Method and system for providing a bonus award to multiple players playing gaming machines on a network based on a winning outcome at a single linked machine

Abstract

A method and system for awarding a bonus to all eligible players on a gaming network is disclosed. A network of video poker machines in communication with a common controller facilitates one version of the invention. In response to one machine of the network generating a pre-established winning game outcome (e.g., four of a kind), the common controller causes each other player playing a machine on the network to be awarded a bonus. For example, the pre-established game winning outcome may be a minimum poker hand rank, specific poker hand rank and/or primary game winning dollar amount. An icon or audio tone notifies players of the bonus award. To be eligible for the bonus award, players may be required to play maximum coins or units on their machines and/or be identified as a player's club member.

1 . A gaming system comprising: 
 a plurality of electronic gaming machines forming a network;    bonus awarding means in communication with each electronic gaming machine forming the network; and    wherein response to one of the plurality of electronic gaming machines generating one or more pre-established winning game outcomes, said common controller causing each other eligible player playing an electronic gaming machine on the network to receive a bonus award.    
   
   
       2 . The gaming system of  claim 1  wherein the bonus awarding means is a common controller.  
   
   
       3 . The gaming system of  claim 2  wherein the common controller is a computer server.  
   
   
       4 . The gaming system of  claim 1  wherein the electronic gaming machines are video poker machines.  
   
   
       5 . The gaming system of  claim 4  wherein the one or more pre-established winning game outcomes comprise minimum poker hand ranks.  
   
   
       6 . The gaming system of  claim 4  wherein the one or more pre-established winning game outcomes comprise specific poker hand ranks.  
   
   
       7 . The gaming system of  claim 1  wherein the one or more pre-established winning game outcomes comprise minimum game outcome award amounts.  
   
   
       8 . The gaming system of  claim 1  wherein said network of electronic gaming machines are located in a single establishment.  
   
   
       9 . The gaming system of  claim 1  wherein said electronic gaming machines include means for notifying players of a bonus award.  
   
   
       10 . The gaming system of  claim 9  wherein the means comprises a display of the electronic gaming machines.  
   
   
       11 . The gaming system of claim of  10  wherein the display is capable of displaying text messages.  
   
   
       12 . The gaming system of  claim 9  wherein the means comprises a speaker for generating an audible tone.  
   
   
       13 . The gaming system of  claim 1  wherein eligible players are the players playing maximum coins or units.  
   
   
       14 . The gaming system of  claim 1  wherein only identified club members are eligible for a bonus award.  
   
   
       15 . A video poker gaming system comprising: 
 a plurality of video poker machines linked to common controller; and    wherein response to one of the plurality of video poker machines generating one or more pre-established winning game outcomes, said common controller causing each other eligible player playing a video poker machine linked to the common controller to receive a bonus award.    
   
   
       16 . The gaming system of  claim 15  wherein the one or more pre-established outcomes comprise minimum poker hand ranks.  
   
   
       17 . The gaming system of  claim 15  wherein the one or more pre-established outcomes comprise specific poker hand ranks.  
   
   
       18 . The gaming system of  claim 15  wherein said network of electronic gaming machines are located in a single establishment.  
   
   
       19 . The gaming system of  claim 15  wherein said electronic gaming machines include means for notifying players of a bonus award.  
   
   
       20 . The gaming system of  claim 19  wherein the means comprises a display of the electronic gaming machines.  
   
   
       21 . The gaming system of claim of  20  wherein the display is capable of displaying text messages.  
   
   
       22 . The gaming system of  claim 19  wherein the means comprises a speaker for generating an audible tone.  
   
   
       23 . The gaming system of  claim 15  wherein eligible players are the players playing maximum coins or units.  
   
   
       24 . The gaming system of  claim 1  wherein only identified club members are eligible for a bonus award.  
   
   
       25 . A method of gaming comprising: 
 providing a network of electronic gaming machines in communication with a common controller; and    in response to one of said electronic gaming machines generating one or more pre-established winning game outcomes, triggering one or more electronic gaming machines on the network to award corresponding eligible players a bonus.    
   
   
       26 . The method of gaming of  claim 25  further comprising the common controller being a computer server.  
   
   
       27 . The method of gaming of  claim 25  further comprising the electronic gaming machines being video poker machines.  
   
   
       28 . The method of gaming  claim 25  further comprising establishing a minimum poker hand rank as the one or more pre-established outcomes.  
   
   
       29 . The method of gaming of  claim 25  further comprising establishing a specific poker hand rank as the one or more pre-established outcomes.  
   
   
       30 . The method of gaming of  claim 25  further comprising locating all said electronic gaming machines of said network in a single establishment.  
   
   
       31 . The method of gaming of  claim 25  further comprising notifying players of a bonus award.  
   
   
       32 . The method of gaming of  claim 31  further comprising utilizing a display of the electronic gaming machines to notify the players of a bonus award.  
   
   
       33 . The method of gaming of claim of  32  wherein the display is capable of displaying text messages.  
   
   
       34 . The method of gaming of  claim 31  further comprising utilizing a speaker for generating an audible tone to notify players of a bonus award.  
   
   
       35 . The method of gaming of  claim 25  further comprising requiring a player to play maximum coins or units to be eligible for a bonus award.  
   
   
       36 . The method of gaming of  claim 25  further comprising requiring a player to identify themselves to a player tracking system prior to play in order to be eligible for a bonus award.