MULTI-TIERED COMPETITIVE WAGERING GAMES

• US 20110045898A1
• Filed: 03/20/2009
• Published: 02/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Anderson, Peter R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,317,603 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament

Abstract

A method of playing a competitive wagering game comprises receiving a wager from each of a first plurality of players, displaying to each of the first plurality of players a first wagering game, and in response to a first triggering event, entering the first plurality of players into a competitive wagering game. The method further comprises declaring a first one of the first plurality of players a winner of the competitive wagering game, in response to a second triggering event, entering the first player and a second plurality of players into a subsequent competitive wagering game and providing the first player with an award enhancement for use during the subsequent competitive wagering game.

Claims

1. A method of playing a competitive wagering game comprising:

receiving a wager from each of a first plurality of players;

displaying to each of the first plurality of players a first wagering game;

in response to a first triggering event, entering the first plurality of players into a competitive wagering game;

declaring a first player of the first plurality of players a winner of the competitive wagering game;

rendering the first player of the first plurality of players eligible to play a subsequent competitive wagering game responsive to the status of the first player as the winner of the competitive wagering game;

providing the first player with an award enhancement for use during the subsequent competitive wagering game responsive to the status of the first player as the winner of the competitive wagering game;

in response to a second triggering event, entering the first player and a second plurality of players into the subsequent competitive wagering game

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the award enhancement comprises a multiplier applied to an overall credit award achieved by the first player in the subsequent competitive wagering game.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising declaring a winner of the subsequent competitive wagering game.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein if the winner of the subsequent competitive wagering game is the first player, providing a second award enhancement for use in a second subsequent wagering game.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of players includes a first tier of players and a second tier of players.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein in response to the second triggering event, the first player is promoted from the first tier to the second tier.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising providing the award enhancement to all players in the second tier.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first triggering event is a mystery trigger.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the second triggering event is a mystery trigger.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising evaluating at least one set of eligibility requirements to determine whether the first player is eligible for participation in the competitive wagering game.

11. A gaming system comprising:

a plurality of display terminals for displaying at least one primary wagering game;

at least one wager input device; and

at least one controller operative to;

(i) cause the plurality of display terminals to display the at least one primary wagering game to a first plurality of players;

(ii) in response to a first triggering event, enter the first plurality of players into a first play of a competitive wagering game;

(iii) determine a first subset of the first plurality of players which satisfy a first set of promotion criteria;

(iv) provide each of the players in the first subset with an award enhancement for use in a subsequent play of the competitive wagering game;

(v) render each of the players in the first subset eligible to play the subsequent play of the competitive wagering game responsive to the satisfaction of the first set of promotion criteria by the first plurality of players;

(vi) enter each of the players in the first subset into a second play of the competitive wagering game; and

(vii) enhance a total award achieved by each of the players in the first subset in the second play of the competitive wagering game with the award enhancement.

12. The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the award enhancement comprises a multiplier applied to an overall credit award achieved by each of the players in the first subset in the subsequent competitive wagering game.

13. The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the at least one controller is further operative to determine a second subset of the first subset of players which satisfy a second set of promotion criteria and enter each of the players in the second subset into a third play of the competitive wagering game.

14. The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the first plurality if players includes a first tier of players and a second tier of players.

15. The gaming system of claim 14, wherein the first subset of players are in the second tier.

16. The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the first triggering event is a mystery trigger.

17. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein the second triggering event is a mystery trigger.

18. The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the at least one controller is further operative to evaluate at least one set of eligibility requirements to determine whether each of the first plurality of players is eligible for participation in the community wagering game.

19. A method of playing a competitive wagering game comprising:

determining a set of players in accordance with at least a first set of eligibility criteria;

organizing the set of players into a plurality of tiers including at least a first tier and a second tier;

displaying a first occurrence of the competitive wagering game and determining a first individual award in the competitive wagering game for each of the players in the first tier;

evaluating each of the players in the first tier for promotion in accordance with a first set of promotion criteria;

for each player in the first tier meeting the first set of promotion criteria, promoting such player to the second tier for a second occurrence of the competitive wagering game;

displaying the second occurrence of the competitive wagering game and determining a second individual award in the competitive wagering game for each of the players in the second tier; and

for each of the players in the second tier, enhancing such players second individual award by a first award enhancement.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein each of the first and second individual awards comprise a credit amount.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first award enhancement comprises a multiplier.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the first set of eligibility criteria comprises having a positive time balance in a time eligibility meter during play of a primary wagering game when the first occurrence of the competitive wagering game is triggered.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the first set of promotion criteria comprises achieving the highest first individual award.

24. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

evaluating each of the players in the second tier for promotion in accordance with a second set of promotion criteria;

for each players in the second tier meeting the second set of promotion criteria, promoting such player to a third tier for a third occurrence of the competitive wagering game;

displaying the third occurrence of the competitive wagering game and determining a third individual award in the competitive wagering game for each of the players in the third tier; and

for each of the players in the third tier, enhancing such players third individual award by a second award enhancement.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the second award enhancement is greater than the first award enhancement.