Gaming machine

Abstract

The invention concerns a gaming machine that simultaneously displays and operates at least two separated games ( 1, 2 ) of chance. Each of the games is capable of carrying separate bets and paying separate winnings so that the screen activity is increased and the gaming experience is intensified. This escalates and prologs the player's interest in the gaming machine.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A gaming machine comprising: 
 means adapted to simultaneously display at least two arrays of symbols arranged in columns and rows, wherein each array represents a separate game of chance;    means adapted to accept a bet on the occurrence of predetermined winning combinations of symbols of each array; and    means adapted to pay winnings on the occurrence of any of predetermined winning combinations in each array.    
     
     
         2 . A gaming machine according to  claim 1  wherein one of the games is a base game and the other game is a feature game and wherein the machine initially displays and operates the base game and subsequently displays and operates the feature game in response to a trigger.  
     
     
         3 . A gaming machine according to  claim 2  wherein the trigger is a predetermined outcome in the base game.  
     
     
         4 . A gaming machine according to  claim 3  wherein the array of symbols in each of the base game and feature game is arranged in five columns and three rows; 
 wherein both the array for the base game and the array for the feature game have fixed paylines which extend through one symbol such that the paylines connect to symbols that are one of laterally and diagonally adjacent to each other; and  
 the machine is adapted to accept a bet on the occurrence of winning combinations in at least one of the paylines in the primary game.  
 
     
     
         5 . A gaming machine according to  claim 4  wherein the configuration of the paylines in the feature game mirrors the configuration of the paylines in the base game and the machine is adapted to pay winnings on any winning combinations that appear on paylines in the feature game which correspond to the paylines in the base game that are carrying a bet as if an equivalent bet had been placed on the corresponding paylines in the feature game.  
     
     
         6 . A gaming machine according to  claim 5  wherein the machine is adapted to allows a bet to be placed on the occurrence of a winning combination in at least one of the paylines of the feature game.  
     
     
         7 . A gaming machine according to  claim 1  wherein the machine further comprises: 
 means adapted to simultaneously display a third array of symbols arranged in columns and rows, wherein the third array represents a tertiary game of chance;  
 means adapted to accept a bet on the occurrence of predetermined winning combinations of symbols of the third array; and  
 means adapted to pay winnings on the occurrence of any of predetermined winning combinations in the third array.  
 
     
     
         8 . A gaming machine according to  claim 7  wherein the tertiary game wherein the tertiary game is displayed and operated in response to a trigger involving the occurrence of a predetermined outcome in the base game in combination with a predetermined outcome in the feature game.  
     
     
         9 . A gaming machine according to  claim 8  wherein the gaming machine further comprises: 
 means adapted to simultaneously display at least a fourth array of symbols arranged in columns and rows, wherein the at least fourth array represents at least a fourth game of chance;  
 means adapted to accept a bet on the occurrence of predetermined winning combinations of symbols of the at least fourth array; and  
 means adapted to pay winnings on the occurrence of any of predetermined winning combinations in the at least fourth array.  
 
     
     
         10 . A gaming machine according to  claim 2  wherein the base game and the feature game are operatively linked such that the winnings paid for the occurrence of a winning outcome in the game include at least one free game in the feature game wherein the feature game operates and pays winnings in the absence of bets being placed.  
     
     
         11 . A gaming machine according to  claim 10  wherein the winnings paid on the occurrence of a winning outcome in the feature game include at least one free game in the base game.  
     
     
         12 . A gaming machine according to  claim 1  wherein the gaming machine further comprises a microprocessor adapted to provide a random number generator which determines the outcome of random events in both of the base game and the feature game.  
     
     
         13 . A gaming machine according to  claim 1  wherein the gaming machine further comprises a microprocessor adapted to provide separate random number generators which determine the outcome of random events in both of the base game and the feature game.  
     
     
         14 . A method for of operation for a gaming machine comprising: 
 simultaneously displaying at least two arrays of symbols arranged in columns and rows, wherein each array represents a separate game of chance;    accepting a bet on the occurrence of predetermined winning combinations of symbols of each array; and    paying winnings on the occurrence of any of predetermined winning combinations in each array.    
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein one of the games is a base game and the other game is a feature game and wherein the machine initially displays and operates the base game and subsequently displays and operates the feature game in response to a trigger.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein the trigger is a predetermined outcome in the base game.  
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16  wherein the array of symbols in each of the base game and feature game is arranged in five columns and three rows; 
 wherein both the array for the base game and the array for the feature game have fixed paylines which extend through one symbol such that the paylines connect to symbols that are one of laterally and diagonally adjacent to each other; and  
 the machine is adapted to accept a bet on the occurrence of winning combinations in at least one of the paylines in the primary game.  
 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17  wherein the configuration of the paylines in the feature game mirrors the configuration of the paylines in the base game and the machine is adapted to pay winnings on any winning combinations that appear on paylines in the feature game which correspond to the paylines in the base game that are carrying a bet as if an equivalent bet had been placed on the corresponding paylines in the feature game.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18  wherein the machine is adapted to allows a bet to be placed on the occurrence of a winning combination in at least one of the paylines of the feature game.  
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein the machine further comprises: 
 simultaneously displaying a third array of symbols arranged in columns and rows, wherein the third array represents a tertiary game of chance;  
 accepting a bet on the occurrence of predetermined winning combinations of symbols of the third array; and  
 paying winnings on the occurrence of any of predetermined winning combinations in the third array.  
 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 20  wherein the tertiary game wherein the tertiary game is displayed and operated in response to a trigger involving the occurrence of a predetermined outcome in the base game in combination with a predetermined outcome in the feature game.  
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 21  wherein the gaming machine further comprises: 
 simultaneously displaying at least a fourth array of symbols arranged in columns and rows, wherein the at least fourth array represents at least a fourth game of chance;  
 accepting a bet on the occurrence of predetermined winning combinations of symbols of the at least fourth array; and  
 paying winnings on the occurrence of any of predetermined winning combinations in the at least fourth array.  
 
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 22  wherein the base game and the feature game are operatively linked such that the winnings paid for the occurrence of a winning outcome in the game include at least one free game in the feature game wherein the feature game operates and pays winnings in the absence of bets being placed.  
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 23  wherein the winnings paid on the occurrence of a winning outcome in the feature game include at least one free game in the base game.  
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein the gaming machine further comprises a microprocessor adapted to provide a random number generator which determines the outcome of random events in both of the base game and the feature game.  
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein the gaming machine further comprises a microprocessor adapted to provide separate random number generators which determine the 
 outcome of random events in both of the base game and the feature game.