Abstract: A gaming device having a wild activation symbol is displayed on a set of reels or set of cards within a display device. The processor causes other symbols or cards to become wild within the display device when the wild termination symbol is displayed. When the wild activation symbol is displayed, the present invention may also provide a wild termination symbol on the set of reels or the set of cards within a display device. The processor may then stop symbols or cards from becoming wild based on the position of the wild termination symbol.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having a wild activation symbol displayed on a set of reels or set of cards within a display device. The processor causes other symbols or cards to become wild within the display device when the wild termination symbol is displayed. When the wild activation symbol is displayed, the present invention may also provide a wild termination symbol on the set of reels or the set of cards within a display device. The processor may then stop symbols or cards from becoming wild based on the position of the wild termination symbol.

Abstract: A gaming device having a game that may be implemented in a primary or bonus game. More specifically, the present invention provides a processor controlled gaming device that enables the player to build a number of awards by selecting choices from one or more sets of choices and further enables the player to select a final award choice that randomly provides one of the awards when the player finishes building the awards.

Abstract: The present invention includes a gaming device and preferably a bonus round of a gaming device having a processor and a game that presents one or more selectable choices to a player. After a selection is made, the processor accesses an award database and generates an award for the player. Certain awards of the database provide pecuniary gain outcomes, such as a gaming device credit or a game multiplier. One or more supplementing awards of the database include a pecuniary gain outcome and an additional award generation outcome.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a directional bonus scheme for a gaming device which includes a starting position, a plurality of non-terminating positions, a plurality of terminating positions, and a final terminating position. The game randomly generates a direction of movement for a position indicator. The game awards the player with a credit value when the position indicator reaches a non-terminating position. The bonus round terminates when the position indicator reaches a terminating position. The game awards a bonus credit value to the player when the position indicator reaches a final terminating symbol.

Abstract: A bonus scheme for a gaming device which involves multiple award levels for any game scenario having one or more events. Several award levels can be included in a single bonus round. Preferably, various game events are associated with various award levels for a variety of purposes. When an event occurs, the game derives a bonus value from an award level specifically designated for that event. Accordingly, a game can award a player with relatively high or low bonus values, depending upon which event occurs in a game. For example for consolation purposes, the game can award the player with a relatively low bonus value when a bonus round terminates. This type of bonus scheme increases player excitement and enjoyment and generally decreases player frustration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having a game that may be implemented in a primary or bonus game. More specifically, the present invention provides a processor controlled gaming device that enables the player to build a number of awards by selecting choices from one or more sets of choices and further enables the player to select a final award choice that randomly provides one of the awards when the player finishes building the awards.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gaming device having a plurality of reels each having a plurality of award symbols, a terminating condition, at least one award indicator and a processor connected to the reels. The processor activates the reels and randomly stops one of the reels. An award is provided to the player if an award symbol is indicated on the stopped reel. If a terminating condition occurs with respect to a reel, the reel is deactivated. If a terminating condition does not occur, the processor re-activates the reel. The gaming device continues to activate the reels until all of the reels are deactivated. The player then receives the total accumulated award for the bonus game.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bonus scheme for a gaming device which involves multiple award levels for any game scenario having one or more events. Several award levels can be included in a single bonus round. Preferably, various game events are associated with various award levels for a variety of purposes. When an event occurs, the game derives a bonus value from an award level specifically designated for that event. Accordingly, a game can award a player with relatively high or low bonus values, depending upon which event occurs in a game. For example for consolation purposes, the game can award the player with a relatively low bonus value when a bonus round terminates. This type of bonus scheme increases player excitement and enjoyment and generally decreases player frustration.

Abstract: A gaming device having a bonus round with multiple selection groups. The bonus round does not end upon an “end-bonus” selection; rather, the bonus round ends upon the selection of a predetermined number of selections from the last or final selection group. In one embodiment, the number of selections is determined from a selection group preceding the final selection group. Prior to determining the number of final selection group picks, the game provides the player with at least one selection group in which the player selects award indicators until selecting an indicator that advances the player to the next selection group. Player excitement and enjoyment is enhanced because the present invention provides the player with multiple opportunities to achieve game credits and because the player is guaranteed to have at least one opportunity to select from the final selection group. In one embodiment, the final selection group has larger values than the previous selection groups.

Abstract: A method of operating a gaming device which displays at least a set and preferably a plurality of sets of symbols on a display device. The base game, be it slot, poker, keno or blackjack, includes means, connected to the processor, for generating the symbols. Upon generating one of the symbols, the game provides an award associated with the generated symbol. Upon generating the set of symbols, the game provides a progressive award, wherein the progressive award includes at least one award and preferably each of the awards associated with the symbols of the completed set.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gaming device having a plurality of reels each having a plurality of award symbols, a terminating condition, at least one award indicator and a processor connected to the reels. The processor activates the reels and randomly stops one of the reels. An award is provided to the player if an award symbol is indicated on the stopped reel. If a terminating condition occurs with respect to a reel, the reel is deactivated. If a terminating condition does not occur, the processor re-activates the reel. The gaming device continues to activate the reels until all of the reels are deactivated. The player then receives the total accumulated award for the bonus game.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a directional bonus scheme for a gaming device which includes a starting position, a plurality of non-terminating positions, a plurality of terminating positions, and a final terminating position. The game randomly generates a direction of movement for a position indicator. The game awards the player with a credit value when the position indicator reaches a non-terminating position. The bonus round terminates when the position indicator reaches a terminating position. The game awards a bonus credit value to the player when the position indicator reaches a final terminating symbol.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for a bonus game, and particularly a free spin bonus with an incrementing multiplier. The bonus game includes a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols and multipliers. The gaming device provides a number of free spins to the player at the beginning of the bonus game. The multiplier preferably starts at “1×” and increases by one after each free spin. Initially, the player spins the reels attempting to obtain a winning symbol combination on the reels. If the player obtains a winning combination, the gaming device provides an award. The award is multiplied by the multiplier and the player receives the multiplied award for that free spin. The player continues to spin the reels until there are no free spins remaining in the bonus game.

Abstract: The present invention includes a gaming device having a processor and a display device connected to the processor. In addition to a base game which includes slot, poker, keno or blackjack, the present invention displays at least a set and preferably a plurality of sets of symbols on the display device. The base game, be it slot, poker, keno or blackjack, includes means, connected to the processor, for generating the symbols. Upon generating one of the symbols, the game provides an award associated with the generated symbol. Upon generating the set of symbols, the game provides a progressive award, wherein the progressive award includes at least one award and preferably each of the awards associated with the symbols of the completed set.

Abstract: A gaming device having a bonus round with multiple selection groups. The bonus round does not end upon an “end-bonus” selection; rather, the bonus round ends upon the selection of a predetermined number of selections from the last or final selection group. In one embodiment, the number of selections is determined from a selection group preceding the final selection group. Prior to determining the number of final selection group picks, the game provides the player with at least one selection group in which the player selects award indicators until selecting an indicator that advances the player to the next selection group. Player excitement and enjoyment is enhanced because the present invention provides the player with multiple opportunities to achieve game credits and because the player is guaranteed to have at least one opportunity to select from the final selection group. In one embodiment, the final selection group has larger values than the previous selection groups.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a directional bonus scheme for a gaming device which includes a starting position, a plurality of non-terminating positions, a plurality of terminating positions, and a final terminating position. The game randomly generates a direction, of movement for a position indicator. The game awards the player with a credit value when the position indicator reaches a non-terminating position. The bonus round terminates when the position indicator reaches a terminating position. The game awards a bonus credit value to the player when the position indicator reaches a final terminating symbol.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having a bonus scheme wherein an accumulator accumulates bonus re-triggering symbols until a pre-determined number of bonus re-triggering symbols are obtained by the player in the bonus game. The accumulated bonus re-triggering symbols are preferably the same symbol. In one embodiment, the bonus re-triggering symbols in the bonus game are the same symbol as the bonus triggering symbols in the primary game. In another embodiment, the bonus re-triggering symbols in the bonus game are different symbols than the bonus trigger symbols in the primary game. The bonus scheme of the present invention is preferably employed in conjunction with one or more other re-trigger bonus schemes. In another embodiment, the accumulator is employed as a bonus re-triggering event in the bonus game.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gaming device having a plurality of reels each having a plurality of award symbols, a terminating condition, at least one award indicator and a processor connected to the reels. The processor activates the reels and randomly stops one of the reels. An award is provided to the player if an award symbol is indicated on the stopped reel. If a terminating condition occurs with respect to a reel, the reel is deactivated. If a terminating condition does not occur, the processor re-activates the reel. The gaming device continues to activate the reels until all of the reels are deactivated. The player then receives the total accumulated award for the bonus game.

Abstract: The present invention includes a gaming device having a processor and a display device connected to the processor. In addition to a base game which includes slot, poker, keno or blackjack, the present invention displays at least a set and preferably a plurality of sets of symbols on the display device. The base game, be it slot, poker, keno or blackjack, includes means, connected to the processor, for generating the symbols. Upon generating one of the symbols, the game provides an award associated with the generated symbol. Upon generating the set of symbols, the game provides a progressive award, wherein the progressive award includes at least one award and preferably each of the awards associated with the symbols of the completed set.