Patent ID: 7722457

Claim:
A method of operating an electronic gaming device via a processor, comprising: the processor operable to accept a wager; the processor operable to display a symbol matrix formed by a plurality of rows intersecting with a plurality of columns, with the plurality of rows and columns including a plurality of symbols; the processor operable to set and display numeric values such that: an adjustable numeric value is set to zero; a series of fixed numeric values is generated with values greater than zero; at least one of the said fixed numeric values is associated with a credit award calculated as a multiple of the wager; and at least one of the fixed numeric values greater than the adjustable numeric value is displayed along with any associated credit award at a location outside of the symbol matrix; a) for a number of iterations, the processor operable to randomly rearrange the entire plurality of symbols and display the rearranged symbols in the symbol matrix; b) the processor operable to increment the adjustable numeric value based upon the appearance of at least one pre-determined symbol in the symbol matrix; c) the processor operable to compare the adjustable numeric value to the fixed numeric values during the repetition of steps a) and b); and d) upon completion of said iterations, the processor operable to issue a credit award when the adjustable numeric value equals a fixed numeric value associated with a credit award during the repetition of steps a) and b).