Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gaming terminal and a method of playing a wagering game having a parlay feature. Using the parlay feature, a player can place a wager that is greater than a maximum wager allowed at the gaming terminal. In addition, the parlay feature allows a player to wager a portion of the player's prior winnings, instead of the entire amount. Furthermore, the parlay feature can be saved and used in a later gaming session at the same or different gaming terminal.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus for conducting a wagering game comprises a video screen for displaying a dynamic video image and a structure for displaying non-video artwork. The video and non-video artworks are visually linked to form an integrated image associated with the wagering game. The structure covers a portion, but not all, of the video screen. Thus, video images on conventional video screens may effectively be blended with non-video artwork to create entertaining and attractive displays.

Abstract: A method of conducting a wagering game includes receiving a wager from a player for playing the wagering game. An array of symbol-bearing locations and at least one payline is displayed along a plurality of the symbol-bearing locations. The plurality of the symbol-bearing locations includes first and second non-adjacent outer locations. The method further includes evaluating symbols at the symbol-bearing locations along the payline for winning outcomes such that symbols at the first and second non-adjacent outer locations are evaluated in sequence.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for multi-purpose use of a gaming machine includes use of a secondary display area to effectuate delivery of special capabilities such as user interfaces for banking, self-provisioning, Internet browsing, award redemption, player tracking account administration, and on-line shopping. In one embodiment, a touch screen is used to activate menu selections, in another embodiment, a physical keyboard is provided. In other embodiments, interfaces to mobile telephone and personal digital assistant technologies are provided.

Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game comprises a value input device for receiving a wager from a player and at least one processor for executing gameplay on the gaming machine. The gaming machine further comprises a player information reader and a player tracking device detector operative to detect and signal the processor regarding the presence of a player tracking device in communication with the player information reader. The processor is operative to execute a modified portion of gameplay in response to the signal received from the detector.

Abstract: A gaming system for playing a video poker game includes a wager-input device, a display, and a controller. The wager-input device receives a wager input from a player and the display displays the video poker game having a plurality of cards. The controller is coupled to the display and the wager-input device, and is programmed to provide an initial poker hand that is randomly selected from the plurality of cards. In response to a bonus feature being triggered, a certain card in the initial poker hand is replaced with at least two substitute cards from the plurality of cards to form two distinct final poker hands.

Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a wager input device for receiving inputs from a player during a wagering game, such that the inputs include a wager amount. At least one display for displaying a plurality of symbols is included in the gaming machine. The displayed symbols indicate a randomly selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes. A player information reader for receiving a player identifier is also a part of the gaming machine. The player identifier links the player to a player's account that contains statistics regarding the player. In response to the statistics meeting a predetermined level, the player is granted a reward. The predetermined level is based on game play at one of a plurality of a predetermined manufacturer's gaming machines.

Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a basic wagering game and a bonus wagering game. The bonus wagering game has a skill-based component that involves skill and a random component where no skill is involved. The gaming machine uses the random component to compensate players for a lack of optimal play during the skill-based component. The compensation is provided in a manner that appears random to the players to prevent the players from intentionally playing for the compensation.

Abstract: A gaming machine comprises at least one visual display (mechanical or video) and a game of chance controlled by a processor in response to a wager. The game of chance includes a primary game and a sorting feature. The sorting feature is triggered by certain start-feature outcomes of the primary game. The sorting feature includes a collection of scrambled objects, such as letters, symbols, pictures, or puzzle pieces, that are at least partially sorted during operation of the sorting feature. The sorting feature generates an award, such as a payoff, a payoff multiplier, or extended play, if the sorted objects match predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A gaming machine comprises at least one visual display (mechanical or video) and a game of chance controlled by a processor in response to a wager. The game of chance includes a primary game and a sorting feature. The sorting feature is triggered by certain start-feature outcomes of the primary game. The sorting feature includes a collection of scrambled objects, such as letters, symbols, pictures, or puzzle pieces, that are at least partially sorted during operation of the sorting feature. The sorting feature generates an award, such as a payoff, a payoff multiplier, or extended play, if the sorted objects match predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A slot machine conducts a wagering game including a plurality of symbol-bearing reels. The reels are rotated and stopped to randomly place symbols on the reels in visual association with a display area. In response to the displayed symbols including a plurality of symbols selectable by the player, the player is prompted to select one of the selectable symbols. The machine provides an award based on the selected symbol and any other of the displayed symbols associated with the selected symbol.

Abstract: A gaming system for playing a video poker game includes a wager-input device, a display, and a controller. The wager-input receives a wager input from a player to purchase a plurality of poker hands, wherein the poker hands include a first hand and a second hand. The display displays a plurality of first cards as a first played hand of the first hand. The controller is coupled to the display and is programmed to create the second hand initially consisting of the plurality of first cards, if the first played hand is a predetermined ranked winning card combination. The controller is further programmed to allow the player to create a second played hand of the second hand. The second played hand includes at least one player-selected card of the first cards and at least one randomly selected card from a deck of cards.

Abstract: A gaming system for playing a basic wagering game on a gaming terminal. The gaming system includes an input device adapted to receive an input from a player of a basic wagering game and output a signal to a controller. A controller is configured to randomly select a basic wagering game outcome from a plurality of basic wagering game outcomes. A gaming feature is also provided. In this gaming feature, an extra wager may be input in association therewith to increase an award for a selected basic wagering game winning outcome, a plurality of selected basic wagering game winning outcomes, or a selected group and related subgroup of basic wagering game winning outcomes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gaming terminal and a method of playing a wagering game having a free-play outcome and a multiplier feature that changes during the free game-play. The free game-play continues until a winning combination is achieved. The award associated with the winning combination is multiplied by the multiplier value achieved during the free-game play.

Abstract: A gaming terminal is utilized for playing a wagering game. The gaming terminal includes a wager-input device and a display for displaying a plurality of moveable reels having symbols located thereon during the wagering game. The symbols indicate a randomly-selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes. After at least a first one of the moveable reels has started spinning, an opportunity to make an additional wager via the wager-input device is presented while at least one of the moveable reels is still spinning. The additional wager allows for an enhancement of an outcome after all of the moveable reels have stopped spinning.

Abstract: A method and gaming network for conducting a progressive gaming event is disclosed. The method includes receiving a wager from a player to play a basic wagering game and displaying the basic wagering game on a video display. The progressive gaming event is initiated and a plurality of players, playing the basic wagering game, are selected to participate in the progressive gaming event. A plurality of player-selectable objects are displayed on the video display from which the plurality of players may select. A simulated drawing is presented to the plurality of selected players. The simulated drawing displays a combination of randomly generated winning objects to the plurality of players on a communal display.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of offering a wagering game tournament is disclosed. The wagering game tournament is offered to a plurality of players playing on a gaming network. A wager is received from both a first player at a first gaming terminal and a second player at a second gaming terminal to play a first and second standard wagering game, respectively. The second standard wagering game is a different wagering game from the first standard wagering game. The standard game is initiated and an option is provided to each of the players to enter a tournament mode. A wagering game tournament is initiate and the players are able to enroll in the tournament, after the player has selected the tournament mode option.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gaming terminal and a method of playing a wagering game. The wagering game includes a plurality of symbols arranged along one or more paylines that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game in response to a wager input. A winning combination of symbols along the paylines may be arranged in either a left-to-right order or a right-to-left order. In one embodiment, a player makes a first wager input that is associated with one or more paylines corresponding to a left-to-right arrangement of symbols. A player is then allowed to make a second wager input that is associated with one or more paylines corresponding to a right-to-left arrangement of symbols. The second wager input associated with right-to-left paylines is not equal to, and may be less than, the first wager input associated with left-to-right paylines.

Abstract: A method for playing a wagering game. The method includes conducting a basic game having a randomly selected outcome. The randomly selected outcome is selected from a plurality of outcomes and is indicated by a plurality of symbols. Each of the plurality of symbols has a first function. A side-wager option is presented that allows a player to change a function of a certain one of the plurality of symbols to one of a plurality of second functions. In response to the player selecting the side-wager option, one of the plurality of second functions is selected. Also, the second function is attributed to the certain one of the plurality of symbols when the randomly selected outcome is indicated.

Abstract: A wagering game system is provided and includes a gaming system for playing a wagering game, including an input device adapted to receive an input from a player of the wagering game, a processor configured to determine a wagering game outcome, and a gambling feature incorporating a game in which a player is statistically more likely to win than to lose, wherein the gambling feature is enabled by a wagering game outcome that includes a winning combination.