Game machine

Abstract

To provide technique for improving the degree of design freedom of a game machine.SOLUTION: On a first reel 13a from the first reel 13a to a third reel 13c, a plurality of watermelon symbols "WM" is disposed at No.4, 8, 9, 14, 18 and 19, and there are positions where some watermelon symbols "WM" among the plurality of watermelon symbols "WM" are disposed adjacent to each other. Regarding the No. 8 and 18 watermelon symbols "WM" among some watermelon symbols "WM" disposed adjacent to each other on the first reel 13a, the stop positions of the first reel 13a are determined so that the No. 8 and 18 watermelon symbols "WM" out of some watermelon symbols "WM" are, in all cases, not to be displayed at displaying positions on valid lines.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, gaming machines (rotary gaming machines, slot machines) having a plurality of reels with symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface have been known. This type of gaming machine conducts a game for obtaining gaming values such as medals. Also, this type of gaming machine performs an internal lottery and starts the rotation of a plurality of reels upon the player's rotation start operation, and controls to stop the plurality of reels in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery upon the player's stop operation. Then, the result of the game is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the effective line in the state where the plurality of reels have stopped, and gaming values such as medals are paid out according to the result of the game.

[0003] In recent years, by providing instruction information for assisting the winning of minor winning combinations where gaming values are paid out upon winning, a gaming machine having an instruction function for varying the winning probability of minor winning combinations and making it easier to obtain gaming values such as medals in an AT state where the instruction information can be provided has received favorable reviews (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in recent years, in a gaming specification having an instruction function, the number of types of winning combinations tends to increase compared to a gaming specification having no instruction function, and as the number of types of winning combinations increases, many symbol combinations are required. Therefore, as the number of types of winning combinations increases, it becomes difficult to secure the degree of freedom regarding the design of the stop form of the reels called the outcomes.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for improving the degree of freedom in designing a gaming machine.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] (1) The present invention includes a plurality of reels on the outer peripheral surface of which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged, internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery to determine the winning or losing of a combination, and reel control means for rotating the plurality of reels and performing control to stop the rotating reels in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery upon a stop operation. In a gaming machine in which a symbol combination indicating a winning form predetermined for each combination wins when it is displayed on a valid line in a state where the plurality of reels have stopped, in a specific reel among the plurality of reels, a plurality of specific symbols are arranged so that any one of the specific symbols can be displayed at a display position on the valid line regardless of the timing of the stop operation, and there is a portion where some of the plurality of specific symbols are arranged adjacent to each other. The reel control means determines the stop position of the specific reel so that at least one of the specific symbols among the specific symbols arranged adjacent to each other in the specific reel is not displayed at the display position on the valid line under any circumstances.

[0008] In the present invention, there is a portion where some of the specific symbols are arranged adjacent to each other in the specific reel, but the stop position of the specific reel is determined so that at least one of the specific symbols among the specific symbols is not displayed at the display position on the valid line under any circumstances. Further, in the present invention, since a plurality of specific symbols are arranged so that any one of the specific symbols can be displayed at the display position on the valid line regardless of the timing of the stop operation in the specific reel, even if the control is performed so that some of the specific symbols in the specific reel are not displayed at the display position on the valid line, no inconvenience occurs when determining the stop position of the specific reel. Therefore, according to the present invention, the degree of freedom in designing a gaming machine can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Also, not all of the configurations described in this embodiment are essential constituent elements of the present invention.

[0011] 1. Configuration FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] The gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment is a so-called smart pachisuro, which is a rotary gaming machine that uses electronic medals as gaming values to play games.

[0013] The gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment has a first reel 13a, a second reel 13b, and a third reel 13c housed in a box-shaped housing composed of a storage box 11 and a front door 12.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the reel unit 30 for a gaming machine in the present embodiment.

[0015] In the reel unit 30 of the present embodiment, each of the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c is fixed to a metal (or resin) base unit 31 formed in a substantially U shape via a metal (or resin) support unit 32 that supports a stepping motor 33 for driving each reel.

[0016] Each of the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c housed in the base unit 31 is configured by winding a reel tape 35 made of a belt-shaped resin film around the outer periphery of a resin-made reel body 34 (reel drum) formed in an annular shape. The reel tape 35 is wound around the reel body 34 such that the front surface constitutes the outer peripheral surface of each reel and the back surface constitutes the inner peripheral surface of each reel, and the ends are fixed to each other with an adhesive or the like.

[0017] Also, each of the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c is fixed to the drive shaft of the stepping motor 33 by bolting or the like at a position corresponding to the center of rotation of the reel body 34. Also, the stepping motor 33 for each reel is fixed to the support unit 32 by bolting or the like.

[0018] Also, the reel tape 35 for each reel is partitioned into a pattern arrangement area for 20 frames at regular intervals, and on the surface of the reel tape 35, one of a plurality of types of patterns is arranged for each position corresponding to each frame.

[0019] The reel unit 30 of this embodiment includes a backlight unit 36 (lighting means) that illuminates the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c from the back side (inner peripheral surface side of each reel) of the reel tape 35 of each reel. In each reel's backlight unit 36, light sources such as incandescent bulbs and LED bulbs are arranged so as to illuminate each display position for three frames (upper, middle, and lower) observable from the display window 14 of the gaming machine. In this embodiment, three light sources, namely, an upper backlight 37a that illuminates the upper display position, a middle backlight 37b that illuminates the middle display position, and a lower backlight 37c that illuminates the lower display position, are provided corresponding to the display positions of each reel.

[0020] Also, inside the housing of the gaming machine 10, a power supply unit and a setting change unit are built in, and various switches such as a power switch for starting the gaming machine 10, a start mode change switch and a setting change switch for performing operations related to setting changes are provided. Note that the setting change unit may be configured to be integrated with the main control board described later.

[0021] Furthermore, inside the housing of the gaming machine 10, a main control board, a sub-control board, and a medal number control board are built in. Each of these control boards is equipped with a CPU as an arithmetic means, a ROM and a RAM as storage means, etc., so that the operation of the gaming machine can be controlled. And between the main control board and the sub-control board, only one-way communication from the main control board to the sub-control board is possible, and they are communicatively connected so that information cannot be transmitted from the sub-control board to the main control board. Also, between the main control board and the medal number control board, two-way communication is possible, and information can be transmitted from the main control board to the medal number control board and from the medal number control board to the main control board.

[0022] As described above, the outer circumferential surfaces of the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c are each divided into 20 regions (each region is referred to as a "frame") at regular intervals, and one of a plurality of types of symbols is arranged in each frame. Further, each of the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c is rotationally driven around the axis of the stepping motor 33, and is provided so as to be stoppable in units of frames (predetermined rotation angle units, predetermined rotation amount units) by controlling the number of drive pulses and the pulse width of the drive pulses of the stepping motor 33. That is, in the gaming machine 10, the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c are rotationally driven in response to the drive pulses supplied from the control board to the stepping motor 33, and when the drive pulses of full-phase excitation are supplied from the control board, the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c stop as the rotation of the stepping motor 33 stops.

[0023] The front door 12 is provided so as to be openable and closable, and a display window 14 is provided in the front door 12 so that the rotational states and stop states of the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c can be observed. In the stopped states of the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c, among the plurality of types of symbols arranged at regular intervals on the outer circumferential surfaces of the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c, three symbols (upper-stage symbol, middle-stage symbol, lower-stage symbol) arranged continuously on the outer circumferential surface can be observed through the display window 14 from the front of the gaming machine.

[0024] In the gaming machine 10, upper, middle, and lower stages are provided for each reel as display positions for observing the symbols through the display window 14, and valid lines are set by combinations of the display positions of the reels. In the gaming machine 10, the number of electronic medals required for one game, so-called the specified insertion number, is set to 3, and when the electronic medals corresponding to the specified insertion number are inserted, the valid line 15 constituted by the middle stage of the first reel 13a, the lower stage of the second reel 13b, and the lower stage of the third reel 13c is activated.

[0025] The game result is determined by the symbol combination stopped and displayed on the valid line 15 within the display window 14. When the symbol combination on the valid line 15 is a symbol combination corresponding to a predetermined winning combination, the medal control board pays out electronic medals as if that winning combination has won.

[0026] Also, on the front door 12, a main display 16, a sub-display 18, and a game medal number display 27 are provided. The main display 16, the sub-display 18, and the game medal number display 27 are 7-segment displays. The main display 16 displays the number of electronic medals paid out per game, operation instruction information, and main error information. The sub-display 18 displays the number of electronic medals won during a predetermined game section and sub-error information. The game medal number display 27 displays the number of electronic medals held.

[0027] Also, on the front door 12, an outer peripheral lamp 19 and a liquid crystal display 20 for performing game effects are provided. The outer peripheral lamp 19 decorates the front door 12 and plays roles such as livening up the game, informing information for assisting the game, and informing the status of the gaming machine by its lighting pattern. Its exterior is made of translucent resin or glass and is formed to be able to transmit light from the built-in LED unit. Also, various videos (or images) for assisting the game, livening up the game, and informing the status of the gaming machine are displayed on the liquid crystal display 20. Also, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, a speaker 40 for performing game effects is provided with respect to the front door 12. Various voices and BGM for assisting the game, livening up the game, and informing the status of the gaming machine are output from this speaker 40.

[0028] In addition, various operating means are provided on the front door 12. As the operating means, there are a bet switch 21 (insertion operating means) for performing an operation of inserting an electronic medal, a start switch 22 (game start operating means) for performing an operation that triggers the start of the game by rotating the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c, stop switches 23a to 23c (stop operating means) for performing an operation that triggers the stopping of each of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c that is rotationally driven by a stepping motor 33, a counting switch 26 for transferring the electronic medal to an external device, a settlement switch 28 for canceling the inserted state of the electronic medal, and the like. Particularly in the present embodiment, the bet switch 21 and the stop switches 23a to 23c are made of a translucent resin and are formed so as to be able to transmit light from the built-in LED unit. By lighting the LED unit, it is possible to grasp that the insertion operation of the electronic medal is enabled and that the stop operation regarding the rotating reel is enabled.

[0029] In addition, a door key cylinder 24 is provided on the front door 12, and the front door 12 can be unlocked by inserting a door key into the door key cylinder 24. Further, the unlocking operation of the front door 12 can be performed by rotating the door key inserted into the door key cylinder 24 90 degrees clockwise from the initial position.

[0030] In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, when an electronic medal is inserted by the player operating the bet switch 21, it is set to a ready state in which the rotation control of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c can be started. Then, when the player operates the start switch 22, the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c are started to rotate by the drive of the stepping motor 33 on the control board, and an internal lottery using a random number value is performed. The stop operation for the stop switches 23a to 23c is enabled on the condition that the rotation speed of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c has increased to a predetermined speed.

[0031] After that, when the player operates the stop switches 23a to 23c at an arbitrary timing, the operation is detected by sensors (stop signal output means: for example, photo sensors, conduction sensors, pressure sensors, etc.) built into each of the stop switches 23a to 23c, and the reel stop signal input to the main control board is changed from the off state to the on state.

[0032] Also, when the player releases the stop switches 23a to 23c that are in the pressed state at an arbitrary timing, the sensors corresponding to each of the stop switches 23a to 23c detect the end of the operation, and the reel stop signal input to the main control board is changed from the on state to the off state.

[0033] Then, based on the change of the reel stop signal from the off state to the on state whose signal state changes according to the pressing timing and release timing of the stop switches 23a to 23c, the main control board stops the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c at the stop positions according to the result of the internal lottery.

[0034] Also, when electronic medals are paid out according to the result of the game, medals corresponding to the number of payouts are counted up to a predetermined upper limit number, and an operation is performed to change the display value of the game medal number display 27 as the number of owned electronic medals changes.

[0035] In this embodiment, the electronic medals are managed by the gaming machine 10 and a dedicated unit 800 (an example of a specific unit) communicatively connected to the gaming machine 10. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the mechanical configuration of the gaming machine 10 and the dedicated unit 800. The dedicated unit 800 incorporates a CPU as an arithmetic means that functions as a lending control unit 801 for performing information exchange with the gaming machine 10, control for inputs from various switches provided in the dedicated unit 800, and control for various displays provided in the dedicated unit 800.

[0036] When a player uses the gaming machine 10, the player inserts cash into the cash insertion unit 802 of the dedicated unit 800. When cash is inserted into the cash insertion unit 802, a frequency corresponding to the inserted cash (for example, "10" for an insertion of 1,000 yen) is displayed on the frequency display 807 of the dedicated unit 800. When an operation is performed on the lending switch 804 in a situation where the frequency of the dedicated unit 800 remains, electronic medals corresponding to the frequency held by the dedicated unit 800 (for example, "50") are transferred to the gaming machine 10 at once. In the gaming machine 10 to which the electronic medals are transferred from the dedicated unit 800, the display value of the gaming machine medal number display 27 changes by an increase amount corresponding to the transfer of the electronic medals.

[0037] When an operation is performed on the bet switch 21 of the gaming machine 10 and electronic medals are inserted, the display value of the gaming machine medal number display 27 changes by a decrease amount corresponding to the number of inserted electronic medals. Also, when electronic medals are paid out as a result of the game, the display value of the gaming machine medal number display 27 changes by an increase amount corresponding to the number of paid-out electronic medals.

[0038] Note that after an operation is performed on the bet switch 21 and electronic medals are inserted, and before an operation is performed on the start switch 21, if an operation is performed on the settlement switch 28, the insertion state of the electronic medals is cancelled, and the display value of the gaming machine medal display 27 changes by an increase amount corresponding to the number of inserted medals.

[0039] Also, when the player finishes using the gaming machine 10, an operation on the counting switch 26 is performed, and the electronic medals managed in the gaming machine 10 are transferred to the dedicated unit 800. When the electronic medals are transferred to the dedicated unit 800, the display value of the acquired medal number display 808 of the dedicated unit 800 changes by an increase amount corresponding to the transferred amount of the electronic medals, and the display value of the game medal number display 27 of the gaming machine 10 changes by a decrease amount corresponding to the transferred amount of the electronic medals. Then, when the player operates the return switch 805 of the dedicated unit 800, the electronic medals managed in the dedicated unit 800 are transferred to the card medium stored in the dedicated unit 800, and the card medium is pulled out from the dedicated unit 800 through the card insertion part 803. Thus, in this embodiment, the electronic medals acquired by using the gaming machine 10 can be accumulated in the card medium.

[0040] In this embodiment, the use of the gaming machine 10 can be resumed by using the card medium in which the electronic medals are accumulated. Specifically, when the player uses the gaming machine 10, instead of cash, the player can insert the card medium in which the electronic medals are accumulated into the card insertion part 803 and read the electronic medals accumulated in the card medium into the dedicated unit 800 to play the game. In this case, the electronic medals accumulated in the card medium are transferred to the dedicated unit 800, and the total number of the electronic medals accumulated in the card medium is displayed on the acquired medal number display 808. The player can transfer the electronic medals managed in the dedicated unit 800 to the gaming machine 10 by operating the game switch 806 of the dedicated unit 800 instead of the lending switch 804 of the dedicated unit 800.

[0041] As described above, in the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, since physical medals are unnecessary, it is possible to prevent illegal acts such as pseudo-medal insertion and the use of illegally brought-in medals. In addition, since it is unnecessary to provide a mechanism for inserting and paying out gaming media such as medals inside the gaming machine 10, design costs and manufacturing costs can be reduced. Furthermore, by centrally managing the lending of gaming media to players and the counting of acquired gaming media, etc., it is possible to prevent fraud. Also, in the gaming machine 10, by centrally managing the information of the electronic medals, the probability of winning can be suppressed, and as a result, measures against addiction can be strengthened.

[0042] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine of the present embodiment.

[0043] The gaming machine of the present embodiment is controlled by a main control unit 100 (main control board), a sub-control unit 200 (sub-control board), and a medal number control unit 600 (medal number control board). The main control unit 100, the sub-control unit 200, and the medal number control unit 600 are activated by power being supplied from a power unit when the power switch is operated. In the present embodiment, due to the relationship between the startup voltages of the main control unit 10 and the sub-control unit 20, the sub-control unit 20 starts up at an earlier stage than the main control unit 10. That is, when the gaming machine 10 is powered on, the sub-control unit 20 starts up before the main control unit 10 and forms a situation where it waits for a command reception from the main control unit 10. Also, regarding the startup of the main control unit 10, until a predetermined waiting time elapses, the startup of the main control unit 10 is not completed in order to make the game executable after waiting for the completion of the startup of the liquid crystal display 20 managed on the sub-control unit 20 side. Also, the medal number control unit 600 receives a startup command from the main control unit 10 and establishes a communication connection with its dedicated unit 800 for its own startup.

[0044] The main control unit 100 receives input signals from the startup mode change switch 301, setting change switch 302, door open / close switch 303, bed switch 21, start switch 22, stop switches 23a to 23b, settlement switch 28, etc., performs various operations for setting the gaming machine, managing main errors, or advancing the game, and controls the operations of the reel unit 30 and the like based on the operation results. Further, the sub-control unit 200 responds to commands from the main control unit 100 to control the operations of the display unit 501, speaker 40, lamp unit 503, etc. and manage sub-errors. Further, the medal number control unit 600 responds to the input signal from the counting switch 26 and the command from the main control unit 100 to manage the electronic medals and medal errors, and transfers information related to the electronic medals to and from the dedicated unit 800. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the functions of the main control unit 100, sub-control unit 200, and medal number control unit 600 are realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASIC (gate array, etc.), ROM, or RAM, or software consisting of a given program stored in advance in the ROM or the like.

[0045] The main control unit 100 includes a setting change means 101, a game control means 102, a random number generation means 103, and a main storage means 105.

[0046] The setting change means 101 controls to change the set value stored in the main storage means 105. In the present embodiment, depending on the state of the startup mode change switch 301 at power-on, it can be switched between being started in the game mode and being started in the setting change mode. When the gaming machine 10 is powered on with the startup mode change switch 301 set to change the startup mode to the setting change mode, the setting change means 101 starts the gaming machine in the setting change mode. And in the present embodiment, the set value can be selected from six levels of set values from setting 1 to setting 6, and the winning probability of the internal lottery varies so that the expected value of the payout rate increases in order from setting 1 toward setting 6. Note that in the present embodiment, the levels of the set values are expressed in the order of setting 1 < setting 2 < setting 3 < setting 4 < setting 5 < setting 6.

[0047] Also, when the setting change switch 302 is activated in the setting change mode, the setting change means 101 changes the set value in the order of set value 1 → set value 2 → ··· set value 6 → set value 1 → ··· every time it receives an input signal from the setting change switch 302. When the start switch 22 is activated, the set value is determined, and the determined set value is stored in the main storage means 105. In this embodiment, the set value being selected is displayed on the main display 16 in the setting change mode.

[0048] Also, in this embodiment, when the power is turned on to the gaming machine 10 with the startup mode change switch 301 set to the gaming mode, the gaming machine 10 is started in the gaming mode. And in this embodiment, gaming can be performed in the gaming mode, but the set value cannot be changed. In the setting change mode, the set value can be changed, but gaming cannot be performed.

[0049] Also, the setting change means 101 performs an initialization process for initializing information stored in a read / write memory (RWM), which is a storage area in the main storage means 105 where reading and writing are possible, in the setting change mode. Note that in the initialization process, not all the information stored in the read / write memory is initialized, and some information is retained without being initialized. In the initialization process in the setting change mode, for example, the gaming state is initialized to the normal state, or control information regarding the advantageous section (in this embodiment, the value of the specific winning combination counter is included) is initialized and set to the normal section, but the control information regarding the electronic medals is not initialized.

[0050] The game control means 102 is a means for controlling the progress of the game. When an electronic medal is inserted and the game is started, it determines the winning or losing of a combination by internal lottery, rotates the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c, and when a stop operation on the stop switches 23a to 23c is performed, it stops the rotating reel according to the result of the internal lottery, and determines whether a combination has won based on the symbol combination displayed on the effective line, and performs a main loop process for advancing the game by performing processing according to the determination result. The details will be described below.

[0051] First, the game control means 102 receives an operation (insertion operation) of the bet switch 21 related to the insertion of an electronic medal for each game, and based on the fact that the electronic medals corresponding to the specified number of insertions (three) have been inserted, performs a process of validating a game start operation on the start switch 22 (game start operation means). That is, the game control means 102 functions as an input reception means for receiving the insertion of electronic medals used for the game with the specified number of insertions as the upper limit based on the insertion operation. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the first operation of the start switch 22 validated based on the insertion of electronic medals corresponding to the specified number of insertions is received as a game start operation, which triggers the start of the rotation of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c and also triggers the execution of an internal lottery.

[0052] The function of inserting electronic medals is realized by the cooperation of the main control unit 100 and the medal number control unit 600. When the bed switch 21 is activated, the main control unit 100 sends an insertion command specifying the specified insertion number of electronic medals to the medal number control unit 600. In the medal number control unit 600 that has received the insertion command, if there are electronic medals equal to or more than the specified insertion number specified by the insertion command stored as the number of game medals in the medal information storage means 603, a reply command is sent back to the main control unit 100. Also, the counting control means 601 of the medal number control unit 600 reduces the number of electronic medals corresponding to the specified insertion number from the number of game medals stored in the medal information storage means 603. When it is possible to insert electronic medals corresponding to the specified insertion number by receiving the reply command, in the main control unit 100, the game control means 102 sets the electronic medals corresponding to the specified insertion number to the inserted state. In the present embodiment, the specified insertion number is set to 3 medals regardless of whether the game state is the normal state, the bonus establishment state, or the bonus state.

[0053] Also, the game control means 102 performs an internal lottery to determine the winning or losing of the combination based on the game start operation on the start switch 22 (the first operation on the enabled start switch 22), and performs a lottery table selection process, a random number determination process, a lottery flag setting process, and the like. That is, the game control means 102 functions as an internal lottery means for determining the winning or losing of the combination based on the game start operation.

[0054] In the lottery table selection process, it is determined which of the plurality of types of internal lottery tables stored in the main storage means 105 is used for the internal lottery. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, in each internal lottery table, various combinations such as replay, small combination, and bonus, as well as losing (non-winning), are associated with each of a plurality of random number values (for example, 65,536 random number values from 0 to 65,535). In the present embodiment, for 6-level setting values, internal lottery tables corresponding to the game state are prepared for each setting value, and the probability of obtaining some winning modes in the internal lottery varies according to the setting value. The correspondence between the combination and the random number value is set so that the expected value of the payout rate increases as the setting value increases.

[0055] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, as gaming states, a normal state (an example of the first gaming state), a bonus winning state (an example of the second gaming state), and a bonus state can be set. In the lottery table selection process, one of a plurality of types of internal lottery tables is selected as the internal lottery table to be used in the internal lottery according to the gaming state.

[0056] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing examples of three types of internal lottery tables associated with the normal state, the bonus winning state, and the bonus state. Regarding the internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 5, the internal lottery table 1 is referred to in the normal state, the internal lottery table 2 is referred to in the bonus winning state, and the internal lottery table 3 is referred to in the bonus state.

[0057] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, as minor winning combinations, minor winning combination 1 to minor winning combination 50 are prepared. As the winning modes of the minor winning combinations, as shown in FIG. 6, a batting order bell a group (batting order bell a1 to batting order bell a8), a batting order bell b group (batting order bell b1 to batting order bell b8), a batting order bell c group (batting order bell c1 to batting order bell c8), a common bell, a button pressing winning combination, inhibiting winning combination a to inhibiting winning combination d, a special winning combination (an example of a specific lottery result), JAC1, JAC2, and JAC3 are set.

[0058] Also, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, as replays, replay 1 and replay 2 are prepared. As the winning mode of the replay, as shown in FIG. 6, a normal replay is set.

[0059] Also, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the winning probabilities of the minor winning combinations are the same in the internal lottery tables 1 and 2, the winning probability of the replay is higher in the internal lottery table 2 than in the internal lottery table 1, the replay is not a lottery target in the internal lottery table 3, and the lottery mode of the minor winning combinations in the internal lottery table 3 is different from those in the internal lottery tables 1 and 2, and the winning probability of the minor winning combinations is higher than those in the internal lottery tables 1 and 2.

[0060] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, a Big Bonus (BB), which is an example of a special winning combination, is prepared as a bonus, and the Big Bonus (BB) is a target for lottery in the internal lottery table 1 that is referred to in the normal state.

[0061] In this embodiment, regarding the winning modes of bonuses and replays, the winning probability does not vary depending on the set value in some cases, but regarding minor winning combinations, the winning probability of some winning modes varies according to the set value, and the higher the set value, the higher the winning probability of JAC1.

[0062] In the random number determination process, based on the operation of the start switch 22, a random number value (lottery random number) is obtained from the random number generation means 103 for each game, and it is determined whether or not a winning combination is obtained by referring to the internal lottery table stored in the main storage means 105 for the obtained random number value.

[0063] The random number generation means 103 described above is a means for generating a random number value for lottery. The random number value can be generated, for example, by a 16-bit random number circuit that generates 65,536 random number values from 0 to 65,535 without duplication during one cycle. In this embodiment, the "random number value" includes not only values that are randomly generated in a mathematical sense, but also values that can function substantially as random numbers because their acquisition timing or the like is irregular even though their generation itself is regular.

[0064] In the lottery flag setting process, based on the result of the random number determination process, the lottery flag corresponding to the winning combination determined to be a winner is set from the non-winning state (the first flag state, off state) to the winning state (the second flag state, on state). In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when two or more types of winning combinations win simultaneously, the lottery flags corresponding to each of the two or more types of winning combinations that win simultaneously are set to the winning state. Note that the setting information of the lottery flag is stored in the main storage means 105.

[0065] In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, there are provided a lottery flag (carry-over possible flag) that can carry over the winning state to subsequent games until a prize is won, and a lottery flag (carry-over impossible flag) that is reset to a non-winning state without carrying over the winning state to subsequent games regardless of whether a prize is won. As a role associated with the former carry-over possible flag, there is a bonus, and minor roles and replays are associated with the latter carry-over impossible flag. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, for example, when winning a bonus in an internal lottery, a process of carrying over the winning state of the lottery flag for the bonus until the bonus wins a prize is performed. At this time, the game control means 102 performs an internal lottery for determining the winning or losing of minor roles and replays even in a game in which the winning state of the lottery flag for the bonus is carried over. Thus, in the lottery flag setting process, in a game in which the winning state of the lottery flag for the bonus is carried over, when a minor role or replay wins, lottery flags corresponding to two or more roles including the lottery flag for the already-winning bonus and the lottery flags for the minor roles and replays that won in the internal lottery are set to the winning state.

[0066] Also, based on a game start operation on the start switch 22, the game control means 102 starts the rotational drive of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c by a stepping motor, and enables a stop operation by pressing the stop buttons 23a to 23c (stop operation means) corresponding to the reels that are rotating at a predetermined speed (about 80 rpm: a rotational speed of about 80 rotations per minute). At the same time, the game control means 102 performs control to stop the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c that are rotationally driven by the stepping motor in a manner corresponding to the set state of the lottery flag (the result of the internal lottery). That is, the game control means 102 functions as a reel control means that rotates a plurality of reels based on a game start operation and stops the rotating reels in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery upon a stop operation.

[0067] And when the stop switches 23a to 23c are in a state where the stop operation thereon is enabled, when the player operates the stop switches 23a to 23c, based on the signals from the operated stop switches, the game control means 102 stops supplying drive pulses (motor drive signals) to the stepping motors of the reel unit 30, thereby performing control to stop each of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c.

[0068] That is, every time an operation is performed on each of the stop switches 23a to 23c, the game control means 102 determines the stop position of the reel corresponding to the operated stop switch among the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c, and performs control to stop the reel at the determined stop position. In the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, operating the stop switch 23a corresponds to the operation for stopping the first reel 13a, operating the stop switch 23b corresponds to the operation for stopping the second reel 13b, and operating the stop switch 23c corresponds to the operation for stopping the third reel 13c. That is, in the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, when the operation order of the stop switches 23a to 23c changes, the stop order of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c changes. In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, among the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c, the reel that stops first may be referred to as the first stop reel, the reel that stops second may be referred to as the second stop reel, and the reel that stops last may be referred to as the third stop reel. Also, in the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, among the stop switches 23a to 23c, the operation of the stop switch corresponding to the reel that stops first may be referred to as the first stop operation, the operation of the stop switch corresponding to the reel that stops second may be referred to as the second stop operation, and the operation of the stop switch corresponding to the reel that stops last may be referred to as the third stop operation.

[0069] In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, for the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c, within 190 ms from the time when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated, the rotating reel corresponding to the operated stop switch stops. When stopping the rotating reel within 190 ms from the operation time of the stop switch, the stop position of each rotating reel is determined within the range of 0 frames to 4 frames (predetermined retraction range) of the number of frames required from the operation time of the stop switch until the reel stops. And the game control means 102 is such that, on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating reel corresponding to the stop switch among the stop switches 23a to 23c that has been operated, when the symbol corresponding to the winning combination selected by the internal lottery is within the range of 0 frames to 4 frames with respect to the display position on the effective line at the time when the operation on the stop switch is performed, the symbol corresponding to the winning combination for which the lottery flag is set to the winning state is displayed at the display position on the effective line, and controls to stop the rotating reel corresponding to the operated stop switch.

[0070] Also, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the reel unit 30 is provided with a reel index 405 composed of a photosensor, and the game control means 102 can monitor the current rotation state of the reel by obtaining the rotation angle (the number of rotation steps of the rotation axis of the stepping motor) from the reference position of the reel (the frame detected by the reel index 405) based on the signal detected by the reel index 405 every time the reel makes one rotation. That is, the game control means 102 can obtain the position of the reel at the time of the operation of the stop switch by obtaining the rotation angle from the reference position of the reel.

[0071] In this embodiment, a plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c that constitute the reel unit 30. When pulling in a symbol that exists within four frames from the operation detection position onto the active line, for the symbols arranged at intervals within four frames on the outer peripheral surface of each reel, regardless of the operation detection position which is the position of the reel at the time of actuation of the stop switch (the time when the operation of the stop switch is detected), they can be displayed on the active line. In this embodiment, the operation detection position is the display position at the upper stage of each reel.

[0072] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of symbol arrangement regarding the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c, there are arranged a red 7 symbol a "red 7a", a red 7 symbol b "red 7b", a white 7 symbol "white 7", a bar symbol "BAR", a special symbol "SP", a watermelon symbol "WM", a cherry symbol "CH", a bell symbol a "BLa", a bell symbol b "BLb", and a replay symbol "RP". In particular, in this embodiment, on the outer peripheral surface of the first reel 13a (an example of a specific reel), there are provided locations where the same symbol is arranged adjacent to each other. Specifically, the watermelon symbols "WM" (an example of a specific symbol) are arranged adjacent to each other at positions 8 and 9 and positions 18 and 19 of the first reel 13a.

[0073] Also, the game control means 102 determines the stop position of the rotating reel by referring to the stop control table stored in the main storage means 105. In the stop control table, according to the setting state of the lottery flag, the correspondence relationship between the operation detection position and the number of sliding frames indicating the rotation amount from the operation detection position to the actual stop position is set. Note that in the stop control table, according to the setting state of the lottery flag, the correspondence relationship between the operation detection position and the actual stop position may be set.

[0074] In the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, with respect to minor winning combinations, replay, and bonus, the priority order is determined in the order of "replay > bonus" and "minor winning combination > bonus", and a stop control table is set so that a stop position including symbols constituting a winning form of a higher-priority winning combination is selected according to the priority order associated with each winning combination.

[0075] Also, in the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, in the stop control table referred to when lottery flags related to a plurality of types of minor winning combinations are set to the winning state in the internal lottery, there are a case where the stop position is set according to the number of symbol combinations indicating winning forms that can be displayed on the active lines (number priority control), and a case where the stop position is set according to the number of paid-out electronic medals based on the payout predetermined for the minor winning combination (payout number priority control). When the stop position is set according to the number of symbol combinations indicating winning forms that can be displayed on the active lines, the stop position is set with respect to the pressing detection position so that the stop position where the number of symbol combinations indicating winning forms that can be displayed on the active lines is larger is given higher priority. When the stop position is set according to the number of paid-out electronic medals, the stop position is set with respect to the operation detection position so that the stop position where the number of paid-out electronic medals based on the payout of the minor winning combination corresponding to the symbol displayed at the display position on the active line is larger (the stop position where a minor winning combination with a large payout can be won) is given higher priority. However, when the stop position is set according to the number of paid-out electronic medals, for a plurality of stop positions with the same number of paid-out electronic medals, the priority level of each stop position is treated as the same and the stop position with respect to the operation detection position is set. When the stop position is set according to the number of symbol combinations indicating winning forms that can be displayed on the active lines, for a plurality of stop positions with the same number of symbol combinations indicating winning forms that can be displayed on the active lines, the priority level of each stop position is treated as the same and the stop position with respect to the operation detection position is set.

[0076] Also, in the present embodiment, in each stop control table, the stop position of the reel with respect to the operation detection position is set so as to enable so-called draw control and kick-off control. Draw control is control for determining the stop position of the reel so that a winning combination of a winning state of the lottery flag can be won as much as possible. On the other hand, kick-off control is control for determining the stop position of the reel so that a winning combination of a non-winning state of the lottery flag cannot be won. In this way, the game control means 102 enables the symbol of a winning combination of a winning state of the lottery flag to stop in a winning form, while determining the stop position of the reel so that the symbol of a winning combination of a non-winning state of the lottery flag does not stop in a winning form.

[0077] In the present embodiment, as the winning modes of minor winning combinations regarding the normal state and the bonus establishment state, there are multiple types of specific winning modes in which a specific minor winning combination in which the number of paid-out electronic medals accompanying a win is greater than the number of inserted electronic medals and a non-specific minor winning combination in which the number of paid-out electronic medals accompanying a win is less than the number of inserted electronic medals overlap and win. For each of the specific winning modes, a correct operation mode that enables winning of the specific minor winning combination is set. In a game in which a specific winning mode is obtained in the bonus establishment state, when a stop operation is performed along the correct operation mode, winning of the specific minor winning combination is prioritized, and when a stop operation is performed along a failure operation mode, which is an operation mode that is not the correct operation mode, the stop position of the rotating reel is determined so as to prioritize winning of the non-specific minor winning combination while avoiding winning of the specific minor winning combination. On the other hand, in a game in which a specific winning mode is obtained in the normal state, for some of the specific winning modes, all operation modes become failure operation modes, and the stop position of the rotating reel is determined so as to prioritize winning of the non-specific minor winning combination while avoiding winning of the specific minor winning combination regardless of how the stop operation is performed.

[0078] In this embodiment, as specific winning modes, batting order bells a1 to a8, batting order bells b1 to b8, and batting order bells c1 to c8 are provided. Hereinafter, these winning modes are collectively referred to as batting order bells. Each batting order bell is a winning mode in which a 15 - tile minor winning hand or a 10 - tile minor winning hand and a 1 - tile minor winning hand overlap and win. The 15 - tile minor winning hand and the 10 - tile minor winning hand correspond to specific minor winning hands, and the 1 - tile minor winning hand corresponds to a non - specific minor winning hand. In the stop control table referred to when a batting order bell wins in the internal lottery, as shown in FIG. 8, the correct batting order that is the correct operation mode is set for each batting order bell.

[0079] In the stop control table referred to when any of the batting order bells wins, when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in the correct batting order, the stop positions with respect to the operation detection position are set so that a 15 - tile minor winning hand (batting order bells a1 to a8) or a 10 - tile minor winning hand (batting order bells b1 to b8 and batting order bells c1 to c8) wins. When the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in an operation order different from the correct batting order, the stop positions with respect to the operation detection position are set so that there are cases where a 1 - tile minor winning hand wins and cases where no winning hand wins (missing a winning hand). In FIG. 8, "1 - tile minor winning hand (1 / 2)" means that in that operation order, a 1 - tile minor winning hand wins with a probability of 1 / 2, and a missing - winning - hand occurs with a probability of 1 / 2. Also, "1 - tile minor winning hand (1 / 4)" in FIG. 8 means that in that operation order, a 1 - tile minor winning hand wins with a probability of 1 / 4, and a missing - winning - hand occurs with a probability of 3 / 4.

[0080] Also, regarding the winning of each batting order bell, in the correct batting order, the symbols constituting the winning forms of 15 - symbol minor winning combinations (batting order bells a1 to a8) or 10 - symbol minor winning combinations (batting order bells b1 to b8 and batting order bells c1 to c8) are preferentially displayed on the effective line by payout - number - priority control. In an operation sequence different from the correct batting order, the symbols constituting the winning form of a 1 - symbol minor winning combination are preferentially displayed on the effective line by number - priority control. Thus, in each stop - control table, the stop position with respect to the operation - detection position is set. In this embodiment, by selectively using payout - number - priority control and number - priority control according to the operation sequence, in the correct batting order, it is possible to win 15 - symbol or 10 - symbol minor winning combinations while avoiding winning a 1 - symbol minor winning combination. In an operation sequence different from the correct batting order, it is possible to win a 1 - symbol minor winning combination while avoiding winning 15 - symbol or 10 - symbol minor winning combinations.

[0081] In this embodiment, regarding the batting order bell b group and the batting order bell c group, the correct batting order is valid only when staying in the bonus - established state. When a batting order bell belonging to the batting order bell b group or the batting order bell c group wins in the normal state, even if a stop operation is performed along the correct batting order, a 1 - symbol minor winning combination wins with a probability of 1 / 2, and a miss of the winning combination occurs with a probability of 1 / 2. That is, in the normal state, regarding the batting order bell b group and the batting order bell c group, even if a stop operation is performed in a manner that enables winning a 10 - symbol minor winning combination in the bonus - established state, the stop position is determined so as to avoid winning a 10 - symbol minor winning combination by number - priority control. On the other hand, regarding the batting order bell a group, the correct batting order is valid in both the normal state and the bonus - established state, and in any gaming state, the stop position is determined so that winning a 15 - symbol minor winning combination is prioritized by payout - number - priority control in the correct batting order.

[0082] Also, in the stop control table referred to when the common bell wins in the internal lottery, as shown in FIG. 8, the batting orders 1 and 2, which are the operation orders for first stopping the first reel 13a, are set as the correct batting orders. When the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in the correct batting order, a 10 - coin minor winning combination is awarded. When the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in an operation order different from the correct batting order, the stop positions with respect to the operation detection position are set so that a 1 - coin minor winning combination is awarded. For the common bell as well as the batting - order bell, in the correct batting order, the symbols constituting the winning pattern of the 10 - coin minor winning combination are preferentially displayed on the active line by the payout - number priority control. In an operation order different from the correct batting order, the symbols constituting the winning pattern of the 1 - coin minor winning combination are preferentially displayed on the active line by the number - priority control.

[0083] Also, in the present embodiment, for minor winning combination 2, minor winning combination 6, minor winning combination 8, and minor winning combination 10, in the symbol combination indicating the winning pattern, the watermelon symbol "WM" is assigned to the first reel 13a (see FIG. 11). However, when minor winning combination 2, minor winning combination 6, minor winning combination 8, or minor winning combination 10 can win, the stop position of the first reel 13a is determined so that the watermelon symbols "WM" at positions 8 and 18 of the first reel 13a are not displayed at the display positions constituting the active line 15. And in the present embodiment, regardless of the result of the internal lottery, the stop position of the first reel 13a is determined so that the watermelon symbols "WM" at positions 8 and 18 of the first reel 13a are not displayed at the display positions constituting the active line 15.

[0084] Also, in the stop control table referred to when the button - press winning combination wins in the internal lottery, the stop positions with respect to the operation detection position are set such that there are cases where a 3 - coin minor winning combination is awarded, a 1 - coin minor winning combination is awarded, and no winning combination is awarded. Regarding the stop control table corresponding to the button - press winning combination, the stop positions with respect to the operation detection position are set so that the winning of the 3 - coin minor winning combination is prioritized over the 1 - coin minor winning combination by the payout - number priority control.

[0085] Also, in the stop control table referred to when inhibitor roles a to d are selected in the internal lottery, the stop positions relative to the operation detection position are set such that the winning probabilities of the single-low-rank winning combinations differ according to the operation order of the stop switches 23a to 23c. As shown in FIG. 9(A), when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in batting orders 1 and 2, which are the operation orders for first stopping the first reel 13a, the single-low-rank winning combination is sure to win. When the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in batting orders 3 to 6, which are the operation orders for first stopping the second reel 13b or the third reel 13c, the single-low-rank winning combination wins with a probability of 1 / 4, and a miss of the winning combination occurs with a probability of 3 / 4.

[0086] Also, in the stop control table referred to when a special winning combination is selected in the internal lottery, the stop positions relative to the operation detection position are set such that the single-low-rank winning combination wins regardless of the mode of the stop operation for the stop switches 23a to 23c. However, when a special winning combination is selected, as shown in FIG. 9(A), the types of the single-low-rank winning combinations that win differ according to the operation order of the stop switches 23a to 23c. When the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in batting orders 1 and 2, which are the operation orders for first stopping the first reel 13a, the low-rank winning combination 21 wins. When the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in batting orders 3 to 6, which are the operation orders for first stopping the second reel 13b or the third reel 13c, the low-rank winning combination 26 wins.

[0087] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9(B), when the low-rank winning combination 21 wins, a specific winning outcome in which a symbol combination of "RP·RP·BLa" appears is displayed on the middle invalid line formed by the middle stages of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c. Not only when a special winning combination is selected, but also when batting bells a1, a2, a5, and a6 are selected, when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in batting orders 1 and 2 (the operation order for first stopping the first reel 13a), the low-rank winning combination 21 wins with the display of the specific winning outcome.

[0088] Also, in the stop control table referred to when a normal replay wins in the internal lottery, the stop position with respect to the operation detection position is set so that the replay wins regardless of the mode of the stop operation for the stop switches 23a to 23c. However, when a normal replay wins, as shown in Fig. 9(A), the type of replay that wins differs depending on the operation order of the stop switches 23a to 23c. When the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in batting orders 1 and 2, which are the operation orders for first stopping the first reel 13a, replay 1 wins. When the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in batting orders 3 to 6, which are the operation orders for first stopping the second reel 13b or the third reel 13c, replay 2 wins.

[0089] Also, in the stop control table referred to when JAC1 wins in the internal lottery, the stop position with respect to the operation detection position is set so that the 15-card minor winning combination wins preferentially over other minor winning combinations. In the stop control table referred to when JAC2 wins in the internal lottery, the stop position with respect to the operation detection position is set so that the 10-card minor winning combination wins preferentially over other minor winning combinations. In the stop control table referred to when JAC3 wins in the internal lottery, the stop position with respect to the operation detection position is set so that the 1-card minor winning combination wins.

[0090] Also, for the big bonus (BB), it is only winning when the big bonus (BB) wins alone in the normal state. In the bonus established state, there is no losing, and the stop position with respect to the operation detection position is set in the stop control table so that the big bonus (BB) does not win because a minor winning combination or a replay with a higher priority than the big bonus (BB) wins repeatedly.

[0091] The game control means 102 also performs a winning determination process for determining whether or not a winning combination has been achieved based on the stop modes of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c. That is, the game control means 102 functions as a winning determination means for determining the winning of a winning combination. Specifically, while referring to the winning determination table stored in the main storage means 105, it is determined whether or not the symbol combination displayed on the active line when all of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c have stopped is in a predetermined winning form of a winning combination. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 15, a winning determination table is prepared so that the presence or absence of winning combinations of the big bonus (BB), replay 1 to replay 2, and small winning combinations 1 to 50 can be determined based on the symbol combination displayed on the active line in the state where each reel has stopped.

[0092] In the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, when a winning combination is achieved based on the result of the winning determination process, the game control means 102 executes a winning-time process. As the winning-time process, for example, when a small winning combination is achieved, a payout process of electronic medals is performed, when a replay is achieved, a replay process is performed, and when a bonus is achieved, a game state transition process for shifting the game state is performed.

[0093] First, the game control means 102 performs a payout process related to the payout of electronic medals according to the game result. In this embodiment, the function of paying out electronic medals is realized by the cooperation of the main control unit 100 and the medal number control unit 600. Specifically, when a minor winning combination is achieved, the game control means 102 of the main control unit 100 determines the number of electronic medals to be paid out in the game based on the payout determined in advance for each winning combination, and transmits a payout command specifying the number of electronic medals to be paid out to the medal number control unit 600. In the medal number control unit 600 that has received the payout command, the counting control means 601 increases the number of game medals stored in the medal information storage means 603 by the number of payouts specified in the payout command as the increase amount of the game medal number. In the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, when electronic medals are paid out in each game, the number of electronic medals paid out is displayed on the main display 16. That is, when electronic medals are paid out due to the winning of a minor winning combination, the game control means 102 performs control to display the number of electronic medals paid out accompanying the winning of the minor winning combination on the main display 16. In this way, the game control means 102 functions as a payout control means for paying out a number of electronic medals corresponding to the payout of the winning minor winning combination when the minor winning combination is achieved.

[0094] Also, when a replay wins, the game control means 102 performs a replay process (re - game process) of setting the same preparation state as the previous game without requiring the player to input the electronic medals owned by the player for the next game. That is, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a replay wins, an automatic input process is performed to automatically input the same number of electronic medals as in the previous game without using the electronic medals held by the player, and the game start operation for the next start switch 22 is awaited in a state where the same effective lines as in the previous game are set. In this way, the game control means 102 functions as a replay process means for providing the next game free of charge when a replay wins.

[0095] Also, as shown in FIG. 16, the game control means 102 performs a game state transition process for transitioning the game state among the normal state, the bonus establishment state, and the bonus state. That is, the game control means 102 functions as a game state control means capable of setting the normal state, the bonus establishment state, and the bonus state. In the present embodiment, information indicating the staying game state is stored in the main storage means 105. As for the transition conditions of the game state, one condition may be defined, or a plurality of conditions may be defined. When a plurality of conditions are defined, the game state can be transitioned to another game state based on the establishment of one of the plurality of predefined conditions or the establishment of all of the plurality of predefined conditions.

[0096] The normal state is a game state corresponding to the initial state among a plurality of types of game states, and it is possible to transition from the normal state to the bonus establishment state or the bonus state. Specifically, when a bonus is won in the normal state and the bonus does not win, the state transitions to the bonus establishment state, and when the bonus wins, the state transitions to the bonus state. Also, in the normal state, among the plurality of types of internal lottery tables stored in the main storage means 105, an internal lottery is performed by referring to the internal lottery table in which the minor winning combination, replay, and bonus are set as lottery targets. In the present embodiment, when it is in the normal state, the specified number of inserted medals is set to 3, and an internal lottery is performed by referring to the internal lottery table 1 among the internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 5.

[0097] The bonus established state is a gaming state that transitions when winning a bonus in an internal lottery but the bonus does not win. In the bonus established state, among the multiple types of internal lottery tables stored in the main memory means 105, the winning or losing of minor winning combinations is determined with the same probability as in the normal state, and an internal lottery is conducted referring to the internal lottery table from which the bonus is excluded from the lottery targets. Note that even in the bonus established state, replay is set as a lottery target, but the winning probability and winning mode of replay may be different from those in the normal state or the same. In this embodiment, when in the bonus established state, the specified number of inserted coins is set to 3, and among the internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 5, an internal lottery referring to the internal lottery table 2 is conducted.

[0098] Also, in the bonus established state, until the bonus wins, the lottery flag corresponding to the bonus remains in the winning state, and the winning or losing of minor winning combinations and replay is determined. When the symbol combination indicating the winning form of the bonus is displayed on the effective line, the game control means 102 shifts the gaming state from the bonus established state to the bonus state based on the winning of the bonus.

[0099] The bonus state is a gaming state that transitions when the symbol combination indicating the winning form of the bonus is displayed on the effective line. In the bonus state, among the multiple types of internal lottery tables stored in the main memory means 105, an internal lottery is conducted referring to the internal lottery table in which the winning probability of minor winning combinations is set higher than in the normal state and the bonus established state, and replay is excluded from the lottery targets. That is, in the bonus state, in terms of minor winning combinations winning more frequently than in the normal state or the bonus established state, it is a gaming state more advantageous to the player than the normal state or the bonus established state. In this embodiment, when in the bonus state, the specified number of inserted coins is set to 2, and among the internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 5, an internal lottery referring to the internal lottery table 3 is conducted.

[0100] Also, in the bonus state, it is determined whether the end condition is satisfied based on the total number of electronic medals paid out by the bonus game in the bonus state. When the number of electronic medals paid out exceeds a predetermined planned payout number (for example, 100), the game control means 102 ends the bonus state and returns the game state to the normal state. In this embodiment, the count information on the payout number in the bonus state is accumulated and stored in the main storage means 105.

[0101] Also, as shown in FIG. 17, the game control means 102 changes the presentation state among a plurality of types of presentation states including the initial presentation state, the normal presentation state, the CZ state, and the AT state. Under predetermined conditions, the presentation state is set to the AT state, and control is performed to end the AT state when the end condition of the AT state is satisfied. In this embodiment, the information indicating the presentation state in which the player is staying is stored in the main storage means 105. In this embodiment, when staying in the AT state, when a specific winning mode is won by the game control means 102, correct operation notification for assisting the winning of a specific small winning combination is performed by displaying information (operation instruction information) corresponding to the correct operation mode on the main display 16 composed of a 7-segment display. It is possible to perform an assist time game in which medals are more easily obtained than in games staying in the initial presentation state or the normal presentation state. In this embodiment, the function of executing the assist time game in the advantageous section is defined as an instruction function, and the processes that affect the execution of the assist time game are the processes related to the instruction function.

[0102] Also, as shown in FIG. 18, the game control means 102 can set a normal section (non-advantageous section) and an advantageous section. In the normal section, the presentation state is fixed to the initial presentation state which is the initial state, and a lottery for shifting to the advantageous section is performed. When winning the lottery for shifting to the advantageous section, the advantageous section is started, and the presentation state can be set to the AT state on the condition that it is the advantageous section. That is, the game control means 102 functions as a section control means that can set the normal section and the advantageous section and can provide operation instruction information in the advantageous section.

[0103] The game control means 102 performs an advantageous section transition lottery to determine whether or not it has won the advantageous section according to the result of an internal lottery in each game in the normal section. In the present embodiment, the winning of the advantageous section is determined in association with the winning mode obtained in the normal state or the bonus established state, and wins the advantageous section except when obtaining a very small part of the winning modes.

[0104] When the game control means 102 wins the advantageous section in the normal section, it performs an advantageous section transition process based on winning the advantageous section, starts the advantageous section from the next game of the game that has won the advantageous section, and sets the effect state to the normal effect state.

[0105] In the advantageous section, when the ascending condition is satisfied in the normal performance state, it shifts to the CZ state, and when the falling condition is satisfied in the CZ state, it shifts to the normal performance state. Each time a game is played in the normal performance state, the game control means 102 conducts an ascending lottery. When winning the ascending lottery, it determines that the ascending condition is satisfied and performs control to shift from the normal performance state to the CZ state. In the normal performance state, the occurrence count of the specific outcome is managed in the main memory means 105. Based on the game start operation of the first game after shifting to the normal performance state, the ascending condition based on the occurrence count of the specific outcome is determined by lottery. The ascending condition based on the occurrence count of the specific outcome is determined, for example, between 1 and 32, and the smaller the set value, the easier it is to select a smaller value. When the game control means 102 obtains a winning mode (batting order bell a1, batting order bell a2, batting order bell a5, batting order bell a6, special combination) in which the specific outcome can appear in the game in the normal performance state, and the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in the operation order (an example of a specific operation order) to first stop the first reel 13a, the value of the specific outcome counter (an example of a specific counter), which counts the occurrence count of the specific outcome stored in the main memory means 105, is updated. When it is determined that the occurrence count of the specific outcome satisfies the ascending condition based on the value of the specific outcome counter, control is performed to shift from the normal performance state to the CZ state (an example of granting a privilege advantageous for obtaining game value). In this embodiment, since the specific outcome can appear when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in the operation order to first stop the first reel 13a, when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in the operation order to first stop the second reel 13b or the third reel 13c in the game in the normal performance state, the value of the specific outcome counter is not updated. That is, the operation order to first stop the first reel 13a is more advantageous for shifting to the CZ state than the operation order to first stop the second reel 13b or the third reel 13c. Instead of updating the value of the specific outcome counter on the condition that the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in the operation order to first stop the first reel 13a when obtaining a winning mode (batting order bell a1, batting order bell a2, batting order bell a5, batting order bell a6, special combination) in which the specific outcome can appear, it may be updated every time the minor combination 21 wins.

[0106] When it is in the normal range and the normal state, upon winning of a special role, it shifts to the advantageous range by the advantageous range transition process, and when a specific outcome appears, the count information regarding the number of occurrences of the specific outcome is updated. On the other hand, when it is in the normal range and the bonus establishment state, upon winning of a special role, the normal range is maintained without shifting to the advantageous range, and even when a specific outcome appears, the value of the specific outcome counter is not updated.

[0107] Regarding the winning of batting order bells a1, a2, a5, and a6, regardless of whether it wins in the normal state or the bonus establishment state, it shifts to the advantageous range by the advantageous range transition process, and when a specific outcome appears, the value of the specific outcome counter is updated.

[0108] Thus, in this embodiment, when the game state is the normal state, regardless of whether batting order bells a1, a2, a5, a6, or a special role wins, the value regarding the number of occurrences of the specific outcome managed by the specific outcome counter provided in the main storage means 105 is updated. However, when the game state is the bonus establishment state, the value of the specific outcome counter is updated only when a special role wins. However, even in the normal state, the value of the specific outcome counter may not be updated when a special role wins. Also, when the effect state is the initial effect state, the value of the specific outcome counter is not updated. That is, in the normal range, the value of the specific outcome counter is not updated, and when shifting to the advantageous range and when already staying in the advantageous range, the value of the specific outcome counter is updated when it is in the normal effect state (including the case where it is set to the normal effect state by the advantageous range transition process).

[0109] In addition, each time a game is played in the CZ state, the game control means 102 conducts a fall lottery. When the fall lottery is won, it determines that the fall condition has been satisfied and performs control to shift from the CZ state to the normal effect state. The fall condition in the CZ state may be managed according to the number of games played. Each time a game is played in the CZ state, the count information of the number of games played stored in the main storage means 105 is updated. When it is determined that the number of games played in the CZ state satisfies the fall condition, it may be configured to shift from the CZ state to the normal effect state. In the above-mentioned promotion lottery and fall lottery, a random number value can be obtained based on the game start operation, and either a winning or non-winning result associated with the obtained random number value can be obtained as the lottery result.

[0110] In the advantageous section, when the game state is the bonus establishment state and the effect state is the normal effect state or the CZ state, the game control means 102 conducts an AT lottery (an example of the process related to the instruction function). In this embodiment, the AT lottery is conducted regardless of which winning mode is obtained in the internal lottery, and the AT lottery is conducted so that the result of AT winning can be obtained with a predetermined probability according to the winning mode. In this embodiment, in the CZ state, the result of AT winning can be obtained with a higher probability than in the normal effect state. Then, based on the fact that the result of the AT lottery is an AT win, the game control means 102 performs control to shift the effect state from the normal effect state or the CZ state to the AT state.

[0111] Based on the fact that the effect state is the AT state, the game control means 102 causes an assist time game to be played, and each time the assist time game is played, the count information of the AT game number is updated by an update amount corresponding to one game. In this embodiment, the count information of the AT game number is stored in the main storage means 105. And in this embodiment, in the AT state, when any one of a plurality of types of specific winning modes is won, the game control means 102 executes a correct operation notification for notifying the correct operation mode corresponding to the winning specific winning mode. In this embodiment, when the game control means 102 conducts a correct operation notification regarding the specific winning mode, the operation instruction number corresponding to the correct batting order corresponding to the winning specific winning mode is displayed on the main display 16.

[0112] When the game control means 102 determines that the end condition of the AT state is satisfied based on the count information of the number of AT games stored in the main storage means 105, it performs control to return the effect state to the normal effect state.

[0113] Also, in the present embodiment, the game control means 102 updates the count information of the difference number of medals in the advantageous section based on the number of inserted medals and the number of paid-out medals, and when it determines that the end condition of the advantageous section is satisfied based on the count information of the difference number of medals, it performs control to end the advantageous section. The count information of the difference number of medals is stored in the main storage means 105, and in the advantageous section, as long as it does not meet the end condition of the advantageous section, the count information of the difference number of medals is updated even if a transition of the game state or the effect state occurs.

[0114] In addition, the game control means 102 performs an initialization process of initializing predetermined information stored in the main storage means 105 based on the end of the advantageous section. In particular, in the present embodiment, among the various information stored in the main storage means 105, the information related to the effect state, the count information related to the number of appearances of the specific winning combination by the specific winning combination counter, the count information of the number of AT games, and the information of the difference number of medals in the advantageous section are initialized by the initialization process accompanying the end of the advantageous section. Therefore, when the initialization process accompanying the end of the advantageous section is performed, unlike the case when the initialization process at the time of setting change is performed, the information related to the lottery flag of the internal lottery and the information related to the game state are not initialized but are retained by the initialization process accompanying the end of the advantageous section. And when the initialization process accompanying the end of the advantageous section is performed, the effect state is initialized to the initial effect state, and the count information related to the number of appearances of the specific winning combination by the specific winning combination counter, the count information of the number of AT games, and the information of the difference number of medals in the advantageous section are initialized to the initial values (for example, 0) and return to the normal section.

[0115] In this embodiment, since the initialization process is executed as the advantageous section ends and the system returns to the normal section, when the end condition based on the count information of the number of remaining cards is satisfied while in the AT state, the AT state will be forcibly terminated by the initialization process accompanying the end of the advantageous section.

[0116] Next, the sub-control unit 200 will be described. The sub-control unit 200 includes an effect control means 201 and a sub-storage means 203.

[0117] The effect control means 201 performs control related to effects using the display unit 501 (for example, the liquid crystal display 20), effects using the speaker 40, and effects using the lamp unit 503 (for example, the outer peripheral lamp 19, etc.) based on the effect data stored in the sub-storage means 202. For example, in response to the occurrence of game events such as an operation on the bed switch 21, operations on the start switch 22 and the stop switches 23a to 23c, and fluctuations in the game state, the lamp or LED is turned on or blinked, the display content of the liquid crystal display 20 is changed, or sound is output from the speaker 40, thereby performing execution control of effects for livening up the game or assisting the game according to the progress of the game.

[0118] When the effect state is the initial effect state or the normal effect state, the effect control means 201 performs control to display a numerical value indicating the number of occurrences of a specific winning combination on the liquid crystal display 20 (an example of a display effect device). In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, a display area 210 for a chance counter indicating the number of occurrences of a specific winning combination is provided in the effect image displayed on the liquid crystal display 20, and each time a minor winning combination 21 in which a specific winning combination appears wins, the displayed numerical value of the chance counter is changed to be incremented by a fixed value (for example, 1). The displayed numerical value of the chance counter is initialized to an initial value (for example, 0) when the effect state shifts to the CZ state or the AT state. Also, the displayed numerical value of the chance counter is initialized when the power of the gaming machine 10 is turned off, and when the power of the gaming machine 10 is turned on, the displayed numerical value of the chance counter becomes the initial value (for example, 0).

[0119] Also, in the present embodiment, regardless of whether the value of the specific winning combination counter (count information regarding the number of occurrences of the specific winning combination) managed on the main control unit 100 side is updated or not, when the small winning combination 21 wins, the displayed numerical value of the chance counter changes. That is, the effect control means 201 performs control to change the displayed numerical value of the chance counter when the small winning combination 21 wins in the initial effect state or the normal effect state, whether in the normal section or the advantageous section.

[0120] Also, when the effect state is the AT state, the effect control means 201 performs control to cause the liquid crystal display 20 and the speaker 40 to execute a winning assistance effect that notifies the correct operation mode at the time of winning of the specific winning mode and assists the winning of the specific small winning combination.

[0121] Also, when the game is being played in the AT state, the effect control means 201 performs control to cause the liquid crystal display 20 to execute a remaining number display effect that displays the remaining number of game times until the end of the AT state. In the remaining number display effect, when the count information of the AT game number is updated by playing the game, the display content is changed so that the remaining number of game times also decreases to reflect the update of the count information.

[0122] Also, in the present embodiment, in the main loop process of the main control unit 100, at least when the reels are rotating, the backlight unit 36 illuminates the symbol display positions of the respective reels to ensure the visibility of the symbols arranged on the respective reels, and the control of the backlight unit 36 is performed so as to turn off or blink at a predetermined timing such as when the reels stop or a winning combination wins.

[0123] In addition, the content of the effect executed in the game is determined according to the command transmitted from the main control unit 100 corresponding to the game state, the effect state, the result of the internal lottery, etc., with respect to the effect lottery table stored in the sub-memory means 203. In the present embodiment, the image data stored in the ROM area of the sub-memory means 203 is read into the image buffer provided in the sub-memory means 203, and an image based on the image data read into the image buffer is output to the liquid crystal display 20. The sound data stored in the ROM area of the sub-memory means 203 is read into the sound buffer provided in the sub-memory means 203, and a sound based on the sound data read into the sound buffer is output from the speaker 40.

[0124] Note that the functional block configuration of the present embodiment can also be applied to a computer system (including a game system). In these systems, the function can be realized by downloading a program that causes a computer to function as the game control means 100 of the present embodiment from an information storage medium such as a CD or DVD or a Web server on the Internet via a network. Also, in the above computer system, the bet switch 21, the start switch 22, the stop switches 23a to 23c, etc. can be realized by virtually assigning their functions to operation means such as a keyboard, a pointing device (such as a mouse), a touch panel, or a controller. Further, in the above computer system, the main display 16, the game medal number display 27, the reel unit 30, etc. are not essential components, and the functions of these units can be virtually realized by controlling the images displayed and output on the display.

[0125] 2. Method of the Present Embodiment In the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, watermelon symbols "WM" are arranged adjacent to each other at positions 8 and 9 and positions 18 and 19 on the first reel 13a. In this embodiment, although the watermelon symbols "WM" at positions 9 and 19 on the first reel 13a may be displayed in the middle stage which is a display position constituting the effective line 15, a method is adopted to determine the stop position of the first reel 13a so that the watermelon symbols "WM" at positions 8 and 18 on the first reel 13a are not displayed at the display positions constituting the effective line 15.

[0126] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20(A), for the first reel 13a, as roles in which the watermelon symbol "WM" constitutes a winning form, minor roles 2, 6, 8, and 10 are provided. When a winning pattern including any one of minor roles 2, 6, 8, or 10 is obtained in the internal lottery, control is sometimes performed to stop the first reel 13a so as to display the watermelon symbol "WM" at the middle display position in response to an operation on the stop switch 23a.

[0127] Minor roles 2, 6, 8, and 10 are included in the winning patterns of batting order bells a2, a6 (minor role 2), batting order bells b2, b6 (minor role 6), batting order bells b4, b8 (minor role 8), and batting order bells c3, c4, c7, c8 (minor role 10), and have the role as specific minor roles (15 - coin minor role, 10 - coin minor role) that win according to the correct batting order. Therefore, it is desired that the stop forms of the first reel 13a to the second reel 13c at the time of winning of the specific minor role are easily understandable to the player that the specific minor role has won.

[0128] For example, taking the minor combination 2 as an example for explanation, when the minor combination 2 wins, as shown in FIG. 20(B), a stop form that displays a bell alignment figure-side combination by a bell symbol (at least one of the bell symbol a "BLa" and the bell symbol b "BLb") linearly on the rising right invalid line composed of the lower part of the first reel 13a, the middle part of the second reel 13b, and the upper part of the third reel 13c can appear. On the other hand, when the minor combination 2 wins, as shown in FIG. 20(C), when the watermelon symbol "WM" of No. 8 or the watermelon symbol "WM" of No. 18 is displayed in the middle part of the first reel 13a with respect to the first reel 13a, a stop form that displays the symbol combination of the bell alignment linearly cannot appear.

[0129] Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the watermelon symbols "WM" on the first reel 13a are arranged with No. 4, No. 9, No. 14, and No. 19 spaced apart by four frames. Regardless of the operation detection position of the stop switch 23a, any of the watermelon symbols "WM" can be displayed in the middle part of the first reel 13a (the display position constituting the effective line 15). That is, the watermelon symbol "WM" of No. 8 and the watermelon symbol "WM" of No. 18 are not essential for displaying the watermelon symbol "WM" in the middle part when the first reel 13a stops.

[0130] Therefore, in the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, the watermelon symbol "WM" of No. 8 and the watermelon symbol "WM" of No. 18 on the first reel 13a are treated as symbols that are not displayed at the display position constituting the effective line 15, and by performing control to determine the stop position of the first reel 13a, when a specific minor combination wins, a stop form that allows the player to easily grasp the winning of the specific minor combination can appear.

[0131] In the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, the watermelon symbol "WM" arranged on the first reel 13a is adopted only for the winning forms of specific minor winning combinations, and is not adopted for the winning forms of single-symbol minor winning combinations corresponding to non-specific minor winning combinations included in the batting order bell. Therefore, when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in an operation order different from the correct batting order when the batting order bell is won, the stop state of the first reel 13a is not affected by the watermelon symbol "WM". That is, it is possible to eliminate the strategy element of inferring the result of the internal lottery based on the difference in the stop state of the first reel 13a.

[0132] In the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, no correct batting order for first stopping the first reel 13a is set in the winning mode of the batting order bell including the minor winning combination 2, minor winning combination 6, minor winning combination 8, or minor winning combination 10 as a specific minor winning combination. If a correct batting order for first stopping the first reel 13a is set in these batting order bells, considering the case where the operation order changes to an order different from the correct batting order after the first reel 13a is first stopped, it becomes necessary to prepare a non-specific minor winning combination (single-symbol minor winning combination) in which the watermelon symbol "WM" is set as a symbol constituting the winning form for the first reel 13a. Thus, in the present embodiment, by using the watermelon symbol "WM" of the first reel 13a only for the symbols constituting the winning forms of specific minor winning combinations, it is possible to secure the degree of freedom regarding the design of the winning forms of non-specific minor winning combinations and the design of the stop control at the time of winning of the batting order bell.

[0133] Thus, in the present embodiment, in the first reel 13a, there is a position where some watermelon symbols "WM" are arranged adjacent to each other. However, for the 8th and 18th watermelon symbols "WM" among some of the watermelon symbols "WM", the stop position of the first reel 13a is determined so that they are not displayed at the display positions constituting the effective line 15 under any circumstances. Also, in the present embodiment, since a plurality of watermelon symbols "WM" are arranged such that any one of the watermelon symbols "WM" can be displayed at the display positions constituting the effective line 15 regardless of the operation detection position of the stop switch 23a in the first reel 13a, even if the control is such that some of the watermelon symbols "WM" in the first reel 13a are not displayed at the display positions constituting the effective line 15, no inconvenience occurs when determining the stop position of the first reel 13a. Therefore, according to the method of the present embodiment, the degree of freedom in designing the gaming machine can be improved.

[0134] In the present embodiment, there is a position in the first reel 13a where two watermelon symbols "WM" are arranged adjacent to each other, but a position where three or more watermelon symbols "WM" are arranged adjacent to each other may be provided. Also, instead of arranging the watermelon symbols "WM" adjacent to each other, symbols that do not constitute the winning form of non-specific small winning combinations can be arranged at the 8th and 18th positions of the first reel 13a. For example, since the cherry symbol "CH" is not assigned as a symbol constituting the winning form of non-specific small winning combinations included in each batting bell with respect to the first reel 13a, at least one of the 8th and 18th positions of the first reel 13a can be the cherry symbol "CH".

[0135] Also, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, as winning modes in which specific outcome can appear, there are batting bells a1, a2, a5, a6, and special winning combinations. However, there are differences in the update of the specific outcome counter, which is count information regarding the number of appearances of the specific outcome, between the special winning combination and the winning modes other than the special winning combination.

[0136] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 21(A), when a special role is elected in the bonus established state and the normal section, the specification is such that the player does not win the advantageous section transition lottery. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 21(B), when a special role is elected in the bonus established state and the normal section, the normal section is maintained without transitioning to the advantageous section, and even if a winning of the minor role 21 accompanied by the display of a specific outcome occurs, the value of the specific outcome counter is not updated. On the other hand, when the batting order bells a1, a2, a5, and a6, in which the display of a specific outcome can occur, are elected, as shown in Fig. 21(A), in the case of the bonus established state and the normal section, since the player can win the advantageous section, the player transitions to the advantageous section by the advantageous section transition process, and as shown in Fig. 21(B), when a winning of the minor role 21 accompanied by the display of a specific outcome occurs, the value of the specific outcome counter is updated. That is, in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, whether or not the number of occurrences of a specific outcome that affects the transition to the CZ state is counted when a winning of the minor role 21 accompanied by the display of a specific outcome occurs differs depending on the winning mode. And since the number of occurrences of the specific outcome is suggested by the display numerical value of the chance counter displayed on the liquid crystal display 20 in the initial effect state and the normal effect state, the player will obtain a sense of expectation regarding the transition to the CZ state by referring to the display numerical value of the chance counter during the game.

[0137] However, even if there is a winning of the minor combination 21 accompanied by the appearance of a specific outcome, if the displayed numerical value of the chance counter shown on the liquid crystal display 20 does not change, the player will be perceived as staying in the normal section. And since it is determined that the next game is also in the normal section because the displayed numerical value of the chance counter shown on the liquid crystal display 20 does not change when there is a winning of the minor combination 21 accompanied by the appearance of a specific outcome, it becomes easier for the player to select a gaming method in which the player can easily obtain electronic medals without incurring demerits by playing the game in the operation order of first stopping the second reel 13b and the third reel 13c. Also, in a gaming specification having an instruction function like the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, when the setting value is changed, it is initialized to the normal state and the normal section. Therefore, when there is a winning of the minor combination 21 accompanied by the appearance of a specific outcome and the displayed numerical value of the chance counter shown on the liquid crystal display 20 does not change, it can be determined that a special combination has won in the bonus establishment state, and it is easily inferred that the setting value has not been changed.

[0138] Also, like the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, for example, when a gaming method of stopping the reels in the operation order of first stopping the second reel 12b and the third reel 13c is advantageous regarding the acquisition of electronic medals, if the player perceives that it is in the normal section, it is impossible to eliminate the strategy element that the player can obtain electronic medals by the gaming method of stopping the reels in the operation order of first stopping the second reel 12b and the third reel 13c without incurring demerits. Tolerating such dishonest gaming methods lacks the fairness of the game.

[0139] Therefore, in the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, when a special combination is won in the normal period and the bonus established state, the transition to the advantageous period does not occur, and the count information regarding the number of appearances of the specific outcome is not updated. However, as shown in FIG. 21(C), the display value of the chance counter displayed on the liquid crystal display 20 is changed. Thus, when the stop operation is performed in the operation order of first stopping the first reel 13a in a game where a special combination is won in the normal period, and a winning of the minor combination 21 accompanied by the display of the specific outcome occurs, in either the case of transitioning to the advantageous period by the advantageous period transition process or the case of not transitioning to the advantageous period without performing the advantageous period process, the inconvenience that the player will recognize that it is the normal period by changing the display value of the chance counter displayed on the liquid crystal display 20 indicating the number of appearances of the specific outcome can be eliminated. That is, according to the method of the present embodiment, the strategic element of winning a specific minor combination (15-piece minor combination or 10-piece minor combination) without relying on the notification of the correct stop order by the instruction function can be eliminated by allowing the player to recognize that it is the normal period, and the fairness of the game can be ensured.

[0140] In the present embodiment, the case of displaying the chance counter on the liquid crystal display 20 has been taken as an example for explanation. However, a dedicated display effect device for suggesting the number of appearances of the specific outcome may be provided on the front door 12 by using a 7-segment display or the like.

[0141] Also, in the present embodiment, since the specific outcome appears when all of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c are stopped, the display value of the chance counter is changed on the condition of the winning of the minor combination 21. However, if the specific outcome is such that it is determined to be the specific outcome by the stop form of the first reel 13a at the time when the first reel 13a is first stopped, the display value of the chance counter may be changed at the time when the first reel 13a stops or at the time when it is released from the state of pressing the stop switch 23a.

[0142] Also, in the advantageous section transition process, when transitioning to the advantageous section, a game specification can be adopted in which the value of the specific outcome counter is not updated. In this case, even if the value of the specific outcome counter is not updated, the displayed numerical value of the chance counter displayed on the liquid crystal display 20 may be changed, or the displayed numerical value of the chance counter displayed on the liquid crystal display 20 may not be changed in accordance with the fact that the value of the specific outcome counter is not updated.

Explanation of Signs

[0143] 10 Gaming machine, 11 Storage box, 12 Front door, 13a First reel, 13b Second reel, 13c Third reel, 14 Display window, 15 Active line, 16 Main display, 18 Sub display, 19 Outer peripheral lamp, 20 Liquid crystal display, 21 Bet switch, 22 Start switch, 23a, 23b, 23c Stop switches, 24 Door key cylinder, 26 Counting switch, 27 Gaming medal number display, 28 Payout switch, 30 Reel unit, 31 Base unit, 32 Support unit, 33 Stepping motor, 34 Reel body, 35 Reel tape, 36 Backlight unit, 37a Upper backlight, 37b Middle backlight, 37c Lower backlight, 40 Speaker, 100 Main control unit, 101 Setting change means, 102 Game control means, 103 Random number generation means, 105 Main memory means, 200 Sub control unit, 201 Effect control means, 203 Sub memory means, 301 Startup mode change switch, 302 Setting change switch, 303 Door open / close switch, 405 Reel index, 501 Display unit, 503 Lamp unit, 600 Medal Quantity Control Unit, 601 Counting Control Means, 603 Medal Information Storage Means, 700 Lending Device Connection Terminal Board, 800 Dedicated Unit, 801 Lending Control Unit, 802 Cash Insertion Unit, 803 Card Insertion Unit, 804 Lending Switch, 805 Return Switch, 806 Game Switch, 807 Frequency Indicator, 808 Acquired Medal Quantity Indicator,

Claims

Claim 1 A plurality of reels having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on their outer circumferential surfaces, Internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery to determine the winning or losing of a hand, Reel control means for rotating the plurality of reels and, upon a stop operation, performing control to stop the rotating reels in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery, A gaming machine in which, when a symbol combination indicating a winning form predetermined for each hand is displayed on an effective line in a state where the plurality of reels have stopped, the hand wins, Among the plurality of reels, in a specific reel, it is arranged so that any one of a plurality of specific symbols can be displayed at a display position on the effective line regardless of the timing of the stop operation, and there is a portion where some of the plurality of specific symbols are arranged adjacent to each other, The reel control means, A gaming machine that determines the stop position of the specific reel so that at least one of the specific symbols among the specific symbols arranged adjacent to each other in the specific reel is not displayed at the display position on the effective line under any circumstances.

Images