LINKED GAME PLAY ON GAMING DEVICES

• US 20110159940A1
• Filed: 12/28/2009
• Published: 06/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acres Technology
• Original Assignee: Acres Technology
• Inventors: Acres, John F.
• Granted Patent: US 8,475,254 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/11
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3274 wherein the players cooperate, e.g. team-play
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

Embodiments of the present concept provide gaming devices configured for linked game play. First and second gaming devices that are separately playable by first and second players are electronically linked so that a gaming event being played at the first gaming device may also be being played at the second gaming device. Also provided is a method of sharing game play across multiple gaming devices, where the method includes receiving a wager from a first player at a first gaming device, receiving a wager from a second player at a second gaming device, initiating a gaming event that is displayed at the first and second gaming devices, and awarding prizes associated with gaming outcomes displayed at the first and second gaming devices. These and other arrangements of the present concept may allow cooperative or competitive game play between the first and second player.

Claims

1. A method of sharing game play on a plurality of gaming devices, the method comprising:

receiving a wager from a first player at a first gaming device;

receiving a wager from a second player at a second gaming device;

initiating a gaming event on the first and second gaming device, the gaming event being displayed at the first gaming device and the second gaming device;

awarding prizes associated with a first gaming outcome displayed at the first gaming device; and

awarding prizes associated with a second gaming outcome displayed at the second gaming device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising awarding prizes associated with a combined gaming outcome of the first gaming outcome and the second gaming outcome.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein initiating the gaming event includes:

displaying a first spinning reel slot game at the first gaming device; and

displaying a second spinning reel slot game at the second gaming device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein awarding prizes associated with a combined gaming outcome includes awarding prizes in response to a predetermined number of symbols being displayed in the first and second gaming outcomes.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the first and second spinning reel slot games respectively include a first mechanical spinning reel display and a second mechanical spinning reel display.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first and second mechanical spinning reel displays each include at least one of a three reel display, a four reel display, or a five reel display.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the first and second spinning reel slot games respectively include a first video spinning reel display and a second video spinning reel display.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein initiating the gaming event includes:

displaying a first video poker hand dealt at the first gaming device; and

displaying a second video poker hand dealt at the second gaming device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first video poker hand and the second video poker hand include identical poker hands.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein an order of draw cards for each of the first video poker hand and the second video poker hand is identical.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the first video poker hand and the second video poker hand receive draw cards from separate card decks.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the first video poker hand and the second video poker hand are dealt from separate card decks.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing the first player an option of switching the first video poker hand dealt with the second video poker hand dealt.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising displaying an indicator to designate one of the first or second player to provide an option of switching a dealt video poker hand with a video poker hand dealt to the other one of the first or second player.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the indicator alternatively designates one of the first or second player to provide the switching option.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the indicator designates the other one the first or second player after an initially designated player utilizes the switching option.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the designated one of the first or second player must place a side bet to utilize the switching option.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein an amount of the side bet is awarded to one of the first or second player that receives a better final poker hand.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing each of the first player and the second player an option to switch an initially dealt video poker hand with another player, the switching option requiring a first side bet to be placed to utilize the option;

providing each of the first player and the second player with an option to block the switch of the initially dealt video poker hands, the blocking option requiring a second side bet to be placed to utilize the option.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first and second side bets are placed in a common pot, the common pot awarded to one of the first or second player that receives a better final poker hand.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the wager received from the first player at the first gaming device is on the second gaming outcome displayed at the second gaming device.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the wager received from the first player at the first gaming station is on the both the first gaming outcome displayed at the first gaming device and the second gaming outcome displayed at the second gaming device.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the wager received from the first player at the first gaming device is on a better one of the first and second gaming outcomes respectively displayed at the first and second gaming devices.

24. A gaming system comprising:

a first gaming device configured to accept wagering by a first player on a first game, the first gaming device including a first connection port and a first credit meter;

a second gaming device configured to accept wagering by a second player on a second game, the second gaming device including a second connection port and a second credit meter; and

a signal connector connecting the first connection port of the first gaming device with the second connection port of the second gaming device, the signal connector configured to transmit and receive gaming signals between the first gaming device and the second gaming device,

wherein each amount change reflected on the first credit meter is also reflected on the second credit meter.

25. The gaming system of claim 24, wherein an outcome of the first game is dependent upon an outcome of the second game.

26. The gaming system of claim 24, wherein the first and second games are alternate games played in a common gaming session.

27. A method of sharing game play on gaming devices, the method comprising:

monitoring first base game play of a first player at a first gaming device;

monitoring second base game play of a second player at a second gaming device;

receiving a bonus trigger at the first gaming device to initiate a bonus event;

displaying an invitation to the second player at the second gaming device, the invitation inviting the second player to participate in the bonus event;

receiving player inputs from the first and second player to advance through the bonus event when the second player accepts the invitation to participate in the bonus event; and

awarding prizes respectively accumulated during the bonus event to the first and second player.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

transferring game control of the first gaming device from the first base game play to the bonus event after receiving the bonus trigger;

transferring game control of the second gaming device from the second base game play to the bonus event when the second player accepts the invitation to participate in the bonus event; and

returning game control of the first and second gaming devices from the bonus event to the first and second base game play, respectively, after awarding the prizes.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein transferring game control of the second gaming device from the second base game play to the bonus event includes deducting a bonus cost from a credit meter associated with the second gaming device.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the bonus cost is substantially equal to an average bonus payout.

31. A method of sharing game play, the method comprising:

receiving a wager from a first player at a first gaming device;

displaying a gaming event on the first gaming device and a second gaming device linked to the first gaming device, the gaming event being displayed at the first gaming device and the second gaming device substantially simultaneously;

displaying a game outcome of the gaming event at the first and second gaming devices; and

awarding prizes associated with the game outcome to at least the first player at the first gaming device.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein receiving a wager from a first player at a first gaming device includes receiving a wager from a common credit meter shared by the first player at the first gaming device and a second player at the second gaming device.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein awarding prizes associated with the gaming outcome includes incrementing the common credit meter with credits awarded based on the game outcome.

34. A method of initiating a linked gaming session between a first gaming device and a second gaming device, the method comprising:

receiving a link token identifying a first player and a second player to link;

receiving identifying information for a first player stationed at the first gaming device;

receiving identifying information for a second player stationed at the second gaming device; and

establishing a link connection between the first gaming device and the second gaming device as a result of the received link token.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

displaying a message at the first gaming device confirming that the first player wants to establish a linked gaming session; and

displaying a message at the second gaming device confirming that the second player wants to establish a linked gaming session.

36. The method of claim 34, further comprising establishing a link token based on information provided by at least one of the first and second players.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein establishing a link token includes receiving player information about the first and second player at a kiosk or player assistance station.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising providing at least one physical item to the first and second players to be inserted into at least one of the first and second gaming devices to implement the link token.

39. The method of claim 37, further comprising providing a link token on a gaming system connected to the first and second gaming devices.

40. The method of claim 37, further comprising downloading an electronic token item to a wireless device to be interfaced with at least one of the first and second gaming device to implement the link token.