U.S. patent application number 12/053163 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-27 for gaming machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ainsworth Game Technology Limited. Invention is credited to Jason Meyer.
Application Number | 20090215515 12/053163 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40998860 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090215515 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meyer; Jason |
August 27, 2009 |
GAMING MACHINE
Abstract
Methods for operating a gaming machine relate to gaming machines
providing the option to initiate a deal which allows a dependency
to be created between the results displayed during plays of a base
game in the deal. The present invention, at least in some of its
preferred forms, increases the player's anticipation and excitement
during operation of the gaming machine.
Inventors: |
Meyer; Jason; (New South
Wales, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARRITY & HARRITY, LLP
11350 Random Hills Road, SUITE 600
FAIRFAX
VA
22030
US
|
Assignee: |
Ainsworth Game Technology
Limited
New South Wales
AU
|
Family ID: |
40998860 |
Appl. No.: |
12/053163 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20 ; 463/22;
463/25; 463/27 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/20 ; 463/22;
463/25; 463/27 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 26, 2008 |
AU |
2008900920 |
Claims
1. A method of operating a gaming machine including a playable base
game and at least one selectable deal option, each deal option
corresponding to a deal having a defined strategy, wherein a result
is displayed during each play of the base game and winnings are
awarded upon the appearance in the result of any predetermined
winning outcome, the method including the steps of: a. selecting a
deal option, thereby initiating the corresponding deal; b.
specifying a number of times the base game is to be played in the
deal, wherein the specified number is at least two; and c.
thereafter repeatedly playing the base game until the base game has
been played the specified number of times, wherein the strategy
creates a dependency between the results displayed during at least
two plays of the base game in the deal.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the gaming machine
includes a plurality of selectable deal options.
3. A method according to claim 2 wherein each deal option
corresponds to a unique deal.
4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the gaming machine
includes at least one standard play option, wherein selection of
the standard play option allows base games to be played in a
standard play mode without a dependency being created between the
results displayed during plays of the base game in the standard
play mode.
5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the gaming machine
includes a plurality of playable base games and the method includes
the step of selecting the base game to be played in the deal.
6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the step of selecting a
deal option selects the base game to be played in the deal.
7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of selecting a
deal option specifies the number of times the base game is played
in the deal.
8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the number of times the
base game is played in the deal is specified at random.
9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the number of times is
specified at random from a set of predetermined integers.
10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the set of predetermined
integers is unique to the selected deal option.
11. A method according to claim 7 wherein the specified number of
times the base game is to be played in the deal is not displayed
until at least the first play of the base game in the deal has
commenced.
12. A method according to claim 1 including the step of setting
respective wager amounts to bet on each play of the base game in
the deal.
13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the wager amount is
fixed for all plays of the base game in the deal.
14. A method according to claim 12 wherein the respective wager
amounts to bet on each play of the base game in the deal are
determined by a betting schedule, such that the wager amount will
increase, decrease, be determined randomly or change at least once
during the deal.
15. A method according to claim 14 wherein the gaming machine is
adapted to apply the betting schedule to determine the wager amount
to bet on each play of the base game in the deal.
16. A method according to claim 12 wherein the step of setting the
respective wager amounts includes the steps of: providing a set of
at least two predetermined wager options, each wager option
corresponding to respective wager amounts to bet on each play of
the base game in the deal; and selecting a wager option from the
set of wager options.
17. A method according to claim 12 wherein the step of selecting a
deal option sets the respective wager amounts to bet on each play
of the base game in the deal.
18. A method according to claim 12 wherein initiating a deal
requires the payment of a credit amount, wherein the wager amount
to bet on each play of the base game in the deal is decremented
from the credit amount during the corresponding play of the base
game in the deal.
19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the gaming machine
includes a credit meter for displaying the current credit amount,
wherein awarded winnings are recorded by incrementing the amount
displayed on the credit meter.
20. A method according to claim 1 wherein each play of the base
game in the deal is individually triggered.
21. A method according to claim 20 wherein the gaming machine
includes a trigger means for individually triggering each play of
the base game in the deal.
22. A method according to claim 1 wherein at least one secondary
game is awarded upon the occurrence of a predefined trigger event
during the deal, wherein winnings are awarded during play of the
secondary game and wherein the secondary game does not require the
placement of a bet in order to play.
23. A method according to claim 22 wherein the characteristics of
the secondary game are dependent on the selected deal option.
24. A method according to claim 22 wherein a win multiplier is
applied to winnings awarded during play of the secondary game.
25. A method according to claim 1 wherein the gaming machine is
adapted to automatically implement the strategy.
26. A method according to claim 1 wherein implementation of the
strategy requires player interaction.
27. A method according to claim 1 wherein the dependency operates
by adding points to an accumulative points total upon the
occurrence of a predefined points trigger event during a play of
the base game in the deal, wherein a points reward dependent on the
accumulative points total is awarded during the deal.
28. A method according to claim 27 wherein the points reward is
awarded when the base game has been played the specified number of
times.
29. A method according to claim 27 wherein the predefined points
trigger event includes the appearance in the result of a points
symbol corresponding to a specified value of points to be added to
the accumulative point total.
30. A method according to claim 27 wherein the points reward
includes at least one play of a secondary game, wherein the
characteristics of the secondary game are dependent on the
accumulated points total.
31. A method according to claim 1 wherein the result includes an
array of symbols selected from a predetermined set of symbols and
the dependency operates by allowing any specified symbol displayed
in the array during at least one play of the base game in the deal
to influence the symbols displayed in at least one other play of
the base game in the deal.
32. A method according to claim 31 wherein the dependency operates
by allowing any specified symbol displayed in the array during one
play of the base game in the deal to influence the symbols
displayed in at least one subsequent play, if any, of the base game
in the deal.
33. A method according to claim 32 wherein any specified symbol
displayed in the array during one play of the base game in the deal
is displayed in the same position of the array in the at least one
subsequent play.
34. A method according to claim 32 wherein the at least one
subsequent play refers to the next play of the base game in the
deal.
35. A method according to claim 31 wherein the predetermined set of
symbols includes a subset of special symbols, wherein any special
symbol appearing in a selected position in the array is a specified
symbol.
36. A method according to claim 35 wherein the subset of special
symbols includes at least one of the following types of symbol:
progressive/jackpot trigger symbol, substitute symbol, highest
paying symbol, scatter symbol and stacked symbol.
37. A method according to claim 31 wherein, upon the occurrence of
a predefined trigger event during one play of the base game in the
deal, at least one position is added to the array displayed during
at least one of the one play of the base game and any subsequent
plays of the base game in the deal for increasing the number of
symbols displayed in the array so that winnings can be awarded on
winning outcomes resulting from the increased number of displayed
symbols.
38. A method according to claim 31 wherein at least one symbol is
added to the predetermined set of symbols upon the occurrence of a
predefined trigger event during one play of the base game in the
deal.
39. A method according to claim 31 wherein the base game is a
spinning reel type game using a simulation of "n" adjacent reels to
display an array of symbols in "n" columns.
40. A method according to claim 39 including the step of selecting
at least one specified reel for each play of the base game in the
deal, such that one condition of being a specified symbol is that
the symbol is displayed in the column corresponding to a specified
reel.
41. A method according to claim 40 wherein the gaming machine is
adapted to select the at least one specified reel for each play of
the base game in the deal upon the selection of a deal option.
42. A method according to claim 40 wherein the step of selecting at
least one specified reel for each play of the base game in the deal
includes repeating, for each play of the base game in the deal, the
step of selecting at least one specified reel for one play of the
base game prior to the commencement of the one play.
43. A method according to claim 40 wherein the base game includes
"n" wager options numbered consecutively from one to "n" and
wherein the method includes the step of selecting a wager option,
each wager option causing reels to be effected differently within
the deal such that the selection of a numbered wager option results
in a corresponding number of specified reels being selected for
each play of the base game in the deal.
44. A method according to claim 43 wherein "n" equals five and
wherein: selecting wager option one results in one reel being
selected as a specified reel; selecting wager option two results in
two reels being selected as specified reels; selecting wager option
three results in three reels being selected as specified reels;
selecting wager option four results in four reels being selected as
specified reels; and selecting wager option five results in all
five reels being selected as specified reels.
45. A method according to claim 40 wherein the base game includes
"n" deal options numbered consecutively from one to "n", each deal
option causing reels to be effected differently within the deal
such that the selection of a numbered deal option results in a
corresponding number of specified reels being selected for each
play of the base game in the deal.
46. A method according to claim 45 wherein "n" equals five and
wherein: selecting deal option one results in one reel being
selected as a specified reel; selecting deal option two results in
two reels being selected as specified reels; selecting deal option
three results in three reels being selected as specified reels;
selecting deal option four results in four reels being selected as
specified reels; and selecting deal option five results in all five
reels being selected as specified reels.
47. A method according to claim 31 wherein the array includes at
least one payline, each payline including unique combinations of
positions within the array, wherein winnings are awarded on any
payline carrying a bet and showing a predefined winning combination
of symbols.
48. A method according to claim 31 wherein winnings are awarded for
any arrangement displayed in the array of a predefined winning
combination of symbols.
49. A gaming machine adapted to be operated by a method according
to claim 1, the gaming machine including: at least one selectable
deal option, each deal option corresponding to a deal having a
defined strategy; and a base game, wherein the machine is adapted
to display a result each time the base game is played and award
winnings upon the appearance in the result of any predetermined
winning outcome.
50. A gaming machine adapted to be operated by a method according
to claim 1, the gaming machine including: a base game; and at least
one selectable deal option, each deal option corresponding to a
deal having a defined strategy, wherein, upon the selection of a
deal option, the gaming machine is adapted to initiate the
corresponding deal and play the base game the specified number of
times, wherein the strategy creates a dependency between the
results displayed during at least two plays of the base game in the
deal.
51. A gaming machine according to claim 49 including at least one
standard play option, wherein selection of the standard play option
allows base games to be played in a standard play mode without a
dependency being created between the results displayed during plays
of the base game in the standard play mode.
52. A gaming machine according to claim 50 including at least one
standard play option, wherein selection of the standard play option
allows base games to be played in a standard play mode without a
dependency being created between the results displayed during plays
of the base game in the standard play mode.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to gaming machines. The
invention has been developed primarily for computerized gaming
machines and will be described hereinafter with reference to this
application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is
not limited to this particular field of use and may be suited for
many other applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The following discussion of the prior art is provided as a
technical background, to enable the features and benefits of the
invention to be fully appreciated in an appropriate technical
context. However, any reference to the prior art should not be
taken as an express or implied admission that such art is widely
known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
[0003] Gaming machines have long been known and are now one of the
most common forms of gambling. Usually gaming machines will
simulate a well known game of chance. One of the oldest and best
known forms of gaming machine is the rotating reel type "poker
machine". In light of its popularity, the present invention will be
described with reference to this type of gaming machine. However it
will be appreciated that it is equally applicable to many other
types of gaming machine.
[0004] Traditional poker machines use a series of three or more
reels, each reel having symbols on its peripheral edge. The reels
are rotated upon the placement of a wager and then stopped to
produce an arrangement of randomly selected symbols. Winnings
are
[0005] paid if the random arrangement of symbols matches one of the
predetermined winning combinations.
[0006] More recently, these gaming machines have been computerized
with a video display replacing the physically rotating reels. The
display screen typically presents an array of symbols in five
columns and three rows equating to the symbols that would normally
be seen on the five physically rotating reels of an old style
mechanical machine.
[0007] Gaming machines can "pay winnings" in a variety of ways.
These include dispensing money, dispensing tokens that can be
redeemed for money, or simply adding credits to a credit meter that
can be used for placing future bets, or redeemed as money. Given
the predominance of computerized gaming machines, winnings are most
commonly awarded in the form of credits tallied on a credit meter.
In light of this, the present invention will be described with the
specific reference to the payment of winnings in this manner,
however ordinary workers in this field will readily understand that
the term encompasses other award payment mechanisms.
[0008] The standard method for game play on a spinning reel gaming
machine can be described as the "base and free feature" style. This
method provides a single spin of an initial "base" game initiated
by a wager from the player. In turn, the base game provides a set
of independent winning combinations in addition to at least one
special trigger combination which awards a "feature" game. The
feature game is typically provided at no visible cost to the player
(i.e. termed a "free feature"), however the real cost of the
feature game to the player is incorporated through the base game
wager.
[0009] Base games are completely independent of each other. Due to
the independent nature of a base game, there is little anticipation
generated for the seasoned player until the feature game is
triggered.
[0010] The feature game is typically a set of free games, either
operating under an enhanced form of the base game or alternatively
as a completely new style of game. One successful game feature
includes the use of a strategic dependency between each of the
feature games in order to determine the prize that will be
awarded.
[0011] In the "base and free feature" method, typically the player
wagers on a single base game over and over again until the free
feature game is awarded. Players chase the feature game as it
offers free enhancement or more favorable styles of game
functionality to the base game. Many very successful feature games
provide a strategy for holding the highest ranked symbols in place
over a number of free games. This provides players with extra
opportunities to add more of those same symbols and create a very
favorable winning combination. The dependency created by holding
the highest ranked symbols over a number of games creates a great
sense of anticipation and excitement for players.
[0012] One limitation of the "base and free feature" method is that
players must on average wager for over a hundred base games before
a feature is triggered. While the feature game creates the impact
and excitement the player is seeking, waiting through so many base
games to achieve the feature is tedious over time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or
ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or
to provide a useful alternative.
[0014] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is
provided a method of operating a gaming machine including a
playable base game and at least one selectable deal option, each
deal option corresponding to a deal having a defined strategy,
wherein a result is displayed during each play of the base game and
winnings are awarded upon the appearance in the result of any
predetermined winning outcome, the method including the steps
of:
[0015] a. selecting a deal option, thereby initiating the
corresponding deal;
[0016] b. specifying a number of times the base game is to be
played in the deal, wherein the specified number is at least two;
and
[0017] c. thereafter repeatedly playing the base game until the
base game has been played the specified number of times,
[0018] wherein the strategy creates a dependency between the
results displayed during at least two plays of the base game in the
deal.
[0019] In some embodiments of the invention, the order in which
steps a and b are carried out is preferably reversed.
[0020] Preferably, the gaming machine includes a plurality of
selectable deal options. Each deal option preferably corresponds to
a unique deal.
[0021] In some embodiments of the invention, the gaming machine
preferably includes at least one standard play option, wherein
selection of the standard play option allows base games to be
played in a standard play mode without a dependency being created
between the results displayed during plays of the base game in the
standard play mode.
[0022] Preferably, the gaming machine includes a plurality of
playable base games and the method includes the step of selecting
the base game to be played in the deal. In some embodiments, the
step of selecting a deal option selects the base game to be played
in the deal. In other embodiments, a gaming machine operator
selects the base game to be played.
[0023] Preferably, the step of selecting a deal option specifies
the number of times the base game is played in the deal. In some
embodiments of the invention, each deal option corresponds to a
predetermined fixed number of times the base game is played in the
corresponding deal. In other embodiments, the number of times the
base game is played in the deal is preferably specified at random.
More preferably, the number of times is specified at random from a
set of predetermined integers. This set of predetermined integers
is preferably unique to the selected deal option. In these and
other embodiments, the gaming machine may be adapted to specify the
number of times the base game is played in the deal. Preferably,
the specified number of times the base game is to be played in the
deal is not displayed until at least the first play of the base
game in the deal has commenced.
[0024] Preferably, the method includes the step of setting
respective wager amounts to bet on each play of the base game in
the deal. In some embodiments, the wager amount is preferably fixed
for all plays of the base game in the deal. In other embodiments,
the respective wager amounts to bet on each play of the base game
in the deal are preferably determined by a betting schedule, such
that the wager amount will increase, decrease, be determined
randomly or change at least once during the deal. Preferably, the
gaming machine is adapted to apply the betting schedule to
determine the wager amount to bet on each play of the base game in
the deal.
[0025] Preferably, the step of setting the respective wager amounts
includes the steps of:
[0026] providing a set of at least two predetermined wager options,
each wager option corresponding to respective wager amounts to bet
on each play of the base game in the deal; and
[0027] selecting a wager option from the set of wager options.
[0028] In some embodiments of the invention, the gaming machine
includes a base bet amount and each wager option corresponds to a
wager multiplier for each base game of the deal. The wager amount
to bet on each play of the base game is determined by multiplying
the base bet amount by the respective wager multiplier.
[0029] The gaming machine may include a plurality of selectable
buttons, each button corresponding to a wager option for selection
by a player. These buttons may include, for example, at least one
of a physical button or a touch screen button.
[0030] Preferably, the step of selecting a deal option sets the
respective wager amounts to bet on each play of the base game in
the deal. The gaming machine may be adapted to automatically set
this wager amount.
[0031] Preferably, initiating a deal requires the payment of a
credit amount, wherein the wager amount to bet on each play of the
base game in the deal is decremented from the credit amount during
the corresponding play of the base game in the deal. The gaming
machine preferably includes a credit meter for displaying the
current credit amount, wherein awarded winnings are recorded by
incrementing the amount displayed on the credit meter.
[0032] Preferably, each play of the base game in the deal is
individually triggered. The gaming machine preferably includes a
trigger means for individually triggering each play of the base
game in the deal. This trigger means may be, for example, in the
form of a physical button or a touch screen button, such that the
trigger means must be pressed by a gaming machine operator to
trigger each play of the base game.
[0033] Preferably, at least one secondary game is awarded upon the
occurrence of a predefined trigger event during the deal, wherein
winnings are awarded during play of the secondary game and wherein
the secondary game does not require the placement of a bet in order
to play. The characteristics of the secondary game are preferably
dependent on the selected deal option. Preferably, a win multiplier
is applied to winnings awarded during play of the secondary game.
This win multiplier may be predefined or generated at random.
[0034] In some embodiments, the gaming machine is preferably
adapted to automatically implement the strategy. In other
embodiments, implementation of the strategy requires player
interaction.
[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the dependency operates by adding
points to an accumulative points total upon the occurrence of a
predefined points trigger event during a play of the base game in
the deal, wherein a points reward dependent on the accumulative
points total is awarded during the deal. The points reward is
preferably awarded when the base game has been played the specified
number of times. Preferably, the predefined points trigger event
preferably includes the appearance in the result of a points symbol
corresponding to a specified value of points to be added to the
accumulative point total. The points reward preferably includes at
least one play of a secondary game, wherein the characteristics of
the secondary game are dependent on the accumulated points
total.
[0036] Preferably, the result includes an array of symbols selected
from a predetermined set of symbols and the dependency operates by
allowing any specified symbol displayed in the array during at
least one play of the base game in the deal to influence the
symbols displayed in at least one other play of the base game in
the deal. Preferably, the dependency operates by allowing any
specified symbol displayed in the array during one play of the base
game in the deal to influence the symbols displayed in at least one
subsequent play, if any, of the base game in the deal. Preferably,
any specified symbol displayed in the array during one play of the
base game in the deal is displayed in the same position of the
array in the at least one subsequent play. The at least one
subsequent play refers to the next play of the base game in the
deal. Advantageously, by influencing the displayed symbols as
described, the chance of a winning combination occurring during
these influenced plays is improved.
[0037] Preferably, the predetermined set of symbols includes a
subset of special symbols, wherein any special symbol appearing in
a selected position in the array is a specified symbol. This subset
of special symbols preferably includes at least one of the
following types of symbol: progressive/jackpot trigger symbol,
substitute symbol, highest paying symbol, scatter symbol and
stacked symbol.
[0038] Preferably, upon the occurrence of a predefined trigger
event during one play of the base game in the deal, at least one
position is added to the array displayed during at least one of the
one play of the base game and any subsequent plays of the base game
in the deal for increasing the number of symbols displayed in the
array so that winnings can be awarded on winning outcomes resulting
from the increased number of displayed symbols. Preferably, at
least one symbol is added to the predetermined set of symbols upon
the occurrence of a predefined trigger event during one play of the
base game in the deal.
[0039] In a preferred form of the invention, the base game is a
spinning reel type game using a simulation of "n" adjacent reels to
display an array of symbols in "n" columns. Preferably, the method
includes the step of selecting at least one specified reel for each
play of the base game in the deal, such that one condition of being
a specified symbol is that the symbol is displayed in the column
corresponding to a specified reel. In some embodiments, the gaming
machine is adapted to select the at least one specified reel for
each play of the base game in the deal upon the selection of a deal
option. In other embodiments, any specified reels are selected by a
gaming machine operator. Preferably, the step of selecting at least
one specified reel for each play of the base game in the deal
includes repeating, for each play of the base game in the deal, the
step of selecting at least one specified reel for one play of the
base game prior to the commencement of the one play.
[0040] Preferably, the base game includes "n" wager options
numbered consecutively from one to "n" and wherein the method
includes the step of selecting a wager option, each wager option
causing reels to be effected differently within the deal such that
the selection of a numbered wager option results in a corresponding
number of specified reels being selected for each play of the base
game in the deal.
[0041] In one embodiment, "n" equals five and wherein:
[0042] selecting wager option one results in one reel being
selected as a specified reel;
[0043] selecting wager option two results in two reels being
selected as specified reels;
[0044] selecting wager option three results in three reel being
selected as specified reels;
[0045] selecting wager option four results in four reels being
selected as specified reels; and
[0046] selecting wager option five results in all five reels being
selected as specified reels.
[0047] Preferably, the base game includes "n" deal options numbered
consecutively from one to "n", each deal option causing reels to be
effected differently within the deal such that the selection of a
numbered deal option results in a corresponding number of specified
reels being selected for each play of the base game in the
deal.
[0048] In another embodiment, "n" equals five and wherein
[0049] selecting deal option one results in one reel being selected
as a specified reel;
[0050] selecting deal option two results in two reels being
selected as specified reels;
[0051] selecting deal option three results in three reels being
selected as specified reels;
[0052] selecting deal option four results in four reels being
selected as specified reels; and
[0053] selecting deal option five results in all five reels being
selected as specified reels.
[0054] Preferably, the array includes at least one payline, each
payline including unique combinations of positions within the
array, wherein winnings are awarded on any payline carrying a bet
and showing a predefined winning combination of symbols. In some
embodiments, winning are preferably awarded for any arrangement
displayed in the array of a predefined winning combination of
symbols. In other embodiments, the winning combination of symbols
must be arranged in a specific orientation and/or location in the
array for winnings to be awarded.
[0055] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is
provided a gaming machine adapted to be operated by a method
according to the first aspect of the invention, the gaming machine
including:
[0056] at least one selectable deal option, each deal option
corresponding to a deal having a defined strategy; and
[0057] a base game, wherein the machine is adapted to display a
result each time the base game is played and award winnings upon
the appearance in the result of any predetermined winning
outcome.
[0058] Preferably, the gaming machine includes at least one
standard play option, wherein selection of the standard play option
allows base games to be played in a standard play mode without a
dependency being created between the results displayed during plays
of the base game in the standard play mode.
[0059] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a gaming machine adapted to be operated by a method
according to the first aspect of the invention, the gaming machine
including:
[0060] a base game; and
[0061] at least one selectable deal option, each deal option
corresponding to a deal having a defined strategy,
[0062] wherein, upon the selection of a deal option, the gaming
machine is adapted to initiate the corresponding deal and play the
base game the specified number of times,
[0063] wherein the strategy creates a dependency between the
results displayed during at least two plays of the base game in the
deal.
[0064] Preferably, the gaming machine includes at least one
standard play option, wherein selection of the standard play option
allows base games to be played in a standard play mode without a
dependency being created between the results displayed during plays
of the base game in the standard play mode.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0065] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0066] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the button panel
of a gaming machine configured in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention;
[0067] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of the button panel
of a gaming machine configured in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0068] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the steps of a method of
operating a gaming machine.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0069] An improved method of playing spinning reel games is termed
"Deal with strategy". This new method creates dependency between
the base games through a defined game play strategy which provides
means to improve the chance of winning combinations from one base
game to the next. The strategy works by holding selected results
from any base game and using them again in one or more subsequent
base games so that the result can be improved. The strategy can be
automatically implemented by the game software during game play or
alternatively the player can make decisions to implement the
strategy.
[0070] The new method requires the player to agree to a deal option
whereby they will play a certain number of games at a set wager
amount for each game. The deal includes the strategy provided to
improve the chance of winning combinations appearing, that is, how
the dependency between the base games of the deal operates. The
player will agree to the deal option and then the series of games
will commence with the agreed strategy in place for the duration of
the deal.
[0071] Advantageously, this method provides a far more interesting
proposition than the current method whereby players play base game
after base game with no possibility to improve upon results each
time.
[0072] For terminology sake, we will call the deal itself (which
includes the series of plays of the base game it covers) the "Game"
and in doing so we will call each sub-game within the deal a
"Spin". Furthermore, the deal can include preface for triggering
further game enhancements during the spins, for example, spins with
bonus prize multipliers. As such, we will define the standard spins
agreed to in the deal as "base spins" and any further enhanced
spins as "feature spins".
[0073] One preferred embodiment of the invention includes a
spinning reel game with 5 reels and 5 deal options a player can
choose from. The selected deal option requires at least one of the
reels to be specified, in this example, to hold substitute symbols
in place. The strategy provided in this example holds all
substitute symbols that appear anywhere on the assigned reels (as
per the deal selected) for all remaining spins of the deal. All
winning conditions pay scattered from left to right across the
reels. The button display 1 of the gaming machine described in this
example is shown in FIG. 1. A deal option is selected by pressing
one of the "Deal" buttons 2 to 6.
[0074] Information describing the properties of the 5 available
deals is displayed upon the game rules button 7 being selected. In
this example, the deals are described as follows: [0075] Deal 1: 3
spins at 50 c per base spin (i.e. total cost of deal is $1.50 at
bet 1.times.), reel 5 holds substitutes only, 5 free feature spins
[0076] Deal 2: 5 spins at 50 c per base spin (i.e. total cost of
deal is $2.50 at bet 1.times.), reels 4, 5 holds substitutes only,
5 free feature spins [0077] Deal 3: 10 spins at 50 c per base spin
(i.e. total cost of deal is $5.00 at bet 1.times.), reels 3, 4, 5
holds substitutes only, 5 free feature spins [0078] Deal 4: 15
spins at 50 c per base spin (i.e. total cost of deal is $7.50 at
bet 1.times.), reels 2, 3, 4, 5 holds substitutes only, 5 free
feature spins [0079] Deal 5: 20 spins at 50 c per base spin (i.e.
total cost of deal is $10.00 at bet 1.times.), All reels hold
substitutes, 5 free feature spins.
[0080] It is important to note that the number of spins awarded,
the cost per base spin and thus the total cost of a deal can be
either player selected or set by the gaming machine to any values
that are deemed optimal for the initiated deal.
[0081] If a player selected the button 8 corresponding to wager
option "Bet 2.times." and the button 4 corresponding to deal option
"Deal 3", as shown in FIG. 3, then they would commit to playing 10
spins at 2.times.50 c=$1 per spin (total cost of deal is $10.00 at
bet 2.times.). All prizes won would be multiplied by 2 as a result
of selecting "Bet 2.times.". The strategy provided for this
particular deal is to hold all substitute symbols that appear
anywhere on reels 3, 4 and 5 for the remaining spins of the deal.
In this example, the game software automates the strategy by
automatically holding the substitute symbols without any player
interaction to do so.
[0082] In addition the game offers 5 free "feature spins" which are
triggered for every spin where 3 or more scatters appear. Feature
spins are accumulated on a soft counter displayed on the main
screen. All accumulated feature spins are played at the conclusion
of the base spins. During the feature spins, the prize awarded for
any winning combination is multiplied by 3 and the strategy
provided for the base spins remains in place. Furthermore, feature
spins can be triggered again during the free spins.
[0083] After the player has agreed to the deal option by pressing
the "Bet .times.2" button 9 and then the "Deal 3" button 4, the
machine will confirm 9 all the relative deal information to the
player via on screen graphics, text and sound. The player will then
be required to insert credit, in order to bring the credit meter to
at least a minimum credit amount of $10, as shown by step 10. The
player will then press the SPIN button 11 to commence the first
spin, as shown by step 12, and again for each of the other 9
subsequent spins, shown by step 13, for example. The credit meter
will decrement by a value of $1 with each spin initiated by the
player. At the end of each spin, all winning combinations are
automatically paid (at 2.times. the normal pay value) by the
software, shown at 14, for example. For any of the first 9 spins,
all substitute symbols appearing on reels 3, 4 and 5 are held where
they appear for the remainder of spins in the deal. This is shown,
for example, where the substitute symbol 15, displayed in reel 4 of
the result 16 of the first spin, is displayed in the same position
in the result 17 of the second spin.
[0084] Every time 3 or more scattered symbols 18 appear, the free
feature spin counter will increment by 5, as shown at 19. Then all
accumulated spins will be played 20 at the conclusion of the 10
base spins. If 3 scatters occur again during the free feature
spins, then the counter will be increased again by 5 and these free
spins will be played also. All prizes won during the feature spins
are multiplied by 3 (as per the rules of the deal) and then again
by 2 (for the bet .times.2 wager staked). Overall, the result is
that any winnings awarded during free feature spins are multiplied
by 6. Any substitute symbol appearing on reels 3, 4 or 5 are held
and any substitute symbol that was held during the base spins is
still held for the duration of all free feature spins.
[0085] The deal is completed 21 at the conclusion of all base spins
and any free feature spins won. The player can then select a new
deal option to play or play the same deal once again. Each of the
other 4 deal options shown in FIG. 1 correspond to deals which
operate in a similar manner as described for "Deal 3", the only
differences being the number of base spins played and the number of
reels where substitutes can be held.
[0086] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, at least
one deal option offered by the game will trigger a random number of
base spins from a number of set possibilities. Taking deal option
"Deal 5" from the previous example where it offers a fixed value 20
base spins, instead we change "Deal 5" so that when it is selected
a random choice of 15, 20 or 25 base spins is awarded to the
player. In this way the average number of the spins awarded is
still 20 as before, but this change provides a new option for
entertaining the player. Furthermore, we could extend this
functionality to all of the 5 deal options in the game.
[0087] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the bet
per spin will increase with each base spin played during the deal.
As the bet increases, the rewards for winning combinations will
improve and/or the strategy will be enhanced to improve the chance
of winning combinations appearing with each base spin played. This
builds the anticipation further as the player has more
opportunities to win as the deal progresses towards its
conclusion.
[0088] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the deal
strategy holds jackpot (progressive) trigger symbols in place. When
a certain combination of jackpot symbols is displayed during the
deal, a progressive prize is awarded. This method again builds the
level of anticipation, as progressive prizes are typically the most
valuable prizes in any game.
[0089] In another preferred embodiment of the invention,
progressive prizes may be dependant on accumulating points during
the base spins of the deal. Special symbols with different point
values will appear during the base spins and are accumulated on a
soft meter. The number of points accumulated at the conclusion of
the base spins is defined as the "score" and this value is used to
determine the level of jackpot prize awarded. This point
methodology could also be applied to determining the operations to
be applied for free feature spins that are awarded. For example,
accumulated points may result in prizes being awarded as
follows:
[0090] an accumulated score of 1 to 10 inclusive awards 10 free
feature spins, with the deal strategy being applied to the free
feature spins and all winnings awarded during the feature spins
being multiple by 2;
[0091] an accumulated score of 11 to 20 inclusive awards 20 free
feature spins, with the deal strategy being applied to the free
feature spins and all winnings awarded during the feature spins
being multiple by 5;
[0092] an accumulated score of 21 to 30 inclusive awards a minor
jackpot prize;
[0093] an accumulated score of 31 to 40 inclusive awards a major
jackpot prize; and
[0094] an accumulated score of 41+ awards a grand jackpot
prize.
[0095] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, winning
combinations are paid on paylines. For example the game may offer
50 or 100 paylines during every spin where each payline represents
an opportunity for a winning combination to be paid. In this case
the strategy may hold "stacked symbols" as they appear, where a
stacked symbol is 2 or more of the same symbol placed adjacent to
each other on a reel. The aim is to collect stacked symbols on many
reels so that coinciding wins can be paid across many of the 50 or
100 paylines.
[0096] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the game
will offer at least one deal option and at least one standard play
option. The standard play option allows base games to be played in
a standard play mode without a dependency being created between the
results displayed during plays of the base game in the standard
play mode. Thus, the standard play option does not involve any
deal, it only requires the play to commit a wager on a single spin
basis and with no strategy provided, that is, game play using the
standard "base and free feature" style). For example, a number of
standard play options may be offered, including "Play 1 line",
"Play 5 lines", "Play 10 lines" and "Play 15 lines", in addition to
a "Deal for 20 spins with strategy" option. This gives the player
flexibility to select either a standard play option or a deal
option at any time.
[0097] While the selection of a deal option will attract an
additional cost to the player than the selection of a standard play
option, it can offer all the enhancements associated with the deal
as detailed in previous examples. Furthermore, the deal option may
not only provide a game strategy, it may also offer win multipliers
to enhance prize values. In this way there is a number of game
enhancing incentives offered to the player for choosing the deal
option instead of the standard play option. One example of a button
panel 22 suitable for selecting either a deal option or a standard
play option is show at FIG. 2.
[0098] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the game
will offer a player interactive strategy. In this case the player
will make decisions from spin to spin that will affect the outcomes
during the deal. One example is offering a deal option with a
strategy such that the player must determine which reels to hold
and which reels to re-spin from spin to spin. The aim is to hold
the highest ranking symbols and re-spin the other reels in order to
create a high paying win combination.
[0099] In some embodiments of the invention, the player will have a
number of wager options to select from, each wager option
corresponding to a wager amount to bet on each spin of the deal as
well as the manner in which the strategy is applied to the reels.
For example, in one embodiment, the wager options are such that
selecting the 1st wager option results in the game strategy being
applied to reel 1 only, selecting the 2nd wager option results in
the game strategy being applied to reels 1 and 2 only, selecting
the 3rd wager option results in the game strategy being applied to
reels 1, 2 and 3 only, selecting the 4th wager option results in
the game strategy being applied to reels 1, 2, 3 and 4 only, and
selecting the 5th wager option results in the game strategy being
applied to reels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. In an alternative embodiment,
selecting the 1st wager option results in the game strategy being
applied to reel 5 only, selecting the 2nd wager option results in
the game strategy being applied to reels 4 and 5 only, selecting
the 3rd wager option results in the game strategy being applied to
reels 3, 4 and 5 only, selecting the 4th wager option results in
the game strategy being applied to reels 2, 3, 4 and 5 only, and
selecting the 5th wager option results in the game strategy being
applied to reels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
[0100] In other embodiments, the player will have a number of deal
options to select from, each deal option corresponding to the
manner in which the strategy is applied to the reels in a similar
manner as described above for the wager options.
[0101] The present invention has been described herein by way of
example only. Skilled workers in this field will readily recognize
many variations and modifications, which do not depart from the
spirit and scope of the broad inventive concept.
* * * * *