Slot Machine Game Where Player Can Optionally Purchase a Win Multiplier

• US 20090061982A1
• Filed: 08/28/2007
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ID Interactive, LLC
• Original Assignee: ID Interactive, LLC
• Inventors: Brito, Melisa Daniela
• Application Number:
  US11/846,239
• Publication Number:
  US 20090061982A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements

Abstract

A slot machine method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement a slot machine game which offers the player a variable multiplier. The value of the multiplier is not known until after the player pays to activate the variable multiplier, upon which the value of the variable multiplier is determined based on predefined criteria for the variable multiplier that is being activated. The cost to activate the variable multiplier is based on the predefined criteria as well as an award amount that a new award (the new award being equal to the award amount multiplied by the determined value of the variable multiplier) is based upon. The award amount can, for example, be the previous overall win.

Claims

1. A method to play a slot machine game, the method comprising:

receiving a first wager from a player;

spinning reels of a slot machine to a final position which determines a first award which is awarded to the player;

allowing the player to activate a variable multiplier at a cost, the variable multiplier having at least two potential multiplier values;

if the player activates the variable multiplier, then performing;

receiving the cost from the player;

determining a multiplier value of the variable multiplier; and

awarding a multiplied award which is determined by multiplying the multiplier value by an award amount,

wherein the cost is determined based on the award amount and an average value of the variable multiplier.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the award amount is the first award.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the award amount is an award present on particular paylines but not including all paylines.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the award amount is an award present on only paylines which include a variable multiplier symbol.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the player activates the variable multiplier by selecting the variable multiplier which is displayed as part of the final position.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the player activates the variable multiplier by selecting the variable multiplier which is displayed as part of the final position, views the cost, then approves of the cost.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the determining a multiplier value determines the multiplier value by spinning an additional multiplier reel comprising multiplier values.

8. A method to play a slot machine game, the method comprising:

receiving a first wager from a player;

spinning reels of a slot machine to a final position which determines a first award which is awarded to the player;

allowing the player to select a chosen multiplier out of a first multiplier and a second multiplier, the first multiplier having a different average value than the second multiplier;

receiving a cost from the player based on chosen multiplier and the chosen multiplier'"'"'s respective average value;

determining a multiplier value of the chosen multiplier; and

awarding a multiplied award which is determined by multiplying the multiplier value by an award amount.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the award amount is the first award.

10. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the award amount is an award present on particular paylines but not including all paylines.

11. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the award amount is an award present on only paylines which include the chosen multiplier.

12. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the player activates the chosen multiplier by selecting the chosen multiplier which is displayed as part of the final position.

13. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the player activates the chosen multiplier by selecting the chosen multiplier which is displayed as part of the final position, views the cost, then approves of the cost.

14. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the determining a multiplier value determines the multiplier value by spinning an additional multiplier reel comprising multiplier values.

15. A slot machine apparatus, comprising:

a processing unit to perform;

receiving a first wager from a player;

spinning reels of a slot machine to a final position which determines a first award which is awarded to the player;

allowing the player to select a chosen multiplier out of a first multiplier and a second multiplier, the first multiplier having a different average value than the second multiplier;

receiving a cost from the player based on chosen multiplier and the chosen multiplier'"'"'s respective average value;

determining a multiplier value of the chosen multiplier;

awarding a multiplied award which is determined by multiplying the multiplier value by an award amount; and

an output unit to output results of the processing unit.

16. The apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein the determining a multiplier value determines the multiplier value by spinning an additional multiplier reel comprising multiplier values.

17. The apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein the output unit is an electronic display.

18. The apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein the output unit comprises physical reels.