Various embodiments of gaming systems, gaming devices, and methods of the present disclosure provide one or more alternative wagering propositions to a player when the player's credit balance is less than (or, in certain embodiments, less than or equal to) a designated wager amount. If the player accepts one of the alternative wager propositions, the player risks an amount of the player's remaining credit balance for a chance to win an alternative award. If the player wins the alternative award, the gaming system enables the player to play one or more plays of the wagering game at the designated wager amount. If the player does not win the alternative award, the gaming system reduces the player's credit balance by the amount risked. FIG. 4 /-100 Enable a player to place one or more wagers for one or more -1-102 plays of a wagering game Display a credit balance of the player 104 Is the No players credit balance less than a designated wager amount? Yes Display an alternative wager proposition that is separate from and in addition to any wagers that can be made on any plays of the wagering game, and enable the player to accept the alternative wager proposition, ~~1-108 wherein the alternative wager proposition, if accepted, requires the player to risk an amount of the player's credit balance Did No the player accept the alternative wager proposition? Yes No ~Should Y No an alternative award beYe provide? Reduce the player's Provide the alternative award credit balance by 116 such that the player is enabled the amount risked 114 - to play one or more plays of the wagering game at the designated wager amount
Gaming system, gaming device, and method providing one or more alternative wager propositions if a credit balance is less than a designated wager amount