Gaming device having improved award offer bonus scheme Number:6,793,579 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent The present invention is a gaming device having an improved award offer bonus scheme wherein the player may improve their award during the bonus round. The bonus game enables the player to select an award offer from a plurality of award offers. The gaming device enables the player to modify the selected award offer, creating a subsequent or modified award, with the idea of increasing the award offer to receive a greater or higher award during a bonus game.<H improved, scheme, Gaming, device, h, 6793579.html, Patent, pto, 6793579

Title: Gaming device having improved award offer bonus scheme

Abstract: The present invention is a gaming device having an improved award offer bonus scheme wherein the player may improve their award during the bonus round. The bonus game enables the player to select an award offer from a plurality of award offers. The gaming device enables the player to modify the selected award offer, creating a subsequent or modified award, with the idea of increasing the award offer to receive a greater or higher award during a bonus game.

Patent Number: 6,793,579 Issued on 09/21/2004 to Baerlocher, et al.

Inventors: Baerlocher; Anthony J. (Reno, NV), Kaminkow; Joseph E. (Reno, NV), Palmer; Gregg J. (Reno, NV)
Assignee: IGT (Reno, NV)

Appl. No.: 10/318,752

Filed: December 12, 2002

Related U.S. Patent Documents


Application Number	Filing Date	Patent Number	Issue Date
682368	Aug., 2001	6506118

Current U.S. Class: 463/25 ; 463/16; 463/20

Current International Class: G07F 17/32 (20060101)

Field of Search: 463/25-28,20,16-22,12,13 273/142R,138.1,138.4,143R

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Primary Examiner: O'Neill; Michael
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Bell Boyd & Lloyd

Parent Case Text

PRIORITY CLAIMS

This application is a continuation application of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/682,368, filed Aug. 24, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,506,118.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A gaming device comprising: an initial offer; a plurality of rankings adapted to be obtained by a player; an offer modifier associated with each ranking; a plurality of subsequent offers which are based on the initial offer and at least one of the offer modifiers associated with said rankings; a display device for displaying said initial offer, rankings, offer modifiers and subsequent offers to the player; and a processor operable with the display device to: make the initial offer to the player, enable the player to obtain at least one of the rankings, make at least one of the subsequent offers to the player which is based on said initial offer and the offer modifier associated with said player obtained ranking and enable the player to accept at least one of said offers or obtain at least one ranking to obtain at least one subsequent offer.

2. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the subsequent offers is based on the initial offer and the offer modifier associated with at least one obtained ranking.

3. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the subsequent offers is based on the initial offer and the offer modifier associated with each obtained ranking.

4. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein each subsequent offer is based on the initial offer and the offer modifier associated with at least one obtained ranking.

5. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein each subsequent offer is based on the initial offer and the offer modifier associated with each obtained ranking.

6. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein each ranking is associated with a different offer modifier.

7. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the offer modifiers include positive, negative and zero values.

8. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes at least one set of a plurality of player selectable selections, wherein a plurality of the rankings are associated with said selections, and each obtained ranking is based on one of the player picked selections.

9. The gaming device of claim 8, which includes a plurality of sets of different player selectable selections, wherein each set is associated with a different plurality of rankings.

10. The gaming device of claim 9, wherein each obtained ranking is based on one of the player picked selections picked from different sets of selections.

11. The gaming device of claim 9, wherein the set from which the player picks is based on a previous obtained ranking.

12. The gaming device of claim 9, wherein one of said sets includes more selections than at least one other set.

13. The gaming device of claim 9, wherein an average value for the rankings associated with the selections in one set is different than the average value for the rankings associated with the selections in another set.

14. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of rankings are divided into at least two ranges, wherein the offer modifiers associated with the rankings in each range are selected from the group consisting of: positive values, negative values, and positive and negative values.

15. The gaming device of claim 14, wherein the offer modifiers associated with the rankings in a first range include positive values and the offer modifiers associated with rankings in a second range include positive and negative values.

16. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the offer modifiers are selected from the group consisting of: (a) positive values; (b) positive and zero values; (c) positive and negative values and (d) positive, zero and negative values.

17. A gaming device comprising: an initial offer; a plurality of rankings adapted to be obtained by a player; an offer modifier associated with each ranking; a plurality of subsequent offers, which are based on said initial offer and at least one offer modifier associated with at least one ranking; a display device for displaying said initial offer, rankings, offer modifiers and subsequent offers to the player; means for providing at least one of said rankings to the player; means for providing at least one of the subsequent offers to the player wherein said provided subsequent offer is based on said initial offer and the offer modifier associated with at least one provided ranking; and means for enabling the player to accept or reject at least one offer, if said provided offer is not a final offer.

18. The gaming device of claim 17, wherein the means for providing at least one of said rankings includes the plurality of rankings associated with a plurality of player selectable selections, wherein the player selects one of the player selectable selections and is provided at least one ranking associated with each player selected selection.

19. A gaming device comprising: an initial offer; a plurality of rankings adapted to be obtained by a player; an offer modifier associated with each ranking, wherein at least one of the offer modifiers includes a value component and a positive or negative component; a plurality of subsequent offers which are based on the initial offer and at least one of the offer modifiers associated with said rankings; a display device for displaying said initial offer, rankings, offer modifiers and subsequent offers to the player; an offer acceptor associated with at least one of the initial or subsequent offers for enabling the player to accept said offer made to the player; and a processor operable with the display device and the offer acceptor to: make the initial offer to the player, enable the player to obtain at least one ranking, make at least one of the subsequent offers to the player, and enable the player to accept at least one of said offers.

20. The gaming device of claim 19, wherein the processor independently determines the value component and the positive or negative component of said modifier.

21. A gaming device comprising a plurality offers; a plurality of rankings adapted to be obtained by a player, wherein an offer modifier is associated with each ranking; a display device for displaying said offers, rankings and offer modifiers to the player; and a processor in communication with said display device, said processor operable to make one of said offers to the player as an initial offer, to enable the player to obtain at least one of said rankings, to make at least one of said offers to the player as a subsequent offer wherein said subsequent offer is based on said initial offer and the offer modifier associated with at least one of said obtained rankings and to enable the player to accept or reject at least one offer or obtain at least one of said rankings to obtain at least one subsequent offer.

22. The gaming device of claim 21, wherein the processor is operable to reject at least one subsequent offer, if said subsequent offer is less than a previous offer.

23. The gaming device of claim 21, wherein the processor is operable to enable the player to accept or reject at least one subsequent offer, if the player has previously rejected at least one subsequent offer.

24. A gaming device comprising: an initial offer; a plurality of rankings adapted to be obtained by a player; an offer modifier associated with at least one ranking; at least one subsequent offer which is based on the initial offer and the offer modifier associated with at least one ranking; a display device for displaying said initial offer, rankings, offer modifier and subsequent offers to the player; an offer acceptor for enabling the player to accept one of said offers; and a processor operable with the display device and the offer acceptor to: display the initial offer to the player, enable the player to obtain at least one of the rankings, make at least one of the subsequent offers to the player which is based on said initial offer and the offer modifier associated with said player obtained ranking and enable the player to accept at least one of said offers or obtain at least one ranking to obtain at least one subsequent offer.

25. The gaming device of claim 24, wherein the offer modifier is associated with a plurality of rankings.

26. A gaming device comprising: an initial offer; a ranking, wherein an offer modifier is associated with said ranking; a subsequent offer; a display device for displaying said initial offer, said subsequent offer, said ranking and said modifier; and a processor in communication with the display device, said processor operable to: enable the player to accept or reject the initial offer, provide the initial offer to the player if the player accepts the initial offer, enable the player to obtain said ranking to obtain said subsequent offer if the player rejects the initial offer and provide the player said subsequent offer to the player wherein said subsequent offer is based on said initial offer and the offer modifier associated with the obtained ranking.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relates to the following co-pending commonly owned patent applications: "GAMING DEVICE HAVING SEPARATELY CHANGEABLE VALUE AND MODIFIER BONUS SCHEME," Ser. No. 09/626,045, "GAMING DEVICE WITH BONUS SCHEME PROVIDING AWARDS ASSOCIATED WITH MOVEMENTS," Ser. No. 09/583,429, "GAMING DEVICE HAVING A BONUS ROUND WITH MULTIPLE RANDOM AWARD GENERATION AND MULTIPLE RETURN/RISK SCENARIOS," Ser. No. 09/678,989, "GAMING DEVICE HAVING AN AWARD EXCHANGE BONUS ROUND AND METHOD FOR REVEALING AWARD EXCHANGE POSSIBILITIES," Ser. No. 09/689,510, "GAMING DEVICE HAVING GRADUATING AWARD EXCHANGE SEQUENCE WITH A TEASE CONSOLATION SEQUENCE AND AN INITIAL QUALIFYING SEQUENCE," Ser. No. 09/680,601, "GAMING DEVICE WITH A BONUS SCHEME INVOLVING MOVEMENT ALONG PATHS WITH PATH CHANGE CONDITIONS," Ser. No. 09/686,538, "GAMING DEVICE HAVING A DESTINATION PURSUIT BONUS SCHEME WITH ADVANCED AND SETBACK CONDITIONS," Ser. No. 09/686,409, "GAMING DEVICE HAVING VALUE SELECTION BONUS," Ser. No. 09/684,605, "GAMING DEVICE HAVING RISK EVALUATION BONUS ROUND," Ser. No. 09/688,434, "GAMING DEVICE HAVING AN IMPROVED OFFER/ACCEPTANCE BONUS SCHEME," Ser. No. 09/966,884, "GAMING DEVICE HAVING IMPROVED OFFER AND ACCEPTANCE BONUS SCHEME," Ser. No. 09/680,630, "GAMING DEVICE HAVING IMPROVED AWARD OFFER BONUS SCHEME," Ser. No. 09/682,368, "GAMING DEVICE HAVING OFFER AND ACCEPTANCE GAME WITH HIDDEN OFFER," Ser. No. 10/160,688, "GAMING DEVICE HAVING OFFER ACCEPTANCE GAME WITH TERMINATION LIMIT," Ser. No. 09/822,711, "GAMING DEVICE HAVING OFFER/ACCEPTANCE ADVANCE THRESHOLD AND LIMIT BONUS SCHEME," Ser. No. 09/838,014, "GAMING DEVICE HAVING IMPROVED OFFER AND ACCEPTANCE GAME WITH MASKED OFFERS," Ser. No. 10/086,014, "GAMING DEVICE HAVING AN OFFER AND ACCEPTANCE SELECTION BONUS SCHEME WITH A TERMINATOR AND AN ANTI-TERMINATOR," Ser. No. 09/945,082, "GAMING DEVICE HAVING AN AWARD OFFER AND TERMINATION BONUS SCHEME," Ser. No. 09/682,428, "GAMING DEVICE HAVING AN OFFER AND ACCEPTANCE GAME WITH A PLAYER SELECTION FEATURE," Ser. No. 10/086,078, and "GAMING DEVICE HAVING IMPROVED OFFER AND ACCEPTANCE BONUS SCHEME," Ser. No. 10/074,273.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains or may contain material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates in general to a gaming device, and more particularly to a gaming device having an improved award offer bonus scheme.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gaming devices such as slot, poker, blackjack and keno machines having primary games and secondary or bonus games or schemes are well known. One well known bonus game provides a player with a series of different award offers consisting of credits or dollars. The player may accept or reject any individual award offer in the series, however, the player must accept the final award offer if no previous award offer is accepted. If the player accepts an award offer, the player keeps the award and the bonus game terminates. If the player rejects the award offer, the gaming device provides a new award offer for player acceptance. The bonus game continues to provide new award offers until an award offer is accepted or the award offer is the final award offer.

Several implementations of this type of bonus scheme have been employed in gaming machines of various types. While this type of gaming device has achieved significant popularity in the gaming industry, players may lose interest in the game after playing the game repeatedly. Accordingly, there is a need for new gaming devices having improved award offer bonus schemes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a gaming device having an improved award offer bonus scheme, wherein the player may improve an award offer during the bonus round. The bonus game enables the player to select an initial choice that either is the initial award offer or that the game uses to provide an initial award offer. The gaming device then enables the player to modify the initial award offer, creating a subsequent or modified award offer, which may be more or less than the initial award offer. The game repeats this process a predetermined number of times. In one embodiment, the game sequentially increases the likelihood of decreasing the player's award offer each time the player rejects an award offer.

In one embodiment, to modify the award offer, the player picks a masked selection from a plurality of masked selections. The picked selection yields a modifying value. The gaming device reveals the modifying value and determines a new award offer based on the modifying value.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the gaming device provides a plurality of offers associated with a plurality of positions. The gaming device further provides a plurality of position changes that modify the player's position and offer. Upon the initiation of the bonus round, the player obtains a position and an offer. The gaming device randomly selects a position change and the player's position and offer are modified by the selected position change. The selected position change is associated with a terminator. The gaming device enables the player to either accept the provided offer or enable the gaming device to select another position change in an attempt to modify the provided offer. The bonus round proceeds until the player accepts the provided offer or the gaming device randomly selects a position change with an associated terminator.

It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a gaming device having an improved award offer bonus scheme.

It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a gaming device wherein a subsequent award offer is based on the previous award offer.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps and processes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of alternative embodiments of the gaming device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the electronic configuration of one embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A through 3D are front elevation views of the display of one embodiment of the improved award offer bonus scheme illustrating the selection of an initial offer from a plurality of offers.

FIGS. 3E through 3J are front elevation views of the display of one embodiment of the improved award offer bonus scheme illustrating the modification of an existing offer.

FIGS. 4A through 4C are front elevation views of the display of a preferred embodiment of the improved award offer bonus scheme illustrating the selection of an initial offer.

FIGS. 4D through 4L are front elevation views of the display of one preferred embodiment of the improved award offer bonus scheme illustrating the replacement of an existing offer.

FIGS. 5A through 5F are front elevation views of the display of another embodiment of the improved award offer bonus scheme having a varying number of selectable masked choices.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the display of a further embodiment of the improved award offer bonus scheme having an additional offer display.

FIGS. 7A through 7E are front elevation views of the display of another embodiment of the improved award offer bonus scheme having offer ranges in which the offer replacement or modification changes when the offer enters a different range.

FIGS. 8A through 8G are front elevation views of the display of another embodiment of the improved award offer bonus scheme having a plurality of offers associated with a plurality of positions and a plurality of terminators associated with a plurality of position changes.

FIGS. 9A through 9D are front elevation views of the display of another embodiment of the improved award offer bonus scheme having a plurality of terminators associated with a plurality of position changes and a plurality of positions.

FIGS. 10A through 10B are front elevation views of the display of another embodiment of the improved award offer bonus scheme having offer ranges in which the number of offer replacements or modifications changes when the offer enters a different range.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Gaming Device and Electronics

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1A and 1B, gaming device 10a and gaming device 10b illustrate two possible cabinet styles and display arrangements and are collectively referred to herein as gaming device 10. The present invention includes the game (described below) being a stand alone game or a bonus or secondary game that coordinates with a base game. When the game of the present invention is a bonus game, gaming device 10 in one base game is a slot machine having the controls, displays and features of a conventional slot machine, wherein the player operates the gaming device while standing or sitting. Gaming device 10 also includes being a pub-style or table-top game (not shown), which a player operates while sitting.

The base games of the gaming device 10 include slot, poker, blackjack or keno, among others. The gaming device 10 also embodies any bonus triggering events, bonus games as well as any progressive game coordinating with these base games. The symbols and indicia used for any of the base, bonus and progressive games include mechanical, electrical or video symbols and indicia.

In a stand alone or a bonus embodiment, the gaming device 10 includes monetary input devices. FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a coin slot 12 for coins or tokens and/or a payment acceptor 14 for cash money. The payment acceptor 14 also includes other devices for accepting payment, such as readers or validators for credit cards, debit cards or smart cards, tickets, notes, etc. When a player inserts money in gaming device 10, a number of credits corresponding to the amount deposited is shown in a credit display 16. After depositing the appropriate amount of money, a player can begin the game by pulling arm 18 or pushing play button 20. Play button 20 can be any play activator used by the player which starts any game or sequence of events in the gaming device.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, gaming device 10 also includes a bet display 22 and a bet one button 24. The player places a bet by pushing the bet one button 24. The player can increase the bet by one credit each time the player pushes the bet one button 24. When the player pushes the bet one button 24, the number of credits shown in the credit display 16 decreases by one, and the number of credits shown in the bet display 22 increases by one. At any time during the game, a player may "cash out" by pushing a cash out button 26 to receive coins or tokens in the coin payout tray 28 or other forms of payment, such as an amount printed on a ticket or credited to a credit card, debit card or smart card. Well known ticket printing and card reading machines (not illustrated) are commercially available.

Gaming device 10 also includes one or more display devices. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1A includes a central display device 30, and the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 1B includes a central display device 30 as well as an upper display device 32. The display devices display any visual representation or exhibition, including but not limited to movement of physical objects such as mechanical reels and wheels, dynamic lighting and video images. The display device includes any viewing surface such as glass, a video monitor or screen, a liquid crystal display or any other static or dynamic display mechanism. In a video poker, blackjack or other card gaming machine embodiment, the display device includes displaying one or more cards. In a keno embodiment, the display device includes displaying numbers.

The slot machine base game of gaming device 10 preferably displays a plurality of reels 34, preferably three to five reels 34, in mechanical or video form on one or more of the display devices. Each reel 34 displays a plurality of indicia such as bells, hearts, fruits, numbers, letters, bars or other images which preferably correspond to a theme associated with the gaming device 10. If the reels 34 are in video form, the display device displaying the video reels 34 is preferably a video monitor. Each base game, especially in the slot machine base game of the gaming device 10, includes speakers 36 for making sounds or playing music.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a general electronic configuration of the gaming device 10 for the stand alone and bonus embodiments described above preferably includes: a processor 38; a memory device 40 for storing program code or other data; a central display device 30; an upper display device 32; a sound card 42; a plurality of speakers 36; and one or more input devices 44. The processor 38 is preferably a microprocessor or microcontroller-based platform which is capable of displaying images, symbols and other indicia such as images of people, characters, places, things and faces of cards. The memory device 40 includes random access memory (RAM) 46 for storing event data or other data generated or used during a particular game. The memory device 40 also includes read only memory (ROM) 48 for storing program code, which controls the gaming device 10 so that it plays a particular game in accordance with applicable game rules and pay tables.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the player preferably uses the input devices 44 to input signals into gaming device 10. In the slot machine base game, the input devices 44 include the pull arm 18, play button 20, the bet one button 24 and the cash out button 26. A touch screen 50 and touch screen controller 52 are connected to a video controller 54 and processor 38. The terms "computer" or "controller" are used herein to refer collectively to the processor 38, the memory device 40, the sound card 42, the touch screen controller and the video controller 54.

In certain instances, it is preferable to use a touch screen 50 and an associated touch screen controller 52 instead of a conventional video monitor display device. The touch screen enables a player to input decisions into the gaming device 10 by sending a discrete signal based on the area of the touch screen 50 that the player touches or presses. As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the processor 38 connects to the coin slot 12 or payment acceptor 14, whereby the processor 38 requires a player to deposit a certain amount of money in to start the game.

It should be appreciated that although a processor 38 and memory device 40 are preferable implementations of the present invention, the present invention also includes being implemented via one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC's), one or more hard-wired devices, or one or more mechanical devices (collectively referred to herein as a "processor"). Furthermore, although the processor 38 and memory device 40 preferably reside in each gaming device 10 unit, the present invention includes providing some or all of their functions at a central location such as a network server for communication to a playing station such as over a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet connection, microwave link, and the like.

With reference to the slot machine base game of FIGS. 1A and 1B, to operate the gaming device 10, the player inserts the appropriate amount of tokens or money in the coin slot 12 or the payment acceptor 14 and then pulls the arm 18 or pushes the play button 20. The reels 34 then begin to spin. Eventually, the reels 34 come to a stop. As long as the player has credits remaining, the player can spin the reels 34 again. Depending upon where the reels 34 stop, the player may or may not win additional credits.

In addition to winning base game credits, the gaming device 10, including any of the base games disclosed above, also includes bonus games that give players the opportunity to win credits. The gaming device 10 preferably employs a video-based display device 30 or 32 for the bonus games. The bonus games include a program that automatically begins when the player achieves a qualifying condition in the base game.

In the slot machine embodiment, the qualifying condition includes a particular symbol or symbol combination generated on a display device. As illustrated in the five reel slot game shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the qualifying condition includes the number seven appearing on three adjacent reels 34 along a payline 56. It should be appreciated that the present invention includes one or more paylines, such as payline 56, wherein the paylines can be horizontal, diagonal or any combination thereof.

Offer Modification

Referring now to FIGS. 3A through 3J, one embodiment of the improved award offer bonus scheme of the present invention includes modifying such as by increasing or decreasing an existing offer by mathematically altering it, as discussed in more detail below. The gaming device includes a screen or display 100 which preferably includes a touch screen. The display and particularly the touch screen enables the player to select an award offer from a plurality of award offers. A plurality of masked selections 102, 104 and 106 are illustrated in FIGS. 3A through 3D. It should be appreciated that while three selections are illustrated, two or more selections are contemplated. Appropriate messages such as "MAKE A SELECTION" or "SELECT AN AWARD OFFER" are preferably provided to the player visually, or through suitable audio or audiovisual displays in conjunction with the plurality of selections.

The player picks one of the masked initial award offers or selections 102, 104 or 106, and the game provides or generates an initial award offer 108, 110 or 112, respectively. The gaming device also preferably reveals each of the available initial award offers 108, 110 and 112 associated with selections 102, 104 and 106, respectively, as illustrated in FIG. 3D, so that the player knows whether the player has made a good or bad selection. In one example, the player chooses the selection 104, and the game reveals the initial award offer 110 having a value of 50 credits as illustrated in FIGS. 3B and 3C. The gaming device preferably includes an award offer display 113, which displays the initial award offer 114 as illustrated in FIGS. 3C and 3D.

In one embodiment, the gaming device selects and distributes the plurality of masked initial award offers from a larger pool (not illustrated) of initial award offers available during the bonus game. The pool of initial award offers may, for example, include nine possible initial award offers ranging from +10 to +100 credits, although any size pool is contemplated by the present invention. The pool may alternatively include negative initial award offers. The gaming device preferably randomly selects the plurality of initial award offers from the pool of initial award offers (not illustrated) each time the bonus game is initiated. It is also contemplated that the gaming device may assign a weight factor or probability to each initial award offer in the pool such that award offers having higher weight factors or probabilities have a greater chance of being selected. This weight factor or probability may be consistent throughout the entire bonus game or change from play to play during the bonus game.

The bonus game as described above reveals or unmasks the remaining initial award offers 108 and 112 as illustrated in FIG. 3D. If the player would have chosen the selection 102, the player would have obtained the initial award offer 108 worth 100 credits, and if the player would have chosen the selection 106, the player would have obtained the initial award offer 112 worth 75 credits.

After establishing the initial award offer, the gaming device enables the player to modify the initial award offer and form a subsequent or new award offer. The subsequent or new award offer is based on or dependent on the initial award offer. It should be appreciated that the subsequent or new award offer may be of lesser, greater or equal value than the selected award offer, adding an element of risk to the bonus game. It should be appreciated that the initial award offer is preferably positive as discussed above.

Referring now to FIGS. 3E through 3J, after establishing an initial award offer, the gaming device provides the player with a second display 116. The second display 116 includes the initially selected award offer 114 in the award offer display 113, a value display 118 and a plurality of masked selections 120, 122 and 124. It should be appreciated that the number of masked selections may vary in accordance with the present invention.

The value display 118 includes a plurality of positions or points 126 or a ranking of positions or points and a plurality of associated offer modifiers 128