Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a bonus scheme associated with a gaming process that is a feature event. With reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, a gaming process is conducted at Steps S3 to S5, the outcome of which determines a gaming process win value. At Step S7 the gaming process win value is compared to a threshold value and, if the gaming process win value is less than, or equal to the threshold value, a bonus prize is awarded to the player at Step S9.

Abstract: A method of gaming comprises displaying play of a wager game having a plurality of stages with progression through the stages being dependent on a predefined gameplay criterion. Each of the stages is associated with a feature event that is awardable to the player in response to a trigger event being detected. In response to determining that a trigger for a particular stage has occurred, the feature event associated with the particular stage as well as the feature event(s) associated with any preceding stages are awarded to the player.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus configured to provide a main game and being capable of triggering at least one game event includes a component for storing a main game wager value. A player operable input means provided by the apparatus is operable to allow a player to place a wager which is supplementary to the wager placed on the main game and which has a value which is variable by the player in independence of the main game wager value. A processor is responsive to the supplementary wager value so as to determine a characteristic of the game event.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus includes a display module for displaying play of a main game having one or more default play parameters is capable of being triggered. A trigger means implemented by the apparatus triggers the feature game in response to a trigger occurring during play of the main game. A purchasing means is operable to allow the player to purchase a modifier using an instrument of value after the feature game has been triggered. A modifier means modifies at least one default parameter of the feature game associated with the purchased modifier prior to play thereof, whereby the modification has the effect of improving a prize award potential for the feature game.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a bonus scheme associated with a feature event, or part thereof, which provides a plurality of feature games. With reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, a first feature event is conducted at Steps S3 to S5, the outcome of which determines a feature event win value. At Step S7 the feature event win value is compared to a threshold value and, if the gaming process win value is less than, or equal to the threshold value, the player becomes eligible to trigger a second feature event at Step S9.

Abstract: Gaming apparatus, e.g. an Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) (1), includes a controller (2) for implementing e.g. a slot-machine game, a poker game or the like. The EGM (1) displays a gaming image on a display (5), e.g. virtual symbol reels or card hands, and receives player instructions via an input (6) or the like, e.g. to spin the reels or manage the cards. The EGM (1) includes a guarantee feature in which an event is guaranteed to trigger if a monitored event (e.g. of the same type as the guaranteed event) does not occur within a set amount of gameplay. A guarantee indicator (9), e.g. a numerical countdown or gauge, indicates the remaining amount of gameplay required before the guarantee feature triggers. The monitored and/or guaranteed event may be a win event or a feature event, e.g. the triggering of a bonus round, free game or the like.

Abstract: Gaming apparatus (1), e.g. an Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM), includes a controller (2) for implementing e.g. a slot-machine game, casino game or the like. The controller (2) displays a suitable gaming image on a screen (6), e.g. virtual symbol reels or card hands, and a player interacts with the EGM 1 through buttons (8) or the like, e.g. to spin the reels or deal cards. The apparatus includes award means for awarding a player event points during the course of play, accumulator means for accumulating the awarded event points, and purchasing/selection means for allowing a player to purchase a game event using the accumulated event points. These game events may provide the player with the chance of higher returns or the like, and may include free plays, high return games, a jackpot game and the like.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a bonus scheme associated with a gaming process that is a feature event. With reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, a gaming process is conducted at Steps S3 to S5, the outcome of which determines a gaming process win value. At Step S7 the gaming process win value is compared to a threshold value and, if the gaming process win value is less than, or equal to the threshold value, a bonus prize is awarded to the player at Step S9.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides an option by which a feature event may be triggered in response to a specific player input. This advantageously provides the game designer with additional options to ensure that the game provides a suitable return-to-player performance. An embodiment of the method is as shown in FIG. 4.

Abstract: Gaming apparatus, e.g. an Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) (1), includes a controller (2) for implementing e.g. a slot-machine game. The controller (2) displays a suitable gaming image on a display (6), e.g. virtual symbol reels (11) having a plurality of pay lines (12), and a player interacts with the EGM (1) through push buttons (8) or the like, e.g. to select the number of pay lines (12) to play and to spin the reels (11). The EGM (1) includes means for selecting one or more of the pay lines (11) as bonus pay lines and for associating a bonus feature with the bonus pay lines, so that if an appropriate win event occurs on a bonus play line, the bonus feature will trigger. For example, a win on a bonus pay line could pay out three times the prize of a win on a normal pay line.

Abstract: Gaming apparatus, e.g. an Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) (1), includes a controller (2) for implementing e.g. a slot-machine game, casino-type game or other betting game. The EGM (1) displays a gaming image on a display (6), e.g. virtual symbol reels or card hands, and receives player instructions via an input (7), e.g. to spin the reels or manage the cards. The EGM (1) includes a means for playing a game and for receiving bets, and means for monitoring game events over a number of plays of the game. It also includes means for placing one or more series bets on the occurrence of game events over a series of game plays, and series win means for determining that a player has won a series bet based on the bet placed and the monitored events. The monitored game events may be prize events, e.g. the winning of a cash amount, or feature events, e.g. the triggering of a bonus round, free game or the like. The series bet win may be a prize, e.g. a jackpot, or may be some other valuable feature.