In one embodiment of the invention, a video gaming machine displays an array of symbols, and an award is granted based on any winning symbol combinations across activated pay lines. As a secondary game, after the initial display of the symbols, the player may designate one species of symbol in the array. Then, one of the symbols in the array is selected at random by the gaming machine. If the symbol designated by the player is the one selected by the machine, the player wins a special award. The secondary game may be activated pursuant to any of a variety of events, or activated after each game. The player may designate the symbol species by means of a touch screen or any other type of controller.