Methods of conducting games of chance and gaming devices with multiple pay lines

• US 6,869,357 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2001
• Issued: 03/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Adams, William R., Hettinger, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KIM T
• Application Number:
  US10/028,847
• Publication Number:
  US 20030114215A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,189 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16, 463/20, 463/25, 463/21, 463/22, 463/30, 273/143.R, 273/142.R, 273/142.B, 273/138.1
• US Class Current: 463/16
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3286 Type of games
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

Methods of playing games of chance and gaming devices comprising multiple wagering options. In one aspect, a single wagering unit activates a plurality of pay lines. In another aspect, at least one wager is randomly assigned to at least one pay line. Other aspects include novel arrangements of pay lines and wagering options to add excitement and enjoyment to the gaming experience. According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, one or more indicia for a particular pay line are received for display thereon from at least one other gaming device.

Claims

1. A gaming method, comprising:

displaying an image comprising visible portions of a plurality of adjacent, perceptibly rotatable reels, each visible reel portion comprising a plurality of indicia positions;

displaying a plurality of pay lines, each pay line comprising a predetermined different arrangement of indicia on at least one of the visible reel portions;

placing at least one wager;

randomly assigning the at least one wager to at least one pay line of the plurality of pay lines; and

initiating perceptible rotation of the reels of the plurality of reels to randomly generate indicia on the visible reel portions.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein randomly assigning the at least one wager to at least one pay line comprises randomly activating a single pay line of the plurality of pay lines.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein randomly assigning the at least one wager to at least one pay line comprise randomly activating at least two pay lines of the plurality of pay lines.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing at least one payout in association with a display of a winning combination of indicia on the at least one randomly assigned pay line.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein providing the at least one payout comprises providing a unique payout amount in relation to other possible payout amounts associated with play.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein randomly assigning the at least one wager comprises randomly assigning the at least one wager to the at least one pay line other than a pay line normally selected for activation by placement of the at least one wager.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein randomly assigning the at least one wager comprises increasing an amount wagered on a previously activated pay line.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein randomly assigning the at least one wager comprises randomly assigning the at least one wager to the at least one pay line responsive to a player'"'"'s rate of play.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein randomly assigning the at least one wager comprises randomly assigning at least one wager to the at least one pay line responsive to the at least one wager having at least a predetermined threshold value.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein randomly assigning the at least one wager comprises randomly assigning the at least one wager to the at least one pay line responsive at least in part to play of a predetermined number of games by a player.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprises tracking play of casino games by a player and wherein randomly assigning the at least one wager comprises randomly assigning the at least one wager to the at least one pay line in response to accumulated data relating to tracked play of the player.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein randomly assigning the at least one wager comprises randomly assigning the at least one wager to the at least one pay line in response to an outcome of at least one previous game.