Techniques to award bonuses to users based on a machine pay from another user

Abstract

In one embodiment, it is determined when a pre-determined outcome occurs. The outcome may provide a predetermined machine pay that is awarded to a first user playing a game. One or more users are then determined based on a criteria for awarding a bonus. The one or more users include at least one user different from the first user. A bonus amount is then determined for each of the one or more users. For example, the bonus amount may be a certain percentage of the machine pay that was awarded. The bonus amount is then awarded to each of the one or more users. In one embodiment, the bonus amount awarded is not part of the pre-determined amount that was awarded to the first user.

1 . A method comprising:
 determining that a predetermined outcome occurred for game play of a game of chance for a first user playing a machine operated game, the outcome triggering a bonus determination;   determining one or more users based on one or more criteria for awarding the bonus, the one or more users including at least one user different from the first user;   determining a bonus amount for each of the one or more users; and   awarding the bonus amount determined for each of the one or more users, the bonus amount awarded separately from the predetermined amount.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the outcome is associated with a machine pay of a predetermined amount, the predetermined amount triggering the bonus determination. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the one or more users comprises determining one or more users currently playing one or more games using a player's card. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more users are playing the one or more games in an establishment. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more users are substantially concurrently playing a game when the outcome occurred. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the bonus amount comprises determining a percentage of the machine pay being awarded for the bonus amount. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the outcome comprises a highest possible award of the game of chance. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bonus amount awarded to each of the one or more users is funded using a pool not including a pool for the game being played by the first user or games being played by the one or more users. 
   
   
       9 . A gaming device comprising:
 an outcome determiner configured to determine that a predetermined outcome occurred for game play of a game of chance for a first user playing a machine operated game, the outcome triggering a bonus determination;   a user determiner configured to determine one or more users based on one or more criteria for awarding the bonus, the one or more users including at least one user different from the first user;   a bonus amount determiner configured to determine a bonus amount for each of the one or more users; and   a bonus awarder configured to award the bonus amount determined for each of the one or more users, the bonus amount awarded separately from the predetermined amount.   
   
   
       10 . The gaming device of  claim 9 , wherein the outcome is associated with a machine pay of a predetermined amount, the predetermined amount triggering the bonus determination. 
   
   
       11 . The gaming device of  claim 9 , wherein user determiner is further configured to determine one or more users currently playing one or more games using a player's card. 
   
   
       12 . The gaming device of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more users are playing the one or more games in an establishment. 
   
   
       13 . The gaming device of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more users are substantially concurrently playing a game when the outcome occurred. 
   
   
       14 . The gaming device of  claim 9 , the bonus determiner is further configured to determine a percentage of the machine pay being awarded for the bonus amount. 
   
   
       15 . The gaming device of  claim 9 , wherein the outcome comprises a highest possible award of the game of chance. 
   
   
       16 . The gaming device of  claim 9 , wherein the bonus amount awarded to each of the one or more users is funded using a pool not including a pool for the game being played by the first user or games being played by the one or more users. 
   
   
       17 . A system comprising:
 a plurality of gaming devices; and   a server in communication with the plurality of gaming devices, the server comprising a bonus awarder comprising:   an outcome determiner configured to determine that a predetermined outcome occurred for game play of a game of chance for a first user playing a machine operated game on at least one of the plurality of gaming devices, the outcome triggering a bonus determination;   a user determiner configured to determine one or more users based on one or more criteria for awarding the bonus, the one or more users including at least one user different from the first user and using one or more gaming devices in the plurality of gaming devices;   a bonus amount determiner configured to determine a bonus amount for each of the one or more users; and   a bonus awarder configured to award the bonus amount determined for each of the one or more users, the bonus amount awarded separately from the predetermined amount.   
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the bonus awarder is configured to communicate with the one or more gaming devices to award the bonus amount for each of the one or more users.