Method of playing a slot machine ("Re-Spin & Re-Pay")

Abstract

A slot machine issues awards for winning combinations formed by an initial spin of all symbol positions in the symbol matrix and subsequent re-spins of all “unlocked” symbol positions until all symbol positions have been “locked.” In a preferred embodiment, an initial spin uses all slot reels and pays for all winning combinations displayed; a pre-determined symbol “locks” all of the symbol positions on that slot reel; “unlocked” reels re-spin and re-pay until all slot reels are “locked.” Other embodiments of the present invention are described within the application.

1 . A method of playing a game using a symbol matrix formed by a plurality of rows intersecting with a plurality of columns, with the plurality of rows and columns defining a plurality of symbol positions, comprising: 
 a) optionally placing a wager to play the game;    b) randomly generating symbols for each symbol position in the symbol matrix;    c) displaying the symbols generated for each symbol position in the symbol matrix;    d) issuing awards for winning symbol combinations displayed in the symbol matrix;    e) setting the status of each symbol position as either “locked” or “unlocked” based upon the appearance of predetermined symbols in said symbol positions;    f) if any symbol positions are unlocked, repeating the following steps until all symbol positions are locked: 
 1) randomly generating symbols for each unlocked symbol position;  
 2) displaying the symbols generated for each unlocked symbol position; and  
 3) issuing awards for winning symbol combinations displayed in the symbol matrix.  
   
   
   
       2 . A method of  claim 1  in which symbol positions are “locked” by at least one of the following methods: 
 a) the appearance of pre-determined symbols in each and every symbol position of a column “locks” all of the symbol positions in that column; or    b) the appearance of pre-determined symbols in each and every symbol position of a row “locks” all of the symbol positions in that row.    
   
   
       3 . A method of  claim 1  in which symbol positions are “locked” by at least one of the following methods: 
 a) the appearance of any symbol from a sub-set of symbols in the symbol set in each and every symbol position of a column “locks” all of the symbol positions in that column; or    b) the appearance of any symbol from a sub-set of symbols in the symbol set in each and every symbol position of a row “locks” all of the symbol positions in that row.    
   
   
       4 . A method of  claim 1  in which symbol positions are “locked” by at least one of the following methods: 
 a) the appearance of any symbol except for a wildcard symbol in each and every symbol position of a column “locks” all of the symbol positions in that column; or    b) the appearance of any symbol except for a wildcard symbol in each and every symbol position of a row “locks” all of the symbol positions in that row.    
   
   
       5 . A method of  claim 1  in which predetermined symbols whose appearance “locks” one or more symbol positions in the symbol matrix may form winning symbol combinations.  
   
   
       6 . A method of  claim 1  in which any symbol whose appearance “locks” one or more symbol positions in the symbol matrix may form winning symbol combinations.