Patent Publication Number: US-8992307-B2

Title: Secondary game initiated after a loss

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION 
     This application claims priority benefit from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/515,903, filed on Aug. 6, 2011. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     Portions of this disclosure contain material in which copyright is claimed by the applicant. The applicant has no objection to the copying of this material in the course of making copies of the application file or any patents that may issue on the application, but all other rights whatsoever in the copyrighted material are reserved. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic gaming machines (“EGMs”) offer a variety of games such as slot games, video poker games, roulette games, keno games and other types of wagering games that are commonly deployed at a casino for use by players. Play on the EGMs typically requires the player to place a wager on the outcome of a primary game. On many such EGMs, secondary games or bonus rounds are also available after the player qualifies by attaining a certain winning combination or event on or related to the primary game. The player would then enter the secondary game or bonus round where they have an opportunity to win extra game credits, game tokens or other awards. The player automatically enters the secondary game or bonus round upon achieving a winning game outcome, or alternatively, when a bonus symbol appears in a predetermined position on the reels of a slot game (or the game display of another type of game) upon completion of the game. The player may be awarded credits for winning the base game and then additional credits for winning the secondary game. 
     Historically, the format of game play with winning combinations entitling the player to enter a secondary or bonus round have worked well for players and gaming establishments. They generate player excitement and maintain the interest of the player. However, for a player who hits a streak of losses, it may result in the player leaving the game, and possibly the gaming establishment without further play. 
     The present invention is a gaming system and method for offering a second chance to a player. Like other games played on an EGM, the player places an initial wager to play. A random number generator on the EGM generates an outcome and that outcome is displayed on the EGM display to the player. In the event the outcome is a winning combination, the player is awarded a prize in accordance with the EGM pay table. In the event that the outcome is a losing combination, the player is not awarded a prize. However, in accordance with the present invention, the game moves to a second chance where the player is provided additional play and the opportunity to win a prize despite losing on the base game. Eligibility for play of the second chance opportunity may be provided as a function of standard game play, or it may require an optional buy-in wager placed by the player. The optional buy-in may be presented at the beginning of the base game, or at the end of the base game, but before the second chance. It is also possible to offer the secondary game function either through the stand-alone EGM game program, or through a server networked to the EGM, such that multiple players&#39; wagers are pooled together to provide available funding for prizes. A networked game provides greater flexibility in designing the game for payout volatility and prize size. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: 
       For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it functions, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show embodiments of the present invention in which: 
         FIG. 1A  shows electronic gaming machines for playing a game connected to a network controlled by a server; 
         FIGS. 1B-1F  show computing devices for playing a game; 
         FIG. 2A  shows electronic gaming machines for playing a game connected to a network controlled by a server and including a networked secondary game display; 
         FIG. 2B  shows a group of electronic gaming machines on a network connected to a server based system and an external system; 
         FIG. 3  shows a flow chart of game play on an electronic gaming machine with a base game and a second chance game; 
         FIGS. 4  shows a game play sequence of a first game on an electronic gaming machine with a base game and a second chance game; 
         FIGS. 5A-B  shows a game play sequence of an alternative game on an electronic gaming machine with a base game and a second chance game; and 
         FIGS. 6A-B  shows a game play sequence of another alternative game on an electronic gaming machine with a base game and a second chance game. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION: 
     The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Throughout  FIGS. 1-6 , like elements of the invention are referred to by the same reference numerals for consistency purposes. 
       FIG. 1A  shows a group of electronic gaming machines (“EGM”) connected to a central controller. Each EGM  101  is a wagering device that is used in a casino and may be configured to display and play any of a number of different types of games, including but not limited to electromechanical spinning reel type slot games, video reel games, video poker, keno, roulette, craps, blackjack, or any other type of wagering game. 
     A group of EGMs  101  forms a bank that may be connected together for different types of system applications. For example, a group of EGMs  101  may be linked together for bonusing in a variety of ways, including progressive bonuses where a portion of an amount wagered is applied to a progressive meter that advances as additional games are played. It is also common for EGMs in a casino establishment to be connected to systems for player tracking so that the casino can keep track of the amount of play by each individual player. In that case, each player is issued a player tracking device such as a card that is inserted into a card slot  103  on EGM  101  during play. The card identifies the player to the system and all wagered amounts are tracked for loyalty rewards and other marketing programs of the casino. Other systems connecting EGMs  101  are used for accounting purposes so that a casino operator can monitor and track play, and assess performance of EGMs across the entire casino floor. 
     Each EGM  101  has a number of components. A display  105  is used to show game play and resulting outcomes, and may be in the form of a video display (shown), or alternatively, physical reels. Touch screen displays are included on most EGMs and provide a flexible interface for operation of EGM  101 , including displaying symbols  106  during play. Other components include a bill validator and a coin acceptor that are both housed inside EGM  101  into which bills may be inserted through bill slot  107  and coins may be inserted through coin head  108 , respectively. Buttons  109  on the exterior of EGM  101  are used to control certain EGM operations in conjunction with touch screen display  105 . A handle  111  may be used to initiate play of a game and speakers  113  are used to provide sounds in conjunction with game play and other EGM operations. EGMs further include a top box  115  for displaying pay tables, artwork, advertising or other types of information either on fixed glass or on other displays such as an integrated video panel. Top box  115  may be fitted with a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) screen to permit aspects of game play from either a base game or a secondary game to be shown in top box  115 . Meters  117  for tracking credits available for play and other amounts are positioned near the bottom or screen  105 . A coin tray  119  at the bottom of EGM  101  is used to catch coins as they are dispensed to a player. It is also common for EGM  101  to include a ticket-in, ticket-out (“TITO”) component that is part of the bill validator housed inside of EGM  101  that may accept bar coded credits through slot  107  and for which the value of the credits is displayed on meters  117  upon a ticket being inserted. 
     All operational functions of EGM  101  are controlled by a controller such as a microprocessor (not shown) housed in side EGM  101 . The controller executes instructions that include operation of a random number generator (“RNG”) that is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Game outcomes are determined based on the results corresponding to the numbers selected by the RNG. 
     In the system of  FIG. 1A , EGMs  101  are connected to a controller  121  that is used to interface with EGMs  101  to perform a number of different functions, depending on how games on EGMs  101  are configured to operate. For example, controller  121  may instruct EGMs  101  to dispense cash bonuses based on winning events on a networked bonus feature such as a bonus wheel  201  as shown in  FIG. 2A . Controller  121  is a microprocessor based device such as a computer or server that is in two-way communication with each of the EGMs  101  in a multi-device system over a network connection  123 . Controller  121  receives signals from EGM  101  that may indicate any of a number of different types of events occurring on EGM  101 . 
       FIGS. 1B-1F  show a number of general purpose computing devices which may be used to play a game. These figures show a smartphone  171  in  FIG. 1B  which may be an Apple iPhone 4S® as pictured, or any other mobile phone type device. A tablet computer  173  is shown in  FIG. 1C  which may be an Apple iPad 3® as pictured, or any other tablet computing device. A desktop computer  175  is shown in  FIG. 1D  which may be a Lenovo® machine as pictured, or any other desktop computer. A laptop computer  177  is shown in  FIG. 1E  which may be a Lenovo® computer or any other laptop computer. And, a home video gaming device  179  is shown in  FIG. 1F  which may be a Microsoft Xbox® system or any other home video system. Other types of network connected devices could also be used to play games including portable video gaming devices such as a Sony PSP®, a Nintendo GameBoy®, or an internet connected television with a browser or app capabilities. Any of these devices is capable of playing a game, including a wagering game, through an app loaded onto the device or through a website accessible using a browser on the device. In the case of the networked game, payment may be made by credit card, Paypal® or another payment service. The RNG is run securely on a server based system and then delivers the outcomes over the internet to be displayed on the general purpose computing device. 
       FIG. 2A  shows a group of EGMs  101  and controller  121  connected on network  123  along with a bonus device  201 . Bonus device  201  is in the form of a wheel  203  with different potential winning outcome amounts  205  shown on it. Bonus device  201  also includes an indicator  207  to indicate the winning position when wheel  203  comes to a stop. Prize values  209  or other symbols representing different outcomes are shown in the different positions or segments of wheel  203 . It should be understood that bonus device  201  may alternatively be a screen for displaying a bonus indicator such as a wheel or any other indicator representation. Further, bonus device  201  may alternatively be incorporated in the housing of EGM  101  such as in top box  115 , or it may be a separate device situated nearby to EGM  101  and shared by more than one EGM  101  so that it may be displayed prominently for visitors to a casino establishment to see thereby raising the excitement level for the player playing and the other casino customers. Bonus device  201  may take the form of any bonus indicator, a variety of which are known, including but not limited to reels, “pick a prize” reveal type bonus indicators, timers, arrows, etc. Bonus device  201  may also be in the form of a dedicated device specifically designed for a particular type of bonus, such as a wheel. 
     In  FIG. 2A , EGM  101  is shown as a casino gaming device of the type depicted in  FIG. 1A . It should be understood that any one or more of the general purpose computing devices of FIG.  1 B- 1 F—smartphone  171 , tablet computer  173 , desktop computer  175 , laptop computer  177 , or home video gaming system  179  shown in FIGS.  1 B- 1 F—could be placed on a network connected to server based system  221  and used to deliver a game as described herein. For purposes of this specification, reference to one or more EGMs  101  in an environment using a limited access intranet of the type typically found in a casino would also apply to one or more general purpose computing devices with a secure connection to a server over the internet and not involving a physical casino property at all, and which may or may not require a wager or payment to play. 
       FIG. 2B  shows server based system  221  connected to a network with multiple computing devices for playing games. It should be understood that the network shown in  FIG. 2B  operates in a manner similar to the network of  FIG. 2A , except that the computing devices on the network of  FIG. 2B  are connected over the internet  223  with each device  171 - 179  connected over a secure connection  225   a - e  to server based system  221  which connects to internet  223  over network connection  227 . Payments can be made securely over internet  223  using connections  225   a - e , and then delivered to an operator over connection  227 . Similarly, the game is executed on server based system  221  using a secure RNG with the outcomes being delivered to the individual devices  171 - 179  over internet  223 . Alternatively, the game software or a portion of it may be resident and executed on each device  171 - 179 . Wagers by players and payments to players may be made using accounts set up with an operator of a website on which the games are run. 
     It will be understood that the type of network over which data is communicated can be one of several different types of networks. These networks include a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), an intranet or the Internet. Other proprietary networks could also be used without departing from the principles of the invention. This would include such networks as a Windows network or an Ethernet network. 
     For the EGMs and connected networks shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , the game play of the invention follows a sequence of steps shown in the flow chart of  FIG. 3 . The player begins at start  305  and places a wager  310  to initiate play on EGM  101 . The wager may be a single wager that allows the player to play a base game and be eligible for a secondary game. Or, the wager may have two components, a first base game wager permitting the player to play the base game and a second, optional wager, for the player to be eligible for participation in the secondary game, depending on the outcome of the base game. 
     Once the wager or wagers are placed, a base game RNG is selected  315  and the corresponding outcome for the base game is displayed  320 . The base game outcome may be either a winner or a loser and that determination is made at step  325 . If it is a winner, the player is awarded the appropriate prize at step  330 , usually in the form of credits added to a credit meter that is one of meters  117 . Once the award is made, the player is returned to the step of placing a wager  310 . 
     In the event that the outcome of the base game is a loser, the player is offered the opportunity to initiate a secondary game. Eligibility for the secondary game may be provided in a number of possible ways. First, it may be part of the overall game play with no additional wager being required. Second, it may be contingent on a separate wager at the “place wager” step  310 . Or third, it may be contingent on a separate wager placed at the time of the determination of the outcome of the base game at step  325 . Once eligibility is established, the player is given the opportunity to play the secondary game  335 . A secondary game RNG is then selected  340 , and the corresponding outcome of the secondary is displayed  345 . The secondary game outcome may be either a winner or a loser and that determination is made at step  345 . If it is a winner, the player is awarded the appropriate prize  330 , and returned to begin a new game at the “place wager” step  310 . If the outcome of the secondary game is a loser, the player is returned directly to the place wager step  310  without being awarded a prize. 
       FIG. 4  shows a screen shot of displays  105  and  115  of EGM  101  during play of a base game. In  FIG. 4 , display screen  105  shows symbols  406  representing the outcome of a game on EGM  101 . Once play has ended, it is determined whether the player has won or lost. In the representative display shown in  FIG. 4 , the player has won by lining up  3  aces on pay line  405 . In that case, the game ends, the player is awarded a prize, and the player may start again from the beginning by placing a wager for a new game. The player is not eligible for a secondary game, such as the “Lucky Balls” game that displays lucky balls  410  in top box  115  because the outcome of the base game was not a loser. 
       FIGS. 5A-5B  show screen shots of displays  105  and  115  of EGM  101  during play of a base game and secondary game respectively. In  FIG. 5A , display screen  105  shows symbols  506   a  representing the outcome of a game on EGM  101 . The screen shot of top box  115  shows mystery lucky balls  505   a  that are part of the secondary game. Once representative symbols  506   a  displayed on the reels in  FIG. 5A , the player has lost by lining up three symbols  506   a —a 4 and two jacks—on pay line  510 . In that case, the player may be eligible for the secondary game depending on whether a separate wager is required. If a separate wager is not required, or if a separate wager is required and the player has placed the separate wager, the player is offered the opportunity to start the secondary game. Otherwise, the player is not eligible for the secondary game and may start play again at step  305 . 
       FIG. 5B  shows a screen shot of displays  105  and  115  for the secondary game. The secondary game includes a second spin of the reels which results in three symbols  506   b —all 7s—being lined up on payline  510 . In the “Lucky Balls” embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5A-5B , a set of mystery Lucky Balls  505   a  are activated with bonus amounts to become active as Lucky Balls  505   b . Active Lucky Balls  505   b  slowly descend down display screen  115  and continue down display screen  105  as indicated by the dashed arrow lines  515 . One or more of active Lucky Balls  505   b  may come to a stop and change color indicating that they are chosen. Other forms of indicating one or more chosen winning balls (or other indicators of any shape or size) may also be implemented in the game. The values shown in the winning balls are then added together to generate a prize that is awarded to the player. The non-chosen balls may fade out on the screen, burst or otherwise indicate that they are not chosen. If symbols  506   b  on payline  510  are a losing combination, active Lucky Balls  505   b  do not descend and no secondary game prize is awarded. 
       FIGS. 6A-6B  show screen shots of displays  105  and  115  of EGM  101  during play of an alternative base game and secondary game respectively. In  FIG. 6A , display screen  105  shows symbols  606   a  representing the outcome of a game on EGM  101 . The screen shot of top box  115  shows mystery Egyptian pyramids  605   a  that are part of the secondary game. Once play has ended, it is determined whether the player has won or lost. For the representative symbols  606   a  displayed on the reels in  FIG. 6A , the player has lost by lining up three symbols  606   a —two kings and a 7—on pay line  610 . In that case, the player may be eligible for the secondary game depending on whether a separate wager is required. If a separate wager is not required, or if a separate wager is required and the player has placed the separate wager, the player is offered the opportunity to start the secondary game. 
       FIG. 6B  shows a screen shot of displays  105  and  115  for the secondary game. The secondary game includes a second spin of the reels which results in three symbols  606   b —all queens—being lined up on payline  610 . In the “Egyptian Gold” embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6A-6B , a set of Egyptian pyramids  605   b  are activated with bonus amounts. One or more of the pyramids slowly descends down display screen  115  and continue down display screen  105  as indicated by the dashed arrow line  615 . One or more of the pyramids  605   b  may come to a stop and change color indicating that they are chosen. Other forms of indicating one or more chosen winning pyramids (or other indicators) may also be implemented in the game. The values shown in the chosen pyramids are then added together to generate a prize that is awarded to the player. The non-chosen pyramids may fade out on the screen, blow away in a sandstorm or otherwise indicate that they are not chosen. If symbols  606   b  on payline  610  are a losing combination, the pyramids do not descend and no secondary game prize is awarded. 
     While the invention has been described with respect to the figures, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the secondary game may be a wheel indicator as shown in  FIG. 2A  which may be substituted for the descending lucky balls or Egyptian pyramids shown in  FIGS. 5A-B  and  FIGS. 6A-6B  respectively. In addition, the “Lucky Balls” or pyramids depicted in the figures may be any figure, including a shape, a ball, a balloon, a cube, an animal or creature, or any other icon that may be shown, including an icon or symbol that is part of a theme of the game. Any variation and derivation from the above description and drawings are included in the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.