U.S. patent application number 11/875080 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-18 for gaming method and gaming machine accepting side bet.
This patent application is currently assigned to ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.. Invention is credited to Kazuo OKADA.
Application Number | 20080224401 11/875080 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39761873 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080224401 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OKADA; Kazuo |
September 18, 2008 |
Gaming Method And Gaming Machine Accepting Side Bet
Abstract
A playing method of a card game according to the present
invention comprises the steps of: (a) placing a side BET different
from a normal BET; (b) dealing cards to a player; (c) placing cards
on a table; (d) determining whether or not the side BET is placed;
(e) adding a card on the table when determining that the side BET
is placed; and (f) making a hand by using the cards dealt to the
player and the cards placed on the table.
Inventors: |
OKADA; Kazuo; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NDQ&M WATCHSTONE LLP
1300 EYE STREET, NW, SUITE 1000 WEST TOWER
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.
Las Vegas
NV
|
Family ID: |
39761873 |
Appl. No.: |
11/875080 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60907017 |
Mar 16, 2007 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/274 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3211 20130101;
G07F 17/322 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101; G07F 17/3293 20130101;
A63F 1/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/274 |
International
Class: |
A63F 1/00 20060101
A63F001/00 |
Claims
1. A playing method of a card game comprising the steps of: (a)
placing a side BET different from a normal BET; (b) dealing cards
to a player; (c) placing cards on a table; (d) determining whether
or not the side BET is placed; (e) adding a card on the table, when
determining that the side BET is placed; and (f) making a hand by
using the cards dealt to the player and the cards placed on the
table.
2. The playing method of a card game according to claim 1, wherein
said step (e) includes a step of: (e') adding a card on the table,
when a strongest hand, which is makable by using the cards dealt to
the player and the cards placed on the table in said step (c), does
not satisfy a predetermined condition and it is determined that the
side BET is placed.
3. A playing method of a card game comprising the steps of: (a)
placing a side BET different from a normal BET; (b) cumulatively
accumulating a predetermined ratio of a side-BET currency value;
(c) dealing cards to a player; (d) placing cards on a table; (e)
determining whether or not the side BET is placed; (f) adding a
card on the table, when determining that the side BET is placed;
(g) making a hand by using the cards dealt to the player and the
cards placed on the table; and (h) providing an award from the
cumulatively accumulated currency value, based on the hand made in
said step (g).
4. A playing method of a card game comprising the steps of: (a)
placing a normal BET; (b) placing a side BET different from said
normal BET; (c) dealing cards to a player; (d) placing cards on a
table; (e) providing an award based on a strongest hand and the
normal BET, when the strength of the strongest hand, which is
makable by using the cards dealt to the player and the cards placed
on the table in said step (d), is as strong as a predetermined
strength or stronger than the predetermined strength; (f)
determining whether or not the side BET is placed; (g) adding a
card on the table, when the strength of the strongest hand, which
is makable by using the cards dealt to the player and the cards
placed on the table in said step (d), is weaker than the
predetermined strength and it is determined that the side BET is
placed; (h) making a hand by using the cards dealt to the player
and the cards placed on the table; and (i) providing an award,
based on the hand made in said step (h) and the side BET.
5. A gaming machine comprising: a display capable of displaying a
plurality of cards; an input device; and a controller, said
controller programmed to conduct the processing of: (a) accepting a
side BET different from a normal BET, from said input device; (b)
displaying player's cards, which are cards dealt to a player, to
said display; (c) displaying community cards, which are cards
placed on a table, to said display; (d) determining whether or not
the side BET is placed; (e) displaying an additional community card
to said display, when determining that the side BET is placed; and
(f) making a hand by using said player's cards and said community
cards including the card added in said processing (e).
6. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein said processing
(e) includes a step of: (e') displaying an additional community
card to said display, when a strongest hand, which is makable by
using said player's cards and said community cards, does not
satisfy a predetermined condition and it is determined that the
side BET is placed.
7. A gaming machine comprising: a display capable of displaying a
plurality of cards; an input device; and a controller, said
controller programmed to conduct the processing of: (a) accepting a
side BET different from a normal BET, from said input device; (b)
cumulatively accumulating a predetermined ratio of a side-BET
currency value; (c) displaying player's cards, which are cards
dealt to a player, to said display; (d) displaying community cards,
which are cards placed on a table, to said display; (e) determining
whether or not the side BET is placed; (f) displaying an additional
community card to said display, when determining that the side BET
is placed; (g) making a hand by using said player's cards and said
community cards including the card added in said processing (f);
and (h) providing an award from the cumulatively accumulated
currency value, based on the hand made in said processing (g).
8. A gaming machine comprising: a display capable of displaying a
plurality of cards; an input device; and a controller, said
controller programmed to conduct the processing of: (a) accepting a
normal BET from said input device; (b) accepting a side BET
different from said normal BET, from said input device; (c)
displaying player's cards, which are cards dealt to a player, to
said display; (d) displaying community cards, which are cards
placed on a table, to said display; (e) providing an award based on
a strongest hand and the normal BET, when the strength of the
strongest hand, which is makable by using said player's cards and
said community cards, is as strong as a predetermined strength or
stronger than the predetermined strength; (f) determining whether
or not the side BET is placed; (g) displaying an additional
community card to said display, when the strength of the strongest
hand, which is makable by using said player's cards and said
community cards, is weaker than the predetermined strength and it
is determined that the side BET is placed; (h) making a hand by
using said player's cards and said community cards including the
card added in said processing (g); and (i) providing an award,
based on the hand made in said processing (h) and the side BET.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit of priority based on U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/907,017 filed on Mar. 16,
2007. The contents of this application are incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a gaming method and a
gaming machine accepting side BETs.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Background
[0005] Conventionally, there have been gaming machines capable of
accepting side BETs different from normal BETs. For example, in
blackjack, when an upcard is an "A" card out of dealer's two cards,
a player can place a side BET called insurance, in addition to a
normal BET. In a case of placing insurance, the player adds the
wager by half of an initial wager. When the dealer's hand is
"Natural 21", the amount twice the value of the side BET
(insurance) is paid out. Further, for example, in Caribbean stud
porker, a side BET is cumulatively accumulated as a progressive
jackpot. When a player places a side BET in addition to an ante (a
normal BET), he or she can acquire a part of or the entire
progressive jackpot, according to the established hand. A game
capable of accepting side BETs of this kind is disclosed in, for
example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,801, U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,525 and U.S.
Pat. No. 6,874,786.
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming
method and a gaming machine capable of accepting side BETs, thus
exhibiting new entertainment.
[0007] The contents of U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,801, U.S. Pat. No.
5,711,525 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,874,786 are incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a playing method of a card game having the following
structure.
[0009] Namely, the above-mentioned playing method of a card game
comprising the steps of: (a) placing a side BET different from a
normal BET; (b) dealing cards to a player; (c) placing cards on a
table; (d) determining whether or not the side BET is placed; (e)
adding a card on the table, when determining that the side BET is
placed; and (f) making a hand by using the cards dealt to the
player and the cards placed on the table.
[0010] According to a second aspect, of the present invention,
there is provided a playing method of a card game having the
following structures.
[0011] Namely, the above-mentioned playing method of a card game
comprising the steps of: (a) placing a side BET different from a
normal BET; (b) cumulatively accumulating a predetermined ratio of
a side-BET currency value; (c) dealing cards to a player; (d)
placing cards on a table; (e) determining whether or not the side
BET is placed; (f) adding a card on the table, when determining
that the side BET is placed; (g) making a hand by using the cards
dealt to the player and the cards placed on the table; and (h)
providing an award from the cumulatively accumulated currency
value, based on the hand made in the step (g).
[0012] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a playing method of a card game having the following
structures.
[0013] Namely, the above-mentioned playing method of a card game
comprising the steps of: (a) placing a normal BET; (b) placing a
side BET different from the normal BET; (c) dealing cards to a
player; (d) placing cards on a table; (e) providing an award based
on a strongest hand and the normal BET, when the strength of the
strongest hand, which is makable by using the cards dealt to the
player and the cards placed on the table in the step (d), is as
strong as a predetermined strength or stronger than the
predetermined strength; (f) determining whether or not the side BET
is placed; (g) adding a card on the table, when the strength of the
strongest hand, which is makable by using the cards dealt to the
player and the cards placed on the table in the step (d), is weaker
than the predetermined strength and it is determined that the side
BET is placed; (h) making a hand by using the cards dealt to the
player and the cards placed on the table; and (i) providing an
award, based on the hand made in the step (h) and the side BET.
[0014] According to the first aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a gaming machine having the following
structures.
[0015] Namely, the gaming machine comprising: a display capable of
displaying a plurality of cards; an input device; and a controller.
The controller is programmed to conduct the processing of: (a)
accepting a side BET different from a normal BET, from the input
device; (b) displaying player's cards, which are cards dealt to a
player, to the display; (c) displaying community cards, which are
cards placed on a table, to the display; (d) determining whether or
not the side BET is placed; (e) displaying an additional community
card to the display, when determining that the side BET is placed;
and (f) making a hand by using the player's cards and the community
cards including the card added in the processing (e).
[0016] According to the second aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a gaming machine having the following
structures.
[0017] Namely, the gaming machine comprising: a display capable of
displaying a plurality of cards; an input device; and a controller.
The controller is programmed to conduct the processing of: (a)
accepting a side BET different from a normal BET, from the input
device; (b) cumulatively accumulating a predetermined ratio of a
side-BET currency value; (c) displaying player's cards, which are
cards dealt to a player, to the display; (d) displaying community
cards, which are cards placed on a table, to the display; (e)
determining whether or not the side BET is placed; (f) displaying
an additional community card to the display, when determining that
the side BET is placed; (g) making a hand by using the player's
cards and the community cards including the card added in the
processing (f); and (h) providing an award from the cumulatively
accumulated currency value, based on the hand made in the
processing (g).
[0018] According to the third aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a gaming machine having the following
structures.
Namely, the gaming machine comprising: a display capable of
displaying a plurality of cards; an input device; and a controller.
The controller is programmed to conduct the processing of: (a)
accepting a normal BET from the input device; (b) accepting a side
BET different from the normal BET, from the input device; (c)
displaying player's cards, which are cards dealt to a player, to
the display; (d) displaying community cards, which are cards placed
on a table, to the display; (e) providing an award based on a
strongest hand and the normal BET, when the strength of the
strongest hand, which is makable by using the player's cards and
the community cards, is as strong as a predetermined strength or
stronger than the predetermined strength; (f) determining whether
or not the side BET is placed; (g) displaying an additional
community card to the display, when the strength of the strongest
hand, which is makable by using the player's cards and the
community cards, is weaker than the predetermined strength and it
is determined that the side BET is placed; (h) making a hand by
using the player's cards and the community cards including the card
added in the processing (g); and (i) providing an award, based on
the hand made in the processing (h) and the side BET.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1A is a flow chart illustrating
main-control-portion-side processing conducted in a main control
portion included in a gaming machine according to a first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 1B is another flow chart illustrating
main-control-portion-side processing conducted in the main control
portion included in the gaming machine according to the first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the
external structure of the gaming machine according to the first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the
external structure of a station included in a gaming machine
according to the first embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an exemplary image which is
displayed to a front display included in a gaming machine according
to the first embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 5 is another view illustrating an exemplary image which
is displayed to a front display included in a gaming machine
according to the first embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an exemplary image which is
displayed to a liquid crystal display included in a station
according to the first embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the internal
structure of a gaming machine according to the first
embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the internal
structure of a station included in a gaming machine according to
the first embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 9A is a flow chart illustrating a subroutine of
station-side processing conducted in a station according to the
first embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 9B is another flow chart illustrating a subroutine of
station-side processing conducted in the station according to the
first embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a subroutine of
selection acceptance processing conducted in a station according to
the first embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 11A is a flowchart illustrating
main-control-portion-side processing conducted in a main control
portion included in a gaming machine according to a second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 11B is another flowchart illustrating the
main-control-portion-side processing executed in the main control
portion included in the gaming machine according to the second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 12 is a view illustrating an exemplary image which is
displayed to a front display included in a gaming machine according
to the second embodiment.
[0034] FIG. 13 is another view illustrating an exemplary image
which is displayed to a front display included in a gaming machine
according to the second embodiment.
[0035] FIG. 14 is a view illustrating an exemplary image which is
displayed to a liquid crystal display included in a station
according to the second embodiment.
[0036] FIG. 15A is a flow chart illustrating a subroutine of
station-side processing conducted in a station according to the
second embodiment.
[0037] FIG. 15B is another flow chart illustrating a subroutine of
station-side processing conducted in the station according to the
second embodiment.
[0038] FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating a subroutine of BET
selection acceptance processing executed in a station according to
the second embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0039] There will be described an embodiment of the present
invention with reference to the drawings.
[0040] In a card game in the present invention, cards are placed on
a table while cards are dealt to a player, and on condition that a
side BET has been placed, a card is added on the table, to make a
hand by using the cards dealt to the player and the cards placed on
the table including the additional card.
First Embodiment
[0041] In the first embodiment, Let It Ride is played. First, the
rule of Let It Ride is described.
[0042] In Let It Ride, one set of playing cards (52 cards)
excluding a joker is used.
[0043] First, each player BETs chips of the same amount on three
places (the amounts may vary among players).
[0044] A dealer places two cards facing down on the table while
dealing three cards to each player. Each player looks at his or her
dealt cards (hereinafter also referred to as "player's cards") and
chooses whether to pull down the chip BET on one place out of the
chips BET on the three places (hereinafter also referred to as
"pull it down") or to let the chip ride (hereinafter also referred
to as "let it ride"). When the player pulls it down, the chip BET
on one place is paid back to the player.
[0045] Next, the dealer opens one of the cards placed on the table
(hereinafter also referred to as "community cards"). Each player
again chooses whether to pull it down or let it ride. Subsequently,
the dealer opens the one remaining community card, and offers a
payout to each player according to a hand established by the total
of five cards: the two community cards and the three player's
cards.
[0046] It is to be noted that examples of the hands made in Let It
Ride include, in decreasing order of strength, Royal Flush,
Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three
of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and No Pair.
[0047] In the first embodiment, a normal BET and a side BET are
accepted in a game of Let It Ride. Here, a normal BET is a BET
placed on a game of Let It Ride, while a side BET is a BET placed
in order to add a card to the community cards in the game of Let It
Ride. A predetermined ratio (50% in the present embodiment) of a
side-BET currency value is cumulatively accumulated as a jackpot
(hereinafter also referred to as "JP"). When the strength of a
strongest hand, which is makable in the game of Let It Ride, is
weaker than a predetermined strength (in the present embodiment,
One Pair of "10"s), one card is added to the community cards, on
condition that the side BET is placed. Then the strongest hand,
which is makable by using the player's cards and the community
cards including the added card, is determined, and a JP is offered
according to the strongest hand.
[0048] FIGS. 1A and 1B are flow charts illustrating
main-control-portion-side processing conducted in a main control
portion included in a gaming machine according to the first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0049] First, there will be described processing conducted in the
main control portion 40 (see FIG. 7) included in the gaming machine
1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0050] First, in step S101 in FIG. 1A, the CPU 41 receives BET
information from the station 3 (see FIG. 2). The BET information
relates to BETs and includes information about whether or not a
normal BET and a side BET are placed and the values of the normal
BET and the side BET.
[0051] Next, in step S102, the CPU 41 cumulatively stores 50% of a
side-BET credit as a JP in a RAM 42 (see FIG. 7) based on the BET
information received in step S101. Further, the CPU 41 stores
credits normal-BET by each player into the RAM 42.
[0052] Next, in step S103, the CPU 41 determines three cards to be
dealt to each of the players and two cards common among all the
players, out of a single set of playing cards, using random
numbers. The cards determined to be dealt to the player in step
S103 correspond to the player's cards according to the present
invention, while the cards common among all the players correspond
to the community cards according to the present invention. Further,
card images indicative of the two community cards are displayed
facing down to a front display 21 (see FIG. 2) included in the
gaming machine 1.
[0053] Next, in step S104, the CPU 41 transmits player's cards
information to the station 3. The player's cards information
includes information indicative of the types of the cards (ranks
and suits [heart, club, spade, diamond]) determined to be dealt to
the player. The station 3 displays card images indicative of the
three player's cards to a liquid crystal display 10 (see FIG. 3),
based on the received player's cards information, and accepts an
input for selecting whether to pull it down or to let it ride.
[0054] Next, in step S105, the CPU 41 receives selection
information from the station 3. The selection information is
information indicating whether the player has pulled it down or let
it ride. When the player has pulled it down, the CPU 41 subtracts
the one third of the total amount of the credits normal-BET by the
player from the player's normal-BET credits stored in the RAM 42,
and stores the remaining credits into the RAM 42.
[0055] Next, in step S106, the CPU 41 displays a card image
indicative of one of the community cards with its face up, to the
front display 21.
[0056] Next, in step S107, the CPU 41 transmits, to the station 3,
a signal (hereinafter also referred to as a selection-instructing
signal) for instructing acceptance of a selection as to whether to
pull it down or let it ride.
[0057] In the station 3, when the selection-instructing signal is
received, an input of the selection as to whether to pull it down
or let it ride is accepted to the station 3.
[0058] Next, in step S108, the CPU 41 receives selection
information after opening of one of the community cards, from the
station 3.
[0059] When the player has pulled it down, the CPU 41 subtracts the
one third of the total amount of the credits normal-BET by the
player from the player's normal-BET credits stored in the RAM 42,
and stores the remaining credits into the RAM 42.
[0060] Next, in step S109, the CPU 41 displays a card image
indicating the one remaining community card with its face up to the
front display 21.
[0061] Next, in step S110, the CPU 41 determines the hand of each
player. Specifically, the CPU 41 determines, with respect to each
of the players, the strongest hand makable by using the three
player's cards and the two community cards.
[0062] Next, in step S111, the CPU 41 transmits information
(hereinafter also referred to as result information) indicating a
result of Let It Ride to the station 3 based on the result of the
determination in step S110. The result information includes
information indicating the strongest hand makable from the player's
cards and the community cards.
[0063] In the station 3, when the result information is received,
an image indicating the makable strongest hand is displayed to the
liquid crystal display 10.
[0064] Next, in step S112, the CPU 41 transmits normal BET payout
information to the station 3. The normal BET payout information is
information indicative of the value of a credit (currency value) to
be paid out for a normal BET. Specifically, in a case where the
strongest hand makable from the player's cards and the community
cards is Royal Flush, at the point of opening of the two community
cards, the CPU 41 transmits information indicating a credit value
100 times as large as the value of credits normal-BET by the player
(hereinafter also referred to as a final number of normal BETs)
which is stored in the RAM 42; in the case of Straight Flush, the
CPU 41 transmits information indicating a credit 50 times as large
as the final number of normal BETs; in the case of Four of a Kind,
the CPU 41 transmits information indicating a credit 20 times as
large as the final number of normal BETs; in the case of Full
House, Flush or Straight, the CPU 41 transmits information
indicating a credit ten times as large as the final number of
normal BETs; and in a case of Three of a Kind, Two Pair, or One
Pair of "10"s or stronger, the CPU 41 transmits information
indicating a credit twice as large as the final number of normal
BETs. Further, in a case in which the hand is weaker than One Pair
of "10"s, the CPU 41 transmits information indicating that a credit
to be offered is zero.
[0065] Next, in step S113 in FIG. 1B, the CPU 41 determines whether
or not a signal indicative of the strongest hand makable in Let It
Ride being weaker than a predetermined strength (in the present
embodiment, One Pair of "10"s) and a side BETs being placed
(hereinafter, also referred to as a side BET signal) is received
from the station 3. When the CPU 41 determines that no side BET
signal is received, the present main-control-portion-side
processing ends.
[0066] On the other hand, when the CPU 41 determines that a side
BET signal is received, the CPU 41 determines, in step S114, one
card to be added to the community cards, using a random number. The
card determined in step S114 corresponds to the additional
community card in the present invention.
[0067] Next, in step S115, the CPU 41 displays the additional card
determined in step S114 to the front display 21 with its face
up.
[0068] Next, in step S116, the CPU 41 conducts a hand
determination. More specifically, the CPU 41 determines the
strongest hand makable by using three player's cards and three
community cards including the additional card, with respect to the
player of the station 3 from which the side BET signal is
transmitted.
[0069] Next, in step S117, the CPU 41 transmits result information
based on the result of determination in step S116, to the station
3.
[0070] The station 3, on receiving the result information, displays
an image indicative of the makable strongest hand to the liquid
crystal display 10.
[0071] Next, in step S118, the CPU 41 transmits JP payout
information to the station 3. The JP payout information is
information indicative of the value of a JP credit (the currency
value) to be paid out for the side BET. More specifically, the CPU
41 transmits information indicative of a credit value corresponding
to a full amount of a JP in the case in which the strongest hand
makable by using the player's cards and the community cards is
Royal Flush, information indicative of the credit value
corresponding to 50% of the JP in the case in which the strongest
hand is Straight Flush, and information indicative of the credit
value corresponding to 20% of the JP in the case in which the
strongest hand is Four of a Kind. Further, the CPU 41 transmits
information indicative of the credit value corresponding to 10% of
the JP in the case in which the strongest hand is Full House,
Flush, or Straight, and information indicative of the credit value
corresponding to 5% of the JP in the case in which the strongest
hand is Three of a Kind, Two Pair, or One Pair of "10"s or
stronger. Also, when the strength of the strongest hand is weaker
than One Pair of "10"s, the CPU 41 transmits information indicating
that the value of credits to be offered is 0.
[0072] It should be noted that, in the present invention, the
correspondence between the amount of JP to be offered and the hand
is not limited thereto.
Further, in the present embodiment, a payout (JP) is offered only
when the player's hand is One Pair of "10"s or stronger. However,
in the present invention, a payout may be offered even in the case
in which the player's hand is weaker than One Pair of "10"s.
[0073] After the execution of the processing in step S118, the
present main-control-portion-side processing ends.
[0074] Next, there will be described the gaming machine 1 according
to the present embodiment.
[0075] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the
external structure of the gaming machine according to the first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0076] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the gaming machine 1 is basically
comprised of a main monitor 2 and five stations 3 (stations 3a to
3e). Further, while, in the present embodiment, there will be
described a case where the gaming machine 1 comprises a plurality
of (five) stations 3, the number of stations included in a gaming
machine may be one, in the present invention.
[0077] At the center portion of the main monitor 2, there is
provided a front display 21 for displaying images indicating a
dealer, cards and an amount of JP. The front display 21 corresponds
to a display according to the present invention. Further, on the
upper side of the main monitor 2, there are provided a plurality of
speakers 22 for outputting music and an effect sound along with the
progression of a game executed in the gaming machine 1 and a
plurality of LEDs 23 which are lighted during various types of
effects.
[0078] FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the
external structure of a station included in the gaming machine
illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0079] As illustrated in FIG. 3, at the center of the upper surface
of the station 3, there is provided a liquid crystal display 10 for
displaying an image relating to an operation (see FIG. 6) and the
like as will be described later. The liquid crystal display 10
corresponds to a display according to the present invention.
Further, on the upper surface of the liquid crystal display 10,
there is provided a touch panel 11 for inputting an operation for a
BET and the like. The touch panel 11 corresponds an input device
according to the present invention.
[0080] In front of the liquid crystal display 10, there are
provided a plurality of operation buttons 12 for performing a
payout operation, and a coin insertion slot 13 for inserting a coin
or a medal thereto.
[0081] At the right end of the upper portion of the front surface
of the station 3, there is provided a bill insertion slot 14 for
inserting a bill thereto. Below the bill insertion slot 14, there
is provided a coin payout exit 15 for paying out the number of
coins or medals corresponding to the accumulated credit to the
player, when a payout operation is performed.
[0082] FIGS. 4 and 5 are views illustrating an exemplary image
which is displayed to the front display included in a gaming
machine according to the first embodiment.
[0083] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary image displayed to the front
display 21 when Let It Ride, on which the normal BET is to be
placed, is executed. As illustrated in FIG. 4, at an upper portion
of the front display 21, there is provided a JP display portion 33
for displaying an amount of JP. Further, the front display 21
displays a dealer image 30 indicating a dealer (banker), a table
image 31 indicating a table, and card images 32 indicating two
community cards. The card images 32 are displayed facing down, when
community cards are placed on the table.
[0084] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary image displayed to the front
display 21 when a card is added to the community cards on condition
that the side BET has been placed, in a case where the hand with
strength as strong as or stronger than a predetermined strength has
not been established in Let It Ride, on which the normal BET is to
be placed.
[0085] As illustrated in FIG. 5, a card image 34 illustrating an
additional community card is displayed to the front display 21.
[0086] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an exemplary image which is
displayed to a liquid crystal display included in a station
according to the first embodiment.
[0087] As illustrated in FIG. 6, at an upper portion of the liquid
crystal display 10, there are provided a player's cards display
portion 80 for displaying player's cards. To the player's cards
display portion 80, card images 81 illustrating player's cards are
displayed face up. On the right side of the player's cards display
portion 80, there are provided a Let It Ride button 82 for
determining to let it ride and a Pull Down button 83 for
determining the to pull it down. The player can determine whether
to let it ride or pull it down by operating the Let It Ride button
82 and Pull Down button 83 through the touch panel 11.
[0088] Under the player's cards display portion 80, there is
provided a BET button display portion 84. To the BET button display
portion 84, there are displayed BET buttons 85 for inputting the
number of BETs. The player can input the number of normal BETs and
the number of side BETs by operating the BET buttons 85 through the
touch panel 11.
[0089] On the right side of the BET button display portion 84,
there is provided a number-of-normal-BETs display portion 86 for
displaying the number of coins being betted as a normal BET. In the
number-of-normal-BETs display portion 86, three betting circles 87
are provided, and there are displayed the numbers of coins BET on
each of the betting circles 87. In FIG. 6, 20 coins are BET on each
of the betting circles 87, and the total number of normal BETs
displayed is 60.
[0090] On the right side of the number-of-normal-BETs display
portion 86, there is provided a number-of-side-BETs display portion
88 for displaying the number of coins betted as a side BET. FIG. 6
illustrates that 20 coins are BET.
[0091] On the lower side of the number-of-side-BETs display portion
88, there is provided the number-of-credits display portion 89.
FIG. 6 illustrates that 500 coins are being credited.
[0092] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the internal
structure of the gaming machine illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0093] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the main control portion 40
provided in the gaming machine 1 comprises a microcomputer 45 as
the core, which basically includes a CPU 41, a RAM 42, a ROM 43, a
timer 95, and a bus 44 for transferring data mutually among these
devices. The main control portion 40 corresponds to a controller
according to the present invention.
[0094] The ROM 43 stores various types of programs for conducting
processing necessary for controlling the gaming machine 1, a data
table and the like. The RAM 42 is a memory for temporarily storing
various types of data calculated in the CPU 41. Further, the RAM 42
cumulatively stores credit data corresponding to a predetermined
ratio (50% in the present embodiment) of a side-BET credit.
Further, the timer 95 conducts time measurement.
[0095] Further, the CPU 41 is connected to an image processing
circuit 47, a sound circuit 48, an LED driving circuit 49 and a
communication interface 50 through an I/O interface 46.
[0096] The front display 21 included in the main monitor 2 is
connected to the image processing circuit 47. The plurality of
speakers 22 included in the main monitor 2 are connected to the
sound circuit 48. The LEDs 23 included in the main monitor 2 are
connected to the LED driving circuit 49. The five stations 3 are
connected to the communication interface 50.
[0097] The CPU 41 progresses a game (Let It Ride and a game
executed on condition that a side BET is placed) which is executed
in the gaming machine 1, based on game programs (including a
program for Let It Ride and a program for a game executed on
condition that a side BET is placed) stored in the ROM 43 and
various types of signals received from the stations 3. Further, the
CPU 41 displays an image to the front display 21, outputs sound
from the plurality of speakers 22 and lights the LEDs 23, based on
the above-mentioned game programs. Further, the CPU 41 transmits
various types of signals to the respective stations 3, based on the
above-mentioned game programs.
[0098] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the internal
structure of a station included in the gaming machine illustrated
in FIG. 2.
[0099] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the station 3 includes, as the
core, a microcomputer 55 which is basically comprised of a CPU 51,
a RAM 52, a ROM 53, and a bus 54 for transferring data mutually
among these devices.
[0100] The ROM 53 stores various types of programs for conducting
processing necessary for controlling the station 3, data tables and
the like. Further, the RAM 52 temporarily stores the number of
credits currently accumulated in the station 3 and various types of
data calculated in the CPU 51.
[0101] Further, the CPU 51 is connected to a liquid crystal panel
driving circuit 57, a touch panel driving circuit 58, a hopper
driving circuit 59, a payout completion signal circuit 60, an
inserted-coin detecting signal circuit 67, a bill detecting signal
circuit 64, an operation signal circuit 66 and a communication
interface 61, through an I/O interface 56.
[0102] A liquid crystal display 10 is connected to the liquid
crystal panel driving circuit 57. A touch panel 11 is connected to
the touch panel driving circuit 58. A hopper 62 is connected to the
hopper driving circuit 59. A coin detecting portion 63 is connected
to the payout completion signal circuit 60. An inserted-coin
detecting portion 68 is connected to the inserted-coin detecting
signal circuit 67. A bill detecting portion 65 is connected to the
bill detecting signal circuit 64. An operation button 12 is
connected to the operation signal circuit 66.
[0103] The hopper 62 is provided inside the station 3 and pays out
a coin through the coin payout exit 15 based on a control signal
outputted from the CPU 51.
[0104] The coin detecting portion 63 is provided inside the coin
payout exit 15 and transmits a signal to the CPU 51 on detecting a
predetermined number of coins being paid out through the coin
payout exit 15.
[0105] The inserted-coin detecting portion 68, on detecting a coin
being inserted from the coin insertion slot 13, detects the value
of the coin and transmits a detecting signal indicative of the
detected value to the CPU 51. The detected value of the coin is
counted regarding a predetermined value defined as 1 credit and is
stored in the RAM 52.
[0106] The bill detecting portion 65, on accepting a bill, detects
the value of the bill and transmits a detecting signal indicative
of the detected value to the CPU 51. The detected value of the bill
is counted regarding a predetermined value defined as 1 credit and
is stored in the RAM 52.
[0107] The operation button 12 is a button for performing payout
operations, when payout of the coin is determined.
[0108] Next, there will be described processing conducted in the
main control portion 40 and the station 3. The processing in the
main control portion 40 has been already described with reference
to FIGS. 1A and 1B. Therefore, only the processing conducted in the
station 3 will be described.
[0109] FIGS. 9A and 9B are flow charts illustrating the
station-side processing which is conducted in a station according
to the first embodiment.
[0110] First, in step S201 in FIG. 9A, the CPU 51 included in the
station 3 accepts inputs of a normal BET and a side BET, on
receiving a signal from the touch panel 11, indicative of the
detection of a contact, or a signal from the inserted-coin
detecting portion 68, indicative of the detection of the coin
insertion. This enables the player to input a normal BET and a side
BET through the touch panel 11 included in the station 3.
[0111] Next, in step S202, the CPU 51 transmits BET information,
which is information on the inputted BET, to the main control
portion 40. The main control portion 40, on receiving the BET
information, cumulatively stores 50% of the side-BET credit as a JP
in the RAM 42 (see step S102 in FIG. 1A).
[0112] Next, in step S203, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the
side BET has been placed. When determining that the side BET has
not been placed, the CPU 51 shifts the processing to step S205.
[0113] On the other hand, when determining that the side BET has
been placed, the CPU 51 sets a side BET flag in step S204. The side
BET flag is a flag indicating that the side BET has been
placed.
[0114] Next, in step S205, the CPU 51 receives player's cards
information indicative of the cards to be dealt to the player, from
the main control portion 40.
[0115] Next, in step S206, the CPU 51 displays card images
indicative of the three player's cards to the player's cards
display portion 80 in the liquid crystal display 10, based on the
player's cards information received in step S205.
[0116] Next, in step S207, the CPU 51 conducts selection acceptance
processing. This processing is processing for accepting a selection
as to whether to let it ride or pull it down from the player, and
will be described in detail later by using FIG. 10.
[0117] Next, in step S208, the CPU 51 receives
selection-instructing signal from the main control portion 40.
[0118] Next, in step S209, the CPU 51 conducts selection acceptance
processing.
[0119] Next, in step S210, the CPU 51 receives the result
information transmitted from the main control portion 40 in step
S111 in FIG. 1A. Subsequently, the CPU 51 displays, to the liquid
crystal display 10, an image indicating the makable strongest hand
based on the received result information, for a predetermined
period of time (10 seconds in the present embodiment).
[0120] Next, in step S211, the CPU 51 receives normal BET payout
information from the main control portion 40. On receiving the
normal BET payout information, the CPU 51 stores, in the RAM 52,
credit data based on the normal BET payout information.
[0121] Next, in step S212, the CPU 51 pays out a credit based on
the normal BET payout information received in step S211. The
processing for paying out a credit based on the normal BET payout
information from the main control portion 40 corresponds to
processing for offering a payout based on a hand and a normal BET,
according to the present invention.
[0122] Next, in step S213 in FIG. 8B, the CPU 51 determines whether
or not the strength of the makable player's hand in Let It Ride is
as strong as or stronger than the predetermined strength (in the
present embodiment, One Pair of "10"s). When the CPU 51 determines
that the strength of the player's hand is as strong as or stronger
than the predetermined strength, the present subroutine ends.
[0123] On the other hand, when determining that the strength of the
player's hand is weaker than the predetermined strength, the CPU 51
determines, in step S214, whether or not the side BET flag is
turned "ON" (the side BET flag is set). When the CPU 51 determines
that the side BET flag is not turned "ON", the present subroutine
ends.
[0124] On the other hand, when determining that the side BET flag
is turned "ON", the CPU 51 transmits, in step S215, a side BET
signal indicating that the strength of the strongest hand makable
in Let It Ride is weaker than the predetermined strength and that
the side BET is placed to the main control portion 40.
[0125] Next, in step S216, the CPU 51 receives the result
information transmitted in step S117 in FIG. 1B, from the main
control portion 40. Then, the CPU 51 displays, to the liquid
crystal display 10, an image indicative of the makable strongest
hand for a predetermined time period (10 seconds, in the present
embodiment), based on the received result information.
[0126] Next, in step S217, the CPU 51 receives JP payout
information from the main control portion 40. On receiving the JP
payout information, the CPU 51 stores, in the RAM 52, credit data
based on the JP payout information.
[0127] Next, in step S218, the CPU 51 pays out a credit based on
the JP payout information received in step S217.
[0128] The processing for paying out a credit based on the JP
payout information from the main control portion 40 corresponds to
processing for offering a payout based on the made hand and the
side BET, according to the present invention.
[0129] After the execution of the processing in step S218, the
present subroutine ends.
[0130] FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a subroutine of the
selection acceptance processing conducted in the station according
to the first embodiment. The selection acceptance processing is the
processing executed in step S207 and step S209 in FIG. 9A.
[0131] In step S301, the CPU 51 accepts a selection as to whether
to let it ride or pull it down. This enables the player to choose
whether to let it ride or pull it down through the touch panel
11.
[0132] Next, in step S302, the CPU 51 transmits the selection
information to the main control portion 40 as information
indicating whether the player has let it ride or pulled it
down.
[0133] After executing the processing of step S302, the present
subroutine ends.
[0134] As described above, the gaming machine 1 according to the
first embodiment comprises: the front display 21 and the liquid
crystal display 10 (display), which are capable of displaying a
plurality of cards; the touch panel 11 (the input device); and the
main control portion 40 (controller). The main control portion 40
is programmed to conduct the following processing of: (a) accepting
a side BET different from a normal BET, from the touch panel 11;
(b) cumulatively accumulating a predetermined ratio (50%) of a
side-BET currency value; (c) displaying three player's cards dealt
to the player to the liquid crystal display 10; (d) displaying two
community cards placed on a table to the front display 21; (e)
determining whether or not the side BET is placed; (f) displaying
an additional community card to the front display 21, when
determining that the side BET is placed; (g) making a hand by using
the three player's cards and the three community cards including
the one card added in processing (f); and (h) offering a payout
from the cumulatively accumulated currency value, based on the hand
made in processing (g).
[0135] While, in the present embodiment, there has been described a
case where the card game is played using the gaming machine 1, the
card game may be played without using a gaming machine (for
example, a banker and a player play a game around an actual table)
in the present invention. In this case, there may be employed a
playing method of a card game comprising the following steps of:
(a) placing a side BET different from a normal BET; (b)
cumulatively accumulating a predetermined ratio of a side-BET
currency value; (c) dealing cards to a player; (d) placing cards on
a table; (e) determining whether or not the side BET is placed; (f)
adding a card on the table, when determining that the side BET is
placed; (g) making a hand by using the cards dealt to the player
and the cards placed on the table; and (h) offering a payout from
the cumulatively accumulated currency value, based on the hand made
in step (g)
Second Embodiment
[0136] Next, there will be described a gaming machine according to
a second embodiment. In the following description, components
corresponding to those of the roulette gaming machine according to
the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference
characters.
[0137] In the second embodiment, Hold'em poker is played. Here, the
rule of Hold'em poker is described.
[0138] In Hold'em Poker, one set of playing cards (52 cards)
excluding a joker is used.
[0139] First, a dealer deals two cards to each player. Each player
looks at his or her dealt cards and then chooses which action to
take: to BET chips (hereinafter also simply referred to as to BET),
to BET the same amount of chips as the BET placed by the previous
player (hereinafter also referred to as to call), to raise the
amount of chips to be BET (hereinafter also referred to as to
raise), and to finish the game without placing a BET (hereinafter
also referred to as to fold). In the following, such a selection is
called BET selection.
[0140] Next, the dealer opens three cards (called flop) out of
cards in the hand. At this point, each player makes a BET
selection.
[0141] Next, the dealer opens a fourth card (called turn). Each
player makes a BET selection.
[0142] Next, the dealer opens a fifth card (called river). Each
player makes a BET selection.
[0143] Next, all the cards (cards initially dealt) in the hand of a
player remaining in the game are opened (called showdown), and each
player combines the two cards in the hand and three cards out of
the dealer's five cards, to make a hand. The hands of the
respective players are compared and all the BET chips are offered
to a player who has established the strongest hand.
[0144] The hands in Hold'em poker include, in decreasing order of
strength, Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House,
Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and No
Pair.
[0145] The cards dealt to the player correspond to the player's
cards in the present invention, and the cards common among all the
players, including flop, turn and river, correspond to the
community cards in the present invention.
[0146] In the second embodiment, the normal BET and the side BET
are accepted in Hold'em poker. Here, the normal BET is a BET placed
on a game of Hold'em poker, which includes a BET, a call and a
raise. The side BET is a BET placed for adding a card to community
cards in Hold'em poker. A predetermined ratio (50% in the present
embodiment) of a side-BET currency value is cumulatively
accumulated as a jackpot (hereinafter also referred to as JP). In
Hold'em poker, a player who has made the strongest hand among all
the players wins, and all the normal-BET chips are offered to the
winning player. In a case where the side BET has been placed, one
card is added to the community cards, and a player who has lost the
game can remake a hand by using the community cards including the
additional card and the dealt cards. A JP is offered to each player
according to the established hand.
[0147] The gaming machine according to the second embodiment has
the same external appearance, circuit structures and the like as
those of the gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment.
Therefore, description thereof will not be repeated. Hereinafter,
there will be described processing conducted in the main control
portion included in the gaming machine, an image displayed to the
display, and processing conducted in the station.
[0148] First, there is described the processing conducted in the
main control portion 40 included in the gaming machine 1 according
to the second embodiment.
[0149] FIGS. 11A and 11B are flow charts illustrating the
main-control-portion-side processing conducted in the main control
portion included in the gaming machine according to the second
embodiment.
[0150] In step S401 in FIG. 11A, the CPU 41 receives side BET
information from the station 3. Side BET information is information
on the side BET, and includes information indicating whether or not
the side BET has been placed and information indicating the amount
of the side BET.
[0151] Next, in step S402, the CPU 41 cumulatively stores 50% of a
side-BET credit as a JP into the RAM 42 based on the side BET
information received in step S401.
[0152] Next, in step S403, the CPU 41 determines two cards each to
be dealt to the respective players, out of one set of playing
cards, by using random numbers.
[0153] Next, in step S404, the CPU 41 transmits the player's cards
information to the station 3. The player's cards information
includes types (ranks and suits [heart, club, spade, and diamond])
of the cards determined to be dealt to the player in step S403.
[0154] In the station 3, card images indicating two player's cards
are displayed to the liquid crystal display 10, based on the
received player's cards information, and an input of a BET
selection is accepted.
[0155] Next, in step S405, the CPU 41 receives BET selection
information from the station 3. The BET selection information
includes information indicating which action the player has chosen
out of a BET, a call or a raise, and information indicating the
amount of credits normal-BET by the player. The CPU 41 cumulatively
stores the credit of the normal BET placed by each player.
[0156] Next, in step S406, the CPU 41 determines three cards as
flop by using random numbers, and displays card images facing up to
the front display 21, the card images indicating the determined
three cards.
[0157] Next, in step S407, the CPU 41 transmits a flop
determination signal indicating that the flop is determined, to the
station 3.
[0158] In the station 3, when a flop determination signal is
received, an input of the BET selection is accepted.
[0159] Next, in the step S408, the CPU 41 receives BET selection
information from the station 3 after the flop determination. The
CPU 41 cumulatively stores the credit of the normal BET of each
player into the RAM 42, based on the received selection
information.
[0160] Next, in step S409, the CPU 41 determines one card as the
turn by using a random number and displays the determined card face
up to the front display 21.
[0161] Next, in step S410, the CPU 41 transmits a turn
determination signal indicating that the turn is determined, to the
station 3.
[0162] In the station 3, when the turn determination signal is
received, an input of the BET selection is accepted.
[0163] Next, in step S411, the CPU 41 receives the BET selection
information after the turn determination, from the station 3. The
CPU 41 cumulatively stores the credit of the normal BET of each
player into the RAM 42, based on the received information.
[0164] Next, in step S412 in FIG. 11B, the CPU 41 determines one
card as the river by using a random number, and displays the
determined card face up to the front display 21.
[0165] Next, in step S413, the CPU 41 transmits a river
determination signal indicating that the river is determined, to
the station 3.
[0166] In the station 3, when the river determination signal is
received, an input of the BET selection is accepted.
[0167] Next, in step S414, the CPU 41 receives the BET selection
information from the station 3 after the river determination. The
CPU 41 cumulatively stores the credit of the normal BET of each
player into the RAM 42, based on the received selection
information.
[0168] Next, in step S415, the CPU 41 executes showdown
processing.
[0169] Specifically, the CPU 41 displays two cards each dealt to
the player of each station 3 to a player information display
portion 36 (see FIG. 12) corresponding to each station 3.
[0170] Next, in step S416, the CPU 41 compares hands.
[0171] Specifically, the strongest hand among the makable hands by
combining the two cards dealt to one player and the three cards out
of the five community cards (flop, turn and river) is determined as
the hand of the player. After conducting the same processing on all
of the remaining players in the game, the CPU 41 determines the
player having the strongest hand by comparing the hands of each of
the players.
[0172] Next, in step S417, the CPU 41 transmits the normal BET
payout information to the station 3. The normal BET payout
information is information indicating a credit (currency value)
amount to be paid out for a normal BET. Specifically, information
indicating a full amount of the credit of the normal BET
cumulatively stored in the RAM 42 is transmitted to the station 3
of the player who has been determined to have the strongest hand in
step S416. Namely, the currency value normal-BET by all the players
is all offered to the winning player in the Hold'em poker. Further,
information indicative of a credit value to be offered being zero
is transmitted to the station 3 of the player who has lost the
game.
[0173] In the present embodiment, the case has been described where
the currency value normal-BET by all the players is all offered to
the winning player. However, the present invention is not limited
to this example. For example, the normal-BET currency value may be
offered to each player based on the established hand.
[0174] Next, in step S418, the CPU 41 determines whether or not a
signal indicative of the player having lost the game of Hold'em
poker and a side BET being placed (hereinafter also referred to as
side BET signal) is received from a station 3. When the CPU 41
determines that no side BET signal is received, the present
main-control-portion-side processing ends.
[0175] Next, in step S419, the CPU 41 determines one card to be
added to the community cards by using a random number, and displays
the determined card to the front display 21. The card determined in
step S419 corresponds to the additional card according to the
present invention.
[0176] Next in step S420, the CPU 41 conducts a hand determination.
Specifically, the CPU 41 determines the strongest hand makable by
using the two player's cards and the six community cards including
the additional card, with respect to the player at the station 3
from which the side BET signal has been transmitted.
[0177] Next, in step S421, the CPU 41 transmits the result
information to the station 3 based on a result of the determination
in step S420. The result information includes information
indicating the strongest hand makable from the player's cards and
the community cards.
[0178] In the station 3, when the result information is received,
an image indicating the makable strongest hand is displayed to the
liquid crystal display 10.
[0179] Next, in step S422, the CPU 41 transmits JP payout
information to the station 3. JP payout information is information
indicating a credit (currency value) amount of a JP to be paid out
for the side BET. More specifically, the CPU 41 transmits
information indicative of a credit value corresponding to a full
amount of a JP in the casein which the strongest hand makable by
using the player's cards and the community cards is Royal Flush,
information indicative of the credit value corresponding to 50% of
the JP in the case in which the makable strongest hand is Straight
Flush, and information indicative of the credit value corresponding
to 20% of the JP in the case in which the makable strongest hand is
Four of a Kind. Further, the CPU 41 transmits information
indicative of the credit value corresponding to 10% of the JP in
the case in which the strongest hand is Full House, Flush, or
Straight, and information indicative of the credit value
corresponding to 5% of the JP in the case in which the strongest
hand is Three of a Kind, Two Pair, or One Pair of "10"s or
stronger. Also, when the strength of the strongest hand is weaker
than One Pair of "10"s, the CPU 41 transmits information indicating
that the value of credits to be offered is 0.
[0180] It should be noted that, in the present invention, the
correspondence between the amount of JP to be offered and the hand
is not limited to the above-mentioned example.
[0181] Further, in the present embodiment, a payout (JP) is offered
only when the player's hand is One Pair of "10"s or stronger.
However, in the present invention, a payout may be offered even in
the case in which the strength of the player's hand is weaker than
One Pair of "10"s.
[0182] After executing the processing in step S422, the present
main-control-portion-side processing ends.
[0183] FIGS. 12 and 13 are views illustrating an exemplary image
displayed to the front display provided in the gaming machine
according to the second embodiment.
[0184] FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary image displayed to the
front display 21 when a game of Hold'em poker, on which the normal
BET is to be placed, is executed. As illustrated in FIG. 12, on the
upper side of the front display 21, there is provided the JP
display portion 33 for displaying an amount of a JP. Further, to
the front display 21, the dealer image 30 indicating a dealer, the
table image 31 indicating a table, and card images 35 illustrating
community cards (flop, turn and river) are displayed.
[0185] Moreover, on the lower side of the front display 21, a
player information display portion 36 is provided for displaying
cards dealt to the players and the number of BET of the players.
Alphabets A to E displayed to the player information display
portion 36 respectively correspond to stations 3a to 3e (see FIG.
2) provided in the gaming machine 1. The player information display
portion 36 displays the players' cards and the number of BETs
(number of normal BETs) of each player as illustrated in FIG.
12.
[0186] FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary image displayed to the
front display 21 when a card is added to the community cards on
condition that the side BET has been placed.
[0187] As illustrated in FIG. 13, a card image 37 indicating an
additional community card is displayed. Further, to the "A", "B"
and "E" in the player information display portion 36, there are
displayed images indicating the player's cards, which shows that
the players of the stations 3a, 3b and 3e have taken part in the
game which is played on condition that the side BET has been
placed.
[0188] FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary image displayed to a liquid
crystal display provided in the station according to the second
embodiment.
[0189] As illustrated in FIG. 14, a player's card display portion
101 for displaying player's cards is provided on the upper side of
the liquid crystal display 10. To the player's card display portion
101, card images 102 showing player's cards face up are displayed.
On the right side with respect to the player's card display portion
101, there are provided a BET button 108 for determining to BET, a
call button 109 for determining to call, a raise button 110 for
determining to raise, and a fold button 111 for determining to
fold. The player can conduct a BET selection by operating those
buttons through the touch panel 11.
[0190] A BET button display portion 103 is provided on the lower
side with respect to the player's card display portion 101. To the
BET button display portion 103, BET buttons 104 for inputting the
number of BETs are displayed. The player can input the number of
normal BETs and the number of side BETs by operating the BET
buttons 104 through the touch panel 11.
[0191] On the right side with respect to the BET button display
portion 103, a number-of-normal-BETs display portion 105 for
displaying the number of normal-BET coins is provided. FIG. 14
indicates that 40 coins have been BET.
[0192] On the lower side with respect to the number-of-normal-BETs
display portion 105, there is provided a number-of-side-BETs
display portion 106 for displaying the number of side-BET coins.
FIG. 14 indicates that 20 coins have been BET.
[0193] On the right side with respect to the number-of-side-BETs
display portion 106, there is provided a number-of-credits display
portion 107. FIG. 14 indicates that 500 coins have been
credited.
[0194] Next, processing executed in the station 3 is described.
[0195] FIGS. 15A and 15B are flow charts illustrating a subroutine
of station side processing executed in the station according to the
second embodiment.
[0196] First, in step S501 in FIG. 15A, the CPU 51 included in the
station 3 accepts an input of a side BET, on receiving a signal
from the touch panel 11, indicative of the detection of a contact,
or a signal from the inserted-coin detecting portion 68, indicative
of the detection of the coin insertion. This enables the player to
input a side BET through the touch panel 11 included in the station
3.
[0197] Next, in step S502, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the
side BET has been placed. When determining that the side BET has
not been placed, the CPU 51 shifts the processing to step S505.
[0198] On the other hand, when determining that the side BET has
been placed, the CPU 51 transmits side BET information, which is
the information about the side BET, to the main control portion 40
in step S503.
[0199] In the main control portion 40, when the side BET
information is received, 50% of the side-BET credit is cumulatively
stored as a JP into the RAM 42.
[0200] Next, in step S504, the CPU 51 sets a side BET flag. The
side BET flag is a flag indicating that the side BET has been
placed.
[0201] Next, in step S505, the CPU 51 receives the player's cards
information from the main control portion 40.
[0202] Next, in step S506, the CPU 51 displays, to the liquid
crystal display 10, card images indicating cards determined to be
dealt to the player, based on the player's cards information
received in step S505 (See FIG. 14).
[0203] Next, in step S507, the CPU 51 conducts BET selection
acceptance processing. This processing is to accept an input of a
BET selection from the player, and later described in details by
using FIG. 16.
[0204] Next, in step S508, the CPU 51 receives a flop determination
signal indicating that the flop has been determined, from the main
control portion 40.
[0205] Next, in step S509, the CPU 51 conducts the BET selection
acceptance processing.
[0206] Next, in step S510, the CPU 51 receives a turn determination
signal indicating that a turn has been determined, from the main
control portion 40.
[0207] Next, in step S511, the CPU 51 conducts the BET selection
acceptance processing.
[0208] Next, in step S512 in FIG. 15B, the CPU 51 receives a river
determination signal indicating that the river has been determined,
from the main control portion 40.
[0209] Next, in step S513, the CPU 51 conducts the BET selection
acceptance processing.
[0210] Next, in step S514, the CPU 51 receives the normal BET
payout information from the main control portion 40. When the CPU
51 receives the normal BET payout information, the CPU 51 stores
credit data based on the normal BET payout information, into the
RAM 52.
[0211] Next, in step S515, the CPU 51 conducts a payout of a
credit, based on the normal BET payout information received in step
S514.
[0212] Next, in step S516, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the
player of the station 3 has won the game of Hold'em poker. When the
CPU 51 determines that the player of the station 3 has won the
game, the present subroutine ends.
[0213] On the other hand, when determining that the player of the
station 3 has not won the game, the CPU 51 determines whether or
not the side BET flag is "ON" (the side BET flag has been set) in
step S517. When the CPU 51 determines that the side BET flag is not
"ON", the present subroutine ends.
[0214] On the other hand, when determining that the side BET flag
is "ON", in step S518, the CPU 51 transmits a side BET signal,
which is a signal indicative of the player having lost the game of
Hold'em poker and the side BET having been placed, is transmitted
to the main control portion 40.
[0215] Next, in step S519, the CPU 51 receives, from the main
control portion 40, the result information transmitted in step S421
in FIG. 11B. Subsequently, the CPU 51 displays an image indicating
the makable strongest hand to the liquid crystal display 10 for a
predetermined period (10 seconds in the present embodiment), based
on the received result information.
[0216] Next, in step S520, the CPU 51 receives JP payout
information from the main control portion 40. When the CPU 51
receives the JP payout information, the CPU 51 stores credit data
based on the JP payout information into the RAM 52.
[0217] Next, in step S521, the CPU 51 conducts the payout of the
credit, based on the JP payout information received in step
S520.
[0218] After executing the processing of step S520, the present
subroutine ends.
[0219] FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating a subroutine of the BET
selection acceptance processing executed in the station according
to the second embodiment. The BET selection acceptance processing
is processing executed in step S507, step S509 and step S511 in
FIG. 15A and step S513 in FIG. 15B.
[0220] In step S601, the CPU 51 accepts a BET selection. This
enables the player to input a BET selection through the touch panel
11.
[0221] In step S602, the CPU 51 transmits, to the main control
portion 40, the BET selection information based on the input from
the player.
[0222] After executing the processing of step S602, the present
subroutine ends.
[0223] As described above, the gaming machine 1 according to the
second embodiment comprises: the front display 21 and the liquid
crystal display 10 (display), which are capable of displaying a
plurality of cards; the touch panel 11 (the input device); and the
main control portion 40 (controller). The main control portion 40
is programmed to conduct the following processing of: (a) accepting
a side BET different from a normal BET, from the touch panel 11;
(b) cumulatively accumulating a predetermined ratio (50%) of a
side-BET currency value; (c) displaying two player's cards dealt to
the player, to the liquid crystal display 10; (d) displaying five
community cards (flop, turn and river) placed on a table, to the
front display 21; (e) determining whether or not the side BET is
placed; (f) displaying an additional community card to the front
display 21, when determining that the side BET is placed; (g)
making a hand by using the two player's cards and the six community
cards including the one card added in the processing (f); and (h)
offering a payout from the cumulatively accumulated currency value,
based on the hand made in the processing (g)
[0224] While, in the present embodiment, there has been described a
case where the card game is played using the gaming machine 1, the
card game may be played without using a gaming machine (for
example, a banker and a player may play a game around an actual
table) in the present invention. In this case, there may be
employed a playing method of a card game comprising the following
steps of: (a) placing a side BET different from a normal BET; (b)
cumulatively accumulating a predetermined ratio of a side-BET
currency value; (c) dealing cards to a player; (d) placing cards on
a table; (e) determining whether or not the side BET is placed; (f)
adding a card on the table, when determining that the side BET is
placed; (g) making a hand by using the cards dealt to the player
and the cards placed on the table; and (h) offering a payout from
the cumulatively accumulated currency value, based on the hand made
in the step (g).
[0225] In the first embodiment, the case has been described where a
card is added to the community cards on condition that the side BET
is placed, when the strength of the strongest hand, which is
makable from three player's cards and two community cards, is
weaker than a predetermined strength. Further, in the second
embodiment, the case has been described where a card is added to
the community cards on condition that the side BET is placed, when
the strength of the strongest hand, which is makable from two
player's cards and five community cards, is not the strongest hand
among the hands of the players participating in the game. Namely,
in the first embodiment, the case has been described where a
predetermined condition in the present invention is that the
makable strongest hand is as strong as or stronger than the
predetermined strength, and in the second embodiment, the case has
been described where the predetermined condition in the present
invention is that the makable strongest hand is the strongest among
the hands of the players participating in the game. However, the
predetermined condition in the present invention is not limited to
these examples. For example, the predetermined condition may be
that a hand makable from player's cards and community cards is a
specific hand (e.g. Three of a Kind).
[0226] Further, in the first embodiment, the case has been
described where five cards are selected to make a hand, out of a
total of six cards, which are the three player's cards and the
three community cards including the additional card. In the second
embodiment, the case has been described where five cards are
selected to make a hand, out of a total of eight cards, which are
the two player's cards and the six community cards including the
additional card. However, the present invention is not limited to
these examples, and may, for example, be configured such that all
of player's cards and community cards must be used in making of a
hand.
[0227] Further, in the first embodiment, the case of playing Let It
Ride by using three player's cards and two community cards
(excluding an additional card) has been described, and in the
second embodiment, the case of playing Hold'em poker by using two
player's cards and five community cards (excluding an additional
card) has been described. However, the card game in the present
invention is not particularly limited so long as being a game where
a hand is makable by using cards dealt to a player and cards placed
on a table. Moreover, the number of cards dealt to the player, the
number of cards placed on the table, and the number of cards
selected from the cards on the table in making of a hand is not
limited to the examples shown in the first and second
embodiments.
[0228] Further, in both the first and second embodiments, the case
has been described where the number of cards added to the community
cards is one. However, in the present invention, the number of
cards added on the table is not limited to one, and may be set as
appropriate.
[0229] Further, in the first and second embodiments, the case of
using playing cards has been described. However, the cards in the
present invention are not limited to playing cards, and for
example, tarot cards may be used.
[0230] Further, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment,
there have been described cases where 50% of side-BET credits are
cumulatively accumulated as jackpot. However, in the present
invention, the ratio (predetermined ratio) of a cumulatively
accumulating currency value to the side-BET currency value is not
limited thereto, but may be set as appropriate.
[0231] Further, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment,
credit data corresponding to 50% of a side-BET credit is
cumulatively stored in the RAM 42 included in the main control
portion 40. However, in the present invention, credit data
corresponding to a predetermined ratio of the side-BET credit may
be cumulatively stored in a RAM included in each station.
[0232] Further, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment,
there have been described cases where side-BET credit is
cumulatively accumulated, and in a game played on condition that
the side BET is placed, the payout is offered from the cumulatively
accumulated credits. However, the present invention is not
particularly limited to this example. For example, the payout may
be offered from the banker's (e.g. manager of a recreation
facility) currency value without accumulating a side-BET currency
value.
[0233] Also, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment,
there have been described cases where players play a card game by
viewing the main monitor 2 and the liquid crystal displays 10
included in the stations, the gaming machine according to the
present invention is only required to include either a main monitor
or liquid crystal displays (displays included in the stations). In
the case of this structure, the cards on the table and the player's
cards may be displayed together to the main monitor or the displays
in the stations.
[0234] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to embodiments thereof, these embodiments merely
illustrate concrete examples, not restrict the present invention.
The concrete structures of respective means and the like can be
designed and changed as required. Furthermore, there have been
merely described most preferable effects of the present invention,
as the effects of the present invention, in the embodiments of the
present invention. The effects of the present invention are not
limited to those described in the embodiments of the present
invention.
[0235] Further, in the aforementioned detailed description,
characteristic portions have been mainly described, for ease of
understanding the present invention. The present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described in the aforementioned detailed
description, but can be also applied to other embodiments over a
wider range of applications. Further, the terms and phrases used in
the present specification have been used for clearly describing the
present invention, not for limiting the interpretation of the
present invention. Further, those skilled in the art will easily
conceive other structures, systems, methods and the like which are
included in the concept of the present invention, from the concept
of the present invention described in the present specification.
Accordingly, the description of the claims is intended to include
equivalent structures that fall within the technical scope of the
invention. Further, the abstract aims at enabling engineers and the
like who belong to the present technical field but are not familiar
with the patent office and public institutions, the patent, law
terms and technical terms to immediately understand the technical
content and the essence of the present application through brief
studies. Accordingly, the abstract is not intended to restrict the
scope of the invention which should be evaluated from the
description of the claims. It is desirable that literatures and the
like which have been already disclosed are sufficiently studied and
understood, in order to sufficiently understand the objects of the
present invention and the specific effects of the present
invention.
[0236] In the aforementioned detailed description, there have been
described processes to be executed by computers. The aforementioned
description and expressions have been described for the sake of
enabling those skilled in the art to understand the present
invention most effectively. In the present specification, each step
for deriving a single result should be understood to be
self-consistent processing. Further, each step includes
transmission, reception, recording and the like of electric or
magnetic signals. Although, in the processing at each step, such
signals have been expressed as bits, values, symbols, characters,
terms, numerical characters and the like, it should be noticed that
they have been merely used for convenience of description. Further,
although the processing at each step was described using
expressions common to human behaviors in some cases, the processes
described in the present specification are to be executed by
various types of devices, in principle. Further, other structures
required for conducting each step will be apparent from the
aforementioned description.
* * * * *