Method of presenting and playing a repeat outcome game

Abstract

In a method of presenting or playing a wagering game, if a winning outcome is received in the play of a first game, a first award is awarded and one or more awards associated with one or more winning outcomes for the game are then enhanced for potential award in a subsequent game or games. In one embodiment, a base paytable or award structure is modified or enhanced, such as by adjusting awards or associating multipliers or bonus values such as progressive awards, to create an enhanced paytable or award structure. The enhanced paytable or award structure may remain in effect for one subsequent game, a set or random number of games or a time, or until the same or another winning outcome is received in a subsequent game. The game which is presented may vary, such as being a wagering game of video poker, video slots or even a table game. In embodiment, the game offers a player an enhanced award if a winning outcome received in a first game is repeated in a defined number of subsequent games.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a gaming machine housing;   at least one display supported by said housing;   at least one user input device supported by said housing;   a controller configured to accept player input from said at least one user input device and present game information regarding one or more poker games having an enhanced award feature on the display;   a storage device in communication with the controller;   a paytable stored on the storage device, the paytable comprising one or more winning outcomes having one or more associated base awards;   a random number generator;   one or more instructions stored on the storage device and executable by the controller to provide the enhanced award feature, the one or more instructions comprising:
 instructions for accepting a wager from a player for initiating game play; 
 instructions for presenting information regarding a first instance of said game to said player via said at least one display; 
 instructions for determining if an outcome of said first instance of said game is one of said winning outcomes; 
 instructions for enhancing said base award associated with said winning outcome to a larger enhanced award for subsequent games equal in number to a number generated by said random number generator; 
 instructions for awarding said enhanced award in the event an outcome of one of said subsequent games is a repeat of said winning outcome received in said first instance of said game; 
 instructions for reducing said enhanced award to a lower enhanced award greater than said base award after each of the number of subsequent games in which said winning outcome is not repeated; and 
 instructions for resetting the award for said winning outcome back to said base award if the player repeats the winning outcome in the number of subsequent games or if said winning outcome is not repeated in said subsequent number of games.