U.S. patent application number 11/647917 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-03 for progressive jackpot gaming systems and methods.
This patent application is currently assigned to Cadillac Jack Inc.. Invention is credited to Kunal Mishra.
Application Number | 20080161105 11/647917 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39584795 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080161105 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mishra; Kunal |
July 3, 2008 |
Progressive jackpot gaming systems and methods
Abstract
Various embodiments of progressive gaming systems and methods
are disclosed. One method embodiment, among others, comprises
providing a progressive jackpot, and biasing a chance of winning
the progressive jackpot based on a wager amount.
Inventors: |
Mishra; Kunal; (Suwanee,
GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CADILLAC JACK, INC
2420 MEADOWBROOK PARKWAY
DULUTH
GA
30096
US
|
Assignee: |
Cadillac Jack Inc.
|
Family ID: |
39584795 |
Appl. No.: |
11/647917 |
Filed: |
December 30, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/27 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3258 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/27 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A gaming method, comprising: providing a progressive jackpot;
and biasing a chance of winning the progressive jackpot based on a
wager amount.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising awarding the
progressive jackpot to a winning player based on a predefined event
independent of a game event attained by the winning player at a
corresponding game machine.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein awarding the progressive jackpot
based on a game event comprises awarding based on the progressive
jackpot reaching a predefined dollar amount, on a predefined date
and time, on an amount wagered at a game machine, or on a
predefined number of game plays.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein awarding comprises randomly
awarding.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein providing comprises making the
progressive jackpot available to a plurality of players for
potential award.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein biasing comprises biasing the
chance of winning the progressive jackpot based on an average wager
amount or a total wager amount.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein biasing comprises biasing the
chance of winning during a session defined by a beginning play time
and ending play time corresponding to when the progressive jackpot
is potentially available for award for each player in the
system.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein biasing comprises increasing the
likelihood of a player winning based on the wager amount
corresponding to the player.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein biasing comprises comparing wager
amounts corresponding to a plurality of players and weighting each
of the wager amounts in a random number equation corresponding to a
progressive jackpot winner calculation.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising associating each of
the wager amounts with a corresponding player of the plurality of
players.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising augmenting the
progressive jackpot based on the wager amount.
12. A gaming system, comprising: a memory with gaming software; and
a processor configured with the gaming software to bias a chance of
winning a progressive jackpot based on a wager amount.
13. The system of claim 12, further comprising one or more display
devices that display the progressive jackpot to a plurality of
players.
14. The system of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of
gaming machines communicatively coupled to the processor, the
gaming machines configured to provide wagers with corresponding
wager amounts to the processor during a defined session.
15. The system of claim 12, wherein the processor is further
configured with the gaming software to augment the progressive
jackpot in proportion to each of the wager amounts.
16. The system of claim 12, wherein the processor is further
configured with the gaming software to award the progressive
jackpot to a winning player based on a predefined event independent
of a game event attained by the winning player in a corresponding
game machine.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the predefined event comprises
a predefined dollar amount, a predefined date and time, an amount
wagered at a game machine, or a predefined number of game
plays.
18. The system of claim 12, wherein the wager amount comprises a
total wager amount for a player or an average wager amount for the
player.
19. The system of claim 12, wherein the processor is further
configured with the gaming software to bias by comparing wager
amounts corresponding to a plurality of players and solve a
progressive jackpot winner calculation by weighting each of the
wager amounts in a random number equation.
20. A system, comprising: means for providing a progressive
jackpot; means for biasing a chance of winning the progressive
jackpot based on a wager amount; and means for awarding the
progressive jackpot to a winning player based on a predefined event
independent of a game event attained by the winning player at a
corresponding game machine.
21. A computer readable medium having a computer program for
awarding a progressive jackpot, comprising: logic configured to
provide a progressive jackpot; logic configured to bias a chance of
winning the progressive jackpot based on a wager amount; and logic
configured to award the progressive jackpot to a winning player
based on a predefined event independent of a game event attained by
the winning player at a corresponding game machine.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to gaming systems, and more
particularly, to electronic gaming systems.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Gaming machines such as mechanically driven slot machines
have been a staple of the gaming and entertainment industries for
years. With the advent of computers, electronic forms of gaming
machines such as video slots, video bingo, video poker, video keno
and video blackjack have emerged and become increasingly popular.
Such electronic devices continue to grow in popularity with the
development of enhanced computer-generated graphics and sounds,
making them more attractive to a wider audience of
participants.
[0003] With the recent growth in the electronic gaming machine
market, competition between manufacturers to place their equipment
in available venues has become fierce. When selecting which
machines to put into their facilities, the operators of gaming
establishments give substantial consideration to their patrons'
perception of a game as entertaining and exciting.
[0004] To attain this goal, casinos frequently employ progressive
gaming systems in which gaming machines are linked together to
allow players to compete for a common award or "progressive
jackpot" in addition to the prizes paid at the individual gaming
machines. In such systems a plurality of gaming machines are
electronically linked to a central progressive controller or server
which increases the progressive jackpot by a portion of the amount
of money bet at each of the linked machines. The jackpot grows
rapidly because multiple players are contributing to the jackpot at
the same time. The amount of the jackpot is displayed either at the
individual gaming machines or on a central display. When one of the
linked gaming machines hits a predetermined outcome (e.g., a royal
flush in a poker game), the progressive jackpot is awarded to the
player obtaining the winning outcome.
[0005] Gaming machine systems employing such progressive jackpots
are well known in the art. For example, one system teaches a
progressive jackpot system in which a proportion of the jackpot is
awarded to eligible players at each linked machine. Data from each
of a group of linked slot machines is sent to a central controller
which determines the value of the progressive jackpot by
accumulating a predetermined fraction of the money bet at each
linked machine. When a progressive jackpot-winning outcome occurs
at one of the linked machines, the winning machine signals the
controller which then announces the win. The eligibility of the
players to share in the progressive jackpot may be based upon a
variety of factors, such as placing a maximum bet at the gaming
machine or initiating play at the gaming machine within a
predetermined time interval before the progressive jackpot-winning
outcome occurs.
[0006] A variation of the typical progressive jackpot gaming system
is the so-called "secret" progressive jackpot. In such a system,
the winning gaming machine causes the progressive jackpot to reach
an unknown, predetermined value, as opposed to the typical winning
combination. In such a system, the game controller, using a random
number generator, establishes a jackpot-win amount between maximum
and minimum values. The controller also establishes an initial base
or "seed" value for the progressive jackpot. The jackpot amount is
incremented each time a game is played at one of the linked gaming
machines.
[0007] After each increment of the jackpot, the controller compares
the new jackpot value with the previously established jackpot-win
value. If the new value is less than a jackpot-win value, the
controller merely updates the jackpot value. When an increment to
the current jackpot value causes the value to reach or become equal
to the predetermined jackpot-win value, the result is communicated
to the winning linked gaming machine and the appropriate payment of
the jackpot-win amount is made to the player.
[0008] One need with these and other systems is that of encouraging
continued play.
SUMMARY
[0009] Various embodiments of progressive gaming systems and
methods are disclosed. One method embodiment, among others,
comprises providing a progressive jackpot, and biasing a chance of
winning the progressive jackpot based on a wager amount.
[0010] Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the
present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in
the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed
description. It is intended that all such additional systems,
methods, features, and advantages be included within this
description, and be within the scope of the present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with
reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings
are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon
clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosed systems and
methods. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals
designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a progressive
gaming system.
[0013] FIG. 2 is shows an exemplary gaming machine of the
progressive gaming system shown in FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that illustrates an embodiment of a
progressive gaming method.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram that illustrates another embodiment
of a progressive gaming method.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Disclosed herein are various embodiments of progressive
jackpot gaming systems and methods (herein, simply gaming systems).
Such gaming systems accumulate and award a progressive jackpot in
addition to any awards paid by an individual gaming machine of the
gaming system. In some embodiments, the jackpot is augmented by a
percentage of the amount wagered at the gaming machines in which
the percentage is dependent upon the denomination wagered. Payout
of the progressive jackpot is tied to the occurrence of some
predefined event. The progressive jackpot is awarded randomly to a
player using the system when the event is reached. However, the
players' chances of winning the progressive are proportionate to
either the total or average dollar amount bet by each individual
player during his or her session (i.e., the chances of winning are
biased based on the wager amount). Such a system increases
excitement of play and rewards players for their betting activity
by increasing the likelihood of winning based upon the amount
wagered.
[0017] The present disclosure now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
some, but not all embodiments are shown. Indeed, the disclosed
systems and methods may be embodied in many different forms and
should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth
herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this
disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a gaming
system 100. The gaming system 100 includes a game server 101
networked to a plurality of individual gaming machines 103 via a
network 105 (e.g., a local area network (LAN) such as an Ethernet
connection, a wide area network (WAN), among or other media). Each
gaming machine 103 may be located locally or remotely with respect
to one another.
[0019] In one embodiment, the game server 101 can implement gaming
software 102. The gaming software 102 can be implemented in
software, as an executable program, and can be executed by a
special or general purpose digital computer, such as a personal
computer (PC; IBM-compatible, Apple-compatible, or otherwise),
workstation, minicomputer, or mainframe computer. The gaming
software 102 includes a user-interface (UI) module 104 that
provides display functions according to well-known web-page or
screen display generation and formatting mechanisms. The gaming
software 102 also includes a random number (RN) generator 107. The
RN generator 107 comprises one or more modules of code configured
to generate and assign a seed value to the progressive jackpot,
determine an event (and value thereof) that is to result in a
progressive jackpot payout, augment the progressive jackpot, and
determine a winner based on execution of, in one embodiment, a
random number equation with weighted variables corresponding to the
wager amounts from a plurality of players (i.e., a biasing
function), as further explained below. Although shown integral to
the gaming software 102, one having ordinary skill in the art would
understand in the context of this disclosure that the UI module 104
and/or RN generator 107 can be modules distinct from the gaming
software 102, and that each module may be further configured using
a plurality of submodules.
[0020] Generally, in terms of hardware architecture, as shown in
FIG. 1, the game server 101 includes a processor 106, memory 108,
and one or more input and/or output (I/O) devices or peripherals
110 that are communicatively coupled via a local interface 112. The
local interface 112 can be, for example, one or more buses or other
wired or wireless connections. The local interface 112 may have
additional elements (not shown) to enable communications, such as
controllers, buffers (caches), drivers, repeaters, and receivers.
Further, the local interface 112 may include address, control,
and/or data connections to enable appropriate communications among
the aforementioned components. The game server 101 can also
communicate with the database 114 via the local interface 112. The
local database 114 can be external to or integral to the game
server 101.
[0021] The processor 106 is a hardware device capable of executing
software, particularly that stored in memory 108. The processor 106
can be any custom made or commercially available processor, a
central processing unit (CPU), an auxiliary processor among several
processors associated with the game server 101, a semiconductor
based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chip set), a
macroprocessor, or generally any device for executing software
instructions.
[0022] Memory 108 can include any one or combination of volatile
memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM,
SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)) and non-volatile memory elements (e.g., ROM,
hard drive, tape, CDROM, etc.). Moreover, the memory 108 may
incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of
storage media. Note that memory 108 can have a distributed
architecture, where various components are situated remote from one
another, but can be accessed by the processor 106.
[0023] The software in memory 108 may include one or more separate
programs, each of which comprises an ordered listing of executable
instructions for implementing logical functions. In one example of
the game server 101 of FIG. 1, the software in the memory 108
includes the gaming software 102 and a suitable operating system
(O/S) 116. The operating system 116 essentially controls the
execution of other computer programs, such as the gaming software
102, and provides scheduling, input-output control, file and data
management, memory management, and communication control and
related services.
[0024] The gaming software 102 can be a source program, executable
program (object code), script, and/or any other entity comprising a
set of instructions to be performed. When a source program, then
the program may be translated via a compiler, assembler,
interpreter, or the like, which may or may not be included within
memory 108, so as to operate properly in connection with the
operating system 116. Furthermore, the gaming software 102 can be
written as (a) an object oriented programming language, which has
classes of data and methods, or (b) a procedure programming
language, which has routines, subroutines, and/or functions, for
example but not limited to, C, C++, Pascal, Basic, Fortran, Cobol,
Perl, Java, ASP, and Ada.
[0025] The I/O devices 110 may include input devices, such as a
keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, etc., as well as interfaces
to various devices (e.g., an interface to one or more progressive
displays 118). Furthermore, the I/O devices 110 may also include
output devices, such as a printer, display, etc. Finally, the I/O
devices 110 may further include devices that communicate both
inputs and outputs, for instance a modulator/demodulator (modem for
accessing another device, system, or network), a radio frequency
(RF) or other transceiver, a telephonic interface, a bridge, a
router, etc.
[0026] When the game server 101 is in operation, the processor 106
is configured to execute software stored within memory 108, to
communicate data to and from memory 108, and to generally control
operations of the game server 101 pursuant to the software. The
gaming software 102 and the operating system 116, in whole or in
part, but typically the latter, are read by the processor 106,
perhaps buffered within the processor 106, and then executed.
[0027] The gaming software 102 can be stored on any computer
readable medium for use by or in connection with any computer
related system or method. In the context of this document, a
computer readable medium is an electronic, magnetic, optical, or
other physical device or means that can contain or store a computer
program for use by or in connection with a computer related system
or method. The gaming software 102 can be embodied in any
computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an
instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a
computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system
that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution
system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. In one
embodiment of the invention, the progressive display 118 for
displaying the current value of the progressive jackpot is
connected to the I/O interface 110. In one embodiment, the
progressive display 118 is a large screen plasma monitor. Such
monitors are extremely thin, making them particularly suitable for
mounting at an elevation above the gaming machines and allowing the
progressive display 118 to be viewed by a large audience of
individuals. However, the progressive display 118 can, in the
alternative, be a CRT, LCD or any other type of display known in
the art.
[0028] FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a video gaming machine 103.
It is noted that the term "gaming machine" may refer to any device,
activity or mode of play for gaming (i.e., gambling or redemption),
amusement, competition, or other purposes. Additionally, "gaming
machine" may refer to a "stand alone" player station or console in
which case the outcome of game play is determined locally, or part
of a server-based network of gaming machines in which case the
outcome of game play is centrally determined. The gaming machine
103 includes a cabinet 202 housing a primary display 204 for
displaying game events. The primary display 204 may be a mechanical
display such as used in traditional slot machines, or a video
display such as a flat panel LCD as used in electronic games such
as video bingo, video slots, video poker, video keno or video
blackjack. In one embodiment, the gaming machine 103 includes a
progressive display 205 for displaying the value of the progressive
jackpot. The gaming machine 103 may also include top glass 207 and
belly glass 209 for displaying various information such as game
rules or graphics designed to attract players to participate.
[0029] Proximate to the primary display 204 are a series of
electromechanical buttons 206 positioned on the cabinet for use as
a user interface for controlling game play such as selecting a bet
amount, commencing play and cashing out. The specific arrangement
and function of each of the electromechanical buttons 206 is
dependent upon the type of game being played on the gaming machine
103. For example, for a Blackjack game, the electromechanical
buttons 206 may include options for placing a bet, cashing out,
hitting or standing, doubling down, purchasing insurance and/or
splitting. Alternatively, in a poker game, the electromechanical
buttons 206 may include options for placing a bet, cashing out
and/or designating which cards to keep and which to discard. In one
embodiment, the primary display 204 is a "touch screen" upon which
icons corresponding to some or all of the electromechanical buttons
206 appear. The user can activate the functions associated with the
icons by simply touching the appropriate area of the primary
display 204 rather than depressing the electromechanical buttons
206.
[0030] The gaming machine 103 also includes a wager input interface
208, such as a bill acceptor into which a player inserts paper
currency and receives credit on the gaming machine 103 for the
amount deposited. In alternate embodiments, the wager input
interface 208 can be a ticket reader, a magnetic card reader, or
similar mechanisms, into which the player places a ticket or
magnetic card encoded with a monetary value purchased from a
cashier's station or vending machine.
[0031] Upon initial operation of the gaming system 100, a seed
value is generated and assigned to the progressive jackpot by a
random number generator routine implemented via the RN generator
107 stored in memory 108 and controlled by the processor 106. The
seed value is selected from the range between maximum and minimum
values defined by program instructions residing in the RN generator
107. Although the seed value may be zero, in some implementations,
the seed value may be set at a significant amount to generate
instant excitement and interest in the gaming machines 103
associated with the gaming system 100. The value of the progressive
jackpot is displayed on the central progressive display 118, the
gaming machine progressive display 205, or both.
[0032] Next, the random number generator 107 selects a payoff event
for the progressive jackpot. Upon the occurrence of the payoff
event, the then-current value of the progressive jackpot is paid in
the manner discussed below. The payoff event may be selected from
one of any number of criteria. For example, the payoff event may be
a certain dollar amount reached by the progressive jackpot, a
certain date and time, the number of games played at the gaming
machines 103 since initialization of the progressive jackpot, the
amount wagered at the gaming machines 103 since initialization of
the progressive jackpot, the time elapsed since initialization of
the progressive jackpot or any other arbitrary occurrence that can
be measured. Irrespective of the manner in which the payoff event
is implemented, in the embodiments described herein, the payoff
event is not related to a game event occurring at one of the
individual gaming machines 103, as is the case in typical
progressive jackpot systems. In other words, the payout of the
progressive jackpot is related only to this event and not related
to game play (e.g., a game event will not award the progressive).
Once a progressive has been paid out, the system 100 resets and the
progressive value is returned to a starting value (e.g., zero).
[0033] Once the progressive jackpot seed value and payoff event
have been established, play of the individual gaming machines 103
commences. One exemplary manner of play is described below. First,
the player places a wager by inputting currency or a ticket or
magnetic card bearing game credits into wager input interface 208
of a primary gaming machine 103. In one embodiment, the gaming
machine 103 indicates the amount of money or credit available for
the player to bet during play. The player then proceeds to indicate
the amount to be wagered on a particular play of the game, up to
the lesser of the available game credits or the maximum allowable
bet on the gaming machine 103. The player starts play of the game
by selecting the appropriate choice among the electromechanical
buttons 206. After the placing of a wager and commencing play of
the primary gaming machine 103, the player interacts with the game.
For example, if the game being played on the gaming machine 103 is
blackjack, the player is dealt cards and subsequently makes
decisions whether to stand, hit, double down, split or purchase
insurance. Alternatively, if the game is poker, the player is dealt
cards and makes decisions to try to achieve the best hand. Play of
the game continues in typical fashion. A winning outcome results in
the player receiving additional game credits. Conversely, a losing
outcome results in the player's wager being forfeited.
[0034] In one embodiment, during play of the games on the
individual gaming machines 103, a portion of the amount wagered by
the player is received by the gaming software 102 (e.g., RN
generator 107) and used to augment the progressive jackpot. This
portion is typically a percentage of the amount bet, such as 2%.
For example, a wager of $1.00 will increase the value of the
progressive jackpot by $0.02.
[0035] In one embodiment, the percentage of the amount wagered used
to augment the progressive jackpot varies with the denomination of
the gaming machine played. The denomination refers to the monetary
amount associated with each credit bet. For example, 2% of the
amount wagered may be collected from a gaming machine having a
denomination of $0.05, 3% may be collected from a gaming machine
having a denomination of $0.25 and 5% may be collected from a
gaming machine having a denomination of $1.00.
[0036] Play of the gaming machines 103 continues until the
occurrence of the payoff event. Once the payoff event occurs, each
player then playing gaming machines 103 is eligible to win the
progressive jackpot. A player's chances of winning the progressive
are proportionately tied to either the total or average dollar
amount bet per session. That is, in one embodiment, the gaming
software 102 is configured to bias the outcome or chances of
success by comparing wagering data (e.g., denomination amounts
provided by each machine 103 based on what individuals have wagered
during a session) and weighting each wager amount proportionally
(or disproportionally in some embodiments, as long as the higher
the wager amount, the greater the chance of success) in an award
calculation to determine a winner of the progressive jackpot. In
one embodiment, the award calculation may comprise a random number
equation with variables that are weighted by the wagering amounts
in a manner that increases the likelihood or odds that the player
having the highest wager amount will win the progressive jackpot.
For instance, one exemplary mechanism for such a weighted random
number generation can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,061,927, which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Other
mathematical approaches may be used to determine a winner with odds
in favor of the players wagering higher denominational amounts in a
given session, such as mechanisms shown, without limitation, in
U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,646, which is hereby incorporated by reference
in its entirety. The RN generator 107 solves this weighted equation
in an effort to determine a winner. Thus, the chances of winning
the progressive jackpot are tied to the dollar amount wagered at
each participating machine 103. A session refers to the time
between the player beginning play of a gaming machine on the
progressive system and ending play. The amount wagered by a player
during a particular session is monitored by a player tracking card
or similar method known in the art. For example, if two players are
logged into the system when the progressive hits and one has bet
$5.00 for his or her session and the other has bet $1.00, the
former will be 5 times more likely to be awarded the progressive.
In some embodiments, the average amount bet by a player can be used
by the gaming software 102 to determine the odds of winning. While
anyone can win, the odds are in the favor of the players who have
bet more per session.
[0037] FIG. 3 shows one gaming method embodiment 100a implemented
by the gaming system 100 shown in FIG. 1. The flow diagram of FIG.
3 shows the architecture, functionality, and operation of a
possible implementation of the gaming system 100. In this regard,
each block represents a module, segment, or portion of code, which
comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the
specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that in some
alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may
occur out of the order noted in FIG. 3. For example, two blocks
shown in succession in FIG. 3 may in fact be executed substantially
concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse
order, depending upon the functionality involved, as will be
further clarified hereinbelow.
[0038] Upon initial operation of the gaming system 100, the RN
generator 107 generates a seed value (301) and assigns the seed
value to the progressive jackpot (303). The seed value is selected
from the range between maximum and minimum values defined by
program instructions residing in the RN generator 107. As explained
above, the seed value may be zero, set at a significant amount, or
set anywhere along a continuum between the maximum and minimum
values. The value of the progressive jackpot is displayed on the
central progressive display 118, the gaming machine progressive
display 205 of participating machines 103, or both. Continuing, the
random number generator 107 selects a payoff event for the
progressive jackpot (305). In one embodiment, the event generation
is random and unknown to the players.
[0039] At (307), the gaming software 102 receives wagers from a
plurality of machines 103 (based on input by each player at the
respective machine), and begins play of the gaming machine 103
(309). Once the wager has been placed and the game has been played,
a percentage of this wager is optionally used to augment the
progressive jackpot (311). Further, the gaming software 102
compares wagers received by each machine 103 (313) and weights the
wager amounts in an award calculation based on the total dollar
amount (or average dollar amount in some embodiments) wagered
(315), as explained above. For example, if input from one machine
103 indicates that a player has wagered $100 and input from another
machine 103 indicates that a player has wagered $300, the gaming
software 102 determines that their respective chances of winning
are 1/3 and 2/3, respectively.
[0040] If the play of the gaming machine 103 results in the
occurrence of the progressive jackpot payoff event (317), as
determined by the gaming software 102, the progressive jackpot is
awarded to one of the players participating in that gaming session
based on the above-described weighting calculation implemented by
the gaming software 102 (319). The system then reverts to (301) and
play of the gaming system 100 continues.
[0041] Having described various embodiments of the gaming system
100, one would appreciate in the context of the disclosure that one
method embodiment 100b, shown in FIG. 4, comprises providing a
progressive jackpot (401), and biasing a chance of winning the
progressive jackpot based on a wager amount (403).
[0042] It should be emphasized that the above-described
embodiments, particularly, any "preferred" embodiments, are merely
possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear
understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations
and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments
without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of
the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended
to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and
protected by the following claims.
* * * * *