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AU2003200655C1 - Gaming Device Having Varying Risk Player Selections - Google Patents
Gaming Device Having Varying Risk Player Selections Download PDF
AU2003200655C1
AU2003200655C1 AU2003200655A AU2003200655A AU2003200655C1 AU 2003200655 C1 AU2003200655 C1 AU 2003200655C1 AU 2003200655 A AU2003200655 A AU 2003200655A AU 2003200655 A AU2003200655 A AU 2003200655A AU 2003200655 C1 AU2003200655 C1 AU 2003200655C1
AU2003200655A
AU2003200655B2 (en
AU2003200655A1 (en
Anthony J. Baerlocher
Gregg J. Palmer
Lance R. Peterson
Bayard S. Webb
IGT Inc
2002-03-12 Priority to US10/097,692 priority
2003-02-25 Application filed by IGT Inc filed Critical IGT Inc
2003-10-02 Publication of AU2003200655A1 publication Critical patent/AU2003200655A1/en
2008-09-25 Publication of AU2003200655B2 publication Critical patent/AU2003200655B2/en
2011-03-10 Publication of AU2003200655C1 publication Critical patent/AU2003200655C1/en
G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports or amusements, e.g. casino games, online gambling or betting
G07F17/3244—Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
G07F17/326—Game play aspects of gaming systems
G07F17/3262—Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
G07F17/34—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports or amusements, e.g. casino games, online gambling or betting depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines
GAMING DEVICE HAVING VARYING RISK PLAYER SELECTIONS DESCRIPTION The present invention relates in general to a gaming device, and more 5 particularly to a gaming device with player selectable items that provide a return based on the probability of varying outcomes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Gaming devices currently exist with games having the single goal or 10 objective of achieving the highest award possible. For example, U.S. Patent No. 6,190,255 B1, which issued on Feb. 20, 2001, and which is assigned on its face to WMS Gaming Inc., discloses a bonus round in which a player has one or more opportunities to choose masked bonus awards from a group of masked awards displayed to the player. When the player chooses a masked 15 award from the group, the game removes the mask and either awards the player with a bonus value or terminates the bonus round with a bonus terminator. The outcome depends upon whether the player selects an award or a terminator. In this game, the controller of the gaming device randomly places a 20 predetermined number of masked awards and terminators in the group at the beginning of the bonus round and maintains the positioning until the bonus round terminates. When the player selects a masked award, the player receives the value of the award. The player then selects another masked award, and the process continues until the player selects a masked terminator. 25 The goal in this game is to not pick a terminator for as long as possible and accumulate as many credits as possible. There is no risk involved with making subsequent picks and no reason for the player to stop picking before picking a masked terminator. PCT application PCT/AU97/00121 entitled, Slot Machine Game with 30 Roaming Wild Card, having a publication date of September 4, 1997, discloses another example. In this game, a slot machine having a video display contains a plurality of rotatable reels with game symbols. When the player receives a 1 triggering symbol or combination, the game produces a bonus symbol. The bonus symbol moves from game symbol to game symbol temporarily changing the game symbol to a bonus symbol. If the change results in a winning combination, the player receives an award. This game provides no risk for advancement of the symbol. 5 Other types of games have the goal of achieving the highest award possible and also include an element of risk in the player's decision. For example, a well known offer/acceptance game provides a player with a series of offers, where each offer includes a number of credits, coins, tokens or dollars. The player may accept or reject each offer prior to the final offer. The offers are randomly determined from a series of 10 potential offers of differing values, which are displayed to the player. The player therefore knows whether the current offer is a "good" offer. If the current offer is a good offer, but not the best offer, the player must decide whether to risk the good offer for a chance of obtaining the best offer. The element of risk provided by offer/acceptance games has made them very 15 popular in the gaming industry. Moreover, varying award returns with risk increases player anticipation, excitement and enjoyment. Some players enjoy risking obtained awards for higher awards especially in bonus games where the awards are in addition to base game awards. Some players take more risks employing different strategies than they use in the normal base games. Other players enjoy playing it safe and playing for 20 the largest highly probable award. It is therefore desirable to have a gaming device with a primary or bonus game that enables the player to play for more valuable and more risky awards or to play for less valuable but more likely awards. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a gaming device 25 comprising: a first selection having a first outcome and a second different outcome; a second selection having a first outcome and a second different outcome; a probability of achieving the first outcome of said first selection being higher than a probability of achieving the first outcome of said second selection; 30 a payout associated with the first outcome of said first selection being lower than a payout associated with the first outcome of said second selection; 2 2a a probability of achieving the second outcome of said first selection being lower than a probability of achieving the second outcome of said second selection; a payout associated with the second outcome of said first selection being higher 5 than a payout associated with the second outcome of said second selection, wherein the payouts and probabilities are configured such that a total expected value for the first selection at least approximately equals a total expected value for the second selection; and a processor for: 10 (i) causing one of the selections to be selected, (ii) determining one of the outcomes for each selection, wherein for each selection said outcome is determined based on the probabilities associated with said selected selection, and (iii) providing a player one of the payouts based on the outcome of the selected 15 selection. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a gaming device having a game comprising: a plurality of different selectable selections; a plurality of different outcomes associated with each selection; 20 a probability associated with each outcome, wherein at least two of the selectable selections have at least two different probabilities associated with two different outcomes and wherein each outcome for each of at least two selections is determined based on said probabilities associated with said selection; and a payout associated with each outcome, wherein a sum of the payout multiplied by 25 the probability for each outcome forms an expected value for each selection, and wherein the expected value for each different selection is substantially the same amount. According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a gaming device comprising: a plurality of different selections including at least three different selections; 30 a plurality of different outcomes for each selection; a plurality of different outcome combinations, wherein each different outcome combination is formed from a plurality of said different selections; a probability associated with each different outcome combination; and 2b a payout associated with each outcome combination wherein at least two of the payouts associated with at least two of the outcome combinations are different and wherein the payout multiplied by the probability forms an expected value for each 5 outcome combination and wherein the expected values for each outcome combination add to substantially the same amount. According to still another aspect of the invention there is provided a gaming device comprising: a processor; 10 a display device which communicates with the processor; at least first, second and third player selectable selections displayed by the display device; an event including a first place finish, a second place finish and a third place finish associated with each selection, said event displayed by the display device; 15 a probability associated with each selection and place finish, wherein the occurrence of each place finish is based on said probabilities, and wherein the occurrence of the first selection and first place finish has a higher probability than the occurrence of the second selection and first place finish and higher than the occurrence of the third selection and first place finish; 20 a payout associated with at least two of the place finishes, wherein a payout associated with the occurrence of the first selection and first place finish has a lower payout than the occurrence of the second selection and first place finish and lower than the occurrence of the third selection and first place finish; and an expected value for each selection which is based on the probability for each 25 place finish multiplied by the associated payout and wherein a sum of the expected values associated with each selection are substantially the same amount. According to still yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a gaming device comprising: a processor; 30 a display device controlled by the processor; a first player selectable selection displayed by the display device; a second player selectable selection displayed by the display device; 2c an event including a first place finish and a second place finish associated with each selection, said event displayed by the display device; a probability associated with an occurrence of each selection and place finish, wherein the occurrence of each place finish for each selection is based on said 5 probabilities and wherein the occurrence of the first selection and first place finish has a higher probability than the occurrence of the second selection and first place finish; a payout associated with the occurrence of each selection and place finish, wherein the occurrence of the first selection and first place finish has a lower payout than the occurrence of the second selection and first place finish; and 10 an expected value of each place finish for each selection which is based on the payout multiplied by the probability of each place finish for each selection, wherein a sum of the expected values for each selection are substantially the same amount. According to even still yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a gaming device comprising: 15 a processor; a display device controlled by the processor; a first selection , a second selection and a third selection displayed by the display device; an event including, for each selection, a first place finish, a second place finish 20 and a third place finish displayed by the display device; and a probability associated with an occurrence of each place finish for each selection; a payout associated with the occurrence of each place finish for each selection; a range of payouts for the first, second and third place finishes associated with the first selection that is larger than a range of payouts for the first, second and third place 25 finishes associated with the second and third selections; and an expected value of each place finish for each selection which is based on the payout multiplied by the probability of each place finish for said selection, wherein a sum of the expected values associated with each selection are substantially the same amount. According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a gaming device 30 comprising: a processor; a display device controlled by the processor; 2d a first selection, a second selection and a third selection displayed by the display device; an event including, for each selection, a first outcome, a second outcome and a third outcome displayed by the display device; 5 a probability associated with an occurrence of each outcome for each selection; a payout associated with the occurrence of each outcome for each selection; a range of payouts for the first, second and third outcomes associated with the first selection that is larger than a range of payouts for the first, second and third place outcomes associated with the second and third selections; and 10 an expected value for each selection which is based on a sum of the payout multiplied by the probability for each outcome for said selection, wherein the expected value associated with each selection is substantially the same amount. According to a still further aspect of the invention there is provided a gaming device comprising: 15 a first selection having a first award and a second award; a second selection having a first award and a second award; a probability that the first selection achieves the first award of said first selection being higher than a probability that the second selection achieves the first award of said second selection, wherein 20 the first award of said first selection is lower than the first award of said second selection; a probability that the first selection achieves the second award of said first selection being lower than a probability that the second selection achieves the second award of said second selection, wherein said second award of said first selection is 25 higher than said second award of said second selection, wherein the awards and probabilities are configured such that a total expected value for the first selection at least approximately equals a total expected value for the second selection; and a processor for: (i) causing one of the selections to be selected, 30 (ii) determining if the first award or the second award is achieved for each selection, wherein for each selection, said determined award is based on the probabilities associated with said selected selection, and (iii) providing a player said achieved award.
2e According to a yet still further aspect of the invention there is provided a gaming device comprising: a first selection having a first outcome and a second different outcome; a second selection having a first outcome and a second different outcome; 5 a probability of achieving the first outcome of said first selection being higher than a probability of achieving the first outcome of said second selection; a payout associated with the first outcome of said first selection being lower than a payout associated with the first outcome of said second selection; a probability of achieving the second outcome of said first selection being lower 10 than a probability of achieving the second outcome of said second selection; a payout associated with the second outcome of said first selection being higher than a payout associated with the second outcome of said second selection, wherein the payouts and probabilities are configured such that a total expected value for the first selection at least approximately equals a total expected value for the second selection; 15 a consolation award; and a processor for: (i) causing one of the selections to be selected, (ii) determining one of the outcomes for said selected selection, wherein said outcome is determined based on the probabilities associated with said selected selection, 20 and (iii) providing a player one of the payouts based on the outcome of the selected selection, wherein the consolation award is provided to the player when the player achieves a lowest possible payout. According to an even yet still further aspect of the invention there is provided a 25 gaming device comprising: a first selection having a first outcome and a second different outcome, wherein said first selection is provided in a bonus game; a second selection having a first outcome and a second different outcome, wherein said second selection is provided in the bonus game; 30 a probability of achieving the first outcome of said first selection being higher than a probability of achieving the first outcome of said second selection; 2f a payout associated with the first outcome of said first selection being lower than a payout associated with the first outcome of said second selection; a probability of achieving the second outcome of said first selection being lower than a probability of achieving the second outcome of said second selection; 5 a payout associated with the second outcome of said first selection being higher than a payout associated with the second outcome of said second selection, wherein the payouts and probabilities are configured such that a total expected value for the first selection at least approximately equals a total expected value for the second selection; and 10 a processor for: (i) causing one of the selections to be selected in the bonus game, wherein which selection is selected is determined in a base game, (ii) determining one of the outcomes for said selected selection, wherein said outcome is determined based on the probabilities associated with said selected selection, 15 and (iii) providing a player one of the payouts based on the outcome of the selected selection. According to an even yet still further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising: 20 (a) causing one of a displayed first selection or a displayed second selection to be selected, wherein the first selection has a first outcome and a second different outcome and the second selection has a first outcome and a second different outcome; (b) determining one of the outcomes for each selection, wherein for each selection, said outcome is determined based on a plurality of probabilities associated with 25 said selected selection, wherein a probability of achieving the first outcome of said first selection is higher than a probability of achieving the first outcome of said second selection, and a probability of achieving the second outcome of said first selection is lower than a probability of achieving the second outcome of said second selection; and (c) displaying to a player one of a plurality of payouts based on the outcome of the 30 selected selection, wherein a payout associated with the first outcome of said first selection is lower than a payout associated with the first outcome of said second selection, a payout associated with the second outcome of said first selection is higher than a payout associated with the second outcome of said second selection, and the 2g payouts and probabilities are configured such that a total expected value for the first selection at least approximately equals a total expected value for the second selection. According to an even yet still further aspect of the invention there is provided a 5 method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising: (a) initiating a play of a game, said game including: (i) a plurality of different displayed selectable selections, (ii) a plurality of different outcomes associated with each selection, (iii) a probability associated with each outcome, wherein at least two of 10 the selectable selections have at least two different probabilities associated with two different outcomes and wherein each outcome is determined based on said probabilities associated with said selection, and (iv) a payout associated with each outcome, wherein a sum of the payout multiplied by the probability for each outcome forms an expected value for each 15 selection, and wherein the expected value for each different selection is substantially the same amount; (b) causing one of the selections to be selected in the play of the game; (c) determining one of the outcomes for at least two of the selections, wherein for said at least two of the selections, said outcome is determined based on the 20 probabilities associated with said selected selection; and (d) displaying to a player one of the payouts in the play of the game, wherein said provided payout is based on the outcome of the selected selection. (d) displaying to a player one of the payouts in the play of the game, wherein said provided payout is based on the outcome of the selected selection. 25 According to an even yet still further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising: (a) initiating a play of a game, said game including: (i) a plurality of different displayed selections including at least three different selections, 30 (ii) a plurality of different outcomes for each selection, (iii) a plurality of different outcome combinations, wherein each different outcome combination is formed from a plurality of said different selections, (iv) a probability associated with each different outcome combination, and 2h (v) a payout associated with each outcome combination wherein at least two of the payouts associated with at least two of the outcome combinations are different and wherein the payout multiplied by the probability forms an expected value for each outcome combination and wherein the expected values for each outcome combination 5 add to substantially the same amount; (b) causing one of the selections to be selected in the play of the game; (c) determining one of the outcomes for said selected selection, wherein said outcome is determined based on the probabilities associated with said selected selection; and 10 (d) displaying to a player one of the payouts in the play of the game, wherein said provided payout is based on the outcome of the selected selection. According to an even yet still further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising: (a) initiating a play of a game, said game including: 15 (i) at least first, second and third displayed player selectable selections, (ii) an event including a first place finish, a second place finish and a third place finish associated with each selection, (iii) a probability associated with each selection and place finish, 20 wherein the occurrence of each place finish is based on said probabilities, and wherein the occurrence of the first selection and first place finish has a higher probability than the occurrence of the second selection and first place finish and higher than the occurrence of the third selection and first place finish, (iv) a payout associated with at least two of the place finishes, wherein 25 a payout associated with the occurrence of the first selection and first place finish has a lower payout than the occurrence of the second selection and first place finish and lower than the occurrence of the third selection and first place finish, and (v) an expected value for each selection which is based on the probability for each place finish multiplied by the associated payout and wherein a sum of 30 the expected values associated with each selection are substantially the same amount; (b) causing one of the selections to be selected in the play of the game; 2i (c) determining one of the outcomes for at least two of said selections, wherein for each of said at least two of said selections, said outcome is determined based on the probabilities associated with said selected selection; and (d) displaying to a player one of the payouts in the play of the game, wherein 5 said provided payout is based on the outcome of the selected selection. According to an even yet still further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising: (a) initiating a play of a game, said game including: (i) a first displayed player selectable selection, 10 (ii) a second displayed player selectable selection, (iii) an event including a first place finish and a second place finish associated with each selection, (iv) a probability associated with an occurrence of each selection and place finish, wherein the occurrence of each place finish for each selection is based on 15 said probabilities and wherein the occurrence of the first selection and first place finish has a higher probability than the occurrence of the second selection and first place finish, (v) a payout associated with the occurrence of each selection and place finish, wherein the occurrence of the first selection and first place finish has a lower payout than the occurrence of the second selection and first place finish, and 20 (vi) an expected value of each place finish for each selection which is based on the payout multiplied by the probability of each place finish for each selection, wherein a sum of the expected values for each selection are substantially the same amount; (b) causing one of the selections to be selected in the play of the game; 25 (c) determining one of the place finishes for each selection, wherein for each selection, said place finish is determined based on the probabilities associated with said selected selection; and (d) displaying to a player one of the payouts in the play of the game, wherein said provided payout is based on the place finish of the selected selection. 30 According to an even yet still further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising: (a) initiating a play of a game, said game including: 2j (i) a first displayed selection, a displayed second selection and a third displayed selection, (ii) an event including, for each selection, a first place finish, a second place finish and a third place finish, 5 (iii) a probability associated with an occurrence of each place finish for each selection, (iv) a payout associated with the occurrence of each place finish for each selection, (v) a range of payouts for the first, second and third place finishes 10 associated with the first selection that is larger than a range of payouts for the first, second and third place finishes associated with the second and third selections, and (vi) an expected value of each place finish for each selection which is based on the payout multiplied by the probability of each place finish for said selection, wherein a sum of the expected values associated with each selection are substantially 15 the same amount; (b) causing one of the selections to be selected in the play of the game; (c) determining one of the place finishes for each selection, wherein for each selection, said place finish is determined based on the probabilities associated with said selected selection; and 20 (d) displaying to a player one of the payouts in the play of the game, wherein said provided payout is based on the place finish of the selected selection. According to an even yet still further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising: (a) initiating a play of a game, said game including: 25 (i) a first displayed selection, a second displayed selection and a third displayed selection, (ii) an event including, for each selection, a first outcome, a second outcome and a third outcome, (iii) a probability associated with an occurrence of each outcome for 30 each selection, (iv) a payout associated with the occurrence of each outcome for each selection, 2k (v) a range of payouts for the first, second and third outcomes associated with the first selection that is larger than a range of payouts for the first, second and third place outcomes associated with the second and third selections, and (vi) an expected value for each selection which is based on a sum of the 5 payout multiplied by the probability for each outcome for said selection, wherein the expected value associated with each selection is substantially the same amount; (b) causing one of the selections to be selected in the play of the game; (c) determining one of the outcomes for at least two of theselections, wherein for each of said at least two of said selections, said outcome is determined based on the 10 probabilities associated with said selected selection; and (d) displaying and providing to a player one of the payouts in the play of the game, wherein said provided payout is based on the outcome of the selected selection. According to an even yet still further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising: 15 (a) causing one of a displayed first selection or a displayed second selection to be selected, the first selection having a first award and a second award, the second selection having a first award and a second award, the first award of said first selection being lower than the first award of said second selection and said second award of said first selection is higher than said second award of said second selection, wherein a 20 probability that the first selection achieves the first award of said first selection is higher than a probability that the second selection achieves the first award of said second selection, a probability that the first selection achieves the second award of said first selection is lower than a probability that the second selection achieves the second award of said second selection, and the awards and probabilities are configured such that a total 25 expected value for the first selection at least approximately equals a total expected value for the second selection; (b) determining the first award or the second award for each selection, wherein for each selection, said determined award is based on the probabilities associated with said selected selection; and 30 (c) displaying to a player said achieved award for said selected selection. According to an even yet still further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising: 21 (a) causing one of a displayed first selection or a displayed second selection to be selected, wherein the first selection has a first outcome and a second different outcome, the second selection has a first outcome and a second different outcome, a probability of achieving the first outcome of said first selection is higher than a probability 5 of achieving the first outcome of said second selection and a probability of achieving the second outcome of said first selection is lower than a probability of achieving the second outcome of said second selection; (b) determining one of the outcomes for each selection, wherein for each selection said outcome is determined based on the probabilities associated with said 10 selected selection; and (c) displaying to a player a payout associated with the first outcome of said first selection or a payout associated with the second outcome of said first selection, wherein the provided payout is based on the outcome of the selected selection, the payout associated with the first outcome of said first selection is lower than a payout associated 15 with the first outcome of said second selection, the payout associated with the second outcome of said first selection is higher than a payout associated with the second outcome of said second selection, and the payouts and probabilities are configured such that a total expected value for the first selection at least approximately equals a total expected value for the second selection. 20 According to an even yet still further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising: (a) causing one of a displayed first selection or a displayed second selection to be selected in a bonus game wherein which selection is selected is determined in a base game, the first selection has a first outcome and a second different outcome, the second 25 selection has a first outcome and a second different outcome, a probability of achieving the first outcome of said first selection is higher than a probability of achieving the first outcome of said second selection and a probability of achieving the second outcome of said first selection is lower than a probability of achieving the second outcome of said second selection; 30 (b) determining one of the outcomes for said selected selection, wherein said outcome is determined based on the probabilities associated with said selected selection; and 2m (c) displaying to a player a payout associated with the first outcome of said first selection or a payout associated with the second outcome of said first selection, wherein said provided payout is based on the outcome of the selected selection, the payout associated with the first outcome of said first selection is lower than a payout associated 5 with the first outcome of said second selection and the payout associated with the second outcome of said first selection is higher than a payout associated with the second outcome of said second selection, and the payouts and probabilities are configured such that a total expected value for the first selection at least approximately equals a total expected value for the second selection. 10 According to an even yet still further aspect of the invention there is provided a gaming system comprising: at least one input device; at least one display device configured to display a game, said game at least including: (i) a first selection, wherein a probability of achieving a first ranked outcome 15 for said first selection is higher than a probability of achieving a second, lower ranked outcome for said first selection and an award associated with achieving the second ranked outcome for said first selection is greater than an award associated with achieving the first ranked outcome for said first selection, and (ii) a second selection, wherein a probability of achieving the second ranked 20 outcome for said second selection is higher than a probability of achieving the first ranked outcome for said second selection and an award associated with achieving the first ranked outcome for said second selection is higher than an award associated with achieving the second ranked outcome for said second selection, wherein the awards and probabilities are configured such that a total expected value for the first selection equals 25 or approximately equals a total expected value for the second selection; 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 input device and the at least one display device to: 30 (a) enable a player to place a wager on one of said selections achieving one of said ranked outcomes; 2n (b) generate the first ranked outcome or the second, lower ranked outcome for each selection, wherein for each selection said ranked outcome is generated based on the probabilities associated with said wagered on selection; (c) display the generated ranked outcome to the player; and 5 (d) provide the player the award associated with the wagered on selection achieving the generated ranked outcome. According to an even yet still further aspect of the invention there is provided a gaming system comprising: at least one input device; 10 at least one display device configured to display a game, said game at least including: (i) a plurality of different selections, (ii) a plurality of different outcomes for each selection, (iii) a plurality of different outcome combinations, wherein each different outcome combination is formed from a plurality of said different selections, 15 (iv) a plurality of probabilities, wherein at least one of said probabilities is associated with each outcome and at least one of said probabilities is associated with each different outcome combination, and (v) a plurality of awards, wherein at least one of said awards is associated with each outcome, at least one of said awards is associated with each outcome combination, 20 at least two of the awards associated with at least two of the outcomes are different and at least two of the awards associated with at least two of the outcome combinations are different, wherein the at least one of said awards multiplied by the at least one of said probabilities forms an expected value for each outcome combination and wherein the expected values for each outcome combination add to substantially the same amount. 25 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 input device and the at least one display device to: (a) display the selections for a play of the game; 30 (b) cause one of the selections to be selected in the play of the game; (c) for said selected selection, enable a player to place a wager on each of at least one outcome and at least one outcome combination; 2o (d) determine one of the outcomes and one of the outcome combinations for said selected selection, wherein said outcome and outcome combination are determined based on the probabilities associated with said selected selection; and (e) display one of the awards for the play of the game, wherein said provided award is 5 based on the determined outcome and the determined outcome combination for the selected selection. According to an even yet still further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating a gaming system including a plurality of instructions, said method comprising: (a) enabling a player to place a wager on a first selection achieving one of a first 10 ranked outcome or a second, lower ranked outcome or a second selection achieving one of the first ranked outcome or the second, lower ranked outcome, wherein: (i) a probability of achieving the first ranked outcome for said first selection is higher than a probability of achieving the second ranked outcome for said first selection and an award associated with achieving the second ranked outcome for said first selection is greater than 15 an award associated with achieving the first ranked outcome for said first selection, and (ii) a probability of achieving the second ranked outcome for said second selection is higher than a probability of achieving the first ranked outcome for said second selection and an award associated with achieving the first ranked outcome for said second selection is higher than an award associated with achieving the second ranked outcome for said 20 second selection and wherein the awards and probabilities are configured such that a total expected value for the first selection equals or approximately equals a total expected value for the second selection; (b) causing at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to generate the first ranked outcome or the second, lower ranked outcome for each selection, wherein for 25 each selection, said ranked outcome is generated based on the probabilities associated with said wagered on selection; (c) causing at least one display device to display the generated ranked outcome to the player; and (d) providing the player the award associated with the wagered on selection achieving 30 the generated ranked outcome. According to an even yet still further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating a gaming system including a plurality of instructions, said method comprising: (a) initiating a play of a game, said game including: (i) a plurality of different selections, 2p (ii) a plurality of different outcomes for each selection, (iii) a plurality of different outcome combinations, wherein each different outcome combination is formed from a plurality of said different selections, (iv) a plurality of probabilities, wherein at least one of said probabilities is 5 associated with each outcome and at least one of said probabilities is associated with each different outcome combination, and (v) a plurality of awards, wherein at least one of said awards is associated with each outcome, at least one of said awards is associated with each outcome combination, at least two of the awards associated with at least two of the outcomes are different and 10 at least two of the awards associated with at least two of the outcome combinations are different, wherein the at least one of said awards multiplied by the at least one of said probabilities forms an expected value for each outcome combination and wherein the expected values for each outcome combination add to substantially the same amount; (b) causing at least one display device to display the selections for the play of 15 the game; (c) causing one of the selections to be selected in the play of the game; (d) for said selected selection, enabling a player to place a wager on at least one outcome and on at least one outcome combination; (e) causing at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to 20 determine one of the outcomes and one of the outcome combinations for at least two of the selections, wherein for each of said at least two of said selections, said outcome and outcome combination are determined based on the probabilities associated with said selected selection; and (f) causing the at least one display device to display one of the awards for the 25 play of the game, wherein said provided award is based on the determined outcome and the determined outcome combination of the selected selection. The present invention provides a base game or a bonus game of a gaming device having varying risk selections or player inputs as defined in the independent claims. More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of 30 inputs have varying payout ranges. The game enables the player to select one of the inputs. One input has a large, risky payout range including a relatively large or valuable payout and a relatively small payout. One input has a smaller more conservative payout range which includes two intermediate payouts. Other inputs have ranges that fall between the risky and conservative ranges may also be included in the game of the present 5 invention. The game informs the player as to which input is "risky" and which input is "safe." Each of the payout ranges in combination with their associated probability ranges has the same overall expected value. In this manner, the game does not favor the player's choice of a risky or conservative input. The processor of the gaming device generates an outcome based on the player's 10 input and the game provides the player with a payout based on the outcome. Each input is capable of generating each of the outcomes. The associated probability ranges of the inputs dictate the likelihood that the game generates any particular outcome based on the player's selection of an input. In one embodiment, the probabilities for each input add 15 to one hundred. That is, when the player selects an input, there is a one hundred percent chance that the game generates one of the outcomes. This does not mean that each input has to be able to generate each outcome, but in one embodiment, each can. The probabilities for each outcome add up to be the same. That is, the probability of generating any particular outcome, before 20 the player's selection of an input, is the same as for any other outcome. The display device provides a number of visual, audio and audiovisual messages to the player. The display provides a message informing the player of the rules or sequence of the game, i.e., that there are certain selectable inputs, a plurality of outcomes for each input and an award associated with 25 each outcome for each input. In one embodiment, the game displays another message providing the player a hint as to the payout structure. For instance, the message may inform the player of the probability that each input has for generating a particular outcome. This message aids the player in making a decision and lets the player know whether they are making a risky or safe 30 selection. The game may be adapted to have any number of inputs greater than one and any number of outcomes greater than one. In one embodiment, the 3 game has three inputs and three outcomes. In one embodiment, the three inputs are represented by horses, the three outcomes are represented by place finishes, i.e., win, place and show, and the event is a horse race. Each horse or input has a probability of finishing first, second or third. The payouts 5 vary depending on whether the horse is a favorite, a middle favorite or a long shot. As in real horse racing, the long shot pays more to win than does the favorite. Generally, each horse pays the least where it is expected to finish. The favorite pays the least to win. The middle horse pays the least to place. The long shot pays the least to show. 10 Each horse or input has the same expected value, so that the favorite pays the most to show in order to compensate for paying the least to win, etc. In real horse racing, betting the favorite or the "chalk" is the most conservative bet. Likewise, the present invention structures the paytable such that the favorite horse has the most conservative paytable (smallest payout range) and 15 the long shot has the riskiest paytable (largest payout range), with the middle horse having a paytable with the middle range. The present invention may be adapted for any other display event having odds or other selectable items having varying risk/return scenarios. The present invention can adapt the databases so that different horses 20 or inputs have the same probability of achieving different outcomes or place finishes. Certain place finishes can yield a payout lower than the player's wager or the payout can be zero. The present invention can be implemented in a primary or secondary game of the gaming device. In a primary game, the present invention may be adapted to let the player increase the wager on a 25 certain bet or to make various, different types of bets. In a bonus embodiment, the gaming device can provide the player with a starting amount of credits, wherein the player thereafter chooses whether to wager on a particular race and how much to wager on same. The present invention enables the payer in certain embodiments to 30 choose a combination of outcomes, e.g., an "exacta" or "perfecta" as the present invention pertains to horse racing. The combination bets may be made as a single selection or as the selection of two or more inputs or horses. 4 In other embodiments, the player can select to wager on a place finish and/or on a combination outcome, just as in real horse racing. It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a gaming device that enables the player to play for more valuable and more risky awards 5 or to play for less valuable and more likely awards. It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a gaming device having an event wherein each player selection has the same expected value. It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a gaming 10 device having an event wherein each outcome has probabilities a player would expect the outcome to have. 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, 15 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. 20 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 schematic views of one embodiment of the present invention having two selectable inputs and two place finishes. Figs. 4A through 4D are schematic views of another embodiment of the 25 present invention having two selectable inputs and four place finishes. Figs. 5A through 5D are schematic views of a further embodiment of the present invention having three selectable inputs and two place finishes. Figs. 6A through 6D are schematic views of one preferred embodiment of the present invention having a horse race event with three selectable horses 30 and three place finishes, i.e., win, place or show. Fig. 7 is a schematic view of a further embodiment, wherein the database of the present invention stores a plurality of game scenarios that are 5 interchangeably used. Fig. 8 is a schematic view of yet another embodiment, wherein the player selects combinations of outcomes. 5 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 10 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 15 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 20 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 25 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 30 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 6 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 5 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 10 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 15 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 20 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. 25 The slot machine base game of gaming device 10 displays a plurality of reels 34, for example 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 correspond to a theme associated with the gaming device 10. If the reels 34 30 are in video form, the display device displaying the video reels 34 is, in one embodiment, a video monitor. Each base game, especially in the slot machine base game of the gaming device 10, includes speakers 36 for making sounds 7 or playing music. Referring now to Fig. 2, a general electronic configuration for the stand alone and bonus embodiments described above includes: a processor 38; a memory device 40 for storing program code or other data; a central display 5 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 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 10 (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. 15 As illustrated in Fig. 2, the player 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 20 "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, a touch screen 50 and an associated touch screen controller 52 are provided instead of a conventional video monitor display 25 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 30 start the game. It should be appreciated that the present invention also includes being implemented via one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC's), 8 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 reside in each gaming device 10 unit, the present invention includes providing some or all of their functions at a central 5 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 10 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. 15 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 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 20 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 16, the qualifying condition includes the number seven appearing on, e.g., three adjacent reels 25 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. An alternative scatter pay qualifying condition includes the number seven appearing on, e.g., three adjacent reels 34 but not necessarily along a payline 56, appearing on any 30 different set of reels 34 three times or appearing anywhere on the display device the necessary number of times. 9 VARYING RISK PLAYER SELECTIONS Referring now to Fig. 3A, one of the display devices 30 or 32 displays a screen 100. The screen 100 includes two inputs, namely, the Black input 102a and the White input 102b. The inputs can have any distinguishing indicia or 5 symbols. The inputs, illustrated schematically in Fig. 2 as inputs 44, are adapted to communicate with the processor 38. The present invention generally provides player selectable inputs, such as touch screen inputs 102a and 102b. However, the present invention may also be configured so that the 10 processor 38 selects one or more inputs for the player. For example, gaming device 10 in one embodiment is configured to generate the Black and White inputs (or symbols representing same) on one or more of the reels 34. If gaming device 10 generates a predetermined number of the Black or White symbols (e.g., along a wagered payline or in a scatter scenario), the player 15 enters the bonus round with the input 102a or 102b preselected by the reels 34. In a similar manner, a video poker base game in one embodiment preselects the input 102a or 102b via one or more playing cards. Further, the selection could be based on the player's wager, for example, playing above a certain number of paylines preselects the Black input for the player, while 20 playing below that number of paylines preselects the White input. In the illustrated embodiment, the Black input 102a and White input 102b are simulated areas of a touch screen 50 that are individually adapted to send a separate or discrete input to the processor 38. Alternatively, the inputs are externally mounted electromechanical pushbuttons, similar to the play 25 button 20, bet one button 24 and the cash out button 26, which are individually connected to the processor 38. The screen 100 includes an audio, visual or audiovisual message 104 that recites the rules or procedure of the gaming device 10. The message 104a informs the player that choosing or pressing the Black input 102a or the 30 White input 102b will generate an "A" outcome 106a or a "B" outcome 106b that is associated with the selected input. When the player presses an input 102a or 102b, gaming device 10 performs a preferably exciting and enjoyable 10 event in accordance with the theme of gaming device 10 (discussed below) and displays an outcome "A" or "B" for that input (discussed below). The screen 100 includes an audio, video or audiovisual message 108a that informs the player of one or more pieces of information stored as data in 5 memory that affect the outcome of the event based on the player's selection of a particular input. In one embodiment, the message 108a informs the player of the probability of generating a particular outcome 106a or 106b in association with picking a particular input 102a or 102b. As illustrated below, the message may be adapted to include more or different information. 10 Referring now to Fig. 3B, an area of the memory device 40 stores a payout table 11 Oa for the Black and White inputs 102a and 102b and the "A" and "B" outcomes 106a and 106b. Gaming device 10 awards values or payouts 112 to the player for playing same. Gaming device 10 may be adapted to award the values in a variety of ways. In one implementation, the 15 payouts 112 are game credits that gaming device 10 adds to the player's total credits indicated in the credit display 16 (Figs. 1A and 1B). The player can thereafter wager the payouts 112 or redeem them via the cash out button 26. In another implementation, the payouts 112 are game credit multipliers. The multipliers multiply a quantity of game credits or a component of the 20 player's bet to arrive at an award of game credits that are likewise added to the credit display 16. In an embodiment wherein the present invention is employed in a bonus game of a slot machine, the multipliers may be adapted to multiply the player's total bet, the bet per payline, the win on a particular - payline, the total win from all active paylines, the number of paylines wagered 25 or the player's total credits. In a further implementation, the payouts 112 are a number of picks or selections from a prize pool or a number of free games. For instance, in an embodiment wherein the present invention is employed in a bonus game of a slot machine, the payouts 112 are a number of free spins of the reels 30 (Figs. 30 1A and 1B). In an embodiment wherein the present invention is employed in a bonus game of a poker machine, the payouts 112 are a number of free hands or a number of wildcards that may be used in the base game of poker. 11 In one embodiment, the payout table 110a is adapted to provide a "risky" input 102a and a "safe" input 102b. When gaming device 10 includes more than two inputs, the paytables provide one or more intermediately risky inputs. In the paytable 110a, the Black input 102a is the risky input because it 5 provides relatively high and low payouts 112. The White input 102b is the safe input because it provides intermediate payouts. That is, if the player picks the Black input 102a, the player obtains the best possible or worst possible payouts, and if the player picks the White input 102b, the player obtains one of a set of intermediate payouts. The range of payouts 112 is greatest for the 10 risky input 102a, smaller for one or more intermediate inputs (not shown) and the smallest for the conservative input 102b. Referring now to Fig. 3C, an area of the memory device 40 stores a probability table 120a for the Black and White inputs 102a and 102b, and for the "A" and "B" outcomes 106a and 106b. Gaming device 10 employs 15 probabilities 122 in randomly determining one of the outcomes based on the player's selection of one of the inputs. The total or sum of the probabilities 122 are one hundred percent for each input. That is, when the player selects one of the Black or White inputs 102a or 102b, the player has a one hundred percent chance of obtaining one of the "A" or "B" outcomes. 20 Likewise, the total probability of obtaining a particular outcome, adding the probabilities for each input, is the same or substantially the same for each outcome. In an embodiment such as the illustrated embodiment, wherein the number of inputs equals the number of outcomes, the total probability for each outcome is also one hundred percent. Although impracticable for the 25 illustrated two input - two outcome embodiment, a probability 122 can be zero percent as long as the remaining probabilities 122 add to one hundred percent for each input. The payout table 110a and the probability table 120a (illustrated separately for purposes of description, but which may be stored in the memory 30 device 40 as a single table or set of data) are configured to enhance the risky input 102a versus safe input 102b feature. For instance, the payouts 112 for the Black input 102a become even riskier in combination with the probability 12 table because if the player picks the Black input 102a, the probability table 120a provides an eighty percent chance that gaming device 10 randomly generates the five value and only a twenty percent chance that gaming device 10 generates the twenty value. The probability table 120a for the safe White 5 input 102b is alternately adapted for each outcome 106a and 106b to make the probabilities 122 add to one hundred percent. Although the paytable 110 a and the probability table 120a do not have to be structured in such a way, gaming device 10 in one embodiment does not favor the choice of a risky input 102a versus a choice of a safe input 102b. 10 Referring now to Fig. 3D, an expected value table 130a for the Black and White inputs 102a and 102b illustrates'that the total expected value 134, i.e., the average expected payout 112, is eight credits regardless of whether the player chooses the risky Black input 102a or the safe White input 102b. The expected value 132 for a given input and outcome is the payout 15 112 multiplied by its respective probability 122. The total expected value 134 for each input 102 is the sum of the expected values 132 for the individual outcomes 106a and 106b. The expected value table 130a predicts that through random generation, if the player plays gaming device 10 one hundred times and plays the Black input 102a or the White input 102b all one hundred 20 times, the player should accumulate eight hundred credits either way. Note that the expected values 132 for the different outcomes 106a and 106b do not have to accumulate to the same total expected value. That is, the total expected value across the "A" outcome row is 6.4, while the total expected value across the "B" outcome row is 9.6. Note also that the payouts 112 for 25 each input column do not have to accumulate to the same number. The message 108a, informing the player of one or more pieces of information that affect the outcome of the displayed event, may be adapted to include any one or more of the payouts 112 and/or the probabilities 122 or any combination thereof. For example, in one embodiment, the message 108a 30 may be adapted to inform the player that picking the Black input 102a will yield a five or twenty award and that picking the White input 102b will yield a seven or twelve award. In another example, the message 108a may be adapted to 13 inform the player that there's an eighty percent chance of receiving a five award by picking the Black input 102a and an equal eighty percent chance of receiving a seven award by picking the White input 102b. The screen 100 can display different messages 108a in different games. 5 Referring now to Figs. 4A through 4D, another embodiment of the present invention includes the same two inputs 102a and 102b and four outcomes 106a, 106b, 106c and 106d. It should be appreciated that the present invention is adaptable to include any combination of inputs and outcomes, as long as there is at least two of each. In the screen 140 of Fig. 10 4A, the message 104b outlining the rules or sequence of gaming device 10 specifies that choosing either the Black or White input 102a or 102b generates one of four outcomes 106a, 106b, 106c and 106d for the selected input. The payout table 11Ob of Fig. 4B is stored in an area of the memory device 40 for the Black and White inputs 102a and 102b and the "A" through 15 "D" outcomes 106a to 106d. As before, the payouts 112 for each input 102 do not have to add to the same value. Here, the total Black input payouts 112 add to two hundred ten. The total White input payouts 112 add to one hundred seventy five. The probability table 120b of Fig. 4C is stored in an area of the memory 20 device 40 for the Black and White inputs 102a and 102b and the "A" through "D" outcomes 106a to 106d. As before, the probabilities 122 for each input add to one hundred percent. Unlike the embodiment in Figs. 3A through 3D, however, the probabilities 122 across each outcome row do not add to one hundred percent. The probability totals for each outcome row are all, however, 25 the same, i.e., fifty percent. The disparity between the number of outcomes and inputs in Figs. 4A through 4D causes probabilities in each outcome row to add to less than one hundred percent. The expected value table 130b of Fig. 4D for the Black and White inputs 102a and 102b illustrates that the total expected value 134, i.e., the average 30 expected payout 112, is thirty-six credits regardless of whether the player chooses the risky Black input 102a or the safe White input 102b. The total expected value 134 for each input 102a or 102b is the addition of expected 14 value components 132 in each input column. The Black input 102a is riskier because while the player has a ten percent probability 122 to obtain a payout 112 of one hundred by picking the Black input, the player has a forty percent probability 122 to obtain a payout 5 112 of only five by picking the same input 102a. If the player picks the safe White input 102b, the smallest payout 112 is twenty, while the largest is only seventy and the player has a fifty percent probability 122 of obtaining a payout 112 of forty or forty-five. The range of payouts 112 is greater for the risky Black input 102a than it is for the safe White input 102b. 10 The message 108b that informs the player of one or more pieces of information that affect the outcome of the displayed event, may be adapted to include any one or more of the payouts 112 and/or the probabilities 122 for the outcomes "A" through "D." In the screen 140, the message 108b informs the player that the Black input 102a has a twenty percent probability 122 of 15 yielding a payout 112 of seventy-five, while the White input 102b has a twenty percent probability 122 of yielding a payout 112 of forty-five. The embodiments disclosed herein illustrate that each input has the same number of outcomes. For example, in Figs. 3A to 3D, the inputs 102a and 102b can each yield one of the "A" or "B" outcomes 106a and 106b. In 20 Figs. 4A to 4D, the inputs 102a and 102b can each yield one of the "A" to "D" outcomes 106a to 106d. In an alternative embodiment, the inputs can have differing numbers of outcomes. For example, in Figs. 4A and 4B, one of the inputs 102a and 102b could be configured to yield only two or three outcomes. In one implementation of gaming device 10 in Figs. 4A to 4D, the "safe" 25 White input 102b is configured not to have outcomes "A" or "D", but to only have the middle outcomes "B" and "C". Two of the expected values 132 for the White input 102b will thus be zero. As long as the middle two expected values add to thirty-six credits, the total expected value 134 for the "risky" Black input, the player has the same overall expected value regardless of 30 which input, 102a or 102b, the player chooses. Although the probabilities 122 disclosed herein generally differ for different inputs, the probabilities could be the same for two or more inputs. 15 The same probabilities could correspond to the same or different payouts 112. In the previously disclosed implementation of Figs. 4A to 4D, for example, the two middle probabilities 122 could be the same, i.e., fifty percent, wherein each corresponding middle payout 112 is thirty-six credits (yielding a total expected 5 payout 134 of thirty-six credits). In another example, the two middle probabilities 122 could be the same, i.e., fifty percent, wherein one payout 112 is forty credits and the other payout is thirty-two credits (yielding a total expected payout 134 of thirty-six credits). Referring now to Figs. 5A through 5D, another embodiment of the 10 present invention includes three inputs 102a, 102b and 102c and two outcomes 106a and 106b. In the screen 150 of Fig. 5A, the message 104c outlining the rules or sequence of gaming device 10 specifies that choosing either the Black, Gray or White input 102a, 102b or 102c generates one of two outcomes 106a or 106b for the selected input. 15 The payout table 11Oc of Fig. 5B is stored in an area of the memory device 40 for the Black, Gray and White inputs 102a to 102c and the two outcomes 106a and 106b. As before, the payouts 112 for each input do not have to add to the same value. Here, the total payouts 112 for the Black column add to one hundred five. The total Gray payouts 112 add to seventy 20 six. The total White payouts 112 add to fifty. The probability table 120c of Fig. 5C is stored in an area of the memory device 40 for the Black, Gray and White inputs 102a, 102b and 102c and the two outcomes 106a and 106b. As before, the probabilities 122 for each input column add to one hundred percent. Unlike the embodiment in Figs. 3A 25 through 3D, however, the probabilities 122 for each outcome row do not add to one hundred percent. The probability totals for each outcome row are all, however, the same, i.e., one hundred fifty percent. The disparity between the number of inputs and outcomes in Figs. 5A through 5D causes probabilities to add to more than one hundred percent. 30 The expected value table 130c for the Black, Gray and White inputs 102a to 102c illustrates that the total expected value 134, i.e., the average expected payout 112, is twenty-four credits regardless of whether the player 16 chooses the risky Black input 102a, the intermediate Gray input 102b or the safe White input 102c. The total expected value 134 for each input is the addition of expected value components 132 in each column. The Black input 102a is the riskiest because while the player has a 5 twenty percent probability 122 to obtain a payout 112 of one hundred by picking the Black input, the player has an eighty percent probability 122 to obtain a payout 112 of only five by picking the same input 102a. If the player picks the somewhat risky Gray input, there is a seventy-five percent probability 122 that the player receives a payout 112 of only ten and twenty-five percent 10 probability 122 that the player receives a payout 112 of sixty-six. If the player picks the safe White input, the player has a roughly equal probability 122 of receiving a payout 112 of fifteen or thirty-five. The range of payouts 112 is the greatest for the risky Black input, second for the intermediate Gray input and the smallest for the safe White input. 15 In the screen 150, the message 108c disclosing information that affects the outcome of the displayed event, discloses the payouts 112 of the paytable 1 10c as they correspond to the outputs 106a and 106b. That is, the message 108c informs the player that the "A" outcome 106a yields five, thirty-five or sixty-six credits. Generating the "B" outcome 106b yields ten, fifteen or one 20 hundred credits. The player, however, does not know which input 102a to 102c will yield which payout 112. Referring now to Figs. 6A through 6D, one preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The screen 160 of Fig. 6A displays a horse race event on one of the display devices 30 or 32. The inputs 102a to 102c 25 enable the player to pick or bet on a Black horse, Gray horse or White horse. The message 104d informs the player to bet the Black, Gray or White horse, whereby gaming device 10 starts a race that determines one of a win, place or show outcome 106e, 106f and 106g for the selected input. The message 108d posts the odds of each horse winning the race or obtaining a win outcome. In 30 this implementation, the Black horse is the favorite or the "chalk" at 2:1, the Gray horse is the next favorite at 3 1/3:1 and the White horse is the "long shot" at 5:1. 17 The message 108d may also include payout information from the paytable 11Od and place or show information from the probability table 120d. However, most players familiar with horse racing know that the longer the odds to win, the better the horse pays. The player intuitively knows that the Black 5 horse pays less to win than does the Gray horse or the White horse. Further, the player intuitively knows that the White horse is the riskier horse, the middle horse is less risky and the favorite is the most conservative horse. The payout table 11Od of Fig. 6B is stored in an area of the memory device 40 for the Black, Gray and White horse inputs 102a to 102c and the 10 win, place and show outcomes 106e, 106f and 106g. As before, the payouts 112 for each input 102a to 102c do not have to add to the same value. Here, the total Black horse payouts 112 add to one hundred thirty-two. The total Gray horse payouts 112 add to one hundred twenty-five. The total White horse payouts 112 add to one hundred sixty. 15 The probability table 120d of Fig. 6C is stored in an area of the memory device 40 for the Black, Gray and White inputs 102a to 102c and the three outcomes 106e to 106g. As before, the probabilities 122 for each horse add to one hundred percent. Here, since the number of outcomes; namely, the first, second and third place outcomes, equals the number of inputs, the 20 probabilities 122 for each of the first, second and third place outcomes are the same and add to one hundred percent. The expected value table 130d for the Black, Gray and White horse inputs 102a to 102c illustrates that the total expected value 134, i.e., the average expected payout 112, is forty credits regardless of whether the player 25 chooses the risky White horse 102c, the intermediate Gray horse 102b or the safe Black horse 102a. The total expected value 134 for each input is the addition of expected value components 132 for each of the first, second and third place outcomes 106e to 106g. In this example, the White horse 102c is the riskiest. While the player 30 has a twenty percent probability 122 to obtain a payout 112 of one hundred by picking the White horse, the player has a fifty percent probability 122 of obtaining a payout 112 of only ten, which is well below the expected value 134 18 of forty. If the player picks the less risky Gray horse, there is still a seventy percent probability 122 that the player achieves under the expected value 134. If the player picks the safe Black horse, the player has a fifty percent probability 122 of achieving at or above the expected value 134. The risky 5 White horse has the largest payout 112 range of ninety (100-10). The Gray horse has the second largest payout 112 range of sixty. The conservative Black horse has the smallest payout 112 range of twenty-eight. When the player selects a horse input, gaming device 10 displays the event or horse race on an area 162 of a display device 30 or 32. For the ease 10 of illustration, the event display area 162 is illustrated on the same screen as the inputs 102a to 102c and messages 104d and 108d. It should be appreciated that a separate display device may be adapted to display the horse race event. The event includes the horses racing in an exciting and entertaining manner. The horses finish in first place, second place, third place 15 in accordance with outcomes 106e to 106g that gaming device 10 randomly generates using the probability table 120d. From the description above, it should be apparent that the horse race embodiment may be adapted to include any number of horse inputs and any number of place finish outcomes. If the payout 112 for a first place finish by the favorite horse, e.g., the 20 Black horse, is set significantly below the expected value 134, that game may be adapted to provide a consolation award to the player. In such a case, gaming device 10 provides the award when the player bets the favorite to win and the random outcome determines that the favorite wins. Gaming device 10 may also provide a separate bonus sequence in connection with the 25 consolation award. In this case the total expected value 134 for the favorite horse input 102a is slightly higher than for the remaining horse inputs 102b and 102c. The consolation award provides an incentive for the player to make a selection and hope that the selected horse wins as opposed to finishing second or third. 30 The horse race embodiment is only one possible display embodiment for the present invention. As it is described generally in Figs. 3A through 5D, the present invention may be adapted for any racing competition having first, 19 second, third, etc., place outcomes. Gaming device 10 may be adapted for any event having different selectable risk/return scenarios. For instance, gaming device 10 may be adapted to chart the progress of a risky growth stock, a less risky blue-chip stock or a conservative income stock. Further, 5 any event having odds, such as a prize fight or a football game easily adapts to employ the present invention. Referring now to Fig. 7, in one embodiment, the memory device 40 stores different scenarios 170a to 170d, which provide different probability and payout distributions. The scenarios 170a to 170d differ in terms of: (i) the 10 probabilities 122 used; (ii) the odds 172 posted for each contestant or horse 102a to 102d; (iii) the payouts 112 made; and (iv) the resulting expected value 132 for each horse and each place finish or outcome (first 106e to fourth 106h). It should be appreciated, however, that the total expected value 134 for each input or choice 102a to 102d is the same for each scenario 170a to 170d. 15 Each of the previous embodiments have been disclosed, wherein the total expected values 134 for each input or choice add to the same amount. As the scenarios become more complex, so that the intermediate expected values 132 have fractions of a credit, it is possible that one or more of the total expected values 134 is slightly higher or lower than the other expected values 20 or average expected payout. The present invention therefore expressly contemplates the total expected values for the various inputs being substantially the same. For example, substantially the same can mean within one credit above and below the other expected values or average expected payout. 25 The scenarios 170a to 170d are stored in an area of the memory device 40. Gaming device 10 in one embodiment randomly selects one of the scenarios 170a to 170d to employ in a primary or secondary game of the present invention. In an alternative embodiment, gaming device 10 employs a predetermined order for using one of the scenarios 170a to 170d. Either way, 30 the different scenarios add variety to gaming device 10. For example, gaming device 10 as illustrated above, likely displays at least some of the odds 172 to the player. The different scenarios result in races having horses that post 20 different odds. Each scenario includes a plurality of choices 102a to 102d, which in an embodiment correspond to horses of a horse race. The scenarios include probability tables 120e to 120h for the inputs 102a to 102d and outcomes 106e 5 to 106g. As before, the probabilities 122 for each horse add to one hundred percent. Here, since the number of outcomes; namely, the first, second, third and forth place outcomes, equals the number of inputs, the probabilities 122 for each of the outcomes add to one hundred percent. Each scenario 170a to 170d includes a corresponding payout table 10 11Oe to 11Oh. As before, the payouts 112 for each input 102a to 102d do not have to add to the same value. For example, in the paytable 11 0e of scenario 170a, Horse 1 payouts 112 add to four hundred fifty. Horse 2 payouts 112 add to three hundred sixty. Horse 3 payouts 112 add to four hundred forty. Horse 4 payouts 112 add to eleven hundred. 15 In each of the scenarios 170a to 170d, the horses 102a to 102d pay nothing if the horse finishes fourth or last. This type of distribution is useful in a base or primary game, wherein the player may not win back the amount of the wager. In such a case, gaming device 10 can provide for a multitude of payouts 112 that pay less than the player's wager, or as illustrated pay 20 nothing. For example, as in real horse racing, gaming device 10 can provide a ten horse field, wherein only the first, second and third place horses pay. In bonus games, the player preferably wins some award amount, even if small. Gaming device 10 can structure the paytables 110e to 110h as illustrated and allow the player to choose multiple horses. As long as gaming 25 device 10 allows the player to choose at least one more input or horse than there are non-paying outcomes, gaming device 10 guarantees, in a bonus embodiment, the player at least a small payout. The non-paying outcomes also provide variability to the gaming experience. Each scenario 170a to 170d includes a corresponding expected value 30 table 130e to 130h. In each scenario, the total expected value 134, i.e., the average expected payout 112, is one hundred credits regardless of whether the player chooses the favorite Horse 1, one of the intermediate Horses 2 or 3 21 or the long shot, Horse 4. Although each illustrated scenario includes the same number of inputs or horses, it is possible that other scenarios can have a different number of horses. In such a case, regardless of the number of possible choices, the 5 expected value for each choice in one embodiment does not vary. That is, even if one of the scenarios provides five horses, each horse maintains an expected value of one hundred. Thus, if gaming device 10 provides two picks, the player's total expected value is two hundred. Gaming device 10 could also provide a different amount of picks to the 10 player in different scenarios, wherein to keep the average payout a constant, the horses in the varying scenarios would have different expected values. For example, one scenario could provide the player with one pick, wherein the expected value of each horse is one hundred, and another scenario could provide the player with two picks, wherein the expected value of each horse is 15 fifty. In another embodiment, gaming device 10 provides the player with an option such as, "Do you want to play one or two horses?", wherein gaming device 10 selects a scenario based on the player's preference. In any case, the overall expected value of each race remains the same. Referring now to Fig. 8, in one embodiment, the memory device 40 20 stores different scenarios 180a to 180d, which provide different probability and payout distributions for a multiple horse selection, known in the art of horse racing as an exacta. Here, the player attempts to choose which two horses will come in first and second. In an embodiment, the exact order of the horses finishing first and second is not important (known as a boxed exacta), as long 25 as the player chooses the correct two horses. In a slight variation, gaming device 10 in an alternative embodiment enables the player to select a particular combination 182a to 182f instead of picking the individual inputs or horses associated with the combination. For example, gaming device 10 is structured in one embodiment to let the player 30 pick Horse 1 and Horse 2 individually to pick the boxed exacta combination 182a. Alternatively, gaming device 10 provides a selection dedicated to the Horsel/Horse2 combination 182a. 22 The scenarios 180a to 180d differ in terms of: (i) the probabilities used (shown under the headings 120i to 1201); (ii) the payouts made (shown under headings 110i to 1101); and (iii) the resulting expected value (shown under headings 130i to 1301) for each win/place combination 182a to 182f of the 5 scenarios 180a to 180d. The average expected value 184a to 184f for each scenario, however, is approximately the same. As discussed in connection with Fig. 7 the various scenarios 180a to 180d provide variety to gaming device 10. In each scenario, the average expected values 184a to 184f dictate that the player has roughly the same 10 chance of winning the same amount, that is, about fifty credits. Gaming device 10 can randomly employ the scenarios 180a to 180d or do so in a predetermined order. Obviously, the embodiments of Figs. 7 and 8 can include any number of scenarios. In operation, the gaming device 10 in Fig. 8 provides, for example, four 15 horses, which yield six possible boxed win/place combinations 182a to 182f. Gaming device 10 could alternatively let the player choose three horses, wherein two of the three must finish, in either order, one and two. In another alternative embodiment, gaming device 10 provides a non-boxed exacta, which would have twelve combinations for the four horse field. The player 20 would have to select the horse and the place finish, that is, a win finish or a place finish. It should be appreciated from the foregoing discussion that gaming device 10 in yet another alternative embodiment can provide a trifecta, wherein the player has to choose which horses finish first, second and third. As before, 25 the trifecta in one embodiment is boxed (exact order of win/place/show does not matter) and in another embodiment is unboxed (order of win place or show horses does matter). In one embodiment, gaming device 10 enables the player to make a plurality of different kinds of bets, such as picking one or more horses to win, 30 place or show, picking a boxed or unboxed exacta or picking a boxed or unboxed trifecta. The player can bet the same horse to win and at the same time bet the horse as part of an exacta or a trifecta. As shown above, gaming 23 device 10 can manipulate the number of player (or gaming device) selections so that the overall expected value for the race is the same regardless of the type of wager the player makes. In still another alternative embodiment, gaming device 10 in a base or 5 primary game enables the player to wager a higher amount of money and increase the overall expected value for the race. For example, gaming device 10 in one embodiment provides an option to the player of wagering one credit, wherein gaming device 10 enables the player to make one pick of a horse to finish first, second or third. Or, the player can wager two credits, wherein 10 gaming device 10 enables the player to pick two horses to finish first, second or third, and so on. In this way, like in actual horse racing, the player can build various wagering schemes based on the posted odds of the horses, wherein the player can wager more or less for each race. In still a further embodiment, in a bonus game, gaming device 10 15 provides the player with an initial amount of money, for example, one hundred credits. Gaming device 10, just like in real horse racing, schedules a race day with a number of races, for example, eight races. In each race, the player can wager different amounts of credits on the various types of horse race wagers described above, until the player runs out of bonus credits or the race day 20 ends. If the player wins in the early races, the player can wager more in the later races or keep the winnings. At the end of the race day, for example, eight races, the player's bonus win is whatever amount is left, for example, some amount more or less than one hundred credits. During the race day, the player can also decline to wager on one or 25 more of the races or cash out altogether, for example, via a "leave the track" button. Just like in real horse racing, certain races may be featured races and have bigger payouts, wherein the player would wish to save some money to play the bigger payout races. While the present invention is described in connection with what is 30 presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, and is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent 24 arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims. Modifications and variations in the present invention may be made without departing from the novel aspects of the invention as defined in the claims, and this application is limited only by the scope of the claims. 5 It is to be understood that any acknowledgement of prior art in this specification is not to be taken as an admission that this acknowledged prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere. 25
1. A gaming device comprising: a first selection having a first outcome and a second different outcome; a second selection having a first outcome and a second different outcome; 5 a probability of achieving the first outcome of said first selection being higher than a probability of achieving the first outcome of said second selection; a payout associated with the first outcome of said first selection being lower than a payout associated with the first outcome of said second selection; a probability of achieving the second outcome of said first selection being lower 10 than a probability of achieving the second outcome of said second selection; a payout associated with the second outcome of said first selection being higher than a payout associated with the second outcome of said second selection, wherein the payouts and probabilities are configured such that a total expected value for the first selection at least approximately equals a total expected value for the second selection; 15 and a processor for: (i) causing one of the selections to be selected, (ii) determining one of the outcomes for each selection, wherein for each selection said outcome is determined based on the probabilities associated with said 20 selected selection, and (iii) providing a player one of the payouts based on the outcome of the selected selection.
2. The gaming device of Claim 1, wherein the probabilities are configured so that a sum of all of the probabilities for the first selection at least approximately equals a 25 sum of all of the probabilities for the second selection.
3. The gaming device of Claim 1, wherein the probabilities are configured so that a sum of all of the probabilities for the first outcome at least approximately equals a sum of all of the probabilities for the second outcome.
4. The gaming device of Claim 1, which includes a display device controlled 30 by the processor which displays the selections and an indication of the probability that one of the selections will generate one of the outcomes. 27
5. The gaming device of Claim 1, which includes a display device controlled by the processor which displays an indication of the probabilities that either selection will generate one of the outcomes.
6. The gaming device of Claim 1, which includes a display device controlled 5 by the processor which displays an indication of the payout that one of the selections will provide for generating one of the outcomes.
7. The gaming device of Claim 1, which includes a display device controlled by the processor which displays an indication of the payouts that either selection will provide for generating one of the outcomes. 10
8. The gaming device of Claim 1, wherein the lower payout associated with the first selection and the first outcome is different than the lower payout associated with the second selection and the second outcome.
9. The gaming device of Claim 1, which includes a range of payouts associated with the first selection that is greater than a range of payouts associated with 15 the second selection.
10. The gaming device of Claim 1, wherein the first and second selections are player selectable.
11. The gaming device of Claim 1, wherein one of the first and second selections is selected by the processor. 20
12. The gaming device of Claim 1, wherein one of the first and second selections is selected based on the player's wager.
13. The gaming device of Claim 1, wherein at least one of the payouts is less than a wager made by the player.
14. The gaming device of Claim 1, wherein at least one of the payouts is zero. 25
15. The gaming device of Claim 1, which includes a plurality of selections, a plurality of outcomes associated with each selection, and a payout associated with each outcome, wherein the payouts for each selection add to substantially the same amount.
16. A gaming device having a game comprising: 28 a plurality of different selectable selections; a plurality of different outcomes associated with each selection; a probability associated with each outcome, wherein at least two of the selectable selections have at least two different probabilities associated with two different outcomes 5 and wherein each outcome for each of at least two selections is determined based on said probabilities associated with said selection; and a payout associated with each outcome, wherein a sum of the payout multiplied by the probability for each outcome forms an expected value for each selection, and wherein the expected value for each different selection is substantially the same amount. 10
17. The gaming device of Claim 16, wherein multiple selections are selected and a player receives the payouts associated with the outcomes determined for the selected multiple selections.
18. The gaming device of Claim 17, wherein the selected multiple selections are player selected. 15
19. The gaming device of Claim 16, wherein the outcomes are original outcomes, and which includes additional outcomes and payouts associated with the additional outcomes, wherein the additional outcomes are combinations of the original outcomes.
20. The gaming device of Claim 19, wherein the game is a primary game which 20 includes a means for enabling a player to wager an additional amount to play for at least one additional outcome.
21. The gaming device of Claim 19, which includes means for enabling a player to choose to play for the original outcomes or the additional outcomes.
22. The gaming device of Claim 16, wherein a total number of the selections 25 exceeds a number of the outcomes per selection.
23. The gaming device of Claim 16, wherein a total number of the outcomes per selection exceeds a total number of the selections.
24. The gaming device of Claim 16, wherein at least two of the selections have differing numbers of associated outcomes. 30 29
25. The gaming device of Claim 16, wherein the probabilities are the same for at least two different selections.
26. The gaming device of Claim 25, wherein the selections having the same probabilities have different payouts. 5
27. The gaming device of Claim 16, wherein operation of the game is via a data network.
28. The gaming device of Claim 27, wherein the data network is an Internet.
29. A gaming device comprising: a plurality of different selections including at least three different selections; 10 a plurality of different outcomes for each selection; a plurality of different outcome combinations, wherein each different outcome combination is formed from a plurality of said different selections; a probability associated with each different outcome combination; and a payout associated with each outcome combination wherein at least two of the 15 payouts associated with at least two of the outcome combinations are different and wherein the payout multiplied by the probability forms an expected value for each outcome combination and wherein the expected values for each outcome combination add to substantially the same amount.
30. The gaming device of Claim 29, wherein each outcome combination 20 includes two outcomes.
31. The gaming device of Claim 29, wherein each outcome combination includes three outcomes.
32. The gaming device of Claim 29, which includes means for enabling a player to select individual selections that collectively form a desired selection combination 25 selection.
33. The gaming device of Claim 29, which includes means for enabling a player to select, at once, a desired outcome combination.
34. A gaming device comprising: a processor; 30 a display device which communicates with the processor; at least first, second and third player selectable selections displayed by the display device; an event including a first place finish, a second place finish and a third place finish 5 associated with each selection, said event displayed by the display device; a probability associated with each selection and place finish, wherein the occurrence of each place finish is based on said probabilities, and wherein the occurrence of the first selection and first place finish has a higher probability than the occurrence of the second selection and first place finish and higher than the occurrence 10 of the third selection and first place finish; a payout associated with at least two of the place finishes, wherein a payout associated with the occurrence of the first selection and first place finish has a lower payout than the occurrence of the second selection and first place finish and lower than the occurrence of the third selection and first place finish ; and 15 an expected value for each selection which is based on the probability for each place finish multiplied by the associated payout and wherein a sum of the expected values associated with each selection are substantially the same amount.
35. The gaming device of Claim 34, wherein the probabilities are configured such that a sum of all of the probabilities for the first selection at least approximately 20 equals a sum of all of the probabilities for the second selection, which at least approximately equals a sum of all of the probabilities for the third selection.
36. The gaming device of Claim 34, wherein the probabilities are configured such that a sum of all of the probabilities for the first place finish at least approximately equals a sum of all of the probabilities for the second place finish, which at least 25 approximately equals a sum of all of the probabilities for third place finish.
37. The gaming device of Claim 34, which includes a range of payouts for the first, second and third place finishes associated with the first selection that is smaller than a range of payouts for the first, second and third place finishes associated with the second selection. 30
38. The gaming device of Claim 37, which includes a range of payouts for the first, second and third place finishes associated with the second selection that is different 31 than a range of payouts for the first, second and third place finishes associated with the third selection.
39. The gaming device of Claim 37, which includes a range of payouts for the first, second and third place finishes associated with the first selection that is different 5 than a range of payouts for the first, second and third place finishes associated with the third selection.
40. The gaming device of Claim 37, which includes for the third place finish, a higher payout and lower probability for the first selection than the second selection and third selection. 10
41. The gaming device of Claim 37, which includes for the third place finish, a lower payout and higher probability for the third selection than the first selection and the second selection.
42. The gaming device of Claim 41, which includes for the second place finish, a lower payout and higher probability for the second selection than the first selection and 15 third selection.
43. A gaming device comprising: a processor; a display device controlled by the processor; a first player selectable selection displayed by the display device, 20 a second player selectable selection displayed by the display device; an event including a first place finish and a second place finish associated with each selection, said event displayed by the display device; a probability associated with an occurrence of each selection and place finish, wherein the occurrence of each place finish for each selection is based on said 25 probabilities and wherein the occurrence of the first selection and first place finish has a higher probability than the occurrence of the second selection and first place finish; a payout associated with the occurrence of each selection and place finish, wherein the occurrence of the first selection and first place finish has a lower payout than the occurrence of the second selection and first place finish; and 32 an expected value of each place finish for each selection which is based on the payout multiplied by the probability of each place finish for each selection, wherein a sum of the expected values for each selection are substantially the same amount. 5
44. A gaming device comprising: a processor; a display device controlled by the processor; a first selection, a second selection and a third selection displayed by the display device; 10 an event including, for each selection, a first place finish, a second place finish and a third place finish displayed by the display device; a probability associated with an occurrence of each place finish for each selection; a payout associated with the occurrence of each place finish for each selection; a range of payouts for the first, second and third place finishes associated with the 15 first selection that is larger than a range of payouts for the first, second and third place finishes associated with the second and third selections; and an expected value of each place finish for each selection which is based on the payout multiplied by the probability of each place finish for said selection, wherein a sum of the expected values associated with each selection are substantially the same amount. 20
45. The gaming device of Claim 44, which includes a range of payouts for the first, second and third place finishes associated with the second selection that is different than a range of payouts for the first, second and third place finishes associated with the third selection.
46. A gaming device comprising: 25 a processor; a display device controlled by the processor; a first selection, a second selection and a third selection displayed by the display device; an event including, for each selection, a first outcome, a second outcome and a 30 third outcome displayed by the display device; a probability associated with an occurrence of each outcome for each selection; a payout associated with the occurrence of each outcome for each selection; 33 a range of payouts for the first, second and third outcomes associated with the first selection that is larger than a range of payouts for the first, second and third place outcomes associated with the second and third selections; and an expected value for each selection which is based on a sum of the payout 5 multiplied by the probability for each outcome for said selection, wherein the expected value associated with each selection is substantially the same amount.
47. The gaming device of Claim 46, which includes a range of payouts for the first, second and third outcomes associated with the second selection that is different than a range of payouts associated with the first, second and third outcomes of the third 10 selection.
48. A gaming device comprising: a first selection having a first award and a second award; a second selection having a first award and a second award; a probability that the first selection achieves the first award of said first selection 15 being higher than a probability that the second selection achieves the first award of said second selection, wherein the first award of said first selection is lower than the first award of said second selection; a probability that the first selection achieves the second award of said first 20 selection being lower than a probability that the second selection achieves the second award of said second selection, wherein said second award of said first selection is higher than said second award of said second selection, wherein the awards and probabilities are configured such that a total expected value for the first selection at least approximately equals a total expected value for the second selection; and 25 a processor for: (i) causing one of the selections to be selected, (ii) determining if the first award or the second award is achieved for each selection, wherein for each selection, said determined award is based on the probabilities associated with said selected selection, and 30 (iii) providing a player said achieved award.
49. A gaming device comprising: a first selection having a first outcome and a second different outcome; 34 a second selection having a first outcome and a second different outcome; a probability of achieving the first outcome of said first selection being higher than a probability of achieving the first outcome of said second selection; 5 a payout associated with the first outcome of said first selection being lower than a payout associated with the first outcome of said second selection; a probability of achieving the second outcome of said first selection being lower than a probability of achieving the second outcome of said second selection; a payout associated with the second outcome of said first selection being higher 10 than a payout associated with the second outcome of said second selection, wherein the payouts and probabilities are configured such that a total expected value for the first selection at least approximately equals a total expected value for the second selection; a consolation award; and a processor for: 15 (i) causing one of the selections to be selected, (ii) determining one of the outcomes for said selected selection, wherein said outcome is determined based on the probabilities associated with said selected selection, and (iii) providing a player one of the payouts based on the outcome of the selected 20 selection, wherein the consolation award is provided to the player when the player achieves a lowest possible payout.
50. A gaming device comprising: a first selection having a first outcome and a second different outcome, wherein said first selection is provided in a bonus game; 25 a second selection having a first outcome and a second different outcome, wherein said second selection is provided in the bonus game; a probability of achieving the first outcome of said first selection being higher than a probability of achieving the first outcome of said second selection; a payout associated with the first outcome of said first selection being lower than a 30 payout associated with the first outcome of said second selection; a probability of achieving the second outcome of said first selection being lower than a probability of achieving the second outcome of said second selection; a payout associated with the second outcome of said first selection being higher than a payout associated with the second outcome of said second selection, wherein the 35 payouts and probabilities are configured such that a total expected value for the first selection at least approximately equals a total expected value for the second selection; and a processor for: 5 (i) causing one of the selections to be selected in the bonus game, wherein which selection is selected is determined in a base game, (ii) determining one of the outcomes for said selected selection, wherein said outcome is determined based on the probabilities associated with said selected selection, and 10 (iii) providing a player one of the payouts based on the outcome of the selected selection.
51. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising: (a) causing one of a displayed first selection or a displayed second selection to be selected, wherein the first selection has a first outcome and a second different 15 outcome and the second selection has a first outcome and a second different outcome; (b) determining one of the outcomes for each selection, wherein for each selection said outcome is determined based on a plurality of probabilities associated with said selected selection, wherein a probability of achieving the first outcome of said first selection is higher than a probability of achieving the first outcome of said second 20 selection, and a probability of achieving the second outcome of said first selection is lower than a probability of achieving the second outcome of said second selection; and (c) displaying to a player one of a plurality of payouts based on the outcome of the selected selection, wherein a payout associated with the first outcome of said first selection is lower than a payout associated with the first outcome of said second 25 selection, a payout associated with the second outcome of said first selection is higher than a payout associated with the second outcome of said second selection, and the payouts and probabilities are configured such that a total expected value for the first selection at least approximately equals a total expected value for the second selection.
52. The method of Claim 51, wherein the probabilities are configured so that a 30 sum of all of the probabilities for the first selection at least approximately equals a sum of all of the probabilities for the second selection. 36
53. The method of Claim 51, wherein the probabilities are configured so that a sum of all of the probabilities for the first outcome at least approximately equals a sum of all of the probabilities for the second outcome.
54. The method of Claim 51, which includes displaying the selections and an 5 indication of the probability that one of the selections will generate one of the outcomes.
55. The method of Claim 51, which includes displaying an indication of the probabilities that either selection will generate one of the outcomes.
56. The method of Claim 51, which includes displaying an indication of the payout that one of the selections will provide for generating one of the outcomes. 10
57. The method of Claim 51, which includes displaying an indication of the payouts that either selection will provide for generating one of the outcomes.
58. The method of Claim 51, wherein the lower payout associated with the first selection and the first outcome is different than the lower payout associated with the second selection and the second outcome. 15
59. The method of Claim 51, which includes a range of payouts associated with the first selection that is greater than a range of payouts associated with the second selection.
60. The method of Claim 51, which includes enabling the player to select the first selection or the second selection. 20
61. The method of Claim 51, wherein one of the first and second selections is selected based on a wager placed by the player.
62. The method of Claim 51, wherein at least one of the payouts is less than a wager made by the player.
63. The method of Claim 51, wherein at least one of the payouts is zero. 25
64. The method of Claim 51, which includes a plurality of selections, a plurality of outcomes associated with each selection, and a payout associated with each outcome, wherein the payouts for each selection add to substantially the same amount.
65. The method of Claim 51, which is provided through a data network. 37
66. The method of Claim 65, wherein the data network is an internet.
67. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising: (a) initiating a play of a game, said game including: (i) a plurality of different displayed selectable selections, 5 (ii) a plurality of different outcomes associated with each selection, (iii) a probability associated with each outcome, wherein at least two of the selectable selections have at least two different probabilities associated with two different outcomes and wherein each outcome is determined based on said probabilities associated with said selection, and 10 (iv) a payout associated with each outcome, wherein a sum of the payout multiplied by the probability for each outcome forms an expected value for each selection, and wherein the expected value for each different selection is substantially the same amount; (b) causing one of the selections to be selected in the play of the game; 15 (c) determining one of the outcomes for at least two of the selections, wherein for said at least two of the selections, said outcome is determined based on the probabilities associated with said selected selection; and (d) displaying to a player one of the payouts in the play of the game, wherein said provided payout is based on the outcome of the selected selection. 20
68. The method of Claim 67, which includes causing the selection of multiple selections and providing the player the payouts associated with the outcomes determined for the selected multiple selections.
69. The method of Claim 68, wherein the multiple selections are selected by the player. 25
70. The method of Claim 67, wherein the outcomes are original outcomes, and which includes additional outcomes and payouts associated with the additional outcomes, wherein the additional outcomes are combinations of the original outcomes.
71. The method of Claim 70, which includes enabling the player to wager an additional amount to play for at least one additional outcome. 30
72. The method of Claim 70, which includes enabling the player to choose to play for the original outcomes or the additional outcomes. 38
73. The method of Claim 67, wherein a total number of the selections exceeds a number of the outcomes per selection.
74. The method of Claim 67, wherein a total number of the outcomes per selection exceeds a total number of the selections. 5
75. The method of Claim 67, wherein at least two of the selections have differing numbers of associated outcomes.
76. The method of Claim 67, wherein the probabilities are the same for at least two different selections.
77. The method of Claim 76, wherein the selections having the same 10 probabilities have different payouts.
78. The method of Claim 67, which is provided via a data network.
80. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising: (a) initiating a play of a game, said game including: 15 (i) a plurality of different displayed selections including at least three different selections, (ii) a plurality of different outcomes for each selection, (iii) a plurality of different outcome combinations, wherein each different outcome combination is formed from a plurality of said different selections, 20 (iv) a probability associated with each different outcome combination, and (v) a payout associated with each outcome combination wherein at least two of the payouts associated with at least two of the outcome combinations are different and wherein the payout multiplied by the probability forms an expected value for 25 each outcome combination and wherein the expected values for each outcome combination add to substantially the same amount; (b) causing one of the selections to be selected in the play of the game; (c) determining one of the outcomes for said selected selection, wherein said outcome is determined based on the probabilities associated with said selected selection; 30 and 39 (d) displaying to a player one of the payouts in the play of the game, wherein said provided payout is based on the outcome of the selected selection.
81. The method of Claim 80, wherein each outcome combination includes two outcomes. 5
82. The method of Claim 80, wherein each outcome combination includes three outcomes.
83. The method of Claim 80, which includes enabling the player to select individual selections that collectively form a desired selection combination selection.
84. The method of Claim 80, which includes enabling the player to select, at 10 once, a desired outcome combination.
85. The method of Claim 80, which is provided through a data network.
87. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising: (a) initiating a play of a game, said game including: 15 (i) at least first, second and third displayed player selectable selections, (ii) an event including a first place finish, a second place finish and a third place finish associated with each selection, (iii) a probability associated with each selection and place finish, 20 wherein the occurrence of each place finish is based on said probabilities, and wherein the occurrence of the first selection and first place finish has a higher probability than the occurrence of the second selection and first place finish and higher than the occurrence of the third selection and first place finish, (iv) a payout associated with at least two of the place finishes, wherein a 25 payout associated with the occurrence of the first selection and first place finish has a lower payout than the occurrence of the second selection and first place finish and lower than the occurrence of the third selection and first place finish, and (v) an expected value for each selection which is based on the probability for each place finish multiplied by the associated payout and wherein a sum of 30 the expected values associated with each selection are substantially the same amount; 40 (b) causing one of the selections to be selected in the play of the game; (c) determining one of the outcomes for at least two of said selections, wherein for each of said at least two of said selections, said outcome is determined based on the probabilities associated with said selected selection; and 5 (d) displaying to a player one of the payouts in the play of the game, wherein said provided payout is based on the outcome of the selected selection.
88. The method of Claim 87, wherein the probabilities are configured such that a sum of all of the probabilities for the first selection at least approximately equals a sum of all of the probabilities for the second selection, which at least approximately equals a 10 sum of all of the probabilities for the third selection.
89. The method of Claim 87, wherein the probabilities are configured such that a sum of all of the probabilities for the first place finish at least approximately equals a sum of all of the probabilities for the second place finish, which at least approximately equals a sum of all of the probabilities for third place finish. 15
90. The method of Claim 87, which includes a range of payouts for the first, second and third place finishes associated with the first selection that is smaller than a range of payouts for the first, second and third place finishes associated with the second selection.
91. The method of Claim 90, which includes a range of payouts for the first, 20 second and third place finishes associated with the second selection that is different than a range of payouts for the first, second and third place finishes associated with the third selection.
92. The method of Claim 90, which includes a range of payouts for the first, second and third place finishes associated with the first selection that is different than a 25 range of payouts for the first, second and third place finishes associated with the third selection.
93. The method of Claim 90, which includes for the third place finish, a higher payout and lower probability for the first selection than the second selection and third selection. 41
94. The method of Claim 90, which includes for the third place finish, a lower payout and higher probability for the third selection than the first selection and the second selection.
95. The method of Claim 94, which includes for the second place finish, a lower 5 payout and higher probability for the second selection than the first selection and third selection.
98. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising: 10 (a) initiating a play of a game, said game including: (i) a first displayed player selectable selection, (ii) a second displayed player selectable selection, (iii) an event including a first place finish and a second place finish associated with each selection, 15 (iv) a probability associated with an occurrence of each selection and place finish, wherein the occurrence of each place finish for each selection is based on said probabilities and wherein the occurrence of the first selection and first place finish has a higher probability than the occurrence of the second selection and first place finish, (v) a payout associated with the occurrence of each selection and place 20 finish, wherein the occurrence of the first selection and first place finish has a lower payout than the occurrence of the second selection and first place finish, and (vi) an expected value of each place finish for each selection which is based on the payout multiplied by the probability of each place finish for each selection, wherein a sum of the expected values for each selection are substantially the same 25 amount; (b) causing one of the selections to be selected in the play of the game; (c) determining one of the place finishes for each selection, wherein for each selection said place finish is determined based on the probabilities associated with said selected selection; and 30 (d) displaying to a player one of the payouts in the play of the game, wherein said provided payout is based on the place finish of the selected selection. 42
100. The method of Claim 99, wherein the data network is an internet.
101. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising: (a) initiating a play of a game, said game including: 5 (i) a first displayed selection, a displayed second selection and a third displayed selection, (ii) an event including, for each selection, a first place finish, a second place finish and a third place finish, (iii) a probability associated with an occurrence of each place finish for 10 each selection, (iv) a payout associated with the occurrence of each place finish for each selection, (v) a range of payouts for the first, second and third place finishes associated with the first selection that is larger than a range of payouts for the first, 15 second and third place finishes associated with the second and third selections, and (vi) an expected value of each place finish for each selection which is based on the payout multiplied by the probability of each place finish for said selection, wherein a sum of the expected values associated with each selection are substantially the same amount; 20 (b) causing one of the selections to be selected in the play of the game; (c) determining one of the place finishes for at least two of the selections, wherein for each of said at least two of the selections, said place finish is determined based on the probabilities associated with said selected selection; and (d) displaying to a player one of the payouts in the play of the game, wherein 25 said provided payout is based on the place finish of the selected selection.
102. The method of Claim 101, which includes determining a range of payouts for the first, second and third place finishes associated with the second selection that is different than a range of payouts for the first, second and third place finishes associated with the third selection. 30
103. The method of Claim 101, which is provided through a data network.
104. The method of Claim 103, wherein the data network is an internet. 43
105. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising: (a) initiating a play of a game, said game including: (i) a first displayed selection, a second displayed selection and a third displayed selection, 5 (ii) an event including, for each selection, a first outcome, a second outcome and a third outcome, (iii) a probability associated with an occurrence of each outcome for each selection, (iv) a payout associated with the occurrence of each outcome for each 10 selection, (v) a range of payouts for the first, second and third outcomes associated with the first selection that is larger than a range of payouts for the first, second and third place outcomes associated with the second and third selections, and (vi) an expected value for each selection which is based on a sum of the 15 payout multiplied by the probability for each outcome for said selection, wherein the expected value associated with each selection is substantially the same amount; (b) causing one of the selections to be selected in the play of the game; (c) determining one of the outcomes for at least two of the selections, wherein for each of said at least two of said selections, said outcome is determined based on the 20 probabilities associated with said selected selection; and (d) displaying and providing to a player one of the payouts in the play of the game, wherein said provided payout is based on the outcome of the selected selection.
106. The method of Claim 105, which includes determining a range of payouts for the first, second and third outcomes associated with the second selection that is 25 different than a range of payouts associated with the first, second and third outcomes of the third selection.
108. The method of Claim 107, wherein the data network is an internet.
109. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising: 30 (a) causing one of a displayed first selection or a displayed second selection to be selected, the first selection having a first award and a second award, the second selection having a first award and a second award, the first award of said first selection 44 being lower than the first award of said second selection and said second award of said first selection is higher than said second award of said second selection, wherein a probability that the first selection achieves the first award of said first selection is higher than a probability that the second selection achieves the first award of said second 5 selection, a probability that the first selection achieves the second award of said first selection is lower than a probability that the second selection achieves the second award of said second selection, and the awards and probabilities are configured such that a total expected value for the first selection at least approximately equals a total expected value for the second selection; 10 (b) determining the first award or the second award for each selection, wherein for each selection, said determined award is based on the probabilities associated with said selected selection; and (c) displaying to a player said achieved award for said selected selection.
110. The method of Claim 109, which is provided through a data network. 15
112. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising: (a) causing one of a displayed first selection or a displayed second selection to be selected, wherein the first selection has a first outcome and a second different outcome, the second selection has a first outcome and a second different outcome, a 20 probability of achieving the first outcome of said first selection is higher than a probability of achieving the first outcome of said second selection and a probability of achieving the second outcome of said first selection is lower than a probability of achieving the second outcome of said second selection; (b) determining one of the outcomes for each selection, wherein for each 25 selection, said outcome is determined based on the probabilities associated with said selected selection; and (c) displaying to a player a payout associated with the first outcome of said first selection or a payout associated with the second outcome of said first selection, wherein the provided payout is based on the outcome of the selected selection, the payout 30 associated with the first outcome of said first selection is lower than a payout associated with the first outcome of said second selection, the payout associated with the second outcome of said first selection is higher than a payout associated with the second 45 outcome of said second selection, and the payouts and probabilities are configured such that a total expected value for the first selection at least approximately equals a total expected value for the second selection.
113. The method of Claim 112, which includes displaying a consolation award to 5 the player if a lowest possible payout is displayed in (c).
116. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising: (a) causing one of a displayed first selection or a displayed second selection to 10 be selected in a bonus game wherein which selection is selected is determined in a base game, the first selection has a first outcome and a second different outcome, the second selection has a first outcome and a second different outcome, a probability of achieving the first outcome of said first selection is higher than a probability of achieving the first outcome of said second selection and a probability of achieving the second outcome of 15 said first selection is lower than a probability of achieving the second outcome of said second selection; (b) determining one of the outcomes for said selected selection, wherein said outcome is determined based on the probabilities associated with said selected selection; and 20 (c) displaying to a player a payout associated with the first outcome of said first selection or a payout associated with the second outcome of said first selection, wherein said provided payout is based on the outcome of the selected selection, the payout associated with the first outcome of said first selection is lower than a payout associated with the first outcome of said second selection and the payout associated with the second 25 outcome of said first selection is higher than a payout associated with the second outcome of said second selection, and the payouts and probabilities are configured such that a total expected value for the first selection at least approximately equals a total expected value for the second selection.
119. A gaming system comprising: at least one input device; at least one display device configured to display a game, said game at least including: (i) a first selection, wherein a probability of achieving a first ranked outcome 5 for said first selection is higher than a probability of achieving a second, lower ranked outcome for said first selection and an award associated with achieving the second ranked outcome for said first selection is greater than an award associated with achieving the first ranked outcome for said first selection, and (ii) a second selection, wherein a probability of achieving the second ranked 10 outcome for said second selection is higher than a probability of achieving the first ranked outcome for said second selection and an award associated with achieving the first ranked outcome for said second selection is higher than an award associated with achieving the second ranked outcome for said second selection, wherein the awards and probabilities are configured such that a total expected value for the first selection equals 15 or approximately equals a total expected value for the second selection; 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 input device and the at least one display device to: 20 (a) enable a player to place a wager on one of said selections achieving one of said ranked outcomes; (b) generate the first ranked outcome or the second, lower ranked outcome for each selection, wherein for each selection, said ranked outcome is generated based on the probabilities associated with said wagered on selection; 25 (c) display the generated ranked outcome to the player; and (d) provide the player the award associated with the wagered on selection achieving the generated ranked outcome.
120. The gaming system of Claim 119, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the instructions cause the at least one processor to cause the at least one 30 display device to display an indication of the awards that either selection will provide for the generation one of said ranked outcomes.
121. The gaming system of Claim 119, wherein said at least one display device and said at least one input device reside in a housing. 47
122. The gaming system of Claim 121, wherein the at least one processor resides remote from the housing.
123. A gaming system comprising: at least one input device; 5 at least one display device configured to display a game, said game at least including: (i) a plurality of different selections, (ii) a plurality of different outcomes for each selection, (iii) a plurality of different outcome combinations, wherein each different 10 outcome combination is formed from a plurality of said different selections, (iv) a plurality of probabilities, wherein at least one of said probabilities is associated with each outcome and at least one of said probabilities is associated with each different outcome combination, and (v) a plurality of awards, wherein at least one of said awards is associated with 15 each outcome, at least one of said awards is associated with each outcome combination, at least two of the awards associated with at least two of the outcomes are different and at least two of the awards associated with at least two of the outcome combinations are different, wherein the at least one of said awards multiplied by the at least one of said probabilities forms an expected value for each outcome combination and wherein the 20 expected values for each outcome combination add to substantially the same amount; 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 input device and the at least one display device to: 25 (a) display the selections for a play of the game; (b) cause one of the selections to be selected in the play of the game; (c) for said selected selection, enable a player to place a wager on each of at least one outcome and at least one outcome combination; (d) determine one of the outcomes and one of the outcome combinations for 30 said selected selection, wherein said outcome and outcome combination are determined based on the probabilities associated with said selected selection; and 48 (e) display one of the awards for the play of the game, wherein said provided award is based on the determined outcome and the determined outcome combination for the selected selection.
124. The gaming system of Claim 123, wherein the award multiplied by the 5 probability forms an expected value for each outcome combination and wherein the expected values for each outcome combination add to substantially the same amount.
125. The gaming system of Claim 123, wherein the awards and probabilities are configured such that a total expected value for each selection is substantially the same amount. 10
126. The gaming system of Claim 123, wherein said at least one display device and said at least one input device reside in a housing.
128. A method of operating a gaming system including a plurality of instructions, 15 said method comprising: (a) enabling a player to place a wager on a first selection achieving one of a first ranked outcome or a second, lower ranked outcome or a second selection achieving one of the first ranked outcome or the second, lower ranked outcome, wherein: (i) a probability of achieving the first ranked outcome for said first selection is 20 higher than a probability of achieving the second ranked outcome for said first selection and an award associated with achieving the second ranked outcome for said first selection is greater than an award associated with achieving the first ranked outcome for said first selection, and (ii) a probability of achieving the second ranked outcome for said second 25 selection is higher than a probability of achieving the first ranked outcome for said second selection and an award associated with achieving the first ranked outcome for said second selection is higher than an award associated with achieving the second ranked outcome for said second selection and wherein the awards and probabilities are configured such that a total expected value for the first selection equals or approximately 30 equals a total expected value for the second selection; 49 (b) causing at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to generate the first ranked outcome or the second, lower ranked outcome for each selection, wherein for each selection, said ranked outcome is generated based on the probabilities associated with said wagered on selection; 5 (c) causing at least one display device to display the generated ranked outcome to the player; and (d) providing the player the award associated with the wagered on selection achieving the generated ranked outcome.
129. The method of Claim 128, which includes causing the at least one display device to 10 display an indication of the awards that either selection will provide for the generation one of said ranked outcomes.
132. A method of operating a gaming system including a plurality of instructions, said 15 method comprising: (a) initiating a play of a game, said game including: (i) a plurality of different selections, (ii) a plurality of different outcomes for each selection, (iii) a plurality of different outcome combinations, wherein each different outcome 20 combination is formed from a plurality of said different selections, (iv) a plurality of probabilities, wherein at least one of said probabilities is associated with each outcome and at least one of said probabilities is associated with each different outcome combination, and (v) a plurality of awards, wherein at least one of said awards is associated with each 25 outcome, at least one of said awards is associated with each outcome combination, at least two of the awards associated with at least two of the outcomes are different and at least two of the awards associated with at least two of the outcome combinations are different, wherein the at least one of said awards multiplied by the at least one of said probabilities forms an expected value for each outcome combination and wherein the expected values for each outcome combination add to substantially the 30 same amount; (b) causing at least one display device to display the selections for the play of the game; 50 (c) causing one of the selections to be selected in the play of the game; (d) for said selected selection, enabling a player to place a wager on at least one outcome and on at least one outcome combination; (e) causing at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine 5 one of the outcomes and one of the outcome combinations for at least two of the selections, wherein for each of said at least two of said selections, said outcome and outcome combination are determined based on the probabilities associated with said selected selection; and (f) causing the at least one display device to display one of the awards for the play of the game, wherein said provided award is based on the determined outcome and the determined 10 outcome combination of the selected selection.
133. The method of Claim 132, wherein the award multiplied by the probability forms an expected value for each outcome combination and wherein the expected values for each outcome combination add to substantially the same amount.
134. The method of Claim 132, wherein the awards and probabilities are configured 15 such that a total expected value for each selection is substantially the same amount.
137. A gaming device substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying figures. 20
138. A gaming device having a game substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying figures.
139. A method of operating a gaming device substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying figures.
140. A gaming system substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in 25 the accompanying figures.
141. A method of operating a gaming system substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying figures.
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US10/097,692 US6939224B2 (en) 2002-03-12 2002-03-12 Gaming device having varying risk player selections
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2009-01-15 CB Opposition lodged by
Opponent name: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
2009-08-27 CH Opposition withdrawn
2010-11-18 DA2 Applications for amendment section 104
Free format text: THE NATURE OF THE AMENDMENT IS AS SHOWN IN THE STATEMENT(S) FILED 27 NOV 2009.
2011-03-10 DA3 Amendments made section 104
Free format text: THE NATURE OF THE AMENDMENT IS AS SHOWN IN THE STATEMENT(S) FILED 27 NOV 2009 AND 5 AUGUST 2010
2011-03-31 FGA Letters patent sealed or granted (standard patent)