Method for gambling games of variable duration

Abstract

A method for wagering on a gaming device where players purchase a session as opposed to an individual game. Within a session, players have multiple winning opportunities and may be allowed to play a plurality of traditional games to maximize their returns. In one preferred embodiment, the session length is unknown at the time of wager and the game session is ended only when a predetermined or variable number of game termination symbols occur. In other embodiments players may decide the nature of their game terminating events. During a session players may also accumulate tools for use in subsequent game segments.

1 - 19 . (canceled)  
   
   
       20 . A method of conducting a flat rate play session at a gaming device, comprising: 
 receiving, at a gaming device, a payment for a single play;    initiating, in response to the payment, the single play; initiating, at the gaming device, a flat rate play session, wherein the flat rate play session is a period of play of the gaming device during which a player need not make funds available for any play, the period encompassing a plurality of plays;    determining, via a processor, a beginning time for the flat rate play session;    determining an end time for the flat rate play session upon a satisfaction of a predetermined condition, thereby determining a duration of the flat rate play session, such that the duration is a first duration if the predetermined condition is satisfied at around a first time and the duration is a second duration if the predetermined condition is satisfied at around a second time; and    stopping the flat rate play session upon determining the end time.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein determining an end time for the flat rate play session comprises determining that a predetermined number of plays have occurred.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the duration is a first duration if a first period of time elapses from the beginning time before the predetermined number of winning plays have occurred, and the duration is a second duration if a second period of time elapses from the beginning time before the predetermined number of winning plays have occurred.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein determining an end time comprises: determining that the predetermined condition has occurred; and 
 setting the end time based on the satisfaction of the predetermined condition.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein initiating a flat rate play session comprises: configuring the gaming device to allow, during the flat rate play session, initiation of plays without requiring payment between the plays.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein stopping the flat rate play session comprises: configuring the gaming device to require payment between plays.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising: extending the flat rate play session beyond the end time.  
   
   
       27 . A device, comprising: 
 a processor; and    a storage device in communication with said processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to:    receive, at a gaming device, a payment for a single play;    initiate, in response to the payment, the single play;    initiate, at the gaming device, a flat rate play session, wherein the flat rate play session is a period of play of the gaming device during which a player need not make funds available for any play, the period encompassing a plurality of plays;    determine, by the processor, a beginning time for the flat rate play session;    determine an end time for the flat rate play session upon a satisfaction of a predetermined condition, thereby determining a duration of the flat rate play session, such that the duration is a first duration if the predetermined condition is satisfied at around a first time and the duration is a second duration if the predetermined condition is satisfied at around a second time; and    stop the flat rate play session upon determining the end time.    
   
   
       28 . A method of operating a gaming device, the method comprising: 
 initiating, at a gaming device that otherwise requires pre-payment for each play of the gaming device, a flat rate play session, wherein the flat rate play session comprises a period of time during which a plurality of plays may be initiated by a player without the player having to make funds available between plays, and further wherein the flat rate play session is of a variable duration, such that an end time for the flat rate play session is not determinable at initiation of the flat rate play session;    tracking, via a processor, plays initiated on the gaming device during the flat rate play session;    determining, based on the plays, that the flat rate play session is to be terminated; and    terminating the flat rate play session.    
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising: determining the time at which the flat rate play session is terminated based on the plays, thereby determining the duration of the flat rate play session upon termination of the flat rate play session.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein determining that the flat rate play session is to be terminated comprises: 
 determining that a maximum number of plays has been initiated on the gaming device.    
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein determining that the flat rate play session is to be terminated comprises: 
 determining that a characteristic of at least one outcome of at least one play satisfies a predetermined condition.    
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein initiating the flat rate play session comprises: 
 receiving, from a player of the gaming device, a selection of the flat rate play session; and initiating the flat rate play session in response to the selection.    
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the selection comprises a selection of an option from a menu of options output to the player via the gaming device.  
   
   
       34 . A device, comprising: 
 a processor; and    a storage device in communication with said processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to:    initiate, at a gaming device that otherwise requires pre-payment for each play of the gaming device, a flat rate play session, wherein the flat rate play session comprises a period of time during which a plurality of plays may be initiated by a player without the player having to make funds available between plays, and further wherein the flat rate play session is of a variable duration, such that an end time for the flat rate play session is not determinable at initiation of the flat rate play session;    track, by the processor, plays initiated on the gaming device during the flat rate play session;    determine, based on the plays, that the flat rate play session is to be terminated; and    terminate the flat rate play session.    
   
   
       35 . A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising: 
 initiating, at a gaming device that otherwise requires pre-payment for each play of the gaming device, a flat rate play session, wherein the flat rate play session comprises a period of time during which a plurality of plays may be initiated by a player without the player having to make funds available between plays, and further wherein the flat rate play session is of a variable duration, such that an end time for the flat rate play session is not determinable at initiation of the flat rate play session;    tracking, via a processor, plays initiated on the gaming device during the flat rate play session;    determining, based on the plays, that the flat rate play session is to be terminated; and    terminating the flat rate play session.    
   
   
       36 . A system, comprising: 
 a controller operable to communicate with a plurality of gaming devices, the controller being further operable to:    initiate, at a gaming device of the plurality of gaming devices that otherwise requires pre-payment for each play of the gaming device, a flat rate play session, wherein the flat rate play session comprises a period of time during which a plurality of plays may be initiated by a player without the player having to make finds available between plays, and further wherein the flat rate play session is of a variable duration, such that an end time for the flat rate play session is not determinable at initiation of the flat rate play session;    track plays initiated on the gaming device during the flat rate play session;    determine, based on the plays, that the flat rate play session is to be terminated; and    terminate the flat rate play session;    the system further comprising the plurality of gaming devices.