Patent Publication Number: US-2009227308-A1

Title: Gaming Machine

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based upon and claims a priority from the U.S. provisional Patent Application No. 61/034380 filed on Mar. 6, 2008, the entire contents thereof are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The gaming machine according to one or more aspects of the present invention relates to a gaming machine that advances a card game based on a card displayed on a display and input information from a player. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Conventionally, card game machines and tables have been installed in a casino or a game center or the like. These card game machines carry out card games such as Pai Gow Poker, Draw poker and Blackjack. Here, in such a card game, a game progresses by use of a card having a suit and a number (for instance, heart and A). The contents of a prize that will be awarded to the player are decided based on a hand with the cards that were dealt to the player and the hand with the cards that were dealt to the dealer. 
     The contents of the prize that will be awarded to the player further vary depending on the amount of gaming values (hereinafter referred to as bet amount) bet by the player. Specifically, if the player bets a large amount of gaming values, the prize to be awarded reaches a high value even in the case a condition for the same prize has been met. 
     Accordingly, the bet amount is a significant parameter which largely influences the results of the game. Therefore, setting of the bet amount is an important decision to be made by the player. This bet amount is basically set by the player&#39;s operation before the game starts. Conventionally, the player could also change the bet amount during the progress of the game, like in “Raise” in the case of Poker, or “Double Down” in the case of Blackjack. However, conventionally, no special conditions were set for the operation to change the bet amount. Further, the player cannot select the conditions for the operation to change the bet amount. 
     The object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine which can execute a game having entertainment characteristics which do not exist in the above-described conventional art, by accepting an additional bet operation if a card combination displayed on a display equals a predetermined combination selected by the player in advance. 
     SUMMARY 
     Therefore, in order to achieve the object, according to a gaming machine of the present invention encompassing one or more aspects thereof, there is provided a gaming machine. The gaming machine comprises a display that displays a plurality of cards; an operation portion that accepts input information from a player; a bet operation portion that enables input of a player&#39;s bet operation for a player&#39;s entry to a game; and a processor. The processor causes the player to select one or a plurality of card combinations based on operation of the operation portion. The processor accepts the player&#39;s bet operation based on operation of the bet operation portion. The processor displays a predetermined number of cards dealt to the player on the display. The processor accepts an additional bet operation if a card combination displayed on the display equals a card combination selected by the player. As a result, the above gaming machine judges whether the right to place an additional bet should be awarded based on the card combination formed in the cards dealt to the player and the card combination selected by the player in advance. Accordingly, this makes it possible to set new conditions for placing an additional bet, thereby offering new attraction to the player. 
     According to the present invention encompassing one or more aspects, there is provided a gaming machine. The gaming machine comprises a display that displays a plurality of cards, each card having a number associated therewith; an operation portion that accepts an input operation from a player; a bet operation portion that enables input of a player&#39;s bet operation for a player&#39;s entry to a game; and a processor. The processor causes the player to select one or a plurality of numerical values based on operation of the operation portion. The processor accepts a player&#39;s bet operation based on operation of the bet operation portion. The processor displays a predetermined number of cards that were dealt to the player on the display. The processor accepts an additional bet operation if a total value of numbers associated with the cards displayed on the display equals a numerical value selected by the player. As a result, the above gaming machine judges whether the right to place an additional bet should be awarded based on the total of numbers associated with the cards dealt to the player and the numerical values that were selected by the player in advance. Accordingly, this makes it possible to set new conditions for placing an additional bet, thereby offering new attraction to the player. 
     According to the present invention encompassing one or more aspects, there is provided a gaming machine. The gaming machine comprises a display that displays a plurality of cards, each having a number associated therewith; an operation portion that accepts input information from a player; a bet operation portion that enables input of a player&#39;s bet operation for the player&#39;s entry to a game; and a processor. The processor causes the player to select one or a plurality of numerical numbers based on operation of the operation portion before the game starts. The processor accepts the player&#39;s bet operation based on an operation of the bet operation portion. The processor displays a predetermined number of cards that were dealt to the player on the display. The processor accepts an additional bet operation if a total value of numbers associated with the cards displayed on the display equals a numerical value selected by the player. As a result, the above gaming machine judges whether the right to place an additional bet should be awarded based on the total of numbers associated with the cards dealt to the player and the numerical values that were selected by the player in advance. Accordingly, this makes it possible to set new conditions for placing an additional bet, thereby offering new attraction to the player. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the objects, advantages and principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a view showing a bet screen which is displayed on a liquid crystal display in a player&#39;s terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an external view of a gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an external view of a player&#39;s terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an explanatory view showing a control system of a gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an explanatory view concerning a control system of a player&#39;s terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a view showing a bet screen which is displayed on a liquid crystal display in a player&#39;s terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a view showing a main screen which is displayed on the front display according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart of a game process program according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart of a game process program according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is an example of a lucky number setting process which is executed by a gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a view showing the maximum gaming value on which an additional bet can be placed in a gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is an example of a gaming table applied to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The various aspects summarized previously may be embodied in various forms. The following description shows by way of illustration of various combinations and configurations in which the aspects may be practiced. It is understood that the described aspects and/or embodiments are merely examples, and that other aspects and/or embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     It is noted that various connections are set forth between items in the following description. It is noted that these connections in general and, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect and that this specification is not intended to be limiting in this respect. 
     A gaming machine, a server, and a game system according to one or more aspects of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings based on an embodiment embodying one or more aspects of the invention. However, it is appreciated that one or more aspects of the present invention may be embodied in distributable (via CD and the like) or downloadable software games, console games, and the like. In this regard, the slot machine may be a virtual slot machine that is displayed on a multi-purpose computer and/or dedicated kiosk. Aspects of the invention are described by way of hardware elements. However, it is appreciated that these elements may also be software modules that are executable in a computer. The software modules may be stored on a computer readable medium, including but not limited to a USB drive, CD, DVD, computer-readable memory, tape, diskette, floppy disk, and the like. For instance, aspects of the invention may be embodied in a JAVA-based application or the like that runs in a processor or processors. Further, the terms “CPU”, “processor”, and “controller” are inclusive by nature, including at least one of hardware, software, or firmware. These terms may include a portion of a processing unit in a computer (for instance, in multiple core processing units), multiple cores, a functional processor (as running virtually on at least one of processor or server, which may be local or remote). Further, in network-based gaming systems, the processor may include only a local processor, only a remote server, or a combination of a local processor and a remote server. 
     It is contemplated that one or more aspects of the invention may be implemented as computer executable instructions on a computer readable medium such as a non-volatile memory, a magnetic or optical disc. Further, one or more aspects of the invention may be implemented with a carrier signal in the form of, for instance, an audio-frequency, radio-frequency, or optical carrier wave. 
     Next, a detailed description will be given on embodiments relating to a gaming machine according to the present invention, while referring to the accompanying drawings. Here, the gaming machine according to the present embodiment is one type of a gaming machine that allows entry of a plurality of players. This player thus has a plurality of player&#39;s terminals and executes a Blackjack game which is one example of a card game. In Blackjack, each player first bets chips of a predetermined value. A winning condition is satisfied when the total value of the numbers on the cards dealt to the player is closer to “21” than the total value of the numbers on the cards dealt to the dealer, and a payout is made in accordance with the bet amount. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , in particular, in the gaming machine  1  according to the present invention, the player selects a plurality of numerical values (in the example shown in  FIG. 1 , “9”, “10” and “11”) before the game starts. If the total value of the numbers on the two cards that were initially dealt to the player equals the numerical value selected by the user, the right to place an additional bet by doubling down is granted to the player. Once the right to place an additional bet has been granted, a selection as to whether to double down will be displayed on the display. If the player selects to double down, an additional bet can be placed with the bet amount bet at present as the maximum amount. 
     First, a schematic configuration of the gaming machine  1  according to the present embodiment will now be described based on  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  is a view showing an outer appearance of the gaming machine  1  according to the present embodiment. 
     The gaming machine  1  according to the present embodiment is basically composed of a table portion  2  at which the players are seated to play a game, and a panel portion which is installed behind the table portion  2  and is adapted to display an animated image and the like of a dealer. 
     Next, the table portion  2  will be described first. The table portion  2  has a plurality of player&#39;s terminals  4  (in  FIG. 2 , five terminals) arranged in a fan-like fashion. These player&#39;s terminals are referred to as satellites.  FIG. 3  is a view showing an outer appearance of one player&#39;s terminal  4  according to the present embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the player&#39;s terminal  4  has a liquid crystal display  10 , a touch panel  11 , an operation button  12 , a coin insertion slot  13 , a bill insertion slot  14  and a coin payout port  15 . The liquid crystal display  10  displays a bet screen that will be described later (refer to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 6 ) and the results of the game or the like. The touch panel  11  is arranged at a front face of the liquid crystal display  10  and is employed in selecting a button which is displayed on the liquid crystal display  10  at the time of selecting the object of the bet and setting the bet amount. The operation button  12  carries out a payout operation and the like. The coin insertion slot  13  is employed to insert coins or medals, and the bill insertion slot  14  is employed to insert bills. The coin payout port  15  is employed at the time of a payout operation to pay out to the player an amount of coins or medals corresponding to an accumulated credit. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the panel portion  3  consists of a front display  21 , a speaker  22  and a LED  23 . The front display  21  displays the image of the dealer that deals the cards and transfers chips and the contents of the cards that were dealt. The speaker is arranged at an upper portion of the front display  21  and is adapted to output music and sound effects in accordance with the progress of the game. The LED  23  lights up during execution of various effects. 
     Here, the cards to be used in the gaming machine  1  according to the present embodiment are the tramp cards which are generally employed, and display a “mark” consisting of a “suit” and “number” (refer to  FIG. 6 ). 
     Here, “suit” refers to the mark of a tramp card and includes the spade, heart, diamond and club. 
     The “number” refers to the number or alphabetical character on the tramp cards and includes A (Ace, corresponding to 1), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J (Jack, corresponding to 11), Q (Queen, corresponding to 12) and K (King, corresponding to 13). 
     The “mark” refers to the card&#39;s type which is decided based on the combination of the “suit” and “number” of the tramp card, and includes, for instance, “A of hearts”, “K of spades” and the like. 
     Next, a playing method in the gaming machine  1  having the above-described configuration will not be described. The player that will play the game sits in front of the player&#39;s terminal  4  and places a bet of a desired bet amount by using the bet screen which is displayed on the liquid crystal display  10 . The player selects the lucky numbers from a plurality of numerical values in a one game unit or a plurality of games unit. Then, images of the cards which were respectively dealt to the player and the dealer are displayed on the front display  21  and each liquid crystal display  10 . If the total of the numbers on the two cards that were initially dealt to the player equals any of the lucky numbers that the player wants to select, a right to place an additional bet by doubling down is granted. Then, an effect image showing that either of the player and the dealer becomes the winner or an effect image showing a draw is displayed from the type of the dealt cards. Further, if the player has won to the dealer at each player&#39;s terminal  4 , he/she is awarded a credit twice the bet amount (credit amount) that was bet, as prize. Alternatively, if the player loses to the dealer, he/she is not awarded a prize. Further, in case of a draw with the dealer, the credit corresponding to the bet amount that was bet is refunded to the player. 
     A configuration of a control system in a gaming machine  1  will next be described based on  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  is a block diagram schematically showing the control system in the gaming machine  1  according to the present embodiment. The gaming machine  1  according to the present embodiment is constituted of a main control portion  31 , a plurality of player&#39;s terminals  4  connected to the main control portion  31  and a variety pf peripheral devices. 
     The main control portion  31  is basically constituted around a microcomputer  45  which in turn is constituted of a CPU  41 , a RAM  42 , a ROM  43  and a bus  44  for data transfer amongst these components. Data tables and a variety of programs for carrying out processes required for the control in the gaming machine  1  are stored in the ROM  43 . The RAM  42  serves to temporarily store a variety of data which is computed in the CPU  41 . Further, a lucky number storing area  42 A is provided in the RAM  42  to store the lucky numbers which are currently set in each player&#39;s terminal  4 . 
     The CPU  41  is connected to an image processing circuit  47 , a sound circuit  48 , an LED driving circuit  49  and a communication interface  50  through the I/O interface  46 . 
     The main control portion  31  receives information on the player&#39;s bet operation such as the bet amount or the like from each player&#39;s terminal  4  and judges whether a game start condition is met. Once the game starts, a predetermined number of cards (at least two cards) from a total of  52  tramp cards are respectively handed out to the player and the dealer based on the lottery results (on the screen, cards are respectively dealt to the player and dealer). As a result, a win/lose (any of a player&#39;s win, a dealer&#39;s win and a draw) is judged based on the hand of cards thus handed out and the results of the judgment are then transmitted to each player&#39;s terminal  4 . Next, each player&#39;s terminal  4  increases or decreases the accumulated credit based on the win/lose results thus received from the main control portion  31 . 
     The main control portion  31  controls output of an image signal to be displayed on the front display  21  and driving of the speaker  22  and LED  23 . 
     Next, a configuration of a control system in the player&#39;s terminal  4  will now be described based on  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the player&#39;s terminal  4  according to the present embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the player&#39;s terminal  4  according to the present embodiment is constituted around a microcomputer  55  which in turn is basically constituted of a CPU  51 , a RAM  52 , a ROM  53  and a bus  54  for data transfer amongst these components. Data tables and a variety of programs and the like for carrying out processes required for the control in the player&#39;s terminal  4  are stored in the ROM  53 . The RAM  52  serves to temporarily store a variety of data which is computed in the CPU  51 . In addition, the RAM  52  also stores the credit amount currently accumulated in the player&#39;s terminal  4 , the object of the bet that was placed by the player and the bet amount (credit amount) that was bet as the object of the bet. The RAM  52  has a bet amount storing area  52 A and a lucky number storing area  52 B. The bet amount storing area  52 A stores the bet amount that was bet by the player. The lucky number storing area  52 B stores the lucky numbers which are currently set. 
     The CPU  51  is connected to a liquid crystal panel driving circuit  57 , a touch panel driving circuit  58 , a hopper driving circuit  59 , a payout completion signal circuit  60  and a communication interface  61  through an I/O interface  56 . Further, the liquid crystal panel driving circuit  57  is connected to a liquid crystal display  10 , the touch panel driving circuit  58  is connected to the touch panel  11 , the hopper driving circuit  59  is connected to the hopper  62  and the payout completion signal circuit  60  is connected to the coin detecting portion  63 , respectively. 
     The CPU  51  calculates the bet amount (credit amount) on which the player has placed a bet based on the operation information outputted from the touch panel  11 . Then, the CPU  51  stores the bet amount in the bet amount storing area  52 A of the RAM  52 , while simultaneously transmitting the bet amount to the main control portion  31 . Further, the accumulated credit is increased or decreased in accordance with the win/lose result transmitted from the main control portion  31 . The CPU  51  also carries out an operation of setting the lucky numbers based on the operation of a user in a one game unit or a plurality of games unit. Further, the CPU  51  calculates the total value of the numbers on the two cards that were initially dealt to the player. Thereafter, the CPU  51  judges whether the total value thus calculated equals any of the lucky numbers he/she wishes to store in the lucky number storing area  42 A. 
     The CPU  51  controls output of the image signal which is displayed on the front display  21  and coin payout from a coin payout port  15  by a hopper  62  and a coin detecting portion  63 . 
     Next, a description will be given on the bet screen  70  which is displayed on the liquid crystal display  10  in the player&#39;s terminal  4  in the event of a Blackjack in the gaming machine  1  according to the present embodiment. 
       FIG. 1  and  FIG. 6  are views showing the bet screen  70  which is displayed on the liquid crystal display  10  in the player&#39;s terminal  4 . In the gaming machine  1  according to the present embodiment, the player carries out a bet operation to bet a credit of a predetermined value using the bet screen  70  and the touch panel  11 . The player can also carry out an operation to request an additional card in hand and an operation to increase or decrease a bet amount. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 6 , the bet screen  70  is constituted of a player&#39;s card display area  71 , a chip display area  73 , a lucky number display area  74  and an information display area. The player&#39;s card display area  71  displays an image  87  of the card which is dealt to the player. The chip display area  73  displays an image  72  of the chips that were bet. The lucky number display area  74  displays the lucky numbers which are currently set. The information display area displays a variety of operation buttons and player&#39;s information. 
     Here, the player&#39;s card display area  71  serves to display an image  87  of the cards which were dealt to the player. Image  87  of a plurality of cards which is displayed on the player&#39;s card display area  71  corresponds to the cards which were dealt to the player that seats at the player&#39;s terminal  4  and is playing a game. 
     The chip display area  73  displays a chip image  72  corresponding to a bet amount that the player has bet (for instance, the player has placed a bet on chips corresponding to  50  credits in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 6 ). Before the game starts, the player selects a bet amount by means of the bet button  75  that will be described later. The player enters the bet amount by touching the chip display area  73 . The bet amount thus entered is then transmitted to the main control portion  31 . Further, if the total value of the numbers on the two cards that were initially dealt to the player equals any of the lucky numbers which are currently displayed on the lucky number display area  74 , the player can select an additional bet amount by means of the bet button  75 . The additional bet amount thus selected is transmitted to the main control portion  31 . 
     The lucky number display area  74  shows the lucky numbers which are currently set in the gaming machine  1 . Here, in the gaming machine  1  according to the present embodiment, the lucky numbers are randomly set in a one game unit or a plurality of games unit based on a player&#39;s operation. If the total of the numbers on the two cards which were initially dealt to the player equals any of the lucky numbers which are currently displayed on the lucky number display portion  24 , the player is granted the right to place an additional bet by doubling down. 
     A plurality of bet buttons  75  (corresponding to “1 credit”, “10 credits”, “100 credits” in the present embodiment) are provided at a right lower side of the chip display area  73 . The player can select a bet amount to be bet in the current game by touching the bet buttons  75 . 
     A Repeat bet button  76  and an UNDO bet button  77  are provided at an upper portion of the bet button  75 . The player can bet a bet amount which is the same as in the previous game, by touching the Repeat bet button  76 . A bet operation which was already carried out can be cancelled by touching the UNDO bet button  77 . 
     On the other hand, an operation button group that a player uses to bargain with the dealer are displayed at a left lower side of the chip display area  73 . More specifically, a STAND button  78 , a HIT button, a SURRENDER button  80 , an INSURANCE button  81  and a SPLIT button  82  are provided as operation buttons. 
     Here, the STAND button  78  is used when the player challenges the dealer using the cards he/she currently possesses, without requesting any more cards. The HIT button  79  is used when the player requests a new card, in addition to the cards he/she currently possesses. The HIT button  79  can also be used until the total of the numbers displayed on the cards that were dealt reaches or exceeds “21”. 
     The SURRENDER button  80  is used when the player quits the current game. Once the SURRENDER button  80  is selected, half of the bet amount is collected and the other half is returned to the player. The INSURANCE button  81  is used when the player takes an insurance for protection in case a cards that was dealt to the dealer is a Blackjack. 
     The SPLIT button  82  is used if the numbers displayed on the two cards that were dealt to him/her in the game are the same and he/she splits the cards into two hands. When the SPLIT button  82  is selected, the player can challenge the dealer with a hand of two or more pairs of cards. 
     A HELP button  84  is provided at a lower side of the STAND button  78 . The HELP button  84  is used to display an operation method of the gaming machine  1  on the liquid crystal display  10 . A message area  85  for displaying a message that supports the progress of the game is provided at a right side of the HELP button  84 . 
     A lucky number selection portion  95  which is used by the player to select the lucky numbers before the game starts is displayed at a left side of the player&#39;s card display area  71  as shown in  FIG. 1 . A plurality of numerical values (in  FIG. 1 , “7” through “15”) which can be selected are positioned as lucky numbers on the lucky number selection portion  95 . 
     The player selects a numerical value, which will be selected as a lucky number, from a plurality of numerical values displayed on the lucky number selection portion  95 , by using the touch panel  11 . Also, the player can randomly select the number of lucky numbers to be selected. Accordingly, in the example shown in  FIG. 1 , three lucky numbers including “9”, “10” and “11” are selected. Alternatively, two lucky numbers including “12” and “13” alone may be selected, for instance, or, five lucky numbers including “7” through “11” may be selected. The more numerical values are selected as lucky numbers, the lower the maximum gaming value on which an additional bet can be placed. For instance, if three lucky numbers are selected, the maximum gaming value on which an additional bet can be placed is the same as that for the bet amount at the start of the game. If two lucky numbers are selected, the maximum gaming value on which an additional bet can be placed is “the bet amount at the start of the game” ×1.5. If five lucky numbers are selected, the maximum gaming value on which an additional bet can be placed is “the bet amount at the start of the game” ×0.5. 
     If the right to place an additional bet has been granted to the player, an additional bet selection portion  96  including a selection as to whether to double down or not is displayed at a left side on the player&#39;s card display area  71  as shown in  FIG. 6 . If the player selects to double down through the selection displayed on the additional bet selection portion  96 , he/she can place an additional bet. On the other hand, if the player selects not to double down, he/she selects the bet amount and continues to playing the game. 
     Next, the main screen  101  which is displayed on the front display  21  in the event of a Blackjack in the gaming machine  1  according to the present embodiment will now be described using  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 7  is a view showing the main screen  101  which is displayed on the front display  21 . Here, to enhance the sense of realism of the game in the gaming machine  1  according to the present embodiment, the main display  101  displays the image  102  of a dealer that deals cards and the like through animation, in accordance with the progress of the game on the main screen  101 . 
     The image  103  of the card showing a card which is dealt to the dealer is displayed substantially at the center of the main screen  101 . Further, card&#39;s images  104  through  108  showing cards which were dealt to each player (maximum five players) that play a game in each player&#39;s terminal  4  and win/lose result images  110  through  114  showing a win/lose between each player and the dealer are shown at a lower side of the main screen  101 . A player can reference the main screen  101  to find out the type of the cards that were dealt to the dealer, the type of the cards that were dealt to the other players that play the game at the same time, their own win/lose results and at the same time, the win/lose results of the other players. 
     Next, a description will be given on the game process program to be executed by the CPU  41  of the main control portion  31  and a game process program on the player&#39;s terminal side which is to be executed by the CPU  51  of the player&#39;s terminal  4  in the gaming machine  1  according to the present embodiment and having the above configuration, based on  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 . The programs which are shown by flow charts in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9  are stored in the RAM  42  and ROM  43  provided in the main control portion  31 , or the RAM  52  and ROM  53  provided in the player&#39;s terminal  4  and are executed by the CPU  41  and the CPU  51 . 
     First, the game process program to be executed by the main control portion  31  will be described based on  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 . At step (hereinafter abbreviated as S)  1 , the CPU  41  executes a to-be-dealt card lottery process in which cards which will be handed out to the player and the dealer will be drawn. More specifically, supposing a number of N cards (in Blackjack, N=52) are used in one game, any of the numbers from 1 to N (dealing sequence) will be associated with each card, respectively. The cards are handed out to the dealer and players in accordance with this sequence (e.g., the cards are dealt to the dealer and players). 
     Thereafter, at S 2 , CPU  41  transmits a bet period start command in which a player&#39;s bet operation is transmitted with respect to each player&#39;s terminal  4 . 
     Next, at S 3 , the CPU  41  receives the bet information which was transmitted from each player&#39;s terminal  4 . Here, the bet information includes information with respect to the bet amount (credit amount) on which a bet was placed by the player. The bet information received at each player&#39;s terminal  4  is once stored in the RAM  42 . 
     Next, at S 4 , the CPU  41  transmits information (for instance, “the  7  of hearts”, “the A of spades”, etc.) with respect to the first card and the second card which will be handed out (dealt) to the players that play a game at the player&#39;s terminals  4 , to each player&#39;s terminal  4 . 
     Thereafter, at S 5 , the image of the dealer that deals two cards to each player and the dealer is displayed on the front display  21  as the main screen  101  (refer to  FIG. 7 ). The mark type of the two cards which were dealt to the dealer is not displayed when the cards are dealt. 
     Next, at S 6 , the CPU  41  receives additional bet information which is transmitted from each player&#39;s terminal  4 . Here, the additional bet information includes information with respect to the bet amount (credit amount) on which an additional bet is placed by the player. The additional bet information received at each player&#39;s terminal  4  is once stored in the RAM  42  together with the bet information received at S 4 . 
     Next, at S 7 , the CPU  41  receives a request for a new to-be-dealt card which was transmitted from the player&#39;s terminal. The information with respect to a third card and other subsequent cards is transmitted to the player&#39;s terminal  4  from which the request is made, in accordance with the request (S 8 ). Further, at S 9 , the image of the dealer that will deal the additional card to the player that made the request is displayed on the front display  21  as the main screen  101 . 
     Then, at S 10 , the CPU  41  receives selected card information which is transmitted from each player&#39;s terminal  4 . The selected card information is transmitted when the player has selected to challenge the dealer with the cards he/she has at present. The selected card information is transmitted to the main control portion  31  when the STAND button  78  has been selected in the player&#39;s terminal  4  as will be described later. 
     Then, at S 11 , the CPU  41  compares the hand with the cards that were handed out to the player to the hand with the cards that were handed out to the dealer and makes a win/lose judgment. More specifically, the hand with the total of the numbers displayed on the card being closest to “21”, without exceeding “21” is judged to be the winner. If the sum is the same, it is judged that a draw has occurred. 
     Next, at S 12 , the win/lose judgment results at S 11  will be transmitted to each player&#39;s terminal  4 . At S 13 , the CPU  41  displays the win/lose result images  110  through  114  showing the win/lose judgment results at each player&#39;s terminal  4  on the main screen  101  of the front display  21  (refer to  FIG. 7 ). Then, the game process program is terminated. 
     A description will now be given on the game process program to be executed in the player&#39;s terminal  4  based on  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 . At S 101 , the CPU  51  receives a bet period start command from the main control portion  31  before the game starts. 
     Thereafter, at S 102 , the CPU  51  starts the bet operation acceptance process and displays the bet screen  70  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) onto the liquid crystal display  10 . Then, the CPU  51  identifies the bet amount (credit amount) that has been bet based on the operation information received from the touch panel  11 . 
     Further, at S 103 , the CPU  51  carries out a lucky number setting process in which the lucky numbers are set based on the player&#39;s operation. The lucky number setting process at step SI may be carried out in a one game unit, or alternatively, it may be carried out in a plurality of games unit (for instance, every five games). A specific example of the lucky number setting process to be executed at step S 1  will now be described in detail using  FIG. 10 . 
     After executing the lucky number setting process (S 103 ), the CPU  51  first displays the lucky number selection portion  95  on the bet screen  70  as is shown in  FIG. 1 . Here,  FIG. 10  shows a lucky number selection sequence using the lucky number selection portion  95 . The lucky number selection portion  95  includes numeric buttons  97  which have nine numerical values from “7” through “15” respectively displayed as shown in  FIG. 10 . A player touches a numeric button  97 , from amongst the “7” to “15” numeric buttons  97 , having the numerical value that he/she wishes to set as a lucky number. Alternatively, the CPU  51  identifies the numeric button  97  that the player has touched using the detection results of the touch panel  11  and then sets the numerical value corresponding to that numeric button  97  as lucky number. As a result, the display color of the numeric button  97  with the numerical value set as the lucky number will change. If the player touches the same numeric button  97  once again, the CPU  51  removes the numerical value corresponding to the numeric button  97  that was touched from the lucky numbers. The lucky number thus selected is stored in the lucky number storing area  52 B of the RAM  52 . 
     Next, at S 104 , the CPU  51  judges whether the bet period has been terminated or not. More specifically, at S 102 , the CPU  51  judges whether a certain period (for instance, 20 sec) set in advance has lapsed since the start of the bet operation acceptance period. 
     If it is judged that the bet period has not been terminated (S 104 : NO), the CPU  51  accepts the bet operation. Alternatively, if it is judged that the bet period has been terminated (S 104 : YES), the flow shifts to S 105 . 
     At S 105 , the CPU  51  transmits bet information with respect to the main control portion  31 . Here, the bet information includes information with respect to the bet amount (credit amount) bet by the player in the bet operation acceptance process that started at S 102 . The lucky numbers set at S 103  are transmitted to the main control portion  31  as well. 
     At S 106 , the CPU  51  receives information (mark type), from the main control portion  31 , on the first and second cards that were handed out to the player that plays a game at the player&#39;s terminal  4  in question. At S 107 , the CPU  51  displays the cards that were handed out on the bet screen  70  based on the card information received at S 106 . 
     Thereafter, at S 108 , the CPU  51  judges whether the total of the numbers associated with the two cards displayed at S 107 , e.g., the two cards that were initially dealt to the player, equals any of the lucky numbers that were set at S 103 . 
     If it is judged that the total of the numbers associated with the two cards that were initially dealt to the player equals the lucky numbers (S 108 : YES), the flow shifts to S 109 . Alternatively, if it is judged that the total of the numbers associated with the two cards that were initially dealt to the player does not equal the lucky numbers (S 108 : NO), the flow shifts to S 113 . 
     At S 109 , the CPU  51  displays a selection of whether to place an additional bet by doubling down at the left side of the player&#39;s card display area  71  in the bet screen  70  (refer to  FIG. 6 ). Then, at S 110 , the CPU  51  judges whether the player has selected to place an additional bet based on the operation information received from the touch panel  11 . 
     If it is judged that the player has selected to place an additional bet (S 110 : YES), the flow shifts to S 111 . On the other hand, if it is judged that the player has selected not to place an additional bet (S 110 : NO), the flow shifts to S 113 . 
     At step S 111 , the CPU  51  starts the acceptance process of an additional bet operation and then identifies the bet amount (credit amount) on which an additional bet was placed based on the operation information from the touch panel  11 . The maximum gaming value on which an additional bet can be placed is set based on the bet amount before the additional bet is placed and the number of numerical values which were set as lucky numbers at step S 103 . 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 11 , if only one lucky number is set, the maximum gaming value on which an additional bet can be placed becomes “the bet amount at the start of the game” ×2.0. If two lucky numbers are set, the maximum gaming value on which an additional bet can be placed becomes “the bet amount at the start of the game” ×1.5. If three lucky numbers are set, the maximum gaming value on which an additional bet can be placed is the same as the bet amount at the start of the game. If four lucky numbers are set, the maximum gaming value on which an additional bet can be placed becomes “the bet amount at the start of the game” ×0.8. If five lucky numbers are set, the maximum gaming value on which an additional bet can be placed becomes “the bet amount at the start of the game” ×0.5. 
     Next, at S 112 , the CPU  51  transmits additional bet information with respect to the main control portion  31 . Here, the additional bet information includes information with respect to the bet amount (credit amount) on which an additional bet was placed by the player. 
     Then, at S 113 , the CPU  51  starts reception of the operation of the respective buttons  78  through  81  which are displayed on the bet screen  70 . At S 113 , in particular, it is judged whether the HIT button  79  was selected. If it is judged that the HIT button  79  was selected (S 114 : YES), the CPU  51  transmits a request to the main control portion  31  for an additional card to be dealt (S 115 ). Next, at S 116 , the CPU  51  receives card information that was newly transmitted from the main control portion  31  and displays the card that was newly handed out on the bet screen  70  based on the card information thus received (S 117 ). If the player carries out an additional bet operation at S 111  by doubling down, he/she can request only one new card to be dealt. 
     On the other hand, if it is judged that the HIT button  79  has not been selected (S 114 : NO), the flow shifts to S 118 . 
     At S 118 , it is determined whether the STAND button  78  has been selected or not. If it is judged that the STAND button  78  has been selected (S 118 : YES), the CPU  51  transmits a notice to the main control portion  31  that a selection was made to challenge with the cards which are currently displayed (S 119 ). Alternatively, if it judged that the STAND button  78  has not been selected (S 118 : NO), the flow returns to S 114 . If the other operation buttons  80  through  84  have been selected, a process in accordance with the selected button will be carried out. 
     Next, at S 120 , the CPU  51  receives the win/lose judgment results transmitted from the main control portion  31 . Then, at S 121 , the CPU  51  displays on the liquid crystal display  10  the win/lose judgment results of the player that played a game at the player&#39;s terminal based on the win/lose judgment results transmitted at S 120 . More specifically, the characters “DRAW” are displayed on the bet screen  70  in the event of a draw. Also, the characters “YOU WON” are displayed in case the player has won. Furthermore, the characters “YOU LOST” are displayed in case the player has lost. 
     Next, at S 122 , the CPU  51  calculates the prize to be awarded to the player based on the total bet amount obtained by adding up the bet amount accepted at S 102  and the additional bet amount accepted at S 110 , and the win/lose judgment results. Then, at S 122 , the CPU  51  awards the prize calculated at S 121  to the player. More specifically, if the player has won to the dealer, he/she is awarded twice the credit of the total bet amount. If the player reached a draw with the dealer, he/she is awarded a credit corresponding to the total bet amount. 
     As was described in the above text, in the gaming machine  1  according to the present embodiment, one or a plurality of lucky numbers are set in a one game unit or a plurality of games unit based on a player&#39;s operation prior to the start of the game (S 103 ). Then, if it is judged that the total value of the numbers on the two cards which were initially dealt to the player equals the lucky numbers, a selection as to whether to place an additional bet is displayed on the liquid crystal display  10  (S 109 ). If the player has selected to place an additional bet, an additional bet operation is accepted (S 111 ) and a prize is awarded based on the total bet amount obtained by adding the bet amount to the bet amount that was placed prior to the start of the game (S 123 ). Thus, the gaming machine judges whether the right to place the additional bet should be granted based on the total value of the numbers on the cards that were dealt to the player and the numerical values that were selected by the player in advance. Accordingly, the conditions for placing the additional bet can be newly set to conditions desired by the player, thereby offering new attraction to the player. 
     The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and various modifications and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     For instance, in the present embodiment, the lucky numbers are set based on the selection of the player at each player&#39;s terminal  4 . However, one type of lucky numbers may also be set for the entire gaming machine. In this case, for instance, the gaming machine  1  selects one player by lottery from a plurality of players during the game. The lucky numbers selected by the player that was chosen by lottery are set as the lucky numbers for the entire gaming machine  1 . 
     In the present embodiment, the right to place an additional bet is granted if the total of the numbers on the two cards that were initially dealt to the player equals the lucky numbers. However, the right to place an additional bet may also be granted if the number on either of the two cards that were initially dealt to the player equals the lucky numbers. The right for the additional bet may also be granted if the combination of the two cards that were initially dealt to the player is a combination selected by the player (for instance, the case in which the two cards have the same number or the case in which the two cards have the same suit). 
     The gaming machine according to the present invention can be applied to a gaming machine in which a card game such as Pai Gow Poker and Draw Poker, in addition to Blackjack is played. For instance, in case of Pai Gow Poker, the right to an additional bet by raising is granted if the total value of the seven cards that were dealt to the player equals the numerical value selected by the player. 
     The present invention can also be realized as a gaming method for executing the above-described processes. Furthermore, the invention can also be realized as a program that causes execution of the gaming method on a computer, and a recording medium onto which this program has been recorded. 
     The gaming method in the gaming machine according to the present invention can also be applied to Blackjack (the so-called table game) which is played by a dealer  202  and a player (not shown) on a gaming table as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     In the table game shown in  FIG. 12 , the dealer  202  deals the respective cards to the dealer and player on the gaming table  201 . The player then places a bet by placing chips at a predetermined location on the gaming table  201 . 
     If the total of the numbers on the two cards that were initially dealt to the player equals the numerical value declared by the player before the game starts, the player can place an additional bet by doubling down. 
     Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.