Abstract: Pair 9 Poker Plus is a card game wherein a five card hand is dealt and a single card discard made such that a first and a second two card hand remains of the selected four cards to be held by a player. Wagers and payouts in physical items are provided for which may be electronic, currency or virtual currency that are validated, and, if accepted, establish credit for game play and are likewise utilized for payout. The first two card hand is ranked according to poker and so a pair of aces is high and the second two card hand is ranked according to baccarat rules where a ten, jack, queen or king are zero, the tens digit of the sum of two cards is not part of a point value and so a nine is the highest ranking hand by point value. A virtual dealer uses artificial intelligence from memory stored game rules to make a choice of discard and first and second two card hands to play.

Abstract: An example game system includes a game apparatus, an operating device, and a hand-held device. The game apparatus receives first operation data from the operating device and second operation data from the hand-held device, and performs a predetermined game control process. Furthermore, the game apparatus generates a first game image of a virtual game space representing a result of the game control process, based on a first virtual camera, and the game apparatus also generates a second game image based on a second virtual camera. The first game image is outputted to a first display device provided independently of the hand-held device. The second game image is outputted to a second display device of the hand-held device. Moreover, the game apparatus performs as the game control process a process for controlling a position of the second virtual camera based on the first operation data and an attitude of the second virtual camera based on the second operation data.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated game with five subsystems: (i) electronic spell-casting system, (ii) card game system, (iii) user-created card system, (iv) system for replacing the use of dice and/or random number generation; and (v) board game system. Spell-casting system provides a physical input mechanism, e.g., sensor-equipped “magic wand”, and a verbal input mechanism which together trigger a spell. Cards form formations affecting their powers and are marked as “spent” by being placed under another card. Users create their own cards through a Web-accessible site. Random number (generated by computer or dice) usage is replaced by “challenges,” i.e., player-performed tasks. Chess pieces follow standard rules but are deployed one-by-one, as are squares of the chess board. Licensing information is available through www.inventerprise.com.

Abstract: Systems and methods to update virtual trading card characteristics are described. In some embodiments, a method initiates a game played with multiple virtual trading cards, each of which represents a real-world character. Initial characteristics of each virtual trading card are determined based on historical performance data associated with the real-world character. Current performance data is accessed for each real-world character. The characteristics of each virtual trading card are updated based on the current performance data for the represented real-world character. The game is played based on the updated characteristics for the multiple virtual trading cards.

Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for allowing players at wagering game terminals to select entire sets of bonus games instead of a single bonus game upon occurrence of a certain randomly selected basic game outcome. One or more of the bonus games or sets of bonus games may be temporarily unavailable or “locked” to the player. The player may unlock the bonus games or sets of bonus games by acquiring certain game assets, reaching certain game milestones, and/or exceeding certain wagering levels. The unlocked games may reveal credits, prizes, progressives, basic and/or bonus game updates, or additional bonus games, some of which may also be locked. The updates and additions may already be present in the wagering game terminals or they may be downloaded from a central location. The player may retain the locked and unlocked statuses of the bonus games across multiple wagering game sessions and/or wagering game terminals.

Abstract: Systems and methods for wagering on game outcomes allow a player to wager on game outcomes resulting from linked gaming devices linked to a primary gaming device being played by the player. A primary game display shows game plays and outcomes and allows wagering on a primary game and a linked game display shows game plays and outcomes and allows wagering on linked games. Both the primary and linked gaming devices may be the same type of gaming device, or they may be two different types of gaming devices, such as gaming devices for playing slot games, card games, keno, and the like. Further, either or both of the primary and linked games may allow bonus game outcomes resulting in a bonus game having bonus game awards.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively updating remote devices is described herein. A method incorporating at least some of the present teachings may include, for example, receiving a communication from a client application executing on a remote device. The communication may indicate a condition of a game character being played in a massively multi-party online game. The method may also include developing a filtered manifest that includes a list of files needed by the client application and associated with the condition. A portion of the collection may be identified for communication to the client application, and communication of the portion may be initiated.

Abstract: The gaming system that includes a first gaming machine operated by a first player, wherein the first gaming machine is configured to present a game to the first player upon receipt of a wager from the first player, and a second gaming machine operated by a second player, wherein the second gaming machine is configured to present the game to the second player upon receipt of a wager from the second player. The gaming system further includes a processor programmed to receive, from the first player, a request to execute a game play event, and in response to receiving the request to execute the game play event from the first player, execute the game play event for the first player and the second player.

Abstract: A gameplay notification system receives gameplay indications and notification configuration information from a gameplay system. The gameplay indications and configuration information are stored in a platform queue corresponding to a client device platform type. Further configuration information may be received from various gameplay devices of a user. The notification configuration information is analyzed by the gameplay notification system to schedule transmission of gameplay notifications to various client device platform types. The notifications are sent to the corresponding client devices according to frequency, day of the week, and notification states, among other configuration settings, that pertain to a user and the user's corresponding client devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention operate a controlled entity hybrid game. A controlled entity hybrid game includes a real world engine constructed to provide a randomly generated payout of real world credits from at least one wager in a gambling game, an entertainment software engine constructed to execute an entertainment game providing outcomes based upon a player's skillful execution of the entertainment game; and a game world engine constructed to manage the entertainment software engine and communicate, to the gambling game, a gameplay gambling event occurrence based upon a player's instruction of a controlled entity to consume an element of the entertainment game that triggers a wager in the gambling game, and change the element on the basis of the randomly generated payout and an entertainment game variable.

Abstract: A system and method manages an electronic gaming environment. The gaming environment includes at least one gaming device. The system includes a database and a computer coupled to the database. The database stores system and user account data for at least one user and establishes a default language for the system. The computer is networked to the device. A user interface, associated with either the computer or the gaming device identifies a user, interacts with the user, and provides access to the system as a function of the identity of the user. The user interface is displayed in (a) in a preferred language of the identified user or (b) in the default language of the system if no preferred language is specified.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement a slot machine (or other game) with a skill element. After reels on the slot machine are spun (or cards are dealt; wheel is stopped, etc.) a potential award is computed (e.g., a main game outcome is determined and a potential prize is displayed that can be won) based on the symbol combinations present on active paylines (or cards dealt, etc.) Then a skill element is presented to the player wherein the player uses hand-eye coordination, timing and dexterity to employ mechanical skill to stop a moving icon in order to maximize the player's award. Once the icon is stopped, a percentage is determined based on a location of the stopped icon, and this percentage is applied to the potential award to determine the actual award. The actual award is then awarded to the player.

Abstract: A game system which enables a host player to progress a game in collaboration with guest players is provided. The host player progresses the game by moving a party, including a plurality of player characters, on a field. When the party arrives at a predetermined point on a predetermined field, a battle with an enemy character is started. When a player character of the party becomes inoperative in the battle, a player character of a guest player may be substituted for the inoperative player character by sending a support request to the guest player. Although there is a time limit that the player character of the guest player may participate in the battle, the time limit may be extended when the corresponding player character achieves a predetermined condition in the battle.

Abstract: In electronic video poker games, the contents of the deck after the deal of an initial set of cards may be modified to increase or decrease the likelihood of awards when compared to an unmodified deck. Cards may be added, removed, or reordered to alter winning probabilities after an initial set of cards are dealt. In a video poker game embodiment dealt from a standard 52-card deck, when the player holds cards of a single rank (a pair, three-of-a-kind, or four-of-a-kind), the game dynamically adds one or more cards of the held rank to the deck to enable the player to potentially achieve five-of-a-kind.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring consecutive games of roulette played at a live roulette gaming table. The table includes a table layout, a roulette wheel and a chipper machine for sorting and counting betting chips. During each game, players bet on a spin of the roulette wheel by indicating bets on the table layout with the chips. Chip count data from the chipper machine along with game activity data from one or more gaming table monitoring systems is recorded and processed by a table computer to identify at least one game delineation event and associated timing information. The chip count data is analyzed based on the timing information for game delineation event: and then portions of the chip count data are assigned to respective roulette games. The recorded data may be later analyzed to determine a range of performance characteristics including optimization characteristics, and/or immediately communicated to the table operators.

Abstract: Embodiments for a system and method for establishing a plurality of MMA fantasy leagues to a plurality of participants utilizing an automated web-based platform are disclosed. In each embodiment, participants register into the web-based platform in order to create or join a fantasy league organized to play an MMA fantasy fighter game in accordance with game rules, including scoring metrics based on the outcomes of real-world MMA fight events; holding period, transactional (add/drop), or fight quantity restrictions; a predefined course of time; and a predefined method of victory. Participants can draft fighters from real-world MMA fighters to create fantasy teams. Depending on embodiment, league winners may be determined by total points scored throughout the season or just during a final playoff period.

Abstract: An example game system includes a game apparatus, an operating device, and a hand-held device. The game apparatus receives first operation data from the operating device and second operation data from the hand-held device, and performs a predetermined game control process. Furthermore, the game apparatus generates a first game image of a virtual game space representing a result of the game control process, based on a first virtual camera, and the game apparatus also generates a second game image based on a second virtual camera. The first game image is outputted to a first display device provided independently of the hand-held device. The second game image is outputted to a second display device of the hand-held device. Moreover, the game apparatus performs as the game control process a process for controlling an attitude of the first virtual camera based on the first operation data and a position of the first virtual camera based on the second operation data.

Abstract: A network game system includes a server apparatus and a plurality of video game apparatuses connected to the server apparatus. A party includes player characters of a plurality of players. When the party battles with an opponent character, the server apparatus simultaneously transmits movie playback information to each video game apparatus for starting playback of a movie. Each of the players can skip the movie at a desired timing. A screen is displayed on each video game apparatus that has skipped the movie until the battle starts. When information is received from each video game apparatus that indicates playback of the movie has ended, the server apparatus simultaneously transmits battle start information to each video game apparatus.

Abstract: A method, system, and gaming machine for enabling a group play bonus feature is described. The method comprises networking a plurality of gaming machines, wherein each gaming machine includes a primary game module and a bonus game module. The method then proceeds to determine which of the plurality of gaming machines are qualified for playing the group bonus game. A first qualified gaming machine is selected and a bonus offer is presented to the qualified gaming machine. The bonus offer includes an initial bonus offer that is user selectable, and an alternative random bonus prize that is awarded if the user instruction indicates that the initial bonus offer has not been accepted. After the user selectable instruction is received, a bonus prize is awarded.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the gaming system enables a player to select one or more playing cards from a plurality of playing cards, wherein different playing cards include or are otherwise associated with one or more different symbols. The gaming system then determines if any matches occur amongst the plurality of symbols of a plurality of playing cards (including at least the player's selected playing card(s)). Following such a determination, the gaming system determines and provides zero, one or more awards based on one or more of: (i) which, if any, matching symbols occurred amongst the plurality of symbols of the plurality of playing cards, and (ii) a quantity of symbol matches which occurred amongst the plurality of symbols of the plurality of playing cards.