Gaming machine and methods of allowing a player to play gaming machines having synchronized symbols

A method of providing a game on a gaming machine having a plurality of reels and a display device, each reel having a predetermined number of elements, wherein each element has an associated symbol from a set of symbols, at least one reel of the plurality of reels having a run of consecutive elements, the method including the steps of:

• initiating an instance of the game and responsively displaying the game on a display device;
• randomly determining an outcome of the game and responsively spinning and stopping the reels to display the outcome, the outcome including at least two reels having the same symbols being displayed in the same symbol elements;
• displaying each one of the at least two reels having a run of consecutive elements;
• and
• populating the run of consecutive elements with an identical symbol.

A method of providing an electronic game on a gaming machine having a plurality of reels and a display device, each reel having a predetermined number of elements, wherein each element has an associated symbol from a set of symbols, the method including the steps of:

• initiating a first instance of the game and responsively displaying the game on a display device, the game including a plurality of first reels and a second reel;
• detecting a triggering condition in the first instance and in response to detecting the triggering condition, initiating a second instance of the game;
• determining an outcome of the second instance of the game including at least two first reels having the same symbols being displayed in the same symbol elements;
• displaying the outcome including spinning and stopping the at least two first reels and retaining the second reel in a stop position while the at least two reels are spinning;
• and
• awarding an award to the player as a function of the outcome.