Revealed indicia game method and device

Abstract

At least one selection set of indicia representing a winning outcome and one selection set of indicia representing a non-winning outcome are provided. A plurality of unrevealed indicia are displayed. A player selects indicia, and the selected indicia are revealed, until a predetermined number of indicia of one of said selection sets representing either a winning or a non-winning outcome are revealed. If a winning outcome is revealed, an award may be issued. The present invention also includes a device having a data processor communicating with a data structure, a wager device, a display, a selection device, and an award device to carry out the present method.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

[0001] The present application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/474,642, entitled “Electronic Game,” filed May 30, 2003 by Applicants herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to electronic games such as video lottery or “scratch-off” games and to bonus games for slot machines, arcade games, computer and novelty games.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A conventional game known in the art is referred to as a scratch card, or simply a scratcher. A scratcher is an instant win game in that a player immediately knows whether the player is entitled to a prize after playing. In a conventional scratcher game, players reveal values hidden, typically by wax that is scratched off, on a given game card to see if they have a winning card. Usually in these games, once all the hidden values are revealed, the player can see that they had no chance to win. Player can become unhappy with the fact that the value-reveal has no impact on their actual results.

[0004] There are some scratcher games and video-based instant games where the player is only allowed to select a subset of values to reveal. With these games, the player typically is only allowed to reveal a certain number of symbols; for example, a player may only be allowed to reveal three of five hidden values. Additionally, it is typical that some instances have a possible win while others do not. That is, it is possible, even probable, that there exist no combination of three symbols on a given card that could produce a win. Hence, there may be no possible way that the player could have won. However, traditionally, these games do not reveal to the player all of the other possibilities.

[0005] Scratcher games have also been utilized as secondary games to gambling games. For example, there exist video-based bonus events as part of a gambling game, usually a slot game, whereby the player reveals symbols until a certain number of matching symbols appear whereby the player is receives an award corresponding to the symbol. This bonus mechanism provides an interactive or seemingly interactive method for giving the player a variable award based upon an award distribution and the player is guaranteed to get some award. However, these games typically do not include non-winning symbols or symbols that trigger additional features.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention is a method and device for conducting a game. The method includes providing at least two selection sets of indicia. One selection set of indicia represents a winning outcome and one selection set of indicia represents a non-winning outcome. Optionally, additional selection sets may be provided. For example, one optional embodiment includes a selection set with at least one indicium that could function as a wild indicium to match any other indicium, multiplier indicium to multiply the award, instant win indicium to terminate the game and issue an instant win award, or instant lose indicium to terminate the game without issuing any award.

[0007] A plurality of unrevealed indicia from the selection sets are displayed. In an optional embodiment, the displayed unrevealed indicia include at least a predetermined number of indicia sufficient for a winning outcome.

[0008] A player makes selections to reveal indicia. Selections are made, and indicia are revealed, until a predetermined number of indicia of one of the selection sets representing either a winning or a non-winning outcome are revealed. Optionally, the predetermined number is at least two indicia of a selection set. In an optional embodiment including instant win indicium and instant lose indicium, selections may also be terminated when one of these indicia is revealed. If a winning outcome is revealed, an award is issued to the player. In an optional embodiment in which a player makes a wager to participate in the game, the award may be based on the wager.

[0009] In further optional embodiments, additional awards or terminating conditions may be defined. For example, in an optional embodiment, the method is conducted over a series of games. In such an optional embodiment, the number of non-winning outcomes in the series of games may be counted and, if the player has a predetermined number of non-winning outcomes over the series of games, an award is issued to the player. Optionally, an award may be issued only if the predetermined number of non-winning outcomes are revealed in consecutive games.

[0010] In another optional embodiment, at least one non-winning outcome is defmed to include terminating the game. If the non-winning outcome is revealed, the game is terminated for the player without issuing the award.

[0011] In yet another optional embodiment, at least one non-winning outcome is defined to include triggering a secondary game. If the non-winning outcome is revealed, the secondary game is conducted.

[0012] Another optional embodiment of the game includes defininig a threshold number of selections. If the winning outcome is revealed before the threshold number of selections are made, an enhanced award is issued that is greater than the award for merely obtaining a winning outcome.

[0013] The present invention also includes a device for playing a game. The device includes a data processor communicating with a wager device, a display, a selection device, and an award device. A data structure stormng at least a selection set of indicia representing a winning outcome and a selection set of indicia representing a non-winning outcome also communicates with the data processor.

[0014] The data processor initiates play of the game after receipt of a wager at the wager device. The data processor directs the display to display a plurality of unrevealed indicia from the selection sets. The data processor receives selections by the player at the selection device and reveals selected indicia at the display until a predetermined number of indicia of one of the selection sets representing either a winning or a non-winning outcome are revealed. If a winning outcome is revealed, the data processor directs the award device to issue an award to the player.

[0015] As above, further optional embodiments may be defined. In one optional embodiment, the data processor tracks outcomes over a series of games and directs the award device to issue an award to the player if a predetermined number of consecutive non-winning outcomes are revealed. In a further optional embodiment, the data structure stores at least two different types of non-winning outcomes. In this further optional embodiment, the data processor directs the award device to issue an award to the player only if a predetermined number of consecutive non-winning outcomes of the same type are obtained. In another optional embodiment, the award includes the data processor triggering a secondary game that includes the random selection of a secondary game award. In any of these optional embodiments, the data processor may present the player with a choice to (a) accept the award for obtaining a given series of non-winning outcomes or (b) decline the award for obtaining a given series of non-winning outcomes. If the data processor receives a selection from the player declining the award, the data processor continues to track outcomes over a subsequent series of the games and directs the award device to issue an award to the player if a predetermined number of consecutive non-winning outcomes are revealed, in which the award is larger than the award declined. Alternately, the player could be allowed to subsequently accept a previously offered award if no event occurs to improve or eliminate the prior series.

[0016] In yet another optional embodiment, the data processor tracks outcomes over a series of the games and directs the award device to issue an award if a predetermined number of non-winning outcomes is revealed within a predetermined number of games. Optionally, the data structure stores a paytable of at least two awards that vary based on the quantity of non-winning outcomes revealed within the predetermined number of games.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a yet-to-be-started 6 spot game with no indicia revealed;

[0018] FIG. 2 is an illustration of an in-progress 6 spot game with some indicia revealed;

[0019] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a completed 6 spot game with a winning award revealed;

[0020] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a completed 6 spot game with a losing, non-winning outcome revealed;

[0021] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a completed 6 spot game with a non-winning outcome revealed and non-selected square indicia also revealed;

[0022] FIG. 6 is an illustration of an in-progress 6 spot game with 2 prior cat non-winning outcomes;

[0023] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a completed 6 spot game with a new dog non-winning outcome which clears out prior cat outcome indicator accumulator;

[0024] FIG. 8 is an illustration of a completed 6 spot game with a new dog non-winning outcome which adds another dog outcome indicator to the outcome accumulator;

[0025] FIG. 9 is an illustration of a completed 6 spot game with a dog non-winning outcome leading to a dog accumulator award;

[0026] FIG. 10 is an illustration of a yet-to-be-started 6 spot game with a cleared bonus accumulator;

[0027] FIG. 11 is an illustration of a 30 spot game;

[0028] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION

[0030] Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred to by like numerals throughout. Referring generally to FIGS. 1-12, the present invention is a method for conducting a game. As shown in FIG. 12, the method includes defining 10 at least a selection set of winning indicia and a selection set of non-winning indicia. The indicia may take any form including symbols, alpha-numeric characters, pictures, animations, sounds, links, graphics, or any other perceptible indicator associated with a winning or non-winning outcome. It is contemplated that the indicia may have significance individually or in combination with other indicia. For example, as discussed in greater detail below, certain indicia may combine with others to form a winning outcome while other indicia may function as an instant win, instant lose, wild, multiplier or other indicia that function on their own in an optional embodiment.

[0031] Unrevealed indicia selected from one or more selection sets are displayed 12. Optionally, the unrevealed indicia include at least a sufficient number of indicia to form a winning outcome. In a further optional embodiment, unrevealed indicia are optionally selected to include at least a sufficient number of indicia to form winning and non-winning outcomes. Although FIGS. 1-11 illustrate the unrevealed indicia arranged into a matrix, this is not necessary. The indicia may be obscured or hidden in any manner or fashion. In the examples of the figures, the unrevealed indicia are signified by “?” symbols.

[0032] Returning to FIG. 12, the player selects 14 one or more unrevealed indicia and the selected indicia are revealed 16. This could be done singly, i.e. a selected indicium is revealed 16 immediately after the player selects 14 the indicium, or as a group, i.e., the player selects 14 a number of indicia and the selected indicia are revealed 16 one by one. In either case, indicia are selected 14 and revealed 16 until the selections are completed 18. In a basic form of the method, the step of revealing 16 indicia is completed 18 when a predetermined number of indicia of one of the selection sets representing either a winning or a non-winning outcome are revealed. That is, indicia are revealed 16 until a sufficient number of either winning outcome or non-winning outcome indicia are revealed 16. This is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 and described in greater detail below.

[0033] In an optional embodiment, additional conditions for completing 18 may be defined. For example, instant win or instant lose indicia may be provided. If such instant win or instant lose indicia are revealed 16, the game may end. In the case of an instant win indicia, an award may be issued to the player, optionally in the form of money, coins, credits, redeemable tickets or other award.

[0034] A player obtaining, 20 a winning outcome is issued 22 an award. The award may be fixed or may vary depending upon the number of selections made before the outcome was obtained 20. For example, in an optional embodiment, a threshold number of selections may be defined. If the player obtains the winning outcome with fewer selections than the threshold number, an enhanced award greater than the award may be issued.

[0035] For a player obtaining a non-winning outcome, the non-winning outcome is executed 24. It is contemplated that a non-winning outcome is not necessarily equivalent to losing. To the contrary, a player obtaining a non-winning outcome may be executed 24 in any of a number of different ways. For example, a player obtaining a non-winning outcome may lose any wager and receive no award or a reward less than his wager, if any. In an optional embodiment, a non-winning award may be defmed to include the triggering of a secondary game. In such an embodiment, the secondary game may further include participation by the player or may result in the awarding of an award. Optionally the award is randomly selected.

[0036] In a further embodiment, the method contemplates tracking the number of non-winning outcomes over a series of games. The player may receive an award if a predetermined number of non-winning outcomes is obtained. Optionally, the non-winning outcomes must occur in consecutive games. In a further optional embodiment of such a game, at least two types of non-winning outcomes are defined. In such an optional embodiment, the player is issued an award only if a predetermined number of non-winning outcomes of one type are obtained in consecutive games, that is, without any intervening non-winning outcomes of any other type. It is contemplated that the house rules may allow or disallow intervening winning outcomes within the consecutive games counted.

[0037] These features, and other, will become apparent in the example games of FIGS. 1-11. FIG. 1 illustrates a game card 100 comprised of six unrevealed indicia 120-125, a messaging area 130 and a player credits information and control area 140. This is consistent with a game that has not yet been started. FIG. 2, shows an in-progress game card 200 with some indicia revealed 220, 222, and some unrevealed 221, 223-225. One revealed indicia 220 is an award value worth “5” credits if matched while the other 222 is a non-award winning value. FIG. 3, illustrates a completed game card 300 whose outcome is a “5” credit winner because revealed squares 320 and 325 match. In this example, the matching squares receive a special highlight (a double line border in the diagram) to help the player identify match. Also seen in this figure is a Play Again button 345 in the player information and control area 340 to allow the player to buy another card. Similarly, FIG. 4 shows a completed game card 400 whose outcome is a loser because revealed squares 422 and 424 have matching non-award non-winning symbols. As in FIG. 3, the matching loser symbols have a special highlight (a double line border in the diagram) to help the player identify match. In an alternate implementation, shown in FIG. 5, we show a completed game card 500 with a losing outcome as in FIG. 4, but the squares unselected by the players are revealed. Specifically, the squares unselected by the player are revealed 523 and 525 and done so in a special way (grayed out) to indicate that they were not selected but were available.

[0038] In one optional embodiment of this invention, the required number of matching indicia may vary based on the indicium. For example, while the player normally be required to get 3 standard award indicia or non-winning indicia to end play, special symbols may be present that require only one indicia to be revealed to end play. Specifically, an instant win symbol, if revealed, will end the game play and pay out an award value. Likewise, an instant lose symbol, if revealed, will end game play without the payment of an award value.

[0039] In another optional embodiment of this invention, non-award winning outcomes can lead to alternate awards to be paid in the future. For example, if the player gets a required number of a certain type of winning outcomes in a row, this could trigger a bonus award or special award pay. This “in a row” requirement may or may not require that no winning award outcomes occur in between. This “in a row” requirement may or may not require that no other non-award winning outcomes occur in between.

[0040] This invention covers a game comprised of k losing non-winning symbols and j winning symbols. A single game is concluded as soon as the player reveals i number of the same symbol.

[0041] For every game, the player will have matched one type of symbol: either a non-award winning or a non-winning award outcome.

[0042] Furthermore, a game can be comprised of two or more types of non-award winning symbols in quantities k1, k2, . . . kn, where k=k1+k2+ . . . +kn. Likewise there may be one or more j winning symbols in quantities j1, j2, . . . , jm, where j=j1+j2+ . . . +jm. For a single type of winning symbol, j is the same as j1. For a game with multiple award winning symbols, at least one quantity j1, j2, . . . or jm must be greater than or equal to i. A game could be offered whereby not all j1, j2, . . . jm values are greater than or equal to i.

[0043] If the player gets the same non-award winning outcomes for x games in a row with no other type of intermediate non-award non-winning outcomes, he will be awarded a bonus prize.

[0044] For this same example, lets assume that i=3. If the prior non-award winning symbol outcome was a dog and in the next play, the player matches three cats before any other symbol, then he will now have one cat outcome in his series. If he subsequently gets four or more cat outcomes, without a dog outcome, meaning he has gotten five cat consecutive outcomes, he will get a bonus award. Furthermore, if he gets an additional five more cat outcomes without a dog outcome, he will get another bonus award (which based upon the game design, may or may not be higher than previous bonus award based upon a pay table).

[0045] FIG. 6 shows an in-progress game card 600 comprised of a revealed award symbol 620, a revealed non-award winning symbol 622, unrevealed symbols 621, 623-625, a message area, 630, a player information and input section 640 and a bonus symbol accumulator section 650, which itself is comprised of 5 areas 651-655 where prior losing game outcomes are stored. In this diagram, the bottom accumulator slots 651 and 652 indicate two prior consecutive cat outcomes while the other slots 653-655 are empty. The text in slot 655 indicates the bonus award available when that slot is filled.

[0046] FIG. 7 shows a completed game card 700 which is the completion of the game in FIG. 6 resulting in a dog outcome because two dog symbols 722 and 724 were revealed before any other two symbols were revealed. This results in no pay to the player as reflected in the message area 730 and player information and input section 740. This also causes the accumulated cat outcome indicator 651 and 652 from FIG. 6 to go away and a single dog outcome indicator to 751 to be placed in the bonus award accumulator 750.

[0047] Turning to FIG. 8, the completion of a game card 800 is shown which could be the next game after the game depicted in FIG. 7 whereby another dog outcome occurs, so another dog indicator, 852 is added to the bonus award accumulator 850.

[0048] FIG. 9 shows the completion of a game card 900 in which a fifth consecutive dog outcome has occurred. A fifth dog outcome indicator 955 is added to the bonus award accumulator 950 and the player is awarded a three-credit bonus award as shown in the message area 930 and player information and input area 940.

[0049] FIG. 10, illustrates a yet-to-be-started game card 1000 which would immediately follow the start of a new game after that shown in FIG. 9 whereby the bonus award accumulator 1050 is cleared of all of the outcome indicators 951-955 of FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is also what the player would see if playing the version of this game which clears out the bonus accumulator when any award outcome occurs.

[0050] FIG. 11 shows the layout of a game card consisting of thirty symbols and a ten spot bonus accumulator.

[0051] Additional variations may also be provided in optional embodiments. Those mentioned so far include:

[0052] a non-winning outcome can result in no award or can result in an award that is less than the original wager;

[0053] the number of different type of non-award winning symbols;

[0054] bonus award accumulation based on getting the same non-award winning outcome n times in a row without getting any other type of non-award winning outcome;

[0055] bonus award accumulation based on getting the same non-award winning outcome n times in a row without getting any other type of award or non-award winning outcome;

[0056] with or without instant win symbols;

[0057] with or without instant lose symbols;

[0058] repeated bonus series may or may not pay the same amount;

[0059] having multiple award symbols in a single play, there being at least the required number of each symbol to win each symbol. For example, a game card with three “5” symbols, three “10” symbols, ten “dog” symbols and ten “cat” symbols, where three of any symbol needed for a match;

[0060] having multiple award symbols in a single play, with not all symbols being in the quantity required to win that symbol. For example, if you need to match three symbols to end play, there could be an award symbol of a special value, of which there is only one or two present within the specific game. A specific example includes a game card with three “5” symbols, three “10” symbols, one “2” symbol, two “50” symbols, ten “dog” symbols, and ten “cat” symbols, where three of any symbol is needed to produce an outcome.

[0061] Other variations include but not limited to:

[0062] game parameters may change from game to game. For example, the ratio of award winning symbols to non-award non-winning symbols could vary. In some plays, there may be three award winning symbols and twenty-two non-award winning symbols. In some other plays, there could be five award winning symbols and twenty non-award winning symbols;

[0063] Likewise, the size of the award winning symbols can vary;

[0064] having at least one free play symbol;

[0065] having a K free play symbol (i.e. you can play your next K games for free)

[0066] having a wild symbol which will match all other revealed awards

[0067] having a multiplier symbol which will cause any revealed award symbol to be correspondingly multiplied. For example, if a “3x” symbol is revealed and the player subsequently matches the required number of award symbols for a five credit pay, then the corresponding award value will be 3×5=15 credits.

[0068] having an award symbol whose value is not revealed until after it has been matched. For example, if the player matches the required number of “?” symbols, he will win an award based that will be subsequently revealed, possibly after some player interaction;

[0069] having an award symbol which leads to a bonus round;

[0070] having a bonus associated with matching the required number of symbols within a certain number of picks. For example, offering double payout for getting three award symbols if done so within three picks;

[0071] having a non-award bonus structured to pay a special pay when the player gets the same non-award winning symbol outcomes as individual game results n times in a row. For example, every time you get five cat games in a row with no intermediate dog games, you win a three-credit award. If you get ten cat games in a row with no intermediate dog games, you win two separate three-credit awards;

[0072] instead of paying a fixed amount for an award event, the player is instead paid an award from a distribution;

[0073] instead of paying a fixed amount for a non-award bonus event special pay, the player instead plays a bonus game that offers an array of award possibilities based upon an award distribution.

[0074] for awards based upon a to-be-revealed-to-the-player distribution, this may or may not involve player interaction. For example, an interactive version, the player could be presented with a plurality of squares underneath each an award is hidden. The player selects one such square and wins the award underneath. The values under the other squares may or may not revealed to show the player what other values were possible;

[0075] having a non-award bonus special pay structured to pay an ever-increasing award as the number of consecutive non-award non-winning symbols appear. For example, if you get five cats (or dog) games in a row, you win one amount, say two credits, but if you get an additional five of the same type of game in a row you win another amount, say twenty credits. A sample pay table could be:

[0076] 5 in a row: 2 credits

[0077] 10 in a row: 20 credits

[0078] 15 in a row: 200 credits

[0079] 20 in a row: 2000 credits

[0080] Therefore, if a player gets ten consecutive dog outcomes in a row, he would have won two credits upon obtaining his first five consecutive dog symbols and gets an additional twenty credits after obtaining an additional five consecutive dog outcomes (meaning that he got ten consecutive dog outcomes in a row). However, if a player gets five dog outcomes, then gets one or more cat outcomes and subsequently gets another five dog outcomes, this second 5 dog outcome series will lead to a two credit pay.

[0081] having a non-award bonus special pay structured to allow the player to collect a bonus award for getting n non-award winning game outcomes in a row or to risk that award special pay to try to obtain a higher award special pay by getting one additional game outcome of the same time without a disqualifying award type. For example, for the following pay table:

[0082] 5 in a row: 3 credits

[0083] 6 in a row: 6 credits

[0084] 7 in a row: 12 credits

[0085] 8 in a row: 24 credits

[0086] the player can elect to collect three credits upon achieving five of the same non-award winning game outcomes in a row or can forgo collecting this bonus award for the opportunity to win a larger award for getting one or more additional of the same game outcome.

[0087] instead of needing to get n non-award winning game outcomes in a row, a game could be structured for getting n non-award winning game outcomes within n+k plays. Furthermore, this could be based upon a pay table. For example, for a twenty game series, possibly prepaid, the following paytable would be possible: 1 Payout Outcome 15000 for 20 out of 20 outcomes the same 1500 for 19 out of 20 outcomes the same 150 for 18 out of 20 outcomes the same 15 for 17 out of 20 outcomes the same

[0088] This game could be implemented such that the positions of the hidden indicia are assigned before the start of play. This means that the player's decision as to which spot to select will affect their outcome.

[0089] implemented as a non-paper game, this game could be implemented such that the positions of the hidden indicia are assigned during play in order to produce a specific outcome. For example, the players first three picks may all reveal cats irrespective of which spots they select. This means that the players decision as to which spot to select will not affect their outcome. This could be provided as a fixed outcome game whereby all game outcomes are known and controlled when the game is first offered for play or could be provided as the outcome of a pseudo-random number generator which randomly chooses an outcome for each game.

[0090] This invention covers implementation as a video game or as an Internet-based game or as an electromechanical game or as a paper scratcher or pull-tab game.

[0091] This invention could include implementations where multiple cards are visible and playable on the same display. For example, when implemented as a scratcher with multiple games on the same paper.

[0092] A device for carrying out the present method is shown in FIG. 13. The device includes a data processor 30 communicating with a data structure 32. The data structure 32 could be any form of data storage including optical, magnetic, electronic, electrical, electro-mechanical, RAM, ROM, or any other form of data storage. The data structure 32 stores at least a selection set of indicia representing a winning outcome and a selection set of indicia representing a non-winning outcome. The data structure 32 may also store instructions for the conduct of the game method and other game parameters and constants.

[0093] A wager device 38 communicates with the data processor 30. The wager device 38 may take many forms including a coin or bill acceptor, ticket reader, magnetic card reader, or the like that can receive a wager or data necessary to debit a wager. In response to the receipt of a wager at the wager device 38, the data processor 30 initiates the game.

[0094] A display 34 and a selection device 36 communicate with the data processor 30. The display 34 could take many different forms including a CRT monitor, LCD or plasma screen, or the like. Similarly, the selection device 36 could be any form of input device such as a keyboard, touchscreen, button, stylus, or other input device. The data processor 30 directs the display of a plurality of unrevealed indicia from the selection sets at the display 34 and the data processor 30 receives through the selection device 36 selections of indicia from the player. The data processor 30 reveals each selected indicium at the display 34 until a predetermined number of indicia of one of the selection sets representing either a winning or a non-winning outcome are revealed.

[0095] An award device 40 communicates with the data processor 30. The award device 40 could take the form of an output device, such as a coin hopper, ticket printer, magnetic encoder, or the like. The data processor 30 may also incorporate the award device 40 by electronically tracking the player's stored game credits and adding game credits to the player's stored credits when an award is issued. In any event, the data processor 30 directs the award device 40 to issue an award to the player if a winning outcome is revealed.

[0096] The device of the present invention may also incorporate the optional variations in the game method discussed above.

[0097] While certain embodiments of the, present invention have been shown and described it is to be understood that the present invention is subject to many modifications and changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims presented herein.

Claims

1. A method for conducting a game comprising:

providing at least a selection set of indicia representing a winning outcome and a selection set of indicia representing a non-winning outcome;

displaying a plurality of unrevealed indicia from said selection sets;

said player of said game making selections to reveal indicia;

revealing selected indicia until a predetermined number of indicia of one of said selection sets representing either a winning or a non-winning outcome are revealed; and

if a winning outcome is revealed, issuing an award to the player.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the player making a wager prior to making said selections wherein said award is based on said wager.

3. The method of claim 1 conducted over a series of said games comprising:

counting the number of non-winning outcomes in said series of games; and

if the player has a predetermined number of non-winning outcomes, issuing an award to said player.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said award is issued only if said predetermined number of non-winning outcomes are revealed in consecutive games.

5. The method of claim 3 further comprising defining at least two types of non-winning outcomes wherein said award is issued only if said predetermined number of non-winning outcomes are of the same type.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said winning and non-winning outcomes include at least two indicia of a selection set.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the displayed unrevealed indicia include at least a predetermined number of indicia sufficient for a winning outcome.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

defining at least one non-winning outcome to include terminating said game; and

if said non-winning outcome is revealed, terminating said game for said player without issuing said award.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

defining at least one non-winning outcome to include triggering a secondary game; and

if said non-winning outcome is revealed, conducting said secondary game.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

defining a threshold number of selections; and

if said winning outcome is revealed before said threshold number of selections are made, issuing an enhanced award greater than said award.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising a selection set including at least one indicium with a function selected from the group of wild indicium to match any other indicium, multiplier indicium to multiply said award, instant win indicium to terminate said game and issue an instant win award, and instant lose indicium to terminate said game without issuing any award.

12. A method for conducting a game comprising:

providing at least a selection set of indicia representing a winning outcome, a selection set of indicia representing a non-winning outcome, and a selection set including at least one indicium with a function selected from the group of wild indicium to match any other indicium, multiplier indicium to multiply said award, instant win indicium to terminate said game and issue an instant win award, and instant lose indicium to terminate said game without issuing any award;

displaying a plurality of unrevealed indicia from said selection sets;

said player of said game making selections to reveal indicia;

revealing selected indicia until said instant win or instant lose indicium, if any, are revealed or until a predetermined number of indicia of one of said selection sets representing either a winning or a non-winning outcome are revealed, including wild indicia, if any, whichever occurs first; and

if a winning outcome is revealed, issuing an award to the player as increased by any multiplier indicium, if any, that was selected and revealed.

13. The method of claim 12 conducted over a series of said games comprising:

defining at least two types of non-winning outcomes;

counting the number of consecutive non-winning outcomes of the same type in said series of games; and

if the player has a predetermined number of consecutive non-winning outcomes of the same type, issuing an award to said player.

14. The method of claim.12 further comprising:

defining at least one non-winning outcome to include triggering a secondary game; and

if said non-winning outcome is revealed, conducting said secondary game.

15. A device for a player to play a game comprising:

a wager device;

a data processor communicating with said wager device, said data processor initiating play of said game after receipt of a wager at said wager device;

a data structure communicating with said data processor, said data structure storing at least a selection set of indicia representing a winning outcome and a selection set of indicia representing a non-winning outcome;

a display communicating with said data processor, said data processor directing said display to display a plurality of unrevealed indicia from said selection sets;

a selection device communicating with said data processor to receive selections of indicia by said player, said data processor revealing selected indicia at said display until a predetermined number of indicia of one of said selection sets representing either a winning or a non-winning outcome are revealed; and

an award device communicating with said data processor, said data processor instructing said award device to issue an award to said player if a winning outcome is revealed.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein said data processor tracks outcomes over a series of said games and directs said award device to issue an award to said player if a predetermined number of consecutive non-winning outcomes are revealed.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein said data structure stores at least two different types of non-winning outcomes, said data processor directing said award device to issue an award to said player only if a predetermined number of consecutive non-winning outcomes of the same type are obtained.

18. The device of claim 16 wherein said award includes said data processor triggering a secondary game that includes the random selection of a secondary game award.

19. The device of claim 16 wherein said data processor receives a selection from said player to (a) accept said award for obtaining a given series of non-winning outcomes or (b) decline said award for obtaining a given series of non-winning outcomes, and wherein if said data processor receives a selection declining said award, said data processor continues to track outcomes over a subsequent series of said games and directs said award device to issue a second award larger than said award to said player if a predetermined number of consecutive non-winning outcomes are revealed.

20. The device of claim 15 wherein said data processor tracks outcomes over a series of said games and directs said award device to issue an award if a predetermined number of non-winning outcomes is revealed within a predetermined number of games.

21. The device of claim 20 wherein said data structure further stores a paytable of at least two awards, said awards varying based on the quantity of non-winning outcomes revealed within said predetermined number of games.