U.S. patent application number 11/054524 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-10 for gaming system including multiple wager selectors and dynamic theoretical payback percentage display.
This patent application is currently assigned to DAVID W. KRAFT. Invention is credited to Dustin L. Fasbender, David W. Kraft.
Application Number | 20060178206 11/054524 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36780624 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060178206 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kraft; David W. ; et
al. |
August 10, 2006 |
Gaming system including multiple wager selectors and dynamic
theoretical payback percentage display
Abstract
Systems and methods of gaming that provide the user with
increased wagering within a specific game of chance. Multiple wager
selectors each having a specific value ed therewith provide the
user with a wide range of wager amounts that may be placed on
gaming device. As the user's current wager increases or decreases,
a theoretical percentage is displayed to the user.
Inventors: |
Kraft; David W.; (Bozeman,
MT) ; Fasbender; Dustin L.; (Bozeman, MT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BLACKWELL SANDERS PEPER MARTIN LLP
4801 Main Street
Suite 1000
KANSAS CITY
MO
64112
US
|
Assignee: |
KRAFT; DAVID W.
FASBENDER; DUSTIN L.
|
Family ID: |
36780624 |
Appl. No.: |
11/054524 |
Filed: |
February 8, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/025 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A method of allowing a player to select a wager amount to be
made on a gaming device, comprising: (a) providing a first wager
selector having a first value; (b) providing a second wager
selector having a second value different from said first value; (c)
incrementing a wager amount for the player by said first value each
time said first wager selector is selected by the player; and (d)
incrementing the wager amount for the player by said second value
each time said second wager selector is selected by the player.
2. A method as set forth in claim 1, including the steps of: (e)
decrementing the wager amount by said first value each time said
first wager selector is selected by the player in a decrement mode
of said first wager selector; and (f) decrementing the wager amount
by said second value each time said second wager selector is
selected by the player in a decrement mode of said second wager
selector.
3. A method as set forth in claim 1, including the step of
disabling said first wager selector to prevent step (c) from
occurring when the wager amount has a predetermined value.
4. A method as set forth in claim 2, including the step of
disabling said first wager selector to prevent step (c) or step (e)
from occurring when the wager amount has a predetermined value.
5. A method as set forth in claim 1, including the step of
displaying the wager amount in the value of the currency accepted
by the gaming device.
6. A method as set forth in claim 1, including the steps of: (e)
varying the theoretical payback percentage of the gaming device
dependent on the wager amount selected by the player; and (f)
displaying to the player the theoretical payback percentage for
each wager amount selected by the player.
7. A method as set forth in claim 6, wherein step (e) comprises
varying the theoretical payback percentage in a manner to increase
the theoretical payback percentage substantially consistently with
increases in the wager amount.
8. A method of operating a gaming device in which a player can
select at least first and second different wager amounts,
comprising: (a) providing a first theoretical payback percentage
for the device when said first wager amount is selected by the
player; (b) providing a second theoretical payback percentage for
the device when said second wager amount is selected by the player,
said second theoretical payback percentage being different from
said first theoretical payback percentage; and (c) displaying to
the player said first theoretical payback percentage when said
first wager amount is selected and said second theoretical payback
percentage when said second wager amount is selected.
9. In a method of operating a gaming device, the steps of: (a)
providing separate first and second wager selectors having
respective first and second values assigned thereto different from
one another; (b) incrementing a wager amount selected by a player
of the device by said first value each time the player selects said
first wager selector and by said second value each time the player
selects said second wager selector, wherein each selector can be
selected a plurality of times to effect a final wager amount; (c)
providing different theoretical payback percentages for the gaming
device for each different wager amount selected by the player; and
(d) displaying to the player the theoretical payback percentage for
each wager amount selected by the player.
10. The invention of claim 9, including the steps of: (e)
decrementing the wager amount by said first value each time the
player selects said first wager selector in a decrement mode
thereof, and (f) decrementing the wager amount by said second value
each time the player selects said second wager selector in a
decrement mode thereof.
11. The invention of claim 10, including the step of displaying to
the player the wager amount in the value of the currency accepted
by the gaming device.
12. A gaming device allowing a player to select a wager amount,
comprising: (a) a first wager selector having a first value; (b) a
second wager selector having a second value different from said
first value; (c) means for incrementing a wager amount for the
player by said first value each time the player selects said first
wager selector; and (d) means for incrementing the wager amount for
the player by said second value each time the player selects said
second wager selector.
13. A gaming device as set forth in claim 12, wherein: said first
and second wager selectors each has an increment mode and a
decrement mode; said means for incrementing a wager amount by said
first value is active only in the increment mode of said first
wager selector; said means for incrementing a wager amount by said
second value is active only in the increment mode of said second
wager selector; said first wager selector is operable to decrement
the wager amount by said first value each time the player selects
said first wager selector in the decrement mode thereof; and said
second wager selector is operable to decrement the wager amount by
said second value each time the player selects said second wager
selector in the decrement mode thereof.
14. A gaming device as set forth in claim 12, wherein said first
wager selector is disabled when the wager amount is above a
predetermined value.
15. A gaming device as set forth in claim 12, including a display
for displaying the wager amount in the value of the currency
accepted by the gaming device.
16. A gaming device as set forth in claim 12, wherein different
theoretical payback percentages are applicable to different wager
amounts, and including: a display visible to the player visually
displaying to the player the theoretical payback percentage
applicable to each different wager amount selected by the
player.
17. In a gaming device in which a player can select at least first
and second different wager amounts, a first theoretical payback
percentage is assigned to a game played with said first wager
amount, and a second theoretical payback percentage is assigned to
a game played with said second wager amount, said second
theoretical payback percentage being different from said first
theoretical payback percentage, the improvement comprising: (a) a
visual display visible to the player; and (b) means for displaying
on said display said first theoretical payback percentage when the
player selects said first wager amount and said second theoretical
payback percentage when the player selects said second wager
amount.
18. A gaming device in which a player can select a wager amount and
the device has different theoretical payback percentages for
different wager amounts, comprising: (a) separate first and second
wager selectors having respective first and second values assigned
thereto different from one another; (b) said first wager selector
having an increment mode wherein a wager amount for the player is
incremented by said first value each time said first wager selector
is selected by the player and a decrement mode wherein the wager
amount is decremented by said first value each time said first
wager selector is selected by the player; (c) said second wager
selector having an increment mode wherein the wager amount is
incremented by said second value each time said second wager
selector is selected by the player and a decrement mode wherein the
wager amount is decremented by said second value each time said
second wager selector is selected by the player; and (d) a visual
display on which the theoretical payback percentages are displayed
to the player for different wager amounts selected by the
player.
19. A gaming device as set forth in claim 18, including a display
for displaying to the player the wager amount that is selected in
the value of the currency accepted by the gaming device.
20. A gaming device as set forth in claim 18, wherein said first
wager selector is disabled when the wager amount exceeds a
predetermined amount.
21. A method of operating a gaming device in which a player can
select a plurality of different wager amounts, comprising:
displaying payback percentage information to said player; and
permitting said payback percentage information to change relative
to the selected amount to be wagered by said player.
22. The invention as in claim 21, including the step of increasing
the payback percentage being displayed upon said player increasing
the selected amount of the wager.
23. The invention as in claim 21, including the step of decreasing
the payback percentage being displayed upon said player decreasing
the selected amount of the wager.
24. Gaming device in which a player playing said gaming device may
select a plurality of different wager amounts, said device
comprising: means for displaying payback percentage information to
said player; and means for displaying payback percentage
information that changes relative to the selected amount to be
wagered by said player.
25. A gaming device as set forth in claim 24, including means for
increasing the payback percentage being displayed upon said player
increasing the selected amount of the wager.
26. A gaming device as set forth in claim 24, including: means for
decreasing the payback percentage being displayed upon said player
decreasing the selected amount of the wager.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] None.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Gaming machines or devices that are currently available
permit a player to play video card games, video keno, video
spinning-reel type games, video bingo, and other types of games.
These same games, as well as others, may also be played over a data
network such as the Internet.
[0004] Current gaming devices provide games that are based on a
single denomination within each game (e.g. nickel games, quarter
games, dollar games etc.). Wagers and awards are whole number
multiples of the particular denomination. This stems from the time
when coins or tokens were inserted into the gaming machine as the
only means of accepting money and hoppers dispensing coins were the
primary means of returning winnings to the player. The payout
amount for a winning outcome had to be an increment of the
denomination for the player to be able to redeem their entire
winnings and permitted the players to bet their entire credit
balance down to exactly zero. This practice continues even though
most gaming machines now have currency acceptors rather than or in
addition to coin acceptors and ticket printers that print cash out
tickets, which permits any credit balance to be fully redeemed.
There are multi-game and multi-denomination machines which provide
more flexibility by allowing the player to select a single
denomination at which to play a game.
[0005] Current implementations allow the player to either select
the game by name and then select the desired denomination or select
the game by name with denomination as part of the identifying name,
or select the denomination first and then choose the game. Current
games that are based on a nickel denomination would have a five
cent wager selector and possibly a max bet selector. The five cent
wager selector would increment the player's wager by one credit
(five cents) each time it is selected and there might also be
decrement functionality. The max bet selector would set the
player's bet at the maximum bet allowed in the game if it was
selected. There are some games that provide additional bet
selectors which allow the player to bet a set number of credits per
line in spinning reel games, but these selectors have no repeat
functionality.
[0006] It would be unusual for a nickel denomination game to allow
a player to wager up to one hundred dollars, but if it did and a
player wanted to wager one hundred dollars and there was no max bet
selector, the game would require two thousand selections of the
five cent wager selector. If there was a max bet selector, it would
make it easy for the player to achieve the one hundred dollar bet,
but if they only wanted to bet fifty dollars (assuming a one
hundred dollar max bet), it would require one thousand selections
of the five cent wager selector. If a current game was based on a
five dollar denomination, a five dollar wager selector would make
it easier for the player to achieve the fifty or one hundred dollar
bet, but it would eliminate the ability for the player to wager
anything less than five dollars or anything greater than five
dollars that was not a whole number multiple of five dollars.
[0007] It is not uncommon that higher denomination games offer
higher theoretical payback percentages to the player. Due to the
random nature of games, statistically speaking, the more games that
are played the closer the actual payback percentage of the game
gets to the theoretical payback percentage. Theoretical payback
percentages are sometimes posted, as fixed values, on certain
machines or banks of machines to try and attract players, but in
the vast majority of cases, the player is not informed in any way
of a game's theoretical payback percentage. There are currently
games that give players incentive to bet more by increasing the
pays for certain outcomes at higher bets, thereby increasing the
theoretical payback percentage. It is very common for poker games
to have a maximum bet of five coins where the Royal Flush will pay
250 times the total bet for the first four coins bet and pay 800
times the total bet for a five coin wager. Examining the effect of
this Royal Flush pay increase in three "standard" Jacks or Better
poker pay tables known in the industry as the 5-7, the 5-8 and the
6-9, the theoretical payback percentage on the fifth coin bet
increases from approximately 94.91 to 96.15; 96.06 to 97.30; and
98.37 to 99.54 respectively. Assuming the player was offered the
5-7, the 5-8, and the 6-9 at denominations of 5 , 25 , and $1
respectively, discrepancies can be seen which are not atypical of
current art in the gaming industry and are often unavoidable or
inherent in the credit/denomination approach used throughout the
industry. The player betting 25 in the 5 game is getting 96.15%
while the player betting 25 in the 25 game is getting 96.06%. The
player betting $1 in the 25 game is getting 96.06% while the player
betting $1 in the $1 game is getting 98.37%.
[0008] Using the same three Jacks or Better poker pay tables it is
possible to create a table of the bet versus the theoretical cost
per hour to play, the amount the "house" makes, which is calculated
by multiplying each wager times the quantity one minus the
associated theoretical payback percentage and summing over all
games played in an hour. Assuming an average player plays a game
every six seconds, or 600 games per hour the following table
results: TABLE-US-00001 5 5-7 game 25 5-8 game $1 6-9 game Bet
Cost/hour Bet Cost/hour Bet Cost/hour 5 $1.53 25 $5.91 $1 $9.78 10
$3.05 50 $11.82 $2 $19.56 15 $4.58 75 $17.73 $3 $29.34 20 $6.11 $1
$23.64 $4 $39.12 25 $5.78 $1.25 $20.25 $5 $13.80
The house would not want a player occupying a machine and only
betting 5 per game with a rent of only $1.53 per hour, especially
if they are giving the player free drinks or other comps. The game
being played can have a huge impact on the $1 player. If they are
playing the 25 game at a $1 bet it costs them $23.64 per hour but
if they play the $1 game at the same bet it only costs them $9.78
per hour. At the same time, players are typically given no
indication of the payback percentage. The majority of keno and
spinning reel games offer no pay increases at increased bets.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Embodiments of the invention provide more diverse betting
options, which may eliminate the need for games at different
denominations.
[0010] Another object of this invention is to create more equity in
terms of cost per hour to play for the house at lower bets and for
the player at higher bets.
[0011] It is a further object of this invention to provide players
with more information regarding the effect of their wager on the
payback percentage and the related cost per hour to play.
[0012] In one aspect of the invention, a gaming device is provided
with multiple wager selectors, each with a different value, within
a single game. Each wager selector operates, in a preferred
embodiment, to increment the player's wager amount by the value of
the wager selector each time it is selected (as by depressing a
key). Preferably, each wager key may either increment or decrement
the wager amount at the player's option. Accordingly, players can
more easily achieve their desired bet level over a larger range of
bets. For example, if a game is provided with four wager selectors
with values of five cents, twenty-five cents, one dollar and five
dollars, each with increment and decrement functionality and a
maximum bet of one hundred dollars, the player can select any bet
from five cents to one hundred dollars in five cent increments with
twenty eight or less selections of the appropriate wager selectors.
For practical reasons, each selector could be limited to a maximum
of twenty increments. This would allow the player to wager from
five cents to one dollar in five cent increments, from twenty-five
cents to five dollars in twenty-five cent increments, from one
dollar to twenty dollars in one dollar increments, or from five
dollars to one hundred dollars in five dollar increments with no
more than twenty selections of the appropriate wager selector.
[0013] In a further aspect of the invention, the theoretical
payback percentage will be caused to increase at every, or nearly
every, increasing bet. The contribution to the theoretical payback
percentage of any given outcome is calculated by multiplying the
statistical odds of that outcome occurring times the pay for that
outcome. With multiple wager selectors, it is possible to provide
awards which are whole number multiples of the smallest wager
selector and fractional multiples of the larger wager selectors
while still permitting the player to bet their entire credit
balance down to exactly zero. An increased number of available
award values with increasing bets provides for more precision in
targeting theoretical payback percentages as the wager increases.
With a five cent wager selector and a twenty five cent wager
selector, when the player is betting twenty-five cents it is
possible to provide awards which are any multiple of five cents
rather than just multiples of twenty-five cents, allowing game
designers greater flexibility in achieving desired theoretical
payback percentages. All other things being constant, increasing
the theoretical payback percentage as the absolute value of the bet
increases will create a more equitable cost per hour to play the
game for all players. The theoretical payback percentage can be set
low enough at a five cent bet that the "house" no longer needs to
worry about a player occupying a seat and only betting five cents
per game. Similarly, the theoretical payback percentage can be set
high enough at large bets such that the cost per hour to play is
not so high as to discourage high rollers.
[0014] In another aspect of the invention, a variable display shows
the player the theoretical payback percentage at the current wager
amount. The theoretical payback percentage is displayed for each
different wager amount and will change with at least one wager
change. Added visibility may be created by displaying the range of
possible theoretical payback percentages available.
[0015] The gaming system of the invention and associated methods of
operation may be implemented on a stand-alone gaming machine or
over a data network such that the player may access the gaming
system from a remote computer (e.g., over the Internet). The wager
selectors may take the form of depressable keys for making
selections of wager amounts which can be selectively incremented or
decremented by the key value with each depression. Alternatively, a
"touch screen" arrangement for the wager selectors may be employed
such that the player makes wager selections directly on the display
screen.
[0016] Therefore, the invention provides for a gaming system and
method in which the player has a wide range of choices and relative
ease of achieving wager amounts. The need for games at different
denominations is eliminated. There is more flexibility in achieving
a desired increase in theoretical payback percentage as the bet
increases. Due to increasing the theoretical payback percentage as
the absolute value of the bet increases, more player equity is
created in terms of average cost per hour to play, all other things
being constant. The theoretical payback percentage display
dynamically updates the theoretical payback percentage as the
player's wager amount changes, giving the player more information
about how a wager amount affects the theoretical payback
percentage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of multiple wager keys used in
conjunction with a gaming device showing a total bet of $0.25;
[0018] FIG. 1a is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a bet of
$0.95;
[0019] FIG. 1b is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a bet of
$4.25;
[0020] FIG. 1c is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a bet of
$65.00;
[0021] FIG. 1d is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a bet of
$100.00;
[0022] FIG. 1e is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a bet of
$0.05;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a chart illustrating the variety of wager amounts
that may be made available to a player according to one embodiment
of the invention;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of three wager keys that may
be provided on a gaming device in accordance with another
embodiment of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of multiple wager keys similar
to FIG. 3 but with the wager display arranged to display the wager
that is selected in terms of the number of credits bet rather than
in the value of currency accepted by the gaming device;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of multiple wager keys that
may be provided on a gaming device in accordance with another
embodiment of the invention, the wager keys being arranged only to
increment the wager amount and not to decrement it;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a chart illustrating the theoretical payback
percentage increasing at every increasing bet;
[0028] FIG. 6a instructs how to calculate Payback Percentage and
provides an example;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a chart comparing the cost per hour to play of
three fixed theoretical payback percentages and the increasing
theoretical payback percentage of FIG. 6
[0030] FIGS. 8 and 8a-8c are diagrammatic views of multiple wager
keys and a display of the applicable theoretical payback
percentages that may be associated with different wager amounts in
accordance with embodiments of the invention; and
[0031] FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an electronic
implementation of one embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] This invention is directed in one aspect to the providing of
a gaming device that is equipped with multiple wager selectors
within a game and with each selector having a different value
assigned to it. Each wager selector may be incremented (and also
preferably decremented) in succession to change the value of the
amount wagered by the value assigned to the wager selector each
time the player selects the wager selector. In this way, a player
is not restricted in the amount he or she can bet but instead is
given wide latitude in selecting the wager amount for each round of
play on the gaming device.
[0033] In another aspect of the invention, the theoretical payback
percentage increases at every, or nearly every, increasing bet.
With multiple wager selectors, as the bet increases, the number of
available pay values increases, providing more precision in
targeting theoretical payback percentages. All other things being
constant, increasing the theoretical payback percentage as the
absolute value of the bet increases will create a more equitable
cost per hour to play the game for all players.
[0034] In a further aspect of the invention, the theoretical
payback percentage is displayed to the player for each wager amount
that he or she selects. The player is thus provided with a visual
display informing him or her of the fact that the theoretical
payback percentage increases with the amount that is wagered. The
theoretical payback percentage display is adjusted dynamically such
that the theoretical payback percentage that is displayed changes
with changes in the wager amount.
Version No. 1
[0035] Version no. 1 of the invention is shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS.
1a-1e. With initial reference to FIG. 1, a gaming device, which may
be of any desired type allows a player to select a wager to be made
on the game he or she has elected to play. In this regard the
machine may be dedicated to only one game or may be a multiple game
machine in which one out of a variety of available games may be
selected to be played. The game provides to the player a plurality
of different wager selectors generally identified by numeral 10.
The wager selectors 10 may take a variety of different forms such
as "touch screen" devices or, as shown in FIG. 1, different wager
or bet keys 12, 14, 16 and 18 which are accessible to be depressed
by the fingers of a player on the gaming device. In version no. 1
of the invention, key 12 has a value of 5 assigned to it as
indicated, key 14 has a value of 25 , key 16 has a value of $1, and
key 18 has an assigned value of $5. Thus, each of the wager keys
12-18 is assigned a different value expressed in the currency (for
example in dollars and cents) that the gaming device is constructed
to accept. The keys 12-18 are shown side-by-side in a row but can
be arranged differently.
[0036] In version no. 1 of the invention shown in FIG. 1, each of
the wager keys 12-18 is separated into an upper finger pad and a
lower finger pad. For example, key 12 is provided on its upper
portion with an upper finger pad 12a which may be depressed by the
user to operate key 12 in an increment mode in which the wager
amount is incremented by 5 each time finger pad 12a is selected
(i.e., depressed by the player). Key 12 also has a lower finger pad
12b located on the lower portion of key 12 which may be depressed
to operate key 12 in a decrement mode in which the wager amount is
decremented by 5 each time pad 12b is depressed by the player. It
is to be understood that either or both the increment pad 12a or
the decrement 12b (and the finger pads for the other keys) may be
depressed and held in a depressed condition to repeatedly increment
or decrement the wager amount, rather than require discrete
depressions for repeated incrementing or decrementing.
[0037] The remaining keys 14-18 similarly have increment finger
pads and decrement finger pads. Key 14 has an increment pad 14a on
its upper portion which increments the wager amount by 25 each time
it is depressed, and a decrement key pad 14b on its lower portion
which decrements the wager amount by 25 each time it is depressed.
Likewise, key 16 has an increment finger pad 16a on its upper
portion which can be depressed to operate key 16 in an increment
mode to increase the wager amount by $1 with each depression of pad
16a (or in successive $1 increments when pad 16a is depressed and
held in a depressed condition). A decrement pad 16b on the lower
portion of key 16 decrements the wager amount by $1 each time pad
16b is depressed. Finally, an increment finger pad 18a is provided
on the upper portion of key 18 which increments the amount wagered
by $5 each time it is depressed. A decrement finger pad 18b is
provided on the lower portion of key 18 and operates to decrement
the wager amount by $5 each time it is depressed.
[0038] Thus, the wager amount can be incremented or decremented as
desired by the player by the amount that is associated with
whichever of the bet keys 12-18 is selected. The player can
increment the wager amount in 5 increments by depressing finger pad
12a and decrement the wager amount in 5 increments by depressing
finger pad 12b. The wager amount can be incremented in 25
increments by depressing finger pad 14a and decremented in 25
increments by depressing finger pad 14b. The wager amount can be
increased in $1 increments by depressing finger pad 16a and
decreased in $1 increments by depressing finger pad 16b. The player
can increase the amount wagered in $5 increments with the
depression of finger pad 18a and decrease the amount wagered in $5
increments by depressing finger pad 18b.
[0039] The gaming device may include a display such as the visual
display 20 shown in FIG. 1 that visually displays to the player the
amount he or she has selected to wager in the absolute value of the
currency that the gaming device accepts. FIG. 1 shows the display
20 in a condition where the wager amount selected by the player is
25 (expressed in dollar terms as $0.25). The display 20 is
preferably in a position on the gaming device where the player can
easily ascertain the amount of his or her wager.
[0040] In FIG. 1, some of the finger pads of some of the keys are
shaded to indicate that they are disabled when the wager amount is
25 as indicated. Thus, finger pads 14b, 16b and 18b are disabled
when the wager amount is 25 . The wager amount cannot be
decremented using the 25 key 14 because that would make the amount
wagered equal to zero which is not permitted. The wager amount
cannot be decremented by the $1 key 16 or the $5 key 18 because the
amount wagered would then be less than zero which is not permitted.
The 5 decrement pad 12b remains active and can be used to decrement
the amount wagered in 5 increments. All of the increment finger
pads remain active and can be operated to increment the wager
amount by the value associated with the key that is selected.
Accordingly, the art of entering a 25 bet precludes the operation
of the disabled (shaded) keys and the disabled keys will remain in
this condition until the total bet reaches a value that will permit
the enabled operation of same.
[0041] Each of the wager keys 12-18 preferably has a maximum wager
amount assigned to it such that when the wager amount has reached
the applicable maximum amount, that particular key is disabled for
that amount and larger wager amounts. For example, the 5 bet key 12
may have a $1 maximum assigned to it as indicated, the 25 bet key
14 may have a $5 maximum wager amount assigned to it, the $1 bet
key 16 may have a $20 maximum wager amount assigned it, and the $5
bet key 18 may have a $100 maximum wager amount assigned to it.
When the wager amount is $1 or more, the 5 wager key 12 cannot be
used to increment the wager amount, so the finger pad 12a is
disabled when the bet reaches $1 or more. Similarly, pad 14a is
disabled when the wager amount is $5 or more, finger pad 16a is
disabled when the wager amount is $20 or more, and the finger pad
18a is disabled when the wager amount has reached $100. In this
manner, players are encouraged to use the proper bet key to speed
up entry of the wager amount.
[0042] FIG. 1a is a depiction of the condition of the wager keys
12-18 when the wager amount is 95 as indicated on the display 20 of
FIG. 1a. At this wager amount, the decrement finger pads 16b and
18b of bet keys 16 and 18 are disabled (illustrated by shading)
because decrementing the wager amount by $1 or $5 would result in a
negative wager amount which is impermissible. All of the increment
finger pads and the finger pads 12b and 14b are enabled at a wager
amount of 95 .
[0043] FIG. 1b depicts a situation where the wager amount is $4.25
as indicated on the display 20 of FIG. 1b. With this wager amount,
finger pad 12a is disabled as is finger pad 18b, as indicated by
the shading in FIG. 1b. Finger pad 12a is disabled because the
wager amount is above the $1 maximum for key 12. Finger pad 18b is
disabled because decrementing the bet by $5 would result in a
negative wager amount which is impermissible. All of the other
finger pads are enabled.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 1c, finger pads 12a, 14a and 16a are
disabled when the total bet amount is $65, as displayed on the
visual display 20 of FIG. 1c. The disabling of these finger pads is
due to the wager amount of $65 exceeding the $1 maximum for key 12,
the $5 maximum for key 14 and the $20 maximum for key 16.
[0045] In FIG. 1d, the wager amount is $100 as indicated on the
display 20. All of the increment finger pads 12a, 14a, 16a and 18a
are disabled because the wager amount meets or exceeds the maximum
amount assigned to each of the keys 12-18. All of the decrement
finger pads may be enabled so that the $100 wager can be
decremented as desired. Depressing pads 12b, 14b, or 16b may reduce
the bet to the respective maximum amount assigned to keys 12, 14,
and 16 or pads 12b, 14b and 16b may instead be disabled because the
wager amount exceeds the maximum wager amount assigned to keys 12,
14 and 16.
[0046] FIG. 1e depicts a wager amount of 5 displayed on the visual
display 20. All of the decrement finger pads are disabled, as
indicated by the shading of finger pads 12b, 14b, 16b and 18b in
FIG. 1e. Decrementing of the 5 bet using any of the keys would
result in a wager amount of zero or less which is impermissible so
that all of the decrement finger pads are disabled.
[0047] FIG. 2 is a chart which sets forth the available bets that
are permitted in accordance with this embodiment of the invention.
With the 5 bet key 12, bets from 5 to $1 can be made in 5
increments as indicated by the first column in FIG. 2 under the "5
bet key" heading. Under the next column, having the heading "25 bet
key," it is noted that bets of 25 , 50 , 75 and $1 can be made
using the 25 bet key 14 as well as the 5 bet key 12. Additionally,
the 25 bet key 14 can be used to make bets from $1 to $5 in 25
increments. As further indicated on FIG. 2, the $1 bet key 16 can
be used to make bets of $1, $2, $3, $4, and $5, all of which can
also be made using the 25 bet key 14. The $1 bet key 16 can also be
used to make bets from $5 to $20 in $1 increments, as indicated on
FIG. 2. The $5 bet key 18 can be used to make bets of $5, $10, $15,
and $20, all of which can be made alternatively using the $1 bet
key 16. The $5 bet key 18 can also be used to make bets from $20 to
$100 in $5 increments.
[0048] It is possible to enable all of the keys in order to make
bets of any amount. However, it is unlikely that a player would
desire to use the 5 bet key 12 when the wager amount is $1 or more,
as he or she would be more likely to increment in larger increments
which is more easily done using other of the keys. A similar
situation holds true for the 25 bet key 14 which a player would be
unlikely to use with a wager amount of $5 or over, as he or she
would be more likely to be interested in incrementing the bet in $1
or $5 increments using the $1 wager key 16 or the $5 bet key 18.
Thus, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, which
encourages speedy bet entries, the available bets are those set
forth in FIG. 2, although other bets can be made available in
accordance with the invention by altering the "max bet" per bet
key.
Version No. 2
[0049] Version no. 2 of the invention is shown in FIG. 3 and
differs from version no; 1 in that only the 5 wager key 12, the 25
wager key 14 and the $1 wager key 16 are provided on the gaming
device. As indicated on FIG. 3, the selected wager amount is 75 ,
and the decrement finger pad 1 6b is disabled because decrementing
the wager amount by $1 would result in a wager less than zero which
is impermissible.
[0050] The invention contemplates that at least two wager keys will
be provided on the gaming device, with each key being assigned a
different value. Further, more than the four keys illustrated in
FIG. 1 and FIGS. 1a-1e can be provided, and the values assigned to
each of the keys can be selected as desired.
Version No. 3
[0051] In each of version no. 1 and version no. 2 of the invention,
the display 20 displays the wager amount in the absolute value of
the currency that is accepted by the gaming device. FIG. 4 depicts
version no. 3 of the invention, which differs from version no. 2
(FIG. 3) primarily in that the wager amount is displayed as the
number of credits that are wagered rather than in the amount of
currency that is wagered. Thus, the display 20a of FIG. 4 displays
a "credits bet" number of 15 on display 20a with a "credit value"
of 5 also being displayed at 22. Thus, the total wager amount is 75
, the same as in FIG. 3, but it is displayed in terms of the number
of credits, with the value of each credit also displayed, rather
than as the value of the currency as in the other versions.
Additionally, version no. 3 labels key 12 as a one credit key, key
14 as a five credit key and key 16 as a twenty credit key, rather
than labeling the keys with the value of the currency assigned to
them. Each key increments or decrements the wager by the number of
credits assigned to it with each depression of its increment or
decrement finger pad. Finger pad 16b is disabled under the
conditions shown in FIG. 4, because decrementing the number of
credits bet by 20 would result in a negative number which is
impermissible.
Version No. 4
[0052] FIG. 5 depicts version no. 4 of the invention which is
similar to version no. 3, except that the keys 12, 14 and 16 are
provided only with increment finger pads 12a, 14a and 16a and are
not provided with any decrement finger pads or other way of
decrementing the wager amount. Thus, the present invention
contemplates multiple wager keys that include only a means to
increment the wager amount.
Increasing Theoretical Payback percentage at Increasing Bets
[0053] FIG. 6 is a chart representing a video keno game wherein the
player selects six active numbers. Winning combinations 1, 2, 3,
& 4 represent 3, 4, 5, & 6 matches respectively between the
numbers drawn and the player's active numbers. Winning combinations
1, 2, & 4 are constant multiples at every bet level. Winning
combination 3 is an increasing multiple as the bet increases which
results in an increase in the theoretical payback percentage at
every increasing bet. Looking at the first and last columns of the
chart, as the bet increases from $0.05 to $100 the theoretical
payback increases from 80.028% to 99.431%. At a bet of $0.25 the
target theoretical payback percentage is 88%. In this embodiment,
the 88% payback percentage is an arbitrary number selected so as to
optimize a player's interest. In other embodiments, different
payback percentages could be selected as long as the embodiments
conform to the principles of the present invention. Winning
combination 3 pays $15.45 and the resulting theoretical payback
percentage is 88.015%. If we limited winning combination 3 to only
be multiples of $0.25, winning combination 3 would pay $15.25 or
$15.50 which would result in theoretical payback percentages of
87.767% and 88.077% respectively. Allowing awards to be multiples
of the smallest bet key rather than the current bet provides for
more precision in achieving the desired payback percentage.
[0054] Referring again to FIG. 6 and, in particular to FIG. 6a,
there is illustrated one embodiment of a method 100 for the
calculation of a payback percentage at a given bet. At steps
102-105 the pay for winning combinations referenced in FIG. 6 are
multiplied by the probability of the particular winning combination
occurring. At step 106, the products from steps 102-105 are summed
and multiplied by 100 to obtain the payback percentage for a given
bet. Example 101 applies method 100 to calculate that for a $0.05
bet, payback percentage 107 is 80.02%.
Cost Per Hour of Play
[0055] FIG. 7 is a chart comparing the average cost per hour of
play between the increasing theoretical payback percentage of FIG.
6 and fixed theoretical payback percentages of 90%, 95%, and 98%.
At the lower bets the increasing theoretical payback percentage is
more equitable to the house. At a bet of $0.05 the player will pay
an average of $5.99 per hour of play assuming 600 games per hour.
This is approximately double, four times and ten times what the
player playing the 90%, 95%, and 98% games respectively would pay
for an average hour of play. At the higher bets the increasing
theoretical payback percentage is more equitable to the player. At
a bet of $5 the player playing the increasing percentage would pay
an average of $51.23 per hour compared to $300, $150, and $60 on
the 90%, 95%, and 98% games respectively. At a bet of $20 the
player playing the increasing percentage would pay an average of
$93.49 per hour compared to $1200, $600, and $240 on the 90%, 95%,
and 98% games respectively and at a bet of $100 the difference goes
to $341.15 per hour on the increasing percentage and $6000, $3000,
and $1200 on the 90%, 95%, and 98% games respectively. Across the
entire range of bets there is considerably less variance in the
cost per hour of play on the increasing payback percentage -$5.99
to $341.14 than on the 90% -$3 to $6000, the 95% -$1.50 to $3000 or
the 98% -$0.60 to $1200.
Theoretical Payback Percentage Display
[0056] FIGS. 8 and 8a-8c provide diagrammatic views of a gaming
device constructed according to version no. 1, with the wager keys
12-18, and the gaming device also including a game presentation 24,
a visual display 26 which displays the theoretical payback
percentage for each wager amount that is selected, and another
visual display 28 which may display the amount that is awarded to
the player for the various winning combinations that are available
at the wager amount the player has selected. All of the displays
may be incorporated on a single screen or other display device if
desired. A "game start" control 30 may also be provided to initiate
playing of the game.
[0057] FIG. 8 shows a situation where the wager amount is 5 . All
of the decrement finger pads 12b, 14b, 16b and 18b are disabled due
to the wager amount. Display 26 visually displays to the player a
theoretical payback percentage of 80.028% which is a relatively low
percentage due to the low amount of the wager. Display 28 displays
how much the player will win with various winning combinations from
FIG. 6 based on the 5 wager amount. The theoretical payback
percentage that is displayed on the display 26 is calculated
according to the formula of FIG. 6a.
[0058] FIG. 8a is a depiction of the gaming device similar to FIG.
8, but with a wager amount of 65 . As indicated on the display 26,
the theoretical payback percentage with this wager amount is
93.173% which is considerably higher than the theoretical payback
percentage for the 5 bet (80.028%) of FIG. 8. The winning
combinations displayed on the display 28 are also increased, with
winning combinations 1, 2 and 4 in this case increased
proportionally with the increase in the bet and winning combination
3 increased more than proportionally so that the theoretical
payback percentage is increased.
[0059] FIG. 8b is a depiction of a gaming device similar to FIGS. 8
and 8a, but with a bet of $4.25. The theoretical payback percentage
displayed on the display 26 in this case is 98.165% which is
appreciably higher than in the case of the 65 wager amount of FIG.
8a. The awards for the various winning combinations are also
increased as shown on display 28.
[0060] FIG. 8c is a diagrammatic view of a gaming device similar to
FIGS. 8 and 8a-8b, but with a wager amount of $65. As indicated on
display 26, the theoretical payback percentage for this wager
amount is 99.392%, higher than for all of the lesser wager amounts
of the previous figures. Additionally, the display 28 illustrates
that the various winning combinations pay considerably more than in
the case of the other wager amounts.
[0061] In this manner, one aspect of the present invention
contemplates providing a dynamic display of the theoretical payback
percentages for the different wagers that can be made, with the
theoretical payback percentage typically increasing as the wager
amount increases.
[0062] FIG. 9 depicts schematically in block diagram form an
exemplary manner in which the invention may be electronically
implemented in a gaming device. The gaming device may be equipped
with a control unit 50 which includes: a processor 52 (e.g.,
microprocessor, microcontroller or application-specific integrated
circuit) for receiving various inputs and generating signals to
direct display of information on displays 20, 26 and 28 (and/or
other display devices); a memory device 54 for storing program code
or other data; optionally, a sound card 56 connected to speakers if
sound is to be provided to the user during gaming operations; a
screen input controller 58 to sense input on a touch screen 60 that
may be provided on the display screen and generate a signal for
transmission to the processor 52; and a video controller 72 to
control the display of information on the displays 20, 26 and 28.
The memory device 54 preferably includes random access memory (RAM)
62 for storing event data or other data generated or used during a
particular game, and read only memory (ROM) 64 for storing program
code. The program code controls the system functions within
particular games on the system in accordance with related games
rules and pay tables. User commands may be inputted into the system
through touch screen 60 (if provided) or other input devices (e.g.,
input keys 12-18), as well as through a payment acceptor 66 that
may accept a variety of payment methods including coin and paper
currency, redeemable paper or coin credits or tokens, and
electronic credit scanned from a card or the like. Additionally, if
the user is performing gaming functions at a remote computing
device 68 over a data/communications network 70, such as a local
area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN) (e.g., the
Internet), etc., some of the functions of the control unit 50 may
be performed at a network server.
[0063] In accordance with the invention, a gaming device may be
adapted for play of various games. The player may make game
selections on the touch screen 60 or other input devices coupled
with the control unit 50. The player selects a particular game of
chance and provides payment through the payment acceptor 66. Then,
wager selections may be made on the various wager selectors. For
example, the player may decide to bet one dollar by depressing
finger pad 16a one time, and then he or she may add fifty cents to
the current wager by depressing finger pad 14a of the quarter
selector key 14 two times until the wager amount displayed on
display 20 reaches the desired wager amount of $1.50. At each wager
amount during the incrementing process (e.g., $1.00, $1.25, $1.50)
the theoretical payback percentage display 26 displays what the
theoretical payback percentage is for the current wager, and the
display 28 displays the amount that can be won for each winning
combination at the current wager amount. For instance, the
theoretical payback percentage is 93.173% when the current wager
amount is $0.65 (FIG. 8a) but may be 98.165% when the current wager
amount is increased to $4.25 (FIG. 8b). The theoretical payback
percentage may vary depending on the particular game being played,
according to the gaming operator specifications.
[0064] Once the current wager amount has been established, the game
proceeds, and awards may be granted according to the conditions of
the applicable pay table. Program code for the gaming system may
determine the outcome for each game using a random number generator
or other randomization software controlled to ensure that the
operator's desired house advantage is realized.
[0065] Although embodiments of the gaming system have been
described with reference to wager selectors associated with
denominations of 5 cents, 25 cents, 1 dollar and 5 dollars, as many
wager selectors as desired and at any value assigned to each wager
selector may be provided to present the player with the desired
number of wagering options. With conventional gaming systems where
a limited number of wager selectors are available--typically one
selector per game (e.g., a quarter selector) and perhaps a "max
bet" button for the maximum bet allowable (an integer multiple of
the value of the selector)--the amount that can be bet on a
particular gaming device is limited. Player excitement and
knowledge are increased by having a visual indicator of what the
theoretical payback percentage is at the current wager amount, and
how that percentage changes as the player's wager amount increases.
Preferably, the theoretical payback percentage is increased
substantially consistently (over a given range) with increases in
the wager amount.
[0066] From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is
one well adapted to attain all ends and objects hereinabove set
forth together with the other advantages which are obvious and
which are inherent to the structure.
[0067] It will be understood that certain features and
subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without
reference to other features and subcombinations. This is
contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
[0068] Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention
without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood
that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying
drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a
limiting sense.
* * * * *