Method and apparatus for offering a flat rate gaming session with optional game features

• US 20060040725A1
• Filed: 11/07/2005
• Published: 02/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Tedesco, Robert C., Walker, Jay S.
• Application Number:
  US11/268,315
• Publication Number:
  US 20060040725A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/16
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes

Abstract

A wagering method is provided that allows players to purchase a gaming session comprising a plurality of game outcomes at a flat rate price. The number of game outcomes available in the bulk purchase gaming session may be a function of time in lieu of a specified number of game outcomes. In order to increase the attractiveness of the bulk purchase of the gaming outcomes, contracts can be offered with options for player selectable features. These features may provide, in some embodiments, (i) enhanced awards for winning game outcomes, and/or (ii) enhanced probability of obtaining a winning game outcome. These optional game play features may be selected individually and integrated into the game offered under the contract. The cost of these optional game play features is either integrated into the overall cost of the contract or priced on an individual basis. In some embodiments, these optional game features may be provided to a player for no additional consideration (e.g., as a prize, bonus, consolation prize, or reward). Consequently, a player is able to customize the base game to the individual players preferences.

Claims

1. A wagering method on a gaming device comprising:

presenting a gaming contract to a player for a gaming session, the gaming contract having a contract price;

offering a game feature for the gaming session as an option to the gaming contract, the game feature having an option price;

recognizing a payment for the contract price and the option price; and

providing the gaming session with the game feature in accordance with the contract.

2. The wagering method of claim 1, wherein the game feature provides a greater probability of a winning game outcome.

3. The wagering method of claim 1, wherein the game feature provides a larger award for a winning game outcome with the game feature than without the game feature.

4. The wagering method of claim 1, wherein the game feature makes a bonus game available.

5. The wagering method of claim 4, wherein the game feature makes a bonus game available as a function of the credit balance.

6. The wagering method of claim 1, wherein the game feature makes the player eligible for a progressive jackpot award.

7. The wagering method of claim 1, wherein the game feature limits the magnitude of a negative credit balance.

9. The wagering method of claim 1, wherein the game feature limits a credit balance to a maximum negative credit value regardless of the game outcomes.

10. The wagering method of claim 9, wherein the credit balance is reset at a predetermined negative credit balance.

11. The wagering method of claim 10, wherein the credit balance is reset to zero.

12. The wagering method of claim 9, wherein the credit balance is reset during a specified portion of the gaming session.

13. A wagering method on a gaming device comprising:

presenting a gaming contract to a player for a gaming session, the gaming contract having a contract price, the gaming session having a pay back percentage;

offering a game feature for the gaming session as an option to the gaming contract;

receiving a selection of the gaming contract and the option;

recognizing a payment for the contract price;

adjusting the gaming session with the game feature to hold the pay back percentage substantially constant; and

providing the gaming session with the game feature in accordance with the contract.

14. The wagering method of claim 13, wherein the step of adjusting the gaming session includes altering a probability table.

15. The wagering method of claim 13, wherein the step of adjusting the gaming session includes altering a pay table.

16. A wagering method on a gaming device comprising:

presenting a gaming contract to a player for a gaming session, the gaming contract having a contract price;

recognizing a payment for the contract price;

providing the gaming session in accordance with the contract; and

implementing a game feature associated with the gaming session in response to a trigger event.

17. The wagering method of claim 16, wherein the trigger event is a predetermined game outcome.

18. The wagering method of claim 16, wherein the game feature is a bonus game.

19. The wagering method of claim 16, wherein the game feature provides a greater probability of a winning game outcome.

20. The wagering method of claim 16, wherein the game feature provides a larger award for a winning game outcome with the game feature than without the game feature.