Slot machine game and system with improved jackpot feature

Abstract

Certain embodiments provide a method and system for awarding a progressive prize. The system includes a bank of gaming machines accepting different bets per play as selected by a player. A random number is selected from a predetermined fixed range of numbers that does not change during play of a gaming machine. The player is allotted one or more numbers for each credit bet. The allotted numbers represent a subset of the predetermined fixed range of numbers. A feature game is triggered for the progressive prize based on a numerical comparison between the selected random number and the number(s) allotted to the player. Certain embodiments provide a trigger condition for a feature outcome based on an event having a probability related to credits bet per game at a gaming machine. A probability of success in the feature game may be higher than a probability of success in the base game.

1 - 80 . (canceled)  
   
   
       81 . In a network of gaming machines, each of said gaming machines having a user interface activatable by the player to affect game display, each of said gaming machines being capable of accepting different wager amounts made by a player, a method of awarding one of a plurality of progressive prizes upon the occurrence of a trigger condition, comprising: 
 making a wager at a particular gaming machine in the network of gaming machines;    initiating a first main game at said particular gaming machine;    determining the trigger condition as a result of said first main game being initiated;    triggering a second game to appear at said particular gaming machine in response to said determining of said trigger condition, the outcome of said second game determining which one of said plurality of progressive prizes has been won;    displaying said second game to the player at said particular gaming machine in response to said triggering;    activating said user interface at said particular gaming machine by said player during said displaying of said second game to affect the display of said second game;    identifying to the player which one of said plurality of progressive prizes has been won; and    awarding said one of said plurality of progressive prizes that has been won.    
   
   
       82 . The method of  claim 81 , wherein said trigger condition occurs upon an event having a probability of occurrence dependent on the amount of the wager made at the gaming machine.  
   
   
       83 . The method of  claim 81 , wherein said step of determining the trigger condition includes: 
 (1) selecting a random number from a predetermined range of numbers;    (2) allotting a plurality of numbers from the predetermined range of numbers in proportion to the amount of the wager made at said gaming machine; and    (3) indicating the occurrence of the trigger condition if one of the allotted numbers matches the selected random number.    
   
   
       84 . The method of  claim 81 , wherein said second game appears at the completion of said first main game.  
   
   
       85 . The method of  claim 81 , wherein said step of identifying occurs at the completion of said second game.  
   
   
       86 . The method of  claim 81 , wherein said step of triggering a second game includes awarding more than one game.  
   
   
       87 . The method of  claim 81 , wherein said second game has a higher probability of success than said first main game.  
   
   
       88 . In a gaming machine, said gaming machine having a user interface activatable by a player to affect game display, said gaming machine being capable of accepting different wager amounts made by the player, a method of awarding one of a plurality of progressive prizes upon the occurrence of a trigger condition, comprising: 
 allowing a wager to be made at said gaming machine;    initiating a first main game at said gaming machine;    determining the trigger condition as a result of said first main game being initiated;    triggering a second game to appear at said gaming machine in response to said determining of said trigger condition, the outcome of said second game determining which of said plurality of progressive prizes has been won;    displaying said second game to the player at said gaming machine in response to said triggering;    activating said user interface at said gaming machine by said player during said displaying of said second game to affect the display of said second game;    identifying to the player which of said plurality of progressive prizes has been won; and    awarding said which of said plurality of progressive prizes that has been won.    
   
   
       89 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein said trigger condition occurs upon an event having a probability of occurrence dependent on the amount of the wager made at the gaming machine.  
   
   
       90 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein said step of determining the trigger condition includes: 
 (1) selecting a random number from a predetermined range of numbers;    (2) allotting a plurality of numbers from the predetermined range of numbers in proportion to the amount of the wager made at said gaming machine; and    (3) indicating the occurrence of the trigger condition if one of the allotted numbers matches the selected random number.    
   
   
       91 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein said second game appears at the completion of said first main game.  
   
   
       92 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein said step of identifying occurs at the completion of said second game.  
   
   
       93 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein said step of triggering a second game includes awarding more than one game.  
   
   
       94 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein said second game has a higher probability of success than said first main game.  
   
   
       95 . In a gaming machine, said gaming machine having a user interface activatable by a player to affect game display, said gaming machine being capable of accepting different wager amounts made by the player, a method of awarding one of a plurality of prizes upon the occurrence of a trigger condition, comprising: 
 allowing a wager to be made at said gaming machine;    initiating a first main game at said gaming machine;    determining the trigger condition as a result of said first main game being initiated;    triggering a second game to appear at said gaming machine in response to said determining of said trigger condition, the outcome of said second game determining which of said plurality of prizes has been won;    displaying said second game to the player at said gaming machine in response to said triggering;    activating said user interface at said gaming machine by said player during said displaying of said second game to affect the display of said second game;    identifying to the player which of said plurality of prizes has been won; and    awarding said which of said plurality of prizes that has been won.    
   
   
       96 . The method of  claim 95 , wherein said trigger condition occurs upon an event having a probability of occurrence dependent on the amount of the wager made at the gaming machine.  
   
   
       97 . The method of  claim 95 , wherein said step of determining the trigger condition includes: 
 (1) selecting a random number from a predetermined range of numbers;    (2) allotting a plurality of numbers from the predetermined range of numbers in proportion to the amount of the wager made at said gaming machine; and    (3) indicating the occurrence of the trigger condition if one of the allotted numbers matches the selected random number.    
   
   
       98 . The method of  claim 95 , wherein said second game appears at the completion of said first main game.  
   
   
       99 . The method of  claim 95 , wherein said step of identifying occurs at the completion of said second game.  
   
   
       100 . The method of  claim 95 , wherein said step of triggering a second game includes awarding more than one game.  
   
   
       101 . The method of  claim 95 , wherein said second game has a higher probability of success than said first main game.  
   
   
       102 . The method of  claim 95 , wherein at least one of said plurality of prizes comprises a progressive prize.