U.S. patent application number 12/206626 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-01 for gaming machine and method having a plurality of indicia sets.
This patent application is currently assigned to Bally Gaming, Inc.. Invention is credited to David B. Schultz.
Application Number | 20090005154 12/206626 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39329187 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090005154 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schultz; David B. |
January 1, 2009 |
Gaming Machine and Method Having a Plurality of Indicia Sets
Abstract
Disclosed are a gaming machine and method for operating a gaming
machine including multiple supplemental games. Each supplemental
game has a set of indicia unique from the indicia sets of the other
supplemental games.
Inventors: |
Schultz; David B.;
(Henderson, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BALLY GAMING INC.
6601 S. BERMUDA ROAD
LAS VEGAS
NV
89119
US
|
Assignee: |
Bally Gaming, Inc.
Las Vegas
NV
|
Family ID: |
39329187 |
Appl. No.: |
12/206626 |
Filed: |
September 8, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11553081 |
Oct 26, 2006 |
|
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12206626 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20 ;
463/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3267 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/20 ;
463/16 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A gaming machine comprising: a processor operatively coupled to
a set of player-operable controls; a first game and a set of two or
more feature games operable by the processor in accordance with the
player-operable controls, each feature game comprising its own
unique set of indicia, wherein, upon a triggering event, one or
more of the set of feature games is initiated for play.
2. The gaming machine of claim 1 further comprising a video display
operatively coupled to the processor.
3. The gaming machine of claim 2 wherein the video display is
configured to display one or more slot machine reels.
4. The gaming machine of claim 2 wherein the video display is
configured to display one or more playing cards.
5. The gaming machine of claim 2 wherein the video display is
configured to display one or more keno balls.
6. The gaming machine of claim 2 wherein the video display is
configured to display one or more bingo balls.
7. The gaming machine of claim 2 wherein the video display is a
wide-screen display.
8. The gaming machine of claim 1 further comprising a progressive
meter.
9. The gaming machine of claim 1 further comprising a memory
operatively coupled to the processor, wherein the memory comprises
at least one of a hard drive, a CDROM, a DVD or a flash memory.
10. The gaming machine of claim 9 wherein the memory includes a
game program.
11. The gaming machine of claim 10 wherein the processor in
accordance with the game program predetermines the number of times
each selected feature game is played according to rules of the
game.
12. The gaming machine of claim 10 wherein the processor in
accordance with the game program determines the number of times
each selected feature game is played at the time the feature game
is triggered.
13. The gaming machine of claim 1 further comprising a cabinet
enclosing the processor, wherein the cabinet is one of a bar-top
cabinet, a slant-top cabinet, an upright cabinet or a table-top
cabinet.
14. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein the triggering event
comprises one or more of a set of possible first game outcomes.
15. The gaming machine game of claim 1 wherein the triggering event
is unrelated to the outcome of the first game.
16. A method of operating a gaming machine, the method including
the steps of: accepting a wager from a wager-input mechanism;
initiating play of a first game according to the wager; upon a
triggering event, initiating one or more of a set of two or more
feature games for play, each feature game comprising its own unique
set of indicia.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein initiating play of the first
game comprises displaying one or more slot machine reels.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein initiating play of one or more
of a set of two or more feature games for play comprises displaying
one or more slot machine reels.
19. The method of claim 16 wherein the triggering event comprises a
predefined one of a set of possible first game outcomes.
20. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of paying an
award associated with an outcome of at least one initiated feature
game.
21. A gaming machine including: a first game with a first set of
indicia, the first game being initiatable by a wager; the first
game including a first and second distinct triggering indicia
respectively associated with a first and second feature game; the
first and second feature games respectively triggered by one or
more outcomes of the first game including respective of the
distinct triggering indicia; the first feature game including a
first feature set of indicia, the first feature set of indicia
comprising a subset of the first set of indicia not equal to the
first set of indicia, the first feature game including one or more
outcomes wherein awards may be accumulated according to a first
feature paytable; the second feature game including a second
feature set of indicia, the second feature set of indicia
comprising a unique set of indicia, the second feature game
including one or more games outcomes wherein awards may be
accumulated according to a second feature paytable.
22. The gaming machine of claim 21 further comprising a third
feature game with a third feature set of indicia, the third feature
set of indicia comprising another unique set of indicia.
23. The gaming machine of claim 21 wherein the second feature
paytable is different than the first feature paytable.
24. The gaming machine of claim 21 wherein the first and second
feature games include one or more special indicia.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of and claims priority
from co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/553,081 filed
on Oct. 26, 2006, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety
for all purposes.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise
reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention is directed to gaming games and
methods and, more particularly, to games and methods that have
unique sets of indicia.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] In the prior art, various types of gaming machines have been
developed with different features to captivate and maintain player
interest. In general, a gaming machine allows a player to play a
game in exchange for a wager. Depending on the outcome of the game,
the player may be entitled to an award which is paid to the player
by the gaming machine, normally in the form of currency or game
credits. Gaming machines may include flashing displays, lighted
displays, or sound effects to capture a player's interest in a
gaming device.
[0007] Another important feature of maintaining player interest in
a gaming machine includes providing the player with many
opportunities to win awards, such as cash or prizes. For example,
in some slot machines, the display windows show more than one
adjacent symbol on each reel, thereby allowing for multiple-line
betting. Other types of slot machines have been developed that
offer supplemental games that provide players with additional
opportunities to win, such as with additional free spins. Some
gaming machines offer a player the opportunity to win millions of
dollars by providing progressive jackpots. Additionally,
supplemental games of various types have been employed to reward
players above the amounts normally awarded on a standard game pay
schedule. Generally, such supplemental games are triggered by
predetermined events such as one or more appearances of certain
combinations of indicia in the primary game. In order to stimulate
interest, supplemental games are typically set to occur at a gaming
machine on a statistical cycle based upon the number of primary
game plays.
[0008] While gaming machines including supplemental games have been
very successful, there remains a need for games that provide a
player with enhanced excitement and increased opportunity of
winning.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention,
a gaming machine includes a processor operatively coupled to a set
of player-operable controls. A first game and a set of two or more
feature games are operable by the processor in accordance with the
player-operable controls, each feature game including its own
unique set of indicia. Upon a triggering event, one or more of the
set of feature games is initiated for play.
[0010] In accordance with one or more other embodiments, a method
of operating a gaming machine includes the steps of accepting a
wager from a wager-input mechanism, initiating play of a first game
according to the wager and, upon a triggering event, initiating one
or more of a set of two or more feature games for play, where each
feature game includes its own unique set of indicia.
[0011] Other features and advantages will become apparent from the
following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way of example, the
features of the various embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part
of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present
invention, and together with the description serve to explain the
principles of the invention. In the drawings:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine in
accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the physical and logical
components of the gaming machine of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a display image associated with a game of one
embodiment of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a display image associated with a first
supplemental game of one embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a display image associated with a second
supplemental game of one embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a display image associated with a third
supplemental game of one embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram depicting the steps
associated with carrying out a method in accordance of one aspect
of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram showing the hardware
elements of a networked gaming system in accordance with one aspect
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Various embodiments are directed to a game and method for
playing a game, wherein the player is provided a plurality of
supplemental games. Embodiments of the game and method are
illustrated and described herein, by way of example only, and not
by way of limitation. Referring now to the drawings, and more
particularly to FIGS. 1-8, there are shown illustrative examples of
game and a method for playing a game in accordance with various
aspects of the invention.
[0022] In accordance with one embodiment, FIG. 1 illustrates a
gaming machine 100 including cabinet housing 120, primary game
display 140, player-activated buttons 160, player tracking panel
136, bill/voucher acceptor 180 and one or more speakers 190.
Cabinet housing 120 is a self-standing unit that is generally
rectangular in shape and may be manufactured with reinforced steel
or other rigid materials which are resistant to tampering and
vandalism. Cabinet housing 120 houses a processor, circuitry, and
software (not shown) for receiving signals from the
player-activated buttons 160, operating the games, and transmitting
signals to the respective displays and speakers. Any shaped cabinet
may be implemented with any embodiment of gaming machine 100 so
long as it provides access to a player for playing a game. For
example, cabinet 120 may comprise a slant-top, bar-top, or
table-top style cabinet. The operation of gaming machine 100 is
described more fully below.
[0023] The plurality of player-activated buttons 160 may be used
for various functions such as, but not limited to, selecting a
wager denomination, selecting a game to be played, selecting a
wager amount per game, initiating a game, or cashing out money from
gaming machine 100. Buttons 160 function as input mechanisms and
may include mechanical buttons, electromechanical buttons or touch
screen buttons. Optionally, a handle (not shown) may be rotated by
a player to initiate a game.
[0024] In other embodiments, buttons 160 may be replaced with
various other input mechanisms known in the art such as, but not
limited to, a touch screen system, touch pad, track ball, mouse,
switches, toggle switches, or other input means used to accept
player input. For example, one input means is a universal button
module as disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/106,212,
entitled "Universal Button Module," filed on Apr. 14, 2005, which
is hereby incorporated by reference. Generally, the universal
button module provides a dynamic button system adaptable for use
with various games and capable of adjusting to gaming systems
having frequent game changes. More particularly, the universal
button module may be used in connection with playing a game on a
gaming machine and may be used for such functions as selecting the
number of credits to bet per hand.
[0025] Cabinet housing 120 may optionally include top box 150 which
contains "top glass" 152 comprising advertising or payout
information related to the game or games available on gaming
machine 100. Player tracking panel 136 includes player tracking
card reader 134 and player tracking display 132. Voucher printer
130 may be integrated into player tracking panel 136 or installed
elsewhere in cabinet housing 120 or top box 150.
[0026] Game display 140 presents a game of chance wherein a player
receives one or more outcomes from a set of potential outcomes. For
example, one such game of chance is a video poker game, an example
of which is entitled Super Triple Trouble Poker, further described
below. In other aspects of the invention, gaming machine 100 may
present a video or mechanical reel slot machine, a video keno game,
a lottery game, a bingo game, a Class II bingo game, a roulette
game, a craps game, a blackjack game, a mechanical or video
representation of a wheel game or the like. In alternative
embodiments, it may further be appreciated that games of skill or
games of chance involving some player skill may be implemented with
gaming machine 100.
[0027] Mechanical or video/mechanical embodiments may include game
displays such as mechanical reels, wheels, or dice as required to
present the game to the player. In video/mechanical or pure video
embodiments, game display 140 is, typically, a CRT or a flat-panel
display in the form of, but not limited to, liquid crystal, plasma,
electroluminescent, vacuum fluorescent, field emission, or any
other type of panel display known or developed in the art. Game
display 140 may be mounted in either a "portrait" or "landscape"
orientation and be of standard or "widescreen" dimensions (i.e., a
ratio of one dimension to another of at least 16.times.9). For
example, a widescreen display may be 32 inches wide by 18 inches
tall. A widescreen display in a "portrait" orientation may be 32
inches tall by 18 inches wide. Additionally, game display 140
preferably includes a touch screen or touch glass system (not
shown) and presents player interfaces such as, but not limited to,
credit meter 144, win meter 142 and touch screen buttons 146. An
example of a touch glass system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,942,571, entitled "Gaming Device with Direction and Speed Control
of Mechanical Reels Using Touch Screen," which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
[0028] Game display 140 may also present information such as, but
not limited to, player information, advertisements and casino
promotions, graphic displays, news and sports updates, or even
offer an alternate game. This information may be generated through
a host computer networked with gaming machine 100 on its own
initiative or it may be obtained by request of the player using
either one or more of the plurality of player-activated buttons
160; the game display itself, if game display 140 comprises a touch
screen or similar technology; buttons (not shown) mounted about
game display 140 which may permit selections such as those found on
an ATM machine, where legends on the screen are associated with
respective selecting buttons; or any player input device that
offers the required functionality.
[0029] Cabinet housing 120 incorporates a single game display 140.
However, in alternate embodiments, cabinet housing 120 or top box
150 may house one or more additional displays or components (not
shown) used for various purposes including additional game play
screens, animated "top glass," progressive meters or mechanical or
electromechanical devices such as, but not limited to, wheels,
pointers or reels. The additional displays may or may not include a
touch screen or touch glass system.
[0030] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the interconnection of physical
and logical components 200 of gaming machine 100. Currency acceptor
210 is typically connected to central processing unit ("CPU") 205
by a serial connection such as RS-232 or USB. CPU 205 executes game
program 220 that causes video display screen 230 to display a game.
In one embodiment, game program 220 is a game entitled Super Triple
Trouble Poker.
[0031] When a player has inserted a form of currency such as, for
example and without limitation, paper currency, coins or tokens,
cashless tickets or vouchers, electronic funds transfers or the
like into currency acceptor 210, a signal is sent to CPU 205 which,
in turn, assigns an appropriate number of credits for play. The
player may further control the operation of gaming machine 100, for
example, to select the amount to wager via electromechanical or
touchscreen buttons 250. The game starts in response to the player
pushing one of buttons 250.
[0032] Random number generator 240 responds to instructions from
CPU 205 to provide a display of randomly selected indicia on video
display screen 230. Thereafter, the player may or may not interact
with the game through electromechanical or touchscreen buttons 250
to change the displayed indicia. Finally, CPU 205 under control of
game program 220 compares the final display of indicia to a pay
table. The set of possible game outcomes may include a subset of
outcomes related to the triggering of play of free games. In the
event the displayed outcome is a member of this subset, CPU 205,
under control of game program 220, causes additional game play to
be presented on video display screen 230 as will be described
further below.
[0033] Predetermined payout amounts for certain outcomes, including
bonus game outcomes, are stored as part of game program 220. Such
payout amounts are, in response to instructions from CPU 205,
provided to the player in the form of coins, credits or currency
via payout mechanism 260, which may be one or more of a credit
meter, a coin hopper, a voucher printer, an electronic funds
transfer protocol or any other payout means known or developed in
the art.
[0034] In various embodiments of gaming machine 100, game program
220 is stored in a memory device (not shown). By way of example,
but not by limitation, such memory devices include external memory
devices, hard drives, CD-ROMs, DVDs, and flash memory cards. In an
alternative embodiment, the game programs are stored in a remote
storage device. In one embodiment, the remote storage device is
housed in a remote server. The gaming machine may access the remote
storage device via a network connection, including but not limited
to, a local area network connection, a TCP/IP connection, a
wireless connection, or any other means for operatively networking
components together. Optionally, other data including graphics,
sound files and other media data for use with gaming machine 100
are stored in the same or a separate memory device (not shown).
[0035] In the various embodiments of the invention, multiple
supplemental games are available to the player. In one embodiment,
the set of possible primary game outcomes includes a subset of
outcomes related to the triggering of supplemental games. In an
alternate embodiment, other elements of the primary game trigger
supplemental games. In either case, each supplemental game has a
unique primary game trigger associated with it. Once a supplemental
game has been triggered, the player is awarded a certain number of
supplemental game plays for which they may, or may not, pay. The
composition of the indicia set (reels, card decks, etc.) and pay
table used in each supplemental game is determined by the
triggering event and differs from those used by the primary game.
Any combination of indicia and pay table may be used for each of
the plurality of bonus games, provided each combination is
unique.
[0036] For example, one poker-based embodiment might offer play of
a supplemental game upon achievement of any four-of-a-kind outcome.
As shown in Table 1, if the rank of the triggering hand is between
a five and a king, the deck used in the supplemental game would
have a single joker. If the rank of the triggering hand is between
two and four, the deck would have two jokers. If the rank of the
triggering hand is an ace, the deck used in the supplemental games
would have three jokers. Each supplemental game would have a
distinct pay table including pays made possible by its unique set
of indicia. In an alternate embodiment, the pay table could be the
same for each of the three supplemental games.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Cards Added to Rank Deck Pay Table (Rules)
5-K One Joker Single Joker Pay Table 2-4 Two Jokers Dual Joker Pay
Table A Three Jokers Three Joker Pay Table
[0037] Turning to FIG. 3, in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention, the Super Triple Trouble Poker game is implemented on
video display 300. The game is based on a five-card single
hold-and-draw poker game. Optionally, any poker-based game may be
used. For example, the game could be based on a stud poker
game.
[0038] A simulated standard deck of fifty-two cards is used. The
deck comprises four subsets of cards identified as two through ten,
jack, queen, king, and ace. Each of the four subsets of cards is
identified by one of four suits: spades, clubs, hearts or diamonds.
In some embodiments, one or more jokers may also be included for
use according to the rules of the game being played, for example,
as a wild card. In other embodiments, the playing cards used by the
game may include one or more standard or non-standard decks of
playing cards.
[0039] In FIG. 3, a player selects the number of credits or coins
wagered on the game using touch screen controls BET ONE 321 or BET
MAX 320 or corresponding buttons in the set of gaming machine
control buttons 160 (FIG. 1). The player may optionally control the
speed at which cards are dealt by touching SPEED control 350 or the
volume of game sound by touching VOLUME control 360 until the
desired settings are achieved.
[0040] Cash meter 315 displays the player's current balance, while
other meters may display, for example, the number of credits or
coins wagered 317 and the last amount paid 316. Other meters
containing other information may be displayed. The amount wagered
may additionally be indicated by highlighting the corresponding
column 325 of pay table 330.
[0041] The player initiates game play by pressing REBET/DEAL button
335. Five simulated cards 301-305 are dealt to the player. While
cards 301-305 are shown face-up, in one embodiment, the cards are
all initially dealt face-down, or alternatively, the cards are
dealt in a combined fashion such that some of the cards are dealt
face-down and some are dealt face-up.
[0042] Once the cards have been dealt, the player is allowed to
discard as few as none and as many as five of cards 301-305 by
touching the cards he wished to hold or by pressing buttons (not
shown) corresponding to the cards. For example, the buttons may be
in the set of buttons 160 illustrated in FIG. 1. When the player
presses a DRAW button (not shown), cards not elected to be held are
discarded and replaced by cards remaining in the original deck. It
is important to note that the player is not required to discard any
of the cards dealt in the initial hand, and may choose to hold all
of the originally dealt cards. In alternate embodiments, the number
of allowed discards will vary depending on the rules of the game.
In one embodiment of the invention, the player may be required to
discard at least one of the dealt cards.
[0043] The player's final five-card hand is compared to the
outcomes based on a poker hand ranking scheme shown on pay table
330. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the game outcome is a
non-paying poker hand (J, Q, 10, 2, 9). However, for each winning
combination, the game would the player the award in the pay table
corresponding to both the achieved winning poker hand and the
number of units wagered on the game. For example, according to pay
table 330, in the event the player had wagered three units, an
outcome of "Four Aces" would result in an award of 600 units. In
some embodiments, winning outcomes may be indicated on pay table
330 by highlighting the row of the table corresponding to the
winning outcome. Still further embodiments may highlight the
rectangle at the intersection of the winning row and appropriate
wager column. Additional information about the game may be
accessible through SEE PAYS button 340 or HELP button 345. In
alternate embodiments, the pay table may be presented on a second
video or printed display attached to the gaming device (i.e. "pay
glass" 152, FIG. 1).
[0044] In Super Triple Trouble Poker, a primary game outcome may
include not only a final poker hand, but also the random appearance
of as few as none and as many as three bonus icons 335. The icons
are represented by either flames, a red-and-black devil face or a
red devil face. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the game outcome
includes a non-paying poker hand (J, Q, 10, 2, 9) and two icons, a
red-and-black devil face 336 and a red devil face 337. At the
beginning of each game, a random icon outcome is selected and
presented on the display. If three icons are displayed, the player
is awarded one of three supplemental games as shown in Table 2. If
less than three icons are displayed, no supplemental games are
awarded.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Trigger Deck Pay Table (Rules) 3 Flames or 3
Primary game Three free games Mixed Flames, awarded. Primary
Red-and-Black game pay table Devils and Red rows are the same
Devils triggers but all primary Mixed game awards are supplemental
tripled during free game. games. 3 Red-and-Black 26 Card Deck Three
free games Devils triggers consisting of only awarded. Special
Red-and-Black Spades and Hearts Red-and-Black Pay supplemental
Table removes game. some primary game pays. All remaining primary
game awards are tripled during free games. 3 Red Devils 13-card
deck Three free games triggers Red consisting of only awarded.
supplemental game Spades. Special Red Pay Table removes some
primary game pays. All remaining primary game awards are tripled
during free games.
[0045] Turning to FIG. 4, in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention, an example of the "Mixed" supplemental game is shown on
video display 400. It can be seen that, during the last primary
game play, the player received three Flame icons 410 that triggered
the supplemental games. The player has just been dealt a hand in
the second of three free "Mixed" supplemental games. The cards have
been dealt from a "standard" deck composed of 52 cards. The hand
consists of a two 402, two aces 401, a Jack 403 and an eight 404.
The hand shown is an example; any cards from the standard deck
could have been dealt to the player in any order.
[0046] The awards in pay table 440 are based on the player's wager
size at the time the supplemental games were triggered and the
tripling of primary game awards associated with the "Mixed"
supplemental game. For example, a Flush pays 20 in the primary game
and 60 in the supplemental game. Pay table column 450 indicates the
set of awards available to the player under the rules of the
"Mixed" supplemental game.
[0047] Bonus win meter 430 indicates that the player did not win an
award on the first hand of the three free supplemental games,
however, pay table row 460 is highlighted, reflecting that the two
aces 401 held by the player will be eligible for a Jacks or Better
award of 15 units. The player may, however, attempt to improve his
hand by holding some cards and discarding some cards. As previously
described, the player may optionally hold all cards or discard all
cards.
[0048] By pressing DRAW button 470, the player may hold the aces
401 and discard the two 402, the Jack 403 and the eight 404, and
replace them with cards remaining in the deck. Games remaining
meter 420 indicates that, when the hand currently in progress is
completed, the player will have one free game remaining before
normal primary game play, with the primary game deck and pay table,
resumes.
[0049] Turning to FIG. 5, in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention, an example of the "Red-and-Black" supplemental game is
shown on video display 500. It can be seen that, during the last
primary game play, the player received three Red-and-Black icons
510 that triggered the supplemental games. The player has just been
dealt a hand in the second of three free "Red-and-Black"
supplemental games. The cards have been dealt from a 26-card deck
consisting of only Spades and Hearts. The hand consists of two
Queens 501, a four 502, a six 503 and a three 504. The hand shown
is an example; any cards from the standard deck could have been
dealt to the player in any order.
[0050] The awards in pay table 440 are based on the player's wager
size at the time the supplemental games were triggered and the
tripling of primary game awards associated with the "Red-and-Black"
supplemental game. For example, a Flush pays 20 in the primary game
and 60 in the supplemental game. Pay table column 550 indicates the
set of awards available to the player under the rules of the
"Red-and-Black" supplemental game.
[0051] Bonus win meter 530 indicates that the player did not win an
award on the first hand of the three free supplemental games,
however, pay table row 560 is highlighted, reflecting that the two
Queens 501 held by the player will be eligible for a Jacks or
Better award of 15 units. The player may, however, attempt to
improve his hand by holding some cards and discarding some cards.
As previously described, the player may optionally hold all cards
or discard all cards.
[0052] By pressing DRAW button 570, the player may hold the Queens
401 and discard the four 502, the six 503 and the three 504, and
replace them with cards remaining in the deck. Games remaining
meter 520 indicates that, when the hand currently in progress is
completed, the player will have one free game remaining before
normal primary game play, with the primary game deck and pay table,
resumes.
[0053] Turning to FIG. 6, in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention, an example of the "Red" supplemental game is shown on
video display 600. It can be seen that, during the last primary
game play, the player received three Red Devil icons 610 that
triggered the supplemental games. The player has just been dealt a
hand in the second of three free "Red" supplemental games. The
cards have been dealt from a 13-card deck consisting of only
Spades. The hand consists of an Ace 601, a three 602, a nine 603
and a ten 604 and a Jack 605. The hand shown is an example; any
cards from the standard deck could have been dealt to the player in
any order.
[0054] The awards in pay table 640 are based on the player's wager
size at the time the supplemental games were triggered and the
tripling of primary game awards associated with the "Red-and-Black"
supplemental game. For example, for a wager of ten units, a Flush
pays 20 in the primary game and 60 in the supplemental game. Pay
table column 650 indicates the set of awards available to the
player under the rules of the "Red" supplemental game.
[0055] Bonus win meter 630 indicates that the player did not win an
award on the first hand of the three free supplemental games,
however, pay table row 660 is highlighted, reflecting that the
cards already held by the player will be eligible for a Flush award
of 60 units. The player may, however, attempt to improve his hand
by holding some cards and discarding some cards. As previously
described, the player may optionally hold all cards or discard all
cards.
[0056] By pressing DRAW button 670, the player may hold the Queens
Ace 601, the 10 604 and the Jack 605, discard the three 602 and the
nine 603, and replace them with cards remaining in the deck. Games
remaining meter 620 indicates that, when the hand currently in
progress is completed, the player will have one free game remaining
before normal primary game play, with the primary game deck and pay
table, resumes.
[0057] It should be noted that, in the three supplemental games
illustrated by FIGS. 4-6, each of the supplemental games employs a
different deck and pay table composition from each of the other
supplemental games.
[0058] In another, separate embodiment, more than one hand of cards
may be dealt to the game player, wherein each additional hand
contains the same number of cards as the first dealt hand. It will
be appreciated that any number of additional hands can be dealt to
the game player in either of a primary game, a supplemental game or
both.
[0059] In other embodiments of the invention, games other than
poker may be used. For example, in a reel spinning game, the
primary game may trigger a unique supplemental game depending on
whether three, four or five predetermined symbols appear in any
position ("scattered") on the reels. Each of the supplemental
games, while similar in operation to the primary game, would have a
unique set of indicia (reel symbols) and may or may not have a
unique pay table.
[0060] A logical flow diagram generally depicting the steps
associated with a method 700 for carrying out a game having
multiple sets of indicia, in accordance with one aspect of the
invention, is presented in FIG. 7. The order of actions as shown in
FIG. 7 and described below is only illustrative, and should not be
considered limiting. For example, the order of the actions may be
changed, additional steps may be added or some steps may be removed
without deviating from the scope and spirit of the invention.
[0061] First, the set of indicia and pay table used for a primary
game are selected and play is initiated by a player at block 705.
The player initiates game play at block 710, and may simply observe
a presentation of indicia, as in a slot machine game, or interact
with the game following one or more presentations of indicia, as in
a draw poker game. Any awards due the player as a result of
evaluating the displayed indicia against the pay table are paid at
block 715.
[0062] The primary game outcome is compared to the first of a
plurality of supplemental game triggers at decision block 720. For
example, in a slot machine embodiment, the appearance of three
lemons on a pay line may have been predetermined to be the trigger
for a first supplemental game, Secondary Game 1.
[0063] If the triggering event for Supplemental Game 1 has not
occurred, the method proceeds to decision block 745 to test for the
occurrence of the trigger for a second supplemental game, Secondary
Game 2.
[0064] Otherwise, the primary game indicia and pay table are
replaced by the Secondary Game 1 indicia and pay table at block
725. Secondary Game 1 is then played according to its associated
indicia and pay table at block 730. Any awards associated with the
outcome of Secondary Game 1 are paid at block 735. Multiple
iterations of blocks 730-735 are possible. At step 740, the
decision to play a given iteration of Secondary Game 1, or not, is
made. The decision may be predetermined by the rules of the game,
determined at the time the supplemental game is triggered, or
determined "on the fly." When it is determined that play of
Secondary Game 1 is complete, primary game play resumes at block
705.
[0065] If Secondary Game 1 was not triggered at block 720, the
primary game outcome is compared to the trigger for Secondary Game
2 at decision block 745. If the triggering event for Secondary Game
1 has not occurred, primary game play continues at block 705.
[0066] Otherwise, the primary game indicia and pay table are
replaced by the Secondary Game 2 indicia and pay table at block
750. Secondary Game 2 is then played according to its associated
indicia and pay table at block 755. Any awards associated with the
outcome of Secondary Game 2 are paid at block 760. Multiple
iterations of blocks 755-760 are possible. At step 765, the
decision to play a given iteration of Secondary Game 2, or not, is
made. The decision may be predetermined by the rules of the game,
determined at the time the supplemental game is triggered, or
determined "on the fly." When it is determined that play of
Secondary Game 2 is complete, primary game play resumes at block
705.
[0067] It should be noted that each of the supplemental games,
while similar in operation to the primary game, has a unique set of
indicia (cards, reel symbols or other indicia) and may or may not
have a unique pay table.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 8, in accordance with one aspect of the
invention, gaming system 800 includes server 810, gaming machines
850, and network 840 connecting gaming machines 850 to server 810.
Additionally, gaming display computer 830 is shown connected to
network 840. Server 810 may be selected from a variety of
conventionally available servers. The type of server used is
generally determined by the platform and software requirements of
the gaming system. Examples of suitable servers are an IBM
RS6000-based server, an IBM AS/400-based server or a Microsoft
Windows-based server, but it should be appreciated that any
suitable server may be used. It may also be appreciated that server
810 may be configured as a single "logical" server that comprises
multiple physical servers. Gaming machines 850 operate similar to
conventional peripheral networked terminals. Gaming machines 850
have a player interface such as a display, a card reader, and
selection buttons through which gaming machines 850 interact with a
player playing a wagering having supplemental games with multiple
sets of indicia. The player interface is used for making choices
such as the amount of a bet or the number of lines to bet. Gaming
machines 850 also provide information to server 810 concerning
activity on gaming machines 850 and provide a communication portal
for players with server 810. For example, the player interface may
be used for selecting different server-related menu options such
as, but not limited to, transferring a specified number of credits
from a player account onto the credit meter of the gaming machine,
or for transferring credits from the gaming machine to a central
player account.
[0069] In various embodiments, any of the gaming machines 850 may
be a mechanical reel spinning slot machine, video slot machine,
video poker machine, keno machine, video blackjack machine, or a
gaming machine offering one or more of the above described primary
games offering supplemental games having multiple sets of indicia.
Networking components (not shown) facilitate communications across
network 840 between the system server 810 and game management units
820 and/or gaming display control computers 830 that control
displays for carousels of gaming machines. Game management units
(GMU's) 820 connect gaming machines to networking components and
may be installed in the gaming machine cabinet or external to the
gaming machine. The function of the GMU is similar to the function
of a network interface card connected to a desktop personal
computer (PC). Some GMU's have much greater capability and can
perform such tasks as presenting and playing a game having
supplemental games with multiple sets of indicia using a display
825 operatively connected to the GMU 820. Displays related to games
offering supplemental games having multiple sets of indicia on
gaming machines 850 or GMU displays 825 may also be presented on
gaming display 835 by gaming display control computer 830. In one
embodiment, the GMU 820 is a separate component located outside the
gaming machine. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the GMU 820
is located within the gaming machine. Optionally, in an alternative
embodiment, one or more gaming machines 850 connect directly to the
network and are not connected to a GMU 820. A gaming system of the
type described above also allows a plurality of games in accordance
with the various embodiments of the invention to be linked under
the control of server 810 for cooperative or competitive play in a
particular area, carousel, casino or between casinos located in
geographically separate areas.
[0070] One will appreciate that a gaming system may also comprise
other types of components, and the above illustrations are meant
only as examples and not as limitations to the types of components
or games having multiple sets of indicia in a gaming system.
Additionally, it may further be appreciated that each of the games
could be operated on a remote host computer such that a player
initiates play with the host computer over a network via the player
interface and gaming machine 850 operates the respective gaming and
video displays in conjunction with the game whose play is
controlled by the remote computer.
[0071] The various embodiments described above are provided by way
of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the
claimed invention. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize
various modifications and changes that may be made to the claimed
invention without following the example embodiments and
applications illustrated and described herein, and without
departing from the true spirit and scope of the claimed invention,
which is set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *