Abstract: In an embodiment of a gaming method, an identifier may be received from a first gaming unit, wherein the identifier is associated with a tournament game card, wherein the tournament game card is provided to a player in response to paying a fee. Whether the identifier received from the first gaming unit is authentic may be determined. A duration the player may play in a tournament may be determined based on the identifier, and the first gaming unit may be enabled for play in the tournament for the duration if the identifier is authentic. A tournament score of the player may be received, and a winning player of the tournament, if any, may be determined. Data indicative of a value payout to be awarded to the winning player may be generated if the winning player of the tournament is determined.

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: A method is shown for enhancing game play on a gaming machine. In one embodiment, the gaming machine may include a processor, a memory, and program logic stored in the memory that may be executable to play a base game in exchange for a wager. The method includes receiving a Newprom award that is not issued by the gaming machine. The method may include altering, using the processor, the base game to an enhanced base game state in response to the Newprom award. The Newprom award may be configured to add one or more base game play enhancements available to a player only by way of the Newprom award to the base game. This may alter the base game to the enhanced base game state so that the base game is played with the one or more game play enhancements.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides gaming systems, gaming devices, and methods providing an estimated emotional state of a player based on the occurrence of one or more designated events. When a player initiates a gaming session, the gaming system estimates the player's emotional state and generates estimated emotional state data that represents that estimation of the player's emotional state. For each of one or more designated events that occurs, the gaming system updates the player's estimated emotional state using an expected emotional response to that designated event. More specifically, the gaming system updates the player's estimated emotional state data using expected emotional response data representing the expected emotional response to that designated event. If one or more triggering conditions associated with the player's estimated emotional state is satisfied during the gaming session, the gaming system modifies one or more functions, aspects, or features of the gaming system.

Abstract: A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine includes receiving a wager for playing a basic game on the gaming machine and, in response to an occurrence of a bonus condition, initiating a bonus game. The bonus game is displayed with a plurality of selectable elements on a display of the gaming machine and the bonus game is terminated after at least one element has been selected. The method further includes returning to the basic game after terminating the bonus game, and, in response to a subsequent occurrence of the bonus condition, resuming the bonus game. The resumed bonus game is displayed with the selected element presented in a selected state.

Abstract: An approach is provided in which a disincentive is provided during the execution of a video game program that is operated by a current user. One or more disincentive factors are identified that correspond to the current user. The identified disincentive factors are compared with current time factors. Based on the comparison, one or more game characteristics are altered with the game characteristics being altered in order to provide a disincentive to continued operation of the video game program by the current user.

Abstract: A method determines the three-dimensional position of a playing card at a distance from a gaming table. The method uses modulated signals incorporating different power levels or different frequencies and can be employed as the cards are being dealt or using cards with more than one transponder. The method includes steps of providing each card with at least one transponder that transmits a card identity signal when activated; transmitting an activating signal modulated as to frequency or energy; forming detection zones up to plurality of distances above the gaming table; receiving at a system computer the unique card identity signal; determining a three-dimensional location of the card above the gaming table; recording and displaying the card activity on a computer monitor screen.

Abstract: A gaming device having at least one target reel having target values, a plurality of value reels each having accumulative values, and a processor programmed to cause a spin of the target reel and value reels, accumulate the accumulative values generated on the value reels to form a cumulative value, compare the cumulative value to a designated one of the generated target values on the target reel, and provide an award to a player if the cumulative value meets a predefined mathematical threshold with respect to the designated one of the target values.

Abstract: Methods and Systems for improving play of a bonus game on a gaming machine and improving security within a gaming establishment are described. The systems include a gaming machine, which includes an input device that receives an input from a user. The gaming machine further includes a first display device that displays a primary game upon receiving the input, and a second display device including a multilayer display that displays a secondary game. The multilayer display includes a foreground screen and a background screen, with at least a portion of the foreground screen or the background screen being curved and the foreground screen or the background screen displays an image of a wheel. The gaming machine further includes a controller configured to execute the primary and secondary games. The secondary game is played after playing the primary game.

Abstract: A game system guides operation timing of the operating section through a monitor by displaying an operation instructing indicator corresponding to the respective operation timings and an operation reference indicator corresponding to the current time in temporal order along a predetermined path on the game, and producing a relative displacement, which is along the predetermined path and is according to the progression of the time on the game, between the operation reference indicator and the operation instructing indicator in order that the operation instructing indicator agrees with the operation reference indicator at the operation timing that should be indicated by the operation instructing indicator, and changes at least either one of a starting position and a reaching position of the predetermined path.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a method is provided that includes the steps of (1) providing an auxiliary unit adapted to allow a gaming machine to be retrofitted to provide communications services; and (2) retrofitting a non-communications-enabled gaming machine with the auxiliary unit so that the non-communications enabled gaming machine is adapted to provide communications services based on game play at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: An instrumented golf club system and methods are disclosed. A variety of golf swing parameters are measured by the instrumented golf club and wirelessly transmitted to a portable computer device. The portable computer device generates a user interface that displays the golf swing parameters against preferred golf swing parameters. The instrumented golf club system allows a golfer to receive feedback in real time while playing golf.

Abstract: An instrumented golf club system and methods are disclosed. A variety of golf swing parameters are measured by the instrumented golf club and wirelessly transmitted to a portable computer device. The portable computer device generates a user interface that displays the golf swing parameters against preferred golf swing parameters. The instrumented golf club system allows a golfer to receive feedback in real time while playing golf.

Abstract: Before the start of a free game, a slot machine displays a selection screen on a variable display portion and accepts a selection made by the player with respect to the first choice image and the second choice image. The first special reel band or the second special reel band including a larger number of condor symbols than the normal reel band is associated by lottery to the first choice image and the second choice image. The main CPU changes the normal reel band associated to each reel display portion to a special reel band based on the selection made by the player. Then, the main CPU executes a free game using the special reel band that was changed.

Abstract: A game device (2) executes a video game in which a hammer image (52) displayed on a display device (4) is moved based on an operational signal. The hammer image (52) corresponds to a controller (3), and the operational signal indicates acceleration detected by an acceleration sensor (21) embedded in the controller (3). Additionally, the game device (2) includes an operation-target object control section (32). The operation-target object control section (32) displays an enlarged hammer image (52?) instead of the hammer image (52) when at least either of the acceleration indicated by the operational signal or moving speed of the controller (3) computed based on the acceleration falls within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method to implement a wagering game which allows a player to make multiple bets on independent outcomes. The outcome distributions/variances of each of the bets can vary. The player can, for example, place a bet on whether cards drawn from independent decks will have the same suit, the outcomes of which are entirely independent of each other.

Abstract: Provided is a game machine allowing a game player to give an instruction to perform predetermined game processing to the game machine and an instruction of the condition of when the predetermined game processing is started. The game machine performs game processing at given time intervals, updates one or more game-related parameters, and causes the update to be reflected on a game screen. A storage unit (50) stores a parameter condition representing the condition of parameters in correspondence with each of a plurality of items of operation information indicating details of an operation for making the game machine execute given game processing. A judging unit (56) judges whether or not the one or more parameters satisfy the parameter condition corresponding to operation information indicating details of a game player's operation. A game processing executing unit (58) starts executing the given game processing in accordance with a judgment made by the judging unit (56).

Abstract: New apparatuses and methods for introducing varying levels of skill into wagering games that have historically been games of luck or strategy are provided. A card value and suit is invisible or hidden to a player initially and associated with a value and suit dealt to the player. The game enables the player to elect to display the associated value and suit. If the player exercises the option, the associated value and suit is displayed and a poker or blackjack evaluation is made based on the displayed associated value and suit. In various embodiments, the same associations are maintained for a single hand or play, multiple hands or plays or on a long term fixed basis. Associated symbols are also implemented with the game of slot.

Abstract: Tools available to a live host for interacting with player of a live broadcast game show. One tool set receives performance data associated with the featured player and the other players, displays to the live host the performance data associated with the featured player and the other players, and allows the live host to broadcast live audio to the featured player and the other players. Another tool set aggregates statistical information associated with the other players participating in the live broadcast game show into multiple categories and ranks the statistical information. Based on at least one category, one of the other players is selected to be the next featured player. The selection is broadcast to the other players.

Abstract: A radio frequency card tracking system for a gaming table includes a system computer, a deck of playing cards, one or more table antennas, and a transceiver. Each playing card has an antenna, a card identity, and a transponder. Each table antenna has a detection zone at a dealer's card placement position and/or at locations at a gaming table and can transmit and receive radio-frequency signals to and from a card located within the detection zone. The transceiver is coupled with the table antenna and the system computer to provide radio-frequency-energizing signals to the table antenna for transmission to the card located within the detection zone. The transceiver receives card identifying signals from the table antenna and transfers these signals to the system computer. The system computer recognizes the signal duration, receives card identifying signals; determines the card identity associated with the signal, and determines the location of the card.