Method of playing a multi-stage wagering game

• US 6,062,980 A
• Filed: 05/19/1997
• Issued: 05/16/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sierra Design Group (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Luciano, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CLAYTON, SHEILA
• Application Number:
  US08/858,226
• Time in Patent Office: 1,093 Days
• Field of Search: 463/20, 463/21, 463/22, 463/16-19, 273/143 R, 273/138.1, 273/138.2, 273/138.3, 273/138 A
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes

Abstract

A method of playing a multi-stage wagering game is disclosed in which two random outputs may be generated. The outputs may be generated simultaneously or consecutively, and the second may be dependent upon the first output. If the first output is a predefined first-stage winning output, a first-stage prize may be awarded. If the second output is a predefined second-stage prize winning output, a second-stage prize may be awarded. If both the first and second outputs are prize winning outputs, a third-stage prize may be awarded. If a combination or partial combination of both the first and second outputs is a prize winning output, another third-stage prize may be awarded.

Claims

1. A method of playing a multi-stage wagering game, the method comprising the following steps:

(A) generating a first random output;

(B) awarding a first-stage prize if the first random output is a predefined first stage output;

(C) generating a second random output independently from the first random output; and

(D) awarding a third-stage prize if both the first and the second outputs are predefined prize winning outputs.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the third-stage prize is only awarded if a predefined enabling event has occurred.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the predefined enabling event is a player placing a second-stage wager.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the predefined enabling event is a player activating the generation of the second random output.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of awarding a second-stage prize if the second random output is a predefined output.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the first random output is generated in a first game and the second random output is generated in a second game.

7. A method of playing a multi-stage wagering game, the method comprising the following steps:

(A) generating a first random output;

(B) awarding a first-stage prize if the first random output is a predefined first stage output;

(C) generating a second random output; and

(D) awarding a third-stage prize if a combination or partial combination of the first and the second outputs is a predefined prize winning output.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the third-stage prize is only awarded if a predefined enabling event has occurred.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the predefined enabling event comprises a player performing a predefined act.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the predefined enabling event comprises a predefined first random output.

11. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of awarding a second-stage prize if the second random output is a predefined second-stage output.

12. A method of playing a multi-stage wagering game on an electronic wagering device, the electronic wagering device having first and second display devices for displaying randomly generated outputs, the method comprising the following steps:

(A) generating a first random output;

(B) displaying the first random output on the first display device;

(C) awarding a first-stage prize if the first random output is a predefined first stage output;

(D) generating a second random output independently from the first random output;

(E) displaying the second random output; and

(F) awarding a third-stage prize if the first and second outputs are predefined prize winning outputs.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the second random output is only displayed and the third-stage prize is only awarded if a predefined enabling event has occurred.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the predefined enabling event comprises a player performing a predefined act.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the predefined enabling event is a predefined first-stage output.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of awarding a second-stage prize if the second random output is a predefined second-stage output.

17. A method of playing a multi-stage wagering game on an electronic wagering device, the electronic wagering device having first and second display devices for displaying randomly generated outputs, the method comprising the following steps:

(A) generating a first random output;

(B) displaying the first random output on the first display device;

(C) awarding a first-stage prize if the first random output is a predefined first-stage output;

(D) generating a second random output; and

(E) awarding a third-stage prize if a combination or partial combination of the first and second outputs is a predefined prize winning output.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the second output is only displayed and the third-stage prize is only awarded if a predefined enabling event has occurred.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the predefined enabling event comprises a player placing a second-stage wager.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the predefined enabling event comprises a player activating the generation of the second-stage output.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein the predefined enabling event is a predefined first-stage output.

22. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of awarding a second-stage prize if the second random output is a predefined second-stage output.