Abstract: The invention consists in a method of playing a participation game involving comparison of players' objects (a.k.a. game cards) with a common object (a.k.a. draw result) remaining the same until the end of the game. The method involves players placing requests. Upon reception of requests, the system provides the requesting player with a game card and the active draw result. The system evaluates if a comparison between the game card and draw result fulfills an end-of-game criterion. When such criterion is fulfilled, the game card is declared a winning card and the system prevents the distribution of new cards. Otherwise, the system continues providing cards until the criterion is fulfilled. Accordingly, a suitable system is also described for the play of said participation game.

Abstract: Method of operating a line game wherein the values of a meter are displayed as different statuses of an evolving symbol. The meter gathers symbols, combinations of symbols, events that are dependent of the game outcome (like winning or losing outcomes, prizes, etc.), or events that are independent of the game outcome (like spins, bet values, lengths of time, etc.). The evolving symbol statuses are used in the line game to trigger features ranging from a wild symbol to a bonus payout which can take the form of a progressive jackpot.

Abstract: A tournament feature is herein disclosed. In an embodiment, a method of providing the tournament feature comprises receiving a tournament participation authorization for a player to participate in said tournament feature; assigning a handicap to a tournament participation in said tournament feature; providing said player on one game machine with said tournament participation comprising a tournament play sequence depending on which a tournament score is obtained; storing said score in storing means with a plurality of scores throughout conduct of said tournament feature; evaluating stored scores upon or after detection of the conduct of said tournament feature having ended to establish a winning score and a winning player who obtained said winning score; and awarding a prize to said winning player.

Abstract: Method of playing a multi-access feature game played along with a primary game. The method comprises: a) playing a primary game, b) initiating feature-game play process upon occurrence of a trigger outcome in the primary game, and c) allowing a player to play the feature game. The latter comprises: i) determining an access type associated with the triggering outcome among many types associated with distinct permissions, ii) providing a feature-game representation composed of a plurality of selectable objects having values and positions, the objects being displayed according to a state based on previous plays of the feature game, iii) receiving a player selection of an object according to a determined permission, iv) affecting the selection according to permission associated with the access type, and modifying selected object status accordingly, v) registering the status and position of all of the feature-game selectable objects, and vi) resuming the primary game.

Abstract: The present invention consists in a system for securing data exchanged between two users having a First Information Processing System (FIPS) and a Second Information Processing System (SIPS) that have been correspondently paired. To complete encryption, the system includes a FIPS to encrypt data with a key, a SIPS to encrypt said key with a stored correspondent key and to encrypt correspondent key identifier with a public key common to the SIPSs. The integrated secured data include FIPS and SIPS encrypted information. The invention is also suitable for decryption. The invention further comprises structures to perform correspondent pairing between two SIPSs in order to exchange secured information. Furthermore, it comprises a pairing method wherein the SIPSs identify each other, exchange ciphered availability codes on the basis of available keys and key identifiers, and also set a correspondence pairing when a key and key identifier available in both SIPSs are identified.

Abstract: A method of operating a game comprising displaying a plurality of selectable objects associated with a characteristic. A first player selection and a subsequent player selection are received. The characteristic of the subsequent player selection is compared to the characteristic of the precedent selection or precedent selections to determine, based on said comparison, if the steps of receiving a subsequent player selection and of comparing said characteristics are repeated. A game apparatus and a computer programs are also provided by the present invention.

Abstract: A method of playing a game of chance wherein at least one first wager and at least one second wager are placed by a player. In response to said first and second wagers, at least one first set of game indicia are distributed and evaluated according to a first set of game rules. If at least a predetermined number of said first set of game indicia result in a losing outcome, a second chance of winning is provided to the player in two different manners: a) distributing at least one second set of gaming indicia, which are evaluated according to a second set of game rules, said second set of game rules may be identical to the first set of game rules; or b) evaluating the at least one first set of game indicia by applying a third set of game rules.

Abstract: A tournament feature is herein disclosed. In an embodiment, a method of providing the tournament feature comprises receiving a tournament participation authorization for a player to participate in said tournament feature; assigning a handicap to a tournament participation in said tournament feature; providing said player on one game machine with said tournament participation comprising a tournament play sequence depending on which a tournament score is obtained; storing said score in storing means with a plurality of scores throughout conduct of said tournament feature; evaluating stored scores upon or after detection of the conduct of said tournament feature having ended to establish a winning score and a winning player who obtained said winning score; and awarding a prize to said winning player.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of playing a multi-access selection feature played along with a primary game. This method comprises: providing a game outcome in the primary game; and determining whether game data associated with the game outcome comprise a triggering outcome providing access to the selection feature. If the triggering outcome determination is positive, the method also comprises determining a type for the access to the selection feature and providing access to the selection feature according to permissions associated with the determined type of access. The multi-access selection feature may also be shared by a plurality of gaming machines.

Abstract: Method of operating a line game wherein the values of a meter are displayed as different statuses of an evolving symbol. The meter gathers symbols, combinations of symbols, events that are dependent of the game outcome (like winning or losing outcomes, prizes, etc.), or events that are independent of the game outcome (like spins, bet values, lengths of time, etc.). The evolving symbol statuses are used in the line game to trigger features ranging from a wild symbol to a bonus payout which can take the form of a progressive jackpot.

Abstract: A method of operating a game comprising displaying a plurality of selectable objects associated with a characteristic. A first player selection and a subsequent player selection are received. The characteristic of the subsequent player selection is compared to the characteristic of the precedent selection or precedent selections to determine, based on said comparison, if the steps of receiving a subsequent player selection and of comparing said characteristics are repeated. A game apparatus and a computer programs are also provided by the present invention.

Abstract: A method of playing a game of chance wherein a primary game is provided. This primary game has primary game indicia organized in a structure characteristic to its type. A subset of the primary game indicia is duplicated in a structure characteristic to a secondary game. At least part of the primary game is played and elements from the primary game outcome are used to play the secondary game. Both primary and secondary outcomes are analyzed in regard to the rules of each game and a prize is awarded for each winning outcome.

Abstract: The invention consists in a method of playing a participation game involving comparison of players' objects (a.k.a. game cards) with a common object (a.k.a. draw result) remaining the same until the end of the game. The method involves players placing requests. Upon reception of requests, the system provides the requesting player with a game card and the active draw result. The system evaluates if a comparison between the game card and draw result fulfills an end-of-game criterion. When such criterion is fulfilled, the game card is declared a winning card and the system prevents the distribution of new cards. Otherwise, the system continues providing cards until the criterion is fulfilled. Accordingly, a suitable system is also described for the play of said participation game.

Abstract: The present invention consists in a system for securing data exchanged between two users having a First Information Processing System (FIPS) and a Second Information Processing System (SIPS) that have been correspondently paired. To complete encryption, the system includes a FIPS to encrypt data with a key, a SIPS to encrypt said key with a stored correspondent key and to encrypt correspondent key identifier with a public key common to the SIPSs. The integrated secured data include FIPS and SIPS encrypted information. The invention is also suitable for decryption. The invention further comprises structures to perform correspondent pairing between two SIPSs in order to exchange secured information. Furthermore, it comprises a pairing method wherein the SIPSs identify each other, exchange ciphered availability codes on the basis of available keys and key identifiers, and also set a correspondence pairing when a key and key identifier available in both SIPSs are identified.

Abstract: Method of processing primary game outcomes in order to determine a prize in an auxiliary game comprising: establishing a first class of outcomes associated with a credit event, a second class of outcomes associated with a no-credit event, a third class of outcomes associated with a non-event hold and a fourth class of outcomes associated with a tradable event in the auxiliary game; monitoring the credit events over a predetermined number of past events in said auxiliary game and awarding at least one prize when at least one of the predetermined numbers or configurations of credits occur. The method further allows the player to exchange tradable events for credit or no-credit events. This invention allows a plurality of primary games to share a common auxiliary game and balances, for each primary games, the chances of winning a prize in the auxiliary game.

Abstract: A method of playing a game of chance wherein at least one first wager and at least one second wager are placed by a player. In response to said first and second wagers, at least one first set of game indicia are distributed and evaluated according to a first set of game rules. If at least a predetermined number of said first set of game indicia result in a losing outcome, a second chance of winning is provided to the player in two different manners: a) distributing at least one second set of gaming indicia, which are evaluated according to a second set of game rules, said second set of game rules may be identical to the first set of game rules; or b) evaluating the at least one first set of game indicia by applying a third set of game rules.