Method and apparatus for employing flat rate play

• US 20030220138A1
• Filed: 04/21/2003
• Published: 11/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Tulley, Stephen C., Santisi, Steven M., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Walker, Jay S., Gilman, Norman C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,021,229 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3232 wherein the operator is informed
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3269 Timing aspects of game play, e.g. blocking/halting the operation of a gaming machine

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided allowing a player to play a gaming device and receive a predetermined number of outcomes in exchange for a payment. The gaming device generates at least the predetermined number of outcomes, and adjusts a balance of the player device based on the outcomes. The player can continue playing regardless of whether the balance is less than zero.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a payment from a player for a predetermined number of outcomes at a player device;

generating at least the predetermined number of outcomes;

adjusting a balance of the player device based on the outcomes; and

allowing play regardless of whether the balance is less than zero.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether the balance exceeds a predetermined threshold; and

paying an amount by which the balance exceeds the threshold.

3. The method of claim 1, in which the step of generating at least the predetermined number of outcomes comprises:

generating at least the predetermined number of outcomes over a predetermined period of time.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

preventing withdrawal of funds from the player device until after at least the predetermined number of outcomes are generated.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether the balance is less than zero; and

collecting from an insurer an amount by which the balance is less than zero.

6. The method of claim 1, in which the step of generating at least the predetermined number of outcomes comprises:

generating at least the predetermined number of outcomes without a corresponding number of commands to generate outcomes.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining, based on the balance, an amount of winnings;

determining whether the amount of winnings exceeds a winnings threshold;

receiving a command to cash out; and

restricting an amount provided to the player based on the winnings threshold.

8. The method of claim 7, in which the step of restricting the amount provided to the player based on the winnings threshold comprises:

providing an amount that is not greater than a sum of an initial balance and an amount of winnings.

9. The method of claim 1, in which the step of adjusting a balance of the player device based on the outcomes comprises:

adjusting a balance of the player device based on the outcomes such that the balance does not exceed a threshold,

in which the threshold is a predetermined amount greater than an initial balance.

10. The method of claim 1, in which the step of adjusting a balance of the player device based on the outcomes comprises:

determining a tax amount; and

reducing the balance by the tax amount.

11. The method of claim 10, in which the step of determining the tax amount comprises:

determining for each of a plurality of winning outcomes, a respective amount by which an amount of winnings exceeds a predetermined threshold; and

reducing the balance by each of the respective amounts.

12. The method of claim 10, in which the step of determining the tax amount comprises:

determining, for each of a series of winning outcomes, a highest amount of winnings; and

reducing the balance by each of the respective amounts.

13. The method of claim 1, in which the step of adjusting a balance of the player device based on the outcomes comprises:

determining a tax amount; and

preventing payout of an amount that is based on the tax amount.

14. A method comprising:

receiving a payment from a player for a predetermined number of outcomes at a player device;

generating at least the predetermined number of outcomes;

adjusting a balance of the player device based on the outcomes;

determining whether the balance exceeds a predetermined threshold; and

paying an amount by which the balance exceeds the threshold.