Patent ID: 8449386

Claim:
A gaming system for conducting a wagering game including a multi-mode bonus event, the gaming system comprising: at least one input device; one or more display devices for displaying a primary wagering game and a bonus event; one or more processors; and at least one memory device storing instructions that, when executed by the gaming system, cause the gaming system to: receive a wager from a player initiating the primary wagering game; initiate the bonus event in response to an occurrence of a triggering event during play of the primary wagering game; prior to initiating the bonus event, detect a selection, by the player, of one of a standard bonus mode of operation and a tournament bonus mode of operation, wherein the selection is independent of the bonus event; execute the bonus event and display a bonus winning outcome of the bonus event; if the standard bonus mode is selected, provide any awards associated with the bonus winning outcome to the player; and if the tournament bonus mode is selected, generate a tournament score corresponding to the bonus winning outcome, and enter the tournament score into at least one tournament event.