Enhanced big wheel game

Abstract

A method of operating a Big Wheel game is provided. Primary player wagers on potential game outcomes are initially received from participating players. One or more potential game outcomes comprise a bonus feature. Additional player wagers on the game outcome comprising the bonus feature are received from at least one of the participating players. After the game outcome is determined, any player winning on their primary wager is credited their winnings. If the game outcome comprises the bonus feature, then any players who placed an additional wager are provided with the bonus feature. A gaming system for providing the Big Wheel game is also provided.

1 . A method of operating a Big Wheel game, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving primary player wagers on potential game outcomes from participating players, one or more of said potential game outcomes comprising a bonus feature;    receiving additional player wagers on the game outcome comprising said bonus feature from at least one of said participating players;    determining the game outcome;    crediting any primary player wager winnings resulting from the determined game outcome; and    if the determined game outcome comprises the bonus feature, then providing the bonus feature to players who made the additional wagers.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the player wagers are received electronically.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the game outcome is dealer determined using a physical wheel.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the bonus feature provided is one or more features selected from the set comprising: one or more free game(s); a multiplier to be applied to any respective primary player wager winnings in a subsequent game or games; a multiplier applied to the amount of the respective player's additional wager; a bonus game or other special game play feature; or a non-game related prize.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the bonus game provided comprises the steps of: 
 displaying bonus options on a respective terminal of each player that placed an additional wager;    receiving a selected bonus option from said respective terminal; and    awarding each player based upon their selected bonus option.    
   
   
       6 . A software product operatively adapted to program a gaming system to carry out the method of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       7 . A Big Wheel gaming system, comprising a plurality of electronic player terminals and a Big Wheel display, each terminal allowing a respective player to place primary wagers on potential game outcomes, wherein one or more of said potential game outcomes comprising a bonus feature, each terminal further allowing a respective player to place an additional wager on the game outcome comprising said bonus feature; the gaming system having a primary mode, in which a game outcome is determined and displayed on said Big Wheel display and any primary wager winnings are credited to respective player terminals, and a bonus mode, which is instigated only when the game outcome of said primary mode comprises said bonus feature and there is at least one player that placed an additional wager, the bonus mode providing said bonus feature to respective terminals of additional wager winning players.  
   
   
       8 . The gaming system according to  claim 7 , wherein the Big wheel display is a physical Big Wheel.  
   
   
       9 . The gaming system according to  claim 7 , wherein the bonus feature provided is one or more features selected from the set comprising: crediting one or more free game(s); a multiplier to be applied to any respective player primary wager winnings in a subsequent game or games; a multiplier applied to the amount of the respective player's additional wager; a bonus game or other special game play feature.  
   
   
       10 . The gaming system according to  claim 9 , wherein said bonus game allows a player to select from a number of bonus options displayed at the player terminal.  
   
   
       11 . The gaming system according to claims  7 , wherein the player terminals are physically located at the Big Wheel display.  
   
   
       12 . The gaming system according to  claim 7 , wherein one or more player terminals are located remote from the Big wheel display.  
   
   
       13 . The gaming system according to  claim 12 , wherein said one or more player terminals comprise means to stream and display live images of said Big Wheel display.