Method for selecting lucky winning symbols in games

Abstract

The present invention is generally related to a method for operating an electronic gaming machine (“EGM”) having a symbol selection feature. This feature allows a player to select the winning symbols that will be displayed during play of a game on the EGM. In one embodiment, the method includes displaying a plurality of original or default winning symbols on a display of the EGM. In this method, the EGM receives player input for selecting one of the original symbols to be changed. The EGM also receives player input for selecting a new symbol that will be used to replace the selected original symbol. Further, the EGM replaces the selected original symbol with the selected new symbol on the display. In one embodiment, replacing the selected original symbol with the selected new symbol includes replacing all original symbols identical to the selected original symbol with the selected new symbol.

1 . A method for operating an electronic gaming machine, said method comprising:
 displaying a plurality of original symbols on a display of an electronic gaming machine, and the original symbols are associated with a pay table; and   receiving player input for selecting one of the original symbols to be changed;   receiving player input for selecting a new symbol to replace the selected original symbol; and   replacing the selected original symbol with the selected new symbol on the display.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein replacing the selected original symbol with the selected new symbol includes replacing all original symbols identical to the selected original symbol with the selected new symbol. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the selected new symbol becomes associated with the pay table originally associated with the selected original symbol. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein two different original symbols can not be replaced by one new symbol. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving input for enabling a symbol selection feature in a setup menu associated with the electronic gaming machine, wherein the symbol selection feature allows original symbols to be changed to new symbols on the display of the electronic gaming machine. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising receiving input for enabling the selection of one or more new symbols. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving player input for selecting one of the original symbols to be replaced includes detecting a touch located above one of the original symbols on a touch-screen display associated with the electronic gaming machine. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein receiving player input for selecting a new symbol includes detecting a touch located above the new symbol displayed on the touch-screen display. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising displaying a plurality of new symbols for the player to select. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising replacing the selected new symbol with the selected original symbol. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising storing in a gaming history the selection of the new symbol to replace the original symbol. 
   
   
       12 . A method for operating an electronic gaming machine, the method comprising:
 enabling play of a slot style game, the slot style game includes a plurality of original symbols displayed on a touch screen display associated with an electronic gaming machine, and the original symbols are associated with a pay table;   detecting a player's first touch on the touch screen display located above one original symbol;   detecting the player's second touch on the touch screen display located above a new symbol; and   replacing the touched original symbol with the touched new symbol on the touch screen display.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the touched new symbol becomes associated with the pay table originally associated with the touched original symbol. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein two different original symbols can not be replaced by one new symbol. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising displaying a plurality of new symbols for the player to select after detecting the player's first touch. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising replacing the touched new symbol with the touched original symbol. 
   
   
       17 . A method for operating an electronic gaming machine, the method comprising:
 enabling play of a casino game on an electronic gaming machine, the casino game includes a plurality of original symbols displayed on a touch screen display associated with the electronic gaming machine, and the original symbols are associated with a pay table;   detecting a player's touch on the touch screen display located above a first position displaying one original symbol; and   displaying a first new symbol at the first position in response to the player's touch on the touch screen display located above the first position.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising replacing all original symbols identical to the touched original symbol on the touch screen display with the first new symbol. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising detecting the player's subsequent touch on the touch screen display located above the first position and displaying a second new symbol at the first position. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising replacing all new symbols identical to the first new symbol displayed on the touch screen display with the second new symbol.