Methods and Devices for Reel-Type Wagering with Bonus Games

Abstract

One or more client machines may engage in the play of reel-type games with a gaming server, where each gaming session may include one or more spins of a reel in the reel-type game. Certain outcomes of these spins may include a bonus token, or some other type of indication that bonus credits have been awarded. Once a given client machine has accumulated a sufficient number of bonus tokens, the client machine may have the option to engage in a bonus game.

1 . A method for a gaming server to facilitate play of bonus games, wherein the gaming server is communicatively coupled to a client machine playing a reel-type game, wherein the client machine uses a user account to play the reel-type game, wherein the gaming server generates results of a spin of each of a plurality of reels in the reel-type game for the client machine and transmits the results to the client machine, and wherein the gaming server maintains bonus credits associated with the user account, the method comprising:
 the gaming server transmitting a first result of a first spin of the reel-type game to the client machine;   the gaming server receiving, from the client machine, a first request to play a first bonus game, wherein playing the first bonus game is associated with a first amount of bonus credits;   in response to receiving the first request, the gaming server debiting the bonus credits associated with the user account by the first amount; and   the gaming server engaging the client machine in play of the first bonus game.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 based on the bonus credits associated with the user account, the gaming server also transmitting, to the client machine, a list of at least one bonus game available to the user account, wherein the first bonus game is in the list.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gaming server maintains the bonus credits between spins of the reel-type game. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a gaming session of the reel type game, facilitated by the gaming server, consists of the client machine logging on to the user account, a number of turns of the reel-type game being played by the client machine, and the client machine logging off of the user account, and wherein the gaming server maintains the bonus credits between gaming sessions. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first result of the first spin of the reel-type game is transmitted as part of a screen display, wherein the screen display includes a reel display area, and the indication of the result also includes a bonus token. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the bonus token is displayed in any position in the reel display area. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the bonus token is displayed outside of the reel display area. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the reel display area includes a centre pay line position, and wherein the bonus token is displayed in the centre pay line position. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 after engaging the client machine in play of the first bonus game, the gaming server transmitting a second result of a second spin of the reel-type game to the client machine, wherein the second result includes a bonus deactivation indication, wherein the bonus deactivation indication is associated with a second amount of bonus credits; and 
 the gaming server debiting the bonus credits associated with the user account by the second amount. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the second amount is all bonus credits associated with the user account. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gaming server allows no more than a threshold number of bonus credits to be associated with the user account. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 after engaging the client machine in play of the first bonus game, the gaming server transmitting a second result of a second spin of the reel-type game to the client machine;   the gaming server receiving, from the client machine, a second request to play a second bonus game, wherein playing the second bonus game is associated with a second amount of bonus credits;   in response to receiving the second request to play the second bonus game, the gaming server debiting the user account by the second amount; and   the gaming server engaging the client machine in play of the second bonus game.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the second amount is greater than the first amount. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bonus game is chosen from the group consisting of free spins of the reel-type game, free spins of a different reel-type game, and a pick-until-pop type game. 
     
     
         15 . A method for a gaming server to facilitate play of bonus games, wherein the gaming server is communicatively coupled to a client machine playing a reel-type game, wherein the client machine uses a user account to play the reel-type game, wherein the gaming server generates results of spins of each of a plurality of reels in the reel-type game for the client machine, and transmits results of the spins to the client machine, and wherein the gaming server maintains bonus credits associated with the user account, the method comprising:
 the gaming server determining an outcome of a first spin of the reel-type game, wherein the outcome includes the user account being awarded at least one bonus credit;   the gaming server crediting the user account by the at least one bonus credit;   the gaming server transmitting, to the client machine, a first result of the first spin of the reel-type game, and a first indication of the award of the at least one bonus credit;   if the gaming server receives, from the client machine, a first request to play a first bonus game, then the gaming server debiting the bonus credits in the user account by a first amount and engaging the client machine in play of the first bonus game, wherein the first amount is the cost to play the first bonus game; and   if the gaming server receives, from the client machine, a second request to not play any bonus game, then the gaming server maintaining the bonus credits in the user account.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 after the first spin of the reel-type game, the gaming server also transmitting, to the client machine, a list of at least one bonus game available to play, wherein the first bonus game is in the list.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the gaming server maintains the bonus credits between spins of the reel-type game. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein a gaming session of the reel type game consists of the client machine logging on to the user account, a number of turns of the reel-type game being played by the client machine, and the client machine logging off of the user account, and wherein the gaming server maintain the bonus credits between gaming sessions. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first result of the first spin of the reel-type game is transmitted as part of a screen display, wherein the screen display includes a reel display area, and the first result includes a bonus token. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising:
 the gaming server transmitting a second result of a second spin of the reel-type game to the client machine, wherein the second result includes a bonus deactivation indication, wherein the bonus deactivation indication is associated with a second amount of bonus credits; and 
 the gaming server debiting the bonus credits associated with the user account by the second amount. 
 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 after engaging the client machine in play of the first bonus game, the gaming server transmitting a second result of a second spin of the reel-type game to the client machine;   the gaming server receiving, from the client machine, a second request to play a second bonus game, wherein playing the second bonus game is associated with a second amount of bonus credits;   in response to receiving the second request, the gaming server debiting the user account by the second amount; and   the gaming server engaging the client machine in play of the second bonus game.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the second amount is greater than the first amount. 
     
     
         23 . A gaming server, communicatively coupled to at least one client machine, wherein the gaming server allows the client machine to play a reel-type game, wherein the gaming server generates results of spins of each of a plurality of reels in the reel-type game for the client machine and transmits results of the spins to the client machine, the gaming server comprising:
 a processor capable of executing program instructions; and   a memory containing data and the program instructions,   wherein the data includes a representation of a user account, wherein the client machine plays the reel-type game via the gaming server with the user account, wherein the representation of the user account contains a quantity of bonus credits,   wherein the program instructions are executable by the processor to (i) transmit a first result of a first spin of the reel-type game to the client machine, (ii) receive, from the client machine, a first request to play a first bonus game, wherein playing the first bonus game is associated with a first amount of bonus credits, (iii) in response to receiving the first request, debit the user account by the first amount, and (iv) engage the client machine in play of the first bonus game.   
     
     
         24 . The gaming server of  claim 23 , wherein the memory further contains program instructions executable by the processor to, based on the bonus credits associated with the user account, also transmit, to the client machine, a list of at least one bonus game available to the user account, wherein the first bonus game is in the list. 
     
     
         25 . The gaming server of  claim 23 , wherein the memory further contains program instructions executable by the processor to maintain the bonus credits between spins of the reel-type game. 
     
     
         26 . The gaming server of  claim 23 , wherein a gaming session of the reel type game, facilitated by the gaming server, consists of the client machine logging on to the user account, a number of turns of the reel-type game being played by the client machine, and the client machine logging off of the user account, and wherein the memory further contains program instructions executable by the processor to maintain the bonus credits between gaming sessions. 
     
     
         27 . The gaming server of  claim 23 , wherein the memory further contains program instructions executable by the processor to (i) after engaging the client machine in play of the first bonus game, transmit a second result of a second spin of the reel-type game to the client machine, wherein the second result includes a bonus deactivation indication, wherein the bonus deactivation indication is associated with a second amount of bonus credits, and (ii) debit the bonus credits associated with the user account by the second amount. 
     
     
         28 . The gaming server of  claim 23 , wherein the memory further contains program instructions executable by the processor to (i) after engaging the client machine in play of the first bonus game, the gaming server transmitting a second result of a second spin of the reel-type game to the client machine, (ii) the gaming server receiving, from the client machine, a second request to play a second bonus game, wherein playing the second bonus game is associated with a second amount of bonus credits, (iii) in response to receiving the second request, the gaming server debiting the user account by the second amount, and (iv) the gaming server engaging the client machine in play of the second bonus game. 
     
     
         29 . The gaming server of  claim 23 , wherein the second amount is greater than the first amount.