Gaming Machine and Method Having a Plurality of Indicia Sets

Abstract

Disclosed are a gaming machine and method for operating a gaming machine including multiple supplemental games. Each supplemental game has a set of indicia unique from the indicia sets of the other supplemental games.

1 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a processor operatively coupled to a set of player-operable controls;   a first game and a set of two or more feature games operable by the processor in accordance with the player-operable controls, each feature game comprising its own unique set of indicia, wherein, upon a triggering event, one or more of the set of feature games is initiated for play.   
   
   
       2 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  further comprising a video display operatively coupled to the processor. 
   
   
       3 . The gaming machine of  claim 2  wherein the video display is configured to display one or more slot machine reels. 
   
   
       4 . The gaming machine of  claim 2  wherein the video display is configured to display one or more playing cards. 
   
   
       5 . The gaming machine of  claim 2  wherein the video display is configured to display one or more keno balls. 
   
   
       6 . The gaming machine of  claim 2  wherein the video display is configured to display one or more bingo balls. 
   
   
       7 . The gaming machine of  claim 2  wherein the video display is a wide-screen display. 
   
   
       8 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  further comprising a progressive meter. 
   
   
       9 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  further comprising a memory operatively coupled to the processor, wherein the memory comprises at least one of a hard drive, a CDROM, a DVD or a flash memory. 
   
   
       10 . The gaming machine of  claim 9  wherein the memory includes a game program. 
   
   
       11 . The gaming machine of  claim 10  wherein the processor in accordance with the game program predetermines the number of times each selected feature game is played according to rules of the game. 
   
   
       12 . The gaming machine of  claim 10  wherein the processor in accordance with the game program determines the number of times each selected feature game is played at the time the feature game is triggered. 
   
   
       13 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  further comprising a cabinet enclosing the processor, wherein the cabinet is one of a bar-top cabinet, a slant-top cabinet, an upright cabinet or a table-top cabinet. 
   
   
       14 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the triggering event comprises one or more of a set of possible first game outcomes. 
   
   
       15 . The gaming machine game of  claim 1  wherein the triggering event is unrelated to the outcome of the first game. 
   
   
       16 . A method of operating a gaming machine, the method including the steps of:
 accepting a wager from a wager-input mechanism;   initiating play of a first game according to the wager;   upon a triggering event, initiating one or more of a set of two or more feature games for play, each feature game comprising its own unique set of indicia.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein initiating play of the first game comprises displaying one or more slot machine reels. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein initiating play of one or more of a set of two or more feature games for play comprises displaying one or more slot machine reels. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the triggering event comprises a predefined one of a set of possible first game outcomes. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the step of paying an award associated with an outcome of at least one initiated feature game. 
   
   
       21 . A gaming machine including:
 a first game with a first set of indicia, the first game being initiatable by a wager;   the first game including a first and second distinct triggering indicia respectively associated with a first and second feature game;   the first and second feature games respectively triggered by one or more outcomes of the first game including respective of the distinct triggering indicia;   the first feature game including a first feature set of indicia, the first feature set of indicia comprising a subset of the first set of indicia not equal to the first set of indicia, the first feature game including one or more outcomes wherein awards may be accumulated according to a first feature paytable;   the second feature game including a second feature set of indicia, the second feature set of indicia comprising a unique set of indicia, the second feature game including one or more games outcomes wherein awards may be accumulated according to a second feature paytable.   
   
   
       22 . The gaming machine of  claim 21  further comprising a third feature game with a third feature set of indicia, the third feature set of indicia comprising another unique set of indicia. 
   
   
       23 . The gaming machine of  claim 21  wherein the second feature paytable is different than the first feature paytable. 
   
   
       24 . The gaming machine of  claim 21  wherein the first and second feature games include one or more special indicia.