1505 results about "Slot machine" patented technology

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

A method, device, and computer readable storage medium for implementing a slot machine game which allows a player to purchase a respin of a reel selected by the player. A cost of the respin is computed and presented to the player. The player can decide to pay the cost and get the respin or decline.

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 providing incentive to players of networked slot machines includes a card reader associated with each machine and a card associated with each player. A player account accessible by a host computer on the network is created which associates the player's card with the account. A predetermined credit is applied to the player's account. In a complementary incentive, credit from the player's account is applied to the coin-in meter of a slot machine responsive to insertion of the player card into a card reader associated with the machine. In a matching incentive also implemented by the present invention, each time the player inserts a coin into the slot machine, an equal credit is debited from the player's account and applied to the coin-in meter of the machine. In both cases, the credit can only be used by the player to play the machines and cannot be cashed out by the player.