U.S. patent application number 12/035121 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-28 for gaming method and machine for playing primary and secondary card games.
This patent application is currently assigned to Aruze Corp.. Invention is credited to Kazumasa YOSHIZAWA.
Application Number | 20080207292 12/035121 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39716517 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080207292 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YOSHIZAWA; Kazumasa |
August 28, 2008 |
GAMING METHOD AND MACHINE FOR PLAYING PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CARD
GAMES
Abstract
In a gaming machine, a sidebet game is also executed in parallel
to an each execution of baccarat base games. In the sidebet game,
it is anticipated for a bet which color of suits (Black or Red) is
more among all dealt cards (four or more cards) for the base game
in a single game play. Each player who participates in the base
game can also participate in the sidebet game arbitrarily.
Therefore, since each player can participate in the sidebet game in
addition to the base game in a single game play, more satisfaction
can be given to each player.
Inventors: |
YOSHIZAWA; Kazumasa; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NDQ&M WATCHSTONE LLP
1300 EYE STREET, NW, SUITE 1000 WEST TOWER
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
Aruze Corp.
|
Family ID: |
39716517 |
Appl. No.: |
12/035121 |
Filed: |
February 21, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/322 20130101;
G07F 17/3244 20130101; G07F 17/3293 20130101; G07F 17/3211
20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/12 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 27, 2007 |
JP |
2007-047514 |
Claims
1. A gaming method for playing primary and secondary card games,
comprising: (a) placing a first bet on the primary card game, (b)
placing an optional second bet on the secondary card game, (c)
displaying and then disclosing cards dealt for the primary card
game, (d) awarding a prize for the first bet according to a rule of
the primary card game based on the disclosed cards dealt for the
primary card game, and (e) awarding a prize for the optional second
bet according to a rule of the secondary card game based on colors
of suits of the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card
game.
2. The gaming method according to claim 1, wherein the step (b)
further comprises: anticipating a color of suits which will be most
among the cards for the primary card game before the cards are
disclosed, and placing the optional second bet on the anticipated
color of suits, and the rule of the secondary card game includes
odds for a case where the color of suits which is most among the
disclosed cards dealt for the primary card game and the color of
suits on which the optional second bet has been placed come to be
identical.
3. The gaming method according to claim 1, wherein the step (b)
further comprises: anticipating a color of suits which will be most
among the cards for the primary card game before the cards are
disclosed, and placing the optional second bet on the anticipated
color of suits, and the rule of the secondary card game includes
odds for a case where the color of suits of all the disclosed cards
dealt for the primary card game and the color of suits on which the
optional second bet has been placed come to be identical.
4. The gaming method according to claim 1, wherein the first bet is
essential for a game play.
5. The gaming method according to claim 1, wherein the primary card
game includes a baccarat game.
6. A gaming method for playing primary and secondary card games,
comprising: (a) placing a first bet on the primary card game, (b)
placing an optional second bet on the secondary card game, (c)
displaying and then disclosing cards dealt for the primary card
game, (d) awarding a prize for the first bet according to a rule of
the primary card game based on the disclosed cards dealt for the
primary card game, and (e) awarding a prize for the optional second
bet according to a rule of the secondary card game based on kinds
of suits of the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card
game.
7. The gaming method according to claim 6, wherein the step (b)
further comprises: anticipating a kind of suits which will be most
among the cards for the primary card game before the cards are
disclosed, and placing the optional second bet on the anticipated
kind, and the rule of the secondary card game includes odds for a
case where the kind of suits which is most among the disclosed
cards dealt for the primary card game and the kind of suits on
which the optional second bet has been placed come to be
identical.
8. The gaming method according to claim 6, wherein the step (b)
further comprises: anticipating a kind of suits which will be most
among the cards for the primary card game before the cards are
disclosed, and placing the optional second bet on the anticipated
kind of suits, and the rule of the secondary card game includes
odds for a case where the kind of suits of all the disclosed cards
dealt for the primary card game and the kind of suits on which the
optional second bet has been placed come to be identical.
9. The gaming method according to claim 6, wherein the first bet is
essential for a game play.
10. The gaming method according to claim 6, wherein the primary
card game includes a baccarat game.
11. A gaming machine for playing primary card game and secondary
card games, comprising: at least one gaming terminal at which a
first bet is placed on the primary card game and an optional second
bet is placed on the secondary card game; a memory in which a rule
of the primary card game referenced at awarding a prize for the
first bet and a rule of the secondary card game referenced at
awarding a prize for the optional second bet are stored; and a
controller operable to: (a) accepting the first bet placed at the
at least one gaming terminal, (b) accepting the optional second bet
placed at the at least one gaming terminal, (c) award a prize for
the first bet according to the rule of the primary card game based
on the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card game, after
accepting of the first bet and the optional second bet have been
closed, and (d) award a prize for the optional second bet according
to the rule of the secondary card game based on colors of suits of
the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card game.
12. The gaming machine according to claim 11, wherein the
controller is operable to accept an anticipated color of suits
which will be most among the cards for the primary card game as the
optional second bet in (b), the rule of the secondary card game
includes odds for a case where the color of suits which is most
among the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card game and the
color of suits on which the optional second bet has been placed
come to be identical, and the controller is operable to award the
prize for the optional second bet according to the odds in (d).
13. The gaming machine according to claim 11, wherein the
controller is operable to accept an anticipated color of suits
which will be most among the cards for the primary card game as the
optional second bet in (b), the rule of the secondary card game
includes odds for a case where the color of suits of all the
disclosed cards dealt for the primary card game and the color of
suits on which the optional second bet has been placed come to be
identical, and the controller is operable to award the prize for
the optional second bet according to the odds in (d).
14. The gaming machine according to claim 11, wherein the
controller is operable to accept the optional second bet in (b)
only when the first bet has been accepted in (a).
15. The gaming machine according to claim 11, wherein the primary
card game includes a baccarat game.
16. A gaming machine for playing primary card game and secondary
card games, comprising: at least one gaming terminal at which a
first bet is placed on the primary card game and an optional second
bet is placed on the secondary card game; a memory in which a rule
of the primary card game referenced at awarding a prize for the
first bet and a rule of the secondary card game referenced at
awarding a prize for the optional second bet are stored; and a
controller operable to: (a) accepting the first bet placed at the
at least one gaming terminal, (b) accepting the optional second bet
placed at the at least one gaming terminal, (c) award a prize for
the first bet according to the rule of the primary card game based
on the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card game, after
accepting of the first bet and the optional second bet have been
closed, and (d) award a prize for the optional second bet according
to the rule of the secondary card game based on kinds of suits of
the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card game.
17. The gaming machine according to claim 16, wherein the
controller is operable to accept an anticipated kind of suits which
will be most among the cards for the primary card game as the
optional second bet in (b), the rule of the secondary card game
includes odds for a case where the kind of suits which is most
among the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card game and the
kind of suits on which the optional second bet has been placed come
to be identical, and the controller is operable to award the prize
for the optional second bet according to the odds in (d).
18. The gaming machine according to claim 16, wherein the
controller is operable to accept an anticipated kind of suits which
will be most among the cards for the primary card game as the
optional second bet in (b), the rule of the secondary card game
includes odds for a case where the kind of suits of all the
disclosed cards dealt for the primary card game and the kind of
suits on which the optional second bet has been placed come to be
identical, and the controller is operable to award the prize for
the optional second bet according to the odds in (d).
19. The gaming machine according to claim 16, wherein the
controller is operable to accept the optional second bet in (b)
only when the first bet has been accepted in (a).
20. The gaming machine according to claim 16, wherein the primary
card game includes a baccarat game.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based upon the prior Japanese Patent
Application No. 2007-047514, filed on Feb. 27, 2007, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] This application is related to co-pending U.S. patent
application entitled "GAMING METHOD AND MACHINE FOR PLAYING PRIMARY
AND SECONDARY CARD GAMES" referred to as the prior Japanese Patent
Application No. 2007-047398, filed in Japan on Feb. 27, 2007, which
is assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The teaching
of the co-pending application is incorporated herein by reference
to the extent they do not conflict with the teaching herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to a gaming method for playing
a card game with one or more card decks, and a gaming machine
thereof.
[0005] 2. Description of Related Art
[0006] Various card games using one or more card decks are known.
For example, in Baccarat, which is one of the various card games,
each player places a bet on "Banker" or "Player" (in addition, on
"Tie") for each game play.
[0007] Therefore, since each player can place a bet on only one
game in a single game play, the player cannot enjoy the game play
deeply despite the time period of the single game play. Not only
applied to Baccarat, there may be the same circumstances also in
the other card games such as Blackjack.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention has an object of providing a gaming
method or a gaming machine, which can satisfy a player.
[0009] A first aspect of the present invention provides a gaming
method for playing primary and secondary card games. The gaming
method comprises: (a) placing a first bet on the primary card game,
(b) placing an optional second bet on the secondary card game, (c)
displaying and then disclosing cards dealt for the primary card
game, (d) awarding a prize for the first bet according to a rule of
the primary card game based on the disclosed cards dealt for the
primary card game, and (e) awarding a prize for the optional second
bet according to a rule of the secondary card game based on colors
of suits of the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card
game.
[0010] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the
cards are displayed (dealt) and then disclosed (faced-up) for the
primary card game and the secondary card game, in which a prize
will be awarded based on the colors of suits of the disclosed cards
dealt for the primary card game.
[0011] Therefore, a player can place the optional second bet on the
secondary card game arbitrarily in addition to placing the first
bet on the primary card game in a single game play. As a result,
the player can place plural bets in parallel in the single game
play.
[0012] It is preferable that the step (b) further comprises:
anticipating a color of suits which will be most among the cards
for the primary card game before the cards are disclosed, and
placing the optional second bet on the anticipated color of suits.
In addition, the rule of the secondary card game includes odds for
a case where the color of suits which is most among the disclosed
cards dealt for the primary card game and the color of suits on
which the optional second bet has been placed come to be
identical.
[0013] The secondary card game is executed in parallel every
execution of the primary card game. And then, a prize is awarded
according to the rule of the secondary card game when the color of
suits which is most among the disclosed cards dealt for the primary
card game and the color of suits on which the optional second bet
has been placed come to be identical.
[0014] Therefore, a player can play the secondary card game, in
which the player can be awarded a prize when the color of suits
which is most among the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card
game and the color of suits anticipated by the player come to be
identical, in parallel to the primary card game. The player can
place plural bets in parallel in a single game play.
[0015] It is preferable that the step (b) further comprises:
anticipating a color of suits which will be most among the cards
for the primary card game before the cards are disclosed, and
placing the optional second bet on the anticipated color of suits.
In addition, the rule of the secondary card game includes odds for
a case where the color of suits of all the disclosed cards dealt
for the primary card game and the color of suits on which the
optional second bet has been placed come to be identical.
[0016] The secondary card game is executed in parallel every
execution of the primary card game. And then, a prize is awarded
according to the rule of the secondary card game when the color of
suits of all the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card game
and the color of suits on which the optional second bet has been
placed come to be identical.
[0017] Therefore, a player can play the secondary card game, in
which the player can be awarded a prize when the color of suits of
all the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card game and the
color of suits on which the optional second bet has been placed
come to be identical, in parallel to the primary card game. The
player can place plural bets in parallel in a single game play.
[0018] It is preferable that the first bet is essential for a game
play. According to this, the optional second bet on the secondary
card game can be placed when the first bet has been placed on the
primary card game. As a result, the player can place plural bets in
parallel in a single game play.
[0019] It is preferable that the primary card game includes a
baccarat game. According to this, the player can place the optional
second bet arbitrarily on the secondary card game in addition to
the first bet on the baccarat game during a single baccarat game.
As a result, the player can place plural bets in parallel in a
single game play of the baccarat game.
[0020] A second aspect of the present invention provides a gaming
method for playing primary and secondary card games. The gaming
method comprises: (a) placing a first bet on the primary card game,
(b) placing an optional second bet on the secondary card game, (c)
displaying and then disclosing cards dealt for the primary card
game, (d) awarding a prize for the first bet according to a rule of
the primary card game based on the disclosed cards dealt for the
primary card game, and (e) awarding a prize for the optional second
bet according to a rule of the secondary card game based on kinds
of suits of the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card
game.
[0021] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the
cards are displayed (dealt) and then disclosed (faced-up) for the
primary card game and the secondary card game, in which a prize
will be awarded based on the kinds of suits of the disclosed cards
dealt for the primary card game.
[0022] Therefore, a player can place the optional second bet on the
secondary card game arbitrarily in addition to placing the first
bet on the primary card game in a single game play. As a result,
the player can place plural bets in parallel in the single game
play.
[0023] It is preferable that the step (b) further comprises:
anticipating a kind of suits which will be most among the cards for
the primary card game before the cards are disclosed, and placing
the optional second bet on the anticipated kind of suits. In
addition, the rule of the secondary card game includes odds for a
case where the kind of suits which is most among the disclosed
cards dealt for the primary card game and the kind of suits on
which the optional second bet has been placed come to be
identical.
[0024] The secondary card game is executed in parallel every
execution of the primary card game. And then, a prize is awarded
according to the rule of the secondary card game when the kind of
suits which is most among the disclosed cards dealt for the primary
card game and the kind of suits on which the optional second bet
has been placed come to be identical.
[0025] Therefore, a player can play the secondary card game, in
which the player can be awarded a prize when the kind of suits
which is most among the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card
game and the kind of suits anticipated by the player come to be
identical, in parallel to the primary card game. The player can
place plural bets in parallel in a single game play.
[0026] It is preferable that the step (b) further comprises:
anticipating a kind of suits which will be most among the cards for
the primary card game before the cards are disclosed, and placing
the optional second bet on the anticipated kind of suits. In
addition, the rule of the secondary card game includes odds for a
case where the kind of suits of all the disclosed cards dealt for
the primary card game and the kind of suits on which the optional
second bet has been placed come to be identical.
[0027] The secondary card game is executed in parallel every
execution of the primary card game. And then, a prize is awarded
according to the rule of the secondary card game when the kind of
suits of all the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card game
and the kind of suits on which the optional second bet has been
placed come to be identical.
[0028] Therefore, a player can play the secondary card game, in
which the player can be awarded a prize when the kind of suits of
all the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card game and the
kind of suits on which the optional second bet has been placed come
to be identical, in parallel to the primary card game. The player
can place plural bets in parallel in a single game play.
[0029] It is preferable that the first bet is essential for a game
play. According to this, the optional second bet on the secondary
card game can be placed when the first bet has been placed on the
primary card game. As a result, the player can place plural bets in
parallel in a single game play.
[0030] It is preferable that the primary card game includes a
baccarat game. According to this, the player can place the optional
second bet arbitrarily on the secondary card game in addition to
the first bet on the baccarat game during a single baccarat game.
As a result, the player can place plural bets in parallel in a
single game play of the baccarat game.
[0031] A third aspect of the present invention provides a gaming
machine for playing primary and secondary card games. The gaming
machine comprises: at least one gaming terminal at which a first
bet is placed on the primary card game and an optional second bet
is placed on the secondary card game; a memory in which a rule of
the primary card game referenced at awarding a prize for the first
bet and a rule of the secondary card game referenced at awarding a
prize for the optional second bet are stored; and a controller. The
controller is operable to: (a) accepting the first bet placed at
the at least one gaming terminal, (b) accepting the optional second
bet placed at the at least one gaming terminal, (c) award a prize
for the first bet according to the rule of the primary card game
based on the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card game, after
accepting of the first bet and the optional second bet have been
closed, and (d) award a prize for the optional second bet according
to the rule of the secondary card game based on colors of suits of
the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card game.
[0032] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the
cards are displayed (dealt) and then disclosed (faced-up) for the
primary card game and the secondary card game, in which a prize
will be awarded based on the colors of suits of the disclosed cards
dealt for the primary card game.
[0033] Therefore, a player can place the optional second bet on the
secondary card game arbitrarily in addition to placing the first
bet on the primary card game in a single game play. As a result,
the player can place plural bets in parallel in the single game
play.
[0034] It is preferable that the controller is operable to accept
an anticipated color of suits which will be most among the cards
for the primary card game as the optional second bet in (b). In
addition, the rule of the secondary card game includes odds for a
case where the color of suits which is most among the disclosed
cards dealt for the primary card game and the color of suits on
which the optional second bet has been placed come to be identical.
Furthermore, the controller is operable to award the prize for the
optional second bet according to the odds in (d).
[0035] The secondary card game is executed in parallel every
execution of the primary card game. And then, a prize is awarded
according to the rule of the secondary card game when the color of
suits which is most among the disclosed cards dealt for the primary
card game and the color of suits on which the optional second bet
has been placed come to be identical.
[0036] Therefore, a player can play the secondary card game, in
which the player can be awarded a prize when the color of suits
which is most among the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card
game and the color of suits anticipated by the player come to be
identical, in parallel to the primary card game. The player can
place plural bets in parallel in a single game play.
[0037] It is preferable that the controller is operable to accept
an anticipated color of suits which will be most among the cards
for the primary card game as the optional second bet in (b). In
addition, the rule of the secondary card game includes odds for a
case where the color of suits of all the disclosed cards dealt for
the primary card game and the color of suits on which the optional
second bet has been placed come to be identical. Furthermore, the
controller is operable to award the prize for the optional second
bet according to the odds in (d).
[0038] The secondary card game is executed in parallel every
execution of the primary card game. And then, a prize is awarded
according to the rule of the secondary card game when the color of
suits of all the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card game
and the color of suits on which the optional second bet has been
placed come to be identical.
[0039] Therefore, a player can play the secondary card game, in
which the player can be awarded a prize when the color of suits of
all the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card game and the
color of suits on which the optional second bet has been placed
come to be identical, in parallel to the primary card game. The
player can place plural bets in parallel in a single game play.
[0040] It is preferable that the controller is operable to accept
the optional second bet in (b) only when the first bet has been
accepted in (a). According to this, the player can place the
optional second bet on the secondary card game at the gaming
terminal when the player has placed the first bet on the primary
card game at the gaming terminal. As a result, the player can place
plural bets in parallel in a single game play.
[0041] It is preferable that the primary card game includes a
baccarat game. According to this, the player can place the optional
second bet arbitrarily on the secondary card game in addition to
the first bet on the baccarat game during a single baccarat game.
As a result, the player can place plural bets in parallel in a
single game play of the baccarat game.
[0042] A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a gaming
machine for playing primary and secondary card games. The gaming
machine comprises: at least one gaming terminal at which a first
bet is placed on the primary card game and an optional second bet
is placed on the secondary card game; a memory in which a rule of
the primary card game referenced at awarding a prize for the first
bet and a rule of the secondary card game referenced at awarding a
prize for the optional second bet are stored; and a controller. The
controller is operable to: (a) accepting the first bet placed at
the at least one gaming terminal, (b) accepting the optional second
bet placed at the at least one gaming terminal, (c) award a prize
for the first bet according to the rule of the primary card game
based on the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card game, after
accepting of the first bet and the optional second bet have been
closed, and (d) award a prize for the optional second bet according
to the rule of the secondary card game based on kinds of suits of
the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card game.
[0043] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the
cards are displayed (dealt) and then disclosed (faced-up) for the
primary card game and the secondary card game, in which a prize
will be awarded based on the kinds of suits of the disclosed cards
dealt for the primary card game.
[0044] Therefore, a player can place the optional second bet on the
secondary card game arbitrarily in addition to placing the first
bet on the primary card game in a single game play. As a result,
the player can place plural bets in parallel in the single game
play.
[0045] It is preferable that the controller is operable to accept
an anticipated kind of suits which will be most among the cards for
the primary card game as the optional second bet in (b). In
addition, the rule of the secondary card game includes odds for a
case where the kind of suits which is most among the disclosed
cards dealt for the primary card game and the kind of suits on
which the optional second bet has been placed come to be identical.
Furthermore, the controller is operable to award the prize for the
optional second bet according to the odds in (d).
[0046] The secondary card game is executed in parallel every
execution of the primary card game. And then, a prize is awarded
according to the rule of the secondary card game when the kind of
suits which is most among the disclosed cards dealt for the primary
card game and the kind of suits on which the optional second bet
has been placed come to be identical.
[0047] Therefore, a player can play the secondary card game, in
which the player can be awarded a prize when the kind of suits
which is most among the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card
game and the kind of suits anticipated by the player come to be
identical, in parallel to the primary card game. The player can
place plural bets in parallel in a single game play.
[0048] It is preferable that the controller is operable to accept
an anticipated kind of suits which will be most among the cards for
the primary card game as the optional second bet in (b). In
addition, the rule of the secondary card game includes odds for a
case where the kind of suits of all the disclosed cards dealt for
the primary card game and the kind of suits on which the optional
second bet has been placed come to be identical. Furthermore, the
controller is operable to award the prize for the optional second
bet according to the odds in (d).
[0049] The secondary card game is executed in parallel every
execution of the primary card game. And then, a prize is awarded
according to the rule of the secondary card game when the kind of
suits of all the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card game
and the kind of suits on which the optional second bet has been
placed come to be identical.
[0050] Therefore, a player can play the secondary card game, in
which the player can be awarded a prize when the kind of suits of
all the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card game and the
kind of suits on which the optional second bet has been placed come
to be identical, in parallel to the primary card game. The player
can place plural bets in parallel in a single game play.
[0051] It is preferable that the controller is operable to accept
the optional second bet in (b) only when the first bet has been
accepted in (a). According to this, the player can place the
optional second bet on the secondary card game at the gaming
terminal when the player has placed the first bet on the primary
card game at the gaming terminal. As a result, the player can place
plural bets in parallel in a single game play.
[0052] It is preferable that the primary card game includes a
baccarat game. According to this, the player can place the optional
second bet arbitrarily on the secondary card game in addition to
the first bet on the baccarat game during a single baccarat game.
As a result, the player can place plural bets in parallel in a
single game play of the baccarat game.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0053] FIG. 1 is a process of a baccarat game to which a gaming
method of an embodiment of the present invention;
[0054] FIG. 2 is a table showing points of cards in a base game of
baccarat;
[0055] FIG. 3 is a table showing Player's Draw and Stand rules in
the base game of baccarat;
[0056] FIG. 4 is a table showing banker's Draw and Stand rules in
the base game of baccarat;
[0057] FIG. 5 is a table showing payback rules for the base game of
baccarat;
[0058] FIG. 6 is a table showing payback rules for a sidebet game
of baccarat to which a first embodiment of the present invention is
applied;
[0059] FIG. 7 is a plan view example of a gaming table on which a
baccarat game of the first embodiment is played;
[0060] FIG. 8 is a table showing payback rules for a sidebet game
of baccarat to which a second embodiment of the present invention
is applied;
[0061] FIG. 9 is a plan view example of a gaming table on which a
baccarat game of the second embodiment is played;
[0062] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a perspective view of
an appearance of a baccarat gaming machine according to a third
embodiment of the present invention;
[0063] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a gaming terminal shown in
FIG. 10;
[0064] FIG. 12 is a screen image example displayed on a display of
the gaming terminal in FIG. 11;
[0065] FIG. 13 is a screen image example of a baccarat game
executed and displayed on a communal display shown in FIG. 10;
[0066] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration
of a game controller shown in FIG. 10;
[0067] FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration
of a baccarat gaming machine according to the third embodiment;
[0068] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing memory areas of a ROM
in a server shown in FIG. 10;
[0069] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing memory areas of a RAM
in the server shown in FIG. 10;
[0070] FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration
of the gaming terminal;
[0071] FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing gaming processings of the
server and the game controller;
[0072] FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing gaming processings of the
server and the game controller;
[0073] FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing a gaming processing of the
gaming terminal;
[0074] FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing a betting period
confirmation processing in FIG. 22;
[0075] FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing a bet accepting processing
in FIG. 22; and
[0076] FIG. 24 is a screen image example displayed on a display of
a gaming terminal of a baccarat gaming machine according to a
fourth embodiment of the present embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0077] Hereinafter, a gaming method for playing a card game
according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be
described by referring to FIGS. 1 to 7.
[0078] Baccarat game is one of card games in which all dealt
(displayed) cards are faced-up (disclosed) at the end of each game.
There are some variants of baccarat game, all of which is based on
the same fundamental rule, such as Banque a Tout Va, Chemin de Fer,
Punto Banco (so-called Big-baccarat) and Mini-baccarat. These
variants have minor differences in rules and there are also minor
differences in rules in each of casinos that provide these
variants. However, the fundamental rule (hereinafter a baccarat
game, which is simply based on this fundamental rule, is called a
base game) is common to any variants.
[0079] In the base game (corresponding to "primary card game" in
claims), it is determined which hand is superior, "Player" or
"Banker". "Player" and "Banker" are imaginary card players.
Specifically, in the base game, each actual player who wants to in
the game places a bet on the base game using chips (gaming media)
(step S1 in FIG. 1). In other words, each player anticipates and
places a bet on a winner the Player or the Banker (step S2). Each
player can also place a (or an additional) bet on "Tie". Cards are
dealt to the Player and the Banker after bets has been placed by
players (step S3).
[0080] In step S3, two cards are dealt to each of the Player and
the Banker first. And then, the third card may be dealt to the
Player according to the Player's score of the initially dealt two
cards. Similarly, the third card may dealt to the Banker according
to the Banker's score of the initially dealt two cards and the
Player's action.
[0081] Here, the Player's and Banker's scores are counted according
to points shown in a table in FIG. 2. Specifically, "A (Aces)" are
worth 1 point, cards "2" to "9" are worth face value thereon, and
cards "10", "J (Jack)", "Q (Queen)" and "K (King)" are worth zero.
And then, each of the Player's and Banker's scores is last single
digit of the sum of two initially dealt cards.
[0082] The third card is dealt to the Player when the counted
Player's score corresponds to "Draw" in a table shown in FIG. 3.
The third card is not dealt to the Player when the counted Player's
score corresponds to "Stand" in the table. Similarly, the third
card is dealt to the banker when the counted Banker's score
corresponds to "Draw" in a table shown in FIG. 4. The third card is
not dealt to the Banker when the counted Banker's score corresponds
to "Stand" in the table.
[0083] Note that the initially dealt cards in step S3 may be dealt
with faced-down (hidden) or faced-up (disclosed). However, all of
the dealt cards are needed to be faced-up before step S4.
[0084] In this manner, a payback (a payout: a prize) for the base
game is provided to each winning player according to the Player's
and Banker's scores after two or three cards have been dealt to
each of the Player and the Banker (step S4). At the payback, the
Player's and Banker's scores are counted according to the dealt
cards, respectively. Then a winner is determined according to the
counted scores. Specifically, one of the Player and Banker, whose
score is closer (or equal) to nine than another, is a winner. The
game ends with the "Tie" when both scores are equal each other. A
payout amount is determined according to a result of the base game
after the winner has been determined.
[0085] For example, the payout amount is determined according to a
table shown in FIG. 5. Specifically, if the Player is a winner, a
payback amount equal to a bet amount is provided to each player who
placed a bet on the Player. In other words, the payout amount is
twice as much as the bet amount (the bet amount+the payback
amount). The bets placed on the Banker and the Tie are collected.
Otherwise, if the banker is a winner, a payback amount equal to 95%
of a bet amount is provided to each player who placed a bet on the
Banker. 5% of the bet amount is provided to the house (casino) as a
commission. The bets placed on the Player and the Tie are
collected. In addition, if the game ends with the Tie, a payback
amount eight times as much as a bet amount is provided to each
player who placed a bet on the Tie. The bets placed on the Player
and the Banker are returned to players who placed them,
respectively. A payback rule for the base game as described above
may be regulated as a local rule in each casino.
[0086] Note that in the present embodiment, the payback rule for
the base game shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to a "gaming rule of the
primary card game" in claims.
[0087] In the base game described above, the "Player" merely means
a role in a baccarat game and is different from a "player" in
claims. This point is applied to descriptions hereinafter.
[0088] In the present embodiment, a sidebet game (corresponding to
"secondary card game" in claims) is also executed in parallel to an
each execution of the base games. In the sidebet game of the
present embodiment, it is anticipated for a bet which color of
suits (Black or Red) is more among all of the dealt cards (four or
more cards) in a single game play of the base game. Therefore, each
player who placed a bet on the base game can also participate in
the sidebet game by anticipating and placing another bet on one of
colors (Black or Red) before the base game is started.
Participation in the sidebet game is optional (arbitrary) similarly
to a bet on the Tie.
[0089] In the above-mentioned sidebet game, each player, who placed
on the base game in step S1 (FIG. 1), places an optional bet on the
sidebet game in step S2. And then, a payout (payback) for the
sidebet game is provided to each winning player (step S5) after (or
in a lump with) the payout for the base game.
[0090] For example, a payout amount for the sidebet game is
determined according to a table shown in FIG. 6. Specifically, if
cards of the color on which a player placed a bet are more than
cards of the other color, a payback amount 1.5 times as much as a
bet amount is provided to the player. In other words, the payout
amount is 2.5 times as much as the bet amount (the bet amount+the
payback amount). If all dealt cards have the same color as the
color on which a player placed a bet, an extra payback amount three
times as much as a bet amount is provided to the player. If cards
of the other color are more than cards of the color on which a
player placed a bet or if any dealt cards don't have the color on
which a player placed a bet, the bet is collected. Note that if
Black cards and Red cards are even, all bets placed on the Black
and the Red are returned to players, respectively.
[0091] Note that in the present embodiment, the payback rule for
the sidebet game shown in FIG. 6 corresponds to a gaming rule of
the secondary card game in claims.
[0092] A bet on the base game in step S1 and a bet on the sidebet
game in step S2 may be placed with counterchanging their placing
order or may be placed simultaneously. In addition, a payout for
the base game in step S4 and a payout for the sidebet game in step
S5 may be provided with counterchanging their providing order or
may be provided simultaneously.
[0093] A table 1 shown in FIG. 7 is used for the game, on which
cards for the base game and the sidebet game are dealt by a dealer
as a facilitator of the game and players place a bet the base game
and the sidebet game.
[0094] A Player card area 2a and a Banker card area 2b are provided
on the table 1. Player's cards dealt by the dealer are placed on
the Player card area 2a. Banker's cards dealt by the dealer are
placed on the Banker card area 2b.
[0095] In addition, seven areas 3a to 3g for being placed bets by
players are also provided on the table 1. Therefore, up to seven
players can participate in the game in parallel on the table 1.
Numerals 1 to 8 (4 is unused) are allocated to each of the areas 3a
to 3g.
[0096] A Player bet area 4a to 4g, a Banker bet area 5a to 5g and a
Tie bet area 6a to 6g are provided on each of the areas 3a to 3g
for being placed a bet for the base game. In addition, a Black bet
area 7a to 7g and a Red bet area 8a to 8g are provided on each of
the areas 3a to 3g for being placed a bet for the sidebet game.
[0097] A chip(s) for a bet is placed on the Player bet areas 4a to
4g by each player who anticipates a Player's win. A chip(s) for a
bet is placed on the Banker bet areas 5a to 5g by each player who
anticipates a Banker's win. A chip(s) for a bet is placed on the
Tie bet areas 6a to 6g by each player who anticipates that the game
will end in a Tie. Each player cannot place chips on both the
Player bet area 4a to 4g and the Banker bet area 5a to 5g at a
time. However, each player can place chips on both the Player bet
area 4a to 4g and the Tie bet area 6a to 6g at a time. Similarly,
each player can place chips on both the Banker bet area 5a to 5g
and the Tie bet area 6a to 6g at a time.
[0098] A chip(s) for a bet is placed on the Black bet areas 7a to
7g by each player who anticipates that cards of Black suits (Spades
and Clubs) will be more than cards of Red suits (Hearts and
Diamonds) among all dealt cards at the end of the game. A chip(s)
for a bet is placed on the Red bet areas 8a to 8g by each player
who anticipates that cards of Red suits (Hearts and Diamonds) will
be more than cards of Black suits (Spades and Clubs) among all
dealt cards at the end of the game. Each player cannot place chips
on both the Black bet area 7a to 7g and the Red bet area 8a to 8g
at a time.
[0099] Note that a shuffling machine 9 for shuffling cards of one
or more decks, a discard area 10 within which discarded cards are
placed, a drop slot 11 into which bills are dropped, and a chip
tray 12 on which chips are held are further provided on the table
1.
[0100] When playing the base game and the sidebet game in parallel
in the baccarat of the present embodiment, each player first places
a bet for the base game on the area 3a to 3g allocated for oneself.
Specifically, each player who anticipates a Player's win places a
bet on the Player bet area 4a to 4g of the area 3a to 3g allocated
for oneself. Each player who anticipates a Banker's win places a
bet on the Banker bet area 5a to 5g of the area 3a to 3g allocated
for oneself. Each player who anticipates a Tie end places a bet on
the Tie bet area 6a to 6g of the area 3a to 3g allocated for
oneself.
[0101] Then, each player, who has placed a bet on the base game,
arbitrarily places a bet for the sidebet game on the area 3a to 3g
allocated for oneself. Specifically, each player who anticipates
that Black cards will be more than Red cards places a bet on the
Black bet area 7a to 7g of the area 3a to 3g allocated for oneself.
Each player who anticipates that Red cards will be more than Black
cards places a bet on the Red bet area 8a to 8g of the area 3a to
3g allocated for oneself.
[0102] The dealer closes accepting bets on the base game and the
sidebet game, and then draws cards for the base game one by one
from the shuffling machine 9 to deal two cards on each of the
Player card area 2a and the Banker card area 2b alternately. The
dealer deals the cards with faced-down. And then the cards are
faced-up by the dealer at the Player card area 2a and the Banker
card area 2b.
[0103] Subsequently, the dealer counts each score of the Player and
the Banker. The dealer deals the third card with faced-up on the
Player card area 2a when the counted Player's score corresponds to
the Draw in the table shown in FIG. 3. and then, the dealer deals
the third card with faced-up to the Banker card area 2b when the
counted Banker's score corresponds to the Draw in the table shown
in FIG. 4.
[0104] The dealer counts each final score of the Player and the
Banker after two or three cards has been dealt on each of the
Player card area 2a and the Banker card area 2b. And then, the
dealer determines the results of the base game and provide a payout
for the base game to each winning player. At providing the payout,
the dealer picks up chips of a payback amount equal to a bet amount
from the chip tray 12 to provide the payout to each winning player.
In addition, the dealer collects chips placed on the Player bet
areas 4a to 4g and the Banker bet areas 5a to 5g by losing players
in the base game and puts them on the chip tray 12. The dealer
picks up chips of a payback amount eight times as much as a bet
amount from the chip tray 12 to provide the payout to each winning
player when the base game ends in a Tie. In this case, chips placed
on the Player and the Banker are not collected and returned to
players who have placed them, respectively.
[0105] Furthermore, the dealer determines the result of the sidebet
game according to colors of suits of all faced-up cards on the
Player card area 2a and the Banker card area 2b after all cards has
been dealt. And then, the dealer provides a payout for the sidebet
game to each winning player. At providing the payout, the dealer
picks up chips of a payback amount 1.5 times as much as a bet
amount from the chip tray 12 to provide the payout to each winning
player. In case where all dealt cards has the same color of suits
and a player(s) who has placed a bet on the same color exists, the
dealer picks up chips of a payback amount three times as much as a
bet amount from the chip tray 12 to provide the payout to the
player(s). In addition, the dealer collects chips placed by losing
players on the Black bet areas 7a to 7g or the Red bet areas 8a to
8g in the sidebet game and puts them on the chip tray 12. In case
where Black cards and Red cards are even, all chips placed on the
Black and the Red are not collected and returned to players who
have placed them, respectively.
[0106] According to the baccarat game of the above-described first
embodiment, the sidebet game, in which a bet is placed on one of
colors of suits (Black or Red) to be dealt more for the base game,
is executed together with the base game. Each player who
participates in the base game can also arbitrarily participate in
the sidebet game by placing a bet for the sidebet game. Therefore,
since each player can participate in the sidebet game in addition
to the base game in a single game play, each player can enjoy the
game play deeply and then more satisfaction can be given to each
player by the game play.
[0107] Next, a gaming method for playing a card game according to a
second embodiment of the present invention will be described by
referring to FIGS. 8 and 9.
[0108] In the sidebet game of the above-described first embodiment,
a bet is placed on one of colors of suits (Black or Red) to be
dealt more for the base game. However, in the sidebet game of the
second embodiment described hereinafter, a bet is placed on one of
suits (Spades, Hearts, Clubs and Diamonds) to be dealt more for the
base game.
[0109] Therefore, in the baccarat game of the second embodiment,
the base game and the sidebet game are executed in parallel
according to the same process as shown in FIG. 1. The base game in
the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment
described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. The content of the
sidebet game in the second embodiment is different from that in the
first embodiment.
[0110] In addition, for example, a payout amount for the sidebet
game of the present embodiment is determined according to a table
shown in FIG. 8. Specifically, if cards of the suit on which a
player placed a bet are most among all dealt cards, a payback
amount 1.5 times as much as a bet amount is provided to the player.
In other words, the payout amount is 2.5 times as much as the bet
amount (the bet amount+the payback amount). If all dealt cards have
the same suit as the suit on which a player placed a bet, an extra
payback amount three times as much as a bet amount is provided to
the player. If cards of the other suits are more than cards of the
suit on which a player placed a bet or if any dealt cards don't
have the suit on which a player placed a bet, the bet is collected.
Note that if two or more suits are most and even, all bets are
returned to players respectively without providing any payouts.
[0111] Note that in the present embodiment, the payback rule for
the sidebet game shown in FIG. 8 corresponds to a gaming rule of
the secondary card game in claims.
[0112] A table 1A shown in FIG. 9 is used for the game, on which
cards for the base game and the sidebet game are dealt by a dealer
as a facilitator of the game and players place a bet for the base
game and the sidebet game.
[0113] The table 1A has many commonalties with the table 1 in the
first embodiment. The table 1A has only one difference that Spade
bet areas 13a to 13g, Heart bet areas 14a to 14g, Club bet areas
15a to 15b and Diamond bet areas 16a to 16g are provided on the
areas 3a to 3g respectively for being placed a bet for the sidebet
game, instead of the Black bet areas 7a to 7g and the Red bet areas
8a to 8g of the table 1 in the first embodiment.
[0114] A chip(s) for a bet is placed on the Spade bet areas 13a to
13g by each player who anticipates that cards of Spades will be
most among all dealt cards at the end of the game. A chip(s) for a
bet is placed on the Heart bet areas 14a to 14g by each player who
anticipates that cards of Hearts will be most among all dealt cards
at the end of the game. A chip(s) for a bet is placed on the Club
bet areas 15a to 15g by each player who anticipates that cards of
Clubs will be most among all dealt cards at the end of the game. A
chip(s) for a bet is placed on the Diamond bet areas 16a to 16g by
each player who anticipates that cards of Diamonds will be most
among all dealt cards at the end of the game. Each player cannot
place chips on two or more bet areas 13a to 16g at a time.
[0115] When playing the base game and the sidebet game in parallel
in the baccarat of the present embodiment, each player, who has
placed a bet on the base game, arbitrarily places a bet for the
sidebet game on the area 3a to 3g allocated for oneself.
Specifically, each player who anticipates Spades to be most places
a bet on the Spade bet area 13a to 13g of the area 3a to 3g
allocated for oneself. Each player who anticipates Hearts to be
most places a bet on the Heart bet area 14a to 14g of the area 3a
to 3g allocated for oneself. Each player who anticipates Clubs to
be most places a bet on the Club bet area 15a to 15g of the area 3a
to 3g allocated for oneself. Each player who anticipates Diamonds
to be most places a bet on the Diamond bet area 16a to 16g of the
area 3a to 3g allocated for oneself.
[0116] The dealer closes accepting bets on the base game and the
sidebet game, and then draws cards for the base game one by one
from the shuffling machine 9 to deal two cards on each of the
Player card area 2a and the Banker card area 2b alternately,
similarly in the first embodiment. And then, the dealer provides a
payout for each of the base game and the sidebet game to each
winning player after having dealt two or three cards on the Player
card area 2a and the Banker card area 2b and having faced-up all
dealt cards.
[0117] At providing the payout for the sidebet game, the dealer
picks up chips of a payback amount 1.5 times as much as a bet
amount from the chip tray 12 to provide the payout to each winning
player. In case where all dealt cards has the same suit and a
player(s) who has placed a bet on the same suit exists, the dealer
picks up chips of a payback amount three times as much as a bet
amount from the chip tray 12 to provide the payout to the
player(s). In addition, the dealer collects chips placed by losing
players on the bet areas 13a to 16g in the sidebet game and puts
them on the chip tray 12. In case where two or more suits are most
and even, all chips placed on any of the suits are not collected
and returned to players who have placed them, respectively.
[0118] According to the baccarat game of the above-described second
embodiment, the sidebet game, in which a bet is placed on one of
suits (Spades, Hearts, Clubs or Diamonds) to be dealt most for the
base game, is executed together with the base game. Each player who
participates in the base game can also arbitrarily participate in
the sidebet game by placing a bet for the sidebet game. Therefore,
since each player can participate in the sidebet game in addition
to the base game in a single game play, each player can enjoy the
game play deeply and then more satisfaction can be given to each
player by the game play.
[0119] As described above, embodiments in which the game is played
on the table 1 or the table 1A are explained. However, the above
baccarat game may be played on a gaming machine to which each
player can input a betting operation.
[0120] Hereinafter, a baccarat game machine according to a third
embodiment of the present invention will be described by referring
to FIGS. 10 to 23.
[0121] The baccarat game machine 101 (corresponding to the "gaming
machine" of the present invention) of the present embodiment shown
in FIG. 10 has a communal display 102, a game controller 103,
plural gaming terminals 104 and a server 113. Each of the gaming
terminals 104 shown in FIG. 11 has a display 108 shown in FIG. 12.
Each of the gaming terminals 104 and the server 113, or the game
controller 103 and the server 113 are connected each other by a
local area network or the like. The game controller 103 and the
server 113 are connected with each other by an exclusive signal
line or the like.
[0122] The base game and the sidebet game are executed in parallel
on the communal display 102 under the control of the game
controller 103 and the server 113 repeatedly to be displayed to the
players. The players use the gaming terminals 104 which are
arranged around the communal display 102 to participate in the base
game and the sidebet game. In the present embodiment, the baccarat
game machine 101 has nine gaming terminals 104. Therefore, up to
nine players can participate in the base game and the sidebet game
in common simultaneously.
[0123] The base game of baccarat displayed on the communal display
102 is repeatedly executed at prescribed time intervals under the
control of the game controller 103 and the server 113. Accordingly,
a betting period (an accepting period) when a player can place a
bet for the base game at each of the gaming terminals 104 is
limited according to process of the game. A bet on the base game
and the sidebet game cannot be placed at each of the gaming
terminals 104 from completion of the betting period for the player
to place a bet on the current base game and the current sidebet
game until completion of a payout for the current base game and the
current sidebet game. New betting period will be started after the
completion of a payout and a bet on the upcoming base game and the
upcoming sidebet game can be placed at each of the gaming terminals
104.
[0124] A bet screen 161 for the base game and the sidebet game,
which are executed and displayed on the communal display 102, is
displayed on the display 8 on each of the gaming terminals 4 as
shown in FIG. 12 during the above-mentioned betting period. The bet
screen 161 will be described in detail later.
[0125] FIG. 13 shows a display example of the baccarat game
executed and displayed on the communal display 102 of the baccarat
game machine 101 shown in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 13, the base
game displayed on the communal display 102 is exactly equivalent to
the base game executed with cards dealt on the Player card area 2a
and the Banker card area 2b on the table 1 shown in FIG. 7.
Therefore, a Player card area 102a, a Banker card area 102b and
Player's cards, Banker's cards dealt thereon and so on are
displayed on the communal display 102.
[0126] FIG. 14 shows a block diagram showing an internal
configuration of the game controller 103. As shown in FIG. 14, the
game controller 103 includes a controller CPU 103a for integrating
overall control of the game controller 103, a ROM 103b, a RAM 103c,
a hard disk drive (HDD) 103d, a keyboard 103e and an LCD drive
circuit 103f connected with the communal display 102.
[0127] Game programs for executing and displaying the base game on
the communal display 102 are stored in the HDD 103d and is
downloaded to the RAM 103c according to a command signal input into
the keyboard 103e. The game is executed under the control of the
controller CPU 103a based on the game programs. In addition, the
controller CPU 103a executes various processings based on input
signals supplied from the server 113 and data and programs stored
in the ROM 103b and the RAM 103c. The controller CPU 103a transmits
displaying command signals to the communal display 102 based on the
results of the various processings to control executing and
displaying the base game on the communal display 102
initiatively.
[0128] Next, the configuration of the gaming terminal 104 will be
described. As shown in FIG. 11, the gaming terminal 104 has a medal
insertion slot 107 for inserting game media (currency value: such
as cash, a chip, a medal, etc.) and the above-mentioned display 108
for displaying images related to the game on its upper face. The
gaming terminal 104 accepts the betting operation by a player via
the medal insertion slot 107 and the display 108. The player can
play the game by operating a touchscreen 150 (see FIG. 18) provided
on a front surface of the display 108 or the like while watching
the images on the display 108. Note that in the following
description, the game media may be referred as their representative
"medals".
[0129] In addition to the medal insertion slot 107 and the display
108 described above, a cash-out button 105, a ticket printer 106, a
bill insertion slot 109, and a speaker 110 are provided on the
upper face of the gaming terminal 104. A medal cash-out chute 112
and a medal tray 114 are provided in a front face of the gaming
terminal 104.
[0130] The cash-out button 105 is a button for inputting a command
for cashing out credited medals from the medal cash-out chute 112
to the medal tray 114. The ticket printer 106 prints out a bar code
ticket including the data such as the credits, the date and the ID
number of the gaming terminal 104. The player can use the bar code
ticket at another gaming terminal 104 to place a bet. Or the player
can exchange the bar code ticket to bills or the like at a
prescribed location (a cashier in the casino, for example) in a
gaming facility.
[0131] The bill insertion slot 109 validates the inserted bills and
accepts legitimate bills. Note that the bill insertion slot 109 can
also read the bar code ticket. The speaker 110 outputs music,
effect sounds and the like.
[0132] A WIN lamp 111 is provided below the display 108 of the
gaming terminal 104. The WIN lamp 111 of the winning gaming
terminal 104 will be lit up when a bet placed at the gaming
terminal 104 would get a winning. Note that the WIN lamp 111 is
provided at a visible position from all of the gaming terminals 104
(nine terminals in the present embodiment) for the other players
playing at the same baccarat game machine 101 to be able to check
lit-up WIN lamp(s) 11 at any time.
[0133] A medal sensor (not shown) is provided at the inside of the
medal insertion slot 107 to identify currency values of medals
inserted into the medal insertion slot 107 and to count the
inserted medals. In addition, a hopper (not shown) is provided at
the inside of the medal cash-out chute 112 to cash out a prescribed
number of medals from the medal cash-out chute 112.
[0134] The bet screen 161 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the
display 108 of the gaming terminal 104 during the betting period
set in the server 113 according to the process of the game. The bet
screen 161 has a betting board 160. The player can place a bet by
operating the touchscreen 150 (see FIG. 12) provided on the front
surface of the display 108 using own chips (that are credited as an
electronic information in the gaming terminal 104) during the
betting period while the bet screen 161 is being displayed on the
display 108.
[0135] First, the bet screen 161 displayed during the betting
period will be described according to FIG. 12. A Player bet area
162, a Banker bet area 163 and a Tie bet area 164 are provided on
the betting board 160 to be placed a bet on the base game. In
addition, a Black bet area 165 and a Red bet area 166 are provided
on the bet screen 161 to be placed a bet on the sidebet game.
[0136] A chip for a bet is placed on the Player bet area 162 by a
player who anticipates a Player's win. A chip for a bet is placed
on the Banker bet area 163 by a player who anticipates a Banker's
win. A chip for a bet is placed on the Tie bet area 164 by a player
who anticipates that the game will end in a Tie. A player cannot
place chips on both the Player bet area 162 and the Banker bet area
163 at a time. However, a player can place chips on both the Player
bet area 162 and the Tie bet area 164 at a time. Similarly, a
player can place chips on both the Banker bet area 163 and the Tie
bet area 164 at a time.
[0137] A chip for a bet is placed on the Black bet area 165 by a
player who anticipates that cards of Black suits (Spades and Clubs)
will be more than cards of Red suits (Hearts and Diamonds) among
all dealt cards at the end of the game. A chip for a bet is placed
on the Red bet area 166 by a player who anticipates that cards of
Red suits (Hearts and Diamonds) will be more than cards of Black
suits (Spades and Clubs) among all dealt cards at the end of the
game. A player cannot place chips on both the Black bet area 165
and the Red bet area 166 at a time.
[0138] A bet confirmation button 167, bet buttons 168, a payout
counter 169 and a credit counter 170 are displayed on a lower area
of the betting board 160.
[0139] The bet buttons 168 are buttons for place a chip(s) on bet
areas 162 to 166 specified by a player. The bet buttons 168
comprise four types of buttons including a 1-bet button 168A, 5-bet
button 168B, 10-bet button 168C and 100-bet button 168D.
[0140] A player specifies one of the bet areas 162 to 166 by
directly touching it on the display 108 using by a finger or the
like to place a cursor 172 thereon. And then, the player touches
the 1-bet button 168A once to place a 1-credit bet (chip). Each
time the 1-bet button 168A is touched, a bet amount increases in
the order of "1"-->"2"-->"3"--> . . . . Similarly, the
player touches the 5-bet button 168B once to place a 5-credit bet
(to increase the bet amount). Each time the 5-bet button 168B is
touched, the bet amount increases in the order of
"5"-->"10"-->"15"--> . . . . The player touches the 10-bet
button 168C once to place a 10-credit bet. Each time the 10-bet
button 168C is touched, the bet amount increases in the order of
"10"-->"20"-->"30"--> . . . . The player touches the
100-bet button 168D once to place a 100-credit bet. Each time the
100-bet button 168D is touched, the bet amount increases in the
order of "100"-->"200"-->"300"--> . . . .
[0141] After the above described betting operation, the betting
content will be confirmed when the player touches the bet
confirmation button 167. Consequently, the betting content can be
corrected if the bet confirmation button 167 has not been touched
yet.
[0142] The payout counter 169 displays a bet amount (credits) and a
payout amount (credits) in the last game. Here, the newly obtained
credit in the last game by the player is calculated by subtracting
the bet amount from the payout.
[0143] The credit counter 170 displays the current credits owned by
the player. The credits will be decreased according to a bet amount
(one credit for a 1-credit bet). Also, the credits will be
increased by a payout amount when a payout is provided by winning.
Note that the game will be over when the owned credit by the player
becomes zero.
[0144] In addition, a bet time counter 171 is provided on an upper
area on the betting board 160. The bet time counter 171 displays a
remaining betting time while the players can place abet. "20" will
be displayed on the bet time counter 171 at the start of the
betting period and this number is decremented by one per each
second. The acceptance of a bet is finished when this number
becomes "0". Note that displaying image on the display 108 will be
fixed in order not to accept the betting operation any more when
the acceptance of a bet will be finished.
[0145] The cursor 172 is displayed on the betting board 160 to
indicate the bet area 162 to 166 currently specified by the player.
In addition, a chip mark(s) 173 is also displayed on the betting
board 160 to indicate a bet amount and the bet area(s) 162 to 166
had been placed. The number on the chip mark 173 indicates a bet
amount. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the chip mark 173 of "20"
placed on the Player bet area 162 indicates that twenty credits has
been placed on a Player's win.
[0146] The player places a bet on the bet screen 161 as follows.
The player first specifies one of the bet areas 162 to 166 on the
screen by directly touching it with a finger. As a result, the
cursor 172 moves to the specified the one of the bet areas 162 to
166.
[0147] Subsequently, a bet amount is determined by touching the bet
buttons 168 (1-bet button 66A, 5-bet button 66B, 10-bet button 66C
and 100-bet button 66D) as mentioned above. For example, touching
the 10-bet button 66C four times, the 5-bet button 66B once, and
the 1-bet button 66A three times will result in a 48-credits
bet.
[0148] FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration
of the baccarat game machine 101 (corresponding to the "gaming
machine" in claims) of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15,
the baccarat game machine 101 has the server 113, the communal
display 102 connected to the server 113 via the game controller 103
and the plural gaming terminals 104 (9 terminals in the present
embodiment) connected to the server 113. Note that an internal
configuration of the gaming terminal 104 will be described in
detail later.
[0149] The server 113 includes a server CPU 113a for integrating
overall control of the server 113, a ROM 113b, a RAM 113c, a timer
113d, an LCD (liquid crystal display) 132 connected via an LCD
drive circuit 113e and a keyboard 133.
[0150] The server CPU 113a executes various processings based on
input signals supplied from each of the gaming terminals 104 and
data and programs stored in the ROM 113b and the RAM 113c. In
addition, the server CPU 113a transmits command signals to the
gaming terminals 104 based on the results of the various
processings to control the gaming terminals 104 initiatively.
Especially, the server CPU 113a transmits control signals to the
game controller 103 to control executing and displaying the base
game on the communal display 102.
[0151] The ROM 113b is a semiconductor memory or the like and
stores programs that implement basic functions of the baccarat game
machine 101, programs for notifying maintenance timing and setting
and managing notification condition, odds data for the base game
and the sidebet game (payout credits per a 1-credit bet), programs
for controlling the gaming terminals 104 and so on.
[0152] On the other hand, the RAM 113c temporarily stores bet
information supplied from each of the gaming terminals 104, the
results of the base games executed and displayed on the communal
display 102, the results of the sidebet games, the data regarding
the result of the processings executed by the server CPU 113a and
so on.
[0153] In addition, the timer 113d is connected to the server CPU
113a. Time information of the timer 113d is transmitted to the
server CPU 113a. The server CPU 113a controls the execution of the
base game based on the time information as described later.
[0154] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing the memory region of
the ROM 113b of the server 113 of the baccarat game machine 101 in
the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, a base game odds
storing area 113A and sidebet game odds storing area 113B are
secured in the ROM 113b. The base game odds storing area 113A
stores odds data regarding a payout (payback) for the base game
shown in the table in FIG. 5. The sidebet game odds storing area
113B stores odds data regarding a payout (payback) for the sidebet
game shown in the table in FIG. 6 (or FIG. 8).
[0155] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the odds data stored
in the base game odds storing area 113A correspond to a "gaming
rule for the primary card game" in claims. In addition, in the
present embodiment, the odds data stored in the sidebet game odds
storing area 113B corresponds to a "gaming rule for the secondary
card game" in claims. In other words, the ROM 113b of the server
113 configures a "memory" in claims.
[0156] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing the memory region of
the RAM 113c of the server 113 of the baccarat game machine 101 in
the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, a bet information
storing area 113C, a base game results storing area 113D and a
sidebet game results storing area 113E are secured in the RAM 113c.
The bet information storing area 113C stores the bet information of
the currently playing players. The base game results storing area
113D stores the results of the base games executed and displayed on
the communal display 102. The sidebet game results storing area
113E stores the results of the sidebet games. Note that the bet
information specifically contains information regarding bets placed
at the gaming terminals 104 such as a specified bet area(s) 162 to
166 on the above-mentioned bet screen 161 (see FIG. 12), a bet
amount and so on.
[0157] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a memory region of
the ROM of the roulette device according to the present
embodiment.
[0158] FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration
of the gaming terminal 104 in the present embodiment. Since the
nine gaming terminals 104 have the same configuration basically,
one of the gaming terminals 104 will be described as a
representative hereinafter.
[0159] As shown in FIG. 18, the gaming terminal 104 has a terminal
controller 104d which includes a terminal CPU 104a, a ROM 104b and
a RAM 104c. The ROM 104b is a semiconductor memory or the like and
stores programs that implement basic functions of the gaming
terminal 104, other various programs necessary for controlling the
gaming terminal 104, data tables and so on. Also, the RAM 104c is a
memory for temporarily storing various data calculated by the
terminal CPU 104a, credits owned by the player (deposited in the
gaming terminal 104), bet statuses of each player and so on.
[0160] A cash-out button 105 is connected to the terminal CPU 104a.
The cash-out button 105 is a button to be pressed by the player
usually when the game is over. Medals corresponding to credits
owned by a player will be cashed out from the medal cash-out chute
112 (usually one medal for one credit) when the cash-out button 105
is pressed by the player.
[0161] The terminal CPU 104a executes various corresponding
operations based on operation signals outputted from the cash-out
button 105 due to a press thereof. Specifically, the terminal CPU
104a, when signals associated with a press of the bet confirmation
button 167 are input, executes various processings based on the
input signals, data and programs stored in the ROM 104b and the RAM
104c. The terminal CPU 104a transmits the results of the
processings to the server CPU 113a.
[0162] In addition, the terminal CPU 104a receives command signals
from the sever CPU 113a and controls peripheral devices
constituting the gaming terminal 104 to proceed with the game.
Furthermore, the terminal CPU 104a executes various processings
based on the above-mentioned input signals, data and programs
stored in the ROM 104b and the RAM 104c depending on contents of
the processings. The terminal CPU 104a controls the peripheral
devices constituting the gaming terminal 104 based on the results
of the processings to proceed with the game.
[0163] In addition, a hopper 94 is connected to the terminal CPU
104a. The hopper 94 cashes out a prescribed number of medals from
the medal cash-out chute 112 (see FIG. 2) based on a command signal
from the terminal CPU 104a.
[0164] In addition, the display 108 is connected to the terminal
CPU 104a via the LCD drive circuit 195. The LCD drive circuit 195
has a program ROM, an image ROM, an image control CPU, a work RAM,
VDP (Video Display Processor) and a video RAM. The program ROM
stores image-control programs and various selection tables
regarding the display on the display 108. The image ROM stores, for
example, dot data for forming images to be displayed on the display
108. The image control CPU determines display images to be
displayed on the display 108 using the dot data in the image ROM
based on the image control programs in the program ROM according to
parameters set by the terminal CPU 104a. The work RAM is provided
as a temporary memory unit when the image control CPU executes the
image control programs. The VDP generates display images determined
by the image control CPU and outputs them to the display 108. Note
that the video RAM is provided as a temporary memory device when
the VDP generates the display images.
[0165] In addition, the touchscreen 150 is installed on the front
surface of the display 108. Operating information of the
touchscreen 150 is transmitted to the terminal CPU 104a. The
player's betting operation is input to the touchscreen 150 over the
bet screen 161. Specifically, operation onto the touchscreen 150 is
done for the selection of the bet areas 162 to 166, the input via
the bet buttons 168 and the bet confirmation button 167 and so on.
The operating information is transmitted to the terminal CPU 104a
when the touchscreen 150 has been operated. Then, the bet
information (the specified bet area(s) 162 to 166 on the bet screen
161 and a bet amount(s) thereon) of a currently playing player is
stored in the RAM 104c based on the operating information. In
addition, this bet information is transmitted to the server CPU
113a and stored in the bet information storing area of the RAM
113c.
[0166] Furthermore, the speaker 110 is connected to the terminal
CPU 104a via an audio output circuit 196. The speaker 110 outputs
various effect sounds based on the output signals from the audio
output circuit 196 when various effects are generated.
[0167] In addition, a medal sensor 197 is connected to the terminal
CPU 104a. The medal sensor 197 detects medals inserted into the
medal insertion slot 107 (see FIG. 11) and counts the inserted
medals. And then, the medal sensor 197 transmits the results of
detecting and counting to the terminal CPU 104a. The terminal CPU
104a increases the player's credit amount stored in the RAM 104c
based on the transmitted results.
[0168] In addition, the WIN lamp 111 is connected to the terminal
CPU 104a. The terminal CPU 104a lights up the WIN lamp 111 with a
prescribed color when a bet for the base game or the sidebet game
placed via the bet screen 161 brings a winning.
[0169] Hereinafter, processing of the server 113 and processing of
the game controller 103 of the baccarat game machine 101 in the
present embodiment are described hereinafter with reference to
FIGS. 19 and 20. Here, the processing of the server 113 is executed
by the server CPU 113a of the server 113 in accordance with
programs stored in the ROM 113b, and the processing of the game
controller 103 is executed by the CPU 103a of the game controller
103 in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 103b. FIGS. 19
and 20 are flow charts showing the gaming processings of the server
113 and the game controller 103 of the baccarat game machine 101 in
the present embodiment.
[0170] First, the processing of the server 113 will be described
with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20. As shown in FIG. 19, the server
CPU 113a starts measurement of the betting period (step S101). The
betting period is a period while a bet(s) can be placed by each
player. Each player participating in the game can place a bet(s)
for the base game and the sidebet game on the bet area(s) 162 to
166 by operating the touchscreen 150 during the betting period.
When the measurement of the betting period is started, the server
CPU 113a transmits a betting period start signal to the terminal
CPU 104a (step S102).
[0171] Next, the server CPU 113a judges whether the remaining
betting period is 5 seconds or less (step S103). The remaining
betting period is displayed in the bet time counter 171 on the
display 108 at each of the gaming terminals 104 (see FIG. 12). If
it is judged that it has not reached the last 5 seconds, the server
CPU 113a waits until the judgment result in step S103 becomes
affirmative. On the other hand, if it is judged that it has reached
the last 5 seconds, the processing will proceeds to the step
S104.
[0172] The server CPU 113a transmits a notifying signal for
notifying the end of the betting period to the terminal CPU 104a of
each gaming terminal 104 (step S104). After that, the server CPU
113a judges whether the betting period has ended or not (step
S105). If it is judged that the betting period has not ended, the
server CPU 113a waits until the betting period ends. On the other
hand, if it is judged that the betting period has ended, the server
CPU 113a transmits a betting period end signal to the terminal CPU
104a of each gaming terminal 104 (step S106).
[0173] Subsequently, the server CPU 113a receives the bet
information (the specified bet area(s) 162 to 166 on the bet screen
161 and a bet amount(s) thereon) of the gaming terminals 104 from
each of the terminal CPU 104a (step S107) and stores them into the
bet information storing area 113C of the RAM 113c (step S108).
[0174] Next, as shown in FIG. 20, the server CPU 113a executes a
base game determination processing (step S109). In this processing,
the server CPU 113a determines cards to be dealt to the Player and
the Banker and results of the base game and the sidebet game to be
brought by using a random number value sampled by a sampling
circuit or the like.
[0175] Next, the server CPU 113a transmits a control signal to the
CPU 103a of the game controller 103 to notify contents to be
displayed on the communal display 102 based on the determination in
step S109 (step S110).
[0176] Next, the server CPU 113a judges whether the bet(s) for the
base game and the sidebet game placed at each gaming terminal 104
brings a winning or not based on the bet information of each gaming
terminal 104 received in step S107 and the results of the base game
and the sidebet game determined in step S109 (step S111).
[0177] Next, the server CPU 113a executes a payout calculation
processing (step S112). In the payout calculation processing, the
server CPU 113a specifies a winning bet(s) for the base game and
the sidebet game with respect to each gaming terminal 104. Then,
the server CPU 113a calculates a total payout amount by using the
odds datum for the base game and the sidebet game which are stored
in the base game odds storing area 113A and the sidebet game odds
storing area 113B of the ROM 113b with respect to each gaming
terminal 104.
[0178] Next, the server CPU 113a transmits the payout result to be
provided to each winning gaming terminal 104 based on the payout
calculation processing in step S112 (step S113). Specifically, the
server CPU 113a outputs credit data corresponding to the payout
amount for the base game and the sidebet game to the terminal CPU
104a of each winning gaming terminal 104.
[0179] Next, the server CPU 113b stores the results of the base
game and the sidebet game determined in step S109 in the base game
results storing area 113D and the sidebet game results storing area
113E of the RAM 113c, respectively (step S114). After the
processing of step S114, this routine is terminated.
[0180] Consequently, the processing of the game controller 103 will
be described with references to FIG. 20. As shown in FIG. 20, the
controller CPU 103a receives the control signal including the
contents to be displayed on the communal display 102 from the
server CPU 113a of the server 113 (step S201).
[0181] Next, the controller CPU 103a displays the base game
according the contents on the communal display 102 based on the
control signal received from the server CPU 113a of the server 113
(step S 202). After the processing of step S202, this routine is
terminated.
[0182] Hereinbelow, the processing executed by the terminal CPU
104a of each gaming terminal 104 of the baccarat game machine 101
in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
21 to 23. The terminal CPU 104a executes the processing based on
the programs stored in the ROM 104b. FIGS. 21 to 23 are flow charts
each showing the processing of the gaming terminal 104 of the
baccarat game machine 101 in the present embodiment.
[0183] Here, the flag F in the RAM 104c is being set to "1", which
is default and indicates that it is under the betting period. In
addition, the bet screen 161 in FIG. 12 is being displayed on the
display 108 of the gaming terminal 104. From this state, as shown
in FIG. 21, the terminal CPU 104a executes a betting period
confirmation processing (step S301) and then executes a bet
accepting processing (step S302).
[0184] In the betting period confirmation processing (step S301),
as shown in FIG. 22, the terminal CPU 104a confirms whether or not
the betting period start signal has been received from the server
CPU 113a (step S311). If the betting period start signal has been
received (step S311: YES), the terminal CPU 104a sets the flag F in
the RAM 104c to "1" which indicates that it is under the betting
period (step S312) and then terminates the betting period
confirmation processing.
[0185] On the other hand, if the betting time start signal has not
been received yet (step S311: NO), the terminal CPU 104a confirms
whether or not the betting period end signal has been received from
the server CPU 113a (step S313) If the betting period end signal
has been received (step S313: YES), the terminal CPU 104a sets the
flag F in the RAM 104c to "0" which indicates that it is not under
the betting period (step S314) and then terminates the betting
period confirmation processing. If the betting period end signal
has not been received yet (step S313: NO), the terminal CPU 104a
terminates the betting period confirmation processing.
[0186] Consequently, in the bet accepting processing (step S302 in
FIG. 21), as shown in FIG. 23, the terminal CPU 104a judges whether
or not the flag F in the RAM 104c is set to "0" (step S321). If the
flag F is set to "0" (step S321: YES), the terminal CPU 104a
terminates the bet accepting processing.
[0187] On the other hand, if the flag F is not set to "0" (step
S321: NO), the terminal CPU 104a judges whether or not the
notifying signal for the end of the betting period has been
received from the server CPU 113a (step S322). If the notifying
signal has been received (step S322: YES), the terminal CPU 104a
displays a message "HURRY UP! THE BET TIME IS GOING TO END SOON."
or the like on the bet screen 161 (step S322) and then shifts the
process to step S324. On the other hand, if the notifying signal
has not been received yet (step S322: NO), the terminal CPU 104a
shifts the process to step S324.
[0188] The terminal CPU 104a detects a bet(s) to be placed by a
player (step S324). The bet(s) is detected by detecting the
player's touches on the bet areas 162 to 166 in the betting board
160 and the bet buttons 168 via the touchscreen 150. When the
bet(s) is detected, the chip mark(s) 173 is displayed on the
specified bet area(s) 162 to 166 on the display 108 with a bet
amount thereon.
[0189] Next, the terminal CPU 104a judges whether or not the player
has confirmed the bet(s) (step S325). The bet(s) is fixed when the
player's touch on the bet confirmation button 167 on the display
108 is detected via the touchscreen 150.
[0190] If it is judged that the bet(s) has not been confirmed (step
S325: NO), the terminal CPU 104a judges whether or not the flag F
in the RAM 104c is set to "0" (step S326). If the flag F is not set
to "0" (step S326: NO), the terminal CPU 104a returns the process
to step S322.
[0191] On the other hand, if the flag F is set to "0" (step S326:
YES), the terminal CPU 104a fixes the bet(s) detected in S324
forcibly even though the player's touch on the bet confirmation
button 167 on the display 108 has not been detected yet (step
S327). And then, the terminal CPU 104a shifts the process to step
S329.
[0192] Otherwise, if it is judged that the bet(s) has been
confirmed (step S325: YES), the terminal CPU 104a judges whether or
not the flag F in the RAM 104c is set to "0" (step S328). If the
flag F is not set to "0" (step S328: NO), the terminal CPU 104a
waits until the judgment result in step S328 becomes
affirmative.
[0193] In case where the temporary placed bet(s) is forcibly fixed
in step S327 or where it is judged that the flag F is set to "0" in
step S328, the terminal CPU 104a closes accepting the betting
operation via the touchscreen 150 of each gaming terminal 104 (step
S329). Thereafter, the terminal CPU 104a of each gaming terminal
104 transmits the bet information of the player (the specified bet
area(s) 162 to 166 on the bet screen 161 and a bet amount(s)
thereon) to the server CPU 113a (step S330).
[0194] Next, the terminal CPU 104a judges whether or not the payout
result, which includes a data of a payout to be provided to the
player, has been received from the server CPU 113a (step S331). If
it is judged that the payout result has not been received yet (step
S331: NO), the terminal CPU 104a waits until the payout result is
received. On the contrary, if it is judged that the payout result
has been received (step S331: YES), the terminal CPU 104a provides
a payout according to the payout result received in step S331 (step
S332). Specifically, the terminal CPU 104a stores the credit data
corresponding to the payout in the RAM 104c. Medals corresponding
to the credits stored in the RAM 104c (usually, one medal for one
credit) are cashed out from the medal cash-out chute 112 when the
player touches the payout button 105. Thereafter, the terminal CPU
104a terminates the bet accepting processing.
[0195] Note that the storing processing (which, in the present
embodiment, is executed in step S114 by the server CPU 113a to
store the results of the base game and the side bet game in the
base game results storing area 113D and the sidebet game results
storing area 113E) may be executed anytime after the base game
determination processing (which, in the present embodiment, is
executed in step S109 by the server CPU 113a to determine the cards
to be dealt and the results of the base game and the sidebet game
to be brought).
[0196] As described above, in the baccarat game machine 101 of the
present embodiment, a "controller" in claims is constituted by the
server CPU 113a, the terminal CPU 104a and the controller CPU
113a.
[0197] In the baccarat game machine 101 of the present embodiment,
each player can place a sidebet on the sidebet game arbitrarily via
the gaming terminal 104. In the sidebet game, the side bet is
placed on which color of suits is more, the Blacks or the Reds,
among the dealt cards. Therefore, since each player can participate
in the sidebet game in addition to the base game in a single game
play, each player can enjoy the game play deeply and then more
satisfaction can be given to each player by the game play.
[0198] In the baccarat game machine 101 of the present embodiment,
a sidebet of the sidebet game is placed on which color of suits is
more, the Blacks or the Reds, among cards dealt to the Player and
the Banker in the single base game. Alternatively, a sidebet of the
sidebet game may be placed on which suits (Spades, Hearts, Clubs or
Diamonds) is most among cards dealt to the Player and the Banker in
the single base game.
[0199] Hereinafter, a baccarat game machine according to a fourth
embodiment of the present invention, which is based on the above
alternative case, will be described.
[0200] The baccarat game machine of the present embodiment
basically has a hardware configuration similar to that of the
baccarat game machine 101 of the third embodiment. Therefore, the
foregoing descriptions with reference to FIGS. 10 to 18 are
incorporated herein for the descriptions of the external and
internal basic configuration of the baccarat game machine of the
present embodiment to avoid redundant descriptions.
[0201] In the baccarat game machine 101 of the present embodiment,
a bet screen 161A (FIG. 24), which is different from the bet screen
161 (FIG. 12) of the third embodiment, is displayed on the display
108 of the gaming terminal 104. Specifically, a Spade bet area 174,
a Heart bet area 175, a Club bet area 176 and a Diamond bet area
177 are provided on the bet screen 161A instead of the Black bet
area 165 and the Red bet area 166 on the bet screen 161 of the
third embodiment. A player places a chip(s) for a sidebet on one of
the bet areas 174 to 177 which is anticipated to be most. A player
cannot place chips on two or more of the bet areas 174 to 177 at a
time.
[0202] In the baccarat game machine 101 of the present embodiment,
odds data regarding a payout (payback) for the sidebet game stored
in the sidebet game odds storing area 113B in the ROM 113b of the
server 113 is shown in FIG. 8. It is different from an odds table
(FIG. 6) in the third embodiment.
[0203] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the odds data stored
in the sidebet game odds storing area 113B corresponds to a "gaming
rule for the secondary card game" in claims.
[0204] Furthermore, in the baccarat game machine 101 of the present
embodiment, the processing of the server 113, which is executed by
the server CPU 113a according to the programs stored in the ROM
113b, is partially different from that in the third embodiment. The
process of step S107 (FIG. 19) in the third embodiment is changed
for the present embodiment.
[0205] Specifically, in the present embodiment, the server CPU 113a
receives the bet information (the specified bet area(s) 162 to 164
and 174 to 177 on the bet screen 161A and a bet amount(s) thereon)
of the gaming terminals 104 from each of the terminal CPU 104a
(step S107) and stores them into the bet information storing area
113C of the RAM 113c (step S108).
[0206] Furthermore, in the baccarat game machine 101 of the present
embodiment, the processing of the gaming terminal 104, which is
executed by the terminal CPU 104a according to the programs stored
in the ROM 104b, is partially different from that in the third
embodiment. The process of step S302 (FIG. 21: steps S324 and S330
in FIG. 23) in the third embodiment is changed for the present
embodiment.
[0207] Specifically, in the present embodiment, the terminal CPU
104a detects a bet(s) to be placed by a player (step S324) by
detecting the player's touches on the bet areas 162 to 164 and 174
to 177 and the bet buttons 168 via the touchscreen 150.
[0208] In addition, the terminal CPU 104a of each gaming terminal
104 transmits the bet information of the player (the specified bet
area(s) 162 to 164 and 174 to 177 on the bet screen 161A and a bet
amount(s) thereon) to the server CPU 113a (step S330).
[0209] In the baccarat game machine 101 of the present embodiment,
each player can place a sidebet on the sidebet game arbitrarily via
the gaming terminal 104. In the sidebet game, the side bet is
placed on which suit is most, the Spades, the Hearts, the Clubs or
the Diamonds, among the dealt cards. Therefore, since each player
can participate in the sidebet game in addition to the base game in
a single game play, each player can enjoy the game play deeply and
then more satisfaction can be given to each player by the game
play.
[0210] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been
described hereinabove, the embodiments are only showing specific
examples, and do not particularly limit the present invention.
Accordingly, the specific configuration of each means or the like
can be modified in design appropriately. In addition, the effects
described in the embodiments of the present invention are only
listing the most preferable effects that can arise from the present
invention. For this reason, the effects produced by the present
invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of
the present invention.
[0211] For example, the foregoing first to fourth embodiments have
been described by taking the baccarat game as one example. However,
the present invention is also applicable to other card games in
each of which displayed (dealt) cards are all disclosed (faced-up)
by the end of the primary card game.
[0212] In addition, in the foregoing first and third embodiments, a
payback amount 1.5 times as much as a bet amount is provided to a
player when cards of the color on which the player placed a bet are
more than cards of the other color. However, this .times.1.5
payback rule may be revoked and an extra payback amount three times
as much as a bet amount may be provided to a player only when all
dealt cards have the same color as the color on which the player
placed a bet.
[0213] Alternatively, in the foregoing first and third embodiments
an extra payback amount three times as much as a bet amount may be
provided to a player when all dealt cards have the same color as
the color on which the player placed a bet. However, this extra
.times.3 payback rule may be revoked and a payback amount 1.5 times
as much as a bet amount is only provided to a player when cards of
the color on which the player placed a bet are more than cards of
the other color.
[0214] In addition, in the foregoing second and fourth embodiments,
a payback amount 1.5 times as much as a bet amount is provided to a
player when cards of the suit on which the player placed a bet are
most among all dealt cards. However, this .times.1.5 payback rule
may be revoked and an extra payback amount three times as much as a
bet amount may be provided to a player only when all dealt cards
have the same suit as the suit on which the player placed a
bet.
[0215] Alternatively, in the foregoing second and fourth
embodiments, an extra payback amount three times as much as a bet
amount may be provided to a player when all dealt cards have the
same suit as the suit on which the player placed a bet. However,
this extra .times.3 payback rule may be revoked and a payback
amount 1.5 times as much as a bet amount is only provided to a
player when cards of the suit on which the player placed a bet are
most among all dealt cards.
[0216] Furthermore, in the foregoing detail description, the
characteristic portions of the present invention have been mainly
described in order to make the present invention easily
understandable. The present invention is not limited to the
embodiments described above in the foregoing detail description,
and can be applied to other embodiments, and its applicable range
is wide. Moreover, the terms and the terminology used in the
present specification are used for the purpose of precisely
explaining the present invention, and not used for the purpose of
limiting interpretations of the present invention. Further, it
should be easy for those skilled in the art to contemplate other
configurations, methods, etc., which are included in the concept of
the present invention, from the concept of the present invention
described in the present specification. For this reason, the
description of the appended claims must be construed as containing
equivalent configurations within a range of not departing from a
range of the technical ideas of the present invention. Moreover,
the abstract aims to allow the United States Patent and Trademark
Office, general public office, and engineers who are not familiar
with a patent, legal terms and technical terms, and who pertain to
the technical field of the present invention, to quickly judge the
technical content and essence of the present application with a
simple study. Accordingly, the abstract is not intended to limit
the scope of the invention that should be assessed from the
description of the appended claims. Furthermore, it is desirable
that the present invention be interpreted by fully taking
already-disclosed literatures and the like into consideration in
order to fully understand the object of the present invention and
unique effects of the present invention.
[0217] The forgoing detail descriptions include the processing
executed by the computer. The above descriptions and expressions
are described in order for those skilled in the art to understand
the present invention in the most efficiently. In this
specification, each step used for deriving one result should be
understood as a processing without a self-contradiction. Moreover,
in each step, a transmission, reception, storage, etc., of an
electric or magnetic signal is performed. A bit, value, symbol,
letter, term, number and the like are used to express such signals
in the processing in each step, but it should be noted that these
are simply used to make the explanation easy. In addition, the
processing at each step is sometimes described in an expression in
common with human activities, but the processings described in this
specification are principally executed by various types of devices.
Furthermore, another configuration required for executing each step
is obvious from the foregoing descriptions.
* * * * *