Method of playing game and gaming device with at least one additional payout indicator

• US 5,882,261 A
• Filed: 09/30/1996
• Issued: 03/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: Anchor Gaming (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Adams, William R.
• Primary Examiner(s): LAYNO, BENJAMIN
• Application Number:
  US08/722,379
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• Field of Search: 273/143 R, 273/138 A, 273/138 R, 273/121 R, 273/121 A, 273/121 B, 273/121 D, 273/121 E, 273/120 A, 273/120 R, 463/20
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2007/0064 Ball games combined with other games
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 7/02 using falling playing bodies or playing bodies running on an inclined surface, e.g. pinball games bagatelle or similar games A63D13/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 7/022 Pachinko
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 7/027 electric
• 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 17/3297 Fairground games, e.g. Tivoli, coin pusher machines, cranes

Abstract

Methods of playing games and gaming devices useful with playing games comprise a standard gaming unit, e.g., three reels, and a discernible additional payout indicator. The additional payout indicator comprises a value selector and a multiplier, wherein the multiplier comprises a pinball-type game. According to a preferred embodiment the multiplier also comprises a rotatable reel into which the pinball drops in order to determine one of a plurality of values. The points attained during the pinball-type game play are utilized in the calculation of the multiplier value.

Claims

1. A gaming device comprising:

a first gaming unit for displaying a randomly selected combination of indicia, said displayed indicia selected from the group consisting of reels, indicia of reels, indicia of playing cards, and combinations thereof;

means for generating at least one signal corresponding to at least one predetermined display of indicia by said first gaming unit;

a payout indicator responsive to said signal and comprising at least one value indicator and a multiplier, and further comprising indicia of a pinball-type game, wherein said payout indicator means is operatively connected to said first gaming unit.

2. A gaming device according to claim 1 wherein said value indicator comprises a wheel.

3. A gaming device according to claim 2 wherein said wheel is rotatable.

4. A gaming device according to claim 1 wherein said first gaming unit comprises indicia of reels.

5. A gaming device according to claim 1 wherein said first gaming unit comprises three reels.

6. A gaming device according to claim 5 wherein said payout indicator comprises at least one reel.

7. A gaming device according to claim 1 wherein said first gaming unit comprises indicia of playing cards.

8. A gaming device according to claim 1 wherein said multiplier is utilized to determine one of a plurality of values by which a payout may be multiplied.

9. A gaming device according to claim 8 wherein said multiplier broadcasts at least one message other than a multiplier by which a payout may be multiplied.

10. A gaming device according to claim 8 wherein said multiplier is randomly controlled.

11. A gaming device according to claim 10 wherein said pinball is randomly controlled.

12. A gaming device according to claim 11 wherein said payout indicator comprises an audio speaker.

13. A gaming device according to claim 1 wherein said multiplier further comprising a plurality of slots into which said pinball may drop.

14. A gaming device according to claim 13 wherein a player controls the drop of said pinball.

15. A gaming device according to claim 1 wherein said payout indicator comprises a video screen.

16. A gaming device according to claim 1 wherein said payout indicator comprises an audio speaker.

17. A gaming device according to claim 1 wherein said first gaming unit comprises a plurality of reels.

18. A gaming device according to claim 17 wherein said payout indicia comprises a reel.

19. A gaming device according to claim 17 wherein said payout multiplier comprises a wheel comprising segments with different values.

20. A gaming device comprising:

a first gaming unit for displaying a randomly selected combination of indicia, said displayed indicia selected from the group consisting of reels, indicia of reels, indicia of playing cards, and combinations thereof;

means for generating at least one signal corresponding to at least one select display of indicia;

means for providing at least one discernible indicia of a mechanical payout indicator, said providing means indicating at least one of a plurality of possible payouts, wherein said providing means is operatively connected to said first gaming unit and actuatable in response to said signal; and

means for generating at least one discernible indicia of an additional payout comprising a payout multiplier in the form of a pinball-type game.

21. A gaming device according to claim 20 wherein said payout indicia comprises indicia of a reel.

22. A method of conducting a wagering game of chance comprising the steps of:

providing a player with an opportunity to place a wager;

displaying a randomly selected combination of indicia, said displayed indicia selected from the group consisting of reels, indicia of reels, indicia of playing cards, and combination thereof;

generating at least one signal corresponding to at least one select display of said indicia;

providing at least one discernible indicia of a payout indicator in response to said signal, said additional payout indicator comprising a multiplier in the form of a pinball-type game.

23. A method of conducting a wagering game of chance according to claim 22 wherein said step of providing indicia of a payout indicator comprises providing indicia of a rotatable wheel.

24. A method of conducting a game of chance according to claim 22 wherein said displaying step comprises displaying a plurality of reels.

25. A method of conducting a game of chance according to claim 24 wherein said providing step comprises displaying a plurality of bonus indicia on a wheel.

26. A method of conducting a game of chance according to claim 22 wherein said providing step comprises displaying a plurality of bonus indicia on a wheel.

27. A gaming device comprising:

a first gaming unit for displaying a randomly selected combination of indicia, said displayed indicia selected from the group consisting of reels, indicia of reels, indicia of playing cards, and combinations thereof;

means for generating at least one signal corresponding to at least one predetermined display of indicia by said first gaming unit;

a payout indicator responsive to said signal and comprising at least one value indicator comprising a wheel, a multiplier, and indicia of a pinball-type game, wherein said payout indicator means is operatively connected to said first gaming unit.

28. A gaming device comprising:

a first gaming unit for displaying a randomly selected combination of indicia, said displayed indicia selected from the group consisting of reels, indicia of reels, indicia of playing cards, and combinations thereof;

means for generating at least one signal corresponding to at least one select display of indicia;

means for providing at least one discernible indicia of a mechanical payout indicator, said providing means indicating at least one of a plurality of possible payouts, wherein said providing means is operatively connected to said first gaming unit and actuatable in response to said signal; and

means for generating at least one discernible indicia of a payout comprising a payout multiplier, a payout indicator in the form of a wheel comprising segments with different values, and a pinball-type game.

29. A method of conducting a wagering game of chance comprising the steps of:

providing a player with an opportunity to place a wager;

displaying a randomly selected combination of indicia, said displayed indicia selected from the group consisting of reels, indicia of reels, indicia of playing cards, and combination thereof;

generating at least one signal corresponding to at least one select display of said indicia;

providing at least one discernible indicia of a payout indicator in response to said signal, said payout indicator comprising a multiplier, a pinball-type game and indicia of a rotatable wheel.

30. A method of conducting a game of chance according to claim 29 wherein said providing step comprises displaying a plurality of payout indicia on a wheel.

31. A gaming device comprising:

a first gaming unit for displaying a randomly selected combination of indicia, said displayed indicia selected from the group consisting of reels, indicia of reels, indicia of playing cards, and combinations thereof;

means for generating at least one signal corresponding to at least one predetermined display of indicia by said first, standard gaming unit;

a payout indicator responsive to said signal and comprising a multiplier operatively linked and responsive to a pinball-type game comprising a substantially vertical play field.