIGS. 2-6.
[0018] FIG. 8 sets forth the method of operating a second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 9 sets forth a representation of a video display having
three rows of five reels modified in another embodiment of the
present invention to carry the special message.
[0020] FIG. 10 shows the hidden values behind each of the symbols
in FIG. 9 when the message is revealed.
[0021] FIG. 11 sets forth the symbols on each reel for the
embodiment of FIG. 9.
[0022] FIG. 12 sets forth the functional components of the gaming
terminal.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] In FIG. 12, the functional block diagrams for the various
components in the gaming terminal 1200 are shown. The term "gaming
terminal" is used in its broadest sense is synonymous with the
following terms: a gaming system, a gaming device, a gaming
machine, etc. A gaming terminal can be, but not limited to,
stand-alone, incorporated into another gaming terminal, etc. A
gaming terminal can also be connected to, but not limited to, a
network, the Internet, a progressive system, a telecommunications
network, etc. It is to be appreciated that, conventionally, gaming
terminal 1200 designs are vigorous and encompass a wide variety of
conventional designs to incorporate any number of conventional
casino games of chance.
[0024] Functionally, such gaming terminals 1200 contain a game
control 1210 that includes a computer 1220, a memory 1230, a game
display 1240, a player input 1250, a wager/award input/output 1260
and in the case of a network 1280 (such as in a progressive,
Internet, or telecommunications environment), an I/O (or interface
card) 1270.
[0025] The gaming terminal 1200 utilizes a computer 1220 which is
any suitable controller, microprocessor, etc. accessing either
internal or external memory 1230 over a suitable communication path
1232. The present invention is not limited to the type of computer
1220, type of memory 1230 or type of communication path 1232.
[0026] The game display 1240 in communication 1238 with computer
1220 comprises many different types of game displays including, but
not limited to mechanical, electronic, video, or combinations
thereof. The game display, in some designs, has its own controller.
The game display 1240 displays to a player of the base-game casino
game of chance (such as a reel slot game) and/or any bonus games.
The game display 1240 may include a single display or a plurality
of displays. The nature and design of the display for the gaming
terminal 1200 is vigorous as many different commercially available
devices can be used.
[0027] Player input 1250 in communication 1252 with computer 1220
can comprise many different conventional input devices which would
include separate buttons, switches, etc. The player input 1250 can
be incorporated into the game display 1240 when the game display is
also a touch screen. Indeed, the player input 1250 may be separate
and/or part of the game display 1240. The nature and design of the
player input 1250 for the casino game of chance is vigorous as many
different commercially available devices can be used.
[0028] The wager/award input/output 1260 in communication with 1236
with computer 1270 is also conventionally known and includes a wide
variety of coin in, currency reader, ticket reader, credit in, coin
out, ticket out, credit display, credit out, award of payoffs and
prizes during the play of the game, etc. The nature and design of
the wager/award input/output 1260 for the casino game of chance is
vigorous as many different commercially available devices can be
used.
[0029] The input/output 1270 is optional and is a communication
module (e.g., modem, interface card, etc.) that enables external
communication usually through a communication network in any one of
numerous conventional fashions. The nature and design of the
input/output 1270 for the gaming device 1200 is vigorous as many
different commercially available devices can be used.
[0030] It is to be expressly understood that the functional block
diagram gaming terminal 1200 may be represented in different
functional descriptions with different components based upon gaming
terminal design requirements and the like. Hence the functional
blocks shown and their interconnection are meant to be illustrative
and not limiting to the teachings of the present invention.
[0031] FIGS. 1-7 set forth an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0032] FIG. 1 sets forth a prior art representation of a single
row, five reel slot display 100. Each of the five reels 10 contains
a symbol 20 which conventionally "rolls" until a final symbol 20
lands on a pay line so as to display a play outcome on the five
reels at the end of the casino game of chance in the gaming
terminal 1200. In FIG. 1, the symbols are generically referred to
as S. It is to be understood that under the teachings of the
present invention any conventional multi-line mechanical reel or
video reel or other type of similar video game could be utilized
under the teachings of the present invention. In FIGS. 1-6, a five
reel slot is used for illustration purposes. Hence, in a
conventional fashion, a wager is received and the casino game of
chance is played in normal play mode in the gaming terminal 1200
and the symbols S line up, for example, on a pay line to determine
a final game outcome for a casino game of chance.
[0033] Under the teachings of the present invention and as shown in
FIG. 2, a special symbol 200 appears on one of the reels 10. In one
variation, the special symbol 200 appears on the fifth reel. The
symbol 200 is shown as M. At the end of the casino game of chance,
when the special symbol M 200 aligns, the symbol M then changes
into an actual message 210. There are any of a number of many
conventional software ways to change the message symbol 200 into an
actual message 210 such as by flipping, morphing, changing,
animating, etc. The message 210, in one embodiment, reads: "Choose
any other symbol to reveal your award!"
[0034] Behind each of the four remaining symbols S is a hidden
award or hidden free play symbol. For example in FIG. 3, "4.times."
and "3.times." are hidden behind symbols S.sub.11 and S.sub.2. The
"Free Play" symbol is hidden behind S.sub.4. The player, in FIG. 3,
has selected symbol S.sub.6 (by touching the symbol on the screen)
which reveals a "2.times." multiplier. The multipliers multiply the
coin-in, wager or bet and the player receives that as an award. It
is to be expressly understood that any suitable award value could
be used in place of multipliers including actual award amounts.
Furthermore, only some awards can be provided so all reel positions
10 need not be filled. In the example of FIG. 3, the player has
selected symbol S.sub.6 and is paid the award.
[0035] In FIG. 3, the values in set: {4.times., 2.times., 3.times.,
Free Play} are randomly assigned with the appearance of symbol M to
the four reel positions so the player never knows where any one
value is. Here, the player, over time, has a 1/4chance of picking
the Free Play symbol 320. The set of four values can be from any
desired number or contents such as chosen from a set of nine values
such as for the example of FIGS. 1-6 of: {1.times., 2.times.,
2.times., Null, 3.times., 3.times., 4.times., 10.times., Free
Play}. "Null" means no award. In this example, there is no
assurance that with each M symbol, there will be a Free Play symbol
randomly appearing behind the remaining four positions.
[0036] In essence, the present invention provides a bonus game
within the construct of the base casino game of chance. That is,
the bonus game occurs using the base game symbols S as the objects
that may be chosen by the player. In the example shown in the FIG.
3, these chosen symbols include multipliers (which simply award a
multiplier value to the player). However, as explained next, using
the base game symbols as a bonus game can launch into a Free Play
mode.
[0037] In FIG. 4, the player has selected symbol S.sub.4 (by
touching the symbol on a touch screen) in response to the message
found in FIG. 2. The Free Play symbol 320 is revealed such as by
flipping the symbol S.sub.4. The message 210 then changes and
presents instructions 400 to the player. It is to be expressly
understood that such instructions 400 can appear anywhere on the
display 100 in game display 1240 or in a separate display for the
gaming terminal 1200. In one embodiment, the instructions 400 are
optional. The instructions 400 tell the player that the player has
free play until a red stop sign symbol (or other suitable symbol or
event) occurs in row 30.
[0038] In FIG. 5 and, in one optional embodiment, the slot display
100 turns green 500 indicating to the player the start of the free
play mode. The reels 10 start spinning and the player receives a
game outcome which may include a winning combination as a result of
the spin. The free play mode continues until a red stop sign symbol
600 appears which ends the free play mode, as shown in FIG. 6. The
player keeps any awards won in all game outcomes during Free
Play.
[0039] With respect to the indication shown in FIG. 5 of providing
a colored background 500 to start the Free Play mode, any suitable
indication 500 can be utilized in the gaming terminal 1240
including a multimedia display presentation including sound,
graphics, etc. Furthermore, different internal illumination in the
casino game of chance such as change in lighting from fluorescent
to UV lighting could be utilized. Any type of visual, audible,
and/or a combination of the two could be utilized so that a player
at a glance can tell that he/she is in the free play mode.
[0040] Where the base-game casino game is a slot game, play in the
free play mode may use the same 10 or a different set of reels than
the reels 10 used in the normal play mode. Moreover, the same or a
different number of reels 10 may be employed in the free play mode
as in the normal play mode. In one embodiment, some but not all of
the reels 10 used in the normal play mode may be replaced for play
in the free play mode. In one embodiment, one reel, such as the
fifth reel, may be replaced for play in the free play mode, without
replacing the other reels. Alternatively, other reels, or sets of
reels, may be replaced during play in the free play mode while
leaving other reels unmodified.
[0041] Optionally, selection of a winning symbol in a slot game may
result in the same or different payouts (awards) in the free play
mode as in the normal play mode. In one embodiment, entry into the
free play mode is accompanied by a multiplier award or multiplying
factor, such as a "3.times." multiplying factor, or other
multiplying factor, applicable to awards in the free play mode. In
this embodiment, the free-play-mode award would be three times the
value of the normal-play-mode award for a given casino game outcome
(for example, for a given combination of reel symbols). Use of the
multiplying factor (of whatever magnitude), within the free play
mode, may be applicable to base game play only, to bonus game play
only, or to both base game play and bonus game play. For instance,
in one variation of the "3.times." multiplying factor embodiment
within the free play mode, the 3.times. multiplying factor is
applied to base game play but not to bonus game play.
[0042] It will be appreciated that multiplying factors having
values less than and greater than 3 may also be used. In
alternative embodiments, multiplying factors may be fractional
(i.e. have values less than one). Moreover, multiplying factors are
not limited to being integers but may include numbers having
decimal quantities such as, but not limited to, "1.5", "3.25",
"4.5". In other alternative embodiments, multiplying factors may be
negative and may be either integer values or real number
values.
[0043] In FIG. 7, a flow chart showing the software functional
operation of the present invention programmed into the gaming
terminal 1210 for the casino game of chance is shown.
Conventionally the casino game of chance receives 700 a wager in
the gaming terminal 1200. The casino game of chance is played 710
and a game outcome results. Under the teachings of the present
invention, in one embodiment, when a message symbol 200 appears,
the decision 720 is made to reveal 730 a message 210. In stages 720
and/or 730, the set of values are applied randomly to the remaining
symbols in the game outcome. The player inputs a signal that is
received 740 by the casino game of chance in the gaming terminal
1200 which then displays 750 the symbol selection to the player. A
decision is made 760 whether the displayed symbol selection is an
award 310 or a free play 320.
[0044] If an award 310 has been selected by the player the award is
made 770 and the casino game of chance in the gaming terminal 1200
waits to receive another wager. The award 770 is made in a
conventional fashion.
[0045] On the other hand, if the free play 320 is selected, then
the casino game of chance displays 780 instructions 400 and an
indication 790 to the player such as 500. The casino game of chance
is in a Free Play mode. In the Free Play mode, the casino game of
chance can continually play in stage 710 without interaction from
the player until a stop symbol 600 appears. Or, the player can push
a conventional play button in player input 1250 to individually
start each Free Play spin. Whether continuous or initiated by the
player, the casino game of chance determines 795 whether the free
play mode continues or whether a stop symbol 600 appears. If a stop
symbol 600 appears, the game ends and the casino game of chance
waits to receive 700 a wager. If there is no stop symbol at the
outcome of a played game, game play 710 continues.
[0046] It is to be expressly understood that variations to the
method steps shown in FIG. 7 can be made under the teachings of the
present invention. In one variation, the message symbol 200
contains the message 210 (or the message 210 appears elsewhere in
the gaming terminal 1200) so stop 730 is eliminated. The message
symbol 210 can be any suitable message such as, but not limited to,
a graphic, icon, letter, words, color, etc. In another variation,
stages 780 and 790 can be combined into a single step or stage 790
can come before the display of instruction 780. In another
variation, no award exists in stages 760 or 770 and the only value
randomly hidden behind the remaining symbols is free play in which
case, the remaining symbols in the set of values are null; for
example: {null, null, null, Free Play}.
[0047] In another variation, no free play value is found in the set
so steps 760, 780, 790 and 795 are eliminated. In this variation,
awards are made and the set of values do not include the Free Play
value. In another variation, a Bonus Game value could be included
in the set of values which when detected in stage 760 enable a
bonus game to be played by the player as shown by 765. A number of
conventional bonus games exist. The set of values in this variation
are vigorous and could be for FIG. 3: {2.times., NULL, BONUS GAME,
FREE SPIN}, {2.times., 4.times., BONUS GAME, 1.times.), {NULL,
BONUS GAME, FREE SPIN, NULL), etc.
[0048] In another embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the gaming terminal
1200 receives 800 a wager and the casino game of chance is played
810. The free play mode starts when at least one green "GO" symbol
(or other suitable symbol) appears 820 in the outcome of the casino
game of chance. A single green "GO" symbol would appear on a
predetermined reel such as the first reel in one embodiment (or in
any reel in other embodiments). The selected reel having at least
one green "GO" symbol could, in the embodiment, also have two red
"Stop" symbols. Hence, when the at least one green "GO" symbol
appears, it acts as a "start" symbol which is detected 830 to place
the casino game of chance in the Free Play mode. The detection 820
of one of the two "Stop" symbols would cause it to stop Free Play
mode. However, should a "Stop" symbol be detected 820 during normal
play of the game (i.e., before the Go symbol starts the Free Play
mode), then those "Stop" signals have no effect.
[0049] In FIGS. 9-11 is yet another embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 9 sets forth a 3.times.5 display 900 in the game
display 1240 having five reels 10 and three rows 30. This is a
conventional 3.times.5 display for a nine reel casino slot game of
chance wherein each reel 10 visually rotates and then at the game
outcome settles on a final display value such as the symbols shown
in FIG. 9. The 3.times.5 matrix 900 is visible to a player in the
game display 1240 on the gaming terminal 1200. In the example of
FIG. 9, a message symbol 200 appears in one of the fifteen symbol
positions. In this case, it is in one of the three row positions of
the fifth reel. As before in FIG. 2, the message symbol 200, at the
game outcome, converts into an actual message 210 as shown in FIG.
3. Behind each of the remaining fourteen symbol positions are
hidden multipliers 1000 and a free play 1010. In FIG. 10, these are
shown in dotted lines but it is to be expressly understood that the
player does not see them. What the player sees in FIG. 9 are the
symbols S with the message symbol 200 converting into a written
message 210 telling the player to touch one of the remaining symbol
positions.
[0050] In FIG. 10, the player has a choice of fourteen symbol
position symbols to touch. The player still sees the actual symbols
S as shown. Actually, in this embodiment, the player has a 1 in 14
chance of selecting the Free Play hidden symbol 1010. If the player
picks the symbol in position 1020, the player receives four times
(4.times.) the wager award. In two of the positions, the player
receives the wager made to play the casino game of chance in the
gaming terminal back (i.e., 1.times.) and in one of the symbol
positions the player receives ten times the wager (i.e.,
10.times.). However, if the player selects the free play position
1010, this embodiment of the present invention functions as above
and the player continuously receives free spins (i.e., free games)
until a stop symbol appears in the 3.times.5 matrix for the game
outcome.
[0051] The set of 14 values {1.times., 1.times., 2.times.,
2.times., 3.times., 4.times., 4.times., 4.times., 4.times.,
5.times., 6.times., 7.times., 10.times., and Free Play} which are
randomly placed behind the 14 symbol positions is only an example,
as any suitable set of values could be used in the design of the
casino game under the teachings contained herein. As before, the 14
values can be chosen from a set of values having more than 14
values. Also, the set of values can include null and bonus game
values. What constitutes a value other than a null value is
vigorous and represents something of value to the player, such as
free Spins, play of a Bonus Game, a Multiplier of Wager as an
award, a thing, credits, play in a Progressive Game, etc.
[0052] This embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIGS.
9-11 is better explained with reference to FIG. 11. In this
example, there are twelve different symbols (i.e., S.sub.1 through
S.sub.11 and M). The distribution of these twelve symbols is shown
in FIG. 11 for each of the five reels. For example for reel 5 there
are two appearances of symbol S.sub.1, five appearances of symbol
S.sub.4, nine appearances of symbol S.sub.10 and one appearance of
symbol M. Reel 5 has a total of sixty-three symbol appearances in
the distribution shown in FIG. 11. It is noted that symbol M
appears only once in the five reels and that is in reel 5. Hence,
the random appearance of symbol M appears averaged over a long
period of time 3 in 63 plays of the casino game of chance in the
gaming terminal (as there are three rows 30). By way of further
explanation, the symbol S.sub.1 in reel 1 randomly appears 3 out of
32 times in the game outcome. The use of symbols S randomly
appearing in each of the reels 10, of course, is conventional and
is based upon a random number generator (whether in hardware or in
software).
[0053] As mentioned, the outcome of the game shown in FIG. 9 for
the symbol M is 3 out of 63 (averaged over a long period of time)
since the M symbol 200 can appear in any one of the three row 30
reel 5 positions. The player, therefore, has an expectation that in
every 3 out of 63 (1/21) plays of the game (randomly over time)
that the M symbol 200 appears giving the player the opportunity to
select one of the remaining fourteen symbols S. In this case, the
odds of selecting the Free Play symbol 1010 in FIG. 10 is 1 out of
14 (averaged over a long period of time). Combining 1 out of 14
with 3 out of 63 results in the player having the chance of going
into the Free Play mode 1/294 spins (i.e., 1/21 times 1/14 averaged
over a long period of time).
[0054] In this embodiment, after selection of the Free Play 1010
the message M symbol 200 converts in the software of the casino
game of chance to a stop symbol. Hence, when the stop signal
appears anywhere in the three row 30 positions on the fifth reel 10
the Free Play mode is over with. The appearance of the Stop Sign
symbol is 3 in 63 plays (or 1/21). That is, on average over a long
time once every 21 spins in Free Play mode, the player will exit
Free Play mode and re-enter Normal mode of play. Hence, the player
is fourteen times as likely to exit the Free Play mode than to
enter it (i.e., 294 divided by 21). A player of this embodiment of
the casino game of chance, over a long period of time, spends
fourteen times as much time in the normal play mode as in the free
play mode.
[0055] This embodiment of the present invention is vigorous in that
the probabilities of entering/exiting the Free Play mode to create
a casino game of chance that is exciting to the player can involve
a number of variabilities. The frequency of entering the free play
mode from normal play mode is less than the frequency of entering
normal play mode from the free play mode. In the above example,
1/294 is less than 1/21.
[0056] Spending time in Free Play mode "costs" the house advantage.
If it is assumed that the game (without Free Play mode) is set to
return, on average, 85% to the player, then with the example of the
above embodiment, the overall expected outcome (including both
Normal and Free Play modes) becomes
(14/15).times.(0.85-1)+(1/15).times.(0.85)=-8.33%. Hence, the house
advantage is 8.33%. In this example, the expected value (EV) for
the Free Play mode itself (that is, the expected win for the player
during Free Play mode per unit wager while going into Free Play
mode) is calculated as the 85% return (not including Free
Play).times.21 (ave. number of spins in Free Play mode)=17.85.
Thus, if the player wagers 9 lines.times.2 credits per line=18
credits when Free Play mode first initiated, the expected win for
the player during Free Play mode is 18.times.17.85=321.3
credits.
[0057] Too, the initiating means of the instant invention are not
limited to using symbols as initiating means. For example,
concurrent with the base game spin of the reels, a random number
may be chosen (for example, in the range 1 to 294), and should this
random number match a prescribed number (for example, 1) then the
Free Play mode may be initiated. In this manner, the frequency of
Free Play mode may be designed to be 1 in 294, as in the example
cited earlier. In this case, the random number (or an icon) may be
depicted to the player or may not.
[0058] While a video slot reel base casino game of chance has been
used to illustrate the teachings of the present invention, the
methods herein apply to other casino games of chance such as, but
not limited to, video poker, video Black Jack, keno, etc. For
example, in a video poker game outcome, a "three of hearts" (or any
other card, symbol, etc.) could be (or carry the message) the M
symbol 200 wherein the player selects one of the four remaining
cards to reveal one value in the set of values. In another
embodiment, the player can select any one of the game outcome
symbols (such as any one of the cards in poker) or certain ones of
the game outcome symbols (such as on "hearts" or only "aces",
etc.).
[0059] The above disclosure sets forth a number of embodiments of
the present invention. Those skilled in this art will however
appreciate that other arrangements or embodiments, not precisely
set forth, could be practiced under the teachings of the present
invention.
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