Method of gaming and a gaming machine with double high symbols

Abstract

An example game controller includes a symbol generator to provide a plurality of symbols based on one or more random numbers generated by a random number generator. The plurality of symbols have varying sizes and include a first symbol occupying one symbol position and a second symbol occupying multiple symbol positions. The second symbol includes a plurality of portions, each portion corresponding to one of the multiple symbol positions occupied by the second symbol. A comparator is to determine one or more game outcomes in the plurality of symbols. each of the plurality of portions of the second symbol is evaluated individually to determine whether a winning combination has been formed with the first symbol and a portion of the second symbol. Each of the plurality of portions of the second symbol corresponds to a different award.

1 . A gaming controller comprising:
 a symbol generator to provide a plurality of symbols based on one or more random numbers generated by a random number generator, the plurality of symbols having varying sizes, the plurality of symbols including a first symbol occupying one symbol position and a second symbol occupying multiple symbol positions, wherein said second symbol includes a plurality of portions, each portion corresponding to one of the multiple symbol positions occupied by said second symbol;   a comparator determining one or more game outcomes in the plurality of symbols, wherein each of said plurality of portions of said second symbol is evaluated individually to determine whether a winning combination has been formed with said first symbol and a portion of said second symbol, each of said plurality of portions of said second symbol corresponding to a different award amount; and   a display output outputting the plurality of symbols and an indication of the one or more game outcomes to a gaming display for viewing.   
     
     
         2 . A gaming controller as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of symbols is generated as part of a reel-based symbol game. 
     
     
         3 . A gaming controller as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the reel-based symbol game comprises electromechanical reels viewable via the gaming display. 
     
     
         4 . A gaming controller as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the reel-based symbol game comprises virtual reels displayed on the gaming display. 
     
     
         5 . A gaming controller as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising awarding a prize to the player based on the one or more game outcomes. 
     
     
         6 . A gaming controller as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of symbols includes a mix of short symbols and tall symbols with blanks between the symbols. 
     
     
         7 . A gaming controller as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first symbol is centered at a first symbol position and said second symbol is positioned over a second symbol position and a third symbol position rather than centered at the second symbol position. 
     
     
         8 . A gaming controller as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of symbols is generated as part of a bonus feature. 
     
     
         9 . A gaming controller as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first symbol occupies multiple symbol positions. 
     
     
         10 . A gaming controller as recited in  claim 1 , wherein different portions of said second symbol are treated differently in determining the one or more game outcomes. 
     
     
         11 . A method of gaming implemented on a gaming machine, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of symbols based on one or more random numbers, the plurality of symbols including a first symbol occupying one symbol position and a second symbol occupying multiple symbol positions, wherein said second symbol includes a plurality of segments, each segment corresponding to one of the multiple symbol positions occupied by said second symbol;   determining, using a processor, one or more game outcomes based on the plurality of symbols, wherein each of said plurality of portions of said second symbol is evaluated individually to determine whether a winning combination has been formed with said first symbol and a segment of said second symbol, each of said plurality of portions of said second symbol corresponding to a different award; and   outputting the plurality of symbols and an indication of the one or more game outcomes to a gaming display for viewing.   
     
     
         12 . A method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of symbols is generated as part of a reel-based symbol game. 
     
     
         13 . A method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the reel-based symbol game comprises electromechanical reels viewable via the gaming display. 
     
     
         14 . A method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the reel-based symbol game comprises virtual reels displayed on the gaming display. 
     
     
         15 . A method as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising awarding a prize to the player based on the one or more game outcomes. 
     
     
         16 . A method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of symbols includes a mix of short symbols and tall symbols with blanks between the symbols. 
     
     
         17 . A method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said first symbol is centered at a first symbol position and said second symbol is positioned over a second symbol position and a third symbol position rather than centered at the second symbol position. 
     
     
         18 . A method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said plurality of symbols is generated as part of a bonus feature. 
     
     
         19 . A method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said first symbol occupies multiple symbol positions. 
     
     
         20 . A method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein different portions of said second symbol are treated differently in determining the one or more game outcomes. 
     
     
         21 . An article of manufacture comprising:
 a computer readable storage medium; and   executable program instructions embodied in the computer readable storage medium that when executed by a programmable system cause the system to perform functions that implement a gaming controller comprising:   a symbol generator to provide a plurality of symbols based on one or more random numbers generated by a random number generator, the plurality of symbols including a first symbol occupying one symbol position and a second symbol occupying multiple symbol positions, wherein said second symbol includes a plurality of portions, each portion corresponding to one of the multiple symbol positions occupied by said second symbol;   a comparator determining one or more game outcomes in the plurality of symbols, wherein each of said plurality of portions of said second symbol is evaluated individually to determine whether a winning combination has been formed with said first symbol and a portion of said second symbol, each of said plurality of portions of said second symbol corresponding to a different award amount; and   a display output outputting the plurality of symbols and an indication of the one or more game outcomes to a gaming display for viewing.   
     
     
         22 . An article of manufacture as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the player combination of symbols is generated as part of a reel-based symbol game. 
     
     
         23 . An article of manufacture as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the reel-based symbol game comprises electromechanical reels viewable via the gaming display. 
     
     
         24 . An article of manufacture as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the reel-based symbol game comprises virtual reels displayed on the gaming display. 
     
     
         25 . An article of manufacture as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of symbols includes a mix of short symbols and tall symbols with blanks between the symbols. 
     
     
         26 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein said first symbol is centered at a first symbol position and said second symbol is positioned over a second symbol position and a third symbol position rather than centered at the second symbol position. 
     
     
         27 . A gaming system comprising:
 a player interface comprising a display for viewing by a player;   a game controller arranged to provide:   a symbol generator to provide a plurality of symbols based on one or more random numbers generated by a random number generator, the plurality of symbols including a first symbol occupying one symbol position and a second symbol occupying multiple symbol positions, wherein said second symbol includes a plurality of portions, each portion corresponding to one of the multiple symbol positions occupied by said second symbol; and   a comparator determining one or more game outcomes in the plurality of symbols, wherein each of said plurality of portions of said second symbol is evaluated individually to determine whether a winning combination has been formed with said first symbol and a portion of said second symbol, each of said plurality of portions of said second symbol corresponding to a different award amount; and   a display output outputting the plurality of symbols and an indication of the one or more game outcomes to a gaming display for viewing.   
     
     
         28 . A gaming system as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the player combination of symbols is generated as part of a reel-based symbol game. 
     
     
         29 . A gaming system as recited in  claim 28 , wherein the reel-based symbol game comprises electromechanical reels viewable via the gaming display. 
     
     
         30 . A gaming system as recited in  claim 28 , wherein the reel-based symbol game comprises virtual reels displayed on the gaming display. 
     
     
         31 . A gaming system as recited in  claim 27 , further comprising awarding a prize to the player based on the one or more game outcomes. 
     
     
         32 . A gaming system as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the player interface comprises at least one of a set of electromechanical reels, a video display, and an overlay with respect to a set electromechanical reels. 
     
     
         33 . A gaming system as recited in  claim 27 , wherein a prize is awarded when said first symbol and said second symbol and a third symbol are positioned on and above a pay line. 
     
     
         34 . A gaming system as recited in  claim 27 , wherein a prize is awarded when said first symbol and said second symbol and a third symbol are positioned on and below a pay line. 
     
     
         35 . A gaming system as recited in  claim 27 , wherein a prize is awarded when said first symbol and said second symbol and a third symbol are positioned on and a mix of both above and below a pay line.