Abstract: Payout methods in a mechanical, an electro-mechanical and/or computer-based slot machine-like games-of-chance enable a series of awards based upon: appearance of predetermined symbol combinations in the symbol matrix; issuance of awards for the predetermined combination of symbols; removal of the winning symbol combinations from the symbol matrix; replacement of removed symbols with other symbols; issuance of awards for predetermined combination of symbols in the symbol matrix; and recurring cycles of award, removal and replacement until no winning symbol combinations appear in the symbol matrix.

Abstract: The present invention displays increasing values of two or more wildcard symbols in the symbol matrix. A preferred embodiment called “Up, Up & Way Wilds” displays increasing multiplier values for two or more wildcard symbols used in winning symbol combinations.

Abstract: Payout methods in a mechanical, an electromechanical and/or computer-based slot machine-like games-of-chance enable a series of awards based upon: appearance of predetermined symbol combinations in the symbol matrix; issuance of awards for the predetermined combination of symbols; removal of the winning symbol combinations from the symbol matrix; replacement of removed symbols with other symbols; issuance of awards for predetermined combination of symbols in the symbol matrix; and recurring cycles of award, removal and replacement until no winning symbol combinations appear in the symbol matrix.

Abstract: Payout methods in a mechanical, an electro-mechanical and/or computer-based slot machine-like games-of-chance enable a series of awards based upon: appearance of predetermined symbol combinations in the symbol matrix; issuance of awards for the predetermined combination of symbols; removal of the winning symbol combinations from the symbol matrix; replacement of removed symbols with other symbols; issuance of awards for predetermined combination of symbols in the symbol matrix; and recurring cycles of award, removal and replacement until no winning symbol combinations appear in the symbol matrix.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variety of systems and methods of playing a slot machine game in which players accumulate elements during one or more spins and at the conclusion of any spin may record the accumulation of said elements for future use at the same or different slot machine game. In three preferred embodiments, a player accumulates: the cumulative number of times one or more predetermined symbols appear in the symbol matrix; the cumulative number of points awarded by the game for winning symbol combinations appearing in the symbol matrix; or a set of predetermined winning symbol combinations.

Abstract: The present invention includes a variety of methods for wagering upon one or more sub-sets of payline positions and issuing awards for winning symbols appearing in the wagered upon sub-sets. A preferred embodiment allows the player to wager upon sub-sets of three or more adjacent payline positions for each of the five-position paylines (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5), starting from the leftmost position of the payline, with wagers placed upon three-position (P1, P2, P3), four-position (P1, P2, P3, P4), and five-position (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5) sub-sets.

Abstract: A slot machine issues awards for winning combinations formed by an initial spin of all symbol positions in the symbol matrix and subsequent re-spins of all “unlocked” symbol positions until all symbol positions have been “locked.” In a preferred embodiment, an initial spin uses all slot reels and pays for all winning combinations displayed; a pre-determined symbol “locks” all of the symbol positions on that slot reel; “unlocked” reels re-spin and re-pay until all slot reels are “locked.” Other embodiments of the present invention are described within the application.

Abstract: A gaming device and method for playing a gaming device which provide awards for any and all symbols appearing within selected portions of a symbol matrix (“What You See Is What You Get” or “WYSIWYG”).

Abstract: The present invention includes a variety of methods for wagering upon one or more positions of a symbol matrix and issuing awards based upon the number of symbols in the symbol matrix matching each of the symbols displayed in the wagered upon symbol positions. In a preferred embodiment, players may wager upon any number of the available symbol positions and collect awards for matching each symbol appearing in a wagered upon symbol position with 2 or more other symbols in the symbol matrix.

Abstract: A gaming device and method for playing a gaming device which provide awards for any and all symbols appearing within selected portions of a symbol matrix (“What You See Is What You Get” or “WYSIWYG”).

Abstract: The present invention includes a variety of methods to issue awards based upon “short” and/or “long” pay lines. In general, short pay lines fewer positions than the conventional pay lines; long pay lines use more positions than conventional pay lines. In particular, games using conventional, horizontal pay lines may also use short pay lines with fewer positions, or long pay lines more positions, than the number of columns; and games using conventional, vertical pay lines also use short pay lines with fewer positions, or long pay lines more positions, than the number of rows.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for a player to become sequentially eligible for a bonus event based upon the appearance of predetermined symbols in designated locations of the symbol matrix during the play of one or more rounds of a slot machine game. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a specific predetermined symbol must appear in each of the columns comprising the symbol matrix during the play of one or more free spins of the slot machine game to initiate a bonus event.

Abstract: A gaming device which includes a variety of methods to provide distinct progressive awards for two or more paylines. In one embodiment, each and every payline has its own progressive award that issues upon the appearance of a predetermined symbol combination on that payline.

Abstract: A gaming device which includes a variety of methods to enhance payline awards by increasing one or more payline wager amounts. In one embodiment, a predetermined symbol appearing on a payline increases the wager amount of that payline by a random amount.

Abstract: A gaming device which includes a variety of methods to allow the player to select patterns of wildcard symbols, from a plurality of wildcard symbol patterns, and use those patterns during subsequent games. One embodiment allows the player to select a pattern of wildcard symbols and use the selected pattern during a free spin bonus game.

Abstract: A gaming device which includes a variety of methods to calculate one or more line pay awards as a function of the total amount wagered upon the game. In one embodiment, the gaming device multiplies the award for the most valuable symbol combination appearing on any payline by the total amount wagered upon the game.

Abstract: An electronic slot machine game is set forth which includes an on-screen bonus and one or more separate screen bonuses. A processor randomly selects to activate a coordinate of a game matrix having one or more pay lines. The coordinate remains activated until a bonus is triggered. When a triggering symbol is randomly assigned to an activated coordinate, an on-screen bonus is issued. When the bonus is issued, all activated coordinates are de-activated. The bonus is related to the amount wagered to play the game, the number of activated coordinates and assigned values or multipliers. Second screen bonuses are triggered by scattered symbols or symbols on enabled pay lines and include a game themed screen for the player to select from a plurality of hidden bonuses or issues a random bonus accompanied by an entertaining video segment.

Abstract: A method of playing a slot machine game in which a player wagers upon one or more symbols and then collect awards for combinations of two or more symbols wagered upon appearing in adjacent to each other in the symbol matrix. The slot machine game may also provide a symbol repositioning feature in which one or more symbols are moved from their original positions to other positions in the symbol matrix.

Abstract: A method of playing a slot machine game in which a player wagers upon one or more symbols and then collect awards for combinations of two or more symbols wagered upon appearing in adjacent to each other in the symbol matrix. The slot machine game may also provide a symbol repositioning feature in which one or more symbols are moved from their original positions to other positions in the symbol matrix.

Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of symbol generators adapted to generate a plurality of symbols at a plurality of symbol positions. In one embodiment, a player selects a first symbol position, the selected symbol position is activated and the gaming device reveals whether a terminator is associated with the selected symbol position. In this embodiment, the player continues selecting symbol positions (and the gaming device continues activating the selected symbol positions) until a terminator is revealed to be associated with a selected symbol position. After a terminator is revealed, the gaming device randomly generating a symbol at each of the activated symbol positions. The gaming device determines an outcome based on the symbols or combinations of symbols generated at the activated symbol positions and provides the player the determined outcome.