Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the final winnings value of a slot machine or other gaming device, comprising: obtaining a slot machine result, wherein the result comprises result values arranged in an N rows by M columns matrix of cells and an identified position within said matrix; determining an original winnings value; determining a subset of adjacent matrix cells as being adjacent to said identified position; determining all possible cell pairs within said determined subset; for each of said possible cell pairs: determine a modified matrix based on the result; determine a winnings value for said cell pair; comparing all determined winnings values, wherein all determined winnings values include the original winnings value and the winnings values determined for each modified matrix; determining a maximum winnings value from said comparison of all winnings values; and if the maximum winnings value is greater than zero, set the final winnings value of the slot machine result to the maximum winnings value;