Method of gaming, a gaming system and a game controller

1. A method of gaming for use with a gaming machine having a random number generator, a display having a plurality of display positions corresponding to a plurality of reels, a plurality of input devices including a currency acceptor, memory having data indicative of a plurality of symbols, and a game controller, the method comprising:

if a physical item associated with a monetary value is received by the currency acceptor, establishing a credit balance based at least in part on the monetary value associated with the received physical item;

following an actuation of a wager input, causing the game controller to execute instructions to place a wager on a play of a game, and to deduct said wager from the credit balance;

randomly selecting via said random number generator a set of the symbols via said memory for display on said display positions corresponding to said plurality of reels;

determining via said game controller a game round outcome based on the selected set of symbols;

determining via said game controller that a feature game round should occur;

determining via said game controller a feature game round outcome in response to said determining that a feature game round should occur including determining via said game controller an optimal winning combination of symbols from a feature subset of the selected set of symbols comprising more symbols than the number of reels; and

increasing the credit balance based on any determined awards.

2. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising re-assigning the display positions corresponding to each symbol in the optimal winning combination so that the optimal winning combination is displayed in a win line extending across the reels.

3. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the feature subset is all of the set of symbols in the display positions.

4. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the feature subset includes at least one symbol from each reel.

5. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the feature subset is adjustable.

6. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the optimal winning combination for the feature game round is a combination of symbols from the feature subset that corresponds to the highest prize according to prize data for the game round.

7. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the optimal winning combination for the feature game round is a combination of symbols from the feature subset that corresponds to the highest prize according to prize data different from prize data for the game round.

8. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the feature game round outcome and the game round outcome are based on identical prize data.

9. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 1 , wherein determining that a feature game round should occur is made on the basis of a random event.

10. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 1 , wherein determining that a feature game round should occur is made on the basis of player choice.

11. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 1 , wherein selecting symbols comprises selecting stopping positions for the reels relative to the display positions.

12. A gaming system comprising:

a display device configured to display symbols and having a set of display positions corresponding to a plurality of reels;

a plurality of input devices including a currency acceptor;

a memory device that stores data indicative of a set of symbols, and a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to operate with the display device and the plurality of input devices to:

if a physical item associated with a monetary value is received by the currency acceptor, establish a credit balance based at least in part on the monetary value associated with the received physical item;

cause the display device to display a play of a game following an actuation of a wager input and placement of a wager on the play of the game, said wager being deducted from the credit balance;

select and display a set of symbols in the set of display positions corresponding to said plurality of reels;

determine a game round outcome based on the selected set of symbols;

determine whether a feature game round should occur;

determine, in response to said feature game round controller determining that a feature game round should occur, a feature game round outcome based on an optimal winning combination of symbols from a feature subset of the set of symbols for display comprising more symbols than the number of reels; and

increase the credit balance based on any determined awards.

13. A gaming system as claimed in claim 12 , configured to re-assign the display positions corresponding to each symbol in the optimal winning combination so that the optimal winning combination is displayed in a line extending across the reels in the feature game round.

14. A gaming system as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the feature subset is all of the set of symbols in the display positions.

15. A gaming system as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the feature subset includes at least one symbol from each reel.

16. A gaming system as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the feature subset is adjustable.

17. A gaming system as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the optimal winning combination is a combination of symbols from the feature subset that corresponds to the highest prize according to prize data for the game round.

18. A gaming system as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the optimal winning combination is a combination of symbols from the feature subset that corresponds to the highest prize according to prize data different from prize data for the game round.

19. A gaming system as claimed in claim 18 wherein the feature game round outcome and the game round outcome are based on identical prize data.

20. A gaming system as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the feature game round controller is further configured to determine that a feature game round should occur on the basis of a random event.

21. A gaming system as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the feature game round controller is further configured to determine that a feature game round should occur on the basis of player choice.

22. A gaming system as claimed in claim 12 , further comprising a game play mechanism operable by a player to place a wager, and wherein the game round outcome determiner is further configured to determine the game round outcome based on the wager.

23. A game controller configured for use with a gaming machine having a memory device that stores data indicative of a set of symbols, a display device configured to display a set of display positions corresponding to a plurality of reels, and having a plurality of input devices including a currency acceptor, the game controller configured to execute a plurality of instructions to operate with the display device and the plurality of input devices to:

if a physical item associated with a monetary value is received by the currency acceptor, establish a credit balance based at least in part on the monetary value associated with the received physical item;

cause the display device to display a play of a game following actuation of a wager input and placement of a wager on the play of the game, said wager being deducted from the credit balance;

select and display a set of symbols in the set of display positions corresponding to said plurality of reels;

determine a game round outcome based on the selected set of symbols;

determine whether a feature game round should occur;

determine, in response to determining that a feature game round should occur, a feature game round outcome based on an optimal winning combination of symbols from a feature subset of the set of symbols for display comprising more symbols than the number of reels; and

increase the credit balance based on any determined awards.

24. A game controller as claimed in claim 23 configured to re-assign the display positions corresponding to each symbol in the optimal winning combination so that the optimal winning combination is displayed in a win line extending across the reels in the feature game round.

25. A game controller as claimed in claim 23 , wherein the feature subset is all of the set of symbols for display.

26. A game controller as claimed in 23 , wherein the feature subset includes at least one symbol from each reel.

27. A game controller as claimed in claim 23 , wherein the feature subset is adjustable.

28. A game controller as claimed in claim 23 , wherein the optimal winning combination is a combination of symbols from the feature subset that corresponds to the highest prize according to prize data for the game round.

29. A game controller as claimed in claim 23 , wherein the optimal winning combination is a combination of symbols from the feature subset that corresponds to the highest prize according to prize data different from prize data for the game round.

30. A game controller as claimed in claim 29 , wherein the feature game round outcome and the game round outcome are based on identical prize data.

31. A game controller as claimed in claim 23 , wherein the feature game round controller is further configured to determine that a feature game round should occur on the basis of a random event.

32. A game controller as claimed in claim 23 , wherein the feature game round controller is further configured to determine that a feature game round should occur on the basis of player choice.