Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of securing fairness of games.SOLUTION: It is so configured that a normal presentation state and an AT state can be set. In a game during the normal presentation state, when stop operation is performed with an irregular shooting order, control is performed in which processing related to an instruction function becomes more disadvantageous in the game than when the stop operation is performed with a recommended shooting order. However, when the stop operation is performed with the recommended shooting order, control is performed in which the processing related to the instruction function becomes more advantageous in a next game than when the stop operation is performed with the irregular shooting order.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 21

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Gaming machines (slot machines) equipped with multiple reels with symbols arranged on their outer peripheries have been known for some time. These types of gaming machines assign a certain gaming value to gaming media such as medals or pachinko balls, and players play to acquire this gaming value. These types of gaming machines perform an internal lottery and start the rotation of the multiple reels when the player initiates a spin operation, and stop the multiple reels in a manner corresponding to the results of the internal lottery when the player initiates a stop operation. The game result is determined by the symbol combination displayed on a winning determination line when the multiple reels are stopped, and medals or other items are paid out according to the game result.

[0003] In recent years, gaming machines with instruction functions that provide instruction information to assist in winning small prizes, which pay out game value upon winning, thereby changing the probability of winning small prizes and making it easier to win game value such as medals in an AT state where instruction information can be provided, have been gaining popularity.

[0004] For gaming machines with such instruction functions, a method is known in which the expected value of game value obtained is biased depending on the order of stop operations, thereby creating a large difference in the performance of obtaining game value between normal play, in which the provision of instruction information is not permitted, and auxiliary play, in which the provision of instruction information is permitted (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-169321 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, if there is a bias in the expected value of game value gained depending on the order of stop operations, there is an inherent strategy element of intentionally selecting an operation order that results in a high expected value of game value gained and playing normal game, thereby reducing the consumption of game value, and measures to ensure fairness in the game are necessary.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a gaming machine that can ensure fairness in games. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention is a gaming machine having an instruction function that provides instruction information to assist in the winning of a winning combination, the gaming machine comprising: a plurality of reels having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on their outer peripheries; an internal lottery means that performs an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination will be achieved; a reel control means that rotates the plurality of reels for each game and, when a stop operation is initiated, controls the reels to stop while rotating in a manner according to the result of the internal lottery; a winning determination means that determines that a winning combination has been achieved based on the display of a symbol combination showing a winning form predetermined for each winning combination on an active line when the plurality of reels are stopped; and an instruction function that can be set to a first state and a second state and that assists in the winning of a predetermined winning combination by the instruction function in the second state. and a control means, wherein a specific operation sequence in which a specific reel among the plurality of reels is stopped first has a lower expected value for acquiring game value than a non-specific operation sequence in which a reel other than the specific reel among the plurality of reels is stopped first, and the instruction function control means performs control such that, when a stop operation is performed in the non-specific operation sequence during a game in the first state, the processing related to the instruction function in that game is less favorable than when a stop operation is performed in the specific operation sequence, and performs control such that, when a stop operation is performed in the specific operation sequence, the processing related to the instruction function in the next game is more favorable than when a stop operation is performed in the non-specific operation sequence.

[0009] In the present invention, when a stop operation is performed in a non-specific operation sequence, it is easier to acquire game value than when a stop operation is performed in a specific operation sequence. In the first state of play, when a stop operation is performed in a non-specific operation sequence, it is more disadvantageous in the current game than when a stop operation is performed in a specific operation sequence, and it is also relatively more disadvantageous in the next game than when a stop operation is performed in a specific operation sequence. In other words, in the first state, a situation is created in which the processing related to the instruction function is disadvantageous over two games due to a stop operation performed in a non-specific operation sequence, which provides a strong motivation for the player to perform stop operations in a specific operation sequence in the first state. In this way, the present invention prevents a game method in which a stop operation is performed in a non-specific operation sequence, which makes it easier to acquire game value, thereby ensuring fairness in the game. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of a cabinet of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating the functional blocks of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram illustrating an internal lottery table in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the winning patterns of small prizes in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the winning patterns of small winning combinations and replays in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of symbols on the reels in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the order in which stop buttons are pressed and winning combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the order in which stop buttons are pressed and winning combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 10]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 3 is a transition diagram of the gaming state in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a transition diagram of the presentation state in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] 1 is a transition diagram of a gaming zone in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing for realizing a stop control method in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] A diagram comparing the expected value of the payout rate for each game state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing for realizing a method of adjusting the degree of advantage according to the order of stop operations in an gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the present embodiments are necessarily essential constituent elements of the present invention.

[0012] 1. Configuration Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration (excluding the reel unit) of the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] The gaming machine of this embodiment is a so-called slot machine or reel gaming machine, which is a type of gaming machine in which games are played using medals as gaming media.

[0014] The gaming machine of this embodiment houses a reel unit consisting of a first reel R1 through a third reel R3 (multiple reels) in a box-shaped housing consisting of a storage box BX, an upper front door UD, and a lower front door DD. The lower part of the reel unit storage space PS in the storage box BX houses a power supply unit EU, which incorporates a power supply and is equipped with various switches such as a power switch ES, a setting change key cylinder KS, and a setting change button BS, as well as a hopper unit HP, which serves as a medal payout device. The hopper unit HP includes a medal storage tank MT for storing medals to be used in games, a payout motor (not shown) consisting of a stepping motor, and a rotating disk (not shown) pivotally supported by the payout motor. The rotating disk is driven by the payout motor to allow medals to be paid out one by one. When the amount of medals stored in the medal storage tank MT reaches a certain level, the hopper unit HP sends surplus medals to a cash box CB. In addition, within the cabinet of the gaming machine of this embodiment, for example, a main circuit board MAIN is attached above the reel unit storage space PS, and a sub-circuit board SUB is attached to the side of the reel unit storage space PS, and these control boards (main circuit board MAIN, sub-circuit board SUB) are equipped with a CPU (an example of a calculation means), a ROM (an example of an information storage medium), a RAM (an example of a temporary storage means), etc., so that the operation of the gaming machine can be controlled. In this embodiment, the power supply unit EU is provided with a setting change key cylinder KS and a setting change button BS, but the setting change key cylinder KS and the setting change button BS may also be provided on the surface of the main circuit board MAIN.

[0015] The outer periphery of each of the first to third reels R1 to R3 shown in FIG. 1 is divided into 20 regions (each region is referred to as a "frame") at regular intervals, and each frame has one of several types of symbols arranged thereon. The first to third reels R1 to R3 are supported by a stepping motor (reel drive means: not shown), and are driven to rotate about the axis of the stepping motor. The first to third reels R1 to R3 are stopped in frame units (predetermined rotation angle units, predetermined rotation amount units) by controlling the number of pulses and pulse width of drive pulses of the stepping motor. That is, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the stepping motor drives the first to third reels R1 to R3 to rotate in response to drive pulses supplied from a control board. When a full-phase excitation drive pulse is supplied from the control board, the first to third reels R1 to R3 stop as the stepping motor stops rotating.

[0016] The upper front door UD and the lower front door DD are provided so that they can be opened and closed separately, and the upper front door UD is provided with a display window DW that allows the spinning and stopped states of the first to third reels R1 to R3 to be observed. When the first to third reels R1 to R3 are stopped, three symbols (upper, middle, and lower symbols) that are consecutively arranged on the outer periphery of each of the first to third reels R1 to R3 can be observed through the display window DW from the front of the gaming machine.

[0017] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, each reel is provided with an upper, middle, and lower display positions for observing the symbols through the display window DW, and an active line is set by the combination of the display positions of each reel. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the number of medals required for one game, the so-called specified insertion number, is set to three, and when a number of medals equivalent to the specified insertion number are inserted, an active line L1 formed by the middle of the first reel R1, the bottom of the second reel R2, and the top of the third reel R3 is activated.

[0018] The game result is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the valid line in the display window DW, and if the symbol combination on the valid line corresponds to a predetermined winning combination, that winning combination is considered to have won and medals are paid out from the hopper unit HP.

[0019] The upper front door UD is also provided with a game information display unit DS and a zone indicator SEC. The game information display unit DS is made up of LEDs, lamps, 7-segment displays, etc., and displays various game information such as the number of medal credits, the number of medals paid out or won in one game, and the total number of medals paid out or won in BB state. The zone indicator SEC (an example of specific notification means) notifies whether the player is in a favorable zone and AT state by turning on and off the built-in LED.

[0020] The upper front door UD is also provided with a liquid crystal display LCD for game effects. This liquid crystal display LCD displays various videos (or images) to assist and liven up the game. In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, multiple speakers SP for game effects are provided on the upper front door UD and the lower front door DD. These speakers SP output various sounds to assist and liven up the game.

[0021] The lower front door DD is provided with various operating means, such as a bet button (insertion operating means) B0 for inserting credited (stored) medals, a start lever (game start operating means) SL for rotating the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 to start a game, and stop buttons (stop operating means) B1 to B3 for stopping each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 that are rotated by a stepping motor.

[0022] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a player inserts a medal into the medal slot MI or presses the bet button B0, the machine is set to a ready state in which it is possible to start spinning control of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. Then, when the player presses the start lever SL, the control board starts spinning the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 by driving a stepping motor, and an internal lottery is performed using a random number value. On the condition that the spinning speed of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 has increased to a predetermined speed, pressing of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is permitted (enabled).

[0023] Thereafter, when the player presses the stop buttons B1 to B3 at any timing, the stop switch (stop signal output means: for example, a photosensor, a conductivity sensor, a pressure sensor, etc.) built into each of the stop buttons B1 to B3 turns on, changing the reel stop signal input to the control board from the off state to the on state.

[0024] Furthermore, when the player releases any of the pressed stop buttons B1 to B3 at any time, the stop switches corresponding to the respective stop buttons B1 to B3 turn off, changing the reel stop signal input to the control board from on to off.

[0025] The control board then stops the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 at a stop position according to the result of the internal lottery based on the change from OFF to ON of the reel stop signal, whose signal state changes depending on the timing of pressing and releasing the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0026] Furthermore, a medal payout port MO and a medal tray MP are provided below the lower front door DD, and medals in a number according to the results of a game are paid out from the hopper unit HP through the medal payout port MO to the medal tray MP. When medals are paid out according to the results of a game, if medal credit (internal storage) is permitted, medals equivalent to some or all of the payout number are credited up to the credit limit number (50 in this embodiment), and the display value of the credit indicator consisting of a 7-segment display of the game information display unit DS is changed in accordance with the change in the number of medal credits.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine of this embodiment.

[0028] The gaming machine of this embodiment is controlled by game control means (main circuit board MAIN and sub circuit board SUB) 100. The game control means 100 is started by receiving power from a power supply unit EU when a power switch ES is activated, and receives input signals from input means such as a medal insertion switch 210, a bet switch 220, a start switch 230, a stop switch 240, a setting change permission switch 250, and a setting change switch 260, performs various calculations for executing a game, and controls the operation of output means such as a reel unit 310, a hopper unit (payout device) HP, a display device 330, and an audio device 340 based on the calculation results. The functions of the game control means 100 are realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASICs (gate arrays, etc.), ROMs (an example of information storage media), or RAMs, or by software consisting of a given program pre-stored in the ROM, etc.

[0029] The game control means 100 includes a setting change means 103, an input acceptance means 105, a random number generation means 110, an internal lottery means 120, a reel control means 130, a winning determination means 140, a payout control means 150, a replay processing means 160, a game status control means 170, an AT control means 175 (an example of an instruction function control stage), a communication control means 177, a presentation control means 180, a game information storage means 190a, and a presentation information storage means 190b. In this embodiment, the setting change means 103, the deposit acceptance means 105, the random number generation means 110, the internal lottery means 120, the reel control means 130, the winning determination means 140, the payout control means 150, the replay processing means 160, the game status control means 170, the AT control means 175, and the communication control means 177 are realized by the CPU of the main circuit board MAIN executing various programs, and the effect control means 180 is realized by the CPU of the sub-circuit board SUB executing various programs. The game information storage means 190a is composed of a main ROM and a main RAM mounted on the main circuit board MAIN, and the effect information storage means 190b is composed of a sub-ROM and a sub-RAM mounted on the sub-circuit board SUB. The various programs executed by the CPU of the main circuit board MAIN are stored in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a, and the various programs executed by the CPU of the sub-circuit board SUB are stored in the sub-ROM of the effect information storage means 190b.

[0030] The setting change means 103 controls changing of the setting values ​​stored in the setting value storage area 1913 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. In this embodiment, the gaming machine is switched between starting in game mode and starting in setting change mode depending on the state of the setting change permission switch 250 when the power is turned on. When the setting key is inserted into the setting change key cylinder KS and turned clockwise from its initial position, the signal state of the setting change permission switch 250 becomes ON. In this state, when the power switch ES is activated to supply power from the power supply unit EU, the setting change means 103 starts the gaming machine in setting change mode. In this embodiment, a setting value can be selected from six setting values, from Setting 1 to Setting 6, and the winning probability of the internal lottery varies so that the expected payout rate increases from Setting 1 to Setting 6. In this embodiment, the setting values ​​are expressed in the order of Setting 1 < Setting 2 < Setting 3 < Setting 4 < Setting 5 < Setting 6.

[0031] Furthermore, when the setting change switch 260 is activated by pressing the setting change button BS in the setting change mode, the setting change means 103 changes the setting value in the order of Setting 1 → Setting 2 →... Setting 6 → Setting 1 →... each time it receives an input signal from the setting change switch 260, confirms the setting value based on a game start signal from the start switch 230 which is activated by pressing the start lever SL, and controls to store the confirmed setting value in the setting value memory area 1913. In this embodiment, the signal state of the setting change permission switch 250 is changed to the OFF state by returning the setting key inserted in the setting change key cylinder KS to the initial position, thereby enabling a transition from the setting change mode to the game mode.

[0032] In this embodiment, when the power is turned on with the setting change key cylinder KS in the initial position, the gaming machine is started in game mode based on the signal state of the setting change permission switch 260 being in the OFF state. In this embodiment, in game mode, games can be played but setting values ​​cannot be changed, and in setting change mode, setting values ​​can be changed but games cannot be played.

[0033] In addition, in the setting change mode, the setting change means 103 performs an initialization process to initialize information stored in a predetermined storage area of ​​the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. In particular, in this embodiment, with regard to the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a, the information stored in the lottery flag storage area 1915, the game status storage area 1916, the performance status storage area 1918, the high probability counter 1919, the AT stock number counter 1920, the AT game number counter 1921, the clear counter 1922, and the ceiling counter 1924 is initialized by the initialization process in the setting change mode. More specifically, the memory areas in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a other than the lottery flag memory area 1915, game status memory area 1916, performance status memory area 1918, high probability counter 1919, AT stock number counter 1920, AT game number counter 1921, clear counter 1922, and ceiling counter 1924 are designated as information holding areas, and information stored in the memory areas other than the information holding areas of the main RAM is initialized. For this reason, in the main RAM, the setting value memory area 1913 and credit information memory area 1914 are designated as information holding areas, and the information stored in these memory areas is retained without being initialized by the initialization process in the setting change mode.

[0034] The insertion acceptance means 105 accepts insertion of medals for each game, and performs processing to validate a game start operation for the start lever SL (game start operation means) based on the insertion of medals equivalent to the specified insertion number (3 medals). In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the first pressing operation of the start lever SL, which is validated based on the insertion of medals equivalent to the specified insertion number, is accepted as a game start operation, and serves as an opportunity to start the rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 and also as an opportunity to execute an internal lottery.

[0035] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, when medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot MI, the medal insertion switch 210 is actuated, and the insertion acceptance means 105 sets the inserted medals to an inserted state, up to a specified insertion number. Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, a maximum of 50 medals can be stored (accumulated) as credits in the credit information storage area 1914 provided in the main RAM of the gaming information storage means 190a, and when the bet button B0 is pressed with medals stored as credits in the gaming machine, the bet switch 220 is actuated, and the insertion acceptance means 105 sets the medals stored as credits in the credit information storage area 1914 to an inserted state, up to a specified insertion number.

[0036] The random number generating means 110 is a means for generating random number values ​​for the lottery. The random number values ​​can be generated by, for example, a 16-bit random number circuit that generates 65,536 random number values ​​from 0 to 65,535 without duplication within one cycle. In this embodiment, the term "random number value" includes not only values ​​that are generated randomly in the mathematical sense, but also values ​​that are generated regularly but whose acquisition timing is irregular, and therefore can essentially function as random numbers.

[0037] The internal lottery means 120 is a means for conducting an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination will be achieved based on a start signal from the start switch 230, which is activated when the player operates the start lever SL to start the game (first pressing of the activated start lever SL), and performs lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, etc.

[0038] In the lottery table selection process, it is determined which internal lottery table to use for the internal lottery among a plurality of internal lottery tables stored in a main lottery table storage area 1910 provided in the main ROM of the gaming information storage means 190a. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, three types of internal lottery tables (internal lottery table 1 to internal lottery table 3) as shown in FIG. 4 are stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910. In each internal lottery table, various combinations such as replays, small combinations, and bonuses, as well as misses (non-wins), are associated with a plurality of random number values ​​(for example, 65,536 random number values ​​from 0 to 65,535). In this embodiment, three types of internal lottery tables are prepared for each of six setting values. The probability of obtaining some winning patterns in the internal lottery differs depending on the setting value, and the correspondence between combinations and random number values ​​is set so that the higher the setting value, the higher the expected value of the payout rate.

[0039] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, small roles 1 to 38 are provided as small roles, and the winning patterns of the small roles are set as shown in Figures 5 and 6, including batting order bell group a (batting order bell a3 to batting order bell a6), batting order bell group b (batting order bell b3 to batting order bell b6), batting order bell group c (batting order bell c3 to batting order bell c6), batting order bell group d (batting order bell d3 to batting order bell d6), special role group a (special role 1 to special role 3), special role group b (special role 4 to special role 11), common bell a, common bell b, common 1-piece role, cherry a, cherry b, JAC1, and JAC2.

[0040] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, Replay 1 to Replay 4 are provided as replays, and Replay a and Replay b are set as winning modes of the replays, as shown in FIG.

[0041] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the probability of winning a small prize is the same on internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2, the probability of winning a replay is higher on internal lottery table 2 than on internal lottery table 1, replays are not included in the lottery on internal lottery table 3, and the method of drawing small prizes on internal lottery table 3 is different from that on internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2, and the probability of winning a small prize is higher than that on internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2.

[0042] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, a big bonus (BB) is prepared as a bonus, and the big bonus (BB) is an object of lottery on the internal lottery table 1.

[0043] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the game state can be set to normal state, BB establishment state, and BB state, and in the lottery table selection process, one of internal lottery tables 1 to 3 is selected as the internal lottery table to be used in the internal lottery depending on the game state.

[0044] In this embodiment, the winning probability for bonus and replay winning patterns does not change depending on the setting value, but for small wins, the winning probability for some winning patterns changes depending on the setting value, and the higher the setting value, the higher the winning probability for JAC1 and JAC2.

[0045] In the random number determination process, a random number value (random number for lottery) is obtained from the random number generating means 110 for each game based on a start signal from the start switch 230, and the obtained random number value is used to determine whether or not it has won a winning combination by referring to the internal lottery table stored in the main lottery table memory area 1910 provided in the main ROM of the game information memory means 190a.

[0046] In the lottery flag setting process, based on the result of the random number determination process, the lottery flag corresponding to the winning combination is set from a non-winning state (first flag state, OFF state) to a winning state (second flag state, ON state). In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when two or more types of combinations are won at the same time, the lottery flags corresponding to the two or more types of combinations that are won at the same time are set to a winning state. The setting information of the lottery flag is stored in a lottery flag storage area 1915 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a.

[0047] In addition, the gaming machine of this embodiment is provided with a lottery flag (carry-over flag) that allows a winning state to be carried over to subsequent games until a prize is won, and a lottery flag (non-carry-over flag) that is reset to a non-winning state without carrying over the winning state to subsequent games regardless of whether a prize is won. The former carry-over flag is associated with a big bonus (BB), while the latter non-carry-over flag is associated with a small bonus and a replay. In the lottery flag setting process, for example, when a big bonus (BB) is won in an internal lottery, a process is performed to carry over the winning state of the lottery flag for the big bonus (BB) until the big bonus (BB) is won. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 performs an internal lottery to determine whether a small bonus and a replay will be won, even in a game in which the winning state of the lottery flag for the big bonus (BB) is carried over. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, when a small winning combination or replay is won in a game in which the winning state of the lottery flag of the bonus associated with the carryover flag is carried over, the lottery flags corresponding to two or more types of combinations consisting of the lottery flag of the bonus that has already been won and the lottery flag of the small winning combination or replay that has been won in the internal lottery are set to the winning state.

[0048] The reel control means 130 starts the rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 using a stepping motor based on a start signal from the start switch 230, which is activated when the player operates the start lever SL to start the game, and controls the stop operation by pressing the stop button B1 to B3 (stop operation means) corresponding to the reel that is rotating steadily at a predetermined speed (approximately 80 rpm: a rotation speed of approximately 80 rotations per minute), and also controls the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 that are being rotated by the stepping motor to stop in a manner according to the setting state of the lottery flag (the result of the internal lottery).

[0049] When the stop switch 240 is activated by the player pressing one of the stop buttons B1 to B3 while the stop operation for the stop buttons B1 to B3 is enabled, the reel control means 130 controls the reels to stop, from the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, by supplying a full-phase excitation drive pulse to the stepping motor of the reel unit 310 based on the reel stop signal from the stop switch 240.

[0050] That is, each time one of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is pressed, the reel control means 130 determines the stop position of the reel corresponding to the pressed button among the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, and controls the reel to stop at the determined stop position. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, pressing the stop button B1 corresponds to an operation to stop the first reel R1, pressing the stop button B2 corresponds to an operation to stop the second reel R2, and pressing the stop button B3 corresponds to an operation to stop the third reel R3. That is, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, if the order in which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed is changed, the stop order of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 is also changed. In this embodiment, among the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, the stop operation corresponding to the reel that stops first is referred to as the first stop operation, the stop operation corresponding to the reel that stops second is referred to as the second stop operation, and the stop operation corresponding to the reel that stops last is referred to as the third stop operation, and the stop of the reel corresponding to the first stop operation may be referred to as the first stop, the stop of the reel corresponding to the second stop operation as the second stop, and the stop of the reel corresponding to the third stop operation as the third stop. Also, in this embodiment, the order of stop operations that stops the first reel R1 (an example of a specific reel) first may be referred to as a recommended hitting order (an example of a specific operation order), and the order of stop operations that stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first may be referred to as an irregular hitting order (an example of a non-specific operation order).

[0051] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the first reel R1 through the third reel R3 corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped within 190 ms of the time when the stop button B1 through B3 is pressed. When the rotating reels are stopped within 190 ms of the time when the stop button is pressed, the stop position of each rotating reel is determined based on the number of frames required from the time when the stop button is pressed to the time when the reel stops, within a range of 0 to 4 frames (a predetermined pull-in range). The reel control means 130 controls the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button B1 through B3 to stop so that, when the symbol corresponding to the winning combination in the internal lottery is located within a range of 0 to 4 frames from the display position on the pay line at the time when the stop button is pressed, the symbol corresponding to the winning combination for which the lottery flag is set to a winning state is displayed at the display position on the pay line.

[0052] 7, the first through third reels R1 through R3 of the reel unit 310 are arranged on their outer peripheries with red 7 symbols a "RED7a," red 7 symbols b "RED7b," BAR symbols a "BARa," BAR symbols b "BARb," special symbols "SP," replay symbols "RP," bell symbols a "BLa," bell symbols b "BLb," watermelon symbols "WM," and cherry symbols "CH." When symbols within four frames of the push detection position are drawn onto an active line, the symbols arranged within four frames on the outer periphery of each reel can be displayed on the active line regardless of the push detection position, which is the position of the reel at the time the stop switch 240 is activated (when the stop button is detected being pressed). In this embodiment, the push detection position is the display position of the top row of each reel.

[0053] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the reel unit 310 is equipped with a reel index 315 consisting of a photosensor, and the reel control means 130 is able to monitor the current rotation state of the reel by determining the rotation angle (the number of rotation steps of the rotary shaft of the stepping motor) from the reference position of the reel (the frame detected by the reel index 315) based on the reference position signal detected by the reel index 315 every time the reel makes one rotation. In other words, the reel control means 130 can obtain the position of the reel when the stop switch 240 is activated by determining the rotation angle from the reference position of the reel.

[0054] The reel control means 130 also determines the stop positions of the reels that are spinning by referring to a stop control table stored in a stop control table storage area 1911 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a.

[0055] Here, in the stop control table, a correspondence relationship between the push detection position, which is the position of the reel at the time of operation of the stop switch 240 (the time when the push of the stop button is detected), and the actual stop position is set according to the setting state of the lottery flag. Note that in the stop control table, a correspondence relationship between the push detection position and the number of sliding symbols, which indicates the amount of rotation from the push detection position to the actual stop position, may also be set according to the setting state of the lottery flag.

[0056] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the priority order for small wins, replays, and bonuses is set as "replay > bonus" and then "small win > bonus," and the stop control table is set so that a stop position including a symbol that constitutes the winning form of a high-priority win is selected according to the priority order associated with each win.

[0057] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the stop control table that is referenced when the lottery flags for multiple types of minor roles are set to a winning state in the internal lottery has two cases: one in which the stop position is set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line (number priority control), and one in which the stop position is set according to the number of medals paid out based on a predetermined payout for the minor role (payout number priority control).When the stop position is set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that priority is given to stop positions with a greater number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line, and when the stop position is set according to the number of medals paid out, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that priority is given to stop positions with a greater number of medals paid out based on the payout of the minor role corresponding to the pattern displayed at the display position on the valid line (stop positions that can win a minor role with a greater payout). However, when the stop positions are set according to the number of medals paid out, for multiple stop positions where the number of medals paid out is the same, the priority of each stop position is treated as being the same and a stop position relative to the press detection position is set, and when the stop positions are set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line, the priority of each stop position is treated as being the same and a stop position relative to the press detection position is set, and when the stop positions are set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line, the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line is the same.

[0058] In the stop control table that is referenced when a batting order bell belonging to any of batting order bells a3 to a6 (an example of a specific winning mode), batting order bell b3 to b6 (an example of a specific winning mode), batting order bell c3 to c6 (an example of a specific winning mode), or batting order bell d3 to d6 (an example of a specific winning mode) is won in the internal lottery, the correct batting order (an example of a specific operation mode) is set for each batting order bell, as shown in Figures 9 and 10.

[0059] In the stop control table that is referenced when any of the batting order bells is won, the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set so that when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct batting order, a 9-coin small win (an example of a correct small win) will be won, and when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in a press order different from the correct batting order, the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set so that a 1-coin small win (an example of an incorrect small win) will be won, or no win will be won (a missed win). In Figures 9 and 10, "1-coin small win (1 / 2)" means that in that press order, there is a 1 / 2 probability that a 1-coin small win will be won, and there is a 1 / 2 probability that a missed win will occur. Also, "1-coin small win (1 / 4)" in Figures 9 and 10 means that in that press order, there is a 1 / 4 probability that a 1-coin small win will be won, and there is a 3 / 4 probability that a missed win will occur.

[0060] In addition, when each batting order bell is won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set in each stop control table so that in the correct batting order, the payout number priority control causes the symbols that make up the winning form of a 9-coin small win to be preferentially displayed on the valid line, and in the press order different from the correct batting order, the number priority control causes the symbols that make up the winning form of a 1-coin small win to be preferentially displayed on the valid line.

[0061] In this embodiment, for the batting order bell group a (an example of the first group) and the batting order bell group b (an example of the first group), the correct batting order is valid only when the BB state is reached. When the batting order bell is won in the normal state, even if the stop operation is performed according to the correct batting order, there is a 1 / 2 probability that a 1-coin minor role will be won, and there is a 1 / 2 probability that the role will be missed. In other words, in the normal state, for the batting order bell group a and the batting order bell group b, even if the stop operation is performed in a manner that allows for the winning of a 9-coin minor role in the BB state, the stop positions are determined by number priority control to avoid the winning of a 9-coin minor role. On the other hand, for the batting order bell group c (an example of the second group) and the batting order bell group d (an example of the second group), the correct batting order is valid in both the normal state and the BB state, and the stop positions are determined by payout number priority control to prioritize the winning of a 9-coin minor role in the correct batting order in either game state.

[0062] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when a special role belonging to either special role group a (special role 1 to special role 3) or special role group b (special role 4 to special role 11) is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a one-coin small role will be won regardless of the manner in which the stop operation is performed, and if the stop operation is performed in an order that stops the first reel R1 first, a unique stop pattern according to the type of special role can appear.

[0063] Furthermore, in the stop control table that is referenced when common bell a or common bell b is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 9-coin minor role is won, and when each common bell is won, the 9-coin minor role is always won regardless of the manner in which the stop operation is performed. However, in the stop control table that is referenced when common bell a or common bell b is won in the normal state, the winning of the 9-coin minor role is avoided by quantity priority control regardless of the manner in which the stop operation is performed, and a 1-coin minor role is always won. That is, in this embodiment, when common bell a or common bell b is won in the BB formation state, the 9-coin minor role is won, and when common bell a or common bell b is won in the normal state, the 1-coin minor role is won.

[0064] In addition, in the stop control table that is referred to when a common 1-coin role is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 1-coin minor role will be won, and when a common 1-coin role is won, the 1-coin minor role will always be won regardless of the manner in which the stop operation is performed.

[0065] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when Cherry A is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that, of the one-coin small wins, small win 14, small win 32, small win 33, small win 36, and small win 38, one-coin small win will always be won, regardless of the manner in which the stop operation is performed.

[0066] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when Cherry B is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the 3-coin minor win 7 is given priority over the 1-coin minor win 36, and when Cherry B is won, there are cases where the 3-coin minor win is won and cases where neither win is won.

[0067] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when JAC1 wins in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 9-coin small win is always won, and in the stop control table that is referenced when JAC2 wins in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 1-coin small win is always won.

[0068] In addition, for the winning patterns of various replays such as replay a and replay b, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that one of the replays included in the winning pattern will always win regardless of the pattern of the stop operation.

[0069] In addition, the Big Bonus (BB) can only be won if the Big Bonus (BB) is won alone in the normal state, and there are no misses when the BB is formed, and since there are always overlapping wins of small winning combinations or replays that have a higher priority than the Big Bonus (BB), the stop position relative to the press detection position is set in the stop control table so that the Big Bonus (BB) is not won.

[0070] The winning determination means 140 performs a winning determination process to determine whether or not a winning combination has been achieved based on the stopping state of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. Specifically, the winning determination means 140 refers to a winning determination table stored in a winning determination table storage area 1912 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a to determine whether or not the symbol combination displayed on the pay line when all of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 have stopped is in the form of a predetermined winning combination. Then, as shown in Figures 10 to 15, a winning determination table is provided so that the presence or absence of a winning combination of a big bonus (BB), replay 1 to replay 4, and small bonus 1 to small bonus 38 can be determined based on the symbol combination displayed on the pay line when each reel has stopped.

[0071] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a winning combination is achieved, a winning process is executed based on the determination result of the winning determination means 140. As the winning process, for example, when a small combination is achieved, a medal payout process is executed by the payout control means 150, when a replay is achieved, a replay process is executed by the replay processing means 160, and when a bonus is achieved, a game state transition process is executed by the game state control means 170 to transition the game state.

[0072] The payout control means 150 performs payout control processing related to the payout of medals according to the game results. Specifically, when a small winning combination is achieved, the payout number of medals in the game is determined based on the payout predetermined for each combination, and the payout number of medals corresponding to the determined payout number is controlled to be paid out to the hopper unit HP (payout device).

[0073] The hopper unit HP performs the operation of paying out the number of medals to be paid out specified by the payout control means 150. The hopper unit HP is provided with a paid out medal detection switch 325 that is activated each time a medal is paid out, and the payout control means 150 is configured to be able to manage the number of medals actually paid out from the hopper unit HP based on the input signal from the paid out medal detection switch 325.

[0074] When credit storage (accumulation storage) of medals is permitted, instead of actually paying out medals using the hopper unit HP, a credit addition process is performed in which the number of medals to be paid out is added to the number of credits (number of medals stored as credits) stored in the credit information storage area 1914 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a, and medals are virtually paid out.

[0075] When a replay wins, the replay processing means 160 performs replay processing (replay processing) to set the next game to the same preparation state as the previous game without requiring the player to insert any medals owned by the player. That is, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed to automatically insert a number of medals equivalent to the specified insertion number required for the next game without using any medals (including credit medals) owned by the player, and the machine waits for the next game start operation using the start lever SL with an active line corresponding to the specified insertion number set.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 16, the game state control means 170 performs a game state transition process that transitions the game state among the normal state, the BB established state, and the BB state. In this embodiment, information indicating the current game state is stored in a game state storage area 1916 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. The game state transition condition may be one condition or multiple conditions. When multiple conditions are set, the game state can be transitioned to another game state based on the fulfillment of one of the multiple predetermined conditions or the fulfillment of all of the multiple predetermined conditions.

[0077] The normal state is a game state corresponding to the initial state among multiple game states, and it is possible to transition from the normal state to the BB establishment state or the BB state. Specifically, if a big bonus (BB) is won in the normal state but the big bonus (BB) is not won, the game transitions to the BB establishment state, and if a big bonus (BB) is won and also won in the normal state, the game transitions to the BB state. In addition, in the normal state, an internal lottery is performed by referring to internal lottery table 1, among internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in Figure 4, in which the winning probability of a replay is set to approximately 1 / 7.3 or more and the big bonus (BB) is set as a lottery target.

[0078] The BB formation state is a game state that is entered when a big bonus (BB) is won in an internal lottery in the normal state but the big bonus (BB) is not won.Of the internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in Figure 4, the probability of winning a replay is higher than that of internal lottery table 1, so a miss (non-win) does not occur, and an internal lottery is held by referring to internal lottery table 2, in which the big bonus (BB) is excluded from the lottery.

[0079] In the BB state, the lottery flag corresponding to the big bonus (BB) is maintained in the winning state until the big bonus (BB) is won. In this embodiment, since the symbol combination indicating the big bonus (BB) winning form is not displayed on the pay line in the BB state, once the gaming state shifts to the BB state, it will not shift to the BB state again.

[0080] The BB state is a game state that is entered when a symbol combination indicating a big bonus (BB) winning form is displayed on an active line, and an internal lottery is conducted by referring to internal lottery table 3, of internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in Figure 4, which has a different method of drawing small roles from internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2.

[0081] In the BB state, it is determined whether or not the termination condition is met based on the total number of medals paid out during play in the BB state, and when it is determined that more than a predetermined number of medals (for example, 83 medals) have been paid out, the game state control means 170 terminates the BB state and controls the game state to return to the normal state. In this embodiment, count information on the number of medals paid out in the BB state is stored in the game state memory area 1916.

[0082] 17, the AT control means 175 changes the presentation state among a plurality of presentation states including an initial presentation state, a normal presentation state (an example of the first state), and an AT state (an example of the second state), sets the presentation state to the AT state under predetermined conditions, determines whether the AT state termination condition is met based on the value of the AT stock number counter 1920 and the value of the AT game number counter 1921, and performs control to terminate the AT state when the AT state termination condition is met. In this embodiment, information indicating the current presentation state is stored in a presentation state memory area 1918 provided in the main RAM of the game information memory means 190a. In this embodiment, when the player remains in the AT state, the AT control means 175 displays information (an example of instruction information) corresponding to the correct batting order on the main display 300, which is a 7-segment display provided in the game information display unit DS, when a batting order chance role or a batting order bell is won, thereby notifying the player of the correct batting order to assist in the winning of a 9-coin minor role (minor role 3 to minor role 6), and the presentation control means 180 displays an image corresponding to the correct batting order on the liquid crystal display LCD when a batting order chance role or a batting order bell is won, thereby performing a winning assistance presentation to assist in the winning of a 9-coin minor role (minor role 3 to minor role 6), allowing the player to play an assist time game in which it is easier to win medals than in a game remaining in the initial presentation state or the normal presentation state. In this embodiment, the function of executing an assist time game in an advantageous zone is the instruction function, and the processing that affects the execution of an assist time game is the processing related to the instruction function.

[0083] In addition, as shown in Figure 18, the AT control means 175 is capable of setting a normal section (non-advantageous section) and an advantageous section, and in the normal section, the presentation state is fixed to the initial presentation state, which is the initial state, and a lottery is held to transition to an advantageous section, and by winning the lottery to transition to an advantageous section, the advantageous section is started and the presentation state can be set to the AT state on the condition that it is an advantageous section.

[0084] The AT control means 175 then performs a lottery for transition to a favorable zone during play in the normal zone when the presentation state remains in the normal state or the BB formation state. In the normal state, the AT control means 175 performs a lottery for transition to a favorable zone based on whether the internal lottery results in any of the following winning patterns: special role group a + BB, special role group b, batting order bell group a, batting order bell group b, batting order bell group c, batting order bell group d, common bell a, common bell b, cherry a + BB, cherry b, common 1-piece role + BB, and normal replay a. In the normal state, there are cases where a winning pattern in which the big bonus (BB) is won alone is obtained, but in such cases, a lottery for transition to a favorable zone is not performed. In the BB formation state, the AT control means 175 performs a lottery for transition to a favorable zone based on whether the internal lottery results in any of the following winning patterns: special role group a, special role group b, batting order bell group a, batting order bell group b, batting order bell group c, batting order bell group d, common bell a, common bell b, cherry a, cherry b, common 1-piece role, and normal replay a. When BB is formed, there is a possibility that a winning pattern of normal replay b may be obtained, but in that case, a lottery for transition to a favorable zone will not be held.

[0085] In the advantageous zone transition lottery, the random number value acquired for the internal lottery is compared with the advantageous zone transition lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and it is determined whether or not the player has won the advantageous zone transition lottery (winning the advantageous zone) based on the comparison result. In the advantageous zone transition lottery table, a win or a loss is assigned to the random number value for the internal lottery that is associated with the winning mode that triggers the execution of the advantageous zone transition lottery, and it is determined that the player has won the advantageous zone transition lottery when the random number value acquired for the internal lottery is associated with the winning mode that triggers the execution of the advantageous zone transition lottery and is associated with a win in the advantageous zone transition lottery table.

[0086] When the AT control means 175 wins the advantageous zone transition lottery in the normal zone, it performs advantageous zone transition processing based on the fact that it has won the advantageous zone transition lottery, starts the advantageous zone from the next game following the game in which it won the advantageous zone transition lottery, and sets the presentation state to the normal presentation state.

[0087] In this embodiment, a low probability mode and a high probability mode can be set as the lottery mode for the AT lottery in the normal presentation state, and when in the normal presentation state, the game remains in either lottery mode, and when the presentation state is transitioned to the normal presentation state, the lottery mode is set to the low probability mode. A game that transitions the presentation state to the normal presentation state is a game in which the advantageous zone transition lottery is won, or a game in which the AT state ends in the advantageous zone, and in a game in which the advantageous zone transition lottery is won, processing to set the lottery mode to the low probability mode is performed as part of the advantageous zone transition processing, and in a game in which the AT state ends in the advantageous zone, processing to set the lottery mode to the low probability mode is performed as part of the processing to return the presentation state to the normal presentation state.

[0088] In addition, a mode determination lottery may be conducted when the game is in the normal presentation state, and the lottery mode may be determined based on the result of the mode determination lottery. The mode determination lottery may be realized, for example, by obtaining a random number between 0 and 255 associated with a stop operation corresponding to the third stop of the game that transitions the presentation state to the normal presentation state, and obtaining either a low-probability win or a high-probability win associated with the random number as the lottery result. If the result is a low-probability win, the lottery mode may be set to the low-probability mode, and if the result is a high-probability win, the lottery mode may be set to the high-probability mode. Furthermore, the winning mode of the advantageous zone transition lottery may be divided into two types, for example, a low-probability win and a high-probability win, and the lottery mode to transition to the low-probability mode or the high-probability mode may be determined in the advantageous zone transition process. In this case, if the result of the advantageous zone transition lottery is a low-probability win, the lottery mode may be set to the low-probability mode in the advantageous zone transition process, and if the result of the advantageous zone transition lottery is a high-probability win, the lottery mode may be set to the high-probability mode in the advantageous zone transition process.

[0089] The AT control means 175 performs an AT lottery (an example of processing related to the instruction function) when the gaming state is in a BB formation state and the presentation state is in a normal presentation state in the advantageous zone. Specifically, the AT lottery is performed based on whether the internal lottery results in a winning pattern of batting order bell group a, batting order bell group b, batting order bell group c, batting order bell group d, special role group a, special role group b, cherry a, cherry b, common bell a, common bell b, common 1-piece role, normal replay a, or normal replay b. In this embodiment, the AT lottery is not performed when the gaming state is in a normal state or a BB state. However, the AT lottery may be configured to be performed when the gaming state is in at least one of a normal state and a BB state.

[0090] In the AT lottery, when a winning pattern that triggers the execution of the AT lottery is obtained, a random number value ranging from 0 to 255 is obtained, and the obtained random number value is compared with the AT lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910 to determine whether or not the AT lottery has been won based on the comparison result. In the AT lottery table, AT wins and losses are assigned to random number values ​​for the AT lottery, and if the random number value obtained for the AT lottery is associated with an AT win in the AT lottery table, it is determined that the AT lottery has been won. Note that in this embodiment, the probability of winning the AT differs between the low-probability mode and the high-probability mode, and the probability of winning the AT is set higher in the high-probability mode than in the low-probability mode. In this embodiment, the AT lottery is performed after the third stop, and the lottery mode for the AT lottery is determined based on the value of the high-probability counter 1919.

[0091] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a winning pattern that triggers the execution of the AT lottery is obtained, the AT lottery is executed on the condition that the order of stop operations is the recommended batting order. Therefore, even if a winning pattern that triggers the execution of the AT lottery is obtained, the AT lottery will not be executed if the order of stop operations is an irregular batting order. Note that the AT lottery may be executed regardless of the order of stop operations, and the results of the AT lottery may be invalidated based on the order of stop operations being an irregular batting order. In this way, in this embodiment, the recommended batting order in which the first reel R1 stops first is treated more favorably in terms of the AT lottery than an irregular batting order in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 stops first.

[0092] In addition, in the normal presentation state, the AT control means 175 performs a process (an example of a process related to the instruction function) of updating the value of the high probability counter 1919 under predetermined conditions, and transitions the lottery mode of the AT lottery between a low probability mode and a high probability mode.

[0093] Specifically, at the third stop of a game in the normal presentation state, it is determined whether the order of the stop operation was the recommended batting order, and if it was the recommended batting order, a predetermined value "1" is added to the value of the high probability counter 1919. In other words, if the stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order in the normal presentation state, the predetermined value "1" is not added to the value of the high probability counter 1919.

[0094] Furthermore, if the order of stop operations is the recommended batting order during play in the normal presentation state, the value of the high probability counter 1919 is reset to the initial value "0" after the AT lottery is conducted but before the predetermined value "1" is added to the value of the high probability counter 1919, and if the order of stop operations is an irregular batting order during play in the normal presentation state, the value of the high probability counter 1919 is reset to the initial value "0" without conducting the AT lottery. In other words, the process of resetting the value of the high probability counter 1919 to the initial value "0" is commonly executed as the process at the third stop whether the order of stop operations is the recommended batting order or the irregular batting order.

[0095] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the normal presentation state, the lottery mode is determined by the value of the high probability counter 1919. Specifically, when the value of the high probability counter 1919 is the initial value "0", the lottery mode is determined to be the low probability mode, and when the value of the high probability counter 1919 is not the initial value "0" (when the value of the high probability counter 1919 is "1"), the lottery mode is determined to be the high probability mode.

[0096] In this way, the AT control means 175 performs processing to set the lottery mode for the next game to high-probability mode based on the recommended batting order in the order of stop operations during a game in the normal presentation state, and a recommended batting order in which the first reel R1 stops first is treated more favorably in terms of transitioning to high-probability mode than an irregular batting order in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 stops first. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since a process of adding a predetermined value "1" to the value of the high-probability counter 1919 is performed upon the third stop, an AT lottery is executed at least before this process. Note that in this embodiment, since it is possible to determine whether the batting order is recommended at the time of the first stop operation, an AT lottery may be executed on the condition that the batting order is recommended upon the first stop, and a process of adding a predetermined value "1" to the value of the high-probability counter 1919 after the AT lottery is executed.

[0097] In addition, in this embodiment, when the presentation state is transitioned to the normal presentation state, the AT control means 175 sets a predetermined value "1024" to the ceiling counter 1924, and performs a process (an example of a process related to the instruction function) of subtracting a subtraction value corresponding to the result of an internal lottery from the value of the ceiling counter 1924 each time a game is played in the normal presentation state.

[0098] The AT control means 175 then controls the transition of the presentation state from the normal presentation state to the AT state based on the result of the AT lottery being an AT win or the value of the ceiling counter 1924 reaching the initial value "0". Furthermore, the AT control means 175 adds a fixed value "1" to the AT stock number counter 1920 based on the decision to transition to the AT state, and when transitioning the presentation state to the AT state upon the end of a game in which the transition condition to the AT state is met (a game in which the lottery result is an AT win or a game in which the value of the ceiling counter 1924 reaches the initial value "0"), it subtracts a fixed value "1" from the AT stock number counter 1920 and sets a value "30" in the AT game number counter 1921, which corresponds to 30 times, which is the number of times of play that is the condition for ending the AT state.

[0099] The AT control means 175 then plays an assist time game based on the fact that the presentation state is the AT state, and each time an assist time game is played, it subtracts a fixed value "1" equivalent to one game from the value of the AT game number counter 1921. In this embodiment, in the AT state, when a batting order bell belonging to batting order bell group a, batting order bell group b, batting order bell group c, or batting order bell group d is won, a correct batting order notification that notifies the correct batting order and a winning assistance presentation are performed.

[0100] In addition, in this embodiment, when the AT control means 175 notifies the correct batting order regarding the batting order bell, the operation instruction number corresponding to the correct batting order corresponding to the won batting order bell ("03" (batting order 3), "04" (batting order 4), "05" (batting order 5), "06" (batting order 6)) is displayed on the main display 300.

[0101] Furthermore, when the presentation state is in the AT state in the advantageous zone, the AT control means 175 performs an add-on lottery (an example of processing related to the instruction function) based on the winning of special role group A, special role group B, Cherry A, Cherry B, common bell A, or common bell B in the internal lottery. In the add-on lottery, when a winning pattern that triggers the execution of the add-on lottery is obtained, a random number value ranging from 0 to 255 is acquired, and the acquired random number value is compared with the add-on lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910 to determine whether the add-on lottery has been won based on the comparison result. In the add-on lottery table, an add-on win or a loss is assigned to the random number value for the add-on lottery, and it is determined that the add-on lottery has been won if the random number value acquired for the add-on lottery is associated with an add-on win in the add-on lottery table. In this embodiment, the AT control means 175 adds a fixed value "1" to the AT stock number counter 1920 based on the lottery result of the add-on lottery being obtained.

[0102] When the value of the AT game number counter 1921, which is subtracted by a fixed value each time an assist time game is played in the AT state, reaches the initial value "0", if the AT stock number is greater than 0, the AT control means 175 subtracts a fixed value "1" from the value of the AT stock number counter 1920 and resets the value of the AT game number counter 1921 to "30" to continue the AT state, and if the AT stock number = 0, it determines that the termination condition has been met because the AT game number = 0 and the AT stock number = 0, and returns the presentation state to the normal presentation state.

[0103] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the AT control means 175 sets the value of the clear counter 1922 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a to the initial value "0" during the advantageous zone transition process, and during the advantageous zone, updates the value of the clear counter 1922 according to the difference in the number of medals in each game, subtracts the value "3" corresponding to the number of medals inserted in the game (3 medals) from the value corresponding to the number of medals paid out (for example, "15" if 15 medals are paid out, and "0" if no winning combination is achieved and no medals are paid out), to obtain the calculation result of the difference in the number of medals in that game, and performs an update process in which this calculation result is added to the value of the clear counter 1922, and it is determined that the condition for ending the advantageous zone has been met even if the value of the clear counter 1922 exceeds a threshold value (for example, 2400). The value of the clear counter 1922 is controlled so as not to fall below the initial value "0." For example, if the value of the clear counter 1922 at the start of a game is "2," and as a result of playing a game, no winning combination is achieved and no medals are paid out, the calculation result for the difference in the number of medals in that game will be "-3," and adding the calculation result for the difference in the number of medals to the value of the clear counter 1922 will result in a value below the initial value "0." However, the counting of the updated value of the clear counter 1922 is stopped with the initial value "0" as the lower limit. Furthermore, if a replay is won in a game, the difference in the number of medals is calculated by treating the game in which the replay was won as having paid out medals equivalent to the specified number of medals for that game, and the difference in the number of medals for the next game, which is provided free of charge due to the replay winning, as having been paid out medals equivalent to the specified number of medals for that game, even if no medals are actually inserted.

[0104] In addition, in the advantageous zone, the clear counter 1922 is updated even if a transition to the game state or the presentation state occurs, unless the conditions for ending the advantageous zone are met.

[0105] The AT control means 175 also performs an initialization process to initialize information stored in a predetermined storage area of ​​the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a based on the end of the advantageous period. In particular, in this embodiment, with respect to the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a, information stored in the presentation status storage area 1918, the high probability counter 1919, the AT stock number counter 1920, the AT game number counter 1921, the clear counter 1922, and the ceiling counter 1924 is initialized by an initialization process based on the end of the advantageous period. More specifically, storage areas in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a other than the presentation status storage area 1918, the high probability counter 1919, the AT stock number counter 1920, the AT game number counter 1921, the clear counter 1922, and the ceiling counter 1924 are designated as information storage areas, and information stored in storage areas other than the information storage areas of the main RAM is initialized. For this reason, when initialization processing is performed upon the end of the advantageous zone, unlike when initialization processing is performed in the setting change mode, in addition to the setting value storage area 1913 and credit information storage area 1914, the lottery flag storage area 1915 and game status storage area 1916 are also designated as information holding areas, and the information stored in these storage areas is retained without being initialized by the initialization processing upon the end of the advantageous zone. When initialization processing is performed upon the end of the advantageous zone, the presentation state is initialized to the initial presentation state, and the values ​​of the high probability counter 1919, AT stock number counter 1920, AT game number counter 1921, clear counter 1922, and ceiling counter 1924 are initialized to their initial values ​​(for example, 0), and the normal zone is restored.

[0106] In this embodiment, initialization processing is executed upon the end of the advantageous zone to return to the normal zone, so that if the value of the clear counter 1922 exceeds a threshold value while remaining in the AT state, each AT state is forcibly terminated by initialization processing upon the end of the advantageous zone, the presentation state is initialized to the initial presentation state, and the values ​​of the high probability counter 1919, AT stock number counter 1920, AT game number counter 1921, clear counter 1922, and ceiling counter 1924 are initialized to initial values ​​(for example, 0). Also, if the value of the clear counter 1922 exceeds a threshold value while remaining in any other presentation state, the currently present presentation state is forcibly terminated by initialization processing upon the end of the advantageous zone, the presentation state is initialized to the initial presentation state, and the values ​​of the high probability counter 1919, AT stock number counter 1920, AT game number counter 1921, clear counter 1922, and ceiling counter 1924 are initialized to initial values ​​(for example, 0). In this embodiment, the presentation state is not initialized by turning the power on / off, but when started in setting change mode, if initialization processing is performed in setting change mode, the presentation state is initialized to the initial presentation state, and the values ​​of the high probability counter 1919, AT stock number counter 1920, AT game number counter 1921, clear counter 1922, and ceiling counter 1924 are initialized to their initial values ​​(e.g., 0).

[0107] In this embodiment, the advantageous zone begins when the advantageous zone transition lottery is won in the normal zone, and the presentation state is set to the AT state under predetermined conditions within the advantageous zone to play the assist time game, but even if the AT state ends, the advantageous zone is maintained as long as the conditions for ending the advantageous zone are not met. In other words, in this embodiment, since the advantageous zone continues even after the AT state ends, there are cases where the player remains in the advantageous zone even if the presentation state transitions to a presentation state different from the AT state.

[0108] Furthermore, the AT control means 175 lights up the LED built into the interval indicator SEC when the AT state is reached in the advantageous interval, thereby notifying the player that the AT state is reached, and controls the LED built into the interval indicator SEC to be turned off upon the end of the AT state. In this embodiment, the LED built into the interval indicator SEC is turned off when the player is in a normal interval or when the advantageous interval is in a presentation state different from the AT state. In other words, in this embodiment, it is possible to determine whether the player is in the AT state by checking the lighting state of the interval indicator SEC.

[0109] In this embodiment, the AT control means 175 starts or ends a specific notification that indicates that the player is in the AT state based on the presentation state in which the player is in the advantageous zone. For example, the specific notification is started when the presentation state transitions to the AT state, and the specific notification is ended when the AT state ends. In particular, in this embodiment, there are cases where the advantageous zone continues even after the AT state ends, but the specific notification is ended not only when the AT state ends and the advantageous zone ends, but also when the AT state ends and the advantageous zone continues.

[0110] The interval indicator SEC does not need to be provided exclusively as in this embodiment, and may also serve as the main display 300. For example, whether or not the player is in the AT state may be indicated by switching on and off the dot display unit that displays decimal points, etc., of the 7-segment display, and the dot display unit may be turned off in a presentation state other than the AT state, and turned on in the AT state to provide a specific notification. Furthermore, when the AT state begins, an LED built into the interval indicator SEC lights up to immediately notify the player that the player is in the AT state, but the interval indicator SEC may be configured to be a non-notification interval that does not notify the player that the player is in the advantageous interval until a predetermined number of games have been played since the start of the AT state, or a non-notification interval that does not notify the player that the player is in the advantageous interval until the first correct batting order notification in the AT state is executed.

[0111] The communication control means 177 controls the output of a specific external signal to an external device such as the data counter 410 or hall computer 420 when the presentation state is an AT state in a favorable zone. In this embodiment, the specific external signal is output to the external device via the external centralized terminal board from the main board. The specific external signal is also output based on the game start operation of the start lever SL for the first game (first game) in each set in the AT state. The specific external signal may also be output based on the completion of the last game (thirtieth game) in each set in the AT state. In this embodiment, the specific external signal is output corresponding to each set in the AT state, allowing the external device to tally up the number of completed sets in the AT state.

[0112] The effect control means 180 controls display effects performed using the display device 330 (an example of an effect device) and sound effects performed using the sound device 340 (an example of an effect device) based on effect data stored in an effect data storage area 1926 provided in the sub-ROM of the effect information storage means 190b. For example, in response to the occurrence of game events such as the insertion of medals, the operation of the bet button B0, the start lever SL, or the stop buttons B1 to B3, or changes in the game status, the effect control means 180 controls the execution of effects to liven up the game or assist the game according to the progress of the game. The content of the effects executed in the game is determined by referring to an effect lottery table stored in a sub-lottery table storage area 1927 provided in the sub-ROM of the effect information storage means 190b, depending on the game status, effect status, the result of the internal lottery, etc. In this embodiment, image data corresponding to the progress of the game, etc. is read from the effect data storage area 1926 of the sub-ROM into an image buffer 1928 provided in the sub-RAM, and an image based on the image data read into the image buffer 1928 is output to the liquid crystal display LCD, and sound data corresponding to the progress of the game, etc. is read from the effect data storage area 1926 of the sub-ROM into a sound buffer 1929 provided in the sub-RAM, and sound based on the sound data read into the sound buffer 1929 is output from the speaker SP.

[0113] When the presentation state is the AT state, the presentation control means 180 controls the display device 330 and the sound device 340 to execute a winning assistance presentation that notifies the player of the correct batting order when the batting order bell is won and assists in winning 9 small prizes (small prizes 3 to 6).

[0114] Furthermore, when a game is being played in the AT state, the presentation control means 180 controls the execution of a remaining number display presentation that displays the remaining number of games until the AT state ends on the display device 330 such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). In the remaining number display presentation, when the value of the AT game number counter 1921 is subtracted by playing a game, the display content is changed so that the remaining number of games also decreases to reflect the subtraction.

[0115] The functional block configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to computer systems (including game systems). In these systems, the functions of the game control means 100 of this embodiment can be realized by downloading a program that causes a computer to function from an information storage medium such as a CD or DVD or from a web server on the Internet via a network. In the above computer system, the medal insertion switch 210, bet switch 220, start switch 230, stop switch 240, etc. can be realized by virtually assigning their functions to operating means such as a keyboard, pointing device (such as a mouse), touch panel, or controller. In the above computer system, the reel unit 310, hopper unit HP, etc. are not essential components, and these device units can virtually realize their functions by controlling the images displayed on the display (display device 330).

[0116] 2. Method of this embodiment In this embodiment, if the stop operation is performed according to batting order 3 in the BB formation state, a 9-coin minor combination can be won, but even if the stop operation is performed according to batting order 3 in the normal state, the winning of the 9-coin minor combination is avoided, and a 1-coin minor combination is won, or a combination is missed. In this embodiment, even if any batting order bell is won, there is a possibility that the correct batting order will fall to an incorrect batting order at the time of the first stop operation, so the stop control is switched according to the game state at the time of the second stop operation.

[0117] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for switching the stop control during the second stop operation.

[0118] First, when the batting order bell is won, stop data for the correct batting order and stop data for the incorrect batting order are set as reference data (step S100). The stop data for the correct batting order is stop data for preferentially displaying the symbols that make up the winning form of a 9-piece minor combination on the active line, and the stop data for the incorrect batting order is stop data for preferentially displaying the symbols that make up the winning form of a 1-piece minor combination on the active line.

[0119] If it is not the first stop operation (N in step S101) or the third stop operation (N in step S102), it is checked whether the winning batting order bell belongs to either batting order bell group c or batting order bell group d (step S103).

[0120] If the winning batting order bell belongs to the batting order bell group c or the batting order bell group d (Y in step S103), the process of step S104 for determining the game state is skipped and the process proceeds to step S105 and subsequent steps.

[0121] If the winning batting order bell belongs to either group a or group b (N in step S103), a check is made to see if the game status is normal (step S104), and if the game status is normal (Y in step S104), the referenced stop data is updated to stop data for an incorrect batting order (step S107).

[0122] On the other hand, if the game state is a BB formation state (N in step S104), it is checked whether the second stop operation is in accordance with the correct batting order (step S105), and if it is in accordance with the correct batting order (N in step S105), the stop data to be referenced is updated to stop data for the correct batting order (step S106), and if it is not in accordance with the correct batting order (Y in step S105), the stop data to be referenced is updated to stop data for the incorrect batting order (step S106).

[0123] In this embodiment, in the game in which the batting order bell wins, at the time of the second stop operation, the type of the winning batting order bell is determined, and when it is determined that it belongs to the batting order bell a group and the batting order bell b group, the game state in which the player is staying is determined and the process is branched, thereby switching the stop control.

[0124]

[0123] According to this embodiment, for the batting order bells belonging to the batting order bell a group and the batting order bell b group, a 9 - coin minor winning combination cannot be won in the normal state, but a 9 - coin minor winning combination is possible in the BB establishment state. For the batting order bells belonging to the batting order bell c group and the batting order bell d group, a 9 - coin minor winning combination is possible in both the normal state and the BB establishment state. Therefore, it is possible to suitably adjust the medal acquisition performance in each game state.

[0125] <0> FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram comparing the medal acquisition performance (here, the expected value of the payout rate) in each game state in this embodiment.

[0126] As shown in FIG.

[0127] 20, in the normal state, the relationship is batting order 1, 2 < batting orders 3 - 6, and in the BB establishment state as well, the relationship is batting order 1, 2 < batting orders 3 - 6. That is, in both the normal state and the BB establishment state, from the perspective of the expected value of the payout rate, an irregular batting order in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 is stopped first is more advantageous than the recommended batting order in which the first reel R1 is stopped first. For the BB state, there is no bias in the expected value of the payout rate depending on the order of the stop operations.

[0127] <> Also, as shown in FIG.

[0128] 20, when comparing the differences in the expected values of the payout rates between game states, regarding batting orders 3 - 6, the relationship is normal state < BB state < BB establishment state. In the game method in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 is stopped first, it can be seen that in the BB state, the expected value of the payout rate is higher than in the normal state, and further, in the BB establishment state, the expected value of the payout rate is higher than in the BB state. <<>

[0128] In a specification such as this embodiment, where the medal acquisition performance is higher for batting orders 3 to 6 (a game method in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 stops first) than for batting orders 1 and 2 (a game method in which the first reel R1 stops first), the expected value of the ball payout rate for batting orders 3 to 6 needs to be designed at a high level so as not to fall below the lower limit of the range of ball payout rates set by the rules.

[0129] In this embodiment, by designing the expected value of the ball payout rate in the BB state to be low, even if the expected value of the ball payout rate in the BB state is increased, it does not exceed the upper limit of the range of ball payout rates set by the rules, and the degree of design freedom can be secured by the amount of the lowered expected value of the ball payout rate in the BB state. Furthermore, with regard to the BB state, since it is required that the medal acquisition performance in the BB state exceeds the medal acquisition performance in the normal state, in order to lower the expected value of the ball payout rate in the BB state, it becomes necessary to design the expected value of the ball payout rate in the normal state to be low.

[0130] However, a comparison of medal acquisition performance between the normal state and the BB state involves a comparison with the playing method with the highest expected ball payout rate in the normal state, and therefore a comparison is made between batting orders 3 to 6, which have the highest expected ball payout rate, which makes it difficult to design medal acquisition performance in the BB state to be low.

[0131] Therefore, in order to lower the medal acquisition performance in the normal state, which is an index for designing the medal acquisition performance in the BB state, the control rules for stop control when the BB is established and when the batting order bell is won are made different in the normal state, thereby limiting the winning of small roles with high payouts, thereby achieving the desired effect. However, in specifications such as this embodiment in which a playing method that stops the first reel R1 first when playing in a normal performance state in an advantageous zone is recommended, it may be necessary to maintain the magnitude relationship of the expected value of the payout rate for each of the stopping operation orders in the normal state and the BB state in order to treat a playing method that stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first as unfavorable.

[0132] For this reason, in this embodiment, batting order bell groups a and b are provided as batting order bell groups with different control rules in the normal state and the BB state, and batting order bell groups c and d are provided as batting order bell groups with the same control rules in the normal state and the BB state.By making it impossible for batting order bell groups a and b to win a 9-coin minor combination in the normal state, the expected value of the ball payout rate in the normal state is lowered while maintaining the relationship between the expected value of the ball payout rate between the order of stop operations, and as a result, the effect of ensuring the extent of reduction in the expected value of the ball payout rate in the BB state can be achieved.

[0133] In addition, in this embodiment, the game is basically designed to be played in the BB formation state, and in the BB formation state, there is a large difference in the expected value of the ball payout rate between the recommended batting order and the irregular batting order, so there is a strategy element in that a game method in which stopping operations in an irregular batting order make it difficult to consume medals in games other than AT. For this reason, in this embodiment, when a stopping operation is performed in the recommended batting order in the normal presentation state, a method is adopted in which control is performed so that the processing related to the instruction function is more advantageous than when a stopping operation is performed in an irregular batting order, and the player's playing method is guided to the recommended batting order.

[0134] FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for adjusting the degree of advantage according to the order of stop operations in the normal presentation state.

[0135] First, when all the reels have stopped for each game (Y in step S200), it is checked whether the order of the stop operations performed in that game is the recommended batting order or an irregular batting order (step S201).

[0136] If the order of the stop operations is the recommended batting order (N in step S201), an AT lottery is executed in a lottery mode according to the value of the high probability counter 1919 (step S202). In this embodiment, if the value of the high probability counter 1919 is "0", it is determined to be low probability mode, and if the value of the high probability counter 1919 is "1", it is determined to be high probability mode, and in high probability mode an AT lottery is executed with a higher expected value of winning the AT than in low probability mode. Then, when the AT lottery is executed, the value of the high probability counter 1919 is reset to the initial value "0" (step S203), and then a predetermined value "1" is added to the value of the high probability counter 1919 (step S204).

[0137] On the other hand, if the order of the stop operations is not the recommended batting order, i.e., if it is an irregular batting order (Y in step S201), the AT lottery is not performed and the value of the high probability counter 1919 is reset to the initial value "0" (step S205).

[0138] In the embodiment described above, when a player performs a stop operation in an irregular batting order, it is easier to win medals than when the player performs a stop operation in the recommended batting order. However, in normal gameplay, when a player performs a stop operation in an irregular batting order, the AT lottery is not performed, putting the player at a disadvantage in the current game compared to when the player performs a stop operation in the recommended batting order. Furthermore, when a player performs a stop operation in an irregular batting order, the value of the high probability counter 1919 is set to its initial value "0," putting the player at a relatively disadvantage in the next game compared to when the player performs a stop operation in the recommended batting order. In other words, in normal gameplay, a situation is created in which the processing related to the instruction function is disadvantageous over two games due to a stop operation in an irregular batting order, which provides a strong motivation for the player to perform a stop operation in the recommended batting order in normal gameplay. In this way, the present invention prevents the use of a game method in which a player performs a stop operation in an irregular batting order, which makes it easier to win medals, thereby ensuring fairness in the game.

[0139] The AT lottery and the process of adding the value of the high probability counter 1919 may be executed at different times. For example, the AT lottery is executed in a lottery mode according to the value of the high probability counter 1919, triggered by the operation to start a game on the start lever SL, and the value of the high probability counter 1919 is reset to the initial value "0" based on the fact that the AT lottery has been executed, and if the order of the stop operations is an irregular batting order, a process is executed to invalidate the result of the AT lottery at the time of the third stop, and if the order of the stop operations is the recommended batting order, a predetermined value "1" can be added to the value of the high probability counter 1919.

[0140] There may be a winning pattern in which the lottery result of winning the AT is obtained with the same winning probability in both the low probability mode and the high probability mode. For example, for the special role group a and the special role group b, it can be configured so that the lottery result of winning the AT is always obtained in the AT lottery in both the low probability mode and the high probability mode.

[0141] It is sufficient that the expected value of obtaining a lottery result of winning the AT is higher in high-probability mode than in low-probability mode. The winning probability of the AT lottery does not need to be different for all winning patterns related to the internal lottery, but it is sufficient that the probability of obtaining a lottery result of winning the AT in the AT lottery is higher in high-probability mode than in low-probability mode for at least some winning patterns. Also, for some winning patterns related to the internal lottery, the winning probability of the AT lottery is higher in low-probability mode than in high-probability mode, but for other winning patterns, the winning probability of the AT lottery is higher in high-probability mode than in low-probability mode, and it is sufficient that the expected value of winning the AT is higher in high-probability mode than in low-probability mode after taking all winning patterns into consideration.

[0142] There may be a winning mode of the internal lottery in which the AT cannot be won in the low-probability mode but the AT can be won in the high-probability mode. Also, there may be a mode in which there are more winning modes of the internal lottery that trigger the AT lottery than in the low-probability mode.

[0143] In a game in a normal presentation state, a process of subtracting the value of the ceiling counter 1924 is performed on the condition that a stop operation is performed in the recommended batting order, and if a stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order, the value of the ceiling counter 1924 may not be updated. In other words, a recommended batting order in which the first reel R1 stops first can be treated more favorably in terms of updating the ceiling counter 1924 than an irregular batting order in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 stops first.

[0144] In AT mode play, a process may be performed in which the bonus lottery is executed on the condition that the stop operation is performed in the recommended batting order, and the bonus lottery is not executed if the stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order. In other words, the recommended batting order in which the first reel R1 stops first can be treated more favorably in terms of the bonus lottery than an irregular batting order in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 stops first.

[0145] In this embodiment, the execution of the AT lottery was described as determining whether the order of stop operations is the recommended batting order regardless of the winning pattern obtained in the internal lottery, but the determination of whether the order of stop operations is the recommended batting order may only be made when a batting order bell (batting order bell group a to batting order bell group d) is won. In other words, if a winning pattern other than the batting order bell is obtained, the AT lottery is executed even if the stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order, but if a winning pattern for the batting order bell is obtained, the AT lottery can be executed on the condition that the stop operation is performed in the recommended batting order. Furthermore, the process of adding a predetermined value "1" to the value of the high probability counter 1919 may be executed only when the batting order bell is won, and on the condition that the stop operation is performed in the recommended batting order.

[0146] In this embodiment, the execution of the AT lottery is avoided as a penalty for the current game due to the stop operation being performed in an irregular batting order, but the AT lottery may be executed in low-probability mode even when the stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order. For example, if the stop operation is performed in the recommended batting order, the AT lottery is executed and then the value of the high-probability counter 1919 is reset to the initial value "0." If the stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order, the value of the high-probability counter 1919 can be reset to the initial value "0" before the AT lottery is executed. In this way, a situation can be created in which the AT lottery can be executed in high-probability mode in the next game after the stop operation is performed in the recommended batting order, but the AT lottery can only be executed in low-probability mode in the next game after the stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order.

[0147] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the recommended batting order was determined at the time of the first stopping operation, but it may also be determined whether or not the batting order is recommended at the time of the second stopping operation. For example, if batting order 1 and batting order 2 are recommended batting orders, the recommended batting order is determined at the time the first stopping operation stops the first reel R1. However, if only batting order 1 is the recommended batting order, the recommended batting order is determined when the first stopping operation stops the first reel R1 and the second stopping operation stops the second reel R2.

[0148] In this embodiment, for the batting order bells a through d, the stop control is configured to prevent a single-coin small win if the first stop operation stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 and is different from the correct batting order. This is because the correct batting order is biased toward batting orders 3 through 6, which stop the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first, and suppresses the increase in the payout rate for non-AT play (play not in AT mode) in these operation orders. Furthermore, if the payout rate for non-AT play differs significantly between the recommended batting order and the irregular batting order, it becomes difficult to eliminate the strategy element that suggests playing with an irregular batting order is better, even considering the inability to enter the AT lottery. Therefore, when the first stop operation stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 and is different from the correct batting order, the payout rate for a single-coin small win is reduced to 1 / 4, suppressing the increase in the payout rate for non-AT play with an irregular batting order.

[0149] In addition, in this embodiment, when the batting order bell is won, if the stop operation is performed in accordance with the correct batting order, the 9-coin small win can always be won. However, even if the stop operation is performed in accordance with the correct batting order, the 9-coin small win may not be won unless the stop operation is performed at a specific press detection position on any of the reels. In this case, the stop operation required to be performed at a specific press detection position may be at least one of the first stop operation, the second stop operation, and the third stop operation. The stop operation required at a specific press detection position may depend on the order of the stop operations, such as only the first stop operation, or the stop operation at a specific press detection position may be required only for a specific reel among the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 (the specific reel may be one or two or more). In other words, in this application, the fact that the correct small win can be won in a specific operation order means that the correct small win can always be won in a specific operation order, or that even in a specific operation order, there may be cases where the correct small win is won and cases where the correct small win is not won. In this application, the specific operation mode includes an operation mode in which the order of the stop operation is specified but the press detection position is not specified, and an operation mode in which both the order of the stop operation and the press detection position are specified.

[0150] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the order of stop operations that may result in a 9-coin minor win when the batting order bell is won is biased toward irregular batting orders, it is preferable to prevent the winning information of the batting order bell from being notified to the sub-board, at least during non-AT play. In situations where the player is in a favorable zone and operation instruction information is provided to the player, the winning information of the batting order bell may be notified to the sub-board, or the winning information of the batting order bell may not be notified to the sub-board at all, regardless of whether the game is non-AT or AT play. Even if the winning information of the batting order bell is not notified to the sub-board, if operation instruction information corresponding to the correct batting order is notified to the sub-board when the main board notifies the correct batting order, the winning assistance effect can be executed on the sub-board, and the assist time game can be played smoothly without notifying the winning information of the batting order bell itself. In this way, by preventing the notification of winning information on the batting order bell to the sub-board at least for non-AT play, it is possible to prevent fraudulent acts such as modifying the sub-board to fraudulently grasp winning information on the batting order bell during non-AT play and thereby reduce the consumption of medals during non-AT play.

[0151] In addition, in this embodiment, an example has been given in which the end condition of the advantageous zone is set based on the value of the clear counter 1922, which is updated according to the number of medals inserted and the number of medals paid out, but the end condition of the advantageous zone may also be set to any desired value, such as a predetermined number of plays being played in the advantageous zone.

[0152] Furthermore, in this embodiment, instruction information is provided in the AT state in the advantageous zone, but instruction information is not provided in the normal presentation state. However, instruction information may also be provided in the normal presentation state. The presentation states that can be set in the advantageous zone are not limited to the normal presentation state and the AT state. For example, various configurations can be adopted, such as a configuration in which a precursory state (an example of the first state) is provided in the normal presentation state between the determination of the right to transition to the AT state and the transition to the AT state, a configuration in which the right to transition to the AT state is granted under conditions different from those in the normal presentation state and a chance zone state (an example of the first state) is provided in which the right to transition to the AT state is easier to obtain than in the normal presentation state, a configuration in which an end waiting state (an example of the first state) is maintained when the end condition of the AT state is met, and if the return condition to the AT state is met in the end waiting state, the game returns to the AT state, and if the return condition to the AT state is not met, the game transitions to the normal presentation state, and a configuration in which the success or failure of any end condition of the advantageous zone is determined in the end waiting state after the end of the AT state, and the game may transition from the end waiting state to the normal presentation state and the advantageous zone may continue, or the advantageous zone may end in the end waiting state and transition to the normal zone.

[0153] In addition, if a stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order while the machine is in a normal display state in the advantageous zone, control may be performed to make it more difficult for a specific display to appear or to prevent the specific display from appearing until a predetermined release condition is met in the next or subsequent games. Note that it is preferable that the control to make it more difficult for a specific display to appear or the control to prevent the specific display from appearing be performed at least in games in which the batting order bell is won.

[0154] An example of a specific effect is an effect that suggests the result of an internal lottery. Specifically, when a highly rare winning mode such as Cherry A or Cherry B is obtained, an image suggesting that the highly rare winning mode has been won is displayed on the liquid crystal display LCD, or a lamp is lit in a color corresponding to the highly rare winning mode. Control that makes a specific effect less likely to appear or that does not appear can be achieved by changing the table for selecting effects, etc. The release conditions can be set arbitrarily, such as the number of games played, obtaining the result of a predetermined internal lottery, or winning the release lottery by performing a release lottery.

[0155] Here, it is assumed that when a winning pattern with a high rarity is obtained in an internal lottery in a favorable zone, in a specification that is favorably treated in the processing related to the instruction function, a specific effect that allows the player to grasp that a winning pattern with a high rarity is obtained is executed between the detection of the game start operation and the detection of the first stop operation. In this case, if the specific effect does not occur, the possibility of a winning pattern with a high rarity is low, so the stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order that has a high expected value for medal acquisition, and if the specific effect occurs, the possibility of a winning pattern with a high rarity is high, so the stop operation is performed in the recommended batting order, which is a strategy element.

[0156] In response to this, by adopting control that limits the appearance of specific effects (control that reduces the frequency of appearance or control that prevents them from appearing) until a predetermined release condition is met when a stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order with a high expected value of medal acquisition, highly strategic gameplay can be suppressed. The decision on whether to perform control to limit the appearance of specific effects may be made only when the batting order bell is won, or may be made when the batting order bell and other effects are won. In other words, a decision on whether to perform control to limit the execution of specific effects may be made only when a winning mode is obtained in which the degree of advantage is adjusted for processing related to the instruction function when a stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order, or a decision on whether to perform control to limit the execution of specific effects may be made even when a winning mode is obtained in which the degree of advantage for processing related to the instruction function is not affected even when a stop operation is performed in an irregular batting order.

[0157] In addition, in this embodiment, the gaming machine is configured so that when playing a game, gaming media such as medals are inserted and gaming media are paid out when a winning combination is achieved, but games may also be played by consuming or granting gaming value as electronic information without using gaming media. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which information on gaming value owned by a player can be stored in the gaming machine or an external unit connected to the gaming machine, and consuming gaming value by subtracting the number of gaming values ​​is replaced by inserting gaming media, and granting gaming value by adding the number of gaming values ​​is replaced by paying out gaming media. [Explanation of symbols]

[0158] BX storage box, UD front upper door, DD front lower door, DW display window, L1 valid line, DS game information display, LCD liquid crystal display, BS setting change button, KS setting change key cylinder, SEC section indicator, EU power supply unit, ES power switch, SP speaker, PS reel unit storage space, MAIN main board, SUB sub board, HP Hopper Unit, MT Medal Storage Tank, CB Cash Box, R1 1st reel, R2 2nd reel, R3 3rd reel, B0 bet button, SL start lever, B1~B3 stop button, MI medal insertion slot, MO medal dispensing slot, MP medal tray, 100 game control means, 103 setting change means, 105 input acceptance means, 110 random number generation means, 120 internal lottery means, 130 reel control means, 140 winning determination means, 150 payout control means, 160 replay processing means, 170 game state control means, 175 AT control means, 177 communication control means, 180 production control means; 190a game information storage means, 1910 main lottery table storage area, 1911 Stop control table storage area, 1912 Winning determination table storage area, 1913 Setting value storage area, 1914 Credit information storage area, 1915 lottery flag storage area, 1916 game status storage area, 1918 Performance status memory area, 1919 High probability counter, 1920 AT stock counter, 1921 AT game counter, 1922 Clear Counter, 1924 Ceiling counter, 190b performance information storage means, 1926 performance data storage area, 1927 Sub lottery table storage area, 1928 Image buffer, 1929 Sound buffer, 210 Medal insertion switch, 220 Bet switch, 230 Start switch, 240 Stop switch, 250 Setting change permission switch, 260 setting change switch, 300 main display, 310 reel units, 315 reel indexes, 325 payout medal detection switch, 330 display device, 340 sound device, 410 Data Counter, 420 Hall Computer

Claims

[Claim 1] A gaming machine having an instruction function for providing instruction information to assist in winning a winning combination, A plurality of reels on which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer circumferential surface; An internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery for determining whether a winning combination is achieved; a reel control means for rotating the plurality of reels for each game and controlling the reels to stop in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery when a stop operation is initiated; and an instruction function control means for setting a first state and a second state and for assisting the winning of a predetermined combination by the instruction function in the second state. When the reels are stopped and a symbol combination showing a winning form predetermined for each winning combination is displayed on the winning line, the winning combination is won. A specific operation sequence in which a specific reel among the plurality of reels is stopped first has a lower expected value of acquisition of game value than a non-specific operation sequence in which a reel other than the specific reel among the plurality of reels is stopped first; The instruction function control means A gaming machine characterized in that, when a stop operation is performed in the specific operation sequence during play in the first state, control is performed so that processing related to the instruction function is more advantageous in the next game than when a stop operation is performed in the non-specific operation sequence.

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