Gaming machine utilizing hidden and shadow symbols

Abstract

A gaming machine includes a game playable on a video display screen on which are displayable a set of reels with display blocks on each reel. Symbols are displayable on the display blocks to make up standard and distinctive pay lines. In one aspect of the game, primary symbols are displayable in the display blocks for forming pay lines and secondary symbols are displayable in the display blocks and have an inactivated state and an activated state in which they may form pay lines with the primary symbols or by themselves or may add value to a pay line. Another aspect of the game includes a secondary reel which is typically hidden until activated so that symbols on the secondary reel may also form pay lines with the primary symbols or by themselves or may add value to a pay line.

1 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a video display screen;   a game playable via display on the screen;   a wager mechanism for making a wager on the game;   a game play starter control for selectively initiating play of the game;   a plurality of primary reels displayable on the screen;   a plurality of display blocks on each reel;   a plurality of rows each comprising one of the display blocks in each reel;   a plurality of primary symbols respectively displayable in the display blocks and usable in making up pay lines; and   a plurality of secondary symbols respectively displayable in the display blocks and having an inactivated state and an activated state in which they are one of usable in making up pay lines and usable in adding value to a pay line.   
   
   
       2 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the primary and secondary symbols respectively overlap one another respectively within the display blocks. 
   
   
       3 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the secondary symbols are not displayed on the screen in the inactivated state. 
   
   
       4 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  further comprising an activator for activating the secondary symbols. 
   
   
       5 . The gaming machine of  claim 4  wherein the activator comprises a predetermined fee. 
   
   
       6 . The gaming machine of  claim 4  wherein the activator comprises a winning pay line. 
   
   
       7 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  further comprising a secondary reel displayable on the screen and having an inactivated state and an activated state; and a plurality of symbols displayable on the secondary reel which in the activated state are one of usable in making up pay lines and usable in adding value to a pay line. 
   
   
       8 . The gaming machine of  claim 7  wherein the secondary reel is not displayed on the screen in the inactivated state and is displayed on the screen in the activated state. 
   
   
       9 . The gaming machine of  claim 8  wherein the primary reels have respective home locations; and at least one of the primary reels is out of its home location when the secondary reel is displayed on the screen. 
   
   
       10 . The gaming machine of  claim 7  wherein the secondary reel is displayed on the screen between a first one and a second one of the primary reels. 
   
   
       11 . The gaming machine of  claim 7  further comprising an activator for activating the secondary reel. 
   
   
       12 . The gaming machine of  claim 11  wherein the activator comprises a winning pay line. 
   
   
       13 . The gaming machine of  claim 7  further comprising a first number of display positions on the secondary reel; and a second number of the symbols on the secondary reel which is less than the first number; and wherein each of the symbols on the secondary reel is displayed at a respective one of the display locations. 
   
   
       14 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  further comprising a first pay line displayable on the screen and made up of at least one of the primary symbols and at least one of the secondary symbols. 
   
   
       15 . The gaming machine of  claim 14  wherein the first pay line comprises one of the primary symbols and one of the secondary symbols in a common one of the display blocks. 
   
   
       16 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  further comprising a first pay line displayable on the screen and made up of a plurality of the primary symbols; and a second pay line displayable on the screen and made up of a plurality of the secondary symbols. 
   
   
       17 . The gaming machine of  claim 16  wherein the first and second pay lines are on a common one of the rows. 
   
   
       18 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  further comprising a first pay line comprising a first one and a second one of the symbols displayed respectively at a first one and a second one of the display blocks each on a first one of the reels. 
   
   
       19 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein there are a first number of the reels; and further comprising a first pay line which comprises symbols on a second number of the reels which is less than the first number. 
   
   
       20 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  further comprising at least one secondary reel displayable on the screen and having an inactivated state and an activated state; a plurality of symbols displayable on the at least one secondary reel which in the activated state are usable in making up pay lines; and a pay line made up only of the symbols on the at least one secondary reel.