A method of playing a virtual or virtual / mechanical multireel slot game. A grid of at least 3 rows×3 columns, but preferably 3 rows×5 columns, is presented on a screen, with a second, opaque blanketing layer of color or
graphics over the grid, so as to hide symbols on the reels below. After the wager, reels on the bottom layer spin (or are virtually and randomly positioned in any manner), hidden from the player by the blanketing layer. An “erasing” indicium then glides from outside the grid (preferably across the top row of 5 reels, from left to right), over the blanketing layer, erasing the color layer to
expose the symbols on the reels below. The indicium preferably (or always) moves in one direction only until it hits the end of a row, the top or bottom of a column, or a revealed symbol that alters movement of the indicium. When the indicium encounters this situation, it may hesitate for a moment, then randomly pick a direction in which to continue. It may continue in the same direction or turn 90°
clockwise or 90° counterclockwise. It may even move diagonally. If the indicium turns and continues over the reels, more symbols are revealed until the indicium again reaches a turning point. Payouts are awarded according to a predetermined paytable for single special symbols and / or for sets such as multiple same symbols shown, whether the symbols are contiguous or not.