Systems, methods and apparatus for offering an extension of a flat rate play session based on an ending credit balance

• US 20060089195A1
• Filed: 12/29/2005
• Published: 04/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1997
• 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:
  US11/321,802
• Publication Number:
  US 20060089195A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3232 wherein the operator is informed
• 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 17/3262 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

Abstract

In accordance with some embodiments, there is provided a method, apparatus and article of manufacture for providing a flat rate play session using a gaming device. The flat rate play session may define a duration of, for example, a period of time, a number of game plays, and/or a number of qualifying events. In some embodiments, a flat rate play session may define a game and a wager amount per game play. In some embodiments, an offer for an extension of a flat rate play session may be determined and output. For example, based on a value of a credit balance at the end of a flat rate play session it may be determined that a player qualifies to purchase an additional number of game plays (e.g., to be played under a modified payout schedule in which only a subset of payout combinations are active) in exchange for the value.

Claims

1. A method for determining a price, comprising:

determining a price available as payment for an extension of a flat rate play session;

determining, based on the price, a number of game plays to offer to a player as the extension of the flat rate play session; and

outputting an offer for the extension in exchange for the price.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the price is a value of a credit balance at an end of the flat rate play session, the flat rate play session comprising a flat rate play session previously purchased by the player.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is performed by at least one of a gaming device and a server.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether to output the offer.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein determining whether to output the offer comprises:

determining a value of a credit balance at the end of a flat rate play session previously purchased by a player;

determining a lowest-priced flat rate play session available for purchase; and

determining to output the offer only if the value is less than the lowest-priced flat rate play session.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the number of game plays to offer comprises:

accessing a database; and

determining, based on a record of the database, the number of game plays that corresponds to the value.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the number of game plays to offer comprises determining, based on a cost per game play and a desired profit margin, the number of game plays to offer.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the number of game plays to offer comprises calculating, based on the value, the number of game plays to offer by using a formula stored in a memory of a device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the number of game plays is based on a payout schedule to be utilized for each game play of the number of game plays.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein outputting an offer comprises outputting a plurality of offers, a fist offer of the plurality of offers defining a first number of game plays and a second offer of the plurality of offers defining a second number of game plays that is different from the first number, each of the offers of the plurality of offers being offered in exchange for the same price.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the price is the value of the credit balance.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the first offer corresponds to a first payout schedule that is to be utilized for each game play of the first number of game plays and the second offer corresponds to a second schedule that is to be utilized for each game play of the second number of game plays, the first payout schedule being different from the second payout schedule.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first payout schedule has a different number of payout combinations active than does the second payout schedule.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an acceptance of the offer; and

initiating the extension.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein initiating the extension comprises at least one of:

deducting the price from a credit balance of a gaming device; and

reconfiguring a payout schedule such that only a subset of payout combinations normally available remain active for a duration of the extension.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

receiving, prior to a completion of the extension, a request to cash out the credit balance; and

allowing the credit balance to be cashed out prior to the completion of the extension.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the flat rate play session is for a wagering game available on a gaming device that facilitates a game of chance in exchange for payment.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the wagering game is a video poker game.

19. An apparatus for facilitating a wagering game, the apparatus comprising:

a processor;

a display device operable to communicate with the processor, for displaying an outcome of the wagering game; and

a memory accessible by the processor, the memory storing a program,

wherein the processor and the memory together are operable to;

determine a price available as payment for an extension of a flat rate play session;

determine, based on the price, a number of game plays to offer to a player as the extension of the flat rate play session; and

output an offer for the extension in exchange for the price.

20. A computer-readable medium storing a program for directing a processor of a device to perform a method, the method comprising:

determining a price available as payment for an extension of a flat rate play session;

determining, based on the price, a number of game plays to offer to a player as the extension of the flat rate play session; and

outputting an offer for the extension in exchange for the price.