Gaming method and apparatus with a matching bonus game

A method for playing a networked game, comprising:

• providing a network including a plurality of gaming machines, each gaming machine configured for play of a base game and for implementing a bonus game and connected to a server;
• qualifying at least one player on at least one gaming machine of the plurality for a bonus play mode as a result of base game play, said bonus play mode presenting the at least one player with a matrix of game spaces, each with an associated, hidden indicium, the bonus play mode comprising:
• selecting a first game space;
• revealing the hidden indicium associated with said first game space;
• selecting a second game space;
• revealing the hidden indicium associated with said second game space;
• determining if the revealed indicium associated with said first game space matches the revealed indicium associated with said second game space;
• making an award if the revealed indicia are determined to match;
• repeating the selection procedure with each qualifying player;
• and
• returning the players to the base game.

An apparatus for playing both a base game and a bonus game comprising:

• a gaming machine configured for play of a base game;
• a monetary exchanger for accepting wagers and awarding payouts;
• a video display;
• a bonus game apparatus operably coupled to the video display and playable responsive to at least one predetermined occurrence in the play of the base game, said bonus game comprising a plurality of game spaces, each game space having an associated, hidden indicium matching at least one other indicium associated with another game space;
• and
• a positional selector for selecting at least first and second game spaces of said plurality of game spaces to reveal the hidden indicium associated with each of said at least first and second game spaces.

A network for playing a base game having a bonus game associated therewith comprising:

• at least one server computer;
• at least one bonus event computer operably coupled to said server computer;
• at least one on-line accounting and gaming information system connected to said server computer;
• a plurality of gaming machines configured for play of a base game and a bonus game administered by the at least one bonus event computer, each gaming machine of the plurality operably coupled to said server computer, each gaming machine comprising:
• a monetary exchanger for accepting wagers and awarding payouts;
• a video display for displaying said bonus game;
• wherein play of the bonus game is enabled responsive to occurrence of at least one event associated with play of the base game, said bonus game further comprising a plurality of game spaces, each game space having an associated, hidden indicium matching at least one other hidden indicium associated with another game space;
• and
• wherein each gaming machine of the plurality includes a positional selector for selecting at least first and second game spaces to reveal the hidden indicium associated with said at least first and second game spaces.