Abstract: A method for paying a progressive jackpot in a wide area progressive system having a progressive controller linked to groups of gaming terminals. Each gaming terminal using software determines, based upon at least the broadcast current progressive jackpot amount and the received wager, at least one fractional portion of the broadcast current progressive jackpot amount that may be won by the player when a progressive event occurs in play of the casino game of chance at the gaming terminal. The fractional progressive jackpot amount is delivered from the gaming terminal back to the progressive controller where it is deducted before the next current progressive jackpot amount is broadcast.

Abstract: During play of a casino game a hidden bonus feature unknown to the player occurs, although the existence of the hidden bonus feature may be known. The occurrence of the hidden bonus feature may be at a random statistical frequency or other event. When the player inputs a correct response to the hidden bonus feature, the player receives an additional award. If a correct response is not received or if the hidden bonus feature is ignored, the player does not receive any further award. The hidden bonus feature does not affect the outcome of the play of the casino game.

Abstract: During play of a casino game a hidden bonus feature unknown to the player occurs as no separate indicator is activated. The occurrence of the hidden bonus feature may be at a random statistical frequency or other event. When the player inputs a correct response to the hidden bonus feature, the player receives an additional award. If a correct response is not received or if the hidden bonus feature is ignored, the player does not receive any further award. The hidden bonus feature does not affect the outcome of the play of the casino game.

Abstract: A casino game and method having at least one hidden attribute for each of a finite number of icons and at least one additional hidden attribute for at least one of the finite number of icons. An initial number of player's picks known to the player are provided and any additional picks found, as a result of the additional hidden attributes, by the player are accumulated to prolong the casino game. The casino game ends when the player's picks are used up.

Abstract: A method for playing a stand-alone and a bonus casino poker dice having X dice, each of the X dice having F faces with a different symbol thereon so as to form a set {S} of symbols on each of the X dice. The method of the present invention includes the steps of placing a wager; rolling the dice; holding none, any, or all of the rolled dice; ending the casino poker dice game when the dice are all held or when re-rolling occurs Y times; paying any winning combinations of symbols based on the placed wager and in response to the step of ending the game; re-rolling the non-held dice when less than all the X dice are held; and repeating various of these steps until the game ends. Variations on this basic method are set forth for stand-alone games, bonus games, used in conjunction with underlying gaming machines, and playing a bonus game of the present invention in parallel with an underlying game so that a number of hands are played.

Abstract: A method for playing a base and bonus live card games with side betting. A video board is used for bonus game play if a predetermined arrangement of cards is dealt in the base game. When a player gets the predetermined arrangement the player can play the bonus game. The other players who made side bets, under one embodiment, are also awarded when the bonus game player wins the bonus game and, under another embodiment, when the bonus game player loses the bonus game. In other embodiments, side bets are not needed for the other players to be awarded based upon the bonus game being won or lost.

Abstract: In a casino game categories are displayed to a player upon the occurrence of an event in the play of the casino game such as a bonusing event. Each category corresponds to a decision-making game and may have its own award level. The player selects one of the categories so that the player controls which decision-making game is played. The decision-making game based upon the selected category is played by the player. The decision-making game can be a knowledge-based game with a query being displayed with possible answers or any other decision-making game. The decision-making game corresponding to the selected category has at least a first possible outcome and a second possible outcome. The player is awarded based on the actual outcome and the award level for the selected category. The first possible outcome provides the player with a higher award than the second possible outcome.

Abstract: A method for playing a slot machine displays for a wager one matrix of random symbols for player selection of at least one symbol. Providing strategic information to the player for favorable play. Converting the at least one position associated with the at least one symbol selected to be wild and awarding the player in accord with available pay table and/or game rules. Allowing the player to make a wager and begin play of a reel slot machine having positions set in a matrix of columns and rows wherein symbols move during play in the columns and stop in perhaps one of the rows. After the reels stop the player selects one or more symbols in accord with the rules of play and/or pay table. The player applies strategy based on information available on the pay table and/or rules of play to select at least one symbol. The player qualifies for wild symbols by random achievement of triggering.

Abstract: During operation of a casino game, a hint feature is displayed with a displayed decision-making game round under control of a processor. A memory may store a plurality of decision-making game rounds. A hint contains response information for a player to increase the player's odds in winning the game round The displaying of the hint feature may occur at a random statistical frequency, based upon player hesitation, or a prevailing position in the game round. The hint is stored wth each game round or is dynamically determined for the displayed game round.

Abstract: A method for playing a stand-alone and a bonus casino poker dice having X dice, each of the X dice having F faces with a different symbol thereon so as to form a set {S} of symbols on each of the X dice. The method of the present invention includes the steps of placing a wager; rolling the dice; holding none, any, or all of the rolled dice; ending the casino poker dice game when the dice are all held or when re-rolling occurs Y times; paying any winning combinations of symbols based on the placed wager and in response to the step of ending the game; re-rolling the non-held dice when less than all the X dice are held; and repeating various of these steps until the game ends. Variations on this basic method are set forth for stand-alone games, bonus games, used in conjunction with underlying gaming machines, and playing a bonus game of the present invention in parallel with an underlying game so that a number of hands are played.

Abstract: A method of playing a casino game by a player for monetary reward has steps including offering the player a plurality of choices, each of which has a probability of success and associated award. The method allows the player to make a choice and awards the player the associated award if the choice is successful. The steps of offering, allowing and awarding are repeated until the player successfully chooses all the choices. Alternately, the method of playing a casino game by a player for monetary reward, the method includes steps of offering the player a plurality of objects, each of which has a probability of success and associated award. The method repeats the steps of allowing the player to choose an object, awarding the player the associated award if the choice is successful and ending the bonus game if the plurality of objects have all been successfully chosen, otherwise randomly determining if the bonus game shall end until the bonus game ends.

Abstract: A method of house apportionment of a bonus value during bonus casino game play, entry for which occurs during play of an underlying game of chance. A method of house apportionment awards the player a portion of the bonus value for the bonus game and adds the remainder of the bonus value to at least one account available to reward subsequent players such that the bonus value paid by the house is constant and the house advantage is fixed regardless of player proficiency in the bonus casino game. The bonus casino games include knowledge-based playing. The step of awarding in the bonus game is a function of the wager, the frequency that the bonus game occurs, the expected return in the game without the bonus and the expected bonus monitoring pay out value.

Abstract: A method for a knowledge-based casino game. A first embodiment provides the knowledge-based casino game as a bonus game for an underlying casino game. A second embodiment provides a stand-alone knowledge-based casino game and a third embodiment provides back-and-forth play between a casino game and a knowledge-based casino game.

Abstract: A method of customizing a casino game of chance has the steps of depicting to the player, before the base game, information about a plurality of aspects for playing the bonus game and allowing the player to pre-select one of the aspects before the bonus play. The step of basing the play of the bonus game upon the pre-selected aspect of the bonus game is a step. The method allows for a question and answer bonus game with choices of answers about trivia. The method has the step of choosing one of a plurality of categories for questions or the difficulty and/or monetary awards of the questions.

Abstract: A Pachinko bonus game system for an underlying game machine. The Pachinko bonus game has a playing field with a plurality of rows of pegs. A ball is launched onto the playing field by a launch mechanism when an initiate condition occurs during play of the underlying game. A row of lanes are provided on the playing field. The ball, after traversing among the pegs on the playing field, eventually travels through one of the lanes. At each lane is randomly displayed a bonus payoff value. The lane the ball travels through senses the presence of the ball and the value displayed for that lane is added to the credit meter in the underlying game. The bonus payoff values are randomly changed from game to game which eliminates any mechanical bias present in the Pachinko game. A stand-alone Pachinko game as well as using a Pachinko game as a coin dispenser is also provided.

Abstract: A method and equipment for playing a base game having a bonus game with side betting for all players has a table for play of the base card game. A board controlled by a dealer control panel shows a video of a bonus game entered by a player achieving a predetermined arrangement of cards during play of the base game. A player has a choice of taking a sure win or playing an additional game. Side wagers allow all betting players to participate in the potential win of the bonus game. The control panel activates a plunger switch to allow the player that achieved the predetermined arrangement of cards to start the random selection of the board bonus game play. By chance the player can win a multiple of the side wager or may win nothing while the players who are bystanders and not the player with the predetermined arrangement of cards to win instead. A computer coupled to the control panel and the plunger switch affords the random selection game play and a video for the screen.

Abstract: A method is set forth for playing a bonus game in a secondary slot machine adjacent a primary slot machine. The primary slot machine issues a bonus qualifying signal to the secondary slot machine to start play of a bonus game when a bonus qualifying event occurs. The reels of the bonus game include value symbols, null symbols, and end game symbols which may be of two basic types: a lose game symbol and a stop game symbol. After the random spin, the values of any value symbols displayed on the payline of the secondary slot machine are accumulated into an accumulated winning value. The value symbols could include positive integer values, negative integer values, and multiples. The random spinning, determination of values of any value symbol and the accumulation of a winning value is repeatedly continued until an end of the bonus game occurs.

Abstract: A method and equipment for playing a base and bonus games with side betting. A video board is used for bonus play if a predetermined arrangement of cards results in the base game. Side wagers allow bettors to win of the bonus with random selection. If a player gets the predetermined arrangement then chooses a sure win or playing an additional game. By chance that player can win a multiple of the side wager or may win nothing while other players win instead. Blackjack played with money, gaming chips, and/or credits pit players against a dealer at a table whereat cards are dealt and awards to one or more players are given for resolution of the bonus. Methods include each player placing a main eager to play, and a side wager optionally to play the bonus game.

Abstract: A method of playing a casino game by a player for monetary reward has steps including offering the player a plurality of choices, each of which has a probability of success and associated award. The method allows the player to make a choice and awards the player the associated award if the choice is successful. The steps of offering, allowing and awarding are repeated until the player successfully chooses all the choices. Alternately, the method of playing a casino game by a player for monetary reward, the method includes steps of offering the player a plurality of objects, each of which has a probability of success and associated award. The method repeats the steps of allowing the player to choose an object, awarding the player the associated award if the choice is successful and ending the bonus game if the plurality of objects have all been successfully chosen, otherwise randomly determining if the bonus game shall end until the bonus game ends.

Abstract: A game for money has a display to show play progress. A processor runs the game play as base and/or the bonus games. The processor connects to the display. Memory in the processor operates a program; runs the game with at least one hidden attribute for each of a finite number of icons and at least two hidden attributes for at least one of the icons. An initial number of player's picks adds picks with the one hidden attribute or attributes to prolong the game. Play controls couple to the processor and the display to pick one of the icons and reveal the hidden attribute or attributes on the icon picked and awarded. A processor return path resumes operation of the game after the initial number of picks and any others revealed are used. Method steps of game play has steps of ascribing at least one hidden attribute to each of the finite number of icons and ascribing at least two hidden attributes to at least one of the icons. Giving the player an initial number of picks then shown to the player is a step.