Multi-reel slot machine with selectable reel play

Abstract

A reel spinning gaming deviceincludes a plurality of selectable reelseach having game symbolslocated thereon, a selection system, an actuating system, and a prize controller. Each reel displays an outcome symbolafter having been spun. The number of selectable reelsincluded in the gaming deviceis larger than that utilized for an individual game. In this regard, the selection systemdesignates a subset of the selectable reels as the initial active reelsfor the initial game. The actuating systemthen spins the initial active reels, after which the prize controllerdetermines whether or not a prize is to be awarded dependent upon the combination of the outcome symbolsfrom the initial active reels. The selection system(or a reselection systemin some preferred embodiments) then designates of a new subset of the selectable reelsas the active reelsfor each subsequent consecutive game by substituting a non-active reel from the previous game with an active reel from the previous game. Specifically, the active reelsfor the subsequent consecutive game include the newly substituted active reel and the remaining active reels from the previous game. The actuating systemspins the newly substituted active reel, but does not spin the remaining active reels from the previous game. The prize controllerthen determines whether or not a prize is to be awarded dependent upon the combination of the outcome symbolfrom the newly substituted active reel and the outcome symbols of the remaining active reels from the previous game. This process is repeated until all of the games purchased by the player (or otherwise entitled to the player) have been exhausted.