Gaming machine

Abstract

A gaming machine includes: an image display device that has a symbol display area; an operation unit that allows a player to input operations including a start command to start a game; and a processor that performs a game process for providing the player the game by controlling the image display device to display a progress of the game. The game process includes controlling the image display device to perform variable display for variably displaying a plurality of symbols in a predetermined sequence in the symbol display area. The predetermined sequence includes a three-symbols-continuous arrangement in which a first highest award symbol indicating a most highest award among the plurality of symbols, and a second highest award symbol indicating a second highest award among the plurality of symbols, are arranged adjacent to a blank symbol implemented as a blank display part with no symbol displayed thereon.

1 . A gaming machine comprising: 
 an image display device that has a symbol display area;    an operation unit that allows a player to input operations including a start command to start a game; and    a processor that performs a game process for providing the player the game by controlling the image display device to display a progress of the game, the processor performing the game process comprising: 
 controlling the image display device to perform variable display for variably displaying a plurality of symbols in a predetermined sequence in the symbol display area when the start command is input through the operation unit;  
 determining a stop state of the symbol by determining a symbol from among the plurality of symbols to be displayed stopped on a pay line that is configured for determining a win of the game;  
 controlling the image display device to perform stop display of the determined symbol on the pay line in the stop state; and  
 performing a payout of an award to the player in accordance with the stop state,  
   wherein the predetermined sequence includes a three-symbols-continuous arrangement in which a first highest award symbol indicating a most highest award among the plurality of symbols, and a second highest award symbol indicating a second highest award among the plurality of symbols, are arranged adjacent to a blank symbol implemented as a blank display part with no symbol displayed thereon.    
   
   
       2 . The gaming machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the image display device includes a mechanical reel that is arranged with the plurality of symbols in the predetermined sequence on a peripheral surface of the mechanical reel.  
   
   
       3 . The gaming machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the image display device displays an image of a video reel that is formed by the plurality of symbols being arranged in the predetermined sequence.  
   
   
       4 . The gaming machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the image display device has a plurality of symbol display areas that are arranged on a line, each of the symbol display areas being configured to be performed with the variable display and the stop display by the processor.  
   
   
       5 . The gaming machine according to  claim 4 , wherein the symbol display areas include specific symbol display area in which the determined symbol is displayed stopped latest among the symbol display areas, and 
 wherein at least the specific symbol display area is configured to display the symbols in the predetermined sequence including the three-symbols-continuous arrangement.    
   
   
       6 . The gaming machine according to  claim 5 , wherein the symbols display areas are arranged on a row, and 
 wherein the specific symbol display area is arranged at a rightmost position among the symbol display areas.    
   
   
       7 . The gaming machine according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first highest award symbol and the second highest award symbol is configured to be displayed larger than other symbols.  
   
   
       8 . A gaming machine for allowing a player to play a variable display game based on a variable display and a stop display of a plurality of symbols and paying out an award responsive to the stopped symbol, the gaming machine comprising: 
 a variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols;    a symbol determination means for determining a stop symbol from among the plurality of symbols to be displayed stopped on an activated pay line to determine a win; and    a symbol display control means for stop-displaying the stop symbols determined by the symbol determination means on the activated pay line,    wherein the variable display means has a three-symbols-continuous arrangement configuration wherein a first highest award symbol indicating the highest award among the plurality of symbols, and a second highest award symbol indicating a high award next to the first highest award symbol, the first and second highest award symbols being different in pattern, are arranged adjacent to a blank symbol implemented as a blank display part with no displayed pattern.    
   
   
       9 . The gaming machine according to  claim 8 , wherein the variable display means has a plurality of symbol rows where the plurality of symbols are variably displayed, arranged in one line and at least a last stop-displayed specific symbol row of the plurality of symbol rows has the three-symbols-continuous arrangement configuration.  
   
   
       10 . The gaming machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of symbol rows are arranged in a row and the specific symbol row is arranged at the rightmost position.  
   
   
       11 . The gaming machine according to  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first highest award symbol and the second highest award symbol is configured to be displayed larger than other symbols.  
   
   
       12 . A gaming machine for allowing a player to play a variable display game based on a variable display and a stop display of a plurality of symbols and paying out an award responsive to the stopped symbol, the gaming machine comprising: 
 an image display means having a plurality of variable display sections each for displaying a variable display image of a plurality of symbols;    a symbol determination means for determining the symbols of the plurality of symbols to be displayed stopped on an activated pay line to determine a win on the variable display sections of the image display means; and    a symbol display control means for stop-displaying the stop symbols determined by the symbol determination means on the activated pay line,    wherein the image display means produces three-symbols-continuous arrangement display as a first highest award symbol indicating the highest award among the plurality of symbols and a second highest award symbol indicating a high award next to the first highest award symbol, the first and second highest award symbols being different in pattern, are arranged adjacent to a blank symbol implemented as a blank display part with no displayed pattern.    
   
   
       13 . The gaming machine according to  claim 12 , wherein the image display means has the variable display sections displayed in one line and the three-symbols-continuous arrangement display is produced on at least a last stop-displayed specific variable display section of the plurality of variable display sections.  
   
   
       14 . The gaming machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of variable display sections are arranged in a row, and the specific variable display section is arranged at the rightmost position.  
   
   
       15 . The gaming machine according to  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first highest award symbol and the second highest award symbol is configured to be displayed larger than other symbols.