Community Lines Game Apparatus

Abstract

The claimed embodiments contemplate methods, systems and apparatuses directed to gaming machines that provide a common reel display for multiple players. Various combinations of reel lines, utilized to determine possible wins from symbols across multiple reels, of the reel display, may be available to the players. For example, a first player may be permitted to bet on one set of reel lines and a second player may bet on another set of reel lines. Also, for example, both players may bet on some reel lines and other reel lines may only be available to certain players. A community reel line may also be made available to both players or perhaps just one player upon satisfaction of certain conditions. The ability to have multiple players bet on a common reel display advantageously adds to the excitement and enjoyment of a gaming session.

1 . A game apparatus comprising:
 a first play station;   a second play station;   a common reel display including mechanical reels, video reels or mechanical and video reels of the first and second play stations; wherein the common reel display further comprises one or more community reel lines that are available to the first and second play stations when both are in use; and   a spin mechanism causing the common reel display to spin wherein different reel lines of the common reel display are reserved for the first and second play stations.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The game apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the common reel display is repeated at a first reel display of the first player station and at a second reel display of the second player station. 
     
     
         6 . The game apparatus as recited in  claim 5  wherein the first and second play stations are located at individual game apparatuses. 
     
     
         7 . The game apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the common reel display is a first reel display of the first player station and a second reel display of the second player station wherein the first and second reel displays depict a common set of reels. 
     
     
         8 . The game apparatus as recited in  claim 7  wherein the first and second play stations are located at individual game apparatuses. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The game apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the first play station pays left to right and the second play station pays right to left. 
     
     
         11 . The game apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the one or more community reel lines are enabled upon entry of a wager of a certain amount at the first or second play station. 
     
     
         12 . The game apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein wagers at the first and second play stations differ. 
     
     
         13 . The game apparatus as recited in  claim 1  winning combinations of the one or more community reel lines pay at both the first and second play stations. 
     
     
         14 . The game apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the one or more community reel lines are enabled when a minimum wager is entered. 
     
     
         15 . The game apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the one or more community reel lines are enabled by a bonus event. 
     
     
         16 . The game apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the common reel display is displayed on an overhead display. 
     
     
         17 . The game apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein winning combinations of the one or more community reel lines pay at both the first and second play stations and wherein the first and second play stations each have reserved lines. 
     
     
         18 . A game apparatus comprising:
 a first play station;   a second play station;   a common reel display including mechanical reels, video reels or mechanical and video reels of the first and second play stations wherein the common reel display further comprises one or more community reel lines that are available to the first and second play stations when both are in use; and   a spin mechanism causing the reel common display to spin wherein reel lines of the reel display are reserved for both the first and second play stations.   
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The game apparatus as recited in  claim 18  wherein the common reel display is repeated at a first reel display of the first player station and at a second reel display of the second player station. 
     
     
         23 . The game apparatus as recited in  claim 22  wherein the first and second play stations are located at individual game apparatuses. 
     
     
         24 . The game apparatus as recited in  claim 18  wherein the common reel display is a first reel display of the first player station and a second reel display of the second player station wherein the first and second reel displays depict a common set of reels. 
     
     
         25 . The game apparatus as recited in  claim 24  wherein the first and second play stations are located at individual game apparatuses. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The game apparatus as recited in  claim 18  wherein the reel lines readable in a first general direction are reserved for the first play station and wherein reel lines readable in a second general direction, opposite the first direction, are reserved for the second play station. 
     
     
         28 . A game apparatus comprising:
 a first play station;   a second play station;   a reel display of the first and second play stations;   wherein one or more reel lines of the reel display are utilized by the first and second play stations and are enabled by a triggering event including a minimum wager entered at at least one of the first play station and the second play station; and   wherein at least one shared reel line is reserved for the first and second play stations.   
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . (canceled)