Patent ID: 8235794

Claim:
A mechanical reel gaming machine for playing multiple different games that each require different symbol images in each symbol position on each mechanical reel, the mechanical reel gaming machine comprising: a gaming machine cabinet housing 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; a plurality of back light sources for each mechanical reel, wherein each back light source shines outward of the gaming machine towards a game player position; and 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 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.