US20060105829A1 - Wagering game with an improved wheel bonus game and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for playing a wagering game wherein when a randomly occurring bonus game condition symbol occurs in the base game outcome, the player plays a separate bonus game to a bonus game outcome. When play of the bonus game is successful, a mechanical wheel is then spun to provide an additional award. In a variation, the base game is separately played. When an independent bonus game condition occurs separately from the base game outcome, the wheel is spun to provide an award independent of the base game.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to wagering games and, in particular, to wagering games having a wheel bonus game and to seal card games such as scratch lottery tickets.
• 2. Discussion of the Background
• Casino gaming devices involving a bonus game incorporating a top box bonus wheel have always been popular with the gaming public. The bonus wheel is usually mechanical and either the wheel spins or a ball on a stick spins over a fixed wheel. At the beginning of the twentieth century, many different “wheels of fortune” were popular in the gaming industry.
• One conventional wheel bonus is the CASH FOR LIFE BONUS SPIN RICH & FAMOUS casino game from Bally which is based upon an earlier MONTE CARLO slot series. In this CASH FOR LIFE game, when the player places a maximum bet and a bonus spin symbol appears on the third reel of the slot game, the player is afforded the opportunity to press a Bonus Spin button. When pressed, a white ball spins faster and faster around a bonus wheel until it lands on a bonus award. In a variation of this game, Bally produced the CASH FOR LIFE TRIPLE SPIN casino game. Here, the player is afforded the opportunity to pass on or select the first two of three spins of the bonus wheel. That is, if the player accepts the results of the first wheel spin, the bonus game is over. If the player passes on the first two wheel spins, the third wheel spin automatically provides the effective wheel spin result. IGT has a “Price Is Right” game where a combination of bonus symbols starts a bonus game. The bonus game has a qualifying round which uses a mechanical wheel. If the player qualifies based on the wheel spins, then the player plays an additional bonus game for more awards. Aristocrat has a “You Might Be a Redneck If . . . ” game where if the player makes an additional wager, then an additional reel spins and based on the symbol appearing on this reel, the player qualifies for a bonus game.
• Other conventional slot games having a wheel bonus game are set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,823,874 and 5,848,932. The '874 patent sets forth a standard gaming unit having, for example, three reels in the base game and a rotatable mechanical bonus wheel. The standard gaming unit generates a signal to operate the mechanical wheel. In the '874 patent, the appearance of certain displayed indicia such as reels, indicia of reels, indicia of playing cards, and combinations thereof are used so that when they appear on the payline of the standard gaming unit, the signal is generated. The '932 patent also provides a signal that is generated in the primary gaming unit when a display of indicia occurs on the payline in play of the primary gaming unit to operate the bonus payout indicator.
• A need exists in the gaming industry to continually improve upon wagering games having a bonus wheel so as to add increased play and excitement for players.
• Scratch lottery tickets are used principally by governmental entities to generate revenue therefor. A ticket is purchased at a retail establishment by a consumer upon payment of value such as $1.00, $2.00, $5.00, or $10.00. According to the instructions on the ticket, the consumer then scratches off a removable material from selected areas to reveal hidden play symbols on the ticket. When a win occurs, a corresponding award area is scratched off to reveal a payoff value. The player then takes the ticket to an establishment for redemption. A pull tab (also called “breakopen”) ticket is used in the casino gaming world. Pull tabs require removing a cover member such as a top or a flap to reveal a hidden play symbol. The term “seal card game” herein refers to scratch lottery tickets, to pull tickets, or to any other similar ticket.
• A continuing need also exists to provide new and exciting seal card games to consumers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The needs set forth above are met under the teachings of the present invention. A method for playing a wagering game is set forth wherein when a randomly occurring bonus game condition symbol occurs in a base game outcome, the player plays a separate bonus game to a bonus game outcome. When play of the bonus game is successful, a bonus wheel is then spun to provide an additional award. In a variation, the wagering game is separately played. When an independent bonus game condition occurs separately from the base game outcome, the bonus wheel is spun to provide an award independent from the base game.
• The above two methods are incorporated and played when the wagering game is a seal card game such as a scratch lottery ticket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 sets forth the method steps of a first embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 sets forth an example of one bonus game variation based upon the first embodiment ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 sets forth a second example of the bonus game based upon the first embodiment ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 4 sets forth the method steps of a second embodiment for the method steps of the present invention.
• FIG. 5 sets forth a scratch lottery ticket example of the present invention based upon the embodiment ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 6 sets forth another scratch lottery ticket example based upon the embodiment ofFIG. 4.
• FIG. 7 sets forth a block diagram showing a wagering game according to one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 8 is an illustration of a screen display showing a bonus condition.
• FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the various components in the wagering game of one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Overview
• The present invention pertains to an improved wagering game using a wheel to provide additional payoffs to players of the wagering game. The term “wagering game” includes all of the various types of casino games such as, but not limited to, slot machines, video poker machines, and keno machines. The wagering game as presented herein is independent of the type of base game such as video poker, slots, keno, etc. The term “wagering game” also includes seal card games such as pull tab or scratch lottery tickets. Pull tab wagering games are typically found in casinos whereas scratch lottery tickets are usually sold over the counter in various jurisdictions to the consuming public. The base game in seal card games can also be any suitable conventional base game based upon poker hands, matching numbers, matching symbols, etc. The term “wagering game” therefore includes conventional casino games, conventional seal card games, and any other game played in response to a wager being placed and payoffs being given when winning combinations are obtained in play of the wagering game.
• Two embodiments of the present invention are presented in the following: 1) a bonus condition in the base game outcome and 2) a bonus condition independent of the base game outcome. While two embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention, it is to be expressly understood, that modifications and variations may be made to these embodiments under the teachings herein.
• 2. Bonus Condition in Base Game Outcome
• FIG. 1 sets forth the method steps of a first embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 7 sets forth a block diagram showing the components of awagering game700 having a lower base/bonus game710 and amechanical wheel720 in atop box722. In the method shown inFIG. 1, the player starts100 by placing a conventional wager in a suitable wager-indevice730 found in thewagering game700 to be played indisplay712. The wager can be any suitable amount based upon the rules for thebase game740. The player plays110 thebase game740 in a conventional fashion to abase game outcome750 indisplay712. For example, a winning symbol combination {7, 7, 7} is shown onpayline760. In typical play, the player seeks to obtain one or more random winning combinations in the base game outcome to receive 112 corresponding base game payoffs based upon the winning combinations.Base games740 are of many different and varied types. Rather than have asingle payline760 with three symbols as shown inFIG. 7, a multi-line, multi-reel slot design could be used. Or, a video poker game could be played to a game outcome. The foregoing paragraph describes conventional casino game play.
• One of the random combinations in the outcome of thebase game740 is a bonus game condition such as the alignment of a predetermined bonus symbol or a set of bonus symbols representing qualification of the player to play abonus game780. This is illustrated by the bonus game condition symbol B appearing onpayline760 withindisplay712, as shown inFIG. 8. Qualification of the player to play thebonus game780 typically requires the player to place a maximum wager. However, placing the maximum wager is not necessary for bonus game qualification. As shown inFIG. 1 and inmethod step120, the wagering game of the present invention responds to the presence of such a bonus game condition. If thebonus game condition120 is satisfied, the player then plays abonus game780 inmethod step130 indisplay712. If no bonus game condition occurs in the base game outcome, then play of the wagering game ends140. The operation of thebase game740 leading tobase game outcome750 and the operation of the bonus game condition, such assymbol B770 inFIG. 8, are conventionally generated by a random number generator and/or by software. InFIG. 8, a single symbol B is shown in a last reel position, the symbol can be in any reel position. The bonus condition may be more than one symbol (e.g., 3 bonus symbols). Or, such as in a video poker game, the bonus condition in the base game outcome could be the appearance of a single card (e.g., a Jack of Hearts) or a combination of cards (e.g., an Ace and a Jack (clubs or spades).
• Under the teachings of the present invention, play130 of thebonus game780 occurs if thebonus game condition120 is satisfied. Play of the bonus game may occur in aseparate screen780 ofdisplay712 or in a display (not shown) in thetop box722. Whether the player is successful in playing thebonus game780 is determined inmethod step150. If bonus game play by the player is successful, the wagering game spins160 amechanical wheel720 in thetop box722 for a bonus payoff award, which is made inmethod step170. It is to be understood that the term “spinning the mechanical wheel” (and variations thereof) means either a fixedwheel720 withrotating indicator724, or afixed indicator724 withrotating wheel720. Moreover,wheel720 andindicator724 could both rotate, either in opposite directions, or in the same direction albeit at different speeds. The term herein “spinning the wheel” (and variations thereof) includes the above as well as a video representation ofwheel720 andindicator724, or the player selecting a segment containing a hidden value such as in a stationary wheel printed on a scratch lottery ticket.
• Thewheel720 may spin automatically in response to the player's successful bonus game outcome, or thewheel720 may spin after the player provides an input (such as pushing a button, not shown). After thewheel720 is spun160 and theaward726 is paid to theplayer170, the wagering game of thepresent invention140 ends. If the player is not successful inplay130 of thebonus game780, then the wagering game ends140, or as shown by the dotted lines, aconsolation award152 may be given to the player. The consolation payoff is lower in value than any payoff provided by thewheel720.
• In theplay130 of thebonus game780, any conventional (or new) bonus game separate from the base game can be utilized such as providing a trivia question to the player. Theplay150 of thebonus game780 is separate fromplay110 of thebase game740. If the player correctly responds to the trivia question,method step150 is successful and the player is then permitted to spin160 thewheel720 to land on anaward726. If the player incorrectly answers, aconsolation award152 may optionally be given or the game simply ends140. Or, play130 of thebonus game780 may involve a bonus game wherein the player is given the opportunity to choose an object that hides a wheel icon. If the player chooses the object that uncovers a wheel icon, the play is successful150 and spinning160 thewheel720 occurs.
• For example, upon enteringmethod step130, theplay130 of thebonus game780 occurs ondisplay712, which may be a video touch screen display having both data input and data displaying capabilities. A question withanswers200 is presented (as shown inFIG. 2), and the player touches one of the three answers. InFIG. 2, if the player touches either “Portland” or “Eugene,” the answer is incorrect, and the player may receive anoptional consolation payoff152, and thewagering game700 of the present invention ends140. However, if the player touches the correct answer “Salem,” thewagering game700 permits the player to spin160 themechanical wheel720. Thespin160 of themechanical wheel720 can be automatic, or it can be activated by having the player push a button (not shown).
• InFIG. 3, thetouch screen display712 shows threeobjects300a,300b, and300c, comprising thebonus game780, inmethod step130. Behind each object is a hidden symbol shown with dotted lines. Thehidden symbols310, in this example, behind300aand300b, are not wheel symbols, and if those objects are selected by the player, the game ends140. In this situation, aconsolation award152 may be awarded. However, if the player successfully touchesobject300c, a hidden wheel (W in dotted lines)symbol310 is revealed, and this provides the player with the opportunity to spin160 themechanical wheel720. In the examples ofFIG. 2 andFIG. 3, the player, if randomly guessing or selecting, has a one in three chance of spinning160 thewheel720. In the event the bonus game is a knowledge game (FIG. 2) or a skill game, the knowledge, strategy or skill of the player can improve the player's chance of spinning160 the wheel72a.
• The two bonus games ofFIGS. 2 and 3 are examples and do not limit the invention as to the type of bonus game played. Thebonus game780 is a separate game from thebase game740 and is played separately.
• In a variation of the embodiment ofFIG. 1, and as shown by dottedlines154 inFIG. 1, rather than having the “yes” path shown to step160, an alternate “yes”path154 may replace the one discussed above. In this variation, the successfulness ofplay130 in thebonus game780 as determined inmethod step150 is used instep180 to modify the results of thewheel spin160. For example, if the player is successful instage150, then, instep180, a modificationgraphic G782 may be displayed onscreen780 ofdisplay712 inFIG. 2 (the modification graphic is shown in dotted lines). The modification graphic782, could be a multiplier such as “3×.” When thewheel720 lands on a value such as, for example, $20.00, and as the player was successful in bonus game play, the multiplier operates on the $20.00 to provide a final award of $60.00.
• In a variation, the “degree” of success in playing130 thebonus game780 controls the “value” of the multiplier (or the “number” of spins). For example, thequestion200 could be: Name the cities in the following list that are in Colorado without naming a city outside Colorado: Denver, Omaha, Boulder, Boston, and Pueblo—Each correct answer will result in an added 1× multiplier. The selection of an incorrect answer choice will nullify any multiplier value generated by previous correct answer choices. The first incorrect answer will result in no multiplier whatsoever and end the game. When a player first picks Denver, then Boulder, the player gets a 2× multiplier as both answers are correct and spins the wheel. If the player first picks Denver, then Boulder and then Omaha, the game ends as Omaha is incorrect. A player choosing Denver, Pueblo and Boulder wins a 3× multiplier and spins the wheel. This example can be based on spins rather than a multiplier.
• The modification instep180 can modify one or more characteristics of the spinningstep160 and/or thebonus payoff step170. The player, when successful inmethod step150, receives a modificationgraphic G782 authorizing two spins. If the player is unsuccessful inmethod step150, the player receives an award, and the wagering game ends. Hence in this embodiment, inmethod step160, a player who was successful instep150 receives two spins and the sum of the two awards. In one example, the first wheel spin results in an award of $20.00, the second wheel spin results in an award of $50.00, and the player then receives an award of $70.00. The displayed modification graphic G acts to modifymethod step160 accordingly, and it is to be expressly understood that any of a number of differentmodification graphics G782 could be utilized under the present invention, each corresponding to an arithmetic function such as multiplication, addition, or a wheel operation such as additional spins (e.g., 2 instead of 1). In the wheel spin variation, the awards from each wheel spin accumulate. Or, the two variations could be combined so as to provide two wheel spins and a multiplier. It can be appreciated that thebonus game780 can be designed to provide the player with great excitement and interaction to “build a wheel spin payoff” by increasing the number of spins and/or the arithmetic operation based on the player's skill, strategy, knowledge, or luck inplay130 of thebonus game780. Further, thebonus game780 can be designed to offer only play based on the player knowledge, skill, or strategy.
• In the above, if the player is unsuccessful inmethod step150, the wagering game ends140. Under the teachings of the present invention, and unlike conventional wheel bonus games, obtaining a bonus condition such as symbol B inFIG. 8 does not guarantee a spin of thewheel720. Under the teachings of the method ofFIG. 1, the spin of thewheel160 only occurs if the player's bonus game play is successful. Theplay130 of thebonus game780 is an intermediate step not found in conventional wheel bonus games.
• In summary, what has been set forth above is the generation of a bonus condition in the actual base game outcome. The teachings of the present invention are not limited to how the bonus condition occurs in the base game outcome and it could be a single symbol as illustrated by B inFIG. 8, it could be a combination of symbols, etc. How the bonus condition occurs in the base game outcome and what it comprises is vigorous under the teachings contained herein. Furthermore, the nature and type of the intermediate bonus game can also be any type of conventional knowledge-based, skill-based, strategy-based, or random-based bonus game. This intermediate bonus game play provides the player with additional player excitement and further emphasizes the excitement of spinning the wheel. If the player is not successful in this intermediate bonus game, the player may or may not receive an award, as discussed.
• 3. Bonus Condition Independent of Base Game Outcome
• FIG. 4 sets forth a second embodiment of the present invention. The player inmethod step400 starts play in a conventional fashion for thewagering game700 by placing a wager. Thebase game740 is played410. Twoseparate method paths402 and404 are traveled. Thefirst path402 is traveled in response to the wager and thebase game740 is conventionally played resulting in agame base outcome420. In the base game outcome, winning combinations of symbols, cards, etc. are encountered, and any winning combinations are paid inmethod step430 to the player. There is no symbol combination, card combination, etc. in thebase game outcome420 for generating a bonus condition as in the prior embodiments ofFIGS. 1-3. Afterplay410 of thebase game740 and generation of thebase game outcome420 with anybase game payoff430 paid, the wagering game ends440.
• In the embodiment ofFIG. 4, the bonus condition is generated entirely independently of thebase game outcome420. The bonus condition could be, for example, based on a random wager-in made to play the base game as determined by a suitable random number generator and/or the appearance of a special bonus graphic on display712 (but not on the payline) such asB790 appearing ondisplay712. The appearance of this special bonus graphic can also be generated by a random number generator. In a variation, lights794 could be placed around the perimeter ofdisplay712. One of the lights could be constantly “chasing”796 (as in a Las Vegas sign). At the moment the player initiates spin in the base game, the light stops. If the light stops at a bonus condition B798 (or the light matches a bonus color, etc.), a wheel spin occurs. Hence, alongmethod path404, play of thebase game410 commences with monitoring for the occurrence of this separate bonus condition instage450. If it doesn't occur during play of thebase game410, then instage460, there is no bonus game play and the player simply enjoys the conventionalbase game outcome420. However, if a bonus condition is detected450, then stage470 is entered and themechanical wheel720 is spun470 to pay a bonus payoff instep480 to the player and the game thereupon ends instage440.
• InFIG. 4, anoptional method step490 can be included to incorporate thebonus game780 ofFIG. 1. In this case, themethod step490 refers to method steps130,150 in one variation, method steps130,150,152 in another variation, and method steps130,150, and180 in a third variation. The provision of the optional bonusgame method step490 would add further excitement to the embodiment ofFIG. 4.
• In summary of this embodiment, the bonus condition (790 or798) is independent and separate from thebase game outcome420. The spinning of themechanical wheel720 randomly occurs based upon events not found in play of the base game outcome and which randomly occur. In one variation, the intermediate bonus game of the first embodiment can be incorporated into this embodiment to add further excitement. How the bonus condition is randomly generated is vigorous and can include any independent random event from play of the base game.
• The specific implementation of the two embodiments ofFIG. 1 andFIG. 4 is in spinning a mechanical wheel although the general implementation is spinning a wheel.
• 4. Seal Card Application
• InFIG. 5, the embodiment of the present invention shown inFIGS. 1 through 3 is set forth in the form of a seal card such as ascratch lottery ticket500. In the exampleFIG. 5, a first basegame play area510 is shown in which the player scratches the five covered areas to reveal a set of symbols in a game outcome. Scratching removes any removable material to reveal a hidden value, symbol, etc. Scratching play area ofbase game510 may reveal winning by matching two symbols such as those found in the following game outcome set: {5.00, $3.00, $8.00, $1.00, $1.00} in which the player receives a $1.00 award. In the event that two like symbols are matched, the player cashes the ticket and receives the matched award, such as $1.00. Thebase game510 can be any conventional scratch game with any number of scratch areas in basegame play area510.
• In the event the player uncovers abonus condition512 such as “Q,” the player then is entitled to move 514 to thesecond play area520. An example of a base game outcome set would be {$5.00, $3.00, $8.00, Q, $1.00} as shown inFIG. 5. The player can only play thisarea520 when abonus condition Q512 appears in thebase game510. Again thebonus condition512 can be a unique symbol or symbols, a specific combination (Ace of Spades, Jack of Spades, etc.).
• The player is asked a question530 (e.g., to name the capital of Oregon) with a plurality of choices such as the three in play area520 (Portland, Salem, Eugene). The player can scratch only one of the choices to reveal whether the answer is correct (such as uncovering a wheel symbol521). If the scratched off answer is incorrect, then the player does not win with this scratch ticket. In the event the player answers the question correctly, the player moves524 on to playarea540 in which the player selects one segment of wheel550 (i.e., spins the wheel) to scratch and uncover a final prize, such as $1.00, $2.00, $5.00 or $10.00. The player then takes the ticket and redeems it for payment of an award. It is to be understood that a player may look up the answer before removing material from an answer choice. The final award is decided based upon random selection of a segment in the wheel.
• FIG. 6 corresponds to the embodiment ofFIG. 4. Thescratch lottery ticket600 ofFIG. 6 has afirst play area610 in which the player playsbase game612 to uncover a base game outcome. However, the player is also given the opportunity to scratch abonus play area620 which may or may not qualify the player to spin thewheel630 inplay area640 when thewheel symbol621 is uncovered.
• The method of the present invention forFIGS. 5 and 6 is set forth next. At, typically, a retail establishment for a scratch lottery ticket or a casino for pull tab ticket, a ticket sale takes place. A player purchases the ticket for value to start100 the game. The value paid for the ticket corresponds to a player of a casino gaming machine placing a wager.
• After purchasing the ticket, the player inFIG. 5 plays110 thebase game510 and uncovers its play area of the ticket to reveal the hidden symbols. The player looks at the uncovered play area and makes a decision. If a winning combination of symbols in the base game exists, the player redeems the ticket to receive apayoff112. If a bonus symbol (such as Q) has been uncovered, then play130 of the bonus game occurs.
• The player then proceeds to follow the instructions on the ticket pertaining to the bonus game inplay area520. The player uncovers one of the answers. It is to be understood that if the player uncovers more than one answer, the ticket is invalidated. If the player scratches off an incorrect answer, then the game is over (bonus play instep150 is unsuccessful). As mentioned, one option, would be to pay152 the player a consolation payoff the amount of which payoff could equal the price paid for the ticket. If the player scratches only the correct answer, then the player scratches off only one segment in thewheel550play area540 such as segment560 (corresponding to spin thewheel step160 inFIG. 1). If more than onesegment560 is scratched off, the ticket is invalidated (or, optionally, only the lowest value in thewheel segments160 is paid).
• The player returns to an establishment to redeem the ticket. The establishment, which could be represented by store clerk, first looks at theplay areas520 and540 to ascertain that only one play area has been uncovered. The revealing of any other play area or any other tampering with the removable material over another play area results in invalidation of the ticket. In a variation, if all answers inarea520 are scratched off and the entire wheel is scratched off, only the consolation award (i.e., such as when selecting an incorrect answer occurs) is given. Or, if only the entire wheel is scratched off, the lowest segment value (i.e., $1 inFIG. 5) is given. If the redeemed ticket is in proper form, the player is awarded170 a bonus payoff based on theuncovered segment560.
• It is to be understood that while the foregoing examples are given in terms of purchase by the consumer, with cash prizes, other embodiments are possible. For example, the seal tickets could be given away as a promotion (e.g., at fast-food establishments) or with accompanying purchase (e.g., at a department store), with possible awards including food prizes and/or merchandise, perhaps in addition to monetary prizes.
• While the seal card embodiments of the present invention represent different structures than processor-controlled casino games, the method of play is the same. The base game on seal card games can be any suitable conventional base game. In the first embodiment of a bonus condition appearing in the base game outcome, this is commonly one or more symbols such as symbol Q which leads directly to the intermediate bonus game. Again, the intermediate bonus game can be any knowledge-based, skill-based, strategy-based, or random-based bonus game. If the player is successful, the player then moves to the wheel spin portion. In this structure, of course, a mechanical wheel is not used and a spin doesn't happen. However, the player selects one of the segments to scratch off or reveal. This brings the excitement of the “wheel spin” to seal card games.
• 5. Casino Game Application
• InFIG. 9 is a block diagram sets forth some of the many components found in awagering game700 as found in processor controlled casino games. It is to be expressly understood that a wide variety ofwagering games700,base games740 andbonus games780 could be utilized according to the teachings of the present invention as set forth above. What is set forth inFIG. 9 are some of the components found in thewagering game700.
• InFIG. 9, thewagering game700 has aprocessor900 which not only controls thewheel720, thebase game740, and thebonus game780, but also processes all the necessary functions found in conventional wagering games. For example, thewagering game700 through a suitable input/output device910 communicates with anetwork920 in a conventional fashion. Thenetwork920 could be a casino wide area network wherein the casino communicates, from perhaps a remote location, with each of itswagering games700. Thenetwork920 could be a communication network such as the Internet. The I/O device910 can be any suitable device.
• With regard to the present invention, theprocessor900 controls receiving wagers indevice730 which can be any suitable device or combination of devices such as a currency reader, a ticket reader, a coin-in sensor, a credit card reader, a debit card reader, a smart card reader, etc. Theprocessor900 also conventionally communicates with and controls asuitable payout device930 such as, but not limited to, writing to a smart card, printing a ticket, issuing coins or other forms of currency, etc.
• Theprocessor900 also communicates with and controls a suitable input device ordevices940 which allows the player to press buttons to select the wager per line and number of lines such as found in a multi-line, multi-reel slot game, to receive other types of input such as pressing a button to spin themechanical wheel720, receiving a cash-out input so the player can receive any and all credits in the wagering game as a payout, etc.
• Theprocessor900 can be any suitable processor which, in communication withmemory950, controls the wagering game by interacting with hardware devices based on the software found inmemory950. Theprocessor900 and950 can also incorporate a random number generator either in hardware or software to provide the required random events in the base game, the random occurrence of the bonus condition, the random spin of thewheel720, etc. Theprocessor900 controls and communicates with a display or displays712 which can also be input devices such as touch screens. Theprocessor900 also communicates with and controls themechanical wheel720. The present invention is not limited to the illustration set forth inFIG. 9, and it is to be expressly understood that many different types of wagering games could be utilized under the teachings of the present invention.
• The above disclosure sets forth a number of embodiments of the present invention described in detail with respect to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in this art will appreciate that various changes, modifications, other structural arrangements, and other embodiments could be practiced under the teachings of the present invention without departing from the scope of this invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims (21)

1. A method for playing a wagering game comprising:

receiving a wager in the wagering game from a player to start play of the wagering game, the wager being any wager up to a maximum wager,

playing a base game in the wagering game to a base game outcome in response to receiving said wager,

when a winning combination occurs in the base game outcome, then:

(a) awarding the player a base game payoff in the wagering game corresponding to the winning combination,

(b) ending the wagering game in response to the aforesaid awarding,

when a randomly occurring bonus game condition occurs in the base game outcome and in response only to receiving the wager, then playing a separate bonus game in the wagering game to a bonus game outcome to when at least one play input is received in the wagering came from the player,

when play of the bonus game results in a successful bonus game outcome and in response only to receiving the wager, the method further comprising:

(a) spinning a mechanical wheel in the wagering game to land on one of a plurality of wheel awards,

(b) awarding the player a bonus wheel payoff based on the one award landed on,

(c) ending the wagering game in response to the aforesaid awarding the player a wheel payoff.

2. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising:

when play of the bonus game in the wagering game results in an unsuccessful bonus game outcome, the method further comprising:

awarding the player in the wagering game a consolation payoff wherein the consolation payoff is lower in value than any one of the plurality of wheel, payoffs,

ending the wagering game with said wheel payoff in response to the aforesaid awarding the player a consolation payoff.

3. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising:

when play of the bonus game results in a successful outcome, then displaying a modification graphic in the wagering game, the modification graphic modifying the wheel payoff.

4. The method ofclaim 3 wherein the modification graphic is an arithmetic function.

5. The method ofclaim 4 wherein the arithmetic function is a multiplier.

6. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising:

when play of the bonus game results in a successful outcome, then displaying a modification graphic, the modification graphic controlling how many times said spinning occurs.

7. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the wagering game is a casino game.

8. A method for playing a wagering game comprising:

receiving a wager in the wagering game from a player to start play of the wagering game,

playing a base game in the wagering game to a base game outcome in response to receiving said wager,

when a winning combination occurs in the base game outcome, then:

(a) awarding to the player a base game payoff corresponding to the winning combination,

(b) ending the wagering game in response to the aforesaid awarding,

when a randomly occurring bonus game condition occurs in the base game outcome and in response only to receiving the wager, then playing a separate bonus game in the wagering game to a bonus game outcome when at least one play input from the player is received in the bonus game,

when play of the bonus game results in a successful bonus game outcome, then:

(a) spinning a mechanical wheel in the wagering game to land on one of a plurality of wheel awards,

(b) awarding the player a wheel payoff based on the one award landed on,

(c) ending the wagering game in response to the aforesaid awarding the player a wheel payoff,

when play of the bonus game results in an unsuccessful bonus game outcome and in response only to receiving the wager, then:

(a) awarding the player in the wagering game a consolation payoff wherein the consolation payoff is lower in value than any one of the plurality of wheel, payoffs,

(b) ending the wagering game in response to the aforesaid awarding the player a consolation payoff.

9. The method ofclaim 8 further comprising:

when play of the bonus game results in said successful outcome, then displaying a modification graphic, the modification graphic modifying the bonus wheel payoff.

10. The method ofclaim 9 wherein the modification graphic is an arithmetic function.

11. The method ofclaim 10 wherein the arithmetic function is a multiplier.

12. The method ofclaim 8 further comprising:

when play of the bonus game results in a successful outcome, then displaying a modification graphic, the modification graphic controlling how many times spinning the mechanical wheel occurs.

13. The method ofclaim 8 wherein the wagering game is a casino game.

14. A method for playing a wagering game comprising:

accepting in the wagering game a wager from a player to start the wagering game, the wager being any wager up to a maximum wager,

playing a base game in a display of the wagering game to a base game outcome in response to accepting the wager,

awarding a base game payoff to the player only when a winning base game outcome occurs,

spinning a mechanical wheel in the wagering game only when a randomly occurring bonus game condition occurs during play of the base game and in response to accepting the wager, the mechanical wheel having a plurality of payoffs, the bonus game condition occurring independently from and not in the base game outcome,

awarding in the wagering game the player one of the plurality of payoffs landed on after the mechanical wheel stops spinning.

15. The method ofclaim 14 in which spinning the mechanical wheel comprises:

when the randomly occurring bonus game outcome occurs, playing a separate bonus game in the wagering game to a bonus game outcome by receiving at least one input from the player,

spinning the mechanical wheel when play of the bonus game is successful.

16. A method for playing a seal card game comprising:

revealing, by a player, a base game outcome in a base game play area of the seal card game,

when a winning combination occurs in the base game outcome, awarding the player a base game payoff corresponding to the winning combination,

when a randomly occurring bonus game condition occurs in the base game outcome, then revealing a bonus game outcome, by the player, in a separate bonus game play area of the seal card game,

when play of the bonus game results in a successful bonus game outcome, revealing, by the player, only one of a plurality of hidden bonus awards in a wheel play area of the seal card game and awarding the player a bonus wheel payoff based on the aforesaid one award landed on.

17. The method ofclaim 16 further comprising:

when play of the bonus game results in an unsuccessful bonus game outcome, awarding the player a consolation payoff displayed on the seal card game.

18. A method for playing a seal card game comprising:

revealing, by a player, a base game outcome in a base game play area of the seal card game,

awarding a base game payoff to the player only when a winning base game outcome occurs,

revealing, by the player, a randomly occurring bonus game condition in a bonus game condition area of the seal card game,

when a bonus game condition is revealed in the bonus game condition area, revealing, by the player, only one of a plurality of hidden payoffs in a wheel play area and awarding the player the revealed hidden payoff.

19. The method ofclaim 14 further comprising:

chasing one light in a plurality of lights on the wagering game,

randomly stopping the aforesaid one light during the chase,

when the randomly stopped light stops at a location having a bonus condition, providing the bonus game condition.

20. The method ofclaim 14 further comprising:

providing the bonus condition when a special bonus graphic randomly appears in the display but not in the base game outcome.

21. The method ofclaim 14 further comprising:

providing the bonus condition when the accepted wager corresponds to a random wager-in determined by a random number generation.

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