Gaming system, gaming device, and method providing one or more alternative wager propositions if a credit balance is less than a designated wager amount

A gaming system comprising:

• at least one display device;
• at least one input device;
• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory device storing a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to:
• (a) display one or more plays of a wagering game, each play of the wagering game being playable upon a wager by a player, an amount of the wager being at least a minimum wager amount and at most a maximum wager amount;
• (b) display a credit balance of the player after each play of the wagering game;
• and
• (c) after each play of the wagering game and before a subsequent play of the wagering game:
• determine if the player's credit balance is less than a designated wager amount, the designated wager amount being less than or equal to the maximum wager amount and greater than a lowest eligible amount, and
• thereafter, if it is determined that the player's credit balance is less than the designated wager amount:
• (i) display an alternative wager proposition for the player that is separate from any wagers that can be made by the player on any plays of the wagering game, that is in addition to any wagers that can be made by the player on any plays of the wagering game, and that does not include any play of the wagering game, and operate with at least one input device to enable the player to accept the alternative wager proposition, wherein the alternative wager proposition, if accepted, requires the player to risk a first amount of the player's credit balance;
• and
• (ii) if the player accepts the alternative wager proposition:
• (A) separate from any plays of the wagering game, determine whether to provide an alternative award;
• (B) if the at least one processor determines to provide the alternative award, provide the alternative award such that the player is enabled to play the subsequent play of the wagering game at the designated wager amount;
• and
• (C) if the at least one processor determines not to provide the alternative award, reduce the player's credit balance by the first amount of the player's credit balance.

A non-transitory computer readable medium including a plurality of instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:

• (a) cause at least one display device to display one or more plays of a wagering game, each play of the wagering game being playable upon a wager by a player, an amount of the wager being at least a minimum wager amount and at most a maximum wager amount;
• (b) cause the at least one display device to display a credit balance of the player;
• and
• (c) after each play of the wagering game and before a subsequent play of the wagering game:
• determine if the player's credit balance is less than a designated wager amount, the designated wager amount being less than or equal to the maximum wager amount and greater than a lowest eligible amount, and
• thereafter, if it is determined that the player's credit balance is less than the designated wager amount:
• (i) cause the at least one display device to display an alternative wager proposition for the player that is separate from any wagers that can be made by the player on any plays of the wagering game, that is in addition to any wagers that can be made by the player on any plays of the wagering game, and that does not include any play of the wagering game, and operate with at least one input device to enable the player to accept the alternative wager proposition, wherein the alternative wager proposition, if accepted, requires the player to risk a first amount of the player's credit balance;
• and
• (ii) if the player accepts the alternative wager proposition:
• (A) separate from any plays of the wagering game, determine whether to provide an alternative award;
• (B) if the at least one processor determines to provide the alternative award, provide the alternative award such that the player is enabled to play the subsequent play of the wagering game at the designated wager amount;
• and
• (C) if the at least one processor determines not to provide the alternative award, reduce the player's credit balance by the first amount of the player's credit balance.