Patent ID: 7255644

Claim:
A method of awarding a special prize along with the play of a game of chance, said method comprising the steps of: determining a current special prize winning match value; providing a special prize meter for accumulating point values, said meter having a current special prize meter value; upon generation of an outcome in said game of chance, evaluating said outcome according to criteria; if said outcome comprises a point awarding event, awarding a point value randomly determined or corresponding to said point awarding event, and adding said point value to said special prize meter to determine a new special prize meter value; and comparing said new special prize meter value to said current special prize winning match value; if said new special prize meter value matches or exceeds said special prize winning match value, determining a new special prize winning match value, higher than the current special prize winning match value, the new special prize winning match value replacing and henceforth being the current special prize winning match value; and upon occurrence of a match between said new special prize meter value and said current special prize winning match value, awarding said special prize to said player, wherein said special prize is not awarded if said new special prize meter value exceeds said current special prize winning match value.