US20080217852A1

US20080217852A1 - Gaming Method And Gaming Machine Accepting Side Bet

Info

Publication number: US20080217852A1
Application number: US11/877,389
Authority: US
Inventors: Kazuo Okada
Original assignee: Aruze Gaming America Inc
Current assignee: Aruze Gaming America Inc
Priority date: 2007-03-08
Filing date: 2007-10-23
Publication date: 2008-09-11
Also published as: JP2008220939A; AU2008200891A1; ZA200802039B

Abstract

A playing method of a card game comprising the steps of: (a) dealing a predetermined number of cards to a player as player's cards and dealing a predetermined number of cards to a banker as banker's cards; (b) placing a side BET different from a normal BET; (c) dividing the predetermined number of the player's cards and the predetermined number of the banker's cards into two sets of cards respectively; (d) determining winning or losing of a game by comparing hands of the player's cards divided into two sets with hands of the banker's cards divided into two sets; (e) selecting cards out of the predetermined number of the player's cards, when determining that the game results in a tie or a loss of the player in the step (d) and the side BET is placed in the step (b); and (f) offering a payout based on a hand of the player's cards selected in the step (d) and the inputted side BET.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/905,581 filed on Mar. 8, 2007. The contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gaming method and a gaming machine accepting side BETs.
2. Discussion of the Background
Conventionally, there have been gaming machines capable of accepting side BETs different from normal BETs. For example, in blackjack, when an upcard is an “A” card out of dealer's two cards, a player can place a side BET called insurance, in addition to a normal BET. In a case of placing insurance, the player adds the wager by half of an initial wager. When the dealer's hand is “Natural 21”, the amount twice the value of the side BET (insurance) is paid out. Further, for example, in Caribbean stud porker, a side BET is cumulatively accumulated as a progressive jackpot. When a player places a side BET in addition to an ante (a normal BET), he or she can acquire a part of or the entire progressive jackpot, according to the established hand. A game capable of accepting side BETs of this kind is disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,801, U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,525 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,874,786.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming method and a gaming machine capable of accepting side BETs, thus exhibiting new entertainment.
The contents of U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,801, U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,525 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,874,786 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a playing method of a card game having the following structure.
Namely, the above mentioned playing method of a card game comprising the steps of: (a) dealing a predetermined number of cards to a player as player's cards and dealing a predetermined number of cards to a banker as banker's cards; (b) placing a side BET different from a normal BET; (c) dividing the predetermined number of the player's cards and the predetermined number of the banker's cards into two sets of cards respectively; (d) determining winning or losing of a game by comparing hands of the player's cards divided into two sets with hands of the banker's cards divided into two sets; (e) selecting cards out of the predetermined number of the player's cards, when determining that the game results in a tie or a loss of the player in the step (d) and the side BET is placed in the step (b); and (f) offering a payout based on a hand of the player's cards selected in the step (e) and the inputted side BET.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a playing method of a card game having the following structure.
Namely, the above mentioned playing method of a card game comprising the steps of: (a) dealing a predetermined number of cards to a player as player's cards and dealing a predetermined number of cards to a banker as banker's cards; (b) placing a normal BET; (c) placing a side BET different from the normal BET; (d) dividing the predetermined number of the player's cards into cards for a first game and cards for a second game different from the first game in type; (e) dividing the predetermined number of the banker's cards into cards for the first game and cards for the second game; (f) determining a result of the first game by comparing the hand of the player's cards for the first game with the hand of the banker's cards for the first game; (g) determining the result of the second game by comparing the hand of the player's cards for the second game with the hand of the banker's cards for the second game; (h) offering a payout based on the normal BET and the result of the games, when both the first game and the second game result in winning of the player; (i) restoring the cards divided in the step (d) to the predetermined number of the player's cards, when at least a single game, out of the first game and the second game, results in a tie or a loss of the player; (j) selecting cards for a third game out of the player's cards acquired in the step (i); and (k) offering a payout for the third game, based on the hand of the player's cards for the third game acquired in the step (j) and the inputted side BET.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a playing method of a card game having the following structure.
Namely, the above mentioned playing method of a card game comprising the steps of: (a) dealing a first predetermined number of cards to a player as player's cards and dealing a first predetermined number of cards to a banker as banker's cards; (b) placing a normal BET; (c) placing a side BET different from the normal BET; (d) dividing the first predetermined number of the player's cards into a second predetermined number of player's cards and a third predetermined number of player's cards; (e) dividing the first predetermined number of the banker's cards into a second predetermined number of banker's cards and a third predetermined number of banker's cards; (f) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's cards with the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards; (g) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the third predetermined number of the player's cards with the hand of the third predetermined number of the banker's cards; (h) offering a payout based on the inputted normal BET and the result of the determination, when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of the player's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of the banker's cards; (i) combining the second predetermined number of the player's cards and the third predetermined number of the player's cards together as a first predetermined number of player's special cards, when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of the banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of the player's cards, when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of the player's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of the banker's cards, or when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of player's cards; (j) selecting the second predetermined number of the player's special cards out of the first predetermined number of the player's special cards; and (k) offering a payout based on a hand of second predetermined number of the player's special cards and the inputted side BET.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine having the following structures.
Namely, the above mentioned gaming machine is a gaming machine comprising: a display capable of displaying a plurality of cards; an input device; and a controller. The controller is programmed to conduct the processing of: (a) displaying a predetermined number of player's cards and a predetermined number of banker's cards to the display; (b) accepting a side BET different from a normal BET from the input device; (c) dividing the predetermined number of the player's cards and the predetermined number of the banker's cards into two sets of cards respectively, based on an input from the input device; (d) determining winning or losing of the game by comparing hands of the player's cards divided into two sets and hands of the banker's cards divided into two sets; (e) selecting cards out of the predetermined number of the player's cards, based on the input from the input device, when determining that the game results in a tie or a loss of the player in the processing (d) and the side BET is placed in the processing (b); and (f) offering a payout based on the hand of the player's cards selected in the processing (e) and the inputted the side BET.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine having the following structures.
Namely, the above mentioned gaming machine is a gaming machine comprising: a display capable of displaying a plurality of cards; an input device; and a controller. The controller is programmed to conduct the processing of: (a) displaying a predetermined number of player's cards and a predetermined number of banker's cards to the display; (b) accepting an input of a normal BET from the input device; (c) accepting an input of a side BET different from the normal BET, from the input device; (d) dividing the predetermined number of the player's cards into cards for a first game and cards for a second game different from the first game in type, based on an input from the input device; (e) dividing the predetermined number of the banker's cards into cards for the first game and cards for the second game; (f) determining the result of the first game by comparing the hand of the player's cards for the first game with the hand of the banker's cards for the first game; (g) determining the result of the second game by comparing the hand of the player's cards for the second game with the hand of the banker's cards for the second game; (h) offering a payout based on the inputted normal BET and the result of the games, when both the first game and the second game result in winning of the player; (i) restoring the cards divided in the processing (d) to the predetermined number of the player's cards, when at least a single game, out of the first game and the second game, results in a tie or a loss of the player; (j) selecting cards for a third game out of the player's cards acquired in the processing (i), based on the input from the input device; (k) offering a payout for the third game based on the hand of the player's cards for the third game acquired in the processing (j) and the inputted side BET.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine having the following structures.
Namely, the above mentioned gaming machine is a gaming machine comprising: a display capable of displaying a plurality of cards; a normal BET switch for inputting a normal BET; a side BET switch for inputting a side BET different from the normal BET; an input switch for inputting a command for dividing cards into two sets; and a controller. The controller is programmed to conduct the processing of: (a) displaying a first predetermined number of player's cards and a first predetermined number of banker's cards to the display; (b) accepting an input of a normal BET from the normal BET switch; (c) accepting an input of a side BET from the side BET switch; (d) dividing the first predetermined number of the player's cards into a second predetermined number of player's cards and a third predetermined number of player's cards, based on an input from the input switch; (e) dividing the first predetermined number of the banker's cards into a second predetermined number of banker's cards and a third predetermined number of banker's cards; (f) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's cards with the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards; (g) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the third predetermined number of the player's cards with the hand of the third predetermined number of the banker's cards; (h) offering a payout based on the inputted normal BET and the result of the determination, when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of the player's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of the banker's cards; (i) combining the second predetermined number of the player's cards and the third predetermined number of the player's cards together as a first predetermined number of player's special cards, when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of the banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of the player's cards, when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of the player's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of the banker's cards, or when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of the banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's cards and that the hand of the third predetermine number of the banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of the player's cards; (j) selecting a second predetermined number of the player's special cards out of the first predetermined number of the player's special cards, based on the input from the input device; and (k) offering a payout based on the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's special cards and the inputted side BET.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a flow chart illustrating main-control-portion-side processing conducted in a main control portion included in a gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is another flow chart illustrating main-control-portion-side processing conducted in the main control portion included in the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the external structure of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the external structure of a station included in the gaming machine illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an exemplary image which is displayed to a front display included in the gaming machine.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an exemplary image which is displayed to a liquid crystal display included in a station.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of the gaming machine illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of a station included in the gaming machine illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8A is a flow chart illustrating a subroutine of station-side processing conducted in a station according to a present embodiment.

FIG. 8B is another flow chart illustrating a subroutine of station-side processing conducted in the station according to the present embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

There will be described an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.
In the following embodiment, there will be described a case where Pai-Gow poker is played. First, the rule of Pai-Gow poker will be described.
In Pai-Gow porker, a banker and a single player or a plurality of players play a game against each other, using a single set of playing cards (53 cards) including a single joker.
At first, 7 cards are dealt to each of the banker and the players. The banker and the players divide their dealt seven cards into a set of five cards and a set of two cards. At this time, the hand of five cards (a high hand) must be as strong as the hand of two cards (a low hand) or stronger than the hand of two cards. Next, by comparing the banker's hand of five cards with the player's hand of five cards, which of them is stronger than the other is determined. Similarly, by comparing the banker's hand of two cards and the player's hand of two cards, which of them is stronger than the other is determined. When both the banker's hands of five cards and two cards are stronger than those of the player's, the game results in winning of the banker. When both the player's hands of five cards and two cards are stronger than those of the banker's, the game results in winning of the player. When one player's hand, out of the hands of five cards and two cards, is stronger than the banker's corresponding hand and the other banker's hands is stronger than the player's corresponding hand, the game is tied. Also, when both the player's hands of five cards and two cards are as strong as the banker's hands, the game results in winning of the banker. Further, as hands of five cards, there are Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two pair, One pair and No Pair, in the order of strength. As hands of two cards, there are One Pair and No Pair, in the order of strength.
In the following embodiment, Pai-Gow porker is played, wherein, a normal BET and a side BET are accepted. Here, a normal BET is a BET placed on the winning or losing of Pai-Gow porker, while a side BET is a BET placed on a game which is played in the event that a game of Pai-Gow porker results in a tie or a loss of the player. When a game of Pai-Gow porker results in a tie or a loss of the player, the player's cards are divided into five cards and two cards again on condition that the side BET is placed. When a predetermined hand is formed by the player's hand of five cards, a payout corresponding to the hand strength is offered. Further, in the following embodiment, there will be described a case where a dealer serves as a banker.
FIGS. 1A and 1B are flow charts illustrating main-control-portion-side processing conducted in a main control portion included in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
First, there will be described processing conducted in the main control portion 40 (see FIG. 6) included in the gaming machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
First, in step S101 in FIG. 1A, a CPU 41 included in the main control portion 40 receives a start signal from any of the stations 3. The start signal is a signal which makes a game of Pai-Gow poker start progressing in the gaming machine 1.
Next, in step S102, the CPU 41 receives BET information from the station 3 (see FIG. 2). The BET information relates to BETs and includes information about whether or not a normal BET and a side BET are placed and the values of the normal BET and the side BET.
Next, in step S103, the CPU 41 determines seven cards to be dealt to each of the player and the banker, out of a single set of playing cards, using random numbers. The seven cards determined to be dealt to the player in step S103 corresponds to a first predetermined number of player's cards according to the present invention, while the seven cards determined to be dealt to the banker corresponds to a first predetermined number of banker's cards according to the present invention. Further, card images indicative of the seven banker's cards are displayed facing down to a front display 21 (see FIG. 2) included in the gaming machine 1.
Next, in step S104, the CPU 41 transmits to-be-dealt cards information to the station 3. The to-be-dealt cards information includes information indicative of the types of the cards determined to be dealt to the player and the banker (ranks and suits [heart, club, spade, diamond]). The station 3 displays card images indicative of the seven player's cards to a liquid crystal display 10, based on the received to-be-dealt cards information, and accepts an input for dividing the cards into a set of five cards (a high hand) and a set of two cards (a low hand). The five player's cards, out of the players cards divided into two sets by the division command inputted by the player, correspond to a second predetermined number of player's cards according to the present invention, while the two player's cards correspond to a third predetermined number of player's cards according to the present invention.
Next, in step S105, the CPU 41 receives selection information from the station 3. The selection information is information indicating which cards are selected as the high hand and which cards are selected as the low hand.
Next, in step S106, the CPU 41 conducts processing for dividing the cards dealt to the banker into a high hand and a low hand. The high hand (five banker's cards) acquired in the processing in step S106 corresponds to a second predetermined number of banker's cards according to the present invention, while the low hand (two banker's cards) corresponds to a third predetermined number of banker's cards according to the present invention.
Next, in step S107, the CPU 41 displays card images indicative of the high hand and the low hand determined in step S106 with their faces up, to the front display 21.
Next, in step S108, the CPU 41 conducts processing for determining winning or losing of the game, based on the selection information received in step S105 and the high hand and the low hand determined in step S106. More specifically, the CPU 41 determines winning or losing of the game based on the results of determination, in which the CPU 41 determines which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the player's high hand with the banker's high hand and the player's low hand with the banker's low hand. More specifically, when the player's high hand is stronger than the banker's high hand and the player's low hand is stronger than the banker's low hand, the player wins, and when the banker's high hand is stronger than the player's high hand and the banker's low hand is stronger than the player's low hand, the banker wins. When one player's hand, out of the high hand and the low hand is stronger than the banker's corresponding hand and the other banker's hand is stronger than the player's corresponding hand, the game is tied. Determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the player's high hand with the banker's high hand corresponds to a first game according to the present invention, while determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the player's low hand with the banker's low hand corresponds to a second game according to the present invention.
Next, in step S109, the CPU 41 transmits information indicative of the winning or losing of the game determined in step S108 (hereinafter, also referred to as winning/losing information) to the station 3. The station 3, on receiving the winning/losing information, displays a single image describing any one of “you win”, “you lose” and “tie” to the liquid crystal display 10, based on the winning/losing information.
Next, in step S110, the CPU 41 transmits normal BET payout information to the station 3. The normal BET payout information is information indicative of the value of a credit (currency value) to be paid out for a normal BET. More specifically, when the player wins, the CPU 41 transmits information indicative of a credit value which is twice the value of the normal BET, and in the event of a tie, the CPU 41 transmits information indicative of the same credit value as the value of the normal BET. Also, when the banker wins, the CPU 41 transmits information indicating that the value of a credit to be offered is 0.
Next, in step S111 in FIG. 1B, the CPU 41 determines whether or not a signal indicating that the game of Pai-Gow poker results in a tie or a loss of the player and a side BET is placed (hereinafter, also referred to as a side BET signal) is received from the station 3. When the CPU 41 determines that no side BET signal is received, the present main-control-portion-side processing ends.
On the other hand, when the CPU 41 determines that a side BET signal is received, the CPU 41 receives, in step S112, selection information from the station 3 after the re-division of the cards.
Next, in step S113, the CPU 41 determines whether or not any one of predetermined hands is formed by five cards selected by the player, based on the selection information received in step S112. Here, the predetermined hands refer to Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a kind, Full House, Flush, and Straight, out of the above mentioned hands of five cards. When determining that any of the predetermined hands is not formed, the CPU 41 ends the present subroutine. On the other hand, when determining that one of the predetermined hands is formed, the CPU 41 shifts the processing to step S114.
In step S114, the CPU 41 transmits side BET payout information to the station 3. The side BET payout information is information indicative of the value of a credit (the currency value) to be paid out for the side BET. More specifically, the CPU 41 transmits information indicative of a credit value resulting from multiplying the value of the side BET by a predetermined rate corresponding to the hand strength, as side BET payout information.
After the execution of the processing in step S114, the present main-control-portion-side processing ends.
Next, there will be described the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the external structure of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the gaming machine 1 is basically comprised of a main monitor 2 and five stations 3 (stations 3 a to 3 e). Further, while, in the present embodiment, there will be described a case where the gaming machine 1 comprises a plurality of (five) stations 3, the number of stations included in a gaming machine may be one, in the present invention.
At the center portion of the main monitor 2, there is provided a front display 21 for displaying images indicating a dealer and cards. The front display 21 corresponds to a display according to the present invention. Further, on the upper side of the main monitor 2, there are provided a plurality of speakers 22 for outputting music and an effect sound along with the progression of a game executed in the gaming machine 1 and a plurality of LEDs 23 which are lighted during various types of effects.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the external structure of a station included in the gaming machine illustrated in FIG. 2.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, at the center of the upper surface of the station 3, there is provided a liquid crystal display 10 for displaying an image relating to an operation (see FIG. 5) and the like as will be described later. The liquid crystal display 10 corresponds to a display according to the present invention. Further, on the upper surface of the liquid crystal display 10, there is provided a touch panel 11 for inputting an operation for a BET and the like. The touch panel 11 corresponds to a normal BET switch, a side BET switch and an input switch according to the present invention.
In front of the liquid crystal display 10, there are provided a plurality of operation buttons 12 for performing a payout operation, and a coin insertion slot 13 for inserting a coin or a medal thereto.
At the right end of the upper portion of the front surface of the station 3, there is provided a bill insertion slot 14 for inserting a bill thereto. Below the bill insertion slot 14, there is provided a coin payout exit 15 for paying out the number of coins or medals corresponding to the accumulated credit to the player, when a payout operation is performed.
FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an exemplary image which is displayed to the front display included in a gaming machine.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the front display 21 displays a dealer image 30 indicating a dealer (banker), a table image 31 indicating a table, and card images 32 indicating seven banker's cards. The card images 32 are displayed facing down, when cards are dealt to the dealer. When the high hand and the low hand are determined, the card images 32 are displayed facing up. The five cards on the observer's left side in FIG. 4 indicate the high hand, while the two cards on the right side indicate the low hand.
FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an exemplary image which is displayed to a liquid crystal display included in a station.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, at an upper portion of the liquid crystal display 10, there are provided a high-hand display portion 80 for displaying the player's high hand and a low-hand display portion 81 for displaying the player's low hand. To the high-hand display portion 80 and the low-hand display portion 81, there are displayed card images 82 indicating the cards of the high hand and card images 82 indicating the cards of the low hand, respectively, with their faces up. Under the high-hand display portion 80, there is provided a dealt-card display portion 83. To the seven dotted boxes in the dealt-card display portion 83, card images indicating the seven player's cards dealt to the player are displayed with their faces up. On the right side of the dealt-card display portion 83, there are provided a high-hand determination button 84 and a low-hand determination button 85 for determining the cards constituting the high hand and the low hand. The player can determine a high hand by selecting cards that he or she desires to have in his or her high hand out of the cards displayed to the dealt-card display portion 83 through the touch panel 11 and operating the high-hand determination button 84 through the touch panel 11. The cards determined to be included in the high hand are displayed to the high-hand display portion 80. Similarly, the player can determine a low hand by selecting cards that he or she desires to have in his or her low hand out of the cards displayed to the dealt-card display portion 83 through the touch panel 11 and operating the low-hand determination button 85 through the touch panel 11.
Under the dealt-card display portion 83, there is provided a BET button display portion 86. To the BET button display portion 86, there are displayed BET buttons 87 for inputting the number of BETs. The player can input the number of normal BETs and the number of side BETs by operating the BET buttons 87 through the touch panel 11.
At the right side of the BET button display portion 86, there is provided a number-of-normal-BETs display portion 88 for displaying the number of coins being betted as a normal BET. FIG. 5 illustrates that 28 coins are betted. Further, in order to input a BET of 28 coins, the player can operate a “10” BET button 87 twice, “5” BET button 87 once and a “1” BET button 87 three times.
At the right side of the number-of-normal-BETs display portion 88, there is provided a number-of-side-BETs display portion 89 for displaying the number of coins betted as a side BET. FIG. 5 illustrates that 10 coins are betted.
At the right side of the number-of-side-BETs display portion 89, there is provided the number-of-credits display portion 90. FIG. 5 illustrates that 500 coins are being credited.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of the gaming machine illustrated in FIG. 2.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the main control portion 40 provided in the gaming machine 1 comprises a microcomputer 45 as the core, which basically includes a CPU 41, a RAM 42, a ROM 43, a timer 95 and a bus 44 for transferring data mutually among these devices. The main control portion 40 corresponds to a controller according to the present invention.
The ROM 43 stores various types of programs for conducting processing necessary for controlling the gaming machine 1, a data table and the like. The RAM 42 is a memory for temporarily storing various types of data calculated in the CPU 41. Further, the timer 95 conducts time measurement.
Further, the CPU 41 is connected to an image processing circuit 47, a sound circuit 48, an LED driving circuit 49 and a communication interface 50 through an I/O interface 46.
The front display 21 included in the main monitor 2 is connected to the image processing circuit 47. The plurality of speakers 22 included in the main monitor 2 are connected to the sound circuit 48. The LEDs 23 included in the main monitor 2 are connected to the LED driving circuit 49. The five stations 3 are connected to the communication interface 50.
The CPU 41 progresses a game (Pai-Gow poker and the third game) which is executed in the gaming machine 1, based on game programs (including a game program for Pai-Gow porker and a program for the third game) stored in the ROM 43 and various types of signals received from the stations 3. The game program of Pai-Gow porker includes programs for the first game and the second game. Further, the CPU 41 displays an image to the front display 21, outputs sound from the plurality of speakers 22 and lights the LEDs 23, based on the above-mentioned game programs. Further, the CPU 41 transmits various types of signals to the respective stations 3, based on the above-mentioned game programs.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of a station included in the gaming machine illustrated in FIG. 2.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, the station 3 includes, as the core, a microcomputer 55 which is basically comprised of a CPU 51, a RAM 52, a ROM 53 and a bus 54 for transferring data mutually among these devices.
The ROM 53 stores various types of programs for conducting processing necessary for controlling the station 3, data tables and the like. Further, the RAM 52 temporarily stores the number of credits currently accumulated in the station 3 and various types of data calculated in the CPU 51.
Further, the CPU 51 is connected to a liquid crystal panel driving circuit 57, a touch panel driving circuit 58, a hopper driving circuit 59, a payout completion signal circuit 60, an inserted-coin detecting signal circuit 67, a bill detecting signal circuit 64, an operation signal circuit 66 and a communication interface 61, through an I/O interface 56.
A liquid crystal display 10 is connected to the liquid crystal panel driving circuit 57. A touch panel 11 is connected to the touch panel driving circuit 58. A hopper 62 is connected to the hopper driving circuit 59. A coin detecting portion 63 is connected to the payout completion signal circuit 60. An inserted-coin detecting portion 68 is connected to the inserted-coin detecting signal circuit 67. A bill detecting portion 65 is connected to the bill detecting signal circuit 64. An operation button 12 is connected to the operation signal circuit 66.
The hopper 62 is provided inside the station 3 and pays out a coin through the coin payout exit 15 based on a control signal outputted from the CPU 51.
The coin detecting portion 63 is provided inside the coin payout exit 15 and transmits a signal to the CPU 51 on detecting a predetermined number of coins being paid out through the coin payout exit 15.
The inserted-coin detecting portion 68, on detecting a coin being inserted from the coin insertion slot 13, detects the value of the coin and transmits a detecting signal indicative of the detected value to the CPU 51. The detected value of the coin is counted regarding a predetermined value defined as 1 credit and is stored in the RAM 52.
The bill detecting portion 65, on accepting a bill, detects the value of the bill and transmits a detecting signal indicative of the detected value to the CPU 51. The detected value of the bill is counted regarding a predetermined value defined as 1 credit and is stored in the RAM 52.
The operation button 12 is a button for performing payout operations, when payout of the coin is determined.
Next, there will be described processing conducted in the main control portion 40 and the station 3. The processing in the main control portion 40 has been already described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B. Therefore, only the processing conducted in the station 3 will be described.
FIGS. 8A and 8B are flow charts illustrating the station-side processing which is conducted in a station according to the present embodiment.
First, in step S201 in FIG. 8A, the CPU 51 included in the station 3 transmits a start signal to the main control portion 40, on receiving a signal from the touch panel 11, indicative of the detection of a contact, or a signal from the inserted-coin detecting portion 68, indicative of the detection of the coin insertion. Thus, the main control portion 40 progresses the processing illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B.
Next, in step S202, the CPU 51 accepts inputs of a normal BET and a side BET. This enables the player to input a normal BET and a side BET through the touch panel 11 included in the station 3. On receiving a signal indicating that a side BET is inputted, CPU 51 sets a side BET flag. The side BET flag is a flag which is set in the event that a side BET is inputted.
Next, in step S203, the CPU 51 transmits BET information on the inputted BET to the main control portion 40. The main control portion 40, on receiving the BET information, determines cards to be dealt to the player and the banker (see step S103 in FIG. 1A).
Next, in step S204, the CPU 51 receives to-be-dealt cards information indicative of the cards to be dealt to the player, from the main control portion 40.
Next, in step S205, the CPU 51 displays card images indicative of the seven player's cards to the dealt-card display portion 83 in the liquid crystal display 10, based on the to-be-dealt cards information received in step S204.
Next, in step S206, the CPU 51 accepts inputs of selections of a high hand and a low hand. This enables the player to determine a high hand and a low hand in the dealt cards by operating the high-hand determination button 84 and the low-hand determination button 85 through the touch panel 11.
Next, in step S207, the CPU 51 transmits selection information based on the selection of the high hand and the low hand to the main control portion 40. The main control portion 40, on receiving the selection information, conducts processing for determining a high hand and a low hand of the banker's cards and determining the winning or losing of the game (see step S108 in FIG. 1A).
Next, in step S208, the CPU 51 receives winning/losing information from the main control portion 40.
Subsequently, the CPU 51 displays an image indicating any one of “you win”, “you lose” and “tie” to the dealt-card display portion 83 in the liquid crystal display 10, for a predetermined time period (10 seconds, in the present embodiment), based on the received winning/losing information.
Next, in step S209, the CPU 51 receives normal BET payout information from the main control portion 40. On receiving the normal BET payout information, the CPU 51 stores, in the RAM 52, credit data based on the normal BET payout information.
Next, in step S210, the CPU 51 pays out a credit based on the normal BET payout information received in step S209. The processing for paying out a credit based on the normal BET payout information from the main control portion 40 corresponds to processing for offering a payout based on a normal BET and the result of determination, according to the present invention.
Next, in step S211 in FIG. 8B, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the game of Pai-Gow poker results in a tie or a loss of the player, based on the winning/losing information received in step S208. When determining that the game of Pai-Gow poker results in neither a tie nor a loss of the player, the CPU 51 ends the present subroutine.
On the other hand, when determining that the game of Pai-Gow poker results in a tie or a loss of the player, the CPU 51 determines, in step S212, whether or not the side BET has been inputted during the BET reception in step S202. More specifically, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the side BET flag is set. When the CPU 51 determines that a side BET is not inputted, the present subroutine ends.
On the other hand, when determining that the side BET is inputted, the CPU 51 transmits, in step S213, a side BET signal indicating that the game of Pai-Gow poker results in a tie or a loss of the player and that the side BET is placed, to the main control portion 40.
Next, in step S214, the CPU 51 rearranges cards. More specifically, the CPU 51 displays the card images displayed to the high-hand display portion 80 and the low-hand display portion 81 in the liquid crystal display 10, to the dealt-card display portion 83, again. Namely, the CPU 51 restores the player's cards divided into the high hand and the low hand to a set of seven cards. The restored 7 cards correspond to player's special cards according to the present invention.
Next, in step S215, the CPU 51 accepts inputs to select the high hand and the low hand. The processing in step S215 enables the player to select the high hand and the low hand through the touch panel 11.
Next, in step S216, the CPU 51 transmits selection information to the main control portion 40. The main control portion 40, on receiving the selection information, determines whether or not any one of predetermined hands is formed by five cards selected by the player.
Next, in step S217, the CPU 51 receives side BET payout information from the main control portion 40. On receiving the side BET payout information, the CPU 51 stores, in the RAM 52, credit data based on the side BET payout information.
Next, in step S218, the CPU 51 pays out a credit based on the side BET payout information received in step S217.
After the execution of the processing in step S218, the present subroutine ends.
As described above, the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment comprises: the front display 21 and the liquid crystal display 10 (display), which are capable of displaying a plurality of cards; the touch panel 11 (the normal BET switch, the side BET switch and the input switch) for inputting a normal BET, a side BET different from the normal BET and a command for dividing cards into two sets; and the main control portion 40 (controller). The main control portion is programmed to conduct the following processing of: (a) displaying seven player's cards to the liquid crystal display 10 and displaying seven banker's cards to the front display 21; (b) accepting an input of the normal BET from the touch panel 11; (c) accepting an input of the side BET from the touch panel 11; (d) dividing the seven player's cards into five player's cards and two player's cards based on an input from the touch panel 11; (e) dividing the seven banker's cards into five banker's cards and two banker's cards; (f) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the five player's cards with the hand of the five banker's cards; (g) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the two player's cards with the hand of the two banker's cards; (h) offering a payout based on the inputted normal BET and the result of the determination, when determining that that the hand of the five player's cards is stronger than the hand of the five banker's cards and that the hand of the two player's cards is stronger than the hand of the two banker's cards; (i) combining the five player's cards and the two player's cards together as seven player's special cards, when determining that the hand of the five player's cards is stronger than the hand of the five banker's cards and that the hand of the two banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the two player's cards, when determining that the hand of the five banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the five player's cards and that the hand of the two player's cards is stronger than the hand of the two banker's cards, or when determining that the hand of the five banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the five banker's cards and that the two banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the two player's cards; (j) selecting five player's special cards out of the seven player's special cards based on the input from the touch panel 11; and (k) offering a payout based on the hand of the five player's special cards and the inputted side BET.
While, in the present embodiment, there has been described a case where the card game is played using the gaming machine 1, the card game may be played without using a gaming machine (for example, a banker and a player may play a game around an actual table) in the present invention. In this case, there may be employed a playing method of a card game comprising the following steps of: (a) dealing a first predetermined number of cards to a player as player's cards and dealing a first predetermined number of cards to a banker as banker's cards; (b) placing a normal BET; (c) placing a side BET different from the normal BET; (d) dividing the first predetermined number of the player's cards into a second predetermined number of player's cards and a third predetermined number of player's cards; (e) dividing the first predetermined number of the banker's cards into a second predetermined number of banker's cards and a third predetermined number of banker's cards; (f) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the second predetermined number of player's cards with the second predetermined number of banker's cards; (g) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the third predetermined number of player's cards with the third predetermined number of banker's cards; (h) offering a payout based on the inputted normal BET and the result of the determination, when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of player's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of banker's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of player's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of banker's cards; (i) combining the second predetermined number of player's cards and the third predetermined number of player's cards together as a first predetermined number of player's special cards, when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of player's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of banker's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of player's cards, when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of player's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of player's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of banker's cards, or when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of the player's cards; (j) selecting a second predetermined number of the player's special cards out of the first predetermined number of the player's special cards; and (k) offering a payout based on the hand of the second predetermined number of the player's special cards and the inputted side BET.
In the present embodiment, after the completion of a game of Pai-Gow poker, the player's cards are combined again as a set of seven player's cards, on condition that the game results in a tie or a loss of the player. The seven cards combined as described above correspond to the first predetermined number of player's special cards according to the present invention. However, in the present invention, the case where player's cards divided into a second predetermined number of player's cards and a third predetermined number of player's cards, are combined as a first predetermined number of player's special cards, is not limited to the case where a game of Pai-Gow poker results in a tie or a loss of the player. For example, player's cards divided into a second predetermined number of player's cards and a third predetermined number of player's cards, may be combined as a first predetermined number of player's special cards, only when a game of Pai-Gow poker results in a loss of the player. Also, player's cards divided into a second predetermined number of player's cards and a third predetermined number of player's cards, may be combined as a first predetermined number of player's special cards, regardless of the result of the game of Pai-Gow poker.
Further, in the present embodiment, five cards (a second predetermined number of player's special cards, according to the present invention) are selected out of the player's special cards combined as a set of seven cards, and when any one of the predetermined poker hands is formed by the five cards, a payout is offered. The game executed here corresponds to the third game in the present invention. Further, as the predetermined poker hands relating to the third game, Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a kind, Full House, Flush and Straight are employed. However, in the present invention, the predetermined poker hands relating to the third game are not limited to the case. It is possible to employ known poker hands as appropriate.
Further, it is not necessarily required to relate the procedure for determining the result of the third game of the present invention, to whether or not a poker hand is formed. It is also possible to employ a hand of a card game other than poker. In this case, the number of player's special cards selected out of the first predetermined number of player's special cards is not limited to the second predetermined number, but may be set as appropriate, in association with the employed hands.
Further, in the present embodiment, a high hand is used in the third game, but the cards used in the third game may also be a low hand.
Further, in the present embodiment, cards not to be used in the third game (a low hand) are also selected. However, in the present invention, cards not to be used in the third game may not require to be selected.
Further, in the present embodiment, the value of the payout for the third game is the value resulting from multiplying the value of the side BET by a rate predetermined in accordance with the strength of the hand. However, in the present invention, the value of the payout for the third game is not limited to the case. For example, by fixing the value of the side BET, the value of the payout may be a predetermined fixed value regardless of the strength of the hand.
While, in the present embodiment, there has been described a case where Pai-Gow poker is played, a game to be played is not particularly limited in the present invention, as long as the game is played by dividing player's cards and banker's cards respectively into two sets and using these player's cards and banker's cards divided into two sets. Namely, in the present embodiment, there has been described a case where the seven player's cards and the seven banker's cards are respectively divided into a set of five cards and a set of two cards. However, in the present invention, the number of cards before dividing into two sets (the first predetermined number) and the number of cards in each set after the division of cards into two sets (the second predetermined number and the third predetermined number) are not limited thereto.
While, in the present embodiment, there has been described a case where playing cards are used to play a game, the cards (player's cards and banker's cards) according to the present invention are not limited to playing cards, but may be, for example, tarot cards.
While, in the present embodiment, there has been described a case where a dealer serves as a banker, in the present invention, a single player may serve as a banker when a plurality of players take part in the game.
While, in the present embodiment, there has been described a case where a player plays Pai-Gow poker by viewing the main monitor 2 and the liquid crystal display 10 included in the station, the gaming machine according to the present invention is only required to include either a main monitor or a liquid crystal display (a display included in the station). In the case of this structure, the dealer's cards (the banker's cards) and the player's cards may be displayed together to the main monitor or the display in the station.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to embodiments thereof, these embodiments merely illustrate concrete examples, not restrict the present invention. The concrete structures of respective means and the like can be designed and changed as required. Furthermore, there have been merely described most preferable effects of the present invention, as the effects of the present invention, in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention.
Further, in the aforementioned detailed description, characteristic portions have been mainly described, for ease of understanding the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the aforementioned detailed description, but can be also applied to other embodiments over a wider range of applications. Further, the terms and phrases used in the present specification have been used for clearly describing the present invention, not for limiting the interpretation of the present invention. Further, those skilled in the art will easily conceive other structures, systems, methods and the like which are included in the concept of the present invention, from the concept of the present invention described in the present specification. Accordingly, the description of the claims is intended to include equivalent structures that fall within the technical scope of the invention. Further, the abstract aims at enabling engineers and the like who belong to the present technical field but are not familiar with the patent office and public institutions, the patent, law terms and technical terms to immediately understand the technical content and the essence of the present application through brief studies. Accordingly, the abstract is not intended to restrict the scope of the invention which should be evaluated from the description of the claims. It is desirable that literatures and the like which have been already disclosed are sufficiently studied and understood, in order to sufficiently understand the objects of the present invention and the specific effects of the present invention.
In the aforementioned detailed description, there have been described processes to be executed by computers. The aforementioned description and expressions have been described for the sake of enabling those skilled in the art to understand the present invention most effectively. In the present specification, each step for deriving a single result should be understood to be self-consistent processing. Further, each step includes transmission, reception, recording and the like of electric or magnetic signals. Although, in the processing at each step, such signals have been expressed as bits, values, symbols, characters, terms, numerical characters and the like, it should be noticed that they have been merely used for convenience of description. Further, although the processing at each step was described using expressions common to human behaviors in some cases, the processes described in the present specification are to be executed by various types of devices, in principle. Further, other structures required for conducting each step will be apparent from the aforementioned description.

Claims

1. A playing method of a card game comprising the steps of:

(a) dealing a predetermined number of cards to a player as player's cards and dealing a predetermined number of cards to a banker as banker's cards;

(b) placing a side BET different from a normal BET;

(c) dividing the predetermined number of said player's cards and the predetermined number of said banker's cards into two sets of cards respectively;

(d) determining winning or losing of a game by comparing hands of said player's cards divided into two sets with hands of said banker's cards divided into two sets;

(e) selecting cards out of the predetermined number of said player's cards, when determining that the game results in a tie or a loss of the player in said step (d) and said side BET is placed in said step (b); and

(f) offering a payout based on a hand of said player's cards selected in said step (e) and said inputted side BET.

2. The playing method of a card game according to claim 1,

wherein

said step (d) comprises the step of

(d′) determining winning or losing of the game following the rule of Pai-Gow poker by comparing the hands of said player's cards divided into two sets with the hands of said banker's cards divided into two sets.

3. A playing method of a card game comprising the steps of:

(b) placing a normal BET;

(c) placing a side BET different from said normal BET;

(d) dividing the predetermined number of said player's cards into cards for a first game and cards for a second game different from said first game in type;

(e) dividing the predetermined number of said banker's cards into cards for said first game and cards for said second game;

(f) determining a result of said first game by comparing the hand of said player's cards for said first game with the hand of said banker's cards for said first game;

(g) determining the result of said second game by comparing the hand of said player's cards for said second game with the hand of said banker's cards for said second game;

(h) offering a payout based on said normal BET and the result of the games, when both said first game and said second game result in winning of the player;

(i) restoring the cards divided in said step (d) to the predetermined number of said player's cards, when at least a single game, out of said first game and said second game, results in a tie or a loss of the player;

(j) selecting cards for a third game out of said player's cards acquired in said step (i); and

(k) offering a payout for said third game, based on the hand of said player's cards for said third game acquired in said step (j) and said inputted side BET.

4. A playing method of a card game comprising the steps of:

(a) dealing a first predetermined number of cards to a player as player's cards and dealing a first predetermined number of cards to a banker as banker's cards;

(b) placing a normal BET;

(c) placing a side BET different from said normal BET;

(d) dividing the first predetermined number of said player's cards into a second predetermined number of player's cards and a third predetermined number of player's cards;

(e) dividing the first predetermined number of said banker's cards into a second predetermined number of banker's cards and a third predetermined number of banker's cards;

(f) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the second predetermined number of said player's cards with the hand of the second predetermined number of said banker's cards;

(g) determining which hand is the stronger of the two by comparing the hand of the third predetermined number of said player's cards with the hand of the third predetermined number of said banker's cards;

(h) offering a payout based on said inputted normal BET and the result of the determination, when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of said player's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of said banker's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of said player's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of said banker's cards;

(i) combining the second predetermined number of said player's cards and the third predetermined number of said player's cards together as a first predetermined number of player's special cards, when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of said player's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of said banker's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of said banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of said player's cards, when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of said banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of said player's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of said player's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of said banker's cards, or when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of said banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of said player's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of player's cards;

(j) selecting the second predetermined number of said player's special cards out of the first predetermined number of said player's special cards; and

(k) offering a payout based on a hand of second predetermined number of said player's special cards and said inputted side BET.

5. A gaming machine comprising:

a display capable of displaying a plurality of cards;

an input device; and

a controller,

said controller programmed to conduct the processing of:

(a) displaying a predetermined number of player's cards and a predetermined number of banker's cards to said display;

(b) accepting a side BET different from a normal BET from said input device;

(c) dividing the predetermined number of said player's cards and the predetermined number of said banker's cards into two sets of cards respectively, based on an input from said input device;

(d) determining winning or losing of the game by comparing hands of said player's cards divided into two sets and hands of said banker's cards divided into two sets;

(e) selecting cards out of the predetermined number of said player's cards, based on the input from said input device, when determining that the game results in a tie or a loss of the player in said processing (d) and the side BET is placed in said processing (b); and

(f) offering a payout based on the hand of said player's cards selected in said processing (e) and the inputted said side BET.

6. The gaming machine according to claim 5,

wherein

said processing (d) comprises processing of

(d′) determining winning or losing of the game following the rule of Pai-Gow poker by comparing the hands of said player's cards divided into two sets and the hands of said banker's cards divided into two sets.

7. A gaming machine comprising:

a display capable of displaying a plurality of cards;

an input device; and

a controller,

said controller programmed to conduct the processing of:

(b) accepting an input of a normal BET from said input device;

(c) accepting an input of a side BET different from said normal BET, from said input device;

(d) dividing the predetermined number of said player's cards into cards for a first game and cards for a second game different from said first game in type, based on an input from said input device;

(f) determining the result of said first game by comparing the hand of said player's cards for said first game with the hand of said banker's cards for said first game;

(h) offering a payout based on said inputted normal BET and the result of the games, when both said first game and said second game result in winning of the player;

(i) restoring the cards divided in said processing (d) to the predetermined number of said player's cards, when at least a single game, out of said first game and said second game, results in a tie or a loss of the player;

(j) selecting cards for a third game out of said player's cards acquired in said processing (i), based on the input from said input device;

(k) offering a payout for said third game based on the hand of said player's cards for said third game acquired in said processing (j) and said inputted side BET.

8. A gaming machine comprising:

a display capable of displaying a plurality of cards;

a normal BET switch for inputting a normal BET;

a side BET switch for inputting a side BET different from said normal BET;

an input switch for inputting a command for dividing cards into two sets; and

a controller,

said controller programmed to conduct the processing of:

(a) displaying a first predetermined number of player's cards and a first predetermined number of banker's cards to said display;

(b) accepting an input of a normal BET from said normal BET switch;

(c) accepting an input of a side BET from said side BET switch;

(d) dividing the first predetermined number of said player's cards into a second predetermined number of player's cards and a third predetermined number of player's cards, based on an input from said input switch;

(i) combining the second predetermined number of said player's cards and the third predetermined number of said player's cards together as a first predetermined number of player's special cards, when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of said player's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of said banker's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of said banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of said player's cards, when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of said banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of said player's cards and that the hand of the third predetermined number of said player's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of said banker's cards, or when determining that the hand of the second predetermined number of said banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the second predetermined number of said player's cards and that the hand of the third predetermine number of said banker's cards is stronger than the hand of the third predetermined number of said player's cards;

(j) selecting a second predetermined number of said player's special cards out of the first predetermined number of said player's special cards, based on the input from said input device; and

(k) offering a payout based on the hand of the second predetermined number of said player's special cards and said inputted side BET.