U.S. patent application number 15/170429 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-22 for gaming system and method for selectively providing an elimination tournament that funds an award through expected values of unplayed tournament games of eliminated players.
The applicant listed for this patent is IGT. Invention is credited to Ryan W. Cuddy, Rogelio S. Decasa, JR., Benjamin M. Fuller, Kelsy J. Grace, Karen M. Kendall, Jason P. Pawloski.
Application Number | 20160275757 15/170429 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43780976 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160275757 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Decasa, JR.; Rogelio S. ; et
al. |
September 22, 2016 |
GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTIVELY PROVIDING AN ELIMINATION
TOURNAMENT THAT FUNDS AN AWARD THROUGH EXPECTED VALUES OF UNPLAYED
TOURNAMENT GAMES OF ELIMINATED PLAYERS
Abstract
A gaming system including a central server operable to
communicate a plurality of different commands to a plurality of
gaming devices to provide non-tournament game play and provide an
elimination tournament. The gaming system contributes an average
expected payout value of tournament games that were determined to
be subsequently played by tournament players but were then not
played because the players were eliminated before the end of the
tournament to a tournament award. The tournament award is provided
to a winner of the tournament.
Inventors: |
Decasa, JR.; Rogelio S.;
(Reno, NV) ; Pawloski; Jason P.; (Atlanta, GA)
; Cuddy; Ryan W.; (Reno, NV) ; Kendall; Karen
M.; (Sydney, AU) ; Grace; Kelsy J.; (Reno,
NV) ; Fuller; Benjamin M.; (Orem, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
IGT |
Las Vegas |
NV |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
43780976 |
Appl. No.: |
15/170429 |
Filed: |
June 1, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13849300 |
Mar 22, 2013 |
9361754 |
|
|
15170429 |
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|
12871359 |
Aug 30, 2010 |
8419546 |
|
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13849300 |
|
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|
61238458 |
Aug 31, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3276 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101; G07F 17/34 20130101; G07F 17/3244
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20060101
G07F017/32 |
Claims
1. A tournament gaming system comprising: a plurality of gaming
machines each including: a housing; a display device supported by
the housing; an input device supported by the housing; an acceptor
configured to receive a physical item associated with a monetary
value to facilitate establishment of a credit balance; a processor;
and a memory device that stores a plurality of instructions that,
when executed by the processor, cause the processor to operate with
the display device, the input device, and the acceptor; and a
controller configured to operate with the plurality of gaming
machines to, for a tournament for which the plurality of gaming
machines have qualified: (a) for each of the plurality of gaming
machines, track play of a tournament game by a player of that
gaming machine during the tournament; (b) for each tournament game
played on one of the plurality of gaming machines during the
tournament, randomly generate and cause the display device of that
gaming machine to display a tournament game outcome; (c) if a
tournament advantage condition is satisfied for a player of one of
the plurality of gaming machines, provide that player an advantage
for at least one play of the tournament game; (d) determine a
tournament winner based on the tracked tournament game play; and
(e) cause at least part of a tournament award to be provided to the
tournament winner.
2. The tournament gaming system of claim 1, wherein the controller
is configured to operate with the plurality of gaming machines to:
(1) for each of the plurality of gaming machines, determine a
quantity of tournament games available to be played by a player of
that gaming machine in the tournament; (2) when a player
elimination event occurs, eliminate at least one but fewer than all
of the players from the tournament; (3) after the player
elimination event occurs, for each eliminated player, determine any
unplayed tournament games that eliminated player has remaining
following elimination; and (4) determine a value of the tournament
award based at least in part on an average expected payout value of
each determined unplayed tournament game.
3. The tournament gaming system of claim 2, wherein the controller
is configured to operate with the plurality of gaming machines to,
if the tournament advantage condition is satisfied for a player of
one of the plurality of gaming machines, provide that player the
advantage for each play of the tournament game.
4. The tournament gaming system of claim 3, wherein the average
expected payout value of a determined unplayed tournament game of a
player is larger if the tournament advantage condition is satisfied
for that player than if the tournament advantage condition is not
satisfied for that player.
5. The tournament gaming system of claim 1, wherein the tournament
advantage condition is satisfied based on at least one play of a
primary game that occurs before the tournament.
6. The tournament gaming system of claim 5, wherein the plurality
of gaming machines enable the players to accumulate advantage
points during plays of the primary game.
7. The tournament gaming system of claim 6, wherein the tournament
advantage condition is satisfied for a player when the player
redeems a quantity of accumulated advantage points.
8. The tournament gaming system of claim 1, wherein the tournament
award is variable based on whether the tournament advantage
condition is satisfied.
9. The tournament gaming system of claim 1, wherein the controller
is configured to operate with each gaming machine to enable the
player of that gaming machine to play a designated quantity of
plays of the tournament game during the tournament.
10. The tournament gaming system of claim 9, wherein the designated
quantity of plays is larger for a player when the tournament
advantage condition is satisfied for the player that if the
tournament advantage condition is not satisfied for the player.
11. A method of operating a tournament gaming system, the method
comprising: (a) for each of a plurality of gaming machines,
enabling a player to play a primary game on that gaming machine
following receipt, by an acceptor of the gaming machine, of a
physical item associated with a monetary value and establishment of
a credit balance for the player based at least in part on the
monetary value associated with the physical item; (b) responsive to
an occurrence of a tournament triggering event, initiating, by a
controller, a tournament for which each of the plurality of gaming
machines is qualified; (c) for each of the plurality of gaming
machines, tracking, by the controller, play of a tournament game by
the player of that gaming machine during the tournament; (d) for
each tournament game played on one of the plurality of gaming
machines during the tournament, randomly generating, by at least
one processor, and displaying, by a display device of that gaming
machine, a tournament game outcome; (e) if a tournament advantage
condition is satisfied for a player of one of the plurality of
gaming machines, providing that player an advantage for at least
one play of the tournament game; (f) determining, by the
controller, a tournament winner based on the tracked tournament
game play; and (g) causing, by the controller, at least part of a
tournament award to be provided to the tournament winner.
12. The method of claim 11, which includes: (1) for each of the
plurality of gaming machines, determining, by the controller, a
quantity of tournament games available to be played by a player of
that gaming machine in the tournament; (2) when a player
elimination event occurs, eliminating, by the controller, at least
one but fewer than all of the players from the tournament; (3)
after the player elimination event occurs, for each eliminated
player, determining, by the controller, any unplayed tournament
games that eliminated player has remaining following elimination;
and (4) determining, by the controller, a value of the tournament
award based at least in part on an average expected payout value of
each determined unplayed tournament game.
13. The method of claim 12, which includes, if the tournament
advantage condition is satisfied for a player of one of the
plurality of gaming machines, providing that player the advantage
for each play of the tournament game.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the average expected payout
value of a determined unplayed tournament game of a player is
larger if the tournament advantage condition is satisfied for that
player than if the tournament advantage condition is not satisfied
for that player.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein the tournament advantage
condition is satisfied based on at least one play of a primary game
that occurs before the tournament.
16. The method of claim 15, which includes enabling the players to
accumulate advantage points during plays of the primary game on the
plurality of gaming devices.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the tournament advantage
condition is satisfied for a player when the player redeems a
quantity of accumulated advantage points.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein the tournament award is
variable based on whether the tournament advantage condition is
satisfied.
19. The method of claim 11, which includes, for each gaming
machine, enabling the player of that gaming machine to play a
designated quantity of plays of the tournament game during the
tournament.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the designated quantity of
plays is larger for a player when the tournament advantage
condition is satisfied for the player that if the tournament
advantage condition is not satisfied for the player.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application is a continuation of, and claims priority
to and the benefit of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/849,300,
which was filed on Mar. 22, 2013, which is a continuation of, and
claims priority to and the benefit of, U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 12/871,359, which was filed on Aug. 30, 2010, and issued on
Apr. 16, 2013, as U.S. Pat. No. 8,419,546, which claims priority to
and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
61/238,458, which was filed on Aug. 31, 2009, which is expired, the
entire contents of each of which are incorporated by reference.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
or may contain material which is subject to copyright protection.
The copyright owner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction
by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure in
exactly the form it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office
patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights
whatsoever.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Gaming device manufacturers strive to make wagering gaming
devices that provide as much enjoyment, entertainment and
excitement as possible for players. Gaming tournaments, such as
slot tournaments, are exciting for certain players and are a widely
used form of casino promotion. Generally, a slot tournament is a
group event where a plurality of players pay for or otherwise
qualify to join the tournament. The players individually play the
tournament on designated gaming machines. These designated gaming
machines have the same gaming machine paytables. The players may
either play the same number of games, play for the same allotted
period of time or play with the same allotted initial amount of
money or number of credits. The winner of the tournament is
typically determined based on a highest tournament point score or a
highest individual game score. At an end of the tournament, the
gaming establishment provides the tournament winner an award.
[0004] Tournament awards are frequently funded with buy ins or with
marketing dollars. Typically, the award for the tournament is a
static award that is determined prior to the tournament. This award
is frequently advertised with the tournament.
[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a new gaming system to
improve aspects of the funding of tournament awards and to make
tournaments even more exciting.
SUMMARY
[0006] One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a gaming
system including a central server or controller configured to
communicate a plurality of different commands, instructions or
other communications to a plurality of gaming devices to provide
non-tournament game play and provide an elimination tournament upon
an occurrence of a tournament triggering event. In one embodiment,
during tournament play, the gaming system provides each of the
players of the gaming devices a same initial number of the
tournament games. In one embodiment, each of the tournament games
are free for the players. In another embodiment, the gaming system
requires one or more players to each pay at the beginning of the
tournament. In another embodiment, the gaming system requires one
or more players to pay for each play of the tournament game as
further discussed below. Each of the players tries to collect as
many credits as they can during the play of these tournament games.
The gaming system accumulates any credits won in the tournament
games for each player. In one embodiment, the gaming system
provides each of the credits won during the tournament to each of
the players at the end of the player's tournament. The gaming
system eliminates one or more players from the tournament upon the
occurrence of a player elimination triggering event during the
tournament. For each eliminated player, the gaming system applies
the average expected tournament game payout value of each initially
provided and unplayed tournament game to a tournament award. That
is, the gaming system adds an average expected payout value of each
unplayed tournament game of each eliminated player to the
tournament award. In this manner, one or more players may be
eliminated from the tournament at the same time or at different
times. The gaming system determines one or a plurality of
tournament winners at the end of the tournament and provides the
tournament winner the tournament award. Therefore, in one
embodiment, the gaming system provides a tournament winner all of
the credits won in the tournament by that player and a tournament
award that includes the sum of the average expected payout value of
each unplayed tournament game from each eliminated player. In one
such embodiment, each of the players who do not win the tournament
are provided all of the credits that player won during play of the
initial number of free tournament games.
[0007] In certain embodiments, the gaming system provides one or
more players a tournament advantage or tournament element. In one
embodiment, the gaming system determines the tournament advantage
or tournament element to provide to each player based on one or
more aspects of the player's non-tournament game play or base game
play. For example, in one embodiment, the gaming system provides a
player tournament entry based on an outcome generated in a
non-tournament game. The gaming system determines the tournament
advantage or tournament element to provide the player based on how
much the player wagered on the non-tournament game that generated
the tournament qualifying outcome. It should be appreciated that in
different embodiments any multiplier provided relates linearly or
non-linearly to the wager amount placed. For example, if the player
wagered two credits a payline in the non-tournament game, the
gaming system provides the player a multiplier of 2 that applies to
each of the player's tournament games. If the player wagers 5
credits per payline in the non-tournament game that generated the
tournament qualifying outcome, the gaming system provides the
player a multiplier of 4 that applies to each game of the
tournament. Therefore, in certain embodiments, the tournament
advantage or tournament element greatly influences the outcome of
the tournament.
[0008] It should be appreciated that in certain embodiments that
include different tournament advantages or different tournament
elements for different players that the tournament award changes
during the tournament depending on which players are eliminated and
how many games those players played before being eliminated. For
example, each of the tournament games is valued at 2 credits and a
player elimination triggering event occurs with 10 games remaining
in the tournament. The gaming system would allocate 40 credits to
the tournament award if a first player with a multiplier of 2 is
eliminated (10 games.times.2 credits.times.2 multiplier). However,
if a player with a multiplier of 10 is eliminated, the gaming
system would allocate 200 credits to the tournament award (10
games.times.2 credits.times.10 multiplier). It should thus be
appreciated that in certain embodiments, the tournament award is a
dynamically changing award that provides added excitement to the
tournament.
[0009] It should also be appreciated that players may be eliminated
from the tournament in any suitable manner. In one embodiment, the
player elimination triggering event is a designated number of
tournament games being played. That is, a designated number of
players are eliminated after a designated number of tournament
games have been played. In another embodiment, the player
elimination triggering event is passage of a designated amount of
time during the tournament. That is, a designated number of players
are eliminated after a passage of a designated amount of time.
[0010] The gaming system may determine how many players to
eliminate upon an occurrence of a player elimination triggering
event based on any suitable element of the tournament. In certain
embodiments, how many players are eliminated upon the occurrence of
a player elimination triggering event is determined, at least in
part, by the number of players participating in the tournament. For
example, the bottom 10% of players are eliminated upon the
occurrence of each player elimination triggering event. In another
example, the bottom 10% of players are eliminated upon an
occurrence of a first player elimination triggering event at a
first point in time and the bottom 50% of players are eliminated
upon an occurrence of a second, later player elimination triggering
event at a subsequent second point in time. In another embodiment,
the gaming system determines which players to eliminate based on an
elimination threshold. For example, all players that have below 100
points are eliminated upon an occurrence of a first player
elimination triggering event.
[0011] Accordingly, the gaming system disclosed herein provides a
tournament with a tournament award that includes the average
expected payout values of each of the tournament games that are
initially provided to one or more players and not played by those
players due to the elimination of those players from the
tournament. In one embodiment, the gaming system disclosed herein
additionally provides different tournament elements or different
tournament advantages to one or more different tournament players
of a same tournament. Thus, in certain embodiments, the gaming
system herein provides a tournament award that changes during
tournament play.
[0012] Additional features and advantages are described in, and
will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the
figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0013] FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of alternative
embodiments of the gaming device of the gaming system disclosed
herein.
[0014] FIG. 2A is a schematic block diagram of the electronic
configuration of one embodiment of the gaming system disclosed
herein.
[0015] FIG. 2B is a schematic block diagram illustrating a
plurality of gaming terminals in communication with a central
controller.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of one method of one embodiment of
the tournament.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a chart illustrating the value of a tournament
award where the average expected tournament game value is the same
for each of the players.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a chart illustrating the value of a tournament
award where the average expected tournament game value is the same
for each of the players with each of the players having multipliers
that change the value of the tournament award as the players are
eliminated.
[0019] FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6F are screen shots that
illustrate one embodiment of tournament play.
[0020] FIGS. 6E and 6G are charts that illustrate the value and
calculation of the tournament award at different games during the
tournament of FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6F.
[0021] FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7E, 7F, and 7K are screen shots that
illustrate one embodiment of different players' tournament play
where each of the players has a multiplier in the tournament.
[0022] FIG. 7D is a chart illustrating which players of the
tournament have which multipliers.
[0023] FIG. 7G is common display showing the standings of the
players of the tournament.
[0024] FIGS. 7H, 7I, and 7J are charts that illustrate the value
and calculation of the tournament award at different tournament
games.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] The present disclosure may be implemented in various
configurations for gaming machines, gaming devices, or gaming
systems, including but not limited to: (1) a dedicated gaming
machine, gaming device, or gaming system wherein the computerized
instructions for controlling any games (which are provided by the
gaming machine or gaming device) are provided with the gaming
machine or gaming device prior to delivery to a gaming
establishment; and (2) a changeable gaming machine, gaming device,
or gaming system wherein the computerized instructions for
controlling any games (which are provided by the gaming machine or
gaming device) are downloadable to the gaming machine or gaming
device through a data network after the gaming machine or gaming
device is in a gaming establishment. In one embodiment, the
computerized instructions for controlling any games are executed by
at least one central server, central controller, or remote host. In
such a "thin client" embodiment, the central server remotely
controls any games (or other suitable interfaces) and the gaming
device is utilized to display such games (or suitable interfaces)
and receive one or more inputs or commands from a player. In
another embodiment, the computerized instructions for controlling
any games are communicated from the central server, central
controller, or remote host to a gaming device local processor and
memory devices. In such a "thick client" embodiment, the gaming
device local processor executes the communicated computerized
instructions to control any games (or other suitable interfaces)
provided to a player.
[0026] In one embodiment, one or more gaming devices in a gaming
system may be thin client gaming devices and one or more gaming
devices in the gaming system may be thick client gaming devices. In
another embodiment, certain functions of the gaming device are
implemented in a thin client environment and certain other
functions of the gaming device are implemented in a thick client
environment. In one such embodiment, computerized instructions for
controlling any primary games are communicated from the central
server to the gaming device in a thick client configuration and
computerized instructions for controlling any secondary games or
bonus functions or tournament games are executed by a central
server in a thin client configuration.
[0027] Referring now to the drawings, two example alternative
embodiments of a gaming device disclosed herein are illustrated in
FIGS. 1A and 1B as gaming device 10a and gaming device 10b,
respectively. Gaming device 10a and/or gaming device 10b are
generally referred to herein as gaming device 10.
[0028] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, gaming
device 10 has a support structure, housing, or cabinet which
provides support for a plurality of displays, inputs, controls, and
other features of a conventional gaming machine. It is configured
so that a player can operate it while standing or sitting. The
gaming device can be positioned on a base or stand or can be
configured as a pub-style table-top game (not shown) which a player
can operate preferably while sitting. As illustrated by the
different configurations shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the gaming
device may have varying cabinet and display configurations.
[0029] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the gaming
device preferably includes at least one processor 12, such as a
microprocessor, a microcontroller-based platform, a suitable
integrated circuit or one or more application-specific integrated
circuits (ASIC's). The processor is in communication with or
operable to access or to exchange signals with at least one data
storage or memory device 14. In one embodiment, the processor and
the memory device reside within the cabinet of the gaming device.
The memory device stores program code and instructions, executable
by the processor, to control the gaming device. The memory device
also stores other data such as image data, event data, player input
data, random or pseudo-random number generators, pay-table data or
information, and applicable game rules that relate to the play of
the gaming device. In one embodiment, the memory device includes
random access memory (RAM), which can include non-volatile RAM
(NVRAM), magnetic RAM (MRAM), ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), and other
forms as commonly understood in the gaming industry. In one
embodiment, the memory device includes read only memory (ROM). In
one embodiment, the memory device includes flash memory and/or
EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory). Any
other suitable magnetic, optical, and/or semiconductor memory may
operate in conjunction with the gaming device disclosed herein.
[0030] In one embodiment, part or all of the program code and/or
operating data described above can be stored in a detachable or
removable memory device, including, but not limited to, a suitable
cartridge, disk, CD ROM, DVD, or USB memory device. In other
embodiments, part or all of the program code and/or operating data
described above can be downloaded to the memory device through a
suitable network.
[0031] In one embodiment, an operator or a player can use such a
removable memory device in a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a
personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable computing device, or
another computerized platform to implement the present disclosure.
In one embodiment, the gaming device or gaming machine disclosed
herein is operable over a wireless network, for example part of a
wireless gaming system. In this embodiment, the gaming machine may
be a hand-held device, a mobile device, or any other suitable
wireless device that enables a player to play any suitable game at
a variety of different locations. It should be appreciated that a
gaming device or gaming machine as disclosed herein may be a device
that has obtained approval from a regulatory gaming commission or a
device that has not obtained approval from a regulatory gaming
commission. It should be appreciated that the processor and memory
device may be collectively referred to herein as a "computer" or
"controller."
[0032] In one embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, the
gaming device randomly generates awards and/or other game outcomes
based on probability data. In one such embodiment, this random
determination is provided through utilization of a random number
generator (RNG), such as a true random number generator, a pseudo
random number generator, or other suitable randomization process.
In one embodiment, each award or other game outcome is associated
with a probability and the gaming device generates the award or
other game outcome to be provided to the player based on the
associated probabilities. In this embodiment, since the gaming
device generates outcomes randomly or based upon one or more
probability calculations, there is no certainty that the gaming
device will ever provide the player with any specific award or
other game outcome.
[0033] In another embodiment, as discussed in more detail below,
the gaming device employs a predetermined or finite set or pool of
awards or other game outcomes. In this embodiment, as each award or
other game outcome is provided to the player, the gaming device
flags or removes the provided award or other game outcome from the
predetermined set or pool. Once flagged or removed from the set or
pool, the specific provided award or other game outcome from that
specific pool cannot be provided to the player again. This type of
gaming device provides players with all of the available awards or
other game outcomes over the course of the play cycle and
guarantees the amount of actual wins and losses.
[0034] In another embodiment, as discussed below, upon a player
initiating game play at the gaming device, the gaming device
enrolls in a bingo game. In this embodiment, a bingo server calls
the bingo balls that result in a specific bingo game outcome. The
resultant game outcome is communicated to the individual gaming
device to be provided to a player. In one embodiment, this bingo
outcome is displayed to the player as a bingo game and/or in any
form in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0035] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the gaming
device includes one or more display devices controlled by the
processor. The display devices are preferably connected to or
mounted on the cabinet of the gaming device. The embodiment shown
in FIG. 1A includes a central display device 16 which displays a
primary game. This display device may also display any suitable
secondary game associated with the primary game as well as
information relating to the primary or secondary game. The
alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 1B includes a central display
device 16 and an upper display device 18. The upper display device
may display the primary game, any suitable secondary game
associated or not associated with the primary game and/or
information relating to the primary or secondary game. These
display devices may also serve as digital glass operable to
advertise games or other aspects of the gaming establishment. As
seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in one embodiment, the gaming device
includes a credit display 20 which displays a player's current
number of credits, cash, account balance, or the equivalent. In one
embodiment, the gaming device includes a bet display 22 which
displays a player's amount wagered. In one embodiment, as described
in more detail below, the gaming device includes a player tracking
display 40 which displays information regarding a player's play
tracking status.
[0036] In another embodiment, at least one display device may be a
mobile display device, such as a PDA or tablet PC, that enables
play of at least a portion of the primary or secondary game at a
location remote from the gaming device.
[0037] In another embodiment, at least one display device is a
common display device that is operable to simultaneously display
information to a plurality of players. The common display device
may display tournament standings, tournament points, tournament
player information, updated information about the tournament award
and any other tournament information.
[0038] The display devices may include, without limitation, a
monitor, a television display, a plasma display, a liquid crystal
display (LCD) a display based on light emitting diodes (LEDs), a
display based on a plurality of organic light-emitting diodes
(OLEDs), a display based on polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs),
a display based on a plurality of surface-conduction
electron-emitters (SEDs), a display including a projected and/or
reflected image, or any other suitable electronic device or display
mechanism. In one embodiment, as described in more detail below,
the display device includes a touch-screen with an associated
touch-screen controller. The display devices may be of any suitable
size and configuration, such as a square, a rectangle or an
elongated rectangle.
[0039] The display devices of the gaming device are configured to
display at least one and preferably a plurality of game or other
suitable images, symbols and indicia such as any visual
representation or exhibition of the movement of objects such as
mechanical, virtual, or video reels and wheels, dynamic lighting,
video images, images of people, characters, places, things, faces
of cards, and the like.
[0040] In one alternative embodiment, the symbols, images and
indicia displayed on or of the display device may be in mechanical
form. That is, the display device may include any electromechanical
device, such as one or more mechanical objects, such as one or more
rotatable wheels, reels, or dice, configured to display at least
one or a plurality of game or other suitable images, symbols or
indicia.
[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 2A, in one embodiment, the gaming
device includes at least one payment device 24 in communication
with the processor. As seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a payment device
such as a payment acceptor includes a note, ticket or bill acceptor
28 wherein the player inserts paper money, a ticket, or voucher and
a coin slot 26 where the player inserts money, coins, or tokens. In
other embodiments, payment devices such as readers or validators
for credit cards, debit cards or credit slips may accept payment.
In one embodiment, a player may insert an identification card into
a card reader of the gaming device. In one embodiment, the
identification card is a smart card having a programmed microchip,
a coded magnetic strip or coded rewritable magnetic strip, wherein
the programmed microchip or magnetic strips are coded with a
player's identification, credit totals (or related data), and/or
other relevant information. In another embodiment, a player may
carry a portable device, such as a cell phone, a radio frequency
identification tag, or any other suitable wireless device, which
communicates a player's identification, credit totals (or related
data), and other relevant information to the gaming device. In one
embodiment, money may be transferred to a gaming device through
electronic funds transfer. When a player funds the gaming device,
the processor determines the amount of funds entered and displays
the corresponding amount on the credit or other suitable display as
described above.
[0042] As seen in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2A, in one embodiment the
gaming device includes at least one and preferably a plurality of
input devices 30 in communication with the processor. The input
devices can include any suitable device which enables the player to
produce an input signal which is received by the processor. In one
embodiment, after appropriate funding of the gaming device, the
input device is a game activation device, such as a play button 32
or a pull arm (not shown) which is used by the player to start any
primary game or sequence of events in the gaming device. The play
button can be any suitable play activator such as a bet one button,
a max bet button, or a repeat the bet button. In one embodiment,
upon appropriate funding, the gaming device begins the game play
automatically. In another embodiment, upon the player engaging one
of the play buttons, the gaming device automatically activates game
play.
[0043] In one embodiment, one input device is a bet one button. The
player places a bet by pushing the bet one button. The player can
increase the bet by one credit each time the player pushes the bet
one button. When the player pushes the bet one button, the number
of credits shown in the credit display preferably decreases by one,
and the number of credits shown in the bet display preferably
increases by one. In another embodiment, one input device is a bet
max button (not shown) which enables the player to bet the maximum
wager permitted for a game of the gaming device.
[0044] In one embodiment, one input device is a cash out button 34.
The player may push the cash out button and cash out to receive a
cash payment or other suitable form of payment corresponding to the
number of remaining credits. In one embodiment, when the player
cashes out, a payment device, such as a ticket, payment, or note
generator 36 prints or otherwise generates a ticket or credit slip
to provide to the player. The player receives the ticket or credit
slip and may redeem the value associated with the ticket or credit
slip via a cashier (or other suitable redemption system). In
another embodiment, when the player cashes out, the player receives
the coins or tokens in a coin payout tray. It should be appreciated
that any suitable payout mechanisms, such as funding to the
player's electronically recordable identification card or smart
card, may be implemented in accordance with the gaming device
disclosed herein.
[0045] In one embodiment, as mentioned above and as seen in FIG.
2A, one input device is a touch-screen 42 coupled with a
touch-screen controller 44 or some other touch-sensitive display
overlay to allow for player interaction with the images on the
display. The touch-screen and the touch-screen controller are
connected to a video controller 46. A player can make decisions and
input signals into the gaming device by touching the touch-screen
at the appropriate locations. One such input device is a
conventional touch-screen button panel.
[0046] The gaming device may further include a plurality of
communication ports for enabling communication of the processor
with external peripherals, such as external video sources,
expansion buses, game or other displays, a SCSI port, or a
keypad.
[0047] In one embodiment, as seen in FIG. 2A, the gaming device
includes a sound generating device controlled by one or more sounds
cards 48 which function in conjunction with the processor. In one
embodiment, the sound generating device includes at least one and
preferably a plurality of speakers 50 or other sound generating
hardware and/or software for generating sounds, such as by playing
music for the primary and/or secondary game and/or tournament game
or by playing music for other modes of the gaming device, such as
an attract mode. In one embodiment, the music changes based on
events in the tournament. For example, as the tournament continues
the music changes such as becoming faster or changes to different
songs or types of music after a tournament elimination. In one
embodiment, the gaming device provides dynamic sounds coupled with
attractive multimedia images displayed on one or more of the
display devices to provide an audio-visual representation or to
otherwise display full-motion video with sound to attract players
to the gaming device. During idle periods, the gaming device may
display a sequence of audio and/or visual attraction messages to
attract potential players to the gaming device. The videos may also
be customized to provide any appropriate information.
[0048] In one embodiment, the gaming machine may include a sensor,
such as a camera, in communication with the processor (and possibly
controlled by the processor), that is selectively positioned to
acquire an image of a player actively using the gaming device
and/or the surrounding area of the gaming device. In one
embodiment, the camera may be configured to selectively acquire
still or moving (e.g., video) images and may be configured to
acquire the images in an analog, digital, or other suitable format.
The display devices may be configured to display the image acquired
by the camera as well as to display the visible manifestation of
the game in split screen or picture-in-picture fashion. For
example, the camera may acquire an image of the player and the
processor may incorporate that image into the primary and/or
secondary game as a game image, symbol or indicia. In another
example, the camera may acquire the image of the tournament winner
to display to others in the gaming establishment of the tournament
or may be used for promotions for future tournaments.
[0049] Gaming device 10 can incorporate any suitable wagering game
as the primary or base game. The gaming machine or device may
include some or all of the features of conventional gaming machines
or devices. The primary or base game may comprise any suitable
reel-type game, card game, cascading or falling symbol game, number
game, or other game of chance susceptible to representation in an
electronic or electromechanical form, which in one embodiment
produces a random outcome based on probability data at the time of
or after placement of a wager. That is, different primary wagering
games, such as video poker games, video blackjack games, video
keno, video bingo or any other suitable primary or base game may be
implemented.
[0050] The tournament game may comprise any suitable reel-type
game, card game, cascading or falling symbol game, number game, or
other game of chance susceptible to representation in an electronic
or electromechanical form, which in one embodiment produces a
random outcome based on probability data and may or more not
require placement of a wager.
[0051] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a base
or primary game or tournament game may be a slot game with one or
more paylines 52. The paylines may be horizontal, vertical,
circular, diagonal, angled or any combination thereof. In this
embodiment, the gaming device includes at least one and preferably
a plurality of reels 54, such as three to five reels 54, in either
electromechanical form with mechanical rotating reels or video form
with simulated reels and movement thereof. In one embodiment, an
electromechanical slot machine includes a plurality of adjacent,
rotatable reels which may be combined and operably coupled with an
electronic display of any suitable type. In another embodiment, if
the reels 54 are in video form, one or more of the display devices,
as described above, displays the plurality of simulated video reels
54. Each reel 54 displays a plurality of indicia or symbols, such
as bells, hearts, fruits, numbers, letters, bars, or other images
which preferably correspond to a theme associated with the gaming
device. In another embodiment, one or more of the reels are
independent reels or unisymbol reels. In this embodiment, each
independent or unisymbol reel generates and displays one symbol to
the player. In one embodiment, the gaming device awards prizes
after the reels of the primary game stop spinning if specified
types and/or configurations of indicia or symbols occur on an
active payline or otherwise occur in a winning pattern, occur on
the requisite number of adjacent reels and/or occur in a scatter
pay arrangement.
[0052] In an alternative embodiment, rather than determining any
outcome to provide to the player by analyzing the symbols generated
on any wagered upon paylines as described above, the gaming device
determines any outcome to provide to the player based on the number
of associated symbols which are generated in active symbol
positions on the requisite number of adjacent reels (i.e., not on
paylines passing through any displayed winning symbol
combinations). In this embodiment, if a winning symbol combination
is generated on the reels, the gaming device provides the player
one award for that occurrence of the generated winning symbol
combination. For example, if one winning symbol combination is
generated on the reels, the gaming device will provide a single
award to the player for that winning symbol combination (i.e., not
based on the number of paylines that would have passed through that
winning symbol combination). It should be appreciated that because
a gaming device that enables wagering on ways to win provides the
player one award for a single occurrence of a winning symbol
combination and a gaming device with paylines may provide the
player more than one award for the same occurrence of a single
winning symbol combination (i.e., if a plurality of paylines each
pass through the same winning symbol combination), it is possible
to provide a player at a ways to win gaming device with more ways
to win for an equivalent bet or wager on a traditional slot gaming
device with paylines.
[0053] In one embodiment, the total number of ways to win is
determined by multiplying the number of symbols generated in active
symbol positions on a first reel by the number of symbols generated
in active symbol positions on a second reel by the number of
symbols generated in active symbol positions on a third reel and so
on for each reel of the gaming device with at least one symbol
generated in an active symbol position. For example, a three reel
gaming device with three symbols generated in active symbol
positions on each reel includes 27 ways to win (i.e., 3 symbols on
the first reel.times.3 symbols on the second reel.times.3 symbols
on the third reel). A four reel gaming device with three symbols
generated in active symbol positions on each reel includes 81 ways
to win (i.e., 3 symbols on the first reel.times.3 symbols on the
second reel.times.3 symbols on the third reel.times.3 symbols on
the fourth reel). A five reel gaming device with three symbols
generated in active symbol positions on each reel includes 243 ways
to win (i.e., 3 symbols on the first reel.times.3 symbols on the
second reel.times.3 symbols on the third reel.times.3 symbols on
the fourth reel.times.3 symbols on the fifth reel). It should be
appreciated that modifying the number of generated symbols by
either modifying the number of reels or modifying the number of
symbols generated in active symbol positions by one or more of the
reels modifies the number of ways to win.
[0054] In another embodiment, the gaming device enables a player to
wager on and thus activate symbol positions. In one such
embodiment, the symbol positions are on the reels. In this
embodiment, if based on the player's wager, a reel is activated,
then each of the symbol positions of that reel will be activated
and each of the active symbol positions will be part of one or more
of the ways to win. In one embodiment, if based on the player's
wager, a reel is not activated, then a designated number of default
symbol positions, such as a single symbol position of the middle
row of the reel, will be activated and the default symbol
position(s) will be part of one or more of the ways to win. This
type of gaming machine enables a player to wager on one, more than
one or all of the reels and the processor of the gaming device uses
the number of wagered on reels to determine the active symbol
positions and the number of possible ways to win. In alternative
embodiments, (1) no symbols are displayed as generated at any of
the inactive symbol positions, or (2) any symbols generated at any
inactive symbol positions may be displayed to the player but
suitably shaded or otherwise designated as inactive.
[0055] In one embodiment wherein a player wagers on one or more
reels, a player's wager of one credit may activate each of the
three symbol positions on a first reel, wherein one default symbol
position is activated on each of the remaining four reels. In this
example, as described above, the gaming device provides the player
three ways to win (i.e., 3 symbols on the first reel.times.1 symbol
on the second reel.times.1 symbol on the third reel.times.1 symbol
on the fourth reel.times.1 symbol on the fifth reel). In another
example, a player's wager of nine credits may activate each of the
three symbol positions on a first reel, each of the three symbol
positions on a second reel and each of the three symbol positions
on a third reel wherein one default symbol position is activated on
each of the remaining two reels. In this example, as described
above, the gaming device provides the player twenty-seven ways to
win (i.e., 3 symbols on the first reel.times.3 symbols on the
second reel.times.3 symbols on the third reel.times.1 symbol on the
fourth reel.times.1 symbol on the fifth reel).
[0056] In one embodiment, to determine any award(s) to provide to
the player based on the generated symbols, the gaming device
individually determines if a symbol generated in an active symbol
position on a first reel forms part of a winning symbol combination
with or is otherwise suitably related to a symbol generated in an
active symbol position on a second reel. In this embodiment, the
gaming device classifies each pair of symbols which form part of a
winning symbol combination (i.e., each pair of related symbols) as
a string of related symbols. For example, if active symbol
positions include a first cherry symbol generated in the top row of
a first reel and a second cherry symbol generated in the bottom row
of a second reel, the gaming device classifies the two cherry
symbols as a string of related symbols because the two cherry
symbols form part of a winning symbol combination.
[0057] After determining if any strings of related symbols are
formed between the symbols on the first reel and the symbols on the
second reel, the gaming device determines if any of the symbols
from the next adjacent reel should be added to any of the formed
strings of related symbols. In this embodiment, for a first of the
classified strings of related symbols, the gaming device determines
if any of the symbols generated by the next adjacent reel form part
of a winning symbol combination or are otherwise related to the
symbols of the first string of related symbols. If the gaming
device determines that a symbol generated on the next adjacent reel
is related to the symbols of the first string of related symbols,
that symbol is subsequently added to the first string of related
symbols. For example, if the first string of related symbols is the
string of related cherry symbols and a related cherry symbol is
generated in the middle row of the third reel, the gaming device
adds the related cherry symbol generated on the third reel to the
previously classified string of cherry symbols.
[0058] On the other hand, if the gaming device determines that no
symbols generated on the next adjacent reel are related to the
symbols of the first string of related symbols, the gaming device
marks or flags such string of related symbols as complete. For
example, if the first string of related symbols is the string of
related cherry symbols and none of the symbols of the third reel
are related to the cherry symbols of the previously classified
string of cherry symbols, the gaming device marks or flags the
string of two cherry symbols as complete.
[0059] After either adding a related symbol to the first string of
related symbols or marking the first string of related symbols as
complete, the gaming device proceeds as described above for each of
the remaining classified strings of related symbols which were
previously classified or formed from related symbols on the first
and second reels.
[0060] After analyzing each of the remaining strings of related
symbols, the gaming device determines, for each remaining pending
or incomplete string of related symbols, if any of the symbols from
the next adjacent reel, if any, should be added to any of the
previously classified strings of related symbols. This process
continues until either each string of related symbols is complete
or there are no more adjacent reels of symbols to analyze. In this
embodiment, where there are no more adjacent reels of symbols to
analyze, the gaming device marks each of the remaining pending
strings of related symbols as complete.
[0061] When each of the strings of related symbols is marked
complete, the gaming device compares each of the strings of related
symbols to an appropriate paytable and provides the player any
award associated with each of the completed strings of symbols. It
should be appreciated that the player is provided one award, if
any, for each string of related symbols generated in active symbol
positions (i.e., as opposed to a quantity of awards being based on
how many paylines that would have passed through each of the
strings of related symbols in active symbol positions).
[0062] In one embodiment, a base or primary game or tournament game
may be a poker game wherein the gaming device enables the player to
play a conventional game of video draw poker and initially deals
five cards all face up from a virtual deck of fifty-two cards.
Cards may be dealt as in a traditional game of cards or in the case
of the gaming device, the cards may be randomly selected from a
predetermined number of cards. If the player wishes to draw, the
player selects the cards to hold via one or more input devices,
such as by pressing related hold buttons or via the touch screen.
The player then presses the deal button and the unwanted or
discarded cards are removed from the display and the gaming machine
deals the replacement cards from the remaining cards in the deck.
This results in a final five-card hand. The gaming device compares
the final five-card hand to a payout table which utilizes
conventional poker hand rankings to determine the winning hands.
The gaming device provides the player with an award based on a
winning hand and the number of credits the player wagered.
[0063] In another embodiment, the base or primary or tournament
game may be a multi-hand version of video poker. In this
embodiment, the gaming device deals the player at least two hands
of cards. In one such embodiment, the cards are the same cards. In
one embodiment each hand of cards is associated with its own deck
of cards. The player chooses the cards to hold in a primary hand.
The held cards in the primary hand are also held in the other hands
of cards. The remaining non-held cards are removed from each hand
displayed and for each hand replacement cards are randomly dealt
into that hand. Since the replacement cards are randomly dealt
independently for each hand, the replacement cards for each hand
will usually be different. The poker hand rankings are then
determined hand by hand against a payout table and awards are
provided to the player.
[0064] In one embodiment, a base or primary game or tournament game
may be a keno game wherein the gaming device displays a plurality
of selectable indicia or numbers on at least one of the display
devices. In this embodiment, the player selects at least one bit
potentially a plurality of the selectable indicia or numbers via an
input device such as a touch screen. The gaming device then
displays a series of drawn numbers and determine an amount of
matches, if any, between the player's selected numbers and the
gaming device's drawn numbers. The player is provided an award
based on the amount of matches, if any, based on the amount of
determined matches and the number of numbers drawn.
[0065] In one embodiment, in addition to winning credits or other
awards in a base or primary game, the gaming device may also give
players the opportunity to win credits in a bonus or secondary game
or in a bonus or secondary round or in a tournament. The bonus
game, secondary game or tournament enables the player to obtain a
prize or payout in addition to the prize or payout, if any,
obtained from the base or primary game. In general, a bonus or
secondary game or a tournament produces a significantly higher
level of player excitement than the base or primary game because it
provides a greater expectation of winning than the base or primary
game, and is accompanied with more attractive or unusual features
than the base or primary game. In one embodiment, the bonus or
secondary game or tournament game may be any type of suitable game,
either similar to or completely different from the base or primary
game.
[0066] In one embodiment, the triggering event or qualifying
condition may be a selected outcome in the primary game or a
particular arrangement of one or more indicia on a display device
in the primary game, such as the number seven appearing on three
adjacent reels along a payline in the primary slot game embodiment
seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B. In other embodiments, the triggering event
or qualifying condition occurs based on exceeding a certain amount
of game play (such as number of games, number of credits, amount of
time), or reaching a specified number of points earned during game
play.
[0067] In another embodiment, the gaming device processor 12 or
central controller 56 randomly provides the player one or more
plays of one or more secondary games. In one such embodiment, the
gaming device does not provide any apparent reason to the player
for qualifying to play a secondary or bonus game. In this
embodiment, qualifying for a bonus game is not triggered by an
event in or based specifically on any of the plays of any primary
game. That is, the gaming device may simply qualify a player to
play a secondary game without any explanation or alternatively with
simple explanations. In another embodiment, the gaming device (or
central server) qualifies a player for a secondary game at least
partially based on a game triggered or symbol triggered event, such
as at least partially based on the play of a primary game.
[0068] In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a program
which will automatically begin a bonus round after the player has
achieved a triggering event or qualifying condition in the base or
primary game. In another embodiment, after a player has qualified
for a bonus game, the player may subsequently enhance his/her bonus
game participation through continued play on the base or primary
game. Thus, for each bonus qualifying event, such as a bonus
symbol, that the player obtains, a given number of bonus game
wagering points or credits may be accumulated in a "bonus meter"
programmed to accrue the bonus wagering credits or entries toward
eventual participation in a bonus game. The occurrence of multiple
such bonus qualifying events in the primary game may result in an
arithmetic or exponential increase in the number of bonus wagering
credits awarded. In one embodiment, the player may redeem extra
bonus wagering credits during the bonus game to extend play of the
bonus game.
[0069] In one embodiment, no separate entry fee or buy-in for a
bonus game or tournament is needed. That is, a player may not
purchase entry into a bonus game or tournament; rather they must
win or earn entry through play of the primary game, thus
encouraging play of the primary game. In another embodiment,
qualification of the bonus or secondary game or tournament is
accomplished through a simple "buy-in" by the player--for example,
if the player has been unsuccessful at qualifying through other
specified activities. In another embodiment, the player must make a
separate side-wager on the bonus game or tournament or wager a
designated amount in the primary game to qualify for the secondary
game or tournament. In this embodiment, the secondary game
triggering event must occur and the side-wager (or designated
primary game wager amount) must have been placed to trigger the
secondary game.
[0070] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, one or more of
the gaming devices 10 are in communication with each other and/or
at least one central controller 56 through a data network or remote
communication link 58. In this embodiment, the central server,
central controller or remote host is any suitable server or
computing device which includes at least one processor and at least
one memory or storage device. In different such embodiments, the
central server is a progressive controller or a processor of one of
the gaming devices in the gaming system. In these embodiments, the
processor of each gaming device is designed to transmit and receive
events, messages, commands, or any other suitable data or signal
between the individual gaming device and the central server. The
gaming device processor is operable to execute such communicated
events, messages, or commands in conjunction with the operation of
the gaming device. Moreover, the processor of the central server is
designed to transmit and receive events, messages, commands, or any
other suitable data or signal between the central server and each
of the individual gaming devices. The central server processor is
operable to execute such communicated events, messages, or commands
in conjunction with the operation of the central server. It should
be appreciated that one, more or each of the functions of the
central controller, central server or remote host as disclosed
herein may be performed by one or more gaming device processors. It
should be further appreciated that one, more or each of the
functions of one or more gaming device processors as disclosed
herein may be performed by the central controller, central server
or remote host.
[0071] In one embodiment, the game outcome provided to the player
is determined by a central server or controller and provided to the
player at the gaming device. In this embodiment, each of a
plurality of such gaming devices are in communication with the
central server or controller. Upon a player initiating game play at
one of the gaming devices, the initiated gaming device communicates
a game outcome request to the central server or controller.
[0072] In one embodiment, the central server or controller receives
the game outcome request and randomly generates a game outcome for
the primary game based on probability data. In another embodiment,
the central server or controller randomly generates a game outcome
for the secondary game based on probability data. In another
embodiment, the central server or controller randomly generates a
game outcome for both the primary game and the secondary game based
on probability data. In this embodiment, the central server or
controller is capable of storing and utilizing program code or
other data similar to the processor and memory device of the gaming
device.
[0073] In an alternative embodiment, the central server or
controller maintains one or more predetermined pools or sets of
predetermined game outcomes. In this embodiment, the central server
or controller receives the game outcome request and independently
selects a predetermined game outcome from a set or pool of game
outcomes. The central server or controller flags or marks the
selected game outcome as used. Once a game outcome is flagged as
used, it is prevented from further selection from the set or pool
and cannot be selected by the central controller or server upon
another wager. The provided game outcome can include a primary game
outcome, a secondary game outcome, primary and secondary game
outcomes, or a series of game outcomes such as free games.
[0074] The central server or controller communicates the generated
or selected game outcome to the initiated gaming device. The gaming
device receives the generated or selected game outcome and provides
the game outcome to the player. In an alternative embodiment, how
the generated or selected game outcome is to be presented or
displayed to the player, such as a reel symbol combination of a
slot machine or a hand of cards dealt in a card game, is also
determined by the central server or controller and communicated to
the initiated gaming device to be presented or displayed to the
player. Central production or control can assist a gaming
establishment or other entity in maintaining appropriate records,
controlling gaming, reducing and preventing cheating or electronic
or other errors, reducing or eliminating win-loss volatility, and
the like.
[0075] In another embodiment, a predetermined game outcome value is
determined for each of a plurality of linked or networked gaming
devices based on the results of a bingo, keno, or lottery game. In
this embodiment, each individual gaming device utilizes one or more
bingo, keno, or lottery games to determine the predetermined game
outcome value provided to the player for the interactive game
played at that gaming device. In one embodiment, the bingo, keno,
or lottery game is displayed to the player. In another embodiment,
the bingo, keno or lottery game is not displayed to the player, but
the results of the bingo, keno, or lottery game determine the
predetermined game outcome value for the primary or secondary
game.
[0076] In the various bingo embodiments, as each gaming device is
enrolled in the bingo game, such as upon an appropriate wager or
engaging an input device, the enrolled gaming device is provided or
associated with a different bingo card. Each bingo card consists of
a matrix or array of elements, wherein each element is designated
with a separate indicia, such as a number. It should be appreciated
that each different bingo card includes a different combination of
elements. For example, if four bingo cards are provided to four
enrolled gaming devices, the same element may be present on all
four of the bingo cards while another element may solely be present
on one of the bingo cards.
[0077] In operation of these embodiments, upon providing or
associating a different bingo card with each of a plurality of
enrolled gaming devices, the central controller randomly selects or
draws, one at a time, a plurality of the elements. As each element
is selected, a determination is made for each gaming device as to
whether the selected element is present on the bingo card provided
to that enrolled gaming device. This determination can be made by
the central controller, the gaming device, a combination of the
two, or in any other suitable manner. If the selected element is
present on the bingo card provided to that enrolled gaming device,
that selected element on the provided bingo card is marked or
flagged. This process of selecting elements and marking any
selected elements on the provided bingo cards continues until one
or more predetermined patterns are marked on one or more of the
provided bingo cards. It should be appreciated that in one
embodiment, the gaming device requires the player to engage a daub
button (not shown) to initiate the process of the gaming device
marking or flagging any selected elements.
[0078] After one or more predetermined patterns are marked on one
or more of the provided bingo cards, a game outcome is determined
for each of the enrolled gaming devices based, at least in part, on
the selected elements on the provided bingo cards. As described
above, the game outcome determined for each gaming device enrolled
in the bingo game is utilized by that gaming device to determine
the predetermined game outcome provided to the player. For example,
a first gaming device to have selected elements marked in a
predetermined pattern is provided a first outcome of win $10 which
will be provided to a first player regardless of how the first
player plays in a first game, and a second gaming device to have
selected elements marked in a different predetermined pattern is
provided a second outcome of win $2 which will be provided to a
second player regardless of how the second player plays a second
game. It should be appreciated that as the process of marking
selected elements continues until one or more predetermined
patterns are marked, this embodiment ensures that at least one
bingo card will win the bingo game and thus at least one enrolled
gaming device will provide a predetermined winning game outcome to
a player. It should be appreciated that other suitable methods for
selecting or determining one or more predetermined game outcomes
may be employed.
[0079] In one example of the above-described embodiment, the
predetermined game outcome may be based on a supplemental award in
addition to any award provided for winning the bingo game as
described above. In this embodiment, if one or more elements are
marked in supplemental patterns within a designated number of drawn
elements, a supplemental or intermittent award or value associated
with the marked supplemental pattern is provided to the player as
part of the predetermined game outcome. For example, if the four
corners of a bingo card are marked within the first twenty selected
elements, a supplemental award of $10 is provided to the player as
part of the predetermined game outcome. It should be appreciated
that in this embodiment, the player of a gaming device may be
provided a supplemental or intermittent award regardless of whether
the enrolled gaming device's provided bingo card wins or does not
win the bingo game as described above.
[0080] In another embodiment, one or more of the gaming devices are
in communication with a central server or controller for monitoring
purposes only. That is, each individual gaming device randomly
generates the game outcomes to be provided to the player and the
central server or controller monitors the activities and events
occurring on the plurality of gaming devices. In one embodiment,
the gaming network includes a real-time or on-line accounting and
gaming information system operably coupled to the central server or
controller. The accounting and gaming information system of this
embodiment includes a player database for storing player profiles,
a player tracking module for tracking players and a credit system
for providing automated casino transactions.
[0081] In one embodiment, the gaming device disclosed herein is
associated with or otherwise integrated with one or more player
tracking systems. Player tracking systems enable gaming
establishments to recognize the value of customer loyalty through
identifying frequent customers and rewarding them for their
patronage. In one embodiment, the gaming device and/or player
tracking system tracks any player's gaming activity at the gaming
device. In one such embodiment, the gaming device includes at least
one card reader 38 in communication with the processor. In this
embodiment, a player is issued a player identification card which
has an encoded player identification number that uniquely
identifies the player. When a player inserts their playing tracking
card into the card reader to begin a gaming session, the card
reader reads the player identification number off the player
tracking card to identify the player. The gaming device and/or
associated player tracking system timely tracks any suitable
information or data relating to the identified player's gaming
session. Directly or via the central controller, the gaming device
processor communicates such information to the player tracking
system. The gaming device and/or associated player tracking system
also timely tracks when a player removes their player tracking card
when concluding play for that gaming session. In another
embodiment, rather than requiring a player to insert a player
tracking card, the gaming device utilizes one or more portable
devices carried by a player, such as a cell phone, a radio
frequency identification tag or any other suitable wireless device
to track when a player begins and ends a gaming session. In another
embodiment, the gaming device utilizes any suitable biometric
technology or ticket technology to track when a player begins and
ends a gaming session.
[0082] During one or more gaming sessions, the gaming device and/or
player tracking system tracks any suitable information or data,
such as any amounts wagered, average wager amounts, and/or the time
at which these wagers are placed. In different embodiments, for one
or more players, the player tracking system includes the player's
account number, the player's card number, the player's first name,
the player's surname, the player's preferred name, the player's
player tracking ranking, any promotion status associated with the
player's player tracking card, the player's address, the player's
birthday, the player's anniversary, the player's recent gaming
sessions, or any other suitable data. In one embodiment, such
tracked information and/or any suitable feature associated with the
player tracking system is displayed on a player tracking display
40. In another embodiment, such tracked information and/or any
suitable feature associated with the player tracking system is
displayed via one or more service windows (not shown) which are
displayed on the central display device and/or the upper display
device. In one embodiment, the service window displays tournament
information or tournament games to the players. That is, the
service window is used to relay information about the tournament to
the players. In one such embodiment, the gaming system enables the
players to play non-tournament games and simultaneously displays
tournament information or games via the service window and
non-tournament games.
[0083] In one embodiment, a plurality of the gaming devices are
capable of being connected together through a data network. In one
embodiment, the data network is a local area network (LAN), in
which one or more of the gaming devices are substantially proximate
to each other and an on-site central server or controller as in,
for example, a gaming establishment or a portion of a gaming
establishment. In another embodiment, the data network is a wide
area network (WAN) in which one or more of the gaming devices are
in communication with at least one off-site central server or
controller. In this embodiment, the plurality of gaming devices may
be located in a different part of the gaming establishment or
within a different gaming establishment than the off-site central
server or controller. Thus, the WAN may include an off-site central
server or controller and an off-site gaming device located within
gaming establishments in the same geographic area, such as a city
or state. The WAN gaming system may be substantially identical to
the LAN gaming system described above, although the number of
gaming devices in each system may vary relative to one another.
[0084] In another embodiment, the data network is an internet or
intranet. In this embodiment, the operation of the gaming device
can be viewed at the gaming device with at least one internet
browser. In this embodiment, operation of the gaming device and
accumulation of credits may be accomplished with only a connection
to the central server or controller (the internet/intranet server)
through a conventional phone or other data transmission line,
digital subscriber line (DSL), T-1 line, coaxial cable, fiber optic
cable, or other suitable connection. In this embodiment, players
may access an internet game page from any location where an
internet connection and computer or other internet facilitator is
available. The expansion in the number of computers and number and
speed of internet connections in recent years increases
opportunities for players to play from an ever-increasing number of
remote sites. It should be appreciated that the enhanced bandwidth
of digital wireless communications may render such technology
suitable for some or all communications, particularly if such
communications are encrypted. Higher data transmission speeds may
be useful for enhancing the sophistication and response of the
display and interaction with the player.
[0085] In one embodiment, the present disclosure may be employed in
a server-based gaming system. In one such embodiment, as described
above, one or more gaming devices are in communication with a
central server or controller. The central server or controller may
be any suitable server or computing device which includes at least
one processor and a memory or storage device. In alternative
embodiments, the central server is a progressive controller or
another gaming machine in the gaming system. In one embodiment, the
memory device of the central server stores different game programs
and instructions, executable by a gaming device processor, to
control the gaming device. Each executable game program represents
a different game or type of game which may be played on one or more
of the gaming devices in the gaming system. Such different games
may include the same or substantially the same game play with
different pay tables. In different embodiments, the executable game
program is for a primary game, a secondary game or both. In another
embodiment, the game program may be executable as a secondary game
to be played simultaneous with the play of a primary game (which
may be downloaded to or fixed on the gaming device) or vice
versa.
[0086] In this embodiment, each gaming device at least includes one
or more display devices and/or one or more input devices for
interaction with a player. A local processor, such as the
above-described gaming device processor or a processor of a local
server, is operable with the display device(s) and/or the input
device(s) of one or more of the gaming devices.
[0087] In operation, the central controller is operable to
communicate one or more of the stored game programs to at least one
local processor. In different embodiments, the stored game programs
are communicated or delivered by embedding the communicated game
program in a device or a component (e.g., a microchip to be
inserted in a gaming device), writing the game program on a disc or
other media, or downloading or streaming the game program over a
dedicated data network, internet, or a telephone line. After the
stored game programs are communicated from the central server, the
local processor executes the communicated program to facilitate
play of the communicated program by a player through the display
device(s) and/or input device(s) of the gaming device. That is,
when a game program is communicated to a local processor, the local
processor changes the game or type of game played at the gaming
device.
[0088] In another embodiment, a plurality of gaming devices at one
or more gaming sites may be networked to the central server in a
progressive configuration, as known in the art, wherein a portion
of each wager to initiate a base or primary game may be allocated
to one or more progressive awards. In one embodiment, a progressive
gaming system host site computer is coupled to a plurality of the
central servers at a variety of mutually remote gaming sites for
providing a multi-site linked progressive automated gaming system.
In one embodiment, a progressive gaming system host site computer
may serve gaming devices distributed throughout a number of
properties at different geographical locations including, for
example, different locations within a city or different cities
within a state.
[0089] In one embodiment, the progressive gaming system host site
computer is maintained for the overall operation and control of the
progressive gaming system. In this embodiment, a progressive gaming
system host site computer oversees the entire progressive gaming
system and is the master for computing all progressive jackpots.
All participating gaming sites report to, and receive information
from, the progressive gaming system host site computer. Each
central server computer is responsible for all data communication
between the gaming device hardware and software and the progressive
gaming system host site computer. In one embodiment, an individual
gaming machine may trigger a progressive award win. In another
embodiment, a central server (or the progressive gaming system host
site computer) determines when a progressive award win is
triggered. In another embodiment, an individual gaming machine and
a central controller (or progressive gaming system host site
computer) work in conjunction with each other to determine when a
progressive win is triggered, for example through an individual
gaming machine meeting a predetermined requirement established by
the central controller.
[0090] In one embodiment, a progressive award win is triggered
based on one or more game play events, such as a symbol-driven
trigger. In other embodiments, the progressive award triggering
event or qualifying condition may be achieved by exceeding a
certain amount of game play (such as number of games, number of
credits, or amount of time), or reaching a specified number of
points earned during game play. In another embodiment, a gaming
device is randomly or apparently randomly selected to provide a
player of that gaming device one or more progressive awards. In one
such embodiment, the gaming device does not provide any apparent
reasons to the player for winning a progressive award, wherein
winning the progressive award is not triggered by an event in or
based specifically on any of the plays of any primary game. That
is, a player is provided a progressive award without any
explanation or alternatively with simple explanations. In another
embodiment, a player is provided a progressive award at least
partially based on a game triggered or symbol triggered event, such
as at least partially based on the play of a primary game.
[0091] In one embodiment, one or more of the progressive awards are
each funded via a side bet or side wager. In this embodiment, a
player must place or wager a side bet to be eligible to win the
progressive award associated with the side bet. In one embodiment,
the player must place the maximum bet and the side bet to be
eligible to win one of the progressive awards. In another
embodiment, if the player places or wagers the required side bet,
the player may wager at any credit amount during the primary game
(i.e., the player need not place the maximum bet and the side bet
to be eligible to win one of the progressive awards). In one such
embodiment, the greater the player's wager (in addition to the
placed side bet), the greater the odds or probability that the
player will win one of the progressive awards. It should be
appreciated that one or more of the progressive awards may each be
funded, at least in part, based on the wagers placed on the primary
games of the gaming machines in the gaming system, via a gaming
establishment or via any suitable manner.
[0092] In another embodiment, one or more of the progressive awards
are partially funded via a side-bet or side-wager which the player
may make (and which may be tracked via a side-bet meter). In one
embodiment, one or more of the progressive awards are funded with
only side-bets or side-wagers placed. In another embodiment, one or
more of the progressive awards are funded based on player's wagers
as described above as well as any side-bets or side-wagers
placed.
[0093] In one alternative embodiment, a minimum wager level is
required for a gaming device to qualify to be selected to obtain
one of the progressive awards. In one embodiment, this minimum
wager level is the maximum wager level for the primary game in the
gaming machine. In another embodiment, no minimum wager level is
required for a gaming machine to qualify to be selected to obtain
one of the progressive awards.
[0094] In another embodiment, a plurality of players at a plurality
of linked gaming devices in a gaming system participate in a group
gaming environment. In one embodiment, a plurality of players at a
plurality of linked gaming devices work in conjunction with one
another, such as by playing together as a team or group, to win one
or more awards. In one such embodiment, any award won by the group
is shared, either equally or based on any suitable criteria,
amongst the different players of the group. In another embodiment,
a plurality of players at a plurality of linked gaming devices
compete against one another for one or more awards.
Tournament Play
[0095] As illustrated in FIG. 3, in one embodiment the gaming
system enables players to play non-tournament games at a plurality
of gaming machines as illustrated in block 102. In one embodiment,
upon an occurrence of tournament qualifying event at one of the
gaming machines, the gaming system qualifies the player at that
gaming machine to play in the tournament as illustrated in block
104. It should be appreciated that the gaming system may determine
the tournament qualifications for the players in any suitable
manner.
[0096] As illustrated in FIG. 3, upon an occurrence of a tournament
triggering event, in one embodiment, the gaming system begins the
tournament by providing each qualified player a same number of
initial tournament games as illustrated in block 106. In one
embodiment, the gaming system provides each award won by each
player during the play of the tournament games to that player. It
should be appreciated that the tournament game may be any suitable
type of game. In one embodiment, all of the tournament games are
the same types of games. For example, the gaming system provides
each player 10 slot games in the tournament. The gaming system
determines an average expected payout value for each provided
tournament game. In one embodiment, each of the players is provided
the same type of tournament game and has the same average expected
payout value for each provided tournament game. For example, in one
embodiment the average expected payout value of each provided
tournament game is one dollar. In another embodiment, one or more
players' tournament games have different average expected payout
values. For example, player 1 has an average expected tournament
game payout value of 2 dollars and player 2 has an average expected
tournament game payout value of 3 dollars.
[0097] As illustrated in block 108, the gaming system provides a
tournament game outcome for each tournament game played, and
indicates any credits associated with the provided tournament
outcome. For example, if the player is playing a slot game and wins
10 credits from that slot game, the gaming system indicates to the
player that they win 10 credits. The gaming system accumulates or
tracks each of the player's credits to determine the elimination of
the players and the winner of the tournament. In one embodiment,
the gaming system provides the players the number of credits won in
the tournament. For example, if the player wins 50 credits in the
tournament, at the end of the play of that player's tournament, the
gaming system enables the player to cash out and keep those 50
credits.
[0098] As illustrated in block 110, upon an occurrence of a player
elimination triggering event, the gaming system eliminates at least
one player from the tournament. It should be appreciated that the
player elimination triggering event may be any suitable event or
combinations of events including but not limited to a duration of
time, a number of games played, one or more players winning a
designated number of credits or points, an amount won by the
players in the tournament and an operator input. In one embodiment,
the player elimination triggering event is determined based on the
number of players participating in the tournament.
[0099] As illustrated in block 112, the gaming system sums or
accumulates the average expected payout value of each unplayed
tournament game of the eliminated player(s) to add to the
tournament award. For example, if the average expected payout value
is 10 credits per tournament game for each tournament player and if
each player is provided 10 games and two players are eliminated at
game six, the gaming system would then total the values of each
unplayed average expected tournament game value. At game six, the
tournament award would be 80 credits ((4 unplayed games.times.10
credits)+(4 unplayed games.times.10 credits)). That is, the
tournament award provided to one or more tournament winners
includes the values of the average expected payout value for each
of the unplayed games of the eliminated players.
[0100] As illustrated in block 114, at the end of the tournament,
the gaming system provides the tournament award to at least one
tournament winner.
[0101] FIGS. 4 and 5 are tables illustrating a tournament award
funded by the average expected payout value of the tournament games
played of the eliminated players.
[0102] As illustrated in FIG. 4, in this example embodiment, the
tournament includes six players in the tournament and the gaming
system provides each of the tournament players 10 games. The first
column 202 includes the number of players 1 through 6. The second
column 204 includes the number of initial games provided to the
players which is 10 games to each of the six players. The third
column 206 provides the average expected payout values of the
tournament games. The fourth column 208 provides the number of
tournament games played by the tournament players. The fifth column
210 provides the amount added to the tournament award upon the
elimination of that player. As illustrated in the chart 200 in FIG.
4, the first player 210 is provided the 10 games and is eliminated
after 6 games. The second player 212 is provided 10 games and is
also eliminated after 6 games. Therefore, the gaming system adds $4
to the tournament award for each of the first two players (4
unplayed tournament games.times.$1 a tournament game). The third
player 214 is provided 10 games and is eliminated after 4 games.
The fourth player 216 is provided 10 games and is eliminated after
4 games. Therefore, the gaming system adds $6 to the tournament
award for each of the third and fourth players (6 unplayed
tournament games.times.$1 a tournament game). Therefore, the
tournament award includes the average expected tournament game
values of these unplayed games. The tournament award is 20 dollars
which includes the average expected payout values of the unplayed
games of the eliminated players. In this illustrated embodiment
each of the players has a same average expected tournament game
value and every aspect and element of each player's tournament play
is the same.
[0103] As illustrated in FIG. 5, in one embodiment one or more
players are provided an advantage in the tournament or an element
of the tournament is different for one or more players. In one
embodiment, the gaming system determines the advantage based on one
or more elements, aspects or outcomes in a base game. As
illustrated in FIG. 5, the chart 300 includes a number of players
column 302, the number of tournament games provided column 304, the
number of tournament games played column 306, the average expected
tournament game payout value column 308, a multiplier column 310
and an amount contributed to the tournament award column 312. In
one embodiment, one or more of the tournament players are provided
one or more different game modifiers, such as the multipliers,
based on one or more elements of the base game play that qualifies
the player for the tournament.
[0104] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the first player 312 is provided
10 games and plays 6 of these games with an average expected of 1
dollar a game and a multiplier of 2. Therefore, the gaming system
contributes $8 to the tournament award based on the unplayed games
of player one (4 unplayed games.times.$1 a game.times.2
multiplier). The second player plays 6 games before that player is
eliminated and has 4 unplayed tournament games and has a multiplier
of 6. Therefore, the amount contributed to the tournament award
based on the unplayed games of the second player is 24 (4 unplayed
games.times.1 a game.times.6 multiplier). The third player 316
plays only 4 tournament games has a multiplier of 4. Therefore, the
gaming system contributes 24 credits to the tournament award from
the unplayed games from the third player (6.times.1.times.4). The
fourth player also only plays 4 games but has a multiplier of 2.
Therefore, the gaming system allocates 12 credits to the tournament
award for the unplayed games of the fourth player (6 unplayed
games.times.$1 a game.times.2 multiplier). Therefore, as
illustrated in FIG. 5, the tournament award includes the average
expected payout values of the unplayed games of players one, two,
three and four which is 68 dollars. As illustrated FIG. 5, players
5 and 6 play all 10 games. It should be appreciated that the
tournament advantage or tournament element is not limited to a
multiplier but may be any suitable tournament advantage or
tournament element. Additionally, in different embodiments, each
player does not receive a tournament advantage or tournament
element. For example, only 2 out of 10 players receive a multiplier
for the tournament. In another example, 2 out of 10 players receive
an extra tournament game in the tournament.
[0105] FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F and 6G illustrate one
embodiment of a tournament where the tournament qualifying event is
achieving symbol combination in a base game, and the tournament
elimination triggering events are a number of games played by the
players. In this example, the players are eliminated based on
credits won in the tournament. The players are eliminated from the
tournament at the end of game 4 and game 8.
[0106] As illustrated in FIG. 6A, in one embodiment, the player
must obtain the symbol combination star, star, star on an active
payline in a slot base game to qualify for the tournament. As
illustrated in FIG. 6A, the player qualified for the
tournament.
[0107] As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the gaming system informs the
player that the tournament will begin in five minutes, so the
player needs to stay and play awaiting the start of the tournament.
In one embodiment, the player must continually actively play on the
gaming device to play in the tournament.
[0108] As illustrated in FIG. 6C, the gaming system informs the
player (player 4 in the tournament) that the tournament is
beginning and in one embodiment, the player gets 10 initial free
tournament games. In one embodiment, the gaming system provides
each of the players the same type and the same number of free
initial tournament games.
[0109] As illustrated in FIG. 6D, player four is playing the
tournament. The gaming system informs the player that they have 100
tournament credits and illustrates game 4 of the tournament for
that player. The gaming system informs the player that they were
not eliminated because they have 100 tournament credits.
[0110] FIG. 6E is a chart 404 that illustrates the tournament award
at the end of game 4. The chart illustrates that there are 10
players in the tournament in the first column 406. The gaming
system provides each of the 10 players 10 free tournament games at
the beginning of the tournament as illustrated in the second column
408. The third column 410 illustrates how many tournament games
were actually played by each player during the tournament. The
fourth column 412 illustrates the average expected tournament game
payout value which is 1 credit. The fifth column 413 illustrates
the amount contributed to the tournament award based on each of the
eliminated players
[0111] As illustrated in FIG. 6E, player 6 indicated by number 414
and player 9 indicated by number 416 were each eliminated after
game 4 of the tournament. Therefore, player 6 and player 9 each
only played 4 games of the tournament. Therefore, the tournament
award at the end of game 4 includes the average expected payout
values of the 6 unplayed games for each of the 2 players valued at
1 credit per game. At the end of Game 4, the tournament award is 12
credits.
[0112] As illustrated in FIG. 6F, the gaming system eliminates 2
more players at the end of game 8. Player four is eliminated
because the player has 150 credits, but the player needed more to
be in the top 6 players of the tournament. In one embodiment, the
elimination is based on the number of credits the players won in
the tournament. The gaming system determines which players to
eliminate based on the number of credits they have won in the
tournament.
[0113] FIG. 6G is a chart 420 that illustrates the tournament award
at the end of game 8. At game 8, players 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and 10 are
still playing the tournament. Therefore, the gaming system does not
contribute any credits to the tournament awards based on those
players. The tournament award includes the 12 credits accumulated
from the prior two players 6 and 9 being eliminated from the
tournament. The tournament award now includes an additional 4
credits from players 4 and 7 which were eliminated from the
tournament. That is, player 4 indicated by number 420 and player 7
indicated by number 422 each played 8 games in the tournament, and
therefore, do not play 2 games of the tournament with the value of
1 credit per game. Therefore, the tournament award at the end of
game 8 is 16 credits. The tournament proceeds to end after the end
of 10 games. In one embodiment, the player with the highest number
of credits wins the tournament. Therefore, the players are not
eliminated then compete for the tournament award. In one
embodiment, each of the players keep each of the credits that they
won throughout the tournament.
[0114] FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E, 7F, 7G, 7H, 7I, 7J, and 7K
illustrate an embodiment of the tournament where one or more
elements of the base game determine an advantage or an element of
one or more player's tournament games. In the illustrated
embodiment, if the player wagers more and qualifies for the
tournament, the player is able to win more in the tournament
because a multiplier that is applied to the tournament games is
determined by the amount the player wagers in the base game. That
is, the amount a player wagers in the qualifying base game
determines the amount of a multiplier or modifier the player
receives in the tournament that is applied to each tournament game
played. In this embodiment, the gaming system provides the player
an incentive to wager more in the base game to receive a better
tournament element or advantage.
[0115] As illustrated in FIG. 7A, the gaming device informs one of
the players, player 2, while they are playing a non-tournament game
that if the player wagers more the player will win more in the
tournament if they qualify for the tournament.
[0116] As illustrated in FIG. 7B, in one embodiment, the tournament
qualifying event is a game outcome in the primary or base game. As
illustrated in FIG. 7B, the player achieves the 3 stars needed to
advance in the tournament, and the player wagered 2 credits per
payline. Therefore in the illustrated embodiment, player 2 starts
the tournament with a multiplier of 2. In this embodiment once the
player qualifies for the tournament, they can keep playing the base
game and keep wagering to try to achieve a higher multiplier for
the tournament. In this example embodiment, each time a player
receives the tournament qualifying event of a specific game outcome
generated in the base game, the gaming system increases their
modifier based on the amount of the wager in that qualifying base
game.
[0117] As illustrated in FIG. 7C, player 2 continues playing
non-tournament games until the tournament begins. The gaming system
informs the player that they won the 3 stars again and now the
player gets a multiplier of 4, and the tournament begins then.
[0118] FIG. 7D is a chart 504 illustrating a first column 506 that
illustrates 5 players in the tournament and includes a second
column 508 that illustrates the multiplier corresponding to each
player for tournament play. As illustrated in FIG. 7D, player 1 has
a multiplier of 1 or does not win any multiplier. Player 2 has a
multiplier of 2. Player 3 has a multiplier of 4. Player 4 has a
multiplier of 8, and player 5 has a multiplier of 2.
[0119] FIG. 7E illustrates tournament game 1 for player 2 who has a
multiplier of 2. In tournament game 1, the display device 510 for
player number 2 displays a tournament game 512. The player wins 212
credits for this tournament game. The player receives 3 cherries
which is worth 6 credits in this embodiment. The player has a
multiplier of 2 so the three cherries are worth 12 credits. The
player wins 3 bars in the payline which equals an award of 100
credits and has a multiplier of 2 which is 200 credits.
[0120] FIG. 7F illustrates tournament game 1 516 for player 4 on
the display device 512 for that player's gaming device. The gaming
device displays a tournament game 514 that provides for an award of
400 credits. The player achieves 3 sevens on one of the paylines
which is an award of 50. The player wins 400 credits because they
have a multiplier of 8.
[0121] FIG. 7G illustrates a common display device or a leader
board 516 that displays the standings of the players at the end of
game 5. Player 1 has 50 credits. Player 2 has 550 credits. Player 3
has 700 credits. Player 4 has 890 credits and player 5 has 300
credits. At this point in the tournament, 2 players are eliminated
from the tournament. The player elimination triggering event is the
end of game 5. Players 1 and 5 are both eliminated from the
tournament because they have the lowest accumulated credits.
[0122] FIG. 7H is a chart 518 that displays the tournament award at
the end of game 5. Players 1 and 5 are eliminated from the
tournament but each played 5 games. The value of each of the
unplayed games is 10 credits. Player 1 has a multiplier of 1 and
player 5 has a multiplier of 2. Therefore, the amount contributed
to the tournament award for the first player's unplayed games is 50
credits (5.times.10). The value of the unplayed games for the fifth
player are 100 credits (5.times.10.times.2). Therefore, at the end
of game 5, the tournament award is worth 150 credits.
[0123] FIG. 7I illustrates the leader board at game 8 which in this
embodiment is a second player elimination triggering event. As
illustrated in FIG. 7I, player 2 is eliminated. Player 2 has the
score of 800 credits while player 3 has a score of 825 credits and
player 4 has a score 1050 credits.
[0124] FIG. 7J illustrates the tournament award at the end of game
8. The tournament award at game 8 is worth 190 credits. The gaming
system contributed 50 credits based on the first player's
elimination as illustrated in FIG. 7H. The gaming system
contributed 100 credits based on the fifth player's elimination as
illustrated in FIG. 7H. The gaming system contributed of 40 credits
based on the second player's elimination (2 unplayed games.times.10
credits per game.times.a multiplier of 4). In this embodiment, the
last player elimination triggering event is the occurrence of game
8, therefore this is the final tournament award.
[0125] FIG. 7K illustrates a screen shot from player 4's display
device at the end of the tournament at the end of game 10. The
gaming device informs the player that they win the tournament. The
player wins 1400 credits which are the player's credits won in the
tournament and 190 credits for the tournament award. In one
embodiment, the player wins credits that are won by the player in
the tournament. In another embodiment the tournament credits are
just used to determine which tournament player wins the
tournament.
[0126] It should be appreciated that the element or advantage
provided to the tournament players may be any suitable element or
advantage. In one embodiment, the tournament element or advantage
is a modifier, such as a multiplier. In another embodiment, the
tournament element or advantage is a different number of initial
tournament games. That is, different numbers of initial tournament
games are provided to different players. In another embodiment, an
element of the tournament game provided to multiple tournament
players is different. For example, different players have different
numbers of active paylines in the tournament games. In another
example, different players have different paytables in the
tournament games. In another example, different players have
different numbers of winning symbols in the tournament. In another
embodiment, different players have different probabilities of
generating winning symbols or winning symbol combinations in the
tournament. In another embodiment, the gaming system provides one
or more players the advantage of having a head start in the object
of winning the tournament. For example, in one embodiment, the
gaming system provides one or more players an initial number of
credits to begin the tournament with where the rest of the players
begin the tournament with 0 credits. In a credit based tournament,
this would provide the players that received the initial credits an
advantage. In another embodiment, the gaming system provides the
players with different amounts of times to play the tournament. In
this embodiment of a time based tournament, certain players have
more time to accrue points or credits to try to win the tournament.
In another embodiment,
[0127] It should be appreciated that in one embodiment, the
advantage or tournament element provided to the players for the
tournament causes the tournament award to be a dynamically changing
award. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7A to 7K, in one
embodiment each player is assigned a multiplier and depending on
which player is eliminated from the tournament and at what point
the player is eliminated, the tournament award continually changes
because the values of the unplayed games are different for each
player. Another embodiment of a tournament element that causes a
dynamically changing tournament award is different players are
provided different numbers of initial tournament games. The
different players may have different numbers of remaining games
upon elimination. That is, when a tournament player is eliminated,
which tournament player is eliminated changes the value of the
tournament award. For example, player A is awarded 13 tournament
games, player B is awarded 8 tournament games. At the end of 5
played games for each player, if player A is eliminated and player
B is not eliminated assuming the value of unplayed tournament games
is the same for each player, the elimination of player A will
contribute more to the tournament award than player B. In another
embodiment, the average expected payout value of the unplayed
tournament games is different from one or more of the players.
Therefore, which player is eliminated changes the value of the
tournament award.
[0128] In certain of these embodiments where the tournament award
changes, in one embodiment, the gaming system informs the players
of the lowest possible tournament award that the player could win.
For example, if there are 5 players and 4 have a tournament element
of a 1 times multiplier and 1 player has a tournament element of a
10 times multiplier, the lowest possible tournament award occurs if
the player with the 10 times multiplier wins the tournament.
However, it is not possible to know the actual contribution to the
tournament award until the player has actually been eliminated.
Therefore, the size of the tournament award is unknown until the
end of the tournament.
[0129] It should be appreciated that the advantage or element of
the tournament may be determined in any suitable manner. In one
embodiment, the advantage or element for each player is determined
by a number of points won in the base game. For example, once a
player qualifies for the tournament, the player receives points
upon certain events occurring in the base game. For example, every
time the player achieves a designated symbol combination, the
gaming system provides the player a designated number of points.
The number of points then determines which advantage or element the
player will receive in the tournament. For example, every 25 points
the player receives, the player receives an addition of 1 to their
multiplier. In one such embodiment, when the player has uneven
points to obtain the advantage or element, those points are saved
for the player for a later tournament.
[0130] In another embodiment, ranges in point values determine the
advantage or element for each player. For example, if a player has
0 to 75 points, the player receives multiplier of 2 in the
tournament. If the player has 76 to 125 points, the player receives
a multiplier of 3 in the tournament. If the player has 126 to 150
points, the player receives a multiplier of 5 in the
tournament.
[0131] In one such embodiment, qualification is based on achieving
the initial point range to enter the tournament and points acquired
after that can be used to achieve a better advantage in the
tournament. In one such embodiment, the player may save points and
use them for a later tournament. For example, if a player has 0 to
50 points, the player may enter the tournament with a multiplier of
1. If the player has an additional 25 points or a total of 75
points, the player may decide to use the points to obtain a
multiplier of 2 for the tournament or hold the points over for
qualification or achieving a higher advantage in a next tournament.
In one such embodiment, the tournament runs in time intervals
therefore, the timing of entering the tournament and which
advantage the player receives is strategic on the part of the
player to win the tournament or have better luck in a future
tournament.
[0132] In another embodiment, qualification is based on achieving
the initial point range to enter the tournament and points acquired
after that can be used to achieve a better advantage in the
tournament, however, after a certain interval of time the points
reset. For example, if a player has 0 to 50 points, the player may
enter the tournament with a multiplier of 1. If the player has an
additional 25 points or a total of 75 points, the player may decide
to use the points to obtain a multiplier of 2 for the tournament or
hold the points over for qualification or achieving a higher
advantage in a next tournament. However, every hour the points
reset, so if the player chooses to save the player's points and
another tournament does not begin or the player does not select to
enter a tournament in that time period, the player loses those
points and starts over collecting points for the tournament.
[0133] In one embodiment, whether a player wins an advantage or
element for the tournament is determined by an event in the base
game. However, the advantage or element for each qualified player
is randomly determined. For example, if the gaming device generates
a designated symbol in the base game, the player qualifies for a
number of extra tournament games. However, the number of extra
tournament games provided to each qualified player is randomly
determined by the gaming system.
[0134] These advantages or elements for each player may be
determined by a combination of factors in the base game or by a
single factor of the base game.
[0135] It should be appreciated that the player elimination
triggering event may be based on any suitable criterion including
but not limited to: (a) time in a time based tournament; (b) number
of games played in a number of games based tournament; (c) total
amount wagered in a gaming session in a live money tournament; (d)
a player ranking, (e) a designated number of players falling below
a designated threshold in points or credits, (f) a designated
number of players winning a designated threshold in points or
credits, (g) a designated number of generations of one or more
designated tournament game outcomes; (h) any other player card
statistic and (i) any suitable combination of criterion. In one
embodiment, the gaming system eliminates players on regular
intervals such as 5 spins, 10 spins, 15 spins and 20 spins of the
tournament. In another embodiment, the player elimination
triggering event is time based. For example, the gaming system
eliminates players at 5 minutes, 10 minutes and 20 minutes. In
another embodiment, the elimination is based on a highest score, a
lowest score or a designated score. For example, when a player
reaches a score of 250 in the tournament the gaming system
eliminates one or more players.
[0136] It should be appreciated that a single tournament may
include multiple different player elimination triggering events.
For example, in a tournament, a designated number of games played
is a first player elimination triggering event and a number of
credits won is a second player elimination triggering event for a
single tournament.
[0137] It should be appreciated that the number of players to
eliminate upon the occurrence of a player elimination triggering
event may be determined in any suitable manner and may affect the
tournament award in any suitable manner. In one embodiment, there
is a minimum number of players that the gaming system does not
eliminate during the tournament until the end of the tournament.
For example, the gaming system always keeps two players playing in
the tournament. In another embodiment, the gaming system determines
which players to eliminate based on a player elimination threshold.
For example, all players that have below 75 credits are eliminated
upon an occurrence of a first player elimination triggering event.
All players that have below 150 credits are eliminated upon an
occurrence of a second player elimination triggering event.
[0138] It should be appreciated that the number of players that are
eliminated in each elimination may be determined in any suitable
manner. In one embodiment, the elimination is a predetermined
percentage of the number of players that are in the tournament. For
example, 1/4 of the current tournament players are eliminated in 2
player elimination events in a tournament. In another example, 1/4
of the current tournament players are eliminated upon an occurrence
of a first player elimination triggering event and 1/2 of the
current tournament players are eliminated upon the occurrence of a
second player elimination triggering event.
[0139] In another embodiment, how many players are eliminated is
based on the exact number of players in the tournament. For
example, different numbers of players are eliminated if there are 4
tournament players than if there are 20 tournament players.
[0140] Different equations may be used at different points in the
tournament to determine different numbers of players to eliminate
upon occurrence of player elimination triggering events. In one
specific embodiment of a 20 tournament game tournament, if there
are more than 4 players initially playing the tournament (total
number of players=n), after an occurrence of a first player
elimination triggering event, such as the play of five tournament
games, a number of players equal to (n/4) are eliminated. In one
embodiment, upon an occurrence of a second player elimination
triggering event, such as 10 played tournament games, with the
current total number of players=n, the number of players eliminated
is (n/4) (rounded to the nearest integer) subtracted from n, then
divided by 4, with that final value rounded to the highest integer.
In one embodiment, after an occurrence of a third player
elimination triggering event, all players except the two players
that accumulate the most credits are eliminated. At the end of 20
tournament games, the gaming system determines the winner and
provide the tournament award value that includes all of expected
values of the eliminated player's unplayed tournament games to a
tournament winner.
[0141] In one embodiment, if there are only 2 players, there is a
single elimination at an end of one of the tournament games. In one
embodiment, if there are 20 tournament games, the elimination is at
the end of the fifteenth tournament game. After the 15 tournament
games, the winner is then awarded 5 additional tournament games and
is awarded the tournament award includes the average expected
payout values of the unplayed provided tournament games.
[0142] In one embodiment, if there are 3 players, the gaming system
eliminates one of the players upon an occurrence of a first player
elimination triggering event. In one embodiment, if there are 20
games the player is eliminated at the end of the tenth tournament
game and the winner is awarded the tournament award which includes
the average expected payout value of the eliminated player's
tournament games.
[0143] In one embodiment, if there are only 4 players, a single
player is eliminated at one point in the tournament and another
single player is eliminated at another point in the tournament. For
example, in a tournament of 20 tournament games, a first player is
eliminated after the tenth tournament game, and a second player is
eliminated after the fifteenth tournament game. The winner is
determined at the end of the twentieth tournament game and this
tournament winner is awarded a tournament award that includes the
average expected payout values of the unplayed tournament
games.
[0144] In one embodiment, the tournament always includes at least
two players who are eligible to play the tournament and choose to
play the tournament. In one embodiment, the gaming system enables
the players to play one of a plurality of different base games. At
the beginning of the gaming session, the gaming system enables the
players to access points or credits or other redeemable winnings
won in other base games by logging onto the gaming machine. During
the base game play, the gaming system also accumulates chips,
points or credits won associated with the base game for the player.
In one such embodiment, the gaming system provides the player
chips, points or credits upon the occurrence of a designated symbol
combination generated during play of the base game. In one
embodiment, the tournament occurs during certain time intervals.
When the message is sent to each eligible gaming machine that the
tournament is to begin, the gaming machine verifies that the player
has accumulated the required amount of chips, points, or credits to
purchase an advantage, such as a multiplier to play the tournament.
If the player has the required amount of chips, points or credits,
an indication is made by the gaming machine, such as the ringing of
a bell. The gaming machine displays a screen to the player that
enables the player to purchase one of a plurality of different
advantages using the accumulated chips, points or credits. For
example, the gaming system enables the player to purchase a
multiplier integer between and including 1 to 10 based on the
accumulated amount of chips, points or credits. The gaming system
enables the player to make a decision to opt out of the tournament
and not play or purchase a multiplier. In one embodiment, if the
player fails to make a selection, the gaming device opts out the
player on the player's behalf. In one embodiment, the gaming system
provides all of the eligible players a limited amount of time to
purchase the advantage to enter the tournament and if the players
does not enter the tournament, the players have to wait for a next
tournament to being.
[0145] Once the tournament begins, such as at the expiration of the
time period, the gaming system enables the players to play the
tournament games. In one embodiment, the gaming system provides
each player a same number of free initial tournament games. The
advantage purchased by the player is applied to all of the games of
the tournament. For example, the multiplier purchased by the player
is applied to each of the wins of the tournament games. Upon the
occurrence of a player elimination triggering event, such as a
number of played games, the gaming system eliminates players from
the tournament.
[0146] In one embodiment, the eliminations are based on cumulative
credits earned during the tournament games and the players with the
least amount of credits are eliminated from the tournament. For
example, if the players are each provided 20 tournament games, at
15 tournament games remaining, 25% of the players with the least
amount of cumulative credits are eliminated from the tournament.
When 10 tournament games remaining, 25% of the players with the
least amount of cumulative credits are eliminated from the
tournament. The average expected payout value of each of the
eliminated players' tournament games modified by their purchased
advantage is allocated to the tournament award. For example, if a
player is eliminated at the end of the fifth tournament game and
each tournament game is worth 100 credits and the player has a
3.times. multiplier then 4500 (15.times.100.times.3) credits are
allocated to the tournament award for that eliminated player. In
one embodiment, when 15 of the tournament games have been played,
the number of the players eliminated is based on the number of
tournament winners.
[0147] The tournament award is continuously calculated throughout
the tournament whenever a player elimination triggering event
occurs. In one embodiment, for every ten players in the tournament,
a player is awarded a portion of the tournament award. For example,
if there are 8 players in the tournament, there is only one
tournament winner that wins 100% of the tournament award. If there
are 19 players in the tournament, the tournament has two tournament
winners that split the tournament award. For example, if there are
two tournament winners the tournament award is split 70% and 30%.
If there are 20 tournament players, the tournament has three
tournament winners. For example, the tournament award is split 50%,
30% and 20%. It should be appreciated that the tournament can have
any suitable number of tournament winners and that the tournament
award can be split in any suitable manner.
[0148] It should be appreciated that if at upon an occurrence of a
player elimination triggering event one or more players has a same
credit value or same point value or any other same value that the
elimination is based on, the gaming system may determine which
player to eliminate in any suitable manner. In one embodiment, the
gaming system randomly determines which of the tied players to
eliminate. In another embodiment, all tied players are eliminated.
In another embodiment, none of the tied players are eliminated. In
one embodiment, the gaming system provides a tie breaker. In one
embodiment, the player is given the tie breaker of selecting a
number between 0 and 9. In one such embodiment, the player with the
highest number is eliminated. In another embodiment, the player
with the lowest number is eliminated. In an embodiment where the
gaming system provides different advantages or elements of the
player's tournament games, that advantage or element helps to
determine the tie breaker between the players. For example, in the
tie breaker, each player is given a random number between 0 and 9
and that number is multiplied by that player's multiplier. In one
embodiment, the gaming system eliminates the player with has the
lowest number.
[0149] It is possible that multiple players may have a tie. In one
embodiment, each player is randomly assigned a number and the
players with the 2 lowest numbers are eliminated. In one
embodiment, the players are eliminated from the lowest number to
the largest number. In another embodiment the gaming system
randomly provides the player a number which is multiplied by the
multiplier, and then players are eliminated from the lowest to the
largest number. These processes may repeat themselves until the
ties are over.
[0150] It should be appreciated that the determination of which
players to eliminate may be determined in any suitable manner. In
one embodiment, which players are eliminated is based on the number
of credits accumulated by that player in the tournament. A
designated number of players with the least amount of credits are
eliminated at each elimination. In another embodiment the players
receive points, and the players with the lowest number of points
are eliminated.
[0151] It should also be appreciated that the gaming system enables
the tournament to be based on criteria other than most accumulated
points or credits. In one such embodiment, the gaming system
determines a tournament score or standing for each participating
player based on occurrences of a designated event during the
tournament. The tournament scoring in one embodiment is completely
based on one or more designated outcomes or events. For example,
the player with the most occurrences of scatter pays wins the
tournament. It should be appreciated that the tournament score may
be based on any suitable event or combination of events. In one
embodiment, the player with most occurrences of a single symbol
wins the tournament. For example, the gaming system determines the
winner of the tournament based on which player has generated the
most wild symbols during play of the tournament. In another
embodiment, the player with the most occurrences of one or more
designated groups of symbols wins the tournament. For example, the
gaming system scores the tournament based on which player generated
the most flushes in a video poker tournament. In another
embodiment, the designated event or outcome is generating a symbol
in a specific location. For example, the gaming system scores the
tournament based on the cherry symbols in the first column or on
the first reel. That is, whichever player generates the most cherry
symbols in the first column of the gaming device is the winner of
the tournament. In another embodiment, the winner of the tournament
is based on the greatest number of total winning combinations. In
another embodiment, the winner of the tournament is based on the
most occurrences of winning outcomes in a row. In another
embodiment, the winner of the tournament is based on the most
occurrences of losing outcomes in a row. In another embodiment, the
winner of the tournament is based on the highest single payout of
the players. In another embodiment, the winner of the tournament is
based on the highest average payout of the players. It should be
appreciated that the designated outcome or event may be any
suitable outcome or event. In another embodiment, the tournament is
based on the least occurrences of a designated outcome or event.
For example, the tournament winner is the player who generated the
fewest blank symbols in the slot tournament. It should be
appreciated that the designated award or event may be any suitable
event, including but not limited to: (a) a game outcome; (b) a
point total; (c) a credit total; (d) a bonus event; (e) a game
event; or (f) any combination thereof.
[0152] In one embodiment, one or more of the tournament awards are
each funded via a side bet or side wager. In this embodiment, a
player must place or wager a side bet to be eligible to qualify to
enter the tournament. For example, the player must place a
twenty-five credit side bet during each play of the base game to
become eligible to qualify for the tournament during that play of
the base game. In one such embodiment, the player is also required
to place a certain level of wager, such as a maximum wager, to be
eligible for the tournament. That is, in one embodiment, the player
must place the maximum bet and the side bet to qualify to enter the
tournament. In one such embodiment, the gaming system provides a
single player input to enable the player to place the required side
bet and wager at the same time so the player has to make only one
input to enter a tournament eligible wager.
[0153] In one such embodiment, these side wagers create a pool for
the tournament. In one embodiment, the amount in the pool
determines a number of free tournament games that will be provided
during the tournament. For example, if the average expected payout
value of each tournament game is $1 and the award pool is $100, the
tournament will include 100 tournament games to be distributed to
the players during the tournament. If 5 players play the
tournament, each player is initially provided 20 free tournament
games. Each of the players play the first 10 games without an
elimination. The player elimination triggering event is 10 games
played by each player, after the end of these 10 games, 2 of the
players are eliminated. Therefore, the average expected payout
value of each of the eliminated players' tournament games is $1.
For each player, $10 is contributed to the tournament award for
each eliminated player. Therefore, $20 (10 games per player.times.2
players.times.$1 per game) is allocated to the tournament award
from the award pool of $100. After the play of 5 more games by each
player, the gaming device eliminates another player. Therefore, the
average expected payout value of the eliminated player's tournament
games is $5. Therefore, $5 is allocated to the tournament award
from the award pool. Thus, in one embodiment, this award pool also
funds the tournament award. In one embodiment, players win the
amount of credits they win in the tournament games. In one such
embodiment, the amount won by the players in the games played in
the tournament is funded by the award pool.
[0154] It should be appreciated in different embodiments, the
tournament award is not predictable and changes based on the
factors of the tournament. For example, three players are
eliminated after the first minute of the tournament. How much the
gaming system allocates to the tournament award is based on how
many unplayed games the three players had. In another example,
after an occurrence of a player elimination triggering event, such
as a first player accumulating 100 points in the tournament, the
gaming system determines a number of players to eliminate randomly
or based on a formula. The number of players eliminated and how
many remaining tournament games those players changes the
allocation to the tournament award. Therefore, in one embodiment,
side wagers placed by players trying to win an entry into the
tournament fund an award pool that funds the tournament. In one
embodiment, the tournament is triggered when the award pool reaches
a designated amount. For example, when the award pool reaches $500
the tournament begins or a participation period to begin the
tournament begins.
[0155] In another embodiment, if the player places or wagers the
required side bet, the player may wager at any credit amount during
the primary game (i.e., the player need not place the maximum bet
and the side bet to be eligible to qualify to enter the
tournament). In one such embodiment, the greater the player's wager
(in addition to the placed side bet), the greater the odds or
probability that the player will qualify to enter the tournament.
It should be appreciated that one or more of the tournament awards
may each be funded, at least in part, based on the wagers placed on
the primary games of the gaming devices in the gaming system, via a
gaming establishment or via any suitable manner.
[0156] In another embodiment, one or more of the tournament awards
are partially funded via a side bet or side wager which the player
may make (and which may be tracked via a side bet meter). In one
embodiment, one or more of the tournament awards are funded with
only side bets or side wagers placed. For example, the tournament
award provided at the end of the tournament includes the average
expected payout values of the unplayed but provided tournament
games and an intermittent award is funded by side wagers. In
another embodiment, one or more of the tournament awards are funded
based on player's wagers as well as any side bets or side wagers
placed.
[0157] It should be appreciated that the tournament award may
include an initial award amount at the beginning of the tournament
and that the average expected payout values of the unplayed
tournament games are added to that initial fund. For example, the
initial tournament award is $100. Upon a player elimination event,
the average expected payout value of the unplayed and provided
tournament games of the eliminated players is $25. The tournament
award is then $125.
[0158] It should be appreciated that in various different
embodiments the tournament award changes dynamically based on
suitable tournament events, characteristics or advantages. In one
embodiment, how many players are eliminated upon the occurrence of
a player elimination triggering event changes the value of the
tournament award. For example, if three players are eliminated upon
an occurrence of a player elimination triggering event and the
average expected payout value of each game is $1 and each of the
players has 10 games remaining, $30 is allocated towards the
tournament award. However, if twenty players are eliminated upon an
occurrence of a player elimination triggering event and the average
expected payout value of each game is $1 and each of the players
has 10 games remaining, the gaming system allocates $200 towards
the tournament award.
[0159] The present disclosure contemplates that another way the
tournament award dynamically changes is when or at what time one or
more player elimination triggering events occur. For example, if a
player elimination triggering event occurs which causes the
elimination of five players who each have 18 games remaining and
the average expected payout value of each game is $2, the gaming
system allocates $180 towards the tournament award. However, if a
player elimination triggering event occurs which causes the
elimination of five players who each have 3 games remaining and the
average expected payout value of each game is $2, the gaming system
allocates $30 towards the tournament award.
[0160] In one embodiment, the advantage of the eliminated players
causes the tournament award to be dynamic. For example, if a player
elimination triggering event occurs which causes the elimination of
two players who each have 10 games remaining and the average
expected payout value of each game is $2, and one of the players
has a multiplier of 10 and one of the players has a multiplier of
8. the gaming system allocates $380 towards the tournament award.
However, if a player elimination triggering event occurs later in
the tournament which causes the elimination of five players who
each have 3 games remaining and the average expected payout value
of each game is $2 and four of the five players have a multiplier
of 1 and one of the players has a multiplier of 2, the gaming
system allocates $36 towards the tournament award.
[0161] In one embodiment, a minimum wager level is required for a
gaming device to qualify to be selected to obtain entry into the
tournament. In one embodiment, this minimum wager level is the
maximum wager level for the primary game in the gaming device. In
another embodiment, no minimum wager level is required for a gaming
device to qualify to be selected to obtain entry into the
tournament.
[0162] In one embodiment, the base games that qualify players for
tournament play do not include bonus game triggers. In one
embodiment, the fund that is normally allocated to the bonus games
funds the tournament. In one such embodiment, the base games that
qualify players for tournament play do not include one or more
certain types of bonus triggers, such as one or more free spins
triggers. In this embodiment, the fund that is normally allocated
to the free spins funds the tournament.
[0163] It should be appreciated that the tournament game and any
information related to the tournament may be displayed to players
in any suitable manner. In one embodiment, the tournament game is a
game that is presented instead of base games. That is, the gaming
system only enables the player to play tournament games at one time
and base games at another time (such as before and after the
tournament). In another embodiment, the tournament games are
provided to the players in a service window. In one such
embodiment, the gaming system enables the players to continue
playing base games simultaneously while they are playing tournament
games.
[0164] In one embodiment, the gaming system continually updates the
standings of the players. At the end of each tournament game, each
gaming device sends a result of that tournament game for that
player to a server which then causes the display of the results to
all the other players. In one embodiment, there are standings on a
common display device such as a leader board that is updated every
tournament game. In one embodiment, the tournament award is
continually updated and also displayed to one or more players. In
one embodiment, how many tournament games each player has left is
communicated to other players. For example, players may play the
tournament games at different speeds and the gaming system informs
players how many tournament games each players has left. In another
example, the gaming system provides the players different numbers
of tournament games and the gaming system informs other players how
many tournament games the players have played or have remaining. It
should be appreciated that any information about the tournament may
be provided to each of the tournament players in any suitable
manner including visually on a common display and/or displayed
and/or orally provided individually at the gaming devices. It
should be appreciated that any information about the tournament may
be provided to any non-tournament players in any suitable
manner.
[0165] In one embodiment, an award for a tournament is a game
function or enhancement that may be saved and used in
non-tournament games that is based on the amount of credits
associated with the average expected payout values of the provided
unplayed tournament games. For example, the players may win a
multiplier to apply to a designated number of non-tournament games.
It should be appreciated that the gaming system may provide any
tournament player an award of a non-tournament game function. In
one embodiment, the gaming system requires the player to
immediately use the game function after the tournament. In another
embodiment, the game function is stored in the gaming system or in
a player account. The player may make an input to use or apply the
game function at a later date for any suitable non-tournament game.
In another embodiment, the gaming system requires the player to use
the game function at a later date, requiring a return visit from
the player. In another embodiment, the gaming system requires the
player to use the game function on a certain date, requiring a
return visit from the player. For example, the gaming system
provides the player 10 tournament games that must be redeemed the
day after winning the tournament games.
[0166] It should be appreciated that the tournament may have any
suitable numbers of tournament winners. In one embodiment, the
tournament award is provided to a single tournament player. In
another embodiment, the tournament award is split equally among
multiple tournament players. In another embodiment, the tournament
award is split unequally among multiple tournament players based on
any suitable factor, such as credits won in the tournament or
points won in the tournament.
[0167] In one embodiment, the tournament includes a plurality of
rounds and each round includes prizes for the players. That is, an
award or a prize is awarded to other players in addition to the
overall tournament winner. In another embodiment, the gaming system
provides a prize for each round winner. In another embodiment, the
player with the lowest score receives a prize, such as an entry
into another tournament.
[0168] It should be appreciated that intermittent or intermediate
awards in a tournament may be determined based on any suitable
tournament or game parameters or criteria which can be measured by
the server based system. In one embodiment, one or more
intermittent awards are based on designated symbol occurrences on a
designated payline. In another embodiment, the player with the
first occurrence of a designated event wins a prize. For example,
the first player who achieves a royal flush in a video poker
tournament wins an award or prize. The gaming system may provide
any suitable number of players awards or prizes based on any
suitable criteria. It should be appreciated that the designated
award or event may be any suitable event, including but not limited
to: (a) a game outcome; (b) a point total; (c) a credit total; (d)
a bonus event; (e) a game event; or (f) any combination
thereof.
[0169] In one embodiment, the tournament provides intermittent
awards to the players based on the average expected payout values
of unplayed games of eliminated players. In one such embodiment,
instead of or in addition to providing a tournament award at the
end of the tournament, the gaming system provides intermittent
awards. For example, at the end of a first elimination, the gaming
system provides a player (such as the player with the most credits)
an award equal to 30% of the current tournament award. At the end
of the second elimination, the gaming system provides a player
(such as the player with the most credits) an award equal to 50% of
the current tournament award. At an end of the tournament, the
gaming system provides the tournament winner the remaining
tournament award.
[0170] It should be appreciated that the tournament may include any
suitable number of rounds. It should also be appreciated that the
tournament may be played on gaming devices in one establishment or
on gaming devices in a plurality of gaming establishments.
[0171] It should be appreciated that the tournament game may be any
suitable game. In one embodiment, the tournament game is the same
for each of a plurality of players. In another embodiment the
tournament games provided to players are different types of games.
For example, the tournament games provided to each player may be 5
poker games and 5 blackjack games. In one embodiment, the
tournament game is the same as the base game but has an added
element. For example, the base game is a slot game. The tournament
game is the slot game but has one or more designated or extra
symbols that cause an award of different numbers credit to the
players. In one embodiment, the gaming system determines the
credits to award based on the occurrence of the extra symbol
randomly. In one embodiment, the gaming system determines the
credit based on the occurrence of the extra symbol from a weighted
table. In one embodiment, these extra credits provided for the
generation of one or more extra symbols are changed by an
applicable advantage or element provided in the tournament. For
example, these extra credits provided for the generation of one or
more designated symbols are multiplied by any provided multipliers
in the game. In certain embodiments, the different types of games
level the playing field of other base games. In one embodiment, the
tournament includes different tournament games that have different
average payback percentages. Therefore, as different players are
eliminated different amounts are contributed to the tournament
award based on which games the eliminated players are playing. A
player playing a game with a lower payback percentage can then win
the tournament award which is determined on eliminated players
whose unplayed tournament games contributed a higher percentage to
the tournament award, leveling the playing field of the
players.
[0172] It should be appreciated that the tournament triggering
event may be any suitable event. In one embodiment, the triggering
event is a passage of time. For example, at the end of the time
period, such as every 5 minutes, the gaming system provides a
tournament to all qualified players. In another embodiment, the
triggering event is a game outcome generated in a designated time
period. In another embodiment, the triggering event is an operator
input. In another embodiment, the triggering event is a number of
game outcomes, such as a certain number of consecutive winning game
outcomes. In another embodiment, the tournament triggering event is
a point total. In another embodiment, the triggering event is an
accumulating event. In another embodiment the tournament event is a
collected number of designated game outcomes. For example, when
qualified players collectively achieve 5 of the designated game
outcomes the tournament begins. In another embodiment the
tournament triggering event is a single outcome generated in a
designated time period. In another embodiment, the tournament
triggering event is a point total won by qualified players. In
another embodiment, the tournament triggering event is a designated
number of players being eligible for the tournament. For example
when 50 players are eligible to play the tournament, the tournament
begins. In one embodiment, side wagers placed by players trying to
win an entry into the tournament fund an award pool that funds the
tournament. In one embodiment, the tournament is triggered when the
award pool reaches a designated amount.
[0173] It should be appreciated that any suitable qualifier or
qualification or combination of qualifications may be employed to
determine eligibility for tournament play. In one embodiment, a
method or characteristic of a player's base game qualifies the
player for tournament entry.
[0174] In one embodiment, the tournament qualification event is
achieving a certain symbol combination in a play of a base game. In
another embodiment, the tournament qualification event is achieving
a plurality certain symbol combinations in a play of a base game
during uninterrupted play. In another embodiment, the tournament
qualification event is achieving a plurality certain symbol
combinations in a play of a base game in a certain number of games
or over a certain period of time. In another embodiment, the
tournament qualification event is winning a certain number of
points from a base game to qualify for the tournament.
[0175] In certain embodiments, entry into the tournament is free
and the games that are provided to the players during the
tournament are each free games. In certain other embodiments, entry
into the tournament is free but the gaming system requires payment
or a wager for the play of each game during the tournament. In one
embodiment, the gaming system requires the player to pay for one or
more of the tournament games. For example, if the player must pay
$10 to play 10 tournament games. In one embodiment, the player is
required to pay for the entire tournament before the start of the
tournament. In another embodiment, the gaming system requires the
player to wager on one or more of the tournament games. For
example, the player must wager on every provided tournament game
and the wager amount is used to determine any award provided by
that tournament game. In certain embodiments, the gaming system
requires a player to pay an entry free to participate in the
tournament. In these embodiments, the entry fee and/or the wager to
play each game is taken into account in the average expected payout
values of the tournament games.
[0176] In one embodiment, the tournament qualifying event is based
on amount the player wagers. The wager qualification may be
measured in any suitable manner. In certain types of tournaments,
the wager qualification is determined by the amount a player wagers
such as a player's coin-in or wagers in on a single gaming device
during uninterrupted game play. In another embodiment, the wager
qualification amount is determined by the amount the player wagers
at any linked gaming device in an allotted period of time such as
24 hours. In another embodiment, the wager qualification amount is
determined by the amount wagered on designated gaming devices or in
particular gaming establishments. In another embodiment, the
tournament qualifier is based from the average wager per spin of
the reels or play of the game. In another embodiment, the amount a
player wins determines whether the player qualifies for the
tournament entry. The qualification win amount may be measured in
any suitable manner. In one type of tournament, the qualification
win amount is determined by the amount a player wins on a single
gaming device during uninterrupted game play. In another
embodiment, the qualification win amount is determined by the
amount a player wins in an allotted time period. In another
embodiment, the qualification win amount is determined by the
amount the player wins at a certain type of game for a certain
amount of time, such as the amount in a poker game over one
week.
[0177] In one embodiment, the tournament qualifying event is based
on the total amount lost by a player over a certain time. In one
embodiment, losing a designated amount qualifies the player for
tournament entry. In another embodiment, losing a certain number of
spins or games in a row qualifies the player for tournament entry.
This type of tournament creates losers tournament and provides
players incentives to continue playing after hitting a period of
bad luck. In one embodiment, in various types of tournaments a game
outcome qualifies the player for tournament entry. For example in
one embodiment, achieving a certain game score qualifies the player
for tournament entry. In another embodiment, playing a game for
certain amount of time qualifies the player for tournament entry.
In another embodiment, the gaming system provides the player a
tournament entry as a bonus award. In another embodiment, a player
may win a tournament entry in a bonus game. That is, a player wins
tournament qualification based on the outcome of a triggered bonus
or secondary game. In another embodiment, the gaming system
provides a player a tournament entry fee as an award in a primary
or bonus game. That is, a player may win an entry fee into the
tournament as an award in a game. In one such embodiment, the entry
fee award is only available to players that have previously
qualified for a tournament. In another embodiment, a player may win
the tournament entry fee when they are not qualified for a
tournament but may then have to win a tournament qualification or
play of tournament not requiring tournament qualification to play
the tournament.
[0178] In one embodiment, the tournament qualifying event is
achieving on a score or win in a previous tournament. That is, a
player may win an entry into a tournament from a previous
tournament play.
[0179] In one embodiment, the tournament qualification event is
determined based on one or more elements from a player tracking
system or account. For example, all players of a certain rank or
level may qualify for tournament entry. In another embodiment, all
new members to a player tracking system or gaming establishment
receive an automatic tournament entry. In another embodiment, upon
a player's birthday the gaming system provides the player a
tournament entry. In one embodiment, a player tracking system
includes point intervals in each type of player which is a point
interval the player received in entering into a tournament.
[0180] In one embodiment, a tournament qualification event is
triggered based on one or more game play events, such as a
symbol-driven trigger. In other embodiments, the tournament
qualification triggering event or qualifying condition may be
achieved by exceeding a certain amount of game play (such as number
of games, number of credits, or amount of time), or reaching a
specified number of points earned during game play. In another
embodiment, a gaming device is randomly or apparently randomly
selected to provide a player of that gaming device a tournament
entry. In one such embodiment, the gaming device does not provide
any apparent reasons to the player for winning a tournament entry,
wherein qualifying for the tournament is not triggered by an event
in or based specifically on any of the plays of any primary game.
That is, a player is provided a tournament entry without any
explanation or alternatively with simple explanations. In another
embodiment, a player is provided a tournament entry at least
partially based on a game triggered or symbol triggered event, such
as at least partially based on the play of a primary game.
[0181] In another embodiment, the tournament qualification event is
based on a point system. In one such embodiment, the gaming system
provides the players points based on one or more events in the base
game. For example, the gaming system provides a first point amount
to a player for a first combination generated on an active payline
and a second point amount to the player for the second combination
on the active payline. The player then may use the qualification
points for tournament entry. For example, if 50 points are required
for tournament entry and the player has 65 points, the player may
use 50 of those points for the tournament. In one embodiment, the
player then holds the other 15 points to use in an advantage of the
tournament or to purchase another tournament entry. In another
embodiment, the player only has a limited time to use the points.
In another embodiment, the player may accumulate points until the
player chooses to use them.
[0182] In another embodiment, the gaming system or establishment
provides the players chips that are won through base games. In
different embodiments, the gaming system enables the players to use
the chips to be eligible for bonus games, to play free games or to
use to enter the tournament. Therefore, the gaming system enables
the player to make decisions on how to use the multi-use chips to
try to obtain the most credits.
[0183] In one embodiment of the tournament, at the end of the
tournament, the tournament winner plays a game that determines the
value of the tournament award. In one such embodiment, the average
expected payout values of each unplayed and provided game values
are allocated towards a pool for the tournament award. The gaming
system then provides the tournament winner a game that determines
the value of the tournament award provided to the player. For
example, the average expected payout values of each unplayed and
provided game values are allocated towards a pool for the
tournament award pool, with a value of $175. The gaming system then
provides the tournament winner a game with three masked selections.
The first masked selection is associated with a value of $175. The
second masked selection is associated with a value of $155. The
third masked selection is associated with a value of $100. The
tournament winner selects one of the selections and the selection
determines the value of the tournament award provided to the
player. It should be appreciated that the game provided to the
tournament winner may be any suitable game including but not
limited to selection games, video poker games, video blackjack
games, video keno and video bingo games.
[0184] It should be appreciated that any suitable element of any of
the examples disclosed herein may be combined. It should be
understood that various changes and modifications to the presently
preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those
skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject
matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is
therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered
by the appended claims.
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