Apparatus, systems and methods for gaming device featuring negative credit balance

Abstract

A gaming device may be configured to: (i) determine a current credit balance, (ii) determine a wager amount, (iii) determine whether the wager amount would result in a negative balance of credits, (iv) determine if it is permissible to allow a negative balance of credits, and if so (v) adjust a current balance such that is equal to the negative balance, and (vi) display an indication of the negative balance. Further embodiments describe methods for operating a gaming device when a credit balance is in a negative or positive state.

1 . A method, comprising:
 determining an initiation of a game start at a gaming device;   resolving the game start by determining a game outcome;   determining whether a session balance associated with the gaming device is negative;   if the session balance is negative after resolving the game start, not incrementing a coin-out meter of the gaming device; and   if the session balance is positive after resolving the game start, incrementing the coin-out meter of the gaming device.   
     
     
         2 . A method comprising:
 providing session play comprising a session of a plurality of game starts on a gaming device;   calculating an amortized value for a game start within the session;   incrementing a coin-in meter of the gaming device by at least the amortized value.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising determining whether the session has ended. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising determining whether a player is due a payout after the session has ended. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising incrementing a credit-out meter by the payout. 
     
     
         6 . A method comprising:
 determining an initiation of a game start at a gaming device;   determining whether a session balance associated with the gaming device satisfies a condition;   if the session balance satisfies the condition, adjusting a coin tracking meter by a first amount and if the session balance does not satisfy the condition, adjusting the coin tracking meter by a second amount different than the first amount.