Gaming machine with chain reaction selection feature

Abstract

A gaming machine and a method of conducting a game of chance on the gaming machine are disclosed. In response to a wager from a player, the machine conducts a selection game including a plurality of selectable elements associated with respective outcomes. In response to a player's selection of one of the selectable elements, the machine awards the outcomes associated with the selected element and at least one of the non-selected elements. The awarded outcome may, for example, include a payoff, a bonus game, or awarding the outcome associated with yet another of the non-selected elements. If the awarded outcome includes the bonus game, the bonus game may re-trigger the selection game.

1 - 25 . (canceled)  
   
   
       26 . A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine, the method comprising: 
 receiving a wager from a player, the wager being associated with a primary game on the gaming machine, the primary game allowing access to a secondary slot game, the secondary slot game only being accessible to the player through the primary game;    conducting the primary game free of slot reels and playing cards, the primary game having a plurality of randomly selected primary-game outcomes, at least one of the plurality of randomly selected primary-game outcomes being a start-secondary game outcome; and    in response to the start-secondary game outcome in the primary game and without requiring an additional wager from the player, conducting the secondary slot game including a plurality of symbol-bearing reels that are rotated and stopped to place symbols on the reels in visual association with a display area.    
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the primary game includes an interactive selection game.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the interactive selection game includes a plurality of selectable elements, and wherein conducting the primary game includes receiving a selection of one of the selectable elements and awarding any outcome associated with the selected element.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein conducting the primary game includes revealing any outcomes associated with an unselected element.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the start-secondary game outcome includes a special outcome revealed by the selected element.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the secondary slot game has a plurality of randomly selected secondary game outcomes, at least one of the plurality of randomly selected secondary game outcomes including a switch back to the primary game outcome.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein conducting the secondary slot game includes awarding a payout based on the symbols in the display area.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the secondary slot game is conducted on a video display.  
   
   
       34 . A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine, the method comprising: 
 receiving a wager from a player, the wager being associated with a primary game on the gaming machine, the primary game allowing access to a secondary slot game, the secondary slot game only being accessible to the player through the primary game;    conducting a primary game other than a slot reel game and a playing card game, the primary game having a plurality of randomly selected primary-game outcomes, at least one of the plurality of randomly selected primary-game outcomes being a start-secondary game outcome; and    in response to the start-secondary game outcome in the primary game and without requiring an additional wager from the player, conducting a secondary slot game including a plurality of symbol-bearing reels that are rotated and stopped to place symbols on the reels in visual association with a display area.    
   
   
       35 . A gaming system for conducting a wagering game, the system comprising: 
 a wager input device receiving a wager from a player associated with a primary game;    a controller conducting the primary game free of slot reels and playing cards, the primary game allowing access to a secondary slot game, the secondary slot game only being accessible to the player through the primary game and having a plurality of randomly selected primary-game outcomes, at least one of the plurality of randomly selected primary-game outcomes being a start-secondary game outcome;    a display having a display area coupled to the controller; and    wherein the controller in response to the start-secondary game outcome in the primary game and without requiring an additional wager from the player, conducts the secondary slot game including a plurality of symbol-bearing reels that are rotated and stopped to place symbols on the reels in visual association with a display area.    
   
   
       36 . The gaming system of  claim 35 , wherein the primary game includes an interactive selection game.  
   
   
       37 . The gaming system of  claim 36 , wherein the interactive selection game includes a plurality of selectable elements, and wherein conducting the primary game includes receiving a selection of one of the selectable elements and awarding any outcome associated with the selected element.  
   
   
       38 . The gaming system of  claim 37 , wherein conducting the primary game includes revealing any outcomes associated with an unselected element.  
   
   
       39 . The gaming system of  claim 35 , wherein the start-secondary game outcome includes a special outcome revealed by the selected element.  
   
   
       40 . The gaming system of  claim 35 , wherein the secondary game has a plurality of randomly selected secondary game outcomes, at least one of the plurality of randomly selected secondary game outcomes including a switch back to the primary game outcome.  
   
   
       41 . The gaming system of  claim 35 , wherein the secondary slot game includes awarding a payout based on the symbols in the display area.  
   
   
       42 . A method of conducting a game of chance on a gaming machine, the method comprising: 
 receiving a wager from a player, the wager being associated with a primary game on the gaming machine, the primary game allowing access to a secondary game, the secondary game only being accessible to the player through the primary game;    in response to receiving the wager, conducting the primary game having a plurality of randomly selected primary-game outcomes, at least one of the plurality of randomly selected primary-game outcomes being a start-secondary game outcome;    in response to the start-secondary game outcome being achieved in the primary game, conducting the secondary game having a different play mechanic than the primary game, the secondary game having a plurality of randomly selected secondary-game outcomes, at least one of the plurality of randomly selected secondary-game outcomes being a start-primary game outcome; and    in response to the start-primary game outcome being achieved in the secondary game, conducting the primary game again without requiring an additional wager from the player.    
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the primary game includes an interactive selection game.  
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the interactive selection game includes a plurality of selectable elements, and wherein the step of conducting the primary game includes receiving a selection of one of the selectable elements and awarding any outcome associated with the selected element.  
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the secondary game includes a slot reel game.  
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the slot reel game includes a plurality of symbol-bearing slot reels that are rotated and stopped to place symbols on the reels in visual association with a display area.