Abstract: A method of playing a wagering blackjack-type card game on an electronic device wherein the object of the game is to play and win or at least tie both of two player hands against a single dealer hand. Preferably four cards are dealt to each player who has placed a wager, and at least an initial up card for the dealer is displayed. Each player then has the option of forfeiting at least a portion of his wager, or continuing to play. If the player decides to continue playing, the initially-dealt cards are then randomly displayed as two cards in each of two separate player hands. Each player hand is then finalized according to traditional blackjack rules, including doubling, hitting and standing. Each finalized player hand is then compared with a finalized dealer hand, with the winning wagers being determined by a predetermined paytable. A side bet is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering card game for a single player or a number of players using standard playing cards having a standard rank and involving standard poker hand rankings or modified rankings for Three Card Poker® games. The players play a draw poker game against a dealer's stud poker hand. Each player's hand contains fewer cards than the dealer's hand, but the game is resolved with final hands of equal amount of cards. After an Ante wager, a plurality of cards is dealt to each player, and a plurality of cards is dealt to the dealer. Following predetermined house rules, each player then may decide to execute one or more of the following options: Surrender, Fold, make a Play bet, make a Double Down bet, or make a Draw bet. The player may or may not discard a card to make the Draw bet. After all of the players' hands have been fully executed, the dealer then adds one or more additional face-up cards to his hand.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering rummy-type card game on an electronic device wherein the object of the game is to create sets or melds of cards that each comprise exactly a straight, flush, straight flush, royal flush, and/or like ranks. The game begins with a total wager from each player, the total comprising at least one separate wager, and is played with a predetermined number of initially-dealt cards to each player. The initially-dealt cards are placed into and completely fill at least two melds. Preferably the cards are automatically placed into the melds by an Optimum Expected Value function. Each player then has the option of folding, or alternately forfeiting one wager or placing an additional wager to receive each of a predetermined number of community cards that are then sequentially dealt. The player has the option to replace any card in any meld with a community card, and the cards in the melds may be rearranged after any replacement.

Abstract: A method of operating a gaming system including, receiving an initial wager of a quantity of credits from a player to play a quantity of at least two poker hands, for each of the quantity of poker hands, displaying face-up a partial poker hand, automatically applying a first amount from the initial wager to each of the partial poker hands, wherein the sum of the first amounts of credits is less than the quantity of the initial wager, after displaying the partial poker hands face-up, enabling the player to select one of the partial poker hands, automatically applying a second amount from the initial wager to the player selected partial poker hand, wherein the second amount is equal to the initial wager minus the sum of the first amounts, and for each poker hand, determine and display a result and provide any awards associated with said displayed results.

Abstract: A pay line system has a novel type of pay line that can be provided in a variety of different display systems, including at least 3×3 reel-type displays, 3×4, 4×3, 3×5, 5×3, 4×5 and 5×4 displays. The pay lines are preferably displayed on 3×5 or 5×3 window formats and comprise “horseshoe” arrays of frames or H-Configuration arrays of frames. The horseshoe arrays may be provided with the horseshoe opening at 0°, 90°, 180°, 270° with respect to vertical on the screen or with respect to the vertical orientation of a column, and the horseshoe may have three adjacent frames parallel to three of the four sides of the rectangular display created by the columns and rows. In a 3×5 display format, this allows for the horseshoe pay lines to provide twelve new pay lines and six H-Configuration pay lines. These new 7-symbol pay lines may be in addition to other pay lines or as alternatives to other pay lines. The preferred pay line is a series of three lines of equal dimensions (e.g.

Abstract: A method of playing a poker event wagering game includes: a player placing an underlying wager of X credits in the wagering game where Z partial hands are provided in a display step in the wagering game; displaying Z partial hands in the display step; the player wagering Y credits on one of the Z partial hands as a wager that the one of the Z partial hands will be a best hand from among all Z hands at the conclusion of the poker wagering game when the final hands will comprise N cards, wherein Y<X; and X?Y credits being wagered against a paytable for ranks attained against the paytable for each distinct numbers of cards in the Z hands selected from the group consisting of partial hands, intermediate hands and final hands of N cards.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of wagered mechanical, electromechanical or video symbol play for individual or networked gaming machines is disclosed. The method comprises a base game, a time-based bonus element scheme that may provide a bonus event, and a time-based window of opportunity in which the bonus element scheme may be accepted by a qualified player. Upon a triggering event in the base game, or alternately a random event, the player is afforded a specific period of time in which to choose a bonus element scheme comprised of at least one but preferably two bonus elements (i.e., cash, credits, casino player points, free spins, multipliers, and the like) that are each available for a predetermined and/or random time interval. The chosen bonus element scheme provides the parameters of a bonus round game.

Abstract: A method of mechanical, electromechanical or video slot play on networked gaming machines is disclosed. The method comprises a base game, a progressive jackpot opportunity and a dual-usage point system. The point system feature allows the player the flexibility to choose to either redeem the points for benefits (i.e., cash, credits, casino player points, free spins, and the like) or save the points as entries into a progressive prize-related lottery.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering game that comprises the player making multiple wagers to play a single-outcome game, the multiple wagers being made on multiple predetermined paytables for said game. One single-outcome game and at least two differing paytables for said game are offered to the player. The paytables may be for different game versions or for a single game version with differing risk levels. The payback percentage of each of the said differing paytables may vary according to the amount of the wager. The player makes one wager for each predetermined paytable to be utilized in the resolve of the wagers. Multiple same paytables, multiple differing paytables or combinations thereof may be wagered for the play of a single game having a single outcome. The said single outcome is then compared to each wagered predetermined paytable, and each wager is resolved according to that same wagered predetermined paytable.

Abstract: A method of providing all players on a linked network to receive a bonus opportunity based on one player hitting the primary jackpot. All players in an active game, (i.e., the reel spinning mode has been activated by the player bet, and the reels have not yet stopped) receive a bonus opportunity when the primary jackpot is hit. Examples of bonuses are of “scratch tickets” to players that would distribute varying amounts, or a secondary jackpot bonus of a fixed amount or an amount in proportion to the main jackpot. An alternative bonus incorporates a specific time span after the primary jackpot is hit where all players have the chance for a bonus payoff or prize, without having to achieve the extremely high rank of the jackpot award.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering card game for a single player or a number of players using standard playing cards having a standard rank and involving standard poker hand rankings or modified rankings for Three Card Poker® games. The players play a draw poker game against a dealer's stud poker hand. Each player's hand contains fewer cards than the dealer's hand, but the game is resolved with final hands of equal amount of cards. After an Ante wager, a plurality of cards is dealt to each player, and a plurality of cards is dealt to the dealer. Following predetermined house rules, each player then may decide to execute one or more of the following options: Surrender, Fold, make a Play bet, make a Double Down bet, or make a Draw bet. The player may or may not discard a card to make the Draw bet. After all of the players' hands have been fully executed, the dealer then adds one or more additional face-up cards to his hand.

Abstract: Described is a method of playing a wagering game that comprises the player making multiple wagers to play a single-outcome game, the multiple wagers being made on multiple predetermined paytables for said game. One single-outcome game and at least two differing paytables for said game are offered to the player. The paytables may be for different game versions or for a single game version with differing risk levels. The payback percentage of each of the said differing paytables may vary according to the amount of the wager. The player makes one wager for each predetermined paytable to be utilized in the resolve of the wagers. Multiple same paytables, multiple differing paytables or combinations thereof may be wagered for the play of a single game having a single outcome. The said single outcome is then compared to each wagered predetermined paytable, and each wager is resolved according to that same wagered predetermined paytable.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering card game for a single player or a number of players using standard playing cards having a standard rank and involving standard poker hand rankings or modified rankings for Three Card Poker® games. The players play a draw poker game against a dealer's stud poker hand. Each player's hand contains fewer cards than the dealer's hand, but the game is resolved with final hands of equal amount of cards. After an Ante wager, a plurality of cards is dealt to each player, and a plurality of cards is dealt to the dealer. Following predetermined house rules, each player then may decide to execute one or more of the following options: Surrender, Fold, make a Play bet, make a Double Down bet, or make a Draw bet. The player may or may not discard a card to make the Draw bet. After all of the players' hands have been fully executed, the dealer then adds one or more additional face-up cards to his hand.

Abstract: A progressive jackpot gaming system that includes a central server, central controller or remote host in communication with a linked plurality of gaming machines or gaming devices is disclosed. The gaming devices are capable of generating video or mechanical images, and are programmed to allow a person to make a wager. Preferably a portion of each wager is contributed to a progressive pool of funds. The gaming system provides the ability to configure progressive jackpot awards based upon the total available progressive pool of funds, allowing the progressive jackpot to be repeatedly reapportioned to include secondary jackpots available to additional non-winning players. The value of any secondary jackpots are predetermined and preferably equal; the value of the primary jackpot may be at least equal to one secondary jackpot but less than the value of two secondary jackpots. Players may have the choice to either join in the shared jackpot scheme, or play to solely win the entire jackpot.

Abstract: A slot machine processor and a video monitor screen are provided on which symbols may be provided in a grid for use in a multi-stage video slot game. The game stages are played sequentially, with separate predetermined sets of symbols being provided for at least two game stages. A first symbol set is provided for at least a first game stage, the first symbol set comprising at least one specifically-themed symbol. A second symbol set is provided for at least a second game stage, the second symbol set comprising at least one specifically-themed symbol that is predeterminedly-related to the at least one specifically-themed symbol in the first symbol set. Symbols in at least a third game stage may be a combination of symbols from the first and second symbol sets. Final symbol arrays in each game stage are analyzed by the processor, and any winning combinations are paid according to predetermined rules and/or paytables.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a gaming machine is disclosed. A slot machine processor and a video monitor screen are provided on which symbols may be provided in a grid for use in a video slot game. The player makes a wager to play the underlying game, with a predetermined initial set of symbols being available for the play of the game. Preferably the symbols are displayed in rows and columns and a first array of symbols from the initial symbol set are displayed in an initial position in the grid. Additional symbols from the remaining initial symbol set are then displayed in the grid, the symbols being displayed according to a specific method and predetermined criterium. Symbols combinations are then analyzed by the processor, and any winning combinations are paid according to a predetermined paytable.

Abstract: A player places an ante wager to participate in the play of the underlying card game. An initial deal of at least one communal partial hand of poker consisting of at least one card is dealt from a single (or multiple) standard deck(s) of cards, standard deck(s) of cards with certain cards removed, or standard deck(s) of cards that is augmented by wild cards or jokers, especially with a partial communal hand consisting of two face-up cards. The player is directed to consider the partial hand and is then directed to choose to play the partial hand as either a 5-card stud game, a 6-card stud game, or a 7-card stud game by placing an additional Play wager on a particular Play Bet circle (i.e., the 5-card game, the 6-card game or the 7-card stud game. Three additional community cards are then dealt face up to complete the 5-card stud hand, and subsequently a 4th and 5th community card.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering blackjack-type card game on an electronic device wherein the object of the game is to play and win or at least tie both of two player hands against a single dealer hand. Preferably four cards are dealt to each player who has placed a wager, and at least an initial up card for the dealer is displayed. Each player then has the option of forfeiting at least a portion of his wager, or continuing to play. If the player decides to continue playing, the initially-dealt cards are then randomly displayed as two cards in each of two separate player hands. Each player hand is then finalized according to traditional blackjack rules, including doubling, hitting and standing. Each finalized player hand is then compared with a finalized dealer hand, with the winning wagers being determined by a predetermined paytable. A side bet is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a gaming machine is disclosed. A slot machine processor and a video monitor screen are provided on which symbols may be provided for use in a video slot game. The player makes a wager to play the underlying game. A first array of symbols is displayed in rows and columns and thereafter a feature opportunity may also be randomly, non-randomly or pseudo-randomly displayed. The feature comprises a special indicium that is displayed over one of the symbols in the initial array. Preferably the special indicium is a graphic representation of a magnifying glass. The magnifying glass enlarges the selected symbol uniformly along an x and y axis by at least 2×, in effect resulting in at least 4 same symbols being arranged in a 2-row by 2-column format.

Abstract: A display is provided on which symbols may be provided for use in a slot-type wagering game. Symbols are displayed on sectioned geometrical shapes such as ovals, squares, circles, polygons, etc. Specific symbol combinations, particularly comprised of one symbol appearing on one section of each sectioned geometric shape or all symbols appearing on all sections of one sectioned geometric shape, may constitute a winning combination according to a predetermined pay table. Preferably the invention incorporates three 3-section circular reels, providing 30 different pay lines and an additional pay line incorporating all nine sections of the reels.