Gaming machine with expandable array
View Patent ↗A slot-type gaming machine using an expandable symbol array to create a series of sequentially larger symbol arrays with the potential for additional or enhanced awards. The generation of the larger arrays can be performed through a variety a different mechanisms, such as the addition of a reel to the base array. The secondary arrays may be generated only under specific sets of circumstances that occur in the base array including, a winning pay line, the occurrence of a bonus triggering symbol, etc. To increase player interest in the game, some embodiments include allowing the player to determine where the additional symbols to create the larger array are placed in the base array.
1. A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine, comprising:
making a first wager to initiate play of the wagering game;
randomly selecting a first plurality of symbols to form a first array; each of the first plurality of symbols positioned in a column and row in the first array;
displaying the first array;
determining if the first array has a first winning outcome;
making a second wager to be eligible for an award based on a second array;
randomly selecting a second plurality of symbols;
adding the second plurality of symbols between at least some of the first plurality of symbols in the first array to form the second array, the second array including the second plurality of symbols and the first plurality of symbols in the first array without replacing any of the first plurality of symbols, each of the first plurality of symbols remaining in either the respective column or row in the first array;
displaying the second array;
determining if the second array has a second winning outcome; and
awarding an award for any winning outcome.
2. A method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 1 , wherein the second array is the first array with an additional column, the additional column formed by the second plurality of symbols.
3. A method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 1 , wherein the second array is the first array with an additional row, the additional row formed from the second plurality of symbols.
4. A method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 1 , wherein the second array is the first array with an additional row and an additional column, the second plurality of symbols forming the additional row and additional column.
5. A method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 1 , further including making a second wager to receive the second array.
6. A method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 1 , further including receiving a start-bonus outcome in the first array to receive the second array.
7. A method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 1 , further including using a first pay table to determine the award for the first winning outcome and a second pay table to determine the award for the second winning outcome.
8. A method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 1 , further including using a first probability table to randomly determine the first plurality of symbols and a second probability table to determine the second plurality of symbols.
9. A method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 1 , further including a first set of pay lines associated with the first array and a second set of pay lines associated with the second array.
10. A method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 1 , further including receiving a first winning outcome in the first array to receive the second array.
11. The method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 1
wherein the second plurality of symbols includes a plurality of modifier symbols; and wherein the determining if the second array has second winning outcome includes
associating a winning pay line with one of the plurality of modifier symbols intersected by the winning pay line; and
modifying the value of the winning pay line with the modifier symbol associated with the winning pay line to determine the second winning outcome.
12. A method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 2 , wherein the player selects the position of the additional column added to the first array.
13. A method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 2 , wherein the position of the additional column added to the first away is determined randomly.
14. A method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 3 , wherein the player selects the position of the additional row added to the first array.
15. A method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 3 , wherein the position of the additional row is determined randomly.
16. A method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 11 , wherein the modifier symbol represents a mathematical function applied to the determined value.
17. A method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 11 , further including receiving a start-bonus outcome in the first away to add the modifier symbols to the first away to form the second array.
18. A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine, comprising:
making a first wager to initiate play of the wagering game;
randomly selecting a first plurality of symbols to form a first array;
displaying the first array;
determining if the first array has a first winning pay line;
making a second wager to be eligible for an award based on a second array;
randomly selecting a second plurality of symbols;
adding the second plurality of symbols between at least some of the first plurality of symbols in the first away to form the second array, the second away including the second plurality of symbols and the first plurality of symbols in the first away without replacing any of the first plurality of symbols;
displaying the second array;
determining if the second away has a second winning pay line; and
awarding a player for any winning pay line.
19. A method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 18 , wherein the second away is the first away with an additional column, the additional column formed from the second plurality of symbols.
20. A method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 18 , wherein the second away is the first away with an additional row, the additional row formed from the second plurality of symbols.
21. A method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 18 , wherein the second away has an additional row of symbols and an additional column of symbols added to the first array.
22. A method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 18 , further including making a second wager to display the second array.
23. A method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 18 , further including receiving a start-bonus outcome in the first away to display the second array.
24. A method conducting a wagering game as described in claim 18 , further including using a first pay table to determine the award for the first winning pay line and using a second pay table to determine the award for the second winning pay line.
25. A method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 18 , further including using a first probability table to randomly determine the first plurality of symbols and a second probability table to randomly determine a second plurality of symbols.
26. A method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 18 , further including a first set of pay lines associated with the first array and a different second set of pay lines associated with the second array.
27. A method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 18 , further including receiving a first winning pay line in the first array to display the second array.
28. A method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 19 , wherein the player selects the position of the additional column added to the first array.
29. A method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 19 , wherein the position of the additional column is determined randomly.
30. A method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 20 , wherein the player selects the position of the additional row added to the first array.
31. A method of conducting a wagering game as described in claim 20 , wherein the position of the additional row added to the first away is determined randomly.
32. A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine, comprising:
making a first wager to initiate play of the wagering game;
randomly selecting a first plurality of symbols to form a first array;
displaying the first array;
determining if the first array has a first winning outcome;
making a second wager to be eligible for an award based on a second array;
randomly selecting a second plurality of symbols;
adding the second plurality of symbols to the first away between at least some of the first plurality of symbols in the first away to form the second array, the second away including the second plurality of symbols and the first plurality of symbols in the first array without replacing any of the first plurality of symbols;
displaying the second array;
determining if the second away has a second winning outcome;
randomly selecting a third plurality of symbols;
adding the third plurality of symbols to the second array to form a third array;
displaying the third array;
determining if the third away has a third winning outcome; and
awarding an award for any winning outcome.
33. A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine, comprising:
making a first wager to initiate play of the wagering game;
randomly selecting a first plurality of symbols to form a first array;
displaying the first array;
determining if the first array has a first winning pay line;
making a second wager to be eligible for an award based on a second array;
randomly selecting a second plurality of symbols;
adding the second plurality of symbols to the first away between at least some of the first plurality of symbols in the first away to form the second array, the second away including the second plurality of symbols and the first plurality of symbols in the first array without replacing any of the first plurality of symbols;
displaying the second array;
determining if the second away has a second winning pay line;
randomly selecting a third plurality of symbols;
adding the third plurality of symbols to the second array to form a third array;
displaying the third array;
determining if the third away has a third winning pay line; and
awarding a player for any winning pay line.
34. A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine, comprising:
making a wager to initiate play of the wagering game;
randomly selecting a first plurality of symbols to form a first array;
displaying the first array;
making a second wager to be eligible for an award based on a second array;
randomly selecting a second plurality of symbols;
adding the second plurality of symbols to the first away between at least some of the first plurality of symbols in the first away to form the second array, the second away including the second plurality of symbols and the first plurality of symbols in the first array without replacing any of the first plurality of symbols;
displaying the second array; and
making an award for any winning outcome.
35. A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine, comprising:
providing an initial array of symbol positions for accommodating respective symbols;
offering a player an option to make a wager on an expanded array; and
in response to the wager, expanding the array to form the expanded array, the expanded array including additional symbol positions between at least some of the respective symbols in the initial away for accommodating respective additional symbols, the expanded array including the additional symbol positions and the initial symbol positions in the initial array without replacing any of the initial away of symbol positions.