Gaming device and method of use

Abstract

A gaming device allows a player to play a game. A controller is in communication with the gaming device. The controller is configured to receive a wager and allow a player to play several games. The controller records at least one variable about the games played. The controller determines a play level for the player from several play levels based upon the recorded variable or variables. Several pay-tables are provided. Each of the pay-tables is associated with a play level. The controller can change the pay-table used by the gaming device to the pay-table associated with the player's play level.

1 . A gaming apparatus comprising:
 (A) a gaming device for allowing a player to play a game;   (B) a controller in communication with the gaming device, the controller being configured to:
 (a) receive a wager; 
 (b) play a plurality of games; 
 (c) record at least one variable about the wager and the games; 
 (d) select a play level for the player from a plurality of play levels based upon the at least one variable; 
 (e) provide a plurality of pay-tables, each pay-table being associated with one of the play levels; and 
 (f) change the pay-table used by the gaming device to the pay-table associated with the play level selected for the player. 
   
     
     
         2 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the variable is the average wager per game. 
     
     
         3 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the variable is the average wager per game during a pre-determined period of time. 
     
     
         4 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the variable is the total cumulative amount wagered. 
     
     
         5 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the variable is the average number of games played during a pre-determined period of time. 
     
     
         6 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the variable is the total cumulative number of games played. 
     
     
         7 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the variable is the number of visits to a gaming establishment during a pre-determined period of time. 
     
     
         8 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the variable is the total cumulative number of visits to a gaming establishment. 
     
     
         9 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a jackpot is associated with each of the play levels. 
     
     
         10 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pay-tables are determined by a formula based upon the player's play level. 
     
     
         11 . A method of gaming comprising:
 (A) receiving a wager on a gaming device;   (B) playing a plurality of games on the gaming device;   (C) recording at least one variable about the wager and the games;   (D) selecting a play level for the player from a plurality of play levels based upon the at least one variable;   (E) determining a game outcome using a formula, the formula at least partially using the play level for the player to determine the game outcome; and   (F) awarding a prize based upon the game outcome.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a fixed pay-table is generated using the formula. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the amount of the prize is determined at least partially by the play level associated with the player. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the variable is selected from the group consisting of
 (a) average wager per game;   (b) average wager per game during a pre-determined period of time;   (c) total cumulative amount wagered;   (d) average number of games played during a pre-determined period of time;   (e) total cumulative number of games played;   (f) number of visits to a gaming establishment during a pre-determined period of time;   (g) total cumulative number of visits to a gaming establishment.   
     
     
         15 . A method of gaming comprising:
 (A) receiving a wager on a gaming device;   (B) playing a plurality of games on the gaming device;   (C) recording at least one variable about the wager and the games;   (D) selecting a play level for the player from a plurality of play levels based upon the at least one variable;   (E) providing a plurality of progressive jackpots, each of the jackpots being associated with one of the play levels; and   (F) awarding the progressive jackpot associated with the play level of the player, if a jackpot qualifying event has occurred.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the variable is selected from the group consisting of
 (a) average wager per game;   (b) average wager per game during a pre-determined period of time;   (c) total cumulative amount wagered;   (d) average number of games played during a pre-determined period of time;   (e) total cumulative number of games played;   (f) number of visits to a gaming establishment during a pre-determined period of time;   (g) total cumulative number of visits to a gaming establishment.   
     
     
         17 . A gaming apparatus comprising:
 (A) gaming device means for allowing a player to play a game, the gaming device means being adapted to receive a wager and to play a plurality of games;   (B) controller means for controlling operation of the gaming device means, the controller means being adapted to record at least one variable about the wager and the games and to select a play level for the player from a plurality of play levels based upon the at least one variable;   (C) pay-table means for determining a game outcome, the paytable means associating a plurality of pay-tables with the plurality of play levels; and   (D) the controller means using the pay-table associated with the play level selected for the player to determine a game outcome.   
     
     
         18 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the variable is selected from the group consisting of
 (a) average wager per game;   (b) average wager per game during a predetermined period of time;   (c) total cumulative amount wagered;   (d) average number of games played during a pre-determined period of time;   (e) total cumulative number of games played;   (f) number of visits to a gaming establishment during a pre-determined period of time;   (g) total cumulative number of visits to a gaming establishment.