Gaming machine with bonus mode

Abstract

A gaming machine is operated by a programmed micro-processor in which the first mode of operation, a basic gambling game, is implemented such as video poker or reel-type slot machine play. If bonus symbols are selected in the basic mode, a bonus mode is triggered. In the bonus mode the same or a different game is implemented by the micro-processor system employing a Bernoulli trial procedure in which the player continues to play and receive awards until a losing combination occurs. The hit rate for the bonus mode is greater than 50% although the overall hold percentage of the game remains below 100%.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A processor controlled game of chance comprising: 
 a) a processor, operating according to a game program, for randomly selecting symbols and for awarding credits when winning symbol combinations are selected;    b) display means on which said selected symbol combinations are displayed to a game player;    c) said processor operating in a basic mode unless and until a symbol combination, designated as a bonus combination in said game program, is selected, said processor, in said basic mode, selecting symbols and awarding credits or money in response to the input of money or credits by said player;    d) said processor operating in a bonus mode after said bonus combination is selected, said processor, in said bonus mode: (1) selecting symbol combinations as a sequence of Bernoulli trials; (2) displaying the symbol combinations for each trial; (3) awarding credits for winning combinations associated with each trial until a losing combination is selected, said bonus mode having a hit rate for winning combinations in excess of fifty percent;    whereby a player who reaches the bonus mode accumulates credits as a function of the number of Bernoulli trials survived.    
     
     
         2 . In a gaming machine including processor means for randomly selecting outcomes, some of which are winners and the remainder being losers; and for awarding credits or money corresponding to said winners, and display means for displaying the selected outcomes the improvement comprising: 
 a) said processor means being programmed to designate certain outcomes as a bonus event permitting the play of a bonus game;    b) said processor, during bonus game play, iteratively and randomly selecting outcomes as a sequence of Bernoulli trials, displaying said outcomes and awarding the credits associated therewith until a losing outcome is selected, said bonus game having a hit rate for winning combinations in excess of fifty percent;    whereby a player who reaches the bonus game accumulates credits as a function of the number of Bernoulli trials survived.    
     
     
         3 . A method of operating a gaming machine having a processor for randomly selecting game outcomes and for awarding credits or money for winning outcomes and, a display for displaying said outcomes to a game player comprising the steps of: 
 a) operating said processor in a basic mode unless and until an outcome, designated as a bonus event, is selected, said basic mode permitting outcome selection, display and credit awards only in response to the input of a credit by said player;    b) operating said processor in a bonus mode after said bonus event is selected, said bonus mode operation causing: 
 (1) random selection and display of outcomes as a sequence of Bernoulli trials which continue until a losing trial occurs;  
 (2) the award of credits or money for winning outcomes for each trial, said bonus mode having a hit rate for winning outcomes in excess of fifty percent;  
   whereby a player who reaches the bonus mode accumulates credits as a function of the number of Bernoulli trials survived.    
     
     
         4 . The device of    claim 1    wherein said processor is programmed to select poker symbols for the basic mode game.  
     
     
         5 . The device of    claim 1    wherein said processor is programmed to select poker symbols for the bonus mode game.  
     
     
         6 . The device of    claim 1    wherein the display means includes a video display on which the symbols are displayed for the basic game.  
     
     
         7 . The device of    claim 1    wherein the display means includes a video display on which the symbols are displayed for the bonus game.  
     
     
         8 . The device of    claim 1    wherein the display means includes at least two physical reels having symbols arranged thereon, the selected symbols being displayed to a player by rotation of said reels.  
     
     
         9 . The device of    claim 8    wherein said reels are used as the display for the basic game.  
     
     
         10 . The device of    claim 8    wherein said reels are used as the display for the bonus game.  
     
     
         11 . The device of    claim 1    wherein said display means includes: (a) a reel type display on which selected symbols are displayed to a player by rotation of said reels; and (b) a video display on which symbols may appear; 
 one of said displays being used for said basic game, the other being used for the bonus game.  
 
     
     
         12 . The device of    claim 1    wherein said processor is programmed to produce an expected value (EV) for said bonus mode greater than 1.0 but wherein the EV of the combined basic and bonus modes is less than 1.0.  
     
     
         13 . The device of    claim 2    wherein said processor is programmed to produce an expected value (EV) for said bonus mode greater than 1.0 but wherein the EV of the combined basic and bonus modes is less than 1.0.  
     
     
         14 . The method of    claim 3    wherein said processor is programmed to produce an expected value (EV) for said bonus mode greater than 1.0 but wherein the EV of the combined basic and bonus modes is less than 1.0.  
     
     
         15 . In a gaming machine including processor means for randomly selecting outcomes, some of which are winners and the remainder being losers; and for awarding credits or money corresponding to said winners, and display means for displaying the selected outcomes the improvement comprising: 
 a) said processor means being programmed to designate certain outcomes as a bonus event permitting the play of a bonus game;    b) said processor, during bonus game play, iteratively and randomly selecting outcomes each of which is a Bernoulli trial, but wherein p, the probability of success may vary;    c) displaying said outcomes and awarding the credits associated therewith until a losing outcome is selected, said bonus game having a hit rate for winning combinations in excess of fifty percent;    whereby a player who reaches the bonus game accumulates credits as a function of the number of Bernoulli trials survived.    
     
     
         16 . The device of    claim 15    wherein said processor initiates a consolation trial if the first Bernoulli trial during bonus game play results in a losing outcome, said consolation trial awarding a randomly determined number of credits as a consolation prize.  
     
     
         17 . The method of    claim 3    further including the step of: 
 c) initiating a consolation trial if the first Bernoulli trial during bonus game play results in a losing outcome, said consolation trial awarding a randomly determined number of credits as a consolation prize.