Player specific network

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention allow a player to have a unique gaming experience, different than other players, even when playing on the same network. A game may span several gaming sessions. States of a game, for example a bonus game, may be stored when the player decides to stop playing the game. When the player initiates a next gaming session, at the same or another location, the previous state of the game is re-loaded onto the gaming machine and the player returns to the previous state. Further, additional bonuses can be implemented because the network knows the identity and other information about the player. The additional bonuses may be unique to that player. Messages particular to a player are exchanged between a gaming device and a gaming network.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A gaming system, comprising:
 a plurality of gaming devices coupled to a gaming network, the gaming devices having a pay table;   a player tracking system configured to identify a player; and   a central host system structured to communicate with the gaming devices and structured to store historical information about a player of a gaming device, the central host system including a notification system for a table for a card game wherein the notification system is configured to:   (a) identify whether a player position at the table is vacant; and   (b) if a player position is vacant:
 (i) retrieve a wait list of potential players, 
 (ii) determine if a potential player on the wait list has been identified at one of the gaming devices, and 
 (iii) if the potential player on the wait list has been identified at one of the gaming devices, notify the potential player of the existence of the vacancy and of his or her status on the wait list. 
   
     
     
         13 . The gaming system of  claim 12 , wherein the vacancy notification causes a message to be displayed on a display device of a gaming device. 
     
     
         14 . The gaming system of  claim 12 , wherein the gaming devices include at least one player identification input device which enables a player to be identified at a gaming device. 
     
     
         15 . The gaming system of  claim 12 , wherein the player tracking system includes a card reader. 
     
     
         16 . The gaming network of  claim 15  further including a processor-implemented card reader monitor electrically connected to the card reader, the card reader monitor being configured to verify the card in and out operation of the player tracking system. 
     
     
         17 . The gaming system of  claim 12  wherein the central host system is structured to change a pay table of the gaming device at different times of the day, at certain time intervals, or for different promotions. 
     
     
         18 . The gaming system of  claim 12  wherein the central host system is structured to change a pay table of the gaming device in response to identifying or receiving information about a player. 
     
     
         19 . The gaming system of  claim 12  wherein the central host system is structured to change a pay table of the gaming device based on a physical location of the gaming device. 
     
     
         20 . A method of operating a gaming system, comprising:
 (a) identifying whether any of a plurality of a player positions at a table for a card game is vacant; and   (b) if at least one of the plurality of player positions at the table is vacant:
 (i) retrieving a waiting list of potential players, 
 (ii) determining if a potential player on the waiting list has been identified at one of a plurality of gaming devices, and 
 (iii) if the first potential player on the waiting list has been identified at one of the gaming devices, notifying the potential player of the existence of the vacancy and of his or her status on the waiting list. 
   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the vacancy notification causes a message to be displayed on a display device of a gaming device. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , which includes enabling a player to be identified at one of the plurality of gaming devices.