Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and gaming units for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot. Players may win the wagering game, interim pattern awards and/or progressive jackpot awards by matching predetermined patterns with patterns formed on their unique game array with indicia matching selected indicia. The players may optionally participate and be eligible to win all or a portion of the progressive jackpot. In one embodiment, the player may be eligible for the progressive jackpot by wagering at least a minimum wager amount, and perhaps the maximum bet for the wagering game. In another embodiment, the player may affirmatively elect to be eligible for the progressive jackpot by placing a wager or fee in addition to a wager on the wagering game. Graphics corresponding to the progressive jackpot may be optionally displayed only to players eligible to win the progressive jackpot.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a first gaming device, a second gaming device and an outcome display shared by the first and second gaming devices. The outcome display includes multiple symbols, the symbols in combination with an available amount defining mathematically a portion of the available amount to be provided to a player playing one of the gaming devices.

Abstract: A central determination gaming system with a gaming terminal assisting a central controller in the generation of a game outcome. In one embodiment of the present invention, upon a player initiating a game play at one of a plurality of gaming terminals, the processor of the gaming terminal generates a random number. The generated random number is communicated to the central controller. The central controller uses the generated random number to select an available game outcome from a set or pool of predetermined game outcomes. The central controller marks or flags the selected game outcome in the pool as unavailable for subsequent selections and communicates the selected game outcome to the gaming terminal. The gaming terminal then provides the player the game outcome with the associated value, if any, for the selected game outcome.

Abstract: A wager manipulation feature for a wagering game is provided. The feature may be implemented after the player's wager is set but before game play takes place, after game play takes place or both simultaneously. If before game play, the feature enables the player to undo or nullify the wager, for example, if the player changes his or her mind or enters a wager incorrectly. If after game play, the feature provides a bonus to the player in which the player may nullify a bet after an unsuccessful outcome or increase the bet to enhance a favorable outcome. In any case, the redo feature can be accumulated in one embodiment and stored and/or restored on a gaming device ticket, player tracking card or promotion.

Abstract: A wager manipulation feature for a wagering game is provided. The feature may be implemented after the player's wager is set but before game play takes place, after game play takes place or both simultaneously. If before game play, the feature enables the player to undo or nullify the wager, for example, if the player changes his or her mind or enters a wager incorrectly. If after game play, the feature provides a bonus to the player in which the player may nullify a bet after an unsuccessful outcome or increase the bet to enhance a favorable outcome. In any case, the redo feature can be accumulated in one embodiment and stored and/or restored on a gaming device ticket, player tracking card or promotion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating one or more pools or sets of seeds for use in a central determination gaming system. In one embodiment of the present invention, a processor of the apparatus or seed generator randomly generates a predetermined number of random number seeds. After the predetermined number of seeds are generated, the processor simulates the game outcome value that each generated seed ultimately determines. Having simulated a game outcome value for each generated seed, the processor determines if the set of seeds satisfies a required condition or criteria. If the required conditions or criteria are satisfied, the set is complete and ready for use in a central determination gaming system. If the required conditions or criteria are not satisfied, the processor modifies the generated set of seeds until the required conditions or criteria are satisfied.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating one or more pools or sets of seeds for use in a central determination gaming system. In one embodiment of the present invention, a processor of the apparatus or seed generator randomly generates a predetermined number of random number seeds. After the predetermined number of seeds are generated, the processor simulates the game outcome value that each generated seed ultimately determines. Having simulated a game outcome value for each generated seed, the processor determines if the set of seeds satisfies a required condition or criteria. If the required conditions or criteria are satisfied, the set is complete and ready for use in a central determination gaming system. If the required conditions or criteria are not satisfied, the processor modifies the generated set of seeds until the required conditions or criteria are satisfied.

Abstract: A central determination gaming system with a keno game. Upon a player initiating a game play at a gaming terminal, the gaming terminal enables the player to select a plurality of symbols. The gaming terminal accesses a standard set of predefined symbols for the specific game played. The gaming terminal bidirectionally maps the player's selected symbols with the standard set of predefined symbols. The gaming terminal receives a predetermined game outcome seed from a central controller. The gaming terminal utilizes the selected game outcome seed to generate a plurality of game symbols. The gaming terminal determines if each of the generated game symbols needs to be modified. If so, the gaming terminal modifies these generated game symbols based on the bidirectionally mapping, presents the modified game symbols to the player and provides the player a game outcome that is determined based on the selected game outcome seed.

Abstract: A central determination gaming system with a keno game. Upon a player initiating a game play at gaming terminal, the gaming terminal enables the player to select a plurality of symbols. The gaming terminal accesses a standard set of predefined symbols for the specific game played. The gaming terminal bidirectionally maps the player's selected symbols with the standard set of predefined symbols. The gaming terminal receives a predetermined game outcome seed from a central controller. The gaming terminal utilizes the selected game outcome seed to generate a plurality of game symbols. The gaming terminal determines if each of the generated game symbols needs to be modified. If so, the gaming terminal modifies these generated game symbols based on the bidirectionally mapping, presents the modified game symbols to the player and provides the player a game outcome that is determined based on the selected game outcome seed.

Abstract: Interactive gaming tables and systems adapted to facilitate the automated administration of gaming table events are provided. Tables can have a playing surface, an outer circumference with active player positions, a slave controller for each active player position adapted to facilitate automated gaming activities, a master gaming table controller to synchronize communications and activities between slave controllers, access interfaces for communications with networked devices located away from the table, cameras and other tracking devices adapted to track gaming events at the table, and a specialized gaming table bolster distributed about the outer circumference. Bolster devices can include player friendly peripherals, including visual displays, speakers, open jacks, player tracking devices, and lights or other display elements to indicate table game statuses or the presence or absence of players.

Abstract: A central determination gaming system wherein the same random number or game play seed is used to generate a primary or base game outcome and a secondary or bonus game outcome. The present invention includes a central computing system in communication with a plurality of gaming devices. The central computing system maintains one or more predetermined pools or sets of random number or game play seeds. In one embodiment, each game play seed is deterministic of a primary wagering game outcome and a secondary game outcome. That is, each gaming device is operable to utilize a game play seed to determine both the primary wagering game outcome and the secondary game outcome.

Abstract: Systems and methods using multiple gaming tables, tracking devices and a bonus server adapted to provide progressive bonuses are provided. The bonus server provides eligibility to a singular progressive table game bonus simultaneously to multiple table game players at multiple gaming tables of multiple gaming table types. Funding and player eligibility for the progressive table game bonus are based on main wagers made on main table games, with separate bonus side wagers or funding not being needed. The bonus server or system can determine all patrons eligible for the bonus, track wagering information, award an appropriate number of entries to the bonus for each eligible player, and determine a bonus outcome based on the number of entries. The number of entries awarded to a given player can be weighted based on the size of a wager and its associated expectation value to the gaming operator.

Abstract: A central determination gaming system including a plurality of gaming terminals in communication with a central controller. In one embodiment, upon initiation of a game at one of the gaming terminals, the gaming terminal randomly generates a proposed game outcome. The proposed game outcome is communicated to the central controller. The central controller determines if a pool of predetermined game outcomes includes the proposed game outcome. If the pool includes the proposed game outcome, the central controller authorizes the proposed game outcome to be provided to the player, flags the authorized game outcome from further authorizations and communicates the authorized game outcome to the gaming terminal. The gaming terminal then provides the authorized game outcome to the player. If the pool does not include the proposed game outcome, the central controller discards the proposed game outcome and instructs the gaming terminal to generate another proposed game outcome for authorization.

Abstract: A central determination gaming system with a central controller providing a game outcome to an individual gaming terminal and the gaming terminal determining the presentation of the provided game outcome. In one embodiment of the present invention, a gaming terminal receives a predetermined game outcome from a central controller. The gaming terminal determines a game outcome presentation, (i.e., how the game outcome is displayed or presented to the player) for the provided game outcome by selecting a game presentation seed for the received game outcome. The gaming terminal utilizes the selected game presentation seed to determine a game outcome presentation. The determined game outcome presentation is displayed to the player and the received game outcome is provided to the player.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating one or more pools or sets of seeds for use in a central determination gaming system. In one embodiment of the present invention, a processor of the apparatus or seed generator randomly generates a predetermined number of random number seeds. After the predetermined number of seeds are generated, the processor simulates the game outcome value that each generated seed ultimately determines. Having simulated a game outcome value for each generated seed, the processor determines if the set of seeds satisfies a required condition or criteria. If the required conditions or criteria are satisfied, the set is complete and ready for use in a central determination gaming system. If the required conditions or criteria are not satisfied, the processor modifies the generated set of seeds until the required conditions or criteria are satisfied.

Abstract: A central determination gaming system with a keno game. In one embodiment, upon a player initiating a game play at one of a plurality of gaming terminals, the gaming terminal enables the player to select a plurality of symbols. The gaming terminal then accesses a standard set of predefined symbols for the specific game played. The gaming terminal bidirectionally maps the player's selected symbols with the standard set of predefined symbols. The gaming terminal then receives a game outcome seed from a central controller. The central controller selects the game outcome seed from a set or pool of game outcome seeds, marks or flags the selected game outcome seed in the pool as used or unavailable. The gaming terminal then utilizes the selected game outcome seed to generate a plurality of game symbols. The gaming terminal determines if each of the generated game symbols needs to be modified.

Abstract: A central determination gaming system with a gaming terminal assisting a central controller in the generation of a game outcome. In one embodiment of the present invention, upon a player initiating a game play at one of a plurality of gaming terminals, the processor of the gaming terminal generates a random number. The generated random number is communicated to the central controller. The central controller uses the generated random number to select an available game outcome from a set or pool of predetermined game outcomes. The central controller marks or flags the selected game outcome in the pool as unavailable for subsequent selections and communicates the selected game outcome to the gaming terminal. The gaming terminal then provides the player the game outcome with the associated value, if any, for the selected game outcome.

Abstract: A central determination gaming system including a plurality of gaming terminals in communication with a central controller. In one embodiment, upon initiation of a game at one of the gaming terminals, the gaming terminal randomly generates a proposed game outcome. The proposed game outcome is communicated to the central controller. The central controller determines if a pool of predetermined game outcomes includes the proposed game outcome. If the pool includes the proposed game outcome, the central controller authorizes the proposed game outcome to be provided to the player, flags the authorized game outcome from further authorizations and communicates the authorized game outcome to the gaming terminal. The gaming terminal then provides the authorized game outcome to the player. If the pool does not include the proposed game outcome, the central controller discards the proposed game outcome and instructs the gaming terminal to generate another proposed game outcome for authorization.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating one or more pools or sets of seeds for use in a central determination gaming system. In one embodiment of the present invention, a processor of the apparatus or seed generator randomly generates a predetermined number of random number seeds. After the predetermined number of seeds are generated, the processor simulates the game outcome value that each generated seed ultimately determines. Having simulated a game outcome value for each generated seed, the processor determines if the set of seeds satisfies a required condition or criteria. If the required conditions or criteria are satisfied, the set is complete and ready for use in a central determination gaming system. If the required conditions or criteria are not satisfied, the processor modifies the generated set of seeds until the required conditions or criteria are satisfied.

Abstract: A central determination gaming system wherein the same random number or game play seed is used to generate a primary or base game outcome and a secondary or bonus game outcome. The present invention includes a central computing system in communication with a plurality of gaming devices. The central computing system maintains one or more predetermined pools or sets of random number or game play seeds. In one embodiment, each game play seed is deterministic of a primary wagering game outcome and a secondary game outcome. That is, each gaming device is operable to utilize a game play seed to determine both the primary wagering game outcome and the secondary game outcome.