Competitive, matrix type game, play thereof as a bonus event to a primary game, and apparatus and systems for implementing the game

A matrix type game, comprising:

• a game board including a plurality of spaces arranged in a grid comprising a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows;
• at least two distinguishable sets of game pieces, each set of game pieces belonging to a corresponding gamer, said game pieces being positionable in spaces on said game board;
• and
• rules comprising permitting a gamer, upon receiving a turn, to place a game piece of a set onto a space of said game board, the gamer being permitted to capture at least one game piece of another set upon positioning at least three game pieces of the same set in spaces that are arranged in-line along said game board with said at least one game piece of said another set.

A matrix type game, comprising:

• a game board including a plurality of spaces arranged in a grid comprising a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows;
• at least two distinguishable sets of game pieces, each set of game pieces belonging to a corresponding gamer, said game pieces being positionable in spaces on said game board;
• and
• rules comprising permitting a gamer, upon receiving a turn, to place a game piece of a set onto a space of said game board and, upon positioning at least two game pieces of said set in-line with, at opposite sides of, and adjacent to a game piece of at least another set or adjacently positioned game pieces of at least another set, permitting the gamer to replace each game piece of said at least another set with a game piece of said set.

A gaming apparatus, comprising:

• a processor configured to:
• implement a primary game;
• and
• at least partially effect play of a bonus event upon the occurrence of at least one prespecified event during play of said primary game;
• and
• at least one display in communication with said processor.

A gaming system, comprising:

• a first gaming terminal at which:
• a primary game is implemented;
• and
• upon the occurrence of at least one prespecified event during play of said primary game, a bonus event is initiated and at least partially effected for play by a gamer using said first gaming terminal;
• and
• at least one additional gaming terminal in communication with said first gaming terminal, said bonus event also being at least partially effected at said at least one additional terminal for competitive play by another gamer.