Abstract: A gaming system having gaming machines or devices configurable in a ‘z’-shaped geometric arrangement are provided. The gaming system can include a plurality of gaming machines having a respective main display screen and a plurality of secondary display screens. Each of the plurality of gaming machines can be spaced apart from one another in a first direction with the respective main display of each of the plurality of gaming machines being parallel to each other. Each of the plurality of secondary screens can be coupled between the respective main display screen of respective ones of the plurality of gaming machines to fill a gap therebetween and are positioned at an angle with respect to the respective main display screen of the respective ones of the plurality of gaming machines.

Abstract: A gaming system having gaming machines or devices configurable in a ‘z’-shaped geometric arrangement are provided. The gaming system can include a plurality of gaming machines having a respective main display screen and a plurality of secondary display screens. Each of the plurality of gaming machines can be spaced apart from one another in a first direction with the respective main display of each of the plurality of gaming machines being parallel to each other. Each of the plurality of secondary screens can be coupled between the respective main display screen of respective ones of the plurality of gaming machines to fill a gap therebetween and are positioned at an angle with respect to the respective main display screen of the respective ones of the plurality of gaming machines.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus with geometrically oriented elements is disclosed. Specifically, an array of game elements are displayed, each of which has a discrete geometric orientation, and whose relative geometric orientations, in addition to relative placement of each gaming element, determines winning patterns which result in payout to a player.

Abstract: A method for playing a game wherein a positive outcome for a player requires both a superior ranking over other players or fixed outcomes, and an absolute minimum ranking, is disclosed. A machine incorporating the method described is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus with geometrically oriented elements is disclosed. Specifically, an array of game elements are displayed, each of which has a discrete geometric orientation, and whose relative geometric orientations, in addition to relative placement of each gaming element, determines winning patterns which result in payout to a player.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus with geometrically oriented elements is disclosed. Specifically, an array of game elements are displayed, each of which has a discrete geometric orientation, and whose relative geometric orientations, in addition to relative placement of each gaming element, determines winning patterns which result in payout to a player.

Abstract: A method for playing a game wherein a positive outcome for a player requires both a superior ranking over other players or fixed outcomes, and an absolute minimum ranking, is disclosed. A machine incorporating the method described is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for constructing paytables for gambling games is disclosed. Specifically, a method of defining a universe of possible outcomes, populating a sub-universe of winning outcomes, and efficiently populating the remainder of the universe with non-winning outcomes based on the desired behavior of the game is described. A means of further enhancing the creation of the sub-universe of winning outcomes to control volatility is also disclosed. Further, a means of controlling the sub-universe of non-winning outcomes to avoid non-desirable patterns of loss, including but not limited to “anti-lure” controls, is disclosed. A gambling machine utilizing the paytables constructed by the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for indicating the relative odds of winning a gambling game is disclosed. Specifically, a gambling game with an initial configuration and a final configuration, in which the player may chose an action or actions to perform upon the initial configuration which influence the final configuration, displays an indicator when the player has chosen the best possible action or actions to perform upon the initial configuration. A refinement of such gambling games wherein the indicator is not displayed until after the player has committed to their choice of actions, so as to educate and entertain the player without assisting them in the instant choice, is also disclosed. An alternate version wherein an indicator which indicates that the player's choice was not the best play is also described.

Abstract: A segmented memory control system is disclosed. Specifically, multiple memory locations, including removable memory locations, are part of a gaming device. The memory locations are prioritized and data, including new data on removable memory units, with a higher priority is used by the gaming device at run time.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus with geometrically oriented elements is disclosed. Specifically, an array of game elements are displayed, each of which has a discrete geometric orientation, and whose relative geometric orientations, in addition to relative placement of each gaming element, determines winning patterns which result in payout to a player.

Abstract: A video game or other amusement/entertainment device has a card reader that can be used to establish game play credits. The reader can also be used as an input device to communicate control codes to the game or other amusement/entertainment device control unit. The control codes can direct the control unit to switch from a normal game play or other amusement/entertainment mode to at least one alternate mode for special promotions, tournaments or the like. Alternately, the control codes can cause the game or other amusement/entertainment machine to enter maintenance or administrative modes.