Patent ID: 8235795

Claim:
A method for playing multiple different games that each require different symbol images in each symbol position on each mechanical reel of a mechanical reel gaming machine, the method comprising: providing a plurality of mechanical reels, each mechanical reel having a mechanical reel strip attached thereto, wherein a polarized material layer is attached to the exterior of each mechanical reel strip, wherein each symbol position on each mechanical reel contains a composite of multiple symbol images in the attached polarized material layer, and wherein different symbol images within the composite are visible in different orientations of polarized light; enabling game play in response to player input; projecting one of a plurality of back light sources on each mechanical reel, wherein each back light source shines outward of the mechanical reel gaming machine; enabling an image polarizer for each back light source, wherein the image polarizers are distinct from the polarized material layer attached to the reel strips, wherein each image polarizer is positioned parallel and opposite to each back light source, wherein a combination of the image polarizers, the back light sources, and the composite of multiple symbol images at each symbol position create a distinct symbol image related to one of the multiple different games capable of being played on the mechanical reel gaming machine; and wherein the image polarizers, the back light sources, and the composite of multiple symbol images at each symbol position on each mechanical reel enable multiple different games to be played on the mechanical reel gaming machine by producing different symbol images in different types of polarized light.