NETWORKED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GROUP PLAY GAMING
Disclosed are wagering games, gaming machines, networked gaming systems and methods for group gaming.
1 . A networked group play gaming system comprising:
a group play controller;
a plurality of gaming machines linked with the group play controller by a network;
wherein the group play controller, upon receipt of a trigger from one of the gaming machines, causes one or more of the gaming machines to be configured for participation in a group game.
2 . The system of claim 1 further comprising a progressive controller linked with one or more of the gaming machines,
3 . The system of claim 2 wherein the progressive controller increments one or more progressive awards based on play at one or more of the plurality of gaming machines.
4 . The system of claim 1 wherein the group game comprises a tournament.
5 . The system of claim 4 wherein the tournament comprises at least one progressive prize
6 . The system of claim 1 wherein each gaming machine determines its eligibility for group play.
7 . The system of claim 1 further comprising a display operatively coupled to the group play controller.
8 . The system of claim 7 wherein the group play controller determines the group play standings of each of the gaming machines and displays the standings on the display.
9 . The system of claim 1 wherein the amount of a group play prize associated with each participating gaming machine is determined by each gaming machine based on information provided by the group play controller.
10 . The system of claim 9 further comprising a progressive controller operatively coupled to one or more of the gaming machines,
11 . The system of claim 10 wherein the amount of the group play prize is further based on information provided by the progressive controller.
12 . A method of operating a group play game including the steps of:
connecting a group play controller to a plurality of gaming machines through a network;
randomly determining a group play trigger at one of the gaming machines;
determining eligibility of each gaming machine for group play;
for each eligible machine, determining a set of group play outcomes;
ranking each eligible gaming machine according its set of outcomes; and
paying at least one award as a result of the rankings.
13 . The method of claim 12 wherein each gaming machine determines its eligibility for group play.
14 . The method of claim 12 wherein the trigger is unrelated to a displayed outcome of a game.
15 . The method of claim 12 wherein each gaming machine determines a group play award based on its ranking.
16 . The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of connecting a progressive controller to the plurality of gaming machines and paying at least one progressive award as a result of the rankings.
17 . The method of claim 12 wherein all participants in group play receive a prize.
18 . A method of operating a group play gaming network including the steps of:
connecting a group play controller to a plurality of gaming machines through a network;
connecting a progressive controller to the plurality of gaming machines;
determining a set of group play outcomes for one or more eligible machines of the plurality of gaming machines;
ranking the sets of outcomes for the eligible gaming machines; and
awarding at least one progressive prize according to the ranking.
19 . The method of claim 18 wherein a gaming machine's eligibility for group play is based on wagering activity at the gaming machine.
20 . The method of claim 18 wherein the group play controller ranks the sets of outcomes for the eligible gaming machines.
21 . The method of claim 18 wherein each eligible gaming machine determines a group play award associated with that machine.
22 . The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of awarding a consolation prize to a player of a gaming machine unqualified for a progressive prize.
23 . A group gaming network comprising:
a plurality of gaming machines, each including a group gaming controller, any one of the gaming machines triggering a group gaming event and enabled to operate as a master group gaming controller for a group game associated with the triggered event, the master group gaming controller signaling start of the group game to any one or more of the other gaming machines.
24 . The group gaming network of claim 24 wherein a plurality of the gaming machines are concurrently enabled to operate as master group gaming controllers, each of the master group gaming controllers coordinating a different group game.
25 . A group gaming network comprising:
a plurality of gaming machines;
a gaming server including a group gaming controller;
one of the gaming machines triggering a group gaming event and transmitting a signal to the group gaming controller; the group gaming controller signaling a group game to each of the other gaming machines.