Patent ID: 11941947
Assignee: EPIC TECH, LLC
Field: Control (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G | IPC G

Claim 11:
12. A method of arranging a matrix in a sequential play game, comprising the steps of:
(a) displaying a play matrix of a plurality of columns and rows of play positions, whereby each column has respective vertical stack of play positions and laterally adjacent play positions in each vertical stack define the respective row of play positions, each play position having an open state or a locked state;
(b) providing a plurality of game symbols for random display in the play positions of the matrix, the game symbols of a first type for an award and of a second type, the game symbols displayed in the play positions having the open state;
(c) after stopping the providing of the game symbols, for each play position having the open state and displaying the game symbol of the first type, changing said play position from the open state to the locked state;
(d) upon occurrence of a win event of one of the rows displaying one or more of the game symbol of the first type as a win row matching a predetermined win criteria or of one of the columns displaying one or more of the game symbol of the first type as a win column matching the predetermined win criteria:
awarding a prize value associated with each game symbol of the first type in said win row or said win column;
changing the respective state of each play position in said win row or said win column having the locked state to the open state;
removing the display of each game symbol of the first type in said win row or said win column;
if a win row,
cascading the game symbol of the first type in a play position in the respective column vertically higher than the win row, if any, to a sequentially lowermost play position having the open state,
changing said sequentially lowermost play position to the locked state and the play position from which the game symbol of the first type cascaded to the open state; and
playing the game and making-the win event determination, and if there is a win row or a win column, awarding a prize value associated with each game symbol of the first type in said win row or win column; and

(e) determining whether to play the game again with the matrix.