Abstract: In a gaming machine having virtual reels, conventional instant wins are awarded as well as virtual playing cards. In one embodiment, the cards are dealt only if a special symbol is displayed on the stopped reels. In another embodiment, cards are dealt only during a bonus round. Dealt playing cards are accumulated until the player has a full hand of cards. A different bonus pot is accumulated for various types of poker hands achievable. The pots may be progressively increased based on a percentage of wagers made in a network of gaming machines. After the player is dealt the full set of cards, the best poker hand is determined, and the associated pot is awarded to the player. The pot is then set at a starting value. The bonus game is then terminated. The player is motivated to continue playing to complete a hand and win a large pot.

Abstract: In a gaming machine having virtual reels, conventional instant wins are awarded as well as virtual playing cards. In one embodiment, the cards are dealt only if a special symbol is displayed on the stopped reels. In another embodiment, cards are dealt only during a bonus round. Dealt playing cards are accumulated until the player has a full hand of cards. A different bonus pot is accumulated for various types of poker hands achievable. The pots may be progressively increased based on a percentage of wagers made in a network of gaming machines. After the player is dealt the full set of cards, the best poker hand is determined, and the associated pot is awarded to the player. The pot is then set at a starting value. The bonus game is then terminated. The player is motivated to continue playing to complete a hand and win a large pot.

Abstract: In a gaming machine having virtual reels, conventional instant wins are awarded as well as virtual playing cards. In one embodiment, the cards are dealt only if a special symbol is displayed on the stopped reels. In another embodiment, cards are dealt only during a bonus round. Dealt playing cards are accumulated until the player has a full hand of cards. A different bonus pot is accumulated for various types of poker hands achievable. The pots may be progressively increased based on a percentage of wagers made in a network of gaming machines. After the player is dealt the full set of cards, the best poker hand is determined, and the associated pot is awarded to the player. The pot is then set at a starting value. The bonus game is then terminated. The player is motivated to continue playing to complete a hand and win a large pot.

Abstract: In a gaming machine having virtual reels, conventional instant wins are awarded as well as virtual playing cards. In one embodiment, the cards are dealt only if a special symbol is displayed on the stopped reels. In another embodiment, cards are dealt only during a bonus round. Dealt playing cards are accumulated until the player has a full hand of cards. A different bonus pot is accumulated for various types of poker hands achievable. The pots may be progressively increased based on a percentage of wagers made in a network of gaming machines. After the player is dealt the full set of cards, the best poker hand is determined, and the associated pot is awarded to the player. The pot is then set at a starting value. The bonus game is then terminated. The player is motivated to continue playing to complete a hand and win a large pot.

Abstract: A base game on a gaming machine may be a conventional 5×3 video reel-type game, where awards are granted for winning symbol combinations in the base game. If a bonus trigger has occurred, a special card deck symbol is added to at least one reel, and the player is granted free bonus spins of the virtual reels in a bonus round. The player accumulates bonus win awards during the free bonus spins based on at least winning combinations of symbols. If the deck symbol is displayed after a spin, the player is randomly dealt a playing card. Dealt playing cards are accumulated until the player has accumulated seven cards. A multiplier is associated with the value of the best five-card hand, and the accumulated bonus win awards are multiplied by the multiplier to identify a final amount to be awarded to the player. The bonus game is then terminated.

Abstract: A base game on a gaming machine may be a conventional 5×3 video reel-type game, where awards are granted for winning symbol combinations in the base game. If a bonus trigger has occurred, a special card deck symbol is added to at least one reel, and the player is granted free bonus spins of the virtual reels in a bonus round. The player accumulates bonus win awards during the free bonus spins based on at least winning combinations of symbols. If the deck symbol is displayed after a spin, the player is randomly dealt a playing card. Dealt playing cards are accumulated until the player has accumulated seven cards. A multiplier is associated with the value of the best five-card hand, and the accumulated bonus win awards are multiplied by the multiplier to identify a final amount to be awarded to the player. The bonus game is then terminated.