Gaming device and method providing relatively large awards with variable player participation levels

• US 8,113,939 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2006
• Issued: 02/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Cannon, Lee E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, David L
• Assistant Examiner(s): RENWICK, REGINALD A
• Application Number:
  US11/530,285
• Publication Number:
  US 20070184887A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,985 Days
• Field of Search: 273/269, 463 17- 20, 463/26, 463/27
• US Class Current: 463/18
• 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 17/3258 Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played

Abstract

An improved number matching game is provided. The game includes a matching game with multiple number sets. A player can win standard Keno paytable awards in addition to relatively large awards. A player'"'"'s initial set has a minimum size requirement for the player to be eligible for the relatively large award. The gaming machine provides supplemental numbers to the player if the player does not select the minimum quantity of numbers. Any supplemental numbers created for the player cannot be used towards the Keno paytable awards. In one embodiment, odds of winning the relatively large awards are kept proportionate with the player'"'"'s wager level.

Claims

1. A gaming device operable under the control of a processor, said gaming device comprising:

a display device;

an input device; and

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

(a) display a plurality of game symbols;

(b) cause a selection of a quantity of at least two of said game symbols to form an initial symbol set, wherein;

(i) if the quantity of game symbols selected for the initial symbol set is a first quantity, a base award has a first probability of being provided; and

(ii) if the quantity of game symbols selected for the initial symbol set is a second, different quantity, the base award has a second, different probability of being provided;

(c) after the initial symbol set is selected, select a quantity of supplemental symbols from said game symbols to form a supplemental symbol set if the quantity of game symbols selected for the initial symbol set is less than a predetermined quantity, wherein the game symbols in the initial symbol set and any supplemental symbols in the supplemental symbol set form a total symbol set;

(d) draw a plurality of said game symbols to form a first processor selected set;

(e) provide a designated award if a predetermined number of the game symbols in the total symbol set correspond to the game symbols in the first processor selected set; and

(f) provide the base award if a predetermined number of the game symbols in the initial symbol set correspond to the game symbols in the first processor selected set.

2. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the initial symbol set is a player selected set.

3. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the supplemental symbol set is a processor selected set.

4. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the designated award is selected from one of a static award and a progressive award.

5. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes a plurality of base awards.

6. The gaming device of claim 5, wherein, if the designated award is not provided, when executed by the processor, the plurality of instructions cause the processor to provide one of the base awards if a predetermined number of the game symbols in the initial symbol set correspond to the game symbols in the first processor selected set.

7. The gaming device of claim 5, wherein the provided base award is determined by a Keno paytable.

8. The gaming device of claim 5, wherein the provided base award is variable and the base award increases as the number of game in the initial symbol set which correspond to the game symbols in the first processor selected set increases.

9. A gaming device operable under the control of a processor, said gaming device comprising:

a display device;

an input device; and

a memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to operate with the display device and the input device, for each play of a game, to;

(a) display a plurality of game symbols;

(b) cause a selection of a plurality of said game symbols to form an initial symbol set, wherein a quantity of game symbols selected for the initial symbol set is predetermined;

(c) draw a plurality of said game symbols to form a first processor selected set, wherein a quantity of game symbols selected for the first processor selected set is predetermined;

(d) draw a plurality of said game symbols to form a second processor selected set, wherein;

(i) the draw of the plurality of game symbols which form the second processor selected set is independent from the draw of the plurality of game symbols which form the first processor selected set;

(ii) if a first amount is wagered on the play of the game, the second processor selected set includes a first quantity of game symbols, the first quantity of game symbols including at least one game symbol which has a first probability of corresponding to one of the game symbols in the initial symbol set; and

(iii) if a second, different amount is wagered on the play of the game, the second processor selected set includes a second quantity of game symbols different from the first quantity of game symbols, the second quantity of game symbols including at least one game symbol which has a second probability of corresponding to one of the game symbols in the initial symbol set, said second probability being different from said first probability; and

(e) provide a designated award if a predetermined number of the game symbols in the initial symbol set correspond to the game symbols in the second processor selected set.

10. The gaming device of claim 9, wherein the initial symbol set is a player selected set.

11. The gaming device of claim 9, wherein the initial symbol set is a processor selected set.

12. The gaming device of claim 9, wherein the first predetermined quantity of game symbols in the initial symbol set is one symbol.

13. The gaming device of claim 9, wherein the quantity of game symbols in the second processor selected set is selected from a group consisting of a determination based on static odds for each draw, a determination based on a static portion of the draw and a determination based on a static portion of the selectable numbers.

14. The gaming device of claim 9, wherein the designated award is selected from one of a static award and a progressive award.

15. The gaming device of claim 9, which includes a plurality of base awards.

16. The gaming device of claim 15, wherein, if the designated award is not provided, when executed by the processor, the plurality of instructions cause the processor to provide one of the base awards if a predetermined number of the game symbols in the initial symbol set correspond to the game symbols in the first processor selected set.

17. The gaming device of claim 16, wherein the provided base award is determined by a Keno paytable.

18. The gaming device of claim 16, wherein the provided base award is variable and the base award increases as the number of game symbols in the initial symbol set which correspond to the game symbols in the first processor selected set increases.

19. A gaming device operable under the control of a processor, said gaming device comprising:

a display device;

an input device; and

a memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to operate with the display device and the input device, for each play of a game, to;

(a) display a plurality of game symbols;

(b) cause a selection of a quantity of said game symbols to form an initial symbol set, wherein;

(i) for a first wager amount, the quantity of said game symbols selected to form the initial symbol set is a first quantity, the first quantity of game symbols including at least one game symbol which is associated with a first probability of corresponding to any game symbol in a second processor selected set; and

(ii) for a second, different wager amount, the quantity of said game symbols selected to form the initial symbol set is a second quantity different from the first quantity, the second quantity of game symbols including at least one game symbol which is associated with a second probability of corresponding to any game symbol in said second processor selected set, said second probability being different from said first probability;

(c) draw a plurality of said game symbols to form a first processor selected set;

(d) draw at least one symbol to form said second processor selected set, wherein;

(i) a quantity of game symbols drawn for the second processor selected set is predetermined; and

(ii) the draw of the plurality of game symbols which form the second processor selected set is independent and distinct from the draw of the plurality of game symbols which form the first processor selected set; and

(e) provide a designated award if a predetermined number of the game symbols in the initial symbol set correspond to the game symbols in the second processor selected set.

20. The gaming device of claim 19, wherein the initial symbol set is a player selected set.

21. The gaming device of claim 19, wherein the initial symbol set is a processor selected set.

22. The gaming device of claim 19, wherein the predetermined quantity of game symbols in the second processor selected set is one symbol.

23. The gaming device of claim 19, wherein the game symbols in the initial symbol set are randomly selected before or after the start of the game.

24. The gaming device of claim 19, wherein the game symbols in the initial symbol set are selected from a group consisting of a determination based on a randomly selected cluster, group or pattern of numbers, a determination based on an interactive selection game where the cluster or pattern avoids the player'"'"'s number selections and a determination based on a predetermined set of numbers.

25. The gaming device of claim 19, wherein the designated award is selected from one of a static award and a progressive award.

26. The gaming device of claim 19, which includes a plurality of base awards.

27. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein, if the designated award is not provided, when executed by the processor, the plurality of instructions cause the processor to provide one of the base awards if a predetermined number of the game symbols in the initial symbol set correspond to the game symbols in the first processor selected set.

28. The gaming device of claim 27, wherein the provided base award is determined by a Keno paytable.

29. The gaming device of claim 27, wherein the provided base award is variable and the provided base award increases as the number of game symbols in the initial symbol set which correspond to the game symbols in the first processor selected set increases.

30. A method for operating a gaming device including a plurality of instructions, said method comprising:

(a) causing a display device to display a plurality of game symbols;

(b) causing a processor to execute the plurality of instructions to select a quantity of at least two of said game symbols to form an initial symbol set, wherein;

(i) if the quantity of game symbols selected for the initial symbol set is a first quantity, a base award has a first probability of being provided; and

(ii) if the quantity of game symbols selected for the initial symbol set is a second, different quantity, the base award has a second, different probability of being provided;

(c) causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to select a quantity of supplemental symbols from said game symbols to form a supplemental symbol set if the quantity of game symbols selected for the initial symbol set is less than a predetermined quantity, wherein the game symbols in the initial symbol set and any supplemental symbols in the supplemental symbol set form a total symbol set;

(d) causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to draw a plurality of said game symbols to form a first processor selected set;

(e) providing a designated award if a predetermined number of the game symbols in the total symbol set correspond to the game symbols in the first processor selected set; and

(f) providing the base award if a predetermined number of the game symbols in the initial symbol set correspond to the game symbols in the first processor selected set.

31. The method of claim 30, which includes enabling a player to select a plurality of said game symbols to form the initial symbol set.

32. The method of claim 30, which includes causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to select at least one game symbol to form the supplemental symbol set.

33. The method of claim 30, which includes causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to select the designated award from one of a static award and a progressive award.

34. The method of claim 30, which includes, if the designated award is not provided, providing one of a plurality of base awards if a predetermined number of the game symbols in the initial symbol set correspond to the game symbols in the first processor selected set.

35. The method of claim 34, which includes causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine the provided base award from a Keno paytable.

36. The method of claim 34, which includes causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to increase the provided base award as the number of game symbols in the initial symbol set with correspond to the game symbols in the first processor selected set increases, wherein the provided base award is variable.

37. The method of claim 30, which is provided through a data network.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the data network is an internet.

39. A method for operating a gaming device including a plurality of instructions, said method comprising:

(a) causing a display device to display a plurality of game symbols;

(b) causing a processor to execute the plurality of instructions to select a plurality of said game symbols to form an initial symbol set, wherein a quantity of game symbols selected for the initial symbol set is predetermined;

(c) causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to draw a plurality of said game symbols to form a first processor selected set, wherein a quantity of game symbols selected for the first processor selected set is predetermined;

(d) causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to draw a plurality of said game symbols to form a second processor selected set, wherein;

(i) the plurality of game symbols drawn to form the second processor selected set are drawn independent from the draw of the plurality of game symbols which form the first processor selected set;

(ii) if a first amount is wagered on the play of the game, the second processor selected set includes a first quantity of game symbols, the first quantity of game symbols including at least one game symbol which is associated with a first probability of corresponding to one of the game symbols in the initial symbol set; and

(iii) if a second, different amount is wagered on the player of the game, the second processor selected set includes a second quantity of game symbols different from the first quantity of game symbols, the second quantity of game symbols including at least one game symbol which is associated with a second probability of corresponding to one of the game symbols in the initial symbol set, said second probability being different from said first probability; and

(e) providing a designated award if a predetermined number of the game symbols in the initial symbol set correspond to the game symbols in the second processor selected set.

40. The method of claim 39, which includes enabling a player to select a plurality of said game symbols to form the initial symbol set.

41. The method of claim 39, which includes enabling a player to select or causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to select a plurality of the game symbols to form the initial symbol set.

42. The method of claim 39, which includes causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to select one game symbol for the predetermined quantity of game symbols in the initial symbol set.

43. The method of claim 39, wherein the quantity of game symbols in the second processor selected set is selected from a group consisting of a determination based on static odds for each draw, a determination based on a static portion of the draw and a determination based on a static portion of the selectable numbers.

44. The method of claim 39, which includes causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to select the designated award from one of a static award and a progressive award.

45. The method of claim 39, which includes, if the designated award is not provided, providing one of a plurality of base awards if a predetermined number of the game symbols in the initial symbol set correspond to the game symbols in the first processor selected set.

46. The method of claim 45, which includes causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine the provided base award from a Keno paytable.

47. The method of claim 45, which includes causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to increase the provided base award as the number of game symbols in the initial symbol set which correspond to the game symbols in the first processor selected set increases, wherein the provided base award is variable.

48. The method of claim 39, which is provided through a data network.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the data network is an internet.

50. A method for operating a gaming device including a plurality of instructions, said method comprising:

(a) causing a display device to display a plurality of game symbols;

(b) causing a processor to execute the plurality of instructions to select a quantity of said game symbols to form an initial symbol set, wherein;

(i) for a first wager amount, the quantity of said game symbols selected to form the initial symbol set is a first quantity, the first quantity of game symbols including at least one game symbol which is associated with a first probability of corresponding to any game symbol in a second processor selected set; and

(ii) for a second, different wager amount, the quantity of said game symbols selected to form the initial symbol set is a second quantity different from the first quantity, the second quantity of game symbols including at least one game symbol which is associated with a second probability of corresponding to any game symbol in said second processor selected set, said second probability being different from said first probability;

(c) causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to draw a plurality of said game symbols to form a first processor selected set;

(d) causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to draw a plurality of said game symbols to form said second processor selected set, wherein;

(i) a quantity of game symbols drawn for the second processor selected set is predetermined; and

(ii) the draw of the plurality of game symbols which form the second processor selected set is independent and distinct from the draw of the plurality of game symbols which form the first processor selected set; and

(e) providing a designated award if a predetermined number of the came symbols in the initial symbol set correspond to a the game symbols in the second processor selected set.

51. The method of claim 50, which includes enabling a player to select a plurality of said game symbols to form the initial symbol set.

52. The method of claim 50, which includes enabling a player to select or causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to select a plurality of the game symbols to form the initial symbol set.

53. The method of claim 50, which includes causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to select one game symbol for the predetermined quantity of game symbols in the second processor selected set.

54. The method of claim 50, which includes causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to randomly select the game symbols in the initial symbol set before or after the start of the game.

55. The method of claim 50, wherein the game symbols in the initial symbol set are selected from a group consisting of a determination based on a randomly selected cluster, group or pattern of numbers, a determination based on an interactive selection game where the cluster or pattern avoids the player'"'"'s number selections and a determination based on a predetermined set of numbers.

56. The method of claim 50, which includes causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to select the designated award from one of a static award and a progressive award.

57. The method of claim 50, which includes, if the designated award is not provided, providing one of a plurality of base awards if a predetermined number of the game symbols in the initial symbol set correspond to the game symbols in the first processor selected set.

58. The method of claim 57, which includes causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine the provided base award from a Keno paytable.

59. The method of claim 57, which includes causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to increase the provided base award as the number of game symbols in the initial symbol set which correspond to the game symbols in the first processor selected set increases, wherein the provided base award is variable.

60. The method of claim 50, which is provided through a data network.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the data network is an internet.