Slot machine method with individual symbol respin

• US 7,275,989 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2002
• Issued: 10/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ernest Moody Revocable Trust
• Original Assignee: Ernest W. Moody
• Inventors: Moody, Ernest W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coburn; Corbett B.
• Application Number:
  US10/334,877
• Publication Number:
  US 20040127280A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,737 Days
• Field of Search: 463/13, 463/16, 463/20
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements

Abstract

A slot machine is provided with a plurality of slot symbols which results in a display matrix having a plurality of reel stop locations. A player makes a wager for each pay line on the slot machine that the player wishes to be active. Prior to the reels being spun, the player selects at least one of the reel stop locations that will be respun after the initial spin of the reels. The slot reels are spun and the player receives an award for any winning symbol combinations that appear on active pay lines. Then the reel stop locations selected by the player are respun and the pay lines are reanalyzed to determine if winning combinations have been achieved as a result of the switching of the two reel stop locations. The player receives an award for any winning symbol combinations that appear on active pay lines.

Claims

1. A method of playing a slot machine having a matrix of reel stop locations, each reel stop location having a symbol therein, comprising:

a) prior to any reel being spun, a player selecting at least one reel stop location, but not all of the reel stop locations, as the reel stop location that will subsequently be respun;

b) causing the slot machine to activate and display randomly a symbol at each of the reel stop locations;

c) paying the player a first predetermined amount if at least one winning combination of symbols appears on the slot machine;

d) respinning the reel stop location selected by the player; and

e) paying the player a second predetermined amount if at least one winning combination of symbols appears on the slot machine.

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

a) providing a plurality of pay lines on the slot machine and allowing the player to make a wager on at least one of the pay lines; and

b) any amounts paid to the player are based on the amount of the wager if the winning combination appears on the pay line upon which the player has wagered.

3. The method of claim 2 in which the wager made also applies to the respin.

4. A slot machine apparatus having a matrix of reel stop locations, each reel stop location having a symbol therein, comprising:

a) means for a player to select, prior to any reel being spun, at least one reel stop location, but not all of the reel stop locations, as the reel stop location that will subsequently be respun;

b) means causing the slot machine to activate and display randomly a symbol at each of the reel stop locations;

c) means for paying the player a first predetermined amount if at least one winning combination of symbols appears on the slot machine;

d) means for respinning the reel stop location selected by the player; and

e) means for paying the player a second predetermined amount if at least one winning combination of symbols appears on the slot machine.

5. The slot machine of claim 4 including:

a) a plurality of pay lines on the slot machine and means for allowing the player to make a wager on at least one of the pay lines; and

b) the means for paying the player any amounts are based on the amount of the wager if the winning combination appears on the pay line upon which the player has wagered.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which the wager made also applies to the respin.

7. A slot machine having a matrix of reel stop locations, each reel stop location having a symbol therein which is configured to perform the following method:

a) prior to any reel being spun, a player selecting at least one reel stop location, but not all of the reel stop locations, as the reel top location that will subsequently be respun;

b) causing the slot machine to activate and display randomly a symbol at each of the reel stop locations;

c) paying the player a first predetermined amount if at least one winning combination of symbols appears on the slot machine;

d) respinning the reel stop locations selected by the player; and

e) paying the player a second predetermined amount if at least one winning combination of symbols appears on the slot machine.

8. The slot machine of claim 7 in which the method includes the steps of:

a) providing a plurality of pay lines on the slot machine and allowing the player to make a wager on at least one of the pay lines; and

b) any amounts paid to the player are based on the amount of the wager if the winning combination appears on the pay line upon which the player has wagered.

9. The slot machine of claim 8 in which the means for allowing the player to make a wager also applies to the respin.