Patent Grant
8162734
This application is based upon and claims a priority from prior Japanese Patent Applications No. 2004-251407 filed on Aug. 31, 2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a card gaming machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
A video poker gaming machine for displaying cards on a display, thereby dealing the cards to a player for allowing the player to play a game is known as one kind of card gaming machine of amusement. In the video poker, for example, the player can exchange one card for another by performing selection operation after five cards are dealt. Here, if the player selects a card to be held without exchange, the remaining cards not held are turned outside out, and a new card after exchange is displayed as the player presses a button. (For example, refer to JP-A-2001-70642.) The game result is determined in response to the prize effected according to the combination of the held cards and the new card after exchange. Thus, the poker gaming machine allows the player to expect that the card combination will result in a high prize and enjoy playing the game when the new card after exchange is displayed.
However, special effect of image display or sound is not produced from the player determining the bet count to displaying the first dealt card and at the point in time, if a big prize such as royal flush or four of a kind is complete or if no prize is complete, the game proceeds in a similar manner. For example, if the player determines the bet count and then presses a button, five cards dealt in the beginning are displayed with the inside out at the same time or one at a time from left to right, whereby the cards dealt to the player are displayed; the cards are displayed according to a given pattern regardless of what the prize completed at the point in time is. Thus, the game easily becomes monotonous.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a card gaming machine that can prevent a game from becoming monotonous and amplify the player's sense of anticipation.
To the end, according to the first aspect of the invention, there is provided a card gaming machine including an extraction unit for extracting at least a card from among a plurality of the cards with a predetermined kinds of symbols drawn thereon; a display unit for displaying an image of the cards extracted by the extraction unit and dealt to a player as the cards in player's hand; and a control unit for producing image effect on the display unit in response to the deal situation of the cards in player's hand displayed as an image by the display unit.
As the “image effect,” for example, the display mode of the cards dealt to the player may be changed or if a dealer for dealing cards is displayed, the display mode of the dealer may be changed.
In a second aspect of the invention according to the first aspect of the invention, the card gaming machine further includes a storage unit for storing a plurality of card combinations; and a determination unit for determining whether or not the combination of the symbols drawn on the cards extracted by the extraction unit matches a specific one of the card combinations stored in the storage unit, wherein if the determination unit determines that the combination of the symbols drawn on the cards extracted by the extraction unit matches a specific one of the card combinations stored in the storage unit, the control unit executes the operation.
In a third aspect of the invention according to the first and the second aspect of the invention, the card gaming machine, a video poker is played.
The term “specific combination” refers to a prize or a card combination such as royal flush or four of a kind, for example, in video poker, or the prize or the card combination having a given award rate or more. The term “award rate” is the rate of the number of game medals acquired by the player to the number of game medals bet by the player.
In the card gaming machine of the invention, when some of cards are extracted from among the cards and the extracted cards are dealt to the player and are displayed as the cards in player's hand, the image effect is produced in response to the deal situation of the cards in player's hand displayed as an image. Therefore, it is made possible for the player to recognize the deal situation of the cards in player's hand displayed as the image according to the image effect. Thus, the player's sense of anticipation can be amplified for the game which tends to become monotonous.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more fully apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring now to the accompanying drawings, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment of the invention, a poker gaming machine is adopted as one form of card gaming machine. Then, a poker game played with the poker gaming machine of the embodiment will be discussed briefly. The poker gaming machine of the embodiment allows the player to play a six-card video poker using two decks of cards; it allows the player to play a draw poker wherein all or some of the cards of the player can be exchanged for new cards at one point in time of the poker game. Specifically, here, when a game medal, etc., is inserted, six cards are dealt and displayed. Then, the player holds the card determined necessary from among the six dealt cards to complete a poker prize (poker card combination) (royal flush, six of a kind, straight flush, five of a kind, full hand, double three of a kind, flush, four of a kind, straight, full house, three pairs, three of a kind, two pairs, etc.,); on the other hand, the player exchanges the card determined unnecessary for a new card. Consequently, if a prize comes into effect, as many game medals, etc., as the number of game medals, etc., corresponding to the prize are given to the player as an award.
Further, if a poker prize comes into effect, the poker gaming machine of the embodiment enables the player to play a double down game if the player wants to play it. Specifically, the double down game is as follows: When one card is dealt to the dealer and is displayed as a face-up card and five cards are dealt to the player and are displayed as face-down cards, then the player selects one card from among the five face-down cards and exposes the selected card. At this time, if the card selected and exposed by the player is greater than the card of the dealer, the award becomes double as a bonus; if the card selected and exposed by the player is equal to or smaller than the card of the dealer, the award is confiscated. Here, the greater-than and smaller-than relation of the cards is as follows: A (Ace corresponding to 1), K (King corresponding to 13), Q (Queen corresponding to 12), J (Jack corresponding to 11), 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 in the descending order.
When a video poker is played, if a prize comes into effect in the six cards of the player just after six cards are dealt and are displayed or just after the card determined unnecessary is exchanged for a new card, the poker gaming machine of the embodiment often changes the display mode of the cards of the player in such a manner that it instantaneously flashes the dealt or exchanged cards of the player, and may change the display mode of the dealer in such a manner that it provides a balloon for the dealer dealing or exchanging cards.
When a double down game is played, the poker gaming machine of the embodiment often changes the display mode of the cards of the player in such a manner that it flashes the face-down card of the player greater than the card of the dealer just after five cards are dealt to the player and are displayed as face-down cards.
Next, the schematic configuration of the poker gaming machine of the embodiment will be discussed based on
A poker gaming machine 1 of the embodiment has a cabinet 31 forming the whole of the gaming machine and has a display screen 32 disposed in the front center of the cabinet 31, as shown in
The display screen 32 is a display section of an image display 19 (see
A medal payout opening 44 and a medal receiving tray 45 are disposed at the bottom of the cabinet 31. The medal payout opening 44 communicates with a hopper 24 incorporated in the poker gaming machine 1 of the embodiment (see
An operation table 33 projecting to the front is provided below the display screen 32. An exchange button 34, a C/P (credit/payout) button 35, and a help button 36 are disposed from left to right at the upper stage of the operation table 33. A BET button 37, a start button 38, a double down button 39, and a card exchange button 40 are disposed from left to right at the intermediate stage of the operation table 33. Six hold buttons 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D, 41E, and 41F are disposed at the rear stage of the operation table 33. Further, a medal insertion section 42 and a bill insertion section 43 are disposed to the right of the help button 36.
The exchange button 34 is a button operated by the player to exchange the bill inserted into the bill insertion section 43 into game medals, etc. Therefore, when the player presses the exchange button 34, the game medals, etc., into which the bill is exchanged are paid out from the hopper 24 (see
The exchange button 34 contains an exchange switch 28 (see
The C/P button 35 is a button pressed by the player to pay out the game medals, etc., given as credit or an award. Therefore, if the player presses the C/P button 35, the game medals, etc., given as credit or an award are paid out from the hopper 24 (see
If the player does not press the C/P button 35, the game medals, etc., given as an award are automatically carried over as credit.
The C/P button 35 contains a C/P switch 14 (see
The help button 36 is a button pressed by the player if the player does not know the poker game operation method, etc. Therefore, if the player presses the help button 36, various pieces of help information are displayed on the display screen 32.
The help button 36 contains a help switch 29 (see FIG. 3) and when the player presses the help button 36, a switch signal from the help switch 29 (see
The BET button 37 is a button operated by the player to bet credited game medals, etc. Here, whenever the player presses the BET button 37, the bet count is incremented by one. If the player presses the BET button 37 once after the bet count reaches 40, the bet count returns to 1. Therefore, here the maximum bet count is 40.
The BET button 37 contains a BET switch 13 (see
The start button 38 is a button operated by the player to start a poker game. Therefore, if the player presses the start button 38, developing a poker game is started on the display screen 32.
The start button 38 contains a start switch 15 (see
The double down button 39 is a button operated by the player to start a double down game. Therefore, if the player presses the double down button 39, developing a double down game is started on the display screen 32.
The double down button 39 contains a double down switch 16 (see
The card exchange button 40 is a button operated by the player to exchange the card determined unnecessary among the six dealt cards for a new card in the poker game developed on the display screen 32. Therefore, if the player presses the card exchange button 40 at a predetermined timing described later, the card for which the card determined unnecessary is exchanged is displayed on the display screen 32 together with the held cards.
When held cards do not exist, all the six dealt cards are not to be exchanged and thus if the player presses the card exchange button 40 at a predetermined timing described later, all the six dealt cards remain displayed on the display screen 32.
The card exchange button 40 contains a card exchange switch 17 (see
The six hold buttons 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D, 41E, and 41F are buttons operated by the player to hold the card determined necessary among the six dealt cards in the poker game developed on the display screen 32. Therefore, if the player presses any of the six hold buttons, 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D, 41E, or 41F at a predetermined timing described later, the card corresponding to the pressed button of the six hold buttons 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D, 41E, and 41F is not to be exchanged later.
The hold buttons 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D, 41E, and 41F contain hold switches 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E, and 18F (see
The medal insertion section 42 is an insertion slot used by the player to feed a game medal, etc., into a poker game.
The game medals, etc., inserted into the medal insertion section 42 are automatically credited.
A medal sensor 12 (see
The bill insertion section 43 is an insertion slot used by the user to exchange a bill into a game medal, etc.
The bill inserted into the bill insertion section 43 is exchanged into a game medal, etc., as the player presses the exchange button 34.
A bill sensor 30 (see
In the poker gaming machine 1 of the embodiment, a game control apparatus 2 controls a poker game, as shown in
The ROM 4 stores processing procedures in a poker game and a double down game as a sequence program. Further, it also stores data of a winning probability table for determining the lottery probability, etc., for controlling occurrence of a poker prize (poker card combination), a lottery table for associating the random number sampled by the random number control section 7 and the card to be displayed on the display screen 32 described later with each other, a determination table for determining whether or not the symbol combination state of the six cards displayed on the display screen 32 described later is a poker prize state, a game advance procedure table for determining the advance procedures of a poker game and a double down game, and the like. That is, the CPU 3, etc., operates based on the sequence program, the tables, etc., stored in the ROM 4, whereby the poker game and the double down game in the poker gaming machine 1 of the embodiment are controlled. Tables, etc., later described with reference to
A work area, etc., required for the CPU 3, etc., to operate for controlling the poker game is provided in the RAM 5.
The clock circuit 6 includes a clock pulse generator 8 for generating the reference clock of a predetermined frequency, a frequency divider 9 for dividing the reference clock signal to generate the operation clock signal of the CPU 3, and the like.
The random number control section 7 includes a random number generator 10 for generating random numbers in a given range under the control of the CPU 3, a random number sampling circuit 11 for extracting any desired random number from among the random numbers generated by the random number generator 10 and transmitting the extracted random number to the CPU 3, and the like.
Connected to a plurality of I/O ports included in the CPU 3 are the medal sensor 12, the BET switch 13, the C/P switch 14, the start switch 15, the double down switch 16, the card exchange switch 17, the six hold switches 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E, and 18F, the exchange switch 28, the help switch 29, the bill sensor 30, and the like. Also connected to the I/O ports are a hopper drive circuit 20, a payout completion signal circuit 21, a speaker drive circuit 22, an image display drive circuit 23, and the like.
A hopper 24 for storing game medals, etc., is connected to the hopper drive circuit 20. Therefore, the CPU 3 can pay out a predetermined number of game medals, etc., from the hopper 24 through the hopper drive circuit 20.
A medal storage section 25 and the medal detection section 26 are connected to the payout completion signal circuit 21. The medal storage section 25 is a circuit for storing the game medals, etc., inserted from the medal insertion section 42 and the game medals, etc., given as an award as credit, and can store the game medals, etc., as credit until the predetermined maximum allowable number (for example, 999999) is reached. On the other hand, the medal detection section 26 is a circuit for counting the number of game medals, etc., paid out from the hopper 24.
When the game medals, etc., are given as credit, if the payout completion signal circuit 21 detects completion of storing the game medals, etc., as credit or paying out the game medals, etc., from the hopper 24 through the medal storage section 25 or the medal detection section 26, the payout completion signal circuit 21 outputs a payout completion signal indicating the completion to the CPU 3. Further, when the game medals, etc., stored as credit are paid out, if the payout completion signal circuit 21 detects completion of paying out the game medals, etc., stored as credit from the hopper 24 through the medal storage section 25 or the medal detection section 26, the payout completion signal circuit 21 outputs a payout completion signal indicating the completion to the CPU 3.
A speaker 27 for producing an effect sound, etc., is connected to the speaker drive circuit 22. Therefore, the CPU 3 can produce the effect sound corresponding to the gaming state from the speaker 27 through the speaker drive circuit 22.
The image display 19 having the display screen 32 (see
The display screen 32 (see
Next, specific examples of the gaming procedures in the poker gaming machine 1 of the embodiment will be discussed based on
To begin with, the terms concerning the cards will be discussed. “Suit” is any of the four sets of 13 cards (hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades), the members of which bear the same marks.
“Picture pattern” is the type of card determined by the combination of the suit and numeral of the card, for example, such as ace of heart or king of spade.
“Numeral” means the numeral of a card; A (Ace corresponding to 1), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J (Jack corresponding to 11), Q (Queen corresponding to 12), and K (King corresponding to 13) are included in one deck of cards.
Further, “symbol” contains “suit,” “picture pattern,” and “numeral.”
In the poker gaming machine 1 of the embodiment, when the display screen 32 is a title screen in the standby state, if a game medal, etc., is inserted into the medal insertion section 42 or is given as an award, credit is entered in the medal storage section 25 and the credit count is displayed in a credit count display field 32a in the upper right corner of the display screen 32, as shown in
In the poker gaming machine 1 of the embodiment, while a poker game or a double down game is being developed, a character 32c of a dealer for dealing cards, which will be hereinafter referred to as “the dealer 32c,” is displayed at the center of the display screen 32, as shown in
Poker prize (poker card combination) will be discussed. The “poker prize (poker card combination)” is a state in which some or all of six cards match based on a given rule in draw poker; specifically, it is two pairs, three of a kind, three pairs, full house, straight, four of a kind, flush, double three of a kind, full hand, five of a kind, straight flush, six of a kind, or royal flush (see
The poker prizes are assigned numbers and awards, as shown in
First, the numbers assigned to the poker prizes will be discussed.
As listed in the table of
Next, the awards assigned to the poker prizes will be discussed.
As listed in the table of
When the player confirms flush as the poker prize, 20 game medals, etc., per BET count “1” are given to the player. Therefore, if the maximum BET count “40” is applied, 800 game medals, etc., are given to the player as the maximum award. When the player confirms double three of a kind as the poker prize, 25 game medals, etc., per BET count “1” are given to the player. Therefore, if the maximum BET count “40” is applied, 1000 game medals, etc., are given to the player as the maximum award. When the player confirms full hand as the poker prize, 50 game medals, etc., per BET count “1” are given to the player. Therefore, if the maximum BET count “40” is applied, 2000 game medals, etc., are given to the player as the maximum award. When the player confirms five of a kind as the poker prize, 100 game medals, etc., per BET count “1” are given to the player. Therefore, if the maximum BET count “40” is applied, 4000 game medals, etc., are given to the player as the maximum award. When the player confirms straight flush as the poker prize, 200 game medals, etc., per BET count “1” are given to the player. Therefore, if the maximum BET count “140” is applied, 8000 game medals, etc., are given to the player as the maximum award. When the player confirms six of a kind as the poker prize, 500 game medals, etc., per BET count “1” are given to the player. Therefore, if the maximum BET count “40” is applied, 20000 game medals, etc., are given to the player as the maximum award. When the player confirms royal flush as the poker prize, 1000 game medals, etc., per BET count “1” are given to the player. Therefore, if the maximum BET count “40” is applied, 40000 game medals, etc., are given to the player as the maximum award.
The table of
Dealing of Poker
Then, if the player presses the start button 38, six cards are dealt based on the internal lottery using the random number generated by the random number control section 7. At this time, the six dealt cards are first displayed as face-down cards as shown on the display screen 32 in
The effect of the display screen 32 just after the six cards are dealt will be discussed. The effect is produced based on a dealing effect table of
The counter value in the table of
According to the table of
When any of poker prize Nos. 5 to 7, full hand, double three of a kind, or flush, is the “winning combination,” if the counter value “0” or “1” is acquired at the probability of 2/10, no effect is produced; if the counter value “2” or “3” is acquired at the probability of 2/10, the effect of displaying the mark “!” in the balloon 32d provided for the dealer 32c is produced in addition to the effect of flashing six cards in the face-down state; if the counter value “4” or “5” is acquired at the probability of 2/10, the effect of displaying the mark “!!” in the balloon 32d provided for the dealer 32c is produced in addition to the effect of flashing six cards in the face-down state; if the counter value “6” or “7” is acquired at the probability of 2/10, the effect of displaying the mark “*” in the balloon 32d provided for the dealer 32c is produced in addition to the effect of flashing six cards in the face-down state; or if the counter value “8” or “9” is acquired at the probability of 2/10, the effect of displaying the mark “**” in the balloon 32d provided for the dealer 32c is produced in addition to the effect of flashing six cards in the face-down state.
When any of poker prize Nos. 8 to 10, four of a kind, straight, or full house, is the “winning combination,” if any of the counter values “0” to “3” is acquired at the probability of 4/10, no effect is produced; if the counter value “4” or “5” is acquired at the probability of 2/10, the effect of displaying the mark “!” in the balloon 32d provided for the dealer 32c is produced in addition to the effect of flashing six cards in the face-down state; if the counter value “6” or “7” is acquired at the probability of 2/10, the effect of displaying the mark “!!” in the balloon 32d provided for the dealer 32c is produced in addition to the effect of flashing six cards in the face-down state; or if the counter value “8” or “9” is acquired at the probability of 2/10, the effect of displaying the mark “*” in the balloon 32d provided for the dealer 32c is produced in addition to the effect of flashing six cards in the face-down state.
When any of poker prize Nos. 11 to 13, three pairs, three of a kind, or two pairs, is the “winning combination,” if any of the counter values “0” to “5” is acquired at the probability of 6/10, no effect is produced; if the counter value “6” or “7” is acquired at the probability of 2/10, the effect of displaying the mark “!” in the balloon 32d provided for the dealer 32c is produced in addition to the effect of flashing six cards in the face-down state; or if the counter value “8” or “9” is acquired at the probability of 2/10, the effect of displaying the mark “!!” in the balloon 32d provided for the dealer 32c is produced in addition to the effect of flashing six cards in the face-down state.
When blank is the “winning combination,” if any of the counter values “0” to “8” is acquired at the probability of 9/10, no effect is produced; or if the counter value “9” is acquired at the probability of 1/10, the effect of displaying the mark “!” in the balloon 32d provided for the dealer 32c is produced in addition to the effect of flashing six cards in the face-down state.
On the display screen 32, the six cards in the face-down state are turned up and are displayed in order from left to right as shown on the display screen 32 in
Drawing (Exchanging) of Poker
Then, on the display screen 32, for example, a character string of “HOLD AND DRAW” is displayed as shown on the display screen 32 in
Therefore, at this time, to hold the card “8 of clubs” at the left end on the display screen 32 shown in
At this time, if the player presses the hold button 41A, a character string of “HOLD” meaning that the card is held is superposed on the card “8 of clubs” at the left end displayed on the display screen 32. If the player presses the hold button 41B, a character string of “HELD” meaning that the card is held is superposed on the card “7 of clubs,” the second card counted from the left end, displayed on the display screen 32. If the player presses the hold button 41C, a character string of “HELD” meaning that the card is held is superposed on the card “A (1) of diamonds,” the third card counted from the left end, displayed on the display screen 32. If the player presses the hold button 41D, a character string of “HELD” meaning that the card is held is superposed on the card “A (1) of diamonds,” the third card counted from the right end, displayed on the display screen 32. If the player presses the hold button 41E, a character string of “HELD” meaning that the card is held is superposed on the card “6 of diamonds,” the second card counted from the right end, displayed on the display screen 32. If the player presses the hold button 41F, a character string of “HELD” meaning that the card is held is superposed on the card “6 of diamonds” at the right end displayed on the display screen 32.
In
Upon completion of selecting the cards to be held, the player presses the card exchange button 40.
At this time, however, if the player does not hold any cards, he or she presses the card exchange button 40 without pressing any of the hold button 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D, 41E, or 41F.
Then, the cards not selected by the player to hold are exchanged based on internal lottery using the random number generated by the random number control section 7. At this time, on the display screen 32, the drawn (exchanged) cards are first displayed as face-down cards as shown on the display screen 32 in
Further, the drawn cards in the face-down state are turned up and are displayed.
Here, if the turned-up and displayed cards complete a poker prize in combination with the held cards (with the character string “HELD” superposed thereon in the face-up state) (corresponding to the “deal situation”), for example, the turned-up and displayed cards may be covered with a smoke screen in a moment at a high probability as shown on the display screen 32 in
On the other hand, if the drawn cards in the face-down state do not complete a poker prize in combination with the held cards (with the character string “HELD” superposed thereon in the face-up state) (corresponding to the “deal situation”), the two drawn cards in the face-down state may be flashed as shown on the display screen 32 in
The effect of the display screen 32 just after the cards are drawn will be discussed. This effect is produced based on a draw deal effect table of
The counter value in the table of
According to the table of
When any of poker prize Nos. 5 to 7, full hand, double three of a kind, or flush, is the “winning combination,” if the counter value “0” or “1” is acquired at the probability of 2/10, no effect is produced; if the counter value “2” or “3” is acquired at the probability of 2/10, the effect of flashing the drawn cards in the face-down state is produced; if the counter value “4” or “5” is acquired at the probability of 2/10, the effect of covering the turned-up and displayed cards with a smoke screen in a moment is produced in addition to the effect of flashing the drawn cards in the face-down state; if the counter value “6” or “7” is acquired at the probability of 2/10, the effect of enveloping the turned-up and displayed cards in flames in a moment is produced in addition to the effect of flashing the drawn cards in the face-down state; or if the counter value “8” or “9” is acquired at the probability of 2/10, the effect of striking the turned-up and displayed cards by lightning is produced in addition to the effect of flashing six cards in the face-down state.
When any of poker prize Nos. 8 to 10, four of a kind, straight, or full house, is the “winning combination,” if any of the counter values “0” to “3” is acquired at the probability of 4/10, no effect is produced; if the counter value “4” or “5” is acquired at the probability of 2/10, the effect of flashing the drawn cards in the face-down state is produced; if the counter value “6” or “7” is acquired at the probability of 2/10, the effect of covering the turned-up and displayed cards with a smoke screen in a moment is produced in addition to the effect of flashing the drawn cards in the face-down state; or if the counter value “8” or “9” is acquired at the probability of 2/10, the effect of enveloping the turned-up and displayed cards in flames in a moment is produced in addition to the effect of flashing the drawn cards in the face-down state.
When any of poker prize Nos. 11 to 13, three pairs, three of a kind, or two pairs, is the “winning combination,” if any of the counter values “0” to “5” is acquired at the probability of 6/10, no effect is produced; if the counter value “6” or “7” is acquired at the probability of 2/10, the effect of flashing the drawn cards in the face-down state is produced; or if the counter value “8” or “9” is acquired at the probability of 2/10, the effect of covering the turned-up and displayed cards with a smoke screen in a moment is produced in addition to the effect of flashing the drawn cards in the face-down state.
When blank is the “winning combination,” if any of the counter values “0” to “8” is acquired at the probability of 9/10, no effect is produced; or if the counter value “9” is acquired at the probability of 1/10, the effect of flashing the drawn cards in the face-down state is produced.
On the display screen 32, when it becomes possible for the player to clearly visually recognize the cards after the drawn cards in the face-down state are turned up, if the six cards of the player made up of the drawn cards and the held cards (with the character string “HELD” superposed thereon in the face-up state) complete a poker prize, the poker prize and its award are displayed and further the blessing effect of the dealer 32c is produced. For example, character strings “FLUSH” AND “WIN 200 CREDITS!!” are superposed on the six cards of the player as shown on the display screen 32 in
On the other hand, if the six cards of the player made up of the drawn cards and the held cards (with the character string “HELD” superposed thereon in the face-up state) do not complete a poker prize, a message of game over is displayed on the display screen 32 and then the screen returns to the title screen in the standby state. For example, a character string of “YOU LOSE . . . ” is superposed on the six cards as shown on the display screen 32 in
Double Down Game
If the blessing effect of the dealer 32c is produced on the display screen 32, for example, a message as shown in
On the other hand, if the player presses the double down button 39 within the predetermined time, development to a double down game is conducted. First, a double down game start screen is displayed as shown on the display screen 32 in
Then, on the display screen 32, one card of the dealer is dealt based on internal lottery using the random number generated by the random number control section 7 and is displayed as a face-up card and further five cards are dealt to the player and are displayed as face-down cards. For example, the card of the dealer, “5 of diamonds,” is dealt and is displayed at the right end in the face-up state and the five cards of the player are dealt and are displayed as the second card from the left end to the card at the right end in the face-down state as shown on the display screen 32 in
If the five cards of the player in the face-down state contain a card greater than the card of the dealer in the face-up state, at a high probability, the five cards of the player in the face-down state are flashed, for example, as shown on the display screen 32 in
The effect of the display screen 32 just after the five cards are dealt to the player and are displayed as face-down cards will be discussed. This effect is produced based on a double down game deal effect table of
The counter value in the table of
According to the table of
When the “number of win cards” is four or three, if any of the counter values “0” to “3” is acquired at the probability of 4/10, no effect is produced; if any of the counter values “4” to “6” is acquired at the probability of 3/10, the effect of flashing the five cards of the player in the face-down state is produced; or if any of the counter values “7” to “9” is acquired at the probability of 3/10, the effect of making the dealer 32c get giddy is produced in addition to the effect of flashing the five cards of the player in the face-down state.
When the “number of win cards” is two or one, if any of the counter values “0” to “5” is acquired at the probability of 6/10, no effect is produced; or if any of the counter values “6” to “9” is acquired at the probability of 4/10, the effect of flashing the five cards of the player in the face-down state is produced.
When the “number of win cards” is zero, if any of the counter values “0” to “9” is acquired at the probability of 10/10, no effect is produced.
Then, a character string of “SELECT A CARD” is displayed as shown on the display screen 32 in
The card selected by the player pressing any of the hold button 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D, 41E, or 41F is turned up and is displayed. At this time, if the user-selected turned-up card is greater than the card of the dealer in the face-up state, the player wins the game (the dealer loses the game) and doubling the award (the acquired number of game medals, etc.,) as a benefit is confirmed and the screen returns to the title screen in the standby state as shown on the display screen 32 in
If the player wins the game (the dealer loses the game), the message as shown on the display screen 32 in
Next, the control operation of the game control apparatus 2 for a poker game and a double down game in the poker gaming machine 1 of the embodiment will be discussed based on
In the poker gaming machine 1 of the embodiment, gaming machine processing in
Then, the bet processing in
At S12, the BET count is incremented, namely, one is added to the BET count in the storage area provided in the RAM 5 and then the process goes to S13.
At S13, again whether or not a game medal is inserted or whether or not the player presses the BET button 37 is determined. This determination is also made by the fact that the CPU 3 receives a switch signal from the BET switch 13 based on pressing the BET button 37 or a medal detection signal from the medal sensor 12. At this time, when it is determined that the player inserts a game medal or presses the BET button 37 (YES at S13), the process returns to S12 and the above-described processing is repeated. On the other hand, when it is not determined that the player inserts a game medal or presses the BET button 37 (NO at S13), the process goes to S14.
At S14, whether or not the operation of inserting a game medal or pressing the BET button 37 is complete is determined. This determination is made by the fact that the CPU 3 receives a switch signal from the start switch 15 based on pressing the start button 38. At this time, if it is not determined that the operation of inserting a game medal or pressing the BET button 37 is complete (NO at S14), the process returns to S13 and the above-described processing is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the operation of inserting a game medal or pressing the BET button 37 is complete (YES at S14), the BET count is confirmed and the routine returns to the gaming machine processing in
Then, the deal processing in
At S32, the CPU 3 transmits a display instruction to the image display drive circuit 23, which then deals and displays six cards in a face-down state on the display screen 32 upon reception of the signal (see
After this, the routine returns to the gaming machine processing in
Then, the draw processing in
At S52, whether or not the player presses the hold button 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D, 41E, 41F is determined. This determination is made by the fact that the CPU 3 receives a switch signal from the hold switch 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E, 18F based on pressing the hold button 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D, 41E, 41F. At this time, if the CPU determines that the player presses the hold button 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D, 41E, 41F (YES at S52), the CPU 3 goes to S53.
At S53, the card corresponding to the hold button 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D, 41E, 41F determined pressed at S52 is held. Specifically, the CPU 3 determines the card to be held based on the switch signal from the hold switch 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E, 18F based on pressing the hold button 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D, 41E, 41F, stores the data concerning the deal position of the card in the RAM 5, and goes to S54.
At S54, the CPU 3 transmits a display instruction to the image display drive circuit 23, which then superposes the character string “HELD” on the held card on the display screen 32 upon reception of the signal (see
After this, the CPU goes to S55 and determines whether or not the player completes the hold operation. This determination is made by the fact that the CPU 3 receives a switch signal from the card exchange switch 17 based on pressing the card exchange button 40. At this time, if the CPU 3 determines that the player does not complete the hold operation (NO at S55), the CPU 3 returns to S52 and repeats the above-described processing. On the other hand, if the CPU 3 determines that the player completes the hold operation (YES at S55), the CPU 3 goes to S56.
At S56, internal lottery processing concerning the card to be drawn is performed. In this processing, the CPU 3 transmits a random number generation instruction to the random number control section 7, which then samples a random number upon reception of the signal. The random number provided by the random number control section 7 is stored in the RAM 5 as the random number indicating the lottery result. The CPU 3 references the lottery table stored in the ROM 4 and determines the type of card (to be drawn) corresponding to the random number. After storing the data concerning the card type in the RAM 5, the CPU 3 goes to S57.
At S57, the CPU 3 transmits a display instruction to the image display drive circuit 23, which then deals and displays the card (to be drawn) in a face-down state on the display screen 32 upon reception of the signal (see
After this, the CPU 5 goes to S59 and determines a winning combination. If the CPU 3 receives the switch signal from the card exchange switch 17 within a predetermined time after the character string “HOLD AND DRAW” was displayed on the display screen 32 at S51, the CPU 3 assumes that the player completes hold operation (YES at S51). At this time, the CPU 3 also goes to S59 and determines a winning combination. At S59, the CPU 3 determines which poker prize (poker card combination) containing a blank the combination of the symbols of the six cards displayed on the display screen 32 corresponds to, based on the data concerning the card types stored in the RAM 5 and the determination table stored in the ROM 4.
After this, the CPU 3 goes to S60 and transmits a display instruction to the image display drive circuit 23, which then produces the blessing effect of presenting a flower, etc., out of a hat by the dealer 32c (see
After this, the routine returns to the gaming machine processing in
Then, the double down game processing in
At S72, the CPU 3 transmits a display instruction to the image display drive circuit 23, which then places the display screen 32 in a standby state of a double down game (see
After this, the CPU 3 goes to S73 and determines whether or not the player presses the double down button 39 within the predetermined time after the display screen 32 was placed in the standby state of a double down game. This determination is made by the fact that the CPU 3 receives a switch signal from the double down switch 16 based on pressing the double down button 39. At this time, if the CPU 3 determines that the player presses the double down button 39 within the predetermined time after the display screen 32 was placed in the standby state of a double down game (YES at S73), the CPU 3 goes to S74.
At S74, internal lottery processing concerning the cards to be dealt is performed. In this processing, the CPU 3 transmits a random number generation instruction to the random number control section 7, which then samples a random number upon reception of the signal. The random number provided by the random number control section 7 is stored in the RAM 5 as the random number indicating the lottery result. The CPU 3 references the lottery table stored in the ROM 4 and determines the types of cards (one to be dealt to the dealer and five to be dealt to the player) corresponding to the random number. After storing the data concerning the card types in the RAM 5, the CPU 3 goes to S75.
At S75, the CPU 3 transmits a display instruction to the image display drive circuit 23, which then deals and displays one card to the dealer in a face-up state and five cards to the player in a face-down state on the display screen 32 upon reception of the signal (see
After this, the CPU 3 goes to S76 and determines whether or not the player presses the hold button 41B, 41C, 41D, 41E, 41F. This determination is made by the fact that the CPU 3 receives a switch signal from the hold switch 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E, 18F based on pressing the hold button 41B, 41C, 41D, 41E, 41F. At this time, if the CPU determines that the player does not press the hold button 41B, 41C, 41D, 41E, 41F (NO at S76), the CPU 3 returns to S76 and repeats this step. On the other hand, if the CPU determines that the player presses the hold button 41B, 41C, 41D, 41E, 41F (YES at S76), the CPU 3 selects the card corresponding to the hold button 41B, 41C, 41D, 41E, 41F determined pressed at S76. Specifically, the CPU 3 determines the card to be selected based on the switch signal from the hold switch 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E, 18F based on pressing the hold button 41B, 41C, 41D, 41E, 41F, stores the data concerning the deal position of the card in the RAM 5, and goes to S77.
At S77, the CPU 3 transmits a display instruction to the image display drive circuit 23, which then turns up the selected card on the display screen 32 upon reception of the signal. At this time, the symbol on the selected and turned-up card is matched with that corresponding to the data concerning the card type stored in the RAM 5 at S74.
After this, the CPU goes to S78 and makes a comparison between the numeral of the card dealt to the dealer and the numeral of the selected card based on the card type and the deal position stored in the RAM 5 at S74 and S76 for determining whether or not the dealer loses the game. At this time, if the CPU 3 determines that the dealer loses the game, namely, the numeral of the selected card is greater than the numeral of the card dealt to the dealer (YES at S78), the CPU 3 doubles the award at S79 and goes to S81. On the other hand, if the CPU 3 determines that the dealer wins the game, namely, the numeral of the selected card is equal to or less than the numeral of the card dealt to the dealer (NO at S78), the CPU3 confiscates the award at S80 and goes to S81.
At S81, the CPU 3 transmits a display instruction to the image display drive circuit 23, which then produces the blessing effect of presenting a flower, etc., out of a hat by the dealer 32c or superposes the character string “YOU LOSE . . . ” on the six cards (see
After this, the routine returns to the gaming machine processing in
When the routine returns to the gaming machine processing in
Further, in the poker gaming machine 1 of the embodiment, the effect to make the player swell with the sense of anticipation that a poker prize may come into effect may be produced just after six cards are dealt on the display screen 32 as described above. To produce this effect, deal display processing in
That is, in the deal display processing in
The CPU 3 goes to S103 and transmits a display instruction to the image display drive circuit 23, which then produces deal effect display on the display screen 32 (see
In the poker gaming machine 1 of the embodiment, the effect to make the player swell with the sense of anticipation that a poker prize may come into effect with the combination of the drawn and held cards may be produced just after the card is drawn on the display screen 32 as described above. To produce this effect, draw display processing in
That is, in the draw display processing in
The CPU 3 goes to S113 and transmits a display instruction to the image display drive circuit 23, which then produces deal effect display on the display screen 32 (see
Further, in the poker gaming machine 1 of the embodiment, when a double down game is played on the display screen 32, the effect to make the player swell with the sense of anticipation that the five cards dealt to the player as the face-down cards may contain a card greater than the card of the dealer in the face-up state may be produced just after one card is dealt to the dealer and is displayed in the face-up state and five cards are dealt to the player and are displayed in the face-down state on the display screen 32 as described above. To produce this effect, double down game display processing in
That is, in the double down game display processing in
The CPU 3 goes to S123 and transmits a display instruction to the image display drive circuit 23, which then produces deal effect display on the display screen 32 (see
The invention is not limited to the specific embodiment described above and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.
For example, in the poker gaming machine 1 of the embodiment, when cards are dealt on the display screen 32 where a poker game is in progress, if the six cards of the player complete a poker prize, the effect is produced for the dealt cards and the dealer 32c dealing the cards (see
In the poker gaming machine 1 of the embodiment, when cards are dealt on the display screen 32 where a poker game or a double down game is in progress, if a poker prize comes into effect or the win card of the player exists, the effect is produced for the dealt cards and the dealer 32c dealing the cards (see
The invention can be applied to the effect at the card dealing time in a card game.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| P2004-251407 | Aug 2004 | JP | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5033744 | Bridgeman et al. | Jul 1991 | A |
| 5221083 | Dote | Jun 1993 | A |
| 5224706 | Bridgeman et al. | Jul 1993 | A |
| 5401023 | Wood | Mar 1995 | A |
| 5646866 | Coelho et al. | Jul 1997 | A |
| 5688174 | Kennedy | Nov 1997 | A |
| 5732950 | Moody | Mar 1998 | A |
| 5823873 | Moody | Oct 1998 | A |
| 6007066 | Moody | Dec 1999 | A |
| 6062979 | Inoue | May 2000 | A |
| 6248016 | Walker et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
| 6332839 | Walker et al. | Dec 2001 | B2 |
| 6494454 | Adams | Dec 2002 | B2 |
| 6607443 | Miyamoto et al. | Aug 2003 | B1 |
| 6666765 | Vancura | Dec 2003 | B2 |
| 6719629 | Yang | Apr 2004 | B2 |
| 6755741 | Rafaeli | Jun 2004 | B1 |
| 6918832 | Baerlocher et al. | Jul 2005 | B2 |
| 7128651 | Miyamoto et al. | Oct 2006 | B2 |
| 7217187 | Vancura | May 2007 | B2 |
| 7223171 | Colin et al. | May 2007 | B2 |
| 7255351 | Yoseloff et al. | Aug 2007 | B2 |
| 7288024 | Toyoda | Oct 2007 | B2 |
| 7306521 | Toyoda | Dec 2007 | B2 |
| 7309065 | Yoseloff et al. | Dec 2007 | B2 |
| 7309280 | Toyoda | Dec 2007 | B2 |
| 7322883 | Toyoda | Jan 2008 | B2 |
| 7329180 | Strom | Feb 2008 | B2 |
| 7344136 | Schultz | Mar 2008 | B2 |
| 7344440 | Gonen et al. | Mar 2008 | B2 |
| 7355112 | Laakso | Apr 2008 | B2 |
| 7367563 | Yoseloff et al. | May 2008 | B2 |
| 8016674 | Lucchesi et al. | Sep 2011 | B2 |
| 20010016512 | Walker et al. | Aug 2001 | A1 |
| 20020034976 | Webb | Mar 2002 | A1 |
| 20030064768 | Fier | Apr 2003 | A1 |
| 20030100357 | Walker et al. | May 2003 | A1 |
| 20030119579 | Walker et al. | Jun 2003 | A1 |
| 20030137109 | Vancura | Jul 2003 | A1 |
| 20030157978 | Englman | Aug 2003 | A1 |
| 20030176211 | Sommerville | Sep 2003 | A1 |
| 20030199316 | Miyamoto et al. | Oct 2003 | A1 |
| 20030214097 | Moody | Nov 2003 | A1 |
| 20040002380 | Brosnan et al. | Jan 2004 | A1 |
| 20040058725 | Mayeroff | Mar 2004 | A1 |
| 20040063482 | Toyoda | Apr 2004 | A1 |
| 20040072602 | Toyoda | Apr 2004 | A1 |
| 20040072608 | Toyoda | Apr 2004 | A1 |
| 20040087355 | Toyoda | May 2004 | A1 |
| 20040092312 | Toyoda | May 2004 | A1 |
| 20040119236 | Moody | Jun 2004 | A1 |
| 20040198485 | Loose et al. | Oct 2004 | A1 |
| 20040224777 | Smith et al. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
| 20040242298 | Inamura et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
| 20050073102 | Yoseloff et al. | Apr 2005 | A1 |
| 20050090303 | Dillhoff | Apr 2005 | A1 |
| 20060046815 | Shinoda | Mar 2006 | A1 |
| 20060073881 | Pryzby et al. | Apr 2006 | A1 |
| 20080076541 | Yoshizawa et al. | Mar 2008 | A1 |
| 20080085750 | Yoshizawa | Apr 2008 | A1 |
| 20080167103 | Okada | Jul 2008 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2001-70642 | Mar 2001 | JP |
| 2001-070642 | Mar 2001 | JP |
| 2004-195003 | Jul 2004 | JP |
| 2227754 | Apr 2004 | RU |
| WO 03083794 | Oct 2003 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20060046815 A1 | Mar 2006 | US |
