Gaming device and method

1. A gaming apparatus, comprising:

(A) a bonus display, the bonus display being configured to indicate a bonus prize to be awarded to a player;

(B) a gaming device, the gaming device being configured to allow the player to place a wager and play a game, the gaming device comprising:

(a) at least one game reel, the reel having a plurality of game symbols, wherein an outcome of the game is indicated by displaying at least one of the game symbols to the player; and

(b) at least one bonus reel, the bonus reel having a plurality of bonus symbols and not having game symbols, wherein the bonus reel is not used to display the outcome of the game and the bonus symbols are selected from the group consisting of:

(i) a bonus position symbol, the bonus position symbol being configured to communicate how the bonus display will change, wherein the bonus display is configured to change in a predetermined relationship to the bonus position symbol;

(ii) a bonus cycle symbol, the bonus cycle symbol being configured to communicate a number of cycles a bonus event will be performed, wherein the bonus display is configured to display the bonus event the number of cycles communicated by the bonus cycle symbol; and

(iii) a bonus addition symbol, the bonus addition symbol being configured to communicate a prize that will be awarded in addition to the bonus prize.

2. The gaming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the bonus reel is adapted to display the bonus symbol when a bonus-qualifying event occurs.

3. The gaming apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the bonus-qualifying event occurs when the game reel displays a bonus-qualifying symbol.

4. The gaming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the bonus display comprises at least one moveable bonus indicator, wherein the moveable bonus indicator is configured to change its position during a bonus cycle.

5. The gaming apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the moveable bonus indicator is configured to move from a starting position to an ending position, the starting position and the ending position being separated by a predetermined number of intermediate positions, wherein ending position indicates that the player has won a predefined bonus prize, wherein the bonus symbols indicate the number of positions that the bonus indicator advances towards the ending position.

6. The gaming apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the bonus display comprises a plurality of stop positions, the moveable bonus indicator being adapted to stop in each of the stop positions, each stop position being associated with a bonus prize, wherein the bonus symbols indicate the number of positions that the bonus indicator moves.

7. A method of playing a game, the method comprising of, but not necessarily in the order shown below:

(A) providing at least one game reel, the game reel having a plurality of game symbols;

(B) providing at least one bonus reel, the bonus reel having a plurality of bonus symbols, none of the bonus symbols being used to indicate the outcome of a game;

(C) providing at least one bonus display, the bonus display comprising a moveable bonus indicator adapted to indicate a bonus prize to be awarded to a player, wherein the bonus prize may be positioned in a plurality of positions;

(D) causing the game reel to display at least one of the game symbols, the game symbol being used to indicate the outcome of the game;

(E) causing a bonus-qualifying event to occur;

(F) causing the bonus reel to display at least one of the bonus symbol; and

(G) performing at least one step from a group of steps consisting of:

(i) if the bonus symbol is a bonus position symbol, the bonus position symbol being configured to communicate how the bonus display will change then causing the moveable bonus indicator move to a position having a predetermined relationship to the bonus position symbol;

(ii) if the bonus symbol is a bonus cycle symbol, then causing the moveable bonus indicator to move a number of cycles, the number of cycles having a predetermined relationship to the bonus cycle symbol; and

(iii) if the bonus symbol is a bonus addition symbol, then causing the moveable bonus indicator to move to a position showing an addition to the bonus award, the addition having a predetermined relationship to the bonus addition symbol.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the bonus-qualifying event comprises displaying a bonus-qualifying symbol on the game reel.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the predetermined relationship of the bonus cycle symbol comprises repeatedly moving the bonus indicator to a predetermined number of sequential positions.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the positions is associated with a prize, and further comprising awarding the prize a multiple of times to the player when the bonus indicator is multiply placed in a position associated with the prize.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the positions is associated with a prize, and further comprising awarding the prize to the player in addition to bonus award when the bonus indicator is placed in the position associated with the prize.

12. A gaming apparatus, comprising:

(A) game means for displaying an outcome of a game;

(B) indicating means for indicating one of a plurality of bonus prizes to be awarded to a player, wherein each bonus prize is associated with a position;

(C) bonus symbol means for displaying at least one bonus symbol, the bonus symbol means not being used to display the outcome of the game, wherein the bonus symbol is a bonus symbol from a set of bonus symbols consisting of:

(a) a bonus position symbol, the bonus position symbol being configured to communicate how the indicating means will change, wherein the resulting bonus prize is determined at least in part by a predetermined relationship associated with the bonus position symbol;

(b) a bonus cycle symbol, the bonus cycle symbol being configured to communicate a number of bonus cycles a bonus event will be performed, wherein the bonus prize is determined at least in part by the number of bonus cycles the number of bonus cycles being communicated by the bonus cycle symbol; and

(c) a bonus addition symbol, the bonus addition symbol being configured to communicate an additional prize that will be awarded in addition to the bonus prize, wherein the bonus prize is determined at least in part by the additional prize, the additional prize being communicated by the bonus addition symbol.

13. The gaming apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the bonus symbol means is configured to display a plurality of different bonus symbols simultaneously.

14. The game apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the indicating means is configured to move in a substantially zigzag line.

15. The gaming apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the indicating means is configured to move in a substantially straight line.

16. The game apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the straight line is substantially vertical.

17. The game apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the straight line is substantially horizontal.

18. The game apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the straight line is substantially diagonal.

19. The game apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of bonus symbols, wherein the bonus symbols are positioned adjacent to the straight line.

20. The game apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the straight line is substantially horizontal.

21. The game apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the straight line is substantially vertical.

22. The game apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the straight line is substantially diagonal.

23. The game apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the bonus prize positions are positioned adjacent to the straight line.

24. The game apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the indicating means is comprised of at least one movable bonus indicator that is configured to move in a substantially straight line.

25. The game apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the indicating means is comprised of at least one moveable bonus indicator that is configured to move in a substantially zigzag line.