Gaming machine including a feature gamble
View Patent ↗A gaming machine has a display and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display. The game controller is arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display and, if a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize. A game has a feature having non-monetary characteristics which can be won, the non-monetary characteristics being able to be gambled. The gaming machine includes a selector by which a player is able to gamble at least one of the non-monetary characteristics of the feature.
1. A method of a gaming machine, comprising:
receiving one or more credits via a credit input device of the gaming machine;
spinning a plurality of reels to obtain a combination of symbols in response to determining sufficient credits have been received to play the base game of the gaming machine;
awarding an amount of total or partial re-spins of the plurality of reels for a subsequent feature game of the gaming machine in response to determining, with the gaming machine, that the obtained combination of symbols corresponds to an event that triggers play of the subsequent feature game; and
determining, based on a selection received via a user interface of the gaming machine, whether a player of the gaming machine has elected to gamble the amount of total or partial re-spins for a chance to enhance the amount of total or partial re-spins for the subsequent feature game.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising increasing the amount of total or partial re-spins for the subsequent feature game in response to a successful gamble.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising decreasing the amount of total or partial re-spins for the subsequent feature game in response to an unsuccessful gamble.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
offering more than one attempt to enhance the amount of total or partial re-spins for the subsequent feature game; and
limiting the number of attempts based upon whether a maximum amount has been reached.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
offering more than one attempt to enhance the jackpot category for the subsequent feature game; and
limiting the number of attempts based upon whether a minimum amount has been reached.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said spinning comprises simulating rotation of a plurality of symbol carrying reels upon a video display unit of the gaming machine.
7. A non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising a program, that in response to being executed, results in a gaming machine:
determining whether sufficient credits to play a base game of the gaming machine have been received via a credit input device of the gaming machine;
spinning a plurality of reels to obtain a combination of symbols in response to determining that sufficient credits have been received to play of the base game of the gaming machine;
awarding an amount of total or partial re-spins of the plurality of reels for a subsequent feature game of the gaming machine in response to determining, with the gaming machine, that the obtained combination of symbols corresponds to an event that triggers play of the subsequent feature game; and
determining, based on a selection received via a user interface of the gaming machine, whether a player of the gaming machine has elected to gamble the amount of total or partial re-spins for a chance to enhance the amount of total or partial re-spins for the subsequent feature game.
8. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 7 , wherein the program, in response to being executed, further results in a gaming machine increasing the amount of total or partial re-spins for the subsequent feature game in response to a successful gamble.
9. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 7 , wherein the program, in response to being executed, further results in a gaming machine decreasing the amount of total or partial re-spins for the subsequent feature game in response to an unsuccessful gamble.
10. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 7 , wherein the program, in response to being executed, further results in a gaming machine:
offering more than one attempt to enhance the amount of total or partial re-spins for the subsequent feature game; and
limiting the number of attempts based upon whether a maximum amount has been reached.
11. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 7 , wherein the program, in response to being executed, further results in a gaming machine:
offering more than one attempt to enhance the jackpot category for the subsequent feature game; and
limiting the number of attempts based upon whether a minimum amount has been reached.
12. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 7 , wherein the program, in response to being executed, further results in a gaming machine spinning the plurality of reels by simulating rotation of a plurality of symbol carrying reels upon a video display unit of the gaming machine.
13. A gaming machine, comprising:
a plurality of reels comprising a plurality of symbols;
a user interface configured to received a player's selection;
a credit input device configured to receive credits for a base game of the gaming machine; and
a game controller configured to spin the plurality of reels to obtain a combination of symbols in response to determining that sufficient credits have been received via the credit input device to play of the base game, award an amount of total or partial re-spins of the plurality of reels for a subsequent feature game in response to determining that the obtained combination of symbols corresponds to an event that triggers play of the subsequent feature game, and determine, based on a received player's selection, whether a player has elected to gamble the amount of total or partial re-spins for a chance to enhance the amount of total or partial re-spins for the subsequent feature game.
14. The gaming machine of claim 13 , wherein the game controller is further configured to increase the amount of total or partial re-spins for the subsequent feature game in response to a successful gamble.
15. The gaming machine of claim 13 , wherein the game controller is further configured to decrease the amount of total or partial re-spins for the subsequent feature game in response to an unsuccessful gamble.
16. The gaming machine of claim 13 , wherein the game controller is further configured to:
offer more than one attempt to enhance the amount of total or partial re-spins for the subsequent feature game; and
limit the number of attempts based upon whether a maximum amount has been reached.
17. The gaming machine of claim 13 , wherein the game controller is further configured to:
offer more than one attempt to enhance the jackpot category for the subsequent feature game; and
limit the number of attempts based upon whether a minimum amount has been reached.
18. The gaming machine of claim 13 , further comprising:
a video display unit; and
wherein the game controller is further configured to spin the plurality of reels by simulating rotation of a plurality of symbol carrying reels upon the video display unit.