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.
Gaming device manufacturers strive to make gaming devices that provide as much enjoyment and excitement as possible. Providing a game in which a player has an opportunity to win potentially large awards or credits is one way to enhance player enjoyment and excitement.
Currently, gaming machines or devices provide games wherein a player has one or more opportunities to obtain a winning symbol combination on mechanical or video reels. The winning symbol combination may be along the same payline or on different paylines (known as a scatter pay). By providing gaming devices with more winning symbol combinations, players have more opportunities to receive an award.
In known gaming devices, however, the probability of obtaining the largest award (i.e., the jackpot award) is typically much lower than the probability of obtaining the other awards in a game. Thus, although a player may obtain more awards in a game, these awards are generally the relatively small awards and not the relatively large awards such as the jackpot award.
Many jurisdictions have regulations that prohibit changing the probability of occurrence associated with the reel symbols. This makes it more difficult to create bonus or secondary games with high payouts using the base game reels and reel symbols.
Gaming devices that increase the probability of obtaining the relatively large award and specifically, the jackpot award, are desirable. To increase player enjoyment and excitement, it is desirable to provide new games and gaming devices which increase the likelihood or probability that the player will obtain one or more relatively large awards in a game.
The present invention is directed to a gaming device including an award mode and a re-initiation mode of a primary game or bonus game where the probability of obtaining an award or an outcome and, specifically, a relatively large award increases when the player enters the award mode or the re-initiation mode of the bonus game.
In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a plurality of reels, each having a plurality of symbols. These symbols include a plurality of award symbols, at least one non-award symbol-or null symbol or blank, at least one trigger symbol or symbol combination, and at least one wild symbol. One or more paylines are associated with the reels to indicate symbols or symbol combinations on the reels which are evaluated for winning symbol combinations. The symbols may be any suitably symbols such as letters, numbers, characters or any other suitable images. The award mode also includes a triggering event which, in one embodiment, includes a trigger symbol occurring on the reels. In one embodiment, the triggering event occurs when the trigger symbol is indicated on a designated reel on one of the paylines associated with the reels. In another embodiment the triggering event occurs when the trigger symbol occurs on any of the paylines.
In a primary game, the gaming device initiates the award mode when the triggering event occurs in the game. In the award mode, the gaming device holds the reel including the trigger symbol stationary while activating or spinning the other reels until those reels indicate a wild symbol on the payline. The gaming device then holds the reels including the wild symbols stationary while reactivating or re-spinning the reel including the trigger symbol. Thus, the award mode effectively reduces the game to a single reel game where only one of the award symbols on the reel indicates a winning symbol combination in the award mode.
In the award mode, the gaming device re-activates or re-spins the reel including the trigger symbol until one of the award symbols is indicated on the payline on that reel. For instance, if a non-award or null symbol, or the trigger symbol is indicated on the payline in the award mode, the gaming device re-spins the reel until one of the award symbols or the wild symbol Is Indicated on the payline. The null symbols and the trigger symbol do not provide an award to the player in the award mode but instead, cause the gaming device to re-spin the reels. Therefore, the player is guaranteed to receive one of the award symbols or the wild symbol in the award mode before the award mode ends. Reducing the number of symbols that may be indicated on the payline to end the game, increases the probability that any one of the award symbols, will be indicated on the payline. The gaming device then provides the award associated with the indicated award symbol or the indicated award symbol combination to the player. The award is added to the player's total award in a total award display and the bonus made ends. In another embodiment, the player continues to reactivate the reels in the award mode if the player has spins remaining in the award mode.
The gaming device of the present invention effectively reduces the game to a single reel game or event which increases the probability or chance that a player wilt obtain an award in the award mode and, specifically, that the player will obtain a relatively large award such as a jackpot award in the award mode. For example, in a three-reel slot game, if each of the reels in the game includes twenty symbols including the trigger symbol, wild symbol, and non-award or null symbols, the probability or chance of obtaining an award symbol combination in that game is (1/20)×(1/20)×(1/20) or 1 in 8000.
In the award mode the game is reduced to a single reel game as described above. Therefore, the probability of obtaining an award symbol (or symbol combination) in the award mode significantly increases. The probability is determined by multiplying the probability of the trigger symbol being indicated in the primary game (i.e., 1 in 20) by the probability of indicating one of the award symbols occurring in the award mode (i.e., 1 in 9). Therefore, the probability of one of the award symbols (or symbol combinations) being indicated in the game (through the award mode) is (1/20)×(1/9), which equals a probability of (1/100). Thus, it is significantly more likely that the player will obtain one of the award symbols and, therefore, a winning award symbol combination in the game through the award mode. This increases the player's excitement and-enjoyment of the game because the player has a greater opportunity or probability of obtaining the relatively large award or jackpot award in the award mode,
In one embodiment, a probability of being indicated on the payline is associated with each of the symbols on the reels. In one aspect of this embodiment, the probability associated with the trigger symbol is less than the probability associated with at least one of the award symbols, null symbols and the wild symbol on the reels. In another aspect of this embodiment, the probability associated with the trigger symbol is less than a plurality of the probabilities associated with the award symbols, null symbols and the wild symbol. In a further aspect of this embodiment, the probability associated with the trigger symbol is less than all of the probabilities associated with tie award symbols, null symbols and the wild symbol in the game.
Similarly, in another embodiment, the award symbols include one relatively large award and several relatively small awards. In this embodiment, a probability of being indicated on the payline is associated with the award symbols such that the probability associated with the award symbol including the relatively large award is less than at least one of the probabilities associated with the award symbols including the relatively small awards being indicated on the payline. In another embodiment, the probability associated with the award symbol including the relatively large award is less than a plurality of the probabilities associated with the award symbols including the relatively small awards. In a further embodiment, the probability associated with the award symbol including the relatively large award is less than all of the probabilities associated with the award symbols including the relatively small awards.
In a further embodiment, the award mode of the present invention includes an award associated with a winning symbol combination including all wild symbols. In this embodiment, if the award mode is initiated and a wild symbol is indicated on the payline associated with the reels, in combination with the other wild symbols indicated on the payline, the gaming device provides the maximum or largest award in the game, such as the jackpot award. In another embodiment, the gaming device provides a predetermined award associated with a winning symbol combination including wild symbols in the game.
It should be appreciated that although the present application primarily discusses a trigger symbol, a combination of symbols (i.e., a trigger symbol combination) could be employed to trigger the award mode. It should also be appreciated that the trigger symbol could function as a wild symbol and one of the other reels could be re-activated.
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the probability-enhancing symbol includes a wild symbol which reinitiates or extends a bonus game. When a wild symbol occurs on at least one of a plurality of reels or designated reels, the gaming device looks, fixes, or holds stationary the position of the reel displaying the wild symbol and re-activates only the designated reels. The gaming device proceeds to hold stationary any designated reel displaying a wild symbol. As each reel displaying a wild symbol is held, the probability of obtaining a wild symbol on all of the designated reels is enhanced.
In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a plurality of reels each having a plurality of symbols. The reels may be mechanical or video reels and include several symbols. In one embodiment, in addition to at least two wild symbols on separate or different reels, the symbols include a plurality of award symbols and at least one non-award symbol or null symbol or blank. The symbols may be any suitable-symbols such as letters, numbers, characters or any other suitable images.
One or more paylines are included in the display to indicate symbols or symbol combinations on the reels which are evaluated for winning symbol combinations. It should be appreciated that any suitable number of paylines may be employed in the game.
A plurality of awards are associated with the award symbols or combination of award symbols according to a paytable. If an award symbol or combination of award symbols has an associated award and is indicated on an activated payline, the gaming device provides the associated award or awards in each spin of the reels. In one embodiment, no award is associated with a null symbol.
In one embodiment, the game play includes providing one or more free spins of the reels to the player. A “spins remaining” display indicates the number of spins remaining in a game. The number of free spins may be randomly determined, predetermined, determined by a wager made by a player, or determined according to any suitable method. In each spin, the gaming device determines the award, if any, associated with any indicated award symbols on the reels as discussed above.
The gaming device, in one embodiment, provides the player with a total award in each of the spins where the total award is based on the award and/or modifiers associated with the award symbols indicated in each spin. The total award in each of the spins is added to the player's total award indicated in the total award display. The gaming device or the player continues to spin the reels until there are no spins remaining. The gaming device then provides the player with the total award indicated in the total award display at the end of the game.
In one embodiment, upon a triggering event in a base game or bonus game, the player enters a game-extending or bonus game-extending or re-initiation mode. In one embodiment, the re-initiation mode is triggered when a wild symbol is displayed on one of the designated reels or paylines. In one embodiment, the wild symbol occurs when the wild symbol is indicated on a designated reel on one of the paylines associated with the reels. In another embodiment, the wild symbol occurs on the reels when the wild symbol is indicated on any of the paylines. In a further embodiment, the wild symbol occurs on a designated reel if the wild symbol is generated at any displayed position on the reel. Thereafter, in one embodiment of the re-initiation mode, certain designated reels undergo a predetermined number of spins to determine if the player will continue in the base or bonus game.
In the re-initiation mode, the gaming device holds stationary or fixes the position of the reel(s) which include wild symbols. The gaming device concurrently, either simultaneously or sequentially, activates or spins the other designated reels a predetermined or accumulated number of free spins or until a wild symbol is displayed on the reels or indicated on a payline. Alternatively, the gaming device re-activates or re-spins any of the reels not displaying a wild symbol including, non-designated reels. If wild symbols are generated and displayed on each of the designated reels or paylines within the predetermined number of spins, the gaming device re-initiates the bonus game. In another embodiment, if the player has spins remaining in the re-initiation mode, the gaming device continues to re-activate the non-designated reels in the re-initiation mode to potentially increase the total award.
In one embodiment, the game reduces the number of reels on which a wild symbol must be displayed by locking or holding stationary the reel or reels that display a wild symbol as described above. Reducing the number of reels on which wild symbols must appear in order for the bonus game to be extended increases the probability that any one of the wild symbols will be indicated on the payline or reel. In one embodiment, in which fewer than the total number of reels are designated to display wild symbols to re-initiate the bonus game, the gaming device effectively reduces the game to a double or single-reel game or event. The reduction of the number of reels on which a wild symbol must be displayed increases the probability or chance that a combination of reels displaying wild symbols will occur to re-initiate the bonus game and obtain a larger award.
The probability is determined by multiplying the probability of the wild symbol being indicated on each of the reels or on the same payline of each of the reels in the bonus game. As discussed above, in a three-reel slot game, if each of the reels in the game includes twenty symbols, including one wild symbol the probability or chance of obtaining a combination of wild symbols on the same paylines of all three reels is (1/20)×(1/20)×(1/20) or 1 in 8000 or 0.0125%. The probability of indicating wild symbols on the same payline for two reels is for two reels is (1/20)×(1/20), which equals a probability of 1 in 400 or 25%, and, for one reel, 1 in 20 or 5%. Thus, it is significantly more likely that the player will obtain the combination of wild symbols required to extend the bonus game when the reels are locked upon displaying a wild symbol. This increases the player's excitement and enjoyment of the game because the player has a greater opportunity or probability of obtaining the relatively large award or jackpot award in subsequent play of the bonus game.
In one embodiment, a probability of being indicated on the payline is associated with each of the symbols on the reels. In one aspect of this embodiment, the probability associated with the wild symbols is less than the probability associated with at least one of the award symbols, and null symbols on the reels. In another aspect of this embodiment, the probability associated with the wild symbol is less than a plurality of the probabilities associated with the award symbols and null symbols. In a further aspect of this embodiment, the probability associated with the wild symbol is less than all of the probabilities associated with the award symbols and null symbols.
Similarly, in another embodiment the award symbols include one relatively large award and several relatively small awards and have a probability of being indicated on the payline associated with the award symbols as discussed above.
In another embodiment, during the re-initiation mode, the gaming device provides a predetermined award associated with a winning symbol combination including wild symbols in the game. The wild symbol in this embodiment represents any symbol necessary to create a winning combination. For example, if a combination of three like symbols adjacent to one another on a payline generate an award, then two like symbols adjacent to a wild symbol will provide a winning combination to the player.
In a further embodiment, the re-initiation mode of the present invention includes an award associated with a winning symbol combination including a wild symbol or a combination Including ail wild symbols. In this embodiment, if the re-initiation mode is triggered and the wild symbols are indicated on the same payline, the gaming device provides the maximum or largest award in the game, such as the jackpot award.
Upon re-initiation of the bonus game, the gaming device resumes providing the player the award associated with any winning symbol of symbol combination indicated on the reels. It should be appreciated that the player may again be transferred to an award mode as discussed above. Any award provided to the player is added to the player's total award in a total award display, and the bonus mode continues until another wild symbol is generated on a designated reel or payline.
It should be appreciated that the present invention can be achieved with other suitable symbols besides the wild symbol.
Although the present invention is described with respect to a free spins game or a bonus game in certain embodiments, it should be appreciated that the present invention may be employed as a primary game, or bonus game or any other suitable type of game in a wagering gaming device. Additionally, although the present invention is described with respect to a reel type game, it should be appreciated that the present invention may be employed in any suitable non-reel type games such as a video poker game.
It should thus be appreciated that in one embodiment, the present invention provides a gaming device including a primary game operable upon a wager by a player, and a triggering event associated with the primary game. After the triggering event occurs, a generation of one or more symbols occurs without an additional wager by the player. The player is provided any award associated with any of the generated symbols from the generation. This generators and award process/is repeated until a designated symbol or symbol combination occurs. In one embodiment, there is a limit to the number of generations. Other embodiments do not include a pre-set limit. After the designated symbol or symbol combination occurs, a subsequent event occurs. The result of the subsequent event is either a non-terminating result or a terminating result. In one embodiment, the terminating result (such as the failure to generate a designated number of symbols such as designated or wild symbols) and the non-terminating result (such as the generation of a designated number of designated or wild symbols). If the non-terminating result occurs, the generation and award process begins again. If the terminating result occurs, the generation and award process does not begin again and the game ends.
In one further embodiment, the gaming device includes a game operable upon a wager by a player, a plurality of reels in the game, a plurality of symbols on the reels, and a triggering event associated with the generation of one or more designated symbols on the reels. After the triggering event occurs, generation of a plurality of the symbols occurs on the reels without an additional wager by the player. The player is provided any award associated with any winning combinations of generated symbols on the reels from the generation. The generation and award steps are repeated until a designated symbol or symbol combination occurs on the reels. If the designated symbol or symbol combination occurs, a subsequent event occurs, wherein the result, of that event, is either a terminating result or a non-terminating result are based on the number of designated symbols generated in said event. If the non-terminating result occurs, the generation and award process begins again, if the terminating result occurs, the generation and award process does not begin again.
In a further embodiment, the gaming device includes a game operable upon a wager by a player, a plurality of reels in the game, and a plurality of symbols on the reels which include at least two designated symbols. One of the designated symbols is on each of two different reels. A triggering event is associated with the generation of one or more designated symbols on the reels. After the triggering event, a generation of a plurality of the symbols on the reels occurs without an additional wager by the player. The player is provided any award associated with any winning combinations of generated symbols on the reels from the generation. This generation and award process continues until one of the designated symbols is generated on one of the reels in the generation. If one of the designated symbols is generated on one of the reels in the generation, the position of the reel with the designated symbol is locked for a designated number of further generations of symbols on a designated number of other reels. If a non-term loafing event occurs such as a designated number of other designated symbols being generated on the reels in the designated number of further generations, the reel are unlocked and the above generation and award process begins. If a terminating result occurs such as designated number of other wild symbols are not generated on the reels in the designated number of further generations, no further generations of the reels occurs until another wager is made in the game. It should be appreciated that one embodiment includes providing the player any award associated with any winning combinations of generated symbols on the reels from each further generation. In one embodiment, if one of said designated symbols is generated on one of said reels in one of the further generations, that reel is locked, and the designated number of further generations of symbols occurs on a plurality of the reels with designated symbols. In one embodiments, each reel that generates one of the designated symbols is locked for the subsequent further generations of symbols until the designated number of other designated symbols are generated on the reels or the designated number of other designated symbols are not generated on the reels in the designated number of further generations.
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the gaming device includes a primary game operable upon a wager. The primary game includes a plurality of reels and a plurality of symbols on the reels. In one embodiment, the symbols include at least one triggering symbol or triggering symbol combination. In another embodiment, the symbols also include at least one wild symbol. In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a free spin mode that is initiated when a triggering symbol or triggering symbol combination occurs on at least one of the reels in the primary game.
In this embodiment, when the free spin mode is initiated, the gaming device provides a player with an unlimited number of free spins without any additional wagers. In each free spin, the reels or symbol generators are activated and generate a plurality of symbols. The generated symbols are evaluated based on a paytable associated with the game. The gaming device provides an award to the player if any winning symbol combination occurs on the reels. The symbols also include at least one locking symbol and at least one coacting-terminating symbol. In one embodiment, unless the locking symbol and the terminating symbol both occur on the reels, they have no function. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the locking symbol and terminating symbol may have certain designated functions, even if they appear separately. In one embodiment, the free spin mode includes a free spin mode terminating event or limiting event. The free spin mode terminating event or limiting event is fulfilled upon the occurrence of at least one locking symbol and at least one terminating symbol generated on any of the reels. After the terminating event, the gaming device provides the player with a number of additional free spins or limits the further number of free spins. Any reels containing a locking symbol are held stationary for the number of additional free spins or free spins remaining. In this embodiment the locking symbol can function as an expanding wild symbol on the reel. For example, on the stationary reels, at least one non-locking symbol may be changed into a locking symbol. In one embodiment, all of the locking symbols are wild for each of the number of additional free spins. In one embodiment, the free spin mode includes a free spin mode re-initiation event which occurs when at least one terminating symbol appears on any of the reels during any of the additional free spins.
It should thus foe appreciated that in one embodiment, the gaming device includes a primary game controlled by a processor and operable upon a wager by a player, includes a plurality of reels, and a plurality of symbols on the reels including at least one triggering symbol or triggering symbol combination. The gaming device also includes a free spin mode that is initiated if the triggering symbol or triggering symbol combination occurs on at least one of the reels in the game. The free spin mode includes an unlimited number of free spins without an additional wager by the player. An award is provided to the player when any winning symbol combination occurs on the reels. The symbols include at least one locking symbol and at least one terminating symbol. The free spins mode includes a free spin mode terminating event, which is triggered upon the occurrence of at least one locking symbol and at least one terminating symbol on the reels. After the free spin mode terminating event, one, a plurality or all of the reels which generated the locking symbol are held stationary, one, a plurality or all of the looking symbols are designated wild, and the player is provided with at least one additional free spin.
In one alternative embodiment, the free spins mode includes a free spin mode re-initiation event. The re-initiation event can occur after the terminating event and includes the re-occurrence of at least one terminating symbol during any of the additional free spins. After the re-initiation event has occurred, the gaming device reinitiates the unlimited free spin mode.
It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a gaming device that provides an increase probability of obtaining awards in a game.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a gaming device that increases the probability of obtaining a relatively large award in a game.
It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a gaming device that increases the probability of obtaining the jackpot award in a game.
It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a gaming device that increases the probability of extending the bonus game in a game.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps and processes.
Referring now to the drawings, two embodiments of the gaming device of the present invention are illustrated in
Gaming device 10 can incorporate any primary game such as slot, poker, blackjack or keno, and any of the bonus triggering events and bonus games associated with these primary games. The symbols and indicia used on and in gaming device 10 may be in mechanical, electrical, electronic or video form.
As illustrated in
As shown in
A player may cash out and thereby receive a number of coins corresponding to the number of remaining credits by pushing a cash out button 26. When the player cashes out, the player receives the coins in a coin payout tray 28. The gaming device 10 may employ other payout mechanisms such as credit slips redeemable by a cashier or electronically recordable cards which keep track of the player's credits.
Gaming device 10 also includes one or more display devices. The embodiment shown in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
It should be appreciated, that although a processor 38 and memory device 40 are preferable implementations of the present invention, the present invention can also be implemented using one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC's) or other hard-wired devices, or using mechanical devices (collectively or alternatively referred to herein as a “processor”). Furthermore, although the processor 38 and memory device 40 preferably reside on each gaming device 10 unit, it is possible to provide some or all of their functions at a central location such as a network server for communication to a playing station such as over a data network such as a local area network, (LAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet connection, microwave link, and the like. The processor 38 and memory device 40 are generally referred to herein as the “computer” or “controller.”
With reference to
In addition to winning credits in this manner, in one embodiment gaming device 10 also gives players the opportunity to win credits in a bonus round. This type of gaming device 10 will include a program which will automatically begins a bonus round when the player has achieved a qualifying condition in the game. This qualifying condition can be a particular arrangement of indicia on a display device. The gaming device 10 may use mechanical devices or a video-based central display device 30 to enable the player to play the bonus round. In one embodiment, the qualifying condition is a predetermined combination of indicia appearing on a plurality of reels 34. As illustrated in the five reel slot game shown in
Referring to
Referring to
The gaming device provides the player with a number of spins in the game. The number of spins may be randomly determined, predetermined or determined in any suitable manner. The player uses the spins to activate or spin the reels 34a, 34b and 34c. The gaming device provides an award associated with one or more winning symbol combinations indicated on one of the paylines 56a, 56b or 56c associated with the reels. The player continues to spin the reels until the player has no spins remaining as indicated by the spans remaining display 106.
The trigger symbol or diamond symbol 102 increases the probability that the player will obtain one of the awards in the game and specifically increases the probability that the player will obtain the largest award such as the jackpot award in the game. The game preferably includes only one trigger symbol, designated as a diamond symbol 102, on one of the reels 34 in the game. In one embodiment, the middle reel 34b, includes the trigger symbol or diamond symbol 102. If the diamond symbol 102 is indicated on one of the paylines 56a, 56b or 56c, the gaming device initiates an award mode. In the award mode, the gaming device freezes or holds the reel 34b including the trigger symbol 102 stationary while the gaming device activates or spins the remaining reels or outside reels 34a and 34c, which are adjacent to the middle reel 34b. The gaming device activates or spins these reels until a wild symbol 105 is indicated on the same payline as the trigger symbol or diamond symbol 102.
Once the wild symbols 105 are indicated on reels 34a and 34c and on the same payline as the trigger symbol 102, the gaming device holds or keeps these reels stationary. The symbols on payline 56b are wild symbol 105a on reel 34a, trigger symbol or diamond symbol 102 on reel 34b and wild symbol 105b on reel 34c. The gaming device now re-spins or re-activates reel 34b until an award symbol 100 such as one of the letters is indicated on payline 56b. Any award symbol 100 indicated on that payline will provide a symbol combination having three identical symbols matching the award symbol 100 indicated on that payline. This occurs because two of the symbols on that payline are the wild symbols 105a and 105b as illustrated in
In the award mode, when the middle reel 34b is re-activated and the trigger symbol or diamond symbol 102 is indicated on payline 56b, the gaming device re-spins or re-activates reel 34b. Thus in one embodiment, the trigger symbol or diamond symbol does not provide an award to the player in the game. In another embodiment, an award is associated with the trigger symbol and is provided to the player if the trigger symbol is indicated on the reel after the reel is re-activated in the award mode.
Similarly, if a non-award or null symbol (i.e., blank) 104 is indicated on payline 56b on reel 34b, the gaming device re-spins or reactivates reel 34b. Thus, a null symbol does not provide an award to the player; rather, the reels are re-spun to give the player another opportunity to obtain one of the awards in the game. Once an award symbol 100 is indicated on the designated payline on met 34b, the gaming device provides an award associated with the award combination including those symbols. If the award symbol happens to be the jackpot symbol, the player obtains three of the jackpot symbols and therefore, the jackpot award in the game. The award received by the player in the game is transferred to the total award display 108 and provided to the player when the game ends. In one embodiment, the game ends when the player obtains an award in the game. In another embodiment, the game ends when the player runs out of spins as indicated by the spins remaining display 106.
In a further embodiment, the gaming device includes a modifier such as a multiplier which changes such as by increasing when the null symbol occurs on the reel. The modifier such as the multiplier is employed in one embodiment to increase the award determined by the generated symbol on the reel.
By effectively reducing the game to a single reel or one reel game, the present invention significantly increases the probability of obtaining an award in the game without changing the random probability of occurrence. In particular, the present invention increases the probability or the likelihood that the player will obtain the largest award such as the jackpot award in the game. For example, in a typical reel-type game, a player must obtain one of a plurality of designated symbol combinations on one or more of the paylines associated with a set of reels to obtain an award in the game. The gaming device or player spins the reels and the reels randomly indicate symbols on one or more of the paylines associated with the reels. If a winning symbol combination is indicated on one of the designated winning paylines in the game, the gaming device provides an award associated with that winning symbol combination. The probability of obtaining a particular symbol combination, however, is based on the number of reels in a game and the number of symbols included on those reels. Thus, the more reels and symbols in a game, the less likely or less probable it is that the player will obtain one of the winning symbol combinations in that game.
For example, a particular game of the gaming device may include three feels, such as reels 34a, 34b and 34c in
Referring to
Referring to
In the award mode of the present invention, the number of reels is effectively reduced to one reel or one active reel such as reel 34b. As a result, the probability of obtaining a particular symbol or a particular symbol combination increases significantly. Referring to
Referring to
In this example, the middle reel 34b includes twenty reel positions including eight award symbols, one wild symbol, a trigger symbol or diamond symbol 102, and ten null symbols 104 as shown in
Referring to FIGS 5A through 5F, an example of one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated where the player obtains a trigger symbol or diamond symbol 102 in the primary game or primary mode. This example includes three reels 34a, 34b and 34c as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Alternatively, as indicated above, the game upon the occurrence of the null symbol can change such as increment a modifier (such as a multiplier) which is employed to modify and preferably increase the award to the player.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In one alternative embodiment of the present invention, the number of spins of the reel can be limited such as to a predetermined number, a randomly determined number, or a number based on another functional game element such as the player's wager.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the gaming device includes a primary game operable upon a wager. As discussed above, the primary game includes a plurality of symbols, and may include a plurality of reels or any other suitable presentation device such as video poker. In one embodiment, the symbols include a plurality of award symbols and at least one triggering symbol or triggering symbol combination. The triggering symbol or symbol combination enables a player to enter a free spin mode where the player will have additional opportunities to win awards without having to make any additional wagers. In an alternative embodiment, the symbols also include a plurality of wild symbols.
Referring to
In an alternate embodiment, the locking symbol and the terminating symbol must occur on different reels. In a further embodiment, the locking symbol must occur on at least one of a first group of reels such as the first three reels and the terminating symbol must occur on at least one of a second group of reels such as the last two reels, in another embodiment, the locking symbol and the terminating symbol must occur on the same payline.
The activation or tee spin mode continues until the terminating condition occurs as indicated by decision diamond 206. When the terminating condition is fulfilled as indicated by decision diamond 206, the gaming device provides the player with a number of additional free spins as indicated by block 208. It should be appreciated that the number of additional free spins may be randomly determined, based on the wager in the base game, based on the number of paylines activated, predetermined, based on the result in the base game, or by any other suitable method. The gaming device then locks or holds stationary at least one, a plurality of or alt of the reels win a locking symbol occurring on any payline as indicated by block 210. These reels will be held stationary or locked for the additional free spins or activations. In one embodiment, the locking symbol can function as an expanding wild symbol on the reel. The gaming device changes all symbols on the stationary reel to locking symbols as indicated by block 212. In an alternative embodiment, the gaming device changes at least one symbol on the stationary reel to a locking symbol in a further embodiment, the gaming device changes a plurality of symbols on the stationary reel to locking symbols. The gaming device designates all locking symbols as wild as indicated by block 214. This means that for the additional free spins, the locking symbols may be used interchangeably with any other symbols on a payline. The gaming device spins or activates at least one unlocked real and thus generates a plurality of symbols for evaluation as indicated by block 216. The gaming device determines if there are any winning combinations of symbols including the wild locking symbols and provides any awards to the player based on the generated symbols as indicated by block 218.
In one embodiment, if the terminating symbol does not reappear as indicated by decision diamond 220, the gaming device determines if there are any additional free spins remaining as indicated by decision diamond 222. If there are additional spins remaining, the gaming device spins or activates the reels to generate a plurality of symbols as indicated by block 216. In one embodiment, if the terminating symbol reappears on any payline of any reel during the additional free spins as indicated by decision diamond 220, all locking symbols are undesignated as wild as indicated by block 226. All reels are unlocked as indicated by block 228. The free spin mode with unlimited free spin is re-initiated as indicated by block 200, and the process is repeated.
Referring now to
In one embodiment the respective probabilities of occurrences associated with the terminating symbol and the locking symbol are less than at least one of the other symbols on the reels. In another embodiment, the respective, probabilities associated with the terminating symbol and the locking symbol are less than the probabilities associated with a plurality of the other symbols on the reels. In a further embodiment, the respective probabilities associated with the terminating symbol and the locking symbol are less than the probabilities associated with all of the other symbols on the reels. In another embodiment, the probability associated with the terminating symbol is less than the probability associated with the locking symbol. In another embodiment they have equal or substantially equal probabilities of occurrence. In a further embodiment, the probability of occurrence associated with the looking symbol is less than the probability associated with the termination symbol.
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In an alternative embodiment, generally illustrated in
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It should be appreciated that the present invention may foe employed in a primary game, a bonus game, free spins game, a sub-game or in any suitable game.
While the present invention is described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it should be appreciated that the Invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, and is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims. Modifications and variations in the present invention may be made without departing from the novel aspects of the invention as defined in the claims, and this application is limited only by the scope of the claims.
This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to and the benefit of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/465,734, filed on Aug. 18, 2008, which is a continuation of, and claims priority to and the benefit of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/953,812, filed on Sep. 29, 2004, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,094,148 on Aug. 22, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/661,443, filed on Sep. 12, 2003, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,074,127 on Jul. 11, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part- of, and claims priority to and the benefit of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/241,255, filed on Sep. 11, 2002, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,058,213 on Jun. 6, 2008, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 11465734 | Aug 2006 | US |
Child | 14046625 | US | |
Parent | 10953812 | Sep 2004 | US |
Child | 11465734 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10661443 | Sep 2003 | US |
Child | 10953812 | US | |
Parent | 10241255 | Sep 2002 | US |
Child | 10661443 | US |