Wagering game with group jackpot

Abstract

System and method are disclosed for conducting a wagering game having increased excitement and enjoyment. The method/system of the invention involves a bank of wagering game terminals connected to a bank server. In addition to a basic wagering game, the wagering game terminals allow players to play a bonus game where only one or some of the players may win a prize. In one implementation, the prize is a jackpot composed entirely of game credits won by the players in the bonus game and pooled by the bank server. In another implementation, only players at wagering game terminals that exceed a minimum level of wagering activity may play the bonus game. The player that wins the bonus game receives the jackpot. If there are multiple winners, the jackpot is distributed amongst the winners based on their performance in the bonus game or some other criterion.

1 . A wagering game system, comprising: 
 a plurality of wagering game terminals, each wagering game terminal capable of conducting a wagering game in which an outcome is randomly selected from a plurality of outcomes, including a special-event outcome; and    a network to which said wagering game terminals are connected, said network initiating a special-event game session on eligible ones of said wagering game terminals upon occurrence of said special-event outcome on one of said wagering game terminals;    wherein said network is configured to apply all monetary amounts won in said special-event game session to a special-event jackpot and to award said jackpot to one or more players at a conclusion of said special-event game session.    
   
   
       2 . The wagering game system according to  claim 1 , wherein said special-event game session includes an initial round and each player's probability of advancing beyond said initial round depends on said player's wager amounts prior to beginning said special-event game session.  
   
   
       3 . The wagering game system according to  claim 1 , wherein said special-event game session includes multiple rounds and each player's probability of advancing beyond each round depends on said player's wager amounts prior to beginning said special-event game session.  
   
   
       4 . The wagering game system according to  claim 1 , wherein said conclusion of said special-event game session occurs when only one player remains, said server awarding all of said jackpot to said one remaining player.  
   
   
       5 . The wagering game system according to  claim 1 , wherein said conclusion of said special-event game session occurs when only one player remains, said server awarding a portion of said jackpot to one or more eliminated players based on a performance of said eliminated players or on a final size of said jackpot.  
   
   
       6 . The wagering game system according to  claim 1 , wherein said conclusion of said special-event game session occurs when no player remains, said server awarding a portion of said jackpot to one or more eliminated players based on a performance thereof.  
   
   
       7 . The wagering game system according to  claim 1 , wherein said conclusion of said special-event game session occurs when a certain number of rounds is completed, said server dividing said jackpot between all players remaining at said conclusion.  
   
   
       8 . The wagering game system according to  claim 1 , wherein said wagering game is a slot machine game and said special-event outcome includes a special symbol appearing on said slot machine game.  
   
   
       9 . The wagering game system according to  claim 1 , wherein each eligible wagering game terminal displays a current number of players participating in said special-event game session.  
   
   
       10 . A method of operating wagering game terminals, comprising: 
 conducting a wagering game on a plurality of wagering game terminals, each wagering game having an outcome that is randomly selected from a plurality of outcomes, including a special-event outcome;    displaying a special-event game on eligible ones of said wagering game terminals upon occurrence of said special-event outcome on any wagering game terminal;    applying all monetary amounts won by players playing said special-event game to a special-event jackpot; and    awarding said special-event jackpot to one or more players at a conclusion of said special-event game based on a performance of said one or more players in said special-event game.    
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein said special-event game is composed of an array of picks from which a player may select one-by-one to reveal a prize, including game credits, a game-termination symbol, and a game-advancement symbol.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising giving each player a number of game-advancement symbols or game-termination symbols based on said player's wagering activity on said wagering game.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising compiling said player's wagering activity on said wagering game before a start of said special-event game.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein said player's wagering activity on said wagering game is compiled for a predetermined interval before said start of said special-event game.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein said performance of said one or more players in said special-event game is determined relative to other players playing said special-event game.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein said performance of said one or more players in said special-event game is determined relative to a gaming establishment standard for said special-event game.  
   
   
       17 . A computer readable storage medium encoded with instructions for directing a wagering game terminal to perform the method of  claim 10 .  
   
   
       18 . A method of building a jackpot in a bonus game involving multiple wagering game terminals, comprising: 
 determining which ones of said multiple wagering game terminals are eligible for said bonus game;    initiating said bonus game on each eligible wagering game terminal;    contributing to said jackpot a predetermined portion of monetary amount won by player playing said bonus game; and    awarding said jackpot to one or more players at a conclusion of said bonus game based on a performance of said one or more players in said bonus game.    
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said predetermined portion includes substantially all of said monetary amounts won by said players playing said bonus game.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said predetermined portion includes substantially less than all of said monetary amounts won by said players playing said bonus game and a remainder of said jackpot is funded by another mechanism.