GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD PROVIDING SIDE BET FOR WINNING FREE ACTIVATIONS

• US 20090104977A1
• Filed: 10/17/2007
• Published: 04/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Zielinski, John H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,231,456 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 17/3267 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 and method is disclosed which enables a player to win one or more free spins in a primary game after placing an optional side wager. The primary game has a plurality of symbols including at least one free spin symbol on a plurality of reels. If the player places the side wager, the free spin symbol is associated with a quantity of free spins. If the player places the side wager, the gaming device provides the player with the quantity of free spins for each free spin symbol that occurs on the reels in the primary game. The gaming device accumulates any free spins won during the primary game as additional free spins for a bonus or secondary game. The player can selectively (i) use the additional or accumulated free spins in the bonus or secondary game, (ii) store the additional or accumulated free spins, or (iii) convert the additional or accumulated free spins to an award.

Claims

1. A gaming system comprising:

at least one display device;

at least one input device;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor, the at least one display device, and the at least one input device to;

(a) for each of a plurality of plays of a primary game, said primary game including at least one free activation symbol;

(i) upon placement of a primary game wager, display the play of the primary game,

(ii) provide any awards based on the play of the primary game, and

(iii) if a side wager was placed for the play of the primary game, accumulate a quantity of free activations for each free activation symbol indicated in the play of the primary game, said quantity of free activations being at least one, said side wager being in addition to said primary game wager for said play of the game; and

(b) if a triggering event occurs, initiate a play of a secondary game, wherein an accumulated quantity of free activations are usable in the play of the secondary game.

2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the primary game includes a plurality of reels and a plurality of symbols on the reels, said symbols including the at least one free activation symbol.

3. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the secondary game includes at least one free activation of the primary game.

4. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the quantity of free activations is randomly determined.

5. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the quantity of free activations is based on a player characteristic of a player of the primary game.

6. The gaming system of claim 5, wherein the player characteristic includes at least one of:

a wager amount placed by the player, a status or ranking of the player, and a rate of play of the player.

7. A gaming system comprising:

at least one display device;

at least one input device;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor, the at least one display device, and the at least one input device to;

(a) activate a plurality of plays of the primary game, each activation causing an indication of a plurality of symbols,

(b) for each play of the primary game, evaluate any symbols indicated,

(c) for each play of the primary game, display any awards associated with the symbols indicated, and

(d) for each play of the primary game, determine whether a side wager was placed for said play of the primary game, and if the side wager was placed for said play of the primary game,

(i) provide an award for each free activation symbol indicated, and

(ii) display an accumulation of a quantity of free activations for each free activation symbol indicated, the quantity of free activations being at least one and usable in a secondary game that occurs upon a triggering event.

8. The gaming system of claim 7, wherein the primary game includes a plurality of reels and the plurality of symbols are on the reels, said symbols including the at least one free activation symbol.

9. The gaming system of claim 7, wherein the secondary game includes at least one free activation of the primary game.

10. The gaming system of claim 7, wherein the quantity of free activation is randomly determined.

11. The gaming system of claim 7, wherein the quantity of free activations is based on a player characteristic of a player of the primary game.

12. The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the player characteristic includes at least one of:

a wager amount placed by the player, a status or ranking of the player, and a rate of play of the player.

13. A gaming system comprising:

at least one display device;

at least one input device;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor, the at least one display device, and the at least one input device to;

(a) for each of a plurality of plays of a primary game, said primary game including at least one free activation symbol;

(i) after placement of a primary game wager, display the play of the primary game,

(ii) provide any awards based on the play of the primary game, and

(iii) if a side wager was placed for the play of the primary game, accumulate a quantity of free activations for each free activation symbol indicated in the play of the primary game, said quantity of free activations being at least one, said side wager being in addition to said primary game wager for said play of the game;

(b) if a triggering event occurs, initiate a play of a secondary game, wherein at least one accumulated quantity of free activations is usable in the play of the secondary game; and

(c) enable a player to input a request for to convert of at least one accumulated free activations to a conversion award.

14. The gaming system of claim 13, wherein the primary game includes a plurality of reels and a plurality of symbols on the reels, said symbols including the at least one free activation symbol.

15. The gaming system of claim 13, wherein the secondary game includes at least one free activation of the primary game.

16. The gaming system of claim 13, wherein the quantity of free activation is randomly determined.

17. A gaming system comprising:

at least one display device;

at least one input device;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor, the at least one display device, and the at least one input device to;

(a) determine that a player has made a primary game wager and an accumulation side wager; and

(b) in response to said determination to;

(i) cause a display of a plurality of symbols,

(ii) evaluate the displayed symbols,

(iii) display any awards based on the displayed symbols,

(iv) display an increased number of accumulations, said increase based on any displayed accumulations symbols,

(v) determine whether a secondary event should be displayed,

(vi) if the secondary event should be displayed, cause a display of a number of opportunities to win additional awards, said number based on the determination to provide the secondary game and the displayed accumulations, and

(vii) provide any additional awards to the player based on the displayed opportunities.

18. The gaming system of claim 17, wherein the primary game includes a plurality of reels and a plurality of symbols on the reels, said symbols including the at least one free activation symbol.

19. The gaming system of claim 17, wherein increase based on any displayed accumulation symbols is randomly determined.