Multi-player secondary gaming method and system

Abstract

A multi-player secondary gaming method and system. The method enables multiple networked gaming devices to participate in a secondary game. In accordance with this method, a gaming device is provided by which a player can initiate a primary game. The primary game may be a table game, poker, video slot, and traditional slot such as rotatable reels, wheel of fortune or the like. The gaming device is qualified to participate in a secondary game by using a predetermined primary game outcome or indicia, such as a SPIN symbol on the popular wheel of fortune game. Once the gaming device is qualified, a secondary game indication cycle is triggered after qualification of the gaming device. Additional gaming devices are qualified to participate in the secondary game by using at least one predetermined primary game outcome, and the additional gaming devices are qualified during the secondary game indication cycle. For each additional gaming device that is qualified, the secondary game payout award is increased by a value. Thereafter, the secondary game is initiated and the selected secondary game payout award is awarded to every gaming device qualified to participate in the secondary game.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for playing a multiplayer secondary bonus game in a gaming network having multiple gaming devices including a first gaming device and a second gaming device, the method comprising:
 receiving a wager amount from a player and allowing the player on the first gaming device to select one of a plurality of possible game outcomes of a subsequent game to be played on the second gaming device;   initiating the subsequent game on the second gaming device and playing the game to its conclusion to determine the actual game outcome; and   awarding one or more prizes to the player if the game outcome selected by the player on the first gaming device and the actual game outcome on the second gaming device are the same.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising
 providing an option for the player on the first gaming device to wager and select a possible outcome for each subsequent game on the second gaming device. 
 
     
     
         3 . In a networked gaming system having multiple gaming devices including a first gaming device associated with a first player and a second gaming device associated with a second player, said gaming devices adapted to play primary and secondary bonus games, a method for playing a game, said method comprising:
 accepting a player input on the first gaming device to select an outcome for a game to be played on the second gaming device;   initiating the game on the second gaming device and playing the game to conclusion to determine an actual outcome for the game;   comparing the outcome selected by the player on the first gaming device and the actual outcome of the game on the second gaming device; and   if said selected outcome and the actual outcome are the same, awarding one or more prizes to the first player on the first gaming device.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the game is a primary game. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the game is a secondary bonus game. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising
 receiving a wager amount from a player on the second gaming device and allowing the player to bet on one of a plurality of outcomes on a subsequent primary game on the first gaming device. 
 
     
     
         7 . A method for enabling the gaming devices to wager on game outcomes in a multi-player primary and secondary bonus game network, the method comprising:
 using a first gaming device to select a potential outcome for a game played on a second gaming device;   initiating game play on the second gaming device until an outcome is generated; and   awarding one or more prizes to the first gaming device if the potential outcome selected by using the first gaming device matches the outcome of game play on the second gaming device.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the game is a primary game. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the game is a secondary bonus game. 
     
     
         10 . A networked gaming system comprising:
 a controller;   a first gaming device having a display device, an input device and a computer processor; and   a second gaming device having a display device, an input device and a computer processor, wherein the computer processor of the first gaming device is configured with the display device and the input device to:   (a) accept a player input on the first gaming device;   (b) use the first gaming device to select an outcome for a game to be played on the second gaming device, wherein the computer processor of the second gaming device is configured with the display device and the input device to:   (c) initiate the game and play the game to conclusion on the second gaming device to determine an actual outcome for the game, wherein said controller is configured to:   (d) compare the outcome selected by the player using the first gaming device and the actual outcome of the game on the second gaming device; and   (e) if said selected outcome and the actual outcome are the same, award one or more prizes to the player on the first gaming device.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the processor of the first gaming device is configured to provide an option for the player on the first gaming device to wager and select a possible outcome for each of subsequent game on the second gaming device.