Gaming device and method of playing a game

• US 6,612,575 B1
• Filed: 09/01/2000
• Issued: 09/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: Colepat, LLC
• Inventors: Tarantino, Elia Rocco, Cole, Joseph W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Benjamin H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): COLLINS, DOLORES R
• Application Number:
  US09/653,049
• Time in Patent Office: 1,096 Days
• Field of Search: 463/20, 434/161, 434/176, 434/157, 273/143.R, 273/138
• US Class Current: 273/138.1
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

A game having a bonus feature and a gaming apparatus for presenting the game are disclosed. One embodiment of the method comprises the steps of a player placing a wager, spinning a plurality of first reels having indicia thereon, determining if indicia displayed by the plurality of first reels associated with a first pay line comprises a predetermined winning combination, and if so, paying a first award and then associating that first award with at least one bonus reel, permitting a player to spin the at least one bonus reel or otherwise participate in the bonus event, and determining if an award associated with the at least one bonus reel is associated with a second pay line, and if so, paying a bonus award. In one embodiment, the gaming device includes three first mechanical or video-generated reels for playing the first game, one second mechanical or video-generated reel for playing the bonus event, and associated mechanisms for accepting wagers, paying winnings, and associating win amounts from the first game with the at least one bonus reel.

Claims

1. A method of playing a game comprising:

accepting selection by a player of an indicia from a group of indicia;

presenting a main game comprising generating a set of indicia selected from said group of indicia;

determining if the outcome of said main game is a winning outcome;

playing a bonus event, said bonus event comprising the random selection of an indicia from a set of at least one indicia generated by playing said main game, said set of indicia generated by playing said main game including indicia which are associated with the bonus event as a result of winning outcomes of said main game; and

determining the outcome of said bonus event, said outcome of said bonus event comprising a winning outcome if said randomly selected indicia comprises said indicia selected by said player.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bonus event comprises the rotation of an element bearing said set of at least one indicia generated by playing said main game.

3. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bonus event comprises the video simulation of a rotating bonus wheel.

4. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said set of indicia generated by playing said main game comprises indicia representing values of awards received for winning outcomes of the play of said main game.

5. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said set of indicia generated by playing said main game comprises indicia displayed on one of a set of reels comprising said main game when said outcome of said main game is a winning outcome.

6. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bonus event comprises a bonus board defining a grid of positions for accepting associated indicia.

7. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said step of accepting selection of an indicia comprises displaying said group of indicia and accepting an input of a player of one of said group.

8. A method of playing a main game comprising:

presenting a main game comprising generating a set of indicia;

determining if the outcome of said main game is a winning outcome;

associating an indicia with said bonus event as a result of a winning outcome of said main game and removing said associated indicia from said main game;

playing a bonus event, said bonus event comprising the random selection of at least one indicia from said indicia which are associated with the bonus event as a result of winning outcomes of said main game; and

determining the outcome of said bonus event.

9. The method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said removed indicia are reassociated with said main game after the play of said bonus event.

10. The method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said bonus event comprises the rotation of an element bearing said set of at least one indicia generated by playing said main game.

11. The method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said bonus event comprises the video simulation of the rotation of a bonus wheel.

12. The method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said set of indicia generated by playing said main game comprises indicia representing values of awards received for winning outcomes from the play of said main game.

13. The method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said set of indicia generated by playing said main game comprises indicia displayed on one of a set of reels comprising said main game when said outcome of said main game is a winning outcome.

14. The method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said bonus event comprises a bonus board defining a grid of positions for accepting associated indicia.