Patent ID: 8721426

Claim:
A wager gaming method comprising: receiving a first input from a gaming machine indicating that a state-based power-up associated with a player be redeemed for an in-game advantage during wagering game play, wherein: the state-based power-up is re-usable if a game outcome condition is met wherein the game outcome condition relates to the player achieving a higher score or a higher payout than if the player had not activated the state-based power-up, and the in-game advantage provides an opportunity to improve a score or chances of winning within a game; providing the in-game advantage via the gaming machine at a first time during the wagering game play in response to receiving the first input; determining, after providing the in-game advantage at the first time, that the game outcome condition has been met in association with providing the in-game advantage at the first time; and maintaining the association of the state-based power-up with the player at least until a second input is received indicating that the state-based power-up be redeemed at a time later than the first time.