Abstract: In some implementations, a gaming system provides a game with reusable symbols. For example, a gaming system may generate and display the reusable symbols during a play of a game, make copies of the reusable symbols during the play of the game, and return the copied reusable symbols for use in the same or a later play of the game.

Abstract: A gaming system provides a hold and respin feature that includes at least some award derived from player selections. In some implementations of the hold and respin feature, upon detection of a triggering event, the gaming system provides a selection grid to the player, and the gaming system enables the player to select one or more symbol display areas of the selection grid. The gaming system may convert the selection grid into one or more slot machine reels to play one or more rounds of free games or free spins. The gaming system may retain the symbols (e.g., selected symbols) displayed in the player selected symbol display areas of the selection grid in the same symbol display areas shared between the selection grid and the slot machine reels.