Sequential frame payline system and games using that system

Abstract

A pay line system has a novel type of pay line that can be provided in a variety of different display systems, including at least 3×3 reel-type displays, 3×4, 4×3, 3×5, 5×3, 4×5 and 5×4 displays. The pay lines are preferably displayed on 3×5 or 5×3 window formats and comprise a predetermined number of frames (e.g., at least three or at least four frames) that are in an ordered or sequential adjacent relationship with other frames, there is a winning payline established. The length of a payline is limited only by the total number of frames in the display.

1 . A wagering system in which symbols are provided and predetermined sequences of at least a minimum number of adjacent symbols are used to determine wins or losses along undefined pay lines.  
   
   
       2 . The wagering system of  claim 1  wherein the system provides a display that comprises a 3×5 array of frames.  
   
   
       3 . The wagering system of  claim 2  wherein the system provides a display that comprises a 3 row×5 column array of frames.  
   
   
       4 . The wagering system of  claim 2  wherein the display is a video display.  
   
   
       5 . The wagering system of  claim 3  wherein the display is a video display.  
   
   
       6 . The wagering system of  claim 3  wherein the display is a mechanical reel system.  
   
   
       7 . The wagering system of  claim 5  wherein at least one pay line comprises at least four frames that contain a sequence of ordered symbols in a continuous line of adjacent symbols.  
   
   
       8 . The wagering system of  claim 5  wherein at least one pay line comprises a three symbol sequence of ordered symbols that may return less than 1:1 on an initial wager.  
   
   
       9 . The wagering system of  claim 7  wherein the continuous line includes a line that crosses over itself when passing among at least four adjacent symbols.  
   
   
       10 . The wagering system of  claim 1  wherein an award is determined according to a paytable in which at least some returns on wagers increase as a number of frames increasingly appear in the sequence.  
   
   
       11 . The wagering system of  claim 1  wherein each symbol within a winning sequence has a number or letter associated with a frame containing each symbol.  
   
   
       12 . The wagering system of  claim 2  wherein each symbol within a winning sequence has a number or letter associated with a frame containing each symbol.  
   
   
       13 . The wagering system of  claim 3  wherein each symbol within a winning sequence has a number or letter associated with a frame containing each symbol.  
   
   
       14 . The wagering system of  claim 4  wherein each symbol within a winning sequence has a number or letter associated with a frame containing each symbol.  
   
   
       15 . The wagering system of  claim 5  wherein each symbol within a winning sequence has a number or letter associated with a frame containing each symbol.  
   
   
       16 . The wagering system of  claim 7  wherein each symbol within a winning sequence has a number or letter associated with a frame containing each symbol.  
   
   
       17 . A game event on a video gaming apparatus in which there are no fixed pay lines available for play, but in which any sequence of frames that appear in a predetermined order in a continuous line between frames defines a winning event.  
   
   
       18 . The game event of  claim 17  wherein an award is determined according to a paytable in which at least some returns on wagers increase as a number of frames increasingly appear in the sequence.  
   
   
       19 . The game event of  claim 17  wherein the winning event is for any sequence of the ordered frames that exceeds or equals at least a minimum number of sequential frames.  
   
   
       20 . The game event of  claim 17  played as a bonus event.  
   
   
       21 . The game event of  claim 18  played as a bonus event.  
   
   
       22 . The game event of  claim 19  played as a bonus event.