Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of attracting the interest of players while maintaining the degree of freedom in designing the game machine.SOLUTION: The probability of winning the winning area "all minor prizes" in an internal lottery when an SB is operating is lower than the probability of winning any of the minor prize batting-order modes when one of the minor prize batting-order modes is included in the subject of lottery, the probability of winning each prize of all minor prizes in the internal lottery when the SB is operating is equal to or greater than the probability of winning each of all prizes in the internal lottery when one of the minor prize batting-order modes is included in the subject of lottery, and the probability of winning all minor prizes in the internal lottery when the SB is operating grater than the probability of winning all prizes in the internal lottery when one of the minor prize batting-order modes is included in the subject of lottery.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, gaming machines (slot machines) equipped with multiple reels with symbols arranged on their outer peripheries have been known. 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. Furthermore, these types of gaming machines perform control such that, when a player initiates a spin operation, an internal lottery is performed and the multiple reels begin to spin, and when a player initiates a stop operation, the multiple reels are stopped in a manner corresponding to the results of the internal lottery. The outcome of the game 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 outcome of the game.

[0003] In the gaming machine described above, a configuration is known in which a different specified number of coins is set for each gaming state, thereby varying the probability of winning a bonus or small prize, making it easier to acquire gaming value (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-183133 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, when a preset symbol combination is displayed stopped on an active line in a gaming state after a bonus has ended, a replay time state is initiated, which is set to a prescribed number of insertions different from other gaming states, and in the replay time state, the probability of winning a bonus or a small win is set to be different from that in gaming states when no bonus has been won, so that it is configured to attract the interest of players. However, in the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, in order to change the ease of acquiring gaming value, configurations such as changing the winning mode of replays, which are subject to strict restrictions under the rules, and changing the prescribed number of insertions are used, which impose many design constraints and make it difficult to attract the interest of players while maintaining the design freedom of the gaming machine.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can attract the interest of players while maintaining the degree of freedom in designing the gaming machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to a reel system including: Multiple stop buttons and an internal lottery means for conducting an internal lottery; In the internal lottery, the success or failure of multiple winning patterns is determined, The plurality of winning modes include: A first winning mode in which a specific bonus as a normal role is won; A plurality of types of second winning modes in which a plurality of types of specific small winning combinations set to a payout number greater than the number of game values ​​inserted when starting a game do not overlap with each other and overlap with other small winning combinations; A third winning mode in which the plurality of types of specific small winning combinations are won in overlapping fashion, The internal lottery means When the specific bonus is not activated, the internal lottery including the plurality of types of second winning modes as the object of the lottery can be executed, When the specific bonus is activated, the internal lottery is conducted, including the third winning mode as a target of the lottery; The probability of winning the third winning mode in the internal lottery while the specific bonus is activated is lower than the probability of winning any of the second winning modes when the second winning modes are included in the selection of the second winning modes; The winning probability of each of all small winning combinations in the internal lottery when the specific bonus is activated is equal to or greater than the winning probability of each of all small winning combinations in the internal lottery when the plurality of types of second winning modes are included in the lottery targets, The probability of winning all the small prizes in the internal lottery when the specific bonus is activated is higher than the probability of winning all the small prizes in the internal lottery when the plurality of types of second winning modes are included in the lottery.

[0008] The gaming machine of the present invention further comprises an auxiliary game control means for controlling the auxiliary game, The plurality of winning modes includes a fourth winning mode, The auxiliary game control means The control relating to the auxiliary game can be executed based on the result of the internal lottery, When the fourth winning mode is won, it is possible to execute control relating to the auxiliary game that is more advantageous to the player than when other winning modes are won; In the internal lottery when the specific bonus is activated, the fourth winning mode is not included in the lottery. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can attract the interest of players while maintaining the degree of freedom in design of the gaming machine. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating the functional blocks of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing winning areas that can be won by internal lottery in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and winning combinations included in each winning area. [Figure 4] 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 5] This figure shows the winning pattern combinations of RBB1 to RBB3, RB1 to RB3, SB, Replay 1 to Replay 3, and Small Winnings 1 to 10 in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention, the payouts for Small Winnings 1 to 10, and the RT state to which the game is entered when the pattern combination is stopped and displayed on the activated line L1. [Figure 6] This figure shows the winning pattern combinations of small prizes 11 to 32 in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention, the payouts for small prizes 11 to 32, and the RT state to which the player enters when the pattern combination is stopped and displayed on the activated line L1. [Figure 7] This figure shows the winning pattern combinations of small prizes 33 to 39 in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention, the payouts for small prizes 33 to 39, and the RT state to which the game is entered when the pattern combination is stopped and displayed on the activated line L1. [Figure 8] 3 is a state transition diagram of the gaming state in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 9] This is a transition diagram showing the normal and advantageous zones controlled by the AT control means in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention, and the presentation state during the advantageous zone. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing the start state setting control executed by the AT control means in the gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This figure shows the number of lottery values ​​associated with each winning area that is subject to internal lottery in the non-RT state, RT1 state to RT3 state, non-RT state while SB is operating, RT1 state while SB is operating, and RT2 state while SB is operating in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention. [Figure 12]This figure shows the number of lottery values ​​associated with each winning area that is subject to internal lottery in the RBB1 internal middle state to RBB3 internal middle state, RBB1 operating general state to RBB3 operating general state, RBB1 operating RB1 internal middle state to RBB3 operating RB3 internal middle state, and RBB1 operating RB1 operating state to RBB3 operating RB3 operating state in an gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing game results for each batting order when the batting order minor winning mode is won in the non-RT state and RT1 to RT3 states in the gaming machine of the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] This figure shows the game results for each batting order when the batting order small win mode is won in the RBB1 internal middle state to RBB3 internal middle state, RBB1 operating general state to RBB3 operating general state, and RBB3 operating RB3 internal middle state in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention. [Figure 15] This figure shows the game results for each batting order when the batting order small win mode is won when RBB1 is operating and RB1 is in the middle state, and when RBB2 is operating and RB2 is in the middle state in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention. [Figure 16] (A) is a diagram showing the winning symbol combinations of the roles that are set to be formed when the winning area "6-choice Bell 1" is won in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention, and (B) is a diagram showing the number of symbol combinations of minor roles that can be displayed when the symbols that can be stopped among the symbols arranged on the left reel are stopped and displayed on the active line when the stop button B1 is operated to the first stop. [Figure 17](A) is a diagram showing the payout rate for each game method in the non-RT state, RT1 state to RT3 state, non-RT state while SB is operating, RT1 state while SB is operating, RT2 state while SB is operating, and RBB1 internal state to RBB3 internal state, when a replay is treated as a role in which the same number of payouts as the specified number of inserts are made in a gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention; (B) is a diagram showing the payout rate for each game method in the RBB1 operating general state to RBB3 operating general state, the RBB1 operating RB1 internal state to the RBB3 operating RB3 internal state, and the RBB1 operating RB1 operating state to the RBB3 operating RB3 internal state, when a replay is treated as a role in which the same number of payouts as the specified number of inserts are made in a gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention; (C) is a diagram showing the payout rate for each game method in the RBB3 operating general state, the RBB3 operating RB3 internal state, and the RBB3 operating RB3 operating state, when a replay is treated as a role in which the same number of payouts as the specified number of inserts are made. 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. Overview of the gaming machine configuration 1 is a front view showing the external configuration of a slot machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 1 according to this embodiment is a so-called slot machine, which is a type of gaming machine in which games are played using medals as gaming media.

[0013] The slot machine 1 of this embodiment is housed in a box-shaped housing made up of a housing BX, an upper front door UD, and a lower front door DD, and houses a reel unit 310 (see FIG. 2) made up of a plurality of reels, namely a left reel R1 to a right reel R3. A hopper unit 320 (see FIG. 2) serving as a medal dispensing device is housed below the reel unit 310 in the housing. The housing of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment also houses a control board equipped with a CPU, ROM (an example of an information storage medium), RAM, etc., for controlling the operation of the slot machine 1.

[0014] The outer periphery of each of the left reel R1 to right reel R3 shown in Figure 1 is divided into 20 areas (hereinafter, each area will be referred to as a "frame") at regular intervals, and one of several types of patterns is arranged in each frame.

[0015] The upper front door UD and the lower front door DD are provided so that they can be opened and closed separately. The upper front door UD is provided with a display device 330 as a display means for displaying effects consisting of various videos and images to assist and enhance the game. The display device 330 has a display area 330a for displaying images, and a specific area 330b facing the left reels R1 to R3 is made up of a transparent liquid crystal display, so that the spinning and stopped states of the left reels R1 to R3 can be observed through the display device 330. When the left reels R1 to R3 are stopped, three consecutive symbols (top, middle, and bottom symbols) among the multiple types of symbols arranged at regular intervals on the outer periphery of each of the left reels R1 to R3 can be observed from the front of the slot machine 1 through the display device 330.

[0016] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, each reel is provided with an upper, middle, and lower display positions for observing symbols through the display device 330, and an activated line L1 is set for an activated line formed by a combination of the display positions of each reel. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the number of medals required for one game, the so-called specified insertion number (specified number), is set to three in any game state, and when medals equivalent to the specified insertion number are inserted, the activated line L1 formed by the lower row of the left reel R1, the middle row of the center reel R2, and the upper row of the right reel R3 is activated.

[0017] The game result is determined by the symbol combination that stops and is displayed on the valid line L1 (valid line), and if the symbol combination on the valid line L1 is a symbol combination that corresponds to a predetermined role, that role is considered to have won and medals are paid out from the hopper unit 320.

[0018] The upper front door UD is provided with a game information display unit DS. 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, the total number of medals paid out or won in bonus mode, information on the winning combination in this game, and information suggesting how to press stop buttons B1, B2, and B3 related to the payout of medals.

[0019] The game information display unit DS includes a main control display device 500 consisting of a 7-segment display, and when a specified number of medals are inserted and the start lever SL is operated, a notification display is displayed that corresponds to a winning role command, which is a control signal created based on winning information, which is information on the winning role in this game, and when the left reel R1 to right reel R3 stop after the notification display is displayed, the notification display ends and the number of medals paid out or won is displayed. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, a notification display is executed in which each segment of the main control display device 500 lights up and goes out in a display mode corresponding to the winning role command.

[0020] The main control display device 500 is also provided with an interval notification section 500A, which is a dot on a 7-segment display and lights up when an advantageous interval is started by the AT control means 200 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, and the expected medal acquisition value is 1 or more due to the support of winning a small prize. Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, a plurality of sound devices 340 for producing sound effects are provided on the front lower door DD. The sound devices 340 output various sounds to support and liven up the game.

[0021] The front lower door DD is provided with various operating means, such as a max bet button MB for inserting a specified number of medals as inserting operation means for inserting credited (stored) medals, a start lever SL for starting a game as a game start operation means for allowing a player to perform a start operation that triggers the spinning of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 to start a game, stop buttons B1 to B3 for stopping the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 that are driven to rotate by a stepping motor as a stop operation means for allowing a player to perform a stop operation that triggers the stop of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, and a settlement button BS for settling credited medals.

[0022] In addition, a medal payout outlet MO and a medal tray MP are provided at the bottom of the front lower door DD, and medals in a number corresponding to the results of a game are paid out from the medal payout outlet MO to the medal tray MP. In addition, when the settlement button BS is pressed while credited medals are stored in the gaming machine, pressing the settlement button BS executes a settlement process in which medals in a number corresponding to the number of credits (number of credited medals) are paid out from the hopper unit 320, and the medals are paid out from the medal payout outlet MO to the medal tray MP.

[0023] 2 is a functional block diagram of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment is controlled by game control means 10 as a control board. The game control means 10 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 switch 250, and a reset switch 260 as a plurality of operation detection means, performs various calculations for executing a game, and controls the operation of output means such as the performance device 300, the reel unit 310, the hopper unit 320, and the main control display device 500 based on the calculation results.

[0024] The game control means 10 also includes setting change means 100, input acceptance means 105, random number generation means 110, internal lottery means 120, reel control means 130, winning determination means 140, payout control means 150, replay processing means 160, game state transition control means 170, presentation control means 180, storage means 190, and assist time control means (AT control means) 200. Each means constituting the game control means 10 reads out and executes each control program pre-stored in the storage means 190 when executing each control process.

[0025] The setting change means 100 controls (controls setting change) changing the setting values ​​stored in the setting value storage means 191 of the storage means 190. When the setting change switch 250 is in the ON state and setting change is permitted, the setting change means 100 cyclically changes the setting value in the order of Setting 1 → Setting 2 → . . . → Setting 6 → Setting 1 → . . . each time it receives an input signal output from a reset switch 260 provided in the power supply device, and determines the setting value when it receives a start signal output from the start switch 230 in response to operation of the start lever SL. In the slot machine 1, the winning probability of some of the winning areas among the winning areas that can be won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is changed according to the setting value determined in the setting value storage means 191. In other words, the setting change means 100 is configured to be able to change the setting value, which is a value that can change the winning probability of a winning combination in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120.

[0026] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the setting change control is executed by the setting change means 100, the control relating to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 170 and the control relating to the advantageous zone executed by the AT control means 200 are configured to be initialized, the game state is set to a non-replay time (hereinafter, replay time is also referred to as "RT") state described later, and the control relating to the auxiliary game executed by the AT control means 200 before the setting change is also initialized and a normal zone is set. Meanwhile, in the slot machine 1, when the supply of power to the game control means 10 is cut off (power interruption) and then the supply of power is resumed, the control relating to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 170 and the control relating to the advantageous zone executed by the AT control means 200 are configured to be resumed from the state before the power interruption, and the control relating to the auxiliary game executed by the AT control means 200 before the power interruption is also configured to be maintained in the state before the power interruption.

[0027] When a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot MI (see Figure 1) and the medal insertion switch 210 is activated during the insertion acceptance period for accepting the insertion of medals, the insertion acceptance means 105 sets the inserted medal to an inserted state, and when the bet switch 220 is activated, in which a bet operation is performed by pressing the max bet button MB when the medals are credited, the insertion acceptance means 105 sets the credited medals to an inserted state up to the specified insertion number (3 medals), and performs processing to enable the game start operation on the start lever SL based on the fact that medals equivalent to the specified insertion number have been set to the inserted state.

[0028] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the first pressing of the start lever SL, which is activated based on the insertion of a specified number of medals, is accepted as the player's operation to start the game, and serves as an opportunity to start the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, as well as an opportunity for the internal lottery means 120, which will be described later, to execute an internal lottery.

[0029] The random number generation means 110 is a means for generating random numbers for lotteries. In this embodiment, the term "random number" includes not only values ​​that are generated randomly in the mathematical sense, but also values ​​that may be generated regularly but whose acquisition timing is irregular, and therefore may function as random numbers.

[0030] The internal lottery means 120 is a means for conducting an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination will be achieved based on the start signal output when the player performs a start operation on the start lever SL and the start switch 230 detects the start operation, and performs lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, etc.

[0031] In the lottery table selection process, an internal lottery table to be used for the internal lottery is selected based on the current game state from among the multiple internal lottery tables stored in the internal lottery table storage means 192 of the storage means 190. In each internal lottery table, various roles such as replay, small role, and bonus, and non-win (loss) are associated with each of multiple random numbers (for example, 65,536 random numbers from 0 to 65,535).

[0032] In the following description, a bonus means a role that activates a reel or a reel continuous operation device when won, a bonus being activated means that a bonus is won and activates a reel or a reel continuous operation device, and a bonus state means that the reel or reel continuous operation device is activated.

[0033] In the random number determination process, a random number (random number for lottery) generated by the random number generation means 110 is obtained for each game based on the start signal output from the start switch 230, and the obtained random number is compared with the internal lottery table selected in the lottery table selection process, and it is determined based on the comparison result whether or not a winning combination has been achieved.

[0034] 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-established state (first flag state, OFF state) to a established state (second flag state, ON state). In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when two or more types of combinations are simultaneously won, the lottery flags corresponding to the two or more types of combinations are set to an established state. Note that the slot machine 1 of this embodiment provides a lottery flag (carry-over flag) that can carry over its established state to the next game or thereafter until a prize is won, and a lottery flag (non-carry-over flag) that is reset to an unestablished state without carrying over its established state to the next game or thereafter regardless of whether a prize is won or not. In addition, the setting information of the lottery flag is stored in the lottery flag storage means 193 of the storage means 190.

[0035] The reel control means 130 executes reel rotation control, which starts the rotation of the left reels R1 to R3 and controls the rotation patterns of the left reels R1 to R3, based on a start signal output from the start switch 230, which is activated when the player performs a start operation on the start lever SL. Furthermore, when the left reels R1 to R3 are rotating at a steady speed at a predetermined speed (e.g., approximately 80 rpm), the reel control means 130 executes control to validate a stop operation detected by the stop switch 240 when the stop button B1 to B3 corresponding to each reel is pressed. When a reel stop signal is output from the stop switch 240 that detected the stop operation, the reel control means 130 executes control to stop each of the left reels R1 to R3 corresponding to the stop switch 240 that detected the stop operation (reel stop control).

[0036] In the following description, when the reel control means 130 starts the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 and the player presses each of the active stop buttons B1 to B3, the first press operation will be referred to as the first stop operation, the second press operation will be referred to as the second stop operation, and the third press operation will be referred to as the third stop operation.

[0037] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the reel currently spinning corresponding to the stop button pressed (left reel R1 to right reel R3) is stopped within a predetermined period of 190 ms from the time when the stop button B1 to B3 is pressed (the time when the stop switch 240 detects the stop operation). Here, when the spinning reel is stopped within 190 ms from the time when the stop button is pressed, the stop position of each spinning reel is configured to be able to rotate a maximum of four frames from the time when the stop button is pressed until the reel stops, depending on the diameter and rotation speed of each reel.

[0038] Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, a total of five frames, from the frame displayed on the active line L1 at the time the stop button is pressed until four frames have rotated, constitute the range (pull-in range) in which the pattern can be pulled onto the active line L1.

[0039] When executing reel stop control, the reel control means 130 performs a logic calculation process to determine the stop position of the spinning reel based on a predetermined priority by logic calculation including a pull-in process to stop the spinning reel so that a combination with a lottery flag set to a hit state can be won as much as possible, and a kick-off process to stop the spinning reel so that a combination with a lottery flag set to a non-hit state cannot be won, and a table reference process to determine the stop position of the spinning reel by referring to the stop control table stored in the reel control data storage means 194 of the storage means 190, thereby stopping the spinning reel and displaying a pattern on the pay line L1 (hereinafter, stopping the spinning reel by reel stop control and displaying a pattern on the pay line L1 is also referred to as "stop display").

[0040] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when multiple types of small winning combinations are won in the internal lottery, there are two methods for determining the priority of the candidate stop positions: a method for determining the priority according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the activated line L1 (number priority control), and a method for determining the priority according to the number of medals paid out based on the payout predetermined for the small winning combination (number priority control). However, when the number priority control is executed, if multiple small winning combinations with the same payout are won, the priority of the candidate stop positions that can win each small winning combination is treated as being the same.

[0041] 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 left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Specifically, by referring to the winning determination table stored in the winning determination table storage means 195 of the storage means 190, it is determined whether or not the symbol combination displayed on the pay line L1 when all of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have stopped is a winning form for each predetermined winning combination. The winning determination table is prepared so that the presence or absence of a bonus, replay, or small winning combination can be determined (hereinafter referred to as "winning determination") based on the symbol combination displayed on the pay line L1 when each reel has stopped. In the following description, the symbol combination that indicates the winning form of a winning combination will also be referred to as the "winning symbol combination."

[0042] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, each process is executed based on the determination result of the winning determination process by the winning determination means 140. As each process executed based on the determination result of the winning combination, for example, when a small combination is won, a process is executed to determine the number of medals to be paid out by the payout control means 150, when a replay is won, a process is executed to make the replay processing means 160 execute a process to execute the next game without consuming medals when a replay is won, and when a combination that triggers a transition of the game state, such as a bonus, is won, a process is executed to make the game state transition control means 170 transition the game state.

[0043] The payout control means 150 performs a payout process for paying out medals according to the game results. Specifically, when a small winning combination is achieved, the payout control means 150 determines the number of medals to be paid out in the game based on the payout amount predetermined for each combination, and controls the hopper unit 320 as a payout device to pay out medals corresponding to the determined number of medals to be paid out.

[0044] The hopper unit 320 performs an operation of paying out the number of medals to be paid out instructed by the payout control means 150. The hopper unit 320 is provided with a payout medal detection switch 325 that is activated each time a medal is paid out. The payout control means 150 is configured to be able to manage the number of medals actually paid out from the hopper unit 320 based on an input signal from the payout medal detection switch 325. Note that when medal credit is permitted, instead of actually paying out medals using the hopper unit 320, a credit addition process is performed in which the payout number is added to the number of credits (number of credited medals) stored in a credit storage area (not shown) of the storage means 190, and medals are virtually paid out.

[0045] When the winning determination means 140 determines that a symbol combination indicating a winning replay among a plurality of types of replay roles described later has been stopped and displayed on the pay line L1, and the replay wins, the replay processing means 160 performs replay processing (replay processing) to set the machine to a ready state in which the next game can be played without inserting medals. That is, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed to automatically insert a specified number of medals without using medals (including credit medals) held by the player, and the machine waits for the start operation of the start lever SL for the next game, with the same pay line L1 as in the previous game set.

[0046] The game state transition control means 170 performs a process for transitioning game states between multiple game states and a process for activation and termination of bonuses. Here, the transition condition for each game state may be one condition or multiple conditions. When multiple conditions are defined, the game state can be transitioned to another game state when any one of the multiple predetermined conditions is met, or when all of the multiple predetermined conditions are met.

[0047] The effect control means 180 controls effects related to the game, such as image and video effects using the display device 330 and sound effects using the sound device 340, based on the effect data stored in the effect control data storage means 197 of the storage means 190. Specifically, when a player operates each component of the slot machine 1, such as inserting a medal or operating the max bet button MB, start lever SL, or stop buttons B1 to B3, or when a game event such as a change in the game state occurs, the effect control means 180 controls the execution of effects to liven up the game or to assist the game by executing effects such as lighting or blinking of lamps and LEDs and sound output from the sound device 340. In addition, the effect control means 180 causes each component of the effect device 300 to execute effects based on each effect state.

[0048] The AT control means 200 uses data stored in the AT control data storage means 198 to control the transition between an advantageous zone (advantageous period), which is a zone (period) during which control related to instruction functions including auxiliary games that display notifications on the main control display device 500 to assist in winning specific roles, and a normal zone (non-advantageous period), which is a zone (period) during which control related to auxiliary games (control related to instruction functions) based on the results of internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 cannot be executed, and constitutes an auxiliary game control means that performs control related to the normal zone, advantageous zone, and auxiliary games.

[0049] The AT control data storage means 198 stores data (various flags, counters, etc. that are set to ON or OFF by specified control processing) used in various controls related to multiple types of presentation states, including normal states and AT states, that are executed within the advantageous zone.

[0050] The AT control means 200 sets the presentation state to the AT state (assist time state) under predetermined conditions in the advantageous zone, and displays information (an example of operation instruction information) corresponding to the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3 that makes it possible to win the specific role that has been won on the main control display device 500 consisting of a 7-segment display, thereby performing an operation notification to assist in the winning of the specific role. Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, when an operation notification is executed by the AT control means 200, the presentation control means 180, which will be described later, executes a navigation effect that displays an indicator corresponding to the correct batting order on the display device 330. In this way, in the slot machine 1, in the AT state, the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is notified by the operation notification and the winning assistance of the navigation effect, thereby executing an auxiliary game (AT game, notification game) that is advantageous to the player.

[0051] More specifically, when a predetermined termination condition for terminating the advantageous zone, which will be described later, is met, the AT control means 200 executes a predetermined termination process for terminating the advantageous zone and starting the normal zone from the next game, and a predetermined initialization process for initializing information related to the advantageous zone, such as various flags and numerical values ​​set within the advantageous zone. Furthermore, the AT control means 200 turns on the zone notification unit 500A when the advantageous zone has started and the winning assistance has been executed, so that the expected medal acquisition value is 1 or more. For this reason, the AT control means 200 is configured to be able to turn off the zone notification unit 500A when the advantageous zone has started but the winning assistance is not being executed.

[0052] The AT control means 200 executes a game number update process in which, in a game that has started an advantageous zone, the value "1", which is a value corresponding to one game, is added to the value (stored value) stored in the first advantageous zone counter 198a each time a game is played, and cumulatively increments and updates the stored value of the first advantageous zone counter 198a. In addition, the AT control means 200 executes a difference number update process in which the difference value (difference number of medals) obtained by subtracting the number of medals inserted from the game that has started an advantageous zone is cumulatively recorded in the second advantageous zone counter 198b.

[0053] When the AT control means 200 of this embodiment is controlling in the advantageous zone, regardless of the game state, it executes a game number update process that cumulatively adds (updates) the value "1", which corresponds to one game, to the stored value of the first advantageous zone counter 198a each time a game is played, and a difference number update process that cumulatively updates the value corresponding to the difference in the number of medals to the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 198b.

[0054] Here, in the difference number update process for updating the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 198b, if the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 198b becomes less than the value "0" when the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 198b is subtracted because the number of medals paid out in the game is less than the specified number of medals inserted, the AT control means 200 sets the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 198b to the value "0." This allows the AT control means 200 to fix the value when the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 198b is at its lowest point to the value "0," so that in the control process using the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 198b, it is not necessary to vary the value that serves as the judgment threshold depending on the specific numerical value at the lowest point, and the load of the control process using the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 198b can be reduced.

[0055] When 3000 games have been played, that is, when the stored value of the first advantageous zone counter 198a reaches the value "3000", or when the player has acquired more than 2400 medals from the point at which the most medals were consumed in the advantageous zone, that is, when the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 198b reaches the value "2401" from the point at which it was the lowest value (lowest point), the AT control means 200 determines that a specific termination condition has been met as a predetermined termination condition for terminating the advantageous zone, and executes a predetermined termination process that ends the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game.

[0056] In a predetermined initialization process, the AT control means 200 initializes all information used in various control processes in the advantageous zone, such as each flag set to ON in the advantageous zone and values ​​set in the advantageous zone. Note that the AT control means 200 can also end the advantageous zone when a predetermined end condition (normal end condition) other than the specific end condition is met, and executes the predetermined initialization process and predetermined end process even when the normal end condition is met. Details of the normal end condition set by the AT control means 200 in this embodiment will be described later.

[0057] 2. Configuration of the gaming machine in this embodiment Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 17, details of each component included in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0058] <Winning areas subject to internal lottery> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the winning areas that are the subject of an internal lottery in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, and the winning numbers and winning combinations associated with each winning area.

[0059] In addition, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment has, as bonuses, a regular big bonus (hereinafter, the regular big bonus is also written as "RBB") as a device for continuously operating a special feature related to the first type of special feature, a regular bonus (hereinafter, the regular bonus is also written as "RB") as a first type of special feature, and a single bonus (hereinafter, the single bonus is also written as "SB") as a normal feature. In addition, the slot machine 1 has RBB1 to RBB3 as RBBs and RB1 to RB3 as RBs.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 3, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the winning areas that are the subject of the internal lottery include the winning area "Replay A" to the winning area "Replay C", the winning area "All small roles", the winning area "All 1-coin roles", the winning area "5-choice bell A", the winning area "5-choice bell 3A" to the winning area "5-choice bell 6A", the winning area "5-choice bell B", the winning area "5-choice bell 3B" to the winning area "5-choice bell 6B", the winning area "6-choice bell 1" to the winning area "6-choice bell 6", the winning area "3-choice bell 1" to the winning area "3-choice bell 3", the winning area "common bell 1", the winning area "common bell 2", and the winning area "bell 1". , winning area "Watermelon 1", winning area "RB1", winning area "RB2", winning area "RB3", winning area "SB", winning area "RBB1&Bell 2", winning area "RBB1&1 coin role 1", winning area "RBB2&Bell 3", winning area "RBB2&Watermelon 2", winning area "RBB2&1 coin role 2", winning area "RBB3&Watermelon 3", winning area "RBB3&1 coin role 3", winning area "RBB1&Replay A", winning area "RBB2&Replay A", winning area "RBB3&Replay C", and winning numbers 1 to 42 are associated with them, respectively. In addition, in the slot machine 1, winning number 0 is associated with a non-winning (losing) result as a result of an internal lottery.

[0061] The winning area "5-choice bell A", winning area "5-choice bell 3A" to winning area "5-choice bell 6A", winning area "5-choice bell B", winning area "5-choice bell 3B" to winning area "5-choice bell 6B", winning area "6-choice bell 1" to winning area "6-choice bell 6", and winning area "3-choice bell 1" to winning area "3-choice bell 3" are configured so that, depending on the game status, a small role corresponding to the batting order among the operation modes of stop button B1 to stop button B3 can be won. In the following description, the winning area "5-choice bell A", winning area "5-choice bell 3A" to winning area "5-choice bell 6A", winning area "5-choice bell B", winning area "5-choice bell 3B" to winning area "5-choice bell 6B", winning area "6-choice bell 1" to winning area "6-choice bell 6", and winning area "3-choice bell 1" to winning area "3-choice bell 3" are collectively referred to as "batting order small role winning modes".

[0062] Here, "batting order" refers to the order in which stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed. In the following description, the timing at which stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed will also be referred to as "press timing."

[0063] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the batting order, which is the order in which the three stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed, is comprised of six types of batting orders, batting order 1 to batting order 6. Batting order 1 is a batting order in which the stop operation is performed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B2 → stop button B3, which is called a "sequential pressing" batting order. Batting order 2 is a batting order in which the stop operation is performed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B3 → stop button B2, which is called a "scissors hitting" batting order. Batting order 3 is a batting order in which the stop operation is performed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B1 → stop button B3. Batting order 4 is a batting order in which the stop operation is performed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B3 → stop button B1. Batting order 5 is a batting order in which the stop operation is performed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B1 → stop button B2. Batting order 6 is a batting order called reverse pressing, in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B2 → stop button B1.

[0064] In the random number determination process, the internal lottery means 120 determines whether each winning area is a winner or loser in the order from the winning area with the largest winning number among the winning areas associated with the lottery value numbers to the winning area with the winning number 0, which is not a winner.

[0065] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, there are small wins 1 to 39 as small wins that can be won if the internal lottery is won, and there are replays 1 to 39 as replays that can be won in the internal lottery. Each small win and each replay is associated with each winning area in the combination shown in FIG.

[0066] Here, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the roles associated with the carryover flag include RBB1 to RBB3 and RB1 to RB3, and the small role, replay, and SB are associated with the non-carryover flag. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, when a win area including RBB1 to RBB3 and RB1 to RB3 is won in the internal lottery, a process is performed to carry over the established state of the lottery flags of the winning RBB1 to RBB3 and RB1 to RB3 until RBB1 to RBB3 and RB1 to RB3 win. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 performs an internal lottery to determine whether or not the small role and replay have been won, even in a game in which the established state of the lottery flags of RBB1 to RBB3 and RB1 to RB3 has been carried over. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, when a small win or replay is won in a game in which the established state of the lottery flags of RBB1 to RBB3 and RB1 to RB3 is carried over, the lottery flags corresponding to two or more types of winning combinations consisting of the already-won lottery flags of RBB1 to RBB3 and RB1 to RB3 and the lottery flags of the small win or replay won in the internal lottery are set to an established state.

[0067] <Internal lottery table> The slot machine 1 of this embodiment includes, as internal lottery tables which are lottery tables used in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120, an internal lottery table A used in the non-RT state, an internal lottery table B used in the RT1 state, an internal lottery table C used in the RT2 state, an internal lottery table D used in the RT3 state, an internal lottery table E used when SB is activated in the non-RT state, an internal lottery table F used when SB is activated in the RT1 state, an internal lottery table G used when SB is activated in the RT2 state, and an internal lottery table H used in the RBB1 internal middle state to the RBB3 internal middle state. The internal lottery table storage means 192 stores an internal lottery table H used in the RBB1 operation general state, an internal lottery table I used in the RBB1 operation RB1 internal state, an internal lottery table J used in the RBB1 operation RB1 internal state, an internal lottery table K used in the RBB2 operation general state, an internal lottery table L used in the RBB2 operation RB2 internal state, an internal lottery table M used in the RBB3 operation general state, an internal lottery table N used in the RBB3 operation RB3 internal state, and an internal lottery table O used in the RBB1 operation RB1 operation state to the RBB3 operation RB3 operation state. In each of the internal lottery tables A to O, a lottery value number is associated with each winning area that is the subject of the lottery. This will be described in more detail later.

[0068] <Random number determination process> In the random number determination process, the internal lottery means 120 of this embodiment sequentially subtracts the random number obtained from the random number generation means 110 by the lottery value numbers associated with each winning area in the internal lottery table obtained from the internal lottery table storage means 192, and when the result of the subtraction is a negative value, it determines that the winning area corresponding to the subtracted lottery value number has been won. Also, when the result of the subtraction is a positive value after completing the subtraction of all the lottery value numbers stored in the internal lottery table, it determines that no winning combination has been won, that is, that the player has not won.

[0069] <Arrangement of designs> 4 is a diagram showing the symbols arranged on the periphery of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a red 7 symbol "RED 7," a blue 7 symbol "BLUE 7," a BAR symbol "BAR," a replay A symbol "RPA," a replay B symbol "RPB," a bell A symbol "BLA," a bell B symbol "BLB," a cherry symbol "CH," a watermelon symbol "WM," and a blank symbol "BK" are arranged on the periphery of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Also, 20 symbols are arranged on each of the peripheries of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3.

[0070] <Reel control means> In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in any game state, the priority order of the winning combinations to be stopped on the pay line L1 in the reel stop control is determined in the order of "replay > small combination > bonus." In other words, when a bonus and a small combination or a bonus and a replay are both won, the reel control means 130 executes stop control to give priority to the bonus and win the small combination or replay.

[0071] Furthermore, as described above, the reel control means 130 is configured to be able to rotate the reels a maximum of four frames from the time the stop button is pressed until the reels stop, and is therefore configured to be able to stop and display the symbols arranged on the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 that are arranged at intervals of four frames or less on the activated line L1 regardless of the timing of pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0072] Specifically, the reel control means 130 is configured to be able to stop the watermelon symbol "WM" on the left reel R1, the bell A symbol "BLA" and the cherry symbol "CH" on the center reel R2, and the replay A symbol "RPA", the bell A symbol "BLA", and the watermelon symbol "WM" on the right reel R3, regardless of the timing of pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3, if they can be stopped on the activated line L1.

[0073] Furthermore, the reel control means 130 is capable of stopping symbols that are not the same as each other as long as they are arranged at intervals of four frames or less. For example, if either the bell A symbol "BLA" arranged at stop number 3, stop number 8, or stop number 18 on the left reel R1, or the bell B symbol "BLB" arranged at stop number 13, can be stopped on the active line L1, the reel control means 130 is configured to be able to stop the bell A symbol "BLA" or the bell B symbol "BLB" regardless of the timing of pressing the stop button B1.

[0074] <Small win payout> In this embodiment, the payouts for small wins 1 to 10, small wins 33, and small wins 34 are set to a payout number (11) greater than the specified input number (3). Also, the payouts for small wins 11 to 13 are set to a payout number (3) equal to the specified input number. Also, the payouts for small wins 16 to 32, and small wins 35 to 39 are set to a payout number (1) less than the specified input number.

[0075] <Winning combination of symbols> Figures 5 to 7 are diagrams showing the winning pattern combinations of RBB1 to RBB3, RB1 to RB3, SB, Replay 1 to Replay 3, and Small Winning 1 to Small Winning 39, the payouts for Small Winning 1 to Small Winning 39, and the RT state to which the system transitions when the pattern combination is stopped and displayed on the activated line L1.

[0076] 5, the winning symbol combinations for RBB3 are set to "Red 7-Red 7-Blue 7" and "Bell B-BAR-BAR (Blue 7)." In the slot machine 1, for example, when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stop and the symbol combination "Red 7-BAR-Blue 7" is displayed on the pay line L1, RBB3 is not determined to have won.

[0077] Furthermore, the winning symbol combinations RBB1 to RBB3, RB1 to RB3, and SB are each composed of symbols that can win a prize when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated at a timing that allows the symbols that make up the winning symbol combination to stop on the pay line L1. Therefore, in the slot machine 1, when RBB1 to RBB3, RB1 to RB3, and SB are in a winning state, if the operation timing of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is such that the symbols that make up the winning symbol combination of the bonus that can win a prize can stop on the pay line L1, the bonus will be won, but if the timing is such that the symbols cannot stop on the pay line L1, the bonus will not be won.

[0078] As shown in Fig. 5, the winning symbol combination of Replay 2, "BLA(BLB)-CH-CH," is a symbol combination that triggers a transition to the RT2 state when stopped and displayed on the pay line L1. As shown in Fig. 3, Replay 2 is a replay included in the winning area "Replay B." The reel control means 130 is configured to execute reel stop control to stop and display the symbols that make up the winning symbol combination of Replay 2, "BLA(BLB)-CH-CH," on the pay line L1 when the winning area "Replay B" is won.

[0079] For this reason, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured such that when RBB1 to RBB3 are not set to a completed state and RBB1 to RBB3 are not activated, if the winning area "Replay B" is won, the winning pattern combination of Replay 2 "BLA(BLB)-CH-CH" is displayed stopped on the activated line L1, and the game state transitions to the RT2 state.

[0080] As shown in Fig. 5, the symbols constituting the winning combinations of small wins 1 to 10, which are set to a payout of 11 coins, are arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less on each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Therefore, when reel stop control is executed to enable the small wins 1 to 10 to be stopped and displayed on the activated line L1, each of the small wins 1 to 10 is configured to be stopped and displayed on the activated line L1 regardless of the timing of pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0081] 6 and 7, the symbols constituting the winning symbol combinations of small wins 11 to 39 are configured to be missable depending on the operation timing of the stop button corresponding to the reel in at least one of the symbols of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Specifically, for example, the watermelon symbol "WM" of the center reel R2 constituting the winning symbol combination of small wins 11 can be won when the stop button B2 is operated at the timing when the symbols within the pull-in range of the watermelon symbol "WM" of the stop number 1 to the replay B symbol "RPB" of the stop number 10 are displayed in rotation on the effective line L1, and the small win 11 cannot be won when the symbols outside the pull-in range of the watermelon symbol "WM" are displayed in rotation on the effective line L1.

[0082] <Game state transition control means> FIG. 8 is a state transition diagram showing game states to which transition can be made from each game state in the control relating to transition of game states executed by the game state transition control means 170 of this embodiment.

[0083] As shown in Figure 8, the slot machine 1 has non-RT state, RT1 state to RT3 state as gaming states in which a bonus is not activated or established, RBB1 internal state to RBB3 internal state as gaming states in which an RBB is established, and RBB1 operating general state to RBB3 operating general state, RBB1 operating RB1 internal state to RBB3 operating RB3 internal state, and RBB1 operating RB1 operating state to RBB3 operating RB3 operating state as gaming states in which an RBB is operating.

[0084] In order to manage which game state the previous game was in, the slot machine 1 is configured to set game state type information corresponding to each game state in the game state type storage means 196a of the game state control data storage means 196. The game state type storage means 196a is configured as a data area that stores type data corresponding to each game state, and is configured to be able to store values ​​from "0" to "15" as game state types.

[0085] In this embodiment, as the game state type, the value "0" is associated with the non-RT state, the value "1" is associated with the RT1 state, the value "2" is associated with the RT2 state, the value "3" is associated with the RT3 state, the value "4" is associated with the RBB1 internal state, the value "5" is associated with the RBB1 operating general state, the value "6" is associated with the RBB1 operating RB1 internal state, the value "7" is associated with the RBB1 operating RB1 operating state, and the value "8" is associated with the RBB2 internal state. is associated with the value "8", the RBB2 operating general state is associated with the value "9", the RBB2 operating RB2 internal state is associated with the value "10", the RBB2 operating RB2 operating state is associated with the value "11", the RBB2 operating RB2 operating state is associated with the value "12", the RBB3 internal state is associated with the value "13", the RBB3 operating general state is associated with the value "14", and the RBB3 operating RB3 operating state is associated with the value "15".

[0086] In the slot machine 1, as will be described in more detail later, when a transition is made from the normal zone to the advantageous zone, the AT control means 200 refers to the game state type stored in the game state type memory means 196a based on the start lever SL being operated to start the first game in the advantageous zone, and the presentation state for the first game in the advantageous zone is set.

[0087] In addition, the game state transition control means 170 is configured not to change the game state based on the operation of the SB when the SB is activated. For example, when the SB is won when the game state is in the RT1 state and the SB is activated based on the winning of the SB, the game state transition control means 170 activates the SB while maintaining the RT1 state, which is the current game state.

[0088] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the total winning probability of the winning areas including replays is set to 8978 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 7.3) in any of the non-RT state and the RT1 to RT3 states, and the winning probability of each winning area including replays is different in each of the non-RT state and the RT1 to RT3 states. More details will be described later.

[0089] The non-RT state is a gaming state (initial gaming state, normal gaming state) that corresponds to the initial state among multiple types of gaming states, and is a gaming state that is set when the slot machine 1 is initialized and the gaming state is also initialized, such as when a setting change is executed by the setting change means 100. In addition, the non-RT state is configured as an infinite RT that does not end depending on the number of times the game is executed.

[0090] In the non-RT state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table A in which lottery values ​​are associated with winning areas including RBB1 to RBB3 or SB. The internal lottery table A is configured such that lottery values ​​are not associated with the winning area "REPLAY B" including REPLAY 2, which transitions to the RT2 state when a winning symbol combination is stopped and displayed on the pay line L1. For this reason, the slot machine 1 is configured not to transition from the non-RT state to the RT2 state.

[0091] The gaming state transition control means 170 transitions the gaming state from the non-RT state to the RT1 state when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stop during a game in the non-RT state and a symbol combination (see Figures 5 and 6) that triggers a transition to the RT1 state is stopped and displayed on the pay line L1. In addition to the winning symbol combinations that trigger a transition to the RT1 state shown in Figures 5 and 6, the slot machine 1 also transitions the gaming state from the non-RT state to the RT1 state when a symbol combination (blank symbol combination) that is stopped and displayed on the pay line L1 when none of the minor winning combinations wins when the winning area "5-choice BELL A," the winning area "5-choice BELL 3A" to the winning area "5-choice BELL 6A," the winning area "5-choice BELL B," or the winning area "5-choice BELL 3B" to the winning area "5-choice BELL 6B" is won is also configured as a symbol combination that triggers a transition to the RT1 state.

[0092] Due to this configuration, the slot machine 1 is configured so that the probability of displaying the symbol combination that triggers the transition to the RT1 state does not change depending on the skill of the player, preventing the occurrence of strategies such as intentionally avoiding the transition to the RT1 state.

[0093] In addition, when a winning area including any of RBB1 to RBB3 is won in the internal lottery, the game state transition control means 170 transitions to the game state corresponding to the winning RBB among the RBB1 internal middle state to the RBB3 internal middle state, even if the pattern combination that triggers the transition to the RT1 state is stopped and displayed on the valid line L1.

[0094] The RT1 state is a game state to which the game is transitioned when a symbol combination that triggers a transition to the RT1 state is stopped and displayed on the pay line L1, and is configured as an infinite RT that does not end regardless of the number of times a game is executed. In the RT1 state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table B, in which lottery values ​​are associated with winning areas including RBB1 to RBB3 or SB. The internal lottery table B is configured such that lottery values ​​are associated with the winning area "Replay B," including Replay 2, which transitions to the RT2 state when a winning symbol combination is stopped and displayed on the pay line L1. Therefore, the slot machine 1 is configured to be able to transition from the RT1 state to the RT2 state.

[0095] The gaming state transition control means 170 transitions the gaming state from the RT1 state to the RT2 state when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stop during a game in the RT1 state and the winning symbol combination of Replay 2 "BLA (BLB)-CH-CH" (see FIG. 5), which is the symbol combination that triggers a transition to the RT2 state, is stopped and displayed on the activated line L1. Also, when a winning area including any of RBB1 to RBB3 is won in the internal lottery, the gaming state transition control means 170 transitions the gaming state to the gaming state corresponding to the winning RBB among the RBB1 internal middle state to the RBB3 internal middle state, even if the symbol combination that triggers a transition to the RT2 state is stopped and displayed on the activated line L1.

[0096] Due to this configuration, the slot machine 1 is configured so that the probability of displaying the symbol combination that triggers the transition to the RT2 state does not change depending on the skill of the player, preventing the occurrence of strategies such as intentionally avoiding the transition to the RT2 state.

[0097] The RT2 state is a game state to which the game is transitioned when a symbol combination that triggers a transition to the RT2 state is stopped and displayed on the pay line L1, and is configured as a finite RT that ends depending on the number of times the game has been executed. In the RT2 state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table C that is associated with the number of lottery values ​​in the winning areas including RBB1 to RBB3 or SB.

[0098] When a game in the RT2 state is started, the game state transition control means 170 sets the value "8000" to the RT game count counter 196b of the game state control data storage means 196. The RT game count counter 196b is a counter that counts the number of games played in the finite RT game state, and is configured so that when a value is set, it is decremented by a value "1" corresponding to one game each time a game is played. Therefore, the RT2 state is configured to end when 8000 games have been played without winning any of RBB1 to RBB3.

[0099] When the stored value of the RT game number counter 196b becomes "0," the gaming state transition control means 170 determines that the RT2 state termination condition has been met and transitions the gaming state from the RT2 state to a non-RT state. Furthermore, since the gaming state transition control means 170 starts the RT2 state based on the winning symbol combination "BLA(BLB)-CH-CH" of Replay 2 being stopped and displayed on the pay line L1, the gaming state transition control means 170 is configured to maintain the RT2 state even when the symbol combination that triggers transition to the RT1 state is stopped and displayed on the pay line L1. Furthermore, when a winning area including any of RBB1 to RBB3 is won in the internal lottery, the gaming state transition control means 170 transitions to the gaming state corresponding to the winning RBB among the RBB1 internal middle state to the RBB3 internal middle state.

[0100] The RT3 state is a game state to which the game is transitioned when the activated RBB1 to RBB3 are completed, and is configured as a finite RT that ends depending on the number of times the game has been executed. In the RT3 state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table D that is associated with the lottery value number in the winning area including RBB1 to RBB3 or SB.

[0101] When a game is started in the RT3 state, the game state transition control means 170 sets the value "1" to the RT game number counter 196b of the game state control data storage means 196. Therefore, the RT3 state is configured to end when one game is played without winning any of RBB1 to RBB3.

[0102] When the stored value of the RT game number counter 196b becomes "0," the gaming state transition control means 170 determines that the RT3 state termination condition has been met and transitions the gaming state from the RT3 state to a non-RT state. Furthermore, since the RT3 state has started based on the termination of activated RBB1 to RBB3, the gaming state transition control means 170 transitions the gaming state to the RT1 state when a symbol combination that triggers a transition to the RT1 state is stopped and displayed on the activated line L1, and transitions the gaming state to the RT2 state when a symbol combination that triggers a transition to the RT2 state is stopped and displayed on the activated line L1. Furthermore, when a winning area including any of RBB1 to RBB3 is won in the internal lottery, the gaming state transition control means 170 transitions to the gaming state corresponding to the winning RBB from the RBB1 internal state to the RBB3 internal state.

[0103] Next, details of the case where SB wins will be explained. When SB wins and SB is activated, the game state transition control means 170 ends SB after one game is executed. Also, as described above, the game state transition control means 170 is configured not to change the game state based on the operation of SB when SB is activated, and is configured to execute the transition of the game state based on the transition trigger or termination condition that has been established when the transition trigger or termination condition of the game state set for each RT state is established.

[0104] For this reason, in the slot machine 1, when the SB is activated in the non-RT state, and a symbol combination that triggers a transition to the RT1 state in the non-RT state while the SB is activated is displayed stopped on the active line L1, the game state transitions from the non-RT state to the RT1 state after the SB ends based on the establishment of the transition trigger to the RT1 state.

[0105] In addition, in the slot machine 1, when the SB is activated in the RT1 state, and a symbol combination that triggers a transition to the RT2 state in the RT1 state while the SB is activated is displayed stopped on the active line L1, the game state transitions from the RT1 state to the RT2 state after the SB ends based on the establishment of the transition trigger to the RT2 state.

[0106] In addition, in the slot machine 1, when the SB is activated in the RT2 state, if the SB wins and activates during the 8000th game in the RT2 state, the conditions for terminating the RT2 state are met by the time the game starts in the state in which the SB is activated, and the SB is activated in the non-RT state. In addition, in the slot machine 1, when the SB is activated in the RT2 state and the 8000th game in the RT2 state is played in the RT2 state while the SB is activated, the conditions for terminating the RT2 state are met while the SB is activated, and the game state transitions from the RT2 state to the non-RT state after the SB ends based on the condition for terminating the RT2 state being met.

[0107] In the slot machine 1, when the SB wins in the RT3 state that ends in one game, the conditions for ending the RT3 state are met by the time the game starts with the SB activated, and the SB is activated in the non-RT state, so the RT3 state does not exist while the SB is activated.

[0108] In the internal lottery tables E to G used in the internal lottery during the operation of SB, the winning area "SB" that is won by SB is associated with a lottery value number. Therefore, in the slot machine 1, if SB wins during a game in the state where SB is activated, and SB is activated again, it is possible to continue playing in the state where SB is activated.

[0109] The RBB1 internal state is a game state to which the game transitions when the RBB1 is set to the established state. In the RBB1 internal state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table H in which the winning probability of a replay is set to 26108 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 2.5).

[0110] The RBB2 internal state is a game state to which the game transitions when RBB2 is set to the established state. In the RBB2 internal state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table H in which the winning probability of a replay is set to 26108 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 2.5).

[0111] The RBB3 internal state is a game state to which the game transitions when RBB3 is set to the established state. In the RBB1 internal state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table H in which the winning probability of a replay is set to 26108 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 2.5).

[0112] When RBB1 wins, the game state transition control means 170 transitions the game state to the RBB1 operating general state based on the operation of RBB1. When medals exceeding a predetermined payout number (for example, 285 medals) are paid out, that is, when the number of medals paid out in the RBB1 operating general state, the RBB1 operating RB1 internal state, and the RBB1 operating RB1 operating state exceeds the predetermined payout number, the game state transition control means 170 determines that the RBB1 termination condition has been met and transitions the game state to the RT3 state.

[0113] The RBB1 operation general state is a game state that corresponds to the initial state among the game states in which RBB1 is activated. In the RBB1 operation general state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table I in which the winning probability of a replay is set to 4096 / 65536 (1 / 16) and the lottery value number is associated with the winning area "RB1" that wins RB1.

[0114] The RB1 internal state during RBB1 operation is a game state to which the game enters when RB1 is won in the internal lottery in the RBB1 general state during operation and RB1 is set to the established state. In the RB1 internal state during RBB1 operation, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using an internal lottery table J configured to win either a winning area including a small winning combination or a winning area including a replay.

[0115] As described above, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, regardless of the game state, the priority order of the roles to be stopped on the pay line L1 in the reel stop control is determined in the order of "replay > minor role > bonus."

[0116] For this reason, in the slot machine 1, if RB1 does not win in a game in which RB1 is won in the general state while RBB1 is operating and the state transitions to the RB1 internal state while RBB1 is operating, RB1 and a small win or replay will be won in the subsequent game, and the symbols that make up the winning symbol combination of the small win or replay will stop on the active line L1 in priority to RB1, so that RB1 does not win and the RB1 internal state while RBB1 is operating is maintained.

[0117] The RBB1 in operation / RB1 in operation state is a game state to which the game state is transitioned when RB1 wins and RB1 is activated while RBB1 is in operation. In the RBB1 in operation / RB1 in operation state, the game state transition control means 170 determines that the RB1 termination condition is met when a small combination is won eight times or when 12 games are played, terminates the operation of RB1, and transitions the game state to the RBB1 in operation general state. In the RBB1 in operation / RB1 in operation state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table O.

[0118] When RBB2 wins, the game state transition control means 170 transitions the game state to the RBB2 operating general state based on the operation of RBB2. When medals exceeding a predetermined payout number (for example, 285 medals) are paid out, that is, when the number of medals paid out in the RBB2 operating general state, the RBB2 operating RB2 internal state, and the RBB2 operating RB2 operating state exceeds the predetermined payout number, the game state transition control means 170 determines that the RBB2 termination condition has been met and transitions the game state to the RT3 state.

[0119] The RBB2 operation general state is a game state that corresponds to the initial state among the game states in which RBB2 is activated. In the RBB2 operation general state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using an internal lottery table K in which the winning probability of a replay is set to 4096 / 65536 (1 / 16) and the lottery value number is associated with the winning area "RB2" that wins RB2.

[0120] The RBB2 operation RB2 internal state is a game state to which the game state is transitioned when RB2 is won in the internal lottery in the RBB2 operation general state and RB2 is set to the established state. In the RBB2 operation RB2 internal state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table L in which the winning probability of a replay is set to 22092 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 3.0).

[0121] In the internal lottery using the internal lottery table L, the probability of not winning is 13946 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 4.7). In the slot machine 1, in a game in which the result of the internal lottery in the RBB2 operating RB2 internal state is not a winning result, RB2 can be won by being in a state where RB2 is formed alone.

[0122] The RBB2 in operation / RB2 in operation state is a game state to which the game state is transitioned when RB2 wins and RB2 is activated while RBB2 is in operation. In the RBB2 in operation / RB2 in operation state, the game state transition control means 170 determines that the RB2 termination condition is met when a small combination is won eight times or when 12 games are played, terminates the operation of RB2, and transitions the game state to the RBB2 in operation general state. In the RBB2 in operation / RB2 in operation state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table O.

[0123] When RBB3 wins, the game state transition control means 170 transitions the game state to the RBB3 operation general state based on the operation of RBB3. When medals exceeding a predetermined payout number (for example, 285 medals) are paid out, that is, when the number of medals paid out in the RBB3 operation general state, the RBB3 operation RB3 internal state, and the RBB3 operation RB3 operation state exceeds the predetermined payout number, the game state transition control means 170 determines that the RBB3 termination condition has been met and transitions the game state to the RT3 state.

[0124] The general state during the operation of RBB3 is a game state corresponding to the initial state among the game states in which RBB3 operates. In the general state during the operation of RBB3, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to perform an internal lottery using an internal lottery table M in which the winning probability of replay is set to 4096 / 65536 (1 / 16) and the number of lottery values is associated with the winning area "RB3" for winning RB3.

[0125] The internal middle state of RB3 during the operation of RBB3 is a game state that transitions when RB3 is won in the internal lottery in the general state during the operation of RBB3 and RB3 is set to the established state. In the internal middle state of RB3 during the operation of RBB3, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to perform an internal lottery using an internal lottery table N in which the winning probability of replay is set to 4096 / 65536 (1 / 16).

[0126] In the internal lottery using the internal lottery table N, it is configured to result in a non-winning with a probability of 31942 / 65536 (about 1 / 2.1). In the slot machine 1, in a game where the result of the internal lottery in the internal middle state of RB3 during the operation of RBB3 is a non-winning, RB3 can be awarded by having RB3 become the established state alone.

[0127] The operating state of RB3 during the operation of RBB3 is a game state that transitions when RB3 wins and RB3 operates while RBB3 is operating. In the operating state of RB3 during the operation of RBB3, the game state transition control means 170 determines that the end condition of RB3 is satisfied when the small combination wins 8 times and when 12 games are executed, terminates the operation of RB3, and causes the game state to transition to the general state during the operation of RBB3. In the operating state of RB3 during the operation of RBB3, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to perform an internal lottery using an internal lottery table O.

[0128] <AT control means> FIG. 9 is a state transition diagram showing details of the normal interval and advantageous interval controlled by the AT control means 200 of this embodiment, and the presentation state controlled during the advantageous interval.

[0129] As described above, the normal interval is a period during which no control is executed regarding the auxiliary game based on the result of the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120. During play within the normal interval, the AT control means 200 executes an advantageous interval lottery, which is a lottery that determines whether to end the normal interval and start an advantageous interval, based on the winning area selected in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120.

[0130] In the advantageous zone lottery, the AT control means 200 first acquires an advantageous zone transition lottery table, which is a data table in which "start of advantageous zone" and "no win (miss)" are associated with each of a plurality of random numbers, from the AT control data storage means 198. Then, the AT control means 200 acquires a random number from the random number generation means 110, compares the acquired random number with the advantageous zone transition lottery table, and determines whether or not to start an advantageous zone based on the comparison result.

[0131] The AT control means 200 executes the advantageous zone lottery so that the probability obtained by multiplying the winning probability of the winning area selected in the internal lottery by the winning probability of the "start of the advantageous zone" in the advantageous zone lottery is 1 / 17500 or more.

[0132] The AT control means 200 of this embodiment, regardless of the game state, when the winning area "5-choice bell A", the winning area "5-choice bell 3A" to the winning area "5-choice bell 6A", the winning area "5-choice bell B", the winning area "5-choice bell 3B" to the winning area "5-choice bell 6B", the winning area "6-choice bell 1" to the winning area "6-choice bell 6", the winning area "3-choice bell 1" to the winning area "3-choice bell 3", the winning area "common bell 1", the winning area "common bell 2", the winning area "bell 1", the winning area "watermelon 1", the winning area "SB", and when RBB1 to RBB3 are won and activated. In a game state where no winning area is selected, when the winning area "RBB1&Bell 2", the winning area "RBB1&1 coin role 1", the winning area "RBB2&Bell 3", the winning area "RBB2&Watermelon 2", the winning area "RBB2&1 coin role 2", the winning area "RBB3&Watermelon 3", the winning area "RBB3&1 coin role 3", the winning area "RBB1&Replay A", the winning area "RBB2&Replay A", the winning area "RBB3&Replay C", the lottery for the advantageous zone is executed, and when the winning area is selected in any other winning area, the lottery for the advantageous zone is not executed.

[0133] The AT control means 200 of this embodiment executes a lottery for a favorable zone with a 1 / 1 probability of winning the "start of the favorable zone" when a winning area (winning area "5-choice bell A", winning area "5-choice bell 3A" to winning area "5-choice bell 6A", winning area "5-choice bell B", winning area "5-choice bell 3B" to winning area "5-choice bell 6B", winning area "6-choice bell 1" to winning area "6-choice bell 6", winning area "3-choice bell 1" to winning area "3-choice bell 3", winning area "common bell 1", winning area "common bell 2") is won in which the pattern combination that will trigger a transition to the RT1 state when won in the non-RT state or RT3 state is reliably stopped and displayed on the valid line L1. In addition, the AT control means 200 executes a lottery for a favorable zone with a high probability of approximately 1 / 1.5 to win the "start of the favorable zone" when the winning area "Bell 1", the winning area "Watermelon 1", or the winning area "SB" is won regardless of the game state, or when the winning area "RBB1&Bell 2", the winning area "RBB1&1 coin role 1", the winning area "RBB2&Bell 3", the winning area "RBB2&Watermelon 2", the winning area "RBB2&1 coin role 2", the winning area "RBB3&Watermelon 3", the winning area "RBB3&1 coin role 3", the winning area "RBB1&Replay A", the winning area "RBB2&Replay A", or the winning area "RBB3&Replay C" is won in a game state in which RBB1 to RBB3 are not won or activated.

[0134] In the advantageous zone, the AT control means 200 has a normal state, a CZ state, and an AT state as states (presentation states) related to the instruction function. In addition, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the proportion of players staying in the advantageous zone during the entire game can be 70% or more.

[0135] In this embodiment, the AT control means 200 is configured to execute start state setting control to set the presentation state in the game where the advantageous zone starts when the normal zone transitions to the advantageous zone. The AT control means 200 sets the presentation state in the game where the advantageous zone starts to either the normal state or the CZ state by the start state setting control. Details of the start state setting control will be described later.

[0136] The normal state is a presentation state (normal presentation state) that corresponds to the normal state among multiple types of presentation states, and is set when there is no transition to another presentation state. When the presentation state transitions to the normal state, the AT control means 200 performs an incremental update to add a value "1" corresponding to one game to the stored value of a normal game number counter (not shown), which counts the number of games played in the normal state, each time a game is played. When the stored value of the normal game number counter reaches the value "700", the AT control means 200 determines that the transition condition to the CZ state (CZ transition condition) has been met, and transitions the presentation state from the normal state to the CZ state.

[0137] The AT control means 200 is configured to execute a CZ lottery to determine whether or not to transition to the CZ state in a game in which a winning area that does not include an RBB is won in an internal lottery in the normal state. Furthermore, when the winning area "Watermelon 1" is won in the internal lottery, the AT control means 200 is configured to execute a CZ lottery that increases the probability of a favorable result for the player by making it easier to win the "transition to the CZ state" than when a winning area that does not include an RBB and is different from the winning area "Watermelon 1" is won. When the "transition to the CZ state" is won in the CZ lottery, the AT control means 200 transitions the presentation state from the normal state to the CZ state.

[0138] In addition, the AT control means 200 determines the transition to the AT state when the winning area including RBB1 is won in the internal lottery, and when the winning area including RBB2 is won. In addition, when the winning area including RBB3 is won in the internal lottery, the AT control means 200 executes a normal AT lottery to determine whether or not to transition to the AT state, and when the "transition to AT state" is won, it determines that the transition condition to the AT state (AT transition condition) has been established.

[0139] The CZ state is configured to be able to transition to the AT state with a higher probability than the normal state when control for determining whether to transition the presentation state to the AT state is executed as a control related to auxiliary games, and is a presentation state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state. At the start of the CZ state, the AT control means 200 sets a value corresponding to a predetermined number of games (for example, 10 games) to the CZ game number counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 198, and executes a decrement update each time a game is executed, subtracting the value stored in the CZ game number counter by the value "1" corresponding to one game.

[0140] The AT control means 200 is configured to execute a CZ AT lottery to determine whether or not to transition to the AT state during each game in the CZ state. If the "transition to the AT state" is won in the CZ AT lottery, the AT control means 200 transitions the presentation state from the CZ state to the winning presentation state after 10 games have been played since the start of the CZ state.

[0141] The AT control means 200 executes a CZ set number addition lottery to determine whether to add (add) to the number of times one set of AT state is executed for the AT state in the case where the "transition to AT state" is won in the AT lottery during CZ and the game is played until the CZ state ends, and the AT state is entered after the CZ state ends.

[0142] On the other hand, if 10 games are played in the CZ state without winning the "transition to AT state" in the AT lottery during the CZ, the AT control means 200 ends the CZ state and transitions the presentation state to the normal state.

[0143] The AT control means 200 is configured to execute lotteries relating to auxiliary games executed in the CZ state (AT lottery during CZ, set number addition lottery during CZ) regardless of the result of the internal lottery. Also, the AT control means 200 is configured so that, for lotteries relating to auxiliary games executed in the CZ state, if the winning area "Watermelon 1" is won in the internal lottery, the probability of "not winning (missing)" is lower than when other winning areas are won, and the probability of an outcome advantageous to the player ("transition to AT state" in the case of an AT lottery during CZ) is higher.

[0144] In addition, the AT control means 200 decides to transition to the AT state without executing the AT lottery during the CZ when the winning area including RBB1 is won in the internal lottery, and when the winning area including RBB2 is won. Also, the AT control means 200 executes the AT lottery during the CZ when the winning area including RBB3 is won in the internal lottery.

[0145] When RBB1 is won in the normal state or CZ state, the effect control means 180 executes an effect that makes the player aim for the winning symbol combination of RBB1, "blue 7-blue 7-blue 7", in a game where RBB1 can be won. Also, when RBB2 is won in the normal state or CZ state, the effect control means 180 executes an effect that makes the player aim for the winning symbol combination of RBB1, "red 7-red 7-red 7", in a game where RBB2 can be won.

[0146] Furthermore, when the conditions for transitioning to the AT state are established by the AT control means 200 and RBB3 has been won, the presentation control means 180 executes a presentation that makes the player aim for "red 7-red 7-blue 7" among the winning symbol combinations of RBB3 in a game in which RBB3 can be won. On the other hand, when the conditions for transitioning to the AT state are not established by the AT control means 200 and RBB3 has been won, the presentation control means 180 executes a presentation that makes the player aim for "BLB-BAR-BAR (blue 7)" among the winning symbol combinations of RBB3 in a game in which RBB3 can be won.

[0147] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the AT state is initiated based on the winning of RBB3, an effect is executed that encourages the player to aim for "red 7-red 7-blue 7," which the player recognizes as a bonus, and the initiation of the AT state gives the player the impression that the probability of winning the bonus has been hit, thereby increasing the player's interest in the game.

[0148] The AT state is a more advantageous presentation state for the player than the normal state and CZ state because it is configured to be able to execute assistance for winning small prizes 1 to 10 when it is possible to win small prizes 1 to 10, which are set to a payout of 11 coins, depending on the operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0149] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, which will be described in more detail later, in the non-RT state and the RT1 state to the RT3 state, when the winning area "5-choice bell A", the winning area "5-choice bell 3A" to the winning area "5-choice bell 6A", the winning area "5-choice bell B", the winning area "5-choice bell 3B" to the winning area "5-choice bell 6B" are won, by operating the stop buttons B1 to B3 in the batting order (correct batting order) associated with each winning area, a small win with a payout of 11 coins can be won; and in the RBB1 internal middle state to the RBB3 internal middle state, the RBB1 operating general state to the RBB3 operating general state, and the RBB3 operating RB3 internal middle state, when the batting order small win mode is won, by operating the stop buttons B1 to B3 in the correct batting order associated with each of the batting order small win modes, a small win with a payout of 11 coins can be won.

[0150] When the AT control means 200 is in the AT state and the game state is non-RT state, RT1 state to RT3 state, RBB1 operating general state to RBB3 operating general state, or RBB3 operating RB3 internal state, it executes an auxiliary game that notifies the correct batting order when it is possible to win a small prize of 11 coins by operating stop buttons B1 to B3 in the correct batting order. In addition, when the AT control means 200 is in the AT state and the game state is between the RBB1 internal middle state and the RBB3 internal middle state, it executes an auxiliary game that notifies the correct batting order when the winning areas of the batting order minor prize winning patterns are won, such as winning area "5-choice bell A", winning area "5-choice bell 3A" to winning area "5-choice bell 6A", winning area "5-choice bell B", and winning area "5-choice bell 3B" to winning area "5-choice bell 6B", and is configured not to notify the correct batting order when the winning area is won, such as winning area "6-choice bell 1" to winning area "6-choice bell 6", and winning area "3-choice bell 1" to winning area "3-choice bell 3".

[0151] As described above, the AT control means 200 of this embodiment is configured to be able to transition to the AT state when a winning area including RBB1 to RBB3 is won. For this reason, in the slot machine 1, when the RBB1 internal middle state to the RBB3 internal middle state is in, among the batting order minor role winning modes, when the winning area "5-choice bell A", the winning area "5-choice bell 3A" to the winning area "5-choice bell 6A", the winning area "5-choice bell B", and the winning area "5-choice bell 3B" to the winning area "5-choice bell 6B" are won, an auxiliary game is executed to notify the correct batting order, and when the winning area "6-choice bell 1" to the winning area "6-choice bell 6", and the winning area "3-choice bell 1" to the winning area "3-choice bell 3" are won, the frequency of the execution of the auxiliary game can be made the same as in the non-RT state and the RT1 state to RT3 state, and it is possible to prevent the player from determining in which game RBB1 to RBB3 was won.

[0152] At the start of the AT state, the AT control means 200 sets an initial value (50 games) corresponding to a predetermined number of games in an AT game number counter (not shown) in the AT control data storage means 198, and executes a decrement update each time a game is played, subtracting the stored value of the AT game number counter by a value "1" corresponding to one game. Also, in a game in which the AT state has started, the AT control means 200 executes an AT continuation lottery in which "continuation of the AT state" and "no win (miss)" are set as the objects of the lottery. In the AT continuation lottery, if "continuation of the AT state" is won, the AT control means 200 stores information related to the execution of one set of the AT state in the AT control data storage means 198. In addition, when the winning area "Replay C", winning area "Watermelon 1", winning area "RBB2 & Watermelon 2", winning area "RBB3 & Watermelon 3", or winning area "RBB3 & Replay C" is won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120, the AT control means 200 executes a lottery to add (add) to the number of times one set of AT state is executed.

[0153] When the stored value of the AT game number counter becomes the value "0" and one or more sets of AT states are stored, the AT control means 200 decides to continue the AT state and starts the next set of AT states. On the other hand, when the stored value of the AT game number counter becomes the value "0" and one set of AT states is not stored, the AT control means 200 determines that the normal termination condition among the termination conditions of the advantageous zone has been satisfied based on the satisfaction of the termination condition of the AT state (AT termination condition), and executes a predetermined initialization process which is a process of initializing information related to the advantageous zone upon the end of the AT state, and a predetermined termination process which ends the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game.

[0154] <Start-up state setting control> 10 is a flowchart showing the start state setting control executed by the AT control means 200 when transitioning from the normal zone to the advantageous zone. The AT control means 200 of this embodiment starts the start state setting control when a start operation is performed on the start lever SL to start the first game in the advantageous zone. Note that the slot machine 1 may be configured to execute the start state setting control at any timing from the transition from the normal zone to the advantageous zone until the internal lottery for the first game in the advantageous zone is executed.

[0155] In the start state setting control, the AT control means 200 first acquires the type of game state immediately before the transition to the advantageous zone (S1). In this process, the AT control means 200 acquires the type of game state stored in the game state type storage means 196a, thereby acquiring information indicating which game state was in the game immediately before the advantageous zone started, that is, in the game in which the transition from the normal zone to the advantageous zone was decided.

[0156] Next, the AT control means 200 determines whether the gaming state is a non-RT state (S2). In this process, the AT control means 200 determines whether the gaming state type acquired in the processing of step S1 is the value "0", which is a gaming state type indicating a non-RT state.

[0157] In the process of step S2, if it is determined that the gaming state is not a non-RT state (NO), the AT control means 200 determines whether the gaming state is an RT1 state (S3). In this process, the AT control means 200 determines whether the gaming state type acquired in the process of step S1 is the value "1", which is a gaming state type indicating a non-RT state.

[0158] In the processing of step S2, if it is determined that the game state is a non-RT state (YES), or in the processing of step S3, if it is determined that the game state is an RT1 state (YES), the AT control means 200 sets the presentation state in the game where the advantageous zone starts to the normal state (S4) and ends the start state setting control. On the other hand, in the processing of step S3, if it is determined that the game state is not an RT1 state (NO), the AT control means 200 sets the presentation state in the game where the advantageous zone starts to the CZ state (S5) and ends the start state setting control.

[0159] By executing the start state setting control, the AT control means 200 can set the presentation state in the game where the advantageous zone starts to the normal state when the game state in the game where the normal zone has transitioned to the advantageous zone is either the non-RT state or the RT1 state, and can set the presentation state in the game where the advantageous zone starts to the CZ state when the game state in the game where the normal zone has transitioned to the advantageous zone is a game state different from the non-RT state or the RT1 state.

[0160] <Initialization of gaming machines and control of start-up state settings> As described above, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that when the setting value stored in the setting value memory means 191 is changed by the setting change means 100, the section controlled by the AT control means 200 is initialized to a normal section, and the game state controlled by the game state transition control means 170 is initialized to a non-RT state.

[0161] Because of this configuration, if slot machine 1 were configured to set the presentation state at the start of the advantageous zone to the CZ state based on the transition from the normal zone to the advantageous zone regardless of the game state, when the advantageous zone starts immediately after the setting is changed, it will enter the CZ state, creating a strategy-like element in the gaming machine.

[0162] For this reason, in the start state setting control, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured to set the presentation state in the game in which the advantageous zone has started to the normal state in cases where the game state in the game before the advantageous zone has started is a non-RT state which is set when it is initialized by a setting change, or an RT1 state which can be quickly transitioned to from a non-RT state and has a high probability of being transitioned to before the advantageous zone starts after a setting change, and to set the presentation state in the game in which the advantageous zone has started to the CZ state in cases where the game state is a non-RT state including an RT2 state which cannot be transitioned to from a non-RT state and can be transitioned to from the RT1 state, or a game state other than the RT1 state.

[0163] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is more advantageous to the player when the game state set in play before the advantageous zone starts is an RT2 state due to the start state setting control than when the game state set in play before the advantageous zone starts is a non-RT state.In a gaming machine with an advantageous zone, it is possible to set the presentation state to be advantageous to the player at the start of the advantageous zone, thereby increasing the player's interest in the game, and when the gaming machine is initialized, it is possible to prevent the presentation state from being set to be advantageous to the player when the advantageous zone starts, thereby preventing the gaming machine from becoming tricky.

[0164] This non-RT state that is set upon initialization constitutes the first game state in this embodiment, and the symbol combinations that trigger the transition to the RT1 state shown in Figures 5 to 7 and the symbol combinations that are displayed when the winning areas "5-choice bell A", "5-choice bell 3A" to "5-choice bell 6A", "5-choice bell B", and "5-choice bell 3B" to "5-choice bell 6B" are missed when they are won constitute the first symbol combination that transitions to the RT1 state when stopped and displayed on the active line L1 in this embodiment, the winning symbol combination of Replay 2 "BLA(BLB)-CH-CH" constitutes the second symbol combination in this embodiment, and the start state setting control constitutes the specific processing in this embodiment.

[0165] 3. Details of the gaming machine's performance in each gaming state Next, the gameplay of each game state of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment and the performance of the slot machine 1 when a game is executed in each game state will be described in detail.

[0166] <Winning probability of winning area in each game state> 11 and 12 are diagrams showing the number of lottery values ​​associated with the winning areas set as the object of the internal lottery in each game state. Note that in FIG. 12 and FIG. 17 described below, the RBB1 operating, RB1 operating state to RBB3 operating, RB3 operating state are described as RB1 operating to RB3 operating.

[0167] 11, in the internal lottery in the non-RT state, an internal lottery table A is used in which the winning area "Replay A" is associated with a lottery value number of 8314, and the winning area "Replay B" is not associated with a lottery value number. In addition, in the internal lottery in the RT1 state, an internal lottery table B is used in which the winning area "Replay A" is not associated with a lottery value number, and the winning area "Replay B" is associated with a lottery value number of 8314.

[0168] As described above, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Replay B" is won, the winning pattern combination of Replay 2 "BLA(BLB)-CH-CH" is displayed stopped on the activated line L1, and if it is possible to transition to the RT2 state, the slot machine 1 is configured to transition to the RT2 state.

[0169] For this reason, the slot machine 1 is configured so that the winning area "Replay B" is won with a probability of 8314 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 7.9) and the slot machine 1 transitions from the RT1 state to the RT2 state. Also, the slot machine 1 is configured so that if the winning area "Replay B" is not won in the non-RT state, Replay 2 is not won in the non-RT state and the slot machine 1 does not transition from the non-RT state to the RT2 state.

[0170] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, in the internal lottery tables A to D used for internal lotteries in the non-RT state and the RT1 to RT3 states, the total number of lottery values ​​associated with winning areas including replays is 8978, and in any of the gaming states of the non-RT state and the RT1 to RT3 states, the total probability of winning in winning areas including replays is 8978 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 7.3).

[0171] Also, as shown in Figure 11, in internal lottery table D used in internal lotteries in the RT3 state, 2048 is associated with the winning area "Replay C" as the lottery value number, and a lottery value number greater than 256, which is the lottery value number associated with the winning area "Replay C" in internal lottery tables A to C used in internal lotteries in the non-RT state, RT1 state, and RT2 state, is associated, and the probability of winning the winning area "Replay C" is higher in the RT3 state than in the non-RT state, RT1 state, and RT2 state.

[0172] As mentioned above, the RT3 state is a game state to which the game transitions when the activated RBB1 to RBB3 ends. In addition, the AT control means 200 is configured to execute a lottery to add the number of sets during the AT when the probability of transitioning to the AT state is high when the RBB1 to RBB3 are activated, and when the AT state is reached and the winning area "Replay C" is won.

[0173] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment can execute one game in which a lottery to add sets during the AT is executed with a higher probability than in games in the non-RT state, RT1 state, or RT2 state if the AT state is still ongoing when activated RBB1 to RBB3 ends, thereby preventing the player's interest in the game from declining after the bonus ends.

[0174] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, in a game state configured so that the winning area "SB" can be won, the winning probability of the winning area "SB" is set to 27056 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 2.4), which is higher than that of other winning areas, and the configuration is such that by playing a game aiming to win SB, SB can be activated with a high probability.

[0175] As shown in Figure 12, the internal lottery table J used when RBB1 is operating and RB1 is in the internal middle state, the internal lottery table L used when RBB2 is operating and RB2 is in the internal middle state, and the internal lottery table N used when RBB3 is operating and RB3 is in the internal middle state each have a different number of lottery values ​​associated with the winning area including replays.

[0176] In order to realize such a configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured to have three types of RBs, RB1 to RB3, which trigger fluctuations in the winning probability of a replay when set to an established state.

[0177] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, as will be described in more detail later, in terms of reel stop control when a minor winning pattern is won, by having RB1 to RB3, different reel stop control can be executed between the RB1 internal middle state when RBB1 is operating and the RB2 internal middle state when RBB2 is operating, and the RB3 internal middle state when RBB3 is operating.

[0178] <Game results when winning the batting order minor win mode in each game state> FIG. 13 is a diagram showing game results for each operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3 when the batting order small win mode is won in the non-RT mode and the RT1 to RT3 modes.

[0179] As shown in Figure 13, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "5-choice Bell A", the winning area "5-choice Bell 3A" to winning area "5-choice Bell 6A", the winning area "5-choice Bell B", or the winning area "5-choice Bell 3B" to winning area "5-choice Bell 6B" is won in the non-RT state and the RT1 to RT3 states, the hitting order of the stop buttons B1 to B3 (correct hitting order) is set so that a small role set to a payout of 11 coins will be won with a 1 / 1 probability, and when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a hitting order other than the correct hitting order (incorrect hitting order), a small role set to a payout of 1 coin will be won with a 1 / 2 probability, and there is a 1 / 2 probability that no role will be won (no winning).

[0180] In addition, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "6-choice bell 1" to winning area "6-choice bell 6" or the winning area "3-choice bell 1" to winning area "3-choice bell 3" is won in the non-RT state, RT1 state to RT3 state, the small winning combination set to a payout of 1 coin will be won with a probability of 1 / 1 regardless of the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3, and the small winning combination set to a payout of 11 coins will not be won.

[0181] Figure 14 shows the game results for each operation mode of stop button B1 to stop button B3 when the batting order small win mode is won in the RBB1 internal middle state to RBB3 internal middle state, RBB1 operation general state to RBB3 operation general state, and RBB3 operation RB3 internal middle state.

[0182] As shown in Figure 14, in the slot machine 1, when the batting order small win mode is won in the RBB1 internal middle state to RBB3 internal middle state, the RBB1 operating general state to RBB3 operating general state, or the RBB3 operating RB3 internal middle state, the batting order (correct batting order) of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is set so that the small win set to a payout of 11 coins can be won with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0183] In slot machine 1, when RBB1 is in the middle state to RBB3 is in the middle state, RBB1 is in the general state while operating to RBB3 is in the general state while operating, and RBB3 is in the middle state while operating, if the winning area "5-choice bell A", the winning area "5-choice bell 3A" to the winning area "5-choice bell 6A", the winning area "5-choice bell B", or the winning area "5-choice bell 3B" to the winning area "5-choice bell 6B" is won, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a batting order different from the correct batting order (incorrect batting order), there is a 1 / 2 probability that a small role set to a payout of 1 coin will be won, and there is a 1 / 2 probability that neither role will be won (no winning).

[0184] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "6-choice bell 1" to winning area "6-choice bell 6" or the winning area "3-choice bell 1" to winning area "3-choice bell 3" is won in the RBB1 internal middle state to RBB3 internal middle state, the RBB1 operating general state to RBB3 operating general state, or the RBB3 operating RB3 internal middle state, and when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a batting order different from the correct batting order (incorrect batting order), a small winning combination set to a payout of 1 coin will be won with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0185] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing game results for each operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3 when the batting order small win mode is won in the RB1 internal middle state during RBB1 operation and the RB2 internal middle state during RBB2 operation.

[0186] As shown in Figure 15, in the slot machine 1, when the batting order small win mode is won when RBB1 is in the RB1 internal middle state while RBB1 is operating, or when RBB2 is in the RB2 internal middle state while RBB2 is operating, the small win set to a payout of 11 coins will be won with a probability of 1 / 1 regardless of the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0187] Using Figure 16, we will explain the details of the reel stop control that is executed when a small winning combination set to a payout of 1 coin wins instead of a small winning combination set to a payout of 11 coins when the winning area "6-choice Bell 1" is won and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1. Figure 16(A) is a diagram showing the symbols that make up the winning combinations of small winning combinations 8, 17 to 20, and 35 that are set to be established when the winning area "6-choice Bell 1" is won. Also, Figure 16(B) is a diagram showing the number of symbol combinations of small winning combinations that can be displayed when the symbols that can be stopped among the symbols arranged on the left reel R1 are stopped and displayed on the activated line L1 when the stop button B1 is operated for the first stop.

[0188] In Figure 16(B), the stop button B1 is operated when the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged at stop number 14 on the left reel R1 is displayed and rotating on the active line L1, the stop button B2 is operated when the BAR symbol "BAR" arranged at stop number 2 on the middle reel R2 is displayed and rotating on the active line L1, and the stop button B3 is operated when the BAR symbol "BAR" arranged at stop number 12 on the right reel R3 is displayed and rotating on the active line L1.

[0189] As shown in Figure 16 (B), in slot machine 1, when the watermelon symbol "WM" is displayed as a stopped symbol, eight symbol combinations that make up the winning symbol combination of small win 17, the winning symbol combination of small win 18, the winning symbol combination of small win 19, and the winning symbol combination of small win 20 can be displayed as stopped symbols on the valid line L1, and when the bell B symbol "BLB" is displayed as a stopped symbol, five symbol combinations that make up the winning symbol combination of small win 8 and the winning symbol combination of small win 35 can be displayed as stopped symbols on the valid line L1.

[0190] When the watermelon symbol "WM" is stopped and displayed, the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the active line L1 becomes the largest. Therefore, by stopping and displaying the watermelon symbol "WM" on the active line L1 by number-priority control, the reel control means 130 limits the winning combinations in the game to small combinations 17 to 20, which are set to a payout of one coin.

[0191] When a first stop operation is performed on the stop button B1 and the possible winning small roles are limited to small roles 17 to 20, and a second stop operation is performed on the stop button B2, if the bell A symbol "BLA" is stopped and displayed on the slot machine 1, four symbol combinations constituting the winning symbol combination of small role 19 and the winning symbol combination of small role 20 can be stopped and displayed on the activated line L1, and if the BAR symbol "BAR" is stopped and displayed on the activated line L1, one symbol combination constituting the winning symbol combination of small role 17 can be stopped and displayed on the activated line L1. Therefore, the reel control means 130 stops and displays the bell A symbol "BLA" on the activated line L1 by the stop control based on the number priority control, and limits the possible winning roles in the game to small roles 19 and 20.

[0192] When the second stop operation is executed on the stop button B2 and the winning minor winning combinations are limited to the minor winning combinations 19 and 20, and then the third stop operation is executed on the stop button B3, the slot machine 1 can stop and display the BAR symbol "BAR" so that the winning symbol combination of the minor winning combination 20 is stopped and displayed on the valid line L1, and the BAR symbol "BAR" is stopped and displayed on the valid line L1, and the minor winning combination 20 wins in that game.

[0193] As shown in Figure 4, the left reel R1 has watermelon symbols "WM" arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less. The center reel R2 has bell A symbols "BLA" arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less. The right reel R3 has blank symbols "BK" arranged at stop number 2, blue 7 symbols "Blue 7" arranged at stop number 7, bar symbols "BAR" arranged at stop number 12, and red 7 symbols "Red 7" arranged at stop number 17.

[0194] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1, when the game state is a non-RT state, RT1 state to RT3 state, the winning area "6-choice bell 1" is won, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1, small win 19 or small win 20 will be won with a probability of 1 / 1 regardless of the operation timing of stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0195] In addition, in slot machine 1, when the game state is RBB1 internal middle state to RBB3 internal middle state, RBB1 operating general state to RBB3 operating general state, or RBB1 operating RB1 internal middle state to RBB3 operating RB3 internal middle state, if the winning area "6-choice bell 1" is won, stop button B1 to stop button B3 are operated in batting order 1, and a small winning combination set to a payout of 11 coins is won, stop control based on number-priority control is executed, and the symbols that make up the winning combination of small winning combination 8 are stopped and displayed on activated line L1, and small winning combination 8 is won.

[0196] <Ball payout rate for each game method in each game state> Next, in the slot machine 1 in which the above-mentioned internal lottery and reel stop control are executed, the payout rate for each game method in each game state will be explained using Figure 17. Here, the payout rate is the ratio of the total number of medals paid out to the total number of medals inserted when a predetermined number of games are executed.

[0197] Figures 17(A) and 17(B) are diagrams showing the payout rate for each game method in each game state when a replay is treated as a role that results in a payout of the same number of balls as the specified number of inserts, and Figure 17(C) is a diagram showing the payout rate for each game method in the RBB3 operating general state, RBB3 operating RB3 internal state, and RBB3 operating RB3 operating state when a replay is treated as a replay (a game in which a replay wins is not counted as one game).

[0198] Here, the "normal (non-AT)" gaming method is a gaming method in which, when a winning area in which two batting orders are set as the correct batting order among the batting order minor winning modes is won, the correct batting order is selected with a probability of 1 / 3 and an incorrect batting order is selected with a probability of 2 / 3, and when a winning area in which one batting order is set as the correct batting order among the batting order minor winning modes is won, the correct batting order is selected with a probability of 1 / 6 and an incorrect batting order is selected with a probability of 5 / 6. Also, the "normal (AT)" gaming method is a gaming method in which, when a batting order minor winning mode is won, an auxiliary game is executed by the AT control means 200, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the correct batting order, and a minor winning combination set to a payout of 11 coins is won.

[0199] As shown in Figure 17(A), in slot machine 1, when the game is played normally (non-AT), the payout rate is higher when SB is operating than when SB is not operating in the non-RT state, RT1 state, RT2 state, non-RT state while SB is operating, RT1 state while SB is operating, and RT2 state while SB is operating.

[0200] In addition, in the slot machine 1, when the game is played in normal (AT) mode, the payout rate is higher when the SB is not operating than when the SB is operating in the non-RT state, RT1 state, RT2 state, non-RT state while the SB is operating, RT1 state while the SB is operating, and RT2 state while the SB is operating.

[0201] As shown in Figure 11, in slot machine 1, the probability of winning the winning area "All Small Winnings" or the winning area "All 1-Coin Winnings" while SB is operating is 29502 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 2.2), which is higher than the probability of winning any of the winning areas including small winnings, which is 29498 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 2.2), in the non-RT state where SB is not operating, or in the RT1 to RT3 states. In other words, the probability of winning any of the small winnings when SB is operating is set to a higher probability than the probability of winning any of the small winnings when SB is not operating.

[0202] In addition, when SB is activated, the probability of winning the winning area "All Small Features" is 4800 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 13.7), which is set to be higher than the highest probability of 3276 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 20.0) of winning any two of Small Features 1 to 10, Small Features 33, and Small Features 34, which are set to a payout of 11 coins, when SB is not activated.

[0203] Because of this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the winning probability of each of all small roles when the SB is activated is equal to or greater than the winning probability of each of all small roles when the SB is not activated. The probability of winning all the small winning combinations when the SB is activated is configured to be higher than the probability of winning all the small winning combinations when the SB is not activated.

[0204] In addition, the slot machine 1 is configured so that the probability of winning in the winning area "all small prizes" when the SB is activated is lower than the probability of winning in any of the winning areas including small prizes 1 to 10, small prize 33, and small prize 34 when the SB is not activated (the probability obtained by combining the winning probabilities of each of the winning areas including small prizes 1 to 10, small prize 33, and small prize 34), which is 28506 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 2.3).

[0205] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, when SB is activated, the batting order small prize winning pattern is not won, and the probability of winning a small prize does not change depending on the operation pattern of stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0206] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the payout rate when the SB is activated is approximately 53.3% regardless of whether the game is played using the normal (non-AT) or normal (AT) game method, as shown in Figure 17(A).

[0207] Furthermore, as mentioned above, in the non-RT state where SB is not activated, and in the RT1 to RT3 states, when the winning area "5-choice Bell A", winning area "5-choice Bell 3A" to winning area "5-choice Bell 6A", winning area "5-choice Bell B", winning area "5-choice Bell 3B" to winning area "5-choice Bell 6B", the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the correct hitting order to win a small winning combination set to a payout of 11 coins.

[0208] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that, as shown in Figure 17(A), when the game method is normal (non-AT), the ball payout rate when the SB is not operating is approximately 53.1%, which is lower than when the SB is operating, and when the game method is normal (AT), the ball payout rate is approximately 123.1%, which is higher than when the SB is operating.

[0209] In this way, in this embodiment, the lower limit of the expected medal acquisition rate when the SB is activated is lowered to less than 100%, and the medal acquisition performance can be designed for when the SB is not activated, thereby dramatically improving the design freedom of the slot machine 1 and attracting the interest of players while maintaining the design freedom of the gaming machine.

[0210] As described above, the AT control means 200 of this embodiment is configured to execute, in each presentation state, control relating to the auxiliary game that is more advantageous to the player when the winning area "Watermelon 1" is won than when other winning areas not including RBB are won. Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, when the SB is activated, the winning area "Watermelon 1" is not associated with a lottery value number. The winning symbol combination "RPB-Red 7-BK" for SB is composed of symbols arranged in one frame on each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, allowing the player to easily avoid winning.

[0211] Due to this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the SB is activated, the ball payout rate is higher when the game is played normally (non-AT) than when the SB is not activated, and while the probability of winning a bonus and the probability of winning the winning areas related to bonuses other than WSB (RBB1 to RBB3) do not change while the SB is activated, by executing a game that does not allow the SB to win, the probability of winning the winning area ``Watermelon 1'' increases, and control related to the auxiliary game is executed that is advantageous to the player, making it possible to achieve the ball payout rate in a normal (AT) game method when the SB is not activated, that is, a ball payout rate higher than when the SB is activated, and playing while avoiding the SB from winning can be the most advantageous game method for the player.

[0212] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the SB does not operate when the game is played in the most advantageous way for the player, so when counting the instruction-included device ratio, which is the ratio of the number of medals paid out while the RB, the challenge bonus (CB) as a second type special device, or the SB is operating, and the number of medals paid out in a game in which an instruction has occurred, the time when the SB is operating can be excluded, which can suppress an increase in the instruction-included device ratio, and can suppress the execution ratio of games in which a bonus is activated (bonus stay ratio) when the game is played in the most advantageous way for the player, which can prevent the instruction-included device ratio and bonus stay ratio from becoming excessively high and damaging the fairness of the game.

[0213] Regarding the instruction-based feature ratio, in a game in which RB, CB, or SB is activated and an instruction is issued, double counting is prevented when counting the number of medals paid out. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in the process of counting the number of medals paid out in an instruction-based feature counter (not shown) to calculate the instruction-based feature ratio, it is determined whether RB, CB, or SB is activated, and if it is determined that RB, CB, or SB is activated, the process of determining whether an instruction has been issued is skipped, that is, the number of medals paid out in the game is counted in the instruction-based feature counter without determining whether an instruction has been issued. Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, if it is determined that RB, CB, and SB are not activated, it is determined whether an instruction has been issued, and if it is determined that an instruction has been issued, the number of medals paid out in the game is counted in the instruction-based feature counter, and if it is determined that an instruction has not been issued, the instruction-based feature counter is not counted.

[0214] This SB as a normal role constitutes a specific bonus in this embodiment, and the winning area "SB" that wins SB constitutes the first winning mode in this embodiment. Also, small roles 1 to 10, which are set to payout numbers greater than the number of game values ​​(3) required to start playing, constitute multiple types of specific small roles in this embodiment, and the winning areas "5-choice Bell A" where small roles 1 to 10 do not overlap with each other and are won with other small roles, winning area "5-choice Bell 3A" to winning area "5-choice Bell 6A", winning area "5-choice Bell B", winning area "5-choice Bell 3B" to winning area "5-choice Bell 6B", winning area "6-choice Bell 1" to winning area "6-choice Bell 6", and winning area "3-choice Bell 1" to winning area "3-choice Bell 3" constitute multiple types of second winning modes in this embodiment. Also, the winning area "all small roles" where small roles 1 to 10 are won overlappingly constitutes the third winning mode in this embodiment.

[0215] In addition, when SB is activated, the winning area "Watermelon 1", which is not included in the internal lottery, constitutes the fourth winning mode in this embodiment, and the control related to auxiliary games that is advantageous to the player in this embodiment is executed by the AT control means 200 when the winning area "Watermelon 1" is won compared to when other winning areas are won (CZ lottery that is more likely to result in a "transition to CZ state" than when other winning areas are won, AT lottery during CZ that is more likely to result in a "transition to AT state" than when other winning areas are won, etc.).

[0216] Also, as shown in FIG. 12, in the slot machine 1, the probability of winning in the winning area "all small roles" or the winning area "all 1-coin roles" while RB1 to RB3 are in operation is 29957 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 2.2), which is higher than the probability of winning in any of the winning areas including small roles, 29498 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 2.2), in the non-RT state where RB1 to RB3 are not in operation and in the RT1 state to RT3 state. Furthermore, when RB1 to RB3 are in operation, the probability of winning in the winning area "all small roles" is 7300 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 9.0), which is higher than the probability of winning in the winning area "all small roles" when RB1 to RB3 are in operation. When RB3 is not activated, the probability is higher than 3276 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 20.0), which is the highest probability of winning any two of small prizes 1 to 10, small prize 33, and small prize 34, which are set for a payout of 11 coins, and is lower than 28506 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 2.3), which is the probability of winning any of the winning areas including small prizes 1 to 10, small prize 33, and small prize 34 when RB1 to RB3 are not activated (the probability of winning in the winning areas including small prizes 1 to 10, small prize 33, and small prize 34).

[0217] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12, when RB1 to RB3 are activated, the batting order small prize winning pattern is not won, and the probability of winning a small prize does not change depending on the operation pattern of stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0218] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the payout rate when the RB is activated is approximately 53.8% regardless of whether the game is played using the normal (non-AT) or normal (AT) game method, as shown in Figure 17 (B).

[0219] In this way, in this embodiment, the lower limit of the expected medal acquisition rate when RB1 to RB3 are activated is lowered to less than 100%, and the medal acquisition performance can be designed for when RB1 to RB3 are not activated, thereby dramatically improving the design freedom of the slot machine 1.

[0220] 17(B), when replays are treated as the same number of payouts as the specified number of inserts, the payout rate when playing in the normal (non-AT) mode with RBB3 in operation is 54.7%, and when playing in the normal (AT) mode with RBB3 in operation is 167.6%.When replays are treated as the same number of payouts as the specified number of inserts, the payout rate when playing in the normal (non-AT) mode with RBB3 in operation is 54.7%, and when playing in the normal (AT) mode with RBB3 in operation is 167.6%.

[0221] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 17(C), when a replay is treated as a replay, the payout rate when played in the normal (non-AT) playing method in the general state with RBB3 in operation is 51.1%, and the payout rate when played in the normal (AT) playing method in the general state with RBB3 in operation is 179.6%. Also, when a replay is treated as a replay, the payout rate when played in the normal (non-AT) playing method in the internal state of RB3 with RBB3 in operation is 51.1%, and the payout rate when played in the normal (AT) playing method in the internal state of RB3 with RBB3 in operation is 179.6%.

[0222] As described above, in the general state during RBB3 operation, the total probability of winning a winning area including a replay is set to 4096 / 65536 (1 / 16), which is a lower probability than the total probability of winning a winning area including a replay in the non-RT state and the RT1 to RT3 states, which is 8978 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 7.3). Also, in the general state during RBB3 operation, among the batting order small role winning modes, the winning area "6-choice Bell 1" to winning area "6-choice Bell 6" and the winning area "3-choice Bell 1" to winning area "3-choice Bell 3" are configured so that when a small role set to a payout of 11 coins is not won in any batting order in the non-RT state and the RT1 to RT3 states, the small role set to a payout of 11 coins will be won by operating the stop buttons B1 to B3 in the correct batting order.

[0223] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment can prevent an excessive deviation between the payout rate when the game is played normally (non-AT) in the non-RT state, RT1 state to RT3 state, and when a replay is treated as the same number of payouts as the specified number of inputs, and the payout rate when the game is played normally (non-AT) in the general state during RBB3 operation, and when a replay is treated as a re-play, and can comply with gaming machine regulations regarding medal payout performance.

[0224] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, in the general state when RBB3 is operating, in the winning areas "6-choice bell 1" to "6-choice bell 6" and the winning area "3-choice bell 1" to "3-choice bell 3", in the non-RT state and the RT1 state to RT3 state, the small role set to a payout of 11 coins will not be won regardless of the batting order in which stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated, but by operating stop buttons B1 to B3 in the correct batting order, the small role set to a payout of 11 coins will be won. This makes it possible to set a difference in the payout rate between the normal (non-AT) playing method and the normal (AT) playing method in the general state when RBB3 is operating, thereby improving the marketability of gaming machines with AT functions.

[0225] This RB3 constitutes the first bonus in this embodiment, RBB3 constitutes the second bonus in this embodiment, and small role 1, small role 7 to small role 10, which are set to a payout of 11 coins higher than the payout of 1 coin, constitute the small role of the first payout in this embodiment, and small role 14 to small role 20, small role 25, small role 26, small role 30, small role 33, small role 35 to small role 38, which are set to a payout of 1 coin, constitute the small role of the second payout in this embodiment, and the winning area "6-choice bell 1" The winning area "6-choice bell 6" and the winning area "3-choice bell 1" to the winning area "3-choice bell 3" constitute specific winning modes in this embodiment, and the correct batting order that enables small prizes 1, 7, and 10 to be won when the winning area "6-choice bell 1" to the winning area "6-choice bell 6" and the winning area "3-choice bell 1" to the winning area "3-choice bell 3" are won in the general state during RBB3 operation and the RB3 inside state during RBB3 operation constitutes a specific operation mode in this embodiment. Also, the normal state constitutes the first state in this embodiment, and the AT state that is advantageous to the player by executing an auxiliary game in which the correct batting order is announced when the winning area "6-choice bell 1" to the winning area "6-choice bell 6" and the winning area "3-choice bell 1" to the winning area "3-choice bell 3" are won in the general state during RBB3 operation and the RB3 inside state during RBB3 operation constitutes the second state in this embodiment.

[0226] 4. Summary of this embodiment As described above, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment can lower the lower limit of the expected medal acquisition rate when the SB is activated to less than 100%, and can also design medal acquisition performance when the SB is not activated, thereby dramatically improving the design freedom of the slot machine 1 and attracting the interest of players while maintaining the design freedom of gaming machines.

[0227] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, since the SB does not operate when the game is played in the most advantageous way for the player, when calculating the instruction-included device ratio, which is the ratio of the number of medals paid out while the RB, CB or SB is operating and the number of medals paid out in a game in which an instruction has occurred, the time when the SB is operating can be excluded, which can suppress an increase in the instruction-included device ratio, and can suppress the execution ratio of games in which a bonus is activated (bonus stay ratio) when the game is played in the most advantageous way for the player, which can prevent the instruction-included device ratio and bonus stay ratio from becoming excessively high and compromising the fairness of the game.

[0228] 5. Variations In this embodiment, the AT control means 200 is configured to execute start state setting control as a specific process when a game is transitioned from a normal zone to an advantageous zone and the advantageous zone has started, and to execute control related to auxiliary games that set the presentation state when the advantageous zone starts to a different presentation state when the game is in a non-RT state, RT1 state, or other game state, but is not limited to this. The AT control means 200 may be configured to set a presentation state with a different degree of advantage for each game state as a specific process executed in a game that has transitioned from a normal zone to an advantageous zone and has started the advantageous zone; for example, if the game state immediately before the advantageous zone starts is a non-RT state, the specific process may set it to a normal state in which the value of the normal game number counter is set to the value "700", if it is an RT2 state, the specific process may set it to a normal state in which the value of the normal game number counter is set to the value "500", if it is in an RBB1 internal middle state to an RBB3 internal middle state, it may be set to an AT state, and if it is in an RBB1 operating general state to an RBB3 operating general state, it may be set to an AT state in which one set of AT states is stored.

[0229] Even when configured in this manner, as described above, the slot machine 1 is configured so that RBB1 to RBB3 cannot be won alone, but can be won in combination with a small win or replay, and therefore RBB1 to RBB3 will not be awarded in a game in which RBB1 to RBB3 is won.

[0230] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1, when a player wins "transition to advantageous zone" in the advantageous zone lottery based on winning the winning area including RBB1 to RBB3, the game state in the game when the advantageous zone starts and the result of the specific processing when the advantageous zone starts do not change depending on whether RBB1 to RBB3 are won or whether RBB1 to RBB3 are not won, and this prevents the gaming machine from becoming prone to strategy.

[0231] Furthermore, the AT control means 200 only needs to be configured so that specific processing provides an advantage to the player in the RT2 state rather than in the non-RT state, and the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment.

[0232] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured so that the total probability of winning in a winning area including a replay in the general state when RBB1 is operating to the general state when RBB3 is operating is 4096 / 65536 (1 / 16), but this is not limited to this. For example, the winning probability in a winning area including a replay in the general state when RBB1 is operating to the general state when RBB3 is operating may be configured to be 0, or any winning probability may be used as long as it is lower than the total probability of winning in a winning area including a replay in the non-RT state, RT1 state to RT3 state.

[0233] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has a plurality of reels, namely, left reel R1 to right reel R3, and a plurality of stop buttons, namely, stop buttons B1 to B3, corresponding to the left reel R1 to right reel R3, but is not limited to this and may have, for example, a fourth reel and a stop button corresponding to the fourth reel.

[0234] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has a max bet button MB for inserting a specified number of medals, but this is not limited to this, and for example, it may be configured to have a single bet button for inserting one medal in addition to the max bet button MB.

[0235] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to be able to insert and pay out medals as game value, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured, for example, to set the game value to an inserted state based on an insertion signal output from a game value management device (dedicated unit) provided outside the slot machine 1 and configured to electromagnetically record the total number of game values ​​available for a player to use in a game, and to output a payout signal to the game value management device when paying out the game value, and the game value management device may electromagnetically record the game value corresponding to the payout signal on a predetermined recording medium. In other words, the slot machine 1 may be configured as a so-called medalless gaming machine.

[0236] When configured in this manner, the slot machine 1 is configured to have, for example, a credit number display means for displaying the number of credits corresponding to the amount of money inserted into the game value management device by the player. The slot machine 1 may also be configured to be capable of crediting game value equivalent to a maximum of 16,368 medals, and when game value exceeding 16,368 medals is credited, the game control means may be set to an error state, and game play may be disabled (a state in which the game value is not set to an inserted state and the start operation of the start lever SL is not enabled) until the number of credits becomes 16,368 medals or less by paying out the game value by a method in which the game value is electromagnetically recorded on a predetermined recording medium via the game value management device.

[0237] Furthermore, in the case of such a configuration, the slot machine 1 may be configured not to set an upper limit on the number of plays that can be executed in the advantageous zone, and may be configured to set only an upper limit on the difference in the number of coins for a specific ending condition of the advantageous zone. Furthermore, in the case of such a configuration, the slot machine 1 may be configured not to have the zone notification unit 500A and not to notify whether or not it is in an advantageous zone or whether or not the expected value of medal acquisition is 1 or more.

[0238] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the AT control means 200 is configured to set the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 198b to the value "0" if, during the difference-sheet update process that updates the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 198b, the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 198b becomes less than the value "0" when the number of medals paid out in the game is less than the specified number of medals inserted, but is not limited to this. The AT control means 200 may be configured to store a negative value in the second advantageous zone counter 198b when, during the difference-sheet update process, the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 198b becomes less than the value "0" when the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 198b is subtracted.

[0239] When configured in this manner, the AT control means 200 is configured to be able to continue the advantageous zone until the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 198b becomes equal to or greater than the value "2401." For this reason, in the slot machine 1, for example, if the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 198b is a negative value of "-900" before the transition to a presentation state in which medals can be won, a total of 3301 medals can be won in the presentation state in which medals can be won: 900 medals until the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 198b becomes equal to the value "0," and 2401 medals until the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 198b becomes equal to or greater than the value "2401."

[0240] In other words, the slot machine 1 can pay out to the player the medals inserted from the start of the advantageous zone until the transition to a presentation state in which medals can be won, and the medals won in the presentation state in which medals can be won until the difference in the number of medals exceeds 2,400, and is configured to allow the player to win more than 2,400 medals regardless of the number of medals inserted in the advantageous zone.

[0241] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to set the stored value of each counter and memory means as an initial value, and to perform a decrement update by subtracting 1 each time a game is played, or an increment update by adding 1 each time a game is played, but this is not limited to this, and the method of updating each counter and memory means may be configured to perform multiplication, division, etc., and is not particularly limited. [Explanation of symbols]

[0242] 1. Slot machines (gaming machines) 120 Internal lottery method 200 AT control means (auxiliary game control means) B1 Stop button B2 Stop button B3 Stop button R1 Left reel R2 middle reel R3 Right reel

Claims

[Claim 1] Multiple reels and Multiple stop buttons An internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery, the plurality of reels includes a first reel, a second reel, and a third reel; In the internal lottery, the winning or losing of a plurality of winning patterns is determined, The plurality of winning modes include a first winning mode, a second winning mode, a third winning mode, a fourth winning mode, and a fifth winning mode, The first winning mode, the second winning mode, the third winning mode, the fourth winning mode, and the fifth winning mode are respectively associated with overlapping wins of a small win of a first payout and a small win of a second payout, The first dividend is higher than the second dividend, The first winning mode is a mode in which, when the plurality of stop buttons are operated to stop in a first operation mode, a small combination of the first payout can be won; The second winning mode is a mode in which, when the plurality of stop buttons are operated to stop in a second operation mode, a small combination of the first payout can be won; The third winning mode is a mode in which the first payout is awarded to a player when the plurality of stop buttons are operated to stop in a third operation mode. The fourth winning mode is a mode in which, when the plurality of stop buttons are operated to stop in a fourth operation mode, a small combination of the first payout can be won; The fifth winning mode is a mode in which the first payout is awarded to a player when the plurality of stop buttons are operated to stop in a fifth operation mode. the first operation mode being an operation mode in which a stop button corresponding to the first reel is operated to stop the first reel, the second operation mode being an operation mode in which a stop button corresponding to the second reel is operated to stop the reel first, the third operation mode is an operation mode in which a stop button corresponding to the second reel is operated first to stop the reel, and a stop button operated second is an operation mode different from the second operation mode; the fourth operation mode being an operation mode in which a stop button corresponding to the third reel is operated to stop first, the fifth operation mode is an operation mode in which a stop button corresponding to the third reel is operated first to stop the reel, and a stop button operated second is an operation mode different from the fourth operation mode; The small prize of the second payout associated with the overlapping win in the first winning mode includes a first small prize and a second small prize, When the first winning mode is won and a plurality of stop buttons are operated to stop in an operation mode different from the first operation mode, one of the first minor prize and the second minor prize can be won. The small prize of the second payout to which the overlapping win is associated in the second winning mode includes the first small prize and the second small prize, The small prize of the second payout associated with the overlapping win in the third winning mode includes the first small prize and the second small prize. A gaming machine characterized by:

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