Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to gaming systems, gaming devices, and methods for presenting tournament games. According to one method, a player tracking card is received at a gaming device. Tournament entry points are incremented as the base game is played. In one embodiment, tournament entry points are based on a predetermined percentage of a player's wager for base game play. The player is presented with one or more tournament games for play when the player has accumulated a sufficient number of tournament entry points. A tournament game selected by the player is initiated on a secondary display of the gaming device. In one embodiment, the secondary device has an embedded processor that is separate and distinct from a main processor of the gaming device. Once the tournament game is initiated, the player is presented with the option to have the tournament game automatically played.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to gaming systems, gaming devices, and methods for presenting tournament games. According to one embodiment, a gaming device provides a base game in a normal, non-tournament mode, and the player's eligibility to play a tournament game is also determined. An eligible player is prompted to select a desired tournament game from a list of available tournaments while base game is in the normal, non-tournament mode. In response to the player's selection of a tournament game, the gaming device is reconfigured from the normal mode to a tournament mode. The gaming device processes game play in the tournament mode and creates a final tournament score for the player. At the conclusion of the tournament game on the gaming device, the gaming device is reconfigured into the normal, non-tournament mode.

Abstract: Networked gaming systems and the communication protocols for presenting a network-based games or network-based tournament games are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the gaming system includes a plurality of gaming devices in communication with a tournament server. Each gaming device includes a base game and a secondary device having a display and a processor. The secondary device is operatively associated with the gaming device, and the secondary device enables a player to play a tournament game that is presented amongst one or more of the plurality of gaming devices. The secondary device is in communication with the tournament server through web service protocols. The tournament controller sends and receives player-related data and tournament-related data to and from one or more of the secondary devices participating in the tournament game.

Abstract: Various methods for managing a tournament game in a gaming system are disclosed herein. According to one method, a player is identified at a gaming device. After the player is identified, the player interface unit receives player-related and tournament-related data from the tournament server, in which the player interface unit and the tournament server communicate via a web service protocol. The player unit interface increments a tournament counter in response to play of the base game, and play of the tournament game is initiated when the tournament counter reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: Certain non-limiting exemplary embodiments are disclosed which teach a method for playing a game comprising initiating a game play, displaying a first plurality of indicia arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns such that there are a plurality of paylines through a contiguous plurality of indicia, selecting a subset of the first plurality of indicia taken along one or more columns, displaying a second plurality of indicia which includes the selected subset of the first plurality of indicia, achieving an award at least as large as the largest award associated with the plurality of paylines. A payline can be selectively displayed to the user. Legal tender, a token, and a non-legal tender prize are non-limiting examples of the kinds of awards that may be awarded. The columns of indicia for the game are, for example, arranged as visually spinable reels. In certain embodiments a video display may be utilized to display the indicia.

Abstract: Certain non-limiting exemplary embodiments are taught which include a game comprising, a digital processor, digital storage coupled to the digital processor for storing instructions, a display coupled to the digital processor displaying a first plurality of indicia arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns such that there are a plurality of paylines through a contiguous plurality of indicia, a user interface coupled to the digital processor to select a subset of the first plurality of indicia taken along at least one column and to initiate a display of a second plurality of indicia which includes the selected subset of the first plurality of indicia on the display, and an award dispenser providing an award which is at least as large as the largest award associated with the plurality of paylines.

Abstract: Certain non-limiting exemplary embodiments disclosed herein teach a game system comprising a wide area network, a game unit coupled to the wide area network and capable of uploading game data concerning game play, and a server coupled to the wide area network and capable of receiving the game data and storing the game data in a database with other game data. According to certain non-limiting exemplary embodiments, the wide area network is the Internet. Encryption may be used to protect game data before it is uploaded. The game unit may be, for example, directly coupled to the Internet via an Internet Service Provider, or coupled to a local area network which may be coupled to the wide area network.