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 playing a wagering game comprises a player placing a wager in a gaming machine. The machine has more than one symbol display system comprising a first symbol display area and at least a second symbol display area. The first display area and at least second display area displaying a plurality of symbols that are used to determine winning events. The first display area providing at least one first symbol. The first symbol is automatically provided to the at least second display area. The machine then independently completes symbol display for the first display area and the at least second display area and then determines if winning events are present in the first display area and the at least second display area. In addition, the wagering game may include an interactive bonus feature, whereby the player may specify a special symbol and play a bonus event if a plurality of those specified symbols appears on the payline of any wagered game.

Abstract: A video monitor screen is provided on which symbol-bearing playing cards may be provided for use in a video poker game. The player makes a wager to play a first underlying game. A predetermined number of playing cards are initially displayed, and the player is prompted to hold none, one, some or all of the cards. Unheld cards are discarded and replaced by replacement cards to form a final hand. The symbols in the final hand provide an outcome, and the outcome is analyzed for predetermined winning symbol combinations that are paid according to a predetermined paytable. If the outcome includes any winning symbol combinations, regardless of the make-up or rank of the winning symbol combinations, a bonus opportunity or event is provided in the next game.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering card game begins with a wager from each player, and is played in a predetermined maximum number of rounds, each round consisting of the deal of at least two cards to each player and the dealer. At the end of the first round, the game is over if the dealer's hand contains at least a minimum specified rank. Rankings, from minimum rank to maximum rank, consist of a Pair, 3-of-a-Kind, 4-of-a-Kind, 5-of-a-Kind, etc. Each player's hand is then compared to the dealer's hand, and the higher ranking hand wins. Winning player hands are paid according to a predetermined paytable. At the end of any round, a player's hand with one Joker may automatically bust; i.e., all of the player's wagers are lost, and his cards removed.

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 mechanical, electromechanical or video slot play is disclosed. The method comprises networked gaming machines, each machine comprising a base game and a communal second screen bonus feature that is perpetually displayed and viewable in real time. A predetermined symbol or symbol set result in a base game determines a specific number of chances for a qualified player and triggers the play of the communal bonus feature, the number of chances determining a gaming segment. Qualified players play their game segments one at a time in sequential order. Upon the completion of a gaming segment, the player collects awards and returns to the base game. If at any time a predetermined special symbol or event has been activated during a gaming segment in the bonus game event, the game is terminated, and a next bonus game event is initiated.

Abstract: An apparatus that enables a gaming method and the gaming method of playing a wagering game comprises providing a gaming display area including game areas that may be indicated as enclosed by edge features. Edge features are positioned on the gaming display area. Positioning of edge features is then ceased according to rules of the wagering game to a final count of edge features. After the final count of edge features has been deposited and symbols are present on the display area, it is determined if the edge features enclose symbols according to rules of the wagering game. It is then determined if any symbols enclosed by edge features according to the rules of the game establish a winning event, losing event or push event in the game.

Abstract: A monitor screen is provided on which playing card symbols may be provided for use in video wagering games. The player makes a wager to play a draw poker game and an initial dealt hand is displayed. The player may choose to hold none, one or up to all of the cards in the dealt hand, with the remaining cards being designated as discards. The player is then given the choice to either (a) eliminate the discards or (b) pay an additional fee to save the discards as a partial dealt hand in a subsequent game. The additional fee may be a flat fee, or it may be variable as determined by the makeup of the discards. In either case (a or b), replacement cards are added to the held cards to form a final hand, and the final hand is evaluated for wins against a predetermined paytable.

Abstract: A monitor screen is provided on which symbols may be provided for use in video wagering games, including poker games, card games, slot games, bingo and keno. The player makes a wager to purchase a block of sequentially-playable games. The wager is the aggregate total of the wagers placed on each individual game. This aggregate total wager becomes the wager for the first game. A first partial (or intermediate) outcome of the first game is displayed. The player, having certain information about the potential final outcome from the partially displayed outcome, may choose to either: (a) play the partial first game to a final conclusion, or (b) pass by forfeiting the wager for the individual game. If the player decides to play the first game to its conclusion, the player will either lose the aggregate total wager, or win according to a predetermined paytable, in either case terminating any further play of the remaining games.

Abstract: A monitor screen is provided on which symbols may be provided for use in a slot-type wagering game or a video poker game. A predetermined set of available symbols or cards is provided for use in the symbol game. At any point in the game after a wager is placed by the player, a random spin or deal of a single symbol or plurality of symbols is shown. Based on the rules of the game and predetermined paytables, the symbol(s) are automatically evaluated by the machine or processor to determine which symbol selection, arrangement, order and/or placement would provide the player with the optimum expected value (Optimum EV). Optimum EV is described as the highest average expected payoff in the long run. It is generally calculated by adding up the sum of the probabilities of each event times the payoff for each event. The selection, arrangement, order and/or placement as determined by the Optimum EV is executed as a play function and the game continues according to the predetermined rules.

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 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 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.

Abstract: A method of playing multiple card games on video gaming apparatus is based on the conventional manner of play of Twenty-One. The game comprises at least one player making at least a first wager and at least a second wager, the first wager and the second wager defining a total initial wager, the total initial wager being equal to or exceeding at least four minimum wagers allowed for play of one of said multiple card games. The players are then dealt an initial first hand of two equivalent cards to the at least one each player in a first hand, second hand, third hand and fourth hand positions controlled by the at least one player to form a total of at least four player hands, the at least four player hands forming multiple player hands. The total initial wager is distributed among the multiple player hands so that at least four hands have wagers equal to or exceeding the minimum wagers allowed for play of one of said multiple card games.

Abstract: A video poker-type wagering game in which a wager is made to play an underlying draw poker game consisting of at least a single hand of poker. An additional bet is required to utilize a wild card play option. A predetermined amount of initial cards are randomly dealt from a standard deck of 52 cards to form the initial player's hand. If the player has made a side bet wager, at least one up to the predetermined amount of player's hand cards are simultaneously dealt from a separate deck to a house hand. Any cards in the player's hand that match any cards in the house hand by rank, suit and/or position are automatically changed to be wild cards. The player chooses which cards to hold and which cards to discard from the player's hand. Replacement cards for the discarded cards are dealt from the remainder of cards in the player's hand deck. The outcome for this final hand is evaluated according to a predetermined paytable and any wins are provided to the player.

Abstract: A monitor screen is provided on which card symbols may be provided for use in a video poker game. In the video poker game, the player makes a wager. A predetermined number of initial cards are dealt from a set of cards to form an initial array of cards. The cards are randomly dealt either face up or face down. The player selects one group of cards to hold, the card(s) selected being displayed face up into the final hand area. The player then selects at least a second group of cards from the initial array that are displayed face up in the final hand area. After a predetermined number of cards are selected, the final hand may be considered complete, or may be completed by cards drawn from the remainder of the deck. The outcome for this final hand is evaluated according to a 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 wagering game has a dealer compete against a player. The at least one player and the dealer receive a single card. The at least one player takes at least one mandatory hit card. If the at least one mandatory hit card has the specific relationship in rank to the single card, or if the at least one mandatory hit card allows the at least one player to continue the game, the player having the option of taking another hit card. When the player has elected to take no more hits or has taken a maximum number of hits, but has not taken a card that busts, the dealer taking at least one mandatory hit card the dealer taking hits until the dealer busts, until the dealer receives a predetermined maximum number of cards, or until the dealer has received a total number of cards that exceeds the total number of cards in all players' hands in the game.

Abstract: A video wagering game is played by placing at least one bet; receiving a first set of symbols from which a rank may be determined in reading the symbols; determining the rank of the first set of symbols as a first rank; receiving at least a second set of symbols from which a rank may be determined in reading the symbols; determining the rank of the second set of symbols; comparing the rank of the second set of symbols to the rank of the second set of symbols; determining whether the rank of said second set of symbols ties or exceeds the first rank; and resolving the at least one bet with respect to whether the second rank ties or exceeds the first rank.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus provides symbols to determine winning outcomes. An object-element passes in a path through displayed pathways on a display. As the object-element passes over symbol collecting positions on the display in the pathways, symbols on collecting positions are activated as part of a game display. The gaming apparatus provides at least one award for predetermined combinations of symbols. The object-element should collect at least two symbols in a single pass through the path.

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. This bonus can be in many different forms. 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, randomly assigned bonuses, an immediately available mini-jackpot for less then jackpot hands, and a period of time of increased pay amounts or an amount of mini-jackpot that is exhausted by players who are playing the game at the time of the jackpot.