Communal gaming wager feature

• US 20050218590A1
• Filed: 03/25/2005
• Published: 10/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Stargames Corporation Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Stargames Corporation Pty Limited
• Inventors: Clarebrough, Scott, O'Halloran, Terry
• Application Number:
  US11/089,705
• Publication Number:
  US 20050218590A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 273/138.100
• 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

Abstract

A gaming method and system for use in a communal gaming arrangement. In the event that a player wins the primary game, each winning player is given the opportunity to play a different second communal game with their winnings from the primary game.

Claims

1. A method of operating a communal game, said game including a plurality of betting terminals, and having a centrally determined game outcome, each terminal accepting wagers from a respective player, the method including the steps of:

a) determining the wagers made at each terminal on a primary game;

b) playing the game and determining an outcome;

c) if the outcome corresponds to one or more predetermined selected winning outcomes, then providing a corresponding credit to each winning player, and providing an option to play a second, different communal game; and

d) playing said second game.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein step c) allows each player to wager on the second game using only credits won on said one or more predetermined selected winning outcomes.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the return to player for the second game is equal to or higher than for the primary game.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the return to player for the second game is greater than 100%.

5. A method according to claim 2, wherein the second game is of a different nature to the primary game.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the primary game is a simulated reels game, and the secondary game is a racing game.

7. A method according to claim 2, wherein the player may select different outcomes for wagers in the second game.

8. A method according to claim 4, wherein if in step (c) a player elects not to play the second game, then the player is awarded their corresponding credit according to the primary game, multiplied by the average return to player for the second game.

17. A software product operatively adapted to carry out the method according to claim 1.

9. A communal gaming machine system, including a plurality of betting terminals, and a central game outcome determining means communicating with each said terminal to determine a communal game outcome, each terminal accepting wagers from a respective player, the wagers relating to said centrally determined game outcome, wherein operatively if the communal game outcome of a primary game corresponds to one or more predetermined selected winning outcomes, then each player who had wagered on the predetermined selected winning outcome which is the game outcome is provided with an option to play a second, different communal game.

10. A gaming machine system according to claim 9, wherein each player is only permitted to wager on the second game using credits won on said one or more predetermined selected winning outcomes.

11. A gaming machine system according to claim 9, wherein the return to player for the second game is equal to or higher than for the primary game.

12. A gaming machine system according to claim 11, wherein the return to player for the second game is greater than 100%.

13. A gaming machine system according to claim 12, wherein if a player elects not to play the second game, then the player is awarded their corresponding credit according to the primary game, multiplied by the average return to player for the second game.

14. A gaming machine system according to claim 10, wherein the second game is of a different nature to the primary game.

15. A gaming machine system according to claim 14, wherein the primary game is a simulated reels game, and the second game is a racing game.

16. A gaming machine system according to claim 9, wherein the player may select different outcomes for wagers in the second game.