Game with winning outcome when symbols are arranged in linked combination

Abstract

The invention comprises a method of playing or presenting a game and a gaming system. In one embodiment, a matrix of indicia or symbol positions is provided and indicia or symbols are displayed in the positions of the matrix. Winning combinations of indicia comprise two or more indicia located in connecting or “linked” relationship anywhere within the matrix. In one embodiment, a player's bet determines how many indicia are displayed in the matrix. In another embodiment, the player's bet determines the ways a winning combination in determined.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of playing a game in which a player attempts to receive a combination of linked indicia comprising the steps of: 
 providing a matrix comprising m rows by n columns of possible indicia positions, where n and m are at least 2;    accepting a wager;    displaying indicia in all of said positions of said matrix, the indicia which are displayed in each position having a probability of being the same as or different from those displayed in other positions of the matrix, whereby certain indicia in displayed in the matrix may be the same and certain indicia displayed in the matrix are different; and    awarding a winning for every combination of at least three identical indicia which are displayed in linked positions anywhere in said matrix.    
     
     
         2 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said indicia comprise dice indicia.  
     
     
         3 . The method in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said dice indicia comprise images of the six sides of a die.  
     
     
         4 . The method in accordance with  claim 2  wherein n and m are at least 9.  
     
     
         5 . A method of playing a game comprising the steps of: 
 providing a matrix of n columns by m rows of indicia positions where at least n or m is greater than two;    accepting a wager;    displaying an indicia in all of said indicia positions of said matrix, the indicia displayed in each position selected from a group of more than one indicia, whereby the indicia in each position may be the same as or different from the indicia displayed in an adjacent position;    identifying each grouping of three or more identical indicia displayed in linked positions anywhere in said matrix without regard to whether the linked indicia are in particular patterns or along particular paylines; and    awarding a winning for each identified grouping.    
     
     
         6 . The method in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said indicia comprise dice indicia.  
     
     
         7 . The method in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said step of displaying comprises the step of simulating a roll of a die.  
     
     
         8 . The method in accordance with  claim 5  including the step of determining if one or more of said indicia appear more than a predetermined time anywhere in said matrix, and if so, paying a winning.  
     
     
         9 . The method in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said winning is based upon the size of said wager.  
     
     
         10 . The method in accordance with  claim 5  wherein n and m are 9 or greater.  
     
     
         11 . The method in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said group of indicia comprises the six sides of a die.