Slot machine having symbol windows arranged in matrix

Abstract

Symbol-image windows are arranged in matrix of three rows and five columns. Five game lines to be nominated are provided so as to horizontally and diagonally combine the symbol-image windows. Jackpot winning occurs when identical symbol images are displayed at one of three groups of the symbol-image windows. The first group is constituted of the first to third columns. The second group is constituted of the second to fourth columns. The third group is constituted of the third to fifth columns. When the identical symbol images are displayed at one of the five columns, sub-game winning occurs to award a sub game in which a symbol-image series is rotated again in the central symbol-image window. In another embodiment, ten game lines to be nominated are provided so as to vertically, horizontally and diagonally combine the symbol-image windows.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A slot machine in which moving display of symbols is performed and a winning occurs in accordance with a combination of the stopped symbols, said slot machine comprising: 
 a plurality of symbol windows in which the moving display of said symbols is performed, said symbol windows being arranged in matrix having different numbers regarding its rows and its columns;    symbol displaying means for individually performing the moving display of said symbols in each of said symbol windows;    a plurality of game lines formed by laterally combining said symbol windows;    game-line nominating means for selectively nominating said game lines;    normal-winning processing means for recognizing whether or not a lateral symbol combination displayed along the nominated game line corresponds to the winning, said normal-winning processing means executing a normal-winning process for awarding a predetermined prize in accordance with said winning; and    special-winning processing means for recognizing a vertical symbol combination displayed along at least one of the columns of said symbol windows, said special-winning processing means executing a special-winning process for awarding a special prize, which is different from said predetermined prize, in accordance with said vertical symbol combination.    
     
     
         2 . A slot machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said symbol windows arranged in matrix has a number of the columns larger than a number of the rows.  
     
     
         3 . A slot machine according to  claim 2 , wherein said symbol displaying means moves said symbols in a running manner and displays the sole symbol within said symbol window at the time of stopping.  
     
     
         4 . A slot machine according to  claim 3 , wherein said game-line nominating means includes a plurality of buttons corresponding to numbers of the game lines to be nominated.  
     
     
         5 . A slot machine according to  claim 4 , wherein said buttons become operable in accordance with a number of coins inserted into said slot machine.  
     
     
         6 . A slot machine according to  claim 5 , wherein said special-winning processing means executes a sub game, which is different from the normal game, as said special prize.  
     
     
         7 . A slot machine according to  claim 6 , wherein said symbols are rotated again within one of said symbol windows in said sub game, and a prize of the sub game is awarded in accordance with the stopped symbol.  
     
     
         8 . A slot machine according to  claim 7 , wherein a position of said symbol window for rotating said symbol again is a center of the column.  
     
     
         9 . A lot machine according to  claim 8 , wherein said symbol windows are arranged in matrix of three rows and five columns, and have a first group, a second group and a third group, said first group being constituted of the first through third columns, said second group being constituted of the second through fourth columns, and said third group being constituted of the third through fifth columns.  
     
     
         10 . A slot machine according to  claim 9 , wherein a jackpot winning, which is the maximum winning, occurs when the identical symbols are displayed within the respective symbol windows of said group.  
     
     
         11 . A slot machine according to  claim 10 , wherein execution of said sub game is prevented when said jackpot winning occurs.  
     
     
         12 . A slot machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said symbol windows are arranged in matrix of three rows and five columns, the symbol combination of the first column being valid when one game line is nominated, and the symbol combinations of the columns being valid from the first column toward the fifth column in accordance with a number of the nominated game lines.  
     
     
         13 . A slot machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the symbol combinations of the whole columns are valid without regard to a number of the nominated game lines.  
     
     
         14 . A slot machine in which moving display of symbols is performed and a winning occurs in accordance with a combination of the stopped symbols, said slot machine comprising: 
 a plurality of symbol windows for performing the moving display of said symbols, said symbol windows being arranged in matrix having different numbers regarding its rows and its columns;    symbol displaying means for individually performing the moving display of said symbols in each of said symbol windows;    a plurality of game lines formed by vertically combining said symbol windows;    game-line nominating means for selectively nominating said game lines; and    vertical-winning judgement means for recognizing whether or not a combination of said symbols stopped on the nominated game line corresponds to the winning.    
     
     
         15 . A slot machine according to  claim 14 , wherein said symbol windows arranged in matrix has a number of the columns larger than a number of the rows.  
     
     
         16 . A slot machine according to  claim 15 , wherein said symbol displaying means moves said symbols in a running manner and displays the sole symbol within said symbol window at the time of stopping.  
     
     
         17 . A slot machine according to  claim 16 , wherein said game-line nominating means includes a plurality of buttons corresponding to numbers of the game lines to be nominated.  
     
     
         18 . A slot machine according to  claim 17 , wherein said buttons become operable in accordance with a number of coins inserted into said slot machine.  
     
     
         19 . A lot machine according to  claim 18 , wherein said symbol windows are arranged in matrix of three rows and five columns, and have a first group, a second group and a third group, said first group being constituted of the first through third columns, said second group being constituted of the second through fourth columns, and said third group being constituted of the third through fifth columns.  
     
     
         20 . A slot machine according to  claim 19  wherein a jackpot winning, which is the maximum winning, occurs when the identical symbols are displayed within the respective symbol windows of said group.  
     
     
         21 . A slot machine according to  claim 14 , wherein said vertical game lines and horizontal game lines, which are formed by horizontally combining said symbol windows, are individually nominated.