Gaming machine with multi-level progressive jackpot

Abstract

A gaming system for playing a wagering game having a special payout with a first payout and a second payout. The gaming system includes a gaming terminal for playing a basic game having a randomly selected outcome. The gaming terminal includes a side-wager input device for allowing a player to be eligible to win the special payout. In response to activation of the side-wager input device, the gaming terminal credits the player the first payout when a first randomly selected outcome is achieved in the basic game. When a second randomly selected outcome is achieved in the basic game, the gaming terminal credits the player the second payout.

1 . A method for playing a wagering game having a special payout with a first payout and a second payout, the method comprising: 
 conducting a basic game having a randomly selected outcome;    presenting a side-wager option for a player to be eligible for the special payout; and    in response to the player selecting the option to be eligible for the special payout, crediting the player the first payout when a first randomly selected outcome occurs in the basic game and crediting the player the second payout when a second randomly selected outcome occurs in the basic game.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising crediting the player a third payout when a third randomly selected outcome occurs in the basic game.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the special payout is a progressive payout.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first payout is a bonus game.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the randomly selected outcome comprises a plurality of symbols.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of symbols is a card from a deck of playing cards.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the wagering game is a slot machine and each of the plurality of symbols is a reel symbol.  
   
   
       8 . A method for playing a wagering game on a gaming terminal, the wagering game having a progressive payout with a first payout and a second payout, the method comprising: 
 conducting a basic game having a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the basic game;    presenting an option for a player to be eligible for the progressive payout; and    in response to the player selecting the option to be eligible for the progressive payout, awarding the first payout when a first randomly selected outcome is achieved in the basic game and awarding the second payout when a second randomly selected outcome is achieved in the basic game.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the conducting step comprises choosing at least one of a plurality of paylines to play and choosing a wager amount for each of the plurality of paylines chosen.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the presenting step only occurs if all of the plurality of paylines are chosen.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the awarding step is performed by a controller in the gaming terminal.  
   
   
       12 . A gaming system for playing a wagering game having a special payout with a first payout and a second payout, the gaming system comprising a gaming terminal for playing a basic game having a randomly selected outcome, the gaming terminal having a side-wager input device for allowing a player to be eligible to win the special payout wherein, in response to activation of the side-wager input device, the gaming terminal credits the player the first payout when a first randomly selected outcome is achieved in the basic game and the gaming terminal credits the player the second payout when a second randomly selected outcome is achieved in the basic game.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the special payout is a progressive jackpot.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the first payout is a bonus game jackpot.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the side-wager input device is a button or a key.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second randomly selected outcomes comprise a plurality of symbols.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein each of the plurality of symbols is a card from a deck of playing cards.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the gaming terminal is a slot machine and each of the plurality of symbols is a standard slot machine symbol.  
   
   
       19 . The gaming system of  claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of gaming terminals for conducting wagering games, each of the plurality of gaming terminals having the side-wager input device.  
   
   
       20 . The gaming system of  claim 19 , further comprising signage located above and coupled to the plurality of gaming terminals, the signage displaying the special payout and for receiving a signal from one of the plurality of gaming terminals that it is eligible to win a special payout.  
   
   
       21 . The gaming system of  claim 20 , wherein the signage includes a signage controller for controlling an outcome of the special payout on one of the plurality of gaming terminals.  
   
   
       22 . The gaming system of  claim 21 , wherein each of the plurality of gaming terminals includes a gaming terminal controller, the gaming terminal controller being in communication with the signage controller.  
   
   
       23 . The gaming system of  claim 19 , wherein each of the plurality of gaming terminals are identical machines.  
   
   
       24 . The gaming system of  claim 19 , wherein the special payout is a progressive payout.  
   
   
       25 . The gaming system of  claim 19 , wherein the first payout is a bonus game payout.  
   
   
       26 . A gaming terminal for playing a wagering game, comprising: 
 a basic game having a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the basic game;    a progressive payout having a first payout and a second payout; and    an input device for allowing a player to become eligible for the progressive payout;    wherein, in response to the input device being activated, the gaming terminal awards the player the first payout when a first randomly selected outcome is achieved and awards the player the second payout when a second randomly selected outcome is achieved.    
   
   
       27 . The gaming terminal of  claim 26 , wherein in response to the input device being activated, the gaming terminal awards the player a third payout when a third randomly selected outcome is achieved.