Gaming device having a symbol accumulation game with a physical prize

• US 7,862,420 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2003
• Issued: 01/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Cregan, Karen M., Peterson, Lance R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo; Peter DungBa
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCCULLOCH JR, WILLIAM H
• Application Number:
  US10/644,310
• Publication Number:
  US 20050043082A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,694 Days
• Field of Search: 463/20, 463/21, 463/25, 463/42
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3253 involving articles, e.g. paying in bottles, paying out toys

Abstract

A gaming device including a free spins game having a plurality of reels with a plurality of symbols. The symbols include at least one prize symbol, where a physical prize is associated with the prize symbol. In one embodiment, the gaming device activates or spins the reels for a designated number of spins in a game. The gaming device spins the reels in the game and accumulates any prize symbols indicated on the reels. If the accumulated number of prize symbols reaches a designated number of prize symbols necessary to win the physical prize, the gaming device awards the physical prize to the player.

Claims

1. A gaming device 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, after a wager by a player, and for a single play of a game, to;

(i) display a plurality of reels, the plurality of reels including a plurality of symbols, said symbols including at least one prize symbol associated with a physical prize and at least one re-trigger symbol,

(ii) determine a quantity of initial spins of the reels which will subsequently be displayed, the determined quantity of initial spins being greater than one,

(iii) display a first designated number, said first designated number initially being equal to the determined quantity of initial spins of the reels,

(iv) for one of the initial spins of the reels, display said reels spinning and stopping,

(v) reduce the displayed first designated number to indicate how many of the determined quantity of initial spins remain to be subsequently displayed,

(vi) repeat (iv) and (v) until the displayed first designated number reaches zero,

(vii) display at least one additional spin of the reels if a predetermined symbol combination including the re-trigger symbol occurs on the reels during the displayed initial spins of the reels,

(viii) accumulate any prize symbols which occur on the reels in each of said displayed initial spins and said at least one additional spin of the reels,

(ix) cause the physical prize to be awarded to the player if the accumulated number of prize symbols reaches a second designated number of prize symbols necessary to be accumulated to win the associated physical prize, wherein the second designated number of prize symbols is greater than the number of prize symbols which can possibly be accumulated in the displayed initial spins of the reels, and

(x) cause the single play of the game to end and reset the accumulated number of prize symbols to zero.

2. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes at least one payline associated with the reels.

3. The gaming device of claim 2, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to accumulate any prize symbols which occur on any of the paylines in each of the displayed initial spins and the at least one additional spin of the reels.

4. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the game includes a primary game operable upon the wager, and wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device to display the initial spins of the reels in the single play of the primary game.

5. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the prize symbol includes an image which represents the physical prize.

6. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the quantity of initial spins of the reels is randomly determined.

7. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the first quantity of initial spins of the reels is predetermined.

8. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the second designated number of prize symbols is randomly determined.

9. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the second designated number of prize symbols is predetermined.

10. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes a plurality of different physical prizes, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to cause one of said physical prizes to be provided to the player when the accumulated number of prize symbols reaches the second designated number of prize symbols necessary to win said physical prize to be provided.

11. The gaming device of claim 10, wherein at least two of the physical prizes have different values.

12. The gaming device of claim 10, which includes a probability of being selected by the at least one processor associated with each of the physical prizes, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor, based on said probabilities, to:

(i) select one of the physical prizes, and (ii) cause the selected physical prize to be provided to the player.

13. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes a plurality of different physical prizes, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to enable the player to pick one of said physical prizes if the accumulated number of prize symbols reaches the second designated number of prize symbols.

14. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes a prize symbol display operable to indicate the number of accumulated prize symbols.

15. The gaming device of claim 14, wherein the prize symbol display includes a plurality of prize symbol indicators.

16. The gaming device of claim 15, which includes at least one illumination device associated with the prize symbol indicators.

17. The gaming device of claim 14, wherein the prize symbol display includes an integer which represents the accumulated number of prize symbols.

18. The gaming device of claim 17, wherein the integer increments by at least one for each prize symbol which occurs on the reels.

19. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the at least one additional spin includes at least one free spin.

20. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the quantity of initial spins is determined at least in part based on the wager.

21. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the second designated number of the prize symbols necessary to be accumulated to win the physical prize is at least in part based on the wager such that:

(i) for a first wager, a first quantity of the prize symbols is necessary to be accumulated to win the physical prize, and (ii) for a second, different wager, a second, different quantity of the prize symbols is necessary to be accumulated to win the physical prize.

22. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the number of prize symbols which are accumulated based on each prize symbol which occurs on the reels is at least in part based on the wager.

23. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the predetermined symbol combination is associated with a probability of occurring on the reels, and the probability is at least in part based on the wager.

24. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to enable the player to select the physical prize.

25. A gaming device 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, after a wager by a player, and for a single play of a game, to;

(i) display a plurality of reels including a plurality of symbols on the reels, said symbols including at least one first prize symbol associated with a first physical prize, at least one second prize symbol associated with a second different physical prize, and at least one re-trigger symbol;

(ii) determine a quantity of initial spins of the reels which will subsequently be displayed, the determined quantity of initial spins being greater than one,

(iii) display a first designated number, said first designated number initially being equal to the determined quantity of initial spins of the reels,

(iv) for one of the initial spins of the reels, display said reels, spinning and stopping,

(v) reduce the displayed first designated number to indicate how many of the determined quantity of initial spins remain to be subsequently displayed,

(vi) repeat (iv) and (v) until the displayed first designated number reaches zero,

(vii) display at least one additional spin of the reels when a predetermined symbol combination including the re-trigger symbol occurs on the reels during the displayed initial spins of the reels,

(viii) accumulate any first prize symbols which occur on the reels in each of said displayed initial spins and said at least one additional spin of the reels,

(ix) accumulate any second prize symbols which occur on the reels in each of said displayed initial spins and said at least one additional spin of the reels,

(x) cause the first physical prize to be awarded to the player if the accumulated number of first prize symbols reaches a second designated number of first prize symbols necessary to be accumulated to win the associated first physical prize, wherein the second designated number of first prize symbols is greater than the number of first prize symbols which can possibly be accumulated in the displayed initial spins of the reels,

(xi) cause the second physical prize to be awarded to the player if the accumulated number of second prize symbols reaches a third designated number of second prize symbols necessary to be accumulated to win the associated second physical prize, wherein the third designated number of second prize symbols is greater than the number of second prize symbols which can possibly be accumulated in the displayed initial spins of the reels, and

(xii) cause the single play of the game to end, reset the accumulated number of first prize symbols to zero, and reset the accumulated number of second prize symbols to zero.

26. The gaming device of claim 25, wherein the game includes a primary game operable upon the wager, and wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device to display the initial spins of the reels in the single play of the primary game.

27. The gaming device of claim 25, wherein the first physical prize is of a higher value than the second physical prize.

28. The gaming device of claim 27, which includes a higher probability of obtaining the second physical prize than the first physical prize.

29. The gaming device of claim 25, wherein the at least one additional spin includes at least one free spin.

30. The gaming device of claim 25, wherein the quantity of initial spins is determined at least in part based on the wager.

31. The gaming device of claim 25, wherein the second designated number of the first prize symbols necessary to be accumulated to win the first physical prize is at least in part based on the wager such that:

(i) for a first wager, a first quantity of the first prize symbols is necessary to be accumulated to win the first physical prize, and (ii) for a second, different wager, a second, different quantity of the first prize symbols is necessary to be accumulated to win the first physical prize.

32. The gaming device of claim 25, wherein the third designated number of the second prize symbols necessary to be accumulated to win the second physical prize is at least in part based on the wager such that:

(i) for a first wager, a first quantity of the second prize symbols is necessary to be accumulated to win the second physical prize, and (ii) for a second, different wager, a second, different quantity of the second prize symbols is necessary to be accumulated to win the second physical prize.

33. The gaming device of claim 25, wherein the number of prize symbols accumulated for each prize symbol which occurs on the reels is at least in part based on the wager.

34. The gaming device of claim 25, wherein the predetermined symbol combination is associated with a probability of occurring on the reels, and the probability is at least in part based on the wager.

35. A gaming device 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, after a wager by a player for a play of a primary game and after an occurrence of a triggering event in association with the play of the primary game, to;

(i) initiate a single play of a secondary game associated with a physical prize, the second game associated with a set of reels having a plurality of symbols, the symbols including at least one prize symbol associated with the physical prize and at least one re-trigger symbol,

(ii) determine a quantity of initial spins of the reels which will subsequently be displayed for the single play of the secondary game, the determined quantity of initial spins being greater than one,

(iii) display a first designated number, said first designated number initially being equal to the determined quantity of initial spins of the reels,

(iv) for each one of the determined quantity of initial spins of the reels in the single play of the secondary game;

(a) display said reels spinning and stopping, and

(b) reduce the displayed first designated number to indicate how many of the determined quantity of initial spins remain to be subsequently displayed,

(v) display at least one additional spin of the reels if a predetermined symbol combination including the re-trigger symbol occurs on the reels during the displayed initial spins of the reels in the secondary game,

(vi) accumulate any prize symbols which occur on the reels in the displayed initial spins and the at least one additional spin of the reels in the secondary game,

(vii) cause the physical prize to be awarded to the player if the accumulated number of prize symbols reaches a second designated number of prize symbols necessary to be accumulated in the secondary game to win the physical prize, wherein the second designated number of prize symbols is greater than the number of prize symbols that can possibly be accumulated in the displayed initial spins of the reels in the secondary game, and

(viii) cause the single play of the secondary game to end and reset the accumulated number of prize symbols to zero.

36. The gaming device of claim 35, wherein the triggering event includes a combination of symbols occurring on a set of the reels in association with the primary game.

37. The gaming device of claim 35, wherein the quantity of initial spins includes free spins.

38. The gaming device of claim 35, wherein the quantity of initial spins is determined at least in part based on a the wager made by the player.

39. The gaming device of claim 35, wherein the second designated number of the prize symbols necessary to be accumulated to win the physical prize is at least in part based on the wager made by the player such that:

(i) for a first wager made by the player, a first quantity of the prize symbols is necessary to be accumulated to win the physical prize, and (ii) for a second, different wager made by the player, a second, different quantity of the prize symbols is necessary to be accumulated to win the physical prize.

40. The gaming device of claim 35, wherein the number of prize symbols accumulated for each prize symbol which occurs on the reels is at least in part based on the wager made by the player.

41. The gaming device of claim 35, wherein the predetermined symbol combination is associated with a probability of occurring on the reels, and the probability is at least in part based on the wager made by the player.

42. A gaming device 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, after a wager by a player, and for a single play of a game, to;

(i) display a plurality of reels including a plurality of symbols on the reels, said symbols including at least one first prize symbol associated with a first physical prize, at least one second prize symbol associated with a second different physical prize, and at least one re-trigger symbol, wherein the first physical prize is of a higher value than the second physical prize;

(ii) determine a quantity of initial spins of the reels which will subsequently be displayed, the determined quantity of initial spins being greater than one;

(iii) display a first designated number, said first designated number initially being equal to the determined quantity of initial spins of the reels;

(iv) for one of the initial spins of the reels, display said reels spinning and stopping,

(v) reduce the displayed first designated number to indicate how many of the determined quantity of initial spins remain to be subsequently displayed,

(vi) repeat (iv) and (v) until the displayed first designated number reaches zero,

(vii) display at least one free spin of the reels if a predetermined symbol combination including the re-trigger symbol occurs on the reels during the displayed initial spins of the reels,

(viii) accumulate any first prize symbols which occur on the reels in each of said displayed initial spins and said at least one free spin of the reels,

(ix) accumulate any second prize symbols which occur on the reels in each of said displayed initial spins and said at least one free spin of the reels,

(x) cause the first physical prize to be awarded to the player if the accumulated number of first prize symbols reaches a second designated number of the first prize symbols necessary to be accumulated to win the associated first physical prize, wherein the predetermined symbol combination including the re-trigger symbol must occur on the reels at least once to accumulate the second designated number of the first prize symbols,

(xi) cause the second physical prize to be awarded to the player if the accumulated number of second prize symbols reaches a third designated number of the second prize symbols necessary to be accumulated to win the associated second different physical prize, wherein the predetermined symbol combination including the re-trigger symbol must occur on the reels at least once to accumulate the third designated number of the second prize symbols, and

(xii) cause the single play of the game to end, reset the accumulated number of first prize symbols to zero, and reset the accumulated number of second prize symbols to zero.

43. The gaming device of claim 42, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device to display a primary game operable upon the wager, and display the initial spins of the reels in the primary game.

44. The gaming device of claim 42, which includes a higher probability of obtaining the second physical prize than obtaining the first physical prize.

45. The gaming device of claim 42, wherein the quantity of initial spins of the reels is determined at least in part based on the wager.

46. The gaming device of claim 42, wherein the second designated number of the first prize symbols necessary to be accumulated to win the first physical prize is at least in part based on the wager such that:

(i) for a first wager made by the player, a first quantity of the first prize symbols is necessary to be accumulated to win the first physical prize, and (ii) for a second, different wager made by the player, a second, different quantity of the first prize symbols is necessary to be accumulated to win the first physical prize.

47. The gaming device of claim 42, wherein the third designated number of the second prize symbols necessary to be accumulated to win the second physical prize is at least in part based on the wager made by the player such that:

(i) for a first wager, a first quantity of the second prize symbols is necessary to be accumulated to win the second physical prize, and (ii) for a second, different wager, a second, different quantity of the second prize symbols is necessary to be accumulated to win the second physical prize.

48. The gaming device of claim 42, wherein the number of prize symbols which are accumulated for each prize symbol which occurs on the reels is at least in part based on the wager.

49. The gaming device of claim 42, wherein the predetermined symbol combination is associated with a probability of occurring on the reels, and the probability is at least in part based on the wager.

50. A method for operating a gaming device;

said method comprising;

(a) causing at least one display device to display a play of a primary game operable upon a wager made by a player;

(b) initiating a single play of a secondary game upon an occurrence of a triggering event in association with the play of the primary game; and

(c) for the single play of the secondary game;

(i) determining a quantity of initial spins of a plurality of reels which will subsequently be displayed in the single play of the secondary game, the determined quantity of initial spins being greater than one;

(ii) designating a first number, said first designated number initially being equal to the determined quantity of initial spins of the reels;

(iii) designating a second number of prize symbols necessary to be accumulated to win a physical prize in the secondary game, wherein the designated second number of prize symbols is greater than a number of prize symbols which can possibly be accumulated in the quantity of initial spins of the reels in the single play of the secondary game;

(iv) causing the at least one display device to display the designated first number;

(v) for each one of the initial spins of the reels in the secondary game;

(A) causing the at least one display device to display said reels spinning and stopping, and

(B) reducing the displayed designated first number to indicate how many of the determined quantity of initial spins remain to be subsequently displayed;

(vi) accumulating any prize symbols which occur on the reels during the displayed initial spins of the reels;

(vii) causing the at least one display device to display at least one additional spin of the reels if a secondary triggering event occurs in association with the single play of the secondary game;

(viii) awarding the physical prize to the player if the accumulated number of prize symbols reaches the designated second number of prize symbols necessary to win the physical prize in the single play of the secondary game; and

(ix) causing the single play of the secondary game to end and resetting the accumulated number of prize symbols to zero.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein accumulating any prize symbols which occur on the reels includes accumulating any prize symbols indicated on at least one payline associated with the reels.

52. The method of claim 50, which includes randomly determining the quantity of initial spins of the reels.

53. The method of claim 50, which includes pre-determining the quantity of initial spins of the reels.

54. The method of claim 50, which includes randomly determining the designated second number of prize symbols necessary to be accumulated to win the physical prize in the secondary game.

55. The method of claim 50, which includes pre-determining the designated second number of prize symbols necessary to be accumulated to win the physical prize in the secondary game.

56. The method of claim 50, which includes causing a prize symbol display to display the accumulated number of prize symbols.

57. The method of claim 50, which includes providing the physical prize from a plurality of different physical prizes.

58. The method of claim 50, which includes enabling the player to pick the physical prize from a plurality of different physical prizes.

59. The method of claim 50, wherein awarding the physical prize to the player includes generating a prize code.

60. The method of claim 59, which includes placing the prize code on at least one of:

a receipt, a ticket, a printing medium and a recording medium.

61. The method of claim 50, wherein the quantity of initial spins includes free spins.

62. The method of claim 50, wherein the quantity of initial spins is determined at least in part based on the wager.

63. The method of claim 50, wherein the second designated number of the prize symbols necessary to be accumulated to win the physical prize is at least in part based on the wager such that:

(i) for a first wager made by the player, a first quantity of the prize symbols is necessary to be accumulated to win the physical prize, and (ii) for a second, different wager made by the player, a second, different quantity of the prize symbols is necessary to be accumulated to win the physical prize.

64. The method of claim 50, wherein the number of prize symbols accumulated for each prize symbol which occurs on the reels is at least in part based on the wager.

65. The method of claim 50, wherein odds of the secondary triggering event occurring is at least in part based on the wager.

66. The method of claim 50, wherein the steps (a) to (c) are controlled through a data network.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein the data network is an internet.

68. A method of operating a gaming device after a wager by a player, and for a single play of a game, said method comprising:

(a) after the wager by the player, start the single play of the game;

(b) causing at least one display device to display a plurality of reels and a plurality of symbols on the reels, said symbols including at least one first prize symbol, at least one second prize symbol and at least one re-trigger symbol;

(c) determining a quantity of initial spins of the reels which will subsequently be displayed, the determined quantity of initial spins being greater than one;

(d) designating a first number, said designated first number initially being equal to the determined quantity of initial spins of the reels which will subsequently be displayed;

(e) designating a second number of the first prize symbols necessary to be accumulated to win a first physical prize, wherein the designated second number of first prize symbols is greater than a number of first prize symbols which can possibly be accumulated in the determined quantity of initial spins of the reels;

(f) designating a third number of the second prize symbols necessary to be accumulated to win a second different physical prize, wherein the designated third number of second prize symbols is greater than the number of second prize symbols which can possibly be accumulated in the determined quantity of initial spins of the reels;

(g) causing the at least one display device to display the first designated number;

(h) for one of the initial spins of the reels, causing the at least one display device to display the reels spinning and stopping;

(i) reducing the displayed designated first number to indicate how many of the determined quantity of initial spins remain to be subsequently displayed;

(i) repeating (h) and (i) until the displayed designated first number reaches zero;

(k) causing the at least one display device to display at least one additional spin of the reels if a predetermined symbol combination including the re-trigger symbol occurs on the reels during the displayed initial spins of the reels;

(l) accumulating any first prize symbols which occurs on the reels in each of said displayed initial spins and said at least one additional spin of the reels;

(m) accumulating any second prize symbols which occurs on the reels in each of said displayed initial spins and said at least one additional spin of the reels;

(n) awarding the first physical prize to the player if the accumulated number of first prize symbols reaches the designated second number of first prize symbols;

(o) awarding the second physical prize to the player if the accumulated number of second prize symbols reaches the designated third number of second prize symbols; and

(p) causing the single play of the game to end, resetting the accumulated number of first prize symbols to zero, and resetting the accumulated number of second prize symbols to zero.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein the first physical prize is of a higher value than the second physical prize.

70. The method claim 69, which includes a higher probability of obtaining the second physical prize than the first physical prize.

71. The method claim 68, wherein the at least one additional spin includes at least one free spin.

72. The method claim 68, wherein the quantity of initial spins is determined at least in part based on the wager.

73. The method claim 68, wherein the designated second number of the first prize symbols necessary to be accumulated to win the first physical prize is at least in part based on the wager such that:

(i) for a first wager made by the player, a first quantity of the first prize symbols is necessary to be accumulated to win the first physical prize, and (ii) for a second, different wager made by the player, a second, different quantity of the first prize symbols is necessary to be accumulated to win the first physical prize.

74. The method claim 68, wherein the designated third number of the second prize symbols necessary to be accumulated to win the second physical prize is at least in part based on the wager such that:

(i) for a first wager made by the player, a first quantity of the second prize symbols is necessary to be accumulated to win the second physical prize, and (ii) for a second, different wager made by the player, a second, different quantity of the second prize symbols is necessary to be accumulated to win the second physical prize.

75. The method claim 68, wherein the number of prize symbols accumulated for each prize symbol which occurs on the reels is at least in part based on the wager.

76. The method claim 68, wherein the predetermined symbol combination is associated with a probability of occurring on the reels, and the probability is at least in part based on the wager.

77. The method of claim 68, wherein the steps (a) to (p) are controlled through a data network.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein the data network is an internet.

79. A method of operating a gaming device after a wager by a player, and for a single play of a game, said method comprising:

(a) after the wager by the player, start the single play of the game;

(b) causing at least one display device to display a plurality of reels and a plurality of symbols on the reels, said symbols including at least one first prize symbol, at least one second prize symbol and at least one re-trigger symbol;

(c) determining a quantity of free spins of the reels which will subsequently be displayed, the determined quantity of free spins being greater than one;

(d) designating a first number, said designated first number initially being equal to the determined quantity of free spins of the reels;

(e) designating a second number of the first prize symbols necessary to be accumulated to win a first physical prize;

(f) designating a third number of the second prize symbols necessary to be accumulated to win a second different physical prize, wherein the first physical prize is of higher value than the second physical prize; and

(g) after an occurrence of a designated triggering event in association with the single play of the game;

(i) causing the at least one display device to display the designated first number;

(ii) for each one of the free spins of the reels;

(A) causing the at least one display device to display said reels spinning and stopping, and

(B) reducing the displayed designated first number to indicate how many of the determined quantity of free spins remain to be subsequently displayed;

(iii) causing the at least one display device to display at least one additional free spin of the reels if a predetermined symbol combination including the re-trigger symbol occurs on the reels during the displayed free spins of the reels;

(iv) accumulating any first prize symbols which occur on the reels in each of said displayed free spins and the at least one additional free spin of the reels;

(v) accumulating any second prize symbols which occur on the reels in each of said displayed free spins and the at least one additional free spin of the reels;

(vi) awarding the first physical prize to the player if the accumulated number of first prize symbols reaches the designated second number of first prize symbols, wherein the re-trigger symbol or the predetermined symbol combination must occur on the reels at least once to accumulate the designated second number of first prize symbols;

(vii) awarding the second physical prize to the player if the accumulated number of second prize symbols reaches the designated third number of second prize symbols, wherein the re-trigger symbol or the predetermined symbol combination must occur on the reels at least once to accumulate the designated third number of second prize symbols; and

(viii) causing the single play of the game to end, resetting the accumulated number of first prize symbols to zero and resetting the accumulated number of second prize symbols to zero.

80. The method of claim 79, which includes providing a higher probability of obtaining the second physical prize than the first physical prize.

81. The method of claim 79, wherein the quantity of free spins is determined at least in part based on the wager made by the player.

82. The method of claim 79, wherein the designated second number of the first prize symbols necessary to be accumulated to win the first physical prize is at least in part based on a wager made by the player such that:

(i) for a first wager made by the player, a first quantity of the first prize symbols is necessary to be accumulated to win the first physical prize, and (ii) for a second, different wager made by the player, a second, different quantity of the first prize symbols is necessary to be accumulated to win the first physical prize.

83. The method of claim 79, wherein the designated third number of the second prize symbols necessary to be accumulated to win the second physical prize is at least in part based on a wager made by the player such that:

(i) for a first wager made by the player, a first quantity of the second prize symbols is necessary to be accumulated to win the second physical prize, and (ii) for a second, different wager made by the player, a second, different quantity of the second prize symbols is necessary to be accumulated to win the second physical prize.

84. The method of claim 79, wherein the number of prize symbols accumulated for each prize symbol which occurs on the reels is at least in part based on a wager made by the player.

85. The method of claim 79, wherein the predetermined symbol combination is associated with a probability of occurring on the reels, and the probability is at least in part based on a wager made by the player.

86. The method of claim 79, wherein the steps (a) to (e) are controlled through a data network.

87. The method of claim 86, wherein the data network is an internet.