Player selectable gaming volatility

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to gaming devices having player selectable gaming volatility and methods of implementing selectable volatility for player use on a gaming device. In one embodiment, a gaming device includes a player interface panel including at least one gaming button for placing a wager on a gaming event, a gaming display to show an output of the gaining event, and a volatility device configured to set a volatility level of the gaming event in response to a player input.

1 . A gaming device comprising:
 a player interface panel including at least one gaming button, the gaming button configured to allow a player to place a wager on a gaming event;   a gaming display to show an output of the gaming event; and   a volatility device, wherein the volatility device is configured to set a volatility level of the gaming event in response to a player input.   
     
     
         2 . The gaming device of  claim 1 , further comprising a volatility menu to display a plurality of volatility levels selectable by the player. 
     
     
         3 . The gaming device of  claim 2 , wherein the volatility menu is displayed on the gaming display. 
     
     
         4 . The gaming device of  claim 2 , wherein the volatility menu is displayed on a secondary display. 
     
     
         5 . The gaming device of  claim 1 , further comprising a player identifying device, wherein the volatility device is configured to set the volatility level of the gaming event in response to receiving a player identification. 
     
     
         6 . The gaming device of  claim 5 , wherein the volatility device is further configured to display a volatility option to an identified player, the volatility option including a default gaming volatility level and a custom selectable gaming volatility level for the gaming event. 
     
     
         7 . The gaming device of  claim 1 , further comprising a volatility display to show a set volatility level. 
     
     
         8 . The gaming device of  claim 7 , wherein the volatility display includes an alphanumeric meter display. 
     
     
         9 . The gaming device of  claim 1 , wherein the volatility device is configured to set the volatility level of the gaming event by selecting one of a plurality of predetermined paytables. 
     
     
         10 . A gaming system comprising:
 a gaming server;   a player database connected to the gaming server, the player database configured to store player preferences associated with identified players;   a gaming device connected to the gaming server, the gaming device including a volatility device configured to set a volatility level of a gaming event according to a player preference associated with an indentified player wagering on an outcome of the gaming event at the gaming device.   
     
     
         11 . The gaming system of  claim 10 , wherein the gaming device further includes a player identification device to identify the player wagering on the outcome of the gaming event at the gaming device. 
     
     
         12 . The gaming system of  claim 10 , wherein the gaming device further includes a display to show the set volatility level associated with the player preference. 
     
     
         13 . The gaming system of  claim 12 , wherein the gaming device is configured to update the volatility level associated with the player preference in response to a player input. 
     
     
         14 . A gaming device comprising:
 a gaming processor to operate base game events and bonus events on the gaming device in response to wagers placed by a player;   a player interface panel including a plurality of gaming buttons, wherein at least one of the gaming buttons is configured to initiate a base game event in response to a player input;   a gaming display to show an output of the base game event; and   a volatility device configured to set a volatility level of the base game event by loading one of a plurality of predetermined paytables to the gaming processor.   
     
     
         15 . The gaming device of  claim 14 , wherein the volatility device is configured to load one of the plurality of predetermined paytables in response to a player selection. 
     
     
         16 . The gaming device of  claim 14 , wherein the volatility device is configured to load one of the plurality of predetermined paytables in accordance with a stored player preference associated with the player. 
     
     
         17 . The gaming device of  claim 14 , wherein the volatility device is configured to load one of the plurality of predetermined paytables in response to a gaming condition. 
     
     
         18 . The gaming device of  claim 17 , wherein the gaming condition includes an amount wagered on the base game event. 
     
     
         19 . The gaming device of  claim 17 , wherein the gaming condition includes results of recent base game events. 
     
     
         20 . The gaming device of  claim 19 , wherein the gaming condition includes a determination of whether a prize has been awarded in a predetermined number of previous base game events. 
     
     
         21 . A method of operating a gaming device, the method comprising:
 displaying an amount of credits available to wager on a gaming event at the gaming device;   determining a selected volatility level for the gaming event;   identifying a selected paytable from a plurality of paytables, the selected paytable associated with the selected volatility level;   loading the selected paytable;   receiving a wager of a portion of the credits available from a player on the gaming event; and   utilizing the selected paytable to determine prizes awarded based on an outcome of the gaming event.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising receiving a player input to change the volatility level of the gaming event prior to determining the selected volatility level. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein determining a selected volatility level for the gaming event comprises:
 displaying a volatility menu including a plurality of selectable volatility levels; and   receiving a player input to select one of the plurality of volatility levels.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein determining a selected volatility level for the gaming event comprises:
 displaying a default volatility level; and   receiving at least one player input to increase or decrease the default volatility level to the selected volatility level.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising determining whether the player has been identified to the gaming device prior to determining the selected volatility level. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein determining a selected volatility level for the gaming event comprises identifying a preferred volatility level associated with the player when the player has been identified to the gaming device. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein determining a selected volatility level for the gaming event comprises selecting a default volatility level when the player has not been identified to the gaming device. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising tracking gaming conditions prior to determining the selected volatility level. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein determining a selected volatility level for the gaming event comprises identifying the volatility level based on the tracked gaming conditions. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein tracking gaming conditions includes tracking coin-in amounts for previous gaming events wagered upon by the player. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein tracking gaming conditions includes tracking a hit frequency for previous gaming events wagered upon by the player.