Method of playing game

Abstract

A method of playing a game is provided, which includes the steps of: (a) distributing a plurality of cards to a player; (b) exchanging one or more of the distributed cards selected by the player with different cards; (c) providing a predetermined award to the player when finally distributed cards include a first predetermined combination entitled to a win; and (d) supplying a special game, in which at least one of initially distributed cards is a specified card possessing a plurality of roles, for a subsequent game when the player achieves the win satisfying a predetermined condition.

Description

This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-332645, filed on 8 Dec. 2006, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method of playing a game.

2. Related Art

Conventionally, a game machine such as a poker game machine and the like installed in casinos performs a win game in which a player wins when a plurality of cards matching a predetermined combination are included among the finally distributed cards. In this type of game machine, for each poker game, medals are supplied according to the award determined by the number of inserted medals and the achieved poker hand.

Recently, a game machine has been supplied which performs a high-probability win game, thereby increasing the probability of winning. As a game machine of this type, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,260 provides a playing method where two sets of five cards, which is a greater number than the conventional five cards, are distributed to each player, and the cards of the respective sets are combined to achieve a poker hand.

For the purposes of increasing the number of medals supplied to each poker game, a new gaming style called a double down game has been added recently, which is able to double the medal payout number after a poker hand is achieved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims at providing a method of playing a poker game having a new gaming style enhancing expectations for medals.

In an aspect of the present invention, a method of playing a game is provided, which includes the steps of: (a) distributing a plurality of cards to a player; (b) exchanging one or more of the distributed cards selected by the player with different cards; (c) providing a predetermined award to the player when finally distributed cards include a first predetermined combination entitled to a win; and (d) supplying a special game, in which at least one of initially distributed cards is a specified card possessing a plurality of roles, for a subsequent game when the player achieves the win satisfying a predetermined condition. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method of playing a game is provided which includes steps of: distributing a plurality of kinds of cards to a player, exchanging a card selected by a player from the plurality of distributed cards for another card, awarding a predetermined award if a winning outcome is achieved by the presence of a plurality of cards making up a predetermined combination among finally distributed cards, and supplying a special game in which at least one of the initially distributed cards in a next game is a specified card having a plurality of kinds of roles if a winning outcome is achieved by satisfying a specified condition.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of playing a game is provided, in which the special game is a poker game when the finally distributed cards include a special combination entitled to a win.

In still another aspect of the present invention, a method of playing a game is provided, which further includes the step of: (e) supplying a sub-game determining whether to supply the special game for the subsequent game when the finally distributed cards include the special combination entitled to a win.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of playing a game is provided, which further includes the step of: (f) continuously supplying the special game until finally distributed cards include a second predetermined combination entitled to a win.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a method of playing a poker game is provided, which comprises the steps of: (a) distributing a plurality of cards to a player; (b) exchanging one or more of the distributed cards selected by the player with different cards; (c) providing a predetermined award to the player when finally distributed cards include a first predetermined combination entitled to a win; and (d) supplying a sub-game determining whether to supply a special game, in which at least one of initially distributed cards is a specified card possessing a plurality of roles, for a subsequent game when the finally distributed cards include a special combination entitled to a win.

In a still further aspect of the present invention, a method of playing a poker game is provided, which further includes the step of: (e) continuously supplying the special game until finally distributed cards include a second predetermined combination entitled to a win.

In a yet further aspect of the present invention, a method of playing a poker game is provided, which includes the steps of: (a) distributing a plurality of cards to a player; (b) exchanging one or more of the distributed cards selected by the player with different cards; (c) providing a predetermined award to the player when finally distributed cards include a first predetermined combination entitled to a win; (d) supplying a sub-game determining whether to supply a special game, in which at least one of initially distributed cards is a specified card possessing a plurality of roles, for a subsequent game when the finally distributed cards include a special combination entitled to a win; and (e) continuously supplying the special game until finally distributed cards include a second predetermined combination entitled to a win.

In an aspect of the present invention, a method of playing a poker game is provided, which includes the steps of: (a) distributing a plurality of cards to a plurality of players; (b) exchanging one or more of the distributed cards selected by each of the plurality of players with different cards; (c) providing a predetermined award to a player when finally distributed cards include a first predetermined combination entitled to a win; and (d) supplying a special game, in which at least one of initially distributed cards is a specified card possessing a plurality of roles, for a subsequent game when a player has finally distributed cards including a special combination entitled to a win.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of playing a poker game is provided, which further includes the step of: (e) supplying a sub-game determining whether to supply the special game for the subsequent game when the finally distributed cards include the special combination entitled to a win.

In still another aspect of the present invention, a method of playing a poker game is provided, which further includes the step of: (f) continuously supplying the special game to the player until finally distributed cards include a second predetermined combination entitled to a win.

The present invention is, therefore, able to provide a method of playing a game having a new gaming style enhancing expectations for medals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method of playing a poker game according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an award table of the poker game in the first embodiment;

FIGS. 3 to 10 are schematic diagrams illustrating the poker game in the first embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a general view illustrating a poker machine according to a second embodiment; and

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating the electrical configuration of the poker machine in the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method of playing a poker game according to a first embodiment of the invention. The method of playing a poker game according to the first embodiment is a method of a poker game in which, using a plurality of kinds of cards, a card selected by the player's operation from the initially distributed plurality of cards is exchanged with another card, and a predetermined award is awarded when a winning outcome is achieved by the presence of a plurality of cards making up a predetermined combination among finally distributed cards.

In particular, a plurality of kinds of cards is distributed to a player (step S1). Then, a card selected by the player from the plurality of distributed cards is exchanged with another card. It is judged whether any specified combination (e.g., a pair of Diamonds and Hearts) is included among the finally distributed cards (step S2).

When the specified combination is included, a special game is terminated in a subsequent game if the special game is in progress, in which at least one specified card having a plurality of kinds of roles (e.g., Joker) is distributed in the initially distributed cards(step S3).

If the specified combination is not included, it is judged whether any specified combination (e.g., Flush of Hearts or Diamonds) is included among the finally distributed cards (step S4). If the specified combination is included, a predetermined award is given (step S5); otherwise, this poker game is terminated and the next poker game starts.

If the predetermined combination is included, it is judged if the predetermined combination is a special combination such as Flush of Hearts or Diamonds (step S6). If the predetermined combination is the special combination, a sub-game (e.g., Hi-Lo) for determining providing of a special game in a next game is supplied (step S7). The sub-game is provided to every player having the special combination. If the special combination is not included, this poker game is terminated and a next poker game starts.

In the sub-game, it is judged whether the sub-game has resulted in a predetermined outcome (step S8). If the predetermined outcome is obtained, a special game is provided in the next poker game (step S9); otherwise, this poker game is terminated and a next poker game starts.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the poker game according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the poker game, players 11, 12 and 13 are seated around a game table 1. A dealer 5 distributes a plurality of kinds of cards 4 to the players 11, 12 and 13 (see FIG. 3). Then the dealer 5 exchanges a card selected by each of the players 11, 12 and 13 for another card. In addition, the game table is equipped with a card area 2 for placing the cards 4 thereupon and an award table 3 showing the association between poker hands and awards.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the poker game according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the players 11, 12 and 13 are lining up the finally distributed cards on the card area 2 of the game table 1 to show patterns thereof.

The award table according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4. The numerals provided in an award table 3 express the number of medals supplied in accordance with a predetermined combination of cards entitled to an award. As an example, a description is given of a case where the number of medals bet by a player is one (the second column in the award table 3). When a predetermined combination is a Royal Flush, 500 medals are supplied to the player. When it is a Five of a Kind, 100 medals are supplied to the player. When it is a Straight Flush, 50 medals are supplied to the player. When it is a Four of a Kind, 20 medals are supplied to the player. When it is a Full House, 8 medals are supplied to the player. When it is a Flush, 6 medals are supplied to the player. When it is a Straight, 4 medals are supplied to the player. When it is a Three of a Kind, 2 medals are supplied to the player. When it is a Two Pair, 1 medal is supplied to the player. The number of medals supplied is increased in multiples of the number of medals the player bet (the third to sixth columns of the award table 3).

Hereinafter, the playing method of a poker game according to the first embodiment of the present invention is explained using an example of card patterns. FIGS. 5 to 10 are schematic diagrams illustrating examples of a plurality of kinds of cards distributed to a player.

FIG. 5 is an example of a plurality of kinds of cards just distributed to a player. In particular, an ace of Spades, a 3 of Clubs, a queen of Clubs, a 10 of Clubs and a 3 of Hearts are distributed. The player chooses an ace of Spades, and requests the dealer to exchange.

FIG. 6 is an example of a plurality of kinds of cards after exchanging the ace of Spades. In particular, an ace of Clubs, a 3 of Clubs, a queen of Clubs, a 10 of Clubs and a 3 of Hearts are distributed. The player chooses a 3 of Hearts, and requests the dealer to exchange.

FIG. 7 is an example of a plurality of kinds of cards after exchanging the 3 of Hearts. In particular, an ace of Clubs, a 3 of Clubs, a queen of Clubs, a 10 of Clubs and a 5 of Clubs are distributed. That is to say, the finally distributed cards constitute a predetermined combination, Flush to achieve a winning outcome. Therefore, if the number of medals bet by the player is one, 6 medals are supplied according to the award table 3 (see FIG. 4).

In addition, since the predetermined combination shown in FIG. 7 is a Flush of Clubs, which is judged to be a special combination, a sub-game is supplied to the player.

In the sub-game, the player turns over two cards sequentially among 5 face-down cards. If the numeric value of a second card is larger than that of a first card, the outcome is judged to be successful.

FIG. 8 is an example of a plurality of kinds of cards showing a result of a sub-game. In particular, the diagram shows the player has turned over an ace of Clubs, then a 10 of Clubs. The outcome is judged to be successful and, from the next poker game, a special game is provided to the player.

FIG. 9 is an example of a plurality of kinds of cards just distributed to a player in a special game of a poker game. In particular, an ace of Spades, a 3 of Hearts, a queen of Clubs, a 7 of Diamonds, and a Joker, which is a specified card having a plurality of kinds of roles, are distributed.

FIG. 10 is an example of a plurality of kinds of cards finally distributed to a player in a special game of a poker game, containing a specified combination. In particular, an ace of Spades, a 3 of Diamonds, a queen of Clubs, a 10 of Clubs and a 3 of Hearts are distributed. Since the finally distributed cards constitute a predetermined combination, a pair of Diamonds and Hearts, the special game is terminated for the next poker game.

As described above, the playing method of a poker game according to the first embodiment is an example of the playing method of a game which includes steps of: distributing a plurality of kinds of cards to a player, exchanging a card selected by the player from the plurality of distributed cards for another card, providing a predetermined award if the finally distributed cards include a predetermined combination entitled to a wind, and supplying a special game in which at least one of the initially distributed cards in a next game is a specified card having a plurality of kinds of roles if the win is achieved by satisfying a specified condition.

Furthermore, the playing method of the poker game according to the first embodiment is an example of the playing method of a game which includes steps of: distributing a plurality of kinds of cards to a player, exchanging a card selected by the player from the plurality of distributed cards for another card, providing a predetermined award if the finally distributed cards include a predetermined combination entitled to a win, and supplying a sub-game determining a supply of a special game in which at least one of the initially distributed cards in a next game is a specified card having a plurality of kinds of roles if the win is achieved by the presence of a plurality of cards constituting a special combination among finally distributed cards.

Furthermore, the playing method of a poker game according to the first embodiment is an example of the playing method of a game which includes steps of: distributing a plurality of kinds of cards to a player, exchanging a card selected by a player from the plurality of distributed cards for another card, awarding a predetermined award if the finally distributed cards include a predetermined combination entitled to a win, supplying a sub-game determining a supply of a special game in which at least one of the initially distributed cards in a next game is a specified card having a plurality of kinds of roles if the win is achieved by the presence of a plurality of cards constituting a special combination among finally distributed cards, and supplying the special game continuously until a specific combination is included among finally distributed cards.

Furthermore, the playing method of a poker game according to the first embodiment is an example of the playing method of a game which includes steps of: distributing a plurality of kinds of cards to each of the multiple players, exchanging a card selected by a player from the plurality of distributed cards for another card, providing a predetermined award to one of the multiple players having the finally distributed cards including a predetermined combination entitled to a win, and supplying a special game in which at least one of the initially distributed cards in a next game is a specified card having a plurality of kinds of roles to the particular one player.

Second Embodiment

In the description of a second embodiment, the same references have been used as in the first embodiment for similar parts, and the descriptions thereof are, therefore, omitted or simplified.

The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the game performed by the method of playing a poker game of the present invention is executed with a poker machine 10, instead of the game table.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the general view of a poker machine according to the second embodiment, which executes the game by the method of playing a poker game of the present invention. Although the second embodiment is described taking as an example the poker machine using medals as a gaming medium, the gaming machine may use as a gaming medium, coins, medals, tokens, cards storing playing value information, etc.

A first display 32 for displaying images related to the poker game is disposed on the front of the poker machine 10. A second display 33 for displaying images related to the poker game is disposed above the first display 32 on the front of the poker machine 10, separately from the first display 32. The first display 32 displays a number of cards distributed to a player and an award table showing card combinations eligible for awards. A touch panel 33a is disposed at least in a portion of the second display 33.

A medal slot 63 is disposed in the vicinity to the right on the front of the poker machine 10, and a medal payout opening 61 and a medal receiving pan 67 are disposed on the lower portion thereof. The player's medal insertion into the medal slot 63 enables playing of the game. Based on the game result, a number of medals are paid out from the medal payout opening 61, and stored on the medal receiving pan 67. As described later, a medal detecting sensor 31 (refer to FIG. 12) is housed in the inside of the gaming machine where the medal slot 63 is disposed. The medal detecting sensor 31 detects that the player has inserted a number of medals into the poker machine 10.

Speakers 46a and 46b are disposed in upper sections of the poker machine 10. The speakers 46a and 46b generate sound effects, etc. in response to the game progress. Decorative lamps 36a and 36b are disposed on the left and right sides in substantially the center of the poker machine 10, respectively. The decorative lamps 36a and 36b illuminate in response to the game progress.

Hold switches 20, a deal switch 24, a cash out switch 22, a bet max switch 26, and a bet one switch 28, which are used for advancing the game, are arranged below the first display 32.

The total number of the hold switches 20 is five. The hold switches 20 are arranged so as to correspond to the card images displayed on the first display 32, respectively. The hold switches 20 are used when the player selects a card to remain without being exchanged after the cards are displayed. When the player activates the hold switch 20 underlying the selected card among the five cards displayed on the first display 32 by pressing, the selected card remains not exchanged.

The cash out switch 22 and the deal switch 24 are located at the lower left of the hold switches 20. The cash out switch 22 is used to pay out medals stored (hereinafter referred to as credited) in the poker machine 10. When the player activates the cash out switch 22 by a pressing operation, a number of medals is paid out to the medal receiving pan 67. The deal switch 24 is used when the player receives the display of cards. The player's operations of inserting medal(s) and pressing the deal switch 24 enable the images of distributed cards and new exchanged cards to be displayed on the first display 32.

The bet max switch 26 and the bet one switch 28 are disposed to the right of the deal switch 24. The bet max switch 26 and the bet one switch 28 are used when the player starts the game. The bet max switch 26 is used to bet five medals, namely the maximum number of medals, at a time. The bet one switch 28 increases the number of medals used for the game depending on the number of times the switch is pressed.

a. Configuration of Controller of Poker Machine

The configuration of the controller of the poker machine 10 is described below. FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a control circuit of the poker machine in the second embodiment of the present invention.

A main control circuit 60 as a controller is configured by connecting, through an input/output bus 64, a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as a CPU) 66, read only memory (hereinafter referred to as a ROM) 68, random access memory (hereinafter referred to as a RAM) 70, a random number generator 65, and interface circuit groups 62 and 72 to each other. The input/output bus 64 inputs and outputs data signals, control signals or address signals to the CPU 66.

Based on a computer program stored in the ROM 68, the CPU 66 reads and writes data with respect to elements and units connected to the input/output bus 64, and cooperates with these elements and units to perform various types of processing. A timer (not shown) to be described later is housed within the CPU 66.

The ROM 68 and the RAM 70, each serving as a storage means, are also connected to the input/output bus 64. The ROM 68 stores a control program for controlling the entire flow of the game in the poker machine 10. The ROM 68 also stores the initial data for executing the control program, a program for controlling flashing operation patterns of the decorative lamps 36 (36a and 36b (refer to FIG. 11)) housed within the poker machine 10, and a program for controlling display on the first display 32. The ROM 68 further stores, for example, a plurality of kinds of lottery tables on which the random numbers sampled by the random number generator 65 are associated with the card images displayed on the first display 32, and a combination judgment table for judging whether a combination of patterns among a plurality of card images displayed on the first display 32 corresponds to a specified combination.

A plurality of kinds of lottery tables stored in the ROM 68 includes a normal lottery table having a predetermined number of kinds of random number values for judging a winning outcome, and a plurality of kinds of high probability lottery tables on which the number of random number values for judging whether a winning outcome is larger than the abovementioned predetermined number. The plurality of kinds of high probability lottery tables has different numbers of kinds of random number values for judging a winning outcome.

The ROM 68 also stores a sub-game lottery table on which the random numbers generated by the random number generator 65 are associated with the images of cards displayed in the sub-game for determining the supply of a special game in which at least one of the initially distributed cards is a specified card having a plurality of kinds of roles.

The plurality of lottery tables has different probabilities of winning outcomes. For a certain specified combination, the CPU 66 performs the sub-game, and based on the result of the sub-game, sets as a lottery table for an internal lottery any one of the tables for the high-probability win game having a higher probability of winning outcomes than the normal lottery table.

The RAM 70 stores the values of flags and variables used in the abovementioned programs. The RAM 70 also stores a high probability flag indicating whether the game state is the special game state or not.

The random number generator 65 for generating random numbers is connected to the input/output bus 64. When an instruction for generating random numbers is transmitted from the CPU 66 to the random number generator 65, the random number generator 65 generates random numbers in a predetermined range, and transmits signals indicating the values of the random numbers to the input/output bus 64. Based on the generated random numbers, the CPU 66 performs internal lottery processing as described later. The random numbers generated from the random number generator 65 are stored in the RAM 70.

In the present embodiment, the random number generator 65 connected through the input/output bus 64 to the CPU 66 samples the random numbers by way of example and without limitation. As a random number sampling means, random number sampling may be executed under an operational program of the CPU 66. In this case, the random number generator 65 can be omitted.

The hold switches 20, the deal switch 24, the cash out switch 22, the bet max switch 26 and the bet one switch 28 are also connected to the interface circuit group 62. When these switches are activated by the player's pressing operation, they transmit their respective pressing operation detection signals to the interface circuit group 62. The interface circuit group 62 supplies these detection signals to the input/output bus 64.

The medal detecting sensor 31 is connected to the interface circuit group 62. A detection signal from the medal detecting sensor 31 is converted to a predetermined signal, and supplied to the input/output bus 64 by the interface circuit group 62.

A display and input controller 200 is also connected to the interface circuit group 72. Based on an image display instruction issued from the main control circuit 60, the display and input controller 200 transmits drive signals for driving the first display 32 and the second display 33 connected to the display and input controller 200. The display and input controller 200 also supplies input signals received by the touch panel 33a provided on the second display 33 to the interface circuit group 72, which are then transmitted through the input/output bus 64 to the CPU 66.

The speakers 46 (46a and 46b) and the decorative lamps 36 (36a and 36b) are also connected to the interface circuit group 72. The interface circuit group 72 controls each of the abovementioned units by supplying a drive signal and a drive electric power thereto, in accordance with the arithmetic operation result in the CPU 66.

A hopper controller 210 is also connected to the interface circuit group 72. Based on a medal payout instruction issued from the main control circuit 60, the hopper controller 210 transmits a drive signal for driving a hopper 50 connected to the hopper controller 210.

Thus, the poker machine 10 according to the second embodiment is an example of a poker machine including: a controller which uses a plurality of kinds of cards, exchanges a card selected by a player from the initially distributed cards for another card, performs a poker game in which a predetermined award is provided if the finally distributed cards include a predetermined combination entitled to a win, performs a sub-game in a next game for determining the supply of a special game in which at least one of the initially distributed cards is a specified card having a plurality of kinds of roles under the condition that the win is achieved by a special combination, and supplies the special game continuously until a specific combination is included among finally distributed cards; a first display for displaying images related to the poker game controlled by the controller; and a second display for displaying images related to the poker game separately from the first display.

While the first and second embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated above, it is to be understood that they are exemplary of the invention and are not to be considered to be limiting. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered to be limited by the foregoing description and is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of playing a game, comprising the steps of: (a) distributing a plurality of cards to a player;(b) exchanging one or more of the distributed cards selected by the player with different cards;(c) providing a predetermined award to the player when finally distributed cards include a first predetermined combination entitled to a win; and(d) supplying a special game, in which at least one of initially distributed cards is a specified card possessing a plurality of roles, for a subsequent game when the player achieves the win satisfying a predetermined condition.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the special game is a poker game when the finally distributed cards include a special combination entitled to a win.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of: (e) supplying a sub-game determining whether to supply the special game for the subsequent game when the finally distributed cards include the special combination entitled to a win.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of: (f) continuously supplying the special game until finally distributed cards include a second predetermined combination entitled to a win.

5. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of: (f) continuously supplying the special game until finally distributed cards include a second predetermined combination entitled to a win.

6. A method of playing a poker game, comprising the steps of: (a) distributing a plurality of cards to a player;(b) exchanging one or more of the distributed cards selected by the player with different cards;(c) providing a predetermined award to the player when finally distributed cards include a first predetermined combination entitled to a win; and(d) supplying a sub-game determining whether to supply a special game, in which at least one of initially distributed cards is a specified card possessing a plurality of roles, for a subsequent game when the finally distributed cards include a special combination entitled to a win.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of: (e) continuously supplying the special game until finally distributed cards include a second predetermined combination entitled to a win.

8. A method of playing a poker game, comprising the steps of: (a) distributing a plurality of cards to a player;(b) exchanging one or more of the distributed cards selected by the player with different cards;(c) providing a predetermined award to the player when finally distributed cards include a first predetermined combination entitled to a win;(d) supplying a sub-game determining whether to supply a special game, in which at least one of initially distributed cards is a specified card possessing a plurality of roles, for a subsequent game when the finally distributed cards include a special combination entitled to a win; and(e) continuously supplying the special game until finally distributed cards include a second predetermined combination entitled to a win.

9. A method of playing a poker game, comprising the steps of: (a) distributing a plurality of cards to a plurality of players;(b) exchanging one or more of the distributed cards selected by each of the plurality of players with different cards;(c) providing a predetermined award to a player when finally distributed cards include a first predetermined combination entitled to a win; and(d) supplying a special game, in which at least one of initially distributed cards is a specified card possessing a plurality of roles, for a subsequent game when a player has finally distributed cards including a special combination entitled to a win.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of: (e) supplying a sub-game determining whether to supply the special game for the subsequent game when the finally distributed cards include the special combination entitled to a win.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of: (f) continuously supplying the special game to the player until finally distributed cards include a second predetermined combination entitled to a win.

12. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of: (f) continuously supplying the special game to the player until finally distributed cards include a second predetermined combination entitled to a win.