Method and device for playing a keno game in which a player is charged for performing game playing actions

• US 6,368,214 B1
• Filed: 09/20/2000
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Sierra Design Group (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: Luciano, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): LAYNO, BENJAMIN
• Application Number:
  US09/665,742
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16-19, 463/25, 273/269, 273/138.1, 273/138.2, 273/139
• US Class Current: 463/18
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/00 Card games aspects of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions showing representations related to the game A63F13/00; card games played on a gaming machine G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2001/008 adapted for being playable on a screen
• 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 keno wagering game that is based upon a multi-step game is disclosed. The method utilizes an underlying keno game that allows the player to perform predefined chargeable actions while the player is playing the underlying game. The player is charged for each chargeable action the player performs. The player is awarded a prize if a predefined prize event or condition occurs during the game. The method of the present invention may be applied to solitaire, poker, blackjack, slot machines, and many other kinds of games.

Claims

1. A method of playing a keno wagering game on an electronic device, the method comprising:

(A) a player making at least one credit available to the electronic device;

(B) the player initiating a game cycle;

(C) the electronic device displaying a plurality of numbers;

(D) the player selecting at least one number;

(E) the electronic device randomly generating a number;

(F) the electronic device charging the player a predefined amount of credits for each predefined chargeable action performed, the chargeable action being a game playing action, wherein the credits charged the player are an immediate debit to the player not dependent upon the occurrence of a future event; and

(G) the electronic device awarding a prize to the player if a predefined prize event occurs.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein predefined chargeable action comprises the electronic device randomly generating a number.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the predefined prize event may occur more than once per game cycle.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein a prize event occurs when the number generated by the electronic device is the same as the number selected by the player.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the size of the prize awarded to the player is dependent on the number of numbers selected by the player.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the size of the prize awarded to the player is also dependent on the number of numbers randomly generated by the electronic device.

7. A method of playing a keno wagering game on an electronic device, the method comprising:

(A) a player making at least one credit available to the electronic device;

(B) the player selecting a charge amount;

(C) the player selecting at least one number;

(D) the electronic device generating a random number;

(E) the electronic device charging the player the charge amount for each predefined chargeable action performed, the chargeable action being a game playing action, wherein the charge is an immediate debit to the player not dependent upon the occurrence of a future event; and

(F) the electronic device awarding a prize to the player if a predefined prize event occurs.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the predefined prize event comprises the random number being equivalent to the number selected by the player.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising the player causing the electronic device to generate the random number.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the chargeable action comprises the player causing the electronic device to generate the random number.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the size of the prize is dependent on the size of the charge amount.

12. An electronic wagering device for playing keno comprising the following:

(A) a computer, the computer being adapted to operate software, receive input commands, and communicate information to a player;

(B) game software installed on the computer, the game software being adapted to perform the following;

(a) operate a game and generate a game display, the game requiring a player to perform an indefinite number of game playing actions to complete a game cycle, the game playing actions being other than an action to begin a game cycle, the game display comprising a wagering card having a plurality of numerals;

(b) charge the player a predefined amount of credits for each predefined chargeable action the player performs, the chargeable action being a game playing action, wherein the credits charged the player are an immediate debit to the player not dependent upon the occurrence of a future event;

(c) allow the player to select values from the wagering card;

(d) generate random values, the generation of each random value being a chargeable action; and

(e) award a prize to the player when a prize winning event occurs.

13. The device of claim 12, further comprising means for accepting credits from a player.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the game software is further adapted to store credits in a virtual bank.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein a prize event occurs when a value generated by the software is equivalent to a value selected by the player.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein the prize awarded is determined from a predefined table on the game display.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the predefined table may change during the game cycle based on a comparison of the selected values and the generated values.