Gaming apparatus with bonus award

Abstract

Gaming apparatus ( 100 ) including (a) a symbol display area ( 224 ), which displays a plurality of symbols; (b) a symbol selection component ( 300 ), which selects symbols from amongst a predefined set of symbols, and arranges for them to be displayed on the symbol display area; (c) a win-indicating component ( 302 ), which indicates a win when the symbol display area displays a pattern of symbols which includes a winning combination according to preselected rules; (d) a bonus-indicating component ( 304 ), which indicates a bonus substitute period when the symbol display area displays a pattern of symbols which includes a bonus-triggering combination according to preselected rules; (e) a substitute symbol insertion component ( 306 ), which arranges for insertion of one or more substitute symbols into the symbol display area when a bonus substitute period is indicated; wherein the insertion of substitute symbols into the symbol display area improves the probability of a win.

1 . Gaming apparatus including:
 (a) a symbol display area, which displays a plurality of symbols;   (b) a symbol selection component, which selects symbols from amongst a predefined set of symbols, and arranges for them to be displayed on the symbol display area;   (c) a win-indicating component, which indicates a win when the symbol display area displays a pattern of symbols which includes a winning combination according to preselected rules;   (d) a bonus-indicating component, which indicates a bonus substitute period when the symbol display area displays a pattern of symbols which includes a bonus-triggering combination according to preselected rules;   (e) a substitute symbol insertion component, which arranges for insertion of one or more substitute symbols into the symbol display area when a bonus substitute period is indicated;   wherein the insertion of substitute symbols into the symbol display area improves the probability of a win.   
   
   
       2 . Gaming apparatus according to  claim 1  further including a stake selection component thus providing the option for a player to set a higher stake when a bonus substitute period is indicated. 
   
   
       3 . Gaming apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein a bonus-triggering combination consists of one or more trigger symbols, and the length of the bonus substitute period is determined by one or more of the following:
 (a) the number of trigger symbols in the symbol display area   (b) the arrangement of trigger symbols in the symbol display area   (c) a trigger symbol and a multiplier symbol in the symbol display area   (d) the amount of a stake wagered in respect of a win.   
   
   
       4 . Gaming apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein a bonus-triggering combination consists of one or more trigger symbols, and the number of substitute symbols available during a bonus substitute period is determined by one or more of the following:
 (a) the number of trigger symbols in the symbol display area   (b) the arrangement of trigger symbols in the symbol display area   (c) a trigger symbol and a multiplier symbol in the symbol display area   (d) the amount of a stake wagered in respect of a win.   
   
   
       5 . Gaming apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the symbols appearing in the symbol display area are arranged in rows and columns, and when substitute symbols are inserted, they fill one or more symbol locations. 
   
   
       6 . Gaming apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the one or more substitute symbols are shown outside the symbol display area during a bonus substitute period and appear to fly into the symbol display area when a pattern of symbols is displayed. 
   
   
       7 . Gaming apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the substitute symbols are added as an extra column to the columns displayed in the symbol display area. 
   
   
       8 . A method of processing win outcomes for a player on gaming apparatus which includes a symbol display area, the method including the steps of:
 (a) the gaming apparatus selecting symbols from amongst a predefined set of symbols, and displaying them on the symbol display area;   (b) the gaming apparatus indicating a win if the symbol display area displays a pattern of symbols which includes a winning combination according to preselected rules;   (c) the gaming apparatus indicating a bonus substitute period if the symbol display area displays a pattern of symbols which includes a bonus-triggering combination according to preselected rules; and   (d) when a bonus substitute period is indicated, the gaming apparatus arranging for insertion of one or more substitute symbols into the symbol display area; wherein the insertion of substitute symbols into the symbol display area improves the probability of a win.   
   
   
       9 . Gaming apparatus including:
 (a) a symbol display area, which displays a plurality of symbols;   (b) a symbol selection component, which selects symbols from amongst a predefined set of symbols, and arranges for them to be displayed on the symbol display area;   (c) a win-indicating component, which indicates a win when the symbol display area displays a pattern of symbols which includes a winning combination according to preselected rules;   (d) a symbol-purchasing component, which indicates that one or more substitute symbols may be purchased;   (e) a substitute symbol insertion component, which arranges for insertion of one or more substitute symbols into the symbol display area when a substitute symbol has been purchased;   wherein the insertion of substitute symbols into the symbol display area improves the probability of a win.   
   
   
       10 . A method of processing win outcomes for a player on gaming apparatus which includes a symbol display area, the method including the steps of:
 (a) the gaming apparatus selecting symbols from amongst a predefined set of symbols, and displaying them on the symbol display area;   (b) the gaming apparatus indicating a win if the symbol display area displays a pattern of symbols which includes a winning combination according to preselected rules;   (c) the gaming apparatus indicating the possibility to purchase a substitute symbol; and   (d) when a substitute symbol purchasing opportunity is indicated, and the player elects to purchase substitute symbols, the gaming apparatus arranging for insertion of one or more purchased substitute symbols into the symbol display area;   wherein the insertion of substitute symbols into the symbol display area improves the probability of a win.