Method and apparatus for linked play gaming with combined outcomes and shared indicia

Abstract

The invention includes a system and method for providing linked play via gaming and other devices wherein players may share and combine outcomes or parts thereof. In some embodiments, a casino server registers a group for linked play and a group objective and format are established. The linked play commences according to the group format on the gaming devices while the casino server, or another device, concurrently facilitates interaction between the group members operating the gaming devices. During the interaction, players may combine outcomes in an attempt to win group prizes. The linked play is terminated according to the group format and a determination is made by the casino server whether the group objective has been achieved. Prizes are awarded via the gaming devices if the group objective was achieved.

1 . A method comprising: 
 designating that a particular combination of outcomes at a plurality of gaming devices is a winning group outcome;    determining a first outcome at a first gaming device;    determining that the first outcome satisfies a criterion to form part of the particular combination of outcomes;    outputting a first indication of the first outcome; and    outputting a second indication of at least one of: 
 eligibility for the winning group outcome; and  
 a second outcome that when combined with the first outcome comprises the winning group outcome.  
   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing to at least one player within a group a third indication of which group outcome is attainable based on the first outcome.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein providing the third indication comprises informing the at least one player that a super-flush is attainable based on the first outcome being a flush.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein providing the third indication comprises informing the at least one player that a super-straight is attainable based on the first outcome being a straight.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein outputting the second indication comprises displaying the second indication at the first gaming device.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein outputting the second indication comprises presenting the second indication in an area other than a primary game area of the first gaming device.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein outputting the first indication and the second indication comprises displaying information on a shared display of the first gaming device and a second gaming device.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising determining the second outcome at a second gaming device.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising determining if the second outcome is properly combinable with the first outcome to form the winning group outcome.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising providing at least one player within a group a benefit based on the group attaining the winning group outcome.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising outputting a third indication of the second outcome.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising outputting a third indication of the winning group outcome.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein providing the first indication and the second indication comprises displaying information at a second gaming device that is not the first gaming device.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising determining an eligibility period during which the second outcome may be combined with the first outcome to produce the winning group outcome.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising outputting a third indication of the eligibility period.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the eligibility period comprises a period of time.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising determining that the eligibility period has expired.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising outputting a third indication that a previously occurring incidence of the first outcome is no longer eligible to be combined into a winning group outcome.  
   
   
       19 . A system comprising: 
 a user interface; and    a controller operatively coupled to the user interface and adapted to: 
 designate that a particular combination of outcomes at a plurality of gaming devices is a winning group outcome;  
 determine a first outcome at a first gaming device;  
   determine that the first outcome satisfies a criterion to form part of the particular combination of outcomes; 
 output a first indication of the first outcome; and  
 output a second indication of at least one of: 
 eligibility for the winning group outcome; and  
 a second outcome that when combined with the first outcome comprises the winning group outcome.  
 
   
   
   
       20 . A computer readable medium comprising software with instructions to: 
 designate that a particular combination of outcomes at a plurality of gaming devices is a winning group outcome;    determine a first outcome at a first gaming device;    determine that the first outcome satisfies a criterion to form part of the particular combination of outcomes;    output a first indication of the first outcome; and    output a second indication of at least one of: 
 eligibility for the winning group outcome; and  
 a second outcome that when combined with the first outcome comprises the winning group outcome.  
   
   
   
       21 . A method comprising: 
 determining a first outcome at a first gaming device;    determining that the first outcome comprises a component of a group winning outcome for a group;    displaying the first outcome on a screen of the first gaming device until a criterion is satisfied;    while the first outcome is displayed, monitoring for a second outcome on a second gaming device, which when combined with the first outcome forms the group winning outcome; and    providing a group award to at least one member of the group based on the group winning outcome.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising displaying the first outcome on the second gaming device until the criterion is satisfied.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the criterion comprises a predetermined amount of time expiring.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising registering the group for multiplayer play.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the group winning outcome comprises a super flush.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the group winning outcome comprises a super-straight.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the group winning outcome comprises a pair-flush.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 21  wherein providing the group award comprises providing the group award after occurrence of the group winning outcome.  
   
   
       29 . A system comprising: 
 a user interface; and    a controller operatively coupled to the user interface and adapted to: 
 determine a first outcome at a first gaming device;  
 determine that the first outcome comprises a component of a group winning outcome for a group;  
 display the first outcome on a screen of the first gaming device until a criterion is satisfied;  
 while the first outcome is displayed, monitor for a second outcome on a second gaming device, which when coupled with the first outcome forms the group winning outcome; and  
 provide a group award to at least one member of the group based on the group winning outcome.