Method of playing game and gaming games with an additional payout indicator

• US 6,089,978 A
• Filed: 09/22/1998
• Issued: 07/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1994
• 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): Chapman, Jeanette
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gorden, Raeann
• Application Number:
  US09/157,994
• Time in Patent Office: 665 Days
• Field of Search: 273/143 R, 273/138 A, 273/318 R, 273/138.2, 273/138.1, 463/20
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00157 Casino or betting games horse races A63F3/00082
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• 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

Abstract

Gaming devices comprising a standard gaming unit, e.g., three reels, and a discernible additional payout indicator, e.g., a rotatable wheel. A preferred bonus payout indicator is clearly visible by the player and is actuatable when the reels of the slot machine stop on certain predetermined indicia. A preferred embodiment further comprises a payout multiplier which displays a plurality of values by which a payout may be multiplied.

Claims

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

providing a player of with an opportunity to place a wager to activate a primary gaming unit;

said primary gaming unit displaying a randomly selected primary display to a player, said display comprising at least one indicia from a plurality of possible indicia;

providing a secondary gaming unit comprising indicia of a bowling game; and

displaying randomly selected indicia of a bowling game with said secondary gaming unit if said primary display comprised a predetermined display.

2. A method of conducting a game of chance according to claim 1 further comprising providing said player with one of a plurality of prizes depending upon the outcome of said secondary gaming unit.

3. A method of conducting a game of chance according to claim 1 wherein said primary gaming unit comprises a plurality of reels.

4. A method of conducting a game of chance according to claim 3 wherein said indicia which determines whether said player can play said secondary gaming unit is only on one of said reels.

5. A method of conducting a game of chance according to claim 4 further comprising a plurality of pay lines.

6. A method of conducting a game of chance according to claim 5 wherein said secondary gaming unit simulates a full bowling game if said indicia appears on a first pay line.

7. A method of conducting a game of chance according to claim 6 less than a full bowling game if said indicia appears on a second pay line.