Patent Application
20120322534
Gaming device manufactures have long provided gaming machines employing a plurality of reels, wherein the reels each have a plurality of symbols. In the 1930's, gaming device manufacturers provided a three reel gaming device, wherein each reel had ten stops, which produced a thousand combinations. One way for the manufacturers to increase the number of combinations was to increase the size of the reel and to add more stops. During the next four decades, the reels in the gaming devices increased to twenty stops. In the 1970's, manufacturers developed a twenty-two stop reel machine, in the early 80's a twenty-five stop reel machine, and in 1985, International Game Technology, the assignee of the present invention, developed a thirty-two stop reel machine. This machine had 32,768 possible combinations.
Another way manufacturers increased the number of combinations was to add reels. In 1955, a manufacturer produced a four-reel slot machine, which increased the number of combinations on a twenty stop machine to 160,000. In the middle 1970's, a manufacturer produced the first five-reel slot machine, which had twenty-two stop reels and produced combinations in excess of five million.
The next advancement in the effort to produce more payout combinations was the video or CRT screen slot machine, wherein the reels were simulated as opposed to mechanical. Video slot machines do not have mechanical drums or reels which rotate, do not need to precisely stop the same at certain positions and are therefore not limited by a maximum allowable drum radius. Each reel can have a virtuality unlimited number of stops. Initially, the Nevada gaming Commission limited the stops on the video machines (e.g., eighty-four stops on a three reel machine) but has since removed the limit. In 1989, a particular video reel machine employed reels having hundreds of stops and more than millions of combinations.
The total number of combinations affects the percentage of time that a player will obtain a particular winning combination as well as the overall payout percentage of the machine. For example, a three reel machine having twenty-two stops per reel, where the first reel has two oranges, the second reel has three oranges, and the third reel has seven oranges will yield an orange, orange and orange combination 42 times in every 10,648 plays (22×22×22) or 0.39% of the time. If the orange, orange, orange combination pays 20 coins, then the total coins paid is 20×42 or 840 coins in every 10,648 plays. Adding the total coins paid for each winning combination and dividing that number by 10,648 yields the machine's total payout percentage.
In the known gaming systems the percentage of obtaining a winning combination is set. In certain known progressive gaming machines, the payout of a grand prize grows each time a player plays the machine. The increasing payout increases the total coins paid as shown above, which in turn increases the overall payout percentage. Nevertheless, the percentage of times that a player will receive one of the combinations remains constant.
Free spins have also been provided in slot games. Upon winning free spins, the reels can auto-generate a number of outcomes and provide the player credits from winning symbol combinations occurring in the outcomes. Free spins provide an avenue for adding fun and excitement to standard gaming, while maintaining consistency with the slot base game and enabling the slot game to be played and displayed on simulated or electromechanical reels.
To increase player enjoyment and excitement, it is desirable to provide players with new types of gaming devices that attract the player and keep the player entertained.
The present invention provides a gaming machine including a base game operable upon a wager and a bonus game that operates in combination with the wagering base game. The bonus game or mode includes a series of free activations such as free spins or free deals in which a symbol or card can be eliminated from a set of symbols. The player plays the base game until triggering a free spin sequence for slot games or a free deal sequence for card games such as poker according to the base game. In the free spin or deal sequence or mode, the gaming device generates sets of symbols, which can be the same or different as the symbols used in the base game. The gaming device can also generate wild symbols in the free spin or deal sequence or mode.
In the free spin or free deal sequence or mode, the gaming device symbols also includes one or more executor symbols. The executor symbols are randomly generated in one embodiment. In one embodiment, the executor symbols cause a meter to increment. When the meter increments to a designated or particular point or level, the gaming device eliminates or removes a symbol from the set of symbols or a card from the deck of cards subsequently used in the free spin deal sequence (i.e., in one, a plurality, or all of the subsequent free spins or activations). In other words, the gaming device will not generate that eliminated or removed symbol or card again in the free spin mode (i.e., in one, a plurality, or all of the subsequent free spins or activations). Thus, the gaming device can prevent the eliminated symbol from subsequently be generated in a free spin. In one embodiment, the eliminated symbol is not actually eliminated from the set or removed from the reels; but, rather the processor of the gaming machine prevents that symbol from being generated in one or more subsequent free spins. In one embodiment, if the eliminated symbol is initially selected to be generated, the processor can cause a generation of another remaining symbol (such as by re-spinning a reel to generate another symbol on the reel). The removal of the symbol or card increases the likelihood of the player achieving multiple combinations of the other symbols such as a same symbol or card in subsequent free spins, free deals, or free activations of the remaining symbols or cards. That is, the removal of a symbol or card increases the likelihood of generating each of the remaining symbols or cards. Accordingly, a free spin or free deal game is provided that over time becomes on average more lucrative on average for the player.
The free spin or free deal sequence includes multiple embodiments. In one embodiment, the symbol or card is merely removed from the free spin, free deal or free activation set of symbols, lessening the total number of different symbols that can be generated. In an alternative embodiment, the symbol is replaced by another symbol. The symbol is replaced either with a wild symbol or one of the remaining other symbols or cards of the set or deck, respectively. In one such embodiment, each occurrence of the symbol to be removed in the set is transformed or replaced by a wild symbol. In these two alternative embodiments, the total number of symbols that can be generated does not change; however, the total number of different symbols does change. In the alternative embodiments, the likelihood of generating a combination or multiple ones of any one of the remaining symbols increases.
The free spin or free deal sequence in one embodiment continues to generate outcomes until a number of provided free spins or free deals is exhausted. The number provided can be dependent upon one or more different factors, such as the factors described below. In one embodiment, for example, the player receives more free spins or free deals by generating more triggering symbols in the base game. In another embodiment, the number of free spins is based at least in part on the player's wager in the primary game which triggers the free activation mode.
During the series of free spins or free deals, the symbol elimination or replacement meter can be incremented to its final position multiple times, thereby eliminating or replacing multiple symbols throughout the course of the free generation sequence. Accordingly, the game over time on average becomes more favorable to the player as larger combinations of paying symbol combinations are more likely to occur.
After the free spin sequences of the present invention are provided, credits obtained from the free spins are paid to the player during a credit roll-up. The player can then resume playing the base game.
It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a fun and exciting slot machine or poker bonus game.
A further advantage of the present invention is to provide an improved free spin game.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a free generation game adaptable to multiple types of gaming devices such as slot and poker.
Moreover, it is an advantage of the present invention to provide a bonus game that uses base game symbols or cards in a fun and exciting way to provide a bonus game that is different yet related to the base game.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description of the Invention and the figures.
Referring now to the drawings, two alternative embodiments of the gaming device of the present invention are illustrated in
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
Memory device 14 includes random access memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM) in one preferred embodiment. Alternatively or additionally, memory device 14 includes flash memory and/or EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory). Any other suitable magnetic, optical and/or semiconductor memory may be implemented in conjunction with gaming device 10 of the present invention. Processor 12 and memory device 14 may be collectively referred to herein as a “computer” or “controller.”
In one embodiment, part or all of the program code and/or operating data described above can be stored in a detachable or removable memory device, including, but not limited to, a suitable cartridge, disk or CD ROM. A player can use such a removable memory device in a desktop, a laptop personal computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA) or other computerized platform.
In one embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, gaming device 10 randomly generates awards and/or other game outcomes based on probability data. That is, each award or other game outcome is associated with a probability and gaming device 10 generates the award or other game outcome to be provided to the player based on the associated probabilities. In this embodiment, since gaming device 10 generates outcomes randomly or based upon a probability calculation, there is no certainty that gaming device 10 will provide the player with any specific award or other game outcome.
In another embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, gaming device 10 employs a predetermined or finite set or pool of awards or other game outcomes. In this embodiment, as each award or other game outcome is provided to the player, gaming device 10 removes the provided award or other game outcome from the predetermined set or pool. Once removed from the set or pool, the specific provided award or other game outcome cannot be provided to the player again. In this type of embodiment, gaming device 10 provides players with all of the available awards or other game outcomes over the course of the play cycle and guarantees a designated amount of actual wins and losses.
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
The display devices may include, without limitation, a monitor, a television display, a plasma display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a display based on light emitting diodes (LED) or any other suitable electronic device or display mechanism. In one embodiment, as described in more detail below, the display device includes a touchscreen with an associated touchscreen controller. The display devices may be of any suitable configuration, such as a square, a rectangle or an elongated rectangle.
The display devices of gaming device 10 are configured to display at one or a plurality of games or other suitable images, symbols and indicia such as any visual representation or exhibition of the movement of objects such as mechanical, virtual or video reels and wheels, dynamic lighting, video images and images of people, characters, places, things and faces of cards, tournament advertisements, promotions and the like.
In one alternative embodiment, the symbols, images and indicia displayed on or by the display device may be in mechanical or electromechanical form. That is, the display device may include any suitable electromechanical device which moves one or more mechanical objects, such as one or more mechanical rotatable wheels or reels that each display at least one image, symbol or indicia.
As seen in
As illustrated in
In one embodiment, a player may insert an identification card into a card reader 60 of gaming device 10. Card reader 60 is operable with a dedicated keypad 62 or a keypad appearing on display device 16, 18, which cooperates with touch screen 42 and touch screen controller 44 to enable the player to enter passwords, process fund requests, cancel fund requests and the like.
The identification card can be a smart card having a programmed microchip or a magnetic strip coded with a player's identification, credit totals and other relevant information. In one embodiment, money may be transferred to a gaming device through electronic funds transfer. When a player funds gaming device 10, the processor determines the amount of funds entered and the corresponding amount is shown on the credit or other suitable display as described above. Card reader 60 alternatively or additionally accepts payment cards, such as credit cards or debit cards. Card reader 60 in one embodiment includes a magnetic strip reader as is known to those of skill in the art.
As seen in
In one embodiment, as shown in
Gaming device 10 also includes a cash out button 38. The player may push cash out button 38 and cash out to receive a cash payment or other suitable form of payment corresponding to the number of remaining credits. In one embodiment, when the player cashes out, the player receives the coins or tokens in a coin payout tray 40. In another embodiment, when the player cashes out, the player receives another type of payout mechanism such as a tickets or credit slip, which are redeemable by a cashier or funded to the player's electronically recordable identification card.
As mentioned above and seen in
Gaming device 10 may further include a plurality of communication ports for enabling communication of the processor with external peripherals, such as external video sources, expansion buses, game or other displays, an SCSI port or a key pad.
In one embodiment, as seen in
In one embodiment, the gaming machine may include a player or other sensor, such as a camera in communication with the processor (and possibly controlled by the processor) that is selectively positioned to acquire an image of a player actively using gaming device 10 and/or the surrounding area of gaming device 10. In one embodiment, the camera may be configured to selectively acquire still or moving (e.g., video) images and may be configured to acquire the images in either an analog, digital or other suitable format. The display device may be configured to display the image acquired by the camera as well as display the visible manifestation of the game in split screen or picture-in-picture fashion. For example, the camera may acquire an image of the player and that image can be incorporated into the primary and/or secondary game as a game image, symbol or indicia.
Gaming device 10 can incorporate any suitable wagering primary or base game. The gaming machine or device of the present invention may include some or all of the features of conventional gaming machines or devices. The primary or base game may comprise any suitable reel-type game, card game, number game or other game of chance susceptible to representation in an electronic or electromechanical form which produces a random outcome based on probability data upon activation of the game from a wager made by the player. That is, different primary wagering games, such as video poker games, video blackjack games, video keno, video bingo or any other suitable primary or base game may be implemented into the present invention. As described below, the present invention operates at least with the base games of slot and poker.
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
Each reel displays a plurality of indicia such as bells, hearts, fruits, numbers, letters, bars or other images that correspond to a theme associated with gaming device 10. In this embodiment, gaming device 10 awards prizes when the reels of the primary game stop spinning if specified types and/or configurations of indicia or symbols occur on an active pay line or otherwise occur in a winning combination or pattern.
As seen below in
In one embodiment, a base or primary game may be a poker game wherein gaming device 10 enables the player to play a conventional game of video poker and initially deals five cards, all face up, from a virtual deck of fifty-two cards. As seen in
In another embodiment, the base or primary game may be a multi-hand version of video poker. In this embodiment, the player is dealt at least two hands of cards. In one such embodiment, the cards in all of the dealt hands are the same cards. In one embodiment each hand of cards is associated with its own deck of cards. The player chooses the cards to hold in a primary hand. The held cards in the primary hand are also held in the other hands of cards. The remaining non-held cards are removed from each displayed hand and replaced with randomly dealt cards. Since the replacement cards are randomly dealt independently for each hand, the replacement cards will usually be different for each hand. The poker hand rankings are then determined hand by hand and awards are provided to the player.
In one embodiment, in addition to winning credits in a base or primary game, the gaming device may also give players the opportunity to win credits in a bonus or secondary game or bonus or secondary round. The bonus or secondary game enables the player to obtain a bonus prize or payout in addition to the prize or payout, if any, obtained from the base or primary game. In general, a bonus or secondary game produces a significantly higher level of player excitement than the base or primary game because it provides a greater expectation of winning than the base or primary game and is accompanied with more attractive or unusual features than the base or primary game.
In one embodiment, gaming device 10 includes a program code that causes processor 12 to automatically begin a bonus round when the player has achieved a triggering event, a qualifying condition or other designated game event in the base or primary game. In another embodiment illustrated below in the paytables of
In one embodiment, once a player has qualified for a bonus game, the player may subsequently enhance their bonus game participation by returning to the base or primary game for continued play. Thus, for each bonus qualifying event, such as a bonus symbol, that the player obtains, a given number of bonus game wagering points or credits may be accumulated in a “bonus meter” programmed to accrue the bonus wagering credits or entries towards eventual participation in a bonus game. The occurrence of multiple bonus qualifying events in the primary game may result in an arithmetic or geometric increase in the number of bonus wagering credits awarded. In one embodiment, extra bonus wagering credits may be redeemed during the bonus game to extend play of the bonus game.
In one embodiment, no separate entry fee or buy in for a bonus game need be employed. That is, a player may not purchase an entry into a bonus game. The player must win or earn entry through play of the primary game, thereby encouraging play of the primary game. In another embodiment, qualification of the bonus or secondary game could be accomplished through a simple “buy in” by the player if, for example, the player has been unsuccessful at qualifying for the bonus game through other specified activities.
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, the game outcome provided to the player is determined by central server or controller 56 and provided to the player at gaming device 10 of the present invention. In this embodiment, each of a plurality of such gaming devices 10 are in communication with the central server or controller 56. Upon a player initiating game play at one of the gaming devices, the initiated gaming device communicates a game outcome request to the central server or controller 56.
In one embodiment, central server or controller 56 receives the game outcome request and randomly generates a game outcome for the primary game based on probability data. In another embodiment, the central server or controller 56 randomly generates a game outcome for the secondary game based on probability data. In a further embodiment, the central server or controller 56 randomly generates a game outcome for both the primary game and the secondary game based on probability data. In this embodiment, the central server or controller 56 is capable of storing and utilizing program code or other data similar to processor 12 and memory device 14 of gaming device 10.
In an alternative embodiment, the central server or controller 56 maintains one or more predetermined pools or sets of predetermined game outcomes. In this embodiment, the central server or controller 56 receives the game outcome request and independently selects a predetermined game outcome from a set or pool of game outcomes. The central server or controller 56 flags or marks the selected game outcome as used. Once a game outcome is flagged as used, it is prevented from further selection from the set or pool and cannot be selected by the central controller or server 56 upon another wager. The provided game outcome can include a primary game outcome, a secondary game outcome, primary and secondary game outcomes, or a series of game outcomes such a free games.
The central server or controller 56 communicates the generated or selected game outcome to the initiated gaming device 10. Gaming device 10 receives the generated or selected game outcome and provides the game outcome to the player. In an alternative embodiment, how the generated or selected game outcome is to be presented or displayed to the player, such as a reel symbol combination of a slot machine or a hand of cards dealt in a card game, is also determined by the central server or controller 56 and communicated to the initiated gaining device to be presented or displayed to the player. Central production or control can assist a gaming establishment or other entity in maintaining appropriate records, controlling gaming, reducing and/or preventing cheating or electronic or other errors, reducing or eliminating win-loss volatility and the like.
In another embodiment, one or more of the gaming devices of the present invention are in communication with a central server or controller 56 for monitoring purposes only. That is, each individual gaming device 10 randomly generates the game outcomes to be provided to the player and the central server or controller 56 monitors the activities and events occurring on the plurality of gaming devices. In one embodiment, the gaming network includes a real-time or an on-line accounting and gaming information system operably coupled to the central server or controller. The accounting and gaming information system of this embodiment includes a player database for storing player profiles, a player tracking module for tracking players and a credit system for providing automated casino transactions.
A plurality of the gaming devices of the present invention are capable of being connected to a data network. In one embodiment, the data network is a local area network (LAN), in which one or more of the gaming devices are substantially proximate to each other and an on-site central server or controller as in, for example, a gaming establishment or a portion of a gaming establishment. In another embodiment, the data network is a wide area network (WAN) in which one or more of the gaming devices are in communication with at least one off-site central server or controller. In this embodiment, the plurality of gaming devices may be located in a different part of the gaming establishment or within a different gaming establishment than the off-site central server or controller. Thus, the WAN may include an off-site central server or controller and an off-site gaming device located within gaming establishments in the same geographic area, such as a city or state. The WAN gaming system of the present invention may be substantially identical to the LAN gaming system described above, although the number of gaming devices in each system may vary relative to each other.
In another embodiment, the data network is an internet or intranet. In this embodiment, the operation of gaming device 10 can be viewed at the gaming device with at least one internet browser. In this embodiment, operation of gaming device 10 and accumulation of credits may be accomplished with only a connection to the central server or controller 56 (the Internet/intranet server or webserver) through a conventional phone or other data transmission line, digital signal line (DSL), T-1 line, coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, wireless gateway or other suitable connection. In this embodiment, players may access an internet game page from any location where an internet connection and computer, or other internet facilitator are available. The expansion in the number of computers and number and speed of internet connections in recent years increases opportunities for players to play from an ever-increasing number of remote sites. It should be appreciated that enhanced bandwidth of digital wireless communications may render such technology suitable for some or all communications according to the present invention, particularly if such communications are encrypted. Higher data transmission speeds may be useful for enhancing the sophistication and response of the display and interaction with the player.
In another embodiment, a plurality of gaming devices 10 at one or more gaming sites may be networked to a central server 56 in a progressive configuration, as known in the art, wherein a portion of each wager to initiate a base or primary game may be allocated to bonus or secondary event awards. In one embodiment, a host site computer is coupled to a plurality of the central servers 56 at a variety of mutually remote gaming sites for providing a multi-site linked progressive automated gaming system. In one embodiment, a host site computer may serve gaming devices distributed throughout a number of properties at different geographical locations including, for example, different locations within a city or different cities within a state.
In one embodiment, the host site computer is maintained for the overall operation and control of the system. In this embodiment, a host site computer oversees the entire progressive gaming system and is the master for computing all progressive jackpots. All participating gaming sites report to, and receive information from, the host site computer. Each central server computer 56 is responsible for all data communication between gaming device 10 hardware and software and the host site computer.
Referring now to
The paytable illustrates that certain symbols, such as the star, the banana, and the “V” symbols provide a payout for a single appearance of the symbol on the leftmost reel. The winning combinations in general begin from the left side of the reels and extend incrementally towards the right side of the reels. This feature is common among gaming machines and is important to the present invention in one embodiment illustrated below. The symbols alternatively appear at any desired location along the reels.
In one embodiment, a designated symbol or symbol combination triggers the wild symbol and free spin operation of the present invention. In the illustrated paytable, the symbol “T” appearing on an active payline triggers the free spin bonus. Alternatively, the triggering symbol need not appear on an active payline. Further, the triggering of the free spin game could have different or additional requirements, such as requiring: (i) a player's wager or a component thereof to be at a certain level such as max bet; (ii) that the player have played at least a certain number of games; (iii) have wagered a certain amount; (iv) have lost a certain amount. This could alternatively or additionally be based on other requirements such as a player's account such as in relation to a player tracking card. The winning symbols and symbol combinations, as well as the illustrated credit amounts, are used below in the following examples that highlight the features and advantages of the present invention.
Gaming device 10 provides a number of at least two free spins to the player. The number of spins provided can depend on different events, such as: (i) being predetermined, (ii) being randomly determined; (iii) being dependent upon the number of lines played; (iv) being dependent upon the bet per line; (v) being dependent upon the total bet; (vi) being dependent upon a base game outcome; or (vii) any combination thereof.
The paytable of
The paytable of
In the first elimination embodiment, gaming device 10 eliminates one of the symbols A, B, C, D, F or C from the symbol set when the free spin sequence generates the execution symbol EX a preset number of times, which is three in this example. By eliminating one of the symbols from the free spin set and causing the remaining symbols to have a higher probability of occurrence, gaming device 10 increases the chances of the player achieving the winning symbol combinations using the remaining symbols shown in the paytable. In one alternative, the eliminated symbols can be replaced with the other remaining symbols which also increases the occurrence of such remaining symbols. As discussed above, a wild symbol W in one embodiment can also replace the eliminated symbol. The wild symbol would function as one of the other remaining symbols. The wild symbol would not function as the eliminated symbol in the preferred embodiment. The wild symbol which replaces the symbol eliminated in the free spin sequence increases the player's chances of achieving one or more winning combinations (which do not include the eliminated symbol) in the free spin sequence.
In the second and third elimination embodiments, one of the symbols of the set is replaced or eliminated when the player obtains a preset number of execution symbols such as three symbols. In one alternative embodiment, the symbol is replaced with a wild symbol that can function as or represent each of the remaining symbols of the set. In another embodiment, the replaced symbol is replaced with one of the remaining symbols. This increases player's chances of generating the winning combinations for the remaining symbols and in particular the chances of obtain winning combinations with a greater number of symbols which provide greater awards.
In the first embodiment, the overall number of reel stop positions is reduced when one of the symbols is eliminated from the set. In the second and third embodiments, the overall number of reel stops stays the same; however, one of the symbols is replaced with a wild symbol or one of the remaining symbols of the set. The reel stops of the replaced symbol will therefore each contain the wild symbol or a remaining symbol.
In one embodiment, an execution symbol can not be eliminated or replaced. In other embodiments, one or more execution symbols can be eliminated or replaced.
In one embodiment, the particular symbol removed or eliminated is chosen randomly. In one embodiment, each of the symbols A, B, C, D, F or G is equally likely to be chosen first, second, third, etc., to be eliminated. The next time the player accumulates the executor symbol EX the preset number of times, one of the remaining symbols is again chosen randomly to be eliminated. In an alternative embodiment, the symbols are eliminated according to a predetermined order. For example, the A symbol could be eliminated first, followed by the B symbol, the C symbol, etc.
In the symbol replacement embodiments, the symbol to be replaced can be generated randomly or selected via a predetermined order as discussed above in the symbol elimination embodiment. Further, when the replaced symbol is replaced with a remaining one of the symbols, the symbol that is selected to replace the replaced symbol is selected randomly or according to a predetermined order.
Referring now to
The paytable shown in
The free deal sequence like the free spin sequence includes multiple different embodiments. In one embodiment, an accumulation of a preset number, e.g., three, aces causes gaming device 10 to eliminate one of the remaining card denominations from the deck. In a second embodiment, the accumulation of, e.g., three aces causes one of the remaining card denominations to be replaced with a Joker card. In a further alternative embodiment, the accumulation of three aces causes a remaining one of the cards to be replaced with another one of the remaining cards.
In the third embodiment, one of the cards, e.g., the Two of Hearts, Diamonds, Spades or Clubs, is replaced with another denomination, such as an extra set of Jacks. In such a case, the deck would then include a total of eight Jacks. It is believed that this embodiment as well as the Jokers Wild replacement embodiment will significantly increase the player's chances of obtaining higher paying card combinations, such as four-of-a-kind and a flush. As before, the gaming device 10 can be set so that the number of accumulated cards needed to eliminate or replace a card is at any suitable level and is not limited to accumulating the illustrated three cards.
As discussed above with the free spin sequences, the order in which card denominations are eliminated from the deck can be randomly determined or determined via a preset order. Further, in the third embodiment, the card that replaces the replaced card can be randomly determined or determined via a preset order.
Referring now to
Gaming device 10 has accordingly provided an audio, visual or audiovisual message 82 informing the player that gaming device 10 has triggered the free spin sequence with ten free spins and all lines active. In an embodiment, the player receives more free spins by obtaining multiple triggering T symbols on one or more active paylines.
In
The free spin sequence in one embodiment is auto-generating and has generated a first free spin outcome shown in
Referring now to
Message 92 indicates that the free spin outcome in
Referring now to
For the third spin of
Referring now to
Message 90 indicates that two executor symbols have been generated and have moved blade 72 up two spots to the second position 76. Guillotine 70 accordingly shows the blade 72, which is reset after each elimination or replacement, displayed in phantom in the original or reset position. Blade 72 is shown in solid at the incremented or metered position adjacent to the second position 76. Message 86 indicates that the current or next symbol that will be removed is symbol C. Accordingly, symbol C is shown above basket 74 of guillotine 70.
Spins remaining meter 68 shows that the remaining spins have changed from seven to six. Message 92 indicates that the player has won five credits on payline 52c for the “F, F, W” combination. Also, the player has won thirty credits for receiving the “F, F, F, F” combination on payline 52e. Such larger combinations of symbols have an increased likelihood of occurring in the current free spins because symbols A and B are not available to be generated. The player's total credits accordingly increase to one hundred forty-nine as seen in credit display 20.
Referring now to
In
Spins remaining display shows that the player has five remaining spins after the spin of
Referring now to
Referring now to
Message 90 of
In
The player receives four credits as seen in win display 80 for receiving the straight (using Jokers Wild symbol in position 94e). The player's total credits therefore increase to one hundred nine as seen in credit display 20. The spins remaining display shows the remaining spins changing from nine to eight.
In subsequent free deals, the Two card is no longer generated. Therefore, the odds of obtaining multiple ones of any remaining cards are increased. As the player continues to eliminate cards from the deck, the player's chances of obtaining a higher combination of any of the remaining cards further increases. Again, as with the free spin sequence, if the player generates more position moves than are needed to bring blade 72 to the top or third position 76, the blade can begin anew at the first or second position on guillotine 70 in the next free deal. Otherwise, the blade can return to the original position without providing the player an additional benefit. Further alternatively, the player is provided a separate bonus, such as a number of credits or a multiplier for receiving the additional and unneeded executor or Ace card.
It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.
This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to and the benefit of, U.S. patent application No, 12/784,178, filed on May 20, 2010, which is a continuation of, and claims priority to and the benefit of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/953,818, filed on Sep. 29, 2004, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,749,063 on Jul. 6, 2010, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 12784178 | May 2010 | US |
| Child | 13592020 | US | |
| Parent | 10953818 | Sep 2004 | US |
| Child | 12784178 | US |
