US20080214256A1

US20080214256A1 - Gaming method and machine for playing primary and secondary card games

Info

Publication number: US20080214256A1
Application number: US12/037,420
Authority: US
Inventors: Kazumasa Yoshizawa
Original assignee: Aruze Corp
Current assignee: Universal Entertainment Corp
Priority date: 2007-02-27
Filing date: 2008-02-26
Publication date: 2008-09-04
Also published as: AU2008200874A1; JP2008206803A

Abstract

According to a gaming method, primary and secondary card games are played. The gaming method comprises: placing a first bet on the primary card game, placing an optional second bet on the secondary card game, disclosing cards dealt for the primary card game, disclosing at least one card dealt for the secondary card game, providing an award 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 providing an award for the optional second bet according to a rule of the secondary card game based on the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card game and the at least one disclosed card dealt for the secondary card game. The award for the optional second bet is determined according to poker hands. Therefore, the gaming method can provide a further satisfaction to each participant.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-047398, filed on Feb. 27, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
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. 2007-047514, filed on in Japan 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

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gaming method for playing a card game with one or more card decks, and a gaming machine thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
Various card games using one or more card decks are known. For example, in Baccarat, which is one of the various card games, each participant in Baccarat places a bet on “Banker” or “Player” (in addition, on “Tie”) for each game play.
Therefore, since each participant can place a bet on only one game in a single game play, the participant 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.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,801 B2, a baccarat game is disclosed. In the baccarat game, each participant can play a primary game in which a bet is placed on Banker, Player or Tie and a sidebet game (secondary game) in which each participant anticipates a scoring difference between Banker's and Player's hands.
In such card games, since substantially only a single game (baccarat) can be played, there is less variety in playing games.
Therefore, instead of such conventional card games, a card game capable of providing a further satisfaction to a participant has been desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has an object of providing a gaming method or a gaming machine, which can satisfy a participant.
A first aspect of the present invention provides a gaming method for playing primary and secondary card games. The gaming method comprises: placing a first bet on the primary card game, placing an optional second bet on the secondary card game, disclosing cards dealt for the primary card game, disclosing at least one card dealt for the secondary card game, providing an award 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 providing an award for the optional second bet according to a rule of the secondary card game based on the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card game and the at least one disclosed card dealt for the secondary card game. The award for the optional second bet is determined according to poker hands.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the at least one card for the secondary card game is disclosed in addition to the cards for the primary card game, and the secondary card game is played based on the cards for the primary card game and the at least one card for the secondary card game. In the secondary card game, an award is provided to each of the participants according to the poker hands.
Therefore, each participant can place the optional second bet on the secondary card game arbitrarily in addition to the first bet on the primary card game during a single game play of the primary card game. Different card game from the primary card game is executed in the secondary card game. Each participant can place different bets on different games during the single game play.
It is preferable that the at least one card dealt for the secondary card game is disclosed only after the optional second bet has been placed. According to this, since the at least one card for the secondary card game is disclosed if the optional second bet has been placed, only the primary card game is played if the optional second bet has not been placed on the secondary card game. Therefore, troublesome dealing of unnecessary cards can be obviated, such that the cards for the secondary card game must be disclosed even when no bet has been placed on the secondary card game.
It is preferable that the cards dealt for the primary card game are disclosed after the optional second bet has been placed. According to this, since the cards dealt for the primary card game are not disclosed until the optional second bet has been placed on the secondary card game, each participant can be amused by an optional bet on the secondary card game.
It is preferable that the primary card game is a baccarat game. According to this, since the baccarat game is executed as the primary card game, each participant can get a chance for placing a bet on a poker game different from the baccarat game during a single game play and be provided an award according to the bet on the poker game. Due to this, it is possible for a participant to enjoy the pleasure of the poker game while playing the baccarat game.
A second aspect of the present invention provides a gaming method for playing primary and secondary card games. The gaming method comprises: placing a first bet on the primary card game, placing an optional second bet on the secondary card game, dealing cards for the primary card game in first and second areas, dealing at least one card for the secondary card game to each of participants who have placed the optional second bet, disclosing the cards dealt in the first and second areas, determining whether or not to dealt and disclose an additional card in at least one of the first and second areas according to a rule of the primary card game based on the disclosed cards dealt in the first and second areas, dealing and disclosing the additional card in the at least one of the first and second areas if it has been determined to dealt and disclose the additional card in the at least one of the first and second areas, judging a result of the primary card game according to the rule of the primary card game, providing an award for the first bet according to the rule of the primary card game based on the result of the primary card game, disclosing the at least one card dealt for the secondary card game dealt to each of the participants, and providing an award for the optional second bet according to a rule of the secondary card game based on the disclosed cards dealt in the first and second areas and the at least one disclosed card dealt for the secondary card game. The award for the optional second bet is determined according to poker hands.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the at least one card for the secondary card game is dealt in addition to the cards for the primary card game, and the secondary card game is played based on the cards for the primary card game and the at least one card for the secondary card game. In the secondary card game, an award is provided to each of the participants according to the poker hands.
Therefore, each participant can place the optional second bet on the secondary card game arbitrarily in addition to the first bet on the primary card game during a single game play of the primary card game. Different card game from the primary card game is executed in the secondary card game. Each participant can place different bets on different games during the single game play.
It is preferable that the at least one card dealt for the secondary card game is disclosed only after the optional second bet has been placed. According to this, since the at least one card for the secondary card game is disclosed if the optional second bet has been placed, only the primary card game is played if the optional second bet has not been placed on the secondary card game. Therefore, troublesome dealing of unnecessary cards can be obviated, such that the cards for the secondary card game must be disclosed even when no bet has been placed on the secondary card game.
It is preferable that the cards dealt for the primary card game are disclosed after the optional second bet has been placed. According to this, since the cards dealt for the primary card game are not disclosed until the optional second bet has been placed on the secondary card game, each participant can be amused by an optional bet on the secondary card game.
It is preferable that the primary card game is a baccarat game. According to this, since the baccarat game is executed as the primary card game, each participant can get a chance for placing a bet on a poker game different from the baccarat game during a single game play and be provided an award according to the bet on the poker game. Due to this, it is possible for a participant to enjoy the pleasure of the poker game while playing the baccarat game.
A third aspect of the present invention provides a gaming method for playing primary and secondary card games. The gaming method comprises: placing a first bet on the baccarat game, placing an optional second bet on the secondary card game, dealing two cards for the baccarat game in each of first and second areas, dealing one card for the secondary card game to each of participants who have placed the optional second bet, disclosing the cards dealt in the first and second areas, determining whether or not to deal and disclose an additional card in at least one of the first and second areas according to a rule of the baccarat game based on the disclosed cards dealt in the first and second areas, dealing and disclosing the additional card in the at least one of the first and second areas if it has been determined to deal and disclose the additional card in the at least one of the first and second areas, judging a result of the baccarat game according to the rule of the baccarat game, providing an award for the first bet according to the rule of the baccarat game based on the result of the baccarat game, disclosing the one card dealt for the secondary card game dealt to each of the participants, and providing an award for the optional second bet according to a rule of the secondary card game based on the disclosed cards dealt in the first and second areas and the disclosed one card dealt for the secondary card game. The award for the optional second bet is determined according to poker hands.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the one card for the secondary card game is dealt in addition to at least four cards for the baccarat game, and the secondary card game is played based on these five cards. In the secondary card game, one of the porker hands can be achieved by dealing the one card in addition to the four cards dealt for the baccarat game. In the secondary card game, an award is provided to each of the participants according to the poker hands.
Therefore, each participant can place the optional second bet on the secondary card game arbitrarily in addition to the first bet on the baccarat game during a single game play of the baccarat game. Different card game from the baccarat game is executed in the secondary card game. Each participant can place different bets on different games during the single game play.
A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a gaming machine for playing primary and secondary card games. The gaming machine comprises: a plurality of gaming terminals by each of which a participant can place a bet on the primary and secondary card games, respectively; a first display on which progression of the primary card game is displayed; a second display on which progression of the secondary card game is displayed; and a controller which progresses the primary and secondary card games. The controller is operable to: (a) accept a first bet on the primary card game, (b) accept an optional second bet on the secondary card game, (c) disclose cards dealt for the primary card game on the first display, (d) disclose at least one card dealt for the secondary card game on the second display, (e) provide an award 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 (f) provide an award for the optional second bet according to a rule of the secondary card game based on the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card game and the at least one disclosed card dealt for the secondary card game. The award for the optional second bet is determined according to poker hands.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the at least one card for the secondary card game is disclosed in addition to the cards for the primary card game, and the secondary card game is played based on the cards for the primary card game and the at least one card for the secondary card game. In the secondary card game, an award is provided to each of the participants according to the poker hands.
Therefore, each participant can place the optional second bet on the secondary card game arbitrarily in addition to the first bet on the primary card game during a single game play of the primary card game. Different card game from the primary card game is executed in the secondary card game. Each participant can place different bets on different games during the single game play.
It is preferable that the controller is operable to disclose the at least one card dealt for the secondary card game only after the optional second bet has been placed. According to this, since the at least one card for the secondary card game is disclosed if the optional second bet has been placed, only the primary card game is played if the optional second bet has not been placed on the secondary card game. Therefore, troublesome dealing of unnecessary cards can be obviated, such that the cards for the secondary card game must be disclosed even when no bet has been placed on the secondary card game.
It is preferable that the controller is operable to disclose the cards dealt for the primary card game after the optional second bet has been placed. According to this, since the cards dealt for the primary card game are not disclosed until the optional second bet has been placed on the secondary card game, each participant can be amused by an optional bet on the secondary card game.
It is preferable that the primary card game is a baccarat game. According to this, since the baccarat game is executed as the primary card game, each participant can get a chance for placing a bet on a poker game different from the baccarat game during a single game play and be provided an award according to the bet on the poker game. Due to this, it is possible for a participant to enjoy the pleasure of the poker game while playing the baccarat game.
A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a gaming machine for playing primary and secondary card games. The gaming machine comprises: a plurality of gaming terminals by each of which a participant can place a bet on the primary and secondary card games, respectively; a first display on which progression of the primary card game is displayed; a second display on which progression of the secondary card game is displayed; and a controller which progresses the primary and secondary card games. The controller is operable to: (a) accept a first bet on the primary card game, (b) accept an optional second bet on the secondary card game, (c) deal cards for the primary card game in first and second areas on the first display, (d) deal at least one card for the secondary card game on the second display, the at least one card for the secondary card game being corresponded with each of participants who have placed the optional second bet, (e) disclose the cards dealt in the first and second areas, (f) determine whether or not to deal and disclose an additional card in at least one of the first and second areas according to a rule of the primary card game based on the disclosed cards dealt in the first and second areas, (g) deal and disclose the additional card in at least one of the first and second areas if it has been determined to deal and disclose the additional card in the at least one of the first and second areas, (h) judge a result of the primary card game according to the rule of the primary card game, (i) provide an award for the first bet according to the rule of the primary card game based on the result of the primary card game, (j) disclose the at least one card for the secondary card game dealt on the second display, and (k) provide an award for the optional second bet according to a rule of the secondary card game based on the disclosed cards dealt in the first and second areas and the at least one disclosed card dealt for the secondary card game. The award for the optional second bet is determined according to poker hands.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the at least one card for the secondary card game is dealt in addition to the cards for the primary card game, and the secondary card game is played based on the cards for the primary card game and the at least one card for the secondary card game. In the secondary card game, an award is provided to each of the participants according to the poker hands.
Therefore, each participant can place the optional second bet on the secondary card game arbitrarily in addition to the first bet on the primary card game during a single game play of the primary card game. Different card game from the primary card game is executed in the secondary card game. Each participant can place different bets on different games during the single game play.
It is preferable that the controller is operable to disclose the at least one card dealt for the secondary card game only after the optional second bet has been placed. According to this, since the at least one card for the secondary card game is disclosed if the optional second bet has been placed, only the primary card game is played if the optional second bet has not been placed on the secondary card game. Therefore, troublesome dealing of unnecessary cards can be obviated, such that the cards for the secondary card game must be disclosed even when no bet has been placed on the secondary card game.
It is preferable that the controller is operable to disclose the cards dealt for the primary card game after the optional second bet has been placed. According to this, since the cards dealt for the primary card game are not disclosed until the optional second bet has been placed on the secondary card game, each participant can be amused by an optional bet on the secondary card game.
It is preferable that the primary card game is a baccarat game. According to this, since the baccarat game is executed as the primary card game, each participant can get a chance for placing a bet on a poker game different from the baccarat game during a single game play and be provided an award according to the bet on the poker game. Due to this, it is possible for a participant to enjoy the pleasure of the poker game while playing the baccarat game.
A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a gaming machine for playing primary and secondary card games. The gaming machine comprises: a plurality of gaming terminals by each of which a participant can place a bet on the baccarat game and the secondary card game, respectively; a first display on which progression of the baccarat game is displayed; a second display on which progression of the secondary card game is displayed; and a controller which progresses the baccarat game and the secondary card game. The controller is operable to: (a) accept a first bet on the baccarat game, (b) accept an optional second bet on the secondary card game, (c) deal two cards for the primary card game in each of first and second areas on the first display, (d) deal one card for the secondary card game on the second display, the one card for the secondary card game being corresponded with each of participants who have placed the optional second bet, (e) disclose the cards dealt in the first and second areas, (f) determine whether or not to deal and disclose an additional card in at least one of the first and second areas according to a rule of the baccarat game based on the disclosed cards dealt in the first and second areas, (g) deal and disclose the additional card in the at least one of the first and second areas if it has been determined to deal and disclose the additional card in the at least one of the first and second areas, (h) judge a result of the baccarat game according to the rule of the baccarat game, (i) provide an award for the first bet according to the rule of the baccarat game based on the result of the baccarat game, (j) disclose the one card for the secondary card game dealt on the second display, and (k) provide an award for the optional second bet according to a rule of the secondary card game based on the disclosed cards dealt in the first and second areas and the disclosed one card dealt for the secondary card game. The award for the optional second bet is determined according to poker hands.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the one card for the secondary card game is dealt in addition to at least four cards for the baccarat game, and the secondary card game is played based on these five cards. In the secondary card game, one of the porker hands can be achieved by dealing the one card in addition to the four cards dealt for the baccarat game. In the secondary card game, an award is provided to each of the participants according to the poker hands.
Therefore, each participant can place the optional second bet on the secondary card game arbitrarily in addition to the first bet on the baccarat game during a single game play of the baccarat game. Different card game from the baccarat game is executed in the secondary card game. Each participant can place different bets on different games during the single game play.
According to the gaming method and the machine, since each participant can place plural bets on different card games in a single game play, each participant can enjoy the game play deeply and get more satisfaction by the game play despite the time period of the single game play.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a playing method of card games in a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a top surface of a game table in the first embodiment;

FIGS. 3A to 3D and FIGS. 4A to 4D are schematic diagrams showing winning hands in a secondary game, respectively, in the playing method according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a game procedure of the playing method according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the game table after bets are placed on a primary card game in the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the game table after bets are placed on a secondary card game in the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the game table while the primary card game is in progress in the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a gaming machine in a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the gaming machine in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing data to be stored in a RAM in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of each gaming terminal in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing data to be stored in a RAM in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a screen image displayed on a communal display;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a screen image displayed on a terminal display of the gaming terminal;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a screen image example of the terminal display when a bet is placed on Banker;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a terminal CPU in FIG. 12;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a CPU in FIG. 10;

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a screen image example of bet information on the communal display;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the CPU in FIG. 10; and

FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 are diagrams each showing a screen image example displayed on the communal display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

A first embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 8.
As shown in FIG. 1, a primary game G1 in the present embodiment is a baccarat game. A secondary game G2 is executed in parallel during a single game play of the baccarat game. Therefore, each participant can get plural bet chances during a single game play of the primary game. In the secondary game in the present embodiment, whether or not a payout is awarded is determined according to winning poker hands and a payout amount is determined according to an achieved winning hand. Due to this, each participant can get plural bet chances on plural kinds of games during a single game play.
In the baccarat game (primary game), two cards C1, C3 and two cards C2, C4 are dealt (a third card is dealt if needed) to the “Player” and the “Banker”, respectively, and then a game result (Player, Banker, or Tie) is determined according to valuations of hands with these cards. Each participant can place a bet on any one of the three in the primary game G1.
In the secondary game G2, a card C5 is dealt to each participant in addition to the two cards C1, C3 dealt initially to the Player and the two cards C2, C4 dealt initially to the Banker in the primary game G1. A poker game is played with the five cards C1 to C5. In other words, a payout is awarded to each winning participant according to a winning porker hand when the winning poker hand has been achieved with the five cards C1 to C5.
Each participant can get one bet chance on the primary game (baccarat game) G1 and another bet chance on the secondary game G2. Therefore, each participant can place plural bets during a single game play of the primary game. As a result, since each participant can place plural bets during a single game play of the primary game, each participant can enjoy the game play deeply and then more satisfaction can be given to each participant by the game play.
As shown in FIG. 2, a first area 11 and a second area 12 are provided on a top surface of a table 10 on which card games are played. The first area 11 is an area in which the Player's cards are dealt and the second area 12 is an area in which the Banker's cards are dealt.
In the baccarat game (the primary game), two cards are dealt respectively in the first area 11 and the second are 12 (a third card is dealt if needed). A game result (Player, Banker, or Tie) is determined according to a hand (score) of the two cards. A series of game proceedings is advanced by a dealer.
Bet areas 21, 22 and 23 for bets on the baccarat game are also provided on the top surface of the table 10. Each of the areas 21 is an area for a bet on the Banker. Each of the area 22 is an area for a bet on the Player. Each of the areas 23 is an area for a bet on the Tie. In the present embodiment, the Banker areas 21, the Player areas 22 and the Tie areas 23 are provided in sevens, respectively. As a result, up to seven participants can play at one table. Numbers 1 to 7 are assigned to each participant on the table 10.
Each participant can place a bet on any one of the Banker, the Player and the Tie by placing a chip(s) on one of the bet areas 21, 22 and 23 for the primary game before a card is dealt to the first and second areas 11 and 12.
Bet areas 24 for the secondary game are also provided on the table 10 in addition to the bet areas 21, 22 and 23 for the primary game (baccarat game). Hereinafter, a bet on the secondary game is referred to also as a sidebet and the bet areas 24 are referred to also as the sidebet areas 24. The sidebet areas 24 are provided for each participant similarly to the other areas 21, 22 and 23. Each participant can place an optional bet on the secondary game when placing a bet on the primary game (baccarat game). A card for the secondary game is dealt in each of the sidebet areas 24 for each participant in the secondary game.
In addition, a chip tray 31 is provided on the table 10. The dealer keeps enough chips on the chip tray 31 at a game start and a payout(s) is awarded from the chips on the chip tray 31 to a winning participant(s). The bet chips are collected onto the chip tray 31 from a participant(s) who loses.
Next, the baccarat game (the primary game) is explained in detail. In the baccarat game, each participant can place a bet on the Player, the Banker or the Tie.
Then, the dealer deals the cards, one to the Player first and then to the Banker; Player and Banker again. Each has two cards. One of the Player and the Banker wins the game if the hand (the last single digit of the sum of the two cards (the tens digit is dropped)) of the Player or the Banker is 9 or 8 (Natural) at the time when the two cards has been respectively dealt. If the hands of the Player and the Banker are both “Natural”, the larger hand wins the game. If the hands are the same, the game ends in the Tie. Note that, Aces are worth 1 point, cards 2-9 are worth face value, and 10's and face cards (Jacks, Queens, and Kings) are worth zero at taking the sum of all cards.
If a game result cannot be determined at the time when the two cards has been respectively dealt to the Player and the Banker, it is determined whether a third card is dealt (Draw) or not (Stand). The Player's Draw or Stand is determined according to the Player's predetermined rule. The Banker's Draw or Stand is determined according to the Banker's predetermined rule. These rules are different between the Player and the Banker.
In other words, according to the Player's rule, if the Player's hand of the two initially dealt cards is any one of 0-5 and the Banker's hand is not Natural (the Banker's hand of the two initially dealt cards is not 8 or 9), a third card is dealt to the Player.
If the Player's hand of the two initially dealt cards is 6 or 7, a third card is not dealt to the Player (Stand). If the Player's hand is Natural, a third card is not dealt to any of the Player and the Banker.
On the other hand, according to the Banker's rule, if the Banker's hand of the two initially dealt cards is one of 0, 1 or 2 and the Player's hand is not Natural, a third card is dealt to the Banker.
If the Banker's hand of the two initially dealt cards is 3 and the Player's third card is worth 8, a third card is not dealt to the Banker. If the Banker's hand of the two initially dealt cards is 3 and the Player's third card is not worth 8, a third card is dealt to the Banker.
If the Banker's hand of the two initially dealt cards is 4 and the Player's third card is not worth one of 2-7, a third card is not dealt to the Banker. If the Banker's hand of the two initially dealt cards is 4 and the Player's third card is worth one of 2-7, a third card is dealt to the Banker.
If the Banker's hand of the two initially dealt cards is 5 and the Player's third card is not worth one of 4-7, a third card is not dealt to the Banker. If the Banker's hand of the two initially dealt cards is 5 and the Player's third card is worth one of 4-7, a third card is dealt to the Banker.
If the Banker's hand of the two initially dealt cards is 6 and the Player's third card is not worth 6 or 7, a third card is not dealt to the Banker. If the Banker's hand of the two initially dealt cards is 6 and the Player's third card is worth 6 or 7, a third card is dealt to the Banker.
If the Banker's hand of the two initially dealt cards is 7, a third card is not dealt to the Banker. If the Banker's hand of the two initially dealt cards is 8 or 9 (Natural), a third card is not dealt to any of the Banker or the Player.
The game is advanced by the dealer according to the above rules and then a game result (Player, Banker, or Tie) is determined. In the determination, the Player's and Banker's hands are calculated and the hand nearer to 9 will win the game. If the both hands are equivalent, the game results in the Tie. Then, a payout amount is calculated according to the game result and a payout is awarded to each winning participant. In this case, a payout twice as much as a bet is awarded for a bet on the Player or a bet on the Banker (a bet amount+a payback equal to the bet amount). A payout nine times as much as a bet is awarded for a bet on the Tie (a bet amount+a payback eight times as much as the bet amount).
Next, the secondary game is explained in detail. Each participant in the primary game (baccarat game) can participate in the secondary game by placing a chip(s) in each of the sidebet areas 24. The dealer deals one card to each participant who placed a sidebet after two cards have been dealt to the Player and the Banker, respectively.
The secondary game is played with the five cards; the two cards dealt to the Player, the two cards dealt to the Banker and the one card dealt to each participant.
In the secondary game, a payout is awarded to each winning participant according to a winning poker hand if the winning porker hand is achieved by the five cards. On the other hand, a chip(s) for the sidebet is collected onto the chip tray 31 in front of the dealer if a winning porker hand has not been achieved. Chips are used for payouts for both of the primary and secondary games, which are stocked on the chip tray 31. As described above, chips, which are used for the primary and secondary games and collected from each participant, are managed in a lump on the chip tray 31 in the present embodiment.
Chips for the secondary game may be managed separately from that for the primary game. In this case, the chip tray 31 is used for the primary game and another chip tray for the secondary game is provided to manage chips for the secondary game separately from that for the primary game. In other words, chips provided to each participant in the secondary game are stocked on the other chip tray for the secondary game. Chips, which have been placed on the secondary game and then collected, are stocked back onto the other chip tray for the secondary game.
In the present embodiment, winning poker hand is applied as winning hands (winning combinations) in the secondary game. For example, there are following winning hands. “Straight flush”, which contains five cards in sequence, all of the same suit, shown in FIG. 3A. “Four of a kind”, which contains four cards of one rank, and an unmatched card, shown in FIG. 3B. “Full house”, which contains three matching cards of one rank, plus two matching cards of another rank, shown in FIG. 3C. “Flush”, which contains five cards of the same suit, not in rank sequence, shown in FIG. 3D. “Straight”, which contains five cards of sequential rank but more than one suit, shown in FIG. 4A. “Three of a kind”, which contains three cards of the same rank, plus two unmatched cards, shown in FIG. 4B. “Two pair”, which contains two cards of the same rank, plus two cards of another rank, plus one unmatched card, shown in FIG. 4C. “One pair”, which contains two cards of the same rank, plus three unmatched cards, shown in FIG. 4D.
Next, a playing method of card games in the present embodiment is explained in detail with reference to FIG. 5 to FIG. 8. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of the card games advanced by a dealer.
After the dealer shuffles one or more decks of playing cards (step S11), bets on the primary game (baccarat game) are accepted (step S12). Specifically, each participant places a bet by placing a chip(s) on any one of the bet areas 21, 22 and 23 (Player, Banker, or Tie) for the primary game on the table 10.
FIG. 6 shows a state in which the first participant places two chips 20 on the Banker, the second participant places one chip 20 on the Player, the third participant places one chip 20 on the Tie, the fourth participant places one chip 20 on the Banker, the fifth participant places three chips 20 on the Player, the sixth participant places two chips 20 on the Tie and the seventh participant places three chips 20 on the Banker.
Subsequently, bets on the secondary game are accepted (step S13). Specifically, each participant, who has placed a bet on the primary game, can participate in the secondary game by placing a chip(s) in each of the sidebet areas 24 on the table 10. Each participant can place a sidebet as an optional bet.
FIG. 7 shows a state in which the first participant place a sidebet with one chip 20, the second participant place a sidebet with two chips 20 and the fourth participant places a sidebet with one chip 20. In this case, each of the third, fifth, sixth and seventh participants does not place a sidebet because any chips are not placed in each of their sidebet areas 24.
Cards for the primary game are dealt by the dealer (step S14) after bets has been placed on the primary game and the secondary game. Specifically, two face-down cards C1, C3 dealt in the first area 11 and two face-down cards C2, C4 are dealt in the second area 12. Then, a card(s) for the secondary game is dealt by the dealer (step S15). Specifically, one faced-down card C5 for the secondary game is dealt to each participant who has placed a sidebet on the secondary game. Each card for the secondary game is dealt in each of the sidebet areas 24 in which a chip(s) has been placed. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the face-down cards C1, C3 and C2, C4 are dealt in the first area 11 and the second area 12 and each of the face-down cards C5A, C5B and C5C is dealt in each of the sidebet areas 24 for the first, second and fourth participants. In this manner, since a card(s) for the secondary game is not dealt to all participants but dealt only to each participant who has placed a bet on the secondary game, troublesome dealing of unnecessary cards can be obviated.
Subsequently, the dealt cards are faced up by the dealer (step S16). In this manner, since cards for the primary game are not faced up until a bet(s) on the secondary game has been placed, each participant can be amused by a bet on the secondary game. As described above, in the baccarat game, there is a case where the third card is dealt to the Player and/or the Banker according to the four cards initially dealt to the Banker and the Player. In this case, it is determined according to the rules of the baccarat game, whether or not the third card(s) is needed (step S17). The third card(s) is dealt if needed (step S18).
Next, the result (Player, Banker, or Tie) of the primary game (baccarat game) is determined based on all of the faced-up cards in the first area 11 and the second area 12 (step S19). In addition, the result the secondary game is determined for each participant based on the five cards (the four cards initially dealt and faced-up in the first area 11 and the second area 12 and the one card dealt to each participant who has placed a sidebet) (step S20).
In the present embodiment, the result of the secondary game for each participant is determined based on the four cards initially dealt to the Player and the Banker for the primary game (baccarat game) and the one card dealt for the secondary game even when the third card(s) is dealt to the Player and/or the Banker. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the result of the secondary game may be determined based on the cards including the third card(s) dealt to the Player and/or the Banker.
Then, a payout of the primary game is calculated for each participant in the primary game (step S21). In addition, a payout for a sidebet (of the secondary game) is calculated for each participant in the secondary game (step S22). A payout for the secondary game is calculated for each participant based on the hand of the five cards (the cards C1 to C4 for the primary game is communal to all participants in the secondary game and the one card C5A, C5B, or C5C) dealt to each participant). As described above, it may also be possible to determine a winning porker hand based on the cards including the third card(s). In this case, a payout for the secondary game is calculated according to the winning hand achieved with the cards including the third card(s).
Then, a payout for the primary game is awarded to each winning participant (step S23). Further, a payout for the secondary game is awarded to each winning participant (step S24).
As explained above, in the baccarat game (the primary game), at least two cards are dealt to the Player in the first area 11 communal to plural participants. In addition, at least two cards are dealt to the Banker in the second area 12 communal to plural participants. Furthermore, one card is dealt to each participant in the secondary game. Then, each participant plays the secondary game with the five cards. In this manner, the secondary game is also played during a single game play of the primary game.
Therefore, each participant can place an optional second bet on the secondary game in addition to a first on the primary game. A card game, which is different from the primary game, is executed in the secondary game. Therefore, each participant can place plural bets on different games during a single game play.

Second Embodiment

A gaming machine 100 in a second embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference to FIG. 9 to FIG. 22.
A primary game executed by the gaming machine 100 in the present embodiment is the same baccarat game as in the above-mentioned first embodiment. A secondary game as in the above-mentioned first embodiment is executed during a single game play of the baccarat game. Therefore, each participant can get plural bet chances during a single game play of the primary game. In the secondary game in the present embodiment, whether or not a payout is awarded is determined according to winning poker hands and a payout amount is (odds are) also determined according to winning porker hands. Therefore, each participant can get bet chances on different games during a single game play.
As shown in FIG. 9, the gaming machine 100 comprises a communal display 101 and plural gaming terminals 120.
The communal display 101 is communal to all the gaming terminals 120 and displays the primary game (baccarat game) executed by a controller 150 (to be described later) within the gaming machine 100. The communal display 101 is configured by a liquid crystal display (LCD) device and so on.
The gaming terminals 120 are arranged in front of a display screen 102 of the communal display 101 so that they surround the communal display 101. Each gaming terminal 120 comprises a chip insertion slot 121, a chip cash-out chute 122, a terminal display 123 and a switch pad 125. The chip insertion slot 121 is a slot into which a participant inserts a chip(s) for placing a bet(s) on the primary game and the secondary game. The chip cash-out chute 122 is a chute through which a payout is cashed out. The switch pad 125 has operation buttons with which various operations relating to the games are input by a participant.
The terminal display 123 is controlled by the controller 150 and displays screen images relating to the primary game advanced on the communal display 101 to enable each participant joining the primary game. The screen images are such as a screen image displaying bet acceptance state of the primary game, a screen image displaying calculation results for payouts for participants according to the primary game result and so on. In the present embodiment, the terminal display 123 is configured by the LCD device.
The terminal display 123 also displays screen images relating to the secondary game. The screen images are a screen image displaying a progress of the secondary game and a screen image to enable each participant joining the secondary game. These screen images are displayed independently for each gaming terminal 120. A touchscreen 124 is provided on the surface of the terminal display 123. The touchscreen 124 functions as an input device. A bet(s) on the primary game and the secondary game is accepted at the gaming terminal 120 via the input device.
In the gaming machine 100 of the present embodiment, the seven gaming terminals 120 are provided. Each gaming terminal 120 is used by each participant to play the primary game and the secondary game. Up to seven participants can play the primary game and the secondary game at a time with the gaming machine 100.
As shown in FIG. 10, the controller 150 of the gaming machine 100 comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 151, a ROM 152, a RAM 153, a timer 154, a liquid crystal display (LCD) 156 and a keyboard 157. The CPU 151 integrates overall control of the controller 150. The LCD 156 is connected to the CPU 151 via an LCD drive circuit 155. The CPU 151 displays various information, such as maintenance information about the gaming machine 100 and information about various program updates, on the LCD 156. Further, the CPU 151 executes processing for maintenance of the gaming machine 100 based on commands, such as a command for the maintenance and a command about the various program updates, input via the keyboard 157.
The CPU 151 executes various kinds of processing based on signals supplied from the gaming terminals 120 and data and programs stored in the ROM 152 and the RAM 153. The CPU 151 transmits control data to the gaming terminals 120 based on the processing result. In this manner, the CPU 151 controls the gaming terminals 120. Further, the CPU 151 executes the primary game (baccarat game) and the secondary game based on the programs stored in the ROM 152. The communal display 101 is connected to the CPU 151 via an LCD drive circuit 111. The CPU 151 displays the progress of the primary game and the secondary game on the communal display 101. In addition, the CPU 151 transmits information about the progress of the secondary game to each gaming terminal 120. The terminal display 123 of each gaming terminal 120 displays the information received from the controller 150.
The timer 154 is connected to the CPU 151 and time information of the timer 154 is transmitted to the CPU 151. The CPU 151 controls the progress of the primary game and the secondary game based on the time information.
The ROM 152 is configured by a semiconductor memory and so on. The ROM 152 stores execution programs of the primary game and the secondary game, odds (a payout amount per one chip) of the primary game and the secondary game and control programs for the gaming terminals 120.
On the other hand, the RAM 153 stores bet information, game results in the gaming terminals 120, payout amounts according to the game results, credit amounts of the gaming terminals 120 and so on. The RAM 153 also stores results data relating to the processing executed by the CPU 151. The controller 150 receives information including the number of inserted chips from the gaming terminals 120 when a chip(s) has been inserted at any of the gaming terminals 120. Then, the controller 150 increments the credit amounts of the gaming terminal 120 stored in the RAM 153 by the number of inserted chips. The controller 150 stores bet information in the RAM 153 for each gaming terminal 120 when receiving the bet information from each gaming terminal 120. Then, the controller 150 decrements the credit amount of each gaming terminal 120 by the bet amount included in the bet information. The bet information includes bet contents on the primary game and the secondary game at each gaming terminal 120. In case where the primary game is the baccarat game, the bet information includes information in which the game result (Player, Banker or Tie) and a bet amount are corresponded with each other. In respect to the secondary game, the bet information includes information in which a game entry and a bet amount corresponded with each other. The bet information is stored with being associated with each gaming terminal 120 at which a bet(s) has been placed.
The controller 150 stores the game results of the primary game and the secondary game in the RAM 153. The controller 150 calculates a payout for each gaming terminal 120 based on the game results and the bet information of each gaming terminal 120, and stores the payout in the RAM 153. Further, the controller 150 updates the credit amount of each gaming terminal 120 stored in the RAM 153 based on the calculated payout. The controller 150 transmits a cash-out command to a gaming terminal 120 based on the credit amount stored in the RAM 153 with being associated with the gaming terminal 120 when receiving a cash-out request from the gaming terminal 120. At the same time, the controller 150 resets the credit amount of the gaming terminal 120 stored in the RAM 153 to “0”.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing storing areas of the RAM 153. As shown in FIG. 11, a bet information storing area 153A, a game result storing area 153B, a payout amount storing area 153C, a credit amount storing area 153D, a judging flag storing area 153E, an odds storing area 153F, a winning hand storing area 153G, a chip information storing area 153H and so on are provided in the RAM 153. The bet information received from each gaming terminal 120 is stored in the bet information storing area 153A. Specifically, the bet contents on the primary game and the secondary game for each gaming terminal 120 is stored in the bet information storing area 153A. The game results of the primary game (either Player, Banker, or Tie) and the secondary game (whether a winning hand(s) is achieved and the winning hand(s) if it was achieved) for a predetermined number of past games are stored in the game result storing area 153B. The payouts (for the primary games and secondary games) to each gaming terminal 120 for a predetermined number of past games are stored in the payout amount storing area 153C. The credit amount possessed by each gaming terminal 120 (each participant) is stored in the credit amount storing area 153D. A flag, which indicates whether or not a game result judging for the primary game and the secondary game is completed, is stored in the judging flag storing area 153E. The odds for the primary game (baccarat game) are stored in the odds storing area 153F. Winning hands for the secondary game (winning poker hands) are stored in the winning hand storing area 153G. And odds for the winning hands are stored in the odds storing area 153F.
Whole chip amount stocked in the gaming machine 100 is stored in the chip information storing area 153H. The chip amount is increased according to chip information when the chip information is received from each gaming terminal 120, and the chip amount is reduced according to a payout when the payout is awarded to each gaming terminal 120. In the present embodiment, chips for the primary game and the secondary game are managed by the same chip information. In other words, chip amounts of bets placed on the primary game and the secondary game are added to unitary chip information. Payout amounts awarded for the primary game and the secondary game are subtracted from the unitary chip information. The chip information may be managed separately for the primary game and for the secondary game. In this case, the chip information of the primary game is added or subtracted when a chip(s) has been bet on the primary game or a payout has been awarded for the primary game. The chip information of the secondary game is added or subtracted when a chip(s) has been bet on the secondary game or a payout has been awarded for the secondary game.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the gaming terminal 120. Since all of the gaming terminals 120 have basically the same configuration, only one of the gaming terminals 120 is explained as a representative example.
As shown in FIG. 12, the gaming terminal 120 comprises a terminal controller 130, the switch pad 125, the terminal display 123, a hopper 126, a chip sensor 127 and a speaker 128. The terminal controller 130 comprises a terminal CPU 131, a ROM 132 and a RAM 133. The ROM 132 is configured by a semiconductor memory and so on. The ROM 132 stores execution programs for basic functions of the gaming terminal 120, various programs necessary for controlling the gaming terminal 120, data tables and so on. The RAM 133 temporarily stores the game results of the primary game and the secondary game transmitted from the controller 150, various data operated by the terminal CPU 131, the credit amount of the gaming terminal 120, the bet information of the gaming terminal 120 and so on.
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing storing areas of the RAM 133. As shown in FIG. 13, a game result storing area 133A, a credit amount storing area 133B, a bet information storing area 133C, a payout information storing area 133D, a payout accumulation area 133E and so on are provided in the RAM 133. The game results of the primary game and the secondary game transmitted from the controller 150 are stored in the game result storing area 133A. A credit amount owned by the gaming terminal 120 (participant) is stored in the credit number storing area 133B. The credit amount is managed by the controller 150 and transmitted from the controller 150 to each gaming terminal 120. The bet amount of the gaming terminal 120 is stored in the bet information storing area 133C. Payout information, which includes payout amounts for the primary game and the secondary game received from the controller 150, is stored per a game play in the payout information storing area 133D. Accumulated value of the payout information for the primary game and the secondary game is stored in the payout accumulation storing area 133E.
As shown in FIG. 12, bet fixing buttons 135, 136, a cash-out button 137 and a help button 138 provided on the switch pad 125 are connected to the terminal CPU 131, respectively.
Each of the bet fixing buttons 135, 136 is a button for fixing a bet placed by a bet operation via the touchscreen 124 of the terminal display 123. The bet fixing button 135 fixes a bet on the primary game. The bet fixing button 136 fixes a bet on the secondary game.
The cash-out button 137 is a button to be pressed usually when a game play is to be finished. Chips (one chip for one credit) are cashed out from the chip cash-out chute 122 (FIG. 9) according to the credit amount owned by a participant when the cash-out button 137 is pressed. The credit amount is stored in the credit amount storing area 153D.
The terminal CPU 131 executes various processings based on signals output from the buttons on the switch pad 125 when one of the buttons is pressed. Specifically, the terminal CPU 131 executes various processings based on the signals supplied from the switch pad 125 operated by a participant, and the data and programs stored in the ROM 132 and RAM 133. The terminal CPU 131 transmits the processing results to the CPU 151 (FIG. 10).
The hopper 126 is connected to the terminal CPU 131. The hopper 126 cashes out chips onto the chip cash-out chute 122 (FIG. 9) according to control data from the terminal CPU 131.
Further, the terminal display 123 is connected to the terminal CPU 131 via the LCD drive circuit 135. The LCD drive circuit 135 comprises a program ROM, an image ROM, an image control CPU, a work RAM, a VDP (Video Display Processor) and a video RAM. Image control programs relating to screen images on the terminal display 123 and various selection tables are stored in the program ROM. Dot data for the screen images to be displayed on the terminal display 123 is stored in the image ROM, for example. The image control CPU determines a screen image to be displayed on the terminal display 123 from the dot data stored in the image ROM according to the image control programs stored in the program ROM. The work RAM functions as a temporary memory when the image control CPU executes the image control programs. The VDP generates a screen image according to a display content determined by the image control CPU and outputs it to the terminal display 123. The video RAM also functions as a temporary memory when the VDP generates a screen image.
The touchscreen 124 is provided on the terminal display 123. Operations on the touchscreen 124 are transmitted to the terminal CPU 131. The terminal CPU 131 receives each bet on the primary game and the secondary game based on operations on the touchscreen 124. The terminal CPU 131 transmits input results (bet information) to the controller 150 when a bet(s) has been input via the touchscreen 124. The CPU 151 of the controller 150 stores the bet information in the RAM 153. Bet acceptance processing will be described later.
The speaker 128 is connected to the terminal CPU 131 via an audio output circuit 129. The speaker 128 generates various sound effects based on the signals from the audio output circuit 129.
The chip sensor 127 is connected to the terminal CPU 131. The chip sensor 127 detects chips inserted into the chip insertion slot 121 (FIG. 9) and outputs the detection result to the terminal CPU 131. The terminal CPU 131 counts an amount of inserted chips based on the detection result of the chip sensor 127 and transmits the count result to the controller 150 (FIG. 9). The CPU 151 of the controller 150 increments the credit amount owned by the gaming terminal 120 stored in the RAM 153 based on the count result from the gaming terminal 120.
Next, screen images displayed on the communal display 101 and each terminal display 123 are explained.
FIG. 14 shows the display screen 102 (FIG. 9) of the communal display 101. The bet information including the bet contents of the gaming terminals 120 is displayed on the display screen 102 by the CPU 151. The primary game and the secondary game executed by the CPU 151 are also displayed on the display screen 102.
As shown in FIG. 14, a first window 103 for displaying the progress states of the primary game and the secondary game and a second window 104 for displaying the bet contents of the gaming terminals 120 are provided on the display screen 102 of the communal display 101. A first area 103A for displaying the Player's cards in the primary game (baccarat game) and a second area 103B for displaying the Banker's cards are provided in the first window 103. Third areas 103C for displaying cards dealt for the secondary game are also provided in the first window 103. Since the secondary game is played individually at each of the gaming terminals 120, the third areas 103C is provided for each gaming terminal 120. The first area 103A and the second area 103B function as a first display which displays cards for the primary game (baccarat game) (which displays the primary game). The third areas 103C function as a second display which displays cards for the secondary game (which displays the secondary game). In the present embodiment, the first area 103A, the second area 103B and the third areas 103C (the first and second displays) are configured by the single communal display 101. However, the present invention is not limited to the above. It may also be possible to provide a first display including the first area 103A and the second area 103B and a second area including the third area 103C, separately.
First areas 104A for displaying the bet contents on the Player, second areas 104B for displaying the bet contents on the Banker, third areas 104C for displaying the bet contents on the Tie and fourth areas 104D for displaying the bet contents on the secondary game are provided in the second window 104. The first to fourth areas 104A to 104D are provided for each gaming terminal 120. In the present invention, since the seven gaming terminals 120 are provided, seven sets of the first to fourth areas 104A to 104D are provided.
FIG. 15 shows the display screen of each terminal display 123. A first bet area 123A for a bet on the Player, a second bet area 123B for a bet on the Banker, a third bet area 123C for a bet on the Tie and a fourth bet area 123D for a bet on the secondary game are provided on the display screen.
Chip buttons 123E to 123H are displayed on the display screen of the terminal display 123. The chip buttons 123E to 123H are buttons (button images on the touchscreen 124) for betting a chip(s) (1-chip, 5-chip, 10-chip or 100-chip) on the bet area(s) specified by a participant (one of the first to fourth bet areas 124A to 123D). The chip buttons include a 1-chip button 123E, a 5-chip button 123F, a 10-chip button 123G and A 100-chip button 123H are provided according to kinds (par values) of chips.
The terminal CPU 131 of the gaming terminal 120 executes the bet acceptance processing in accordance with a touched position on the touchscreen 124 provided on the surface of the terminal display 123.
In other words, a participant specifies one bet area (any one of the first to fourth areas 123A to 123D) by touching the area on which abet is to be placed. The terminal CPU 131 detects the specified area via the touchscreen 124 and changes a display state of the specified area. Examples of changes in the display state include changing a background color within the area, changing a frame color of the area, changing a background luminance of the area, flashing a frame of the area and so on.
Next, a chip(s) is placed on the specified area when a participant touches the chip buttons 123E to 123H. The terminal CPU 131 accepts a bet of plural chips on the specified area (two or more touch operations on the chip buttons 123E to 123H). A participant touches on the chip buttons 123E to 123H twice or more times after specifying one of the bet areas 123A to 123D to place a bet of chips corresponding to the touch operations. In this case, the touched bet buttons 123E to 123H are not limited to one single button, but different kinds of the bet buttons 123E to 123H can be touched sequentially to bet a desired amount of chips on the specified area. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the frame of the second bet area 123B flashes after the second bet area 123B has been specified. And then, the 1-chip button 123E is touched twice and the 10-chip button 123G is touched once. As a result, two 1-chip images and one 10-chip image are displayed in the second bet area 123B.
A credit counter 123J is provided on the display screen of the terminal display 123. The credit amount owned by a participant is displayed in the credit counter 123J. The credit amount is stored in the credit amount storing area 153D of the RAM 153 of the controller 150 in each gaming terminal 120. The CPU 151 of the controller 150 updates the credit amount stored in the RAM 153 when the credit amount changes and transmits an updated data to the gaming terminal 120 with an identifier of the gaming terminal 120. The credit amount is decremented by a bet placing and incremented by a payout awarding.
The credit amount stored in the credit number storing area 133B of the RAM 133 is updated when the updated data is transmitted to the gaming terminal 120 from the controller 150 and the updated credit amount is displayed in the credit counter 123J.
In this manner, the credit amount displayed in the credit counter 123J is updated in real time according to a bet placing and a payout awarding.
A total bet amount counter 123K is provided on the display screen of the terminal display 123. The terminal CPU 131 counts the total bet amount on the bet areas 123A to 123D for each single game play (the primary game and the secondary game) to update the accumulated value in the bet accumulation storing area 133H of the RAM 133. Then, the terminal CPU 131 displays the updated accumulated value in the total bet amount counter 123K.
A last game display area 123L is also provided on the display screen of the terminal display 123. The terminal CPU 131 stores information on total bet amount and total payout amount for each single game play (the primary game and the secondary game), which has been received from the controller 150 in the RAM 133. Then, the terminal CPU 131 displays the information in the last game display area 123L. The bet amount and the payout amount in the last primary game (MAIN—BET, WIN) and the bet amount and the payout amount in the last secondary game (SIDE—BET, WIN) are displayed in the last game display area 123L. Each bet amount on the primary game and the secondary game in the last game display area 123L starts to be displayed when the bet amount is fixed by the bet fixing buttons 135, 136 (FIG. 12). Each payout amount for the primary game and the secondary game in the last game display area 123L starts to be displayed when a single game play is finished and the controller 150 transmits the payout amount information to the gaming terminal 120. Displays are continued until a bet(s) for the next game play is started to be placed.
A total payout amount counter 123M is also provided on the display screen of the terminal display 123. The terminal CPU 131 stores the payout amount information in the payout information storing area 133D (FIG. 13) of the RAM 133 for each single game play (the primary game and the secondary game) after receiving the payout amount information from the controller 150. Then, the terminal CPU 131 sums payout amounts for the primary game and the secondary game to update the value in the payout accumulation area 13E (FIG. 13). The terminal CPU 131 reads the total payout amount from the RAM 133 and displays it in the total payout amount counter 123M. The terminal CPU 131 continues calculating the total payout amount and storing it until the total payout amount counter 123M is touched. The terminal CPU 131 resets (rewrites to “0”) the total payout amount stored in the payout accumulation storing area 133E of the RAM 133 when the total payout amount counter 123M is touched and starts new accumulation from the next game. As a result, the total payout amount after being reset is displayed in the total payout amount counter 123M.
It is possible for a participant to confirm the total payout amount obtained in the primary games and the secondary games by the total payout amount counter 123M. Each total payout amount in the primary games and the secondary games may be displayed respectively in the total payout amount counter 123M. In this case, the total payout amount in the primary games and the total payout amount in the secondary games should be stored separately in the payout accumulation storing area 133E of the RAM 133.
In this manner, the screen images for participant's operations relating to the primary game and the secondary game, the game results and the payout results are displayed on the display screen of the terminal display 123. Therefore, a participant can place a bet(s) on the primary game and the secondary game with reference to the game results on the display screen.
Further, abet time counter 123I is provided on the display screen of the terminal display 123. The remaining time for a participant to be able to place a bet is displayed in the bet time counter 123I. The terminal CPU 131 displays an initial value of a bet time (20 seconds in the present embodiment) in the bet time counter 123I when the primary game and the secondary game are over. The terminal CPU 131 activates an inner timer at the time when the initial value is displayed and then counts down a value in the bet time counter 123I based on the count result of the inner timer. The bet time displayed in the bet time counter 123I is counted down as the remaining time for placing a bet(s) decreases. The CPU 131 will close accepting a bet(s) when the bet time reaches “0”. The CPU terminal 131 turns the color of the bet time counter 123I from blue into yellow when the remaining time of the bet time reaches 10 seconds, and turns from yellow into red when the remaining time reaches 5 seconds. Therefore, it becomes easier for a participant to know the remaining time of the bet time. Instead of turning the color of the bet time counter 123I, it may also be possible to flash the bet time counter 123I and reduce flashing intervals as the remaining time decreases.
As described above, the initial value “20” is displayed in the bet display area 123I when the previous game play is over. Then, the bet acceptance is started for the current game play and the value in the bet display area 123I is decremented each one second. And then, the bet acceptance is closed when the counter value reaches “0”.
The terminal CPU 131 controls the speaker 128 to output a sound to notice the game start when the remaining bet time reaches 5 seconds. Then, the terminal CPU 131 notifies the CPU 151 of the controller 150 that the bet acceptance is closed when the remaining bet time reaches “0”. As a result, the CPU 151 starts the primary game and the secondary game.
Next, a series of operations (from the bet acceptance processing at the gaming terminal 120 to the game execution by the gaming machine 100) is explained. FIG. 17 shows a flowchart of a series of procedures from the bet acceptance at the gaming terminal 120 to the payout according to the game results.
As shown in FIG. 17, the terminal CPU 131 of the gaming terminal 120 determines whether or not a chip(s) is inserted based on the detection result of the chip sensor 127 (step S31). If the determination in step S31 is negative (a chip(s) is not inserted), the terminal CPU 131 moves the procedure to step S34 described later. On the other hand, if the determination in step S31 is affirmative (a chip(s) is inserted into the chip insertion slot 121), the terminal CPU 131 advances the procedure to step S32.
The terminal CPU 131 adds a credit amount corresponding to the number of inserted chips to the credit amount stored in the RAM 133 (step S32). Subsequently, the terminal CPU 131 transmits the increase in the credit amount to the controller 150 as a chip detection signal (step S33). The controller 150 stores the credit data based on the received chip detection signal in the RAM 153. Since the gaming terminal 120 can always accepts a chip(s) even during the games, the credit amount stored in the RAM 133 caused by the chip insertion can be updated at any time and the chip detection signal can be transmitted at any time.
Next, the terminal CPU 131 determines whether or not a bet(s) can be placed based on the credit amount stored in the RAM 133 (credit amount owned by the gaming terminal 120) (step S34). In the present embodiment, since a bet can be placed with one chip, the terminal CPU 131 advances the procedure to step S35 if the credit amount stored in the RAM 133 keeps at least one credit (chip). If the credit amount stored in the RAM 133 is zero, the terminal CPU 131 returns the procedure to step S31. In this manner, the terminal CPU 131 repeats the procedure of steps S31 to S34 until a bet can become placed by a chip insertion.
Next, the terminal CPU 131 determines whether or not to start accepting a bet(s) based on a bet acceptance flag stored in a bet acceptance flag storing area 133F (step S35). The bet acceptance flag is set to a bet acceptable state when both the primary game and the secondary game have been over. Specifically, the controller 150 transmits the game results and the payout information according to the game results to the gaming terminal 120 when the primary game and the secondary game have been over. The CPU 131 of the gaming terminal 120 changes the bet acceptance flag in the RAM 133 from a bet unacceptable state to the bet acceptable state after having received the payout information of both the primary game and the secondary game is completed. The terminal CPU 131 starts accepting a bet(s) when the bet acceptance flag turns into the bet acceptable state. In other words, a bet(s) is started to be accepted at the gaming terminal 120 when both the primary game and the secondary game has been over. The terminal CPU 131 repeats the processing in steps S31 to S35 in case where the bet acceptance flag is in the bet unacceptable state until the bet acceptance flag turns into the bet acceptable state.
The terminal CPU 131 advances the procedure to step S36 when the bet acceptance flag turns into the bet acceptable state. Since a bet on the secondary game is placed arbitrarily, only a bet on the primary game can be placed. In this case, information indicating the bet placed on the primary game and information indicating no bet placed on the secondary game are stored in the RAM 133 of the gaming terminal 120 when the bet period is expired. And the information is transmitted to the controller 150. This will be described later.
The terminal CPU 131 displays a bet screen (FIG. 15) on the terminal display 123 and accepts a bet(s) on the primary game and the secondary game (step S36). The terminal CPU 131 temporarily stores an operation result on the touchscreen 124 on the terminal display 123 in the bet information storing area 133C of the RAM 133 as the bet information on the primary game and the secondary game.
The terminal CPU 131 activates the inner timer 154 to count the time elapsed from the start of the bet acceptance when the bet acceptance has been started in step S36. Then, the terminal CPU 131 determines whether or not the bet period expires based on the count value of the timer 154 (step S37).
If the determination in step S37 is negative (the bet period has not expired yet), the terminal CPU 131 returns the procedure to step S36 and repeats the bet acceptance processing. In this manner, a bet(s) on the primary game and the secondary game is accepted together during the bet period.
Then, the terminal CPU 131 closes the bet acceptance when it is determined that the bet period has expired based on the count value of the timer 154 (step S38). The terminal CPU 131 stores the information indicating no bet on the secondary game in the bet information storing area 133C if no bet is placed on the secondary game during the bet period.
The terminal CPU 131 transmits the information of a bet(s) on the primary game and the secondary game, which is stored in the RAM 133 during the bet period, to the controller 150 (step S39) after closing the bet acceptance.
The controller 150 starts the primary game and the secondary game when receiving the bet information from the gaming terminal 120 after the bet acceptance has been closed. The execution processing procedure of the games by the controller 150 will be described later.
The payout information (information indicating a payout amount for the primary game and a payout amount for the secondary game) and the game results are transmitted from the controller 150 to the gaming terminal 120 when the primary game and the secondary game are over. The terminal CPU 131 of the gaming terminal 120 stores the payout amount for each of the primary game and the secondary game in the payout information storing area 133D of the RAM 133 after receiving the game results. The terminal CPU 131 displays the received game results in the last game display area 123L (FIG. 15) on the terminal display 123. Further, the terminal CPU 131 executes processing according to the game results. The controller 150 updates the credit amount of the gaming terminal 120 stored in the RAM 153 based on the payout amount(s) of the gaming terminal 120. The controller 150 also transmits this update information and the payout information to the gaming terminal 120. The gaming terminal 120 updates the credit amount stored in the credit amount storing area 133B of the RAM 133 based on the received credit amount information.
In other words, the terminal CPU 131 determines whether or not the game results (payout information, credit amount information) have been received from the controller 150 (step S40). If the result in step S40 is negative (the game has not been completed yet), the terminal CPU 131 repeats the processing of step S40 until the game results are received.
Then, the terminal CPU 131 advances the procedure to step S41 when the game results are transmitted from the controller 150 to the gaming terminal 120.
The terminal CPU 131 rewrites a result reception flag in the result reception flag storing area 133G of the RAM 133 to “1” (step S41). The game results transmitted from the controller 150 to the gaming terminal 120 include the game results of the primary game and the secondary game. In other words, the game results of the primary game and the secondary game are transmitted in a lump sum. Here, information indicating no game result as the game result information of the secondary game is transmitted if no bet has been placed on the secondary game.
As described above, since the terminal CPU 131 changes the result reception flag after receiving the game results from the controller 150, it is possible to determine whether or not the primary game and the secondary game are over based on the result reception flag.
The terminal CPU 131 displays the payout information on the terminal display 123 (step S42). Specifically, the terminal CPU 131 displays each of the payout amounts of the primary game and the secondary game in the last game display area 123L (FIG. 5). In the example shown in FIG. 5, the payout amount of the primary game is “0” and “WIN 0” is displayed in the “MAIN” area. The payout amount of the secondary game is “10” and “WIN 10” is displayed in the “SIDE” area.
As described above, the gaming terminal 120 has received the updated credit amount and the game results. The terminal CPU 131 updates the credit amount stored in the RAM 133 (step S43) and displays the updated credit amount in the credit counter 123J (FIG. 15).
The terminal CPU 131 calculates the total payout amount. The terminal CPU 131 stores the calculated total payout amount in the payout accumulation storing area 133E and displays it in the total payout amount counter 123M.
Further, the terminal CPU 131 determines whether or not the primary game and the secondary game have been completed (step S44). Specifically, the terminal CPU 131 determines whether or not it has received the game results by referring to the result reception flag of the RAM 133 when it has received information indicating that both games has been over from the controller 150. If the game results have not been received yet, the terminal CPU 131 returns the procedure to step S40. On the contrary, if the game results has already been received, the terminal CPU 131 resets the result reception flag from “1” to “0” (step S45). After step S45, the procedure is returned to step S31 and the same processing is repeated.
Next, a series of procedures from the bet information acceptance to the game result transmission by the controller 150 is explained with reference to FIG. 18. In FIG. 18, the processing of transmission of the credit amount information from the gaming terminal 120 to the controller 150 triggered by a chip insertion is omitted. However, this processing is executed at any time as described above and the CPU 151 updates the credit amount stored in the RAM 153 after receiving the credit amount information.
As shown in FIG. 18, the CPU 151 of the controller 150 determines whether or not it has received the bet information from the gaming terminal 120 (step S51). If the determination in step S51 is negative, it indicates that the bet period has not expired yet. In this case, the CPU 151 repeats the processing in step S51 until it receives the bet information. If no bet is placed during the bet period, the bet information indicating that a bet amount is “0” is transmitted to the controller 150 when the bet period has expired. The CPU 151 advances the procedure to step S52 when it has received the bet information from all of the gaming terminals 120.
The CPU 151 updates the chip amount (chip amount kept in the gaming machine 100) stored in the chip information storing area 153H of the RAM 153 based on the bet information from each of the gaming terminals 120.
Then, the CPU 151 displays the bet information of each gaming terminal 120 in the second window 104 of the display screen 102 on the communal display 101 (step S53). For example, a display screen example on the communal display 101 is shown in Fig. As shown in FIG. 19, two chips are bet on the Banker in the primary game and one chip is bet on the secondary game at the first gaming terminal 120A. Ten chips are bet on the Player in the primary game at the second gaming terminal 120B. Six chips are bet on the Banker in the primary game and one chip is bet on the secondary game at the third gaming terminal 120C. One chip is bet on the Tie in the primary game at the fourth gaming terminal 120D. Ten chips are bet on the Banker in the primary game at the fifth gaming terminal 120E. One chip is bet on the Tie in the primary game at the sixth gaming terminal 120F. Five chips are bet on the Player in the primary game at the seventh gaming terminal 120G.
In this manner, the CPU 151 displays the bet content of each of the gaming terminals 120 (120A to 120G) on the communal display 101. After that, the CPU 151 executes the card games (the primary game and the secondary game) (step S54). FIG. 20 shows an execution procedure of the primary game and the secondary game by the CPU 151. The CPU 151 displays the first cards to the Player and the Banker in the first window 103 on the communal display 101 (FIG. 14) after starting the card game execution processing (step S71). Specifically, the CPU 151 displays each card image of the first face-down cards in the first display area 103A and the second display area 103B on the display screen 102 of the communal display 101.
Further, the CPU 151 displays the second cards to the Player and the Banker in the first window 103 (step S72). Specifically, the CPU 151 displays each card image of the second face-down cards in the first display area 103A and the second display area 103B on the display screen 102 of the communal display 101.
Then, the CPU 151 displays the card(s) for the secondary game in the first window 103 (step S73). Specifically, the CPU 151 displays a card image(s) of the face-down card(s) in the third display area 103C on the display screen 102 of the communal display 101.
As shown in FIG. 21, the two face-down cards C11, C13 are displayed in the first display area 103A (display area of the Player's card) and the two face-down cards C12, C14 are displayed in the second display area 103B (display area of the Banker's card). The face-down cards C21, C22 and C23 are displayed in the display areas 103Ca, 103Cc and 103Ce of the third display area 103C, which correspond to the gaming terminals 120 (120A, 120C and 120E in FIG. 21) with a bet (sidebet) on the secondary game. In this manner, since the card(s) for the secondary game is dealt only to the gaming terminal(s) 120 with a bet on the secondary game, the troublesome dealing of unnecessary cards can be obviated compared to the case where cards for the secondary game are dealt to all of the gaming terminals 120.
Then, the CPU 151 faces up the cards displayed in the first to third areas 103A to 103C in step S71 to step S73 (step S74).
In this manner, as shown in FIG. 22, the cards in the first to third display areas 103A to 103C (in FIG. 22, the third display areas 103Ca, 103Cc and 103Ce) are faced up. As described above, since the cards for the primary game are not faced up until a bet(s) on the secondary game has been placed, each participant can be amused by a bet on the secondary game.
Then, the CPU 151 determines whether or not to deal the third card(s) to the Banker and/or the Player according to the rules of the baccarat game explained in the first embodiment (step S75).
In the example shown in FIG. 22, the third card is not dealt to the Player or the Banker according to the rules of the baccarat game. The result of the baccarat game is determined by the four cards dealt to the Player (the first display area 103A) and the Banker (the second display area 103B).
If the third card(s) is necessary, the CPU 151 displays the faced-up third card(s) in the first display area 103A and/or the second display area 103B based on the rules (step S76).
Then, the CPU 151 determines the result of the primary game based on the faced-up cards in the first area 103A and the second area 103B. The Player or the Banker who has the score closer (or equal) to nine wins. The game ends in the Tie when the scores of them are equivalent. In this manner, the result of the game is determined as the Player, the Banker or the Tie. The result of the primary game is stored in the result storing area 153B of the RAM 153 (FIG. 11).
In the example shown in FIG. 22, since the Banker's score (of the cards in the second display area 103B) is eight (Natural) and the Player's score (of the cards in the first display area 103A) is seven, the Banker wins.
Then, the CPU 151 determines whether or not a winning hand is achieved for the secondary game based on the faced-up card in each of the third display areas 103C (step S78). In the present embodiment, the CPU 151 determines whether or not a winning poker hand (FIG. 3A to FIG. 4D, etc.) is achieved based on the five cards, that is, the initially dealt two cards to the Player, the initially dealt two cards to the Banker and the one card dealt in each of the third display areas 103C.
In the example shown in FIG. 22, each of the cards is dealt in the display areas 103Ca, 103Cc and 103Ce corresponding to the gaming terminals 120A, 120C and 120E. In respect to the first gaming terminal 102A, whether or not a winning poker hand is achieved is determined based on the five cards, that is, the two cards in the first display area 103A, the two cards in the second display area 103B and the one card in the third display area 103Ca.
Similarly, in respect to the third gaming terminal 120C, whether or not a winning poker hand is achieved is determined based on the five cards, that is, the two cards in the first display area 103A, the two cards in the second display area 103B and the one card in the third display area 103Cc.
Similarly, in respect to the fifth gaming terminal 120E, whether or not a winning poker hand is achieved is determined based on the five cards, that is, the two cards in the first display area 103A, the two cards in the second display area 103B and the one card in the third display area 103Ce. The achieved winning poker hand(s) is stored in the winning hand storing area 153G. The result of the secondary game determined in step S78 is stored in the game result storing area 153B of the RAM 153.
In the present embodiment, the secondary game is played with the five cards, that is, the initially dealt four cards in the first display area 103A and the second display area 103B and the one card dealt in each of the third display areas 103C. However, the present invention is not limited to the above. For example, it may also be possible to determine whether or not a winning poker hand is achieved based on the cards including the third card(s) dealt in step S76.
Then, the CPU 151 calculates a payout for each of the gaming terminals 120 (120A to 120G) based on the result of the primary game determined in step S77 (step S79). Specifically, the payout is calculated for each of the gaming terminals 120 with a winning bet, which matches the result of the primary game (baccarat game), according to the winning bet.
In the example shown in FIG. 22, since the result of the primary game is that the Banker wins, a payout is calculated for each of the gaming terminals 120A, 120C and 120E with a bet on the Banker. Specifically, a payout is calculated for each of the gaming terminals 120A, 120C and 120E with a bet on the Banker displayed in the second areas 104B of the second window 104.
Here, since two chips are bet on the Banker at the first gaming terminal 120A, a payout for the first gaming terminal 120A is four chips (two chips of a bet amount+two chips as a payback equal to the bet amount). Since six chips are bet on the Banker at the third gaming terminal 120C, a payout for the third gaming terminal 120C is twelve chips. Since ten chips are bet on the Banker at the fifth gaming terminal 120E, a payout for the fifth gaming terminal 120E is twenty chips.
In the baccarat game, a payback for a bet on the Player or the Banker is equal to a bet amount. And a payout back for a bet on the Tie is nine times as much as a bet amount (a payout=a bet amount returned+a payback awarded). A payout amount of the payout calculated in step S79 is stored in the payout amount storing area 153C of the RAM 153 with information indicating each of the gaming terminals 120 to which the payout is awarded.
The CPU 151 calculates a payout for the secondary game (step S80) after the payout for the primary game has been calculated. The CPU 151 determines whether or not a winning poker hand is achieved based on the initially dealt five cards in the first to third display areas 103A to 103C.
Then, if any one of winning hands is achieved, the CPU 151 calculates a payout according to the winning hand. The odds for the winning hands are preliminarily stored in the odds storing area 153F (FIG. 11) of the RAM 153. The payout calculated in step S80 is stored in the payout amount storing area 153C of the RAM 153 with information indicating each of the gaming terminals 120 to which the payout is awarded.
The CPU 151 advances the procedure to step S55 in FIG. 18 after completing an execution of the primary and secondary games (step S54) once. The CPU 151 updates the credit amount owned by each gaming terminal 120 stored in the credit amount storing area 153D of the RAM 153 based on the payouts calculated in steps S79 and S80 (step S55). Specifically, the credit amount of each of the gaming terminals 120 with the payout awarded is increased according to the payouts, among the credit amounts stored in the credit amount storing area 153D.
Then, the CPU 151 updates the chip information (the chip amount kept by the gaming machine 100) in the chip information storing area 153H by subtracting the total payout amount of the current game execution from the chip amount had been stored in the chip information storing area 153 of the RAM 153 (step S56).
Then, the CPU 151 transmits the payout information of the primary game calculated in step S79 to each of the gaming terminals 120 to which the payout is to be awarded (step S57). Further, the CPU 151 transmits the payout information of the secondary game calculated in step S80 to each of the gaming terminals 120 to which the payout is to be awarded (step S58). The CPU 151 terminates the single game play after transmitting the payout information of the primary game and the secondary game.
As described above, in the gaming machine 100 in the present embodiment, the card(s) for the secondary game is dealt in addition to the cards for the primary game and the secondary game is executed based on these cards (at least five cards), while the primary game (baccarat game) is executed once.
In other words, two cards are dealt initially to each of the Player and the Banker in the baccarat game (four cards are dealt in total). Here, since at least five cards are necessary for determining a winning poker hand in the secondary game, and therefore, a fifth card for the poker game is dealt to the gaming terminal(s) 120 that participates in the secondary game. As described above, a winning hand is determined based on the five cards, which are the cards for the primary game and the one card for the secondary game, in the secondary game.
In this manner, it is possible for a participant(s) to place a bet on the secondary game arbitrarily in addition to a bet on the primary game during a single game play of the primary game. A different card game from the primary game (baccarat) is executed in the secondary game (poker). Therefore, each participant can place plural bets on different games during a single game play.
In the above embodiments, a payout for the secondary game is awarded to all of the gaming terminals 120 with any one of the winning poker hands achieved in the secondary game. However, the present invention is not limited to the above. For example, if a winning porker hand is achieved at plural gaming terminals 120, at least one of the plural gaming terminals 120 may be selected to be awarded for the secondary game. The at least one of the plural gaming terminals 120 may be selected randomly. Alternatively, the gaming terminal 120 with the highest winning porker hand may be selected.

Claims

1. A gaming method for playing primary and secondary card games, comprising:

placing a first bet on the primary card game,

placing an optional second bet on the secondary card game,

disclosing cards dealt for the primary card game,

disclosing at least one card dealt for the secondary card game,

providing an award 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

providing an award for the optional second bet according to a rule of the secondary card game based on the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card game and the at least one disclosed card dealt for the secondary card game,

wherein the award for the optional second bet is determined according to poker hands.

2. The gaming method according to claim 1, wherein

the at least one card dealt for the secondary card game is disclosed only after the optional second bet has been placed.

3. The gaming method according to claim 1, wherein

the cards dealt for the primary card game are disclosed after the optional second bet has been placed.

4. The gaming method according to claim 1, wherein

the primary card game is a baccarat game.

5. A gaming method for playing primary and secondary card games, comprising:

placing a first bet on the primary card game,

placing an optional second bet on the secondary card game,

dealing cards for the primary card game in first and second areas,

dealing at least one card for the secondary card game to each of participants who have placed the optional second bet,

disclosing the cards dealt in the first and second areas,

determining whether or not to dealt and disclose an additional card in at least one of the first and second areas according to a rule of the primary card game based on the disclosed cards dealt in the first and second areas,

dealing and disclosing the additional card in the at least one of the first and second areas if it has been determined to dealt and disclose the additional card in the at least one of the first and second areas,

judging a result of the primary card game according to the rule of the primary card game,

providing an award for the first bet according to the rule of the primary card game based on the result of the primary card game,

disclosing the at least one card dealt for the secondary card game dealt to each of the participants, and

providing an award for the optional second bet according to a rule of the secondary card game based on the disclosed cards dealt in the first and second areas and the at least one disclosed card dealt for the secondary card game,

6. The gaming method according to claim 5, wherein

7. The gaming method according to claim 5, wherein

8. The gaming method according to claim 5, wherein

the primary card game is a baccarat game.

9. A gaming method for playing baccarat game and secondary card game, comprising:

placing a first bet on the baccarat game,

placing an optional second bet on the secondary card game,

dealing two cards for the baccarat game in each of first and second areas,

dealing one card for the secondary card game to each of participants who have placed the optional second bet,

disclosing the cards dealt in the first and second areas,

determining whether or not to deal and disclose an additional card in at least one of the first and second areas according to a rule of the baccarat game based on the disclosed cards dealt in the first and second areas,

dealing and disclosing the additional card in the at least one of the first and second areas if it has been determined to deal and disclose the additional card in the at least one of the first and second areas,

judging a result of the baccarat game according to the rule of the baccarat game,

providing an award for the first bet according to the rule of the baccarat game based on the result of the baccarat game,

disclosing the one card dealt for the secondary card game dealt to each of the participants, and

providing an award for the optional second bet according to a rule of the secondary card game based on the disclosed cards dealt in the first and second areas and the disclosed one card dealt for the secondary card game,

10. A gaming machine for playing primary and secondary card games, comprising:

a plurality of gaming terminals by each of which a participant can place a bet on the primary and secondary card games, respectively;

a first display on which progression of the primary card game is displayed;

a second display on which progression of the secondary card game is displayed; and

a controller which progresses the primary and secondary card games and is operable to:

(a) accept a first bet on the primary card game,

(b) accept an optional second bet on the secondary card game,

(c) disclose cards dealt for the primary card game on the first display,

(d) disclose at least one card dealt for the secondary card game on the second display,

(e) provide an award 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

(f) provide an award for the optional second bet according to a rule of the secondary card game based on the disclosed cards dealt for the primary card game and the at least one disclosed card dealt for the secondary card game,

11. The gaming machine according to claim 10, wherein

the controller is operable to disclose the at least one card dealt for the secondary card game only after the optional second bet has been placed.

12. The gaming machine according to claim 10, wherein

the controller is operable to disclose the cards dealt for the primary card game after the optional second bet has been placed.

13. The gaming machine according to claim 10, wherein

the primary card game is a baccarat game.

14. A gaming machine for playing primary and secondary card games, comprising:

a first display on which progression of the primary card game is displayed;

(a) accept a first bet on the primary card game,

(b) accept an optional second bet on the secondary card game,

(c) deal cards for the primary card game in first and second areas on the first display,

(d) deal at least one card for the secondary card game on the second display, the at least one card for the secondary card game being corresponded with each of participants who have placed the optional second bet,

(e) disclose the cards dealt in the first and second areas,

(f) determine whether or not to deal and disclose an additional card in at least one of the first and second areas according to a rule of the primary card game based on the disclosed cards dealt in the first and second areas,

(g) deal and disclose the additional card in at least one of the first and second areas if it has been determined to deal and disclose the additional card in the at least one of the first and second areas,

(h) judge a result of the primary card game according to the rule of the primary card game,

(i) provide an award for the first bet according to the rule of the primary card game based on the result of the primary card game,

(j) disclose the at least one card for the secondary card game dealt on the second display, and

(k) provide an award for the optional second bet according to a rule of the secondary card game based on the disclosed cards dealt in the first and second areas and the at least one disclosed card dealt for the secondary card game,

15. The gaming machine according to claim 14, wherein

16. The gaming machine according to claim 14, wherein

17. The gaming machine according to claim 14, wherein

the primary card game is a baccarat game.

18. A gaming machine for playing baccarat game and secondary card game, comprising:

a plurality of gaming terminals by each of which a participant can place a bet on the baccarat game and the secondary card game, respectively;

a first display on which progression of the baccarat game is displayed;

a controller which progresses the baccarat game and the secondary card game and is operable to:

(a) accept a first bet on the baccarat game,

(b) accept an optional second bet on the secondary card game,

(c) deal two cards for the primary card game in each of first and second areas on the first display,

(d) deal one card for the secondary card game on the second display, the one card for the secondary card game being corresponded with each of participants who have placed the optional second bet,

(e) disclose the cards dealt in the first and second areas,

(f) determine whether or not to deal and disclose an additional card in at least one of the first and second areas according to a rule of the baccarat game based on the disclosed cards dealt in the first and second areas,

(g) deal and disclose the additional card in the at least one of the first and second areas if it has been determined to deal and disclose the additional card in the at least one of the first and second areas,

(h) judge a result of the baccarat game according to the rule of the baccarat game,

(i) provide an award for the first bet according to the rule of the baccarat game based on the result of the baccarat game,

(j) disclose the one card for the secondary card game dealt on the second display, and

(k) provide an award for the optional second bet according to a rule of the secondary card game based on the disclosed cards dealt in the first and second areas and the disclosed one card dealt for the secondary card game,