Abstract: A method of playing a five-card draw video poker wagering game on a gaming device comprising at least a processor, input device and video monitor screen is disclosed. A special function provides the player with an opportunity to enhance the replacement deck with additional cards. The special function provides the player with a touchscreen display of individual symbols that are displayed as two sets: the thirteen ranks and the four suits. Each individual symbol has its own touchscreen button. The player or processor selects one symbol. Any or all of the cards in the replacement deck that match the selected rank or suit are then replicated and added to the replacement deck. Cards are randomly selected from the enhanced replacement deck, and populate the initial hand to complete the final hand. Any wins are paid according to a predetermined paytable.

Abstract: A method of playing a lottery instant scratch ticket game comprises a plurality of physical tickets, wherein each ticket provides one printed grid that is common to two different play and pay methods. The two play and pay methods are performed simultaneously, and provide differing prizes. A highest jackpot prize is offered for only one of the play methods.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a video gaming machine is disclosed. The method comprises a player placing at least one wager in order to be eligible to activate at least one payline. A grid of symbol boxes is displayed on the screen. A random array of symbols is displayed within the symbol boxes from a predetermined set of symbols. The set of symbols includes at least one special symbol that has a dual functionality. Firstly, a special symbol acts as a non-valuable payline indicator symbol that determines a payline and activates the payline if the player has placed a wager on said payline. Secondly, the special symbol acts as a valuable wild symbol in any activated payline differing from the payline determined by its payline indicator functionality. The symbol array is evaluated, and wins are paid according to a predetermined paytable.

Abstract: A method of playing a lottery instant scratch ticket game comprises a plurality of physical tickets, wherein each ticket provides one printed grid that is common to two different play and pay methods. The two play and pay methods are performed simultaneously, and provide differing prizes. A highest jackpot prize is offered for only one of the play methods.

Abstract: A method of playing a side bet associated with a wagering numbers game is disclosed. The method utilizes the numbers drawn in a number-based game, in particular keno, bingo and lottery games. The number-based game comprises a predetermined set of numbers from which a subset of numbers is randomly drawn. A predetermined amount of subset numbers is provided by a draw, either by a random number generator or physical numbered balls in a hopper. The drawn numbers are analyzed and a determination is made as to the highest number X and the lowest number Y thereof, and the difference between those two said numbers (X?Y) defines the winning number for the side bet. The side bet is resolved against a predetermined paytable.

Abstract: A method of playing a side bet associated with a wagering card game on a table or electronic device is disclosed. Predetermined cards of an initially-dealt base card game provide fundamental elements of the side bet. Scoring is based on the sum value of the fundamental elements that provides a final sum value. Aces count as a 1 value, ranks 2 through 9 count as their respective face value, and 10s through Kings count as a 10 value. Two distinct consecutive predetermined sum values comprising the sum value of the fundamental elements determine whether the sum value is considered a modulo 10 hand or a natural hand. Predetermined final values of modulo 10 hands and natural hands are determined to be winning final values, and paid according to a predetermined paytable.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering card game on a table or electronic device is disclosed. The game is playable by at least a single player against a paytable, and utilizes at least three decks of traditional playing cards. At least three different cards are special cards, and at least one special card acts as a wild card. The amount of the special cards in a final hand determines a category in the paytable. Each category designates which special cards are wild, which hands are winning hands, and the corresponding pays. An Ante wager is required to play an initial hand, and an additional Draw wager is required if the play continues. The initial hand is considered a final hand if it is resolved as a win or loss. If the initial hand is not resolved, play continues until a final hand is resolved against the paytable.

Abstract: A method of playing a blackjack wagering game on a felt table or on a gaming device comprising at least a processer, input device and video monitor screen is disclosed. The method comprises providing player-advantage rules in blackjack games without requiring an extra wager in addition to a base wager. A predetermined set of dealt initial player hands is automatically disqualified, effectively ending the game for the player and forfeiting the player's wager. All dealt initial player hands that are not disqualified are qualified hands. All qualified hands remain in play. The player will receive at least one player-advantage rule on every hand that remains in play.

Abstract: A method of playing a five card draw video poker wagering game on a gaming device comprising at least a processer, input device and video monitor screen is disclosed. The method comprises providing bonus features in video poker games without requiring an extra wager in addition to a base wager, without lowering the paytable, and basing the paytable on the total wager. In lieu of an extra wager, a predetermined set of dealt hands is automatically disqualified, effectively ending the game and forfeiting the wager. All dealt hands that are not disqualified are qualified hands. The player is eligible to receive at least one randomly-provided bonus feature or guaranteed bonus feature on every qualified hand.

Abstract: A method of playing a lottery instant scratch game ticket. Each ticket provides a printed grid resembling a multiline slot machine game, comprised of symbol boxes arranged in columns and rows. Each symbol box contains one of a predetermined amount of game symbols and is covered by an indicia-labeled opaque removable film. Also provided are player indicia covered by an unlabeled opaque removable film. After scratching off the opaque film covering the player indicia, the revealed player indicia are compared to the indicia on the symbol boxes. The player scratches off the opaque film covering each symbol box that has an indicium that matches a player indicium, thereby revealing game symbols. The game symbols are then compared to official winning paylines and a prize legend to determine any wins.

Abstract: A method of playing an instant scratch game lottery ticket. Each ticket provides a printed grid comprised of adjoining edge features that provide at least two enclosed symbol areas. Each edge feature is labeled by a unique indicium and covered in a transparent film. Each enclosed symbol area contains a prize symbol that is covered in an opaque film. Also provided are player indicia covered with an opaque film that is removed to reveal the player indicia. The transparent film covering each labeled edge feature that matches a player indicium is then removed. If the edge features that have been removed are adjoined and provide a fully enclosed area, the prize symbol(s) in the fully enclosed area is/are revealed by removing the opaque film covering the prize symbol(s). Any revealed prizes are provided as an award to the player.

Abstract: A method of playing a five-card draw video poker wagering game on a gaming device comprising at least a processor, input device and video monitor screen is disclosed. A special function provides the player with an opportunity to enhance the replacement deck with additional cards. The special function provides the player with a touchscreen display of individual symbols that are displayed as two sets: the thirteen ranks and the four suits. Each individual symbol has its own touchscreen button. The player or processor selects one symbol. Any or all of the cards in the replacement deck that match the selected rank or suit are then replicated and added to the replacement deck. Cards are randomly selected from the enhanced replacement deck, and populate the initial hand to complete the final hand. Any wins are paid according to a predetermined paytable.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering card game on a gaming device comprising at least a processer, input device and video monitor is disclosed. After wagering, three separate hands of cards dealt from a single deck of cards are displayed, each hand consisting of five cards and displayed as having one face-up card and four face-down cards. A separate area for a final five-card hand is also displayed. The player then chooses to play either one, two, or three of the hands. The face-up cards in the chosen hand(s) are transferred to the final hand, and then the face-down cards in those chosen hand(s) are revealed. The most beneficial revealed cards are then added to the face-up cards in the final hand to complete the final hand. Any wins are paid according to predetermined paytables.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of wagered mechanical, electromechanical or video symbol play for individual or networked gaming machines is disclosed. The method comprises a base game, a time-based bonus element scheme that may provide a bonus event, and a time-based window of opportunity in which the bonus element scheme may be accepted by a qualified player. Upon a triggering event in the base game, or alternately a random event, the player is afforded a specific period of time in which to choose a bonus element scheme comprised of at least one but preferably two bonus elements (i.e., cash, credits, casino player points, free spins, multipliers, and the like) that are each available for a predetermined and/or random time interval. The chosen bonus element scheme provides the parameters of a bonus round game.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a gaming machine is disclosed. A wager is made to play an underlying symbol game, and if a predetermined trigger is present in the symbol game outcome, a bonus game is provided wherein a predetermined amount of free spins is provided. A first Available Benefit is made available on the first spin. If the first spin results in the first Available Benefit being achieved, a second Available Benefit is made available upon the next spin. If the first spin does not result in the first Available Benefit being achieved, the same first Available Benefit is made available upon the next spin. Each free spin offers a feature opportunity as an Available Benefit, the feature opportunity being comprised from a predetermined set of features, with each Available Benefit being activated in conjunction with all previously activated Available Benefits.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering blackjack-type card game on an electronic device wherein the object of the game is to play and win or at least tie both of two player hands against a single dealer hand. Preferably four cards are dealt to each player who has placed a wager, and at least an initial up card for the dealer is displayed. Each player then has the option of forfeiting at least a portion of his wager, or continuing to play. If the player decides to continue playing, the initially-dealt cards are then randomly displayed as two cards in each of two separate player hands. Each player hand is then finalized according to traditional blackjack rules, including doubling, hitting and standing. Each finalized player hand is then compared with a finalized dealer hand, with the winning wagers being determined by a predetermined paytable. A side bet is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering rummy-type card game on an electronic device wherein the object of the game is to create sets or melds of cards that each comprise exactly a straight, flush, straight flush, royal flush, and/or like ranks. The game begins with a total wager from each player, the total comprising at least one separate wager, and is played with a predetermined number of initially-dealt cards to each player. The initially-dealt cards are placed into and completely fill at least two melds. Preferably the cards are automatically placed into the melds by an Optimum Expected Value function. Each player then has the option of folding, or alternately forfeiting one wager or placing an additional wager to receive each of a predetermined number of community cards that are then sequentially dealt. The player has the option to replace any card in any meld with a community card, and the cards in the melds may be rearranged after any replacement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of wagered mechanical, electromechanical or video symbol play for individual or networked gaming machines is disclosed. The method comprises a base game, a time-based bonus element scheme that may provide a bonus event, and a time-based window of opportunity in which the bonus element scheme may be accepted by a qualified player. Upon a triggering event in the base game, or alternately a random event, the player is afforded a specific period of time in which to choose a bonus element scheme comprised of at least one but preferably two bonus elements (i.e., cash, credits, casino player points, free spins, multipliers, and the like) that are each available for a predetermined and/or random time interval. The chosen bonus element scheme provides the parameters of a bonus round game.

Abstract: A method of mechanical, electromechanical or video slot play on networked gaming machines is disclosed. The method comprises a base game, a progressive jackpot opportunity and a dual-usage point system. The point system feature allows the player the flexibility to choose to either redeem the points for benefits (i.e., cash, credits, casino player points, free spins, and the like) or save the points as entries into a progressive prize-related lottery.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering game comprises a player placing a wager in a gaming machine. The machine has more than one symbol display system comprising a first symbol display area and at least a second symbol display area. The first display area and at least second display area displaying a plurality of symbols that are used to determine winning events. The first display area providing at least one first symbol. The first symbol is automatically provided to the at least second display area. The machine then independently completes symbol display for the first display area and the at least second display area and then determines if winning events are present in the first display area and the at least second display area. In addition, the wagering game may include an interactive bonus feature, whereby the player may specify a special symbol and play a bonus event if a plurality of those specified symbols appears on the payline of any wagered game.