Gaming device having a multiple selection and award distribution bonus scheme

• US 7,837,554 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2007
• Issued: 11/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Mead, Randall D., Baerlocher, Anthony J., Kaminkow, Joseph E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hotaling, II; John M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): D'AGOSTINO, PAUL ANTHONY
• Application Number:
  US11/620,381
• Publication Number:
  US 20070129131A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,418 Days
• Field of Search: 463/11, 463/12, 463/13, 463/17, 463/18, 463/19, 463/20, 463/40, 463/42, 463/22
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
• 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

Abstract

A gaming device having a multiple selection and award distribution bonus scheme. A selection is chosen from a group of selections. The game determines awards for distribution to the selection. Once determined, the awards are distributed to the selection and a player is provided with the awards. The game preferably utilizes a number of award pools in order to determine the award distribution. This award pool determination is based on, for example, a number of probability tables associated with the award pools.

Claims

1. A method of randomly determining and displaying an award to be provided to a player of a gaming machine, said method comprising:

(a) receiving a wager to initiate a play of a game;

(b) after receiving the wager and after determining to provide the award to the player, causing a server remote from the gaming machine to make a first random determination for each occurrence of determining and displaying said award, said first random determination at least in part including a determination of at least one of a plurality of potential monetary values of the award to be provided;

(c) thereafter, causing a processor of the gaming machine to make a second, subsequent random determination for each occurrence of determining and displaying said award, said second random determination utilizing results of said first random determination to determine a monetary value of the award to be provided, said monetary value being greater than zero; and

(d) thereafter, causing a display of the monetary value of the award to be provided.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least two of said potential monetary values are different.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first random determination includes a random determination of a quantity of said potential monetary values.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second random determination includes a random determination of a quantity of said potential monetary values.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first random determination includes a random determination of said plurality of potential monetary values.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second random determination includes a random determination of at least one of said potential monetary values.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first random determination includes a random determination of a quantity of said potential monetary values and a random determination of said plurality of potential monetary values.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first random determination includes a random determination of a quantity of said potential monetary values, and wherein the second random determination includes a random determination of at least one said potential monetary values.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first random determination includes a random determination of said plurality of potential monetary values, and wherein the second random determination includes a random determination of a quantity of said potential monetary values.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first random determination includes a random determination of a quantity of said potential monetary values distributed to each of a plurality of pools, and wherein the second random determination determines the monetary value of the award to be provided from said pools.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the second random determination includes a random determination of a quantity of said potential monetary values distributed to each of a plurality of pools, and wherein the second random determination determines the monetary value of the award to be provided from said pools.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first random determination includes a random determination of said potential monetary values distributed to each of a plurality of pools, and wherein the second random determination determines the monetary value of the award to be provided from said pools.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the second random determination includes a random determination of said potential monetary values distributed to each of a plurality of pools, and wherein the second random determination determines the monetary value of the award to be provided from said pools.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the first random determination includes a random determination of a quantity of said potential monetary values distributed to each of a plurality of pools and a random determination of said potential monetary values distributed to each of said plurality of pools, and wherein the second random determination determines the monetary value of the award to be provided from said pools.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the first random determination includes a random determination of a quantity of said potential monetary values distributed to each of a plurality of pools, and wherein the second random determination includes a random determination of said potential monetary values distributed to each of said plurality of pools and the determination of the monetary value of the award to be provided from said pools.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the first random determination includes a random determination of potential monetary values for distribution to each of a plurality of pools, and wherein the second random determination includes a random determination of a quantity of said potential monetary values distributed to each of said plurality of pools and the determination of the monetary value of the award to be provided from said pools.

17. A method of randomly determining and displaying an award to be provided to a player of a gaming machine, said method comprising:

(a) receiving a wager to initiate a play of a game;

(b) after receiving the wager and after determining to provide the award to the player, causing a server remote from the gaming machine to make a first random determination for each occurrence of determining and displaying said award, said first random determination including, at least in part, determining a quantity of potential monetary values of the award to be provided;

(c) thereafter, causing a processor of the gaming machine to make a second, subsequent random determination for each occurrence of determining and displaying said award, said second random determination utilizing results of said first monetary random determination to determine a monetary value of the award to be provided, said value being greater than zero; and

(d) thereafter, causing a display of the monetary value of the award to be provided.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first random determination includes a random determination of said potential monetary values.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the second random determination includes a random determination of said potential monetary values.

20. A method of randomly determining and displaying an award to be provided to a player of a gaming machine, said method comprising:

(a) receiving a wager to initiate a play of a game;

(b) after receiving the wager and after determining to provide the award to the player, causing a server remote from the gaming machine to make a first random determination for each occurrence of determining and displaying said award, said first random determination including, at least in part, determining a plurality of potential monetary values which are selectable to determine a monetary value of the award to be provided, wherein at least two of said potential monetary values are different;

(c) thereafter, causing a processor of the gaming machine to make a second, subsequent random determination for each occurrence of determining and displaying said award, said second random determination utilizing results of said first random determination to determine the monetary value of the award to be provided, said monetary value being greater than zero; and

(d) thereafter, causing a display of the monetary value of the award to be provided.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the second random determination includes a random determination of the quantity of said potential monetary values from which the monetary value of the award to be provided is selected.

22. A method of randomly determining and displaying an award to be provided to a player of a gaming machine, said method comprising:

(a) receiving a wager to initiate a play of a game;

(b) after receiving the wager and after determining to provide the award to the player, causing a server remote from the gaming machine to make a first random determination for each occurrence of determining and displaying said award, said first random determination at least in part including a determination of a range of a quantity of potential monetary values of the award to be provided;

(c) thereafter, causing a processor of the gaming machine to make a second, subsequent random determination for each occurrence of determining and displaying said award, said second random determination utilizing results of said first random determination to determine a monetary value of the award to be provided, said monetary value being greater than zero; and

(d) thereafter, causing a display of the monetary value of the award to be provided.

23. A method of randomly determining and displaying an award to be provided to a player of a gaming machine, said method comprising:

(a) receiving a wager to initiate a play of a game;

(b) after receiving the wager and after determining to provide the award to the player, causing a server remote from the gaming machine to make a first random determination for each occurrence of determining and displaying said award, said first random determination at least in part including a determination of a range of potential monetary values of the award to be provided;

(c) thereafter, causing a processor of the gaming machine to make a second, subsequent random determination for each occurrence of determining and displaying said award, said second random determination utilizing results of said first random determination to determine a monetary value of the award to be provided, said monetary value being greater than zero; and

(d) thereafter, causing a display of the monetary value of the award to be provided.