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(11) | EP 1 724 735 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Entertainment machines |
| (57) A player-operable entertainment machine has a multi-section (13-17) main display
device, such as side-by-side actual or simulated symbol-bearing rotatable reels, which
displays selected main symbols (13a, b, c - 17a, b, c). For each section (13-17) there
is a respective supplementary display zone (18-22) at which a combination of supplementary
symbols is displayed. An award value is determined by these combinations. Each combination
may comprise five face-up playing cards which are derived from special face-down card
symbols (13d-17d) on the main display device (12), and the combinations are assessed
as poker hands.
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[0001] This invention relates to player-operable entertainment machines and is particularly concerned with coin-operated player-operable gaming machines.
[0002] As used herein, a coin-operated machine refers to a machine which is operable to play a game after actuation by a stake value whether provided by one or more coins, tokens, notes, credit or debit cards or any other means of providing credit or monetary value.
[0003] Coin-operated player-operable machines having a main display device with actual or simulated rotatable symbol-bearing reels are well known. In a main game the reels are rotated and then come to rest at random to display selected symbols on one or more win lines at a win zone within a display window. An award may be made available to the player in the event that the combination of symbols on a win line is of a predetermined winning nature. It is also well known for such machines to be operable in a supplementary or bonus game by transfer from the main game. The supplementary game is often a trail type game whereby play progresses from position to position along the trail and awards are attained in dependence on which position is reached.
[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a further kind of game having particular entertainment value and being capable of implementation in the context of a player-operable machine.
[0005] According to the invention therefore there is provided a player-operable entertainment machine actuable to play a game and having a main display device with multiple sections operable to produce at a main display zone selected main symbol displays, a supplementary display device having a respective supplementary display zone for each said section operable to display in combination multiple supplementary display symbols determined by the respective selected main symbol displays, and an assessment device operable to assess an award value in dependence on the said displayed combinations of said supplementary display symbols.
[0006] With this arrangement, much entertainment can be derived from the procedures giving rise to accumulation and assessment of the combinations of supplementary display symbols, and these procedures can be readily incorporated in a player-operable machine of the kind with which symbols are selected with a main display device.
[0007] In one embodiment the supplementary symbols represent playing card faces whereby each said combination may be assessed in relation to its value as a hand in a predetermined card game in accordance with predetermined hand values for the card game. Thus, the card game may be poker and the assessment may be made in relation to the usual poker hand values.
[0008] The operation of the supplementary display device may be such as to produce any number of supplementary display symbols in each combination which may be fixed or variable and may be the same or different for the different supplementary display zones.
[0009] Multiple supplementary symbols of each combination may be achieved as a consequence of each said section producing a corresponding e.g. multi-symbol display and/or by repeated operation of each section until the required number of supplementary symbols has been obtained for the respective supplementary display zone.
[0010] In one embodiment the main display device is operable to display multiple selected symbols at each section of the main display zone and these may include or comprise one or more special symbols which determine the supplementary symbols for the respective supplementary display zone. These special symbols as displayed may be the same as, or different from, the respective supplementary display symbols. By way of example, where the supplementary display symbols are playing card faces or face-up cards the special symbols may also be playing card faces or face-up cards or alternatively may be backs of playing cards or face-down cards. In the latter case the significance of the special symbols is concealed from the player.
[0011] Assessment of the combinations for award value calculation may be effected for each combination of each display zone whereby accumulated multiple awards may be possible. Alternatively the arrangement may be such that only one or a selected proportion of the combinations may be used for award value calculation e.g. an award may be made available only for the best combination using a predetermined evaluation basis, and/or only for those combinations which exceed a predetermined value or otherwise meet a predetermined requirement.
[0012] Also, provision may be made for multiple successive selections of sets of combinations whereby awards may be possible for all such sets accumulated or may be determined otherwise by reference to the different sets of combinations.
[0013] Availability of supplementary symbols for selection and the identities or values of the supplementary symbols may be determined on any predetermined and/or random basis.
[0014] For at least one, and preferably all, of the combinations selection of supplementary symbols may be determined with reference to a predetermined pool of such symbols whereby after selection of a symbol a subsequent selection of the same symbol or of a similar symbol may be blocked. This blocking may apply to the combinations individually, or collectively. Thus, in the case of playing cards, selections may be made from a deck of playing cards.
[0015] Selection of the combinations may be effected wholly under the control of the machine, or at least partially under the control of the player. Thus the main display device may operate automatically to cause the combinations to be selected, or, alternatively it may be necessary for action to be initiated by the player e.g. by operation of player controls, one for each section or one for all sections, to cause the main display device to operate for selection of the supplementary symbols.
[0016] Provision may be made for selection of the combinations to be influenced or modified by player action or in accordance with automatic machine operation. For example, during selection of the combinations the player may have options for different selection actions which can result in selection of different symbols. After selection of the combinations the player may have the opportunity of changing one or more symbols of one or more combinations on a predetermined or random basis, and/or the machine may operate at least on some occasions to influence or modify selections e.g. to make selection of predetermined award values more likely or inevitable. Preferably the machine is a coin-operated player-operable gaming machine as defined above. Award values may correspond to monetary pay out values and these may be a function of stake value. Provision may be made for player selection of stake value thereby to influence award values and this may be effected in relation to stake value required for operation of the machine and/or stake value specifically introduced in relation to the combinations, that is the player may have the opportunity of gambling on the combinations individually or collectively.
[0017] The selection of the supplementary display symbols may occur in a supplementary or bonus game additional to a main game played on the machine. In this case the aforesaid special symbols may be displayed only when the supplementary or bonus game is available, although alternatively the special symbols may be displayed throughout.
[0018] Thus, the machine may be operable in a main game play procedure to cause the main display device to select combinations of main symbols which are displayed on one or more win lines at the main display zone, whereby an award is made available in the event that any such combination is of a predetermined winning nature, and play transfers on occasions from the main game play procedure to a supplementary game play procedure for selection and display of the supplementary display symbols.
[0019] It is however also possible for the selection of the supplementary display symbols to be effected as a sole or optional or predictable additional main game play procedure.
[0020] As mentioned the supplementary symbols may correspond to poker playing cards. However they may also relate to other games which are not necessarily card games.
[0021] With regard to the main display device this may be an actual or simulated reel display device whereby the sections are side-by-side symbol-bearing rotatable reels.
[0022] The supplementary display for each said section may be a video display whereby representations of the supplementary symbols move to and take up positions at such supplementary displays during the supplementary play procedure.
[0023] The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-
- Figure 1
- is a diagrammatic representation of one form of an entertainment machine according to the invention;
- Figure 2
- is a diagrammatic block circuit diagram of the machine of Figure 1;
- Figures 3 & 4
- are detailed views of displays of the machine of Figures 1 and 2.
[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the entertainment machine has a floor-standing, wall-mounted, or table-top box shaped cabinet 1 having an upper front glass panel 2 which is screen-printed to define a central window area 3 through which a screen 4 of a VDU 5 is exposed.
[0025] Above or below the panel 2 at a convenient location there is located a coin or note slot 6 for introduction of coins, tokens or notes, and below the panel 2 there is a pay-out opening 7.
[0026] As shown in Figure 2, within the cabinet 1 there is mounted the VDU 5, a receiving mechanism 8 for coins, tokens or notes connected to the slot 6, a pay-out device 9 connected to the outlet 7, and a processor unit 10 to which these parts are connected.
[0027] Beneath the panel 2 there are player-operable push buttons 11 which are also connected to the processor unit 10.
[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the VDU screen 4 shows an upper win zone 12 through which five side-by-side sections 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 can be seen. The sections 13-17 simulated the peripheries of side-by-side symbol-bearing reels which are mounted for rotation about a common horizontal axis. Each section 13-17 can therefore change on the screen 4 simulating movement of the respective reel so as to rotate and then come to rest displaying three symbols 13a, b, c ― 17a, b, c at the win zone 12 one above the other with the symbols of all sections 13-17 respectively aligned with each other on three win lines: a central horizontal win line, and upper and lower horizontal win lines.
[0029] Beneath each section 13-17 the VDU screen 4 displays a respective supplementary display region 18-22 shown as a rectangular window.
[0030] Each section 13-17 is capable of displaying predetermined main symbols 13a, b, c ― 17 a, b, c which may be selected from a predetermined sequence of such symbols, say a sequence of 20 symbols, with some symbols repeated in the sequence.
[0031] The sequence of main symbols, and the kinds of symbols may be the same or different for the different sections 13-17.
[0032] Each section 13-17 is also arranged to display supplementary symbols 13d-17d which appear alongside the main symbols 13a, b, c ― 17a, b, c. As shown, when each section 13-17 is at rest so as to display three main symbols 13a, b, c ― 17a, b, c on occasions as explained later, there is also one supplementary symbol 13d-17d overprinted on one of the three main symbols 13a, b, c ― 17a, b, c.
[0033] The supplementary symbols 13d-17d comprise playing cards which are shown face down i.e. such that only the backs of the cards can be seen on the sections 13-17.
[0034] After insertion of coins, tokens or notes into the slot 6 to an amount at least equal to a predetermined game-play stake value, the machine can be operated to play a game.
[0036] A main game play procedure is then started whereby the VDU screen display changes simulating rotation of the five simulated reels. The reels then come to rest to display three main symbols 13a, b, c. At this stage the supplementary symbols 13d-17d may not be visible.
[0037] The machine now evaluates the main symbols 13a, b, c ― 17a, b, c displayed on the three win lines and if the combinations of such symbols correspond to predetermined winning combinations a corresponding award is made available to the player in the form of a monetary value which is indicated on an alphanumeric digital display (not shown).
[0038] On occasions determined on a predetermined or random basis the player can play a supplementary or bonus game. This may occur in correspondence with some special symbol or symbols appearing in the win zone 12, or the player attaining some cumulative or target combination or value, or on a surprise basis, or otherwise. When this occurs, in addition to showing the main symbols 13a, b, c ― 17a, b, c, there also appear on the reels one of the supplementary symbols 13d ― 17d on each section 13-17.
[0039] In the supplementary game for each section 13-17 the VDU screen 4 displays movement of the respective supplementary symbol 13d-17d to the respective supplementary region 18-22 to appear there as a face-up card. In correspondence with this the face-down card symbol shown on the respective section 13-17 may disappear or the face-down card symbol may be retained. As a result, the five regions 18-22 now show, in total, five face-up cards. The five simulated reels now rotate again to come to rest with fresh supplementary symbols 13d-17d shown in the win zone as face-down cards. This reel rotation may occur on an automatic basis or may require initiation by operation of a player press-button 11. Five further face-up cards move to the regions 18-22.
[0040] After four such rotations, five face-up cards have been transferred to each of the regions 18-22 to display five five-card hands. These hands are evaluated as poker hands and scores for the five hands are accumulated and shown to the player on a display on the VDU screen 4. The score may be converted to a monetary value which is added to any monetary value already accumulated from previous main game and/or supplementary game wins and the player has the option, by pressing a button 11, to obtain a payout when required.
[0041] On entering the bonus game the player may have a number of reel spins, which may be shown on a digital display (not shown), as a multiple of 5. These reel spins may be awarded to the player on entering the bonus game and/or may be reel spins already accumulated by the player as rewards attained previously e.g. during the main game, as a result of attained targets or on a surprise basis or otherwise.
[0042] The reel spins are available for use to rotate the reels, on an automatic or player-initiated basis. The reel spins may be required as part of the selection of the five cards for each region 18-22. That is, on entering the bonus game the five hands are only produced if the player has attained at least 5 reel spins. If the player does not have 5 reel spins the bonus game terminates. If the player has more than 5 reel spins further sets of 5 poker hands may be re-selected automatically or as initiated by the player. The result of this may be that, for each section multiple hands are assessed and their respective values are accumulated, or only the last selected hand, or the best hand, or a hand selected on some other basis is used.
[0043] There may even be the possibility of carry-forward from a previous bonus game whereby at least on occasions on entering the bonus game the player may be able to benefit from the last selected poker hands and/or where reel spins are awarded in less than multiples of 5 the player may be able to use reel spins to increase the existing number of cards in each hand up to the level of 5.
[0045] Selection of the individual cards, and consequently the values of the poker hands, may be determined by the machine in accordance with any suitable game-play rules and/or desired win parameters. Thus, for example, each hand, or all hands collectively may be related to a predetermined deck of cards (52 cards with or without jokers) so that cards will not be repeated within a hand or collectively across all hands for each set of reel spins, or for all reel spins in the particular bonus game, or otherwise.
[0046] Selection within any such rules may be on a totally random basis or an on influenced pseudo random basis whereby for example selection of one or more hands on one or more occasions occurs from only part of a deck of cards, e.g. only from one suit or only from certain numbers, so as to make a win more likely or even inevitable.
[0047] With this arrangement the player can derive much entertainment value from the opportunity to play a poker-based game in the context of a reel-based entertainment machine.
[0048] It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment, which are described by way of example only.
1. A player-operable entertainment machine actuable to play a game and having a main
display device with multiple sections (13-17) operable to produce at a main display
zone (12) selected main symbol displays, a supplementary display device having a respective
supplementary display zone (18-22) for each said section (13-17) operable to display
in combination multiple supplementary display symbols determined by the respective
selected main symbol displays, and an assessment device operable to assess an award
value in dependence on the said displayed combinations of said supplementary display
symbols.
2. An entertainment machine according to claim 1 characterised in that the supplementary symbols represent playing card faces and each said combination
is assessed in relation to its value as a hand in a predetermined card game in accordance
with predetermined hand values for the card game.
3. An entertainment machine according to claim 2 characterised in that the card game is poker.
4. An entertainment machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the main display
device is operable to display multiple selected symbols (13a, b, c, d - 17a, b, c,
d) at each section (13-17) of the main display zone (12) characterised in that these comprise one or more special symbols (13d-17d) which determine the said supplementary
symbols for the respective supplementary display zone (18-22).
5. An entertainment machine according to claim 4 characterised in that the special symbols (13d-17d) are different from the respective supplementary symbols.
6. An entertainment machine according to claim 5 when dependent on claim 2 or 3 characterised in that the different special and supplementary symbols are respectively backs of playing
cards and faces of playing cards.
7. An entertainment machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterised in that assessment of the combination for award value calculation is effected for each combination
of each display zone (18-22).
8. An entertainment machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterised in that assessment of the combination for award value calculation is effected for the combination
of a selected one of the display zones (18-22).
9. An entertainment machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8 characterised in that for at least one of the combinations selection of supplementary symbols is determined
with reference to a predetermined pool of such symbols.
10. An entertainment machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterised in that one or more of the supplementary symbols are player-changeable after selection of
the combinations.
11. An entertainment machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10 which is a coin-operated
machine which is operable to play a game after actuation by a stake value characterised in that award values correspond to monetary payout values and are a function of stake value.
12. An entertainment machine according to claim 11 characterised in that stake value is player-selectable to influence award values.
13. An entertainment machine according to any one of claims 1 to 12 characterised in that the machine operates in a main game play procedure to cause the main display device
to select combinations of main symbols (13a, b, c - 17a, b, c) which are displayed
on one or more win lines at the main display zone (12), whereby an award is made available
in the event that any such combination is of a predetermined winning nature, and play
transfers on occasions from the main game play procedure to a supplementary game play
procedure for selection and display of the supplementary display symbols.
14. An entertainment machine according to any one of claims 1 to 13 characterised in that the main display device comprises an actual or simulated reel display device whereby
the sections (13-17) are side-by-side symbol-bearing rotatable reels.