Selectable Bonus Gaming Machine And Method

1 . A gaming machine comprising:

a central processing unit operatively coupled to a set of player-operated controls;

a memory configured to store a wagering game program operable by the central processing unit in accordance with the player-operated controls;

and a display device controlled by the central processing unit upon a triggering event to display a bonus game in accordance with an option selected by the player.

2 . The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein the triggering event is based on an outcome of the game program.

3 . The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein the triggering event is not based on an outcome of the game program.

4 . The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein the triggering event is based on the number of games played.

5 . The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein the option selected by the player is part of a set of selectable options.

6 . The gaming machine of claim 5 wherein the set of selectable options is derived from a set of possible options.

7 . The gaming machine of claim 1 further comprising a second display upon which a primary game is displayed.

8 . A method of operating a gaming machine, the method including the steps of:

accepting a wager from a player;

initiating play of a game;

selecting one of a set of possible outcomes of the game, the set of possible outcomes including a winning subset of outcomes;

selecting one of a set of possible outcomes of the game, the set of possible outcomes including a winning subset of outcomes;

upon a triggering event, presenting a plurality of options to the player;

accepting an option chosen by the player from the plurality of options;

and operating a bonus game in accordance with the accepted option.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the triggering event is based on the selected outcome being a member of the winning subset of outcomes.

10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the triggering event is not based on the selected outcome being a member of the winning subset of outcomes.

11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the triggering event is based on the number of games played.

12 . The method of claim 8 wherein the average expected value for each option in the plurality of options is equal.

13 . The method of claim 8 wherein the average expected value for each option in the plurality of options is not equal.

14 . The method of claim 8 , further including the step of selecting the plurality of options from a set of possible options.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein each option in the set of possible options is included in the plurality of options presented to the player.

16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein each option in the set of possible options is not included in the plurality of options presented to the player.

17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein each option in the set of possible options has an equal probability of being included in the plurality of options presented to the player.

18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein each option in the set of possible options does not have an equal probability of being included in the plurality of options presented to the player.