Slot machine game and system with improved jackpot feature
View Patent ↗Certain embodiments provide a method and system for awarding a progressive prize. The system includes a bank of gaming machines accepting different bets per play as selected by a player. A random number is selected from a predetermined fixed range of numbers that does not change during play of a gaming machine. The player is allotted one or more numbers for each credit bet. The allotted numbers represent a subset of the predetermined fixed range of numbers. A feature game is triggered for the progressive prize based on a numerical comparison between the selected random number and the number(s) allotted to the player. Certain embodiments provide a trigger condition for a feature outcome based on an event having a probability related to credits bet per game at a gaming machine. A probability of success in the feature game may be higher than a probability of success in the base game.
1. A gaming machine arranged to facilitate a play of a first game in which a player can wager an amount of credits on an outcome of the first game, the gaming machine also being arranged to detect an occurrence of a trigger event during the play of the first game, the gaming machine being further arranged to facilitate a play of a second game in response to detecting the occurrence of the trigger event, the gaming machine being arranged to determine an outcome of the second game and to identify one of a plurality of separate jackpot prizes to be awarded to the player based on the outcome of the second game, wherein the occurrence of the trigger event is based on a predefined turnover value and the amount of credits wagered on the first game, and the predefined turnover value is an expected turnover of the gaming machine between a first occurrence of the trigger event during play of the first game and a subsequent consecutive second occurrence of the trigger event during play of a subsequent first game.
2. The gaming machine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the play of the second game can only occur after the play of the first game has been completed.
3. The gaming machine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of separate jackpot prizes are maintained by a jackpot controller and the gaming machine is arranged to communicate with the jackpot controller via a communication network.
4. The gaming machine as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the gaming machine is one of a plurality of gaming machines in which at least a first of the gaming machines has a denomination that is different to a denomination of at least a second of the gaming machines.
5. The gaming machine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the occurrence of the trigger event is based on: selecting a number from a predetermined range of numbers, the predetermined range of numbers being based on the predefined turnover value; and selecting a set of numbers from the predetermined range of numbers, wherein the size of the selected set of numbers is based on the amount of credits wagered on the first game, wherein if the number selected from the predetermined range of numbers and the selected set of numbers meet a predefined criterion the game controller detects the occurrence of the trigger event.
6. A method for use with a gaming machine, the method comprising the steps of:
facilitating a play of a first game in which a player can wager an amount of credits on an outcome of the first game;
detecting an occurrence of a trigger event during the play of the first game;
facilitating a play of a second game in response to detecting the occurrence of the trigger event;
determining an outcome of the second game;
identifying one of a plurality of separate jackpot prizes to be awarded to the player based on the outcome of the second game;
wherein the occurrence of the trigger event is based on a predefined turnover value and the amount of credits wagered on the first game, and the predefined turnover value is an expected turnover of the gaming machine between a first occurrence of the trigger event during play of the first game and a subsequent consecutive second occurrence of the trigger event during play of a subsequent first game.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the play of the second game can only occur after the play of the first game has been completed.
8. The method as claimed in claim 6 , comprising the steps of:
using a jackpot controller to maintain the plurality of separate jackpot prizes; and
communicating with the jackpot controller via a communication network.
9. The method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the gaming machine is one of a plurality of gaming machines in which at least a first of the gaming machines has a denomination that is different to a denomination of at least a second of the gaming machines.
10. The method as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the occurrence of the trigger event is based on:
selecting a number from a predetermined range of numbers, the predetermined range of numbers being based on the predefined turnover value; and
selecting a set of numbers from the predetermined range of numbers, wherein the size of the selected set of numbers is based on the amount of credits wagered on the first game, wherein if the number selected from the predetermined range and the selected set of numbers meet a predefined criterion the game controller detects the occurrence of the trigger event.
11. A gaming machine arranged to facilitate a play of a first game in which a player can wager an amount of credits on an outcome of the first game, the gaming machine also being arranged to detect a trigger event that can occur as a result of the play of the first game, the trigger event is based on a predefined turnover value and the amount of credits, the predefined turnover value is based on at least a turnover of the gaming machine between a first occurrence of the trigger event and a subsequent consecutive second occurrence of the trigger event, the gaming machine being further arranged such that in response to detecting an occurrence of the trigger event a second game can be played, the second game being arranged to identify a prize to be awarded, the gaming machine being arranged to cooperate with a prize controller, which is remote to the gaming machine, via a data network to facilitate awarding of the prize.
12. The gaming machine as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the second game is arranged such that it has a greater probability of awarding the prize relative to the first game.
13. The gaming machine as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the prize comprises a jackpot prize.
14. The gaming machine as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the second game comprises a plurality of outcomes, wherein at least one of the outcomes is used for awarding the prize.
15. The game machine as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the gaming machine is arranged such that it enters a locked state, in which further play of the gaming machine is prevented, in response to the prize being awarded.
16. The gaming machine as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the occurrence of the trigger event is based on: selecting a number from a predetermined range of numbers, the predetermined range of numbers being based on the predefined turnover value; and selecting a set of numbers from the predetermined range of numbers, wherein the size of the selected set of numbers is based on the amount of credits, wherein if the number selected from the predetermined range of numbers and the selected set of numbers meet a predefined criterion the gaming machine detects the occurrence of the trigger event.
17. A method for use with a gaming machine, the method comprising: facilitating a play of a first game on the gaming machine in which a player can wager an amount of credits on an outcome of the first game;
detecting a trigger event that can occur as a result of the play of the first game, the trigger event is based on a predefined turnover value and the amount of credits, the predefined turnover value is based on at least a turnover of the gaming machine between a first occurrence of the trigger event and a subsequent consecutive second occurrence of the trigger event; and
in response to detecting an occurrence of the trigger event, facilitating a play of a second game, the second game being arranged to identify a prize to be awarded, the gaming machine being arranged to cooperate with a prize controller, which is remote to the gaming machine, via a data network to facilitate awarding of the prize.
18. The method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the second game is arranged such that it has a greater probability of awarding the prize relative to the first game.
19. The method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the prize comprises a jackpot prize.
20. The method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the second game comprises a plurality of outcomes, wherein at least one of the outcomes is used for awarding the prize.
21. The method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the gaming machine is arranged such that it enters a locked state, in which further play of the gaming machine is prevented, in response to the prize being awarded.
22. The method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the occurrence of the trigger event is based on: selecting a number from a predetermined range of numbers, the predetermined range of numbers being based on the predefined turnover value; and selecting a set of numbers from the predetermined range of numbers, wherein the size of the selected set of numbers is based on the amount of credits, wherein if the number selected from the predetermined range of numbers and the selected set of numbers meet a predefined criterion the gaming machine detects the occurrence of the trigger event.