Abstract: An electronic video gaming machine is programmed to play a multi-hand video poker game which initially displays to the player a five-by-five matrix of twenty-five cards. This five-by-five matrix generates twelve five card hands—the five horizontal rows, the five vertical columns and the two diagonals. The player makes a wager of fifty credits which makes the player eligible for all twelve hands, with five credits applied to each hand, in effect given the player two free hands at five credits each. Five separate decks of playing cards are used with the five cards in each horizontal row being dealt from a separate deck of cards. The player may select one card from each horizontal row to be held and the selected card is also duplicated into an adjacent row location in that row. Replacement cards for the discarded cards are dealt into each horizontal row. Each of the twelve different five card hands are analyzed to determine its poker hand ranking and winning hands are paid in accordance with a pay table.

Abstract: Traditional video poker is modified by paying the player a first winning amount if a predesignated arrangement of cards are achieved by the player on the deal. After the first winning amount is paid if won by the player, the game continues with the player holding or discarding as desired from the initial deal and replacement cards are provided to the player to establish the player's final hand. The player is paid a second amount if the player achieves a winning combination on his final hand. Traditional video poker is alternatively modified by the addition of Four to a Royal Flush as a winning hand. A player receives a higher payout if he achieves Four to a Royal Flush on the initial deal of five cards. A player receives a lower payout if he achieves Four to a Royal Flush after he has drawn replacement cards. Another variation comprises first displaying to the player all fifty-two cards of a conventional deck of cards.

Abstract: Traditional video poker is modified by paying the player a first winning amount if a predesignated arrangement of cards are achieved by the player on the deal. After the first winning amount is paid if won by the player, the game continues with the player holding or discarding as desired from the initial deal and replacement cards are provided to the player to establish the player's final hand. The player is paid a second amount if the player achieves a winning combination on his final hand. Traditional video poker is alternatively modified by the addition of Four to a Royal Flush as a winning hand. A player receives a higher payout if he achieves Four to a Royal Flush on the initial deal of five cards. A player receives a lower payout if he achieves Four to a Royal Flush after he has drawn replacement cards. Another variation comprises first displaying to the player all fifty-two cards of a conventional deck of cards.

Abstract: The operation of a slot machine is modified by the addition of the step of allowing a player to increase his wager after the reels have begun spinning, and more particularly after at least one reel has stopped spinning and is showing a symbol in the pay line position. In the preferred embodiment, a three reel slot machine is provided and the player may increase the amount of his wager after the first two reels have stopped spinning. With two of the three symbols showing on the pay line, the player may then make an additional wager so that his potential payout for a winning combination is increased. The third reel is then stopped showing all three symbols on the pay line and winning combinations are then paid out based on the amount of the player's wagers.

Abstract: An automated casino gaming system includes a central game controller to which a number of automated writer stations are connected. In the keno playing embodiment disclosed, the automated writer stations each have a keypad with two colored LEDs mounted under each key. To play a game, patrons first insert a card into the automated writer station to identify their account maintained on the central game controller. The patron then enters a wager on the automated writer station. As the patron picks the desired numbers, LEDs of one color associated with the keys for the numbers will light. The patron presses a PLAY key to transmit an electronic "ticket" to the central game controller. When the period for entering wagers has ended, the central game controller requests a random draw from a separate, secure random number generator.