Bonus with Increasing Proximity of Occurrence

Abstract

Method of conducting a game of chance having a randomly enabled bonus game with controllable frequency of occurrence, including the steps of: making a wager to initiate play on a base game; initiating a random bonus enablement determination which is separate from base game outcome; and allowing bonus game play only if the bonus is enabled.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A gaming device comprising:
 a base game;   a base game pay table;   a number generator configured to select at least one trigger threshold;   at least one bonus award mechanism configured to award a bonus award; and   at least one counter configured to generate a count related to the occurrence of at least one base game event, the counter being operatively connected to the bonus award mechanism, which is configured to award a bonus award when the count bears a predetermined relationship to the trigger threshold.   
     
     
         26 . The gaming device of  claim 25  wherein the gaming device further includes a secondary game and wherein the bonus award comprises the opportunity to play the secondary game. 
     
     
         27 . The gaming device of  claim 26  wherein the at least one counter is associated with an outcome of the secondary game. 
     
     
         28 . The gaming device of  claim 25  wherein the at least one base game event comprises a wager made. 
     
     
         29 . The gaming device of  claim 25  wherein the at least one base game event comprises at least one credit wagered. 
     
     
         30 . The gaming device of  claim 25  wherein the at least one base game event comprises at least one predetermined base game outcome. 
     
     
         31 . The gaming device of  claim 25  wherein the at least one base game event comprises at least one game played. 
     
     
         32 . The gaming device of  claim 25  wherein the trigger threshold is substantially equal to a predetermined number. 
     
     
         33 . The gaming device of  claim 25  wherein the bonus award comprises a fixed award. 
     
     
         34 . The gaming device of  claim 25  wherein the bonus award comprises a progressive award. 
     
     
         35 . A gaming device comprising:
 a base game;   at least one number generator configured to select a trigger threshold;   a secondary game;   at least one counter configured to count the occurrence of at least one base game event, the counter being operatively connected to the secondary game, which is configured to be enabled when the count bears a predetermined relationship to the trigger threshold.   
     
     
         36 . The gaming device of  claim 35  wherein the at least one base game event comprises a wager made. 
     
     
         37 . The gaming device of  claim 35  wherein the at least one base game event comprises at least one credit wagered. 
     
     
         38 . The gaming device of  claim 35  wherein the at least one base game event comprises at least one predetermined base game outcome. 
     
     
         39 . The gaming device of  claim 35  wherein the at least one base game event comprises at least one game played. 
     
     
         40 . The gaming device of  claim 35  wherein the trigger threshold is substantially equal to a predetermined number. 
     
     
         41 . The gaming device of  claim 35  wherein the at least one counter is associated with a secondary game outcome. 
     
     
         42 . The gaming device of  claim 35  wherein the secondary game is configured to pay a fixed award. 
     
     
         43 . The gaming device of  claim 35  wherein the secondary game is configured to pay a progressive award. 
     
     
         44 . A method of operating a gaming device comprising:
 selecting at least one trigger threshold;   generating at least one count related to the occurrence of at least one gaming device event; and   enabling a secondary game when the count substantially equals the trigger threshold.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44  wherein the at least one gaming device event comprises a wager made. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44  wherein the at least one gaming device event comprises at least one credit wagered. 
     
     
         47 . The gaming device of  claim 44  wherein the at least one gaming device event comprises at least one predetermined base game outcome. 
     
     
         48 . The gaming device of  claim 44  wherein the at least one gaming device event comprises at least one game played. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 44  wherein the trigger threshold is substantially equal to a predetermined number. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 44  wherein the at least one count is associated with an outcome of the secondary game. 
     
     
         51 . The gaming device of  claim 44  wherein the secondary game has a plurality of outcomes and wherein at least one of the secondary game outcomes comprises a fixed award. 
     
     
         52 . The gaming device of  claim 44  wherein the secondary game has a plurality of outcomes and wherein at least one of the secondary game outcomes comprises a progressive award. 
     
     
         53 . A method of operating a gaming device having a base game and a secondary game associated with it comprising:
 enabling play of the base game;   monitoring the occurrence of at least one base game event each time the base game is enabled;   incrementing at least one count for each occurrence of the monitored event;   comparing the count with a trigger threshold; and   enabling a secondary game when the count bears a predefined relationship to the trigger threshold.   
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53  wherein the monitored base game event comprises a wager made. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 53  wherein the monitored base game event comprises at least one credit wagered. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 53  wherein the monitored base game event comprises at least one base game outcome. 
     
     
         57 . The gaming device of  claim 53  wherein the monitored base game event comprises at least one predetermined base game outcome. 
     
     
         58 . The gaming device of  claim 53  wherein the monitored base game event comprises at least one game played. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 53  wherein the trigger threshold is substantially equal to a predetermined number. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 53  wherein the at least one count is associated with an outcome of the secondary game. 
     
     
         61 . The gaming device of  claim 53  wherein the secondary game has a plurality of outcomes and wherein at least one of the secondary game outcomes comprises a fixed award. 
     
     
         62 . The gaming device of  claim 53  wherein the secondary game has a plurality of outcomes and wherein at least one of the secondary game outcomes comprises a progressive award.