Gaming device and method of operation thereof

• US 6,520,856 B1
• Filed: 03/08/2000
• Issued: 02/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Mik, Magdalena, Jorasch, James A., Walker, Jay S.
• Primary Examiner(s): SAGER, MARK ALAN
• Application Number:
  US09/521,875
• Time in Patent Office: 1,077 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463/11-13, 463/16-21, 463/23, 463/25-30, 463/36, 463/40, 463/42, 463/44, 463/43, 700/91-93, 340/323.R, 273/138.1, 273/138.2, 273/139, 273/143.R, 273/292-293
• US Class Current: 463/21
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• 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 gaming device such as a video based slot machine provides a player the ability to modify at least one parameter of the slot machine. The slot machine then modifies other parameters to ensure a desired house advantage. Odds, payout schedules and wager amounts may be customized by a player, and the slot machine automatically determines changes in other parameters which were not customized to maintain a constant house advantage. Software running on the slot machine uses an equation that takes into account pertinent parameters or variables such as size of jackpot, amount wagered taken in at each pull, and probability of hitting the jackpot at each pull. Based on the equation, the software adjusts parameters other than the one(s) specified by the player so that the outcome (the house advantage) remains constant with each pull. A player interface provides an easy to use method of modifying selected parameters.

Claims

1. A slot machine, comprising:

means for providing to a player at least three parameters of a gaming device as available for customization;

means for receiving a selection from a player of a customizable parameter and a customized value for the customizable parameter,

wherein the customizable parameter is one of the three parameters;

means for receiving a selection from a player of a compensating parameter that is different from the customizable parameter,

wherein the compensating parameter is one of the three parameters other than the customizable parameter;

means for determining a compensating value for the compensating parameter based on the customized value and a desired house advantage; and

means for modifying the selected customizable parameter based on the customized value and for modifying the selected compensating parameter based on the determined compensating value.

2. The slot machine of claim 1, wherein the customizable parameter comprises a table of symbol combinations that comprise winning combinations and wherein receiving a customized value for the customizable parameter comprises:

receiving an indication from the player of a previously non-winning symbol combination that is to be included in the table of symbol combinations that comprise winning combinations.

3. The slot machine comprising:

receiving from the player an indication of a payout amount to be associated with the previously non-winning symbol combination.

4. A method comprising:

providing, to a player, at least three parameters of a gaming device as available for customization;

receiving, from a player,

(i) a selection of a customizable parameter, and

(ii) a customized value for the customizable parameter,

wherein the customizable parameter is one of the three parameters;

receiving, from a player, a selection of a compensating parameter that is different from the customizable parameter,

wherein the compensating parameter is one of the three parameters other than the customizable parameter;

determining a compensating value for the compensating parameter based on the customized value and a desired house advantage; and

modifying the selected customizable parameter based on the customized value and for modifying the selected compensating parameter based on the determined compensating value.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least three parameters comprise:

(i) a set of payout amounts of a payout schedule, each payout amount corresponding to an outcome that may be obtained on the gaming device;

(ii) a set of probabilities, each probability comprising a probability of obtaining a particular outcome; and

(iii) a wager amount required for play of the gaming device.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein one of the at least three parameters comprises a set of playing cards available for dealing in a video poker game,

and wherein the step of receiving, from a player, a selection of a customizable parameter and a customized value for the customizable parameter comprises:

receiving, from a player,

(i) a selection of the set of playing cards as the customizable parameter, and

(ii) a number of playing cards to be included in the deck as the customized value for the customizable parameter.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein one of the at least three parameters comprises a set of playing cards available for dealing in a video poker game,

and wherein the step of receiving, from a player, a selection of a customizable parameter and a customized value for the customizable parameter comprises:

receiving, from a player,

(i) a selection of the set of playing cards as the customizable parameter, and

(ii) a number of a particular one of the set of playing cards to be included in the deck as the customized value for the customizable parameter.

8. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform

a method, said method comprising:

the method of claim 4.

9. A method of facilitating play of a gaming device, comprising:

modifying, in response to a request from a player, a payout amount from a first payout amount to a second payout amount,

wherein each of the first payout amount and the second payout amount corresponds to an outcome of a gaming device;

determining a current wager amount that is the amount of payment required for initiating play of the gaming device for a game in which the first payout amount corresponds to the outcome;

calculating a new wager amount based on the current wager amount and the second payout amount; and

setting the new wager amount as the amount of payment required for initiating play of the gaming device for a game wherein the second payout amount corresponds to the outcome.

10. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device in communication with said processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to;

perform the method of claim 9.

11. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method, said method comprising:

the method of claim 9.

12. A method for facilitating play of a gaming device, comprising:

modifying, in response to a request from a player, a probability of an occurrence of an outcome on a gaming device from a first probability to a second probability,

wherein each of the first probability and the second probability corresponds to an outcome of a gaming device;

determining a current wager amount that is the amount of payment required for initiating play of the gaming device;

calculating a new wager amount based on the current wager amount and the second probability; and

setting the new wager amount as the amount of payment required for initiating play of the gaming device for a game wherein the second probability corresponds to the outcome.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

outputting a message to the player, wherein the message includes a suggestion to modify the probability of the occurrence of the outcome.

14. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device in communication with said processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to;

perform the method of claim 12.

15. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method, said method comprising:

the method of claim 12.