Patent ID: 7704142

Claim:
A method for facilitating participation in a gaming activity comprising: presenting a gaming activity that includes at least a primary gaming activity in which a first portion of player assets are wagered and at least one bonus activity, the at least one bonus activity enabled upon occurrence of a game event in a grid during the primary gaming activity; receiving an indication to trade player assets for altering the odds of occurrence of the game event in the grid that enables the at least one bonus activity; receiving an identification of a trade value offered by the player, wherein the trade value comprises at least a second portion of the player assets; executing the trade by accepting the trade value offered by the player, and in response altering the odds for occurrence of the game event in the grid during the primary gaming activity relative to odds for occurrence of the game event in the grid during the primary gaming activity without the second portion of the player assets being traded; and presenting the player with a chance to participate in the bonus activity at the altered odds, wherein receiving the indication, receiving the identification, and executing the trade, is implemented in a gaming device.