Game method using community lines
View Patent ↗The claimed embodiments contemplate methods, systems and apparatuses directed to gaming machines that provide a common reel display for multiple players. Various combinations of reel lines, utilized to determine possible wins from symbols across multiple reels, of the reel display, may be available to the players. For example, a first player may be permitted to bet on one set of reel lines and a second player may bet on another set of reel lines. Also, for example, both players may bet on some reel lines and other reel lines may only be available to certain players. A community reel line may also be made available to both players or perhaps just one player upon satisfaction of certain conditions. The ability to have multiple players bet on a common reel display advantageously adds to the excitement and enjoyment of a gaming session.
1. A method for playing a game comprising:
accepting a wager at a first play station;
playing an individual game at the first play station;
accepting a wager at a second play station;
playing an individual game at the second play station;
entering a community group play mode to cause a common reel display of the first and second play station to spin responsive to a bonus signal from one of the first play station or the second play station, the bonus signal resulting from a bonus awarded in the individual game of the first play station or the individual game of the second play station,
wherein a first set of one or more reel lines of the reel display are reserved for the first play station and a second set of one or more reel lines of the reel display are reserved for the second play station, and wherein the common reel display is entirely covered by the first set of reel lines,
and wherein the common reel display is entirely covered by the second set of reel lines, and wherein the first set of reel lines are played in a left-to-right orientation and the second set of reel lines are played in a right-to-left orientation on the common reel display, and wherein a third set of one or more reel lines are available as community reel lines to the first play station and the second play station, and wherein a player of the first play station is enabled to wager on lines of the first set and lines of the third set and a player of the second play station is enabled to wager on lines of the second set and lines of the third set;
and awarding a community group play mode bonus to both the player of the first play station and the player of the second play station responsive to any win on a line of the third set of lines.
2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the common reel display is repeated at a community reel display of the first play station and at a community reel display of the second play station.
3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the one or more reel lines of the third set of reel lines are enabled upon entry of a wager of a certain amount at the first or second play station, the certain amount greater than a minimum bet amount of the first or second play station.
4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the first and second play stations are located at individual and separate game apparatuses.
5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the common reel display is located on overhead signage separate from a display of an individual game of the first play station and separate from a display of an individual game of the second play station.
6. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the first and second play stations run differing games.
7. A method for playing a game comprising:
accepting a wager at a first play station;
playing an individual game at the first play station;
accepting a wager at a second play station;
playing an individual game at the second play station;
entering a community group play mode to cause a common reel display of the first and second play station to spin, wherein a first set of one or more reel lines of the reel display are reserved for the first play station and a second set of one or more reel lines of the reel display are reserved for the second play station, and
wherein the common reel display is entirely covered by the first set of reel lines, and
wherein the common reel display is entirely covered by the second set of reel lines, and
wherein the first set of reel lines are played in a left-to-right orientation and the second set of reel lines are played in a right-to-left orientation on the common reel display,
and wherein a third set of one or more reel lines are available as community reel lines to the first play station and the second play station, and wherein a player of the first play station is enabled to wager on lines of the first set and lines of the third set and a player of the second play station is enabled to wager on lines of the second set and lines of the third set;
and wherein a community group play mode win is awarded to both the player of the first play station and the player of the second play station responsive to any win on a line of the third set of lines.
8. The method as recited in claim 7 wherein the common reel display is repeated at a community reel display of the first play station and at a community reel display of the second play station.
9. The method as recited in claim 7 wherein the one or more reel lines of the third set of reel lines are enabled upon entry of a wager of a certain amount at the first or second play station, the certain amount greater than a minimum bet amount of the first or second play station.
10. The method as recited in claim 7 wherein the first and second play stations are located at individual and separate game apparatuses.
11. The method as recited in claim 7 wherein the common reel display is located on overhead signage separate from a display of an individual game of the first play station and separate from a display of an individual game of the second play station.
12. The method as recited in claim 7 wherein the first and second play stations run differing games.
13. A method for playing a game comprising:
accepting a wager at a first play station;
playing a first individual game at the first play station;
accepting a wager at a second play station, the second play station physically separate from the first play station;
playing a second individual game at the second play station, the second individual game differing from the first individual game;
awarding a bonus in either the first individual game of the second individual game responsive to a bonus win at either the first play station or the second play station;
entering a community group play mode to cause a common reel display of the first and second play station to spin responsive to the bonus from one of the first play station or the second play station, the bonus signal resulting from a bonus awarded in the individual game of the first play station or the individual game of the second play station, wherein a first set of one or more reel lines of the reel display are reserved for the first play station and a second set of one or more reel lines of the reel display are reserved for the second play station, and wherein the common reel display is entirely covered by the first set of reel lines, and wherein the common reel display is entirely covered by the second set of reel lines, and wherein the first set of reel lines are played in a left-to-right orientation and the second set of reel lines are played in a right-to-left orientation on the common reel display, and wherein a third set of one or more reel lines are available as community reel lines to the first play station and the second play station, and wherein a player of the first play station is enabled to wager on lines of the first set and lines of the third set and a player of the second play station is enabled to wager on lines of the second set and lines of the third set;
and awarding a community group play mode bonus to the player of the first play station and the player of the second play station responsive to any win on a line of the third set of lines.
14. The method as recited in claim 13 wherein the common reel display comprises mechanical reels, video reels or mechanical and video reels.
15. The method as recited in claim 14 wherein the common reel display is repeated at a common reel display of the first play station and at a common reel display of the second play station.
16. The method as recited in claim 14 wherein the common reel display is displayed on an overhead display.