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Gaming machine and method involving a selectable bonus evaluation system

  • US 7,699,698 B2
  • Filed: 06/03/2004
  • Issued: 04/20/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2003
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A gaming machine comprising:

  • a cabinet;

    at least one display device supported by the cabinet;

    a memory device;

    an input device operable by a player; and

    a control unit, in communication with the memory device and input device, the control unit configured to operate with the at least one display device to;

    (a) display a plurality of reels associated with a main game, each one of the reels having a plurality of symbols which are displayable at a plurality of symbol display areas, each one of the symbol display areas being designatable as a bonus evaluation area, the plurality of symbols including a plurality of bonus symbols, the plurality of symbols being combinable to form a plurality of different symbol combinations displayable on the reels, the symbol combinations including at least one winning combination;

    (b) access wager data stored in the memory device, the wager data corresponding to a plurality of wager levels including a first wager level and a greater, second wager level, each one of the wager levels being sufficient for starting a play of the main game;

    (c) receive a wager input signal, the wager input signal corresponding to a wager received from the player to start the play of the main game;

    (d) designate for said play of the main game a quantity of one or more win zones associated with a plurality of the symbol display areas, wherein the quantity of win zones designated for said play of the main game is independent of whether the received wager is at the first or second wager level;

    (e) display an indication of said designated win zones for said play of the main game;

    (f) if the received wager is at the first wager level, randomly select a first quantity of the plurality of symbol display areas to designate as bonus evaluation areas for said play of the main game, the first quantity being at least one, wherein which of said plurality of symbol display areas are selected to be designated as bonus evaluation areas is determined independent of the symbol display areas associated with any designated win zones;

    (g) if the received wager is at the second wager level, randomly select a second quantity of the plurality of symbol display areas to designate as bonus evaluation areas for said play of the main game, the second quantity being greater than the first quantity, wherein which of said plurality of symbol display areas are selected to be designated as bonus evaluation areas is determined independent of the symbol display areas associated with any designated win zones;

    (h) randomly generate a plurality of the symbols of the reels for said play of the main game;

    (i) display the randomly generated symbols at a plurality of the symbol display areas, including any of the bonus evaluation areas;

    (j) perform a first evaluation to determine whether the symbols displayed in any of said designated win zones form the at least one winning combination, the at least one winning combination having a winning combination probability of occurrence;

    (k) provide a main game award in response to the occurrence of the at least one winning combination;

    (l) perform a second evaluation to determine whether any bonus symbols are displayed at any of the bonus evaluation areas;

    (m) if at least one bonus symbol is displayed at at least one of said designated bonus evaluation areas, start a bonus game, the bonus game having a probability of occurrence which is;

    (1) independent of the winning combination probability; and

    (2) dependent upon the quantity of symbol display areas which are randomly selected to be designated as bonus evaluation areas for said play of the main game; and

    (n) provide a bonus award as a result of a winning bonus outcome occurring in the bonus game.

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