Gaming terminal with special-event wager having different denomination increment than basic wagering game

Abstract

A method for playing a wagering game having a special payout. In response to a player making a wager of a first denomination, a gaming terminal conducts a basic game having a randomly selected outcome. The terminal then presents a side-wager option for a player to be eligible for the special payout. The side-wager option requires the player to make a wager of a second denomination that is different than the first denomination. If the randomly selected outcome of the basic game is a basic game winning outcome, the player is credited with an award in the first denomination. However, if the player selected the option to be eligible for the special payout, and the randomly selected outcome is a special randomly selected outcome, then the gaming terminal awards the player the special payout.

1 . A method for playing a wagering game having a special payout, the method comprising: 
 in response to a player making a wager of a first denomination, conducting a basic game having a randomly selected outcome;    presenting a side-wager option for a player to be eligible for the special payout, the side-wager option requiring the player to make a wager of a second denomination, the second denomination being different from the first denomination;    in response to the randomly selected outcome of the basic game being a basic game winning outcome, crediting the player with an award in the first denomination; and    in response to the player selecting the option to be eligible for the special payout, awarding the player the special payout when a special-payout outcome occurs in the basic game.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising awarding the player the special payout in the second denomination.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the special payout is a progressive jackpot or a payout from a bonus game.  
   
   
       4 . A method for playing a wagering game on a gaming terminal, the wagering game having a special award, the method comprising: 
 conducting a basic game having a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the basic game, the basic game having a wagering amount of a first denomination and an award that is credited in an amount of the first denomination;    presenting an option for a player to be eligible for the special award, the option having a wagering amount of a second denomination; and    in response to the player selecting the option to be eligible for the special award, awarding the special award when a special-award outcome is achieved in the basic game.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the conducting step comprises choosing at least one of a plurality of paylines to play and choosing a wager amount for each of the plurality of paylines chosen.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the awarding step is performed by a controller in the gaming terminal.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the special award is entry to a bonus game or a bonus jackpot.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the special-award outcome is an outcome that is achieved on a second gaming terminal.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the special award is awarded in amounts of the first denomination.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the special award is awarded in amounts of the second denomination.  
   
   
       11 . A gaming terminal for playing a basic game having a randomly selected outcome, the basic game requiring a wager of a first denomination and awarding credits in the first denomination in response to the randomly selected outcome being a non-special winning outcome, the gaming terminal having a side-wager input device for allowing a player to be eligible to win the special award, the side-wager input device requiring a wager of a second denomination, wherein, in response to activation of the side-wager input device, the gaming terminal awards the player a special award when a special-award outcome is achieved.  
   
   
       12 . The gaming terminal of  claim 11 , wherein the special-award outcome occurs in a bonus game and the special award is a bonus game jackpot.  
   
   
       13 . The gaming terminal of  claim 11 , wherein the side-wager input device is a button, a key, or a symbol on a touch screen.  
   
   
       14 . The gaming terminal of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second randomly selected outcomes comprise a plurality of symbols.  
   
   
       15 . The gaming terminal of  claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of symbols is a card from a deck of playing cards.  
   
   
       16 . The gaming terminal of  claim 14 , wherein the gaming terminal is a slot machine and each of the plurality of symbols is a standard slot machine symbol.  
   
   
       17 . The gaming terminal of  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of gaming terminals for conducting wagering games, each of the plurality of gaming terminals having the side-wager input device and the side-wager input device is adapted to allow a wager to be made on an outcome occurring on another of the plurality of gaming terminals.  
   
   
       18 . The gaming terminal of  claim 11 , wherein the special award comprises a plurality of awards and the side-wager input device is adapted to receive a separate side-wager for each of the plurality of awards.  
   
   
       19 . The gaming terminal of  claim 18 , wherein each of the separate side-wagers is of a different denomination.  
   
   
       20 . The gaming terminal of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of awards is a plurality of progressive jackpots or entry to one of a plurality of bonus games.