U.S. patent application number 11/987904 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-12 for method of playing game.
Invention is credited to Hirobumi Toyoda.
Application Number | 20080136105 11/987904 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39497044 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080136105 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Toyoda; Hirobumi |
June 12, 2008 |
Method of playing game
Abstract
A method of playing a game is provided, which includes the steps
of: (a) distributing a plurality of cards to a player; (b)
exchanging one or more of the distributed cards selected by the
player with different cards; (c) providing a predetermined award to
the player when finally distributed cards include a first
predetermined combination entitled to a win; and (d) supplying a
special game, in which at least one of initially distributed cards
is a specified card possessing a plurality of roles, for a
subsequent game when the player achieves the win satisfying a
predetermined condition.
Inventors: |
Toyoda; Hirobumi; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARENT FOX LLP
1050 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, N.W., SUITE 400
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Family ID: |
39497044 |
Appl. No.: |
11/987904 |
Filed: |
December 5, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 1/00 20130101; A63F
2001/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/292 |
International
Class: |
A63F 1/00 20060101
A63F001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 8, 2006 |
JP |
2006-332645 |
Claims
1. A method of playing a game, comprising the steps of: (a)
distributing a plurality of cards to a player; (b) exchanging one
or more of the distributed cards selected by the player with
different cards; (c) providing a predetermined award to the player
when finally distributed cards include a first predetermined
combination entitled to a win; and (d) supplying a special game, in
which at least one of initially distributed cards is a specified
card possessing a plurality of roles, for a subsequent game when
the player achieves the win satisfying a predetermined
condition.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the special game is a
poker game when the finally distributed cards include a special
combination entitled to a win.
3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of:
(e) supplying a sub-game determining whether to supply the special
game for the subsequent game when the finally distributed cards
include the special combination entitled to a win.
4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of:
(f) continuously supplying the special game until finally
distributed cards include a second predetermined combination
entitled to a win.
5. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of:
(f) continuously supplying the special game until finally
distributed cards include a second predetermined combination
entitled to a win.
6. A method of playing a poker game, comprising the steps of: (a)
distributing a plurality of cards to a player; (b) exchanging one
or more of the distributed cards selected by the player with
different cards; (c) providing a predetermined award to the player
when finally distributed cards include a first predetermined
combination entitled to a win; and (d) supplying a sub-game
determining whether to supply a special game, in which at least one
of initially distributed cards is a specified card possessing a
plurality of roles, for a subsequent game when the finally
distributed cards include a special combination entitled to a
win.
7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of:
(e) continuously supplying the special game until finally
distributed cards include a second predetermined combination
entitled to a win.
8. A method of playing a poker game, comprising the steps of: (a)
distributing a plurality of cards to a player; (b) exchanging one
or more of the distributed cards selected by the player with
different cards; (c) providing a predetermined award to the player
when finally distributed cards include a first predetermined
combination entitled to a win; (d) supplying a sub-game determining
whether to supply a special game, in which at least one of
initially distributed cards is a specified card possessing a
plurality of roles, for a subsequent game when the finally
distributed cards include a special combination entitled to a win;
and (e) continuously supplying the special game until finally
distributed cards include a second predetermined combination
entitled to a win.
9. A method of playing a poker game, comprising the steps of: (a)
distributing a plurality of cards to a plurality of players; (b)
exchanging one or more of the distributed cards selected by each of
the plurality of players with different cards; (c) providing a
predetermined award to a player when finally distributed cards
include a first predetermined combination entitled to a win; and
(d) supplying a special game, in which at least one of initially
distributed cards is a specified card possessing a plurality of
roles, for a subsequent game when a player has finally distributed
cards including a special combination entitled to a win.
10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step
of: (e) supplying a sub-game determining whether to supply the
special game for the subsequent game when the finally distributed
cards include the special combination entitled to a win.
11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step
of: (f) continuously supplying the special game to the player until
finally distributed cards include a second predetermined
combination entitled to a win.
12. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step
of: (f) continuously supplying the special game to the player until
finally distributed cards include a second predetermined
combination entitled to a win.
Description
[0001] This application is based on and claims the benefit of
priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-332645, filed on
8 Dec. 2006, the content of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a method of playing a
game.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Conventionally, a game machine such as a poker game machine
and the like installed in casinos performs a win game in which a
player wins when a plurality of cards matching a predetermined
combination are included among the finally distributed cards. In
this type of game machine, for each poker game, medals are supplied
according to the award determined by the number of inserted medals
and the achieved poker hand.
[0006] Recently, a game machine has been supplied which performs a
high-probability win game, thereby increasing the probability of
winning. As a game machine of this type, for example, U.S. Pat. No.
5,882,260 provides a playing method where two sets of five cards,
which is a greater number than the conventional five cards, are
distributed to each player, and the cards of the respective sets
are combined to achieve a poker hand.
[0007] For the purposes of increasing the number of medals supplied
to each poker game, a new gaming style called a double down game
has been added recently, which is able to double the medal payout
number after a poker hand is achieved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention aims at providing a method of playing
a poker game having a new gaming style enhancing expectations for
medals.
[0009] In an aspect of the present invention, a method of playing a
game is provided, which includes the steps of: (a) distributing a
plurality of cards to a player; (b) exchanging one or more of the
distributed cards selected by the player with different cards; (c)
providing a predetermined award to the player when finally
distributed cards include a first predetermined combination
entitled to a win; and (d) supplying a special game, in which at
least one of initially distributed cards is a specified card
possessing a plurality of roles, for a subsequent game when the
player achieves the win satisfying a predetermined condition.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method of
playing a game is provided which includes steps of: distributing a
plurality of kinds of cards to a player, exchanging a card selected
by a player from the plurality of distributed cards for another
card, awarding a predetermined award if a winning outcome is
achieved by the presence of a plurality of cards making up a
predetermined combination among finally distributed cards, and
supplying a special game in which at least one of the initially
distributed cards in a next game is a specified card having a
plurality of kinds of roles if a winning outcome is achieved by
satisfying a specified condition.
[0010] In another aspect of the present invention, a method of
playing a game is provided, in which the special game is a poker
game when the finally distributed cards include a special
combination entitled to a win.
[0011] In still another aspect of the present invention, a method
of playing a game is provided, which further includes the step of:
(e) supplying a sub-game determining whether to supply the special
game for the subsequent game when the finally distributed cards
include the special combination entitled to a win.
[0012] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of
playing a game is provided, which further includes the step of: (f)
continuously supplying the special game until finally distributed
cards include a second predetermined combination entitled to a
win.
[0013] In a further aspect of the present invention, a method of
playing a poker game is provided, which comprises the steps of: (a)
distributing a plurality of cards to a player; (b) exchanging one
or more of the distributed cards selected by the player with
different cards; (c) providing a predetermined award to the player
when finally distributed cards include a first predetermined
combination entitled to a win; and (d) supplying a sub-game
determining whether to supply a special game, in which at least one
of initially distributed cards is a specified card possessing a
plurality of roles, for a subsequent game when the finally
distributed cards include a special combination entitled to a
win.
[0014] In a still further aspect of the present invention, a method
of playing a poker game is provided, which further includes the
step of: (e) continuously supplying the special game until finally
distributed cards include a second predetermined combination
entitled to a win.
[0015] In a yet further aspect of the present invention, a method
of playing a poker game is provided, which includes the steps of:
(a) distributing a plurality of cards to a player; (b) exchanging
one or more of the distributed cards selected by the player with
different cards; (c) providing a predetermined award to the player
when finally distributed cards include a first predetermined
combination entitled to a win; (d) supplying a sub-game determining
whether to supply a special game, in which at least one of
initially distributed cards is a specified card possessing a
plurality of roles, for a subsequent game when the finally
distributed cards include a special combination entitled to a win;
and (e) continuously supplying the special game until finally
distributed cards include a second predetermined combination
entitled to a win.
[0016] In an aspect of the present invention, a method of playing a
poker game is provided, which includes the steps of: (a)
distributing a plurality of cards to a plurality of players; (b)
exchanging one or more of the distributed cards selected by each of
the plurality of players with different cards; (c) providing a
predetermined award to a player when finally distributed cards
include a first predetermined combination entitled to a win; and
(d) supplying a special game, in which at least one of initially
distributed cards is a specified card possessing a plurality of
roles, for a subsequent game when a player has finally distributed
cards including a special combination entitled to a win.
[0017] In another aspect of the present invention, a method of
playing a poker game is provided, which further includes the step
of: (e) supplying a sub-game determining whether to supply the
special game for the subsequent game when the finally distributed
cards include the special combination entitled to a win.
[0018] In still another aspect of the present invention, a method
of playing a poker game is provided, which further includes the
step of: (f) continuously supplying the special game to the player
until finally distributed cards include a second predetermined
combination entitled to a win.
[0019] The present invention is, therefore, able to provide a
method of playing a game having a new gaming style enhancing
expectations for medals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method of playing a
poker game according to a first embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 2 is an award table of the poker game in the first
embodiment;
[0022] FIGS. 3 to 10 are schematic diagrams illustrating the poker
game in the first embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a general view illustrating a poker machine
according to a second embodiment; and
[0024] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating the electrical
configuration of the poker machine in the second embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
First Embodiment
[0025] FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method of playing a
poker game according to a first embodiment of the invention. The
method of playing a poker game according to the first embodiment is
a method of a poker game in which, using a plurality of kinds of
cards, a card selected by the player's operation from the initially
distributed plurality of cards is exchanged with another card, and
a predetermined award is awarded when a winning outcome is achieved
by the presence of a plurality of cards making up a predetermined
combination among finally distributed cards.
[0026] In particular, a plurality of kinds of cards is distributed
to a player (step S1). Then, a card selected by the player from the
plurality of distributed cards is exchanged with another card. It
is judged whether any specified combination (e.g., a pair of
Diamonds and Hearts) is included among the finally distributed
cards (step S2).
[0027] When the specified combination is included, a special game
is terminated in a subsequent game if the special game is in
progress, in which at least one specified card having a plurality
of kinds of roles (e.g., Joker) is distributed in the initially
distributed cards(step S3).
[0028] If the specified combination is not included, it is judged
whether any specified combination (e.g., Flush of Hearts or
Diamonds) is included among the finally distributed cards (step
S4). If the specified combination is included, a predetermined
award is given (step S5); otherwise, this poker game is terminated
and the next poker game starts.
[0029] If the predetermined combination is included, it is judged
if the predetermined combination is a special combination such as
Flush of Hearts or Diamonds (step S6). If the predetermined
combination is the special combination, a sub-game (e.g., Hi-Lo)
for determining providing of a special game in a next game is
supplied (step S7). The sub-game is provided to every player having
the special combination. If the special combination is not
included, this poker game is terminated and a next poker game
starts.
[0030] In the sub-game, it is judged whether the sub-game has
resulted in a predetermined outcome (step S8). If the predetermined
outcome is obtained, a special game is provided in the next poker
game (step S9); otherwise, this poker game is terminated and a next
poker game starts.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the poker game
according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the
poker game, players 11, 12 and 13 are seated around a game table 1.
A dealer 5 distributes a plurality of kinds of cards 4 to the
players 11, 12 and 13 (see FIG. 3). Then the dealer 5 exchanges a
card selected by each of the players 11, 12 and 13 for another
card. In addition, the game table is equipped with a card area 2
for placing the cards 4 thereupon and an award table 3 showing the
association between poker hands and awards.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the poker game
according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG.
3, the players 11, 12 and 13 are lining up the finally distributed
cards on the card area 2 of the game table 1 to show patterns
thereof.
[0033] The award table according to the first embodiment of the
present invention is shown in FIG. 4. The numerals provided in an
award table 3 express the number of medals supplied in accordance
with a predetermined combination of cards entitled to an award. As
an example, a description is given of a case where the number of
medals bet by a player is one (the second column in the award table
3). When a predetermined combination is a Royal Flush, 500 medals
are supplied to the player. When it is a Five of a Kind, 100 medals
are supplied to the player. When it is a Straight Flush, 50 medals
are supplied to the player. When it is a Four of a Kind, 20 medals
are supplied to the player. When it is a Full House, 8 medals are
supplied to the player. When it is a Flush, 6 medals are supplied
to the player. When it is a Straight, 4 medals are supplied to the
player. When it is a Three of a Kind, 2 medals are supplied to the
player. When it is a Two Pair, 1 medal is supplied to the player.
The number of medals supplied is increased in multiples of the
number of medals the player bet (the third to sixth columns of the
award table 3).
[0034] Hereinafter, the playing method of a poker game according to
the first embodiment of the present invention is explained using an
example of card patterns. FIGS. 5 to 10 are schematic diagrams
illustrating examples of a plurality of kinds of cards distributed
to a player.
[0035] FIG. 5 is an example of a plurality of kinds of cards just
distributed to a player. In particular, an ace of Spades, a 3 of
Clubs, a queen of Clubs, a 10 of Clubs and a 3 of Hearts are
distributed. The player chooses an ace of Spades, and requests the
dealer to exchange.
[0036] FIG. 6 is an example of a plurality of kinds of cards after
exchanging the ace of Spades. In particular, an ace of Clubs, a 3
of Clubs, a queen of Clubs, a 10 of Clubs and a 3 of Hearts are
distributed. The player chooses a 3 of Hearts, and requests the
dealer to exchange.
[0037] FIG. 7 is an example of a plurality of kinds of cards after
exchanging the 3 of Hearts. In particular, an ace of Clubs, a 3 of
Clubs, a queen of Clubs, a 10 of Clubs and a 5 of Clubs are
distributed. That is to say, the finally distributed cards
constitute a predetermined combination, Flush to achieve a winning
outcome. Therefore, if the number of medals bet by the player is
one, 6 medals are supplied according to the award table 3 (see FIG.
4).
[0038] In addition, since the predetermined combination shown in
FIG. 7 is a Flush of Clubs, which is judged to be a special
combination, a sub-game is supplied to the player.
[0039] In the sub-game, the player turns over two cards
sequentially among 5 face-down cards. If the numeric value of a
second card is larger than that of a first card, the outcome is
judged to be successful.
[0040] FIG. 8 is an example of a plurality of kinds of cards
showing a result of a sub-game. In particular, the diagram shows
the player has turned over an ace of Clubs, then a 10 of Clubs. The
outcome is judged to be successful and, from the next poker game, a
special game is provided to the player.
[0041] FIG. 9 is an example of a plurality of kinds of cards just
distributed to a player in a special game of a poker game. In
particular, an ace of Spades, a 3 of Hearts, a queen of Clubs, a 7
of Diamonds, and a Joker, which is a specified card having a
plurality of kinds of roles, are distributed.
[0042] FIG. 10 is an example of a plurality of kinds of cards
finally distributed to a player in a special game of a poker game,
containing a specified combination. In particular, an ace of
Spades, a 3 of Diamonds, a queen of Clubs, a 10 of Clubs and a 3 of
Hearts are distributed. Since the finally distributed cards
constitute a predetermined combination, a pair of Diamonds and
Hearts, the special game is terminated for the next poker game.
[0043] As described above, the playing method of a poker game
according to the first embodiment is an example of the playing
method of a game which includes steps of: distributing a plurality
of kinds of cards to a player, exchanging a card selected by the
player from the plurality of distributed cards for another card,
providing a predetermined award if the finally distributed cards
include a predetermined combination entitled to a wind, and
supplying a special game in which at least one of the initially
distributed cards in a next game is a specified card having a
plurality of kinds of roles if the win is achieved by satisfying a
specified condition.
[0044] Furthermore, the playing method of the poker game according
to the first embodiment is an example of the playing method of a
game which includes steps of: distributing a plurality of kinds of
cards to a player, exchanging a card selected by the player from
the plurality of distributed cards for another card, providing a
predetermined award if the finally distributed cards include a
predetermined combination entitled to a win, and supplying a
sub-game determining a supply of a special game in which at least
one of the initially distributed cards in a next game is a
specified card having a plurality of kinds of roles if the win is
achieved by the presence of a plurality of cards constituting a
special combination among finally distributed cards.
[0045] Furthermore, the playing method of a poker game according to
the first embodiment is an example of the playing method of a game
which includes steps of: distributing a plurality of kinds of cards
to a player, exchanging a card selected by a player from the
plurality of distributed cards for another card, awarding a
predetermined award if the finally distributed cards include a
predetermined combination entitled to a win, supplying a sub-game
determining a supply of a special game in which at least one of the
initially distributed cards in a next game is a specified card
having a plurality of kinds of roles if the win is achieved by the
presence of a plurality of cards constituting a special combination
among finally distributed cards, and supplying the special game
continuously until a specific combination is included among finally
distributed cards.
[0046] Furthermore, the playing method of a poker game according to
the first embodiment is an example of the playing method of a game
which includes steps of: distributing a plurality of kinds of cards
to each of the multiple players, exchanging a card selected by a
player from the plurality of distributed cards for another card,
providing a predetermined award to one of the multiple players
having the finally distributed cards including a predetermined
combination entitled to a win, and supplying a special game in
which at least one of the initially distributed cards in a next
game is a specified card having a plurality of kinds of roles to
the particular one player.
Second Embodiment
[0047] In the description of a second embodiment, the same
references have been used as in the first embodiment for similar
parts, and the descriptions thereof are, therefore, omitted or
simplified.
[0048] The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment
in that the game performed by the method of playing a poker game of
the present invention is executed with a poker machine 10, instead
of the game table.
[0049] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the general view of a
poker machine according to the second embodiment, which executes
the game by the method of playing a poker game of the present
invention. Although the second embodiment is described taking as an
example the poker machine using medals as a gaming medium, the
gaming machine may use as a gaming medium, coins, medals, tokens,
cards storing playing value information, etc.
[0050] A first display 32 for displaying images related to the
poker game is disposed on the front of the poker machine 10. A
second display 33 for displaying images related to the poker game
is disposed above the first display 32 on the front of the poker
machine 10, separately from the first display 32. The first display
32 displays a number of cards distributed to a player and an award
table showing card combinations eligible for awards. A touch panel
33a is disposed at least in a portion of the second display 33.
[0051] A medal slot 63 is disposed in the vicinity to the right on
the front of the poker machine 10, and a medal payout opening 61
and a medal receiving pan 67 are disposed on the lower portion
thereof. The player's medal insertion into the medal slot 63
enables playing of the game. Based on the game result, a number of
medals are paid out from the medal payout opening 61, and stored on
the medal receiving pan 67. As described later, a medal detecting
sensor 31 (refer to FIG. 12) is housed in the inside of the gaming
machine where the medal slot 63 is disposed. The medal detecting
sensor 31 detects that the player has inserted a number of medals
into the poker machine 10.
[0052] Speakers 46a and 46b are disposed in upper sections of the
poker machine 10. The speakers 46a and 46b generate sound effects,
etc. in response to the game progress. Decorative lamps 36a and 36b
are disposed on the left and right sides in substantially the
center of the poker machine 10, respectively. The decorative lamps
36a and 36b illuminate in response to the game progress.
[0053] Hold switches 20, a deal switch 24, a cash out switch 22, a
bet max switch 26, and a bet one switch 28, which are used for
advancing the game, are arranged below the first display 32.
[0054] The total number of the hold switches 20 is five. The hold
switches 20 are arranged so as to correspond to the card images
displayed on the first display 32, respectively. The hold switches
20 are used when the player selects a card to remain without being
exchanged after the cards are displayed. When the player activates
the hold switch 20 underlying the selected card among the five
cards displayed on the first display 32 by pressing, the selected
card remains not exchanged.
[0055] The cash out switch 22 and the deal switch 24 are located at
the lower left of the hold switches 20. The cash out switch 22 is
used to pay out medals stored (hereinafter referred to as credited)
in the poker machine 10. When the player activates the cash out
switch 22 by a pressing operation, a number of medals is paid out
to the medal receiving pan 67. The deal switch 24 is used when the
player receives the display of cards. The player's operations of
inserting medal(s) and pressing the deal switch 24 enable the
images of distributed cards and new exchanged cards to be displayed
on the first display 32.
[0056] The bet max switch 26 and the bet one switch 28 are disposed
to the right of the deal switch 24. The bet max switch 26 and the
bet one switch 28 are used when the player starts the game. The bet
max switch 26 is used to bet five medals, namely the maximum number
of medals, at a time. The bet one switch 28 increases the number of
medals used for the game depending on the number of times the
switch is pressed.
a. Configuration of Controller of Poker Machine
[0057] The configuration of the controller of the poker machine 10
is described below. FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a control circuit
of the poker machine in the second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0058] A main control circuit 60 as a controller is configured by
connecting, through an input/output bus 64, a central processing
unit (hereinafter referred to as a CPU) 66, read only memory
(hereinafter referred to as a ROM) 68, random access memory
(hereinafter referred to as a RAM) 70, a random number generator
65, and interface circuit groups 62 and 72 to each other. The
input/output bus 64 inputs and outputs data signals, control
signals or address signals to the CPU 66.
[0059] Based on a computer program stored in the ROM 68, the CPU 66
reads and writes data with respect to elements and units connected
to the input/output bus 64, and cooperates with these elements and
units to perform various types of processing. A timer (not shown)
to be described later is housed within the CPU 66.
[0060] The ROM 68 and the RAM 70, each serving as a storage means,
are also connected to the input/output bus 64. The ROM 68 stores a
control program for controlling the entire flow of the game in the
poker machine 10. The ROM 68 also stores the initial data for
executing the control program, a program for controlling flashing
operation patterns of the decorative lamps 36 (36a and 36b (refer
to FIG. 11)) housed within the poker machine 10, and a program for
controlling display on the first display 32. The ROM 68 further
stores, for example, a plurality of kinds of lottery tables on
which the random numbers sampled by the random number generator 65
are associated with the card images displayed on the first display
32, and a combination judgment table for judging whether a
combination of patterns among a plurality of card images displayed
on the first display 32 corresponds to a specified combination.
[0061] A plurality of kinds of lottery tables stored in the ROM 68
includes a normal lottery table having a predetermined number of
kinds of random number values for judging a winning outcome, and a
plurality of kinds of high probability lottery tables on which the
number of random number values for judging whether a winning
outcome is larger than the abovementioned predetermined number. The
plurality of kinds of high probability lottery tables has different
numbers of kinds of random number values for judging a winning
outcome.
[0062] The ROM 68 also stores a sub-game lottery table on which the
random numbers generated by the random number generator 65 are
associated with the images of cards displayed in the sub-game for
determining the supply of a special game in which at least one of
the initially distributed cards is a specified card having a
plurality of kinds of roles.
[0063] The plurality of lottery tables has different probabilities
of winning outcomes. For a certain specified combination, the CPU
66 performs the sub-game, and based on the result of the sub-game,
sets as a lottery table for an internal lottery any one of the
tables for the high-probability win game having a higher
probability of winning outcomes than the normal lottery table.
[0064] The RAM 70 stores the values of flags and variables used in
the abovementioned programs. The RAM 70 also stores a high
probability flag indicating whether the game state is the special
game state or not.
[0065] The random number generator 65 for generating random numbers
is connected to the input/output bus 64. When an instruction for
generating random numbers is transmitted from the CPU 66 to the
random number generator 65, the random number generator 65
generates random numbers in a predetermined range, and transmits
signals indicating the values of the random numbers to the
input/output bus 64. Based on the generated random numbers, the CPU
66 performs internal lottery processing as described later. The
random numbers generated from the random number generator 65 are
stored in the RAM 70.
[0066] In the present embodiment, the random number generator 65
connected through the input/output bus 64 to the CPU 66 samples the
random numbers by way of example and without limitation. As a
random number sampling means, random number sampling may be
executed under an operational program of the CPU 66. In this case,
the random number generator 65 can be omitted.
[0067] The hold switches 20, the deal switch 24, the cash out
switch 22, the bet max switch 26 and the bet one switch 28 are also
connected to the interface circuit group 62. When these switches
are activated by the player's pressing operation, they transmit
their respective pressing operation detection signals to the
interface circuit group 62. The interface circuit group 62 supplies
these detection signals to the input/output bus 64.
[0068] The medal detecting sensor 31 is connected to the interface
circuit group 62. A detection signal from the medal detecting
sensor 31 is converted to a predetermined signal, and supplied to
the input/output bus 64 by the interface circuit group 62.
[0069] A display and input controller 200 is also connected to the
interface circuit group 72. Based on an image display instruction
issued from the main control circuit 60, the display and input
controller 200 transmits drive signals for driving the first
display 32 and the second display 33 connected to the display and
input controller 200. The display and input controller 200 also
supplies input signals received by the touch panel 33a provided on
the second display 33 to the interface circuit group 72, which are
then transmitted through the input/output bus 64 to the CPU 66.
[0070] The speakers 46 (46a and 46b) and the decorative lamps 36
(36a and 36b) are also connected to the interface circuit group 72.
The interface circuit group 72 controls each of the abovementioned
units by supplying a drive signal and a drive electric power
thereto, in accordance with the arithmetic operation result in the
CPU 66.
[0071] A hopper controller 210 is also connected to the interface
circuit group 72. Based on a medal payout instruction issued from
the main control circuit 60, the hopper controller 210 transmits a
drive signal for driving a hopper 50 connected to the hopper
controller 210.
[0072] Thus, the poker machine 10 according to the second
embodiment is an example of a poker machine including: a controller
which uses a plurality of kinds of cards, exchanges a card selected
by a player from the initially distributed cards for another card,
performs a poker game in which a predetermined award is provided if
the finally distributed cards include a predetermined combination
entitled to a win, performs a sub-game in a next game for
determining the supply of a special game in which at least one of
the initially distributed cards is a specified card having a
plurality of kinds of roles under the condition that the win is
achieved by a special combination, and supplies the special game
continuously until a specific combination is included among finally
distributed cards; a first display for displaying images related to
the poker game controlled by the controller; and a second display
for displaying images related to the poker game separately from the
first display.
[0073] While the first and second embodiments of the present
invention have been described and illustrated above, it is to be
understood that they are exemplary of the invention and are not to
be considered to be limiting. Additions, omissions, substitutions,
and other modifications can be made thereto without departing from
the spirit or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the
invention is not to be considered to be limited by the foregoing
description and is only limited by the scope of the appended
claims.
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