A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine is disclosed. The wagering game includes winning symbol combinations that provide respective awards when arranged according to one or more predefined arrangements. After a player makes a wager, a plurality of symbol-bearing reels are rotated and stopped to place symbols on the reels in a symbol array. If the symbol array includes an activation symbol in a predefined location within the symbol array, the game activates an additional arrangement distinct from the predefined arrangements. The additional arrangement may, for example, be a scatter pay or a right-to-left pay along an active pay line. The game provides an award if the additional arrangement includes one of the winning symbol combinations.