1513 results about "Slot machine" patented technology

A slot machine enables a player to select one or more symbols as wild symbols ("Select-A-Wild"). In one embodiment, the game displays three spin buttons. Each spin button is permanently associated with a symbol. All of the associated symbols have matching symbols on the reel strips. Each of the associated symbols have the same probability of appearing on the reel strips. The player selects a wild symbol by pressing a spin button. The symbol associated with the pressed spin button acts as a wild symbol for that spin. After each spin, the player receives awards for all winning combinations.

A method of playing a slot machine game in which a player wagers upon one or more symbols and then collect awards for combinations of two or more symbols wagered upon appearing in adjacent to each other in the symbol matrix. The slot machine game may also provide a symbol repositioning feature in which one or more symbols are moved from their original positions to other positions in the symbol matrix.

A slot machine includes a rotatable reel which is cylindrical shaped. The reel is provided with a first display portion on a side surface and with a second display portion on a periphery. In performing a first game, the side surface is so perpendicular that the first display portion may be observable. In performing a second game, the periphery is so horizontal that the second display portion may be observable.

A disclosed gaming machine provides method and apparatus for presenting a plurality of game outcome presentations derived from one or more virtual 3-D gaming environments stored on the gaming machine. While a game of chance is being played on the gaming machine, two-dimensional images derived from a three-dimensional object in the 3-D gaming environment may be rendered to a display screen on the gaming machine in real-time as part of the game outcome presentation. To add excitement to the game, a 3-D position of the 3-D object and other features of the 3-D gaming environment may be controlled by a game player. Nearly an unlimited variety of virtual objects, such as slot reels, gaming machines and casinos, may be modeled in the 3-D gaming environment.

Payout methods in a mechanical, an electro-mechanical and / or computer-based slot machine-like games-of-chance enable a series of awards based upon: appearance of predetermined symbol combinations in the symbol matrix; issuance of awards for the predetermined combination of symbols; removal of the winning symbol combinations from the symbol matrix; replacement of removed symbols with other symbols; issuance of awards for predetermined combination of symbols in the symbol matrix; and recurring cycles of award, removal and replacement until no winning symbol combinations appear in the symbol matrix.

A slot machine issues a percentage of one or more progressive awards based upon any wager level ("Percentage Progressive"). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the Percentage Progressive concept operates as follows: The game displays the total progressive award amount; The player sets the wager; The game displays a Percentage Progressive value based upon the wager level; The player presses the spin button; The reels to spin and stop; The player collects credits for any winning combinations appearing on the reels, including pay table and progressive awards. In the event of a progressive award, the player receives the Percentage Progressive value * total progressive award amount. The preferred embodiment of the present invention, therefore, allows players to participate in progressive awards at any wager level.

Certain embodiments provide a method and system for awarding a progressive prize. The system includes a bank of gaming machines accepting different bets per play as selected by a player. A random number is selected from a predetermined fixed range of numbers that does not change during play of a gaming machine. The player is allotted one or more numbers for each credit bet. The allotted numbers represent a subset of the predetermined fixed range of numbers. A feature game is triggered for the progressive prize based on a numerical comparison between the selected random number and the number(s) allotted to the player. Certain embodiments provide a trigger condition for a feature outcome based on an event having a probability related to credits bet per game at a gaming machine. A probability of success in the feature game may be higher than a probability of success in the base game.

A spinning reel slot machine comprises a plurality of mechanical rotatable reels and a video display. In response to a wager, the reels are rotated and stopped to randomly place symbols on the reels in visual association with a display area. The video display provides a video image superimposed upon the reels. The video image may be interactive with the reels and include such graphics as payout values, a pay table, pay lines, bonus game features, special effects, thematic scenery, and instructional information.

A gaming machine is provided, which awards loyalty points to players playing the game who have identified themselves to the machine. The machine is arranged to award loyalty points to the player and to play two game means wherein, the first or base game may be provided by the slot machine game as a stand alone function with no dependence upon a supporting communications network, the second game may be linked game in which a plurality of network connected machines (50) participate with control of the game being provided by a central game controller (60), while the communications network (62) is controlled by a network controller (61). A first game mode is available to all players and a second enhanced game mode is made available to players who have reached a predetermined threshold of loyalty points.

A technique is disclosed for facilitating side wagering activities conducted at a casino which includes a casino gaming network and a plurality of gaming machines. In at least one embodiment, a casino side wagering system may be utilized to enable casinos operators to provide side wagering opportunities to non-primary players of electronic gaming machines, electronic slot machines and / or other types of gaming machines.

The gaming method or system has at least two different games and a participating progressive jackpot. The progressive jackpot is the same for some or all games within the gaming system. For example, if a given gaming system has two different games, a player can win the progressive jackpot while playing either of the two games. More than two games and more than one progressive jackpot can utilized within the gaming system described herein. Almost any game can be used in the gaming method and system. It is generally preferred that the games be games of skill and / or chance such as playing card games, high / low card games, twenty-one card games, poker card games, dice games, slot machine casino style games, lottery, pull tab, keno, bingo type games or any other suitable game (i.e. having table fixed jackpots and / or progressive jackpots). All games included within the gaming system utilize at least one progressive jackpot as a prize but may also provide smaller win amounts like table jackpots or a one game jackpot or a one-machine jackpot. The games may be played in whole or in part electronically.

An electronic amusement device and a method for operating the device are disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, a slot machine server controls a secondary game of chance played at a client slot machine. The server receives a player identifier corresponding to a player and a client identifier corresponding to a client slot machine. The server retrieves registration data relating to a secondary game of chance corresponding to the player identifier and the client identifier. The server further receives an outcome from the client slot machine and analyzes the outcome based on game requirements associated with the secondary game of chance, thereby determining whether the outcome satisfies at least one of the game requirements. Once all of the game requirements have been satisfied, the server updates a session status indicating the completion of the game requirements.

The present invention comprises an intelligent gaming system that includes a game engine, simulation engine, and, in certain embodiments, a static evaluator. Embodiments of the invention include an intelligent, poker playing slot machine that allows a user to play poker for money against one or more intelligent, simulated opponents. In one embodiment, the invention generates card playing strategies by analyzing the expected return to players of a game. In one embodiment, a multi-dimensional model is used to represent possible strategies that may be used by each player participating in a card game. Each axis (dimension) of the model represents a distribution of a player's possible hands. Points along a player's distribution axis divide each axis into a number of segments. Each segment has associated with it an action sequence to be undertaken by the player with hands that fall within the segment. The dividing points delineate dividing points between different action sequences. The model is divided into separate portions each corresponding to an outcome determined by the action sequences and hand strengths for each player applicable to the portion. An expected return expression is generated by multiplying the outcome for each portion by the size of the portion, and adding together the resulting products. The location of the dividing points that result in the maximum expected return is determined by taking partial derivatives of the expected return function with respect to each variable, and setting them equal to zero. The result is a set of simultaneous equations that are solved to obtain values for each dividing point. The values for the optimized dividing points define optimized card playing strategies.

Certain embodiments provide a method and system for awarding a progressive prize. The system includes a bank of gaming machines accepting different bets per play as selected by a player. A random number is selected from a predetermined fixed range of numbers that does not change during play of a gaming machine. The player is allotted one or more numbers for each credit bet. The allotted numbers represent a subset of the predetermined fixed range of numbers. A feature game is triggered for the progressive prize based on a numerical comparison between the selected random number and the number(s) allotted to the player. Certain embodiments provide a trigger condition for a feature outcome based on an event having a probability related to credits bet per game at a gaming machine. A probability of success in the feature game may be higher than a probability of success in the base game.

Systems and methods for playing live casino games. The systems have changeable displays which portray virtual playing cards or symbols to live participants. Shuffling, cutting, dealing and return of playing cards are accomplished using data processing functions within an electronic game processor or processors which enable these functions to be performed quickly and without manual manipulation of playing cards. The invention allows casinos to speed play and reduce the risk of cheating while maintaining the attractive ambiance of a live table game. The systems can also be multi-user slot machines using the processor to associate or assign one or more symbols either with the virtual playing cards or as slot symbols in participant subsets. The participant subsets are compared to a predetermined list so that payoffs can be awarded on the basis of winning symbols or combinations of symbols.

An electronic amusement device and a method for operating the device are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a slot machine receives an initiation signal to initiate game play at the slot machine. The slot machine conducts a game in response to the initiation signal. The slot machine determines whether a propagation criteria has been achieved and outputs a propagation signal, indicating a performance adjustment, to at least one other slot machine. In accordance with a second embodiment, a slot machine that stores a performance level is disclosed. The slot machine receives a propagation signal indicating a performance adjustment, and the slot machine adjusts the performance level accordingly. A slot server and method for operating the server are also disclosed.

A player is permitted to play in a tournament involving one or more instances of an online game. In one specific example, the player may choose, at a point of sale (POS), a tournament option that permits the player to play in a tournament-style game involving multiple game instances of a primary game. In one example, the primary game is a slot machine type game. In this way, the player may be permitted to enjoy the feeling of playing in a tournament against other players in the environment of an online game. In another example, the primary game result is driven by the result of a secondary game, such as a lottery or casino-based drawing (e.g., a Keno drawing). The secondary game is then played, and the result of the overall tournament is determined based on the results of the secondary game instances. Results of the secondary game instances and the result of the tournament are sent to an online gaming system. The player is then permitted to play an online game to reveal the results of the secondary game instances and the result of the overall tournament.

A bonus game that operates in combination with a slot machine base game is provided. The bonus game includes a series of free spins or free evaluations in which symbols of a set of symbols are generated. The free spins also generate executor symbols that alone or in accumulation cause one of the symbols of the set to be eliminated or replaced. In either case the symbols remaining in the set have a higher probability of being generated and a higher probability exists that a larger award paying combination of the remaining symbols will be generated. The elimination sequence can be repeated a number of times further increasing the probability of generating a higher paying award for the player. The present invention is operable with different types of base games such as slot and poker.

A gaming machine such as a slot machine is provided having a payout proportional to a wager value. The gaming machine provides a player with the ability to flexibly and automatically increase and decrease wagers, thereby allowing the player to press his bets when he feels lucky, and to decrease his bets when he feels unlucky. Different proportional payout tables are provided for different levels of wagers.

A reel spinning gaming device 10 includes a plurality of selectable reels 20 each having game symbols 30 located thereon, a selection system 40, an actuating system 50, and a prize controller 60. Each reel displays an outcome symbol 30 after having been spun. The number of selectable reels 20 included in the gaming device 10 is larger than that utilized for an individual game. In this regard, the selection system 40 designates a subset of the selectable reels as the initial active reels 70 for the initial game. The actuating system 50 then spins the initial active reels 70, after which the prize controller 60 determines whether or not a prize is to be awarded dependent upon the combination of the outcome symbols 30 from the initial active reels 70. The selection system 40 (or a reselection system 80 in some preferred embodiments) then designates of a new subset of the selectable reels 20 as the active reels 70 for each subsequent consecutive game by substituting a non-active reel from the previous game with an active reel from the previous game. Specifically, the active reels 70 for the subsequent consecutive game include the newly substituted active reel and the remaining active reels from the previous game. The actuating system 50 spins the newly substituted active reel, but does not spin the remaining active reels from the previous game. The prize controller 60 then determines whether or not a prize is to be awarded dependent upon the combination of the outcome symbol 30 from the newly substituted active reel and the outcome symbols of the remaining active reels from the previous game. This process is repeated until all of the games purchased by the player (or otherwise entitled to the player) have been exhausted.

An electronic amusement device and a method for operating the device are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a slot machine receives an initiation signal to initiate game play at the slot machine. The slot machine conducts a game in response to the initiation signal. The slot machine determines whether a propagation criteria has been achieved and outputs a propagation signal, indicating a performance adjustment, to at least one other slot machine. In accordance with a second embodiment, a slot machine that stores a performance level is disclosed. The slot machine receives a propagation signal indicating a performance adjustment, and the slot machine adjusts the performance level accordingly. A slot server and method for operating the server are also disclosed.

Methods and apparatus for three-dimensional gaming are disclosed. A three-dimensional casino game includes additional display layers, additional game options, and additional game evaluation methods over a traditional two-dimensional casino game. The three-dimensional casino game allows a player to select one or more three-dimensional game options such as how many layers to include in the game and which game positions are “staked.” For example, in a video slot machine, the player may select three layers of reels and place a transparent stake indicator over the center reel position. The player's selections may determine one or more game evaluation methods and display modes. After one or more random numbers are generated, the outcome of the game is displayed three-dimensionally to the player based on the selected game evaluation methods and display modes. Many different game evaluation methods and payouts are possible in a three-dimensional casino game.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a gaming device such as a slot machine may be operated in an automated play mode in which the need for player input is reduced or eliminated. Termination of and / or changes in the automated play mode may be related to player input, other types of information about a player (or the player's body), and / or whether a player is directing attention to play of the gaming device.

A gaming device, such as a slot machine, with electronically modifiable display capabilities, such as electronic paper, on electro-mechanical reels, provides the ability to rapidly, dynamically, and easily change the symbols on the electro-mechanical reels. This in turn provides the ability to easily change the games played on the gaming device, to create more interesting and exciting games, and to be able to change the current odds for that machine.

A method for operating a microprocessor controlled, reel type slot machine in which payoff is determined before a final game outcome is displayed to a player. A pre-defined count of random numbers is generated and presented to a digital filter having tap outputs which correspond to paytable payline equations. The minimum number of payline equations is equal to the number of distinct paylines in the paytable plus one. Any changes in game outcome are taken into account by modifying variables in computer memory and as such do not require a change in tables stored in computer memory. Several features for attracting players to the apparatus and increasing the enjoyment of playing a game are included.

A game machine is provided with first, second and third reel rows, and each of the reel rows executes slot game independent from each other. The number of reel rows to be actuated is increased in proportion to the number of bet coins. When less than three coins are betted, a first privilege providing section is operated to judge whether the first winning is generated. The first and a second privilege providing sections are operated to judge whether the first winning and a second winning are generated when four coins are betted. Dividend coins are provided in the first winning and a free game in the second winning. A player may play slot game without betting a coin in the free game.

Apparatus and method for the purchase of gaming vouchers (slot vouchers) with commercial bank cards using electronic funds transfer including a kiosk located on a gaming floor proximate to gaming machines but separate from a particular gaming machine, an EFT reader and processing system, user interactive communication equipment, voucher issuing equipment and means for communicating with both a commercial EFT system and a voucher accounting system, and including personal daily limit options.