Expanded Primary Payout Indicator System And Method

Abstract

An expanded primary payout indicator system and method are disclosed. A networked gaming system includes a game with a set of special outcomes. Upon achieving one of the special outcomes, at least one indicator indicates a predetermined award associated with the special outcome.

1 . A networked gaming system including a plurality of gaming machines connected through a network to a host computer, at least one of the gaming machines including a game comprising: an interface activatable by a player, at least one of a set of possible outcomes determinable after activation of the interface by the player, the set of possible outcomes including a subset of winning outcomes, the subset of winning outcomes further including a subset of special outcomes; a set of predetermined awards associated with each of the special outcomes; and, if the determined outcome is one of the special outcomes, at least one indicator activatable to indicate the predetermined award associated with the determined outcome.  
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a pay table associated with the game.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein at least one of the special outcomes is displayed on the pay table.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the special outcomes are not displayed on the pay table.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one indicator is activatable for no player-discernable reason.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a multi-function indicium associated with one of the special outcomes.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the multi-function indicium indicates the at least one indicator is activatable.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one indicator uses a predetermined sequence to indicate the predetermined award associated with the determined outcome.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one indicator uses a dynamic sequence to indicate the predetermined award associated with the determined outcome.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one indicator includes a pointer.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one indicator comprises a wheel and a pointer, of which at least one is moveable.  
   
   
       12 . A method of operating a networked gaming system, the method including the steps of: connecting a plurality of games; for one of the plurality of games, initiating play of the game by a player; obtaining one of a set of possible outcomes of the game, the set of possible outcomes including a subset of winning outcomes, the subset of winning outcomes further including a subset of special outcomes; and 
 upon obtaining one of the special outcomes, activating at least one indicator to indicate a predetermined award associated with the obtained outcome.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  further including the step of displaying at least one of the special outcomes on a pay table.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  further including the step of activating the at least one indicator for no player-discernable reason.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12  further including the step of using a multi-function symbol to indicate that the at least one indicator is activatable.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12  further including the step of using a predetermined sequence to indicate the predetermined award.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12  further including the step of using a dynamic sequence to indicate the predetermined award.