Gaming device including outcome pools for providing game outcomes

• US 7,563,163 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2002
• Issued: 07/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Crumby, Hardy L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo; Peter DungBa
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoel; Matthew D.
• Application Number:
  US10/261,744
• Publication Number:
  US 20040063489A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,485 Days
• Field of Search: 463/20, 463 16- 19, 463/25, 463 11- 13, 463 21- 23, 273/269, 273/270, 273/292, 273/148.R, 273/149.R, 273/149.P, 273/148.B, 283/49, 283/903, 283/50, 283/1.B, 235/1.B, 235/78.G, 235/88.G, 235/61.G, 235/90, 340/323.R, 340/323.B, 700 91- 93, 377/4, 377/5, 708250-256
• US Class Current: 463/17
• 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 which includes one or more outcome pools for providing outcomes to players. After a predetermined event occurs, the gaming device processor draws one or more outcomes from one or more pools. The gaming device provides the drawn outcomes to a player and prevents the drawn outcomes from being provided to any player again until the processor has provided players with all of the outcomes remaining in the pools of the drawn outcomes.

Claims

1. A gaming device operable under control of at least one processor, said gaming device comprising:

at least one display device adapted to display a game;

at least one input device; and

at least one data storage device operable to store a plurality of pools of predetermined game outcomes;

said at least one processor programmed to communicate with at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, wherein upon initiation of a play of said game, said instructions are executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device, the at least one data storage device, and the at least one input device to;

(a) select one of the pools to be in a set of pools;

(b) draw one of the predetermined game outcomes from the selected pool;

(c) provide the drawn predetermined game outcome to the player, wherein each drawn predetermined game outcome is prevented from being provided again to any player until all of the predetermined game outcomes in the selected pools have been drawn;

(d) repeat (b) to (c) until a predetermined event occurs; and

(e) following the occurrence of the predetermined event, select at least another one of the pools to be in the set of pools for at least one subsequent play of the game, wherein the predetermined event is the selected pool includes a number of remaining predetermined game outcomes greater than one and less than a predetermined number and for said at least one subsequent play of the game, one of the predetermined game outcomes is drawn from any one of the selected pools in the set of pools with at least one available predetermined game outcome in said pool.

2. A gaming device comprising:

a data storage device configured to store a plurality of pools of predetermined game outcomes;

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, the at least one input device and data storage device to;

(a) select one of the stored pools of predetermined game outcomes to be in a set of pools;

(b) for a play of a game;

(i) draw one of the predetermined game outcomes from the selected pool, and

(ii) display and provide the drawn predetermined game outcome to a player;

(c) prevent said drawn predetermined game outcome from being provided again to any player until all of the predetermined game outcomes in the selected pool have been drawn;

(d) repeat (b) to (c) until a predetermined event occurs; and

(e) following the occurrence of the predetermined event, select at least another one of the pools to be in the set of pools for at least one subsequent play of the game, wherein for said at least one subsequent play of the game, any one of the selected pools in the set of pools with at least one predetermined game outcome in said pool is available to draw one of the predetermined game outcomes from and the predetermined event is selected from the group consisting of;

(i) a first predetermined number of the predetermined game outcomes is drawn from the selected pool, wherein said first predetermined number of drawn predetermined game outcomes is less than all of the predetermined game outcomes in the selected pool, and

(ii) the selected pool includes a number of remaining predetermined game outcomes greater than one and less than a second predetermined number.

3. The gaming device of claim 2, wherein the predetermined game outcome include at least one value.

4. The gaming device of claim 2, wherein a plurality of the predetermined game outcomes are values.

5. The gaming device of claim 4, wherein each of the pools includes a plurality of value levels.

6. The gaming device of claim 5, which includes a zero credit value level.

7. The gaming device of claim 5, which includes a predetermined credit value level.

8. The gaming device of claim 5, which includes a predetermined quantity of values at each value level.

9. The gaming device of claim 2, wherein the predetermined game outcomes include at least one opportunity to obtain a value.

10. The gaming device of claim 2, wherein the predetermined game outcomes include at least one decrease in an opportunity to obtain a value.

11. The gaming device of claim 2, wherein the predetermined game outcomes include at least one value of zero credits.

12. The gaming device of claim 2, wherein the predetermined game outcomes include at least one value loss.

13. The gaming device of claim 2, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to randomly select one of the pools to draw from.

14. The gaming device of claim 2, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to select the pools in a predetermined order.

16. The gaming device of claim 2, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to draw the predetermined game outcomes in a predetermined order.

17. The gaming device of claim 2, wherein at least two of the pools are identical.

18. The gaming device of claim 2, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to select said at least another one of the pools to be in the set of pools for said at least one subsequent play of the game if a designated predetermined game outcome is drawn.

19. The gaming device of claim 18, wherein the predetermined designated outcome is a rare outcome.

15. The gaming device of 2, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to randomly draw the predetermined game outcomes.

20. A gaming device comprising:

a data storage device configured to store a plurality of pools of predetermined game outcomes;

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 following at least one event associated with a game, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device, the at least one input device and data storage device to;

(a) select a plurality of said pools to be in a set of pools;

(b) for a plurality of plays of a game until a predetermined event occurs;

(i) draw a plurality of said predetermined game outcomes from the selected pools in the set of pools,

(ii) display and provide the drawn predetermined game outcomes to at least one player, and

(iii) prevent each drawn predetermined game outcome from being provided again to any player until all of the predetermined game outcomes in the selected pools have been drawn; and

(c) following the occurrence of the predetermined event, select at least another one of the pools to be in the set of pools for at least one subsequent play of the game, wherein for said at least one subsequent play of the game, any one of the selected pools in the set of pools with at least one predetermined game outcome in said pool is available to draw one of the predetermined game outcomes from and the predetermined event is selected from the group consisting of;

(i) a predetermined number of the predetermined game outcomes is drawn from the selected pools in the set of pools, wherein said predetermined number of drawn predetermined game outcomes is less than all of the predetermined game outcomes in the selected pools, and

(ii) the selected pools in the set of pools includes a number of remaining predetermined game outcomes greater than one and less than a second predetermined number.

21. The gaming device of claim 20, wherein at least two of the pools are identical.

22. The gaming device of claim 20, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to select said at least another one of the pools to be in the set of pools for said at least one subsequent play of the game if a designated predetermined game outcome is drawn.

23. The gaming device of claim 22, wherein the predetermined designated outcome is a rare outcome.

24. A gaming device comprising:

a data storage device configured to store a plurality of pools of predetermined game outcomes;

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, the at least one input device and data storage device to, without performing a probability calculation;

(a) select one of the pools to be in a set of pools;

(b) for a play of a game;

(i) draw at least one of the predetermined game outcomes from the selected pool, and

(ii) display and provide the drawn predetermined game outcome to a player;

(c) prevent the drawn predetermined game outcome from being provided again to any player until all of the predetermined game outcomes in the selected pool have been provided;

(d) repeat (b) to (c) until a predetermined event occurs;

(e) following the occurrence of the predetermined event, selecting at least another one of the pools to be in the set of pools for at least one subsequent play of the game, wherein the predetermined event is selected from the group consisting of;

(i) a predetermined number of the predetermined game outcomes is drawn from the selected pool, wherein said predetermined number of drawn predetermined game outcomes is less than all of the predetermined game outcomes in the selected pool, and

(ii) the selected pool includes a number of remaining predetermined game outcomes greater than one and less than a second predetermined number; and

(f) for the subsequent play of the game;

(i) draw at least one of the predetermined game outcomes from any one of the selected pools in the set of pools with at least one predetermined game outcome in said pool, and

(ii) display and provide said drawn predetermined game outcome.

25. The gaming device of claim 24, wherein at least two of the pools are identical.

26. The gaming device of claim 24, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to select said at least another one of the pools to be in the set of pools for said at least one subsequent play of the game if a designated predetermined game outcome is drawn.

27. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein the predetermined designated outcome is a rare outcome.

28. A gaming device comprising:

a data storage device configured to store a plurality of pools, wherein a plurality of predetermined values are included in each of the pools, and at least one game symbol is associated with each of the predetermined values;

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, the at least one input device and data storage device to;

(a) initiate a game upon a wager by a player;

(b) receive a signal from the at least one input device;

(c) select one of the pools to be in a set of pools;

(d) draw at least one of the predetermined values from the selected pool;

(e) display the game symbol associated with the drawn predetermined value;

(f) display and provide the drawn predetermined value to the player;

(g) prevent the drawn predetermined value from being provided again to any player until all of the predetermined values in the selected pool have been provided;

(h) repeat (d) to (g) until a predetermined event occurs;

(i) following the occurrence of the predetermined event, select at least another one of the pools to be in the set of pools for at least one subsequent play of the game, wherein for said at least one subsequent play of the game, any one of the selected pools in the set of pools with at least one predetermined value in said pool is available to draw one of the predetermined values from and the predetermined event is selected from the group consisting of;

(i) a predetermined number of the predetermined values is drawn from the selected pool, wherein said predetermined number of drawn values is less than all of the values in the selected pool, and

(ii) the selected pool includes a number of remaining values greater than one and less than a second predetermined number; and

(j) terminate the game.

29. The gaming device of claim 28, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to randomly select one of the pools.

30. The gaming device of claim 28, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to select the pools in a predetermined sequence.

31. The gaming device of claim 28, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to prevent the drawn predetermined value from being provided again to any player until all of the predetermined values in a plurality of the pools have been provided.

32. The gaming device of claim 28, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to prevent the drawn predetermined value from being provided again to any player until all of the predetermined values in all of the pools have been provided.

33. The gaming device of claim 28, wherein each of the pools includes a plurality of value levels.

34. The gaming device of claim 33, which includes a predetermined quantity of values at each value level.

35. The gaming device of claim 33, which includes a zero credit value level.

36. The gaming device of claim 28, wherein at least two of the pools are identical.

37. The gaming device of claim 28, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to select said at least another one of the pools to be in the set of pools for said at least one subsequent play of the game if a designated predetermined value is drawn.

38. The gaming device of claim 37, wherein the designated predetermined value is a rare value.

39. A gaming device comprising:

a data storage device configured to store a plurality of pools of predetermined awards, wherein a plurality of different award types are included in each of the pools and a plurality of predetermined quantities of the awards are associated with each award type;

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, the at least one input device and data storage device to;

(a) select one of the pools to be in a set of pools;

(b) for a play of a game;

(i) draw at least one of the predetermined awards from the selected pool, and

(ii) display and provide the drawn predetermined award to a player,

(c) prevent the drawn predetermined award from being provided again to any player until all of the predetermined awards in all of the pools have been provided;

(d) repeat (b) to (c) until a predetermined event occurs;

(e) following the occurrence of the predetermined event, select at least another one of the pools to be in the set of pools for at least one subsequent play of the game, wherein the predetermined event is selected from the group consisting of;

(i) a first predetermined number of the predetermined awards is drawn from the selected pool, wherein said first predetermined number of drawn predetermined awards is less than all of the predetermined awards in the selected pool, and

(ii) the selected pool includes a number of remaining predetermined awards greater than one and less than a second predetermined number; and

(f) for said at least one subsequent play of the game;

(i) draw at least one of the predetermined awards from any one of the selected pools in the set of pools with at least one predetermined award in said pool, and

(ii) display and provide the drawn predetermined award.

40. The gaming device of claim 39, wherein at least two of the pools are identical.

41. The gaming device of claim 39, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to select said at least another one of the pools to be in the set of pools for said subsequent play of the game if a designated predetermined award is drawn.

42. The gaming device of claim 41, wherein the designated predetermined award is a rare award.

43. A gaming device comprising:

a data storage device configured to store a plurality of pools of predetermined game outcomes;

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, the at least one input device and data storage device to;

(a) select one of the pools to be in a set of pools;

(b) for a play of a game;

(i) draw one of the predetermined game outcomes from the selected pool, and

(ii) display and provide the drawn predetermined game outcome to a player;

(c) prevent the drawn predetermined game outcome from being drawn again until all of the predetermined game outcomes in the selected pool have been drawn;

(d) repeat steps (b) through (c) until a predetermined event occurs, wherein the predetermined event is selected from the group consisting of;

(i) a first predetermined number of the predetermined game outcomes is drawn from the selected pool, wherein said first predetermined number of drawn predetermined game outcomes is less than all of the predetermined game outcomes in the selected pool, and

(ii) the selected pool includes a number of remaining predetermined game outcomes greater than one and less than a second predetermined number; and

(e) following the occurrence of the predetermined event, select at least another one of the pools to be in the set of pools for at least a subsequent play of the game, wherein for said at least one subsequent play of the game, one of the predetermined game outcomes is drawn from any one of the selected pools in the set of pools with at least one available predetermined game outcome in said pool.

44. The gaming device of claim 43, wherein at least two of the pools are identical.

45. The gaming device of claim 43, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to select said at least another one of the pools to be in the set of pools for said at least one subsequent play of the game if a designated predetermined game outcome is drawn.

46. The gaming device of claim 45, wherein the predetermined designated outcome is a rare outcome.

47. A gaming device comprising:

at least one data storage device configured to store a plurality of pools of predetermined game outcomes, wherein each of the pools includes at least one rare outcome and a plurality of other predetermined game outcomes;

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, the at least one input device and data storage device to;

(a) select a first one of the pools to be in a set of pools after a predetermined event occurs;

(b) for a play of a game;

(i) draw one of the predetermined game outcomes from the selected first one of the pools,

(ii) display and provide the drawn predetermined game outcome to a player, and

(iii) prevent the drawn predetermined game outcome from being drawn again;

(c) repeat steps (b) through (c) until a rare outcome in the selected first one of the pools is drawn and;

(i) at least a first predetermined number of said other predetermined game outcomes is drawn from the first one of the pools, wherein said first predetermined number of drawn predetermined game outcomes is less than all of the predetermined game outcomes in the first one of the pools, or (ii) the first one of the pools includes a number of remaining other predetermined game outcomes greater than one and less than a second predetermined number;

(d) select a different one of the pools to be in the set of pools for at least one subsequent play of the game;

(e) for the subsequent play of the game;

(i) draw one of the predetermined game outcomes from one of the pools in the set of pools, wherein for said at least one subsequent play of the game, one of the predetermined game outcomes is drawn from any one of the selected pools in the set of pools with at least one available predetermined game outcome in said pool,

(ii) display and provide the drawn predetermined game outcome to the player, and

(iii) prevent the drawn predetermined game outcome from being drawn again; and

(f) repeat steps (e) until a rare outcome in the selected different one of the pools is drawn and;

(i) at least a third predetermined number of said other predetermined game outcomes is drawn in the different one of the pools, or (ii) the different one of the pools includes a number of remaining other predetermined game outcomes greater than one and less than a fourth predetermined number.

48. The gaming device of claim 47, wherein at least two of the pools are identical.

49. A gaming device comprising:

a data storage device configured to store a plurality of pools of predetermined game outcomes, wherein each of said pools includes at least one termination outcome and a plurality of continuation outcomes;

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, the at least one input device and data storage device to;

(a) for a play of a game;

(i) draw said termination outcome or one of the continuation outcomes from a selected one of the pools in a set of pools, and

(ii) display and provide the drawn outcome to a player;

(b) prevent the drawn outcome from being provided again to any player until all of the outcomes in said selected one of the pools have been drawn and provided;

(c) repeat (a) to (b) until a predetermined event occurs; and

(d) following the occurrence of the predetermined event, select at least another one of the pools to be in the set of pools for at least one subsequent play of the game, wherein for said at least one subsequent play of the game, any one of the selected pools in the set of pools with at least one predetermined game outcome in said pool is available to draw one of the predetermined game outcomes from and the predetermined event is selected from the group consisting of;

(i) a predetermined number of the predetermined game outcomes is drawn from one of the pools, wherein said predetermined number of drawn predetermined game outcomes is less than all of the predetermined game outcomes in said pool, and

(ii) said pool includes a number of remaining predetermined game outcomes greater than one and less than a second predetermined number.

50. The gaming device of claim 49, wherein at least one of the continuation outcomes includes a predetermined value.

51. The gaming device of claim 49, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to select said at least another one of the pools to be in the set of pools for said at least one subsequent play of the game if a designated predetermined game outcome is drawn.

52. The gaming device of claim 51, wherein the predetermined designated outcome is a rare outcome.

53. A gaming device comprising:

a data storage device configured to store a plurality of pools of predetermined game outcomes, wherein each of said pools includes at least one termination outcome and a plurality of value outcomes;

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, the at least one input device and data storage device to;

(a) for a play of a game;

(i) receive a signal following a player'"'"'s selection of one of a plurality of symbols,

(ii) draw said termination outcome or one of the value outcomes from a selected one of the pools in a set of pools, and

(iii) provide the drawn termination outcome or value outcome to the player;

(b) prevent the drawn termination outcome or value outcome from being provided again to any player until all of the outcomes in said selected one of the pools have been drawn and provided;

(c) repeat (a) to (b) until a predetermined event occurs; and

(d) following the occurrence of the predetermined event, select at least another one of the pools to be in the set of pools for at least one subsequent play of the game, wherein for said at least one subsequent play of the game, any one of the selected pools in the set of pools with at least one predetermined game outcome in said pool is available to draw one of the predetermined game outcomes from and the predetermined event is selected from the group consisting of;

(i) a predetermined number of the predetermined game outcomes is drawn from one of the pools, wherein said predetermined number of drawn predetermined game outcomes is less than all of the predetermined game outcomes in said pool, and

(ii) said pool includes a number of remaining predetermined game outcomes greater than one and less than a second predetermined number.

54. The gaming device of claim 53, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to select said at least another one of the pools to be in the set of pools for said at least one subsequent play of the game if a designated predetermined game outcome is drawn.

55. A gaming device comprising:

a data storage device;

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, the at least one input device and data storage device to;

(a) generate a first pool of predetermined game outcomes to be in a set of pools;

(b) store the generated first pool of predetermined game outcomes;

(c) for a play of a game;

(i) draw one of the predetermined game outcomes from the first pool, and

(ii) display and provide the drawn predetermined game outcome to a player;

(d) generate a second pool of predetermined game outcomes to be in the set of pools following a predetermined event, wherein the predetermined event is selected from the group consisting of;

(i) a first predetermined number of the predetermined game outcomes is drawn from the first pool, wherein said first predetermined number of drawn predetermined game outcomes is less than all of the predetermined game outcomes in the first pool, and

(ii) the first pool includes a number of remaining predetermined game outcomes greater than one and less than a second predetermined number;

(e) store the generated second pool of predetermined game outcomes; and

(f) for a second play of the game;

(i) draw one of the predetermined game outcomes from the first pool or the second pool, and

(ii) prevent each drawn predetermined game outcome from being provided again to any player until all of the outcomes are drawn from the pool which included the drawn outcome.

56. The gaming device of claim 55, wherein the predetermined event is the drawing of a designated predetermined outcome.

57. The gaming device of claim 55, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to prevent each drawn predetermined game outcome from being provided again to any player all of the predetermined game outcomes are drawn from the first pool and the second pool.

58. The gaming device of claim 55, wherein a plurality of the predetermined game outcomes are value outcomes.

59. The gaming device of claim 58, wherein the predetermined event is the drawing of a predetermined value outcome.

60. A gaming device comprising:

a data storage device;

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, the at least one input device and data storage device to;

(a) generate a plurality of pools of predetermined game outcomes, one at a time, while the gaming device is in service;

(b) after each pool is generated, store each generated pool of predetermined game outcomes;

(c) for a play of a game;

(i) draw one of the predetermined game outcomes from a selected one of the stored pools in a set of pools, and

(ii) display and provide the drawn predetermined game outcome to a player;

(d) prevent each drawn predetermined game outcome from being provided again to any player until all of the predetermined game outcomes are drawn from the selected one of the pools;

(e) repeat (c) to (d) until a predetermined event occurs; and

(f) following the occurrence of the predetermined event, select at least another one of the pools to be in the set of pools for at least one subsequent play of the game, wherein for said at least one subsequent play of the game, any one of the selected pools in the set of pools with at least one predetermined game outcome in said pool is available to draw one of the predetermined game outcomes from and the predetermined event is selected from the group consisting of;

(i) a first predetermined number of the predetermined game outcomes is drawn from the stored pool which included the drawn outcome, wherein said first predetermined number of drawn predetermined game outcomes is less than all of the predetermined game outcomes in the stored pool which included the drawn outcome, and

(ii) the pool which included the drawn outcome includes a number of remaining predetermined game outcomes greater than one and less than a second predetermined number.

61. The gaming device of claim 60, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to select said at least another one of the pools to be in the set of pools for said at least one subsequent play of the game if a designated predetermined game outcome is drawn.

62. The gaming device of claim 61, wherein the predetermined designated outcome is a rare outcome.

63. A method of operating a gaming device including a plurality of instructions, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) causing a data storage device to store a plurality of pools, wherein, different types of predetermined game outcomes are in the pools;

(b) providing a player with an opportunity to obtain at least one of the outcomes;

(c) causing a processor to execute said plurality of instructions to draw one of the predetermined game outcomes from a selected one of the pools in a set of pools;

(d) causing a display device to display the drawn predetermined game outcome;

(e) providing the drawn predetermined game outcome to the player;

(f) causing the processor to execute said plurality of instructions to prevent the drawn predetermined game outcome from being provided to any players until all of the predetermined game outcomes in said selected one of the pools have been provided;

(g) repeating (b) to (f) until a predetermined event occurs; and

(h) following the occurrence of the predetermined event, causing the processor to execute said plurality of instructions to select at least another one of the pools to be in the set of pools for at least one subsequent play of the game, wherein for said at least one subsequent play of the game, any one of the selected pools in the set of pools with at least one predetermined game outcome in said selected pool is available to draw one of the predetermined game outcomes from and the predetermined event is selected from the group consisting of;

(i) a first predetermined number of the predetermined game outcomes is drawn from one of the pools, wherein said first number of drawn predetermined game outcomes is less than all of the predetermined game outcomes in said selected pool, and

(ii) said selected pool includes a number of remaining predetermined game outcomes greater than one and less than a second predetermined number.

64. The method of claim 63, which includes causing the processor to execute said plurality of instructions to select said at least another one of the pools to be in the set of pools for said at least one subsequent play of the game if a designated predetermined game outcome is drawn.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein the predetermined designated outcome is a rare outcome.