Gaming device for operating in a reverse payout mode and a method of operating same

Abstract

A gaming device of the type wherein a play generates one of multiple possible outcomes having reverse payout information. The gaming device comprises a memory device containing a first set of data correlating possible outcomes to a first set of payouts and a second set of data correlating possible outcomes to a second set of payouts second set of data correlates a majority of outcomes to positive payouts and the first set of data correlates a majority of outcomes to other than positive payouts. The gaming device also includes a payout selector indicating which of the first set of data and the second set of data the gaming device is to access. In an alternate embodiment, the gaming device includes a memory having only the second set of data.

1. A gaming device wherein a play generates one of multiple possible outcomes, the device comprising:
 a wager selector indicating a wager;   a memory device storing a first set of data correlating possible outcomes to a first set of payout information and a second set of data correlating possible outcomes to a second set of payout information, said second set of data being structured such that the statistical likelihood of generating any winning outcome is greater than the statistical likelihood of generating any losing outcome;   selector means for selecting either of said first set of data or said second set of data;   an insurance selector;   a random number generator for generating a random number;   said memory device also storing a third set of data correlating possible outcomes to insurance payout information; and   a processor coupled to said random number generator, said memory device, said payout selector and said insurance selector, said processor configured to access said insurance payout information based on said random number and said insurance selector.   
     
     
       2. The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein said second set of data is structured such that the statistical likelihood of generating any winning outcome is greater than the statistical likelihood of generating any outcome which results in neither win nor a loss. 
     
     
       3. The gaming device of  claim 1  further comprising:
 means for generating a random number wherein said random number corresponds to one of said multiple possible outcomes; and 
 processor means coupled to said memory means for accessing one of said first set of data and said second set of data based upon said selector means. 
 
     
     
       4. The gaming device of  claim 1  further comprising means for receiving payment from a player, said means for receiving coupled to said processor means, said processor means determining a payout based on said payment. 
     
     
       5. A slot machine wherein a play results in one of multiple possible outcomes, each outcome including a plurality of reel positions, the slot machine comprising:
 a memory device having payout information stored therein, said payout information correlated to said outcomes such that each outcome in which each of the reel positions differs from each other is a win for a player.   
     
     
       6. The slot machine of  claim 5  further comprising
 a processor coupled to said memory device and configured to determine a win or loss according to the resulting outcome and said payout information. 
 
     
     
       7. The slot machine of  claim 5  wherein said payout information correlated to an outcome in which at least two reel positions are identical describes a loss for a player. 
     
     
       8. A gaming device wherein a play results in one of multiple possible outcomes, the outcomes including normally winning outcomes and normally non-winning outcomes, the gaming device comprising:
 a memory device having stored therein payout information correlated to possible outcomes, and wherein said payout information correlates other than a win for a player to a normally winning outcome,   wherein said normally winning outcomes include outcomes in which at least two of the reel positions are identical.   
     
     
       9. The gaming device of  claim 8  wherein said payout information correlates a win to a normally non-winning outcome. 
     
     
       10. A gaming device operable to generate one of a plurality of possible outcomes for each play initiated thereon, the device comprising:
 means for storing a first payout table including a first plurality of payout amounts, each of the first plurality of payout amounts corresponding to at least one of the plurality of possible outcomes, wherein each possible outcome has only one of said first plurality of payout amounts associated therewith;   means for storing a second payout table including a second plurality of payout amounts, each of the second plurality of payout amounts corresponding to at least one of the plurality of possible outcomes,
 wherein each possible outcome has one of said second plurality of payout amounts associated therewith, and 
 wherein at least one of the second plurality of payout amounts associated with a first particular outcome is greater than zero when a corresponding one of said first plurality of payout amounts for the first particular outcome is zero, and 
 wherein at least one of the first plurality of payout amounts associated with a second particular outcome is greater than zero when a corresponding one of said second plurality of payout amounts for the second particular outcome is zero; and 
   means for indicating which of said first and said second payout tables the gaming device is to access for a play.   
     
     
       11. A computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for operating a gaming device, the method comprising:
 storing a first payout table including a first plurality of payout amounts, each of the first plurality of payout amounts corresponding to at last one of the plurality of possible outcomes, wherein each possible outcome has only one of said first plurality of payout amounts associated therewith;   storing a second payout table including a second plurality of payout amounts, each of the second plurality of payout amounts corresponding to at least one of the plurality of possible outcomes,
 wherein each possible outcome has one of said second plurality of payout amounts associated therewith, and 
 wherein at least one of the second plurality of payout amounts associated with a first particular outcome is greater than zero when a corresponding one of said first plurality of payout amounts for the first particular outcome is zero, and 
 wherein at least one of the first plurality of payout amounts associated with a second particular outcome is greater than zero when a corresponding one of said second plurality of payout amounts for the second particular outcome is zero; and 
   receiving an indication which of said first and said second payout tables the gaming device is to access for a play.   
     
     
       12. A gaming device operable to generate one of a plurality of possible outcomes for each play initiated thereon, the device comprising:
 means for storing a first payout table including a first plurality of payout amounts, each of the first plurality of payout amounts corresponding to at least one of the plurality of possible outcomes, the first payout table having a first payout amount associated with a first outcome, wherein the first payout amount is greater than zero, the first payout table further having a second payout amount associated with a second outcome, wherein the second payout amount is zero;   means for storing a second payout table including a second plurality of payout amounts, each of the second plurality of payout amounts corresponding to at least one of the plurality of possible outcomes, wherein at least one of the second plurality of payout amounts is greater than zero when a corresponding one of the first plurality of payout amounts is zero, the second payout table having a third payout amount associated with the first outcome, wherein the third payout amount is zero, the second payout table having a fourth payout amount associated with the second outcome, wherein the fourth payout amount is greater than zero; and   means for receiving an indication which of said first and said second payout tables the gaming device is to access for the play.   
     
     
       13. A computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for operating a gaming device, the method comprising:
 storing a first payout table including a first plurality of payout amounts, each of the first plurality of payout amounts corresponding to at least one of the plurality of possible outcomes, the first payout table having a first payout amount associated with a first outcome, wherein the first payout amount is greater than zero, the first payout table further having a second payout amount associated with a second outcome, wherein the second payout amount is zero;   storing a second payout table including a second plurality of payout amounts, each of the second plurality of payout amounts corresponding to at least one of the plurality of possible outcomes, wherein at least one of the second plurality of payout amounts is greater than zero when a corresponding one of the first plurality of payout amounts is zero, the second payout table having a third payout amount associated with the first outcome, wherein the third payout amount is zero, the second payout table having a fourth payout amount associated with the second outcome, wherein the fourth payout amount is greater than zero; and   receiving an indication of which of said first and said second payout tables the gaming device is to access for the play.   
     
     
       14. The gaming device of  claim 10 , wherein the device is a video poker machine, the plurality of possible outcomes including combinations of playing cards. 
     
     
       15. A gaming device comprising:
 a first payout table including a first plurality of payout amounts and a plurality of outcomes wherein each of the plurality of outcomes is associated with at least one of the first plurality of payout amounts;   a second payout table including a second plurality of payout amounts wherein each of the plurality of outcomes is associated with at least one of the second plurality of payout amounts, wherein at least one of the first plurality of payout amounts associated with a first outcome of the plurality of outcomes is greater than zero if a payout amount of the second plurality of payout amounts associated with the first outcome is zero, and wherein at least one of the first plurality of payout amounts associated with a second outcome of the plurality of outcomes is zero if a payout amount of the second plurality of payout amounts associated with the second outcome is greater than zero; and   a selector for indicating which of the first and second payout tables the gaming device is to use for determining a payout.   
     
     
       16. The gaming device of  claim 15  wherein the first and second payout tables include information corresponding to a number of coins to be paid a player. 
     
     
       17. The gaming device of  claim 15  further including a memory for storing a wager and wherein the first and second payout tables include information corresponding to a multiplier by which said payout is to be multiplied based upon the wager. 
     
     
       18. The gaming device of  claim 15  further comprising:
 a memory for storing the payout tables; 
 a random number generator for generating a random number; and 
 a processor coupled to the random number generator, the memory, and the selector, wherein the processor is configured to access the payout tables based on the random number and the payout selector. 
 
     
     
       19. The gaming device of  claim 18  further comprising:
 an insurance selector coupled to the processor, wherein the memory further stores data that relates outcomes of the plurality of outcomes to insurance payout information and wherein the processor is configured to access the insurance payout information based on the random number and the insurance selector. 
 
     
     
       20. A method of operating a gaming system, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a plurality of different payout tables including a first payout table and a second payout table, said first payout table including a plurality of first outcomes and a plurality of second outcomes, and said second payout table including the plurality of first outcomes and the plurality of second outcomes;   (b) prior to any wager being placed by a player on a first game instance and a second game instance:
 (i) designating each of said first outcomes of the first payout table as winning outcomes and designating each of said second outcomes of the first payout table as losing outcomes; and 
 (ii) designating each of said first outcomes of the second payout table as losing outcomes and designating each of said second outcomes of the second payout table as winning outcomes; 
   (c) in response to a wager placed by the player on the first game instance, generating an outcome for the first game instance;   (d) providing to the player any payout associated with the generated outcome for the first game instance in accordance with the first payout table; and   (e) upon an occurrence of a triggering event:
 (i) selecting the second payout table from the plurality of different payout tables to employ for the second game instance; 
 (ii) in response to a wager placed by the player on the second game instance, generating an outcome for the second game instance; and 
 (iii) providing to the player any payout associated with the generated outcome for the second game instance in accordance with the second payout table. 
   
     
     
       21. The method of claim 20, wherein said triggering event occurs based on a player input indicating a player preference for a different one of the plurality of payout tables. 
     
     
       22. The method of claim 20, wherein the triggering event occurs automatically in response to a payout above a predetermined threshold being provided. 
     
     
       23. The method of claim 20, wherein the triggering event occurs automatically in response to a plurality of payouts above a predetermined threshold being provided. 
     
     
       24. The method of claim 21, further comprising prompting the player for the player input. 
     
     
       25. A gaming device comprising:
 at least one input device;   at least one display device;   at least one processor; and   at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to:
 (a) provide a plurality of different payout tables including a first payout table and a second payout table, said first payout table including a plurality of first outcomes and a plurality of second outcomes, and said second payout table including the plurality of first outcomes and the plurality of second outcomes; 
 (b) prior to any wager being placed by a player on a first play of a game and a second play of the game:
 (i) designate each of said first outcomes of the first payout table as winning outcomes and designate each of said second outcomes of the first payout table as losing outcomes; and 
 (ii) designate each of said first outcomes of the second payout table as losing outcomes and designate each of said second outcomes of the second payout table as winning outcomes; 
 
 (c) in response to a wager placed by the player on the first play of the game, generate an outcome for the first play of the game; 
 (d) provide to the player any payout associated with the generated outcome for the first play of the game in accordance with the first payout table; and 
 (e) upon an occurrence of a triggering event:
 (i) select the second payout table from the plurality of different payout tables to employ for the second play of the game; 
 (ii) in response to a wager placed by the player on the second play of the game, generate an outcome for the second play of the game using the selected second payout table; and 
 (iii) provide to the player any payout associated with the generated outcome for the second play of the game in accordance with the second payout table. 
 
   
     
     
       26. The gaming device of claim 25, wherein the at least one processor is positioned remotely from the at least display device. 
     
     
       27. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to store a credit balance. 
     
     
       28. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to determine a payout amount based on one of the payout tables. 
     
     
       29. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein the at least one memory device comprises a first memory for storing the first payout table and a second memory for storing the second payout table. 
     
     
       30. The gaming device of claim 27, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to update the credit balance. 
     
     
       31. The gaming device of claim 27, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to access the credit balance based on information from a player tracking card. 
     
     
       32. The gaming device of claim 27, wherein the credit balance comprises a source of points for the player to wager. 
     
     
       33. The gaming device of claim 27, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to access the credit balance based on information from a credit card. 
     
     
       34. The gaming device of claim 30, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to update the credit balance after a determination of an outcome for each play of said game. 
     
     
       35. The gaming device of claim 34, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to update the credit balance after receiving funds deposited by the player. 
     
     
       36. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising software with instructions, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
 (a) provide a game associated with a plurality of different payout tables, including a first payout table and a second payout table, said first payout table including a plurality of first outcomes and a plurality of second outcomes, and said second payout table including the plurality of first outcomes and the plurality of second outcomes;   (b) prior to any wager being placed by a player on a first play of the game and a second play of the game:
 (i) designate each of said first outcomes of the first payout table as winning outcomes and designate each of said second outcomes of the first payout table as losing outcomes; and 
 (ii) designate each of said first outcomes of the second payout table as losing outcomes and designate each of said second outcomes of the second payout table as winning outcomes; 
   (c) in response to a wager by the player on the first play of the game, generate an outcome for the first play of the game;   (d) provide to the player any payout associated with the generated outcome for the first play of the game in accordance with the first payout table; and   (e) upon an occurrence of a triggering event:
 (i) select the second payout table from the plurality of different payout tables to employ for the second play of the game; 
 (ii) in response to a wager placed by the player on the second play of the game, generate an outcome for the second play of the game; and 
 (iii) provide to the player any payout associated with the generated outcome for the second play of the game in accordance with the second payout table. 
   
     
     
       37. A gaming system comprising:
 a user interface; and   a control system operatively coupled to the user interface and adapted to:
 (a) provide a plurality of different payout tables including a first payout table and a second payout table, said first payout table including a first outcome and said second payout table including said first outcome; 
 (b) prior to accepting any wager placed by a player for a play of a game:
 (i) designate the first outcome of said first payout table as a winning outcome; and 
 (ii) designate the first outcome of said second payout table as a losing outcome; 
 
 (c) accept a wager placed by the player for the play of the game through the user interface; and 
 (d) select one of said payout tables from the plurality of different payout tables to employ for the play of the game based on an input from the player which is distinct from the placement of the wager. 
   
     
     
       38. The gaming system of claim 37, wherein the user interface comprises a mode selection mechanism and the input from the player being distinct from the wager comprises manipulation of the mode selection mechanism. 
     
     
       39. The gaming system of claim 37, wherein the user interface comprises a slot machine user interface. 
     
     
       40. The gaming system of claim 37, wherein the user interface comprises a video slot machine user interface. 
     
     
       41. The gaming system of claim 37, wherein the control system comprises a local control system. 
     
     
       42. The gaming system of claim 37, wherein the control system comprises a remote server. 
     
     
       43. The gaming system of claim 37, wherein the control system is further adapted to determine a payout amount based on one of the payout tables. 
     
     
       44. The gaming system of claim 37, wherein the control system further comprises a first memory for storing the first payout table and a second memory for storing the second payout table. 
     
     
       45. The gaming system of claim 37, wherein prior to accepting any wager placed by the player for the play of the game, the second payout table includes a second outcome that is a designated winning outcome, and the first payout table includes the second outcome, the second outcome of the first payout table being a designated losing outcome. 
     
     
       46. The gaming system of claim 37, wherein the second payout table has a greater statistical likelihood of returning a winning outcome than a losing outcome. 
     
     
       47. The gaming system of claim 38, wherein the mode selection mechanism comprises at least one of a button and a toggle switch. 
     
     
       48. The gaming system of claim 38, wherein the control system is further adapted to set a software flag on detection of the manipulation of the mode selection mechanism. 
     
     
       49. A gaming system comprising:
 a user interface; and   a control system comprising a remote server, said control system operatively coupled to the user interface and adapted to:
 (a) provide a plurality of different payout tables including a first payout table and a second payout table, said first payout table including a first outcome and said second payout table including said first outcome; 
 (b) prior to accepting any wager placed by a player for a play of a game:
 (i) designate the first outcome of the first payout table as a winning outcome; and 
 (ii) designate the first outcome of the second payout table as a losing outcome; 
 
 (c) accept a wager placed by the player for the play of the game through the user interface; 
 (d) select one of the payout tables from the plurality of different payout tables to employ for the play of the game based on an input from the player which is distinct from the placement of the wager; and 
 (e) store a credit balance. 
   
     
     
       50. The gaming system of claim 49, wherein the control system is further adapted to access the credit balance based on information from a player tracking card. 
     
     
       51. The gaming system of claim 49, wherein the credit balance comprises a source of points for the player to wager. 
     
     
       52. The gaming system of claim 49, wherein the control system is further adapted to access the credit balance based on information from a credit card. 
     
     
       53. The gaming system of claim 49, wherein the control system is further adapted to update the credit balance. 
     
     
       54. The gaming system of claim 53, wherein the control system is adapted to update the credit balance after a determination of an outcome for the game. 
     
     
       55. The gaming system of claim 53, wherein the control system is adapted to update the credit balance after receiving funds deposited by the player. 
     
     
       56. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:
 (a) providing a plurality of different payout tables including a first payout table and a second payout table, said first payout table including a first outcome and said second payout table including said first outcome;   (b) prior to accepting any wager placed by a player for a play of a game at a gaming device of the gaming system:
 (i) designating the first outcome of the first payout table as a winning outcome; and 
 (ii) designating the first outcome of the second payout table as a losing outcome; 
   (c) accepting a wager placed by the player for the play of the game at the gaming device; and   (d) selecting one of the payout tables from the plurality of different payout tables to employ for the play of the game based on an input distinct from the placement of the wager.   
     
     
       57. The method of claim 56, wherein prior to accepting any wager placed by the player for the play of the game, the second payout table includes a second outcome that is a designated winning outcome, and the first payout table also includes the second outcome, the second outcome of the first payout table being a designated losing outcome. 
     
     
       58. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising software with instructions, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
 (a) provide a game associated with a plurality of different payout tables, including a first payout table and a second payout table, said first payout table including a first outcome and said second payout table including said first outcome;   (b) prior to accepting any wager placed by a player for a play of the game:
 (i) designate the first outcome of the first payout table as a winning outcome; and 
 (ii) designate the first outcome of the second payout table as a losing outcome; 
   (c) accept a wager placed by the player for the play of the game; and   (d) select one of the payout tables from the plurality of different payout tables to employ for the play of the game based on an input distinct from the placement of the wager.   
     
     
       59. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 58, wherein prior to accepting any wager placed by the player for the play of the game the second payout table includes a second outcome that is a designated winning outcome, and the first payout table also includes the second outcome, the second outcome of the first payout table being a designated losing outcome. 
     
     
       60. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:
 (a) providing a plurality of different payout tables including a first payout table and a second payout table;   (b) prior to any wager being placed by a player for a first play of a game and a second play of the game at a gaming device of the gaming system:
 (i) said first payout table includes a plurality of designated first payout table winning outcomes and a plurality of designated first payout table losing outcomes; and 
 (ii) said second payout table includes a plurality of designated second payout table winning outcomes which correspond to the plurality of designated first payout table losing outcomes and a plurality of designated second payout table losing outcomes which correspond to the plurality of designated first payout table winning outcomes; 
   (c) in response to a wager being placed by the player for the first play of the game at the gaming device, generating an outcome for said first play of the game;   (d) providing to the player any payout associated with the generated outcome for the first play of the game in accordance with the first payout table; and   (e) upon an occurrence of a triggering event:
 (i) selecting the second payout table from the plurality of different payout tables to employ for the second play of the game; 
 (ii) in response to a wager by the player for the second play of the game, generating an outcome for said second play of the game; and 
 (iii) providing to the player any payout associated with the generated outcome for the second play of the game in accordance with the second payout table.