Patent ID: 8197328
Filing Date: 2012-06-12
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
1. A method performed by a gaming device, the gaming device comprising a processor executing instructions stored in memory, comprising: emulating spinning and randomly stopping virtual reels to display symbols in a matrix of symbol positions; granting any awards to a player based upon winning combinations of symbols displayed in the matrix, some of the symbols on the reels being special symbols; if a special symbol is displayed in a position in the matrix, and the special symbol is not used in a winning combination of symbols, then, for a next game, holding the special symbol in its position in the matrix and spinning all reels to randomly display symbols in all positions in the matrix other than in the special symbol position, wherein the machine may continue to hold the special symbol for an unlimited number of games until used in a winning combination as long as an enabling condition is met; if a special symbol is displayed in a position in the matrix, and the special symbol is used in a winning combination of symbols, then, for a next game, spinning all reels to randomly display symbols in all positions in the matrix; and enhancing an award for a winning symbol combination containing one or more held special symbols when a certain condition occurs, wherein conducting multiple games while a special symbol is held without being used in a winning combination increases chances of the certain condition occurring.