Patent ID: 8298066

Claim:
A method for playing a game comprising: initiating a community play session by a first player of a first play station having a first reel display; giving a second player at a second play station having a second reel display a period of time to join the community play session; activating a community spin mechanism associated with one or more dedicated reels that are specifically reserved as community reels that may be used in various combinations with said first reel display of said first play station and with said second reel display of said second play station when or after the second player joins the community play session within the period of time and when or after both the first player and the second player have made a wager of at least a certain bet size; and causing said first reel display at the first play station and said second reel display at the second play station to spin in response to the community spin mechanism when or after the second player joins the community play session within the period of time and terminating the community play session when or after the second player does not join the community play session within the period of time; wherein opportunities for winning are enhanced including at least one of higher payout tables, different game settings, frequency of wins and payout percentages for the first player by combining the first reel display with the one or more community reels and for the second player by combining the second reel display with the one or more community reels.