System and method of gaming involving continued distribution of components until certain criteria are met

Abstract

A gaming system and associated methods utilize continued component distribution, such as in poker or keno, until certain criteria are met in order to provide the potential to receive more than a standard number of game components for increased gaming suspense. In playing a game on the system, a predetermined quantity of game components are selected for distribution to a player. If certain criteria are not met, additional game components are distributed to the player until the criteria are met or until a maximum total number of game components are distributed. The distributed game components enable the player to achieve a payment or other award in accordance with the rules of play of the game being played.

1 . A method of playing a game in which game components are distributed to a player and evaluated thereafter to determine the outcome of the game, said method comprising: 
 (a) establishing distribution criteria having at least one element thereof based on a randomly occurring characteristic of distributed game components, wherein the player receives game components until said criteria are met and the chance for a favorable outcome is enhanced with the distribution of additional game components;    (b) distributing said game components to the player while determining whether said criteria are met; and    (c) stopping distribution of said game components when said criteria are met.    
   
   
       2 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , including the steps of 
 allowing the player to make a wager on the outcome of the game; and    awarding the player a payment based on the outcome of the game and a pay schedule correlated to possible outcomes of the game.    
   
   
       3 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said criteria include a minimum number element allowing a selected minimum number of game components to be distributed to the player.  
   
   
       4 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said criteria include a maximum number element allowing no more than a selected maximum number of game components to be distributed to the player.  
   
   
       5 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the distribution criteria includes the combination of said one element and at least one of a minimum number element allowing a selected minimum number of game components to be distributed to the player and a maximum number element allowing no more than a selected maximum number of game components to be distributed to the player, said maximum number being greater than said minimum number.  
   
   
       6 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the distribution criteria includes the combination of said one element and a minimum number element allowing a selected minimum number of game components to be distributed to the player and a maximum number element allowing no more than a selected maximum number of game components to be distributed to the player, said maximum number being greater than said minimum number.  
   
   
       7 . A method of playing a keno-type game in which at least one active player mark is assigned to a player and keno numbers are distributed for possible match with said player mark, said method comprising: 
 (a) establishing distribution criteria having at least one element thereof dependent on a characteristic of the keno numbers distributed;    (b) distributing keno numbers while determining whether said distribution criteria are met; and    (c) stopping distribution of keno numbers when said criteria are met.    
   
   
       8 . A method as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said one element comprises a spot of the keno-type game selected as a secondary active spot and said criteria include a keno number that is distributed matching said secondary active spot.  
   
   
       9 . A method as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said secondary active spot is selected randomly.  
   
   
       10 . A method as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said one element comprises a plurality of spots of the keno-type game selected as secondary active spots and said criteria include a predetermined number of matches between keno numbers that are distributed and said secondary active spots.  
   
   
       11 . A method as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said criteria include a minimum number of keno numbers distributed.  
   
   
       12 . A method as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said criteria include a maximum number of keno numbers distributed.  
   
   
       13 . A method as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said one element is selected by a player of the game from a plurality of possible selections.  
   
   
       14 . A method as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the keno-type game includes an array of the keno numbers arranged in plural rows and plural columns; and    said one element comprises a predetermined number of matches between keno numbers that are distributed and keno numbers in a selected row.    
   
   
       15 . A method as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the keno-type game includes an array of the keno numbers arranged in plural rows and plural columns; and    said one element comprises a predetermined number of matches between keno numbers that are distributed and keno numbers in a selected column.    
   
   
       16 . A method as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said one element is variable and is selected randomly from a plurality of possible selections for each game.  
   
   
       17 . A method of playing a poker game in which cards are distributed to a player, comprising: 
 (a) establishing distribution criteria having at least one element thereof dependent on a characteristic of cards that are distributed;    (b) distributing cards to the player while determining whether said distribution criteria are met; and    (c) stopping distribution of cards when said criteria are met.    
   
   
       18 . A method as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein said one element comprises a selected suit and said criteria include at least one card of said selected suit being distributed.  
   
   
       19 . A method as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein said selected suit is randomly selected.  
   
   
       20 . A method as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein said selected suit is selected by the player.  
   
   
       21 . A method as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein said one element comprises a selected color and said criteria include a predetermined number of cards of said selected color being distributed.  
   
   
       22 . A method as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein said one element comprises a special characteristic on a plurality of the cards and said criteria include a predetermined number of cards having said special characteristic being distributed.  
   
   
       23 . Video gaming apparatus in which game components are distributed and the chance of a favorable game outcome increases with an increased number of distributed game components, said apparatus comprising: 
 (a) means for establishing distribution criteria having at least one element thereof based on a randomly occurring characteristic of the game components that are distributed, the random determination element;    (b) means for randomly distributing game components;    (c) means for determining when said distribution criteria are met; and    (d) means for stopping the distribution of game components when said criteria are met.    
   
   
       24 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 23 , including: 
 means for accepting a wager; and    means for awarding a payment based on the wager and the game outcome correlated to a pay schedule.    
   
   
       25 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein said criteria include a minimum number element wherein a selected minimum number of game components are distributed irrespective of said random determination element.  
   
   
       26 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein said criteria include a maximum number element wherein no more than a selected maximum number of game components can be distributed irrespective of said random determination element.  
   
   
       27 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 23 , including means for allowing a player to select said random determination element from a plurality of possible selections.  
   
   
       28 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 23 , including means for randomly selecting said random determination element from a plurality of possible selections.