U.S. patent number RE39,817 [Application Number 10/222,523] was granted by the patent office on 2007-09-04 for gaming device for operating in a reverse payout mode and a method of operating same.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Walker Digital, LLC. Invention is credited to James A. Jorasch, Thomas M. Sparico, Jay S. Walker.
United States Patent |
RE39,817 |
Walker , et al. |
September 4, 2007 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Gaming device for operating in a reverse payout mode and a method
of operating same
Abstract
A gaming device of the type wherein a play generates one of
multiple possible outcomes having reverse payout information. The
gaming device comprises a memory device containing a first set of
data correlating possible outcomes to a first set of payouts and a
second set of data correlating possible outcomes to a second set of
payouts second set of data correlates a majority of outcomes to
positive payouts and the first set of data correlates a majority of
outcomes to other than positive payouts. The gaming device also
includes a payout selector indicating which of the first set of
data and the second set of data the gaming device is to access. In
an alternate embodiment, the gaming device includes a memory having
only the second set of data.
Inventors: |
Walker; Jay S. (Ridgefield,
CT), Jorasch; James A. (Stamford, CT), Sparico; Thomas
M. (New York, NY) |
Assignee: |
Walker Digital, LLC (Stamford,
CT)
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Family
ID: |
25386696 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/222,523 |
Filed: |
August 16, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
08885345 |
Jun 30, 1997 |
06113492 |
Sep 5, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/16;
273/138.2; 273/139; 273/143R; 463/20; 463/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F
17/32 (20130101); G07F 17/3244 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63F
9/24 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;463/1,9-13,16-20,21,22,25,29-30,36,40-43
;273/138.1,138.2,139,236,237,309,292-293 ;700/91-93 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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569 234 |
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Feb 1988 |
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AU |
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0 671 713 |
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Sep 1995 |
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EP |
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WO 96/08295 |
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Mar 1996 |
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WO |
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Other References
International Gaming & Wagering Business (IGWB), vol. 17, No.
4, pp. 2 and 36, Apr. 1996. cited by examiner .
Bally's Gaming Guide, Craps rules, pp. 8-11. cited by
examiner.
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Primary Examiner: Sager; Mark
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Walker Digital Management, LLC
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A gaming device wherein a play generates one of multiple
possible outcomes, the device comprising: a wager selector
indicating a wager; a memory device storing a first set of data
correlating possible outcomes to a first set of payout information
and a second set of data correlating possible outcomes to a second
set of payout information, said second set of data being structured
such that the statistical likelihood of generated any winning
outcome is greater than the statistical likelihood of generating
any losing outcome; selector means for selecting either of said
first set of data or said second set of data; an insurance
selector; a random number generator for generating a random number;
said memory device also storing a third set of data correlating
possible outcomes to insurance payout information; and a processor
coupled to said random number generator, said memory device, said
payout selector and said insurance selector, said processor
configured to access said insurance payout information based on
said random number and said insurance selector.
2. The gaming device of claim 1 wherein said second set of data is
structured such that the statistical likelihood of generating any
winning outcome is greater than the statistical likelihood of
generating any outcome which results in neither win nor a loss.
3. The gaming device of claim 1 further comprising: means for
generating a random number wherein said random number corresponds
to one of said multiple possible outcomes; and processor means
coupled to said memory means for accessing one of said first set of
data and said second set of data based upon said selector
means.
4. The gaming device of claim 1 further comprising means for
receiving payment from a player, said means for receiving coupled
to said processor means, said processor means determining a payout
based on said payment.
5. A slot machine wherein a play results in one of multiple
possible outcomes, each outcome including a plurality of reel
positions, the slot machine comprising: a memory device having
payout information stored therein, said payout information
correlated to said outcomes such that each outcome in which each of
the reel positions differs from each other is a win for a
player.
6. The slot machine of claim 5 further comprising: a processor
coupled to said memory device and configured to determine a win or
loss according to the resulting outcome and said payout
information.
7. The slot machine of claim 5 wherein said payout information
correlated to an outcome in which at least two reel positions are
identical describes a loss for a player.
8. A gaming device wherein a play results in one of multiple
possible outcomes, the outcomes including normally winning outcomes
and normally non-winning outcomes, the gaming device comprising: a
memory device having stored therein payout information correlated
to possible outcomes, and wherein said payout information
correlates other than a win for a player to a normally winning
outcome, wherein said normally winning outcomes include outcomes in
which at least two of the reel positions are identical.
9. The gaming device of claim 8 wherein said payout information
correlates a win to a normally non-winning outcome.
10. A gaming device operable to generate one of a plurality of
possible outcomes for each play initiated thereon, the device
comprising: means for storing a first payout table including a
first plurality of payout amounts, each of the first plurality of
payout amounts corresponding to at least one of the plurality of
possible outcomes, wherein each possible outcome has only one of
said first plurality of payout amounts associated therewith; means
for storing a second payout table including a second plurality of
payout amounts, each of the second plurality of payout amounts
corresponding to at least one of the plurality of possible
outcomes, wherein each possible outcome has one of said second
plurality of payout amounts associated therewith, and wherein at
least one of the second plurality of payout amounts associated with
a first particular outcome is greater than zero when a
corresponding one of said first plurality of payout amounts for the
first particular outcome is zero, and wherein at least one of the
first plurality of payout amounts associated with a second
particular outcome is greater than zero when a corresponding one of
said second plurality of payout amounts for the second particular
outcome is zero; and means for indicating which of said first and
said second payout tables the gaming device is to access for a
play.
11. A computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions
for implementing a method for operating a gaming device, the method
comprising: storing a first payout table including a first
plurality of payout amounts, each of the first plurality of payout
amounts corresponding to at .[.last.]. .Iadd.least .Iaddend.one of
the plurality of possible outcomes, wherein each possible outcome
has only one of said first plurality of payout amounts associated
therewith; storing a second payout table including a second
plurality of payout amounts, each of the second plurality of payout
amounts corresponding to at least one of the plurality of possible
outcomes, wherein each possible outcome has one of said second
plurality of payout amounts associated therewith, and wherein at
least one of the second plurality of payout amounts associated with
a first particular outcome is greater than zero when a
corresponding one of said first plurality of payout amounts for the
first particular outcome is zero; and wherein at least one of the
first plurality of payout amounts associated with a second
particular outcome is greater than zero when a corresponding one of
said second plurality of payout amounts for the second particular
outcome is zero; and receiving an indication which of said first
and said second payout tables the gaming device is to access for a
play.
12. A gaming device operable to generate one of a plurality of
possible outcomes for each play initiated thereon, the device
comprising: means for storing a first payout table including a
first plurality of payout amounts, each of the first plurality of
payout amounts corresponding to at least one of the plurality of
possible outcomes, the first payout table having a first payout
amount associated with a first outcome, wherein the first payout
amount is greater than zero, the first payout table further having
a second payout amount associated with a second outcome, wherein
the second payout amount is zero, means for storing a second payout
table including a second plurality of payout amounts, each of the
second plurality of payout amounts corresponding to at least one of
the plurality of possible outcomes, wherein at least one of the
second plurality of payout amounts is greater than zero when a
corresponding one of the first plurality of payout amounts is zero,
the second payout table having a third payout amount associated
with the first outcome, wherein the third payout amount is zero,
the second payout table having a fourth payout amount associated
with the second outcome, wherein the fourth payout amount is
greater than zero; and means for receiving an indication which of
said first and said second payout tables the gaming device is to
access for the play.
13. A computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions
for implementing a method for operating a gaming device, the method
comprising: storing a first payout table including a first
plurality of payout amounts, each of the first plurality of payout
amounts corresponding to at least one of the plurality of possible
outcomes, the first payout table having a first payout amount
associated with a first outcome, wherein the first payout amount is
greater than zero, the first payout table further having a second
payout amount associated with a second outcome, wherein the second
payout amount is zero; storing a second payout table including a
second plurality of payout amounts, each of the second plurality of
payout amounts corresponding to at least one of the plurality of
possible outcomes, wherein at least one of the second plurality of
payout amounts is greater than zero when a corresponding one of the
first plurality of payout amounts is zero, the second payout table
having a third payout amount associated with the first outcome,
wherein the third payout amount is zero, the second payout table
having a fourth payout amount associated with the second outcome,
wherein the fourth payout amount is greater than zero; and
receiving an indication of which of said first and said second
payout tables the gaming device is to access for the play.
14. The gaming device of claim 10, wherein the device is a video
poker machine, the plurality of possible outcomes including
combinations of playing cards.
15. A gaming device comprising: a first payout table including a
first plurality of payout amounts and a plurality of outcomes
wherein each of the plurality of outcomes is associated with at
least one of the first plurality of payout amounts; a second payout
table including a second plurality of payout amounts wherein each
of the plurality of outcomes is associated with at least one of the
second plurality of payout amounts, wherein at least one of the
first plurality of payout amounts associated with a first outcome
of the plurality of outcomes is greater than zero if a payout
amount of the second plurality of payout amounts associated with
the first outcome is zero, and wherein at least one of the first
plurality of payout amounts associated with a second outcome of the
plurality of outcomes is zero if a payout amount of the second
plurality of payout amounts associated with the second outcome is
greater than zero; and a selector for indicating which of the first
and second payout tables the gaming device is to use for
determining a payout.
16. The gaming device of claim 15 wherein the first and second
payout tables include information corresponding to a number of
coins to be paid a player.
17. The gaming device of claim 15 further including a memory for
storing a wager and wherein the first and second payout tables
include information corresponding to a multiplier by which said
payout is to be multiplied based upon the wager.
18. The gaming device of claim 15 further comprising: a memory for
storing the payout tables; a random number generator for generating
a random number; and a processor coupled to the random number
generator, the memory, and the selector, wherein the processor is
configured to access the payout tables based on the random number
and the payout selector.
19. The gaming device of claim 18 further comprising: an insurance
selector coupled to the processor, wherein the memory further
stores data that relates outcomes of the plurality of outcomes to
insurance payout information and wherein the processor is
configured to access the insurance payout information based on the
random number and the insurance selector.
.Iadd.20. A method comprising: selecting a wager; storing a first
set of data correlating possible outcomes to a first set of payout
information and a second set of data correlating possible outcomes
to a second set of payout information, said second set of data
being structured such that the statistical likelihood of generating
any winning outcome is greater than the statistical likelihood of
generating any losing outcome; selecting either of said first set
of data or said second set of data; receiving an insurance
selection; generating a random number; storing a third set of data
correlating possible outcomes to insurance payout information; and
accessing said insurance payout information based on said random
number and said insurance selection..Iaddend.
.Iadd.21. The method of claim 20 wherein storing a second set of
data includes storing said second set of data structured such that
the statistical likelihood of generating any winning outcome is
greater than the statistical likelihood of generating any outcome
which results in neither win nor a loss..Iaddend.
.Iadd.22. The method of claim 20 further comprising: generating a
random number wherein said random number corresponds to one of said
multiple possible outcomes; and accessing one of said first set of
data and said second set of data based upon a selection resulting
from selecting either of said first set of data or said second set
of data..Iaddend.
.Iadd.23. The method of claim 20 further comprising receiving
payment from a player; and determining a payout based on said
payment..Iaddend.
.Iadd.24. A method comprising: storing payout information for slot
machine outcomes, wherein outcomes include at least one selected
reel position on each of a plurality of reels, wherein the payout
information is correlated to a subset of the outcomes, and wherein
the subset includes every outcome in which each selected reel
position of each reel differs from each other selected reel
position of each other reel; and generating, via a processor, a
resulting outcome..Iaddend.
.Iadd.25. The method of claim 24 further comprising determining a
win or a loss according to the resulting outcome and a presence or
an absence of payout information correlated with the resulting
outcome..Iaddend.
.Iadd.26. The method of claim 24 further comprising awarding a
payout when the resulting outcome is within the subset during play
of the slot machine..Iaddend.
.Iadd.27. The method of claim 24 wherein outcomes in which at least
two selected reel positions on different reels are identical
indicates a loss..Iaddend.
.Iadd.28. A method comprising: storing payout information
correlated to possible outcomes, wherein outcomes include a
plurality of reel positions, wherein said payout information
correlates other than a win for a player to a normally winning
outcome, and wherein said normally winning outcomes include
outcomes in which at least two of the reel positions are identical;
and generating an outcome..Iaddend.
.Iadd.29. The method of claim 28 wherein said payout information
correlates a win to a normally non-winning outcome..Iaddend.
.Iadd.30. A method comprising: storing a first payout table
including a first plurality of payout amounts, each of the first
plurality of payout amounts corresponding to at least one of a
plurality of possible outcomes, wherein each possible outcome has
one of said first plurality of payout amounts associated therewith;
storing a second payout table including a second plurality of
payout amounts, each of the second plurality of payout amounts
corresponding to at least one of the plurality of possible
outcomes, wherein each possible outcome has one of said second
plurality of payout amounts associated therewith, wherein at least
one of the second plurality of payout amounts associated with a
first particular outcome is greater than zero when a corresponding
one of said first plurality of payout amounts for the first
particular outcome is zero, and wherein at least one of the first
plurality of payout amounts associated with a second particular
outcome is greater than zero when a corresponding one of said
second plurality of payout amounts for the second particular
outcome is zero; and indicating which of said first and said second
payout tables a gaming device is to access for a play..Iaddend.
.Iadd.31. The method of claim 30, wherein indicating includes
indicating which of said first and said second payout tables a
video poker machine is to access for a play and wherein the
plurality of possible outcomes includes combinations of playing
cards..Iaddend.
.Iadd.32. A method comprising: storing a first payout table
including a first plurality of payout amounts, each of the first
plurality of payout amounts corresponding to at least one of a
plurality of possible outcomes, wherein each possible outcome has
one of said first plurality of payout amounts associated therewith;
storing a second payout table including a second plurality of
payout amounts, each of the second plurality of payout amounts
corresponding to at least one of the plurality of possible
outcomes, wherein each possible outcome has one of said second
plurality of payout amounts associated therewith, wherein at least
one of the second plurality of payout amounts associated with a
first particular outcome is greater than zero when a corresponding
one of said first plurality of payout amounts for the first
particular outcome is zero, and wherein at least one of the first
plurality of payout amounts associated with a second particular
outcome is greater than zero when a corresponding one of said
second plurality of payout amounts for the second particular
outcome is zero; and receiving an indication which of said first
and said second payout tables a gaming device is to access for a
play..Iaddend.
.Iadd.33. The method of claim 32, wherein receiving an indication
includes receiving an indication which of said first and said
second payout tables a video poker machine is to access for a play
and wherein the plurality of possible outcomes includes
combinations of playing cards..Iaddend.
.Iadd.34. A method comprising: storing a first payout table
including a first plurality of payout amounts, each of the first
plurality of payout amounts corresponding to at least one of a
plurality of possible outcomes, the first payout table having a
first payout amount associated with a first outcome, wherein the
first payout amount is greater than zero, the first payout table
further having a second payout amount associated with a second
outcome, wherein the second payout amount is zero; storing a second
payout table including a second plurality of payout amounts, each
of the second plurality of payout amounts corresponding to at least
one of the plurality of possible outcomes, wherein at least one of
the second plurality of payout amounts is greater than zero when a
corresponding one of the first plurality of payout amounts is zero,
the second payout table having a third payout amount associated
with the first outcome, wherein the third payout amount is zero,
the second payout table having a fourth payout amount associated
with the second outcome, wherein the fourth payout amount is
greater than zero; and receiving an indication which of said first
and said second payout tables a gaming device is to access for a
play..Iaddend.
.Iadd.35. The method of claim 34, wherein receiving an indication
includes receiving an indication which of said first and said
second payout tables a video poker machine is to access for a play
and wherein the plurality of possible outcomes includes
combinations of playing cards..Iaddend.
.Iadd.36. A method comprising: storing a first payout table
including a first plurality of payout amounts, each of the first
plurality of payout amounts corresponding to at least one of the
plurality of possible outcomes, the first payout table having a
first payout amount associated with a first outcome, wherein the
first payout amount is greater than zero, the first payout table
further having a second payout amount associated with a second
outcome, wherein the second payout amount is zero; storing a second
payout table including a second plurality of payout amounts, each
of the second plurality of payout amounts corresponding to at least
one of the plurality of possible outcomes, wherein at least one of
the second plurality of payout amounts is greater than zero when a
corresponding one of the first plurality of payout amounts is zero,
the second payout table having a third payout amount associated
with the first outcome, wherein the third payout amount is zero,
the second payout table having a fourth payout amount associated
with the second outcome, wherein the fourth payout amount is
greater than zero; and indicating which of said first and said
second payout tables a gaming device is to access for a
play..Iaddend.
.Iadd.37. The method of claim 36, wherein indicating includes
indicating which of said first and said second payout tables a
video poker machine is to access for a play and wherein the
plurality of possible outcomes includes combinations of playing
cards..Iaddend.
.Iadd.38. A method comprising: determining a first payout table
including a first plurality of payout amounts and a plurality of
outcomes wherein each of the plurality of outcomes is associated
with at least one of the first plurality of payout amounts;
determining a second payout table including a second plurality of
payout amounts wherein each of the plurality of outcomes is
associated with at least one of the second plurality of payout
amounts, wherein at least one of the first plurality of payout
amounts associated with a first outcome of the plurality of
outcomes is greater than zero if a payout amount of the second
plurality of payout amounts associated with the first outcome is
zero, and wherein at least one of the first plurality of payout
amounts associated with a second outcome of the plurality of
outcomes is zero if a payout amount of the second plurality of
payout amounts associated with the second outcome is greater than
zero; and providing a means for a player to select which of the
first and second payout tables the gaming device is to use for
determining a payout..Iaddend.
.Iadd.39. The method of claim 38 wherein determining the first and
second payout tables includes determining information corresponding
to a number of coins to be paid the player..Iaddend.
.Iadd.40. The method of claim 38 further including storing a wager
and wherein determining the first and second payout tables include
determining information corresponding to a multiplier by which said
payout is to be multiplied based upon the wager..Iaddend.
.Iadd.41. The method of claim 38 further comprising: storing a
selected payout table; generating a random number; and accessing
the selected payout table based on the random number..Iaddend.
.Iadd.42. The method of claim 41 further comprising: storing data
that relates outcomes of the plurality of outcomes to insurance
payout information; and accessing the insurance payout information
based on the random number and an insurance selection..Iaddend.
.Iadd.43. A gaming device operable to generate one of the plurality
of possible outcomes for each play initiated thereon, the device
comprising: means for storing a first payout table including a
first plurality of payout amounts, each of the first plurality of
payout amounts corresponding to at least one of the plurality of
possible outcomes, wherein each possible outcome has one of said
first plurality of payout amounts associated therewith; means for
storing a second payout table including a second plurality of
payout amounts, each of the second plurality of payout amounts
corresponding to at least one of the plurality of possible
outcomes, wherein each possible outcome has one of said second
plurality of payout amounts associated therewith, and wherein at
least one of the second plurality of payout amounts associated with
a first particular outcome is greater than zero when a
corresponding one of said first plurality of payout amounts for the
first particular outcome is zero, and wherein at least one of the
first plurality of payout amounts associated with a second
particular outcome is greater than zero when a corresponding one of
said second plurality of payout amounts for the second particular
outcome is zero; and means for indicating which of said first and
said second payout tables the gaming device is to access for a
play..Iaddend.
.Iadd.44. A computer readable medium encoded with processing
instructions for implementing a method for operating a gaming
device, the method comprising: storing a first payout table
including a first plurality of payout amounts, each of the first
plurality of payout amounts corresponding to at least one of the
plurality of possible outcomes, wherein each possible outcome has
one of said first plurality of payout amounts associated therewith;
storing a second payout table including a second plurality of
payout amounts, each of the second plurality of payout amounts
corresponding to at least one of the plurality of possible
outcomes, wherein each possible outcome has one of said second
plurality of payout amounts associated therewith, and wherein at
least one of the second plurality of payout amounts associated with
a first particular outcome is greater than zero when a
corresponding one of said first plurality of payout amounts for the
first particular outcome is zero, and wherein at least one of the
first plurality of payout amounts associated with a second
particular outcome is greater than zero when a corresponding one of
said second plurality of payout amounts for the second particular
outcome is zero; and receiving an indication which of said first
and said second payout tables the gaming device is to access for a
play..Iaddend.
.Iadd.45. A method comprising: storing payout information for slot
machine outcomes, wherein outcomes include at least one selected
reel position on each of a plurality of reels, wherein the payout
information is correlated to a subset of the outcomes, and wherein
the subset consists of outcomes in which each selected reel
position of each reel differs from each other selected reel
position of each other reel; and generating, via a processor, a
resulting outcome..Iaddend.
.Iadd.46. A method comprising: storing payout information for slot
machine outcomes, wherein outcomes include at least one selected
reel position on each of a plurality of virtual reels of a video
slot machine, wherein the payout information is correlated to a
subset of the outcomes, and wherein the subset includes all
outcomes in which each selected reel position of each reel differs
from each other selected reel position of each other reel;
generating a resulting outcome; and displaying the resulting
outcome on the virtual reels of the video slot machine..Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus
for operation of a gaming device, such as a slot machine and, more
particularly, for reverse payout play of such a gaming device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Owners and operators of gaming devices are constantly searching for
new and innovative ways of attracting players to the gaming devices
in order to keep them gambling for prolonged periods of time. One
factor in determining whether a player will continue playing a
gaming device is the player's perception of the odds of winning.
When a player feels lucky and perceives the odds of winning to be
high, the player will likely continue playing. On the other hand,
when the player feels unlucky and perceives the odds of winning to
be low, the player will likely stop playing or, even more troubling
to the owner or operator of the gaming devices, travel to another
casino where he perceives his odds of winning to be better.
It is a general belief that the odds of winning at a gaming device
depend on the past activity of the gaming device. For example,
players often perceive the odds of winning to be greater on a slot
machine that has not recently paid out any jackpots. In gaming
vernacular, such a machine is thought to be "due to hit." Other
times, such as immediately after hitting a jackpot, players
perceive the odds of future winnings on a particular slot machine
to be low. Consequently, after winning a jackpot, a player may stop
playing, thereby causing the casino owner to lose revenue. Because
the player has no way to take advantage of what he believes to be a
cold machine or cold casino, many players feel as though they need
to move to a different machine or a different casino.
Some casino games have avoided this problem by allowing the player
to place a bet either against the house or for the house. In the
game of craps, for example, the objective of the game is for the
shooter to either win on the initial come-out throw or throw
certain numbers twice before rolling a seven. In making a 8pass
lines bet, the player is betting that he will accomplish this
objective. If he does not think that he will be successful, the
payer may make a odon t passo bet in which the player is
effectively able to bet with the house. A player experiencing a run
of bad luck, for example, may effectively bet with the house by
betting against himself or the shooter (with the house) be electing
to make the odont passo bet.
Unfortunately, no method exists which allows betting owith the
houseo for gaming devices. Thus, a need exists for a method of play
and a gaming device which encourages a player to continue playing
on a gaming device despite feeling unlucky or perceiving poor odds
of winning on a given gaming device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The problems identified above are solved and a technical advance is
achieved by providing, in accordance with the present invention, a
gaming device which determines payouts according to an alternate,
or reverse, payout table.
In a first embodiment of the present invention, a gaming device is
disclosed. The gaming device randomly generates one of many
possible outcomes for each play. The gaming device includes a wager
selector inhibiting a wager, a memory device and a payout selector.
The memory device stores a normal set of data correlating possible
outcomes to a normal set of payout information and a reverse set of
data correlating possible outcomes to a reverse set of payout
information. The reverse set of payout information describes
payouts consisting of amounts which are less than or equal to twice
said wager. The payout selector indicates which set of data, the
normal or reverse set of data, the gaming device is to access.
In a second embodiment of the present invention, a gaming device is
disclosed. Like the first embodiment, the gaming device randomly
generates one of many possible outcomes for each play and includes
a wager selector indicating a wager, a memory device and a payout
selector. The memory device stores a normal set of data correlating
possible outcomes to a normal set of payout information and a
reverse set of data correlating possible outcomes to a reverse set
of payout information. The reverse set of data includes two
subsets: a first subset of outcomes which correspond to payout
information describing positive payout amounts in both the normal
and reverse sets of data and a second subset of outcomes which
correspond to payout information describing payouts consisting of
amounts which are less than or equal to twice the wager. The payout
selector indicates which set of data, the normal or reverse set of
data, the gaming device is to access.
In a third embodiment of the present invention, a gaming device is
disclosed. The gaming device randomly generates one of many
possible outcomes for each play and includes a wager selector
indicating a wager, a memory device and a payout selector. The
memory device stores a normal set of data correlating possible
outcomes to a normal set of payout information and a reverse set of
data correlating possible outcomes to a reverse set of payout
information. The reverse set of data describes winning outcomes and
losing outcomes wherein the ratio of winning outcomes to losing
outcomes is greater than one.
In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a method is
disclosed for operating a gaming device. The method includes the
steps of identifying a wager, storing a normal set of data
correlating possible outcomes to a normal set of payout
information, and storing a reverse set of data correlating possible
outcomes to a reverse set of payout information. The reverse set of
payout information describes payouts consisting of amounts which
are less than or equal to twice the wager. The method also includes
the step of identifying a data set selection indicating which set
of data, the normal or reverse set of data, the gaming device is to
access. The method further includes the steps of generating a
random resultant outcome and determining a resultant payout based
on the wager, the data set selection and the resultant outcome.
Thus, the present invention provides players of gaming devices the
ability to select an alternate payout table based on their feeling
about the future outcomes to be generated by a gaming device.
Moreover, operators of the subject gaming devices can retain
players for a longer period of time by providing gaming devices
employing such alternate payout tables.
Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent
during the course of the following detailed description and by
reference to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a slot machine according to the
present invention;
FIG. 2a is one logical representation of a normal payout table;
FIG. 2b is one logical representation of a normal payout table
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2c is one logical representation of a normal payout table
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3a is a logical representation of a reverse payout table
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3b is a logical representation of a reverse payout table
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3c is a logical representation of a reverse payout table
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3d is a logical representation of a reverse payout table
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4a is a normal payout table display of the slot machine of
FIG. 1;
FIG. 4b is a plan view of a normal payout table enabled slot
machine;
FIG. 4c is a reverse payout table display of the slot machine of
FIG. 1;
FIG. 4d is a plan view of a reverse payout table enabled slot
machine;
FIGS. 5a and 5b are flow diagrams depicting the operation of the
slot machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is an overall schematic view of a system according to an
alternate embodiment of the present invention, including a slot
machine, a slot network server, and a cashier terminal;
FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the slot network server of FIG.
6;
FIG. 8 is a logical representation of a casino player database of
the slot network server of FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is a logical representation of the slot machine database of
the slot network server of FIG. 6;
FIG. 10 is a flow diagram describing the depositing of funds for
use with the system of FIG. 6;
FIG. 11 is an overall flow diagram of the operation of the system
of FIG. 6;
FIG. 12 is an overall flow diagram of an alternate embodiment of
the present invention;
FIG. 13a is a logical representation of a reverse payout table
according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;
and
FIG. 13b is a logical representation of a reverse payout table
according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is directed generally to a gaming device such
as a slot machine, and to a method and system for playing such a
gaming device.
Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be
described in greater detail with reference to the drawings.
Although the embodiments discussed herein are directed to slot
machines, it is to be understood that the present invention is
equally applicable to other gaming devices, such as video poker
machines, video blackjack machines, video roulette machines, video
keno machines, video bingo machines, and the like.
With reference to FIG. 1, the slot machine 100 will now be
described in greater detail. Each slot machine 100 includes a
Central Processing Unit (CPU) 110, a clock 112, and an operating
system 114. The CPU 110 executes instructions of a program stored
in either Data Storage Device 124 or Read Only Memory (ROM) 116 for
playing the slot machine 100. The Random Access Memory (RAM) 118
temporarily stores information passed to it by the CPU 110. A
Random Number Generator (RNG) 120 is also in communication with the
CPU 110.
The slot machine 100 operates in both a normal payout mode and a
reverse payout mode. With respect to the normal payout mode of the
slot machine 100, the slot machine 100 operates in a conventional
manner. The player starts the machine by inserting a coin into a
coin acceptor 148 connected to the CPU 110, or using electronic
credit, and activating a starting controller 122. If the player has
deposited more than one coin in slot machine 100 or has accumulated
credits stored in slot machine 100 then he can choose the desired
wager per play by pressing wager selector 143. Under control of a
program stored, for example, in a data storage device 124 or the
ROM 116, the CPU 110 initiates the RNG 120 to generate a random
number; the CPU 110 then looks up the generated random number in a
stored probability table 126 and finds the corresponding outcome.
The random number may be generated through digital means, or
through physical processes. Although described as random herein,
the number generated may be more properly understood as
pseudo-random.
In the present embodiment, each of the three reels 132, 134, 136
has twenty-two total symbols or "stops" located thereon. Therefore,
given the three reels 132, 134, 136 there exists 10,648
(22.times.22.times.22=10,648) possible reel combinations or
outcomes. A reel combination of oCHERRY-BELL-PLUMo therefore
represents an outcome. Alternatively, a separate random number may
be generated for each reel position. These 10,648 plays are often
referred to as the slot machine's "cycle." RNG 120 produces random
numbers which are mapped onto these 10,648 possible outcomes, each
of which has a corresponding outcome stored in probability table
126. While each of these 10,648 possible outcomes may have an equal
probability of selection, the present invention may also employ
non-uniform probabilities known in the art.
Based on the corresponding outcome, the CPU 110 locates the
appropriate number of coins awarded in normal payout table 128 The
CPU 110 also directs a reel controller 130 to spin reels 132, 134,
136 and to stop them at a point where they display an outcome which
corresponds to the randomly generated number. When the player wins,
the machine stores the credits in the RAM 118 and displays them in
the video display area 138. The possible outcomes of slot machine
100 may be divided into subsets, with each subset representing a
different oclasso of outcome. Many slot machines, for example, are
described as having three subsets or ranges of outcomes such as
high-end payouts, mid-level payouts, and low-end payouts.
Non-winning payouts may form a fourth subset. High-end payouts
incorporate the top payouts of the machine, such as the top three
jackpots. Another way to define the subset of high-end payouts is
to include all payouts exceeding a fixed multiplier of the amount
wagered, such as all payouts which return at least ten times the
number of coins wagered. Low-end payouts typically comprise payouts
of only a few coins, such as the payout for a single cherry on
either the first or third reels. Those of ordinary skill in the art
will appreciate that there could be any number of subsets defined
for a given machine.
A hopper controller 140 is connected to a hopper 142 for dispensing
coins. When the player requests to cash out by pushing a button
(not shown) on the slot machine 100, the CPU 110 checks the RAM 118
to see if the player has any credit and, if so, signals the hopper
controller 140 to release an appropriate number of coins into a
payout tray (not shown).
Also connected to the CPU 110 is a slot network server interface
150. The slot network server interface 150 provides a communication
path from the slot machine 100 to a slot network and, subsequently,
to a slot network server. Thus, outcome data can be exchanged
between the slot machine 100 and a slot network server. As
discussed below with regard to an alternate embodiment, the slot
machine 100 includes a player tracking card reader device 160. The
player tracking card reader device 160, which is connected to the
CPU 110, includes a display area 162, a keypad 164, and a card
reader 166. As discussed below, both the keypad 164 and the card
reader 166 are input devices that allow a player to communicate
with the slot machine 100 and by extension, the slot network
server.
In alternate embodiments, the slot machine 100 does not include the
reel controller 130 and reels 132, 134, 136. Instead, a video
display area 138 graphically displays representations of objects
contained in the selected game, such as graphical reels or playing
cards. These representations are preferably animated to display the
playing activity of the selected game.
It should be noted that this invention does not require a physical
slot machine, and could instead be embodied completely in software.
Such an embodiment would allow play as stand alone software running
on conventional personal computers. Examples of slot machine
software include Interbet software and www.interbet.com.
As noted above, the slot machine 100 selectively operates in a
reverse payout mode. The reverse payout mode is initiated when a
player selects reverse play on a payout selector 144 connected to
the CPU 110. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art,
possible payout selectors 144 include a button, a toggle switch, a
software flag and the like. When reverse payout mode is selected,
the slot machine 100 operates generally as described above, with
the exception that the CPU 110 locates the appropriate payout in a
stored reverse payout table 146 rather than the normal payout table
128. The payout tables represent sets of data which correlate
outcomes with payouts. As described in detail below with reference
to FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d, a majority of the outcomes
in the normal payout tables 128a-c correspond to a losing result
for the player while in the reverse payout tables 146a-d, the
majority of the outcomes correspond to a winning result. In other
words, the ratio of winning outcomes to losing outcomes is greater
than one in reverse payout tables 146a-d. Stated another way, the
statistical likelihood of generating any winning outcome is greater
than the statistical likelihood of generating any losing outcome.
Thus, while in the short run a predominance of losing outcomes may
occur, the long run expectation is that more winning outcomes will
result. In some cases, the amounts won or lost as determined by the
reverse payout tables 146a-d are, at least in part, inversely
proportional to the amounts won or lost as determined by the normal
payout tables 128a-c. In other words, for a majority of given
outcomes, the greater the win as determined by the normal payout
tables 128a-c, the greater the amount lost as determined by the
reverse payout tables 146a-d.
The normal payout tables 128 will now be described with reference
to FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c. FIG. 2a depicts one logical representation
of the normal payout table 128a. In this representation, each of
the 10,648 random numbers, as represented in the "Random Number"
field 230, corresponds to a set of reel positions representing an
outcome, as shown in the "Reel 1" 232, "Reel 2" 234, and "Reel 3"
236 fields. Thus, by way of example, random number "00006"
corresponds to an outcome of "7-BAR-CHERRY." Further, each random
number (and thus outcome) also corresponds to a pay combination, as
indicated in the "Pay Combination" field 238. Each pay combination
may correspond to multiple random numbers and outcomes. For
example, the outcome "7-BAR-CHERRY" corresponds to the pay
combination "ANY/ANY/CHERRY" as does "BAR-BELL-CHERRY." This payout
table illustrates the correlation between the generated random
numbers, the outcomes, (the position of each of the reels 132, 134,
136), pay combinations, and the payout information.
It is to be understood that the table of FIG. 2a contains
information from both a probability table 126 and the normal payout
tables 128b and 128c, and, as such, in an alternate embodiment
replaces these tables.
The normal payout table 128b of the present embodiment will now be
described with reference to FIG. 2b. As discussed below, the normal
payout table 128b shown is a typical 94.5% payback payout table. In
other words, statistically, the slot machine 100 will pay out 94.5%
of the money wagered, and retain for the house 5.5% of the money
wagered. In general, the normal payout table 128b correlates
outcomes to payout information, including the number of coins
awarded and the player win/loss amount for a given play. It is to
be understood, based on the following description, that the number
of coins awarded and the player win/loss amount are essentially
alternate representations of the same information.
As shown, the normal payout table 128b of the present embodiment
can be logically represented by five fields of related information.
The data represents payout information for a one coin wagered per
play model. A pay combination field 210 identifies possible pay
combinations to which each outcome can be correlated. These pay
combinations include, for example, "ANY/ANY/CHERRY" and
"BAR/BAR/BAR", for which a positive number of coins are awarded, as
indicated in the "Number of Coins Awarded" field 212. The pay
combination field 210 also includes an "Other" entry for all other
combinations, representing normally non-winning outcomes for which
no payment is to be made to a player. These normally non-winning
outcomes, such as "PLUM-BELL-ORANGE," result in no coins awarded,
as indicated in the Number of Coins Awarded field 212.
Also shown in FIG. 2b, the payout table 128b includes an "Expected
Hits" field 214. The expected hits field 214 indicates the number
of outcomes per cycle that correspond to a given pay combination.
For example, in one cycle, outcomes corresponding to the
"ANY/CHERRY/CHERRY" pay combination 210 will theoretically occur
two hundred times, as indicated in the expected hits field 214.
Similarly, outcomes corresponding to the "CHERRY/ANY/CHERRY" pay
combination in field 210 will theoretically occur sixty-eight times
in every cycle. As shown, even though both of these pay
combinations include two "CHERRY" symbols, the expected hits 214
differ. It is to be understood that the difference in the expected
hits for "ANY/CHERRY/CHERRY" and "CHERRY/ANY/CHERRY" results from
the different number of times cherry appears on each of the three
reels 132, 134, 136. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the
second reel 134 has more "CHERRY" stops than the first reel 132,
thereby making the "ANY/CHERRY/CHERRY" pay combination more likely.
This, of course, assumes that each reel stop has an equal
probability of selection. It is to be understood that the present
invention may also accommodate slot machines in which each reel
stop has a different probability of selection.
The normal payout table 128b also includes a "Player win/loss"
field 216. While the number of coins awarded field 212 equals the
total payout, if any, made to a player, the Player win/loss field
216 represents the net change in the player's funds for each pay
combination. A negative number indicates a loss by the player while
a positive number indicates a win.
Further, the normal payout table 128b includes an "Expected
Hits.times.Player win/loss" field 218. As implied by the name, this
field represents the number of Expected hits 214 multiplied by the
amount in the Player win/loss field 216 for each outcome which
falls within the given pay combination. Therefore, the Expected
hits.times.Player win/loss field 218 represents, for each pay
combination, the statistically expected total amount won or lost by
a player in a cycle. For example, because normally non-winning
outcomes are expected 8,570 times in each cycle, and because on
each play a player will lose one coin (the amount wagered) players
will theoretically lose a total of 8,570 coins in every 10,648
plays for this particular pay combination in one cycle of plays on
slot machine 100.
As indicated by the information in payout tables 128a-128c, the
Expected hits 214 for all pay combinations totals 10,648. As
further indicated by payout tables 128a-128c, the total amount won
or lost for all pay combinations is negative 586, representing 586
coins lost by the player(s) and won by the house. Thus, in a one
coin wagered model, in 10,648 plays, 10,648 coins are wagered, with
the house retaining 586 coins. In other words, the house pays
10,062 coins back to players, or about 94.5% of the 10,648 coins
wagered per each cycle, hence the 94.5% payback rate.
FIG. 2c depicts a normal payout table for a different embodiment of
the present invention. In this embodiment the player is making the
necessary funds available to cover the largest potential loss for
one play of slot machine 100. Because the player is only making the
necessary funds available, the amount stored in the Number of coins
awarded field 222 is identical to the amount stored in the Player
win/loss field 226 for each listed pay combination. Thus, slot
machine 100 does not subtract the amount wagered before each play.
Instead, the net win or loss is added to or subtracted from the
players credit balance.
It is to be understood that the normal payout tables 128b and 128c
depicted in FIG. 2b and 2c include information not necessary to the
operation of the present invention. Thus, in alternate embodiments,
the normal payout tables 128b and 128c correlate only the pay
combinations 210,220 to either the number of coins awarded 212,222
or the Player win/loss 216,226. The normal payout tables 128b and
128c need not include the Expected hits fields 214,224 or the
Expected hits .times. Player win/loss fields 218,228. These fields
include information that merely describes, not dictates, the
operation of the slot machine 100.
It is also to be understood that the normal payout tables 128b and
128c may correlate the Number of coins awarded 214,224 and the
Player win/loss 216,226 amounts to pay combinations for plays where
other than one coin is wagered. Thus, the normal payout tables 128b
and 128c are merely exemplary of possible normal payout tables. In
this regard, an alternate embodiment utilizes multiple payout
tables, each containing payout information for a different amount
wagered. It is to be understood that in multiple coin models, there
are outcomes that may provide a payout to the player but result in
a loss. For example, when three coins are wagered, a payout
combination may call for a payout of two coins, resulting in a loss
of one coin for the player. In another embodiment, a single payout
table contains the payout information for each of the different
amounts wagered.
It is further to be understood that the normal payout tables 128a-c
need not include a pay combination field at all. Rather, in an
alternate embodiment, the normal payout tables 128a-c directly
correlate outcomes to payout information, such as the Number of
coins awarded or the Player win/loss amounts.
Other normal payout tables that are within the scope of the present
invention include those having different payout amounts, different
reel symbols, and different pay combinations. In general, however,
typical normal payout tables can be characterized in that a player
wins on the occurrence of the relatively few outcomes that are the
least likely to occur, and the amount of the win increases as the
likelihood of the particular outcome occurring decreases.
The reverse payout tables 146a-146d of the present embodiment will
now be described with reference to FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d and
continuing reference to FIGS. 2b and 2c. The reverse payout tables
146a-d are identical in structure to the normal payout tables 128b
and 128c, as described in FIGS. 2b and 2c. Inherent in this
structure is the number of total possible outcomes and the
corresponding pay combinations. They are different, however, in the
data described in the Number of coins awarded fields,
312,322,332,342 Player win/loss fields 316,326,336,346 and the
Expected hits.times.Player win/loss fields 318,328,338,348.
In general, the reverse payout tables 146a-146d can be
characterized as having payouts which occur for the relatively
numerous outcomes that are the most likely occur, while a loss
occurs for the relatively few outcomes that are the least likely to
occur. Thus, for the majority of outcomes, where the normal payout
tables 128b and 128c provide for a zero payout or a loss, the
reverse payout tables 146a-146d provide for a positive payout, or a
win. Likewise, a positive payout or win in the normal payout tables
128 correspond to a loss in the reverse payout tables
146a-146d.
The reverse payout table 146a of the present embodiment is exactly
the reverse of the normal payout table 128b in that each player
win/loss result is reversed. Thus, because the normal payout table
128b favors the casino by about 5.5%, the reverse payout table
146a, which is exactly the opposite of the normal payout table
128c, favors the player by about 5.5%. In other words, the reverse
payout table 146a is a 105.5% payback table.
Like the normal payout tables 128a-c, the reverse payout tables
146a-d include a pay combination field 310 containing the same
normally winning and normally non-winning pay combinations found in
the normal payout tables 128. As used herein, the term "normally
winning" means winning as determined by the normal payout tables
128. Similarly, "normally non-winning" and "normally losing" means
non-winning as determined by the normal payout tables 128b and 128c
(i.e pay combination oOthero).
As with the normal payout tables 128a-128c, the Player win/loss
fields 316,326,336,346 and the "Expected Hits .times. Player
win/loss" fields 318,328,338,348 contain the theoretical amounts
won or lose per play and per cycle, respectively. However, for
normally winning pay combinations, the reverse payout tables
146a-146d indicate a loss to the player, and for normally losing
pay combinations, the reverse payout tables 146a-146d indicate a
win for the player. In other words, the player win/loss amounts
316, 326,336,346 of the reverse payout tables 146a-146d may be
arrived at by multiplying each Player win/loss amount 216 of the
normal payout table 128b by negative one ("1"). Because the
expected bits 314,324,334,344 are identical to those of the normal
payout tables 128b and 128c, the "Expected Hits.times.Player
win/loss" amounts 318 are the reverse of those in the normal payout
tables 128b and 128c. Thus, while the normal payout table 128b
results in the player losing 586 of the 10,648 coins wagered, the
reverse payout table 146a results in the player winning 586 coins.
Thus, the slot machine 100 of the present embodiment described in
FIG. 3a becomes a 105.5% payback machine.
Because in the reverse payout table 146a depicted in FIG. 3a the
Player win/loss amounts 316 include losses greater than one coin,
the player must place additional funds at risk. As shown in FIG.
3a, for example, the player faces a loss of ninety-nine coins if an
outcome of o7-7-7o is produced. As discussed below, the funds
necessary to cover such losses may be stored credit that the player
previously accumulated, a credit balance stored in memory,
additional cash fed into the machine via a bill validator or the
coin acceptor, funds stored on a stored value card or osmart cardo,
or a credit card account.
FIG. 3b depicts an alternate embodiment of the payout table 146a
described in FIG. 3a. In reverse payout 146b the slot machine 100
reduces the players credit balance by ninety-nine coins prior to
generating the outcome. Specifically, the player places ninety-nine
coins at risk. An outcome of oOrange-Orange-Orangeo, for example,
results in a payout of eighty coins, netting a to a loss of
nineteen coins for the player.
Because the player faces large potential losses with reverse payout
tables 146a and 146b, slot machine 100 could incorporate an
insurance protocol in which the player deposits one coin and
presses insurance selector 145 before each spin. In the event of a
jackpot, the insurance policy covers the amount of the loss.
Multiple insurance policies are possible, with the cost of the
insurance rising with the amount of coverage increasing. The amount
of coverage may be calculated with reference to the Expected
hits.times.Player win/loss 318,328 in order to capture both the
frequency and magnitude of the covered payouts.
In practice, a reverse payout table that favors players, such as
reverse payout tables 146a or 146b in FIGS. 3a and 3b, is probably
unacceptable to the casino operator except as a restricted
promotional device. To ensure that the casino, continues to make
money, adjustments may be made to the reverse payout tables so that
they favor the casino. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3c and
3d, the reverse payout tables 146c and 146d are adjusted so that
they provide for payouts which are less than the total amount of
coins wagered for one cycle. The reverse payout table 146c shown in
FIG. 3c includes the same fields as the reverse payout tables 146a
and 146b of the prior embodiments, and the same individual pay
combinations. Furthermore, in the embodiment of FIG. 3c, reverse
payout mode requires a player to wager (and therefore potentially
lose) at least five coins while paying out only six coins for a
normally non-winning outcome/pay combination. It should be noted
that the amount of coins wagered per play could be any number of
coins as specified by the casino operator. Although reverse payout
table 146c is described using whole coins, the present invention
may be practiced using fractional coin values. Thus, for a wager of
one coin, a payout may total only one sixth of a coin. These
fractional amounts may be accumulated in RAM 118 and paid out when
a whole coin is reached.
Focusing on the "Other," or normally losing pay combination, it is
apparent that such a pay combination will theoretically hit 8,570
times in one cycle, each time causing the player to win one coin,
as depicted in the Player win/loss field 336, and awarding six
coins, as depicted in the number of coins awarded field 332. Six
coins are awarded because the player receives the five coins that
were wagered plus the one coin won.
Also shown in the Player win/loss field 336, the amount lost for
each of the normally winning pay combinations is five coins.
Because the player can only lose what is wagered and no more,
namely five coins, there is no need to place additional funds at
risk. Furthermore, given the five coin loss for each normally
winning pay combination and the one coin win for each normally
losing pay combination, the reverse payout table 146c theoretically
results in the house winning 1,820 coins of the 53,240 coins
wagered per cycle ({10,648 plays}.times.{5 coins/play}=53,240
coins). In other words, the reverse payout table 146c is
approximately a 96.5% payback table.
The reverse payout table 146d shown in FIG. 3d includes the same
fields as the reverse payout tables 146a-146c of the prior
embodiments, and the same individual pay combinations. The reverse
payout table 146d of FIG. 3d, however, represents an embodiment
where the player makes the five coins available (i.e. slot machine
100 does not reduce the players credit balance by the amount of the
wager before each play).
During normal payout mode, the slot machine 100 provides a normal
payout display 400, as shown in FIG. 4a, on the video display area
138. The normal payout display 400 includes a pay combination field
410 which displays normally winning pay combinations. The normal
payout display 400 also displays payout information for each pay
combination. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the payout
display 400 includes three fields of payout information, each
directed to a different number of coins wagered. The "1ST COIN"
field 420 includes the number of coins awarded when one coin is
wagered, as indicated in field 212 of the normal payout table 128b.
Similarly, the "2ND COIN" field 430 includes the number of coins
awarded when two coins are wagered, and the "3RD COIN" field 440
includes the number of coins awarded when three coins are
wagered.
FIG. 4d is a plan view of slot machine 100 in normal payout mode.
Slot machine 100 is configured for normal play as is illustrated by
the normal payout display 400 displayed in video display area
138.
During reverse payout mode, the slot machine 100 provides a reverse
payout display 401, as shown in FIG. 4c, on the video display area
138. The reverse payout display 401 includes a pay combination
field 411 which displays normally winning pay combinations and the
oOthero pay combination. The reverse payout display 401 also
displays payout information for each pay combination. Specifically,
in the present embodiment, the payout display 401 includes three
fields of payout information, each directed to a different number
of coins wagered. The "5 COINS" field 421 includes the number of
coins awarded when five coins are wagered, as indicated in field
332 of the reverse payout table 146c. Similarly, the "10 COINS"
field 431 includes the number of coins awarded when ten coins are
wagered, and the "15 COINS" field 441 includes the number of coins
awarded when fifteen coins are wagered.
FIG. 4b is a plan view of slot machine 100 in reverse payout mode.
Slot machine 100 is configured for reverse play as is illustrated
by the reverse payout display 401 displayed in video display area
138.
The operation of the present embodiment will now be described with
reference to FIGS. 5a and 5b, and with continuing reference to
FIGS. 1-3d. In a typical scenario, a player plays a slot machine
100, shown at step 502, using the normal payout table 128b.
While playing the slot machine 100 in normal payout mode, the
player may accumulate credits on the slot machine 100 by hitting
one or more jackpots. Having hit a jackpot and accumulated credits,
shown in step 504, a player may decide that his or her "luck has
run out" or the machine has 8gone cold.o Rather than terminating
play, the player may elect to switch to a reverse payout mode in an
attempt to exploit his or the machines perceived bad luck. Thus, in
step 506, the player selects reverse payout mode on the payout
selector 144 of the slot machine 100. The CPU 110 receives a signal
from the payout selector 144 in step 508 and accesses the reverse
payout table 146c. Payout selector 144 could also select from among
a set of possible reverse payout tables 146a-d, allowing the player
a choice of different payout structures. Payout selector 144 may
also be triggered automatically by slot machine 100. For example,
after winning two jackpots with normal payout table 128b, the game
may automatically switch to reverse payout table 146c, or at least
indicate to the player that the option is available. Having
accessed the reverse payout table 146c, the CPU 110 causes a
reverse payout display 401 to be displayed on the video display
area 138 in step 510. Alternatively, the information of reverse
payout table 146c could be displayed on the belly glass of the slot
machine along with the normal payout information as is customary
for slot machines.
As further described in FIG. 5b, the player then proceeds to
initiate play of the slot machine 100 in the reverse payout mode.
Specifically, in step 512, if the player has accumulated credits on
the slot machine 100, then the player selects the number of coins
to wager. Before continuing, the CPU 110 determines whether the
player has enough accumulated credits stored to cover all potential
losses, as indicated in the Player win/loss field 336 of reverse
payout table 146c. For example, if the maximum possible loss is
ninety-nine coins, then the player must deposit or make available
funds equivalent to the value of the ninety-nine coins. In one
embodiment, the player merely deposits enough coins in the coin
acceptor 148. CPU 110 registers how many coins have been wagered.
In step 514, the player presses the starting controller 122 or
pulls a handle (not shown) to initiate the random number generator
120 and the spinning of reels 132, 134, 136.
As shown in step 516, the results from random number generator 120
and the probability table 126 may initiate CPU 110 to display a
normally winning outcome, such as "CHERRY-CHERRY-CHERRY" on the
reels 132, 134, 136. If such a normally winning outcome occurs,
then, in step 518, the slot machine 100 decrements the player's
stored credits based on the reverse payout table 146c. Decrementing
the player's stored credits involves the CPU 110 accessing the
reverse payout table 146c. CPU 110 proceeds to correlate the
outcome, "CHERRY-CHERRY-CHERRY", to the "CHERRY/CHERRY/CHERRY" pay
combination in the pay combination field 330, and to the
corresponding loss of five coins in the Player win/loss field 336.
Thus, in step 518, the CPU 110 adjusts the stored credits
accordingly.
Another possibility, based upon the random number generator 120 and
the probability table 126, is that a normally losing outcome, such
as "PLUM-BELL-ORANGE" may appear on the reels 132, 134, 136. The
occurrence of a normally non-winning outcome is shown as step 520.
If such a normally non-winning outcome occurs then in step 522, the
slot machine 100 increments the players credits based on the payout
information in the reverse payout table 146c. Specifically, the CPU
110 accesses the reverse payout table 146c to identify the Player
win/loss amount 336 corresponding to the particular outcome and pay
combination. The CPU 110 proceeds to adjust the stored credits
accordingly, in this example adding six coins to the players credit
balance.
Regardless of whether a normally winning or normally losing outcome
occurs, in step 524 the player decides whether or not to continue
playing in the reverse payout mode. If the player decides to
continue playing in a reverse payout mode, then the operation
continues from step 512. On the other hand, a player may decide not
to continue playing in the reverse payout mode. For example, a
player may perceive his or her luck is improving or that the slot
machine 100 is "due to hit" or ogetting hot.o Thus, in step 526,
rather than leaving the machine, the player uses the payout
selector 144 to select normal payout mode.
In an alternate embodiment, the slot machine 100 includes only the
reverse payout table 146c and not the normal payout table 128b.
With such a slot machine 100, the normally winning outcomes,
although not identified in any normal payout table, are typically
pre-determined and identified to the player in the form of a
display. As in the previously described embodiment, the embodiment
having only a reverse payout table will prevent a player from
stopping play or leaving the casino based on perceived bad luck. In
such an embodiment, the slot machine operates as described above
with reference to steps 512-524 of FIG. 5b.
An alternate embodiment will now be described with reference to
FIGS. 6-11, and with continuing reference to FIGS. 1-3d. In
general, the embodiment to be described allows a player to wager on
the play of a slot machine in reverse payout mode without relying
solely on credits stored at or coins deposited into the slot
machine 100. Instead, the player uses a player tracking card that
identifies a credit balance stored by a slot network server. The
information stored by the server may include a credit balance, a
credit card number, a complimentary points awarded total, and the
like. This information is used as a source of funds or points for a
player to wager.
More specifically, such an embodiment includes multiple slot
machines 100 in communication with a slot network server 600 via a
conventional local area network (slot network) 602. The slot
network 602 is controlled by the slot network server 600. It is to
be understood that communication between each slot machine 100 and
the slot network server 600 may also occur across a wireless
network or Internet connection. A cashier terminal 612 is also
coupled to the slot network server 600.
As will be discussed in greater detail below, each slot machine 100
communicates outcome data to the slot network server 600. As used
herein, outcome data includes all game activity-related
information, which is being passed from a slot machine 100 to the
slot network server 600. In the present embodiment, such outcome
data includes the Number of coins wagered, the Player win/loss
amount, and the position of the reels 132, 134, 136 on the slot
machine 100. Thus, outcome data includes any given outcome and the
payout information for that outcome. As discussed below, in an
alternate embodiment, such outcome data also includes an indication
of which payout mode, either normal or reverse, the slot machine
100 is operating in. It will be understood that the position of the
reels 132, 134, 136 and the payout information are essentially
alternate representations of the same data.
Because each slot machine 100 has a unique machine identification
(ID) number, the slot network server 600 is able to distinguish the
outcome data as being sent from a particular slot machine 100 and
to store the outcome data with reference to that particular machine
100.
To facilitate the communication between a player, the slot machine
100 and the slot network server 602, a casino typically issues a
player tracking card containing player identifying information.
Such identifying information can be any information that uniquely
identifies a player to the system and, in the present embodiment,
includes the player identification (ID) number. The identifying
information is preferably stored on a magnetic strip on the player
tracking card.
The player tracking card reader 166 reads the player identifying
information from the player tracking card and communicates the
information to the CPU 110, which in turn communicates the
identifying information to the slot network server 600. Because the
player identifying information uniquely identifies a given player,
the slot network server 600 is able to access information
associated with that player, such as a credit balance.
With reference to FIG. 7, the slot network server 600 will now be
described in greater detail. Like the slot machine 100 of FIG. 1,
the slot network server 600 has a Central Processing Unit (CPU)
710. The CPU 710, which has a clock 712 and operating system 714
associated therewith, executes instructions of a program stored in
either Read Only Memory (ROM) 720 or Data Storage Device 740.
During execution of the program instructions, the CPU 710
temporarily stores information in the Random Access Memory (RAM)
730.
In order to communicate with the cashier terminal 606, the slot
network server 600 also includes a communication port 750. The
communication port 750 is coupled to the CPU 710, as well as to the
slot machine network 602 and the cashier terminal 606. Thus, the
CPU 710 can control the communication port 750 to receive and
transmit information from each slot machine 100, and the cashier
terminal 606.
Additionally, the CPU 710 is coupled to a data storage device 740,
having a transaction processor 742, a casino player database 744, a
session database 746, a terminal database 748, and a slot machine
database 749. In general, the transaction processor 742 manages the
contents of the data storage device 740, and may comprise a
dedicated processor, or a portion of the function of processor
710.
In general, the casino player database 744 of the present
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, includes multiple records having
multiple fields of information related to player identification.
Specifically, the player database 744 comprises multiple records,
each record being associated with a particular player, as
identified by a player identification (ID) number. The fields
within each record include: name 7440, player ID number 7442,
player address 7443, credit card number 7445, credit balance 7446,
complimentary information 7447 (such as complimentary points
accumulated), and player status rating 7449. Having information
related to one field, such as player ID number 7442, allows the
slot network server 600 to index all information stored in the
other fields of that player's record.
It is to be understood that for purposes of the present embodiment,
only the player ID number field 7442, and the credit balance field
7446 are necessary. The remaining fields are merely representative
of additional information that may be stored and used for other
purposes in the present embodiment. For example, credit card number
7445 is used for billing purposes and address 7443 is used to mail
casino promotions to players to incent them to return to the
casino.
The slot machine database 749 relates to information concerning
particular slot machines 100. As illustrated in FIG. 9, each slot
machine 100 has an associated record in the database identified by
a machine ID number, as stored in the machine ID number field 7491.
The other fields in the slot machine database 749 include: player
ID number 7492, payout 7494, amount wagered 7497, payout mode 7498,
and payout table identifier 7499.
Having thus described the components of the present embodiment, the
operation of the system 604 will now be described in greater detail
with reference to FIG. 10, and continuing reference to FIGS. 1,
2a-c, 3a-d, 5, 5b and 6-9 It is to be understood that the programs
stored in ROM 720 of the slot network server 600 and ROM 116 of the
slot machine 100 provide the function described below.
The process of adding funds to the player's credit balance 7446
will now be described with reference to FIG. 10. Initially, in step
1010, the player goes to a casino cage or slot booth and presents
the player tracking card to a casino employee. The casino employee
proceeds, in step 1020, to read the player identifying information,
namely the player ID. The casino employee then enters the player ID
and the amount of funds being deposited by the player into the
cashier terminal 606. Alternatively, the player provides a credit
card number to which any losses can be charged by the casino.
In step 1030 the cashier terminal 606 transmits the player ID and
the amount of funds deposited to the slot network server 600. Once
the server 600 receives the player ID and the amount of funds
deposited, the server CPU 710 causes the transaction processor 742
to access the casino player database 744. More specifically, the
transaction processor 742 searches the casino player database 744
for the second containing the received player ID in the player ID
field 7442. Having thus located the appropriate record, in step
1040, the transaction processor 742 increments the credit balance
field 7446 by the amount of funds deposited. Once the player
database 744 has been updated, the player takes the player tracking
card back from the casino employee in step 1050 and proceeds to the
slot machine 100.
The player does not have to use cashier terminal 606 to add money
to credit balance 7446. Instead the player may provide money or
account data directly into slot machine 100, which in turn
transmits the credit data to slot server 600. In such embodiments,
the slot machine 100 could be equipped with either a smart card or
credit card reader. The player is making these funds available such
that any losses sustained while playing the reverse mode on the
slot machine 100 will be covered by those funds prior to the actual
loss. Initiation of play will now be described with reference to
FIG. 11 and continuing reference to FIGS. 1, 7, 8 and 9.
Having thus established a credit balance 7446, the player may
initiate play of a slot machine 100. The CPU 110 transmits a signal
to the slot network server 100 indicating funds have been
received.
As shown as step 1110, the slot machine player first inserts the
player tracking card into the card reader 166. The card reader 166
then proceeds to read the player identifying information from the
tracking card. The player identifying information, namely the
player ID, is communicated from the slot machine 100 to the slot
server 600. Upon receiving the player identifying information, the
slot server 600 authenticates the information. This step, depicted
as step 1112, includes the slot network server 600 searching the
casino player database 744 for a record containing the received
player ID in field 7442. The server 600 also stores the player ID
number in the field 7492 of the record in the slot machine database
749. Once the slot network server 600 authenticates the player
identifying information, the server 600 may transmit a signal to
the slot machine 100 acknowledging such authentication.
In step 1114, displayed on either display 162 or video display area
138, the player selects either normal payout mode or reverse payout
mode on the payout selector 144. This selection may be prompted by
a message from slot machine 100. The slot machine 100 also prompts
the player to enter the amount to be wagered on the upcoming play.
Specifically, as shown in step 1116, the player enters the number
of coins to be wagered into the keypad 164, or, in an alternate
embodiment, a touch screen of the video display area 138 or use of
buttons. The slot machine 100 registers the amount to be wagered by
the player and stores the value in the RAM 118.
Having selected the payout mode and entered the amount to be
wagered, the player presses the starting controller 122 or pulls
the handle to begin play in step 1118. As discussed above, the slot
machine 100 generates an outcome based upon a number randomly
generated by random number generator 120, the random number
corresponding to a reel combination in probability table 126. Once
the slot machine 100 generates an outcome, which is shown as step
1120, it determines the appropriate player win/loss amount.
Specifically, in step 1122, the CPU 100 accesses either the normal
payout table 128c or an appropriate reverse payout table such as
146a or 146d, and correlates the outcome to the player win/loss
amount as stored in fields 226, 326, 346 respectively, depending on
the mode of play and the appropriate reverse payout table. It
should be noted that instead of accessing the Player win/loss
field, slot machine 100 could access the Number of coins awarded
field in the appropriate payout table to determine the payout to
the player.
The slot machine 100 transmits the number of coins awarded
information and player ID number to the slot network server 600 in
step 1124. Having received the Player win/loss amount and the
player ID number, the slot network server 600 proceeds to update
the player'stored credit balance.
Updating the player's credit balance, shown as step 1126, involves
the CPU 710 directing the transaction processor 742 to access the
casino player database 744 in order to locate the record containing
the received player ID number in field 7442. The transaction
processor 742 then adjusts the value stored in credit balance field
7446 by the received Player win/loss amount.
Once the slot network server 600 has adjusted the player's credit
balance accordingly, operation of the system 604 may repeat from
step 1114 until either the server 600 determines the player has
insufficient funds stored in the credit balance 7446 to play or the
player decides to stop playing and removes the tracking card from
the card reader 166.
If the player stops playing and desires to cash out, the player
merely goes to the casino cage or slot booth and presents his
tracking card. As with the depositing of funds, described above,
the server 600 accesses the player's record and adjusts the credit
balance field 7446. Rather than incrementing the credit balance
7446, however, the slot network server 600 decrements the stored
value by the amount dispersed by the casino employee to the
player.
An alternate embodiment employing the system 604 will now be
described with reference to FIG. 12 and continuing reference to
FIGS. 1, 2a-c, 3a-d, and 7-9. In this embodiment, the slot machine
100 does not contain payout tables. Instead, the payout tables are
stored in the slot network server 600. As noted above, the slot
machine database 749 contains a payout mode 7498 which identifies
what mode of play, normal or reverse, slot machine 100 is operating
in. Furthermore, because the payout tables are stored at the slot
network server 600, the same payout tables may be used by multiple
slot machines 100. In such an arrangement, the slot machine
database 749 would contain a payout table identifier 7499 to a
location in memory, such as the data storage device 740 or the RAM
730, where the appropriate payout table is stored. Thus, the slot
machine database 749 at least indirectly contains payout
information.
Initially, in step 1200, the slot machine 100 transmits an
indication of the payout mode selected by the player to the slot
network server 600. The slot network server 600 stores this
indication in the payout mode field 7498 of that particular slot
machine's record in the slot machine database 749. As with the
previously described embodiments, the slot machine 100 then
generates a random number and a corresponding outcome, namely reel
positions in the present embodiment, in step 1210. In step 1212,
the slot machine 100, having generated an outcome, transmits the
outcome to the slot server 600. Along with the outcome, the slot
machine 100 transmits the amount wagered and the machine ID number
so that the slot server 600 can identify from which machine the
outcome originated.
Once the slot network server 600 receives the outcome and amount
wagered, it updates the slot machine database 749 in step 1214.
More specifically, the slot network server 600 accesses the slot
machine database 749 and updates the record pertaining to the
particular slot machine 100, as identified by its machine ID number
7491, with the amount wagered 7497.
After updating the slot machine database 749, the slot server 600,
proceeds to update the credit balance field 7446 in the player's
record having the same player ID number in field 7442 as found in
the player ID number field 7492 of the slot machine database 749.
The credit balance field 7446 is adjusted by the player win/loss
amount from the appropriate payout table.
Specifically, the server 600 determines the payout by retrieving
the address stored in either the payout mode field 7498 or the
payout table indicator field 7499. The CPU 710 then accesses the
payout table stored at the retrieved address in RAM 730 or Data
Storage Device 740 and, based upon the stored outcome 7493 and
amount wagered 7497, retrieves the corresponding payout. Accessing
the payout table is shown as step 1216. The CPU 710 then in step
1218 causes the transaction processor 742 to adjust the credit
balance field 7446 by the amount of Player win/loss 7494.
Once the server 600 determines the player win/loss and adjusts the
player's credit balance 7446, the server 600 transmits the player
win/loss amount and the new credit balance 7446 to the slot machine
100 for display to the player in step 1220.
It is to be understood that reverse payout tables other than those
shown in FIGS. 3a-3d are within the scope of the present invention.
Such other reverse payout tables include payout schedules which are
more or less favorable to the player, or schedules which result in
a greater frequency of positive payouts in exchange for larger
losses for the remaining losing outcomes and are based on different
amounts of coins wagered.
Alternatively, the present invention can also substitute the use of
algorithms for reverse payout tables 146a-d. One such algorithm is
applied to the Player win/loss fields 216,226,236 of normal payout
tables 128a-c, and may be stored in data storage device 124 or ROM
116 of slot machine 100. The algorithm takes the normal Player
win/loss 216,226,236 as an input and returns the corresponding
reverse Player win/loss 316,326,336,346. The algorithm looks like
the following: 1. If the normal player win/loss is a win of greater
than five coins, then the reverse player win/loss is a loss of five
coins. 2. If the normal player win/loss is a win of between zero
and five coins, then the reverse player win/loss is a loss of two
coins. 3. If the normal player win/loss is zero or a loss of some
number of coins, then the reverse player win/loss is a win of one
coin.
Another algorithm takes the Number of coins awarded 212,222,232 of
one of the normal payout tables 128a-c as an input and returns the
Player win/loss 316,326,336,346 of one of the reverse payout tables
146a-d. 1. If the normal Number of coins awarded is greater than
zero, then the reverse Player win/loss is a loss of one fewer
coins. 2. If the normal Number of coins awarded is equal to zero,
then the reverse Player win/loss is a win of one coin.
The above described payout results may also be produced by altering
the probability of each pay combination as depicted in any of the
normal payout tables 128a-c. In this manner, pay combinations with
high or medium payouts have their probability of hitting lowered,
while pay combinations of low end payouts have their probability
increased.
Another way to shift the odds in favor of the house is to alter the
probabilities of the outcomes. Specifically, the probability table
126 is adjusted so that normally winning outcomes, which result in
a loss to the player, are more likely while normally non-winning
outcomes, which result in a payout to the player, are less likely
while in reverse payout mode.
It is to be understood that the normal payout tables 128a-c and the
reverse payout tables 146a-d may include some of the same Player
win/loss amounts. For example, in an alternate embodiment using the
reverse payout tables of FIGS. 13a and 13b, the payout for the
least likely outcome (and the highest jackpot)--"7-7-7"--is
positive in both the normal payout tables 128a-c and reverse payout
tables 1300a-b. By retaining the highest positive win in the
reverse payout tables 1300a-b, players will be further encouraged
to play the slot machine 100 in reverse payout mode knowing that
winning the highest jackpot is still possible. Further in this
regard, it is within the scope of the present invention to make
other jackpots available in the reverse payout table 1300 and to
make one or more jackpots available in any of the reverse payout
tables described herein.
It is also to be understood that embodiments in which players make
nonmonetary wagers are also within the scope of the present
invention. Thus, in one embodiment, a player wagers complimentary
points, as stored in the "COMP-.INFO" field 7447 of the casino
player database 744. Such an embodiment operates similar to the
system 604 described above with the exception that the payouts
relate to complimentary points, not coins, and the "COMP.INFO"
field 7447, not the credit balance field 7446, is adjusted based
upon the payouts. Upon a player cashing out, the casino could
convert the accumulated complimentary points into any kind of
award, including free hotel rooms, dinners, tickets to shows, free
plays on a gaming device, money, and the like.
In an embodiment in which the gaming device is a video poker
machine, card values represent the outcome display instead of reel
symbols. In this game, the player receives five cards and then has
the option to draw five new cards. The resulting completed hand is
paid according to a payout schedule that typically rewards rare
hands such as a royal or straight flush with a large coin award.
Hands like a full house or flush receive medium payouts while a
small pair or no pair hand generally earns the player no payout at
all. In a reverse payout table, players are rewarded for low value
hands. Much like lowball poker, the player is rewarded for having
the worst hands.
Although the present invention has been described in terms of
certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments that are apparent
to those of ordinary skill in the art are also intended to be
within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope
of the present invention is intended to be limited only by the
claims appended hereto.
* * * * *
References