Networked system and method for group play gaming

Abstract

Disclosed are wagering games, gaming machines, networked gaming systems and methods for group gaming.

1 . A networked group play gaming system comprising:
 a group play controller;   a plurality of gaming machines linked with the group play controller by a network;   wherein the group play controller, upon receipt of a trigger from one of the gaming machines, causes one or more of the gaming machines to be configured for participation in a group game.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a progressive controller linked with one or more of the gaming machines, 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the progressive controller increments one or more progressive awards based on play at one or more of the plurality of gaming machines. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the group game comprises a tournament. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the tournament comprises at least one progressive prize 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein each gaming machine determines its eligibility for group play. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a display operatively coupled to the group play controller. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the group play controller determines the group play standings of each of the gaming machines and displays the standings on the display. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the amount of a group play prize associated with each participating gaming machine is determined by each gaming machine based on information provided by the group play controller. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising a progressive controller operatively coupled to one or more of the gaming machines, 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the amount of the group play prize is further based on information provided by the progressive controller. 
     
     
         12 . A method of operating a group play game including the steps of:
 connecting a group play controller to a plurality of gaming machines through a network;   randomly determining a group play trigger at one of the gaming machines;   determining eligibility of each gaming machine for group play;   for each eligible machine, determining a set of group play outcomes;   ranking each eligible gaming machine according its set of outcomes; and   paying at least one award as a result of the rankings.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein each gaming machine determines its eligibility for group play. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the trigger is unrelated to a displayed outcome of a game. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein each gaming machine determines a group play award based on its ranking. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the step of connecting a progressive controller to the plurality of gaming machines and paying at least one progressive award as a result of the rankings. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  wherein all participants in group play receive a prize. 
     
     
         18 . A method of operating a group play gaming network including the steps of:
 connecting a group play controller to a plurality of gaming machines through a network;   connecting a progressive controller to the plurality of gaming machines;   determining a set of group play outcomes for one or more eligible machines of the plurality of gaming machines;   ranking the sets of outcomes for the eligible gaming machines; and   awarding at least one progressive prize according to the ranking.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein a gaming machine's eligibility for group play is based on wagering activity at the gaming machine. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the group play controller ranks the sets of outcomes for the eligible gaming machines. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18  wherein each eligible gaming machine determines a group play award associated with that machine. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of awarding a consolation prize to a player of a gaming machine unqualified for a progressive prize. 
     
     
         23 . A group gaming network comprising:
 a plurality of gaming machines, each including a group gaming controller, any one of the gaming machines triggering a group gaming event and enabled to operate as a master group gaming controller for a group game associated with the triggered event, the master group gaming controller signaling start of the group game to any one or more of the other gaming machines.   
     
     
         24 . The group gaming network of  claim 24  wherein a plurality of the gaming machines are concurrently enabled to operate as master group gaming controllers, each of the master group gaming controllers coordinating a different group game. 
     
     
         25 . A group gaming network comprising:
 a plurality of gaming machines;   a gaming server including a group gaming controller;   one of the gaming machines triggering a group gaming event and transmitting a signal to the group gaming controller; the group gaming controller signaling a group game to each of the other gaming machines.