Match game method and device

Abstract

A method and device for conducting a match game includes selecting game indicia from a game indicia set. A player selects zero or more game indicia and prompts re-selection of the game indicia not selected. Optionally, the re-selection is from the same game indicia set. Additional rounds of holding and re-selecting may be conducted. At the completion of the re-selection rounds, the game indicia displayed are examined for matches and a reward may be issued. Optionally, the game indicia display may be examined for a bonus outcome as well and a bonus, such as a secondary game, may be awarded.

1 . A method of conducting a game for a player comprising: 
 defining a game indicia set;    defining at least one subset of matching game indicia from said game indicia set to be a winning set;    randomly selecting an action set from said game indicia set;    said player identifying game indicia from said action set to be held or re-selected;    randomly replacing each game indicia of said action set identified to be re-selected; and    rewarding said player if said action set is a subset of matching game indicia designated a winning set.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each game indicia has only one attribute and said at least one winning set includes game indicia with a matching attribute.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said attribute is color.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a bonus game, comprising: 
 defining at least one subset of said game indicia as a bonus trigger;    in response to said action set matching said bonus trigger, displaying to the player a bonus image; and    producing a bonus outcome in response to the player actuating said bonus image.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a bonus game, comprising: 
 defining at least one subset of said game indicia as a bonus trigger;    in response to said action set matching said bonus trigger, displaying to the player a bonus image;    producing a first outcome in response to the player actuating said bonus image;    producing at least one subsequent outcome in response to the player actuating said bonus image; and    issuing a bonus award to said player if said first outcome matches said subsequent outcome.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a bonus game, comprising: 
 defining at least one subset of said game indicia as a bonus trigger;    in response to said action set matching said bonus trigger, displaying to the player a bonus image;    producing a first outcome in response to the player directing movement of said bonus image;    displaying a subsequent bonus image;    producing at least one subsequent outcome in response to the player directing movement of said subsequent bonus image; and    issuing a bonus award to said player if said first outcome matches said subsequent outcome.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising if said first outcome matches said subsequent outcome, triggering another bonus game.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said game indicia set includes a plurality of game indicia, the quantity of matching game indicia in said game indicia set being directly proportional to the probability that any one game indicium will be selected.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 defining a time limit during which a player is free to conduct rounds of selecting to hold zero or more indicia of said action set and randomly selecting replacement indicia for each indicia of said action set not held; and    at the end of said time limit, halting any further rounds and rewarding said player if said action set is a subset of matching game indicia designated a winning set.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said player conducts at least two rounds of selecting to hold zero or more indicia of said action set and randomly selecting replacement indicia for each indicia of said action set not held, and wherein said reward decreases with each subsequent round.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a bonus game, comprising: 
 defining at least one subset of said game indicia as a bonus trigger;    in response to said action set matching said bonus trigger, displaying to the player a bonus image; and    displaying a stationary, dynamic sequence of one or more bonus images wherein the bonus outcome for said bonus game is at least partially determined by the bonus image displayed at the end of said stationary, dynamic sequence.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said sequence is random.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said sequence follows a predetermined pattern.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said stationary, dynamic sequence includes one or more kaleidoscope images or electronic simulation thereof.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said stationary, dynamic sequence includes one or more explosion images or an electronic simulation thereof.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said bonus images are different versions of the same bonus image differentiated by color.  
   
   
       17 . A method of conducting a game for a player comprising: 
 defining a game indicia set, each of said game indicia having only one attribute;    defining at least one subset of game indicia with a matching attribute to be a winning set;    randomly selecting an action set from said game indicia set;    said player identifying game indicia from said action set to be held or re-selected;    randomly replacing each game indicia of said action set identified to be re-selected; and    rewarding said player if said action set is a subset designated a winning set based on the quantity of game indicia with a matching attribute in said action set and the attribute matched.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said attribute is color.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising a bonus game, comprising: 
 defining at least one subset of said game indicia as a bonus trigger;    in response to said action set matching said bonus trigger, displaying to the player a bonus image; and    producing a bonus outcome in response to the player actuating said bonus image.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising a bonus game, comprising: 
 defining at least one subset of said game indicia as a bonus trigger;    in response to said action set matching said bonus trigger, displaying to the player a bonus image;    producing a first outcome in response to the player actuating said bonus image;    producing at least one subsequent outcome in response to the player actuating said bonus image; and    issuing a bonus award to said player if said first outcome matches said subsequent outcome.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising a bonus game, comprising: 
 defining at least one subset of said game indicia as a bonus trigger;    in response to said action set matching said bonus trigger, displaying to the player a bonus image;    producing a first outcome in response to the player directing movement of said bonus image;    displaying a subsequent bonus image;    producing at least one subsequent outcome in response to the player directing movement of said subsequent bonus image; and    issuing a bonus award to said player if said first outcome matches said subsequent outcome.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said game indicia set includes a plurality of game indicia, the quantity of matching game indicia in said game indicia set being directly proportional to the probability that any one game indicium will be selected.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising: 
 defining a time limit during which a player is free to conduct rounds of selecting to hold zero or more indicia of said action set and randomly selecting replacement indicia for each indicia of said action set not held; and    at the end of said time limit, halting any further rounds and rewarding said player if said action set is a subset of matching game indicia designated a winning set.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said player conducts at least two rounds of selecting to hold zero or more indicia of said action set and randomly selecting replacement indicia for each indicia of said action set not held, and wherein said reward decreases with each subsequent round.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising a bonus game, comprising: 
 defining at least one subset of said game indicia as a bonus trigger;    in response to said action set matching said bonus trigger, displaying to the player a bonus image; and    displaying a stationary, dynamic sequence of one or more bonus images wherein the bonus outcome for said bonus game is at least partially determined by the bonus image displayed at the end of said stationary, dynamic sequence.    
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein said sequence is random.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 25  wherein said sequence follows a predetermined pattern.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 25  wherein said stationary, dynamic sequence includes one or more kaleidoscope images or electronic simulation thereof.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 25  wherein said stationary, dynamic sequence includes one or more explosion images or an electronic simulation thereof.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 25  wherein said bonus images are different versions of the same bonus image differentiated by color.  
   
   
       31 . A method of conducting a game for a player comprising: 
 defining a game indicia set;    defining at least one subset of said game indicia set to be a winning set;    defining a time limit;    randomly selecting an action set from said game indicia set;    said player free to conduct rounds during said time limit, each timed round comprising: 
 said player identifying game indicia from said action set to be held or re-selected;  
 randomly replacing each game indicia of said action set identified to be re-selected; and  
   at the end of said time limit, halting any further rounds and rewarding said player if said action set is a subset of matching game indicia designated a winning set.    
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 31  wherein each game indicia has only one attribute and said at least one winning set includes game indicia with a matching attribute.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 32  wherein said attribute is color.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 31  further comprising a bonus game, comprising: 
 defining at least one subset of said game indicia as a bonus trigger;    in response to said action set matching said bonus trigger, displaying to the player a three-dimensional projection bonus image; and    producing a bonus outcome in response to the player directing movement of said bonus image.    
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 31  further comprising a bonus game, comprising: 
 defining at least one subset of said game indicia as a bonus trigger;    in response to said action set matching said bonus trigger, displaying to the player a bonus image;    producing a first outcome in response to the player actuating said bonus image;    producing at least one subsequent outcome in response to the player actuating said bonus image; and    issuing a bonus award to said player if said first outcome matches said subsequent outcome.    
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 31  further comprising a bonus game, comprising: 
 defining at least one subset of said game indicia as a bonus trigger;    in response to said action set matching said bonus trigger, displaying to the player a bonus image;    producing a first outcome in response to the player directing movement of said bonus image;    displaying a subsequent bonus image;    producing at least one subsequent outcome in response to the player directing movement of said subsequent bonus image; and    issuing a bonus award to said player if said first outcome matches said subsequent outcome.    
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 36  further comprising if said first outcome matches said subsequent outcome, triggering another bonus game.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 31  wherein said game indicia set includes a plurality of game indicia, the quantity of matching game indicia in said game indicia set being directly proportional to the probability that any one game indicium will be selected.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 31  further comprising a bonus game, comprising: 
 defining at least one subset of said game indicia as a bonus trigger;    in response to said action set matching said bonus trigger, displaying to the player a bonus image; and    displaying a stationary, dynamic sequence of one or more bonus images wherein the bonus outcome for said bonus game is at least partially determined by the bonus image displayed at the end of said stationary, dynamic sequence.    
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39  wherein said sequence is random.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 39  wherein said sequence follows a predetermined pattern.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 39  wherein said stationary, dynamic sequence includes one or more kaleidoscope images or electronic simulation thereof.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 39  wherein said stationary, dynamic sequence includes one or more explosion images or an electronic simulation thereof.  
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 39  wherein said bonus images are different versions of the same bonus image differentiated by color.  
   
   
       45 . A device for conducting a game for a player comprising: 
 a data processor;    a display communicating with said data processor;    an input device communicating with said data processor; and    a data structure storing a game indicia set, at least one subset of matching game indicia from said game indicia set defined to be a winning set, and instructions executable by said data processor to conduct a method comprising: 
 randomly selecting an action set from said game indicia set;  
 displaying said action set at said display;  
 receiving from said input device the player's identification of game indicia from said action set to be held or re-selected;  
 randomly replacing each indicia of said action set identified to be re-selected; and  
 rewarding said player if said action set is a subset of matching game indicia designated a winning set.  
   
   
   
       46 . The device of  claim 45  wherein each game indicia stored at said data structure has only one attribute and said at least one winning set includes game indicia with a matching attribute.  
   
   
       47 . The device of  claim 46  wherein said attribute is color.  
   
   
       48 . The device of  claim 45  further comprising: 
 a bonus display, wherein said instructions further comprise a bonus game, comprising: 
 defining at least one subset of said game indicia as a bonus trigger;  
 in response to said action set matching said bonus trigger, displaying to the player a bonus image at said bonus display; and  
 producing a bonus outcome in response to the player actuating said bonus image.  
   
   
   
       49 . The device of  claim 48  wherein said instructions further comprise if said first outcome matches said subsequent outcome, triggering another bonus game.  
   
   
       50 . The device of  claim 45  further comprising: 
 a bonus display, wherein said instructions further comprise a bonus game, comprising: 
 defining at least one subset of said game indicia as a bonus trigger;  
 in response to said action set matching said bonus trigger, displaying to the player a bonus image at said bonus display;  
 producing a first outcome in response to the player actuating said bonus image;  
 producing at least one subsequent outcome in response to the player actuating said bonus image; and  
 issuing a bonus award to said player if said first outcome matches said subsequent outcome.  
   
   
   
       51 . The device of  claim 45  further comprising: 
 a projection display, said projection display receiving input from said player, wherein said instructions further comprising a bonus game, comprising: 
 defining at least one subset of said game indicia as a bonus trigger;  
 in response to said action set matching said bonus trigger, displaying to the player a three-dimensional projection bonus image at said projection display;  
 producing a first outcome in response to the player directing movement of said bonus image;  
 displaying a subsequent three-dimensional projection bonus image at said projection display;  
 producing at least one subsequent outcome in response to the player directing movement of said subsequent bonus image; and  
 issuing a bonus award to said player if said first outcome matches said subsequent outcome.  
   
   
   
       52 . The device of  claim 45  wherein said game indicia set stored at said data structure includes a plurality of game indicia, the quantity of matching game indicia stored in said game indicia set being directly proportional to the probability that any one game indicium will be selected.  
   
   
       53 . The device of  claim 45  wherein said instructions further comprise: 
 storing at said data structure a time limit during which a player is free to conduct rounds of selecting to hold zero or more indicia of said action set and randomly selecting replacement indicia for each indicia of said action set not held; and    at the end of said time limit, halting any further rounds and rewarding said player if said action set is a subset of matching game indicia designated a winning set.    
   
   
       54 . The device of  claim 45  wherein said instructions further comprise: 
 storing at said data structure a plurality of reward levels such that if said player conducts at least two rounds of selecting to hold zero or more indicia of said action set and randomly selecting replacement indicia for each indicia of said action set not held, said reward decreases with each subsequent round.    
   
   
       55 . The device of  claim 45  wherein said instructions further comprise a bonus game, comprising: 
 defining at least one subset of said game indicia as a bonus trigger;    in response to said action set matching said bonus trigger, displaying to the player a bonus image; and    displaying a stationary, dynamic sequence of one or more bonus images wherein the bonus outcome for said bonus game is at least partially determined by the bonus image displayed at the end of said stationary, dynamic sequence.    
   
   
       56 . The device of  claim 55  wherein said sequence is random.  
   
   
       57 . The device of  claim 55  wherein said sequence follows a predetermined pattern.  
   
   
       58 . The device of  claim 55  wherein said stationary, dynamic sequence includes one or more kaleidoscope images or electronic simulation thereof.  
   
   
       59 . The device of  claim 55  wherein said stationary, dynamic sequence includes one or more explosion images or an electronic simulation thereof.  
   
   
       60 . The device of  claim 55  wherein said bonus images are different versions of the same bonus image differentiated by color.