Patent ID: 7066814

Claim:
A gaming device comprising: a processor; an initial indicator in a base game controlled by the processor for displaying a plurality of symbols; an initial number of at least two award opportunities determined if at least one designated symbol or symbol combination is displayed by said initial indicator in a play of the base game, and the initial number of award opportunities being determined from a plurality of different possible numbers of award opportunities for different plays of the base game; a bonus game caused by the processor to provide the determined initial number of award opportunities; and a secondary mechanical indicator in the bonus game controlled by the processor, the secondary mechanical indicator caused by the processor to: (a) display award outcomes resulting from the determined initial number of award opportunities; and (b) provide a player with a number of at least two additional award opportunities after at least one of the initial number of award opportunities is initiated, the number of additional award opportunities being directly based on the determined initial number of award opportunities in said play of the base game.