Method and system for time gaming with skill wagering opportunities

1. A gaming system comprising:

at least one display device;

at least one input device;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device that stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:

prior to a play of a skill-based game:

determine a skill level of a player;

determine, based on the determined skill level of the player and independent of any skill levels of any other players, one of multiple different return-to-player percentages to employ for the play of the skill-based game by the player, wherein a first return-to-player percentage is determined when the skill level is a first skill level and a second return-to-player percentage different from the first return-to-player percentage is determined when the skill level is a second skill level different from the first skill level;

thereafter, cause the at least one display device to display the play of the skill-based game to the player in accordance with the determined return-to-player percentage, the play of the skill-based game being associated with receipt, via the at least one input device, of at least one skill-based input made by the player; and

responsive to a score increase event that occurs in association with the play of the skill-based game:

modify a score of the player, wherein the score of the player is separate from a credit balance of the player, and

cause the at least one display device to display the modified score.

2. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the first skill level is higher than the second skill level and the first return-to-player percentage is higher than the second return-to-player percentage.

3. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to determine a duration for the play of the skill-based game based on an amount wagered for the play of the game.

4. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to, if the score of the player exceeds a high score upon completion of the play of the skill-based game, cause the score of the player to be set as the high score and cause a redemption ticket to be provided to the player, the redemption ticket redeemable for a designated award at a later point in time if the score of the player is still the high score at that later point in time.

5. The gaming system of claim 4 , wherein the later point in time is an end of a predetermined interval.

6. The gaming system of claim 4 , wherein the designated award is at least partially funded by wagers placed on plays of the skill-based game.

7. A method of operating a gaming system, the method comprising:

prior to a play of a skill-based game:

determining, by at least one processor, a skill level of a player;

determining, by the at least one processor, based on the determined skill level of the player and independent of any skill levels of any other players, one of multiple different return-to-player percentages to employ for the play of the skill-based game by the player, wherein a first return-to-player percentage is determined when the skill level is a first skill level and a second return-to-player percentage different from the first return-to-player percentage is determined when the skill level is a second skill level different from the first skill level;

thereafter, causing a display, by at least one display device, of the play of the skill-based game to the player in accordance with the determined return-to-player percentage, the play of the skill-based game being associated with receipt of at least one skill-based input made by the player; and

responsive to a score increase event that occurs in association with the play of the skill-based game, modifying, by the at least one processor, a score of the player and causing a display, by the at least one display device, of the modified score, wherein the score of the player is separate from a credit balance of the player.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the first skill level is higher than the second skill level and the first return-to-player percentage is higher than the second return-to-player percentage.

9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising determining, by the at least one processor, a duration for the play of the game based on an amount wagered for the play of the skill-based game.

10. The method of claim 7 , further comprising, responsive to the score of the player exceeding a high score upon completion of the play of the skill-based game, causing, by the at least one processor, the score of the player to be set as the high score and causing, by the at least one processor, a redemption ticket to be provided to the player, the redemption ticket redeemable for a designated award at a later point in time if the score of the player is still the high score at that later point in time.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the later point in time is an end of a predetermined interval.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the designated award is at least partially funded by wagers placed on plays of the skill-based game.

13. The method of claim 7 , which is at least partially provided through a data network.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the data network is an internet.

15. A gaming system comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device that stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:

prior to a play of a skill-based game:

determine a skill level of a player;

determine, based on the determined skill level of the player and independent of any skill levels of any other players, one of multiple different return-to-player percentages to employ for the play of the skill-based game by the player, wherein a first return-to-player percentage is determined when the skill level is a first skill level and a second return-to-player percentage different from the first return-to-player percentage is determined when the skill level is a second skill level different from the first skill level;

thereafter, communicate data which results in a display device displaying the play of the skill-based game to the player in accordance with the determined return-to-player percentage, the play of the skill-based game being associated with receipt of at least one skill-based input made by the player; and

responsive to a score increase event that occurs in association with the play of the skill-based game:

modify a score of the player, wherein the score of the player is separate from a credit balance of the player, and

communicate data which results in the display device displaying display the modified score.

16. The gaming system of claim 15 , wherein the first skill level is higher than the second skill level and the first return-to-player percentage is higher than the second return-to-player percentage.

17. The gaming system of claim 15 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to determine a duration for the play of the game based on an amount wagered for the play of the skill-based game.

18. The gaming system of claim 15 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to, if the score of the player exceeds a high score upon completion of the play of the skill-based game, cause the score of the player to be set as the high score and cause a redemption ticket to be provided to the player, the redemption ticket redeemable for a designated award at a later point in time if the score of the player is still the high score at that later point in time.

19. The gaming system of claim 18 , wherein the later point in time is an end of a predetermined interval.

20. The gaming system of claim 18 , wherein the designated award is at least partially funded by wagers placed on plays of the skill-based game.