Gaming device for operating in a reverse payout mode and a method of operating same

A gaming device of the type wherein a play generates one of multiple possible outcomes having reverse payout information. The gaming device comprises a memory device containing a first set of data correlating possible outcomes to a first set of payouts and a second set of data correlating possible outcomes to a second set of payouts second set of data correlates a majority of outcomes to positive payouts and the first set of data correlates a majority of outcomes to other than positive payouts. The gaming device also includes a payout selector indicating which of the first set of data and the second set of data the gaming device is to access. In an alternate embodiment, the gaming device includes a memory having only the second set of data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for 
operation of a gaming device, such as a slot machine and, more 
particularly, for reverse payout play of such a gaming device. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
Owners and operators of gaming devices are constantly searching for new and 
innovative ways of attracting players to the gaming devices in order to 
keep them gambling for prolonged periods of time. One factor in 
determining whether a player will continue playing a gaming device is the 
player's perception of the odds of winning. When a player feels lucky and 
perceives the odds of winning to be high, the player will likely continue 
playing. On the other hand, when the player feels unlucky and perceives 
the odds of winning to be low, the player will likely stop playing or, 
even more troubling to the owner or operator of the gaming devices, travel 
to another casino where he perceives his odds of winning to be better. 
It is a general belief that the odds of winning at a gaming device depend 
on the past activity of the gaming device. For example, players often 
perceive the odds of winning to be greater on a slot machine that has not 
recently paid out any jackpots. In gaming vernacular, such a machine is 
thought to be "due to hit." Other times, such as immediately after hitting 
a jackpot, players perceive the odds of future winnings on a particular 
slot machine to be low. Consequently, after winning a jackpot, a player 
may stop playing, thereby causing the casino owner to lose revenue. 
Because the player has no way to take advantage of what he believes to be 
a cold machine or cold casino, many players feel as though they need to 
move to a different machine or a different casino. 
Some casino games have avoided this problem by allowing the player to place 
a bet either against the house or for the house. In the game of craps, for 
example, the objective of the game is for the shooter to either win on the 
initial come-out throw or throw certain numbers twice before rolling a 
seven. In making a 8pass lines bet, the player is betting that he will 
accomplish this objective. If he does not think that he will be 
successful, the payer may make a odont passo bet in which the player is 
effectively able to bet with the house. A player experiencing a run of bad 
luck, for example, may effectively bet with the house by betting against 
himself or the shooter (with the house) by electing to make the odont 
passo bet. 
Unfortunately, no method exists which allows betting owith the houseo for 
gaming devices. Thus, a need exists for a method of play and a gaming 
device which encourages a player to continue playing on a gaming device 
despite feeling unlucky or perceiving poor odds of winning on a given 
gaming device. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The problems identified above are solved and a technical advance is 
achieved by providing, in accordance with the present invention, a gaming 
device which determines payouts according to an alternate, or reverse, 
payout table. 
In a first embodiment of the present invention, a gaming device is 
disclosed. The gaming device randomly generates one of many possible 
outcomes for each play. The gaming device includes a wager selector 
indicating a wager, a memory device and a payout selector. The memory 
device stores a normal set of data correlating possible outcomes to a 
normal set of payout information and a reverse set of data correlating 
possible outcomes to a reverse set of payout information. The reverse set 
of payout information describes payouts consisting of amounts which are 
less than or equal to twice said wager. The payout selector indicates 
which set of data, the normal or reverse set of data, the gaming device is 
to access. 
In a second embodiment of the present invention, a gaming device is 
disclosed. Like the first embodiment, the gaming device randomly generates 
one of many possible outcomes for each play and includes a wager selector 
indicating a wager, a memory device and a payout selector. The memory 
device stores a normal set of data correlating possible outcomes to a 
normal set of payout information and a reverse set of data correlating 
possible outcomes to a reverse set of payout information. The reverse set 
of data includes two subsets: a first subset of outcomes which correspond 
to payout information describing positive payout amounts in both the 
normal and reverse sets of data and a second subset of outcomes which 
correspond to payout information describing payouts consisting of amounts 
which are less than or equal to twice the wager. The payout selector 
indicates which set of data, the normal or reverse set of data, the gaming 
device is to access. 
In a third embodiment of the present invention, a gaming device is 
disclosed. The gaming device randomly generates one of many possible 
outcomes for each play and includes a wager selector indicating a wager, a 
memory device and a payout selector. The memory device stores a normal set 
of data correlating possible outcomes to a normal set of payout 
information and a reverse set of data correlating possible outcomes to a 
reverse set of payout information. The reverse set of data describes 
winning outcomes and losing outcomes wherein the ratio of winning outcomes 
to losing outcomes is greater than one. 
In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a method is disclosed for 
operating a gaming device. The method includes the steps of identifying a 
wager, storing a normal set of data correlating possible outcomes to a 
normal set of payout information, and storing a reverse set of data 
correlating possible outcomes to a reverse set of payout information. The 
reverse set of payout information describes payouts consisting of amounts 
which are less than or equal to twice the wager. The method also includes 
the step of identifying a data set selection indicating which set of data, 
the normal or reverse set of data, the gaming device is to access. The 
method further includes the steps of generating a random resultant outcome 
and determining a resultant payout based on the wager, the data set 
selection and the resultant outcome. 
Thus, the present invention provides players of gaming devices the ability 
to select an alternate payout table based on their feeling about the 
future outcomes to be generated by a gaming device. Moreover, operators of 
the subject gaming devices can retain players for a longer period of time 
by providing gaming devices employing such alternate payout tables. 
Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent during the 
course of the following detailed description and by reference to the 
attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The present invention is directed generally to a gaming device such as a 
slot machine, and to a method and system for playing such a gaming device. 
Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be 
described in greater detail with reference to the drawings. Although the 
embodiments discussed herein are directed to slot machines, it is to be 
understood that the present invention is equally applicable to other 
gaming devices, such as video poker machines, video blackjack machines, 
video roulette machines, video keno machines, video bingo machines, and 
the like. 
With reference to FIG. 1, the slot machine 100 will now be described in 
greater detail. Each slot machine 100 includes a Central Processing Unit 
(CPU) 110, a clock 112, and an operating system 114. The CPU 110 executes 
instructions of a program stored in either Data Storage Device 124 or Read 
Only Memory (ROM) 116 for playing the slot machine 100. The Random Access 
Memory (RAM) 118 temporarily stores information passed to it by the CPU 
110. A Random Number Generator (RNG) 120 is also in communication with the 
CPU 110. 
The slot machine 100 operates in both a normal payout mode and a reverse 
payout mode. With respect to the normal payout mode of the slot machine 
100, the slot machine 100 operates in a conventional manner. The player 
starts the machine by inserting a coin into a coin acceptor 148 connected 
to the CPU 110, or using electronic credit, and activating a starting 
controller 122. If the player has deposited more than one coin in slot 
machine 100 or has accumulated credits stored in slot machine 100 then he 
can choose the desired wager per play by pressing wager selector 143. 
Under control of a program stored, for example, in a data storage device 
124 or the ROM 116, the CPU 110 initiates the RNG 120 to generate a random 
number; the CPU 110 then looks up the generated random number in a stored 
probability table 126 and finds the corresponding outcome. The random 
number may be generated through digital means, or through physical 
processes. Although described as random herein, the number generated may 
be more properly understood as pseudo-random. 
In the present embodiment, each of the three reels 132, 134, 136 has 
twenty-two total symbols or "stops" located thereon. Therefore, given the 
three reels 132, 134, 136 there exists 10,648 
(22.times.22.times.22=10,648) possible reel combinations or outcomes. A 
reel combination of oCHERRY-BELL-PLUMo therefore represents an outcome. 
Alternatively, a separate random number may be generated for each reel 
position. These 10,648 plays are often referred to as the slot machine's 
"cycle." RNG 120 produces random numbers which are mapped onto these 
10,648 possible outcomes, each of which has a corresponding outcome stored 
in probability table 126. While each of these 10,648 possible outcomes may 
have an equal probability of selection, the present invention may also 
employ non-uniform probabilities known in the art. 
Based on the corresponding outcome, the CPU 110 locates the appropriate 
number of coins awarded in normal payout table 128. The CPU 110 also 
directs a reel controller 130 to spin reels 132, 134, 136 and to stop them 
at a point where they display an outcome which corresponds to the randomly 
generated number. When the player wins, the machine stores the credits in 
the RAM 118 and displays them in the video display area 138. The possible 
outcomes of slot machine 100 may be divided into subsets, with each subset 
representing a different oclasso of outcome. Many slot machines, for 
example, are described as having three subsets or ranges of outcomes such 
as high-end payouts, mid-level payouts, and low-end payouts. Non-winning 
payouts may form a fourth subset. High-end payouts incorporate the top 
payouts of the machine, such as the top three jackpots. Another way to 
define the subset of high-end payouts is to include all payouts exceeding 
a fixed multiplier of the amount wagered, such as all payouts which return 
at least ten times the number of coins wagered. Low-end payouts typically 
comprise payouts of only a few coins, such as the payout for a single 
cherry on either the first or third reels. Those of ordinary skill in the 
art will appreciate that there could be any number of subsets defined for 
a given machine. 
A hopper controller 140 is connected to a hopper 142 for dispensing coins. 
When the player requests to cash out by pushing a button (not shown) on 
the slot machine 100, the CPU 110 checks the RAM 118 to see if the player 
has any credit and, if so, signals the hopper controller 140 to release an 
appropriate number of coins into a payout tray (not shown). 
Also connected to the CPU 110 is a slot network server interface 150. The 
slot network server interface 150 provides a communication path from the 
slot machine 100 to a slot network and, subsequently, to a slot network 
server. Thus, outcome data can be exchanged between the slot machine 100 
and a slot network server. As discussed below with regard to an alternate 
embodiment, the slot machine 100 includes a player tracking card reader 
device 160. The player tracking card reader device 160, which is connected 
to the CPU 110, includes a display area 162, a keypad 164, and a card 
reader 166. As discussed below, both the keypad 164 and the card reader 
166 are input devices that allow a player to communicate with the slot 
machine 100 and by extension, the slot network server. 
In alternate embodiments, the slot machine 100 does not include the reel 
controller 130 and reels 132, 134 136. Instead, a video display area 138 
graphically displays representations of objects contained in the selected 
game, such as graphical reels or playing cards. These representations are 
preferably animated to display the playing activity of the selected game. 
It should be noted that this invention does not require a physical slot 
machine, and could instead be embodied completely in software. Such an 
embodiment would allow play as stand alone software running on 
conventional personal computers. Examples of slot machine software include 
Interbet software and www.interbet.com. 
As noted above, the slot machine 100 selectively operates in a reverse 
payout mode. The reverse payout mode is initiated when a player selects 
reverse play on a payout selector 144 connected to the CPU 110. As will be 
appreciated by one skilled in the art, possible payout selectors 144 
include a button, a toggle switch, a software flag and the like. When 
reverse payout mode is selected, the slot machine 100 operates generally 
as described above, with the exception that the CPU 110 locates the 
appropriate payout in a stored reverse payout table 146 rather than the 
normal payout table 128. The payout tables represent sets of data which 
correlate outcomes with payouts. As described in detail below with 
reference to FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d, a majority of the 
outcomes in the normal payout tables 128a-c correspond to a losing result 
for the player while in the reverse payout tables 146a-d, the majority of 
the outcomes correspond to a winning result. In other words, the ratio of 
winning outcomes to losing outcomes is greater than one in reverse payout 
tables 146a-d. Stated another way, the statistical likelihood of 
generating any winning outcome is greater than the statistical likelihood 
of generating any losing outcome. Thus, while in the short run a 
predominance of losing outcomes may occur, the long run expectation is 
that more winning outcomes will result. In some cases, the amounts won or 
lost as determined by the reverse payout tables 146a-d are, at least in 
part, inversely proportional to the amounts won or lost as determined by 
the normal payout tables 128a-c. In other words, for a majority of given 
outcomes, the greater the win as determined by the normal payout tables 
128a-c, the greater the amount lost as determined by the reverse payout 
tables 146a-d. 
The normal payout tables 128 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 
2a, 2b, and 2c. FIG. 2a depicts one logical representation of the normal 
payout table 128a. In this representation, each of the 10,648 random 
numbers, as represented in the "Random Number" field 230, corresponds to a 
set of reel positions representing an outcome, as shown in the "Reel 1" 
232, "Reel 2" 234, and "Reel 3" 236 fields. Thus, by way of example, 
random number "00006" corresponds to an outcome of "7-BAR-CHERRY." 
Further, each random number (and thus outcome) also corresponds to a pay 
combination, as indicated in the "Pay Combination" field 238. Each pay 
combination may correspond to multiple random numbers and outcomes. For 
example, the outcome "7-BAR-CHERRY" corresponds to the pay combination 
"ANY/ANY/CHERRY" as does "BAR-BELL-CHERRY." This payout table illustrates 
the correlation between the generated random numbers, the outcomes, (the 
position of each of the reels 132, 134, 136), pay combinations, and the 
payout information. 
It is to be understood that the table of FIG. 2a contains information from 
both a probability table 126 and the normal payout tables 128b and 128c, 
and, as such, in an alternate embodiment replaces these tables. 
The normal payout table 128b of the present embodiment will now be 
described with reference to FIG. 2b. As discussed below, the normal payout 
table 128b shown is a typical 94.5% payback payout table. In other words, 
statistically, the slot machine 100 will pay out 94.5% of the money 
wagered, and retain for the house 5.5% of the money wagered. In general, 
the normal payout table 128b correlates outcomes to payout information, 
including the number of coins awarded and the player win/loss amount for a 
given play. It is to be understood, based on the following description, 
that the number of coins awarded and the player win/loss amount are 
essentially alternate representations of the same information. 
As shown, the normal payout table 128b of the present embodiment can be 
logically represented by five fields of related information. The data 
represents payout information for a one coin wagered per play model. A pay 
combination field 210 identifies possible pay combinations to which each 
outcome can be correlated. These pay combinations include, for example, 
"ANY/ANY/CHERRY" and "BAR/BAR/BAR", for which a positive number of coins 
are awarded, as indicated in the "Number of Coins Awarded" field 212. The 
pay combination field 210 also includes an "Other" entry for all other 
combinations, representing normally non-winning outcomes for which no 
payment is to be made to a player. These normally non-winning outcomes, 
such as "PLUM-BELL-ORANGE," result in no coins awarded, as indicated in 
the Number of Coins Awarded field 212. 
Also shown in FIG. 2b, the payout table 128b includes an "Expected Hits" 
field 214. The expected hits field 214 indicates the number of outcomes 
per cycle that correspond to a given pay combination. For example, in one 
cycle, outcomes corresponding to the "ANY/CHERRY/CHERRY" pay combination 
210 will theoretically occur two hundred times, as indicated in the 
expected hits field 214. Similarly, outcomes corresponding to the 
"CHERRY/ANY/CHERRY" pay combination in field 210 will theoretically occur 
sixty-eight times in every cycle. As shown, even though both of these pay 
combinations include two "CHERRY" symbols, the expected hits 214 differ. 
It is to be understood that the difference in the expected hits for 
"ANY/CHERRY/CHERRY" and "CHERRY/ANY/CHERRY" results from the different 
number of times cherry appears on each of the three reels 132, 134, 136. 
Specifically, in the present embodiment, the second reel 134 has more 
"CHERRY" stops than the first reel 132, thereby making the 
"ANY/CHERRY/CHERRY" pay combination more likely. This, of course, assumes 
that each reel stop has an equal probability of selection. It is to be 
understood that the present invention may also accommodate slot machines 
in which each reel stop has a different probability of selection. 
The normal payout table 128b also includes a "Player win/loss" field 216. 
While the number of coins awarded field 212 equals the total payout, if 
any, made to a player, the Player win/loss field 216 represents the net 
change in the player's funds for each pay combination. A negative number 
indicates a loss by the player while a positive number indicates a win. 
Further, the normal payout table 128b includes an "Expected 
Hits.times.Player win/loss" field 218. As implied by the name, this field 
represents the number of Expected hits 214 multiplied by the amount in the 
Player win/loss field 216 for each outcome which falls within the given 
pay combination. Therefore, the Expected hits.times.Player win/loss field 
218 represents, for each pay combination, the statistically expected total 
amount won or lost by a player in a cycle. For example, because normally 
non-winning outcomes are expected 8,570 times in each cycle, and because 
on each play a player will lose one coin (the amount wagered) players will 
theoretically lose a total of 8,570 coins in every 10,648 plays for this 
particular pay combination in one cycle of plays on slot machine 100. 
As indicated by the information in payout tables 128a-128c, the Expected 
hits 214 for all pay combinations totals 10,648. As further indicated by 
payout tables 128a-128c, the total amount won or lost for all pay 
combinations is negative 586, representing 586 coins lost by the player(s) 
and won by the house. Thus, in a one coin wagered model, in 10,648 plays, 
10,648 coins are wagered, with the house retaining 586 coins. In other 
words, the house pays 10,062 coins back to players, or about 94.5% of the 
10,648 coins wagered per each cycle, hence the 94.5% payback rate. 
FIG. 2c depicts a normal payout table for a different embodiment of the 
present invention. In this embodiment the player is making the necessary 
funds available to cover the largest potential loss for one play of slot 
machine 100. Because the player is only making the necessary funds 
available, the amount stored in the Number of coins awarded field 222 is 
identical to the amount stored in the Player win/loss field 226 for each 
listed pay combination. Thus, slot machine 100 does not subtract the 
amount wagered before each play. Instead, the net win or loss is added to 
or subtracted from the players credit balance. 
It is to be understood that the normal payout tables 128b and 128c depicted 
in FIG. 2b and 2c include information not necessary to the operation of 
the present invention. Thus, in alternate embodiments, the normal payout 
tables 128b and 128c correlate only the pay combinations 210,220 to either 
the number of coins awarded 212,222 or the Player win/loss 216,226. The 
normal payout tables 128b and 128c need not include the Expected hits 
fields 214,224 or the Expected hits x Player win/loss fields 218,228. 
These fields include information that merely describes, not dictates, the 
operation of the slot machine 100. 
It is also to be understood that the normal payout tables 128b and 128c may 
correlate the Number of coins awarded 214,224 and the Player win/loss 
216,226 amounts to pay combinations for plays where other than one coin is 
wagered. Thus, the normal payout tables 128b and 128c are merely exemplary 
of possible normal payout tables. In this regard, an alternate embodiment 
utilizes multiple payout tables, each containing payout information for a 
different amount wagered. It is to be understood that in multiple coin 
models, there are outcomes that may provide a payout to the player but 
result in a loss. For example, when three coins are wagered, a payout 
combination may call for a payout of two coins, resulting in a loss of one 
coin for the player. In another embodiment, a single payout table contains 
the payout information for each of the different amounts wagered. 
It is further to be understood that the normal payout tables 128a-c need 
not include a pay combinations field at all. Rather, in an alternate 
embodiment, the normal payout tables 128a-c directly correlate outcomes to 
payout information, such as the Number of coins awarded or the Player 
win/loss amounts. 
Other normal payout tables that are within the scope of the present 
invention include those having different payout amounts, different reel 
symbols, and different pay combinations. In general, however, typical 
normal payout tables can be characterized in that a player wins on the 
occurrence of the relatively few outcomes that are the least likely to 
occur, and the amount of the win increases as the likelihood of the 
particular outcome occurring decreases. 
The reverse payout tables 146a-146d of the present embodiment will now be 
described with reference to FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d and continuing 
reference to FIGS. 2b and 2c. The reverse payout tables 146a-d are 
identical in structure to the normal payout tables 128b and 128c, as 
described in FIGS. 2b and 2c. Inherent in this structure is the number of 
total possible outcomes and the corresponding pay combinations. They are 
different, however, in the data described in the Number of coins awarded 
fields 312,322,332,342 Player win/loss fields 316,326,336,346 and the 
Expected hits.times.Player win/loss fields 318,328,338,348. 
In general, the reverse payout tables 146a-146d can be characterized as 
having payouts which occur for the relatively numerous outcomes that are 
the most likely to occur, while a loss occurs for the relatively few 
outcomes that are the least likely to occur. Thus, for the majority of 
outcomes, where the normal payout tables 128b and 128c provide for a zero 
payout or a loss, the reverse payout tables 146a-146d provide for a 
positive payout, or a win. Likewise, a positive payout or win in the 
normal payout tables 128 correspond to a loss in the reverse payout tables 
146a-146d. 
The reverse payout table 146a of the present embodiment is exactly the 
reverse of the normal payout table 128b in that each player win/loss 
result is reversed. Thus, because the normal payout table 128b favors the 
casino by about 5.5%, the reverse payout table 146a, which is exactly the 
opposite of the normal payout table 128c, favors the player by about 5.5%. 
In other words, the reverse payout table 146a is a 105.5% payback table. 
Like the normal payout tables 128a-c, the reverse payout tables 146a-d 
include a pay combination field 310 containing the same normally winning 
and normally non-winning pay combinations found in the normal payout 
tables 128. As used herein, the term "normally winning" means winning as 
determined by the normal payout tables 128. Similarly, "normally 
non-winning" and "normally losing" means non-winning as determined by the 
normal payout tables 128b and 128c (i.e pay combination oOthero). 
As with the normal payout tables 128a-128c, the Player win/loss fields 
316,326,336,346 and the "Expected Hits x Player win/loss" fields 
318,328,338,348 contain the theoretical amounts won or lost per play and 
per cycle, respectively. However, for normally winning pay combinations, 
the reverse payout tables 146a-146d indicate a loss to the player, and for 
normally losing pay combinations, the reverse payout tables 146a-146d 
indicate a win for the player. In other words, the player win/loss amounts 
316,326,336,346 of the reverse payout tables 146a-146d may be arrived at 
by multiplying each Player win/loss amount 216 of the normal payout table 
128b by negative one ("-1"). Because the expected hits 314,324,334,344 are 
identical to those of the normal payout tables 128b and 128c, the 
"Expected Hits.times.Player win/loss" amounts 318 are the reverse of those 
in the normal payout tables 128b and 128c. Thus, while the normal payout 
table 128b results in the player losing 586 of the 10,648 coins wagered, 
the reverse payout table 146a results in the player winning 586 coins. 
Thus, the slot machine 100 of the present embodiment described in FIG. 3a 
becomes a 105.5% payback machine. 
Because in the reverse payout table 146a depicted in FIG. 3a the Player 
win/loss amounts 316 include losses greater than one coin, the player must 
place additional funds at risk. As shown in FIG. 3a, for example, the 
player faces a loss of ninety-nine coins if an outcome of o7-7-7o is 
produced. As discussed below, the funds necessary to cover such losses may 
be stored credit that the player previously accumulated, a credit balance 
stored in memory, additional cash fed into the machine via a bill 
validator or the coin acceptor, funds stored on a stored value card or 
osmart cardo, or a credit card account. 
FIG. 3b depicts an alternate embodiment of the payout table 146a described 
in FIG. 3a. In reverse payout 146b the slot machine 100 reduces the 
players credit balance by ninety-nine coins prior to generating the 
outcome. Specifically, the player places ninety-nine coins at risk. An 
outcome of oOrange-Orange-Orangeo, for example, results in a payout of 
eighty coins, netting a to a loss of nineteen coins for the player. 
Because the player faces large potential losses with reverse payout tables 
146a and 146b, slot machine 100 could incorporate an insurance protocol in 
which the player deposits one coin and presses insurance selector 145 
before each spin. In the event of a jackpot, the insurance policy covers 
the amount of the loss. Multiple insurance policies are possible, with the 
cost of the insurance rising with the amount of coverage increasing. The 
amount of coverage may be calculated with reference to the Expected 
hits.times.Player win/loss 318,328 in order to capture both the frequency 
and magnitude of the covered payouts. 
In practice, a reverse payout table that favors players, such as reverse 
payout tables 146a or 146b in FIGS. 3a and 3b, is probably unacceptable to 
the casino operator except as a restricted promotional device. To ensure 
that the casino continues to make money, adjustments may be made to the 
reverse payout tables so that they favor the casino. In the embodiment 
depicted in FIGS. 3c and 3d, the reverse payout tables 146c and 146d are 
adjusted so that they provide for payouts which are less than the total 
amount of coins wagered for one cycle. The reverse payout table 146c shown 
in FIG. 3c includes the same fields as the reverse payout tables 146a and 
146b of the prior embodiments, and the same individual pay combinations. 
Furthermore, in the embodiment of FIG. 3c, reverse payout mode requires a 
player to wager (and therefore potentially lose) at least five coins while 
paying out only six coins for a normally non-winning outcome/pay 
combination. It should be noted that the amount of coins wagered per play 
could be any number of coins as specified by the casino operator. Although 
reverse payout table 146c is described using whole coins, the present 
invention may be practiced using fractional coin values. Thus, for a wager 
of one coin, a payout may total only one sixth of a coin. These fractional 
amounts may be accumulated in RAM 118 and paid out when a whole coin is 
reached. 
Focusing on the "Other," or normally losing pay combination, it is apparent 
that such a pay combination will theoretically hit 8,570 times in one 
cycle, each time causing the player to win one coin, as depicted in the 
Player win/loss field 336, and awarding six coins, as depicted in the 
number of coins awarded field 332. Six coins are awarded because the 
player receives the five coins that were wagered plus the one coin won. 
Also shown in the Player win/loss field 336, the amount lost for each of 
the normally winning pay combinations is five coins. Because the player 
can only lose what is wagered and no more, namely five coins, there is no 
need to place additional funds at risk. Furthermore, given the five coin 
loss for each normally winning pay combination and the one coin win for 
each normally losing pay combination, the reverse payout table 146c 
theoretically results in the house winning 1,820 coins of the 53,240 coins 
wagered per cycle ({10,648 plays}.times.{5 coins/play}=53,240 coins). In 
other words, the reverse payout table 146c is approximately a 96.5% 
payback table. 
The reverse payout table 146d shown in FIG. 3d includes the same fields as 
the reverse payout tables 146a-146c of the prior embodiments, and the same 
individual pay combinations. The reverse payout table 146d of FIG. 3d, 
however, represents an embodiment where the player makes the five coins 
available (i.e. slot machine 100 does not reduce the players credit 
balance by the amount of the wager before each play). 
During normal payout mode, the slot machine 100 provides a normal payout 
display 400, as shown in FIG. 4a, on the video display area 138. The 
normal payout display 400 includes a pay combination field 410 which 
displays normally winning pay combinations. The normal payout display 400 
also displays payout information for each pay combination. Specifically, 
in the present embodiment, the payout display 400 includes three fields of 
payout information, each directed to a different number of coins wagered. 
The "1ST COIN" field 420 includes the number of coins awarded when one 
coin is wagered, as indicated in field 212 of the normal payout table 
128b. Similarly, the "2ND COIN" field 430 includes the number of coins 
awarded when two coins are wagered, and the "3RD COIN" field 440 includes 
the number of coins awarded when three coins are wagered. 
FIG. 4d is a plan view of slot machine 100 in normal payout mode. Slot 
machine 100 is configured for normal play as is illustrated by the normal 
payout display 400 displayed in video display area 138. 
During reverse payout mode, the slot machine 100 provides a reverse payout 
display 401, as shown in FIG. 4c, on the video display area 138. The 
reverse payout display 401 includes a pay combination field 411 which 
displays normally winning pay combinations and the oOthero pay 
combination. The reverse payout display 401 also displays payout 
information for each pay combination. Specifically, in the present 
embodiment, the payout display 401 includes three fields of payout 
information, each directed to a different number of coins wagered. The "5 
COINS" field 421 includes the number of coins awarded when five coins are 
wagered, as indicated in field 332 of the reverse payout table 146c. 
Similarly, the "10 COINS" field 431 includes the number of coins awarded 
when ten coins are wagered, and the "15 COINS" field 441 includes the 
number of coins awarded when fifteen coins are wagered. 
FIG. 4b is a plan view of slot machine 100 in reverse payout mode. Slot 
machine 100 is configured for reverse play as is illustrated by the 
reverse payout display 401 displayed in video display area 138. 
The operation of the present embodiment will now be described with 
reference to FIGS. 5a and 5b, and with continuing reference to FIGS. 1-3d. 
In a typical scenario, a player plays a slot machine 100, shown as step 
502, using the normal payout table 128b. 
While playing the slot machine 100 in normal payout mode, the player may 
accumulate credits on the slot machine 100 by hitting one or more 
jackpots. Having hit a jackpot and accumulated credits, shown in step 504, 
a player may decide that his or her "luck has run out" or the machine has 
8gone cold.o Rather than terminating play, the player may elect to switch 
to a reverse payout mode in an attempt to exploit his or the machines 
perceived bad luck. Thus, in step 506, the player selects reverse payout 
mode on the payout selector 144 of the slot machine 100. The CPU 110 
receives a signal from the payout selector 144 in step 508 and accesses 
the reverse payout table 146c. Payout selector 144 could also select from 
among a set of possible reverse payout tables 146a-d, allowing the player 
a choice of different payout structures. Payout selector 144 may also be 
triggered automatically by slot machine 100. For example, after winning 
two jackpots with normal payout table 128b, the game may automatically 
switch to reverse payout table 146c, or at least indicate to the player 
that the option is available. Having accessed the reverse payout table 
146c, the CPU 110 causes a reverse payout display 401 to be displayed on 
the video display area 138 in step 510. Alternatively, the information of 
reverse payout table 146c could be displayed on the belly glass of the 
slot machine along with the normal payout information as is customary for 
slot machines. 
As further described in FIG. 5b, the player then proceeds to initiate play 
of the slot machine 100 in the reverse payout mode. Specifically, in step 
512, if the player has accumulated credits on the slot machine 100, then 
the player selects the number of coins to wager. Before continuing, the 
CPU 110 determines whether the player has enough accumulated credits 
stored to cover all potential losses, as indicated in the Player win/loss 
field 336 of reverse payout table 146c. For example, if the maximum 
possible loss is ninety-nine coins, then the player must deposit or make 
available funds equivalent to the value of the ninety-nine coins. In one 
embodiment, the player merely deposits enough coins in the coin acceptor 
148. CPU 110 registers how many coins have been wagered. In step 514, the 
player presses the starting controller 122 or pulls a handle (not shown) 
to initiate the random number generator 120 and the spinning of reels 132, 
134, 136. 
As shown in step 516, the results from random number generator 120 and the 
probability table 126 may initiate CPU 110 to display a normally winning 
outcome, such as "CHERRY-CHERRY-CHERRY" on the reels 132, 134, 136. If 
such a normally winning outcome occurs, then, in step 518, the slot 
machine 100 decrements the player's stored credits based on the reverse 
payout table 146c. Decrementing the player's stored credits involves the 
CPU 110 accessing the reverse payout table 146c. CPU 110 proceeds to 
correlate the outcome, "CHERRY-CHERRY-CHERRY", to the 
"CHERRY/CHERRY/CHERRY" pay combination in the pay combination field 330, 
and to the corresponding loss of five coins in the Player win/loss field 
336. Thus, in step 518, the CPU 110 adjusts the stored credits 
accordingly. 
Another possibility, based upon the random number generator 120 and the 
probability table 126, is that a normally losing outcome, such as 
"PLUM-BELL-ORANGE" may appear on the reels 132, 134, 136. The occurrence 
of a normally non-winning outcome is shown as step 520. If such a normally 
non-winning outcome occurs then in step 522, the slot machine 100 
increments the players credits based on the payout information in the 
reverse payout table 146c. Specifically, the CPU 110 accesses the reverse 
payout table 146c to identify the Player win/loss amount 336 corresponding 
to the particular outcome and pay combination. The CPU 110 proceeds to 
adjust the stored credits accordingly, in this example adding six coins to 
the players credit balance. 
Regardless of whether a normally winning or normally losing outcome occurs, 
in step 524 the player decides whether or not to continue playing in the 
reverse payout mode. If the player decides to continue playing in a 
reverse payout mode, then the operation continues from step 512. On the 
other hand, a player may decide not to continue playing in the reverse 
payout mode. For example, a player may perceive his or her luck is 
improving or that the slot machine 100 is "due to hit" or ogetting hot.o 
Thus, in step 526, rather than leaving the machine, the player uses the 
payout selector 144 to select normal payout mode. 
In an alternate embodiment, the slot machine 100 includes only the reverse 
payout table 146c and not the normal payout table 128b. With such a slot 
machine 100, the normally winning outcomes, although not identified in any 
normal payout table, are typically pre-determined and identified to the 
player in the form of a display. As in the previously described 
embodiment, the embodiment having only a reverse payout table will prevent 
a player from stopping play or leaving the casino based on perceived bad 
luck. In such an embodiment, the slot machine operates as described above 
with reference to steps 512-524 of FIG. 5b. 
An alternate embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS. 6-11, 
and with continuing reference to FIGS. 1-3d. In general, the embodiment to 
be described allows a player to wager on the play of a slot machine in 
reverse payout mode without relying solely on credits stored at or coins 
deposited into the slot machine 100. Instead, the player uses a player 
tracking card that identifies a credit balance stored by a slot network 
server. The information stored by the server may include a credit balance, 
a credit card number, a complimentary points awarded total, and the like. 
This information is used as a source of funds or points for a player to 
wager. 
More specifically, such an embodiment includes multiple slot machines 100 
in communication with a slot network server 600 via a conventional local 
area network (slot network) 602. The slot network 602 is controlled by the 
slot network server 600. It is to be understood that communication between 
each slot machine 100 and the slot network server 600 may also occur 
across a wireless network or Internet connection. A cashier terminal 612 
is also coupled to the slot network server 600. 
As will be discussed in greater detail below, each slot machine 100 
communicates outcome data to the slot network server 600. As used herein, 
outcome data includes all game activity-related information, which is 
being passed from a slot machine 100 to the slot network server 600. In 
the present embodiment, such outcome data includes the Number of coins 
wagered, the Player win/loss amount, and the position of the reels 132, 
134, 136 on the slot machine 100. Thus, outcome data includes any given 
outcome and the payout information for that outcome. As discussed below, 
in an alternate embodiment, such outcome data also includes an indication 
of which payout mode, either normal or reverse, the slot machine 100 is 
operating in. It will be understood that the position of the reels 132, 
134, 136 and the payout information are essentially alternate 
representations of the same data. 
Because each slot machine 100 has a unique machine identification (ID) 
number, the slot network server 600 is able to distinguish the outcome 
data as being sent from a particular slot machine 100 and to store the 
outcome data with reference to that particular machine 100. 
To facilitate the communication between a player, the slot machine 100 and 
the slot network server 602, a casino typically issues a player tracking 
card containing player identifying information. Such identifying 
information can be any information that uniquely identifies a player to 
the system and, in the present embodiment, includes the player 
identification (ID) number. The identifying information is preferably 
stored on a magnetic strip on the player tracking card. 
The player tracking card reader 166 reads the player identifying 
information from the player tracking card and communicates the information 
to the CPU 110, which in turn communicates the identifying information to 
the slot network server 600. Because the player identifying information 
uniquely identifies a given player, the slot network server 600 is able to 
access information associated with that player, such as a credit balance. 
With reference to FIG. 7, the slot network server 600 will now be described 
in greater detail. Like the slot machine 100 of FIG. 1, the slot network 
server 600 has a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 710. The CPU 710, which has 
a clock 712 and operating system 714 associated therewith, executes 
instructions of a program stored in either Read Only Memory (ROM) 720 or 
Data Storage Device 740. During execution of the program instructions, the 
CPU 710 temporarily stores information in the Random Access Memory (RAM) 
730. 
In order to communicate with the cashier terminal 606, the slot network 
server 600 also includes a communication port 750. The communication port 
750 is coupled to the CPU 710, as well as to the slot machine network 602 
and the cashier terminal 606. Thus, the CPU 710 can control the 
communication port 750 to receive and transmit information from each slot 
machine 100, and the cashier terminal 606. 
Additionally, the CPU 710 is coupled to a data storage device 740, having a 
transaction processor 742, a casino player database 744, a session 
database 746, a terminal database 748, and a slot machine database 749. In 
general, the transaction processor 742 manages the contents of the data 
storage device 740, and may comprise a dedicated processor, or a portion 
of the function of processor 710. 
In general, the casino player database 744 of the present embodiment, as 
shown in FIG. 8, includes multiple records having multiple fields of 
information related to player identification. Specifically, the player 
database 744 comprises multiple records, each record being associated with 
a particular player, as identified by a player identification (ID) number. 
The fields within each record include: name 7440, player ID number 7442, 
player address 7443, credit card number 7445, credit balance 7446, 
complimentary information 7447 (such as complimentary points accumulated), 
and player status rating 7449. Having information related to one field, 
such as player ID number 7442, allows the slot network server 600 to index 
all information stored in the other fields of that player's record. 
It is to be understood that for purposes of the present embodiment, only 
the player ID number field 7442, and the credit balance field 7446 are 
necessary. The remaining fields are merely representative of additional 
information that may be stored and used for other purposes in the present 
embodiment. For example, credit card number 7445 is used for billing 
purposes and address 7443 is used to mail casino promotions to players to 
incent them to return to the casino. 
The slot machine database 749 relates to information concerning particular 
slot machines 100. As illustrated in FIG. 9, each slot machine 100 has an 
associated record in the database identified by a machine ID number, as 
stored in the machine ID number field 7491. The other fields in the slot 
machine database 749 include: player ID number 7492, payout 7494, amount 
wagered 7497, payout mode 7498, and payout table identifier 7499. 
Having thus described the components of the present embodiment, the 
operation of the system 604 will now be described in greater detail with 
reference to FIG. 10, and continuing reference to FIGS. 1, 2a-c, 3a-d, 5a, 
5b and 6-9. It is to be understood that the programs stored in ROM 720 of 
the slot network server 600 and ROM 116 of the slot machine 100 provide 
the function described below. 
The process of adding funds to the player's credit balance 7446 will now be 
described with reference to FIG. 10. Initially, in step 1010, the player 
goes to a casino cage or slot booth and presents the player tracking card 
to a casino employee. The casino employee proceeds, in step 1020, to read 
the player identifying information, namely the player ID. The casino 
employee then enters the player ID and the amount of funds being deposited 
by the player into the cashier terminal 606. Alternatively, the player 
provides a credit card number to which any losses can be charged by the 
casino. 
In step 1030 the cashier terminal 606 transmits the player ID and the 
amount of funds deposited to the slot network server 600. Once the server 
600 receives the player ID and the amount of funds deposited, the server 
CPU 710 causes the transaction processor 742 to access the casino player 
database 744. More specifically, the transaction processor 742 searches 
the casino player database 744 for the record containing the received 
player ID in the player ID field 7442. Having thus located the appropriate 
record, in step 1040, the transaction processor 742 increments the credit 
balance field 7446 by the amount of funds deposited. Once the player 
database 744 has been updated, the player takes the player tracking card 
back from the casino employee in step 1050 and proceeds to the slot 
machine 100. 
The player does not have to use cashier terminal 606 to add money to credit 
balance 7446. Instead the player may provide money or account data 
directly into slot machine 100, which in turn transmits the credit data to 
slot server 600. In such embodiments, the slot machine 100 could be 
equipped with either a smart card or credit card reader. The player is 
making these funds available such that any losses sustained while playing 
the reverse mode on the slot machine 100 will be covered by those funds 
prior to the actual loss. Initiation of play will now be described with 
reference to FIG. 11 and continuing reference to FIGS. 1, 7, 8 and 9. 
Having thus established a credit balance 7446, the player may initiate play 
of a slot machine 100. The CPU 110 transmits a signal to the slot network 
server 100 indicating funds have been received. 
As shown as step 1110, the slot machine player first inserts the player 
tracking card into the card reader 166. The card reader 166 then proceeds 
to read the player identifying information from the tracking card. The 
player identifying information, namely the player ID, is communicated from 
the slot machine 100 to the slot server 600. Upon receiving the player 
identifying information, the slot server 600 authenticates the 
information. This step, depicted as step 1112, includes the slot network 
server 600 searching the casino player database 744 for a record 
containing the received player ID in field 7442. The server 600 also 
stores the player ID number in the field 7492 of the record in the slot 
machine database 749. Once the slot network server 600 authenticates the 
player identifying information, the server 600 may transmit a signal to 
the slot machine 100 acknowledging such authentication. 
In step 1114, displayed on either display 162 or video display area 138, 
the player selects either normal payout mode or reverse payout mode on the 
payout selector 144. This selection may be prompted by a message from slot 
machine 100. The slot machine 100 also prompts the player to enter the 
amount to be wagered on the upcoming play. Specifically, as shown in step 
1116, the player enters the number of coins to be wagered into the keypad 
164, or, in an alternate embodiment, a touch screen of the video display 
area 138 or use of buttons. The slot machine 100 registers the amount to 
be wagered by the player and stores the value in the RAM 118. 
Having selected the payout mode and entered the amount to be wagered, the 
player presses the starting controller 122 or pulls the handle to begin 
play in step 1118. As discussed above, the slot machine 100 generates an 
outcome based upon a number randomly generated by random number generator 
120, the random number corresponding to a reel combination in probability 
table 126. Once the slot machine 100 generates an outcome, which is shown 
as step 1120, it determines the appropriate player win/loss amount. 
Specifically, in step 1122, the CPU 110 accesses either the normal payout 
table 128c or an appropriate reverse payout table such as 146a or 146d, 
and correlates the outcome to the player win/loss amount as stored in 
fields 226, 326, 346 respectively, depending on the mode of play and the 
appropriate reverse payout table. It should be noted that instead of 
accessing the Player win/loss field, slot machine 100 could access the 
Number of coins awarded field in the appropriate payout table to determine 
the payout to the player. 
The slot machine 100 transmits the number of coins awarded information and 
player ID number to the slot network server 600 in step 1124. Having 
received the Player win/loss amount and the player ID number, the slot 
network server 600 proceeds to update the player's stored credit balance. 
Updating the player's credit balance, shown as step 1126, involves the CPU 
710 directing the transaction processor 742 to access the casino player 
database 744 in order to locate the record containing the received player 
ID number in field 7442. The transaction processor 742 then adjusts the 
value stored in credit balance field 7446 by the received Player win/loss 
amount. 
Once the slot network server 600 has adjusted the player's credit balance 
accordingly, operation of the system 604 may repeat from step 1114 until 
either the server 600 determines the player has insufficient funds stored 
in the credit balance 7446 to play or the player decides to stop playing 
and removes the tracking card from the card reader 166. 
If the player stops playing and desires to cash out, the player merely goes 
to the casino cage or slot booth and presents his tracking card. As with 
the depositing of funds, described above, the server 600 accesses the 
player's record and adjusts the credit balance field 7446. Rather than 
incrementing the credit balance 7446, however, the slot network server 600 
decrements the stored value by the amount dispersed by the casino employee 
to the player. 
An alternate embodiment employing the system 604 will now be described with 
reference to FIG. 12 and continuing reference to FIGS. 1, 2a-c, 3a-d, and 
7-9. In this embodiment, the slot machine 100 does not contain payout 
tables. Instead, the payout tables are stored in the slot network server 
600. As noted above, the slot machine database 749 contains a payout mode 
7498 which identifies what mode of play, normal or reverse, slot machine 
100 is operating in. Furthermore, because the payout tables are stored at 
the slot network server 600, the same payout tables may be used by 
multiple slot machines 100. In such an arrangement, the slot machine 
database 749 would contain a payout table identifier 7499 to a location in 
memory, such as the data storage device 740 or the RAM 730, where the 
appropriate payout table is stored. Thus, the slot machine database 749 at 
least indirectly contains payout information. 
Initially, in step 1200, the slot machine 100 transmits an indication of 
the payout mode selected by the player to the slot network server 600. The 
slot network server 600 stores this indication in the payout mode field 
7498 of that particular slot machine's record in the slot machine database 
749. As with the previously described embodiments, the slot machine 100 
then generates a random number and a corresponding outcome, namely reel 
positions in the present embodiment, in step 1210. In step 1212, the slot 
machine 100, having generated an outcome, transmits the outcome to the 
slot server 600. Along with the outcome, the slot machine 100 transmits 
the amount wagered and the machine ID number so that the slot server 600 
can identify from which machine the outcome originated. 
Once the slot network server 600 receives the outcome and amount wagered, 
it updates the slot machine database 749 in step 1214. More specifically, 
the slot network server 600 accesses the slot machine database 749 and 
updates the record pertaining to the particular slot machine 100, as 
identified by its machine ID number 7491, with the amount wagered 7497. 
After updating the slot machine database 749, the slot server 600, proceeds 
to update the credit balance field 7446 in the player's record having the 
same player ID number in field 7442 as found in the player ID number field 
7492 of the slot machine database 749. The credit balance field 7446 is 
adjusted by the player win/loss amount from the appropriate payout table. 
Specifically, the server 600 determines the payout by retrieving the 
address stored in either the payout mode field 7498 or the payout table 
indicator field 7499. The CPU 710 then accesses the payout table stored at 
the retrieved address in RAM 730 or Data Storage Device 740 and, based 
upon the stored outcome 7493 and amount wagered 7497, retrieves the 
corresponding payout. Accessing the payout table is shown as step 1216. 
The CPU 710 then in step 1218 causes the transaction processor 742 to 
adjust the credit balance field 7446 by the amount of Player win/loss 
7494. 
Once the server 600 determines the player win/loss and adjusts the player's 
credit balance 7446, the server 600 transmits the player win/loss amount 
and the new credit balance 7446 to the slot machine 100 for display to the 
player in step 1220. 
It is to be understood that reverse payout tables other than those shown in 
FIGS. 3a-3d are within the scope of the present invention. Such other 
reverse payout tables include payout schedules which are more or less 
favorable to the player, or schedules which result in a greater frequency 
of positive payouts in exchange for larger losses for the remaining losing 
outcomes and are based on different amounts of coins wagered. 
Alternatively, the present invention can also substitute the use of 
algorithms for reverse payout tables 146a-d. One such algorithm is applied 
to the Player win/loss fields 216,226,236 of normal payout tables 128a-c, 
and may be stored in data storage device 124 or ROM 116 of slot machine 
100. The algorithm takes the normal Player win/loss 216,226,236 as an 
input and returns the corresponding reverse Player win/loss 
316,326,336,346. The algorithm looks like the following: 
1. If the normal player win/loss is a win of greater than five coins, then 
the reverse player win/loss is a loss of five coins. 
2. If the normal player win/loss is a win of between zero and five coins, 
then the reverse player win/loss is a loss of two coins. 
3. If the normal player win/loss is zero or a loss of some number of coins, 
then the reverse player win/loss is a win of one coin. 
Another algorithm takes the Number of coins awarded 212,222,232 of one of 
the normal payout tables 128a-c as an input and returns the Player 
win/loss 316,326,336,346 of one of the reverse payout tables 146a-d. 
1. If the normal Number of coins awarded is greater than zero, then the 
reverse Player win/loss is a loss of one fewer coins. 
2. If the normal Number of coins awarded is equal to zero, then the reverse 
Player win/loss is a win of one coin. 
The above described payout results may also be produced by altering the 
probability of each pay combination as depicted in any of the normal 
payout tables 128a-c. In this manner, pay combinations with high or medium 
payouts have their probability of hitting lowered, while pay combinations 
of low end payouts have their probability increased. 
Another way to shift the odds in favor of the house is to alter the 
probabilities of the outcomes. Specifically, the probability table 126 is 
adjusted so that normally winning outcomes, which result in a loss to the 
player, are more likely while normally non-winning outcomes, which result 
in a payout to the player, are less likely while in reverse payout mode. 
It is to be understood that the normal payout tables 128a-c and the reverse 
payout tables 146a-d may include some of the same Player win/loss amounts. 
For example, in an alternate embodiment using the reverse payout tables of 
FIGS. 13a and 13b, the payout for the least likely outcome (and the 
highest jackpot)--"7-7-7"--is positive in both the normal payout tables 
128a-c and reverse payout tables 1300a-b. By retaining the highest 
positive win in the reverse payout tables 1300a-b, players will be further 
encouraged to play the slot machine 100 in reverse payout mode knowing 
that winning the highest jackpot is still possible. Further in this 
regard, it is within the scope of the present invention to make other 
jackpots available in the reverse payout table 1300 and to make one or 
more jackpots available in any of the reverse payout tables described 
herein. 
It is also to be understood that embodiments in which players make 
nonmonetary wagers are also within the scope of the present invention. 
Thus, in one embodiment, a player wagers complimentary points, as stored 
in the "COMP.INFO" field 7447 of the casino player database 744. Such an 
embodiment operates similar to the system 604 described above with the 
exception that the payouts relate to complimentary points, not coins, and 
the "COMP.INFO" field 7447, not the credit balance field 7446, is adjusted 
based upon the payouts. Upon a player cashing out, the casino could 
convert the accumulated complimentary points into any kind of award, 
including free hotel rooms, dinners, tickets to shows, free plays on a 
gaming device, money, and the like. 
In an embodiment in which the gaming device is a video poker machine, card 
values represent the outcome display instead of reel symbols. In this 
game, the player receives five cards and then has the option to draw five 
new cards. The resulting completed hand is paid according to a payout 
schedule that typically rewards rare hands such as a royal or straight 
flush with a large coin award. Hands like a full house or flush receive 
medium payouts while a small pair or no pair hand generally earns the 
player no payout at all. In a reverse payout table, players are rewarded 
for low value hands. Much like lowball poker, the player is rewarded for 
having the worst hands. 
Although the present invention has been described in terms of certain 
preferred embodiments, other embodiments that are apparent to those of 
ordinary skill in the art are also intended to be within the scope of the 
present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is 
intended to be limited only by the claims appended hereto.