Gaming device having value selection bonus

(54) GAMING DEVICE HAVING VALUE SELECTION BONUS

(75) Inventors: Joseph E. Kaminkow, Reno, NV (US);

Jean M. Brassard, Reno, NV (US);
Anthony J. Baerlocher, Reno, NV
(US); Joseph R. Hedrick, Reno, NV
(US); Lance R. Peterson, Reno, NV
(US)

(73) Assignee: IGT, Reno, NV (US)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ol this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 126 days.

(21) Appl. No.: 09/684,605

(22) Filed: Oct. 6, 2000

(51) Int. C I. A63F 9/24

(52) U.S. CI 463/25; 463/20; 463/16

(58) Field of Search 463/16-22, 25-28,

463/30, 31, 36, 37, 12, 13; 273/143 R, 138.1, 138.2, 139, 269, 274, 292, 303,

309

(56) References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Top Dollar Brochure published by IGT in 1998.

Take Your Pick Article published by Strictly Slots in Mar.

2001.

(List continued on next page.)

Primary Examiner—Michael O'Neill

(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLC

(57) ABSTRACT

The present invention is a gaming device that provides a player with an opportunity to maximize a gaming device award. The game presents the player with a display having a plurality ol groups ol masked awards and enables the player to choose a masked award from each ol the groups. The game does not reveal the selected award and prelerably provides an indication ol which masked awards the player selected. The game then provides the player with one or more opportunities to upgrade the total award. In one optimization embodiment, the player upgrades the total award having only a total award indicator to guide the player. In another optimization embodiment, the game additionally provides an indication ol the possible awards. In a further optimization embodiment, the game provides an indication ol the possible awards and additionally the number ol each that the player has selected.

25 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets

Take Your Pick Brochure published by IGT/Anchor Gaming in 1999.

Jackpot Party Brochure and Articles published by WMS Gaming, Inc. in 1998.

Double Diamond Game Descriptions published by IGT.com website printed on Mar. 21, 2001.

Addams Family Advertisement and Article written by IGT, Strictly Slots, published in 2000.

Adders and Ladders Advertisement written by Barcrest Ltd., published prior to 2000.

American Thunder Screen Shots written by IGT, published in 1998.

Big Bang Piggy Bankin Advertisement written by WMS Gaming, Inc., published prior to 2000. Blackjack/Twenty-One Description written by Hoyle's Rules of Games, published in 1993.

Bonus Spin Red, White & Blue Advertisement written by IGT, published in 2000.

Bonus Times Article written by Strictly Slots, published in 2000.

By George written by IGT, published in 2002.

Caribbean Gold II Advertisement written by Aristocrat

Incorporated, published in 1998.

Chutes & Ladders Game Instructions written by Hasbro-Milton Bradley, published in 1999.

Description of Let's Make a Deal Television Show written
by letsmakeadeal.com (2 pages), printed on Mar. 16, 2001.
Double Up Poker Game Description written by IGT
Undated.

Easy Street Advertisements and Articles written by Casino
Data Systems, published in 2000.
Elvis Advertisement written by IGT, published in 1999.
Empire Game Advertisement written by AC Coin, published
in 1996.

Fire and Fortune Article written by Strictly Slots, published in 2001.

Fox "N" Hound Advertisement written by IGT, published in 2000.

In Between Game Description written by IGT, available prior to 2000.

Keep Your Hat On Advertisement written by Aristocrat, published in 2001.

Let's Make a Deal written by geocities.com (10 pages), printed on Mar. 21, 2001.

Let's Make a Deal written by fortunecity.com (4 pages), printed on Mar. 21, 2001.

Let's Make a Deal written by Illinoislottery.com (1 page), printed on Mar. 21, 2001.

Let's Make a Deal geocities.com (2 pages), printed on Mar. 16, 2001.

Let's Make a Deal Advertisement written by Shuffle Master and IGT, published in 2001.

Let's Make a Deal Game Advertisement written by Bally
Gaming Systems, published in 1999.
Little Green Men Advertisement and Article written by IGT,
Strictly Slots, published in 2000.

MegaJackpots Advertisement written by IGT, published in 1998.

Money Grab Article written by Strictly Slots, published in Apr. 2001.

Money in the Bank Advertisement written by Strictly Slots Konami, published in 2001.

Monopoly Advertisements and Articles written by WMS Gaming, Inc., Strictly Slots, published in 1998, 1999, 2000. Monopoly Party Train Article written by Strictly Slots, published in 2002.

Neon Nights written by IGT, published in 2000.

On the Money Article written by Strictly Slots, Casino Data

Systems, published in Dec. 2000.

Polly & Roger Advertisement written by VLC, Inc., published in 2000.

Price is Right "Cliff Hangers" Description written by www.geocities.com; members.aol.com (web site), printed Mar. 21, 2001.

Price is Right "Showcases" Description written by schu-
minweb.com (web site), printed Mar. 16, 2001.
Psycho Cash Beast Club (including knockouts) written by
Barcrest, published prior to 1998.

Richard Petty Advertisement written by IGT, published in 2000.

South Park—Dodgeball Advertisement written by IGT, published in 2000.

Spell Binder Advertisement written by IGT, published in 2000.

Sphinx Advertisement written by Atronic Casino Technology, Ltd., published in 1997.

Texas Tea Advertisement written by IGT, published in 2000. The Deals of Let's Make a Deal written by fortunecity.com (2 pages), printed on Mar. 16, 2001.

The Official Let's Make a Deal Website written by Bally Gaming System Website, printed on Mar. 16, 2001.

Top Cat Advertisement written by WMS Gaming, Inc., published prior to 2000.

Totem Pole Advertisement written by IGT, published in 1997.

Treasure Wheel/Treasure Tunnel Advertisement written by Sigma Game, Inc., published prior to 2000.

Wheel of Fortune Advertisement written by IGT, published in 1998.

Wheel of Fortune Advertisement written by IGT, published in 1999.

Wheel Poker Article written by Strictly Slots (Anchor Games), published in Nov. 2000.

Winning Streak Web Site Description written by WMS Gaming Inc. (web site), printed on Mar. 21, 2001.

X Factor Advertisement and Website Page written by WMS Gaming, Inc., published in 1998.

* cited by examiner