Patent ID: 8460094

Claim:
A gaming system comprising: at least one display device; at least one input device; at least one processor; and at least one memory device which stores 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 display device and the at least one input device to: (a) display a wagered on play of a first game; (b) determine if a triggering event occurs; and (c) if the triggering event occurs: (i) display a designated quantity of free plays of a second game, said designated quantity being at least three; and (ii) for each of the designated quantity of free plays of the second game after the first free play of the second game, determine and display any awards for said free play of the second game based upon: (A) a plurality of symbols occurring in said free play of the second game; and (B) a selected one of a plurality of different modifiers, wherein: (1) when the previous free play of the second game did not result in an award of at least a designated amount, the selected modifier for said free play of the second game is greater than the selected modifier for the previous free play of the second game; and (2) when the previous free play of the second game resulted in the award of at least the designated amount, the selected modifier for said free play of the second game is not greater than the selected modifier for the previous free play of the second game.