Apparent skill game used as a bonus round on a gaming machine

Abstract

An apparent game of skill or knowledge is used as a secondary event bonus game which is won by the player during the play of a conventional gaming machine. A gaming machine is played and, upon the occurrence of a predetermined outcome of the gaming machine, the player wins an opportunity to play the secondary event bonus round game. The computer controls of the electronic gaming machine select the amount of the award 8 to be won by the player during the play of the secondary event game. The player then plays out the secondary event game, which appears to the player to be a game of skill or knowledge. Regardless of how the player fares during the play of the secondary event game, the play of the secondary event game continues until the player has achieved the predetermined amount that was selected by the computer controls.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of playing a gaming machine in which a bonus round includes an apparent game of skill or knowledge comprising: 
 a) a player making a wager to play the gaming machine;    b) activating the gaming machine to cause a game of chance to occur;    c) determining an outcome of the game of chance;    d) if the outcome awards the player with the bonus round, selecting an amount of a bonus payout to be paid to the player during the bonus round; and    e) allowing the player to participate in the apparent game of skill or knowledge at the end of which the player receives the bonus payout.