Abstract: A game and gaming apparatus include a main game and a bonus game. A player is entitled to participate in the bonus game without an additional wager beyond that required to play the main game. Winning outcomes of the main game determine the indicia used to play the bonus game. In one embodiment upon a winning outcome of the main game, an indicia, such as an image of a winning amount, is transferred to the bonus game. In another embodiment, the bonus event includes categories associated with winning outcomes of the main game, the categories activated based upon wins of the main game. In one embodiment, the main game is a game of video poker. Winning hands are associated with or activate positions of the bonus game. Play of the bonus game comprises selection of at least one of the indicia or positions/categories which have been activated.

Abstract: A poker game offers the possibility of sequential hand play and large payoffs. In one embodiment, a first set of cards is used to form a first poker hand. A draw feature may allow the player to discard cards and obtain replacement cards. If the first poker hand is a predetermined winning set of cards or has a first rank, then the outcome is a winning outcome. Otherwise, the game ends. If the first hand is a winning outcome, the player may be paid winnings or play a subsequent hand in which the player attempts to achieve a hand having a higher rank than the previous hand. If the second hand has a higher rank than the previous hand, the player may be paid winnings or continue playing. In one embodiment, payouts for particular ranks or hands increase as the game continues.

Abstract: A game and gaming apparatus include a main game and a bonus game. A player is entitled to participate in the bonus game without an additional wager beyond that required to play the main game. Winning outcomes of the main game determine the indicia used to play the bonus game. In one embodiment upon a winning outcome of the main game, an indicia, such as an image of a winning amount, is transferred to the bonus game. In another embodiment, the bonus event includes categories associated with winning outcomes of the main game, the categories activated based upon wins of the main game. In one embodiment, the main game is a game of video poker. Winning hands are associated with or activate positions of the bonus game. Play of the bonus game comprises selection of at least one of the indicia or positions/categories which have been activated.

Abstract: In a method of presenting or playing a wagering game, if a winning outcome is received, a first award is awarded and one or more awards associated with one or more winnings outcomes for the game are then enhanced for potential award in a subsequent game or games. In one embodiment, a base paytable or award structure is modified or enhanced, such as by adjusting awards or associating multipliers or bonus values, to create an enhanced paytable or award structure. The enhanced paytable or award structure may remain in effect for one subsequent game, a set number of games or a time, or until the same or another winning outcome is received in a subsequent game. The game which is presented may vary, such as being a wagering game of video poker, video slots or even a table game.

Abstract: A game and gaming apparatus include a main game and a bonus game. A player is entitled to participate in the bonus game without an additional wager beyond that required to play the main game. Winning outcomes of the main game determine the indicia used to play the bonus game. In one embodiment upon a winning outcome of the main game, an indicia, such as an image of a winning amount, is transferred to the bonus game. In another embodiment, the bonus event includes categories associated with winning outcomes of the main game, the categories activated based upon wins of the main game. In one embodiment, the main game is a game of video poker. Winning hands are associated with or activate positions of the bonus game. Play of the bonus game comprises selection of at least one of the indicia or positions/categories which have been activated.

Abstract: In a method of presenting or playing a wagering game, if a winning outcome is received in the play of a first game, a first award is awarded and one or more awards associated with one or more winnings outcomes for the game are then enhanced for potential award in a subsequent game or games. In one embodiment, a base paytable or award structure is modified or enhanced, such as by adjusting awards or associating multipliers or bonus values such as progressive awards, to create an enhanced paytable or award structure. The enhanced paytable or award structure may remain in effect for one subsequent game, a set or random number of games or a time, or until the same or another winning outcome is received in a subsequent game. The game which is presented may vary, such as being a wagering game of video poker, video slots or even a table game. In embodiment, the game offers a player an enhanced award if a winning outcome received in a first game is repeated in a defined number of subsequent games.

Abstract: A method of presenting and playing a game provides the opportunity for enhanced awards. In one embodiment, if a winning game outcome is a predetermined winning outcome, an enhanced paytable or award is activated. The enhanced paytable or award offers the player a chance for enhanced winnings in one or more subsequent games. The enhanced award may be activated when a particular winning outcome is received in a game and may then be won by repeating that winning outcome in one or more subsequent games. The award might also be won by designating the outcome before a game and then receiving that outcome during the play of the game. The enhanced award or paytable may remain in effect for a period of time or for a certain number of games, and may be triggered, be selected by a player or be selected by a casino.

Abstract: A game and gaming apparatus include a main game and a bonus game. A player is entitled to participate in the bonus game without an additional wager beyond that required to play the main game. Winning outcomes of the main game determine the indicia used to play the bonus game. In one embodiment upon a winning outcome of the main game, an indicia, such as an image of a winning amount, is transferred to the bonus game. In another embodiment, the bonus event includes categories associated with winning outcomes of the main game, the categories activated based upon wins of the main game. In one embodiment, the main game is a game of video poker. Winning hands are associated with or activate positions of the bonus game. Play of the bonus game comprises selection of at least one of the indicia or positions/categories which have been activated.

Abstract: A method and device are configured to remove or reduce the quantity of one or more contaminants from a beverage, such as an alcoholic beverage. A contaminant removing material may be formed into an object or be associated with an object for contact with a beverage. The invention has particular applicability to removing or reducing the sulfite content of an alcoholic beverage and may change other properties of the beverage, such as its color. The contaminant removing material may be associated with a pour spout. The spout may also include one or more air inlets, an aeration mesh or both to aerate a beverage as it is poured. In addition, the pour spout may include one or more magnets to remove contaminants and change other properties of the beverage, such as its taste.

Abstract: A multi-player game includes both individual and bonus game aspects. Players play one or more individual games for a score. In one embodiment, game scores comprise an aggregate of scores from individual rounds of play in which indicia are displayed, held and replaced in an attempt to obtain the maximum number of matching indicia. One or more players are declared winners of the multi-player bonus event based upon game scores achieved during a predetermined interval of time. Prizes or winnings, such as all or part of a jackpot, is awarded to the winners of the bonus round. In one embodiment, players use portable devices such as cellular phones to play the game.

Abstract: In a method of presenting or playing a wagering game, if a winning outcome is received, a first award is awarded and one or more awards associated with one or more winnings outcomes for the game are then enhanced for potential award in a subsequent game or games. In one embodiment, a base paytable or award structure is modified or enhanced, such as by adjusting awards or associating multipliers or bonus values such as progressive awards, to create an enhanced paytable or award structure. The enhanced paytable or award structure may remain in effect for one subsequent game, a set number of games or a time, or until the same or another winning outcome is received in a subsequent game. The game which is presented may vary, such as being a wagering game of video poker, video slots or even a table game.

Abstract: A method of removing or reducing a component of a foodstuff is disclosed. One method utilizes an ion exchange resin configured with a strongly basic counter-ion such as a quaternary amine. The strongly basic anion may be exchanged with a second anionic group such as hydroxyl, or a weak acid anion such as bicarbonate, carbonate, acetate, phosphoric and carboxylate to create an ion exchange resin comprising substantially a second group functionality. Sulfite containing beverages such as wines, beers, whiskeys or non-alcoholic beverages may be contacted with the ion exchange resin having the second group functionality to entrain a substantial quantity of the sulfites in the ion exchange resin and reduce the sulfite level of the beverage.

Abstract: A variety of methods of playing games using dice or other indicia and apparatus for implementing the games are disclosed. In one embodiment, the game involves the step of accepting a wager, displaying indicia such as images of the sides of dice and determining if identical indicia are connected. Winning combinations of indicia comprise two or more indicia located in adjoining or connecting relationship within the matrix. In one embodiment, a player's bet determines how many indicia are displayed in the matrix. In one embodiment a bonus or separate game comprises using the existing displayed indicia or displaying a new set of indicia and determining the maximum number of identical indicia. If the maximum number exceeds a predetermined number, the outcome is a winning outcome.

Abstract: A multi-player game includes both individual and bonus game aspects. Players play individual games for a score. In one embodiment, game scores comprise an aggregate of scores from individual rounds of play in which indicia are displayed, held and replaced in an attempt to obtain the maximum number of matching indicia. If a player achieves a sufficiently high score, the player is permitted to play the game in a bonus round for a bonus score. A pool of players is determined from the bonus scores of players who play during a predetermined interval of time. A jackpot is awarded to one or more of the players of the pool based upon their bonus scores, such as the players with the highest bonus scores. In one embodiment, players use portable devices such as cellular phones to play the game and the jackpot is funded from charges associated with air time.

Abstract: A game and gaming apparatus include a main game and a bonus game. A player is entitled to participate in the bonus game without an additional wager beyond that required to play the main game. Winning outcomes of the main game determine the indicia used to play the bonus game. In one embodiment upon a winning outcome of the main game, an indicia, such as an image of a winning amount, is transferred to the bonus game. In another embodiment, the bonus event includes categories associated with winning outcomes of the main game, the categories activated based upon wins of the main game. In one embodiment, the main game is a game of video poker. Winning hands are associated with or activate positions of the bonus game. Play of the bonus game comprises selection of at least one of the indicia or positions/categories which have been activated.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus and a method of playing a game are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention comprises a method including the steps of providing at least sixty-five cards, or card symbols, the cards comprising the standard 52 cards comprising 13 cards of a first, a second, a third and a fourth suit, and 13 additional cards of a fifth suit; presenting at least five of the cards to a player, the cards comprising a hand; and determining if the hand comprises a winning combination of cards. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of presenting the cards on five reels of a gaming machine, each reel containing 13 cards from the five suits. In one embodiment, the cards or other indicia are arranged so that normal poker hand combinations can be received, with each card value (of any suit) appearing only once on a reel.

Abstract: A multi-player game includes both individual and bonus game aspects. Players play one or more individual games for a score. In one embodiment, game scores comprise an aggregate of scores from individual rounds of play in which indicia are displayed, held and replaced in an attempt to obtain the maximum number of matching indicia. One or more players are declared winners of the multi-player bonus event based upon game scores achieved during a predetermined interval of time. Prizes or winnings, such as all or part of a jackpot, is awarded to the winners of the bonus round. In one embodiment, players use portable devices such as cellular phones to play the game.

Abstract: A poker game offers the possibility of sequential hand play and large payoffs. In one embodiment, a first set of cards is used to form a first poker hand. A draw feature may allow the player to discard cards and obtain replacement cards. If the first poker hand is a predetermined winning set of cards or has a first rank, then the outcome is a winning outcome. Otherwise, the game ends. If the first hand is a winning outcome, the player may be paid winnings or play a subsequent hand in which the player attempts to achieve a hand having a higher rank than the previous hand. If the second hand has a higher rank than the previous hand, the player may be paid winnings or continue playing. In one embodiment, payouts for particular ranks or hands increase as the game continues.

Abstract: A multi-hand poker game comprises the play of a plurality of poker hands as part of the same game. The game includes the step of selecting and assigning a set of poker rules to apply to each hand. Each poker hand is formed and the outcome of each hand is determined by comparison to the set of rules which was selected for that hand. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of using some of the same cards in each of the hands. In one embodiment, a player may customize hold and draw strategies for each hand in an attempt to obtain a winning result based upon the assigned poker rules for each hand.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of playing or presenting a game and a gaming system. In one embodiment, a matrix of indicia or symbol positions is provided and indicia or symbols are displayed in the positions of the matrix. Winning combinations of indicia comprise two or more indicia located in connecting or “linked” relationship anywhere within the matrix. In one embodiment, a player's bet determines how many indicia are displayed in the matrix. In another embodiment, the player's bet determines the ways a winning combination in determined.