Multi-line slot machine method

• US 6,120,378 A
• Filed: 09/13/1999
• Issued: 09/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: Ernest W. Moody
• Inventors: Moody, Ernest W., Matanky, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): LAYNO, BENJAMIN
• Application Number:
  US09/395,292
• Time in Patent Office: 372 Days
• Field of Search: 273/143 R, 273/138.2, 273/292, 463/12, 463/13, 463/20
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3286 Type of games

Abstract

A player makes a wager for each pay line on a slot machine that the player wishes to play. On a first pay line of the slot machine, a first row of symbols is displayed to the player. The player selects none, one or more of the symbols from the first pay line as symbols to be held. The symbols that are held are duplicated from the first pay line into all of the other pay lines on which the player has wagered. Replacement symbols for the non-selected symbols are then randomly displayed on the first pay line for the symbols that were discarded. Additional symbols are also randomly displayed into all of the other pay lines wagered on by the player so that each pay line has the required number of symbols. The ranking of each pay line is determined by comparing the results of the displayed symbols to a pay table. The player is then paid for any winning pay lines based on the pay table and the amount of the player'"'"'s wager.

Claims

1. A method of playing a gaming device comprising:

a) randomly selecting and displaying a first pay line of at least three symbols;

b) selecting none, one or more of the symbols from the first pay line as symbols to be held;

c) re-using the symbols selected to be held from the first pay line into at least a second pay line;

d) removing from the first pay line the symbols that were not selected to be held and replacing each of those symbols with a new symbol which is randomly selected;

e) completing the second pay line and any additional pay lines, if any, to have at least three symbols by randomly selecting and displaying additional symbols into the second pay line and any subsequent pay lines;

f) determining the symbol ranking of the resulting symbols of the first pay line, the second pay line and any additional pay lines.

2. The method of claim 1 including the steps of:

a) a player making a first wager on the first pay line, a second wager on the second pay line and additional wagers on any subsequent pay lines;

b) paying the player a preestablished amount based on the amount of the first wager if the resulting symbols of the first pay line comprise a predetermined winning ranking;

c) paying the player a preestablished amount based on the amount of the second wager and any additional wagers if the resulting symbols of the second pay line or any additional pay lines comprise a predetermined winning ranking.

3. The method of claim 1 in which each pay line has five symbols.

4. The method of claim 1 in which there are five pay lines.