US20060240885A1 - Video poker wagering game having multiple hands and player-determined assignment feature - Google Patents
Video poker wagering game having multiple hands and player-determined assignment feature Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060240885A1 US20060240885A1 US11/403,449 US40344906A US2006240885A1 US 20060240885 A1 US20060240885 A1 US 20060240885A1 US 40344906 A US40344906 A US 40344906A US 2006240885 A1 US2006240885 A1 US 2006240885A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- card
- player
- hands
- cards
- gaming machine
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
- G07F17/3286—Type of games
- G07F17/3293—Card games, e.g. poker, canasta, black jack
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to gaming machines and methods for playing wagering games, and more particularly to a gaming machine with a video poker wagering game that includes a player-determined assignment feature that allows a player to assign cards to a plurality of hands of cards.
- Gaming machines such as slot machines, video poker machines and the like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for years. Generally, the popularity of such machines with players is dependent on the likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine and the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to other available gaming options. Where the available gaming options include a number of competing machines and the expectation of winning at each machine is roughly the same (or believed to be the same), players are likely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting machines. Shrewd operators consequently strive to employ the most entertaining and exciting machines, features, and enhancements available because such machines attract frequent play and, hence, increase profitability to the operator. Therefore, there is a continuing need for gaming machine manufacturers to continuously develop new games and improved gaming enhancements that attract frequent play through enhanced entertainment value to the player.
- bonus game may comprise any type of game, either similar to or completely different from the basic game, which is entered upon the occurrence of a selected event or outcome in the basic game.
- bonus games provide a greater expectation of winning than the basic game and may also be accompanied with more attractive or unusual video displays and/or audio.
- Bonus games may, additionally, award players with “progressive jackpot” awards funded, at least in part, by a percentage of coin-in from the gaming machine or a plurality of participating gaming machines. Because the bonus game concept offers tremendous advantages in player appeal and excitement relative to other known games, and because such games are attractive to both players and operators, there is a continuing need to develop gaming machines with new types of bonus games to satisfy the demands of players and operators.
- wagering games may include player-selectable features, i.e. “picks,” that a player may select that reveals bonus awards, access to a bonus game, free spins of a basic game, etc.
- picks that a player may select that reveals bonus awards, access to a bonus game, free spins of a basic game, etc.
- these features may provide increased opportunities for players to achieve favorable outcomes based on selections that s/he makes during game play.
- some video poker games also offer player-determined selections.
- players may choose which cards they want to play among one or more card hands.
- Providing wagering games with player-determined features gives players the sense that they are participating in the outcome of the wagering game. This perception encourages players of video poker games to play more games and, perhaps, wager larger amounts due to the sense that they may gain more favorable outcomes if allowed to participate in the game play.
- Such player-determined selections enhance the entertainment value of the wagering game and attract more frequent game play.
- new and improved ways of offering player-determined selections including selections for video poker wagering games, meet the needs of gaming machine manufacturers and players alike.
- a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to receiving a wager input.
- the plurality of symbols includes a plurality of cards arranged to form a plurality of card hands.
- the wagering game also includes an assignment feature that allows a player to add at least one card to at least one of the plurality of card hands, wherein the addition of at least one card to at least one of the plurality of card hands is determined by the player.
- a method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine includes a plurality of cards arranged to form a plurality of card hands.
- the plurality of card hands comprises at least two groups of card hands.
- the method comprises providing an assignment feature that presents at least two cards to a player and allows the player to choose which of at least two cards to assign to a first group of at least two groups of card hands.
- the method further comprises allowing the player to choose which of at least two cards to assign to a second group of at least two groups of card hands.
- a computer readable storage medium is encoded with instructions for directing a gaming device to perform the above method.
- a method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine includes a plurality of cards arranged to form a plurality of card hands.
- the method includes presenting a first community card to a player via an assignment feature and allowing the player to add the first community card to a first one of the plurality of card hands and to a second one of the plurality of card hands.
- the method further includes presenting a second community card to a player via the assignment feature and allowing the player to add the second community card to a third one of the plurality of card hands and to the second one of the plurality of card hands.
- the method also includes determining whether any of the plurality of card hands with the first or second community cards corresponds to a winning outcome and rewarding an award in response to any winning outcome.
- a method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine includes a plurality of cards arranged to form a plurality of card hands.
- the method comprises presenting a first card to the player via an assignment feature and adding the first card to a first player-selected card hand from the plurality of card hands.
- the method also comprises presenting a second card to the player via the assignment feature and adding the second card to a second player-selected card hand from the plurality of card hands.
- the method further comprises presenting a third card to the player via the assignment feature, adding the third card to a third card hand, and determining whether any of the plurality of card hands is a winning hand based on predetermined criteria and rewarding an award in response to any winning hands.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine embodying the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system suitable for operating the gaming machine
- FIG. 3 illustrates a primary display showing a wagering game with a player-determined assignment feature according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 illustrates the primary display of FIG. 3 after a player makes selections via the player-determined assignment feature.
- FIG. 5 illustrates the primary display of FIG. 3 after a player makes additional selections via the player-determined assignment feature.
- FIG. 6 illustrates a primary display showing a wagering game with a player-determined assignment feature according to another embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 7 illustrates the primary display of FIG. 6 after a player makes selections via the player-determined assignment feature.
- FIG. 8 illustrates a primary display showing a wagering game with a player-determined assignment feature according to a further embodiment of the present invention.
- a gaming machine 10 is used in gaming establishments such as casinos.
- the gaming machine 10 may be any type of gaming machine and may have varying structures and methods of operation.
- the gaming machine 10 is an electronic gaming machine configured to play video poker.
- the gaming machine 10 comprises a housing 12 and includes input devices, including a value input device 18 and a player input device 24 .
- the gaming machine 10 includes a primary display 14 for showing information about the basic wagering game.
- the primary display 14 can also show information about a bonus wagering game and a progressive wagering game.
- the gaming machine 10 may also include a secondary display 16 for showing game events, game outcomes, and/or signage information. While these typical components found in the gaming machine 10 are described below, it should be understood that numerous other elements may exist and may be used in any number of combinations to create various forms of a gaming machine 10 .
- the value input device 18 may be provided in many forms, individually or in combination, and is preferably located on the front of the housing 12 .
- the value input device 18 receives currency and/or credits inserted by a player.
- the value input device 18 may include a coin acceptor 20 for receiving coin currency (see FIG. 1 ).
- the value input device 18 may include a bill acceptor 22 for receiving paper currency.
- the value input device 18 may include a ticket reader, or barcode scanner for reading information stored on a credit ticket, a card, or other tangible portable credit storage device.
- the credit ticket or card may also authorize access to a central account, which can transfer money to the gaming machine 10 .
- the player input device 24 comprises a plurality of push buttons 26 on a button panel for operating the gaming machine 10 .
- the player input device 24 may comprise a touch screen 28 mounted by adhesive, tape, or the like over the primary display 14 and/or secondary display 16 .
- the touch screen 28 contains soft touch keys 30 denoted by graphics on the underlying primary display 14 used to operate the gaming machine 10 .
- the touch screen 28 provides players with an alternative method of input. A player enables a desired function either by touching the touch screen 28 at an appropriate touch key 30 , or by pressing an appropriate push button 26 on the button panel.
- the touch keys 30 may be used to implement the same functions as push buttons 26 .
- the push buttons 26 may provide inputs for one aspect of game operation while the touch keys 30 may allow for input needed for another aspect of game operation.
- the various components of the gaming machine 10 may be connected directly to, or contained within, the housing 12 as seen in FIG. 1 , or may be located outboard of the housing 12 and connected to the housing 12 via a variety of different wired or wireless connection methods.
- the gaming machine 10 comprises these components whether housed in the housing 12 , or outboard of the housing 12 and connected remotely.
- the operation of the basic wagering game is shown to the player on the primary display 14 .
- the primary display 14 can also show the bonus game associated with the basic wagering game.
- the primary display 14 may take the form of a cathode ray tube (CRT), a high resolution LCD, a plasma display, an LED, or any other type of display suitable for use in the gaming machine 10 .
- the primary display 14 includes the touch screen 28 overlaying the entire display (or a portion thereof) to allow players to make game-related selections.
- the primary display 14 of the gaming machine 10 may include a number of mechanical reels to display the outcome in visual association to at least one payline 32 .
- the gaming machine 10 is an “upright” version in which the primary display 14 is oriented vertically relative to the player.
- the gaming machine may be a “slant-top” version in which the primary display 14 is slanted at about a thirty-degree angle towards the player of the gaming machine 10 .
- a player begins play of the basic wagering game by making a wager via the value input device 18 of the gaming machine 10 .
- a player can select play by using the player input device 24 , via the buttons 26 or the touch screen keys 30 .
- the basic game consists of a plurality of symbols arranged in an array, and includes at least one payline 32 indicating one or more outcomes of the basic game; such outcomes are randomly selected in response to the wagering input by the player. At least one of the plurality of randomly-selected outcomes may be a start-bonus outcome, which can include any variations of symbols or symbol combinations triggering a bonus game.
- the gaming machine 10 may also include a player information reader 52 allowing for identification of a player by reading a card with information indicating his or her true identity.
- the player information reader 52 is shown in FIG. 1 as a card reader, but may take on many forms including a ticket reader, bar code scanner, RFID transceiver, or computer readable storage medium interface.
- casinos use this identification for rewarding certain players with complimentary services or special offers. For example, a player may be enrolled in the gaming establishment's loyalty club and may be awarded certain complimentary services as that player collects points in his or her player-tracking account. The player inserts his or her card into the player information reader 52 , allowing the casino's computers to register that player's wagering at the gaming machine 10 .
- the gaming machine 10 may use the secondary display 16 or other dedicated player-tracking display for providing the player with information about his or her account or other player-specific information. Also, in some embodiments, the information reader 52 may be used to restore game assets that the player achieved and saved during a previous game session.
- a central processing unit (CPU) 34 also referred to herein as a controller or processor (such as a microcontroller or microprocessor).
- the controller 34 executes one or more game programs stored in a computer readable storage medium, in the form of memory 36 .
- the controller 34 performs the random selection using a random number generator (RNG) of an outcome from the plurality of possible outcomes of the wagering game.
- RNG random number generator
- the random event may be determined at a remote controller.
- the remote controller may use either an RNG or a pooling scheme for its central determination of a game outcome.
- the controller 34 may include one or more microprocessors, including but not limited to a master processor, a slave processor, and a secondary or parallel processor.
- the controller 34 is also coupled to the system memory 36 and a money/credit detector 38 .
- the system memory 36 may comprise a volatile memory (i.e., a random-access memory [RAM]) and a non-volatile memory (i.e., an EEPROM).
- the system memory 36 may include multiple RAM and multiple program memories.
- the money/credit detector 38 signals the processor that money and/or credits were input via the value input device 18 .
- these components are located within the housing 12 of the gaming machine 10 . However, as explained above, these components may be located outboard of the housing 12 and connected to the remainder of the components of the gaming machine 10 via a variety of different wired or wireless connection methods.
- the controller 34 is also connected to, and controls, the primary display 14 , the player input device 24 , and a payoff mechanism 40 .
- the payoff mechanism 40 is operable in response to instructions from the controller 34 to award a payoff to the player in response to certain winning outcomes that might occur in the basic game or the bonus game(s).
- the payoff may be provided in the form of points, bills, tickets, coupons, cards, etc.
- the payoff mechanism 40 includes both a ticket printer 42 and a coin outlet 44 .
- any of a variety of payoff mechanisms 40 well known in the art may be implemented, including cards, coins, tickets, smartcards, cash, etc.
- One or more pay tables stored in the system memory 36 determine the payoff amounts distributed by the payoff mechanism 40 .
- I/O circuits 46 , 48 Communications between the controller 34 and both the peripheral components of the gaming machine 10 and external systems 50 occur through input/output (I/O) circuits 46 , 48 . More specifically, the controller 34 manages and receives inputs from the peripheral components of the gaming machine 10 through the input/output circuits 46 . Further, the controller 34 communicates with the external systems 50 via the I/O circuits 48 and a communication path (i.e.., serial, parallel, IR, RC, 10bT, etc.). The external systems 50 may include a gaming network, other gaming machines, a gaming server, communications hardware, or a variety of other interfaced systems or components. Even though the I/O circuits 46 , 48 may be shown as a single block, it should be noted that each of the I/O circuits 46 , 48 may include a number of different types of I/O circuits.
- Controller 34 comprises any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware that may be disposed or reside inside and/or outside the gaming machine 10 that may communicate with and/or control the transfer of data between the gaming machine 10 and a bus, another computer, processor, or device and/or a service and/or a network.
- the controller 34 may comprise one or more controllers or processors.
- the controller 34 in the gaming machine 10 is depicted as comprising a CPU, but the controller 34 may alternatively comprise a CPU in combination with other components, such as the I/O circuits 46 , 48 and the system memory 36 .
- the video poker game 54 includes a plurality of symbols depicted as a plurality of cards 56 arranged in a plurality of card hands 58 .
- the cards 56 in each hand 58 may be randomly dealt from the same deck of cards or a separate deck for each hand 58 .
- the plurality of card hands 58 may contain any number of cards 56 (e.g., three, four, five, six or seven cards) depending on the particular wagering game played.
- the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 shows three rows of cards 60 , 62 , 64 corresponding to three card hands 58 , each hand having four cards 56 shown to a player.
- Each row of cards 60 , 62 , 64 also includes an area 70 , 72 , 74 for placing additional cards, which in the illustrated embodiment, is the fifth card needed to complete a five-card poker hand.
- the video poker game 54 shown in FIG. 3 also includes a player-determined assignment feature 76 .
- the player-determined assignment feature 76 includes at least one card 80 that may be placed by a player into one of the plurality of card hands 58 via areas 70 , 72 , 74 .
- the card 80 is shown to the player in a face-up position.
- Additional cards 82 , 84 are also presented to the player via the assignment feature 76 , but are initially not revealed.
- two of the three cards 80 , 82 , 84 are revealed to a player in a face-up position.
- all cards in the player-selectable assignment feature 76 may be revealed to the player in a face-up position.
- the gaming terminal 10 After receiving a wager input from a player, the gaming terminal 10 shows the card hands 58 and the cards 80 , 82 , 84 as illustrated in FIG. 3 . The player must decide whether to place the card 80 into area 70 , area 72 or area 74 . As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the player places card 80 into area 70 . After making this selection, card 82 is revealed to the player. The player must then decide where to place card 82 by selecting one of the remaining unselected areas 72 , 74 shown in FIG. 4 .
- the selection and placement of the cards associated with the player-determined assignment feature 76 continues until all cards 80 , 82 , 84 are assigned and all areas 70 , 72 , 74 are filled, as illustrated in FIG. 5 .
- the card hands 58 are then compared to a pay table corresponding to the video poker game 54 , or other predetermined criteria, and the player is awarded credits for any winning card hands 58 . Instead of being awarded credits, the player may also be awarded free plays of the basic game or a bonus game, non-monetary prizes, etc.
- the wagering game may include a traditional draw that allows the player to hold no cards or one or more cards in each hand 58 and replace the non-held cards with replacement cards. The replacement cards may be randomly drawn from the same deck for all hands or from a separate deck for each hand. The traditional draw may occur before or after assigning the cards associated with the player-determined assignment feature 76 .
- multiple cards of the player-selectable assignment feature may be simultaneously revealed to the player. This allows a player to view more than one card at a time and make a determination as to which card is best suited for each of the card hands. The player, thus, has an advantage in that s/he can place the cards into the hands in such a manner as to produce the highest awards.
- the player-determined assignment feature 76 rather than having three cards in the assignment feature 76 , only one card at a time is shown in the player-determined assignment feature 76 . Thus, after a player makes his or her selection of where to place one card, a second card appears in the player-determined assignment feature. Once the player places the second card, a third card appears thus continuing until all hands are complete.
- FIG. 6 Another embodiment of the present invention is depicted in the primary display 114 shown in FIG. 6 .
- the arrangement of cards 156 in this embodiment is similar to the arrangement of cards described above.
- the video poker game 154 shown in FIG. 6 allows a player to assign a single card to more than one card hand 158 .
- the card hands 158 in this embodiment are shown in three rows 160 , 162 , 164 , each row containing four cards 156 shown to a player.
- situated between rows of cards 160 , 162 , 164 are two areas 170 , 172 for placing additional cards.
- At least one card 180 of the player-determined assignment feature 176 can be placed such that it can be used with two different card hands 158 .
- a card placed in area 170 can be used to complete a five-card poker hand in rows 160 and 162 ; similarly, a card placed in area 172 can be used to complete a five-card poker hand in rows 162 and 164 .
- a player chooses to place card 180 in area 170 , resulting in a pair of kings in the hand of row 162 and two pairs (kings and fours) in the hand of row 160 .
- a second card 182 ( FIG. 6 ) may then be placed in area 172 . Similar to the embodiment described above, and as illustrated in FIG.
- the cards 180 , 182 may be shown to the player with one card, (i.e., card 180 ) revealed to the player in a face-up position while the other card, (i.e., card 182 ) is not revealed. In other embodiments, the cards 180 , 182 may be revealed simultaneously to the player in a face-up position prior to player selections.
- the primary display 114 shows card hands 158 in rows 160 , 162 , 164 and cards 180 , 182 from the player-selectable assignment feature 176 .
- the player makes his or her selection by placing cards 180 , 182 into areas 170 , 172 as illustrated in FIG. 7 .
- the card 180 placed in area 170 may be used in both card hands 158 in rows 160 , 162 .
- card 182 placed in area 172 may be used in both card hands 158 in rows 162 , 164 .
- Cards 180 , 182 in this particular embodiment may be referred to as “community” cards because they are shared by more than one card hand.
- the card hands 158 in rows 160 and 164 use the community cards 180 and 182 , respectively, to complete those hands.
- the card hand 158 in row 162 can use either community card in areas 170 or 172 to complete that hand.
- the card hand 158 in row 162 can use either the “King of Diamonds” or the “Nine of Clubs” to complete that hand.
- the player may be awarded the higher of the two hands.
- the player may be awarded credits, or other prizes, for each hand if both hands produce winning outcomes, causing the row 162 to be played two different times, one with community card 170 and one with community card 172 .
- one of the card hands 258 may contain only three cards.
- the card hand 258 in row 262 shows three cards. The player must use both cards 280 , 282 to complete this hand.
- the player may be awarded prizes for each hand with a winning outcome.
- the card hands may be arranged into groups of cards.
- a group can contain one or more card hands.
- at least two groups of card hands can be arranged so that each group can have at least one card added to that group to complete the card hands contained in that group.
- a player may be offered the option of selecting a particular embodiment (i.e., the embodiment of FIGS. 3-5 , the embodiment of FIGS. 6-7 , or the embodiment of FIG. 8 ) of the wagering game that s/he wishes to play. For example, upon placing a wager, a player may be offered a choice as to which embodiment to play via a player input device 24 , such as the push buttons 26 or soft touch keys 30 . Alternatively, a particular embodiment may be shown depending on the amount of the wager input selected by the player. For example, one embodiment may require a wager input of three credits, while another embodiment may require a wager input of two credits. At other gaming terminals, only a single embodiment of the present invention may be available to a player.
- the controller 34 may make one or more selections instead of the player making all selections via the player-selectable assignment feature 76 .
- the controller 34 may, for example, choose where to place card 80 , and a player may make the remaining selections of where to place cards 82 , 84 .
- the player may make the first one or two selections while the controller 34 may make the final selection.
- the player and controller 34 may alternate making selections for placing cards 80 , 82 , 84 .
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/671,807, filed Apr. 14, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
- The present invention relates generally to gaming machines and methods for playing wagering games, and more particularly to a gaming machine with a video poker wagering game that includes a player-determined assignment feature that allows a player to assign cards to a plurality of hands of cards.
- Gaming machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines and the like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for years. Generally, the popularity of such machines with players is dependent on the likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine and the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to other available gaming options. Where the available gaming options include a number of competing machines and the expectation of winning at each machine is roughly the same (or believed to be the same), players are likely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting machines. Shrewd operators consequently strive to employ the most entertaining and exciting machines, features, and enhancements available because such machines attract frequent play and, hence, increase profitability to the operator. Therefore, there is a continuing need for gaming machine manufacturers to continuously develop new games and improved gaming enhancements that attract frequent play through enhanced entertainment value to the player.
- One concept successfully employed to enhance the entertainment value of a game is the concept of a “secondary” or “bonus” game that may be played in conjunction with a “basic” game. The bonus game may comprise any type of game, either similar to or completely different from the basic game, which is entered upon the occurrence of a selected event or outcome in the basic game. Generally, bonus games provide a greater expectation of winning than the basic game and may also be accompanied with more attractive or unusual video displays and/or audio. Bonus games may, additionally, award players with “progressive jackpot” awards funded, at least in part, by a percentage of coin-in from the gaming machine or a plurality of participating gaming machines. Because the bonus game concept offers tremendous advantages in player appeal and excitement relative to other known games, and because such games are attractive to both players and operators, there is a continuing need to develop gaming machines with new types of bonus games to satisfy the demands of players and operators.
- Other concepts successfully employed to enhance current wagering games involve providing player-determined selections that allow players to have some control over certain aspects of a wagering game. For example, some wagering games may include player-selectable features, i.e. “picks,” that a player may select that reveals bonus awards, access to a bonus game, free spins of a basic game, etc. Generally, these features may provide increased opportunities for players to achieve favorable outcomes based on selections that s/he makes during game play.
- In line with these types of features, some video poker games also offer player-determined selections. In some video poker games, for example, players may choose which cards they want to play among one or more card hands. Providing wagering games with player-determined features gives players the sense that they are participating in the outcome of the wagering game. This perception encourages players of video poker games to play more games and, perhaps, wager larger amounts due to the sense that they may gain more favorable outcomes if allowed to participate in the game play. Such player-determined selections enhance the entertainment value of the wagering game and attract more frequent game play. Thus, new and improved ways of offering player-determined selections, including selections for video poker wagering games, meet the needs of gaming machine manufacturers and players alike.
- According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to receiving a wager input. The plurality of symbols includes a plurality of cards arranged to form a plurality of card hands. The wagering game also includes an assignment feature that allows a player to add at least one card to at least one of the plurality of card hands, wherein the addition of at least one card to at least one of the plurality of card hands is determined by the player.
- According to another aspect of the invention, a method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine is disclosed. The wagering game includes a plurality of cards arranged to form a plurality of card hands. The plurality of card hands comprises at least two groups of card hands. The method comprises providing an assignment feature that presents at least two cards to a player and allows the player to choose which of at least two cards to assign to a first group of at least two groups of card hands. The method further comprises allowing the player to choose which of at least two cards to assign to a second group of at least two groups of card hands.
- According to yet another aspect of the invention, a computer readable storage medium is encoded with instructions for directing a gaming device to perform the above method.
- According to a further aspect of the invention, a method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine is disclosed. The wagering game includes a plurality of cards arranged to form a plurality of card hands. The method includes presenting a first community card to a player via an assignment feature and allowing the player to add the first community card to a first one of the plurality of card hands and to a second one of the plurality of card hands. The method further includes presenting a second community card to a player via the assignment feature and allowing the player to add the second community card to a third one of the plurality of card hands and to the second one of the plurality of card hands. The method also includes determining whether any of the plurality of card hands with the first or second community cards corresponds to a winning outcome and rewarding an award in response to any winning outcome.
- According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine is disclosed. The wagering game includes a plurality of cards arranged to form a plurality of card hands. The method comprises presenting a first card to the player via an assignment feature and adding the first card to a first player-selected card hand from the plurality of card hands. The method also comprises presenting a second card to the player via the assignment feature and adding the second card to a second player-selected card hand from the plurality of card hands. The method further comprises presenting a third card to the player via the assignment feature, adding the third card to a third card hand, and determining whether any of the plurality of card hands is a winning hand based on predetermined criteria and rewarding an award in response to any winning hands.
- Additional aspects of the invention are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of various embodiments, made with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is provided below.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine embodying the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system suitable for operating the gaming machine; -
FIG. 3 illustrates a primary display showing a wagering game with a player-determined assignment feature according to one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 4 illustrates the primary display ofFIG. 3 after a player makes selections via the player-determined assignment feature. -
FIG. 5 illustrates the primary display ofFIG. 3 after a player makes additional selections via the player-determined assignment feature. -
FIG. 6 illustrates a primary display showing a wagering game with a player-determined assignment feature according to another embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 7 illustrates the primary display ofFIG. 6 after a player makes selections via the player-determined assignment feature. -
FIG. 8 illustrates a primary display showing a wagering game with a player-determined assignment feature according to a further embodiment of the present invention. - While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and is herein described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure shall be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 , agaming machine 10 is used in gaming establishments such as casinos. With regard to the present invention, thegaming machine 10 may be any type of gaming machine and may have varying structures and methods of operation. In the present invention, thegaming machine 10 is an electronic gaming machine configured to play video poker. - The
gaming machine 10 comprises ahousing 12 and includes input devices, including avalue input device 18 and aplayer input device 24. For output, thegaming machine 10 includes aprimary display 14 for showing information about the basic wagering game. Theprimary display 14 can also show information about a bonus wagering game and a progressive wagering game. Thegaming machine 10 may also include asecondary display 16 for showing game events, game outcomes, and/or signage information. While these typical components found in thegaming machine 10 are described below, it should be understood that numerous other elements may exist and may be used in any number of combinations to create various forms of agaming machine 10. - The
value input device 18 may be provided in many forms, individually or in combination, and is preferably located on the front of thehousing 12. Thevalue input device 18 receives currency and/or credits inserted by a player. Thevalue input device 18 may include acoin acceptor 20 for receiving coin currency (seeFIG. 1 ). Alternatively, or in addition, thevalue input device 18 may include abill acceptor 22 for receiving paper currency. Furthermore, thevalue input device 18 may include a ticket reader, or barcode scanner for reading information stored on a credit ticket, a card, or other tangible portable credit storage device. The credit ticket or card may also authorize access to a central account, which can transfer money to thegaming machine 10. - The
player input device 24 comprises a plurality ofpush buttons 26 on a button panel for operating thegaming machine 10. In addition, or alternatively, theplayer input device 24 may comprise atouch screen 28 mounted by adhesive, tape, or the like over theprimary display 14 and/orsecondary display 16. Thetouch screen 28 contains soft touch keys 30 denoted by graphics on the underlyingprimary display 14 used to operate thegaming machine 10. Thetouch screen 28 provides players with an alternative method of input. A player enables a desired function either by touching thetouch screen 28 at an appropriate touch key 30, or by pressing anappropriate push button 26 on the button panel. The touch keys 30 may be used to implement the same functions aspush buttons 26. Alternatively, thepush buttons 26 may provide inputs for one aspect of game operation while the touch keys 30 may allow for input needed for another aspect of game operation. - The various components of the
gaming machine 10 may be connected directly to, or contained within, thehousing 12 as seen inFIG. 1 , or may be located outboard of thehousing 12 and connected to thehousing 12 via a variety of different wired or wireless connection methods. Thus, thegaming machine 10 comprises these components whether housed in thehousing 12, or outboard of thehousing 12 and connected remotely. - The operation of the basic wagering game is shown to the player on the
primary display 14. Theprimary display 14 can also show the bonus game associated with the basic wagering game. Theprimary display 14 may take the form of a cathode ray tube (CRT), a high resolution LCD, a plasma display, an LED, or any other type of display suitable for use in thegaming machine 10. As shown, theprimary display 14 includes thetouch screen 28 overlaying the entire display (or a portion thereof) to allow players to make game-related selections. Alternatively, theprimary display 14 of thegaming machine 10 may include a number of mechanical reels to display the outcome in visual association to at least onepayline 32. In the illustrated embodiment, thegaming machine 10 is an “upright” version in which theprimary display 14 is oriented vertically relative to the player. Alternatively, the gaming machine may be a “slant-top” version in which theprimary display 14 is slanted at about a thirty-degree angle towards the player of thegaming machine 10. - A player begins play of the basic wagering game by making a wager via the
value input device 18 of thegaming machine 10. A player can select play by using theplayer input device 24, via thebuttons 26 or the touch screen keys 30. The basic game consists of a plurality of symbols arranged in an array, and includes at least onepayline 32 indicating one or more outcomes of the basic game; such outcomes are randomly selected in response to the wagering input by the player. At least one of the plurality of randomly-selected outcomes may be a start-bonus outcome, which can include any variations of symbols or symbol combinations triggering a bonus game. - In some embodiments, the
gaming machine 10 may also include aplayer information reader 52 allowing for identification of a player by reading a card with information indicating his or her true identity. Theplayer information reader 52 is shown inFIG. 1 as a card reader, but may take on many forms including a ticket reader, bar code scanner, RFID transceiver, or computer readable storage medium interface. Currently, casinos use this identification for rewarding certain players with complimentary services or special offers. For example, a player may be enrolled in the gaming establishment's loyalty club and may be awarded certain complimentary services as that player collects points in his or her player-tracking account. The player inserts his or her card into theplayer information reader 52, allowing the casino's computers to register that player's wagering at thegaming machine 10. Thegaming machine 10 may use thesecondary display 16 or other dedicated player-tracking display for providing the player with information about his or her account or other player-specific information. Also, in some embodiments, theinformation reader 52 may be used to restore game assets that the player achieved and saved during a previous game session. - Turning now to
FIG. 2 , the various components of thegaming machine 10 are controlled by a central processing unit (CPU) 34, also referred to herein as a controller or processor (such as a microcontroller or microprocessor). To provide gaming functions, thecontroller 34 executes one or more game programs stored in a computer readable storage medium, in the form ofmemory 36. Thecontroller 34 performs the random selection using a random number generator (RNG) of an outcome from the plurality of possible outcomes of the wagering game. Alternatively, the random event may be determined at a remote controller. The remote controller may use either an RNG or a pooling scheme for its central determination of a game outcome. It should be noted that thecontroller 34 may include one or more microprocessors, including but not limited to a master processor, a slave processor, and a secondary or parallel processor. - The
controller 34 is also coupled to thesystem memory 36 and a money/credit detector 38. Thesystem memory 36 may comprise a volatile memory (i.e., a random-access memory [RAM]) and a non-volatile memory (i.e., an EEPROM). Thesystem memory 36 may include multiple RAM and multiple program memories. The money/credit detector 38 signals the processor that money and/or credits were input via thevalue input device 18. Preferably, these components are located within thehousing 12 of thegaming machine 10. However, as explained above, these components may be located outboard of thehousing 12 and connected to the remainder of the components of thegaming machine 10 via a variety of different wired or wireless connection methods. - As seen in
FIG. 2 , thecontroller 34 is also connected to, and controls, theprimary display 14, theplayer input device 24, and apayoff mechanism 40. Thepayoff mechanism 40 is operable in response to instructions from thecontroller 34 to award a payoff to the player in response to certain winning outcomes that might occur in the basic game or the bonus game(s). The payoff may be provided in the form of points, bills, tickets, coupons, cards, etc. For example, inFIG. 1 , thepayoff mechanism 40 includes both a ticket printer 42 and a coin outlet 44. However, any of a variety ofpayoff mechanisms 40 well known in the art may be implemented, including cards, coins, tickets, smartcards, cash, etc. One or more pay tables stored in thesystem memory 36 determine the payoff amounts distributed by thepayoff mechanism 40. - Communications between the
controller 34 and both the peripheral components of thegaming machine 10 andexternal systems 50 occur through input/output (I/O)circuits controller 34 manages and receives inputs from the peripheral components of thegaming machine 10 through the input/output circuits 46. Further, thecontroller 34 communicates with theexternal systems 50 via the I/O circuits 48 and a communication path (i.e.., serial, parallel, IR, RC, 10bT, etc.). Theexternal systems 50 may include a gaming network, other gaming machines, a gaming server, communications hardware, or a variety of other interfaced systems or components. Even though the I/O circuits O circuits -
Controller 34, as used herein, comprises any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware that may be disposed or reside inside and/or outside thegaming machine 10 that may communicate with and/or control the transfer of data between thegaming machine 10 and a bus, another computer, processor, or device and/or a service and/or a network. Thecontroller 34 may comprise one or more controllers or processors. InFIG. 2 , thecontroller 34 in thegaming machine 10 is depicted as comprising a CPU, but thecontroller 34 may alternatively comprise a CPU in combination with other components, such as the I/O circuits system memory 36. - Turning now to
FIG. 3 , theprimary display 14 of thegaming machine 10 showing avideo poker game 54 is illustrated in more detail. Thevideo poker game 54 includes a plurality of symbols depicted as a plurality ofcards 56 arranged in a plurality of card hands 58. Thecards 56 in eachhand 58 may be randomly dealt from the same deck of cards or a separate deck for eachhand 58. The plurality of card hands 58 may contain any number of cards 56 (e.g., three, four, five, six or seven cards) depending on the particular wagering game played. The embodiment shown inFIG. 3 shows three rows of cards 60, 62, 64 corresponding to threecard hands 58, each hand having fourcards 56 shown to a player. Each row of cards 60, 62, 64 also includes anarea - The
video poker game 54 shown inFIG. 3 also includes a player-determinedassignment feature 76. The player-determinedassignment feature 76 includes at least onecard 80 that may be placed by a player into one of the plurality of card hands 58 viaareas card 80 is shown to the player in a face-up position.Additional cards assignment feature 76, but are initially not revealed. In other embodiments, two of the threecards selectable assignment feature 76 may be revealed to the player in a face-up position. - After receiving a wager input from a player, the
gaming terminal 10 shows the card hands 58 and thecards FIG. 3 . The player must decide whether to place thecard 80 intoarea 70,area 72 orarea 74. As illustrated inFIG. 4 , the player placescard 80 intoarea 70. After making this selection,card 82 is revealed to the player. The player must then decide where toplace card 82 by selecting one of the remainingunselected areas FIG. 4 . - The selection and placement of the cards associated with the player-determined
assignment feature 76 continues until allcards areas FIG. 5 . The card hands 58 are then compared to a pay table corresponding to thevideo poker game 54, or other predetermined criteria, and the player is awarded credits for any winning card hands 58. Instead of being awarded credits, the player may also be awarded free plays of the basic game or a bonus game, non-monetary prizes, etc. Also, the wagering game may include a traditional draw that allows the player to hold no cards or one or more cards in eachhand 58 and replace the non-held cards with replacement cards. The replacement cards may be randomly drawn from the same deck for all hands or from a separate deck for each hand. The traditional draw may occur before or after assigning the cards associated with the player-determinedassignment feature 76. - As mentioned above, in alternative embodiments, multiple cards of the player-selectable assignment feature may be simultaneously revealed to the player. This allows a player to view more than one card at a time and make a determination as to which card is best suited for each of the card hands. The player, thus, has an advantage in that s/he can place the cards into the hands in such a manner as to produce the highest awards. In yet other embodiments, rather than having three cards in the
assignment feature 76, only one card at a time is shown in the player-determinedassignment feature 76. Thus, after a player makes his or her selection of where to place one card, a second card appears in the player-determined assignment feature. Once the player places the second card, a third card appears thus continuing until all hands are complete. - Another embodiment of the present invention is depicted in the
primary display 114 shown inFIG. 6 . The arrangement ofcards 156 in this embodiment is similar to the arrangement of cards described above. However, thevideo poker game 154 shown inFIG. 6 allows a player to assign a single card to more than onecard hand 158. The card hands 158 in this embodiment are shown in threerows cards 156 shown to a player. In this embodiment, situated between rows ofcards areas - In this particular embodiment, at least one
card 180 of the player-determinedassignment feature 176 can be placed such that it can be used with two different card hands 158. For example, a card placed inarea 170 can be used to complete a five-card poker hand inrows area 172 can be used to complete a five-card poker hand inrows 162 and 164. As illustrated inFIG. 7 , a player chooses toplace card 180 inarea 170, resulting in a pair of kings in the hand ofrow 162 and two pairs (kings and fours) in the hand ofrow 160. A second card 182 (FIG. 6 ) may then be placed inarea 172. Similar to the embodiment described above, and as illustrated inFIG. 6 , thecards cards - As discussed above, after receiving a wager input from a player, the
primary display 114 showscard hands 158 inrows cards selectable assignment feature 176. The player makes his or her selection by placingcards areas FIG. 7 . Thecard 180 placed inarea 170 may be used in bothcard hands 158 inrows card 182 placed inarea 172 may be used in bothcard hands 158 inrows 162, 164.Cards - The card hands 158 in
rows 160 and 164 use thecommunity cards card hand 158 inrow 162 can use either community card inareas card hand 158 inrow 162 can use either the “King of Diamonds” or the “Nine of Clubs” to complete that hand. After comparing allcard hands 158 to the pay table corresponding to thevideo poker game 154, in some embodiments, if the card hand inrow 162 produces a winningoutcome using cards row 162 to be played two different times, one withcommunity card 170 and one withcommunity card 172. - In a further embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 8 , one of the card hands 258 may contain only three cards. In this particular embodiment, thecard hand 258 in row 262 shows three cards. The player must use both cards 280, 282 to complete this hand. In this embodiment as with the other embodiments described above, after comparing the card hands 258 with a pay table corresponding to videopoker wagering game 254, the player may be awarded prizes for each hand with a winning outcome. - In any of the embodiments described above, the card hands may be arranged into groups of cards. A group can contain one or more card hands. For each embodiment, at least two groups of card hands can be arranged so that each group can have at least one card added to that group to complete the card hands contained in that group.
- The embodiments described above are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention. Other embodiments with additional card hands, different numbers of cards in the card hands, additional player-selectable cards, etc. may fall within the scope of this invention. At some gaming terminals, a player may be offered the option of selecting a particular embodiment (i.e., the embodiment of
FIGS. 3-5 , the embodiment ofFIGS. 6-7 , or the embodiment ofFIG. 8 ) of the wagering game that s/he wishes to play. For example, upon placing a wager, a player may be offered a choice as to which embodiment to play via aplayer input device 24, such as thepush buttons 26 or soft touch keys 30. Alternatively, a particular embodiment may be shown depending on the amount of the wager input selected by the player. For example, one embodiment may require a wager input of three credits, while another embodiment may require a wager input of two credits. At other gaming terminals, only a single embodiment of the present invention may be available to a player. - In yet other embodiments of the present invention, the
controller 34 may make one or more selections instead of the player making all selections via the player-selectable assignment feature 76. Thecontroller 34 may, for example, choose where toplace card 80, and a player may make the remaining selections of where to placecards controller 34 may make the final selection. In yet other alternatives, the player andcontroller 34 may alternate making selections for placingcards - Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/403,449 US20060240885A1 (en) | 2005-04-14 | 2006-04-13 | Video poker wagering game having multiple hands and player-determined assignment feature |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US67180705P | 2005-04-14 | 2005-04-14 | |
US11/403,449 US20060240885A1 (en) | 2005-04-14 | 2006-04-13 | Video poker wagering game having multiple hands and player-determined assignment feature |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20060240885A1 true US20060240885A1 (en) | 2006-10-26 |
Family
ID=37187625
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/403,449 Abandoned US20060240885A1 (en) | 2005-04-14 | 2006-04-13 | Video poker wagering game having multiple hands and player-determined assignment feature |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060240885A1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2008063390A2 (en) * | 2006-11-09 | 2008-05-29 | Wms Gaming Inc. | Wagering game with 3d gaming environment using dynamic camera |
US20080311975A1 (en) * | 2007-02-05 | 2008-12-18 | Aruze Corp. | Slot machine and method for playing slot machine |
US20090124340A1 (en) * | 2007-09-06 | 2009-05-14 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited | Method of gaming and a gaming system |
US8979634B2 (en) | 2011-12-15 | 2015-03-17 | Wms Gaming Inc. | Wagering games with reel array interacting with simulated objects moving relative to the reel array |
US9440139B1 (en) * | 2005-12-17 | 2016-09-13 | New Vision Gaming & Development, Inc. | Method of playing a bonus |
Citations (64)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4734022A (en) * | 1985-10-21 | 1988-03-29 | Yoshinobu Shimabukuro | Floor-concrete grader |
US5294120A (en) * | 1992-05-08 | 1994-03-15 | Mp Software | Video poker |
US5308065A (en) * | 1992-09-21 | 1994-05-03 | Bridgeman James L | Draw poker with random wild-card determination |
US5322295A (en) * | 1993-03-18 | 1994-06-21 | Pgb Partnership | Method of playing a multiple hand card game |
US5401023A (en) * | 1993-09-17 | 1995-03-28 | United Games, Inc. | Variable awards wagering system |
US5431408A (en) * | 1994-09-23 | 1995-07-11 | Dd Stud, Inc. | Card game with travelling wild card |
US5437451A (en) * | 1993-10-01 | 1995-08-01 | Dd Stud, Inc. | Draw stud poker-type card game |
US5489101A (en) * | 1995-06-06 | 1996-02-06 | Moody; Ernest W. | Poker-style card game |
US5511781A (en) * | 1993-02-17 | 1996-04-30 | United Games, Inc. | Stop play award wagering system |
US5531448A (en) * | 1995-06-28 | 1996-07-02 | Moody Ernest W | Poker-style card game |
US5732950A (en) * | 1995-06-28 | 1998-03-31 | Moody Ernest W | Electronic video poker games |
US5755621A (en) * | 1996-05-09 | 1998-05-26 | Ptt, Llc | Modified poker card/tournament game and interactive network computer system for implementing same |
US5816916A (en) * | 1997-08-14 | 1998-10-06 | Moody; Ernest W. | Video poker game |
US5823873A (en) * | 1995-06-28 | 1998-10-20 | Moody Ernest W | Method of playing electronic video poker games |
US5868619A (en) * | 1997-10-10 | 1999-02-09 | Wood; Michael W. | Method for playing a poker game |
US5882259A (en) * | 1995-03-30 | 1999-03-16 | Holmes, Jr.; Verne F. | Method of playing an electronic video card game |
US5882260A (en) * | 1997-11-26 | 1999-03-16 | Ptt, Llc | Modified poker card game and computer system for implementing same |
US5954335A (en) * | 1995-06-28 | 1999-09-21 | Moody; Ernest W. | Multiple play twenty-one games |
US5976016A (en) * | 1995-06-28 | 1999-11-02 | Ernest W. Moody | Multi-line slot machine method |
US6007066A (en) * | 1995-06-28 | 1999-12-28 | Moody; Ernest W. | Electronic video poker games |
US6012720A (en) * | 1994-07-22 | 2000-01-11 | Webb; Derek J. | Method for playing double hand card games |
US6045129A (en) * | 1998-04-08 | 2000-04-04 | Cooper; Dual | Method of playing a video poker game |
US6098985A (en) * | 1995-06-28 | 2000-08-08 | Moody; Ernest W. | Electronic video poker games |
US6110040A (en) * | 1998-02-26 | 2000-08-29 | Sigma Game Inc. | Video poker machine with revealed sixth card |
US6120378A (en) * | 1996-06-17 | 2000-09-19 | Ernest W. Moody | Multi-line slot machine method |
US6132311A (en) * | 1998-12-10 | 2000-10-17 | Williams; Richard A. | Poker game |
US6149521A (en) * | 1998-08-25 | 2000-11-21 | Sigma Game, Inc. | Video poker game with multiplier card |
US6206780B1 (en) * | 1998-03-02 | 2001-03-27 | Yehia Awada | Multi poker |
US6248016B1 (en) * | 1998-03-24 | 2001-06-19 | Walker Digital, Llc | Electronic gaming device and method for operating same |
US6257979B1 (en) * | 1998-10-02 | 2001-07-10 | Walker Digital, Llc | Video poker system and method |
US6336860B1 (en) * | 1999-11-10 | 2002-01-08 | Prime Table Games Llc | Game of chance using patterns of symbols having at least two defining criteria |
US20020034974A1 (en) * | 2000-08-07 | 2002-03-21 | Wood Michael W. | Video poker game with bonus award for matching designated hands |
US6416407B1 (en) * | 1998-11-16 | 2002-07-09 | Travis Carrico | Multi-draw poker |
US6461240B1 (en) * | 1999-01-27 | 2002-10-08 | Thomas Francis Perkins | Card game using specified card for side bet pool and method of playing |
US6471587B1 (en) * | 1998-03-24 | 2002-10-29 | Michael W. Wood | Game method and device therefor |
US6474645B2 (en) * | 2001-03-08 | 2002-11-05 | Colepat, Llc | Multi-hand poker game |
US20020169015A1 (en) * | 2001-05-10 | 2002-11-14 | Moody Ernest W. | Bad beat video poker game feature |
US20020185816A1 (en) * | 2001-05-16 | 2002-12-12 | Moody Ernest W. | Three card draw poker games |
US6494454B2 (en) * | 1994-09-23 | 2002-12-17 | Anchor Gaming | Game with reservable wild indicia |
US20030032469A1 (en) * | 1995-06-28 | 2003-02-13 | Moody Ernest W. | Bonus feature on starting hands |
US20030064773A1 (en) * | 2001-09-28 | 2003-04-03 | Baerlocher Anthony J. | Gaming device having multi-characteristic symbol game with multiple award components |
US6561898B2 (en) * | 1995-06-28 | 2003-05-13 | Moody Ernest W | Electronic multi-hand stud poker games |
US6569013B1 (en) * | 2000-07-14 | 2003-05-27 | William Arthur Taylor | Method for playing a video gaming machine |
US20030119572A1 (en) * | 2001-12-11 | 2003-06-26 | Moody Ernest W. | Electronic multi-hand stud poker games with payout multipliers |
US20030124097A1 (en) * | 2001-12-07 | 2003-07-03 | Potter Richard F. | Method to improve the safety of gene therapy |
US6595852B2 (en) * | 2001-06-20 | 2003-07-22 | Chung-Hsin Wang | Video gaming system and method |
US6595520B1 (en) * | 2001-04-09 | 2003-07-22 | David J. Richards | Method of conducting a multiple hand card game |
US20030153377A1 (en) * | 2001-12-21 | 2003-08-14 | Lisowski James F. | Poker with bonus round and related method |
US6612927B1 (en) * | 2000-11-10 | 2003-09-02 | Case Venture Management, Llc | Multi-stage multi-bet game, gaming device and method |
US6612926B1 (en) * | 2000-01-24 | 2003-09-02 | Stanley P. Dabrowski | Method and apparatus for concurrent display of cards in a playing hand and cards issued in previous playing hands |
US20030166411A1 (en) * | 2002-03-04 | 2003-09-04 | Moody Ernest W. | Video poker games |
US20030181232A1 (en) * | 2002-03-20 | 2003-09-25 | Peccole Robert N. | Eletronic poker style game |
US20030186733A1 (en) * | 2002-03-28 | 2003-10-02 | Igt | Method and apparatus for rewarding multiple game players for a single win |
US20030189290A1 (en) * | 2002-01-22 | 2003-10-09 | Moody Ernest W. | Video poker games |
US6637747B1 (en) * | 1998-02-17 | 2003-10-28 | Glen E. Garrod | Method of and apparatus for playing a card game |
US6672958B2 (en) * | 2000-05-29 | 2004-01-06 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd | Multi-draw poker game |
US20040043807A1 (en) * | 2002-08-30 | 2004-03-04 | Pennington Richard M. | Poker game with a second chance feature |
US6708975B1 (en) * | 1999-09-20 | 2004-03-23 | John W. Fox | Multi-format poker game |
US6726427B2 (en) * | 2001-11-13 | 2004-04-27 | Igt | Method of playing single or multiple hand twenty-one card game |
US20040132524A1 (en) * | 2002-10-18 | 2004-07-08 | Ramstad Christopher M. | Bonus method for gaming device |
US6780106B2 (en) * | 2001-07-24 | 2004-08-24 | Case Venture Management, Llc | Gaming machine souvenir |
US20040248641A1 (en) * | 2003-06-09 | 2004-12-09 | Jarvis Eugene P. | Gaming device having a multiplier poker game |
US6857957B2 (en) * | 2001-05-09 | 2005-02-22 | Daniel Marks | Poker game with 2 reward cards that adjust paytable |
US7354344B2 (en) * | 2003-05-31 | 2008-04-08 | Igt | Gaming device having a plurality of interactive player-selectable symbols |
-
2006
- 2006-04-13 US US11/403,449 patent/US20060240885A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (68)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4734022A (en) * | 1985-10-21 | 1988-03-29 | Yoshinobu Shimabukuro | Floor-concrete grader |
US5294120A (en) * | 1992-05-08 | 1994-03-15 | Mp Software | Video poker |
US5308065A (en) * | 1992-09-21 | 1994-05-03 | Bridgeman James L | Draw poker with random wild-card determination |
US5511781A (en) * | 1993-02-17 | 1996-04-30 | United Games, Inc. | Stop play award wagering system |
US5322295A (en) * | 1993-03-18 | 1994-06-21 | Pgb Partnership | Method of playing a multiple hand card game |
US5401023A (en) * | 1993-09-17 | 1995-03-28 | United Games, Inc. | Variable awards wagering system |
US5437451A (en) * | 1993-10-01 | 1995-08-01 | Dd Stud, Inc. | Draw stud poker-type card game |
US6012720A (en) * | 1994-07-22 | 2000-01-11 | Webb; Derek J. | Method for playing double hand card games |
US6494454B2 (en) * | 1994-09-23 | 2002-12-17 | Anchor Gaming | Game with reservable wild indicia |
US5431408A (en) * | 1994-09-23 | 1995-07-11 | Dd Stud, Inc. | Card game with travelling wild card |
US6616142B2 (en) * | 1994-09-23 | 2003-09-09 | Anchor Gaming | Game with reservable wild indicia |
US5882259A (en) * | 1995-03-30 | 1999-03-16 | Holmes, Jr.; Verne F. | Method of playing an electronic video card game |
US5957774A (en) * | 1995-03-30 | 1999-09-28 | Holmes, Jr.; Verne F. | Method of playing an electronic video card game |
US5489101A (en) * | 1995-06-06 | 1996-02-06 | Moody; Ernest W. | Poker-style card game |
US5531448A (en) * | 1995-06-28 | 1996-07-02 | Moody Ernest W | Poker-style card game |
US20030032469A1 (en) * | 1995-06-28 | 2003-02-13 | Moody Ernest W. | Bonus feature on starting hands |
US5954335A (en) * | 1995-06-28 | 1999-09-21 | Moody; Ernest W. | Multiple play twenty-one games |
US5823873A (en) * | 1995-06-28 | 1998-10-20 | Moody Ernest W | Method of playing electronic video poker games |
US5976016A (en) * | 1995-06-28 | 1999-11-02 | Ernest W. Moody | Multi-line slot machine method |
US6007066A (en) * | 1995-06-28 | 1999-12-28 | Moody; Ernest W. | Electronic video poker games |
US6561898B2 (en) * | 1995-06-28 | 2003-05-13 | Moody Ernest W | Electronic multi-hand stud poker games |
US5732950A (en) * | 1995-06-28 | 1998-03-31 | Moody Ernest W | Electronic video poker games |
US6098985A (en) * | 1995-06-28 | 2000-08-08 | Moody; Ernest W. | Electronic video poker games |
US5755621A (en) * | 1996-05-09 | 1998-05-26 | Ptt, Llc | Modified poker card/tournament game and interactive network computer system for implementing same |
US6120378A (en) * | 1996-06-17 | 2000-09-19 | Ernest W. Moody | Multi-line slot machine method |
US5816916A (en) * | 1997-08-14 | 1998-10-06 | Moody; Ernest W. | Video poker game |
US5868619A (en) * | 1997-10-10 | 1999-02-09 | Wood; Michael W. | Method for playing a poker game |
US5882260A (en) * | 1997-11-26 | 1999-03-16 | Ptt, Llc | Modified poker card game and computer system for implementing same |
US6637747B1 (en) * | 1998-02-17 | 2003-10-28 | Glen E. Garrod | Method of and apparatus for playing a card game |
US6110040A (en) * | 1998-02-26 | 2000-08-29 | Sigma Game Inc. | Video poker machine with revealed sixth card |
US6206780B1 (en) * | 1998-03-02 | 2001-03-27 | Yehia Awada | Multi poker |
US6248016B1 (en) * | 1998-03-24 | 2001-06-19 | Walker Digital, Llc | Electronic gaming device and method for operating same |
US6569014B2 (en) * | 1998-03-24 | 2003-05-27 | Walker Digital, Llc | Electronic poker device that provides a payout based on a number of cards replaced and method for operating same |
US6471587B1 (en) * | 1998-03-24 | 2002-10-29 | Michael W. Wood | Game method and device therefor |
US6045129A (en) * | 1998-04-08 | 2000-04-04 | Cooper; Dual | Method of playing a video poker game |
US6149521A (en) * | 1998-08-25 | 2000-11-21 | Sigma Game, Inc. | Video poker game with multiplier card |
US6257979B1 (en) * | 1998-10-02 | 2001-07-10 | Walker Digital, Llc | Video poker system and method |
US6416407B1 (en) * | 1998-11-16 | 2002-07-09 | Travis Carrico | Multi-draw poker |
US6132311A (en) * | 1998-12-10 | 2000-10-17 | Williams; Richard A. | Poker game |
US6461240B1 (en) * | 1999-01-27 | 2002-10-08 | Thomas Francis Perkins | Card game using specified card for side bet pool and method of playing |
US6708975B1 (en) * | 1999-09-20 | 2004-03-23 | John W. Fox | Multi-format poker game |
US6336860B1 (en) * | 1999-11-10 | 2002-01-08 | Prime Table Games Llc | Game of chance using patterns of symbols having at least two defining criteria |
US6612926B1 (en) * | 2000-01-24 | 2003-09-02 | Stanley P. Dabrowski | Method and apparatus for concurrent display of cards in a playing hand and cards issued in previous playing hands |
US6672958B2 (en) * | 2000-05-29 | 2004-01-06 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd | Multi-draw poker game |
US6569013B1 (en) * | 2000-07-14 | 2003-05-27 | William Arthur Taylor | Method for playing a video gaming machine |
US20020034974A1 (en) * | 2000-08-07 | 2002-03-21 | Wood Michael W. | Video poker game with bonus award for matching designated hands |
US6612927B1 (en) * | 2000-11-10 | 2003-09-02 | Case Venture Management, Llc | Multi-stage multi-bet game, gaming device and method |
US6474645B2 (en) * | 2001-03-08 | 2002-11-05 | Colepat, Llc | Multi-hand poker game |
US20030038425A1 (en) * | 2001-03-08 | 2003-02-27 | Elia Rocco Tarantino | Multi-hand poker game |
US6595520B1 (en) * | 2001-04-09 | 2003-07-22 | David J. Richards | Method of conducting a multiple hand card game |
US6857957B2 (en) * | 2001-05-09 | 2005-02-22 | Daniel Marks | Poker game with 2 reward cards that adjust paytable |
US20020169015A1 (en) * | 2001-05-10 | 2002-11-14 | Moody Ernest W. | Bad beat video poker game feature |
US20020185816A1 (en) * | 2001-05-16 | 2002-12-12 | Moody Ernest W. | Three card draw poker games |
US6595852B2 (en) * | 2001-06-20 | 2003-07-22 | Chung-Hsin Wang | Video gaming system and method |
US6780106B2 (en) * | 2001-07-24 | 2004-08-24 | Case Venture Management, Llc | Gaming machine souvenir |
US20030064773A1 (en) * | 2001-09-28 | 2003-04-03 | Baerlocher Anthony J. | Gaming device having multi-characteristic symbol game with multiple award components |
US6726427B2 (en) * | 2001-11-13 | 2004-04-27 | Igt | Method of playing single or multiple hand twenty-one card game |
US20030124097A1 (en) * | 2001-12-07 | 2003-07-03 | Potter Richard F. | Method to improve the safety of gene therapy |
US20030119572A1 (en) * | 2001-12-11 | 2003-06-26 | Moody Ernest W. | Electronic multi-hand stud poker games with payout multipliers |
US20030153377A1 (en) * | 2001-12-21 | 2003-08-14 | Lisowski James F. | Poker with bonus round and related method |
US20030189290A1 (en) * | 2002-01-22 | 2003-10-09 | Moody Ernest W. | Video poker games |
US20030166411A1 (en) * | 2002-03-04 | 2003-09-04 | Moody Ernest W. | Video poker games |
US20030181232A1 (en) * | 2002-03-20 | 2003-09-25 | Peccole Robert N. | Eletronic poker style game |
US20030186733A1 (en) * | 2002-03-28 | 2003-10-02 | Igt | Method and apparatus for rewarding multiple game players for a single win |
US20040043807A1 (en) * | 2002-08-30 | 2004-03-04 | Pennington Richard M. | Poker game with a second chance feature |
US20040132524A1 (en) * | 2002-10-18 | 2004-07-08 | Ramstad Christopher M. | Bonus method for gaming device |
US7354344B2 (en) * | 2003-05-31 | 2008-04-08 | Igt | Gaming device having a plurality of interactive player-selectable symbols |
US20040248641A1 (en) * | 2003-06-09 | 2004-12-09 | Jarvis Eugene P. | Gaming device having a multiplier poker game |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9440139B1 (en) * | 2005-12-17 | 2016-09-13 | New Vision Gaming & Development, Inc. | Method of playing a bonus |
WO2008063390A2 (en) * | 2006-11-09 | 2008-05-29 | Wms Gaming Inc. | Wagering game with 3d gaming environment using dynamic camera |
WO2008063390A3 (en) * | 2006-11-09 | 2008-07-17 | Wms Gaming Inc | Wagering game with 3d gaming environment using dynamic camera |
US20100151943A1 (en) * | 2006-11-09 | 2010-06-17 | Kevin Johnson | Wagering game with 3d gaming environment using dynamic camera |
US8628415B2 (en) * | 2006-11-09 | 2014-01-14 | Wms Gaming Inc. | Wagering game with 3D gaming environment using dynamic camera |
US20080311975A1 (en) * | 2007-02-05 | 2008-12-18 | Aruze Corp. | Slot machine and method for playing slot machine |
US20090124340A1 (en) * | 2007-09-06 | 2009-05-14 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited | Method of gaming and a gaming system |
US8979634B2 (en) | 2011-12-15 | 2015-03-17 | Wms Gaming Inc. | Wagering games with reel array interacting with simulated objects moving relative to the reel array |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8986092B2 (en) | Video poker wagering game having bonus hands based on qualifying hand | |
US8192272B2 (en) | Wagering game with enhanced cascading reel symbol feature | |
US8480485B2 (en) | Wagering game with multi-level progressive game | |
US7833094B2 (en) | Wagering game with community award based on best selection from all players | |
US7690976B2 (en) | Poker game method and apparatus | |
US7993196B2 (en) | Wagering game with symbol strings dictating winning outcomes | |
US9165427B2 (en) | Wagering game with multiple bonus triggering feature and bonus accrual feature | |
US8123610B2 (en) | Wagering game with group free-spin bonus | |
US8460086B2 (en) | Wagering game for tracking various types of wager inputs | |
US8128488B2 (en) | Gaming machine with repeated award feature | |
US20060189378A1 (en) | Gaming machine having cooperative bonus symbols | |
US20060287034A1 (en) | Wagering game having a player-selectable pay table | |
US9524610B2 (en) | Gaming machine with symbol enhancements based on winning outcomes | |
US20060223615A1 (en) | Wagering game having a ramping bonus feature | |
US8591311B2 (en) | Gaming system with challenge feature | |
US20060160605A1 (en) | Wagering game with enhanced payline-ordering feature | |
US20060211468A1 (en) | Video poker wagering game for playing multi-level hands | |
US8821249B2 (en) | Gaming machine with multiple selection groups | |
US20060258423A1 (en) | Video poker game having cascading feature | |
US20070026920A1 (en) | Video poker wagering game with card substitution feature | |
US20090176552A1 (en) | Wagering Game With Bonus-Selection Feature | |
US20060240885A1 (en) | Video poker wagering game having multiple hands and player-determined assignment feature | |
AU2012205158A1 (en) | Wagering game with multiple bonus triggering feature and bonus accrual feature |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: WMS GAMING INC., ILLINOIS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:THOMAS, ALFRED;HORNIK, JEREMY M.;AOKI, DION K.;REEL/FRAME:017788/0037;SIGNING DATES FROM 20060404 TO 20060412 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BALLY GAMING, INC., NEVADA Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:WMS GAMING INC.;REEL/FRAME:036225/0201 Effective date: 20150629 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SG GAMING, INC., NEVADA Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:BALLY GAMING, INC.;REEL/FRAME:051649/0316 Effective date: 20200103 |