Seal card game with multiple levels of play

Abstract

A “lottery-type” game of chance for a plurality of players employs break open tickets (10), at least some of the tickets having printed on them one or more instant win awards (22). The awards are covered, prior to play, with one or more removable cover members (34) such as flaps or scratch off seals. Some of the tickets include one or more eligible game symbols (42), which entitle the ticket holder to enter a bonus round of play.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to gaming systems and, more particularly, to a lottery-type gaming system.

[0003] Lottery-type games of chance have exhibited enduring popularity since such games typically permit a player to make a relatively small investment—by buying a ticket—with a chance of winning a significantly larger award. In addition to the entertainment value that such games provide for the players, these types of games typically provide a source of revenue for the operator, normally a charity, but sometimes a municipality or a business establishment.

[0004] One type of game system which has proven quite popular with players is the so-called break-open ticket game. In this type of game, players purchase playing cards for a relatively nominal sum, with each playing card displaying game symbols, selected ones of which correspond to award values. In a typical configuration, each playing card comprises a lamination of upper and lower plies of material, such as paper, with the game symbols displayed on the inside surface of the lower ply. The game symbols are thus initially sealed, and are revealed by “breaking open” one or more flap-like portions of the upper ply.

[0005] As will be appreciated, affording players an opportunity to win awards in different ways enhances the entertainment value of the game. It has, therefore, been considered desirable to develop a new and improved seal card game and method for playing same which would meet the above stated needs and others and provide advantageous overall results.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Briefly, one aspect of the present invention relates to a system for use in playing a game of chance. The system includes a plurality of playing cards, each of the playing cards including game symbols displayed thereon. Several of the playing cards display potential winning game symbols, but without indicating the value of an award associated with that symbol. A master game card is provided for use in conjunction with the plurality of playing cards. The master game card includes a plurality of playing levels. Each of the playing levels includes indicia having at least one award identifier for identifying an award and at least one winning game symbol associated with the identified award. The value of the award preferably increases with each playing level.

[0007] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a system for use in playing a game of chance is provided. The system includes a plurality of playing cards, each of the playing cards including at least one game symbol displayed thereon. Some of the playing cards display an eligible game symbol. A master game card is provided for use in conjunction with the plurality of playing cards. The master game card includes a plurality of identifiers for identifying a plurality of awards. The master game card further includes at least one winning game symbol selected from the eligible game symbols associated with each of the identified awards. The master game card includes at least one cover member configured for sequentially revealing the at least one winning game symbol associated with each of the identified awards.

[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a system for use in playing a game of chance is provided. The system includes a plurality of playing cards. Each of the playing cards includes at least one game symbol displayed thereon. Some of the playing cards display a game symbol eligible for one of a plurality of awards of increasing value. A master game card is provided for use in conjunction with the plurality of playing cards. The master game card includes a plurality of cover members, each of the cover members is selectively removable to reveal at least one winning game symbol of the eligible game symbol associated with one of the plurality of awards.

[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of playing a game of chance is provided. The method includes distributing a set of playing cards to a plurality of players. At least one cover member on each of the playing cards is removed to reveal at least one game symbol. Some of the playing cards include a game symbol which is eligible for a plurality of bonus rounds of play. In a first bonus round of play, at least a first winning game symbol is identified, selected from the eligible game symbols, associated with a first award. In a least one successive bonus round of play, at least a second winning game symbol selected from the eligible game symbols associated with a successive award is identified. The at least one winning game symbol associated with the successive award being different from the at least one winning game symbol associated with the first award.

[0010] The advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, preferred embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a front face of a playing card for a multiple level game system according to the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a rear face of four of the playing cards of FIG. 1, each with five flaps opened;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a master game card of the multiple level game system according to the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of part of the master game card of FIG. 3 with the flaps open to reveal the winning symbols for each level of play;

[0016] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of another preferred embodiment of a master game card according to the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of four opened tickets for use with the master game card of FIG. 5;

[0018] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of part of the master game card of FIG. 5 with the flaps open; and

[0019] FIG. 8 is a chart showing exemplary definite payouts for various embodiments of the game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, several preferred embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood that the Figures are to be considered only as exemplifying the principles of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

[0021] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a playing card or ticket 10 and FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a master game card 12 which are used in combination for playing a game of chance, namely a multiple level game system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. While the game is described with reference to a first “instant win” level of play followed by four bonus rounds of play, it will be appreciated that the instant win level may be eliminated and fewer or more bonus rounds may be used, for example, two, three, or five bonus levels of play.

[0022] Playing card 10 is intended as exemplary, in that the present game system includes a substantial number of such playing cards. In a preferred embodiment, for example, about 300 to about 2,500 cards are employed. Each of the playing cards is purchased by a game player for a nominal sum, such as $1. The ticket price is preferably printed on the card, although it is also contemplated that a game organizer may be free to set the ticket price and thus determine the total profit accordingly.

[0023] Certain ones of the players are eligible to participate in the selection of bonus awards on the master game card 12. The playing cards 10 are preferably packaged as a set or deal, in a clear wrapping, together with the master game card 12. By having a fixed number in the set, the total payout and the profit to the organizer can be predetermined (assuming all cards in the set are sold at a given price).

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, each of the playing cards 10 preferably comprises upper and lower layers or plies of material 14 and 16, laminated together at the edges of their inner surfaces, and formed from paper, card, or the like. An outer, first face 18 of one of the plies 14 may be used to display information about the game, such as the rules of the game 20, examples of winning combinations 22 of symbols, and the like (see FIG. 1). The price of each playing card ($1.00 in the illustrated embodiment) is also printed on the first face or elsewhere on the playing card. Alternatively, the first face may be left blank. An identifying character, such as a serial number 24 is optionally printed on the front face 18 (or back face 26) for identifying the playing card as being part of the set of playing cards all with the same serial number and associated with a corresponding serial number printed on the master game card 12. This avoids the instance of a player from a previous game trying to collect an award in a subsequent game using the same ticket.

[0025] With particular reference to FIG. 2, each of the playing cards 10 displays a plurality of game symbols 30. The symbols may be letters, numbers, and/or characters, such as dollar signs, crowns, bells, and the like commonly associated with lottery games. Each of the cards includes a plurality of cover members, a single cover member, or other game symbol concealing means. Preferably, the symbols are displayed on the inside surface 32 of the upper ply 14 of the card. This type of card is typically referred to as a “break-open” playing card, in that the cover member comprises one or more flap-like portions 34 of the lower ply 16 (five flaps 34 for each ticket are shown in FIG. 2) which each cover a group 36 of game symbols 30. The flaps 34 can be selectively removed from each of the groups 36 of game symbols in order to reveal the respective group of game symbols after the card has been purchased. The flaps have perforated edges 38, allowing them to be readily separated from the surrounding upper ply material. However, it will be understood that a game embodying the principles of the present invention may include playing cards and a master game card otherwise configured, such as including “scratch-off” arrangements for initially concealing game symbols or groups of game symbols.

[0026] The game preferably has three or more levels of play, each succeeding level generally involving fewer of the game players (of course, one player may have purchased more than one card for a greater chance of winning). In its first, “instant win” level of play, the present game system provides awards to those players having cards which display a predetermined winning symbol or combination of award symbols. To assist players in ascertaining winning cards at the first level of play, a listing 22 of the winning groups of instant win award symbols is provided on the front face of each playing card and/or the master game card. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a winning group of three crowns wins $150 instantly, three bells similarly wins $75, while a group of numbers ending in red 55 wins $10, and so forth. The playing card holder compares the groups 36 of symbols with the different groups of award symbols on the listing 22 to determine whether the playing card is an instantly-winning playing card. An instant-win game player takes the winning playing card to a game organizer and receives the winning amount accorded to the particular winning symbol or group of symbols 22 (FIG. 1).

[0027] In its additional, bonus levels of play, the present system permits selected ones of the players to become eligible for a bonus award through use of the master game card 12.

[0028] The first bonus level of play of the present game system first entails establishing selected game players who become eligible for the bonus awards, with these players then listed on the master game card 12 in the illustrated embodiment. To this end, the master game card 12 includes a sign up area 40, for listing the selected, eligible players (FIG. 3). The eligibility of these selected players is established by those players having cards having predetermined selected ones of the game symbols. In the illustrated embodiment, such predetermined eligible game symbols 42 comprise numeric designations ending in a 13 (i.e., 013, 113, 213, etc.). On opening a flap to reveal an eligible game symbol or group of game symbols 42 (both will be referred to hereinafter simply as eligible symbols), the game player preferably enters his name on the sign up area in the appropriate location (e.g., adjacent his eligible symbol).

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the master game card 12 preferably comprises a lamination of upper and lower plies of material 46 and 48. The master game card 12 further includes an arrangement whereby selected ones of the listed, eligible players are identified as winners in the bonus rounds of play.

[0030] The master game card 12 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 as including a plurality of playing rounds. In the illustrated embodiment, the master game card 12 includes four bonus rounds: a first playing level 50, a second playing level 52, a third playing level 54, and a fourth playing level 56. An award identifier 60 is associated with each playing level (FIG. 3). Each award identifier 60 identifies an award 72 or awards. At least one winning game symbol 74 is associated with each award (FIG. 4). In the illustrated embodiment, the winning game symbols are printed on an upper surface 76 of the lower ply (FIG. 4). The winning game symbols for each round are covered by a cover member 78, such as perforated flap similar to those on the playing cards 10, or other covering member. The flaps 78 are formed in the top ply 46 and are pulled away to reveal the winning game symbol or symbols 74. The awards 72 for each level, such as a monetary amount, are printed on a top surface of each of the flaps, as shown in FIG. 3, or elsewhere on the master game card or playing cards. The cover members can be opened sequentially, starting with the cover member for the first level, then the cover member for the second level, and so forth. The award winner(s) for each round are identified before proceeding to the next round.

[0031] In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the eligible game symbols 42 are each further identified with a limited set of the eligible game symbols. In this embodiment, the eligible game symbols are printed in one of four colors, red, purple, blue, and green, thus are characterized as being in the red, purple, blue, or green set, respectively. To assist color-blind players in recognizing the colors of the eligible game symbols and/or to make recognition of eligible game symbols more recognizable for all players, the ticket may be printed or otherwise identified by instructions, such as “HOLD RED” (or, green, blue, or purple) adjacent the correspondingly colored eligible game symbol. There can be a predetermined, equal number of eligible game symbols in each set. In the embodiment shown, the red eligible game symbols are numbered 113, 513, 913, and 1713, respectively, although other characters could alternatively be used in place of the numerals preceding the number 13. Each of the eligible game symbols 42 is printed on one of the game tickets (see FIG. 2).

[0032] In each of the playing levels, the winner or winners are selected from a particular color set, and each color can be represented in only one of the bonus rounds. The number of bonus rounds can thus correspond to the number of different color sets. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the winners of the first round are from the red set, the second round winners are from the purple set, the third round winners are from the blue set, and the fourth round winners are from the green set. The value of the award (or the highest award, where more than one award is made at a particular level) can increase with each round played. For example, there is one $50 winner and two $20 winners in the first round, a $100 winner and four $30 winners in the second round, and so forth.

[0033] Until the master game card cover members are opened, the players and game organizers do not know whether it will be the red, blue, purple, or green set which has a chance at the highest award, $599 in the illustrated embodiment. The order of the winning sets can appear on the master game cards in a random fashion. If so desired, there is no indicia on the master game card which alerts either the game organizer or the players as to the order in which the set colors appear in the bonus rounds. When the third level cover member has been opened, it will be apparent which color set of eligible players has a chance for the highest award (in the present embodiment-green, since red, purple, and blue sets have already appeared in the first three rounds), but the players in that set do not know who will be the highest value winner until the last cover member is opened. Thus the eligible players holding tickets in sets who are not winners in the first, or subsequent, round can anticipate a larger potential payout in a subsequent round, which adds to the excitement of the play.

[0034] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, all eligible players are winners in one (and only one) of the bonus rounds. Each bonus round has a first award, which is received by one (or more) players in the set and a lower, second award, which is received by the remaining players in the set. For example, in the first round illustrated in FIG. 4, all the red set eligible players are winners. The holder of the card with 1313 wins $50, and the other players with eligible symbols in the red set (113, 513, 913, and 1713) each win $20.

[0035] In another embodiment, otherwise similar to that of FIGS. 3 and 4, fewer than all the eligible players are winners in one or more of the bonus rounds. For example, there may be only one winner, who receives a top award of $799, in the last round 56, the remaining four eligible green set players winning nothing. Or, there may be fewer bonus rounds than there are color sets. For example, there may be four bonus rounds and five color sets. One of the color sets, say yellow, is not a winner in any of the bonus rounds. Thus, when the final cover member is about to be opened for the final round, neither of the two remaining set holders knows which set will be represented as winners.

[0036] In another embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, the eligible players are not associated with a particular color set. For ease of understanding, like elements are given the same numbers identified by a prime (′) suffix and new elements are given new numerals. This embodiment is otherwise similar to that of FIGS. 3 and 4, with a plurality of (e.g., five) bonus rounds 50′, 52′, 54′, 55′, 56′ and awards of increasing value. In this embodiment, all eligible players are identified by the same identifier—a red 13 in the illustrated embodiment. All but a selected number of the eligible symbols 42′ are winners in the first round of play. This is determined randomly when the master game card is printed and/or packaged. There are four selected eligible symbols in the illustrated embodiment-corresponding to the number of remaining bonus rounds. As shown in FIG. 6, these four eligible symbols are identified when the first round 50′ cover member 78′ is opened. The players holding the four identified eligible symbols then are eligible to become winners of larger awards in one of the subsequent rounds of play. As with the prior embodiments, the value of the award increases with each successive level of play. Thus, the holders of eligible symbols who are not winners in a particular round can anticipate a larger award in a subsequent round. In this embodiment, all of the eligible symbols receive one and only one award in the bonus rounds.

[0037] In another embodiment, otherwise similar to that of FIGS. 5 and 6, not all of the eligible players are winners of a bonus round award. For example, the number of selected eligible symbols that are not winners in the first bonus round may exceed the number of subsequent bonus rounds. For example, there may be five eligible symbols selected in the first round 50′ to go on to the subsequent four rounds 52′, 54′, 55, 56′. Only four of the selected eligible symbols are winners in the subsequent rounds, one eligible symbol per round. Thus, when the time comes to open the last remaining cover member 78′, one of the two remaining eligible symbols will receive the final award, the other will receive nothing. In another embodiment, otherwise similar to that of FIGS. 5 and 6, more than one player may be a winner in the second, third, fourth, fifth, and/or subsequent rounds. For example, five players may be selected in the first round to advance to the succeeding four rounds. Three of these are winners in the second, third, and fourth rounds, respectively. In the final (e.g., fifth) round, one of the two remaining eligible players receives a substantial award, such as $599, while the other player receives a less substantial sum, say $20 (the same as the first round winners). Thus, until the final cover member is opened, the winner of the largest award is not identified.

[0038] In all the illustrated embodiments, the holder of a winning playing card receives the award 72 associated with the particular bonus round in which the winning game symbols present on that playing card appear, or which is associated with the particular eligible symbol, where more than two awards are associated with a particular round. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the playing card showing winning symbol having the numeric designation “1313” is a winner within the first playing level 50. The holder of the playing card displaying winning game symbol “1313” thus receives a $50 award. The holder of the winning symbols “113”, “513”, “913”, and “713” also receive an award, but of a lower amount.

[0039] Initially, all the flaps 78, 78′ on the master game card are in a closed position, covering the associated winning game symbols, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. The playing cards 10 are distributed and the players provided with time to open their flaps 34 and collect any instant win awards. Then, each of the flaps 78, 78′ on the master game card is opened in turn in order to reveal winning game symbols displayed beneath or information sufficient to identify the winning game symbols. Although, in the illustrated embodiments, winning game symbol concealment is achieved through the use of a 2-ply master game card construction, the winning game symbol cover member or members may have numerous alternative configurations. For example, master game card 12 may comprise only a single ply construction, with the winning game symbol cover member comprising a flap-like member affixed to master game card 12 along one or more sides of the flap-like member. Alternatively, the winning game symbol cover member may comprise a removable opaque substance, such as conventionally known “scratch-off” material.

[0040] The sign-up area 40, 40′ may contain the same number or may alternatively contain more game symbol designations than the number of winning game symbols actually displayed upon the master game card 12. In the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 5, twenty game symbols, all ending in the numerals “13”, are contained within sign-up area 40, 40′ and are thus identified as being eligible game symbols. Associated with each eligible game symbol of sign-up area 40 is a name region 82, 82′. Each name region 82 provides space for the recordation of the name, or other indicia, identifying the holder of a playing card 10 which displays the associated eligible game symbol.

[0041] In operation, the plurality of playing cards 10 are distributed to players of the present gaming system, who become holders of the tickets. If the present gaming system is being employed for fundraising purposes, each player will purchase one or more tickets for a predetermined price, $1.00 in the illustrated embodiment. The holders of the tickets remove or open the flaps 34, 34′ to reveal the game symbols 30 displayed upon the playing card. Holders of cards displaying instant-winning game symbols 22, such as three bars, three bells, or three fruits, as shown in FIG. 1, receive the corresponding designated awards.

[0042] The names of the holders of playing cards displaying eligible winning game symbols, which, in the illustrated embodiment, are game symbols ending in the numeric designation “13”, can be recorded within the sign-up area 40. Once all the playing cards are sold and the holders of playing cards displaying eligible game symbols have been identified, the winning game symbol cover members 78 are selectively removed or opened. First, the flap 78 of first round 50 is raised to reveal winning game symbols 74, which in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3 are “1313”, “113”, “513”, “913,” and “1713.” In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the winning symbols in the first round are revealed by inference—“all . . . except the following numbers . . . ” The holders of game cards displaying any of these winning game symbols each receive the respective listed award. Next, the flap 78, 78′ of the second playing level 52, 52′ is raised to reveal the winning game symbol or symbols in that level and the holder(s) of the playing card(s) displaying the winning game symbol(s) in the second level each receive their designated award. Next, the flap 78, 78′ of the third playing level 54, 54′ is raised to reveal the winning third level game symbols and the holder(s) of game cards displaying a winning game symbol each receive the designated award. Additional playing levels, such as at 55 in FIG. 5 are then played. Finally, the flap 78, 78′ of fourth (or final) playing level 56, 56′ is raised to reveal the winning game symbol or symbols, and the holder(s) of the playing card displaying the winning game symbol(s) receive the designated award.

[0043] The assembled game system can include a set of tickets and a master game card as well as a printed set of instructions for play (not shown). The instructions may include information about the payout, which can be a definite payout, such when the levels described above are played and all of the cards are sold. The profit for the game organizer can also be displayed, based on the total income from the cards and the definite payout, optionally also taking into account the cost to the organizer of the set of cards.

[0044] For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the award amounts and number of tickets in the deal can be tailored to meet the requirements of different game organizers. For example, one version of the game may have 1500-2000 tickets, for organizers of large games, while another, 500-900 tickets for smaller games. The versions may all have different total payouts, as illustrated in FIG. 8, and may also have different percentage payouts, although the payout percentage can be the same or approximately the same so that players and the game organizer are familiar with the expected awards.

[0045] In another embodiment, no playing card price is set on the playing card. The game proprietor can thus determine the payout ratio or design its own game.

[0046] As will be appreciated, variations of the present system can be made within the purview of the present invention. As noted, the playing cards 10 can be otherwise configured, as can the master game card 12. If desired, fewer or more than the disclosed levels of play can be provided. Additionally, plural arrangements can be provided for establishing the eligibility for bonus play of selected players. For example, two listings of eligible players can be provided on the master game card, with two different criteria identified for establishing eligibility. The playing card 10 is exemplary of the present invention in that the present game system includes a plurality of such playing cards such as, for example, in the illustrated embodiments, about 800-2000 cards. Each of these playing cards 10 is separately purchased by a game player.

[0047] The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, alterations and modifications will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations as fall within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A system for use in playing a game of chance comprising: a plurality of playing cards, each of said playing cards including at least one game symbol displayed thereon, some of said playing cards displaying an eligible game symbol; a master game card for use in conjunction with said plurality of playing cards, said master game card including: a plurality of identifiers for identifying a plurality of awards, at least one winning game symbol selected from said eligible game symbols associated with each of said identified awards, and at least one cover member configured for sequentially revealing said at least one winning game symbol associated with each of said identified awards.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of awards are of increasing monetary value.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein a first of said plurality of awards is of lesser value than a second of said awards and is associated with a greater number of winning game symbols than said second of said awards.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein at least three cover members are provided for initially concealing each of said at least one winning game symbol associated with said corresponding identified award, each successive cover member revealing a larger award than a prior cover member.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein there are at least three awards and wherein each of said awards is associated with different winning game symbols.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said eligible game symbols are numbers which have at least one digit in common.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein each of said eligible game symbols is associated with one of said identified awards.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said master game card includes instructions for opening the cover members in a predetermined sequence.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein each of said cover members includes a flap.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said playing cards further include a cover member for initially concealing said at least one game symbol displayed thereon.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one game symbol of at least one of said playing cards comprises indicia identifying said game symbol as being an instant winning game symbol.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said master game card includes a sign up area for identifying holders of playing cards which include at least one game symbol eligible to be a winning game symbol.

13. A system for use in playing a game of chance comprising: a plurality of playing cards, each of said playing cards including at least one game symbol displayed thereon, 5 some of said playing cards displaying a game symbol eligible for one of a plurality of awards of increasing value; a master game card for use in conjunction with said plurality of playing cards, said master game card including a plurality of cover members, each of said plurality of cover members being selectively removable to reveal at least one winning game symbol of said eligible game symbols associated with one of said plurality of awards.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein a first of said awards is associated with at least a first of said winning game symbols and a second of said awards is associated with at least a second of said winning game symbols.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein all of said eligible game symbols are associated with one of said plurality of awards.

16. A method of playing a game of chance comprising: a) distributing a set of playing cards to a plurality of players; b) removing at least one cover member on each of the playing cards to reveal at least one game symbol, some of said playing cards including a game symbol which is eligible for a plurality of bonus rounds of play; c) in a first bonus round of play, identifying at least a first winning game symbol, selected from said eligible game symbols, associated with a first award; and d) in at least one successive bonus round of play, identifying at least a second winning game symbol selected from said eligible game symbols associated with a successive award, said at least one winning game symbol associated with said successive award being different from said at least one winning game symbol associated with said first award.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the master game card includes instructions providing an order in which said winning game symbols are uncovered, the method further including steps c) and d) being carried out in the order provided in the instructions, such that an award which is of higher monetary value is uncovered later than an award which is of lesser monetary value.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein step c) includes identifying at least one winning game symbol by identifying eligible game symbols which are not winning game symbols in the first round of play.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein each of said successive rounds of play identifies at least one of said eligible game symbols which are not winning game symbols in the first round of play as winning symbols in the successive round of play.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein said first bonus round and said successive bonus rounds in combination identify each of said eligible game symbols as winning game symbols in at least one of said rounds of play.