Flexible determination of progressive awards

摘要

The present invention provides methods and devices for implementing progressive systems on networked gaming machines. Some implementations 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 implementations control the actual progressive pool size by applying a function to control percentages of the progressive pool size payable to players. 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 to be payable to players when the current progressive pool amount is greater than a target progressive pool size and relatively lower percentages 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 progressive server comprising:
a network interface; and at least one logic device configured to execute a plurality of instructions to operate with the network interface to:
(a) at a first point in time, apportion a higher percentage of any contributions to a maintained reserve progressive pool when a current amount of the reserve progressive pool at the first point in time is below a threshold amount, wherein the higher percentage is a variable percentage that is based, at least in part, on a current amount of a maintained main progressive pool at the first point in time;(b) at a second point in time, apportion a lower percentage of any contributions to the reserve progressive pool when a current amount of the reserve progressive pool amount at the second point in time at least attains the threshold amount; and(c) if a progressive award triggering event occurs, causing at least one gaming device to cause at least part of the amount of the main progressive pool to be provided as a progressive award.