Gaming Machine Arranging Symbols Based on Rearragned Symbols and Playing Method Thereof

Abstract

A gaming machine comprises: a plurality of gaming terminals capable of running a game independently from each other, each of which terminals includes a terminal display having a matrix of arrangement areas, and each of which terminals arranges a plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas; and a shared display for arranging therein a plurality of symbols. In the gaming machine are performed the following steps of: combining one symbol arrangement of one gaming terminal with another symbol arrangement of another gaming terminal, and rearranging, on the shared display, symbols identical to those in the one symbol arrangement and the other symbol arrangement; determining whether to award a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged on the shared display; and when the payout is determined to be awarded, determining a distribution of the determined payout for each of the gaming terminals, based on a predetermined condition.

1 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a plurality of gaming terminals capable of running a game independently from each other, each of which terminals includes (i)a terminal display having a matrix of arrangement areas and (ii)a payout awarding device for awarding a player a payout related to the game, and each of which terminals arranges a plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas;   a shared display for arranging therein a plurality of symbols; and   a center controller programmed to perform the steps of:   (a1) rearranging symbols in the arrangement areas of each of the gaming terminals, based on running of a game in the gaming terminal;   (a2) awarding a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas;   (a3) combining one symbol arrangement of one gaming terminal with another symbol arrangement of another gaming terminal, and rearranging, on the shared display, symbols identical to those in the one symbol arrangement and the other symbol arrangement, wherein the one symbol arrangement includes the symbols arranged in arrangement areas of the one gaming terminal, and the other symbol arrangement includes the symbols arranged in arrangement areas of the other gaming terminal;   (a4) determining whether to award a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged on the shared display;   (a5) when the payout is determined to be awarded, determining a distribution of the payout for each of the gaming terminals, based on a predetermined condition; and   (a6) causing the payout awarding device of each of the gaming terminals to award a payout based on the determined distribution.   
   
   
       2 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a plurality of gaming terminals capable of running a game independently from each other, each of which terminals includes (i) a terminal display having a matrix of arrangement areas and (ii) a payout awarding device for awarding a player a payout related to the game, and each of which terminals arranges a plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas;   a shared display for arranging therein a plurality of symbols; and   a controller programmed to perform the steps of:   (b1) rearranging symbols in the arrangement areas of each of the gaming terminals, based on running of a game in the gaming terminal;   (b2) awarding a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas;   (b3) combining one symbol arrangement of one gaming terminal with another symbol arrangement of another gaming terminal, and rearranging, on the shared display, symbols identical to those in the one symbol arrangement and the other symbol arrangement, wherein the one symbol arrangement includes the symbols arranged in arrangement areas of the one gaming terminal, and the other symbol arrangement includes the symbols arranged in arrangement areas of the other gaming terminal;   (b4) determining whether to award a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged on the shared display;   (b5) when the payout is determined to be awarded, determining a distribution of the payout for each of the gaming terminals, based on contribution rates of the combined symbol arrangements of the symbols; and   (b6) causing the payout awarding device of each of the gaming terminals to award a payout based on the determined distribution.   
   
   
       3 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a plurality of gaming terminals capable of running a game independently from each other, each of which terminals includes (i) a terminal display having a matrix of arrangement areas and (ii) a payout awarding device for awarding a player a payout related to the game, and each of which terminals arranges a plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas;   a shared display for arranging therein a plurality of symbols; and   a controller programmed to perform the steps of:   (c1) rearranging symbols in the arrangement areas of each of the gaming terminals, based on running of a game in the gaming terminal;   (c2) awarding a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas;   (c3) combining one symbol arrangement of one gaming terminal with another symbol arrangement of another gaming terminal, and rearranging, on the shared display, symbols identical to those in the one symbol arrangement and the other symbol arrangement, wherein the one symbol arrangement includes the symbols arranged in arrangement areas of the one gaming terminal, and the other symbol arrangement includes the symbols arranged in arrangement areas of the other gaming terminal;   (c4) determining whether to award a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged on the shared display;   (c5) when the payout is determined to be awarded, displaying an effect indicating that the payout is awarded on the shared display;   (c6) when the payout is determined to be awarded, determining a distribution of the payout for each of the gaming terminals, based on at least two different amounts of distribution; and   (c7) causing the payout awarding device of each of the gaming terminals to award a payout based on the determined distribution.   
   
   
       4 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a plurality of gaming terminals including (i) a terminal display having a matrix of arrangement areas, (ii) a payout awarding device for awarding a player a payout related to the game, and (iii) a terminal controller, and each of which terminals arranges a plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas;   a shared display for arranging therein a plurality of symbols; and   a center controller,   wherein the terminal controller performs the steps of:   (d1) rearranging symbols in the arrangement areas at a predetermined timing;   (d2) awarding a payout according to a relation among the symbols arranged in the arrangement areas;   (d3) when a predetermined condition is met, transmitting to the center controller symbols arranged in the arrangement areas and the arrangement of the symbols; and   (d4) causing the payout awarding device to award a payout based on an instruction from the center controller, and wherein the center controller is programmed to perform the steps of:   (e1) when a predetermined condition is met, receiving from each of the terminal controllers symbols and the arrangement of the symbols,   (e2) combining one symbol arrangement of one gaming terminal with another symbol arrangement of another gaming terminal, and rearranging, on the shared display, symbols identical to those in the one symbol arrangement and the other symbol arrangement, wherein the one symbol arrangement includes the symbols arranged in arrangement areas of the one gaming terminal, and the other symbol arrangement includes the symbols arranged in arrangement areas of the other gaming terminal;   (e3) determining whether to award a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged on the shared display;   (e4) when the payout is determined to be awarded, determining a distribution of the payout for each of the gaming terminals, based on a predetermined condition; and   (e5) instructing the terminal controller of each of the gaming terminals to award a payout based on the determined distribution.   
   
   
       5 . A playing method of a gaming machine, in which a plurality of symbols are arranged in a matrix of arrangement areas on terminal displays of a plurality of gaming terminals,
 the method comprising the steps of:   (f1) rearranging symbols in the arrangement areas of each of the gaming terminals, based on running of a game in the gaming terminal;   (f2) awarding a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas;   (f3) combining one symbol arrangement of one gaming terminal with another symbol arrangement of another gaming terminal, and rearranging, on a shared display, symbols identical to those in the one symbol arrangement and the other symbol arrangement, wherein the one symbol arrangement includes the symbols arranged in arrangement areas of the one gaming terminal, and the other symbol arrangement includes the symbols arranged in arrangement areas of the other gaming terminal;   (f4) determining whether to award a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged on the shared display;   (f5) when the payout is determined to be awarded, determining a distribution of the payout for each of the gaming terminals, based on a predetermined condition; and   (f6) causing the payout awarding device of each of the gaming terminals to award a payout based on the determined distribution.   
   
   
       6 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a plurality of gaming terminals capable of running a game independently from each other, each of which terminals includes (i) a terminal display having a matrix of arrangement areas and (ii) a payout awarding device for awarding a player a payout related to the game, and each of which terminals arranges a plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas;   a shared display for arranging therein a plurality of symbols;   a conveying device for supporting the shared display and transferring the shared display to positions corresponding to the respective gaming terminals; and   a center controller programmed to perform the steps of:   (g1) rearranging symbols in the arrangement areas of each of the gaming terminals, based on running of a game in the gaming terminal;   (g2) awarding a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas;   (g3) combining one symbol arrangement of one gaming terminal with another symbol arrangement of another gaming terminal, and rearranging, on the shared display, symbols identical to those in the one symbol arrangement and the other symbol arrangement, wherein the one symbol arrangement includes the symbols arranged in arrangement areas of the one gaming terminal, and the other symbol arrangement includes the symbols arranged in arrangement areas of the other gaming terminal;   (g4) determining whether to award a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged on the shared display;   (g5) when the payout is determined to be awarded, causing the conveying device to transfer the shared display between positions corresponding to the respective gaming terminals;   (g6) when the payout is determined to be awarded, determining one of the gaming terminals, based on a predetermined condition;   (g7) causing the conveying device to transfer the shared display to the position corresponding to the determined one gaming terminal;   (g8) displaying an effect indicating the determined one gaming terminal on the shared display; and   (g9) causing the payout awarding device of the determined one gaming terminal to award the payout.   
   
   
       7 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a plurality of gaming terminals capable of running a game independently from each other, each of which terminals includes (i) a terminal display having a matrix of arrangement areas and (ii) a payout awarding device for awarding a player a payout related to the game, and each of which terminals arranges a plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas;   a shared display for arranging therein a plurality of symbols; and   a conveying device for supporting the shared display and transferring the shared display to positions corresponding to the respective gaming terminals;   a position sensor for detecting that the shared display has arrived at a position corresponding to a gaming terminal; and   a controller programmed to perform the steps of:   (h1) rearranging symbols in the arrangement areas of each of the gaming terminals, based on running of a game in the gaming terminal;   (h2) awarding a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas;   (h3) combining one symbol arrangement of one gaming terminal with another symbol arrangement of another gaming terminal, and rearranging, on the shared display, symbols identical to those in the one symbol arrangement and the other symbol arrangement, wherein the one symbol arrangement includes the symbols arranged in arrangement areas of the one gaming terminal, and the other symbol arrangement includes the symbols arranged in arrangement areas of the other gaming terminal;   (h4) determining whether to award a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged on the shared display;   (h5) when the payout is determined to be awarded, causing the conveying device to transfer the shared display between positions corresponding to the respective gaming terminals;   (h6) when the payout is determined to be awarded, determining one of the gaming terminals, based on a predetermined condition;   (h7) causing the conveying device to transfer the shared display to the position corresponding to the determined one gaming terminal;   (h8) after detecting that the shared display has arrived at the position corresponding to the determined one gaming terminal, displaying an effect indicating the determined one gaming terminal on the shared display; and   (h9) causing the payout awarding device of the determined one gaming terminal to award the payout.   
   
   
       8 . The gaming machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the center controller is programmed to perform the step of
 (i6) when the payout is determined to be awarded, determining one of the gaming terminals, based on contribution rates of the combined symbol arrangements of the symbols, in place of (g6)   
   
   
       9 . The gaming machine according to  claim 7 , wherein the center controller is programmed to perform the step of
 (j6) when the payout is determined to be awarded, determining one of the gaming terminals, based on contribution rates of the combined symbol arrangements of the symbols, in place of (h6).   
   
   
       10 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a plurality of gaming terminals including (i) a terminal display having a matrix of arrangement areas, (ii) a payout awarding device for awarding a player a payout related to the game, and (iii) a terminal controller, and each of which terminals arranges a plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas;   a shared display for arranging therein a plurality of symbols and displaying thereon an effect related to the game;   a conveying device for supporting the shared display and transferring the shared display to positions corresponding to the respective gaming terminals; and   a center controller, wherein   the terminal controller performs the steps of:   (k1) rearranging symbols in the arrangement areas at a predetermined timing;   (k2) awarding a payout according to a relation among the symbols arranged in the arrangement areas;   (k3) when a predetermined condition is met, transmitting to the center controller symbols arranged in the arrangement areas and the arrangement of the symbols; and   (k4) causing the payout awarding device to award a payout based on an instruction from the center controller, and wherein the center controller is programmed to perform the steps of:   (l1) when a predetermined condition is met, receiving from each of the terminal controllers symbols and the arrangement of the symbols;   (l2) combining one symbol arrangement of one gaming terminal with another symbol arrangement of another gaming terminal, and rearranging, on the shared display, symbols identical to those in the one symbol arrangement and the other symbol arrangement, wherein the one symbol arrangement includes the symbols arranged in arrangement areas of the one gaming terminal, and the other symbol arrangement includes the symbols arranged in arrangement areas of the other gaming terminal;   (l3) determining whether to award a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged on the shared display;   (l4) when the payout is determined to be awarded, causing the conveying device to transfer the shared display between positions corresponding to the respective gaming terminals;   (l5) when the payout is determined to be awarded, determining one of the gaming terminals, based on a predetermined condition;   (l6) causing the conveying device to transfer the shared display to the position corresponding to the determined one gaming terminal;   (l7) displaying an effect indicating the determined one gaming terminal on the shared display; and   (l8) instructing the terminal controller of the determined one gaming terminal to award the payout.   
   
   
       11 . A playing method of a gaming machine, in which a plurality of symbols are arranged in a matrix of arrangement areas on terminal displays of a plurality of gaming terminals,
 the method comprising the steps of:   (m1) rearranging symbols in the arrangement areas of each of the gaming terminals, based on running of a game in the gaming terminal;   (m2) awarding a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas;   (m3) combining one symbol arrangement of one gaming terminal with another symbol arrangement of another gaming terminal, and rearranging, on a shared display, symbols identical to those in the one symbol arrangement and the other symbol arrangement, wherein the one symbol arrangement includes the symbols arranged in arrangement areas of the one gaming terminal, and the other symbol arrangement includes the symbols arranged in arrangement areas of the other gaming terminal;   (m4) determining whether to award a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged on the shared display;   (m5) when the payout is determined to be awarded, transferring the shared display between positions corresponding to the respective gaming terminals;   (m6) when the payout is determined to be awarded, determining one of the gaming terminals, based on a predetermined condition;   (m7) transferring the shared display to the position corresponding to the determined one gaming terminal;   (m8) displaying an effect indicating the determined one gaming terminal on the shared display; and   (m9) causing the determined one gaming terminal to award the payout.   
   
   
       12 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a plurality of gaming terminals capable of running a game independently from each other, each of which terminals includes a terminal display having a matrix of arrangement areas and which arranges a plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas;   a shared display for arranging therein a plurality of symbols;   a center controller programmed to perform the steps of:   (n1) rearranging symbols in the arrangement areas of each of the gaming terminals, based on running of a game in the gaming terminal;   (n2) awarding a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas;   (n3) combining one arrangement of symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas of one gaming terminal with another arrangement of symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas of another gaming terminal to form one symbol matrix including the symbols of the one arrangement and the other arrangement;   (n4) scrolling the symbols in the symbol matrix, on the shared display;   (n5) rearranging a part of the symbols in the symbol matrix on the shared display; and   (n6) awarding a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged on the shared display.   
   
   
       13 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a plurality of gaming terminals capable of running a game independently from each other, each of which terminals includes a terminal display having a matrix of arrangement areas and which arranges a plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas;   a shared display for arranging therein a plurality of symbols;   a center controller programmed to perform the steps of:   (o1) rearranging symbols in the arrangement areas of each of the gaming terminals, based on running of a game in the gaming terminal;   (o2) awarding a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas;   (o3) combining, on the row or column basis, one arrangement of symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas of one gaming terminal with another arrangement of symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas of another gaming terminal to form one symbol matrix having the one arrangement and the other arrangement; and   (o4) scrolling the symbol matrix having the plurality of symbols on the shared display;   (o5) rearranging on the shared display some of the symbols in the symbol matrix, without altering the arrangement of the symbol matrix;   (o6) awarding a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged on the shared display.   
   
   
       14 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a plurality of gaming terminals capable of running a game independently from each other, each of which terminals includes a terminal display having a matrix of arrangement areas and which arranges a plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas;   a shared display for arranging therein a plurality of symbols;   a center controller programmed to perform the steps of:   (p1) rearranging symbols in the arrangement areas of each of the gaming terminals, based on running of a game in the gaming terminal;   (p2) awarding a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas;   (p3) combining one arrangement of symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas of one gaming terminal with another arrangement of symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas of another gaming terminal to form one symbol matrix including the symbols of the one arrangement and the other arrangement, the positions of the symbols in the other symbol arrangement being different from those of the symbols in the one symbol arrangement; and   (p4) scrolling a row or column of the symbol matrix having the symbols on the shared display;   (p5) rearranging on the shared display some of the symbols in the symbol matrix so as to conform with a row or column of arrangements in the symbol matrix; and   (p6) awarding a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged on the shared display.   
   
   
       15 . A gaming machine comprising:
 plurality of gaming terminals each of which terminals includes a terminal display having a matrix of arrangement areas and which arranges a plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas; a plurality of gaming terminals each having a terminal controller;   a shared display for arranging therein a plurality of symbols; and   a center controller,   wherein the terminal controller is programmed to perform the steps of: (q1) rearranging symbols in the arrangement areas at a predetermined timing,   (q2) awarding a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas, and   (q3) when a predetermined condition is met, transmitting to the center controller symbols arranged in the arrangement areas and the arrangement of the symbols;   and wherein the center controller is programmed to perform the steps of: (r1) when a predetermined condition is met, receiving from each of the terminal controllers symbols and the arrangement of the symbols,   (r2) combining one arrangement of symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas of one gaming terminal with another arrangement of symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas of another gaming terminal to form one symbol matrix including the symbols of the one arrangement and the other arrangement,   (r3) scrolling the symbols in the symbol matrix, on the shared display,   (r4) rearranging a part of the symbols in the symbol matrix on the shared display, and   (r5) awarding a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged on the shared display.   
   
   
       16 . A playing method of the present invention is for a gaming machine including a plurality of gaming terminals each having a terminal display, in which method a plurality of symbols are arranged in a matrix of arrangement areas in the terminal display of each of the gaming terminals, the method comprising the steps of:
 (s1) rearranging symbols in the arrangement areas of each of the gaming terminals, based on running of a game in the gaming terminal;   (s2) awarding a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas;   (s3) combining one arrangement of symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas of one gaming terminal with another arrangement of symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas of another gaming terminal to form one symbol matrix including the symbols of the one arrangement and the other arrangement;   (s4) scrolling the symbols in the symbol matrix, on the shared display; and   (s5) awarding a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged on the shared display.   
   
   
       17 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a plurality of gaming terminals capable of running a game independently of each other, each of which terminals includes (i) a terminal display having a matrix of arrangement areas, (ii) a bet unit which receives a side bet from a player, and (iii) a payout awarding device for awarding a player a payout related to the game, and each of which terminals arranges a plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas;   a shared display for arranging therein a plurality of symbols; and   a center controller programmed to perform the steps of:   (t1) causing the bet unit to receive the side bet;   (t2) rearranging symbols in the arrangement areas of each of the gaming terminals, based on running of a game in the gaming terminal;   (t3) awarding a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas;   (t4) combining one symbol arrangement of one gaming terminal with another symbol arrangement of another gaming terminal, and rearranging, on the shared display, symbols identical to those in the one symbol arrangement and the other symbol arrangement, wherein (i) the one symbol arrangement includes the symbols arranged in arrangement areas of the one gaming terminal, and the other symbol arrangement includes the symbols arranged in arrangement areas of the other gaming terminal, and (ii) when combining symbol arrangements, a symbol arrangement of a side-bet gaming terminal is given a priority over a symbol arrangement of a gaming terminal having received no side bet; and   (t5) causing the payout awarding device of the side-bet gaming terminal to award a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged on the shared display.   
   
   
       18 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a plurality of gaming terminals capable of running a game independently of each other, each of which terminals includes (i) a terminal display having a matrix of arrangement areas, (ii) a bet unit which receives a side bet from a player, (iii) a payout awarding device for awarding a player a payout related to the game, and (iv) an illumination device which emits light, and each of which terminals arranges a plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas;   a shared display for arranging therein a plurality of symbols; and   a center controller programmed to perform the steps of:   (u1) causing the bet unit to receive the side bet;   (u2) differentiating between how the illumination device lights when a side bet is received and when no side bet is received;   (u3) rearranging symbols in the arrangement areas of each of the gaming terminals, based on running of a game in the gaming terminal;   (u4) awarding a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas;   (u5) combining one symbol arrangement of one gaming terminal with another symbol arrangement of another gaming terminal, and rearranging, on the shared display, symbols identical to those in the one symbol arrangement and the other symbol arrangement, wherein (i) the one symbol arrangement includes the symbols arranged in arrangement areas of the one gaming terminal, and the other symbol arrangement includes the symbols arranged in arrangement areas of the other gaming terminal, and (ii) when combining symbol arrangements, a symbol arrangement of a side-bet gaming terminal is given a priority over a symbol arrangement of a gaming terminal having received no side bet; and   (u6) causing the payout awarding device of the side-bet gaming terminal to award a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged on the shared display.   
   
   
       19 . The gaming machine according to  claim 18 , wherein
 the center controller is programmed to perform the step of (v2) instead of (u2)   (v2) causing the illumination device to light when a side bet is received, and causing the illumination device to turn off when no side bet is received.   
   
   
       20 . The gaming machine according to  claim 18 , wherein
 the illumination device is capable of lighting in at least two colors,   and wherein the center controller is programmed to perform the step of (w2) instead of (u2):   (w2) causing the illumination device to light in different colors when the side bet is received, from when no side bet is received.   
   
   
       21 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a plurality of gaming terminals capable of running a game independently of each other, each of which terminals includes (i) a terminal display having a matrix of arrangement areas, (ii) a bet unit which receives a side bet from a player, (iii) a payout awarding device for awarding a player a payout related to the game, and (iv) a terminal controller, and each of which terminals arranges a plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas;   a shared display for arranging therein a plurality of symbols; and   a center controller,   wherein the terminal controller performs the steps of:   (x1) causing the bet unit to receive the side bet;   (x2) rearranging the symbols in the arrangement areas based on a predetermined timing;   (x3) awarding a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas;   (x4) when a predetermined condition is met, transmitting to the center controller, information on the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas, and whether or not the side bet is received; and   (x5) causing the payout awarding device to award a payout based on an instruction from the center controller,   and wherein the center controller performs the steps of:   (y1) when a predetermined condition is met, receiving from the terminal controller of each of the gaming terminals, the information on the symbols, an arrangement of the symbols, and whether or not a side bet is received;   (y2) combining one symbol arrangement of one gaming terminal with another symbol arrangement of another gaming terminal, and rearranging, on the shared display, symbols identical to those in the one symbol arrangement and the other symbol arrangement, wherein (i) the one symbol arrangement includes the symbols arranged in arrangement areas of the one gaming terminal, and the other symbol arrangement includes the symbols arranged in arrangement areas of the other gaming terminal, and (ii) when combining symbol arrangements, a symbol arrangement of a side-bet gaming terminal is given a priority over a symbol arrangement of a gaming terminal having received no side bet; and   (y3) instructing the terminal controller of the side-bet gaming terminal to award a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged on the shared display.   
   
   
       22 . A playing method of a gaming machine in which gaming machine a plurality of symbols are arranged in a matrix of arrangement areas on terminal displays of a plurality of gaming terminals,
 the method comprising the steps of:   (z1) causing a bet unit of each of a plurality of gaming terminals to receive a side bet;   (z2) rearranging symbols in arrangement areas of each of the gaming terminals, based on running of a game in the gaming terminal;   (z3) awarding a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas;   (z4) combining one symbol arrangement of one gaming terminal with another symbol arrangement of another gaming terminal, and rearranging, on a shared display, symbols identical to those in the one symbol arrangement and the other symbol arrangement, wherein (i) the one symbol arrangement includes the symbols arranged in arrangement areas of the one gaming terminal, and the other symbol arrangement includes the symbols arranged in arrangement areas of the other gaming terminal, and (ii) when combining symbol arrangements, a symbol arrangement of a side-bet gaming terminal is given a priority over a symbol arrangement of a gaming terminal having received no side bet;   (z5) causing the payout awarding device of the side-bet gaming terminal to award a payout according to a relation among the symbols rearranged on the shared display.   
   
   
       23 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a common display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas;   a plurality of terminal devices each having a terminal display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas and a side-bet device which selects to or not to participate in a game played on the common display, the terminal device rearranging the plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas on the terminal display and running a game to award a base payout in accordance with a relation among the rearranged symbols; and   a controller which is programmed to operate in the steps of:   (A1) putting the side-bet device into a selectable state;   (A2) rearranging the symbols in the arrangement areas in the plurality of terminal devices;   (A3) awarding a base payout in accordance with a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas;   (A4) rearranging, on the common display, predetermined ones of the symbols rearranged in the terminal device selected by the side-bet device; and   (A5) awarding a bonus payout in accordance with the number of the predetermined symbols thus rearranged on the common display.   
   
   
       24 . The gaming machine according to  claim 23 , wherein, when awarding a bonus payout, the controller awards a bonus payout in accordance with the number of terminal devices selected by the side-bet device. 
   
   
       25 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a common display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas;   a plurality of terminal devices each having a terminal display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas and a side-bet device which selects to or not to participate in a game played on the common display, the terminal device rearranging the plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas on the terminal display and running a game to award a base payout in accordance with a relation among the rearranged symbols; and   a controller which is programmed to operate in the steps of:   (B1) putting the side-bet device into a selectable state until the symbols are rearranged in the arrangement areas in the plurality of terminal devices;   (B2) rearranging the symbols in the arrangement areas in the plurality of terminal devices;   (B3) awarding a base payout in accordance with a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas;   (B4) rearranging, on the common display, predetermined ones of the symbols rearranged in the terminal device selected by the side-bet device; and   (B5) awarding a bonus payout in accordance with the number of the predetermined symbols thus rearranged on the common display.   
   
   
       26 . The gaming machine according to  claim 25 , wherein, when awarding a bonus payout, the controller awards a bonus payout in accordance with the number of terminal devices selected by the side-bet device. 
   
   
       27 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a common display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas;   a plurality of terminal devices each having a terminal display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas and a side-bet device which selects to or not to participate in a game played on the common display, the terminal device rearranging the plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas on the terminal display and running a game to award a payout in accordance with a relation among the rearranged symbols; and   a controller which is programmed to operate in the steps of:   (C1) putting the side-bet device into a selectable state;   (C2) rearranging the symbols in the arrangement areas in the plurality of terminal devices;   (C3) awarding a base payout in accordance with a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas;   (C4) rearranging, on the common display, predetermined ones of the symbols rearranged in the terminal device selected by the side-bet device;   (C5) rearranging the predetermined symbols thus rearranged, in the arrangement areas in the common display; and   (C6) awarding a bonus payout in accordance with the number of the predetermined symbols thus rearranged.   
   
   
       28 . The gaming machine according to  claim 5 , wherein, when awarding a bonus payout, the controller awards a bonus payout in accordance with the number of terminal devices selected by the side-bet device. 
   
   
       29 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a common display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas;   a plurality of terminal devices each having a terminal display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas and a side-bet device which selects to or not to participate in a game played on the common display, the terminal device rearranging the plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas on the terminal display and running a game to award a payout in accordance with a relation among the rearranged symbols; and   a controller which is programmed to operate in the steps of:   (D1) putting the side-bet device into a selectable state until the symbols are rearranged in the arrangement areas in the plurality of terminal devices;   (D2) rearranging the symbols in the arrangement areas in the plurality of terminal devices;   (D3) awarding a base payout in accordance with a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas;   (D4) rearranging, on the common display, predetermined ones of the symbols rearranged in the terminal device selected by the side-bet device;   (D5) rearranging the predetermined symbols thus rearranged, in the arrangement areas in the common display; and   (D6) awarding a bonus payout in accordance with the number of the predetermined symbols thus rearranged.   
   
   
       30 . The gaming machine according to  claim 7 , wherein, when awarding a bonus payout, the controller awards a bonus payout in accordance with the number of terminal devices selected by the side-bet device. 
   
   
       31 . A playing method of a gaming machine comprising:
 a common display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas; and   a plurality of terminal devices each having a terminal display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas and a side-bet device which selects to or not to participate in a game played on the common display, the terminal device rearranging the plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas on the terminal display and running a game to award a base payout in accordance with a relation among the rearranged symbols,   the method including the steps of:   putting the side-bet device into a selectable state;   rearranging the symbols in the arrangement areas in the plurality of terminal devices;   awarding a base payout in accordance with a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas;   rearranging, on the common display, predetermined ones of the symbols rearranged in the terminal device selected by the side-bet device; and   awarding a bonus payout in accordance with the number of the predetermined symbols thus rearranged on the common display.   
   
   
       32 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a common display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas;   a plurality of terminal devices each having a terminal display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas and a side-bet device which selects to or not to participate in a game played on the common display, the terminal device rearranging the plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas on the terminal display and running a game to award a base payout in accordance with a relation among the rearranged symbols; and   a controller which is programmed to operate in the steps of:   (E1) putting the side-bet device into a selectable state;   (E2) rearranging the symbols in the arrangement areas in the plurality of terminal devices;   (E3) awarding a base payout in accordance with a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas;   (E4) accumulatively storing a base payout which is awarded when there is a predetermined relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas in the terminal device selected by the side-bet device;   (E5) rearranging, on the common display, predetermined ones of the symbols rearranged in the terminal device selected by the side-bet device; and   (E6) in accordance with the number of the predetermined symbols rearranged on the common display, awarding all or a part of the accumulatively-stored base payouts to the terminal device selected by the side-bet device.   
   
   
       33 . The gaming machine according to  claim 32 , wherein, the controller awards all or a part of the accumulatively-stored base payouts to the terminal device selected by the side-bet device, in accordance with the number of terminal devices selected by the side-bet device. 
   
   
       34 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a common display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas;   a plurality of terminal devices each having a terminal display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas and a side-bet device which selects to or not to participate in a game played on the common display, the terminal device rearranging the plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas on the terminal display and running a game to award a base payout in accordance with a relation among the rearranged symbols; and   a controller which is programmed to operate in the steps of:   (F1) putting the side-bet device into a selectable state until the symbols are rearranged in the arrangement areas in the plurality of terminal devices;   (F2) rearranging the symbols in the arrangement areas in the plurality of terminal devices;   (F3) awarding a base payout in accordance with a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas;   (F4) accumulatively storing a base payout which is awarded when there is a predetermined relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas in the terminal device selected by the side-bet device;   (F5) rearranging, on the common display, predetermined ones of the symbols rearranged in the terminal device selected by the side-bet device; and   (F6) in accordance with the number of the predetermined symbols rearranged on the common display, awarding all or a part of the accumulatively-stored base payouts to the terminal device selected by the side-bet device.   
   
   
       35 . The gaming machine according to  claim 35 , wherein, the controller awards all or a part of the accumulatively-stored base payouts to the terminal device selected by the side-bet device, in accordance with the number of terminal devices selected by the side-bet device. 
   
   
       36 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a common display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas;   a plurality of terminal devices each having a terminal display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas and a side-bet device which selects to or not to participate in a game played on the common display, the terminal device rearranging the plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas on the terminal display and running a game to award a payout in accordance with a relation among the rearranged symbols; and   a controller which is programmed to operate in the steps of:   (G1) putting the side-bet device into a selectable state;   (G2) rearranging the symbols in the arrangement areas in the plurality of terminal devices;   (G3) awarding a base payout in accordance with a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas;   (G4) accumulatively storing a base payout which is awarded when there is a predetermined relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas in the terminal device selected by the side-bet device;   (G5) rearranging, on the common display, predetermined ones of the symbols rearranged in the terminal device selected by the side-bet device;   (G6) rearranging the predetermined symbols thus rearranged, in the arrangement areas on the common display; and   (G7) in accordance with the number of the predetermined symbols rearranged on the common display, awarding all or a part of the accumulatively-stored base payouts to the terminal device selected by the side-bet device.   
   
   
       37 . The gaming machine according to  claim 36 , wherein, the controller awards all or a part of the accumulatively-stored base payouts to the terminal device selected by the side-bet device, in accordance with the number of terminal devices selected by the side-bet device. 
   
   
       38 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a common display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas;   a plurality of terminal devices each having a terminal display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas and a side-bet device which selects to or not to participate in a game played on the common display, the terminal device rearranging the plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas on the terminal display and running a game to award a payout in accordance with a relation among the rearranged symbols; and   a controller which is programmed to operate in the steps of:   (H1) putting the side-bet device into a selectable state until the symbols are rearranged in the arrangement areas in the plurality of terminal devices;   (H2) rearranging the symbols in the arrangement areas in the plurality of terminal devices;   (H3) awarding a base payout in accordance with a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas;   (H4) accumulatively storing a base payout which is awarded when there is a predetermined relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas in the terminal device selected by the side-bet device;   (H5) rearranging, on the common display, predetermined ones of the symbols rearranged in the terminal device selected by the side-bet device;   (H6) rearranging the predetermined symbols thus rearranged, in the arrangement areas on the common display; and   (H7) in accordance with the number of the predetermined symbols rearranged on the common display, awarding all or a part of the accumulatively-stored base payouts to the terminal device selected by the side-bet device.   
   
   
       39 . The gaming machine according to  claim 38 , wherein, the controller awards all or a part of the accumulatively-stored base payouts to the terminal device selected by the side-bet device, in accordance with the number of terminal devices selected by the side-bet device. 
   
   
       40 . A playing method of a gaming machine comprising:
 a common display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas; and   a plurality of terminal devices each having a terminal display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas and a side-bet device which selects to or not to participate in a game played on the common display, the terminal device rearranging the plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas on the terminal display and running a game to award a base payout in accordance with a relation among the rearranged symbols,   the method including the steps of:   putting the side-bet device into a selectable state;   rearranging the symbols in the arrangement areas in the plurality of terminal devices;   awarding a base payout in accordance with a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas;   accumulatively storing a base payout which is awarded when there is a predetermined relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas in the terminal device selected by the side-bet device;   rearranging, on the common display, predetermined ones of the symbols rearranged in the terminal device selected by the side-bet device; and   in accordance with the number of the predetermined symbols rearranged on the common display, awarding all or a part of the accumulatively-stored base payouts to the terminal device selected by the side-bet device.