Patent Publication Number: US-2009227310-A1

Title: Playing Method Of Card Game And Game Machine

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/034,703 filed on Mar. 7, 2008. 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 method of playing card games and a game machine. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Conventionally, card games such as poker, blackjack, and baccarat, have been known which a plurality of players enjoy in gaming places such as casinos. These card games are generally performed between players and a dealer actually using betting chips. 
     The above-mentioned card games include: live-type card games in which players compete against a real dealer; and video-type, table-type card games in which players compete against a virtual dealer displayed on a video display. The video-type card games employs a game system in which the video display device displays an image of the virtual dealer who takes action to deal cards and deliver chips, and then, game programs are processed and implemented, as if card games were performed between each of the players and the real dealer. 
     For example, US Published Patent Application No. 2005/0035548 discloses a table game system, including: a video display device, which displays a virtual dealer and game cards; and a plurality of player stations provided integrally with a dealer table so as to accept a game start operation such as BET from players and surround the dealer table. In this game system, the video display device serves to display cards automatically shuffled by a computer while displaying the virtual dealer by way of image, so that a plurality of players at a plurality of player stations perform card games. 
     The abovementioned conventional game system has been disadvantageous in that the dealer and the plurality of players at the plurality of player stations can perform card games, whereas there is no chance to perform games among the plurality of players. Therefore, a need exists for the advent of gaming methods and machines with new entertainability. 
     The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstance. It is an object of the invention to provide a novel gaming method and machine by enhancing the entertainability of card games among the plurality of players. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A first aspect of the present invention is a game machine, including: a plurality of first display devices provided corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of players; a second display device provided in common to the plurality of players; and a controller for controlling the first display devices and the second display device, the controller being programmed to: (a) execute a basic game; (b) display a predetermined number of players&#39; cards on the first display devices and display a predetermined number of banker&#39;s cards on the second display, in the basic game; (c) pay out to at least one of the players a payment determined by comparing the players&#39; cards with the banker&#39;s cards displayed in the process (b), in the basic game; (d) execute a side game in a case where a predetermined condition is met, in the basic game; (e) determine, on the plural-players basis, card combination in which a payment is to be paid out, from among plural kinds of cards and then, display the determined card combination on at least one of each of the first display devices and the second display device, in the side game; (f) display, on the first display devices, a plurality of cards dealt on the plural-players basis and display, on the second display device, a plurality of cards displayed on the first display devices and owned by the players, from among the plural kinds of cards, in the side game; and (g) pay out a payment, based upon the combination determined in the process (e), in a case where the plurality of cards displayed on a player-by-player basis in the process (f) include the card combination determined on the plural-players basis in the process (e), in the side game. 
     According to the game machine constituted as set forth below, a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out is displayed in a side game on a player-by-player basis. In a case where all of plural cards after dealt to a plurality of players, which were displayed on a common display device, include a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out, the payment is paid out. Therefore, in a case where a card combination “One Pair” or “Two Pairs” is displayed when the side game is started, for example, if five cards after dealt to each of all the players include the card combination “One Pair” or “Two Pairs”, the payment is paid out based upon the card combination, thus making it possible to enhance entertainability of card games among a plurality of players. 
     A second aspect of the present invention is the game machine of the first aspect, further including a memory for storing game historical data for consisting of winner-loser data of a past game accumulatively stored and table data for determining a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out, wherein: the controller determines a plurality of card combinations in which the payments are to be paid out on the plural-players basis, with referring to the table data, according to the past winner-loser data that is based upon the game historical data stored in the memory, in the process (e). 
     According to the game machine constituted as set forth below, a plurality of card combinations in which payments are to be paid out are determined depending upon the past win/loss in a side game. Therefore, in a case where a large number of accumulated BETs and a small number of wins take place, for example, a small number of card combinations in which payments are to be paid out are determined, thereby making it possible to enhance entertainment of card games among the plurality of players. 
     A third aspect of the present invention is the game machine of the first aspect, further including an input device for accepting operation from a player, wherein: the controller is programmed to (h) accept entry of a side BET that is different from a normal BET from the input device, and then, pay out a payment to only at least one of the players having entered the side BET in the process (g). 
     According to the game machine constituted as set forth below, a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out is displayed on a player-by-player basis in a side game. In a case where all of plural cards after dealt to a plurality of players, which were displayed on a common display, include a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out, the payment is paid out only at least one of the players having entered a side BET. Therefore, in a case where a card combination “One Pair” or “Two Pairs” is displayed on the display device when a side game is started, for example, if five cards after dealt to each of all the players include either of the card combinations “One Pair” and “Two Pairs”, the payment is paid out to only at least one of the players having entered the side BET, thereby making it possible to enhance entertainability of card games among the plurality of players. 
     A fourth aspect of the present invention is the game machine of the third aspect, wherein: the controller distributes and pays out the payment among all of the players having entered the side BET, in the process (g). 
     According to the game machine constituted as set forth below, a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out is displayed on a player-by-player basis in a side game. In a case where all of plural cards after dealt to a plurality of players, which were displayed on a common display, include a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out, the payment is distributed and paid out among players having entered side BETs. Therefore, in a case where a card combination “One Pair” or “Two Pairs” is displayed on the display device when a side game is started, if five cards after dealt to each of all the players include the combination “One Pair” or “Two Pairs”, the payment is distributed among the players having entered the side BETs, thereby making it possible to enhance entertainability of card games among the plurality of players. 
     A fifth aspect of the present invention is the game machine of the first aspect, wherein: the controller is programmed to: (i) execute processing of determining the player to whom a payment is to be paid out, from among the plurality of players; and the controller pays out, in the process (g), the payment determined in the process (i). 
     According to the game machine constituted as set forth below, a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out is displayed on a player-by-player basis in a side game. In a case where all of plural cards after dealt to a plurality of players, which were displayed on a common display, include a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out, a player to whom a payment is to be paid out is determined from among the players having entered the side BETs. Therefore, in a case where a card combination “One Pair” or “Two Pairs” is displayed on the display device when a side game is started, if five cards after dealt to each of all the players include either of the card combinations “One Pair” and “Two Pairs”, a player to whom a payment is to be randomly paid out is determined from among the players having entered the side BETs, thereby making it possible to enhance entertainability of card games among the plurality of players. 
     A sixth aspect of the present invention is a game machine, including: a plurality of first display devices provided corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of players; a second display device provided in common to the plurality of players; and a memory for storing game historical data for consisting of winner-loser data of a past game accumulatively stored and table data for determining a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out, a controller for controlling the first display devices, the second display device and the memory, the controller being programmed to: (a) execute a basic game; (b) display a predetermined number of players&#39; cards on the first display devices and display a predetermined number of banker&#39;s cards on the second display, in the basic game; (c) pay out to at least one of the players a payment determined by comparing the players&#39; cards with the banker&#39;s cards displayed in the process (b), in the basic game; (d) execute a side game in a case where a predetermined condition is met in the basic game; (e) determine, on the plural-players basis, a plurality of card combinations in which payments are to be paid out, from among plural kinds of cards, with referring to the table data, according to past winner-loser data that is based upon the game historical data stored in the memory in the side game, and then, display the determined card combinations on at least one of the first display devices and the second display device; (f) display, on the first display devices, a plurality of cards dealt on the plural-players basis, and display, on the second display device, a plurality of cards displayed on the first display devices and owned by the players, from among the plural kinds of cards, in the side game; and (g) pay out a payment, based upon the combination determined in the process (e), in a case where the plurality of cards displayed on a player-by-player basis in the process (f) include the card combination determined on the plural-players basis in the process (e), in the side game. 
     According to the game machine constituted as set forth below, a plurality of card combinations in which payments are to be paid out are determined depending upon the past win/loss in a side game. Therefore, in a case where a large number of accumulated BETs and a small number of wins take place, for example, a large number of card combinations in which payments are paid out are determined. In a case where a small number of accumulated BETs and a large number of wins take place, a small number of card combinations in which payments are to be paid out are determined, thereby making it possible to enhance entertainability of card games. 
     A seventh aspect of the present invention is the game machine of the sixth aspect, further including: an input device for accepting operation of a player, wherein: the controller is programmed to: (h) accept entry of a side BET that is different from a normal BET from the input device, and then, pay out a payment to only at least one of the players having entered the side BET in the process (g). 
     According to the game machine constituted as set forth below, a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out in a side game is displayed on a player-by-player basis. In a case where all of a plurality of cards after dealt to a plurality of players, which were displayed on the common display device, include a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out, the payment is paid out to only at least one of the players having entered a side BET. Therefore, in a case where the card combination “One Pair” or “Two Pairs” is displayed on the display device when a side game is started, for example, if five cards after dealt to each of all the players include either of the combinations “One Pair” and “Two Pairs”, the payment is paid out to only at least one of the players having entered the side BET, thus making it possible to enhance entertainability of card games among the plurality of players. 
     An eighth aspect of the present invention is the game machine of the seventh aspect, wherein: the controller distributes and pays out the payment among all of the players having entered the side BET in the process (g). 
     According to the game machine constituted as set forth below, a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out in a side game is displayed on a player-by-player basis. In a case where all of a plurality of cards after dealt to a plurality of players, which were displayed on the common display device, include a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out, the payment is distributed and paid out among the players having entered the side BETs. Therefore, in a case where the card combination “One Pair” or “Two Pairs” is displayed on the display device when a side game is started, for example, if five cards after dealt to each of all the players include either of the combinations “One Pair” and “Two Pairs”, the payment is paid out to only at least one of the players having entered the side BET, thus making it possible to enhance entertainability of card games among the plurality of players. 
     A ninth aspect of the present invention is the game machine of the seventh aspect, wherein: the controller is programmed to: (i) execute a process of determining a player to whom a payment is to be paid out, from among the plurality of players; and the controller pays out, in the process (g), the payment to the player determined in the process (i). 
     According to the game machine constituted as set forth below, a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out in a side game is displayed on a player-by-player basis. In a case where all of a plurality of cards after dealt to a plurality of players, which were displayed on the common display device, include a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out, a player to whom a payment is to be paid out is determined from among the players having entered the side BETs. Therefore, in a case where a card combination “One Pair” or “Two Pairs” is displayed on the display device when a side game is started, a player to whom a payment is to be randomly paid out is determined from among the players having entered the side BETs, thus making it possible to enhance entertainability of card games among the plurality of players. 
     A tenth aspect of the present invention is a game machine, including: a plurality of first display devices provided corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of players; a second display device provided in common to the plurality of players; and a memory for storing game historical data for consisting of winner-loser data of a past game accumulatively stored and table data for determining a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out; an input device for accepting operation from a player; a controller for controlling the first display devices, the second display device, the memory and the input device, the controller being programmed to: (a) execute a basic game; (b) display a predetermined number of players&#39; cards on the first display devices and display a predetermined number of banker&#39;s cards on the second display in the basic game; (c) pay out to at least one of the players a payment determined by comparing the players&#39; cards displayed in the process (b) with the banker&#39;s cards, in the basic game; (d) execute a side game in a case where a predetermined condition is met in the basic game; (e) determine, on the plural-players basis, a plurality of card combinations in which payments are to be paid out, from among plural kinds of cards, with referring to the table data, according to past winner-loser data that is based upon the game historical data stored in the memory in the side game, and then, display the determined card combinations on at least one of the first display devices and the second display device; (f) display, on the first display devices, a plurality of cards dealt on the plural-players basis and display, on the second display device, a plurality of cards displayed on the first display devices and owned by the players, from among the plural kinds of cards, in the side game; (g) accept entry of a side BET that is different from a normal BET from the input device in the side game; and (h) pay out a payment, based upon a card combination determined for only the player having entered the side BET in the process (g), in a case where the plurality of cards displayed on a player-by-player basis in the process (g) include the card combination determined on the plural-players basis in the process (e). 
     According to the game machine constituted as set forth below, a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out in a side game is displayed on a player-by-player basis. In a case where all of a plurality of cards after dealt to a plurality of players, which were displayed on the common display device, include a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out, the payment is paid out to only at least one of the players having entered a side BET. Therefore, in a case where the card combination “One Pair” or “Two Pairs” is displayed on the display device when a side game is started, for example, if five cards after dealt to each of all the players include either of the card combinations “One Pair” and “Two pairs”, the payment is paid out to only at least one of the players having entered the side BET, thus making it possible to enhance entertainability of card games among the plurality of players. 
     An eleventh aspect of the present invention is a game method, including the steps of: (a) dealing to players a predetermined number of cards as players&#39; cards and dealing to a banker a predetermined number of cards as banker&#39;s cards, in a basic game; (b) paying out to one of the players a payment determined by comparing the players&#39; cards with the banker&#39;s cards in the basic game; (c) determining, on a plural-players basis, a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out, from among plural kinds of cards in a side game; (d) dealing a plurality of cards to a plurality of players, respectively, from among plural kinds of cards in the side game; (e) arranging a plurality of cards owned by the plurality of players in a state in which kinds of the plurality of cards are identified to the plurality of players in the side game; and (f) paying out a payment to a player, based upon the card combination in which a payment is to be paid out determined in the step (c), in a case where the plurality of cards arranged on the player-by-player basis in the side game include the card combinations determined on the plural-players basis in the step (c). 
     According to the game machine constituted as set forth below, a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out in a side game is determined on a player-by-player basis, and a plurality of cards after dealt to the plurality of players are arranged in a state in which their kinds are identified. In a case where all of a plurality of cards after dealt to a plurality of players, which were displayed on the common display device, includes a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out, the payment is paid out. Therefore, in a case where a card combination “One Pair” or “Two Pairs” is displayed on the display device when a side game is started, for example, if five cards deal to each of all the players include either of the card combinations “One Pair” and “Two Pairs”, the payment is paid out based upon the card combination, thus making it possible to enhance entertainability of card games among the plurality of players. 
     A twelfth aspect of the present invention is the game method of the eleventh aspect, wherein: the step (c) comprises the step of determining a plurality of card combinations in which the payments are to be paid out on the plural-players basis, according to a past game winner/loser log. 
     According to the game method set forth above, a plurality of card combinations in which payments are paid out are determined depending upon the past win/loss in a side game. Therefore, in a case where a large number of accumulated BETs and a small number of wins take place, a large number of card combinations in which the payments are to be paid out are determined; and in a case where a small number of accumulated BETs and a large amount of wins take place, a small amount of card combinations in which payments are to be paid out is determined, thereby making it possible to enhance entertainability of card games. 
     A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the game method of the eleventh aspect, wherein: the step (c) includes the step of (g) accepting a side BET that is different from a normal BET, wherein: the step (f) comprises the step of paying out a payment to only at least one of the players having performed the side BET. 
     According to the game method set forth below, a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out in a side game is determined on a player-by-player basis, and a plurality of cards after dealt to the plurality of players are arranged in a state in which their kinds are identified. In a case where all of a plurality of cards after dealt to a plurality of players, which were displayed on the common display device, include a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out, the payment is paid out to only at least one of the players having entered the side BETs. Therefore, in a case where a card combination “One Pair” or “Two Pairs” are determined on the display device when a side game is started, for example, if all of a plurality of cards after dealt to a plurality of players include either of the card combinations “One Pair” and “Two Pairs”, the payment is paid out to a player having entered a side BET, thus making it possible to entertainability of card games among the plurality of players. 
     A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the game machine of the thirteenth aspect, further comprising the step of distributing and paying out a payment among all of the players having performed the side BET, in the step (g). 
     According to the game method set forth below, a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out in a side game is determined on a player-by-player basis, and a plurality of cards after dealt to the plurality of players are arranged in a state in which their kinds are identified. In a case where all of a plurality of cards after dealt to a plurality of players, which were displayed on the common display device, include a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out, the payment is distributed and paid out among the players having entered the side BETs. Therefore, in a case where a card combination “One Pair” or “Two Pairs” is determined on the display device when a side game is started, if five cards after dealt to all of the players include either of the card combinations “One Pair” and “Two Pairs”, the payment is distributed among the players having entered the side BETs, thus making it possible to enhance entertainability of card games among the plurality of players. 
     A fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the game method of the eleventh aspect, further including: the step of (h) determining a player to whom a payment is to be paid out, from among the plurality of players, wherein: the step (f) includes the step of paying out a payment to the player determined in the step (h). 
     According to the game method set forth below, a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out in a side game is determined on a player-by-player basis, and a plurality of cards after dealt to the plurality of players are arranged in a state in which their kinds are identified. In a case where all of a plurality of cards after dealt to a plurality of players, which were displayed on the common display device, include a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out, a player to whom a payment is to be paid out is determined from among the players having entered side BETs. Therefore, in a case where a card combination “One Pair” or “Two Pairs” is determined on the display device when a side game is started, for example, if five cards after dealt to all of the players include either of the card combinations “One Pair” and “Two Pairs”, a player to whom a payment is randomly paid out is determined from among the players having entered the side BETs, thus making it possible to enhance entertainability of card games among the plurality of players. 
     A sixteenth aspect of the present invention is a game method, including the steps of: (a) dealing to players a predetermined number of cards as players&#39; cards and dealing to a banker a predetermined number of cards as banker&#39;s cards, in a basic game; (b) paying out to one of the players a payment determined by comparing the players&#39; cards and the banker&#39;s cards, in the basic game; (c) determining a plurality of card combinations in which payments are to be paid out, from among plural kinds of cards, on a plural-players basis, according to a past game winner/loser log in, a side game; (d) dealing a plurality of cards to a plurality of players, respectively, from among plural kinds of cards, in the side game; (e) arranging a plurality of cards owned by the plurality of players in a state in which kinds of the plurality of cards are identified to the plurality of players, in the side game; and (f) paying out a payment to a player, based upon the card combinations in which payments are to be paid out determined in the step (c), in a case where the plurality of cards arranged on the player-by-player basis in the step (c) include the card combinations determined on the plural-players basis in the step (c). 
     According to the game method set forth below, a plurality of card combinations in which payments are to be paid out are determined depending upon the past win/loss in a side game. Therefore, in a case where a large number of accumulated BETs and a small number of wins take place, for example, a large number of card combinations in which payments are to be paid out is determined; and in a case where a small number of accumulated BETs and a large number of wins take place, a small number of card combinations in which payments are to be paid out are determined, thereby making it possible to enhance entertainability of card games. 
     A seventeenth aspect of the present invention is the game method of the sixteenth aspect, further including the step of (g) accepting a side BET that is different from a normal BET, wherein: the step (f) includes the step of paying out a payment to only at least one of the players having performed the side BET. 
     According to the game method set forth above, a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out in a side game is determined on a player-by-player basis, and a plurality of cards after dealt to a plurality of players are arranged in a state in which their kinds are identified. In a case where all of the plurality of cards after dealt to the plurality of players include a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out, a payment is paid out to only at least one of the players having entered a side BET. Therefore, in a case where a card combination “One Pair” or “Two Pairs” is determined on the display device when a side game is started, if five cards after dealt to all of the players include either of the card combinations “One Pair” and “Two Pairs”, a payment is paid out to only the player having entered the side BET, thus making it possible to enhance entertainability of card games among the plurality of players. 
     An eighteenth aspect of the present invention is the game method of the seventeenth aspect, wherein the step (f) includes the step of distributing and paying out a payment among all of the players having performed the side BET in the step (g). 
     According to the game method set forth below, a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out in a side game is determined on a player-by-player basis, and a plurality of cards after dealt to the plurality of players are arranged in a state in which their kinds are identified. In a case where all of a plurality of cards after dealt to a plurality of players, which were displayed on the common display device, include a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out, the payment is distributed and paid out among the players having entered the side BETs. Therefore, in a case where a card combination “One Pair” or “Two Pairs” is determined on the display device when a side game is started, if five cards after dealt to all of the players include either of the card combinations “One Pair” and “Two Pairs”, the payment is distributed among the players having entered the side BETs, thus making it possible to enhance entertainability of card games among the plurality of players. 
     A nineteenth aspect of the present invention is the game method of the seventeenth aspect, further including the step of (h) determining a player to whom a payment is to be paid out, from among the plurality of players, wherein: the step (f) comprises the step of paying out a payment to the player determined in the step (h). 
     According to the game method set forth below, a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out in a side game is determined on a player-by-player basis, and a plurality of cards after dealt to the plurality of players are arranged in a state in which their kinds are identified. In a case where all of a plurality of cards after dealt to a plurality of players, which were displayed on the common display device, include a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out, a player to whom a payment is to be paid out is determined from among the players having entered side BETs. Therefore, in a case where a card combination “One Pair” or “Two Pairs” is determined on the display device when a side game is started, a player to whom a payment is to be randomly paid out is determined from among the players having entered the side BETs, thus making it possible to enhance entertainability of card games among the plurality of players. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a view showing an exemplary image displayed on a front panel display device in a side game according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view schematically depicting a game machine according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view schematically depicting an appearance and configuration of stations included in the game machine shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a view showing an exemplary image displayed on a front panel display included in the game machine according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a view showing an exemplary image displayed on a liquid crystal display included in each of the stations according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram depicting an internal configuration of the game machine shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram depicting an internal configuration of the station included in the game machine shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a view showing an exemplary image displayed on the front panel display of the game machine according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a view showing an exemplary combination payout table in the side game according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a view showing an exemplary card combination determination data table according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 11A  is a view showing an exemplary image displayed on a liquid crystal display included in each of the stations while in a side game according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 11B  is a view showing an exemplary image displayed on a liquid crystal display included in each of the stations while in a side game according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 12A  is a view showing an exemplary image displayed on a liquid crystal display included in each of the stations while in a side game according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 12B  is a view showing an exemplary image displayed on a liquid crystal display included in each of the stations while in a side game according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 13A  is a view showing an exemplary image displayed on a liquid crystal display included in each of the stations while in a side game according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 13B  is a view showing an exemplary image displayed on a liquid crystal display included in each of the stations while in a side game according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 14A  is a flowchart showing main control unit processing executed at a main control unit included in the game machine according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 14B  is a flowchart showing main control unit processing executed at a main control unit included in the game machine according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 15A  is a flowchart showing a subroutine of station processing executed at the stations according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 15B  is a flowchart showing a subroutine of station processing executed at the stations according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 16  is a view showing an exemplary image displayed on a front panel display device in a side game according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 17A  is a flowchart showing main control unit processing executed at the main control unit included in a game machine according to the second embodiment; and 
         FIG. 17B  is a flowchart showing main control unit processing executed at the main control unit included in the game machine according to the second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, a game machine  1  according to a first embodiment will be described in detail with referring to the drawings. The embodiments that follow describe in detail a case in which a payment is paid out according to a combination of cards after dealt to a plurality of players if a trigger for a side game is established according to a plural combinations of cards in a PAIGOW poker while in action. 
     First, the rules of the PAIGOW poker will be described in detail. In the PAIGOW poker of the embodiments, one or more players compete against a banker with the use of one set of trump cards (52 cards) excluding a joker. 
     Seven cards are dealt to each of the persons consisting of a banker and the players. Each of them divides seven cards into two groups of five cards and of two cards. At this time, a hand of five cards (a high hand) must be as strong as or must be stronger than that of two cards (a low hand). 
     Next, it is judged as to which one of the players&#39; hands is strong or weak after comparing the five cards of each of the banker&#39;s and players&#39; hands with each other. Similarly, it is judged as to which one of the players&#39; hands is strong or weak after comparing the two cards of each of the banker&#39;s and players&#39; hands with each other. In a case where the banker&#39;s hands are stronger in both of the two groups of five and two cards, it is judged to be the banker&#39;s win. In a case where one of the players&#39; hands is stronger in both of the two groups of five and two cards, it is judged to be the player&#39;s win. In a case where the player&#39;s hands are stronger in one of the two groups consisting of five cards and two cards, and the banker&#39;s hand is stronger in the other one, it is judged to be “draw”. In addition, in a case where the player&#39;s hand and the banker&#39;s hand are identical to each other in strength with respect to both of the two groups of five and two cards, it is judged to be the banker&#39;s win. 
     The hands of five cards include “Royal Flush”, “Straight Flush”, “Four of a Kind”, “Full House”, “Straight”, “Three of a Kind”, “Two of a Kind”, and “No Pair” in order of strength. The hands of two cards include “One Pair” and “No Pair” in order of strength. 
     In addition, in a case where the player&#39;s and banker&#39;s hands are identical to each other, it is judged as to which one of the players&#39; hands is strong or weak after comparing the numbers or alphabets drawn in cards constituting the hands with each other. The card&#39;s numbers and alphabets include “A”, “K”, “Q”, “J”, “10”, “9”, “8”, “7”, “6”, “5”,“4”, “3”, and “2” in sequential order from the strongest combination of the five cards. 
     In the embodiments that follow, a PAIGOW poker accepting a normal BET and a side BET is executed. The normal BET is to be performed for the play of the PAIGOW poker, and the side BET is stored in an accumulative manner as a jackpot (hereinafter, referred to as a JP) at a predetermined rate included in a betted currency value (50% in the embodiments of the present invention). The following embodiments describe a case in which a dealer takes over a banker. 
       FIG. 1  is a view showing an exemplary image displayed on a front panel display in a side game according to a first embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a sub-game is started, a front panel display  21  displays a sub-game display image  70  indicating that the sub-game is started. Further, this front panel display displays, on a player-by-player basis, one or plural sub-game card combination display images  73   a  to  73   e  indicating that a payment is paid out. These images are displayed from card combinations “Royal Flush”, “Straight Flush”, “Four of a Kind”, “Full House”, “Flush”, “Straight”, “Three of a Kind”, “Two Pairs”, and “One Pair”. As winning card combinations in which payments are paid out, “One Pair” is determined for a player  1 ; “One Pair”, “Two Pairs”, and “Flush” for a player  2 ; “One Pair” and “Flush” for a player  3 ; “Two Pairs” and “Three of a Kind” for a player  4 ; and “Two Pairs” for a player  5 ; and sub-game card combination image displays  73   a  to  73   e  are displayed. 
     When the side-game card combination display image  70  is displayed, five cards are dealt to each of a plurality of players, and then, the dealt cards are displayed as the players&#39; cards on the front panel display  21 . Here, card images  71   a  to  71   e  after dealt to players  1  to  5 , respectively, are displayed, and player displays  72   a  to  72   c  are displayed indicating that five players  1  to  5  are performing a sub-game. In a case where all of the five cards after dealt to each of the players includes a sub-game card combination displayed on the player-by-player basis, a payment is paid out, based upon the display sub-game card combination. Here, since all of the cards after dealt to each of the players  1  to  5  include a card combination “One Pair”, a payment is paid out based upon such combination “One Pair”. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view schematically depicting an appearance and a configuration of a game machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the game machine  1  is basically made up of a main monitor  2  and five stations  3  (stations  3   a  to  3   e  ). While the present embodiment describes in detail a case in which the game machine  1  is provided with a plurality of stations  3  (five stations), the game machine may include over five stations in the present invention. 
     A front panel display  21  is provided at the center part of a main monitor  2 , and an image indicative of a dealer and cards is displayed. The front panel display  21  is equivalent to a display device of the present invention. In addition, provided at the upper side of the main monitor  2  are: a speaker  22  for outputting music or effect sounds in accordance with the progress of a game executed by the game machine  1 ; and an LED 23  that is lit at the time of various effects. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view schematically depicting an appearance and a configuration of stations included in the game machine shown in  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , a liquid crystal display  10 , which displays an image or the like pertinent to operation (see  FIG. 5 ), as described later, is provided at the upper center of a station  3 . In addition, a touch panel  11  for entering an operation such as BET is provided on the top face of the liquid crystal display  10 . The touch panel is equivalent to a BET switch, a side-BET switch, and an input switch, of the present invention. 
     An operational button  12  for making payout operation and a coin insertion slot  13  for inserting coins or medals are provided in front of the liquid crystal display  10 . A bill insertion slot  14  for inserting bills is provided at the front top right end of the station  3 . Provided downwardly of the bill insertion slot  14  is a coin payout opening  15  through which the coins or medals corresponding to stored credit are paid out to the players when payout operation is made. 
       FIG. 4  is a view showing an exemplary image displayed on a front panel display included in a game machine. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the front panel display  21  displays a dealer image  30  indicating a dealer (banker), a table image  31  indicative of a table, and a card image  32  indicative of seven banker&#39;s cards. The card image  32  is displayed in a faced down manner when cards are dealt to the dealer. When a high hand and a low hand are determined, the card image  32  is displayed in a faced up manner. In  FIG. 4 , the left five cards toward the dealer indicate a high hand, and the right two cards indicate a low hand. 
       FIG. 5  is a view showing an exemplary image displayed on a liquid crystal display included in stations. As shown in  FIG. 5 , a high hand display section  80 , which displays a player&#39;s high hand, and a low hand display section  81 , which displays a low hand, are provided at the upper side of the liquid crystal display  10 . The high hand display section  80  and the low hand display section  81  display card images  82  indicative of a high hand card and a low hand card, respectively, in a faced up manner. 
     A dealt-card display section  83  is provided at the lower side of the high hand display section  80 . A card image indicative of the seven player&#39;s cards after dealt to each of the players is displayed in a faced up manner at seven portions enclosed by the dotted line of the dealt-card display section  83 . A high hand determination button  84  and a low hand determination button  85 , for determining cards constituting a high hand and a low hand, are provided at the right side of the dealt-card display section  83 . A player can determine a high hand by selecting a card desired to be high hand, via a touch panel  11 , from among the cards displayed at the dealt-card display section  83 , and then, operating the high hand determination button  84 . The card determined to be a high hand is displayed at the high hand display section  80 . Similarly, the player determines a low hand by selecting a card desired to be a low hand, via the touch panel  11 , from among the cards displayed at the dealt-card display section  83 , followed by operating a low hand determination button  85  via the touch panel  11 . 
     A BET button display section  86  is provided at the lower side of the dealt-card display section  83 . The BET button display section  86  displays a BET button  87  for inputting a BET number. The player can input a normal BET number and a side BET number by operating a BET button  87  via the touch panel  11 . 
     A normal BET number display section  88 , which displays the number of normally betted coins, is provided at the right side of the BET button display section  86 . It is shown here that 28 coins have been betted. In a case where betting of these  28  coins is input, the player may operate “10” of the BET button  87  twice, “5” of the BET button  87  once, and “1” of the BET button  87  three times. 
     A side-BET number display section  89 , which displays the number of side-betted coins, is provided at the right side of the normal BET number display section  88 . Here, it is shown that 10 coins have been betted. Further, a credit number display section  90  is provided at the right side of the side-BET number display section  89 . Here, it is shown that 500 coins have been credited. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram depicting an internal configuration of the game machine shown in  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , a main control unit  40  included in the game machine  1  is basically constituted while a microcomputer  45  made up of: a CPU (Central Processing Unit)  41 ; a RAM (Random Access Memory)  42 ; a ROM (Read Only Memory)  43 ; a timer  95 ; and a bus  44  for transferring data therebetween is employed as a base. The main control unit  40  is equivalent to a controller of the present invention. 
     The ROM 43  stores: various programs for performing processing required for controlling the game machine  1 ; and a data table or the like. The RAM 42  is a memory for temporarily storing various data computed by the CPU 41 . Further, the timer  95  performs time measurement. 
     The CPU 41  is connected via an I/O interface  46  to an image processing circuit  47 , a voice circuit  48 , an LED driving circuit  49 , and a communication interface  50 . 
     A front panel display  21  constituting a main monitor  2  is connected to the image processing circuit  47 ; a speaker  22  constituting the main monitor  2  is connected to the voice circuit  48 ; and an LED 23  constituting the main monitor  2  is connected to the LED driving circuit  49 . Five stations  3  are connected to the communication interface  50 . 
     The CPU 41  controls games (a PAIGOW poker and a side game) to be conducted in the game machine  1 , based upon game programs (a PAIGOW poker game program and a side-game program) stored in the ROM 43  and various signals received from the stations  3 . Further, the CPU 41  controls the front panel display  21  to display images, the speaker  22  to output sounds, and the LED 23  to light, based upon the game programs. Furthermore, the CPU 41  transmits various signals to the stations  3 , based upon the above-mentioned game programs. 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram depicting an internal configuration of each of the stations included in the game machine shown in  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , stations  3  are basically constituted while microcomputers  55  made up of a CPU 51 , a RAM 52 , a ROM 53 , and a bus  54  for transferring data therebetween are employed as a base. 
     The ROM 53  stores a variety of programs and data tables or the like, for performing processing required for controlling stations  3 . In addition, the RAM 52  temporarily stores the credit number currently stored in stations  3  and a variety of data computed by the CPU 51 . 
     In addition, the CPU 51  is connected, via an I/O interface  56 , to a liquid crystal panel driving circuit  57 ; a touch panel driving circuit  58 ; a hopper driving circuit  59 ; a payout complete signal circuit  60 ; an inserted-coin detection signal circuit  67 ; a bill detection signal circuit  64 ; an operation signal circuit  66 ; and a communication interface  61 . 
     The liquid crystal display  10  is connected to the liquid crystal panel driving circuit  57 ; the touch panel  11  is connected to the touch panel driving circuit  58 ; a hopper  62  is connected to a hopper driving circuit  59 ; a coin detecting section  63  is connected to the payout complete signal circuit  60 ; an inserted-coin detecting section  68  is connected to the inserted-coin detection signal circuit  67 ; a bill detecting section  65  is connected to the bill detection signal circuit  64 ; and the operational button  12  is connected to the operation signal circuit  66 , respectively. 
     The hopper  62  serves to pay out coins from the coin payout opening  15 , based upon a control signal output from the CPU 51 . The coin detecting section  63  is provided inside the coin payout opening  15 , and transmits signals to the CPU 51  in a case where it is detected that a predetermined number of coins have been paid out from the coin payout opening  15 . 
     Upon detecting that coins have been inserted through the coin insertion slot  13 , the inserted-coin detecting section  68  detects the amount of the detected coins, and then, transmits to the CPU 51  a detection signal indicative of the detected amount. The detected coins are stored in the RAM 52  while a predetermined amount is handled as one credit. 
     At the time of acceptance of bills, the bill detecting section  65  detects the amount of the accepted bills, and then, transmits to the CPU 51  a detection signal indicating the detected amount. The detected bills are stored in the RAM 52  while the predetermined amount is handled as one credit. The operation button  12  is intended for performing payout operation in a case where coin payout has been determined. 
       FIG. 8  is a view showing an exemplary image displayed on the front panel display of the game machine according to the first embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the game machine  1  is made up of a main monitor  2  and five stations  3  ( 3   a  to  3   e  ). When a side game is started, the display device  21  at the center of the main monitor  2  and the liquid crystal display  10  display one or more sub-game card combination display images  73   a  to  73   e  indicating that a payment is paid out. These images are displayed on a player-by-player basis from among card combinations “Royal Flush”, “Straight Flush”, “Four of a Kind”, “Full House”, “Flush”, “Straight”, “Three of a Kind”, “Two Pairs”, and “One Pair”. Further, the front panel display  21  and the liquid crystal display  10  display side game dealt-cards after dealt to players of the respective stations  3  ( 3   a  to  3   e  ). In a case where all of the cards after dealt on the player-by-player basis, which were displayed on the front panel display  21  and the liquid crystal display  10 , includes a sub-game card combination displayed on the player-by-player basis, a payment is paid out to players of the stations  3  ( 3   a  to  3   e  ), based upon the displayed sub-game card combination. 
       FIG. 9  is a view showing an exemplary combination payout determination table in the side game according to the first embodiment. The combination payout table is stored in the ROM 43  while various combinations and payout types are associated with each other. As shown in  FIG. 9 , in the case of a card combination in which the cards after dealt in the side game were determined, the payout type of payment is determined based upon the determined combination. Where a card combination of the dealt cards is “One Pair”, “Two Pairs”, or “Three of a Kind”, a payment corresponding to “MINI” is determined; where it is “Straight”, “Flush”, or “Full House”, a payment corresponding to “MAJOR” is determined; or where it is “Four of a Kind”, “Straight Flush”, or “Royal Flush”, a payment corresponding to “MEGA” is determined. In other words, credit is paid out based upon the determined payout type. 
       FIG. 10  is a view showing an exemplary card combination determination data table according to the first embodiment. The card combination determination data table is stored in ROM 43  while game historical data determined based upon the past winner-loser data is associated with kinds of card combinations in which payments in a side game are to be paid out. As shown in  FIG. 10 , with referring to the card combination determination data table, a card combination in which a payment is to be paid out in the side game is determined, depending upon the past game winner-loser data accumulatively stored in the RAM 52 . In a case where the past game winner-loser log includes a plenty of losers, “card combination data  10 ” corresponding to “game historical data J” is determined, and a poker combination is determined so as to increase kinds of card combinations in which payments are to be paid out. In a case where the past game winner-loser log includes a plenty of winners, “card combination data  1 ” corresponding to “game historical data A” is determined, and then, a poker combination is determined so as to decrease kinds of card combinations in which payments are to be paid out. 
       FIGS. 11A and 11B  are views each showing an exemplary image displayed on the liquid crystal display included in each of the stations in a side game according to the first embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 11A , when a side game is started, the liquid crystal display  10  displays, on the player-by-player basis, one or more sub-game card combination display images  73  indicating that a payment is paid out. The images are displayed, according to the past game winner-loser data, from among card combinations “Royal Flush”, “Straight Flush”, “Four of a Kind”, “Full House”, “Flush”, “Straight”, “Three of a Kind”, “Two Pairs”, and “One Pair”. Here, three card game combination display images  73  indicative of “One Pair”, “Two Pairs”, and “Flush” are displayed according to the past game winner-loser data. Then, side game cards  76  after dealt when the side game is started are displayed in a faced down state at the side game dealt-card display section  75 . 
     A BET button display section  86  is provided at the lower side of a side game dealt-card display section  83 . A normal-BET number display section  88 , a side-BET number display section  89  for displaying the number of side-betted coins, and a credit amount display section  90  are provided at the lower side of a side game dealt-card display  75 . Here, 28 coins are normally betted, 10 coins are side-betted, and 500 coins are credited. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11B , the liquid crystal display  10  displays, at the side game dealt-card display section  75 , in a faced up state, the faced down side-game cards  76  that were dealt when the side game is started in  FIG. 11A . Further, winner-loser information display  78  is displayed according to the sub-game card combination display image  73  indicating that a payment is paid out and a combination of cards displayed at the side game dealt-card display section  75 . Here, five dealt side-game cards  76 , i.e., “4 of Spade”, “3 of Spade”, “5 of Heart”, “4 of Heart”, and “3 of Clover” are displayed. Among the sub-game card combination display image  73  indicating that a card combination displayed at the side game dealt-card display section  75  is “One Pair”, “Two Pairs”, or “Flush” in which a payment is to be paid out, all of plural cards displayed on the player-by-player basis include a card combination display image  74 . Therefore, a winner-loser information display  78   a  , which is inclusive of a message “You Win”, is displayed; a payment corresponding to “MINI” is determined; and then, credit is paid out, based upon the determined payout type (see  FIG. 9 ). 
       FIGS. 12A and 12B  are views each showing an exemplary image displayed on the liquid crystal display included in each of the stations in a side game according to the first embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 12A , when a side game is started, the liquid crystal display  10  displays one or more sub-game card combination display images  73  indicating that a payment is paid out. These images are displayed according to the past game winner-loser data from among card combinations “Royal Flush”, “Straight Flush”, “Four of a Kind”, “Full House”, “Flush”, “Straight”, “Three of a Kind”, “Two Pairs”, and “One Pair”. Here, since the past winner-loser log includes a plenty of winners, one sub-game combination display image  73  indicative of “One Pair” is displayed, and the side game dealt-card display section  75  displays, in a faced down state, the side-game cards  76  that were dealt when a side game is started. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12B , the liquid crystal display  10  displays, at the side-game dealt-card display section  75 , in a faced up state, the faced-down side-game cards  76  that were dealt when a side game is started in  FIG. 12A . Further, winner-loser information display  78  is displayed according to: the side-game card combination display image  73  indicating that a payment is paid out; and a card combination displayed at the side game dealt-card display section  75 . Here, five side-game cards  76 , i.e., “King of Spade”, “Queen of Spade”, “10 of Diamond”, “8 of Spade”, and “4 of Clover” are displayed. Card combinations displayed at the side game dealt-card display section  75  do not include a card combination “One Pair” in which a payment is to be paid out to all of the cards displayed on the player-by-player basis. Therefore, the winner-loser information display  78   b  , which is inclusive of a message “You Lose”, is displayed. 
       FIGS. 13A and 13B  are views each showing an exemplary image displayed on the liquid crystal display included in each of the stations in a side game according to the first embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 13A , when a side game is started, the liquid crystal display  10  displays one or more sub-game card combination display images  73  indicating that a payment is paid out. The images are displayed according to the past game winner-loser data from among card combinations “Royal Flush”, “Straight Flush”, “Four of a Kind”, “Full House”, “Flush”, “Straight”, “Three of a Kind”, “Two Pairs”, and “One Pair”. Here, since the past winner-loser log includes a plenty of winners, one sub-game combination display image  73 , which is indicative of “One Pair”, is displayed. Further, the side game dealt-card display section  75  displays, in a faced down state, the side-game cards  76  that were dealt when the side game is started. 
     As shown in  FIG. 13B , the liquid crystal display  10  displays at the side-game dealt-card display section  75 , in a faced up state, the faced-down side-game cards  76  that were dealt when a side game is started in  FIG. 13A . Further, the winner-loser information display  78  is displayed according to the side-game card combination display image  73  indicating that a payment is paid out and a card combination displayed at the side game dealt-card display section  75 . Here, five side-game cards  76 , i.e., “4 of Spade”, “6 of Heart”, “6 of Diamond”, “King of Clover”, and “3 of Spade” are displayed, and then, the card combination displayed at the side game dealt-card display section  75  includes a combination display image  74  indicative of “Three of a Kind”, whereas a combination of cards “Three of a Kind” displayed for another player is not included. Therefore, the winner-loser information display  78   b  , which is inclusive of a message “You Lose”, is displayed. 
     Next, the processing to be performed at the main control unit  40  and stations  3  will be described in detail.  FIG. 14A  and  FIG. 14B  are flowcharts each showing main control unit processing to be executed at the main control unit included in the game machine according to the first embodiment. In this processing operation, at first, the CPU 41  included in the main control unit  40  receives a start signal (step S 101 ). Specifically, the CPU 41  receives the start signal from any of the stations  3 . The start signal serves as a trigger for conducting a PAIGOW poker game in the game machine  1 . 
     Next, the CPU 41  receives BET information from the stations  3  (see  FIG. 2 ) (step S 102 ). The BET information is pertinent to BETs, and includes: information indicative of whether or not a normal BET and a side BET have been performed; and information indicative of the amounts of the normal BET and the side BET. 
     Next, the CPU 41  executes JP accumulation processing (step S 103 ). Specifically, the CPU 41  accumulatively stores, in the RAM 42  (see  FIG. 6 ),  50 % (predetermined rate) of the side-betted credit as JP, based upon the BET information received at step S 102 . 
     Next, the CPU 41  executes dealt-card determination processing (step S 104 ). In this processing operation, the CPU 41  determines seven cards to be dealt to each of the persons consisting of the players and banker from among one set of trump cards, with the use of random numbers. The seven cards determined to be dealt to the players at the step S 104  are equivalent to the player&#39;s cards, and the seven cards determined to be dealt to the banker are equivalent to the banker&#39;s cards. Further, the front panel display  21  (see  FIG. 2 ) included in the game machine  1  displays a card image indicative of the seven banker&#39;s cards in a faced down manner. 
     Next, the CPU 41  transmits dealt-card information (step S 105 ). Specifically, the CPU 41  transmits the dealt-card information to stations  3 . The dealt-card information includes the one which is indicative of the kinds of cards (suits (heart, clover, spade, and diamond)) that were determined to be dealt to the players and banker. At each of the stations  3 , the liquid crystal display  10  displays the card image indicative of the seven player&#39;s cards, based upon the received dealt-card information, and then, accepts entry for dividing them into a group of 5 cards (high hand) and a group of two cards (low hand). 
     Next, the CPU 41  receives selection information from the station  3  (step S 106 ). The selection information indicates which ones of the cards after dealt to each of the players have been selected as a high hand, and which ones of the cards have been selected as a low hand. 
     Next, the CPU 41  executes processing of determining a banker&#39;s high hand and low hand (step S 107 ). In this processing operation, the CPU 41  executes processing of dividing the cards after dealt to the banker into a high hand and a low hand. 
     Next, the CPU 41  discloses cards (step S 108 ). Specifically, the CPU 41  displays in a faced up manner on the front panel display  21  the card images indicative of the high hand and the low hand determined at the step S 106 . 
     Next, the CPU 41  performs winner-loser determination processing (step S 109 ). In this processing operation, the CPU 41  executes processing of determining a winner or loser, based upon the selection information received at the step S 106  and the high hand and the low hand determined at step S 107 . Namely, this CPU executes processing of determining a winner or loser after comparing the players&#39; hands of the cards after dealt to the players and the banker&#39;s card hands. Specifically, it is judged as to which one of the players&#39; hands is strong or weak after comparing the players&#39; high hands with the banker&#39;s high hand. In addition, it is also judged as to which one is strong or weak after comparing the players&#39; low hands with the banker&#39;s low hand. Further, the winner or loser is determined based upon the judgment results. Specifically, in a case where the player&#39;s high hand is stronger than the banker&#39;s high hand and in a case where the player&#39;s low hand is stronger than the banker&#39;s low hand, it is judged to be the player&#39;s win. In a case where the banker&#39;s high hand is stronger than the player&#39;s high hand and in a case where the banker&#39;s low hand is stronger than the player&#39;s low hand, it is judged to be the banker&#39;s win. Even if the player is stronger at one of the high and low hands, in a case where the banker is stronger at the other one, it is judged to be “draw”. 
     Next, the CPU 41  transmits winner-loser information (step S 110 ). Specifically, the CPU 41  transmits to the station  3  the information indicative of the winner or loser determined at the step S 109  (hereinafter, referred to as winner-loser information). Upon the receipt of the winner-loser information, based upon the received winner-loser information, the liquid crystal display  10  displays any one of the images inclusive of the messages “You Win”, “You Lose”, and “Draw”. 
     Next, the CPU 41  performs processing of transmitting normal-BET payout information (step S 111 ). In this processing operation, the CPU 41  transmits the normal-BET payout information to the station  3 . The normal-BET payout information is generally indicative of the amount of credit (currency values) to be paid out to BET. Specifically, in a case where the player has won, this CPU transmits information indicative of credit of which amount is twice of that of normal BET. In a case where the outcome of the game is “draw”, the CPU transmits information indicative of credit of which amount is equal to that of normal BET. In addition, in a case where the banker has won, the CPU transmits information indicative of the fact that an amount of given credit is 0. 
     Next, in  FIG. 11B , the CPU 41  judges whether or not a side BET signal has been received (step S 112 ). Specifically, the CPU 41  judges whether or not a signal has been received indicative of the fact that the side BET has been performed. When the CPU 41  judges that no side BET signal has been received (step S 112 : NO), the routine proceeds to step S 113 . 
     On the other hand, when it is judged that a side BET signal is received (step S 112 : YES), JP payout information is transmitted to the station  3  (step S 113 ). The JP payout information is indicative of the amount of JP credit (currency value) to be paid out to the side BET. Specifically, in a case where the player has won, when a high hand is “Royal Flush”, the CPU 41  transmits information indicative of credit equivalent to a total amount of JP. When the player&#39;s high hand is “Straight Flush”, this CPU transmits information indicative of credit equivalent to 50% of JP, and when the player&#39;s high hand is a hand other than the above, this CPU transmits information indicative of a credit equivalent to 10% of JP. In addition, in a case where the result is “draw”, this CPU transmits information indicative of a credit of which amount is equal to that of a side BET. Moreover, in a case where the banker has won, this CPU transmits the fact that the amount of credit given is 0. 
     While the embodiment of the present invention describes a case in which, when the player has won in a PAIGOW poker at the time of side BET, where the high hand is “Royal Flush”, 100% of JP is given, where the high hand is “Straight Flush”, 50% of JP is given, and where the high hand is a hand other than the above, 10% of JP is given. In the embodiment of the present invention, a correspondence relationship between the amount of JP given and a hand is not limitative thereto. In the present invention, further, in a case where the player has won in the PAIGOW poker at the time of side BET, all of the currency values accumulatively stored as JP may be given, regardless of the hand. 
     The embodiment of the present invention described a case in which a correspondence relationship between a player&#39;s hand and a payment (JP) to be paid out, in the PAIGOW poker at the time of side BET is preset. In the present invention, however, the correspondence relationship between the player&#39;s hand and the payment to be paid out may be randomly varied every time the PAIGOW poker is performed at the time of a side BET. 
     Further, while the embodiment of the present invention describes a case of paying out credit of which amount is equal to that of side BET in a case where the result is “draw”, the above payout of the credit may not be performed. 
     Next, the CPU 41  judges whether or not a side game trigger is established (step S 114 ). Specifically, the CPU 41  executes the programs stored in the RAM 42 , thereby sampling random number values from among the numeric range of predetermined random number values and judging whether or not a side game trigger is established based upon the sampled random number values. The CPU 41  terminates main control unit processing when it executes the processing of step S 114  upon judging that a side game trigger has not been established (step S 114 : NO). In another embodiment of the present invention, further, judgment of whether or not a side game trigger is established is made based upon whether or not a side BET has been performed in advance. 
     On the other hand, upon judging that a side-game trigger has been established (step S 114 : YES), the CPU 41  receives side-game BET information from the station  3  (see  FIG. 2 ) (step S 115 ). BET information is pertinent to BETs, and includes information indicative of whether or not normal BET and side BET have been performed or information indicative of the amounts of the normal BET and side BET. 
     Next, the CPU 41  executes processing of determining a side-game card combination (step S 116 ). In this processing operation, the CPU 41  determines, on the player-by-player basis, one card combination from among one or more sub-game card combinations in which payments are to be paid out. This determination is made according to the past game winner-loser data, from among card combinations “Royal Flush”, “Straight Flush”, “Four of a Kind”, “Full House”, “Flush”, “Straight”, “Three of a Kind”, “Two Pairs”, and “One Pair”. 
     Next, the CPU 41  executes processing of determining cards after dealt in a side game (step S 117 ). In this processing operation, the CPU 41  determines five cards after dealt to the players, from one or plural groups of trump cards, with the use of random numbers. 
     Next, the CPU 41  transmits information on cards to be dealt in the side game (step S 118 ). Specifically, the CPU 41  transmits, to the station  3 , information on cards after dealt in the side game. The side game dealt-card information includes information indicative of suits (heart, club, spade, and diamond) of the cards determined to be dealt to the players. At the station  3 , based upon the received dealt-card information, the liquid crystal display  10  displays a card image indicative of the five player&#39;s cards. 
     Next, the CPU 41  discloses all of the player&#39;s cards (step S 119 ). Specifically, the CPU 41  displays, in a faced up manner on the front panel display  21  on a player-by-player basis, the five-card images of the players&#39; cards determined at step S 117  (see  FIG. 1 ). In this case, the player can view the cards that were placed and arranged. 
     Next, the CPU 41  performs side game winner-loser determination processing (step S 120 ). In this processing operation, the CPU 41  executes winner-loser determination processing, based upon the side-game cards of all the players disclosed at step S 119 . Specifically, the CPU 41  judges whether to include the side-game card combination determined at step S 116  and the card combination in which a payment is to be paid out to all of the cards displayed on the player-by-player basis. Then, based upon the judgment result, this CPU determines the winner or loser. 
     Next, the CPU 41  transmits side game winner-loser information (step S 121 ). Specifically, the CPU 41  transmits to a station  3  the winner-loser information indicative of a winner or loser of the side game determined at step S 120 . The station  3  displays any one of the images inclusive of the messages “You Win”, “You Lose”, and “Draw” on the liquid crystal display  10 , based upon winner-loser information, upon the receipt of the winner-loser information (see  FIGS. 11 ,  12 , and  13 ). 
     Next, the CPU 41  transmits side-game payout information to the stations  3  (step S 123 ). The side-game payout information is indicative of the amount of credit (currency value) to be paid out to the side game. Specifically, in a case where all of the cards displayed on the player-by-player basis include the side-bet card combinations determined at step S 116 , this CPU determines the payout types corresponding to the card combinations (see  FIG. 9 ), and then, transmits information indicative of the determined credit. When executing the processing at step S 122 , the CPU 41  terminates main control unit processing. 
     Next, the processing to be performed at the station  3  will be described in detail.  FIGS. 15A and 15B  are flowcharts each showing a subroutine of the station processing executed at each of the stations according to the first embodiment. In this processing operation, at first, the CPU 51  included in the station  3  transmits a start signal to the main control unit  40 d upon the receipt of signal indicative of the fact that a touch from the touch panel  11  has been sensed or that coin insertion has been detected from the inserted-coin detecting section  68  (step S 201 ). In this manner, at the main control unit  40 , the processing operations shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B  are conducted. 
     Next, the CPU 51  accepts entries of the normal BET and side BET (step S 202 ). This allows the player to enter the normal BET and the side BET via the touch panel  11  included in the station  3 . Upon the receipt of a signal indicative of the fact that entry of the side BET has been made, the CPU 51  sets a side-BET flag. This side-BET flag is set in a case where entry of the side BET has been made. 
     Next, the CPU 51  transmits to the main control unit  40 , BET information serving as information pertinent to an input BET (step S 203 ). Upon the receipt of the BET information, the main control unit  40  determines cards to be dealt to the players and the banker (see step S 104  of  FIG. 14A ). 
     Next, the CPU 51  receives from the main control unit  40  the dealt-card information indicative of the cards after dealt to the players (step S 204 ). Specifically, the CPU 51  receives the dealt-card information transmitted at step S 105  of  FIG. 11A , and then, stores the received information in a RAM. 
     Next, the CPU 51  displays cards (step S 205 ). Specifically, the CPU 51  displays a card image indicative of the seven player&#39;s cards at the dealt-card display section  83  of the liquid crystal display  10 , based upon the dealt-card information received at step S 204 . 
     Next, the CPU 51  accepts entry for selecting high hands and low hands (step S 206 ). This allows the players to determine high hands and low hands from among the dealt cards by operating a high hand determination button  84  and a low hand determination button  85  via the touch panel  11 . 
     Next, the CPU 51  transmits to the main control unit  40  the selection information that is based upon selection of high hands and low hands (step S 207 ). Upon the receipt of the selection information, the main control unit  40  determines a high hand and a low hand of the banker&#39;s cards, and then, executes processing of determining a winner or loser (see step S 109  of  FIG. 14A ). 
     Next, the CPU 51  receives winner-loser information from the main control unit  40  (step S 208 ). Subsequently, the dealt-card display section  83  of the liquid crystal display  10  displays any one of the images inclusive of the messages “You Win”, “You Lose”, and “Draw”, during a predetermined period of time, based upon the received winner-loser information. 
     Next, the CPU 51  receives normal-BET payout information from the main control unit  40  (step S 209 ). Upon the receipt of the normal-BET payout information, the CPU 51  stores in the RAM 52  the credit data that is based upon the normal-BET payout information. 
     Next, the CPU 51  receives normal-BET payout information, based upon the normal-BET payout information received at step S 209  (step S 210 ). In this normal-BET payout processing, in a case where a player has won, payout is performed, based upon information indicative of a credit of which amount is twice of that of the normal BET; and in a case where the result is “draw”, payout is performed, based upon information indicative of a credit of which amount is equal to that of the normal BET. In addition, in a case where the banker has won, information indicative of the fact that the amount of credit to be given is 0 is displayed. 
     Next, in  FIG. 8B , the CPU 51  judges whether or not entry of side BET has been made, while in the BET acceptance at step S 202  (step S 211 ). Specifically, the CPU 51  judges whether or not a side-BET flag is set. When the CPU 41  judges that entry of the side BET has not been made (step S 211 : NO), the routine proceeds to step S 214 . 
     On the other hand, upon judging that entry of the side BET has been made (step S 211 : YES), the CPU 51  receives JP payout information (step S 212 ). Specifically, the CPU 51  receives JP payout information from the main control unit  40 . Upon the receipt of the JP payout information, the CPU 51  stores in the RAM 52  the credit data that is based upon the JP payout information. 
     Next, the CPU 51  executes JP payout processing (step S 213 ). Specifically, the CPU 51  pays out credit, based upon the JP payout information received at step S 212 . 
     Next, the CPU 51  judges whether or not a side-game trigger has been established (step S 214 ). Specifically, the CPU 51  judges whether or not the side-game trigger has been established at the main control unit  40 . Upon judging that no side-game trigger has been established (step S 214 : NO), the CPU 51  terminates station processing. 
     On the other hand, upon judging that the side-game trigger has been established (step S 214 : YES), the CPU 51  accepts entry of normal BET and side BET for the side game (step S 215 ). In this manner, the player can enter the normal BET and side BET in the side game via the touch panel  11  included in the station  3 . 
     Next, the CPU 51  transmits to the main control unit  40  the BET information pertinent to BETs for the entered side game (step S 216 ). The main control unit  40  determines cards to be dealt to the player in the side game upon the receipt of the side-game BET information (see step S 117  of  FIG. 11B ). 
     Next, the CPU 51  receives a sub-game card combination (step S 217 ). Specifically, the CPU 51  determines one sub-game poker combination from among the poker combinations “Royal Flush”, “Straight Flush”, “Four of a Kind”, “Full House”, “Flush”, “Straight”, “Three of a Kind”, “Two Pairs”, and “One Pair”, and then, displays a sub-game poker combination display image  70  (see  FIG. 10A ). 
     Next, the CPU 51  receives from the main control unit  40  the side game dealt-card information indicative of the cards after dealt to the players in the side game (step S 218 ). Specifically, the CPU 51  receives the dealt-card information transmitted at step S 118  of  FIG. 11B . 
     Next, the CPU 51  displays side-game cards (step S 219 ). Specifically, the CPU 51  displays a card image  76  indicative of the five player&#39;s cards at the dealt-card display section  83  of the liquid crystal display  10 , based upon the side game dealt-card information received at step S 218 . 
     Next, the CPU 51  receives the side game winner-loser information from the main control unit  40  (step S 220 ). Next, the dealt-card display section  83  of the liquid crystal display  10  displays, for a predetermined duration, an image inclusive of any one of the messages “You Win”, “You Lose”, and “Draw”, based upon the received winner-loser information. 
     Next, the CPU 51  receives the side-game payout information (step S 221 ). Upon the receipt of the side-game payout information, the CPU 51  stores in the RAM 52  the credit data that is based upon the side-game payout information. 
     Next, the CPU 51  executes the side-game payout processing, based upon the received side-game payout information at step S 221  (step S 222 ). In this processing operation, at step S 217 , payout information is received based upon information determined in any of the cases where: all of the cards displayed on the player-by-player basis include the sub-game card combination in which a payment is to be paid out, in accordance with the past game winner-loser data; a payment is paid out based upon the card combination; a payment is paid out to the player having entered a side BET; and a payment is distributed and paid out among all of the players having entered the side BET. When terminating this processing, the CPU 51  terminates station processing. 
     Next, the game machine  1  according to a second embodiment will be described in detail with referring to the drawings. The game machine  1  according to the second embodiment that follows has an appearance and a circuit construction or the like, which are substantially similar to those according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Thus, a duplicate description of like construction is omitted here. Also, like constituent elements corresponding to those of the game machine  1  are designated by like reference numerals and are explained. 
       FIG. 16  is a view showing an exemplary image displayed on the front panel display in a side game according to the second embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 16 , when a sub game is started, the front panel display  2  displays a sub-game display image  70  indicating that the sub game has been started. Further, one or more sub-game card combination display images  73   a  to  73   e  indicating that a payment(s) is(are) paid out are displayed on the player-by-player basis from among card combinations “Royal Flush”, “Straight Flush”, “Four of a Kind”, “Full House”, “Flush”, “Straight”, “Three of a Kind”, “Two Pairs”, and “One Pair”. As card combinations in which payments are to be paid out, “One Pair” is determined for the player  1 ; “One Pair”, “Two Pairs”, and “Flush” for the player  2 ; “One Pair” and “Flush” for the player  3 ; “Two Pairs” and “Three of a Kind” for the player  4 ; and “Two Pairs” for the player  5 . Further, the sub-game card combination display images  73   a  to  73   e  are displayed. 
     When the side-game card combination display image  70  is displayed, five cards are dealt to a plurality of players, and then, the players&#39; cards after dealt are displayed on the front panel display  21 . Here, in a case where card images  71   a  to  71   e  dealt to the players  1  to  5  are displayed, respectively, player displays  72   a  to  72   c  are displayed indicating that five players  1  to  5  are performing a sub-game, and all of the five cards after dealt on the player-by-player basis include a sub-game card combination displayed on the player-by-player basis, a payment is paid out based upon the displayed sub-game card combination. Since all of the five cards after dealt to each of the players  1  to  5  include a card combination “One Pair”, a payment is paid out to one player randomly determined from among the players  1  to  5 , based upon the card combination “One Pair”. For the player for whom the payout was determined, a credit display image  79 , which is inclusive of a message “You Credit”, is displayed on the card image  71 . 
     Next, the processing performed at the main control unit  40  and stations  3  will be described in detail.  FIGS. 17A and 17B  are flowcharts each showing main control unit processing executed at the main control unit included in the game machine according to the second embodiment. In this processing operation, at first, the CPU 41  included in the main control unit  40  receives a start signal (step S 301 ). After that, the processing operations of steps S 302  to S 311  are performed. These processing operations are not described here, since they are identical to those of steps S 101  to S 111  shown in  FIG. 14A . 
     Next, in  FIG. 17B , the CPU 41  judges whether or not a side-BET signal has been received (step S 312 ). Specifically, this CPU judges whether or not a signal indicative of the fact that a side BET is performed has been received. When the CPU judges that no side-BET signal has been received (step S 312 : NO), the routine proceeds to step S 314 . 
     On the other hand, when it is judged that the side-BET signal has been received (step S 312 : YES), the CPU 41  transmits JP payout information to the stations  3  (step S 313 ). The JP payout information is indicative of the amount of JP credit (currency value) to be paid out in response to the side BET. 
     Next, the CPU 41  judges whether or not a side game trigger has been established (step S 314 ). Specifically, the CPU 41  executes the programs stored in the RAM 42 , thereby sampling random number values from among the numeric range of the predetermined random number values. Based upon the sampled random number values, this CPU judges whether or not the side game trigger has been established (step S 314 : NO). The CPU 41  terminates main control unit processing upon executing the processing of step S 314 . 
     On the other hand, upon judging that the side game trigger has been established (step S 314 : YES), the CPU 41  receives side-game BET information from the station  3  (refer to  FIG. 2 ). BET information is pertinent to BETs, and includes information indicative of whether or not a normal BET and a side BET have been performed or information indicative of the amounts of the normal BET and side BET. 
     Next, the CPU 41  executes processing of determining a card combination in a side-game (step S 316 ). In this processing operation, the CPU 41  determines one or more sub-game card combinations in which payments are to be paid out. This determination is made, according to the past game winner-loser data, from among card combinations “Royal Flush”, “Straight Flush”, “Four of a Kind”, “Full House”, “Flush”, “Straight”, “Three of a Kind”, “Two Pairs”, and “One Pair”. 
     Next, the CPU 41  executes processing of determining side game dealt-cards (step S 317 ). In this processing operation, from among one set of trump cards, the CPU 41  determines five cards to be dealt to each of the players. 
     Next, the CPU 41  transmits side game dealt-card information (step S 318 ). Specifically, the CPU 41  transmits the side game dealt-card information to the stations  3 . The sub-game dealt-card information includes information indicative of suits (heart, clover, spade, and diamond) of cards determined to be dealt to the players. At each of the stations  3 , the liquid crystal display  10  displays a card image indicative of five player&#39;s cards, based upon the received dealt-card information. 
     Next, the CPU 41  discloses all of the players&#39; cards (step S 319 ). Specifically, the CPU 41  controls the front panel display  21  to display the five-card image determined at step S 317  in a faced up manner (see  FIG. 13 ). 
     Next, the CPU 41  judges whether or not a side-BET signal has been received (step S 320 ). Specifically, the CPU 41  judges whether or not a signal indicative of the fact that a side BET is performed has been received. When judging that no side-BET signal has been received (step S 320 : NO), the CPU 41  proceeds to step S 322 . 
     On the other hand, upon judging that the side-BET signal has been received (step S 320 : YES), the CPU 41  rearranges cards (step S 321 ). Specifically, the CPU 41  redisplays the rearranged-card image to a card image which is different from the player-selected card image. 
     Next, the CPU 41  performs side game winner-loser determination processing (step S 322 ). In this processing operation, the CPU 41  executes processing of determining a winner or a loser, based upon the side-game cards of all of the players disclosed at step S 319 . Specifically, among the side-game card combinations determined at step S 316 , the CPU 41  judges whether all of the cards displayed on the player-by-player basis include any of the determined card combinations. Then, based upon the judgment result, the CPU 41  determines a winner or a loser. 
     Next, the CPU 41  transmits side game winner-loser information (step S 323 ). Specifically, the CPU 41  transmits to the stations  3  the winner-loser information indicative of a side-game winner or loser which was determined at step S 323 . At each of the stations  3 , upon the receipt of the winner-loser information, the liquid crystal display  10  serves to display any one of the images inclusive of the messages “You Win”, “You Lose”, and “Draw”, based upon the received winner-loser information (see  FIGS. 11 ,  12 , and  13 ). 
     Next, the CPU 41  executes processing of determining a side-game payout player (step S 324 ). Specifically, in a case where all of the cards displayed on the player-by-player basis include any of the side-game card combinations determined at step S 316 , from among the plurality of players, the CPU 41  randomly determines a player to whom a payment corresponding to the card combination is to be paid out. 
     Next, the CPU 41  transmits the side-game payout information to the stations  3  (step S 325 ). The side-game payout information is indicative of the quantity of credit (currency value) to be paid out to the side game. Specifically, among the side game combinations determined at step S 316 , in a case where all of the cards displayed on the player-by-player basis include any of the determined card combinations, this CPU determines a payout type corresponding to the card combination (see  FIG. 9 ), and then, transmits information indicative of the determined credit. When executing processing of step S 322 , the CPU 41  terminates main control unit processing. 
     While the embodiment according to the present invention has been described, the description presents only some of the specific examples and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way and specific constructions of each means and the like can be properly changed in terms of design. Besides, the effects described in the embodiment of the present invention are only the most preferable effects generated from the present invention and the effects to be caused by the present invention is not limitative thereto.