Dynamic Jackpot Award Mechanism for Electronic Gaming Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gaming systems lack alternatives to maintain or increase player enjoyment, as they primarily rely on traditional jackpot awards based on game round results.
Innovation Solution
An electronic gaming machine and method that selects a player hand and a jackpot hand using card symbols, with the game controller determining matches to adjust the player's credit balance based on the number of hole cards that match the jackpot hand, providing a dynamic jackpot award mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional jackpot awards based on game round results are used, then the gaming system is simple to operate, but player enjoyment is limited and lacks alternatives
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the jackpot determination into separate components: a player hand evaluation phase and a jackpot hand evaluation phase. The player hand is evaluated first to determine winnings, then the jackpot hand is evaluated independently using the same card symbols. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity in operation while adding versatility through the dual-evaluation mechanism, resolving the contradiction between player enjoyment and system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a dynamic jackpot award system adjusting to matching hole cards is implemented, then player engagement is enhanced, but the game rules and controller logic become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by dealing card symbols to the player and community before determining the jackpot hand. The same card symbols are used for both player hand evaluation and subsequent jackpot hand evaluation. This preliminary preparation simplifies the controller logic by eliminating the need for separate random card generation and evaluation processes, thereby enhancing player engagement without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The card symbols dealt during the game round serve multiple functions: they are used to evaluate the player's hand for regular winnings and simultaneously serve as the basis for evaluating the jackpot hand. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate evaluation mechanisms, making the controller logic more efficient while providing dynamic jackpot awards that enhance player engagement.
3Quantity of substance
If the jackpot award is based on the number of hole cards matching the jackpot hand, then the award becomes more rewarding and interactive, but the determination process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically comparing the hole cards against the jackpot hand and determining the number of matching cards without requiring additional player input or manual evaluation. The controller automatically evaluates the match between the two hands and determines the jackpot award based on the number of matching cards, thereby increasing the reward value while keeping the determination process automated and relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic gaming machine includes a game controller configured to select a first plurality of card symbols to form a player hand for a player, wherein the first plurality of card symbols include a plurality of hole cards dealt only to the player and at least one community card. The game controller is also configured to select a second plurality of card symbols to form a jackpot hand, and determine whether at least one card symbol of the first plurality of card symbols matches at least one card symbol of the second plurality of card symbols. The game controller is also configured to adjust, based on the determining, a credit balance of the player by a value associated with a jackpot award based upon a number of hole cards in the player hand that match card symbols in the jackpot hand.