DE69921332T2 - PLAYING MACHINE TO PLAY A BOARD GAME - Google Patents

Abstract

Gaming machines (10) are disclosed having a basic mode defining a plurality or reels and a bonus mode defining a plurality of stations about a game board (62) (e.g., MONOPOLY board) traversable by a token identifier. The disclosure describes a plurality of play features for the basic and/or bonus modes including (1) a feature allowing the player to select a game token; (2) a feature allowing the player to predict and wager on landing position(s) of the token identifier; (3) a feature allowing the player to obtain deferred-execution instruction(s) which are exercisable by the processor to override later-issued instruction(s) otherwise to be executed by the processor; (4) a feature in which movements of the token identifier are determined according to movement tables corresponding to the various stations of the game board (62); (5) a feature in which escalating bonuses are awarded for reaching a designated bonus square (e.g., the "GO" square); (6) a feature in which bonuses are awarded for completing groups of stations (e.g., color groups); and (7) a feature in which the gaming machine includes two bonus modes, each entered upon certain symbol combinations in the basic game. The first bonus game provides an award selected from a plurality of fixed values and multipliers, and the second bonus game moves a token identifier on a game board (62) and provides an award determined by the landing station of the token identifier.

Description

Territory of invention

The The present invention relates generally to gaming machines, and more particularly a game machine with different game features in relation to a board game.

background the invention

Game machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines and the like, have been around for some time Been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for years. Generally, the hangs popularity of such machines with players of probability (or the perceived probability) of winning money at the machine and the inherent entertainment value of the machine relative to others available Game options. Where the available Game options include a number of competitive machines, and the winner rating for Each machine is roughly the same (or is believed to be the same Players are most likely to become the most entertaining and stimulating machines. Smart operators strive hence afterwards, the most entertaining and exciting machines, the available are to use because such machines attract frequent playing and thus the profit for increase the operator.

One Concept that has been used successfully to entertain value to raise a game, is the concept of a "secondary" game or "bonus" game that connects be played with a "base" game can, see, e.g. WO-A-96 / 35,491th The bonus game can be any Type of game, either equal to or completely different from the base game, in which when a selected event occurs or a result of the base game is entered. Generally Bonus games represent a bigger profit expectation available as the base game and can also through more attractive or unusual video ads and / or Be accompanied by audio signals. Because the bonus game concept is relative to other known games enormous advantages in terms of attraction and providing a stimulus to a player, and because such players are attractive for both players and operators are, there is a continued Need for To develop game machines with new types of bonus games to to meet the demands of players and operators. The The present invention is directed to this need to fulfill.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Invention is in the device claim 1, in the method claim 9th and in the processor-controlled game product claim 11 attached, demonstrated.

SHORT DESCRIPTION THE DRAWINGS

The The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and with reference to the drawings become obvious, wherein:

1 Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a video game machine with a board game theme according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 a block diagram of the game machine of the 1 is;

3 the top of the game machine the top box glass 1 shows;

4 is an illustration of a five-reel, nine-line video game machine base game based on the game machine of the 1 can be implemented;

5 is an illustration of a "take a token" screen displayed on the game machine video display 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention appears;

6 is an illustration of a bonus round game screen displayed on the game machine video display 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may appear;

7 is an illustration of a "Build Houses" screen displayed on the video display of the game the 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention appears;

8th Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a video game machine with a card game theme according to another embodiment of the present invention;

9 a block diagram of the game machine of the 8th is;

10 the box glass at the top of the game machine 8th is;

11 is an illustration of a five-reel, five-line video game machine base game based on the game machine of the 8th can be implemented;

12 is an illustration of a "take a token" screen displayed on the game machine video display 8th according to an embodiment of the present invention appears;

13 is an illustration of a bonus round play screen displayed on the game machine video display 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may appear;

14 a perspective view of a spin reel game machine with a card game theme according to another embodiment of the present invention;

15 a block diagram of the game machine of the 1 is;

16a a part of the game machine top side box glass 14 shows;

16b a game card part of the game machine of 14 shows;

17 is an illustration of three spool strips connected to a base game playing on the game machine 14 can be implemented;

18 is an illustration of a LUCK bonus screen displayed on the game machine's dot matrix display 14 can appear;

19 is a representation of a WATER WORK screen displayed on the game machine's dot matrix display 14 can appear;

20 is an illustration of an ELECTRIC COMPUTER screen displayed on the game machine's dot matrix display 14 can appear;

21 is an illustration of a FREE PARK screen displayed on the game machine's dot matrix display 14 can appear;

22 a perspective view of a spin reel game machine with a card game theme according to another embodiment of the present invention;

23 a block diagram of the game machine of the 22 is; and

24 a part of the game machine the top view box box 22 shows;

25 is an illustration of three spool strips connected to a base game playing on the game machine 22 can be implemented;

26 Fig. 10 is a first part of a flowchart showing the operation of a specific example of an embodiment.

27 detail the bonus game operation of the flowchart of the 26 shows.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to those of fenestrated certain forms should be limited. Rather, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to the drawings and first makes reference 1 , there is a game machine 10 shown with a card game theme. In one embodiment, the game machine is 10 Operable to play a game entitled MONOPOLY ONCE AROUND ^TM based on the popular board game MONOPOLY ^TM . MONOPOLY ^TM is a registered trademark owned and used by permission of Hasbro, Inc. and Hasbro International, Inc., Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Nevertheless, it will be recognized that the game machine 10 can be implemented with any of several other board game themes other than MONOPOLY ^™ .

The game machine 10 contains a video ad 12 and a top box display 32 , The video ad 12 For example, a dot matrix, CRT, LED, LCD, an electroluminescent display, or generally any type of video display known in the art. The top box display 32 has a front surface 60 with a partially transparent material, such as glass, plastic, Plexiglas or the like, which is an adaptation of a game board 62 (eg MONOPOLY) that is displayed on it. The game board 62 is through a number of lights 66 (in the 1 not visible) in the top box display 32 illuminated from behind. A pair of mechanical dice 64 becomes near the top of the top box display 32 displayed.

2 is a block diagram of a control system used to operate the slot machine 10 suitable is. A coin / credit detector or coins / points detector 82 signals a CPU 70 when a player has inserted a number of coins or lost a number of credits. Then, the CPU 70 works after the player has a switch 84 has activated (eg by pulling a lever or by pressing a button), to display coils 14 . 16 . 18 . 20 and 22 on the video screen 12 , Then the player activates one or more selected game lines or game lines 72 - 80 and press the "Spin Spools" button 36 or the "Turn for maximum bet" button 37 to "spin" the coils, as described in more detail in relation to 4 will be described. The CPU 70 randomly selects a game result and causes the video ad to show 12 Signs (eg symbols on the coils 14 . 16 . 18 . 20 and 22 ) according to the preselected game result. In one embodiment, the symbols displayed on the coils define the base game result.

A system memory 86 stores control software, operating instructions and data related to the game machine 10 belong. In one embodiment, the memory 86 a separate read-only memory (ROM) and a battery-backed random access memory (RAM). However, it will be recognized that the memory 86 can be implemented on any of several alternative types of memory structures or implemented on a single memory structure. A payout mechanism 88 is in response to instructions from the CPU 70 operable to make a payout of coins or credits in response to certain winning combinations in the store 86 are saved to the player. As will be described in detail hereinbelow, the payoff amounts corresponding to particular combinations become one in system memory 86 stored number table or pay table predetermined. A separate I / O control 71 that with the CPU 70 coupled, operates the mechanical cube 64 and the top box lights 66 ,

The game machine 10 is operable to play a "base" game and a secondary or "bonus" game. The base game is on the video ad 12 on five videos, spinning coils simulated 14 . 16 . 18 . 20 and 22 (hereinafter "coils") with nine paylines 72 - 80 implemented as best in 4 is observed. Generally, playing a game is initiated by inserting a number of coins or by playing for a number of credits, which causes the CPU 70 ( 2 ) to activate a number of paylines corresponding to the number of coins or credits for which is played. After activation of the paylines, the coils become 14 . 16 . 18 . 20 and 22 is set in motion by either pulling a lever (not shown), pressing a push button, or pressing a touch screen "button" on the video display 12 is touched.

In the embodiment of the 4 Each of the paylines extends 72 - 80 over a symbol on each of the five coils 14 . 16 . 18 . 20 and 22 , The pay line 72 starts at the upper left symbol (eg "DOG") on the coil 14 , extends over the central symbol (eg "DICE") to the coil 16 , the lower symbol (eg "LUCK") on the spool 18 , the central symbol (eg "DICE") at the spool 20 and ends at the top symbol (eg "ELECTRIC COMPANY", hereinafter "LIGHT") on the coil 22 ,

The pay line 73 starts at the upper left symbol (eg "DOG") on the coil 14 , extends over the central symbol (eg "DICE") on the spool 16 , the upper symbol (eg "SHOE") on the spool 18 , the central symbol (eg "DICE") at the spool 20 and ends at the topmost symbol (eg "LIGHT") on the coil 22 , The pay line 74 extends over the top symbol on each coil (eg "DOG" on the coil 14 , "COMMUNITY CHEST", hereafter "CHECKOUT" on the spool 16 , "SHOE" on the spool 18 , "AUTO" on the coil 20 and "LIGHT" on the coil 22 .) The pay line 75 starts at the central symbol (eg "FREE PARKING", hereinafter "PARKING") on the coil 14 , extends over the lower symbol (eg "SHOE") on the spool 16 , the central symbol (eg "RING") on the coil 18 , the lower symbol (eg "PURCHASE OF THE RICH UNCLE", hereinafter "PENNY") on the spool 20 and ends at the central symbol (eg "DOG") on the coil 22 , The pay line 76 extends over the central symbol on each coil (eg "PARKING" on the coil, "DICE" on the coil 16 , "RING" on the coil 18 , "DICE" on the spool 20 and "DOG" on the coil 22 .) The pay line 77 starts at the central symbol (eg "PARKING") on the coil 14 , extends over the upper symbol (eg "CHECKOUT") on the spool 16 , the central symbol (eg "RING") on the coil 18 , the upper symbol (eg "AUTO") on the coil 20 and ends at the central symbol (eg "DOG") on the coil 22 , The pay line 78 extends over the lower symbol on each coil (eg "ZUG" on the coil 14 , "SHOE" on the spool 16 , "LUCK" on the spool 18 , "PENNY" on the spool 20 and "DICE" on the spool 22 .) The pay line 79 starts at the lower symbol (eg "ZUG") at the coil 14 , extends over the central symbol (eg "DICE") on the spool 16 , the lower symbol (eg "LUCK") on the spool 18 , the central symbol (eg "DICE") at the spool 20 and ends with the lower symbol (eg "DICE") on the spool 22 , The pay line 80 starts at the lower symbol (eg "ZUG") at the coil 14 , extends over the central symbol (eg "DICE") on the spool 16 , the upper symbol (eg "SHOE") on the spool 18 , the central symbol (eg "DICE") at the spool 20 and ends with the lower symbol (eg "DICE") on the spool 22 ,

In one embodiment, the player selects the number of paylines (between 1 and 9) to play by selecting one of the five buttons in the first row 28 presses or by pressing the "selection lines" button 34 on the video ad 12 used. The player then chooses one of the five buttons in the bottom line 30 which correspond to the number of coins or credits to bet on each of the nine paylines. Selecting one of the buttons in the bottom line 30 puts the five video coils 14 . 16 . 18 . 20 and 22 moving". As an alternative, the player may choose the "Bet Per Line" button 35 on the video ad 12 Touch until the desired bet is displayed and then the "Spin Coil" button 36 on the video ad 12 Touch to start the game. As a further alternative, if the player wishes to bet for the maximum amount of lines and the maximum bet per line, the player may then choose the "Turn for maximum bet" button 37 on the video ad 12 Touch to start the game. In one embodiment, the game may be set for a maximum bet of 5 or 10 credits on each payline for a maximum total bet of 45 or 90 credits per game. The CPU 70 assigns a bet with equal amounts of credits or points for each payline and then rotates all five spools or wheels 14 . 16 . 18 . 20 and 22 ,

The CPU 70 uses a random number generator (not shown) to select a game result (eg, "base" game result) corresponding to a particular set of "stop positions" for spools or wheels. The CPU 70 then causes each of the video coils 14 . 16 . 18 . 20 and 22 stops at a preselected stop position. Video symbols (see 4 ) are on the coils 14 . 16 . 18 . 20 and 22 to graphically represent the spool stop position and to indicate whether the stop position of the spools represents a winning game result. Gain "base" game results (eg, symbol combinations that result in payment of coins or credits or points) are identifiable by a pay table (see Table A-1). In one embodiment, the pay table is to the machine 10 pinned and / or will through the video ad 12 in response to a command from the player (eg, pressing the "PAYMENT TABLE" button 45 ) is displayed. The Paytable allows the player to view the winning combinations and their associated payout amounts. If the displayed symbols stop in a winning combination, the game allocates the player the award according to the award in the paytable for that combination multiplied by the amount of credits wagered on the winning payline.

Table A-1 is a pay table that identifies various winning combinations of symbols in the basic game MONOPOLY ONCE AROUND ^™ and their mathematical probabilities and expected values. The various symbols used in the basic game MONOPOLY ONCE AROUND ^™ include: "PENNY", "DICE", "DICE", "CAR", "DOG", "SHOE", "RING", "TRAIN "," PARKING "," LIGHT "," CHECKOUT "and" LUCKY ". The "WINNING COMBINATIONS" column identifies the various winning combinations that may occur by symbols stopping on an active payline. Generally, winning combinations require that at least two out of five corresponding symbols be displayed, from left to right, starting at the reel 14 (denoted by "R # 1" in Table A-1) on an active pay line. For example, there would be two "PENNY" symbols on adjacent coils 14 ("R # 1) and 16 be displayed, a winning combination. The combination "ANY TOKEN" is fulfilled by any combination of three or more symbols "AUTO", "DOG", and "SHOE" stopping on an active pay line, from left to right, starting at the wheel or at the Kitchen sink 14 ( "R # 1"). For example, a symbol would be "DOG" on the coil 14 ("R # 1"), followed by a "SHOE" symbol on the spool 16 ("R # 2") and another "DOG" symbol on the coil 18 ("R # 3") a winning combination of "ANY TOKEN".

In one embodiment, the symbol "PENNY" acts as a risky card for the symbol combinations "RING", "TRAIN" and "PARKING". Thus, for example, the combination of "RING", "PENNY" and "RING" on adjacent coils 14 ( "R # 1"), 16 ("R # 2") and 18 ("R # 3") a winning combination.

The "ADVANCED PAYMENTS" column identifies the various winning combinations that may occur by symbols that are not necessarily aligned with an active payline. A scattered payment winning combination occurs when scattered pay symbols are displayed at any position on the appropriate reels. In the MONOPOLY ONCE AROUND ^™ base game, CHECKOUT and LUCKY symbols are scattered pay symbols, and winning combinations occur when three or more of these symbols are displayed on consecutive and adjacent exchangeable spools. For example, a display of three "CHEST" symbols on adjacent coils 16 ( "R # 2"), 18 ("R # 3") and 20 ("R # 4") a scattered payment winning combination in the game MONOPOLY ONCE AROUND ^TM .

The "# OF HITS" column of Table A-1 identifies, for each winning combination, the product of the number of symbols on each spool that support the combination. For example, consider the combination of five "PENNY" symbols. This combination is the highest value combination in the MONOPOLY ONCE AROUND ^™ baseline game because there are relatively few "PENNY" symbols on each reel, and thus the probability of encountering a "PENNY" symbol on each reel is very low. In particular, in the embodiment of Table A-1, there is a "PENNY" symbol on the coil 14 ("R # 1"), two "PENNY" symbols on the coil 16 ("R # 2"), two "PENNY" symbols on the coil 18 ("R # 3"), two "PENNY" symbols on the coil 20 ("R # 4") and four "PENNY" symbols on the coil 22 ( "R # 5"). Thus, "# OF HIT" for the combination of five consecutive "PENNY" symbols is 32 (ie, 1 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 4).

The "PAYMENT" column of Table A-1 identifies the amount of coins or credits awarded for the various winning combinations in the base game per unit of play. Thus, for example, the combination "PENNY", "PENNY", on the coils 14 . 16 appears ("R # 1, R # 2"), pay 20 coins or points on a coin being played; the same combination will pay 100 coins or points on five coins played.

The Column "TOTAL" of Table A-1 lists for each winning combination the product of the value "# OF HIT" and the value "PAYMENT" on. The combination of five times "PENNY" with for example 32 hits, each paying 20,000 coins or points, has a value "TOTAL" of 640,000.

In one embodiment, each of the coils has 14 . 16 . 18 . 20 and 22 Thus, the chances of meeting a unique combination relative to a single active payline is one in 254 million (ie 1 ÷ (48) ⁵ ). The PROBABLE spade identifies the probability of meeting the various winning combinations in a single turn. For example, there are only 32 symbol combinations of about 250 million symbol combinations, which will result in the combination of five consecutive "PENNY" symbols. Thus, the probability of meeting this combination is 32 ÷ 254 million or about 1.25 × 10 ^-7 .

The column "EW" of Table A-1 identifies the expected value of the various winning combina calculated as the product of the "PAYMENT" and "PROPERTY" values. Thus, the expected value for the combination of five times "PENNY" is 0.0025 (20,000 x 1.25 x 10 ^-7 ). The payout rate of the base game identified at the bottom of the "EW" column is calculated by summing each expected value. In the embodiment of Table A-1, the payout rate of the base game is 73.60%.

The bonus game

The bonus game is triggered when a special "bonus start" result occurs in the base game. In the game MONOPOLY ONCE AROUND ^TM , a winning combination of three or more "DICE" symbols in the base game represents a "bonus start" outcome that causes the CPU to "play." 70 Executes a game control instruction that enters the bonus game. In one embodiment, the bonus game has a board game (eg MONOPOLY) theme and is on the top of the box game board 62 and the video ad 12 implemented. The board game defines a plurality of stations or squares around a game board that is traversable by a game token or token "identifier" that indicates the location of a token or player. For example, in one embodiment, a token "identifier" includes an illuminated station of the top box game board 62 which indicates the position of a token or player that is not otherwise on the top of the box board 62 is shown. Hereinafter, references to displaying the position of a token or player shall be understood to mean the display of either a token of an actual game or a token identifier on a game board or part thereof.

Upon initial entry into the bonus game, the CPU will work 70 to the display of coils or wheels 14 . 16 . 18 . 20 . 22 on the video ad 12 with a token selection screen ( 5 ) to replace a selection of board game tokens 40 offering. In the MONOPOLY ONCE AROUND ^{TM game} , the token selection screen displays an animated rich uncle's purse symbol 38 above a selection of MONOPOLY tokens 40 (eg "AUTO", "DOG", "HORSE", "SHOE" and "HAT") and the player is required to play one of the game tokens 40 select. In one embodiment, the video display 12 a touch screen display and selecting a game token 40 is done by touching the desired token on the display 12 reached. However, it will be appreciated that any of several known player control devices may be used to select a token 40 to implement. In another embodiment, the player rolls through the tokens 40 and selects a particular token by pressing a certain "select" button on the game machine 10 off if the desired token 40 is highlighted. A roll through the tokens 40 before the selection of the desired token can also be achieved automatically according to the game program or can be controlled by the player pressing different buttons. If the player once a token 40 selects, the CPU works 70 to a part of the game board on the video ad 12 with the selected token at a start station of the game board. The CPU 70 also signals an I / O control 71 , the start station on the top box game board 62 to illuminate. For example, in the MONOPOLY ONCE AROUND ^TM game, the starting station is the "GO" square. The CPU 70 works to place the selected MONOPOLY token on the GO square of a rolling MONOPOLY video board on the video display 12 and also signals the I / O control 71 , the GO square on the top box MONOPOLY board 62 to illuminate.

Next, the CPU selects 70 In one embodiment, an integer motion value defining a number of stations or steps for which the token is to be moved from the GO square. In one embodiment, the integer motion value is selected from a plurality of motion values corresponding to the sum of two cubes. In this case, the selection of the motion value could include selecting two integer values, each corresponding to a possible result of one of the cubes, and then summing the integer values. For example, the CPU selects 70 in one embodiment, a first integer value from one to six corresponding to the faces of a six-sided first die, then selects a second integer value from one to six corresponding to the faces of a six-sided second die. The CPU 70 sums the two values to define the integer motion value having a number from two to twelve. Alternatively, the CPU could 70 Select an integer motion value from two to twelve without selecting and summing intermediate values.

In one embodiment, the player "rolls" a pair of dice by touching a "dice roll" button 41 or an "automatic scrolling" button 42 on the video ad 12 , The result of each roll (eg the integer motion value) is given by the CPU 70 then selected game controls outputting indicia of the predetermined "rolling". In one embodiment, the indicia displayed are a mechanical cube 64 and a pair of "video" cubes 43 on the video ad 12 ( 6 ) on. In one embodiment, the mechanical cubes 64 through the I / O control 71 in response to game control instructions from the CPU 70 driven to mechanically rotate and then stop to reveal the predetermined result of the rolling. The video cube 43 "Rotates" in the same way and then stops to the predetermined roles in response to instructions from the CPU 70 To reveal. The result of rolling the cube 43 ( 6 ) and 64 ( 1 ) determines by how many spaces the token will be moved from its previous position on the game board. On the top box display 32 Moving through the lighting in a step-by-step manner, the appropriate stations (squares) on the game board 62 (eg MONOPOLY board) from the previous position to the position determined by rolling the cube. On the video ad 12 gets a move through the selected game token 40 (eg "SHOE" in 6 ), which moves one space at a time for a corresponding number of spaces on a rolling part of the game board.

In one embodiment, then, if the token terminates 40 Moving for a respective reel stops, an animated character icon (eg Rich Uncle's purse in MONOPOLY ONCE AROUND ^TM ) stops the name of the station (the square) on which the token is placed 40 landed. The player is credited with the amount displayed on the station multiplied by the line bet. In one embodiment, the player could be credited with an additional amount resulting from a page bet if there is any that belongs to the station (which is in relation to 7 will be described). In one embodiment, the bonus game continues with consecutive reels of dice until the player's token has completed a run around the game board. When rolling by pressing the "cube roll" button 41 is initiated, the game will pause between a roll until the player presses the button 41 or 42 touched. When rolling through the "automatic scrolling" button 42 initiated, causes the CPU 70 in that the cubes roll automatically after a slight delay after the previous reel.

In the game MONOPOLY ONCE AROUND ^TM , the CPU encounters 70 then, if the game token 40 lands on a "lucky" or "community cash" station (a square) during the bonus round, an animation on the video ad 12 showing the top card of a burst of cards flipping open to reveal the "lucky" or "community cash" scores. The art on the cards resembles the cards in an actual MONOPOLY ^TM game. Generally, the results of "Happiness" and "Community Cash" have imputations of fixed denominations (eg, "BANK ERROR AT YOUR OWN, $ 100), or they can move the player to a new room (eg, GO BACK TO A ROOM) Player is moved to a plot, the movement is on the top box board 62 and the video ad 12 displayed. The possible results of the squares "Happiness" and "Community Cash" in an embodiment of the bonus game MONOPOLY ONCE AROUND ^™ are shown in Table A-2 below.

TABLE A-2

In one embodiment of the MONOPOLY ONCE AROUND ^{™ game} , the CPU initiates 70 then, if the game token 40 lands on a station that is other than "luck" or "community fund", that gives the player an amount of points corresponding to the product of the coins or points wagered for each line in the base game and a multiplier value associated with the respective station (s). Four of the stations (eg "INCOME TAX", "IN PRISON", "GO TO PRISON" and "LUXURY TAX") have a value of zero in the bonus game, ie they are assigned multiplier amounts of zero. All other stations have positive integers as multiplier values, which generally increase as the token continues along the board. The multiplier values associated with the respective stations are in 3 and shown in Table A-3 below.

In one embodiment, the bonus game gives the player the opportunity to make side bets, separate from the coins or points wagered in the base game, at the game board stations for which the player predicts that he will land on during the bonus game. The increments of the side bets that can be made at the various stations can be varied according to the game program. For example, in the MONOPOLY ONCE AROUND ^™ bonus game, the player has the opportunity to "build" houses (side bets) on the possessions of the MONOPOLY board for which the player predicts that he will land on it during the bonus game , The amount of the side bet equals the "cost" of the houses built on the different plots, which generally vary according to the selected plot.

If the player wishes to build a house (houses), the player touches the "Build Houses" button 46 on the video ad 12 ( 5 ), which appears at the beginning of the bonus round. When the "building houses" button 46 is selected, the CPU works 70 to create a "Build Houses" screen ( 7 ) on the video display. In one embodiment, the video display has a touch screen display and the player bets (builds houses) on a property by touching the desired property. However, it will be appreciated that any of several alternative player control devices may be used to implement the selection and building of homes.

After choosing a plot, the CPU works 70 to a real estate certificate 54 according to the selected plot on the video ad 12 display. In 7 is the one on the video ad 54 shown land right "Baltic Avenue", thus indicating that the player has chosen to build houses on the Baltic Avenue. More specifically, the player has identified the station "Baltic Avenue" as a predicted landing position of the token to be determined by execution of the game program. The player builds houses on the selected property by touching the property again, touching the document 54 or by touching the "Building Houses" button 46 , Up to five bets (houses) can be placed on each property. In one embodiment, the houses cost on the lower side of the MONOPOLY ^™ board (from Mediterranean Avenue to Connecticut Avenue) 5 In each case, if the houses on the left side of the board (St. Charles Place to New York Avenue) cost 10 points each, the houses on the upper side of the board (Kentucky Avenue to Marvin Gardens) cost 15 points each and cost the houses 20 points each on the right side of the board (Pacific Avenue to Boardwalk).

The cost of the houses is subtracted from the points earned or paid by the player. In one embodiment, the player may insert coins or bills into the machine 10 at any time during a display of the "Build Houses" screen as it is desired to increase the points available for building houses. If the player has selected a property and placed a house (houses) on the property, wishes to clear the house (the houses) on the selected property, the player touches a "Delete a property" button 48 on the display 12 , If the player wishes to delete houses (side bets) placed on the entire board, the player touches a "Delete All Houses" button 50 on the display 12 ,

In one embodiment, the video display shows 12 a number of house and hotel icons corresponding to the number of houses built on each selected property. In 7 shows the video ad 12 For example, four green house icons and a red hotel icon adjacent to the Baltic Avenue Real Estate Deed, indicating that the player has placed five bets on Baltic Avenue. The four house icons represent the first four bets and the hotel icon represents the fifth bet placed on Baltic Avenue. The displayed property certificate 54 identifies the cost per house (eg, 5 points for Baltic Avenue) and the pay-for-land value on the property (eg, 125 points for Baltic Avenue, with five houses).

In one embodiment, the game program defines an integer target move value, and a bonus is added to the player when the player "rolls" the integer target move value to land on the selected piece of land. The bonus has a higher value attribution that is greater than the imputation that would otherwise be attributed by landing on the selected property. In the illustrated embodiment, the integer target motion value is two, which corresponds to scrolling "snake eyes" (double). The displayed property certificate 54 displays the payoff value of the "Snake Eyes" bonus, namely 2000 points for Baltic Avenue (with five houses). The cost per house, one pay per house and one snake eyes bonus per house for different reasons pieces in one embodiment of the game MONOPOLY ONCE AROUND ^™ are identified in Table A-3.

In one embodiment, a "help" button becomes 44 displayed on the "Building Houses" screen. If touched by the player, leave the "Help" button 44 that the player accesses various information and instructions pertaining to the property of building houses. For example, in one embodiment, the to the "Help" button 44 information that the player determines how much the Snake Eye bonus is worth to the various properties.

After the player has set the desired number of side bets, the player touches a "return to game" button 52 on the display 12 , which causes the CPU 70 the "Build Houses" screen by displaying the MONOPOLY board screen ( 6 ) with the token beginning on the GO square. Then the player presses the "roll dice" button 41 or the "automatic scrolling" button 42 to roll the dice and start the bonus game.

Then the CPU performs 70 a game program that selects integer movement values according to a roll of dice to advance the game token, or the token identifier, along the game board. The landing station (s) of the token identifier (s) determined by execution of the game program defines (defines) "current" or "true" position (s) of the token identifier, which is opposite to the predicted ones Positions is that are selected via the "Build Houses" screen. After each "rolling" the CPU compares 70 the true position with the predicted position (s), and then, if the true position coincides with any of the predicted position (s), the player is paid an amount of coins or points as appropriate, as appropriate the cost of building the house (s) on this property. In one embodiment, the amount paid to land on an upgraded property is five times the cost of building houses on that property. The attributions) for "building houses", if any, are in addition to the imputations attributed as a result of landing on the properties in the regular bonus game.

The minting of coins or points for the "building houses" feature or the regular bonus game may occur directly after the token 40 lands on a specific property, or may be postponed or delayed until completion of the bonus game. In one embodiment, the rich uncle's animated purses become on display 12 celebrate or celebrate during all big bonus calculations. After the bonus game is over, the bonus screen will disappear and the video reel screen will appear on the screen 12 be displayed so that the player can resume playing the base game.

Turning to the now 8th , is there another game machine 110 shown with a board game theme. In one embodiment, the game machine is 110 Operable to play a game called MONOPOLY REEL ESTATE ^TM based on the board game MONOPOLY ^TM . MONOPOLY ^TM is a registered trademark owned and used with the permission of Hasbro. Inc. and Hasbro International, Inc., Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Alternatively, the gaming machine may be implemented with any of several other board game themes other than MONOPOLY ^™ .

The game machine 110 contains a video ad 112 and a top box display 132 , The video ad 112 For example, a dot matrix, CRT, LED, LCD, an electroluminescent display, or generally any type of video display known in the art. The top box display 132 has a front surface 160 comprising a partially transparent material, such as glass, plastic, Plexiglas or the like, which is an adaptation of a game board 162 (eg MONOPOLY) displayed on it contains. The game board 162 is through a number of lights 166 (in the 1 not visible) in the top box display 132 enlightened from behind.

9 is a block diagram of a control system used to operate the slot machine 110 of the 8th suitable is. A coins / points detector 182 signals a CPU 170 when a player has inserted a number of coins or has played a number of points. Then, after the player has a switch 184 (eg by pulling a lever or pressing a button), the CPU is working 170 to coils or wheels 114 . 116 . 118 . 120 and 122 (please refer 11 ) on the video screen 112 display. The player activates one or more selected paylines 172 . 174 . 176 . 178 . 180 and press the "Spin Spools" button 136 or the "Turn for maximum bet" button 137 to "turn" the coils, as for it 11 will be described. The CPU 170 randomly selects a game result and causes the video ad to show 112 in indicia or signs (eg symbols on the coils 114 . 116 . 118 . 120 and 122 ) according to the preselected game result. In one embodiment, the symbols displayed on the coils define the base game result.

A system memory 186 stores control hardware, operating instructions and data related to the game machine 110 belong. In one embodiment, the memory 186 a separate read-only memory (ROM) and a battery-backed random access memory (RAM). However, it will be recognized that the memory 186 can be implemented on any of several alternative types of memory structures or implemented on a single memory structure. A payout mechanism 188 is in response to instructions from the CPU 170 operable to pay out coins or points to the player in response to certain in the store 186 attributed saved winning combinations. As will be described in detail hereinbelow, the payoff amounts corresponding to particular combinations become one in system memory 186 stored pay table predetermined. A separate I / O control 171 that with the CPU 170 coupled, the top box lights operates 266 ,

The game machine 110 is operable to play a base game and a bonus game. The base game is on the video ad 112 on five videos, rotating spools or wheels simulated 114 . 116 . 118 . 120 and 122 (hereinafter "coils") with five paylines 172 . 174 . 176 . 178 and 180 implemented as best in 11 is observed. Generally, playing a game is initiated by inserting a number of coins or by playing for a number of points, causing the CPU 170 ( 9 ) activates a number of paylines corresponding to the number of coins or points played. After activation of the paylines, the coils become 140 . 116 . 118 . 120 and 122 by either pulling a lever (not shown), pressing a push button, or touching a touch screen "button" on the video display 112 set in motion.

In the embodiment of the 11 Each of the paylines extends 172 . 174 . 176 . 178 and 180 over a symbol on each of the five coils 114 . 116 . 118 . 120 and 122 , The pay line 172 starts at the upper left symbol (eg "ZUG") at the coil 114 , extends beyond the central symbol (eg, "WATER WORKING", hereinafter "WATER") on the spool 116 , the lower symbol (eg "WATER") on the coil 118 , the central symbol (eg "TRAIN") on the spool 120 and ends at the top symbol (eg "HAT") on the coil 122 , The pay line 174 extends over the top symbol on each coil (eg "ZUG" on the coil 114 , "ELECTRIC COMPANY", hereinafter "LIGHT" on the coil 116 , "COMMUNITY CHEST", hereafter "CHECKOUT" on the spool 118 , "PURCHASE OF THE RICH ONKEL", hereinafter "PENNY" on the spool 120 and "HAT" on the spool 122 .) The pay line 176 extends beyond the central symbol on each coil (eg "FREE PARKING", hereinafter "PARKING" on the coil 114 , "WATER" at the coil 116 , "DOG" on the spool 118 , "TRAIN" on the spool 120 and "LIGHT" on the coil 122 ). The pay line 178 extends over the lower symbol on each coil (eg "PENNY" on the coil 114 , "LUCK" on the spool 116 , "WATER" at the coil 118 , "AUTO" on the coil 120 and "PARKING" on the coil 122 ). The pay line 180 starts at the lower symbol (eg "PENNY") on the coil 114 , extends over the central symbol (eg "WATER") on the coil 116 , the upper symbol (eg "CHECKOUT") on the spool 118 , the central symbol (eg "TRAIN") on the spool 120 and ends at the lower symbol (eg "PARKING") on the coil 122 ,

In one embodiment, the player selects the number of paylines (between one and five) to play by selecting one of the five buttons in the top row 128 or by pressing the "Select Lines" button 134 on the video ad 112 used. The player then chooses one of the five buttons in the bottom row 130 corresponding to the number of coins or points to bet on each of the five paylines. Selecting one of the buttons in the bottom row 130 puts the five video coils 114 . 116 . 118 . 120 and 122 moving". As an alternative, the player may choose the "Bet Per Line" button 135 on the video ad 112 Touch until the desired bet is displayed and then the "Spin Coil" button 136 on the video ad 112 Touch to start the game. As another alternative, if the player wishes to bet the maximum amount of lines and the maximum bet per line, then the player may choose the "Turn for maximum bet" button 137 on the video ad 112 Touch to start the game. In one embodiment, the game may be set for a maximum bet of 5, 9, or 18 points on each payline for a maximum total bet of 25, 45, or 90 points per game. The CPU 70 assigns a bet for an equal amount of points for each payline and then rotates all five reels 114 . 116 . 118 . 120 and 122 ,

The CPU 170 uses a random number generator (not shown) to select a game outcome (eg, a "base" game outcome) corresponding to a particular group of reel "stop positions." The CPU 170 then causes each of the video coils 114 . 116 . 118 . 120 and 122 stops at a preselected stop position. Video symbols (see 11 ) are on the coils 114 . 116 . 118 . 120 and 122 is displayed to graphically represent the spool stop position and to indicate whether the stop position of the spools represents a sweep result. Winning "base" game results (eg symbol combinations resulting in a pay of coins or points) are identifiable by a pay table (see Table B-1). In one embodiment, the pay table is to the machine 110 pinned and / or will through the video ad 112 in response to a command from the player (eg, pressing the "PAYMENT TABLE" button 145 ) is displayed. The Paytable allows the player to view the winning combinations and their associated payout amounts. If the displayed symbols stop in a winning combination, the game allocates the player the award according to the attribution in the pay table for that combination multiplied by the amount of points for which bet on the winning payline.

Table B-1 is a pay table that identifies various winning combinations of symbols in the base game MONOPOLY REEL ESTATE ^™ and their mathematical probabilities and expected values. The various symbols used in the basic game MONOPOLY REEL ESTATE ^TM include: "PENNY" PURCHASE BAG, "AUTO", "HAT", "DOG", "TRAIN", "PARKING", "WATER", "LIGHT "," CHECKOUT "and" LUCKY ".

The "WINNING COMBINATIONS" column identifies the various winning combinations that may occur by symbols stopping on an active payline. Generally, winning combinations can occur when one to five corresponding symbols are displayed, from left to right, starting at the spool 114 (which is labeled "R # 1" in Table B-1) on an active pay line. For example, one is on the coil 114 displayed symbol "PENNY" a winning result, if two "PENNY" symbols on adjacent coils 114 ("R # 1") and 116 ("R # 2").

In one embodiment, the "PENNY" symbol acts as a risky card for combinations of game tokens "AUTO", "HAT" and "DOG". Thus, for example, the combination of "AUTO", "PENNY" and "AUTO" on adjacent coils 114 ( "R # 1"), 116 (R # 2) and 118 (R # 3) a winning combination.

The column "DIFFICULT PAYMENTS" identified the various winning combinations that may occur by symbols that are not necessarily aligned with an active payline. A winning combination of scattered pay type occurs when scattered pay symbols are displayed, at any position on the appropriate reels. In the MONOPOLY REEL ESTATE ^TM base game, the symbols "CHECKOUT" and "LUCKY" are the symbols for scattered pay and winning combinations occur when three or more of these symbols are displayed on adjacent reels. For example, three symbols are "CHECKOUT" on adjacent coils 116 ( "R # 2"), 118 (R # 3) and 120 (R # 4), a winning combination for a scattered pay in game MONOPOLY REEL ESTATE ^TM .

The "# OF HIT" column of Table B-1 identifies, for each winning combination, the product of the number of symbols on each reel that supports the combination. For example, consider the combination of five "PENNY" symbols. This combination is the combination with the highest value in the base game MONOPOLY REEL ESTATE ^TM because there are relatively few "PENNY" symbols on each reel, and thus the probability of hitting a "PENNY" symbol on each reel is very low. In particular, in the embodiment of Table B-1, there is a "PENNY" symbol on each of the coils 114 ( "R # 1"), 116 ( "R # 2"), 118 ( "R # 3"), 120 ("R # 4") and 122 ( "R # 5"). Thus, "# OF HIT" for the combination of five consecutive "PENNY" symbols is 1 (ie, 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x 1).

The "PAYMENT" column of Table B-1 identifies the amount of coins or points allocated to the various winning combinations in the base game per unit wagered. Thus, the combination "PENNY", "PENNY" on the coils 114 . 116 ("R # 1, R # 2") appears, pay 10 coins or points on a coin being played; the same combination will pay 50 coins or points on five coins played.

The Column "TOTAL" of Table B-1 lists for each winning combination the product of the value of "# OF HIT" and the value "PAYMENT" on. The combination five times "PENNY" with one hit, of the 10,000 coins or points paid, for example, has a value of "TOTAL" of 10,000. When Another example has the combination of four "PENNY" with 24 hits, the 1,000 coins or Pay points, a "TOTAL" value of 24,000.

In one embodiment, each of the coils has 114 . 116 . 118 . 120 and 122 Thus, the chances of success in making a particular unique combination relative to a single active payline are one in about 12 million (ie 1 ö (26) ⁵ ). The "CHANCE" column identifies the probability of meeting the various winning combinations in a single turn. For example, there is only one symbol combination of about 12 million symbol combinations that will result in the combination of five consecutive "PENNY" symbols. Thus, the probability of meeting this combination is 1 ÷ 12 million or about 8.4 × 10 ^-8 .

The "EW" column of Table B-1 identifies the expected value of the various winning combinations that the product is calculated from the "PAYMENT" and "PROPERTY" values. Thus, the expected value for the combination of five times "PENNY" is 0.08% (10,000 × 8.5 × 10 ^-8 ). The payout rate of the base game identified at the bottom of the column "EW" is determined by summing each calculated the expected values. In the embodiment of Table B-1, the payout rate of the base game is 74.6%.

The bonus game

The bonus game is triggered when a special "bonus start" result occurs in the base game. In one embodiment of the game MONOPOLY REEL ESTATE ^™ , the bonus game is triggered when three or more symbols "CHECKOUT" or "LUCK" in the format of scattered pay on adjacent ones of the reels 114 . 116 . 118 . 120 and 122 are displayed. Alternatively, depending on the game program, the bonus game could be triggered if the symbols "CHECKOUT" or "LUCKY" on an active pay line on the reels 114 . 116 . 118 . 120 and 122 are displayed. The bonus game has a board game (eg MONOPOLY) theme and is on the top box game board 162 and the video ad 112 implemented.

Upon initial entry into the bonus game, the CPU works 170 to the display of the coils 114 . 116 . 118 . 120 . 122 on the video ad 112 with a token selection screen ( 12 ), which is a selection of board game tokens 140 offers. In MONOPOLY REEL ESTATE ^TM , the token selection screen displays an animated rich uncle's wallet symbol 138 over a selection of MONOPOLY tokens 140 (eg, "AUTO,""DOG,""HORSE,""SHOE," and "HAT"), and the player is promoted to one of the game tokens 140 select. In one embodiment, the video display 112 a touch screen display, and the selection of a game token 140 is done by touching the desired token on the display 112 reached. However, it will be appreciated that any of several known player control devices may be used to select a token 140 to implement. In another embodiment, the player rolls through the tokens 140 select a specific token by pressing a specific "Select" button on the game machine 110 off if the desired token 140 is highlighted. A roll through the tokens 140 before the selection of the desired token can also be achieved automatically according to the game program or can be controlled by the player pressing different buttons.

If the player once a token 140 selects, the CPU signals 170 the I / O control 171 , a start station on the top box game board 162 to illuminate and then light up subsequent stations around the board in a step-by-step manner, slowing down first and then stopping after a couple of turns and stopping at a displayed station. Generally, the displayed station is by the CPU 170 before enlightenment from subsequent stations on the top box game board 162 determined at random. At a certain point, the CPU is working 170 when the light is on the top box game board 162 starts to slow down to a corresponding ad on the video display 112 to generate in which the selected token 140 on a rolling part of the game board "moves" before he finally stops on the indicated station. The movement of the game token 140 on the video ad 112 exactly matches the illumination of stations on the top box game board 162 ,

For example, in the game MONOPOLY REEL ESTATE ^™ , when the player once selects a token, the stations (squares) of the top-board MONOPOLY board are used 162 illuminated in a step-by-step manner, beginning with the GO square. The lighting of stations starts quickly, then slows down and stops to reveal a displayed station of the MONOPOLY board. On the corresponding video ad 112 ( 13 ) is the selected MONOPOLY token 140 (eg "PFERD") progressing on a rolling MONOPOLY board and then stopping at the indicated station (eg on the "GO" square in 13 ).

In one embodiment, then, if the token terminates 140 on the displayed station, an animated character icon (eg Rich Uncle's Wallet in MONOPOLY REEL ESTATE ^™ ) will "land" the name of the displayed station and the player will be credited with an amount belonging to the station. If the game token 140 lands on a "lucky" or "community fund" square, the CPU encounters 170 an animation on the video ad 112 which shows the top card of a burst of cards being placed to reveal the result "Happiness" or "Community Cash". The art on the cards resembles the cards in an actual MONOPOLY ^TM game. Generally, the "lucky" and "community cash" scores have fixed coin value assignments (eg, "LIFE INSURANCE WILL BE DONE, $ 12), or they move the player to a new room (eg, PROGRESS TO BORDWALK) Land is moved, the movement is on the top box board 62 and the video ad 12 displayed. The possible results of the "luck" and "community fund" squares in an embodiment of the bonus game MONOPOLY REEL ESTATE ^™ are described in fol gender table B-2.

TABLE B-2

In one embodiment of the game MONOPOLY REEL ESTATE ^™ , the CPU initiates 170 then, if the game token 140 lands on a station (station) other than "luck" or "community fund", which is attributed to the player an amount of points corresponding to the product of the coins or points wagered in the base game, and a multiplier value associated with the respective station (s). All of the stations have positive integer multiplier values, which generally increase as the token progresses along the board. The multiplier values belonging to the respective stations are in 10 and shown in Table B-3 below.

Table B-3 -

Table B-3 - (continued)

The bonus game nominally consists of only one displayed result ("spin") resulting in a single bonus claim, after which the CPU 170 returns to the base game. In one embodiment, rich uncle animated purses are displayed on the video display 112 celebrate during all big bonus calculations. After the bonus game is over, the CPU initiates 170 in that the bonus screen disappears and the video reels are displayed so that the player can resume playing the base game.

In one embodiment, certain of the game board stations 162 Characteristics that identify them as elements of a recognizable subgroup of stations. For example, in the MONOPOLY REEL ESTATE ^{™ game} , as in the actual MONOPOLY board game, the various game board plots are colored: Mediterranean Avenue and Baltic Avenue define a purple color group, Oriental Avenue, Vermont Avenue and Connecticut Avenue define a slightly blue color group, etc. In one embodiment, additional rotations may be attributed by "stopping" all stations to a particular color group. The CPU identifies to each game of the bonus game 170 then if the token 140 on a station (eg a plot square) that is part of a color group, the station ends up as a "finished" station and stores the result of that spin in the game store. Then prompt the CPU 170 in one embodiment, that I / O control 171 An indicator light illuminates this to the plot on the game board 162 to indicate that the property is a "finished" property.

After each movement of the token or token identifier on the game board 162 orders the CPU 170 A "finished" status to the landing station, as appropriate, then evaluates the status of the other station in the group. If the other stations in the group have also been terminated, the CPU identifies 170 this group as a finished group and provides a reward to the player. The reward could be an additional "spin" for a bonus game, or an increased payoff relative to the underlying asset on which landed. For example, when the token lands on Mediterranean Avenue, which is an element of the purple color group, the CPU orders 170 a completed status to the station of the Mediterranean Avenue and then evaluates the status of the other purple station, namely Baltic Avenue. If you continue with this example, the CPU would 170 then, even if Baltic Avenue were "completed", identify the purple group as a finished group and reward the player as appropriate, with perhaps an additional "spin" of a bonus game. Alternatively or additionally, other incentives for terminating color groups may be provided. For example, in one embodiment, the player could, if a player token 140 lands on a lot that ends a color group that is twice the value that otherwise belongs to that lot. For example, in one embodiment, Mediterranean Avenue is associated with a "3x" multiplier, and the CPU 170 could cause the payout to double, effectively to a multiplier of "6x", as the game token lands on Mediterranean Avenue and ends the purple color group.

In one embodiment, once a station has finished, it retains its terminated status (and its indicator light remains lit) when the bonus round ends and during all additional bonus rounds, until such time as all wards in that group are completed, to define a finished group. The bonus game could be played multiple times by multiple players before any station groups end. Upon completion of a group, the CPU rewards 170 the player, as appropriate, and then removes the terminated state of the stations in the station group, causing the indicator lights to be extinguished.

For example, in the game MONOPOLY REEL ESTATE ^™, a first player could land on Illinois Avenue (Red), Ventnor Avenue (Yellow), Community Cash (No Color), St. James Place (Orange), and Pacific Avenue (Green), five times. enter the bonus game, which causes the CPU 170 assigns a completed status and illuminates indicator lights associated with those properties. A second player could then enter the bonus game three times, landing on North Carolina Avenue (green) and Tennessee Avenue (orange), which in turn causes the CPU 170 assigns a completed status and illuminates indicator lights associated with those properties. A third player could then enter the bonus game and land on New York Avenue (orange) to end the orange color group. After identifying that New York Avenue is finished, and that it finishes the orange color group, the CPU could 170 then assign a free bonus spin to the player and clear or remove the completed status and wipe out the indicator lights on the orange plots. If the player landed on Pennsylvania Avenue (green) during the free spin, thereby ending the green color group, the CPU would 170 Add another free bonus spin to the player, clear the completed status, and clear the indicator lights on the green plots. Otherwise any other result would cause the CPU to fail 170 The bonus game ends and returns to the base game.

In one embodiment, the free spin feature has a relatively low overall 1.9% reimbursement so that players will not feel compelled to keep playing the game until a color group is completed (or, conversely, the game after quitting a color group immediately, and so other players are not attracted to "suspend" and wait for machines that have a large share of enlightened land.

Turning now to the 14 too, there is another game machine 210 shown with a board game theme. In one embodiment, the game machine is 210 Operable to play a game entitled MONOPOLY ADVANCE TO BOARDWALK ^TM based on the board game MONOPOLY ^TM . MONOPOLY ^TM is a registered trademark owned and used with permission by Hasbro, Inc. and Hasbro International, Inc., Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Alternatively, the game machine 210 be implemented with any of several other board game themes other than MONOPOLY ^™ .

The game machine 210 contains a display window 270 by which a player uses three mechanical spools or wheels 214 . 216 and 218 can watch. The game machine 210 contains a top box 232 holding a graphic display 212 and an adaptation of a game board 262 (eg MONOPOLY). The graphic display 12 For example, a dot matrix, CRT, LED, LCD, electroluminescent display, or generally any type of video display known in the art may be included. The game board 262 comprises a partially transparent material, such as glass, plastic, Plexiglas or the like, which is illuminated by a number of lights 260 (in the 14 not visible) in the top box 232 is lit from behind.

As it is best in 16a is observed is the front surface 260 of the top box various artwork, symbols and text that are imprinted on the game MONOPOLY ADVANCE TO BOARDWALK ^™ , including a pay table 250 and a statement table 252 , The game board is divided so that different sections can be lit independently.

15 is a block diagram of a control system used to operate the slot machine 210 of the 14 suitable is. A coins / points detector 282 signals a CPU 270 when a player has inserted a number of coins or has played for a number of points. Then, after the player has a switch 284 (eg by pulling a lever or pressing a button), the CPU initiates 270 playing a game by moving spools or wheels 214 . 216 . 218 in motion, by randomly selecting a game result and using technology well known in the art, causes a reel motor and step control 290 the spools 214 . 216 . 218 stop at a stop position according to the preselected game result. A rotational position detector 292 provides feedback to the CPU 270 to make sure the coils 214 . 216 . 218 stopped at the correct stop position. The symbols displayed on the reels at the preselected stop position define indicia of the preselected game result. In one embodiment, the symbols displayed on the coils define the base game result.

A system memory 286 stores control software, operating instructions and data related to the game machine 210 belong. In one embodiment, the memory 286 a separate read-only memory (ROM) and a battery-backed random access memory (RAM).

However, it will be recognized that the memory 286 can be implemented on any of several alternative types of memory structures or implemented on a single memory structure. A payout mechanism 288 is in response to instructions from the CPU 270 operable to make a payout of coins or points to the player in response to certain in the store 286 attributed saved winning combinations. As will be described in detail hereinbelow, the payout amount corresponding to certain combinations becomes one in system memory 286 stored pay table predetermined. A separate I / O control 271 that with the CPU 270 coupled, operates the graphics display 212 and the top box lights 266 ,

The game machine 210 is operable to play a base game and a bonus game. In the embodiment of the 14 The basic game is the three mechanical spools 214 . 216 . 218 with a central payment line 276 implemented. In one embodiment, the player may have three icon positions (eg, top, center, and bottom display positions) on each reel 214 . 216 . 218 to thereby define a symbol group of nine symbols that pass through the display window 270 are visible. The pay line 276 extends through the central display position on each coil.

In one embodiment, the on the coils 214 . 216 . 218 Display Icon Group will display any one of four possible base game results, including (1) a default winning outcome that causes the CPU 270 the player a predetermined amount of coins or add points according to a displayed paytable; (2) a surprise win result that the CPU 270 causing the player to count a predetermined amount of coins or points corresponding to a "surprise" winner score that is not identified on a displayed paytable; (3) a bonus start result that causes the CPU 270 enters a bonus game; and (4) a losing result that causes the processor 40 operation in the basic mode without attributing any coins or points.

Generally, both the standard winning score and the surprise winning score are characterized by the display of one or more predefined combinations of symbols. The symbols and payoffs that define the standard and surprising winning combinations are in the game store 286 saved. In one embodiment, the symbols and payoffs that define the standard winning combinations are in the pay table ( 16a ) on the side or surface of the slot machine 210 as shown by the player, whereas the symbols defining the surprise winning combinations are not displayed on the top box 232 are shown and thus likely to "surprise" the player if they result in a payout. In the game MONOPOLY ADVANCE TO BOARDWALK ^TM , the symbols defining the surprise winning combinations are only generally on the top box 232 identified as a "secret blank combination" that starts the bonus game ADVANCE TO BOARDWALK ^TM . The specific combination of BLANK symbols that define the "secret blank combination" is in game memory 286 predefined and saved.

The symbols that define the bonus start combinations preferably appear in the pay table or in another part (other parts) of the top-of-box display 232 identified. For example, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the MONOPOLY ADVANCE TO BOARDWALK ^{™ game has} two bonus features: a LUCKY bonus feature and an ADVANCE TO BOARDWALK bonus feature. In the embodiment of the 16a the LUCKY bonus feature and the symbols (ie, bonus startup combinations) that trigger the LUCKY bonus feature are explained in the text below the LUCKY icon at the top left of the top-of-box display 232 , In particular, the ad contains 232 the following description of the Lucky Bonus feature in the illustrated embodiment:
LUCKY SYMBOL only equals 7-yr and BALK on the pay line. If LUCK symbol is in a winning combination, the LUCKY BONUS feature will start in the display. The LUCKY BONUS is a random multiplier of 2 - 10 or 2 - 25 bonus coins. LUCKY SYMBOL does not replace WILD or RISKANT.

The bonus feature ADVANCE TO BOARDWALK and the symbols (ie bonus start combinations) that trigger the bonus feature ADVANCE TO BOARDWALK are in the field 252 at the lower right end of the top box display 232 explains how it follows:
THREE PURCHASES OF THE RICH ONKELS at any position start the GAME ADVANCE TO BOARDWALK. A player starts at "GO". A random number shown on the display will move the player around the board. The player collects the displayed coins on each room where he landed. The player continues to collect coins until the player lands on a "ROOM FOR GAME OVER" or has been assigned the "BONUS 6th PASS". Dragging a "GO TO PRISON" CARD from LUCK or COMMUNITY CHEST will send the player to the "IN THE PRISON" room, completing the BONUS BOARD GAME. WALKING TO PRISON does not count bonus points "PASS". Board squares LUCK and
COMMUNITY CHECK expect 5 - 50 points. Secret Blank Combination starts the Advance to Boardwalk game. SIXTY PASS AND WINS OVER 2,100 COINS.

17 shows a group of coil strips for use with the ATM 210 to implement the game MONOPOLY ADVANCE TO BOARDWALK ^TM . The coil strips correspond to the coils 214 . 216 . 218 in 14 and are denoted by corresponding reference numerals 214 . 216 . 218 be identified. Each of the coil strips 214 . 216 . 218 contains twenty-four symbols (including blanks) corresponding to twenty-four available spool stop positions. The symbols include WILD, SEVEN, LUCK, 3-BAR, 2-BAR, 1-BALK, BLANK, and CHERRY, which when used in certain predefined combinations relative to the pay line 22 which define standard and surprise winning combinations. Three of the BLANK symbols on each reel define secret blanks which, when aligned on the pay line, will trigger a "surprise" winning result. Likewise, on the coil strip 214 . 216 . 218 Small PURCHASES OF THE RICH ONKELS (hereinafter "PENNY") - symbols shown at the top of (and thereby the Share the spool stop position as shown in some of the other icons. In one embodiment, the PENNY symbols do not form the basis of standard winning combinations in the base game, but instead define a bonus start combination (combinations) when in a scattered payout format on the reels 214 . 216 . 218 are displayed. This is achieved in hardware by treating the blank symbols above and below the PENNY symbol as special symbols. If any of these special symbols or the PENNY symbols appear on the pay line, this is equivalent to a PENNY symbol appearing in one of the three scattered pay positions on the reels.

In particular, the symbols that appear on a coil strip 214 appear in a sequence of 3-BAR, Blank, 1-BAR, Blank, SEVEN, Blank, 1-BAR, Blank, 3-BAR / PENNY, Blank, 1-BAR, Blank, 2-BAR, Blank, 1-BAR , Blank, 3-BALKEN, Blank, 2-BALKEN / PENNY, Blank, 1-BALKEN, Blank, 2-BALKEN and Blank. The symbols on the coil strip 216 contain 3-BALKEN, Blank, Blank / PENNY, Blank, 2-BALKEN, Blank, SEVEN, Blank, 1-BALKEN, Blank, 2-BALKEN, Blank, WILD / PENNY, Blank, 2-BALKEN, Blank, CHERRY, Blank, 1-BAR, Blank, LUCK, Blank, 1-BAR and Blank. Finally, the symbols included on the coil strip 218 appear in a sequence of 3-BAR, Blank, 2-BAR, Blank, 1-BAR, Blank, SEVEN / PENNY, Blank, 1-BAR, Blank, 2-BAR, Blank, 1-BAR, Blank, 2-BAR , Blank, 1-BAR, Blank, 2-BAR, Blank, 1-BAR, Blank, 2-BAR and Blank.

TABLE C-1 Pay Table for the Basic Game ADVANCE TO BOARDWALK

Table C-1 is a pay table that identifies various winning combinations of symbols in the MONOPOLY ADVANCE TO BOARDWALK ^TM game. The winning combinations include various standard symbol combinations (eg SEVEN, WILD, SEVEN) and bonus start combinations (eg "Three rich uncle purses start the Advance to Boardwalk bonus game.) In one embodiment, the game accepts from one to four coins occur for any number of one to four coins that is played when the symbols displayed on the reels 214 . 216 . 218 in alignment with the central pay line 276 are displayed. For example, there are three "1-BARS" symbols on the coils 214 . 216 . 218 on the central pay line 276 a standard winning combination that will pay 10 points for a coin played, 20 points for two coins played and 30 points for three or four coins played. The combination "any bar" is fulfilled by any combination of three or more symbols "1 BAR", "2 BAR" and "3 BAR" on the central pay line 276 to stop.

at an embodiment the symbol "WILD" acts as a wild card for all BAR combinations. Thus, for example, the combination of "2-BALKEN", "WILD" and "2-BALKEN" is a standard winning combination that would pay the same as the combination of three symbols of "2-BARS", respectively the number of coins played. In one embodiment the symbol "LUCKY" acts as a wild card for combinations from "SEVEN" and "BARS" and also pushes the bonus feature LUCK (later described) if it is a winning combination. Consequently For example, the combination of "2-BALKEN", "LUCK" and "2-BALKEN" is a standard winning combination, which would pay the same as the combination of three symbols of "2-BARS", respectively the number of coins played, and is also a bonus start combination that starts the bonus feature LUCK.

In one embodiment, if the player wagers 4 coins and three symbols starts the game Rich Uncle Purses ("PENNY") in a scattered payment format the coils 214 . 216 . 218 displayed, the bonus feature ADVANCE TO BOARDWALK (which will be described later). In the format of a dispensed payment, it is not necessary that the PENNY symbols with the central payment line 276 be aligned. Rather, the bonus game ADVANCE TO BOARDWALK then starts when the spool 214 PENNY at either the upper, central or lower display position indicates the coil 216 PENNY at either the top, center, or bottom display position (which is not the display position of PENNY on the spool 214 must correspond), and the coil 218 PENNY at either the top, center, or bottom display position (which does not indicate the display positions of PENNY on the spools 214 or 216 must correspond).

Table C-2 summarizes payouts, probabilities, and expected scores associated with various combinations of the ADVANCE TO BOARDWALK ^TM game. The combinations are determined in an order of occurrence as follows: "no win", "1 game", "1 cherry", "any bar", "1 bar", "any bar / cherry", "2 bars", "1 Bar / Cherry "" 3 Bars "" 2 Bars / Cherry "" Seven "" 3 Bars / Cherry "," Seven / Cherry "," Seven Wild Seven "," Uncle "and" Surprise ".

The Columns "Payment / 1 Coin "," Pay / 2 Coins "," Pay / 3 Coins "and" Pay / 4 Coins "identify payout amounts belong to the respective combinations in Table C-2. In the case From standard winning combinations, the payout amounts are predetermined amounts which are stored in the system memory. For example, the combination "1 Cherry" is a standard winning combination, the 2 coins will award the points in a game with a coin, 4 coins or Points in a game with two coins and 6 coins or points in a 3 or 4-coin game.

in the Make case of "bonus start" combinations the payment amounts average payout amounts, which can be expected in the bonus game. For example, the Combination "either Bar / Cherry "(i.e. a winning combination of "any Bars "with one Luck wildcard symbol) CHANCE bonus begin and will average 16.75 coins or points in a game with 1 coin, 33.5 coins or points in a game with 2 coins and 15.26 coins or Pay points in a game of 3 or 4 coins. The combinations "Uncle" and "Surprise" are combinations of MONEY BAGS THE RICH ONKELS ("PENNY") - symbols and mystery blanks symbols that trigger the ADVANCE TO BOARDWALK bonus. Both of these combinations are only available with four coins played and will average 98.4 coins or pay points.

It should be noted that using the arrangement of symbols the 17 The bonus game ADVANCE TO BOARDWALK can actually be started by arranging symbols with a WILD symbol on the central reel, which would otherwise form a winning base game combination. According to this embodiment, the base profit is ignored, and instead the eventual bonus game profit guaranteed to be greater is paid. For this reason, the 4-coin "1 Wild" win is less likely in Table C-2 than in the 1-3-coin modes. However, embodiments are believed to be possible where the base game win is combined with the bonus win when a bonus win occurs simultaneously with a base game win. The attributions could be added or multiplied, for example.

The "1-3 probability" column identifies the probabilities of meeting the various results of Table C-2, which belong to a game of 1 coin, 2 coins and 3 coins in a single spin. The "4cn probability" column identifies the probabilities of meeting the various results of Table C-2 associated with a 4-coin game in a single spin. Where the reels each have twenty-four reel stop positions, as in the ADVANCE TO BOARDWALK ^{™ game} , there are 13,824 (24x24x24) possible symbol combinations. The probability of meeting any particular combination in a single spin is determined by dividing the number of possible "hits" that belong to that combination (which is a function of the number of coil positions of the symbols that support that combination) by the total number of possible combinations (ie 13.824). For example, the combination "7-Wild-7" should be considered. Because there is only one symbol SEVEN at the coil 214 There is a symbol WILD on the coil 216 and a symbol SEVEN at the coil 218 , there is only one "hit" that belongs to this combination. The probability of hitting this combination is therefore 7.2 × 10 ^-5 (ie 1 ÷ 13,824). In a 4-coin game, the probability of hitting a combination of "Uncle" is 0.00781 and the probability of hitting a combination of "Surprise" is 0.00195.

The columns "1 cn EW", "2 cn EW", "3 cn EW" and "4 cn EW" identify the normalized expected values of the results of Table C-2 for a 1-coin game, a 2-coin game, a game with 3 coins or a game with 4 coins. These values are calculated for each result by dividing by the number of coins played the product of the count value (or average count) associated with that score and the probability associated with that score. Thus, for example, the result "sifting" has an expected value for 1 coin of 0, 005064 (70 x 7.2 x 10 ^-5 ö 1), an expected value for 2 coins of 0.005064 (140 x 7.2 x 10 ^-5 2), an expected value for 3 coins of 0.005064 (210 × 7.2 × 10 ^-5 ÷ 3) and an expected value for 4 coins of 0.003798 (210 × 7.2 × 10 ^-5 ÷ 4). The result "Uncle" has an expected value for 4 coins of 0.192211 (98.41212 × 0.00781 ÷ 4) and the result "Surprise" has an expected value for 4 coins of 0.048053 (98.41212 × 0 , 00195 ÷ 4).

The Disbursement rate of the base game becomes independent for a game with 1 coin, with 2 Munich, with 3 coins and with 4 coins by summing the normalized expected values in the respective ones Columns "1 cn EW", "2 cn EW", "3 cn EW" and "4 cn EW". In which in the embodiment shown in Table C-2, the payout rates are for a Play with a 1 coin and with 2 coins 0.898869 (89.89%), the payout percentage for a 3-coin game is 0.908514 (90.85%) and the payout percentage for a 4-coin game is 0.920673 (92.07%).

The Column "4th coin draws / hits" indicates how many Drawings on average would be expected to be the respective combinations in a game with 4 coins hold true. This is done by taking the inverse of the probability values calculated that belong to a game with four coins.

The Column "maximum Post "shows for a game with 4 coins the percentage contribution the respective "4 cn EW "values to the whole Payout rate for a game with 4 coins at. Thus, for example, the contribution for the result "uncle" is 20.88% (0.192211 ö 0.920673). The remaining Values for "maximum contribution" are set to the same Calculated way.

The LUCKY bonus feature

In the MONOPOLY ADVANCE TO BOARDWALK ^TM game, if the "LUCKY" symbol appears on the pay line and is included in a base winning combination, then the Lucky Bonus game begins. In one embodiment, there is only one "LUCK" symbol on the reel 216 (the central reel), and according to the rules of the game, it only matches SEVEN and BALK on the pay line, and so the combinations that would trigger the LUCK bonus are the following: SEVEN, LUCK, SEVEN; 3-BARS, LUCK, 3-BARS; 2-BARS, LUCK, 2-BARS; 1-BAR, LUCK, 1-BAR; and ANY BEAM, LUCK, ANY BARK.

The lucky bonus game can be activated by playing for one - four coins. In one embodiment, the CPU provides 270 the Lucky Bonus Game by first selecting one of several possible sets of selection items from a weighted table. Generally, the groups of selection elements have a combination of multiplier values and / or fixed coin amounts. The size of the respective multiplier values and / or the fixed coin amounts are unique for each particular group of selection elements. The selection elements themselves can be varied according to the game program. In one embodiment, each group contains 10 selection elements, but otherwise the numbers and / or values of multipliers and fixed coin calculations may be varied from group to group. For example, one of the sets of selectors could receive 2 ×, 3 ×, 4 ×, 5 ×, and 10 × multipliers and 2, 5, 10, 20, and 25 coin calculations, whereas another group could receive 2 ×, 3 ×, 4 ×, 5 × and 10 × multipliers and 2, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 coin calculations. Another group could include 2x, 3x, 5x and 10x multipliers and 2, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 coin calculations.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG 18 shown is the CPU 270 that the selected group of selection items on the graphic display 212 is displayed in roughly an oval shape around a central area where messages are displayed. In the illustrated embodiment, the news area requires the player to "PRESS ROLES" TO WIN LUCKY BONUS. From the in 18 In the display screen shown, the LUCK bonus is initiated by the player pressing the "spin-on" button or pulling a lever (not shown). The CPU 270 then works according to their game program (that in system memory 286 stored) to randomly select one of the selection items from the group. In one embodiment, the various selection elements generally have different probabilities of being selected, as by one in system memory 286 stored table is determined. In one embodiment having a set of selection elements including 2 ×, 3 ×, 4 ×, 5 × and 10 × multipliers and 2, 5, 10, 20 and 25 coin calculations, the probabilities for selecting the respective selection elements are as follows: 0, 219231 for the 2 × multiplier; 0.153846 for the 3x multiplier; 0.061538 for the 4 × multiplier; 0.053846 for the 5x multiplier; 0.069231 for the 10x multiplier; 0.126923 for the 2-coin calculation; 0.138462 for the 5-coin calculation; 0.076923 for the 10-coin calculation; 0.042308 for the 20-coin calculation; and 0.057692 for the 25-coin calculation.

In an example embodiment, the selection of the LUCKY bonus calculation item is on the graphics display 212 by highlighting successive selection elements in a clock sequence first rapidly and then slowing down and stopping, one at a time, to reveal the selected attribution element, which may be a fixed coin amount or a multiplier te. At this point, the news area will display the total amount of coins or points won. For example, if the attribution from the base game reels was 10 points and the highlighting stopped at an amount of 25 coins, the message area would contain "10 + 25 = 35 COINS". However, if the attribution from the base game reels was 10 points, and the highlighting stopped at a 4x multiplier, the message area will contain "10x4 = 40 COINS". The game would then summarize the amount won on the winning meter and a total screen on the display 112 show how many coins would be won in the Lucky Bonus Game. If the amount won is above the selected hand pay level, then a jackpot ad and an animation will appear on the display 112 to be shown. In one embodiment, the LUCK bonus feature ends after the amount won is dotted or paid out, and the game returns to the base game.

In one embodiment of a 4-coin game, the coin bills for a two-coin bet are multiplied by two and multiplied by three for a bet with three or four coins. The fourth coin allows the player to take the opportunity to play the bonus game MONOPOLY ADVANCE TO BOARDWALK ^TM and not increase the value of the LUCKY bonus.

The bonus game ADVANCE TO BOARDWALK

In one embodiment, the CPU occurs 270 into the ADVANCE TO BOARDWALK ^TM bonus game when the player bets four coins and a special "bonus start" combination of three symbols for the REAL UNKELS ("PENNY") on the reels 214 . 216 . 218 occurs in a scattered pay format in the base game. As previously described, a scattered payment format means that the scattered payment symbols (eg, "PENNY" symbols in the ADVANCE TO BOARDWALK ^{™ game} ) are in either the upper, lower, or central positions on the respective reels can be displayed.

The bonus game ADVANCE TO BOARDWALK ^TM has a board game (eg MONOPOLY) theme, and is on the top box game board 262 and the graphic display 212 implemented. Upon initial entry into the bonus game, the CPU initiates 70 an introductory animation to on the graphic display 212 with an audio fanfare, and then signal the I / O control 271 that GO square on the top box MONOPOLY board 262 to enlighten. The player is required to spin the reels to play the bonus game. Then the CPU works 270 in one embodiment, to select a motion indicator having an integer value, and cause the selected motion indicator to be on the graphics display 212 is shown.

In one embodiment, the motion indicator does not immediately appear on the graphics display 12 but slowly revealed to increase the player's anticipation over the indicator. In one embodiment, the graphics display 212 the motion indicator on a display panel that is initially deliberately blurry or foggy or cloudy to "hide" the indicator, but slowly cleared up to reveal the selected indicator. For example, in one embodiment of the MONOPOLY ADVANCE TO BOARDWALK ^{™ game} , the graphics display shows an animation of a rich uncle's purse character used in a "table type" control panel. A message area on the control panel contains an animated computer or television type monitor capable of revealing the selected indicator. The monitor is first filled with Statics to darken the motion indicator. For example, the message area on the control panel could be read as "DU MOVE [Blank] ROOMS" where the blank is padded with the number to be displayed on the monitor. After a short while, the Rich Uncle's purse's sign will spin or rotate on the control card with dials and levers to clear the statics and reveal the selected indicator. At this point, for example, the message area could be read as: "YOU MOVE [7] SPACES" where the "7" is displayed on the animated monitor.

In one embodiment, the movement indicator (eg, "7") identifies an amount of spaces from two to twelve for which the token will be moved from its previous position on the game board in much the same way as throwing dice. In one embodiment, the CPU selects 270 the motion indicator is pseudorandom, ie, certain indicator values may occur more frequently than other indicator values, depending on the space "on" the player is present. For example, the CPU could 270 more likely to select a movement indicator of "7" if the player were on INDIANA AVENUE (thus landing the player on GO TO PRISON) than if the player on ILLINOIS AVENUE would be. In one embodiment, a plurality of motion tables are stored in the game memory, each motion table corresponding to a particular square of the MONOPOLY board. The CPU 270 select a motion indicator from the motion table corresponding to an existing space by first taking a random number and then interrogating the motion table to determine the motion indicator according to the random number.

at an embodiment The motion tables define a number for each square from performances of every possible one Score from two to twelve. For example, could a movement table defining a group of 46 possible appearances including of 2 performances, which belong to a movement of 2 rooms, 2 appearances leading to one Movement of 3 rooms belong, 3 performances, which belong to a movement of 4 rooms, 5 appearances leading to one Movement of 5 rooms belong, 8 gigs, which belong to a movement of 6 rooms, 6 gigs that become one Movement of 7 rooms belong, 5 gigs that belong to a movement of 8 rooms, 7 gigs that become one Movement of 9 rooms belong, 6 performances, which belong to a movement of 10 rooms, 1 performance, one to one Movement of 11 rooms belongs, and 1 gig that belongs to a movement of 12 rooms.

The CPU 270 could select a motion indicator from the example table by selecting a random number from one to 46, and then progress through each occurrence until it finds the motion indicator corresponding to that random number. For example, a random number of 5 for the above exemplary motion table might indicate that the selected motion indicator would be "4", the first two "sweep steps" are 2, the next two "sweep steps" are 3, and the fifth step ends at an indicator of FIG ,

After selecting a motion indicator number and displaying the indicator on the graph display 212 the CPU is working 270 Use one room at a time to make the appropriate squares on the game board 262 (eg the MONOPOLY board) from the previous position to the position determined by the movement indicator.

In one embodiment, when the light stops moving for each scroll, an animated character icon (eg rich uncle's purse) on the graphics display 212 the name of the square on which landed, and the amount of coins or points, if any, that belong to the square. Coins or points are added to a total payout for the bonus game, which accumulates as the player moves from square to square. In one embodiment, the bonus game continues with successive selections of motion indictors, and a corresponding move around the game board until the player "lands" on a certain square that ends the bonus game. In one embodiment, the CPU becomes 270 end the bonus game if the player lands on the squares IN PRISON, INCOME TAX or LUXURY TAX, and will otherwise proceed with the bonus game.

If the player lands on a square of ELECTRICITY COMPANY, WATER WORKS, or FREE PARKING during the bonus round, the CPU chooses 270 a winning amount from a plurality of possible winning amounts belonging to the square. In one embodiment, the CPU encounters 270 a suitable animation on the graphic display 212 to display the selection of a profit amount. The 19 . 20 and 21 show exemplary adverts that might appear in response to the player landing on WATER, ELECTRIC COMPANY, or FREE PARKING, respectively.

Generally, each of WATER WORKS, ELECTRIC COMPANY and FREE PARKING displays a selected attribution value and a number of other, different values at different graphical locations. The display animation appears to "select" an attribution value provided by the CPU 270 has already been preselected by pointing to the preselected value or "erasing" the other values. In 19 (WATER WORKS), for example, there are four possible attribution values (eg, 5, 10, 25, and 50) displayed at four graphical locations (eg, below four tubes). An affluent rich uncle's purse turns on a valve, causing water to come out of one of the tubes and "wash away" the displayed value below. He will do this three times, causing three of the scores to be "washed away", and the player will be credited with the remaining scoring. In 20 (ELECTRIC COMPANY) there are four possible attribution values (eg 5, 20, 25 and 50) that are displayed on four bulbs. A rich uncle's animated purse sign pushes a button, causing a light bulb to light up and then explode to extinguish the attribution value associated with the exploded bulb. As in 19 he will do this three times, causing three of the attribution values to be deleted, and the player will be credited the remainder of the attribution value. In 21 (FREE PARKING) there are seven possible attribution values (eg 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 100 and 200) that are displayed on an animated parking meter. A hand in the parking meter moves back and forth, and slowly comes to a stop to point to one of the attribution values, and the player is credited with the indicated award value.

In one embodiment, the displayed attribution values for the ELECTRIC COMPANY, WATER WORKING, and FREE PARKING squares are indicated by the CPU 270 pre-selected tables of attribution values stored in the game memory. The CPU 270 select from the attribution table corresponding to the ELECTRIC COMPANY, WATER WORKS or FREE PARKING room by first taking out a random number and then consulting the appropriate attribution table to determine the attribution according to the random number.

For example, assume that a square ELECTRIC COMPANY has five possible attributions: 5, 10, 20, 25 or 50 coins. An attribution table belonging to the square ELEKTROFIRMA could define a group of eight possible appearances of the various attributions: 2 appearances belonging to an attribution of 5 coins, 2 appearances belonging to an attribution of 10 coins, 2 appearances resulting in an attribution of 20 coins, 1 appearance belonging to an allocation of 25 coins, and 1 occurrence belonging to an allocation of 50 coins. The CPU 270 could select an attribution from the award table by selecting a random number from one to 8 and then walking through each appearance until it finds the award corresponding to that random number. Continuing the above example, a random number of 5 indications that the selected attribution would be 20 coins, since the first two "passes through" are 5 coins, the next two "passes" are 10 coins, and the next step may be an imputation of 20 coins ends.

Likewise, it should be assumed that the square "FREE PARKING" has seven possible attributions: 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 100 and 200 coins. An attribution table belonging to the FREE PARKING square could define a group of nine possible appearances of the various attributions: 1 occurrence belonging to an allocation of 10 coins, 1 occurrence belonging to an allocation of 15 coins, 2 appearances belonging to one Including 20 coins, 2 appearances that include an allocation of 25 coins, 1 appearance, which belongs to an attribution of 50 coins, 1 performance, which belongs to an allocation of 100 coins, and 1 performance, which belongs to an attribution heard of 200 coins. The CPU 270 could select an award from the award table by selecting a random number from one to nine and running through each appearance until it finds the award corresponding to that random number. Continuing with the above example, a random number of 5 indications that the selected attribution was 25 coins, since the first "run through there" is 10 coins, the next "run through there" is 15 coins, the next two could be " Steps through there "20 coins are and the next step ends with an allocation of 25 coins.

If the player lands on LUCK or COMMUNITY CHEST, the CPU will hit 270 an animation on the graphic display 212 showing the top card of a burst of cards facing up to reveal the "lucky" or "community cash" scores. The art on the cards resembles the cards in an actual MONOPOLY ^TM game. Generally, the "lucky" and "community treasury" results have imputations of fixed denominations (eg, "BANK PAID YOU A DIVIDEND OF 25 COINS ") or move the player to a new room (eg PROGRAM TO THE NEAR RAILWAY) .When the player is moved to a property, the movement will be on the top of the board 262 is displayed, and an animation belonging to the property is displayed on the graphic display 212 shown.

If the player draws a card GO TO THE NEXT ESTABLISHMENT the light turns to either ELECTRIC COMPANY or WATERWORK in the clockwise direction (whatever the next is) move. In one embodiment becomes when a move to the next facility causes that the player goes through GO, the player a "go through a GO bonus "in addition to attributed to the attribution, if there is one belonging to the next institution become.

When the player draws a card GO TO PRISON, the game will play an animation of REICH UNKEL'S PURSE BAG going to jail, and the light will quickly move counterclockwise to the room IN PRISON. If the player stops at LUXURY TAX, INCOME TAX, or PRISON, the display will show 212 including a suitable animation show a display of the total coins won in the bonus game. The CPU 270 will cause the disbursement mechanism 288 Add coins or points, as appropriate, according to the amount won in the bonus game, and then return to the reel-spinning base game.

In one embodiment, a bonus is added whenever the player passes through or lands on the square GO. As it is best in 16b The bonuses are monitored by a number of indicator lights 290 on the top box MONOPOLY board 262 listed. In the illustrated embodiment, there are seven indicator lights associated with escalating 5, 10, 25, 100, 1150, 500, and 1500 coin bonuses. When the game starts, the player receives an automatic bonus of 5 coins for being on GO, and accordingly the indicator becomes 5 COINS on the board 262 enlightened. If the player goes through board GO on his first cycle 1, the indicator 10 COINS will light up and the player will be credited with 25 coins. If the player continues to go through GOs a third, a fourth, a fifth and a sixth time, the respective bonus indicators 100 COINS, 150 COINS, 500 COINS and 1500 COINS will be illuminated and will each give the player 100 coins, 150 coins, 500 coins and 1500 coins are to be added.

at an embodiment The board can have a maximum cycle of six times. When a Player successfully cycles through the board six times The bonus game ends and the player becomes all accruals receive, in addition the bonus of 1500 coins, additionally imputation, if there is any, that to the eventual Room belongs. If the eventual Space causes the player to become another square (for example, GO TO THE NEXT SETUP), the bonus will be added to the player, if there is any that belongs to that further square. It should For example, assume that the player has five runs around the Brett has finished and 1754 coins or accumulated points in the bonus game so far. It should continue assume that the player is currently on PARK PLACE and Rich uncle's purse selects a movement indicator of "5", causing the Player GO goes through and lands on the square COMMUNITY CHECKOUT. The player will the bonus of 1500 coins for going through from GO for the sixth time, plus an amount equal to the Square COMMUNITY CHECKOUT belongs. You drive Continuing with the example, it is to be assumed that purse of the Uncle's hand a card COMMUNITY CHEST from GEHE to the NEXT INSTITUTION selects. The player will become the next Set up ELECTRIC COMPANY and it will become a selected value say 25 coins be attributed. The bonus game will after a display and a subsequent payment (in this example) of a Profit amount of 3279 coins (e.g., 1754 + 1500 + 25).

The expected payout of the bonus game must be calculated, the to calculate the total payout of the machine. The simplest kind To calculate the expected payout of the bonus game, go to Make all the positions i can reach on the board. If the board forms a loop, as is this specific Example does, should be the same physical position on the board as another position for the purposes of this analysis for every circuit of the board will be treated, even if the results, that belong to this position, at each circuit of the board are the same. That means that Board with a loop should be treated as if it would be untangled in a long train, with the results, which belong to the positions on the train, repeat themselves cyclically. For example, the first position may be on the physical board not reached after the start position on the first circuit of the board be, since it is impossible is a value of 1 with two dice to roll. However, it is possible to achieve this position on the second circuit of the board. Furthermore, it is according to the specific Example of the present invention, in which the number of Circuits of the board limited is, impossible, any except the first twelve Positions on the board after the last circuit of the board too as long as a match is aimed at one of the other positions, by a special feature regarding a position that achieves is. (A game would then stop once this position is reached). An extension of the board in a train to that these differences are taken into account become.

The Expected payout that does not include go through bonuses can be simply the sum from the product of probability prob (i) to achieve a respective position i on the board and the expected payout pay (i) are calculated at this position, i.

The probability prob (i) to reach a specific position i on the board is as follows calculated:

The Bonuses for "go through" are in the calculation by multiplying each bonus by the probability to achieve this bonus included an expected bonus value to surrender. These expected bonus values then become the expected Sum value added and added, which is already received to the real expected payout. The probability to achieve a certain "go-bonus" is calculated by first making all possible transitions from be formed one square to another, which will result in the respective "go-bonus". For each these transitions will the probability of that you're on the starting square for this transition is (already calculated) with the probability of reaching this transition at this starting square multiplied by a probability for this transition to surrender during the of the game occurs. These probabilities are then summed to give the probability of achieving this particular "go-bonus".

It should be noted, that if a result at a later position a replay on the board to an earlier Position can move and then play back from there could move the latter position, this equation could turn in a circle. That means a Value prob (i) could depend on a value prob (j), which itself depends on prob (i) dependent could be. The fact that a position can be reached more often than once could, can not be taken into account by the above equation, and a Exact calculation of the expected payout then becomes very complicated. However, the situation can be easily avoided by either no results for a backward movement be allowed or guaranteed by all results for one regression result in a losing result, leaving a cyclical Going through a backward and forward movement can not occur. Allowing such a cyclic movement is also dangerous because a software or hardware error becomes an unlimited cyclic one Go through and could result in a corresponding unlimited payout.

If once the expected payout of the bonus game has been calculated is, the expected payout of the main game can be calculated, by incorporating this value into the equations. At the present Invention is the expected payout of the bonus game 98,41.

As in the first embodiment is it desirable in practice to slightly vary the payout percentages. Accordingly, the Bonus game any of the values probmove (i, j) have varied slightly to make it more or less likely, too many Points accumulating or insufficient points accumulating positions move, or the results associated with each position could vary become. In practice, the latter is less practical because the To most of the positions, results are often physical on the surface the board will be marked. However, the probabilities can of different results, if more than one result is possible, changed in a simple way become.

Of the expected profit for The bonus game is combined with the expected win of the base game to to determine the expected value of the combined game.

Out the foregoing, it will be understood that the second embodiment provides a bonus game to the present invention, based on variable probability tests, namely in this regard, that a player who qualifies by playing the base game, the bonus game on a "turning until you lose "basis can play, with the probability of any allowable outcome every attempt is variable, and where the player is not at risk is to lose imputations for which he in previous attempts Has accumulated points when a losing result occurs, but Instead, profits are accumulating in the course. The bonus game according to this embodiment generally has a high hit rate, and as a result the player has a strong motivation to "endure" or "endure" the base game in order to play a bonus game to qualify, at which he statistically probably several Win times in a row and accumulate relatively large payouts while he still profits for returns the game owner.

By providing a two-stage game process in which a conventional gambling as the basic game is played, the existing concept, which players are familiar with and which is comfortable for them, is maintained, which players are familiar and which is comfortable for them. At the same time, however, a significantly more exciting feature is added in the form of a bonus game.

For completeness, the included 26 and 27 Such a flowchart to which the base and bonus games of this embodiment are implemented in a processor-based system. From these diagrams, those skilled in the art will readily be able to program the invention described herein.

The game selects symbols to display, making the result of the game and any bonus games in a store before starting with a spinning of the reels. The random values contained in the game result are saved for use when the result is actually displayed. In other embodiments, the random values included in the bonus game could be calculated after the coils have been rotated or just before they are used. The spools are rotated and the selected symbols are displayed (step 408 ). Prior to assigning points to the player, in the event that a winning combination appears on the pay line, the program first checks to see if a LUCK symbol appears on the pay line (step 410 ). When this happens, the program plays an animation on the dot matrix display, as in one step 412 is shown, and generates a random modification to the payout either by adding to it or multiplying it. If the game is in a 4-coin mode, the program checks to see if a bonus symbol on each reel (step 416 ) appears at the positions, on, above or below the pay line, or whether SURPRISE symbols appear on the pay line at each reel. If so, a bonus game has been earned and the program enters the bonus game (step 418 ), as explained below with reference to 27 is discussed. The program then pays the entire payment, if there is one, in one step 420 which ends the game. As so far described, with the exception of the LUCK feature, this is the operation of a standard slot machine because the bonus feature has not been described. The player must continue playing the game as described until a BONUS symbol appears on each reel within the game window or stops the SURPRISE symbol on the centerline on each reel to initiate operation of the bonus game.

When the bonus game occurs, the program branches in one step 416 to the in 27 shown bonus game. The start position on the game board with a backlit track will be lit, and the bonus game winnings will be set to an initial value of five. A random motion value between 2 and 12, namely M, is obtained by the program, as in one step 424 is shown and an associated animation is shown on the dot matrix display to indicate the selected value M. The position indicator is moved by M digits. If the reached position is a losing position, a losing animation is shown in the dot matrix display, and the entire winnings are transferred to the entire payment to be either paid out or saved as points. If the position is not a losing position, the program executes a routine associated with the position. This subroutine could be a variable result that generates a position, in which case a random value is generated to decide what the result associated with the position will be. The result will be either "pay out" or "move". In the former case, the payout is added to the bonus game wins, along with an appropriate animation on the dot matrix display and assuming that the player has not completed the maximum number of allowed circuits of the card, the program loops back to to generate another movement value M. When the player has run around the board for the maximum number of times, the winnings are transferred to the total pay, as when the player lands on a losing position, and the bonus game ends. If the result is a "move" result, a game is moved in a forward direction to the indicated position (as long as the indicated position is a losing position, in which case a game can be moved backwards). A game then continues in the same way as when that position was reached, from the step 426 out.

Turning now to the 22 too, there is another game machine 310 shown with a board game theme. In one embodiment, the game machine is 310 Operable to play a game called MONOPOLY ROLL & WIN ^TM based on the board game MONOPOLY ^TM . MONOPOLY ^TM is a registered trademark owned and used with permission by Hasbro, Inc. and Hasbro International, Inc., Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Alternatively, the game machine 110 be implemented with any of several other board game themes other than MONOPOLY ^™ .

The game machine 310 contains an ad window 370 through which a player uses three mechanical coils 314 . 316 and 318 can watch. The game machine contains a top box 332 holding a graphic display 312 , a mechanical cube 364 and an adaptation of a game board 362 (eg MONOPOLY). The graphic display 312 For example, a dot matrix, CRT, LED, LCD, electroluminescent display or generally any type of video display known in the art may be included. The game board 362 has a partially transparent material, such as glass, plastic, Plexiglas or the like, which is illuminated by a number of lights 366 (in 22 not to be seen) in the top box 332 is lit from behind. As it is best in 24 is observed is the front surface 360 of the top box with various artwork, symbols and text associated with the game MONOPOLY ROLL & WIN ^™ , including a pay table 350 printed.

23 is a block diagram of a control system used to operate the slot machine 310 of the 22 suitable is. A coins / points detector 382 signals a CPU 370 when a player has inserted or played a number of coins for a number of points. Then the CPU initiates 370 after the player has a switch 384 (eg, by pulling a lever or pressing a button), playing a game by moving the reels 314 . 316 . 318 in motion, by randomly selecting a game result and using technology well known in the art, causes a reel motor and step control 390 the spools 314 . 316 . 318 stop at a stop position according to the preselected game result. A rotational position detector 392 provides feedback to the CPU 370 to make sure the coils 324 . 316 . 318 stopped at the correct stop position. The symbols displayed at the preselected stop position on the spools define indicia of the preselected game result. In one embodiment, the symbols displayed on the coils define the base game result.

A system memory 386 stores control software, operating instructions and data related to the game machine 310 belong. In one embodiment, the memory 386 a separate read-only memory (ROM) and a battery-backed random access memory (RAM). However, it will be recognized that the memory 386 can be implemented on any of several alternative types of memory structures or implemented on a single memory structure. A payout mechanism 388 is in response to instructions from the CPU 370 operable to make a payout of coins or points to the player in response in the store 386 attributed to certain specific winning combinations. As will be described in detail hereinbelow, the payoff amounts corresponding to particular combinations become one in system memory 386 stored pay table predetermined. A separate I / O control 371 that with the CPU 370 coupled, operates the graphics display 312 , the mechanical cube 364 and the top box lights 366 ,

The game machine 310 is operable to play a base game and a bonus game. In the embodiment of the 22 is the basic game on the three mechanical spools 314 . 316 . 318 with a central payment line 376 implemented. In one embodiment, the player may have three icon positions (eg, top, center, and bottom display positions) on each reel 314 . 316 . 318 which thus define a symbol group of nine symbols passing through the display window 370 are visible. The pay line 376 extends through the central display position on each spool.

In one embodiment, the on the coils 314 . 316 . 318 displayed symbol group indicate any one of three possible base game results, including (1) a standard score that causes the CPU 370 attributing to the player a predetermined amount of coins of the points corresponding to a displayed paytable; (2) a multiplier bonus result (eg, a roll of the dice feature) that causes the CPU 370 attributing to the player the product of a predetermined amount of coins or points and a randomly determined multiplier; (39 of a bonus start result that causes the CPU 370 enters a bonus game (eg the ROLL & WIN bonus); and (4) a losing result that causes the CPU 370 continue operation in the basic mode without adding any coins or points.

Generally, the default winning results are characterized by the display of one or more predefined combinations of symbols. The symbols and payoffs that define the standard winning combinations are in the game store 386 saved. In one embodiment, the symbols and payoffs that define the standard winning combinations are in the pay table 350 ( 24 ) on the side of the slot machine 310 shown so that they can be easily observed by the player. Preferably, the symbols defining the CUBE feature ROLL & WIN ROLES are also on the pay table or other part (s) of the upper page box display 332 identified.

25 shows a group of coil strips for use in the gaming machine 310 to implement the game MONOPOLY ROLL & WIN ^TM . The coil strips correspond to the coils 314 . 316 . 318 in 14 and are denoted by corresponding reference numerals 314 . 316 . 318 be identified. Each of the coil strips 314 . 316 . 318 contains twenty-two symbols (including blanks) corresponding to twenty-two available spool stop positions. The symbols include PORTION OF THE RICH UNCLE ("PENNY"), WILD, WILD CUBES, SEVEN, 3-BARS, 2-BARS, 1-BAR, BLANK, and CHERRY, which then, when used in certain predefined combinations relative to the pay line 376 which define standard and surprise winning combinations.

In particular, the symbols included on the coil strip 314 appear in a sequence 1-BALK, Blank, PENNY, Blank, 2-BALK, Blank, PENNY, Blank, 1-BALK, Blank, PENNY, Blank, SEVEN, Blank, 2-BALK, Blank, 3-BALK, Blank , PENNY, Blank, 2-BALKEN and Blank. The symbols on the coil strip 316 appear in a sequence containing 2-BALKEN, Blank, WILD, Blank, PENNY, Blank, WILD DICE, Blank, PENNY, Blank, WILD, Blank, SEVEN, Blank, PENNY, Blank, 3-BALK, Blank, WILD, Blank , 1-BAR and Blank. Finally, the symbols included on the coil strip 318 appear in a sequence 2-BALK, Blank, CHERRY, Blank, 3-BALK, Blank, 1-BALK, Blank, PENNY, Blank, SEVEN, Blank, PENNY, Blank, CHERRY, Blank, PENNY, Blank, 1-BALK , Blank, CHERRY and Blank.

Table D-1 -

Table D-1 is a pay table that identifies various standard winning combinations of symbols in the MONOPOLY ROLL & WIN ^™ game. In one embodiment, the game accepts from one to four coins. The winning standard combinations may occur for any number of one to four coins played when the symbols displayed on the reels 314 . 316 . 318 in alignment with the central payment line 376 are displayed. For example, a display of three symbols corresponds to "1 BAR" on the coils 314 . 316 . 318 on the central pay line 376 a standard winning combination that will pay 10 points for a coin played, 20 points for two coins played and 30 points for 3 or 4 coins played. The combination "any bar" is fulfilled by any combination of three or more symbols "1 BAR", "2 BAR" and "3 BAR" on the central pay line 376 to stop.

In one embodiment, the symbols "WILD" and "WILD CUBE" act as wild cards for any other symbol on the pay line 376 , Where the "WILD" symbol is used to complete a winning combination, the payout will be the same as the standard winning combination as if it were completed without the WILD symbol. Thus, for example, the combination of "2-BALKS", "WILD" and "2-BALKS" is a standard winning combination that would pay the same as the combination of three "2-BALKS" symbols corresponding to the number of coins played. Where the symbol "WILD CUBE" is used to terminate a winning combination, the ROLLING OF DICE CHARACTER to identify a multiplier value is initiated, as described hereinbefore, and the multiplier value is used to multiply the bit rate otherwise associated with the combination ,

The multiplier feature ROLES OF THE DICE

In the game MONOPOLY ROLL & WIN ^TM , the multiplier feature ROLLING OF THE DICE then begins when the symbol "WILD DICE" on the pay line 376 is displayed and is included in a winning combination. In one embodiment, there is only one symbol "WILD CUBE" on the spool 316 (the central spool), and the combinations that would trigger the ROLLING CUBE feature are the following: SEVEN, WILD DICE, SEVEN; 3-BARS, WILD CUBES, 3-BARS; 2-BARS, WILD CUBES, 2-BARS; 1-BALKEN, WILDER DICE, 1-BALKEN; ANGEBALKIN, WILD CUBE, ANY BEAM and PENNY, WILD CUBE, PENNY. The combination PENNY, WILD DICE, PENNY also triggers the bonus game ROLL & WIN, which will be described later.

The ROLLING CUBE feature can be activated by playing one to four coins. If the symbol WILD CUBE appears in a standard winning combination, the CPU will activate 370 the ROLLING CUBE attribute by randomly selecting a multiplier value then multiplies the base amount associated with the standard winning combination by the selected multiplier value. When the WILD CUBE symbol appears in the PENNY, WILD CUBE, PENNY combination, namely a "bonus start" combination that also triggers the ROLL & WIN bonus game, the CPU enters 370 First enter the bonus game ROLL & WIN and then, after the bonus game has ended, select a multiplier value and multiply the amount won in the bonus game by the selected multiplier value.

In one embodiment, the CPU selects 370 the multiplier value by selecting a number corresponding to the throwing of two six-sided dice. This is achieved in one embodiment by randomly selecting two integer values from one to six (each corresponding to a single six sided cube throw) and then summing the integer values to arrive at the multiplier value. In particular, there are 36 possible outcomes of the two integer values that might occur: (1,1), (1,2), (1,3), (1,4), (1,5), (1,6) , (2,1), (2,2), (2,3), (2,4), (2,5), (2,6), (3,1), (3,2), ( 3,3), (3,4), (3,5), (3,6), (4,1), (4,2), (4,3), (4,4), (4, 5), (4,6), (5,1), (5,2), (5,3), (5,4), (5,5), (5,6), (6,1) , (6,2), (6,3), (6,4), (6,5) and (6,6). These results correspond to 11 possible sums: 2 (1 appearance), 3 (2 appearances), 4 (3 appearances), 5 (4 appearances, 6 (5 appearances), 7 (6 appearances), 8 (5 appearances), 9 ( 4 appearances), 10 (3 appearances), 11 (2 appearances) and 12 (1 appearance).

In one embodiment, each of the possible results of integer values (corresponding to the throwing of two cubes) has an equal probability of occurrence, and hence the probability that the CPU is 370 select the different multiplier values (corresponding to the sum of two faires) as follows: 2.7% (ie 1 ö 36) for the multipliers "2 ×" and "12 ×"; 5.5% (ie 2 ö 36) for the multipliers "3 ×" and "11 ×"; 8.3% (ie 3 ö 36) for the multipliers "4 ×" and "10 ×"; 11.1% (ie 4 ö 36) for the multipliers "5 × 2 and" 9 × ", 13.9% (ie 5 × 36) for the multipliers" 6 × "and" × 8 ", and 16.7 % (ie 6 ÷) for multiplier "7 ×".

In one embodiment, the selection of the cube roll multiplier is both graphically on the graphics display 312 as well as mechanically through the mechanical cube 364 shown. On the graphic display 312 creates the CPU 370 an indicator of two dice rolling first, then stopping one at a time to show two dice faces. The cube areas selected for display correspond to the integer values of one to six, which are given by CPU 370 are selected. For example, the CPU will 370 which has integer values of "1" and "6" indicate a pair of cubes, of which one indicates a scroll of "1" and the other indicates a scroll of "6". The CPU 370 then adds the two integer values to determine the multiplier value (eg, "7x"), which in one embodiment is adjacent to the two cube areas on the graphics display 312 is shown. Likewise, the CPU causes 370 that is the two mechanical cubes 364 first turn or "roll", and then stop one at a time to reveal two cube faces. The cube surfaces on the mechanical cubes 364 correspond to the cube areas on the graphic display 312 ,

Then the CPU generates 370 a screen on the graphic display 312 showing the total profit. For example, suppose that a multiplier of "7 ×" by the CPU 370 when selecting a CUBE feature ROLLING, resulting in a symbol combination of SEVEN, WILD DICE, SEVEN. In one embodiment, the graph display shows the base win amount associated with the symbol combination SEVEN, WILD DICE, SEVEN (eg, 150 coins with 3 coins played), the multiplier selected (eg, "7x"), and the product of the multiplier and base win amount (FIG. eg 1050 coins).

The bonus game ROLL & WIN ^TM

In one embodiment, the CPU occurs 370 into the bonus game ROLL & WIN ^TM , if the player bets four coins and a special "bonus start" - combination of three symbols PURCHASE OF THE RICH ONKEL ("PENNY") on the central pay line 376 the coils 314 . 316 . 318 occurs in the base game. The bonus game ROLL & WIN ^TM has a board game (eg MONOPOLY) theme and is on the top box game board 362 and the graphic display 312 implemented. Upon initial entry into the bonus game, the CPU initiates 370 an introductory animation to on the graphic display 312 to be displayed with a musical jingle, and then works to display an animation of a tokens running around a MONOPOLY board. The CPU 370 also signals an I / O control 371 to enlighten the appropriate to a starting square on the top box game board 362 to illuminate, and then to illuminate successive squares around the board in a step-by-step manner, first quickly and then, after a couple of turns, slowing down and stopping on a displayed square. Generally, the displayed square is by the CPU 370 before the enlightenment of succeeding squares on the top box game board 362 determined at random.

In one embodiment, if the player "lands" on the displayed square, then the graphics display 312 an animation for this square. As it is best in 24 are observed are the squares of the game board 362 in one embodiment of the game MONOPOLY ROLL & WIN the following: "GO", "BALTIC & MEDITTERANEAN AVENUE" (hereinafter "BALTIC"), "READING & PENNSYLVANIA & B. & 0 & SHORT TRIP RAIL" (hereinafter "RAILWAY"), "CONNECTICUT & VERMONT & ORIENTAL AVENUE" (hereinafter "VERMONT"), "IN THE PRISON", "VIRGINA & STATES AVENUE & ST. CHARLES PLACE" (hereinafter "VIRGINIA"), "LUCKY", "NEW YORK & TENNESSEE AVENUE & ST. JAMES PLACE "(hereinafter" NEW YORK ")," FREE PARKING "," KENTUCKS & INDIANA & ILLINOIS AVENUE "(hereinafter" ILLINOIS ")," INSTITUTIONS "," MAVIN GARDENS & VENTNOR & ATLANTIC AVENUE "( hereinafter "MARVIN GARDENS"), "GO TO THE BEAUTY", "PENNSYLVANIA & NORTH CAROLINA & PACIFIC AVENUE" (hereinafter "PENNSYLVANIA"), "GEMEINSCHAFTSKASSE" and "BOARDWALK & PARK PLACE" (hereinafter "BOARDWALK"), When the player lands on a square, causes the CPU 370 that the amount of the player, if any, belongs to the square, If the player is moved to a piece of land, the movement on the top box board becomes 362 is displayed, an animation of the plot on the graphic display 312 and will give the player an amount if there is one belonging to the square. In one embodiment, the CPU returns 370 after landing on a property square back to the base game. If the game token 140 lands on a square LUCK or COMMUNITY CHEST, selects the CPU 370 happens to be a result of a variety of possible outcomes of LUCK and COMMUNITY CHEST and causes the graph display 312 displays the selected result. If the result of LUCK or COMMUNITY CHEST is a fixed coin calculation, the graphic display shows 312 an animation of the attribution, the player is assigned the certain amount and returns the CPU 370 then back to the base game. When the player is moved to a new room as a result of a result of LUCK or COMMUNITY CHEST, the movement on the top board board becomes 362 will display an animation of the square on the graphic display 312 is shown, the player is an amount, if there is one, which belongs to the square, and then returns the CPU 370 back to the base game.

Table D-2 -

Table D-2 identifies various payment values, probabilities, and expected values, to the squares of the game board 362 in one embodiment of the bonus game MONOPOLY ROLL & WIN belong. The Payment column of Table D-2 identifies payoff amounts belonging to the various squares. Unlike the squares LUCK and COMMUNITY CHEST, the payout amounts are predetermined amounts stored in the storage system. For example, the square "GO" will pay 200 coins or points, the square "BALTIC" will pay 20 coins or points, and so on. In one embodiment, the squares IN JAIL and GO TO JAIL have a value of zero, and consequently, one player, which lands on these squares, no points are paid in the bonus game. In the case of squares LUCK and COMMUNITY CHEST, the payout amounts represent average payout amounts that can be expected by landing on LUCK or COMMUNITY CHEST. In one embodiment, both the LUCKY and the COMMUNITY CHECK square will pay, on average, 62.4 coins or points in the bonus game.

Table D-3 -

Table D-4 -

The different results for Luck and COMMUNITY CHECKOUT and their payment values, probabilities and expected values in one embodiment in the above Tables D-3 and D-4 identified. Generally included the results for LUCK and COMMUNITY CHECKOUT Attributions of fixed denominations (e.g., "LIFE INSURANCE WILL BE ', $ 100) or instructions for one Moving to a certain square (e.g., GO TO BOARDWALK), wherein the displayed square is associated with a fixed coin bill. As identified in Table D-3, the results are for COMMUNITY CHECKOUT in terms of a value ranging between 10 coins or points (e.g., "BEAUTY COMPETITION", 10 coins) to to a maximum of 200 coins or points (for example, GO GO TO BANK ERROR TO YOUR OWN). The average value of the square COMMUNITY CHEST is 62.4 coins or points. As identified in Table D-4, the results for LUCKY concerning one Value in the range between 10 coins or points (e.g., "DOG SHOW", 10 coins) to to a maximum of 1000 coins or points (for example, GO TO BOARDWALK).

In one embodiment, the probability of landing is predefined at a certain square and stored in a probability occurrence table in the game memory. The CPU 370 selects a particular square in a way that is consistent with the occurrence probability table. In general, the probability of occurrence table could cause certain squares to land more frequently than other squares. In the table D-2, the column "occurrence" identifies a predefined number of results or "appearances" of each square of the game board MONOPOLY ROLL & WIN, and the column "probability" identifies the probability of selecting or "landing" on the respective one squares. An examination of Table D-2 reveals that there is only 1 result from 12,802 possible outcomes that will result in the player landing on the square IN PRISON. Similarly, there are only 1 result out of 12,802 possible outcomes, which will result in the player landing on the square GO TO PRISON. Thus, the likelihood that the player lands on IM PRISON or GO TO PRISON (and thus gets no imputation) is very low, namely 7,811 × 10 ^-5 (ie 1 ÷ 12,802). The probability of landing on other squares is generally much larger and also corresponds to the predefined number of results or "occurrences" belonging to the squares. For example, consider the square "GO". The column "Occurrence" of Table D-1 indicates that there are 480 results from 12,802 possible outcomes, which will result in the player landing on the square GO. Thus, the probability of the player landing on the square GO (giving an allocation of 200 coins or points) is 0.037494 (ie 480 12.802). The probability of landing on other squares is calculated in the same way from the "occurrence" column.

Likewise, in one embodiment, the probability of selecting particular cards for LUCK or COMMUNITY CHEST is predefined and stored in an occurrence probability table in the game memory. The CPU 370 select a particular card for LUCK or COMMUNITY CHEST in a manner consistent with the occurrence probability table. In general, the probability of occurrence table might cause certain cards to be more common than other cards "to be pulled. In Tables D-3 and D-4, the column "Occurrence" each identifies a predetermined number of results or "appearances" which could occur as a result of landing on LUCKY and COMMUNITY CHEST on the MONOPOLY ROLL & WIN game board. The Probability column identifies the probability of selecting or "dragging" the respective results for LUCK and COMMUNITY CHECKOUT. The different probabilities of results for LUCK and COMMUNITY CHECK are calculated by dividing the number of occurrences of the particular result by the total number of LUCK or COMMUNITY CHECK outcomes as appropriate. For example, consider the result "GO TO GO" in COMMUNITY CHECKOUT. Table D-3 shows that there are four outcomes out of 100 possible outcomes for COMMUNITY CHEST that will result in dragging the "GO TO GO" card. Thus, having landed on the square COMMUNITY CHEST, the probability that the player draws the "GO TO GO" card (giving an allowance of 200 coins or points) is 0.04 (ie 4 ÷ 100). Next, the result "GO TO GO GO" in LUCKY should be considered. Table D-4 shows that there are twelve results out of 300 possible outcomes for LUCK, which will result in dragging the "GO TO GO" card. Thus, having landed "LUCK" on the square, the probability of the player drawing the "GO TO GO" card (giving an allowance of 200 coins or points) is 0.04 (ie 12 ÷ 300). , The probability of drawing other cards is calculated in the same way.

The Column "EW" identifies the expected values belonging to the different squares (Table D-2), Cards COMMUNITY CHECKOUT (Table D-3) or Cards LUCKY (Table D-4). These values are for Each result is calculated by the product of the payment value (or the average payment value) that leads to this result belongs, and the probability that belongs to this result becomes. Thus, for example, the square "GO" has one expected value of 7.49882831 (i.e., 200 x 0.037494142) and has the Map "GO NEXT TO GO "(in both LUCK as also COMMUNITY CHEST) has an expected value of 8 (i.e., 200 x 0.04).

Of the Value "drag / hit" represents the number on average, for which the game before landing on the particular square (table D-2) or a draw of certain cards for LUCK or COMMUNITY CHEST (Tables D-3 and D-4) must be played. The "drag / hit" column is simply that inverse of the "probability" values in the tables D-2, D-3 and D-4. Thus, the square has "GO", for example a "drag / hit" value of 26.67 (i.e. 1 ÷ 0,037494142) and has the card "GO GO TO GO "(in both good luck and COMMUNITY CHEST) has a value of "hit / hit" of 25 (i.e., 1 ÷ 0, 04).

Table D-5 - Payment Information for ROLL & WIN

The Table D-5 identifies various symbol combinations, probabilities and expected values associated with the game ROLL & WIN according to one embodiment of the present invention. The Combinations contain various standard winning combinations including "777", "3B3B3B", "2B2B2B", "1B1B1B", "IBIBIB", "2 cherries" and "cherry"; different combinations, the bonus game ROLL & WIN start, including "Uncle Uncle Uncle"; and different Combinations that will trigger the multiplier feature ROLLING THE DICE, including from "7Roll7", "3BRoll3B", "2BRoll2B", "1BRoll1B", "IBRollIB" and "AnyRollChurch" and "UncleRollOnkel". In Table D-5 and the following description is "Roll" one Short name for the symbol WILDE DICE, are "3B", "2B", "1B" and "IB" abbreviations for the Symbols 3 BEAMS, 2 BEAMS, 1 BARN and ANY BEAM and is "Uncle" a short name for the Symbol MONEY BAG OF THE RICH UNCLE.

The Pay column identifies payout amounts associated with the respective combinations in Table D-5 for a played coin. In the case of the standard winning combinations, the payout amounts are predetermined amounts stored in system memory. For example, the combination "777" is a standard winning combination that will count 50 coins or points in a 1-coin game. In one embodiment, the coin bills for a two-coin bet are multiplied by two and multiplied by three for bets of three or four coins. The fourth coin allows the player to take the opportunity to play the bonus game MONOPOLY ROLL & WIN ^TM and not increase the value of the standard winning combinations beyond the payout amount of 3 coins. Thus, for example, the combination "777" as stated above will count 50 coins or points in a 1-coin game, 100 coins or points in a 2-coin game will count, and 150 coins or points in a game 3 or coins.

In in case the combinations start the bonus game ROLL & WIN, put the payout amounts average payout amounts which can be expected in the bonus game. For example, the combination "OnkelOnkelOnkel" will start the bonus game ROLL & WIN (if 4 coins the points are played), which averages 81.08796 coins or Will pay points.

in the Case of combinations containing a symbol "Roll" (WILD CUBE) The payment amounts represent the product of the standard payment (or the average bonus payout) with different Multiplier values from 2 to 12 resulting from the multiplier bonus for THROW or ROLES of the dice could result. For example, "2 7Roll7 "a short name for the Combination 7, WILD DICE, 7, which triggers the feature CUBES of the dice, and wherein a multiplier bonus of "2" in the feature ROLLS THE CUBE selected is. The payout amount for the combination "2 7Roll7 "is 100 or twice the payment of the combination "777". equally is "3 7Roll7" a short name for the Combination 7, WILD DICE, 7, in which a multiplier bonus of "3" in the Feature ROLES OF DICE is selected to triple the payout of the combination "777", etc.

With the expectation of the combination "OnkelRollOnkel", which is only available for 4 played coins, the various combinations containing a symbol "Roll" (WILD CUBE) are multiplied by two for a bet of two coins and for a bet of three or four coins multiplied by three. The fourth coin allows the player to take the opportunity to play the bonus game MONOPOLY ROLL & WIN ^TM and not increase the value of the standard winning combinations above the payout amount of 3 coins. Thus, for example, the combination "2 7Roll7", as stated above, will count 100 coins or points in a game with a 1 coin, 200 coins or points in a game will count with 2 coins and will count 300 coins or points in to count a game with 3 or 4 coins.

The Probability column identifies the probability of meeting the results in a single revolution for the standard winning combinations. For combinations that include a WILD CART symbol, the Likelihood value takes into account the likelihood of scrolling the displayed multiplier as well as the probability of meeting the displayed result. Where the reels each have 22 reel stop positions, as in the ROLL & WIN ^{™ game} , there are 10,648 (22x22x22) possible symbol combinations. The probability of meeting any particular combination in a single revolution is determined by dividing the number of possible "hits" that belong to that combination (which is a function of the number of coil positions of the symbols that support that combination) by the total number of possible ones Combinations (ie 10,648). For example, consider the combination "777". Because there is a symbol SEVEN on the coil 314 , a symbol SEVEN on the spool 316 and a symbol SEVEN on the spool 318 There is a "hit" that belongs to this combination. The probability of meeting this combination is therefore 9.39 × 10 ^-5 (ie 1 ÷ 10,648).

Next, consider the different "7Roll7" combinations. If the multiplier ROLLS OF DICE is determined according to the rolling of a pair of equal dice, the probability of selecting a multiplier of "2 ×" or "12 ×" is 2.7%, the probability of selecting a multiplier of "3 × "or" 11 × "5.5%, the probability of selecting a multiplier of" 4 × "or" 10 × "is 8.3%, the probability of selecting a multiplier of" 5 × "or" 9 × "is 11.1%, the probability of selecting a multiplier of "6 ×" or "8 ×" is 13.9%, and the probability of selecting a multiplier of "7 ×" is 16.7%. The probability of "meeting" the combinations "2 7Roll 7" and "12 7Roll 7" is therefore 2.53 × 10 ^-6 (ie, 9.39 × 10 ^-5 × 0.027). The remaining probabilities are calculated in the same way.

The column "EW" identifies the normalized expected values of the various standard winning results of Table D-2 for a 1-coin, 2-coin or 3-coin game. These values are calculated for each result by taking the product of the payment value (or the average payment value) associated with that result and the probability associated with the result, divided by the number of coins played. Thus, for example, the result for "12 7Roll7" has an expected value for a 0.0015652 (600 × 2.6087 × 10 ^-6 ÷ 1) coin, an expected value for 2 coins of 0.0015652 (1200 × 2.6087 × 10 ^-6 ÷ 2) and an expected value for 3 coins of 0.0015652 (1800 × 2.6087 × 10 ^-6 ÷ 3).

The column "4th coin" identifies the normalized expected values of the various standard winnings of Table D-2 for a 4-coin game. These values are calculated in the same way as the expected values for 1 coin, 2 coins and 3 coins, but are therefore different because the payoff value of the standard combinations does not increase from a 3-coin game to a 4-coin game. Thus, for example, the result for "12 7Roll7" has an expected value for 4 coins of 0.00117393 (1800 × 2.6087 × 10 ^-6 ÷ 4).

any The gaming machines described so far can be rewarded with bonus resource scores be implemented, which causes the processor to issue a delayed instruction generated, the exercisable is to increase the suggestion and / or profit expectation in the bonus game. Generally is the delayed instruction associated with the bonus resource in response exercisable on the latter results or events in the game. For example could the bonus resource in response to a particular symbol combination (on special symbol combinations) in the base game, and the delayed instruction associated with the bonus resource could be in the Bonus game exercised become. The delayed Instruction could automatically by the CPU in response to certain as the latter Indicated indicia can be executed in the game or could be in Reaction to a player input exercisable. In one embodiment she drives CPU after the occurrence of a bonus resource result in the base game to continue working in the basic mode. In this embodiment may be any number of bonus resource results several repetitions of the base game occur (which causes the CPU will have a corresponding number of delayed instructions in the game memory stores) before entering the bonus mode. In one embodiment, the CPU practices the delayed (n) Instruction (s) leading to the bonus resource (to the bonus resources) belongs (belong), if any, in the bonus game.

at an embodiment the bonus game resource has a multiplier (e.g., 2 ×, 5 ×, 10 ×, etc.) on that one to a delayed Instruction is heard value indicated by a latter, such as an amount of coins or points otherwise attributed in a bonus game multiply. For example, could a resource of "5 ×" that as a result a certain outcome of the base game is obtained in the bonus game exercised will be displayed in a different way to instruct the CPU Attribution of 5 coins with five to multiply, resulting in an allocation of 25 coins. In a further embodiment the delayed instruction associated with the bonus game resource has an "overflow" command causing the CPU to the efficiency an instruction to overflow or to block, which otherwise appears in the bonus game. For example could a delayed "overflow" command in the base game as a result of a particular bonus resource result, in Bonus game played to overrun a "bonus end" statement encountered in the bonus game becomes. Whereas the "bonus end" statement otherwise the CPU would have caused to end the bonus game would the exercise of the "overflow" command allow the player with the bonus game continues. With particular reference to the MONOPOLY theme games described herein could a bonus resource has a card "COME OUT OF THE FAMILY FREE", which as a result of a special Symbol combination is available in the base game and the one to delayed Instruction to "from the jail come "heard, or, in other words, to overflow the instruction that nominally belongs to the square IN PRISON. Thus, for example, if the square IN PRISON nominal belongs to a "bonus end" statement, what causes the CPU to end the bonus game, a player who on the square IN PRISON ends up with a card " the prison to "exercise, to the nominal bonus end instruction to overflow and continue the bonus game.

It will be appreciated that the present invention has been generally described with reference to the particular games ADVANCE TO BOARDWALK ^™ , REEL ESTATE ^™ , ONCE AROUND ^™, and ROLL & WIN ^™ based on, but not limited to, the MONOPOLY ^™ board game certain games is limited. For example, while the aforementioned games may have a basic game in the form of a gaming machine, the present invention can be implemented with virtually any type of gambling or experience or combination of such games with results (eg, "bonus start" results) Play a bonus game. The base game may include, for example, video poker or a video blackjack game. In addition, the present invention may be based on board games other than MONOPOLY. Other variations within the scope of the present invention include base games or bonus games having different numbers and types of reels and / or symbols, different payline configurations, different values of coin tokens, different probabilities, redemption percentages, etc.

While the present invention has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes can be made therein without departing from the scope of the present invention. Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof are considered to fall within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention as set forth in the following claims is shown.

Claims (17)

Game machine comprising: one Processor for controlling a game of chance in a base mode and a bonus mode, with the processor in base mode to choose from one or more base game results and in bonus mode to Choose is operable by one or more bonus game results; at least an indicator for displaying respective indicia of the selected results; a Means associated with the processor for issuing game control instructions, which belong to the respective indicia, the game control instructions a variety of nominal executable Instructions included on an indication of the respective circumstantial evidence towards the execution are suitable by the processor, and characterized by at least a deferred executable Instruction for a deferred execution by the processor, the deferred executable statement contains a cancellation command, which is executable by the processor in response to later indications, the cancel command being executable is to cancel a game completion instruction that is to be displayed later Indicators are included. The game machine of claim 1, wherein the cancel command by the processor in response to indicia displayed later accomplished becomes. The game machine of claim 1, wherein the cancel command is executed by the processor in response to a player input. Game machine according to claim 2, wherein the deferred executable Statement issued in response to one of the base game results and executable by the processor in the bonus game. A game machine according to claim 4, wherein the one of deferred executable Instructions issued in the base game, a cancellation command exhibited by the processor in response to the bonus game displayed indicia executable is. A game machine according to claim 4, wherein the one of deferred executable Instructions issued in the base game, a cancellation command that is cleared by the processor to pick up a bonus game displayed bonus termination result is executable. A game machine according to claim 1, wherein the deferred executable Statement issued in response to one of the bonus game results and executable by the processor in the bonus game. A game machine according to claim 7, wherein the one of deferred executable Instructions issued in the bonus game, a cancellation command exhibited by the processor in response to the bonus game later displayed indicia executable is. Method for operating a game machine Controlling a processor in a base mode and a bonus mode, the method comprising the following steps: under Controlling the processor Select of one or more base game results in the base mode and of one or more bonus game results in bonus mode; under Controlling the processor issuing game control instructions, which are among a large number of the selected ones Include results, characterized in that the game control instructions at least one deferred execution instruction contained in response to a selected game result where the deferred executable statement is a suspend command contains; and under processor control, execute the cancel command in response to a selected one Final result to cancel the game completion result. The method of claim 9, wherein the selected game result occurs while the processor is in base mode, and the selected game completion result occurs while the processor is in bonus mode, with the bonus mode being a start bonus result triggered will, while the processor is in the base mode. Gambling controlled by a processor in response to a bet, wherein the gambling includes a plurality of randomly selected possible outcomes and to the plurality of selected ones Game control instructions associated with scores, and characterized by a resource and at least one deferred executable game control instruction suitable for deferred execution by the processor, wherein the game of chance contains a game normally terminated by the game completion result wherein the resource result provides the processor with the resource executable upon occurrence of the game completion result to execute a cancel instruction contained in a deferred executable game control instruction to cancel the game completion result and to allow a player to play the game Continue game. gambling according to claim 11, wherein the game of chance includes a base game and a bonus game, with the base game a Start Bonus earnings to trigger contains the bonus game, wherein the game completion result is in at least one of the base game and the bonus game occurs, with the resource result in the Basic game occurs and on the occurrence of the game completion result is exercisable in the bonus game. gambling The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the resource is provided by the processor the occurrence of the game completion result is automatically carried out. gambling The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the resource is provided by the processor the occurrence of the game completion result in response to exercised a player input becomes. gambling according to claim 11, wherein the game completion result is a game shortening result is, being the gambling contains a game, that by the game shortening result usually shortened in time where the resource result is a player with a resource which is exercisable upon occurrence of a game shortening result, to the game shortening result to pick up and extend a game playing. gambling according to claim 12, wherein the bonus resource score in the base game occurs. gambling according to claim 12, wherein the bonus resource result in the bonus game occurs.