A method of evaluating a game face is provided. The face is defined by a matrix of first values, and the face is designated a winner when a combination of the first values forms a predetermined winning pattern in the matrix by matching second values selected during a game from a pool of values. The method includes: representing the combination of the face's first values corresponding to the winning pattern by a first array of data elements; monitoring the second values which are selected from the pool; representing the second values by a second array of data elements; combining the first array and the second array to generate a resulting third array of data elements; and, analyzing the third array to determine at least one of: (i) if the face is to be designated a winner; or, (ii) a rank of the face, wherein the rank is defined as a minimum number of second values that have to be selected from the pool for the face to be designated a winner.