Abstract: A method for playing a wagering game allows an opportunity to achieve a progressive award. A wager input is received from a player for playing the wagering game. A triggered progressive game includes player-selectable elements, each of the player-selectable elements being capable of association with a progressive-winning outcome. An outcome is assigned to each of the player-selectable elements, wherein a probability that the outcome is a progressive-winning outcome depends upon an amount of the wager input. The player-selectable elements are displayed.

Abstract: A bonus game for a slot machine operable in a basic mode and a bonus mode. The bonus game is entered upon the occurrence of a special start-bonus game outcome in the basic mode. In the bonus game, a player selects, one at a time, from an array of windows each associated with a bonus game outcome. Credits are awarded based upon which ones of the windows are selected. The bonus game ends upon selection of a window associated with an end-bonus outcome but otherwise continues, allowing the player to make further selections and accumulate further credits until encountering an end-bonus outcome. In one embodiment, a bonus game resource obtained in the basic game may be exercised in the bonus game to affect the bonus game outcome. In one embodiment, for example, where the occurrence of an end-bonus outcome would otherwise end the bonus game, a player having a bonus game resource may exercise the bonus game resource upon encountering an end-bonus outcome to continue playing the bonus game.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game comprising a value input device for receiving a wager, a display for displaying a plurality of selection groups, and a processor coupled to the display. Each selection group includes a plurality of selectable elements. The processor is operative to alternately select the elements in the selection groups until encountering an end-feature condition, and provide awards associated with the selected elements.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises a wager input device and a display for displaying a first matrix of symbols representing a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game, the symbols selected from a plurality of symbols including at least one special symbol. The system further includes a controller operative to (i) collect occurrences of the at least one special symbol in the first matrix, (ii) vary the symbols to create a final matrix of symbols, (iii) redeem the collected special symbols by placing the collected special symbols into the final matrix, and (iv) provide an award if the final matrix of symbols indicates a winning combination.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a method of conducting a wagering game which includes the steps of conducting a plurality of basic wagering games and enabling a bonus game in response to a bonus triggering outcome achieved in any of the basic wagering games. The method also includes deferring the enabled bonus game to permit play after completion of play of the plurality of basic wagering games.

Abstract: A method is presented for offering a wagering game tournament to a plurality of players on a plurality of gaming machines, which are located on a gaming network. The method includes increasing a prize pool based on a group achievement of the plurality of players, and distributing the prize pool to at least some of the plurality of players.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus for conducting a wagering game comprises a video screen for displaying a dynamic video image and a structure for displaying non-video artwork. The video and non-video artworks are visually linked to form an integrated image associated with the wagering game. The structure covers a portion, but not all, of the video screen. Thus, video images on conventional video screens may effectively be blended with non-video artwork to create entertaining and attractive displays.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus for conducting a wagering game comprises a video screen for displaying a dynamic video image and a structure for displaying non-video artwork. The video and non-video artworks are visually linked to form an integrated image associated with the wagering game. The structure covers a portion, but not all, of the video screen. Thus, video images on conventional video screens may effectively be blended with non-video artwork to create entertaining and attractive displays.

Abstract: A game, gaming machine apparatus and game method wherein game elements are assigned to a matrix of game element locations. Play is initiated by evaluating the game elements for predetermined transformative conditions, such as a match of game elements. If a transformative condition is found, the game element(s) are transformed with at least one being removed from the matrix. The remaining game elements are moved, if permitted, according to a movement methodology. The steps of evaluating, transforming, removing, and moving the remaining game elements are repeated so long as a transformation is subsequently available for continued gameplay.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting a wagering game are disclosed. A value input device receives a wager from a player to play the wagering game. A processor is operative to initially associate one or more of a plurality of incomplete offers with the player. A display is adapted to display the plurality of incomplete offers. The processor, in turn, is operative to allow the player to change which of the incomplete offers is associated with the player, and after the player changes which of the incomplete offers is associated with the player, complete the plurality of offers and award the associated offers to the player.

Abstract: A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine is disclosed. The wagering game may, for example, be a video reel slot game that includes a plurality of symbols displayed in an array. The plurality of symbols are evaluated to determine a change to one of the symbols that will yield one of a plurality of predefined winning combinations of symbols. The one of the symbols is changed to another of the symbols to form the winning combination, and an award is awarded for the winning combination.

Abstract: A method of conducting a video poker game is disclosed. After a player makes a wager, a plurality of face-up cards are dealt from a deck into a card hand. If any of the face-up cards is a predefined special card, the game proceeds with a special feature that allows the player to draw a replacement card to replace the special card. The replacement card may be drawn from a plurality of possible face-up or face-down cards. The game may include a standard draw option that allows a player to select and replace none or more of the face-up cards. The special card may trigger the special feature at any time, whether it appears before or after the draw. The game determines a poker hand ranking of the final card hand and provides an award based on that ranking.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for playing a game has in one aspect a plurality of game elements of at least two types, such as game pieces which have two different sides, and are arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, for instance. A player may select a number of arrangements of matching game elements (e.g., lines of contiguous matching game-piece sides) to wager upon in the chance outcome arrangement in play. Aggregation of the number of winning arrangements determines the outcome, most preferably with an increasing non-linear payout in view of that aggregate number. The invention also discloses a related bonus game, which in a preferred embodiment is based upon an Othello®-type game particularly for a gaming machine using outflanking game pieces, such that any game pieces with opponent's side or color showing are converted to game pieces with player's side or color, with an award or payoff according to the level of successful advancement in the game.

Abstract: A bonus game for a slot machine operable in a basic mode and a bonus mode. The bonus game is entered upon the occurrence of a special start-bonus game outcome in the basic mode. In the bonus game, a player selects, one at a time, from an array of windows each associated with a bonus game outcome. Credits are awarded based upon which ones of the windows are selected. The bonus game ends upon selection of a window associated with an end-bonus outcome but otherwise continues, allowing the player to make further selections and accumulate further credits until encountering an end-bonus outcome. In one embodiment, a bonus game resource obtained in the basic game may be exercised in the bonus game to affect the bonus game outcome. In one embodiment, for example, where the occurrence of an end-bonus outcome would otherwise end the bonus game, a player having a bonus game resource may exercise the bonus game resource upon encountering an end-bonus outcome to continue playing the bonus game.

Abstract: A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine is disclosed. The wagering game may, for example, be a video reel slot game that includes a plurality of symbols displayed in an array. The plurality of symbols are evaluated to determine a change to one of the symbols that will yield one of a plurality of predefined winning combinations of symbols. The one of the symbols is changed to another of the symbols to form the winning combination, and an award is awarded for the winning combination.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game comprises a plurality of indicia and a plurality of moveable elements. The plurality of indicia represent a plurality of possible game outcomes including a selected game outcome. The plurality of moveable elements move relative to the plurality of indicia and subsequently stop at one of the plurality of indicia to represent the selected game outcome.

Abstract: A method of conducting a video poker game is disclosed. After a player makes a wager, a plurality of face-up cards are dealt from a deck into a card hand. If any of the face-up cards is a predefined special card, the game proceeds with a special feature that that allows the player to draw a replacement card to replace the special card. The replacement card may be drawn from a plurality of possible face-up or face-down cards. The game may include a standard draw option that allows a player to select and replace none or more of the face-up cards. The special card may trigger the special feature at any time, whether it appears before or after the draw. The game determines a poker hand ranking of the final card hand and provides an award based on that ranking.

Abstract: A bonus game for a slot machine operable in a basic mode and a bonus mode. The bonus game is entered upon the occurrence of a special start-bonus game outcome in the basic mode. In the bonus game, a player selects, one at a time, from an array of windows each associated with a bonus game outcome. Credits are awarded based upon which ones of the windows are selected. The bonus game ends upon selection of a window associated with an end-bonus outcome but otherwise continues, allowing the player to make further selections and accumulate further credits until encountering an end-bonus outcome. In one embodiment, a bonus game resource obtained in the basic game may be exercised in the bonus game to affect the bonus game outcome. In one embodiment, for example, where the occurrence of an end-bonus outcome would otherwise end the bonus game, a player having a bonus game resource may exercise the bonus game resource upon encountering an end-bonus outcome to continue playing the bonus game.

Abstract: A bonus game for a slot machine operable in a basic mode and a bonus mode. The bonus game is entered upon the occurrence of a special start-bonus game outcome in the basic mode. In the bonus game, a player selects, one at a time, from an array of windows each associated with a bonus game outcome. Credits are awarded based upon which ones of the windows are selected. The bonus game ends upon selection of a window associated with an end-bonus outcome but otherwise continues, allowing the player to make further selections and accumulate further credits until encountering an end-bonus outcome. In one embodiment, a bonus game resource obtained in the basic game may be exercised in the bonus game to affect the bonus game outcome. In one embodiment, for example, where the occurrence of an end-bonus outcome would otherwise end the bonus game, a player having a bonus game resource may exercise the bonus game resource upon encountering an end-bonus outcome to continue playing the bonus game.

Abstract: A game, gaming machine apparatus and game method wherein game elements are assigned to a matrix of game element locations. Play is initiated by evaluating the game elements for predetermined transformative conditions, such as a match of game elements. If a transformative condition is found, the game element(s) are transformed with at least one being removed from the matrix. The remaining game elements are moved, if permitted, according to a movement methodology. The steps of evaluating, transforming, removing, and moving the remaining game elements are repeated so long as a transformation is subsequently available for continued gameplay.