Racing game

• US 6,793,575 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2002
• Issued: 09/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Case Venture Management, LLC
• Original Assignee: Case Venture Management, LLC
• Inventors: Slomiany, Scott D., Brown, Duncan F., DeMar, Lawrence E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walberg, Teresa
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROCKETTI, JULIE K
• Application Number:
  US10/092,119
• Publication Number:
  US 20020132658A1
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 463/6, 463/16, 463/58, 463/59, 463/60
• US Class Current: 463/6
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes

Abstract

In an embodiment as a video gaming machine, a racetrack and a plurality of racers in the form of racecars are generated. The program driving the game includes a function for randomly assigning a finishing position for racers at the end of a race. A racecar is selected, as by player input, as the player'"'"'s racer. The player inputs a wager, with the wager further preferably requiring an input by the player as to a number of races desired to be completed up to a preset maximum number for the game. The player can thus choose to bet upon all stages (races or laps) potentially available, or some lesser consecutive number of races. The first race is initiated, with the racecars being randomly assigned finishing positions. In this embodiment, there is the elimination of at least one racer as a result of a predetermined threshold finishing position required at the end of a race; that position could be anything other than last, for instance. Play continues with another race provided the player'"'"'s racer has not been eliminated, and the next lap has been enabled; that can include an initial input by the player of a wager on the next stage (race, lap). This repeats until a game-ending event; such as the player'"'"'s racer has been eliminated; or a predetermined number of races have been completed; or the player'"'"'s racer is the last one not eliminated. A payout is awarded based upon the number of races completed by the player'"'"'s racer and the finishing position of the player'"'"'s racer in each race.

Claims

1. A race game comprising the steps of:

providing a racetrack;

providing a plurality of racers;

providing a program by which said racers are variously moved about said racetrack, said program including a function for randomly assigning a finishing position for racers at the end of a race;

providing a player interface with said program for player input commands;

selecting a racer as the player'"'"'s racer;

initiating a first race;

(i) eliminating at least one racer as a result of a predetermined threshold finishing position required at the end of a race;

(ii) continuing play with another race provided said player'"'"'s racer has not been eliminated and the player has previously placed a wager on said another race;

repeating steps (i) and (ii) until a predetermined game-ending condition occurs.

2. The race game of claim 1 wherein said game-ending condition is any of the following:

said player'"'"'s racer has been eliminated;

a predetermined number of races have been run.

3. The race game of claim 1 wherein said game-ending condition can be each of the following:

said player'"'"'s racer has been eliminated;

a predetermined number of races have been run.

4. The race game of claim 3 wherein said game-ending condition can further include:

the number of racers, inclusive of the player'"'"'s racer, is below a predetermined minimum number.

5. A race game comprising:

a racetrack;

a plurality of racers;

a methodology by which said racers are variously moved about said racetrack, said methodology including a function for randomly assigning a finishing position for racers at the end of a race;

selecting a racer as the player'"'"'s racer;

initiating a first race;

(i) eliminating at least one racer as a result of a predetermined threshold finishing position required at the end of a race;

(ii) continuing play with another race provided said player'"'"'s racer has not been eliminated and the player has previously placed a wager on said another race;

repeating steps (i) and (ii) until a predetermined game-ending condition occurs.

6. The race game of claim 5 wherein said game-ending condition is any of the following:

said player'"'"'s racer has been eliminated;

a predetermined number of races have been run.

7. The race game of claim 5 wherein said game-ending condition can be each of the following:

said player'"'"'s racer has been eliminated;

a predetermined number of races have been run.

8. The race game of claim 7 wherein said game-ending condition can further include:

the number of racers, inclusive of the player'"'"'s racer, is below a predetermined minimum number.

9. A race game for a video gaming machine, wherein said gaming machine includes a video display, a cpu including a program for driving the display and operating the game, and a player input mechanism interfacing with the cpu, comprising the steps of:

generating a racetrack and a plurality of racers;

said program including a function for randomly assigning a finishing position for racers at the end of a race;

selecting a racer as the player'"'"'s racer;

inputting a wager by the player including the number of races desired to be completed up to a preset maximum number for the game;

initiating a first race;

(i) eliminating at least one racer as a result of a predetermined threshold finishing position required at the end of a race;

(ii) continuing play with another race provided said player'"'"'s racer has not been eliminated and a wager was placed on a next race;

repeating steps (i) and (ii) until a predetermined game-ending condition occurs; and

providing a payout based upon the number of races completed by the player'"'"'s racer and the finishing position of the player'"'"'s racer in each race.

10. The race game of claim 9 wherein any wager placed upon a race which is not run because of a game-ending event is lost.

11. The race game of claim 10 wherein the program includes a paytable, said paytable providing increasingly higher payouts for at least some races completed after said first race.

12. The race game of claim 11 wherein a bonus round is entered if a player'"'"'s racer is the last remaining racer at the end of a race.

13. The race game of claim 12 wherein said bonus round comprises selection by the player of at least one of a plurality of bonus items, each bonus item having a bonus value associated therewith revealed upon selection of said bonus item.

14. The race game of claim 9 wherein said racers are vehicle representations, and a racer is eliminated through an explosive destruction sequence executed at the end of a race.

15. The race game of claim 9 wherein a game-ending condition occurs when a predetermined number of racers equals a predetermined number of finishing places for which a payout is provided.

16. The race game of claim 9, wherein said game-ending condition is any of the following:

said player'"'"'s racer has been eliminated;

a predetermined number of races have been run.

17. The race game of claim 9 wherein said game-ending condition can be each of the following:

said player'"'"'s racer has been eliminated;

a predetermined number of races have been run.

18. The race game of claim 17 wherein said game-ending condition can further include:

the number of racers, inclusive of the player'"'"'s racer, is below a predetermined minimum number.

19. A race game for play on a gaming machine, wherein said gaming machine includes a video display, a cpu including a program for driving the display and operating the game, and a player input mechanism interfacing with the cpu, comprising the steps of:

generating a raceway and a plurality of racers;

inputting a wager by the player;

selecting a racer as the player'"'"'s racer;

initiating a race;

randomly assigning a finishing position for racers at the end of a race;

continuing play with another race provided said player'"'"'s racer has not met a predetermined game-ending criterion and the player has previously placed a wager on said another race.

20. The race game of claim 19 further including providing a payout based upon the number of races completed by the player'"'"'s racer and the finishing position of the player'"'"'s racer in each race.

21. The race game of claim 19 further including providing a payout for each race based upon the finishing position of the player'"'"'s racer in a respective race.

22. The race game of claim 21 wherein said wager includes player selection of a consecutive number of races desired to be run up to a preset maximum number of races to the game, and wherein any wager placed upon a race which is not run because of a game-ending criterion is lost.

23. The race game of claim 22 wherein the program includes a paytable, said paytable providing increasingly higher payouts for at least some races completed after a first race.

24. The race game of claim 23 wherein a bonus round is entered if a player'"'"'s racer is the last remaining racer at the end of a race.

25. The race game of claim 24 wherein said bonus round comprises selection by the player of at least one of a plurality of bonus items, each bonus item having a bonus value associated therewith revealed upon selection of said bonus item.

26. The race game of claim 19 wherein a starting position for a player'"'"'s racer in said another race is based upon the finishing position of said player'"'"'s racer in the race just completed.

27. The race game of claim 26 wherein said starting position for a player'"'"'s racer is the finishing position of said player'"'"'s racer in the race just completed.

28. The race game of claim 27 further including the steps of eliminating at least one racer as a result of a predetermined threshold finishing position required at the end of a race;

and continuing play with another race until one of the following occurs constituting a game-ending criterion;

said player'"'"'s racer has been eliminated;

or a predetermined number of races have been completed.

29. The race game of claim 19 further including the steps of eliminating at least one racer as a result of a predetermined threshold finishing position required at the end of a race;

and continuing play with another race until one of the following occurs constituting a game-ending criterion;

said player'"'"'s racer has been eliminated;

or a predetermined number of races have been completed.

30. The race game of claim 29 further including providing a payout for each race based upon the finishing position of the player'"'"'s racer in a respective race.

31. The race game of claim 30 wherein any wager placed upon a race which is not run because of a game-ending criterion is lost.

32. The race game of claim 31 wherein the program includes a paytable, said paytable providing increasingly higher payouts for at least some races completed afler a first race.

33. The race game of claim 32 wherein a starting position for a player'"'"'s racer in said another race is based upon the finishing position of said player'"'"'s racer in the race just completed.

34. The race game of claim 33 wherein said starting position for a player'"'"'s racer is the finishing position of said player'"'"'s racer in the race just completed.

35. The race game of claim 34 wherein a game-ending criterion further includes a predetermined number of racers remaining which equals the number of finishing places for which payout is provided.

36. The race game of claim 32 wherein a bonus round is entered if a player'"'"'s racer is the last remaining racer at the end of a race.

37. The race game of claim 36 wherein said bonus round comprises selection by the player of at least one of a plurality of bonus items, each bonus item having a bonus value associated therewith revealed upon selection of said bonus item.

38. The race game of claim 29 wherein said raceway is a swimming area, said racer is a swimmer, and elimination of a swimmer comprises a sequence depicting a sea creature eating said swimmer.

39. The race game of claim 29 wherein said raceway is a vehicular race track, said racer is a motor vehicle, and elimination of a motor vehicle comprises a sequence depicting destruction of said vehicle.

40. The race game of claim 19 wherein said raceway is a swimming area, and said racer is a swimmer.

41. The race game of claim 19 wherein said raceway is a vehicular race track, and said racer is a motor vehicle.

42. A gaming machine, comprising:

a video display;

a cpu including a program for driving said display and operating a game;

a player input mechanism interfacing with said cpu;

a raceway formed on said display;

a plurality of racers generated by said program and depicted on said display;

said player input mechanism including an input for a wager by the player;

a racer designated as the player'"'"'s racer;

a race run by said program, wherein a finishing position for racers at the end of a race is randomly assigned to said racers;

another race being provided in the event that said player'"'"'s racer has not met a predetermined game-ending criterion at the end of a race and the player has previously placed a wager on said another race.

43. The gaming machine of claim 42 further including a payout based upon the number of races completed by the player'"'"'s racer and the finishing position of the player'"'"'s racer in each race.

44. The gaming machine of claim 42 further including a payout for each race based upon the finishing position of the player'"'"'s racer in a respective race.

45. The gaming machine of claim 44 wherein said wager input includes player selection of a consecutive number of races desired to be run up to a preset maximum number of races to the game, with any wager placed upon a race which is not run because of a game-ending criterion being lost.

46. The gaming machine of claim 45 wherein said program includes a paytable, said paytable providing increasingly higher payouts for at least some races completed after a first race.

47. The gaming machine of claim 46 wherein a starting position for a player'"'"'s racer in said another race is based upon the finishing position of said player'"'"'s racer in the race just completed.

48. The gaming machine of claim 47 wherein said starting position for a player'"'"'s racer is the finishing position of said player'"'"'s racer in the race just completed.

49. The gaming machine of claim 48 wherein said program further eliminates at least one racer as a result of a predetermined threshold finishing position required at the end of a race, and continues play with another race until one of the following occurs constituting a game-ending criterion:

said player'"'"'s racer has been eliminated;

a predetermined number of races have been completed.

50. The gaming machine of claim 49 wherein said predetermined threshold finishing position is a position other than last place.

53. The gaming machine of claim 42 wherein said program further eliminates at least one racer as a result of a predetermined threshold finishing position required at the end of a race, and continuing play with another race until one of the following occurs constituting a game-ending criterion:

said player'"'"'s racer has been eliminated;

a predetermined number of races have been completed.

54. The gaming machine of claim 53 further including providing a payout for each race based upon the finishing position of the player'"'"'s racer in a respective race.

55. The gaming machine of claim 54 wherein any wager placed upon a race which is not run because of a game-ending criterion is lost.

56. The gaming machine of claim 55 wherein said program includes a paytable, said paytable providing increasingly higher payouts for at least some races completed after a first race.

57. The gaming machine of claim 56 wherein a starting position for a player'"'"'s racer in said another race is the finishing position of said player'"'"'s racer in the race just completed.

58. The gaming machine of claim 57 wherein a game-ending criterion further includes a number of racers remaining that equals a predetermined number of finishing places for which a payout is provided.

59. The gaming machine of claim 58 wherein said predetermined number of finishing places is first, second and third.

60. The gaming machine of claim 56 wherein a bonus round is entered if a player'"'"'s racer is the last remaining racer at the end of a race.

61. The gaming machine of claim 60 wherein said bonus round comprises selection by the player of at least one of a plurality of bonus items, each bonus item having a bonus value associated therewith revealed upon selection of said bonus item.

51. The gaming machine of 49 wherein a bonus round is entered if a player'"'"'s racer is the last remaining racer at the end of a race.

52. The gaming machine of claim 51 wherein said bonus round comprises selection by the player of at least one of a plurality of bonus items, each bonus item having a bonus value associated therewith revealed upon selection of said bonus item.

62. A race game, comprising:

a raceway and a plurality of racers on said raceway;

placing a wager by a player;

selecting a racer as the player'"'"'s racer;

initiating a race;

randomly assigning a finishing position for racers at the end of a race;

continuing play with another race provided said player'"'"'s racer has not met a predetermined game-ending criterion and the player has previously placed a wager on said another race.

63. The race game of claim 62 further including:

a video display;

a cpu including a program for driving said display and operating the game;

a player input mechanism interfacing with said cpu;

said raceway formed on said display;

said plurality of racers generated by said program and depicted on said display.

64. The race game of claim 63 wherein said wager includes player selection of a consecutive number of races desired to be run up to a preset maximum number of races to the game, and any wager placed upon a race which is not run because of a game-ending criterion is lost.

65. The race game of claim 64 wherein a paytable is provided for said payout, said paytable providing increasingly higher payouts for at least some races completed after a first race.

66. The race game of claim 65 wherein a starting position for a player'"'"'s racer in said another race is the finishing position of said player'"'"'s racer in the race just completed.

70. The race game of claim 65 wherein a bonus round is entered if a player'"'"'s racer is the last remaining racer at the end of a race.

71. The race game of claim 70 wherein said bonus round comprises selection by the player of at least one of a plurality of bonus items, each bonus item having a bonus value associated therewith revealed upon selection of said bonus item.

72. The race game of claim 62 further including a payout for each race based upon the finishing position of the player'"'"'s racer in a respective race.

67. The race game machine of 66 wherein at least one racer is eliminated as a result of a predetermined threshold finishing position required at the end of a race;

and play continues with another race until one of the following occurs constituting a game-ending criterion;

said player'"'"'s racer has been eliminated;

a predetermined number of races have been completed.

68. The race game of claim 67 wherein said predetermined threshold finishing position is a position other than last place.

69. The race game of claim 68 wherein there is more than one player in a game, each player placing a respective wager and selecting a racer as that player'"'"'s respective racer.

73. A method for operating a gaming machine, wherein said gaming machine includes a video display, a cpu including a program for driving the display and operating the game, and a player input mechanism interfacing with the cpu, comprising the steps of:

generating a raceway and a plurality of racers;

inputting a wager by the player, said wager including player selection of a consecutive number of races desired to be run up to a preset maximum number of races to the game;

selecting a racer as the player'"'"'s racer;

initiating a race;

randomly assigning a finishing position for racers at the end of a race;

continuing play with another race provided said player'"'"'s racer has not met a predetermined game-ending criterion and the player has previously placed a wager on said another race.

74. The method of claim 73 further including providing a payout based upon the number of races completed by the player'"'"'s racer and the finishing position of the player'"'"'s racer in each race.

75. The method of claim 73 further including providing a payout for each race based upon the finishing position of the player'"'"'s racer in a respective race.

76. The method of claim 75 wherein any wager placed upon a race which is not run because of a game-ending criterion is lost.

77. The method of claim 76 wherein the program includes a paytable, said paytable providing increasingly higher payouts for at least some races completed after a first race.

78. The method of claim 73 wherein a starting position for a player'"'"'s racer in said another race is based upon the finishing position of said player'"'"'s racer in the race just completed.

79. The method of claim 78 wherein said starting position for a player'"'"'s racer is the finishing position of said player'"'"'s racer in the race just completed.

80. The method of claim 79 further including the steps of eliminating at least one racer as a result of a predetermined threshold finishing position required at the end of a race, and continuing play with another race until one of the following occurs constituting a game-ending criterion:

said player'"'"'s racer has been eliminated;

a predetermined number of races have been completed.

81. The method of claim 80 wherein a bonus round is entered if a player'"'"'s racer is the last remaining racer at the end of a race.

82. The method of claim 81 wherein said bonus round comprises selection by the player of at least one of a plurality of bonus items, each bonus item having a bonus value associated therewith revealed upon selection of said bonus item.

83. The method of claim 73 further including the steps of eliminating at least one racer as a result of a predetermined threshold finishing position required at the end of a race, and continuing play with another race until one of the following occurs constituting a game-ending criterion:

said player'"'"'s racer has been eliminated;

a predetermined number of races have been completed.

84. The method of claim 83 further including providing a payout for each race based upon the finishing position of the player'"'"'s racer in a respective race.

85. The method of claim 84 wherein any wager placed upon a race which is not run because of a game-ending criterion is lost.

86. The method of claim 85 wherein the program includes a paytable, said paytable providing increasingly higher payouts for at least some races completed after a first race.

87. The method of claim 86 wherein a starting position for a player'"'"'s racer in said another race is based upon the finishing position of said player'"'"'s racer in the race just completed.

88. The method of claim 87 wherein said starting position for a player'"'"'s racer is the finishing position of said player'"'"'s racer in the race just completed.

89. The method of claim 88 wherein a game-ending criterion further includes a number of racers remaining that equals a predetermined number of finishing places for which a payout is provided.

90. The method of claim 85 wherein a bonus round is entered if a player'"'"'s racer is the last remaining racer at the end of a race.

91. The method of claim 90 wherein said bonus round comprises selection by the player of at least one of a plurality of bonus items, each bonus item having a bonus value associated therewith revealed upon selection of said bonus item.

92. A method of playing a race game with a plurality of players comprising the steps of:

providing a racecourse;

providing a plurality of racers;

providing a program by which said racers are variously moved about said racecourse, said program including a function for randomly assigning a finishing position for racers at the end of a race;

providing a player interface with said program for player input commands, said program accommodating input commands from a plurality of players who are jointly participating in a race;

each player selecting a racer as that player'"'"'s racer;

initiating a first race;

(i) eliminating at least one racer as a result of a predetermined threshold finishing position required at the end of a race;

(ii) continuing play with another race provided at least one player'"'"'s racer has not been eliminated and at least one player has previously placed a wager on said another race;

repeating steps (i) and (ii) until a predetermined game-ending condition occurs.

93. The method of claim 92 wherein said game-ending condition is any of the following:

said player'"'"'s racer has been eliminated;

a predetermined number of races have been run.

94. The method of claim 92 wherein said game-ending condition can be each of the following:

said player'"'"'s racer has been eliminated;

a predetermined number of races have been run.

95. The method game of claim 94 wherein said game-ending condition can further include:

the number of racers, inclusive of the player'"'"'s racer, is below a predetermined minimum number.

96. A race game with a plurality of players, comprising:

a racecourse;

a plurality of racers;

a methodology by which said racers are variously moved about said racecourse, said methodology including a function for randomly assigning a finishing position for racers at the end of a race;

designating a racer as a player'"'"'s racer for each respective player who is participating in a race, said program accommodating input commands from a plurality of players;

initiating a first race;

(i) eliminating at least one racer as a result of a predetermined threshold finishing position required at the end of a race;

(ii) continuing play with another race provided at least one player'"'"'s racer has not been eliminated and at least one player has previously placed a wager on said another race;

repeating steps (i) and (ii) until a predetermined game-ending condition occurs.

97. The race game of claim 96 wherein said game-ending condition is any of the following:

said player'"'"'s racer has been eliminated;

a predetermined number of races have been run.

98. The race game of claim 96 wherein said game-ending condition can be each of the following:

said player'"'"'s racer has been eliminated;

a predetermined number of races have been run.

99. The race game of claim 98 wherein said game-ending condition can further include:

the number of racers, inclusive of the player'"'"'s racer, is below a predetermined minimum number.

100. A race game for play on a plurality of linked gaming machines, wherein each said gaming machine includes a player input mechanism for interfacing with a cpu, comprising the steps of:

providing a cpu including a program for operating a race substantially simultaneously for all gaming machines having a player participating in a race;

generating a raceway and a plurality of racers on at least one visual display;

inputting a wager by each player;

selecting a racer as a player'"'"'s racer for each player who is participating in a race;

initiating a race;

randomly assigning a finishing position for racers at the end of a race;

continuing play with another race provided that at least one player'"'"'s racer has not met a predetermined game-ending criterion and that player has previously placed a wager on said another race.

101. The race game of claim 100 further including providing a payout based upon the number of races completed by each player'"'"'s racer and the finishing position of a respective player'"'"'s racer in each race.

102. The race game of claim 101 wherein said wager includes player selection of a consecutive number of races desired to be run up to a preset maximum number of races to the game, and any wager placed upon a race which is not run by a respective player because of a game-ending criterion being incurred by that player is thereby lost.

103. The race game of claim 101 wherein the program includes a paytable, said paytable providing increasingly higher payouts at least some races completed after a first race.

104. The race game of claim 100 wherein a starting position for a player'"'"'s racer in said another race is based upon the finishing position of that player'"'"'s racer in the race just completed.

105. The race game of claim 104 wherein said starting position for a player'"'"'s racer is the finishing position of that player'"'"'s racer in the race just completed.

106. The race game of claim 100 further including the steps of eliminating at least one racer as a result of a predetermined threshold finishing position required at the end of a race.

107. A system for operating a plurality of linked gaming machines, comprising:

a video display;

a cpu including a program for driving said display and operating a race game;

a player input mechanism for each player interfacing with said cpu;

a raceway formed on said display;

a plurality of racers generated by said program and depicted on said display;

said player input mechanism including an input for a wager by a respective player participating in a race, said wager input including player selection of a consecutive number of races desired to be run up to a preset maximum number of races to the game;

a racer designated as the player'"'"'s racer for each respective player;

a race run by said program including all of said racers of respective players, said race being shown on said video display, with a finishing position for racers at the end of a race randomly assigned to said racers;

another race being provided in the event that at least one player'"'"'s racer has not met a predetermined game-ending criterion at the end of a race and that player has previously placed a wager on said another race.

108. The system of claim 107 further including a payout based upon the number of races completed by a player'"'"'s racer and the finishing position of that player'"'"'s racer in each race.

109. The system of claim 108 wherein any wager placed by a respective player upon a race which is not run by that player because of a game-ending criterion is thereby lost.

110. The system of claim 108 wherein said program includes a paytable, said paytable providing increasingly higher payouts for at least some races completed after a first race.

111. The system of claim 107 wherein a starting position for a player'"'"'s racer in said another race is based upon the finishing position of that player'"'"'s racer in the race just completed.

112. The system of claim 111 wherein said program further eliminates at least one racer as a result of a predetermined threshold finishing position required at the end of a race.

113. A race game in which a plurality of players can participate, comprising:

a raceway and a plurality of racers on said raceway;

placement of a wager by each participating player;

selecting a racer as a respective player'"'"'s racer;

initiating a race;

randomly assigning a finishing position for racers at the end of a race;

continuing play with another race provided at least one player'"'"'s racer has not met a predetermined game-ending criterion and that player has previously placed a wager on said another race.

114. The race game of claim 113 further including a gaming machine for each player, said gaming machine having:

a video display;

a machine cpu including a machine program for driving said display and interacting with said game;

a player input mechanism interfacing with said machine cpu;

and further including a network interlinking each said gaming machine of all said players participating in a game, and a master program operating said game, such that each display has said raceway depicted on said display, and each race is run substantially simultaneously on each said display.

115. The race game of claim 114 wherein each said machine cpu includes said master program, and said master program of a first player'"'"'s machine cpu operates all other machines'"'"' displays participating in a race.

116. The race game of claim 114 wherein said master program is embodied in a central cpu which is separate from said machine cpu.

117. The race game of claim 114 wherein said player input mechanism further includes a message input capability, and said master program reproduces said message on displays of other players participating in a race.

118. The race game of claim 114 wherein at least some of said machines that are interlinked on said network are within line of sight of each other.

119. The race game of claim 113 further including a gaming machine, said gaming machine having:

a video display with a display screen upon which the game is played that is visible to a plurality of players;

a cpu including a program for driving said display and operating said game;

a plurality of player command input mechanisms interfacing with said cpu.

120. The race game of claim 113 further including a central video display having a display screen upon which the game is played and which is visible to a plurality of players;

a cpu including a program for driving said display and operating said game;

a plurality of player command input mechanisms; and

a network interlinking each said player command input mechanisms with said cpu.

121. The race game of claim 113 further including a payout for each race based upon the finishing position of a player'"'"'s racer in a respective race.

122. The race game of claim 121 wherein a paytable is provided for said payout, said paytable providing increasingly higher payouts for at least some races completed after a first race.

123. The race game of claim 122 wherein a starting position for a player'"'"'s racer in said another race is the finishing position of that player'"'"'s racer in the race just completed.

124. The race game of claim 123 wherein at least one racer is eliminated as a result of a predetermined threshold finishing position required at the end of a race;

and play continues with another race until one of the following occurs constituting a game-ending criterion;

all players'"'"' racers have been eliminated;

a predetermined number of races have been completed.

125. The race game of claim 124 wherein said raceway is a swimming area, said racer is a swimmer, and elimination of a swimmer comprises a sequence depicting a sea-creature eating said swimmer.

126. The race game of claim 113 wherein said wager includes player selection of a consecutive number of races desired to be run up to a preset maximum number of races to the game, and any wager placed by a player upon a race which is not run by that player because of a game-ending criterion is lost.

127. The race game of claim 113 wherein a bonus round is entered if a player'"'"'s racer is the last remaining racer at the end of a race.

128. The race game of claim 127 wherein said bonus round comprises selection by the player of at least one of a plurality of bonus items, each bonus item having a bonus value associated therewith revealed upon selection of said bonus item.

129. The race game of claim 113 wherein said raceway is a swimming area, and said racer is a swimmer.

130. The race game of claim 113 wherein said raceway is a vehicular race track, and said racer is a motor vehicle.

131. The race game of claim 113 wherein said raceway is a vehicular race track, said racer is a motor vehicle, and elimination of a motor vehicle comprises a sequence depicting destruction of said vehicle.

132. A method for operating a plurality of linked gaming machines in a system, wherein each gaming machine includes a video display and a player input mechanism interfacing with a cpu, comprising the steps of:

providing a computer program for driving the displays and operating at least some aspects of the game in concert on the linked machines;

generating a raceway and a plurality of racers on each display;

registering an input wager by each player participating in a race, said wager including player selection of a consecutive number of races desired to be run up to a preset maximum number of races to the game;

registering the selection of a racer as a respective player'"'"'s racer;

initiating a race and showing said race on each display;

randomly assigning a finishing position for racers at the end of a race;

continuing play with another race provided at least one player'"'"'s racer has not met a predetermined game-ending criterion and that player has previously placed a wager on said another race.

133. The method of claim 132 further including providing a payout based upon the number of races completed by a respective player'"'"'s racer and the finishing position of that player'"'"'s racer in each race.

134. The method of claim 133 wherein any wager placed upon a race which is not run by a player because of a game-ending criterion is thereby lost.

135. The method of claim 134 wherein the program includes a paytable, said paytable providing increasingly higher payouts for at least some races completed after a first race.

136. The method of claim 135 wherein a starting position for a player'"'"'s racer in said another race is based upon the finishing position of said player'"'"'s racer in the race just completed.

137. The method of claim 132 further including the steps of eliminating at least one racer as a result of a predetermined threshold finishing position required at the end of a race, and continuing play with another race until one of the following occurs constituting a game-ending criterion:

all players'"'"' racers have been eliminated;

a predetermined number of races have been completed.

138. The method of claim 137 wherein a bonus round is entered if a player'"'"'s racer is the last remaining racer at the end of a race.

139. The method of claim 138 wherein said bonus round comprises selection by the player of at least one of a plurality of bonus items, each bonus item having a bonus value associated therewith revealed upon selection of said bonus item.

140. The method of claim 137 wherein said raceway is a swimming area, said racer is a swimmer, and elimination of a swimmer comprises a sequence depicting a sea creature eating said swimmer.

141. The method of claim 137 wherein said raceway is a vehicular race track, said racer is a motor vehicle, and elimination of a motor vehicle comprises a sequence depicting destruction of said vehicle.

142. The method of claim 132 wherein said raceway is a swimming area, and said racer is a swimmer.

143. The method of claim 132 wherein said raceway is a vehicular race track, and said racer is a motor vehicle.