Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of suppressing a loss feeling to be given to a player.SOLUTION: A game machine is configured such that, when a winning area "striking order bell 1" to a winning area "striking order bell 8" are won, and multiple stop buttons are operated in a correct answer order, winning of small roles 1 to 4 for which a distribution is set to be greater than a regulated input number is possible, and when the multiple stop buttons are operated in an operation mode different from the correct answer order, winning of a small role 10 for which a distribution is set to be smaller than the regulated input number is possible. A second mode can be set when small roles 11 to 15 can be won, and is not set when the small role 10 is won. The game machine is configured such that, when a winning area "specific small role 1" to a winning area "specific small role 5" are won, and in a bonus establishment state, the small roles 11 to 15 can be won, and in a non-RT state, the small role 10 can be won and the small roles 11 to 15 cannot be won.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, gaming machines (reel type gaming machines, slot machines) equipped with multiple reels with patterns arranged on the outer periphery are known. In this type of gaming machine, a certain gaming value is assigned to gaming media such as medals and pachinko balls, and a game is played to acquire such gaming media. In addition, in this type of gaming machine, an internal lottery is performed and the rotation of the multiple reels is started when the player operates to start the rotation, and the multiple reels are stopped in a manner according to the result of the internal lottery when the player operates to stop the rotation. The result of the game is determined by the combination of symbols displayed on the winning determination line when the multiple reels are stopped, and medals and the like are paid out according to the result of the game.

[0003] In the gaming machine described above, for a specific winning mode in which multiple winning combinations are achieved, a configuration is known in which the ease of acquiring gaming value changes as the gaming state transitions to change the combination that can be won (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-99608 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a configuration in which the ease of acquiring game value varies depending on the game state, such as the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, if a specific role involved in the awarding of a bonus is won in a game state in which it is difficult to acquire game value, there is a risk that the player will feel a sense of loss because the player will have a low expectation of acquiring game value when he or she acquires the bonus awarded in conjunction with the winning of that specific role.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can suppress the player from feeling a sense of loss. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to a reel system comprising: Multiple stop buttons An internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery; A game state transition control means for controlling transition of a game state between a plurality of game states; A bonus control means for granting a bonus advantageous to a player, The targets of the internal lottery include a first winning mode and a second winning mode, The first winning mode includes a first winning combination and a second winning combination, The second winning mode includes the second winning combination and the third winning combination, The first role is set to a payout greater than the amount of game value required to start a game, The second role is set to a payout that is less than the amount of game value required to start a game, The plurality of gaming states include a first gaming state and a second gaming state, The benefits include a first benefit and a second benefit; When the game is in the second gaming state, the probability of the first benefit being awarded is higher than when the game is in the first gaming state; The second benefit can be awarded when the third role is winnable; The second benefit is not awarded when the second role is won; When the first winning mode is won and the plurality of stop buttons are operated in a specific operation mode, the first role can be won; When the first winning mode is won and the plurality of stop buttons are operated in an operation mode different from the specific operation mode, the second role can be won; When the second winning mode is won and the second gaming state is reached, the third winning combination can be won. When the second winning mode is won and the first gaming state is in effect, the second combination can be won and the third combination cannot be won. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, a gaming machine can be provided that can suppress the player from feeling a sense of loss. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of a gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing winning areas which can be won by an internal lottery in the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and winning numbers and winning combinations which are associated with each winning area. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of symbols on a reel in a gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing winning symbol combinations of small win 1 to small win 9 and payouts for small win 1 to small win 9 in the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram showing winning symbol combinations of small winning symbols 10 to 21 and payouts for small winning symbols 10 to 21 in the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram showing winning symbol combinations of the small winning combinations 22 to 33 and payouts for the small winning combinations 22 to 33 in the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] (A) is a state transition diagram of the game state in a gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a transition diagram relating to the normal area and advantageous area controlled by the AT control means, and the presentation state during the advantageous area. [Figure 9] This figure shows the game results for each batting order when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 8", the winning area "Special Small Winning Role 1" to winning area "Special Small Winning Role 5", and the winning area "RBB & 1 Coin Role" are won by internal lottery in the non-RT state of the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This figure shows the game results for each batting order when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 8", the winning area "Special Small Winning Role 1" to winning area "Special Small Winning Role 5", and the winning area "RBB & 1 Coin Role" are won by internal lottery in a bonus established state in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the range in which a Cherry A symbol can be drawn into the lower row of the right reel in a game in which a small winning combination 10 can be won in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 1A is a flowchart showing the control processing executed by the AT control means when a favorable zone starts in a gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a flowchart showing the control processing executed by the AT control means when a winning area "Special minor prize 1" to "Special minor prize 5" is won. [Figure 13] (A) is a diagram showing the presentation in the AT preparation state in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention, (B) is a diagram showing the state in which the presentation to assist in the winning of the small winning role 32 has started in the AT preparation state, and (C) is a diagram showing the state in which the display of the presentation to assist in the winning of the small winning role 32 has been completed. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing winning areas which can be won by an internal lottery in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and winning numbers corresponding to each winning area. [Figure 15]13A is a diagram showing the game results for each batting order when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4", the winning area "Batting Order Bell 8", the winning area "Special Minor Role 1", and the winning area "Special Minor Role 2" are won by internal lottery in the non-RT state of a gaming machine of the second embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a diagram showing the game results for each batting order when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4", the winning area "Batting Order Bell 8", the winning area "Special Minor Role 1", and the winning area "Special Minor Role 2" are won by internal lottery in the bonus formation state. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of symbols on the reels in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing winning symbol combinations of small win 1 to small win 8 and payouts for small win 1 to small win 8 in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing winning symbol combinations of small winning symbols 9 to 19 and payouts for small winning symbols 9 to 19 in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] This figure explains the patterns that can be stopped in the middle of the middle reel depending on the timing of operating the stop button when a second type of role is won in a game in which the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4", the winning area "Batting Order Bell 8", the winning area "Special Small Role 1", or the winning area "Special Small Role 2" is won in the gaming machine of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] This figure explains the patterns that can be stopped in the middle of the middle reel depending on the timing of operating the stop button in a game in which the winning area "Special Small Role 1" and the winning area "Special Small Role 2" are won and a third type of role can be won in the gaming machine of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21](A) is a diagram explaining the symbols that can be stopped in the middle of the right reel when the win area "special minor feature 1" is won in the bonus formation state in a gaming machine of the second embodiment of the present invention, depending on the timing of the operation of the stop button when the stop button is operated at batting orders 5 and 6; (B) is a diagram explaining the symbols that can be stopped in the middle of the right reel when the win area "special minor feature 2" is won in the bonus formation state, depending on the timing of the operation of the stop button when the stop button is operated at batting orders 5 and 6. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a presentation for assisting the winning of a third type of winning combination in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [First embodiment] The first embodiment will be described below. Note that the first embodiment described below does not unduly limit the contents of the present invention described in the claims. Also, not all of the configurations described in the first embodiment are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0011] 1. Overview of the gaming machine configuration 1 is a front view showing the external configuration of a slot machine 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment is a so-called reel type gaming machine, which is a type of gaming machine in which games are played using medals as gaming media.

[0012] The slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is housed in a box-shaped housing consisting of a housing BX, a front upper door UD, and a front lower door DD, and a reel unit 310 (see FIG. 2) consisting of a left reel R1 to a right reel R3 as a plurality of reels. In addition, a hopper unit 320 (see FIG. 2) as a medal payout device is housed below the reel unit 310 in the housing. In addition, a control board having a CPU, a ROM (an example of an information storage medium), a RAM, etc. mounted thereon and controlling the operation of the slot machine 1 is also housed in the housing of the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment.

[0013] 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 each frame has one of several types of patterns arranged on it.

[0014] The front upper door UD and the front lower door DD are provided so as to be able to be opened and closed separately. The front upper door UD is provided with a display device 330 as a display means for performing effects composed of various videos and images for assisting and livening up a game. In addition, the display device 330 is configured so that a specific area 330b facing the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 in a display area 330a for displaying images is composed of a transparent liquid crystal display, and the spinning state and stopped state of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 can be observed through the display device 330. When the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are stopped, three patterns (upper pattern, middle pattern, lower pattern) arranged consecutively on the outer periphery of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 among a plurality of types of patterns arranged at regular intervals on the outer periphery of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 can be observed through the display device 330 from the front of the slot machine 1.

[0015] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, an upper, middle, and lower row are provided for each reel as display positions for observing symbols through the display device 330, and an activated line L1 is set for an activated line based on a combination of the display positions of each reel. In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the number of medals required for one game, the so-called prescribed insertion number (prescribed number), is set to three in any game state, and when medals equivalent to the prescribed insertion number are inserted, an activated line L1 formed by the upper row of the left reel R1, the middle row of the center reel R2, and the lower row of the right reel R3 is activated.

[0016] The game result is determined by the symbol combination stopped and displayed on the winning line L1 (on the winning line), and if the symbol combination on the winning line L1 corresponds to a predetermined winning combination, that winning combination is deemed to have won and medals are paid out from the hopper unit 320.

[0017] The front upper door UD is provided with a game information display section DS. The game information display section 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 the bonus state, information on the winning combination in the current game, and information suggesting how to press the stop buttons B1, B2, and B3 related to the payout of medals.

[0018] When a specified number of medals are inserted and the start lever SL is operated, the seven-segment display of the game information display unit DS displays a notification display that corresponds to a winning combination command, which is a control signal created based on winning information, which is information on the combination that has been won in the current game, and when the left reel R1 to the 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 the first embodiment, a notification display is executed in which each segment of the game information display unit DS lights up and goes out in a display mode corresponding to the winning combination command.

[0019] In addition, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, a plurality of sound devices 340 for performing effects using sound are provided on the front lower door DD. The sound devices 340 output various sounds for assisting or livening up the game.

[0020] The front lower door DD is provided with various operating means. The operating means include a max bet button MB for inserting a specified number of medals as an inserting operation means for inserting credited (stored) medals, a start lever SL as a game start operation means for allowing the player to execute a start operation that triggers the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 to spin and start a game, stop buttons B1 to B3 as stop operation means for allowing the player to execute a stop operation that triggers the stopping of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 rotated by a stepping motor, and a settlement button BS for settling the credited medals.

[0021] 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 according 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, a settlement process is executed in response to pressing of the settlement button BS, in which a number of medals equivalent to the number of credits (the number of credited medals) is paid out from the hopper unit 320, and the medals are paid out from the medal payout outlet MO to the medal tray MP.

[0022] 2 is a functional block diagram of the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment. The slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is controlled by a game control means 10 serving as a control board. The game control means 10 receives input signals from input means such as a coin 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 serving as a plurality of operation detection means, performs various calculations for executing a game, and controls the operation of output means such as a performance device 300, a reel unit 310, a hopper unit 320, and a game information display unit DS based on the calculation results.

[0023] The game control means 10 also includes a setting change means 100, an input acceptance means 105, a random number generation means 110, an internal lottery means 120, a reel control means 130, a winning determination means 140, a payout control means 150, a replay processing means 160, a game state transition control means 170, a performance control means 180, a storage means 190, and an assist time control means (AT control means) 200. Each of the means constituting the game control means 10 reads out and executes each control program pre-stored in the storage means 190 when each control process is executed.

[0024] The setting change means 100 performs control (setting change control) to change the setting value 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 the 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 the reset switch 260 provided in the power supply device, and determines the setting value based on the start signal output from the start switch 230 when the start lever SL is operated. In the slot machine 1, the winning probability of some of 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 that is a value that can change the winning probability of the role in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120.

[0025] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the setting change control is executed by the setting change means 100, the control related to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 170 and the control related 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 written as "RT") state described later, and the control related to the auxiliary game executed by the AT control means 200 before the setting change is also initialized and a normal zone is set. On the other hand, 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 again, the control related to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 170 and the control related 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 related 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.

[0026] When a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot MI (see FIG. 1) and the medal insertion switch 210 is actuated 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 a bet switch 220 is actuated in which the max bet button MB is pressed to execute a bet operation while the medals are credited, the insertion acceptance means 105 sets the credited medals to an inserted state up to a specified insertion number (3 medals), thereby performing a process of enabling a 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.

[0027] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the initial depression 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 a trigger for starting the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, as well as a trigger for the internal lottery means 120, which will be described later, to execute an internal lottery.

[0028] The random number generating means 110 is a means for generating random numbers for lotteries. In the first embodiment, the term "random number" includes not only values ​​that are generated randomly in a mathematical sense, but also values ​​that may function as random numbers substantially because the timing of acquisition is irregular, even if the generation itself is regular.

[0029] The internal lottery means 120 is a means for conducting an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination has been achieved based on a 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.

[0030] In the lottery table selection process, which internal lottery table is 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 (miss) are associated with each of multiple random numbers (for example, 65536 random numbers from 0 to 65535).

[0031] In the following description, a bonus means a role that activates a reel or a device for continuously operating a reel when it is won, a bonus being activated means that a bonus is won and activates a reel or a device for continuously operating a reel, and a bonus state means that the reel or device for continuously operating a reel is activated.

[0032] 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 whether or not a winning combination has been achieved based on the comparison result.

[0033] 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 an established state (second flag state, ON state). In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when two or more types of combinations are overlappingly won, the lottery flags corresponding to each of the two or more types of combinations that are overlappingly won are set to an established state. In addition, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, there are provided a lottery flag (carry-over flag) that can carry over the established state to the next or subsequent games until a prize is won, and a lottery flag (non-carry-over flag) that is reset to an unestablished state without carrying over the established state to the next or subsequent games regardless of whether a prize is won. In addition, the setting information of the lottery flag is stored in the lottery flag storage means 193 of the storage means 190.

[0034] The reel control means 130 executes reel rotation control, which starts the rotation drive of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 and controls the rotation mode of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, based on the output of a start signal from the start switch 230, which is operated by the player performing a start operation on the start lever SL. In addition, when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are in a steady rotation state at a predetermined speed (for example, about 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 the stop button B3 corresponding to each reel are pressed. Then, 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 reel R1 to the right reel R3 corresponding to the stop switch 240 that detected the stop operation (reel stop control).

[0035] 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.

[0036] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the reel that is rotating corresponding to the stop button pressed 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) for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Here, when the rotating reel is stopped within 190 ms from the time when the stop button is pressed, the stop position of each rotating 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.

[0037] Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, a total of five frames from the frame displayed on the pay line L1 at the time the stop button is pressed until four frames have rotated are the range (pull-in range) in which the pattern can be pulled onto the pay line L1.

[0038] 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 preset priority order 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 a 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 the reel stop control and displaying a pattern on the pay line L1 is also referred to as "stop display").

[0039] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when multiple types of small winning combinations are won in the internal lottery, the priority of the candidate stop positions can be determined according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the pay line L1 (number priority control), or according to the number of medals to be paid out based on the payout that is predefined for the small winning combination (number priority control). However, when the number priority control is executed, if the same payout is won twice, the priority of the candidate stop positions that can win each small winning combination is treated as being the same.

[0040] 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, while 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 at the time when all of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have stopped is a winning form of a predetermined winning combination. Then, 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 indicating the winning form of a winning combination is also referred to as "winning symbol combination".

[0041] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, each process is executed based on the judgment result of the winning judgment means 140 in the winning judgment process. As each process executed based on the judgment 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 the next game without consuming medals, 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.

[0042] The payout control means 150 performs a payout process for paying out medals according to game results. Specifically, when a small winning combination is won, the payout number of medals in a game is determined based on a payout amount determined in advance for each combination, and the payout control means 150 controls the hopper unit 320 as a payout device to pay out medals equivalent to the determined payout number.

[0043] The hopper unit 320 performs an operation of paying out the number of medals 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. When medal credit is permitted, instead of actually paying out medals by the hopper unit 320, a credit addition process is performed in which the payout number is added to the credit number (the number of credited medals) stored in a credit storage area (not shown) of the storage means 190, and medals are virtually paid out.

[0044] 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 is stopped and displayed on the pay line L1, and the replay wins, the replay processing means 160 performs a replay process (replay process) to set the next game to a ready state in which the game can be played without inserting medals. That is, in the slot machine 1 of the first 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 same pay line L1 as the previous game is set, and the start operation of the next start lever SL is awaited.

[0045] The game state transition control means 170 performs a process of transitioning the game state between a plurality of game states, and a process related to the activation and termination of a bonus. 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 based on the establishment of any one of the multiple predetermined conditions, or the establishment of all of the multiple predetermined conditions.

[0046] The performance control means 180 performs control related to performances related to the game, such as image and video performances performed using the display device 330 and sound performances performed using the sound device 340, based on the performance data stored in the performance control data storage means 196 of the storage means 190. Specifically, when the player operates each component of the slot machine 1 by inserting a medal, operating the max bet button MB, the start lever SL, the stop buttons B1 to B3, etc., or when a game event such as a change in the game state occurs, the performance control means 180 performs execution control of performances to liven up the game or to assist the game by executing performances using lighting or blinking of lamps and LEDs, and sound output from the sound device 340. In addition, the performance control means 180 causes each component constituting the performance device 300 to execute a performance based on each performance state.

[0047] The AT control means 200 uses data stored in the AT control data storage means 197 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 game information display unit DS to assist in the winning of specific roles, can be executed, 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 game.

[0048] The AT control data storage means 197 stores data (various flags, counters, etc. that are set to ON or OFF by a specified control process) used in various controls related to multiple types of presentation states including the normal state and AT state that are executed within the advantageous zone.

[0049] The AT control means 200 sets the presentation state to the AT state (assist time state) under a predetermined condition 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 enables the winning of the specific role that has been won on the game information display unit DS having a 7-segment display, thereby performing an operation notification to assist the winning of the specific role. In addition, in the slot machine 1, when the operation notification by the AT control means 200 is executed, the presentation control means 180 described later executes a navigation presentation that displays an indicator corresponding to the correct hitting 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 winning assistance of the operation notification and the navigation presentation, so that an auxiliary game (AT game, notification game) that is advantageous to the player is executed.

[0050] More specifically, when a predetermined termination condition for terminating the advantageous zone, 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 regarding the advantageous zone, such as various flags and numerical values ​​set within the advantageous zone.

[0051] The AT control means 200 executes a game number update process in which, in a game that has started an advantageous zone, a value "1" corresponding to one game is added to a value (storage value) stored in the first advantageous zone counter 197a each time a game is played, and the stored value of the first advantageous zone counter 197a is cumulatively incremented and updated. Also, the AT control means 200 executes a difference number update process in which, in the second advantageous zone counter 197b, a difference value (difference number) obtained by subtracting the number of medals paid out from the game that has started an advantageous zone by the number of medals inserted is cumulatively recorded.

[0052] The AT control means 200 of the first embodiment, when controlling in a favorable zone, executes a game number update process in which, regardless of the game state, a value of "1", which corresponds to one game, is cumulatively added (updated) to the stored value of the first favorable zone counter 197a each time one game is played, and a difference number update process in which a value equivalent to the difference in the number of medals is cumulatively updated to the stored value of the second favorable zone counter 197b.

[0053] In addition, in the difference number update process for updating the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b, even if the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b becomes less than the value "0" when the paid-out number of medals in the game is less than the specified inserted number and the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b is subtracted, the AT control means 200 sets the subtracted result to the second advantageous zone counter 197b. In other words, the AT control means 200 is configured to be able to set a negative value to the second advantageous zone counter 197b.

[0054] When 4000 games have been played, that is, when the stored value of the first advantageous zone counter 197a reaches the value "4000", the AT control means 200 determines that a specific end condition has been met as a predetermined end condition for terminating the advantageous zone, and executes a predetermined end process for terminating the advantageous zone and starting the normal zone from the next game.

[0055] In addition, when more than 2400 medals are won in the advantageous zone, that is, when the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b exceeds the value "2400", the AT control means 200 determines that a specific end condition is satisfied as a predetermined end condition for ending the advantageous zone, and executes a predetermined end process for ending the advantageous zone and starting the normal zone from the next game. For this reason, in the slot machine 1, for example, when the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b is a negative value of "-900" before the transition to the presentation state in which medals can be won, in the presentation state in which medals can be won, a total of 3301 medals can be won, including 900 medals until the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b becomes the value "0" and 2401 medals until the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b becomes the value "2401" or more.

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

[0057] 2. Configuration of the gaming machine in the first embodiment Next, the components of the slot machine 1 in the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

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

[0059] In addition, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment has, as a bonus, a regular big bonus (hereinafter, the regular big bonus is also referred to as "RBB") as a device for continuously operating a special device of the first kind.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 3, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the winning areas that are the subject of the internal lottery include the winning area "Replay A", the winning area "Replay B", the winning area "All small roles", the winning area "All 1-coin roles", the winning area "Bat order bell 1" to the winning area "Bat order bell 8", the winning area "Special small roles 1" to the winning area "Special small roles 5", the winning area "Rare roles 1" to the winning area "Rare roles 5", the winning area "Slip-up roles", the winning area "RBB & 1-coin roles", and the winning area "RBB", which are associated with the winning numbers 1 to 25, respectively. In addition, in the slot machine 1, the winning number 0 is associated with a non-win (miss) as a result of the internal lottery.

[0061] The winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 8", the winning area "special small role 1" to "special small role 5", and the winning area "RBB & 1 coin role" are configured so that the small role corresponding to the batting order among the operation modes of the stop buttons B1 to B3 can be won depending on the game state. In the following description, the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 8", the winning area "special small role 1" to "special small role 5", and the winning area "RBB & 1 coin role" are collectively described as "batting order small role winning mode".

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

[0063] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the batting order, which is the order in which the three stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed, is composed 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 executed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B2 → stop button B3, which is called a so-called "scissors press". Batting order 2 is a batting order in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B3 → stop button B2, which is called a "scissors press". Batting order 3 is a batting order in which the stop operation is executed 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 executed 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 executed 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 in order from the winning area with the largest winning number among the winning areas associated with the lottery value numbers toward the winning area with the winning number 0, which is a non-winner.

[0065] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, there are small prizes 1 to 33 as small prizes that can be won if the internal lottery is won, and there are Replay 1 and Replay 2 as replays that can be won in the internal lottery. Each small prize and each replay is associated with each winning area in the combination shown in FIG.

[0066] Here, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the role to which the carryover possible flag is associated is RBB, and the small role and replay are associated with the non-carryover possible flag. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, when a winning area including RBB is won in the internal lottery, a process is performed to carry over the established state of the lottery flag of the winning RBB until the RBB wins. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 performs an internal lottery to determine whether or not the small role and replay are won, even in a game in which the established state of the lottery flag of RBB is carried over. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, when a small role or replay is won in a game in which the established state of the lottery flag of RBB is carried over, the lottery flag corresponding to two or more roles consisting of the lottery flag of the already won RBB and the lottery flag of the small role or replay won in the internal lottery is set to an established state.

[0067] <Internal lottery table> The slot machine 1 of the first embodiment stores an internal lottery table A used in the non-RT state, an internal lottery table B used in the bonus establishment state, and an internal lottery table C used in the bonus state in the internal lottery table storage means 192 as the internal lottery tables used in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120. In each of the internal lottery tables A to C, a lottery value number is associated with each winning area that is the subject of the lottery.

[0068] <Random number determination process> In the random number determination process, the internal lottery means 120 of the first embodiment sequentially subtracts the random number obtained from the random number generation means 110 by the lottery value numbers corresponding to 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 at the time when the internal lottery means 120 has finished subtracting all the lottery value numbers stored in the internal lottery table, it determines that none of the roles have been won.

[0069] <Arrangement of designs> 4 is a diagram showing each symbol arranged on the periphery of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a red 7 symbol "red 7", a white 7 symbol "white 7", a BAR symbol "BAR", a replay symbol "RP", a bell symbol "BL", a cherry A symbol "CHA", a cherry B symbol "CHB", a watermelon symbol "WM", a blank A symbol "BKA" and a blank B symbol "BKB" are arranged on the periphery of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. In addition, 20 symbols are arranged on each of the periphery of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3.

[0070] <Reel control means> In the slot machine 1 of the first 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 set 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 won in combination, the reel control means 130 executes stop control to give priority to the bonus and win the small combination or the replay.

[0071] As described above, the reel control means 130 is configured to be capable of rotating 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 capable of displaying stopped on the pay line L1 for the symbols arranged on the left reel R1 through the right reel R3 that are spaced four frames apart or less, regardless of the timing of the operation of the stop buttons B1 through B3.

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

[0073] In addition, 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, when either the cherry A symbol "CHA" arranged at stop number 1, stop number 6, or stop number 11 of the middle reel R2, or the cherry B symbol "CHB" arranged at stop number 16 can be stopped on the activated line L1, the reel control means 130 is configured to be able to stop the cherry A symbol "CHA" or the cherry B symbol "CHB" regardless of the timing of operation of the stop button B1.

[0074] <Small prize payout> In the first embodiment, the payouts for small wins 1 to 4 are set to a payout number (9 coins) that is greater than the prescribed number of coins (3 coins). The payout for small win 5 is set to a payout number (3 coins) that is equal to the prescribed number of coins. The payouts for small wins 6 to 33 are set to a payout number (1 coin) that is less than the prescribed number of coins.

[0075] <Small prize winning combination> 5 to 7 are diagrams showing winning symbol combinations of small win 1 to small win 33 and payouts of small win 1 to small win 33. FIG.

[0076] As shown in Fig. 5, the symbols constituting the winning symbol combinations of small win 1 to small win 4, small win 10 to small win 23, and small win 33, which are set to a payout of 9 coins, are arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less on each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Therefore, when the reel stop control that enables the small win 1 to small win 4 to be stopped and displayed on the pay line L1 is executed, each of the small wins 1 to 4 is configured to be stopped and displayed on the pay line L1 regardless of the operation timing of the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0077] Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the winning symbol combination "WM-WM-WM" of minor win 5 can be won when the stop button B2 is operated at a timing when the symbols within the reel-in range of the watermelon symbol "WM" on the middle reel R2, from the watermelon symbol "WM" at stop number 3 to the blank A symbol "BKA" at stop number 17, are displayed in rotation on the valid line L1, and minor win 5 cannot be won when symbols outside the reel-in range of the watermelon symbol "WM" are displayed in rotation on the valid line L1.

[0078] As shown in Figs. 5 to 7, the symbols constituting the winning symbol combinations of small symbol 6 to small symbol 9 and small symbol 24 to small symbol 32 are configured such that at least one of the symbols on the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 may be missed depending on the operation timing of the stop button corresponding to the reel. Specifically, for example, the small symbol 6 is displayed on the active line L1 when the stop button B1 is operated at the timing when the BAR symbol "BAR" at stop number 4 to the replay symbol "RP" at stop number 13 are displayed in rotation on the active line L1 for the red 7 symbol "red 7" or the BAR symbol "BAR" on the left reel R1 constituting the winning symbol combination "red 7 (BAR)-red 7 (BAR)-BL". In addition, if the stop button B2 is operated at the timing when the BAR symbol "BAR" at stop number 2 through the Cherry A symbol "CHA" at stop number 11 are displayed spinning on the active line L1, they will be stopped and displayed on the active line L1. If the stop button B1 and the stop button B2 are operated at a timing when the red 7 symbol "RED 7" or the BAR symbol "BAR" cannot be stopped and displayed on the left reel R1 and the middle reel R2, the small prize 6 cannot be won.

[0079] <Game state transition control means> FIG. 8(A) is a state transition diagram showing game states to which a transition can be made from each game state in the control relating to the transition of the game state executed by the game state transition control means 170 of the first embodiment.

[0080] As shown in Fig. 8(A), the non-RT state is a gaming state (initial gaming state, normal gaming state) that corresponds to the initial state among a plurality of gaming states, and is a non-bonus state in which a bonus is not activated or established. In the non-RT state, the gaming state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table A in which the winning probability of a replay is set to 8978 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 7.3).

[0081] The bonus establishment state is a game state to which the game state is entered when either the winning area "RBB" or the winning area "RBB & 1 coin role" is won in the internal lottery in the non-RT state, and the RBB is set to the establishment state. In the bonus establishment 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 the winning probability of replay is set to 8982 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 7.3).

[0082] The bonus state is a game state to which the game state is transitioned when the RBB is activated by winning the prize. In the bonus state, the game state transition control means 170 judges whether the termination condition of the activated RBB is satisfied based on the total number of medals paid out, and when the number of medals paid out exceeds a predetermined payout number (for example, 100 medals), the game state transition control means 170 terminates the bonus state by terminating the operation of the RBB, and transitions the game state to a non-RT state, which is a non-bonus state. In the bonus 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.

[0083] In the internal lottery table C, random numbers are associated with the winning area "All Small Winnings", which is a winning area for winning all small winnings from small winnings 1 to 33, and the winning area "All 1 Coin Winnings", which is a winning area for winning all small winnings from small winnings 6 to 33, which have a payout set to 1 coin.

[0084] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, during the operation of the RBB, the probability of winning the winning area "all small winning combinations" or the winning area "all single-card winning combinations" is higher than the probability of winning any of the winning areas including small winning combinations in the gaming state where the RBB is not operating. And when the RBB is operating, the probability of winning the winning area "all small winning combinations" is set to the same probability as the sum of the probabilities of winning any two of the winning areas "batter bell 1" to "batter bell 8" in the gaming state where the RBB is not operating.

[0085] Due to such a configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, in the gaming state where the RBB is operating, the winning probability of all small winning combinations increases compared to the gaming state where the RBB is not operating, and the probability of winning any small winning combination is also configured to be the same or increase.

[0086] Also, the slot machine 1 is configured such that during the operation of the RBB, the probability of winning the winning area "all small winning combinations" is lower than the probability of winning any of the winning areas "batter bell 1" to "batter bell 8" (the winning probability obtained by summing the respective winning probabilities of the winning areas "batter bell 1" to "batter bell 8").

[0087] With such a configuration, in the first embodiment, after lowering the lower limit of the expected value of the medal acquisition rate in the state where the RBB is operating to less than 100%, the medal acquisition performance regarding the state where the RBB is not operating can be designed, so that the design freedom of the slot machine 1 can be improved dramatically.

[0088] <AT control means> FIG. 8(B) is a state transition diagram showing details of the normal section and the advantageous section controlled by the AT control means 200 of the first embodiment, and the production state controlled during the advantageous section.

[0089] As described above, the normal period is a period during which control regarding the auxiliary game based on the result of the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is not executed. The AT control means 200 executes an advantageous period lottery, which is a lottery that determines whether to end the normal period and start an advantageous period, based on the winning area that is won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120, during the game within the normal period.

[0090] In the advantageous zone lottery, the AT control means 200 first obtains an advantageous zone transition lottery table, which is a data table in which "start of advantageous zone" and "miss (no win)" are associated with each of a plurality of random numbers, from the AT control data storage means 197. Then, the AT control means 200 obtains a random number from the random number generation means 110, compares the obtained random number with the advantageous zone transition lottery table, and determines whether or not to start an advantageous zone based on the comparison result.

[0091] 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.

[0092] The AT control means 200 of the first embodiment is configured to execute a favorable zone lottery when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to winning area "batting order bell 8", the winning area "special minor role 1" to winning area "special minor role 5", the winning area "rare role 1" to winning area "rare role 5", or the winning area "replay A" is won in the internal lottery, and not to execute a favorable zone lottery when another winning area is won. Also, the AT control means 200 executes a favorable zone lottery that wins the "start of the favorable zone" with a high probability of about 1 / 1.5.

[0093] When the "start of the advantageous zone" is selected in the advantageous zone lottery, the AT control means 200 refers to the game state at the start of the game when the "start of the advantageous zone" is selected, and sets the presentation state. Specifically, when the game state at the time of the advantageous zone lottery is executed is a non-RT state or a bonus state, the AT control means 200 sets the presentation state at the time of the advantageous zone start to the normal state, and when the game state at the time of the advantageous zone lottery is executed is a bonus establishment state, the AT control means 200 sets the presentation state at the time of the advantageous zone start to the AT preparation state.

[0094] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the gaming state is in a bonus establishment state, the state transitions to an AT preparation state in which transition to the AT state is possible by winning the ``start of favorable zone'' in the favorable zone lottery, and therefore the probability of transitioning to the AT state is higher than when the gaming state is in a non-RT state or a bonus state.

[0095] In the advantageous zone, the AT control means 200 has a normal state, a CZ state, an AT preparation state, and an AT state as states (presentation states) related to the instruction function, and in the normal state, it is configured not to execute the winning assistance of small prizes 1 to 4 when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" are won, and in the CZ state, the AT preparation state, and the AT state, it is configured to execute the winning assistance of small prizes 1 to 4 when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" are won. Also, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured so that the ratio of staying in the advantageous zone during the entire game can be 70% or more.

[0096] In addition, the AT control means 200 of the first embodiment is configured to be able to control a plurality of modes, including a first mode and a second mode, in the advantageous zone. The first mode is a mode equivalent to a normal mode that is set when the second mode is not selected. The second mode is a mode that is set when the winning areas "special minor win 1" to "special minor win 5" are won and minor wins 11 to 15 are won. At the start of the second mode, a value corresponding to a predetermined number of games (for example, 5 games) is set in the second mode game number counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 197, and a decrement update is performed to subtract a value "1" corresponding to one game from the stored value of the second mode game number counter each time a game is executed.

[0097] When the AT control means 200 is set to the second mode and the winning area "special minor role 1" to the winning area "special minor role 5" are won, the control process related to the instruction function based on the internal lottery result executed when the winning area "rare role 1" to the winning area "rare role 5" are won is executed. The details of the control process related to the instruction function based on the internal lottery result in each performance state in the second mode will be described later.

[0098] In the first embodiment, the AT control means 200 is configured to stop the execution of a predetermined control process related to the instruction function in the game when the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 is operated to perform the first stop operation in the first mode and when the winning assistance is not being executed. The predetermined control process includes, for example, a control process related to the instruction function based on the internal lottery result and an update of the normal game number counter (not shown) described later, and is a process that may be advantageous to the player when the control process is executed. In addition, in the second mode, the AT control means 200 is configured to execute a control process related to the instruction function based on the internal lottery result when the winning area "special small win 1" to the winning area "special small win 5" are won and the stop button B3 is operated to perform the first stop operation even when the winning assistance is not being executed.

[0099] The normal state is a presentation state (normal presentation state) that corresponds to a 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 executes incremental update to add a value "1" corresponding to one game to a normal game number counter (not shown) that 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 becomes a value "700", the AT control means 200 determines that a transition condition to the CZ state (CZ transition condition) has been established, and transitions the presentation state from the normal state to the CZ state.

[0100] 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 not including an RBB is won in an internal lottery in a normal state. The AT control means 200 is configured to execute a CZ lottery in which, in the first mode, if the winning area "rare role 1" to the winning area "rare role 5" are won in the internal lottery, the probability of a result advantageous to the player is increased by making it easier to win "transition to the CZ state" than when other winning areas are won. In addition, the AT control means 200 is configured to execute a CZ lottery in which, in the second mode, if the winning area "special small role 1" to the winning area "special small role 5" and the winning area "rare role 1" to the winning area "rare role 5" are won in the internal lottery, the probability of a result advantageous to the player is increased by making it easier to win "transition to the CZ state" than when other winning areas are won. If the "Transition to CZ state" is won in the CZ lottery, the AT control means 200 will transition the presentation state from the normal state to the CZ state.

[0101] In addition, when the winning area "Replay 2" is won in the internal lottery, the AT control means 200 executes a normal AT lottery to select whether or not to transition to the AT state, and when "Transition to AT state" is won, it determines that the transition condition to the AT state (AT transition condition) has been met, and transitions from the normal state to the AT preparation state.

[0102] 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 or not 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 (e.g., 10 games) to the CZ game number counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 197, and executes a decrement update that subtracts the stored value of the CZ game number counter by the value "1" corresponding to one game each time a game is executed.

[0103] The AT control means 200 is configured to execute a CZ AT lottery for each game in the CZ state to determine whether or not to transition to the AT state. If the "transition to the AT state" is selected in the CZ AT lottery, the AT control means 200 transitions the presentation state from the CZ state to the AT preparation state after 10 games have been played since the start of the CZ state.

[0104] The AT control means 200 executes a CZ set number addition lottery to determine whether or not to add (add) to the number of times one set of AT state is executed for the AT state transitioned from the CZ state via the AT transition state during play until the CZ state ends after winning the "transition to AT state" in the CZ AT lottery.

[0105] 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.

[0106] 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. The AT control means 200 is configured so that, in the first mode, in the lottery for the auxiliary game executed in the CZ state, if the winning area "rare role 1" to the winning area "rare role 5" 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 (in the case of the AT lottery during the CZ, "transition to the AT state" is higher.In addition, the AT control means 200 is configured so that, in the second mode, in the lottery for the auxiliary game executed in the CZ state, if the winning area "special small role 1" to the winning area "special small role 5" or the winning area "rare role 1" to the winning area "rare role 5" 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 (in the case of the AT lottery during the CZ, "transition to the AT state" is higher.

[0107] The AT preparation state is a presentation state that can be entered when a transition to the AT state is decided in the normal state or CZ state, or when the game state is in a bonus establishment state and the "start of the advantageous zone" is selected in the advantageous zone lottery. In the AT preparation state, the AT control means 200 sets the value "30" as an initial value to the AT preparation game number counter, which is a counter that counts the number of games during which the AT preparation state continues, and executes a decrement update that subtracts the value "1" corresponding to one game each time a game is played. In addition, in a game in which the winning area "RBB & 1 piece role" is won, the AT control means 200 executes a bonus symbol suggestion effect, which is an effect that aims for the symbol combination of "red 7-red 7-red 7" in the middle of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, since the red 7 symbol "red 7" can be stopped and displayed in the middle of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 when the winning symbol combination "RP-red 7-CHA" of the small role 32 is displayed on the activated line L1, and when the small role 32 wins, the AT preparation state is ended and the presentation state is shifted to the AT state regardless of the stored value of the AT preparation game number counter. Details of the bonus symbol suggestion effect will be described later.

[0108] The AT control means 200 executes the winning assistance of notifying the correct batting order that allows the small prize 1 to the small prize 4 to be won, when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" are won in the AT preparation state until the bonus symbol suggestion effect is executed. The AT control means 200 is configured not to execute the winning assistance of the small prize 1 to the small prize 4, when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" are won in the internal lottery in the game in which the AT preparation state continues after the bonus symbol suggestion effect is executed and the small prize 32 is not won.

[0109] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the bonus symbol suggestion performance is executed in the AT preparation state, and when the winning of the small winning feature 32 is avoided and the AT preparation state is intentionally continued, the winning assistance is not executed when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 8" are won, making it difficult to win medals, which creates a strategy to avoid the winning of the small winning feature 32 and prevents a decrease in the marketability of the gaming machine.

[0110] In addition, the slot machine 1 is configured to transition the presentation state from the AT preparation state to the AT state when 30 games are played without winning the minor prize 32 in the AT preparation state and the stored value of the AT preparation game number counter becomes the value "0".

[0111] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment can transition from the AT preparation state to the AT state by playing 30 games as the specified number of times, even if the winning area "RBB & 1 coin role" is not won in the AT preparation state. This allows the AT state to be started regardless of the skill of the player, preventing a decline in the marketability of the gaming machine.

[0112] The AT state is a presentation state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state, because when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are won, the winning assistance of small prizes 1 to 4 is executed.

[0113] 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) of the AT control data storage means 197, and performs a decrement update each time a game is played, subtracting the stored value of the AT game number counter by the value "1" corresponding to one game.

[0114] The AT control means 200 is configured to execute an add-on lottery to determine whether to add (add) the period during which the AT state continues by determining whether to add a value determined by lottery to the stored value of the AT game number counter when the winning area "rare role 1" to the winning area "rare role 5" are won by the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 in the first mode, and execute an add-on lottery to determine whether to add (add) the period during which the AT state continues when the value determined by the add-on lottery is a value of 1 or more. Also, the AT control means 200 is configured to execute an add-on lottery to determine whether to add (add) the period during which the AT state continues by determining whether to add a value determined by the add-on lottery to the AT game number counter when the winning area "special small role 1" to the winning area "special small role 5" and the winning area "rare role 1" to the winning area "rare role 5" are won by the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 in the second mode, and execute an add-on lottery to determine whether to add a value determined by the add-on lottery to the AT game number counter when the value determined by the add-on lottery is a value of 1 or more.

[0115] When the stored value of the AT game number counter becomes "0" due to a decrement update performed each time a game is played in the AT state, the AT control means 200 determines that the termination condition of the AT state (AT termination condition) has been met, terminates the AT state, and determines that the normal termination condition among the termination conditions of the advantageous zone has been met, and executes a predetermined initialization process which is a process of initializing information regarding the advantageous zone, and a predetermined termination process which ends the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game.

[0116] In addition, when the stored value of the first advantageous zone counter 197a reaches the value "4000" in the AT state, and when the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b exceeds the value "2400" in the AT state, the AT control means 200 determines that the AT termination condition has been met, terminates the AT state, and determines that a specific termination condition among the advantageous zone termination conditions has been met, and executes a predetermined initialization process which is a process of initializing information regarding the advantageous zone, and a predetermined termination process which ends the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game.

[0117] 3. Reel stop control in each game state Next, the reel stop control executed in each game state in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment will be described in detail.

[0118] <Game results when winning the batting order minor role winning pattern in each game state> FIG. 9 is a diagram showing game results for each operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3 when the batting order minor win mode is won in the non-RT state.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 9, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 8", the winning area "Special Small Winner 1" to winning area "Special Small Winner 5", or the winning area "RBB & 1 Coin" is won in the non-RT state, the small win 10, which is set to a payout of 1 coin, has a probability of winning of 1 / 1 regardless of the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3, and the small wins 1 to 4, which are set to a payout of 9 coins, as well as the small wins 11 to 16, 18 to 21, and 32 are configured to be non-winnable.

[0120] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing game results for each operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3 when the batting order minor combination winning mode is won in the bonus established state.

[0121] As shown in Fig. 10, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" are won in the bonus establishment state, the batting order (correct batting order) of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is set so that the small prize 1 to small prize 4, which are set to a payout of 9 coins, can be won with a probability of 1 / 1. Also, as shown in Fig. 10, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" are won in the bonus establishment state and the stop button B1 is operated to the first stop, the small prize 10, which is set to a payout of 1 coin, can be won with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0122] In addition, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "special small prize 1" to the winning area "special small prize 5" are won in the bonus formation state, and when the stop button B1 or the stop button B2 is operated to the first stop, small prize 11 to small prize 15 will be won with a probability of 1 / 1, and when the winning area "special small prize 1" to the winning area "special small prize 5" are won in the bonus formation state, and when the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop, the winning small prize among small prize 16, small prize 18 to small prize 21 will be won with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0123] In the slot machine 1, when the winning area "RBB & 1 coin" is won in the bonus formation state and the stop button B1 or the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop, the small prize 10 is won with a probability of 1 / 1, and when the winning area "RBB & 1 coin" is won in the bonus formation state and the stop button B2 is operated to the first stop, the small prize 32 is won with a probability of 1 / 4, and the small prize 10 is won with a probability of 3 / 4.

[0124] <Reel stop control when small win 10 is won> Next, in the slot machine 1 in the first embodiment, the reel stop control executed by the reel control means 130 when the small winning combination 10 can be won will be described. As described above, the winning symbol combination of the small winning combination 10 is composed of "BL-CHA(CHB)-RP(CHA)" (see FIG. 6). In order to enable the stop display of small prize 10 to take priority over small prize 1 to small prize 4 by quantity priority control when small prize 10 is won in combination with small prize 1 to small prize 4, the right reel R3 that constitutes the winning symbol combination is configured to include multiple symbols, and in order to avoid overlapping of the winning symbol combination of small prize 22 "BL-CHA (CHB)-red 7 (white 7, BAR, CHB)" and the winning symbol combination of small prize 33 "BL-CHA (CHB)-WM (BKB)", and to enable a win regardless of the operation timing of stop button B3, the replay symbol "RP" and cherry A symbol "CHA" are included.

[0125] As shown in Figure 4, on the right reel R3, the replay symbols "RP" are arranged at stop numbers 3, 8, 13, and 18, and are arranged so that they can be displayed stopped on the lower row of the right reel R3 that constitutes the activated line L1 regardless of the timing of operation of the stop button B3.

[0126] Here, in the slot machine 1, the replay symbol "RP" can be stopped and displayed on the right reel R3 regardless of the timing of the operation of the stop button B3. Therefore, if the symbol combination "BL-CHA(CHB)-CHA" among the winning symbol combinations of minor win 10 is configured not to be stopped and displayed on the activated line L1, even though the cherry A symbol "CHA" is determined as the symbol on the right reel R3 constituting the winning symbol combination of minor win 10, it will become a symbol that the player cannot display, which raises the concern that the outcome of the game will be determined by the intention of someone other than the player, thereby compromising the fairness of the game.

[0127] For this reason, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured to stop and display the cherry A symbol "CHA" on the pay line L1 in priority to the replay symbol "RP" when the stop button B3 is operated at a specific timing in the case where the minor prize 10 can be won.

[0128] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation timing of the stop button B3 that enables the cherry A symbol "CHA" to be stopped and displayed on the lower row of the right reel R3 that constitutes the activated line L1 in a game in which the small winning combination 10 can be won.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 11, the reel control means 130 of the first embodiment is configured to stop and display the cherry A symbol "CHA" on the pay line L1 in priority to the replay symbol "RP" when the stop button B3 is operated at a timing when the symbols arranged at stop numbers 1, 2, 6, 7, 11, 12, 16, and 17 are being displayed in rotation on the pay line L1.

[0130] Here, the timing at which the symbols of stop numbers 1 and 2 are rotated on the valid line L1 means, for example, the timing from when approximately the upper half of the replay symbol "RP" of stop number 3 overlaps with the valid line L1 to when approximately the lower half of the cherry A symbol "CHA" of stop number 1 overlaps with the valid line L1, and means the timing from when the replay symbol "RP" of stop number 3 cannot be stopped and displayed on the valid line L1 to when the cherry A symbol "CHA" of stop number 1 can be stopped and displayed on the valid line L1 when the stop button B3 is operated.

[0131] Thus, in a game where the small winning combination 10 can be won, when the timing at which the stop button B3 is operated is earlier than the replay symbol "RP" and the cherry A symbol "CHA" reaches the lower part of the right reel R3 that constitutes the active line L1, by preferentially stopping and displaying the cherry A symbol "CHA" over the replay symbol "RP" on the active line L1, it is configured to be able to stop and display the symbol combination "BL-CHA(CHB)-CHA" among the winning symbol combinations of the small winning combination 10 on the active line L1.

[0132] Also, in a game where the small winning combination 10 can be won, when the timing at which the stop button B3 is operated is earlier than the cherry A symbol "CHA" and the replay symbol "RP" reaches the lower part of the right reel R3 that constitutes the active line L1, by preferentially stopping and displaying the replay symbol "RP" over the cherry A symbol "CHA" on the active line L1, it is configured to be able to stop and display the symbol combination "BL-CHA(CHB)-RP" among the winning symbol combinations of the small winning combination 10 on the active line L1.

[0133] With such a configuration, for the symbols on the right reel R3 that constitute the winning symbol combination "BL-CHA(CHB)-RP(CHA)" of the small winning combination 10 in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, both the replay symbol "RP" arranged to be stoppably displayed on the active line L1 regardless of the operation timing of the stop button B3 and the cherry A symbol "CHA" arranged within the draw range of the replay symbol "RP" can be stoppably displayed. Therefore, the symbols defined as the winning symbol combinations of the small winning combination 10 can be displayed by the player's operation, and the fairness of the game can be observed.

[0134] 4. Gameplay of the Slot Machine of the First Embodiment Next, the details of the gameplay of the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment will be described.

[0135] <Control by the AT Control Means> 12(A) is a flowchart showing the control process at the start of the advantageous zone, which is executed when the "start of the advantageous zone" is selected in the advantageous zone lottery in the normal zone. In the control process at the start of the advantageous zone, first, the AT control means 200 judges whether the game state is a bonus establishment state or not (S1). In this process, the AT control means 200 judges whether the game state controlled by the game state transition control means 170 is a bonus establishment state or not.

[0136] In the process of step S1, if it is determined that the game state is a non-RT state or a bonus state (NO), the AT control means 200 sets the presentation state to a normal state (S2) and ends the control process at the start of the advantageous zone. On the other hand, in the process of step S1, if it is determined that the game state is a bonus establishment state (YES), the AT control means 200 sets the presentation state to an AT preparation state (S3) and ends the control process at the start of the advantageous zone.

[0137] By executing the control processing at the start of the favorable zone, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the gaming state is in a bonus establishment state, the slot machine transitions to an AT preparation state in which transition to the AT state is possible by winning the ``start of favorable zone'' in the favorable zone lottery, and therefore the probability of transitioning to the AT state is higher than when the gaming state is in a non-RT state or a bonus state.

[0138] Figure 12 (B) is a flowchart showing the control processing executed by the AT control means 200 and the presentation control means 180 when the winning area "special small win 1" to the winning area "special small win 5" are won (when a special small win is won) while being controlled in the advantageous zone.

[0139] When the winning area "special minor win 1" to the winning area "special minor win 5" are won, the AT control means 200 first judges whether the game state is a bonus establishment state or not (S11). In this process, the AT control means 200 judges whether the game state controlled by the game state transition control means 170 is a bonus establishment state or not.

[0140] In the processing of step S11, if it is determined that the game state is a non-RT state (NO), the AT control means 200 ends the control processing in the case where the winning area "special small win 1" to the winning area "special small win 5" are won without executing the processing from step S12 onwards, since the AT control means 200 is controlled by the reel control means 130 so that the small win 10 is won regardless of the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3 (see Figure 9).

[0141] On the other hand, when it is determined that the gaming state is a bonus establishment state (YES), the AT control means 200 determines whether or not it is in the second mode (S12). In this process, the AT control means 200 determines whether the winning area "special small win 1" to the winning area "special small win 5" is won when the second mode is started, or whether the winning area "special small win 1" to the winning area "special small win 5" is won when the first mode is started.

[0142] In the process of step S12, when it is determined that the second mode is selected (YES), the performance control means 180 executes a right-push notification performance (S13). In this process, the performance control means 180 executes a right-push notification performance that notifies the user that the stop button B3 is to be operated to perform the first stop.

[0143] Next, the AT control means 200 executes control processing related to the instruction function based on the internal lottery result, which is approximately the same as the control processing related to the instruction function executed when the winning area "rare role 1" to the winning area "rare role 5" are won (S14), and terminates the control processing when the winning area "special small role 1" to the winning area "special small role 5" are won.

[0144] As shown in Fig. 10, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "special small win 1" to the winning area "special small win 5" are won in the bonus establishment state and the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop, the small win 16, the small win 18 to the small win 21 are won. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "rare win 1" to the winning area "rare win 5" are won, the small win 16, the small win 18 to the small win 21 that are won independently regardless of the operation mode of the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 are won.

[0145] That is, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the winning area "special small role 1" to the winning area "special small role 5" are won and the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop, the small roles 16, 18 to 21 that are won when the winning area "rare role 1" to the winning area "rare role 5" are won are won, so that the second mode is set and a game according to the right-press notification performance is executed, so that the winning probability of the small roles 16, 18 to 21 in which a control process advantageous to the player is executed in the winning game can be increased. In addition, the AT control means 200 is configured to execute a control process related to an instruction function advantageous to the player in approximately the same manner as when the winning area "rare role 1" to the winning area "rare role 5" is won in the second mode and when the winning area "special small role 1" to the winning area "special small role 5" is won.

[0146] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment can change the probability of winning small roles 16, 18 to 21 without changing the probability of winning each of the winning areas including small roles by shifting from the first mode to the second mode, and also executes control processing related to the instruction function advantageous to the player that is executed in a game in which the winning areas "rare role 1" to "rare role 5" are won and small roles 16, 18 to 21 are won, even in the case of winning the winning areas "special small role 1" to "special small role 5". Therefore, by shifting to the second mode, gameplay that is advantageous to the player is realized, and the player's interest in the game can be increased.

[0147] In the process of step S12, when it is determined that the mode is the first mode (NO), the AT control means 200 determines whether the stop button B1 has been operated to perform the first stop (S15). As described above, the AT control means 200 of the first embodiment is configured to stop the execution of a predetermined control process related to the instruction function in the game when the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 has been operated to perform the first stop in the first mode and when the winning assistance is not being executed. Therefore, in the process of step S15, when it is determined that the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 has been operated to perform the first stop (NO), the AT control means 200 ends the control process in the case of winning the winning area "special small win 1" to the winning area "special small win 5" without executing the process of step S16.

[0148] On the other hand, in the process of step S15, if it is determined that the stop button B1 has been operated for the first stop (YES), the second mode is set (S16), and the control process for winning the winning areas "special minor win 1" to "special minor win 5" is terminated. As shown in FIG. 10, in the slot machine 1, when the winning areas "special minor win 1" to "special minor win 5" are won and the stop button B1 is operated for the first stop, the winning minor win among the minor wins 11 to 15 is awarded.

[0149] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, in a game in which the small winning symbols 11 to 15 are won, a gameplay that is set to the second mode can be realized, and the winning of the small winning symbols 11 to 15 can suggest to the player that an advantageous mode is set, thereby increasing the player's interest in the game.

[0150] <Playability in each game state> As shown in Fig. 9, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured to win a small prize 10 regardless of the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3 when the game state is a non-RT state and the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8", the winning area "special small prize 1" to the winning area "special small prize 5", or the winning area "RBB & 1 coin prize" is won. Also, in the slot machine 1, when the game state is a non-RT state or a bonus state and "start of advantageous zone" is won in the advantageous zone lottery in the normal zone, the presentation state is set to the normal state.

[0151] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the game state is in a non-RT state, minor prizes 1 to 4, which are set to a payout of 9 coins, which is more than the specified number of coins, will not win when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are won, and therefore even if the slot machine transitions to an AT state, the AT control means 200 will not execute winning assistance when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are won, and even if a favorable zone is started, the normal state will start instead of the AT preparation state.

[0152] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 10, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured such that, when the gaming state is a bonus established state and the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 8" are won, small prizes 1 to 4 can be won by operating the stop buttons B1 to B3 in the correct batting order, and the player can win medals. Also, in the slot machine 1, when the gaming state is a bonus established state and the "start of advantageous zone" is won in the advantageous zone lottery in the normal zone, the presentation state is set to the AT preparation state.

[0153] In this way, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured such that the probability of transitioning to the AT state is higher when the gaming state is in a bonus established state than when the gaming state is in a non-RT state or a bonus state, and the probability of winning small prizes 1 to 4, which are set to a payout greater than the specified number of insertions, is higher when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are won.

[0154] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 can be designed to reduce the expected number of medals won when the game state is in a non-RT state, while increasing the expected number of medals won when a bonus is formed, thereby improving playability in the bonus state and increasing the player's interest in the game.

[0155] In addition, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured to be set to the second mode when the game state is in the bonus establishment state and the winning area "special minor role 1" to the winning area "special minor role 5" are won, by performing the first stop operation of the stop button B1 and winning the small roles 11 to 15. In the slot machine 1, by being set to the second mode, when the winning area "special minor role 1" to the winning area "special minor role 5" are won, a control process related to the instruction function based on the internal lottery result is executed in a manner similar to the case of winning the winning area "rare role 1" to the winning area "rare role 5", and the probability of the player being advantageous is higher than when the other winning areas are won.

[0156] On the other hand, when the slot machine 1 is in a non-RT gaming state and the winning area "special small win 1" to "special small win 5" are won, the small win 10 is won regardless of the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0157] In the slot machine 1, when the slot machine 1 is shifted to a bonus establishment state, the slot machine 1 is configured so that the small prize or replay is won together with the RBB in each game, and the reel stop control by the reel control means 130 executes a reel stop control that allows the small prize or replay to be won in priority to the bonus. In addition, in the slot machine 1, when a winning mode including a small prize is won and the small prize cannot be won, the slot machine 1 is configured so that the winning is missed (non-winning), and the RBB is not won when the small prize is missed.

[0158] Due to this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the winning areas "special small win 1" to "special small win 5" are won and small win 10 is awarded, the second mode is not set, and the game is not set to the second mode.

[0159] In other words, the second mode is configured such that it can be awarded when the small winning combinations 11 to 15 are winnable, and is not awarded when the small winning combination 10 is winnable.

[0160] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 8" are won, in the non-RT state in which small prizes 1 to 4, which are set to a payout greater than the specified number of inputs, cannot be won, if the winning area "Special Small Prize 1" to "Special Small Prize 5" is won, small prize 10 will be won, and small prizes 11 to 15 will not be won and the second mode will not be set, and the second mode will be started in the non-RT state, making it difficult for the player to win medals even if the state transitions to the AT state, which prevents the player from feeling a sense of loss.

[0161] In addition, in the case where the slot machine 1 wins the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 8" and the stop button B1 is operated to the first stop, the small winning feature 10 is won with a probability of 1 / 1, and since the game is not set to the second mode, the player can infer that the game will not transition to a favorable mode when the small winning feature 10 is won. Furthermore, since the small winning feature 10 can be won in a game in which the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 8" is won even when the game state is in a bonus establishment state, it becomes difficult for the player to infer the current game state, and it is possible to prevent the game state from being determined by the player and resulting in unintended strategy by the designer.

[0162] In addition, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "RBB & 1 coin" is won and the stop button B1 is operated to the first stop, the minor winning feature 10 is won with a probability of 1 / 1, and since the game is not set to the second mode, the player can infer that the game will not transition to an advantageous mode when the minor winning feature 10 is won, and in a game in which the winning area "RBB & 1 coin" including RBB is won and the game state transitions to a bonus establishment state, it becomes difficult for the player to infer that the game state has transitioned in that game, and it is possible to prevent the game state from being determined by the player and the occurrence of unintended strategy by the designer.

[0163] These winning areas, "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8", constitute the first winning mode in the first embodiment. The winning areas, "Special Minor Role 1" to "Special Minor Role 5", constitute the second winning mode in the first embodiment. The winning area, "RBB & 1-card Role", constitutes the third winning mode in the first embodiment. Also, Minor Roles 1 to 4 constitute the first role in the first embodiment, Minor Role 10 constitutes the second role in the first embodiment, and Minor Roles 11 to 15 constitute the third role in the first embodiment. Further, when winning in the winning areas, "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" in the bonus establishment state, Minor Roles 1 to 4 can be awarded a prize. When winning in the winning areas, "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" in the non-RT state, Minor Roles 1 to 4 cannot be awarded a prize. That is, the correct batting order that enables Minor Roles 1 to 4 to be awarded a prize when winning in the winning areas, "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8", constitutes the first operation mode in the first embodiment.

[0164] Also, in the prize assistance for Minor Roles 1 to 4 and the advantageous area lottery when winning in the winning areas, "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8", the control process (steps S1 and S3 in FIG. 12(A)) by the AT control means 200 that sets the AT preparation state based on winning the "start of the advantageous area" constitutes the first privilege in the first embodiment. The setting of the second mode (steps S11, S12, S15, and S16 in FIG. 12(B)) that is given when winning in the winning areas, "Special Minor Role 1" to "Special Minor Role 5" and Minor Roles 11 to 15 are prizeable constitutes the second privilege in the first embodiment. The AT control means 200 constitutes the privilege control means in the first embodiment.

[0165] <Bonus Symbol Suggestion Performance in the AT Preparation State> FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the performance mode that changes over time regarding the bonus symbol suggestion performance of Minor Role 32 executed when winning in the winning area, "RBB & 1-card Role" in the AT preparation state.

[0166] Figure 13(A) shows a state in which the AT is in preparation for preparation and an effect is being executed that suggests that the AT state will start if the AT start conditions are met. Figure 13(B) shows a state in which a bonus pattern suggestion effect that assists in the winning of the small prize 32 has started and an image that notifies the batting order that will allow the small prize 32 to win has started to be displayed. Figure 13(C) shows a state in which the display of an image that suggests the operation timing of the first stop operation that will allow the small prize 32 to win has been completed and assistance in the winning of the small prize 32 has been completed.

[0167] In addition, the slot machine 1 is configured so that it takes approximately 10 frames (approximately 333.3 ms) to complete the process from the state shown in Figure 13(A) to the state shown in Figure 13(C), and the player will see as if an image informing them of the batting order that will enable the small winning combination 32 to be won and an image suggesting the operation timing of the first stop operation that will enable the small winning combination 32 to be won are displayed at approximately the same time.

[0168] As shown in FIG. 13(A), in the slot machine 1, in the AT preparation state, an AT preparation image 331a consisting of the letters "AT!" is displayed in a position near the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 in the display area 330a of the display device 330 to indicate that the AT state is prepared.

[0169] As shown in Fig. 13(B), the slot machine 1 displays a first navigation image 332a suggesting a stop button for executing a first stop operation, a second navigation image 332b suggesting a stop button for executing a second stop operation, and a third navigation image 332c suggesting a stop button for executing a third stop operation among the batting orders that allow the small winning combination 32 to win. Note that the slot machine 1 is configured so that the small winning combination 32 can win in either batting order 3 or batting order 4, and is configured to determine by lottery whether one of the second navigation image 332b and the third navigation image 332c is displayed near the left reel R1 and the other image is displayed near the right reel R3.

[0170] The performance control means 180 executes a performance that changes the display mode by gradually enlarging the letter "!" in the first navigation image 332a, the number "2" in the second navigation image 332b, and the number "3" in the third navigation image 332c from the size of the first display mode shown in Figure 13(B) to the size of the second display mode shown in Figure 13(C).

[0171] In the slot machine 1, at the time shown in Figure 13 (C), the display of the first navigation image 332a to the third navigation image 332c has been completed, that is, the enlargement and change of the display of the first navigation image 332a to the third navigation image 332c has been completed. After the display shown in Figure 13 (C) is reached, the display of the first navigation image 332a to the third navigation image 332c in the display device 330 does not change significantly (the size of the numbers does not change, and the effects around the numbers remain as a minor animated representation that does not affect visibility, such as circulating effects) until the player performs a stop operation.

[0172] In this way, in the slot machine 1, for the first navigation image 332a to the third navigation image 332c, the displayed image is larger in size and has higher visibility to the player in the second display mode in which the display is completed as shown in FIG. 13(C) than in the first display mode in which the display is started and the displayed size is smaller as shown in FIG. 13(B).

[0173] As shown in Fig. 13(C), in the slot machine 1, after completing the display of the first navigation image 332a to the third navigation image 332c, a red 7 navigation image 333 is displayed as an image suggesting the operation timing of the first stop operation to allow the small winning combination 32 to be won. As shown in Fig. 13(C), in the slot machine 1, by displaying the red 7 navigation image 333 as an image suggesting the operation timing of the first stop operation to allow the small winning combination 32 to be won, it is suggested that the operation timing of the first stop operation on the stop button B2 is the timing when 5 of 20 frames of symbols from the red 7 symbol "red 7" at stop number 7 to the cherry A symbol "CHA" at stop number 11 are rotated and displayed on the pay line L1.

[0174] The performance control means 180 executes an effect that changes the display mode by gradually reducing the display of the red 7 navigation image 333 from the size of the third display mode that is larger than the size shown in FIG. 13(C) and larger than the display area 330a to the size of the fourth display mode shown in FIG. 13(C). In a state where the display mode is changing, the red 7 navigation image 333 partially overlaps with the first to third navigation images 332a to 332c in terms of display.

[0175] In the slot machine 1, at the time shown in FIG. 13(C), the display of the red 7 navigation image 333 is completed, that is, the enlargement and change of the display of the red 7 navigation image 333 are finished. After the display shown in FIG. 13(C), the display of the red 7 navigation image 333 in the display device 330 does not change significantly (it remains in a minor video expression state that does not affect visibility, such as not changing the size of the numbers and only having the effects around the numbers circulate) until a stop operation by the player is executed.

[0176] In this way, in the slot machine 1, regarding the red 7 navigation image 333, the fourth display mode in the state where the display shown in FIG. 13(C) is completed and the image fits within the display area 330a is a display mode with higher visibility for the player because the entire image can be visually recognized, compared to the third display mode at the start of display with a size larger than the display area 330a of the display device 330.

[0177] Also, in the state shown in FIG. 13(C), the performance control means 180 of the first embodiment outputs a voice of "aiming at red 7" that suggests the operation timing of the stop button B2 for the first stop operation from the sound device 340.

[0178] <Gameplay in the <AT> preparation state> The slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured to be able to transition to the AT state within several to several tens of games when a game is played in accordance with the winning assistance in the AT preparation state, that is, when a bonus symbol suggestion effect that assists the winning of the small role 32 is executed and a game is played in an operation mode that causes the small role 32 to win. In addition, the slot machine 1 is configured so that the ball output rate in the AT state in which the winning assistance is executed when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" are won is about 200%, and even in the AT preparation state, until the bonus symbol suggestion effect that assists the winning of the small role 32 is executed, the winning assistance of the small roles 1 to 4 is executed when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" is won, so that it is configured to have the same ball output rate as the ball output rate in the AT state.

[0179] In a game in which the winning area "RBB & 1 coin role" is won and the winning of the small role 32 is assisted, when the first stop operation is performed by operating the stop button in the hitting order and operation timing according to the bonus symbol suggestion performance, and the symbols constituting the winning symbol combination of the small role 32 are stopped and displayed on the effective line L1, the AT control means 200 determines that the condition for starting the AT state (AT start condition) is established, and transitions the performance state from the AT preparation state to the AT state. On the other hand, in a game in which the winning area "RBB & 1 coin role" is won and the winning of the small role 32 is assisted, if a game is performed that does not conform to the operation mode of the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 suggested by the bonus symbol suggestion performance and the small role 32 is not won, the AT control means 200 continues the AT preparation state.

[0180] In other words, the gaming machine: The game machine includes an auxiliary game control means for controlling an auxiliary game, In the internal lottery, the winning or losing of a plurality of winning patterns is determined, The plurality of winning patterns includes a specific winning pattern, The specific winning mode corresponds to a double win of the fourth and fifth winnings, In the specific winning mode, a predetermined operation mode is set as the operation mode of the plurality of stop buttons that makes it possible to win the fourth role, the plurality of reels includes a specific reel, The plurality of stop buttons includes a specific stop button, the specific stop button corresponds to the specific reel, the predetermined operation mode is an operation mode in which the plurality of stop buttons are operated in a specific order and the specific stop button is operated at a specific timing, In the case where the specific winning mode is won, if the plurality of stop buttons are operated in an order different from the specific order, or if the plurality of stop buttons are operated in the specific order and the specific stop button is operated at a timing different from the specific timing, the fourth role will not win, The auxiliary game control means is capable of controlling a first state and a second state as states related to the auxiliary game, the second state is a more advantageous state than the first state, When the specific winning mode is won in a state where the bonus is established and the first state is established, When the fourth role is won, control related to a privilege based on the winning of the fourth role can be executed, If the fourth winning combination is not achieved, the first state continues.

[0181] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the winning of the minor winning feature 32 is assisted in the AT preparation state, a game is played ignoring the notified operation mode, and even if the minor winning feature 32 is not won, the slot machine 1 does not transition to the AT state, which is a special benefit advantageous to the player, and continuing the AT preparation state, which is less advantageous than the AT state, does not give the player an advantage. This prevents the player from intentionally continuing the AT preparation state, which can lead to a strategy-oriented play, and prevents a decline in the marketability of the gaming machine. In addition, since the AT preparation state can be continued even if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in an operation mode different from the operation mode that was erroneously notified, a decline in the player's interest in the game can be prevented.

[0182] In addition, the AT control means 200 of the first embodiment is configured so that if the winning area "RBB & 1 coin role" is won in the AT preparation state and the small role 32 is not won in a game in which the bonus pattern suggestion performance is executed, the winning assistance for small roles 1 to 4 is not executed in the subsequent game in the AT preparation state when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 8" are won.

[0183] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the bonus symbol suggestion performance is executed in the AT preparation state, and when the winning of the small winning feature 32 is avoided and the AT preparation state is intentionally continued, the winning assistance is not executed when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 8" are won, making it difficult to win medals, which creates a strategy to avoid the winning of the small winning feature 32 and prevents a decrease in the marketability of the gaming machine.

[0184] 5. Summary of the First Embodiment As described above, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 8" are won, in the non-RT state in which small prizes 1 to 4, which are set to a payout greater than the specified number of inputs, cannot be won, if the winning area "Special Small Prize 1" to "Special Small Prize 5" is won, small prize 10 will be won, and small prizes 11 to 15 will not be won and the second mode will not be set, and the second mode will be started in the non-RT state, making it difficult for the player to win medals even if the state transitions to the AT state, which prevents the player from feeling a sense of loss.

[0185] In addition, in the case where the slot machine 1 wins the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 8" and the stop button B1 is operated to the first stop, the small winning feature 10 is won with a probability of 1 / 1, and since the game is not set to the second mode, the player can infer that the game will not transition to a favorable mode when the small winning feature 10 is won. Furthermore, since the small winning feature 10 can be won in a game in which the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 8" is won even when the game state is in a bonus establishment state, it becomes difficult for the player to infer the current game state, and it is possible to prevent the game state from being determined by the player and resulting in unintended strategy by the designer.

[0186] [Second embodiment] Next, a slot machine 1 of a second embodiment, which is a partial modification of the first embodiment, will be described. The slot machine 1 of the second embodiment is configured so that the positions of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 constituting the activated line L1, the configuration of the winning area including the small winning combination that is won by the internal lottery in the non-RT state and the bonus established state, the small winning combination that can be won when the winning area including the small winning combination is won, and the patterns arranged on the periphery of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are different. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, so that the components common to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

[0187] 1. Overview of the gaming machine configuration In the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, an upper, middle, and lower row are provided for each reel as display positions for observing symbols through the display device 330, and an activated line L1 is set for an activated line based on a combination of the display positions of each reel. In the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, the number of medals required for one game, the so-called prescribed insertion number (prescribed number), is set to three in any game state, and when medals equivalent to the prescribed insertion number are inserted, an activated line L1 formed by the middle row of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 is activated.

[0188] 2. Configuration of the gaming machine in the second embodiment Next, each component of the slot machine 1 according to the second embodiment will be described in detail.

[0189] <Winning areas subject to internal lottery> FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the winning areas that are the subject of an internal lottery in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, and the winning numbers associated with each winning area.

[0190] As shown in Fig. 14, in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, the winning areas that are the subject of the internal lottery include the winning area "Replay A", the winning area "Replay B", the winning area "All small roles", the winning area "All 1-coin roles", the winning area "Bat order bell 1" to the winning area "Bat order bell 8", the winning area "Special small roles 1", the winning area "Special small roles 2", the winning area "Slip-up roles", the winning area "RBB & 1-coin roles", and the winning area "RBB", which are associated with the winning numbers 1 to 17, respectively. In addition, in the slot machine 1, the winning number 0 is associated with a non-win (miss) as a result of the internal lottery.

[0191] The winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 8", the winning area "special minor role 1", and the winning area "special minor role 2" are configured so that the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3 according to the batting order can be won depending on the game state. For example, the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 8" are configured with the operation mode (correct batting order) of the stop buttons B1 to B3 that allows the winning of a minor role set to a payout (9 coins) greater than the specified number of coins when the game state is a bonus establishment state. Specifically, the correct batting order for the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" and "Batting Order Bell 5" is set to batting order 3, the correct batting order for the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 2" and "Batting Order Bell 6" is set to batting order 4, the correct batting order for the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 3" and "Batting Order Bell 7" is set to batting order 5, and the correct batting order for the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 4" and "Batting Order Bell 8" is set to batting order 6.

[0192] <Game results when winning the winning area including small winnings in each game state> Figure 15 (A) shows the game results for each operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3 when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4", the winning area "Batting Order Bell 8", the winning area "Special Small Winner 1", and the winning area "Special Small Winner 2" are won in the non-RT state.

[0193] As shown in FIG. 15(A), in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4", the winning area "Batting Order Bell 8", the winning area "Special Small Winning Point 1", or the winning area "Special Small Winning Point 2" is won in the non-RT state, regardless of the hitting order of the stop buttons B1 to B3, any of the winning small winning points among small winning point 1, small winning point 3, small winning point 5, small winning point 7, small winning point 9, small winning point 11, small winning point 13, and small winning point 15 has a 1 / 2 probability of winning, and there is a 1 / 2 probability of none of the winning points winning (non-winning).

[0194] Figure 15 (B) is a diagram showing the game results for each operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3 when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4", the winning area "Batting Order Bell 8", the winning area "Special Small Winner 1", and the winning area "Special Small Winner 2" are won when a bonus is achieved.

[0195] As shown in FIG. 15(B), in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" or "Batting Order Bell 8" is won in the bonus established state, if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 to batting order 4, any of the winning small roles among small role 1, small role 3, small role 5, small role 7, small role 9, small role 11, small role 13, and small role 15 will win with a probability of 1 / 2, and if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 5, any of the winning small roles among small role 17 and small role 18 will win with a probability of 1 / 2, and there is a 1 / 2 probability that no small role will win (non-winning). In addition, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" or the winning area "Batting Order Bell 8" is won in the bonus established state, if the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 are operated in the batting order 6, the small prize 19 is won with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0196] In addition, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "special small win 1" or the winning area "special small win 2" is won in the bonus established state, if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 to batting order 4, any of the winning small wins from small win 1, small win 3, small win 5, small win 7, small win 9, small win 11, small win 13, and small win 15 has a 1 / 2 probability of winning, and there is a 1 / 2 probability that no small win will occur (non-winning).

[0197] In slot machine 1, when the bonus is established and the winning area "special small prize 1" is won, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 5 and batting order 6, any of small prize 2, small prize 4, small prize 6, small prize 8, small prize 10, small prize 12, small prize 14, and small prize 16 will win with a probability of 1 / 5, and if small prize 2, small prize 4, small prize 6, small prize 8, small prize 10, small prize 12, small prize 14, and small prize 16 do not win, any of small prize 1, small prize 7, small prize 9, and small prize 15 will win with a probability of 1 / 2, and there is a 1 / 2 probability that no small prize will win (non-winning).

[0198] In addition, in the slot machine 1, when the bonus is established and the winning area "special small prize 2" is won, and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 5 and batting order 6, any of the small prizes 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 will win with a probability of 1 / 10, and if the small prize 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 do not win, any of the small prizes 3, 5, 11, and 13 will win with a probability of 1 / 2, and there is a 1 / 2 probability that no small prize will win (non-winning).

[0199] <Arrangement of designs> FIG. 16 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 the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, the white 7 symbol "white 7", the red BAR symbol "red BAR", the blue BAR symbol "blue BAR", the green BAR symbol "green BAR", the replay A symbol "RPA", the replay B symbol "RPB", the bell symbol "BL", the cherry symbol "CH", the watermelon symbol "WM" and the blank symbol "BK" are arranged on the periphery of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. In addition, 20 symbols are arranged on each of the periphery of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3.

[0200] The reel control means 130 is configured to be able to stop the watermelon symbol "WM" and bell symbol "BL" on the left reel R1, the watermelon symbol "WM", bell symbol "BL", and cherry symbol "CH" on the center reel R2, and the bell symbol "BL" 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.

[0201] In addition, 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, when either the replay A symbol "RPA" arranged at stop number 0 and stop number 15 of the left reel R1, or the replay B symbol "RPB" arranged at stop number 5 and stop number 10 can be stopped on the activated line L1, the reel control means 130 is configured to be able to stop the replay A symbol "RPA" or the replay B symbol "RPB" regardless of the timing of operation of the stop button B1.

[0202] Also, as shown in FIG. 16, on the right reel R3, within the pull-in range (the symbols from stop numbers 3 to 12) of the Replay A symbols "RPA" arranged at stop numbers 3 and 8, there are the white 7 symbol "WHITE 7" arranged at stop number 6 and the red BAR symbol "RED BAR" arranged at stop number 7, and within the pull-in range (the symbols from stop numbers 0 to 2 and 13 to 19) of the Replay B symbols "RPB" arranged at stop numbers 13 and 18, there are the blue BAR symbol "BLUE BAR" arranged at stop number 16 and the green BAR symbol "GREEN BAR" arranged at stop number 17.

[0203] <Small prize winning combination> Figures 17 and 18 show the winning pattern combinations of small prize 1 to small prize 19 contained in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 4", "Batting Order Bell 8", "Special Small Prize 1", and "Special Small Prize 2", as well as the payouts for small prize 1 to small prize 19.

[0204] As shown in Figures 17 and 18, the symbols constituting the winning symbol combinations of minor prize 1 to minor prize 16 set for one payout are as follows: the symbols on the left reel R1 are composed of a replay A symbol "RPA" or a replay B symbol "RPB", the symbols on the middle reel R2 are composed of a combination of a white 7 symbol "WHITE 7" and a watermelon symbol "WM" or a combination of a green BAR symbol "GREEN BAR" and a blank symbol "BK", and the symbols on the right reel R3 are composed of a combination of a replay A symbol "RPA", a replay B symbol "RPB", a white 7 symbol "WHITE 7" and a red BAR symbol "RED BAR", or a combination of a blue BAR symbol "BLUE BAR" and a green BAR symbol "GREEN BAR".

[0205] Also, as shown in FIG. 18, the winning symbol combination "BL-RPA (blue BAR)-WM (BK)" of the minor winning combination 17 set to a payout of 1 coin and the winning symbol combination "BL-RPB (red BAR)-WM (BK)" of the minor winning combination 18 set to a payout of 1 coin are configured such that the symbols on the left reel R1 and the symbols on the right reel R3 are composed of symbols that can win regardless of the timing of operation of the stop buttons B1 and B3, and the symbols on the middle reel R2 have a pull-in range consisting of 10 symbols out of 20 frames, and the pull-in range of the replay A symbol "RPA" or the blue BAR symbol "blue BAR" and the pull-in range of the replay B symbol "RPB" or the red BAR symbol "red BAR" do not overlap with each other.

[0206] 18, the symbols constituting the winning symbol combination "RPA (RPB)-BL-WM (BK)" of the small winning combination 19 set to a payout of 9 coins are arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less on each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Therefore, when the reel stop control that enables the small winning combination 19 to be stopped and displayed on the pay line L1 is executed, the small winning combination 19 is configured to be stopped and displayed on the pay line L1 regardless of the operation timing of the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0207] <Reel stop control for winning a small prize of 1 coin> Next, in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, the reel stop control executed when the winning area "batting order bell 4", the winning area "batting order bell 8", the winning area "special small win 1", and the winning area "special small win 2" are won will be described. In the following description, the small win 19 set to a payout of 9 coins, which is more than the specified number of inputs, will be also described as a first type of win, the small win 1, small win 3, small win 5, small win 7, small win 9, small win 11, small win 13, and small win 15 set to a payout of 1 coin, which is less than the specified number of inputs, will be collectively described as a second type of win, and the small win 2, small win 4, small win 6, small win 8, small win 10, small win 12, small win 14, and small win 16 set to a payout of 1 coin, which is less than the specified number of inputs, will be collectively described as a third type of win.

[0208] Figure 19 is a diagram explaining the patterns that can be stopped in the middle of the middle reel R2 that forms the activated line L1 depending on the timing of operation of the stop button B2 when a second type of role is won in a game in which the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4", the winning area "Batting Order Bell 8", the winning area "Special Small Role 1", or the winning area "Special Small Role 2" is won.

[0209] As shown in FIG. 19, the reel control means 130 of the second embodiment is configured to display a blank symbol "BK" on the pay line L1 when the stop button B2 is operated at a timing when the symbols arranged at stop numbers 0, 1, and 12 to 19 are displayed and rotated on the pay line L1, and to display a watermelon symbol "WM" on the pay line L1 when the stop button B2 is operated at a timing when the symbols arranged at stop numbers 2 to 11 are displayed and rotated on the pay line L1.

[0210] In other words, the reel control means 130 is configured to stop and display the blank symbol "BK" or the watermelon symbol "WM" on the activated line L1 in preference to the white 7 symbol "WHITE 7" and the green BAR symbol "GREEN BAR" arranged on the center reel R2 when a second type of role is won when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 4", "Batting Order Bell 8", "Special Minor Role 1", and "Special Minor Role 2" shown in Figures 15(A) and (B) are won.

[0211] Figure 20 is a diagram explaining the symbols that can be stopped in the middle of the middle reel R2 that forms the activated line L1 depending on the timing of operation of the stop button B2 in a game in which the winning area "special small prize 1" and the winning area "special small prize 2" are won and a third type of prize can be won.

[0212] As shown in FIG. 20, the reel control means 130 of the second embodiment stops and displays the white 7 symbol "white 7" on the valid line L1 when the stop button B2 is operated at a timing when the symbols arranged at stop numbers 6 to 10, which are within the pull-in range of the white 7 symbol "white 7", are rotated and displayed on the valid line L1, and stops and displays the green BAR symbol "green BAR" on the valid line L1 when the stop button B2 is operated at a timing when the symbols arranged at stop numbers 0 and 16 to 19, which are within the pull-in range of the green BAR symbol "green BAR", are rotated and displayed on the valid line L1.

[0213] In addition, when the stop button B2 is operated at a timing when the white 7 symbol "WHITE 7" and the green BAR symbol "GREEN BAR" cannot be stopped and displayed, the reel control means 130 stops and displays the symbols that can be stopped, among the blank symbol "BK" and the watermelon symbol "WM", on the activated line L1.

[0214] In this way, the reel control means 130 of the second embodiment stops and displays the blank symbol "BK" and the watermelon symbol "WM" on the activated line L1 in preference to the white 7 symbol "WHITE 7" and the green BAR symbol "GREEN BAR" when stopping the center reel R2 in the reel stop control that allows the second type of winning combination to be won. Also, the reel control means 130 stops and displays the white 7 symbol "WHITE 7" and the green BAR symbol "GREEN BAR" on the activated line L1 in preference to the blank symbol "BK" and the watermelon symbol "WM" when stopping the center reel R2 in the reel stop control that allows the third type of winning combination to be won.

[0215] Figure 21(A) is a diagram explaining the symbols that can be stopped in the middle of the right reel R3 that constitutes the active line L1 depending on the timing of operation of the stop button B3 when the winning area "Special Minor Role 1" is won when a bonus is formed and the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop.

[0216] As shown in FIG. 21(A), in the second embodiment, when the stop button B3 is operated at a timing when the stop numbers 6 and 7 are being displayed in rotation, that is, when the white 7 symbol "white 7" reaches the middle of the right reel R3 constituting the activated line L1 before the replay A symbol "RPA", the reel control means 130 stops and displays the white 7 symbol "white 7" on the activated line L1 in priority to the replay A symbol "RPA".

[0217] In addition, when the stop button B3 is operated at a timing when the stop numbers 16 and 17 are being displayed in rotation, which is the timing when the blue BAR pattern "blue BAR" reaches the middle of the right reel R3 constituting the activated line L1 before the replay B pattern "RPB", the reel control means 130 stops and displays the blue BAR pattern "blue BAR" on the activated line L1 in priority to the replay B pattern "RPB".

[0218] When the stop button B3 is operated at a timing when the symbols of stop numbers 0 to 5, 8 to 15, 18, and 19 are displayed in rotation, that is, when the Replay A symbol "RPA" and the Replay B symbol "RPB" reach the middle of the right reel R3 constituting the activated line L1 before the white 7 symbol "white 7" and the blue BAR symbol "blue BAR", the reel control means 130 stops and displays the Replay A symbol "RPA" and the Replay B symbol "RPB" on the activated line L1 in priority to the white 7 symbol "white 7" and the blue BAR symbol "blue BAR".

[0219] Figure 21(B) is a diagram explaining the symbols that can be stopped in the middle of the right reel R3 that constitutes the active line L1 depending on the timing of operation of the stop button B3 when the winning area ``Special Minor Role 2'' is won when a bonus is formed and the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop.

[0220] As shown in FIG. 21(B), in the second embodiment, when the stop button B3 is operated at the timing when the pattern with stop number 7 is rotated and displayed, which is the timing when the red BAR pattern "RED BAR" reaches the middle of the right reel R3 constituting the activated line L1 before the replay A pattern "RPA", the reel control means 130 stops and displays the red BAR pattern "RED BAR" on the activated line L1 in priority to the replay A pattern "RPA".

[0221] In addition, when the stop button B3 is operated at the timing when the green BAR symbol "green BAR" reaches the middle of the right reel R3 constituting the activated line L1 before the replay B symbol "RPB" and the symbol with stop number 17 is displayed in rotation, the reel control means 130 stops and displays the green BAR symbol "green BAR" on the activated line L1 in priority to the replay B symbol "RPB".

[0222] When the stop button B3 is operated at a timing when the replay A symbol "RPA" and the replay B symbol "RPB" reach the middle of the right reel R3 constituting the activated line L1 before the red BAR symbol "RED BAR" and the green BAR symbol "GREEN BAR", and the symbols with stop numbers 0 to 6, 8 to 16, 18, and 19 are displayed in rotation, the reel control means 130 stops and displays the replay A symbol "RPA" and the replay B symbol "RPB" on the activated line L1 in priority to the red BAR symbol "RED BAR" and the green BAR symbol "GREEN BAR".

[0223] <Relationship between the winning combinations of the first to third types of combinations and gameplay> In this way, in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" or the winning area "Batting Order Bell 8" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated for batting orders 1 to 4, the replay A pattern "RPA" or the replay B pattern "RPB" is displayed stopped in the middle of the right reel R3, making it possible to win a second type of winning combination. In addition, the slot machine 1 is configured so that a second type of winning combination can be won when the winning area "special small win 1" or the winning area "special small win 2" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 to batting order 4, and when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 5 and batting order 6 and the stop button B3 is operated at a timing when the white 7 symbol "white 7", the red BAR symbol "red BAR", the blue BAR symbol "blue BAR", and the green BAR symbol "green BAR" are not stopped and displayed in the middle row of the right reel R3.

[0224] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment is capable of winning a second type of winning combination in both a game in which the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" or the winning area "Batting Order Bell 8" is won, and a game in which the winning area "Special Minor Role 1" or the winning area "Special Minor Role 2" is won. This makes it difficult for the player to guess which role will be won in the current game, and prevents the player from figuring out the results of the internal lottery and adopting a strategy unintended by the designer.

[0225] In addition, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment is configured to execute reel stop control that allows the white 7 symbol "white 7" and the green BAR symbol "green BAR" to be stopped in the middle of the middle reel R2 when the winning area "special minor symbol 1" or the winning area "special minor symbol 2" is won, and to execute reel stop control that prevents the white 7 symbol "white 7" and the green BAR symbol "green BAR" from being stopped in the middle of the middle reel R2 when the winning area "batting order bell 4" or the winning area "batting order bell 8" is won.

[0226] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment can stop and display any of the following symbols on the middle reel R2 among the symbols that make up the winning symbol combination of the second type of role: the watermelon symbol "WM", the white 7 symbol "white 7" arranged within the pull-in range of the watermelon symbol "WM", the blank symbol "BK", and the green BAR symbol "green BAR" arranged within the pull-in range of the blank symbol "BK". Therefore, the symbols determined as the winning symbol combination of the second type of role can be displayed by the player's operation, and fairness in the game can be maintained.

[0227] In addition, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment is configured so that when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" or the winning area "Batting Order Bell 8" is won, in addition to the first type of role and the second type of role, the third type of role can also be won. However, the third type of role will not be won regardless of the game state and the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0228] The slot machine 1 of the second embodiment is configured such that a third type of winning combination can be achieved when the winning area “special minor role 1” and the winning area “special minor role 2” are won, the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 5 and batting order 6, and the stop button B3 is operated at a timing when the white 7 symbol “WHITE 7”, the red BAR symbol “RED BAR”, the blue BAR symbol “BLUE BAR”, and the green BAR symbol “GREEN BAR” can be stopped and displayed in the middle of the right reel R3.

[0229] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment can display a third type of winning combination that is won but does not win when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 4" and "Batting Order Bell 8" are won, but can win when the winning areas "Special Minor Role 1" and "Special Minor Role 2" are won, so that the third type of winning combination can be displayed by the player's operation, thereby ensuring fairness in the game.

[0230] In addition, as shown in Fig. 15(A), the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment is configured such that, when the winning area "batting order bell 4" or the winning area "batting order bell 8" is won in the non-RT state, the small role 19 set to a payout of 9 coins does not win regardless of the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3. The slot machine 1 is also configured such that, when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 3" or the winning area "batting order bell 5" to the winning area "batting order bell 7" is won in the non-RT state, the small role set to a payout of 9 coins does not win, and when the winning area is won in the bonus establishment state, the small role set to a payout of 9 coins can win by operating the stop buttons B1 to B3 in the correct batting order.

[0231] In other words, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment is configured such that the probability of winning a minor role set to a payout of 9 coins, which is more than the specified number of coins, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 8" are won is higher when the gaming state is in a bonus establishment state than when the gaming state is in a non-RT state.

[0232] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 can be designed to reduce the expected number of medals won when the game state is in a non-RT state, while increasing the expected number of medals won when a bonus is formed, thereby improving playability in the bonus state and increasing the player's interest in the game.

[0233] This winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" and winning area "Batting Order Bell 8" constitute the first winning mode in the second embodiment, and the winning areas "Special Minor Role 1" and "Special Minor Role 2" constitute the second winning mode in the second embodiment. Also, the right reel R3 constitutes the specific reel and the first reel in the second embodiment, and the replay A symbol "RPA" and replay B symbol "RPB" which are the symbols of the right reel R3 constituting the winning symbol combinations of minor roles 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 which are the second type of roles constitute the first symbol in the second embodiment, and the white 7 symbol "White 7", red BAR symbol "Red BAR", blue BAR symbol "Blue BAR" and green BAR symbol "Green BAR" which are the symbols of the right reel R3 constituting the winning symbol combinations of minor roles 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 which are the third type of roles constitute the second symbol in the second embodiment. And the batting order 6 which is the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3 enabling the winning of minor role 19 which is the first type of role when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 4" and "Batting Order Bell 8" constitutes the specific operation mode in the second embodiment.

[0234] Also, the left reel R1 constitutes the second reel in the second embodiment, and the replay A symbol "RPA" and replay B symbol "RPB" which are the symbols of the left reel R1 constituting the winning symbol combinations of minor roles 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 constitute the third symbol in the second embodiment, the middle reel R2 constitutes the third reel in the second embodiment, and the white 7 symbol "White 7" among the symbols of the middle reel R2 constituting the winning symbol combinations of minor roles 1 to 8 and the green BAR symbol "Green BAR" among the symbols of the middle reel R2 constituting the winning symbol combinations of minor roles 9 to 16 constitute the fourth symbol in the second embodiment, and the watermelon symbol "WM" among the symbols of the middle reel R2 constituting the winning symbol combinations of minor roles 1 to 8 and the blank symbol "BK" among the symbols of the middle reel R2 constituting the winning symbol combinations of minor roles 9 to 16 constitute the fifth symbol in the second embodiment.

[0235] <Gameplay in the AT Preparation State> The AT preparation state in the second embodiment is a presentation state that can be transitioned to when the transition to the AT state is confirmed in the normal state or CZ state, or when the game state is in a bonus establishment state and the "start of the advantageous zone" is selected in the advantageous zone lottery. In the AT preparation state, the AT control means 200 sets the value "30" as an initial value to the AT preparation game number counter, which is a counter that counts the number of games in which the AT preparation state continues, and executes a decrement update that subtracts the value "1" corresponding to one game each time a game is played. In addition, in a game in which the winning area "special small win 1" or the winning area "special small win 2" is won, the AT control means 200 executes a bonus symbol suggestion effect, which is an effect that aims for the symbol combination of "white 7-white 7-white 7" in the lower row of the left reel R1, the middle row of the middle reel R2, and the upper row or middle row of the right reel R3, since the white 7 symbol "white 7" can be stopped and displayed in the lower row of the left reel R1, the middle row of the middle reel R2, and the upper row or middle row of the right reel R3 by winning a third type of role, and when the third type of role is won, the AT preparation state is ended and the presentation state is shifted to the AT state regardless of the stored value of the AT preparation game number counter. Details of the bonus symbol suggestion effect will be described later.

[0236] The AT control means 200 executes a winning assistance of announcing the correct batting order that allows a small role set to a payout of 9 coins to win when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" are won in the AT preparation state until the bonus symbol suggestion effect is executed. The AT control means 200 is configured not to execute a winning assistance of a small role set to a payout of 9 coins when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" are won in an internal lottery in a game in which the AT preparation state continues after the bonus symbol suggestion effect is executed and the small role set to a payout of 9 coins is not won.

[0237] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, when the bonus symbol suggestion performance is executed in the AT preparation state, and the winning of the minor role set to a payout of 9 coins is avoided and the AT preparation state is intentionally continued, the winning assistance is not executed when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are won, making it difficult to win medals, which creates a strategy to avoid the winning of the minor role set to a payout of 9 coins, and prevents a decrease in the marketability of the gaming machine.

[0238] In addition, the slot machine 1 is configured to transition the presentation state from the AT preparation state to the AT state when 30 games are played without winning a minor role set to a payout of 9 coins in the AT preparation state and the stored value of the AT preparation game number counter becomes the value "0".

[0239] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment can transition from the AT preparation state to the AT state by playing 30 games as the specified number of times, even if the winning area "Special Minor Prize 1" or the winning area "Special Minor Prize 2" is not won in the AT preparation state, and the AT state can be started regardless of the skill of the player, preventing a decline in the marketability of the gaming machine.

[0240] Figure 22 is a diagram explaining the presentation mode of the bonus pattern suggestion presentation that assists in the winning of a third type of role, which is executed when the winning area "special small role 1" or the winning area "special small role 2" is won during the AT preparation state.

[0241] As shown in Fig. 22, the performance control means 180 displays an operation suggestion image 335a suggesting that the batting order that allows the third type of winning combination is batting order 5 or batting order 6, and that the stop button B3 is operated to perform the first stop operation, and also displays a white 7 navigation image 335b as an image suggesting the operation timing of the first stop operation to allow the third type of winning combination. As shown in Fig. 22, the operation suggestion image 335a is an image that only suggests the batting order and the stop position by an arrow, unlike an image that notifies the batting order to be operated by numbers.

[0242] Also, the performance control means 180 displays the white 7 navigation image 335b to suggest that the operation timing of the first stop operation on the stop button B3 is the timing when the white 7 pattern "white 7" of stop number 6 is rotated and displayed on the activated line L1. Also, the performance control means 180 of the second embodiment outputs the sound "Aim" from the sound device 340 in the state shown in FIG. 22, which suggests that the batting order is 6.

[0243] <Gameability when winning the winning area "Special Small Winner 1" and the winning area "Special Small Winner 2"> As described above, in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, if the winning area "special small win 1" and the winning area "special small win 2" are won and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 5 and batting order 6, a third type of win is possible.

[0244] As shown in Fig. 16 to Fig. 18, in the slot machine 1, when the third type of winning combination is won, the replay B symbol "RPB" arranged at stop number 5 in the middle of the left reel R1 is stopped and displayed, and the white 7 symbol "white 7" is stopped and displayed in the lower part of the left reel R1, and the replay A symbol "RPA" arranged at stop number 15 in the middle of the left reel R1 is stopped and displayed, and the green BAR symbol "green BAR" is stopped and displayed. In addition, in the slot machine 1, when the third type of winning combination is won, the white 7 symbol "white 7" or the green BAR symbol "green BAR" which constitutes the winning combination can be stopped and displayed in the middle of the center reel R2. In the slot machine 1, when a third type of winning combination is achieved, a red BAR symbol "RED BAR" is displayed stopped in the middle row of the right reel R3, and a white 7 symbol "WHITE 7" is displayed stopped in the upper row of the right reel R3, and a green BAR symbol "GREEN BAR" is displayed stopped in the middle row of the right reel R3, and a blue BAR symbol "BLUE BAR" is displayed stopped in the upper row of the right reel R3.

[0245] In addition, in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, when the winning area "special minor feature 1" or the winning area "special minor feature 2" is won in the AT preparation state, which is controlled when it has been decided that a predetermined benefit will be awarded, that is, a transition to the AT state, which is a presentation state advantageous to the player, the bonus pattern suggestion presentation is executed and it is suggested that stop buttons B1 to B3 be operated in batting order 5 and batting order 6. When the award of the predetermined benefit has not been decided, the bonus pattern suggestion presentation is not executed.

[0246] Due to this configuration, in a game in which a third type of winning combination is possible, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment executes a bonus pattern suggestion presentation, which gives the player anticipation of a special bonus before the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the game, and by satisfying the player's anticipation by granting a special bonus when the third type of winning combination is achieved, the player's interest in the game can be increased.

[0247] Also, as described above, in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, when the winning area "special small win 1" or the winning area "special small win 2" is won in the non-RT state, the third type of winning combination is not awarded regardless of the operation manner of the stop buttons B1 to B3, but when the winning area "special small win 1" or the winning area "special small win 2" is won in the bonus formation state, the third type of winning combination can be awarded by operating the stop buttons B1 to B3 in batting order 5 or batting order 6.

[0248] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are won, in the non-RT state in which small roles set to a payout greater than the specified number of inputs cannot be won, if the winning areas "Special Small Role 1" and "Special Small Role 2" are won, a second type of role will be won, and a third type of role that would trigger the AT state to start if won in the AT preparation state will not be won, and the AT state will start in the non-RT state, making it difficult for the player to win medals, and preventing the player from feeling a sense of loss.

[0249] 3. Summary of the Second Embodiment As described above, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment can display a third type of role that is won but does not win when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 4" and "Batting Order Bell 8" are won, but can win when the winning areas "Special Minor Role 1" and "Special Minor Role 2" are won, so that the third type of role can be displayed by the player's operation, thereby ensuring fairness in the game.

[0250] [Other embodiments] In the first and second embodiments, the AT control means 200 is configured to set the presentation state to the AT preparation state when the game state in the game in which the "start of the advantageous zone" is selected in the advantageous zone lottery is a bonus establishment state, but is not limited to this. The AT control means 200 may be configured to determine by lottery which of the normal state, the CZ state, and the AT preparation state should be set as the presentation state at the start of the advantageous zone when the game state in the game in which the "start of the advantageous zone" is selected in the advantageous zone lottery is a bonus establishment state.

[0251] In the first embodiment, the AT control means 200 is configured to set the second mode when the winning area "special small win 1" to the winning area "special small win 5" are won in the bonus formation state and small wins 11 to 15 are won, but is not limited to this. The AT control means 200 may be configured to determine by lottery whether to set the second mode or not when the winning area "special small win 1" to the winning area "special small win 5" are won in the bonus formation state and small wins 11 to 15 are won.

[0252] In the first embodiment, the reel control means 130 is configured to stop and display the "BL-CHA(CHB)-CHA" symbol combination among the winning symbol combinations of the small win 10 on the active line L1 by stopping and displaying the "Cherry A symbol "CHA" on the active line L1 in preference to the replay symbol "RP" when the stop button B3 is operated in a game in which the small win 10 can be won, and the "BL-CHA(CHB)-CHA" symbol combination among the winning symbol combinations of the small win 10 can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 when the replay symbol "RP" is won in the winning area "All 1 piece role" in the bonus state, but is not limited thereto. The reel control means 130 may be configured to stop and display the "BL-CHA(CHB)-CHA" symbol combination among the winning symbol combinations of the small win 10 on the active line L1, for example. In addition, the reel control means 130 may be configured to be capable of displaying the symbol combination "BL-CHA(CHB)-CHA" of the winning symbol combinations of the minor winning combination 10 on the activated line L1 when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" are won in the internal lottery in the non-RT state. In addition, the reel control means 130 may be configured to be capable of displaying the symbol combination "BL-CHA(CHB)-CHA" of the winning symbol combinations of the minor winning combination 10 on the activated line L1 when the winning area "RBB&1 coin role" is won in the internal lottery in the bonus establishment state and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the batting order 5 and the batting order 6.

[0253] Furthermore, in a game in which a minor win 10 can be won, when the stop button B3 is operated at a timing when the replay symbol "RP" reaches the bottom of the right reel R3 constituting the activated line L1 before the cherry A symbol "CHA", the slot machine 1 is configured to stop and display the replay symbol "RP" on the activated line L1 in priority to the cherry A symbol "CHA", thereby making it possible to stop and display the symbol combination "BL-CHA(CHB)-RP" on the activated line L1, which is one of the winning symbol combinations for the minor win 10.

[0254] In the first embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured such that the winning symbol combination for the small winning combination 10 is made up of symbols that can win a prize regardless of the operation timing of the stop buttons B1 to B3, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured such that the winning symbol combination for the small winning combination 10 is made up of symbols that can win a prize when the operation timing of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is appropriate, and when the small winning combination 10 can be won, the small winning combination 10 may not win a prize and a miss (non-winning combination) may occur depending on the operation timing of the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0255] In the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 has a non-RT state as the first gaming state and a bonus establishment state as the second gaming state, but is not limited thereto. The slot machine 1 may be configured to have, for example, an RBB as an RBB in which a shift role is won and an RB (regular bonus) as a first type special role is activated when the shift role is won, an RBB operation general state in which the RBB is activated and the RB is neither won nor activated as the first gaming state, and an RBB operation RB establishment state in which the RBB is activated, the RB is won, and the RB is not activated as the second gaming state.

[0256] In addition, in the second embodiment, the reel control means 130 is configured to stop and display the white 7 symbol "white 7", red BAR symbol "red BAR", blue BAR symbol "blue BAR", and green BAR symbol "green BAR" in preference to the replay A symbol "RPA" or the replay B symbol "RPB" when the winning area "special minor symbol 1" and the winning area "special minor symbol 2" are won in the bonus establishment state and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 5 and batting order 6, and when the white 7 symbol "white 7", red BAR symbol "red BAR", blue BAR symbol "blue BAR", and green BAR symbol "green BAR" reach the middle of the right reel R3 constituting the active line L1 before the replay A symbol "RPA" or the replay B symbol "RPB", but is not limited to this. For example, in a case where the winning area "special minor feature 1" and the winning area "special minor feature 2" are won in a bonus established state, and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 5 and batting order 6, if the operation timing of the stop button B3 is a timing when the symbols within the pull-in range of the white 7 symbol "white 7", the red BAR symbol "red BAR", the blue BAR symbol "blue BAR", and the green BAR symbol "green BAR" are rotated and displayed on the effective line L1, the reel control means 130 may be configured to stop and display the white 7 symbol "white 7", the red BAR symbol "red BAR", the blue BAR symbol "blue BAR", and the green BAR symbol "green BAR" in priority to the replay A symbol "RPA" or the replay B symbol "RPB".

[0257] In the case of such a configuration, when the operation timing of the stop button B3 is the timing when the white 7 symbol "white 7", the red BAR symbol "red BAR", the blue BAR symbol "blue BAR", and the green BAR symbol "green BAR" outside the pull-in range are rotated and displayed on the pay line L1, specifically, when the cherry symbol "CH" of the stop number 2 is rotated and displayed on the pay line L1, the reel control means 130 operates the stop button B3 at the operation timing. Since the symbol that can be stopped and displayed at this timing is the Replay B symbol "RPB" with stop number 18, the Replay B symbol "RPB" is displayed and stopped in the middle of the right reel R3, and if the Cherry symbol "CH" with stop number 12 is displayed and rotating on the activated line L1, by operating the stop button B3 at this operation timing, the symbol that can be stopped and displayed on the activated line L1 is the Replay A symbol "RPA" with stop number 8, so the Replay A symbol "RPA" is displayed and stopped in the middle of the right reel R3.

[0258] In addition, in the second embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured so that when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" or the winning area "Batting Order Bell 8" is won and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 5, which is different from the correct batting order but has the same first stop operation as the correct batting order, a pattern other than the replay A pattern "RPA" or the replay B pattern "RPB" is stopped and displayed on the right reel R3, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured, for example, so that when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" or the winning area "Batting Order Bell 8" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the correct batting order, the symbols on the right reel R3 for the first type of winning combination set to a payout of 9 coins and the second type of winning combination are made up of a common first symbol, and when the first stop operation is performed on the stop button B3, the first symbol is stopped and displayed on the activated line L1, making it possible to win the first type of winning combination and the second type of winning combination, so that when the combination is operated in batting order 5, the second type of winning combination is won, and when the combination is operated in batting order 6, the first type of winning combination is won.

[0259] In the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 is configured not to notify whether or not it is in an advantageous zone, but is not limited to this. For example, the slot machine 1 may be configured to notify that it is in an advantageous zone when the expected medal acquisition value is 1 or more due to the assistance of the winning of a small winning combination.

[0260] In addition, in the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 has a left reel R1 to a right reel R3 as a plurality of reels, and a stop button B1 to a stop button B3 corresponding to the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 as a plurality of stop buttons, but is not limited to this and may have, for example, a fourth reel and a stop button corresponding to the fourth reel.

[0261] In addition, in the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 has a max bet button MB for inserting a specified number of medals, but this is not limited thereto, and for example, the slot machine 1 may be configured to have, in addition to the max bet button MB, a single bet button for inserting one medal.

[0262] In the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 is configured to be able to insert and pay out medals as game value, but is not limited thereto. For example, the slot machine 1 may be configured to set the game value to an inserted state based on an insert signal output from a game value management device (dedicated unit) that is provided outside the slot machine 1 and has a configuration capable of recording the total number of game values ​​that a player can use for playing games by an electromagnetic method, and to output a payout signal to the game value management device when paying out the game value, and to electromagnetically record the game value corresponding to the payout signal on a predetermined recording medium in the game value management device. In other words, the slot machine 1 may be configured as a so-called medal-less gaming machine.

[0263] When configured in this way, 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 a game value equivalent to a maximum of 16,368 medals, and when a game value exceeding 16,368 medals is credited, the game control means may be set to an error state, and the game value may be paid out by a method of recording electromagnetically on a predetermined recording medium via the game value management device, making it impossible to play (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.

[0264] Also, when configured in this manner, the slot machine 1 may be configured not to set an upper limit on the number of plays that can be performed in the advantageous zone, or may be configured to only set an upper limit on the difference in the number of coins for a specific ending condition of the advantageous zone.

[0265] In addition, in the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 is configured to set the stored value of each counter and memory means as an initial value, and perform a decrement update in which one is subtracted each time a game is played, or an increment update in which one is added 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]

[0266] 1. Slot machines (amusement machines) 120 Internal lottery method 170 Game state transition control means 200 AT Control Means (Benefit 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 and an internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery; a reel control means for controlling the rotation and stopping modes of the reels; A performance control means for controlling the performance, the plurality of reels includes a specific reel, the plurality of stop buttons includes a specific stop button corresponding to the specific reel, The targets of the internal lottery include a first winning mode and a second winning mode, The first winning mode includes a first type of winning combination, a second type of winning combination, and a third type of winning combination, The second winning mode includes the second type of winning combination and the third type of winning combination, The first type of winning combination is set to a payout greater than the number of game values ​​required to start a game, The second type of winning combination is set to a payout that is less than the number of game values ​​that are required to be inserted when starting a game, The third type of winning combination is set to a payout that is less than the number of game values ​​that are required to be inserted when starting a game, The symbols on the specific reels that constitute the winning symbol combination of the second type of winning combination are first symbols, The symbols on the specific reels that constitute the winning symbol combination of the third type of winning combination are the second symbols, the reel control means stops, on an active line, symbols within a pull-in range corresponding to the position of the reel at the time the stop button is pressed; The specific reel has the second symbol arranged within the pull-in range of the first symbol, When the first winning mode is won and the plurality of stop buttons are operated in a specific operation mode, the first type of combination is won, When the first winning mode is won and the plurality of stop buttons are operated in an operation mode different from the specific operation mode, when the specific reel stops, the first symbol is displayed stopped on an active line, and the second type of winning combination can be won; When the first winning mode is won, the third type of winning combination will not be won regardless of the operation mode in which the plurality of stop buttons are operated, When the second winning mode is won and the specific stop button is operated at the timing when the second symbol reaches the activated line before the first symbol, the third type of winning combination can be won. The performance control means is capable of executing a specific performance, The specific effect is executed when the first winning mode is won, and is not executed when the second winning mode is won. A gaming machine characterized by:

Images