Gaming apparatus

Abstract

A display assembly for a gaming apparatus includes display means. The display means comprises a plurality of display elements, each being capable of displaying one or more symbols, wherein predetermined arrangements of symbols constitute win arrangements. The display means comprise a plurality of selectable arrays. Each array extends, from one of the display elements to at least one other of the display elements. The number of selectable arrays playable in a game is selectable by a player, whereby the player wins when one or more of the selectable arrays selected by the player corresponds to a win arrangement.

1 . A display assembly for a gaming apparatus, the display assembly comprising display means comprising a plurality of display elements each being capable of displaying one or more symbols, wherein predetermined arrangements of symbols constitute win arrangements, and the display means comprising a plurality of selectable arrays of said display elements, each array extending from one of said display elements to at least one other of said display elements and the number of selectable arrays playable in a game being selectable by a player, whereby the player wins when one or more of the selectable arrays selected by the player corresponds to a win arrangement.  
     
     
         2 . A display assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein each selectable array extends from one of said display elements to two other display element.  
     
     
         3 . A display assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said selectable arrays is a line of said display elements.  
     
     
         4 . A display assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein each display element comprises a plurality of said symbols and is adapted to display one or more of said symbols during each game.  
     
     
         5 . A display assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein each display element comprises a reel.  
     
     
         6 . A display assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein each display element is adapted to display three of said symbols during each game.  
     
     
         7 . A display assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said display elements comprises a plurality of win regions.  
     
     
         8 . A display assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein each display element comprises first, second and third win regions.  
     
     
         9 . A display assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein each selectable array comprises a plurality of one of said regions in each of a plurality of said display elements.  
     
     
         10 . A display assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein each of said selectable arrays comprises a plurality of corresponding win regions of adjacent display elements.  
     
     
         11 . A display assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein some of said selectable arrays comprise a plurality of different win regions of adjacent display elements, and others of said selectable arrays comprise plurality of corresponding win regions of adjacent display elements.  
     
     
         12 . A display assembly according to any of  claim 7 , wherein, each of said selectable arrays is a plurality of win regions of three display elements arranged adjacent one another, the display elements being arranged in a line adjacent one another, and each selectable array comprising a line of said win regions.  
     
     
         13 . A display assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the assembly comprises five of said display elements, each having said first, second and third regions.  
     
     
         14 . A display assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the selectable arrays comprise the following: a first selectable array comprising the first regions of the first, second and third display elements; a second selectable array and comprising the first regions of the second, third and fourth display elements; and a third selectable array comprising the first regions of the third, fourth and fifth display elements.  
     
     
         15 . A display assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the selectable arrays comprise the following: a fourth selectable array comprising the second regions of the first, second and third display elements; a fifth selectable array comprising the second regions of the second, third and fourth display elements; and a sixth selectable array comprising the second regions of the third, fourth and firth display elements.  
     
     
         16 . A display assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein the selectable arrays comprise the following: a seventh selectable array comprising the third regions of the first, second and third display elements; an eighth selectable array comprising the third regions of the second, third and fourth display elements; and a ninth selectable array comprising the third regions of the third, fourth and fifth display elements.  
     
     
         17 . A display assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the selectable arrays comprise the following: a tenth selectable array comprising the second region of the first display element, the first region of the second display element and the third region of the third display element; an eleventh selectable array comprising the second region of the second display element, the first region of the third display element, and the third region of the fourth display element; and a twelfth selectable array comprising the second region of the third display element, the first region of the fourth display element, and the third region of the fifth display element.  
     
     
         18 . A display assembly according to  claim 17 , wherein the selectable arrays comprise the following: a thirteenth selectable array comprising the third region of the first display element, the first region of the second display element, and the second region of the third display element; a fourteenth selectable array comprising a third region of the second display element, a first region of the third display element, and a second region of the fourth display element; and a fifteenth selectable array comprising the third region of the third display element, the first region of the fourth display element, and the second region of the fifth display element.  
     
     
         19 . A display assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the display assembly includes control means to control said display elements, the control means including means for determining the arrangement of symbols displaced by the display means.  
     
     
         20 . A display assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein the control means is programmable such that predetermined arrangements of symbols said selectable arrays constitute winning arrangements, whereby a player wins in the event that one or more of the selectable arrays selected by the player displays an arrangement of symbols corresponding to a respective one of said predetermined arrangements.