Method and apparatus for gaming machines with a tournament play bonus feature
First Claim
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1. A gaming system comprising:
- a plurality of gaming machines configured to provide a player with an option to play a primary game and an associated tournament game;
at least one non-qualifying outcome in the primary game;
at least one qualifying outcome in the primary game, wherein a player qualifies to play the tournament game in a multi-player tournament to be held in the future when the player achieves the at least one qualifying outcome; and
wherein the at least one qualifying outcome is an accumulation of a sufficient number of tournament entry points such that the player is able to accrue tournament entry points beyond an initial first-tier tournament in order to opt out of the first-tier tournament and qualify for play of a second-tier tournament which requires a greater tournament entry point total for entry and which offers a larger award than the initial first-tier tournament.
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Abstract
A gaming method and device includes a game, at least one non-qualifying outcome in the game, and at least one qualifying outcome in the game, wherein a player qualifies for a multi-player tournament to be held in the future when the player achieves the at least one qualifying outcome.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A gaming system comprising:
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a plurality of gaming machines configured to provide a player with an option to play a primary game and an associated tournament game; at least one non-qualifying outcome in the primary game; at least one qualifying outcome in the primary game, wherein a player qualifies to play the tournament game in a multi-player tournament to be held in the future when the player achieves the at least one qualifying outcome; and wherein the at least one qualifying outcome is an accumulation of a sufficient number of tournament entry points such that the player is able to accrue tournament entry points beyond an initial first-tier tournament in order to opt out of the first-tier tournament and qualify for play of a second-tier tournament which requires a greater tournament entry point total for entry and which offers a larger award than the initial first-tier tournament. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A gaming system comprising:
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a plurality of gaming machines configured to provide a first player with an option to play a primary game and an associated tournament game; at least one non-qualifying outcome in the primary game; at least one qualifying outcome in the primary game, wherein the first player qualifies to play the tournament game in a multi-player tournament when the first player achieves the at least one qualifying outcome and the at least one qualifying outcome being the accumulation of a sufficient number of tournament entry points; wherein the first player is allowed to accumulate excess tournament entry points for play of a multi-player tournament to be held in the future; and wherein the excess tournament entry points may be transferred to a second player if the first player does not enter the multi-player tournament. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for providing a tournament entry in association with play of a gaming device, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) causing a display of a primary game and a tournament game for play of either the primary game or the tournament game at a plurality of gaming devices wherein the gaming devices are linked to each other and a controller over a gaming network in a tournament session; (b) storing at least one non-qualifying outcome of the primary game within the controller; (c) storing at least one qualifying outcome of the primary game within the controller; (d) randomly producing the at least one qualifying outcome of the primary game; (e) providing a tournament entry for the play of the tournament game in a tournament session at a gaming device to a player achieving the at least one qualifying outcome of the primary game such that the gaming device is converted for tournament play; and (f) providing the player when initially achieving the at least one qualifying outcome with an option to accrue tournament entry points beyond an initial first-tier tournament in order to opt out of the first-tier tournament and qualify for play of a second-tier tournament which requires a greater tournament entry point total for entry and which offers a larger award than the initial first-tier tournament. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for providing a tournament entry in association with play of a gaming device, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) causing a display of a primary game and a tournament game for play of either the primary game or the tournament game at a plurality of gaming devices wherein the gaming devices are linked to each other and a controller over a gaming network in a tournament session; (b) storing at least one non-qualifying outcome of the primary game within the controller; (c) storing at least one qualifying outcome of the primary game within the controller; (d) randomly producing the at least one qualifying outcome of the primary game; (e) providing a tournament entry for the play of the tournament game in a tournament session at a gaming device to a first player achieving the at least one qualifying outcome of the primary game such that the gaming device is converted for tournament play; and (f) providing the first player when initially achieving the at least one qualifying outcome, in which the at least one qualifying outcome is the accumulation of a sufficient number of tournament entry points, with an option to accumulate excess tournament entry points for play of a multi-player tournament to be held in the future and transfer the excess tournament entry points to a second player if the first player does not enter the multi-player tournament.
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Specification