GAMING MACHINE

Abstract

Methods for operating a gaming machine relate to gaming machines providing the option to initiate a deal which allows a dependency to be created between the results displayed during plays of a base game in the deal. The present invention, at least in some of its preferred forms, increases the player's anticipation and excitement during operation of the gaming machine.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to gaming machines. The invention has been developed primarily for computerized gaming machines and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use and may be suited for many other applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following discussion of the prior art is provided as a technical background, to enable the features and benefits of the invention to be fully appreciated in an appropriate technical context. However, any reference to the prior art should not be taken as an express or implied admission that such art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Gaming machines have long been known and are now one of the most common forms of gambling. Usually gaming machines will simulate a well known game of chance. One of the oldest and best known forms of gaming machine is the rotating reel type “poker machine”. In light of its popularity, the present invention will be described with reference to this type of gaming machine. However it will be appreciated that it is equally applicable to many other types of gaming machine.

Traditional poker machines use a series of three or more reels, each reel having symbols on its peripheral edge. The reels are rotated upon the placement of a wager and then stopped to produce an arrangement of randomly selected symbols. Winnings are

paid if the random arrangement of symbols matches one of the predetermined winning combinations.

More recently, these gaming machines have been computerized with a video display replacing the physically rotating reels. The display screen typically presents an array of symbols in five columns and three rows equating to the symbols that would normally be seen on the five physically rotating reels of an old style mechanical machine.

Gaming machines can “pay winnings” in a variety of ways. These include dispensing money, dispensing tokens that can be redeemed for money, or simply adding credits to a credit meter that can be used for placing future bets, or redeemed as money. Given the predominance of computerized gaming machines, winnings are most commonly awarded in the form of credits tallied on a credit meter. In light of this, the present invention will be described with the specific reference to the payment of winnings in this manner, however ordinary workers in this field will readily understand that the term encompasses other award payment mechanisms.

The standard method for game play on a spinning reel gaming machine can be described as the “base and free feature” style. This method provides a single spin of an initial “base” game initiated by a wager from the player. In turn, the base game provides a set of independent winning combinations in addition to at least one special trigger combination which awards a “feature” game. The feature game is typically provided at no visible cost to the player (i.e. termed a “free feature”), however the real cost of the feature game to the player is incorporated through the base game wager.

Base games are completely independent of each other. Due to the independent nature of a base game, there is little anticipation generated for the seasoned player until the feature game is triggered.

The feature game is typically a set of free games, either operating under an enhanced form of the base game or alternatively as a completely new style of game. One successful game feature includes the use of a strategic dependency between each of the feature games in order to determine the prize that will be awarded.

In the “base and free feature” method, typically the player wagers on a single base game over and over again until the free feature game is awarded. Players chase the feature game as it offers free enhancement or more favorable styles of game functionality to the base game. Many very successful feature games provide a strategy for holding the highest ranked symbols in place over a number of free games. This provides players with extra opportunities to add more of those same symbols and create a very favorable winning combination. The dependency created by holding the highest ranked symbols over a number of games creates a great sense of anticipation and excitement for players.

One limitation of the “base and free feature” method is that players must on average wager for over a hundred base games before a feature is triggered. While the feature game creates the impact and excitement the player is seeking, waiting through so many base games to achieve the feature is tedious over time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of operating a gaming machine including a playable base game and at least one selectable deal option, each deal option corresponding to a deal having a defined strategy, wherein a result is displayed during each play of the base game and winnings are awarded upon the appearance in the result of any predetermined winning outcome, the method including the steps of:

a. selecting a deal option, thereby initiating the corresponding deal;

b. specifying a number of times the base game is to be played in the deal, wherein the specified number is at least two; and

c. thereafter repeatedly playing the base game until the base game has been played the specified number of times,

wherein the strategy creates a dependency between the results displayed during at least two plays of the base game in the deal.

In some embodiments of the invention, the order in which steps a and b are carried out is preferably reversed.

Preferably, the gaming machine includes a plurality of selectable deal options. Each deal option preferably corresponds to a unique deal.

In some embodiments of the invention, the gaming machine preferably includes at least one standard play option, wherein selection of the standard play option allows base games to be played in a standard play mode without a dependency being created between the results displayed during plays of the base game in the standard play mode.

Preferably, the gaming machine includes a plurality of playable base games and the method includes the step of selecting the base game to be played in the deal. In some embodiments, the step of selecting a deal option selects the base game to be played in the deal. In other embodiments, a gaming machine operator selects the base game to be played.

Preferably, the step of selecting a deal option specifies the number of times the base game is played in the deal. In some embodiments of the invention, each deal option corresponds to a predetermined fixed number of times the base game is played in the corresponding deal. In other embodiments, the number of times the base game is played in the deal is preferably specified at random. More preferably, the number of times is specified at random from a set of predetermined integers. This set of predetermined integers is preferably unique to the selected deal option. In these and other embodiments, the gaming machine may be adapted to specify the number of times the base game is played in the deal. Preferably, the specified number of times the base game is to be played in the deal is not displayed until at least the first play of the base game in the deal has commenced.

Preferably, the method includes the step of setting respective wager amounts to bet on each play of the base game in the deal. In some embodiments, the wager amount is preferably fixed for all plays of the base game in the deal. In other embodiments, the respective wager amounts to bet on each play of the base game in the deal are preferably determined by a betting schedule, such that the wager amount will increase, decrease, be determined randomly or change at least once during the deal. Preferably, the gaming machine is adapted to apply the betting schedule to determine the wager amount to bet on each play of the base game in the deal.

Preferably, the step of setting the respective wager amounts includes the steps of:

providing a set of at least two predetermined wager options, each wager option corresponding to respective wager amounts to bet on each play of the base game in the deal; and

selecting a wager option from the set of wager options.

In some embodiments of the invention, the gaming machine includes a base bet amount and each wager option corresponds to a wager multiplier for each base game of the deal. The wager amount to bet on each play of the base game is determined by multiplying the base bet amount by the respective wager multiplier.

The gaming machine may include a plurality of selectable buttons, each button corresponding to a wager option for selection by a player. These buttons may include, for example, at least one of a physical button or a touch screen button.

Preferably, the step of selecting a deal option sets the respective wager amounts to bet on each play of the base game in the deal. The gaming machine may be adapted to automatically set this wager amount.

Preferably, initiating a deal requires the payment of a credit amount, wherein the wager amount to bet on each play of the base game in the deal is decremented from the credit amount during the corresponding play of the base game in the deal. The gaming machine preferably includes a credit meter for displaying the current credit amount, wherein awarded winnings are recorded by incrementing the amount displayed on the credit meter.

Preferably, each play of the base game in the deal is individually triggered. The gaming machine preferably includes a trigger means for individually triggering each play of the base game in the deal. This trigger means may be, for example, in the form of a physical button or a touch screen button, such that the trigger means must be pressed by a gaming machine operator to trigger each play of the base game.

Preferably, at least one secondary game is awarded upon the occurrence of a predefined trigger event during the deal, wherein winnings are awarded during play of the secondary game and wherein the secondary game does not require the placement of a bet in order to play. The characteristics of the secondary game are preferably dependent on the selected deal option. Preferably, a win multiplier is applied to winnings awarded during play of the secondary game. This win multiplier may be predefined or generated at random.

In some embodiments, the gaming machine is preferably adapted to automatically implement the strategy. In other embodiments, implementation of the strategy requires player interaction.

In a preferred embodiment, the dependency operates by adding points to an accumulative points total upon the occurrence of a predefined points trigger event during a play of the base game in the deal, wherein a points reward dependent on the accumulative points total is awarded during the deal. The points reward is preferably awarded when the base game has been played the specified number of times. Preferably, the predefined points trigger event preferably includes the appearance in the result of a points symbol corresponding to a specified value of points to be added to the accumulative point total. The points reward preferably includes at least one play of a secondary game, wherein the characteristics of the secondary game are dependent on the accumulated points total.

Preferably, the result includes an array of symbols selected from a predetermined set of symbols and the dependency operates by allowing any specified symbol displayed in the array during at least one play of the base game in the deal to influence the symbols displayed in at least one other play of the base game in the deal. Preferably, the dependency operates by allowing any specified symbol displayed in the array during one play of the base game in the deal to influence the symbols displayed in at least one subsequent play, if any, of the base game in the deal. Preferably, any specified symbol displayed in the array during one play of the base game in the deal is displayed in the same position of the array in the at least one subsequent play. The at least one subsequent play refers to the next play of the base game in the deal. Advantageously, by influencing the displayed symbols as described, the chance of a winning combination occurring during these influenced plays is improved.

Preferably, the predetermined set of symbols includes a subset of special symbols, wherein any special symbol appearing in a selected position in the array is a specified symbol. This subset of special symbols preferably includes at least one of the following types of symbol: progressive/jackpot trigger symbol, substitute symbol, highest paying symbol, scatter symbol and stacked symbol.

Preferably, upon the occurrence of a predefined trigger event during one play of the base game in the deal, at least one position is added to the array displayed during at least one of the one play of the base game and any subsequent plays of the base game in the deal for increasing the number of symbols displayed in the array so that winnings can be awarded on winning outcomes resulting from the increased number of displayed symbols. Preferably, at least one symbol is added to the predetermined set of symbols upon the occurrence of a predefined trigger event during one play of the base game in the deal.

In a preferred form of the invention, the base game is a spinning reel type game using a simulation of “n” adjacent reels to display an array of symbols in “n” columns. Preferably, the method includes the step of selecting at least one specified reel for each play of the base game in the deal, such that one condition of being a specified symbol is that the symbol is displayed in the column corresponding to a specified reel. In some embodiments, the gaming machine is adapted to select the at least one specified reel for each play of the base game in the deal upon the selection of a deal option. In other embodiments, any specified reels are selected by a gaming machine operator. Preferably, the step of selecting at least one specified reel for each play of the base game in the deal includes repeating, for each play of the base game in the deal, the step of selecting at least one specified reel for one play of the base game prior to the commencement of the one play.

Preferably, the base game includes “n” wager options numbered consecutively from one to “n” and wherein the method includes the step of selecting a wager option, each wager option causing reels to be effected differently within the deal such that the selection of a numbered wager option results in a corresponding number of specified reels being selected for each play of the base game in the deal.

In one embodiment, “n” equals five and wherein:

selecting wager option one results in one reel being selected as a specified reel;

selecting wager option two results in two reels being selected as specified reels;

selecting wager option three results in three reel being selected as specified reels;

selecting wager option four results in four reels being selected as specified reels; and

selecting wager option five results in all five reels being selected as specified reels.

Preferably, the base game includes “n” deal options numbered consecutively from one to “n”, each deal option causing reels to be effected differently within the deal such that the selection of a numbered deal option results in a corresponding number of specified reels being selected for each play of the base game in the deal.

In another embodiment, “n” equals five and wherein

selecting deal option one results in one reel being selected as a specified reel;

selecting deal option two results in two reels being selected as specified reels;

selecting deal option three results in three reels being selected as specified reels;

selecting deal option four results in four reels being selected as specified reels; and

selecting deal option five results in all five reels being selected as specified reels.

Preferably, the array includes at least one payline, each payline including unique combinations of positions within the array, wherein winnings are awarded on any payline carrying a bet and showing a predefined winning combination of symbols. In some embodiments, winning are preferably awarded for any arrangement displayed in the array of a predefined winning combination of symbols. In other embodiments, the winning combination of symbols must be arranged in a specific orientation and/or location in the array for winnings to be awarded.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming machine adapted to be operated by a method according to the first aspect of the invention, the gaming machine including:

at least one selectable deal option, each deal option corresponding to a deal having a defined strategy; and

a base game, wherein the machine is adapted to display a result each time the base game is played and award winnings upon the appearance in the result of any predetermined winning outcome.

Preferably, the gaming machine includes at least one standard play option, wherein selection of the standard play option allows base games to be played in a standard play mode without a dependency being created between the results displayed during plays of the base game in the standard play mode.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming machine adapted to be operated by a method according to the first aspect of the invention, the gaming machine including:

a base game; and

at least one selectable deal option, each deal option corresponding to a deal having a defined strategy,

wherein, upon the selection of a deal option, the gaming machine is adapted to initiate the corresponding deal and play the base game the specified number of times,

wherein the strategy creates a dependency between the results displayed during at least two plays of the base game in the deal.

Preferably, the gaming machine includes at least one standard play option, wherein selection of the standard play option allows base games to be played in a standard play mode without a dependency being created between the results displayed during plays of the base game in the standard play mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the button panel of a gaming machine configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of the button panel of a gaming machine configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the steps of a method of operating a gaming machine.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

An improved method of playing spinning reel games is termed “Deal with strategy”. This new method creates dependency between the base games through a defined game play strategy which provides means to improve the chance of winning combinations from one base game to the next. The strategy works by holding selected results from any base game and using them again in one or more subsequent base games so that the result can be improved. The strategy can be automatically implemented by the game software during game play or alternatively the player can make decisions to implement the strategy.

The new method requires the player to agree to a deal option whereby they will play a certain number of games at a set wager amount for each game. The deal includes the strategy provided to improve the chance of winning combinations appearing, that is, how the dependency between the base games of the deal operates. The player will agree to the deal option and then the series of games will commence with the agreed strategy in place for the duration of the deal.

Advantageously, this method provides a far more interesting proposition than the current method whereby players play base game after base game with no possibility to improve upon results each time.

For terminology sake, we will call the deal itself (which includes the series of plays of the base game it covers) the “Game” and in doing so we will call each sub-game within the deal a “Spin”. Furthermore, the deal can include preface for triggering further game enhancements during the spins, for example, spins with bonus prize multipliers. As such, we will define the standard spins agreed to in the deal as “base spins” and any further enhanced spins as “feature spins”.

One preferred embodiment of the invention includes a spinning reel game with 5 reels and 5 deal options a player can choose from. The selected deal option requires at least one of the reels to be specified, in this example, to hold substitute symbols in place. The strategy provided in this example holds all substitute symbols that appear anywhere on the assigned reels (as per the deal selected) for all remaining spins of the deal. All winning conditions pay scattered from left to right across the reels. The button display 1 of the gaming machine described in this example is shown in FIG. 1. A deal option is selected by pressing one of the “Deal” buttons 2 to 6.

Information describing the properties of the 5 available deals is displayed upon the game rules button 7 being selected. In this example, the deals are described as follows:

• • Deal 1: 3 spins at 50 c per base spin (i.e. total cost of deal is $1.50 at bet 1×), reel 5 holds substitutes only, 5 free feature spins
  • Deal 2: 5 spins at 50 c per base spin (i.e. total cost of deal is $2.50 at bet 1×), reels 4, 5 holds substitutes only, 5 free feature spins
  • Deal 3: 10 spins at 50 c per base spin (i.e. total cost of deal is $5.00 at bet 1×), reels 3, 4, 5 holds substitutes only, 5 free feature spins
  • Deal 4: 15 spins at 50 c per base spin (i.e. total cost of deal is $7.50 at bet 1×), reels 2, 3, 4, 5 holds substitutes only, 5 free feature spins
  • Deal 5: 20 spins at 50 c per base spin (i.e. total cost of deal is $10.00 at bet 1×), All reels hold substitutes, 5 free feature spins.

It is important to note that the number of spins awarded, the cost per base spin and thus the total cost of a deal can be either player selected or set by the gaming machine to any values that are deemed optimal for the initiated deal.

If a player selected the button 8 corresponding to wager option “Bet 2×” and the button 4 corresponding to deal option “Deal 3”, as shown in FIG. 3, then they would commit to playing 10 spins at 2×50 c=$1 per spin (total cost of deal is $10.00 at bet 2×). All prizes won would be multiplied by 2 as a result of selecting “Bet 2×”. The strategy provided for this particular deal is to hold all substitute symbols that appear anywhere on reels 3, 4 and 5 for the remaining spins of the deal. In this example, the game software automates the strategy by automatically holding the substitute symbols without any player interaction to do so.

In addition the game offers 5 free “feature spins” which are triggered for every spin where 3 or more scatters appear. Feature spins are accumulated on a soft counter displayed on the main screen. All accumulated feature spins are played at the conclusion of the base spins. During the feature spins, the prize awarded for any winning combination is multiplied by 3 and the strategy provided for the base spins remains in place. Furthermore, feature spins can be triggered again during the free spins.

After the player has agreed to the deal option by pressing the “Bet ×2” button 9 and then the “Deal 3” button 4, the machine will confirm 9 all the relative deal information to the player via on screen graphics, text and sound. The player will then be required to insert credit, in order to bring the credit meter to at least a minimum credit amount of $10, as shown by step 10. The player will then press the SPIN button 11 to commence the first spin, as shown by step 12, and again for each of the other 9 subsequent spins, shown by step 13, for example. The credit meter will decrement by a value of $1 with each spin initiated by the player. At the end of each spin, all winning combinations are automatically paid (at 2× the normal pay value) by the software, shown at 14, for example. For any of the first 9 spins, all substitute symbols appearing on reels 3, 4 and 5 are held where they appear for the remainder of spins in the deal. This is shown, for example, where the substitute symbol 15, displayed in reel 4 of the result 16 of the first spin, is displayed in the same position in the result 17 of the second spin.

Every time 3 or more scattered symbols 18 appear, the free feature spin counter will increment by 5, as shown at 19. Then all accumulated spins will be played 20 at the conclusion of the 10 base spins. If 3 scatters occur again during the free feature spins, then the counter will be increased again by 5 and these free spins will be played also. All prizes won during the feature spins are multiplied by 3 (as per the rules of the deal) and then again by 2 (for the bet ×2 wager staked). Overall, the result is that any winnings awarded during free feature spins are multiplied by 6. Any substitute symbol appearing on reels 3, 4 or 5 are held and any substitute symbol that was held during the base spins is still held for the duration of all free feature spins.

The deal is completed 21 at the conclusion of all base spins and any free feature spins won. The player can then select a new deal option to play or play the same deal once again. Each of the other 4 deal options shown in FIG. 1 correspond to deals which operate in a similar manner as described for “Deal 3”, the only differences being the number of base spins played and the number of reels where substitutes can be held.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one deal option offered by the game will trigger a random number of base spins from a number of set possibilities. Taking deal option “Deal 5” from the previous example where it offers a fixed value 20 base spins, instead we change “Deal 5” so that when it is selected a random choice of 15, 20 or 25 base spins is awarded to the player. In this way the average number of the spins awarded is still 20 as before, but this change provides a new option for entertaining the player. Furthermore, we could extend this functionality to all of the 5 deal options in the game.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the bet per spin will increase with each base spin played during the deal. As the bet increases, the rewards for winning combinations will improve and/or the strategy will be enhanced to improve the chance of winning combinations appearing with each base spin played. This builds the anticipation further as the player has more opportunities to win as the deal progresses towards its conclusion.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the deal strategy holds jackpot (progressive) trigger symbols in place. When a certain combination of jackpot symbols is displayed during the deal, a progressive prize is awarded. This method again builds the level of anticipation, as progressive prizes are typically the most valuable prizes in any game.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, progressive prizes may be dependant on accumulating points during the base spins of the deal. Special symbols with different point values will appear during the base spins and are accumulated on a soft meter. The number of points accumulated at the conclusion of the base spins is defined as the “score” and this value is used to determine the level of jackpot prize awarded. This point methodology could also be applied to determining the operations to be applied for free feature spins that are awarded. For example, accumulated points may result in prizes being awarded as follows:

an accumulated score of 1 to 10 inclusive awards 10 free feature spins, with the deal strategy being applied to the free feature spins and all winnings awarded during the feature spins being multiple by 2;

an accumulated score of 11 to 20 inclusive awards 20 free feature spins, with the deal strategy being applied to the free feature spins and all winnings awarded during the feature spins being multiple by 5;

an accumulated score of 21 to 30 inclusive awards a minor jackpot prize;

an accumulated score of 31 to 40 inclusive awards a major jackpot prize; and

an accumulated score of 41+ awards a grand jackpot prize.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, winning combinations are paid on paylines. For example the game may offer 50 or 100 paylines during every spin where each payline represents an opportunity for a winning combination to be paid. In this case the strategy may hold “stacked symbols” as they appear, where a stacked symbol is 2 or more of the same symbol placed adjacent to each other on a reel. The aim is to collect stacked symbols on many reels so that coinciding wins can be paid across many of the 50 or 100 paylines.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the game will offer at least one deal option and at least one standard play option. The standard play option allows base games to be played in a standard play mode without a dependency being created between the results displayed during plays of the base game in the standard play mode. Thus, the standard play option does not involve any deal, it only requires the play to commit a wager on a single spin basis and with no strategy provided, that is, game play using the standard “base and free feature” style). For example, a number of standard play options may be offered, including “Play 1 line”, “Play 5 lines”, “Play 10 lines” and “Play 15 lines”, in addition to a “Deal for 20 spins with strategy” option. This gives the player flexibility to select either a standard play option or a deal option at any time.

While the selection of a deal option will attract an additional cost to the player than the selection of a standard play option, it can offer all the enhancements associated with the deal as detailed in previous examples. Furthermore, the deal option may not only provide a game strategy, it may also offer win multipliers to enhance prize values. In this way there is a number of game enhancing incentives offered to the player for choosing the deal option instead of the standard play option. One example of a button panel 22 suitable for selecting either a deal option or a standard play option is show at FIG. 2.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the game will offer a player interactive strategy. In this case the player will make decisions from spin to spin that will affect the outcomes during the deal. One example is offering a deal option with a strategy such that the player must determine which reels to hold and which reels to re-spin from spin to spin. The aim is to hold the highest ranking symbols and re-spin the other reels in order to create a high paying win combination.

In some embodiments of the invention, the player will have a number of wager options to select from, each wager option corresponding to a wager amount to bet on each spin of the deal as well as the manner in which the strategy is applied to the reels. For example, in one embodiment, the wager options are such that selecting the 1st wager option results in the game strategy being applied to reel 1 only, selecting the 2nd wager option results in the game strategy being applied to reels 1 and 2 only, selecting the 3rd wager option results in the game strategy being applied to reels 1, 2 and 3 only, selecting the 4th wager option results in the game strategy being applied to reels 1, 2, 3 and 4 only, and selecting the 5th wager option results in the game strategy being applied to reels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. In an alternative embodiment, selecting the 1st wager option results in the game strategy being applied to reel 5 only, selecting the 2nd wager option results in the game strategy being applied to reels 4 and 5 only, selecting the 3rd wager option results in the game strategy being applied to reels 3, 4 and 5 only, selecting the 4th wager option results in the game strategy being applied to reels 2, 3, 4 and 5 only, and selecting the 5th wager option results in the game strategy being applied to reels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

In other embodiments, the player will have a number of deal options to select from, each deal option corresponding to the manner in which the strategy is applied to the reels in a similar manner as described above for the wager options.

The present invention has been described herein by way of example only. Skilled workers in this field will readily recognize many variations and modifications, which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the broad inventive concept.

Claims

1. A method of operating a gaming machine including a playable base game and at least one selectable deal option, each deal option corresponding to a deal having a defined strategy, wherein a result is displayed during each play of the base game and winnings are awarded upon the appearance in the result of any predetermined winning outcome, the method including the steps of:

a. selecting a deal option, thereby initiating the corresponding deal;

b. specifying a number of times the base game is to be played in the deal, wherein the specified number is at least two; and

c. thereafter repeatedly playing the base game until the base game has been played the specified number of times,

wherein the strategy creates a dependency between the results displayed during at least two plays of the base game in the deal.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the gaming machine includes a plurality of selectable deal options.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein each deal option corresponds to a unique deal.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the gaming machine includes at least one standard play option, wherein selection of the standard play option allows base games to be played in a standard play mode without a dependency being created between the results displayed during plays of the base game in the standard play mode.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the gaming machine includes a plurality of playable base games and the method includes the step of selecting the base game to be played in the deal.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the step of selecting a deal option selects the base game to be played in the deal.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of selecting a deal option specifies the number of times the base game is played in the deal.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the number of times the base game is played in the deal is specified at random.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the number of times is specified at random from a set of predetermined integers.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the set of predetermined integers is unique to the selected deal option.

11. A method according to claim 7 wherein the specified number of times the base game is to be played in the deal is not displayed until at least the first play of the base game in the deal has commenced.

12. A method according to claim 1 including the step of setting respective wager amounts to bet on each play of the base game in the deal.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the wager amount is fixed for all plays of the base game in the deal.

14. A method according to claim 12 wherein the respective wager amounts to bet on each play of the base game in the deal are determined by a betting schedule, such that the wager amount will increase, decrease, be determined randomly or change at least once during the deal.

15. A method according to claim 14 wherein the gaming machine is adapted to apply the betting schedule to determine the wager amount to bet on each play of the base game in the deal.

16. A method according to claim 12 wherein the step of setting the respective wager amounts includes the steps of:

providing a set of at least two predetermined wager options, each wager option corresponding to respective wager amounts to bet on each play of the base game in the deal; and

selecting a wager option from the set of wager options.

17. A method according to claim 12 wherein the step of selecting a deal option sets the respective wager amounts to bet on each play of the base game in the deal.

18. A method according to claim 12 wherein initiating a deal requires the payment of a credit amount, wherein the wager amount to bet on each play of the base game in the deal is decremented from the credit amount during the corresponding play of the base game in the deal.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the gaming machine includes a credit meter for displaying the current credit amount, wherein awarded winnings are recorded by incrementing the amount displayed on the credit meter.

20. A method according to claim 1 wherein each play of the base game in the deal is individually triggered.

21. A method according to claim 20 wherein the gaming machine includes a trigger means for individually triggering each play of the base game in the deal.

22. A method according to claim 1 wherein at least one secondary game is awarded upon the occurrence of a predefined trigger event during the deal, wherein winnings are awarded during play of the secondary game and wherein the secondary game does not require the placement of a bet in order to play.

23. A method according to claim 22 wherein the characteristics of the secondary game are dependent on the selected deal option.

24. A method according to claim 22 wherein a win multiplier is applied to winnings awarded during play of the secondary game.

25. A method according to claim 1 wherein the gaming machine is adapted to automatically implement the strategy.

26. A method according to claim 1 wherein implementation of the strategy requires player interaction.

27. A method according to claim 1 wherein the dependency operates by adding points to an accumulative points total upon the occurrence of a predefined points trigger event during a play of the base game in the deal, wherein a points reward dependent on the accumulative points total is awarded during the deal.

28. A method according to claim 27 wherein the points reward is awarded when the base game has been played the specified number of times.

29. A method according to claim 27 wherein the predefined points trigger event includes the appearance in the result of a points symbol corresponding to a specified value of points to be added to the accumulative point total.

30. A method according to claim 27 wherein the points reward includes at least one play of a secondary game, wherein the characteristics of the secondary game are dependent on the accumulated points total.

31. A method according to claim 1 wherein the result includes an array of symbols selected from a predetermined set of symbols and the dependency operates by allowing any specified symbol displayed in the array during at least one play of the base game in the deal to influence the symbols displayed in at least one other play of the base game in the deal.

32. A method according to claim 31 wherein the dependency operates by allowing any specified symbol displayed in the array during one play of the base game in the deal to influence the symbols displayed in at least one subsequent play, if any, of the base game in the deal.

33. A method according to claim 32 wherein any specified symbol displayed in the array during one play of the base game in the deal is displayed in the same position of the array in the at least one subsequent play.

34. A method according to claim 32 wherein the at least one subsequent play refers to the next play of the base game in the deal.

35. A method according to claim 31 wherein the predetermined set of symbols includes a subset of special symbols, wherein any special symbol appearing in a selected position in the array is a specified symbol.

36. A method according to claim 35 wherein the subset of special symbols includes at least one of the following types of symbol: progressive/jackpot trigger symbol, substitute symbol, highest paying symbol, scatter symbol and stacked symbol.

37. A method according to claim 31 wherein, upon the occurrence of a predefined trigger event during one play of the base game in the deal, at least one position is added to the array displayed during at least one of the one play of the base game and any subsequent plays of the base game in the deal for increasing the number of symbols displayed in the array so that winnings can be awarded on winning outcomes resulting from the increased number of displayed symbols.

38. A method according to claim 31 wherein at least one symbol is added to the predetermined set of symbols upon the occurrence of a predefined trigger event during one play of the base game in the deal.

39. A method according to claim 31 wherein the base game is a spinning reel type game using a simulation of “n” adjacent reels to display an array of symbols in “n” columns.

40. A method according to claim 39 including the step of selecting at least one specified reel for each play of the base game in the deal, such that one condition of being a specified symbol is that the symbol is displayed in the column corresponding to a specified reel.

41. A method according to claim 40 wherein the gaming machine is adapted to select the at least one specified reel for each play of the base game in the deal upon the selection of a deal option.

42. A method according to claim 40 wherein the step of selecting at least one specified reel for each play of the base game in the deal includes repeating, for each play of the base game in the deal, the step of selecting at least one specified reel for one play of the base game prior to the commencement of the one play.

43. A method according to claim 40 wherein the base game includes “n” wager options numbered consecutively from one to “n” and wherein the method includes the step of selecting a wager option, each wager option causing reels to be effected differently within the deal such that the selection of a numbered wager option results in a corresponding number of specified reels being selected for each play of the base game in the deal.

44. A method according to claim 43 wherein “n” equals five and wherein:

selecting wager option one results in one reel being selected as a specified reel;

selecting wager option two results in two reels being selected as specified reels;

selecting wager option three results in three reels being selected as specified reels;

selecting wager option four results in four reels being selected as specified reels; and

selecting wager option five results in all five reels being selected as specified reels.

45. A method according to claim 40 wherein the base game includes “n” deal options numbered consecutively from one to “n”, each deal option causing reels to be effected differently within the deal such that the selection of a numbered deal option results in a corresponding number of specified reels being selected for each play of the base game in the deal.

46. A method according to claim 45 wherein “n” equals five and wherein:

selecting deal option one results in one reel being selected as a specified reel;

selecting deal option two results in two reels being selected as specified reels;

selecting deal option three results in three reels being selected as specified reels;

selecting deal option four results in four reels being selected as specified reels; and

selecting deal option five results in all five reels being selected as specified reels.

47. A method according to claim 31 wherein the array includes at least one payline, each payline including unique combinations of positions within the array, wherein winnings are awarded on any payline carrying a bet and showing a predefined winning combination of symbols.

48. A method according to claim 31 wherein winnings are awarded for any arrangement displayed in the array of a predefined winning combination of symbols.

49. A gaming machine adapted to be operated by a method according to claim 1, the gaming machine including:

at least one selectable deal option, each deal option corresponding to a deal having a defined strategy; and

a base game, wherein the machine is adapted to display a result each time the base game is played and award winnings upon the appearance in the result of any predetermined winning outcome.

50. A gaming machine adapted to be operated by a method according to claim 1, the gaming machine including:

a base game; and

at least one selectable deal option, each deal option corresponding to a deal having a defined strategy,

wherein, upon the selection of a deal option, the gaming machine is adapted to initiate the corresponding deal and play the base game the specified number of times,

wherein the strategy creates a dependency between the results displayed during at least two plays of the base game in the deal.

51. A gaming machine according to claim 49 including at least one standard play option, wherein selection of the standard play option allows base games to be played in a standard play mode without a dependency being created between the results displayed during plays of the base game in the standard play mode.

52. A gaming machine according to claim 50 including at least one standard play option, wherein selection of the standard play option allows base games to be played in a standard play mode without a dependency being created between the results displayed during plays of the base game in the standard play mode.