Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for providing game features. In a game of chance involving at least one outcome, a plurality of alternative outcomes can be derived for a gaming event, such as when one of the outcomes will provide a payout at or above a certain level. The player is presented with an opportunity to select among the alternative outcomes, without being aware of the particular characteristics or values associated with the outcomes. While the player will only select the outcome having the payout at/above the threshold level a certain percentage of the time, the opportunity can be presented to the player more often, while keeping the mathematical probabilities the same or similar if desired, thereby providing the player with the feeling of getting higher value opportunities more often.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for increasing potential payout opportunities using multiple card indicia representing multiple cards. One embodiment involves determining whether any one or more of a plurality of cards of a poker game having multiple poker hands are to be randomly provided with multiple card indicia representing multiple cards, presenting the plurality of cards of the poker hands, including the one or more of the plurality of cards determined to be randomly provided with multiple card indicia, and identifying a plurality of resulting hands for each of the multiple poker hands that include a multiple card indicia, where each of the plurality of resulting hands includes a different subset of a total of the indicia of the other cards in the respective poker hand and any cards provided with multiple card indicia.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in gaming activities, such as in a slot machine. A first grid comprising a plurality of elements overlayed a second grid comprising a plurality of elements is presented. At least some of the elements of the first grid and the second grid are marked. Marked elements of first grid are then used to form a subportion, the subportion boundary enclosing an area and having a correspondingly marked element of the first grid at each corner. Payouts are issued for marked elements and element combinations of the second grid within the subportion. The payouts may be administered according to a pay table.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for providing a lock and improve feature in gaming devices. Accordingly, a gaming device can be configured to include a video poker game where items associated with cards in poker hand, or card positions where the cards in the poker hand are displayed, can be locked, held, stuck, or otherwise maintained and a secondary game event is played where additional items can be received. The items may provide credits, bonus opportunities, progressives, multipliers, or other types of awards, modifiers, or beneficial game enhancements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for employing techniques used in providing a mid-game enhancement feature(s) in response to a presented subset of virtual cards. Here, a gaming device may involve a video poker game having at least one poker hand with a predetermined number of card positions. During play of the gaming device, cards are dealt to each of the card positions in the poker hand, where it is determined if a minimum win criterion is met after each subset combination of cards is dealt. If a minimum win criterion is determined to be satisfied, an enhancement feature is triggered. Thereafter, additional cards are individually dealt to the remaining card positions in the poker hand.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for implementing bonus features using subsymbols during game play. Accordingly, a gaming device can be configured to randomly overlay or otherwise associate zero, one, or more subsymbols on game symbols used in a game of chance. When subsymbols appear on game symbols that are randomly determined to be part of the game outcome, a bonus feature is triggered that may be used to modify awards provided from the game outcome. The presence of the subsymbols themselves may act as a trigger for a secondary bonus feature or event, or the subsymbols themselves may show random indicia within the subsymbol that provides a bonus modifier or other award.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for providing game features. In a game of chance involving at least one outcome, a plurality of alternative outcomes can be derived for a gaming event, such as when one of the outcomes will provide a payout at or above a certain level. The player is presented with an opportunity to select among the alternative outcomes, without being aware of the particular characteristics or values associated with the outcomes. While the player will only select the outcome having the payout at/above the threshold level a certain percentage of the time, the opportunity can be presented to the player more often, while keeping the mathematical probabilities the same or similar if desired, thereby providing the player with the feeling of getting higher value opportunities more often.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses, and methods for involve or otherwise facilitate a multiple symbol replacement process. Accordingly, a gaming device includes a display having a first game grid and a second game grid, and can be configured to replace at least two symbols in the second game grid, with each of the replaced symbols being in separate game reels that form columns in the second grid, when a predetermined symbol appears in the first game grid as part of a determined game outcome. Alternatively, the gaming device may be configured to replace symbols in the second game grid when a predetermined symbol appears in the first game grid, and replace symbols in the first game grid when a predetermined symbol appears in the second game grid.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for enhancing gaming awards in gaming activities. At least one payout modifier is awarded, and its use is deferred. During the deferment period, the payout modifier is allowed to increase to create an increased payout modifier. An end of the deferral period is randomly determined, and the increased payout modifier is awarded for use in the gaming activity. Embodiments further provide the player an option to keep the originally awarded payout modifier, or to surrender it to allow it to be deferred with potential growth.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for facilitating the configuration of multigame bonuses on independent gaming devices. Accordingly, a gaming device including a display, input device, memory, and processor can be configured to be part of a multigame bonus while not requiring a direct connection to a multigame bonus controller, or to other gaming devices involved in the multigame bonus. This may be accomplished by configuring the gaming device to provide a mechanism for an operator to set up bonus parameters with a specified side wager or bet to be eligible for a particular jackpot prize. Since each gaming device can be independently set up to be part of the multigame bonus, unrelated gaming devices running different primary gaming events with different wager or game characteristics can be part of the same multigame bonus without affecting game play of the primary gaming events.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in gaming activities, such as in a slot machine. A first grid comprising a plurality of elements overlayed a second grid comprising a plurality of elements is presented. At least some of the elements of the first grid and the second grid are marked. Marked elements of first grid are then used to form a subportion, the subportion boundary enclosing an area and having a correspondingly marked element of the first grid at each corner. Payouts are issued for marked elements and element combinations of the second grid within the subportion. The payouts may be administered according to a pay table.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for providing a lock and improve feature in gaming devices. Accordingly, a gaming device can be configured to include a video poker game where items associated with cards in poker hand, or card positions where the cards in the poker hand are displayed, can be locked, held, stuck, or otherwise maintained and a secondary game event is played where additional items can be received. The items may provide credits, bonus opportunities, progressives, multipliers, or other types of awards, modifiers, or beneficial game enhancements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to the use of game modifiers between game stages of a game played on a gaming device. According to some embodiments, a gaming device is configured to play a multi-stage game of chance. After a first stage is completed and a result for the first stage is determined, a game modifier is altered and applied to a second stage of the game when a predefined criterion is satisfied. The game modifier may modify prizes associated with the second stage of the game by, for example, applying a multiplier to prizes associated with a second stage result, the modifier may alter an aspect of the second stage of the game by, for example, adding or replacing one or more game elements used in evaluating the second stage outcome for prizes, or the modifier may trigger a bonus event.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an apparatus, system, computer readable storage media, and/or method that involve or otherwise facilitate a card game or secondary card game played on a gaming device. The card game may be structured to use similar rules to a blackjack-styled card game. The card game may be played against an opponent, such as a computer, dealer, or another player. Alternatively, the card game may include the display of one or more cards and a process to determine if a total value of the cards meets a predefined criterion. A win against an opponent or satisfaction of the predefined criterion may progress the card game to another round of play. These rounds of play may continue until an opponent wins, or until the predefined criterion is not satisfied.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for employing techniques used in providing a mid-game enhancement feature(s) in response to a presented subset of virtual cards. Here, a gaming device may involve a video poker game having a first poker hand and a second poker hand, where each of the first poker hand and the second poker hand have a predetermined number of card positions. During play of the gaming device, cards are dealt to each of the card positions in the first poker hand, where it is determined if a minimum win criterion is met after each subset combination of cards is dealt. If a minimum win criterion is determined to be satisfied, the currently dealt subset of cards is copied from the first poker hand to the second poker hand and an enhancement feature is triggered. Thereafter, additional cards are individually dealt to the remaining card positions in the first poker hand and the second poker hand.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for implementing a card game on a gaming device. Here, gaming devices having a display and game processor may be operable to provide a gaming event using cards with gridded fields. In one type of gaming event, a player may be given one or more cards with a gridded field and compete against one or more other opponents each having one or more competing cards with gridded fields. In another type of gaming event, a player may be given one or more cards with gridded fields and try to match numbers or indicia that are randomly drawn. Play of the gaming event may continue in multiple rounds or stages where a next stage is reached by obtaining a continuation trigger on one or more of the player cards during a present round of the gaming event.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for providing opportunities to enhance gaming results over a plurality of gaming events. In one embodiment, award enhancements such as wild cards and/or payout modifiers migrate through a multi-hand poker array over multiple poker games, thereby changing the award enhancement opportunities as the award enhancements migrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for bonusing symbols in subsequent games of gaming devices based on a current game outcome. Accordingly, a gaming device can be configured to initiate and display a first gaming event on a game display of the gaming device. If one or more symbols appear as part of a predefined criterion, such as being part of a winning symbol combination, the one or more symbols may be associated with a modifier, such as a multiplier, in one or more subsequent gaming events.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for providing a feature in gaming devices with multiple chances of using an awarded modifier. Accordingly, a gaming device can include a display, and a processor configured to execute operations that include facilitating participation in a first gaming event and determining if a bonus feature is triggered during the first gaming event. When the feature is triggered, the operations further include determining an awarded modifier, and determining if the modifier is to be used in the first gaming event based on whether a predefined condition is satisfied. If the awarded modifier is not used in the first gaming event, the modifier is then applied in a second, subsequent gaming event.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for implementing a card game on a gaming device. Here, gaming devices having a display and game processor may be operable to provide a gaming event using cards with gridded fields. In one type of gaming event, a player may be given one or more cards with a gridded field and compete against one or more other opponents each having one or more competing cards with gridded fields. In another type of gaming event, a player may be given one or more cards with gridded fields and try to match numbers or indicia that are randomly drawn. Play of the gaming event may continue in multiple rounds or stages where a next stage is reached by obtaining a continuation trigger on one or more of the player cards during a present round of the gaming event.