Variably bound secondary game method
View Patent ↗The present invention provides new player excitement during the play of a game of chance by providing a controlled random event during the execution of a secondary or bonus round. When bonus game play is invoked during play of the primary game, an amount to be issued during secondary game play is generated. This amount is not awarded directly; instead a plurality of possible winnings is available, each equal to or less than the amount to be issued. A random event separate from the primary game is used to pick one of the plurality of possible winnings which is awarded to a player. The separate random event may be a mechanical event or an electronic event. The difference between the amount given to a player and the original amount to be issued may be used to generate further bonus game play, or may be used to fund a progressive.
1. A method for operating a primary game and a secondary game stored in a memory of a gaming machine having a processor, the method comprising the steps of:
under control of the processor,
generating a maximum secondary game award amount;
enabling the secondary game for play;
generating a player award amount wherein the player award amount does not exceed the maximum secondary game award amount;
paying the player award amount to a player; and
adding any difference between the maximum secondary game award amount and the player award amount to a progressive jackpot meter.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the maximum secondary game award amount is generated by the primary game.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the maximum secondary game award amount is generated by the secondary game.
4. A method for operating a primary game and a secondary game stored in a memory of a gaming machine having a processor, the method comprising the steps of:
under control of the processor,
generating a maximum secondary game award amount;
enabling the secondary game for play;
generating a player award amount wherein the player award amount does not exceed the maximum secondary game award amount;
paying the player award amount to a player; and
reserving any difference between the maximum secondary game award amount and the player award amount for addition to a future secondary game award.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the maximum secondary game award amount is generated by the primary game.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the maximum secondary game award amount is generated by the secondary game.
7. A method for operating a primary game and a secondary game stored in a memory of a gaming machine having a processor, the method comprising the steps of:
under control of the processor,
generating a maximum secondary game award amount;
enabling the secondary game for play;
generating a player award amount wherein the player award amount does not exceed the maximum secondary game award amount;
paying the player award amount to a player; and
simulating a bonus award in the secondary game, the bonus award amount comprising any difference between the maximum secondary game award amount and the player award amount.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the maximum secondary game award amount is generated by the primary game.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the maximum secondary game award amount is generated by the secondary game.
10. A method for operating a primary game and a secondary game stored in a memory of a gaming machine having a processor, the method comprising the steps of:
under control of the processor,
generating a maximum secondary game award amount;
enabling the secondary game for play;
generating a player award amount wherein the player award amount does not exceed the maximum secondary game award amount;
paying the player award amount to a player; and
enabling one or more additional plays of the secondary game until any difference between the maximum secondary game award amount and the player award amount has been paid to the player.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the maximum secondary game award amount is generated by the primary game.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the maximum secondary game award amount is generated by the secondary game.