Methods and apparatus for providing a flat rate play gaming session

Abstract

According to some embodiments of the present invention, methods and apparatus are provided for pausing or suspending play of a flat rate play session at a gaming device. In some embodiments, a player may receive a ticket or other token when a session is suspended. The ticket preferably includes indicia associated with parameters of the session and enables the player to continue play of the session (e.g., upon presenting the ticket at a gaming device).

1 . A wagering method on a gaming device, said wagering method comprising:
 presenting a gaming contract to a player for a gaming session, the gaming contract having a contract price and the gaming session including a plurality of distinct plays of a game;   offering a game feature for the gaming session as an option to the gaming contract, the game feature having an option price;   recognizing a payment for the contract price and the option price; and   providing the gaming session with the game feature in accordance with the contract.   
     
     
         2 . The wagering method of  claim 1 , wherein a gaming session without the game feature includes a first probability of generating a winning outcome and the gaming session with the game feature includes a second, greater probability of generating the winning game outcome. 
     
     
         3 . The wagering method of  claim 1 , wherein the game feature provides a larger award for a winning game outcome with the game feature than without the game feature. 
     
     
         4 . The wagering method of  claim 1 , wherein the game feature makes a bonus game available. 
     
     
         5 . The wagering method of  claim 4 , wherein the game feature makes a bonus game available as a function of a credit balance. 
     
     
         6 . The wagering method of  claim 1 , wherein the game feature makes the player eligible for a progressive jackpot award. 
     
     
         7 . The wagering method of  claim 1 , wherein the game feature limits the magnitude of a negative credit balance. 
     
     
         8 . The wagering method of  claim 1 , wherein the game feature limits a credit balance to a maximum negative credit value regardless of the game outcomes. 
     
     
         9 . The wagering method of  claim 8 , wherein the credit balance is reset at a predetermined negative credit balance. 
     
     
         10 . The wagering method of  claim 9 , wherein the credit balance is reset to zero. 
     
     
         11 . The wagering method of  claim 8 , wherein the credit balance is reset during a specified portion of the gaming session. 
     
     
         12 . A wagering method on a gaming device, said wagering method comprising:
 presenting a gaming contract to a player for a gaming session, the gaming contract having a contract price, the gaming session including a plurality of distinct plays of a game and the gaming session having a pay back percentage;   offering a game feature for the gaming session as an option to the gaming contract;   receiving a selection of the gaming contract and the option;   recognizing a payment for the contract price;   adjusting the gaming session with the game feature to hold the pay back percentage substantially constant; and   providing the gaming session with the game feature in accordance with the contract.   
     
     
         13 . The wagering method of  claim 12 , wherein adjusting the gaming session includes altering a probability table. 
     
     
         14 . The wagering method of  claim 12 , wherein adjusting the gaming session includes altering a pay table. 
     
     
         15 . A wagering method on a gaming device, said wagering method comprising:
 presenting a gaming contract to a player for a gaming session, the gaming contract having a contract price and the gaming session including a plurality of distinct plays of a game;   recognizing a payment for the contract price;   providing the gaming session in accordance with the contract; and   implementing a game feature associated with the gaming session in response to a trigger event.   
     
     
         16 . The wagering method of  claim 15 , wherein the trigger event is a predetermined game outcome. 
     
     
         17 . The wagering method of  claim 15 , wherein the game feature is a bonus game. 
     
     
         18 . The wagering method of  claim 15 , wherein a gaming session without the game feature includes a first probability of generating a winning outcome and the gaming session with the game feature includes a second, greater probability of generating the winning game outcome. 
     
     
         19 . The wagering method of  claim 15 , wherein the game feature provides a larger award for a winning game outcome with the game feature than without the game feature.