Bonus award for video poker-type game

Abstract

The present invention provides a game for play by a player using first and second sets of symbols, with each of the symbols having a rank associated therewith. The game includes a player hand including at least four symbols selected from the first set of symbols. If the player hand includes four symbols having the same rank, a bonus symbol is selected from the second set of symbols. A bonus is awarded to the player if the rank of the bonus symbol matches the rank of the four symbols having the same rank. Each symbol may further include an additional indicator, with an enhanced bonus award being awarded when both the rank and the additional indicator of the bonus symbol match the rank and the additional indicator of the first player symbol in the player hand.

1 . A game for play by a player using first and second sets of symbols, with each of said symbols having a rank associated therewith, said game comprising: 
 a player hand selected from among said first set of symbols, said player hand including at least four symbols;    a bonus symbol selected from among said second set of symbols, said bonus symbol being selected when said player hand includes four symbols having the same rank; and    a bonus award awarded to said player if the rank of said bonus symbol matches the rank of said four symbols having the same rank.    
   
   
       2 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein each symbol further includes an additional indicator and said player hand includes a first player symbol, wherein said bonus award is an enhanced bonus award when both the rank and the additional indicator of said bonus symbol match the rank and the additional indicator of said first player symbol.  
   
   
       3 . The game of  claim 2 , wherein said enhanced bonus award is a progressive bonus.  
   
   
       4 . The game of  claim 2 , wherein said additional indicator is one of clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades.  
   
   
       5 . The game of  claim 2 , wherein said first player symbol is the leftmost symbol of said player hand when said player hand is arranged horizontally.  
   
   
       6 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein said first set of symbols and said second set of symbols include an equal number of symbols therein.  
   
   
       7 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein said first set of symbols is a first deck of playing cards, and wherein said second set of symbols is a second deck of playing cards.  
   
   
       8 . The game of  claim 1 , further including an air-driven jumbled ball device, wherein said bonus symbol is distributed via said device.  
   
   
       9 . The game of  claim 8 , wherein said device includes a plurality of balls, with each of said balls representing one of said second set of symbols.  
   
   
       10 . A method of playing a wagering game using a group of symbols, with each symbol of said group of symbols having a rank associated therewith, said method comprising: 
 distributing a player hand to said player, said player hand including at least four symbols selected from said group of symbols;    distributing a bonus symbol to said player if said player hand includes four symbols having the same rank; and    awarding a bonus award to said player if the rank of said bonus symbol matches the rank of said four symbols having the same rank.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein each symbol further includes an additional indicator and wherein said player hand includes a first player symbol, with said bonus award being an enhanced bonus award when said bonus symbol matches both the rank and the additional indicator of said first player symbol.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the additional indicator is one of clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said enhanced bonus award is a progressive bonus.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said first player symbol is the leftmost symbol of said player hand when said player hand is arranged horizontally.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said bonus symbol is distributed via an air-driven jumbled ball device.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said symbols are playing cards.  
   
   
       17 . A game for play by a player using a standard deck of cards such that each of said cards has a rank and a suit associated therewith, said game comprising: 
 a player hand selected from said deck of cards, said player hand including at least four cards;    an air-driven jumbled ball device including fifty-two balls, wherein each of said balls represents one card of a second standard deck of cards such that each of said balls has a rank and a suit associated therewith, said device being activated to distribute a bonus ball from among said balls when said player hand includes four cards having the same rank; and    a bonus award awarded to said player if the rank of said bonus ball matches the rank of said four cards having the same rank.    
   
   
       18 . The game of  claim 17 , wherein said player hand includes a first player card, and wherein said bonus award is an enhanced bonus award when both the rank and the suit of said bonus ball match the rank and the suit of said first player card.  
   
   
       19 . The game of  claim 17 , wherein said game is played using at least partially tangibly.  
   
   
       20 . The game of  claim 17 , wherein said game is played at least partially electronically, such that at least one of said cards and said balls are electronic depictions.