Patent ID: 8062114
Filing Date: 2011-11-22
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
1. A gaming system with a free play mode comprising: a game controller configured to process game play instructions in accordance with game rules to produce game outcomes; a credit meter under control of the game controller, wherein the credit meter is activated, under normal game play, to increment an award to a player of the game in response to a winning outcome of the game and to decrement a wager amount provided by the player in response to a losing outcome; a player interface in data communication with the game controller, wherein the player interface comprises a display that displays game outcomes to the player; a free mode interface associated with the player interface, wherein the free mode interface initiates communication of a free mode instruction on behalf of the player to the game controller; and wherein the game controller is further configured to deactivate the credit meter in response to receipt of the free mode instruction thereby allowing the player to play the game without entering a wager in the credit meter and inhibiting provision of an award to the player in response to a winning outcome of the game.