Patent ID: 8721430

Claim:
A gaming system comprising: at least one display device; at least one input device; at least one processor; and at least one memory device storing a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to: (a) display a plurality of symbol display areas, each of the symbol display areas being configured to display one of a plurality of different symbols; (b) for a first play of a game: (i) generate and display one of the symbols at each of the symbol display areas; (ii) determine whether at least one of a plurality of different winning symbol combinations is displayed; and (iii) for each of any displayed winning symbol combinations, determine any awards for said displayed winning symbol combination based on a quantity of symbols included in said displayed winning symbol combination; and (c) for a second subsequent play of the game: (i) if a triggering event occurred in association with the first play of the game, redisplay at least one symbol generated and displayed in the first play of the game at the symbol display area at which said at least one symbol was displayed in the first play of the game; (ii) generate and display one of the symbols at each of the symbol display areas not displaying a redisplayed symbol; (iii) determine whether at least one of the winning symbol combinations is displayed; and (iv) for each of any displayed winning symbol combinations, determine any awards for said displayed winning symbol combination based on a quantity of symbols included in said displayed winning symbol combination.