Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to overcoming a problem of finding information about neighboring players in an electronic baccarat system by displaying each player's bet on each game, along with a statistical summary of how that person is doing, thereby making it easy for players to see what others are doing and recall whether they've been consistently winning or not. Additionally, embodiments of the invention provide a mechanism by which a player can select a player to bet upon and enact that wager, or multiple thereof, through a gaming machine. Further, embodiments of the invention provide an interesting manner of handling tie outcomes. Because tie bets are relatively rare in baccarat, embodiments of the invention provide a mechanism to increase the likelihood of making a tie event, along with the opportunity for a player to profit from such a successful wager.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present concept provide gaming devices configured for linked game play. First and second gaming devices that are separately playable by first and second players are electronically linked so that a gaming event being played at the first gaming device may also be being played at the second gaming device. Also provided is a method of sharing game play across multiple gaming devices, where the method includes receiving a wager from a first player at a first gaming device, receiving a wager from a second player at a second gaming device, initiating a gaming event that is displayed at the first and second gaming devices, and awarding prizes associated with gaming outcomes displayed at the first and second gaming devices. These and other arrangements of the present concept may allow cooperative or competitive game play between the first and second player.

Abstract: This concept is directed to methods of operating a gaming device to analyze game information that is part of a gaming event having a player interaction in advance of the player interaction to make a determination about the game play. These methods may be used for a variety of gaming devices such as slot machines, video keno devices, video poker machines, electronic table games, internet gaming terminals, etc. In each type of gaming device, these operation methods evaluate future game information during game play to determine one of multiple manners by which the game play will continue. These continuation manners may include changing the speed of game play, determining display characteristics of the game and outcome, providing tips or information to the player about the future game information, automatically initiating a subsequent game, or otherwise altering an aspect of the game play parameters in response to the evaluated game information.

Abstract: Embodiments of this concept are directed to a video poker gaming device that deals five cards to a player and selects five more cards that represent the possible cards used in a later draw. From these ten cards, the gaming device if a winning combination above a threshold amount is possible. If such a winning combination is not possible, in some embodiments, the device automatically ends the game and deals a new hand. If a win over the threshold amount is possible, the gaming device allows the player to hold and draw cards. This increases the speed of play of the poker game and focuses game play on hands where winning combinations are likely.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a gaming device that has a video display. When the player initiates the game, an animation is shown. If the game had a losing outcome, the animation is very short and allows the player to quickly try for a win. If instead the game has a winning outcome the gaming device spins reels or otherwise shows the player how much he or she has one. The animation may also indicate progress toward a mystery jackpot or a group mystery jackpot.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to analyzing recorded game information to determine information about a player's behavior. This is accomplished by analyzing the player's actions following a positive increase in credits within credit meter data. This analysis can be utilized in automatically altering a game parameter of the gaming device being played by the player or in providing operators trend information that can be used in modifying the game device or designing future gaming devices. An analysis station may be included in a gaming system using this analysis process to allow an operator to view and manipulate a graphical representation of the credit meter data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a video overlay screen. Windows within the screen are generally transparent or translucent, while other non-window portions of the screen are generally translucent or opaque. Combining the overlay screen with a typical video display gives a modified appearance to the screen that some players find attractive. In some instances the video display screen may be programmed to show a video depiction of a mechanical reel that, when combined with the overlay screen appears as if the game contains actual mechanical reels. In other embodiments the overlay screen may include a touchscreen.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a mystery degressive bonus system. Instead of a bonus that increases its value as the likelihood of winning the bonus increases, embodiments of the invention disconnect the likelihood of winning a mystery bonus from the amount awarded for triggering the mystery bonus. In some embodiments as the likelihood of winning the mystery bonus increases, the award for winning the mystery bonus decreases. Some embodiments include a minimum value for winning the mystery bonus. Additional embodiments are directed to an indicator system to show to the player a present amount of the mystery bonus award as well as the likelihood of winning the award. Further embodiments include a gaming device that includes a bonus game in which the amount awarded to the player decreases over time.

Abstract: Embodiments of this concept are directed to a method of operating a gaming device to determine game outcomes by using a range of game numbers for winning game outcomes. That is, the gaming device includes a range of numbers associated with a generic winning outcome or each winning outcome to ensure that a winning outcome or specific winning outcome will hit within the specified range. This method may be used a variety of game types including slot machines, video poker, keno, video pachinko, etc. These gaming machines may additionally include one or more proximity indicators or meters associated with the various outcomes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to gaming devices and methods for implementing mystery bonus results in place of base game results on a gaming display. The gaming device comprises a base game having a base game display. A random number generator is optionally operable with the base game to obtain a base game result, and the base game display operative to display the base game result. A base game pay table is tied to the base game result and includes winning outcomes and non-winning outcomes. A bonus game award mechanism is configured to determine a threshold tied to a bonus result, track play of the base game, advance a counter responsive to play at the base game, display the bonus result at the base game display in place of the base game result when the counter bears a predefined relationship with the threshold, and award a bonus to a player.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to implementing a near-miss outcome on a gaming device. The display characteristics of the near-miss outcome including the representative indicia that makes up the near-miss outcome and the display positioning of this representative indicia is determined. The near-miss outcome may be directly selected as a game outcome from a plurality of possible game outcomes, or may be identified as the result of a triggering game event and displayed instead of or in conjunction with a determined game outcome.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods of determining the performance of a gaming device by analyzing the incremental revenue generated by the gaming device. This method may include identifying an analysis period, recording game performance data for a set of gaming devices and a test gaming device during the analysis period, and comparing the recorded data to historical gaming data for the set of gaming devices. Some examples of this method may also include developing parameters for the analysis period and using those developed parameters to normalize the recorded game data for the analysis period prior to comparing the recorded data to the historical gaming data.

Abstract: Embodiments of this concept are directed to gaming devices that are configured to initiate multiple gaming events in response to a player input. The gaming device may include game initiating inputs that initiate a predetermined number of gaming events in response to the player input, or the gaming device may include configurable game initiating inputs that initiate a number of gaming events specified by the player, specified the gaming device, or specified by a gaming server. The gaming device or gaming server may set the number of initiated game events in response to the occurrence of a triggering event.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and apparatus in which a player plays one of a plurality of networked gaming devices. Game awards below a predefined level are tracked and stored on the network. If the game awards are less than a predefined criterion, a pay command is sent over the network to the player's gaming device, which may be used for a free game. Implementation in a single gaming device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for behavioral gaming. A method of conducting a game of chance comprises: establishing behavioral gaming criteria at a gaming server, collecting statistical data associated with a player from a plurality of gaming sessions; comparing the statistical data to the behavioral gaming criteria; and initiating an action responsive to the comparing to alter behavior of the player. The behavioral gaming limits can be provided by a casino or by the player. The responsive actions can include messages displayed on a gaming device, changes to the functionality of the gaming device, and intervention by casino personnel or third parties.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a graphical report or progress bar that informs the player how close they are to receiving a bonus for a gaming device. In one embodiment a character “eats,” consumes, or otherwise eliminates obstacles between an avatar or indicator character and a reward. The character advances based on results of playing the base game on the gaming device or based on other factors. Reaching the reward allows the player to play another bonus game that directly awards cash, credit, or some other benefit. Progress toward the bonus award may be associated (and stored) with a player account, so that it carries over from one gaming session to another, or progress may be only active for the current session. Linked devices could remove the obstacles in either or both of the games.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of optimizing at least one performance variable, such as revenue or profitability, indicative of the performance of a casino. An initial set of operating parameters is set. At least one environmental variable, such as traffic, weather, time, cost of transportation, etc. are monitored as is the performance variable. An artificial intelligence program changes operating parameters, such as player-tracking rewards, bonuses, comps, advertising, etc. The program determines the effect of the change, and further changes the operating parameter as a function of the effect and the environmental variable.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a gaming device configured to record gaming activity, a method of processing the recorded gaming activity to analyze player behavior, and a system including the gaming device. The gaming device may include a gaming display to display gaming events played on the gaming device by a player during a gaming session, a player interface panel including a plurality of gaming buttons and a game initiating button configured to initiate the gaming events, and a game processor configured to record each activity between the player and the gaming device, wherein each recorded activity is associated with a time stamp.

Abstract: This concept is directed to poker gaming devices configured to vary the speed of game play, as well as method of operating poker gaming devices to vary the speed of play. In some examples of the this concept, a poker gaming device may be configured to include a game initiating button that when pressed by a player triggers a game processor to display a dealt hand for a first predetermined amount of time when the dealt hand meets a predetermined criteria and to display the dealt hand for a second predetermined amount of time when the dealt hand does not meet a predetermined criteria.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a gaming device with durational game elements. The durational game elements can change default settings in the game environment of the gaming device for a specified duration. The duration can be based on a period of time, a number of wins or losses, or a number of games played.