Claims
- 1. In a gaming network having a gaming device and a progressive prize pool containing a portion of wager amounts received at the gaming device, a method of awarding payouts from the progressive prize pool, the method comprising:receiving, by the gaming device, a wager amount; receiving an input to initiate game play; allocating a portion of the wager amount to the progressive prize pool; and qualifying the wager amount to win a random amount from the progressive prize pool, wherein the random amount selected is based on at least an average award.
- 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the random amount of the progressive prize pool is a function of a random number; andif the selected amount from the progressive pool is won, reducing the progressive prize pool by the amount won.
- 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the random amount is randomly selected by at least one of the gaming device and a controller coupled to the gaming device.
- 4. A method of random payout from a prize pool using a gaming device, the method employing a network having one or more gaming devices communicably coupled to a controller, the method comprising:receiving a wager amount; receiving an input to initiate game play; and qualifying the wager amount to win a random amount of the prize pool, the random amount of the prize pool being a function of a random number and at least average award and being selected by the controller; and the win being capable of occurring at the following periods: (a) during game play; or (b) after game play.
- 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the random amount is randomly selected by at least one of the gaming device and a controller coupled to the gaming device.
- 6. The method of claim 4 further comprisingselecting the amount of the prize pool without regard to game play outcome.
- 7. The method of claim 5 further comprisingdisplaying a first payout amount corresponding to a selected winning indicia for the gaming device only after a winning game outcome is established.
- 8. The method of claim 4 further comprisingincrementing a portion of the wager amount contributed to the progressive prize pool.
- 9. The method of claim 4 further comprisingdisplaying a first payout amount corresponding to a selected winning indicia for the gaming device; and after receiving a wager amount, providing an opportunity to win a second payout amount corresponding to the selected winning indicia.
- 10. The method of claim 4 further comprisingif an amount less than 100% is won, reducing the progressive prize pool by the amount won to determine an unwon amount; carrying over the unwon amount for a next opportunity to win an amount of the progressive prize pool.
- 11. The method of claim 4 further comprisingat the time of receiving the wager amount, calculating a monetary amount of the amount of the prize pool; and displaying the monetary amount for the game play only.
- 12. The method of claim 11 further comprisingselecting a predetermined winning indicia; awarding a predetermined payout amount corresponding to the winning indicia; and awarding the monetary amount for the game play only.
- 13. The method of claim 4 wherein the prize pool is fixed.
- 14. The method of claim 13 further comprisingstoring a top award for the fixed prize pool; storing an average award for the fixed prize pool; and determining the percentage of the fixed prize pool in the range of 0-100% based on the top award and the average award.
- 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:storing a minimum award for the fixed prize pool; and wherein determining the percentage comprises determining the percentage of the fixed prize pool in the range of 0-100% based on the top award, the average award, and the minimum award.
- 16. The method of claim 4 wherein the prize pool is progressive.
- 17. The method of claim 16 further comprisingallocating portions of the wager amounts to the progressive prize pool; and when the portions of wager amounts reach a predetermined amount, triggering a bonus cycle.
- 18. The method of claim 16 further comprisingallocating a portion of the wager amount to the progressive prize pool.
- 19. The method of claim 16 comprisingallocating a portion of non-gaming revenues to the progressive prize pool.
- 20. The method of claim 16 further comprisingdisplaying a bonus indicia for the amount of the progressive prize pool, the amount being displayed only after a winning bonus indicia is selected.
- 21. The method of claim 16 further comprisingdisplaying a first payout amount corresponding to a selected winning indicia for the gaming device; and after receiving a wager amount, providing an opportunity to win a second payout amount corresponding to the selected winning indicia.
- 22. The method of claim 16 further comprisingstoring a top award probability for the progressive prize pool; storing an average award for the progressive prize pool; and determining the amount of the progressive prize pool in the range of 0-100% based on the top award probability and the average award, such that the amount selected is less than average contributions to the progressive prize pool in order to increase the progressive prize pool before the entire progressive prize pool is won.
- 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:storing a minimum award for the fixed prize pool; and wherein determining the amount comprises determining the amount of the progressive prize pool in the range of 0-100% based on the top award probability, the average award, and the minimum award.
- 24. A method of random payout from a progressive prize pool, the method employing one or more gaming devices with at least one display screen, the gaming devices being communicably coupled to a controller, the method comprising:receiving, by the gaming device, a wager amount; receiving an input to initiate game play; contributing a portion of the wager amount to the progressive prize pool; qualifying the wager amount to win all or part of a random amount selected from the progressive prize pool for a game play; determining one or more bonus awards for the random amount selected; and separating the random amount selected from the progressive prize pool into the one or more bonus awards determined.
- 25. The method of claim 24 further comprisingproviding a bonus award cycle for displaying the one or more bonus awards.
- 26. The method of claim 25 wherein the one or more bonus awards are static or dynamic.
- 27. The method of claim 25 further comprisingwhen one or more bonus awards are won, deducting a total amount corresponding to the one or more bonus awards from a total amount of the progressive prize pool.
- 28. The method of claim 25 wherein providing a bonus award cycle further comprisesstoring a predetermined amount contributed to the progressive prize pool from the gaming device; and triggering a bonus cycle when the predetermined amount is reached.
- 29. The method of claim 25 wherein the one or more bonus awards are selected from at least one of a bonus award, a non-bonus award and a bonus award cycle terminator.
- 30. The method of claim 29 further comprisingdisplaying the bonus award, the non-bonus award and the bonus award cycle terminator as indicia.
- 31. The method of claim 30 further comprisingreceiving one or more inputs for selecting as many of the indicia prior to expiration of the bonus award cycle.
- 32. The method of claim 31 wherein receiving one or more inputs further comprisesreceiving an input that selects the bonus award cycle termination award, the input terminating the bonus award cycle.
- 33. A method of payout from a progressive prize pool, the method comprising:a) receiving, by a video gaming device, a wager amount; b) receiving an input to initiate game play; c) allocating a portion of the wager amount to the progressive prize pool; d) displaying a set of one or more award indicia, the set for winning a randomly selected amount of the progressive prize pool based on at least an average award; e) receiving an input for selecting an award indicia in the one or more award indicia, said input providing an opportunity to win the randomly selected amount of the progressive prize pool.
- 34. The method of claim 33 wherein e) further comprisesreceiving an input from a player to display the additional set of award indicia for an additional wager amount; and repeating d) through e) until a maximum wager amount is reached.
- 35. The method of claim 33 further comprisingafter e), displaying the random amount selected for the progressive prize pool for d).
- 36. A method of random payout from a prize pool, the method for use with at least one gaming device having a jackpot award, the method comprising:storing a top award for the prize pool; storing an average award for the prize pool; receiving a wager amount; receiving an input to initiate game play; and determining a random award percentage in the range of 0-100% based on the top award, the average award, and a function of a random number such that an average of the random award percentages awarded over a number of plays is equal to a designated jackpot award corresponding to the jackpot award probability.
- 37. The method of claim 36, further comprising:storing a minimum award for the fixed prize pool; and wherein determining the random award percentage comprises determining a random award percentage in the range of 0-100% based on the top award, the average award, the minimum award, and a function of a random number.
- 38. The method of claim 36 wherein the function is given by f(x) and is such that for a value “p” in the interval [0,1], a sum of expectations for awards for values of “x” less than “p” is equal to a sum of expectations for awards for values of “x” greater than “p” and the value of f(p) is equal the desired average of the random award percentages.
- 39. A system of random payout from a prize pool, the system employing a one or more gaming devices communicably coupled to a controller, the system comprising:a game device for receiving a wager amount, and for receiving an input to initiate game play; means for qualifying the wager amount to win an amount of the prize pool, the amount of the prize pool being a function of a random number and at least an average award; and the win being capable of occurring at the following periods: (a) during game play; or (b) after game play.
- 40. The system of claim 39 further comprisingmeans for selecting the amount of the entire prize pool without regard to game play outcome.
- 41. A system of random payout from a progressive prize pool, the system employing one or more gaming devices with at least one display screen, the gaming devices being communicably coupled to a controller, the system comprising:the gaming device for receiving a wager amount and for receiving an input to initiate game play; means for contributing at least a portion of the wager amount and a portion of non-gaming revenues to the progressive prize pool; and means for qualifying the wager amount to win one or more additional awards from the progressive prize pool without regard to game outcome.
- 42. The system of claim 41 further comprisingmeans for providing a bonus award cycle for displaying the one or more additional awards.
- 43. A system of payout from a progressive prize pool, the system employing a controller communicably coupled to one or more gaming devices, the system comprising:a) a gaming device for receiving a wager amount; b) means for allocating a portion of the wager amount to the progressive prize pool; c) means for displaying a set of one or more award indicia, the set for winning a randomly selected amount of the progressive prize pool based on at least an average award; and d) means for receiving an input for selecting an award indicia in the one or more award indicia, said input providing an opportunity to win the randomly selected amount of the of the progressive prize pool.
- 44. A system of random payout from a prize pool, the system for use with at least one gaming device having a jackpot award, the gaming device being communicably coupled to a controller, the system comprising:means for storing a predetermined top award for the prize pool; means for storing a predetermined average award for the prize pool; means for receiving a wager amount; and means for determining a random award percentage in the range of 0-100% based on the top award, the average award, and a function of a random number such that an average of the random award percentages awarded over a number of plays is equal to the jackpot award.
- 45. The method of claim 44, wherein the random award percentage is randomly selected by at least one of the at least one gaming device and a controller coupled to the at least one gaming device.
- 46. A method of random payout from a progressive prize pool, the method employing a network having one or more gaming devices communicably coupled to a controller, the method comprising:storing a predetermined average award for the progressive prize pool; and providing as a random payout, a percentage of the entire progressive prize pool in the range of 0-100% based on the average award, and such that the percentage selected is less than average contributions to the progressive prize pool in order to increase the progressive prize pool before the entire progressive prize pool is won.
- 47. The method of claim 46 further comprisingstoring a predetermined top award probability for the progressive prize pool prior to determining the random amount of the prize pool.
- 48. A method of random payout from a progressive prize pool, the method comprising:receiving a wager amount; receiving an input to initiate game play; and qualifying the wager amount to win a random amount of the prize pool, the random amount of the prize pool being a function of a random number; and allocating a portion of the non-gaming revenues to the progressive prize pool.
- 49. A method of random payout from a progressive prize pool, the method comprising:receiving a wager amount; receiving an input to initiate game play; and qualifying the wager amount to win a random amount of the prize pool, the random amount of the prize pool being a function of a random number; and displaying a bonus indicia for the amount of the progressive prize pool, the amount being displayed only after a winning bonus indicia is selected.
- 50. A method of random payout from a progressive prize pool, the method comprising:receiving a wager amount; receiving an input to initiate game play; and qualifying the wager amount to win a random amount of the prize pool, the random amount of the prize pool being a function of a random number; and displaying a first payout amount corresponding to a selected winning indicia for the gaming device; and after receiving a wager amount, providing an opportunity to win a second payout amount corresponding to the selected winning indicia.
- 51. A method of random payout from a prize pool, the method comprising:receiving a wager amount; receiving an input to initiate game play; and qualifying the wager amount to win a random amount of the prize pool, the random amount of the prize pool being a function of a random number; and displaying a first payout amount corresponding to a selected winning indicia for the gaming device only after a winning game outcome is established.
- 52. A method of random payout from a progressive prize pool, the method comprising:receiving a wager amount; receiving an input to initiate game play; and qualifying the wager amount to win a random amount of the prize pool, the random amount of the prize pool being a function of a random number; and incrementing the portion of the wager amount to the progressive prize pool.
- 53. A method of random payout from a prize pool, the method comprising:receiving a wager amount; receiving an input to initiate game play; and qualifying the wager amount to win a random amount of the prize pool, the random amount of the prize pool being a function of a random number; displaying a first payout amount corresponding to a selected winning indicia for the gaming device; and after receiving a wager amount, providing an opportunity to win a second payout amount corresponding to the selected winning indicia.
- 54. A method of random payout from a prize pool, the method comprising:receiving a wager amount; receiving an input to initiate game play; and qualifying the wager amount to win a random amount of the prize pool, the random amount of the prize pool being a function of a random number; at the time of receiving the wager amount, calculating a monetary amount of the percentage of the prize pool; and displaying the monetary amount for the game play only.
- 55. The method of claim 54 further comprisingselecting a predetermined winning indicia; awarding a predetermined payout amount corresponding to the winning indicia; and awarding the monetary amount for the game play only.
- 56. A method of random payout from a progressive prize pool, the method comprising:receiving a wager amount; receiving an input to initiate game play; qualifying the wager amount to win a random amount of the prize pool, the random amount of the prize pool being a function of a random number; if a percentage less than 100% is won, reducing the progressive prize pool by an amount won to determine an unwon amount; carrying over the unwon amount for a next opportunity to win an amount of the progressive prize pool.
- 57. A method of random payout from a progressive prize pool, the method employing one or more gaming devices with at least one display screen, the method comprising:receiving, by the gaming device, a wager amount; receiving an input to initiate game play; contributing a portion of the wager amount to the progressive prize pool; and qualifying the wager amount to win one or more additional awards from the progressive prize pool; storing a predetermined amount contributed to the progressive prize pool from the gaming device; and triggering a bonus cycle for displaying the one or more additional awards when the predetermined amount is reached.
- 58. A gaming device for awarding amount from a prize pool containing a portion of wager amounts received at the gaming device, the device comprising:a receiver configured to receive a wager amount; an input configured to receive an input to initiate game play; and a controller configured to qualify the wager amount to win a random amount of the progressive prize pool, wherein the random amount being selected is based on at least an average award.
- 59. The gaming device of claim 58, wherein the random amount being selected based on the average award is further based on a maximum award and minimum award.
- 60. The gaming device of claim 58, wherein the controller selects the random amount based on a function that uses the average award that is equal or less than an amount contributed to the progressive prize pool.
- 61. The gaming device of claim 58, wherein the controller is remotely coupled to the gaming device.
- 62. The gaming device of claim 58, wherein the prize pool is a progressive prize pool.
- 63. The gaming device of claim 62, further comprising an allocator configured to allocate a portion of the wager amount to the progressive prize pool, wherein the amount allocated over a number of game plays is more than random amounts paid.
- 64. The gaming device of claim 58, wherein the prize pool is a fixed prize pool.
- 65. The gaming device of claim 64, wherein the controller is configured to award random amounts for a number of game plays that is equal to a designated jackpot award.
- 66. A system for awarding amount from a prize pool containing a portion of wager amounts received, the system comprising:one or more gaming devices, wherein a gaming device in the one or more gaming devices is configured to receive a wager amount and an input to initiate game play; and a controller coupled to the one or more gaming devices, the controller configured to qualify the wager amount to win a random amount of the progressive prize pool, wherein the random amount being selected is based on at least an average award.
- 67. The system of claim 66, wherein the random amount being selected based on the average award is further based on a maximum award and minimum award.
- 68. The gaming device of claim 66, wherein the controller selects the random amount based on a function that uses the average award desired over a number of game plays.
- 69. The system of claim 66, wherein the controller is configured to qualify multiple wagers from the one or more gaming devices, wherein each wager is qualified to win a random amount of the progressive prize pool, wherein the random amounts awarded for the multiple wager are substantially equal to the average award.
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority for U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/220,488, entitled “Random Pay Gaming Method”, filed on Jul. 25, 2000, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
US Referenced Citations (14)
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60/220488 |
Jul 2000 |
US |