Gaming system and method providing a slot game employing a randomly selected set of reels

A system comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory device that stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
• randomly select a first subset of at least two adjacently arranged reels from a set of reels, wherein the first subset of reels comprises fewer reels than the set of reels and the set of reels includes at least three adjacently arranged reels;
• communicate, via a data network, data which results in a display device displaying the first subset of reels;
• communicate, via the data network, data which results in the display device displaying a preview window including the set of reels, the preview window separate from the display of the first subset of reels;
• communicate, via the data network, data which results in the display device displaying an indicator to indicate, within the preview window, reels corresponding to the first subset of reels;
• randomly determine an outcome comprising a plurality of symbols of the first subset of reels;
• communicate, via the data network, data which results in the display device displaying the randomly determined outcome;
• determine any awards based on the plurality of symbols of the first subset of reels indicated within the preview window and independent of any symbols of each reel in the set of reels that is not in the first subset of reels and not indicated within the preview window;
• and
• communicate, via the data network, data which results in the display device displaying any determined awards.

A method comprising:

• receiving, by an input device, a wager input for a play of a game, wherein the play of the game is associated with a set of reels of a first quantity of at least three adjacently arranged reels;
• displaying, by a display device and for the play of the game, a randomly selected first subset of reels of a second quantity of at least two adjacently arranged reels from the set of reels, wherein the first subset of reels comprises fewer reels than the set of reels;
• displaying, by the display device, a preview window including the set of reels, the preview window separate from the display of the first subset of reels;
• displaying, by the display device, an indicator to indicate, within the preview window, reels corresponding to the first subset of reels;
• receiving, from the server and over a network, data representing a randomly determined outcome for the play of the game, the randomly determined outcome comprising a plurality of symbols of the first subset of reels;
• displaying, by the display device, the randomly determined outcome;
• and
• displaying, by the display device, any awards for the play of the game, any awards being based on the plurality of symbols of the first subset of reels indicated within the preview window and independent of any symbols of each reel in the set of reels that is not in the first subset of reels and not indicated within the preview window.