Gaming apparatus

Abstract

Gaming apparatus comprising a plurality of individually playable gaming machines. The machines are playable in self-contained and participation modes. In the self-contained mode each machine is played independently for its own prizes, whilst the participation mode allows players selected for participation (qualified players) to be awarded a prize distinct from any prize available from any, said machine in self-contained mode. The apparatus includes a participation mode display for displaying play of the apparatus during the participation mode.

We claim:  
     
         1 . Gaming apparatus comprising: 
 a plurality of individually playable gaming machines, the machines being playable in self-contained and participation modes, the self-contained mode being with each machine being played independently for its own prizes, and the participation mode allowing players of said machines selected for participation (qualified players) to be awarded a prize distinct from any prize available from any said machine in self-contained mode;    a common control unit;    a link allowing communication between said machines and said unit, and    a participation mode display for displaying play of the apparatus during participation mode.    
     
     
         2 . Gaming apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the participation mode allows said qualified players to participate together in the selection of prizes from the display.  
     
     
         3 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein participation is initiated on a random or time-related basis.  
     
     
         4 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein participation is initiated by any one machine delivering a particular qualifying win.  
     
     
         5 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein participation is only permitted to those machines that have been played within a pre-determined period prior to the particular qualifying win of said one machine.  
     
     
         6 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein participation is only permitted to those machines whose last play has been with a maximum stake or with a side wager.  
     
     
         7 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein for participation players of other machines have to achieve a qualifying win on their machines within a given period following the particular qualifying win on said one machine.  
     
     
         8 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein any player achieving a further qualifying win on his machine within said given period receives a bonus.  
     
     
         9 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the bonus is the banking of a further qualification to be used subsequent to the competition.  
     
     
         10 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the bonus is the increase of any prize won during the competition.  
     
     
         11 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the bonus is a facility to cancel an adverse selection from the display.  
     
     
         12 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the prizes are indicated on a static display and are sequentially highlighted in the participation mode, the final prize highlighted being awarded, and wherein participation controls on their machines enable qualified players to attempt to arrest the highlighting at a desired prize.  
     
     
         13 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the prizes are shown on a wheel of fortune which is rotated in the participation mode, the prize indicated when the wheel stops being awarded and wherein participation controls on their machines enable qualified players to attempt to arrest the wheel with a desired prize indicated.  
     
     
         14 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the prizes are shown on reels which are rotated in the participation mode, the prizes indicated on a win line when the reels stop being awarded and wherein participation controls on their machines enable qualified players to attempt to stop the reels with desired prizes indicated.  
     
     
         15 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a non-qualified player playing the self-contained mode game can qualify for and participate in a participation mode game that is currently being played by qualified players.  
     
     
         16 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a non-qualified player playing the self-contained mode game can qualify for and participate in a subsequent participation mode game that commences after a participation mode game being played by qualified players has been completed.  
     
     
         17 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the weighting is according to the order in which qualified players have contributed most to the total prize.  
     
     
         18 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the prize distribution to the qualified players is weighted.  
     
     
         19 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the prize distribution is determined by having the participation in stages, the lowest contributor in the first stage being eliminated and so on until the highest contributor at the final stage wins.  
     
     
         20 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 19 , with the modification that the total prize has weighted distribution according to the reverse order of elimination, the player not being eliminated receiving the greatest share.  
     
     
         21 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the prize distribution is determined by qualified players again playing their respective machines, the prizes being determined by the relative results on the machines.  
     
     
         22 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a qualified player is limited by time or number of participation control operations in his opportunity to influence the display.  
     
     
         23 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the display includes prize signs and at least one deciding win sign, prizes accumulating while prize signs are selected, but each selection of a deciding win sign terminating the associated machine's participation, the player of that machine winning the prize(s) he has accumulated from the display.  
     
     
         24 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the display includes prize signs and at least one deciding win sign, participation entailing cyclic operation of participation controls on their machines by the qualified players which cause prizes to accumulate while prize signs are selected, until one participation control causes the deciding win sign to be selected, whereupon the player of the associated machine wins the accumulated prizes.  
     
     
         25 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the display includes prize signs and at least one disqualification sign, participation entailing cyclic operation of participation controls on their machines by the qualified players which causes prizes to accumulate while prize signs are selected, but which results in the elimination of any player whose participation control selects a disqualification sign, this continuing until a final disqualification leaves one player still qualified who wins the total prizes accumulated.  
     
     
         26 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the display is adapted to be duplicated for each qualified player beyond the first one so that the players can operate participation controls on their machines simultaneously and/or observe the participation mode game on their machines.  
     
     
         27 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein qualified players are awarded prizes automatically in the participation mode without any influence over actual selection of prizes.  
     
     
         28 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the participation mode display includes one or more display distinct from displays associated with the individual machines.  
     
     
         29 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the participation mode display includes at least part of a display associated with one or more said machine.  
     
     
         30 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the machines include personal computers connected to a communications network.  
     
     
         31 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the common control unit includes a personal computer connected to a communications network.  
     
     
         32 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein data relating to the prizes available in the participation mode for a player of each said individual machine is stored on the respective individual machine.