Gaming machine with a free game, single reel spin feature

Abstract

A gaming machine has a display and a game controller arranged to control images displayed on the display. The game controller is arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display. If a predefined winning event results, the machine awards a prize. Upon completion of a base game which includes a trigger condition, a feature game sequence is initiated wherein, in respect of at least certain of the games of the feature game sequence, at least one of a plurality of image carrying elements from a preceding game is held, a decision as to which image carrying element is to be held being made independently of the trigger condition. while remaining image carrying elements displayed on the display are caused to change.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A gaming machine having a display means and a game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display means and, if a predefined winning event results, the machine awards a prize, the gaming machine being characterised in that, upon completion of a base game which includes a trigger condition, a feature game sequence is initiated wherein, in respect of at least certain of the games of the feature game sequence, at least one of a plurality of image carrying elements from a preceding game is held, a decision as to which image carrying element is to be held being made independently of the trigger condition, while remaining image carrying elements displayed on the display means are caused to change.  
     
     
         2 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  in which the feature game sequence is a series of free games.  
     
     
         3 . The gaming machine of  claim 2  in which, in the series of free games, the first game of the series of free games has all its image carrying elements changed to refresh the display.  
     
     
         4 . The gaming machine of  claim 3  in which, for remaining games of the series of free games, only one of the image carrying elements is caused to change each time.  
     
     
         5 . The gaming machine of  claim 4  in which the image carrying element which is selected to change is randomly selected by the game control means.  
     
     
         6 . The gaming machine of  claim 5  in which the selected image carrying element differs from one game to the next in the series of free games.  
     
     
         7 . The gaming machine of any one of  claims 2  to  6  inclusive in which, if another trigger condition occurs during the series of free games, a new series of free games is started.  
     
     
         8 . The gaming machine of  claim 7  in which the new series of free games is added to the series of free games remaining from an initial sequence of free games  
     
     
         9 . The gaming machine of  claim 8  in which, in a first game of the new series of free games, only one of the image carrying elements is caused to change by the control means.  
     
     
         10 . The gaming machine of any one of the preceding claims in which any wins which occur during the feature game sequence pay a predetermined integer multiple of that which an equivalent win pays in the base game.  
     
     
         11 . A gaming machine as claimed in  claim 1  and substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.