Patent ID: 8449387

Claim:
A gaming system, comprising: a first gaming machine including a first wager input device for receiving a first wager input from a first player for playing a first wagering game, and at least one first display operable to display a first outcome of said first wagering game and a first standard pay table therefor, said first outcome being randomly selected from a first plurality of outcomes, said first plurality of outcomes including at least one first progressive-eligibility outcome for a progressive jackpot, said progressive jackpot being associated with said first wagering game, said first progressive-eligibility outcome allowing said first player to be eligible for potentially winning said progressive jackpot; and a second gaming machine including a second wager input device for receiving a second wager input from a second player for playing a second wagering game; and at least one second display operable to display a second outcome of said second wagering game and a second standard pay table therefor, said second outcome being randomly selected from a second plurality of outcomes, said second plurality of outcomes including at least one second progressive-eligibility outcome for said progressive jackpot, said progressive jackpot also being associated with said second wagering game, said second progressive-eligibility outcome allowing said second player to be eligible for potentially winning said progressive jackpot; and wherein, in response to said first outcome at said first gaming machine being said at least one first progressive-eligibility outcome, and entirely independent of said playing of said second wagering game at said second gaming machine, said first standard pay table is converted to a first progressive pay table for said progressive jackpot at said first gaming machine but not at said second gaming machine, said first standard pay table and said first progressive pay table having at least one common winning symbol combination of one or more first winning symbol combinations; and wherein, in response to said second outcome at said second gaming machine being said at least one second progressive-eligibility outcome, and entirely independent of said playing of said first wagering game at said first gaming machine, said second standard pay table is converted to a second progressive pay table for said progressive jackpot at said second gaming machine but not at said first gaming machine, said second standard pay table and said second progressive pay table having at least one common winning symbol combination of one or more second winning symbol combinations.