Video poker game with enhanced bonus game

Abstract

A gaming machine (10), a method of playing the game, and a readable recording medium is disclosed. A plurality of playing cards (18) is displayed defining a hand (20) to a player, and the hand (20) is compared to a triggering combination (24) and to a winning combination (26) during a regular game. Next, the bonus game is activated in response to the hand (20) matching the triggering combination (24). A controller 51 then determines the number of hands (20) to be displayed during the bonus game and indicates an imminent ending of the bonus game to the player to stimulate the player while displaying the determined number of hands (20) during the bonus game. The indicia (44) are altered as the number of hands (20) displayed approaches the determined number of hands (20) and the bonus game ends when the final indicator (40) is altered.

Description

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention[0002] The subject invention relates to a gaming machine with a bonus mode having indicating indicia, a method of playing the game, and a readable recording medium for storing the game.[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art[0004] Video poker games are well known in the art. Traditionally, these video poker games appeal to hard-core poker players, but these video poker games become stale very quickly to such an advanced player. Additionally, the occasional poker player also finds these traditional video poker games unappealing. These various gaming machines disclosed in the related art include a display, a display processor for displaying a plurality of playing cards defining a hand to a player, a comparator for comparing the hand to a triggering combination and for comparing the hand to a winning combination during a regular game, and a payment processor for awarding a regular payout in response to the hand matching the winning combination.[0005] Th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] The subject invention provides a gaming machine, a method of playing the game, and a readable recording medium. The gaming machine includes a display and a display processor for displaying a plurality of playing cards defining a hand to a player. The machine further includes a central processing unit (CPU) for activating a bonus game including a enhanced pay table in response to the hand matching a triggering combination; and characterized by the central processing unit adapted to indicate an imminent ending of the bonus game to the player to further enhance the players entertainment experience during the bonus game.

Problems solved by technology

Traditionally, these video poker games appeal to hard-core poker players, but these video poker games become stale very quickly to such an advanced player.

Additionally, the occasional poker player also finds these traditional video poker games unappealing.

However, the '506 Patent to Marks et al. requires multiple hands to enter the bonus game which is not desirable to most casino operators since such games have a tendency to encourage hangers-on to intimidate players when the final triggering event is nearing in an attempt to force the player to leave the machine.

However, the '669 Patent to Charron et al. causes game play to slow down dramatically due to discrete decision making on each hand, which results in lower profits for the casino.

Furthermore, infrequent players are typically intimidated by the speed of such games and therefore reluctant to play or try these types of games.

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