Method of gaming, a game controller, a gaming device and a gaming system

Abstract

A method of gaming comprising: conducting a mystery jackpot and a progressive jackpot having, respectively, a mystery jackpot pool and a progressive jackpot pool to which contributions are made in response to game play on participating gaming devices; making a contribution to the mystery jackpot pool in response to each play of a game with one of the participating gaming devices; and making at least one contribution to the progressive jackpot pool in response to each play of a game with one of the participating gaming devices in which an ante bet is made on the game.

1 . A method of gaming, comprising:
 making a contribution to a progressive jackpot pool in response to play of a base game on one of a plurality of participating gaming devices in which an optional ante bet is made on the base game;   awarding a feature game based on play of the base game;   making a contribution to each sub-pool of the progressive jackpot pool based on play of the feature game;   awarding one of a plurality of second level feature games based on play of the feature game, each second level feature game being associated with an individual jackpot prize funded by a respective sub-pool of the progressive jackpot pool, wherein the respective values of the individual jackpot prizes are different and probabilities of winning one of the individual jackpot prizes are commensurate with the respective values of the individual jackpots; and   awarding the individual jackpot prize associated with the awarded second level feature game upon occurrence of a winning game outcome of the awarded second level feature game.   
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising making more than one contribution to the progressive jackpot pool in response to at least one game outcome during play of the base game in which the optional ante bet is made. 
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising making a contribution to a specific sub-pool in response at least one outcome of the awarded second level feature game. 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising predefining the participating gaming devices. 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising determining the participating gaming devices in accordance with at least one criteria. 
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein at least one criteria is that a gaming devices offers a designated game. 
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising making a contribution to a mystery jackpot pool in response to play of the base game in which a bet is made on the base game. 
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 7 , further comprising determining whether to award the mystery jackpot based on play of the base game. 
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising determining whether to award a prize from the progressive pool based on play of the base game in which the optional ante bet is made. 
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said awarding a feature game is based on determining to award a prize from the progressive pool. 
     
     
         11 . A game controller for a gaming device, the game controller comprising:
 a processor; and   memory comprising a plurality of instructions;   wherein, in response to executing the plurality of instructions, the processor is configured to:
 make a contribution to a progressive jackpot pool in response to play of a base game on one of a participating gaming devices in which a bet and an optional ante bet is made; 
 award a feature game based on play of the base game; 
 make a contribution to each sub-pool of the progressive jackpot pool based on play of the feature game; 
 award one of a plurality of second level feature games based on play of the feature game, each second level feature game being associated with an individual jackpot prize funded by a respective sub-pool of the progressive jackpot pool, wherein the respective values of the individual jackpot prizes are different and the probabilities of winning one of the individual jackpot prizes are commensurate with the respective values of the individual jackpots; and 
 award the individual jackpot prize associated with the awarded second level feature game upon occurrence of a winning game outcome of the awarded second level feature game. 
   
     
     
         12 . A game controller as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to make more than one contribution to the progressive jackpot pool in response to at least one outcome during play of a base game. 
     
     
         13 . A game controller as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to make a contribution to a specific sub-pool in response to at least one outcome of the award second level feature game. 
     
     
         14 . A game controller as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether to award a mystery jackpot based on play of the base game. 
     
     
         15 . A game controller as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether to award a prize from the progressive pool if the optional ante bet was made. 
     
     
         16 . A game controller as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the processor is further configured to award the feature game in response to determining to the prize from the progressive pool. 
     
     
         17 . A gaming system, comprising:
 a jackpot controller configured to maintain a mystery jackpot pool and a progressive jackpot pool; and   a plurality of gaming devices in data communication with the jackpot controller;   wherein the jackpot controller is further configured to:
 make a contribution to a progressive jackpot pool in response to play of a base game on one of the plurality of gaming devices in which a bet and an optional ante bet is made; 
 award a feature game based on play of the base game; 
 make a contribution to each sub-pool of the progressive jackpot pool based on play of the feature game; 
 award one of a plurality of second level feature games based on play of the feature game, each second level feature game being associated with an individual jackpot prize funded by a respective sub-pool of the progressive jackpot pool, wherein the respective values of the individual jackpot prizes are different and the probabilities of winning one of the individual jackpot prizes are commensurate with the respective values of the individual jackpots; and 
 award the individual jackpot prize associated with the awarded second level feature game upon occurrence of a winning game outcome of the awarded second level feature game. 
   
     
     
         18 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the jackpot controller is further configured to make more than one contribution to the progressive jackpot pool in response to at least one outcome during play of a base game. 
     
     
         19 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the jackpot controller is further configured to make a contribution to a specific sub-pool in response to at least one outcome of the award second level feature game. 
     
     
         20 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the jackpot controller is further determine whether to award a mystery jackpot based on play of the base game.