Patent Publication Number: US-7588496-B2

Title: Combination gaming apparatus and method

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This patent relates to a gaming apparatus for playing games. Conventional gaming units are typically provided with a cabinet and a gaming display mounted inside the cabinet. The gaming display may be mechanical, such as a series of stepper wheels, or may be electronic such as a video display that is capable of generating video images. Whether mechanical or electronic, the gaming display may be capable of generating images associated with a game, such as poker, blackjack, slots, keno, or bingo. 
     Traditional gaming units have either been focused on a single game or allow a player to select one of several games and then play that single game. Slot games allow a player to choose one or more paylines and spin a plurality of reels in the hopes that a winning combination of symbols on the stopped reels will appear on one or more of the paylines that were purchased. A payoff to the player depends on the specific symbols that occur on the purchased payline with more rare symbols resulting in higher payouts than more common symbols. Strategy in slot machines is limited as, the player can only select the machine to be played, the paylines to be played and the amount to play on each payline. 
     Games which permit the player to believe that strategy could potentially increase the winning amount may be better at holding a players attention for a longer period of time. In addition, games that allow a player to progress to a higher payoff may make the game more interesting to the player. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The patent is directed to a gaming unit that may comprise a cabinet having a gaming display supported inside the cabinet, the gaming display being operable to generate images and a controller operatively coupled to the gaming display. The controller may comprise a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor. The controller may be programmed to allow a person to make a wager. The controller may also be programmed to select and display a number of player symbols and to generate an outcome of a plurality of reels where the reels may include a number of reel symbols. 
     The controller also may be programmed to display on the gaming display an outcome of the spinning reels, to determine the initial award amount of the outcome of the reels and to determine whether one of the player symbols has a pre-determined relationship to the displayed reel symbols. If no displayed player symbols has a pre-determined relationship to the displayed reel symbols, the controller may be programmed to execute a failure response. If a displayed player symbol has a pre-determined relationship to one of the displayed reel symbols, the controller may be programmed to allow the player to play one of the displayed player symbols on the related displayed reel symbol. The controller may determine and credit an additional award amount. 
     The controller also may be programmed to determine whether a spin counter has reached an ending amount and to return the player to an entry screen if the spin counter has reach an ending value and to generate an additional outcome of the reels if the spin counter has not reached an ending value. 
     In another aspect, a method of playing a game on an electronic gaming unit is provided. The method may include allowing a person select a payline and allowing the person to place a wager. The method may include selecting and displaying a plurality of player symbols, generating an outcome of a plurality of reels where the reels have a plurality of reel symbols. The method may include displaying on a gaming display the outcome of the reels, determining an initial award amount based on the outcome of the reels and determining whether one of the player symbols has a pre-determined relationship to a displayed reel symbol. Additionally, the method may include executing a failure response if no displayed player symbol has a pre-determined relationship to the displayed reel symbols, allowing the player to play one of the player symbols on the related displayed reel symbol if one of the player symbols has a pre-determined realtionship to the displayed reel symbols, determining and crediting an additional award amount if one of the player symbols is played on the displayed reel symbols and generating an additional outcome of the reels if a number of purchased spins has not been completed. 
     According to another aspect, a programmed memory that is capable of being used in connection with an electronic gaming unit that allows a person to play a game, that dispenses value to the person at the conclusion of the game, and that may include a processor, an input device, and a currency accepting mechanism, is provided. The programmed memory may have a first memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that may cause the electronic gaming unit to allow a person to make a wager if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gaming unit and a second memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that may cause the electronic gaming unit to select and display a plurality of player symbols if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gaming unit. 
     A third memory portion may be physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the electronic gaming unit to generate an outcome of reels including a plurality of reel symbols if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gaming unit. A fourth memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions may cause the electronic gaming unit to display the outcome of the reels if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gaming unit, a fifth memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions may cause the electronic gaming unit to determine an initial award amount of the outcome of the reels if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gaming unit and a sixth memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that may cause the electronic gaming unit to determine whether one of the player symbols has a pre-determined relationship to one of the displayed reel symbols if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gaming unit. 
     A seventh memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that may cause the electronic gaming unit to execute a failure response if no player symbols has a pre-determined relationship to the displayed reel symbols if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gaming unit, an eighth memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions may cause the electronic gaming unit to allow a player to play one of the player symbol on the related displayed reel symbols if one of the player symbols has a pre-determined relationship to the displayed reel symbols if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gaming unit and a ninth memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions may cause the electronic gaming unit to determine and credit an additional award amount if one of the player symbols is played on a related displayed reel symbols if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gaming unit. 
     A tenth memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions may cause the electronic gaming unit to determine whether a final number of spins has been reached if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gaming unit and an eleventh memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the electronic gaming unit to generate an outcome of the reels if the final number of spins has not been reached if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gaming unit. 
     The features and advantages of the present patent will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of various embodiments, which is made with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is provided below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a gaming unit in accordance with the claims of the patent; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the electronic components of the gaming unit of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart of a main routine that may be performed by the controller shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of a combination game routine that may be performed by the controller shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of a visual display that may be displayed when the controller of  FIG. 2  performs the combination game routine of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an illustration of a visual display that may be displayed when the controller of  FIG. 2  performs the combination game routine of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an illustration of a visual display that may be displayed when the controller of  FIG. 2  performs the combination game routine of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an illustration of a visual display that may be displayed when the controller of  FIG. 2  performs the combination game routine of  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 9  is an illustration of a visual display that may be displayed when the controller of  FIG. 2  performs the combination game routine of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 10  is an illustration of a visual display that may be displayed when the controller of  FIG. 2  performs an embodiment of the combination game routine of  FIG. 4 , wherein the player symbols include UNO type cards. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS 
     Although the following text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment of the invention since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims defining the invention. 
     It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this patent using the sentence “As used herein, the term ‘______’ is hereby defined to mean . . . ” or a similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term be limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, it is not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph. 
     A gaming unit  42  incorporating the teachings of the claims is schematically illustrated at  FIG. 1 . The gaming unit  42  may be any type of gaming unit and may have various different structures and methods of operation. For exemplary purposes, a particular type of gaming unit  42  is described below, but it should be understood that numerous other types may be utilized in the gaming system. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the gaming unit  42  may include a cabinet  220 . A gaming display, such as color display unit  222 , is disposed on the front of the cabinet  220  for displaying results and information associated with one or more games that a customer may play. While the gaming display  222  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is a video display, it will be appreciated that other types of electronic displays, as well as mechanical displays, may be used. The gaming unit  42  may also include a variety of input devices, such as a plurality of buttons  224 ,  226 ,  228  that a customer may actuate to make wagers and game-specific selections such as selecting a card, a slots spin button  230 , a cash out button  232 , and/or any other type of input device. 
     The gaming unit  42  may include a variety of currency or value-accepting mechanisms that may be disposed on the front of the gaming unit  42  or in any other suitable location. The value-accepting mechanisms may include any device that can accept value from a customer. As used herein, the term “value” may encompass gaming tokens, coins, paper currency, ticket vouchers  110 , and any other suitable objects representative of value. For example, the value-accepting mechanisms may include a coin acceptor  240  that accepts coins or tokens; a bill acceptor  242  that accepts and validates paper currency; a card or ticket reader  244  that accepts coupons, credit cards, printed cards, smart cards, ticket vouchers  110 , etc.; and any other device that may accept a medium of value. 
     The gaming unit  42  may include additional features to enhance a player&#39;s game-playing experience, such as one or more audio speakers  246 , a sound-generating circuit  248  ( FIG. 2 ), and an aroma dispenser  250 . The audio speakers  246  may provide various forms of sound relevant to the game that the player is playing. For example, the speakers  246  may generate audio representing sounds such as the noise of spinning slot machine reels, a dealer&#39;s voice, music, announcements or any other suitable audio related to a game. The aroma dispenser  250 , which may be mounted above the display unit  222  or in any other suitable location on the gaming unit  42 , may be manufactured by MicroScent or DigiScents. 
     The gaming unit  42  may also include a printer  252  disposed on the front of the gaming unit  42  or in any other suitable location. The printer  252  may be used, for example, to print the ticket vouchers  110  described above. The gaming unit  42  may also include a payout tray  254  of the type provided on slot machines, for example. 
     Gaming Unit Electronics 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a number of components that may be incorporated into the gaming unit  42 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the gaming unit  42  may include a controller  260  that may comprise a read-only memory (ROM)  262 , a microcontroller or microprocessor (MP)  264 , a random-access memory (RAM)  266  and an input/output (I/O) circuit  268 , all of which may be interconnected via an address/data bus  270 . It should be appreciated that although only one microprocessor  264  is shown, the controller  260  could include multiple microprocessors  264 . Similarly, the memory of the controller  260  could include multiple RAMs  266  and multiple ROMs  262 . Although the I/O circuit  268  is shown as a single block, it should be appreciated that the I/O circuit  268  could include a number of different types of I/O circuits. The RAM(s)  264  and ROM(s)  262  could be implemented as semiconductor memories, magnetically readable memories, and/or optically readable memories, for example. 
       FIG. 2  also illustrates that the components shown in  FIG. 1  could be connected to the I/O circuit  268  via a respective direct line or conductor. Different connection schemes could be used. For example, one or more of the components shown in  FIG. 2  could be connected to the I/O circuit  268  via a common bus or other data link that is shared by a number of components. Furthermore, some of the components could be directly connected to the microprocessor  264  without passing through the I/O circuit  268 . 
     Overall Operation of Gaming Unit 
     One manner in which the gaming unit  42  may operate is described below in connection with a number of flowcharts which represent a number of portions or routines of one or more computer programs, which may be stored in one or more of the memories of the controller  260 . The computer program(s) or portions thereof may be stored remotely, outside of the gaming unit  42 , and may control the operation of the gaming unit  42  from a remote location. Such remote control may be facilitated with the use of a wireless connection, or by an Internet interface (not shown) that connects the gaming unit  42  with a remote computer (not shown) having a memory in which the computer program portions are stored via the Internet. The computer program portions may be written in any high level language such as C, C+, C++ or the like or any low-level, assembly or machine language. By storing the computer program portions therein, various portions of the memories  262 ,  266  are physically configured, either magnetically (e.g. in the case of a magnetic memory), electrically (e.g. in the case of a semiconductor memory) or structurally (e.g. in the case of an optical memory), in accordance with computer program instructions. 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart of a main operating routine  300  that may be stored in the memory of the controller  260 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , the main routine  300  may begin execution at block  302  at which player attraction graphics may be displayed on the display unit  222  ( FIG. 2 ) of the gaming unit  42 . Player attraction graphics may include a scrolling message of the total of any progressive jackpots, illustrations, videos, etc. While the graphics are being displayed, the controller  260  may intermittently check to see if a player is detected at block  304  by, for example, by polling the value-accepting devices  240 ,  242 ,  244  or one of the input devices  224 ,  226 ,  228 . Alternatively, the value-accepting devices  240 ,  242 ,  244  and touchsensitive devices or buttons  224 ,  226 ,  228  may be programmed to notify the controller  260  when valid currency is inserted or player contact is detected, respectively. As long as no player is detected, the attraction graphics may be displayed at block  302 . 
     At block  306 , a game-selection graphic may be displayed on the display unit  222  to the player. Additionally, the player may be prompted to deposit value into the electronic gaming unit  42 , via one of the value-accepting devices  240 ,  242 ,  244 . The routine  300  may not proceed past the block  306  until the player deposits at least the minimum value required for the gaming unit  42 . Any value that the player deposits may be stored as credit. In response to the detection of a deposit of currency or other value by the player, the controller  260  may cause the game to begin. 
     Alternatively, the game may be one choice of a variety of games available on the gaming unit. For example, the game routines could include a video poker routine, a video blackjack routine, a video slots routine, a video keno routine, and a video bingo routine. The gaming unit  42  may also be programmed to allow play of different games, such as a slot machine with mechanical wheels. 
     After the player has played the game, block  360  may be utilized to determine whether the player wishes to terminate play on the gaming unit  42  or to select another game. If the player wishes to stop playing the electronic gaming unit  42 , which wish may be expressed, for example, by selecting a quit graphic displayed on the display unit  222  or through another input device, the controller  260  may dispense value to the player at block  362 , based on the outcome of the games played by the player. The controller  260  may then cause the display unit  222  to display attraction graphics to operate in attraction mode to attract another player. If the player did not wish to quit as determined at block  360 , the program may branch back to block  306  where another game may be played by the player. 
     Combination Game 
     The gaming unit  42  may be provided with a combination game.  FIG. 4  is a flowchart of one manner of operating the combination game routine  306  and  FIG. 5  is an exemplary display that may be shown on the gaming display unit  222  during performance of the combination game. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the combination video slots routine  306  may begin at block  400  at which a player may make a wager. A wager may include allowing a player to select a number of paylines, to select an amount to be bet on each payline and to select a number of spins to be included in a round. Referring to  FIG. 5 , a variety of paylines  402  may be available. Some paylines  402  may run directly across the displayed reels such as the paylines  404 ,  406 ,  408  and  410 . Other paylines  402  may run at angles across a plurality of displayed reels such as paylines  412  and  414 . The paylines  402  may have a single element from each displayed reel. 
     A player may select paylines  402  in a variety of ways. The player may simply choose to play all available paylines  402 . The player also may select to play some of the more commonly available paylines  402  such as each payline across each reel such as paylines  404 ,  406 ,  408  and  410 . Physical buttons  224 ,  226 ,  228  or touch screen buttons  416  may be provided to permit the player to select these commonly available paylines  402 . In additional, the player, may use a touch screen attached to the gaming display  222  to select specific paylines  402 . 
     The player may select a number of coins to play on each payline  402  by, for example, pressing a bet one credit button  422 , an increase credit button  424  or a play max bet button  426  when prompted to select coins per payline  402 . The player may be required to have sufficient credits to cover the cost of the coins per line as indicated next to the symbol “credits”  428  on the gaming display  222 . For example, if a player selects five paylines  402  and selects five coins per line, the player must have at least twenty-five credits. 
     By depositing sufficient value, a player may be entitled to a number of spins. In the combination game, the player may be entitled to more than one spin by adding sufficient value to ensure the player will not run out of credits after a single spin. A round of the combo game is determined by the number of spins to which the player is entitled. For example, if a player added sufficient value to ensure three spins, the round would last three spins unless additional credits are gained during the round. Again, the player may be required to have sufficient credits to cover the number of spins the player desires to play as indicated next to the symbol “credits”  428  on the gaming display  222 . For example, if the player has selected five paylines  402 , has selected to play five coins per line and desires to play three spins, the player may be required to have 125 credits (5 paylines×5 coins per line×3 spins=125 credits). The number of spins to which the player is entitled may be displayed next to the symbol “spins” on the display device  222 . A spin counter  432  may be used to track the number of spins. At a block  430 , the controller  260  may determine what player symbols  452  from a player symbol set may be displayed. The controller  260  may make the determination of what player symbols  452  should be displayed by, for example, randomly selecting player symbols  452  from the player symbol set. At a block  440  ( FIG. 4 ), the controller may display the selected player symbols  452 . The number of player symbols  452  may at least be the number of spins. For example, if the player added sufficient value to ensure three spins were selected, then three player symbols  452  may be dealt to the player. 
     At block  450  ( FIG. 4 ), the controller  260  ( FIG. 2 ) may generate an outcome of the reels  462 . The outcome may be a random selection from a reel symbol set. While five columns of such virtual slot machine reels  462  are shown, it should be understood that any number of columns of virtual reels  462  could be used. In addition, although four rows of slot machine reels  464 ,  466 ,  468 ,  470  are displayed, any number of reels and rows could be used. The reels  462  may be generated randomly subject to a schedule of available reel symbols  472  which may include player symbols  476 . For, example, there may be 5 single bar symbols and 1 triple cherry symbols out of a total of 50 available reel symbols  472  or reel stops in a reel set or strip. 
     The reel symbol set  478  may have symbols that are not included in the player symbols  452 . In other words, the player symbol set  452  may be a subset of the reel symbol set  478 . In addition, more than one player symbol  476  may be included in the displayed reel symbols  474 . The reel symbol set  478  and player symbol set may include a traditional fifty-two card deck of cards or a deck of UNO cards. Other reel symbol sets  478  and player symbol sets  452  may be acceptable. 
     A block  470  ( FIG. 4 ) may display the outcome of the reel symbols  474 , including any reel symbols  474  that may be player symbols  452 . The controller  260  ( FIG. 2 ) may cause the gaming display  222  to display a sequence of images that simulate the sequential stopping of each of the reels  462 . The reels  462  may be stopped from left to right, from the perspective of the player, or in any other manner or sequence. A block  480  ( FIG. 4 ) may determine an award amount from all the purchased paylines  402 . The award amount may be determined according to any rules of video slots. For example, if the reels  462  have stopped in such a manner that a purchased payline  402  contains large payout symbols, the player may receive a large payout. In addition, the generation of certain reel symbols  474  may result in the player being able to play a bonus event, such as an additional spin, or an entire additional bonus determining event. The winnings may be credited to the player. If, however, the virtual reels  462  have stopped in such a manner that there is no payout, the player loses the money that was wagered at the blocks  400 . 
     A block  490  ( FIG. 4 ) may determine whether one of the displayed player symbols  452  has a predetermined relationship to one of the displayed reel symbols  474 . If one or more of the displayed player symbols  452  has a pre-determined relationship to one of the displayed reel symbols  474 , the displayed related player symbols  452  may be highlighted on the gaming display  222  to signify to the player of the opportunity to play the related displayed player symbol  452  on the related displayed reel symbol  426 . The rules to determine whether a player symbols  452  has a pre-determined relationship (or is related) to a reel symbol  474  and may be played vary depending on the reel symbol set  478  and the specific rules for the reel symbol set  478 . For example, if the reel symbol set  478  contains traditional playing cards, a heart may be able to be played on a heart and a club may be able to be played on a club. In addition, player symbols  452  with the same face may be able to be played on reel symbols  476  with the same face. For example, if the reel symbol set  478  contains traditional playing cards, a seven of clubs could be played on a seven of diamonds and a jack of hearts could be played on a jack of clubs. In some games, certain player symbols  452  may be wild and can be played on any card. As another example, the reel symbol set  478  could contain a deck of traditional UNO playing cards and cards of the same color could be played on each other and cards with the same face could be played on each other. For example, if the reel symbol set  478  contained UNO playing cards, a green seven could be played on a green three, a green four could be played on a yellow four and a yellow SKIP could be played on a red SKIP. Additionally, because the UNO deck has cards such as WILD, WILD DRAW FOUR, DRAW TWO, REVERSE and SKIP, additional possibilities may be available. For example, the WILD card could be played on any reel symbol  476  and a WILD DRAW FOUR card could be played on any reel symbol  476  and the player may be dealt four more cards that would be totaled and used as the amount by which the original winning is multiplied. 
     In terms of game strategy, a variety of decisions will be faced by a player in determining which of the displayed player symbols  452  should be played at what time. For example, if a player has not won any amount on any of the paylines  402  that were purchased at block  400 , the player may wish to play the displayed player symbol  452  with a low face value, thereby saving the displayed player symbol  452  with a higher face value for a later spin with a higher payout may be available. In addition, while a player may desire to save higher valued displayed player symbol  452  for spins during the round with a higher payout, a player may on a subsequent spin be unable to play any symbol  452 , enacting a failure response that may end the game, meaning the displayed higher value player symbols  452  the player saved may end up worthless. 
     If none of the displayed player symbols  452  may be played, a block  500  ( FIG. 4 ) may execute a failure response. The failure response may be that the game may end for the player, even if the player has added sufficient value for additional spins. The failure response also may be that the spin count for the player is reduced by one. Other failure responses may be possible such as deducting credits from a player or denying a bonus. 
     If one or more of the displayed player symbols  452  can be played, at a block  510  ( FIG. 4 ), the player may be prompted to play the related displayed player symbols  452 . A block  520  ( FIG. 4 ) may determine an additional award amount where the additional award amount may be determined by multiplying the original award amount from block  480  ( FIG. 4 ) by the value of the player symbol  452  played. A block  530  ( FIG. 4 ) may credit the additional winnings calculated to the player. The value of the player symbol  452  may be determined by a schedule or by commonly accepted rules of cards. For example, if the reel symbol set  478  contains a traditional deck of playing cards, cards with numbers would be worth the number on their face, face cards would be worth ten and an ace would be worth eleven meaning the previous award amount may be multiplied by the card value as previously defined. In another example, if the reel symbol set  478  was a deck of UNO playing cards, cards with numbers may have the value on their face, REVERSE, SKIP, DRAW TWO and WILD would be worth twenty and WILD DRAW FOUR would be worth fifty. In yet another example, playing the REVERSE card would cause the controller  260  ( FIG. 2 ) to alter the evaluation of the purchased paylines  402  by, for example, changing the evaluation to a right to left fashion rather the traditional left to right fashion which may result in additional wins for the player. Other variations to the combination game based on the card played may be possible. The additional award amount also may just apply to those paylines  402  which pass through the displayed reel symbol  476  where the related displayed player symbol  452  was played. For example, if the player played a displayed player symbol  452  on the lowest reel row  470 , the player may only receive a bonus on those paylines  402  passing through the played player symbols  452 . 
     Playing displayed player symbols  452  may also affect future spins during a round. For example, if the reel symbol set  472  includes a traditional set of UNO cards, playing a WILD card on the blue reel line may mean any blue cards would be wild in the next round or any blue cards may be wild in the next several rounds. Playing a WILD card also may result in the lowest cards in a future spin being wild. For example, playing a WILD card would result in two wild symbols in the next spin of the reels. The two wild symbols may replace the two lowest valued symbols in the symbol hierarchy. In another example, if a player played a DRAW TWO card, the player may be entitled to two wild cards on the next spin or may be entitled to two wild cards on all future spins in the round. 
     A block  540  ( FIG. 4 ) may determine whether the player has sufficient credits to continue. If the player credit amount is not at a game ending value, the game may return to the step  450  where another outcome of reels may be generated. If the player credit amount or the spin counter  432  is at an ending value, the game may return to block  360  ( FIG. 3 ) where a player may be queried regarding continuing the game. 
     The controller  260  ( FIG. 2 ) may further be programmed to execute a bonus mode in response to selected outcomes from the game. For example, a specific reel combination may trigger a bonus mode in which one or more free spins awarded, additional symbols are dealt or increased value payouts are available. To alert the player to the bonus mode, the controller  260  may activate audio, video, or other cues. 
     In addition, the controller may adjust the payout to the player depending on the location the player symbol is played on the reel symbols. For example, a particular payline may be a bonus payline and if a player symbol is played on a displayed reel symbol on the bonus payline, a higher return may be generated. As another example, a particular column of displayed reel symbols may be a bonus column which generates a higher return when a displayed player symbol is played on a displayed reel symbol in the bonus column. As yet another example, a particular set of reels may be designated as a bonus reel set which generates a higher return when a displayed player symbol is played on a displayed reel symbol in the bonus reel set. In addition, the controller may adjust the bonus reel set  512 . 
     Initially, the reel set with the lowest potential payback may be the bonus reel set  512 . The reel set with the lowest potential payback may also be the lowest reel set on the gaming display. In addition, each reel set above the lowest reel row may have a higher potential payback than the row below it. The importance of the bonus reel set  512  may be that the bonus reel set  512  may be the basis to determine the bonus amount the player may win. For example, if a player has purchased a payline  402  which resulted in three bars, the payout to the player may depend on which reel set is the bonus reel set  512 . For example, the lowest reel set may have a payout of $10,000, and the payout of the highest reel set may be part of a wide area progressive game and the payout may be in the millions of dollars. In addition, a player may be awarded a bonus for playing a symbol on the bonus reel set  512 . Accordingly, it may be advantageous to a player to attempt to play on the highest reel set  512  as possible to maximize the potential return to the player. In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the reel sets may have a multiplier of 2, 4, and 8 respectively. 
     The bonus reel set  512  may be adjusted in a variety of ways. One manner of adjusting the bonus reel set  512  may have a progression indicator  562  on the gaming display and as the player is able to play the displayed player symbol  452 , the progression indicator  562  will move up one unit in the progression of the reel sets. For example, the game may have four reel sets  464 ,  466 ,  468 ,  470  with the reel sets  464 ,  466 ,  468 ,  470  having an increasing potential return. In addition, the reel sets may be identified by the four suits in a traditional deck of 52 cards in which the lowest potential return slot set may be identified as the club reel set  470 , the next highest potential returning slot set may be identified as the diamonds reel set  468 , the next highest potential returning slot set may be identified as the hearts reel set  466  and the highest potential returning slot set may identified as the spades reel set  464 . Accordingly, as each player symbol  452  is played, the player may progress from the club reel set  470  to the diamond reel set  468  to the heart reel set  466  to the spade reel set  464 . This progression may be noted on the progression indicator  562 . 
     Other options in relation to the progression indicator  562  may be available. For example, if the reel symbol set  478  includes a traditional deck of UNO cards, playing a REVERSE card would change the direction of the progression through the reel rows  470 ,  468 ,  466 ,  464 . In addition, the REVERSE card may advance the player one reel set in the opposite direction. Also, playing a SKIP card may skip the bonus reel set  512  up one or more reel set. 
     Another way to adjust the bonus reel set  512  may be that if the related displayed reel symbol  476  appears in a specific reel set and the related displayed player symbols  452  can be played on that displayed reel symbol  476 , the specific reel set with the related symbol  476  may become the bonus reel set  512 . For example, if the initial bonus reel  512  is the clubs reel  470  and the player is able to play the player symbol  452  on the higher spades reel set  464 , the spades reel set  464  would become the bonus reel set  512 . 
     In another way to adjust the bonus reel set  512 , the displayed player symbol  452  that is played may determine what the future bonus reel set  512  will be. For example, if the reel symbol set  478  includes a deck of traditional four suit, fifty two cards and if the reels are signified by different suits, the player may be able to move to a different bonus reel set  512  by playing a card with the suit of the reel set the player desire to move to. For example, if the player begins on the club reel set  470  and the player plays a heart, the new bonus reel set may be the heart reel set  466 . 
     Although the bonus reel set  512  is described as being a plurality of reel rows, a single reel may be displayed and a paytable and symbol set may be adjusted on the single reel line to signify the changing bonus reel set. For example, if the player plays the player symbol  452  on the related reel symbol  476  and the player has earned the right to advance to a more desirable bonus reel set  512 , the controller  222  may internally change its paytable and symbol set to be more advantageous to the player. In addition, this internal change may be signified by the progression indicator  562 . As another example, if the progression of reel sets was represented by suits of a traditional 52 card deck, the suit representing the current reel may be displayed next to the single reel to signify the particular reel suit the player is playing on. 
     Again, there are other ways to reward a player with a bonus for playing a player symbol  452  in a specific manner. For example, bonus columns, bonus paylines, and bonus regions could be designated where the reward to the player is greater than the value of simply playing a player symbol  452  on a reel symbol  476 . Further, the player may be inclined to use strategy in the manner of playing player symbols  452  on reel symbols  476  based on the bonus regions. 
     As an example, in  FIG. 7  a player may deposit sufficient monetary value for three spins of the reels  462 . This monetary value also may entitle the player to three player symbols  452 . The player may spin the reels  462  and three player symbols  452  may be provided to the player. The reels in the spade reel set  464 , heart reel set  466 , diamond reel set  468  and club reel set  470  may spin. Initially, the player may be awarded the result of the playlines  410  purchased on the club reel set  470  which may have the lowest expected return. The player symbol  452  of the five of clubs may be highlighted as a player symbol  452  that may have a pre-determined relationship to a reel symbol  474  displayed (the other reel symbols are illustrated as being blank but could be any reel symbol). Accordingly, the player may play the five of clubs on the reel symbol  474  five of hearts which is displayed in the diamond reel set  468 . By playing a player symbol  452 , the player may be awarded a bonus amount. 
       FIG. 8  may be an example of a display after a player has played the player symbol (the five of clubs)  452  on the diamond reel set  468 . As a result of playing on the diamond reel set  468 , the diamond reel set  468  may be the new bonus reel set  512 . The player may spin the reels  462  again and be awarded the amount from the purchased paylines  408  in the diamond reel set  468 . In addition, both the player symbols  452  the king of diamonds and the queen of hearts may be highlighted as they both may have a pre-determined relationship with reel symbols  474  displayed, specifically, the player symbol  452  the king of diamonds may be played on the reel symbol  474  king of diamonds displayed in the clubs reel set  470  and the player symbol  452  the queen of hearts may be played on the reel symbol  474  queen of diamonds displayed in the hearts reel set  466  (the other reel symbols are illustrated as being blank but could be any reel symbol). The player may decide to play the player symbol  452  queen of hearts on the reel symbol  474  queen of diamonds displayed in the hearts reel set  466 . The player would then be awarded a bonus for playing the player symbol  452  the queen of hearts. The bonus may be the win amount from the paylines  402  purchased in the diamond reel set  468  multipled by the value of the queen of hearts, ten. 
       FIG. 9  may illustrate a display after a player symbol  452  such as the queen of hearts, is played. In  FIG. 9 , the heart reel set  466  may be the bonus reel set  512  because the player symbol  452  was played in this reel set  466  during the previous spin. As previously explained, the reel sets  464 ,  466 ,  468 ,  470  may rotate as the bonus reel set  512 . The player may spin the reels  462  again. In this case, no reel symbols  474  are displayed that have a pre-defined relationship with the lone player symbol left  452 , the king of diamonds (the reel symbols are illustrated as being blank but could be any reel symbol). The player will be awarded the amount from the purchased paylines  406  in the heart reel set  466  and a failure response may occur. The failure response may be the loss of a spin, which in the case in  FIG. 9  would end the game. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a game display for an UNO embodiment of the claims. Similar to  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 10  illustrates a color display unit  1002  having buttons for cash credit  1004 , bet one credit  1006 , increase credit  1008 , spin reels  1010 , and play maximum bet  1012 .  FIG. 10  also illustrates reels  1014 - 1020 , paylines  1022 - 1028 , player symbol display portion  1030 , a spins display  1032 , a credits counter  1034 , and a progression indicator  1036 .  FIG. 10  illustrates that the player symbols  1038  may be UNO type cards. In addition, the reels  1014 - 1020  may be based on colors instead of suits, to correspond with an UNO embodiment.