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

Abstract

An electronic method of operating a gaming system, the method comprising awarding at least two game rounds; 5 generating a plurality of candidate game outcomes for an initial game round of the at least two game rounds; generating, for each of the plurality of candidate game outcomes, data indicative of a benefit to be gained from the respective candidate game outcome when generating a 10 subsequent game outcome in a subsequent game round of the at least two game rounds; selecting, based on the data, the candidate game round that should provide the greatest benefit; and displaying the selected candidate game round on a display of the gaming system. 15 20973947_1 (GHMatters) P99469 AU.5 3 / 07 / 24 20 24 20 46 24 03 J ul 2 02 4 A B S T R A C T 2 0 2 4 2 0 4 6 2 4 0 3 J u l 2 0 2 4 5 1 0

Description

In an embodiment, the method comprises determining whether the player selection is an optimal selection or a sub-optimal selection and, upon the player making a sub-35 optimal selection, increasing the chance of one or more additional game rounds being awarded. 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 In an embodiment, there are at least three game rounds, and wherein a player makes a selection prior to all game rounds except the initial game round. 5 In an embodiment, the method comprises awarding the at least two game rounds in response to a trigger condition being met in a base game round. In a second aspect, the invention provides a gaming system 10 comprising: a display; and a game controller configured to: award at least two game rounds; generate a plurality of candidate game outcomes 15  for an initial game round of the at least two game rounds; generate, for each of the plurality of candidate game outcomes, data indicative of a benefit to be gained from the respective candidate game outcome when generating a subsequent game outcome in a subsequent game round of 20  the at least two game rounds; select, based on the data, the candidate game round that should provide the greatest benefit; and display the selected candidate game round on the display. 25 In an embodiment, the data is indicative of keeping none, part or all of the candidate game outcome. In an embodiment, the game is a spinning reel game of 30 chance and the subsequent game round comprises a re-spin game round in which a player is provided with an option to keep one or more reels from the initial game round with the game controller re-spinning each non-selected reel to generate the subsequent game outcome, and wherein the game 35 controller generates data indicative of a benefit to be gained by calculating an expected win amount to be gained from an optimal player selection in respect of the option 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 to keep one or more reels. In an embodiment, the gaming system is configured to receive a player selection in respect of the displayed 5 game outcome, and wherein the game controller is configured to: conduct the subsequent game round based on the player selection; and award a prize if the subsequent game round 10 corresponds to one or more winning outcomes. In an embodiment, the game controller is configured to determine whether the player selection is an optimal selection or a sub-optimal selection and, upon the player 15 making a sub-optimal selection, increase the chance of one or more additional game rounds being awarded. In an embodiment, there are at least three game rounds, and wherein a player makes a selection prior to all game 20 rounds except the initial game round. In an embodiment, the game controller is configured to award the at least two game rounds in response to a trigger condition being met in a base game round. 25 In a third aspect, the invention provides a game controller for a gaming system comprising: a game awarder configured to award at least two game rounds; 30       a game outcome generator generating a plurality of candidate game outcomes for an initial game round of the at least two game rounds; a candidate game outcome assessor configured to generate, for each of the plurality of candidate 35 game outcomes, data indicative of a benefit to be gained from the respective candidate game outcome when generating a subsequent game outcome in a subsequent game round of 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 the at least two game rounds, and select, based on the data, the candidate game round that should provide the greatest benefit; and a display controller configured to control a display 5 of the gaming system to display the selected candidate game round. In an embodiment, the data is indicative of keeping none, part or all of the candidate game outcome. 10 In an embodiment, the game is a spinning reel game of chance and the subsequent game round comprises a re-spin game round in which a player is provided with an option to keep one or more reels from the initial game round with 15 the game controller re-spinning each non-selected reel to generate the subsequent game outcome, and wherein the candidate game outcome assessor generating data indicative of a benefit to be gained comprises the candidate game outcome assessor calculating an expected win amount to be 20 gained from an optimal player selection in respect of the option to keep one or more reels. In an embodiment, the game controller is configured to receive a player selection in respect of the displayed 25 game outcome, wherein the game outcome generator is configured to conduct the subsequent game round based on the player selection, and the game controller comprises a prize awarder configured to award a prize if the subsequent game round corresponds to one or more winning 30 outcomes. In an embodiment, the game controller comprises a selection monitor configured to determine whether the player selection is an optimal selection or a sub-optimal 35 selection and, upon the player making a sub-optimal selection, increase the chance of one or more additional game rounds being awarded. 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 In an embodiment, there are at least three game rounds, and wherein a player makes a selection prior to all game rounds except the initial game round. 5 In an embodiment, the game round awarder is configured to award the at least two game rounds in response to a trigger condition being met in a base game round. 10 In a fourth aspect, the invention provides an electronic method of operating a gaming machine, the gaming machine comprising: a display; a credit input mechanism operable to establish 15 credits on the gaming machine, the credit input mechanism including at least one of a coin input chute, a bill collector, a card reader and a ticket reader; meters configured for monitoring credits established via the credit input mechanism and changes to the 20 established credits due to play of the gaming machine, the meters including a credit meter to which credit input via the credit input mechanism is added and a win meter; a random number generator; a player input interface including a plurality of 25 buttons configured for operation by a player to input a wager from the established credits and to initiate a play of a game, the established credits being increasable and decreasable based on wagering activity, the player input interface further configured to display a plurality of 30 reels; and a game controller comprising a processor and memory storing (i) game program code, and (ii) symbol data defining the plurality of reels that each have a plurality of symbols, and wherein the game controller is operable to 35 assign prize values to combinations of symbols as required during play of the game, the method comprising: 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 receiving, via the credit input mechanism, a credit wager to initiate play of a base game; awarding, by the game controller, in a feature game conducted on the plurality of reels, at least two game 5  rounds, the at least two game rounds including at least an initial game round and a subsequent game round, wherein the feature game is triggered by the base game; generating, by the game controller using the random number generator to make selections from the symbol data, 10  a plurality of candidate game outcomes for a plurality of initial game rounds; determining, by the game controller, for each of the plurality of candidate game outcomes, an expected player benefit to be gained from each of a respective candidate 15 game outcome in the initial game round in combination with a subsequent game outcome in the subsequent game round; selecting, by the game controller, a candidate initial game round from the plurality of initial game rounds having a candidate game outcome of the plurality of 20 candidate game outcomes associated with a greatest expected benefit; and displaying, on the display, the candidate game outcome of the selected candidate initial game round on the display of the gaming system as the initial game 25 round; modifying the player input interface to indicate that at least one of the plurality of reels has become selectable; receiving, via the player input interface, a player 30 selection associated with the displayed candidate game outcome, wherein the player selection includes a selection of at least one reel to hold from the initial game round; upon receipt of the player selection, updating the player input interface to indicate the selected at least 35 one reel and determining whether the player selection is an optimal selection or a sub-optimal selection; increasing a chance of one or more additional game 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 rounds being awarded when the player selection is a sub-optimal selection; and at the end of game play, making an award of credits to the win meter or the credit meter based on a total of 5 prize values assigned to any winning outcome. In an embodiment, the expected player benefit is associated with keeping none, part or all of the candidate game outcome. 10 In an embodiment, the feature game is a spinning reel game of chance and the subsequent game round comprises a re spin game round in which a player is provided with an option to hold one or more reels from the initial game 15 round, said method further comprising, by the game controller, re-spinning each non-held reel to generate the subsequent game outcome, and wherein determining an expected player benefit to be gained comprises calculating an expected win amount to be gained from an optimal player 20 selection of which of the one or more reels to hold. In an embodiment, the method comprises: conducting the subsequent game round based on the selection of at least one reel to hold included in the 25 player selection; and awarding a prize when the subsequent game round corresponds to one or more winning outcomes. In an embodiment, the at least two game rounds include at 30 least three game rounds, the at least three game rounds including the initial game round and at least two subsequent game rounds, and wherein a player makes a selection of one or more reels to hold prior to each of the at least two subsequent game rounds. 35 In an embodiment, the method comprises awarding the at least two game rounds in response to a trigger condition 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 being met in a round of the base game to trigger the feature game. In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a gaming 5 machine comprising: a display; a credit input mechanism operable to establish credits on the gaming machine, the credit input mechanism including at least one of a coin input chute, a bill 10 collector, a card reader and a ticket reader; meters configured for monitoring credits established via the credit input mechanism and changes to the established credits due to play of the gaming machine, the meters including a credit meter to which credit input via 15 the credit input mechanism is added and a win meter; a random number generator; a player input interface including a plurality of buttons configured for operation by a player to input a wager from the established credits and to initiate a play 20 of a game, the established credits being increasable and decreasable based on wagering activity, the player input interface further configured to display a plurality of reels; and a game controller comprising a processor and memory 25 storing (i) game program code, and (ii) symbol data defining the plurality of reels that each have a plurality of symbols, and wherein the game controller is operable to assign prize values to combinations of symbols as required during play of the game, 30       the game controller executing the game program code stored in the memory and responsive to initiation of the play of the game with the player input interface, to: award, in a feature game conducted on the plurality of reels, at least two game rounds, the at least 35 two game rounds including at least an initial game round and a subsequent game round, wherein the feature game is triggered by the base game; 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 generate, using the random number generator to make selections from the symbol data, a plurality of candidate game outcomes for a plurality of initial game rounds; 5            determine, for each of the plurality of candidate game outcomes, an expected player benefit to be gained from each of a respective candidate game outcome in the initial game round in combination with a subsequent game outcome in the subsequent game round; 10             select a candidate initial game round from the plurality of initial game rounds having a candidate initial game outcome of the plurality of candidate game outcomes associated with a greatest expected benefit; display on the display, the game outcome of the 15 selected candidate initial game round as the initial game round; modify the player input interface to indicate that at least one of the plurality of reels has become selectable; 20            receive, via the player input interface, a player selection associated with the displayed candidate game outcome, wherein the player selection includes a selection of at least one reel to hold from the initial game round; 25            upon receipt of the player selection, updating the player input interface to indicate the selected at least one reel and determine whether the player selection is an optimal selection or a sub-optimal selection; increase a chance of one or more additional game 30 rounds being awarded when the player selection is a sub-optimal selection; and at the end of game play, make an award of credits to the win meter or the credit meter based on a total of prize values assigned to any winning outcome. 35 In an embodiment, the expected player benefit is associated with keeping none, part or all of the candidate 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 game outcome. In an embodiment, the game is a spinning reel game of chance and the subsequent game round comprises a re-spin 5 game round in which the gaming controller is further configured to: provide a player of the base game with an option to hold one or more reels from the initial game round; re-spin each non-held reel to generate the subsequent 10 game outcome; and calculate an expected win amount to be gained from an optimal player selection of which of the one or more reels to hold. 15 In an embodiment, the game controller is further configured to: conduct the subsequent game round based on the selection of at least one reel to hold included in the player selection; and 20       award a prize when the subsequent game round corresponds to one or more winning outcomes. In an embodiment, the at least two game rounds include at least three game rounds including the initial game round 25 and at least two subsequent game rounds, and wherein the player input interface is configured to receive a player selection of one or more reels to hold prior to each of the at least two subsequent game rounds. 30 In an embodiment, the game controller is configured to award the at least two game rounds in response to a trigger condition being met in a base game round to trigger the feature game. 35 In a sixth aspect, the invention provides computer program code which when executed implements any of the above methods. 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 In a seventh aspect, the invention provides a tangible computer readable medium comprising the above program code. 5 Brief Description of Drawings An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in 10 which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of the core components of a gaming system; 15 Figure 2 is a perspective view of a standalone gaming machine; Figure 3 is a block diagram of the functional components of a gaming machine; 20 Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the functional components of a memory; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a network gaming 25 system; Figure 6 is a further block diagram of a gaming system; Figure 7 is a flow chart of an embodiment; 30 Figure 8 is an exemplary screen shot; and Figure 9 is an exemplary screen shot. 35 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 Detailed Description Referring to the drawings, there is shown a gaming system having a game controller having components that enable the 5 implementation of a method of operating a gaming system where when at least two game rounds are awarded a plurality of candidate game rounds are generated for an initial game round. The gaming system assesses the candidate game rounds. In an embodiment, the candidate 10 game outcome that is assessed by the gaming system as being able to provide the greatest benefit in a subsequent game round is kept and used by the gaming system. Thus, advantageously, the gaming system is able to provide a game outcome that will be advantageous to the player. In 15 an embodiment, the player is then provided with an opportunity by the gaming system to select part of the outcome to be kept. General construction of gaming system 20 The gaming system can take a number of different forms. In a first form, a standalone gaming machine is provided wherein all or most components required for implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine. 25 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 30 game are located remotely relative to the gaming machine. 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, such as by a gaming server; or a “thin client” 35  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 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 and / or visible gaming information to the player and receive gaming inputs from the player. However, it will be understood that other arrangements are 5 envisaged. For example, an architecture may be provided 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 standalone gaming machine 10 mode, “thick client” mode or “thin client” mode depending on the game being played, operating conditions, and so on. Other variations will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. 15 Irrespective of the form, the gaming system has 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 20 the gaming system and for this purpose includes the input / output components required for the player to enter instructions to play the game and observe the game outcomes. 25 Components of the player interface may vary from embodiment to embodiment but will typically include a credit mechanism 52 to enable a player to input credits and receive payouts, one or more displays 54, a game play mechanism 56 including one or more input devices that 30 enable a player to input game play instructions (e.g. to place a wager), and one or more speakers 58. The game controller 60 is in data communication with the player interface and typically includes a processor 62 35 that processes the game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and outputs game play outcomes to the display. Typically, the game play rules are stored as 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 program code in a memory 64 but can also be hardwired. 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 5 microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or other computational device, a general purpose computer (e.g. a PC) or a server. That is a processor may be provided by any suitable logic circuitry for receiving inputs, processing them in accordance with instructions 10 stored in memory and generating outputs (for example on the display). Such processors are sometimes also referred to as central processing units (CPUs). Most processors are general purpose units, however, it is also know to provide a specific purpose processor using an application specific 15 integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). A gaming system in the form of a standalone gaming machine 10 is illustrated in Figure 2. The gaming machine 10 20  includes a console 12 having a display 14 on which are 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 25 game play. The mid-trim 20 also houses a credit input 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 30 card. Other gaming machines may configure for ticket in such that they have a ticket reader for reading tickets having a value and crediting the player based on the face value of the ticker. A player marketing module (not shown) having a reading device may also be provided for 35 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 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 other portable storage medium capable of being read by the reading device. In some embodiments, the player marketing module may provide an additional credit mechanism, either by transferring credits to the gaming machine from credits 5 stored on the player tracking device or by transferring credits from a player account in data communication with the player marketing module. A top box 26 may carry artwork 28, including for example 10 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 panel 29 of the console 12. A coin tray 30 is mounted beneath the front panel 29 for dispensing cash payouts 15 from the gaming machine 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 20 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 25 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. 30 The gaming machine 100 includes a game controller 101 having a processor 102 mounted on a circuit board. Instructions and data to control operation of the processor 102 are stored in a memory 103, which is in data 35 communication with the processor 102. Typically, the gaming machine 100 will include both volatile and nonvolatile memory and more than one of each type of memory, 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 with such memories being collectively represented by the memory 103. The gaming machine has hardware meters 104 for purposes 5 including ensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, an input / output (I / O) interface 105 for communicating with peripheral devices of the gaming machine 100.  The input / output interface 105 and / or the peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their 10 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 skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference to 15 random numbers includes pseudo-random numbers. In the example shown in Figure 3, a player interface 120 includes peripheral devices that communicate with the game controller 101 including one or more displays 106, a touch 20  screen and / or buttons 107 (which provide a game play mechanism), a card and / or ticket reader 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 25  may be omitted as required for the specific implementation. For example, while buttons or touch screens are typically used in gaming machines to allow a player to place a wager and initiate a play of a game any input device that enables the player to input game play 30 instructions may be used. For example, in some gaming machines a mechanical handle is used to initiate a play of the game. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that a touch screen can be used to emulate other input devices, for example, a touch screen can display virtual 35 buttons which a player can “press” by touching the screen where they are displayed. 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 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 5 to a bonus controller, central controller, server or database and receive data or commands from the bonus controller, central controller, server or database. In embodiments employing a player marketing module, communications over a network may be via player marketing 10 module - i.e. the player marketing module may be in data communication with one or more of the above devices and communicate with it on behalf of the gaming machine. Figure 4 shows a block diagram of the main components of 15 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 20 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. 25 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. 30 Figure 5 shows a gaming system 200 in accordance with an alternative embodiment. The gaming system 200 includes a network 201, which for example may be an Ethernet network. Gaming machines 202, shown arranged in three banks 203 of 35 two gaming machines 202 in Figure 5, are connected to the network 201. The gaming machines 202 provide a player operable interface and may be the same as the gaming 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 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 5 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. 10 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. 15 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 20 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 25 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 30 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, the game server 205 provides the game controller. The gaming machine will receive player instructions, pass 35 these to the game server which will process them and return game play outcomes to the gaming machine for display. In a thin client embodiment, the gaming machines 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 could be computer terminals, e.g. PCs running software that provides a player interface operable using standard computer input and output components. Other client / server configurations are possible, and further details of a 5 client / server architecture can be found in WO 2006 / 052213 and PCT / SE2006 / 000559, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Servers are also typically provided to assist in the 10 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 210 is provided to allow an administrator to run the 15 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 network, and / or a wide area network such as the Internet, 20 for example through a firewall 211. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in accordance with known techniques, functionality at the server side of the network may be distributed over a 25 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. Alternatively, a separate random number generator server 30 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 terminals. 35 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 Further detail of gaming system In an embodiment of the invention, the gaming system is configured to provide a spinning reel game of chance where 5 a feature game can be triggered. When the feature game is triggered, a plurality of games is awarded and candidate game outcomes are generated for at least an initial game round as described in further detail below. 10 In order to initiate a play of the gaming system, the player operates the game play mechanism 56 to specify a wager and hence the win entitlement which will be evaluated for this play of the game and initiates a play of the game. Hence, a player’s win entitlement can vary 15 from game to game dependent on player selections. In most spinning reel games, it is typical for the player’s entitlement to be affected by the amount they wager and selections they make (i.e. the nature of the wager). For example, a player’s win entitlement may be based on how 20 many lines they play in each game - e.g. a minimum of one line up to the maximum number of lines allowed by the game (noting that not all permutations of win lines may be available for selection) and how much they wager per line. Such win lines are typically formed by a combination of 25 symbol display positions, one from each reel, the symbol display positions being located relative to one another such that they form a line. In many games, the player’s win entitlement is not 30 strictly limited to the lines they have selected, for example, “scatter” pays are awarded independently of a players selection of pay lines and are an inherent part of the win entitlement. 35 In other embodiments, the player may obtain a win entitlement by selecting a number of reels to play and an amount to wager per reel. Such games are marketed under 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 the trade name “Reel Power” by Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty Ltd. The selection of the reel means that each displayed symbol of the reel can be substituted for a symbol at one or more designated display positions. In 5 other words, all symbols displayed at symbol display positions corresponding to a selected reel can be used to form symbol combinations with symbols displayed at a designated, symbol display positions of the other reels. For example, if there are five reels and three symbol 10 display positions for each reel such that the symbol display positions comprise three rows of five symbol display positions, the symbols displayed in the centre row are used for non-selected reels. As a result, the total number of ways to win is determined by multiplying the 15 number of active display positions of each reels, the active display positions being all display positions of each selected reel and the designated display position of the non-selected reels. As a result for five reels and fifteen display positions there are 243 ways to win. 20 In Figure 6, the processor 62 of game controller 60 is shown implementing a number of modules based on program code and data stored in memory 64. In other embodiments, the modules could be implemented in some other way, for 25 example by a dedicated circuit. These modules implement functionality that enables the game controller to implement the game. The outcome generator 622 which operates in response to the player’s 30 operation of game play mechanism 56 to place a wager and initiate a play of the game and generates a game outcome which is then evaluated by award evaluator 623. In an embodiment, a symbol selector 622A of outcome generator to select symbols from the base reels 641A of symbol data 641 35 using random number generator 621. The selected symbols are advised to the display controller 625 which causes them to be displayed on display 54 at a set of display 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 positions. One example of selecting symbols is for the symbol selector 622A to select symbols for display from a 5 plurality of symbol sets corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of spinning reels. The base reel data 641A specifies a sequence of symbols for each reel such that the symbol selector 622A can select all of the symbols by randomly selecting a stopping position in the sequence. In 10 one example, three symbols of each of five reels may be displayed such that symbols are displayed at fifteen display positions on display 54. In another embodiment, a probability table stored in memory 64 is used to vary the odds of a particular stop position being selected. Other 15 techniques can be used to control the odds of particular outcomes occurring to thereby control the return to player of the game. An outcome evaluator 623 evaluates the selected symbols 20  against pay table 644 based on the wager placed by the player in order to determine whether to make one or more awards. Any awards are made by prize awarder 624A updating the win meter of meters 645 and are also displayed on display 54 by display controller 625.  The outcome 25  evaluator 624 also includes a trigger monitor 624B which monitors the selected symbols to determine whether a trigger condition is met. In one example, the trigger condition is that a defined number of scatter symbols are selected by the symbol selector 622A. If there is no 30 trigger, the play of the game ends (assuming the player does not exercise a gamble option). If a feature game is triggered, then a number of free games are awarded by the outcome evaluator 624 and carried 35 out by the gaming system 1. In an embodiment, the number of free games depends on the number of scatter symbols. In the embodiment, each free game comprises at least two game 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 rounds. Firstly, in an initial game round, an initial game outcome is selected by and displayed on display under the control of the display controller 622A. A player is then presented with an option to keep none, part, or all of the 5 initial game outcome. Any parts that are not kept are reselected by the game outcome generator 622. Given that part of the game outcome is to be kept, the game controller has a reel holder 622B component for processing the player’s instructions in relation to keeping part of 10 the game and storing any kept part of the game in memory 622B. In the embodiment, for each initial game round of each free game, the symbol selector 622A generates a plurality 15 of candidate game outcomes. Each of the candidate game outcomes are selected by the symbol selector from feature reels 641B. These candidate game outcomes are stored in memory as candidate data 642. The candidate outcome assessor 623 assesses each of these candidate outcomes 20 based on assessment data 643 which enables the candidate outcome assessor 623 to assess the relative merits of each of the candidate game outcomes from the perspective of which candidate should provide the greatest benefit when generating the subsequent game round. In an embodiment, 25 as described in further detail below, the criterion specified by assessment data 643 for assessing the greatest benefit is conducting a determination as to which candidate spin has the highest optimal expected win. In another embodiment, the criteria may allow the candidate 30 outcome assessor 623 to select a candidate which will be regarded as providing a greatest benefit to a player in terms of interest to the player for example, the candidate outcome assessor may select the outcome likely to deliver the most wins or the highest individual win. 35 In the embodiment, the candidate outcome assessor 623 calculates the result of every combination of holding 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 reels for each candidate outcome, finds the hold combination that leads to the highest average return to player for each candidate outcome and then compares across candidate outcomes to find the overall best candidate 5 outcome. For example, assuming three candidate outcomes are generated. For each candidate outcome, assuming 5 reels, there are 32 different ways to hold the reels (5 reels, 10 held or unheld, 2A5 = 32). For each of the 32 different holds, the candidate outcome assessor 623 determines the expected win from that particular hold. The optimal hold will be the hold pattern with the highest 15 expected win. The candidate outcome assessor 623 then compares the expected wins of the optimal hold of each candidate outcome. The candidate outcome assessor 623, selects the candidate game outcome which is expected to deliver the greatest benefit and causes the display 20 controller 625 to display the selected candidate game outcome. The selected symbols of the plurality of reels are displayed by the display controller on display 54 together 25 with a message instructing to the player to touch reels in order to select which reels should be held. In an embodiment, an indicator is provided on the display in order to enable the player to determine whether they have made an optimum selection. In an embodiment, the player 30 can choose not to select any reels or choose to hold all reels. In an embodiment, the gaming system 1 is configured to prevent the player from making invalid selections, such as ones that would automatically result in a loss. To make a selection of reels to hold, the player operates the 35 game play mechanism 56, for example by touching one of the reels on a touchscreen of the game play mechanism 56. The held reels are held by the reel holder 622B of the 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 game outcome generator. The symbol selector 622A then selects symbols for the remaining reels from feature reels 641B in the same manner as described above. These selected symbols are then displayed on display 54 in 5 conjunction with the held symbols and evaluated by the outcome evaluator 624. In some embodiments, the player may then be provided with a further option to hold the same reels. In one example, 10 where the gaming system 1 determines that the player makes sub-optimal decisions with respect to selecting reels to hold, the player is provided with an increased chance of getting an extra reel.  In one example, a calculation is performed by the player selection monitor 626 by employing 15 an optimal hold determiner 626A which determines whether the player has made the optimal hold. In such an embodiment, the player selection monitor 626 upon determining that the player has made a sub-optimal 20 selection, the player selection monitor 626 carries out a determination as to whether to award a further re-spin in order to preserve an appropriate return to player. For example, the chances of the player selection monitor 626 awarding a re-spin may be derived from a calculation as to 25 the return to player “lost” by the player’s sub-optimal selection. Upon determining to award a further re-spin, player selection monitor 626 causes a message to be output to the player to make a further selection of reels and the game outcome generator generates a further re-spin after 30 the player has a further opportunity to hold reels. Each re-spun, subsequent game outcome is evaluated by the outcome evaluator 624 based on pay table 644 and prize awarder 624A determines whether to add any prizes to the 35 win meter of meters 645. In the embodiment, the game then proceeds to the next free game which involves a further cycle of game rounds involving an initial game round where 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 candidate game outcomes are generated by the game outcome generator 622 and assessed by the candidate outcome assessor 623 and then a subsequent, re-spin game round in which reels are re-spun based on the selection by the 5 player. Referring to Figure 7, the method of the invention 700 involves operating the gaming system by conducting 705 a base game and determining 710 whether a trigger is met. 10 Upon a trigger not being met then the gaming system is operated so that a further base game will be conducted (assuming the player places a further wager). The method involves generating 715 candidate game outcomes, assessing 720 the game outcomes, selecting 725 and displaying a game 15 outcome, and receiving 730 a hold selection from a player. The method 700 then involves determining whether the hold is optimal 745 and, if it is not optimal, the player selection monitor 626 determining whether to compensate a player 750 for the sub-optimal selection by an addition 20 re-spin. The subsequent game outcome is generated based on the hold selection and is evaluated 760 to determine whether to award any prizes based on pay table. The process then reverts to step 715 until each of the free games are exhausted. 25 Further aspects of the method will be apparent from the above description of the system. It will be appreciated that at least part of the method will be implemented electronically, for example, digitally by a processor 30 executing program code such as in the above description of a game controller. In this respect, in the above description certain steps are described as being carried out by a processor of a gaming system, it will be appreciated that such steps will often require a number of 35 sub-steps to be carried out for the steps to be implemented electronically, for example due to hardware or programming limitations. For example, to carry out a step 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 such as evaluating, determining or selecting, a processor may need to compute several values and compare those values. 5 As indicated above, the method may be embodied in program code. The program code could be supplied in a number of ways, for example on a tangible computer readable storage medium, such as a disc or a memory device, e.g. an EEPROM, (for example, that could replace part of memory 103) or as 10 a data signal (for example, by transmitting it from a server). Further different parts of the program code can be executed by different devices, for example in a client server relationship. Persons skilled in the art, will appreciate that program code provides a series of 15 instructions executable by the processor. In some embodiments, an eligibility criteria may be applied for the player to be eligible for the re-spin feature game, for example that the player has made a 20 certain sized wager, made an ante bet, selected all win lines, played sufficient games, or the player is a member of a loyalty program. As indicated above, the trigger may be a symbol 25 combination in the game, however other triggers could be used, for example, occurrence of a specific symbol in the game, purchased, be caused by another connected system, based on turnover, based on a random evaluation, etc. 30 Typically, a win will result in some form of award being made such as an award of credits. Such an award may never actually be physically received by a player. For example, many gaming systems provide a player with a double or nothing gamble feature, where the player can double or 35 forfeit their credits before commencing another play of the game or cashing out. Further, as credits are fungible, once credits have been added to the credit meter it is not 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 possible to distinguish between credits which exist because the player has input cash or the like and credits resulting from an award. 5 Example Figures 8 and 9 show screen shots from one example of a game, “Red Queen”, implemented by operating a gaming system in accordance with an embodiment. Red Queen is a 10  4x5 Reel Power game with a hold and re-spin free games feature. Each free game feature consists of an initial spin and one or more re-spins in which the player may selectively hold reels. 15 In the game, a “WILD” symbol substitutes for all symbols except scatters. All wins are evaluated from left to right only, except scatters which pay in any position provided the positions 20 are in bought positions. All wins multiplied by the bet multiplier, including scatter wins. 7, 10 or 25 free games are won with any 3, 4 or 5 SCATTER symbol win respectively. That is, 3 or more SCATTER 25 symbols trigger the feature and award different numbers of free games. Each free game consists of an initial spin and one or more re-spins. For the initial spin, all 5 reels are spun. For 30 each re-spin, the player may optionally hold one or more reels. In an embodiment, non-optimal hold selections are compensated for by the gaming system providing an 35 increased chance of additional re-spins. All hold selections are guaranteed a minimum expected return to player. Game outcomes are evaluated and wins are paid 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 after each re-spin. Wins are not paid for the initial spin. Feature reels are used during the free games. All 5 scattered SCAT are removed from all reels during the free games. All reels (Reels 1-5) are played during the feature irrespective of the wager. Bet multiplier is the same as the game that triggered the feature. 10 Each initial spin is selected by the gaming system from a set of candidate spins. A number of candidate spins are generated by the gaming system in the background. For each candidate spin, the expected win from the optimally held re-spin is calculated by the gaming system. The candidate 15 spin with the highest expected re-spin win is selected as the initial spin. The number of candidate spins is determined by the gaming system from a weighting table. For each re-spin, the player may hold or unhold a reel by 20 touching the reel on screen. The player may hold none or all of the reels. On a second or subsequent re-spin, the player may toggle previously held or unheld reels. After making hold selections, the 25 player presses PLAY to re-spin any unheld reels. The number of re-spins for each free game is determined in such a way that the expected win from the free game is bounded within a range. 30 The gaming system is configured so that the player cannot hold a combination of reels if the expected win from the subsequent re-spin is zero. If the player presses PLAY with an invalid hold selection, the gaming system outputs an invalid hold selection sound. If the player presses 35 PLAY a second (or subsequent) time, the gaming system outputs an invalid hold selection sound and display an invalid hold selection banner. 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 For each re-spin, there is a hold selection with optimal expected return to player. 5 As reels are held or unheld, a meter displays the expected return to player relative to the expected return for the optimally held reels. The feature cannot be triggered again during the feature. 10 Figures 8 and 9 shows an example of an initial game outcome and a subsequent game outcome after the hold and re-spin. 15 As shown in Figure 8, five reels 831A-835A have been spun up with a selection of four symbols on each of the reels such that the symbol display 830 contains the twenty selected symbols. Current values are shown on the credit, bet and win meters 851-853 respectively. The screen 800 20 also indicates that one free game remains 840. A message at the top of the screen instructs the player to hold or unhold reels by touching them until they make their selection before pressing the play button (not shown) to spin the unheld reels. An indicator 820 indicates whether 25 the hold selection is optimal. In this respect a slider 825A is shown towards the left of the indicator 820 in Figure 8 because the player is yet to make a selection and keeping all of the reels (an option available to the player) would represent a sub-optimal selection by the 30 player. Positions further towards the right of the indicator 820 represent better selections. Figure 9 shows an exemplary screen shot 900 after the player has made their selections and the reels have been 35 re-spun. In this respect, it will be noted that the slider 825B is located at the far right of the indicator 820, indicating that the hold selection made by the player 2024204624   16 Jun 2026 was optimal. A held indicator 838 is displayed above each of the held reels. It will be noted that each of the reels 831A, 832A and 835A is identical to that which was shown in Figure 8. New symbols have been selected and displayed 5 for each of the reels 833B and 834B. The displayed combination of symbols in Figure 9 have been evaluated by the outcome evaluator and a prize has been awarded by incrementing the win meter by 40 credits from 355 credits in Figure 8 to 395 credits in Figure 9. 10 It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, in particular it will be apparent that certain features of 15 embodiments of the invention can be employed to form further embodiments. It is to be understood that, if any prior art is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission 20 that the prior art forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art in any country. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context 25  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, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further 30  features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. An electronic method of operating a gaming machine, the gaming machine comprising:5        a display;a credit input mechanism operable to establish credits on the gaming machine, the credit input mechanism including at least one of a coin input chute, a billcollector, a card reader and a ticket reader;10       meters configured for monitoring credits establishedvia the credit input mechanism and changes to the established credits due to play of the gaming machine, the meters including a credit meter to which credit input via the credit input mechanism is added and a win meter;15       a random number generator;a player input interface including a plurality ofbuttons configured for operation by a player to input a wager from the established credits and to initiate a playof a game, the established credits being increasable and20 decreasable based on wagering activity, the player input interface further configured to display a plurality of reels; anda game controller comprising a processor and memory storing (i) game program code, and (ii) symbol data25 defining the plurality of reels that each have a plurality of symbols, and wherein the game controller is operable toassign prize values to combinations of symbols as requiredduring play of the game, the method comprising:30       receiving, via the credit input mechanism, a creditwager to initiate play of a base game;awarding, by the game controller, in a feature gameconducted on the plurality of reels, at least two game rounds, the at least two game rounds including at least35 an initial game round and a subsequent game round,wherein the feature game is triggered by the base game;generating, by the game controller using the random2024204624   16 Jun 2026number generator to make selections from the symbol data, a plurality of candidate game outcomes for a plurality of initial game rounds;determining, by the game controller, for each of the5 plurality of candidate game outcomes, an expected player benefit to be gained from each of a respective candidate game outcome in the initial game round in combination witha subsequent game outcome in the subsequent game round;selecting, by the game controller, a candidate10 initial game round from the plurality of initial game rounds having a candidate game outcome of the plurality of candidate game outcomes associated with a greatest expected benefit; anddisplaying, on the display, the candidate game15 outcome of the selected candidate initial game round on the display of the gaming machine as the initial gameround;modifying the player input interface to indicate thatat least one of the plurality of reels has become20 selectable;receiving, via the player input interface, a player selection associated with the displayed candidate game outcome, wherein the player selection includes a selectionof at least one reel to hold from the initial game round;25       upon receipt of the player selection, updating theplayer input interface to indicate the selected at leastone reel and determining whether the player selection is an optimal selection or a sub-optimal selection;increasing a chance of one or more additional game30 rounds being awarded when the player selection is a sub-optimal selection; andat the end of game play, making an award of credits to the win meter or the credit meter based on a total of prize values assigned to any winning outcome.

352. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the expected player benefit is associated with keeping none, part or2024204624   16 Jun 2026all of the candidate game outcome.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the feature game is a spinning reel game of chance and the5 subsequent game round comprises a re-spin game round in which a player is provided with an option to hold one or more reels from the initial game round, said methodfurther comprising, by the game controller, re-spinningeach non-held reel to generate the subsequent game10 outcome, and wherein determining an expected player benefit to be gained comprises calculating an expected winamount to be gained from an optimal player selection ofwhich of the one or more reels to hold.15  4. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3,comprising:conducting the subsequent game round based on the selection of at least one reel to hold included in the player selection; and20       awarding a prize when the subsequent game roundcorresponds to one or more winning outcomes.

5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least two game rounds include at least25 three game rounds, the at least three game rounds including the initial game round and at least two subsequent game rounds, and wherein a player makes a selection of one or more reels to hold prior to each of the at least two subsequent game rounds.

306. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising awarding the at least two game rounds in response to a trigger condition being met in a round ofthe base game to trigger the feature game.

357. A gaming machine comprising: a display;2024204624   16 Jun 2026a credit input mechanism operable to establish credits on the gaming machine, the credit input mechanism including at least one of a coin input chute, a billcollector, a card reader and a ticket reader;5       meters configured for monitoring credits establishedvia the credit input mechanism and changes to the established credits due to play of the gaming machine, the meters including a credit meter to which credit input via the credit input mechanism is added and a win meter;10       a random number generator;a player input interface including a plurality ofbuttons configured for operation by a player to input a wager from the established credits and to initiate a playof a game, the established credits being increasable and15 decreasable based on wagering activity, the player input interface further configured to display a plurality of reels; anda game controller comprising a processor and memory storing (i) game program code, and (ii) symbol data20 defining the plurality of reels that each have a plurality of symbols, and wherein the game controller is operable toassign prize values to combinations of symbols as requiredduring play of the game,the game controller executing the game program code25 stored in the memory and responsive to initiation of the play of the game with the player input interface, to:award, in a feature game conducted on the plurality of reels, at least two game rounds, the at leasttwo game rounds including at least an initial game round30 and a subsequent game round, wherein the feature game istriggered by the base game;generate, using the random number generator to make selections from the symbol data, a plurality of candidate game outcomes for a plurality of initial game 35 rounds;determine, for each of the plurality of candidate game outcomes, an expected player benefit to be gained2024204624   16 Jun 2026from each of a respective candidate game outcome in theinitial game round in combination with a subsequent gameoutcome in the subsequent game round;select a candidate initial game round from the5 plurality of initial game rounds having a candidate initial game outcome of the plurality of candidate game outcomes associated with a greatest expected benefit;display on the display, the candidate game outcome of the selected candidate initial game round as 10 the initial game round;modify the player input interface to indicate that at least one of the plurality of reels has become selectable;receive, via the player input interface, a player15 selection associated with the displayed candidate game outcome, wherein the player selection includes a selectionof at least one reel to hold from the initial gameround;upon receipt of the player selection, update the20 player input interface to indicate the selected at least one reel and determine whether the player selection is an optimal selection or a sub-optimal selection;increase a chance of one or more additional game rounds being awarded when the player selection is a sub-25 optimal selection; andat the end of game play, make an award of creditsto the win meter or the credit meter based on a total ofprize values assigned to any winning outcome.30  8. A gaming machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein theexpected player benefit is associated with keeping none, part or all of the candidate game outcome.

9. A gaming machine as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8,35 wherein the game is a spinning reel game of chance and the subsequent game round comprises a re-spin game round in which the gaming controller is further configured to:2024204624   16 Jun 2026provide a player of the base game with an option to hold one or more reels from the initial game round;re-spin each non-held reel to generate the subsequent game outcome; and5       calculate an expected win amount to be gained from anoptimal player selection of which of the one or more reelsto hold.

10. A gaming machine as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10  9, wherein the game controller is further configured to:conduct the subsequent game round based on theselection of at least one reel to hold included in theplayer selection; andaward a prize when the subsequent game round15 corresponds to one or more winning outcomes.

11. A gaming machine as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the at least two game rounds include at leastthree game rounds including the initial game round and at 20 least two subsequent game rounds, and wherein the player input interface is configured to receive a player selection of one or more reels to hold prior to each of the at least two subsequent game rounds.25  12. A gaming machine as claimed in any one of claims 7 to11, wherein the game controller is configured to award theat least two game rounds in response to a triggercondition being met in a base game round to trigger thefeature game.30

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