AU2015200890A1 - Gaming apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A gaming apparatus (10) has gaming reels (20), each displaying gaming symbols (22). The apparatus provides at least one type of selectable criterion, such as a bet/wager amount or pay lines, according to which games can be played. Associated with each criterion are criterion units that the player can determine to apply to the game. For criteria in the form of a bet/wager amount and pay lines (23), the units are, respectively, monetary units such as dollars and cents, and individual pay lines. If the player achieves a winning outcome during the play of a game, the apparatus awards the player with a game prize which includes at least one further game. For the further game, the player is not required to determine any applicable bet amount or pay line, but the apparatus is configured to play the game as if the player has selected the maximum possible bet amount and all of the available pay lines. The invention extends to a method of gaming. 18 Fig. 1 14 18.1 1,,l2 20 20 20 20 20 23d Fig. 3 \N -

Description

1 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention Title: Gaming apparatus and method The invention is described in the following statement: 2 FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a gaming apparatus and to a method of gaming. 5 BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION In the gaming industry, there are a large number of different games configured in an attempt to stimulate excitement and interest among players. One of the methods of doing so is for the games to provide jackpot awards in the event of 10 certain gaming outcomes occurring. However, once players have become used to certain jackpots, and familiar with the frequency of successes in winning jackpots, interest may again wane. In an attempt to avoid loss of interest among players, it would be beneficial to 15 increase anticipation among players by providing them with a greater sense of gain and accomplishment on the winning of a prize or jackpot. It is an object of the present invention to ameliorate or overcome disadvantages of the prior art or to provide a useful alternative thereto. 20 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a gaming apparatus including a display adapted for representing a plurality of gaming 25 reels wherein each reel has a plurality of gaming symbols, the apparatus being configured: to provide at least one type of game criterion affecting the playing of a game on the apparatus, wherein the or each criterion has associated with it a plurality of criterion units that the player can determine to apply to the game; 30 for the player to play a game on the apparatus according to the at least one determined unit; during the playing of a game, to cause the reels to spin and then to stop spinning such that at least one respective winning symbol is displayed on each reel as a stationary symbol; 3 to recognise the occurrence of a predetermined prize-winning event in relation to the playing of a game based on the combination and arrangement of symbols when the reels stop spinning; and on such occurrence, to award to the player a game prize which 5 includes a further game wherein the player is not required to determine any such criterion unit as being applicable to the playing of the further game, but which the apparatus is configured to play as if the player has determined all of the criterion units associated with the or each type of criterion to be so applicable. 10 In a preferred embodiment of the invention said game criterion includes a monetary bet amount, and said plurality of criterion units are monetary units for constituting the bet amount. 15 In another preferred embodiment of the invention said game criterion includes selectable game pay lines for games to be played on the apparatus, and said plurality of criterion units are individual pay lines for constituting the game pay lines. 20 In a further embodiment of the invention, said game criterion includes a monetary bet amount, and said plurality of criterion units are monetary units for constituting the bet amount; and the game criterion further includes selectable game pay lines for games to be played on the apparatus, and said plurality of criterion units are 25 individual pay lines for constituting the game pay lines. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the gaming apparatus is adapted to award to a player a game prize which includes a plurality of said further games. 30 Preferably, the gaming apparatus is adapted for said two further games to be played successively.

4 According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of gaming, using a gaming apparatus, the apparatus including a display adapted for representing a plurality of gaming reels, wherein each reel has a plurality of gaming symbols, the apparatus further providing at least one type of game 5 criterion affecting the playing of games on the apparatus, the method including: enabling the player to determine at least one of a plurality of criterion units associated with the or each criterion and which is to be applicable to a game to be played on the apparatus; 10 enabling the player to play games on the apparatus according to the at least one determined unit; during the playing of a game, causing the reels to spin and then to stop spinning such that at least one respective winning symbol is displayed on each reel as a stationary symbol; 15 enabling the recognition by the apparatus of the occurrence of a predetermined prize-winning event in relation to the playing of a game based on the combination and arrangement of symbols when the reels stop spinning; and on such occurrence, awarding to the player a game prize which 20 includes a further game on the apparatus for which the player is not required to determine any such criterion unit as being applicable to the playing of the game, but which the apparatus plays as if the player has determined all of the criterion units associated with the or each type of criterion to be so applicable. 25 In a preferred embodiment of the invention said game criterion includes a monetary bet amount, and said plurality of criterion units are monetary units for constituting the bet amount. In another preferred embodiment of the invention said game criterion includes 30 selectable game pay lines for games to be played on the apparatus, and said plurality of criterion units are individual pay lines for constituting the game pay lines. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, 5 said game criterion includes a monetary bet amount, and said plurality of criterion units are monetary units for constituting the bet amount; and the game criterion further includes game pay lines for games to be played on the apparatus, and said plurality of criterion units are individual pay 5 lines for constituting the game pay lines. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the method includes awarding the player the game prize which includes a plurality of said further games. 10 Preferably, in the step of awarding the player the game prize, said two further games are played successively. DEFINITIONS 15 In this specification, where reference is made to a "reel", this includes a virtual reel, that is, an image of a reel. This is to be understood, insofar as it relates to the appearance of the reel and symbols or other indicia appearing thereon, and to the "spinning" of the reel, as if it were a mechanical reel. 20 The following relates to the meaning of a "pay line" in this specification. A gaming apparatus may have a plurality of reels on each of which a plurality of symbols can appear. The symbols may be arranged in an array. The apparatus may be configured to treat a certain combination of symbols falling along a predetermined "line" in the array (not necessarily limited to a straight 25 line, but possibly including, for example, a zig-zag or castellated line) as a winning combination (i.e. a combination that can enable the triggering of a prize award to the player). Such a line is a pay line. An active pay line within this specification means any pay line on which, for 30 any game being played, a pre-determined combination of symbols can fall when the reels stop spinning, so as to constitute a winning combination. A winning symbol in relation to a game played on the apparatus is a symbol appearing on a reel when the reel stops spinning, and which forms part of a 6 combination of symbols appearing on the reels, the combination constituting a winning outcome of the game. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 5 Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a gaming apparatus according to 10 an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an exemplary representation of a display of reels of the gaming apparatus of Figure 1; 15 Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of the reels of Figure 2; Figure 4 is an exemplary representation of jackpot display areas of the gaming apparatus; and 20 Figure 5 is an exemplary representation of the display areas Figure 4 in the event of free games being won according to an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION 25 Referring to the drawings, there is shown a schematic view of a gaming apparatus 10. The gaming apparatus 10 has a player interface 12 including controls 14 for enabling a player to interact with the gaming apparatus, and including a slot 16 for receiving monetary payments from the player. 30 In addition, the gaming apparatus 10 includes a display 18, having a lower display screen 18.1 and an upper display screen 18.2.

7 The lower display screen 18.1 is adapted, when operating, to display five main gaming reels 20 as shown in Figure 2. Each gaming reel 20 has a number of different gaming symbols 22 on the reel. 5 According to the preferred embodiment, a number of symbols 22 are displayed on each reel, in an array configuration, shown diagrammatically in Figure 3. The apparatus 10 is configured to have and recognise a number of different 10 pay lines 23, examples of which are shown in dashed lines in Figure 3. As can be seen, depending on how the game is configured, there may be a number of different pay lines. Essentially, this means that, instead of a winning combination of symbols 22 simply appearing in a straight line across 15 the reels 20, other patterns or configurations of symbols on the reels may constitute a winning "line". For example, they can be diagonally orientated patterns of symbols 22, symbols on more than one line, symbols arranged in a zig-zag or castellated shape, etc. 20 Also shown on the lower screen 18.1 is a "credit" area 24, in which credits available to the player are shown. These credits are based on money inserted directly into the gaming apparatus 10 by the player, or money or payments allocated to the gaming apparatus from a remote location, and including any prize awards made to the player which have been allocated to the player's 25 credits. It is to be understood that any reference to money includes a reference to coins and paper money or banknotes. In addition payments can be made by means of suitably coded tickets, such as tickets bearing bar codes, or tokens. 30 Also disclosed is a "bet" area 26, in which the amount wagered on a particular game by the player is displayed. The apparatus 10 is adapted to allow up to a predetermined maximum amount to be bet for any one game.

8 In addition, a "win" area 28 is displayed, which discloses the amount, if any, that has been won in a particular game by the player. The upper screen 18.2 includes four main areas 30, 32, 34, and 36 arranged 5 one above another (see Figure 4), relating to four different main jackpots that can be won by a player using the gaming apparatus 10, as discussed further, below. These main jackpots are a "grand" jackpot (to which the area 30 relates), a 10 "maxi" jackpot (to which the area 32 relates), a "minor" jackpot (to which the area 34 relates), and a "mini" jackpot (to which the area 36 relates). The gaming apparatus 10 includes a game controller (not shown) which is adapted to control the playing of the game, which is initiated by a player. 15 Typically, to initiate a game, the player must allocate a wager/bet amount to the game, and select the pay lines 23 that the player wants to be eligible for wins. Thus, the bet amount and pay lines 23 are criteria for playing the game that are selected by the player. 20 It will be understood that the amount bet by the player is a monetary amount made up of monetary units such as dollars and cents. Thus, these monetary units may be regarded as units constituting the criterion of monetary amount. 25 Similarly, the player can select on or more pay line to constitute a potentially winning pay line for the game to be played. Thus, each selection of one or more pay lines selected by the player is constituted by individual pay lines that the gaming apparatus is configured to recognise, with each pay line constituting a single unit of the pay lines criterion. 30 Once the player has initiated the playing of the game, using the controls 14 on the interface 12, the main reels 20 begin to spin, after which they stop spinning.

9 The spinning and the stopping of the spinning is controlled by the game controller. The particular position at which the reels 20 stop, that is, the particular symbols 22 on the reels which are displayed when the reels stop, is determined by a random number generator forming part of the controller. 5 Accordingly, the outcome of that particular part of the play of the game is determined by the particular combination of symbols 22 displayed on the five main reels 20, and displayed on the pay lines 23. 10 According to a preferred embodiment, the gaming apparatus 10 is adapted to award the player with a prize in the event that a predetermined winning combination of symbols 22 is displayed as the outcome of that part of the play of the game on the gaming reels 20 on one of more of the pay lines 23 that have been selected as potentially winning pay lines. 15 For example, such a winning outcome may be constituted by a combination along a pay line 23, of five of kind, such as five 1 Os, or five Kings. Further according to the preferred embodiment, as discussed in more detail 20 below, the awarding of the prize might not be made only if an actual combination of such predetermined symbols 22 appears on the main reels 20, but also if one (or more) of those symbols is substituted by a predetermined wildcard symbol (not shown), depending on the rules of the particular game. In other embodiments, wildcards are not permitted. 25 A wildcard symbol, as would be understood by those skilled in the art, is a "substitute" symbol which is deemed to take on the value of any other symbol 22, to the advantage of the player. Thus, if a particular predetermined combination of symbols 22 that will give rise to a prize being awarded to the 30 player is a combination of five Kings, and if the outcome involves four Kings being displayed on four separate reels 20, and a wildcard symbol being displayed on the remaining, fifth reel, this will be deemed to be a combination of five Kings, and hence a winning outcome for the player, subject to what is described herein.

10 Depending on the rules of the game according to the particular embodiment of the invention, when the player achieves a winning outcome and is awarded a prize, this may be in the form of one or more jackpot awards, or one or more 5 free games, each free game providing a further opportunity for the player to achieve a winning outcome. Different predetermined combinations of symbols 22 will result in the "grand", "maxi", "minor" and "mini" jackpots being awarded. 10 For example, according to the present embodiment, the combination of symbols 22 that need to appear on the five reels 20 in order for the "Grand" jackpot to be triggered is a combination of special symbols as indicated on the display as shown at 38 (see Figure 4). 15 Further according to the example, in order for the "maxi" jackpot to be awarded, the combination of symbols 22 on the five reels 20 must be five of a kind, e.g. Aces, kings, Queens, Jacks, etc, as indicated at 40 in Figure 4. 20 Similarly, according to the example, in order for the "minor" jackpot to be awarded, the combination of symbols 22 presented on the five reels 20 must be five of a kind as shown at 42 in Figure 4, which is the same combination as for the "grand" jackpot, except that one of the symbols is substituted by a wildcard symbol. 25 Similarly, according to the example, in order for the "mini" jackpot to be awarded, the combination of symbols 22 presented on the five reels 20 must be five of a kind as shown at 44 in Figure 4, which is the same combination as for the "maxi" jackpot, except that one of the symbols is substituted by a 30 wildcard symbol. As their names suggest, according to the preferred embodiment, the quantum of the award for the "grand" jackpot (to which the area 30 on the upper screen 18.2 relates) is higher than that of the "maxi" jackpot (to which the area 32 on 11 the upper screen 18.2 relates), which in turn is higher than that of the "minor" jackpot (to which the area 34 on the upper screen 18.2 relates), and this in turn is higher than that of the "mini" jackpot (to which the area 36 on the upper screen 18.2 relates). 5 For example, the quantum of the "grand" jackpot may be $2000.19 as indicated at 46 in Figure 5, while that of the "maxi" jackpot may be $400.13 as indicated at 48, while that of the "minor" jackpot may be $80.33, as indicated at 50, and that of the "mini" jackpot may be $20.33, as indicated at 52. 10 In the event that one of the above jackpots is awarded to the player, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the player will also be awarded a free game at maximum bet and maximum pay lines, as described further below. 15 With reference to the "maximum bet" aspect of such a win, regardless of the amount actually wagered by the player for the particular initial game that gives rise to the free game (as indicated at 26 in Figure 2), even if it is a minimal bet, the apparatus 10 is configured for the free game to be played as if the 20 player has bet the maximum monetary amount which the gaming apparatus 10 is configured to allow for that game. The size of jackpots awarded are generally larger the larger the bet placed. Accordingly, such a free game at maximum bet enables the player to be 25 awarded a larger jackpot prize if a jackpot (such as one of the "grand", "maxi", minor" or "mini" jackpots described above) is won in that further game. With reference to the "maximum pay lines" aspect of such a win, it will be understood that the more pay lines 23 that are selected by a player normally 30 when playing a game, the greater the chance of the player achieving a winning outcome as there is a greater number of possible pay lines on which the winning symbols 22 can appear. With the further free game according to the present invention, the game is played at maximum pay lines. This means that, regardless of how many pay lines 23 were actually selected by the player 12 when starting the initial game (i.e. the game from which the further free game was awarded), that further game is played at maximum pay lines - i.e. the greatest number of pay lines that were available to be selected by the player when the initial game was started. 5 According to the preferred embodiment, the jackpot that is won by the player for the initial game which gives rise to the further free game is treated by the gaming apparatus 10 as having been won before the further free game is awarded or activated. The jackpot prize associated with that jackpot win is 10 also awarded to the player before that further free game is awarded or activated. Also according to a preferred embodiment, it is not just one such further free game that is awarded, but two. By way of example, such further games are 15 referred to as "Superspins", and the winning of two awards is shown on the lower screen 18.1 as indicated at 54 in Figure 5. These games are played successively. According to another preferred embodiment, the apparatus 10 is adapted in 20 certain circumstances (such as a predetermined occurrence of symbols 22 appearing on one or more pay lines 23) to award the player with such a free game of the type described above at maximum bet and maximum pay lines (preferably two such free games or "Superspins") without first awarding the player with a jackpot prize. 25 Although the invention is described above in relation to preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is not limited to those embodiments, but may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims (12)

1. A gaming apparatus including a display adapted for representing a plurality of gaming reels wherein each reel has a plurality of gaming symbols, 5 the apparatus being configured: to provide at least one type of game criterion affecting the playing of a game on the apparatus, wherein the or each criterion has associated with it a plurality of criterion units that the player can determine to apply to the game; for the player to play a game on the apparatus according to the at least 10 one determined unit; during the playing of a game, to cause the reels to spin and then to stop spinning such that at least one respective winning symbol is displayed on each reel as a stationary symbol; to recognise the occurrence of a predetermined prize-winning event in 15 relation to the playing of a game based on the combination and arrangement of symbols when the reels stop spinning; and on such occurrence, to award to the player a game prize which includes a further game wherein the player is not required to determine any such criterion unit as being applicable to the playing of the further game, but 20 which the apparatus is configured to play as if the player has determined all of the criterion units associated with the or each type of criterion to be so applicable.

2. A gaming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said game criterion 25 includes a monetary bet amount, and said plurality of criterion units are monetary units for constituting the bet amount.

3. A gaming apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said game criterion includes selectable game pay lines for games to be played on the 30 apparatus, and said plurality of criterion units are individual pay lines for constituting the game pay lines.

4. A gaming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: 14 said game criterion includes a monetary bet amount, and said plurality of criterion units are monetary units for constituting the bet amount; and the game criterion further includes selectable game pay lines for games to be played on the apparatus, and said plurality of criterion units are 5 individual pay lines for constituting the game pay lines.

5. A gaming apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, adapted to award to a player a game prize which includes a plurality of said further games. 10

6. A gaming apparatus according to claim 5, adapted for said two further games to be played successively.

7. A method of gaming, using a gaming apparatus, the apparatus 15 including a display adapted for representing a plurality of gaming reels, wherein each reel has a plurality of gaming symbols, the apparatus further providing at least one type of game criterion affecting the playing of games on the apparatus, the method including: enabling the player to determine at least one of a plurality of criterion 20 units associated with the or each criterion and which is to be applicable to a game to be played on the apparatus; enabling the player to play games on the apparatus according to the at least one determined unit; during the playing of a game, causing the reels to spin and then to stop 25 spinning such that at least one respective winning symbol is displayed on each reel as a stationary symbol; enabling the recognition by the apparatus of the occurrence of a predetermined prize-winning event in relation to the playing of a game based on the combination and arrangement of symbols when the reels stop spinning; 30 and on such occurrence, awarding to the player a game prize which includes a further game on the apparatus for which the player is not required to determine any such criterion unit as being applicable to the playing of the 15 game, but which the apparatus plays as if the player has determined all of the criterion units associated with the or each type of criterion to be so applicable.

8. A method of gaming according to claim 7 wherein said game criterion 5 includes a monetary bet amount, and said plurality of criterion units are monetary units for constituting the bet amount.

9. A method of gaming according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein said game criterion includes selectable game pay lines for games to be played on the 10 apparatus, and said plurality of criterion units are individual pay lines for constituting the game pay lines.

10. A method of gaming according to claim 7 wherein: said game criterion includes a monetary bet amount, and said plurality 15 of criterion units are monetary units for constituting the bet amount; and the game criterion further includes game pay lines for games to be played on the apparatus, and said plurality of criterion units are individual pay lines for constituting the game pay lines. 20

11. A method of gaming according to any one of claims 7 to 10, including awarding the player the game prize which includes a plurality of said further games.

12. A method of gaming according to claim 11, wherein, in the step of 25 awarding the player the game prize, said two further games are played successively.