Gaming machine with variable probability of obtaining bonus game payouts

Abstract

A gaming machine includes a basic game and a bonus game. The basic game is controlled by a processor in response to a wager amount and includes a plurality of different start-bonus outcomes. The bonus game is activated by the start-bonus outcomes which cause the processor to shift operation from the basic game to the bonus game. The bonus game is capable of providing a plurality of bonus payouts. In accordance with one feature of the gaming machine, a probability of winning certain ones of the bonus payouts varies in response to the different start-bonus outcomes that activate the bonus game. In accordance with another feature of the gaming machine, the bonus game includes a video-type display controlled by the processor and displaying a plurality of player-selectable elements, at least one of which represents a winning bonus game outcome. The player-selectable elements are successively selected by a player until the winning element is selected. In response to the selection of the winning element, the bonus game awards the player a bonus payout. The value of the bonus payout successively decreases in response to the player successively selecting the non-winning elements prior to selecting the winning element.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.