BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[001] Many different systems and configurations have been attempted to provide bonus events associated with casino games, such as bonus events associated with games presented by casino gaming machines and table games. Existing bonus events and systems have various drawbacks, such as being limited to offering a bonus to a single player in a multi-player environment, to splitting awards among all players in a multi-player environment, to complex methodologies in determining bonus events or awards.

[002] As one example, some base table games allow players to place a bonus bet. At the end of the game, each player that won their bonus bet may be entitled to spin a wheel for a bonus award. In this configuration, the process of awarding bonuses can be time consuming as each of multiple player independently spins the wheel for their own bonus award. Also, in this configuration, players who did not win their bonus bet do are not eligible for a bonus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[003] In one embodiment of the invention, a bonus providing element (BPE) is distinct from underlying game play. The BPE enables individual players unique benefits to an underlying game when winning outcomes or triggering outcomes occur. The bonus providing element provides at least three individual random indicators (which may be within frames), the three individual random indicators including:

a) an identification of a single one of at least two different player positions;

b) at least one of an absolute amount or multiplier of a winning outcome payout; and c) at least one of a multiplier, prize or an absolute amount larger than or smaller than any absolute amount or multiplier in b.

[004] In one embodiment, the BPE provides a linear indication (linear may be a radial line) of the at least three individual random indicators. In one embodiment, the BPE comprises a displayed wheel or set of wheels.

[005] In one embodiment, when a winning outcome or triggering event occurs relative to a first player position (any player position in a group of players) in an underlying game, the bonus providing element is subsequently activated to randomly provide random outcomes for each of the at least three individual random indicators, and the random outcomes for the three individual random indicators is applied as i) one random outcome for the first player position, and ii) a combination of two remaining random outcomes indicates an award to at least one player position different from the first player position.

[006] In one embodiment, the winning outcome or triggering event may occur relative to a particular player, but in other embodiments, such might also occur relative to a community or dealer event. Also, in one embodiment, the indicated award is not limited to the first player position, but may be awarded to all eligible players (except the player position indicated by the BPE).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[007] Fig. 1 shows a frontal view of a physical (or virtual) two concentric spinning wheel system.

[008] Fig. 2 shows a frontal view of a first physical (or virtual) three concentric spinning wheel system.

[009] Fig. 3 shows a frontal view of a second physical (or virtual) three concentric spinning wheel system.

[0010] Fig. 4 shows a frontal view of a first physical (or virtual) three row, six column random event outcome system.

[0011] Fig. 5 shows a frontal view of a first physical (or virtual) three concentric wheel, six player column random event outcome system.

[0012] Fig. 6 shows a frontal view of a second physical (or virtual) three concentric wheel, six player column random event outcome system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0013] A bonus providing element (BPE) is distinct from underlying game play. The BPE enables individual player unique benefits to an underlying game winning outcome. The device may be electronic (e.g., with multiple player positions around a table or arena or viewing screen) or physical, and may be describable as including a bonus providing element distinct from underlying game play that enables individual players or groups of players unique benefits to the underlying game winning outcome or triggering outcome by the bonus providing element providing an indication, preferably linear, of at least three individual random indicators, the at least three individual random indicators including:

a) an identification of a single one of at least two different player positions;

b) at least one of an absolute amount or multiplier of a winning outcome payout; and c) at least one of a multiplier, prize or an absolute amount larger than or smaller than any absolute amount or multiplier in b).

[0014] When a winning outcome or triggering outcome occurs or is received in an underlying game (such as by any player position in a group of players or a dealer or the like, including relative to a first player position), the bonus providing element is subsequently activated to randomly provide random outcomes for each of the at least three individual random indicators, and the random outcomes for the three individual random indicators is applied as i) one random outcome for the first player position, and ii) a combination of two remaining random outcomes indicates an award to at least one player position different from the first player position.

[0015] In the bonus providing element, linear indication may be provided by at least three distinct and randomly rotating concentric elements with a first rotating concentric element defining a sector of a first concentric circular wheel indicating one of a), b) and c), and a second rotating concentric element defining a sector of a second rotating concentric wheel one of a), b) and c) without repeating any one of a), b) and c), and a third rotating concentric element defining a sector of a third rotating concentric wheel one of a), b) and c) without repeating any one of a), b) and c).

[0016] The bonus providing element may have linear indication provided by at least two distinct and randomly rotating concentric elements with an inner element defining a sector of a circular wheel indicating one or two of a), b) and c), and at least one outer element defining a truncated sector at least one of a), b) and c) without repeating any one of a), b) and c) defined by inner element, with a total of exactly three of a), b) and c) provided by the inner element and the at least one outer element.

[0017] The bonus providing element may have linear indication provided by three distinct and randomly rotating concentric elements with an inner element defining a sector of a circular wheel indicating one of a), b) and c), and a first outer element defining a truncated sector with one of a), b) and c) without repeating any of a), b) and c) defined by the inner element; and a second outer element defining a truncated sector with one of a), b) and c) without repeating any of a), b) and c) defined by the inner element and the first outer element with a total of exactly three of a), b) and c) provided by the inner element, the first outer element and the second outer element.

[0018] The bonus providing elements may have the inner element provide exactly one of a), b) and c), and the outer element provide remaining ones of a), b) and c) not provided for in the inner element, or the outer element provide exactly one of a), b) and c), and the inner element provide remaining ones of a), b) and c) not provided for in the inner element.

[0019] The bonus providing element may have the bonus providing element providing a linear indication of at least three individual random indicators comprising three rows of at least six columns, all random outcomes for a), b) and c) distributed with all combinations of one of a), b) and c) distributed within respective ones of a top row, middle row and bottom row, and the linear indication comprising a single column.

[0020] The bonus providing element may alternatively have the bonus providing element providing a linear indication of at least three individual random indicators comprising six rows of at least three columns, all random outcomes for a), b) and c) distributed with all combinations of one of a), b) and c) distributed within respective ones of a left column, middle column and right column, and the linear indication comprising a single row.

[0021] The bonus providing elements may be provided by physical elements including a rotating inner sector and rotating outer truncated sectors, or by virtual elements comprising a rotating inner sector and rotating outer truncated sectors provided on a video display in communication with a processor, memory and a random number generator, the random number generator providing random ones of a), b) and c) for display on the video display.

[0022] The bonus providing element in a virtual display may have random outcomes provided by virtually horizontally shifting columns on the video display or provided by virtually vertically shifting columns on the video display. [0023] The bonus providing elements may be associated with a single a casino table configured for use with a physical playing card game, dice game, or wheel game (e.g., roulette or Big Six), multiple linked tables, an arena set up of multiple player positions, a multiplayer platform with individual players sharing a common screen or dealer and the like. The bonus providing element may be associated with a single casino table configured for use with a physical playing card game, dice game, or wheel game. The virtual or physical playing card game, dice game, or wheel game may be selected from the group consisting of blackjack, baccarat, poker, craps, sic bo, and roulette, or other games.

[0024] In one embodiment, the BPE is a wheel system (which may, as described below, be implemented as a physical wheel, a virtual wheel (e.g. graphically presented or displayed), or combination thereof). Such a wheel system may be associated with one or more underlying games, such as in association with one or more gaming tables. In one embodiment, the wheel system is a progressive/side bet bonus system for table games. In one embodiment, all players must place a separate wager before the table game begins in order to participate in the game which has the associated BPE (e.g. each player must place at least one wager to participate or play the underlying game and thus also be entitled to participate in the bonus, such as by being permitted to place a progressive/side bet), and as detailed herein, the player may be required to place a separate or additional side bet or wager in order to participate in the BPE.

[0025] The system is triggered by a specific event that occurs during the underlying game. In this embodiment, the trigger may be a community event (e.g. Boxcars in craps, a 0 or 00 in roulette, trips in Sic Bo, a dealer 3 card seven in Baccarat). In such a configuration, the BDE, such as the wheel system, contains or comprises 3 randomly generated events or outcomes. In one version, the first event is a community prize that all participating or eligible players win. The second event is a player position at the table. The third event is an enhanced prize (either a multiplier of the community prize, a fixed dollar amount, a physical prize (car), or a progressive jackpot) which the player position selected in the second event wins. The selected player position must be participating in the BPE (such as by having placed the required side bet or bonus wager) to receive the selected award or prize. The system may reveal the three randomly generated events in any order.

[0026] In another embodiment, the trigger is an event unique to at least one participating player (e.g. a dealt blackjack hand in the game of blackjack, a flush in the game of Pai Gow). In such an embodiment, the BPE, such as the wheel system, contains 3 randomly generated events. The first event is a prize that the at least one participating player with the triggered event wins. The second event is a player position at the table. The third event is a prize, which may be referred to as an Envy prize, which the player position selected in the second event wins (the third event may be a percentage of the prize selected in the first event, or an absolute amount). The selected player position must be participating in the bonus wager to receive the prize. The system may reveal the three randomly generated events in any order.

[0027] The BGE, such as implemented as a wheel system, may be applied to all types of games and game formats, including but not limited to Live, ETG, Virtual, Online, Mobile.

[0028] A method for providing bonus events to an underlying gaming event including multiple players at identified player positions may be performed by:

at least one player placing a wager in the underlying gaming event;

executing an event to conclusion of an outcome of the underlying gaming event (or to at least a point at which a triggering event or outcome has occurred);

identifying the outcome or event as a predefined triggering outcome or event;

after identifying the outcome or event as the predefined triggering outcome or event, activating a bonus providing element distinct from underlying game play to enable individual players or groups of players unique benefits in the underlying game triggering outcome, the bonus providing element providing a linear indication of at least three individual random indicators, the three individual random indicators including:

a) an identification of a single one of at least two different player positions;

b) outcomes of at least one of an absolute amount or multiplier of a winning outcome payout; and

c) outcomes of at least one of a multiplier, prize or an absolute amount larger than or smaller than any absolute amount or multiplier in b);

wherein, in combination with the triggering outcome (such as by a first player position in the underlying game), the bonus providing element randomly provides random outcomes for each of the three individual random indicators, and the random outcomes for the three individual random indicators is applied as i) one random outcome for at least the first player position (but potentially all positions), and ii) a combination of two remaining random outcomes indicates an award to at least one player position that may be different from the first player position. [0029] The method may have the bonus events available to only players wagering a predetermined minimum amount on the underlying game or available to only players wagering a side bet or progressive wager.

[0030] In one embodiment of the method, a single one of at least five different player positions may be awarded only one of a), b) or c), and at least one of at least four remaining player positions in the underlying game are awarded a fixed award different from the only one of a), b) and c) awarded to the single one of the at least five player positions.

[0031] The underlying game may be a playing wagering event executed on a physical gaming table, and the bonus providing event comprises a separate physical random event generator or electronic random generator comprising the three individual random indicators. The method may be executed wherein b) and c) are each unequally weighted among frequencies of b) and c) outcomes and a) is equally weighted among individual different player position frequencies. As indicated herein, the BPE may be implemented in various configurations or formats, such as via a physical device such as a spinning wheel or reels or virtually, such as by a video display located adjacent to a gaming table which is configured to display graphical information.

[0032] The three randomly generated events can be displayed in several different formats.

[0033] One embodiment uses a wheel with three rings (FIGURES 2 and 3). One ring of the wheel determines the community prize won or an individual player position won. A 2nd ring determines a player position. This 2nd ring can have a number of sections which equals the number of player positions at the table OR can have a number of sections which equals the number of participating players at the table. A 3rd ring determines what the enhanced prize is (either a multiplier of the community prize, a fixed dollar amount, a physical prize (car), or a progressive jackpot). The wheel may display the three rings in any order (see FIGURE 3).

[0034] Another embodiment uses a wheel with two rings. One ring of the wheel determines the community prize won. The second ring determines a player position AND an enhanced prize (either a multiplier of the community prize, a fixed dollar amount, a physical prize (car), or a progressive jackpot). This second ring can be displayed in two ways. The second ring can have a number of sections which display the enhanced prizes. Each of these sections can be divided into different sectors to determine which player position wins the enhanced prize (FIGURE 1). The size of the sections can be proportionate to the likelihood of winning the enhanced prize (Example ... a sector for a 2X multiplier can be larger than the jackpot sector, indicating it is more likely under the secondary RNG). However, the section sizes can also be the same size, with some sections being more likely than others. In another embodiment the second ring can have a number of sections which display the player positions. Each of these sections can be divided into different sectors to determine the enhanced prize.

[0035] Another embodiment uses 3 individual wheels- each wheel displaying one of the three randomly generated events.

[0036] FIGURE 1 shows a frontal view of a physical (or virtual) two concentric spinning wheel system 2. The system 2 is shown with an outer truncated sector 4 having both divider pegs 8 which separate each of the numbers player position identifiers (here, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 players are identified). Here a physical (or virtual) pointer 10 identifies a random selection of Player 4 on the outer wheel 4 and the absolute value award of $100.00 in the center sector of inner wheel 6. There is a virtual or physical center axis 12 shown, with the regions 4 and 6 revolving around that center axis 12.

[0037] FIGURE 2 shows a frontal view of a first physical (or virtual) three concentric spinning wheel system 20. An outermost first truncated sector wheel 24 is shown (this is "truncated" as the innermost portion of the sector is cut away or covered by inner wheel elements 26 and 28) with multipliers and absolute award amounts (including a "Jackpot") that are higher than any absolute award amounts in the inner sector element 28, which is in turn within the second truncated sector area 26 which randomly identifies player positions (here randomly selected from among 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 player positions). A virtual or physical pointer 30 stops relative to virtual or physical pegs 32 to identify the three linear random bonus selector outcomes in the three areas 24, 26 and 28). The three linear random bonus selector outcomes in the three areas 24, 26 and 28 are concentric to a physical or virtual center axis 34.

[0038] FIGURE 3 shows a frontal view of a second physical (or virtual) three concentric spinning wheel system 40. Again, a virtual or physical pointer 48 and center axis 50 are shown. The three areas of outer truncated sector 42, inner truncated sector 44 and inner sector 46 are shown indicating their respective individual ones of the three random elements that combine to implement the bonus. For example, when there is a suited blackjack, two naturals in baccarat, or at least a flush in a stud poker table game, the spinning wheel system 40 may be activated, and the award given (for example) whether or not the identified player position is the position triggering the event (all positions in baccarat trigger the event as there is a common players' hand) to that identified player position. [0039] FIGURE 4 shows a frontal view of a first physical (or virtual) three row 64, 66, 68, six column 70 random event outcome system 60. A virtual or physical pointer 62 identifies the three random indicators to be combined. The rows 64, 66, 68 would shift back and forth to create randomness, either physically or virtually.

[0040] FIGURE 5 shows a frontal view of a first physical (or virtual) three concentric wheel device 100, six player column random event outcome system. A pointer 102 is shown conveniently located at a top position with respect to the wheel device 100. The pointer 102 is pointing down three aligned segments 104 (showing a 2X award), a second segment 106 indicating a player position (from among 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 shown on the concentric wheel device 100) that is awarded the 2X random award of the first segment 104. The third center segment 112 (the order of the random effects is optional) indicates an award of $750 for all participating players that had the winning outcome or the triggering event for the bonus activity provided by the three concentric wheel device 100. A central spindle area 114 is shown, as well as a separate display area 108 in which the player position (110 No. 5) selected by the second segment 106 is highlighted.

[0041] FIGURE 6 shows a frontal view of a second physical (or virtual) three concentric wheel 200, six player column random event outcome system. A pointer 202 is shown conveniently located at a top position with respect to the wheel device 200. The pointer 202 is pointing down three aligned segments 204 (showing a 25% award multiplied against any objective, such as the minimum wager, the amount won by a player triggering the bonus event, or a multiple of the minimum wager, etc.), a second segment 206 indicating a player position (from among 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 shown on the concentric wheel device 200) that is awarded the 25% random award of the first segment 204. The third center segment 212 (the order of the random effects is optional) indicates an award of $100 for a player that had the winning outcome or the triggering event for the bonus activity provided by the three concentric wheel device 200. A central spindle area 214 is shown, as well as a separate display area 208 in which the player position (210 No. 3) selected by the second segment 206 is highlighted.

[0042] As noted, in a preferred embodiment, the BPE provides a linear display indicator. However, in other cases the indicator might not be linear.

[0043] To enhance security at casinos, more and more table games, bonus events and secondary games use electronic wagering systems, such as player input controls, video display screens and a processor with memory configured to store and receive credit, and debit and credit accrual in credit. The gaming system may operate as an electronic device (table, console, bank of games machines, etc.). Each table and/or each player position may have a value-in- value-out component selected from the group consisting of a currency validator with a currency scanner and currency-advancing motor, a ticket-in-ticket-out reader and printer combination, a magnetic or bar code reader accessible through an input opening, and an electronic wallet near- field communication reader. Such devices may be used in association with physical elements such as wagering chips or the like. Such systems or elements may be used by a player to place the underlying game wager(s) and the progressive or side bet to participate in the BPE of the invention, and to award the player with winnings or awards, such as for underlying game wins and for awards awarded via the BPE.

[0044] The electronic alternative of this technology may be provided by components similar to or identical to a standard EGM, with software and display images in memory that can implement a reproduction or duplication of the operation of a physical device.

[0045] As one example, the BPE might comprise a video display which is located at or adjacent to a gaming table. A controller, such as a BPE specific controller or main table controller, may be configured to control the information which is displayed by the video display, such as by a processor of the controller executing machine-readable instructions or "software" to generate an output which is displayed by video display. In one embodiment, a dealer might, for example, provide input to the controller when a triggering event has occurred, thus causing the controller to initiate the selection and display of the random indicators. In one embodiment, the controller may execute or implement a random number generator (RNG) or similar event selector which thus randomly selects the indicators noted above (e.g. the single player position, information regarding a first prize and information regarding a second prize), with the controller then configured to cause the video display to display the randomly selected indicators (such as to cause a graphical representation of spinning wheels to stop and display those selected indicators). Of course, such a configuration might be used to cause the video display to display information in other formats, or to control the movement of one or more physical wheel elements or other physical moving elements which display information.

[0046] In one embodiment, such a controller may detect wagers placed by players (such as by a player placing a wagering chip at a side bet location as detected by one or more chip sensors) or may receive input of such a wager from the dealer via an input device. The controller might then automate the award of BPE selected awards to players who placed the required side bet. In one embodiment, the controller might receive game play information and thus determine when a BPE triggering event or outcome has occurred, without requiring dealer input of such.

[0047] Other options are within the scope of the invention such as automated highlighting of individual random outcomes on the bonus device, and the like. In the case of a wheel, one or more pointers might move relative to statically displayed or positioned wheels or wheel segments, or the wheels or wheel segments might move relative to the pointer(s).

[0048] An advantage of the BPE is that it results in the generation of an award which is separate from the underlying game (and any underlying game winnings for those players and regardless of whether just one player triggered the bonus event), for a triggering player and to at least one other remaining player (where the award for the at least one other remaining player is preferably different than the award for the triggering player).

[0049] In yet another embodiment, an advantage of the BPE is that it results in the generation of an award which is applicable to all eligible players, separate from the underlying game (and any underlying game winnings for those players and regardless of whether just one player triggered the bonus event), and which results in the selection of a particular player and an associated particular player award for that player (which particular player award is preferably different than the award for the remaining players).

[0050] One advantage of the invention is a BPE is that it is capable of generating and displaying multiple indicators, and namely awards for a triggering player or a community of players, and another award for a selected other player, at one time. This technical solution eliminates issues associated with the prior art and creates enhanced bonus event excitement.