Gaming machine with sorting feature

A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine, the method comprising:

• receiving a wager;
• displaying a plurality of groups of objects and a plurality of selectable elements separate from the groups of objects;
• masking indicia of the respective selectable elements, the indicia being indicative of the objects, at least some of the selectable elements concealing indicia that can be indicative of any object within any of the plurality of groups;
• after the displaying and masking steps, receiving a direct selection from a player of a single one of the selectable elements with masked indicia;
• after the receiving step,
• revealing the indicia of only the single selected element without revealing the indicia of unselected ones of the selectable elements such that the player cannot discern any of the objects associated with the single selected element prior to making the direct selection of the single selected element, and
• automatically identifying any of the objects associated with the single selected element;
• repeating the receiving, revealing, and identifying steps until the objects in one of the groups have been identified;
• and
• awarding an award associated with the one of the groups whose objects have all been identified.

A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine, the method comprising:

• receiving a wager;
• simultaneously displaying (i) a plurality of groups of objects and (ii) a plurality of selectable elements separate from the groups of objects, the plurality of selectable elements initially concealing indicia indicative of all of the objects being simultaneously displayed;
• after the displaying step, receiving a direct selection from a player of a single one of the selectable elements with concealed indicia;
• after the receiving step,
• revealing the indicia of only the single selected element, and
• automatically identifying any of the objects associated with the single selected element;
• repeating the receiving, revealing, and identifying steps until all of the objects in one of the groups have been identified;
• and
• awarding an award associated with the one of the groups whose objects have all been identified.