Multi-reel slot machine with selectable reel play

A reel spinning gaming device, that allows a player to play multiple games, wherein each reel spin constitutes a game, the device comprising:

• a plurality of selectable reels having symbols thereon, wherein each selectable reel displays an outcome symbol after being spun;
• a selection system operatively associated with each selectable reel, wherein the selection system designates a subset of the selectable reels as the initial active reels for the initial game, and wherein, for a second game, the selection system substitutes a non-active reel with an active reel from the initial game, thereby designating a new set of active reels for the second game, the new set of active reels for the second game including a newly substituted active reel and remaining active reels;
• an actuating system operatively associated with the selectable reels, wherein the actuating system spins the initial active reels to achieve an outcome symbol combination for the initial game;
• and wherein the actuating system spins the newly substituted active reel in the second game to achieve an outcome symbol while not spinning the remaining active reels in the second game;
• and wherein the outcome symbol from the newly substituted active reel in the second game is used in conjunction with the outcome symbols from the remaining active reels to produce an outcome symbol combination for the second game;
• and
• a prize controller, wherein the prize controller makes a prize determination as to whether a prize is to be awarded based upon the outcome symbol combination of each game.

A reel spinning gaming method implementing a plurality of selectable reels having symbols thereon, wherein each selectable reel displays an outcome symbol after being spun, and wherein a player engages in multiple games, each reel spin constituting a game, the method comprising:

• selecting a subset of the plurality of selectable reels as initial active reels in an initial game;
• spinning the initial active reels to achieve an outcome symbol combination in the initial game;
• making a prize determination based upon the outcome symbol combination, and awarding a prize, if appropriate, in the initial game;
• substituting a non-active reel for an active reel from the initial game, thereby designating a new set of active reels for a second game, the new set of active reels for the second game including a newly substituted active reel and remaining active reels;
• spinning, for the second game, the newly substituted active reel to achieve an outcome symbol;
• and
• making a prize determination based upon the outcome symbol from the newly substituted active reel in conjunction with the outcome symbols from the remaining active reels, and awarding a prize, if appropriate, for the second game.

A reel-spinning gaming device, the device comprising:

• a plurality of selectable reels having symbols thereon, wherein each selectable reel displays an outcome symbol after being spun;
• means for accepting a wager from a player to purchase game play, wherein each reel spin constitutes a game;
• means for selecting a subset of the plurality of selectable reels as initial active reels in an initial game;
• means for spinning the initial active reels to achieve an outcome symbol combination in the initial game;
• means for making a prize determination based upon the outcome symbol combination, and awarding a prize, if appropriate, in the initial game;
• means for substituting a non-active reel for an active reel from the initial game, thereby designating a new set of active reels for a second game, the new set of active reels for the second game including a newly substituted active reel and remaining active reels;
• means for spinning, for the second game, the newly substituted active reel to achieve an outcome symbol;
• and
• means for making a prize determination based upon the outcome symbol from the newly substituted active reel in conjunction with the outcome symbols from the remaining active reels, and awarding a prize, if appropriate, in the second game.

A gaming device comprising:

• a plurality of reels that are divided into a group of active reels and a group of inactive reels for an initial game, wherein each reel displays a symbol after being spun;
• means for spinning and subsequently stopping the active reels to determine whether a winning result has occurred in the initial game;
• means for substituting at least one inactive reel for at least one active reel from the initial game to create at least one newly active reel and remaining active reels for a second game;
• means for spinning and subsequently stopping the at least one newly active reel for the second game;
• and
• means for combining the symbol displayed on the newly active reel along with the symbols displayed on the remaining active reels to determine whether a winning result has occurred in the second game;
• whereby the substitution and spinning of a newly active reel and determination of game results continues for each following game until a predetermined criteria has been satisfied.