GB2135490A

GB2135490A - Gaming or amusement-with-prizes machines

Info

Publication number: GB2135490A
Application number: GB08304692A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Morgan Straker
Original assignee: * JPM; JPM
Current assignee: * JPM; JPM
Priority date: 1983-02-19
Filing date: 1983-02-19
Publication date: 1984-08-30
Also published as: GB8304692D0; GB2135490B

Abstract

A fruit machine has the feature known as "nudging". When this is available, the player may be able to press a single button which will automatically index the reels to a winning position, if that is within the compass of the number of "nudges" available. Alternatively, there may be indicators associated with each reel to show to the player which reel to index, and in which direction, in order to achieve a win, again assuming that is possible. In both cases the machine will indicate to the player the prize to be won. If more than two prizes could be won, the machine may choose the best one. There can also be a gambling feature on the number of "nudges" available. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to gaming or amusement-with-prizes machines This invention relates to gaming or amusement-with prizes machines. It is concerned with those machines of the kind in which, when played, an array of symbols is changed in random fashion to show a group of those symbols in combination, with certain combinations generating a prize, and in which there is randomly available an adjustment feature whereby the combination can be changed step-wise at some stage of play.

The most common form is known as a fruit machine. The symbols are mostly fruit pictures around the peripheries of reels, portions of which show in an array of windows. Usually, there are three or four reels, and the symbol combinations in a line across the windows decide whether or not there is a prize. The adjustment feature, commonly known as the "nudge" feature, enables the player to step the reels, usually after they have stopped spinning, to bring certain symbols on to the win line and so generate a prize.

Instead of mechanical reels, it is known to simulate them on a video screen.

Although when the nudge feature is available the player knows he has an improved chance of a win, he does not know how much he does stand to win if the reels are indexed around, within the nudge allowance, to the maximum effect.

Sometimes, there is a gamble feature by which the player can chance increasing the number of nudges available, although taking the gamble might instead reduce the number of nudges or even eliminate them altogether. If he had some idea of the prospect of a prize, the decision whether or not to gamble would be made more interesting.

According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming or amusement-with-prizes machine of the kind described, wherein when the adjustment feature is available, an indicator shows the prize that it is possible to win by taking advantage of that feature.

In one preferred form, this feature has an executive element, such as a button, whose operation automatically adjusts the symbol display to a winning combination when that is within the maximum adjustment allowed.

Generally, if two different wins are possible, the machine will move to the greater win position.

Thus, in a fruit machine, a number of nudges may become available, and although the player cannot necessarily see from the symbols visible on the reels, the machine will know that by turning one or more of the reels through so many symbol positions a win line will come up. When the player presses the single automatic button, which may flash to indicate that there is a prospective win, the reels move accordingly.

It will be understood, however, that this feature may be available on a machine without such automatic adjustment. In that case, the prospective prize will be indicated to the player, but if it involves moving any of the reels to bring symbols not at the time visible to the player onto the win line, then the player has to guess which reels to nudge, and to what extent within the number of nudges available. On some machines, the reels can be nudged in both directions, and this makes the decision even more difficult.

As a compromise between these two types of play, the machine may not have a single automatic adjustment button, but instead have an indicator associated with each reel which would tell the player which reels to nudge, and in which direction, to achieve a win. These indicators could be pairs of opposed arrows, as shown in the single figure of the accompanying drawing. When a win is in the offing, one or other arrow of each pair will light up or flash to show the player which way to nudge the associated reel. It will remain lit or flashing as long as further nudging of the reel is expected. If any reel should be left alone, its arrows will either remain unlit, or both will illuminate. Thus, the player will have the satisfaction of nudging to a win, without the worry of supposing he has guessed wrong.

As mentioned above, there can be a gamble feature which is made randomly available and which, when played, may either increase or decrease the amount of adjustment available. If both this and the main feature occur and a prospective win is indicated, the player may be satisfied with the win and ignore the gamble feature. However, he may see from the reels that it only requires two nudges to gain him a prize, whereas he may have been offered four or more nudges. In that case, he can safely gamble either to double or halve his number of nudges. If the gamble does not come off, he will still win a prize.

But if it does and eight nudges become available, that gives greater scope for shifting the reels, thereby possibly gaining a bigger prize. The player can then gamble with confidence.

If gambling on the number of nudges is available when no prize is signalled, then obviously the player has nothing to lose by pressing the gamble button. However, when only a poor prize is in prospect, he may feel inclined to forego that and try for a larger win which a greater number of nudges might produce.

1. A gaming or amusement-with-prizes machine of the kind described, wherein, when the adjustment feature is available, an indicator shows the prize that it is possible to win by taking advantage of that feature.

2. A machine as claimed in Claim 1, wherein there are means for automatically adjusting the symbol display to a winning combination when such a combination is within the maximum adjustment allowed.

3. A machine as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the automatic adjustment means selects the greatest winning combination when more than one winning combination is available.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to gaming or amusement-with-prizes machines This invention relates to gaming or amusement-with prizes machines. It is concerned with those machines of the kind in which, when played, an array of symbols is changed in random fashion to show a group of those symbols in combination, with certain combinations generating a prize, and in which there is randomly available an adjustment feature whereby the combination can be changed step-wise at some stage of play. The most common form is known as a fruit machine. The symbols are mostly fruit pictures around the peripheries of reels, portions of which show in an array of windows. Usually, there are three or four reels, and the symbol combinations in a line across the windows decide whether or not there is a prize. The adjustment feature, commonly known as the "nudge" feature, enables the player to step the reels, usually after they have stopped spinning, to bring certain symbols on to the win line and so generate a prize. Instead of mechanical reels, it is known to simulate them on a video screen. Although when the nudge feature is available the player knows he has an improved chance of a win, he does not know how much he does stand to win if the reels are indexed around, within the nudge allowance, to the maximum effect. Sometimes, there is a gamble feature by which the player can chance increasing the number of nudges available, although taking the gamble might instead reduce the number of nudges or even eliminate them altogether. If he had some idea of the prospect of a prize, the decision whether or not to gamble would be made more interesting. According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming or amusement-with-prizes machine of the kind described, wherein when the adjustment feature is available, an indicator shows the prize that it is possible to win by taking advantage of that feature. In one preferred form, this feature has an executive element, such as a button, whose operation automatically adjusts the symbol display to a winning combination when that is within the maximum adjustment allowed. Generally, if two different wins are possible, the machine will move to the greater win position. Thus, in a fruit machine, a number of nudges may become available, and although the player cannot necessarily see from the symbols visible on the reels, the machine will know that by turning one or more of the reels through so many symbol positions a win line will come up. When the player presses the single automatic button, which may flash to indicate that there is a prospective win, the reels move accordingly. It will be understood, however, that this feature may be available on a machine without such automatic adjustment. In that case, the prospective prize will be indicated to the player, but if it involves moving any of the reels to bring symbols not at the time visible to the player onto the win line, then the player has to guess which reels to nudge, and to what extent within the number of nudges available. On some machines, the reels can be nudged in both directions, and this makes the decision even more difficult. As a compromise between these two types of play, the machine may not have a single automatic adjustment button, but instead have an indicator associated with each reel which would tell the player which reels to nudge, and in which direction, to achieve a win. These indicators could be pairs of opposed arrows, as shown in the single figure of the accompanying drawing. When a win is in the offing, one or other arrow of each pair will light up or flash to show the player which way to nudge the associated reel. It will remain lit or flashing as long as further nudging of the reel is expected. If any reel should be left alone, its arrows will either remain unlit, or both will illuminate. Thus, the player will have the satisfaction of nudging to a win, without the worry of supposing he has guessed wrong. As mentioned above, there can be a gamble feature which is made randomly available and which, when played, may either increase or decrease the amount of adjustment available. If both this and the main feature occur and a prospective win is indicated, the player may be satisfied with the win and ignore the gamble feature. However, he may see from the reels that it only requires two nudges to gain him a prize, whereas he may have been offered four or more nudges. In that case, he can safely gamble either to double or halve his number of nudges. If the gamble does not come off, he will still win a prize. But if it does and eight nudges become available, that gives greater scope for shifting the reels, thereby possibly gaining a bigger prize. The player can then gamble with confidence. If gambling on the number of nudges is available when no prize is signalled, then obviously the player has nothing to lose by pressing the gamble button. However, when only a poor prize is in prospect, he may feel inclined to forego that and try for a larger win which a greater number of nudges might produce. CLAIMS

4. A machine as claimed in Claim 1, wherein indicator means associated with each reel are energised to show to the player which reels should be adjusted to achieve a win.

5. A machine as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the indicator means shows the extent to which each reel should be adjusted to achieve a win.

6. A machine as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein when the reels can be adjusted in both directions, the indicator means shows in which direction each reel should be adjusted to achieve a win.

7. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim, and including a gambling feature, which, when available, allows the player to change increasing or decreasing the amount of adjustment available.

8. A gaming or amusement-with-prizes machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.