Patent Publication Number: US-2009239602-A1

Title: Gaming machine executing card game and gaming method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit of priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/037,404 filed on Mar. 18, 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 gaming machine executing a card game and a gaming method. 
     2. Discussion of the Background 
     Among gaming machines that execute a card game, there conventionally exist gaming machines that execute a bonus game as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,921. Such gaming machines are configured so as to execute the bonus game and conduct a payout, when a predetermined trigger is established during a main game that uses cards. 
     Further, as disclosed in US 2006/0287043-A1 and US 2006/0009283-A1, there exist gaming systems where a plurality of gaming machines (player terminals) are linked so that a plurality of players can play a common game. 
     However, the conventional gaming machines that execute the bonus game in the card game have not been capable of realizing both addition of high gaming properties to the bonus game and increase of the possibility of conducting a high-amount payout such as a progressive jackpot in the bonus game. For example, there has been a problem in that, even when the bonus game is conducted, a player&#39;s interest in and expectation for the bonus game cannot be enhanced in the case that an amount of payout to be conducted in the bonus game is small or that the bonus game itself lacks interesting factors. 
     The present invention was made in view of the foregoing problems, and has an object to provide a gaming machine and a gaming method which are capable of increasing a player&#39;s interest in and expectation for a bonus game in a card game. 
     The contents of U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,921, US 2006/0287043-A1, and US 2006/0009283-A1 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A first aspect of the present invention provides a gaming machine having the following configuration. 
     Namely, the above-mentioned gaming machine comprises a display capable of displaying a plurality of cards; an input device; and a controller. The controller is programmed so as to execute the processing of (a) displaying player&#39;s cards and dealer&#39;s cards to the display, (b) executing a normal game that determines winning or losing based on the player&#39;s cards and the dealer&#39;s cards, (c) determining whether or not to execute a bonus game different from the normal game, (d) displaying the player&#39;s cards face down to the display, when it is determined in the processing (c) that the bonus game is to be executed, (e) selecting a card out of the player&#39;s cards displayed face down to the display, based on input from the input device, and (f) offering a special payout, when the card selected in the processing (e) is a specific card. 
     According to the above gaming machine, in a normal game using player&#39;s cards and dealer&#39;s cards, when it is determined that a bonus game is to be executed, the player&#39;s cards are placed face down, and a special payout is offered in the case that a card selected using an input device (e.g. touch panel), out of the face-down cards, is a specific card (e.g. playing card of Ace of Spades). 
     Since the bonus game is conducted using the player&#39;s cards dealt in the normal game, it is possible to increase an interest of the player having an interest in the normal game, in the bonus game. 
     Further, since the special payout is offered when the specific card is found out of the face-down cards in the bonus game, it is possible to increase an expectation of the player for the bonus game (special payout). 
     Consequently, it is possible to increase the player&#39;s desire for playing the bonus game, and thus to make the player spend a larger amount of game media in the normal game. 
     Further, it is desirable that the above-mentioned gaming machine has the following configuration. 
     Namely, the controller is further programmed so as to execute processing of (g) determining the specific card, and the processing (f) is the processing of offering a special payout, when the card selected in the processing (e) is the specific card determined in the processing (g). 
     According to the above gaming machine, since the specific card is not a previously-set fixed card but a card determined each time, it is possible to enhance the gaming properties of the bonus game and also increase the expectation of the player for the bonus game (special payout). 
     Further, it is desirable that the above-mentioned gaming machine has the following configuration. 
     Namely, the processing (d) is the processing of displaying the player&#39;s cards and an additional card face down to the display, when it is determined in the processing (c) that the bonus game is to be executed; the processing (e) is the processing of selecting a card out of the player&#39;s cards and the additional card displayed face down to the display, based on input from the input device; and the processing (f) is the processing of offering a special payout, when the card selected in the processing (e) is the additional card. 
     According to the above gaming machine, since an additional card (e.g. playing card of Joker) is also placed face down along with the player&#39;s cards when the cards are placed face down in the bonus game, a card is selected out of a larger number of cards, thereby enabling further enhancement of the gaming properties of the bonus game. 
     A second aspect of the present invention provides a gaming machine having the following configuration. 
     Namely, the gaming machine comprises: a display capable of displaying a plurality of cards; an input device; and a controller. The controller is programmed so as to execute the processing of (a) accepting a BET from the input device, (b) cumulatively accumulating a predetermined ratio of game media betted from the input device, (c) displaying player&#39;s cards and dealer&#39;s cards to the display, (d) offering a normal payout based on a result of a normal game and the BET, after executing the normal game that determines winning or losing based on the player&#39;s cards and the dealer&#39;s cards, (e) determining whether or not to execute a bonus game different from the normal game, (f) displaying the player&#39;s cards face down to the display, when it is determined in the processing (e) that the bonus game is to be executed, (g) selecting a card out of the player&#39;s cards displayed face down to the display, based on input from the input device, and (h) offering a special payout from the game media cumulatively accumulated in the processing (b), when the card selected in the processing (g) is a specific card. 
     According to the above gaming machine, in a normal game using player&#39;s cards and dealer&#39;s cards, when it is determined that a bonus game is to be executed, the player&#39;s cards are placed face down, and a special payout is offered in the case that a card selected using an input device (e.g. touch panel) out of the face-down cards is a specific card (e.g. playing card of Ace of Spades). 
     Moreover, part of the game media betted in the normal game is cumulatively accumulated for example as a progressive jackpot, and the special payout in the bonus game is offered from the accumulated game media. 
     Since the bonus game is conducted using the player&#39;s cards dealt in the normal game, it is possible to increase an interest of the player having an interest in the normal game, in the bonus game. 
     Further, since the special payout is offered when the specific card is found out of the face-down cards in the bonus game, it is possible to increase an expectation of the player for the bonus game (special payout). 
     Further, since the special payout is part of the game media betted in the normal game which has been cumulatively accumulated, there is a possibility that the player will acquire a high-amount payout in the bonus game. 
     Consequently, it is possible to increase the player&#39;s desire for playing the bonus game, and thus to make the player spend a larger amount of game media in the normal game. 
     Further, it is desirable that the above-mentioned gaming machine has the following configuration. 
     Namely, the controller is further programmed so as to execute processing of (i) determining the specific card, and the processing (h) is the processing of offering a special payout from the game media cumulatively accumulated in the processing (b), when the card selected in the processing (g) is the specific card determined in the processing (i). 
     According to the above gaming machine, since the specific card is not a previously-set fixed card but a card determined each time, it is possible to enhance the gaming properties of the bonus game and also increase the expectation of the player for the bonus game (special payout). 
     Further, it is desirable that the above-mentioned gaming machine has the following configuration. 
     Namely, the processing (f) is the processing of displaying the player&#39;s cards and an additional card face down to the display, when it is determined in the processing (e) that the bonus game is to be executed; the processing (g) is the processing of selecting a card out of the player&#39;s cards and the additional card displayed face down to the display, based on input from the input device; and the processing (h) is the processing of offering a special payout from the game media cumulatively accumulated in the processing (b), when the card selected in the processing (g) is the additional card. 
     According to the above gaming machine, since an additional card (e.g. playing card of Joker) is also placed face down along with the player&#39;s cards when the cards are placed face down in the bonus game, a card is selected out of a larger number of cards, thereby enabling further enhancement of the gaming properties of the bonus game. 
     A third aspect of the present invention provides a playing method of a card game, the method having the following configuration. 
     Namely, the playing method of a card game comprises the steps of: (a) dealing cards to a player, as player&#39;s cards, and dealing cards to a dealer, as dealer&#39;s cards; (b) executing a normal game that determines winning or losing based on the player&#39;s cards and the dealer&#39;s cards; (c) determining whether or not to execute a bonus game different from the normal game; (d) placing the player&#39;s cards face down, when it is determined in the step (c) that the bonus game is to be executed; (e) selecting a card out of the player&#39;s cards placed face down; and (f) offering a special payout, when the card selected in the step (e) is a specific card. 
     According to the above playing method of a card game, in a normal game using player&#39;s cards and dealer&#39;s cards, when it is determined that a bonus game is to be executed, the player&#39;s cards are placed face down, and a special payout is offered in the case that a card selected using an input device (e.g. touch panel) out of the face-down cards is a specific card (e.g. playing card of Ace of Spades). 
     Since the bonus game is conducted using the player&#39;s cards dealt in the normal game, it is possible to increase an interest of the player having an interest in the normal game, in the bonus game. 
     Further, since the special payout is offered when the specific card is found out of the face-down cards in the bonus game, it is possible to increase an expectation of the player for the bonus game (special payout). 
     Consequently, it is possible to increase the player&#39;s desire for playing the bonus game, and thus to make the player spend a larger amount of game media in the normal game. 
     Further, it is desirable that the above-mentioned playing method of a card game has the following configuration. 
     Namely, the method further includes the step of (g) determining the specific card, and the step (f) is the step of offering a special payout, when the card selected in the step (e) is the specific card determined in the step (g). 
     According to the above playing method of a card game, since the specific card is not a previously-set fixed card but a card determined each time, it is possible to enhance the gaming properties of the bonus game and also increase the expectation of the player for the bonus game (special payout). 
     Further, it is desirable that the above-mentioned playing method of a card game has the following configuration. 
     Namely, the step (d) is the step of placing the player&#39;s cards and an additional card face down, when it is determined in the step (c) that the bonus game is to be executed; the step (e) is the step of selecting a card out of the player&#39;s cards and the additional card placed face down; and the step (f) is the step of offering a special payout, when the card selected in the step (e) is the additional card. 
     According to the above playing method of a card game, since an additional card (e.g. playing card of Joker) is also placed face down along with the player&#39;s cards when the cards are placed face down in the bonus game, a card is selected out of a larger number of cards, thereby enabling further enhancement of the gaming properties of the bonus game. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         FIG. 1A  is a flowchart showing card game processing executed in a station provided in a gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a flowchart showing the card game processing executed in the station provided in the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view schematically showing an appearance configuration of the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view schematically showing an appearance configuration of the station in the gaming machine. 
         FIG. 4  is a view showing an example of images displayed to a front display provided in the gaming machine. 
         FIG. 5  is a view showing an example of images displayed to a liquid crystal display provided in the station. 
         FIG. 6  is a view showing an example of images displayed to the liquid crystal display provided in the station. 
         FIG. 7  is a view showing an example of images displayed to the liquid crystal display provided in the station. 
         FIG. 8  is a view showing an example of images displayed to the liquid crystal display provided in the station. 
         FIG. 9  is a view showing an example of images displayed to the liquid crystal display provided in the station. 
         FIG. 10  is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the gaming machine. 
         FIG. 11  is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the station in the gaming machine. 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart showing main processing performed in a main control portion and the station. 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart showing a procedure of activation processing. 
         FIG. 14A  is a flowchart showing card game processing executed in the main control portion in the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14B  is a flowchart showing card game processing executed in the main control portion in the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     An embodiment of the present invention is described based on the drawings. 
     In the following embodiment, the case of playing Pai Gow Poker is described. First, the rule of Pai Gow Poker is described. 
     In Pai Gow Poker, a deck (52 cards) of playing cards is used, and a single or a plurality of players play against a dealer. 
     First, seven cards each are dealt to the dealer and the player. The dealer and the player divide their seven cards into a set of five cards and a set of two cards. At this time, the five-card hand (high hand) must rank as high as or higher than the two-card hand (low hand). Next, the dealer&#39;s five-card hand and the player&#39;s five-card hand are compared to determine which ranks higher. In the same manner, the dealer&#39;s two-card hand and the player&#39;s two-card hand are compared to determine which ranks higher. When both the dealer&#39;s five-card hand and two-card hand rank higher, the dealer wins. When both the player&#39;s five-card hand and two-card hand rank higher, the player wins. When, out of the five-card hand and the two-card hand, one of the player&#39;s hands ranks higher than the dealer&#39;s corresponding hand and the other of the dealer&#39;s hands ranks higher than the player&#39;s corresponding hand, the game ends in a tie. Further, when both the player&#39;s five-card hand and two-card hand rank as high as the dealer&#39;s respective corresponding hands, the dealer wins. It is to be noted that, as the five-card hand, there are Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and No Pair, in order of strength. As the two-card hand, there are One Pair and No Pair in order of strength. 
     In the following embodiment, a case will be described where Pai Gow Poker accepting a BET of game media (coins) is executed as a normal game and where part of the betted game media is cumulatively accumulated as a jackpot (hereinafter also referred to as “JP”) In the present embodiment, when a bonus game generation condition (that the player wins in Pai Gow Poker and that the player&#39;s high hand ranks as high as or higher than Straight) is satisfied, a bonus game is executed. In the bonus game, the player&#39;s cards used in the normal game and a “Joker” card are displayed face down and shuffled. When a specific card is selected out of those cards, the JP (special payout) is offered. The specific card (hereinafter also referred to as “payout card”) is determined in each bonus game. 
     First, processing executed by a station  3  (see  FIG. 2 ) in a gaming machine  1  according to the present embodiment is described. 
       FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  are flowcharts each showing card game processing executed in the station in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     First, a CPU  51  (see  FIG. 11 ) in the station  3  transmits to a main control portion  40  (see  FIG. 10 ) a signal indicating that Pai Gow Poker is to be played, upon detection of contact from a touch panel  11  (see  FIG. 3 ) or receipt of a signal indicating detection of coin insertion from an inserted coin detecting portion  68  (see  FIG. 11 ). Thereby, in the main control portion  40 , card game processing that is described later using  FIG. 14A  and  FIG. 14B  proceeds. 
     In step S 201  in  FIG. 1A , the CPU  51  accepts input of a BET. This enables the player to input a BET via the touch panel  11  in the station  3 . 
     Next, in step S 202 , the CPU  51  transmits BET information, which is information on the inputted BET, to the main control portion  40 . Upon receipt of the BET information, the main control portion  40  determines cards to be dealt to the player and the dealer (see step S 103  in  FIG. 14A ). 
     Next, in step S 203 , the CPU  51  receives to-be-dealt cards information showing cards to be dealt to the player and the dealer, from the main control portion  40 . 
     Next, in step S 204 , based on the to-be-dealt cards information received in step S 203 , the CPU  51  displays a card image showing seven player&#39;s cards in a dealt card display portion  83  (see  FIG. 5 ) of a liquid crystal display  10 . 
     Next, in step S 205 , the CPU  51  accepts input for selecting a high hand and a low hand. This enables the player to operate a high hand determination button  84  and a low hand determination button  85  (see  FIG. 5 ) via the touch panel  11  so as to determine a high hand and a low hand out of the dealt cards. 
     Next, in step S 206 , the CPU  51  transmits selection information based on selection of the high hand and the low hand, to the main control portion  40 . Upon receipt of the selection information, the main control portion  40  determines a high hand and a low hand of the dealer&#39;s card, and executes processing of determining winning or losing (step S 108  in  FIG. 14A ). 
     Next, in step S 207 , the CPU  51  receives winning/losing information from the main control portion  40 . Subsequently, based on the received winning/losing information, the CPU  51  displays an image showing any one of “You won”, “You lost”, or “Tie” to the dealt card display portion  83  of the liquid crystal display  10  for a predetermined period (10 seconds in the present embodiment) Next, in step S 208 , the CPU  51  receives payout information from the main control portion  40 . The payout information is information showing the number of coins to be paid out in the normal game. Upon receipt of the payout information, the CPU  51  stores credit data based on the payout information into a RAM  52  (see  FIG. 11 ). 
     Next, in step S 209 , the CPU  51  pays out credits based on the payout information received in step S 208 . Processing of paying out credits based on the payout information from the main control portion  40  corresponds to the processing of offering the normal payout in the present invention. 
     Next, in step S 210  in  FIG. 12B , the CPU  51  determines whether or not to have received a bonus-game-generation commanding signal from the main control portion  40 . When determining that the bonus-game-generation commanding signal has not been received, the CPU  51  completes the present subroutine. 
     On the other hand, when determining that the bonus-game-generation commanding signal has been received, the CPU  51  displays to the liquid crystal display  10  a bonus screen for executing the bonus game, in step S 211  (see  FIG. 6 ). The bonus screen includes a payout reel (image  102 ) for determining the payout card (specific card). 
     Next, in step S 212 , the CPU  51  displays the seven player&#39;s cards used in the normal game and the “Joker” card face down and shuffles these cards. 
     Next, in step S 213 , the CPU  51  determines the payout card. Specifically, by means of a random number, the CPU  51  determines one card as the payout card, out of the seven player&#39;s cards used in the normal game. 
     Next, in step S 214 , the CPU  51  controls scroll of the payout reel shown by the image  102 , based on the determination result in step S 213 . Specifically, the CPU  51  scrolls the payout reel, and displays the payout card determined in step S 213  after a predetermined time has elapsed. 
     Next, in step S 215 , the CPU  51  accepts selection of cards by the player. The player can select via the touch panel  11  one card, out of a total of eight cards displayed face down to the liquid crystal display  10 . 
     Next, in step S 216 , the CPU  51  determines the type of the card selected in step S 215 . 
     Next, in step S 217 , the CPU  51  determines a JP (special payout) to be offered, based on the determination result in step S 216 . 
     Three types of JPs “MEGA”, “MAJOR”, and “MINI” are prepared as the JPs to be offered in the bonus game; “MEGA” is an entire amount of the game media accumulated as the JP, “MAJOR” is 60% of the entire amount, and “MINI” is 30% of the entire amount. 
     In step S 217 , specifically, the CPU  51  determines, as the special payout, the JP of “MEGA” in the case where the card selected by the player is “Joker”, the JP of “MAJOR” in the case where the selected card is the payout card determined in step S 213 , and the JP of “MINI” in the case where the selected card is neither “Joker” nor the payout card (when it is a losing card) 
     Next, in step S 218 , the CPU  51  executes an effect notifying the player of the result (see  FIGS. 7 to 9 ), and pays out coins in number corresponding to the special payout determined in step S 217 . 
     Next, in step S 219 , the CPU  51  transmits result information to the main control portion  40 . The result information is information showing the amount of the JP offered. 
     After executing the processing of step S 219 , the CPU  51  completes the present subroutine. 
     Next, the gaming machine  1  according to the present embodiment is described. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view schematically showing an appearance configuration of the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the gaming machine  1  basically includes a main monitor  2  and five stations  3  (stations  3   a  to  3   e ) . It is to be noted that, although the case of the gaming machine  1  including a plurality of (five) stations  3  in the present embodiment, the gaming machine may include only one station in the present invention. 
     A front display  21  is provided at the central portion of the main monitor  2  to which images showing a dealer, cards and an amount of a JP are displayed. The front display  21  corresponds to the display in the present invention. Above the main monitor  2 , there are provided: speakers  22  that output music or an effect sound in accordance with progress of a game being executed on the gaming machine  1 ; and LEDs  23  lighted at times of a variety of effects. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view schematically showing an appearance configuration of the station in the gaming machine shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , a later-described liquid crystal display  10  that displays images regarding operations (see  FIGS. 5 to 9 ) and the like is provided at the center of the upper surface of the station  3 . The liquid crystal display  10  corresponds to the display in the present invention. Further, a touch panel  11  for inputting operations for placing a BET and the like are provided on the upper surface of the liquid crystal display  10 . The touch panel  11  corresponds to the input device in the present invention. 
     In front of the liquid crystal display  10  are provided operation buttons  12  for performing a payout operation and a coin insertion slot  13  into which coins or medals are inserted. 
     On the upper right end of the front surface of the station  3 , there is provided a bill insertion slot  14  into which a bill is inserted. Below the bill insertion slot  14  is provided a coin payout exit  15 , from which coins or medals corresponding to the accumulated credits are paid out to the player when the payout operation is performed. 
       FIG. 4  is a view showing an example of images displayed to the front display in the gaming machine. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , a JP display portion  33  for displaying an amount of a JP is provided on the upper side of the front display  21 . Further, a dealer image  30  that shows a dealer, a table image  31  that shows a table, and card images  32  that show seven dealer&#39;s cards are displayed to the front display  21 . The card images  32  are displayed face down when the cards are dealt to the dealer. When a high hand and a low hand are determined, the card images  32  are displayed face up. When facing to  FIG. 4 , the five cards on the left side show the high hand and the two cards on the right side show the low hand. 
       FIGS. 5 to 9  are views each showing an example of images displayed to the liquid crystal display in the station. 
       FIG. 5  shows an example of images displayed when the player selects a high hand and a low hand after the player&#39;s cards have been displayed to the liquid crystal display  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , a high hand display portion  80  that displays the high hand of the player and a low hand display portion  81  that displays the low hand are provided on the upper side of the liquid crystal display  10 . In the high hand display portion  80  and the low hand display portion  81 , card images  82  respectively showing the high-hand cards and the low-hand cards are displayed face up. The dealt card display portion  83  is provided below the high hand display portion  80 . In seven portions surrounded by dotted lines in the dealt card display portion  83 , card images showing seven player&#39;s cards dealt to the player are displayed face up. The high hand determination button  84  and the low hand determination button  85  for determining cards constituting the high hand and the low hand are provided to the right of the dealt card display portion  83 . The player selects cards with which he or she wishes to create the high hand out of the cards displayed in the dealt card display portion  83 , via the touch panel  11 , and operates the high hand determination button  84  via the touch panel  11 , so as to determine the high hand. The cards determined as the high hand are displayed in the high hand display portion  80 . Similarly, the player selects cards with which he or she wishes to create the low hand out of the cards displayed in the dealt card display portion  83 , via the touch panel  11 , and operates the low hand determination button  85  via the touch panel  11 , so as to determine the low hand. 
     A BET button display portion  86  is provided under the dealt card display portion  83 . BET buttons  87  for inputting the number of BETs is displayed in the BET button display portion  86 . The player operates the BET buttons  87  via the touch panel  11 , so as to input the number of normal BETs and the number of side BETs. 
     A number-of-BETs display portion  89  that displays the number of betted coins is provided to the right of the BET button display portion  86 .  FIG. 5  shows that  28  coins have been betted. It is to be noted that, when the BET with  28  coins is inputted, the player may operate the BET button  87  “ 10 ” twice, the BET button  87  “ 5 ” once, and the BET button  87  “ 1 ” three times. A number-of-credits display portion  90  is provided to the right of the number-of-BETs display portion  89 . In  FIG. 5 , it is shown that 500 coins have been credited. 
       FIG. 6  shows an example of bonus screens displayed to the liquid crystal display when the bonus game is generated. 
     In the bonus game, an image  100  showing that the bonus game is in execution is displayed to the upper side of the liquid crystal display  10 , and below the image  100 , a total of eight face-down card images  101 , which consist of the seven player&#39;s cards used in the normal game and the “Joker” card, are displayed. 
     Further, an image  102  showing the payout reel is displayed to the lower left portion of the liquid crystal display  10 . The image  102  includes a card image  103  showing the payout card. At the start of the bonus game, the payout reel is scrolled, and the image showing a card determined as the payout card is displayed. In the example of  FIG. 6 , the payout card is “5 of Hearts”. 
     Further, an image  104  that prompts the player to select one card out of the foregoing eight face-down cards is displayed to the right of the image  102 . 
     When the card is selected by the player, as shown in  FIGS. 7 to 9 , effects are performed in accordance with the type of the selected card. 
     First, around the selected card, a frame image  105  showing the selection of that card is displayed. 
     When the card selected by the player is “Joker”, as shown in  FIG. 7 , an image  106  is displayed which notifies the player that “Joker” has been found and the JP for “MEGA” is to be offered. 
     Similarly, when the card selected by the player is the payout card, as shown in  FIG. 8 , an image  107  is displayed which notifies the player that the payout card has been found and the JP for “MAJOR” is to be offered. When the card selected by the player is neither “Joker” nor the payout card, as shown in  FIG. 9 , an image  108  is displayed which notifies the player that the bonus game is lost and the JP for “MINI” is to be offered. 
       FIG. 10  is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the gaming machine shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the main control portion  40  in the gaming machine  1  has a microcomputer  45  as the core, which basically includes a CPU  41 , a RAM  42 , a ROM  43 , a timer  95 , and a bus  44  that is for mutually transmitting data thereamong. The main control portion  40  corresponds to the controller in the present invention. 
     The ROM  43  stores a variety of programs for performing processing necessary in controlling the gaming machine  1 , a data table, and the like. The RAM  42  is a memory that temporarily stores a variety of data calculated in the CPU  41 . Further, the RAM  42  stores as credit data an amount of a JP to which part of betted credits is cumulatively added. 
     Moreover, the timer  95  performs time measurement. 
     Furthermore, the CPU  41  is connected, through an I/O interface  46 , to an image processing circuit  47 , a sound circuit  48 , an LED driving circuit  49 , and a communication interface  50 . 
     The image processing circuit  47  is connected with the front display  21  forming the main monitor  2 ; the sound circuit  48  is connected with the speakers  22  forming the main monitor  2 ; and the LED driving circuit  49  is connected with the LEDs  23  forming the main monitor  2 . The communication interface  50  is connected with five stations  3 . 
     The CPU  41  proceeds with games (Pai Gow Poker and the bonus game) that progress on the gaming machine  1 , based on game programs (including game programs for Pai Gow Poker and the bonus game) stored in the ROM  43  and on a variety of signals received from the stations  3 . Further, based on the game programs, the CPU  41  displays an image to the front display  21 , outputs a sound from the speakers  22 , and lights the LEDs  23 . Moreover, the CPU  41  transmits a variety of signals to the respective stations  3  based on the game programs. 
       FIG. 11  is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the station in the gaming machine shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the station  3  has a microcomputer  55  as the core, which basically includes a CPU  51 , a RAM  52 , a ROM  53 , and a bus  54  that is for mutually transmitting data thereamong. 
     The ROM  53  stores a variety of programs for performing processing necessary in controlling the station  3 , a data table, and the like. Further, the RAM  52  temporarily stores the number of credits currently accumulated in the station  3  and a variety of data calculated in the CPU  51 . 
     Moreover, the CPU  51  is connected, through 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 completion signal circuit  60 , an inserted coin detecting signal circuit  67 , a bill detecting signal circuit  64 , an operation signal circuit  66 , and a communication interface  61 . 
     The liquid crystal panel driving circuit  57  is connected with the liquid crystal display  10 , the touch panel driving circuit  58  is connected with the touch panel  11 , the hopper driving circuit  59  is connected with the hopper  62 , the payout completion signal circuit  60  is connected with the coin detecting portion  63 , the inserted coin detecting signal circuit  67  is connected with the inserted coin detecting portion  68 , the bill detecting signal circuit  64  is connected with the bill detecting portion  65 , and the operation signal circuit  66  is connected with the operation buttons  12 . 
     The hopper  62  is provided inside the station  3 , and pays out coins from the coin payout exit  15  based on a control signal outputted from the CPU  51 . 
     The coin detecting portion  63  is provided inside the coin payout exit  15 , and transmits a signal to the CPU  51  when detecting that coins in a predetermined number have been paid out from the coin payout exit  15 . 
     When detecting insertion of coins from the coin insertion slot  13 , the inserted coin detecting portion  68  detects the amount of the coins, and transmits a detecting signal showing the detected amount to the CPU  51 . The detected coins are stored in the RAM  52 , with a predetermined amount as one credit. 
     The bill detecting portion  65  detects an amount of a bill when receiving the bill, and transmits a signal showing the detected amount to the CPU  51 . The detected bill is stored in the RAM  52 , with a predetermined amount as one credit. 
     The operation buttons  12  are buttons for performing the payout operation when payout of coins is determined. 
     Next, processing performed in the main control portion  40  and the station  3  is described. 
       FIG. 12  is a flowchart showing main processing performed in the main control portion and the station. 
     The following main processing is performed in the main control portion  40 . 
     The CPU  41  of the main control portion  40  executes activation processing (step S 500 ) . The activation processing performed in step S 500  is described later using  FIG. 13 . After executing the activation processing, the CPU  41  executes card game processing (step S 501 ). The card game processing executed in step S 501  is described later using  FIG. 14A  and  FIG. 14B . 
     Meanwhile, the following main processing is performed in the station  3 . 
     The CPU  51  of the station  3  executes activation processing (step S 600 ). The activation processing performed in step S 600  is described later using  FIG. 13 . After executing the activation processing, the CPU  51  executes card game processing (step S 601 ). The card game processing executed in step S 601  is the processing that has been described using  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B . 
       FIG. 13  is a flowchart showing a procedure of the activation processing. 
     This activation processing is processing performed in the main control portion  40  and the station  3 , as triggered by power-on (see step S 500  and step S 600  in  FIG. 12 ). 
     At power-on, first, the CPU  41  of the main control portion  40  executes a BIOS stored in the ROM  43 , and expands compressed data incorporated in the BIOS into the PAM  42  (step S 1 - 1 ) . The CPU  41  then executes the BIOS expanded into the RAM  42 , and diagnoses and initializes a variety of peripheral devices. 
     Specifically, the CPU  41  diagnoses and initializes the main monitor  2  (step S 1 - 2 ). In this processing, the CPU  41  transmits a request signal to the main monitor  2  and determines whether or not to have received a predetermined response signal, and conducts clearance of a predetermined storage region, and the like. 
     Next, the CPU  41  diagnoses and initializes the other peripheral devices connected to the CPU  41  (step S 1 - 3 ). 
     Next, the CPU  41  reads an authentication program stored in the ROM  43 , and also performs processing of storing the read authentication program into the RAM  42  (step S 1 - 4 ). At this time, the CPU  41  obtains a checksum by ADDSUM system (standard checking function) in accordance with the standard BIOS function of the BIOS, and stores the authentication program into the RAM  42  while performing processing of checking whether or not the storage is performed without an error. 
     Next, the CPU  41  reads the card game program from the ROM  43 . In this case, the CPU  41  reads data constituting the card game program by four bytes at a time. Subsequently, the CPU  41  performs authentication for checking and verifying that the read authentication program is authentic (not broken) in accordance with the authentication program stored in the RAM  42  (step S 1 - 5 ). When properly completing this authentication processing, the CPU  41  writes and stores the card game program having been an object to be authenticated (having been authenticated) into the RAM  42  (step S 1 - 6 ). 
     Meanwhile, the CPU  51  of the station  3  first executes a BIOS stored in the ROM  53 , and expands compressed data incorporated in the BIOS into the RAM  52  (step S 2 - 1 ). The CPU  51  then executes the BIOS expanded into the RAM  52  and diagnoses and initializes a variety of peripheral devices. 
     Specifically, the CPU  51  diagnoses and initializes the liquid crystal display  10  (step S 2 - 2 ). In this processing, the CPU  51  transmits a request signal to the liquid crystal panel driving circuit  57 , and determines whether or not to have received a predetermined response signal. 
     Next, the CPU  51  diagnoses and initializes the touch panel  11  (step S 2 - 3 ). In this processing, the CPU  51  transmits a request signal to the touch panel  11 , and determines whether or not to have received a predetermined response signal. 
     Next, the CPU  51  diagnoses and initializes the other peripheral devices connected to the CPU  51  (step S 2 - 4 ). 
     Next, the CPU  51  transmits an initial setting signal to the main control portion  40  (step S 2 - 5 ). The initial setting signal is a signal showing completion of diagnosis and initialization of the variety of peripheral devices in the station  3 . 
     After executing the processing of step S 2 - 5 , the CPU  51  completes the present subroutine. 
     The CPU  41  of the main control portion  40  receives the initial setting signal transmitted by the station  3  in step S 2 - 5  (step S 1 - 7 ). Subsequently, the CPU  41  determines whether or not to have received the initial setting signals from all the stations  3  (step S 1 - 8 ). 
     When determining that the initial setting signal has not been received from some station  3 , the CPU  41  returns the processing to step S 1 - 7 . On the other hand, when determining that the initial setting signals have been received from all the stations  3 , the CPU  41  completes the present subroutine. 
     Next, the card game processing performed on the gaming machine  1  is described. However, since the processing performed in the station  3  has already been described in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , only processing performed in the main control portion  40  is described here. 
       FIG. 14A  and  FIG. 14B  are flowcharts showing card game processing executed in the main control portion in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     First, in step S 101  of  FIG. 14A , the CPU  41  in the main control portion  40  receives BET information from the station  3 . The BET information is information on a BET, including information on whether or not the BET has been placed and information on an amount of the BET. 
     Next, in step S 102 , the CPU  41  cumulatively stores 50% of betted credits, as a JP, based on the BET information received in step S 101 . 
     Next, in step S 103 , the CPU  41  determines seven cards each to be dealt to the player and the dealer, out of a deck of playing cards, by means of random numbers. The seven cards determined to be dealt to the player in step S 103  correspond to the player&#39;s cards in the present invention, and the seven cards determined to be dealt to the dealer correspond to the dealer&#39;s cards in the present invention. 
     Further, card images showing the seven dealer&#39;s cards are displayed face down to the front display  21  in the gaming machine  1 . 
     Next, in step S 104 , the CPU  41  transmits to-be-dealt cards information to the station  3 . The to-be-dealt cards information includes information showing types (ranks and suits: Hearts, Clubs, Spades, Diamonds) of the cards determined to be dealt to the player and the dealer. In the station  3 , the card images showing the seven player&#39;s cards are displayed to the liquid crystal display  10 , based on the received to-be-dealt cards information, and input for dividing the cards into a five-card hand (high hand) and a two-card hand (low hand) is accepted. 
     Next, in step S 105 , the CPU  41  receives selection information from the station  3 . The selection information is information showing which card is selected to be in the high hand and which card is selected to be in the low hand. 
     Next, in step S 106 , the CPU  41  executes processing of dividing the cards dealt to the dealer into the high hand and the low hand. 
     Next, in step S 107 , the CPU  41  displays card images showing the high hand and the low hand determined in step S 106  face up to the front display  21 . 
     Next, in step S 108 , the CPU  41  executes processing of determining winning or losing based on the selection information received in step S 105  and on the high hand and the low hand determined in step S 106 . Specifically, the CPU  41  compares the ranks of the player&#39;s high hand and the dealer&#39;s high hand so as to determine which is higher, and compares the ranks of the player&#39;s low hand and the dealer&#39;s low hand so as to determine which is higher; based on these determination results, winning or losing is determined. More specifically, the player wins when the player&#39;s high hand ranks higher than the dealer&#39;s high hand and the player&#39;s low hand ranks higher than the dealer&#39;s low hand. The dealer wins when the dealer&#39;s high hand ranks higher than the player&#39;s high hand and the dealer&#39;s low hand ranks higher than the player&#39;s low hand. The game is tied when one of the player&#39;s hands ranks higher than the dealer&#39;s corresponding hand and the other of the dealer&#39;s hands ranks higher than the player&#39;s corresponding hand. 
     Next, in step S 109 , the CPU  41  transmits information showing winning or losing determined in step S 108  (hereinafter also referred to as “winning/losing information”) to the station  3 . In the station  3 , when the winning/losing information is received, any one of images “Yon won”, “You lost” and “Tie” is displayed to the liquid crystal display  10 , based on the winning/losing information. 
     Next, in step S 110 , the CPU  41  transmits payout information to the station  3 . The payout information is information showing an amount of credits (game media) to be paid out with respect to the BET. Specifically, the CPU  41  transmits information showing credits in amount twice as large as the amount of the BET when the player wins, and transmits information showing credits in the same amount as the amount of the BET when the game is tied. Further, when the dealer wins, the CPU  41  transmits information showing that the amount of credits to be offered is 0. 
     The game conducted during execution of the processing of step S 101  to step S 110  corresponds to the normal game in the present invention. 
     Next, in step S 111  of  FIG. 14B , the CPU  41  determines whether or not a bonus game generation condition has been satisfied at any of the stations  3 . Specifically, the CPU  41  determines whether or not the player at any of the stations  3  wins in the normal game and the player&#39;s high hand ranks as high as or higher than Straight, based on the selection information received in step S 105  and the determination result in step S 108 . 
     When determining that the bonus game generation condition has not been satisfied at any of the stations  3 , the CPU  41  completes the present subroutine. 
     On the other hand, when determining that the bonus game generation condition has been satisfied at some station  3 , the CPU  41  transmits in step S 112  a bonus-game-generation commanding signal to the station  3  having satisfied the bonus game generation condition. The bonus-game-generation commanding signal is a signal to command generation of the bonus game. 
     Next, in step S 113 , the CPU  41  receives result information from the station  3  having satisfied the bonus game generation condition. The result information is information showing an amount of the JP offered in the bonus game. 
     Next, in step S 114 , the CPU  41  executes processing of subtracting credits corresponding to the amount of the JP offered in each station from the credits stored in the RAM  42 , based on the result information received in step S 113 . 
     After executing the processing of step S 114 , the CPU  41  completes the present subroutine. 
     As described above, the gaming machine  1  according to the present embodiment comprises: the front display  21  and the liquid crystal display  10  (display) which are capable of displaying a plurality of cards; the touch panel  11  (input device); and the main control portion  40  (controller). The main control portion  40  is programmed so as to execute the processing of (a) accepting a BET from the touch panel  11 , (b) cumulatively accumulating a predetermined ratio of game media betted from the touch panel  11 , (c) displaying player&#39;s cards and dealer&#39;s cards respectively to the liquid crystal display  10  and the front display  21 , (d) offering a normal payout based on a result of a normal game and the BET, after executing the normal game that determines winning or losing based on the player&#39;s cards and the dealer&#39;s cards, (e) determining whether or not to execute a bonus game different from the normal game, (f) displaying the player&#39;s cards face down to the liquid crystal display  10 , when it is determined in the processing (e) that the bonus game is to be executed, (g) selecting a card out of the player&#39;s cards displayed face down to the liquid crystal display  10 , based on input from the touch panel  11 , and (h) offering a special payout from the game media cumulatively accumulated in the processing (b), when the card selected in the processing (g) is a specific card. 
     According to the above gaming machine  1 , since the bonus game is conducted using the player&#39;s cards dealt in the normal game, it is possible to increase an interest of the player having an interest in the normal game, in the bonus game. 
     Further, since the special payout is offered when the specific card is found out of the face-down cards in the bonus game, it is possible to increase an expectation of the player for the bonus game (special payout). 
     Further, since the special payout is part of the game media betted in the normal game which has been cumulatively accumulated, there is a possibility that the player will acquire a high-amount payout in the bonus game. 
     Consequently, it is possible to increase the player&#39;s desire for playing the bonus game, and thus to make the player spend a larger amount of game media in the normal game. 
     In the present embodiment, the case has been described where the payout card in the bonus game is determined every time the bonus game is conducted. However, the specific card in the present invention may be a previously set card. Further, the specific card may be determined previously or every time the bonus game is conducted, based on input by the player. 
     Further, in the present embodiment, the case has been described where the bonus game generation condition is that the player wins in the normal game (Pai Gow Poker) and that the player&#39;s high hand ranks as high as or higher than Straight. However, in the present invention, the bonus game generation condition is not particularly restricted. For example, whether or not to generate the bonus game may be determined regardless of a result of the normal game. 
     Further, in the present embodiment, the case has been described where Pai Gow Poker is played as the normal game. However, in the present invention, the normal game is not restricted so long as being a game that determines winning or losing based on player&#39;s cards and dealer&#39;s cards, by comparing hands of player&#39;s cards with hands of dealer&#39;s cards, or the like. 
     Further, in the present embodiment, the case of using playing cards has been described. However, the cards (player&#39;s cards and dealer&#39;s cards) in the present invention are not restricted to playing cards, and for example, tarot cards may be used. 
     Further, in the present embodiment, the case has been described where the player plays Pai Gow Poker while viewing the main monitor  2  and the liquid crystal display  10  that is provided in the station. However, the gaming machine in the present invention should only be provided with either the main monitor or the liquid crystal display (display provided in the station). With such a configuration, it may be configured such that both the dealer&#39;s cards and the player&#39;s cards are displayed to the main monitor or the display in the station. 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to embodiments thereof, these embodiments merely illustrate specific examples, not restrict the present invention. The specific structures of respective means and the like can be designed and changed as required. Furthermore, there have been merely described most preferable effects of the present invention, as the effects of the present invention, in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. 
     Further, in the aforementioned detailed description, characteristic portions have been mainly described, for ease of understanding the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the aforementioned detailed description, but can be also applied to other embodiments over a wider range of applications. Further, the terms and phrases used in the present specification have been used for clearly describing the present invention, not for limiting the interpretation of the present invention. Further, those skilled in the art will easily conceive other structures, systems, methods and the like which are included in the concept of the present invention, from the concept of the present invention described in the present specification. Accordingly, the description of the claims is intended to include equivalent structures that fall within the technical scope of the invention. Further, the abstract aims at enabling engineers and the like who belong to the present technical field but are not familiar with the patent office and public institutions, the patent, law terms and technical terms to immediately understand the technical content and the essence of the present application through brief studies. Accordingly, the abstract is not intended to restrict the scope of the invention which should be evaluated from the description of the claims. It is desirable that literatures and the like which have been already disclosed are sufficiently studied and understood, in order to sufficiently understand the objects of the present invention and the specific effects of the present invention. 
     In the aforementioned detailed description, there has been described processing to be executed by computers. The aforementioned description and expressions have been described for the sake of enabling those skilled in the art to understand the present invention most effectively. In the present specification, each step for deriving a single result should be understood to be self-consistent processing. Further, each step includes transmission, reception, recording and the like of electric or magnetic signals. Although, in the processing at each step, such signals have been expressed as bits, values, symbols, characters, terms, numerical characters and the like, it should be noticed that they have been merely used for convenience of description. Further, although the processing at each step was described using expressions common to human behaviors in some cases, the processes described in the present specification are to be executed by various types of devices, in principle. Further, other structures required for conducting each step will be apparent from the aforementioned description.