Gaming device with variable bonus payout feature
AssigneeWMS Gaming Inc.
InventorsErica A. Frohm, Lawrence E. DeMar, Robert J. Wilson, Jr., Alfred Thomas
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A slot machine comprises a spinning reel display and a bonus game. The spinning reel display shows a plurality of symbols on each of a plurality of rotatable reels. The reels are rotated and stopped to place the symbols of each reel in visual association with a pay line. The pay line is associated with at least one of the symbols on each of the reels. The bonus game is triggered in response to start-bonus symbols from the respective stopped reels appearing in the spinning reel display. The bonus game having different expected values based on different arrangements of the start-bonus symbols in the spinning reel display.
Claims33
A slot machine, comprising:
- a spinning reel display showing a plurality of symbols on each of a plurality of rotatable reels, said reels being rotated and stopped to place said symbols of each reel in visual association with a pay line, said pay line being associated with at least one of said symbols on each of said reels;
- and
- a bonus game triggered in response to start-bonus symbols from said respective stopped reels appearing in said spinning reel display, said bonus game having different expected values based on different arrangements of said start-bonus symbols in said spinning reel display.
A slot machine, comprising:
- a spinning reel display showing a plurality of symbols on each of a plurality of rotatable reels, said reels being rotated and stopped to place said symbols of each reel in visual association with a pay line, said pay line being associated with at least one of said symbols on each of said reels;
- and
- a bonus game triggered in response to start-bonus symbols from said respective stopped reels appearing in said spinning reel display, said bonus game having a multiplier associated therewith for multiplying a payout produced by said bonus game, said multiplier being different based upon different arrangements of said start-bonus symbols in said spinning reel display.
A method of providing different expected values for a bonus game of a slot machine, said method comprising:
- providing said slot machine, said slot machine including a spinning reel display and said bonus game, said spinning reel display showing a plurality of symbols on each of a plurality of rotatable reels;
- rotating and stopping said reels to place said symbols of each reel in visual association with a pay line, said pay line being associated with at least one of said symbols on each of said reels;
- and
- triggering said bonus game in response to start-bonus symbols from said respective stopped reels appearing in said spinning reel display, said bonus game having different expected values based on different arrangements of said start-bonus symbols in said spinning reel display.
A slot machine, comprising:
- a spinning reel display showing a plurality of symbols on each of a plurality of rotatable reels, said reels being rotated and stopped to place said symbols of each reel in visual association with a pay line, said pay line being associated with at least one of said symbols on each of said reels;
- and
- a bonus game triggered in response to start-bonus symbols from said respective stopped reels appearing in said spinning reel display, said bonus game having different expected values based on different arrangements of said start-bonus symbols in said spinning reel display, said different arrangements being comprised of the same start-bonus symbols such that said start-bonus symbols in one of said arrangements are the same as the start-bonus symbols in another of said arrangements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.