Gaming machine and method of controlling the same

Abstract

A random number selector selects at least one random number. A display displays at least one of plural symbols in accordance with the selected random number, the plural symbols including at least one first symbol which is associated with a second symbol in a one-to-one correspondence. A replacement controller replaces the first symbol with the second symbol when a predetermined requirement is satisfied under a condition that the first symbol is displayed in the display.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A gaming machine, comprising: 
 a random number selector, which selects at least one random number;    a display, which displays at least one of plural symbols in accordance with the selected random number, the plural symbols including at least one first symbol which is associated with a second symbol in a one-to-one correspondence; and    a replacement controller, which replaces the first symbol with the second symbol when a predetermined requirement is satisfied under a condition that the first symbol is displayed in the display.    
     
     
         2 . The gaming machine as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the display first displays the plural symbols variably, and then displays at least one of the plural symbols stationarily in accordance with the selected random number.  
     
     
         3 . The gaming machine as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the plural symbols includes plural kinds of first symbols appearances of which are different from each other.  
     
     
         4 . The gaming machine as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the predetermined requirement is that a plurality of first symbols are stationarily displayed in the display.  
     
     
         5 . The gaming machine as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the plural symbols includes at least one third symbol, and the predetermined requirement is that the first symbol and the third symbol are stationarily displayed in the display.  
     
     
         6 . The gaming machine as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the predetermined requirement is that the first symbol and a plurality of third symbols are stationarily displayed in the display.  
     
     
         7 . The gaming machine as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the predetermined requirement is that a predetermined time period elapses from when the first symbol is stationarily displayed in the display.  
     
     
         8 . The gaming machine as set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising a cluster in which the plural symbols are arranged according to a predetermined order with regard to the first symbol, 
 wherein the display comprises a plurality of display areas, each operable to display the plural symbols arranged in the cluster.    
     
     
         9 . The gaming machine as set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of clusters in which the plural symbols are arranged according to different orders with regard to the first symbol, 
 wherein the display comprises a plurality of display areas, each operable to display the plural symbols arranged in one of the clusters.    
     
     
         10 . A method of controlling a gaming machine, comprising steps of: 
 selecting at least one random number;    displaying, in a display, at least one of plural symbols in accordance with the selected random number, the plural symbols including at least one first symbol which is associated with a second symbol in a one-to-one correspondence; and    replacing the first symbol with the second symbol when a predetermined requirement is satisfied under a condition that the first symbol is displayed in the display.    
     
     
         11 . The method as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the plural symbols are variably displayed first, and then at least one of the plural symbols is displayed stationarily in accordance with the selected random number.  
     
     
         12 . The method as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the predetermined requirement is that a plurality of first symbols are stationarily displayed in the display.  
     
     
         13 . The method as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the plural symbols includes at least one third symbol, and the predetermined requirement is that the first symbol and the third symbol are stationarily displayed in the display.  
     
     
         14 . The method as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the predetermined requirement is that the first symbol and a plurality of third symbols are stationarily displayed in the display.  
     
     
         15 . The method as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the predetermined requirement is that a predetermined time period elapses from when the first symbol is stationarily displayed in the display.