PROGRESSIVE GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE
A gaming apparatus has a gaming device that is adapted to accept a wager and allow a player to play a game. A controller is in communication with the gaming device. The controller maintains a first progressive jackpot having a first award value and a second progressive jackpot having a second award value. Upon the occurrence of a triggering event, the first and second award values are switched. A gaming method using the gaming apparatus is also disclosed.
1 . A gaming apparatus comprising:
(A) at least one gaming device that is adapted to accept a wager and allow a player to play a game; and
(B) a controller in communication with the gaming device, the controller being adapted to maintain a first progressive jackpot having a first award value and a second progressive jackpot having a second award value wherein upon the occurrence of a triggering event, the first and second award values are switched.
2 . The gaming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the triggering event is the expiration of a time period.
3 . The gaming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the triggering event occurs randomly.
4 . The gaming apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a timer in communication with the controller, the timer being adapted to display a period of time until the first and second award values are switched.
5 . The gaming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the progressive jackpots has a hidden award value.
6 . The gaming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is adapted to maintain a third progressive jackpot having a third award value, wherein upon the occurrence of the triggering event, the first, second and third award values are switched.
7 . The gaming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second progressive jackpots are multi-level progressive jackpots such that the second progressive jackpot is awarded after the first progressive jackpot has been won.
8 . A method of gaming, comprising, not all necessarily in the order shown:
(A) allowing a player to place a wager and play a game;
(B) funding a first progressive jackpot having a first value and a second progressive jackpot having a second value;
(C) detecting the occurrence of a jackpot switching event;
(D) replacing the first value of the first progressive jackpot with the second value of the second progressive jackpot; and
(E) replacing the second value of the second progressive jackpot with the first value of the first progressive jackpot.
9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising displaying a time period until the first and second award values are replaced.
10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the progressive jackpots is a hidden jackpot.
11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the jackpot switching event is the expiration of a time period.
12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the jackpot switching event occurs randomly.
13 . A gaming apparatus comprising:
(A) gaming means for allowing a player to play a game;
(B) display means for displaying a plurality of progressive jackpots, each of the progressive jackpots having a value, the display means mounted in association with the gaming means; and
(C) controller means for determining a jackpot switching event, the controller means in communication with the gaming means and the display means, the controller means being adapted to switch the values of the progressive jackpots in response to the occurrence of the jackpot switching event.
14 . The gaming apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the jackpot switching event is the expiration of a time period.
15 . The gaming apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the jackpot switching event occurs randomly.
16 . The gaming apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising timer means for displaying a period of time, the timer means being in communication with the controller, the timer being adapted to display a period of time until the values are switched.
17 . The gaming apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the timer means are mounted with the display means such that the player can view when the values will be switched.
18 . The gaming apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the progressive jackpots are multi-level progressive jackpots such that a second progressive jackpot is awarded after a first progressive jackpot has been awarded.
19 . A method of gaming, comprising, not all necessarily in the order shown:
(A) allowing a player to place a wager and play a game;
(B) displaying, a first progressive jackpot having a first progressive jackpot value and a second progressive jackpot having a second progressive jackpot value;
(C) determining if a jackpot switching event has occurred; and
(D) if the jackpot switching event has occurred, switching the value of the first progressive jackpot with the value of the second progressive jackpot.
20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising displaying a time period until the first and second progressive jackpot values are switched.
21 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising:
(A) determining if a jackpot awarding event has occurred; and
(B) if the jackpot awarding event has occurred, awarding at least one of the progressive jackpots.