| US 7,585,219 B2 | ||
| Gaming device having a matching symbol game | ||
| Dov L. Randall, Las Vegas, Nev. (US); and David M. Oles, Henderson, Nev. (US) | ||
| Assigned to IGT, Reno, Nev. (US) | ||
| Filed on Aug. 29, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/214,369. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/615133, filed on Sep. 30, 2004. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2006/0068883 A1, Mar. 30, 2006 | ||
| Int. Cl. A63F 9/24 (2006.01); A63F 13/00 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 463—20 [463/25; 463/16; 463/17; 463/18] | 46 Claims |

| 1. A gaming device operated under the control of a processor, said gaming device comprising:
at least one input device;
a symbol display associated with a primary game controlled by the processor; and
wherein the processor is configured to operate with the symbol display and the at least one input device for each play of
the primary game to:
(a) enable a player to wager one of:
(i) a first wagerable amount associated with a first group of designated symbols from a plurality of different activatable
symbols, said first group including at least two designated symbols, and
(ii) a second wagerable amount associated with a second group of designated symbols from the plurality of different activatable
symbols, wherein the second wagerable amount is greater than the first wagerable amount, at least one of the designated symbols
from the second group is different from each of the designated symbols from the first group, the second group has a greater
number of designated symbols than the first group, and the plurality of activatable symbols includes at least one scatter
symbol;
(b) if the player wagers the first wagerable amount, activate each designated symbol of the first group of the plurality of
activatable symbols;
(c) if the player wagers the second wagerable amount, activate each designated symbol of the second group of the plurality
of activatable symbols;
(d) for each one of a designated number of symbol display positions, generate and display a randomly determined one of the
activatable symbols at said symbol display position regardless of whether said symbol is any one of said activated symbols;
(e) if the player wagers the first wagerable amount or the second wagerable amount, for each activated designated symbol,
determine if any winning symbol combinations of said designated symbol are generated and displayed at the designated number
of symbol display positions, wherein each and every winning symbol combination of said designated symbol must include at least
a predetermined number of said designated symbols displayed at adjacent positions of the designated number of symbol display
positions, the predetermined number being at least two, and wherein each and every occurrence of the predetermined number
of said designated symbol displayed at adjacent positions is a winning symbol combination;
(f) determine if any scatter symbols are generated;
(g) if a designated number of scatter symbols is generated, provide a number of the bonus games to the player based on the
number of generated scatter symbols; and
(h) provide any awards to the player based on any determined winning symbol combinations and any provided bonus games.
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