SUDOKU-TYPE WAGERING GAME AND METHOD

Abstract

Disclosed are a game and method for a wagering game including a Sudoku-like element. A feature game playable after determination of the primary game outcome includes an award associated with placement of one or more indicia on a grid such that no two indicia are the same in at least one of a row, a column or a diagonal of the grid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are prior art examples of Sudoku puzzles.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a gaming machine in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the physical and logical components of the gaming machine of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate game screens associated with a game of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram depicting the steps associated with carrying out a method in accordance of one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing a high-level view of the major hardware elements of a networked gaming system in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wagering game comprising: an interface activatable by a player;a primary game having a set of outcomes, at least one of the set of outcomes determined after activation of the interface by the player, the primary game further comprising a plurality of displayed indicia;a feature game playable after determination of the primary game outcome, the feature game comprising an award associated with placement of one or more representations of the displayed primary game indicia on a grid such that no two indicia are the same in at least one of a row, a column or a diagonal of the grid.

2. The wagering game of claim 1 further comprising a staging area, the staging area retaining information about the one or more representations of the displayed primary game indicia prior to the placement of the one or more representations on the grid.

3. The wagering game of claim 1 further comprising a staging area, the staging area retaining information about the one or more representations of the displayed primary game indicia prior to the placement of the one or more representations on the grid.

4. The wagering game of claim 1 further comprising a staging area, the staging area containing the one or more representations of the displayed primary game indicia prior to the placement of the one or more representations on the grid.

5. The wagering game of claim 2 wherein the one or more representations in the staging area are restricted from placement on the grid until a predetermined event has occurred.

6. The wagering game of claim 3 wherein the predetermined event comprises elapsed time.

7. The wagering game of claim 3 wherein the predetermined event comprises a predetermined number of subsequent plays of the primary game.

8. The wagering game of claim 3 wherein the predetermined event comprises a predetermined primary game outcome.

9. The wagering game of claim 1 wherein the positions on the grid of the one or more representations of the displayed indicia are determined by the player.

10. The game of claim 1 wherein the positions on the grid of the one or more representations of the displayed indicia are determined by the game.

11. The game of claim 1 wherein the primary game comprises a slot machine game.

12. The game of claim 1 wherein the primary game comprises a poker game.

13. The game of claim 1 wherein the primary game comprises a keno game.

14. The game of claim 1 wherein the primary game comprises a blackjack game.

15. The game of claim 1 wherein the primary game comprises a bingo game.

16. The game of claim 1 wherein the primary game comprises a roulette game.

17. The game of claim 1 wherein the primary game comprises a wheel game.

18. The game of claim 1 wherein the award is a progressive award.

19. The game of claim 1 wherein the award is in part based on an average of a plurality of player wagers.

20. A method of operating a wagering game played by a player, the method comprising the steps of: accepting a wager to play the game from the player;determining at least one of a set of outcomes for a primary game, the primary game comprising a plurality of displayed indicia;upon the occurrence of a predefined primary game outcome, playing a feature game, the feature game comprising placement of one or more representations of the displayed primary game indicia on a grid;and paying a feature game award, the award at least partially based on the placement of the representations of the displayed primary game indicia such that no two indicia are the same in at least one of a row, a column or a diagonal of the grid.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of restricting play of the feature game based on the amount of the wager.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein the primary game comprises a slot machine game.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein the primary game comprises a poker game.

24. The method of claim 20 wherein the primary game comprises a keno game.

25. The method of claim 20 wherein the primary game comprises a blackjack game.

26. The method of claim 20 wherein the primary game comprises a bingo game.

27. The method of claim 20 wherein the primary game comprises a roulette game.

28. The method of claim 20 wherein the primary game comprises a wheel game.

29. The method of claim 20 wherein the feature game award is a progressive award.

30. The method of claim 20 wherein the feature game award is in part based on an average of a plurality of wagers made by the player.