Gaming method, gaming apparatus for performing the gaming method, and computer program product storing a gaming program of the gaming method

Abstract

A gaming method is implemented using an electronic gaming apparatus, and includes: a) providing betting targets for user selection, each of the betting targets being associated with a basic award amount and at least one being associated with a special award amount; b) starting a game after the user selects a betting target; c) at the end of the game, determining if the user-selected betting target is a winning betting target, and if so, determining if the user-selected betting target is associated with the special award amount; and d) when the user-selected betting target is determined to be the winning betting target, awarding the user with the basic and special award amounts if the user-selected betting target is associated with the special award amount, and awarding the user with only the basic award amount if otherwise. A gaming apparatus and a computer program product are also disclosed.

1 . A gaming method to be implemented using an electronic gaming apparatus, said gaming method comprising:
 a) providing a plurality of betting targets for selection by a user, each of the betting targets being associated with a basic award amount and at least one of the betting targets being further associated with a special award amount;   b) starting a game after the user selects one of the betting targets and completes betting;   c) at the end of the game, determining if the user-selected betting target is a winning betting target, and if so, determining if the user-selected betting target is associated with the special award amount; and   d) when the user-selected betting target is determined to be the winning betting target, awarding the user with the basic award amount and the special award amount if the user-selected betting target is associated with the special award amount, and awarding the user with only the basic award amount if otherwise.   
   
   
       2 . The gaming method of  claim 1 , the electronic gaming apparatus providing a slot machine-type of game, wherein, in step a), the betting targets are respectively different indicia and each of the indicia is associated with a unique basic award amount, and in step b), during the game, an indicator is generated that alternatingly indicates the different indicia, and the game ends after a predetermined time interval. 
   
   
       3 . The gaming method of  claim 2 , wherein, in step c), determining if the user-selected betting target is the winning betting target is made on the basis of where the indicator stops at the end of the game. 
   
   
       4 . The gaming method of  claim 3 , wherein, in step c), when the indicator does not stop at the user-selected betting target, it is determined that the user-selected betting target is not the winning betting target. 
   
   
       5 . The gaming method of  claim 2 , wherein the indicator is a highlight window that alternatingly surrounds perimeters of the different indicia. 
   
   
       6 . The gaming method of  claim 1 , the electronic gaming apparatus providing a car racing game, wherein, in step a), the betting targets are respectively different virtual race cars and each of the virtual race cars is associated with the same basic award amount, and in step b), the car racing game is started after the user selects one of the virtual race cars and completes betting, and the car racing game ends after a predetermined time interval. 
   
   
       7 . The gaming method of  claim 6 , wherein, in step c), determining if the user-selected betting target is the winning betting target is made on the basis of whether the user-selected virtual race car is in first place at the end of the game. 
   
   
       8 . A gaming apparatus, comprising:
 a display unit;   a game processing unit coupled to said display unit and configured to perform steps of a gaming method; and   an input unit coupled to said game processing unit and allowing input by a user;   wherein the gaming method includes:   a) providing on said display unit a plurality of betting targets for selection by the user through said input unit, each of the betting targets being associated with a basic award amount and at least one of the betting targets being further associated with a special award amount;   b) starting a game after the user selects one of the betting targets and completes betting;   c) at the end of the game, determining if the user-selected betting target is a winning betting target, and if so, determining if the user-selected betting target is associated with the special award amount; and   d) when the user-selected betting target is determined to be the winning betting target, awarding the user with the basic award amount and the special award amount if the user-selected betting target is associated with the special award amount, and awarding the user with only the basic award amount if otherwise.   
   
   
       9 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 8 , the gaming apparatus providing a slot machine-type of game, wherein, in step a), the betting targets are respectively different indicia and each of the indicia is associated with a unique basic award amount, and in step b), during the game, an indicator is generated that alternatingly indicates the different indicia, and the game ends after a predetermined time interval. 
   
   
       10 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein, in step c), determining if the user-selected betting target is the winning betting target is made on the basis of where the indicator stops at the end of the game. 
   
   
       11 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein, in step c), when the indicator does not stop at the user-selected betting target, it is determined that the user-selected betting target is not the winning betting target. 
   
   
       12 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the indicator is a highlight window that alternatingly surrounds perimeters of the different indicia. 
   
   
       13 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 8 , the gaming apparatus providing a car racing game, wherein, in step a), the betting targets are respectively different virtual race cars and each of the virtual race cars is associated with the same basic award amount, and in step b), the car racing game is started after the user selects one of the virtual race cars and completes betting, and the car racing game ends after a predetermined time interval. 
   
   
       14 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein, in step c), determining if the user-selected betting target is the winning betting target is made on the basis of whether the user-selected virtual race car is in first place at the end of the game. 
   
   
       15 . A computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium that stores a gaming program for causing a computer to execute steps of a gaming method including:
 a) providing a plurality of betting targets for selection by a user, each of the betting targets being associated with a basic award amount and at least one of the betting targets being further associated with a special award amount;   b) starting a game after the user selects one of the betting targets and completes betting;   c) at the end of the game, determining if the user-selected betting target is a winning betting target, and if so, determining if the user-selected betting target is associated with the special award amount; and   d) when the user-selected betting target is determined to be the winning betting target, awarding the user with the basic award amount and the special award amount if the user-selected betting target is associated with the special award amount, and awarding the user with only the basic award amount if otherwise.   
   
   
       16 . The computer program product of  claim 15 , wherein said gaming program provides a slot machine-type of game, and in step a), the betting targets are respectively different indicia and each of the indicia is associated with a unique basic award amount, and in step b), during the game, an indicator is generated that alternatingly indicates the different indicia, and the game ends after a predetermined time interval. 
   
   
       17 . The computer program product of  claim 16 , wherein, in step c), determining if the user-selected betting target is the winning betting target is made on the basis of where the indicator stops at the end of the game. 
   
   
       18 . The computer program product of  claim 17 , wherein, in step c), when the indicator does not stop at the user-selected betting target, it is determined that the user-selected betting target is not the winning betting target. 
   
   
       19 . The computer program product of  claim 16 , wherein the indicator is a highlight window that alternatingly surrounds perimeters of the different indicia. 
   
   
       20 . The computer program product of  claim 15 , wherein said gaming program provides a car racing game, and in step a), the betting targets are respectively different virtual race cars and each of the virtual race cars is associated with the same basic award amount, and in step b), the car racing game is started after the user selects one of the virtual race cars and completes betting, and the car racing game ends after a predetermined time interval. 
   
   
       21 . The computer program product of  claim 20 , wherein, in step c), determining if the user-selected betting target is the winning betting target is made on the basis of whether the user-selected virtual race car is in first place at the end of the game.