Methods For A Free Game Feature Having Progressive Awards

Abstract

A method for operating a game of chance comprises the steps: initiating a base game by a player; triggering a feature mode from the base game upon the occurrence of a first triggering event, wherein a first number of feature games are provided in the feature mode; playing the feature games in the feature mode, wherein each of the feature games has an opportunity to win a progressive award; and returning to the base game upon the termination of the feature games.

1 . A method for operating a game of chance, comprising the steps of:
 initiating a base game by a player;   triggering a feature mode from said base game upon the occurrence of a first triggering event, wherein a first number of feature games are provided in said feature mode;   playing the feature games in said feature mode, wherein each of said feature games has an opportunity to win a progressive award; and   returning to said base game upon the termination of the feature games.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein during the feature mode, two or more progressive awards can be awarded. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein in playing the feature games, additional feature games may be awarded. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein in the playing step, wherein for each of said feature games, upon the occurrence of a second triggering event, the number of feature games to be played during the feature mode is increased. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the number of games to be played during the feature mode is increased by a second number. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the base game having a first pay table and the feature mode having a second pay table, wherein the second pay table has a higher pay level than the first pay table. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the features games are free. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the game of chance having a plurality of pay lines and a plurality of reels, and wherein during the feature mode, the payout for the number of pay lines wagered is based on a dynamic probability. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the dynamic probability is based on a genetic algorithm. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the dynamic probability is based on a mutative algorithm. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the game of chance has a set of base symbols and a set of progressive symbols, wherein during the feature mode, the progressive award is determined as a function of the base symbols and the progressive symbols. 
     
     
         12 . A method for operating a game of chance, comprising the steps of:
 initiating a base game by a player;   triggering a feature mode from said base game upon the occurrence of a first triggering event, wherein a first number of feature games are provided in said feature mode;   playing the feature games in said feature mode, wherein each of said feature games has an opportunity to win a progressive award and wherein for each of said feature games, upon the occurrence of a second triggering event, the number of feature games to be played during the feature mode is increased; and   returning to said base game upon the termination of the feature games,   wherein during the feature mode, two or more progressive awards and additional feature games can be awarded, and   wherein the base game having a first pay table and the feature mode having a second pay table, wherein the second pay table has a higher pay level than the first pay table.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the number of games to be played during the feature mode is increased by a second number. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the features games are free. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the game of chance having a plurality of pay lines and a plurality of reels, and wherein during the feature mode, the payout for the number of pay lines wagered is based on a dynamic probability. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the dynamic probability is based on a genetic algorithm. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the dynamic probability is based on a mutative algorithm. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the game of chance has a set of base symbols and a set of progressive symbols, wherein during the feature mode, the progressive award is determined as a function of the base symbols and the progressive symbols. 
     
     
         19 . A method for operating a game of chance, comprising the steps of:
 initiating a base game by a player;   triggering a feature mode from said base game upon the occurrence of a first triggering event, wherein a first number of feature games are provided in said feature mode;   playing the feature games in said feature mode, wherein each of said feature games has an opportunity to win a progressive award and wherein for each of said feature games, upon the occurrence of a second triggering event, the number of feature games to be played during the feature mode is increased by a second number; and   returning to said base game upon the termination of the feature games,   wherein during the feature mode, two or more progressive awards and additional feature games can be awarded,   wherein the base game having a first pay table and the feature mode having a second pay table, wherein the second pay table has a higher pay level than the first pay table,   wherein the base game having a first pay table and the feature mode having a second pay table, wherein the second pay table has a higher pay level than the first pay table,   wherein the features games are free,   wherein the game of chance having a plurality of pay lines and a plurality of reels, and wherein during the feature mode, the payout for the number of pay lines wagered is based on a dynamic probability, and   wherein the game of chance has a set of base symbols and a set of progressive symbols, wherein during the feature mode, the progressive award is determined as a function of the base symbols and the progressive symbols.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the dynamic probability is based on a genetic algorithm or a mutative algorithm.