IP Library Patent Application 11337960
Patent Application
App. No. 11/337,960

Slot machine with skill aspect

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
11/337,960
Abstract

A game of skill slot machine in which different winning combinations can have different house commissions applied to same. Thus, if a player wishes to respin a reel, a respin cost can be computed utilizing applicable house commissions thus resulting in a skillful decision of which reel to respin.

Claims (38)

1 . A method to play a wagering game, the method comprising:

displaying a first reel and a second reel;

outputting a first respin cost for the first reel and a second respin cost for the second reel; and

receiving a selection from a player to respin either the first reel by paying the first respin cost or to respin the second reel by paying the second respin cost,

wherein a first value to the player of respinning the first reel based on the first respin cost is unequal to a second value to the player of respinning the second reel based on the second respin cost.

2 . A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first value is computed by dividing the first respin cost over a first respin expected value which is an expected value of respinning the first reel, and the second value is computed by dividing the second respin cost over a second respin expected value which is an expected value of respinning the second reel.

3 . A method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the first respin cost is computed by:

cycling though all reel stops on the first reel

if each reel stop comprises a winning combination, then:

determining a respective house commission for the winning combination;

applying the respective house commission to a payout for the winning combination to determine an adjusted award;

accumulating the adjusted awards into an accumulated adjusted award; and

dividing the accumulated adjusted award by a number of reel stops on the first reel to determine a final respin cost.

4 . A method as recited in claim 3 , wherein the applying multiplies the respective house commission by the payout for the winning combination.

5 . A method as recited in claim 3 , wherein respective house commissions are different based on different winning combinations.

6 . A method to determine a payout for a reel respin, the method comprising:

receiving a selected reel from a player as to which reel to respin;

cycling through reel stops in the selected reel;

if a combination of reels, including the selected reel, forms a particular winning combination, then performing:

determining a variable house commission for the particular winning combination;

identifying a payout for the particular winning combination;

applying the variable house commission to the payout to determine an adjusted award;

accumulating adjusted awards; and

dividing the adjusted awards by a number of reel stops on the selected reel to determine a selected reel respin cost.

7 . A method as recited in claim 6 , wherein a selected value of a respin on the selected reel is different than an alternate value of a respin on other reels.

8 . A method as recited in claim 7 , wherein value is defined as dividing a respective reel respin cost over an a respective expected value.

9 . A method as recited in claim 6 , wherein the determining uses a table of winning combinations and respective house commissions.

10 . An apparatus to play a wagering game, the apparatus comprising:

an output unit outputting a first reel and a second reel and outputting a first respin cost for the first reel and a second respin cost for the second reel; and

an input unit receiving a selection from a player to respin either the first reel by paying the first respin cost or to respin the second reel by paying the second respin cost,

wherein a first value of respinning the first reel based on the first respin cost is unequal to a second value of respinning the second reel based on the second respin cost.

11 . An apparatus as recited in claim 10 , wherein the first value is computed by dividing the first respin cost over a first respin expected value which is an expected value of respinning the first reel, and the second value is computed by dividing the second respin cost over a second respin expected value which is an expected value of respinning the second reel.

12 . An apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein the first respin cost is computed by:

cycling though all reel stops on the first reel if each reel stop comprises a winning combination, then:

determining a respective house commission for the winning combination;

applying the respective house commission to a payout for the winning combination to determine an adjusted award;

accumulating the adjusted awards into an accumulated adjusted award; and

dividing the accumulated adjusted award by a number of reel stops on the first reel.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 2, 2009
From: ID INTERACTIVE, LLC
To: AFFORDABLE LEASING, LLC
Reel/Frame 022354/0011 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 26, 2006
From: GERSON, IGNACIO; NORES, ALVARO; YANIVELLO, DIEGO
To: ID INTERACTIVE LLC
Reel/Frame 018440/0963 →