Patent ID: 8241112

Claim:
A method for playing a game with a gaming machine, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a signal indicating an instruction of starting a game; (b) starting the game; (c) executing the game; (d) displaying a plurality of symbols on a display device; (e) each time a predetermined symbol or a predetermined combination of symbols is displayed on the display device as a result of the game, adding a predetermined point to a cumulative point; (f) if the cumulative point has reached a threshold, performing a lottery to determine a specific combination of symbols; (g) increasing an award for the specific combination of symbols from a normal award to an increased award that is larger than the normal award; (h) if the specific combination of symbols is displayed on the display device after increasing the award for the specific combination of symbols, paying the increased award; and (i) if a combination of symbols different from the specific combination of symbols is displayed on the display device after increasing the award for the specific combination of symbols, switching the increased award for the specific combination of symbols back to the normal award.