Slot Machine Which Provides Player with Easy Understanding of Getting Advantage in Payout and Playing Method Thereof

Abstract

When a predetermined number of scatter symbols of a same kind are rearranged in any row in a row direction, these scatter symbols of the same kind are replaced to WILD symbols. Each of the WILD symbols is increased in a column direction and then fixed. In this situation, scatter symbols which are not fixed are rearranged. Then, a payout is given according to the number of the WILD symbols fixed and the number of scatter symbols rearranged.

1 . A slot machine comprising:
 a display having a matrix of arrangement areas constituted of one or more rows and one or more columns, in which arrangement areas scatter symbols are arranged; and   a controller which is programmed to operate in the following steps of:   (a1) rearranging scatter symbols in the arrangement areas;   (a2) giving a payout according to the number of scatter symbols rearranged;   (a3) when a predetermined number of scatter symbols of a same kind are rearranged in any row in a row direction as a result of a rearrangement of scatter symbols, increasing each of the scatter symbols of the same kind in a column direction and fixing all the resulting scatter symbols of the same kind;   (a4) rearranging scatter symbols which are not fixed while the scatter symbols of the same kind are fixed; and   (a5) giving a payout according to the number of the scatter symbols of the same kind fixed and the number of scatter symbols rearranged.   
   
   
       2 . A slot machine comprising:
 a display having a matrix of arrangement areas constituted of one or more rows and one or more columns, in which arrangement areas scatter symbols are arranged; and   a controller which is programmed to operate in the following steps of:   (b1) rearranging scatter symbols in the arrangement areas;   (b2) giving a payout according to the number of scatter symbols rearranged;   (b3) when a predetermined number of scatter symbols of a same kind are rearranged in any row in a row direction as a result of a rearrangement of scatter symbols, replacing the scatter symbols of the same kind to specific symbols;   (b4) increasing each of the specific symbols in a column direction and fixing all the resulting specific symbols;   (b5) rearranging scatter symbols which are not fixed while the specific symbols are fixed; and   (b6) giving a payout according to the number of the specific symbols fixed and the number of scatter symbols rearranged.   
   
   
       3 . A slot machine comprising:
 a display having a matrix of arrangement areas constituted of one or more rows and one or more columns, in which arrangement areas scatter symbols are arranged; and   a controller which is programmed to operate in the following steps of:   (c1) rearranging scatter symbols in the arrangement areas;   (c2) giving a payout according to the number of scatter symbols rearranged;   (c3) when a predetermined number of scatter symbols of a same kind are rearranged in any row in a row direction as a result of a rearrangement of scatter symbols, replacing the scatter symbols of the same kind to specific symbols;   (c4) increasing each of the specific symbols by a predetermined number in each of two column directions and fixing all the resulting specific symbols;   (c5) rearranging scatter symbols which are not fixed while the specific symbols are fixed; and   (c6) giving a payout according to the number of the specific symbols fixed and the number of scatter symbols rearranged.   
   
   
       4 . A slot machine comprising:
 a display having a matrix of arrangement areas constituted of one or more rows and one or more columns, in which arrangement areas scatter symbols are arranged; and   a controller which is programmed to operate in the following steps of:   (d1) rearranging scatter symbols in the arrangement areas;   (d2) giving a payout according to the number of scatter symbols rearranged;   (d3) when a predetermined number of scatter symbols of a same kind are rearranged in any row in a row direction as a result of a rearrangement of scatter symbols, replacing the scatter symbols of the same kind to specific symbols;   (d4) increasing each of the specific symbols in a column direction and fixing all the resulting specific symbols;   (d5) rearranging scatter symbols which are not fixed while the specific symbols are fixed; and   (d6) giving a payout according to the number of the specific symbols fixed and the number of specific symbols rearranged.   
   
   
       5 . A slot machine comprising:
 a display having a matrix of arrangement areas constituted of one or more rows and one or more columns, in which arrangement areas scatter symbols are arranged; and   a controller which is programmed to operate in the following steps of:   (e1) rearranging scatter symbols in the arrangement areas;   (e2) giving a payout according to the number of scatter symbols rearranged;   (e3) when a predetermined number of scatter symbols of a same kind are rearranged in any row in a row direction as a result of a rearrangement of scatter symbols, replacing the scatter symbols of the same kind to specific symbols;   (e4) increasing each of the specific symbols by a predetermined number in each of two column directions and fixing all the resulting specific symbols;   (e5) rearranging scatter symbols which are not fixed while the specific symbols are fixed; and   (e6) giving a payout according to the number of the specific symbols fixed and the number of specific symbols rearranged.   
   
   
       6 . A playing method of a slot machine wherein scatter symbols are arranged in a matrix of arrangement areas of a display, the arrangement areas being constituted of one or more rows and one or more columns,
 the playing method of the slot machine comprising the steps of:   (f1) rearranging scatter symbols in the arrangement areas;   (f2) giving a payout according to the number of scatter symbols rearranged;   (f3) when a predetermined number of scatter symbols of a same kind are rearranged in any row in a row direction as a result of a rearrangement of scatter symbols, increasing each of the scatter symbols of the same kind in a column direction and fixing all the resulting scatter symbols of the same kind;   (f4) rearranging scatter symbols which are not fixed while the scatter symbols of the same kind are fixed; and   (f5) giving a payout according to the number of the scatter symbols of the same kind fixed and the number of scatter symbols rearranged.   
   
   
       7 . A slot machine comprising:
 a display having a matrix of arrangement areas constituted of one or more rows and one or more columns, which arranges scatter symbols in the arrangement areas; and   a controller which is programmed to operate in the following steps of:   (a1) rearranging scatter symbols in the arrangement areas;   (a2) giving a payout according to the number of scatter symbols rearranged;   (a3) when a predetermined number of scatter symbols of a same kind are rearranged in any row in a row direction as a result of a rearrangement of scatter symbols, randomly determining whether to increase the scatter symbols of the same kind;   (a4) when it is determined to increase the scatter symbols of the same kind, increasing each of the scatter symbols of the same kind in a column direction and fixing all the resulting scatter symbols of the same kind;   (a5) rearranging scatter symbols which are not fixed while the scatter symbols of the same kind are fixed; and   (a6) giving a payout according to the number of the scatter symbols of the same kind fixed and the number of scatter symbols rearranged.   
   
   
       8 . A slot machine comprising:
 a display having a matrix of arrangement areas constituted of one or more rows and one or more columns, which arranges scatter symbols in the arrangement areas; and   a controller which is programmed to operate in the following steps of:   (b1) rearranging scatter symbols in the arrangement areas;   (b2) giving a payout according to the number of scatter symbols rearranged;   (b3) when a predetermined number of scatter symbols of a same kind are rearranged in any row in a row direction as a result of a rearrangement of scatter symbols, replacing the scatter symbols of the same kind to specific symbols;   (b4) randomly determining whether to increase the specific symbols;   (b5) when it is determined to increase the specific symbols, increasing each of the specific symbols in a column direction and fixing all the resulting specific symbols;   (b6) rearranging scatter symbols which are not fixed while the specific symbols are fixed; and   (b7) giving a payout according to the number of the specific symbols fixed and the number of scatter symbols rearranged.   
   
   
       9 . A slot machine comprising:
 a display having a matrix of arrangement areas constituted of one or more rows and one or more columns, which arranges scatter symbols in the arrangement areas; and   a controller which is programmed to operate in the following steps of:   (c1) rearranging scatter symbols in the arrangement areas;   (c2) giving a payout according to the number of scatter symbols rearranged;   (c3) when a predetermined number of scatter symbols of a same kind are rearranged in any row in a row direction as a result of a rearrangement of scatter symbols, randomly determining whether to increase the scatter symbols of the same kind;   (c4) when it is determined to increase the scatter symbols of the same kind, randomly determining an increase-number of each of the scatter symbols of the same kind to be increased;   (c5) increasing each of the scatter symbol of the same kind in a column direction by the determined increase-number and fixing all the resulting scatter symbols of the same kind;   (c6) rearranging scatter symbols which are not fixed while the scatter symbols of the same kind are fixed; and   (c7) giving a payout according to the number of the scatter symbols of the same kind fixed and the number of scatter symbols rearranged.   
   
   
       10 . A slot machine comprising:
 a display having a matrix of arrangement areas constituted of one or more rows and one or more columns, which arranges scatter symbols in the arrangement areas; and   a controller which is programmed to operate in the following steps of:   (d1) rearranging scatter symbols in the arrangement areas;   (d2) giving a payout according to the number of scatter symbols rearranged;   (d3) when a predetermined number of scatter symbols of a same kind are rearranged in any row in a row direction as a result of a rearrangement of scatter symbols, replacing the scatter symbols of the same kind to specific symbols;   (d4) randomly determining whether to increase the specific symbols;   (d5) when it is determined to increase the specific symbols, randomly determining an increase-number of each of the specific symbols to be increased;   (d6) increasing each of the specific symbols in a column direction by the determined increase-number, and fixing all the resulting specific symbols;   (d7) rearranging scatter symbols which are not fixed while the specific symbols are fixed; and   (d8) giving a payout according to the number of the specific symbols fixed and the number of scatter symbols rearranged.   
   
   
       11 . A playing method of a slot machine wherein scatter symbols are arranged in a matrix of arrangement areas of a display, the arrangement areas being constituted of one or more rows and one or more columns,
 the playing method of the slot machine comprising the steps of:   (e1) rearranging scatter symbols in the arrangement areas;   (e2) giving a payout according to the number of scatter symbols rearranged;   (e3) when a predetermined number of scatter symbols of a same kind are rearranged in any row in a row direction as a result of a rearrangement of scatter symbols, randomly determining whether to increase the scatter symbols of the same kind;   (e4) when it is determined to increase the scatter symbols of the same kind, increasing each of the scatter symbols of the same kind in a column direction and fixing all the resulting scatter symbols of the same kind;   (e5) rearranging scatter symbols which are not fixed while the scatter symbols of the same kind are fixed; and   (e6) giving a payout according to the number of the scatter symbols of the same kind fixed and the number of scatter symbols rearranged.   
   
   
       12 . A slot machine comprising:
 a display having a matrix of arrangement areas constituted of one or more rows and one or more columns, in which arrangement areas scatter symbols are arranged;   an input device which receives plural types of bet operations from outside; and   a controller which is programmed to operate in the following steps of:   (a1) defining, in the arrangement areas, one or more active regions corresponding to a bet operation received by the input device;   (a2) rearranging scatter symbols in the arrangement areas;   (a3) giving a payout according to the number of scatter symbols rearranged;   (a4) when a predetermined number of scatter symbols of a same kind are rearranged in a row direction in any row as a result of a rearrangement of scatter symbols, increasing the scatter symbols of the same kind in the active regions located in a column direction from the scatter symbols of the same kind respectively, and fixing all the resulting scatter symbols of the same kind;   (a5) rearranging scatter symbols which are not fixed while the scatter symbols of the same kind are fixed; and   (a6) giving a payout according to the number of the scatter symbols of the same kind fixed and the number of scatter symbols rearranged.   
   
   
       13 . A slot machine comprising:
 a display having a matrix of arrangement areas constituted of one or more rows and one or more columns, in which arrangement areas scatter symbols are arranged;   an input device which receives plural types of bet operations from outside; and   a controller which is programmed to operate in the following steps of:   (b1) defining, in the arrangement areas, one or more active regions corresponding to a bet operation received by the input device;   (b2) rearranging scatter symbols in the arrangement areas;   (b3) giving a payout according to the number of scatter symbols rearranged;   (b4) when a predetermined number of scatter symbols of a same kind are rearranged in a row direction in any row as a result of a rearrangement of scatter symbols, replacing the scatter symbols of the same kind to specific symbols;   (b5) increasing the specific symbols in the active regions located in a column direction from the specific symbols respectively, and fixing all the resulting specific symbols;   (b6) rearranging scatter symbols which are not fixed while the specific symbols are fixed; and   (b7) giving a payout according to the number of the specific symbols fixed and the number of scatter symbols rearranged.   
   
   
       14 . A slot machine comprising:
 a display having a matrix of arrangement areas constituted of one or more rows and one or more columns, in which arrangement areas scatter symbols are arranged;   an input device which receives plural types of bet operations from outside; and   a controller which is programmed to operate in the following steps of:   (c1) defining, in the arrangement areas, one or more active regions corresponding to a bet operation received by the input device;   (c2) rearranging scatter symbols in the arrangement areas;   (c3) giving a payout according to the number of scatter symbols rearranged;   (c4) when a predetermined number of scatter symbols of a same kind are rearranged in a row direction in any row having an active region as a result of a rearrangement of scatter symbols, replacing the scatter symbols of the same kind to specific symbols;   (c5) increasing the specific symbols in the active regions located in a column direction from the specific symbols respectively, and fixing all the resulting specific symbols;   (c6) rearranging scatter symbols which are not fixed while the specific symbols are fixed; and   (c7) giving a payout according to the number of the specific symbols fixed and the number of scatter symbols rearranged.   
   
   
       15 . A slot machine comprising:
 a display having a matrix of arrangement areas constituted of one or more rows and one or more columns, in which arrangement areas scatter symbols are arranged;   an input device which receives plural types of bet operations from outside; and   a controller which is programmed to operate in the following steps of:   (d1) defining, in the arrangement areas, one or more active regions corresponding to a bet operation received by the input device;   (d2) rearranging scatter symbols in the arrangement areas;   (d3) giving a payout according to the number of scatter symbols rearranged;   (d4) when a predetermined number of scatter symbols of a same kind are rearranged in a row direction in any row as a result of a rearrangement of scatter symbols, replacing the scatter symbols of the same kind to specific symbols;   (d5) increasing the specific symbols in all of the active regions located in a column direction from the specific symbols respectively, and fixing all the resulting specific symbols;   (d6) rearranging scatter symbols which are not fixed while the specific symbols are fixed; and   (d7) giving a payout according to the number of the specific symbols fixed and the number of scatter symbols rearranged.   
   
   
       16 . A slot machine comprising:
 a display having a matrix of arrangement areas constituted of one or more rows and one or more columns, in which arrangement areas scatter symbols are arranged;   an input device which receives plural types of bet operations from outside; and   a controller which is programmed to operate in the following steps of:   (e1) defining, in the arrangement areas, one or more active regions corresponding to a bet operation received by the input device;   (e2) rearranging scatter symbols in the arrangement areas;   (e3) giving a payout according to the number of scatter symbols rearranged;   (e4) when a predetermined number of scatter symbols of a same kind are rearranged in a row direction in any row having an active region as a result of a rearrangement of scatter symbols, replacing the scatter symbols of the same kind to specific symbols;   (e5) increasing the specific symbols in all of the active regions located in a column direction from the specific symbols respectively, and fixing all the resulting specific symbols;   (e6) rearranging scatter symbols which are not fixed while the specific symbols are fixed; and   (e7) giving a payout according to the number of the specific symbols fixed and the number of scatter symbols rearranged.   
   
   
       17 . A playing method of a slot machine wherein scatter symbols are arranged in a matrix of arrangement areas of a display, the arrangement areas being constituted of one or more rows and one or more columns,
 the playing method of the slot machine comprising the steps of:   (f1) defining, in the arrangement areas, one or more active regions corresponding to a bet operation received by an input device;   (f2) rearranging scatter symbols in the arrangement areas;   (f3) giving a payout according to the number of scatter symbols rearranged;   (f4) when a predetermined number of scatter symbols of a same kind are rearranged in a row direction in any row as a result of a rearrangement of scatter symbols, increasing the scatter symbols of the same kind in the active regions located in a column direction from the scatter symbols of the same kind respectively, and fixing all the resulting scatter symbols of the same kind;   (f5) rearranging scatter symbols which are not fixed while the scatter symbols of the same kind are fixed; and   (f6) giving a payout according to the number of the scatter symbols of the same kind fixed and the number of scatter symbols rearranged.