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US 6,203,429 B1Granted
Gaming machine with bonus mode
AssigneeWMS Gaming Inc.
InventorsLawrence E. Demar, Erica Frohm, William A. Grupp, Scott Slomiany
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A gaming machine is operated by a programmed micro-processor in which the first mode of operation, a basic gambling game, is implemented such as video poker or reel-type slot machine play. If bonus symbols are selected in the basic mode, a bonus mode is triggered. In the bonus mode the same or a different game is implemented by the micro-processor system employing a variable probability trial procedure in which the player continues to play and receive awards until a losing combination occurs. The hit rate for the bonus mode is often significantly greater than 50% although the overall hold percentage of the game remains below 100%.
Claims14
A processor controlled game of chance comprising:
- a) a processor, operating according to a game program, for randomly selecting symbols and for awarding credits when winning symbol combinations are selected;
- b) display means on which said selected symbol combinations are displayed to a game player;
- c) said processor operating in a basic mode unless and until a bonus symbol combination is selected, said processor, in said basic mode, selecting symbols and awarding credits or money in response to the input of money or credits by said player;
- d) said processor operating in a bonus mode after said bonus symbol combination is selected;
- said processor, in said bonus mode:
- (1) selecting an outcome as the result of a trial having a first probability of a winning outcome;
- (2) displaying the outcome on a display;
- (3) adding credits to a bonus mode total if said outcome is a winning outcome;
- (4) repeating steps d(1) to d(3) accumulating credits for each winning outcome using the same or a different probability of a winning outcome, until a losing outcome occurs wherein the bonus mode is ended and credits accumulated in earlier trials are not lost;
- whereby a player who reaches the bonus mode accumulates credits as a function of the number of trials survived.
7 more elements
In a gaming machine including processor means for randomly selecting outcomes, some of which are winners and the remainder being losers;
- and for awarding credits or money corresponding to said winners, and display means for displaying the selected outcomes the improvement comprising:
- a) said processor means being programmed to designate certain outcomes as a bonus event permitting the play of a bonus game;
- b) said processor means being programmed to provide a plurality of trials during bonus game play, said processor iteratively and randomly selecting outcomes, each of which is the result of a trial wherein the probability of success may vary between trials;
- c) displaying said outcomes and awarding the credits after each winning outcome wherein credits are accumulated for each winning outcome until a losing outcome is selected wherein the bonus game is ended and credits accumulated in earlier trials are not lost;
- whereby a player who reaches the bonus game accumulates credits as a function of the number of variable probability trials survived.
2 more elements
A processor controlled game of chance comprising:
- a) a processor, operating according to a game program, for randomly selecting symbols and for awarding credits when winning symbol combinations are selected;
- b) display means on which said selected symbol combinations are displayed to a game player;
- c) said processor operating in a basic mode unless and until a bonus symbol combination is selected, said processor, in said basic mode, selecting symbols and awarding credits or money in response to the input of money or credits by said player;
- d) said processor operating in a bonus mode after said bonus symbol combination is selected;
- said processor, in said bonus mode:
- (1) selecting an outcome as the result of a variable probability trial;
- (2) displaying the outcome on a display;
- (3) adding an award to a bonus game award total if said outcome is an award paying outcome;
- (4) repeating steps d1 to d3 accumulating credits for each award paying outcome until a losing outcome occurs wherein the bonus mode is ended and credits are not lost;
- (5) paying out said bonus game award total;
- whereby a player who reaches the bonus mode accumulates credits as a function of the number of variable probability trials survived.
8 more elements
A gaming machine comprising:
- a) processor means for randomly selecting outcomes, some of which are winners and the remainder being losers;
- and for awarding credits or money corresponding to said winners,
- b) display means for displaying the selected outcomes the improvement comprising:
- i) said processor means being programmed to designate certain outcomes as a bonus outcome permitting the play of a bonus game;
- and
- ii) said processor means being programmed to provide a plurality of trials during bonus game play, said processor iteratively and randomly selecting outcomes as a sequence of variable probability trials, displaying said outcomes and awarding the credits for each winning outcome, wherein credits are accumulated for each winning outcome until a losing outcome is selected wherein the bonus game is ended and credits accumulated in earlier trials are not lost;
- whereby a player who reaches the bonus game accumulates credits as a function of the number of variable probability trials survived.
4 more elements
A method of operating a gaming machine having a processor for randomly selecting game outcomes and for awarding credits or money for winning outcomes and, a display for displaying said outcomes to a game player comprising the steps of:
- a) operating said processor in a basic mode unless and until an outcome, designated as a bonus outcome, is selected, said basic mode permitting outcome selection, display and credit awards only in response to the input of a credit by said player;
- b) operating said processor in a bonus mode after said bonus outcome is selected, said bonus mode operation causing:
- (1) random selection and display of outcomes as a sequence of variable probability trials which continue until a losing trial occurs;
- (2) the award of credits or money for winning outcomes for each trial and when a losing trial occurs, the bonus mode is ended and credits accumulated in earlier trials are not lost;
- whereby a player who reaches the bonus mode accumulates credits as a function of the number of variable probability trials survived.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.