Patent Application
20060084500
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 devices provide enjoyment and excitement to players, in part, because they may ultimately lead to monetary awards for the players. Gaming devices also provide enjoyment and excitement to the players because they are fun to play. Bonus games, in particular, provide gaming device manufacturers with the opportunity to add enjoyment and excitement to that which is already expected from a base game of the gaming device. Bonus games provide extra awards to the player and enable the player to play a game that is different than the base game.
Bonus games are typically set up for the player to succeed. The player usually wins an award in a bonus game. In bonus game play, the goal is often to maximize the possible award. Winning, at least on some level, is therefore a standard component in gaming devices. Moreover, the payout percentage of any gaming device is ultimately set by the relevant gaming jurisdiction and gaming establishment, not the game designer.
A continuing need exists to provide gaming devices that issue awards in an exciting and enjoyable manner. In this respect, it is desirable to enable the player to have an impact on, or a hand in, determining their award. It is further desirable to increase the level of player interaction. Each of these features is desirable in a primary or secondary game.
The present invention relates to a gaming device which includes a game such as a bonus or secondary game having a plurality of symbol groups or categories of symbols and a plurality of player selectable selections. The gaming device indicates one of the symbol groups and enables a player to pick one of the selections to determine how many of the symbols to select or generate in the indicated symbol group. The game continues in this manner for a plurality or all of the displayed symbol groups or categories. The gaming device provides the player with an outcome based on the generated symbols in each category.
More specifically, in one embodiment, the gaming device includes a plurality of symbol groups which each include a plurality of symbols. The gaming device includes a plurality of player selectable selections and a plurality of outcome pools. Each pool includes a separate number of designated symbols which determines how many symbols are generated for each selection for the indicated symbol group. Each time a player picks one of the selections, the gaming device selects one of the pools. It should be appreciated that the gaming device may select the pool before or after the player selects a selection. The gaming device will generate the designated number of symbols associated with the picked selection which is determined by the selected pool. The gaming device provides the player an outcome or award, based at least in part, on the generated symbols.
In operation, the gaming device displays a plurality of symbol groups or categories which each include a plurality of symbols. In one embodiment, the symbols are values. The gaming device highlights, illuminates or indicates one of the displayed symbol groups or categories of values. The gaming device provides a plurality of selectable selections. The gaming device instructs and enables a player to pick one of the selections. The gaming device selects one of the pools to employ for the indicated column. After the player picks one of the selections, the gaming device determines how many values in the indicated symbol group to generate based on the selection picked by the player and the pool selected by the gaming device. The gaming device generates the designated number of values associated with the picked selection for the selected pool.
For example, the gaming device includes three selections, A, B, and C, and a plurality of symbol groups. In one embodiment, each of the symbol groups includes five values. The gaming device includes a plurality of pools. Each of the pools includes three designated numbers of values, and each designated number is associated with a selection. The selected pool determines how many symbols will be indicated in a designated column. In Pool 1, Selection A has a designated number of three values. That is, if Pool 1 is employed in the game for the indicated symbol group and the player picks Selection A, the gaming device generates three of the five values of the indicated symbol group. Selection B and Selection C each have a designated number of one. That is, when Pool 1 is employed in the game and the player picks Selection B or Selection C, the gaming device generates one of the values in the indicated symbol group. In this example, the player picks Selection A and the gaming device selects Pool 1. Therefore, the gaming device generates three of the five values in the indicated symbol group.
The gaming device generates the designated number of values in the indicated symbol group. In one embodiment, the gaming device randomly determines which values to generate. In one embodiment, the gaming device accumulates the generated values and displays the accumulated values to a player. The game continues and the gaming device highlights or indicates another symbol group. The gaming device instructs and enables the player to pick one of the selections. The selection may be the same selection previously picked or a different selection. The game continues in this manner until all or a certain number of the symbol groups have been indicated and played. In one embodiment, the gaming device provides the player with the accumulated amount or total of all the values indicated in the game.
In one embodiment, each of the symbols or values is associated with a probability of being generated. After the player picks one of the selections and the gaming device selects a pool, the gaming device uses the selected pool and the picked selection to determine how many values to generate in the indicated symbol group. The gaming device uses the probabilities to determine which of the values in the indicated symbol group to generate. In one embodiment, each time one of the values is indicated, the probabilities associated with each of the remaining values change because the gaming device must indicate a different value. In one embodiment, the probability of the generated value becomes zero.
For example, an indicated symbol group includes five symbols. A player picks a selection and the gaming device selects one of the pools to employ. Based on the picked selection and the selected pool, the gaming device determines to generate two of the symbols. Each of the five symbols is associated with or has a probability of being generated or indicated. The gaming device determines which symbol to generate based on the probabilities associated with each of the symbols. The gaming device generates one of the symbols based on the associated probabilities. The probabilities of each of the remaining selections change because the generated symbol may not be generated again. The gaming device generates the next symbol based on the probabilities. Each time the gaming device generates one of the symbols in the symbol group, the probabilities of the remaining, unselected symbols change. The gaming device generates the designated number of symbols determined by the pool and the player selection.
In another embodiment, the symbols in each group are each associated with a probability. In this embodiment, when one of the symbols in that group is indicated, the probabilities associated with the non-indicated symbols do not change. Rather the ratio of the probabilities changes. The probability associated with the indicated section is excluded from the ratio of the probabilities, thus changing the probability of each of the non-generated symbols. For example, a symbol group can include four symbols. Initially each of the sections has a 25/100 or 25% probability of being generated. When one of the symbols is generated, the probability associated with the generated is taken out of the denominator of the ratio. Thus, when one of the symbols is generated, each of the other symbols has a 25/75 probability of being indicated. Likewise, after two of the symbols have been generated each of the two remaining symbols has a 25/50 probability of being generated. It should be appreciated that any other suitable method of determining which symbols to generate may be employed in accordance with the present invention.
In one embodiment, the probabilities associated with each symbol are associated with the awards. In one embodiment, smaller values or smaller awards have a higher probability of being generated than larger awards. In one embodiment, the probabilities are randomly determined. In another embodiment, as the values increase the probability of being generated associated with each of the values decrease. In one embodiment, the probabilities of generating a higher award increase after more of the symbol groups are played are indicated.
In one embodiment, the gaming device indicates or illuminates a new symbol group when the designated number of symbols or values have been indicated or awarded for that symbol group. In one embodiment, after a selection is picked, all of the selections in the indicated symbol group the player will receive for that symbol group are indicated, thereby completing that group of symbols. In one embodiment, the symbol groups include a plurality of numerical values and other symbols. The other symbols are associated with functions of the game such as indicating a new symbol group, changing the values of the displayed symbols or changing the values of the accumulated award. It should be appreciated that the symbols can be displayed in any suitable format, arrangement or combination. It should be appreciated that the symbols may be any suitable type of symbol.
In another embodiment, the gaming device selects one of the pools and then randomly associates the values in the pool with each of the contestants. In one such embodiment, each value in the pool is individually associated with one of the contestants. The gaming device then generates the value randomly associated with the selection picked by the player.
In one embodiment, each of the symbol groups is associated with a plurality of pools. In one embodiment, the designated numbers of each of the pools is equal to the total number of symbols of the associated symbol group. That is, if the indicated symbol group has five symbols, the sum of all the numbers in each of the pools associated with that symbol group is five. The highest designated number associated with any of the selections is limited to the number of symbols in the indicated or displayed symbol group. In one embodiment, the symbol groups have the same number of symbols. In another embodiment, a plurality of the symbol groups have a different number of symbols.
In one embodiment, the gaming machine provides the player the same number of picks as there are symbol groups. In one embodiment, the gaming device provides the player with the accumulated amount or total of all the values indicated in the game. In another embodiment, each of the selections has a separate accumulated total. That is, each time one of the selections is selected, the symbols or values are indicated for that selection. In this embodiment, the gaming device awards the player one or more of the totals for the selections. In another embodiment, the gaming device provides the player with an award based, at least in part, on the accumulated value of all the indicated selections.
In one embodiment, each of the pools is associated with a probability of being chosen. These probabilities may remain constant for the game or may change each time a symbol group is indicated or played. In one embodiment, at least one of the probabilities changes each time the gaming device indicates or plays a new symbol group. In one embodiment, the pools change or the designated numbers of at least one of the pools change, each time a new symbol group is indicated or illuminated. In one embodiment, when the player advances to the next symbol group, the pools remain the same but the probability associated with each of the pools changes. In another embodiment, each time the gaming device indicates a new symbol group, the gaming device employs a new pool.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the game includes two segments. The first segment of the game results in an initial or first award amount. The second segment of the game enables the player to wager all, part or none of the first amount. The amount the player chooses to wager is the wager amount and the other part of the first award amount is the saved award amount. The game includes a plurality of masked player selectable selections which are associated with modifiers. After the player chooses the wager amount, the gaming device enables the player to select one of the selections to determine a modifier. After the player picks one of the selections, the gaming device modifies the wager amount by the award modifier associated with the picked selection. This amount is the second award amount.
In another embodiment, the game includes three segments. In one embodiment, the gaming device awards the player an outcome which includes the saved award amount and the second award amount. In another embodiment, the gaming device initiates a third game or another game segment after the modification of the wager amount. The results of this game determine if the player will win or lose the second wager amount. If the player wins the game, the gaming device provides the player an outcome which includes the saved award amount and the second award amount. In one embodiment, if the player loses the game, the gaming device provides the player with an outcome of the saved award amount.
It is an advantage for a gaming device to build a plurality of potential awards for the player and enables the player to wager some, all or none of an award offer.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a gaming device which enables a player to choose a selection which determines how many symbols in a symbol group will be awarded to player.
It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a gaming device which enables a player to play a multi-segment game to build an accumulated award.
It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a gaming device which includes symbols that enable a player to play one or more additional game segments.
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 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
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. The processor and memory device may be collectively referred to herein as a “computer” or “controller.”
In one embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, the gaming device 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 the gaming device generates the award or other game outcome to be provided to the player based on the associated probabilities. In this embodiment, since the gaming device generates outcomes randomly or based upon a probability calculation, there is no certainty that the gaming device will ever provide the player with any specific award or other game outcome.
In another embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, the gaming device employs a predetermined or finite set or pool of awards or other game outcomes. In this embodiment, as each award or other game outcome is provided to the player, the gaming device 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. This type of gaming device provides players with all of the available awards or other game outcomes over the course of the play cycle and guarantees the amount of actual wins and losses.
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 touch-screen with an associated touch-screen controller. The display devices may be of any suitable configuration, such as a square, rectangle, elongated rectangle.
The display devices of the gaming device are configured to display at least one and preferably a plurality of game or other suitable images, symbols and indicia such as any visual representation or exhibition of the movement of objects such as mechanical, virtual or video reels and wheels, dynamic lighting, video images, images of people, characters, places, things and faces of cards, tournament advertisements and the like.
In one alternative embodiment, the symbols, images and indicia displayed on or of the display device may be in mechanical form. That is, the display device may include any electromechanical device, such as one or more mechanical objects, such as one or more rotatable wheels, reels or dice, configured to display at least one and preferably a plurality of game or other suitable images, symbols or indicia.
As illustrated in
As seen in
In one embodiment, as shown in
In one embodiment, one input device is a cash out button 38. The player may push the cash out button and cash out to receive a cash payment or other suitable form of payment corresponding to the number of remaining credits. In one embodiment, when the player cashes out, the player receives the coins or tokens in a coin payout tray 40. In one embodiment, when the player cashes out, the player may receive other payout mechanisms such as tickets or credit slips redeemable by a cashier or funding to the player's electronically recordable identification card.
In one embodiment, as mentioned above and seen in
The gaming device may further include a plurality of communication ports for enabling communication of the processor with external peripherals, such as external video sources, expansion buses, game or other displays, 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 the gaming device and/or the surrounding area of the gaming device. In one embodiment, the camera may be configured to selectively acquire still or moving (e.g., video) images and may be configured to acquire the images in either an analog, digital or other suitable format. The display devices 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.
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, the game outcome provided to the player is determined by a central server or controller and provided to the player at the gaming device of the present invention. In this embodiment, each of a plurality of such gaming devices are in communication with the central server or controller. Upon a player initiating game play at one of the gaming devices, the initiated gaming device communicates a game outcome request to the central server or controller.
In one embodiment, the central server or controller receives the game outcome request and randomly generates a game outcome for the primary game based on probability data. In another embodiment, the central server or controller randomly generates a game outcome for the secondary game based on probability data. In another embodiment, the central server or controller randomly generates a game outcome for both the primary game and the secondary game based on probability data. In this embodiment, the central server or controller is capable of storing and utilizing program code or other data similar to the processor and memory device of the gaming device.
In an alternative embodiment, the central server or controller maintains one or more predetermined pools or sets of predetermined game outcomes. In this embodiment, the central server or controller receives the game outcome request and independently selects a predetermined game outcome from a set or pool of game outcomes. The central server or controller flags or marks the selected game outcome as used. Once a game outcome is flagged as used, it is prevented from further selection from the set or pool and cannot be selected by the central controller or server upon another wager. The provided game outcome can include a primary game outcome, a secondary game outcome, primary and secondary game outcomes, or a series of game outcomes such a free games.
The central server or controller communicates the generated or selected game outcome to the initiated gaming device. The gaming device receives the generated or selected game outcome and provides the game outcome to the player. In an alternative embodiment, how the generated or selected game outcome is to be presented or displayed to the player, such as a reel symbol combination of a slot machine or a hand of cards dealt in a card game, is also determined by the central server or controller and communicated to the initiated gaming device to be presented or displayed to the player. Central production or control can assist a gaming establishment or other entity in maintaining appropriate records, controlling gaming, reducing and preventing cheating or electronic or other errors, reducing or eliminating win-loss volatility and the like.
In another embodiment, one or more of the gaming devices of the present invention are in communication with a central server or controller for monitoring purposes only. That is, each individual gaming device randomly generates the game outcomes to be provided to the player and the central server or controller monitors the activities and events occurring on the plurality of gaming devices. In one embodiment, the gaming network includes a real-time or on-line accounting and gaming information system operably coupled to the central server or controller. The accounting and gaming information system of this embodiment includes a player database for storing player profiles, a player tracking module for tracking players and a credit system for providing automated casino transactions.
A plurality of the gaming devices of the present invention are capable of being connected together through a data network. In one embodiment, the data network is a local area network (LAN), in which one or more of the gaming devices are substantially proximate to each other and an on-site central server or controller as in, for example, a gaming establishment or a portion of a gaming establishment. In another embodiment, the data network is a wide area network (WAN) in which one or more of the gaming devices are in communication with at least one off-site central server or controller. In this embodiment, the plurality of gaming devices may be located in a different part of the gaming establishment or within a different gaming establishment than the off-site central server or controller. Thus, the WAN may include an off-site central server or controller and an off-site gaming device located within gaming establishments in the same geographic area, such as a city or state. The WAN gaming system 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 the gaming device can be viewed at the gaming device with at least one internet browser. In this embodiment, operation of the gaming device and accumulation of credits may be accomplished with only a connection to the central server or controller (the internet/intranet server) through a conventional phone or other data transmission line, digital signal line (DSL), T-1 line, coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, or other suitable connection. In this embodiment, players may access an Internet game page from any location where an internet connection and computer, or other internet facilitator 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 at one or more gaming sites may be networked to a central server in a progressive configuration, as known in the art, wherein a portion of each wager to initiate a base or primary game may be allocated to bonus or secondary event awards. In one embodiment, a host site computer is coupled to a plurality of the central servers at a variety of mutually remote gaming sites for providing a multi-site linked progressive automated gaming system. In one embodiment, a 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 is responsible for all data communication between the gaming device hardware and software and the host site computer.
The accumulation game of the present invention can be provided to the player as a primary or base game or as a secondary or bonus game. If the accumulation game is provided as a secondary game, then the gaming device 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 from a wager. That is, different primary wagering games, such as video poker games, video blackjack games, video Keno, video bingo or any other suitable primary or base game may be implemented into the present invention.
In one embodiment, a base or primary game may be a poker game wherein the gaming device 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 card deck. Cards may be dealt as in a traditional game of cards or in the case of the gaming device, may also include that the cards are randomly selected from a predetermined number of cards. If the player wishes to draw, the player selects the cards to hold via one or more input device, such as pressing related hold buttons or via the touch screen. The player then presses the deal button and the unwanted or discarded cards are removed from the display and replacement cards are dealt from the remaining cards in the deck. This results in a final five-card hand. The final five-card hand is compared to a payout table which utilizes conventional poker hand rankings to determine the winning hands. The player is provided with an award based on a winning hand and the credits the player wagered.
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 are the same cards. In one embodiment each hand of cards is associated with its own deck of cards. The player chooses the cards to hold in a primary hand. The held cards in the primary hand are also held in the other hands of cards. The remaining non-held cards are removed from each hand displayed and for each hand replacement cards are randomly dealt into that hand. Since the replacement cards are randomly dealt independently for each hand, the replacement cards for each hand will usually be different. The poker hand rankings are then determined hand by hand and awards are provided to the player.
If the game of the present invention is incorporated as a primary or base game, then 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 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, the bonus or secondary game may be any type of suitable game, either similar to or completely different from the base or primary game. In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a program which will automatically begin a bonus round when the player has achieved a triggering event or qualifying condition in the base or primary game. In one embodiment, the triggering event or qualifying condition may be a selected outcome in the primary game or a particular arrangement of one or more indicia on a display device in the primary game, such as the number seven appearing on three adjacent reels along a payline in the primary slot game embodiment seen in
In one embodiment, once a player has qualified for a bonus game, the player may subsequently enhance his/her bonus game participation through continued play on the base or primary game. Thus, for each bonus qualifying event, such as a bonus symbol, that the player obtains, a given number of bonus game wagering points or credits may be accumulated in a “bonus meter” programmed to accrue the bonus wagering credits or entries toward eventual participation in a bonus game. The occurrence of multiple such bonus qualifying events in the primary game may result in an arithmetic or 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; he must win or earn entry through play of the primary game and, thus, play of the primary game is encouraged. 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 through other specified activities.
If the game of the present invention is incorporated as a primary or base game or as a secondary or bonus game, the accumulation game includes one or more paylines 52 as illustrated in
Referring now to
In one embodiment, the symbols are numerical values which are displayed on a grid or board from lowest to highest starting from the top. In one embodiment, the first value of a column that is generated does not have to be the lowest value in the column. In one embodiment, every subsequent value generated from that column is greater than the first value generated. In one embodiment, a value from a first row must be selected before a value in the second row of the same column is selected, and so on. Here, the selections are associated or represent contestants on a game show accumulated awards for the contestants build incrementally. If a row of values is filled, the values of that row can no longer be generated.
In the illustrated embodiment, value levels 72a to 72e each include the same value in each column 74a to 74f. For example, each of the values of the different columns associated with the value level 72a is the value five, each of the values of the columns 74a to 74f associated with the value level 72d includes the value fifty, and each of the values of the columns 74a to 74f associated with the value level 72e includes the value one hundred. It should be appreciated that each of the value levels could have different values for each of the columns. Additionally, the symbols could be modifiers, terminators, free spins or any other suitable functional game symbol. Alternatively, one or more or all of the value levels could include different values for the different columns 74a to 74f. In that latter case, the range of values on the average value increases sequentially from level 72a to 72e.
In this embodiment, the player selectable selections represent contestants.
As illustrated in
The gaming device includes a plurality of outcome pools. As illustrated in the table of
For example, the table 150 of
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The game continues in this manner until all or a certain number of the displayed symbol groups have been indicated and played. The gaming device indicates the second column 74b, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
For example, the table 160 of
In this example, the gaming device employed Pool 2 for the second column.
In one embodiment, this game continues in this manner until all or a certain number of the displayed columns have been selected and played. In one embodiment, the player is provided the same number of picks as there are columns. Although in one embodiment, the selection analysis proceeds in an orderly manner, e.g., from left to right, the display of the picks for any contestant can be done randomly in different columns, making the game appear virtually exactly the same as the true Jeopardy™ game. It should also be appreciated that the values or symbols may be negative amounts. Such as when a contestant does not get one of the questions correct on the true Jeopardy™ game. The player may be awarded these negative values as well.
The game may terminate in any suitable manner. In one embodiment, the gaming device provides the player with a certain number of picks of the selections. The game terminates when the player runs out of the provided number of picks. In one embodiment, the number of picks of the selections is based on an event or outcome in a primary or base game. In another embodiment, the gaming device randomly provides the player with a number of picks of the selections. In another embodiment, the gaming device includes a terminating event that is associated with one of the symbols. When the symbol associated with the terminating event is generated, the gaming device ends the game. In one embodiment, the game ends when each of the displayed columns or displayed symbol groups have been indicated or played. In another embodiment, the game ends when the game does not generate any of the symbols for one of the columns. In another embodiment, the game terminates after a predetermined number of symbol groups or columns are indicated and played. In another embodiment, the game ends when the gaming device generates all of the values or symbols for one of the symbol groups or columns. In another embodiment, the game begins a terminating sequence upon a game event such as the accumulated values reaching a certain amount, a certain number of symbol groups being played, a certain number of selections being picked or any other suitable game event. The terminating sequence may include playing a predetermined number of symbols groups or generating a specific number of values or symbols. It should be appreciated that the terminating sequence may be any suitable terminating sequence or event. In another embodiment, the game ends or begins a terminating sequence when a certain symbol is indicated, such as a symbol representing a Daily Double, a Double Jeopardy round or a Final Jeopardy round as in true Jeopardy™ game. It should be appreciated that the game may terminate the game in any suitable manner.
In one embodiment, the game includes a first round and a second round. In this embodiment, the player plays the first round as described above until a second round initiating event occurs. In one embodiment, the second round initiating event is a second round symbol. When the second round symbol is generated, the gaming device displays a second set of symbol groups and begins a new round of play. In another embodiment, the game produces a second set of symbol groups when all of the displayed symbol groups have been indicated and played. In one embodiment, the game terminates when a certain number of symbol groups have been indicated, a certain number of symbols have been generated or and played or when the player achieves a designated award amount. This can be repeated for additional rounds in accordance with the present invention.
In one embodiment, the gaming device accumulates values for each selection. In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a plurality of selections. Each time the player chooses a selection, the gaming device generates one or more values. The gaming device separately accumulates the values generated associated with each selection.
The gaming device can use any suitable way to highlight the values associated with a player's pick of one of the contestants 82 to 86. In the illustrated embodiment, the values are circled. Alternatively, the values are illuminated, morphed, provided with a color change, any combination of those methods or via any other suitable method for highlighting certain values with respect to other values.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the chances of each of the pools being employed for a particular column of the grid change each time the gaming device indicates a new column. In one embodiment, the pools and the chances or probabilities of being employed, illustrated in
In one embodiment, the chance of each outcome pool being employed remains constant for the entire game. In one embodiment, the pools change for each column. In another embodiment, the chance of each outcome pool being employed changes for each column. In one embodiment, the chance of each pool being employed changes for each of the grids. For example, the chance of each of the pools being employed remains constant for the first round of the game and then changes for the second round of the game. It should be appreciated that the pools may be randomly selected. It should also be appreciated that the pools may be chosen before the game begins or after the player picks one of the contestants.
In one embodiment, each of the values is associated with a probability of being generated. As illustrated in
In another embodiment, the symbols in each group are each associated with a probability. In this embodiment, when one of the symbols in that group is indicated, the probabilities associated with the non-indicated symbols do not change. Rather the ratio of the probabilities changes. The probability associated with the indicated section is excluded from the ratio of the probabilities, thus changing the probability of each of the non-generated symbols. For example, a symbol group includes four symbols. Initially each of the sections has a 25/100 or 25% probability of being generated. When one of the symbols is generated, the probability associated with the generated is taken out of the denominator of the ratio. Thus, when one of the symbols is generated, each of the other symbols has a 25/75 probability of being indicated. Likewise, after two of the symbols have been generated each of the two remaining symbols has a 25/50 probability of being generated. It should be appreciated that any other suitable method of determining which symbols to generate may be employed in the present invention.
In one embodiment, the probabilities associated with each symbol are associated with the awards. In one embodiment, smaller values or smaller awards have a higher probability of being generated than larger awards. In one embodiment, the probabilities are randomly determined. In another embodiment, as the values increase the probability of being generated associated with each of the values decrease. In one embodiment, the probabilities of generating a higher award increase after more of the symbol groups or played are indicated.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the game includes two segments. The first segment of the game includes an initial or first award amount. The second segment of the game enables the player to wager all, part or none of the first amount. In one embodiment, the player play a third segment of the game or a different second game with the values received from the second segment of the game. The player receives a first award amount in a first game or the first segment of the game. The player has the opportunity to wager none, all or a certain amount of the first award amount in the second segment of the game. The amount the player chooses to wager in the second segment of the game is the wager amount and the other part of the first award amount is the saved award amount. After the player chooses the wager amount, the gaming device enables the player to select a modifier. In one embodiment, the display device displays a plurality of player selectable selections and each of the selections are associated with award modifiers. After the player picks one of the selections, the gaming device modifies the wager amount by the award modifier associated with the picked selection. This amount is the second award amount.
In one embodiment, the gaming device awards the player an outcome which includes the saved award amount and the second award amount. In another embodiment, the gaming device initiates a game after the modification of the wager amount. The results of this game determine if the player will win or lose the second wager amount. If the player wins the game, the gaming device provides the player an outcome which includes the saved award amount and the second award amount. In one embodiment, if the player loses the game, the gaming device provides the player with an outcome of the saved award amount.
As illustrated in
The display device then displays the second segment of the game to the player, as illustrated in
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In one embodiment, the game ends and the gaming device awards the player the saved first award amount of 110 and the second award amount of 660, or 770.
In alternative embodiments, 660 represents another type of value, such as a multiplier of gaming device credits, a number of picks from a prize pool, a number of free games, a number of free spins, a non-monetary award or other suitable award.
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
The gaming device randomly determines if the player will win or lose the second award amount. As illustrated in
It should be appreciated 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.
