Abstract: A gaming system and a related method provide a game that includes symbol display areas and one or more cluster patterns that can be associated with two or more of the symbol display areas to create a winning outcome and one or more awards. The gaming system includes one or more symbol sets that provide symbols displayed in the symbol display areas, and a cluster pattern may be associated with a grouping of one or more of the symbol display areas. Cluster patterns of different sizes and shapes, or multiple similar shaped and sized cluster patterns positioned in different locations may be used. The gaming system evaluates symbols displayed in a grouping of the symbol display areas associated with a cluster pattern to determine an award. The gaming system may further evaluate the symbol display areas to determine other awards associated with the displayed symbols.