Sequential placement of groups of symbols gaming machine

Abstract

This invention is directed to a gaming machine that displays an array of randomly selected symbols and pays winnings on any winning symbol combinations appearing on paylines carrying a bet wherein groups of symbols are sequentially positioned in the array until the array is complete.

1 - 18 . (canceled)  
   
   
       19 . A gaming machine comprising: 
 a display, the display including means adapted for displaying an array area having at least two dimensions;    means adapted for defining at least one sub-portion of the array area as a pay area;    means adapted for generating, from a pre-selected set of visible symbols, a plurality of visible symbol groups, each visible symbol group being formed from a set of at least two contiguously disposed visible symbols;    means adapted for displaying each of the plurality of symbol groups on a selected portion of the array area; and    testing means adapted for testing position of symbol relative to the pay area.    
   
   
       20 . The gaming machine of  claim 19 , wherein the display further comprises a staging area, and further comprising: 
 means adapted for displaying each of the plurality of symbol groups in the staging area; and    means adapted for moving each of the plurality of symbol groups from the staging area to the array area.    
   
   
       21 . The gaming machine of  claim 19  further comprising means adapted for paying predetermined amount of winnings on any predetermined winning combination appearing in the pay area as determined by the testing means.  
   
   
       22 . The gaming machine of  claim 21  further comprising means adapted for defining at least one portion of the display area as a bonus area, and wherein the testing means includes means adapted for testing position of symbols relative to the bonus area.  
   
   
       23 . The gaming machine of  claim 22  wherein the means adapted to pay winnings include means adapted for paying winnings on any predetermined winning combination appearing in the bonus area as determined by the testing means.  
   
   
       24 . The gaming machine of  claim 23  wherein the winnings for any predetermined winning combination appearing in the bonus area includes at least one of a predetermined monetary amount added to the winnings paid on any combination appearing in the pay area, multiplying the winnings paid on any combination appearing in the pay area, and awarding a free game wherein the gaming machine operates without the placement of a wager.  
   
   
       25 . The gaming machine of  claim 19  wherein at least one symbol group includes at least three visible symbols arranged non-linearly.  
   
   
       26 . The gaming machine of  claim 19  wherein at least one symbol group includes at least one wildcard symbol and wherein the testing means includes means adapted for testing positions of wildcard symbols relative to the pay area.  
   
   
       27 . The gaming machine of  claim 26  wherein the means adapted for paying winnings on any predetermined wildcard appearing in the pay area as determined by the testing means.  
   
   
       28 . A method for operating a gaming machine comprising the steps of: 
 displaying an array area having at least two dimensions;    defining at least one sub-portion of the array area as a pay area;    generating, from a pre-selected set of visible symbols, a plurality of visible symbol groups, each visible symbol group being formed from a set of at least two contiguously disposed visible symbols;    displaying each of the plurality of symbol groups on a selected portion of the array area; and    testing position of symbol relative to the pay area.    
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising the steps of: 
 displaying a staging area,    displaying each of the plurality of symbol groups in the staging area; and    moving each of the plurality of symbol groups from the staging area to the array area.    
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 28  further comprising the step of paying predetermined amount of winnings on any predetermined winning combination appearing in the pay area as determined by the testing means.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30  further comprising step of defining at least one portion of the display area as a bonus area, and wherein the testing means includes means adapted for testing position of symbols relative to the bonus area.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 31  further comprising the step of paying winnings on any predetermined winning combination appearing in the bonus area as determined by the testing means.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the winnings for any predetermined winning combination appearing in the bonus area includes at least one of a predetermined monetary amount added to the winnings paid on any combination appearing in the pay area, multiplying the winnings paid on any combination appearing in the pay area, and awarding a free game wherein the gaming machine operates without the placement of a wager.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 28  wherein at least one symbol group includes at least three visible symbols arranged non-linearly.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 28  wherein at least one symbol group includes at least one wildcard symbol and further comprises the step of testing positions of wildcard symbols relative to the pay area.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 35  further comprising the step of paying winnings on any predetermined wildcard appearing in the pay area as determined by the testing means.