Abstract: A modified pick selection bonus game feature is provided including picking hidden selections to accumulate matching symbols and win a prize. The game includes improved features such as a prize bump bonus symbols to increase the value of all available bonus prizes.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed in which a gaming machine provides both a base game and a side game which may be played and wagered upon concurrently or according to some play sequence. The base game may be one type of game displayed on a portion of a primary display of the gaming machine and the side game may be a different type of game displayed on a remaining portion of the primary display.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and program products are taught which provide a slot machine game that increases the size of the symbol array as a mystery feature. As the player spins the reels, the number of positions available on each reel grows randomly to allow more paylines. Other embodiments may include free spin bonuses, as well as bonus features that further increase the number of positions on each reel, and adjust the probability of reel expansions based on the current array size.

Abstract: A gaming system, apparatus, and method are disclosed including a game feature with one or more symbol selection gamepieces, preferably presented as a graphical “Eye of the Pharaoh,” which, when activated, causes a moving graphical effect to sequentially select various symbols in the gaming array. An interactive player input or a timeout may end the sequential selections, after which the symbol selection gamepiece selects a final selected symbol, on which is based a special award. Perceived-skill and actual-skill versions are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and program products provide for dynamically modifying a symbol matrix, such as a symbol matrix produced in a reel-type game, to provide the player with additional chances to win on a given activation of the game. In particular, one or more initial symbol locations in a matrix of symbol locations may be split so as to replace the respective initial symbol location with two or more symbol locations. The additional symbol locations produced in this way define additional sets of symbol combinations and these additional symbol combinations provide the player with additional chances to win on a given play of the game.

Abstract: A primary game may display multiple bonus game selection symbols on a reel. The bonus game selection symbols allow the player to choose a bonus game. The bonus game simulates a play in an actual wagering game with a wager that would normally be higher than the wager in the primary game.

Abstract: A method includes designating at least one of the paylines defined through a matrix of symbol locations as an enhanced value payline which is associated with a respective value enhancer. Upon receipt of a game play input to initiate a play of the wagering game at least some of the symbol locations are populated with a respective game symbol for that respective play of the game. Once the game symbols are displayed for a play of the game, the respective value enhancer associated with each respective enhanced value payline is applied to enhance the value of a paytable prize for that respective payline to produce an enhanced prize. The method ultimately includes awarding this enhanced prize for each enhanced value payline and also awarding a respective paytable prize for each winning payline that is not an enhanced value payline.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed in which a bonus currency game is operable simultaneously with the primary game. When a player initiates play of the primary game, the bonus currency game is initiated as well. The bonus currency game includes a set of target symbols which have corresponding bonus currency values such that, when a target symbol is activated, such as by a random or quasi-random determination, the bonus currency value associated with the target symbol is awarded to the player. After a player accumulates bonus currency, the player may utilize the currency to purchase various available online items, such as game plays in an arcade.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed in which a gaming machine provides both a base game and a side game which may be played and wagered upon concurrently or according to some play sequence. The base game may be one type of game displayed on a portion of a primary display of the gaming machine and the side game may be a different type of game displayed on a remaining portion of the primary display.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and program products are taught which provide a slot machine game that increases the size of the symbol array as a mystery feature. As the player spins the reels, the number of positions available on each reel grows randomly to allow more paylines. Other embodiments may include free spin bonuses, as well as bonus features that further increase the number of positions on each reel, and adjust the probability of reel expansions based on the current array size.

Abstract: A game is provided including an alternating wild symbol feature, known in a preferred embodiment as the “Flip'n Wild.” The feature preferably occurs during the reel spin of a base game play, the wild symbols are placed before the reels stop. The Flip'n Wild symbol moves right or left and up or down across the reels. As it moves, it alternates/flips from a “flip” side to a “wild” side. In every reel position that “wild” lands, a wild is left in place.

Abstract: A tournament game, gaming machine, gaming system and method are disclosed wherein a player-interactive bonus feature is triggered and displayed simultaneously with a tournament game presentation and a bonus award is paid responsive to a player selecting a displayed bonus target, such as a balloon. The bonus award is paid in addition to any award payable based on the tournament game outcome.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed with one or more dynamic bingo cards or artifices wherein each daubed number on a bingo card is removed from its initial location and re-located to the last position of the payline on which the daubed number is positioned and at least one other number on the associated payline is moved to replace the position vacated by the daubed number. Once the final number is drawn, paylines with all daubed numbers are paid according to the paytable. If all positions on a bingo card are daubed, then a progressive or other jackpot award may be paid.

Abstract: A method includes receiving one or more primary game inputs at a gaming machine, each primary game input defining a wager for a respective play of a primary game presented through the gaming machine and also initiating the respective play of the primary game. Each qualifying wager in the primary game offered through the gaming machine is applied in a predefined fashion toward to an entry fee in one or more gaming machine tournaments. Ultimately, the value of the tournament entry fee account may reach a first level which is predefined as a level required for participation in a tournament. Once this level has been reached, the method includes enabling the affected player to participate in the tournament. Thus the player need not stop play of the wagering game to pay any entry fee which may be required for participation in a tournament game.

Abstract: Provided is a wager-per-play skill game in which the player's skill is used in selecting one of several random prize distributions or prize pools from which the player's award will be randomly selected. Wagers are preferably entered automatically for each skilled interaction the player makes in the game play area, allowing for continuous play in which the game state persists between wagers. In one version, there is no possibility of complete failure of the skill game, instead every move of the player is given an immediate skill rating or value. The immediate skill rating is used to select an associated prize distribution or prize pool from among multiple distributions or pools, which is then applied to randomly select a prize for the player's move.

Abstract: A convertible in-revenue and out-of-revenue gaming system is disclosed that includes a server connected to automatically convert operating modes and control in-revenue and out-of-revenue operation of one or more banks of gaming machines. Additionally disclosed are gaming machines with video cameras connected to provide live video feed to one or more displays, such as during tournament play when live video feed of the players and the player tournament positions may be driven in real-time to an overhead display by the server operating in a tournament controller mode.

Abstract: A progressive prize method for a group of linked gaming machines includes maintaining both a respective local progressive pool for each respective gaming machine in the group and a group progressive pool shared among the group of gaming machines. A local progressive prize trigger is used to determine when a progressive prize is to be awarded from a local progressive pool and a separate group progressive trigger is used to determine when a progressive prize is to be awarded from the group progressive pool. The group progressive trigger may be based on a count of local progressive prizes that have been awarded. Thus a local progressive trigger may ultimately result in the award of a progressive prize from the group progressive pool rather than the respective local progressive pool.

Abstract: A slot machine has a player selection bonus game where a player selects concealed gamepieces from a group to reveal the value of the gamepiece. The preferred game has a burger building theme in which the game rules are related to building one or more hamburgers, and the hidden gamepieces represent burger ingredients. A particular selection allows the player to win larger prizes for future selections. Other designated selections may modify future selections still further (2× and 3× multipliers for double-decker and triple-decker bun selections). Certain gamepieces may change their function based on the context or state of the bonus game.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed with one or more dynamic bingo cards or artifices wherein each daubed number on a bingo card is removed from its initial location and re-located to the last position of the payline on which the daubed number is positioned and at least one other number on the associated payline is moved to replace the position vacated by the daubed number. Once the final number is drawn, paylines with all daubed numbers are paid according to the paytable. If all positions on a bingo card are daubed, then a progressive or other jackpot award may be paid.

Abstract: A convertible in-revenue and out-of-revenue gaming system is disclosed that includes a server connected to automatically convert operating modes and control in-revenue and out-of-revenue operation of one or more banks of gaming machines. Additionally disclosed are gaming machines with video cameras connected to provide live video feed to one or more displays, such as during tournament play when live video feed of the players and the player tournament positions may be driven in real-time to an overhead display by the server operating in a tournament controller mode.