Drop gaming machine with varying symbol scoring zones and automatic bias prevention

Abstract

A game machine which includes a playing field traversed by objects, such as balls or other traversing bodies. A preferred form includes a playing field with a maze, such as of deflectors, and plural drop zones which can be selected by the player that control where the balls are launched. Detectors indicate scoring positions assumed by the balls or other traversing objects. A payline display may be included to display scored events. A symbol selector is included to select symbols which are variably assigned to the scoring positions. To eliminate possible bias due to wear and other causes the detectors are assigned individual symbols in a manner that produces equal frequencies of appearance in each of the detection positions. Scored symbols may be displayed in one or more payline displays and affect winning or bonus play.

1 . An apparatus for gaming comprising: 
 at least one playing field;    an object introducer for introducing one or more objects onto the playing field for allowing the one or more objects to traverse thereon;    a plurality of detectors associated with said playing field to detect objects traversing across at least portions of the playing field;    a symbol selector that associates symbols to the plurality of detectors so that each individual symbol in an available symbol set have the same frequency of association for each of the plurality of detectors;    at least one symbol display for displaying symbols associated with said plurality of detectors.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  and further comprising a maze through which objects traverse on the playing field.  
   
   
       3 . A method for operating a gaming machine having a playing field with objects that traverse the playing field and are detected at a plurality of detecting positions, comprising: 
 introducing one or more objects onto the playing field for traversing thereon;    detecting said one or more objects using a plurality of detectors;    associating symbols from an available symbol set to said plurality of detectors, said associating occurring in a manner that associates symbols to the plurality of detectors so that each individual symbol in an available symbol set have the same frequency of association for each of the plurality of detectors.    
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 3  and further comprising displaying the symbols for at least some of the detecting positions.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 3  and further comprising: 
 displaying the symbols for at least some of the detecting positions;    and wherein said introducing is done so as to cause the one or more objects to performing traversing through a maze.