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Method and apparatus for varying win probability and payouts of a gaming machine

Method and apparatus for varying win probability and payouts of a gaming machine description/claims

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/392,449, filed Mar. 18, 2003.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for varying the win probability and/or payouts of a gaming machine based on the amount wagered by a bettor.

Gaming is an increasingly popular activity. Over the years, a variety of new gaming devices and games have been developed. Generally, casinos seek new games and gaming devices which entice players to play more frequently, since this increases the revenue to the casino. Players seek new games and gaming devices which are more entertaining and which the player believes has an increased probability of resulting in a win.

One of the most popular of gaming machines is the slot machine. Slot machines were originally mechanically controlled, where the reels were made to spin about an axis by the rotational momentum exerted by the pull of its handle. The angular position of the reels determined the nature of the symbols or the outcome and determined whether a bettor received a winning outcome and an associated payout.

A variety of modifications to the slot machine have been introduced over the years. Now, the reels of slot machines are electronically controlled. In other instances, the reels have been eliminated altogether, the reels simulated in video form on one or more video displays.

Other features have been added to slot and other gaming machines. Current gaming machines utilize video monitors having higher screen resolutions and color depth. Audio has gone from a mono speaker to stereo surround sound. These improvements provide for an increased level of entertainment from the perspective of the player.

A variety of features have been introduced to entice new players to play gaming machines or to cause existing players to play more frequently. For example, bonus games have been added to existing games. The games may also be configured to award large jackpots for certain winning combinations.

Many gaming machines have been configured to accept bets of different sizes. Casinos generally desire that a player bet as large a wager as possible, as such generally increases the revenue of the casino. As one example, a slot machine may be configured to accept a bet comprising one, two or three coins of a particular denomination. As is known, these slot machines are configured to pay winning amounts which are an integer multiplier of the number of bets or coins wagered. For example, when two coins are inserted for play, the payout is simply twice the payout for a winning outcome when a single coin is bet. Likewise, when a maximum number of coins (3 coins usually) are played, the payout is generally three times the base payout. In order to entice a player to place the maximum bet, a jackpot amount may only be awarded for receiving a particular winning combination when the player places the maximum bet.

In this arrangement, there is little or no incentive for a player to increase the number of coins or bets wagered in a round of play. The only instance in which a bettor may increase his bet to the maximum is when he feels that the jackpot is at a level that warrants an increased bet. In all other cases, the bettor may simply bet the minimum amount per round of play.

An improved method and apparatus for gaming machines that attracts a larger number of bettors, maximizes the amount wagered per round of play, and generates increased gaming revenue is desired.

One aspect of the invention is a method of playing a game on a gaming machine where the probability of receiving a winning outcome varies as bet size varies, and/or a method of playing a game in which the average payout varies. Other aspects of the invention are a gaming machine configured to implement one or more methods of the invention.

One embodiment of the invention is a method of playing a game on a gaming machine in which the probability of receiving a winning outcome varies dependent upon an amount wagered. In one embodiment, this method includes the step of accepting a wager from a player. The method also includes the step of determining if the wager is a first amount or a second amount, the second amount being larger than the first amount. A game is presented for play by the player, the game having a first probability of resulting in a winning outcome if the wager is the first amount, and the game having a second probability of resulting in a winning outcome if the wager is the second amount. The method further includes the steps of determining the outcome of the game and awarding the player a winning if the outcome is a winning outcome.

In one embodiment of this method, the second probability is greater than the first probability. In other words, the probability of receiving a winning outcome increases when a larger bet is placed.

In one embodiment, the method includes the step of providing groups of outcomes and selecting a particular group of outcomes based upon the amount wagered by the player, the group of outcomes selected from a set of at least two groups of outcomes associated with wagers of different amounts, each group of outcomes representing a different probability of receiving a winning outcome.

In one embodiment, groups of outcomes are stored in a memory. Each outcome of a group of outcomes is identified by a number. The method includes the step of generating a random number and mapping that number to a particular outcome of the selected group of outcomes.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises a method of playing a game on a gaming machine in which the payout for game play varies dependent upon amount wagered. This method includes the steps of accepting a wager from a player and determining if the wager is a first amount or a second amount, the second amount being larger than the first amount. In one embodiment, the method further includes the step of presenting a game for play by the player, wherein an average payout for particular winning combinations received when the wager is the first amount varies from an average payout for the same winning combinations received when the wager is the second amount, preferably by more than the percentage difference between the first and second bets. The method further includes the steps of determining the outcome of the game and awarding the player a winning if the outcome is a winning outcome.

In another embodiment, the average payout over time for winning combinations received when the wager is the second amount is greater than the average payout over time for winning combinations received when the wager is the first amount by more than the percentage difference between the first and second bets.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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