Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for providing a symbol blocking and respin feature. Accordingly, a gaming device can be configured to receive a first game initiation signal and spin reels on the display to show a first game outcome. The gaming device then determines if the results of the first game outcome are associated with a multi-reel symbol trigger condition. When it is determined that the trigger condition is satisfied, a multi-reel symbol is formed from symbols associated with the triggering condition by locking the symbols together. The game device then spins a reel with in the block symbol location with various modifier subsymbols, or other block symbols, to provide additional award opportunities. A second game outcome may be determined when the spinning block reel stops and any modifiers or other symbols are evaluated with the other symbols on the game grid.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for utilizing multi-mode symbols that interact with random game triggers to selectively activate gaming features. At least one multi-mode symbol is provided that includes at least first and second modes. When the multi-mode symbol is in the first mode, a first functionality is associated with the multi-mode symbol, such as its default symbol mode. In response to a trigger event involving the multi-mode symbol, the symbol is changed to exhibit the second mode, and a second symbol functionality is applied to the multi-mode symbol. Payouts are determined based on the first functionality of the multi-mode symbol when in the first mode, and based on the second functionality of the multi-mode symbol when in the second mode.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for increasing potential payout opportunities using multiple card indicia representing multiple cards. One embodiment involves determining whether any one or more of a plurality of cards of a poker game having multiple poker hands are to be randomly provided with multiple card indicia representing multiple cards, presenting the plurality of cards of the poker hands, including the one or more of the plurality of cards determined to be randomly provided with multiple card indicia, and identifying a plurality of resulting hands for each of the multiple poker hands that include a multiple card indicia, where each of the plurality of resulting hands includes a different subset of a total of the indicia of the other cards in the respective poker hand and any cards provided with multiple card indicia.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for enhancing gaming awards in gaming activities. At least one payout modifier is awarded, and its use is deferred. During the deferment period, the payout modifier is allowed to increase to create an increased payout modifier. An end of the deferral period is randomly determined, and the increased payout modifier is awarded for use in the gaming activity. Embodiments further provide the player an option to keep the originally awarded payout modifier, or to surrender it to allow it to be deferred with potential growth.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for implementing bonus features using subsymbols during game play. Accordingly, a gaming device can be configured to randomly overlay or otherwise associate zero, one, or more subsymbols on game symbols used in a game of chance. When subsymbols appear on game symbols that are randomly determined to be part of the game outcome, a bonus feature is triggered that may be used to modify awards provided from the game outcome. The presence of the subsymbols themselves may act as a trigger for a secondary bonus feature or event, or the subsymbols themselves may show random indicia within the subsymbol that provides a bonus modifier or other award.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for enhancing gaming payouts based on payout occurrence frequency. In one embodiment, symbols are associated with a counter value or other tracking measure. The counter value changes in connection with certain events, such as when the respective symbol is involved in a game result that wins and/or provides a payout. When the counter value for a particular symbol or group of symbols reaches a threshold, that particular payout is made subject to a payout modifier.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for providing options in gaming activities to take an offered award or to surrender it to play for more favorable awards. In one embodiment, a number of available awards are presented and at least one is selected for or by the player. The player can choose to keep the current award, or to surrender it to obtain a chance to obtain a different award. If the player surrenders the current award, the player is provided with selectable award advancement alternatives from which to select, including an option to obtain a new award positioned relative to the surrendered one of the available awards and an option requiring that the surrendered one of the available awards be retained. In response to the player selecting the option to obtain a new award positioned relative to the surrendered one of the available awards, the new award is identified.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for facilitating replay of a subset of a game play grid. In the context of a slot game, a player is allowed to respin a reel(s) in an effort to improve the gaming activity result. The respin cost may be calculated by determining estimated values for each distinct symbol type on the reel providing the replacement symbols, and determining a total estimated value for all symbol types, rather than cycling through all permutations of symbol combinations resulting from the state of the slot grid and the replacement reel.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods to facilitate a conditional replay of some portion of the game elements used in playing a wagering game. In a representative slot game embodiment, symbols are presented in a grid, and a symbol location(s) is randomly identified for symbol substitution. If it is determined that any one or more available candidate substitute symbols could create or improve a result on a payline on which the randomly identified symbol location resides, a substitute symbol is selected from the candidate substitute symbols and substituted at the randomly identified symbol location. Other embodiments include, for example, dynamically creating the available candidate substitute symbols based on other symbols on the payline.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for facilitating random payout enhancements using layered payout enhancement opportunities. The game features provide payout enhancements, such as multipliers and other modifiers, using multi-layered elements of chance. One embodiment involves a group or collection of payout enhancement prospects, supplied and accessible in an ordered sequence or layers, that is randomly provided to the player with payout modifiers or other enhancements during the temporarily-sustained payout enhancement feature.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to the use of game modifiers between game stages of a game played on a gaming device. According to some embodiments, a gaming device is configured to play a multi-stage game of chance. After a first stage is completed and a result for the first stage is determined, a game modifier is altered and applied to a second stage of the game when a predefined criterion is satisfied. The game modifier may modify prizes associated with the second stage of the game by, for example, applying a multiplier to prizes associated with a second stage result, the modifier may alter an aspect of the second stage of the game by, for example, adding or replacing one or more game elements used in evaluating the second stage outcome for prizes, or the modifier may trigger a bonus event.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a method for facilitating a gaming activity having specialty functionality comprising providing a grid formed by a plurality of elements and marking elements of the plurality with markings selected from a plurality of marking-types, the plurality of marking-types including a feature marking-type. A plurality of feature indicators can be positioned in the grid. Then, for each element of the plurality that is marked with the feature marking-type and positionally associated with a feature indicator of the plurality, the feature marking-type can be re-marked to a respective element of the plurality that is adjacent to the element marked with the feature marking-type and positionally associated with the feature indicator. An outcome can then be determined based on one or more combinations of the markings.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for overriding gaming results, to provide particular gaming awards or payouts more often than the natural odds of such particular gaming awards/payouts may otherwise statistically allow. A particular gaming event has a natural probability of occurring during game play, and a separate random event may be established to cause the particular gaming event outcome to occur more frequently than the particular gaming event would occur naturally. If the separate random event occurs, the particular gaming event is forced to occur even though it may not have otherwise occurred.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for enhancing payouts in gaming activities. One or more payout modifiers may be presented in the game play area, where portions of the game play area identified by the one or more payout modifiers are made eligible for award enhancement for awards occurring on paylines or other pay areas that pass through or otherwise use the identified portions of the game play area that are currently eligible for the award enhancement. In various embodiments, the payout modifiers may identify different volumes of the portions of the game play area to be eligible for the award enhancement, and/or may move about the play area, and/or intersect to form new and potentially more lucrative payout modifiers.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for facilitating gaming payout enhancements through player purchase of a desired number of options to qualify to receive a commensurate quantity of a randomly-generated number of payout award enhancements. A player can purchase some number of payout enhancement options for a gaming event. A number of payout enhancement awards may be randomly granted. A number of the symbol upgrade awards that does not exceed the number of symbol upgrade options purchased are activated for use, and the initial gaming event results are updated with the activated number of the symbol upgrade awards. The gaming event, as modified, is then analyzed for payout results using any symbol upgrades.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to the use of game modifiers between game stages of a game played on a gaming device. According to some embodiments, a gaming device is configured to play a multi-stage game of chance. After a first stage is completed and a result for the first stage is determined, a game modifier is altered and applied to a second stage of the game when a predefined criterion is satisfied. The game modifier may modify prizes associated with the second stage of the game by, for example, applying a multiplier to prizes associated with a second stage result, the modifier may alter an aspect of the second stage of the game by, for example, adding or replacing one or more game elements used in evaluating the second stage outcome for prizes, or the modifier may trigger a bonus event.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for enhancing payouts in gaming activities. One or more payout modifiers may be presented in the game play area, where portions of the game play area identified by the one or more payout modifiers are made eligible for award enhancement for awards occurring on paylines or other pay areas that pass through or otherwise use the identified portions of the game play area that are currently eligible for the award enhancement. In various embodiments, the payout modifiers may identify different volumes of the portions of the game play area to be eligible for the award enhancement, and/or may move about the play area, and/or intersect to form new and potentially more lucrative payout modifiers.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for enhancing payouts in gaming activities. A counter(s) is advanced for each gaming event played, and the current counter value is tracked. A presentation of the progress of the counter is presented to the player, and corresponds to the current counter value relative to the counter threshold where an award or award modifier will be presented in connection with game play. The award or award modifier is provided to the player when the perceivable presentation of progress of the counter has reached the award threshold, where the award modifier may currently or later be used to enhance a payout(s) of the gaming events.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for providing a symbol blocking and respin feature. Accordingly, a gaming device can be configured to receive a first game initiation signal and spin reels on the display to show a first game outcome. The gaming device then determines if the results of the first game outcome are associated with a multi-reel symbol trigger condition. When it is determined that the trigger condition is satisfied, a multi-reel symbol is formed from symbols associated with the triggering condition by locking the symbols together. The game device then spins a reel with in the block symbol location with various modifier subsymbols, or other block symbols, to provide additional award opportunities. A second game outcome may be determined when the spinning block reel stops and any modifiers or other symbols are evaluated with the other symbols on the game grid.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for enhancing awards and/or providing additional awards in connection with gaming activities. A game play ticket may be configured to have multiple ticket symbols hidden to the player, and to have a winning combination of the ticket symbols among those ticket symbols. The game play ticket is presented with a gaming event, such as a slot game reel spin, where at least one of the ticket symbols is exposed. If a qualifying quantity of like ticket symbols have been exposed, a game play ticket award is provided, otherwise the game play ticket may be presented with other ones of the gaming events.