GAMING DEVICE INCLUDING A GAME HAVING A WILD SYMBOL RELATED AWARD

[0001] This application is a divisional of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/633,391 filed Jul. 31, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/241,255 filed Sep. 11, 2002, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,056,213, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein.

[0002] The present invention relates to the following co-pending commonly owned U.S. patent applications: “GAMING DEVICE HAVING DUAL EVALUATION SCHEME,” Ser. No. 09/687,689, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-474; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING REGENERATING MULTIPLE AWARD OPPORTUNITIES,” Ser. No. 09/960,784, Attorney Docket No. 112300-0485; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING FREE GAMES BONUS WITH A CHANGING MULTIPLIER,” Ser. No. 10/086,146, Attorney Docket No. 112300-0740; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING A VARIED WILD SYMBOL IN A BONUS GAME,” Ser. No. 10/243,512, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-755; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING A BONUS GAME WITH MULTIPLE PLAYER SELECTABLE AWARD OPPORTUNITIES,” Ser. No. 10/237,207, Attorney Docket No. 112300-0767; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING EXTENDER SYMBOLS,” Ser. No. 10/191,197, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-1015; “GAMING DEVICE INCLUDING A GAME HAVING PLAYER SELECTED FUNCTION BASED ON SYMBOLS IN A FREE SPINS GAME,” Ser. No. 10/243,052, Attorney Docket No. 112300-1060; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING A PROBABILITY ENHANCING TRIGGER SYMBOL,” Ser. No. 10/241,255, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-1061; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING A BONUS GAME WITH MULTIPLE PLAYER SELECTABLE AWARD OPPORTUNITIES,” Ser. No. 10/660,076, Attorney Docket No. 112300-1626; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING SEQUENTIAL ACTIVATIONS OF A GAME AND REPLAY OF PREVIOUS ACTIVATIONS OF THE GAME,” Ser. No. 10/956,508, Attorney Docket No. 112300-2192; “GAMING DEVICE WITH CHANGING WILD SYMBOLS,” Ser. No. 10/956,303, Attorney Docket No. 112300-2195; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING FREE SPIN MODE WITH SYMBOL ELIMINATION,” Ser. No. 10/953,818, Attorney Docket No. 112300-2199; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING A RE-TRIGGERING SYMBOL BONUS SCHEME WITH A BONUS SYMBOL ACCUMULATOR AND PLAYER SELECTION OF ACCUMULATION TOTAL,” Ser. No. 10/952,656, Attorney Docket No. 112300-2553; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING TRANSFORMABLE WILD SYMBOLS OR CARDS WITH WILD SIGNAL INDICATORS,” Ser. No. 10/920,798, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-2554; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING WILD INDICATORS,” Ser. No. 11/015,842, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-2593; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING WILD INDICATORS,” Ser. No. 10/982,096, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-2618; “GAMING DEVICE WITH WILD ACTIVATION SYMBOLS AND WILD TERMINATION SYMBOLS.” Ser. No. 10/966,223, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-2629; and “GAMING DEVICE HAVING A RE-TRIGGER SYMBOL BONUS SCHEME,” Ser. No. 11/156,112, Attorney Docket No. 112300-2842.

[0003] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains or may contain material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

[0004] Gaming device manufacturers strive to make gaming devices that provide as much enjoyment and excitement as possible. Providing a game in which a player has an opportunity to win potentially large awards or credits is one way to enhance player enjoyment and excitement.

[0005] Currently, gaming machines or devices provide games wherein a player has one or more opportunities to obtain a winning symbol combination on mechanical or video reels. The winning symbol combination may be along the same payline or on different paylines (known as a scatter pay). By providing gaming devices with more winning symbol combinations, players have more opportunities to receive an award.

[0006] In known gaming devices, however, the probability of obtaining the largest award (i.e., the jackpot award) is typically much lower than the probability of obtaining the other awards in a game. Thus, although a player may obtain more awards in a game, these awards are generally the relatively small awards and not the relatively large awards such as the jackpot award.

[0007] Many jurisdictions have regulations that prohibit changing the probability of occurrence associated with the reel symbols. This makes it more difficult to create bonus or secondary games with high payouts using the bonus game reels and reel symbols.

[0008] Additionally, many known gaming devices provide wild symbols or wild cards to enhance a player's opportunity of receiving awards in a game. In a reel game, wild symbols provide a player with an additional opportunity or opportunities to obtain winning symbol combinations on the reels. Therefore, wild symbols, wild cards and wild indicators in gaming devices provide additional excitement and entertainment for players.

[0009] In a slot machine having reels, a wild symbol can enable the matching of one or more symbols on a payline to achieve a symbol combination. For example in FIG. 8, a gaming device including a game having three reels is displayed to a player. In the game, a winning combination of symbols includes three matching symbols in the game. As illustrated in FIG. 8, in one of the activations or spins of the reels, a star symbol, a wild symbol and a circle symbol are indicated on the reels. The wild symbol matches one of the symbols on the same payline, payline 56b, as the wild symbol. Therefore, the indicated symbol combination on payline 56b is either two star symbols or two circle symbols. In this example, neither of these symbol combinations are winning symbol combinations. Therefore, the player obtained a wild symbol on the reels but did not obtain a winning symbol combination in the game as indicated by the game display 200 and the total award display 202. Because the probability of obtaining a winning symbol combination increases when a wild symbol occurs on one or more of the reels in a game, a player's excitement and enjoyment also increases in the game. However, when the player does not obtain a winning symbol combination after obtaining a wild symbol in the game, the player's excitement level decreases. Therefore, a game that provides additional award opportunities related to a wild symbol is desirable.

[0010] Gaming devices that increase the probability of obtaining the relatively large award and specifically, the jackpot award, are desirable. Additionally, gaming devices that increase the opportunities of obtaining an award or awards in a game are desirable. To increase player enjoyment and excitement, it is desirable to provide new games and gaming devices which increase the likelihood or probability that the player will obtain one or more awards in a game and specifically, one or more relatively large awards in a game.

[0011] The present invention is directed to a gaming device including an award mode of a primary game or bonus game where the probability of obtaining an award and specifically, a relatively large award increases when the player enters the award mode or bonus game.

[0012] In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a plurality of reels, each having a plurality of symbols. These symbols include a plurality of award symbols, at least one non-award symbol or null symbol or blank, at least one trigger symbol or symbol combination and at least one wild symbol. One or more paylines are associated with the reels to indicate symbols or symbol combinations on the reels, which are evaluated for winning symbol combinations. The symbols may be any suitable symbols such as letters, numbers, characters or any other suitable images. The award mode also includes a triggering event, which in one embodiment, includes a trigger symbol occurring on the reels. In one embodiment, the triggering event occurs when the trigger symbol is indicated on a designated reel on one of the paylines associated with the reels. In another embodiment, the triggering event occurs when the trigger symbol occurs on any of the paylines.

[0013] In a primary game, the gaming device initiates the award mode when the triggering event occurs in the game. In the award mode, the gaming device holds the reel including the trigger symbol stationary while activating or spinning the other reels until those reels indicate a wild symbol on the payline. The gaming device then holds the reels including the wild symbols stationary while reactivating or re-spinning the reel including the trigger symbol. Thus, the award mode effectively reduces the game to a single reel game where only one of the award symbols on the reel indicates a winning symbol combination in the award mode.

[0014] In the award mode, the gaming device re-activates or re-spins the reel including the trigger symbol until one of the award symbols is indicated on the payline on that reel. For instance, if a non-award or null symbol, or the trigger symbol is indicated on the payline in the award mode, the gaming device re-spins the reel until one of the award symbols or the wild symbol is indicated on the payline. The null symbols and the trigger symbol do not provide an award to the player in the award mode, but instead cause the gaming device to re-spin the reels. Therefore, the player is guaranteed to receive one of the award symbols or the wild symbol in the award mode before the award mode ends. Reducing the number of symbols that may be indicated on the payline to end the game, increases the probability that any one of the award symbols will be indicated on the payline. The gaming device then provides the award associated with the indicated award symbol or the indicated award symbol combination to the player. The award is added to the player's total award in a total award display and the bonus mode ends. In another embodiment, the player continues to re-activate the reels in the award mode if the player has spins remaining in the award mode.

[0015] The gaming device of the present invention effectively reduces the game to a single reel game or event which increases the probability or chance that a player will obtain an award in the award mode and specifically that the player will obtain a relatively large award such as jackpot award in the award mode. For example, in a three reel slot game, if each of the reels in the game includes twenty symbols including the trigger symbol, wild symbol and non-award or null symbols, the probability or chance of obtaining an award symbol combination in that game is (1/20)×(1/20)×(1/20) or 1 in 8000.

[0016] In the award mode the game is reduced to a single reel game as described above. Therefore, the probability of obtaining an award symbol (or symbol combination) in the award mode significantly increases. The probability is determined by multiplying the probability of the trigger symbol being indicated in the primary game (i.e., 1 in 20) by the probability of indicating one of the award symbols occurring in the award mode (i.e., 1 in 9). Therefore, the probability of one of the award symbols (or symbol combinations) being indicated in the game (through the award mode) is (1/20)×(1/9), which equals a probability of (1/180). Thus, it is significantly more likely that the player will obtain one of the award symbols and therefore a winning award symbol combination in game through the award mode. This increases the player's excitement and enjoyment of the game because the player has a greater opportunity or probability of obtaining the relatively large award or jackpot award in the award mode.

[0017] In one embodiment, a probability of being indicated on the payline is associated with each of the symbols on the reels. In one aspect of this embodiment, the probability associated with the trigger symbol is less than the probability associated with at least one of the award symbols, null symbols and the wild symbol on the reels. In another aspect of this embodiment, the probability associated with the trigger symbol is less than a plurality of the probabilities associated with the award symbols, null symbols and the wild symbol. In a further aspect of this embodiment, the probability associated with the trigger symbol is less than all of the probabilities associated with the award symbols, null symbols and the wild symbol in the game.

[0018] Similarly in another embodiment, the award symbols include one relatively large award and several relatively small awards. In this embodiment, a probability of being indicated on the payline is associated with the award symbols such that the probability associated with the award symbol including the relatively large award is less than at least one of the probabilities associated with the award symbols including the relatively small awards being indicated on the payline. In another embodiment, the probability associated with the award symbol including the relatively large award is less than a plurality of the probabilities associated with the award symbols including the relatively small awards. In a further embodiment, the probability associated with the award symbol including the relatively large award is less than all of the probabilities associated with the award symbols including the relatively small awards.

[0019] In a further embodiment, the award mode of the present invention includes an award associated with a winning symbol combination including all wild symbols. In this embodiment, if the award mode is initiated and a wild symbol is indicated on the payline associated with the reels, in combination with the other wild symbols indicated on the payline, the gaming device provides the maximum or largest award in the game, such as the jackpot award. In another embodiment, the gaming device provides a predetermined award associated with a winning symbol combination including wild symbols in the game.

[0020] In an alternative embodiment, the gaming device includes a game which displays a plurality of reels to a player. The reels include a plurality of symbols having at least one trigger symbol such as a wild symbol. The gaming device activates or spins the reels for at least one activation or spin in a game and indicates a combination of symbols on the reels. If the symbol combination indicated on the reels includes a wild symbol but is not a winning symbol combination in the game, the gaming device holds the reel including the wild symbol stationary. The gaming device then provides the player with a designated number of activations or spins to re-spin at least one of the reels other than the held reel in the game. The designated number of activations or spins may be predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on a wager made by a player or determined according to any suitable determination method in a game. The wild symbol and the symbol combinations may be indicated on one payline associated with the reels, a plurality of paylines associated with the reels or on all of the paylines associated with the reels.

[0021] In one embodiment, the gaming device re-activates or re-spins the reel or reels other than the reel including the wild symbol until a winning symbol combination is indicated on the reels or until there are no spins remaining in the game. In another embodiment, the gaming device re-activates or re-spins the reel or reels other than the reel including the wild symbol until a winning symbol combination is indicated on the reels. In a further embodiment, the gaming device re-activates or re-spins the reel or reels other than the reel including the wild symbol until there are no spins remaining in the game. In this embodiment, the gaming device provides the awards to the player associated with any winning symbol combinations that occur on the reels during the designated number of activations or spins of the reels.

[0022] In another alternative embodiment, if the symbol combination indicated on the reels includes a wild symbol but does not indicate a winning symbol combination having an award amount equal to or greater than a designated award amount in the game, the gaming device holds the reel including the wild symbol stationary. The gaming device then provides the player with a designated number of activations or spins to re-spin at least one of the reels other than the held reel in the game as described above. The gaming device then provides the player with an award or awards associated with any winning symbol combinations indicated on the reels in the game. The designated award amount may be an award value or values or any other suitable award level in the game. In addition, the designated award amount may be predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on a wager made by the player in the game or determined according to any suitable determination method.

[0023] In a further alternative embodiment, the present invention provides a gaming device including a free spins game which displays a plurality of reels to a player. The reels include a plurality of symbols where the symbols include at least one trigger symbol such as a wild symbol. The gaming device also provides a designated number of activations or spins of the reels in the game. The gaming device activates or spins the reels to indicate the symbols on the reels. If a wild symbol is indicated on the reels such as on a payline associated with the reels and no winning symbol combinations are indicated on the same payline as the wild symbol, the gaming device freezes or holds the reel including the wild symbol stationary. The gaming device then re-activates or re-spins the other reels, not including the reel including the wild symbol, to indicate symbols in the game. The gaming device continues to activate the other reels in the game for the remaining number of spins in the game until a winning symbol combination, if any, is indicated on the payline associated with the reels. The gaming device then provides an award associated with the winning symbol combination to the player. The game ends when there are no spins remaining in the game, the gaming device provides the player with the total award indicated in a total award display.

[0024] In another embodiment of the present invention, the gaming device freezes or holds the reel including the wild symbol stationary when the wild symbol is indicated on a payline associated with the reels and the award amounts associated with any winning symbol combinations indicated on the payline are less than a designated award amount. Thus, the gaming device ensures that if the player does obtain a winning symbol combination in the game, the award associated with that winning symbol combination will be equal to or greater than a designated minimum award or award amount in the game. The designated award amount may be any suitable level desired by game implementor.

[0025] In this embodiment, the gaming device activates or spins the reels for a designated number of spins in the game. If a wild symbol is indicated on a payline associated with the reels and the award value or amount associated with any indicated winning symbol combinations on the payline are less than the designated award value, the gaming device freezes or holds the reel including the wild symbol and enables the player to have an opportunity to obtain an award associated with a winning symbol combination in the game that is equal to or greater than the designated award value or amount. The gaming device continues to activate the reels, other than the reel including the wild symbol, to indicate symbols and possibly winning symbol combinations in the game. The gaming device then provides any awards associated with winning symbol combinations including the wild symbol on the payline that are equal to or greater than the designated award amount. The gaming device then transfers those awards to the total award display. When there are no spins remaining in the game, the game ends and the gaming device provides the total award to the player.

[0026] In a further alternative embodiment, the gaming device provides an award or awards to a player for any winning symbol combinations including the wild symbol which are located on any of the paylines associated with the reels (i.e., a scatter pay combination). In one embodiment, the winning symbol combination includes the wild symbol and any symbols located on the reels not including the wild symbol. In another embodiment, the winning symbol combination includes the wild symbol and any symbols included on any of the reels including the reel having the wild symbol. Thus, the gaming device provides the player with more opportunities to obtain a winning combination of symbols including the wild symbol in the game and thereby increases the player's chance of obtaining an award in the game.

[0027] In another alternative embodiment, one or more symbol indicators are associated with the wild symbol. In this embodiment, when the wild symbol is indicated on the reels, the reel including the wild symbol is held stationary while the other reels not including the wild symbol are activated. When the reels not including the wild symbol stop, the symbol indicator or indicators associated with the wild symbol indicate or point to one or more symbols on the reels. The symbol indicator or indicators may point to symbols on different reels or the same reel as the reel including the wild symbol. In one embodiment, the symbol indicator or indicators associated with the wild symbol point to a fixed location or locations on the reels. It should be appreciated that the symbol indicators may indicate or point to a randomly selected location on the reels or a designated section on the reels. The symbols indicated by the symbol indicators are combined with the wild symbol to form a symbol combination in an activation. The gaming device provides the player with any awards associated with the formed symbol combination.

[0028] In a further alternative embodiment, the symbols on the reels include at least one bonus symbol. If the bonus symbol is indicated on one or more designated paylines associated with the reels, the gaming device provides a bonus award or an additional award to the player in the game. The bonus award may include at least one free spin of the reels, at least one free game and/or at least one multiplier. It should be appreciated that the bonus award or additional award may be any suitable award as desired by the game implementor. The bonus symbol further enhances the probability that a player will obtain one of the winning symbol combinations in the game.

[0029] In another alternative embodiment, a probability of being indicated on a payline associated with the reels is associated with each of the symbols on the reels. In one aspect of this embodiment, the probability associated with the wild symbol is less than the probability associated with at least one of the other symbols on the reels. In another aspect of this embodiment, the probability associated with the wild symbol is less than the probability associated with a plurality of the other symbols on the reels. In a further aspect of this embodiment, the probability associated with the wild symbol is less than all of the probabilities associated with the other symbols on the reels.

[0030] In a further alternative embodiment, the present invention is employed in a card game. In this embodiment, the gaming device displays a plurality of cards to a player in a game. The cards include a plurality of symbols including at least one trigger symbol such as a wild symbol. The symbols may be numbers, colors, letters, playing card suits, characters or any suitable image. In a game, the gaming device displays the cards in one or more rounds to the player. If a wild symbol appears on one of the cards and there is not a winning combination of cards, the gaming device holds the card including the wild symbol. The gaming device then replaces at least one of the cards not including the wild symbol for a designated number of rounds until a winning combination of cards are indicated or until there are no rounds remaining in the game. In another embodiment, the gaming device continues to replace at least one of the cards not including the wild symbol until a winning combination of cards are indicated. The gaming device then provides the player with the award associated with the winning combination of cards. In a further embodiment, the gaming device holds the card including the wild symbol when no winning combination of cards are indicated that include an award amount equal to or greater than a designated award amount in the game.

[0031] It should be appreciated that the present invention may be employed in a primary game, a bonus game, a sub-game or any suitable game.

[0032] It should also be appreciated that although the present application primarily discusses a trigger symbol, a combination of symbols (i.e., a trigger symbol combination) could be employed to trigger the award mode. It should also be appreciated that the trigger symbol could function as a wild symbol and one of the other reels could re-activated.

[0033] It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a gaming device that increases the probability of obtaining awards in a game.

[0034] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a gaming device that increases the probability of obtaining a relatively large award in a game.

[0035] It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a gaming device that increases the probability of obtaining the jackpot award in a game.

[0036] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps and processes.

[0037] FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 1C is a enlarged elevation view of a set of reels and the reel stop positions included on the reels in a three reel slot game.

[0040] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the electronic configuration of one embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 3A is an enlarged elevation view of one of the display devices of FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrating one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 3B is an award table illustrating the symbol combinations and the awards associated with the symbols combinations of the embodiment of FIG. 3A.

[0043] FIG. 4A is probability table illustrating the probability of each of the symbols being indicated on each of the reels in a primary game.

[0044] FIG. 4B is probability table illustrating the probability of each of the symbols being indicated on each of the reels in an award mode.

[0045] FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E and 5F are enlarged front elevation views of an example of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 illustrating a primary game and an award mode initiated by the occurrence of a triggering event in the primary game.

[0046] FIG. 6 is an enlarged elevation view of one of the display devices of FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrating another embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 7 is an enlarged elevation view of one of the display devices of FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrating a further embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 8 is an enlarged elevation view of a known game in a gaming device.

[0049] FIG. 9 is an enlarged elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] FIG. 10A is an enlarged elevation view of an example of the alternative embodiment of the present invention where a wild symbol is indicated on one of the reels.

[0051] FIG. 10B is an enlarged elevation view of the example of FIG. 10A where a winning symbol combination is indicated on the reels.

[0052] FIG. 11A is an enlarged elevation view of an example of another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] FIG. 11B is an award summary table associated with the embodiment of FIG. 11A.

[0054] FIGS. 11C and 11D are enlarged elevation views of the example of the embodiment of FIG. 11A.

[0055] FIG. 12 is an enlarged elevation view of a further alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] FIG. 13A is an enlarged elevation view of an example of one alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] FIG. 13B is award summary table associated with the embodiment of FIG. 13A.

[0058] FIGS. 13C, 13D and 13E are enlarged elevation views of the embodiment of FIG. 13A illustrating a game where the gaming device provides a player with three activations of the reels in the game.

[0059] FIG. 14A is an enlarged elevation view of an example of another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] FIG. 14B is an award summary table associated with the embodiment of FIG. 15A.

[0061] FIGS. 14C, 14D and 14E are enlarged elevation views of the embodiment of FIG. 14A where the gaming device provides three activations of the reels in the game.

[0062] FIG. 15 is an enlarged elevation view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention where the wild symbol includes two symbol indicators.

[0063] FIG. 16 is an enlarged elevation view of a further alternative embodiment of the present invention where a plurality of cards are displayed to a player.

[0064] Referring now to the drawings, two embodiments of the gaming device of the present invention are illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B as gaming device 10a and gaming device 10b, respectively. Gaming device 10a and/or gaming device 10b are generally referred to herein as gaming device 10. Gaming device 10 is preferably a slot machine having the controls, displays and features of a conventional slot machine. It is constructed so that a player can operate it while standing or sitting, and gaming device 10 is preferably mounted on a console. However, it should be appreciated that gaming device 10 can be constructed as a pub-style table-top game (not shown) which a player can operate preferably while sitting. Furthermore, gaming device 10 can be constructed with varying cabinet and display designs, as illustrated by the designs shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Gaming device 10 can also be implemented as a program code stored in a detachable cartridge for operating a hand-held video game device. Also, gaming device 10 can be implemented as a program code stored on a disk or other memory device which a player can use in a desktop or laptop personal computer or other computerized platform.

[0065] Gaming device 10 can incorporate any primary game such as slot, black jack, poker or keno, any of the bonus triggering events and any of the bonus round games. The symbols and indicia used on and in gaming device 10 may be in mechanical, electrical, electronic or video form.

[0066] As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, gaming device 10 includes a coin slot 12 and bill acceptor 14 where the player inserts money, coins or tokens. The player can place coins in the coin slot 12 or paper money or ticket vouchers in the bill acceptor 14. Other devices could be used for accepting payment such as readers or validators for credit cards or debit cards. When a player inserts money in gaming device 10, a number of credits corresponding to the amount deposited is shown in a credit display 16. After depositing the appropriate amount of money, a player can begin the game by pulling arm 18 or pushing play button 20. Play button 20 can be any play activator used by the player which starts any game or sequence of events in the gaming device.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, gaming device 10 also includes a bet display 22 and a bet one button 24. The player places a bet by pushing the bet one button 24. The player can increase the bet by one credit each time the player pushes the bet one button 24. When the player pushes the bet one button 24, the number of credits shown in the credit display 16 decreases by one, and the number of credits shown in the bet display 22 increases by one.

[0068] A player may cash out and thereby receive a number of coins corresponding to the number of remaining credits by pushing a cash out button 26. When the player cashes out, the player receives the coins in a coin payout tray 28. The gaming device 10 may employ other payout mechanisms such as credit slips redeemable by a cashier or electronically recordable cards which keep track of the player's credits.

[0069] Gaming device 10 also includes one or more display devices. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1A includes a central display device 30, and the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 1B includes a central display device 30 as well as an upper display device 32. Gaming device 10 displays a plurality of reels 34 such as three to five reels 34 in mechanical or video form at one or more of the display devices. A display device can be any viewing surface such as glass, a video monitor or screen, a liquid crystal display or any other display mechanism. If the reels 34 are in video form, the display device for the video reels 34 is preferably a video monitor.

[0070] Each reel 34 displays a plurality of indicia such as bells, hearts, fruits, numbers, letters, bars or other images, which preferably correspond to a theme associated with the gaming device 10. Furthermore, gaming device 10 preferably includes speakers 36 for making sounds or playing music.

[0071] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the general electronic configuration of gaming device 10 preferably includes: a processor 38; a memory device 40 for storing program code or other data; a central display device 30; an upper display device 32; a sound card 42; a plurality of speakers 36; and one or more input devices 44. The processor 38 is preferably a microprocessor or microcontroller-based platform which is capable of displaying images, symbols and other indicia such as images of people, characters, places, things and faces of cards. The memory device 40 can include random access memory (RAM) 46 for storing event data or other data generated or used during a particular game. The memory device 40 can also include 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.

[0072] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the player preferably uses the input devices 44, such as pull arm 18, play button 20, the bet one button 24 and the cash out button 26 to input signals into gaming device 10. In certain instances it is preferable to use a touch screen 50 and an associated touch screen controller 52 instead of a conventional video monitor display device. Touch screen 50 and touch screen controller 52 are connected to a video controller 54 and processor 38. A player can make decisions and input signals into the gaming device 10 by touching touch screen 50 at the appropriate places. As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the processor 38 can be connected to coin slot 12 or bill acceptor 14. The processor 38 can be programmed to require a player to deposit a certain amount of money in order to start the game.

[0073] It should be appreciated that although a processor 38 and memory device 40 are preferable implementations of the present invention, the present invention can also be implemented using one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC's) or other hard-wired devices, or using mechanical devices (collectively or alternatively referred to herein as a “processor”). Furthermore, although the processor 38 and memory device 40 preferably reside on each gaming device 10 unit, it is possible to provide some or all of their functions at a central location such as a network server for communication to a playing station such as over a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet connection, microwave link, and the like. The processor 38 and memory device 40 is generally referred to herein as the “computer” or “controller.”

[0074] With reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2, to operate the gaming device 10 in one embodiment the player must insert the appropriate amount of money or tokens at coin slot 12 or bill acceptor 14 and then pull the arm 18 or push the play button 20. The reels 34 will then begin to spin. Eventually, the reels 34 will 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.

[0075] In addition to winning credits in this manner, gaming device 10 also gives players the opportunity to win credits in a bonus round. This type of gaming device 10 will include a program which will automatically initiates a bonus round when the player has achieved a qualifying condition in the game. This qualifying condition can be a particular arrangement of indicia on a display device. The gaming device 10 preferably uses a video-based central display device 30 to enable the player to play the bonus round. Preferably, the qualifying condition is a predetermined combination of indicia appearing on one or more of a plurality of the reels 34. As illustrated in the five reel slot game shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the qualifying condition could be the number seven appearing on three adjacent reels 34 along a payline 56. It should be appreciated that the present invention can include one or more paylines, such as payline 56, wherein the paylines can be horizontal, diagonal or any combination thereof.

[0076] Referring to FIGS. 1C, 3A, 3B, 4A and 4B, one embodiment of the reels of the present invention is illustrated where three reels are employed in a game. It should be appreciated that any suitable number of reels may be employed in the primary game. In this embodiment, each of the reels 34a, 34b and 34c includes symbols 100, which are represented by letters A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H, non-award or null symbols or blanks 104, at least one trigger symbol 102 and at least one wild symbol 105. It should be appreciated that any suitable number and types of symbols may be employed in a game according to the present invention. Each symbol is positioned at a reel stop position or reel stop on each of the reels. Therefore, one of the symbols such as one of the award symbols, one of the null symbols, the trigger symbol or the wild symbol will be indicated on a payline in the game.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 3A, in one embodiment the gaming device displays a plurality of reels and specifically three reels 34a, 34b and 34c. The reels include a plurality of symbols such as the letters A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H. The reels also include at least one trigger symbol, such as a diamond symbol 102. It should be appreciated that one or more of the reels may include at least on trigger symbol. Additionally, each of the reels includes at least one wild symbol 105 and at least one null symbol or blank 104. A probability of being indicated is associated with each of the symbols on the reels. In the primary game, the probability of each of the symbols being indicated on one of the reels is one in twenty (1/20) or 5.0% as shown in the probability table illustrated in FIG. 4A. If a triggering event occurs in the primary game, an award mode is initiated. In the award mode, the primary game is effectively reduced to a one-reel game. In addition, the null symbols 104 or blanks, and the trigger symbol, each re-spin or re-activate the reels. Thus, the effective number of symbols on the reels is reduced from twenty symbols to nine symbols, which further increases the probability that one of the symbols will be indicated on the reels. Several paylines, such as paylines 56a, 56b and 56c are associated with the reels. It should be appreciated that one or more paylines may be associated with the reels. A spins remaining display 106 indicates the number of spins remaining in the game. A total award display indicates the total value of the awards accumulated by the player in the game.

[0078] The gaming device provides the player with a number of spins in the game. The number of spins may be randomly determined, predetermined or determined in any suitable manner. The player uses the spins to activate or spin the reels 34a, 34b and 34c. The gaming device provides an award associated with one or more winning symbol combinations indicated on one of the paylines 56a, 56b or 56c associated with the reels. The player continues to spin the reels until the player has no spins remaining as indicated by the spins remaining display 106.

[0079] The trigger symbol or diamond symbol 102 increases the probability that the player will obtain one of the awards in the game and specifically increases the probability that the player will obtain the largest award such as the jackpot award in the game. The game preferably includes only one trigger symbol, designated as a diamond symbol 102, on one of the reels 34 in the game. In one embodiment, the middle reel 34b, includes the trigger symbol or diamond symbol 102. If the diamond symbol 102 is indicated on one of the paylines 56a, 56b or 56c, the gaming device initiates an award mode. In the award mode, the gaming device freezes or holds the reel 34b including the trigger symbol 102 stationary while the gaming device activates or spins the remaining reels or outside reels 34a and 34c, which are adjacent to the middle reel 34b. The gaming device activates or spins these reels until a wild symbol 105 is indicated on the same payline as the trigger symbol or diamond symbol 102.

[0080] Once the wild symbols 105 are indicated on reels 34a and 34c and on the same payline as the trigger symbol 102, the gaming device holds or keeps these reels stationary. The symbols on payline 56b are wild symbol 105a on reel 34a, trigger symbol or diamond symbol 102 on reel 34b and wild symbol 105b on reel 34c. The gaming device now re-spins or re-activates reel 34b until an award symbol such as one of the letters is indicated on payline 56b. Any award symbol 100 indicated on that payline will provide a symbol combination having three identical symbols matching the award symbol 100 indicated on that payline. This occurs because two of the symbols on that payline are the wild symbols 105a and 105b as illustrated in FIG. 5C. Because only the middle reel 34b is re-activated or re-spun during the game to determine the award, the game is reduced to a one reel or single reel game. The player now only needs to obtain one award symbol to win an award in the award mode. More specifically, the player only has to spin one reel 34b to obtain the largest award such as the jackpot award in the game. Thus, because the award mode reduced the game to a one reel or single reel game, the probability of obtaining any of the awards, and specifically the largest award in the game, increases significantly.

[0081] In the award mode, when the middle reel 34b is re-activated and the trigger symbol or diamond symbol 102 is indicated on payline 56b, the gaming device re-spins or re-activates reel 34b. Thus in one embodiment, the trigger symbol or diamond symbol does not provide an award to the player in the game. In another embodiment, an award is associated with the trigger symbol and is provided to the player if the trigger symbol is indicated on the reel after the reel is re-activated in the award mode.

[0082] Similarly, if a non-award or null symbol (i.e., blank) 104 is indicated on payline 56b on reel 34b, the gaming device re-spins or re-activates reel 34b. Thus, a null symbol does not provide an award to the player; rather, the reels are re-spun to give the player another opportunity to obtain one of the awards in the game. Once an award symbol 100 is indicated on the designated payline on reel 34b, the gaming device provides an award associated with the award combination including those symbols. If the award symbol happens to be the jackpot symbol, the player obtains three of the jackpot symbols and therefore, the jackpot award in the game. The award received by the player in the game is transferred to the total award display 108 and provided to the player when the game ends. In one embodiment, the game ends when the player obtains an award in the game. In another embodiment, the game ends when the player runs out of spins as indicated by the spins remaining display 106.

[0083] In a further embodiment, the gaming device includes a modifier such as a multiplier which changes such as by increasing when the null symbol occurs on the reel. The modifier such as the multiplier is employed in one embodiment to increase the award determined by the generated symbol on the reel.

[0084] By effectively reducing the game to a single reel or one reel game, the present invention significantly increases the probability of obtaining an award in the game without changing the random probability of occurrence. In particular, the present invention increases the probability or the likelihood that the player will obtain the largest award such as the jackpot award in the game. For example, in a typical reel-type game, a player must obtain one of a plurality of designated symbol combinations on one or more of the paylines associated with a set of reels to obtain an award in the game. The gaming device or player spins the reels and the reels randomly indicate symbols on one or more of the paylines associated with the reels. If a winning symbol combination is indicated on one of the designated winning paylines in the game, the gaming device provides an award associated with that winning symbol combination. The probability of obtaining a particular symbol combination, however, is based on the number of reels in a game and the number of symbols included on those reels. Thus, the more reels and symbols in a game, the less likely or less probable it is that the player will obtain one of the winning symbol combinations in that game.

[0085] For example, a particular game of the gaming device may include three reels, such as reels 34a, 34b and 34c in FIG. 3A. In this example, each of the reels includes twenty reel positions, which include nine award symbols as symbols A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H, one wild symbol, one trigger symbol and ten null symbols. In this example, the symbols must occur or be indicated on payline 56b to provide a winning symbol combination in the game. Thus, at the beginning of the game each symbol has a 5% (1/20) chance or probability of being indicated on payline 56b on each of the reels as illustrated in FIG. 4A. As a result, the overall probability that a particular symbol combination will occur on that payline is (1/20)×(1/20)×(1/20), which equals (1/8000) or 0.013%. Therefore, in this example, because each symbol has a 5% (1/20) chance or probability of being indicated on a single payline on the reels, the overall probability of a particular symbol combination occurring on that payline in the primary game (without the award mode) is (1/8000) or 0.013%.

[0086] Referring to FIG. 3B, an example of a payout or award table is illustrated. In this example, a winning symbol combination in the primary game includes three identical symbols. For instance, the jackpot award or largest award indicated on the table is the award of ten thousand associated with the symbol combination including three A symbols (i.e., A, A, A). The award associated with the other winning symbol combinations are also shown in the table. It should be appreciated that any suitable combination of symbols in a game may be designated as a winning symbol combination.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 4A, a probability table for a primary game or base game indicates the probability of each of the symbols being indicated on a payline for each reel in the three reel slot game shown in FIG. 3A. The table also indicates the probability of being indicated on a payline associated with each of the winning symbol combinations shown in FIG. 3B for each of the symbols on the reels and the probability of three null symbols or blanks being indicated on the payline. As illustrated in the table, the probability of each of the award symbols (i.e., A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H) being indicated on any one of the reels is (1/20). The probability of a winning symbol combination including one of the award symbols, the trigger symbol or the wild symbol, being indicated on the designated payline is (1/8000) (i.e., (1/20)×(1/20)×(1/20)). The probability of three null symbols or blanks being indicated on the payline is ((10/20)×(10/20)×(10/20)) or (1/8). Therefore, a player has a one in eight thousand chance in the primary game to obtain one of the winning symbol combinations, and specifically of obtaining the jackpot award in the game.

[0088] In the award mode of the present invention, the number of reels is effectively reduced to one reel or one active reel such as reel 34b. As a result, the probability of obtaining a particular symbol or a particular symbol combination increases significantly. Referring to FIG. 4B, a probability table illustrates the probabilities of each of the symbols being indicated on the reel in the award mode. Additionally, the table illustrates the probability of a winning symbol combination, which in the award mode is one award symbol, being indicated on the payline in the award mode. Because the trigger symbol and the null symbols cause the reel to re-spin in the award mode, the number of effective award symbols in the award mode is reduced to nine. Therefore, the probability of each of the award symbols or the wild symbol being indicated on the payline in the game (through the award mode) is (1/180), which is the probability of the trigger symbol being indicated on the payline in the primary game (1/20) multiplied by the probability of any one of the award symbols or the wild symbol being indicated on the payline in the award mode, which is (1/9). The probability of one of the award symbols or the wild symbol being indicated in the game (through the award mode) is therefore, (1/20)×(1/9) or (1/180) as shown in FIG. 4B. Accordingly, the overall probability of obtaining a specific symbol combination is (0.013% (1/8000) +0.56% (1/180) which equal 0.573%.

[0089] Referring to FIG. 3A, in one example of the award mode of the present invention, if a trigger symbol or diamond symbol 102 is indicated on payline 56b in a primary game, an award mode is initiated and the outside reels 34a and 34c are re-activated or re-spun until wild symbols are indicated on payline 56b. Then, the reels 34a and 34c are held stationary while the middle reel 34b is re-activated or re-spun until an award symbol is indicated on payline 56b. The probability or likelihood of obtaining a particular symbol combination on the reels has now increased because the player only has to obtain one award symbol on reel 34b in order to obtain an award in the game.

[0090] In this example, the middle reel 34b includes twenty reel positions including eight award symbols, one wild symbol, a trigger symbol or diamond symbol 102, and ten null symbols 104 as shown in FIGS. 1C and 3A. Therefore, the player initially has a one in twenty chance of obtaining the trigger symbol or diamond symbol 102 on reel 34b in the primary game as described above. In the award mode, if the player obtains the trigger symbol 102 or one of the null symbols 104 on payline 56b after the reel 34b is re-activated, the gaming device re-spins or re-activates reel 34b again until an award symbol 100 is indicated on payline 56b. Because the trigger symbol 102 and the null symbols 104 re-spin or re-activate the reels in the award mode, the actual number of symbols that provide an award and end the bonus mode are nine (i.e., the eight award symbols and the wild symbol). Therefore, the player has a one in nine chance of obtaining an award symbol 100 in the award mode and thereby a 11.1% chance of obtaining a winning symbol combination on payline 56b. As a result, the overall probability of obtaining a winning symbol combination on the reels in the award mode is determined by taking the probability of obtaining the trigger symbol or diamond symbol 102 on reel 34b in the initial or primary game, which is 1 in 20 (1/20), multiplied by the probability or the likelihood of one of the award symbols being indicated on payline 56b, which is 1 in 9 (1/9). The overall probability therefore equals (1/180) or 0.56% for obtaining any one of the winning symbol combinations on the reels in the game (through the award mode) as shown in FIG. 4B. Thus, the probability of obtaining a winning symbol combination on the reels in the primary game is 1 in 8000 or 0.013% and this probability increases to 1 in 180 or 0.56% in the award mode. This significantly increases a player's opportunities or chances of obtaining one of the awards in the game and specifically a relatively large award such as the jackpot award. This increases a player's excitement and enjoyment of the game.

[0091] Referring to FIGS. 5A through 5F, an example of one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated where the player obtains a trigger symbol or diamond symbol 102 in the primary game or primary mode. This example includes three reels 34a, 34b and 34c as shown in FIG. 5A, where each reel includes a plurality of award symbols A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H, one trigger symbol designated as diamond symbol 102, one wild symbol 105 and ten null symbols 104. The player begins the game with five spins as indicated by the spins remaining display 106 as shown in FIG. 5A. Additionally, the player begins the game with an award of zero as indicated by the total award display 108. The player uses their first spin as shown in FIG. 5B to activate or spin the reels. A trigger symbol or diamond symbol 102 is indicated on payline 56b on reel 34b. The trigger symbol or diamond symbol 102 initiates the bonus mode of the present invention.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 5C, the gaming device freezes or holds reel 34b stationary while spinning or re-spinning the outside reels 34a and 34c until wild symbols 105a and 105b, respectively, are indicated on payline 56b on those reels. As indicated by the spins remaining display 106, the number of spins does not decrease when these reels are activated or re-activated to indicate the wild symbols. Additionally, the total award display 108 indicates that the player does not obtain an award for obtaining the trigger symbol (i.e., diamond symbol 102) or the wild symbols 105a or 105b. In another embodiment, the gaming device provides an award associated with the trigger symbol and/or the wild symbols.

[0093] Referring to FIG. 5D, the outside reels 34a and 34c are stationary or cannot be re-activated, therefore the gaming device or player can only re-activate or re-spin reel 34b. In FIG. 5D the gaming device re-activates reel 34b and a null symbol 104 is indicated on payline 56b. The symbol combination of a wild symbol 105a, a null symbol 104 and wild symbol 105b on reels 34a, 34b and 34c, respectively, is not a winning symbol combination in the game. Therefore, the player does not receive an award for this symbol combination. However, the null symbol 104 does not end the game, but instead causes the gaming device to automatically re-spin or re-activate reel 34b. Thus, the null symbol 104 provides the player with another opportunity to obtain an award symbol in the game. The number of spins remaining in the award mode does not decrease as indicated by the spins remaining display 106 and the total award still remains at zero as indicated by the total award display 108.

[0094] Alternatively, as indicated above, the game upon the occurrence of the null symbol can change such as increment a modifier (such as a multiplier) which is employed to modify and preferably increase the award to the player.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 5E, the gaming device or player re-activates reel 34b in the game. The trigger symbol or diamond symbol 102 is indicated on payline 56b on reel 34b. The resultant symbol combination is the wild symbol 105a, the trigger symbol 102 and the wild symbol 105b, on reels 34a, 34b and 34c, respectively, which is not a winning symbol combination. Similar to the null symbol 104 shown in FIG. 5D, the trigger symbol or diamond symbol 102 causes the gaming device to re-activate or re-spin reel 34b. Therefore, the player has another opportunity to obtain an award symbol in the game. The number of spins remaining in the bonus mode and the total award did not change in the game as indicated by the spins remaining display 106 and the total award display 108.

[0096] Referring to FIG. 5F, the gaming device or player re-spins and re-activates reel 34b in the award mode. After this spin, an award symbol designated by the letter A (110) is indicated on payline 56b on reel 34b. As a result, a winning symbol combination including wild symbol 105a on reel 34a, award symbol 110 on reel 34b and wild symbol 105b on reel 34c is indicated on payline 56b. This symbol combination provides a combination of three A symbols 110 because the wild symbols act or equal the award symbol 110. In this example, a combination including three A symbols provides the jackpot or largest award of ten thousand to the player as indicated by the total award display 108. Thus, the trigger symbol or diamond symbol 102 increases the probability or likelihood that the player will obtain an award and particularly the jackpot award in the game. The player has four spins remaining as indicated by the spins remaining display 106. In one embodiment, the player uses the remaining spins to spin the reels four more times in the award mode. In another embodiment, the game ends when the player obtains an award in the game.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 6, another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated where the symbols on the middle or central reel 34b include awards, such as the values of twenty, one hundred and five. In the award mode of this embodiment, the player re-spins or re-activates reel 34b until one of the award values are indicated on payline 56b. Instead of obtaining a winning symbol combination in the game, the player obtains three times the value of the indicated award or value on payline 56b. For example, in FIG. 6, the award of one hundred is indicated on payline 56b in the award mode. Therefore, the combination of the award of one hundred with the wild symbols 205a and 205b provide an award of three hundred because the wild symbols match the award value indicated on payline 56b on reel 34b. Thus, the player obtains an award of three hundred as indicated by the total award display 108 in the award mode. It should be appreciated that any symbols, values or any combination of symbols or values may be employed on the reels in the award mode of the game of the present invention.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 7, a further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated where the middle or center reel 34b includes a wild symbol 105b. In this embodiment, the player re-spins reel 34b after obtaining the trigger symbol or diamond symbol 102 as described above. If the player obtains the wild symbol on payline 56b on reel 34b, the player obtains a symbol combination including three wild symbols 105a, 105b and 105c. Thus, the player obtains the largest award or the highest or most desirable symbol combination associated with the game such as the jackpot symbol combination because the player obtained three wild symbols on payline 56b. Thus, the wild symbol 105b increases the probability that the player will obtain the largest award such as the jackpot award in the game. In another embodiment, an award or award value is associated with the symbol combination including the wild symbol as shown in FIG. 3B.

[0099] In one alternative embodiment of the present invention, the number of spins of the reel can be limited such as to a predetermined number, a randomly determined number, or a number based on another functional game element such as the player's wager.

[0100] In an alternative embodiment, the gaming device includes a game which displays a plurality of reels to a player. The reels include a plurality of symbols having at least one trigger symbol such as a wild symbol. The trigger symbol enables a player to obtain additional opportunities to obtain awards in a game after one or more losing symbol combinations including at least one wild symbol are indicated on the reels.

[0101] In one alternative embodiment, the gaming device activates or spins the reels for at least one activation or spin in a game and indicates one or more symbols such as a combination of symbols on the reels. If the symbol combination indicated on the reels includes a wild symbol, but is not a winning symbol combination in the game, the gaming device holds the reel including the wild symbol stationary. The gaming device then provides the player with a designated number of activations or spins to re-spin at least one of the reels other than the held reel in the game. The designated number of activations or spins may be predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on a wager made by a player or determined according to any suitable determination method in a game. In another embodiment, the wild symbol and the symbol combinations are indicated on one payline associated with the reels, a plurality of paylines associated with the reels or on all of the paylines associated with the reels.

[0102] Referring to FIG. 9, in an example of the above embodiment, the gaming device displays a plurality of reels to a player. The reels include a plurality of symbols 204 including at least one trigger symbol, which is a wild symbol 206. The symbols in this example are shapes such as circles, rectangles, hearts, diamonds, stars and bar symbols. It should be appreciated that the symbols may be shapes, numbers, letters, characters or any suitable images. Three paylines 56a, 56b and 56c are associated with the reels. In this example, the gaming device provides an award to the player for any winning symbol combinations including three matching symbols indicated on payline 56b. A spins remaining display 208 indicates the number of free spins provided to the player in a game, if any. A total award display 210 indicates the total award accumulated by the player in the game. At the start of the game, the number of free spins is zero and the total award is zero.

[0103] Referring to FIG. 10A, the gaming device activates or spins the reels in the game and a symbol on each reel is indicated on the payline 56b. Specifically, a wild symbol 206 is indicated on the payline. However, a winning symbol combination is not indicated on the payline because three matching symbols are not indicated on the payline. Thus, the player obtained a wild symbol but did not obtain a winning symbol combination in the game. The gaming device therefore holds reel 34b, which includes the wild symbol 206, stationary, and provides two free spins of the reels as indicated by the spins remaining display 208. As a result, the gaming device provides the player with additional opportunities to win awards associated with the wild symbol. This increases the player's excitement and enjoyment in the game. The total award in the game is still zero as indicated by the total award display 210.

[0104] Referring to FIG. 10B, the gaming device activates or spins the reels using one of the free spins provided to the player in the game. The reels stop spinning and three symbols are indicated on payline 56b. The indicated symbols are a diamond symbol 204a, the wild symbol 206 and another diamond symbol 204b. The wild symbol 206 matches or substitutes for one of the symbols indicated on the payline. Because only diamond symbols are indicated on the payline, the wild symbol matches or substitutes as a diamond symbol on the payline. Thus, a symbol combination including three matching symbols, specifically three diamond symbols, is indicated on payline 56b. This is a winning symbol combination in the game. Therefore, the gaming device provides an award associated with the winning symbol combination (i.e., three diamond symbols), which in this example is an award of fifty. The award of fifty is added to the player's total award and the player now has a total award of fifty as indicated by the total award display 210. The game ends and the total award indicated by the total award display is provided to the player.

[0105] In another alternative embodiment, the gaming device holds a reel including a wild symbol stationary when the wild symbol occurs on or is indicated on a designated payline in the game and the award amount associated with any winning symbol combinations indicated on the payline are not greater than a designated award amount in the game. The gaming device therefore ensures that if the player does obtain an award in the game, the award is above a designated award or award amount (i.e., a minimum award amount). It should be appreciated that the designated award amount may be any suitable award amount such as a particular symbol combination or combinations, or a particular award value in the game.

[0106] Referring to FIG. 11, an example of this embodiment is illustrated where the gaming device displays a plurality of reels including symbols 204. The symbols include at least one wild symbol 206 as described above. In this example, the gaming device designates a particular award amount to be a minimum award amount in the game. Therefore, the gaming device will provide an award to the player only if the award or award amount associated with a winning symbol combination indicated by the reels is equal to or greater than the designated award amount for the game. In FIG. 11, an award summary table 212 displays a plurality winning symbol combinations 214 such as the winning symbol combination including three bar symbols (214a), associated with the symbols in the game. Additionally, a plurality of awards 216 such as the award of two hundred fifty (216a) are associated with the winning symbol combinations. In this example, the gaming device designated winning symbol combination 214b and the associated award of twenty-five (216b ) as the minimum award amount in the game. Thus, the player must obtain a winning symbol combination 214 that produces an award greater than twenty-five, which is the designated award amount in the game.

[0107] Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, the gaming device spins the reels and three symbols are indicated on payline 56b. The symbols include a circle symbol, a wild symbol 206 and a heart symbol. Because this symbol combination is not a winning symbol combination as indicated by the award summary table 212, the gaming device holds the reel including the wild symbol 206 stationary and provides a designated number of free spins to the player to obtain an award related to or based on the wild symbol 206. The gaming device provides two free spins to the player as indicated by the spins remaining display 208. The gaming device will use the free spins to spin reels 34a and 34c in the game. Because the player did not obtain an award in this spin, the total award is still zero as indicated by the total award display 210.

[0108] Referring to FIG. 11C, the gaming device activates or spins the reels 34 using the first free spin. The reels stop spinning and three symbols are indicated on payline 56b. The symbols are a rectangle symbol, the wild symbol 206 and another rectangle symbol. The wild symbol 206 substitutes for one of the rectangle symbols on payline 56b and therefore, a symbol combination including three matching rectangle symbols are indicated on payline 56b. This symbol combination, however, does not generate an award or award amount greater than the designated award amount of twenty-five. Thus, the player does not obtain a winning symbol combination in this spin. There is only one free spin remaining in the game as indicated by the spins remaining display 208. Also, the total award is still zero as indicated by the total award display 210.

[0109] Referring to FIG. 11D, the gaming device activates or spins the reels 34 using the last free spin in the game. After this spin, the reels indicate a star symbol 204c, the wild symbol 206 and star symbol 204d. The wild symbol 206 substitutes as one of the symbols on the payline (i.e., a star symbol) and therefore a winning symbol combination including three star symbols is indicated on payline 56b. Also, this winning symbol combination provides an award which is greater than the designated award amount 216b associated with the winning symbol combination 214b as shown in FIG. 11B because the award of one hundred associated with three star symbols is greater than the award of twenty-five associated with the three rectangle symbols. Thus, the gaming device adds the award of one hundred to the player's total award in the game as indicated by the total award display 210.

[0110] In one embodiment as illustrated in this example, the game ends when the player obtains an award in the game regardless of whether the player obtains the award in the first spin or the last spin in the game. In another embodiment, the gaming device activates or spins the reel or reels other than the reel including the wild symbol until a winning symbol combination is indicated on the reels or until there are no spins remaining in the game. In another embodiment, the gaming device activates or spins the reel or reels other than the reel including the wild symbol until a winning symbol combination is indicated on the reels. In a further embodiment, the gaming device activates or spins the reel or reels other than the reel including the wild symbol until there are no spins remaining in the game. In this embodiment, the gaming device provides awards to the player associated with any winning symbol combinations that occur on the reels during the designated number of activations or spins of the reels.

[0111] In a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, if a player achieves a bonus triggering or qualifying condition during the primary game, the gaming device 10 initiates a free spins game. In the free spins game, the gaming device provides one or more activations or free spins of the reels to the player. The gaming device or player continues to spin or activate the reels until there are no free spins remaining in the game. In another embodiment, if a re-triggering event occurs in a game, the gaming device re-triggers or re-spins the reels in the game (i.e., provides additional free spins in the game). The re-triggering event may be a re-trigger symbol occurring on the reels, a re-trigger symbol combination occurring on the reels or any suitable event. It should be appreciated that the gaming device may re-trigger or re-spin the reels one or more times in the game.

[0112] Referring to FIG. 12, one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the gaming device includes a plurality of reels displayed to a player and the gaming device provides the player with a designated number of activations or free spins of the reels. The reels may be mechanical reels or video reels as described above. The reels include a plurality of symbols where the symbols include at least one wild symbol. A plurality of awards are associated with the symbols 204 or combinations of the symbols 204 and the awards may be values, credits, free spins, free games, multipliers or any suitable award or awards. The wild symbol or wild symbols 206 are designated with the word “WILD” but may be designated with any suitable designator or symbol. In a game, the wild symbol 206 matches or substitutes for any one of the symbols 204 on the reels in the game. In one embodiment, the wild symbol substitutes for one of the symbols indicated on the same payline as the wild symbol. In another embodiment, the wild symbol matches or substitutes for the most desirable symbol on a payline or on the reels such as the jackpot symbol or the symbol associated with the largest award in the game. A spins remaining display 208 indicates the number of spins remaining in a game. A total award display 210 indicates the total award accumulated by a player in the game.

[0113] In a game, the gaming device or the player activates or spins the reels to indicate symbols on the reels. Symbols may be indicated on one or more reels such as in a scatter pay combination, or on a single payline associated with the reels. The gaming device provides any awards associated with any winning symbol combination indicated on the reels. The gaming device or player continues to activate or spin the reels for a designated number of spins in a game until there are no activations or spins remaining in the game. The player then receives the total award indicated in the total award display 210.

[0114] In one embodiment of the present invention, the gaming device enhances a player's opportunity to obtain one or more awards in a game by utilizing the indicated wild symbol 206 to provide a better opportunity of obtaining an award in a game. In this embodiment, the gaming device or player spins the reels 34a, 34b and 34c to indicate symbols on the reels. If a wild symbol is indicated on one of a plurality of paylines associated with the reels 34, the reel including the wild symbol 206 is frozen or held stationary. The gaming device then activates the reels, not including the reel having the wild symbol, to enhance the opportunity of obtaining an award in the game. Because the wild symbol 206 is held stationary or in place on one of the paylines associated with the reels, less symbols must be indicated on the reels to obtain a winning symbol combination in the game. For example, in FIG. 12, the wild symbol is indicated on payline 56b. The gaming device or players spins the other reels 34a and 34c to attempt to obtain a winning symbol combination including the wild symbol 206. However, the number of reels that are activated in the game decrease, which thereby increases the chance or opportunity that the player will obtain a winning symbol combination including the wild symbol, in the game. The player or gaming device continues to spin the reels 34a and 34c for the remaining number of activations in the game until there are no activations or spins remaining in the game. The gaming device provides the player with any awards associated with winning symbol combinations indicated on the reels. The awards are added to the total award display 210 and the player receives the total award indicated by the total award display at the end of the game.

[0115] Referring to FIG. 13A, an example of the embodiment of FIG. 12 is illustrated where the gaming device displays a plurality of reels 34a, 34b and 34c. The reels include a plurality of symbols 204 having at least one wild symbol 206. A plurality of awards are associated with specific symbol combinations as indicated in the award summary table 210 in FIG. 13B. The winning symbol combinations 220 are designated in the first column of the award summary table 218. Additionally, the awards 222 associated with each of the specific winning symbol combinations are indicated in the table. In this embodiment, the winning symbol combinations include three matching symbols. It should be appreciated that the winning symbol combinations may include one or more matching symbols or any suitable symbol combinations in a game. In FIG. 13A, three paylines 56a, 56b and 56c are associated with the reels 34. In this example, a winning symbol combination must be indicated on the middle payline or payline 56b in the game. The gaming device provides the player with three activations or spins of the reels 34 as indicated by the spins remaining display 208. Also, the player begins the game with a total award of zero as indicated in the total award display 210.

[0116] Referring to FIG. 13C, the gaming device activates or spins the reels for the first time in the game. After the reels stop spinning, a wild symbol 206 is indicated on payline 56b. However, a winning symbol combination, as designated in the award summary table 218 in FIG. 13B, is not indicated on payline 56b even though the wild symbol 206 is indicated on the payline. Specifically, the circle symbol, the wild symbol 206, and the heart symbol are indicated on payline 56b, which is not a winning symbol combination in the game. Therefore, the gaming device freezes or holds reel 34b stationary and thereby enhances the player's opportunity to obtain a winning symbol combination in the game. The gaming device will spin or activate reels 34a and 34c to indicate symbols on payline 56b including the wild symbol 206. The player has two spins remaining as indicated in the spins remaining display 208. The player's total award is zero as indicated in the total award display 210.

[0117] Referring to FIG. 13D, the gaming device activates or spins the reels for a second time in the game. In this activation or spin, the gaming device only activates or spins reels 34a and 34c because reel 34b is held stationary. Thus, the player only needs to obtain two symbols, one on each of the reels 34a and 34c, on payline 56b to obtain a winning symbol combination in the game. After this spin, a heart symbol, a wild symbol 206, and a diamond symbol are indicated on payline 56b. This combination of symbols is not a winning symbol combination as illustrated in the award summary table 218 in FIG. 13B. The player now has only one spin remaining in the game as indicated in the spins remaining display 208. Also, the total award is zero as indicated in the total award display 210.

[0118] Referring to 13E, the gaming device activates or spins the reels 34 for the last time in the game. The reels stop spinning and indicate a bar symbol 204a, a wild symbol 206 and a bar symbol 204b on payline 56b. Because the wild symbol 206 matches or substitutes for one of the symbols indicated on the same payline as the wild symbol, the wild symbol matches or substitutes as a bar symbol. Thus, the symbol combination indicated on payline 56b is three bar symbols. Three bar symbols represent a winning symbol combination in the game as illustrated in FIG. 13B. The gaming device provides the award associated with this winning symbol combination, which is five hundred, and displays that award in the total award display 210. There are no spins remaining in the game as indicated by the spins remaining display 208. Therefore, the gaming device provides the player with the total award indicated in the total award display 210, which is five hundred.

[0119] In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the gaming device freezes or holds one of the reels 34 stationary when a wild symbol is indicated on the reel on a designated payline associated with the reels and the award or awards, if any, associated with any winning symbol combinations occurring on the payline is less than a designated award value in the game. In this embodiment, the gaming device designates an award value in the game. The designated award value defines a minimum award value or base award value to provide to a player in the game. The award value may be any suitable award value as desired by the game implementor, but not exceeding the largest possible award in the game. Furthermore, the designated award value may be predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on a wager made by the player or according to any suitable determination method.

[0120] The gaming device activates or spins the reels for a designated number of spins in the game. The gaming device provides the awards associated with any winning symbol combinations indicated on a designated payline associated with the reels. If a wild symbol 206 is indicated on the payline and the award or awards, if any, associated with any winning symbol combinations indicated on the payline is less than the designated award value, the gaming device freezes or holds the reel including the wild symbol stationary and activates the other reels in the game for the remaining number of activations. This provides the player with an enhanced opportunity to obtain an award or awards in the game using the wild symbol because the player needs less symbols to obtain a winning symbol combination in the game. Also, the designated award value insures that if the player does obtain an award in the game, the award will be above a specified award value, which increases the player's excitement and enjoyment of the game.

[0121] Referring to 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D and 14E, an example of this embodiment is illustrated where the gaming device provides a player with three spins in a game. The gaming device designates an award value or award of fifty as the minimum award value in the game. Therefore, if a wild symbol is indicated on the payline, but a winning symbol combination having an award value of fifty or greater is not indicated on the payline, the gaming device enhances the player's opportunity to obtain a winning symbol combination in the game by holding the reel including the wild symbol stationary for the remainder of the game. The player begins the game with a total award of zero as indicated in the total award 210 in FIG. 14A.

[0122] Referring to 14B, an award summary table 224 indicates winning symbol combinations 226 and the awards 228 associated with those winning symbol combinations in the game. In this embodiment, a winning symbol combination includes three matching symbols. However, it should be appreciated that any combination of symbols may be designated as a winning symbol combination in a, game. Additionally, any suitable award may be associated with a winning symbol combination in a game.

[0123] Referring to FIG. 14C, the gaming device activates or spins the reels for the first in this game. The reels stop spinning and indicate a bar symbol, a wild symbol 206, and a star symbol on payline 56b. Although the player obtained a wild symbol 206 on the payline 56b, the player did not obtain a winning symbol combination in the game. Specifically, the player did not obtain a winning symbol combination that included an award greater than the designated award value of fifty as indicated in the award summary table 224 in FIG. 14B. Therefore, the gaming device freezes or holds reel 34b, which includes the wild symbol 206, stationary. The gaming device then activates or spins the other reels 34a and 34c for the remaining number of spins or activations in the game. The player has two activations or spins remaining in the game as indicated in the spins remaining display 208. The total award in the game is still zero as indicated in the total award display 210.

[0124] Referring to FIG. 14D, the gaming device activates or spins the reels for a second time in a game. A rectangle symbol, a wild symbol 206 and another rectangle symbol are indicated on payline 56b. Because the wild symbol acts or substitutes for one of the symbols indicated on the same payline as the wild symbol, which in this spins is a rectangle symbol, a combination of three rectangle symbols is indicated on the payline. This symbol combination, however, does not include an award value greater than the designated award value of fifty as indicated in the award summary table 224 in FIG. 14B. Specifically, an award of twenty-five is associated with the symbol combination including three rectangle symbols, which is less than the designated award value of fifty. However, the gaming device continues to activate or spin the reels in the game. The player now has one spin remaining in the game as indicated by the spins remaining display 208. Furthermore, the total award in the game is zero as indicated by the total award display 210.

[0125] Referring to FIG. 14E, the gaming device spins or activates the reels for the final time in the game. In this spin, a star symbol, a wild symbol 206 and another star symbol are indicated on payline 56b. An award of two-hundred fifty is associated with a winning symbol combination including three star symbols as indicated in the award summary table 224. The award value of two-hundred fifty is greater than the designated award value of fifty. Thus, the gaming device provides this award to the player in the game. The award of two-hundred fifty is transferred to the total award display as indicated by the total award display 210. The player does not have any spins remaining in the game as indicated by the spins remaining display 208. The gaming device therefore provides the total award of two-hundred fifty as indicated in the total award display 210 to the player and the game ends.

[0126] In a further alternative embodiment, after the gaming device freezes or holds one of the reels 34 stationary when a wild symbol is indicated on the reels, the gaming device activates or spins the reels, other than the held reel, for a designated number of spins in the game and provides an award or awards associated with any winning symbol combinations including the wild symbol indicated on any of the paylines associated with the reels (i.e., a scatter pay combination). For example in FIG. 14E, if one of the star symbols is located on payline 56a and the other star symbol is located on payline 56c, the gaming device provides the award associated with a winning symbol combination including three star symbols (i.e., two star symbols and the wild symbol) because the winning combination of symbols including the wild symbol occurred on the reels. It should be appreciated that the winning symbol combination including the wild symbol may include any winning combination of symbols on the reels including the reel having the wild symbol. This embodiment provides the player with a greater opportunity to obtain an award or awards in a game using the wild symbol because the player can obtain a winning symbol combination on any of the reels, instead of on a designated payline or paylines.

[0127] Referring to FIG. 15 in another alternative embodiment, the wild symbol includes at least one symbol indicator 230 which points to or indicates one or more symbols on the reels in the scatter pay combination embodiment described above. In one aspect of this embodiment, the indicator or indicators are stationary and point to a fixed location or locations on the reels. For example in FIG. 15, the wild symbol 206 includes two indicators which are in the form of arrows 230a and 230b. Indicator 230a points to the symbol location on reel 34a, which is associated with payline 56a. Indicator 230b points to the symbol location on reel 34c, which is associated with payline 56a. It should be appreciated that the indicators may be arrows, pointers or any other suitable indicator. It should also be appreciated that the wild symbol may include one or more indicators and the indicators may point to any suitable location or locations on the reels. In this example, the reel including the wild symbol is held stationary while the other reels (i.e., the reels not including the wild symbol) are activated. The reels stop and the indicators 230a and 230b associated with the wild symbol point to the circle symbol 204a and another circle symbol 204b. Thus, the gaming device provides an award associated with a winning symbol combination including three circle symbols (i.e., two circle symbols and the wild symbol). It should be appreciated that the indicators may indicate or point to a randomly selected location on the reels or a designated section on the reels.

[0128] In a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, the symbols on the reels include at least one bonus symbol. When the bonus symbol is indicated on one or more designated paylines in a game, the gaming device provides an additional award or bonus award in the game. The bonus award associated with the bonus symbol may be at least one free spin of the reels, at least one free game and/or at least one multiplier. It should be appreciated that the bonus award may be any suitable award as desired by the game implementor. The bonus award enables a player to obtain additional awards or additional spins of the reels in a game, which further enhances the player's excitement and enjoyment of the game.

[0129] In another alternative embodiment, a probability of being indicated on one or more paylines associated with the reels is associated with each of the symbols on the reels. In one embodiment, the probability associated with the wild symbol is less than at least one of the probabilities associated with the other symbols on the reels. In another embodiment, the probability associated with the wild symbol is less than a plurality of the probabilities associated with the other symbols on the reels. In a further embodiment, the probability associated with the wild symbol is less than all of the probabilities associated with the other symbols on the reels. It should be appreciated that the probabilities associated with the symbols may be any suitable probabilities as desired by the game implementor.

[0130] In a further alternative embodiment, the present invention is employed in a card game such as a video poker game. In this embodiment, the gaming device display a plurality of cards to a player. The cards include a plurality of symbols including at least one wild symbol The symbols may be any suitable symbols such as numbers, colors, letters, playing card suits, images or any other suitable symbols or images. If a card includes a wild symbol but a winning combination of cards is not indicated, the gaming device holds the card including the wild symbol. The gaming device then replaces at least one of the cards for a designated number of rounds. The number of rounds may be predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on a wager by a player or according to any suitable determination method. Thus, the gaming device provides the player with additional opportunities to win awards related to the wild symbol on the cards. In one embodiment, the gaming device replaces one or more of the cards in the rounds until a winning combination of cards is indicated. In another embodiment, the gaming device replaces one or more of the cards until there are no rounds remaining in the game. In this embodiment, the gaming device enables the player to obtain one or more awards in the game. In a further embodiment as described above, the gaming device holds the card including the wild symbol when the wild symbol appears on the card and the award amount associated with the combination of symbols indicated by the cards is not greater than a designated award amount.

[0131] Referring to FIG. 16, the above embodiment is illustrated where the gaming device displays five cards to the player in the game. The cards include a two of hearts (232a), a three of diamonds (232b), a wild symbol card (232c), a five of spades (232d) and a nine of diamonds (232e). In this example, a pair of matching cards is not a winning combination of cards. Therefore, the combination of cards displayed in FIG. 16 does not produce a winning combination of cards in the game. Because a wild symbol appears on one of the cards, card 232c, and there are no winning combinations of cards in the game, the gaming device holds card 232c. The gaming device then replaces at least one of the cards, other than the card including the wild symbol (232c), until a winning combination of cards is indicated such as three matching cards (i.e., three of a kind), or until there are no rounds remaining in the game. The gaming device then provides the player with the award associated with the winning combination of cards in the game as indicated by the total award display 236.

[0132] It should be appreciated that the present invention may be employed in a primary game, a bonus game, free spins game, a sub-game or in any suitable game.

[0133] While the present invention is described in connection with what is 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 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.