Examples disclosed herein relate to a gaming device including a memory, a processor, a plurality of reels, and a display. The processor may initiate base game play comprising the display, via a reel spin, of symbols relative to one or more of a first set of symbol locations. If a near bonus event triggering condition is met, additional symbols are displayed in a second set of symbol locations comprising the first set of symbol locations and one or more expanded symbol locations. If a bonus event triggering outcome is then received relative to the symbols displayed in the second set of symbol locations, a bonus event is initiated comprising free spins of reels to display symbols in the expanded second set of symbol positions.