A gaming machine and method for operating the same has gameplay elements provided in a manner that can be visualized, with the gameplay elements having a specific nature which is revealed to the player at a beginning to the game. That is, the player knows the value, or ranking, or position, etc., of the gameplay elements upon inception of the game. In a base level for the game of the gaming machine, no unknown gameplay element or random event is injected into the gameplay elements. This is a full information format for the gaming machine and method, and success is measured by the player's ability to manipulate the gameplay elements presented. A gaming machine and a method for operating the same is also provided with the gameplay elements once again having a specific nature which is known to the player at a start to game play, and in a preferred embodiment not subject thereafter to a random or unknown event, with the gameplay elements being arranged in one of a variety of different arrangements presenting a plurality of choices to a player for subsequent play of the elements. Outcome of the game is dependent upon the choices made by the player, with a given choice potentially influencing the next choice that may be available. Embodiments of the invention in the form of a checkers game and in the form of a poker-type game are disclosed, among others.