Patent ID: 8382574

Claim:
A gaming system comprising: at least one input device; at least one display 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 input device and the at least one display device, for a play of a game operable upon a wager by a player, to: (i) display a plurality of reels, each said reel associated with a plurality of symbol display areas; (ii) for each reel, randomly generate and cause said reel to display one of a plurality of different symbols on said reel at each of the plurality of symbol display areas associated with said reel; (iii) determine if a triggering event occurs for said play of the game; and (iv) if the triggering event occurs: (a) for one of the symbol display areas, display at said symbol display area two of the same symbol which is displayed at said symbol display area; (b) evaluate the symbols displayed at each of the symbol display areas, including the symbol display area at which two of the same symbol are displayed, to determine if any winning symbol combinations are displayed; and (c) provide the player any awards associated with any displayed winning symbol combinations.