Gaming machine and a method of gaming that allocate a function to instances of a selected symbol

A method of gaming with a gaming machine, the method comprising:

• selecting, with a controller of the gaming machine, a plurality of symbols from a set of symbols;
• displaying, via a display device of the gaming machine, the plurality of symbols at a plurality of display positions;
• selecting, with the controller, a first display position from the plurality of display positions;
• allocating, with the controller, a function to a first instance of a first symbol displayed at the first display position;
• allocating, with the controller, the function to a second instance of the first symbol displayed at a second display position from the plurality of display positions;
• and
• determining, with the controller, a game outcome based on the plurality of symbols displayed at the plurality of display positions and the function allocated to the first and second instance of the first symbol;
• and
• allocating, with the controller, an award based on the game outcome.