Wagering Game Having Cascading Electromechanical Reels

Abstract

A method of playing a wagering game. The method comprises conducting the wagering game at an electromechanical gaming terminal. The electromechanical gaming terminal has a plurality of electromechanical reels with a plurality of symbols. At least some of the plurality of symbols is displayed on a payline. In response to one of the plurality of symbols causing a winning outcome, the player is awarded an amount corresponding to the winning outcome and a corresponding reel with the one of the plurality of symbols is moved. When the corresponding reel is moved, the player is given another chance at obtaining a second winning outcome.

1 . A method of playing a wagering game, the method comprising:
 conducting the wagering game at an electromechanical gaming terminal, the electromechanical gaming terminal having a plurality of electromechanical reels with a plurality of symbols;   displaying at least some of the plurality of symbols on a payline; and   in response to one of the plurality of symbols indicating a winning outcome, awarding a player an amount corresponding to the winning outcome and moving a corresponding reel.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the moving comprises moving the corresponding reel until a different symbol on the corresponding reel is displayed on the payline. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising in response to the different symbol indicating a new winning outcome, awarding the player an amount corresponding the new winning outcome and moving a corresponding reel to display another different symbol on the payline. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one of the plurality of symbols indicating a winning combination is at least two symbols on at least two of the plurality of electromechanical reels, the method comprising moving the at least two of the plurality of reels. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the moving comprises nudging the corresponding reel downward. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the moving comprises nudging the corresponding reel upward. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the conducting the wagering game comprises debiting a player a wager amount. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein a new wager amount is not debited in response to the moving the corresponding reel with the at least one symbol. 
   
   
       9 . A gaming terminal for playing an electromechanical wagering game, comprising:
 an input device for receiving inputs from a player during the wagering game, the inputs including a wager amount; and   a display for displaying a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game, the plurality of symbols being located on a plurality of electromechanical reels;   wherein, in response to one of the plurality of symbols indicating a winning outcome, an award is awarded to a player and a corresponding reel with the one of the plurality of symbols is moved to provide the player with a chance for a second winning outcome.   
   
   
       10 . The gaming terminal of  claim 9  wherein the corresponding reel is advanced until another symbol is displayed. 
   
   
       11 . The gaming terminal of  claim 9  wherein, in response to the movement of the corresponding reel causing a new winning outcome, the player is awarded another award. 
   
   
       12 . The gaming terminal of  claim 11  wherein, in response to a new winning outcome being achieved, at least one of the plurality of electromechanical reels is moved. 
   
   
       13 . The gaming terminal of  claim 11  wherein, in response to a winning outcome being achieved, all of the electromechanical reels being moved. 
   
   
       14 . The gaming terminal of  claim 11  wherein in response to a winning outcome being achieved, the corresponding reel is randomly spun. 
   
   
       15 . A gaming system comprising:
 at least one display;   at least one electromechanical gaming terminal for playing a wagering game having a randomly selected outcome being indicated by a symbol combination derived from a plurality of symbols located on a plurality of electromechanical reels, the symbol combination being aligned along a payline; and   a controller coupled to the at least one gaming terminal and the at least one display, the controller operative to   (i) in response to the randomly selected outcome being a winning outcome, awarding a player an award and moving a corresponding reel to indicate a second randomly selected outcome, and   (ii) in response to the second randomly selected outcome being a winning outcome, awarding the player a new award and moving a corresponding reel to indicate a third randomly selected outcome.   
   
   
       16 . The gaming system of  claim 15  wherein the display is part of the gaming terminal. 
   
   
       17 . The gaming system of  claim 15  wherein the controller is external to the gaming terminal. 
   
   
       18 . The gaming system of  claim 15  wherein the controller is internal to the gaming terminal. 
   
   
       19 . The gaming system of  claim 15  wherein the controller is operative to continue moving a corresponding reel until the randomly selected outcome does not result in a winning outcome. 
   
   
       20 . The gaming system of  claim 15  wherein all of the electromechanical reels are moved. 
   
   
       21 . The gaming system of  claim 15  wherein the winning outcome includes between one and three symbols, and the controller is operative to move between one and three electromechanical reels. 
   
   
       22 . The gaming system of  claim 15  wherein the controller is operative to move the corresponding reel to display a symbol that is adjacent to the one of the plurality of symbols on the payline. 
   
   
       23 . The gaming system of  claim 15  wherein in response to the randomly selected outcome being a winning outcome, the controller is operative to randomly spin the corresponding reel.