Bonus game for electronic wagering

Abstract

A communal gaming method and system in which a bonus game is provided. When a trigger event occurs in a primary communal game, a separate bonus game feature is made available to players. The bonus game is preferably only available to participants in the primary game. This allows for more player interest to be generated.

1 . A method of operating a gambling game, the game being a communal game and including a plurality of player terminals which permit wagers to be placed on a game outcome, the method including the steps of: 
 receiving player wagers at one or more terminals;    determining the outcome of a primary game; and    crediting any player winnings from the primary game;    determining whether a trigger event occurs;    if a trigger event occurs, providing an option to play a different, bonus game to all players who placed wagers on the primary game;    receiving player wagers on said bonus game; and    crediting any player winnings from said bonus game.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the trigger event is a predetermined event in the primary game.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the trigger event occurs at a randomly selected time.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the player wagers on said bonus game are limited to the total player wagers on the primary game.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to any one of claims  1 , wherein the return on said bonus game is proportional to the total player wagers on the primary game.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the primary game is a live, dealer determined game.  
   
   
       7 . A gaming system, including a plurality of electronic player terminals and a game outcome determining device, said terminals allowing a respective player to place wagers on the outcome of said game outcome determining device, said game having at least a first mode, in which a primary game is played using said game outcome determining device, and a second mode, in which an electronic bonus game is played, said second mode being temporarily operative after a trigger event.  
   
   
       8 . A system according to  claim 7 , wherein the primary game is determined by a dealer manually operating said device.  
   
   
       9 . A system according to  claim 7 , wherein the primary game is electronically determined.  
   
   
       10 . A system according to  claim 7 , wherein the trigger event is a predetermined event in the primary game.  
   
   
       11 . A system according to  7 , wherein the trigger event occurs at a randomly selected time.  
   
   
       12 . A system according to  claim 7 , wherein the player wagers on said bonus game are limited to the total player wagers on the primary game.  
   
   
       13 . A system according to  claim 7 , wherein the return on said bonus game is proportional to the total player wagers on the primary game.  
   
   
       14 . A software product operatively adapted to implement the method a according to  claim 1.