Multi-wager game of chance with "As Is" prize on non-max bet

• US 20050282625A1
• Filed: 06/06/2005
• Published: 12/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Nicely, Mark C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,507,156 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• 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 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

The disclosed device and method comprise configuring a gaming device to offer one or more “As Is” prizes when a bet at a threshold limit less than a maximum bet is placed without apparently or actually reducing the expected return to player (“ERTP”) on bets larger than the threshold limit. In one version, one or more standard awards are sweetened for bets less than the maximum amount. In an alternative version, multiple “As Is” prizes are provided. Players are eligible for each “As Is” prize based on an amount of their wager. Consequently, to be eligible for a first “As Is” prize the player may need to place a first wager amount and to be eligible for a second “As Is” prize the player may need to place a second wager amount greater than the first amount.

Claims

1. A method for allowing a player to play a wagering game comprising:

accepting multiple wagers between a pre-established minimum bet amount and a maximum bet amount;

providing one or more game outcomes corresponding to a sweetened per-wager award for bet amounts greater than a threshold bet amount;

providing one or more game outcomes corresponding to one or more “

As Is”

awards for bet amounts equal to or greater than the threshold bet amount;

generating a game outcome; and

providing an appropriate award to said player for winning outcomes.

2. The method of claim 1 further providing one or more game outcomes corresponding to a standard per-wager award for a threshold bet amount greater than or equal to said minimum bet amount and less than said maximum bet amount.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising establishing the threshold bet amount equivalent to the minimum bet amount.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising in response to bet amounts greater than the threshold bet amount, sweetening all of the outcomes except the “

As Is”

outcomes.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the wagering game is a naked game.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the wagering game is a cloaked game.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the “

As Is”

awards are selected from the group consisting of a fixed monetary amount, progressive jackpot and tangible personal property.

8. A method for allowing a player to play a wagering game comprising:

accepting multiple wagers between a pre-established minimum bet amount and a maximum bet amount;

providing one or more game outcomes corresponding to a standard per-wager award for a threshold bet amount greater than or equal to said minimum bet amount and less than said maximum bet amount;

providing one or more game outcomes corresponding to a sweetened per-wager award for bet amounts greater than a threshold bet amount;

providing one or more game outcomes corresponding to one or more “

As Is”

awards for bet amounts equal to or greater than the threshold bet amount;

generating a game outcome; and

providing an appropriate award to said player for winning outcomes.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising establishing the threshold bet amount equivalent to the minimum bet amount.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising in response to bet amounts greater than the threshold bet amount, sweetening all of the outcomes except the “

As Is”

outcomes

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the wagering game is a naked game.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the wagering game is a cloaked game.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein the “

As Is”

awards are selected from the group consisting of a fixed monetary amount, progressive jackpot and tangible personal property.

14. A method for allowing a player to play a wager game comprising:

accepting multiple wagers within a range defined by a minimum bet amount and a maximum bet amount;

providing one or more game outcomes which may result in the player winning a first “

As Is”

prize in response to a first threshold bet amount, said first threshold bet amount greater than or equal to the minimum bet amount and less than the maximum bet amount;

providing one or more game outcomes which may result in the player winning successive “

As Is”

prizes, each “

As Is”

prize having a corresponding threshold bet amount;

generating a game outcome; and

awarding a player for winning outcomes.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising a first and second “

As Is”

prize wherein a threshold bet amount corresponding to the second “

As Is”

prize is greater than the threshold bet amount corresponding to the first “

As Is”

prize.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising providing one or more game outcomes corresponding to a standard per-wager award for a threshold bet amount greater than or equal to said minimum bet amount and less than said maximum bet amount.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising providing one or more game outcomes corresponding to a sweetened per-wager award for bet amounts greater than the threshold bet amount.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the “

As Is”

awards are selected from the group consisting of a fixed monetary amount, progressive jackpot and tangible personal property.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein the wagering game is a naked game.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein the wagering game is a cloaked game.