Patent ID: 7252288

Claim:
A gaming apparatus, comprising: (A) a bonus display, the bonus display being configured to indicate a bonus prize to be awarded to a player; (B) a gaming device, the gaming device being configured to allow the player to place a wager and play a game, the gaming device comprising: (a) at least one game reel, the reel having a plurality of game symbols, wherein an outcome of the game is indicated by displaying at least one of the game symbols to the player; and (b) at least one bonus reel, the bonus reel having a plurality of bonus symbols and not having game symbols, wherein the bonus reel is not used to display the outcome of the game and the bonus symbols are selected from the group consisting of: (i) a bonus position symbol, the bonus position symbol being configured to communicate how the bonus display will change, wherein the bonus display is configured to change in a predetermined relationship to the bonus position symbol; (ii) a bonus cycle symbol, the bonus cycle symbol being configured to communicate a number of cycles a bonus event will be performed, wherein the bonus display is configured to display the bonus event the number of cycles communicated by the bonus cycle symbol; and (iii) a bonus addition symbol, the bonus addition symbol being configured to communicate a prize that will be awarded in addition to the bonus prize.