Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for providing a lock and improve feature in gaming devices. Accordingly, a gaming device can be configured to include a video poker game where items associated with cards in poker hand, or card positions where the cards in the poker hand are displayed, can be locked, held, stuck, or otherwise maintained and a secondary game event is played where additional items can be received. The items may provide credits, bonus opportunities, progressives, multipliers, or other types of awards, modifiers, or beneficial game enhancements.