Gaming device with player selectable settings

Abstract

A gaming device in which a player may select from several mathematical bias settings of volatility. Each setting results in different volatility, the mathematical parameter of statistical dispersion of results between fewer numbers of lower rewards and larger numbers of greater rewards. The player may receive indicia of the settings of volatility and may alter volatility settings during various stages of play. The player may alter reel strips in order to accomplish volatility changes or other methods of change of the volatility of the game may be provided.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 710,929 filed Aug. 24, 2005, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.COPYRIGHT NOTICE [0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains or may contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to photocopy reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure exactly as appearing in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise all copyright rights whatsoever are reserved. 37 CFR 1.71(d). FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] The invention relates to gambling devices generally and in particular to gaming devices such as slot machines. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] Slot machines are a form of gaming device well known in the art. Most spin 3 to 5 reels and reward the player according to a published pay schedule that relates to where the reels stop and which symbols are shown across the display p...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0037] It is therefore yet another aspect, objective, advantage and embodiment of the present invention to provide a method of providing game play further comprising the step of: j) offering the player the opportunity to place a side wager in order to increase probability of the first outcome, wherein the first outcome is a first set of winning combinations.

[0038] It is therefore yet another aspect, objective, advantage and embodiment of the present invention to provide a method of providing game play further comprising the step of: k) offering the player a side credit if they accept reduced probability of the first outcome, wherein the first outcome is a first set of winning combinations.

[0039] It is therefore yet another aspect, objective, advantage and embodiment of the present invention to provide a method of providing game play to a player, the method of providing game play comprising: a) offering to such player a chance game; b) the chance game having at least a first outcome having a first probability of occurrence having associated therewith a first award to the player, c) the chance game having at least a second outcome having a second probability of occurrence having associated therewith a second award to the player, d) offering to such player the option to alter the standard deviation of the first and second probabilities of the chance game over a first time frame, e) accepting from such player a selection of alteration of standard deviation of the first and second probabilities of the chance game over the first time frame, f) altering standard deviation of the first and second probabilities of the chance game over the first time frame according to the selection made by such player, and g) allowing such player to play the chance game.

Problems solved by technology

However, while these differing quantities are related, they are not identical, and thus an alteration of Hit Frequency is NOT the same as an alteration in Hold Percentage and in fact may not directly lead to an alteration in Hold Percentage.

A problem with this method is that casual players can't assess the right play strategy for each choice.

This patent does not teach a device that specifically allows a player to select a pay table based upon the mathematical concept of volatility.

There are several problems with this method.

First, most players are ill equipped to make knowledgeable changes, which may have complicated and undesirable repercussions.

Second, Walker is hamstrung by a limited number of selectable parameters.

Third, Walker's options for responding to players' selections are severely restricted, because he is fixed upon maintaining a constant house advantage.

This patent does not teach that a player may make choices based upon volatility.

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