Keno game with wild symbol

Abstract

The present invention provides a keno game including a set of playable symbols, from which a set of player symbols are selected. A set of winning symbols are selected from a set of potential winning symbols, with the set of potential winning symbols including the set of playable symbols and at least one wild symbol. The wild symbol may match any one of the player symbols, none of the player symbols, or a range of player symbols. The playable symbols are preferably numbers. Payouts preferably follow a pay table having a weighted probability based on the total number of symbols in the set of potential winning symbols.

1 . A keno game comprising: 
 a set of playable symbols;    a set of player symbols selected by a player from said set of playable symbols;    a set of potential winning symbols; and    a set of winning symbols preferably randomly selected from said set of potential winning symbols, said player being awarded a payout if a predetermined number of said set of player symbols match said set of winning symbols;    wherein said set of potential winning symbols includes said set of playable symbols and at least one wild symbol.    
   
   
       2 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one wild symbol matches any one of said player symbols.  
   
   
       3 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one wild symbol matches any of said player symbols falling within a predetermined range.  
   
   
       4 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one wild symbol matches none of said player symbols.  
   
   
       5 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein said game is a video game.  
   
   
       6 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein said game is played with tangible symbols.  
   
   
       7 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein said set of potential winning symbols includes a plurality of wild symbols.  
   
   
       8 . The game of  claim 7 , wherein said plurality of wild symbols are substantially identical.  
   
   
       9 . The game of  claim 7 , wherein one of said plurality of wild symbols is a bonus wild symbol, said player receiving a bonus if said bonus wild symbol is among said set of winning symbols.  
   
   
       10 . The game of  claim 7 , wherein said player is awarded a bonus if a predetermined number of said plurality of wild symbols are present among said set of winning symbols.  
   
   
       11 . A method of playing a keno game having a player comprising: 
 a), defining a set of playable symbols;    b) selecting a set of player symbols from said set of playable symbols    c) defining a set of potential winning symbols, said set of potential winning symbols including said set of playable symbols and at least one wild symbol;    e) selecting a set of winning symbols from said set of potential winning symbols;    e) comparing said set of player symbols to said set of winning symbols;    f) awarding a payout to said player if a predetermined number of said set of player symbols match said set of winning symbols.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said player selects said set of player symbols.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one wild symbol matches at least one of said player symbols.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said set of potential winning symbols includes a plurality of wild symbols.  
   
   
       15 . A keno game comprising: 
 a set of playable symbols;    a set of player symbols selected by a player from said set of playable symbols;    a set of potential winning symbols including said set of playable symbols and at least one wild symbol; and    a set of winning symbols preferably randomly selected from said set of potential winning symbols, said player being awarded a payout if a predetermined number of said set of player symbols match said set of winning symbols;    wherein said at least one wild symbol is selected from a set other than said set of playable symbols.    
   
   
       16 . The game of  claim 15 , wherein said playable symbols are numbers.  
   
   
       17 . The game of  claim 15 , wherein said payout follows a pay table having a weighted probability based on the total number of symbols in said set of potential winning symbols.  
   
   
       18 . The game of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one wild symbol matches any one of said player symbols.  
   
   
       19 . The game of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one wild symbol matches none of said player symbols.  
   
   
       20 . The game of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one wild symbol is a plurality of wild symbols.