Wagering system with a trigger symbol and player adjustable layout and symbol group size

1. A method of operating a gaming device, the method comprising:

in response to determining that the gaming device is operating in a non-user-template mode:

selecting a first set of symbols including first non-blank symbols and first blank symbols

providing, on a display device, a first display comprising the first set of symbols arranged in a grid; and

selecting a first group of winning symbols from the first set of symbols;

receiving input, via a user interface, indicating a template that defines locations of blank symbols and non-blank symbols within the grid; and

in response to determining that the gaming device is operating in a user-template mode based on receiving the input:

selecting a second set of symbols including second non-blank symbols and second blank symbols;

providing, on the display device, a second display comprising the second set of symbols arranged in the grid according to the template; and

selecting a second group of winning symbols from the second set of symbols.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the grid includes a non-blank symbol at a first position in the grid in the first display and a blank symbol at a second position in the grid in the first display, and wherein the method further comprises:

determining that the input comprises a request to move the non-blank symbol from the first position to the second position; and

updating the first display on the display such that the non-blank symbol is at the second position and the blank symbol is at the first position.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:

in response to receiving the input saving the template.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein a number of the second blank symbols differs from a number of the first blank symbols.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein a number of the second blank symbols equals a number of the first blank symbols.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a cash out input via the user interface; and

after receiving the cash out input, generating a cash out payment.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing the first display comprises animating at least one symbol of the first set of symbols.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:

determining that the input indicates a

after selecting the first group of winning symbols, updating the first display to indicate the first group of winning symbols within the grid;

determining a payout of the wager based on the first group of winning symbols and a number of the first blank symbols within the first group of winning symbols;

and

updating the first display based on the payout of the wager.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

after providing the second display, receiving a second input via the user interface, wherein the second input indicates a second wager;

after selecting the second group of winning symbols, updating the second display to indicate the second group of winning symbols within the grid;

determining a second payout of the second wager based on the second group of winning symbols and a number of the second blank symbols within the second group of winning symbols; and

updating the second display based on the second payout of the second wager.

10. The method of claim 8 , the method further comprising:

determining that the first group of winning symbols includes a trigger symbol; and

after determining that the first group of winning symbols includes the trigger symbol, updating the first display to include one or more additional symbols.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein determining the payout of the wager based on the first group of winning symbols and the number of the first blank symbols within the first group of winning symbols comprises determining the payout of the wager based on the first group of winning symbols, the number of the first blank symbols within the first group of winning symbols, and the additional symbols.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein determining the payout of the wager based on the first group of winning symbols and the number of the first blank symbols within the first group of winning symbols comprises:

determining a plurality of pay tables comprising a first pay table and a second pay table, wherein the first pay table is associated with a first particular number of blank symbols, wherein the second pay table is associated with a second particular number of blank symbols that is greater than the first particular number of blank symbols, and wherein the second pay table that has a larger average payout of than the first pay table;

selecting a pay table from among the plurality of pay tables based on the number of first blank symbols within the first group of winning symbols; and

determining the payout based on the first group of winning symbols and the selected pay table.

13. A gaming device, comprising:

a display device;

a user interface;

one or more processors; and

one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the gaming device to carry out functions comprising:

in response to determining that the gaming device is operating in a non-user-template mode:

selecting a first set of symbols, including first non-blank symbols and first blank symbols,

providing, on the display device, a first display comprising the first set of symbols arranged in a grid; and

selecting a first group of winning symbols from the first set of symbols;

receiving input, via the user interface, indicating a template that defines locations of blank symbols and non-blank symbols within the grid; and

in response to determining that the gaming device is operating in a user-template mode based on receiving the input:

selecting a second set of symbols including second non-blank symbols and second blank symbols;

providing, on the display device, a second display comprising the second set of symbols arranged in the grid according to the template; and

selecting a second group of winning symbols from the second set of symbols.

14. The gaming device of claim 13 , wherein the grid includes a non-blank symbol at a first position in the grid in the first display and a blank symbol at a second position in the grid in the first display, wherein the functions further comprise: determining that the input comprises a request to move the non-blank symbol from the first position to the second position; and

updating the first display such that the non-blank symbol is at the second position and the blank symbol is at the first position.

15. The gaming device of claim 13 ,

wherein a number of the second blank symbols is equal to a number of blank symbols indicated by the template.

16. The gaming device of claim 13 , wherein the functions further comprise:

determining that the input indicates a wager;

after selecting the first group of winning symbols, updating the first display to indicate the first group of winning symbols within the grid;

determining a payout of the wager based on the first group of winning symbols and a number of the first blank symbols within the first group of winning symbols;

and

updating the first display based on the payout of the wager.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a gaming device, cause the gaming device to carry out functions comprising:

in response to determining that the gaming device is operating in a non-user-template mode:

selecting a first set of symbols including first non-blank symbols and first blank symbols

providing, on a display device, a first display comprising a grid of the first set of symbols arranged in a grid; and

selecting a first group of winning symbols from the first set of symbols;

receiving input, via a user interface, indicating a template that defines locations of blank symbols and non-blank symbols within the grid; and

in response to determining that the gaming device is operating in a user-template mode based on receiving the input:

selecting a second set of symbols including second non-blank symbols and second blank symbols;

providing, on the display device, a second display comprising the second set of symbols arranged in the grid according to the template; and

selecting a second group of winning symbols from the second set of symbols.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the functions further comprise:

determining that the input indicates a wager;

after selecting the first group of winning symbols, updating the first display to indicate the first group of winning symbols within the grid;

determining a payout of the wager based on the first group of winning symbols and a number of the first blank symbols within the first group of winning symbols; and

updating the first display based on the payout of the wager.