Multi-player bingo game with multiple alternative outcome displays

• US 20050119042A1
• Filed: 09/14/2004
• Published: 06/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Wolf, Bryan, Saffari, Ali, Gail, Ted, Chamberlain, John W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,731,581 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/19
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3267 Game outcomes which determine the course of the subsequent game, e.g. double or quits, free games, higher payouts, different new games
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament

Abstract

The invention is directed to methods and gaming units for conducting a multi-player wagering game, such as a Bingo game, in which at least one of the players may win the occurrence of the wagering game by matching a predetermined game-winning pattern of game indicia on one or more game arrays having unique combinations of game indicia based on matching the game indicia on the game arrays to game indicia randomly selected for the occurrence of the wagering game. The outcome of the multi-player wagering game may be displayed to the player at the gaming unit, along with an alternate outcome display at two or more alternate outcome display devices at the gaming unit. In one embodiment, an outcome of a Bingo game may be mapped to an outcome of a slot machine having a bonus feature such as a wheel. Outcomes of the Bingo game may then be displayed on the plurality of alternate display devices as outcomes of the slot game and accompanying bonus feature.

Claims

1. A gaming unit for allowing a player to participate in a multi-player wagering game, comprising:

a primary outcome display device;

a first alternate outcome display device;

a second alternate outcome display device;

a gaming unit controller operatively coupled to the primary outcome display device, the first alternate outcome display device, and the second alternate outcome display device,

wherein the gaming unit controller determines an outcome for the player for an occurrence of the multi-player wagering game,

wherein the gaming unit controller causes the primary outcome display device to display the outcome for the player for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game,

wherein the gaming unit controller determines an alternate outcome display corresponding to the outcome for the player for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game, and

wherein the gaming unit controller causes the first and the second alternate outcome display devices to display the alternate outcome display.

2. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 1, wherein the alternate outcome display is a display of an outcome of a second wagering game.

3. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 2, wherein the outcome of the second wagering game of the alternate outcome display comprises an outcome of a base game and an outcome of a bonus game, wherein the gaming unit controller causes the first alternate outcome display device to display the outcome of the base game corresponding to the outcome of the multi-player wagering game, and causes the second alternate outcome display device to display the outcome of the bonus game corresponding to the outcome of the multi-player wagering game.

4. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 2, wherein the outcome of the second wagering game of the alternate outcome display comprises a first alternate outcome display portion and a second alternate outcome display portion, wherein each outcome of the second wagering game includes a corresponding first alternate outcome display portion, and less than all of the outcomes of the second wagering game include a corresponding first alternate outcome display portion, wherein the gaming unit controller causes the first alternate outcome display device to display the first alternate outcome display portion of an alternate outcome display, and wherein the gaming unit controller causes the second alternate outcome display to display the second alternate outcome display portion of the alternate outcome display in response to determining that the outcome of the second wagering game corresponding to the outcome for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game has a second alternate outcome display portion.

5. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first and the second alternate outcome display devices are video display devices.

6. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first alternate display device is a plurality of rotatable reels, each reel having indicia for a second wagering game disposed on an outer surface of the reel such that a portion of the indicia on the reel is visible to player, and wherein the gaming unit controller causes the reels to rotate and to stop with indicia corresponding to the outcome of the alternate outcome display visible to the player.

7. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second alternate display device is a wheel having indicia disposed on an outwardly-facing surface of the wheel, wherein the gaming unit controller causes the wheel to rotate and to stop at a position corresponding to the outcome of the alternate outcome display.

8. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 1, comprising a gaming unit memory operative coupled to the gaming unit controller and storing a plurality of alternate outcome displays corresponding to outcomes of the multi-player wagering game, wherein gaming unit controller selects from the gaming unit memory one of the plurality of alternate outcome displays corresponding to the outcome for the player for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game.

9. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game wherein each player has a unique game array of game indicia for the occurrence of the wagering game and individual game indicia are randomly selected from a range of available game indicia, wherein one of the players wins the occurrence of the wagering game by matching a predetermined game winning pattern of game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array with the randomly selected game indicia, the gaming unit comprising:

an input device for inputting a plurality of input selections;

a primary outcome display device;

a first alternate outcome display device;

a second alternate outcome display device;

a gaming unit memory device;

a currency-accepting mechanism that is capable of allowing a player to deposit a medium of currency;

a value-dispensing mechanism that is capable of dispensing value to the player;

a gaming unit controller operatively coupled to the input device, the primary outcome display device, the first alternate outcome display device, the second alternate outcome display device, the gaming unit memory device, the currency-accepting mechanism, and the value-dispensing mechanism,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to allow the currency-accepting mechanism to accept a deposit of an amount of a medium of currency by a player at the gaming unit,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to allow the input device to receive input for a player'"'"'s wager on an occurrence of the wagering game at the input device,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to cause the primary display device to display the unique game array of game indicia for the player for the occurrence of the wagering game at the primary outcome display device of the gaming unit,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to receive the randomly selected game indicia at the gaming unit,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to compare the randomly selected game indicia to the game indicia of the game array in the order that the game indicia is selected,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to determine an outcome for the player for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game based on the comparison of the randomly selected game indicia to the game indicia of the unique game array, wherein the outcome is a-winning outcome if a pattern formed by game indicia on the player'"'"'s game array matching the randomly selected game indicia matches a predetermined at least one game award-winning pattern;

the gaming unit controller being programmed to cause the primary outcome display to display the outcome for the player for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game;

the gaming unit controller being programmed to determine an alternate outcome display corresponding to the outcome for the player for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game; and

the gaming unit controller being programmed to cause the first and the second alternate outcome display devices to display the alternate outcome display.

10. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 9, wherein the alternate outcome display is a display of an outcome of a second wagering game.

11. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 10, wherein the outcome of the second wagering game of the alternate outcome display comprises an outcome of a base game and an outcome of a bonus game, wherein the gaming unit controller is programmed to cause the first alternate outcome display device to display the outcome of the base game corresponding to the outcome of the multi-player wagering game, and to cause the second alternate outcome display device to display the outcome of the bonus game corresponding to the outcome of the multi-player wagering game.

12. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 10, wherein the outcome of the second wagering game of the alternate outcome display comprises a first alternate outcome display portion and a second alternate outcome display portion, wherein each outcome of the second wagering game includes a corresponding first alternate outcome display portion, and less than all of the outcomes of the second wagering game include a corresponding first alternate outcome display portion, wherein the gaming unit controller is programmed to cause the first alternate outcome display device to display the first alternate outcome display portion of an alternate outcome display, and wherein the gaming unit controller is programmed to cause the second alternate outcome display to display the second alternate outcome display portion of the alternate outcome display in response to determining that the outcome of the second wagering game corresponding to the outcome for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game has a second alternate outcome display portion.

13. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 9, wherein the first and the second alternate outcome display devices are video display devices.

14. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 9, wherein the first alternate display device is a plurality of rotatable reels, each reel having indicia for a second wagering game disposed on an outer surface of the reel such that a portion of the indicia on the reel is visible to player, and wherein the gaming unit controller is programmed to cause the reels to rotate and to stop with indicia corresponding to the outcome of the alternate outcome display visible to the player.

15. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 9, wherein the second alternate display device is a wheel having indicia disposed on an outwardly-facing surface of the wheel, wherein the gaming unit controller is programmed to cause the wheel to rotate and to stop at a position corresponding to the outcome of the alternate outcome display.

16. A gaming unit for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 9, comprising a gaming unit memory operative coupled to the gaming unit controller and storing a plurality of alternate outcome displays corresponding to outcomes of the multi-player wagering game, the gaming unit controller being programmed to select from the gaming unit memory one of the plurality of alternate outcome displays corresponding to the outcome for the player for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game.

17. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game over a gaming network having a plurality of gaming units, wherein a player participates in the multi-player wagering game at one of the gaming units, comprising:

determining an outcome for the player for an occurrence of the multi-player wagering game;

displaying the outcome for the player for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game at the gaming unit;

determining an alternate outcome display corresponding to the outcome for the player for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game; and

displaying the alternate outcome display at a first alternate outcome display device and a second alternate outcome display device at the gaming unit.

18. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 17, wherein the alternate outcome display is a display of an outcome of a second wagering game.

19. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 18, wherein the outcome of the second wagering game of the alternate outcome display comprises an outcome of a base game and an outcome of a bonus game, the method comprising:

displaying the outcome of the base game corresponding to the outcome of the multi-player wagering game at the first alternate outcome display device; and

displaying the outcome of the bonus game corresponding to the outcome of the multi-player wagering game at the second alternate outcome display device.

20. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 18, wherein the outcome of the second wagering game of the alternate outcome display comprises a first alternate outcome display portion and a second alternate outcome display portion, wherein each outcome of the second wagering game includes a corresponding first alternate outcome display portion, and less than all of the outcomes of the second wagering game include a corresponding first alternate outcome display portion, the method comprising:

displaying the first alternate outcome display portion of an alternate outcome display at the first alternate outcome display device to display; and

displaying the second alternate outcome display portion of the alternate outcome display at the second alternate outcome display in response to determining that the outcome of the second wagering game corresponding to the outcome for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game has a second alternate outcome display portion.

21. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 17, wherein the first and the second alternate outcome display devices are video display devices.

22. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 17, wherein the first alternate display device is a plurality of rotatable reels, each reel having indicia for a second wagering game disposed on an outer surface of the reel such that a portion of the indicia on the reel is visible to player, the method comprising causing the reels to rotate and stopping the reels with indicia corresponding to the outcome of the alternate outcome display visible to the player.

23. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 17, wherein the second alternate display device is a wheel having indicia disposed on an outwardly-facing surface of the wheel, the method comprising causing the wheel to rotate and stopping the wheel at a position corresponding to the outcome of the alternate outcome display.

24. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 17, comprising:

storing a plurality of alternate outcome displays corresponding to outcomes of the multi-player wagering game at the gaming unit; and

selecting the alternate outcome displays corresponding to the outcome for the player for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game from the plurality of alternate outcome displays stored at the gaming unit.

25. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game over a gaming network having a plurality of gaming units, wherein each player has a game array having a unique combination of indicia from a range of game indicia for an occurrence of the wagering game, wherein individual game indicia are randomly selected from the range of game indicia during the occurrence of the wagering game, and wherein at least one of the players wins the occurrence of the wagering game by matching a predetermined game-winning pattern of game indicia on the player'"'"'s game array with the randomly selected game indicia, the method comprising:

receiving a deposit of an amount of a medium of currency by a player at a gaming unit;

receiving input for a player'"'"'s wager on an occurrence of the multi-player wagering game at the input device;

displaying the unique game array of game indicia for the player for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game at the gaming unit;

receiving the randomly selected game indicia at the gaming unit;

comparing the randomly selected game indicia to the game indicia of the game array in the order that the game indicia are selected;

determining an outcome for the player for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game based on the comparison of the randomly selected game indicia to the game indicia of the unique game array, wherein the outcome is a winning outcome if a pattern formed by game indicia on the player'"'"'s game array matching the randomly selected game indicia matches a predetermined at least one game award-winning pattern;

displaying the outcome for the player for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game at the gaming unit;

determining an alternate outcome display corresponding to the outcome for the player for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game; and

displaying the alternate outcome display at a first alternate outcome display device and a second alternate outcome display device at the gaming unit.

26. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 25, wherein the alternate outcome display is a display of an outcome of a second wagering game.

27. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 26, wherein the outcome of the second wagering game of the alternate outcome display comprises an outcome of a base game and an outcome of a bonus game, the method comprising:

displaying the outcome of the base game corresponding to the outcome of the multi-player wagering game at the first alternate outcome display device; and

displaying the outcome of the bonus game corresponding to the outcome of the multi-player wagering game at the second alternate outcome display device.

28. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 26, wherein the outcome of the second wagering game of the alternate outcome display comprises a first alternate outcome display portion and a second alternate outcome display portion, wherein each outcome of the second wagering game includes a corresponding first alternate outcome display portion, and less than all of the outcomes of the second wagering game include a corresponding first alternate outcome display portion, the method comprising:

displaying the first alternate outcome display portion of an alternate outcome display at the first alternate outcome display device to display; and

displaying the second alternate outcome display portion of the alternate outcome display at the second alternate outcome display in response to determining that the outcome of the second wagering game corresponding to the outcome for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game has a second alternate outcome display portion.

29. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 25, wherein the first and the second alternate outcome display devices are video display devices.

30. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 25, wherein the first alternate display device is a plurality of rotatable reels, each reel having indicia for a second wagering game disposed on an outer surface of the reel such that a portion of the indicia on the reel is visible to player, the method comprising causing the reels to rotate and stopping the reels with indicia corresponding to the outcome of the alternate outcome display visible to the player.

31. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 25, wherein the second alternate display device is a wheel having indicia disposed on an outwardly-facing surface of the wheel, the method comprising causing the wheel to rotate and stopping the wheel at a position corresponding to the outcome of the alternate outcome display.

32. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 25, comprising:

storing a plurality of alternate outcome displays corresponding to outcomes of the multi-player wagering game at the gaming unit; and

selecting the alternate outcome displays corresponding to the outcome for the player for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game from the plurality of alternate outcome displays stored at the gaming unit.

33. A method for providing a multi-player wagering game on a gaming network having a network computer operatively coupled to a plurality of gaming units wherein each player has at least one game array having a unique combination of indicia from a range of game indicia for an occurrence of the wagering game, the method comprising:

enrolling a plurality of players at corresponding gaming units for an occurrence of the multi-player wagering game, wherein each player may enroll a plurality of game arrays for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game;

transmitting information from the gaming units to the network computer regarding the game indicia for each of the game arrays enrolled in the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game;

determining at least one game-winning pattern for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game;

randomly selecting game indicia from the range of game indicia at the network computer;

determining at the network computer whether each randomly selected game indicia matches any of the game indicia of each of the game array for each player in the order that the randomly selected game indicia are selected;

determining at the network computer that at least one of the enrolled game arrays has matched a game-winning pattern of game indicia on the player'"'"'s game array with the randomly selected game indicia;

transmitting the randomly selected game indicia required for the at least one of the enrolled game arrays to match the game-winning pattern of game indicia from the network computer to the gaming units;

comparing the transmitted randomly selected game indicia to the game indicia of each of the game arrays at the corresponding gaming units;

determining a game-winning award amount for a game array in response to determining that the game array has matched a game-winning pattern of game indicia with the randomly selected game indicia; and

displaying the game arrays and the randomly selected game indicia at the gaming units.

34. A method for providing a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 33, comprising:

providing a player input time period within which players must make an input selection to claim a game-winning award amount;

randomly selecting additional game indicia from the range of game indicia in response to determining that no player matching a game-winning pattern of game indicia with the previously transmitted randomly selected game indicia has made the input selection within the player input time period;

determining at the network computer whether each additional randomly selected game indicia matches any of the game indicia of each of the game array for each player in the order that the additional randomly selected game indicia are selected;

determining at the network computer that at least one of the enrolled game arrays has matched a game-winning pattern of game indicia on the player'"'"'s game array with the additional randomly selected game indicia;

transmitting the additional randomly selected game indicia required for the at least one of the enrolled game arrays to match the game-winning pattern of game indicia from the network computer to the gaming units;

comparing the transmitted additional randomly selected game indicia to the game indicia of each of the game arrays at the corresponding gaming units;

determining a game-winning award amount for a game array in response to determining that the game array has matched a game-winning pattern of game indicia with the additional randomly selected game indicia; and

displaying the additional randomly selected game indicia at the gaming units.

35. A method for providing a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 34, comprising:

providing a second player input time period within which players must make an input selection to claim a game-winning award amount after transmitting the additional randomly selected game indicia; and

determining the game-winning award amount for a game array in response to determining that the game array has matched a game-winning pattern of game indicia with the additional randomly selected game indicia, that the corresponding player has made the input selection, and that the game array did not match the game-winning pattern of game indicia with the previously transmitted randomly selected game indicia.

36. A method for providing a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 34, comprising:

providing a second player input time period within which players must make an input selection to claim a game-winning award amount after transmitting the additional randomly selected game indicia; and

determining the game-winning award amount for a game array in response to determining that the game array has matched a game-winning pattern of game indicia with the additional randomly selected game indicia, that the corresponding player has made the input selection, and that the game-winning pattern of game indicia matched by the additional randomly selected game indicia is different than a game-winning pattern of game indicia matched on the game array by the previously transmitted randomly selected game indicia.

37. A method for providing a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 34, comprising:

providing a plurality of interim patterns each having a corresponding interim pattern award, wherein a player may receive an interim pattern award by making the input selection within a player input time period;

providing a second player input time period within which players must make an input selection to claim a game-winning award amount after transmitting the additional randomly selected game indicia; and

determining an interim pattern award amount for a game array in response to determining that the game array has matched a first interim pattern of game indicia with the additional randomly selected game indicia, that the corresponding player has made the input selection, and that the first interim pattern of game indicia matched by the additional randomly selected game indicia is different than a second interim pattern of game indicia matched on the game array by the previously transmitted randomly selected game indicia, wherein the interim pattern award amount is equal to the lesser of the interim pattern award corresponding to the first interim pattern and the interim pattern award corresponding to the second interim pattern.

38. A method for providing a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 33, comprising:

transmitting a first subset of the randomly selected game indicia from the network computer to the gaming units, wherein the first subset includes fewer than the randomly selected game indicia required for the at least one of the game arrays to match the game-winning pattern of game indicia;

comparing the transmitted first subset of the randomly selected game indicia to the game indicia of each of the game arrays at the corresponding gaming units;

providing a player input time period within which players must make an input selection at the corresponding gaming unit; and

transmitting a second subset of the randomly selected game indicia from the network computer to the gaming -units, wherein the second subset includes the remaining randomly selected game indicia required for the at least one of the enrolled game arrays to match the game-winning pattern of game indicia.

39. A method for providing a multi-player wagering game on a gaming network having a network computer operatively coupled to a plurality of gaming units wherein each player has at least one game array having a unique combination of indicia from a range of game indicia for an occurrence of the wagering game, the method comprising:

enrolling a plurality of players at corresponding gaming units for an occurrence of the multi-player wagering game, wherein each player may enroll a plurality of game arrays for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game;

randomly selecting the game indicia from the range of game indicia at the network computer;

transmitting the entire range of game indicia from the network computer to the gaming units in the sequence that the game indicia are randomly selected from the range of game indicia in a single transmission;

comparing the transmitted game indicia to the game indicia of each of the enrolled game arrays at the corresponding gaming units in the sequence that the game indicia is randomly selected from the range of game indicia;

determining at the gaming units the number of selected game indicia required for each enrolled game array to match a game-winning pattern of game indicia with the randomly selected game indicia;

transmitting the number of selected game indicia required for each enrolled game array to first match a game-winning pattern from the gaming units to the network computer;

determining at the network computer the minimum number of game indicia required for at least one of the enrolled game arrays to match a game-winning pattern;

transmitting the minimum number of game indicia required for at least one of the enrolled game arrays to match a game-winning pattern from the network computer to the gaming units;

determining a game-winning award amount for a game array in response to determining that the game array has matched a game-winning pattern of game indicia with the minimum number of game indicia; and

displaying the game arrays and the minimum number of game indicia at the gaming units.

40. A method for providing a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 39, comprising:

providing a player input time period within which players must make an input selection to claim a game-winning award amount;

determining at the network computer the next lowest number of game indicia required for at least one of the enrolled game arrays to match a game-winning pattern in response to determining that no player matching a game-winning pattern of game indicia with the previously determined minimum number of game indicia has made the input selection within the player input time period;

transmitting the next lowest number of game indicia required for at least one of the enrolled game arrays to match a game-winning pattern from the network computer to the gaming units;

determining a game-winning award amount for a game array in response to determining that the game array has matched a game-winning pattern of game indicia with the additional randomly selected game indicia; and

displaying the additional randomly selected game indicia at the gaming units.

41. A method for providing a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 40, comprising:

providing a second player input time period within which players must make an input selection to claim a game-winning award amount after transmitting the next lowest number of game indicia; and

determining the game-winning award amount for a game array in response to determining that the game array has matched a game-winning pattern of game indicia within the next lowest number of game indicia, that the corresponding player has made the input selection, and that the game array did not match the game-winning pattern of game indicia within the minimum number of game indicia.

42. A method for providing a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 40, comprising:

providing a second player input time period within which players must make an input selection to claim a game-winning award amount after transmitting the next lowest number game indicia; and

determining the game-winning award amount for a game array in response to determining that the game array has matched a game-winning pattern of game indicia with the next lowest number of game indicia, that the corresponding player has made the input selection, and that the game-winning pattern of game indicia matched by the next lowest number of game indicia is different than a game-winning pattern of game indicia matched on the game array by the minimum number of game indicia.

43. A method for providing a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 40, comprising:

providing a plurality of interim patterns each having a corresponding interim pattern award, wherein a player may receive an interim pattern award by making the input selection within a player input time period;

providing a second player input time period within which players must make an input selection to claim a game-winning award amount after transmitting the next lowest number of game indicia; and

determining an interim pattern award amount for a game array in response to determining that the game array has matched a first interim pattern of game indicia with the next lowest number of game indicia, that the corresponding player has made the input selection, and that the first interim pattern of game indicia matched by the next lowest number of game indicia is different than a second interim pattern of game indicia matched on the game array by the minimum number of game indicia, wherein the interim pattern award amount is equal to the lesser of the interim pattern award corresponding to the first interim pattern and the interim pattern award corresponding to the second interim pattern.

44. A method for providing a multi-player wagering game on a gaming network having a network computer operatively coupled to a plurality of gaming units wherein each player has at least one game array having a unique combination of indicia from a range of game indicia for an occurrence of the wagering game, the method comprising:

enrolling a plurality of players at corresponding gaming units for an occurrence of the multi-player wagering game, wherein each player may enroll a plurality of game arrays for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game;

randomly selecting one of the game indicia from the range of game indicia at the network computer;

transmitting the selected game indicium from the network computer to the gaming units;

comparing the transmitted game indicium to the game indicia of each of the enrolled game arrays at the corresponding gaming units;

transmitting a game-winning pattern matched message from a gaming unit to the network computer in response to determining that a corresponding game array has matched a game-winning pattern of game indicia with the randomly selected game indicia;

randomly selecting and transmitting additional game indicia from the range of game indicia one at a time in response to not receiving a game-winning pattern matched message from a gaming unit at the network computer;

transmitting a corresponding game-winning pattern matched message from the network computer to the gaming units in response to receiving a game-winning pattern matched message from a gaming unit at the network computer;

determining a game-winning award amount for a game array in response to determining that the game array has matched a game-winning pattern of game indicia with the transmitted game indicia; and

displaying the game arrays and the transmitted game indicia at the gaming units.

45. A method for providing a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 44, comprising:

providing a player input time period within which players must make an input selection to claim a game-winning award amount in response to the game-winning pattern matched message;

randomly selecting and transmitting additional game indicia from the range of game indicia one at a time in response to determining that no player matching a game-winning pattern of game indicia with the previously transmitted randomly selected game indicia has made the input selection within the player input time period, and to not receiving a game-winning pattern matched message from a gaming unit at the network computer;

transmitting a corresponding game-winning pattern matched message from the network computer to the gaming units in response to receiving a second game-winning pattern matched message from a gaming unit at the network computer;

determining a game-winning award amount for a game array in response to determining that the game array has matched a game-winning pattern of game indicia with the additional randomly selected game indicia; and

displaying the additional randomly selected game indicia at the gaming units.

46. A method for providing a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 45, comprising:

providing a second player input time period within which players must make an input selection to claim a game-winning award amount after transmitting the additional randomly selected game indicia; and

determining the game-winning award amount for a game array in response to determining that the game array has matched a game-winning pattern of game indicia with the additional randomly selected game indicia, that the corresponding player has made the input selection, and that the game array did not match the game-winning pattern of game indicia with the previously transmitted randomly selected game indicia.

47. A method for providing a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 45, comprising:

providing a second player input time period within which players must make an input selection to claim a game-winning award amount after transmitting the additional randomly selected game indicia; and

determining the game-winning award amount for a game array in response to determining that the game array has matched a game-winning pattern of game indicia with the additional randomly selected game indicia, that the corresponding player has made the input selection, and that the game-winning pattern of game indicia matched by the additional randomly selected game indicia is different than a game-winning pattern of game indicia matched on the game array by the previously transmitted randomly selected game indicia.

48. A method for providing a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 45, comprising:

providing a plurality of interim patterns each having a corresponding interim pattern award, wherein a player may receive an interim pattern award by making the input selection within a player input time period;

providing a second player input time period within which players must make an input selection to claim a game-winning award amount after transmitting the additional randomly selected game indicia; and

determining an interim pattern award amount for a game array in response to determining that the game array has matched a first interim pattern of game indicia with the additional randomly selected game indicia, that the corresponding player has made the input selection, and that the first interim pattern of game indicia matched by the additional randomly selected game indicia is different than a second interim pattern of game indicia matched on the game array by the previously transmitted randomly selected game indicia, wherein the interim pattern award amount is equal to the lesser of the interim pattern award corresponding to the first interim pattern and the interim pattern award corresponding to the second interim pattern.

49. A method for providing a multi-player wagering game on a gaming network having a network computer operatively coupled to a plurality of gaming units wherein each player has at least one game array having a unique combination of indicia from a range of game indicia for an occurrence of the wagering game, the method comprising:

enrolling a plurality of players at corresponding gaming units for an occurrence of the multi-player wagering game, wherein each player may enroll a plurality of game arrays for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game;

randomly selecting a first batch of game indicia from the range of game indicia at the network computer;

transmitting the selected first batch of game indicia from the network computer to the gaming units;

comparing the game indicia in the transmitted first batch of game indicia to the game indicia of each of the enrolled game arrays at the corresponding gaming units;

transmitting a game-winning pattern matched message from a gaming unit to the network computer in response to determining that a corresponding game array has matched a game-winning pattern of game indicia with the game indicia in the transmitted first batch of game indicia;

randomly selected and transmitting additional batches of game indicia from the range of game indicia in response to not receiving a game-winning pattern matched message from a gaming unit at the network computer;

transmitting a corresponding game-winning pattern matched message from the network computer to the gaming units in response to receiving a game-winning pattern matched message from a gaming unit at the network computer;

determining a game-winning award amount for a game array in response to determining that the game array has matched a game-winning pattern of game indicia with the transmitted game indicia; and

displaying the game arrays and the transmitted game indicia at the gaming units.

50. A method for providing a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 49, comprising:

providing a player input time period within which players must make an input selection to claim a game-winning award amount in response to the game-winning pattern matched message;

randomly selecting and transmitting additional batches of game indicia from the range of game indicia in response to determining that no player matching a game-winning pattern of game indicia with the previously transmitted batch of randomly selected game indicia has made the input selection within the player input time period, and to not receiving a game-winning pattern matched message from a gaming unit at the network computer;

transmitting a corresponding game-winning pattern matched message from the network computer to the gaming units in response to receiving a second game-winning pattern matched message from a gaming unit at the network computer;

determining a game-winning award amount for a game array in response to determining that the game array has matched a game-winning pattern of game indicia with the additional batch of randomly selected game indicia; and

displaying the additional batch of randomly selected game indicia at the gaming units.

51. A method for providing a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 50, comprising:

providing a second player input time period within which players must make an input selection to claim a game-winning award amount after transmitting the additional batch of randomly selected game indicia; and

determining the game-winning award amount for a game array in response to determining that the game array has matched a game-winning pattern of game indicia with the additional batch of randomly selected game indicia, that the corresponding player has made the input selection, and that the game array did not match the game-winning pattern of game indicia with the previously transmitted batches of randomly selected game indicia.

52. A method for providing a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 50, comprising:

providing a second player input time period within which players must make an input selection to claim a game-winning award amount after transmitting the additional batch of randomly selected game indicia; and

determining the game-winning award amount for a game array in response to determining that the game array has matched a game-winning pattern of game indicia with the additional batch of randomly selected game indicia, that the corresponding player has made the input selection, and that the game-winning pattern of game indicia matched by the additional batch of randomly selected game indicia is different than a game-winning pattern of game indicia matched on the game array by the previously transmitted batches of randomly selected game indicia.

53. A method for providing a multi-player wagering game in accordance with claim 50, comprising:

providing a plurality of interim patterns each having a corresponding interim pattern award, wherein a player may receive an interim pattern award by making the input selection within a player input time period;

providing a second player input time period within which players must make an input selection to claim a game-winning award amount after transmitting the additional batch of randomly selected game indicia; and

determining an interim pattern award amount for a game array in response to determining that the game array has matched a first interim pattern of game indicia with the additional batch of randomly selected game indicia, that the corresponding player has made the input selection, and that the first interim pattern of game indicia matched by the additional batch of randomly selected game indicia is different than a second interim pattern of game indicia matched on the game array by the previously transmitted batches of randomly selected game indicia, wherein the interim pattern award amount is equal to the lesser of the interim pattern award corresponding to the first interim pattern and the interim pattern award corresponding to the second interim pattern.

54. A method for providing a multi-player wagering game on a gaming network having a network computer operatively coupled to a plurality of gaming units wherein each player has at least one game array having a unique combination of indicia from a range of game indicia for an occurrence of the wagering game, the method comprising:

enrolling a plurality of players at corresponding gaming units for an occurrence of the multi-player wagering game, wherein each player may enroll a plurality of game arrays for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game;

determining at least one game-winning pattern for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game;

randomly selecting game indicia from the range of game indicia at the network computer;

transmitting the randomly selected game indicia from the network computer to the gaming units;

comparing the transmitted randomly selected game indicia to the game indicia of each of the game arrays at the corresponding gaming units;

determining that at least one of the game arrays has matched a game-winning pattern of game indicia with the randomly selected game indicia;

determining a game-winning award amount for a game array in response to determining that the game array has matched a game-winning pattern of game indicia with the randomly selected game indicia;

providing a player input time period within which players must make an input selection to claim a game-winning award amount;

randomly selecting and transmitting additional game indicia from the range of game indicia in response to determining that no player matching a game-winning pattern of game indicia with the previously transmitted randomly selected game indicia has made the input selection within the player input time period;

comparing the transmitted additional randomly selected game indicia to the game indicia of each of the game arrays at the corresponding gaming units;

providing a plurality of interim patterns each having a corresponding interim pattern award, wherein a player may receive an interim pattern award by making the input selection within a player input time period;

providing a second player input time period within which players must make an input selection to claim a game-winning award amount after transmitting the additional randomly selected game indicia; and

determining an interim pattern award amount for a game array in response to determining that the game array has matched a first interim pattern of game indicia with the additional randomly selected game indicia, that the corresponding player has made the input selection, and that the first interim pattern of game indicia matched by the additional randomly selected game indicia is different than a second interim pattern of game indicia matched on the game array by the previously transmitted randomly selected game indicia, wherein the interim pattern award amount is equal to the lesser of the interim pattern award corresponding to the first interim pattern and the interim pattern award corresponding to the second interim pattern.