1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electronic gaming apparatus and methods and, more particularly, to such apparatus and methods for playing games such as poker, slot machines, keno, and secondary feature games. More specifically, the present invention relates to electronic gaming machines and methods that provide one or more players with the option to play individual games independently or simultaneously or, where there are multiple machines, to play such games independently or simultaneously and jointly with one or more players seated at separate machines.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Electronic video gaming machines, for example, the GAME KING® by IGT® and the GAME MAKER® of Bally Gaming Systems®, have become a significant part of the gaming industry. With the help of advancements in microcomputer technology manufactures have expanded game features to allow players the ability to play a variety of games e.g., Slot, Poker, Keno, etc., to be displayed in a single game format (one game per machine) or a multi-game format (a variety of games per machine). Depending upon the machine, a player has the option of playing an independent game from a single game format or the ability to play an independent game from a multi game format. These advanced features are used to increase player appeal and to increase the volume of play (“coin-in”). The proliferation of legalized gaming has saturated the desirable locations for gaming establishments. Manufacturers of electronic video machines have been creating new games, bonuses, and a variety of progressive systems having giant jackpots—all to attract players and raise the volume of “coin in” in efforts, which helps casinos maximize profits over their limited gaming floor space. Casinos also compete for “player time” with other casinos because of the normal close proximity of the establishments.
Today game manufacturers are using a number of strategies to sell new machines, create player appeal, promote play and most importantly, increase the volume of coin in. A few of these strategies are listed below:
All of the strategies listed above have proven successful in the gaming market. However, even with the use of current technology and ingenious gaming concepts, up until the present day the player has only been able to play one independent game at a time. By using the proper programming, the method of the present invention can be used with all the strategies listed above.
Presently, the only way for a player to play multiple games is to concurrently play on adjoining machines. There has also been a limit to the justified odds and pay tables constructed from the existing games.
There is a demand in the gaming market for a new method of game play on electronic video machines. A method of game play that would provide the player with: new games and/or bonuses with lower odds and larger jackpots, that would not change the percentage of payback on existing games; a method of game play that would allow for a higher volume of “coin-in” per machine; and a method of game play that would promote groups of game players to participate in the same establishment.
By programming electronic video machines to permit players to play independent games or to play such independent games simultaneously and/or in conjunction with other independent games. Pay tables with lower odds and larger jackpots could be created for such new games and/or bonuses. This strategy would also allow for a higher volume of “coin in” by allowing the player(s) to place multiple wagers on multiple games using a independent electronic video machine or networked independent electronic video machine. This method would create a new dimension of game play for players and the gaming industry.
The method of the present invention can be used on any electronic gaming apparatus and more particularly to that class of gaming machines known as “electronic video machines” that are suitably programmed. Furthermore, where such a machine is so programmed, the method of the present invention can be used with virtually all of the existing games and game styles (Slot, Poker, Keno, etc.), as are available in the gaming market today.
The growth in new casinos is slowing, and new machine replacement is expected to drive the bulk of future business in the gaming market. This in turn provides a great opportunity to upgrade older machines and create a new generation of gaming machines with a method of game play that will enable casinos to have a higher volume of “coin in”.
It is an object of the present invention to be used in any old or new gaming apparatus that is suitably programmed in the gaming market.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a method of game play on a gaming machine that gives the player a more entertaining gaming experience, and one that is easy to understand.
The method of the present invention is also beneficial to the casinos and the customers. By enabling the player to play independent games simultaneously and/or in conjunction with other games, the player can play more than one of his or her favorite games at the same time without having to move from one machine to the next. This can be accomplished in an auto-play style and/or the player can play all the independent games on the screen at the same time.
With casinos and other gaming establishments having limited floor space, even when all of the gaming machines are being played, there remains a limit to the amount of “coin in” possible using those machines and their present manner of play. In contrast, utilization of the present inventive method enables an increase in the “coin in”, generating more revenue for the casino and giving the player a new entertaining gaming experience.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of game play on an electronic gaming machine that allows for a higher volume of “coin in”, while also permitting the player to play the same games to which they have become accustomed.
The method of the present invention permits a player to wager on and play independent games (for example, those having different odds and pay tables) independently, simultaneously, and/or in conjunction with the same machine game from another electronic gaming machine over a game machine network.
Accordingly, the method of the present invention permits a player to choose the combination of independent games, i.e., those having different odds and pay tables, game styles, denominations, and wagers, yet play such games independently, simultaneously, and/or in conjunction with the other same machine games from an electronic gaming machine.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide the player(s) with new games and additional opportunities to receive winning payouts.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a method of game play on an electronic gaming machine that allows for lower odds by creating, based upon a player's selection of games, pay tables for new games and/or bonuses. These newly created or create-able pay tables will in turn provide players the opportunity to play for higher jackpots and bonuses.
The method of the present invention is to permit the player(s) to wager on and play independent games independently, simultaneously, and/or in conjunction with other games from one or more electronic gaming machines. In addition, if the player(s) chooses to play more than one independent game at a time, the present invention allows the player(s) to become eligible for new games and/or bonuses. The independent games e.g. odds and pay tables, and wagers selected by the player then become parameters in pay tables created from the predetermined indicia of the independent games to create new games and/or bonuses.
A method of the present invention permits the player(s) to choose the combination of independent games, for example, the same or different odds and pay tables, game styles, denominations, and wagers, to be played simultaneously and/or in conjunction with other independent games—those of different odds and pay tables, game styles, denominations, and wagers on more than one electronic gaming machine. The independent games and wagers selected by the player(s) then become parameters in pay tables created from the predetermined indicia of the independent games to create new games and/or bonuses. Utilizing this method of game play, the player is allowed to play his or her favorite independent games while playing a new game and/or bonus.
In a still further object of the present invention, through utilization of a networked gaming system, and by identifying groups of gaming machines with numbers, letters, etc. (for example, machine 1,2,3; machine A,B,C; and so forth), on the video screen of the gaming machines, groups of electronic gaming machines can be linked together, permitting player(s) from the selected groups of gaming machines to play with other player(s) on the same group of gaming machines, using the same method of game play as is described above.
By adding a feature on the video screen that identifies the machines in the group, a player on machine one could select to play with a player on machine two, or with any other player(s) that want to participate in a new game and/or bonus that are playing at the time on the identified group of machines. Likewise, a player on machine two could select to play with a player on gaming machine one, or any other players that want to participate in the new game and/or bonus that are playing at the time on the identified group of machines.
In this manner players would be able to play as groups or teams for the same new games and/or bonuses that are described above. The independent games and wagers selected by the player(s) then become parameters in pay tables created from the predetermined indicia of the independent games to create new games and/or bonuses.
The method of game play under the present invention permits new games and/or bonuses to be created with lower odds and higher paybacks for the player(s) that can be used for large jackpots and/or in conjunction with networked gaming systems, progressive and wide-area progressive, and internet gaming systems. The variety of game pay tables that can be used to create new game and/or bonuses for the player is limited only to the programmer and the options programmed into the chosen gaming apparatus.
It is still another important object of the method of the present invention to permit a player(s) to choose the combination of independent progressive and non-progressive games, game styles, denominations, and wagers to be played independently, simultaneously, and/or in conjunction with other independent progressive and non-progressive games, game styles, denominations, wagers on one or more electronic gaming machine at any remote or multiple-remote gaming and non-gaming sites, using any remote or compatible wide-area progressive systems.
The games, and wagers selected by the player then become parameters in pay tables created from the predetermined indicia of the independent progressive and non-progressive games to create new games and bonuses. In this manner, the player is allowed to play his or her favorite independent games while playing for a progressive or wide-area progressive jackpots.
It is still another important object of the method of the present invention to permit the player(s) to choose the combination of independent progressive and non-progressive games, for example, different odds and pay tables, game styles, denominations, and wagers, to be played simultaneously and/or in conjunction with other independent progressive and non-progressive games, i.e., different odds and pay tables, game styles, denominations, and wagers on more that one electronic gaming apparatus. The games and wagers selected by the player then become parameters in pay tables created from the predetermined indicia of the independent progressive and non-progressive games to create new progressive and wide-area progressive games. This is made possible under the present invention by permitting play on one or more independent gaming machine that is simultaneous and/or in conjunction with machine games. It is thus possible to combine the odds of the independent games to create “combination” games having lower odds.
The method of the present invention is made possible by using a multi-tasking platform in an electronic gaming machine that is properly programmed. In order for players from different electronic gaming apparatuses to play together for the same new games and/or bonuses, the electronic gaming machine must be networked on any suitable gaming system that is being used in the market today.
In one embodiment, an electronic gaming apparatus is provided. The electronic gaming device comprises: a plurality of games accessible to a user; a user-actuatable input means in communication with said electronic gaming device to communicate an input signal from said user; and a game controller in communication with said user-actuatable input means, said game controller initiating and simultaneously continuing play of multiple ones of said plurality of games in response to user activation thereof.
In another embodiment, a method of playing an electronic game is provided. The method comprises: selecting a first game from a menu consisting of a plurality of games presented by an electronic gambling device; supplementing said selection of said first game by a further selection of an additional game from said menu of said plurality of games; and concurrently playing said first and said additional game.
While the method of the present invention has been described by way of examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that it is not intended to limit the invention to these examples. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention. It is expected that some further objects, advantages, and features of the present invention shall become apparent from the ensuing description and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
The method of the present invention is to permit the player the option to play an independent game in a single game format independently, simultaneously, and/or in conjunction with other independent games.
The method of the present invention is also intended to permit the player to choose the combination of independent games e.g. different odds and pay tables, game styles, e.g., poker, keno, slot, bingo, blackjack, and the like, for a variety of monetary denominations, (5 cents, 25 cents, one dollar, etc.) and a variety monetary wagers, (1 coin, 2 coins, max bet, etc.). Permitting, in a multi game, denomination, and wager format, play of the games independently, simultaneously and/or in conjunction with other independent games.
Using this method of game play, there is an unlimited number of independent game e.g. odds and pay tables, denomination, and wager combinations that can be played simultaneously and/or in conjunction with other independent games e.g. odds and pay tables, denominations, and wagers. This inventive technology thus creates new entertaining game play for the player while also allowing a higher volume of coin in for the casinos, with the player now allowed to wager on more than one game.
The method of the present invention is also intended to permit the player(s) to play an independent game in a single game format independently, simultaneously, and/or in conjunction with independent games from one or more electronic gaming machines. Should the player(s) choose to play more than one independent game at a time, the independent games (i.e. odds and pay tables), and wagers selected by the player(s) then become parameters in pay tables created from the predetermined indicia of the independent games to create New Games and/or New Bonuses.
The method of the present invention is also intended to permit a player(s) to choose a combination of independent games game styles from one or more gaming apparatuses, as well as denominations and wagers in a multi-game format to be played simultaneously and/or in conjunction with other independent games e.g. different odds and pay tables, game styles, denominations, and wagers. The games e.g. different odds and pay tables and wagers selected by the player(s) then become parameters in pay tables created from the predetermined indicia of the independent games to thereby create New Games and/or New Bonuses.
A multi-game offers a player a set of games, {G1, G2, . . . , Gn} that may be played simultaneously. Each game, Gi, has an associated set of outcomes, {O1, O2, . . . , Om} that occur with probabilities {p1, p2, . . . , pm}. This preferred embodiment describes a bonus method based on combinations of outcomes of simultaneous games. Each game is played with independent wagers that may or may not be identical.
Total bonuses equal the sum of amounts bonused for each possible combination of outcomes times the probability of occurrence of the combination of outcomes. Let pi,j equal the probability of occurrence of outcome Oj of game Gi. The subscript j may have a different range for each game as each game may have a different set of outcomes. The total expectation of bonuses, B, for n simultaneous games is therefore:
B(1,1)(2,1)(3,1) p1,1p2,1p3,1=(0.01*0.01)/60 and the bonus amount to be paid on bonus combination of G1O1, G2O1, G3O1 is:
B(1,1)(2,1)(3,1)=(0.01*0.01)/60/(p1,1 p2,1 p3,1) From this point on, a simplified notation can be used to replace game numbers by position in a statement, i.e. B(1,1)(2,1)(3,1) and p1,1p2,1p3,1 become B111 and p1p2p3.
Continuing the example above let us arbitrarily assign values to outcome probabilities for each of the three games.
Then bonus values in dollars (per penny wagered per percent of payback) equal:
B111=(0.01*0.01)/60/(0.9*0.8*0.7)=$0.000003306
B211=(0.01*0.01)/60/(0.09*0.8*0.7)=$0.00003306
B311=(0.01*0.01)/60/(0.01*0.8*0.7)=$0.0002976
B121=(0.01*0.01)/60/(0.9*0.1*0.7)=$0.000026455
B221=(0.01*0.01)/60/(0.09*0.1*0.7)=$0.00026455
B321=(0.01*0.01)/60/(0.01*0.1*0.7)=$0.002380952
B131 (0.01*0.01)/60/(0.9*0.07*0.7)=$0.000037792
•
•
•
B335=(0.01*0.01)/60/(0.01*0.07*0.008)=$0.297619047
B145 (0.01*0.01)/60/(0.9*0.03*0.008)=$0.007716049
B245=(0.01*0.01)/60/(0.09*0.03*0.008)=$0.077160493
B345=(0.01*0.01)/60/(0.01*0.03*0.008)=$0.694444444
The maximum bonus in this example is B345 and is equal to 69.444 times wager.
As a specific example let us consider three games of stud poker played simultaneously. For each game there are ten possible outcomes with probabilities:
There are 1000 possible bonus combinations which gives bonus values equal to:
[Bxyz=(0.01*0.01)/1000/(px*py*pz)]
B111=0.0000001/(0.501177394*0.501177394*0.501177394)=$0.000000794
B211=0.0000001/(0.422569027*0.501177394*0.501177394)=$0.000000942
B311=0.0000001/(0.047539015*0.501177394*0.501177394)=$0.000008374
B411=0.0000001/(0.021128451*0.501177394*0.501177394)=$0.000018842
•
B157=0.0000001/(0.501177394*0.003924646*0.001440576)=$0.035291641
B257=0.0000001/(0.422569027*0.003924646*0.001440576)=$0.041856766
B357=0.0000001/(0.047539015*0.003924646*0.001440576)=$0.372060149
B457=0.0000001/(0.021128451*0.003924646*0.001440576)=$0.837135340
•
B899=0.0000001/(0.000240096*0.000013851*0.000013851)=$2,170,964.97
B999=0.0000001/(0.000013851*0.000013851*0.000013851)=$37,631,940.40
•
B101010=0.0000001/(0.000001539*0.000001539*0.000001539)=$27,433,684,550.00
This chart shows the awards to be paid a player who hits a given number of numbers on an 8-spot Keno ticket while simultaneously winning a given stud poker hand. Awards are for a 1% return for $1.00 bet.
The format in which a game can be programmed to permit a player to be able to play independent games simultaneously and/or in conjunction with other independent games is unlimited. The format that is described below is very basic in order not to stray from the spirit and scope of the invention.
In a flowing format, the manner of play of game machines utilizing the present invention is set forth as follows:
Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like features throughout.
In conventional video poker, an electronic gaming machine is programmed to display a five-card hand dealt from a standard deck of fifty-two playing cards. The player bets one to five coins and activates the “Deal” button (or receives the initial deal automatically if the maximum number of coins are bet) to receive the initial deal of five cards. After the initial deal of the cards, the player may hold any of the initially dealt cards and then the player may select the “Draw” button to receive replacement cards. The player receives a payout on the resulting hand if the player achieves one of the pre-designated poker hand combinations shown on the payout schedule. The player bases the amount of the payout on the number of coins bet.
To describe the method of the present invention, the same conventional video poker game play as is describe above will be used. As will be understood by people skilled in the art, in order for the method of the present invention to work, the electronic gaming machine must be suitably programmed to add these additional features.
In
In
In order to activate the gaming machine the player inserts money into the coin entry or bill validator (not shown). In this example, Player inserts a $10.00 into bill validator (not shown)—credit $10.00 200. Player selects Three games.
In
In
In
In order to activate the gaming machine the player inserts money into the coin entry or bill validator (not shown). In this example, Player inserts a $10.00 into bill validator (not shown)—credit $10.00 200. This is the same video poker game illustrated in
If the Player chooses to play more than one independent game at a time, the independent games selected by the player then become parameters in pay tables created from the predetermined indicia, for example, Royal Flush, Four of a kind, etc., of the independent games to create bonus pays.
In
In
In
If the Player chooses to play more than one independent game at a time, the independent games selected by the player then become parameters in pay tables created from the predetermined indicia, for example, Royal Flush, Four of a kind, etc., of the independent games to create Big Money.
Player selects two games 220 and BIG MONEY 260. In
In
In
In
In
My invention has been disclosed in terms of a preferred embodiment thereof, which provides an improved single and multi format gaming machine and method for combination and/or simultaneous play that is of great novelty and utility. Various changes, modifications, and alterations in the teachings of the present invention may be contemplated by those skilled in the art without departing from the intended spirit and scope thereof. It is intended that the present invention encompass such changes and modifications.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application, Ser. No. 60/178,348, filed Jan. 25, 2000.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4856787 | Itkis | Aug 1989 | A |
5242163 | Fulton | Sep 1993 | A |
5377973 | Jones et al. | Jan 1995 | A |
5377993 | Josephs | Jan 1995 | A |
5393057 | Marnell, II | Feb 1995 | A |
5411257 | Fulton | May 1995 | A |
5531440 | Dabrowski et al. | Jul 1996 | A |
5531441 | Dabrowski et al. | Jul 1996 | A |
5564700 | Celona | Oct 1996 | A |
5636843 | Roberts | Jun 1997 | A |
5762552 | Vuong et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
5770533 | Franchi | Jun 1998 | A |
5791989 | Slinkman | Aug 1998 | A |
5851147 | Stupak et al. | Dec 1998 | A |
5868618 | Netley et al. | Feb 1999 | A |
5879233 | Stupero | Mar 1999 | A |
5976016 | Moody et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
6068552 | Walker et al. | May 2000 | A |
6077162 | Weiss | Jun 2000 | A |
6098985 | Moody | Aug 2000 | A |
6135883 | Hachquet | Oct 2000 | A |
6206782 | Walker et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6312332 | Walker et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
20020077167 | Merari | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20020132657 | Matthiesen et al. | Sep 2002 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20020002073 A1 | Jan 2002 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60178348 | Jan 2000 | US |