Abstract: In one embodiment, the gaming system enables a player to place one or more side bets on one or more outcomes associated with one or more bonus events, wherein the player participates in each of such bonus event(s) regardless of when that bonus event is triggered and regardless of which gaming device(s) in the gaming system is associated with the triggering of that bonus event. In another embodiment, the gaming system enables a player to place a side bet which is associated with an eligibility period, such as a designated period of time or a designated quantity of games played. If no bonus events are triggered during the associated eligibility period, the placed side bet is lost and the gaming system does not provide the player any bonus event awards in association with the placed side bet.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the gaming system enables a player to place one or more side bets on one or more outcomes associated with one or more bonus events, wherein the player participates in each of such bonus event(s) regardless of when that bonus event is triggered and regardless of which gaming device(s) in the gaming system is associated with the triggering of that bonus event. In another embodiment, the gaming system enables a player to place a side bet which is associated with an eligibility period, such as a designated period of time or a designated quantity of games played. If no bonus events are triggered during the associated eligibility period, the placed side bet is lost and the gaming system does not provide the player any bonus event awards in association with the placed side bet.

Abstract: A gaming device and method is disclosed which enables a player to win one or more free spins in a primary game after placing an optional side wager. The primary game has a plurality of symbols including at least one free spin symbol on a plurality of reels. If the player places the side wager, the free spin symbol is associated with a quantity of free spins. If the player places the side wager, the gaming device provides the player with the quantity of free spins for each free spin symbol that occurs on the reels in the primary game. The gaming device accumulates any free spins won during the primary game as additional free spins for a bonus or secondary game. The player can selectively (i) use the additional or accumulated free spins in the bonus or secondary game, (ii) store the additional or accumulated free spins, or (iii) convert the additional or accumulated free spins to an award.

Abstract: A gaming device including a rotatable symbol display having a plurality of sections and a plurality of symbol modifying indicators. Each of the sections includes a value which is modified by a modifier generated by an activated symbol modifying indicators. The modified awards are added together and provided to the player in the game. In one embodiment, a selection display including a plurality of selections is displayed to the player. The selections are associated with each of the symbol modifying indicators. The gaming device enables the player to pick one or more of the selections to activate one or more of the symbol modifying indicators. The player picks the selections until the player picks a selection including a terminator.

Abstract: A gaming system including a plurality of generated primary symbols and at least one generated secondary symbol. If any generated primary symbol is associated with any generated secondary symbol, the gaming system provides an award based on the generated primary symbol being associated with the generated secondary symbol.

Abstract: A gaming device and method is disclosed which enables a player to win one or more free spins in a primary game after placing an optional side wager. The primary game has a plurality of symbols including at least one free spin symbol on a plurality of reels. If the player places the side wager, the free spin symbol is associated with a quantity of free spins. If the player places the side wager, the gaming device provides the player with the quantity of free spins for each free spin symbol that occurs on the reels in the primary game. The gaming device accumulates any free spins won during the primary game as additional free spins for a bonus or secondary game. The player can selectively (i) use the additional or accumulated free spins in the bonus or secondary game, (ii) store the additional or accumulated free spins, or (iii) convert the additional or accumulated free spins to an award.

Abstract: A gaming system and method provides a competitive group bonus event for a plurality of players playing at linked gaming devices. Upon activation of the group bonus event, a first one of the players playing at one of the gaming devices can challenge one or more other players to participate in the group bonus event. Players who accept the challenge agree to compete for one or more awards associated with the group bonus event. The players play the primary games of their respective gaming devices independently of the group bonus event. The first player to trigger a bonus game on his or her gaming device wins the group bonus event and is provided with an award. The winner of the group bonus event additionally has the opportunity to play the triggered bonus game.

Abstract: A method of controlling a gaming device is provided in which a set of a plurality of selections is displayed. The player is enabled to pick one of the selections. After one of the selections is picked by the player, an award is generated and provided from an award pool. One of the selections is eliminated from the set. The above steps are repeated until the player's picked selection is the same as the eliminated selection, wherein the set in each repeated step is reduced to include non-eliminated selections.

Abstract: A method of operating a gaming device having a game that may be implemented in a primary or bonus game is provided. In one primary embodiment, the gaming device assigns an allotted number to each choice of a set of choices. The gaming device displays the set of choices for a first round. The gaming device prompts the player to select one of the choices. Upon the player's pick of one of the choices, the gaming device starts an award sequence for the first round. The award sequence generates choices and awards until one of the choices is generated its allotted number of times. If this choice is the same as the player's choice, the game ends, if not, the player advances to a second round.

Abstract: A method of operating a gaming device having a game that may be implemented in a primary or bonus game is provided. In one primary embodiment, the gaming device assigns an allotted number to each choice of a set of choices. The gaming device displays the set of choices for a first round. The gaming device prompts the player to select one of the choices. Upon the player's pick of one of the choices, the gaming device starts an award sequence for the first round. The award sequence generates choices and awards until one of the choices is generated its allotted number of times. If this choice is the same as the player's choice, the game ends, if not, the player advances to a second round.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having a game that may be implemented in a primary or bonus game. In one primary embodiment, the gaming device assigns an allotted number to each choice of a set of choices. The gaming device displays the set of choices for a first round. The gaming device prompts the player to select one of the choices. Upon the player's pick of one of the choices, the gaming device starts an award sequence for the first round. The award sequence generates choices and awards until one of the choices is generated its allotted number of times. If this choice is the same as the player's choice, the game ends, if not, the player advances to a second round.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having a game that may be implemented in a primary or bonus game. In one primary embodiment, the gaming device assigns an allotted number to each choice of a set of choices. The gaming device displays the set of choices for a first round. The gaming device prompts the player to select one of the choices. Upon the player's pick of one of the choices, the gaming device starts an award sequence for the first round. The award sequence generates choices and awards until one of the choices is generated its allotted number of times. If this choice is the same as the player's choice, the game ends, if not, the player advances to a second round.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device displaying an animated message adjacent to a game functional element such as a set of reels, set of cards, or a keno board. The game functional element can be shown, preferably, on a video monitor screen. In one embodiment, a game title is displayed above the game functional element. Once the game functional element is put into play, an animated message appears to cover the game title. The animated message appears to enter the screen from behind the game functional element. Once the game functional element is no longer in play, the animated message appears to leave the screen by descending behind the game functional element.