Gaming terminal with special-event wager having different denomination increment than basic wagering game

Abstract

A method for playing a wagering game having a special payout. In response to a player making a wager of a first denomination, a gaming terminal conducts a basic game having a randomly selected outcome. The terminal then presents a side-wager option for a player to be eligible for the special payout. The side-wager option requires the player to make a wager of a second denomination that is different than the first denomination. If the randomly selected outcome of the basic game is a basic game winning outcome, the player is credited with an award in the first denomination. However, if the player selected the option to be eligible for the special payout, and the randomly selected outcome is a special randomly selected outcome, then the gaming terminal awards the player the special payout.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 637,562, filed Dec. 21, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to gaming terminals for playing a wagering game and, more particularly, to a wagering game having a unique feature for allowing a player to make a wager on a special event. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Gaming machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines, and the like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for several 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 e...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides methods and gaming terminals for playing wagering games with special payouts. The methods involve conducting a basic game and then offering a side-wager option for a player to be eligible for a special payout. The player makes a wager of a second denomination and is credited with the special payout if a special randomly selected outcome occurs in the basic game. The gaming terminals include a basic game with symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome and a side-wager input device that requires a wager of a second denomination. The player can activate the side-wager input device to be eligible for the special award and will be credited with the special payout if a special randomly selected outcome is achieved. The technical effects of the invention include increased player interest and engagement with the game and improved overall performance of the gaming terminal."

Problems solved by technology

Further, when several gaming machines are linked together such that several players at several gaming machines compete for the same jackpot, the jackpot progressively increases at a much faster rate, which leads to further player excitement.

This can cause player dissatisfaction because the player may decide that the original denomination is too high of a stake for a chance at winning the progressive jackpot.

Alternatively, the player may decide to make the wager, but if he or she does not win, the player may then become angry, thinking that he or she has just wasted a large amount of money on a chance that amounted to nothing.

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