Gaming system and method of operating a gaming system providing wagering control features for wagering games

• US 8,087,999 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2007
• Issued: 01/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Oberberger, Michael M., Champagne, Christiaan R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coburn, Corbett B
• Application Number:
  US11/864,439
• Publication Number:
  US 20090088253A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,558 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• 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 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament

Abstract

A gaming system and method provides wagering control features for application in multi-stakes, multi-player wagering games. Players have the option to choose one of a plurality of different modes at the beginning of a gaming session. Depending on which mode is selected, the wagering control feature or features available to players during game play will be different.

Claims

1. A method of operating a gaming system including a plurality of gaming devices configured to communicate with a controller, each of said gaming devices including at least one wagering game operable upon a wager by a player, said method comprising:

(a) enabling each player playing at one of said gaming devices to choose a first mode or choose a second different mode;

(b) matching at least two of said players to compete against one another for at least one play of a wagering game based at least in part on the modes chosen by said players;

(c) initiating the play of the wagering game for said matched players, wherein said wagering game includes a plurality of opportunities at which designated bets can be made;

(d) if said matched players chose the first mode;

(i) enabling a first one of the matched players to make a first designated bet in said play of the wagering game at a first one of the opportunities to make one of said designated bets,

(ii) if the first one of the matched players makes the first designated bet at said first one of the opportunities, enabling a second one of the matched players to accept or reject the first designated bet,

(iii) if the second one of the matched players accepts the first designated bet;

(1) increasing a value associated with said play of the wagering game, and

(2) enabling the second one of the matched players to make a second designated bet in said play of the wagering game at a second one of the opportunities to make one of said designated bets, wherein said first one of the matched players is only enabled to make a third designated bet in said play of the wagering game after the second one of the matched players makes the second designated bet, and

(iv) if the second one of the matched players rejects the first designated bet, terminating the play of the wagering game for said second one of the matched players;

(e) if the matched players chose the second different mode;

(i) enabling the first one of the matched players to make the first designated bet for said play of the wagering game at the first one of the opportunities to make one of said designated bets,

(ii) if the first one of the matched players makes the first designated bet at said first one of the opportunities, enabling the second one of the matched players to accept or reject the first designated bet,

(iii) if the second one of the matched players accepts the first designated bet, increasing the value associated with said play of the wagering game and enabling said first and second matched players to continue competing in said play of the wagering game, and

(iv) if the second one of the matched players rejects the first designated bet, not increasing the value of the wagering game and enabling said first and second matched players to continue competing in said play of the wagering game;

(f) after a final one of the opportunities, determining which of the matched players wins said play of the wagering game; and

(g) providing an award based on the value associated with said play of the wagering game to the player who wins said play of the wagering game.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the designated bet includes a raise.

3. The method of claim 1, which includes providing an indication to inform said players which player is enabled to make the designated bet at each of said opportunities in the play of the wagering game.

4. The method of claim 1, which is provided through a data network.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the data network is an internet.

6. A gaming system comprising:

a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device including;

at least one input device, at least one display 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, causes the at least one processor to operate with the at least one input device and the at least one display device to display at least one wagering game operable upon a wager by a player; and

a controller, said gaming devices and said controller configured to;

(a) enable each player playing at one of said gaming devices to choose a first mode or choose a second different mode;

(b) match at least two of said players to compete against one another for at least one play of a wagering game based at least in part on the modes chosen by said players;

(c) initiate the play of the wagering game for said matched players, wherein said wagering game includes a plurality of opportunities at which designated bets can be made;

(d) if said matched players chose the first mode;

(i) enable a first one of the matched players to make a first designated bet in said play of the wagering game at a first one of the opportunities to make one of said designated bets,

(ii) if the first one of the matched players makes the first designated bet at said first one of the opportunities, enable a second one of the matched players to accept or reject the first designated bet,

(iii) if the second one of the matched players accepts the first designated bet;

(1) increase a value associated with said play of the wagering game, and

(2) enable the second one of the matched players to make a second designated bet in said play of the wagering game at a second one of the opportunities to make one of said designated bets, wherein said first one of the matched players is only enabled to make a third designated bet in said play of the wagering game after the second one of the matched players makes the second designated bet, and

(iv) if the second one of the matched players rejects the first designated bet, terminate the play of the wagering game for said second one of the matched players;

(e) if the matched players chose the second different mode;

(i) enable the first one of the matched players to make the first designated bet for said play of the wagering game at the first one of the opportunities to make one of said designated bets,

(ii) if the first one of the matched players makes the first designated bet at said first one of the opportunities, enable the second one of the matched players to accept or reject the first designated bet,

(iii) if the second one of the matched players accepts the first designated bet, increase the value associated with said play of the wagering game and enabling said first and second matched players to continue competing in said play of the wagering game, and

(iv) if the second one of the matched players rejects the first designated bet, not increase the value of the wagering game and enabling said first and second matched players to continue competing in said play of the wagering game;

(f) after a final one of the opportunities, determine which of the matched players wins said play of the wagering game; and

(g) provide an award based on the value associated with said play of the wagering game to the player who wins said play of the wagering game.

7. The gaming system of claim 6, wherein the designated bet includes a raise.

8. The gaming system of claim 6, wherein the gaming devices and controller are configured to provide an indication to inform said players which player is enabled to make the designated bet at each of said opportunities in the play of the wagering game.

9. A memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by a controller causes the controller to operate with a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device configured display at least one wagering game operable upon a wager by a player, to:

(a) enable each player playing at one of said gaming devices to choose a first mode or choose a second different mode;

(b) match at least two of said players to compete against one another for at least one play of a wagering game based at least in part on the modes chosen by said players;

(c) initiate the play of the wagering game for said matched players, wherein said wagering game includes a plurality of opportunities at which designated bets can be made;

(d) if said matched players chose the first mode;

(i) enable a first one of the matched players to make a first designated bet in said play of the wagering game at a first one of the opportunities to make one of said designated bets,

(ii) if the first one of the matched players makes the first designated bet at said first one of the opportunities, enable a second one of the matched players to accept or reject the first designated bet,

(iii) if the second one of the matched players accepts the first designated bet;

(1) increase a value associated with said play of the wagering game, and

(2) enable the second one of the matched players to make a second designated bet in said play of the wagering game at a second one of the opportunities to make one of said designated bets, wherein said first one of the matched players is only enabled to make a third designated bet in said play of the wagering game after the second one of the matched players makes the second designated bet, and

(iv) if the second one of the matched players rejects the first designated bet, terminate the play of the wagering game for said second one of the matched players;

(e) if the matched players chose the second different mode;

(i) enable the first one of the matched players to make the first designated bet for said play of the wagering game at the first one of the opportunities to make one of said designated bets,

(ii) if the first one of the matched players makes the first designated bet at said first one of the opportunities, enable the second one of the matched players to accept or reject the first designated bet,

(iii) if the second one of the matched players accepts the first designated bet, increase the value associated with said play of the wagering game and enabling said first and second matched players to continue competing in said play of the wagering game, and

(iv) if the second one of the matched players rejects the first designated bet, not increase the value of the wagering game and enabling said first and second matched players to continue competing in said play of the wagering game;

(f) after a final one of the opportunities, determine which of the matched players wins said play of the wagering game; and

(g) provide an award based on the value associated with said play of the wagering game to the player who wins said play of the wagering game.

10. The memory device of claim 9, wherein the designated bet includes a raise.

11. The memory device of claim 9, wherein the instructions further cause the controller to operate with the gaming devices to provide an indication to inform said players which player is enabled to make the designated bet at each of said opportunities in the play of the wagering game.