FLEXIBLE DETERMINATION OF PROGRESSIVE AWARDS

摘要

The present invention provides novel method and devices for implementing progressive systems on networked gaming machines and associated network devices. Some preferred implementations of the invention allow a target progressive pool size to be selected and apply payouts such that the actual progressive pool size is not likely to exceed greatly the target progressive pool size. Some such implementations control the actual progressive pool size by applying a function to control percentages of the current progressive pool size payable to players of a wagering game on the networked gaming machines. The function may be a function of a current progressive pool size, target progressive pool size and bet size. The function may cause relatively higher percentages of the current progressive pool size to be payable to players when the current progressive pool amount is greater than a target progressive pool size and relatively lower percentages of the current progressive pool size to be payable to players when the current progressive pool size is less than or equal to a target progressive pool size.

主权项

1. A gaming system comprising:
at least one processor; at least one input device; at least one display device; 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) maintain a progressive award amount,(b) select a target progressive award amount,(c) when a progressive award contribution event occurs, increment the maintained progressive award amount,(d) if a progressive award triggering event occurs:
(i) determine a payout of the incremented progressive award amount, said determination being based, at least in part, on the incremented progressive award amount and the selected target progressive award amount, and(ii) display the determined payout of the incremented progressive award amount.