Selectable Bonus Gaming Machine And Method

Abstract

A selectable bonus gaming machine and method are disclosed. A gaming machine includes a game including a set of possible options, including a subset of options selectable by a player upon a triggering event. A bonus game is operated in accordance with the selected option.

1 . A gaming machine comprising: 
 a central processing unit operatively coupled to a set of player-operated controls;    a memory configured to store a wagering game program operable by the central processing unit in accordance with the player-operated controls;    and a display device controlled by the central processing unit upon a triggering event to display a bonus game in accordance with an option selected by the player.    
   
   
       2 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the triggering event is based on an outcome of the game program.  
   
   
       3 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the triggering event is not based on an outcome of the game program.  
   
   
       4 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the triggering event is based on the number of games played.  
   
   
       5 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the option selected by the player is part of a set of selectable options.  
   
   
       6 . The gaming machine of  claim 5  wherein the set of selectable options is derived from a set of possible options.  
   
   
       7 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  further comprising a second display upon which a primary game is displayed.  
   
   
       8 . A method of operating a gaming machine, the method including the steps of: 
 accepting a wager from a player;    initiating play of a game;    selecting one of a set of possible outcomes of the game, the set of possible outcomes including a winning subset of outcomes;    selecting one of a set of possible outcomes of the game, the set of possible outcomes including a winning subset of outcomes;    upon a triggering event, presenting a plurality of options to the player;    accepting an option chosen by the player from the plurality of options;    and operating a bonus game in accordance with the accepted option.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the triggering event is based on the selected outcome being a member of the winning subset of outcomes.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the triggering event is not based on the selected outcome being a member of the winning subset of outcomes.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the triggering event is based on the number of games played.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the average expected value for each option in the plurality of options is equal.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the average expected value for each option in the plurality of options is not equal.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8 , further including the step of selecting the plurality of options from a set of possible options.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein each option in the set of possible options is included in the plurality of options presented to the player.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein each option in the set of possible options is not included in the plurality of options presented to the player.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein each option in the set of possible options has an equal probability of being included in the plurality of options presented to the player.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein each option in the set of possible options does not have an equal probability of being included in the plurality of options presented to the player.