Patent Publication Number: US-7585218-B2

Title: Gaming device having multiple selection groups with randomly aligning advances

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application relates to the following commonly owned application: “GAMING DEVICE HAVING A BONUS SCHEME WITH MULTIPLE SELECTION GROUPS,” Ser. No. 09/656,702, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,995; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING A BONUS SCHEME WITH MULTIPLE SELECTION GROUPS,” Ser. No. 10/195,292, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,854 B2; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING A BONUS SCHEME INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF SELECTION GROUPS WITH WIN-GROUP OUTCOMES,” Ser. No. 09/981,084, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,932,701; “GAMING DEVICE HAVING A BONUS SCHEME WITH MULTIPLE SELECTION GROUPS,” Ser. No. 10/243,047, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,273,415; and “GAMING DEVICE HAVING A BONUS SCHEME WITH MULTIPLE SELECTION GROUPS,” Ser. No. 10/623,421, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,182,689. 
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates in general to a gaming device, and in particular to a gaming device having a game, such as a base or bonus game, with multiple selection groups that increase player excitement and enjoyment. 
     Gaming machines currently exist with bonus schemes in which the player has one or more opportunities to choose a particular selection or symbol from a group of symbols. When a player chooses a symbol, existing games will either award the player a bonus value or terminate the bonus round. The outcome depends upon the particular symbol selected by the player. 
     In one existing game, when the player selects a masked symbol that awards a bonus value, the player receives the value and is provided with another chance to select another masked symbol. Each time the player selects an award symbol, the game provides the associated award and prompts the player to make another selection. The player then selects another symbol and the process continues until the player selects a symbol that terminates the bonus round. When the player selects a masked end-bonus symbol, the game displays a message such as “COLLECT”. That message indicates that the bonus round has terminated, and the player collects any accrued values. 
     In the above type of game, the gaming device is programmed so that in each bonus round a certain number of symbols yield awards and a certain number of symbols end the game. The player selects value-associated outcomes from a finite number of selections until selecting an “end-bonus” outcome. While that game offers advantages in player appeal and excitement, there is a continuing need to develop new types of bonus games, which further enhance the level of player interaction, excitement and enjoyment. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,995, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, discloses a game (‘the &#39;995 game”) having multiple selection groups, wherein the player advances from one group to the next group when the player selects an advance symbol. That is, the player picks selections from a group until reaching an advance. In this game, the player wants to delay the pick of the advances as much as possible to collect as many awards in the group as possible before receiving the advance. Unlike the first game, however, when the player picks the advance in &#39;995 game the player proceeds to another selection group rather than to an end game outcome. While the &#39;995 game is entertaining for players, a need exists to develop new pick-until type games with multiple selection groups. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a game of a wagering gaming device that can be implemented as a base or primary game or as a bonus or secondary game triggered by the base or primary game. The game includes a plurality of selection groups and an advance award or a final jackpot award. The game provides the player with a designated number of picks with which the player uses to attempt to complete the selection groups to win the advance award or jackpot award. The number of picks in one embodiment is not enough to allow the player to pick: (i) once or (ii) more than once from every group. The game requires that a first advance or advance symbol be picked that yields or is aligned with or results in another advance or advance symbol from a selection of a subsequent group for the player to reach the advance award or jackpot. That is, the player has to pick an advance symbol from a first group that yields automatically an advance or advance symbol from a second group, which does not consume an additional one of the player&#39;s picks in that subsequent group. The dual advances enable the player to proceed through the second group (without consuming a second pick) to a third group or to the advance award or jackpot. 
     The present invention is played in one embodiment on a video monitor that operates in conjunction with a touch screen. The video monitor provides a screen that displays a number or plurality of selection groups. Those selection groups each contain a number or plurality of selections. The player picks one of the selections by touching the area displaying the desired selection. The touch screen senses the player&#39;s touch and sends a discrete output to the processor, which controls the gaming device, and which proceeds with the game according to the player&#39;s selection. 
     The gaming device is operable with any number of selection groups greater than or equal to two. In one embodiment, the gaming device provides three selection groups. Each selection is in one embodiment related to a selection in an adjacent (e.g., subsequent) group. In one embodiment illustrated below, the selection groups are aligned in rows and columns. The rows delineate the groups and linking between the various selections. The columns create the connection or relationships between selections of different groups. That is, each selection is related to the selection in the like column of the adjacent (previous or subsequent) group or row. 
     Using the example where three selection groups are provided, the gaming device in one embodiment provides the player with three picks. In one embodiment, the player can use all three picks in the selection groups and still win an advance award or jackpot at the end by advancing through all three groups. In one alternative embodiment, one of those picks is required to collect an advance award or jackpot, leaving the player with two picks to advance through each of the three groups. 
     In one embodiment, if the player is fortunate enough to only select advance symbols, the player reaches an advance award or jackpot award. However, if the player picks even one non-advance symbol, the game then requires the player to pick at least one advance symbol that is related to another selection in an adjacent group that also yields an advance symbol. When that happens, the game advances the player through the second group without consuming a player pick and makes-up for the player&#39;s picks of the non-advance symbol. When two advances are aligned in the same column of separate groups of selections, and the player selects one of the advances, the second aligned advance is also revealed because it resides in the same column (i.e., it is associated with a related or linked selection). 
     Upon selecting aligned or related advances, the player advances from the first group, through the second group, to the third group. If the selection in the third group that is related to or aligned with the advance symbol in the second group is likewise an advance symbol, the player advances through each of the three groups to the jackpot. It is therefore possible for the player to reach the advance award or jackpot after only one pick. Such a scenario requires that one column randomly draw all advances, and that the player picks that column. It is therefore contemplated to provide the player alternatively with only a single pick or two picks (and perhaps stack the selection groups with more advances) and still provide the player with an opportunity to reach the advance award or jackpot. 
     In one embodiment, it is more likely that two advances will be aligned, wherein the player has to use the second pick to find the advance in the third group. Or, the player needs two picks to advance to the second selection group and upon the third pick achieves two advances in a row to receive the jackpot. 
     In one embodiment, the player simply needs to reach the advance award or jackpot award to win it. In another embodiment, the player needs one pick at the end for the advance award or jackpot award. For example, a group of advance awards or jackpot awards could be provided, wherein the player wins one or a number of the advance awards or jackpot awards based on the number of player picks remaining. If the player needs one pick at the end, the provided number of picks can be adjusted accordingly. 
     When the player selects an advance and the related symbol in the adjacent group is not an advance, the gaming device operates in alternative ways. In one alternative embodiment, the gaming device automatically reveals the related symbol regardless of whether the symbol is an advance symbol or not. For example, if the related symbol is an award symbol, the gaming device reveals that award symbol and provides the associated award to the player. The player not only receives that award, but the gaming device eliminates that selection from its associated group, increasing the player&#39;s odds of picking a selection that yields an advance. In an alternative embodiment, when the adjacent related selection does not reveal an advance or advance symbol, the gaming device does not provide the award associated with the related symbol. Further, the gaming device does not reveal that symbol. In such a case, a new player who has not yet learned that because the symbol is not revealed, the symbol is not an advance symbol, may be apt to select that related symbol. 
     The awards associated with the symbols of the different selection groups are selected randomly, e.g., from weighted or non-weighted tables in one embodiment. Alternatively, the values are preset and consistent from game to game. The advance award or jackpot award can be likewise determined randomly or preset. If preset, the advance award or jackpot can be advertised by the gaming device. 
     In one embodiment, the awards increase in value as the player proceeds through the selection groups. In that manner, it is advantageous to select as many advances as possible even if the player is unable to reach the advance award or jackpot award. That is, it is advantageous for the player to use as many picks as possible in one embodiment in a subsequent selection group rather than in a prior selection group. 
     In one embodiment, each of the selections yields an award for the player, regardless of whether the selection also yields an advance. Further, in one embodiment, the earlier selection groups have a higher percentage of advances than do later selection groups. It is therefore more difficult to receive randomly an advance in a later selection group. 
     As stated above, a single advance award or jackpot award is provided in one embodiment. In other embodiments, a selection group containing a single advance award or jackpot award is provided. Further alternatively, a selection group containing a plurality of advance awards or jackpot awards are provided. In those latter embodiments, the player uses one or more final picks in hopes of achieving one or more advance awards or jackpot awards or the highest possible advance award or jackpot award. 
     The present invention also contemplates a number of other alternative embodiments. In one alternative embodiment, the player receives an additional award, e.g., a multiplier when the player advances through a selection group without picking from that selection group. That is, when the player receives a second advance in a second group as a result of picking a first advance in a first group, so that the player never picks from the second group, the player receives an extra bonus. The gaming device compensates for that loss of opportunity to pick from the second group by providing an extra bonus award, such as a multiplier. If the player skips through two groups, the gaming device can provide two multipliers or a higher valued multiplier. 
     In an additional alternative embodiment, the gaming device provides an extra bonus award in exchange for any picks that the player has remaining after receiving the jackpot award. For example, if the gaming device provides three total picks but the player only uses two picks to win the advance award or jackpot, the gaming device can award the player an extra credit or multiplier amount. If the player has two picks remaining, the player receives two additional awards, e.g., two multipliers or receives one additional larger award or multiplier. 
     While the gaming device is described as providing the player with an overall number of picks to be used for all selection groups, the picks can alternatively be distributed on a per group or level basis, such as one or two picks per group. The number of picks can vary from group to group, e.g., decrease as the player advances through the groups. In this “resetting” embodiment, the picks for each group can be predetermined or randomly determined. 
     It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a game with selection groups with alignable advances. 
     It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a game with a relatively high value advance or jackpot award. 
     It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a wagering game that is fun and exciting to play. 
     Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description of the Invention and the figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1A  is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of the electronic configuration of one embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an elevation view of a first screen of one embodiment of the multiple selection group game of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a second screen of the multiple selection group shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a third screen of the multiple selection group game shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a first screen of a replay of the multiple selection group game shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  is a second screen of a replay of the multiple selection group game shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 8  is a third screen of a replay of the multiple selection group game shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 9  is an elevation view of an alternative multiple selection group game of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is an elevation view of a screen showing all of the selections and the jackpot revealed to show the relative percentages of advances in different selection groups in one embodiment of the game of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 11 ,  12 ,  13  and  14  illustrate ways to relate selections of different selection groups that are alternative to the aligned row and column format of  FIGS. 3 to 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Gaming Device and Electronics 
     Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , gaming device  10   a  and gaming device  10   b  illustrate two possible cabinet styles and display arrangements and are collectively referred to herein as gaming device  10 . The present invention includes the game (described below) being a stand alone game or a bonus or secondary game that coordinates with a base game. When the game of the present invention is a bonus game, gaming device  10  in one base game is a slot machine having the controls, displays and features of a conventional slot machine, wherein the player operates the gaming device while standing or sitting. Gaming device  10  also includes being a pub-style or table-top game (not shown), which a player operates while sitting. 
     The base games of the gaming device  10  include slot, poker, blackjack or keno, among others. The gaming device  10  also embodies any bonus triggering events, bonus games as well as any progressive game coordinating with these base games. The symbols and indicia used for any of the base, bonus and progressive games include mechanical, electrical or video symbols and indicia. 
     In a stand alone or a bonus embodiment, the gaming device  10  includes monetary input devices.  FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate a coin slot  12  for coins or tokens and/or a payment acceptor  14  for cash money. The payment acceptor  14  also includes other devices for accepting payment, such as readers or validators for credit cards, debit cards or smart cards, tickets, notes, etc. When a player inserts money in gaming device  10 , a number of credits corresponding to the amount deposited is shown in a credit display  16 . After depositing the appropriate amount of money, a player can begin the game by pulling arm  18  or pushing play button  20 . Play button  20  can be any play activator used by the player which starts any game or sequence of events in the gaming device. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , gaming device  10  also includes a bet display  22  and a bet one button  24 . The player places a bet by pushing the bet one button  24 . The player can increase the bet by one credit each time the player pushes the bet one button  24 . When the player pushes the bet one button  24 , the number of credits shown in the credit display  16  decreases by one, and the number of credits shown in the bet display  22  increases by one. A player may cash out by pushing a cash out button  26  to receive coins or tokens in the coin payout tray  28  or other forms of payment, such as an amount printed on a ticket or credited to a credit card, debit card or smart card. Well known ticket printing and card reading machines (not illustrated) are commercially available. 
     Gaming device  10  also includes one or more displays. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A  includes a central display  30 , and the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 1B  includes a central display  30  as well as an upper display  32 . The displays display any visual representation or exhibition, including but not limited to movement of physical objects such as mechanical reels and wheels, dynamic lighting and video images. The display includes any viewing surface such as glass, a video monitor or screen, a liquid crystal display or any other static or dynamic display mechanism. In a video poker, blackjack or other card gaming machine embodiment, the display includes displaying one or more cards. In a keno embodiment, the display includes displaying numbers. 
     The slot machine base game of gaming device  10  displays a plurality of reels  34 , preferably three to five reels  34 , in mechanical or video form on one or more of the displays. Each reel  34  displays a plurality of indicia such as bells, hearts, fruits, numbers, letters, bars or other images which preferably correspond to a theme associated with the gaming device  10 . If the reels  34  are in video form, the display displaying the video reels  34  is a video monitor. Each base game, especially in the slot machine base game of gaming device  10 , includes speakers  36  for making sounds or playing music. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a general electronic configuration of the gaming device  10  for the stand alone and bonus embodiments described above preferably includes: a processor  38 ; a memory device  40  for storing program code or other data; a central display  30 ; an upper display  32 ; a sound card  42 ; a plurality of speakers  36 ; and one or more input devices  44 . The processor  38  is preferably a microprocessor or microcontroller-based platform which is capable of displaying images, symbols and other indicia such as images of people, characters, places, things and faces of cards. The memory device  40  includes random access memory (RAM)  46  for storing event data or other data generated or used during a particular game. The memory device  40  also includes read only memory (ROM)  48  for storing program code, which controls the gaming device  10  so that it plays a particular game in accordance with applicable game rules and pay tables. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the player uses the input devices  44  to input signals into gaming device  10 . In the slot machine base game, the input devices  44  include the pull arm  18 , play button  20 , the bet one button  24  and the cash out button  26 . A touch screen  50  and touch screen controller  52  are connected to a video controller  54  and processor  38 . The terms “computer” or “controller” are used herein to refer collectively to the processor  38 , the memory device  40 , the sound card  42 , the touch screen controller and the video controller  54 . 
     In certain instances, it is preferable to use a touch screen  50  and an associated touch screen controller  52  instead of a conventional video monitor display. The touch screen enables a player to input decisions into the gaming device  10  by sending a discrete signal based on the area of the touch screen  50  that the player touches or presses. As further illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the processor  38  connects to the coin slot  12  or payment acceptor  14 , whereby the processor  38  requires a player to deposit a certain amount of money in to start the game. 
     It should be appreciated that although a processor  38  and memory device  40  are preferable implementations of the present invention, the present invention also includes being implemented via one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC&#39;s), one or more hard-wired devices, or one or more mechanical devices (collectively or alternatively referred to herein as a “processor”). Furthermore, although the processor  38  and memory device  40  preferably reside in each gaming device  10  unit, the present invention includes providing some or all of their functions at a central location such as a network server for communication to a playing station such as over a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet connection, microwave link, and the like. 
     With reference to the slot machine base game of  FIGS. 1A and 1B , to operate the gaming device  10 , the player inserts the appropriate amount of tokens or money in the coin slot  12  or the payment acceptor  14  and then pulls the arm  18  or pushes the play button  20 . The reels  34  then begin to spin. Eventually, the reels  34  come to a stop. As long as the player has credits remaining, the player can spin the reels  34  again. Depending upon where the reels  34  stop, the player may or may not win additional credits. 
     In addition to winning base game credits, the gaming device  10 , including any of the base games disclosed above, also includes bonus games that give players the opportunity to win credits. The gaming device  10  preferably employs a video-based display  30  or  32  for the bonus games. The bonus games include a program that automatically begins when the player achieves a qualifying condition in the base game. 
     In the slot machine embodiment, the qualifying condition includes a particular symbol or symbol combination generated on a display. As illustrated in the five reel slot game shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the qualifying condition includes the number seven appearing on, e.g., three adjacent reels  34  along a payline  56 . It should be appreciated that the present invention includes one or more paylines, such as payline  56 , wherein the paylines can be horizontal, diagonal or any combination thereof. An alternative scatter pay qualifying condition includes the number seven appearing on, e.g., three adjacent reels  34  but not necessarily along a payline  56 , appearing on any different set of reels  34  three times or appearing anywhere on the display the necessary number of times. 
     Game Play 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 to 5 , one example of the multiple selection group game of the present invention is illustrated.  FIGS. 3 to 5  are each screen shots of one of the display devices  30  or  32  described above in connection with gaming devices  10   a  and  10   b  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . Each of  FIGS. 3 to 5  shows a different point in time of game play of one embodiment of the present invention. The game includes three groups of selections  62 ,  64  and  66 . The group  62  includes selections  60   a  to  60   f . The group  64  includes selections  60   g  to  60   l . The group  66  includes selections  60   m  through  60   r . In one embodiment, the selections are each areas of the video monitors  30  or  32  associated with a touch screen  50 . When the player touches one of those areas, the processor  38  receives a discrete input from the touch screen  50 , which signals that the player has picked a particular selection. In an alternative embodiment, the gaming device provides a plurality of electro-mechanical input devices  44  that enable the player to operate the game in a similar manner as with the touch screen  50 . 
     Each of the selection groups  62  to  66  has an associated picks meter  68 . Picks meter  68  tracks the number of picks the player makes in each group  62  to  66 . A jackpot award  70  is shown below the selection groups  62  to  66 . In the illustration that follows, the player picks sequentially from groups  62  to  66  with the goal of reaching jackpot award  70 .  FIGS. 3 to 5  include a visual, audio or audiovisual message  82  to the player that the player needs to catch one or more falling stars all the way to the jackpot. 
     The screen shots of  FIGS. 3 to 5  also show a number of displays. The bet display  22  discussed above in connection with  FIGS. 1A and 1B  is provided again on display device  30  or  32 . The total bet display  22  for a slot machine shows the player&#39;s total wager, which includes the number of paylines wagered multiplied by the wager per payline. The display device  30  or  32  also includes a win display  72 . Win display  72  shows the player&#39;s win after each pick of one of the displayed selections  60   a  to  60   r . Display device  30  or  32  also includes a total win display  74 . Total win display  74  accumulates the wins shown in win display  72 . The player&#39;s credits are also shown on display device  30  or  32  via a second credit display  16 . Display device  30  or  32  further displays a picks remaining display  76 . The picks remaining display  76  shows the player how many remaining picks the player has. 
     The processor  38  operates to place award symbols and advance symbols behind each of the masked selections  60   a  to  60   r . The generation or random generation takes place in one of a plurality of different ways. In one way, gaming device  10  randomly assigns award symbols and advances to each of the selections  60   a  to  60   r  prior to any picks by the player. In another embodiment, gaming device  10  randomly assigns award symbols and advances to an order which the player picks. That is, the actual selection  60   a  to  60   r  that the player picks is not determinable, rather, the pick itself is randomly determined to be a particular award, an advance or an award in combination with an advance symbol. In another embodiment, gaming device  10  randomly generates an outcome immediately after the player picks a selection. In any of the embodiments for randomly associating outcomes, suitable weighted probabilities can be used to determine whether the player receives an award, an advance, or an award in combination with an advance. Still further alternatively, the awards are preset and the same for at least two consecutive plays of gaming device  10 . The embodiments are each transparent to the player, making the game appear to be the same. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates that a first pick by player  78  is the selection  60   c  from the selection group  62 . Prior to that pick, gaming device  10  can provide a suitable audio, visual or audiovisual message telling the player to pick a selection from the first group  62 . As illustrated, the selection  60   c  yields an award of five, but does not yield an advance symbol. The awards of the present invention can be in many different forms. In the illustrated embodiment, the award is a number of gaming device credits. Alternatively, the award includes a multiplier of gaming device credits, such as a multiplier of the player&#39;s total bet, a component of the player&#39;s bet, the player&#39;s total number of credits, a win determined elsewhere in the game or other credit value. Otherwise, the award symbol can represent a number of picks from a prize pool, a number of free game spins, a number of free games, a non-monetary award such as food or beverage or any combination thereof. 
     After the player picks selection  60   c , picks meter  68  for the selection group  62  increments to show one pick has been made. The win display  72  shows the win of credits, which is totaled in display  74 . The picks remaining indicator  76  in  FIG. 3  is shown transitioning from three picks to two picks. That is, the player begins the game with three total picks in the illustrated embodiment. In an alternative embodiment, the player receives a number of predetermined or randomly determined picks for each group  62  to  66 , which can vary from group to group, e.g., decrease in subsequent groups. This “resetting” embodiment lets the player regroup and start over upon reaching a new level. After the pick of selection  60   c , the player has two picks remaining. Because the player has not yet picked a selection yielding an advance symbol, the player must still select from group  62 . That is, if the player attempts to select from either group  64  or  66 , gaming device  10  will not reveal that selection and can provide an audio, visual or audiovisual error message. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates that the player  78  next picks selection  60   d . The pick of selection  60   d  reveals an award of ten and an advance symbol  80   a . Advance symbol  80   a  points downwardly towards the related symbol  60   j  of next or adjacent selection group  64 . The advance symbol  80   a  also terminates the player&#39;s picks in selection group  62 . As illustrated, the pick of the advance symbol  80   a  is accompanied by an award of ten. In an alternative embodiment, the advance symbol is not accompanied by an award or is accompanied by a different type of award from selections yielding only award symbols. In an alternative embodiment, one or more extra picks can be associated with advances or with one or more other selections. In a further alternative embodiment, one or more terminators that terminate the game or which reduce the number of picks in the game can be associated with one or more selections. In one such embodiment, one or more anti-terminators or selections that add picks may be associated with one or more selections. 
     Returning to the illustrated game, the pick of the selection  60   d  causes a number of displays to update on display device  30  or  32 . The picks meter  68  for selection group  62  increments to show the player has consumed two picks in the selection group  62 . The picks remaining indicator  76  is shown transitioning from two picks remaining to one pick. Win display  72  shows that the player has won ten credits via the pick of selection  60   d , and display  74  shows an accumulated total win of fifteen credits.  FIG. 4  continues to provide message  82  informing the player that the player needs to obtain the falling star or advance symbols to receive the jackpot award  70 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , one embodiment for the result of an advance is illustrated. That is, the player receives the value of the award symbol indicated by or related to the advance  80   a  and the symbol that generated the advance, e.g., the symbol  60   d  of group  62 . In the illustrated embodiment, the columns of symbols, e.g., symbols  60   d ,  60   j  and  60   p  are related. Also, the advance symbol  80   a  points to or indicates symbol  60   j . The value or award associated with symbol  60   d , thirty credits, is therefore revealed and provided to the player. In an alternative embodiment, the advance symbol  80   a  points or indicates, e.g., randomly, to a symbol of group  64  that is provided automatically to the player. For example, gaming device  10  could randomly decide between symbols  60   i ,  60   j  and  60   k , which are diagonally or directly adjacent to advance symbol  80   a.    
     Because the value thirty associated with symbol  60   j , revealed automatically by advance  80   a , is not itself an advance symbol, player  78  must now pick from group  64  until picking an advance or until exhausting all picks. However, because the thirty value of symbol  60   j  is revealed and removed from possibility, the player&#39;s chances of picking an advance symbol in group  64  are increased. As illustrated, the player has to use the third of three total picks in group  64 , requiring the player to “hit” or generate two advances in a row to reach jackpot award  70 . As stated above, in an alternative embodiment the player&#39;s picks are reset or are replenished upon reaching the new group  64 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 5 , gaming device  10  provides a suitable audio, visual or audiovisual message informing the player to now pick from selection group  64 . Accordingly, player  78  picks the selection  60   h . That selection is revealed to show that the player wins an award of twenty and also receives an advance symbol  80   b . Picks meter  68  for the selection group  64  increments to show that one pick has been consumed in that selection group. The overall picks display  76  indicates that the player&#39;s last pick has been consumed (one pick to zero picks) and that the player does not have any remaining picks. 
     In the example of the game of  FIGS. 3 to 5 , the player is not able to obtain a jackpot award  70  at least in part because the selection  60   j  of group  64 , which is related spatially to the selection  60   d  of group  62 , does not yield an advance symbol and because the symbol  60   n  reveals only a credit or award value and not additionally an advance symbol. As shown in more detail below, if selection  60   j  yields an advance symbol, the player passes through group  64  automatically without consuming one of the player&#39;s picks. Instead, because selection  60   j  does not yield an advance symbol, the player is forced to use the last of the player&#39;s selections in group  64 . Because that last selection  60   n  does not produce an advance symbol, the player does not receive jackpot  70 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, gaming device  10  does not, in the above example, reveal or award the player the award associated with selection  60   j.  Here, the player could still attempt to pick selection  60   j . In that alternative embodiment, however, gaming device  10  would reveal an advance symbol associated with selection  60   j  and provide any associated award to the player. 
     Various embodiments exist for when the player selects an advance on the final pick. In the illustrated embodiment, gaming device  10  does reveal the related symbol or value of the subsequent group  66 , namely, the symbol associated with selection  60   n , which in the illustrated embodiment is one hundred, as shown in win display  72 , and which is in the same column as selection  60   h  and advance symbol  80   b . The player&#39;s overall award is therefore one hundred sixty-five as illustrated in total win display  74 . Alternatively, gaming device  10  does not reveal and provide the one-hundred award associated with the selection  60   n  of selection group  66 . That award is not provided to the player, yielding a total win of only sixty-five or thirty-five as seen alternatively in total win display  74 , depending upon whether the player also receives the thirty value associated with selection  60   j.    
     In the game of  FIGS. 3 to 5 , if the selection  60   n  of group  66 , which is related to the selection  60   h  of group  64 , instead yields additionally an advance symbol, the player wins the jackpot award  70  because the player does not need an additional pick to achieve the jackpot award  70 . In an alternative embodiment, such as when multiple jackpot awards  70  are provided, the player may be required to have a pick remaining to win such one or more jackpot awards. In that alternative scenario, if the player is forced to use the player&#39;s the final pick in one of the groups  62  to  66 , the player cannot win jackpot award  70 . 
     In  FIGS. 3 to 5 , the selections of the groups  62  to  66  are related via the spatial relationship between symbols of like columns. That is, each symbol is related to at least one other symbol of the same column. As illustrated below in  FIGS. 11 to 14 , the selections  60   a  to  60   r  can be related in other suitable ways. Those relationships can be predetermined or randomly determined in accordance with the present invention. Further, as discussed above, the advance symbol alternatively indicates, points to or otherwise designates the symbol of another group to reveal, wherein that pointed to, indicated or designated symbol is not necessarily a related symbol. The non-related symbol can be chosen randomly from a sub-set of the symbol&#39;s associated group or from the entire group. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 to 8 , another example of the game of the present invention is illustrated. The player wins the jackpot award in this example.  FIGS. 6 to 8  include each of the components described above including the selection groups  62  to  66  having the selections  60   a  through  60   r.  Each group  62  to  66  is associated with a picks meter  68 . As before, the player plays the game of  FIGS. 6 to 8  hoping to navigate through groups  62  to  66  to win the jackpot  70 . 
     In  FIGS. 6 to 8 , the display device  30  or  32  provides the displays described above including the credit meter  16 , the total bet display  22 , the win display  72 , the total win display  74 , and the picks remaining indicator  76 . The screen shots also include message  82  informing the player that advances are needed to win the jackpot award  70 . Gaming device  10  provides suitable audio, visual or audiovisual messages to the player at various times throughout the sequence shown in  FIGS. 6 to 8  to guide the player and inform the player of the selection groups  62  to  66  from which the player should pick. 
     In  FIG. 6 , the player  78  picks the selection  60   d  from group  62 , which yields the award of ten and the advance symbol  80   a . Because the related symbol (or otherwise indicated or designated symbol)  60   j  of group  64  is associated with advance  80   b , gaming device  10  reveals the award of fifty and advance  80   b  associated with selection  60   j . The player&#39;s pick of selection  60   d  also advances the player from selection group  62 , through selection group  64  and to selection group  66 . The player consumes only one pick, which is shown in pick meter  68  associated with group  62 . Picks remaining display  76  shows a change from three picks to two. Notably, the picks meter  68  associated with selection group  64  does not increment even though the award fifty and advance symbol  80   b  associated with selection  60   j  is revealed and provided to the player. 
     The win meter  72  and the total win display  74  shows that the player achieves a total win of two hundred ten credits with the single pick of selection  60   d , which includes the combination of the award ten from selection  60   d , the award fifty from the automatically revealed selection  60   j  and the award one hundred fifty from the automatically revealed selection  60   p  (obtained via reveal  80   b ). In the illustrated embodiment, the awards are added together. In alternative embodiments, one or more of the awards can be a multiplier, wherein the awards are multiplied. Further, in certain embodiments the player can be awarded an extra bonus, e.g., a multiplier or credit value for the group, e.g., group  64 , that was passed-over by the multiple or aligned advances  80  (referring collectively to advances  80   a ,  80   b , etc.) Further alternatively, because selection  60   p  does not yield an advance, the selection is alternatively not revealed and the player begins with a fresh group  66  of selections with none revealed. 
     The selection  60   p  of group  66 , which is the symbol of group  66  related to selection  60   j  of group  64 , is not associated with an advance symbol. As discussed above, gaming device  10  may or may not upon activating the advance  80   b  reveal and/or provide an award symbol (if one exists) associated with selection  60   p . In the illustrated embodiment, gaming device  10  reveals and provides the award associated with selection  60   p.    
       FIG. 7  illustrates that the player  78  is able to pick any of the remaining selections  60   m  to  60   o ,  60   q  and  60   r  of group  66 . The player  78  picks the selection  60   m , which yields the award of one hundred plus an advance symbol  80   c . The picks meter  68  associated with group  66  increments to one, and the player&#39;s remaining picks shown in picks remaining display  76  decreases from two to one. The player&#39;s additional win of one hundred is shown in win meter  72  and the player&#39;s total win increases to three hundred ten as shown in win display  74 . 
     Because the player has advanced through each of the groups  62  to  66 , the player wins the jackpot award as shown in  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 8  illustrates that the player wins the jackpot award  70 , which is revealed to be a prize of five thousand. The picks remaining display  76  remains at one pick. The player&#39;s current win shown in win meter  72  is increased to 5,100, and the player&#39;s total win of five thousand three hundred ten is shown in the total win display  74 . The example shown in  FIGS. 6 to 8 , like the example shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5 , does not require the player have one pick with which to select the jackpot award  70 . Alternatively as shown below, the player may be required to have a pick remaining to win the jackpot, e.g., to pick one jackpot from a plurality of jackpots  70 . The player in  FIG. 8  has one pick left as shown in meter  76 . In one alternative embodiment, gaming device  10  enables the player to receive an extra bonus or multiplier for the leftover pick. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , an alternative embodiment of the multiple selection group game of the present invention is illustrated. The illustrated embodiment includes each of the components described above, including the selection groups  62  to  66  and the meters or indicators, such as the picks meter  68 , total bet display  22 , credit display  16 , win display  72  and total bonus win display  74 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , the player does need to have a pick at the end to select one of the jackpot awards  70   a  to  70   c . The player may therefore be provided originally with additional one or more picks with which to reach the jackpot awards  70   a  to  70   c . If the player reaches the jackpot awards, the player needs and uses a pick to receive one of the awards. A message  84  accordingly informs the player that the player needs a pick to reach the jackpot awards  70   a  to  70   c.    
     As illustrated, player  78  picks the selection  60   d  that yields the award of ten and the advance symbol  80   a . Because the related or indicated symbol  60   j  of group  64  is associated with advance  80   b , gaming device  10  automatically reveals and provides the award of fifty and the advance  80   b  to the player. Further, because the related or indicated selection  60   p  of group  66  is associated with the advance  80   c , gaming device  10  reveals and provides the award of one hundred and the advance symbol  80   c  associated with selection  60   p  to the player. 
     As seen in  FIG. 9 , the player&#39;s single pick, as indicated by the picks meter  68  associated with group  62  display  76 , advances the player all the way to the jackpot awards  70   a  to  70   c . The player  78  uses the second pick to pick jackpot award  70   b  from jackpots  70   a  to  70   c . Jackpot award  70   b  is revealed to be five thousand, wherein the player&#39;s win and total win is five thousand one hundred sixty credits as seen in both the win and total win displays  72  and  74 , respectively. The player may again receive an extra bonus, e.g., a multiplier for one or both of: (i) skipping over rows  64  and  66  without a pick and (ii) having a pick left over. Alternatively, gaming device  10  enables the player to use the last pick on one of the remaining jackpots  70   a  or  70   c . The bonus for skipping groups  64  and  66  can be increased or doubled because two rows are skipped. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , display device  30  or  32  illustrates each of the selections of groups  62  to  66  in a revealed form.  FIG. 10  illustrates one embodiment for setting the probability of the player achieving or receiving an advance symbol in any particular selection group. In one preferred embodiment, the later the selection group, the harder it is to receive an advance symbol. Accordingly, selection group  62  includes three advance symbols  80   a  to  80   c . Selection group  64  includes two advance symbols  80   d  and  80   e . Final selection group  66  includes only a single advance symbol  80   f . The percentage loading of advance symbols  80  in groups  62  to  66  can change according to a desired game mathematics and can be generated randomly from weighted or non-weighted ranges of numbers of advance symbols  80 . 
     It should be appreciated from  FIG. 10  that the player has to be fortunate in picking selections that yield advance symbols in order to win the jackpot award  70 . The player may have to be fortunate enough that the game aligns or indicates at least two advance symbols in adjacent or related positions between two adjacent or related groups of selections. Again, although  FIG. 10  illustrates a total of six advances, the gaming device is operable to provide any suitable random or predetermined percentage and distribution of advance symbols. 
       FIG. 10  also shows that the awards increase on average in advancing groups. The player, whether reading jackpot  70  or not wants to make more picks from later groups. The values are also either preset or determined randomly from weighted or non-weighted pools. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 11 to 14 , various screen displays of video monitor  30  or  32  show different embodiments for relating or associating different selections of different groups. That is, up until now, the selections have been indicated by the advance symbol  80  or related by residing in the same column as other selections of different groups, which are separated into rows. Alternatively, the groups are organized into columns, wherein the selections are related by being in the same row as the selection of another group.  FIG. 11  shows a further alternative embodiment, wherein selections are related via paths  172  and  174 .  FIG. 11  illustrates three selection groups  162  to  166 , wherein group  162  includes selections  60   a  to  60   f . Group  164  includes selections  60   g  to  60   l . Group  66  includes selections  60   m  to  60   r . Each of the selections  60   a  to  60   f  is related to or linked with one of the selections  60   g  to  60   l  of group  164  via a visual link  172 . Likewise, each of the selections  60   g  to  60   l  of group  164  is related or linked to one of the selections  60   m  to  60   r  of group  166  via a path or link  174 . 
     The paths can have a variety of different shapes and lengths. It should be appreciated therefore that related symbols do not have to be aligned but can be placed anywhere on the display device  30  and  32  and be linked via a path. 
       FIG. 11  also shows multiple jackpots as in  FIG. 9 . Here, the jackpot award is set forth as a group  170  of jackpot awards  170   a  to  170   c . Grouping the jackpot awards provides flexibility to the game designer to accomplish a number of gaming device features. The group  170  operates with the embodiment described above, wherein the player needs at least one pick at the end to achieve a jackpot award. In one embodiment, only one of or less than all of awards  170   a  to  170   c  is actually a high value award relative to the awards of the groups  162  to  166 . Here, the player needs to be fortunate once again to pick the highest award. In another embodiment, each of the awards  170   a  to  170   c  is a relatively high value award, wherein the player desires to pick the highest of each of the high value awards. 
     As seen above, it is possible for the player to reach the jackpot award group  170  with two picks remaining. In an embodiment, gaming device  10  enables the player to use both picks to select jackpot awards. In another alternative embodiment, the gaming device does not require a player pick for the jackpot award  170  and instead generates one and only one or less than all the awards  170   a  to  170   c.    
       FIG. 12  illustrates a different embodiment for relating selections of different selection groups. Here, three selection groups  262 ,  264  and  266  are displayed. Selection group  262  includes selections  60   a  to  60   f . Selection group  264  includes selections  60   g  to  60   l . Selection group  266  includes selections  60   m  to  60   r . As illustrated, the selections are related by an overall shape of a selection. That is, selection  60   a  is related to selection  60   a , which in turn is related to selection  60   m , each of which are rectangles. Selection  60   d  is related to selection  60   j , which in turn is related to selection  60   p , each of which are stars. The player makes a visual connection between selections of different groups and understands the operation of gaming device  10  of the present invention via the shapes of the selections in different groups. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , display device  30  or  32  displays three alternative selection groups  362  to  366 . The groups each contain the selections  60   a  to  60   r  as described above. Here, gaming device  10  provides related but not the same indicia. Selection  60   a  is related to selection  60   g,  which in turn is related to selection  60   m , each of which display the letter “A”. Likewise, selection  60   f  is related to selection  60   l , which in turn is related to selection  60   r , each of which display the letter “F”. Even though selection group  364  includes an additional letter with respect to group  362  and group  366  includes an additional letter with respect to group  364 , the player is able to associate selections of different groups and thereby understand gaming device  10  of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 14 , a further alternative embodiment is displayed. Here, the selections of different groups  462  to  466  are related by an amount of an item. That is, selection  60   a  is related to selection  60   g , which in turn is related to selection  60   m , each of which contain only one of a particular item. On the other hand, selection  60   e  is related to selection  60   k , which in turn is related to selection  60   q , each of which include five of a particular item. 
       FIGS. 12 to 14  illustrate certain examples of a myriad of ways to relate or associate selections of different groups with one another. Other ways include symbols or indicia, such as selections related by color, selections related by hatching, selections by size or image or via any combination of the above-described embodiments. 
     In a further alternative embodiment, gaming device  10  does not visually link related selections from different groups. Instead, gaming device  10  selects randomly a selection from the next group when the player receives an advance symbol in a previous group. Here, gaming device  10  preferably reveals the award or award and advance of the randomly selected selection in the subsequent group. In that way, the player knows what has happened when the player receives an advance symbol in the previous group. If the randomly selected symbol from the next group is likewise an advance symbol, gaming device  10  then randomly picks a selection from the next designated selection group. It should be appreciated that additional outcomes, such as awards, can be associated with the alignment of two or more advances. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the group which contains the advance, jackpot, target or best award or outcome can have just that outcome or have a plurality of selections with one or more selections having such outcomes. That enables the game designer to vary the odds of achieving such outcome in any desirable manner. That also enables the game to include more advances in the groups so that it is more likely that the player gets to the final group, which is more exciting for the player. 
     It should also be appreciated that in addition to or instead of the number of picks provided to the player, the selection game of the present invention can include one or more terminators associated with the selections, which function to end the game. 
     It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.