Gaming device providing an opportunity to receive awards which vary with different non-max bets

• US 7,507,156 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2005
• Issued: 03/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Nicely, Mark C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pezzuto; Robert E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hsu; Ryan
• Application Number:
  US11/145,846
• Publication Number:
  US 20050282625A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,387 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463 16- 17, 463/20, 463/25, 463/29, 463 40- 42, 2731381- 2, 273/142.A, 273/143.R
• US Class Current: 463/25
• 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 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

The disclosed device and method comprise configuring a gaming device to offer one or more “As Is” prizes when a bet at a threshold limit less than a maximum bet is placed without apparently or actually reducing the expected return to player (“ERTP”) on bets larger than the threshold limit. In one version, one or more standard awards are sweetened for bets less than the maximum amount. In an alternative version, multiple “As Is” prizes are provided. Players are eligible for each “As Is” prize based on an amount of their wager. Consequently, to be eligible for a first “As Is” prize the player may need to place a first wager amount and to be eligible for a second “As Is” prize the player may need to place a second wager amount greater than the first amount.

Claims

1. A method for operating a wagering game comprising:

(a) receiving a bet at any one of a plurality of different bet amounts for a play of the wagering game, the received bet satisfying a condition which requires the bet amount to be an amount less than a maximum bet amount and equal to or greater than a threshold bet amount;

(b) in response to the received bet satisfying the condition, providing an opportunity to obtain a first award and a second award as a result of the play of the wagering game, the opportunity being available for any bet amount which satisfies the condition;

(i) the first award being determinable based on;

(x) a first factor applied to the bet amount of the received bet if said bet amount is equal to a first or second one of the bet amounts, the second bet amount being higher than the first bet amount, and

(y) a second, different factor applied to the bet amount of the received bet if said bet amount is equal to a third one of the bet amounts, the third bet amount being higher than the second bet amount, the second factor being greater than the first factor;

(ii) the second award having a maximum value available for the play of the wagering game;

(c) displaying at least one image associated with the opportunity; and

(d) indicating the determined first or second award, if any.

2. The method of claim 1 including causing the second award to include an “

As Is”

award.

3. The method of claim 1 including establishing the threshold bet amount as a minimum bet amount.

4. The method of claim 1 which includes providing the first and second factors such that said first and second factors correspond to a nonlinear award progression.

5. The method of claim 1 which includes providing an expected payout rate of return for the wagering game, the expected payout rate of return being discoverable through disclosed information, the disclosed information being selected from the group consisting of:

(a) publicly available information relating to the wagering game;

(b) information obtainable by viewing the wagering game; and

(c) information displayable in association with the wagering game.

6. The method of claim 1 which includes providing an expected payout rate of return for the wagering game, the expected payout rate of return being discoverable through information, at least part of the information being publicly unavailable.

7. The method of claim 2 which includes selecting the “

As Is”

award from the group consisting of a static monetary amount, a progressive jackpot and tangible personal property.

21. The method of claim 1 which includes:

(a) specifying a first ratio of the first award to the first bet amount if the bet amount of the received bet is equal to the first bet amount;

(b) specifying a second ratio of the first award to the second bet amount if the bet amount of the received bet is equal to the second bet amount, the second ratio being different from the first ratio; and

(c) specifying a third ratio of the first award to the third bet amount if the bet amount of the received bet is equal to the third bet amount, the third ratio being different from the second ratio.

22. The method of claim 21 which includes specifying:

(a) the first ratio such that the first ratio is proportional to the second ratio, and (b) the second ratio such that the second ratio is non-proportional to the third ratio.

8. A gaming device comprising:

at least one display device;

at least one input device;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to;

(a) receive a bet for a play of a game, the received bet satisfying a condition which requires the bet amount to be an amount less than a maximum bet amount and an amount equal to or greater than a threshold bet amount;

(b) start a play of the game;

(c) in response to the received bet satisfying the condition, provide an opportunity to obtain a first award and a second award as a result of the play of the wagering game, the opportunity being available for any bet amount which satisfies the condition;

(i)the first award being determinable based on;

(x) a first factor applied to the bet amount of the received bet if said bet amount is equal to a first or second one of the bet amounts, the second bet amount being higher than the first bet amount, and

(y) a second, different factor applied to the bet amount of the received bet if said bet amount is equal to a third one of the bet amounts, the third bet amount being higher than the second bet amount, the second factor being greater than the first factor; and

(ii) the second award having a maximum value available for the play of the wagering game;

(d) display an image associated with the opportunity; and

(e) indicate the determined first or second award, if any.

9. The gaming device of claim 8 wherein the threshold bet amount is equal to a minimum bet amount.

10. The gaming device of claim 8 wherein the first and second factors correspond to a nonlinear award progression.

11. The gaming device of claim 8 wherein the game has an expected payout rate of return, the expected payout rate of return being discoverable through disclosed information, the disclosed information being selected from the group consisting of:

(a) publicly available information relating to the wagering game;

(b) information obtainable by viewing the wagering game; and

(c) information displayable in association with the wagering game.

12. The gaming device of claim 8 wherein the game has an expected payout rate of return, the expected payout rate of return being discoverable through information, at least part of the information being publicly unavailable.

13. The gaming device of claim 8 wherein the second award includes at least one “

As Is”

award, the “

As Is”

award being selected from the group consisting of a static monetary amount, a progressive jackpot and tangible personal property.

23. The gaming device of claim 8 which includes data corresponding to:

(a) a first ratio of the first award to the first bet amount if the bet amount of the received bet is equal to the first bet amount;

(b) a second ratio of the first award to the second bet amount if the bet amount of the received bet is equal to the second bet amount, the second ratio being different from the first ratio; and

(c) a third ratio of the first award to the third bet amount if the bet amount of the received bet is equal to the third bet amount, the third ratio being different from the second ratio.

24. The gaming device of claim 23 wherein:

(a) the first ratio is proportional to the second ratio; and

(b) the second ratio is non-proportional to the third ratio.

14. A method for operating a gaming device, the method comprising:

(a) receiving a bet for a play of a game, the received bet satisfying one of a plurality of conditions, the conditions including;

(i) a first condition which requires the bet to be equal to one of a plurality of different bet levels, each one of the bet levels being less than a maximum bet level, the bet levels including;

(x) a first bet level;

(y) a second bet level which is greater than the first bet level; and

(z) a third bet level which is greater than the second bet level; and

(ii) a second condition which requires the bet to be equal to the maximum bet level;

(b) starting a play of a game;

(c) in response to the received bet satisfying the first condition, providing an opportunity to obtain;

(i) one of a plurality of awards, and (ii) a maximum award as a result of the play of the game, the opportunity being provided regardless of whether the bet level of the received bet is equal to the first, second, or third bet level;

(x) the plurality of awards including;

(1) a first one of the awards which is available if the bet level of the received bet is equal to the first bet level, the first award having an amount which depends upon the first bet level;

(2) a second one of the awards which is available if the bet level of the received bet is equal to the second bet level, the second award having an amount which depends upon the second bet level, the second award being greater than the first award; and

(3) a third one of the awards which is available if the bet level of the received bet is equal to the third bet level, the third award having an amount which depends upon the third bet level, the third award being greater than the second award, the first, second and third awards corresponding to the first, second and third bet levels so as to define a non-linear award progression; and

(y) the maximum award being a maximum prize value available for the play of the game;

(d) in response to the received bet satisfying the second condition, providing an opportunity to obtain the maximum award as a result of the play of the game; and

(e) indicating any one of the awards obtained.

15. The method of claim 14 which includes providing the maximum award such that said maximum award has an amount which is greater than the amounts of the first, second, and third awards.

16. The method of claim 14 which includes determining the first award or the second award based on a mathematical operation applied to the bet amount of the received bet if said bet amount is equal to the first bet level or second bet level, and determining the third award based on a different mathematical operation applied to the bet amount of the received bet if said bet amount is the third bet level.

17. The method of claim 16 which includes providing an average expected return for the game which increases based on the non-linear award progression.

18. The method of claim 14 which includes selecting the maximum award from the group consisting of a static monetary amount, a progressive jackpot and tangible personal property.

19. The method of claim 14 which includes providing an average expected return for the game, the average expected return being discoverable through disclosed information, the disclosed information being selected from the group consisting of:

(a) publicly available information relating to the game;

(b) information obtainable by viewing the game; and

(c) information displayable in association with the game.

20. The method of claim 14 which includes providing an average expected return for the game, the average expected return being discoverable through information which is, at least in part, publicly unavailable.

25. A gaming system comprising:

at least one display device;

at least one input device;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to;

(a) receive a bet a play of a game, the received bet satisfying one of a plurality of conditions, the conditions including;

(i) a first condition which requires the bet to be equal to one of a plurality of bet levels which are less than a maximum bet level, the bet levels including;

(x) a first bet level;

(y) a second bet level which is greater than the first bet level; and

(z) a third bet level which is greater than the second bet level;

(ii) a second condition which requires the bet to be equal to the maximum bet level;

(b) start a play of the game;

(c) in response to the received bet satisfying the first condition, provide an opportunity to obtain;

(i) one of a plurality of awards, and (ii) a maximum award as a result of the play of the game, the opportunity being provided regardless of whether the bet level of the received bet is equal to the first, second, or third bet level;

(x) the plurality of awards including;

(1) a first award which is available if the bet level of the received bet is equal to the first bet level, the first award having an amount which depends upon the first bet level;

(2)a second award which is available if the bet level of the received bet is equal to the second bet level, the second award having an amount which depends upon the second bet level, the second award being greater than the first award;

(3) a third award which is available if the bet level of the received bet is equal to the third bet level, the third award having an amount which depends upon the third bet level the third award being greater than the second award, the first, second and third awards corresponding to the first, second and third bet levels so as to define a non-linear award progression; and

(y) the maximum award being a maximum prize value available for the play of the game;

(d) in response to the received bet satisfying the second condition, providing an opportunity to obtain the maximum award as a result of the play of the game; and

(e) indicate any one of the awards obtained.

26. The gaming system of claim 25, wherein the game has an expected payout rate of return, the expected payout rate of return being discoverable through disclosed information, the disclosed information being selected from the group consisting of:

(a) publicly available information relating to the game;

(b) information obtainable by viewing the game; and

(c) information displayable in association with the game.

27. The gaming system of claim 25, wherein each one of the bet levels is equal to or greater than a minimum bet level.

28. The gaming system of claim 25, wherein the maximum award includes at least one “

As Is”

award.

29. The gaming system of claim 28, wherein the “

As Is”

award includes an award selected from the group consisting of a static monetary amount, a progressive jackpot, and tangible personal property.

30. A gaming system comprising:

at least one display device;

at least one input device;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to;

(a) receive a bet for a play of a game, the received bet satisfying a bet condition, the bet condition requiring the bet to be equal to one of a plurality of bet levels which are less than a maximum bet level, the bet levels including;

(x) a first bet level;

(y) a second bet level which is greater than the first bet level; and

(z) a third bet level which is greater than the second bet level;

(b) start the play of the game; and

(c) in response to the received bet satisfying the bet condition, provide an opportunity to satisfy a first winning condition and a second winning condition as a result of the play of the game, the first and second winning conditions being satisfiable for any one of the bet levels;

(i) in response to the first winning condition being satisfied;

(x) determine a first award which is available if the bet level of the received bet is equal to the first bet level;

(y) determine a second award which is available if the bet level of the received bet is equal to the second bet level, the second award being greater than the first award; and

(z) determine a third award which is available if the bet level of the received bet is equal to the third bet level, the third award being greater than the second award, the first, second and third awards corresponding to the first, second and third bet levels so as to define a non-linear award progression; and

(ii) in response to the second winning condition being satisfied, indicate a maximum award which is available for the play of the game, the game being associated with an average expected payback percentage which remains substantially unchanged regardless of whether the received bet has the first, second or third bet level.

31. The gaming system of claim 30, which includes:

(a) a second bet condition which requires the received bet to be equal to the maximum bet level, and (b) at least one instruction, which when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor, in response to the received bet satisfying the second bet condition, to provide another opportunity to satisfy the second winning condition.

32. The gaming system of claim 30, wherein the maximum award includes an “

As Is”

award selected from the group consisting of a static monetary amount, a progressive jackpot and tangible personal property.

33. The gaming system of claim 30, wherein each one of the bet levels is equal to or greater than a minimum bet level.

34. The gaming system of claim 30, wherein:

the first and second winning conditions remain simultaneously available throughout the play of the game regardless of whether the received bet has the first, second or third bet level.

35. A gaming system comprising:

at least one display device;

at least one input device;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to;

(a) receive a bet for a play of a game, the received bet satisfying one of a plurality of conditions, the conditions including;

(i) a first condition which requires the bet to be equal to one of a plurality of bet levels which are less than a maximum bet level, the bet levels including;

(x) a first bet level;

(y) a second bet level which is greater than the first bet level; and

(z) a third bet level which is greater than the second bet level;

(ii) a second condition which requires the bet to be equal to the maximum bet level;

(b) start a play of the game;

(c) in response to the received bet satisfying the first condition, provide an opportunity to obtain;

(i) one of a plurality of awards, and (ii) at least one As Is award as a result of the play of the game, the at least one As Is award being selected from the group consisting of a static jackpot award, a progressive jackpot award, and tangible personal property, the opportunity being provided regardless of whether the bet level of the received bet is equal to the first, second, or third bet level;

(x) the plurality of awards including;

(1) a first award which is available if the bet level of the received bet is equal to the first bet level, the first award having an amount which depends upon the first bet level;

(2) a second award which is available if the bet level of the received bet is equal to the second bet level, the second award having an amount which depends upon the second bet level, the second award being greater than the first award;

(3) a third award which is available if the bet level of the received bet is equal to the third bet level, the third award having an amount which depends upon the third bet level, the third award being greater than the second award, the first, second and third awards corresponding to the first, second and third bet levels so as to define a non-linear award progression;

(d) in response to the received bet satisfying the second condition, providing an opportunity to obtain the at least one As Is award as a result of the play of the game; and

(e) indicate any one of the awards obtained.

36. The gaming system of claim 35, wherein the As Is award has a maximum prize value available for the play of the game.

37. The gaming system of claim 35, which includes a plurality of As Is awards, each of the As Is awards being selected from the group consisting of a static jackpot award, a progressive jackpot award, and tangible personal property.