US 2004/0072603 A1 · Method and apparatus for slot-machine gaming

Abstract

A gaming apparatus, such as a slot machine, that randomly determines a combination of symbols and pays prizes according to a determined payout table, is used to perform a gaming method similar to conventional slot machine play, but that permits greater interaction with the player. The gaming method provides the player with the option of increasing an amount wagered after at least one of the symbols has been determined. The method additionally provides the player with the option to randomly determine a symbol or symbols a second time, or to force a symbol to be the same as a symbol already determined, optionally at additional cost. The method includes making appropriate adjustments to a payout table, depending on the player's actions during game play.

Claims20

Dependent claims

In conjunction with a gaming apparatus for randomly determining a combination of symbols, a method for gaming comprising:

receiving an initial wager amount from a user of the apparatus, the wager conferring eligibility to win an amount according to a payout table defining win amounts for at least selected symbol combinations;
randomly determining at least one symbol of the combination of symbols;
displaying the at least one symbol to the user prior to determining every symbol of the combination of symbols;
accepting an additional wager amount from the user after the displaying step;
adjusting the payout table based on the additional wager amount and the at least one symbol;
randomly determining remaining symbols of the combination of symbols to determine a game result;
and
determining a prize amount based on the game result and the payout table.

5 more elements

In conjunction with a gaming apparatus for randomly determining a combination of symbols, a method for gaming comprising:

receiving a wager amount from a user of the apparatus, the wager conferring eligibility to win an amount according to a payout table defining win amounts for at least selected symbol combinations;
randomly determining a first symbol of the combination of symbols;
displaying the first symbol to the user prior to determining other symbols of the combination of symbols;
receiving a user input after the displaying step, the user input directing the gaming apparatus to set a second symbol of the combination of symbols equal to the first symbol;
setting a second symbol of the combination of symbols equal to the first symbol in response to the user input;
adjusting the payout table based on the first symbol;
randomly determining at least one remaining symbol of the combination of symbols to determine a game result;
and
determining a prize amount based on the game result and the payout table.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for slot-machine gaming

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for slot-machine gaming

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20