AU2002211221B2

AU2002211221B2 - Gaming device and method

Info

Publication number: AU2002211221B2
Application number: AU2002211221A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Steven A. Weiss
Original assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Inc
Current assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Inc
Priority date: 2000-10-13
Filing date: 2001-10-12
Publication date: 2007-09-13
Anticipated expiration: 2021-10-12
Also published as: AU1122102A; JP2004514474A; WO2002032523A1; ZA200303515B; BR0114816A; NZ525627A; EP1328326A1; MXPA03003356A

Description

22. AUG. 2007 17:22 OO31 Oe IV FREEHILLS SYDNEY 3 +612 93224000 NO. 3850 P. 29 Gaming Device and Method Technical Field The following invention is generally related to instrumentalities and methodologies in gaming devices. More specifically, the instant invention is directed to a gaming device having a primary game having not only a winning outcome, but also a triggering outcome for at least one secondary game. Most specifically, the secondary game allows continued play after the player's ci earned bonus round has expired.

o Background Art The primary purpose of playing any game is to win the game. While a player may initi ally find enjoyment in hrying to win a particular game, repeatedly playing the same game eventually becomes tiresome without positive stimulus. Accordingly, several games have been developed to offer a "bonus" game, which offers a player the prospect of engaging in a different gaining proposition. The elusive bonus game, however, appears infrequently and consists of only one exciting round, after which the player is returned to the initial game which can produce tedium should the player enjoy the bonus game much more than the primary game offered on the machine, it should be sustainable.

Disclosure of Invention The present invention is distinguishable over the prior art in a multiplicity of ways. For example, the instant invention retains the player's interest by providing the player with the potential for engaging in several different gaming propositions, by providing a device and method for playing one or more different bonus games during a gaming session without changing machines.

Further, the instant invention allows a player to continue playing a particular bonus game after the earned bonus period has expired, rather than automatically returning to the primnary game.

COMS ID No: ARCS-157983 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:26 Date 2007-08-22 22. AUG. 2001 17:22 00531flIw FREEHILLS SYDNEY 3 +612 93224000 NO. 3850 P. 2 CA Industrial Applicability ;Z The industrial applicability of this invention shall be demonstrated through discussion, of CC) the following objects of the invention, which are each to be read disjunctively with the alternate object to provide the public with a useful alternative.

Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention to provide a new and novel device Ci and method for gaming, in which a player is offered a secondary gaming proposition fbr more chances, at success.

o It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device and method as ci characterized above which provides an opportunity to continue playing a secondary bonus event as a function of continued wagering, even after the initially-earned bonus event expires.

Viewed from a first vantage point, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a gaming device, comprising, in combination: a display, wagering means enabled by a player, and a processor interposed between said display and said wagering means to initiate play of a primary game on said display upon activation of said wagering means, said display depicting a row and column matrix having plural paylines corresponding to areas on said matrix susceptible to winning combinations,said primary game having at least one outcome which triggers a first bonus, wherein said first bonus game allows play due as a function of performance by the player on said primary game and said first bonus also includes means fbr continued first bonus play elected by the player as a function of further wagering in said first bonus game after said play which was due as a function of performance from said primary game has expired, whereby said continued first bonus game play is initiated after said first bonus game has ended.

Viewed from a second vantage point, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a gaming device, comprising, in combination: a display, COMS ID No: ARCS-i 57983 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:26 Date 2007-08-22 22. AUG.2007 17:22 00VS1le-na FREEHILLS SYDNEY 3 +612 93224000 NO. 3850 P. 31 3 (N wagering means, and ;Z a processor interposed between said display and said wagering means to initiate CC) play of a primary game on said display depicted as a row and column matrix having plural pay lines corresponding to areas on said matrix susceptible to winning combinations upon activation of said wagering means, said display having at least one outcome which triggers a fiast bonus, ri wherein said first bonus is defined by a series of locales displayed as a sequence and at least one exposed card from a deck of cards, wherein said exposed card is first in said sequence and ci decision means for allowing a player to decide whether a subsequent card to be exposed in said o sequence is higher than or lower thani said exposed card, wherein a correct decision allows the 0 10 player to continue iteratively along said sequence, engaging said decision means relative to a last-expose card in said sequence and including means to surrender said last-exposed card and means to replace said last-exposed card by a randomly-chosen new, different card from said deck of cards, whereby said decision means then allow a player to decide whether said subsequent card to be exposed in said sequence is higher than or lower than said randomly-chosen new, different cad.

Viewed from a third vantage point, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a gaming device, comprising, in combination: a display, wagering means, and a processor interposed between said display and said wagering means to intiate play of a primary game on said display upon activation of said wagering means, said primary game having at least one outcome which triggers a first bonus game, wherein said first bonus game is defined by a raceway about which a ball is propelled, said raceway defined by a pat circumscribing a central award area, said ball comning to rest on and indicate one of a plurality of awards located on said central award area which is due a player and wherein said first bonus game includes means to continue play of said first bonus game activated by fur-ther wagering by the player on said first bonus game, whereby said means to continue play of said first bonus game is activated after play of said first bonus game has ended.

COMS ID No: ARCS-157983 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:26 Date 2007-08-22 22, AUG. 2007 17:23 FREEHILLS SYDNEY 3 +612 93224000 NO 3850 P. 32 3a 0 Viewed from a fourth vantage point, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a method for gaming, the steps including: displaying a primary game as a row by column matrix having plural paylines corresponding to areas on said matrix susceptible to winning combinations, allowing a wager by a player, generating an outcome for said primary game as a function of said wager having Cbeen made, and oenabling a first bonus upon the occurrence of at least one outcome from said primary game, the first bonus game including the steps of: playing the first bonus game until its normal expiration based upon a predefined rule-set, and allowing firther play of the first bonus game as a function of further wagering by the player, whereby said further play of the first bonus game is initiated after the first bonus game has ended.

Viewed from a fifth vantage point, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a method for gaming, the steps including: displaying a primary game formed as a row and column matrix having plural paylines corresponding to areas on said matrix susceptible to winning combinations, allowing a wager, generating an outcome for said primary game as a fumction of said wager having been made, and enabling a first bonus upon the occurrence of at least one outcome from said primary game, the first bonus game including the steps of: exposing a first card to the player, COMS ID No: ARCS-157983 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:26 Date 2007-08-22 22. AUG. 2007 17:23 FREEHILLS SYDNEY 3 +612 93224000 NO. 3850 P. 33 00531iOz IZ 3b (N allowing the player to decide whether a subsequent card in a series of unexposed cards o be exposed will be higher or lower than said first card, en progressing through said series of unexposed cards in a sequential manner, wherein the player is allowed to decide if a next unexposed card in said1 series of cards will be higher or lower than a last-exposed card in said series of cards, and (N offering the player an opportunity to replace said last-exposed card wit a randomly-chosen card, whereby the player is allowed to decide if a next unexposed card in said (N series of cards will be higher or lower than said randomly-chosen card in said series of cards..

(N Viewed from a sixth vantage point, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a method for gaming, the steps including: displaying a primary game, allowing a wager by a player, generating an outcome for said primary game as a function of said wager having been made, enabling a first bonus upon the occurrence of at least one outcome from said primary game, the first bonus game including the steps of: propelling a ball about a raceway, said raceway defined by a pat circumscribing a central award area, and allowing the ball to come to rest at an area on said centralaward which is due the player, and allowing tbr-ther play of said fist bonus game at the player's option as a function of further wagering on said first bonus game after said first bonus game has ended Viewed from a seventh vantage point, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a gaming device, comprising in combination: a primary game, said primary game having an outcome; COMS ID No: ARCS-157983 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:26 Date 2007-08-22 cd-HUb-due fr 1:1I rom:I-KttHLLb ui11blcsdrLuuu I o:bdab (y b^b u05310219 3c 0 a first bonus game, said first bonus game triggered by at least one specific Soutcome from said primary game; 00 a second bonus game, said second bonus game triggered by at least one other outcome from said primary game; and Ci 5 means for allowing a player to continue subsequent bonus game play after C, said first or second bonus game has ended at the player's option through subsequent wagering on said bonus games.

O These and other objects and aspects of the invention will be made manifest when C considering the following detailed specification when taken in conjunction with the appended drawing figures.

Brief Description of Drawings Figure 1 is a flowchart of the methodology according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a depiction of the apparatus associated therewith.

Figure 3 is a depiction of a primary game screen, embodied in an RXC matrix.

Figure 4 is a depiction of a first bonus screen, associated with a card event.

Figure 5 is a depiction of a second bonus screen, associated with a spin event.

Best Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention Considering the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral 10 as shown in FIG. 2 is directed to the device according to the present invention.

In its essence, the device 10 includes a housing 16 which supports a visual display 2, preferably a video monitor, therewithin (FIG. The display 2 may include a window 8 for special messages or for incrementing counting of credits accumulated by the player. The device also includes an LED or other readout 4 for prompting the player and can provide similar verbiage as the window 8 or in lieu thereof, to stimulate COMS ID No: ARCS-158665 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:39 Date 2007-08-28 WO 02/32523 PCT/US01/27764 the player. The device includes an inlet 6 for the reception therein for coins, currency or the like to auger in the inception of play. A separate slot 7, capable of accepting and dispensing encoded moveable media 9 such as a smart card, is also present. A plurality of decision-making buttons 12 are located on the face of the apparatus 10, preferable below the display 2 and a pull handle 14 can be used to initiate play or as an alternative to supplement the decision-making buttons 12. A coin hopper 18 or other payment methods, ticket printers, may be included to effectuate an output of an award due the player. The device 10 may have a top portion 32 with a display thereon having a motif correlative with the game to be played and can include a paytable. A plurality of speakers 34 may be included on the device for aural interaction with the player. The apparatus also includes a processor P coordinating all functions and a random number generator G operatively coupled thereto for generating outcomes.

More specifically, and with reference to FIG. 3, greater details with respect to the video display 2 can be explored. The display 2 features a plurality of symbols arranged in a row and column (RXC) matrix 21. Paylines 22 correspond to areas on the matrix in which winning combinations may be located. The preferred embodiment features a 3X5 matrix with either 9, 15 or 25 paylines.

Referring to FIG. 1, the flow chart associated with the apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3 can be explored. Initially, the player plays the game with a maximum bet or less.

Preferably, but optionally, a maximum bet enables the features of the invention.

Assume a maximum bet is required. If the player plays with less than a maximum bet, the outcome is determined by the symbols displayed according to the display in FIG. 3.

If the player opts to play with a maximum bet, then after the initial outcome is displayed, the player is immediately rewarded if the initial outcome corresponds to a value on an associated paytable. Whether or not the player wins, the initial outcome is compared to a predetemined set of outcomes that trigger a bonus game or games. The player is then entitled to a predetermined number of bonus games by virtue of attaining the triggering outcome. After these games have been played, the player has an opportunity to continue playing the bonus game by making further wagers.

In the preferred embodiment, two bonus games are possible. Each has an associated triggering outcome. One of these games is a card-based game, shown in FIG. 4. Spaces for playing cards are arranged in plural tiers, preferably three, with each play space 41 associated with a bonus value 42. Preferably, the further the player advances, the greater the bonus. The game begins with the revealing of an initial card WO 02/32523 PCT/US01/27764 in the starting space 40 (on tier with the remaining play spaces 41 on tiers one through N filled with cards that are face-down. The player then guesses whether the card with the next-higher bonus value (preferably an adjacent card or one that is highlighted as by flasl-hing or one whose bonus value is highlighted or flashing) will have a higher value or a lower value than the initial card. If the player is correct, play continues, with the player guessing the relative subsequent values of cards (either against the initial card or the card last exposed) until either the player guesses wrong or until all the cards in the playing field are exposed. Successfully comparing all cards could entail a supplemental bonus or jackpot. Additionally, the player may have the opportunity to replace the "current" exposed up-card the one against which the player's next card will be compared) with a new card from the deck. In the preferred embodiment, the player has only one opportunity to replace a card during each session of the bonus game. Replacement may entail a further expenditure. If the player is incorrect, the game ends and the player is awarded the bonus value associated with the last correct card chosen.

For example, assume the initial card at starting space 40 is a 2. Most players would decide the next card at space 41.1) will be higher. Note that a "tie" a 2 at space 41.1) may be treated as a win for the player, a loss for the player or a "push" where the game continues without a win or a loss. Assume the player has won. The player is then prompted to decide if the covered card at space 41.2) is higher than the last exposed card at space 41.1). Alternatively, all comparisons may be against the initial card at starting space 40. Should the player have to compare against a card of "middle rank" an eight), the player may be given the opportunity to "buy" (or merely receive) a different card.

Assume the player guesses incorrectly and loses. One feature of the present invention allows the player to continue playing the bonus game. In this event, the player is now wagering using more funds or credits, since the free bonus round has expired. Thus, the player can continue to enjoy the bonus game.

A second, spin-based, bonus game is depicted in FIG. 5. The player is given a set of winning positions, which may be either player chosen, predetermined or randomlychosen. The game begins when a ball 47 is propelled along a raceway 45, along arrow and is allowed to orbit in the raceway until it comes to a halt by descending (along arrow on to one of the positions 46 adjacent a center of the raceway, producing an outcome. Each position 46 has a value 46.1, 46.2 46.Z) If this WO 02/32523 PCT/US01/27764 6 outcome corresponds to any of the winning positions assigned to the player, the player wins, with the amount of the award determined by an associated paytable or by indicia at the position 46.Z. If the outcome does not correspond to any of the assigned wagers, the player loses.

As in the previous bonus event, the player can continue in the bonus game by wagering on the outcome of the "spin" game in which the ball 47 reorbits the raceway, ultimately landing on one of the position 46.Z.

Moreover, having thus described the invention, it should be apparent that numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to without departing from the scope and fair meaning of the instant invention as set forth hereinabove and as described hereinbelow by the claims.

Claims

22.AUG. 2007 17:24 005310210 FREEHILLS SYDNEY 3 +612 93224000 NO, 3350 P. 7 0 CLAIMS Claim 1 A gaming device, comprising, in combination: Mn N a display, wagering means enabled by a player, and a processor interposed between said display and said wagering means to initiate c'-i play of a primary game on said display upon activation of said wagering means, said display odepicting a row and column matrix having plural paylines corresponding to areas on said matrix 0 susceptible to winning combinations,said primary game having at least one outcome which triggers a first bonus, wherein said first bonus game allows play due as a function of performance by the player on said primary game and said first bonus also includes means for continued first bonus play elected by the player as a function of further wagering in said first bonus game after said play which was due as a function of perfonnance from said primary game has expired, whereby said continued first bonus game play is initiated after said first bonus game has ended. Claim 2 The device of claim I wherein said first bonus is defined by a series of locales displayed as a sequence and at least one exposed card from a deck of cards wherein said exposed card is first in said sequence and decision means for allowing a player to decide whether a subsequent card to be exposed in said sequence is higher than or lower than said exposed card, wherein a correct decision allows the player to continue iteratively along said sequence, engaging said decision means relative to a last-exposed card in said sequence. Claim 3 The device of claim 2 further including means to surrender said last -exposed card and means to replace said last-exposed card by a randomly-chosen new, different card from said deck of cards a plurality of times during said first bonus game, whereby said decision means allow a player to decide whether said subsequent card to be exposed in said sequence is higher than or lower than said randomly-chosen new, different card. Claim 4 The device of claim 2 fUlther including means to surrender said last-exposed card and means to replace said last-exposed card by a randomly-chosen new, different card from said deck of cards once during said first bonus game, COMS ID No: ARCS-157983 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:26 Date 2007-08-22 22. AUG. 207 17:24 OO5310l21s FREEHILLS SYDNEY 3 l612 93224000O 35 .3 NO. 3850 P. 36 whereby said decision means allow a player to decide whether said subsequent card to be ;Z exposed in said sequence is higher than or lower than said randomnly-chosen new, different card. en Claim 5 The device of claim 2 wherein said primary game has at least one outcome which triggers a second bonus, wherein said second bonus game is defned by a raceway about which a ball is propelled, said ball coming to rest on one of a plurality of awards located within N an ara circumscribed by said raceway. Claim 6 The device of claim 5 wherein each of said plurality of awards is denoted by Ci numerical indicia located within said area. Ci Claim 7 The device of' claim 5 wherein said second bonus genie allows play due as a function of performance on said primary game and said second bonus game also includes means to receive wagers on said second bonus game for continued second bonus genie play after said play which was due as a function of performance from said primary game has expired. Claim 8 The device of claim 1 wherein said first bonus is defined by a raceway about which a ball is propelled, said ball coming to rest on one of a plurality of awards located within an area circumscribed by said raceway. Claim 9 The device of claim 8 wherein said plurality of awards are denoted by numerical indicia, located within said area. Claim 10 The device of claim 8 wherein said primary game has at least one outcome that triggers a second bonus game, wherein said second bonus game is defined by a series of locales displayed as a sequence and at least one exposed card from a deck of cards, wherein said exposed card is first in said sequence. and decision means for allowing a player to decide whether a subsequent card to be exposed in said sequence is higher than or lower than said exposed card, wherein a correct decision allows the player to continue iteratively along said sequence, engaging said decision means relative to a last-exposed card in said sequence. Claim 11I The device of claim 10 fhrther including means to surrender said last-exposed card and means to replace said last-exposed card by a randomly-chosen new, different card from said deck of cards a plurality of times during said second bonus game, COMS ID No: ARCS-157983 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:26 Date 2007-08-22 22. AUG. 2007 17:24 006310k2w FREEHILLS SYDNEY 3 +612 93224000 N.35 .3 NO. 3350 P. 37 9 (N whereby said decision means allow a player to decide whether said subsequent card to be exposed in said sequence is higher tha or lower than said randomnly-chose new, different card. en Claim 12 The device of claim 10 fur-ther including means to surrender said last-exposed N card and means to replace said last-exposed card by a randomly-chosen new, different card from said deck of cards once during said second bonus game, (N whereby said decision meams allow a player to decide whether said subsequent card to be exposed in said sequence is higher than or lower than said randomly-chosen new, different card. O Claim 13 A gaming device, comprising, in combination: a display, wagering means, and a processor interposed between said display and said wagering means to initiate play of a primary game on said display depicted as a row and column matrix having plural pay lines corresponding to areas on said matrix susceptible to winning combinations upon activation of said wagering means, said display having at least one outcome which triggers a first bonus, 16 wherein said first bonus is defined by a series of locales displayed as a sequence and at least one exposed card from a deck of cards, wherein said exposed card is first in said sequence and decision means for allowing a player to decide whether a subsequent card to be exposed in said sequence is higher than or lower than said exposed card, wherein a correct decision allows the player to continue iteratively along said sequence, engaging said decision means relative to a last-exposed card in said sequence and including means to surrender said last-exposed card and means to replace said last-exposed card by a randomly-chosen new, different card from said deck of cards, whereby said decision means then allow a player to decide whether said subsequent card to be exposed in said sequence is higher than or lower than said randomly-chosen now, different card. Claim 14 -The device of claim 13 wherein said means to surrender said last-exposed card and said means to replace said last-exposed card by a randomly-chosen new, different card from said deck of cards are available to the player a plurality of times during said first bonus game, COMS ID No: ARCS-157983 Received by IP Australia: lime 17:26 Date 2007-08-22 22. AUG. 2007 17:25 005310219 FREEHILLS SYDNEY 3 ±612'93224000 NO. 3850 P. 38 whereby said decision means allow a player to decide whether said subsequent card to be ;Z exposed in said sequence is higher than or lower than said randomly-chosen new, different card. en Claim 15 The device of claim 13 wherein said means to surrender said last-exposed card and said means to replace said last-exposed card by a randomly-chosen new, different card from said deck of cards are available to the player once during said first bonus game, whereby said decision means allow a player to decide whether said subsequent card to be exposed in said sequence is higher than or lower than said randomly-chosen new, different card. Claim 16 The device according to claim 13 wherein said primary game has at least one outcome which triggers a second bonus game, wherein said second bonus is defined by a raceway about which a ball is propelled, said ball coming to rest on one of a plurality of awards located within a central award area circumscribed by said raceway. Claim 17 The device of claim 16 wherein each of said plurality of awards is denoted by numerical indicia located on said central award area. Claim 18 A gaming device, comprising, in combination: a display, wagering means, and a processor interposed between said display and said wagering means to initiate play of a primary game on said display upon activation of said wagering means, said primary game having at least one outcome which triggers a first bonus game, wherein said first bonus game is defined by a raceway about which a ball is propelled, said raceway defined by a path circumscribing a central award area, said ball coming to rest on and indicate one of a plurality of awards located on said central award area which is due a player and wherein said first bowus game includes means to continue play of said first bonus game activated by futher wagering by the player on said first bonus game, whereby said means to continue play of said first bonus game is activated after play of said first bonus game has ended, Claim 19 The device of claim 18 wherein each of said plurality of awards is denoted by numerical indicia located on said central award area. COMS ID No: ARCS-157983 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:26 Date 2007-08-22 22. AUG 2007 17:25 OM531 OL FREEHILLS SYDNEY 3 t612 932240900N.35 .3 NO. 3850 P. 39 CA Claim 20 A method for gaming, the steps including: ;Z displaying a primary game as a row by column matrix having plural paylines M corresponding to areas on said matrix susceptible to winning combinations, allowing a wager by a player, Ci 5 generating an outcome for said primary game as a function of said wager having been made, and primry gmeenablinig a first bonus -upon the occurrence of at least one outcome from said primry gmethe first bonus game including the steps of: playing the first bonus gene until its normal expiration based upon a predefinedi rule-set, and allowing further play of the first bonus game as a function of further wagering by the player, whereby said fur-ther play of the first bonus game is initiated after the first bonus game has ended. Claim 21 The method of claim 20 wherein playing the first bonus game ftrther includes the steps ofi exposing a first card to the player, allowing the player to decide whether a subsequent card in a series of unexrposed cards to be exposed will be higher or lower than said first card, progressing through said series of unexposed cards in a sequential manner, wherein the player is allowed to decide if an next unexposed card in said series will be higher or lower than a last-exposed card in said series of cards, and offering the player an opportunity to replace said last-exposed card with a randomly-chosen card. Claim 22 The method of claim 21 wherein the step of offering the player an opportunity to replace said last-exposed card with a randomly-chosen card is performed a plurality of times COMS ID No: ARCS-157983 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:26 Date 2007-08-22 22. AUG. 207 17:25 FREEHILLS SYDNEY 3 4612 93224000 NO. 3356 P. 46 12 ci during said first bonus game, whereby the player is allowed to decide if said next unexposed card in said series of cards will be higher or lower than said randomly-chosen card, CC) Claim 23 The method of claim 21 wherein the step of offering the player an opportunity to replace said last-exposed card with a randomly-chosen card is performed once during said first bonus game, whereby the player is allowed to decide if said next unexposed card in said series of Ni cards will be higher or lower than said randomly-chosen card. Claim 24 -The method of claim 21 further including: o enabling a second bonus upon the occurrence of at least one outcome from said ci primary game, the second bonus including: propelling a ball about a raceway that circumscribs a central award area, and allowing the ball to come to rest at an area an said central award area having an award. Claim 25 The method of claim 24 wherein said second bonus game further includes the step of denoting a plurality of awards with numerical indicia located on said central award area. Claim 26 The method of claim 24 wherein said second bonus gamne further includes the steps of- playing the second bonus game untilI its normal expiration based upon a predefined rule-set, and allowing further play of the second bonus game at the player's opfion as a function of further wagering on the second bonus game. Claim 27 The method of claim 20 wherein said first bonus game includes: propelling a ball about a raceway, said raceway defined by a pat circumscribing a central award area, and allowing the ball to come to rest at an area on said central award area having an award. COMS ID No: ARCS-157983 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:26 Date 2007-08-22 22. AUG. 2007 17:26 005310Oz FREEHILLS SYDNEY 3 +612 93224000 NO. 3850 P. 41 13 Claim 28 The method of claim 27 further including the step of denoting a plurality of awards ae denoted with numerical indicia located on said central award area. nClaim 29 The method of claim 27 further including: enabling a second bonus game upon the occurrence of at least one outcome from said primary game, the second bonus game including the steps of: exposing a first card to the player, allowing the player to decide whether a subsequent card in a series of unexposed o cards to be exposed will be higher or lower than said first card, and progressing through said series of unexposed cards in a sequential manner, wherein the player is allowed to decide if a next unexposed card in said series of cards will be higher or lower than a last-exposed card in said series of cards. Claim 30 The method of claim 29 further including the step of offering the player an opportunity to replace said last-exposed card with a randomly-chosen card a plurality of times during said second bonus game, whereby the player is allowed to decide if said next unexposed card in said series of cards will be higher or lower than said randomly-chosen card. Claim 31 The method of claim 29 further including the step of offering the player an opportunity to replace said last-exposed card with a randomly-chosen card once during said second bonus game, whereby the player is allowed to decide if said next unexposed card in said series or cards will be higher or lower than said randomly-chosen card. Claim 32 A method for gaming, the steps including: displaying a primary game formed as a row and column matrix having plural paylines corresponding to areas on said matrix susceptible to winning combinations, allowing a wager, generating an outcome for said primary game as a function of said wager having been made, and COMS ID No: ARCS-157983 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:26 Date 2007-08-22 o 22-o?;AUG. 2007 17:26 FREEHILLS SYDNEY 3 T612 93224000 NO. 3850 P. 42 14 enabling a first bonus upon the occurrence of at least one outcome from said primary game, the first bonus game including the steps of: en exposing a first card to the player, allowing the player to decide whether a subsequent card in a series of unexposed cards o be exposed will be higher or lower than said first card, progressing through said series of unexposed cards in a sequential manner, wherein the player is allowed to decide if a next unexposed card in said series of cards will be higher or lower than a last-exposed card in said series of cards, and offering the player an opportunity to replace said last-exposed card with a randomly--chosen card, whereby the player is allowed to decide if a next unexposed card in said series of cards will be higber or lower than said randomly-chosen card in said series of cards.. Claim 3 3 The method of claim 32 wherein the step of offering the player an opportunity to replace said last-exposed card with a randomly-chosen card is performed a plurality of times during said first bonus game, whereby the player is allowed to decide if said next -unexposed card in said series of cards will be higher or lower than said randomly-chosen card. Claim 34 The method of claim 32 wherein the step of offering the player an opportunity to replace said last-exposed card with a randomly -chosen card is performed once during said first bonus game, whereby the player is allowed to decide if said next unexposed card in said series of cards will be higher or lower than said randomly-chosen card- Claim 35 The method of claim 32 further including the step of: enabling a second bonus upon the occurrence of at least one outcome from said primary game, the second bonus game including the steps of:- propelling a ball about a raceway, said raceway defined by a path circumscribing a central award area, and COMS ID No: ARCS-i 57983 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:28 Date 2007-08-22 d-HUU-dUl 1 i:1 iq rom:rtNbtMLLt S ubdIbI1-dIu I o: bdI Y 00531021 PC allowing the ball to come to rest at an area on said central area having an ;Z award, 00 Claim 36 The method of claim 35 further including the step of denoting a plurality of awards with numerical indicia located on said central award area. Claim 37 A method for gaming, the steps including; displaying a primary game, N allowing a wager by a player, O C, generating an outcome for said primary game as a function of said wager having been made, enabling a first bonus upon the occurrence of at least one outcome from said primary game, the first bonus game including the steps of: propelling a hall about a raceway, said raceway defined by a path circumscribing a central award area, and allowing the ball to come to rest at an area on said central award which is due the player, and allowing further play of said fist bonus game at the player's option as a function of further wagering on said first bonus game after said first bonus game has ended Claim 38 The method of claim 37 further including the step of denoting a plurality of awards with numerical indicia located on said central award area. Claim 39 -A gamning device, comprising in combination: a primary game, said primary game having an outcome; a first bonus game, said first bonus game triggered by at least one specific outcome from said primary game; a second bonus game, said second bonus game triggered by at least one other outcome from said primary game; and COMS ID No: ARCS-158665 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:39 Date 2007-08-28 ed-HUb-d I3 :1 rom: t- EHiLLb Ui0lblidY'j=Iddt I 0 Ubdb U' 005310219 16 0 means for allowing a player to continue subsequent bonus game play alter Ssaid first or second bonus game has ended at the player's option through subsequent wagering on said bonus games. 00 Claim 40 The gaming device of any one of claims 1 to 17, or claim 39 wherein the gaming device is a singular gaming device. C' Claim 41 The method of any one of claims 20 to 36, wherein the primary game and the first bonus game are displayed on a single gaming device. COMS ID No: ARCS-158665 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:39 Date 2007-08-28