Patent ID: 6210277
Filing Date: 2001-04-03
Classification: A63F,G07F

Abstract:
A method of playing a game of chance comprising:a) providing a plurality of gaming machines linked together to a common computer, each machine having a maximum wager permitted to be played;b) a plurality of players each playing one of the gaming machines;c) each player playing the gaming machine for the same preselected period of time and each player making the maximum wager permitted to be played on the gaming machine to be eligible for a bonus payout;d) allocating a portion of each wager to the bonus payout;e) awarding the bonus payout to the player who achieves a winning combination ranked higher than that achieved by any other player during the preselected time period, unless two or more players tie by achieving the same higher-ranked winning combination during the time period;f) if a tie occurs, carrying over the amount of the bonus payout to a next round of play wherein all of the plurality of players are eligible to play in the next round;g) repeating steps c)-f) until only one player achieves a winning combination during a round of play ranked higher than all other players; andh) awarding the bonus payout to said one player.