Patent ID: 8628401

Claim:
A gaming machine comprising: a memory device configured to store data representing a reel having a predetermined number of symbol positions, wherein each of the symbols positions has an associated symbol from a set of symbols, the reel having a run of consecutive symbol positions, wherein each of the symbol positions of the run of consecutive symbol positions is initially populated by a random symbol from the set of symbols, prior to initiation of a first instance of a game; a display device configured to display a matrix having a plurality of display elements arranged in a column, the number of display elements in the column being less than the predetermined number of symbol positions in the reel, the display device being further configured to display a portion of the reel such that the symbols associated with some of the symbol positions of the reel are displayed in the matrix when the reel is in a stop position; and a game controller configured to initiate play of the first instance of the game using the reel and to detect a triggering condition in the first instance of the game and in response to detecting the triggering condition, replacing the symbols in the run of consecutive symbol positions of the reel with an identical symbol for use in a subsequent instance of the game.