Gaming system and a method of gaming

1. A gaming system comprising:

a player interface comprising:

a display configured to display a display matrix having a plurality of display positions,

a credit mechanism configured to receive a credit input from a player, wherein the credit input mechanism comprises at least one of a coin input chute, a bill collector, a card reader, and a ticket reader, and

a game play mechanism; and

a game controller configured to:

establish a credit balance associated with the player based on the credit input;

receive a wager from the player, wherein the wager reduces the credit balance;

in response to the wager, display a set of player selectable symbols on the display;

receive, from the game play mechanism, a player selection of a symbol from the set of player selectable symbols;

add the player selected symbol to a first reel of a plurality of reels, each reel of the plurality of reels comprising a plurality of symbol positions, each symbol position of the plurality of symbol positions configured to selectively store a respective symbol;

after adding, spin the plurality of reels;

select a set of symbols including the player selected symbol from the spun plurality of reels, wherein the display is configured to display the selected set of symbols in the display matrix; and

evaluate a game outcome associated with the displayed set of symbols to determine if the player is entitled to an award based on the wager.

2. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the game controller is further configured to:

spin the plurality of reels, excluding the first reel, to conduct a base game; and

spin the plurality of reels, including the first reel, to conduct a feature game.

3. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the first reel comprises a plurality of blank symbol positions prior to adding the player selected symbol.

4. The gaming system of claim 3 , wherein the first reel comprises a plurality of player selected symbols when spun to generate the game outcome.

5. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the first reel comprises a plurality of symbol positions, and wherein the game controller is further configured to add the player selected symbol to a symbol position of the plurality of symbol positions, and replace an existing symbol in the symbol position.

6. The gaming system of claim 5 , wherein the game controller is further configured to determine, based on a randomly generated number, the symbol position to which the player selected symbol is added to replace the existing symbol.

7. The gaming system of claim 5 , wherein the game controller is further configured to add the player selected symbol to each of the plurality of reels to replace a plurality of respective existing symbols.

8. A method of conducting a reel game using a gaming system, the method comprising:

receiving a credit input from a player using a credit mechanism, wherein the credit input mechanism comprises at least one of a coin input chute, a bill collector, a card reader, and a ticket reader;

establishing a credit balance associated with the player based on the credit input;

receiving a wager from the player, wherein the wager reduces the credit balance;

in response to the wager, providing a set of player selectable symbols using a player interface;

receiving a player selection, using the player interface, of a symbol from the set of player selectable symbols;

adding, by a game controller, the symbol selected by the player to a first reel of a plurality of reels, each reel of the plurality of reels comprising a plurality of symbol positions each symbol position of the plurality of symbol positions configured to selectively store a respective symbol;

spinning, by the game controller, the plurality of reels after adding the symbol to the first reel;

selecting a set of symbols including the player selected symbol from the spun plurality of reels;

displaying, by a display, the selected set of symbols in a display matrix having a plurality of display positions; and

evaluating, by the game controller, a game outcome associated with the displayed set of symbols to determine if the player is entitled to an award based on the wager.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

spinning the plurality of reels, excluding the first reel, to conduct a base game; and

spinning the plurality of reels, including the first reel, to conduct a feature game.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the first reel comprises a plurality of blank symbol positions prior to adding the symbol selected by the player.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first reel comprises a plurality of player selected symbols when spun to generate the game outcome.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the first reel comprises a plurality of symbol positions, and wherein adding the symbol selected by the player comprises adding the symbol to a symbol position of the plurality of symbol positions, and replacing an existing symbol in the symbol position.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising determining, based on a randomly generated number, the symbol position to which the symbol selected by the player is added to replace the existing symbol.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising adding the symbol selected by the player to each of the plurality of reels to replace a plurality of respective existing symbols.

15. A game controller for a gaming system, the game controller comprising:

a processor, when executing a plurality of executable instructions, configured to:

receive a credit input associated with a player from a credit input mechanism, wherein the credit input mechanism comprises at least one of a coin input chute, a bill collector, a card reader, and a ticket reader to establish a credit balance associated with the player;

receive a wager associated with the player from a player interface, wherein the credit balance is reduced by the wager;

in response to the wager, determine a set of player selectable symbols to display to the player using the player interface;

receive a player selection of a symbol from the set of player selectable symbols;

add the player selected symbol to a first reel of a plurality of reels, each reel of the plurality of reels comprising a plurality of symbol positions, each symbol position of the plurality of symbol positions configured to selectively store a respective symbol;

spin the plurality of reels after the player selected symbol is added to the first reel;

select a set of symbols including the player selected symbol from the spun plurality of reels to provide to a display, wherein the display is configured to display the selected set of symbols in a display matrix having a plurality of display positions; and

evaluate a game outcome associated with the displayed set of symbols to determine if the player is entitled to an award based on the wager.

16. The game controller of claim 15 further configured to:

spin the plurality of reels, excluding the first reel, to conduct a base game; and

spin the plurality of reels, including the first reel, to conduct a feature game.

17. The game controller of claim 15 , wherein the first reel comprises a plurality of blank symbol positions prior to adding the player selected symbol.

18. The game controller of claim 17 , wherein the first reel comprises a plurality of player selected symbols when spun to generate the game outcome.

19. The game controller of claim 15 , wherein the first reel comprises a plurality of symbol positions, and wherein the game controller is further configured to add the player selected symbol to a symbol position, of the plurality of symbol positions, and replace an existing symbol in the symbol position.

20. The game controller of claim 19 further configured to determine, based on a randomly generated number, the symbol position to which the player selected symbol is added to replace the existing symbol.