U.S. patent application number 11/068996 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-14 for multi-player bingo game with secondary wager for instant win game.
This patent application is currently assigned to IGT, a Nevada corporation. Invention is credited to Ali Saffari, Bryan Wolf.
Application Number | 20060205468 11/068996 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36601230 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060205468 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Saffari; Ali ; et
al. |
September 14, 2006 |
Multi-player bingo game with secondary wager for instant win
game
Abstract
The invention is directed to methods and gaming units for
conducting a multi-player wagering game and an associated instant
win game having a finite pool of outcomes, with an outcome for the
occurrence of the multi-player wagering game being determined, and
an outcome for the instant win game being selected from the finite
pool of outcomes. The multi-player wagering game may be a
multi-player Bingo game wherein each player has a unique game array
of game indicia for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering
game and individual game indicia are sequentially selected from a
range of available game indicia. Players may win an award for the
instant win game if the outcome selected from the finite pool is a
winning outcome. The players may optionally participate in the
instant win game based on input information and wager amounts. In
alternative embodiments, the instant win game may be configured to
provide a progressive jackpot if one of the available progressive
jackpot-winning outcomes is selected from the finite pool. Graphics
corresponding to the instant win game may be displayed to the
players independently or in conjunction with displays of the
outcome of the multi-player wagering game.
Inventors: |
Saffari; Ali; (Reno, NV)
; Wolf; Bryan; (Reno, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BEYER WEAVER & THOMAS, LLP
P.O. BOX 70250
OAKLAND
CA
94612-0250
US
|
Assignee: |
IGT, a Nevada corporation
Reno
NV
|
Family ID: |
36601230 |
Appl. No.: |
11/068996 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/16 ;
463/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3276 20130101;
G07F 17/3286 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/016 ;
463/042 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an
associated instant win game having a finite pool of outcomes,
wherein each player has a unique game array of game indicia for an
occurrence of the multi-player wagering game and individual game
indicia are sequentially selected from the range of game indicia,
and wherein one of the players wins the occurrence of the
multi-player wagering game by matching a predetermined game winning
pattern of game indicia on the player's unique game array with the
sequentially selected game indicia, comprising: receiving a deposit
of an amount of a medium of currency by a player at a gaming unit;
receiving input for a player's wager on an occurrence of the
multi-player wagering game at an input device of the gaming unit;
subtracting the amount of the player's wager on the occurrence of
the multi-player wagering game from the player's available credit
at the gaming unit in response to receiving the input for the
player's wager, wherein the player's available credit corresponds
to the amount of the medium of currency deposited at the gaming
unit; subtracting an instant win game wager amount from one of the
player's available credit and the credits subtracted from the
player's available credit; determining an outcome for the player
for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game; and selecting
an outcome for the instant win game from the finite pool of
outcomes.
2. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an
associated instant win game in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
instant win game wager amount is equal to a predetermined fixed
wager amount.
3. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an
associated instant win game in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
instant win game wager amount is equal to a predetermined
percentage of the player's wager for the occurrence of the
multi-player wagering game.
4. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an
associated instant win game in accordance with claim 1, comprising:
comparing the amount of the player's wager on the occurrence of the
multi-player wagering game to a minimum wager amount; and
subtracting the instant win game wager amount and selecting the
outcome for the instant win game if the player's wager is greater
than or equal to a minimum wager amount.
5. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an
associated instant win game in accordance with claim 4, wherein the
minimum wager amount is equal to the maximum wager that the player
may make for an occurrence of the multi-player wagering game.
6. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an
associated instant win game in accordance with claim 1, comprising:
receiving input for a player's instant win game wager for the
occurrence of the wagering game at the input device of the gaming
unit; subtracting the amount of the player's instant win game wager
from the player's available credit at the gaming unit in response
to receiving the input for the player's instant win game wager; and
selecting the outcome for the instant win game in response to
receiving the input for the player's instant win game wager.
7. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an
associated instant win game in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
multi-player wagering game pays out awards at a first payout rate
and the instant win game pays out awards at a second payout rate
that is greater than the first payout rate, wherein the net payout
rate to players is greater than the first payout rate.
8. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an
associated instant win game in accordance with claim 1, comprising:
displaying the outcome for the player for the occurrence of the
multi-player wagering game at the gaming unit; and displaying the
outcome for the player for the instant win game at the gaming
unit.
9. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an
associated instant win game in accordance with claim 8, comprising
displaying the outcome of the multi-player wagering game as an
outcome of a second wagering game at the gaming unit, wherein the
displayed outcome of the second wagering game corresponds to the
outcome of the multi-player wagering game.
10. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an
associated instant win game in accordance with claim 8, comprising
displaying the outcome of the multi-player wagering game and the
outcome of the instant win game as an outcome of a second wagering
game at the gaming unit, wherein the displayed outcome of the
second wagering game corresponds to the outcomes of the
multi-player wagering game and the instant win game.
11. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an
associated instant win game in accordance with claim 10, wherein
the outcome of the multi-player wagering game is displayed in a
first portion of the displayed outcome of the second wagering game
and the outcome of the instant win game is displayed in a second
portion of the outcome of the second wagering game.
12. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an
associated instant win game in accordance with claim 1, comprising:
adding at least a portion of the instant win game wager amount to a
progressive jackpot pool; and awarding at least a portion of the
progressive jackpot pool to the player if the selected outcome for
the instant win game is a progressive jackpot-winning outcome.
13. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an
associated instant win game in accordance with claim 12, comprising
awarding to the player an amount equal to the portion of the
instant win game wagers added to the progressive jackpot pool
multiplied by the number of instant win game outcomes remaining in
the finite pool of outcomes if the progressive jackpot-winning
outcome is the last available progressive jackpot-winning outcome
in the finite pool of outcomes.
14. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an
associated instant win game having a finite pool of outcomes,
wherein each player has a unique game array of game indicia for the
occurrence of the multi-player wagering game and individual game
indicia are sequentially selected from the range of game indicia,
and wherein one of the players wins the occurrence of the
multi-player wagering game by matching a predetermined game winning
pattern of game indicia on the player's unique game array with the
sequentially selected game indicia comprising: providing a
currency-accepting mechanism at a gaming unit for receiving a
deposit of an amount of a medium of currency by a player at the
gaming unit; providing an input device for receiving input for a
player's wager on an occurrence of the multi-player wagering game
at the gaming unit; configuring the gaming unit to subtract the
amount of the player's wager on the occurrence of the multi-player
wagering game from the player's available credit at the gaming unit
in response to receiving the input for the player's wager at the
input device, wherein the player's available credit corresponds to
the amount of the medium of currency deposited at the gaming unit;
configuring the gaming unit to subtract an instant win game wager
amount from one of the player's available credit and the credits
subtracted from the player's available credit; configuring the
gaming unit to determine an outcome for the player for the
occurrence of the multi-player wagering game; and configuring the
gaming unit to cause the selection of an outcome for the instant
win game from the finite pool of outcomes.
15. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an
associated instant win game in accordance with claim 14, wherein
the instant win game wager amount is equal to a predetermined fixed
wager amount.
16. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an
associated instant win game in accordance with claim 14, wherein
the instant win game wager amount is equal to a predetermined
percentage of the player's wager for the occurrence of the
multi-player wagering game.
17. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an
associated instant win game in accordance with claim 14,
comprising: configuring the gaming unit to compare the amount of
the player's wager on the occurrence of the multi-player wagering
game to a minimum wager amount; and configuring the gaming unit to
subtract the instant win game wager amount and to cause the
selection of the outcome for the instant win game in response to
the player's wager being greater than or equal to a minimum wager
amount.
18. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an
associated instant win game in accordance with claim 17, wherein
the minimum wager amount is equal to the maximum wager that the
player may make for an occurrence of the multi-player wagering
game.
19. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an
associated instant win game in accordance with claim 14,
comprising: configuring the gaming unit to receive input for a
player's instant win game wager for the occurrence of the wagering
game at the input device of the gaming unit; configuring the gaming
unit to subtract the amount of the player's instant win game wager
from the player's available credit at the gaming unit in response
to receiving the input for the player's instant win game wager; and
configuring the gaming unit to cause the selection of the outcome
for the instant win game in response to receiving the input for the
player's instant win game wager.
20. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an
associated instant win game in accordance with claim 14, wherein
the multi-player wagering game pays out awards at a first payout
rate and the instant win game pays out awards at a second payout
rate that is greater than the first payout rate, wherein the net
payout rate to players is greater than the first payout rate.
21. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an
associated instant win game in accordance with claim 14,
comprising: providing a display device at the gaming unit;
configuring the gaming unit to cause the display device to display
the outcome for the player for the occurrence of the multi-player
wagering game; and configuring the gaming unit to cause the display
device to display the outcome for the player for the instant win
game.
22. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an
associated instant win game in accordance with claim 14,
comprising: providing a display device at the gaming unit;
configuring the gaming unit to cause the display device to display
the outcome of the multi-player wagering game as an outcome of a
second wagering game at the gaming unit, wherein the displayed
outcome of the second wagering game corresponds to the outcome of
the multi-player wagering game.
23. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an
associated instant win game in accordance with claim 14,
comprising: providing a display device at the gaming unit;
configuring the gaming unit to cause the display device to display
the outcome of the multi-player wagering game and the outcome of
the instant win game as an outcome of a second wagering game at the
gaming unit, wherein the displayed outcome of the second wagering
game corresponds to the outcomes of the multi-player wagering game
and the instant win game.
24. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an
associated instant win game in accordance with claim 23, wherein
the outcome of the multi-player wagering game is displayed in a
first portion of the displayed outcome of the second wagering game
and the outcome of the instant win game is displayed in a second
portion of the outcome of the second wagering game.
25. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an
associated instant win game in accordance with claim 14,
comprising: configuring the gaming unit to cause at least a portion
of the instant win game wager amount to be added to a progressive
jackpot pool; and configuring the gaming unit to cause at least a
portion of the progressive jackpot pool to be awarded to the player
in response to determining that the selected outcome for the
instant win game is a progressive jackpot-winning outcome.
26. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an
associated instant win game in accordance with claim 25, comprising
configuring the gaming unit to cause the player to be awarded an
amount equal to the portion of the instant win game wagers added to
the progressive jackpot pool multiplied by the number of instant
win game outcomes remaining in the finite pool of outcomes if the
progressive jackpot-winning outcome is the last available
progressive jackpot-winning outcome in the finite pool of
outcomes.
27. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game and
an associated instant win game in a gaming network having a network
computer and a plurality of gaming units, wherein each player has a
unique game array of game indicia for the occurrence of the
multi-player wagering game and individual game indicia are
sequentially selected from a range of available game indicia by one
of the network computer and a wagering game server of the gaming
network, and wherein one of the players wins the occurrence of the
multi-player wagering game by matching a predetermined game winning
pattern of game indicia on the player's unique game array with the
sequentially selected game indicia comprising: an input device for
inputting a plurality of input selections; a gaming unit memory
device; a currency-accepting mechanism that is capable of allowing
a player to deposit a medium of currency; an output device; a
value-dispensing mechanism that is capable of dispensing value to
the player; a gaming unit controller operatively coupled to the
input device, the gaming unit memory device, the currency-accepting
mechanism, the output device, and the value-dispensing mechanism,
the gaming unit controller being programmed to allow the
currency-accepting mechanism to accept a deposit of an amount of a
medium of currency by a player at the gaming unit, the gaming unit
controller being programmed to allow the input device to receive
input for a player's wager on an occurrence of the multi-player
wagering game at the input device, the gaming unit controller being
programmed to subtract the amount of the player's wager on the
occurrence of the multi-player wagering game from the player's
available credit at the gaming unit in response to receiving the
input for the player's wager, wherein the player's available credit
corresponds to the amount of the medium of currency deposited at
the gaming unit, the gaming unit controller being programmed to
subtract an instant win game wager amount from one of the player's
available credit and the credits subtracted from the player's
available credit, the gaming unit controller being programmed to
determine an outcome for the player for the occurrence of the
multi-player wagering game, and the gaming unit controller being
programmed to cause a device of the gaming network to select an
outcome for the instant win game from the finite pool of
outcomes.
28. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game and
associated instant win game in accordance with claim 27, wherein
the instant win game wager amount is equal to a predetermined fixed
wager amount.
29. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game and
associated instant win game in accordance with claim 27, wherein
the instant win game wager amount is equal to a predetermined
percentage of the player's wager amount for the occurrence of the
multi-player wagering game.
30. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game and
an associated instant win game in accordance with claim 27,
wherein: the gaming unit controller is programmed to compare the
amount of the player's wager on the occurrence of the multi-player
wagering game to a minimum wager amount; and the gaming unit
controller is programmed to subtract the instant win game wager
amount and to cause the selection of the outcome for the instant
win game in response to determining that the player's wager is
greater than or equal to a minimum wager amount.
31. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game and
an associated instant win game in accordance with claim 30, wherein
the minimum wager amount is equal to the maximum wager that the
player may make for an occurrence of the multi-player wagering
game.
32. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game and
an associated instant win game in accordance with claim 27,
wherein: the gaming unit controller is programmed to allow the
input device to receive input for a player's instant win game wager
for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game; the gaming
unit controller is programmed to subtract the amount of the
player's instant win game wager from the player's available credit
in response to receiving the input for the player's instant win
game wager at the input device; and the gaming unit controller is
programmed to cause the selection of the outcome for the instant
win game in response to receiving the input for the player's
instant win game wager at the input device.
33. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game and
an associated instant win game in accordance with claim 27, wherein
the multi-player wagering game pays out awards at a first payout
rate and the instant win game pays out awards at a second payout
rate that is greater than the first payout rate, wherein the net
payout rate to players is greater than the first payout rate.
34. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game and
an associated instant win game in accordance with claim 27,
wherein: the gaming unit controller is programmed to cause the
output device to display the outcome for the player for the
occurrence of the multi-player wagering game; and the gaming unit
controller is programmed to cause the output device to display the
outcome for the player for the instant win game.
35. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game and
an associated instant win game in accordance with claim 27, wherein
the gaming unit controller is programmed to cause the output device
to display the outcome of the multi-player wagering game as an
outcome of a second wagering game at the gaming unit, wherein the
displayed outcome of the second wagering game corresponds to the
outcome of the multi-player wagering game.
36. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game and
an associated instant win game in accordance with claim 27, wherein
the gaming unit controller is programmed to cause the output device
to display the outcome of the multi-player wagering game and the
outcome of the instant win game as an outcome of a second wagering
game at the gaming unit, wherein the displayed outcome of the
second wagering game corresponds to the outcomes of the
multi-player wagering game and the instant win game.
37. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game and
an associated instant win game in accordance with claim 36, wherein
the outcome of the multi-player wagering game is displayed in a
first portion of the displayed outcome of the second wagering game
and the outcome of the instant win game is displayed in a second
portion of the outcome of the second wagering game.
38. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game and
an associated instant win game in accordance with claim 27,
wherein: the gaming unit controller is programmed to cause at least
a portion of the instant win game wager amount to be added to a
progressive jackpot pool; and the gaming unit controller is
configured to cause at least a portion of the progressive jackpot
pool to be awarded to the player in response to determining that
the selected outcome for the instant win game is a progressive
jackpot-winning outcome.
39. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game and
an associated instant win game in accordance with claim 38, wherein
the gaming unit controller is programmed to cause the player to be
awarded an amount equal to the at least a portion of the instant
win game wagers added to the progressive jackpot pool multiplied by
the number of instant win game outcomes remaining in the finite
pool of outcomes if the progressive jackpot-winning outcome is the
last available progressive jackpot-winning outcome in the finite
pool of outcomes.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure relates to gaming networks and, more
particularly, to a gaming network providing a multi-player Bingo
game in combination with an instant win game, an entry for which
may be obtained by placing a secondary or threshold wager, and
which may be implemented to award a progressive jackpot.
[0002] Indian gaming in the United States is divided into Class I,
Class II and Class III games. Class I gaming includes social games
played for minimal prizes, or traditional ceremonial games. Class
II gaming includes Bingo and Bingo-like games. Bingo is defined as
games played for prizes, including monetary prizes, with cards
bearing numbers or other designations in which the holder of the
cards covers such numbers or designations when objects, similarly
numbered or designated, are drawn or electronically determined, and
in which the game is won by the first person covering a previously
designated arrangement of numbers or designations on such cards.
Class II gaming may also include pull tab games if played in the
same location as Bingo games, lotto, punch boards, tip jars,
instant Bingo, and other games similar to Bingo. Class III gaming
includes any game that is not a Class I or Class II game, such as
games of chance (slots, video poker, video blackjack, video Keno,
and the like) typically offered in non-Indian, state-regulated
casinos.
[0003] Two basic forms of Bingo exist. In traditional Bingo, the
players purchase cards after which a draw takes place. The first
player to achieve a designated pattern wins. In one type of Bingo
game known as Bonanza Bingo, the draw for the game takes place
before the players know the arrangements on their Bingo cards.
After the draw occurs, the players may either purchase cards or
expose previously purchased cards and compare the arrangements on
the cards to the drawn numbers to determine whether predetermined
patterns are matched. Play continues in Bonanza Bingo until at
least one of the players matches a designated game-winning pattern.
Bonanza Bingo may also encompass Bingo variations wherein a partial
draw is conducted for some numbers (generally fewer than the number
of balls expected to be necessary to win the game) prior to selling
and/or revealing the Bingo cards. After the Bingo cards are sold
and/or revealed, additional numbers are drawn until there is a
winner.
[0004] As indicated above, a Bingo game is played until at least
one player covers a predetermined game-winning pattern on the
player's Bingo card. The game may also include interim winners of
prizes based on matching predetermined interim patterns on the
Bingo card using the same ball draw. The interim pattern wins do
not terminate the Bingo game. For interim pattern awards, players
covering certain interim patterns may receive an additional award
as the game continues. Some exceptional Bingo versions may allow
Bingo draws beyond those needed to achieve the Bingo game win so as
to payout interim pattern wins at a desired rate. The game-winning
awards may be partially or fully pari-mutuel in nature. That is,
the Bingo win award is based upon the total amount wagered on a
given occurrence of the Bingo game. However, interim pattern awards
typically are not pari-mutuel.
[0005] For a given game-winning pattern, the expected number of
balls drawn for at least one Bingo card to match the game-winning
pattern depends on the number of Bingo cards being played in the
Bingo game. Bingo is typically played with a variable number of
Bingo cards resulting from varying numbers of players and players
playing varying numbers of Bingo cards. Consequently, if the
interim patterns are evaluated based on the balls drawn until at
least one Bingo card matches the game-winning pattern, the odds of
awarding interim awards also varies with the number of Bingo cards
being played in the Bingo game. If the interim awards are
determined based on the ball draw to Bingo, the Bingo game may be
restricted to a fixed number of Bingo cards in order to achieve a
desired payout rate for the interim pattern awards. However, it may
be difficult to use a fixed number of Bingo cards in every
occurrence of the Bingo game in a real-time environment wherein the
players' expectation may be to play the Bingo game on demand.
[0006] For example, to achieve a desired interim award payout rate,
it may be desirable to play each occurrence of the Bingo game with
a fixed number of Bingo cards, such as fifteen. If there are at
least two players but less than fifteen Bingo cards are enrolled in
the Bingo game within a short period of time, in order to serve the
players, the casino may want to start the game for those players
available to play. With the fewer number of Bingo cards, the
average number of balls drawn for at least one of the Bingo cards
to match the game-winning pattern may be expected to be greater
than for fifteen Bingo cards. Correspondingly, the number of balls
used by the players to match the interim patterns increases,
thereby increasing the odds of players matching the interim
patterns and increasing the interim award payout rate. Therefore, a
need exists for a method for minimizing the impact of the players
and/or Bingo cards upon the award structure for a multi-player
Bingo game, including the impact on the odds of awarding interim
pattern awards.
[0007] In general, players may find games such as slot machines,
whether electro-mechanical or video, to be more appealing to Bingo
games. In other cases, players may prefer Bingo games to the
exclusion of other games. Typically, slot machine outcomes are
based upon the resultant patterns of symbols displayed on the
reels. However, as mentioned above, slot machines and other similar
type games of chance fall into the category of Class III games,
which may be subject to stricter approval and regulation.
[0008] As such, there is a recognized need for providing a system
wherein a Bingo outcome may be presented to the players with the
display simulating the appearance of traditional Class III games,
such as with electromechanical reels, but with the outcome of the
Bingo game determining the outcome to be displayed instead of the
game engine typically used for the selected Class III game. There
is also a recognized need for granting the player the option of
observing or obscuring an alternate outcome display that simulates
a Class III game. For example, a Bingo outcome may be used to
determine the positioning of the reels of a display device having
the look and feel of a slot machine. Thus, the positioning of the
slot reels is based upon the Bingo pattern(s) matched by the player
during the Bingo game. Further, the award amounts depicted by the
display device may correspond to the award amounts, plus any
scatter and bonus awards, represented by the Bingo patterns. The
display device, therefore, serves as an alternate display of the
results of the Bingo game. The Bingo card, which may also be
displayed, is the ultimate outcome-determining entity, with that
outcome determining the outcome that is displayed on the display
device. However, should the player prefer to play only the Bingo
game, or prefer not to view the alternate display, the player
should be granted the option of whether or not to view the
alternate display of the results of the Bingo game.
[0009] For slot machines and other games of chance having a single
payline (i.e. a single sequence or grouping of game symbols that is
evaluated to determine whether a winning combination occurs),
mapping between the winning outcomes of the game of chance and
patterns in a Bingo game may not be difficult to achieve. Such
games of chance typically encompass a couple dozen possible winning
combinations and associated payout amounts. Selecting Bingo
patterns with odds of occurrence similar to those of each desired
winning outcome of the game of chance may be readily achieved by
one skilled in the art.
[0010] The current trend in slot machines, for example, is to
provide multi-line spinning reel games (i.e., multiple sequences or
groupings of game symbols that are evaluated to determine whether
one or more winning combinations occur). The award resulting from
the final positioning of the reels may be the sum of the awards for
all the selected paylines, plus any scatter or bonus awards. Thus,
the number of possible award amounts for a given play of the game
is increased dramatically and can easily reach several hundred.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In one aspect, the invention is directed to a method for
conducting a multi-player wagering game and an associated instant
win game having a finite pool of outcomes. The method may include
receiving a deposit of an amount of a medium of currency by a
player at a gaming unit, receiving input for a player's wager on an
occurrence of the multi-player wagering game at an input device of
the gaming unit, and subtracting the amount of the player's wager
on the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game from the
player's available credit at the gaming unit in response to
receiving the input for the player's wager. The player's available
credit may correspond to the amount of the medium of currency
deposited at the gaming unit. The method may further include
subtracting an instant win game wager amount from one of the
player's available credit and the credits subtracted from the
player's available credit, determining an outcome for the player
for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game, and selecting
an outcome for the instant win game from the finite pool of
outcomes.
[0012] In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method for
conducting a multi-player wagering game and an associated instant
win game having a finite pool of outcomes. The method may include
providing a currency-accepting mechanism at a gaming unit for
receiving a deposit of an amount of a medium of currency by a
player at the gaming unit, and providing an input device for
receiving input for a player's wager on an occurrence of the
multi-player wagering game at the gaming unit. The method may
further include configuring the gaming unit to subtract the amount
of the player's wager on the occurrence of the multi-player
wagering game from the player's available credit at the gaming unit
in response to receiving the input for the player's wager at the
input device, wherein the player's available credit corresponds to
the amount of the medium of currency deposited at the gaming unit,
and configuring the gaming unit to subtract an instant win game
wager amount from one of the player's available credit and the
credits subtracted from the player's available credit. In addition,
the method may include configuring the gaming unit to determine an
outcome for the player for the occurrence of the multi-player
wagering game, and configuring the gaming unit to cause the
selection of an outcome for the instant win game from the finite
pool of outcomes.
[0013] In a further aspect, the invention is directed to a gaming
unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an associated
instant win game in a gaming network having a network computer and
a plurality of gaming units. The gaming unit may include an input
device for inputting a plurality of input selections, a gaming unit
memory device, a currency-accepting mechanism that is capable of
allowing a player to deposit a medium of currency, an output
device, a value-dispensing mechanism that is capable of dispensing
value to the player, and a gaming unit controller operatively
coupled to the input device, the gaming unit memory device, the
currency-accepting mechanism, the output device, and the
value-dispensing mechanism. The gaming unit controller may be
programmed to allow the currency-accepting mechanism to accept a
deposit of an amount of a medium of currency by a player at the
gaming unit, and to allow the input device to receive input for a
player's wager on an occurrence of the multi-player wagering game
at the input device. The gaming unit controller may further be
programmed to subtract the amount of the player's wager on the
occurrence of the multi-player wagering game from the player's
available credit at the gaming unit in response to receiving the
input for the player's wager, wherein the player's available credit
corresponds to the amount of the medium of currency deposited at
the gaming unit, and to subtract an instant win game wager amount
from one of the player's available credit and the credits
subtracted from the player's available credit. Still further, the
gaming unit controller may be programmed to determine an outcome
for the player for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering
game, and to cause a device of the gaming network to select an
outcome for the instant win game from the finite pool of
outcomes.
[0014] Additional aspects of the invention are defined by the
claims of this patent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a gaming
system in accordance with the invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of one of the
gaming units shown schematically in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment of a control panel for a
gaming unit;
[0018] FIG. 3A is a block diagram of the electronic components of
the gaming unit of FIG. 2;
[0019] FIG. 3B is a block diagram of another embodiment of the
electrical components of the gaming unit of FIG. 2;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the electronic components of a
network computer of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIGS. 5A and 5B are a flowchart of a embodiment of a
multi-player Bingo game routine that may be performed by the gaming
network;
[0022] FIGS. 6-8 are illustrations of visual displays that may be
displayed during the performance of the multi-player Bingo game
routine of FIGS. 5A and 5B; and
[0023] FIG. 9 is an illustration of an embodiment of a video slots
display that may be displayed as an alternative outcome
display;
[0024] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate an embodiment of the multi-line
paytable corresponding to the video slots display of FIG. 9, along
with illustrations of the individual paylines;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an embodiment of an enrollment
routine for a multi-player Bingo game having optional instant win
game wagering;
[0026] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an alternative embodiment of an
enrollment routine for a multi-player Bingo game having optional
instant win game wagering;
[0027] FIG. 14 is an illustration of a visual display of an outcome
of a finite pool instant win game; and
[0028] FIG. 15 is an illustration of possible slot machine reel
stop positions corresponding to combined Bingo game and finite pool
instant win game award amounts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
[0029] Although the following text sets forth a detailed
description of numerous different embodiments of the invention, it
should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is
defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this
patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary
only and does not describe every possible embodiment of the
invention since describing every possible embodiment would be
impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments
could be implemented, using either current technology or technology
developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still
fall within the scope of the claims defining the invention.
[0030] It should also be understood that, unless a term is
expressly defined in this patent using the sentence "As used
herein, the term `______` is hereby defined to mean . . . " or a
similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that
term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or
ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be
limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this
patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that
any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is
referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single
meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse
the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term by limited,
by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally,
unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word "means" and
a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended
that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the
application of 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112, sixth paragraph.
[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates one possible embodiment of a Bingo gaming
system 10 in accordance with the invention. Referring to FIG. 1,
the Bingo gaming system 10 may include a first group or network 12
of casino gaming units 20 operatively coupled to a network computer
22 via a network data link or bus 24. The Bingo gaming system 10
may include a second group or network 26 of casino gaming units 30
operatively coupled to a network computer 32 via a network data
link or bus 34. The first and second gaming networks 12, 26 may be
operatively coupled to each other via a network 40, which may
comprise, for example, the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), or
a local area network (LAN) via a first network link 42 and a second
network link 44.
[0032] The first network 12 of gaming units 20 may be provided in a
first casino, and the second network 26 of gaming units 30 may be
provided in a second casino located in a separate geographic
location than the first casino. For example, the two casinos may be
located in different areas of the same city, or they may be located
in different states. The network 40 may include a plurality of
network computers or server computers (not shown), each of which
may be operatively interconnected. Where the network 40 comprises
the Internet, data communication may take place over the
communication links 42, 44 via an Internet communication
protocol.
[0033] The network computer 22 may be a server computer and may be
configured to control the execution of a multi-player Bingo game
played at a plurality of the gaming units 20, and to accumulate and
analyze data relating to the operation of the gaming units 20. For
example, the network computer 22 may continuously receive data from
each of the gaming units 20 indicative of the dollar amount and
number of wagers being made on each of the gaming units 20, data
indicative of how much each of the gaming units 20 is paying out in
winnings, data regarding the identity and gaming habits of players
playing each of the gaming units 20, etc. The network computer 32
may be a server computer and may be used to perform the same or
different functions in relation to the gaming units 30 as the
network computer 22 described above.
[0034] Although each network 12, 26 is shown to include one network
computer 22, 32 and four gaming units 20, 30, it should be
understood that different numbers of computers and gaming units may
be utilized. For example, the network 12 may include a plurality of
network computers 22 and tens or hundreds of gaming units 20, all
of which may be interconnected via the data link 24. The data link
24 may provided as a dedicated hardwired link or a wireless link.
Although the data link 24 is shown as a single data link 24, the
data link 24 may comprise multiple data links.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one possible embodiment of
one or more of the gaming units 20. Although the following
description addresses the design of the gaming units 20, it should
be understood that the gaming units 30 may have the same design as
the gaming units 20 described below. It should be understood that
the design of one or more of the gaming units 20 may be different
than the design of other gaming units 20, and that the design of
one or more of the gaming units 30 may be different than the design
of other gaming units 30. Each gaming unit 20 may be any type of
casino gaming unit and may have various different structures and
methods of operation. For exemplary purposes, various designs of
the gaming units 20 are described below, but it should be
understood that numerous other designs may be utilized.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 2, the casino gaming unit 20 may include a
housing or cabinet 50 and one or more input devices, which may
include a coin slot or acceptor 52, a paper currency acceptor 54, a
ticket reader/printer 56 and a card reader 58, which may be used to
input value to the gaming unit 20. A value input device may include
any device that can accept value from a customer. Alternatively,
the gaming system 10 may be configured to provide player tracking
functionality as is known in the art, which may include the
provision of a drawing account with previously-deposited funds,
electronic funds transfer, automated debiting of bank accounts or
credit cards, or any other automated mechanism allowing a player
deposit, transfer or otherwise obtain value for wagering on one or
more occurrence of the Bingo game. As used herein, the term "value"
may encompass gaming tokens, coins, paper currency, ticket
vouchers, credit or debit cards, smart cards, and any other object
representative of value.
[0037] If provided on the gaming unit 20, the ticket reader/printer
56 may be used to read and/or print or otherwise encode ticket
vouchers 60. The ticket vouchers 60 may be composed of paper or
another printable or encodable material and may have one or more of
the following informational items printed or encoded thereon: the
casino name, the type of ticket voucher, a validation number, a bar
code with control and/or security data, the date and time of
issuance of the ticket voucher, redemption instructions and
restrictions, a description of an award, and any other information
that may be necessary or desirable. Different types of ticket
vouchers 60 could be used, such as bonus ticket vouchers,
cash-redemption ticket vouchers, casino chip ticket vouchers, extra
game play ticket vouchers, merchandise ticket vouchers, restaurant
ticket vouchers, show ticket vouchers, etc. The ticket vouchers 60
could be printed with an optically readable material such as ink,
or data on the ticket vouchers 60 could be magnetically encoded.
The ticket reader/printer 56 may be provided with the ability to
both read and print ticket vouchers 60, or it may be provided with
the ability to only read or only print or encode ticket vouchers
60. In the latter case, for example, some of the gaming units 20
may have ticket printers 56 that may be used to print ticket
vouchers 60, which could then be used by a player in other gaming
units 20 that have ticket readers 56.
[0038] If provided, the card reader 58 may include any type of card
reading device, such as a magnetic card reader or an optical card
reader, and may be used to read data from a card offered by a
player, such as a credit card or a player tracking card. If
provided for player tracking purposes, the card reader 58 may be
used to read data from, and/or write data to, player tracking cards
that are capable of storing data representing the identity of a
player, the identity of a casino, the player's gaming habits,
etc.
[0039] The gaming unit 20 may include one or more audio speakers
62, a coin return tray 64, an input control panel 66, upper and
lower display units 68, 70 for displaying images relating to the
game or games provided by the gaming unit 20, a status display 71
for providing player information, such as number of credits
remaining, and a light device, such as, for example, illuminated
light bezels 84, a lighted topbox 88, a topper 90, and a lighted
gaming candle 92, as are well known in the art. The display unit 68
may be color video display capable of displaying graphical images
associated with the game or games offered at the gaming unit 20.
The display unit 70 may be a mechanical or electromechanical device
configured to display game outcomes or other graphics associated
with the game(s), such as for slot reels or wheels controlled by
stepper motors, or any other desired mechanism. For example, the
display unit 68 may display images associated with the multi-player
Bingo game, while the display unit 70 may display an alternate
presentation of the outcome of the Bingo game in the form of
another casino game, such as slots. The lower display unit 70 may
also include a video display unit in addition to a mechanical or
electromechanical display. Alternatively, both of the displays 68,
70 may be mechanical or electromechanical devices, or both of the
display 68, 70 may include video display units. Moreover, the
displays 68, 70 may be combined into a single video display device,
such as a CRT, LCD or electromechanical device.
[0040] The audio speakers 62 may generate audio representing sounds
such as the noise of spinning slot machine reels, a dealer's voice,
music, announcements or any other audio related to a casino game.
The input control panel 66 may be provided with a plurality of
pushbuttons as shown or as touch-sensitive areas in cabinet 50 or
on displays 68, 70 where implemented with video displays with
touch-sensitive screens or other input devices that may be pressed
or otherwise actuated by a player to select games, make wagers,
make gaming decisions, etc. The status display 71 may provide
gaming information to the player, such as the number of credits
remaining, the outcome of the current game, the payout schedule, or
the like. The light bezel(s) 84 may be coupled to the front face of
the cabinet 50 and may enclose a plurality of lights, and further
may have an aperture, allowing the display unit 70 to be visible
therethrough. The lighted topbox 88, the topper 90, and the lighted
gaming candle 92 may be stylistic elements added to the gaming unit
20 to attract a player's attention, or to provide visual cues to
gaming status.
[0041] FIG. 2A illustrates one possible embodiment of the control
panel 66, which may be used where the gaming unit 20 is a slot
machine having a plurality of mechanical or "virtual" reels.
Referring to FIG. 2A, the control panel 66 may include a "See Pays"
button 72 that, when activated, causes the display unit 68 to
generate one or more display screens showing the odds or payout
information for the game or games provided by the gaming unit 20.
As used herein, the term "button" is intended to encompass any
device that allows a player to make an input, such as an input
device that must be depressed to make an input selection or a
display area that a player may simply touch. The control panel 66
may include a "Cash Out" button 74 that may be activated when a
player decides to terminate play on the gaming unit 20, in which
case the gaming unit 20 may return value to the player, such as by
returning a number of coins to the player via the coin return tray
64.
[0042] For the multi-player Bingo game, the control panel of the
gaming unit 20 may be provided with a plurality of selection
buttons 76, each of which may allow the player to select a
different number of Bingo cards to play prior to enrolling in the
Bingo game. For example, five buttons 76 may be provided, each of
which may allow a player to select one, three, five, seven or nine
Bingo cards. Alternatively, where multiple sets of interim patterns
are provided as described in more detail below, buttons 76 may
allow a player to select one of the available interim pattern sets
for use in the Bingo game, each of which may correspond to a
different wager amount. The control panel 66 may further be
provided with a plurality of selection buttons 78 each of which
allows a player to specify a wager amount for each Bingo card
selected, or for each interim pattern within a selected pattern
set. For example, if the smallest wager accepted by the gaming unit
20 is a quarter ($0.25), the gaming unit 20 may be provided with
five selection buttons 78, each of which may allow a player to
select one, two, three, four or five quarters to wager for each
Bingo card selected, or for each interim pattern in a selected
pattern set. In that case, if a player were to activate the "5"
button 76 (meaning that five Bingo cards were to be played in the
Bingo game, or that an interim pattern set requiring a five credit
wager was selected) and then activate the "3" button 78 (meaning
that three coins per Bingo card or interim pattern were to be
wagered), the total wager would be $3.75 (assuming the minimum bet
was $0.25).
[0043] If the gaming unit 20 provides, for example, a slots display
having a plurality of reels and a plurality of paylines which
define winning combinations of reel symbols, the plurality of
selection buttons 76 on the control panel 66 may allow the player
to select a different number of paylines prior to spinning the
reels. For example, five buttons 76 may be provided, each of which
may allow a player to select one, three, five, seven or nine
paylines. Further, the plurality of selection buttons 78 on the
control panel 66 may further allow a player to specify a wager
amount for each payline selected. The total wager amount
calculation above may apply equally to the slot display where a
player activates the "5" button 76 to wager on five paylines, and
activates the "3" button 78 to wager three coins per payline.
Ultimately, however, the selections made for the alternate display,
such as the slots display, translate into a Bingo game wager.
[0044] The control panel 66 may include a "Max Bet" button 80 to
allow a player to make the maximum wager allowable for a game. In
the above example, where up to nine paylines were provided and up
to five quarters could be wagered for each payline selected, the
maximum wager would be 45 quarters, or $11.25. Depending on the
implementation, the gaming unit 20 may be configured such that a
player entered in the next occurrence of the Bingo game when the
"Max Bet" button is pressed by the player. The control panel 66 may
include a "Play/Daub" button 82 to allow the player to enter or
enroll in the next occurrence of the Bingo game and to initiate
spinning of the reels of a slots game after a wager has been made,
and to "daub" or mark the player's Bingo card during the Bingo game
as described more fully below. Alternatively, the gaming unit 20
may be configured with separate "Play" and "Daub" buttons.
[0045] In FIG. 2A, a rectangle is shown around the buttons 72, 74,
76, 78, 80, 82. It should be understood that that rectangle simply
designates, for ease of reference, an area in which the buttons 72,
74, 76, 78, 80, 82 may be located. Consequently, the term "control
panel" should not be construed to imply that a panel or plate
separate from the housing 50 of the gaming unit 20 is required, and
the term "control panel" may encompass a plurality or grouping of
player activatable buttons.
[0046] Although one possible control panel 66 is described above,
it should be understood that different buttons could be utilized in
the control panel 66, and that the particular buttons used may
depend on the game or games that could be played on the gaming unit
20. Although the control panel 66 is shown to be separate from the
display units 68, 70, it should be understood that the control
panel 66 could be generated by the display unit 68 or the display
unit 70, if provided with a video display unit. In that case, each
of the buttons of the control panel 66 could be a colored area
generated by the display unit 68 and/or 70, and some type of
mechanism may be associated with the display unit 68 and/or 70 to
detect when each of the buttons was touched, such as a
touch-sensitive screen.
Gaming Unit Electronics
[0047] FIG. 3A is a block diagram of a number of components that
may be incorporated in the gaming unit 20 or alternatively, the
network computer 22. Referring to FIG. 3A, the gaming unit 20 may
include a controller 100 that may comprise a program memory 102, a
microcontroller or microprocessor (MP) 104, a random-access memory
(RAM) 106 and an input/output (I/O) circuit 108, all of which may
be interconnected via an address/data bus 110. It should be
appreciated that although only one microprocessor 104 is shown, the
controller 100 may include multiple microprocessors 104. Similarly,
the memory of the controller 100 may include multiple RAMs 106 and
multiple program memories 102. Although the I/O circuit 108 is
shown as a single block, it should be appreciated that the I/O
circuit 108 may include a number of different types of I/O
circuits. The RAM(s) 104 and program memories 102 may be
implemented as semiconductor memories, magnetically readable
memories, and/or optically readable memories, for example.
[0048] Although the program memory 102 is shown in FIG. 3A as a
read-only memory (ROM) 102, the program memory of the controller
100 may be a read/write or alterable memory, such as a hard disk.
In the event a hard disk is used as a program memory, the
address/data bus 110 shown schematically in FIG. 3A may comprise
multiple address/data buses, which may be of different types, and
there may be an I/O circuit disposed between the address/data
buses.
[0049] FIG. 3A illustrates that the control panel 66, the coin
acceptor 52, the bill acceptor 54, the card reader 58 and the
ticket reader/printer 56 may be operatively coupled to the I/O
circuit 108, each of those components being so coupled by either a
unidirectional or bidirectional, single-line or multiple-line data
link, which may depend on the design of the component that is used.
The speaker(s) 62 may be operatively coupled to a sound circuit
112, that may comprise a voice- and sound-synthesis circuit or that
may comprise a driver circuit. The sound-generating circuit 112 may
be coupled to the I/O circuit 108.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 3A, the components 52, 54, 56, 58, 66, 68,
70, 84 and 112 may be connected to the I/O circuit 108 via a
respective direct line or conductor. Different connection schemes
could be used. For example, one or more of the components shown in
FIG. 3A may be connected to the I/O circuit 108 via a common bus or
other data link that is shared by a number of components.
Furthermore, some of the components may be directly connected to
the microprocessor 104 without passing through the I/O circuit 108.
Moreover, while not illustrated in the figures, the components 71,
88, 90 and 92 may also be operatively coupled to the controller
100. For example, the components 71, 86, 88, 90 and 92 may be
connected to the I/O circuit 108 via a respective direct line or
other similar connection scheme.
[0051] FIG. 3B is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment to
incorporate a number of components in the gaming unit 20 and/or the
network computer 22. Referring to FIG. 3B, the gaming unit 20 may
include a first controller 120 operatively coupled to a second
controller 140 via a data link or bus 118. The first controller 120
may include a program memory 122, a microcontroller or
microprocessor (MP) 124, a random-access memory (RAM) 126 and an
input/output (I/O) circuit 128, all of which may be interconnected
via an address/data bus 130. As above, the controller 120 may
include multiple microprocessors 124, multiple RAMs 106, multiple
program memories 122, and a number of different types of I/O
circuits 128. Likewise, the second controller 140 may include a
program memory 142, a microcontroller or microprocessor (MP) 144, a
random-access memory (RAM) 146 and an input/output (I/O) circuit
148, all of which may be interconnected via an address/data bus
150. The RAM(s) 126, 146 and program memories 122, 142 may be
implemented as semiconductor memories, magnetically readable
memories, and/or optically readable memories, for example. One or
both of the controllers 120, 140 may be operatively coupled to the
network computer 22 via the data link 24.
[0052] The ticket reader/printer 56 and the upper display unit 68
may be operatively coupled to the first controller 120 by either a
unidirectional or bidirectional, single-line or multiple-line data
link. The speaker(s) 62 may be operatively coupled to a sound
circuit 132, which, in turn, may be coupled to the I/O circuit 128.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the components 56, 68 and 132 may be connected
to the I/O circuit 128 via a respective direct line or conductor,
though different connection schemes could be used such as a common
bus or other data link that is shared by a number of components.
Furthermore, some of the components may be directly connected to
the microprocessor 124.
[0053] The second controller 140 may be operatively coupled to the
coin acceptor 52, the bill acceptor 54, the card reader 58, the
control panel 66, the lower display unit 70 and the light bezel 84.
The components 52, 54, 58, 66, 70 and 84 may be connected to the
I/O circuit 148 via a respective direct line or conductor, and via
different connection schemes such as a common bus or other data
link that is shared by a number of components. Some of the
components may also be directly connected to the microprocessor 144
without passing through the I/O circuit 148.
[0054] Although not illustrated in the figures, the components 71,
88, 90 and 92 may also be operatively coupled to the first
controller 120 via the I/O circuit 128. For example, the components
71, 86, 88, 90 and 92 may be connected to the I/O circuit 128 via a
respective direct line or other similar connection scheme. One or
more of the components 71, 86, 88, 90 and 92 may likewise be
operatively coupled to the second controller 140. The components
52, 54, 58, 66 and 84 may also be operatively coupled to the first
controller 120, in addition to or as an alternative to, being
coupled to the second controller 140. Likewise, the components 56
and 62 may be operatively coupled to the second controller 140.
Overall Operation of Gaming Unit
[0055] One manner in which one or more of the gaming units 20 (and
one or more of the gaming units 30) may operate is described below
in connection with a number of flowcharts which represent a number
of portions or routines of one or more computer programs, which may
be stored in one or more of the memories of the controller 100. The
computer program(s) or portions thereof may be stored remotely,
outside of the gaming unit 20, and may control the operation of the
gaming unit 20 from a remote location. Such remote control may be
facilitated with the use of a wireless connection, or by an
Internet interface that connects the gaming unit 20 with a remote
computer (such as one of the network computers 22, 32) having a
memory in which the computer program portions are stored. The
computer program portions may be written in any high level language
such as C, C++, C#, Java or the like or any low-level assembly or
machine language. By storing the computer program portions therein,
various portions of the memories 102, 106 are physically and/or
structurally configured in accordance with computer program
instructions.
Network Computer/Server Electronics
[0056] The network 40, and hence the individual gaming units 20,
30, may be communicatively connected to network computers or
servers 22, 32. Using network computer 22 as an example, the
network computer 22 may be a single networked computer, or a series
of interconnected computers having access to the network 10 via a
gateway or other known networking system. Referring to FIG. 4,
generally, the network computer 22 may include a central gaming
controller 162 configured to manage, execute and control the
individual gaming units 20, 30 and the routines used to play the
multi-player Bingo games. The network computer 22 may include a
memory 164 for storing programs and routines, a microprocessor 166
(MP) for executing the stored programs, a random access memory 168
(RAM) and an input/output bus 170 (I/O). The memory 164,
microprocessor 166, RAM 168 and the I/O bus 170 may be multiplexed
together via a common bus, as shown, or may each be directly
connected via dedicated communications lines, depending on the
needs of the network 10.
[0057] Further, the network computer 22 may be directly connected,
hardwired, or indirectly connected through the I/O bus 170 to
external components such as a display 172, a control panel 174, a
network interface device 176 and other peripheral I/O devices 178.
Examples of other peripherals device include, but are not limited
to, storage devices, wireless adaptors, printers, and the like. In
addition, a database 180 may be communicatively connected to the
central gaming controller 162 and provide a data repository for the
storage and correlation of information gathered from the individual
gaming units 20, 30. The information stored within the database 180
may be information relating to individual gaming units 20, 30 such
as gaming unit-specific information like a gaming unit
identification code and/or location code. The database 180 may
further include casino game specific information such as the total
amounts wagered and paid out, game outcomes, player selection
history information, and the like.
Multi-Player Bingo
[0058] FIGS. 5A and 5B are a flowchart of an example of a
multi-player Bingo game operating routine 200 that may have
portions stored in the memories of a plurality of gaming units 20
and the network computer 22 to allow a plurality of players to play
a Bingo game against each other. Further examples of multi-player
Bingo game operating routines and associated displays are disclosed
in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/887,111 entitled "Multi-Player
Bingo Game with Multi-Level Award Amount Pattern Mapping" which is
expressly incorporated by reference herein. However, it should be
understood that additional types of games are contemplated which
may utilized an alternate outcome display, including additional
multi-player games, single-player games and different types of
Bingo games.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 5A, the multi-player Bingo routine 200 may
begin operation at block 202 at which a first player enrolls in the
multi-player Bingo game at one of the gaming units 20. In order to
enroll in the multi-player Bingo game, a player may initially
deposit value in the gaming unit 20 via the coin slot 52, currency
acceptor 54, ticket reader 56, card reader 58, or by any other
means by which a player may obtain credits on the gaming unit 20.
Once value is deposited and credits are registered on the gaming
unit 20, a player may make game-specific selections for the
occurrence of the Bingo game via one or more selection buttons at
input control panel 66, or by touching designated portions of the
video display units 68, 70.
[0060] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary first player display 300
that may be shown on, for example, the display unit 68 during the
performance of the multi-player Bingo routine 200 at a first gaming
unit 20, and an exemplary second player display 320 that may be
shown, for example, on the display unit 68 during the performance
of the multi-player Bingo routine 200 at a second gaming unit 20.
The first player display 300 may include video images 302 of a
Bingo card that may represent the first player's entry in the
multi-player Bingo game. In the illustrated embodiment, the Bingo
card image 302 may be in the form of a traditional Bingo card as is
known in the art and may consist of a 5.times.5 matrix of numbers,
with the first column having five numbers selected from the range
of 1 to 15 without repeating numbers, the second column having five
numbers selected from the range of 16 to 30 without repeating
numbers, the third column having four numbers selected from the
range of 31 to 45 without repeating numbers and having a "Free
Space" spot disposed in the middle position, the fourth column
having five numbers selected from the range of 46 to 60 without
repeating numbers, and the fifth column having five numbers
selected from the range of 61 to 75 without repeating numbers.
[0061] The first player display 300 may include video images
304-310 corresponding to information relating to the game being
executed by the network computer 22 and gaming unit 20. These
images may include a game number image 304 for the Bingo game being
played by the player at the gaming unit 20, a Bingo win amount
image 306 displaying the amount awarded to the first player or
players matching the game-winning pattern on the Bingo card 302, a
pattern win amount image 308 displaying the amount awarded for
matching predefined interim win patterns which will be discussed
further hereinafter, and a total win amount image 310 displaying
the total amount awarded to the player for the Bingo game indicated
at game number 304, and an area 312 that may be used to display the
numbers in the ball draw for the Bingo game in a manner illustrated
more fully below. In addition, the first player display 300 may
include images of buttons that, when touched by the player, may
cause additional game-related information to be displayed, or may
control execution of the multi-player Bingo routine 200.
[0062] For example, the first player display 300 may include a "See
Pays" button 314 that, when activated, may cause the display unit
68 to generate one or more display screens showing the pattern or
patterns to be matched, odds of matching the various patterns or
winning the available awards, or other payout information for the
Bingo game and the interim pattern wins. The first player display
300 may also display a "Play" button 316 that when touched may
cause the gaming unit 20 to enroll the player in the next
occurrence of the Bingo game, and a "Daub" button 318 that the
player may touch to mark matched numbers on the Bingo card after
the ball draw. The term "daub" in Bingo refers to marking or
covering by the player, or possibly by an electronic Bingo handset,
of the numbers or symbols on the Bingo card(s). With respect to the
multi-player Bingo game, "daubing" refers to the player acting to
mark or cover the numbers either individually or by initiating a
process wherein the gaming unit 20 marks or covers the matched
numbers on the Bingo card 302. While not shown, those skilled in
the art will understand that a plurality of player-selectable
buttons may also be displayed on the first player display 300 of
the control panel 66 to allow the player to control the play of the
Bingo game. The second player display 320 may be similar to the
first player display 300 and display similar images, such as Bingo
card 322, game number image 324, Bingo win amount image 326,
pattern win amount image 328, total win amount image 330, ball draw
area 332, "See Pays" button 334, "Play" button 336, "Daub" button
338, and other control buttons if necessary.
[0063] While the Bingo game illustrated herein uses a traditional
5.times.5 matrix of numbers with a free space in the center, those
skilled in the art will understand that the Bingo game may be
configured to use other configurations of numbers, characters or
other game indicia arranged in any fashion wherein numbers,
characters, or other indicia may be drawn and compared to the
configuration, with the first player or players matching a
predetermined pattern of numbers, characters or other indicia being
declared the winner. For purposes of this specification, such
configurations of numbers, characters or other game indicia may be
referred to as "arrays," and an array may be any configuration or
grouping of numbers, characters or other game indicia wherein the
game indicia of the array may be compared to game indicia drawn
from the range of game indicia available for the multi-player game,
and wherein matched indicia of the array may be compared to a
predetermined pattern or patterns in order to determine a winner or
winners of an occurrence of the multi-player wagering and/or to
award game-winning or other awards to the players. Such arrays may
be configured as two-dimensional matrices such as, for example,
traditional Bingo cards as described above, or in any other
arrangement of game indicia wherein matched game indicia of the
array may form patterns.
[0064] When the first player enrolls in the Bingo game, the Bingo
card 302 may be selected at random by the controller 100, or the
controller 120, of the gaming unit 20. The player may be required
to play the controller-generated Bingo card 302 or, alternatively,
the player may be permitted to view other Bingo cards 302 and to
select a Bingo card 302 for use in the Bingo game. For example,
once the controller-selected Bingo card 302 is displayed to the
player at video display 68, the player may be able to cycle through
other Bingo cards 302 by touching the area of the video display 68
where the Bingo card 302 is displayed, or by touching other
appropriate buttons either displayed on the video display 68 or
located at the control panel 66. In addition to being assigned
and/or selecting a Bingo card 302, the player may also enter a
wager amount for the Bingo game by pressing the appropriate
selection buttons on the first player display 300 or control panel
66. Selection of the wager amount is discussed further herein
below. Once the Bingo card is selected for the first player, and
the player enters a wager for the Bingo game, the player may enroll
in a Bingo game by pressing the "Play" button 316. When the
controller 100 (or controller 120) detects that the first player
has touched the "Play" button 316, the controller 100 (or
controller 120) may transmit a message to the network computer 22
indicating that the first player has enrolled in the Bingo game. In
the illustrated embodiment, the gaming unit 20 may also transmit
information to the network computer 22 regarding the content of the
first player's Bingo card for use by the network computer 22 in a
manner discussed more fully below.
[0065] Because each Bingo game is played by multiple players, the
network computer 22 may be required to wait for the enrollment of
additional players before drawing numbers for the occurrence of the
Bingo game. Referring back to FIG. 5A, the network computer 22 may
determine whether a second player has enrolled in the Bingo game
and another gaming unit 20 at block 204. If the network computer 22
has not received a message from another gaming unit 20 indicating
that a second player has enrolled in the Bingo game, the network
computer 22 will continue to wait until receiving such a message.
At the same time, the first gaming unit 20 may display a message on
the first player display 300 informing the first player that the
system is waiting for additional players to join the Bingo game
before beginning the ball draw.
[0066] At some point, a second player at a second gaming unit 20
may select a Bingo card and desired wagering amount, and touch the
play button 336 of the second player display 320 to enroll in the
Bingo game. The second gaming unit 20 may detect the touching of
the play button 336 by the second player and transmit the necessary
enrollment message to the network computer 22 to enroll the second
player. When the network computer 22 detects the enrollment message
from the second gaming unit 20, control may pass to a block 206
wherein the network computer 22 may start an enrollment timer for a
predetermined period of time within which additional players may
enroll in the Bingo game. The enrollment period may be a fixed
amount of time for all occurrences of the Bingo game, or may be
capable of being changed to a desired time period by a casino
employee at the network computer 22. Further, the network computer
22 may be programmed to adjust the time period dynamically as the
Bingo game is being played in order to maintain a desired average
number of players. For example, the network computer 22 may reduce
the time period during heavy play periods to prevent too many
players from enrolling, and increase the time period during light
play periods to give more players the opportunity to enroll in an
occurrence of the Bingo game.
[0067] During the enrollment time period, the network computer 22
and other gaming units 20 may enroll additional players in the
Bingo game at block 208. The enrollment process for the additional
players may be similar to the process for the first two players,
with each additional player selecting a Bingo card, selecting a
wager amount, and touching the play button of the gaming unit 20
and thereby causing an enrollment message to be transmitted from
the gaming unit 20 to the network computer 22. If the gaming units
20 include alternate outcome displays for displaying the outcome of
the Bingo game in an alternative format, such as a slots display as
discussed below, animated graphics or other display, such as the
spinning of electro-mechanical reels, may be initiated at the
gaming units 20 once the second player enrolls in the Bingo game.
At block 210, the network computer 22 evaluates the enrollment
timer to determine whether the time for additional players to
enroll in the Bingo game has expired. If the enrollment timer has
not expired, the network computer 22 continues to wait for
additional players to enroll in the Bingo game. Once the enrollment
timer expires, the network computer 22 proceeds with conducting the
Bingo game for the players that have enrolled in that occurrence of
the Bingo game. Any players enrolling after the expiration of the
enrollment timer may be enrolled in the subsequent occurrence of
the Bingo game in the same manner. Consequently, the network
computer 22 may conduct multiple occurrences of the Bingo game
simultaneously.
[0068] A game-winning pattern or patterns may be predetermined and
used for each occurrence of the Bingo game. Alternatively, at block
212 the network computer 22 may determine a game-winning pattern to
be used for the occurrence of the Bingo game. The network computer
22 may store a plurality of predetermined game-winning patterns and
randomly or serially select one or more of the stored game-winning
patterns for each occurrence of the Bingo game. The predetermined
game-winning patterns may include game-winning patterns used in
traditional Bingo games, such as rows, columns or diagonals of
numbers on the Bingo card 302, four corners matches, picture
frames, coveralls, and the like. The predetermined patterns may
also include nontraditional game-winning patterns such as patterns
forming letters, numbers, or other symbols, or any other desired
pattern that may be formed by one or more of the numbers,
characters, or other game indicia used to form the Bingo card 302
for a player. Alternatively, the game-winning pattern for a given
occurrence of the Bingo game may be determined at least in part on
the number of players entered for the occurrence of the Bingo game
in order to approach a desired distribution of the number of balls
drawn for the first player to match the game-winning pattern in a
manner described more fully below. Whether based on the number of
players or Bingo cards enrolled for the occurrence of the Bingo
game or other criteria, the game-winning patterns may be generated
randomly but consistent with pre-designated parameters, such as
number of spots in the game-winning pattern, number of shared spots
between two or more game-winning patterns, and the like. Once the
game-winning pattern is determined, the network computer 22 may
transmit the game-winning pattern to the gaming units 20 which in
turn may display the game-winning pattern to the players on the
Bingo displays 300, 320, such as with a shaded area 340 on the
Bingo cards 302, 322 corresponding to the game-winning pattern.
[0069] In some implementations of the multi-player Bingo game, the
first player or players matching the game-winning pattern may be
awarded a fixed prize amount, or a prize amount proportionate to
the amount wagered by the player or players on the occurrence of
the Bingo game. In this embodiment, a portion of each player's
wager on each occurrence of the Bingo game may be accumulated in a
prize pool from which players may be awarded an additional prize
amount for matching the game-winning pattern or other pattern in
fewer than a predetermined number of balls are drawn for the
occurrence of the Bingo game. For example, a player may be awarded
an additional prize from the prize pool for matching a five number
pattern when ten or fewer balls have been drawn, or by covering the
entire Bingo card when fewer than 30 balls have been drawn. The
amount of the additional prize from the prize pool may be
determined in a manner described more fully below. In this
embodiment, control may pass to a block 214, wherein a percentage
or other predetermined portion or each player's wager on the
occurrence of the Bingo game may be added to a prize pool. The
portion of each players wager for the prize pool may be determined
at each gaming unit 20 and transmitted to the network computer 22
or other device in the gaming network 10 where at the prize pool is
accumulated and stored. Alternatively, the network computer 22 may
deduct the portion for the prize pool from each of the players'
wagers after the players enroll in the Bingo game. While block 214
is illustrated as occurring prior to the ball draw, the additions
to the prize pool may occur at any appropriate or desired time
during the Bingo game.
[0070] In this embodiment, control of the Bingo game routine 200
may pass to a block 216 wherein the network computer 22 draws
numbers from the range of 1 to 75 until one or more Bingo card
matches the game-winning pattern. The network computer 22 may be
configured to randomly select numbers from the range of 1 to 75
without repeating numbers, and to compare the drawn number to the
numbers on each players Bingo card to find matching numbers. As
each number is selected and compared to the player's game cards,
the network computer 22 may also compare the patterns formed by the
matching numbers on each game card to the game-winning pattern for
the occurrence of the Bingo game. Once the network computer 22
determines that one game card has a pattern of matched numbers
matching the game-winning pattern, the network computer 22 may
cease selecting numbers for the ball draw and transmit the numbers
for the ball draw to the gaming units 20 corresponding to each
player entered in the occurrence of the Bingo game at block
218.
[0071] The gaming units 20 receive the numbers for the ball draw
from the network computer 22, and compare the drawn numbers to the
corresponding players' Bingo cards at block 220 of FIG. 5B in a
similar manner as the network computer 22 to identify matches
between the numbers in the ball draw and the numbers on the players
Bingo card. After comparing the numbers from the ball draw to the
numbers on the player's card, the gaming unit 20 may further
determine whether patterns formed on the player's Bingo card
matches the game-winning pattern for the occurrence of the Bingo
game. At block 222, each gaming unit 20 may display the outcome of
the ball draw for the Bingo game at the display unit 68. In the
illustrated embodiment (FIG. 6), the numbers for the ball draw may
be displayed on the Bingo displays 300, 320 in the ball draw areas
312, 832, respectively, with the numbers being displayed in the
order the numbers were selected by the network computer 22. The
ball draw display may further be enhanced to match the Bingo theme
by encircling each number, or graphically displaying each number as
being printed on the surface of a ball 341, and by further adding
the associated letter from the word "Bingo" corresponding to the
column of the Bingo card in which the number would appear.
Additionally, the numbers on the players' Bingo cards 302, 322
matching numbers selected by the network computer 22 in the ball
draw may be highlighted on the Bingo cards 302, 322, such as by
displaying phantom parks 342 to assist the players in identifying
which number on the Bingo cards 302, 322 have been matched.
[0072] The multi-player Bingo game may be implemented such that
once at least one player matches the game-winning pattern, the game
is over and the player or players matching the game-winning pattern
receive the corresponding Bingo win award. If the gaming units 20
include alternate outcome displays for displaying the outcome of
the Bingo game in an alternative format, the alternate outcome
display may also show the player's outcome for the Bingo game, such
as by stopping the reels of slots display in positions
corresponding to the outcome of the Bingo game. However, the
multi-player Bingo game may be implemented such that the players
may be required to perform a physical act to cause the matching
numbers to be marked on the players' Bingo cards. In fact, such a
physical act may be a regulatory requirement in the jurisdiction in
which the multi-player Bingo game is implemented. In the embodiment
of the Bingo game routine 200 illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B,
players may be required to daub in order to have the matching
numbers marked on their Bingo cards, and the winning players may be
required to daub their Bingo cards in order to claim the award for
the occurrence of the Bingo game. In this embodiment, at block 222,
each gaming unit 20 may be configured to display prompts to the
players, such as prompts 344, 346 on the Bingo displays 300, 320,
respectively, of FIG. 7, instructing the players to daub in order
to complete the Bingo game. Additional prompts may be displayed on
the lower display unit 70, as described below. The same prompt may
be displayed for all players, or different prompts may be displayed
to players who may have a winning Bingo card. For example, as
illustrated in FIG. 7, the first player with Bingo card 302 may be
one of the first players to match the game-winning pattern. In this
case, the prompt 344 displayed to the first player may instruct the
player to daub the Bingo card to claim the Bingo game prize. The
Bingo game prize may be claimed by the winning player by touching
the "Daub" button 318 to acknowledge the prompt. The remaining
players, such as the second player, that have not matched the
game-winning pattern may be shown a prompt 346 that may merely
instruct the players to daub in order to complete the Bingo game,
which may be accomplished by touching the "Daub" button 338.
[0073] Once the initial ball draw is transmitted from the network
computer 22 to the gaming units 20, and the ball draw and phantom
marks 342, if any, are displayed to the players at their respective
gaming units 20, control may pass to a block 224 wherein a sleep
timer may be initiated with a predetermined amount of time within
which the winning player or players must daub their Bingo cards in
order to claim the Bingo game award. A sleep timer may be set at
each gaming unit 20 at which the player matches the game-winning
pattern, or a single timer may be set at the network computer 22.
During the sleep timer period, the gaming units 20 may mark the
matching numbers on the players Bingo cards as the players touch
the corresponding "Daub" buttons 318, 338. The phantom marks 342 on
the Bingo cards 302, 322 may be changed into daub marks 348 by the
gaming units 20 as the gaming units 20 detect the players touching
the "Daub" buttons 318, 338. Also during the sleep timer period,
the network computer 22 and/or gaming units 20 may evaluate whether
one or more players matching the game-winning pattern has daubed
the players Bingo card at block 228. If the winner or winners of
the occurrence of the Bingo game have daubed their Bingo cards,
control passes to a block 230 wherein the Bingo win award may be
determined for the winning player or players at either the
corresponding gaming units 20, or at the network computer 22. As
previously discussed, the Bingo win award may be a fixed award
amount, an amount proportionate to the players wager, a portion or
all of an accumulated prize pool, or a combination of various award
amounts.
[0074] After the Bingo game award or awards are determined, control
may pass to block 232 wherein an award image, such as the award
image 350 illustrated in FIG. 8, may be displayed to the winning
players at the corresponding gaming units 20. The award image 350
may include a summary of the award amount, a congratulatory message
to the winning player or players, and other images that may enhance
the winning experience of the player or players. The award image
350 may be displayed for a predetermined amount of time or until
the player touches the display unit 68 to acknowledge the display
of the game award. At this time, an alternate outcome display at
the gaming unit 20 may also show the player's outcome for the Bingo
game, if so requested by the player, such as by stopping the reels
of slots display in positions corresponding to the outcome of the
Bingo game. After the award graphic is displayed, control may pass
to a block 234 wherein the credits at the gaming units 20 for the
winning players are incremented by the award amount.
[0075] In certain jurisdictions, regulatory requirements may exist
for performing at least two releases of numbers, along with
corresponding daubing of the Bingo cards by the players, prior to
declaring a winner for the occurrence of the Bingo game. In gaming
networks 10 implemented in such jurisdictions, it may be necessary
to modify the Bingo game routine 200 such that at least two subsets
of randomly selected numbers are transmitted from the network
computer 22 to the gaming units 20 in an occurrence of the Bingo
game. In such implementations, once the network computer 22
determines that at least one game card matches a game-winning
pattern with the drawn numbers at block 216, the network computer
22 may transmit a first subset of the selected numbers to the
gaming units 20 including at least one number less than the numbers
required for one of the game cards to match the game-winning
pattern. For example, if the network computer 22 determines that a
game card matches the game-winning pattern on the forty-second
selected number, the network computer 22 may transmit the first
forty-one or fewer selected numbers to the gaming units 20 in the
first subset. Once the gaming units 20 receive the first subset of
numbers, the routine 200 may proceed in the same manner, with the
gaming units 20 evaluating the game cards, displaying the outcomes
and waiting for the players to daub their game cards. After the
expiration of the sleep timer, control may return to block 218
wherein the network computer 22 may transmit a second subset of the
selected numbers with the remaining numbers required for one of the
game cards to match the game-winning pattern, and the routine 200
may proceed in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B and
further described herein.
[0076] If the network computer 22 and game units 20 do not detect
that the winner or winners of the Bingo game have daubed their
Bingo cards at block 228, control passes to a block 236 that
determines whether the sleep timer has expired. If the sleep timer
has not expired, control passes back to block 226 wherein the
gaming units 20 continue to mark the Bingo cards of the
corresponding players as the players touch the "Daub" button 318,
338. If the sleep timer expires without any winner or winners of
the Bingo game daubing their Bingo cards, control passes to a block
238 wherein the network computer 22 may determine whether all the
players have slept through their opportunity to win the Bingo game.
If players remain that have not slept through their opportunity to
win the Bingo game, i.e., players whose Bingo cards have not yet
matched the game-winning pattern, control passes to a block 240
wherein the winner or winners who have failed to daub their Bingo
cards are eliminated from being able to claim the prize for the
Bingo game. For example, after the potential winner sleeps through
the player's opportunity to win the Bingo game, the network
computer 22 may flag or otherwise indicate that the player has
slept through the player's opportunity to win the occurrence of the
Bingo game. Additionally, the players sleeping through the period
for daubing the players' winning Bingo cards may be notified that
the right to claim an award for the Bingo game has been
relinquished by displaying an image on the video display 68 of the
corresponding gaming unit 20. However, where multiple game-winning
patterns are used in the Bingo game, a player sleeping through a
match of one of the game-winning pattern may be eliminated from
claiming that Bingo win, but may be permitted to win the Bingo game
if the player matches another game-winning pattern later in the
ball draw and successfully daubs their Bingo card.
[0077] After eliminating the sleeping player or players, control
may return to block 216 wherein the network computer 22 may draw
additional numbers until at least one Bingo card of the remaining
players matches the game-winning pattern. The Bingo game routine
200 continues in the manner previously described, with the game
computer 22 transmitting the numbers to game units 20 at block 218,
and the game units evaluating the players Bingo cards at block 220.
At block 222, the display of the outcome of the Bingo game
displayed at the video display 68 at the game units 20 may be
updated to reflect the continuation of the ball draw. The sleep
timer may be reinitiated at block 224, and the gaming units 20 may
mark the players Bingo cards as the players touch the "Daub" button
318, 338 at block 226 until either all the winners daub (block 228)
or the sleep timer expires (block 236). If the remaining player or
players matching the game-winning pattern have daubed their Bingo
cards, Bingo win awards are determined at block 230 and the award
image 350 may be displayed at the video display 68 of the gaming
units 20 corresponding to the winning players at block 232 and the
Bingo award amounts may be credited to the winning players at block
234.
[0078] Returning to block 238, if the network computer 22
determines that the last remaining player has slept through daubing
the players Bingo card, several alternatives are possible for
terminating the Bingo game. In the illustrated embodiment, control
passes to a block 242 wherein the gaming units 20 involved in the
occurrence of the Bingo game may sleep infinitely until one of the
gaming units 20 detects a player daubing their Bingo card by
touching the "Daub" button 338. During this time, casino personnel
may be alerted to the suspended Bingo game by displaying messages
at the gaming units 20, network computer 22, or any other component
of the Bingo gaming system 10 used to monitor the activity
occurring in the Bingo gaming system 10, by illuminating the
candles 92 mounted on the gaming units 20, or by any other
mechanism available within the system for alerting casino personnel
to abnormal conditions within the Bingo gaming system 10.
Alternatively, the occurrence of the Bingo game may be terminated
after a predetermined period of time, with the wagers on the
terminated game being retained by the Bingo gaming system 10.
During the time that the last remaining player sleeps, players that
earlier slept through their Bingo wins may be permitted to daub
their Bingo cards, collect interim pattern awards if any, and
continue playing subsequent Bingo games without waiting for the
last remaining player to claim the Bingo win.
[0079] While the general flow for the multi-player Bingo game
routine is discussed herein, the game play for the multi-player
Bingo game may be modified as necessary based on system design
and/or regulatory requirements, design preferences and the like.
For example, where two or more players may remain in an occurrence
of the Bingo game, and wherein each of the remaining players may
require the same number of balls to match the game-winning pattern,
the Bingo win award may be awarded to the remaining players based
whether some or all of the players daub their Bingo cards. If all
remaining players daub their Bingo cards, the Bingo win award may
be split between the remaining players. If less than all of the
remaining players daub their Bingo cards before the expiration of
the sleep timer, the routine may be configured either to split the
Bingo win award between the remaining players that have daubed
their Bingo cards, or to split the Bingo win award between all the
remaining players if any of the remaining players daub their Bingo
cards before the expiration of the sleep timer. Similarly, if all
the remaining players sleep through their Bingos, the Bingo game
may sleep infinitely until one of the remaining players daubs their
Bingo card. Once one of the remaining players daubs their Bingo
card, the routine may be configured either to pay the entire Bingo
win award to the remaining player to first daub their Bingo card,
or to split the Bingo win award between all the remaining players
if any of the remaining players daub their Bingo cards before the
expiration of the sleep timer.
[0080] The routine may also be modified in implementations where a
player may not be required to daub their Bingo cards to receive the
Bingo win award. In these implementations, the portions of the
routine relating to the sleep timer and daubing, and to eliminating
sleeping players and declaring additional winners may be omitted.
Even in implementations where players may sleep through a Bingo
win, the consequences of sleeping through the Bingo win may be
varied as desired. For example, as illustrated, the player who
sleeps through a Bingo win may be shut out of collecting the Bingo
win even if the player daubs the Bingo card after the sleep timer
expires and the player is eliminated. Alternatively, the player
initially sleeping through a Bingo win may be provided with the
opportunity to claim the Bingo win award if the player daubs the
Bingo card before a subsequently declared winning player daubs
their Bingo card.
Interim Pattern Bingo Awards
[0081] In order to enhance the players' gaming experience while
playing the multi-player Bingo game, the Bingo game may be
configured with alternative methods for providing additional award
payouts to the players, including players that are not the first to
match the game-winning pattern. In one embodiment, players may be
awarded prizes for matching predefined interim patterns on their
Bingo cards having associated award amounts during the course of
the Bingo game. The patterns may be termed "interim" because the
patterns may be matched during the course of the game, and the
patterns do not result in the termination of the game when they are
matched. The Bingo game terminates only when one or more players
match the game-winning pattern. When a player matches an interim
win pattern, the player may be awarded the prize amount
corresponding to the matched interim pattern regardless of whether
the player matches the game-winning pattern.
[0082] The interim pattern sets may vary in terms of the number of
interim patterns in the sets, the configuration of the interim
patterns in the sets, the complexity of the interim patterns in the
sets, the interim pattern award amounts available for matching
interim patterns in the sets, and the like. The gaming units 20 may
be configured to randomly or sequentially select one of a plurality
of available interim pattern sets for use in a given occurrence of
the Bingo game. Alternatively, the players may be provided with the
ability to select one of the available interim pattern sets based
on their own preferences. For example, several interim pattern sets
having approximately the same overall interim pattern award payout
rates may be provided, but with the interim pattern sets paying out
interim pattern awards with varying frequencies. Some interim
pattern sets may result in paying out relatively small interim
pattern awards relatively frequently, some interim pattern sets may
result in paying out relatively large interim pattern awards
relatively infrequently, and some interim pattern sets may result
in paying out a combination of large and small interim pattern
awards. The gaming units 20 may display the interim pattern sets
and allow the players to select interim pattern sets corresponding
to their preferences in their gaming experience.
[0083] Alternatively, the interim pattern sets used for an
occurrence of the Bingo game may be determined based on the amount
wagered by the players. In slots, the number of winning
combinations and the maximum amount that may be won by the player
is dependent on number of paylines played and the amount wagered
per payline. The maximum prizes may only be available for where the
player wagers the maximum amount on the maximum number of available
paylines. Similarly in the multi-player Bingo game, the players may
be able select one of a plurality of available interim pattern sets
and select a wager amount to be applied to each interim pattern
within the interim pattern sets. Where nine interim pattern sets
are available, the player may be able to play the first interim
pattern set for one credit, play the second interim pattern set for
two credits, and so on up to nine credits for the ninth interim
pattern set. The first interim pattern set costing the player only
a one credit wager may have the lowest probability of paying out an
interim pattern award and have the lowest interim pattern award
amounts available, while the ninth interim pattern set may have the
highest probability of paying out an interim pattern award and have
the highest interim pattern award amounts available. Additionally,
the player may be able wager from one to five times the credits
required for a given interim pattern set. Consequently, in this
example the player may be able to wager between one and forty-five
credits per game in order to vary the odds of receiving an interim
pattern award and of winning a larger interim pattern award based
on their preferences for their gaming experience.
[0084] Examples of interim patterns and interim pattern Bingo
awards are further disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No.
10/887,111, referred to above and expressly incorporated by
reference herein.
Multi-Level Award Amount Pattern Mapping
[0085] Where relatively few Bingo win and/or interim pattern award
amounts may be offered to the players of the multi-player Bingo
game, it may be relatively simple to select a set of patterns to
achieve a desired probability of paying out each award amount and a
desired overall Bingo award payout rate. Moreover, with relatively
few Bingo patterns to evaluate, the players may be able to readily
identify whether any of the Bingo patterns are matched on their
Bingo cards. As the number of award amounts increases, it may
become increasingly difficult to map the award amounts to Bingo
patterns on a standard Bingo card. As the number of award amounts
increases, the amount of interaction between the Bingo patterns,
and the corresponding impact on probabilities of matching the Bingo
patterns where only the highest award amount is paid out, may
increase the difficulty of matching the probabilities of matching
the Bingo patterns to the desired probabilities of paying out the
award amounts. Moreover, the players may have more difficulty
identifying Bingo pattern matches on their Bingo cards as the
number of Bingo patterns increases.
[0086] The difficulty in matching Bingo patterns to a large number
of award amounts may be reduced by applying a multi-level mapping
strategy wherein most or all of the desired award amounts may be
provided without the necessity of assigning distinct Bingo patterns
to each award amount. In one embodiment of a multi-level mapping
strategy, the desired award amounts may be divided into a plurality
of subsets or pay groups, with each subset or pay group containing
one or more of the award amounts, and then assigning primary
patterns to each of the pay groups and secondary patterns to each
of the award amounts within the pay groups. The mapping strategy
may be applied equally to award amounts for Bingo game winners and
for interim pattern matches. The award amounts and associated
probabilities may be determined in any known manner for calculating
paytables to achieve a desired award payout rate. Moreover, as an
alternative to determining the award amounts and probabilities from
scratch, the awards and probabilities may be derived from known
paytables used in other gaming devices to achieve a desired payout
rate. The mapping strategy may likewise be used to match one or
more known alternate game outcomes to a Bingo game outcome. An
example of a multi-level mapping routine is disclosed in U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/887,111, referred to above and expressly
incorporated by reference herein.
Alternative Displays of Bingo Game Outcomes
[0087] As previously discussed, players may find the display of
other games, such as slot machines, video poker, video blackjack,
video Keno and the like, to be more appealing than the display of
Bingo games. Moreover, as the number of award amounts and,
correspondingly the number of Bingo patterns, offered in a Bingo
game increases, it may become more difficult for players to discern
winning outcomes (i.e. pattern matches) in a Bingo game than, for
example, a slot machine offering a comparable number of award
amounts based on matching reel symbols along a plurality of
paylines. The Bingo player's gaming experience may be enhanced by
providing an alternate display of the outcome of the Bingo game
determined based on a ball draw and the player's Bingo card in a
format that may be preferential to the player or allow the player
to more readily identify winning outcomes of the Bingo game. In one
alternative, the outcome determined by the Bingo game may be
presented to the players with the display simulating the appearance
of a traditional Class III game, such as electromechanical or video
slots, video poker, video blackjack, video Keno and the like. In
another alternative, the player may be provided with the option of
observing the simulated display.
[0088] It may be emphasized that the slot reels or other alternate
outcome displays used to display the outcome determined by the
Bingo game may not themselves determine the outcome of the Bingo
game. The Bingo gaming system is conducting a Bingo game that may
still be played without providing the supplemental outcome display
offered by such alternate outcome displays. The ball draw leads to
covered numbers, characters or other game indicia on the Bingo
card. Achieving coverage of the predetermined game-winning pattern
leads to a Bingo win award. The game-winning patterns and/or
interim patterns may be chosen to achieve desired Bingo game
dynamics. However, the targeted dynamics (i.e. the Bingo win award
values, the relative frequency of occurrence of the awards, the
Bingo win and interim pattern payout rates, and the like) may be
selected so as to closely mirror the dynamics that a desired
alternate outcome display, such as a particular slot machine or
other casino game, might produce. The correspondence between the
Bingo game dynamics and the casino game dynamics may allow the
designer to map the Bingo game awards to the display of the casino
game via the alternate outcome display, thereby providing an
alternative and potentially more user-appealing display of the
Bingo outcome.
[0089] In one embodiment, an existing casino game may be used for
the alternate outcome display, with the award amounts and the
paytable for the casino game being used to configure the Bingo game
dynamics. For example, the multi-player Bingo game may include an
alternate outcome display simulating the appearance of a
traditional slot machine, with interim patterns being mapped to the
award amounts of the slot machine paytable to achieve approximately
the same payout rate for the interim pattern awards as for the slot
machine. Where relatively few award amounts are offered in the
paytable for the slot machine, a set of interim patterns may be
mapped to the award amounts, with the interim patterns having
approximately the same odds of being matched on a player's Bingo
card as the odds of the slot machine paying out the corresponding
award amount.
[0090] The alternate outcome display may be provided at the gaming
units 20 in addition to the display of the Bingo game discussed
above. For the above example, the outcome of the Bingo game may be
displayed at the first display device 68 of the gaming unit 20, and
the alternate outcome display may be provided at the second display
device 70 as an electromechanical set of slot reels. While the
controller 100 may be utilized, the gaming unit 20 may be provided
with multiple controllers 120, 140, as discussed above. The first
controller 120 may execute the multi-player Bingo game routine 200
of FIGS. 5A and 5B. The first controller 120 may display the
outcome determined at block 232 and provide the outcome to the
second controller 140. The second controller 140 may determine a
corresponding alternate outcome display and cause the display unit
70 to display the alternate outcome display. The first controller
120 may further provide the second controller 140 with data
relating to a daub prompt, in response to which the second
controller 140 may cause a corresponding daub prompt to be
displayed on the display unit 70, as discussed further below.
[0091] FIG. 9 is an exemplary display 450 that may be shown on the
display unit 70 if provided as a touch-screen video display as an
alternate outcome display. Alternatively, the display unit 70 may
consist of plurality of electromechanical reels of the type used in
slot machines, and a corresponding control panel, which may be
provided as the control panel 66. The display 450 may include a
plurality of slot machine reels 452, each of the reels having a
plurality of reel symbols 454 associated therewith. Although the
display 450 shows five reel images 452, each of which may have
three reel symbols 454 that are visible at a time, other reel
configurations could be utilized.
[0092] The display 450 may correspond to a five-reel slot machine
having three stop positions per reel such that 15 symbols are
displayed as shown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 10, the simulated
reels 470 of the slot machine includes nine paylines that may be
used to map outcomes of the instant win game to the simulated slot
game, and the manner in which the simulated slot game is displayed
may be based on selections made using buttons 460. FIG. 11
illustrates each of the individual paylines 511-519 on which
winning combinations of symbols 454 may appear for the purpose of
clarity. In the actual slot game, each of the paylines 511-519 on
which a player wagers is evaluated to determine whether the symbols
on the reels match any of the predefined combination of reel
symbols for which a prize is awarded when the reels are spun and
stop. More than one payline may include a winning combination of
reel symbols, and the award amounts for multiple paylines may be
added to determine a total award amount for the reel spin.
[0093] To allow the player to control the play of the Bingo game,
the display 450 may include a plurality of player-selectable
buttons that may map wagering selections for a slot machine to
wagers by the players on the Bingo game. The buttons may include a
"Cash Out" button 456, a "See Pays" button 458, a plurality of
payline-selection buttons 460 each of which allows the player to
select a different number of paylines prior to "spinning" the
reels, a plurality of bet-selection buttons 462 each of which
allows a player to specify a wager amount for each payline
selected, a "Spin" button 464, and a "Max Bet" button 466 to allow
a player to make the maximum wager allowable.
[0094] If the player requests payout information, such as by
activating the "See Pays" button 458, the gaming unit 20 may cause
one or more paytables to be displayed on the display unit 68 or the
display unit 70. The paytable may correspond to a five reel slot
machine having three stop positions per reel such that 15 symbols
are displayed as shown in FIG. 9. When the reels are spun and stop,
each of the paylines on which the player wagers is evaluated to
determine whether the symbols on the reels match any of the
predefined combination of reel symbols for which a prize is
awarded. More than one payline may include a winning combination of
reel symbols, and the award amounts for multiple paylines may be
added to determine a total award amount for the reel spin.
[0095] Each award amount in the slot machine paytable may
correspond to one or more combinations of reel stop positions that
when hit by the slot machine result in the payout of the associated
award amount. The mapping of the interim patterns to the slot
machine paytable may further include mapping the interim patterns
to the combination or combinations of reel stop positions
corresponding to the award amount. For each interim pattern and
corresponding award amount, the gaming unit 20 may store the
available combination or combinations of reel stop positions to be
displayed at the alternate outcome display to represent the outcome
of the Bingo game. When a given interim pattern is matched on the
Bingo card, the gaming unit 20 may randomly or sequentially select
one of the available combinations of reel stop positions
corresponding to the award amount, and cause the alternate outcome
display to display the slot reels in the appropriate positions to
display a slot machine outcome that if determined by a slot machine
engine would result in the payout of the award amount.
[0096] During the execution of the multi-player Bingo game routine
200 of FIGS. 5A and 5B, or other routines for conducting the Bingo
game, the gaming unit 20 may control the alternate outcome display
to achieve a realistic simulation of the casino game used to
display the outcome of the Bingo game. At blocks 204 and 206, once
two or more players enroll in the occurrence of the Bingo game,
thereby ensuring that the Bingo game may be played, the gaming unit
20 may cause the display device 70 to display an animated graphic
or other display simulating the initiation of the casino game. For
example, if a slot machine is being simulated, the gaming unit 20
may cause the display device 70 to start the electromechanical
spinning as if a player had hit a "Spin" button or pulled the arm
of a slot machine. For video card games, the display device 70 may
display a graphic of a deck of cards being shuffled or of hands
being dealt face down by a dealer. Still further, for video Keno
games, the display device 70 may display a graphic of a blower-type
ball draw mechanism tumbling the Keno balls.
[0097] The animated display may continue until the outcome of the
ball draw is displayed to the player, and the player is prompted to
daub in order to complete the Bingo game. At block 222, the gaming
units 20 may be configured to display prompts 344, 346 to the
player instructing the player to daub in order to complete the
Bingo game. The daub prompts 344, 346 may be displayed until the
player marks the numbers on the Bingo card after the ball draw by
touching the "Daub" button 318, 338 or other appropriate input
device. The animated display may continue until the Bingo game
winner or winners are determined and the Bingo cards are evaluated
for interim patterns and corresponding award amounts. After the
awards are determined at block 230, in addition to displaying the
Bingo game outcome and award graphics at the display device 68 at
block 232, the gaming device 20 may also determine and display at
the display device 70 an alternate outcome display corresponding to
the Bingo game outcome. Using the outcome of the Bingo game and
corresponding award amount, the gaming unit 20 may select one of
the available alternate outcome displays for the outcome and award
amount, and cause the display device 70 to display the selected
outcome display. For a slot machine, the gaming unit 20 may cause
the display device 70 to stop the reels at the corresponding
combination of reel stop positions. Similarly, for video card
games, the display device 70 may display player and/or dealer hands
that would result in the payout of the award amount by the
corresponding video card game.
[0098] While a single level of Bingo patterns may be appropriate to
map a paytable for a casino game having a relative small number of
award amounts, the multi-level pattern mapping strategy discussed
above may be necessary to configure the Bingo game dynamics to
correspond to a casino game desired to be used as an alternate
outcome display having a large number of available award amounts.
In one example of a slot machine having five reels with three
symbols per reel being displayed, and players being able to wager
on up to nine paylines, the paytable may contain hundreds of
available award amounts. A further explanation of mapping for an
alternate outcome display is disclosed in U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/887,111, referred to above and expressly incorporated
by reference herein.
[0099] While the embodiment of an alternate outcome display
illustrated and discussed herein may simulate the appearance of a
slot machine, those skilled in the art will understand that other
casino games may be simulated in an alternate outcome display, with
the award amounts for the casino game's paytable being mapped to
single or multiple levels of Bingo patterns. For example, the
alternate outcome display may simulate the appearance of a video
poker machine. The award amounts for the video poker machines may
correspond to one or more poker hands. When particular Bingo
patterns are matched by a player in an occurrence of the Bingo game
resulting in the payout of an award amount, the gaming unit 20 may
select an available poker hand corresponding to the award amount
for display at the display device 70. Other casino games may be
similarly mapped and simulated by the alternate outcome display in
a similar manner. Moreover, the gaming units 20 may be programmed
with a plurality of alternate outcome displays corresponding to a
plurality of casino games, with the player being provided with the
opportunity to select a desired one of the available alternate
outcome displays.
Integrated Finite Pool Instant Win Game
[0100] The multi-player Bingo game may be supplemented with an
additional pull-tab game or other finite pool instant win game that
may be played by a player concurrently with an occurrence of the
Bingo game. In general, the finite pool instant win game may be
administered in the Bingo gaming system 10 in any known manner
wherein a finite pool of outcomes for a wagering game is generated,
and the outcomes in the finite pool are made available to players
at a plurality of gaming units in a gaming network. One example of
a gaming network wherein outcomes for a finite pool wagering game
are distributed to gaming units of the gaming network is disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,324,035, issued on Jun. 28, 1994 to Morris et
al., entitled "Video Gaming System with Fixed Pool of Winning Plays
and Global Pool Access," which is expressly incorporated by
reference herein. Morris et al. discloses a gaming system including
a central game processor, a plurality of master processing units
and a plurality of slave terminals operable by players to play the
game having a finite pool of outcomes. The central game processor
communicates with the master processing units and supplies the
various games available in the system, including fixed pools of
outcomes. The master processing units store and administer the
wagering games as they are played on the slave terminals
corresponding to each respective master processing unit. Some of
the wagering games include fixed pools of game outcomes and a
predetermined number of winning outcomes within each pool. A
player, through a slave terminal, can purchase plays in each fixed
pool stored in the master processing unit to which that terminal is
coupled. When a particular pool is exhausted, for example, through
the purchase of all plays, the central game processor provides
another fixed pool of plays to that master processing unit to
enable continuous play. Other methods for distributing outcomes for
the instant win games are known and will be apparent to those
skilled in the art, and are contemplated as having use with the
electronic instant win game in accordance with the present
invention. As discussed further below, it may be desirable to
provide a player with a chance at winning the instant win game when
the player makes a qualifying wager on the occurrence of the Bingo
game, or when the player elects to purchase a chance for the
instant win game.
[0101] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a player enrollment routine 600
for a multi-player Bingo game and an accompanying finite pool
instant win game wherein a wager or fee for a chance for the
instant win game may be automatically deducted from a player's
wager on the occurrence of the Bingo game when the player wagers at
least a minimum wager amount on the occurrence of the Bingo game.
The player enrollment routine 600 may begin at a block 602 wherein
a player may deposit a medium of currency in a currency-accepting
mechanism of one of the gaming units 20, such as the coin acceptor
52, bill acceptor 54, ticket reader 56, card reader 58 or other
mechanism for receiving currency or other media having or
representing value that may be converted into credits for playing a
wagering game such as the multi-player Bingo game. When the
currency-accepting mechanism detects the deposit of the medium of
currency therein, the controller 100 may, in response to the
detection of the medium of currency at the currency-accepting
mechanism, convert the medium of currency into a corresponding
amount of credits available for the player to wager on the gaming
unit 20, store the amount of available credit at the memory 102,
and display the amount of available credit to the player, such as
at one or both of the displays 68, 70. It should be noted that if
the player previously deposited currency in the gaming unit 20 and
has credits remaining after wagering on one or more occurrences of
the multi-player Bingo game, the player enrollment routine 600 may
proceed without the need for the player to deposit additional
currency at block 602.
[0102] Once currency is deposited by the player in the gaming unit
20 and converted into credits for playing the multi-player Bingo
game, control may pass to a block 604 wherein the player may input
a wager for the occurrence of the Bingo game at the control panel
66 or other input device of the gaming unit 20. The player may be
given the opportunity to wager varying amounts of credits on an
occurrence of the Bingo game. For example, the player may be
permitted to wager any amount of credits from a minimum of one
credit to a predetermined maximum number of credits. As discussed
above, the amount of credits wagered on an occurrence of the Bingo
game may correspondingly impact the player's probability of winning
and/or the amount of any prize awarded to the player during the
Bingo game. Consequently, a player wagering twice the number of
credits as another player be twice as likely to win the Bingo,
and/or may receive double the prize amount for winning the
occurrence of the Bingo game. Moreover, depending on the
implementation of the Bingo game and an associated alternative
outcome display to which the Bingo game may be mapped, the interim
patterns available for the player to match in order to win interim
pattern awards may vary based on the amount wagered on the
occurrence of the Bingo game.
[0103] Those skilled in the art will understand that both the
maximum number of credits that may be wagered on an occurrence of a
Bingo game and the value of a credit may be varied as desired to
implement a desired betting amount and payout for a given
implementation of the Bingo game. In the above example, the value
of a credit may be equal to $0.01 resulting in a minimum wager of
$0.01 and a maximum wager (45 credits) of $0.45 or, if a higher
limit game is desired, the value of a credit may be equal to $0.50
resulting in a minimum wager of $0.50 and a maximum wager of $22.50
for an occurrence of the Bingo game. In alternative implementations
of the Bingo game, the value of a credit may be varied to any
desired amount and the maximum number of credits that may be
wagered may be varied to achieve any desired betting and payout
structure.
[0104] The player may be provided with the opportunity to change
the wager for the occurrence of the Bingo game up until the time
that the player confirms entry into the next occurrence of the
Bingo game. After the player inputs the desired wager amount, the
player may confirm entry in the next occurrence of the Bingo game
by pressing the "Play/Daub" button 82 or otherwise confirming entry
at block 606. Once the player confirms entry in the game, the
player's wager on the next occurrence of the Bingo game may not be
altered by the player. After the "Play/Daub" button 82 is pressed,
control may pass to block 608 wherein the amount of credits wagered
by the player may be deducted from the amount of available credits
for the player stored at memory 102 of the gaming unit 20. The
controller 100 may update the amount of available credits in memory
102, and may cause the displays 68, 70 to update the display of the
player's credits to reflect the updated amount of available credit.
Additionally, the controller 100 may transmit a message reflecting
the player's wager to network computer 22 or other host computer of
the Bingo gaming system 10 responsible for tracking wagering on the
Bingo game and for maintaining any winner prize pool associated
with the Bingo game.
[0105] As previously discussed, in the embodiment illustrated in
the routine of FIG. 12, the player may receive a chance for the
instant win game when the player wagers at least a minimum wager
amount on an occurrence of the Bingo game. The minimum wager amount
may be any predetermined amount of credits required to be wagered
in order to qualify to play the instant win game, and may be the
maximum bet allowed for the Bingo game at the gaming unit 20.
Moreover, the Bingo game system 10 may be configured such that the
minimum wager amount may be changed either automatically or
manually to any desired amount, and may be applied uniformly at all
gaming units 20, or may be set to desired amounts at individual
gaming units 20 or groups of gaming units 20. At block 610, if the
player wagers less than the minimum wager amount for entry in the
instant win game, control may pass to a block 612 wherein the game
unit 20 may transmit an enrollment message to the host computer 22
indicating that the player has enrolled in the next occurrence of
the Bingo game.
[0106] If the player wagers at least the minimum wager amount for
entry in the progressive jackpot, control may pass to a block 614
wherein an instant win game wager or fee may be diverted from the
credits deducted for the player's wager in order to fund the
instant win game. Depending on the implementation, the instant win
game wager or fee may be a fixed amount, or may be a predetermined
portion or percentage of the player's wager on the occurrence of
the Bingo game. Whether a fixed amount or a portion or percentage
of the wager on the Bingo game, the wager or fee for the
progressive jackpot may be any desired amount. Moreover, in an
embodiment discussed more fully below, the instant win game may be
configured to provide a progressive jackpot award, and the wager or
fee may be set at an amount to allow the progressive jackpot pool
to increase at an acceptable rate while being low enough to
motivate the players to make a large enough wager for the chance at
winning a larger progressive jackpot.
[0107] In addition to deducting the instant win game wager or fee
from the Bingo wager, control may pass to a block 616 wherein the
gaming unit 20 may transmit a message to the network computer 22
and/or another computer at which the instant win game is maintained
and administered, to enroll the player in an occurrence of the
Bingo game and to obtain an outcome for the instant win game for
the player. Once the player is enrolled in the occurrence of the
Bingo game, the execution of the occurrence of the Bingo game may
proceed as implemented, such as by the routine 200 as previously
described, by one of the routines described in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/887,111 referred to previously, or by any
other routine for conducting a multi-player Bingo game.
[0108] The occurrences of the Bingo game and the instant win game
may proceed concurrently. Control may pass to a block 618 wherein
an outcome of the instant win game may be selected from a pool or
pools of available outcomes for the instant win game. The outcome
may be selected from the pool randomly, sequentially or by any
other desired method for selecting one or more outcomes from the
pool. The instant win game may have a finite pool of known outcomes
including a predetermined combination of winning and non-winning
outcomes that will yield a desired income and payout rate for the
instant win game. The pool of outcomes for the instant win game may
reside at any desired location or locations within the gaming
system 10, such as at the gaming units 20 individually, at the
network computers 22 or at other devices administering the instant
win game and, if the pool is located remotely from the gaming units
20, the selected outcomes may be transmitted to the gaming unit 20
at which the player is playing the Bingo game.
[0109] The information in the outcome records may be in any form
necessary based on the configuration of the instant win game for
storing the outcome and generating the outcome at the gaming unit
20. For example, the information may correspond to the actual
outcome of the instant win game, such as specifically indicating
the game symbols or other game indicia for the outcome.
Alternatively, the outcome information may be in the form of an
outcome seed or other information as is known in the art that may
be processed by the gaming unit 20 to arrive at the outcome of the
instant win game. In one embodiment, the outcome information may be
a random number seed that may be used as input to corresponding
random number generation software at the gaming unit 20 that uses
the random number outcome to generate the outcome for the instant
win game. An example of a gaming network implementing random number
seeds to generate outcomes at gaming terminal is disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,533,664, issued on Mar. 18, 2003 to Crumby, entitled
"Gaming System with Individualized Centrally Generated Random
Number Generator Seeds," the specification of which is expressly
incorporated by reference herein. Other forms of outcome
information for transmitting the outcome and performing processing
to generate the outcome are known in the art and are contemplated
as having use with the instant win game in accordance with the
present invention.
[0110] After the outcomes are selected and, if necessary,
transmitted to the gaming unit 20, control may pass to a block 620
wherein the outcome record may be processed by the gaming unit 20
and evaluated to determine whether the outcome is a winning or
losing outcome. The format of the outcome records may dictate the
amount of processing required to convert the information from the
outcome records into the corresponding outcomes for the instant win
game. Where information corresponding to the symbols for the
instant win game is stored in the outcome record, the gaming unit
20 may only be required to look up the symbols and compare the
combination of symbols to predetermined winning combinations of
symbols to determine whether the outcome is a winning outcome. In
implementations where the outcome record contains a seed such as a
random number generator seed as discussed above, the controller 100
of the gaming unit 200 may input the seed into the random number or
other outcome generating software to generate the corresponding
outcome for the instant win game. Other methods for converting an
outcome record from a pool of outcome records into the actual
outcome for a wagering game are known in the art and are
contemplated as having use in the electronic instant win game in
accordance with the present invention.
[0111] After the instant win game outcome record is selected and
processed, and as the occurrence of the Bingo game is proceeding,
control may pass to a block 622 where the outcome of the instant
win game is displayed to the player at the corresponding gaming
unit 20. The outcome of the instant win game may be displayed at
one or both of the displays 68, 70 either independently or in
conjunction with the displays of the Bingo game and the alternate
outcome display. Alternatively, the outcome of the instant win game
may be displayed to the player in the form of a ticket or voucher
dispensed by the gaming unit 20. Alternative embodiments for
displaying the outcome of the instant win game are discussed more
fully below. If the instant win game outcome is a winning outcome,
an award amount for the winning outcome may be added to the
player's credits on the gaming unit 20 at a block 624 or otherwise
dispense the award for the instant win game to the player.
[0112] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an alternative player enrollment
routine 650 for a multi-player Bingo game wherein the player may
input a wager or fee for a chance in a finite pool instant win
game, such as a pull-tab game, at the time the player inputs a
wager on the occurrence of the Bingo game. The player enrollment
routine 650 may begin in a similar manner as routine 600 at block
602 wherein the player deposits a medium of currency in a
currency-accepting mechanism at the gaming unit 20, and at block
604 wherein the player inputs a wager on an occurrence of the Bingo
game. In addition to the wager on the Bingo game, the player may
elect to purchase a chance for the instant win game. At block 652,
if the player elects to participate in the instant win game,
control may pass to a block 654 wherein the player may input a
wager or fee for the instant win game. The gaming unit 20 may
provide a prompt at the displays 68, 70 to participate in the
instant win game, and the control panel 66 may be configured to
allow the player to indicate an election to participate in the
instant win game, such as by entering a wager or fee amount.
Alternatively, the player may be prompted to provide an affirmative
response regarding instant win game participation or otherwise
indicating the player's desire to participate in the instant win
game.
[0113] If the player does not elect to participate in the instant
win game, or after the player inputs a wager or fee or otherwise
elects to participate, control may pass to block 606 wherein the
player may hit the "Play/Daub" button 82, and to block 608 wherein
the player's wager may be deducted from the player's available
credits as previously discussed. At a block 656, if the player
input a wager or fee for the instant win game or otherwise
indicated the election to purchase a chance for the instant win
game, control may pass to blocks 614-524 as discussed above where
the player may receive a chance for the instant win game and have
the outcome displayed concurrently with the occurrence of the Bingo
game. If the player does not elect to participate in the instant
win game, control may pass to block 612 wherein the gaming unit 20
transmits the enrollment message to the host computer 22 as
discussed above. In either routine 600 or 650, or any other
optional enrollment routine, the gaming unit 20 may be configured
to display graphics relating to the instant win game at the
displays 68, 70 when the player obtains a chance for the instant
win game, and may not display the instant win game graphics when
the player is not playing the instant win game.
[0114] While the routines 600 and 650 are described as being
implemented with a multi-player Bingo game as the base wagering
game, those skilled in the art will understand that other base
wagering games may incorporate instant win games that are
optionally played by the player during an occurrence of the base
wagering game. Moreover, the instant win games having optional
wagering may be implemented at gaming networks connecting multiple
casino locations, including casinos located in different gaming
jurisdictions. In multi-location gaming networks, instant win game
wagering may be offered at some but not all of the casino
locations. A casino operator may elect not to offer the instant win
game in a particular location within the gaming network. Moreover,
instant win games may only be offered for some gaming units within
a particular casino location. In such instances, the gaming units
may be configured to avoid displaying any information relating to
the instant win game, such as suppressing an instant win game
wagering prompt, and may not display graphics related to instant
win game when the outcomes of the occurrences of the wagering game
are displayed. In these implementations, the gaming units, wagering
game network computers and/or the instant win game network computer
may be configurable to disable the instant win game at particular
gaming units, network computers, casino locations or
jurisdictions.
[0115] By offering the finite pool instant win game to the players
in conjunction with the multi-player Bingo game, the game sponsor
may be able to offer the players a greater payback rate via the
instant win game than is offered by the Bingo game alone as an
incentive to place a separate wager on the instant win game or
place a maximum wager on the Bingo game. As an example, the
expected payback for a player of a multi-player Bingo game having a
90% payback rate may be increased by providing an accompanying
instant win game having a 98% payback rate. In the present example,
the Bingo game may allow a player to wager in increments of $1.00
up to a maximum bet of $5.00. If the Bingo game is offered without
an accompanying instant win game, each player may have a
statistical probability of being paid back $0.90 for each $1.00
wagered, or $4.50 for the maximum wager over the long run based on
the 90% payback rate for the Bingo game alone.
[0116] In one implementation, the finite pool instant win game
having a 98% return may be associated with the Bingo game such that
the last $1.00 wagered by a player making a maximum wager of $5.00
is used to fund the instant win game. Players wagering up to $4.00
on the Bingo game may expect the same payout rate of 90% as for the
standard Bingo game as discussed above. Therefore, a player
wagering $4.00 per game would expect a payback of $3.60 per wager
over time. Conversely, when a player makes a maximum wager of $5.00
for the Bingo game, $1.00 of the wager may be diverted to the
instant win game and the player may receive a chance for the
instant win game. Because the final $1.00 is used for the instant
win game, the player would expect a payback of $0.98 per maximum
wager for the $1.00 diverted to fund the instant win game,
commensurate with the 98% payback rate for the instant win game. As
a result, the total expected payback for the maximum wager of $5.00
is equal to the $3.60 expected payback for the first $4.00 wagered
plus the $0.98 expected payback for the final $1.00 wagered for a
total of $4.58, or a 91.60% return on the maximum wagers over time.
The players may receive an additional 1.60% return on their wagers
by taking advantage of participating in the instant win game via
the maximum wager.
[0117] In another implementation, the Bingo game and associated
instant win game may be configured such that, in addition to
diverting the final wagering increment to fund the instant win
game, a portion of each wager may be diverted to fund the instant
win game even if the wager does not qualify the player for a chance
for the instant win game. Using the above example, in addition to
diverting $1.00 from each $5.00 maximum wager, 5% of each $1.00
wagered on the Bingo game may be diverted to fund the instant win
game. It should be noted that it is known in the gaming industry to
divert a portion of wagers on a primary wagering game to fund a
secondary wagering game, such as a progressive jackpot, even though
the wager on the primary wagering game may not qualify the player
to participate in the secondary game. Due to the additional
diversion from the non-instant win game qualifying wagers, the
players' expected return is partially reduced since the amount of
the wager used for the Bingo game is reduced to 95% of the player's
wager. For each $1.00 wagered, $0.05 is diverted to the instant win
game and $0.95 is wagered on the Bingo game, giving the player a
net expected payback rate of 85.5% on non-qualifying wagers
($0.95.times.90%=$0.855), and a player wagering $4.00 on the Bingo
game would expect to receive $3.42 over time as opposed to the
$3.60 expectation of the preceding examples.
[0118] As with the previous example, a player making a maximum
wager of $5.00 receives a chance for the instant win game, and the
final $1.00 of the maximum wager is diverted to the instant win
game along with the $0.20 diverted from the first $4.00 of the
maximum wager ($4.00.times.5%=$0.20), giving the player a total
wager on the instant win game of $1.20. The increase in the wager
on the instant win game over the amount in the preceding example
increases the player's expected payback amount to $1.176 versus
$0.98 as discussed above for a 98% payback rate instant win game.
Overall, the player's expected payback on the $5.00 maximum wager
on the Bingo game increases from $4.58, or 91.60%, to $4.596, or
91.92%. By increasing the portion of the player's wager diverted to
the instant win game offering the greater payback than the Bingo
game, the player may be further rewarded for taking advantage of
the opportunity to participate in the instant win game. Other
strategies and proportions for allocating the player's wagers on
the Bingo game to fund the Bingo game and the instant win game will
be apparent to those skilled in the art to achieve a desired
overall payback rate for the Bingo game and instant win game, and
are contemplated by the inventors as having use with the present
invention.
[0119] As discussed above, at block 622 of routines 600 and 650,
the results of the instant win game may be displayed to the player,
such as by printing a ticket at the gaming unit 20 or displaying
the outcome at one or both of the displays 68, 70. In one
embodiment, the outcome of the instant win game may be displayed
graphically at one or both of the displays 68, 70 in addition to
the display of the Bingo game and/or game of the alternate outcome
display, respectively. FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary display 700
of an outcome of a finite pool instant win game with a graphical
simulation of a pull-tab instant win game. The instant win game
outcome display 700 may be displayed by the gaming unit 20 at a
separate portion of the displays 68, 70 as the Bingo game displays
300, 320 or alternate outcome display 450, respectively, such as to
the side of or below the Bingo game display or alternate outcome
display, or in a separate window that may partially overlay the
other displays.
[0120] As indicated above, the instant win game display 700 may
graphically simulate a pull-tab instant win game. The display 700
may include graphics of a pull-tab ticket 702 having a plurality of
pull-tabs 704-708 that may be selected and opened to reveal game
indicia 710 for the pull-tab game. When the instant win game is
first displayed, each of the pull-tabs may be displayed as closed
pull-tabs 704 overlaying and covering the corresponding pull-tab
game indicia 710. The closed pull-tabs 704 may include instruction
graphics 712 informing the player that a closed pull-tab 704 may be
opened by selecting the closed pull-tab 704 either by touching the
video display proximate the closed pull-tab 704 or by pressing a
corresponding button on the control panel. When the controller 100
detects the selection of a closed pull-tab 704 by the player, the
controller 100 may cause the corresponding display 68, 70 to
graphically illustrate the closed pull-tab 704 being pulled open
through a partially-opened pull-tab graphic 706 to an open pull-tab
graphic 708, thereby simulating the pulling open of a physical
pull-tab by the player. As the display 700 changes from the closed
pull-tab 704 to the partially-opened pull-tab 706 and open pull-tab
708, the display 700 may uncover the corresponding game indicia 710
underlying the open pull-tab 708.
[0121] The game indicia 710 of the display 700 may be selected such
that an outcome of a pull-tab game based on the combination of game
indicia 710 corresponds to the instant win game outcome selected
for the player at block 618 of routines 600, 650. After the instant
win game outcome is evaluated at block 620, the controller 100 may
map the results of the instant win game outcome to the display 700
at block 622. In one embodiment, the information in the instant win
game outcome record may include the combinations of game indicia
710 to be displayed, and the controller 100 may transmit the game
indicia 710 to the display 68, 70 and cause the display 68, 70 to
display the game indicia 710 from the instant win game outcome
record in the display 700. Alternatively, because the finite pool
instant win game may have a limited number of known winning and
non-winning outcomes, the controller 100 may store a plurality of
combinations of pull-tab game indicia 710 corresponding to each
known outcome of the instant win game. In this embodiment, the
controller 100 may select one of the stored combinations of game
indicia corresponding to the instant win game outcome sequentially,
randomly or by some other method, and cause the display 68, 70 to
display the selected combination of game indicia 710 when the
player selects the pull-tabs 704.
[0122] In a further alternative embodiment, the controller 100 may
be programmed with an algorithm for determining combinations of
game indicia 710 corresponding to the selected outcome of the
instant win game in lieu of storing predetermined combinations of
game indicia 710 either in the instant win game outcome record or
at the controller 100 as discussed in the preceding embodiments.
The award amount for the instant win game outcome may be input into
the algorithm by the controller 200 to determine a combination of
game indicia 710 corresponding to the award amount for the instant
win game outcome. The algorithm may be configured to such that a
plurality of combinations of game indicia 710 for the simulated
pull-tab game may be determined for a particular outcome for the
instant win game. The particular combinations of game indicia 710
for the pull-tab game outcome may be determined based on other
information input to the algorithm, such as a counter or a random
number generator like a timestamp, to ensure that the same
combinations of game indicia 710 do not occur consecutively, or at
least do so coincidentally.
[0123] As an alternative to providing a separate display 700 for
the instant win game outcome, the instant win game outcome may be
combined with the outcome for the player for the occurrence of the
multi-player Bingo game and displayed at the alternate outcome
display 450. In this embodiment, the single or multi-level pattern
mapping of the award amounts for the Bingo game to the paytables
corresponding to the wagering game of the alternate outcome display
may be modified to incorporate the known winning and non-winning
outcomes for the instant win game such that combinations of symbols
and reel stop positions for the display 450 reflect the Bingo award
amounts and the instant win game award amounts. In one
implementation, the Bingo award amount and instant win game award
amount may be summed to determine a total award amount for the
player for the occurrence of the wagering games. For each total
award amount, the gaming unit 20 may store the available
combination or combinations of reel stop positions to be displayed
at the alternate outcome display to represent the total award
amount for the Bingo game. When a given total award amount is
determined, the controller 100 may randomly or sequentially select
one of the available combinations of reel stop positions
corresponding to the total award amount, and cause the display
device 70 to display the slot reels in the appropriate positions to
display a slot machine outcome that if determined by a slot machine
engine would result in the payout of the award amount.
Alternatively, the total award amount may be input into an
algorithm that may determine a combination of symbols and reel stop
positions resulting in the total award amount.
[0124] Several example reel stop positions 750-756 corresponding to
total award amounts for the Bingo game and instant win game are
illustrated in FIG. 15, and may be stored at gaming units 20 for
display at the alternative outcome display. As discussed above, the
example slot machine may include five reels with three symbols of
each reel that would be generated by a slot machine engine if the
slot machine were being played. Moreover, up to nine paylines may
be used to evaluate combinations of symbols. The reel stop
positions 750, in which five "7's" are matched on payline 2 and
payline 3, may correspond to a 900 credit award amount for an
occurrence of the Bingo game and, if also played, the instant win
game. The 900 credit award amount may correspond to a match of an
interim pattern on the player's Bingo card resulting in a 900
credit award amount, and a losing outcome for the instant win game.
The 900 credit award amount may correspond to no patterns being
matched on the player's Bingo card, and a 900 credit winning
outcome for the instant win game, or any other combination of
winning results from the Bingo and instant win games totaling 900
credits. The controller 100 of the gaming unit 20 may then select
the reel stop positions 750 from the pool of slot machine outcomes,
or generate the reel stop positions 750 via a selection algorithm,
and cause the second display device 70 to stop the slot reels at
the reel stop positions 750 to simulate the appearance of a slot
machine, and to display the outcome determined in the Bingo
game.
[0125] The reel stop positions 752, 754 may both correspond to a
902 credit award amount, and both may be stored at the gaming units
20 in the pool of available slot machine outcomes. The cherry may
be a wild card symbol combinable with other symbols to match the
predetermined combination of symbols, or may pay an award of two
credits even if no combinations are matched. Consequently, the
cherry in the top row may complete the five "7's" for payline 2,
and result in additional two credit awards on paylines 5 and 4,
respectively, giving a total award of 902 credits. When a
combination of matched patterns on the player's Bingo card and the
outcome of the instant win game results in a total award amount of
902 credits, the controller 100 of gaming unit 20 may randomly or
sequentially select or otherwise generate one of the reel stop
positions 752, 754 for display at the second display device 70. The
reel stop positions 756 may correspond to a 906 credit total award
amount, with the wild card cherry resulting in two credit awards on
each of pay lines 1, 4 and 5. If none of the winning patterns are
matched on the Bingo card and the instant win game outcome is a
losing outcome, no credits are awarded to the player and the
controller 100 may randomly or sequentially select or generate an
outcome from a pool of non-winning reel stop positions for display
at the second display device 70.
[0126] In other implementations, it may be desired to present a
combined display 450 of the Bingo game and instant win game
outcomes that allows the player to visually distinguish between the
Bingo game and instant win game outcomes. In the illustrated
display 450 of the slot reels, the outcomes of the Bingo game and
instant win game may be delineated by reserving specific paylines
on the display 450 for each game. For example, in the illustrated
nine payline slot reel display, the fifth payline 515 of FIG. 11
may be designated as the payline corresponding to the outcome of
the instant win game, and the remaining paylines 511-514, 516-519
may be used to present the outcome of the Bingo game.
[0127] As with the previously-discussed implementation, the gaming
unit 20 may store a plurality of symbol combinations and real stop
positions corresponding to the possible combinations of out comes
of the Bingo game and instant win game, or may be programmed with
an algorithm for determining the appropriate symbol combinations
once the Bingo game and instant win game outcomes are determined.
After determining the outcomes of the games, the controller 100 may
use the Bingo game award amount and the instant win game award
amount to select or determine the corresponding symbol combinations
for the game of the alternate outcome display. Returning to FIG. 15
and designating the fifth payline 515 as the combination of symbols
representing the outcome of the instant win game, reel stop
positions 750, 754 may represent occurrence of the games in which a
player may receive a Bingo game award amount for matching a pattern
or patterns on the player's Bingo card, while the instant win game
is either not played by the player or results in a losing outcome.
Conversely, reel stop positions 752, 756 in which a winning
combination of symbols is displayed along the fifth payline 515 may
correspond to winning outcomes for both the Bingo game and the
instant win game.
[0128] Those skilled in the art will understand that other symbol
combinations and paylines may be used to distinguish between the
Bingo game award and the instant win game award, and are
contemplated as having use in a wagering game in accordance with
the present invention. For example, where a player may be required
to place a maximum wager or at least a minimum wager to participate
in the instant win game, the instant win game outcome may be
represented by the highest number payline in the display 450, such
as the ninth payline 519 of FIG. 11. As a further alternative, in
lieu of designating a specific payline or paylines for the outcome
of the instant win game, the various winning outcomes of the
instant win game may have corresponding unique combinations of reel
symbols that may be displayed when the winning outcomes are
selected for the players. The reel symbol combinations for the
winning outcomes may be displayed to the player when the player
selects one of the "See Pays" buttons 72, 314, 334, 458 so that the
player may recognize the reel symbol combinations as instant win
game winning outcomes when the combinations of symbols appear on
the reels of the alternate outcome display.
[0129] When the instant win game is offered in conjunction with the
multi-player Bingo game, the instant win game may be configured to
provide a progressive jackpot for the players participating in the
instant win game. In one embodiment, a portion of the player's
wager diverted to the instant win game may be added to the
progressive jackpot pool for the instant win game to fund the
progressive jackpot such that the progressive jackpot pool
increases as players purchase instant win game outcomes while
participating in the Bingo game. The finite pool of instant win
game outcomes may include a predetermined number of progressive
jackpot-winning outcomes that may result in a player receiving all
or a portion of the progressive jackpot pool when the outcome is
selected for the player. The instant win game may further be
configured to ensure that each progressive jackpot-winning player
receives at least a minimum progressive jackpot award, and that the
entire progressive jackpot pool is awarded to the players to
maintain a desired payout rate for the instant win game, such as by
rolling any remaining funds in the progressive jackpot pool to
subsequent finite pools of instant win game outcomes when the last
progressive jackpot-winning outcome is purchase, or by paying out
the amount in the progressive jackpot pool plus any funds to be
added to the pool from the remaining instant win game outcomes in
the finite pool when the last progressive jackpot-winning outcome
is selected for a player.
[0130] In a further embodiment, the instant win game may be
configured as a progressive jackpot having a fixed number of
progressive jackpot-winning outcomes and a minimum progressive
jackpot award. If the final progressive jackpot-winning outcome is
selected while other outcomes remain, the player may receive a
progressive jackpot award equal to the current amount in the
progressive jackpot plus the additional progressive jackpot funds
to be generated by the remaining non-progressive jackpot-winning
outcomes in the finite pool. In order to ensure that each player
purchasing an instant win game outcome has a chance to win the
progressive jackpot award, multiple finite pools of instant win
game outcomes may be used by the gaming system 10 so that at least
one pool contains a progressive jackpot-winning outcome, and the
gaming system 10 may be configured to first choose the finite pool
from which to select an outcome, and then to select an outcome from
within the selected finite pool using any desired method. One
example of a gaming device including one or more pools for
providing outcomes to players is disclosed in U.S. Patent
Publication No. 2004/0063489, entitled "Gaming Device Including
Outcome Pools for Providing Game Outcomes" which is expressly
incorporated by reference herein.
[0131] In the present example, a finite pool may consist of 10,000
instant win game outcomes, three of which may be progressive
jackpot-winning outcomes for which a player may win at least a
minimum progressive jackpot award of $1,000, thereby giving the
player a 1-in-3,333.3 chance of winning a progressive jackpot
award. When a player makes a maximum wager of $5.00 on the Bingo
game, $1.00 may be diverted to the instant win game. Further, the
instant win game may have a 50% payback rate for the progressive
jackpot such that $0.50 of each wager is used to fund the
progressive jackpot ($5,000 for the 10,000 instant win game
outcomes in a finite pool), with the remaining $0.50 going to the
progressive jackpot sponsor ($5,000 profit per finite pool). With
three progressive jackpot awards each requiring a minimum payout of
$1,000, $3,000 of the $5,000 diverted to the progressive pool may
directly fund the minimum progressive jackpot awards, with the
remaining $2,000 being used to increase the progressive jackpot
pool as players purchase instant win game outcomes. As a result,
$0.30 of the $0.50 diverted to the instant win game ($3,000/10,000
outcomes) may be used to fund the minimum progressive jackpot
awards, while the remaining $0.20 may be added to the progressive
jackpot pool to increase the progressive jackpot award that may be
won by a player with every wager made on the instant win game.
[0132] Configured in the manner described, the amount of the
progressive jackpot award won by a player is dependent on the
number of instant win game outcomes purchased since the gaming
system 10 began selecting outcomes from the finite pool, or since
the previous progressive jackpot-winning outcome was selected from
the finite pool, and whether the progressive jackpot-winning
outcome is the last progressive jackpot-winning outcome remaining
in the finite pool. In one extreme scenario, the progressive
jackpot-winning outcomes may be the first three outcomes selected
from the finite pool. For the first selected outcome, the
progressive jackpot award for the player is the $1,000 minimum
progressive jackpot award amount plus the $0.20 diverted to the
progressive jackpot pool for the single instant win game outcome
that has been selected, for a total award of $1,000.20. Similarly,
for the second selected outcome, the progressive jackpot award for
the player is the $1,000 minimum progressive jackpot award amount
plus the $0.20 diverted to the progressive jackpot pool for the
single instant win game outcome that has been selected since the
previous progressive jackpot-winning outcome was selected, for a
total award of $1,000.20. For the third selected outcome and the
final progressive jackpot-winning outcome in the finite pool, the
player may receive the remaining funds to be diverted to the
progressive jackpot in order to guarantee the 50% payout rate for
the progressive jackpot. Consequently, the player's award for
receiving the third progressive jackpot-winning outcome on the
third outcome selected from the finite pool is equal to the $5,000
expected payout minus the $2,000.40 already paid out for the first
two progressive jackpot-winning outcomes, or $2999.60. In this
scenario, the sponsor of the progressive jackpot may be required to
advance the money for the award amounts for the short term until
the remaining instant win game outcomes in the finite pool are
purchased and the funds are diverted from the wager accordingly. In
one embodiment, once all three progressive jackpot-winning outcomes
are selected from the finite pool, another finite pool may be
introduced such that progressive jackpot-winning outcomes are
available to the players as discussed above.
[0133] In another extreme scenario, the progressive jackpot-winning
outcomes may be the final three outcomes selected from the finite
pool. When the first progressive jackpot-winning outcome is
selected as the 9,998.sup.th outcome selected, the player may
receive a progressive jackpot award equal to the $1,000 minimum
award amount plus the accumulated amount in the progressive jackpot
pool of $1,999.60 ($0.20 per outcome.times.9,998 outcomes) for a
total award of $2,999.60, equal to that of the award for the third
progressive jackpot-winning entry selected in the preceding
scenario. For the second selected progressive jackpot-winning
outcome, the progressive jackpot award for the player is the $1,000
minimum progressive jackpot award amount plus the $0.20 diverted to
the progressive jackpot pool for the single instant win game
outcome that has been selected since the previous progressive
jackpot-winning outcome was selected, for a total award of
$1,000.20. For the final selected outcome and the final progressive
jackpot-winning outcome in the finite pool, the player may receive
the remaining $1,000 minimum progressive jackpot award amount plus
the $0.20 diverted to the progressive jackpot pool for the final
instant win game outcome from the finite pool, for a total award of
the remaining $1,000.20 to be paid out from the progressive jackpot
pool for the finite pool. It should be noted in this scenario that
the progressive jackpot sponsor may not be required to advance any
funds to cover the progressive jackpot awards since the cost of
paying out the progressive jackpot awards was raised after the
first 5,000 instant win game outcomes were selected from the finite
pool.
[0134] In a more common scenario, the selection of the progressive
jackpot-winning outcomes may be spread out over the selection of
the 10,000 outcomes in the finite pool of outcomes. For purposes of
example, the progressive jackpot-winning outcomes may be the
500.sup.th, 5,000.sup.th and 7,500.sup.th outcomes selected from
the finite pool of outcomes. When the first progressive
jackpot-winning outcome is selected as the 500.sup.th outcome
selected from the finite pool of outcomes, the player may be
awarded the $1,000 minimum progressive jackpot award amount plus
the $0.20 contribution to the progressive jackpot pool for each of
the first 500 selected outcomes for a total award amount of $1,100.
When the second progressive jackpot-winning outcome is selected as
the 5,000.sup.th outcome selected from the finite pool of outcomes,
the player may be awarded the $1,000 minimum progressive jackpot
award amount plus the $0.20 contribution to the progressive jackpot
pool for each of the first 4,500 outcomes selected since the first
progressive jackpot-winning outcome was selected as the 500.sup.th
selected outcome for a total award amount of $1,900. When the third
and final progressive jackpot-winning outcome is selected as the
7,500.sup.th outcome selected from the finite pool of outcomes, the
player may receive the minimum progressive jackpot award plus the
contributions to the progressive jackpot pool for the 2,500
outcomes selected since the second progressive jackpot-winning
outcome was selected plus the future contributions to be made to
the progressive jackpot pool for the remaining 2,500 outcomes to be
selected from the finite pool to ensure the 50% payout rate for the
instant win game. Consequently, the player receiving the third
progressive jackpot-winning outcome may receive a total award
amount of $2,000 for the instant win game.
[0135] Those skilled in the art will understand that the instant
win game accompanying the Bingo game may be implemented with other
configurations to provide a progressive jackpot for the Bingo game
players. As discussed above, the instant win game may be
implemented with multiple finite pools simultaneously available for
selection of outcomes to ensure that at least one progressive
jackpot-winning outcome is available each time a player wagers on
an occurrence of the Bingo game. Further, each finite pool of
outcomes may include more or fewer than the three progressive
jackpot-winning outcomes from the examples discussed above. The
finite pools of outcomes may include other winning outcomes for the
instant win game that result in the player receiving a fixed award
amount or an award amount that is a smaller percentage of the
progressive jackpot pool. Other variations in the configuration of
the instant win game to provide a progressive jackpot, such as
variations in the percentage of the instant win game diverted to
the progressive jackpot pool, the minimum progressive jackpot award
amount, the payback rate for the instant win game, and the like,
are contemplated by the applicants as having use in the Bingo game
and instant win game in accordance with the present invention.
[0136] While the preceding text sets forth a detailed description
of numerous different embodiments of the invention, it should be
understood that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the
words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The
detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does
not describe every possible embodiment of the invention since
describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not
impossible; Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented,
using either current technology or technology developed after the
filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope
of the claims defining the invention.
* * * * *