Skill-based redemption game
View Patent ↗A skill-based redemption gaming machine in which a plurality of game symbols are arranged on a plurality of slot machine-type reels is configured to ensure that player awards comply with statutory guidelines. A player deposits consideration into the gaming machine and receives a corresponding number of plays and points, representing the number of available game plays and wager amounts, respectively. The player places a wager up to the number of available points which, upon commencement of play, are deducted from the total points value. Upon commencing play, the player is provided free replays or the opportunity to nudge one or more electronically displayed reels in an effort to obtain a certain alignment of game symbols. If such alignment is obtained, the player is presented with points and awards pursuant to a paytable, said rewards being redeemable for non-cash prizes.
1. An electronic skill-based redemption game comprising:
a display;
a computer processor, said processor programmed to generate a plurality of reels on the display, each of the plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols;
a memory capable of storing a plurality of software instructions, at least one winning combination of symbols and paytable information corresponding to the at least one winning combination of symbols;
a wager input interface for accepting consideration from a player and said computer processor further programmed to provide the player with a plays value and a points value responsive thereto;
means for accepting a wager from the player in an amount up to an available number of points;
player controlled means for commencing play of the skill-based redemption game, upon activation of which the computer processor implements the following software instructions:
(i) decrementing the plays value by one and the points value by the amount of the wager;
(ii) simulating the rotation of the plurality of reels on the display by varying the position of the plurality of symbols on the plurality of reels;
(iii) providing compensation to the player in accordance with the paytable if a combination of multiple of said plurality of symbols wherein at least one of the plurality of symbols on each of the plurality of reels matches the at least one winning combination of symbols; and
(iv) terminating further play of the skill-based redemption game if the plays value reaches zero.
2. The electronic skill-based redemption game of claim 1 wherein the compensation provided to the player is an awards amount.
3. The electronic skill-based redemption game of claim 2 further comprising player controlled cash-out means upon activation of which the player is given the option of converting a portion of the awards amount to additional points.
4. The electronic skill-based redemption game of claim 1 wherein the compensation provided to the player is a points amount.
5. The electronic skill-based redemption game of claim 1 wherein the compensation provided to the player is an opportunity to play a bonus round depicted on the display.
6. The electronic skill-based redemption game of claim 1 further comprising player controlled nudge means for altering the position of the plurality of symbols on the plurality of reels.
7. The electronic skill-based redemption game of claim 1 wherein the compensation awarded to the player is one or more replays.
8. The electronic skill-based redemption game of claim 7 wherein, for each replay awarded, play of the game is commenced without further input from the player.
9. The electronic skill-based redemption game of claim 7 wherein, for each replay, the plays value is not decremented while the points value is decremented by the amount of the most recent wager.
10. The electronic skill-based redemption game of claim 1 wherein said computer processor is further programmed to record and instruct said display to display one or more top points values theretofore obtained by players of the game.
11. A method of playing an electronic skill-based redemption game comprising:
generating a plurality of reels on a display, each of the plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols;
storing a plurality of software instructions, at least one winning combination of symbols and paytable information corresponding to the at least one winning combination of symbols in memory;
accepting consideration from a player and providing the player with a plays value and a points value;
accepting a wager from the player in an amount up to a number of points;
commencing play of the skill-based redemption game;
decrementing the plays value by one and the points value by the amount of the wager;
simulating the rotation of the plurality of reels on the display by varying the position of the plurality of symbols on the plurality of reels;
providing compensation to the player in accordance with the paytable if a combination of multiple of said plurality of symbols wherein at least one of the plurality of symbols on each of the plurality of reels matches the at least one winning combination of symbols; and
terminating further play of the skill-based redemption game if the plays value reaches zero.
12. The method of playing an electronic skill-based redemption game of claim 11 wherein the compensation provided to the player is an awards amount.
13. The method of playing an electronic skill-based redemption game of claim 12 further comprising providing player controlled cash-out means upon activation of which the player is given the option of converting a portion of the awards amount to additional points.
14. The method of playing an electronic skill-based redemption game of claim 11 wherein the compensation provided to the player is a points amount.
15. The method of playing an electronic skill-based redemption game of claim 11 wherein the compensation provided to the player is an opportunity to play a bonus round depicted on the display.
16. The method of playing an electronic skill-based redemption game of claim 11 further comprising providing player controlled nudge means for altering the position of the plurality of symbols on the plurality of reels.
17. The method of playing an electronic skill-based redemption game of claim 11 wherein the compensation awarded to the player is one or more replays.
18. The method of playing an electronic skill-based redemption game of claim 17 wherein, for each replay awarded, commencing play of the game without further input from the player.
19. The method of playing an electronic skill-based redemption game of claim 17 wherein, for each replay, not decrementing the plays value while decrementing the points value by the amount of the most recent wager.
20. The method of playing an electronic skill-based redemption game of claim 1 further comprising recording and displaying one or more of the top points values theretofore obtained by players of the game.