Patent ID: 8292724

Claim:
A method of playing a game using a game symbol location matrix in which a plurality of game symbols can appear within at least one game symbol row of row of game symbol locations intersecting a plurality of game symbol columns of column game symbol locations within the game symbol matrix, the game playing method comprising: a) providing at least one game symbol expansion property for at least one predetermined relative game symbol location configuration in the game symbol location matrix; b) associating a game symbol expansion property at a predetermined relative game symbol location configuration with a predetermined set of first game symbols, including wild game symbols appearing in adjacent locations; c) displaying an arrangement of a plurality of game symbols in a resulting game symbol matrix within the game symbol location matrix; d) assessing whether a plurality of said game symbols in the resulting game symbol matrix are displayed in at least one predetermined relative game symbol location configuration and if so: (i) expanding at least one game symbol in another game symbol location in accordance with said associated game symbol expansion property and displaying an expanded resulting game symbol arrangement; (ii) determining whether at least one winning combination of game symbols is formed in the resulting game symbol arrangement; and (iii) issuing awards indicia if the determining step determines the occurrence of one or more winning combinations of game symbols is formed in said resulting game symbol arrangement.