Gaming devices and methods with alternative betting configurations

Abstract

A gaming device and method having alternative wagering or betting features. A gaming device includes a plurality of paylines. At least one of the paylines includes a different number of symbol positions than at least one of the other paylines. The gaming device enables the player to select and wager on one or more of the paylines. The amounts wagered on each payline may be different amounts. A gaming device enables a player to place different wager amounts on a first or second game.

1 . A gaming device controlled by a processor, said gaming device comprising: 
 a game controlled by the processor;    at least one input device operable to communicate with the processor;    a plurality of symbols in the game;    a plurality of symbol generators in the game, wherein a plurality of said symbol generators each includes a plurality of the symbols; and    a plurality of paylines in said game, each payline including a plurality of symbol positions which form a predetermined path in relation to the symbol generators, wherein a first designated payline includes a different number of symbol positions than a second designated payline, and all of the symbol positions in the first designated payline are in the second designated payline; wherein said processor is programmed to operate with the input device and the symbol generators to: 
 (a) enable a player to select a first one of the paylines,  
 (b) enable the player to wager a first amount on said first selected payline,  
 (c) enable the player to select a second one of the paylines,  
 (d) enable the player to wager a same or different second amount on said second selected payline,  
 (e) generate a plurality of symbols, and  
 (f) provide an outcome to the player, wherein said outcome is based on the symbols generated on the first selected payline and the amount wagered on the first selected payline and on the symbols generated on the second selected payline and the amount wagered on the second selected payline.  
   
   
   
       2 . The gaming device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the paylines begins with a leftmost symbol position.  
   
   
       3 . The gaming device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the paylines begins with a rightmost symbol position.  
   
   
       4 . The gaming device of  claim 1 , wherein more than one of the paylines includes all of the same symbol positions as at least one of the other paylines.  
   
   
       5 . The gaming device of  claim 1 , wherein the symbol generators are chosen from a group consisting of: reels, dice, and wheels.  
   
   
       6 . A gaming device controlled by a processor, said gaming device comprising: 
 a game controlled by the processor including a first game sequence and a second game sequence, wherein the second game sequence is triggered upon a triggering event in the first game sequence;    at least one input device operable to communicate with the processor;    at least one symbol generator in the game, wherein the at least one symbol generator includes a plurality of symbols;    a plurality of paylines associated with the at least one symbol generator in said game, each of said paylines forming a predetermined path along the at least one symbol generator; and    a wager amount including a first wager amount and a second wager amount;    wherein said processor is operable with the input device and the at least one symbol generator to: 
 (a) enable a player to place the first wager amount on a first selected payline for the first game sequence,  
 (b) enable the player to place the second wager amount on the first selected payline for the second game sequence,  
 (c) generate a plurality of symbols in the first game sequence,  
 (d) if the triggering event occurs in the first game sequence, generate a plurality of symbols for the second game sequence,  
 (e) provide a first award to the player based on the first wager amount and the symbols generated for the first game sequence, and  
 (f) provide a second award to the player based on the second wager amount and the symbols generated for the second game sequence.  
   
   
   
       7 . The gaming device of  claim 6 , wherein the player is enabled to place the first wager amount and the second wager amount at the same time.  
   
   
       8 . The gaming device of  claim 6 , wherein the player is enabled to place the wager amount and then designate the first wager amount and the second wager amount.  
   
   
       9 . The gaming device of  claim 6 , wherein the second wager amount is predetermined.  
   
   
       10 . The gaming device of  claim 6 , wherein the second wager amount is player determined.  
   
   
       11 . A method of operating a gaming device, wherein said gaming device includes a game having a plurality of symbols, a plurality of symbol generators in the game, wherein a plurality of said symbol generators each includes a plurality of symbols, said method comprising: 
 (a) enabling a player to select a first payline of a plurality of paylines, each payline including a plurality of symbol positions which form a predetermined path in relation to the symbol generators, wherein a first designated payline includes a different number of symbol positions than a second designated payline, and all of the symbol positions in the first designated payline are in the second designated payline;    (b) enabling the player to wager a first amount on said first selected payline;    (c) enabling the player to select a second one of the paylines;    (d) enabling the player to wager a same or different second amount on said second selected payline;    (e) generating a plurality of symbols on said symbol generators; and    (f) providing an outcome to the player, wherein said outcome is based on the symbols generated on the first selected payline and the amount wagered on the first selected payline and on the symbols generated on the second selected payline and the amount wagered on the second selected payline.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the paylines begins with a leftmost symbol position.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the paylines begins with a rightmost symbol position.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein more than one of the paylines includes a plurality of the same symbol positions as at least one of the other paylines.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the method is provided through a data network.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the data network is an internet.  
   
   
       17 . A method of operating a gaming device including a game having a first game sequence and a second game sequence, wherein the second game sequence is triggered upon a triggering event in the first game sequence, at least one symbol generator in the game, wherein the at least one symbol generator includes a plurality of symbols, a plurality of paylines associated with the at least one symbol generator in said game, each of said paylines forming a predetermined path along the at least one symbol generator, and a wager amount including a first wager amount and a second wager amount, said method comprising: 
 (a) enabling a player to place a first wager amount on a first selected payline for the first game sequence;    (b) enabling the player to place a second wager amount on the first selected payline for the second game sequence;    (c) generating a plurality of symbols in the first game sequence;    (d) if the triggering event occurs in the first game sequence, generating a plurality of symbols for the second game sequence;    (e) providing a first award to the player based on the first wager amount and the symbols generated for the first game sequence; and    (f) providing a second award to the player based on the second wager amount and the symbols generated for the second game sequence.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , which includes enabling the player to place the first wager amount and the second wager amount at the same time.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , which includes enabling the player to place the wager amount and then designate the first wager amount and the second wager amount.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the second wager amount is predetermined.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the second wager amount is player determined.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the method is provided through a data network.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the data network is an internet.