Gaming system and method providing variable payback percentages

摘要

A gaming system and method is disclosed which provides variable payback or hold amounts for a primary or base game, a secondary or bonus game, or both. The gaming system includes a central controller that changes at least one aspect of the game to provide a variable payback or hold for a gaming device in the gaming system. The gaming system includes a plurality of different paytables or award sequences each having a different average expected payback. The gaming system selects one of the paytables or award sequences for the game based on a player ranking assigned to each player. The player ranking is associated with a player tracking status obtained through a suitable player tracking system. The selection of one of the paytables or award sequences and its associated average expected payback is based on the player ranking (i.e., the player tracking status) of the player.

主权项

1. A gaming system comprising:
at least one display device configured to display a primary game which is playable with one of:
(i) a first paytable having a first average expected return and including one or more first winning outcomes each associated with one of one or more first monetary awards; and(ii) a second paytable having a second average expected return and including one or more second winning outcomes each associated with one of one or more second monetary awards, the second paytable being different from the first paytable and the second average expected return being different from the first average expected return; at least one input 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) receive a wager amount placed by a player for at least one play of the primary game;(b) cause a determination of a rank of the player, the rank of the player determined regardless of ranks of any other players;(c) if the determined rank of the player is less than a first rank, select the first paytable for the at least one play of the primary game for the player;(d) if the determined rank of the player is at least equal to the first rank, select the second paytable for the at least one play of the primary game for the player;(e) for each of the at least one play of the primary game:
(i) display said play of the primary game employing the selected paytable;(ii) display an outcome for said play of the primary game; and(iii) if said displayed outcome is one of the one or more winning outcomes of the employed paytable, in accordance with the employed paytable, display the monetary award associated with said displayed winning outcome, said displayed monetary award being in addition to player tracking points, if any, provided to the player based on the wager amount; and(f) if a bonus triggering event occurs:
(i) if the determined rank of the player is less than the first rank, display a play of a first bonus game, determine any first bonus awards associated with said play of the first bonus game, and display any determined first bonus awards; and(ii) if the determined rank of the player is at least equal to the first rank, display a play of a second bonus game, determine any second bonus awards associated with said play of the second bonus game, and display any determined second bonus awards, wherein the second bonus game includes at least one feature not included in the first bonus game.