Patent attributes
A video poker game facilitating a jackpot bonus is disclosed. The jackpot bonus may be based on a single video poker machine, a bank of machines or a wide area network of machines. The jackpot is implemented by establishing one or more jackpot hands (e.g., royal flush). Then, prior to, or in between, the play of each conventional video poker game, five or more cards are randomly designated as unique cards. The jackpot is awarded to a player obtaining the pre-established jackpot hand containing five unique cards. Therefore, the game comprises a first level of randomness associated with the shuffling of the cards and second associated with the random designation of cards within the deck. Optionally, an award may be paid for final hands containing less than five unique cards. For example, a royal flush comprising four unique cards may generate an enhanced award.