Gaming device having multiple spins for winning outcomes

A gaming apparatus for participating in games of chance comprising:

• a display device having a game grid of symbol positions, the symbol positions organized into a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows within the game grid;
• a memory storing data related to a plurality of game reels each having a plurality of symbols that includes at least one special symbol;
• a user interface including at least one user input to enable initiation of a game of chance which includes randomizing at least some of the plurality of game reels to present symbols in the symbol positions of the game grid;
• a wager input device structured to identify and validate player assets, and to permit play the games of chance when the player assets are provided;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• spin each of the plurality of game reels;
• identify a bonus event based on at least a plurality of the special symbols presented in respective ones of the symbol positions in the game grid;
• hold the special symbols in their respective symbol positions such that the held special symbols do not change during the bonus event;
• for each of the symbol positions not associated with the special symbols, randomly determine whether to display a special symbol in that respective symbol position;
• hold newly presented ones of the special symbols, if any, in their respective symbol positions, and randomly re-determine whether to display a special symbol in the symbols positions not currently associated with the special symbols, as long as a predefined condition is met;
• and
• calculate a final payout based on at least the special symbols that were held during the bonus event.

A slot game apparatus for participating in a slot game event, comprising:

• a display device configured to display a game grid including a plurality of columns of reel cells and a plurality of rows of reel cells, where each of the plurality of the reels cells is independently capable of presenting one of a plurality of symbols therein;
• a user interface including at least one user input to enable initiation of the slot game events which includes randomizing and presenting the symbols in their respective reel cells;
• a wager input device structured to identify and validate player assets, and to permit play the slot game events when the player assets are provided;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• (a) randomly present a slot game event on the display device in response to a signal received from the user interface;
• (b) identify a bonus-initiating event based on a plurality of special symbols being presented on the game grid during the slot game event;
• (c) hold the special symbols at their respective ones of the plurality of reel cells;
• (d) randomly determine for each of the remaining reel cells that does not currently display the special symbols whether to present a special symbol in that respective reel cell;
• (e) hold any newly presented ones of the special symbols at their respective ones of the remaining plurality of reel cells;
• (f) continue (d) and (e) until a condition has been satisfied;
• and
• (g) provide a final payout based on the special symbols when the condition has been satisfied.