U.S. patent application number 10/982174 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-09 for method and device for conducting a game with multi-threshold award.
Invention is credited to Nicely, Mark.
Application Number | 20050124404 10/982174 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34594878 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050124404 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nicely, Mark |
June 9, 2005 |
Method and device for conducting a game with multi-threshold
award
Abstract
A method and device for conducting a wagering game includes
defining a schedule of awards correlated to a schedule of holdings.
At least one of said awards is associated with an activation
criterion which includes a threshold wager amount such that the
award is only activated when a wager is greater than, or equal to,
the threshold wager amount. In this manner, increased wagers may
result in increased holdings eligible for awards, increased
likelihood that an award may be obtained, or increased awards
eligible.
Inventors: |
Nicely, Mark; (Daly City,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Morishita Law Firm, L.L.C.
Suite 102
2725 S. Jones Blvd.
Las Vegas
NV
89146
US
|
Family ID: |
34594878 |
Appl. No.: |
10/982174 |
Filed: |
November 5, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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60517785 |
Nov 5, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3244 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101; G07F 17/3258 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/020 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A method for conducting a game where a player is issued a reward
based on the player obtaining a winning holding associated with an
award, the method comprising: defining a schedule of holdings;
defining a schedule of awards, each award correlated to at least
one holding; defining an activation criteria for at least one of
said awards, wherein said activation criteria includes a threshold
wager amount such that said award associated with said activation
criteria is not awarded unless a wager greater than, or equal to,
said threshold wager amount is placed; receiving a wager from a
player; in response to the receipt of said wager, conducting said
game to produce a game result; evaluating said wager to determine
which, if any, of said activation criteria are satisfied; examining
said game result to determine whether any holdings associated with
an award have been obtained, including any selectively activated
awards that are active as a result of the satisfaction of said
activation criteria; and issuing any awards.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said schedule of holdings includes
symbol combinations.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the quantity of symbol
combinations associated with awards activated at a threshold wager
amount increase with the size of the threshold wager amount such
that increasing wagers by a player activate an increasing quantity
of symbol combinations.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said schedule of holdings includes
symbol combinations appearing on pay lines.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said schedule of holdings includes
playing card combinations.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein multiple holdings are each
associated with the same award but with different activation
criteria having different threshold wager amounts such that
increased wager amounts result in increased holdings that will
result in the award.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the likelihood of said multiple
holdings occurring is cumulative such that increased wager amounts
result in increased likelihood of obtaining said award.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said awards
associated with an activation criterion is a progressive award.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the quantity of awards activated
at any threshold wager increase with the size of the wager
threshold amount such that the likelihood of a player obtaining an
activated award increase with increased wager levels.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said holdings is
associated with a first award including an activation criterion and
a second award not including an activation criterion such that a
wager less than the threshold wager amount of the activation
criterion will be rewarded with the second award for obtaining said
holding and a wager greater than the threshold wager amount of the
activation criterion will be rewarded with the first award.
11. A device for conducting a wagering game comprising: a data
processor; a display communicating with said data processor; a
wager receiver communicating with said data processor; a data
structure communicating with said display, said data structure
storing a schedule of holdings, a schedule of awards, wherein each
award correlated to at least one holding, an activation criteria
for at least one of said awards, wherein said activation criteria
includes a threshold wager amount such that said award associated
with said activation criteria is not awarded unless a wager greater
than, or equal to, said threshold wager amount is placed, and
instructions executable by said data processor to conduct a game
method comprising: receiving a wager from a player at said wager
receiver; in response to the receipt of said wager, said data
processor conducting said game to produce a game result; said data
processor evaluating said wager to determine which, if any, of said
activation criteria are satisfied; said data processor examining
said game result to determine whether any holdings associated with
an award have been obtained, including any selectively activated
awards that are active as a result of the satisfaction of said
activation criteria; and said data processor issuing any
awards.
12. The device of claim 11 wherein said schedule of holdings
includes symbol combinations.
13. The device of claim 12 wherein the quantity of symbol
combinations associated with awards activated at a threshold wager
amount increase with the size of the threshold wager amount such
that increasing wagers by a player activate an increasing quantity
of symbol combinations.
14. The device of claim 11 wherein said schedule of holdings
includes symbol combinations appearing on pay lines.
15. The method of claim 11 wherein said schedule of holdings
includes playing card combinations.
16. The device of claim 111 wherein multiple holdings are each
associated with the same award but with different activation
criteria having different threshold wager amounts such that
increased wager amounts result in increased holdings that will
result in the award.
17. The device of claim 16 wherein the likelihood of said multiple
holdings occurring is cumulative such that increased wager amounts
result in increased likelihood of obtaining said award.
18. The device of claim 11 wherein at least one of said awards
associated with an activation criterion is a progressive award.
19. The device of claim 11 wherein the quantity of awards activated
at any threshold wager increase with the size of the wager
threshold amount such that the likelihood of a player obtaining an
activated award increase with increased wager levels.
20. The device of claim 11 wherein at least one of said holdings is
associated with a first award including an activation criterion and
a second award not including an activation criterion such that a
wager less than the threshold wager amount of the activation
criterion will be rewarded with the second award for obtaining said
holding and a wager greater than the threshold wager amount of the
activation criterion will be rewarded with the first award.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] The present application claims the priority of U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/517,785 entitled "Game With
Multi-Threshold Award," filed Nov. 5, 2003 by Applicant herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to methods and devices for
conducting wagering games. Specifically, the present invention is a
method and device for conducting a wagering game in which at least
one award is selectively activated based on the satisfaction of an
activation criterion which may include the player wagering at or
above a wager threshold.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Modern multi-coin/multi-line slot games usually have a wide
range of wager sizes. Players will often start playing at one wager
size and adjust their wagers up or down based upon how well they
are doing, how large or small their bankroll is, or in anticipation
that a bonus event or large payout seems "due."
[0004] Players are usually required to place a max coin bet to
qualify for large progressive awards. The underlying reason is that
maximum number of coins wagered per proposition maximizes casino
profit per play and maximizes the player contribution to the
progressive jackpot. However, it also makes the game prohibitively
expensive for many players, especially if this is done for a
multi-coin/multi-line game where the player is required to place a
substantial wager in order to participate in the progressive.
Similarly, if a less than max coin threshold is established in
order for the player to be eligible for a progressive, for example,
to play 1 or more coins per line on all lines, then the player has
a disincentive to play any more than 1 coin per line, since such
additional coins would have a lower payback than the original 1
coin per line.
[0005] The present invention overcomes the problem noted above by
multiple betting thresholds, whereby each threshold gives the
player an additional chance at winning a progressive or winning any
other type of special award.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is a method for conducting a game
where a player is issued a reward based on the player obtaining a
winning holding associated with an award. An example would include
slot games, card games, roulette games, or any other game using
tiles, dominoes, playing cards, or other games of chance. A
schedule of holdings and a schedule of awards are defined.
Optionally, one of the awards is a progressive award. The holdings
will be related to the particular game; thus, a slot game will
include holdings of symbol combinations, optionally symbol
combinations on pay lines, a card game will include playing card
combinations, and so forth. Each award is correlated to at least
one holding. Additionally, at least of the awards includes an
activation criteria. The activation criterion may include one or
more criterion, but at least includes a threshold wager amount such
that the award is not awarded unless a wager greater than, or equal
to, the threshold wager amount is placed.
[0007] Thus, in one optional embodiment, the quantity of symbol
combinations associated with awards activated at a threshold wager
amount increase with the size of the threshold wager amount. In
such an optional embodiment, increasing wagers by a player activate
an increasing quantity of symbol combinations that can result in an
award. In another optional embodiment, multiple holdings are each
associated with the same award but with different activation
criteria having different threshold wager amounts such that
increased wager amounts result in increased holdings that will
result in the award. In an optional variation on such an
embodiment, the likelihood of the multiple holdings occurring is
cumulative such that increased wager amounts result in increased
likelihood of obtaining the award.
[0008] In yet another embodiment, the quantity of awards activated
at any threshold wager increase with the size of the wager
threshold amount such that the likelihood of a player obtaining an
activated award increase with increased wager levels. In another
embodiment, at least one of the holdings is associated with a first
award including an activation criterion and a second award not
including an activation criterion such that a wager less than the
threshold wager amount of the activation criterion will be rewarded
with the second award for obtaining the holding and a wager greater
than the threshold wager amount of the activation criterion will be
rewarded with the first award.
[0009] In the game itself, a wager is received from a player. At
some point, the wager will be evaluated to determine which, if any,
of the activation criteria are satisfied. In response to the
receipt of the wager, the game is conducted to produce a game
result. The game result is examined to determine whether any
holdings associated with an award have been obtained. This would
include any selectively activated awards that are active as a
result of the satisfaction of the activation criteria. Any awards
so earned are issued to the player.
[0010] A device for conducting such a game includes a data
processor, and a display, wager receiver, and data structure all
communicating with the data processor. The data processor stores a
schedule of holdings and a schedule of awards. As above, each award
is correlated to at least one holding. Also, an activation
criteria, including a threshold wager amount, is defined for at
least one of the awards. The threshold wager mount serves to
selectively activate the associated award such that the award
associated with the activation criteria is not awarded unless a
wager greater than, or equal to, the threshold wager amount is
placed.
[0011] Additionally, the data structure stores instructions
executable by the data processor to conduct a game method as
described above. Specifically, the game method includes receiving a
wager from a player at the wager receiver. At some point, the data
processor evaluates the wager to determine which, if any, of the
activation criteria are satisfied. In response to the receipt of
the wager, the data processor conducts the game to produce a game
result. The data processor examines the game result to determine
whether any holdings associated with an award have been obtained,
including any selectively activated awards that are active as a
result of the satisfaction of the activation criteria. The data
processor then issues any awards.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a front view of a display of a game according to
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a pay table showing target award eligibility at
four and five coins wagered per line;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a pay table showing target award eligibility at
three, two, and one coin wagered per line;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a pay table showing awards for non-activated
symbols;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a pay table showing awards for non-activated
symbols using a "5" symbol;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a pay table showing other awards;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a front view of a display for a game machine
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method according to the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION
[0020] Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are
referred to by like numerals throughout. This invention pertains to
a wagering method or process where differing numbers of coins or
betting units can be wagered on a given proposition. When the
player wagers at least threshold coins
(1.ltoreq.threshold<max-coin) per pay line, one award
opportunity is made available to the player. Threshold+k.sub.1
coins per pay line offers an additional award opportunity.
Additional award opportunities can be established for other wager
levels. For example, in such an optional embodiment,
threshold+k.sub.2 coins per pay line offers yet an additional award
opportunity, and so on. It is noted that in this embodiment of the
present invention, the award amount does not vary with the wager,
only the opportunity to win the award does. This makes it
especially appropriate for a progressive jackpot or a physical
prize like a car or vacation package.
[0021] While the examples below focus on multi-coin/multi-line
("MC/ML") slot games such as 5 reel slot games, it is specifically
noted that the present method also applies to single line slot
games, as well as any other base game with other kinds of game
result elements other than slot symbols including cards, dice,
dominos, tiles, etc.
[0022] In one embodiment of this invention, if the player wagers
one coin on each pay line of a MC/ML game, then the target award
can be won if certain combination of symbols align along one
specific pay line. Further, if the player wagers two coins on each
pay line, then the target award can be won if certain combination
of symbols align along either one of two specific pay lines, and so
forth. The more coins played on each pay line, the more pay lines
become eligible for paying out the target award if the winning
combination of symbols aligns along that pay line. Typically the
required winning combination is to get the award symbol on all
reels aligned on an eligible pay line.
[0023] In another embodiment of this invention, a pay line eligible
for a target award if the wager on that pay line is at a specified
level, such as the maximum amount, in a MC/ML game where the player
is allowed to independently select the wager amount for each pay
line. That is, even if the other pay line wagers are not at the
specified level, the player may be eligible on each pay line which
is played at the specified wager level.
[0024] In another embodiment of the present invention, at least two
different award symbols, say symbols S1, S2, . . . , are provided.
If the player wagers one coin per pay line, then getting symbol S1
on every reel along one specific pay line will cause the player to
win the target award. If the player wagers two coins per pay line,
then getting symbol S1 on every reel on a specific pay line or
getting symbol S2 on every reel on a specific pay line will cause
the player to win the target award. Optionally, additional award
symbols may be defined so that wagering additional coins on each
pay line can result in activation of additional award symbols that
trigger the target award if all of the same eligible symbol appears
in the proper combination along the eligible pay line. The above
example can also be offered in a configuration whereby the target
award is paid if an eligible symbol appears in the proper
combination along any active pay line or alternately only along
certain pay lines.
[0025] The above two embodiments can be combined, whereby coin-in
first buys additional symbol eligibility and then buys pay line
eligibility. Alternately, coin-in could first buy additional pay
line eligibility and then additional symbol eligibility.
[0026] Most of the above examples use coins per pay line with all
pay lines bet as a sample threshold since it is wished to encourage
players to bet on all pay lines to maximize their hit frequency and
therefore overall enjoyment of the game. However, other thresholds
could be defined, such as for every coin wagered or for every K
coins wagered, regardless of how these coins may be distributed
across the pay lines or perhaps only requiring at least one coin
per pay line for base eligibility then allowing unequal coin
distribution thereafter.
[0027] Furthermore, an embodiment in which thresholds, defined by
coin-in amounts, which add additional eligible symbols can also be
implemented with a scatter activation instead a specific pay line
activation. In this case, the target award is paid if the player
gets the eligible symbol on the required number of reels or
positions in the game display. Typically, this would be defined as
all the reels on which the symbol exists. This could be all five
reels on a five reel game or any K reels of a five reel game, or K
adjacent reels of a five reel game, as examples.
[0028] The scatter pay concept would also apply to grid games, such
as a 3.times.3 games, wherein nine symbols, arranged in a three row
and three column array, are independently chosen. Scatter pays in
these types of game may often award prizes for getting k out of n
possible symbols of a certain type, where k<n. This is even more
likely in larger formats, such as 4.times.4 where it is exceedingly
unlikely to get sixteen matched symbols.
[0029] For scatter pays, this invention could be applied in many
ways. Higher wager thresholds could result in additional symbols
becoming eligible for the target award via a scatter pay outcome.
Alternately, the number of symbols required to form a successful
scatter pay for the target award could be lowered at higher wager
thresholds. Of course, these two mechanisms could be combined to
allowed higher wager threshold to result in both increased symbol
eligibility as well as decreased symbol count requirements.
[0030] It is noted that for the examples in which multiple symbols
become eligible with increasing threshold bets, it will typically
be the case, but need not necessarily be the case, that a winning
combination would be comprised of matched symbols. For example, in
such an optional embodiment, a target award may be awarded if the
activated symbol S1 appears aligned on each reel along an eligible
pay line or if the activated symbol S2 appears aligned on each reel
along an eligible pay line, and so forth, but would not be awarded,
in such an example, if a pay line includes a mixture of activated
S1 and S2 symbols. However, a regular jackpot award (as
distinguished from the target award) may be offered, if desired,
for such mixed combinations of target award symbol in such an
optional embodiment.
[0031] Additionally, it is noted that merely because a game outcome
is not active for a target award, does not necessarily mean that
the game outcome is a losing outcome. That is, if a game outcome
would have resulted in the awarding of a target award, but the
wagering requirements for the target award were not met, for
example, because an insufficient wager was placed or because not
all lines were wagered, the game outcome may still result in an
award, but different from the target award for which the game
outcome could have been activated. For example, an outcome of
symbol S5 on all reels along an active payline which would pay the
target award, say a progressive jackpot, if max coins were wagered,
could instead pay a standard award, say 1000 times wager, if the
max coin threshold was not met.
[0032] This invention can also be applied for other kinds of
gambling games including those involving cards, dice, dominos,
tiles, wheels, etc.
[0033] A video poker game, for example, could offer an award
schedule for the following events:
[0034] 1 coin wagered: Standard pay for Royal Flush.
[0035] 2 coins wagered: Progressive award for Royal Flush in the
suit of clubs.
[0036] 3 coins wagered: Progressive award for Royal Flush in the
suit of clubs or diamonds
[0037] 4 coins wagered: Progressive award for Royal Flush in the
suit of clubs or diamonds or hearts
[0038] 5 coins wagered: Progressive award for Royal Flush in the
suit of clubs or diamonds or hearts or spades
[0039] Of course this award schedule is merely exemplary and such a
scheme could be applied to any pay and any game outcome, such as
flush or straight flush.
[0040] A video poker game, as another example could activate a
target award for straight flush of a certain high card based upon
coin-in threshold. As one example:
[0041] 1 coin wagered: Eligible straight flush: Ace high only
[0042] 2 coins wagered: Eligible straight flush: Ace and king
high
[0043] 3 coins wagered: Eligible straight flush: Ace, king and
queen high and so forth
[0044] In this example, a wager of three or more coins would
activate a target award for a straight flush consisting of
Queen-Jack-Ten-Eight-Nine- , but a wager of two or fewer coins
would not. This concept could also be applied to straights.
[0045] A video poker game, as another example, could include a
target award for matching the rank outcome of a certain card that
is activated based upon coin-in. As one example,
[0046] 1 coin wagered: Eligible 4 of a kind: target award activated
for aces only
[0047] 2 coins wagered: Eligible 4 of a kind: target award
activated for aces or kings
[0048] 3 coins wagered: Eligible 4 of a kind: target award
activated for aces, kings or queens
[0049] and so forth
[0050] This invention could also be applied to other card games
such as, for example, blackjack. As is well known, a player hand
that is dealt an ace and a ten-value card in the first two cards is
known as a blackjack. A side bet could be offered in which the
player wagers that the suit of a blackjack will match, i.e. both
the ace and ten-value card will be of the same suit. In an
embodiment according to the present invention, the size of the side
wager activates certain target awards and thereby alters the odds
of a particular award winning. For example, a side bet wager of one
unit activates a target award for only blackjacks with matching
suit of clubs. For a side bet wager of two units, a target award is
activated for only blackjacks with matching suits of clubs or
diamonds. For a side bet wager of three units, a target award is
activated for only blackjacks with matching suits of clubs,
diamonds, or hearts. For a side bet wager of four units, a target
award is activated for blackjacks with matching suits of any
suit.
[0051] Similarly, the present invention could be applied to a side
wager on the mere appearance of a blackjack. According to the
present invention, the eligible ten-value card ranks increase with
additional wager. For example, for a side bet wager of one unit, a
target award would be activated for only blackjacks with a Ace and
a ten-spot card. For a side bet wager of two units, a target award
would be activated for only blackjacks with a Ace combined with a
ten-spot card or a Jack. For a side bet wager of three units, a
target award would be activated for only blackjacks with a Ace
combined with a ten-spot card, Jack, or Queen. For a side bet wager
of four units, a target award would be activated for blackjacks
with a Ace combined with a ten-spot card, Jack, Queen, or King
would be eligible. This could be offered with or without the
requirement that suits of the ace and ten-value card match.
[0052] The above two blackjack game concepts could be combined such
that additional side bet wagers increase both the eligible suit as
well as the eligible rank.
[0053] Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a video slot game
which makes use of the invention. FIGS. 2 and 3 demonstrate the
wagering structure. If five coins are wagered on each line, then
the target award, in this case a progressive award, is activated
for symbols "1," "2," "3," "4," and "5." Therefore, if a player
makes a five coin per line wager, he will receive the progressive
award if he gets any of the following symbol combinations along any
one pay line: 1 1 " " - 1 " " - 1 " " - 1 " " - 1 " " 2 " " - 2 " "
- 2 " " - 2 " " - 2 " " 3 " " - 3 " " - 3 " " - 3 " " - 3 " " 4 " "
- 4 " " - 4 " " - 4 " " - 4 " " 5 " " - 5 " " - 5 " " - 5 " " - 5 "
"
[0054] If four coins are wagered on each line, then the target
award is activated for the symbols "1," "2," "3," and "4." If three
coins are wagered on each line, then the target award is activated
for the symbols "1," "2," and "3." If two coins are wagered on each
line, then the target award is activated for the symbols "1" and
"2." If one coin is wagered on each line, then the target award is
only activated for the symbol "1."
[0055] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate that an alternate award to the
target award is available in the case where the player obtains of
the same symbols along a pay line, but when the target award is not
activated for the symbols obtained.
[0056] These figures also illustrate that alternate awards to the
target award may also be available obtaining fewer than five
symbols, such as only 3 or only 4 symbols, left to right, on a
wagered pay line and for obtaining an unmatched combination of the
number symbols along a pay line.
[0057] FIG. 6 shows some award outcomes for symbols which are not
related to the selectively activated or deactivated target
award.
[0058] FIG. 7 is a wire frame version of FIG. 1, showing the
essentials of a video game slot display 100 consisting of five
reels 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50, each reel displaying three symbols
11-13 for the first reel, 21-23 for the second reel, and so on.
Also displayed are three pay lines, 61-63. If the player places a
wager on a pay line 61-63, then combinations of symbols along the
pay line may lead to award. In the figures, the display 100 shows
an award outcome because a winning symbol combination, in this case
matching symbols, appears at 11, 21, 31 and 41 along pay line 62. A
game could have a pay table which defines an award for getting four
adjacent heart symbols, starting from the left-most reel, along a
pay line.
[0059] It is specifically noted that the present invention could
also be used to activate or deactivate target awards based on
scatter symbols. A scatter pay is paid when a certain quantity of
scatter symbols appear anywhere on a game display. That is, there
is no requirement in a scatter pay that the award symbols, i.e.
scatter symbols, appear on a pay line. Nonetheless, it is also
noted that while there is no requirement that a scatter symbol
appear on a pay line, it is possible to define a pay table which
includes an award for obtaining scatter symbols, such as the star
symbols of the figures, on three adjacent reels, as is the case
with matching star symbols appearing on the adjacent reels 20, 30
and 40 at locations 22, 33, and 42.
[0060] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of this game
method. The player starts the game 205, which may optionally have
involved player choosing a starting wager amount (not shown on
Figure). The reels spins and display an outcome 210. The outcome is
evaluated for a target award. If the target award has not been
activated, or if the target award has been activated but an active
symbol combination for that target award has been obtained, the
standard outcomes are evaluated. In the case of FIG. 8, this
includes the evaluation of whether five matching award symbols
along a single pay line 220 have been obtained, then standard
outcomes are evaluated 299 (not shown on Figure.). Similarly, in
FIG. 8, a determination is made whether the pay line along which
the matching special symbols occur is enabled based on the wager
placed on that pay line 230; if the target award is not active for
that symbol combination along that pay line, then there is no award
and other standard outcomes are evaluated 299. The optional
embodiment of FIG. 8 further includes a third optional criterion
for a target pay activation. It is specifically noted that this
criterion is wholly optional and is not a requirement to the preset
method. In this optional embodiment, if the pay line along which
the matching special symbols occur is enabled but a wager has not
been placed on all pay lines 240, a condition for prize eligibility
in this example, then a standard pay is awarded 242 and other
standard outcomes are evaluated 299. Else we see which special
symbol occurred 250, 260, 270, 280, 290 and determine if sufficient
wagers were placed to allow for special pay 252, 262, 272, 282,
292. If the wager was not sufficient, then a standard pay is
awarded 254, 264, 274, 284, 294 and other standard outcomes are
evaluated 299. Else the wager was sufficient and a special pay is
awarded 256, 266, 276, 286, 296 before the other standard outcomes
are evaluated 299.
[0061] While certain embodiments of the present invention have been
shown and described it is to be understood that the present
invention is subject to many modifications and changes without
departing from the spirit and scope of the claims presented
herein.
* * * * *