Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080227541 | Gaming method and apparatus for facilitating a game involving an expanding array - A method and apparatus for use in gaming activities such as slot machine is provided. At least some elements of a grid are marked in an initial round. An additional round can be initiated if in the initial round a series of corresponding adjacent elements was created. In each additional round, marked elements may be added to the grid of the previous round. Each additional round can be initiated if the previous round increased the number of corresponding adjacent elements as compared with the previous round. A game can be ended when a round fails to expand the series of corresponding adjacent elements. A payout can be issued, wherein the amount of the payout is related to the number of corresponding adjacent elements of the series. | 09-18-2008 |
20080234033 | Reel-type gaming activity involving automatic randomization of a subset of reels - A gaming apparatus has a plurality of gaming reels. Each gaming reel has a plurality of symbols that are randomly arranged in response to gaming events. A controller is coupled to the gaming reels and configured to randomize, in response to a user input, the plurality of gaming reels so that the gaming reels are in a first configuration. Based on the first configuration of the gaming reels, an arrangement of the symbols that satisfy a predetermined condition is determined. In response to the predetermined condition being satisfied, a subset of the gaming reels is randomized so that the gaming reels are in a second configuration. The subset of gaming reels is randomized independently of any user inputs occurring after the determination of the predetermined condition, and the gaming reels not in the subset of reels are held while the subset of gaming reels is randomized. The apparatus also includes a payout device that determines a payout based at least on the second configuration of the plurality of gaming reels in response to the randomization of the subset of gaming reels. | 09-25-2008 |
20080234041 | Multiplication-based award augmentation for gaming - Systems, apparatuses and methods for enhancing payout awards in gaming activities. A multiplication-based value is progressively increased until it is awarded. It is determined when the multiplication-based value is to be awarded to a particular gaming system in a participating group of gaming systems. The awarded multiplication-based value is applied to an amount otherwise awarded to the particular gaming system in connection with its participation in a gaming activity. | 09-25-2008 |
20080274799 | System and method for presenting payouts in gaming systems - A system and method for facilitating a shell game activity as a primary or secondary/bonus gaming activity in a mechanistic, electronic, or combined mechanistic/electronic manner. Embodiments of methods for presenting gaming payouts involve providing an automated shell-game device and presenting, to a player, a plurality of award elements having a positional relationship to one another, using the automated shell-game device. The plurality of award elements are obscured from the player's view, and subjected to an apparent shuffling in terms of relative position as perceived by the player. A selected award element is revealed to the player subsequent to the apparent shuffling, and a payout result is determined, based on the selected award element. | 11-06-2008 |
20080287178 | Floating reel gaming activity - A floating reel strip gaming activity involves randomly arranging first symbols on a plurality of gaming reels in response to a gaming event. Second symbols are randomly arranged on a floating reel in response to the gaming event. The floating reel is positioned over the plurality of gaming reels in response to the gaming event so that at least one of the second symbols are superimposed on at least one of the first symbols. A payout is determined in response to the gaming event based on the arrangement of the first symbols in combination with the second symbols. | 11-20-2008 |
20080287179 | Gaming activity with secondary symbols forming random paylines - A gaming activity involves a plurality of gaming reels each having a plurality of first symbols that are randomly arranged in response to a gaming event. The gaming apparatus also includes a plurality of second symbols that are each randomly arranged so that each of the second symbols adjacent to an associated one of the first symbols. A payout device of the apparatus determines a payout based on the arrangement of the first symbols in combination with a payline formed by the associated second symbols in response to the gaming event. | 11-20-2008 |
20090042630 | Facilitated Gaming System and Method with Equalizing Criteria for Facilitator - Systems and methods for playing a dealer-facilitated card game including use of a dealer-equalization criteria and a dealer-favored bias criteria. The game involves dealing a starting hand to at least one player and to the dealer, wherein each starting hand includes one or more cards representing a potential portion of a resulting hand. A bet is placed by the player, and the bet is called by the dealer. The respective ranks of each hand are determined and one of the resulting hands is identified as the winning hand. Distribution of the betting pool is assessed based on at least the winning hand and dealer-favored bias criteria. | 02-12-2009 |
20100016054 | Gaming Method and Apparatus with Dynamic Element Function - A method and apparatus for use in gaming activities such as slot machine. A plurality of symbols is presented in connection with a gaming activity. At least one multi-characteristic symbol capable of exhibiting a plurality of different gaming characteristics is also presented. A first gaming characteristic is attributed to the multi-characteristic symbol during play of the gaming activity. The multi-characteristic symbol's first gaming characteristic is replaced with a second gaming characteristic if none of the remaining plurality of symbols exhibit the second gaming characteristic. | 01-21-2010 |
20100178976 | Gaming Method and Apparatus for Facilitating a Game Involving Specialty Wild Functionality - Various embodiments are directed to a plurality of rounds of a game, the game comprising providing a play area comprising a plurality of regions and game elements distributed within the regions, moving a roving wild indicator within the play area to one of the game elements, the roving wild indicator moving between the game elements within the play area during each of the plurality of rounds of the game, the element to which the roving wild indicator moves exhibiting wild functionality for at least a current round of the game, selecting one of the plurality of regions as a wild region, each element within the wild region exhibiting wild functionality for at least the current round of the game, marking a plurality of the game elements, each marking for each element of the plurality selected from a plurality of different marking types, evaluating elements of the play area to identify if the game element to which the roving wild indicator is moved in the current round of the game is within the wild region, evaluating elements of the play area to identify if one or more series of corresponding marked elements were formed, wherein the elements marked with common types of the different marking types correspond to one another and elements exhibiting wild functionality correspond to all game elements, and initiating at least one game play function other than wild functionality if the game element to which the roving wild indicator is moved is within the wild region based on the evaluation of the elements. | 07-15-2010 |
20100203964 | System and Method for Facilitating Trades for Bonus Activity in Gaming Systems - A system and method for allowing gaming device participants to effect trades of player assets for improved odds of attaining gaming bonus events. A player engages in play of a gaming activity, such as a slot game, which includes a standard mode of play and a bonus mode of play. Player assets are traded for an increased probability of attaining a bonus event associated with the bonus mode. A trade amount is surrendered by the player as part of the trade, and the probability of the player attaining the bonus event increased, thereby allowing the player to engage in bonus activity sooner, more frequently, or when otherwise less available to the player. | 08-12-2010 |
20100210336 | System, Apparatus, and Method for Facilitating Guaranteed Number of Wins Events in Conjunction with a Gaming Activity - A primary gaming activity is provided to a player via a gaming machine that involves engaging the player in a plurality of play events. A win threshold involves a number or quantity of winning events of the plurality of play events. The player continues to be engaged in the plurality of play events at least until the player experiences a number of the winning events that satisfies the win threshold. | 08-19-2010 |
20100210345 | System, Apparatus, and Method for Facilitating Secondary Winning Events in Conjunction with a Primary Gaming Activity - A plurality of events associated with the primary gaming activity of a gaming machine is detected. In response to the events, a dynamic symbol is generated having a value that is independent of the respective primary gaming event. A monetary award is provided to the player based on a value of at least one of the dynamic symbols meeting a predetermined criterion. The provision of the monetary award is determined independently of outcomes of the events of the primary gaming activity. | 08-19-2010 |
20100210346 | System and Method for Rewarding Consecutive Wins in Gaming Activities - A system and method for rewarding a participant of a gaming activity for achieving a succession of winning results for a corresponding succession of game segments. If winning results are achieved for multiple, consecutive game segments, then the participant is rewarded by augmenting the current payout with a portion of one or more of the previous payouts obtained in the consecutive chain of winning results. An advanced award status is optionally recognized, when the participant has achieved a predetermined number of consecutive winning results. In such an instance, while a particular game segment may have concluded in a losing result, the advanced award status may still be active to enable persistent augmentation of payouts. | 08-19-2010 |
20100210351 | System, Apparatus, and Method for Providing Gaming Awards Based on Replay Events - Apparatuses and methods for providing a gaming experience involve facilitating player interaction with a plurality of gaming events via a gaming apparatus. In response to the completion of a gaming event selected from the plurality of events, a replay of the selected gaming event is presented to a player of the gaming event. A monetary award is provided to the player based on the replay of the selected gaming event. In one arrangement, the gaming events are selected from winning events of the plurality of events, and may be selected randomly or based on predetermined criteria. | 08-19-2010 |
20100216540 | Gaming Method and Apparatus for Portioning a Play Area - A method and apparatus for use in gaming activities, such as in a slot machine. A first grid comprising a plurality of elements overlayed a second grid comprising a plurality of elements is presented. At least some of the elements of the first grid and the second grid are marked. Marked elements of first grid are then used to form a subportion, the subportion boundary enclosing an area and having a correspondingly marked element of the first grid at each corner. Payouts are issued for marked elements and element combinations of the second grid within the subportion. The payouts may be administered according to a pay table. | 08-26-2010 |
20100222128 | Gaming Using Display Elements Activated by Direction Indicators - Gaming systems/processes employing display elements activated by direction-indicating symbols from adjacent display elements. A slot game event provides a display grid having deactivated grid positions and at least one activated grid position. A direction-indicating symbol is randomly presented in the activated grid position, indicating the direction of a deactivated grid position, and the deactivated grid position is activated in response. Distinguishing non-selected grid positions from selected grid positions may involve visually de-emphasizing the non-selected grid positions, such as by dimming or obscuring, or highlighting the selected grid positions. An activated grid position may be deactivated if a stop symbol is randomly presented in the grid position. Game play may be repeated until all activated grid positions are deactivated grid positions and/or de-emphasized grid positions. A currently deactivated and/or de-emphasized grid position may be re-activated in response to the direction-indicating symbol being presented in an adjacent grid position. | 09-02-2010 |
20100298041 | Gaming Method and Apparatus for Facilitating a Game Involving Specialty Functionality - Various embodiments concern a method for facilitating a gaming activity having specialty functionality comprising providing a grid formed by a plurality of elements and marking elements of the plurality with markings selected from a plurality of marking-types, the plurality of marking-types including a feature marking-type. A plurality of feature indicators can be positioned in the grid. Then, for each element of the plurality that is marked with the feature marking-type and positionally associated with a feature indicator of the plurality, the feature marking-type can be re-marked to a respective element of the plurality that is adjacent to the element marked with the feature marking-type and positionally associated with the feature indicator. An outcome can then be determined based on one or more combinations of the markings. | 11-25-2010 |
20100298042 | Gaming Method and Apparatus for Facilitating a Game Involving Bonus Functionality - Systems, apparatuses and methods for impacting one or more gaming display segments based on their positions relative to presentation of a triggering symbol(s) in another display segment(s). A method involves marking elements of a grid with symbols, where at least one element is marked with a feature symbol. One or more winning combinations of the symbols are identified, where each winning combination may be associated with an award amount according to a paytable. For each of the elements marked with the feature symbol, replacement symbols are marked to the element(s) that is marked with the feature symbol, as well as to those elements adjacent to the element(s) are marked with the feature symbol. One or more additional winning combinations of symbols are then identified, where the additional winning symbol combination(s) includes at least one symbol from the original symbols marked to the plurality of elements and at least one replacement symbol. | 11-25-2010 |
20100304833 | Systems, Apparatuses and Methods for Awarding Gaming Payouts - Systems, apparatuses and methods for enhancing payout awards in gaming activities, such as providing additional chances for obtaining a winning payout and/or augmenting payout awards in gaming activities. One exemplary method involves presenting symbols in a plurality of symbol locations; determining whether any predetermined symbol location groups, which are distinct from established paylines in which a symbol paytable identifies winning payouts, respectively include matching symbols therein; and providing a payout amount if one or more of the predetermined symbol location groups respectively includes the matching symbols therein. | 12-02-2010 |
20110034233 | Systems, Apparatuses and Methods for Enhancing Gaming Experiences - Systems, apparatuses and methods for enhancing winning result opportunities in gaming activities. Embodiments involve identifying award-enhancing opportunities using dice, and enabling repetition of such award-enhancing opportunities based on the dice results until a terminating event occurs using the die/dice. Award-enhancing opportunities can be accumulated during the repetition, whereby payout opportunities of the gaming event from which the dice activity was initiated may be enhanced. | 02-10-2011 |
20110034234 | SYSTEMS, APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR AWARDING GAMING PAYOUTS - Methods, apparatuses, and systems for awarding gaming payouts in slot games are provided. Embodiments are directed to initiating a reelspin and moving at least one modifying symbol to a new symbol location. If a predetermined symbol appears in the new symbol location as a result of the reelspin, the predetermined symbol is replaced with the modifying symbol. | 02-10-2011 |
20110045906 | Gaming Method and Apparatus for Facilitating a Game Involving 2D and 3D Play Areas - Various embodiments are disclosed concerning games that use both 2D and 3D play areas. Various embodiments concern representing a 3D structure composed of a plurality of 3D shapes having a plurality of faces, presenting a plurality of elements, marking the plurality of faces and the elements, identifying a first set of one or more combinations of corresponding markings, moving the shapes of the three dimensional structure relative to the elements, and identifying a second set of one or more combinations of corresponding markings, each of the combinations of corresponding markings from the first set and the second set composed of markings from at least one of the elements and multiple faces of the shapes. | 02-24-2011 |
20110095480 | Gaming Activity Awarding Subsequent Plays Using Results of Previous Plays - A first hand of a card game is played from a first deck of playing cards to determine a first payout. Based on a qualifying card combination being present in the first hand, a second hand from is dealt from a second deck of playing cards. The second hand includes the qualifying card combination from the second deck and at least one randomly selected card from the second deck. The second hand of the card game is played to determine a second payout. | 04-28-2011 |
20110190044 | REPLACEMENT REEL GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD - Apparatuses and methods for facilitating participation in a gaming activity. A reel configuration of a plurality of reels is presented, where each of the reels includes one or more associated gaming symbols. The presentation of the gaming symbols is modified on the plurality of reels, such as by spinning the reels or otherwise changing which symbols are presented on the reels. A replacement reel is presented, to supersede or otherwise supplant at least one of the gaming symbols of the reel configuration. Results of the gaming activity are established using the gaming symbols of the plurality of reels and the replacement reel. The result is thereby based on a resulting presentation of symbols that includes both the symbols of the primary reel configuration and the symbol(s) of the replacement reel(s). | 08-04-2011 |
20110207520 | Systems, Apparatuses and Methods for Changing Symbols in Gaming Systems - Symbols are randomly arranged on a gaming machine. The random arrangement represents initial states of the symbols for purposes of applying a cellular automata rule. The cellular automata rule is applied to the symbols such that each of the symbols to a subsequent state independently of a value of the symbols. The subsequent state of each symbol may be based at least on the initial state of each symbol and the initial state of another of the symbols. A payout condition may be evaluated based on the subsequent states of the symbols. | 08-25-2011 |
20120015703 | Method and Apparatus for Increasing Potential Payout Opportunities in Card Games - Systems, apparatuses and methods for increasing potential payout opportunities using multiple card indicia representing multiple cards. One embodiment involves determining whether any one or more of a plurality of cards of a draw poker hand are to be randomly provided with multiple card indicia representing multiple cards, presenting the plurality of cards of the draw poker hand, including the one or more of the plurality of cards determined to be randomly provided with multiple card indicia, facilitating user identification of which of the plurality of cards to hold, replacing the cards that are not held, and identifying a plurality of resulting hands, each of the plurality of resulting hands including a different subset of a total of the indicia of the cards that were held, the cards that were replaced, and any cards provided with multiple card indicia. | 01-19-2012 |
20120122532 | Gaming Systems, Apparatuses and Methods Employing Partial Winning Combination Features - Techniques providing a mid-spin enhancement feature(s) in response to the presented subset of symbols. In one embodiment, a method involves spinning reels of a slot game, and achieving a minimum win combination criteria based on a result of a subset of the reels that have stopped spinning The remaining reels continue to spin, and an enhanced feature is activated while the remaining reels continue to spin. The remaining reels stop spinning, and results are provided based on at least the result of the reels and the activated enhanced feature. | 05-17-2012 |
20120322526 | GAMING ACTIVITY AWARDING SUBSEQUENT PLAYS USING RESULTS OF PREVIOUS PLAYS - Techniques involving awarding subsequent plays using results of previous plays. One representative technique includes dealing a first poker hand to a player, and enabling cards of the first poker hand to be held. Replacement cards are presented for any of the cards that were not held in the first poker hand, thereby creating a first resulting poker hand. All of the cards of the first resulting poker hand are duplicated into a second poker hand, where cards in the second poker hand may again be held/discarded. Replacement cards are presented for any of the cards that were not held in the second poker hand, thereby creating a second resulting poker hand. Duplication into additional hands may also be provided. | 12-20-2012 |
20130029758 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING PAYOUTS IN GAMING SYSTEMS - A system, apparatus and method for presenting payouts in primary and/or secondary gaming activities. A plurality of concentric wheels, rings, or other shapes are provided, where each includes a plurality of different symbols, numbers, or other indicia that can be used as a part of a collective payout award. The wheels, rings, or shapes are rotated, and at least one segment designator is provided to demarcate segments of each wheel, ring, or shape as an active segment when the wheels, rings, or shapes stop spinning. The payout amount is based on the aggregate of the symbols, numbers, and/or other indicia presented via the segment designator(s) when the spinning wheels, rings, or shapes have come to rest. In an alternate embodiment, the segment designators are rotated, and demarcate segments of each wheel, ring, or shape as an active segment when the segment designators stop spinning. | 01-31-2013 |
20130095903 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INCREASING POTENTIAL PAYOUT OPPORTUNITIES IN CARD GAMES - Systems, apparatuses and methods for increasing potential payout opportunities using multiple card indicia representing multiple cards. One embodiment involves determining whether any one or more of a plurality of cards of a draw poker hand are to be randomly provided with multiple card indicia representing multiple cards, presenting the plurality of cards of the draw poker hand, including the one or more of the plurality of cards determined to be randomly provided with multiple card indicia, facilitating user identification of which of the plurality of cards to hold, replacing the cards that are not held, and identifying a plurality of resulting hands, each of the plurality of resulting hands including a different subset of a total of the indicia of the cards that were held, the cards that were replaced, and any cards provided with multiple card indicia. | 04-18-2013 |
20130237303 | SYSTEMS, APPARATUSES AND METHODS ENHANCING GAMING OUTCOME OPPORTUNITIES - Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for providing game features. In a game of chance involving at least one outcome, a plurality of alternative outcomes can be derived for a gaming event, such as when one of the outcomes will provide a payout at or above a certain level. The player is presented with an opportunity to select among the alternative outcomes, without being aware of the particular characteristics or values associated with the outcomes. While the player will only select the outcome having the payout at/above the threshold level a certain percentage of the time, the opportunity can be presented to the player more often, while keeping the mathematical probabilities the same or similar if desired, thereby providing the player with the feeling of getting higher value opportunities more often. | 09-12-2013 |
20130296010 | SYSTEMS, APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR ENHANCING GAMING EXPERIENCES - Systems, apparatuses and methods for enhancing winning result opportunities in poker gaming activities. Embodiments involve identifying award-enhancing opportunities using dice to determine award-enhancing opportunities based on the dice results for a poker game played on a gaming device. Award-enhancing opportunities can be accumulated during multiple bonus rounds, or single bonus rolls of dice may be used to determine multipliers or other modifiers to enhance awards received in the poker games. | 11-07-2013 |
20130296011 | SYSTEMS, APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR ENHANCING GAMING EXPERIENCES - Systems, apparatuses and methods for enhancing winning result opportunities in gaming activities. Embodiments involve identifying award-enhancing opportunities using dice, and enabling repetition of such award-enhancing opportunities based on the dice results until a terminating event occurs using the die/dice for a plurality of gaming devices. Award-enhancing opportunities can be accumulated during the repetition, whereby payout opportunities of the gaming event from which the dice activity was initiated may be enhanced. | 11-07-2013 |
20130310127 | SYSTEMS, APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR ENHANCING GAMING EXPERIENCES - Systems, apparatuses and methods for enhancing winning result opportunities in gaming activities. Embodiments involve identifying award-enhancing opportunities using dice during a current game to determine award-enhancing opportunities for subsequent games based on the dice results. Award-enhancing opportunities may continue over multiple games until a terminating condition is activated, or single bonus rolls of dice may be used to determine multipliers or other modifiers to enhance awards only in a single subsequent game. The award-enhancing opportunities may be triggered by a mystery or random selection process, or may be based on at least a portion of the outcome of the current game. | 11-21-2013 |
20130344938 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING MULTIPLE SPINS FOR WINNING OUTCOMES - Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for providing multiple spins during gaming events to provide increased opportunities to receive winning outcomes. Accordingly, a gaming device can be configured to have a plurality of reels with multiple symbols on each reel. A portion of the symbols on each reel are displayed on a game grid having a number of symbol positions. During a gaming event, the symbols are randomly arranged via a first spin on game grid to generate a first configuration and a determination is made as to whether the first condition satisfies a predetermined condition. When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the reels or symbols in the symbol positions associated with the predetermined condition are held while the remaining reels or symbol positions are subjected to a second spin to randomly generate a second configuration. | 12-26-2013 |
20140087833 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING MULTI-POSITIONAL GAME ELEMENTS - Embodiments of the present concept include providing gaming devices, gaming systems, and methods of operating these devices or systems to provide game play that utilizes multi-positional game elements. In one instance, a method of operating a gaming device includes mapping a portion of possible symbols to the multi-positional game elements according to one or more predefined rules for use in one or more gaming events. In an alternative instance, multiple symbols are selected from a plurality of available symbols and assigned to each position of one or more multi-positional game elements for use in one or more gaming events. | 03-27-2014 |
20140094280 | SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS FOR ENHANCING GAMING EXPERIENCES - Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for enhancing gaming experiences using a game wheel. Accordingly, a gaming device can be configured to operate a gaming wheel having a plurality of sections. Each of the sections of the wheel includes a symbol mark and is associated with a section classification. Random selections of game wheel sections are made where selected sections associated with a first classification provide an award associated with the corresponding symbol mark and places a termination indicator in the selected section. Selected sections associated with a second classification clear one or more of the existing termination indicators, if any. Selections continue until a section associated with a termination indicator is selected. | 04-03-2014 |
20140106842 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING PAYOUTS IN GAMING SYSTEMS - A system, apparatus and method for presenting payouts in primary and/or secondary gaming activities. A plurality of concentric wheels, rings, or other shapes are provided, where each includes a plurality of different symbols, numbers, or other indicia that can be used as a part of a collective payout award. The wheels, rings, or shapes are rotated, and at least one segment designator is provided to demarcate segments of each wheel, ring, or shape as an active segment when the wheels, rings, or shapes stop spinning. The payout amount is based on the aggregate of the symbols, numbers, and/or other indicia presented via the segment designator(s) when the spinning wheels, rings, or shapes have come to rest. In an alternate embodiment, the segment designators are rotated, and demarcate segments of each wheel, ring, or shape as an active segment when the segment designators stop spinning. | 04-17-2014 |
20140148231 | GAME MODIFIER USABLE BETWEEN GAME STAGES FOR GAMING DEVICE - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to the use of game modifiers between game stages of a game played on a gaming device. According to some embodiments, a gaming device is configured to play a multi-stage game of chance. After a first stage is completed and a result for the first stage is determined, a game modifier is altered and applied to a second stage of the game when a predefined criterion is satisfied. The game modifier may modify prizes associated with the second stage of the game by, for example, applying a multiplier to prizes associated with a second stage result, the modifier may alter an aspect of the second stage of the game by, for example, adding or replacing one or more game elements used in evaluating the second stage outcome for prizes, or the modifier may trigger a bonus event. | 05-29-2014 |
20140148232 | GAMING DEVICES HAVING GAME MODIFIERS USABLE BETWEEN GAMES AND STAGES WITHIN GAMES - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to the use of game modifiers that are triggered in a first game and are used in game stages in a subsequent second game. According to some embodiments, a gaming device is configured to play a multi-stage game of chance. After each stage is completed in a first game, it is determined whether any of the game stages have triggered modifications of one or more game modifiers that are used in one or more corresponding game stages in a subsequently played game. The altered game modifiers may modify prizes associated with an incremented one of the game stages in the subsequent game so that the altered modifiers move between game stages in multiple games. | 05-29-2014 |
20140148234 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INCREASING POTENTIAL PAYOUT OPPORTUNITIES IN CARD GAMES - Systems, apparatuses and methods for increasing potential payout opportunities using multiple card indicia representing multiple cards. One embodiment involves determining whether any one or more of a plurality of cards of a poker game having multiple poker hands are to be randomly provided with multiple card indicia representing multiple cards, presenting the plurality of cards of the poker hands, including the one or more of the plurality of cards determined to be randomly provided with multiple card indicia, and identifying a plurality of resulting hands for each of the multiple poker hands that include a multiple card indicia, where each of the plurality of resulting hands includes a different subset of a total of the indicia of the other cards in the respective poker hand and any cards provided with multiple card indicia. | 05-29-2014 |
20140148242 | GAMING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING A GAME INVOLVING SPECIALTY FUNCTIONALITY - Various embodiments concern a method for facilitating a gaming activity having specialty functionality comprising providing a grid formed by a plurality of elements and marking elements of the plurality with markings selected from a plurality of marking-types, the plurality of marking-types including a feature marking-type. A plurality of feature indicators can be positioned in the grid. Then, for each element of the plurality that is marked with the feature marking-type and positionally associated with a feature indicator of the plurality, the feature marking-type can be re-marked to a respective element of the plurality that is adjacent to the element marked with the feature marking-type and positionally associated with the feature indicator. An outcome can then be determined based on one or more combinations of the markings. | 05-29-2014 |
20140248933 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMBINING SYMBOLS IN GAMING DEVICES - Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for combining symbols in gaming devices. Accordingly, a gaming device can be configured to display a plurality of game elements each including a game symbol on a game display in response to a game initiation signal. When one or more predefined game conditions are satisfied, the method further includes combining two or more of the game symbols in a single game element. In some instances, one or more of the symbols that left their respective game elements are replaced with additional game symbols. The resulting game grid may then be evaluated to determine prizes associated with winning symbol combinations, including using one or both of the symbols combined in the single game element in the winning symbol combinations. | 09-04-2014 |
20140287814 | SYSTEMS, APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR AWARDING GAMING PAYOUTS - Methods, apparatuses, and systems for awarding gaming payouts in slot games are provided. Embodiments are directed to initiating a reelspin and moving at least one modifying symbol to a new symbol location. If a predetermined symbol appears in the new symbol location as a result of the reelspin, the predetermined symbol is replaced with the modifying symbol. | 09-25-2014 |
20140302902 | SYSTEMS, APPARATUSES AND METHODS ENHANCING GAMING OUTCOME OPPORTUNITIES - Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for providing game features. In a game of chance involving at least one outcome, a plurality of alternative outcomes can be derived for a gaming event, such as when one of the outcomes will provide a payout at or above a certain level. The player is presented with an opportunity to select among the alternative outcomes, without being aware of the particular characteristics or values associated with the outcomes. While the player will only select the outcome having the payout at/above the threshold level a certain percentage of the time, the opportunity can be presented to the player more often, while keeping the mathematical probabilities the same or similar if desired, thereby providing the player with the feeling of getting higher value opportunities more often. | 10-09-2014 |
20140302903 | GAMING ACTIVITY AWARDING SUBSEQUENT PLAYS USING RESULTS OF PREVIOUS PLAYS - Techniques involving awarding subsequent plays using results of previous plays. One representative technique includes dealing a first poker hand to a player, and enabling cards of the first poker hand to be held. Replacement cards are presented for any of the cards that were not held in the first poker hand, thereby creating a first resulting poker hand. All of the cards of the first resulting poker hand are duplicated into a second poker hand, where cards in the second poker hand may again be held/discarded. Replacement cards are presented for any of the cards that were not held in the second poker hand, thereby creating a second resulting poker hand. Duplication into additional hands may also be provided. | 10-09-2014 |
20140349728 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INCREASING POTENTIAL PAYOUT OPPORTUNITIES IN CARD GAMES - Systems, apparatuses and methods for increasing potential payout opportunities using multiple card indicia representing multiple cards. One embodiment involves determining whether any one or more of a plurality of cards of a poker game having multiple poker hands are to be randomly provided with multiple card indicia representing multiple cards, presenting the plurality of cards of the poker hands, including the one or more of the plurality of cards determined to be randomly provided with multiple card indicia, and identifying a plurality of resulting hands for each of the multiple poker hands that include a multiple card indicia, where each of the plurality of resulting hands includes a different subset of a total of the indicia of the other cards in the respective poker hand and any cards provided with multiple card indicia. | 11-27-2014 |
20140370952 | GAMING DEVICE HAVING CARD GAME - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an apparatus, system, computer readable storage media, and/or method that involve or otherwise facilitate a card game or secondary card game played on a gaming device. The card game may be structured to use similar rules to a blackjack-styled card game. The card game may be played against an opponent, such as a computer, dealer, or another player. Alternatively, the card game may include the display of one or more cards and a process to determine if a total value of the cards meets a predefined criterion. A win against an opponent or satisfaction of the predefined criterion may progress the card game to another round of play. These rounds of play may continue until an opponent wins, or until the predefined criterion is not satisfied. | 12-18-2014 |
20150087412 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING ELIGIBILITY ROUTINE FOR GROUP PLAY - Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for implementing an eligibility routine for group play involving one or more gaming devices. This routine includes making at least two distinct determinations regarding trigger conditions that need to be met before proceeding to a group play game event, such as a community bonus. A first determination is made to eliminate a number of triggering opportunities without interrupting game play of one or more primary base games being played on the gaming devices. A second determination is made when conditions relating to the first determination are satisfied. The second determination may include a visual component shown on the one or more gaming devices to generate anticipation for the group play game event. | 03-26-2015 |