Gaming system and method for accumulating symbols for subsequent reuse

1. A gaming system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory device that stores a plurality of instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

cause a display, for a first play of a game and by a display device, of a first plurality of symbols at a plurality of symbol display positions associated with a plurality of reels,

responsive any of the first plurality of symbols displayed at the plurality of symbol display positions associated with the plurality of reels being a designated symbol:

receive a selection, via an input device, of one of a plurality of designated symbol accumulators, wherein each of the designated symbol accumulators is associated with a different set of the plurality of symbol display positions, and

accumulate that designated symbol in association with the selected designated symbol accumulator, and

responsive to a designated symbol accumulator redistribution event occurring in association with one of the plurality of designated symbol accumulators, for each of any designated symbols accumulated in association with that designated symbol accumulator, cause a display, by the display device, of that designated symbol at one of the plurality of symbol display positions of the set of the plurality of symbol display positions associated with that designated symbol accumulator.

2. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein when executed by the processor responsive to the designated symbol accumulator redistribution event occurring in association with one of the plurality of designated symbol accumulators, for each of any designated symbols accumulated in association with that designated symbol accumulator, the instructions cause a display, by the display device and for a second play of the game, of that designated symbol at one of the plurality of symbol display positions of the set of the plurality of symbol display positions associated with that designated symbol accumulator.

3. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein when executed by the processor responsive to the designated symbol accumulator redistribution event occurring in association with one of the plurality of designated symbol accumulators, for each designated symbol accumulated in association with each designated symbol accumulator, the instructions cause the processor to cause a display, by the display device, of that designated symbol at one of the plurality of symbol display positions of the set of the plurality of symbol display positions associated with that designated symbol accumulator.

4. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein when executed by the processor responsive to no designated symbol accumulator redistribution event occurring in association with any of the plurality of designated symbol accumulators, the instructions cause the processor to retain any accumulated designated symbol for at least a second play of the game.

5. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the designated symbol comprises a wild symbol.

6. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the designated symbol accumulator redistribution event occurs responsive to a designated quantity of designated symbols being accumulated in association with one of the designated symbol accumulators.

7. The gaming system of claim 1 , further comprising an acceptor, wherein when executed by the processor, the plurality of instructions cause the processor to, responsive to a physical item being received via the acceptor, modify a credit balance based on a monetary value associated with the received physical item, and responsive to a cashout input being received, cause an initiation of any payout associated with the credit balance.

8. A gaming system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory device that stores a plurality of instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

cause a display, for a first play of a game and by a display device, of a first plurality of symbols at a plurality of symbol display positions associated with a plurality of reels,

responsive to any of the first plurality of symbols displayed at the plurality of symbol display positions associated with the plurality of reels being a designated symbol, accumulate that designated symbol in association with a designated symbol accumulator, and

thereafter, responsive to a designated symbol accumulator redistribution event occurring in association with the designated symbol accumulator:

receive, via an input device, a quantifiable skill input,

determine a symbol display position of the plurality of symbol display positions,

cause a display, by the display device, of the designated symbol accumulated in association with the designated symbol accumulator at the determined symbol display position,

determine, based on the accumulated designated symbol displayed at the determined symbol display position, an award, and

cause a display, by the display device, of the determined award.

9. The gaming system of claim 8 , wherein when executed by the processor responsive to the designated symbol accumulator redistribution event occurring in association with the designated symbol accumulator, the instructions cause the processor to determine the symbol display position of the plurality of symbol display positions based on the received quantifiable skill input.

10. The gaming system of claim 8 , wherein when executed by the processor responsive to no designated symbol accumulator redistribution event occurring in association with the designated symbol accumulator, the instructions cause the processor to retain any accumulated designated symbol in association with the designated symbol accumulator for at least a second play of the game.

11. The gaming system of claim 8 , wherein the designated symbol comprises a wild symbol.

12. The gaming system of claim 8 , wherein the designated symbol accumulator redistribution event occurs responsive to a designated quantity of designated symbols being accumulated in association with the designated symbol accumulator.

13. The gaming system of claim 8 , wherein when executed by the processor responsive to the designated symbol accumulator redistribution event occurring in association with the designated symbol accumulator, for another designated symbol accumulated in association with the designated symbol accumulator, the instructions cause the processor to determine, based on another received quantifiable skill input, not to display that other designated symbol at any of the plurality of symbol display positions.

14. The gaming system of claim 8 , further comprising an acceptor, wherein when executed by the processor, the plurality of instructions cause the processor to, responsive to a physical item being received via the acceptor, modify a credit balance based on a monetary value associated with the received physical item, and responsive to a cashout input being received, cause an initiation of any payout associated with the credit balance.

15. A method of operating a gaming system, the method comprising:

displaying, by a display device and for a first play of a game, of a first plurality of symbols at a plurality of symbol display positions associated with a plurality of reels,

responsive any of the first plurality of symbols displayed at the plurality of symbol display positions associated with the plurality of reels being a designated symbol:

receiving a selection of one of a plurality of designated symbol accumulators, wherein each of the designated symbol accumulators is associated with a different set of the plurality of symbol display positions, and

accumulating, by a processor, that designated symbol in association with the selected designated symbol accumulator, and

responsive to a designated symbol accumulator redistribution event occurring in association with one of the plurality of designated symbol accumulators, for each of any designated symbols accumulated in association with that designated symbol accumulator, displaying, by the display device, that designated symbol at one of the plurality of symbol display positions of the set of the plurality of symbol display positions associated with that designated symbol accumulator.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising, responsive to the designated symbol accumulator redistribution event occurring in association with one of the plurality of designated symbol accumulators, for each of any designated symbols accumulated in association with that designated symbol accumulator, displaying, by the display device and for a second play of the game, that designated symbol at one of the plurality of symbol display positions of the set of the plurality of symbol display positions associated with that designated symbol accumulator.

17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising, responsive to the designated symbol accumulator redistribution event occurring in association with one of the plurality of designated symbol accumulators, for each designated symbol accumulated in association with each designated symbol accumulator, displaying, by the display device, that designated symbol at one of the plurality of symbol display positions of the set of the plurality of symbol display positions associated with that designated symbol accumulator.

18. The method of claim 15 , further comprising, responsive to no designated symbol accumulator redistribution event occurring in association with any of the plurality of designated symbol accumulators, retaining, by the processor any accumulated designated symbol in association for at least a second play of the game.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the designated symbol comprises a wild symbol.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the designated symbol accumulator redistribution event occurs responsive to a designated quantity of designated symbols being accumulated in association with one of the designated symbol accumulators.