Patent ID: 8425305

Claim:
A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising: causing at least one processor to operate with at least one display device and at least one input device to: (a) enable a player to place a wager on a play of a base game, said placement of the wager including enabling the player to select a variable first component of said wager and a variable different second component of said wager, said wager having a total wager value; (b) display an outcome for the play of the base game; and (c) if the player selects at least a threshold amount for the first component of the wager for the play of the base game and the displayed outcome for the play of the base game includes a designated outcome, trigger a bonus game associated with a meter displayed in association with the bonus game, said meter being configured to change each time the bonus game is triggered, wherein: (i) each time the bonus game is triggered, said meter is displayed at a predetermined level, and (ii) each time a change of said meter occurs during the bonus game, said change is of an amount which is determined: (A) based on the selected different second component of the wager for the play of the base game, (B) not based on the total wager value of the wager placed, and (C) not based on any outcome which occurs in the play of the base game; and when said meter reaches a designated level, causing the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device to provide an award generation event associated with the meter to the player.