Gaming machine with fractionally enhanced payouts

Abstract

A gaming machine generates a first payout when a first pattern of symbols is displayed and a second payout when a second pattern of symbols is displayed that differs from the first pattern of symbols by one symbol. The one symbol indicates a fractional amount and the second payout is higher than the first payout by a fraction equivalent to the indicated fractional amount.

1 . A method of establishing a payout for a gaming machine, comprising:
 displaying symbols;   generating a first payout where said symbols displayed match a first payout pattern;   generating a second payout where said symbols displayed, apart from one symbol, match said first payout pattern and said one symbol is a fractional symbol, said second payout being fractionally higher than said first payout.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said fractional symbol indicates a given fractional amount and wherein said second payout is higher than said first payout by said given fractional amount. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein where said symbols displayed, apart from two symbols, match said first payout pattern, and where each of said two symbols is a fractional symbol, generating a third payout which is higher than said first payout and fractionally higher than said second payout. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said two symbols comprise a first fractional symbol indicating a first fractional amount and a second fractional symbol indicating a second fractional amount and wherein said third payout is higher than said first payout by a fraction comprising a sum of said first fractional amount and said second fractional amount. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein each payout is measured in units and wherein said first payout, said second payout, and said third payout comprise an integer number of said units. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said first payout pattern comprises a plurality of horizontally arranged adjacent identical symbols. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said symbols are randomly displayed. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said first payout pattern comprises at least two jackpot symbols. 
   
   
       9 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a user interface for allowing a user to commence a symbol displaying game;   a display for displaying symbols;   control means for controlling display of symbols on said display and for generating a first payout when a first pattern of symbols is displayed and for generating a second payout when a second pattern of symbols is displayed that differs from said first pattern of symbols by one symbol, said one symbol indicating a fractional amount, said second payout being fractionally higher than said first payout.   
   
   
       10 . The gaming machine of  claim 9  wherein said second payout is higher than said first payout by said fractional amount. 
   
   
       11 . The gaming machine of  claim 9  wherein said control means is also for generating a third payout when a third pattern of symbols is displayed that differs from said first pattern of symbols by two symbols, each of said two symbols indicating a fractional amount, said third payout being higher than said first payout and fractionally higher than said second payout. 
   
   
       12 . The gaming machine of  claim 11  wherein said two symbols comprise a first fractional symbol indicating a first fractional amount and a second fractional symbol indicating a second fractional amount and wherein said third payout is higher than said first payout by a fraction comprising a sum of said first fractional amount and said second fractional amount. 
   
   
       13 . The gaming machine of  claim 9  further comprising a plurality of parallel reels, at least a portion of each of said reels forming part of said display, each reel bearing a plurality of symbols. 
   
   
       14 . The gaming machine of  claim 13  wherein at least one of said reels has said one symbol indicating a fractional amount. 
   
   
       15 . The gaming machine of  claim 14  wherein said control means is for rotating said plurality of reels to provide different combinations of symbols on said display. 
   
   
       16 . A method of establishing a payout for a gaming machine, comprising:
 displaying symbols;   generating a first payout where said symbols displayed match a first payout pattern;   generating a second payout where said symbols displayed, apart from one symbol, match said first payout pattern and said one symbol is a fractional symbol, a quotient of said second payout over said first payout equalling a non-integer value greater than one.