Tournament gaming systems, gaming devices, and methods

• US 9,011,241 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2013
• Issued: 04/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Bally Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Kelly, Bryan M., Crowder, Robert W. Jr., Patel, Pravinkumar, Green, Anthony E., Link, John E., Soliterman, Gennady, Allen, Jeffrey L., Lockard, Dennis, Tallcott, Jeffrey C., Larsen, Joshua D., Scott, Thomas, Barton, Christopher D., Vemuri, Sudheer, Reddy, Mettu R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Deodhar, Omkar
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chan, Allen
• Application Number:
  US13/951,372
• Publication Number:
  US 20130310167A1
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16, 463/20, 463/25, 463/29
• US Class Current: 463/29
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3267 Game outcomes which determine the course of the subsequent game, e.g. double or quits, free games, higher payouts, different new games
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3286 Type of games

Abstract

Various embodiments are directed to gaming systems, gaming devices, and methods for presenting tournament games. According to one embodiment, a gaming device provides a base game in a normal, non-tournament mode, and the player'"'"'s eligibility to play a tournament game is also determined. An eligible player is prompted to select a desired tournament game from a list of available tournaments while base game is in the normal, non-tournament mode. In response to the player'"'"'s selection of a tournament game, the gaming device is reconfigured from the normal mode to a tournament mode. The gaming device processes game play in the tournament mode and creates a final tournament score for the player.

Claims

1. A gaming device-enabled method of presenting a tournament game, the gaming device-enabled method comprising:

providing a tournament server that is connected to a physical game network;

providing a plurality of gaming devices that are connected to the tournament server via the physical game network, each gaming device including a first display on which a base game is presented using a first processor and a secondary display on which a tournament game is presented using a second processor;

determining, using the tournament server, locations of active and eligible players for an on-demand tournament game;

on an eligible gaming device of the plurality of gaming devices at which an active and eligible player is playing, prompting the player to select multiple tournament games from a list of two or more available tournament games while the base game is active on the first display of the eligible gaming device, wherein the player selects the multiple tournament games from the list of two or more tournament games for immediate initiation of tournament game play on demand on the second display of the eligible gaming device, and wherein the tournament games are separate from the base game on the first display of the eligible gaming device;

reconfiguring the gaming device to present the tournament games selected by the player; and

processing, using the second processor, game play in the tournament mode and creating, using the tournament server, a final tournament score for the player.

2. The method of claim 1, issuing a tournament score receipt at the conclusion of tournament games.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a final score of the tournament games to a tournament server.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting a final score of the tournament games on one or more tournament displays.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting an award corresponding to each winning position of the tournament games at a conclusion of the tournament games.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein player eligibility is based on player account information received from the player.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein player eligibility is based on a number of tournament entry points accrued by the player during play of the base game.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein player eligibility is based on receiving a tournament entry voucher.

9. A gaming device-enabled method for configuring a tournament game, the gaming device-enabled method comprising:

providing a tournament server that is connected to a physical game network;

providing a plurality of gaming devices that are connected to the tournament server via the physical game network, each gaming device including a first display on which a base game is presented using a first processor and a secondary display on which a tournament game is presented using a second processor;

establishing, using the tournament server, a configuration for a player-initiated tournament game, the configuration including a number of winning positions for a tournament game, a cash component and a bonus point component for each winning position, wherein the cash component includes a fixed cash value, a percentage of a progressive cash jackpot, or a combination thereof, and wherein the bonus point component includes a fixed bonus point value, a percentage of a progressive bonus point jackpot, or a combination thereof;

determining, using the tournament server, locations of active and eligible players for an on-demand tournament game;

downloading, from the tournament server, the configuration to one or more eligible gaming devices at which active and eligible players are playing; and

on each eligible gaming device of the plurality of gaming devices at which active and eligible players are playing, prompting the player to select multiple tournament games from a list of two or more available tournament games while the base game is active on the first display of the eligible gaming device, wherein the player selects the multiple tournament games from the list of two or more tournament games for immediate initiation of tournament game play on demand on the second display of the eligible gaming device, and wherein the tournament games are separate from the base game on the first display of the eligible gaming device.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising establishing a player group that are eligible to play the tournament game.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising establishing a starting event and an ending event for the tournament game.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the configuration further includes player eligibility requirements for the tournament game.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein player eligibility is based on a particular player club level, accrual of a predetermined number of tournament entry points, or a combination thereof.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein player eligibility is based a player'"'"'s association with a player group.

15. A gaming device-enabled method of presenting a tournament game, the gaming device-enabled method comprising:

providing a tournament server that is connected to a physical game network;

providing a plurality of gaming devices that are connected to the tournament server via the physical game network, each gaming device including a first display on which a base game is presented using a first processor and a secondary display on which a tournament game is presented using a second processor;

issuing a tournament voucher to a player, wherein the tournament voucher includes entry into a tournament gaming session;

receiving tournament entry information at a gaming device capable of presenting two or more tournament games on the second display of the gaming device while a base game is active on the first display of the gaming device, wherein the player selects multiple tournament games from two or more tournament games for immediate initiation of tournament game play on demand on the second display of the gaming device, and wherein the tournament games are separate from the base game on the first display of the gaming device;

reconfiguring the gaming device into a tournament mode in response to receiving the tournament voucher; and

initiating, using the second processor, the tournament games and accumulating, using the tournament server. a tournament score.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising presenting an award corresponding to each winning position of the tournament games at a conclusion of the tournament games.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising returning the gaming device back to a normal gaming mode at the conclusion of tournament play.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising displaying player-specific and session-specific tournament information on a gaming device display in response to receiving tournament entry information.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein receiving tournament entry information further comprises receiving the tournament voucher in a gaming device bill/ticket acceptor.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein receiving tournament entry information further comprises receiving the tournament entry information via a touchscreen input device, a keypad, keyboard, mouse, stylus, or wireless message.

21. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing a take score button that is configured to enable a player to prematurely end a tournament game and post a score in the tournament game when the take score button is activated.