Abstract: A wagering game community environment is described herein. In some embodiments, the environment includes a community server to provide services for a wagering game community. In some embodiments, the community server comprises a communications controller configured to receive communications from community terminals and to send the communications to wagering game machines. In some embodiments, the community server also includes a promotions controller configured to award promotional material to members of the virtual gaming community based on their use of the community terminals, the promotional material being for use in wagering games available on the wagering game machines.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a progressive jackpot awarded in response to a jackpot win event. The gaming system includes a first gaming machine linked to the progressive jackpot, the first gaming machine accepting a first wager. The gaming system further includes a second gaming machine linked to the progressive jackpot, the second gaming machine accepting a second wager that is greater than the first wager. A first player making the first wager at the first gaming machine is awarded the progressive jackpot if the jackpot win event is associated with the first gaming machine. A second player making the second wager at the second gaming machine is awarded the progressive jackpot plus an expected value equalizing award if the jackpot win event is associated with the second gaming machine.

Abstract: A method for enabling a portal game on a wagering game device includes the acts of using a processor operatively associated with the wagering game device to conducting a wagering game on the wagering game device in accord with a first math model and using a portal game controller, which may be the processor operatively associated with the wagering game device or a separate controller, operatively associated with both the portal game and the wagering game device, to overlay a portal game over the wagering game. The portal game includes a second math model that is mathematically independent from the first math model of the wagering game.

Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for conducting a wagering game having increased excitement and enjoyment over existing wagering games. The method and system involve a bank of wagering game terminals connected to a bank controller. Each wagering game terminal allows players to play a basic wagering game that is independent of other wagering game terminals. The wagering game terminals also allow players to play a bonus game where players take turns playing to win a portion of a jackpot. The portion awarded to each player may be the actual amount won by that player, or it may be a percentage of the entire jackpot based on the actual amount won by the player relative to other players. In one implementation, only players at wagering game terminals that exceed a minimum level of wagering activity may play the bonus game.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of conducting a wagering game is disclosed. The method comprises revealing a plurality of symbol-bearing objects to form a plurality of user-playable hands. At least one hand from the plurality of user-playable hands is discarded, via player selection. A first plurality of community symbol-bearing objects is revealed. The plurality of community symbol-bearing objects is capable of being combined with one or more of the non-discarded plurality of user-playable hands to form an individual best hand.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system and method for conducting a wagering game on a plurality of gaming machines is disclosed. A first community event is triggered and two or more gaming machines from the plurality of gaming machines are selected to participate in the first community event. A second community event is triggered—prior to completion of the first community event—and at least one gaming machine is selected from the plurality of gaming machines to participate in the second community event. The at least one gaming machine being different from the two or more gaming machines selected to participate in the first community event. A substitute-community-event award is provided to the at least one gaming machine without playing the second community event.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include monitoring wagering game play for a player account that is registered to play a group scavenger hunt game. The group scavenger hunt game may include various collectable items that group members collect to win the group scavenger hunt game. The operations can further include determining that wagering game events occur during the wagering game play, where the occurrences of the wagering game events are prerequisites for obtaining the collectable items. The operations can further include indicating on a group progress report (e.g., a website) that one of the collectable items was obtained. In some embodiments, the operations can also include awarding the player account for obtaining the item, providing trophies, or other virtual assets, for winning the group scavenger hunt game, providing benefits for holding the trophies, etc.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering game, the wagering game having a basic game and a multi-level secondary game. The method includes conducting the basic game at a gaming terminal. In response to achieving a first-level secondary game entry award, a first-level secondary game is activated. A first set of player-selectable game elements is displayed during the first level secondary game and a player selects, at least one of the first set of player-selectable game elements, which include at least one second-level secondary game entry award. Upon selecting the second-level secondary game entry award, a second-level secondary game is activated and a second set of player-selectable game elements are displayed. The player selects at least one of the second set of player-selectable game elements and a progressive game payoff is awarded based on the selecting.

Abstract: A multi-mode gaming terminal comprising, a wager input device, a primary display for displaying a primary wagering game. And at least one controller operative to: (i) detect a selection between a cash mode of operation and a tournament mode of operation; (ii) if the cash mode is selected, execute the primary wagering game configured with a first payback return; (iii) if the tournament mode is selected, execute the primary wagering game in a tournament mode configured with a second payback return and a tournament return, wherein on each tournament eligible play of the primary wagering game resulting in a winning outcome, a predetermined number of tournament points are awarded and added to a tournament entry; and (iv) upon the occurrence of a triggering event, entering the tournament entry into at least one tournament.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include presenting a skill-based wagering game on a wagering game machine. The skill-based wagering game can have a limited winnable award amount for the skill-based wagering game. The operations can also include tracking skilled game goals that a player accomplishes during the skill-based wagering game and awarding the player from the limited winnable award amount. The operations can also include determining a surplus amount that was not earned from the limited winnable award amount, and awarding some, or all, of the surplus amount during subsequent activity. In some embodiments, the operations can also include allocating the surplus amount to wagering game pools, distributing the surplus amount as tokens based on triggered activities, and presenting game modifiers that enable players to enhance performance in a skill-based game.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a game display configured to display an array of symbols indicating a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game in response to receiving a wager from a player, an input device adapted to receive inputs from a player and to output a signal to a controller corresponding to the player inputs and a controller configured to conduct a wagering game and a game feature associated with the wagering game. The controller is further configured to enable play of the wagering game responsive to an input of a first wager and to enable the game feature responsive to an input of a second wager further to the first wager. The game feature provides an opportunity for the player to receive, further to a winning outcome in the wagering game, a first positive feature in the game feature, and provides an opportunity for the player to receive, further to a losing outcome in the wagering game, a second positive feature in the game feature.

Abstract: A method of operating a wagering game comprises receiving a primary wager, displaying a randomly selected outcome of a primary wagering game, and displaying at least one progressive jackpot. A first portion of the primary wager is allocated to fund the at least one progressive jackpot. An increment amount to be added to the at least one progressive jackpot is randomly determined, the at least one progressive jackpot is incremented by the increment amount, and in response to a triggering event, the at least one progressive jackpot is awarded. Alternatively, a random determination is made whether to increase the at least one progressive jackpot by a predetermined increment amount and, in response to a determination to increase the at least one progressive jackpot, the at least one progressive jackpot is incremented by the predetermined increment amount.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes an accumulation-bonus feature which allows a player to cache awards to a bonus object. A player selects when to use the bonus object in a secondary playfield to enhance the cached awards.

Abstract: A gaming system and method for conducting a wagering game includes a bonus feature that awards percentages of a progressive jackpot award without resetting the progressive jackpot award. A wager input receives a wager from a player to play a single play of a wagering game. The wagering increases the progressive jackpot award. A bonus feature is triggered that includes awarding a first award that has an amount that is a percentage less than 100% of the progressive jackpot award. The bonus feature may also award a second award that is at least the entire progressive jackpot award. If the first award is awarded, the progressive jackpot award remains at the same level. If the second award is awarded, the progressive jackpot award is reset to a predetermined minimum value.

Abstract: A gaming system and method for conducting a wagering game includes providing a first event eligibility-based equity relative to a first wagering game and converting the first event eligibility-based equity to an exchange medium. The exchange medium may be cash or a second event eligibility-based equity relative to a second wagering game. The first event eligibility-equity may be stored for later use on the first wagering game.

Abstract: A wagering game community environment is described herein. In some embodiments, the environment includes a community server to provide services for a wagering game community. In some embodiments, the community server comprises a communications controller configured to receive communications from community terminals and to send the communications to wagering game machines. In some embodiments, the community server also includes a promotions controller configured to award promotional material to members of the virtual gaming community based on their use of the community terminals, the promotional material being for use in wagering games available on the wagering game machines.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a community game at linked gaming machines includes a best selection feature that allows players to make selections from a plurality of selectable objects. Each selected object is associated with an award and the highest award is awarded to each of the players at the linked gaming machines.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises a wager input device for receiving a primary wager, a display for displaying a primary wagering game, and a controller operative to (i) detect receipt of the primary wager, (ii) cause the display to present a randomly selected outcome of the primary wagering game, the randomly selected outcome selected from a plurality of possible outcomes, the plurality of possible outcomes including at least one winning outcome, (iii) determine if the randomly selected outcome is the at least one winning outcome, (iv) determine if the at least one winning outcome satisfies a booster eligibility requirement, (v) in response to the randomly selected outcome being the at least one winning outcome, provide a first award, and (vi) in response to the at least one winning outcome satisfying the booster eligibility requirement, provide a second award.

Abstract: A wagering game has an overall payback percentage and a portion of the wagering game has a default expected value. A gamble feature is offered to the player prior to play of the portion of the wagering game but after a wager has been received. The gamble feature has a possibility of a successful outcome or an unsuccessful outcome. The outcome of the gamble feature affects the default expected value for the portion of the wagering game. The default expected value of the portion of the wagering game is altered based on the outcome of the gamble feature. The portion of the wagering game is conducted using the altered expected value.

Abstract: A gaming terminal having a wagering game. The wagering game includes a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. In response to the randomly selected outcome being a win-deferral outcome, the wagering game provides a player with a selection of immediately obtaining a first award or obtaining a second award under a specified condition.