Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for facilitating a poker game having additional award opportunities. Accordingly, a gaming device can be configured to include a display, a player interface, a memory device configured to store a paytable and a bonus award table having a plurality of variable bonus awards associated with respective ones of at least a portion of the pays included in the paytable, and a processor configured to deal a first poker hand and evaluate the first poker hand for awards. The processor is further configured to randomly determine whether to associate a bonus indicator with the first poker hand and if such a bonus indicator is so associated, to further randomly determine a bonus modifier from the bonus award table that is associated with first poker hand based on the where the first poker hand is evaluated in the paytable.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for providing multiple spins during gaming events to provide increased opportunities to receive winning outcomes. Accordingly, a gaming device can be configured to have a plurality of reels with multiple symbols on each reel. A portion of the symbols on each reel are displayed on a game grid having a number of symbol positions. During a gaming event, the symbols are randomly arranged via a first spin on game grid to generate a first configuration and a determination is made as to whether the first condition satisfies a predetermined condition. When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the reels or symbols in the symbol positions associated with the predetermined condition are held while the remaining reels or symbol positions are subjected to a second spin to randomly generate a second configuration.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for designating game indicia locations during current gaming events to enhance game indicia at the identified positions in subsequent gaming events. In a poker context, card positions in a first poker game may be randomly selected, and if any are randomly selected, enhanced cards are repeatedly provided in periodic or random intervals of subsequent poker games at corresponding card positions until a termination event occurs.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for providing gaming devices having a poker mystery feature. Accordingly, a gaming device can be configured to have sub-symbol overlays that specify a replication feature that may replicate a card associated with the sub-symbol overlay and either replace a specified card that is adjacent to the card associated with the sub-symbol overlay, or create a multi-indicia card using the replication. Replication may mean a direct copy of the card associated with the sub-symbol overlay or may mean providing a card that is related to the card associated with the sub-symbol overlay according to predefined rules.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for providing game features. In a game of chance involving at least one outcome, a plurality of alternative outcomes can be derived for a gaming event, such as when one of the outcomes will provide a payout at or above a certain level. The player is presented with an opportunity to select among the alternative outcomes, without being aware of the particular characteristics or values associated with the outcomes. While the player will only select the outcome having the payout at/above the threshold level a certain percentage of the time, the opportunity can be presented to the player more often, while keeping the mathematical probabilities the same or similar if desired, thereby providing the player with the feeling of getting higher value opportunities more often.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for increasing or otherwise enhancing gaming awards based on correctly predicted occurrences. In a poker context, a prediction of an occurrence may be made, such as predicting a characteristic of a poker card. The prediction is compared to a random selection among a plurality of available items, such as comparing the predicted characteristic of the poker card to a random selection among a plurality of poker card characteristics. Where the prediction is correct, the player may be awarded with enhanced payouts on current and/or future game plays, and in some embodiments concurrent correct predictions results in increasingly higher enhanced payouts.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for enhancing poker cards in subsequent poker games that are randomly incremented thereto, such as through advancements toward a threshold from a random initial value. One embodiment involves poker cards that are enhanced when reaching a random increment of poker games played relative to a triggering event, such as through expiration of a random count value. An initial count value or other tracking measure is established and displayed to the player, and when that count/tracking reaches a threshold, the card having the expired counter and/or cards in a vicinity of the card having the expired counter are enhanced, such as by converting those cards to Wild cards.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for providing a lock and improve feature in gaming devices. Accordingly, a gaming device can be configured to include a video poker game where items associated with cards in poker hand, or card positions where the cards in the poker hand are displayed, can be locked, held, stuck, or otherwise maintained and a secondary game event is played where additional items can be received. The items may provide credits, bonus opportunities, progressives, multipliers, or other types of awards, modifiers, or beneficial game enhancements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for facilitating the configuration of multigame bonuses on independent gaming devices. Accordingly, a gaming device including a display, input device, memory, and processor can be configured to be part of a multigame bonus while not requiring a direct connection to a multigame bonus controller, or to other gaming devices involved in the multigame bonus. This may be accomplished by configuring the gaming device to provide a mechanism for an operator to set up bonus parameters with a specified side wager or bet to be eligible for a particular jackpot prize. Since each gaming device can be independently set up to be part of the multigame bonus, unrelated gaming devices running different primary gaming events with different wager or game characteristics can be part of the same multigame bonus without affecting game play of the primary gaming events.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for implementing bonus features using subsymbols during game play. Accordingly, a gaming device can be configured to randomly overlay or otherwise associate zero, one, or more subsymbols on game symbols used in a game of chance. When subsymbols appear on game symbols that are randomly determined to be part of the game outcome, a bonus feature is triggered that may be used to modify awards provided from the game outcome. The presence of the subsymbols themselves may act as a trigger for a secondary bonus feature or event, or the subsymbols themselves may show random indicia within the subsymbol that provides a bonus modifier or other award.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for providing opportunities to enhance gaming results over a plurality of gaming events. In one embodiment, award enhancements such as wild cards and/or payout modifiers migrate through a multi-hand poker array over multiple poker games, thereby changing the award enhancement opportunities as the award enhancements migrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for providing a lock and improve feature in gaming devices. Accordingly, a gaming device can be configured to include a video poker game where items associated with cards in poker hand, or card positions where the cards in the poker hand are displayed, can be locked, held, stuck, or otherwise maintained and a secondary game event is played where additional items can be received. The items may provide credits, bonus opportunities, progressives, multipliers, or other types of awards, modifiers, or beneficial game enhancements.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for increasing or otherwise enhancing gaming awards based on correctly predicted occurrences. In a poker context, a prediction of an occurrence may be made, such as predicting a characteristic of a poker card. The prediction is compared to a random selection among a plurality of available items, such as comparing the predicted characteristic of the poker card to a random selection among a plurality of poker card characteristics. Where the prediction is correct, the player may be awarded with enhanced payouts on current and/or future game plays, and in some embodiments concurrent correct predictions results in increasingly higher enhanced payouts.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for enhancing poker cards in subsequent poker games that are randomly incremented thereto, such as through advancements toward a threshold from a random initial value. One embodiment involves poker cards that are enhanced when reaching a random increment of poker games played relative to a triggering event, such as through expiration of a random count value. An initial count value or other tracking measure is established and displayed to the player, and when that count/tracking reaches a threshold, the card having the expired counter and/or cards in a vicinity of the card having the expired counter are enhanced, such as by converting those cards to Wild cards.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for facilitating a poker game having additional award opportunities. Accordingly, a gaming device can be configured to include a display, a player interface, and a processor configured to deal a first poker hand and evaluate the first poker hand for awards. The processor is further configured to randomly determine whether to deal at least one additional card to the first poker hand to create a second poker hand. If such random determination results in a second poker hand, the second poker hand is further evaluated for awards.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for enriching modifiable sources of game play items during play of the gaming activity. In a video poker embodiment, cards of the deck(s) that source the poker hand(s) may be modified during play of the poker game. In one embodiment, the deck(s) of cards changes, in some embodiments randomly, and in some embodiments geared towards the probability of the player obtaining a more favorable poker hand outcome, while in yet other embodiments ensuring a higher probability of the player obtaining a more favorable poker hand outcome. Cards in the sourcing deck(s) may be added and/or deleted or otherwise modified to statistically impact the odds of obtaining certain results from the poker game. The deck may be reset to an initial state, or backed off from the modifications, at one time or iteratively.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for providing aggregable game items in addition to cards over a series of poker games, and providing a benefit to the player based on the aggregated items. In an electronic poker embodiment, cards are dealt to single-hand or multiple-hand poker games, where the cards serve as the indicia that enables games to be conducted. In connection with participating in the series of poker games, game items may be randomly presented or otherwise referenced, and the collection of these game items over the series of poker games leads to awards, award/payout modifiers, game odds and/or payout enrichment, or the like.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for providing a feature in gaming devices with multiple chances of using an awarded modifier. Accordingly, a gaming device can include a display, and a processor configured to execute operations that include facilitating participation in a first gaming event and determining if a bonus feature is triggered during the first gaming event. When the feature is triggered, the operations further include determining a first award modifier and a second award modifier that is of a different type of modifier from the first award modifier.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for providing a feature in gaming devices with multiple chances of using an awarded modifier. Accordingly, a gaming device can include a display, and a processor configured to execute operations that include facilitating participation in a first gaming event and determining if a bonus feature is triggered during the first gaming event. When the feature is triggered, the operations further include determining an awarded modifier, and determining if the modifier is to be used in the first gaming event based on whether a predefined condition is satisfied. If the awarded modifier is not used in the first gaming event, the modifier is then applied in a second, subsequent gaming event.