Patent Publication Number: US-8113945-B2

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. 61/034,363 filed on Mar. 6, 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, table games such as poker or blackjack and baccarat are widely known which are performed by a plurality of players in gaming places such as Casinos. In recent years, a plenty of players have often enjoyed a variety of pokers such as a PAIGOW poker or a Caribbean Stud poker. 
     With the prevalence of gaming places and game arcades in recent years, game machines have been introduced which allow computers to take over a dealer in such games employing cards, such that players can casually enjoy the games as described above. In this game machine, the dealing of cards and the determination of what numbers or symbols of the dealt cards might be are executed by gaming machines executing programs. The players recognize what cards have been dealt by way of images of the cards displayed on the display devices such as liquid crystal displays, and perform game operation with the use of input devices. Such game machines are disclosed in US Published Patent Application No. 20070004512. 
     In addition, a game machine exists which is capable of accepting a side BET different from a normal BET. For example, in blackjack, in a case where one of the dealer&#39;s two cards, for example, a card “Ace” is faced up, the players can perform a side BET called “Insurance” in addition to a normal BET. In a case where “Insurance” is performed, the players can additionally make a first bet at half price. In a case where the dealer&#39;s hand is “Natural 21”, the amount of bet, which is twice of the side BET (insurance), is paid back. 
     In the Caribbean Stud poker, for example, a side BET is accumulatively stored as a progressive jackpot. The players can acquire all or part of the progressive jackpots in accordance with an established hand when performing a side BET in addition to an ante (a normal BET). Games for accepting the side BET are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,789,801, 5,711,525, and 6,874,786, for example. 
     Further, a game machine also exist which is capable of performing a PAIGOW poker. The rules of the PAIGOW poker are different from those of other pokers. First, seven cards are dealt to each of a plurality of persons consisting of a banker and players, and each of them divides the seven cards into a group of five cards and a group of two cards. The hands of five cards are compared with each other among the banker and the players. Similarly, the hands of two cards are compared with each other. The winner or loser of the game is determined only when at least one of the players has won in both of the above hands. The procedures for dividing the dealt cards into two groups exist, whereby the players are required to adopt a strategy different from those of other pokers, which becomes a kind of amusing attractiveness of the game. 
     However, in these card game and game machine, in general, if gaming is performed in one group of cards (52 cards may include a joker), only a predetermined small number of players could be participate. In the PAIGOW poker, for example, seven cards are dealt to each person, and up to only seven persons including the dealer and the players could participate. Because of the limited space of the gaming places, further, not so many input devices could be installed corresponding to gaming tables. In view of this fact also, only a limited number of players can participate in the games performed on gaming tables. Therefore, a need exists for the advent of new methods of playing card games and game machines without any limitation to the number of participants in games. 
     The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of playing card games and a game machine, having new entertainability, in which players can participate without a waiting time and which a large number of persons can use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A first aspect of the present invention is a game machine, including a plurality of display devices provided corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of players; a plurality of input devices provided corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of players, for accepting entry for participation of the players; a memory for storing first card set data inclusive of plural types of card data, second card set data inclusive of card data identical to cards included in the first card set data, and the number of players accepting entry for participation by the input device; a controller for controlling the display device, the input device, and the memory, the controller being programmed to: (a) execute processing of accepting entry for participation from the input device; (b) determine banker&#39;s cards and players&#39; cards, the players&#39; cards being dealt to the players having accepted entry for participation from the input device, based upon the first card set data stored in the memory; (c) among the plurality of display devices, execute processing of displaying the players&#39; cards determined in (b) on the display devices corresponding to the players having accepted entry for participation; (d) in a case where the number of players having accepted entry for participation stored in the memory exceeds a predetermined number of players, determine the players&#39; cards to be dealt to the players having accepted entry for participation in excess of the number of players, based upon card data excluding the banker&#39;s cards dealt based upon the first card set data among the second card set data stored in the memory; (e) execute processing of displaying the players&#39; cards determined in (d) on the display devices corresponding to the players having accepted entry for participation in excess of the number of players among the plurality of display devices; and (f) execute processing of determining a winner or loser after comparing hands of the players&#39; cards dealt to the players and a hand of the banker&#39;s cards. 
     According to the first aspect of the present invention, for example, in a case where a predetermined limited number of players have already participated in given games, other players could not participate until a vacancy takes place. In addition, the number of participants could not be increased. According to the present invention, a dealer can use a plurality of card sets, thus allowing other players to participate the games partway without waiting for such a vacancy. Further, the number of participants can be increased, thus allowing a large number of persons to perform games and create a thriving atmosphere. The game machine of playing card games, having these new entertainabilities, can be provided. 
     A second aspect of the present invention is the game machine, further comprising a common display device used in common by the plurality of players, the controller being programmed to: (g) display the players&#39; cards on the common display device on a player-by-player basis; (h) determine a payment, based upon a combination of cards included in the players&#39; cards displayed on the common display device; and (i) give a payment to the players in accordance with the determined payment. 
     According to the second aspect of the present invention, for example, in a case where, in comparison with hands of the players who have participated in games, a payment is given to a player having a hand of the strongest combination among the compared hands, the players are allowed to perform games while they have an interest in competing against each other and its related payment in addition to an interest in competing against the dealer and its related payment. As the result, it is possible for the players to enhance excitement, and the game machine of playing card games, having new entertainability, can be provided. 
     A third aspect of the present invention is the game machine, wherein: the controller is programmed to: (j) execute processing of accepting a side BET different from a normal BET from the input device, the controller determining a payment, based upon a combination of the players&#39; cards of the players having accepted the side BET, from among the players&#39; cards in the processing of (h) and give a payment to the players having accepted the side BET in the processing of (i). 
     According to the third aspect of the present invention, for example, in addition to the competition in a base game and its related payment, the players participate simultaneously in other games in which the larger number of participants is and the more side BET is accumulated, so that the higher payment can be obtained. Thus, the players are allowed to enhance excitement for a higher payment, and the game machine of playing card games, having new entertainability, can be provided. 
     A fourth aspect of the present invention is a game machine, including: a plurality of display devices provided corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of players; a common display device used in common by the plurality of players; a plurality of input devices provided corresponding to respective ones of the plurality of players, for accepting entry for participation of the players; a memory for storing first card set data inclusive of plural types of card data, second card set data inclusive of card data identical to cards included in the first card set data, and the number of players having accepted entry for participation by the input device; a controller for controlling the display device, the input device, and the memory, the controller being programmed to: (a) execute processing of accepting entry for participation from the input device; (b) determine banker&#39;s cards and players&#39; cards, the players&#39; cards being dealt to the players having accepted entry for participation from the input device, based upon the first card set data stored in the memory; (c) among the plurality of display devices, execute processing of displaying the players&#39; cards determined in (b) on the display devices corresponding to the players having accepted entry for participation; (d) in a case where the number of players having accepted entry for participation stored in the memory exceeds a predetermined number of players, determine the players&#39; cards to be dealt to the players having accepted entry for participation in excess of the number of players, based upon card data excluding the banker&#39;s cards dealt based upon the first card set data among the second card set data stored in the memory; (e) execute processing of displaying the players&#39; cards determined in (d) on the display devices corresponding to the players having accepted entry for participation in excess of the number of players among the plurality of display devices; (f) execute processing of determining a winner or loser after comparing hands of the players&#39; cards dealt to the players and a hand of the banker&#39;s cards; (g) display the players&#39; cards on the common display on a player-by-player basis; (h) determine a payment, based upon a combination of cards included in the players&#39; cards displayed on the common display; and (i) give a payment to the players in accordance with the determined payment. 
     According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, for example, in a case where a predetermined limited number of players have already participated in given games, other players could not participate in the games until a vacancy takes place. In addition, the number of participants could not be increased. According to the present invention, a dealer can use a plurality of card sets, thus allowing other players to participate in the games partway without waiting for such a vacancy. Further, the number of participants can be increased, thus allowing a large number of persons to perform games and create a thriving atmosphere. The game machine of playing card games, having these new entertainabilities, can be provided. Further, in comparison with hands of the players who have participated in games, in a case where a payment is given to a player having a hand of the strongest combination among the compared hands, the players are allowed to perform games while they have an interest in competing against each other and its related payment in addition to an interest in competing against the dealer and its related payment. As the result, it is possible for the players to enhance excitement, and the game machine of playing card games, having new entertainability, can be provided. 
     A fifth aspect of the present invention is the game machine, wherein: the controller is programmed to: (j) execute processing of accepting a side BET different from a normal BET from the input device, the controller determining a payment, based upon a combination of the players&#39; cards of the players having accepted the side BET, from among the players&#39; cards in the processing of (h) and giving a payment to the players having accepted the side BET in the processing of (i). 
     According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, for example, in addition to a base game and its related payment, the players participate simultaneously in other games in which the larger number of participants is and the more side BET is accumulated, so that the higher payment can be obtained. Thus, the players are allowed to enhance excitement for a higher payment, and the game machine of playing card games, having new entertainability, can be provided. 
     A sixth aspect of the present invention is a game machine, including: a plurality of display devices provided corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of players; a common display device used in common by the plurality of players; a plurality of input devices provided corresponding to respective ones of the plurality of players, for accepting entry for participation of the players and a side BET; a memory for storing first card set data inclusive of plural types of card data, second card set data inclusive of card data identical to cards included in the first card set data, and the number of players accepting entry for participation by the input device; a controller for controlling the display device, the input device, and the memory, the controller being programmed to: (a) execute processing of accepting entry for participation from the input device and the side BET; (b) determine banker&#39;s cards and players&#39; cards, the players cards being dealt to the players having accepted entry for participation from the input devices, based upon the first card set data stored in the memory; (c) among the plurality of display devices, execute processing of displaying the players&#39; cards determined in (b) on the display devices corresponding to the players having accepted entry for participation; (d) in a case where the number of players having accepted entry for participation stored in the memory exceeds a predetermined number of players, determine the players&#39; cards to be dealt to the players having accepted entry for participation in excess of the number of players, based upon card data excluding the banker&#39;s cards dealt based upon the first card set data among the second card set data stored in the memory; (e) execute processing of displaying the players&#39; cards determined in (d) on the display devices corresponding to the players having accepted entry for participation in excess of the number of players among the plurality of display devices; (f) execute processing of determining a winner or loser after comparing hands of the players&#39; cards dealt to the player and a hand of the banker&#39;s cards; (g) display the players&#39; cards on the common display device on a player-by-player basis; (h) determine a payment, based upon a combination of cards included in the players&#39; cards of the players having accepted the side BET among the players&#39; cards displayed on the common display device; and (i) give a payment to the players having accepted the side BET in accordance with the determined payment. 
     According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, for example, in a case where a predetermined limited number of players have already participated in given games, other players could not participate until a vacancy takes place. In addition, the number of participants could not be increased. According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a dealer can use a plurality of card sets, thus allowing other players to participate in the games partway without waiting for such a vacancy. Further, the number of participants can be increased, thus allowing a large number of persons to perform games and create a thriving atmosphere. The game machine of playing card games, having these new entertainabilities, can be provided. Further, according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, for example, in comparison with hands of the players who have participated in games, in a case where a payment is given to a player having a hand of the strongest combination among the compared hands, the players are allowed to perform games while they have an interest in competing against each other and its related payment in addition to an interest in competing against the dealer and its related payment. The game machine of playing card games, having these new entertainabilities, can be provided. Furthermore, according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to a base game and its related payment, the players participate simultaneously in other games in which the larger number of participants is and the more side BET is accumulated, so that the higher payment can be obtained. Therefore, the players are allowed to enhance excitement for a higher payment, and the game machine of playing card games, having new entertainability, can be provided. 
     A seventh aspect of the present invention is a method of playing card games, comprising the steps of: (a) accepting participation of players; (b) determining banker&#39;s cards and players&#39; cards, the players&#39; cards being dealt to the players having accepted entry for participation from the input device, from the first card set data stored in the memory; (c) among the plurality of display devices, executing processing of displaying the players&#39; cards determined at the step (b) on the display devices corresponding to the players having accepted entry for participation; (d) in a case where the number of players having accepted entry for participation stored in the memory exceeds a predetermined number of players, determining the players&#39; cards to be dealt to the players having accepted entry for participation in excess of the number of players, based upon card data excluding the banker&#39;s cards dealt based upon the first card set among a second card that consists of cards identical to those of the first card set; (e) dealing the players&#39; cards determined at the step (d) to the players having accepted participation in excess of the number of players among the plurality of display devices; and (f) determining a winner or loser after comparing hands of the players&#39; cards dealt to the players and a hand of the banker&#39;s cards. 
     According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, for example, in a case where a predetermined limited number of players have already participated in given games, other players could not participate until a vacancy takes place. In addition, the number of participants could not be increased. According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a dealer can use a plurality of card sets, thus allowing other players to participate the games partway without waiting for such a vacancy. Further, the number of participants can be increased, thus allowing a large number of persons to perform games and create a thriving atmosphere. Therefore, the game machine of playing card games, having these new entertainabilities, can be provided. 
     An eighth aspect of the present invention is the method of playing card games, including the steps of: (g) placing and arranging the players&#39; cards so as to be viewed from the players; (h) determining a payment based upon a combination of cards included in the players&#39; cards placed at step (g); and (i) giving a payment to the players in accordance with the determined payment. 
     According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, for example, in a case where, in comparison with hands of the players who have participated in games, a payment is given to a player having a hand of the strongest combination among the compared hands, the players are allowed to perform games while they have an interest in competing against each other and its related payment in addition to an interest in competing against the dealer and its related payment. As the result, it is possible for the players to enhance excitement, and the game machine of playing card games, having new entertainability, can be provided. 
     A ninth aspect of the present invention is the card game playing method, further including the step of (j) accepting a side BET different from a normal BET, the step (h) including the step of determining a payment based upon a combination of the players&#39; cards of the players having accepted the side BET, among the players&#39; cards, the step (i) including the step of giving a payment to the players having accepted the side BET. 
     According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, for example, in addition to a base game and its related payment, the players participate simultaneously in other games in which the larger number of participants is and the more side BET is accumulated, so that the higher payment can be obtained. Therefore, the players are allowed to enhance excitement for a higher payment, and the game machine of playing card games, having new entertainability, can be provided. 
     A tenth aspect of the present invention is a method of playing card games, including the steps of: (a) accepting participation of players; (b) determining banker&#39;s cards and players&#39; cards, the players&#39; cards being dealt to the players having accepted entry for participation from the input device, based upon the first card set data stored in the memory; (c) among the plurality of display devices, executing processing of displaying the players&#39; cards determined at the step (b) on the display devices corresponding to the players having accepted entry for participation; (d) in a case where the number of players having accepted entry for participation stored in the memory exceeds a predetermined number of players, determining the players&#39; cards to be dealt to the players having accepted entry for participation in excess of the number of players, based upon card data excluding the banker&#39;s cards dealt based upon the first card set data among a second card set that consists of cards identical to those of the first card set; (e) dealing the players&#39; cards determined at the step (d) to the players having accepted entry for participation in excess of the number of players among the plurality of display devices; (f) determining a winner or loser after comparing hands of the players&#39; cards dealt to the players and a hand of the banker&#39;s cards; (g) placing and arranging the players&#39; cards so as to be viewed from the players; (h) determining a payment based upon a combination of cards included in the players&#39; cards placed at step (g); and (i) giving a payment to the players in accordance with the determined payment. 
     According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, for example, in a case where a predetermined limited number of players have already participated in given games, other players could not participate until a vacancy takes place. In addition, the number of participants could not be increased. According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, a dealer can use a plurality of card sets, thus allowing other players to participate in the games partway without waiting for such a vacancy. Further, the number of participants can be increased, thus allowing a large number of persons to perform games and create a thriving atmosphere. The game machine of playing card games, having these new entertainabilities, can be provided. 
     According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, for example, in a case where, in comparison with hands of the players who participated in games, a payment is given to a player having a hand of the strongest combination among the compared hands, the players are allowed to perform games while they have an interest in competing against each other and its related payment in addition to an interest in competing against the dealer and its related payment. As the result, it is possible for the players to enhance excitement, and the game machine of playing card games, having new entertainability, can be provided. 
     An eleventh aspect of the present invention is the card game playing method, further including the step (j) of accepting a side BET different from a normal BET, the step (h) including the step of determining a payment based upon a combination of the players&#39; cards of players having accepted the side BET, among the players&#39; cards, the step (i) including the step of giving a payment to the players having accepted the side BET. 
     According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, for example, in addition to a base game and its related payment, the players participate simultaneously in other games in which the larger number of participants is and the more side BET is accumulated, so that the higher payment can be obtained. Therefore, the players are allowed to enhance excitement for a higher payment, and the game machine of playing card games, having new entertainability, can be provided. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a correlative view showing a relationship between card sets to be used by a game machine according to the present 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 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. 8A  is a view showing an exemplary image displayed on the front display of the game machine according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 8B  is a view showing an exemplary image displayed on a liquid crystal display of each of the stations according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 8C  is a view showing an exemplary image displayed on the liquid crystal display of each of the stations according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  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. 10A  is a flowchart showing a main control unit processing executed at a main control unit included in the game machine according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 10B  is a flowchart showing a main control unit processing executed at a main control unit included in the game machine according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 11A  is a flowchart showing a subroutine of station processing executed at the stations according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 11B  is a flowchart showing a subroutine of station processing executed at the stations according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  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 flowchart showing a main control unit processing executed at the main control unit included in a game machine according to a second embodiment; and 
         FIG. 13B  is a flowchart showing a 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 the present embodiment will be described in detail with referring to the drawings. In the embodiments that follow, when a PAIGOW poker is performed, in a case where entry has been made such that seven or more persons (exceeding a predetermined number of players) participate in the poker, cards are dealt to the players while a second card set is used. A game performed apart from a regular PAIGOW poker is defined as a side game. 
     First, the rules of the PAIGOW poker will be described in detail. In the PAIGOW poker of the present embodiment, one or more players complete against a banker with the use of one set of 52 trump cards (playing 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 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. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the essential parts of the present invention will be described in detail. In the figure, a banker and a plurality of players perform a method of playing card games. Further, a case in which a predetermined number of players is six and seven players participate in the games will also be described. 
       FIG. 1  is a correlative view showing a relationship between card sets to be used by a game machine according to the present embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 1 , first, a banker  30  starts a game after accepting participation of players. The banker deals seven cards (a predetermined number of cards) as players&#39; cards  72  out of a first card set  70   a  (one set of cards) made up of a plural types of cards used for this game, to each of players  3   a  to  3   f  having accepted participation, and deals seven cards to the banker as the banker&#39;s cards. Namely, the players  3   a  to  3   f  deal the cards of the first card set  70   a.    
     Next, a seventh player  3   g  participates in the game, so that the banker deals to the seventh player whose participation was accepted, as the player&#39;s cards, seven cards from among those excluding the banker&#39;s cards dealt based upon the first card set, out of a second card set  70   b  made up of cards identical to the first card set. A player  3   g  deals the cards of the second card set  70   b.    
     Next, the player divides the dealt player&#39;s cards  72  into two groups of cards. Similarly, the banker divides the dealt banker&#39;s cards into two groups of cards. Then, the high hand of the seven player&#39;s cards and that of the banker&#39;s cards are compared with each other, respectively, while the low hand of the player&#39;s cards and that of the banker&#39;s cards are compared with each other, and a winner or loser is determined, respectively. 
     In this manner, a game can be performed while the banker&#39;s cards are used in common, and seven players can participate in the game, although it has been generally impossible to do so. Namely, an unlimited number of players can participate therein. In addition, the player&#39;s cards are placed and arranged so that they are faced up from the players, and then, a payment is determined based upon combinations of the cards included in the player&#39;s cards, so that a payment may be given to the players in response to a determined payment. 
     In addition, on condition that a side BET different from a normal BET has been accepted, a payment is determined, based upon combinations of the player&#39;s cards of the player having accepted the side BET from among the player&#39;s cards so that the payment may be given to the players. 
       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 ten stations  3  (stations  3   a  to  3   j ). While the present embodiment describes in detail a case in which the game machine  1  is provided with a plurality of stations  3  (ten stations), the game machine may include over ten stations in the present invention or may be less than ten stations. 
     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. The front panel display  21  is equivalent to a common display used in common by a plurality of players, of the present embodiment. 
       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 relating to operation (see  FIG. 5 ), as described later, is provided at the upper center of a station  3 . In the present embodiment, the station  3  is equivalent to a plurality of input devices which are provided corresponding to each of a plurality of players and which accept entry for participation of the players. In addition, a plurality of liquid crystal displays  10  are equivalent to a plurality of display devices provided corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of players in the present invention. 
     In addition, a touch panel  11  for inputting operations such as BET is provided on the upper face of the liquid crystal display  10 . The touch panel  11  is equivalent to a normal 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  indicative of 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 each of 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 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 a normal BET number display section  88 . It is shown here that 10 coins have been betted. A credit number display section  90  is provided at the right side of the side BET number display section  89 . In the figure, it is shown here that 500 coins have been credited. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram depicting an internal configuration of a 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 microcomputers  45  made up of a CPU 41  (controller), a RAM 42  (memory), a ROM 43  (memory), a timer  95 , and a bus  44  for transferring data therebetween are employed as a base. The CPU 41  of the main control unit  40  is equivalent to a controller in the present invention. The CPU 41  controls equipment such as the front panel display  21 , the stations  3 , the RAM 42 , and the ROM 43 , which were connected in order to conduct a game, and then, conducts games. 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 . 
     The ROM 43  stores a variety of programs or data tables and the like, for performing processing required for controlling the game machine  1 . 
     The RAM 42  is a memory for temporarily storing a variety of data computed by the CPU 41 . The variety of data includes: the first card set data inclusive of the plural types of card data; the second card set data inclusive of card data identical to that of a card included in the first card set data; the number of players having accepted entry for participation by the input device; and a payment data table, which is based upon combinations of cards. In addition, a timer  95  performs time measurement. 
     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 the LED 23  constituting the main monitor  2  is connected to the LED driving circuit  49 . Ten stations  3  are connected to the communication interface  50 . 
     The CPU 41  conducts games (a PAIGOW poker and a side game) in the game machine  1 , based upon: game programs (including a PAIGOW poker game program and a side-game program) stored in the ROM 43 ; and various signals to be received from stations  3 . In addition, the CPU 41  displays images on the front panel display  21 , based upon the above game program, outputs a sound from the speaker  22 , and then, illuminates the LED 23 . In addition, the CPU 41  transmits various signals to each of stations  3 , based upon the above-mentioned game programs. 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram depicting an internal configuration of 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. 
       FIGS. 8A ,  8 B, and  8 C are views each showing an exemplary image displayed on a front panel display of the game machine according to the first embodiment and on a liquid crystal display of a station. As shown in  FIG. 2A , the game machine  1  is made up of the main monitor  2  and  10  stations  3  ( 3   a  to  3   j ). The figures each show an example in which a side BET is performed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8A , a display section  31  is provided which, when a basic game is started, displays banker&#39;s cards on a display device  21  at the center of a main monitor  2 . This display section  31  displays banker&#39;s cards  32  dealt to a banker. The banker divides the dealt banker&#39;s cards  32  into a group of five cards and a group of two cards. Five cards of a high hand include “K of spade”; “J of diamond”, “5 of spade”, “5 of heart”, and “7 of club” and two cards of a low hand include “2 of heart” and “2 of club”. 
       FIG. 8B  shows an example in which a player performs a side BET. Provided at a liquid crystal display  10  of a station  3  are: the high hand display section  80 , which displays a high hand; and the low hand display section  81 , which displays a low hand. The player&#39;s card display section  83 , which displays the player&#39;s cards after dealt, is provided at the lower side of the display. Cards dealt to a station at which the player operates (station  3   a ) are displayed at the player&#39;s card display section  83 . After that, the player operates the high hand determination button  84  via the touch panel  11 , thereby making it possible to determine a high hand, and then, operates the low hand determination button  85  via the touch panel  11 , thereby making it possible to determine a low hand. Five cards of a high hand are displayed at the high hand display section  80  and two cards of the low hand are displayed at the low hand display section  81 , respectively. 
     The five cards of the player&#39;s high hand are “4 of diamond”, “8 of spade”, “5 of diamond”, “8 of club”, and “Q of diamond”, and two cards of low hand are “3 of diamond” and “3 of club”. Here, the player performs a side BET. The side-BET display section  89  displays that ten coins are side-betted. 
     Then, the winner or loser of a high hand is determined after comparing the player&#39;s five-card high hand with that of the banker. The banker&#39;s high hand is “one pair” of cards “5,” whereas the player&#39;s high hand is one pair of cards “8”. This means the player&#39;s win at high hand. Similarly, the winner or loser of a low hand is determined after comparing the two-card low hand of the player with that of the banker. The banker&#39;s low hand is “one pair” of cards “2,” whereas the player&#39;s low hand is “one pair” of cards “3”. This means the player&#39;s win at low hand. Finally, the player has won at both of the high and low hands, and thus, it means the player&#39;s win in the game. 
     The player&#39;s game outcome is displayed as a winner-loser information display  75   a  at the lower side of the dealt-card display section  83 . (A message “You Win” is displayed because the player has won.) In addition, a BET button display section  86  is provided at the lower side of the dealt-card display section  83 . Further, the normal BET number display section  88 ; the side BET number display section  89 , which displays the number of side-betted coins; and the credit number display section  90 , are provided at the lower side of a dealt-card display section  75   a . In this case, 28 coins are normally betted, ten coins are side-betted, and 500 coins are credited. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8C , further, at a station (station  3   g ) operated by over a predetermined number of players having accepted participation as well, the banker&#39;s cards are commonly used, and a game is conducted as is the case with  FIG. 8B . From the dealt card  72 , a player operates a high hand determination button  84  via the touch panel  11 , thereby making it possible to determine a high hand. Then, the player operates the low hand determination button  85  via the touch panel  11 , thereby making it possible to determine a low hand. The five cards at the high hand are displayed at the high hand display section  80 , and the two cards at the low hand are displayed at the low hand display section  81 , respectively. The high hand display section  80  is provided which displays a high hand at the upper left of the screen of the liquid crystal display  10  of the station  3 , and the low hand display section  81  is provided which displays a low hand at the right side thereof. 
     The five cards of the player&#39;s high hand are “4 of diamond”, “10 of heart”, “8 of club”, “4 of diamond”, and “5 of spade”, and two cards of the low hand are “3 of diamond” and “3 of club”. The following description assumes that the player does not perform a side BET; the side BET display section  89  is “0”, and no side bet is made. 
     Thereafter, the winner or loser of high hands is determined after comparing high hands of the five cards of each of the banker and player. The banker&#39;s high hand is “one pair” of cards “5”, whereas the player&#39;s high hand is one pair of cards “4”. This means the banker&#39;s win at high hand. Similarly, the winner or loser of the low hand is determined after comparing the low hands of two cards of each of the banker and player. The banker&#39;s low hand is “one pair” of cards “2”, whereas the player&#39;s low hand is “one pair” of cards “3”. This means that the player&#39;s win at low hand. The banker wins at high hand and the player wins at low hand. Therefore, the outcome of the game is “draw”. The player&#39;s game outcome is displayed as the winner-loser information display  75   a  at the lower side of the dealt-card display section  83 . (A message “Draw” is displayed because the outcome of the game outcome is draw). 
     Next, a side game will be described in detail with referring to the drawings.  FIG. 9  is a view showing an exemplary image of a side game displayed on a front panel display of a game machine according to the first embodiment. Further, a case in which seven players participate in the side game will also be described, assuming that the players operate stations  3   a  to  3   g , respectively. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , when a side game is started, a side game display  70  is displayed on the front panel display  21 . On condition that a player performs a side BET, five card images  71   a  to  71   g  at the high hands are displayed on the front panel display  21  from among the cards dealt to the players having performed the side BET, from among the players of all of the stations  3   a  to  3   e . The card images  71   a  to  71   g  of the corresponding players&#39; hands are displayed at the lower sides of the player number displays  72   a  to  72   g . In addition, at the right side of each of the player number displays  72   a  to  72   g , a side BET number  73  is provided in a case where a side BET is performed. In this case, combinations of cards of the players at the stations  3   a  to  3   g  are judged, and then, the winner-loser information display  73  is displayed for a player who realized a predetermined combination. Here, since a combination “straight” is the strongest among players (player  2 , player  3 , and player  5 ) who have performed side BET of all of the stations  3   a  to  3   g , the winner-loser information display  79  (a message “You Win” appears) is displayed on that card  71   c , and the players receive a predetermined payout. 
     Next, a processing operation performed at the main control unit  40  and a station  3  will be described in detail.  FIGS. 10A and 10B  are flowcharts each showing main control unit processing executed at a main control unit included in the game machine according to the first embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10A , in the main control unit processing, at first, start signal reception processing is performed (step S 101 ). In this processing operation, a CPU 41  included in the main control unit  40  receives a start signal from a station  3 . Specifically, the CPU 41  receives a start signal from any one of the stations  3 . Namely, the CPU 41  accepts the player&#39;s participation. The start signal is obtained when it is triggered for conducting a PAIGOW poker game in the game machine  1 . 
     Next, the CPU 41  receives BET information from a station  3  (see  FIG. 2 ) (step S 102 ). The BET information is relevant to BET, 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. Namely, this CPU executes processing of accepting the normal BET and the side BET that is different therefrom. 
     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 processing of determining cards dealt in a first card set (step S 104 ). In this processing operation, the CPU 41  determines banker&#39;s cards and players&#39; cards, the players&#39; cards being dealt to players having accepted entry for participation from the input device, based upon data of the first card set made of plural types of cards stored in the RAM 42 . Namely, seven cards to be dealt to each of the persons consisting of the players and the banker are determined from among one set of trump cards. The seven cards determined to be dealt to the player are equivalent to the player&#39;s card, and the seven cards determined to be dealt to the banker are equivalent to the banker&#39;s card. In addition, the CPU 41  displays, in a faced down manner, the card images indicative of seven banker&#39;s cards, on the front panel display  21  (see  FIG. 2 ) included in the game machine  1 . 
     Next, the CPU 41  judges whether or not the number of participants exceeds a predetermined number (step S 105 ). In this processing operation, the CPU 41  accepts participation from the station  3 , and then, judges whether or not the number of players stored in the RAM 42  exceeds a predetermined number of players. In the present embodiment, the predetermined number is  6 . In a case where the judgment result is affirmative (S 105 : Yes), this CPU performs processing of determining cards dealt in the second card set (S 106 ). If the above result is negative (S 105 : No), the routine proceeds to step S 107 . 
     Next, the CPU 41  performs processing of determining cards dealt in the second card set (step S 106 ). In this processing operation, the CPU 41  reads data of the second card set made of a card identical to the first card set stored in the RAM 42 . Then, this CPU determines the players&#39; cards dealt to the players having accepted participation in excess of the predetermined number of players, based upon the card data excluding the banker&#39;s cards dealt based upon the first card set. 
     Next, the CPU 41  transmits dealt-card information (step S 107 ). Specifically, the CPU 41  transmits the dealt-card information to a station  3 . Namely, the player&#39;s cards determined at step S 104  or step S 106  are dealt to the players having accepted participation. The dealt-card information includes information indicative of types of cards (numbers or alphabets and marks (heart, club, spade, and diamond)) determined to be dealt to the players and the banker. At the station  3 , based upon the received dealt-card information, the liquid crystal display  10  displays card images indicative of seven player&#39;s cards, and then, accepts entry for dividing the images into a group of five cards (high hand) and a group of two cards (low hand). 
     Next, the CPU 41  receives selection information from the station  3  (step S 108 ). The selection information indicates which one of the cards dealt to the players has been selected as a high hand, and which one 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 109 ). In this processing operation, the CPU 41  executes processing of dividing the cards dealt to the banker into a high hand and a low hand. 
     Next, the CPU 41  discloses cards (step S 110 ). 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 109 . 
     Next, the CPU 41  performs winner-loser determination processing (step S 111 ). 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 108  and the high hand and the low hand determined at step S 109 . Namely, this CPU executes processing of determining a winner or loser after comparing the players&#39; hands of the cards 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 112 ). Specifically, the CPU 41  transmits to the station  3  the information indicative of the winner or loser determined at the step S 111  (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 messages “You Win”, “You Lose”, and “Draw”. 
     Next, the CPU 41  performs processing of transmitting normal-BET payout information (step S 113 ). 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 an 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 114 ). 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 114 : NO), the routine proceeds to step S 115 . 
     On the other hand, when it is judged that a side BET signal is received (step S 114 : YES), JP payout information is transmitted to the station  3  (step S 115 ). 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 the 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 a “Straight Flush”, 50% of JP is given, and where the high hand is a hand other than the above combination, 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 116 ). Specifically, the CPU 41  executes the programs stored in the ROM 43 , 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 116 : 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 116 : YES), the CPU 41  receives side game BET information from the station  3  (see  FIG. 2 ) (step S 117 ). 
     Next, the CPU 41  executes processing of determining cards dealt in a side game (step S 118 ). In this processing operation, the CPU 41  randomly determines five cards dealt to the players from among one or plural groups of trump cards. 
     Next, the CPU 41  transmits information on cards to be dealt in the side game (step S 119 ). Specifically, the CPU 41  transmits, to the station  3 , information on cards dealt in the side game. The side game dealt-card information includes information indicative of suits (numbers or alphabets and marks (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. Alternatively, the five cards at the high hand of the player&#39;s cards dealt in advance in a basic game prior to a side game may be used. 
     Next, the CPU 41  discloses all of the player&#39;s cards (step S 120 ). 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 119  (see  FIG. 13 ). In this case, the player can view the cards that were placed and arranged. 
     Next, the CPU 41  extracts the side betted player&#39;s cards (step S 121 ). Specifically, the CPU 41  extracts five side betted player&#39;s cards, based upon the side game BET information received at step S 117 . 
     Next, the CPU 41  performs side game winner-loser determination processing (step S 122 ). In this processing operation, the CPU 41  executes processing of determining a winner or loser, based upon cards of the side game of all players having accepted the side BET disclosed at step S 120 . Namely, this CPU determines a payment, based upon a combination of cards included in the player&#39;s cards displayed on a front panel display. The CPU 41  determines a payment in accordance with a payment data table that is based upon the predetermined combinations stored in the RAM 42 . For example, in a case where combinations of giving a payment include a “straight” and the player&#39;s combination is “straight” (see  FIG. 9 ), processing is performed so that a predetermined payment can be given to this player. 
     In other embodiments, further, a payment is given to the strongest combination while the players&#39; cards are compared with each other. Specifically, it is judged as to which one of the players&#39; hands is strong or weak after comparing all of the players&#39; cards, and a winner or loser is determined based upon the judgment result. Here, any one of the predetermined combinations is established in the five player&#39;s cards, and it is judged as to which one of the players&#39; cards is strong or weak. The predetermined combinations designate “Royal Flush”, “Straight Flush”, “Four of a Kind”, “Full House”, “Flush”, “Straight”, “Three of a Kind”, “Two Pairs”, “One Pair”, and “No Pair” in sequential order from the strongest combination of the five cards. 
     Next, the CPU 41  transmits side game winner-loser information (step S 123 ). 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. 9B and 10 ). 
     Next, the CPU 41  transmits side game payout information to the station  3  (step S 124 ). The side game payout information is indicative of the amount of credit (currency value) to be paid out to the side game. The CPU 41  determines a payment (payout information), based upon the side game winner-loser information, and then, transmits payout information to the station  3 . Namely, the determined payment is given to the player. Specifically, the CPU 41  transmits information indicative of the credit determined based upon the combinations “Royal Flush”, “Straight Flush”, “Four of a Kind”, “Full House”, “Flush”, “Straight”, “Three of a Kind”, “Two Pairs”, “One Pair”, and “No Pair”. 
     In an alternate embodiment, further, the CPU 41  compares the players&#39; cards displayed on the front panel display  21 , and then, transmits information indicative of a payment to a player who realized the highest combination among the compared cards. The CPU 41  terminates main control unit processing when the processing at the step S 124  is executed. 
     Next, the processing performed at the station  3  will be described in detail.  FIGS. 11A and 11B  are flowcharts showing subroutines of the station processing executed at the station, according to the first embodiment. In the station processing, first, a CPU 51  included in the station  3  performs start signal transmission processing (step S 201 ). In this processing operation, the CPU 51  transmits a start signal to the main control unit  40  upon the receipt of a signal indicative of the fact that the touch panel  11  has sensed a touch or that the inserted-coin detecting section  68  has detected coin insertion. In this manner, the processing operations shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B  are executed at the main control unit  40 . 
     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 103  of  FIG. 11A ). 
     Next, the CPU 51  receives from the main control unit  40  the dealt-card information indicative of the cards dealt to the players (step S 204 ). Specifically, the CPU 51  receives the dealt-card information transmitted at step S 104  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 at the dealt-card display section  83  of the liquid crystal display  10  (display corresponding to the players having accepted entry for participation) the card images indicative of the seven player&#39;s cards, based upon the players&#39; card information stored in a RAM 52 , which were received at step S 204 . In addition, such display processing is also executed for the display devices corresponding to the players having accepted entry for participation in excess of a limited number of players. 
     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 108  of  FIG. 11A ). 
     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 51  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  receives, from the main control unit  40 , the side game dealt-card information indicative of the cards dealt to the players in a side game (step S 214 ). Specifically, the CPU 51  receives the dealt-card information transmitted at step S 117  of  FIG. 11B . 
     Next, the CPU 51  displays side-game cards (step S 215 ). Specifically, the CPU 51  displays the card image 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 214 . 
     Next, the CPU 51  receives side game winner-loser information from the main control unit  40  (step S 216 ). Then, 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  judges whether or not a side-BET flag is set to ON (step S 217 ). Specifically, the CPU 51  judges whether or not entry of a side BET is made during BET acceptance of step S 202 , and the side-BET flag is set. When the CPU 51  judges that the side-BET flag is not set to ON (step S 217 : NO), the CPU 51  terminates station processing when the processing of step S 217  is executed. 
     On the other hand, at the time of judging that the side-BET flag is set to ON (step S 217 : YES), the CPU 51  receives side game payout information (step S 218 ). 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 side game payout processing, based upon the side game payout information received at step S 218  (step S 219 ). In this processing operation, in a case where a combination of the side-betted players&#39; cards is a predetermined combination, a credit is paid out based upon the side game payout information received at step S 218 . 
     Next, a 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 similar to those of the game machine  1  according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Thus, a duplicate description of like construction is omitted here. The game machine  1  and the corresponding constituent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and are explained. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , when a side game is started, the side game display  70  is displayed on the front panel display  21 . On condition that a player has made a side BET, among the players of all of the stations  3   a  to  3   e , five-card images  71   a  to  71   g  of high hands, for example, of the cards dealt to a player having made the side BET, are displayed on the front panel display  21 . The corresponding card images  71   a  to  71   g  of the players&#39; hands are displayed at the lower sides of the player number displays  72   a  to  72   g . In a case where a side BET is performed, further, a side BET display  73  is displayed at the right side of each of the player number displays  72   a  to  72   g . The combinations of the players&#39; cards of the stations  3   a  to  3   g  are judged, and then, the winner-loser information display  73  is displayed as to a player who realized a predetermined combination. Because a combination of the “straight” cards was the strongest among the players (player  2 , player  3 , and player  5 ) having made the side BET of all of the stations  3   a  to  3   g , a winner-loser information display  79  (“You Win”) is displayed on that card  71   c , and then, the player receives a predetermined payout. 
     Next, a processing operation performed at the main control unit  40  and the station  3 , will be described in detail.  FIGS. 13A and 13B  are flowcharts 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, first, the CPU 41  included in the main control unit  40  receives a start signal (step S 301 ). After that, this CPU performs the processing operations of steps S 302  to S 311 . These processing operations are identical to those of steps S 101  to S 113  shown in  FIG. 11A . Thus, a duplicate description thereof is omitted here. 
     Next, in  FIG. 13B , the CPU 41  judges whether or not a side BET signal has been received (step S 314 ). Specifically, this CPU judges whether or not a signal indicative of the fact that a side BET is underway has been received. When the CPU 41  judges that no side BET signal has been received (step S 314 : NO), the routine proceeds to step S 115 . 
     On the other hand, at the time of judging that the side BET signal has been received (step S 314 : YES), the CPU 41  transmits JP payout information to the station  3  (step S 315 ). The JP payout information is indicative of the amount of JP credit (currency value) paid out to a side BET. 
     Next, the CPU 41  judges whether or not a side game trigger is established (step S 316 ). Specifically, the CPU 41  executes programs stored in the RAM 42 , thereby sampling random number values from among a predetermined numeric range of the random number values. Then, this CPU judges whether or not a side game trigger has been established, based upon the sampled random number values. Upon judging that no side game trigger has been established (step S 316 : NO), the CPU 41  terminates main control unit processing when the processing of step S 314  is executed. In another embodiment of the present invention, further, it is judged whether or not a side game trigger is established, in accordance with the side BET has been performed in advance. 
     At the time of judging that the side game trigger has established (step S 316 : YES), the CPU 41  receives side game BET information from the station  3  (see  FIG. 2 ) (step S 317 ). 
     Next, the CPU 41  executes side game dealt-card determination processing (step S 318 ). In this processing operation, the CPU 41  randomly determines five cards dealt to each of the players, from among one group of trump cards. 
     Next, the CPU 41  transmits side game dealt-card information (step S 319 ). Specifically, the CPU 41  transmits the side game dealt-card information to the station  3 . The side game dealt-card information contains information indicative of the types of cards determined to be dealt to the players (numbers or alphabets and marks (heart, club, spade, and diamond)). At the station  3 , the liquid crystal display  10  displays a card image indicative of the five player&#39;s cards, based upon the received dealt-card information. Alternatively, the five high-hand player&#39;s cards dealt in advance in a basic game prior to a side game may be used. 
     Next, the CPU 41  discloses all players&#39; cards (step S 320 ). Specifically, the CPU 41  controls the front panel display  21  to display the five-card images determined at step S 319  in a faced up manner. 
     Next, the CPU 41  extracts the side-betted players&#39; cards (step S 321 ). Specifically, the CPU 41  extracts the side betted five player&#39;s cards, based upon the side game BET information received at step S 117 . 
     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 loser, based upon the side game cards of all of the players disclosed at step S 320 . Namely, this CPU determines a payment, based upon combinations of the cards included in the players&#39; cards displayed on the front panel display. The CPU 41  determines a payment in accordance with a payment data table that is based upon the predetermined combinations stored in the RAM 42 . For example, in a case where a combination of giving a payment includes “straight” and the player&#39;s combination is “straight” (see  FIG. 9 ), processing is performed so that a predetermined payment can be given to this player. 
     In addition, another embodiment assumes that a payment is given to the strongest combination after the players&#39; cards have been compared with each other. Specifically, it is judged as to which one of the players&#39; hands is strong or weak after comparing the cards of all of the players with each other, and a winner or loser is determined based upon the judgment result. Further specifically, any one of the predetermined combinations is established in the five player&#39;s cards, and it is judged as to which one of the players&#39; hands of the cards in combination is strong or weak. The predetermined combinations designate “Royal Flush”, “Straight Flush”, “Four of a Kind”, “Full House”, “Flush”, “Straight”, “Three of a Kind”, “Two pairs”, “One Pair”, and “No Pair” in sequential order from the strongest combination of the five cards. 
     Next, the CPU 41  transmits side game winner-loser information (step S 323 ). Specifically, the CPU 41  transmits winner-loser information indicative of a winner or loser in a side game determined at step S 322  to the player of the station  3  determined at step S 323 . At the station  3 , upon the receipt of the winner or loser information, any one of the images inclusive of the messages “You Win”, “You Lose”, and “Draw” is displayed on the liquid crystal display  10 , based upon the received information (see  FIGS. 9B and 10 ). 
     Next, the CPU 41  executes processing of determining a side game payout player (step S 324 ). Specifically, the CPU 41  determines a player targeted for paying out the credit determined based upon a poker combination from among the players having accepted side BET. 
     Next, the CPU 41  transmits side game payout information to the station  3  (step S 325 ). The side game payout information is indicative of the amount of credit (currency value) to be paid out relative to a side game. Specifically, this CPU transmits information indicative of the credit determined based upon the combinations “Royal Flush”, “Straight Flush”, “Four of a Kind”, “Full House”, “Flush”, “Straight”, “Three of a Kind”, “Two pairs”, “One Pair”, and “No Pair”. In another embodiment, further, this CPU compares the players&#39; cards displayed on the front panel display  21 , and transmits information indicative of a payment to a player who realized the highest combination among them. The CPU 41  terminates main control unit processing when the processing at step S 324  is executed. 
     While the present embodiment described a case in which the predetermined number is 6, the number may be 1 or 2 or more. In a case where the predetermined number is 1, one group of card sets made of a plurality of types on a player-by-player basis is employed, so that a one-to-one game can be performed on the card set while the banker&#39;s cards are used in common. While the present embodiment described determining a player targeted for paying out the credit determined based upon a poker combination from among the players having accepted side BET on condition that side BET has been accepted in a side game, the determination may be made on condition that a normal BET has been accepted. 
     While the present embodiment described determining which one of the players&#39; hands is strong or weak after comparing the cards of all players, and then, determining a winner or loser, based upon the judgment result, in a side game, it is judged as to which one of the players&#39; cards is strong or weak after comparing them with the banker&#39;s cards, thereby determining a winner or loser, based upon the judgment result. Then, a payment may be distributed among winning players. In this case, the distribution of the payment is controlled based upon a predetermined distribution table data so that a payment of a high hand becomes higher. 
     While the present embodiment described a case in which a PAIGOW poker is performed, the present invention is not limitative in particular as long as a game is executed in which the players&#39; cards and the banker&#39;s cards respectively are divided into two groups and the players compete against the banker. That is, while the present embodiment described a case in which the players&#39; and banker&#39;s cards dealt on a seven-by-seven cards basis are divided into a group of five cards and a group of two cards, the present invention is not limitative thereto in terms of the number of cards before and after divided into two groups. 
     While the present embodiment described a case in which trump cards (playing cards) are employed, the cards (the players&#39; cards and the banker&#39;s cards) of the present invention are not limitative to the trump cards. For example, other cards such as tarot cards, trading cards, Japanese flower cards, domino cards, and mah-jongg tiles may be employed. Further, while the present embodiment described a case in which the dealer takes over the banker, the present invention is not limitative thereto. In a case where a plurality of players participates in games, one of the players may take over the banker. 
     Further, while the present embodiment described a case in which players execute a PAIGOW poker while observing the main monitor  2  and the liquid crystal display  10  included in the station  3 , the game machine of the present invention may be equipped with a main monitor or a liquid crystal display (included in a station). In such a case, the game machine may be constituted so that the dealer&#39;s (banker&#39;s) cards and the player&#39;s cards may be displayed on the main monitor or the station display. 
     In the present embodiment, the method of playing cards is implemented by the CPU executing it. While, in the present embodiment, programs are stored in the ROM 43  and the ROM 53 , they may be stored in the RAM 42  and the RAM 52 . While, in the present embodiment, the dealer takes over the banker, the player may take over the banker. Further, while, in the present embodiment, the predetermined number of players is  6 , the number is not limitative thereto. 
     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. 
     The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined, rather broadly, in order that the aforementioned detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that were described above and which formed the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, upon explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limitative in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the aforementioned description or illustrated in the drawings. According to the invention, other embodiments can be variously practiced and carried out as well. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are merely intended for the descriptive purpose and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other systems and methods for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. These matters together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matters in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     The detailed descriptions aforementioned may be presented in terms of program procedures executed on a computer or network of computers. These procedural descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. A procedure is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result. These steps require physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared and otherwise manipulated. It proves convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. It should be noted, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Further, the manipulations performed are often referred to in terms, such as adding or comparing, which are commonly associated with mental operations performed by a human operator. No such capability of a human operator is necessary, or desirable in most cases, in any of the operations described herein which form part of the present invention; the operations are machine and/or manual operations. Useful machines for performing the operation of the present invention include general purpose digital computers or similar devices. The present invention also relates to apparatus for performing these operations. This apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purpose or it may comprise a general purpose computer as selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. The procedures presented herein are not inherently related to a particular computer or other apparatus. Various general-purpose machines may be used with programs written in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove more convenient to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps. The required structure for a variety of these machines will appear from the description given.