A system provides a player tracking system and system gaming apparatus for playing non-base games by funding the credit side of a gaming cycle. The system further includes at least one gaming device having a base game. The player tracking system and system gaming apparatus includes a player tracking user interface. The player tracking user interface provides a player with an opportunity to select and play a non-base game that may be promotional-funded or player-funded.
1. A gaming system using a tournament score accrual engine to enable a player to benefit from multiple machine play, comprising:
a plurality of gaming machines each having a base game display capable of presenting a base game, wherein at least a first gaming machine enables play of a first base game that has a first theoretical payout percentage, and wherein at least a second gaming machine enables play of a second base game that has a second theoretical payout percentage, each of the gaming machines having a score for a tournament, wherein calculation of each tournament score uses the theoretical payout percentage from each respective base game;
a communication link connecting the plurality of gaming machines; and
a tournament controller connected to the communication link, the tournament controller configured to execute the tournament, wherein the gaming activity from at least a first and a second of the gaming machines are combined into one tournament score based upon a comparison of an expected return of the first and second gaming machines.
2. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the gaming activity from the first and the second of the gaming machines is associated with the same identified player.
3. A gaming system using a tournament score accrual engine to enable a player to benefit from multiple machine play, comprising:
a plurality of gaming machines each having a base game display capable of presenting a base game, wherein at least a first gaming machine enables play of a first base game that has a first theoretical payout percentage, and wherein at least a second gaming machine enables play of a second base game that has a second theoretical payout percentage, each of the gaming machines having a score for a tournament, wherein calculation of each tournament score uses the theoretical payout percentage from each respective base game;
a communication link connecting the plurality of gaming machines; and
a tournament controller connected to the communication link, the tournament controller configured to execute the tournament, wherein at least a first and a second of the gaming machines are configurable to combine their scores into one player in the tournament based upon a comparison of an expected return of the first and second gaming machines,
wherein a player's tournament score increases in correspondence with a distance from an expected payout for the player's wager amount and a theoretical win for the player's wager amount.
4. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the one tournament score is based upon a theoretical payout percentage.
5. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the one tournament score is based upon a game theme.
6. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the one tournament score is based upon game win/lose volatility.
7. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the one tournament score is based upon whether a game is skill based or chance based.
8. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the one tournament score is based upon paytable variations.
9. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the one tournament score is based upon bonus round variations.
10. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the one tournament score is based upon wide-area progressive wins.
11. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the one tournament score is based upon a player's best five minute moving window of play.
12. The gaming system of claim 3 , wherein the gaming activity from the first and the second of the gaming machines is associated with the same identified player.
13. The gaming system of claim 3 , wherein the one tournament score is based upon a theoretical payout percentage.
14. The gaming system of claim 3 , wherein the one tournament score is based upon a game theme.
15. The gaming system of claim 3 , wherein the one tournament score is based upon game win/lose volatility.
16. The gaming system of claim 3 , wherein the one tournament score is based upon whether a game is skill based or chance based.
17. The gaming system of claim 3 , wherein the one tournament score is based upon paytable variations.
18. The gaming system of claim 3 , wherein the one tournament score is based upon bonus round variations.
19. The gaming system of claim 3 wherein the one tournament score is based upon wide-area progressive wins.
20. The gaming system of claim 3 , wherein the one tournament score is based upon a player's best five minute moving window of play.