Gaming system and a method of gaming

Abstract

A gaming system is disclosed which includes a symbol selector arranged to select a plurality of symbols which correspond to at least one winning symbol combination when the symbol combination coincides with a win line, and to display the symbols at a plurality of display positions. The system also includes a win line selector arranged to automatically select at least one win line from a plurality of available win lines, and an outcome evaluator arranged to determine that a winning outcome exists when a selected symbol combination coincides with a selected win line. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

1 . A gaming system comprising:
 a symbol selector arranged to select a plurality of symbols for display at a plurality of display positions, the selected symbols including at least one winning symbol combination when the symbol combination coincides with a win line;   a win line selector arranged to automatically select at least one win line from a plurality of available win lines; and   an outcome evaluator arranged to determine that a winning outcome exists when a selected symbol combination coincides with a selected win line.   
     
     
         2 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the selected win line includes a first number of associated symbol positions and the selected symbol combination includes a second number of symbols, the second number being equal to the first number. 
     
     
         3 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the selected win line includes a first number of associated symbol positions and the selected symbol combination includes a second number of symbols, the second number being less than the first number. 
     
     
         4 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the symbol combination is predefined. 
     
     
         5 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the symbol combination is selectable from a plurality of possible winning symbol combinations. 
     
     
         6 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the symbol selector is arranged to facilitate selection of a symbol combination by a player. 
     
     
         7 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the symbol selector is arranged to facilitate selection by a player of the number of symbols in the symbol combination. 
     
     
         8 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the symbol selector is arranged to automatically select a symbol combination. 
     
     
         9 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the symbol combination is randomly selected. 
     
     
         10 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the symbol selector is arranged to select a plurality of symbol combinations. 
     
     
         11 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the win line selector is arranged to select a plurality of win lines. 
     
     
         12 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the gaming system is arranged to operate in normal game mode and special game mode, and the win line selector is arranged to automatically select at least one win line from a plurality of available win lines, and the outcome evaluator is arranged to determine that a winning outcome exists when the selected symbol combination coincides with a selected win line only when the gaming system operates during special game mode. 
     
     
         13 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the gaming system is arranged to commence special game mode when a predetermined game outcome occurs, on the basis of a game event occurring during a game such as display of a particular symbol, in response to player input, based on the amount or type of bet placed, or when a special game is purchased by a player. 
     
     
         14 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the gaming system is arranged such that only symbols forming part of the selected symbol combination are displayed. 
     
     
         15 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the gaming system comprises a gaming machine. 
     
     
         16 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a gaming terminal and a gaming server in networked communication with the gaming server. 
     
     
         17 . A method of gaming comprising:
 selecting a plurality of symbols for display at a plurality of display positions, the selected symbols including at least one winning symbol combination when the symbol combination coincides with a win line;   automatically selecting at least one win line from a plurality of available win lines; and   determining that a winning outcome exists when a selected symbol combination coincides with a selected win line.   
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the selected win line includes a first number of associated symbol positions and the selected symbol combination includes a second number of symbols, the second number being equal to the first number. 
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the selected win line includes a first number of associated symbol positions and the selected symbol combination includes a second number of symbols, the second number being less than the first number. 
     
     
         20 . A method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the symbol combination is predefined. 
     
     
         21 . A method as claimed in  claim 17 , comprising selecting the symbol combination from a plurality of possible winning symbol combinations. 
     
     
         22 . A method as claimed in  claim 21 , comprising receiving selection of a symbol combination by a player. 
     
     
         23 . A method as claimed in  claim 21 , comprising receiving selection by a player of the number of symbols in the symbol combination. 
     
     
         24 . A method as claimed in  claim 21 , comprising automatically selecting a symbol combination. 
     
     
         25 . A method as claimed in  claim 24 , comprising randomly selecting a symbol combination. 
     
     
         26 . A method as claimed in  claim 17 , comprising selecting a plurality of symbol combinations. 
     
     
         27 . A method as claimed in  claim 17 , comprising selecting a plurality of win lines. 
     
     
         28 . A method as claimed in  claim 17 , comprising:
 providing normal game mode and special game mode; and   automatically selecting at least one win line from a plurality of available win lines, and determining that a winning outcome exists when the selected symbol combination coincides with a selected win line only when the method operates during special game mode.   
     
     
         29 . A method as claimed in  claim 28 , comprising commencing special game mode when a predetermined game outcome occurs, on the basis of a game event occurring during a game such as display of a particular symbol, in response to player input, based on the amount or type of bet placed, or when a special game is purchased by a player. 
     
     
         30 . A method as claimed in  claim 17 , comprising displaying only symbols forming part of the selected symbol combination. 
     
     
         31 . A method as claimed in  claim 17 , comprising implementing the method of gaming using a gaming machine. 
     
     
         32 . A method as claimed in  claim 17 , comprising implementing the method of gaming using a gaming terminal and a gaming server. 
     
     
         33 . A computer readable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for causing a computer to operate in accordance with a gaming system comprising:
 a symbol selector arranged to select a plurality of symbols for display at a plurality of display positions, the selected symbols including at least one winning symbol combination when the symbol combination coincides with a win line;   a win line selector arranged to automatically select at least one win line from a plurality of available win lines; and   an outcome evaluator arranged to determine that a winning outcome exists when a selected symbol combination coincides with a selected win line.