Method and device for implementing wagering games requiring player input
A gaming table includes input sensors which are configured to receive multiple inputs from a player. The sensors are linked to a gaming table controller and are configured to receive different types of inputs from players at different times. One input may comprise a wager input in the form of one or more chips which are associated with the sensor. Another input may comprise a game play input, such as a spin input for a bonus game, received by a player placing their hand proximate to the sensor.
1. A method of receiving inputs from a player relative to a game at a gaming table, comprising the steps of:
activating, during a first period of time, an input sensor for receiving a first input from a player;
receiving, at said input sensor, said first input from said player;
registering, at a controller, said first input as a wager input by said player when said first input is received during said first period of time;
deactivating said input sensor after said first period of time;
re-activating, during a second period of time, said input sensor for receiving a second input from said player;
receiving, at said input sensor, a second input from said player; and
registering, at said controller, said second input as a game play input by said player when said second input is received during said second period of time,
wherein said player's second input comprises said player placing a body part proximate to or in contact with said input sensor.
2. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said player's first input comprises an association of at least one wager chip with said input sensor.
3. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said body part comprises a hand.
4. The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising the step of causing at least one indicator associated with said input sensor to provide a first visual indication when said input sensor is activated.
5. The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising the step of causing at least one indicator associated with said input sensor to provide a first visual indication when said input sensor is activated and a second visual indication when said input sensor is not activated.
6. The method in accordance with claim 5 wherein said first visual indication comprise light of a first color and said second visual indication comprises light of a second color.
7. A method of receiving inputs from a player relative to a game at a gaming table, comprising the steps of:
activating, during a first period of time, an input sensor for receiving a first input from a player;
receiving, at said input sensor, said first input from said player;
registering, at a controller, said first input as a wager input by said player when said first input is received during said first period of time;
deactivating said input sensor after said first period of time;
re-activating, during a second period of time, said input sensor for receiving a second input from said player;
receiving, at said input sensor, a second input from said player;
registering, at said controller, said second input as a game play input by said player when said second input is received during said second period of time, and
initiating, via said controller a bonus spin feature of said game in response to said game play input.
8. The method in accordance with claim 7 , wherein said first input comprises a plurality of inputs by said player to said input sensor which are registered as said wager input.
9. A system for receiving inputs from a player relative to a game at a gaming table, comprising the steps of:
an input sensor; and
a controller, said controller comprising a processor, a memory, a communication interface, and machine readable code stored in said memory and executable by said processor to:
activate, during a first period of time, said input sensor for receiving a first input from a player;
in response to receiving, via said communication interface of said controller, a signal from said input sensor of said first input to said input sensor from said player during said first period of time, registering said first input as a wager input by said player;
deactivate said input sensor after said first period of time;
re-activate, during a second period of time, said input sensor for receiving a second input from said player; and
in response to receiving, via said communication interface of said controller, a signal from said input sensor of said second input to said input sensor from said player during said second period of time, registering said second input as a game play input,
wherein said player's second input comprises said player placing a body part proximate to or in contact with said input sensor.
10. The system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said player's first input comprises an association of at least one wager chip with said input sensor.
11. The system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said body part comprises a hand.
12. The system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said controller is further configured to cause at least one indicator associated with said input sensor to provide a first visual indication when said input sensor is activated.