AU2008201213B2

AU2008201213B2 - A method of gaming, a gaming system and a game controller

Info

Publication number: AU2008201213B2
Application number: AU2008201213A
Authority: AU
Inventors: William George Cormack
Original assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2008-03-14
Filing date: 2008-03-14
Publication date: 2010-08-19
Anticipated expiration: 2028-03-14
Also published as: AU2008201213A1; AU2010214695A1

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant(s): Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited Invention Title: A METHOD OF GAMING, A GAMING SYSTEM AND A GAME CONTROLLER The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: P77223 AU PatSetFing Applicaton 2008-3-14 doc (M) -2 Title A METHOD OF GAMING, A GAMING SYSTEM AND A GAME CONTROLLER 5 Field The invention relates to a method of gaming, a gaming system and a game controller. 10 Background In current gaming machines a player is required to specify the amount bet per line and the number of play lines the player wants to play, or in some games, the number of is reels the player wants to play. While such gaming systems provide users with enjoyment, a need exists for alternative gaming systems in order to maintain or increase player enjoyment. 20 Summary of the Invention In a first aspect, the invention provides a method of gaming comprising: 25 receiving an initiate play instruction from a player by the player selecting a single one of a plurality of buttons, each button associated with a respective one of a plurality of initiate play instructions resulting in the placement of a different bet on a game outcome, the 30 buttons corresponding to a first bet amount, a second bet amount and at least one third bet amount, the second bet amount and each at least one third bet amount being a multiple of the first bet amount; generating the game outcome in response to receipt of 35 the initiate play instruction, generation of the game outcome including selecting a plurality of symbols for display in a set of display positions corresponding to a 2356734_i (GHMatters) 30/07/10 - 3 plurality of spinning reels set side by side; evaluating the game outcome by evaluating the symbols at at least two different combinations of display positions in accordance with at least one game rule, each 5 combination consisting of one display position from each reel; performing the same evaluation of combinations of display positions irrespective of the received initiate play instruction; 10 determining whether the player is entitled to an award from the evaluation; and upon the player being entitled to an award, determining the quantum of the award from the bet amount corresponding to the initiate play instruction. 15 In an embodiment, evaluating the game outcome comprises determining whether the symbols at one or more of the at least two different combinations of symbol positions correspond to a winning outcome entitling the player to an 20 award. In an embodiment, evaluating the game outcome comprises determining whether the symbols at one or more of the at least two different combinations of symbol positions 25 correspond to a feature game trigger. In an embodiment, the method comprises evaluating the symbols at the display positions to determine whether a plurality of symbols corresponds to a scattered winning 30 outcome entitling the player to an award. In an embodiment, the method comprises comprising evaluating the symbols at the display positions to determine whether a plurality of symbols corresponds to a 35 feature game trigger. In an embodiment, the method comprises conducting any 2356734_1 (GHMaters) 30/07/10 triggered feature game and evaluating the feature game to determine whether the feature game corresponds to one or more winning outcomes entitling the player to an award. 5 In an embodiment, the player presses a physical button. In an embodiment, the player touches a button displayed on a touch screen display. 10 In an embodiment, the method comprises allowing the player to gamble any award prior to making the award and determining whether to modify the award based on the outcome of the gamble. 15 In an embodiment, each one of the at least two combinations of display positions corresponds to a win line. In an embodiment, each one of the at least two 20 combinations of display positions is derived by combining selected display positions of a plurality of reels. In an embodiment, the selected display positions are derived from selected reels. 25 In an embodiment, the method comprises evaluating all symbol combinations available for the game. In an embodiment, the method comprises evaluating all the 30 win lines. In an embodiment, the method comprises evaluating all symbol combinations derived from selection of all the reels. 35 In an embodiment, the method comprises an operator setting a number of combinations to be evaluated. 2356734_1 (GHMatters) 30/07/10 - 5 In a second aspect, the invention provides a game controller for a gaming system, the game controller arranged to: 5 receive an initiate play instruction from a player by the player selecting a single one of a plurality of buttons, each button associated with a respective one of a plurality of initiate play instructions resulting in the placement of a different bet on a game outcome, the 10 buttons corresponding to a first bet amount, a second bet amount and at least one third bet amount, the second bet amount and each at least one third bet amount being a multiple of the first bet amount; generate the game outcome in response to receipt of 15 the initiate play instruction, generation of the game outcome including selecting a plurality of symbols for display in a set of display positions corresponding to a plurality of spinning reels set side by side; evaluate the game outcome by evaluating the symbols at at least two 20 different combinations of display positions in accordance with at least one game rule, each combination consisting of one display position from each reel; perform the same evaluation of combinations of display positions irrespective of the received initiate 25 play instruction; determine whether the player is entitled to an award from the evaluation; and upon the player being entitled to an award, determine the quantum of the award from the bet amount corresponding 30 to the initiate play instruction. In an embodiment, the game controller comprises an outcome generator for generating the game outcome. 35 In an embodiment, the game controller comprises an outcome evaluator for evaluating the game outcome. 2356734_1 (GHMatters) 30/07/10 - 6 In an embodiment, the game controller is constituted, at least in part, by a processor executing program code stored in a memory. 5 In a third aspect, the invention provides a gaming system comprising: a player interface comprising: a display; and a game play mechanism comprising a plurality of 10 buttons, each button associated with a respective one of a plurality of possible initiate play instructions resulting in the placement of different bets on a game outcome, the buttons corresponding to a first bet amount, a second bet amount and at least one third bet amount, the second bet 15 amount and each at least one third bet amount being a multiple of the first bet amount, whereby the player operates the game play mechanism by selecting a single one of the buttons to generate an initiate play instruction; and 20 a game controller arranged to: receive the initiate play instruction; generate the game outcome in response to receipt of the initiate play instruction, generation of the game outcome including selecting a plurality of symbols for 25 display on the display in a set of display positions corresponding to a plurality of spinning reels set side by side; evaluate the game outcome by evaluating the symbols at at least two different combinations of display 30 positions in accordance with at least one game rule, each combination consisting of one display position from each reel; perform the same evaluation of combinations of display positions irrespective of the received initiate 35 play instruction; determine whether the player is entitled to an award from the evaluation; and 2356734_1 (GHMatters)30/07/10 - 6a upon the player being entitled to an award, determine the quantum of the award from the bet amount corresponding to the initiate play instruction. 5 In an embodiment, the gaming system comprises an operator interface operable to specify a number of different combinations of display positions to be evaluated. In an embodiment, the buttons are physical buttons. 10 In an embodiment, the buttons are virtual buttons displayed on a touch screen display. In a fourth aspect, the invention provides computer 15 program code which when executed implements the above method. In a fifth aspect, the invention provides a computer readable medium comprising the above program code. 20 Brief Description of Drawings An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in 25 which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of the core components of a gaming system; 30 Figure 2 is a perspective view of a stand alone gaming machine; Figure 3 is a block diagram of the functional components of a gaming machine; 2356734_1 (GHMatters) 30/07/10 - 7 Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the functional components of a memory; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a network gaming 5 system; Figure 6 is a further block diagram of a gaming system; Figure 7 is a flow chart of an embodiment; and 10 Figure 8 is an exemplary game play mechanism. Detailed Description 15 Referring to the drawings, there is shown a gaming system having a game controller arranged to implement a game wherein the same plurality of combinations of symbol positions are evaluated irrespective of the bet placed by the player. As a result, in embodiments where the game 20 involves win lines, the same number of win lines is always evaluated irrespective of the bet. General construction of gaming system 25 The gaming system can take a number of different forms. In a first form, a stand alone gaming machine is provided wherein all or most components required for implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine. 30 In a second form, a distributed architecture is provided wherein some of the components required for implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine and some of the components required for implementing the game are located remotely relative to the gaming machine. 35 For example, a "thick client" architecture may be used wherein part of the game is executed on a player operable gaming machine and part of the game is executed remotely, N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\77000-77999\P77223 AU\Specis\P77223 AU Specificalion 2008-3-3.doc 14103/08 -8 such as by a gaming server; or a "thin client" architecture may be used wherein most of the game is executed remotely such as by a gaming server and a player operable gaming machine is used only to display audible 5 and/or visible gaming information to the player and receive gaming inputs from the player. However, it will be understood that other arrangements are envisaged. For example, an architecture may be provided 10 wherein a gaming machine is networked to a gaming server and the respective functions of the gaming machine and the gaming server are selectively modifiable. For example, the gaming system may operate in stand alone gaming machine mode, "thick client" mode or "thin client" mode 15 depending on the game being played, operating conditions, and so on. Other variations will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Irrespective of the form, the gaming system comprises 20 several core components. At the broadest level, the core components are a player interface 50 and a game controller 60 as illustrated in Figure 1. The player interface is arranged to enable manual interaction between a player and the gaming system and for this purpose includes the 25 input/output components required for the player to enter instructions and play the game. Components of the player interface may vary from embodiment to embodiment but will typically include a 30 credit mechanism 52 to enable a player to input credits and receive payouts, one or more displays 54, a game play mechanism 56 that enables a player to input game play instructions (e.g. to place bets), and one or more speakers 58. 35 The game controller 60 is in data communication with the player interface and typically includes a processor 62 N \Mclbournc\Cases\Patent\77000-77999\P77223.AU\Specis\P77223.AU Specification 2008-3-3.doc I 4/03/08 -9 that processes the game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and outputs game play outcomes to the display. Typically, the game play instructions are stored as program code in a memory 64 but can also be hardwired. 5 Herein the term "processor" is used to refer generically to any device that can process game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and may include: a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or other computational device, a general purpose computer 10 (e.g. a PC) or a server. A gaming system in the form of a stand alone gaming machine 10 is illustrated in Figure 2. The gaming machine 10 includes a console 12 having a display 14 on which are 15 displayed representations of a game 16 that can be played by a player. A mid-trim 20 of the gaming machine 10 houses a bank of buttons 22 for enabling a player to interact with the gaming machine, in particular during game play. The mid-trim 20 also houses a credit input 20 mechanism 24 which in this example includes a coin input chute 24A and a bill collector 24B. Other credit input mechanisms may also be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a smart card, debit card or credit card. A player marketing module (not shown) having a 25 reading device may also be provided for the purpose of reading a player tracking device, for example as part of a loyalty program. The player tracking device may be in the form of a card, flash drive or any other portable storage medium capable of being read by the reading device. 30 A top box 26 may carry artwork 28, including for example pay tables and details of bonus awards and other information or images relating to the game. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a front 35 panel 29 of the console 12. A coin tray 30 is mounted beneath the front panel 29 for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine 10. N \Meibourne\Cases\Patent\77000-77999\P77223 AU\Specis\P77223.AU Specification 2008-3-3 doc 14/03/08 - 10 The display 14 shown in Figure 2 is in the form of a video display unit, particularly a cathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, the display 14 may be a liquid s crystal display, plasma screen, any other suitable video display unit, or the visible portion of an electromechanical device. The top box 26 may also include a display, for example a video display unit, which may be of the same type as the display 14, or of a different 10 type. Figure 3 shows a block diagram of operative components of a typical gaming machine which may be the same as or different to the gaming machine of Figure 2. 15 The gaming machine 100 includes a game controller 101 having a processor 102. Instructions and data to control operation of the processor 102 are stored in a memory 103, which is in data communication with the processor 102. 20 Typically, the gaming machine 100 will include both volatile and non-volatile memory and more than one of each type of memory, with such memories being collectively represented by the memory 103. 25 The gaming machine has hardware meters 104 for purposes including ensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, an input/output (I/0) interface 105 for communicating with peripheral devices of the gaming machine 100. The input/output interface 105 and/or the 30 peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memory for storing associated instructions and data for use with the input/output interface or the peripheral devices. A random number generator module 113 generates random numbers for use by the processor 102. Persons 35 skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference to random numbers includes pseudo-random numbers. N \Melboume\Cascs\Patent\77000-77999\P77223,AU\Specis\P77223 AU Specification 2008-3-3.doc 14/03/0 - 11 In the example shown in Figure 3, a player interface 120 includes peripheral devices that communicate with the game controller 101 comprise one or more displays 106, a touch screen and/or buttons 107, a card and/or ticket reader s 108, a printer 109, a bill acceptor and/or coin input mechanism 110 and a coin output mechanism 111. Additional hardware may be included as part of the gaming machine 100, or hardware may be omitted as required for the specific implementation. 10 In addition, the gaming machine 100 may include a communications interface, for example a network card 112. The network card may, for example, send status information, accounting information or other information 15 to a central controller, server or database and receive data or commands from the central controller, server or database. Figure 4 shows a block diagram of the main components of 20 an exemplary memory 103. The memory 103 includes RAM 103A, EPROM 103B and a mass storage device 103C. The RAM 103A typically temporarily holds program files for execution by the processor 102 and related data. The EPROM 103B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain 25 some system or game related code. The mass storage device 103C is typically used to store game programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/or authenticated by the processor 102 using protected code from the EPROM 103B or elsewhere. 30 It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming machine 100 to be distributed, for example input/output devices 106,107,108,109,110,111 to be provided remotely from the game controller 101. 35 Figure 5 shows a gaming system 200 in accordance with an alternative embodiment. The gaming system 200 includes a N:\McIboumc\Cascs\Patent\77000-77999\P77223.AU\Specis\P77223,AU Specification 2008-3-3.doc 14/03/08 - 12 network 201, which for example may be an Ethernet network. Gaming machines 202, shown arranged in three banks 203 of two gaming machines 202 in Figure 5, are connected to the network 201. The gaming machines 202 provide a player 5 operable interface and may be the same as the gaming machines 10,100 shown in Figures 2 and 3, or may have simplified functionality depending on the requirements for implementing game play. While banks 203 of two gaming machines are illustrated in Figure 5, banks of one, three 10 or more gaming machines are also envisaged. One or more displays 204 may also be connected to the network 201. For example, the displays 204 may be associated with one or more banks 203 of gaming machines. is The displays 204 may be used to display representations associated with game play on the gaming machines 202, and/or used to display other representations, for example promotional or informational material. 20 In a thick client embodiment, game server 205 implements part of the game played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gaming machine 202 implements part of the game. With this embodiment, as both the game server and the gaming device implement part of the game, they 25 collectively provide a game controller. A database management server 206 may manage storage of game programs and associated data for downloading or access by the gaming devices 202 in a database 206A. Typically, if the gaming system enables players to participate in a Jackpot 30 game, a Jackpot server 207 will be provided to perform accounting functions for the Jackpot game. A loyalty program server 212 may also be provided. In a thin client embodiment, game server 205 implements 35 most or all of the game played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gaming machine 202 essentially provides only the player interface. With this embodiment, N:\Mclboumc\Cases\Patent\770O0-77999\P77223.AU\Spccis\P77223.AU Specification 2008-3-3 doc 14/03/08 - 13 the game server 205 provides the game controller. The gaming machine will receive player instructions, pass these to the game server which will process them and return game play outcomes to the gaming machine for 5 display. In a thin client embodiment, the gaming machines could be computer terminals, e.g. PCs running software that provides a player interface operable using standard computer input and output components. 10 Servers are also typically provided to assist in the administration of the gaming network 200, including for example a gaming floor management server 208, and a licensing server 209 to monitor the use of licenses relating to particular games. An administrator terminal 15 210 is provided to allow an administrator to run the network 201 and the devices connected to the network. The gaming system 200 may communicate with other gaming systems, other local networks, for example a corporate 20 network, and/or a wide area network such as the Internet, for example through a firewall 211. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in accordance with known techniques, functionality at the 25 server side of the network may be distributed over a plurality of different computers. For example, elements may be run as a single "engine" on one server or a separate server may be provided. For example, the game server 205 could run a random generator engine. 30 Alternatively, a separate random number generator server could be provided. Further, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a plurality of game servers could be provided to run different games or a single game server may run a plurality of different games as required by the 35 terminals. Further detail of gaming system N \Melboumc\Cases\Patent\77000-77999\P77223.AL\Specis\P77223.AU Specification 2008-3-3.doc 14/03/08 - 14 Referring to Figure 6, the player operates game play mechanism 56 to input an initiate play instruction selected from one of a plurality of available initiate 5 play instructions. As described above, the game play mechanism can be in the form of a touch screen and/or buttons. In the embodiment, irrespective of the initiate play instruction that is entered the outcome evaluator 623 evaluates the same plurality of combinations of display 10 positions in accordance with at least one game rule 642. In one embodiment, the outcome evaluator 623 will evaluate a plurality of win lines specified by game rule data 641. Figure 8 shows an example of a game play mechanism 56 for 15 such an embodiment. In this example, there are 25 win lines evaluated. A player can choose between four different initiate play instructions by pressing (or touching in a touch screen embodiment) one of buttons 561,562,563,564. Button 561 corresponds to a bet of 25 20 credits, button 562 corresponds to a bet of 50 credits and button 563 corresponds to a bet of 250 credits. "Play Again" button 564 may be employed to initiate play using the previously placed bet again. 25 The outcome generator 622 operates in response to the player's operation of game play mechanism 56 to generate a game outcome which will then be evaluated by outcome evaluator 623. The outcome generator forms the game outcome by employing random number generator 621 to 30 randomly select symbols from a set of symbols specified by symbol data 641. The selected symbols are advised to the display controller 625 which causes them to be displayed on display 54 at a set of display positions. Outcome generator 622 selects symbols for display from a plurality 35 of symbol sets corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of spinning reels. Thus, the symbol sets 641 specify a sequence of symbols for each reel such that the N:\Melboumc\Cascs\Patent\77000-77999\P77223.AU\Spccis\P77223AU Spccification 2008-3-3.doc 14/03/08 - 15 outcome generator 622 can, in one example, select symbols for display by selecting a stopping position in the sequence. one example, three symbols of each of five reels may be displayed such that symbols are displayed at 5 fifteen display positions on display 54. To obtain a desired return to player, a probability table having weighted outcomes is typically employed when selecting the symbols. 10 Outcome evaluator 623 evaluates each of the plurality of win lines to determine which, if any, of the win lines corresponds to a winning combination specified in the prize data 642A based on game rules. For example, the game rules may specify that all combinations are evaluated left 15 to right or can be evaluated right to left or both. Depending on the specific rules of the game implemented by the embodiment, the outcome evaluator may evaluate the win lines to determine whether they provide a trigger for a feature (or secondary) game. 20 The outcome evaluator 623 may also make additional evaluations known in the art, for example "scatters" where a player is awarded a prize or a feature game for a designated number of symbols, irrespective of whether they 25 are on a win line. By way of example, the feature game may be a series of free games, in which case outcome evaluator 623 triggers outcome generator 622 to carry out a series of free games and outcome evaluator 623 evaluates each of these games to determine any awards to be made. Prize 30 awarder 624 determines the quantum of the award to be made from the initiate play instruction (e.g. based on the size of the bet) and the prizes are accumulated to a win meter stored as meter data 643. Once all outcomes have been generated and a further game play instruction is required 35 before any further play can occur, credits are transferred to a credit meter in meter data 643. In embodiments, where a gamble feature is offered it may be possible, for N:\Mclboume\Ces\Patent\77000-77999\P77223 AU\Spccis\P77223,AU Specification 2008-3-3.doc 14/03/08 - 16 example to seek to double the accumulated win at the risk of losing it. In such embodiments, it may be necessary for a player to operate the game play mechanism 56 to indicate they want to take an accumulated win or to initiate a 5 further play of the game before credits are transferred from the win meter to the credit meter. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that win lines are formed by a combination of displayed symbol positions, io one from each reel, the symbol positions being located relative to one another such that they form a line. Examples of win lines are given in Australian patent 684195 owned by Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty. Ltd. 15 Figure 6 shows an operator interface 66 which is deployed in some embodiments to enable the operator of the venue at which the game can be played to configure the number of lines which constitute the plurality of win lines. In this 20 example, the operator can select between 4 options, 661,662,663,664 corresponding to different numbers of a plurality of win lines offerable under the game rules 642. For example, 6, 9, 15 or a maximum of 25 lines. In such embodiments, the game rules 641 may default to the maximum 25 number of lines offerable under the game rules. In such embodiments, it may be desirable for the game play mechanism to be provided by touch screen buttons to make it easy to change the text displayed to each player on the buttons. 30 In the above description it will be appreciated that the various of the above functional modules are implemented by processor 62 executing code stored in memory 64. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that other embodiments 35 are possible including dedicated circuits. Persons skilled in the art, will appreciate that in other N:\Melboume\Cases\Patem\77000-77999\P77223.AU\Specis\P77223.AU Specification 2008-3-3.doc 14/03/08 - 17 embodiments, the outcome evaluator may evaluate symbol combinations in a different way. For example, in the manner in which outcomes are evaluated in games marketed under the trade name "Reel Power" by Aristocrat Leisure 5 Industries Pty Ltd and described in US 6,093,102. In such games symbol combinations are made by forming combinations from each selected reel by combining it with all the selected positions of other reels. In other words, all symbol positions of a selected reel can be used to form 10 symbol combinations with designated, symbol display positions of other reels. This means that in embodiments where there are three symbols displayed for each reel and five reels, there are 243 different symbol combinations (35) to be evaluated by the outcome evaluator (also known 15 as "ways" to win). Thus in this embodiment, the game rules 641 may specify for example the evaluation of 2,3,4 or 5 reels irrespective of the game play instruction. This may be configurable by the operator in the manner described above. 20 The method 700 is summarised in Figure 7 and involves receiving 710 an initiate game play instruction, generating 720 a game outcome, and evaluating 730 plural different combination of symbol positions irrespective of 25 the initiate play instruction. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the method of the embodiment could be embodied in program code. The program code could be supplied in a number of 30 ways, for example on a computer readable medium, such as a disc or a memory (for example, that could replace part of memory 103) or as a data signal (for example, by downloading it from a server which results in the program code being transmitted from the server to a gaming machine 35 or computer which receives it). It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the N:\MeIbournc\Cases\Patent\77000-77999\P77223 AU\Specis\P77223.AU Specification 2008-3-3 doc 14/03/08 - 18 invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication 5 is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. 10 In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, 15 i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. N \Melboumc\Cases\Patem\77000-77999\P77223 AU\Spccis\P77223 AU Spccification 2008-3-3 doc 14/03/08

Claims

1. A method of gaming comprising: receiving an initiate play instruction from a player 5 by the player selecting a single one of a plurality of buttons, each button associated with a respective one of a plurality of initiate play instructions resulting in the placement of a different bet on a game outcome, the buttons corresponding to a first bet amount, a second bet 10 amount and at least one third bet amount, the second bet amount and each at least one third bet amount being a multiple of the first bet amount; generating the game outcome in response to receipt of the initiate play instruction, generation of the game 15 outcome including selecting a plurality of symbols for display in a set of display positions corresponding to a plurality of spinning reels set side by side; evaluating the game outcome by evaluating the symbols at at least two different combinations of display 20 positions in accordance with at least one game rule, each combination consisting of one display position from each reel; performing the same evaluation of combinations of display positions irrespective of the received initiate 25 play instruction; determining whether the player is entitled to an award from the evaluation; and upon the player being entitled to an award, determining the quantum of the award from the bet amount 30 corresponding to the initiate play instruction.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein evaluating the game outcome comprises determining whether the symbols at one or more of the at least two different combinations 35 of symbol positions correspond to a winning outcome entitling the player to an award. 2356734_1 (GHMauers) 30/07/10 - 20

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein evaluating the game outcome comprises determining whether the symbols at one or more of the at least two different combinations of symbol positions correspond to a feature 5 game trigger.

4. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising evaluating the symbols at the display positions to determine whether a plurality of symbols 10 corresponds to a scattered winning outcome entitling the player to an award.

5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising evaluating the symbols at the display 15 positions to determine whether a plurality of symbols corresponds to a feature game trigger.

6. A method as claimed in claim 3 or claim 5, comprising conducting any triggered feature game and evaluating the 20 feature game to determine whether the feature game corresponds to one or more winning outcomes entitling the player to an award.

7. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, 25 wherein the player presses a physical button.

8. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the player touches a button displayed on a touch screen display. 30

9. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising allowing the player to gamble any award prior to making the award and determining whether to modify the award based on the outcome of the gamble. 35

10. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein each one of the at least two combinations of 2356734_1 (GHMatters) 30/07/10 - 21 display positions corresponds to a win line.

11. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein each one of the at least two combinations of 5 display positions is derived by combining selected display positions of a plurality of reels.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the selected display positions are derived from selected reels. 10

13. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising evaluating all symbol combinations available for the game. 15

14. A method as claimed in claim 13 comprising evaluating all the win lines.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14 comprising evaluating all symbol combinations derived from selection of all the 20 reels.

16. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, comprising an operator setting a number of combinations to be evaluated. 25

17. A game controller for a gaming system, the game controller arranged to: receive an initiate play instruction from a player by the player selecting a single one of a plurality of 30 buttons, each button associated with a respective one of a plurality of initiate play instructions resulting in the placement of a different bet on a game outcome, the buttons corresponding to a first bet amount, a second bet amount and at least one third bet amount, the second bet 35 amount and each at least one third bet amount being a multiple of the first bet amount; generate the game outcome in response to receipt of 2356734_I (GHMaters)30/07/10 - 22 the initiate play instruction, generation of the game outcome including selecting a plurality of symbols for display in a set of display positions corresponding to a plurality of spinning reels set side by side; evaluate 5 the game outcome by evaluating the symbols at at least two different combinations of display positions in accordance with at least one game rule, each combination consisting of one display position from each reel; perform the same evaluation of combinations of io display positions irrespective of the received initiate play instruction; determine whether the player is entitled to an award from the evaluation; and upon the player being entitled to an award, determine 15 the quantum of the award from the bet amount corresponding to the initiate play instruction.

18. A game controller as claimed in claim 17, comprising an outcome generator for generating the game outcome. 20

19. A game controller as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, comprising an outcome evaluator for evaluating the game outcome. 25

20. A game controller as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 19 constituted, at least in part, by a processor executing program code stored in a memory.

21. A gaming system comprising: 30 a player interface comprising: a display; and a game play mechanism comprising a plurality of buttons, each button associated with a respective one of a plurality of possible initiate play instructions resulting 35 in the placement of different bets on a game outcome, the buttons corresponding to a first bet amount, a second bet amount and at least one third bet amount, the second bet 2356734_1 (GHMatters)30/07/10 - 23 amount and each at least one third bet amount being a multiple of the first bet amount, whereby the player operates the game play mechanism by selecting a single one of the buttons to generate an initiate play instruction; S and a game controller arranged to: receive the initiate play instruction; generate the game outcome in response to receipt of the initiate play instruction, generation of the game 10 outcome including selecting a plurality of symbols for display on the display in a set of display positions corresponding to a plurality of spinning reels set side by side; evaluate the game outcome by evaluating the 15 symbols at at least two different combinations of display positions in accordance with at least one game rule, each combination consisting of one display position from each reel; perform the same evaluation of combinations of 20 display positions irrespective of the received initiate play instruction; determine whether the player is entitled to an award from the evaluation; and upon the player being entitled to an award, determine 25 the quantum of the award from the bet amount corresponding to the initiate play instruction.

22. A gaming system as claimed in claim 21 comprising an operator interface operable to specify a number of 30 different combinations of display positions to be evaluated.

23. A gaming system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the buttons are physical buttons. 35

24. A gaming system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the buttons are virtual buttons displayed on a touch screen 2356734_1 (GHMattcrs) 30/07/10 - 24 display.

25. Computer program code which when executed implements the method of any one of claims 1 to 17. 5

26. A computer readable medium comprising the program code of claim 25. 2356734_t (GHMatters) 30/07/10