GAME WITH RESERVABLE WILD INDICIA

JEU PERMETTANT DE MARQUER ET RESERVER UN INDICIA FRIME

English Abstract

Games of skill or chance which provide a player, who has received a wild indicia during one game, with the opportunity to reserve that wild indicia for use in a subsequent game.

French Abstract

Jeux d'adresse ou de chance donnant à un joueur, qui a reçu un signe passe-partout au cours d'une partie, la possibilité de réserver ce signe passe-partout pour une utilisation dans une partie ultérieure.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive
property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A machine comprising:
a display screen that is capable of generating video
images;
a plurality of selection devices;
a machine-accessible medium including data that, when
accessed by a machine, cause the machine to:
provide a player with the opportunity to place at
least one wager;
select a first collection of indicia from a
plurality of indicia in a first game, the plurality of indicia
including a plurality of playing indicia and at least one at
least one wild indicia;
cause a video image representing the first game to
be displayed on the display screen;
provide the player with the option of reserving the
at least one wild indicia for use in one of one or more
subsequent games if the at least one wild indicia has been
displayed to the player, the at least one wild indicia being
reservable with the use of one of the selection devices;
limit in which one of the one or more subsequent
games the player may use the at least one wild indicia;
determine a game outcome according to a collection
of playing indicia and the at least one wild indicia; and
determine a game payout according to the game
outcome.
2. The machine of claim 1 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine
to decrease a payout to the player when the player uses at
least one wild indicia.


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3. The machine of claim 1 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine
to provide the player with the option of using the reserved at
least one wild indicia in one of a predetermined number of
subsequent games.
4. The machine of claim 1 wherein the first and
subsequent games are one of the following games: poker,
blackjack, keno, reel slots, video slots, dice, bingo, and
lotto.
5. The machine of claim 1 wherein the video image
represents one of the following games: video poker, video
blackjack, video slots, video keno, video bingo, video dice,
or video lotto;
the video image comprising an image of at least five
playing cards if the game comprises video poker,
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of
simulated slot machine reels if the game comprises video
slots,
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of
playing cards if the game comprises video blackjack,
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of
keno numbers if the game comprises video keno,
the video image comprising an image of a bingo grid if
the game comprises video bingo,
the video image comprising an image of at least one die
if the game comprises video dice, and
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of
numbers if the game comprises video lotto.
6. The machine of claim 1 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine

19




to qualify the player for a bonus game when the player uses
the reserved at least one wild indicia.
7. The machine of claim 1 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine
to qualify the player for a super-jackpot when the player uses
the reserved at least one wild indicia.
8. The machine of claim 1 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine
to select a subsequent collection of indicia from the
plurality of indicia to define the one of one or more
subsequent games.
9. The machine of claim 8 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine
to select the first collection of indicia and the subsequent
collection of indicia randomly.
10. The machine of claim 1 wherein determining the game
outcome comprises determining a game outcome of the one of one
or more subsequent games according to a subsequent collection
of indicia, wherein the at least one reserved wild indicia is
included in the subsequent collection of indicia, and wherein
determining the game payout comprises determining a subsequent
payout according to the game outcome of the one of one or more
subsequent games; and
the machine-accessible medium further including data that
cause the machine to:
determine a first game outcome of the first game
according to the first collection of indicia, wherein the at
least one wild indicia is reserved for use in the one of one
or more subsequent games and is not used in the first game;
and

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determine a first payout according to the first game
outcome.
11. The machine of claim 1 wherein the first game and
the subsequent games are card games, the plurality of indicia
are a plurality of cards, the first collection of indicia is a
first collection of cards, and the at least one wild indicia
is at least one wild card.
12. The machine of claim 11 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine
to provide the player with a draw card that is selected from
the plurality of cards to replace one of the plurality of
playing cards in the first collection of cards.
13. The machine of claim 11 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine
to provide the player with at least one replacement card that
is selected from the plurality of cards to replace one of the
plurality of cards in the first collection of cards when the
player reserves the at least one wild card for use in the one
of one or more subsequent card games.
14. The machine of claim 13 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine
to prohibit the player from reserving the at least one wild
card if the player received the at least one wild card as a
draw card.
15. The machine of claim 1 wherein the at least one wild
indicia is not one of the plurality of playing indicia.
16. A machine comprising:

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a display screen that is capable of generating video
images;
a plurality of selection devices;
a value input device;
a machine-accessible medium including data that, when
accessed by a machine, cause the machine to:
determine that a player has used the value input
device to make a wager;
provide a first collection of playing indicia to
define a first game, the first collection of playing indicia
being selected from a plurality of playing indicia;
provide at least one wild indicia for use in other
than the first game;
cause a video image representing the first game to
be displayed on the display screen;
determine that the player has used one of the
plurality of selection devices to reserve the at least one
wild indicia for use in a subsequent game;
determine a first game outcome associated with the
first collection of playing indicia;
determine a first payout according to a payout
schedule, the first payout being associated with the first
game outcome;
provide a subsequent collection of playing indicia
to define the subsequent game, the subsequent collection of
playing indicia being selected from the plurality of playing
indicia;
determine that the player has used at least one of
the plurality of selection devices to combine the at least one
wild indicia with the subsequent collection of playing indicia
to define a modified collection of playing indicia;
determine a game outcome associated with the
modified collection of playing indicia; and


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determine a subsequent payout associated with the
game outcome associated with the modified collection of
playing indicia by decreasing the payout for the game outcome
associated with the modified collection of playing indicia.

17. The machine of claim 16 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine
to limit in which one of a plurality of games other than the
first game that the player may use the at least one wild
indicia.

18. The machine of claim 16 wherein the first and
subsequent games are one of the following games: poker,
blackjack, keno, reel slots, video slots, dice, bingo, and
lotto.

19. The machine of claim 16 wherein the video image
represents one of the following games: video poker, video
blackjack, video slots, video keno, video bingo, video dice,
or video lotto;
the video image comprising an image of at least five
playing cards if the game comprises video poker,
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of
simulated slot machine reels if the game comprises video
slots,
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of
playing cards if the game comprises video blackjack,
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of
keno numbers if the game comprises video keno,
the video image comprising an image of a bingo grid if
the game comprises video bingo,
the video image comprising an image of at least one die
if the game comprises video dice, and

23



the video image comprising an image of a plurality of
numbers if the game comprises video lotto.

20. The machine of claim 16 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine
to qualify the player for a bonus game when the player uses
the reserved at least one wild indicia.

21. The machine of claim 16 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine
to qualify the player for a super-jackpot when the player uses
the reserved at least one wild indicia.

22. The machine of claim 16 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine
to select the first collection of playing indicia and the
subsequent collection of playing indicia randomly.

23. The machine of claim 16 wherein the first game and
the subsequent games are card games, the plurality of playing
indicia are a plurality of cards, the first collection of
playing indicia is a first collection of cards, and the at
least one wild indicia is at least one wild card.

24. The machine of claim 23 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine
to provide the player with a draw card that is selected from
the plurality of cards to replace one of the plurality of
cards in the first collection of cards.

25. The machine of claim 23 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine
to provide the player with at least one replacement card that
is selected from the plurality of cards to replace one of the

24



plurality of cards in the first collection of cards when the
player reserves the at least one wild card for use in the
subsequent card game.

26. The machine of claim 25 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further. includes data that cause the machine
to prohibit the player from reserving the at least one wild
card if the player received the at least one wild card as a
draw card.

27. The machine of claim 16 wherein the at least one
wild indicia is not one of the plurality of playing indicia.

28. A machine comprising:
a display screen that is capable of generating video
images;
a machine-accessible medium including data that, when
accessed by a machine, cause the machine to:
select a first collection of indicia from a
plurality of indicia in a first game, the plurality of indicia
including a plurality of playing indicia and at least one wild
indicia;
cause a video image representing the first game to
be displayed on the display screen;
provide a player with a winning advantage if the
player receives the at least one wild indicia; and
limit the use of the at least one wild indicia.

29. The machine of claim 28, wherein the winning
advantage is the ability to reserve the at least one wild
indicia in the first game for use in one of one or more
subsequent games.

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30. The machine of claim 29, wherein the one of one or
more subsequent games is not a second game.

31. The machine of claim 29, wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine
to limit in which one of the one or more subsequent games the
player may use the at least one wild indicia.

32. The machine of claim 28 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine
to decrease a payout to the player when the player uses at
least one wild indicia.

33. The machine of claim 31 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine
to provide the player with the option of using the reserved at
least one wild indicia in one of a predetermined number of
subsequent games.

34. The machine of claim 29 wherein the first and
subsequent games are one of the following games: poker,
blackjack, keno, reel slots, video slots, dice, bingo, and
lotto.

35. The machine of claim 28 wherein the video image
represents one of the following games: video poker, video
blackjack, video slots, video keno, video bingo, video dice,
or video lotto
the video image comprising an image of at least five
playing cards if the game comprises video poker,
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of
simulated slot machine reels if the game comprises video
slots,

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the video image comprising an image of a plurality of
playing cards if the game comprises video blackjack,
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of
keno numbers if the game comprises video keno,
the video image comprising an image of a bingo grid if
the game comprises video bingo,
the video image comprising an image of at least one die
if the game comprises video dice, and
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of
numbers if the game comprises video lotto.

36. The machine of claim 28 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine
to display the first collection of indicia to the player.

37. The machine of claim 29 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine
to qualify the player for a bonus game when the player uses
the reserved at least one wild indicia.

38. The machine of claim 29 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine
to qualify the player for a super-jackpot when the player uses
the reserved at least one wild indicia.

39. The machine of claim 28 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine
to select a subsequent collection of indicia from the
plurality of indicia to define one of one or more subsequent
games.

40. The machine of claim 39 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine

27



to select the first collection of indicia and the subsequent
collection of indicia randomly.

41. The machine of claim 28 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine
to:
determine a first game outcome of the first game
according to the first collection of indicia, wherein the at
least one wild indicia is included in the first collection of
indicia; and
determine a first payout according to the first game
outcome.

42. The machine of claim 29 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine
to:
determine a first game outcome of the first game
according to the first collection of indicia, wherein the at
least one wild indicia is reserved for use in the one of one
or more subsequent games and is not used in the first game;
determine a first payout according to the first game
outcome;
determine a game outcome of the one of one or more
subsequent games according to a subsequent collection of
indicia, wherein the at least one reserved wild indicia is
included in the subsequent collection of indicia; and
determine a subsequent payout according to the game
outcome of the one of one or more subsequent games.

43. The machine of claim 28 further comprising a value
input device and a plurality of selection devices;
the machine-accessible medium further including data that
cause the machine to:

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determine that the player has used the value input
device to make a wager;
determine that the player has used one of the
plurality of selection devices to reserve the at least one
wild indicia for use in a subsequent game;
determine a first game outcome associated with the
first collection of playing indicia;
determine a first payout associated with the first
game outcome;
determine a game outcome associated with a
subsequent collection of playing indicia and the at least one
wild indicia; and
determine a subsequent payout associated with the
game outcome associated with the subsequent collection of
playing indicia and the at least one wild indicia.

44. The machine of claim 29 wherein the first game and
the subsequent games are card games, the plurality of indicia
are a plurality of cards, the first collection of indicia is a
first collection of cards, and the at least one wild indicia
is at least one wild card.

45. The machine of claim 44 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine
to provide the player with a draw card that is selected from
the plurality of cards to replace one of the plurality of
playing cards in the first collection of cards.

46. The machine of claim 44 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine
to provide the player with at least one replacement card that
is selected from the plurality of cards to replace one of the
plurality of cards in the first collection of cards when the

29



player reserves the at least one wild card for use in the one
of one or more subsequent card games.

47. The machine of claim 46 wherein the machine-
accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine
to prohibit the player from reserving the at least one wild
card if the player received the at least one wild card as a
draw card.

48. The machine of claim 28 wherein the at least one
wild indicia is not one of the plurality of playing indicia.

49. A method of operating an electronically controlled
gaming apparatus comprising:
providing a player with the opportunity to place at least
one wager:
selecting a first collection of indicia from a plurality
of indicia in a first game, the plurality of indicia including
a plurality of playing indicia and a at least one wild
indicia;
providing a player with the option of reserving the at
least one wild indicia for use in one of one or more
subsequent games;
limiting in which one of the one or more subsequent games
the player may use the ate least one wild indicia;
determining a game outcome according to a collection of
playing indicia and the at least one wild indicia; and
determining a game payout according to the game outcome.

50. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 49 wherein
determining the game payout comprises decreasing a payout to
the player when the player uses the wild indicia.

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51. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 49 comprising
providing the player with the option of using the reserved at
least one wild indicia in one of a predetermined number of
subsequent games.

52. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 49, wherein the
first and subsequent games are one of the following games:
poker, blackjack, keno, reel slots, video slots, dice, bingo,
and lotto.

53. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 49 further
comprising causing a video image representing the first game
to be displayed on a display screen.

54. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 53, wherein the
video image represents one of the following games: video
poker, video blackjack, video slots, video keno, video bingo,
video dice, or video lotto;
the video image comprising an image of at least five
playing cards if the game comprises video poker,
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of
simulated slot machine reels if the game comprises video
slots,
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of
playing cards if the game comprises video blackjack,
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of
keno numbers if the game comprises video keno,
the video image comprising an image of a bingo grid if
the game comprises video bingo,

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the video image comprising an image of at least one die
if the game comprises video dice, and
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of
numbers if the game comprises video lotto.

55. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 49 further
comprising displaying the first collection of indicia to the
player.

56. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 49 further
comprising qualifying the player for a bonus game when the
player uses the reserved at least one wild indicia.

57. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 49 further
comprising qualifying the player for a super-jackpot when the
player uses the reserved at least one wild indicia.

58. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 49 further
comprising selecting a subsequent collection of indicia from
the plurality of indicia to define the one of one or more
subsequent games.

59. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 58, comprising
selecting the first collection of indicia and the subsequent
collection of indicia randomly.

60. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 49 comprising:

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determining the first game outcome of the first game
according to the first collection of indicia, wherein the at
least one wild indicia is included in the first collection of
indicia.
61. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 49 further
comprising:
determining a first game outcome of the first game
according to the first collection of indicia, wherein the at
least one wild indicia is reserved for use in the one of one
or more subsequent games and is not used in the first game;
determining a first payout according to the first game
outcome;
determining a game outcome of the one of one or more
subsequent games according to a subsequent collection of
indicia, wherein the at least one reserved wild indicia is
included in the subsequent collection of indicia; and
determining a subsequent payout according to the game
outcome of the one of one or more subsequent games.
62. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 49 further
comprising:
determining that the player has used a value input device
to make the wager;
determining that the player has used a selection device
to reserve the at least one wild indicia for use in the one of
one or more subsequent games.
63. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 49, wherein the
first game and the subsequent games are card games, the
plurality of indicia is a plurality of cards, the first



33


collection of indicia is a first collection of cards, and the
at least one wild indicia is at least one wild card.
64. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 63, further
comprising providing the player with a draw card that is
selected from the plurality of cards to replace one of the
plurality of playing cards in the first collection of cards.
65. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 63, further
comprising providing the player with at least one replacement
card that is selected from the plurality of cards to replace
one of the plurality of cards in the first collection of cards
when the player reserves the at least one wild card for use in
the one of one or more subsequent card games.
66. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 65, further
comprising prohibiting the player from reserving the at least
one wild card if the player received the at least one wild
card as a draw card.
67. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 49, wherein the
at least one wild indicia is not one of the plurality of
playing indicia.
68. A method of operating an electronically controlled
gaming apparatus comprising:
determining that a player has used a value input device
to make a wager;



34


providing a first collection of playing indicia to define
a first game, the first collection of playing indicia being
selected from a plurality of playing indicia;
providing at least one wild indicia for use in other than
the first game;
causing a video image representing the first game to be
displayed on the display screen;
determining that the player has used one of a plurality
of selection devices to reserve the at least one wild indicia
for use in a subsequent game;
determining a first game outcome associated with the
first collection of playing indicia;
determining a first payout according to a payout
schedule, the first payout being associated with the first
game outcome;
providing a subsequent collection of playing indicia to
define the subsequent game, the subsequent collection of
playing indicia being selected from the plurality of playing
indicia;
determining that the player has used at least one of the
plurality of selection devices to combine the at least one
wild indicia with the subsequent collection of playing indicia
to define a modified collection of playing indicia;
determining a game outcome associated with the modified
collection of playing indicia; and
determining a subsequent payout associated with the game
outcome associated with the modified collection by decreasing
the payout for the subsequent game outcome.
69. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 68 comprising
limiting in which one of a plurality of games other than the
first game that the player may use the at least one wild
indicia.



35


70. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 68, wherein the
first and subsequent games are one of the following games:
poker, blackjack, keno, reel slots, video slots, dice, bingo,
and lotto.
71. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 68, wherein the
video image represents one of the following games: video
poker, video blackjack, video slots, video keno, video bingo,
video dice, or video lotto;
the video image comprising an image of at least five
playing cards if the game comprises video poker,
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of
simulated slot machine reels if the game comprises video
slots,
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of
playing cards if the game comprises video blackjack,
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of
keno numbers if the game comprises video keno,
the video image comprising an image of a bingo grid if
the game comprises video bingo,
the video image comprising an image of at least one die
if the game comprises video dice, and
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of
numbers if the game comprises video lotto.
72. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 68, comprising
qualifying the player for a bonus game when the player uses
the reserved at least one wild indicia.



36


73. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 68, comprising
qualifying the player for a super-jackpot when the player uses
the reserved at least one wild indicia.
74. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 68, comprising
selecting the first collection of playing indicia and the
subsequent collection of playing indicia randomly.
75. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 68, wherein the
first game and the subsequent games are card games, the
plurality of playing indicia are a plurality of cards, the
first collection of playing indicia is a first collection of
cards, and the at least one wild indicia is at least one wild
card.
76. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 75, comprising
providing the player with a draw card that is selected from
the plurality of cards to replace one of the plurality of
cards in the first collection of cards.
77. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 75, comprising
providing the player with at least one replacement card that
is selected from the plurality of cards to replace one of the
plurality of cards in the first collection of cards when the
player reserves the at least one wild card for use in the
subsequent card game.
78. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 77, comprising



37


prohibiting the player from reserving the at least one wild
card if the player received the at least one wild card as a
draw card.
79. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 68, wherein the
at least one wild indicia is not one of the plurality of
playing indicia.
80. A method of operating an electronically controlled
gaming apparatus comprising:
selecting a first collection of indicia from a plurality
of indicia in a first game, the plurality of indicia including
a plurality of playing indicia and a at least one wild
indicia;
causing a video image representing the first game to be
displayed on a display screen;
providing a player with a winning advantage if the player
receives the at least one wild indicia; and
limiting the use of the at least one wild indicia.
81. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 80, wherein
providing the player with the winning advantage comprises
providing the player with the ability to reserve the at least
one wild indicia in the first game for use in one of one or
more subsequent games.
82. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 81, wherein the
one of one or more subsequent games is not a second game.
83. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 81comprising



38


limiting in which one of the one or more subsequent games the
player may use the at least one wild indicia.
84. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 80 comprising
decreasing a payout to the player when the player uses at
least one wild indicia.
85. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 83 comprising
providing the player with the option of using the reserved at
least one wild indicia in one of a predetermined number of
subsequent games.
86. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 81 wherein the
first and subsequent games are one of the following games:
poker, blackjack, keno, reel slots, video slots, dice, bingo,
and lotto.
87. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 80 wherein the
video image represents one of the following games: video
poker, video blackjack, video slots, video keno, video bingo,
video dice, or video lotto;
the video image comprising an image of at least five
playing cards if the game comprises video poker,
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of
simulated slot machine reels if the game comprises video
slots,
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of
playing cards if the game comprises video blackjack,
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of
keno numbers if the game comprises video keno,



39


the video image comprising an image of a bingo grid if
the game comprises video bingo,
the video image comprising an image of at least one die
if the game comprises video dice, and
the video image comprising an image of a plurality of
numbers if the game comprises video lotto.
88. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 80 comprising
displaying the first collection of indicia to the player.
89. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 81 comprising
qualifying the player for a bonus game when the player uses
the reserved at least one wild indicia.
90. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 81 comprising
qualifying the player for a super-jackpot when the player uses
the reserved at least one wild indicia.
91. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 80 comprising
selecting a subsequent. collection of indicia from the
plurality of indicia to define one of one or more subsequent
games.
92. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 91 comprising
selecting the first collection of indicia and the subsequent
collection of indicia randomly.
93. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 80 comprising:



40


determining a first game outcome of the first game
according to the first collection of indicia, wherein the at
least one wild indicia is included in the first collection of
indicia; and
determining a first payout according to the first game
outcome.
94. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 81 comprising:
determining a first game outcome of the first game
according to the first collection of indicia, wherein the at
least one wild indicia is reserved for use in the one of one
or more subsequent games and is not used in the first game;
determining a first payout according to the first game
outcome;
determining a game outcome of the one of one or more
subsequent games according to a subsequent collection of
indicia, wherein the at least one reserved wild indicia is
included in the subsequent collection of indicia; and
determining a subsequent payout according to the game
outcome of the one of one or more subsequent games.
95. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 80 comprising:
determining that the player has used a value input
device to make a wager;
determining that the player has used one of a
plurality of selection devices to reserve the at least one
wild indicia for use in a subsequent game;
determining a first game outcome associated with the
first collection of playing indicia;
determining a first payout associated with the first
game outcome;
determining a game outcome associated with a



41


subsequent collection of playing indicia and the at least one
wild indicia; and
determining a subsequent payout associated with the
game outcome associated with the subsequent collection of
playing indicia and the at least one wild indicia.
96. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 81 wherein the
first game and the subsequent games are card games, the
plurality of indicia are a plurality of cards, the first
collection of indicia is a first collection of cards, and the
at least one wild indicia is at least one wild card.
97. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 96 comprising
providing the player with a draw card that is selected from
the plurality of cards to replace one of the plurality of
playing cards in the first collection of cards.
98. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 96 comprising
providing the player with at least one replacement card that
is selected from the plurality of cards to replace one of the
plurality of cards in the first collection of cards when the
player reserves the at least one wild card for use in the one
of one or more subsequent card games.
99. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 98 comprising
prohibiting the player from reserving the at least one wild
card if the player received the at least one wild card as a
draw card.



42




100. The method of operating the electronically
controlled gaming apparatus according to claim 80 wherein the
at least one wild indicia is not one of the plurality of
playing indicia.

43

Description

X180693
GAMS WITH RESERVABLE WILD INDICIA
The present invention is directed to games and, more
particularly, to novel games which provide a player with the
opportunity to reserve a "wild" indicia from one play for use
in a subsequent play.
BACKGROUND OF TH8 INVENTION
Games utilizing playing cards are popular throughout
the world. Many people get hours of enjoyment and relaxation
from playing cards. In certain parts of the world, wagering
adds an additional dimension of excitement to the game.
Whether in "card room" games where the players play against
each other or in a traditional "casino" game environment where
an employee of the house acts as a banker, wagering adds
excitement to many forms of card games.
Players involved in card games with wagering often
enjoy new games with relatively simple rules that can readily
1



2180693
be learned by a beginner or casual player.
Typical card games involve a dealer providing a
plurality of cards to each player. Each player then gathers
the cards and tries to form the best possible hand according
to some pre-determined hierarchy of hand values. For example,
a standard poker hierarchy is, in descending order, Royal
Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush,
Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and High Card.
In some games, players are permitted to discard certain cards
and receive new cards in an effort to form a better hand.
It is also common to designate one or more cards as
"wild" cards which can have any one of a predetermined number
of values at the option of the players) receiving such wild
cards. In this manner, the designation of wild cards within
a deck can significantly increase the chances of a player
attaining a particular hand. In known games which utilize
wild cards, players must use the wild card in the hand in
which the wild card is received. Therefore, if a player has
a card hand of low or no value, the wild card may not be
sufficient to allow that player to form a winning hand. For
example, if the payout schedule for a given game starts at a
pair of jacks, and the player has the following hand: 2, 4, 5,
10 of different suits and a wild card, the best poker hand
that the player could form with one wild card would be a pair
2




X180693
of 10's. This hand would not qualify for a winning payout.
It is therefore desirable to provide a card game
which increases the players' excitement and enjoyment, as well
as the level of player participation by providing a player
with an opportunity to maximize the impact of receiving a wild
card.
It is also desirable to provide wagering games other
than cards with an exciting, new feature which comprises a
wild indicia and novel methods of using that wild indicia.
It is also desirable to provide novel games readily
adaptable to wagering which are relatively simple to learn for
a new players.
It is also desirable to provide games which provide
one or more players with opportunities to modify the player's
winning payout by using such a wild indicia, received during
one play, with a subsequent play.
SUMMARY OF THS INVENTION
The various embodiments of the present invention are
directed to games which provide a player who has received at
least one wild indicia during one play, with the opportunity
3



X180693
to reserve that wild indicia for use in a subsequent play.
The advantages of the present invention are applicable to a
wide variety of games including "card" games, and other
conventional games of chance or skill including keno, bingo,
gaming devices, such as reel slots, dice games and lotto. As
used herein, the term "card game", is intended to include
conventional table/board type games wherein one or more
persons deal actual playing cards to one or more players, as
well as any types of mechanical or electronic devices which
display indicia of playing cards.
The wild indicia of the present invention may take
any forms desired by the players or the establishment
conducting the game. For example, when playing a card game,
the wild indicia will typically comprise a wild card. While
jokers may be utilized to indicate a wild card, it is also
within the scope of the present invention to use one or more
other indicia such as one of the other cards of a deck or non-
conventional indicia to indicate a wild card. Similarly, in
2~ games other than card games any form of wild indicia may be
utilized. In all forms of the present invention, a player is
provided with the possibility of utilizing a wild indicia when
it is most advantageous for the player to do so, i.e. when the
player will maximize a winning payout . When a player receives
a wild indicia, the player can use that wild indicia
immediately or may reserve the wild indicia for use in a
4
9


CA 02180693 2003-10-09
subsequent play. For example, a player may use a wild card in
a subsequent hand or may use a wild indicia received during
the play of one game of bingo in a subsequent game.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a
machine comprising:
a display screen that is capable of generating video
images;
a plurality of selection devices;
a machine-accessible medium including data that, when
accessed by a machine, cause the machine to:
provide a player with the opportunity to place at
least one wager;
select a first collection of indicia from a
plurality of indicia in a first game, the plurality of indicia
including a plurality of playing indicia and at least one at
least one wild indicia;
cause a video image representing the first game to
be displayed on the display screen;
provide the player with the option of reserving the
at least one wild indicia for use in one of one or more
subsequent games if the at least one wild indicia has been
displayed to the player, the at least one wild indicia being
reservable with the use of one of the selection devices;
limit in which one of the one or more subsequent
games the player may use the at least one wild indicia;
determine a game outcome according to a collection
of playing indicia and the at least one wild indicia; and
determine a game payout according to the game
outcome.
One preferred embodiment of the present invention
comprises a gaming device having an electronic touch-sensitive
5


CA 02180693 2003-10-09
screen which is controlled, at least in part, by a player
touching images on the screen.
Another embodiment of the present invention
comprises a gaming device wherein input from a player is
supplied to a device through actuation buttons.
The present invention also provides a machine
comprising:
a display screen that is capable of generating video
images;
a plurality of selection devices;
a value input device;
a machine-accessible medium including data that, when
accessed by a machine, cause the machine to:
determine that a player has used the value input
device to make a wager;
provide a first collection of playing indicia to
define a first game, the first collection of playing indicia
being selected from a plurality of playing indicia;
provide at least one wild indicia for use in other
than the first game;
cause a video image representing the first game to
be displayed on the display screen
determine that the player has used one of the
plurality of selection devices to reserve the at least one
wild indicia for use in a subsequent game;
determine a first game outcome associated with the
first collection of playing indicia;
determine a first payout according to a payout
schedule, the first payout being associated with the first
game outcome;
5a

i
CA 02180693 2003-10-09
provide a subsequent collection of playing indicia
to define the subsequent: game, the subsequent collection of
playing indicia being selected from the plurality of playing
indicia;
determine that the player has used at least one of
the plurality of selection devices to combine the at least one
wild indicia with the subsequent collection of playing indicia
to define a modified collection of playing indicia;
determine a game outcome associated with the
modified collection of playing indicia; and
determine a subsequent payout associated with the
game outcome associated with the modified collection of
playing indicia by decreasing the payout for the game outcome
associated with the modified collection of playing indicia.
The present invention also provides a machine
comprising:
a display screen that is capable of generating video
images;
a machine-accessible medium including data that, when
accessed by a machine, cause the machine to:
select a first collection of indicia from a
plurality of indicia in a first game, the plurality of indicia
including a plurality of playing indicia and at least one
wild indicia;
cause a video image representing the first game to
be displayed on the display screen;
provide a player with a winning advantage if the
player receives the at least one wild indicia; and
limit the use of the at least one wild indicia.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides
a method of operating an electronically controlled gaming
apparatus comprising:
5b


CA 02180693 2003-10-09
providing a player with the opportunity to place at least
one wager;
selecting a first collection of indicia from a plurality
of indicia in a first game, the plurality of indicia including
a plurality of playing indicia and a at least one wild
indicia;
providing a player with the option of reserving the at
least one wild indicia for use in one of one or more
subsequent games;
limiting in which one of the one or more subsequent games
the player may use the at least one wild indicia;
determining a game outcome according to a collection of
playing indicia and the at least one wild indicia; and
determining a game payout. according to the game outcome.
The present invention also provides a method of
operating an electronically controlled gaming apparatus
comprising:
determining that a player has used a value input device
to make a wager;
providing a first collection of playing indicia to define
a first game, the first collection of playing indicia being
selected from a plurality of playing indicia;
providing at least one wild indicia for use in other than
the first game;
causing a video image representing the first game to be
displayed on the display screen;
determining that the player has used one of a plurality
of selection devices to reserve the at least one wild indicia
for use in a subsequent game;
determining a first game outcome associated with the
first collection of playing indicia:
5c


CA 02180693 2003-10-09
determining a first payout according to a payout
schedule, the first payout being associated with the first
game outcome;
providing a subsequent collection of playing indicia to
define the subsequent game, the subsequent collection of
playing indicia being selected from the plurality of playing
indicia;
determining that the player has used at least one of the
plurality of selection devices to combine the at least one
wild indicia with the subsequent collection of playing indicia
to define a modified collection of playing indicia;
determining a game outcome associated with the modified
collection of playing indicia; and
determining a subsequent payout associated with the game
outcome associated with the modified collection by decreasing
the payout for the subsequent game outcome.
The present invention also provides a method of
operating an electronically controlled gaming apparatus
comprising:
selecting a first collection of indicia from a plurality
of indicia in a first game, the plurality of indicia including
a plurality of playing indicia and a at least one wild
indicia;
causing a video image representing the first game to be
displayed on a display screen;
providing a player with a winning advantage if the player
receives the at least one wild indicia; and
limiting the use of the at least one wild indicia.
Each of the embodiments of the present invention
provide one or more players with opportunities to maximize the
beneficial effect of a wild indicia.
5d



X180693
These and other embodiments are described in greater
detail with reference to the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a gaming device embodiment of the
present invention comprising a touch screen.
FIG. 2 illustrates a touch screen used with the
embodiment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 illustrates a gaming device of another
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates a board game embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The various embodiments of the present invention
increase the level of player input, increase the likelihood of
a winning payout, provide at least one player with the
possibility to maximize the amount of a winning payout, and
increase the overall level of enjoyment to a game which
utilizes at least one wild indicia. The present invention
achieves these desirable results by providing a player who
6




X180693
receives a wild indicia during the play of one game with the
option of reserving that wild indicia for use in a subsequent
game.
While the various embodiments of the present
invention are illustrated in conjunction with a game of five-
card draw poker, the advantages of the present invention are
equally applicable to a wide variety of other games of skill
or chance.
According to the illustrated embodiments, five
indicia of playing cards are displayed to a player. The
player is provided with the opportunity to discard one or more
of the cards and, if the player has received a wild card, to
place that wild card in a reserve area for use with a later
hand. To the extent that the player has discarded any cards
or moved a wild card from his hand to a reserve area, the
player is provided with replacement cards. Furthermore, a
player may be provided with the option of reserving a wild
card even if that player received the wild card as a draw
card, i.e. as a replacement to one of the first indicia of
playing cards displayed to that player. A winning payout is
then provided to either the player with the highest hand or to
any players which have attained a winning hand as determined
by a predetermined payout schedule.
7




~I80693
According to one preferred embodiment of the present
invention, a first plurality of playing card indicia which are
displayed to a player are selected from a collection which
does not include a wild card. In this manner, the game can be
S controlled so that the first plurality of card indicia
displayed to a player never contains a wild card. The cards
remaining after making the first display can then be
reshuffled along with one or more wild cards to form a second
collection of cards from which additional cards are selected.
The first plurality of playing card indicia may comprise a
number of cards sufficient to form a complete hand or some
lower number of cards. For example, the first three cards
displayed to a player in a five-card poker hand may be
selected from the first collection which does not include any
1S wild cards while all remaining cards may be selected from
collections to which at least one wild card indicia has been
added. Similarly, wild card indicia may be placed in a first
collection of cards from which the player's first card indicia
are selected and then wild card indicia not displayed to one
2~ or more players as of a certain point in a hand may be removed
so that no further wild cards are displayed. For example, in
a five-card draw poker game, each player°s first five cards
may be selected from a first collection comprising one or more
wild cards while draw cards may be selected from a second
~5 collection from which wild cards have been removed.
8



2180693
From the present description, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that the odds of a player attaining a
successful hand may be modified by modifying certain
parameters of a game including the number of wild cards used,
the number of indicia displayed from collections comprising
one or more wild indicia, and the timing of when indicia are
selected from collections comprising wild indicia. These and
other parameters may be modified without departing from the
scope of the present invention.
Further limitations can be placed upon one or more
of the games of the present invention by limiting the number
of plays for which a player may reserve a wild indicia. For
example, in a game of bingo, a player may be provided with the
opportunity of reserving a wild indicia for ten bingo games.
In such instances, if the player does not use the reserved
wild indicia within ten games after the wild indicia was
displayed, the wild indicia would be forfeited. Similarly, in
a card game, a player may be limited to utilizing a wild
indicia in a certain number of hands following receipt of that
wild indicia. By so limiting the use of a wild indicia, a
player's chances of achieving a very high payout can be
controlled. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate
that the chances of displaying a wild indicia to a player can
be controlled by controlling the total number of playing
indicia in the collection from which cards are selected, by
9
r



X180693
controlling the number of wild indicia added to the
collection, as well as by keeping the wild indicia out of the
collection until a predetermined number of indicia have been
displayed.
FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the present '
invention in the form of a gaming device 10 having a pressure-
sensitive touch screen 20, a coin slot 60, a bill validator
70, a credit card receiver/terminal 75, flashing light 80,
payout schedule 85, coin chute 90 and coin trough 95. This
embodiment of the present invention can be activated by a
player inserting an item of monetary value including coins,
paper currency, tokens, or some form of credit indicator, such
as a credit card. Suitable instructions are provided in
instruction window 22 to guide a player through the initial
steps necessary to start the game, as well as through
subsequent steps. If a player has inserted more than the
amount of the minimum wager, the player will be required to
designate the amount of his wager by touching the
corresponding wager area 24 under the designation "SELECT
WAGER". The amount wagered will then be displayed in wager
window 26. If the player had inserted an amount greater than
the amount wagered, the player' s remaining credits will appear
in credit window 28. Wagers for subsequent hands can then be
automatically drawn from the player's credits in a manner
which is now well known in the art.




2180693
After a player has selected an amount for an initial
wager, a plurality of indicia of playing cards 30 are
displayed on the screen. Following instructions and prompts
provided in instruction window 22, the player may opt to hold
a one or more of the cards by simply touching the image of the
card on screen 20. An actuator may also be provided for this
and other player input on a button panel. If the player
receives a wild card, the player may also opt to reserve the
wild card for use in a subsequent hand by touching the
"RESERVE WILD CARD" area 32. When a player reserves a wild
card, the player is preferably provided with an image of the
wild card in reserve area 34. In this and other embodiments
of the present invention, a player may or may not be permitted
to utilize a wild indicia in the same hand or game in which
the player designated that the wild indicia be reserved. Such
rules are preferably set by the house or other rulemaker prior
to play. Furthermore, as stated above, a player may receive
a wild indicia either in an initial display or in a subsequent
display, such as cards drawn after a discard.
If the player has discarded any cards and/or
reserved a wild card, replacement cards are provided to the
player's hand and displayed in display area 30. If the
resulting display comprises one of a predetermined plurality
of WlIlIllng card hands, the player is provided with a winning
payout. Particularly high winning payouts may be accompanied
11




2180693
by discernable signals such as a flashing light 80 and audible
sirens from a speaker (not shown) . The amount that the player
has won is then preferably added to the amount shown in the
"CREDITS" window 28.
As an example, the hand shown in card display area '
30 of FIG. 2 indicates a hand in which a player would want to
utilize a wild card previously held in RESERVE area 34. Those
familiar with poker will appreciate that by replacing the 3 of
diamonds with the wild card, the player will have attained a
Royal Flush and, typically, a large payout.
Since the present invention can be played with a
wide variety of games, the winning payouts for a winning hand
can vary widely. As an example, with the five-card draw poker
game described above, the payout schedule could be as follows
SAMPLE TABLE PAYO~T SCHBDULE


Royal Flush 800 for
1


Straight Flush 50 for
1


Four Of A Rind 25 for
1


Full House 8 for
1


Flush 5 for
1


Straight 4 for
1


Three Of A Kind 3 for
1


12



2180693
Two Pair 2 for 1
Pair of Jacks or better 1 for 1
An alternative embodiment of the present invention
is illustrated in FIG. 3 in the form of a gaming device. This
embodiment of the present invention differs from the '
embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 in that decisions are
input to the machine by the player depressing one or more
buttons on a button panel 125. Button panel 125 comprises a
"DEAL/DRAW" button 126, "BET ONE" button 128, a "BET MAX"
button 127, a plurality of "HOLD" buttons 132, a "RESERVE WILD
CARD" button 133, a "CASH/CREDIT" button 136, a change button
137 and a "COLLECT WINNINGS" button 138. According to this
embodiment of the present invention, after a player has input
monetary value into coin slot 160 or bill validator 170, he
can select the amount that he wants to wager on the present
hand by depressing "BET ONE" button 128 the number of times
needed to properly show his wager in the wager window on
screen 120 or BET MAX button 127. The remaining portion of
the player's credits will be indicated in credit window 129.
The player then depresses "DEAL/DRAW" button 126 in order to
receive a first plurality of cards. The player may then
select Which cards to hold by depressing corresponding "HOLD"
buttons 132 which are most preferably aligned with the indicia
of playing cards 130 appearing on screen 120. If the player
has received a wild card that he wishes to reserve for use in
13



X180693
a subsequent hand, the player then depresses "RESERVE" button
133 which will move the wild card up into wild card reserve
area 134 on screen 120.
When the player has made his selection regarding
which cards to hold and/or reserve, he must then again press '
"DEAL/DRAW" button 126 in order to receive replacement cards.
According to this illustrated embodiment, after the player has
received any necessary replacement cards the gaming device 100
automatically evaluates whether the player has received a
winning hand and, if he has, provides a winning payout
according to payout schedule 185 and increases the player's
credits shown in credit window 129 accordingly. When a player
has finished playing and wishes to withdraw any credits shown
in credit window 129, the player can simply depress "COLLECT
WINNINGS" button 138 in order to receive his money and/or
credits. As illustrated, button panel 125 is also provided
with "CHANGE" button 137 which will alert a casino attendant
that a player requires change.
Another embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 4 wherein a gaming table 200 is provided
with a playing surface 210, chip rack 220, card shoe 230 and
discard tray 240. A plurality of player stations are located
around the playing surface. According to this embodiment of
the present invention, each playing area comprises a wager
14




X180693
area 250, a card area 260 and a wild card reserve area 270.
According to this embodiment of the present invention, when a
player wishes to reserve a wild card for subsequent use, the
reserved wild card is placed in a "wild card reserve area"
270.
While the present embodiments have been described as
providing a player with an option of reserving a wild card
when that player receives such a wild card during the initial
deal, the various embodiments of the present invention can
also provide a player with the option of reserving a wild card
for use in a subsequent hand even if that player receives one
or more wild cards as replacement cards for those which he had
originally discarded or reserved. Furthermore, a player may
be provided with the option of retrieving a wild indicia from
a wild indicia reserve area for use in the same game that the
wild indicia was received, either between or after the player
has received or seen additional playing indicia.
As a further enhancement to the excitement provided
by the games of the present invention, it is also within the
scope of the present invention to provide a higher or lower
payout when the player uses a wild indicia.
The present invention is readily adapted for use
with a wide variety of wagering games of chance or skill




X180693
including blackjack, other forms of poker, keno, bingo, lotto,
as well as with video slots and/or a reel slot. For example,
other card games such as blackjack may be similarly played
wherein one or more wild card indicia are displayed to players
either in a physical form, such as in a table version, or as
an image on a screen in a video version. '
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
present invention can be modified for use in other games with
or without additional restrictions. For example, in a bingo
game, a wild indicia received during one game may be utilized
in subsequent games to cover whatever spot that a player
chooses. In a lotto game, a player might utilize a wild
indicia for use as any number in a subsequent play. Still
further embodiments may comprise placing a wild indicia on one
or more faces of a die for use in a dice game. Therefore, it
is within the scope of the present invention to utilize the
traveling wild indicia of the present invention in games of
craps . In a keno game, a keno game could be limited to permit
a player to use a reserved wild indicia in subsequent plays
only if the player was using an identical wager in an
identically played game. The use of the wild indicia may be
restricted to a predetermined number of hands following the
receipt of the wild indicia by the player. These and other
restrictions may or may not be imposed on other wagering games
of chance or skill.
16




X180693
According to further embodiments of the present
invention, a wild indicia may have limitations. For example,
the wild indicia may be completely wild in that it can be used
as a substitute to any indicia in the game. Alternatively,
the wild indicia may be restricted so that it can only be
played as certain other symbols. '
Furthermore, according to a further embodiment of
the present invention, the mere receipt of a wild indicia can
provide a player with one or more winning advantages. For
example, a wild indicia may act as a multiplier in order to
modify the payout schedule. Alternatively, the receipt of a
wild indicia may provide or qualify the player for a super
jackpot. Still furthermore, a player may be provided with an
opportunity to increase the amount of a payout by some
percentage e.g. 25% or even by a multiplier of two or three.
Still furthermore, the wild indicia could also provide
opportunities for a player to qualify for other opportunities .
For example, in a card game if a wild card was utilized to
form a royal flush, that winning player could be entered into
a super-jackpot prize drawing. Those skilled in the art will
appreciate that these embodiments may be achieved without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
17

Representative Drawing