Slot machine and playing method thereof

Abstract

A liquid crystal display of a slot machine has 5-columns and 3-rows matrix display areas. Symbols are scrolled in each of the display areas and then stopped. On this occasion, a game shifts to a bonus game when an “APPLE” symbol stops in inner display areas among the display areas. In the bonus game, firstly, the main CPU arranges an award mark in a specific position among outer periphery display areas. After that, the award mark is moved in the outer periphery display areas and then stopped. The main CPU then awards a payout according to the symbol where the award mark has stopped. As a result, it is possible to enhance a player's expectations and also produce excellent entertaining effects.

1 . A slot machine comprising:
 a display having an at least 3-columns and 3-rows matrix display areas on each of which symbol is arranged; and   a controller operable to:
 (a) shift a game from a base game to a bonus game when a specific symbol is rearranged in an inner display area, which is the display area being contiguous with other display areas on all upper, lower, right and left sides; 
 (b) arrange an award mark in a specific position among outer periphery display areas, which are the display areas other than the inner display area, when the bonus game starts; 
 (c) move the award mark sequentially in the outer periphery display areas and then stop the award mark; 
 (d) determine a payout amount according to a symbol of the display area where the award mark has stopped; and 
 (e) award a payout according to the determined payout amount. 
   
   
   
       2 . The slot machine according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the controller is operable to:   (i) arrange a plurality of the award marks in the (b); and   (ii) determine an added-up total value, which is added-up all the payout amounts corresponding to the plurality of the award marks, as the payout amount in the (d).   
   
   
       3 . The slot machine according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the controller is operable to:   (i) arrange a plurality of the award marks in the (b); and   (ii) determine a highest value, which is highest among the payout amounts corresponding to the plurality of the award marks, as the payout amount in the (d).   
   
   
       4 . A slot machine comprising:
 a display having an at least 3-columns and 3-rows matrix display areas on each of which symbol is arranged; and   a controller operable to:
 (a) shift a game from a base game to a bonus game when a specific symbol is rearranged in an inner display area, which is the display area being contiguous with other display areas on all upper, lower, right and left sides; 
 (b) arrange an award mark in a specific position among outer periphery display areas, which are the display areas other than the inner display area, when the bonus game starts; 
 (c) move the award mark sequentially in the outer periphery display areas and then stop the award mark; 
 (d) determine a payout amount according to a symbol of the display area where the award mark has stopped and the number of the specific symbols rearranged in the inner display areas; and 
 (e) award a payout according to the determined payout amount. 
   
   
   
       5 . The slot machine according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the controller is operable to:   (i) arrange a plurality of the award marks in the (b); and   (ii) determine an added-up total value, which is added-up all the payout amounts corresponding to the plurality of the award marks, as the payout amount in the (d).   
   
   
       6 . The slot machine according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the controller is operable to:   (i) arrange a plurality of the award marks in the (b); and   (ii) determine a highest value, which is highest among the payout amounts corresponding to the plurality of the award marks, as the payout amount in the (d).   
   
   
       7 . A slot machine comprising:
 a display having an at least 3-columns and 3-rows matrix display areas on each of which symbol is arranged; and   a controller operable to:
 (a) shift a game from a base game to a bonus game when a specific symbol is rearranged in an inner display area, which is the display area being contiguous with other display areas on all upper, lower, right and left sides; 
 (b) arrange an award mark in a specific position among outer periphery display areas, which are the display areas other than the inner display area, when the bonus game starts; 
 (c) move the award mark sequentially in the outer periphery display areas and then stop the award mark; 
 (d) determine a payout amount according to a symbol of the display area where the award mark has stopped and whether or not the specific symbol is rearranged in a specific area consisting of at least one of the inner display areas; and 
 (e) award a payout according to the determined payout amount. 
   
   
   
       8 . The slot machine according to  claim 7 , wherein
 the controller is operable to:   (i) arrange a plurality of the award marks in the (b); and   (ii) determine an added-up total value, which is added-up all the payout amounts corresponding to the plurality of the award marks, as the payout amount in the (d).   
   
   
       9 . The slot machine according to  claim 8 , wherein
 the controller is operable to:   (i) arrange a plurality of the award marks in the (b); and   (ii) determine a highest value, which is highest among the payout amounts corresponding to the plurality of the award marks, as the payout amount in the (d).   
   
   
       10 . A playing method of a slot machine having a display which has an at least 3-columns and 3-rows matrix display areas on each of which symbol is arranged, the method comprising:
 (a) shifting a game from a base game to a bonus game when a specific symbol is rearranged in an inner display area, which is the display area being contiguous with other display areas on all upper, lower, right and left;   (b) arranging an award mark in a specific position in outer periphery display areas, which display areas other than the inner display area, when the bonus game starts;   (c) moving the award mark sequentially in the outer periphery display areas and then stopping the award mark;   (d) determining a payout amount according to a symbol of the display area where the award mark has stopped; and   (e) awarding a payout according to the determined payout amount.   
   
   
       11 . The playing method according to  claim 10 , wherein
 (i) arranging a plurality of the award marks in the (b); and   (ii) determining an added-up total value, which is added-up all the payout amounts corresponding to the plurality of the award marks, as the payout amount in the (d).   
   
   
       12 . The playing method according to  claim 10 , wherein
 (i) arranging a plurality of the award marks in the (b); and   (ii) determining a highest value, which is highest among the payout amounts corresponding to the plurality of the award marks, as the payout amount in the (d).   
   
   
       13 . A playing method of a slot machine having a display which has an at least 3-columns and 3-rows matrix display areas on each of which symbol is arranged, the method comprising:
 (a) shifting a game from a base game to a bonus game when a specific symbol is rearranged in an inner display area, which is the display area being contiguous with other display areas on all upper, lower, right and left;   (b) arranging an award mark in a specific position in outer periphery display areas, which display areas other than the inner display area, when the bonus game starts;   (c) moving the award mark sequentially in the outer periphery display areas and then stopping the award mark;   (d) determining a payout amount according to a symbol of the display area where the award mark has stopped and the number of the specific symbols rearranged in the inner display areas; and   (e) awarding a payout according to the determined payout amount.   
   
   
       14 . The playing method according to  claim 13 , wherein
 (i) arranging a plurality of the award marks in the (b); and   (ii) determining an added-up total value, which is added-up all the payout amounts corresponding to the plurality of the award marks, as the payout amount in the (d).   
   
   
       15 . The playing method according to  claim 13 , wherein
 (i) arranging a plurality of the award marks in the (b); and   (ii) determining a highest value, which is highest among the payout amounts corresponding to the plurality of the award marks, as the payout amount in the (d).   
   
   
       16 . A playing method of a slot machine having a display which has an at least 3-columns and 3-rows matrix display areas on each of which symbol is arranged, the method comprising:
 (a) shifting a game from a base game to a bonus game when a specific symbol is rearranged in an inner display area, which is the display area being contiguous with other display areas on all upper, lower, right and left;   (b) arranging an award mark in a specific position in outer periphery display areas, which display areas other than the inner display area, when the bonus game starts;   (c) moving the award mark sequentially in the outer periphery display areas and then stopping the award mark;   (d) determining a payout amount according to a symbol of the display area where the award mark has stopped and whether or not the specific symbol is rearranged in a specific area consisting of at least one of the inner display areas; and   (e) awarding a payout according to the determined payout amount.   
   
   
       17 . The playing method according to  claim 16 , wherein
 (i) arranging a plurality of the award marks in the (b); and   (ii) determining an added-up total value, which is added-up all the payout amounts corresponding to the plurality of the award marks, as the payout amount in the (d).   
   
   
       18 . The playing method according to  claim 16 , wherein
 (i) arranging a plurality of the award marks in the (b); and   (ii) determining a highest value, which is highest among the payout amounts corresponding to the plurality of the award marks, as the payout amount in the (d).