An apparatus and method for playing a game has in one aspect a plurality of game elements of at least two types, such as game pieces which have two different sides, and are arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, for instance. A player may select a number of arrangements of matching game elements (e.g., lines of contiguous matching game-piece sides) to wager upon in the chance outcome arrangement in play. Aggregation of the number of winning arrangements determines the outcome, most preferably with an increasing non-linear payout in view of that aggregate number. The invention also discloses a related bonus game, which in a preferred embodiment is based upon an Othello-type game particularly for a gaming machine using outflanking game pieces, such that any game pieces with opponent's side or color showing are converted to game pieces with player's side or color, with an award or payoff according to the level of successful advancement in the game.