GB2333631A - Gambling machines connected to a further game of chance - Google Patents

Abstract

A gambling machine system comprises a plurality of first games 1, each separately operable by a player using a coin or token, connected to a further game 2, which is operable when any one of a first set of results is obtained on one of the first games, to produce a second set of results where at least one of the second set of results generates a major prize. Preferably all the first games are of a standard type, e.g. reel 4 fruit machines, and are mounted in a row in a common housing with the further game adjacent the row. The further game may be the same as the first games, e.g. a reel 3 fruit machine, but may have a different number of reels, symbol positions on the reels, or number or type of symbols. The further game may be triggered automatically and have no player operated controls or the player may be offered a choice of actuating the further game. The further game may also be operable multiple times upon a single first result set outcome. The winning conditions of the first games may be identical or may be different and the further game of chance may compensate for any difference. Preferably prizes may be won from the individual machines or from the further game of chance, and a prize won from a first game may be gambled on the further game for a greater prize.

Description

Improvements relating to Gaming or Amusement with Prizes Machines This invention relates to gaming or amusement with prizes machines.

Generally, such machines are 'stand alone', that is they are completely self contained and a player is awarded a prize or not according to how the components of that machine (usually rotating reels) finish at the end of a play. There are various features which can be added on to the basic reel spin, such as 'nudging', but the final reel position is normally the determinant.

It has been proposed to provide a second set of reels, and if there are certain results from the spin of the first set, the player can spin the second set, which may deliver higher prizes than those available from the first set. But there is little point in going to that trouble: one might as well give the one and only set a second spin.

According to the present invention there is provided a gaming or amusement with prizes machine having a set of random selectors each cf which, on enablement by player insert ion of a coin or token, is operable to produce any of a first plurality of results, and a further, separate random selector which is operable when a particular one or more of said first plurality of results is obtained on any of said set to produce any one of a second plurality of results, at least one of these generating a major prize.

Conveniently all the selectors are mounted in a common housing, with the set in a row side-by-side and having conventional controls, and the further selector apart from but adjacent the row. It will preferably be central and immediately above the row.

The actuation of the further selector may be automatically triggered by any one of the set achieving a certain result. Indeed, the further selector may not be provided with any controls of its own for player operation.

The selectors of the set can be identical or at least have similar characteristics. Thus whichever one is played, it makes no difference to the chances of access to the further selector.

Alternatively, the selectors of the set can be different, in which case the further selector will be arranged to compensate for this difference. With the ease of access to the further selector non-uniform through the selectors of the set, the further selector may be arranged to give lesser prizes the easier said access, or to have the odds on achieving the major prize lengthened the easier said access.

The further selector may have different characteristics from the selectors of the set, but preferably the selectors of the set and the further selector are all reel machines.

The differences can then be, for example, the further selector having a different number of reels than those of the selectors of the set, the further selector reels having a different number of symbol positions on each reel from the number of symbol positions on the reels of the set, and/or at least some of the symbols on the further selector reels being different from those on the reels of the set.

The further selector is not necessarily the sole source of prizes. Minor prizes may be won from certain results of playing any of the set. Also, winning at least one minor prize from the set does not necessarily preclude operation of the further selector with the chance of a major prize as well. But a player may be offered a choice between taking a minor prize from the set and allowing the further selector to operate and give the chance of a major prize.

In one preferred form, the further selector operates as a result of various types of win from any of the selectors of the set, but a major prize is won only if the first win is of one particular type, the further selector otherwise being capable only of producing lesser prizes.

The further selector may be operable more than once as a result of being accessed through one of the set.

For a better understanding of the invention, one embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which the single figure is a diagrammatic front elevation of gaming apparatus with multiple random selectors.

The apparatus comprises three identical fruit machines 1, side by side, centrally surmounted by another random selector 2 using multiple rotating reels 3.

Each machine 1 has its own set of three reels 4 showing parts of their peripheries in windows 5 of a display panel 6. Play is controlled in conventional fashion by buttons 7 on a shelf 8, and the combination of symbols showing on a win line 9 when the reels finally stop after a play deter mine whether or not a prize is awarded and, if so, the value of it.

Mostly, winning combinations will pay out cash or tokens, or add to the player's credit, in the usual way.

But at least one winning combination will energise the reels 3, which will rotate and stop in the manner of the reels 4.

If when those reels 3 stop they show a winning combination on win line 10, a super prize is awarded, substantially larger than any prize that can be won by playing the machines 1. This will not be paid out automatically in cash or tokens: an attendant will be called, or the player will be invited to call one. The win having been verified, the prize will be paid elsewhere.

As mentioned above, the machines 1 need not be identical, the reels 3 of the selector 2 may be different from the reels 4 of the machines 1 in size, number and symbols carried, and indeed the random selectors may be embodied in other devices than rotating reels. Triggering of the reels 3 may not be automatic; the player may opt for a lesser prize from the machine 1 he is playing rather than risk losing it, or most of it, on a spin of the reels 3.

While three is possibly the optimum number of machines 1 enabling a player on any of them to see the reels 3 properly, it will be understood that there could be just two such machines or more than three.

If the machines 1 are not identical at least insofar as the odds on attaining a spin of the reels 3 differs from machine to machine, then electronic control of the selector 2 can compensate for this in making it more likely that a super prize is won if access is gained through a "difficult" machine 1 than if such access is gained through an "easy' one.

Claims (19)

1. A gaming or amusement with prizes machine having a set of random selectors each of which, on enablement by player insertion of a coin or token, is operable to produce any of a first plurality of results, and a further, separate random selector which is operable when a particular one or more of said first plurality of results is obtained on any of said set to produce any one of a second plurality of results, at least one of these generating a major prize.

2. A gaming or amusement with prizes machine as claimed in Claim 1, wherein all the selectors are mounted in a common housing, with the set in a row side-by-side and having conventional controls, and the further selector apart from but adjacent the row.

3. A gaming or amusement with prizes machine as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuation of the further selector is automatically triggered by any one of the set achieving a certain result.

4. A gaming or amusement with prizes machine as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the further selector is not provided with its own controls for player operation.

5. A gaming or amusement with prizes machine as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the selectors of the set are identical or at least have similar characteristics.

6. A gaming or amusement with prizes machine as claimed in Claims 1 to 4, wherein the selectors of the set are different and the further selector is arranged to compensate for this difference.

7. A gaming or amusement with prizes machine as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the ease of access to the further selector is non-uniform through the selectors of the set, and the further selector is arranged to give lesser prizes the easier said access.

8. A gaming or amusement with prizes machine as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the ease of access to the further selector is non-uniform through the selectors of the set, and the further selector is arranged to have the odds on achieving the major prize lengthened the easier said access.

9. A gaming or amusement with prizes machine as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the further selector has different characteristics from the selectors of the set.

10. A gaming or amusement with prizes machine as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the selectors of the set and the further selector are reel machines.

11. A gaming or amusement with prizes machine as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the further selector has a different number of reels than those of the selectors of the set.

12. A gaming or amusement with prizes machine as claimed in Claim 10 or 11, wherein the further selector reels have a different number of symbol positions on each reel from the number of symbol positions on the reels of the set.

13. A gaming or amusement with prizes machine as claimed in Claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein at least some of the symbols on the further selector reels are different from those on the reels of the set.

14. A gaming or amusement with prizes machine as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the further selector is not the sole source of prizes.

15. A gaming or amusement with prizes machine as claimed in Claim 14, wherein minor prizes can be won from certain results of playing any of the set.

16. A gaming or amusement with prizes machine as claimed in Claim 15, wherein at least one minor prize won from the set does not preclude operation of the further selector with the chance of a major prize as well.

17. A gaming or amusement with prizes machine as claimed in Claim 15, wherein a player is offered a choice between taking a minor prize from the set and allowing the further selector to operate and give the chance of a major prize.

18. A gaming or amusement with prizes machine as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the further selector operates as a result of various types of win from any of the selectors of the set, but a major prize is won only if the first win is of one particular type, the further selector otherwise being capable only of producing lesser prizes.

19. A gaming or amusement with prizes machine as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the further selector is operable more than once as a result of being accessed through one of the set.