Slot machine game and system with improved jackpot feature
Certain embodiments provide a method and system for awarding a progressive prize. The system includes a bank of gaming machines accepting different bets per play as selected by a player. A random number is selected from a predetermined fixed range of numbers that does not change during play of a gaming machine. The player is allotted one or more numbers for each credit bet. The allotted numbers represent a subset of the predetermined fixed range of numbers. A feature game is triggered for the progressive prize based on a numerical comparison between the selected random number and the number(s) allotted to the player. Certain embodiments provide a trigger condition for a feature outcome based on an event having a probability related to credits bet per game at a gaming machine. A probability of success in the feature game may be higher than a probability of success in the base game.
1 - 80 . (canceled)
81 . In a network of gaming machines, each of said gaming machines having a user interface activatable by a player to affect game display, each of said gaming machines being capable of accepting different wager amounts made by the player, a method of randomly awarding one progressive prize from a plurality of progressive prizes using a second game to select said one progressive prize, a display of said second game being triggered upon an occurrence of a random trigger condition having a probability of occurrence related to the amount of the wager, comprising:
making a wager at a particular gaming machine in the network of gaming machines;
initiating a first main game at said particular gaming machine;
causing a second game trigger condition to occur as a result of said first main game being initiated, said second game trigger condition occurring randomly and having a probability of occurrence dependent on the amount of the wager made at said particular gaming machine;
triggering a second game to appear at said particular gaming machine in response to said occurrence of said second game trigger condition, said second game appearing after completion of said first main game;
randomly selecting said one progressive prize from said plurality of progressive prizes that has been won;
displaying said second game to the player at said particular gaming machine in response to said triggering;
activating said user interface at said particular gaming machine by said player during said displaying of said second game to affect the display of said second game;
identifying to the player said one progressive prize from said plurality of progressive prizes that has been won; and
awarding said one progressive prize from said plurality of progressive prizes that has been won.
82 . The method of claim 81 , wherein said step of causing a second game trigger condition to occur includes:
(1) selecting a random number from a predetermined range of numbers;
(2) allotting a plurality of numbers from the predetermined range of numbers in proportion to the amount of the wager made at said particular gaming machine; and
(3) indicating the occurrence of the trigger condition if one of the allotted numbers matches the selected random number.
83 . The method of claim 82 wherein the amount of the wager is an amount in credits.
84 . The method of claim 82 wherein said step of making a wager includes betting a plurality of credits, and wherein said step of allotting includes allotting one number for each credit bet.
85 . The method of claim 82 wherein said step of allotting includes allotting one number for each unit of currency of the amount wagered.
86 . The method of claim 81 wherein each of said gaming machines includes a random number generator, and further including initializing said random number generator of each of said gaming machines to generate random numbers from a predetermined fixed range of numbers, said step of initializing occurring at start up and prior to said step of initiating said first main game; and
for every said first main game that is initiated, selecting a random number from said predetermined fixed range of numbers.
87 . The method of claim 82 wherein said step of selecting a random number includes generating a random number from a random number generator.
88 . The method of claim 81 wherein said step of identifying occurs at the completion of said second game.
89 . The method of claim 81 wherein said step of displaying said second game includes displaying spinning reel strips; and further including stopping said spinning reel strips in response to said step of activating.
90 . The method of claim 89 wherein said user interface includes buttons; and wherein said step of stopping said spinning reel strips includes pressing said buttons of said particular gaming machine.
91 . The method of claim 81 wherein said step of triggering a second game includes triggering a plurality of second games.
92 . The method of claim 81 wherein each of said gaming machines has a currency denomination; and wherein said currency denomination of each of said gaming machines is one cent.
93 . The method of claim 81 wherein said plurality of progressive prizes are of unequal values.
94 . The method of claim 81 wherein each of said plurality of progressive prizes being a fraction of an incrementing pool.
95 . The method of claim 81 wherein said first main game has a first probability of winning and said second game has a higher probability of winning than said first main game.
96 . The method of claim 81 and further including alerting the player that said step of triggering has occurred, said step of alerting occurring prior to said step of displaying said second game.
97 . The method of claim 81 wherein said step of randomly selecting said one progressive prize is performed after said step of triggering a second game to appear.
98 . In a network of gaming machines, each of said gaming machines having a user interface for a player to interact with a game display, each of said gaming machines being capable of accepting different wager amounts made by the player, a method of randomly awarding one progressive prize from a group of progressive prizes through display of a second game, display of said second game being triggered upon an occurrence of a trigger condition, comprising:
making a wager at a gaming machine in the network of gaming machines;
initiating a first main game at said particular gaming machine;
causing a second game trigger condition to occur as a result of said first main game being initiated, said second game trigger condition occurring randomly and having a probability of occurrence dependent on the amount of the wager made at said particular gaming machine and said triggering condition resulting in an entitlement of the player to one of the progressive prizes from the group;
triggering display of a second game at said particular gaming machine in response to said occurrence of said second game trigger condition, said second game appearing without interruption of said first main game;
selecting said one progressive prize from said plurality of progressive prizes that has been won;
displaying said second game to the player at said particular gaming machine in response to said triggering;
said player interacting with the display of the second game to prompt revelation of the particular progressive prize to be awarded; and
awarding said revealed progressive prize that has been won.