Class of feature event games suitable for linking to multiple gaming machines
First Claim
1. A method of operating a gaming system including a plurality of gaming devices each configured to operate a wagering game, said method comprising:
- for each of the plurality of gaming devices;
responsive to receipt, via a payment acceptor, of a physical item associated with a monetary value, establishing a credit balance based on the monetary value associated with the physical item for a player of that gaming device;
receiving an actuation of a wager button; and
placing, by at least one processor of that gaming device, a total wager for a play of the wagering game, the credit balance decreasable by the total wager;
displaying, by at least one display device, a plurality of groups of cells, each group of cells being associated with an award and including one or more cells, each cell associated with one of a plurality of different designated outcomes of the wagering game;
for each of the plurality of gaming devices, for the play of the wagering game on that gaming device;
determining, by the at least one processor of that gaming device, whether an outcome of the play of the wagering game is one of the plurality of different designated outcomes; and
responsive to determining that the outcome of the play of the wagering game is one of the plurality of different designated outcomes, associating that gaming device with a cell associated with that designated outcome;
for each group of cells, monitoring for an occurrence of an award event associated with that group of cells; and
after the award event associated with one of the plurality of groups of cells occurs, for each of the plurality of gaming devices;
determining a proportion of cells of that group of cells that are associated with that gaming device; and
providing at least part of the award associated with that group of cells to the player of that gaming device based on the proportion of cells of that group of cells that are associated with that gaming device, the credit balance for the respective player being increasable by any provided award.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A gaming method, apparatus and system for playing a game of chance is disclosed in which a plurality of gaming machines may be linked together for mutually competitive play. According to one embodiment, two or more gaming machines are linked to a centrally located display exhibiting a game board comprising one or more groups of earmarkable cells in one or more groups. Players on the gaming machines wager and attempt to achieve winning outcomes which earmark cells in the group with designators of their respective gaming machines. When a predetermined number or configuration of cells of a group are earmarked, an award may be distributed to those gaming machines having earmarked cells according to the number of designators within that group associated with each gaming machine. The game of chance may be configured for play on an individual gaming machine.
78 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of operating a gaming system including a plurality of gaming devices each configured to operate a wagering game, said method comprising:
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for each of the plurality of gaming devices; responsive to receipt, via a payment acceptor, of a physical item associated with a monetary value, establishing a credit balance based on the monetary value associated with the physical item for a player of that gaming device; receiving an actuation of a wager button; and placing, by at least one processor of that gaming device, a total wager for a play of the wagering game, the credit balance decreasable by the total wager; displaying, by at least one display device, a plurality of groups of cells, each group of cells being associated with an award and including one or more cells, each cell associated with one of a plurality of different designated outcomes of the wagering game; for each of the plurality of gaming devices, for the play of the wagering game on that gaming device; determining, by the at least one processor of that gaming device, whether an outcome of the play of the wagering game is one of the plurality of different designated outcomes; and responsive to determining that the outcome of the play of the wagering game is one of the plurality of different designated outcomes, associating that gaming device with a cell associated with that designated outcome; for each group of cells, monitoring for an occurrence of an award event associated with that group of cells; and after the award event associated with one of the plurality of groups of cells occurs, for each of the plurality of gaming devices; determining a proportion of cells of that group of cells that are associated with that gaming device; and providing at least part of the award associated with that group of cells to the player of that gaming device based on the proportion of cells of that group of cells that are associated with that gaming device, the credit balance for the respective player being increasable by any provided award. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A gaming system comprising:
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at least one processor; and at least one memory device that stores a plurality of instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with a plurality of gaming devices each configured to operate a wagering game to; for each of the plurality of gaming devices; responsive to receipt, via a payment acceptor, of a physical item associated with a monetary value, establish a credit balance based on the monetary value associated with the physical item for a player of that gaming device; and place a total wager for a play of the wagering game following receipt of an actuation of a wager button, the credit balance decreasable by the total wager; cause at least one display device to display a plurality of groups of cells, each group of cells being associated with an award and including one or more cells, each cell associated with one of a plurality of different designated outcomes of the wagering game; for each of the plurality of gaming devices, for the play of the wagering game on that gaming device; determine whether an outcome of the play of the wagering game is one of the plurality of different designated outcomes; and responsive to a determination that the outcome of the play of the wagering game is one of the plurality of different designated outcomes, associate that gaming device with a cell associated with that designated outcome; for each group of cells, monitor for an occurrence of an award event associated with that group of cells; and after the award event associated with one of the plurality of groups of cells occurs, for each of the plurality of gaming devices; determine a proportion of cells of that group of cells that are associated with that gaming device; and provide at least part of the award associated with that group of cells to the player of that gaming device based on the proportion of cells of that group of cells that are associated with that gaming device, the credit balance for the respective player being increasable by any provided award. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification