System and method for playing a game of chance having a base game and a bonus game

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention include method and system for providing a bonus game of chance in conjunction with a plurality of base games of chance over a plurality of gaming locations. The bonus game is associated with a vault including a bonus prize and a secret combination of discrete elements. A player is qualified to participate in the bonus game upon meeting at least one winning criterion on the base game of chance. An input device is provided to be presented to the player, wherein the player inputs a guess at the secret combination. The player guess at the secret combination is then received through the input device and a determination is won as to whether the bonus prize is won based on the secret combination, the player guess, and a matching criteria associated with the secret combination.

1 . A method of providing a bonus game of chance in conjunction with one or more base games of chance over one or more gaming locations, the bonus game being associated with a vault comprising a bonus prize and a secret combination of discrete elements, the method comprising:
 qualifying a player to participate in the bonus game upon meeting at least one winning criterion on the base game of chance;   providing an input device to be presented to the player, wherein the player inputs a guess at the secret combination;   receiving the player guess at the secret combination through the input device; and   determining if the bonus prize is won based on the secret combination, the player guess, and a matching criteria associated with the secret combination.   
   
   
       2 . The gaming method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 qualifying the player to participate in the bonus game if the player meets a minimum wager requirement in the base game.   
   
   
       3 . The gaming method of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving the player guess comprises:
 activating the input device for entry of one guess at the secret combination; and   deactivating the input device after receiving the player guess at the secret combination.   
   
   
       4 . The gaming method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 increasing an amount of the bonus prize periodically; and   resetting the bonus prize to an initial value after the bonus prize is won.   
   
   
       5 . The gaming method of  claim 4 , wherein the increasing an amount step includes increasing the amount of the bonus prize by a predetermined amount at predetermined time periods. 
   
   
       6 . The gaming method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 defining the matching criteria in terms of at least one of a number of elements of the secret combination that must match the player guess or an order in which the elements of the secret combination must match the player guess.   
   
   
       7 . The gaming method of  claim 6 , wherein the matching criteria comprises at least one of:
 correctly guessing every element of the secret combination in sequence,   correctly guessing every element of the secret combination in any order,   correctly guessing a portion of the secret combination in sequence, or   correctly guessing a portion of the secret combination in any order.   
   
   
       8 . The gaming method of  claim 1 , further comprising revealing an element of the secret combination periodically to increase the probability of satisfaction of the matching criteria. 
   
   
       9 . The gaming method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one prize comprises a first prize being associated with a first matching criteria and a second prize being associated with a second matching criteria. 
   
   
       10 . The gaming method of  claim 9 , wherein the second prize includes a smaller amount than the larger prize and the second matching criteria has a higher probability of satisfaction than the first matching criteria. 
   
   
       11 . The gaming method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of determining if a prize is won comprising:
 resetting both the first and the second prizes if the first prize is won based on the first matching criteria; and   resetting only the second prize if the second prize is won based on the second matching criteria.   
   
   
       12 . The gaming method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 keeping a count of the number of guesses taken at the secret combination at each of the one or more gaming locations within a predetermined time period; and   receiving an amount of contribution from the respective gaming location based on the count.   
   
   
       13 . A gaming system for providing a bonus game of chance in conjunction with a plurality of base games of chance over a plurality of gaming locations, the bonus game being associated with a vault comprising a bonus prize and a secret combination of discrete elements, the system comprising:
 a central bonus mainframe coupled to a plurality of local computers at the plurality of gaming locations, each of the plurality of local computers being coupled to a plurality of game stations within the respective gaming location and being adapted to qualify a player to participate in the bonus game upon meeting at least one winning criterion on the base game of chance; and   a plurality of input devices, each provided within one of the gaming locations, each input device being coupled to the central bonus mainframe through a network and being adapted to receive a player guess at the secret combination from the player;   wherein the central bonus mainframe determines if the bonus prize is won based on the secret combination, the player guess, and a matching criteria associated with the secret combination.   
   
   
       14 . The gaming system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one game station comprises a slot machine embodying a game of video poker and the at least one winning criterion comprises at least one of a three of a kind, a straight, a flush, a full house, a four of a kind, a straight flush, or a royal flush. 
   
   
       15 . The gaming system of  claim 13 , further comprising a plurality of output interfaces provided within the gaming locations, each output device being coupled to the central bonus mainframe and being adapted to display at least one of a machine ID or a machine location of the game station on which a player qualifies to participate in the bonus game. 
   
   
       16 . The gaming system of  claim 13 , wherein the input device is activated for one guess at the secret combination and again deactivated after receipt of the player guess at the secret combination from the player. 
   
   
       17 . The gaming system of  claim 13 , wherein the input device comprises a portable pad adapted to be presented to the player to input the player guess at the secret combination. 
   
   
       18 . The gaming system of  claim 13 , further comprising a plurality of display screens, each provided on one of plurality of game stations, the display screen being adapted to display at least one of information about the bonus game, a current bonus prize amount or information about the secret combination. 
   
   
       19 . A method of promoting gaming, comprising:
 providing a bonus game of chance in conjunction with a plurality of base games of chance over a plurality of gaming locations, the bonus game being associated with a vault comprising a bonus prize and a secret combination of discrete elements:   qualifying a player to participate in the bonus game upon meeting at least one winning criterion on the base game of chance;   providing an input device to be presented to the player, wherein the player inputs a guess at the secret combination;   receiving the player guess at the secret combination through the input device; and   determining if the bonus prize is won based on the secret combination, the player guess, and a matching criteria associated with the secret combination.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 keeping a count of the number of guesses taken at the secret combination at each of the one or more gaming locations within a predetermined time period; and   receiving an amount of contribution from the respective gaming location based on the count.