Interactive keno gaming system and method

• US 6,824,465 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2002
• Issued: 11/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bally Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sierra Design Group (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Luciano, Robert A. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Benjamin
• Application Number:
  US10/214,862
• Publication Number:
  US 20030232638A1
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: 463/18, 463/17, 463/19, 463/20, 463/21, 463/25-28, 273/274, 273/269, 273/138.1, 273/138.2, 273/143.R
• US Class Current: 463/18
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/329 Regular and instant lottery, e.g. electronic scratch cards

Abstract

The present invention includes an interactive keno game method that comprises receiving at least one player selected symbol from a player during a game session. The at least one player selected symbol is drawn from a set of game symbols. The method then proceeds to receive a condition from the player that identifies the player credits applied for each chargeable action. The condition describes the number of credits that are to be played during each chargeable action. Each chargeable action includes the picking of at least one game selected symbol from the set of game symbols. During a game session the chargeable actions are performed more than once. Additionally, if there is a match between the at least one game selected symbol and the at least one player selected symbol the game session is paused. Furthermore, a prize may be awarded to the player when the at least one player selected symbol matches the at least one game selected symbol. During the game session, the player is provided with various opportunities to terminate the game session wherein the game session outcome is achieved at least in part by the player'"'"'s skill. Additionally, the interactive keno game may be terminated because the game rules require ending the game session or the player has insufficient credits to continue the game session.

Claims

1. A method of playing an interactive game that comprises,

receiving from a player at least one player selected symbol during game session;

receiving from said player at least one player credit for each chargeable action performed during said game session;

performing a plurality of chargeable actions wherein each chargeable action includes having said interactive game pick at least one game selected symbol from a set of game symbols and charging said player said at least one player credit;

providing a dynamic paytable that awards a prize when said at least one player selected symbol matches said at least one game selected symbol;

modifying said dynamic paytable after performing each chargeable action; and

permitting said player to terminate said game session so that said player'"'"'s skill in considering said dynamic paytable affects said game session outcome.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said at least one player selected symbol is selected from a set of numbers.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said at least one game selected symbol is selected from said set of numbers.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said set of game symbols is said set of numbers.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said set of numbers include a plurality of integers.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said set of numbers comprises less that 40 integers.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein said set of numbers comprises less than 60 integers.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein said set of numbers comprises less than 80 integers.

9. The method of claim 5 wherein said set of numbers comprises less than 100 integers.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising modifying said dynamic paytable according to a total number of player credits played during said game session.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising modifying said dynamic paytable according to a formula having a weighted probability, said weighted probability dependent on a total number of game selected symbols picked during said game session.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising awarding an intermediary prize of a plurality of additional credits when said at least one game selected symbol matches said at least one player selected symbol.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising permitting said additional credits to be used by said player during said game session.

14. A method for operating an interactive keno gaming device, comprising:

receiving from a player at least one player selected symbol during a game session;

receiving from said player at least one player credit for each chargeable action performed during said game session;

performing a plurality of chargeable actions wherein each chargeable action includes having said interactive game pick at least one game selected symbol from said set of game symbols and charging said player said at least one player credit;

providing a dynamic paytable that awards a prize when said at least one player selected symbol matches said at least one game selected symbol;

modifying said dynamic paytable after performing each chargeable action; and

permitting said player to terminate said game session after each chargeable action is performed.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said at least one player selected symbol is selected from a set of numbers.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said at least one game selected symbol is selected from said set of numbers.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said set of game symbols is said set of numbers.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said set of numbers include a plurality of integers.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said set of numbers comprises less that 40 integers.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein said set of numbers comprises less than 60 integers.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein said set of numbers comprises less than 80 integers.

22. The method of claim 18 wherein said set of numbers comprises less than 100 integers.

23. The method of claim 14 further comprising modifying said dynamic paytable according to a total number of player credits played during said game session.

24. The method of claim 14 further comprising modifying said dynamic paytable according to a formula having a weighted probability, said weighted probability dependent on a total number of game selected symbols picked during said game session.

25. The method of claim 14 further comprising awarding an intermediary prize of a plurality of additional credits when said at least one game selected symbol matches said at least one player selected symbol.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising permitting said additional credits to be used by said player during said game session.

27. The method of claim 14 wherein said permitting said player to terminate said game session after each chargeable action further comprises having said game session outcome affected by said player'"'"'s skill in considering said dynamic paytable.

28. An interactive gaming system comprising,

a display configured to display an interactive game;

a player interface configured to permit said player to interact with said interactive game by having said player select one or more player selected symbols from a set of game symbols;

a first meter that identifies the number of credits charged for each chargeable action wherein each chargeable action includes having said interactive game pick at least one game selected symbol from said set of game symbols and charging said player at least one player credit;

a dynamic paytable that awards a prize when said at least one player selected symbol matches said at least one game selected symbol, said dynamic paytable configured to be modified after each chargeable action; and

a button that permits said player to terminate said game sessions, said player'"'"'s decision to terminate said game session depends in part on said player'"'"'s skill in analyzing said dynamic paytable.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein said at least one player selected symbol is selected from a set of numbers.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein said at least one game selected symbol is selected from said set of numbers.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein said set of game symbols is said set of numbers.

32. The system of claim 31 wherein said set of numbers include a plurality of integers.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein said set of numbers comprises less that 40 integers.

34. The system of claim 32 wherein said set of numbers comprises less than 60 integers.

35. The system of claim 32 wherein said set of numbers comprises less than 80 integers.

36. The system of claim 32 wherein said set of numbers comprises less than 100 integers.

37. The system of claim 28 wherein said dynamic paytable is modified according to a total number of player credits played during said game session.

38. The system of claim 28 wherein said dynamic paytable is modified according to a formula having a weighted probability, said weighted probability dependent on a total number of game selected symbols picked during said game session.

39. The system of claim 28 further comprising an intermediary prize that awards a plurality of additional credits when said at least one game selected symbol matches said at least one player selected symbol and said additional credits can be used by said player during said game session.

40. The system of claim 28 wherein said interactive game is a keno game.