Gaming device having game with player selections and award pools

• US 20060084500A1
• Filed: 09/29/2004
• Published: 04/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Baerlocher, Anthony J., Grace, Kelsy, Peterson, Tonja M., Peterson, Lance R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,887,409 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 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
• 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 device includes a plurality of symbol groups which each include a plurality of symbols. In one embodiment, each of the symbols is associated with a probability of being generated. The gaming device includes a plurality of player selectable selections. The gaming device includes a plurality of outcome pools. Each pool includes the number of designated symbols which are generated for each selection. That is, each pool determines how many symbols will be generated for the indicated group for each selection. Each time a player picks one of the selections, the gaming device selects one of the pools. The gaming device generates the designated number of symbols associated with the picked selection which is determined by the selected pool. The gaming device provides the player an outcome or award, based at least in part, on the generated symbols.

Claims

1. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising:

(a) defining a first set of symbol groups and a second set of symbol groups, wherein each of the sets includes a plurality of symbol groups which each include a plurality of symbols;

(b) displaying said first set of symbol groups;

(c) indicating one of the symbol groups of the first set of symbol groups;

(d) causing a determination of a number of symbols to generate from the indicated symbol group;

(e) selecting and indicating said determined number of symbols from said indicated symbol group;

(f) repeating (c) to (e) at least once for another one of the symbol groups not previously indicated unless a second set initiating event occurs or a terminating event occurs and displaying a first award to the player, wherein said first award is based on said indicated symbols;

(g) if a second set initiating event occurs in association with the first set of symbol groups;

(i) providing and displaying the second set of symbol groups, wherein a plurality of symbols in the second set of symbol groups are different than a plurality of the symbols in the first set of symbol groups,

(ii) indicating one of the symbol groups of the second set of symbol groups,

(iii) causing a determination of a number of symbols to generate for the indicated symbol group,

(iv) selecting and indicating said determined number of symbols of said indicated symbol group,

(v) repeating (ii) to (iv) at least once for another one of the symbol groups unless a terminating event occurs and displaying a second award to the player, wherein said second award is based on said indicated symbols, and

(h) if one of a plurality of terminating events occurs in association with the first set of symbols groups or the second set of symbols groups;

(i) enabling the player to risk at least part of the displayed first and second awards,

(ii) determining an outcome based, at least in part, on said amount risked by the player, and

(iii) providing said player with said outcome.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of the symbols are numerical values.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the terminating event is selected from a group consisting of:

indicating a designated number of symbols, indicating a designated symbol, indicating a designated number of symbol groups, providing the player with a designated first award, providing the player with a designated second award or initiating a new round.

4. The method of claim 1, which includes associating a plurality of the symbols of the first and second symbol group sets with one of a plurality of probabilities and basing said determinations on the associated probabilities.

5. The method of claim 1, which includes accumulating the indicated symbols.

6. The method of claim 1, which includes providing a plurality of outcome pools which each include a plurality of numbers designating how many symbols to indicate, selecting one of the outcome pools and using the outcome pool to determine how many symbols of the indicated symbol group to indicate.

7. The method of claim 1, which includes enabling the player to pick one of a plurality of selections after the indication of one of the symbol groups and basing said determination of the number of symbols to indicate, at least in part, on the picked selection.

8. The method of claim 7, which includes providing a plurality of outcome pools which each include a plurality of numbers designating how many symbols to indicate, selecting one of the outcome pools and randomly associating the numbers of the selected outcome pool with the selections to determine how many symbols of the indicated symbol group to indicate.

9. The method of claim 8, which includes enabling a player to pick one of a plurality of selections and modifying the amount risked based, at least in part, on the picked selection.

10. The method of claim 1, which includes choosing the second set initiating event from a group consisting of:

indicating a designated number of symbols, indicating a designated symbol, indicating a designated number of symbol groups, providing the player with a designated first award, providing the player with a designated second award or initiating a new round.

11. The method of claim 1, which is provided through a data network.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the data network is an internet.

13. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising:

(a) defining a first set of symbol groups and a second set of symbol groups, wherein each of the sets includes a plurality of symbol groups which each include a plurality of symbols;

(b) displaying said first set of symbol groups;

(c) indicating one of the symbol groups of the first set of symbol groups;

(d) causing a determination of a number of symbols to generate from the indicated symbol group;

(e) selecting and indicating said determined number of symbols from said indicated symbol group;

(f) repeating (c) to (e) at least once for another one of the symbol groups not previously indicated unless a second set initiating event or a terminating event occurs and displaying a first award to a player, wherein said first award is based on said indicated symbols;

(g) if a second set initiating event occurs in association with the first set of symbol groups;

(i) providing and displaying the second set of symbol groups, wherein a plurality of symbols in the second set of symbol groups are different than a plurality of the symbols in the first set of symbol groups,

(ii) indicating one of the symbol groups of the second set of symbol groups,

(iii) causing a determination of a number of symbols to generate for the indicated symbol group,

(iv) selecting and indicating said determined number of symbols of said indicated symbol group, and

(v) repeating (ii) to (iv) at least once for another one of the symbol groups unless a terminating event occurs and displaying a second award based on said indicated symbols.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein a plurality of the symbols are numerical values.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the second set initiating event is selected from a group consisting of:

indicating a designated number of symbols, indicating a designated symbol, indicating a designated number of symbol groups, providing the player with a designated first award, providing the player with a designated second award or initiating a new round.

16. The method of claim 13, which includes associating a plurality of the symbols of the first and second symbol group sets with one of a plurality of probabilities and basing said determinations on the associated probabilities.

17. The method of claim 13, which includes accumulating the indicated symbols.

18. The method of claim 13, which includes enabling the player to pick one of a plurality of selections after the indication of one of the symbol groups of the first or second set and basing said determination of the number of symbols to indicate, at least in part, on the picked selection.

19. The method of claim 18, which includes providing a plurality of outcome pools which each include a plurality of numbers designating how many symbols to indicate, selecting one of the outcome pools and randomly associating the numbers of the selected outcome pool with the selections to determine how many symbols of the indicated symbol group to indicate.

20. The method of claim 13, which includes providing a plurality of outcome pools which each include a plurality of numbers designating how many symbols to indicate, selecting one of the outcome pools and using the outcome pool to determine how many symbols of the indicated symbol group to indicate.

21. The method of claim 13, which is provided through a data network.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the data network is an internet.

23. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising:

(a) providing and displaying a plurality of symbol groups, each symbol group including a plurality of symbols;

(b) indicating one of the symbol groups;

(c) causing a determination of a number of symbols to generate from the indicated symbol group;

(d) selecting and indicating said determined number of symbols from said indicated symbol group;

(e) repeating (c) to (d) at least once for another one of the symbol groups not previously indicated unless a terminating event occurs and displaying an award based on said indicated symbols;

(f) if a terminating event occurs in association with the plurality of symbols groups;

(i) enabling the player to risk at least part of the displayed award,

(ii) determining a second award based, at least in part, on said amount risked by the player, and

(iii) providing the player with said second award.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein a plurality of the symbols are numerical values.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the terminating event is selected from a group consisting of:

indicating a designated number of symbols, indicating a designated symbol, indicating a designated number of symbol groups, providing the player with a designated first award, providing the player with a designated second award or initiating a new round.

26. The method of claim 23, which includes associating a plurality of the symbols of each of the symbol groups with one of a plurality of probabilities and basing said determination on the associated probabilities.

27. The method of claim 23, which includes accumulating the indicated symbols.

28. The method of claim 23, which includes enabling the player to pick one of a plurality of selections after the indication of one of the symbol groups and basing said determination of the number of symbols to indicate, at least in part, on the picked selection.

29. The method of claim 28, which includes providing a plurality of outcome pools which each include a plurality of numbers designating how many symbols to indicate, selecting one of the outcome pools and randomly associating the numbers of the selected outcome pool with the selections to determine how many symbols of the indicated symbol group to indicate.

30. The method of claim 23, which includes providing a plurality of outcome pools which each include a plurality of numbers designating how many symbols to indicate, selecting one of the outcome pools and using the outcome pool to determine how many symbols of the indicated symbol group to indicate.

31. The method of claim 23, which includes enabling a player to pick one of a plurality of selections and modifying the amount risked based, at least in part, on the picked selection.

32. The method of claim 31, which includes associating each of the selections with one of a plurality of modifiers and modifying the amount risked by the modifier associated with the picked selection.

33. The method of claim 23, which is provided through a data network.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the data network is an internet.

35. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising:

(a) defining a plurality of symbol sets, each of said plurality of symbol sets including a plurality of symbol groups wherein each of said plurality of symbol groups include a plurality of symbols;

(b) displaying a first symbol set;

(c) indicating one of the symbol groups of the first symbol set;

(d) determining a number of symbols from said indicated symbol group to provide to a player;

(e) selecting and providing said determined number of symbols from said indicated symbol group;

(f) if a second symbol set initiating event occurs;

(i) displaying a second symbol set, wherein a plurality of symbols in said second symbol set are different from a plurality of symbols in said first symbol set;

(ii) indicating one of the symbol groups of the second symbol set;

(iii) determining a number of symbols from said indicated symbol group to provide to the player;

(iv) selecting and providing said determined number of symbols from said indicated symbol group;

(iv) repeating (ii) to (iv) at least once unless a terminating event occurs;

(g) repeating (c) to (e) at least once unless a terminating event occurs;

(h) if a terminating event occurs;

(i) determining an award based on any symbols provided to the player;

(ii) enabling the player to risk at least part of the determined award;

(i) providing the player a final award based on the amount risked by the player.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein a plurality of the symbols are numerical values.

37. The method of claim 35, which includes choosing the terminating event from a group consisting of:

providing a designated number of symbols, providing a designated symbol, indicating a designated number of symbol groups, displaying a designated first award, displaying a second award or initiating a new round.

38. The method of claim 35, which includes associating a plurality of the symbols of the first and second symbol group sets with one of a plurality of probabilities and basing said determinations on the associated probabilities.

39. The method of claim 35, which includes accumulating the provided symbols.

40. The method of claim 35, which includes providing a plurality of outcome pools which each include a plurality of numbers designating how many symbols to provide, selecting one of the outcome pools and using the outcome pool to determine how many symbols of the indicated symbol group to provide.

41. The method of claim 35, which includes enabling the player to pick one of a plurality of selections after the indication of one of the symbol groups and basing said determination of the number of symbols to provide, at least in part, on the picked selection.

42. The method of claim 41, which includes providing a plurality of outcome pools which each include a plurality of numbers designating how many symbols to provide, selecting one of the outcome pools and randomly associating the numbers of the selected outcome pool with the selections to determine how many symbols of the indicated symbol group to provide.

43. The method of claim 35, which includes enabling a player to pick one of a plurality of selections and modifying the amount risked based, at least in part, on the picked selection.

44. The method of claim 35, which includes choosing the second set initiating event from a group consisting of:

providing a designated number of symbols, providing a designated symbol, indicating a designated number of symbol groups, displaying a designated first award, displaying a designated second award or initiating a new round.

45. The method of claim 35, which is provided through a data network.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the data network is an internet.

47. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising:

(a) defining a plurality of symbol sets, each of said plurality of symbol sets including a plurality of symbol groups wherein each of said plurality of symbol groups include a plurality of symbols;

(b) displaying a first symbol set;

(c) indicating one of the symbol groups of the first symbol set;

(d) determining a number of symbols from said indicated symbol group to provide to a player;

(e) selecting and providing said determined number of symbols from said indicated symbol group;

(f) if a second symbol set initiating event occurs;

(i) displaying a second symbol set, wherein a plurality of symbols in said second symbol set are different from a plurality of symbols in said first symbol set;

(ii) indicating one of the symbol groups of the second symbol set;

(iii) determining a number of symbols from said indicated symbol group to provide to the player;

(iv) selecting and providing said determined number of symbols from said indicated symbol group;

(iv) repeating (ii) to (iv) at least once unless a terminating event occurs; and

(g) repeating (c) to (e) at least once unless a terminating event or a second symbol set initiating event occurs; and

(h) providing the player a final award based on any symbols provided to the player.

48. The method of claim 47 which includes determining an award based on any symbols provided to the player and enabling the player to risk at least part of the determined award if a terminating event occurs.

49. The method of claim 48, which includes additionally basing the final award on the amount risked by the player.

50. The method of claim 47, wherein a plurality of the symbols are numerical values.

51. The method of claim 47, which includes choosing the second set initiating event from a group consisting of:

providing a designated number of symbols, providing a designated symbol, providing a designated number of symbol groups, displaying a designated first award, displaying a designated second award or initiating a new round.

52. The method of claim 47, which includes associating a plurality of the symbols of the first and second symbol group sets with one of a plurality of probabilities and basing said determinations on the associated probabilities.

53. The method of claim 47, which includes accumulating the provided symbols.

54. The method of claim 47, which includes enabling the player to pick one of a plurality of selections after the indication of one of the symbol groups of the first or second set and basing said determination of the number of symbols to provide, at least in part, on the picked selection.

55. The method of claim 47, which includes choosing the terminating event from a group consisting of:

providing a designated number of symbols, providing a designated symbol, providing a designated number of symbol groups, displaying a designated first award, displaying a designated second award or initiating a new round.

56. The method of claim 47, which is provided through a data network.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the data network is an internet.