Slot machine, and method of playing a slot machine, with location dependent symbol award values

Abstract

A variety of methods are used to calculate symbol award values based upon the location of one or more predetermined symbols in a symbol matrix. In a preferred embodiment, the award value for a symbol varies according to the row in which the symbol appears. In another embodiment, the award value for symbols varies according to the relative locations of the symbols to each other in the symbol matrix.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A method of operating a game comprising in combination:
 displaying a symbol matrix having at least one row intersecting a plurality of columns and a symbol location at each row-column intersection, with each among the rows and columns including a plurality of symbol locations;   selecting from among the displayed symbol locations without regard to whether any symbol location has been selected for display of any symbol, at least one first-award symbol location and at least one second-award symbol location for the award symbol;   associating a first value with the first-award symbol location and a second value with the second-award symbol location, wherein the first value is different than the second value based on the location of the award symbol on the symbol matrix regardless of combinations with other symbols in the symbol matrix;   arranging a plurality of symbols within the symbol matrix;   displaying the rearranged symbols; and   issuing win indicia based upon the first value if an award symbol appears in a first-award symbol location without regard to any symbol appearing in any adjacent location and upon the second value if an award symbol appears in a second-award symbol location without regard to any symbol appearing in any adjacent location.   
     
     
         4 . The game operating method of  claim 3  wherein the arranging step takes place randomly. 
     
     
         5 . The game operating method of  claim 3  wherein the arranging step takes place after receiving a wager initiating action. 
     
     
         6 . The game operating method of  claim 4  wherein the arranging step takes place after receiving game wager initiating information. 
     
     
         7 . The game operating method of  claim 3  wherein the issuing step includes providing an award. 
     
     
         8 . The game operating method of  claim 6  wherein the issuing step includes providing an award. 
     
     
         9 . A method of operating a game comprising:
 displaying a symbol matrix formed by at least one row intersecting a plurality of columns, the rows and columns including a plurality of symbols;   defining at least one symbol as an award symbol;   randomly assigning award values to the rows and columns where the award symbol may be displayed, without regard to whether any symbol location has been selected for display of any symbol, and without regard to appearance of the award symbol in combination with other symbols in the symbol matrix, wherein the assigned award values differ from each other based on the column and row of each assigned award value;   randomly rearranging the plurality of symbols;   displaying the rearranged symbols; and   issuing award indicia for appearance of the award symbol anywhere in the symbol matrix, the award indicia having a value determined by the assigned award value of the row and the column in which the award symbol appears, without regard to any symbol adjacent to the award symbol.   
     
     
         10 . The game operating method of  claim 9  wherein the arranging step takes place randomly. 
     
     
         11 . The game operating method of  claim 9  wherein the arranging step takes place after receiving a wager initiating action. 
     
     
         12 . The game operating method of  claim 10  wherein the arranging step takes place after receiving a wager initiating action. 
     
     
         13 . The game operating method of  claim 9  wherein the issuing step includes providing an award. 
     
     
         14 . The game operating method of  claim 12  wherein the issuing step includes providing an award. 
     
     
         15 . A method of operating a game comprising:
 displaying a symbol matrix formed by at least one row intersecting a plurality of columns, the rows and columns including a plurality of symbols,   defining at least two symbols as award symbols;   rearranging the plurality of symbols;   displaying the rearranged symbols; and   issuing win indicia for appearance of two award symbols anywhere in the matrix, the win indicia having a value that changes based on the relative separation between the two award symbols, without regard to any location of any other symbol, and without the award symbols appearing in combination with other symbols in the symbol matrix.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  in which the separation between the two award symbols is determined by the number of rows separating the two award symbols. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 17  in which the separation between the two award symbols is determined by the number of columns separating the two award symbols. 
     
     
         18 . The game operating method of  claim 15  wherein the arranging step takes place randomly. 
     
     
         19 . The game operating method of  claim 18  wherein the arranging step takes place after receiving a wager initiating action. 
     
     
         20 . The game operating method of  claim 19  wherein win indicia comprises an award. 
     
     
         21 . A method of playing a game comprising:
 displaying a symbol matrix formed by at least one row intersecting a plurality of columns, the rows and columns including a plurality of symbols;   defining at least two symbols as award symbols;   rearranging the plurality of symbols;   displaying the rearranged symbols; and   issuing win indicia for the appearance of two award symbols anywhere in the symbol matrix, the win indicia having a value that changes based on the locations of the award symbols within the symbol matrix, wherein the value is determined by counting at least one of (i) the number of rows separating the two award symbols, and (ii) the number of columns separating the two award symbols, without regard to any location of any other symbol, and without the award symbols appearing in combination with other symbols in the symbol matrix.   
     
     
         22 . The game playing method of  claim 21  where the rearranging is random and the win indicia comprises an award.