Wagering game with flexible pay tables

Abstract

A method and apparatus for conducting a wagering game. The method may include receiving a first player input, where the first player input indicates a first selected pay table for use in the wagering game and the first selected pay table is selected from a plurality of pay tables. The method may also include receiving a first wager for the first selected pay table. The method may also include determining a game result. The method may also include awarding a first prize, where the first prize is calculated based on the game result, the first selected pay table and the first wager.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM AND CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application 60/771,161, titled “Wagering Game With Flexible Pay Tables”, filed Feb. 6, 2006. The entire of disclosure of that provisional application is incorporated by reference herein by reference.

The present application is related to commonly-owned, provisional application (Ser. No. 60/749,006), filed Dec. 9, 2005, entitled “System and Method for Draw Game” and the commonly-owned, pending U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 11/635,913, entitled “Video Poker Draw Game”, filed Dec. 7, 2006. The entire disclosures of the foregoing related applications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Video gaming machines are commonly used in traditional gambling establishments such as casinos and gambling centers and in other markets such as bars, restaurants, racinos, bingo halls, riverboats, and cruise ships. While the regulations covering these different establishments are different, they also vary from one jurisdiction to another and the habits of players may also vary.

Because the number of games allowed within an establishment is typically regulated and because the gaming machines have a relatively short payback cycle, the gaming machine business is highly competitive. Hence there is further pressure on the industry to make improvements in game features that enhance their play value.

Video gaming machines provide games including games that emulate traditional games of chance such as keno, bingo, scratch tickets, fixed-odds betting, and other types of wager games, slot-machine emulation and card game emulation. These typically reward a player having a random outcome with a bonus round of play or other incentives. Video gaming machines may also provide lottery tickets to players in a future draw or instant win lottery game.

One type of video gaming machines is a video slot machine, which may emulate traditional slot machine games. Traditional slot machines include a plurality of reels that rotate around a horizontal axis. An input accepts a player's input to indicate a desire to spin the reels. Symbols may be displayed on the outside of the reels so that the symbols are visible to a player when the reels come to rest. If the symbols on the reels are arranged in a pre-determined arrangement, a prize may be awarded to the player. The prize may depend on the symbol arrangement and an initial bet made by the player.

A video slot machine may include a viewable display area where a plurality of reels is simulated. The symbols may be arranged in columns and provided with an animation sequence to simulate spinning reels when a player's input is received to spin the reels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example video gaming machine, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example screen shot depicting a first poker hand, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example screen shot depicting a first poker hand with a selection of held cards, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example screen shot depicting a second poker hand, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example pay table, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a first example procedure for conducting a wagering game, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a second example procedure for conducting a wagering game, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a third example procedure for conducting a wagering game, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example apparatus for conducting a wagering game, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10a illustrates an example play log, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10b illustrates an example play log entry, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11a illustrates an example terminal structure, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11b illustrates an example terminal structure entry, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example future draw lottery ticket, in accordance with another example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates example pay tables for the example future draw lottery game, in accordance with another example embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

A wagering game on a video gaming machine may include a pay table specifying the prizes available in the game and a game result to win each prize. Pay tables may vary across different video gaming machines. Some players move from one video gaming machine to another video gaming machine in search of a different pay table. Some players also specifically seek out a particular pay table depending on the player's superstitions, recent gaming experiences, or other factors.

A wagering game on a video gaming machine is provided with multiple pay tables and an opportunity to place a wager on one or more of the pay tables during a wagering game. A player may receive a prize from each pay table he is wagering on. With a multiple pay table video gaming machine, a player does not need to spend time looking for a particular pay table among available video gaming machines. In addition, a gaming establishment may be filled with the same video gaming machines but configured with a wide variety of pay tables, replacing previously unique video gaming machines. A separate wager may be accepted on each pay table. This may increase an hourly wager amount of a player. In effect, a player is playing more rounds of the wagering game per hour than on previous video gaming machines.

In one example embodiment of the present invention, a method for conducting a wagering game may be provided. The method may comprise receiving a first player input, the first player input indicating a first selected pay table for use in the wagering game, the first selected pay table selected from a plurality of pay tables. The method may further comprise receiving a first wager for the first selected pay table. The method may further comprise determining a game result. The method may further comprise awarding a first prize, the first prize calculated based on the game result, the first selected pay table and the first wager. The method may further comprise receiving a first wager amount for the first select pay table, wherein the first prize is further calculated based on the first wager amount. The method may further comprise presenting a player with the plurality of pay tables. The method may further comprise receiving a second indication of a second selected pay table for use in the wagering game, the second selected pay table selected from the plurality of pay tables. The method may further comprise receiving a second wager for the second selected pay table. The method may further comprise awarding a second prize for the second selected pay table, the second prize calculated based on the game result, the second selected pay table and the second wager. The method may further comprise receiving a second wager amount for the second select pay table, wherein the second prize is further calculated based on the second wager amount. The wagering game may be a video poker game. The method may further comprise displaying a first poker hand, the first poker hand including a first plurality of cards. The method may further comprise receiving an input reflecting a selection of held cards selected from the first poker hand. The method may further comprise displaying a second poker hand, the second poker hand including a second plurality of cards and the selection of held cards. The game result may correspond to the second poker hand. The method may further comprise displaying a poker hand, the poker hand including a plurality of cards. The method may further comprise wherein the game result corresponds to the poker hand. The wagering game may be a video slot game. The method may further comprise displaying an initial set of symbols, the first set of symbols configured to simulate an initial set of slot machine reels. The method may further comprise animating the initial set of symbols, the animation configured to simulate a set of spinning slot machine reels. The method may further comprise displaying a resulting set of symbols, the resulting set of symbols configured to simulate a resulting set of slot machine reels. The game result may correspond to the resulting set of symbols. The wagering game may be a slot machine game. The method may further comprise displaying an initial set of symbols, spinning the set of reels, and displaying a resulting set of symbols. The initial set of symbols may be depicted on a set of reels. The resulting set of symbols may be depicted on the set of reels. The game result may correspond to the resulting set of symbols. The wagering game may be a future draw lottery game. The method may further comprise receiving a third input, the third input indicating a set of player-selected elements. The method may further comprise selecting winning set of elements, wherein the game result corresponds to a matching of the set of player-selected elements or a subset of the set of player-selected elements to the winning set of elements.

Another example embodiment of the present invention may be a method for conducting a video poker game. The method may comprise receiving an indication of a selected pay table for use in the video poker game, the selected pay table selected from one of a first pay table and a second pay table. The method may further comprise receiving a wager. The method may further comprise receiving a wager amount. The method may further comprise displaying a first poker hand, the first poker hand including a first plurality of cards. The method may further comprise receiving an input reflecting a selection of held cards selected from the first poker hand. The method may further comprise displaying a second poker hand, the second poker hand including a second plurality of cards and the selection of held cards. The method may further comprise determining a game result, the game result corresponding to the second poker hand. The method may further comprise awarding a prize associated with the game result, the wager, the wager amount and the selected pay table.

Another example embodiment of the present invention may be an apparatus for conducting a wagering game. The apparatus may comprise a plurality of pay tables. The apparatus may comprise an input device. The input device may be configured to receive a first indication of a first selected pay table to be used in the wagering game, the first selected pay table selected from the plurality of pay tables. The input device may be further configured to receive an input reflecting a selection of held cards. The input device may be further configured to receive a first wager for the first selected pay table. The apparatus may further comprise a display. The display may be configured to display the first poker hand, the first poker hand including a first plurality of cards. The display may be further configured to display a second poker hand, the second poker hand including a second plurality of cards and the selection of held cards. The apparatus may further comprise a processor. The processor may be configured to determine a game result corresponding to the second poker hand. The apparatus may further comprise a receiver. The receiver may be configured to receive a first wager. The apparatus may further comprise a dispenser. The dispenser may be configured to award a first prize for the first selected pay table, the first prize calculated based on the game result, the first selected pay table and the first wager associated with the first selected pay table. The processor may be further configured to receive a second indication of a second selected pay table to be used in the wagering game, the second selected pay table selected from the plurality of pay tables. The receiver may be further configured to receive a second wager for the second selected pay table. The dispenser may be further configured to award a second prize for the second selected pay table, the second prize calculated based on the game result, the second selected pay table and the second wager. Each prize may be further calculated based on a wager amount associated with the selected pay table. The apparatus may further comprise a payment acceptor, the payment acceptor configured to accept the wager amount associated with the selected pay table.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example video gaming machine, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. A video gaming machine 10 may be configured to conduct a wagering game. For example, a wagering game may be a slot machine game, a lottery, a video game, or another game of chance involving a wager. For example, the video gaming machine 10 may be a video poker game terminal, a video wagering game terminal, a video lottery terminal (VLT), a video slot machine, or a video game terminal. The video gaming machine 10 may be in communication with a server. Alternatively, the video gaming machine 10 may be a standard slot machine terminal. In a further alternative example embodiment, the video gaming machine may also be other types of conventional client computer, such as a personal computer, cell phone, or other mobile device, that has software to provide the games described herein, either in a stand-alone mode, or controlled in whole or part by a remote server. Such a server may be connected to the video gaming machine via the Internet, in jurisdictions where Internet wagering games are authorized.

The video gaming machine 10 may include a blinker 12. The blinker 12 may enclose a light source configured to blink on and off. For example, the blinker 12 may be configured to blink when a large prize is awarded from the video gaming machine 10.

The video gaming machine 10 may include a lighted display 14. For example, the lighted display 14 may include a logo, a game name or other visually attractive graphics. The lighted display 14 may alternatively be a liquid crystal display screen. For example, the lighted display 14 may be configured to display graphics and text.

The video gaming machine 10 may include a display screen 16. For example, the display screen 16 may be a liquid crystal display screen (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT) screen. For example, the display screen 16 may enclose a viewable display area visible to a player. Alternatively, the display screen 16 may be a touch screen, configured to accept player inputs of touching the screen.

The video gaming machine 10 may include a credit card accepter 18, a player's card accepter 20 and a currency accepter 32. For example, the credit card accepter 18 may accept a credit card or a debit card. The credit card or debit card may then be charged with a player's wager. For example, the player's card accepter 20 may accept a frequent player's card. The frequent player's card may include a player's identifying information and play history. Alternatively, the frequent player's card may include an identifier that is associated with a player's identifying information and wager history. The currency accepter 32 may be configured to accept cash bills in various denominations for a player's wager.

The video gaming machine 10 may include input modules 22. For example, the input modules 22 may be a set of buttons. The input modules 22 may be configured to receive input from a player during a wagering game. Other forms of input modules may be used, for example, a mouse-pointer device or a voice recognition module.

The video gaming machine 10 may include a dispenser tray 24 and a dispenser 26. The dispenser 26 may be configured to dispense a prize. For example, a prize may be currency or a prize receipt redeemable at a cashier. The dispenser tray 24 may be configured to catch the prize after it is dispensed.

The video gaming machine 10 may include openings 28, 34 and 36. The opening 28 may be configured to allow ambient air to circulate into and out of an interior of the video gaming machine 10. Ambient air circulation may assist in maintaining an optimal operating temperature for the video gaming machine 10. Openings 34 and 36 may be configured to allow sound through. For example, interior speakers may be located behind openings 34 and 36.

The video game machine 10 may include a latch 30. For example, the latch 30 may be configured to release a front door of the video game machine 10 for opening. When the front door is opened, it may be possible for a technician to access an interior of the video game machine 10 for upgrades or maintenance.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example screen shot depicting a first poker hand, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. For example, the example screen shot may be displayed on a display screen 16 as depicted in FIG. 1. A first poker hand 102 may be dealt to a player and displayed. For example, the video gaming machine may be as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 9. The first poker hand 102 may comprise a first set of cards 104, 106, 108, 110 and 112. The first set of cards 104, 106, 108, 110 and 112 may be dealt from a first standard 52-card deck.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example screen shot depicting a first poker hand with a selection of held cards, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. A player may select a set of held cards from the first hand 102 depicted in FIG. 2. A first poker hand 102′ may reflect the selection of held cards. The selection of held cards may be cards 104′, 108′ and 110′. A card selected to be held may include a text or graphic “hold.” For example, the player may select cards by inputting his choices into an input method. For example, the input method may be a set of buttons include in the video gaming machine. Alternatively, the player may select cards by directly tapping a touch screen display screen depicting the cards. The player may then input a confirmation of the selected cards into the input method.

Until the player inputs the confirmation of the selected cards, the player may unselect a card previously selected. For example, the player may unselect a card in a similar manner as the player may select a card. That is, the player may input his choice of an unselect card via the input method discussed above.

It will be appreciated that any input method that allows the player to select or unselect a card from the first poker hand 102′ may be used. For example, a voice recognition system may be used as the input method.

The first poker hand 102′ may include the cards 106 and 112 and the held cards 104′, 108′ and 110′. The held cards 104′, 108′ and 110′ may be the same as cards 104, 108 and 110 depicted in FIG. 2 except they are designated as being held by the player.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example screen shot depicting a second poker hand, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. A second hand 130 may include cards 104, 108 and 110. The cards 104, 108 and 110 were previously designated as held cards in FIG. 3. The held cards 104, 108 and 110 may have their held designation text or graphics (as depicted in FIG. 3) removed. The cards 106 and 112 (not depicted) of FIG. 3 may be discarded and replaced with replacement cards 132 and 134. The replacement cards 132 and 134 may be dealt from the first standard 52-card deck that the first hand was dealt from. The second hand 130 may include the replacement cards 132 and 134. Thus, the second hand 130 may include cards 104, 132, 108, 110 and 134. The second hand 130 as depicted in FIG. 4 may have a value of two pairs: a pair of kings and a pair of queens.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example pay table, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. It will be understood that while the term pay table is used, the actual payout structure may be stored in a variety of conventional data structures. For example, the payout structure may be stored as a linked list, a two-dimensional array, an array of arrays or a list of pointers.

A pay table 400 may provide information on a winnings or prize associated with a wager and a poker hand. The pay table 400 may include a column 402 of poker hands. The column 402 may list a set of poker hands eligible for winnings. The poker hands used in the column 402 may include conventional poker hands such as a royal flush, a straight flush, a four of a kind, full house, flush, straight, three of a kind, two pairs and pair of jacks or better.

The relative value of the poker hands may be conventional. For example, a royal flush may be the highest ranked poker hand, followed by a straight flush, a four of a kind, full house, flush, straight, three of a kind, two pairs and pair of jacks or better.

The definition of the poker hands may be conventional. For example, a pair of jacks or better may include five card hands with at least two cards of the same rank which are greater than jacks, for example, queens. The rank of the pair of cards may be configured to require a rank greater than jack. As a second example, a poker hand of two pairs may include five card hands with at least two sets of cards with the same rank.

It will be appreciated that the poker hands used in column 402 may be set as desired. For example, the definition of the poker hands may be varied. The relative value of the poker hands may also be varied. In another example embodiment, each card may be assigned a value, and a value of a poker hand may be a sum of the values of each card. In another example embodiment, the value of the cards may be considered after the rank of a poker hand is determined. For example, a first straight flush comprising of higher value cards may be ranked higher than a second straight flush comprising of lower value cards. In this example embodiment, a straight flush comprising of the 7, 8, 9, 10, jack and queen of spades may rank higher than a straight flush comprising of the 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of spades. Similarly, another example embodiment may rank suits and consider the suits of the cards in determining the value of the poker hand.

The pay table 400 may also include a set of rows 420. Each row 420 may be associated with a poker hand of column 402 and include the winnings or prize to be awarded for that poker hand and a given wager.

The pay table 400 may also include a column 404 for a winnings or prize associated with a first pay table Pay Table A. For example, FIG. 4a depicts that a royal flush will provide the player with a 600 unit winning if the player had selected to play Pay Table A.

Similarly, the pay table 400 may also include a column 406 depicting Pay Table B, a column 408 depicting Pay Table C, column 410 depicting Pay Table D and a column 412 depicting Pay Table E.

It will be appreciated that when a plurality of pay tables are displayed or utilized, the pay tables may contain some or all of the same winnings for a game outcome. For example, this may allow the player to make two separate wagers on two pay tables that have the same pay structure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a first example procedure for conducting a wagering game, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. In 600, the procedure may receive a first indication of a quantity of pay tables. For example, a player input a quantity of pay tables he wishes to play in the wagering game. For example, the player may wish to play only one pay table. Alternatively, the player may wish to play a plurality of pay tables at the same time. For example, a pay table may be as illustrated in FIG. 5.

In 602, the procedure may receive a second indication of selected pay tables. For example, the player may select pay tables to play among a plurality of available pay tables. The plurality of available pay tables may be communicated to the player by being displayed on an exterior of a video gaming machine or by some other method. If the player indicated he only wishes to play one pay table in 600, only one pay table may be selected in 602.

In 604, the procedure may receive a wager for a selected pay table. A wager may include an indication of how much currency a player wishes to bet on the outcome of the game. The wager may be associated with the selected pay table.

In 606, the procedure may test whether a wager has been received for all selected pay tables. If not, the procedure may proceed to 604. 604 and 606 are repeated until a wager has been received for each selected pay table.

If a wager has been received for each selected pay table, the procedure may proceed to 608.

In 608, a game result for the wagering may be determined. The game result may be determined conventionally, for example, through a look-up table, a random number (“RN”) generator or a pseudo random number (“PRN”) generator. For example, the game result may be a poker hand rank if the wagering game is a video poker game. For example, the game result may be a set of symbols depicted on a set of reels in a slot machine. For example, the game result may be a set of symbols configured to simulate a set of reels in a slot machine if the wagering game is a video slot machine game.

The game result for a slot machine game may be determined by a random mechanical process of spinning a set of reels, each reels depicting a set of symbols.

The game result for a video slot machine may be determined by generating five random numbers from an RN or PRN generator. Each of the five numbers may correspond to an element on one virtual reel of the video slot machine.

The game result for a video poker game may be determined by generating 52 random numbers. Each card in a standard 52-card deck may be associated with one of the random numbers. The random numbers may represent the unique position of each of the 52 cards in the deck. After the cards have been virtually “shuffled”, the top five cards may be dealt to the player. Replacement cards may be dealt from the top of the remaining deck.

For example, the random numbers may be 52 integers ranging from 1 to 52. Each random number may be unique and identify a location in the deck for its associated card.

In 610, a prize may be awarded for a selected pay table. For example, a prize may be cash or coins dispensed to the player. Alternatively, the prize may be a receipt printed and dispensed to the player. The receipt may be redeemed for a prize at another location, such as a cashier or a redemption center. A prize may be currency of any value, including a value of zero. A prize may also be merchandise or a redeemable receipt.

For example, the prize may be determined based on the selected pay table, the wager associated with associated with the selected pay table and the game result. In one example, a higher wager will result in a higher prize, as illustrated in the pay table depicted in FIG. 5. In this example, different game results are associated with prizes of different values.

In 612, the procedure may test if all prizes have been awarded. For example, each selected pay table may be associated with a prize. If all prizes have been awarded, the procedure may end. If not all prizes have been awarded, the procedure may continue at 610.

FIG. 7 illustrates a second example procedure for conducting a wagering game, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. In 750, a plurality of pay tables may be displayed. For example, a pay table may be as illustrated in FIG. 5. The plurality of pay tables may be displayed on a display screen as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 9. Alternatively, the plurality of pay tables may be displayed on an exterior of a video gaming machine as illustrated in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the plurality of pay tables may be displayed in another manner. For example, each pay table in the plurality of pay tables may have different prizes for the same poker hands.

In 752, the procedure may receive a first indication of quantity of pay tables. For example, the first indication may be received from a player. The first indication may reflect a quantity of pay tables a player wishes to play in the wagering game. For example, the quantity of pay tables may be a positive integer greater than zero.

In 754, the procedure may receive a second indication of selected pay tables. For example, the second indication may be received from the player. The second indication may reflect the pay tables the player selects to be played. The quantity of selected pay tables may be equal to the quantity received in 752.

In 756, the procedure may receive a wager for a selected pay table. For example, a wager may indicate an amount of currency the player wishes to place on the pay table. A wager may indicate the player's wish to play in the next round of the wagering game. For example, the wager may be received from the player through the input modules of the video gaming machine illustrated in FIG. 1.

In 758, the procedure may receive a wager amount for a selected pay table. The wager amount may be an amount of currency received at a video gaming machine as depicted in FIG. 1. The wager amount may differ from the wager received in 756 in that the wager amount may an actual amount of currency received at a video gaming machine, while the wager received in 756 may be an indication of the wager amount the player intends to play.

In 760, the procedure may test whether a wager and a wager amount has been received for all selected pay tables. If yes, all wagers and wager amounts have been received and the procedure may proceed to 762. If no, the procedure may proceed to 756 where another wager and wager amount is collected for another selected pay table.

In 762, a first poker hand may be displayed. For example, the first poker hand may be displayed on a display screen of a video gaming machine illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the first poker hand may be as depicted in the screen shot of the first poker hand as illustrated in FIG. 2.

In 764, a selection of held cards may be received. For example, the selection of held cards may be displayed on a display screen of a video gaming machine illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the selection of held cards may be as depicted in the screen shot of the selection of held cards as illustrated in FIG. 3.

In 766, a second poker hand may be displayed. For example, the second poker hand may be displayed on a display screen of a video gaming machine illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the second poker hand may be as depicted in the screen shot of the second poker hand as illustrated in FIG. 4.

In 768, a poker rank of the second poker hand may be determined. For example, the poker rank may be determined by comparing the second poker hand to winning poker hands. For example, winning poker hands may be those depicted in the pay table illustrated in FIG. 5. For example, conventional poker hands may be recognized as winning poker hands. Alternatively, other five card combinations may be recognized as winning poker hands. For example, the second poker hand illustrated in FIG. 4 has a value of two pairs: a pair of aces and a pair of queens.

In 770, a prize may be awarded for a selected pay table. For example, the prize may be dependent on the poker rank of the second hand, the selected pay table, the wager and the wager amount. For example, the prize may be determined by looking up a pay table as depicted in FIG. 5.

In 772, the procedure may test whether prizes have been awarded for all selected pay tables. If yes, the procedure may end. If no, the procedure may proceed to 770.

FIG. 8 illustrates a third example procedure for conducting a wagering game, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. In 850, two pay tables may optionally be displayed. For example, a pay table may be as depicted in FIG. 5. The two pay tables may be displayed on a display screen as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 9. Alternatively, the two pay tables may be displayed on an exterior of a video gaming machine as illustrated in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the two pay tables may be displayed in another manner. For example, the two pay tables may have different prizes for the same poker hands.

In 852, an indication of a selected pay table may be received. For example, the selected pay table may be selected from one of two pay tables. For example, the two pay tables may be those displayed in optional 850. For example, the indication may be received from the player and reflect the pay table the player wishes to play.

In 854, a wager may be received for the selected pay table. For example, a wager may indicate an amount of currency the player wishes to place on the pay table. A wager may also indicate the player's wish to play in the next round of the wagering game. For example, the wager may be received from the player through the input modules of the video gaming machine illustrated in FIG. 1.

In 856, a wager amount may be received for the selected pay table. The wager amount may be an amount of currency received at a video gaming machine as depicted in FIG. 1. The wager amount may differ from the wager received in 756 in that the wager amount may an actual amount of currency received at a video gaming machine, while the wager received in 756 may be an indication of the wager amount the player intends to play.

Alternatively, the wager amount 856 received at a video gaming machine may function both as the wager received in 854 and the wager amount 856.

Alternatively, the video gaming machine may require the player deposit currency before the procedure begins, and wagers are debited from a balance of credits available to the player.

In 858, a first poker hand may be displayed. For example, the first poker hand may be displayed similarly to 762 of FIG. 7.

In 860, a selection of held cards may be received. For example, the selection of held cards may be displayed similarly to 764 of FIG. 7.

In 862, a second poker hand may be displayed. For example, the second poker hand may be displayed similarly to 766 of FIG. 7.

In 864, a poker hand rank of the second poker hand may be determined. For example, the poker rank may be determined similarly to 768 of FIG. 7.

In 866, a prize may be awarded for the selected pay table. For example, the prize may be awarded similarly to 770 of FIG. 7.

In 868, the procedure may determine whether another game is desired. For example, a query for another game may be displayed to the player. For example, the player may indicate his interest in playing another game through an input module as depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example apparatus for conducting a wagering game, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. A terminal 500 may be a conventional video gaming machine, for example, as depicted in FIG. 1. For example, the terminal 500 may include a display screen 510. The display screen 510 may be configured to display the first and second poker hands as depicted in FIGS. 2 to 4. The display screen 510 may be configured to display the pay table as depicted in FIG. 5. Alternatively, the pay table may be displayed on a body of the terminal 500. Alternatively, the pay table may be communicated to a player in an alternative manner.

The terminal 500 may include a processor 501. The processor 501 may be in communication with and be configured to control components of the terminal 500. The processor 501 may execute software. The processor 501 and software may determine outcomes and receive inputs.

The terminal 500 may include a play log 502 and a terminal record 504. The play log 502 may be as depicted in FIGS. 10a and 10b. The terminal record 504 may be as depicted in FIGS. 11a and 11b.

The terminal 500 may include a display screen 510. The display screen 510 may be an LCD screen or a CRT screen. For example, the display screen 510 may be as depicted in FIG. 1.

The terminal 500 may include an input module 508. The input module 508 may be a set of buttons accessible to the player. Alternatively, the input module 508 may be a touch screen display. In this example embodiment, the display screen 510 and the input module 508 will be the same touch screen display.

The terminal 500 may include a dispenser 512. The dispenser 512 may be configured to dispense a prize. For example, the dispenser 512 may be as depicted in FIG. 1.

The terminal 500 may include a plurality of pay tables 514A to 514X. The pay table 506 may be similar to the pay table depicted in FIG. 5. Each pay table may be different.

It will be appreciated that the terminal 500 may be a conventional video gaming machine as depicted in FIG. 1. For example, the video gaming machine may be configured to simulate a game of video poker. Alternatively, the video gaming machine may be configured to simulate a variety of other wagering games. For example, the video gaming machine may be configured to simulate a slot machine, a blackjack game, a Texas hold-'em poker game, an Omaha poker game, or a craps game.

FIG. 10a illustrates an example play log, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. The play log 502 as depicted in FIG. 9 may be stored as a play log structure 700. The play log structure 700 may include a set of records 702, each record 702 representing one wager or play in the wagering game.

It will be appreciated that the play log structure 700 may be stored in a variety of ways. For example, it may be stored as a tab delimited or comma delimited flat file, in a relational database or another storage method accessible to a lottery host. The play log structure 700 may be used for accounting, auditing, or fraud-detection purposes. For example, the play log structure 700 may be checked for abnormally high concentration of prizes being awarded during a particular time of day or to a particular player or set of players.

FIG. 10b illustrates an example play log entry, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. Each game ticket information structure entry may be a record 702′. Each record 702′ may contain a variety of information, such as a Play ID 704. For example, each play or wager conducted in a wagering game may be associated an identifier. The Play ID 704 may facilitate sorting or searching through the play log structure 700. The identifier may be an alpha-numeric sequence of characters.

The record 702′ may also include a Terminal ID 706. The Terminal ID 706 may be an identifier associated with a terminal where the wager was placed. For example, the Terminal ID 706 may be an identifier including an alpha-numeric sequence of characters. In an alternative embodiment, the Terminal ID 706 may be a text description of the terminal.

The record 702′ may also include a Player ID 708. The Player ID 708 may be an identifier associated with the player placing the wager. Each player may be associated with an identifier, for example, a frequent player number. Alternatively, player information may be obtained from a credit card or debit card used to fund the wager. If no player information is available, the Player ID 708 field may be left blank. The Player ID 708 may be an alpha-numeric sequence of characters.

The record 702′ may also include a Hand ID 710. The Hand ID 710 may be associated with the three poker hands dealt to the player during a game. Each hand dealt in the game may be associated with its own identifier. The identifier may be an alpha-numeric sequence of characters.

The record 702′ may also include date the wager was made 712. For example, the date the wager was made may be when the player first made the wager, when the player's payment was received, or when the predetermined payout award is awarded.

The record 702′ may also include a predetermined prize award 714. For example, the predetermined prize award 714 may be a dollar amount of a payout award. Alternatively, the predetermined prize award 714 may be a descriptor or identifier associated with a merchandise prize or other prize.

FIG. 11a illustrates an example terminal structure, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. The terminal record 504 as depicted in FIG. 9 may be stored as a terminal structure 800. The terminal structure 800 may include a set of records 802, each record 802 representing one terminal.

It will be appreciated that the terminal structure 800 may be stored in a variety of ways. For example, it may be stored as a tab delimited or comma delimited flat file, in a relational database or another storage method accessible to a lottery host. The terminal structure 800 may be used for accounting, auditing, or fraud-detection purposes.

FIG. 11b illustrates an example terminal structure entry, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. Each terminal structure entry may be a record 802′. Each record 802′ may contain a variety of information, such as a Terminal ID 804. For example, each terminal may be associated an identifier. The Terminal ID 804 may facilitate sorting or searching through the terminal structure 800. The identifier may be an alpha-numeric sequence of characters.

The record 802′ may also include a Terminal Type 806. The Terminal Type 806 may be an identifier associated with a type of terminal. For example, the Terminal Type 806 may be an identifier including an alpha-numeric sequence of characters. In an alternative embodiment, the Terminal Type 806 may be a text description of the terminal type.

The record 802′ may also include a location 808. The location 808 may be an identifier associated with a location of the terminal. For example, the Location 808 may be an identifier including an alpha-numeric sequence of characters. In an alternative embodiment, the Location 808 may be a text description of the terminal location.

The record 802′ may also include date the terminal was installed 810. For example, the date the terminal was installed may be the date the terminal was physically moved to the location or the date the terminal was activated. The date may also include a field for the time the terminal was installed.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example future draw lottery ticket, in accordance with another example embodiment of the present invention. A future draw lottery ticket 1200 may be printed on heavy stock paper. The future draw lottery ticket 1200 may be obtained at conventional retailers of lottery tickets, for example, convenience stores or lottery ticket kiosks. The future draw lottery ticket 1200 may be sold for a fixed price, for example, $1.00.

The future draw lottery ticket 1200 may include a set of player-selected elements 1210. For example, the player-selected elements 1210 may be a set of integers in a range of zero to one hundred. Alternatively, the player-select elements may be any set of numbers or other symbols.

The set of player-selected elements 1210 may be determined when the future draw lottery ticket 1200 is purchased. For example, a player may input a desired set of elements. Alternatively, a random set of elements may be used.

A winning set of elements may be determined in the future draw lottery game. A prize may be awarded for a future draw lottery ticket 1200 with player-selected elements 1210 or a subset of player-selected elements 1210 that match the winning set of elements. For example, the winning set of elements may be similar to the set of player-selected elements 1210, for example, a set of integers or symbols.

The future draw lottery ticket 1200 may include a ticket identifier 1220. For example, the ticket identifier 1220 may be a unique identifier associated with the future draw lottery ticket 1200. For example, the ticket 1220 may be a sequence of alpha-numeric characters or a machine-readable code.

FIG. 13 illustrates example pay tables for the example future draw lottery game, in accordance with another example embodiment of the present invention. For example, pay table 1300 may include at least one record 1310. Each record 1310 may include at least two fields, a winning condition and a prize. For example, a first winning condition may be that a subset of four player-selected elements matching a subset of four winning elements. For example, a second winning condition may be that a subset of five player-selected elements matching a subset of five winning elements. It will be appreciated that the winning condition may be any conventional winning condition. Each winning condition may be associated with a prize. For example, the prize may be a monetary award in currency. Alternatively, prizes may be merchandise or other consideration.

It will be appreciated that the each record 1310 may include more than two fields. For example, each field other than the winning condition field may be an entry in a prize table.

The pay table 1300 may include at least two columns, a winning condition column 1320 and a prize column 1330. The winning condition field may be stored in the winning condition column 1320 and the prize field may be stored in the prize column 1330.

For example, the pay table 1300 may also include columns 1340 and 1350. The columns 1330, 1340 and 1350 may represent different pay tables that may determine prizes awarded for each winning condition.

It will be appreciated that when a plurality of pay tables are displayed or utilized, the pay tables may contain some or all of the same winnings for a game outcome. For example, this may allow the player to make two separate wagers on two pay tables that have the same pay structure.

It will be appreciated that the example embodiments described in the present invention can be added to the example embodiments described in the application for System and Method for Draw Game, referenced above. For example, a wagering game may include offering a plurality of pay tables, receiving an input from the player indicating a selection of pay tables, and predetermining a predetermined payout award for each selected pay table.

It will be appreciated that all of the disclosed methods, procedures, and games described herein can be implemented using one or more computer programs or components. These components may be provided as a series of computer instructions on any conventional computer readable medium, including RAM, ROM, flash memory, magnetic or optical disks, optical memory, or other storage media. The instructions may be configured to be executed by a processor, which when executing the series of computer instructions performs or facilitates the performance of all or part of the disclosed methods, procedures, and games.

MODIFICATIONS

In the preceding specification, the present invention has been described with reference to specific example embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

Claims

1. A method for conducting a wagering game, comprising:

receiving a first player input, the first player input indicating a first selected pay table for use in the wagering game, the first selected pay table selected from a plurality of pay tables;

receiving a first wager for the first selected pay table;

determining a game result; and

awarding a first prize, the first prize calculated based on the game result, the first selected pay table and the first wager.

2. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a first wager amount for the first select pay table, wherein the first prize is further calculated based on the first wager amount.

3. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

presenting a player with the plurality of pay tables.

4. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a second indication of a second selected pay table for use in the wagering game, the second selected pay table selected from the plurality of pay tables;

receiving a second wager for the second selected pay table; and

awarding a second prize for the second selected pay table, the second prize calculated based on the game result, the second selected pay table and the second wager.

5. A method of claim 4, further comprising:

receiving a second wager amount for the second select pay table, wherein the second prize is further calculated based on the second wager amount.

6. A method of claim 1, wherein the wagering game is a video poker game, the method further comprising:

displaying a first poker hand, the first poker hand including a first plurality of cards;

receiving an input reflecting a selection of held cards selected from the first poker hand;

displaying a second poker hand, the second poker hand including a second plurality of cards and the selection of held cards; and

wherein the game result corresponds to the second poker hand.

7. A method of claim 1, wherein the wagering game is a video poker game, the method further comprising:

displaying a poker hand, the poker hand including a plurality of cards; and

wherein the game result corresponds to the poker hand.

8. A method of claim 1, wherein the wagering game is a video slot game, the method further comprising:

displaying an initial set of symbols, the first set of symbols configured to simulate an initial set of slot machine reels;

animating the initial set of symbols, the animation configured to simulate a set of spinning slot machine reels;

displaying a resulting set of symbols, the resulting set of symbols configured to simulate a resulting set of slot machine reels; and

wherein the game result corresponds to the resulting set of symbols.

9. A method of claim 1, wherein the wagering game is a slot machine game, the method further comprising:

displaying an initial set of symbols, the initial set of symbols depicted on a set of reels;

spinning the set of reels;

displaying a resulting set of symbols, the resulting set of symbols depicted on the set of reels; and

wherein the game result corresponds to the resulting set of symbols.

10. A method of claim 1, wherein the wagering game is a future draw lottery game, the method further comprising:

receiving a third input, the third input indicating a set of player-selected elements; and

selecting winning set of elements,

wherein the game result corresponds to a matching of the set of player-selected elements or a subset of the set of player-selected elements to the winning set of elements.

11. A method for conducting a video poker game, comprising:

receiving an indication of a selected pay table for use in the video poker game, the selected pay table selected from one of a first pay table and a second pay table;

receiving a wager;

receiving a wager amount;

displaying a first poker hand, the first poker hand including a first plurality of cards;

receiving an input reflecting a selection of held cards selected from the first poker hand;

displaying a second poker hand, the second poker hand including a second plurality of cards and the selection of held cards;

determining a game result, the game result corresponding to the second poker hand; and

awarding a prize associated with the game result, the wager, the wager amount and the selected pay table.

12. An apparatus for conducting a wagering game, comprising:

a plurality of pay tables;

an input device, the input device configured to, receive a first indication of a first selected pay table to be used in the wagering game, the first selected pay table selected from the plurality of pay tables, receive an input reflecting a selection of held cards, and receive a first wager for the first selected pay table;

a display, the display configured to, display the first poker hand, the first poker hand including a first plurality of cards, display a second poker hand, the second poker hand including a second plurality of cards and the selection of held cards;

a processor, the processor configured to determine a game result corresponding to the second poker hand;

a receiver, the receiver configured to receive a first wager; and

a dispenser, the dispenser configured to, award a first prize for the first selected pay table, the first prize calculated based on the game result, the first selected pay table and the first wager associated with the first selected pay table.

13. An apparatus of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to receive a second indication of a second selected pay table to be used in the wagering game, the second selected pay table selected from the plurality of pay tables,

wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a second wager for the second selected pay table, and

wherein the dispenser is further configured to award a second prize for the second selected pay table, the second prize calculated based on the game result, the second selected pay table and the second wager.

14. An apparatus of claim 12, wherein each prize is further calculated based on a wager amount associated with the selected pay table, the apparatus further comprising:

a payment acceptor, the payment acceptor configured to accept the wager amount associated with the selected pay table.