Handheld wagering game system and methods for conducting wagering games thereupon

Abstract

A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a handheld gaming machine configured to play at least one game and a controller. The controller is configured to base eligibility of the handheld gaming machine for a game-related feature at least upon a location of the handheld gaming machine and/or a proximity of the handheld gaming machine to an external device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gaming system comprising:
 a gaming machine including a housing, an electronic display device, and a value input device, the electronic display device and the value input device being mounted to the housing, and   one or more processors configured to:
 detect, via the value input device, a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance on the gaming system; 
 receive an input indicative of a wager from a player to initiate a wagering game on the gaming machine; 
 enable a game enhancement for at least one play of the wagering game, the game enhancement being associated with data stored in association with a handheld device; 
 in response to receiving the game enhancement, enhance at least one aspect of the at least one play of the wagering game and, for the at least one play of the wagering game:
 determine a game outcome, 
 display, on the electronic display device, the determined game outcome, 
 determine an award associated with the determined game outcome, wherein at least one of the game outcome or an award associated with the game outcome is based, at least in part, on the at least one enhanced aspect; and 
 
 in response to receiving a cashout input, initiate a payout from the credit balance. 
   
     
     
         2 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the handheld device is one of a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant (PDA). 
     
     
         3 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein enabling the game enhancement includes transmitting data from the handheld device to the gaming system. 
     
     
         4 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein enabling the game enhancement includes transmitting data from the gaming system to the handheld device. 
     
     
         5 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of game enhancements are associated with data stored in association with the handheld device. 
     
     
         6 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the gaming system is configured to play a video casino game selected from a group including blackjack, poker, and roulette. 
     
     
         7 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the data associated with the handheld device is stored in the handheld device. 
     
     
         8 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the data associated with the handheld device is stored on the gaming system. 
     
     
         9 . A method of operating a gaming system, the gaming system including a gaming machine with a housing, an electronic display device, and one or more input devices, the method comprising:
 detecting, via one of the one or more input devices, a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance on the gaming system;   receiving, from one of the one or more input devices, an input indicative of a wager from a player to initiate a wagering game on the gaming machine;   enabling, via one or more processors, a game enhancement for at least one play of the wagering game, the game enhancement being associated with data stored in association with a handheld device;   in response to receiving the game enhancement, enhancing at least one aspect of the at least one play of the wagering game and, for the at least one play of the wagering game:
 determining, via at least one of the one or more processors, a game outcome, 
 directing, via at least one of the one or more processors, the electronic display device to display the determined game outcome, and 
 determining, via at least one of the one or more processors, an award associated with the determined game outcome, wherein at least one of the game outcome or an award associated with the game outcome is based, at least in part, on the at least one enhance aspect; and 
   in response to receiving a cashout input, initiating a payout from the credit balance.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the handheld device is one of a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant (PDA). 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein enabling the game enhancement includes transmitting data from the handheld device to the gaming system. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein enabling the game enhancement includes transmitting data from the handheld device to the gaming machine of the gaming system. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the wagering game is selected from a group including blackjack, poker, and roulette. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein, in response to not receiving the game enhancement, the method includes:
 determining, via at least one of the one or more processors, a game outcome;   directing, via at least one of the one or more processors, the electronic display device to display the determined game outcome; and   determining, via at least one of the one or more processors, an award associated with the determined game outcome, wherein neither the game outcome nor the award are based on the game enhancement.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the data associated with the handheld device is stored in the handheld device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the data associated with the handheld device is stored on the gaming system. 
     
     
         17 . A gaming machine configured to play a casino wagering game, the gaming machine comprising:
 one or more electronic display devices, at least one of the one or more electronic display devices including a touchscreen to enable players to make game-related selections;   a value input device;   one or more processors configured to:
 detect, via the value input device, a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance on the gaming system; 
 receive an input indicative of a wager from a player to initiate the casino wagering game on the gaming machine; 
 enable a game enhancement for at least one play of the casino wagering game, the game enhancement being associated with data stored in association with a handheld device; 
 in response to receiving the game enhancement, enhance at least one aspect of the at least one play of the casino wagering game and, for the at least one play of the casino wagering game:
 determine a game outcome, 
 display, on at least one of the one or more electronic display devices, the determined game outcome, 
 determine an award associated with the determined game outcome, wherein at least one of the game outcome or an award associated with the game outcome is based, at least in part, on the at least one enhanced aspect; and 
 
 in response to receiving a cashout input, initiate a payout from the credit balance. 
   
     
     
         18 . The gaming machine of  claim 17 , wherein the gaming machine is configured to play an video casino game selected from a group including blackjack, poker, and roulette. 
     
     
         19 . The gaming machine of  claim 18 , wherein player selections are received on the touchscreen. 
     
     
         20 . The gaming machine of  claim 17 , wherein enabling the game enhancement includes transmitting data from a mobile phone to the gaming machine.