Selectable bonus play reel slot system

Abstract

A method of playing a video wagering game may comprise: placing a first wager on an underlying game in which symbols are provided to a player; selecting at least one symbol to be a special award winning symbol; playing the underlying game; determining a wagering outcome in the wagering game based upon rules; evaluating the symbols provided to determine if any special award symbol is present in a manner that offers a special award resolving the special award if present. The game may also include providing an additional related subset of symbols if the special award is present; selecting at least one of the second subset of symbols to be a greater or top winning prize; determining an outcome depending on the rules of the bonus game; and evaluating symbols provided to determine if any award symbol arrangement is present in a manner that offers a greater award.

1 . A method of playing a wagering game comprising: 
 a player placing a wager in a gaming machine and selecting one available symbol from a subset of symbols as a special award symbol,    the gaming machine having at least one symbol display system comprising a first symbol display area;    the first symbol display area displaying a plurality of symbols that are used to determine winning events;    independently and randomly completing symbol display for the first display area;    determining if winning events are present in the first display area; and    determining if displayed symbols include a winning event including the special award symbol.    
   
   
       2 . The method of playing a wagering game according to  claim 1  wherein the player selects at least one symbol from among a set of symbols to be the special award symbol.  
   
   
       3 . The method of playing a wagering game according to  claim 1  wherein the player selects exactly one symbol from among a set of symbols to be the special award symbol.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the set of symbols are equally distributed among available symbols on each frame within a payline  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the set of symbols are equally distributed among available symbols on each frame within a payline  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the set of symbols are unequally distributed among available symbols on each frame within a payline  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the set of symbols are unequally distributed among available symbols on each frame within a payline  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the set of symbols has at least one second subset of symbols or values associated therewith so that upon display of a winning combination of the selected award symbols, the player may select from amongst the second subset of symbols or values to possibly enhance any winning from the winning combination of selected award symbols.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the set of symbols has at least one second subset of symbols or values associated therewith so that upon display of a winning combination of the selected award symbols, the player may select from amongst the second subset of symbols or values to possibly enhance any winning from the winning combination of selected award symbols.  
   
   
       10 . A method of playing a video wagering game comprising: 
 placing a first wager on an underlying game in which symbols are provided to a player;    selecting at least one symbol to be a special award winning symbol;    playing the underlying game in which symbols are randomly provided for display;    determining a wagering outcome in the wagering game based upon rules of the underlying game and the occurrence of symbols randomly provided;    evaluating the symbols provided to determine if any special award symbol is present in a manner that offers a special award    resolving the special award if present    providing an additional related subset of symbols if the special award is present;    selecting at least one of the second subset of symbols to be a greater or top winning prize    determining an outcome depending on the rules of the bonus game and the occurrence of symbols randomly provided    evaluating the symbols provided to determine if any award symbol arrangement is present in a manner that offers a greater award; and    resolving the greater award, if present.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the player selects the at least one symbol and there is no special wager placed for wagering on the special award.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein if the player does not select a special award symbol, a processor randomly selects a special award symbol.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the special award is won when there is a display on a payline of symbols comprising at least one special symbol.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the special award is won when there is a display on a payline of symbols comprising at least two special symbols.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the special award is won when there is a display on a payline of three symbols of three symbols consisting of the special symbols.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the special symbols are selected from a set of symbols that have a known set of sub-characterizing descriptions, and when three identical symbols from the set appear on an active payline, a special bonus event occurs in which the player selects or a processor randomly selects at least one first sub-characterizing description as a bonus entry symbol, and then the processor randomly selects a second sub-characterizing description as a winning symbol, and if the winning symbol matches the bonus entry symbol, an additional award is provided to the player.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the special symbols are selected from a set of symbols that have a known set of sub-characterizing descriptions, and when three identical symbols from the set appear on an active payline, a special bonus event occurs in which the player selects or a processor randomly selects at least one first sub-characterizing description as a bonus entry symbol, and then the processor randomly selects a second sub-characterizing description as a winning symbol, and if the winning symbol matches the bonus entry symbol, an additional award is provided to the player.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the special symbols are selected from a set of symbols that have a known set of sub-characterizing descriptions, and when three identical symbols from the set appear on an active payline, a special bonus event occurs in which the player selects or a processor randomly selects at least one first sub-characterizing description as a bonus entry symbol, and then the processor randomly selects a second sub-characterizing description as a winning symbol, and if the winning symbol matches the bonus entry symbol, an additional award is provided to the player.  
   
   
       19 . A gaming apparatus comprising a housing, a video screen and a processor, the processor containing a program enabling play of the method of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       20 . A gaming apparatus comprising a housing, a video screen and a processor, the processor containing a program enabling play of the method of  claim 10.