Method of using a win enhancer requiring player involvement

Abstract

A wagering game played on a video gaming machine includes a win enhancer for increasing the amount of winnings to entice players to play the game. A method of playing the game includes the steps of making a wager to begin play of the game which has a win status for which a win value is awarded; achieving the win status; operating a win enhancer subsequent to achieving the win status to establish a win enhancement value in a random manner; and awarding the win value and the win enhancement value.

1 . A method comprising the steps of:
 making a wager to begin play of a game on a video gaming machine wherein the game has a win status for which a win value is awarded;   achieving the win status;   operating a win enhancer subsequent to achieving the win status to establish a win enhancement value in a random manner; and   awarding the win value and the win enhancement value.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of operating includes the step of establishing the win enhancement value via random selection from a plurality of predetermined win enhancement values. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the step of establishing includes the step of establishing the win enhancement value via random selection from a plurality of predetermined win enhancement values which includes a zero value. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the step of establishing includes the step of establishing the win enhancement value via random selection from a plurality of predetermined win enhancement values which are respective percentages of the win value. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of operating includes the step of establishing a win enhancement value which is independent of an amount of the wager. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  further including the step of making the win enhancer available for operation only when the wager exceeds a predetermined value. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the step of making available includes the step of displaying the win enhancer on a screen of the gaming machine only when the wager exceeds the predetermined value. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the making the win enhancer available includes the step of making the win enhancer available for operation only when the wager is a maximum wager. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of operating includes the step of making the win enhancer available for operation only when the step of achieving the win status does not include achieving a jackpot win. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of operating includes touching a sensor. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the step of touching includes the step of touching a display screen of the gaming machine. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the step of touching includes the step of touching an icon representing the win enhancer. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the step of touching includes the step of touching a pressure sensitive display screen of the gaming machine. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the step of touching includes the step of touching a heat sensitive display screen of the gaming machine.