Method, apparatus, and program product for presenting gaming results through inverse symbol logic
First Claim
1. A method for conducting a wagering game on an electronic player station, the method including:
- (a) responsive to a player input, displaying a first subset of game symbols in a symbol arrangement including a number of individual symbol locations, the first subset of game symbols being displayed on an electronic display system associated with the electronic player station, and being selected from a set of potential game symbols including a target symbol;
(b) awarding a symbol pattern award for any symbol pattern included in the first subset of game symbols which is defined as an award-winning pattern in a paytable of symbol patterns for the wagering game;
(c) if the first subset of game symbols does not include the target symbol, awarding a first award based on the absence of the target symbol, the first award being separate from the symbol pattern award;
(d) if the first subset of game symbols includes the target symbol, replacing the first subset of game symbols to display a second subset of game symbols in the symbol arrangement, the second subset of game symbols being selected from the set of potential game symbols; and
(e) if the second subset of game symbols does not include the target symbol, awarding a second award based on the absence of the target symbol, the second award being separate from the symbol pattern award and having a value different from a value of the first award.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A gaming machine displays a number of symbol locations with a respective graphic symbol at each symbol location. Each symbol location is shown on a display system which may comprise a set of mechanical reels or reels simulated on a video display device. The display system is capable of displaying a target symbol or any other one of a number of graphic symbols included in a group of presentation symbols. In response to a first player input, each of the number of symbol locations is caused to conduct a respective symbol change process one or more times to change the graphic symbol included at each respective symbol location. At least some of the awards available in the game are based at least in part on the absence of the target symbol at one or more of the number of symbol locations.
29 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for conducting a wagering game on an electronic player station, the method including:
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(a) responsive to a player input, displaying a first subset of game symbols in a symbol arrangement including a number of individual symbol locations, the first subset of game symbols being displayed on an electronic display system associated with the electronic player station, and being selected from a set of potential game symbols including a target symbol; (b) awarding a symbol pattern award for any symbol pattern included in the first subset of game symbols which is defined as an award-winning pattern in a paytable of symbol patterns for the wagering game; (c) if the first subset of game symbols does not include the target symbol, awarding a first award based on the absence of the target symbol, the first award being separate from the symbol pattern award; (d) if the first subset of game symbols includes the target symbol, replacing the first subset of game symbols to display a second subset of game symbols in the symbol arrangement, the second subset of game symbols being selected from the set of potential game symbols; and (e) if the second subset of game symbols does not include the target symbol, awarding a second award based on the absence of the target symbol, the second award being separate from the symbol pattern award and having a value different from a value of the first award. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A gaming machine including:
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(a) a display system; (b) a player input system; (c) at least one processor; and (d) at least one memory device storing instructions executable by the at least one processor to; (i) responsive to a player input entered through the player input system, causing the display system to display a first subset of game symbols in a symbol arrangement including a number of individual symbol locations, the first subset of game symbols being selected from a set of potential game symbols including a target symbol; (ii) cause the gaming machine to award a symbol pattern award for each symbol pattern included in the first subset of game symbols which is defined as an award-winning pattern in a paytable of symbol patterns for a wagering game; (iii) if the first subset of game symbols does not include the target symbol, cause the gaming machine to award a first award based on the absence of the target symbol, the first award being separate from the symbol pattern award; (iv) if the first subset of game symbols includes the target symbol, cause the display system to replace the first subset of game symbols to display a second subset of game symbols in the symbol arrangement, the second subset of game symbols being selected from the set of potential game symbols; and (v) if the second subset of game symbols does not include the target symbol, cause the gaming machine to award a second award based on the absence of the target symbol, the second award being separate from the symbol pattern award and having a value different from a value of the first award. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A program product stored on one or more tangible computer readable data storage devices, the program product including:
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(a) player input program code executable by at least one processor to receive a game play input entered through a gaming machine for a wagering game and an additional player input entered through the gaming machine for the wagering game; (b) display program code executable by the at least one processor to, (i) responsive to the game play input, cause a display system to display a first subset of game symbols in a symbol arrangement including a number of individual symbol locations, the first subset of game symbols being selected from a set of potential game symbols including a target symbol, and (ii) if the first subset of game symbols includes the target symbol and responsive to the additional player input, cause the display system to replace the first subset of game symbols to display a second subset of game symbols in the symbol arrangement, the second subset of game symbols being selected from the set of potential game symbols; and (c) award program code executable by the at least one processor to (i) cause the gaming machine to award a symbol pattern award for each symbol pattern included in the first subset of game symbols which is defined as an award-winning pattern in a paytable of symbol patterns for the wagering game, (ii) if the first subset of game symbols does not include the target symbol, cause the gaming machine to award a first award based on the absence of the target symbol, the first award being separate from the symbol pattern award, and (iii) if the second subset of game symbols does not include the target symbol, cause the gaming machine to award a second award based on the absence of the target symbol, the second award being separate from the symbol pattern award and having a value different from a value of the first award. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification