Value engine providing current cash value for wagering game indicia

Abstract

A value engine for a gaming machine generally determines a cash value for player cards, symbols, or other gaming indicia even though the indicia does not form a winning outcome. The value engine may determine the cash value for the indicia at various times or stages during a game. The cash value may be presented to the player, and the player may be permitted to accept or decline the cash value. If accepted, the cash value may be paid out to the player. If declined the player may continue playing the game. The value engine is may be used with or implemented as part of a variety of wagering games and presents a challenging and engaging choice to players to to further continued play and entertainment at a gaming machine.

1 . A gaming machine configured to present one or more wagering games comprising:
 a display configured to present one or more game symbols to a player;   a paytable defining one or more winning outcomes and an associated award for each of the one or more winning outcomes;   a value engine configured to determine a current cash value for the one or more game symbols on the display based on the odds of the one or more game symbols forming one or more of the one or more winning outcomes;   a random number generator configured to generate a randomized current cash value the by combining the current cash value with a randomly generated amount, wherein the randomized current ash value is presented on the display;   one or more input devices configured to receive an indication that the player is accepting the randomized current cash value, wherein when engaged the one or more input devices cause the gaming machine to pay out the randomized current cash value to the player.   
     
     
         2 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the paytable comprises one or more poker hands and the one or more game symbols are numbered playing card symbols. 
     
     
         3 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the paytable comprises one or more sets of slot symbols and the one or more game symbols are slot symbols. 
     
     
         4 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein if the indication that the player is accepting the randomized current cash value is not received, the gaming machine is configured to accept a player selection of a number of opportunities to achieve a winning outcome from the one or more game symbols on the display, and to present one or more additional game symbols for each opportunity. 
     
     
         5 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the value engine is configured to present the randomized current cash value only when the one or more symbols do not form any of the one or more winning outcomes. 
     
     
         6 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the value engine generates the current cash value based on the odds of one one or more of the one or more winning outcomes occurring from the one or more game symbols, and the associated award of the one or more of the one or more winning outcomes. 
     
     
         7 . A gaming machine configured to present one or more wagering games comprising:
 a memory device storing one or more game symbols provided to a player by the gaming machine for use in a wagering game;   a processor configured to determine if the one or more game symbols form a winning outcome, and if not, to:
 generate a current cash value for the one or more game symbols; and 
 generate a randomized cash value by combining the current cash value with a random amount; 
   a display configured to present the randomized current cash value to the player; and   an input device configured to receive an indication that the player is accepting the randomized current cash value, wherein when engaged the input device causes the gaming machine to pay out the randomized current cash value to the player.   
     
     
         8 . The gaming machine of  claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine the odds of at least one winning outcome occurring from the one or more game symbols, the at least one winning outcome having an associated award. 
     
     
         9 . The gaming machine of  claim 8 , wherein the processor generates a current cash value less than the associated award of the at least one winning outcome. 
     
     
         10 . The gaming machine of  claim 7 , wherein when engaged the input device also causes the gaming machine to end a current game being played on the gaming machine. 
     
     
         11 . The gaming machine of  claim 7  further comprising one or more additional input devices configured to accept input from the player to allow the player to play the game. 
     
     
         12 . The gaming machine of  claim 7  further comprising a payout dispenser configured to pay the randomized current cash value to the player as a result of the input device being engaged. 
     
     
         13 . The gaming machine of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more game symbols are numbered playing card symbols and the winning outcome is a poker hand. 
     
     
         14 . The gaming machine of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more game symbols are slot symbols. 
     
     
         15 . A method of paying out an award for non-final hands at a gaming machine comprising:
 accepting a wager at the gaming machine;   presenting one or more game symbols that do not form a winning outcome on a display of the gaming machine;   determining a current cash value for the one or more game symbols to the player before the game has ended;   generating a randomized current cash value based on the current cash value;   presenting an option for the player to accept the randomized current cash value;   presenting one or more additional game symbols; and   ending the game by determining if the one or more game symbols and the one or more additional game symbols form a winning outcome.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising receiving the player's acceptance of the randomized current cash value and ending the game immediately thereafter by paying the player the randomized current cash value. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising paying the player an award associated with the winning outcome if the one or more game symbols and the one or more additional symbols form the winning outcome. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising determining odds of a winning outcome occurring from the one or more symbols, and generating the current cash value based on the odds. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising identifying a winning outcome including at least one of the one or more symbols, and setting the current cash value to an amount less than an award amount associated with the winning outcome. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the current cash value is also set such that it is greater than the wager.