Patent ID: 8702520

Claim:
A network gaming system, comprising: a server having a plurality of regular games for selection by players of the gaming system, wherein the plurality of regular games are non-tournament games, and a plurality of tournament games for play by the players of the gaming system; a plurality of gaming devices each in communication with the server, each gaming device is configured to: provide game play of a selected regular game upon receipt of a selection of the selected regular game from the plurality of regular games by a player, enter the player into a first tournament game upon receipt of a first tournament wager by the player, and enter the player into a second tournament game upon receipt of a second tournament wager, wherein the first tournament game and the second tournament games are part of distinct first and second tournaments, the first tournament and the second tournament are simultaneously conducted, thereby allowing the player to simultaneously participate in the first and second tournament games, and present the player an option of entering a full tournament mode, wherein game play of the selected regular dame is suspended and dame play of the first tournament game and the second tournament game continues while in full tournament mode, and wherein game play of the regular game, the first tournament game, and the second tournament game continues when not in full tournament mode; and a payout system to award a regular game winning player a regular prize, and to award a tournament winning player a tournament prize.