Gaming machine and method of play having a minimum award threshold

A method for playing a game comprising:

• providing a set of instructions stored on a computer-readable medium for execution by a programmable processor;
• determining a set of rules for the game including defining a set of outcomes which correspond to a set of triggering events and a set of prizes, wherein the set of outcomes includes outcomes which include triggering events, outcomes which include prizes, and outcomes which do not include triggering events or prizes;
• receiving an input to initiate a first main game play on a gaming machine and initiating the first main game play on the gaming machine, the first main game play being initiated by the processor and associated control circuitry;
• evaluating an outcome of the first main game play;
• determining whether the outcome of the first main game play corresponds to a minimum win triggering event and a prize;
• awarding the prize and setting a current minimum main game prize to a value of the prize where the outcome of the first main game play corresponds to a minimum win triggering event and a prize;
• initiating a second main game play on the gaming machine after the first main game play and evaluating an outcome of the second main game play to determine whether it corresponds to a second prize, the second main game play being initiated and evaluated by the processor and associated control circuitry,
• comparing the value of the current minimum main game prize to a value of the second prize where the outcome of the second main game play corresponds to the second prize, the value of the current minimum main game prize in a successive main game play after the first main game play being the greater of either (a) the value of the first main game prize, or (b) a value of a main game prize associated with a successive main game play outcome after the first main game play,
• detecting whether a bonus game terminating event has occurred, and
• wherein the setting of the current minimum main game prize and comparing the value of the current minimum main game prize to the value of the second prize producing a game providing a minimum award threshold for prize outcomes from a plurality of main game plays and a greater total prize payout from the plurality of main game plays as compared to a conventional total prize payout determined from prizes associated with individual outcomes from the plurality of main game plays, the minimum win triggering event and minimum win terminating event defining a minimum win activation period wherein the current minimum award threshold is set by the processor and control circuitry, the minimum award threshold maximizing the total main game play prize.

A gaming machine comprising:

• a programmable processor and control circuitry operatively connected to a control array and at least one electronic display, the processor receiving input received at the control array for play of the game and generating signals for producing visual imagery of the game on the display;
• a set of instructions stored on a computer-readable medium for execution by the processor, the program:
• providing a set of rules for the game including a set of outcomes which correspond to a set of triggering events and a set of prizes, wherein the set of outcomes includes outcomes which include triggering events, outcomes which include prizes, and outcomes which do not include triggering events or prizes;
• accepting a wager from a player;
• receiving an input to initiate a first play of the game and initiating a first play;
• evaluating an outcome of the first play to determine whether it corresponds to a prize, and where the outcome corresponds to a prize, setting a current minimum prize to a value of the prize corresponding to the first play;
• initiating a second play of the game and evaluating the outcome of the second play to determine whether it corresponds to a second prize, and where the outcome of the second play corresponds to the second prize;
• comparing the value of the current minimum prize to a value of the second prize, the value of the current minimum prize in a successive play of the game after the first play of the game being the greater of either (a) the value of the prize corresponding to the first play, or (b) a value of a prize associated with a successive play after the first play, and
• wherein the setting of the current minimum prize and comparing the value of said current minimum prize to the value of the second prize producing a game providing a minimum award threshold for prize outcomes from a plurality of game plays and a greater total prize payout from the plurality of game plays as compared to a conventional total prize payout determined from prizes associated with individual outcomes from the plurality of game plays, a minimum win activation period being defined between at least one of the triggering events and a terminating event wherein the minimum award threshold is set by the processor and control circuitry.