Patent ID: 8025563

Claim:
A slot machine, comprising: a display to display an image; a symbol display device to display a plurality of symbols; and a controller programmed to execute, a basic game after an amount of credits has been bet, the amount of credits being not more than a predetermined maximum bet amount, arranging the plurality of symbols via the symbol display device, and paying out credits in an amount responsive to the arranging; switching a game mode from a non-insurance mode to an insurance mode when a predetermined amount of credits has been inserted to the slot machine; determining whether the predetermined maximum bet amount has been placed; continuing to count a number of games when the game mode has been switched to the insurance mode and the predetermined maximum bet amount has been placed until the counted number of games reaches a predetermined number or a game stage is switched to a bonus game differing in type from the basic game; executing a payout of a predetermined amount of insurance credits, if the counted number of games has reached the predetermined number before the game stage is switched to the bonus game; and resetting the number of games counted, if the game stage has been switched to the bonus game, wherein the bonus game provides a payout if an award is won.