Method and device for conducting a game with multi-threshold award

Abstract

A method and device for conducting a wagering game includes defining a schedule of awards correlated to a schedule of holdings. At least one of said awards is associated with an activation criterion which includes a threshold wager amount such that the award is only activated when a wager is greater than, or equal to, the threshold wager amount. In this manner, increased wagers may result in increased holdings eligible for awards, increased likelihood that an award may be obtained, or increased awards eligible.

1 . A method for conducting a game where a player is issued a reward based on the player obtaining a winning holding associated with an award, the method comprising: 
 defining a schedule of holdings;    defining a schedule of awards, each award correlated to at least one holding;    defining an activation criteria for at least one of said awards, wherein said activation criteria includes a threshold wager amount such that said award associated with said activation criteria is not awarded unless a wager greater than, or equal to, said threshold wager amount is placed;    receiving a wager from a player;    in response to the receipt of said wager, conducting said game to produce a game result;    evaluating said wager to determine which, if any, of said activation criteria are satisfied;    examining said game result to determine whether any holdings associated with an award have been obtained, including any selectively activated awards that are active as a result of the satisfaction of said activation criteria; and    issuing any awards.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said schedule of holdings includes symbol combinations.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the quantity of symbol combinations associated with awards activated at a threshold wager amount increase with the size of the threshold wager amount such that increasing wagers by a player activate an increasing quantity of symbol combinations.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said schedule of holdings includes symbol combinations appearing on pay lines.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said schedule of holdings includes playing card combinations.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein multiple holdings are each associated with the same award but with different activation criteria having different threshold wager amounts such that increased wager amounts result in increased holdings that will result in the award.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the likelihood of said multiple holdings occurring is cumulative such that increased wager amounts result in increased likelihood of obtaining said award.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said awards associated with an activation criterion is a progressive award.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the quantity of awards activated at any threshold wager increase with the size of the wager threshold amount such that the likelihood of a player obtaining an activated award increase with increased wager levels.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said holdings is associated with a first award including an activation criterion and a second award not including an activation criterion such that a wager less than the threshold wager amount of the activation criterion will be rewarded with the second award for obtaining said holding and a wager greater than the threshold wager amount of the activation criterion will be rewarded with the first award.  
   
   
       11 . A device for conducting a wagering game comprising: 
 a data processor;    a display communicating with said data processor;    a wager receiver communicating with said data processor;    a data structure communicating with said display, said data structure storing a schedule of holdings, a schedule of awards, wherein each award correlated to at least one holding, an activation criteria for at least one of said awards, wherein said activation criteria includes a threshold wager amount such that said award associated with said activation criteria is not awarded unless a wager greater than, or equal to, said threshold wager amount is placed, and instructions executable by said data processor to conduct a game method comprising:    receiving a wager from a player at said wager receiver;    in response to the receipt of said wager, said data processor conducting said game to produce a game result;    said data processor evaluating said wager to determine which, if any, of said activation criteria are satisfied;    said data processor examining said game result to determine whether any holdings associated with an award have been obtained, including any selectively activated awards that are active as a result of the satisfaction of said activation criteria; and    said data processor issuing any awards.    
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein said schedule of holdings includes symbol combinations.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12  wherein the quantity of symbol combinations associated with awards activated at a threshold wager amount increase with the size of the threshold wager amount such that increasing wagers by a player activate an increasing quantity of symbol combinations.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 11  wherein said schedule of holdings includes symbol combinations appearing on pay lines.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said schedule of holdings includes playing card combinations.  
   
   
       16 . The device of claim  111  wherein multiple holdings are each associated with the same award but with different activation criteria having different threshold wager amounts such that increased wager amounts result in increased holdings that will result in the award.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16  wherein the likelihood of said multiple holdings occurring is cumulative such that increased wager amounts result in increased likelihood of obtaining said award.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said awards associated with an activation criterion is a progressive award.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the quantity of awards activated at any threshold wager increase with the size of the wager threshold amount such that the likelihood of a player obtaining an activated award increase with increased wager levels.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said holdings is associated with a first award including an activation criterion and a second award not including an activation criterion such that a wager less than the threshold wager amount of the activation criterion will be rewarded with the second award for obtaining said holding and a wager greater than the threshold wager amount of the activation criterion will be rewarded with the first award.