Gaming machine with video mode payoff multiplier

Abstract

A spinning reel slot machine gives a multiplied payoff when certain conditions are fulfilled. Wins including a special symbol on the pay line are multiplied by a multiplier value generated according to the rules of a secondary game. The secondary game is a computer simulation or a video display of a set of reels which simulate the operation of a physical set of reels, and have symbols representing different numerical values. The values on the computer generated reels when they stop are multiplied together to generate the multiplier.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A gaming machine including a set of spinning reels having a plurality of symbols thereon, means for spinning and stopping said reels to display symbols on a payline, means for paying out prizes, means for displaying a secondary game, and a processor operating according to a game program for controlling the spinning and stopping means, said processor including: 
 a) means for randomly selecting symbols to be displayed by said spinning reels;    b) means for determining if the selected symbols constitute a winning combination, and, if so, a corresponding standard prize amount;    c) means for initiating play of a secondary game to generate a multiplier value, if a special symbol is included in said winning combination;    d) means for calculating the prize to be awarded for said winning combination based on the standard prize amount multiplied by said multiplier value, if the winning symbol combination includes said special symbol;    said means for initiating play of said secondary game including:    i) means for randomly selecting at least two numerical values to be displayed by said secondary game; and    ii) means for multiplying the numerical values to generate said multiplier value.    
     
     
         2 . A gaming machine according to  claim 1  wherein said means for randomly selecting at least two numerical values comprises means for simulating reels on said display means, said simulated reels having symbols representing different numerical values.  
     
     
         3 . A gaming machine according to  claim 2  wherein said means for initiating play of said secondary game further includes means for simulating the spinning of said reels before displaying said randomly selected numerical values.  
     
     
         4 . A gaming machine according to  claim 1  wherein said means for playing a secondary game increases said multiplier value if it is not greater than a certain predetermined value.  
     
     
         5 . A gaming machine according to  claim 4  wherein the predetermined value is 1.  
     
     
         6 . A method of operating a gaming machine including a set of spinning reels having a plurality of symbols thereon, means for spinning and stopping said reels to display symbols on a payline, means for paying out prizes, means for displaying a secondary game, and a processor operating according to a game program, comprising the steps of: 
 a) randomly selecting symbols to be displayed by said spinning reels;    b) determining if the selected symbols constitute a winning combination and a corresponding standard prize amount;    c) initiating a secondary game to generate a multiplier value if a special symbol is included in said winning combination; and    d) calculating the prize to be awarded for said winning combination based on the standard prize amount multiplied by said multiplier value, if the winning symbol combination includes said multiplier symbol;    said secondary game comprising the steps of:    i) randomly selecting at least two numerical values;    ii) displaying said values; and    iii) multiplying the numerical values together to generate said multiplier value.    
     
     
         7 . A method of operating a gaming machine according to  claim 6  wherein said steps of randomly selecting at least two values and displaying said values comprises displaying a representation of at least two spinning reels on said display having said numerical values thereon.  
     
     
         8 . A method of operating a gaming machine according to  claim 7  wherein said step of displaying a representation of at least two spinning reels further comprises displaying a simulation of the spinning of said reels before displaying said randomly selected numerical values.  
     
     
         9 . A method of operating a gaming machine according to  claim 6  wherein said means for playing a secondary game increases said multiplier value if it is not greater than a certain predetermined value.  
     
     
         10 . A method of operating a gaming reel slot machine according to  claim 9  wherein the predetermined value is 1.  
     
     
         11 . A gaming machine including a set of spinning reels having a plurality of symbols thereon, means for spinning and stopping said reels to display symbols on a payline and a processor operating according to a game program for controlling the spinning and stopping means, said processor including: 
 a) means for randomly selecting symbols to be displayed by said spinning reels;    b) means for determining if the selected symbols constitute a winning combination, and, if so, a corresponding prize amount; and    c) means for paying out said prize as a plurality of credits;    said means for paying out prizes including means for providing a delay between payment of successive credits, and means for adjusting said delay.    
     
     
         12 . A gaming machine according to  claim 11  wherein said game program provides different modes which can be selected by a player of said game, and wherein said means for adjusting said delay adjusts said delay in accordance with the mode selected.  
     
     
         13 . A gaming machine according to  claim 11  wherein said means for adjusting said delay comprises a player operable input device.  
     
     
         14 . A method of operating a gaming machine including a set of spinning reels having a plurality of symbols thereon, means for spinning and stopping said reels to display symbols on a payline, and a processor operating according to a game program for controlling the spinning and stopping means, said method of operating comprising the steps of 
 a) randomly selecting symbols to be displayed by said spinning reels;    b) determining if the selected symbols constitute a winning combination, and, if so, a corresponding prize amount;    c) paying out said prize as a plurality of credits;    wherein said step of paying out prizes comprises a further step of providing a delay between payment of successive credits, and adjusting said delay.    
     
     
         15 . A method of operating a gaming machine according to  claim 14  wherein said game program provides different modes which can be selected by a player of said game, and wherein said step of adjusting said delay comprises adjusting said delay in accordance with the selected mode.  
     
     
         16 . A method of operating a gaming machine according to  claim 14  wherein said gaming machine comprises user operable input means, said step of adjusting comprising adjusting said delay in response to operation of said user operable input means.