TOURNAMENT GAMING SYSTEMS, GAMING DEVICES AND METHODS

• US 20090104987A1
• Filed: 11/10/2008
• Published: 04/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Bally Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: Allen, Jeffrey L., Barton, Christopher D., Soliterman, Gennady, Scott, Thomas, Kelly, Bryan M., Lockard, Dennis, Tallcott, Jeffrey C., Patel, Pravinkumar, Larsen, Joshua D., Green, Anthony E., Crowder, Robert W. JR., Link, John E., Reddy, Mettu R., Vemuri, Sudheer
• Granted Patent: US 8,506,394 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/29
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3286 Type of games

Abstract

Various embodiments are directed to gaming systems, gaming devices, and methods for presenting tournament games. According to one embodiment, a gaming device provides a base game in a normal, non-tournament mode, and the player'"'"'s eligibility to play a tournament game is also determined. An eligible player is prompted to select a desired tournament game from a list of available tournaments while base game is in the normal, non-tournament mode. In response to the player'"'"'s selection of a tournament game, the gaming device is reconfigured from the normal mode to a tournament mode. The gaming device processes game play in the tournament mode and creates a final tournament score for the player. At the conclusion of the tournament game on the gaming device, the gaming device is reconfigured into the normal, non-tournament mode.

Claims

1. A method of presenting a tournament game, the method comprising:

providing a base game in a normal, non-tournament mode;

determining whether a player is eligible to play a tournament game;

prompting the player to select a desired tournament game from a list of available tournaments while base game is in the normal, non-tournament mode;

reconfiguring the gaming device from the normal mode to a tournament mode for the tournament game selected by the player;

processing game play in the tournament mode and creating a final tournament score for the player; and

reconfiguring gaming machine back into normal mode at the conclusion of the tournament game.

2. The method of claim 1, issuing a tournament score receipt at the conclusion of tournament game.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a final score of the tournament game to a tournament server.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting a final score of the tournament game on one or more tournament displays.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting an award corresponding to each winning position of the tournament game at a conclusion of the tournament game.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein player eligibility is based on player account information received from the player.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein player eligibility is based on a number of tournament entry points accrued by the player during play of the base game.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein player eligibility is based on receiving a tournament entry voucher.

9. A method for configuring a tournament game for play on a plurality of gaming devices, the method comprising:

establishing a configuration for a player-initiated tournament game, the configuration including a number of winning positions for a tournament game, a cash component and a bonus point component for each winning position, wherein the cash component includes a fixed cash value, a percentage of a progressive cash jackpot, or a combination thereof, and wherein the bonus point component includes a fixed bonus point value, a percentage of a progressive bonus point jackpot, or a combination thereof; and

downloading the configuration to one or more gaming devices.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising establishing a player group that are eligible to play the tournament game.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising establishing a starting event and an ending event for the tournament game.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the configuration further includes player eligibility requirements for the tournament game.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein player eligibility is based on a particular player club level, accrual of a predetermined number of tournament entry points, or a combination thereof.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein player eligibility is based a player'"'"'s association with a player group.

15. A method of presenting a tournament game, the method comprising:

registering a player for a tournament gaming session,

issuing and associating a tournament voucher to the player, wherein the tournament voucher includes entry into tournament gaming session;

receiving tournament entry information at a gaming machine capable of presenting a tournament game;

reconfiguring the gaming machine into a tournament mode in response to receiving the tournament voucher;

initiating the tournament game and accumulating a tournament score; and

issuing a tournament score receipt at the conclusion of tournament game.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising presenting an award corresponding to each winning position of the tournament game at a conclusion of the tournament game.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising returning the gaming machine back to a normal gaming mode at the conclusion of tournament play.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising displaying player-specific and session-specific tournament information on a gaming machine display in response to receiving tournament entry information.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein receiving tournament entry information further comprises receiving the tournament voucher in a gaming machine bill/ticket acceptor.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein receiving tournament entry information further comprises receiving the tournament entry information via a touchscreen input device, a keypad, keyboard, mouse, stylus, or wireless message.