CPC G07F 17/3293 (2013.01) [G07F 17/3211 (2013.01); G07F 17/3258 (2013.01); G07F 17/3262 (2013.01); G07F 17/3267 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
18. A gaming device comprising:
a game display including a video screen having a poker game play grid showing at least a first poker hand, a second poker hand, and a third poker hand, where each of the first poker hand, the second poker hand, and the third poker hand include a respective plurality of card positions;
a player interface including at least one button, the button configured to generate a signal in response to being activated;
a memory configured to store a virtual deck of cards and a credit amount;
a wager input device structured to receive physical items associated with currency values; and
a processor operable to:
receive a signal indicating receipt of a physical item associated with a currency value;
increase the credit amount stored in the memory based on the currency value associated with the received physical item;
receive a primary game initiation signal including a wager amount, the wager amount deducted from the credit amount stored in the memory;
randomly deal cards from the virtual deck of cards to the first poker hand on the poker game play grid of the display;
receive signals indicating cards to be held from the dealt cards in the first poker hand;
copy any cards held in the first poker hand to associated card positions in the second poker hand and the third poker hand;
randomly provide replacement cards from the virtual deck of cards to replace any cards that were not held in the first poker hand;
randomly draw cards to complete any empty card spots in the second poker hand and the third poker hand;
determine a number of card positions associated with the first poker hand, the second poker hand, and the third poker hand are associated with bonus sub-symbols;
when the determined number of bonus-sub symbols associated with the card positions is greater than a predefined threshold, initiate a bonus feature that includes:
(a) initialize a bonus spin meter with a predetermined starting number of bonus spins, the bonus spin meter being displayed on the gaming display and showing a number of currently remaining bonus spins;
(b) lock the bonus sub-symbols in their respective card positions;
(c) randomly determine whether each of the remaining card positions is to be associated with a bonus sub-symbol;
(d) decrement the number of currently remaining bonus spins shown on the bonus spin meter; and
(e) repeat processes (b), (c), and (d) until the number of currently remaining bonus spins is zero;
evaluate the first poker hand, the second poker hand, and the third poker hand for poker awards;
when the bonus feature was triggered, determine a final bonus award from the bonus sub-symbols; and
increase the credit amount stored in the memory by any poker awards and the bonus award.
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