Hybrid gaming apparatus and method

A gaming device and method for a hybrid game including a coordination/dexterity portion and/or traditional game portion is provided. Preferably, both a coordination/dexterity game and a traditional game are part of a single hybrid game, both of which portions are played using a single display device. In one embodiment, a player first plays a coordination/dexterity game and is given an opportunity to play a traditional game upon the occurrence of certain predetermined or predefined events during play of the coordination/dexterity game. Preferably, game outcome for both portions is controlled by an already-approved controller, such as a traditional game controller.

The present invention relates to a device and method for playing a game 
which is a hybrid of two or more games, and in particular for playing a 
game which is a hybrid of an hand/eye coordination or dexterity game 
preferably with a traditional game. 
BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
Electronic gaming devices and methods have been used for allowing players 
to play both traditional games (such as slot machine games, keno, poker, 
blackjack, and the like) and non-traditional games, particularly a variety 
of action games, such as simulated fighting games, simulated shooting 
games, simulated driving games, simulated sports games, and the like. It 
is believed that attempts to produce hybrids between these two types of 
games have not been fully successful in the past, owing to a number of 
factors. Some previous devices have involved configuring or programming a 
microprocessor-based controller or other controller specifically to 
control both a traditional game and a non-traditional game or have 
involved providing two (or more) controllers, such as one for controlling 
a traditional game and a new controller for controlling a non-traditional 
game. However, in situations in which gaming is regulated, such previous 
approaches have typically required obtaining regulatory approval for the 
new combined controller or the new non-traditional game controller, often 
involving long delays and expense between the time when development on a 
hybrid game begins and the time when it has finally received necessary 
regulatory approval. 
Some hybrid devices essentially positioned two physically separate gaming 
regions adjacent to one another (such as one above the other, one beside 
the other, etc.), and thus involved the cost of producing two separate 
gaming devices in order to play a single hybrid game. Similarly, hybrid 
game costs can be multiplied when controls or input devices are provided 
separately for two portions of a hybrid game. 
Some approaches to hybrid games have appeared to be centered on traditional 
games, e.g., by requiring that a player play the traditional portion of a 
game, such as a slot machine game, first. It is believed that such 
traditional approaches may be limiting in the sense that they are less 
attractive to potential players who are primarily interested in 
non-traditional games. 
Previous approaches to the hybrid game have further exhibited an 
orientation toward traditional games by configuring a game so that an 
action portion of the hybrid game is not activated in response to a 
winning or successful play, but rather is activated after any play of a 
first portion of the game or is activated after a losing play. In some 
cases, play of an action game may be configured to provide a result which 
merely assists or supplements the "main" traditional game, e.g., by 
providing additional chances at the traditional game. 
Accordingly, it would be useful to provide a hybrid game apparatus and 
method which can eliminate or reduce the delay and cost for regulatory 
approval. It would also be useful to provide an apparatus and method which 
can make dual use of some components such as display components, and/or 
input or control components. It would further be useful to provide a 
hybrid game device and method without requiring a player to initially play 
a traditional game. It would further be useful to provide a hybrid game 
which emphasizes a non-traditional game, rather than basing progress to 
another game portion on any play of a first portion or losing play of a 
first portion. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention involves a hybrid game, which includes at least a 
portion that involves skill, such as a hand-eye coordination and/or 
dexterity portion. When both portions of a hybrid game involve regulatory 
approval, such as approval of a controller, preferably a single controller 
(or two substantially identical controllers) ultimately controls game 
outcome with respect to both parts of the hybrid game. Thus, when the 
game-outcome-determining controller has already received regulatory 
approval (e.g., in the context of a non-hybrid game) the time and expense 
involved in regulatory approval in the hybrid game context is reduced. 
Preferably, the game is implemented to permit wagering or gambling, and 
preferably the players' hand-eye coordination or other skill or dexterity 
can influence the payback percentage for at least some payback features of 
the hybrid game. In one embodiment, a second portion of the game cannot be 
played until at least one predetermined event has occurred during play of 
an initial portion of the game. In one embodiment, the initial portion is 
the portion which involves hand-eye coordination and/or dexterity. The 
event or events in the coordination/dexterity game which trigger the game 
of chance may be events whose probability is a function of the player's 
skill, or may be random events or otherwise unrelated to the player's 
skill. 
In one embodiment, the game is implemented on an electronic gaming 
terminal, such as a computer-controlled gaming terminal having a single 
display screen, such that both portions of the hybrid game use the same 
display screen. Although there are two or more portions of the game in 
such a hybrid game, preferably the portions are coupled, such as by having 
a common point or credit accumulation which can be incremented by plays of 
either portion of the game. In one embodiment, at least one control or 
input device is used in playing both portions of the game. 
In one embodiment a virtual map is associated with a coordination/dexterity 
game, such that each of a predefined plurality of actions that the player 
makes, or events which occur, in playing the coordination/dexterity 
portion of the game initiates an underlying traditional game, or game of 
chance, with the traditional game being initiated or selected in 
accordance with the virtual map. 
In one embodiment, the gaming system is configured to accommodate third 
party or side bets on the game, and particularly on a 
coordination/dexterity game or portion of a game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Although the present invention can be implemented using a number of types 
of hardware devices, FIGS. 1A and 1B are provided to illustrate, in 
schematic form, examples of electronic gaming terminals that can be used 
in connection with the present invention. As depicted in FIG. 1A, a 
chassis 102 is provided, which can be used for housing a computer or other 
controller for controlling the electronic terminal. A display screen 104 
is coupled to the controller for providing output to the user, such as 
showing game characters, symbols, background, scores, points, bets, and 
the like. In one embodiment, the display screen 104 is coupled to or 
incorporates a touch screen device for providing input from the user. 
Preferably, wagering inputs are included, such as a coin acceptor 106, 
bill validator 108, and/or credit or other card reader 112. A number of 
devices may be provided for, permitting the user to control or provide 
input to the gaming terminal, such as buttons 114 a, b, c, a slot-machine 
type handle 116, one or more joy sticks 118, cursor or other buttons 122, 
and the like. When the game is configured for play by two or more players, 
additional input and/or output devices may be provided. It is common in 
the gaming industry to provide for electronic gaming terminals, and those 
with skill in the art will understand how to construct and program such 
gaming terminals to implement a game according the present invention, 
after reading and understanding the present description. 
FIG. 1B depicts an embodiment which has two separate and spaced-apart 
displays. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1B, an upper display 105a can 
be used for displaying a traditional game and the second display 105b can 
be used for a coordination/dexterity game. The displays 105a, 105b may be, 
for example, Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) displays. In one embodiment, one of 
the displays such as that used for the coordination/dexterity game 105b, 
is configured for three-dimensional display. In the depicted embodiment, 
each screen 105a, 105b is controlled by a separate controller device 107a, 
107b which may be a microprocessor-based controller such as a processor 
board, personal computer, or the like. Communication links such as cables 
109a, 109b provide for signals between the displays 105a, 105b and 
controllers or processors 107a, 107b. A communication link such as a bus 
or cable 113 accommodates synchronizing game play between the 
coordination/dexterity game displayed on display 105b and the traditional 
game displayed on display 105a. 
Although it would be possible to control both displays from a single 
computer or processor, providing separate processors 107a, 107b is 
believed to facilitate retrofitting older devices (such as 
coordination/dexterity-only games) to provide features of the present 
invention. Preferably, all, or at least some, features of the game which 
require regulatory approval are provided by using a controller which is 
identical, or substantially identical, to a controller which has already 
received regulatory approval. For example, in providing a hybrid game 
which includes a traditional electronic poker game, controlled by a 
controller approved in many jurisdictions, with a non-traditional game 
(such as space travel game of FIG. 3, golf game of FIG. 6 and the like) it 
is preferred to configure the game such that the win/loss outcome of the 
non-traditional game is controlled by the same controller which controls 
the game outcome of the traditional game, and which has, preferably, 
already received regulatory approval. In some cases, it may not be 
feasible to use a controller which is 100% identical to a 
previously-approved controller, e.g., since it may be desired to provide 
modifications for coordinating the traditional and non-traditional games, 
e.g., as described below. Even when the controller that determines game 
outcome of the non-traditional game is not 100% identical to an 
already-approved controller, the benefits of the present invention can be 
enjoyed if there is substantial identity, i.e., sufficient identity that 
the amount of time or expense involved in obtaining regulatory approval is 
reduced, compared to that which would be required for approval of a 
completely new controller. 
Although the embodiment of FIG. 1B depicts the controllers 107a, 107b as 
being located in physically separate locations, coupled by a cable 113, in 
one embodiment, the traditional (approved) controller and the 
non-traditional-game controller may be located physically in the same 
housing and/or on the same printed circuit board (S) or otherwise more 
integrated than shown in FIG. 1B, with the above-described benefits still 
being available if time or expensive regulatory approval for such 
integrated device is reduced. In yet another embodiment, it may be 
possible to provide for first and second separate controllers 107a, 107b 
in which both controllers are identical to, or substantially identical to, 
controllers used for controlling traditional games and which have received 
regulatory approval. In this embodiment, a traditional-game controller may 
be used in controlling a non-traditional game by interposing an output 
converter between the controller 107b and the non-traditional display 105b 
or modifying software or firmware to convert the traditional game output 
so as to control a display associated with a non-traditional game. By 
retaining an approved controller and merely modifying the display while 
retaining game-outcome-determining aspects of the (approved) controller, 
it is believed that regulatory approval for the hybrid game can be 
facilitated. 
FIG. 7 depicts an example of a hybrid game apparatus according to an 
embodiment of the present invention, in block diagram form, in which the 
traditional game is a video poker game and the coordination/dexterity game 
is a simulated golf game. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the apparatus 
includes a display device for the video poker game 702 and a display 
device for the simulated golf game 704, although it is possible to provide 
for embodiments in which both games share the same display device, such as 
a cathode ray tube (CRT) or other display device. A video poker game 
controller 706 controls the display for the video poker game 702 and 
includes an outcome determination device 708 which may be, e.g., a 
computer, microcontroller or similar programmed device and associated 
programming. In the depicted embodiment, at least the outcome 
determination portion of the video poker game controller has been approved 
by a regulatory authority. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, a golf game 
controller 710 is coupled to the simulated golf game display 704 for 
controlling the display. However, the golf game controller 710 does not 
provide for game outcome determination with respect to the simulated golf 
game. Instead, the approved game outcome determination device 708 both 
determines the outcome of the video poker game display (e.g., via 
communication link 712) and determines the outcome of the simulated golf 
game (e.g., via golf game controller 710 and communications links 714, 
716). 
One manner of distinguishing a traditional game from other games is on the 
basis of the types of skill (if any) that may be required. As used herein, 
a coordination/dexterity game includes those in which the ability to 
achieve a desired outcome such as a win of the game or accumulation of 
intermediate points is at least partially determined by how long it takes 
a user to provide a particular input to the game. This ability may be 
generally referred to as dexterity. A particular type of dexterity 
involves an eye coordination dexterity, such as hand-eye coordination 
(although other types of coordination may be provided, e.g., to 
accommodate disabled persons). As one example, in a simulated fighting 
game, if an opposing character is displayed on the screen as throwing a 
punch at a given player's character, the likelihood of a successful 
outcome for that player is related to how quickly that player may provide 
input which will control the player's character to block or duck from such 
punch. In another example, in a simulated driving situation, the 
probability of a successful outcome may depend on how quickly the player 
provides input to veer a simulated vehicle away from a simulated obstacle. 
Thus, in both examples, the player, to be successful must quickly 
coordinate the control or input he or she provides to the gaming terminal 
with what is seen on the display screen. Not all dexterity games 
necessarily require coordination. For example, a dexterity game without 
coordination could involve a player repeatedly pushing a button at the 
highest possible frequency (regardless of visual or other factors). In 
some coordination/dexterity games, success depends on accuracy in some 
sort of aiming decision, such as in a simulated golf or other ballgame. In 
contrast, traditional games, while there may be some amount of skill 
involved, e.g., in selecting which cards to discard in a draw poker game, 
do not require aiming, and do not penalize a player for taking a moment to 
consider, e.g., which cards to discard (within limits). I.e., of two 
players who make otherwise identical poker plays, in a traditional game, 
the slower player is typically not penalized compared to the faster 
player. For purposes of the present descriptions, games or portions of 
games which involve dexterity and/or coordination such as those described 
above, will be referred to as coordination/dexterity games. 
As depicted in FIG. 2, in one embodiment the hybrid game involves two 
portions, one of which is a coordination/dexterity portion; the other, a 
traditional game. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the initial 
portion is a coordination/dexterity portion, and the procedure begins by 
displaying 212 the coordination/dexterity game on the display screen 104, 
to permit the user to play the coordination/dexterity portion of the game. 
Preferably, as the user plays the coordination or dexterity portion, the 
user may accumulate points and/or credits, the total of which is summed by 
the computer or other controller of the gaming terminal 102, and is 
preferably displayed to the user. As used herein, "points" are not 
directly converted to a monetary output (i.e., cannot be directly "cashed 
out"), while "credits" can be directly converted to a monetary output and 
cashed out. In one embodiment, it is only the second portion of the game 
that provides the player with an opportunity to receive monetary rewards, 
i.e. awards credits, such that the function of the first portion of the 
game is to provide users with a chance to continue on to the second 
portion of the game, and thus to an opportunity for monetary prizes. 
As the user plays the coordination/dexterity game, the computer monitors 
the play to detect the occurrence of certain predefined trigger events 
which will permit play of the traditional game. As will be clear to those 
of skill in the art, such monitoring and detecting can be performed in a 
number of ways, the two main categories of procedures for bringing such 
events to the attention of a controller being polling procedures (in which 
the computer repeatedly sends a message to peripheral devices, or performs 
a check on selected memory locations, to determine whether events have 
taken place) and interrupt procedures (in which peripheral devices send 
messages to the computer, in response to occurrence of an event). In some 
embodiments, the trigger event may involve the concurrence of two or more 
items such as receiving a particular type of input from a user at a time 
that a display is being controlled to display a particular type of image. 
For example, one trigger event may be a user providing input to fire a 
simulated laser at a time when a simulated spaceship is within a 
predefined portion of the display screen. Thus, some trigger events may be 
related to normal occurrences during play of the coordination/dexterity 
portion of the game. It is also possible to provide embodiments in which 
trigger events are unrelated to play of the coordination/dexterity game, 
such as passage of a predetermined amount of time, or, e.g., a simulated 
golfball landing on a secret, invisible or moving region or symbol. 
If one of a first class of events is not detected, the procedure returns 
206 to continue play of the coordination/dexterity game 202. Upon the 
occurrence of one or more predefined events or types of events 204, a 
second portion of the game is played. Preferably the second portion 208 is 
a traditional game, such as a game of chance. Preferably the second game 
portion is played without the need for providing a second display device 
104. Although it may be possible to play the second game portion 208 
without generating any display depicting the second portion of the game, 
preferably some type of display depicting the second portion of the game 
is shown on the same display device 104 which was used in connection with 
playing the coordination/dexterity portion of the game. In one embodiment 
the second portion of the game occupies the entire display 104 to the 
exclusion of the coordination/dexterity game. In another embodiment, the 
display which is associated with the second portion of the game occupies 
only a portion or window of the display screen 104, leaving the remainder 
of the screen available for continued display related to the 
coordination/dexterity game. In another embodiment, a second portion of a 
game may involve providing a user with a chance at a progressive or other 
prize, without requiring any input from the user. In this case, the second 
portion of the game may be played, if desired, without providing a display 
or other indication to user that this game is being played. Thus, if 
desired, the hybrid game may be configured so that the user is aware of a 
first portion of the game, but is unaware of the second portion of the 
game unless the player wins a prize. 
A number of types of traditional games can be provided as the second game 
portion, including a slot machine game, a roulette wheel game, a wheel of 
fortune game, a poker game, a keno game, a blackjack game and the like. In 
some cases the second game portion may be configured to play 
automatically, i.e., without requiring input from the user. In other 
cases, such as draw poker, blackjack and the like, the game may be 
configured to accept input from the user related to the second game 
portion. Although it is possible to maintain separate point or credit 
totals for the two portions of the game, preferably, the results from the 
second game portion are used to award points or credits to the player, 
which are added to the total points which are earned during the 
coordination/dexterity game. 
FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment involving a virtual map. In this 
embodiment, a virtual map provides information relating events to points 
or credits. In this embodiment, a first coordination/dexterity game 
display is activated 412 for display on the screen 104. And the user plays 
the coordination/dexterity game using input devices as described above. In 
response to the occurrence of various predefined events 414, a virtual map 
is consulted 416. In one embodiment, a single virtual map is provided, 
which relates each of the possible trigger events to points or credits. It 
is not necessary that the points be related to the degree of success of 
the event. For example, in a simulated basketball game, the player may 
receive 2 credits in response to a three-point shot, and may receive 50 
credits for a missed free throw. 
In another embodiment, different virtual maps are available, and selection 
among the possible virtual maps may be done in a number of fashions. In 
one embodiment, a virtual map is selected in response to a detected level 
of skill of the player (which may be evaluated as described above). Thus, 
virtual maps may be constructed to either enhance of diminish the effect 
of skill on overall odds. Virtual maps may also be selected in a fashion 
unrelated to player skill, such as randomly, in response to the amount or 
type of wager, etc. 
Once a virtual map is selected, the number of credits to be awarded in 
response to the event is known. In one embodiment, it is desired to 
provide a graphic illustration 418 of the award of points to the user by 
displaying an image that may be associated by the user with the award of 
points, such as a display of a simulated slot machine or other game. The 
display of a slot machine need not be accompanied by playing a slot 
machine game, since the result is already determined, based on the virtual 
map. Regardless of whether a game illustration is provided 418, the 
credits specified by the virtual map 416 are awarded 420, and preferably 
accumulated credits or prizes are displayed. 
In the embodiment of FIG. 4, following the award of points 420, a further 
evaluation is performed to determine whether a special outcome of the 
event 414 has occurred. A number of items can be defined as special 
outcomes. In one example, in a simulated fighting game, landing a punch 
may be an event which provides points according to a first virtual map 
416. However, if landing of the punch results in knocking the opponent out 
422, a special virtual map 424 is subsequently consulted and additional 
points are provided. After points are awarded according to a virtual map, 
if it is determined that the game is over 426, the procedure returns to 
the beginning in order to give the player an opportunity to initiate 
another game. Preferably, if the game is over the player is given an 
opportunity to cashout accumulated points 428. If the game is not over, 
the procedure returns to the coordination/dexterity game. 
Although in some embodiments it may be desired to initiate the traditional 
game in response to only certain predetermined ones of possible results, 
in other embodiments, it may be desired to initiate the traditional game 
following each play or action of the coordination/dexterity game. In one 
embodiment, while the traditional game may be initiated following each 
action or play of a coordination/dexterity game, the system may be 
configured such that the results of the coordination/dexterity game, while 
not being used to determine whether or not the traditional game is played, 
may be used to determine the manner in which the traditional game is 
played and/or its level of difficulty or probability of success. In some 
traditional games, the difficulty or probability of success is established 
by data commonly referred to as a pay table. The pay table data may 
establish what percentage of the time traditional-game play will result in 
a win and/or may establish the size of the prize or other reward for 
winning. Thus, in one embodiment, it is possible to use the outcome of the 
coordination/dexterity game to select among a plurality of different pay 
tables. This may be illustrated in the context of a simulated golf game 
(although this feature of the invention can be used in any of a variety of 
different coordination/dexterity games). FIG. 6 depicts a screen that may 
be used in connection with such a simulated golf game in which the screen 
602 depicts, in its lower portion, a view of a portion of a golfcourse 
including regions defined as rough 604a, 604b, fairway 606, sandtrap 608a, 
608b, 608c, green 610 and hole 612. As a player provides input to simulate 
a golf shot, the simulated golfball will land somewhere in the simulated 
golfcourse. According to one embodiment, if the simulated golfball lands 
on a first portion of the simulated course, e.g., the fairway, a 
traditional game, such as electronic slot machine game depicted in the 
upper portion 614 of the screen 612, is automatically played with the 
probability of win and/or type of prize or reward being determined in 
accordance with a first pay table (such as a pay table stored in memory of 
a processor 107a). However, if the golfball lands on a different region of 
the screen such as the green 610, the traditional game 614 will be played, 
but in accordance with a second pay table, different from the first pay 
table, to provide different odds of winning and/or different rewards or 
prizes. If desired, the pay tables may be configured to correspond to 
different regions of the coordination/dexterity portion of the screen 602 
(e.g., using a "virtual map" as described above) in such a way that a 
player who achieves a better (i.e., closer to goal) result in the 
coordination/dexterity game is provided with a better outcome (i.e., 
higher probability of win and/or higher reward). For example, the 
simulated golf game of FIG. 6 may be configured such that the pay table 
corresponding to landing in the sand has a 95% payback, the pay table 
corresponding to landing in the rough has a 96% payback, the pay table 
corresponding to landing on the fairway has a 97% payback, the pay table 
corresponding to landing on the green has a 98% payback and the pay table 
corresponding to placing the ball in the hole has a 99% payback. 
FIG. 3 depicts yet another example of a hybrid game. In the procedure 
depicted in FIG. 3, the gaining terminal 100 is initially configured in an 
idle or "attract" mode in which the screen 104 is controlled to output a 
display intended to invite users to play the hybrid game. Preferably, the 
system is configured to emphasize the coordination/dexterity portion of 
the game by showing an indication of that portion of the game during an 
attract mode 312. 
A user who wishes to play the hybrid game may place a wager 314 (e.g., 
using an input device 106, 108, 112). In one embodiment, a user may wager 
points or credits which were accumulated on the gaming terminal 100 during 
previous play. After the placing of a wager 314, the gaming terminal 100 
displays the coordination/dexterity portion of the game 316. For purposes 
of illustration, the embodiment of FIG. 3 will be described in terms of a 
simulated shooting game with a space travel theme, with the understanding 
that the present invention can involve any of a number of types and/or 
themes of coordination/dexterity games. In this example, during the 
display of the play screen 316, the screen 104 is controlled to display 
images which simulate the movement of various friendly or enemy 
spacecraft, asteroids or other obstacles, and the like. The user operates 
input devices such as joystick 118, buttons 114, 122, and the like, which 
may simulate the firing of various weapons, movement of the user's 
simulated spaceship and the like. 
As the play proceeds, the computer, e.g., via a polling or interrupt 
procedure, receives information about the occurrence of certain events. As 
described below, some events are predefined as trigger events, i.e. event 
which may permit the player to play the second portion of the game. 
Various types of events may be identified. Some events may be events which 
are inputs provided by a user. Such inputs may be inputs which have 
consequences to the outcome of the coordination/dexterity game, such as 
input to fire a phaser 318a, or fire a photon torpedo 318b. Other events 
may be events which are related to play of the coordination/dexterity 
game, but do not have an immediate effect on game outcome or points, such 
as moving the spaceship to a given portion of the screen 318c. Still other 
events may be events which have no relation to ordinary play of the 
coordination/dexterity portion of the game, such as the passage of a 
predetermined amount of time 318d. Although in the embodiment depicted in 
FIG. 3, all three classes of events are used when notifying the computer, 
in another embodiment more or fewer classes of events can be defined as 
potential trigger events (as described below). For example, it may be 
desired to provide a fighting game with multiple characters, and to define 
various regions of the display screen. In one example, if a character is 
positioned over one region, a first event is deemed to occur, and if a 
character is moved over another region, a different event is deemed to 
occur. In another embodiment, it may be desired to declare the occurrence 
of an event at periodic or randomly-selected times during play of the 
first portion of the game. In some embodiments it may be desired to permit 
the user to select or influence which items will be potential trigger 
events, such as by allowing the user to increase the number of potential 
trigger events by increasing the amount of the wager 314. In another 
embodiment it may be desirable to randomly vary the number or types of 
events which are trigger events, e.g., by providing different trigger 
events each time a user initiates game play 314, or to vary the number or 
identity of trigger events during play of the game. If desired, the gaming 
terminal 100 may be configured to output an indication of which trigger 
events are currently active, so that a user may adjust game play according 
to which trigger events are currently active. 
The occurrence of a trigger event 318a to 318e in some embodiments may lead 
unconditionally to play of the second portion of the game. In the 
embodiment of FIG. 3, occurrence of a trigger event 318a results in 
playing the second portion of the game only under certain conditions. 
Although in the example of FIG. 3 only one trigger event 318a is a 
conditional trigger, other embodiments may be provided in which all 
predefined events are conditional triggers, some predefined events are 
conditional triggers, or all predefined events are non-conditional 
triggers. Although FIG. 3 depicts certain types of conditions on trigger 
318a, other embodiments may use only some, all or more conditions for 
triggers or may have different conditions for the different triggers. In 
the embodiment of FIG. 3, after a first trigger event 318a, the game is 
configured to subtract a number of points or credits from the total 322, 
as a cost for taking an action such as firing a phaser 318a. If desired, 
the game may be configured to declare an "end of game" if insufficient 
points or credits are available. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, a 
determination is made whether the result of the trigger event 318a meets a 
predetermined criterion of success 324, such as determining whether the 
simulated phaser which was fired struck a simulated enemy spacecraft. In 
the embodiment of FIG. 3, an unsuccessful first trigger event returns the 
user 326 to the main coordination/dexterity game or screen. If desired, 
the game may be configured to increment the total credits or points in 
response to a successful event. 
In the depicted embodiment, when a user is to be permitted to play the 
second portion of the game, the user may be given an opportunity to make 
an additional wager 326 and, if desired, to affect the odds or pay lines, 
e.g., by making an additional wager 328. In one embodiment, the odds, pay 
lines or pay tables associated with a second portion of the game may be 
selected at least partially in response to an indication of the level of 
skill of the player 332. The level of skill of the player may be indicated 
by a number of items such as the current value of the total points, the 
rate of accumulation of points, the number and/or types of successes 324, 
and the like. In one embodiment it may be desired to adjust odds or pay 
tables in such a way as to enhance winning opportunities or otherwise 
reward particularly skillful players. In another embodiment, it may be 
desired to reduce or minimize the effect of skill on the overall odds by 
providing skilled players with less favorable odds or pay tables for the 
second portion of the game, lest unskilled players be inordinately 
disadvantaged. Thus, in one embodiment, although skilled players may have 
more chances to play the second portion of the game, the overall game 
success may be reasonably close to that of unskilled players, since the 
difficulty of winning the second portion of the game will be increased for 
more skilled players. 
When a user achieves an opportunity to play the second portion of the game, 
the display device 104 is controlled to display a screen appropriate to 
the second portion of the game. In one embodiment, the second portion of 
the game appears in a window of the screen 104. Thus, in one embodiment, 
if a user fires a phaser 318a and strikes an enemy starship, a window will 
open showing, e.g., a simulated slot machine or a poker game, or a 
roulette wheel. In one embodiment, the game portion which is played during 
the second portion of the hybrid game is always the same. In another 
embodiment, different types of game portions may be played during the 
second portion of the hybrid game, such as randomly selecting a second 
portion game from among a plurality of choices, and/or providing different 
second portion games in response to different types of triggers. In one 
embodiment, different second portion games may be displayed either 
sequentially or simultaneously in different windows. For example, in one 
embodiment if a user playing the first portion of the game strikes one 
enemy ship with a phaser and another enemy ship with a photon torpedo, the 
game may be configured to display a roulette wheel in one window and a 
keno table in another window. 
The games from the second portion of the hybrid game may be operating 
simultaneously with the continuing coordination/dexterity game portion, or 
the coordination/dexterity game portion may be suspended until some or all 
of the game second portions are finished. In either case, the second 
portions may be configured to operate automatically (such as a 
slot-machine game in which the simulated wheels are automatically 
spinning) or may require some user input (such as selecting discard cards 
in a draw poker game). 
Preferably, as with typical electronic devices for playing traditional 
games, the results of a second portion are evaluated according to pay 
tables. In one embodiment, a single pay table is provided for evaluating 
any and all second portions. In another embodiment, different pay tables 
are associated with different types of games and/or different trigger 
events. In another embodiment the pay table to be used is selected, 
depending on user input, and/or skill 332. 
The evaluation according to the selected pay table may result in the award 
of monetary output, points or credits. In one embodiment, these are added 
to the total points or credits 337. In one embodiment a user may be given 
an opportunity to cashout accumulated credit 338. Otherwise, the procedure 
returns 342 to the coordination/dexterity portion of the game 316. 
As yet a further example illustrating hybrid games, the following describes 
a portion of a simulated fighting game: 
1. Player inserts one dollar to play the amusement game, which also buys 
100 gaming credits on the game; 
2. Player controls input devices so as to simulate punching a fighter 
displayed on the display screen. The punch costs the player one credit, 
which is deducted from the total. The virtual map in use indicates that an 
award of three credits should be given to the player; 
3. The player controls input devices so as to simulate a kick to another 
character. The kick costs the player one credit, which is deducted from 
the total credits displayed, and the virtual map for this game action 
selects an outcome resulting in an award of zero player credits; 
4. The player lands a punch, which costs the player one credit, but the 
punch knocks the opponent out. The knock-out result has a special virtual 
map which results in awarding the player 100 credits; 
5. The game being over (because the opponent has been knocked out) the 
player can continue to play or can cash out his credits. 
In one embodiment it may be desirable to permit wagering by third parties, 
i.e., so-called side bets, particularly in regard to a play of a 
coordination/dexterity game or portion of a game. In the embodiment of 
FIG. 5, a gaming terminal 100a, such as that depicted in FIG. 1, is 
configured for playing a game involving coordination/dexterity, preferably 
a hybrid coordination/dexterity game as described above. Preferably the 
gaming terminal 100 includes a memory or other recording medium 516 for 
storing a history of at least a portion of the game play 126, e.g., so 
that a user can later review the game play to assure himself or herself 
that proper prizes were awarded. The gaming terminal 100 is coupled to a 
controller 512, such as by a local area network 514. The controller 512 
receives information regarding a play of the game on the gaming terminal 
100a, including, e.g. the accumulation of player points or credits. 
Preferably, controller 512 receives information from the gaming terminal 
100a sufficient to permit the controller to output a display 517, which 
shows the progress of the coordination/dexterity game. In one embodiment, 
the display 517 may be the same display being viewed on the gaming 
terminal 100a. If desired, the controller 512 may be coupled to a 
recording device 518, such as a computer memory or other device for 
recording information so that a player or bettor may review previous play 
to assure himself or herself of the proper award of prizes. Preferably, a 
side bet station 522 is coupled to the controller 512, which includes 
input devices such as coin acceptor 106, currency validator 108, and card 
reader 112, so that third parties, i.e., parties not playing the game on 
the terminal 100a, may place bets on the outcome of the game. In one 
embodiment, the game is configured for play by two or more persons, and a 
second gaming terminal 100b may be provided, either adjacent or remote to 
the first gaming terminal 100a, or a single gaming terminal may be 
provided with input devices for use by two players. Preferably, the gaming 
terminals are coupled together 524, and/or to the controller 514a, 514b in 
such a fashion that the displays on the two gaming terminals 100a, 100b 
may be coordinated, to permit players to play against each other, such as 
by controlling different simulated vehicles in a simulated race, 
controlling different characters in a fighting game, controlling different 
teams in a simulated sports event, and the like. In one embodiment, it is 
desired to avoid or prevent communication between persons playing the game 
on the gaming terminals 100a, 100b and persons who may be placing side 
bets, in order to prevent a coordinated throwing of a game or other 
cheating. Thus, in one embodiment game players are placed in isolation 
booths 526a to prevent such communication. 
FIG. 8 illustrates, in flow diagram form, a hybrid game in which chance 
game pay tables are selected based on skill game portion outcomes. In FIG. 
8, a user plays a skill game portion 802, resulting in any of N possible 
skill game outcomes 804a, 804b, 804c. The game controller, which is used 
for controlling the game of chance, selects a pay table which corresponds 
to the outcome of the skill game 806a, 806b, 806c and the user is then 
permitted to play the chance game 808 with the selected pay table being 
used for determining the probability of winning the prize and/or the size 
of prizes for the game of chance. 
In light of the above descriptions a number of advantages of the present 
invention can be seen. The present invention affords the opportunity to 
play a hybrid game involving a coordination/dexterity portion and, 
preferably, a traditional game portion. While reducing costs, e.g., by 
using a common display screen and/or inputs or control devices, the 
present invention avoids the necessity for requiring players to play a 
traditional game before having an opportunity to play a 
coordination/dexterity game. In one embodiment, the present invention 
provides an opportunity to move to the second portion of the game only 
after the occurrence of predefined events in the first game portion 
(rather than, e.g. after every play performed on the first portion). In 
one embodiment, play of the second portion is permitted only after a win 
or successful event in the first portion, rather than, e.g. providing 
second portion play only in response to a loss in the first portion. 
A number of variations and modifications of the invention can also be used. 
Although the embodiments described above provide for playing a 
coordination/dexterity game before moving to a second portion of the game, 
certain embodiments of the invention can be provided using a traditional 
gambling game as an initial portion such that when a given event occurs in 
the traditional game, an amusement game appears on the same video screen 
which was used for the traditional gaming device. As one example, such a 
game may start with a simulated video slot machine, such that if the 
player receives a result of three red sevens, the player receives 100 
credits, the reels disappear, a fighting scene is displayed on the video 
display device, and a ten-second simulated fight starts. If the player, 
for example, lands three punches and knocks out the opponent, the player 
may be awarded additional credits for these actions, after which the 
fighting game is removed from the screen and the slot machine game appears 
again. If desired, two or more gaming terminals as described may be part 
of a system, such as a system which provides for one or more common 
prizes, in the manner known in the industry as a progressive or a 
wide-area progressive gaming system. Although the present invention has 
been described in the context of a hybrid between a traditional game and a 
coordination/dexterity game, the present invention can also be used in 
connection with other combinations, such as two or more different 
non-skill games, two or more different skill games and the like. 
Although the invention has been described by way of a preferred embodiment, 
and certain variations and modification, other variations and 
modifications can also be used, the invention being defined by the 
following claims.