Server based gaming system having system triggered loyalty award sequences

• US 8,206,212 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2007
• Issued: 06/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Iddings, Cara L., Baerlocher, Anthony J., Schneider, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): DEODHAR, OMKAR A
• Application Number:
  US11/830,102
• Publication Number:
  US 20080076534A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,793 Days
• Field of Search: 463 16- 20, 463 25- 29
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/322 Casino tables, e.g. tables having integrated screens, chip detection means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3232 wherein the operator is informed
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3255 Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3272 Games involving multiple players

Abstract

A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming tables. In one embodiment, the gaming system provides players with one or more loyalty incentives, such as one or more loyalty awards, utilizing one or more loyalty incentive award sequences. In one embodiment, the gaming system determines a loyalty award to provide to a player and then determines an appropriate loyalty award sequence to utilize to provide the player the determined loyalty award, wherein the loyalty award sequence is determined based on the individual gaming table at which that the player is currently playing.

Claims

1. A gaming system comprising:

a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device including;

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 display a game, each play of said game having an average expected payback percentage; and

at least one controller configured to communicate with said gaming devices, wherein upon an occurrence of a loyalty award sequence triggering event for a selected one of said gaming devices, the at least one controller is programmed to;

(a) determine a theoretical value associated with a loyalty award sequence, said theoretical value being determined distinct from the average expected payback percentage of any of said games of said gaming devices;

(b) after determining the theoretical value, determine a number of plays of the game of said selected gaming device for the loyalty award sequence, wherein said number of plays of the game of said selected gaming device is determined based on;

(i) a predetermined multiplier to apply to each of said determined number of plays of the game of said selected gaming device,

(ii) said determined theoretical value associated with the loyalty award sequence, and

(iii) the average expected payback percentage of each play of the game of said selected gaming device;

(c) communicate to the selected gaming device information based on the determined number of plays of the game of said selected gaming device; and

(d) cause the selected gaming device to display at least one of;

(i) the determined number of plays of the game, and

(ii) the predetermined multiplier.

2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein for each of the determined number of plays of the game, when executed by the at least one processor of the selected gaming device, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor of the selected gaming device to display the loyalty award sequence by:

(i) enabling a player to place a wager to initiate said play of the game;

(ii) generating and displaying a plurality of symbols;

(iii) determining if any of said generated symbols form any of a plurality of winning symbol combinations;

(iv) if any of said generated symbols form any of said winning symbol combinations, modifying a value associated with said generated winning symbol combination by the predetermined multiplier; and

(v) providing the modified value to the player.

3. The gaming system of claim 2, wherein the modified values for the determined number of plays of the game form an actual total value different than the theoretical value associated with the loyalty award sequence.

4. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the theoretical value is based on at least one selected from the group consisting of:

information received from a player tracking system, and an amount of wagers placed.

5. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the selected gaming device is at least in part selected based on an identity of the player of said gaming device.

6. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the at least one controller is programmed to determine the selected one of the gaming devices.

7. A gaming system comprising:

a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device including;

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 display a game, each play of said game having an average expected payback percentage; and

at least one controller configured to communicate with said gaming devices, wherein upon an occurrence of a loyalty award sequence triggering event for a selected one of said gaming devices, the at least one controller is programmed to;

(a) determine a theoretical value associated with a loyalty award sequence;

(b) determine a first number of plays of the game of said selected gaming device for the loyalty award sequence, wherein said first number of plays of the game of said selected gaming device is determined based on;

(i) a first predetermined multiplier to apply to each of said determined first number of plays of the game of said selected gaming device,

(ii) said determined theoretical value associated with the loyalty award sequence, and

(iii) the average expected payback percentage of each play of the game of said selected gaming device;

(c) determine a second number of plays of the game of said selected gaming device for the loyalty award sequence, wherein said second number of plays of the game of said selected gaming device is determined based on;

(i) a second, different predetermined multiplier to apply to each of said determined second number of plays of the game of said selected gaming device,

(ii) said determined theoretical value associated with the loyalty award sequence, and

(iii) the average expected payback percentage of each play of the game of said selected gaming device;

(d) communicate to the selected gaming device information based on the determined number of plays of the game of said selected gaming device; and

(e) cause the selected gaming device to display at least one of;

(i) the determined first number of plays of the game,

(ii) the first predetermined multiplier,

(iii) the determined second number of plays of the game, and

(iv) the second, different predetermined multiplier.

8. The gaming system of claim 7, wherein for each of the determined first number of plays of the game, when executed by the at least one processor of the selected gaming device, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor of the selected gaming device to display the loyalty award sequence by:

(i) enabling a player to place a wager to initiate said play of the game;

(ii) generating and displaying a plurality of symbols;

(iii) determining if any of said generated symbols form any of a plurality of winning symbol combinations;

(iv) if any of said generated symbols form any of said winning symbol combinations, modifying a value associated with said generated winning symbol combination by the first predetermined multiplier; and

(v) providing the modified value to the player.

9. The gaming system of claim 8, wherein for each of the determined second number of plays of the game, when executed by the at least one processor of the selected gaming device, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor of the selected gaming device to display the loyalty award sequence by:

(i) enabling a player to place a wager to initiate said play of the game;

(ii) generating and displaying a plurality of symbols;

(iii) determining if any of said generated symbols form any of a plurality of winning symbol combinations;

(iv) if any of said generated symbols form any of said winning symbol combinations, modifying a value associated with said generated winning symbol combination by the second, different predetermined multiplier; and

(v) providing the modified value to the player.

10. The gaming system of claim 9, wherein the modified values for the first and second determined number of plays of the game form an actual total value different than the theoretical value associated with the loyalty award sequence.

11. The gaming system of claim 7, wherein the theoretical value is based on at least one selected from the group consisting of:

information received from a player tracking system, and an amount of wagers placed.

12. The gaming system of claim 7, wherein the selected gaming device is at least in part selected based on an identity of the player of said gaming device.

13. The gaming system of claim 7, wherein the at least one controller is programmed to determine the selected one of the gaming devices.

14. A gaming system comprising:

a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device including;

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 display a game, each play of said game having an average expected payback percentage; and

at least one controller configured to communicate with said gaming devices, wherein upon an occurrence of a loyalty award sequence triggering event for a selected one of said gaming devices, the at least one controller is programmed to;

(a) determine a theoretical value associated with a loyalty award sequence, said theoretical value being determined distinct from the average expected payback percentage of any of said games of said gaming devices;

(b) after determining the theoretical value, determine a multiplier to apply to each of a predetermined number of plays of the game of the selected gaming device, wherein said multiplier is determined based on;

(i) said predetermined number of plays of the game of the selected gaming device,

(ii) said determined theoretical value associated with the loyalty award sequence, and

(iii) the average expected payback percentage of each play of the game;

(c) communicate to the selected gaming device information based on the determined multiplier to apply to each of the predetermined number of plays of the game of the selected gaming device; and

(d) cause the selected gaming device to display at least one of;

(i) the determined multiplier, and

(ii) the predetermined number of plays of the game of the selected gaming device.

15. The gaming system of claim 14, wherein for each of the predetermined number of plays of the game, when executed by the at least one processor of the selected gaming device, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor of the selected gaming device to display the loyalty award sequence by:

(i) enabling a player to place a wager to initiate said play of the game;

(ii) generating and displaying a plurality of symbols;

(iii) determining if any of said generated symbols form any of a plurality of winning symbol combinations;

(iv) if any of said generated symbols form any of said winning symbol combinations, modifying a value associated with said generated winning symbol combination by the determined multiplier; and

(v) providing the modified value to the player.

16. The gaming system of claim 15, wherein the modified values for the predetermined number of plays of the game form an actual total value different than the theoretical value associated with the loyalty award sequence.

17. The gaming system of claim 14, wherein the theoretical value is based on at least one selected from the group consisting of:

information received from a player tracking system, and an amount of wagers placed.

18. The gaming system of claim 14, wherein the selected gaming device is at least in part selected based on an identity of the player of said gaming device.

19. The gaming system of claim 14, wherein the at least one controller is programmed to determine the selected one of the gaming devices.

20. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:

(a) upon an occurrence of a loyalty award sequence triggering event for a selected one of a plurality of gaming devices, causing at least one controller to;

(i) determine a theoretical value associated with a loyalty award sequence, said theoretical value being determined distinct from an average expected payback percentage of any games of said gaming devices; and

(ii) after the determination of the theoretical value, determine a number of plays of a game of said selected gaming device for the loyalty award sequence, wherein said number of plays of the game of said selected gaming device is determined based on;

(A) a predetermined multiplier to apply to each of said determined number of plays of the game of said selected gaming device,

(B) said determined theoretical value associated with the loyalty award sequence, and

(C) the average expected payback percentage of each play of the game of said selected gaming device; and

(b) causing the selected gaming device to display at least one of;

(i) the determined number of plays of the game, and

(ii) the predetermined multiplier.

21. The method of claim 20, which includes, for each of the determined number of plays of the game, causing the selected gaming device to display the loyalty award sequence by:

(i) enabling a player to place a wager to initiate said play of the game;

(ii) generating and displaying a plurality of symbols;

(iii) determining if any of said generated symbols form any of a plurality of winning symbol combinations;

(iv) if any of said generated symbols form any of said winning symbol combinations, modifying a value associated with said generated winning symbol combination by the predetermined multiplier; and

(v) providing the modified value to the player.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the modified values for the determined number of plays of the game form an actual total value different than the theoretical value associated with the loyalty award sequence.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the theoretical value is based on at least one selected from the group consisting of:

information received from a player tracking system, and an amount of wagers placed.

24. The method of claim 20, which is provided through a data network.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the data network is an internet.

26. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:

(a) upon an occurrence of a loyalty award sequence triggering event for a selected one of a plurality of gaming devices, causing at least one controller to;

(i) determine a theoretical value associated with a loyalty award sequence;

(ii) determine a first number of plays of a game of said selected gaming device for the loyalty award sequence, wherein said first number of plays of the game of said selected gaming device is determined based on;

(A) a first predetermined multiplier to apply to each of said determined first number of plays of the game of said selected gaming device,

(B) said determined theoretical value associated with the loyalty award sequence, and

(C) an average expected payback percentage of each play of the game of said selected gaming device; and

(iii) determine a second number of plays of the game of said selected gaming device for the loyalty award sequence, wherein said second number of plays of the game of said selected gaming device is determined based on;

(A) a second, different predetermined multiplier to apply to each of said determined second number of plays of the game of said selected gaming device,

(B) said determined theoretical value associated with the loyalty award sequence, and

(C) the average expected payback percentage of each play of the game of said selected gaming device; and

(b) causing the selected gaming device to display at least one of;

(i) the determined first number of plays of the game,

(ii) the first predetermined multiplier,

(iii) the determined second number of plays of the game, and

(iv) the second, different predetermined multiplier.

27. The method of claim 26, which includes, for each of the determined first number of plays of the game, causing the selected gaming device to display the loyalty award sequence by:

(i) enabling a player to place a wager to initiate said play of the game;

(ii) generating and displaying a plurality of symbols;

(iii) determining if any of said generated symbols form any of a plurality of winning symbol combinations;

(iv) if any of said generated symbols form any of said winning symbol combinations, modifying a value associated with said generated winning symbol combination by the first predetermined multiplier; and

(v) providing the modified value to the player.

28. The method of claim 27, which includes, for each of the determined second number of plays of the game, causing the selected gaming device to display the loyalty award sequence by:

(i) enabling a player to place a wager to initiate said play of the game;

(ii) generating and displaying a plurality of symbols;

(iii) determining if any of said generated symbols form any of a plurality of winning symbol combinations;

(iv) if any of said generated symbols form any of said winning symbol combinations, modifying a value associated with said generated winning symbol combination by the second, different predetermined multiplier; and

(v) providing the modified value to the player.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the modified values for the first and second determined number of plays of the game form an actual total value different than the theoretical value associated with the loyalty award sequence.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein the theoretical value is based on at least one selected from the group consisting of:

information received from a player tracking system, and an amount of wagers placed.

31. The method of claim 26, which is provided through a data network.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the data network is an internet.

33. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:

(a) upon an occurrence of a loyalty award sequence triggering event for a selected one of a plurality of gaming devices, causing at least one controller to;

(i) determine a theoretical value associated with a loyalty award sequence, said theoretical value being determined distinct from an average expected payback percentage of any games of said gaming devices; and

(ii) after the determination of the theoretical value, determine a multiplier to apply to each of a predetermined number of plays of the game of the selected gaming device, wherein said multiplier is determined based on;

(A) said predetermined number of plays of the game of the selected gaming device,

(B) said determined theoretical value associated with the loyalty award sequence, and

(C) the average expected payback percentage of each play of the game; and

(b) causing the selected gaming device to display at least one of;

(i) the determined multiplier, and

(ii) the predetermined number of plays of the game of the selected gaming device.

34. The method of claim 33, which includes, for each of the predetermined number of plays of the game, causing the selected gaming device to display the loyalty award sequence by:

(i) enabling a player to place a wager to initiate said play of the game;

(ii) generating and displaying a plurality of symbols;

(iii) determining if any of said generated symbols form any of a plurality of winning symbol combinations;

(iv) if any of said generated symbols form any of said winning symbol combinations, modifying a value associated with said generated winning symbol combination by the determined multiplier; and

(v) providing the modified value to the player.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the modified values for the predetermined number of plays of the game form an actual total value different than the theoretical value associated with the loyalty award sequence.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the theoretical value is based on at least one selected from the group consisting of:

information received from a player tracking system, and an amount of wagers placed.

37. The method of claim 33, which is provided through a data network.

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