US20080214279A1

US20080214279A1 - Gaming Machine Capable Of Operating To Indicate The Number Of Bets, And Game Playing Method

Info

Publication number: US20080214279A1
Application number: US12/040,273
Authority: US
Inventors: Kazumasa Yoshizawa
Original assignee: Aruze Corp
Current assignee: Universal Entertainment Corp
Priority date: 2007-03-01
Filing date: 2008-02-29
Publication date: 2008-09-04
Also published as: AU2008200951A1; ZA200801932B; JP2008212286A

Abstract

Paigow Poker is executed by placing a bet using a bet screen 70 displayed on a liquid crystal display 10. On the bet screen 70 is provided a bet-with-a-bonus button 201 in addition to an ordinary bet button 75. When the amount of bet is indicated using the bet-with-a-bonus button 201, a card game which is separate from Paigow Poker is executed as a bonus game subsequent to Paigow Poker, and the player is awarded a bonus payout based on an outcome of the bonus game. The odds when the amount of bet is indicated using the bet-with-a-bonus button 201 is ×1.7 which is set to be lower than the odds (×2) indicated using only the ordinary bet button 75.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims a priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-051807 filed on Mar. 1, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This disclosure relates to a gaming machine capable of operating to indicate the number of bets, and a game playing method.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, with games in which a side bet game is executed together with a main game, an operation of indicating the number of bets for the side bet game has been performed separately from an operation of indicating the original number of bets for the main game. Additionally, with the side bet game, it has been determined whether or not to award a bonus payout to a player thereof according to a game outcome in the main game. Furthermore, the determination to award the bonus payout to the player in the side bet game was based on a condition that a low-probability outcome is realized in the main game, since the bonus payout is relatively high (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,801B2, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,711,525 and 6,874,786B2).
In the above manner, however, an opportunity for the player to be awarded the bonus payout in the side bet game is rare. Furthermore, in order to participate in the side bet game, it is necessary, as stated above, to take the trouble of indicating the number of bets for the side bet game, quite separately from indicating the original number of bets for the main game. Thus, there has been a trend that the player of the main game, who is discouraged by the above situation, will not willingly attempt to be awarded the bonus payout in the side bet game, and recedes from the side bet game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the disclosure is to provide an unprecedented, novel gaming machine and game playing method by adjusting the main game and the bonus payout lottery through a one-time indication of the number of bets.
To achieve the object of the disclosure, there is provided a gaming machine, comprising: an operation unit for allowing a player to indicate the number of bets; a memory for storing the number of credits held by the player; and a processor programmed to execute a main game using a predefined odds by executing processes of: when the player performs an operation of indicating a predefined number of bets on the operation unit, (a) changing the odds to a lower value than the predefined odds and executing the main game; (b) randomly determining whether or not to award a bonus to the player separately from the main game; and (c) if it is determined to award the bonus to the player, adding the number of credits according to the bonus to the number of credits in the memory and storing the sum.
Furthermore, according to another aspect, there is provided a gaming machine, comprising: a display device for displaying cards which are dealt in a main game; an input unit for allowing a player to enter instructions related to a progress of the main game; an operation unit for allowing the player to indicate the number of bets of one of a first type and a second type for a win of the player's side in the main game; a memory for storing the number of credits held by the player; and a processor programmed to execute the main game by executing processes of: when the number of bets of the first type is indicated by an operation on the operation unit, (a) displaying, upon completion of the player's performing the operation of indicating the number of bets using the operation unit, seven cards which have been dealt as player cards and seven cards which have been dealt as dealer cards on the display device; (b) displaying the player cards which have been displayed on the display device, in an arrangement of a high-hand consists of five cards and a second-hand consists of two cards on the display device, according to a predefined rule, based on the player's instructions using the input unit; (c) displaying the dealer cards which have been displayed on the display device, in an arrangement of a high-hand consists of five cards and a second-hand consists of two cards on the display device, according to the predefined rule; (d) determining whether or not the player side wins, based on each win-or-loss between the high-hands and between the second-hands displayed on the display device, and (e) adding the number of credits calculated using a predefined odds to the number of credits in the memory and storing the sum, when, otherwise, the number of bets of the second type is indicated by an operation on the operation unit, (1) changing the odds to a lower value than the predefined odds and executing the main game; (g) if it is determined that the player wins, randomly determining whether or not to award a bonus to the player; and (h) if it is determined to award the bonus to the player, adding the number of credits according to the bonus to the number of credits in the memory and storing the sum.
Furthermore, according to another aspect, there is provided a game playing method which executes a main game using a predefined odds, comprising the steps of: when the player indicates a predefined number of bets, (a) changing the odds to a lower value than the predefined odds and executing the main game; (b) randomly determining whether or not to award a bonus to the player separately from the main game; and (c) if it is determined to award the bonus to the player, adding the number of credits according to the bonus to the number of credits held by the player.
Furthermore, according to another aspect, there is provided a game playing method, comprising, so as to make a main game proceed, the steps of: when a player indicates the number of bets of a first type for a win of the player side in the main game, (a) dealing, upon completion of the player's indicating the number of bets, seven cards as player cards as well as dealing seven cards as dealer cards; (b) arranging the player cards and the dealer cards into a high-hand consists of five cards and a second-hand consists of two cards, respectively, according to a predefined rule; (c) determining whether or not the player side wins, based on each win-or-loss between the high-hands and between the second-hands; (d) if the player side wins, adding the number of credits calculated using a predefined odds to the number of credits held by the player, and when, otherwise, the player indicates the number of bets of the second type for the win of the player side in the main game, (e) changing the odds to a lower value than the predefined odds and executing the main game; (f) if the player side wins, randomly determining whether or not to award a bonus to the player; and (g) if it is determined to award the bonus to the player, adding the number of credits according to the bonus to the number of credits held by the player.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a bet screen displayed on a liquid crystal display of a terminal according to a present embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an outline view of a card gaming machine according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an outline view of the terminal according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the card gaming machine according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the terminal according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the bet screen displayed on the liquid crystal display of the terminal according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the bet screen displayed on the liquid crystal display of the terminal according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the bet screen displayed on the liquid crystal display of the terminal according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a main screen displayed on a front display according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a game processing program in the card gaming machine according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a game processing program in the card gaming machine according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing the bet screen at a bonus game displayed on the liquid crystal display of the terminal according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing the bet screen at the bonus game displayed on the liquid crystal display of the terminal according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing the bet screen at the bonus game displayed on the liquid crystal display of the terminal according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of a game processing program in the card gaming machine according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a flow chart of a game processing program in the card gaming machine according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a flow chart of a game processing program in the card gaming machine according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a flow chart of a game processing program in the card gaming machine according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a table showing the difference between an ordinary bet operation and a bet-with-a-bonus operation;

FIG. 20 is an explanatory view showing the bet screen displayed on the liquid crystal display of the terminal according to the present embodiment; and

FIG. 21 is a schematic view of an exemplary application of the present invention to a table game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following, a multi-player card gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail referring to the drawings based on an embodiment implemented on a card gaming machine. Here, the card gaming machine according to the present embodiment is one type of multi-player gaming machines comprising a plurality of terminals for accepting inputs from the players and executes Paigow Poker, which is a kind of card games. Here, Paigow Poker is a game in which each player first bets a certain amount of chips, then the seven player cards subsequently dealt as the hand cards of the player are divided into sets of five cards (high hand) and two cards (second hand), and compared with the dealer cards, which are the hand cards of the dealer, to determine the win or loss. If both the high hand and the second hand turn out to be higher than those of the dealer, it is determined that the player has won the game, and a payout is made according to the amount of bets.
The card gaming machine according to the present invention has, in addition to an ordinary bet button 75, a bet-with-a-bonus button 201, such as a bet screen particularly shown in FIG. 1. When the amount of bet is indicated by both the bet-with-a-bonus button 201 and the bet button 75, a card game which is separate from Paigow Poker is executed as a bonus game subsequent to Paigow Poker, and a bonus payout is awarded to the player based on an outcome of the bonus game.
Here, odds is ×1.7 when the amount of bet is indicated by both the bet-with-a-bonus button 201 and the bet button 75, which is set to be lower than odds (×2) when the amount of bet is indicated only by the bet button 75.
In the following, for simplicity of description, the phrase “when the amount of bet is indicated by both the bet-with-a-bonus button 201 and the bet button 75” may be occasionally expressed, for example, “when the amount of bet is indicated using the bet-with-a-bonus button 201”.
First, a structural overview of the card gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described, referring to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is an outline view of the card gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment.
The card gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment generally comprises a table unit 2 at which the player sits and plays the game, and a panel unit 3 provided behind the table unit 2 to display animation images of the dealer.
First, the table unit 2 will be described below. The table unit 2 has a plurality (five in FIG. 2) of terminals 4 referred to as satellites arranged in generally a fan-like manner. Here, FIG. 3 is an outline view of a terminal 4 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal 4 comprises a liquid crystal display 10 for displaying the bet screen (see FIGS. 6 and 7) described below and the game outcome or the like, a touch panel 11 provided on the front face of the liquid crystal display 10 and used for selecting the buttons which are displayed on the liquid crystal display 10 when selecting the bet target and indicating the amount of bet, an operation button 12 for performing a payout operation, a coin insertion slot 13 for inserting coins or medals, a bill insertion slot 14 for inserting bills, and a coin payout opening 15 for paying out, to the player, coins or medals corresponding to the accumulated credits when a payout operation is performed.
In addition, the touch panel 11 is also used for rearranging or selecting the cards displayed on the liquid crystal display 10.
Referring to FIG. 2 again, the panel unit 3 comprises a front display 21 for displaying images of a dealer who is dealing the cards or delivering the chips, and contents of the cards being dealt or the like, speakers 22 provided on the upper part of the front display 21 for outputting music or sound effects along the progress of the game, and LEDs 23 which light up when a variety of effects are performed.
Here, the cards used in the card gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment are same as commonly used playing cards, bearing “marks” which are composed of “suits” and “numbers” (see FIG. 8).
A “suit” indicates the symbol on the playing cards. There are four types of suits: spade, heart, diamond and club.
A “number” indicates the numeral or alphabet on the playing cards. There are 13 types of them: A (Ace, equivalent to 1), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J (Jack, equivalent to 11), Q (Queen, equivalent to 12), and K (King, equivalent to 13).
A “mark” indicates the type of card determined by a combination of a “suit” and a “number” of the playing card such as, for example, “A of heart”, “K of spade” or the like. Then, a card deck refers to a set of 53 cards necessary for a card game, consisting of 52 cards, which is a combination of the 13 numbers and each of the four types of suits, plus a joker.
Next, a playing method of Paigow Poker in the card gaming machine 1 arranged as above will be described, wherein the player who is going to play the game sits in front of the terminal 4 and places a desired amount of bet using the bet screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 10. Subsequently, images of the player cards and the dealer cards which have been dealt for the player and the dealer, respectively, are displayed on the front display 21 and each of the liquid crystal displays 10, which is followed by an operation of dividing the cards into the high hand and the second hand. Then, image effects announcing that either the player or the dealer is the winner or image effects announcing that the result is a draw are displayed, based on the types of the marks of the cards which have been dealt as the high hand and the second hand. Furthermore, credits twice the amount of bet (number of credits) which has been placed is provided as an award at each of the terminals 4 if the player beats the dealer. However, as stated above, if the amount of bet is indicated by both the bet-with-a-bonus button 201 and the bet button 75, credits 1.7 times the amount of bet (number of credits) which has been placed is provided as an award. On the other hand, no award is provided if the player loses to the dealer. Furthermore, the amount of bet is returned to the player if he or she ended in a draw with the dealer. Additionally, when the amount of bet is indicated by both the bet-with-a-bonus button 201 and the bet button 75 in particular, a card game separate from Paigow Poker is executed as the bonus game subsequent to Paigow Poker, regardless of the player's winning, losing, or ending in a draw in Paigow Poker, and a bonus payout is awarded to the player based on the outcome of the bonus game.
Next, the arrangement related to a control system of the card gaming machine 1 will be described, referring to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the control system of the card gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment.
The card gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment comprises, as shown in FIG. 4, a main control unit 31 and a plurality of terminals 4 connected to the main control unit 31, and a variety of peripheral devices.
The main control unit 31 is generally composed of a micro-computer 45 as the kernel comprising a CPU 41, a RAM 42, a ROM 43 and a bus 44 for transferring data mutually between these elements. The ROM 43 stores a variety of programs, data tables or the like for executing necessary processes to control the card gaming machine 1. The RAM 42 is a memory for temporarily storing a variety of data which have been operated in the CPU 41. Furthermore, the ROM 43 also stores face-up and face-down image data of the cards used as the player cards or dealer cards. Particularly, with the card gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, a card game which is separate from Paigow Poker may be executed as the bonus game subsequent to Paigow Poker as stated above, in which case the face-up and face-down image data of the bonus cards used in the bonus game is also stored (see FIGS. 12 and 13).
In addition, the CPU 41 is connected, via an I/O interface 46, to an image processing circuit 47, a sound circuit 48, an LED driving circuit 49, and a communication interface 50.
The main control unit 31 receives the player's bet operation information related to the amount of bet from each of the terminals 4 and determines whether or not a condition is realized to start the game of Paigow Poker. Then, upon starting the game of Paigow Poker, the main control unit 31 assigns, based on a lottery result, the seven cards out of the 53 playing cards to the player and the dealer, respectively (on the display screen, the cards are dealt to the player and the dealer, respectively). As the result, the win or loss (either the player or the dealer has won, or they ended in a draw) is determined based on the hand of the assigned cards, and the main control unit 31 transmits the result of determination to each of the terminals 4. Subsequently, each of the terminals 4 increases or decreases the accumulated credits according to the result of win or loss received from the main control unit 31.
Furthermore, the main control unit 31 identifies the terminal 4 at which the player's bet operation has been performed on both the bet-with-a-bonus button 201 and the bet button 75 according to the bet operation information received from each of the terminals 4, selects, for the identified terminal 4, seven cards from the 53 playing cards based on a lottery result, regardless of the win or loss result of Paigow Poker, and assigns the player with the selected seven cards, in a condition that one of the seven cards has been replaced with a bonus card (on the display screen, seven cards are dealt to the player with their faces down). Subsequently, at those terminals 4, the player selects one card from the seven cards which have been dealt. Then, the main control unit 31 receives the operation information from the terminal 4, determines the win or loss of the bonus indicating whether or not the player has drawn a bonus card, and transmits the determination result to the terminal 4. Subsequently, based on the result of win or loss for the bonus which is received from the main control unit 31, the terminal 4 increases the accumulated credits by amount of the bonus payout, only when the player has drawn the bonus card.
In addition, the main control unit 31 also outputs image signals to be displayed on the front display 21, and controls driving of the speakers 22 and the LEDs 23.
Next, the arrangement related to a control system of the terminal 4 will be described, referring to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the control system of the terminal 4 according to the present embodiment.
The terminal 4 according to the present embodiment is generally composed of a microcomputer 55 as the kernel comprising a CPU 51, a RAM 52, a ROM 53 and a bus 54 for transferring data mutually between these elements, as shown in FIG. 5. ROM 43 includes a variety of programs, data tables or the like stored therein for executing necessary processes to control the terminal 4. The RAM 52 is a memory for temporarily storing a variety of data which have been operated in the CPU 51, such as the number of credits (that is, the number of credits held by the player at the terminal 4) currently accumulated on the terminal 4, the bet target on which the player placed a bet, the bet type (whether or not the bet-with-a-bonus button 201 has been used), the amount of bet (number of credits) which has been placed on the bet target or the like.
In addition, the CPU 51 is connected, via an I/O interface 56, to a liquid crystal panel driving circuit 57, a touch panel driving circuit 58, a hopper driving circuit 59, a payout complete signal circuit 60, and a communication interface 61. Furthermore, a liquid crystal display 10 is connected to the liquid crystal panel driving circuit 57, a touch panel 11 is connected to the touch panel driving circuit 58, a hopper 62 is connected to the hopper driving circuit 59, and a coin detecting sensor 63 is connected to the payout complete signal circuit 60, respectively. Additionally, the main control unit 31 is connected to the communication interface 61.
Based on operation information which is output from the touch panel 11, the CPU 51 calculates the amount of bet (number of credits) placed by the player, then, together with information about whether or not the bet operation has been performed using the bet-with-a-bonus button 201 (type of bet), stores them into the RAM 52 and transmits them to the main control unit 31. Furthermore, the CPU 51 increases or decreases the accumulated credits according to the win or loss the bonus transmitted from the main control unit 31. Additionally, when the player has performed the bet operation using the bet-with-a-bonus button 201, the CPU 51 increases the accumulated credits according to the win or loss for the bonus transmitted from the main control unit 31.
In addition, the CPU 51 also outputs image signals to be displayed on the liquid crystal display 10, and controls payout of coins from the coin payout opening 15 by the hopper 62 and the coin detecting sensor 63.
Next, a bet screen 70 which is displayed on the liquid crystal display 10 of the terminal 4 when Paigow Poker is played on the card gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described, referring to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 6 to 8. FIG. 1 and FIGS. 6 to 8 are diagrams showing the bet screen 70 displayed on the liquid crystal display 10 of the terminal 4. Here, with the card gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the player uses the bet screen 70 and the touch panel 11 to perform a bet operation of placing a certain amount of credits. With regard to this, the bet operation includes an ordinary bet operation which is performed only on the bet button 75 without using the bet-with-a-bonus button 201, and a bet-with-a-bonus operation which is performed on both the bet-with-a-bonus button 201 and the bet button 75. In addition, an operation of dealing the hand cards as the high hand and the second hand can also be performed.
As shown in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 6 to 8, the bet screen 70 comprises a player card display area 71 for displaying the face-up images 87 (see FIG. 8) and the face-down images 88 (see FIGS. 1, 6 and 7) of the cards dealt to the player, a chip display area 73 for displaying a image 72 (see FIGS. 6 to 8) of the chips which have been bet, and an information display area for displaying a variety of operation buttons and information of the player.
Here, the image 72 of chips (see FIGS. 6 and 8) includes an image 72A of chips (see FIGS. 6 to 8) which is displayed for a bet-with-a-bonus operation performed on both the bet-with-a-bonus button 201 and the bet button 75, and an image 72B of chips (see FIG. 7) which is displayed for an ordinary bet operation performed only on the bet button 75 without using the bet-with-a-bonus button 201. With regard to this, both images 72A and 72B of chips are distinctly displayed using different colors or the like, although not shown.
Here, the player card display area 71 is a display area for displaying the face-up images 87 and face-down images 88 of the player cards which are dealt to the player. The face-down images 88 of the player cards are displayed (see FIGS. 1, 6 and 7) immediately after having been dealt to the player so that their marks cannot be identified, and subsequently their face-up images 87 are displayed (see FIG. 8) so that their marks can be identified. Then, the images 87 and 88 of the seven cards displayed on the player card display area 71 become the cards to be dealt to the player who is sitting at the terminal 4 to play the game. In addition, the player may operate the touch panel 11 so that the player cards which have been dealt can be freely divided into a high hand consisting of a set of five cards and a second hand consisting of a set of two cards, within the range of the house rule.
Particularly, the five cards on the left hand side of the bet screen 70 are the cards divided as the high hand in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 6 to 8, and the two cards on the right hand side are the cards divided as the second hand. The player can operate the touch panel 11 to rearrange the seven cards displayed on the player card display area 71 so that the dividing of the high hand and the second hand can be changed.
The chip display area 73 displays the image 72 of chips corresponding to the amount of bet placed by the player (for example, chips corresponding to 50 credits are bet in FIGS. 6 to 8). The player then selects the amount of bet using the bet button 75, determines the amount of bet by touching the chip display area 73. The terminal 4 transmits the determined amount of bet to the main control unit 31.
In addition, a plurality of the bet buttons 75 (three in the present embodiment, i.e., “one credit”, “10 credits”, and “100 credits”) are provided on the lower right hand side of the chip display area 73. Then, the player can select the amount of bet to be placed in the current game by touching the bet button 75.
Additionally, the bet-with-a-bonus button 201 is provided above the bet button 75. The player can indicate the amount of bet using the bet button 75 as a bet-with-a-bonus operation by touching the bet-with-a-bonus button 201 once.
However, if the amount of bet is indicated by using only the bet button 75 without touching the bet-with-a-bonus button 201, the operation turns out to be an ordinary bet operation.
Furthermore, a Repeat bet button 76 and an UNDO bet button 77 are provided above the bet button 75. The player can place a bet which is the same amount of bet as the previous game by touching the Repeat bet button 76. In addition, a bet operation performed once can be canceled by touching the UNDO bet button 77. Furthermore, a bet-with-a-bonus operation can be canceled by touching the UNDO bet button 77.
In addition, a HELP button 84 is provided on the lower left hand side of the chip display area 73. The HELP button 84 is a button to be touched when displaying operation instructions of the card gaming machine 1 on the liquid crystal display 10. Additionally, a message area 85 for displaying messages that support the progress of the game is provided on the right hand side of the HELP button 84.
On the message area 85, messages such as “BET WITH BONUS IS INDICATED! YOUR ODDS ARE ×1.7. YOU WILL HAVE A BONUS GAME!” are displayed, as shown in FIG. 6 or 8 while a bet-with-a-bonus operation is being performed. While, on the other hand, an ordinary bet operation is being performed, messages such as “ORDINARY BET. YOUR ODDS ARE ×2.” are displayed, as shown in FIG. 7.
At the lower part of the bet screen 70, a bet amount display area 90 for displaying the amount of bet currently placed by the player, an acquisition amount display area 91 for displaying the amount provided to the player as an award in the game, a held credit display area 92 for displaying the number of credits currently held by the player, a lower-limit-of-bet-amount display area 93 displaying the lower limit of the amount of bet that can be placed by the player, and an upper-limit-of-bet-amount display area 94 displaying the upper limit of the amount of bet that can be placed by the player are provided.
Additionally, as shown in FIG. 8, a win-or-loss display area 95 indicating the win or loss of the player and the dealer in the current game is provided on the left hand side of the player card display area 71. Here, win or loss in Paigow Poker is determined such that the party who achieved a higher hand in both the high hand and the second hand becomes the winner, whereas the game ends in a draw if either one is higher. In this manner, a character string “DRAW” is displayed on the win-or-loss display area 95 when the outcome is a draw. If the player wins, a character string “YOU WON” is displayed on the win-or-loss display area 95. Furthermore, a character string “YOU LOST” is displayed on the win-or-loss display area 95 when the player is defeated.
Next, a main screen 101 displayed on the front display 21 will be described referring to FIG. 9, when playing Paigow Poker in the card gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the main screen 101 displayed on the front display 21. Here, with the card gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, an image 102 of the dealer animated to perform dealing of the cards along the progress of the game is displayed on the main screen 101 in order to improve the sense of reality of the game.
An image 103 of the dealer cards, which are the dealer's hand cards dealt to the dealer, is displayed generally in the middle of the main screen 101. Here, with the card gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, seven cards are dealt as the dealer cards, as with the case of player cards. The dealer cards are then displayed on the main screen 101 in a condition divided into the high hand and the second hand, according to the house rule (for example, the five high hand cards are displayed on the upper part of FIG. 9, and the two second hand cards are displayed on the lower part).
Next, a game processing program executed by the CPU 41 of the main control unit 31 and a game processing program at the terminal side executed by the CPU 51 of the terminal 4, respectively in the card gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, will be described, referring to FIGS. 10 and 11. Here, respective programs shown as a flow chart in FIGS. 10 and 11 are stored in the RAM 42 or the ROM 43 provided in the main control unit 31, or the RAM 52 or the ROM 53 provided in the terminal 4, and are executed by the CPU 41 or the CPU 51.
First, the game processing program executed by the main control unit 31 will be described, referring to FIGS. 10 and 11. In step (abbreviated to S hereafter) 1, the CPU 41 assigns a total of five card decks for each of the terminals 4 by lottery.
Subsequently, in S2, the CPU 41 executes a dealer card lottery processing to draw dealer cards which are the hand cards of the dealer. Specifically, assuming that there are N cards (N=53 in Paigow Poker) as a set of the card deck to be used in the game, a number within the range of 1 to N is associated with each one of the cards composing the card deck assigned to respective terminals 4. Then, seven numbers within the range of 1 to N is drawn in S2, and the seven cards which are associated with the drawn numbers become the dealer card (that is, dealt to the dealer).
Next, in S3, a player card lottery processing is executed to draw player cards which are the hand cards of the player from the card deck assigned to each of the terminals 4 in S1. Specifically, a number within the range of 1 to 46 (dealing order) is associated with the 46 cards of the 53 cards, excluding the seven cards selected as the dealer cards in S2, which compose each card deck. Then, seven numbers within the range of 1 to 46 are drawn for each of the five sets of card decks, and the seven cards associated with the drawn numbers become the player cards of respective terminals 4 (that is, dealt to the player).
Subsequently, in S4, the CPU 41 transmits, to each of the terminals 4, an instruction to start a betting period for accepting the player's bet operation.
Next, in S5, the CPU 41 receives bet information transmitted from each of the terminals 4. Here, the bet information includes information relating to the amount of bet (number of credits) placed by the player, or information relating to the type of bet (whether or not the bet operation has been performed using the bet-with-a-bonus button 201) placed by the player. In addition, the received bet information of each terminal 4 is temporarily stored in the RAM 42.
Subsequently, in S6, the CPU 41 transmits, to each of the terminals 4, information relating to the seven player cards dealt to the player who is playing the game at each of the terminals 4 (for example, information about the marks such as “7 of heart” or “A of spade”), based on the lottery result of the player card lottery processing of S3. Then, in S7, the image 102 of the dealer who deals seven cards respectively to the player and the dealer is displayed on the front display 21 as the main screen 101 (see FIG. 9). Here, for the seven dealer cards which have been dealt to the dealer, face-down images 103 are displayed so that the types of marks are not shown.
Next, in S8, the CPU 41 receives information transmitted from the terminal 4 relating to the dividing of the player cards into the high hand and the second hand. With the card gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the player can freely divide, within the range of the house rule, five cards for the high hand and two cards for the second hand.
Subsequently, in S9, the CPU 41 divides the seven dealer cards selected in S2 into the high hand and the second hand, according to the house rule. Furthermore, the dealer cards shown on the main screen 101 displayed on the front display 21 are changed from face-down to face-up images 103, whereby showing the dealer cards which have been divided into the high hand and the second hand (see FIG. 9).
Then, in S10, the CPU 41 compares the dealer cards and the player cards for the high hand and the second hand, respectively and determines the win or loss. Specifically, it is determined based on the hand of the cards, such that if the dealer card has achieved a higher hand in both the high hand and the second hand, the dealer becomes the winner. On the other hand, if the player card has achieved a higher hand in both the high hand and the second hand, the player becomes the winner. The game ends in a draw for cases other than the above-mentioned patterns. Since types of hands in Paigow Poker are well known, their explanation is omitted here.
Subsequently, in S11, the determination result of win or loss of S10 is transmitted to each of the terminals 4. Additionally, in S12, the CPU 41 displays, on the main screen 101 of the front display 21, an announcement image announcing the determination result of win or loss of each of the terminals 4.
Furthermore, in S13, the CPU 41 determines whether or not a bet-with-a-bonus operation has been performed. The determination is based on the bet information received from each of the terminals 4, and it is determined that a bet-with-a-bonus operation has been performed when a bet has been placed using the bet-with-a-bonus button 201. Here, for a terminal 4 which is determined that no bet-for-a-bonus operation has been performed thereon (S13: NO), the game processing program terminates without doing anything. On the other hand, for a terminal 4 which is determined that a bet-with-a-bonus operation has been performed thereon (S13: YES), the process flow proceeds to a game processing program shown in FIG. 15 described below.
Next, the game processing program executed by the terminal 4 will be described, referring to FIGS. 10 and 11. In S101, the CPU 51 receives the instruction to start the betting period from the main control unit 31.
Subsequently, in S102, the CPU 51 displays the bet screen 70 (see FIGS. 1, 6, 7 and 8) on the liquid crystal display 10, and identifies the amount of bet (the number of credits) which has been placed, based on operation information from the touch panel 11. In addition, the CPU 51 identifies the type of bet placed by the player (whether or not a bet operation has been performed using the bet-with-a-bonus button 201). Furthermore, the CPU 51 displays the images 72A and 72B of chips on the bet screen 70 in a distinct manner, based on the identified type of bet.
Next, in S103, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the betting period has expired. Specifically, it is determined whether or not a predefined time length (e.g. 20 sec) has passed since accepting the bet operation was started in S102.
If it is determined that the betting period has not expired (S103: NO), accepting the bet operation is continued. If, on the other hand, it is determined that the betting period has expired (S103: YES), the process flow proceeds to S104.
In S104, the CPU 51 transmits the bet information to the main control unit 31. Here, the bet information includes the information relating to the amount of bet (the number of credits) placed by the player, or the information relating to the type of bet (whether or not the bet operation has been performed using the bet-with-a-bonus button 201) placed by the player.
Additionally, in S105, the CPU 51 receives, from the main control unit 31, the information of the seven player cards (information such as type of mark) which have been dealt to the terminal 4. Then, in S106, the CPU 51 displays the seven player cards associated with the bet screen 70, based on the information of the cards received in S105. Here, the player cards displayed in S106 are first displayed as face-down images 88 so that their marks can not be identified (see FIGS. 1, 6 and 7). Then, after a predefined time length (e.g., three seconds) has passed, the player cards are displayed as face-up images 87 so that their marks can be identified (see FIG. 8).
Subsequently, in S107, the CPU 51 starts accepting the operation of changing the dividing of the high hand and the second hand for the player cards displayed on the bet screen 70. Then, in S108, it is determined whether or not an update operation of the dividing has been performed. If it is determined that an update operation has been performed (S108: YES), the process flow proceeds to S109 where the types of cards divided into the high hand and the second hand are changed, and the arrangement of the player cards displayed on the bet screen 70 is changed.
If, on the other hand, it is determined that an operation of changing the dividing of the high hand and the second hand has not been performed (S108: NO), the process flow proceeds to S110.
In S110, it is determined whether or not a predefined time length (e.g., 15 seconds) has passed since the accepting operation was started in S107. If it is determined that the predefined time length has passed (S110: YES), dividing information of the high hand and the second hand of the current player cards is transmitted to the main control unit 31 (S111). If, on the other hand, it is determined that the predefined time length has not passed (S110: NO), the process flow returns to S108.
Next, in S112, the CPU 51 receives the determination result of win or loss transmitted from the main control unit 31. Then, in S113, the CPU 51 displays, on the liquid crystal display 10, the determination result of win or loss of the player who is playing at the terminal 4, based on the determination result of win or loss received in S112. Specifically, a character string “DRAW” is displayed on the win-or-loss display area 95 of the bet screen 70 (see FIG. 8) when the result turned out to be a draw. If the player wins, a character string “YOU WON” is displayed. Furthermore, a character string “YOU LOST” is displayed if the player loses.
Subsequently, in S114, the CPU 51 determines whether or not a bet-with-a-bonus operation has been performed, based on the bet information transmitted in S104.
Here, also in this determination, it is determined that a bet-with-a-bonus operation has been performed when a bet has been placed using the bet-with-a-bonus button 201.
Then, if it is determined that no bet-with-a-bonus operation has been performed (S114: NO), an ordinary payout is made. Specifically, credits twice as many as the amount of bet are paid to the player if the player defeats the dealer, whereas just the amount of bet is paid in the case of a draw (S115).
If, on the other hand, it is determined that a bet-with-a-bonus operation has been performed (S114: YES), a payout is made with the amount of the award changed from the case of S115. Specifically, credits 1.7 times as many as the amount of bet are paid to the player if the player defeats the dealer, whereas just the amount of bet is paid in the case of a draw (S116). Then the process flow proceeds to the game processing program shown in FIG. 15 described below.
Next, the bet screen 70 displayed on the liquid crystal display 10 of the terminal 4 when executing the bonus game in the card gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described, referring to FIGS. 12 to 14. FIGS. 12 to 14 show the bet screen 70 displayed on the liquid crystal display 10 of the terminal 4 when executing the bonus game. Here, with the card gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the bonus game is executed subsequent to Paigow Poker, face-down images 88 of the seven cards are displayed on the player card display area 71 of the bet screen 70 in an evenly spaced apart manner, as shown in FIG. 12. Simultaneously, a message “PAIGOW BONUS GAME! CHOOSE A CARD YOU LIKE” is displayed on the message area 85 of the bet screen 70.
The player then selects a card he or she likes by touching a face-down image 88 of the card using the touch panel 11 on the bet screen 70 when executing the bonus game. Subsequently, on the bet screen 70 when executing the bonus game, the face-down image 88 of the card touched by the player is changed to a face-up image 87, as shown in FIG. 13 or 14. In this occasion, as shown in FIG. 13, a character string “YOU GOT 500 CREDITS!”, for example, is displayed on the message area 85 of the bet screen 70 if the face-up image 87 is a bonus card having a character string “BONUS” described on its surface. If, on the other hand, the face-up image 87 is a playing card, a character string “YOU LOST!” is displayed on the message area 85 of the bet screen 70, as shown in FIG. 14.
Next, with regard to the bonus game which has been executed subsequent to Paigow Poker, a game processing program executed by the CPU 41 of the main control unit 31 and a game processing program at the terminal side executed by the CPU 51 of the terminal 4, respectively, in the card gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described, referring to FIG. 15. Here, respective programs shown as a flow chart in FIG. 15 are stored in the RAM 42 or the ROM 43 provided in the main control unit 31, or the RAM 52 or the ROM 53 provided in the terminal, and are executed by the CPU 41 or the CPU 51.
First, the game processing program executed by the main control unit 31 will be described, referring to FIG. 15. The main control unit 31 executes the game processing program for the terminal 4 which is determined in S13 of the above-mentioned FIG. 11 that a bet-with-a-bonus operation has been performed thereon (S13: YES). In S21, the CPU 41 executes a lottery processing of the number of credits for the bonus game. In the lottery processing of the number of credits for the bonus game, a number of credits within the range of 100 to 500 is acquired. The lottery may be executed either by hardware or software.
Subsequently, in S22, the CPU 41 executes a bonus game card lottery processing to deal cards to the player for the bonus game. Specifically, assuming that there are N cards (N=53) as a set of the card deck to be used in the bonus game, a number within the range of 1 to N is associated with each of the cards composing the card deck assigned to the terminal 4. Then, in S22, seven numbers within the range of 1 to N is drawn, and the seven cards associated with the drawn numbers temporarily become the cards for the bonus game. Furthermore, in S22, one of the seven cards is drawn, and the drawn card is replaced with one of the bonus cards. Here, a bonus card is a card having a character string “BONUS” described on its face (see FIG. 13).
Subsequently, in S23, the CPU 41 transmits, to the terminal 4, information relating to the seven cards dealt to the player who is playing the bonus game at the terminals 4 (for example, information about the marks such as “7 of heart” or “A of spade”, or information about the “BONUS”), based on the lottery result of card lottery processing for the bonus game of S22.
Next, in S24, the CPU 41 receives information transmitted from the terminal 4 relating to the selection of the card. Then, in S25, the CPU 41 determines the win or loss of bonus game, based on the information received in S24 from the terminal 4 relating to the selection of the card. Specifically, the player wins if the card selected by the player is a bonus card, whereas the player loses if the card selected by the player is a playing card. Then, if the player wins, the number of credits acquired in S21 is awarded to the player at the terminal 4.
Subsequently, in S26, the determination result in S25 of the win or loss for the bonus is transmitted to the terminal 4. If the determination result in S25 of the win or loss for the bonus turns out to be the player's winning, the number of credits acquired in S21 is included in the transmitted data.
In this manner, with regard to the bonus game which has been executed subsequent to Paigow Poker, the game processing program executed by the CPU 41 of the main control unit 31 is terminated.
Next, the game processing program executed by the terminal 4 will be described, referring to FIG. 15. In S121, the CPU 51 receives, from the main control unit 31, the information relating to the seven cards dealt to the terminal 4 (for example, the information about the marks such as “7 of heart” or “A of spade”, or the information about the “BONUS”). Then, in S122, the CPU 51 displays the seven cards on the player card display area 71 of the bet screen 70, based on the card information received in S121. Here, all the cards displayed in S122 are displayed as face-down images 88 so that their marks or the character string “BONUS” can not be identified (see FIG. 12).
Subsequently, in S123, the CPU 51 starts accepting the operation of selecting a card out of the second hand for the player cards displayed on the bet screen 70. Then, in S124, it is determined whether or not a predefined time length (e.g., 15 seconds) has passed since the accepting operation was started in S123. If it is determined that the predefined time length has passed (S124: YES), operation information relating to the selection of a card is transmitted to the main control unit 31 (S1125). If, on the other hand, it is determined that the predefined time length has not passed (S124: NO), the process flow returns to S124 itself.
Next, in S126, the CPU 51 receives the determination result of win or loss for the bonus transmitted from the main control unit 31. Then, in S127, the CPU 51 displays, on the liquid crystal display 10, the determination result of win or loss of the player who is playing at the terminal 4, based on the determination result of win or loss transmitted in S126. Specifically, if the number of credits acquired by the player who won in the bonus game is 500, the card selected by the player, out of the seven cards which have been displayed as face-down images 88 on the player card display area 71 of the bet screen 70, is displayed as a face-up image 87 bearing the character string “BONUS”, and a character string “YOU GOT 500 CREDITS!” is displayed on the message area 85 of the bet screen 70, as shown in FIG. 13. If, on the other hand, the player loses in the bonus game, the card selected by the player, out of the seven cards which have been displayed as face-down images 88 on the player card display area 71 of the bet screen 70, is displayed as a face-up image 87, and a character string “YOU LOST!” is displayed on the message area 85 of the bet screen 70, as shown in FIG. 14.
Then, in S128, the CPU 51 executes a payout processing to add and store, in the RAM 53, the number of credits included as data in the determination result of win or loss transmitted in S126, and provide it to the player.
In this manner, with regard to the bonus game which has been executed subsequent to Paigow Poker, the game processing program executed by the CPU 51 of the terminal 4 is terminated.
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and various kinds of improvement or modification are possible without deviating from the scope of the present invention.
For example, in the present embodiment, the number of credits provided to the player who won in the bonus game may be fixed to 500 credits or the like, instead of the lottery in S21 of FIG. 15.
Additionally, in Paigow Poker with the present embodiment, when the player indicates the amount of bet using the bet-with-a-bonus button 201, the odds for which may be changed (it is fixed at ×1.7 in the above example). Therefore, it may be arranged such that, for example, the main control unit 31 executes a game processing program shown in FIG. 16 at a time point W1 located in the middle between S5 and S6 of the game processing program shown in FIG. 10. In other words, when the bet information is received by S5 of the game processing program shown in FIG. 10, the process flow proceeds to S31 of the game processing program shown in FIG. 16 where the CPU 41 of the main control unit 31 determines whether or not a bet-with-a-bonus operation has been performed. This determination is based on the bet information received from each of the terminals 4, and it is determined that a bet-with-a bonus operation has been performed if a bet operation has been performed using the bet-with-a-bonus button 201. Here, for a terminal 4 which is determined that no bet-for-a-bonus operation has been performed thereon (S31: NO), the process flow returns to the game processing program shown in FIG. 10 and proceeds to S6 without doing anything. On the other hand, for a terminal 4 which is determined that a bet-with-a-bonus operation has been performed thereon (S31: YES), the process flow proceeds to S32.
In S32, the CPU 41 acquires, by lottery, an odds value within the range of ×0.1 to ×1.7. The lottery may be executed either by hardware or software. Subsequently, in S33, the CPU 41 includes the odds value acquired in S32 into the player card information (see S6 of FIG. 10), then the process flow returns to the game processing program shown in FIG. 10 and proceeds to S6.
In this manner, when the main control unit 31 executes the game processing program shown in FIG. 16, the CPU 51 of each of the terminals 4 displays, in S105 of the game processing program shown in FIG. 10, the odds value included in the player card information on the message area 85 of the bet screen 70. For example, if the odds value included in the player card information is ×0.5, a character string “BET WITH BONUS IS INDICATED! YOUR ODDS ARE ×0.5. YOU WILL HAVE A BONUS GAME!” is displayed on the message area 85 of the bet screen 70. Furthermore, when the process flow proceeds to S116 of the game processing program shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 51 of each of the terminals 4 executes payout of an award based on the odds value included in the player card information.
In addition, the present embodiment may be limited such that the bonus game executed subsequent to Paigow Poker is executed only if the player side wins in Paigow Poker.
Therefore, it may be arranged such that, for example, the main control unit 31 executes a game processing program shown in FIG. 17 at a time point W2 located in the middle between S13 of the game processing program shown in FIG. 11 and S21 of the game processing program shown in FIG. 15. In other words, for the terminal 4 which is determined, in S13 of the game processing program shown in FIG. 11, that a bet-with-a-bonus operation has been performed thereon (S13: YES), the process flow proceeds to S41 of FIG. 17 where the CPU 41 determines whether or not the player side has won in Paigow Poker at the terminal 4. The determination is based on the determination result of win or loss in S11 of the game processing program shown in FIG. 11. Here, if it is determined that the player side has won in Paigow Poker of the terminal 4 (S41: YES), the process flow proceeds to S21 of the game processing program shown in FIG. 15, and the CPU 41 executes the bonus game at the terminal 4. If, on the other hand, it is determined that the player side has not won (defeat or draw) in Paigow Poker at the terminal 4 (S41: NO), the main control unit 31 subsequently terminates the game processing program.
Furthermore, it may be arranged such that, for example, each of the terminals 4 executes a game processing program shown in FIG. 18 at a time point W3 located in the middle between S116 of the game processing program shown in FIG. 11 and S121 of the game processing program shown in FIG. 15. In other words, for the terminal 4 which is determined, in S114 of the game processing program shown in FIG. 11, that a bet-with-a-bonus operation has been performed thereon (S114: YES), the process flow proceeds to S131 of FIG. 18 via the reduced payout processing of S116, where the CPU 51 determines whether or not the player side has won in Paigow Poker at the terminal 4. The determination is based on the determination result of win or loss received in S112 of the game processing program shown in FIG. 11. Here, if it is determined that the player side has won in Paigow Poker of the terminal 4 (S131: YES), the process flow proceeds to S121 of the game processing program shown in FIG. 15, and the CPU 41 executes the bonus game. If, on the other hand, it is determined that the player side has not won (defeat or draw) in Paigow Poker at the terminal 4 (S131: NO), the game processing program executed by the terminal 4 is subsequently terminated.
In this manner, if the main control unit 31 executes the game processing program shown in FIG. 17 and if each of the terminals 4 executes the game processing program shown in FIG. 18, the bonus game executed subsequent to Paigow Poker is executed only on the terminal 4 at which the player side won in Paigow Poker.
Additionally, with the present embodiment, the card gaming machine 1 which executes Paigow Poker and the bonus game may be a gaming machine on which the above-mentioned control unit 31 and the terminal 4 are integrated. In this case, the dealer cards which are the hand cards dealt to the dealer must also be displayed on the liquid crystal display 10 together with the player cards which are hand cards dealt to the player. FIG. 20 shows an exemplary the bet screen 70 on which the dealer cards and the player cards are simultaneously displayed. In this case, a dealer card display area 202, in which face-up images or face-down images of the dealer cards are displayed on the upper part of the player card display area 71, is reserved in the bet screen 70 described above. Here, in FIG. 20, face-down images 203 of the dealer cards which are dealt to the dealer are displayed in the dealer card display area 202.
In addition, the playing method of the card game according to the present invention can also be applied to Paigow Poker (so-called table game) played by the dealer 302 and the player (not shown) on a gaming table 301, as shown in FIG. 21.
In the table game shown in FIG. 21, the dealer 302 prepares a card deck when playing Paigow Poker and deals cards to the dealer and each player on the gaming table 301. The player places a bet by putting chips on a bet spot 303 of the gaming table 301. In this occasion, if chips are further put on a particular spot 304 adjacent to the bet spot 303, the dealer 302 determines that a bet-with-a-bonus operation has been performed. However, the dealer 302 may also determine that a bet-with-a-bonus operation has been performed if special chips are put on the bet spot 303.
In addition, the dealer 302 takes, from the card deck, seven cards with their faces down when playing the bonus game, then replaces one of the taken seven cards with a bonus card, and subsequently, shuffles the seven cards and deals them on the gaming table 301 with their faces down.
Here, the actual game playing method is similar to that of the card gaming machine 1 except that the dealer 302 or the player performs dealing or dividing of the cards directly.
In addition, the playing method of the card game according to the present invention can also be applied to a bank play.
As described above, with the card gaming machine 1 and playing method of the card game according to the present embodiment, there are an ordinary bet operation using only the bet button 75 without using the bet-with-a-bonus button 201, and a bet-with-a-bonus operation using both the bet-with-a-bonus button 201 and the bet button 75, as the bet operation of Paigow Poker. In this regard, FIG. 19 is a table showing the difference between the ordinary bet operation and the bet-with-a-bonus operation.
If an ordinary bet operation is performed in Paigow Poker, the odds value is fixed to ×2.0 and no bonus game will be executed subsequent to Paigow Poker, as shown in FIG. 19.
If, on the other hand, a bet-with-a-bonus operation is performed in Paigow Poker, the odds value is fixed to ×1.7 or varied within the range of ×0.1 to ×1.7. Furthermore, a bonus game is executed subsequent to Paigow Poker, and a variable number of 100 to 500 credits or a fixed number of 500 credits will be awarded as a bonus payout to the winner of the bonus game. Here, an additional condition such that the player has to win in Paigow Poker may be posed in order to execute the bonus game subsequent to Paigow Poker.

Claims

1. A gaming machine comprising:

an operation unit for allowing a player to indicate the number of bets;

a memory for storing the number of credits held by the player; and

a processor programmed to execute a main game using a predefined odds by executing processes of:

when the player performs an operation of indicating a predefined number of bets on the operation unit,

(a) changing the odds to a lower value than the predefined odds and executing the main game;

(b) randomly determining whether or not to award a bonus to the player separately from the main game; and

(c) if it is determined to award the bonus to the player, adding the number of credits according to the bonus to the number of credits in the memory and storing the sum.

2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein

the processor is programmed to randomly determine whether or not to award the bonus to the player by executing processes of:

(a) executing a bonus game subsequent to the main game; and

(b) determining whether or not to award the bonus to the player based on an outcome of the bonus game.

3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein

the processor is programmed to add the number of credits according to the bonus to the number of credits in the memory and store the sum, by executing processes of:

(a) executing a first lottery after it is determined to award the bonus to the player; and

(b) adding the number of credits calculated based on a result of the first lottery to the number of credits in the memory, and storing the sum.

4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein

the operation unit allows a player to indicate the number of bets of one of a first type and a second type, and the processor programmed to execute a main game using a predefined odds when the player performs an operation on the operation unit to indicate the number of bets of the first type, and execute, when the player performs an operation on the operation unit to indicate the number of bets of the second type, processes of:

5. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein

the processor is programmed to change the odds to a lower value than the predefined odds and execute the main game by executing processes of:

(a) executing a second lottery, upon the player's performing the operation of indicating the number of bets of the second type on the operation unit; and

(b) changing the odds to the odds calculated based on a result of the second lottery and executing the main game.

6. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein

the operation unit for allows a player to indicate the number of bets of one of a first type and a second type, and the processor programmed to execute a main game using a predefined odds when the player performs an operation on the operation unit to indicate the number of bets of the first type, and execute, when the player performs an operation on the operation unit to indicate the number of bets of the second type, processes of:

(b) if it is determined that the player wins for the number of bets of the second type, based on an outcome of the main game, randomly determining whether or not to award a bonus to the player; and

7. A gaming machine comprising:

a display device for displaying cards which are dealt in a main game;

an input unit for allowing a player to enter instructions related to a progress of the main game;

an operation unit for allowing the player to indicate the number of bets of one of a first type and a second type for a win of the player's side in the main game;

a memory for storing the number of credits held by the player; and

a processor programmed to execute the main game by executing processes of:

when the number of bets of the first type is indicated by an operation on the operation unit,

(a) displaying, upon completion of the player's performing the operation of indicating the number of bets using the operation unit, seven cards which have been dealt as player cards and seven cards which have been dealt as dealer cards on the display device;

(b) displaying the player cards which have been displayed on the display device, in an arrangement of a high-hand consists of five cards and a second-hand consists of two cards on the display device, according to a predefined rule, based on the player's instructions using the input unit;

(c) displaying the dealer cards which have been displayed on the display device, in an arrangement of a high-hand consists of five cards and a second-hand consists of two cards on the display device, according to the predefined rule;

(d) determining whether or not the player side wins, based on each win-or-loss between the high-hands and between the second-hands displayed on the display device, and

(e) if it is determined to award the bonus to the player, adding the number of credits calculated using a predefined odds to the number of credits in the memory and storing the sum, when, otherwise, the number of bets of the second type is indicated by an operation on the operation unit,

(f) changing the odds to a lower value than the predefined odds and executing the main game;

(g) if it is determined that the player wins, randomly determining whether or not to award a bonus to the player; and

(h) if it is determined to award the bonus to the player, adding the number of credits according to the bonus to the number of credits in the memory and storing the sum.

8. The gaming machine according to claim 7, wherein

(a) displaying, in a face-down manner on the display device, seven cards including a bonus card and having an identical back side pattern;

(b) changing display of, in a face-up manner, one of the seven cards displayed with their faces down, based on the player's instruction using the input unit; and

(c) if the card display-changed with its face up on the display device is the bonus card, determining to award the bonus to the player.

9. The gaming machine according to claim 7, wherein

(a) separately from the main game, determining to award the bonus to the player.

10. A game playing method which executes a main game using a predefined odds, comprising the steps of: when the player indicates a predefined number of bets,

(c) if it is determined to award the bonus to the player, adding the number of credits according to the bonus to the number of credits held by the player.

11. The game playing method according to claim 10 comprising the steps of: so as to randomly determine whether or not to award the bonus to the player,

(a) executing a bonus game subsequent to the main game; and

12. The game playing method according to claim 10 comprising the steps of: so as to add the number of credits according to the bonus to the number of credits held by the player,

(b) adding the number of credits calculated based on a result of the first lottery to the number of credits held by the player.

13. The game playing method according to claim 10 executing a main game using a predefined odds when a player indicates the number of bets of a first type, and comprising the steps of: when the player indicates the number of bets of a second type,

14. The game playing method according to claim 13 comprising the steps of: so as to change the odds to a lower value than the predefined odds and execute the main game,

(a) executing a second lottery, upon the player's indicating the number of bets of the second type; and

15. The game playing method according to claim 10 executing a main game using a predefined odds when a player indicates the number of bets of a first type, and comprising the steps of: when the player indicates the number of bets of a second type,

16. A game playing method comprising, so as to make a main game proceed, the steps of: when a player indicates the number of bets of a first type for a win of the player side in the main game,

(a) dealing, upon completion of the player's indicating the number of bets, seven cards as player cards as well as dealing seven cards as dealer cards;

(b) arranging the player cards and the dealer cards into a high-hand consists of five cards and a second-hand consists of two cards, respectively, according to a predefined rule;

(c) determining whether or not the player side wins based on each win-or-loss between the high-hands and between the second-hands;

(d) if the player side wins, adding the number of credits calculated using a predefined odds to the number of credits held by the player, and

when, otherwise, the player indicates the number of bets of the second type for the win of the player side in the main game,

(e) changing the odds to a lower value than the predefined odds and executing the main game;

(f) if the player side wins, randomly determining whether or not to award a bonus to the player; and

(g) if it is determined to award the bonus to the player, adding the number of credits according to the bonus to the number of credits held by the player.

17. A game playing method according to claim 16 comprising the steps of: so as to randomly determine whether or not to award the bonus to the player,

(a) dealing, in a face-down manner, seven cards including a bonus card and having an identical back side pattern;

(b) placing, in a face-up manner, one of the seven cards dealt with their faces down; and

(c) if the card placed with its face up is the bonus card, determining to award the bonus to the player.

18. The game playing method according to claim 16 comprising the steps of: so as to randomly determine whether or not to award the bonus to the player,