Method and apparatus for linked play gaming with combined outcomes and shared indicia

A method comprising:

• generating an outcome at a first gaming device, the outcome comprising a plurality of indicia;
• receiving an indicium from a second gaming device;
• incorporating the received indicium into the generated outcome to create a combined outcome;
• and
• dispensing a prize based on the combined outcome.

A method comprising:

• receiving a signal indicative of at least one player's desire to participate in group play;
• activating group play on a gaming device;
• and
• providing an indicator that group play is in progress.

A method comprising:

• registering a group for linked play;
• establishing a group objective and a group format, wherein the group objective includes at least two group members' gaming devices generating matching outcomes in accordance with the group format;
• initiating the linked play according to the group format;
• terminating the linked play according to the group format;
• determining, based upon the linked play, whether the group objective was achieved;
• and
• awarding, if the group objective is achieved in accordance with the group format, at least one group prize.

A method comprising:

• receiving a plurality of selected outcomes from a plurality of gaming devices,
• wherein each gaming device generates at least one outcome,
• wherein each gaming device is associated with at least one player, and
• wherein the selected outcomes are selected by at least one of the players from among the outcomes;
• deriving a group outcome based upon the selected outcomes;
• and
• providing a payout if the group outcome is a winning outcome.

A method comprising:

• receiving a plurality of outcome indicia from a plurality of gaming devices, wherein each gaming device is associated with at least one player and wherein the outcome indicia are selected by at least one of the players;
• deriving a group outcome based upon the outcome indicia;
• and
• providing a payout if the group outcome is a winning outcome.

A server comprising:

• a processor operative to execute a program;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the program is stored in the memory and includes:
• a routine for receiving a signal indicative of a desire to transfer a game indicium from a first gaming device to a second gaming device;
• and
• a routine for transmitting, in response to the signal, an indication of the indicium to the second gaming device.

A system comprising:

• a network of at least two gaming devices wherein a first gaming device is operative to:
• generate an outcome, the outcome comprising a plurality of indicia;
• receive an indicium from a second gaming device;
• incorporate the received indicium into the generated outcome to create a combined outcome;
• and
• dispensing a prize based on the combined outcome.

A gaming device comprising:

• an input for receiving a signal indicative of at least one player's desire to participate in group play;
• a processor coupled to the input and operative to activate group play on the gaming device in response to the signal;
• and
• an indicator coupled to the processor and operative to provide an indication that group play is in progress.

A gaming device comprising:

• a communications port operable to receive an indication that a linked gaming device has achieved a potentially winning outcome;
• a processor coupled to the communications port;
• and
• a display coupled to the processor for displaying an indication of a time remaining to achieve an outcome that would win a group prize.

A system comprising:

• a network of at least two gaming devices wherein a first gaming device is operative to:
• receive a first wager amount to enable the generation of a first outcome;
• and
• receive a second wager amount to enable the combining of the first outcome with a second outcome generated at a second gaming device.

A system comprising:

• a processor operative to execute a program;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor,
• wherein the program is stored in the memory and includes:
• a routine to register a group for linked play;
• a routine to establish a group objective and a group format, wherein the group objective includes at least two group members' gaming devices generating matching outcomes in accordance with the group format;
• a routine to initiate the linked play according to the group format;
• a routine to terminate the linked play according to the group format;
• a routine to determine, based upon the linked play, whether the group objective was achieved;
• and
• a routine to award, if the group objective is achieved in accordance with the group format, at least one group prize.

A system comprising:

• a network of gaming devices;
• and
• a server coupled to the network wherein the server is operable to:
• receive a plurality of selected outcomes from a plurality of the gaming devices,
• wherein each gaming device generates at least one outcome,
• wherein each of the gaming devices is associated with at least one player, and
• wherein the selected outcomes are selected by at least one of the players;
• derive a group outcome based upon the selected outcomes;
• and
• direct at least one of the gaming devices to provide a payout if the group outcome is a winning outcome.

A system comprising:

• a network of gaming devices;
• and
• a server coupled to the network wherein the server is operable to:
• receive a plurality of outcome indicia from a plurality of the gaming devices, wherein each of the gaming device is associated with at least one player and wherein the outcome indicia are selected by at least one of the players;
• derive a group outcome based upon the outcome indicia;
• and
• direct at least one of the gaming devices to provide a payout if the group outcome is a winning outcome.

A method comprising:

• receiving at least one outcome from each of a plurality of gaming devices, wherein each gaming device is associated with at least one player;
• deriving a group outcome based upon the outcomes;
• and
• providing a payout if the group outcome is a winning outcome,
• wherein the payout is of an amount determined based upon taxes charged to the at least one player.