Patent ID: 8771054

Claim:
A gaming system comprising: at least one input device; at least one display device; at least one processor; at least one memory device storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the gaming system to: display an evaluable array and a plurality of symbol-bearing reels on the at least one display device, each reel including a plurality of reel locations having symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game after the plurality of symbol-bearing reels stop with respect to the evaluable array, wherein a first symbol is positioned at at least a first reel location and a second reel location; receive a wager to receive at least a first evaluation of the array; virtually rotate the plurality of symbol-bearing reels relative to the evaluable array; in response to a certain event in the wagering game, automatically alter the first symbol at the first reel location to produce an altered function of the first symbol at the first reel location, the first symbol at the first reel location and altered function selected by the processor, and leave the first symbol at the second reel location unaltered; and maintain the altered function of the first symbol at the first reel location during a subsequent virtual rotation of the plurality of symbol-bearing reels relative to the evaluable array.