Wagering game with an array of player-selectable elements that are preserved for subsequent gaming sessions

Abstract

A method for playing a wagering game includes receiving wager inputs from a player for a wagering game. In response to receiving the wager inputs, at least one randomly-selected outcome is selected from a plurality of outcomes. An array of player-selectable elements is presented during a first gaming session of the wagering game, and a selection of at least one element of the array is received from the player. A data set is stored to represent a status of the array after at least one element of the array has been selected. The array is presented, based on the status defined by the data set, during a second gaming session of the wagering game.

1 . A method for playing a wagering game, comprising: 
 receiving wager inputs from a player for a wagering game;    selecting at least one randomly-selected outcome of a plurality of outcomes in response to said receiving step;    presenting an array of player-selectable elements during a first gaming session of said wagering game;    receiving a selection of at least one element of said array;    storing a data set representing a status of said array after said at least one element has been selected;    during a second gaming session of said wagering game, presenting said array based on said status defined by said data set.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising storing said data set on an item selected from the group consisting of a player ticket, a player card, and a memory device.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising revealing at least one of a symbol and an award in response to said at least one element being selected.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising playing said first gaming session of said wagering game on a first gaming terminal and said second gaming session of said wagering game on a second gaming terminal.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising representing said array of player-selectable elements as a scratch-off ticket having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, each one of said plurality of rows and plurality of columns having a plurality of scratch-off selections, at least one of said scratch-off selections revealing an award after being selected.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising awarding an award when all elements of said array of player-selectable elements have been selected, said awarding including revealing at least one of a progressive jackpot, a bonus award, and a bonus game.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising presenting additional elements in response to selecting a predetermined number of elements of said array of player-selectable elements, said presenting including displaying said additional elements in a gaming session subsequent to at least one of said first gaming session and said second gaming session.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising presenting a second array of player-selectable elements in response to selecting all of said elements of said array of player-selectable elements.  
   
   
       9 . A computer readable storage medium or media encoded with instructions for directing said gaming machines to perform the method of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       10 . A gaming terminal for playing a wagering game, comprising: 
 a display for displaying at least one randomly-selected outcome of a plurality of outcomes in response to receiving wager inputs from a player during a first gaming session of a wagering game; and    a controller coupled to said display and programmed to 
 present an array of player-selectable elements during said first gaming session,  
 store a data set representing a status of said array after at least one element of said array has been selected, and  
 present, during a second gaming session of said wagering game, said array based on said status defined by said data set.  
   
   
   
       11 . The gaming terminal of  claim 10 , wherein said controller is further programmed to store said data set on at least one of a player ticket, a player card, and a memory device.  
   
   
       12 . The gaming terminal of  claim 10 , wherein said controller is further programmed to reveal at least one of a symbol and an award in response to said at least one element being selected.  
   
   
       13 . The gaming terminal of  claim 10 , wherein said controller is further programmed to represent said array of player-selectable elements as a scratch-off ticket having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, each one of said plurality of rows and plurality of columns having a plurality of scratch-off selections, said scratch-off selections revealing an award after being selected.  
   
   
       14 . The gaming terminal of  claim 10 , wherein said controller is further programmed to provide an award when all elements of said array of player-selectable elements have been selected, said award including at least one of a progressive jackpot, a bonus award, and a bonus game.  
   
   
       15 . The gaming terminal of  claim 10 , wherein said controller is further programmed to present additional elements in response to selecting a predetermined number of elements of said array of player-selectable elements.  
   
   
       16 . The gaming terminal of  claim 10 , wherein said controller is further programmed to present said additional elements in a gaming session subsequent to at least one of said first gaming session and said second gaming session.  
   
   
       17 . The gaming terminal of  claim 10 , wherein said controller is further programmed to present a second array of player-selectable elements in response to selecting all of said elements of said array of player-selectable elements.  
   
   
       18 . The gaming terminal of  claim 10 , wherein said controller is further programmed to reveal corresponding hidden sections of a secondary wagering game in response to selecting elements of said array of player-selectable elements.  
   
   
       19 . The gaming terminal of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a secondary display coupled to said controller;    wherein said controller is further programmed to 
 present a secondary wagering game on said secondary display, and  
 reveal corresponding hidden sections of said secondary wagering game in response to elements of said array being selected.  
   
   
   
       20 . A method for conducting a wagering game, comprising: 
 receiving a wager input from a player for a wagering game, said wagering game being played by said player during a gaming session;    selecting at least one randomly-selected outcome of a plurality of outcomes in response to said receiving step;    presenting an array of player-selectable elements during said gaming session, said array initially including a first element and a second element;    picking said first element to reveal a hidden symbol, said second element remaining unpicked during said gaming session; and    picking said second element during a subsequent gaming session to reveal another hidden symbol.