Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine that can prevent a decline in merchantability of the game machine.SOLUTION: In a game machine, when the next game of a game in which multiple stop buttons are operated in a second operation mode while the operation mode of the multiple stop buttons that makes it possible to win a winning combination is not suggested is not in an AT standby mode (NO in step S33), the operation mode of the multiple stop buttons that makes it possible to win a winning combination is not suggested. In the game machine, when the next game of a game in which multiple stop buttons are operated in the second operation mode while the operation mode of the multiple stop buttons that makes it possible to win a winning combination is not suggested is the AT standby mode (YES in step S33), the operation mode of the multiple stop buttons that makes it possible to win a winning combination can be suggested.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

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

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

[0003] In the gaming machine described above, by transitioning to an assist time state, which is a presentation state in which a winning assistance effect is executed to assist in the winning of a winning role, the probability of winning a specific role can be varied, making it easier to acquire gaming value.In addition, when a winning assistance effect is not being executed, if multiple stop buttons are operated in an operation sequence that increases the probability of winning the specific role, a configuration is known in which control processing is performed that is disadvantageous to the player across multiple games (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-116444 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In recent years, gaming machines have been required to improve playability by executing a variety of control processes related to instruction functions, including winning assistance control in the assist time state. However, in cases where the gaming machine is configured to be able to execute control processes that are disadvantageous to the player, as in the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, there is a risk that the execution of control processes related to instruction functions that are carried out to improve playability will be suppressed by the control processes that are disadvantageous to the player, which could reduce playability and the marketability of the gaming machine.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can prevent the marketability of the gaming machine from declining. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to a reel system including: Multiple stop buttons and an internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery; a control means for performing control related to the instruction function, the plurality of reels includes a specific reel, the plurality of stop buttons includes a specific stop button corresponding to the specific reel, the operation modes of the plurality of stop buttons include a first operation mode and a second operation mode; The first operation mode is an operation mode in which the specific stop button is operated first (for example, batting order 1, batting order 2, paragraph

[0170] , FIG. 6), The second operation mode is an operation mode in which a stop button different from the specific stop button is first operated (for example, batting order 3 to batting order 6, paragraph

[0170] , Figure 6), When the instruction function is not activated, an expected value of game value to be acquired when a game is played by operating the plurality of stop buttons in the first operation mode is lower than an expected value of game value to be acquired when a game is played by operating the plurality of stop buttons in the second operation mode, The control means is capable of controlling a first control state (e.g., a normal state, a CZ state, a first AT state, a second AT state, paragraph

[0253] , FIG. 12) and a second control state (e.g., an AT standby state, paragraphs

[0253] -

[0255] ,

[0271] , FIG. 12), When the operation mode of the plurality of stop buttons that makes it possible to win a winning combination is not suggested and the plurality of stop buttons are operated in the second operation mode, if the next game of the game is in the first control state, the operation mode of the plurality of stop buttons that makes it possible to win a winning combination is not suggested, When the operation mode of the plurality of stop buttons that makes it possible to win a winning combination is not suggested and the next game of the game in which the plurality of stop buttons are operated in the second operation mode is in the second control state, the operation mode of the plurality of stop buttons that makes it possible to win a winning combination can be suggested. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can prevent the marketability of the gaming machine from decreasing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating the functional blocks of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing winning areas that can be won by internal lottery in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, winning combinations included in each winning area, and winning combination groups that include each winning area. [Figure 4] (A) is a state transition diagram of the game state in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention, and (B) is a transition diagram relating to the normal area and advantageous area controlled by the AT control means, and the presentation state during the advantageous area. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing game results for each batting order when a winning area including a small win is won in a non-RT state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing game results for each batting order when a winning area including a small win is won in the RBB internal state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing game results for each batting order when a winning area including a small win is won in the RBB state in the gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing the process of setting an upper limit on the number of payouts in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10 is a table summarizing the small winning combinations that are awarded based on winnings for each game state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] A flowchart showing the processing related to updating the AT high probability counter executed by the AT control means in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for transmitting information indicating a winning combination group executed by a main control CPU in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 12 is a sub-flowchart showing the processing related to the transmission of a winning auxiliary command executed by the AT control means in the processing of step S24 in the processing related to the transmission of the winning combination group shown in FIG. [Figure 13] This is a diagram illustrating an example in which a replay navigation effect is executed when the stored value of the AT high probability counter is the value "0" in an gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] (A) is a diagram illustrating a case where the first stop operation suggestion is executed when the stored value of the AT high probability counter is the value "0" in the AT standby state in an gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a diagram illustrating a case where the correct batting order notification is executed when the stored value of the AT high probability counter is the value "0" in the AT standby state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Note that the embodiment described below does not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the embodiment are necessarily essential components of the present invention. Furthermore, in the following description, the side toward the player (nearby) will be referred to as "front" and the opposite side as "rear."

[0011] 1. Overview of the gaming machine configuration FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior configuration of a slot machine 1 according to this embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment is a so-called reel-type gaming machine, and is configured as a medal-less gaming machine in which gaming value available to a player is recorded electromagnetically based on a lending signal output from an external device provided outside the slot machine 1 and configured to electromagnetically lend and settle electronic medals that constitute gaming value, and a dedicated unit SU (see FIG. 2) serving as a specific unit. The slot machine 1 is configured to store information on the number of recorded electronic medals as the number of gaming medals and to transmit the stored number of gaming medals to the dedicated unit SU. The dedicated unit SU records the number of gaming medals received from the slot machine 1 on a recording medium such as an IC card and dispenses it to settle the electronic medals.

[0012] The slot machine 1 of this embodiment is housed in a box-shaped cabinet consisting of a cabinet BX, an upper front door UD, and a lower front door DD, and houses a reel unit RU consisting of a left reel R1 to a right reel R3 as multiple reels. The cabinet of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment also houses a control board that is equipped with a CPU, ROM (an example of an information storage medium), RAM, etc. and controls the operation of the slot machine 1.

[0013] The outer periphery of each of the left reel R1 to right reel R3 shown in Figure 1 is divided into 20 areas (hereinafter, each area will be referred to as a "frame") at regular intervals, and one of several types of patterns is arranged in each frame.

[0014] The upper front door UD and the lower front door DD can be opened and closed separately. The upper front door UD is provided with a display device 410 as a display means for displaying various videos and images to assist and enhance the game. The display device 410 has a display area 410a for displaying images, and a specific area 410b facing the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 is made up of a transparent liquid crystal display. The display device 410 is configured so that the spinning and stopped states of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 can be observed through the display device 410. When the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are stopped, three consecutive symbols (top, middle, and bottom symbols) arranged on the outer periphery of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 can be observed from the front of the slot machine 1 through the display device 410. Among the multiple types of symbols arranged at regular intervals on the outer periphery of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, three symbols arranged consecutively on the outer periphery can be observed through the display device 410.

[0015] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, each reel is provided with an upper row, a middle row, and a lower row as display positions for observing symbols through the display device 410, and an activated line L1 is set for an activated line formed by a combination of the display positions of each reel. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the number of electronic medals required for one game, the so-called specified number (specified number), is set to three (first specified number) or two (second specified number), and when electronic medals equivalent to the specified number are inserted, the activated line L1 formed by the middle row of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 is activated.

[0016] The game result is determined by the symbol combination stopped and displayed on the valid line L1 (valid line), and if the symbol combination on the valid line L1 is a symbol combination corresponding to a predetermined role, that role is considered to have won, and control according to the winning role is executed.

[0017] The lower front door DD is provided with various operating means, such as a max bet button MB as an inserting operation means for setting the electronic medals stored in the slot machine 1 to an inserted state, a start lever SL as a game start operation means for allowing the player to perform a start operation that triggers the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 to spin and start a game, stop buttons B1 to B3 as stop operation means for allowing the player to perform a stop operation that triggers the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 that are driven to rotate by a stepping motor, a counting button KB as a counting operation means for transmitting the number of game medals stored in the slot machine 1 to the dedicated unit SU, and a settlement button AB for performing a settlement operation that cancels the inserted state and returns the electronic medals that have been set to the inserted state to the medal count counter 311 (see FIG. 2).

[0018] Furthermore, the lower front door DD is provided with a main control display device 10D controlled by the CPU of the main control board 10 (see FIG. 2). The main control display device 10D is made up of a 7-segment display or the like, and displays various game information such as information on the winning combination in the current game, and information (alert display) suggesting how to press stop button B1, stop button B2, and stop button B3 related to the payout of electronic medals. The alert display displayed on the main control display device 10D corresponds to a winning combination command, which is a control signal created based on winning information, which is information on the winning combination in the current game, when a specified number of electronic medals are inserted and the start lever SL is operated.

[0019] In addition, the front lower door DD is provided with a game medal count display device MD controlled by a medal count control CPU 31 (see Figure 2). The game medal count display device MD is made up of a 7-segment display or the like, and functions as a conceptual receptacle by displaying the number of game medals stored in the slot machine 1.

[0020] The front lower door DD is provided with a plurality of sound devices 420 for producing sound effects. The sound devices 420 output a variety of sounds to assist and liven up the game.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment has, as control boards, a main control board 10, a sub-control board 20, and a medal count control board 30. The main control board 10 has a main control CPU 11 (game control means) that controls the progress of the game by controlling the game played using game values. The sub-control board 20 has a sub-control CPU 21 that controls the presentation related to the game. The medal count control board 30 has a medal count control CPU 31 that manages electronic medals and controls the number of game medals by being configured to be able to communicate with the dedicated unit SU.

[0022] The main control CPU 11 functions as setting change means 100, deposit acceptance means 105, random number generation means 110, internal lottery means 120, reel control means 130, winning determination means 140, payout control means 150, game state transition control means 160, assist time control means (AT control means) 170, and complete control means 180. Each means constituting the main control CPU 11 reads out and executes each control program stored in advance in main storage means 190 when executing each control process.

[0023] The setting change means 100 performs control (setting change control) to change the setting values ​​stored in the setting value storage means 191 of the main storage means 190. The setting change means 100 operates when a setting key is inserted into a setting key cylinder KC provided on the main control board 10 and the setting key is turned, turning on the setting change switch SS provided inside the setting key cylinder KC. When the power is turned on with the setting change switch SS in the ON state, the setting change means 100 transitions to a setting change permitted state in which setting changes are permitted. On the other hand, the setting change means 100 is configured not to transition to the setting change permitted state when the setting change switch SS is in the ON state while the power is on.

[0024] In the setting change permitted state, the setting change means 100 cyclically changes the setting value in the order of Setting 1 → Setting 2 →... → Setting 6 → Setting 1 →... each time it receives an input signal output by operating the setting change button BS provided on the power supply device, and determines the setting value based on receiving a start signal output by operating the start lever SL. In the slot machine 1, the winning probability of some of the winning areas that can be won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is changed according to the setting value determined in the setting value storage means 191. In other words, the setting change means 100 is configured to be able to change the setting value, which is a value that can change the winning probability of a combination in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120.

[0025] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the setting change control is executed by the setting change means 100, the control relating to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 160 and the control relating to the advantageous zone executed by the AT control means 170 are configured to be initialized, the game state is set to a non-replay time (hereinafter, replay time is also referred to as "RT") state described later, and the control relating to the instruction function executed by the AT control means 170 before the setting change is also initialized and a normal zone is set. Meanwhile, in the slot machine 1, when the power supply to the main control CPU 11 is cut off (power interruption) and then the power supply is resumed, the control relating to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 160 and the control relating to the advantageous zone executed by the AT control means 170 are configured to be resumed from the state before the power interruption, and the control relating to the instruction function executed by the AT control means 170 before the power interruption is also configured to be maintained in the state before the power interruption.

[0026] The deposit acceptance means 105 accepts an input signal output when the max bet button MB is operated (bet operation) while a number of game medals equal to or greater than a specified number is stored in the medal number counter 311 described below during the deposit acceptance period for accepting the deposit of electronic medals, and sets the electronic medals stored in the medal number counter 311 to an inserted state up to the specified number set for each game state, and performs processing to enable the game start operation on the start lever SL based on the fact that electronic medals equivalent to the specified number have been set to the inserted state.

[0027] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the first pressing of the start lever SL, which is enabled based on the setting of the inserted state of electronic medals equivalent to the specified number, is accepted as a game start operation by the player, which triggers the start of rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 and also triggers the internal lottery means 120, which will be described later, to execute an internal lottery. The specified number set for each game state will be described later in detail.

[0028] In addition, the deposit acceptance means 105 accepts an input signal output when the settlement button AB is operated during the period from when the electronic medals are set to the inserted state until the start lever SL is operated to cancel the inserted state and adds the same number of electronic medals set to the inserted state to the number of game medals stored in the medal number counter 311, thereby settling the electronic medals set to the inserted state.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0035] The reel control means 130 executes reel rotation control, which starts the rotation of the left reels R1 to R3 and controls the rotation pattern of the left reels R1 to R3, based on the player's start operation of the start lever SL and the output of a start signal. Furthermore, when the left reels R1 to R3 are in a steady rotation state at a predetermined speed (e.g., approximately 80 rpm), the reel control means 130 executes control to validate a stop operation by operating the stop buttons B1 to B3 corresponding to each reel. When the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop and a reel stop signal is output, the reel control means 130 executes control (reel stop control) to stop each of the left reels R1 to R3 corresponding to the stop button B1 to B3 that was operated to stop.

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

[0037] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are stopped by the time a predetermined period of 190 ms (milliseconds, msec) has elapsed since the time when the stop button B1 to B3 is pressed. In the following description, pressing the stop button B1 to B3 is also referred to as an operation. The slot machine 1 may be configured to output a stop signal not only when the stop button B1 to B3 is pressed, but also when, for example, an operation of pressing the stop button B1 to B3 and then releasing the pressed stop button B1 to B3 is performed.

[0038] Here, when the rotating reels are stopped within 190 ms from the time the stop button is pressed, the stop position of each rotating reel is configured to be able to rotate a maximum of four frames from the time the stop button is pressed until the reel stops, depending on the diameter and rotation speed of each reel. Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, a total of five frames from the frame displayed on the pay line L1 at the time the stop button is pressed until the reel stops are the range (pull-in range) in which symbols can be pulled onto the pay line L1.

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

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

[0041] The winning determination means 140 performs a winning determination process to determine whether or not a winning combination has been achieved based on the stopping patterns of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Specifically, by referring to the winning determination table stored in the winning determination table storage means 195 of the main storage means 190, it determines whether or not the symbol combination displayed on the pay line L1 when all of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have stopped is a winning form for each predetermined winning combination. The winning determination table is prepared so that the presence or absence of a bonus, replay, or small winning combination can be determined (hereinafter referred to as "winning determination") based on the symbol combination displayed on the pay line L1 when each reel has stopped. In the following description, the symbol combination that indicates the winning form of a winning combination will also be referred to as the "winning symbol combination."

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

[0043] The payout control means 150 performs a payout process for paying out electronic medals according to the game results. Specifically, when a small winning combination is achieved, the payout number of electronic medals in the game is determined based on the payout amount predetermined for each combination, and the number of game medals corresponding to the determined payout number is added to the medal number counter 311 to virtually pay out the medals.

[0044] Furthermore, when the winning determination means 140 determines that a symbol combination indicating a winning replay among a plurality of types of replay roles described later has been stopped and displayed on the pay line L1, and the replay wins, the payout control means 150 performs a replay process (replay process) to set the machine to a ready state in which the next game can be played without inserting electronic medals. That is, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed to automatically insert a specified number of electronic medals without using the electronic medals in the player's possession, and the machine waits for the start operation of the start lever SL to be performed next time, with the same pay line L1 as in the previous game set.

[0045] In addition, in the slot machine 1, during the period from the game in which a replay is won until the start of the next game, i.e., during the period in which a specified number of electronic medals are automatically inserted by the replay process but the game has not started, even if the settlement button AB is operated, the number of game medals equal to the specified number will not be added to the medal number counter 311.

[0046] The game state transition control means 160 performs a process for transitioning game states between multiple game states and a process for activation and termination of bonuses. Here, the transition condition for each game state may be one condition or multiple conditions. When multiple conditions are defined, the game state can be transitioned to another game state based on the fulfillment of any one of the multiple predetermined conditions or the fulfillment of all of the multiple predetermined conditions.

[0047] The AT control means 170 uses data stored in the AT control data storage means 196 to control the transition between an advantageous zone (advantageous period), which is a zone (period) in which control related to instruction functions including auxiliary games that display notifications on the main control display device 10D to assist in winning specific roles, can be executed, and a normal zone (non-advantageous period), which is a zone (period) in which control related to auxiliary games (control related to instruction functions) based on the results of internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 cannot be executed, and constitutes an auxiliary game control means (control means that performs control related to instruction functions) that performs control related to the normal zone, advantageous zone, and auxiliary games.

[0048] The AT control data storage means 196 stores data (various flags, counters, etc. that are set to ON or OFF by specified control processing) used in various controls related to multiple types of presentation states, including normal states and AT states, that are executed within the advantageous zone.

[0049] The AT control means 170 sets the presentation state to the AT state (assist time state) under predetermined conditions in the advantageous zone, and displays information (an example of operation instruction information) corresponding to the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3 that makes it possible to win the specific role that has been won on the main control display device 10D consisting of a 7-segment display, thereby performing an operation notification to assist in the winning of the specific role. Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, when the operation notification by the AT control means 170 is executed, the presentation control means 200, which will be described later, executes a navigation presentation in which an indicator corresponding to the correct batting order is displayed on the display device 410. In this way, in the slot machine 1, in the AT state, the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is notified by the operation notification and the winning assistance of the navigation presentation, thereby executing an auxiliary game (AT game, notification game) that is advantageous to the player.

[0050] More specifically, when a predetermined termination condition for terminating the advantageous zone, which will be described later, is met, the AT control means 170 executes a predetermined termination process that terminates the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game, and a predetermined initialization process that initializes information related to the advantageous zone, such as various flags and numerical values ​​set within the advantageous zone.

[0051] The AT control means 170 executes an update process (advantageous zone difference number update process) that cumulatively records in the advantageous zone counter 196a the difference value (difference in number of medals, number of medals won) obtained by subtracting the number of electronic medals paid out by the number of electronic medals inserted from the game that started the advantageous zone. When the AT control means 170 is in control of the advantageous zone, regardless of the game state, it executes advantageous zone difference number update process that cumulatively updates the value stored in the advantageous zone counter 196a to a value equivalent to the difference in number of electronic medals.

[0052] Furthermore, in the advantageous zone difference number update process, when the stored value of the advantageous zone counter 196a is subtracted because the number of electronic medals paid out in the game is less than the specified number, the AT control means 170 also sets the subtracted result in the advantageous zone counter 196a even if the stored value of the advantageous zone counter 196a becomes less than the value "0." In other words, the AT control means 170 is configured to be able to set a negative value in the advantageous zone counter 196a.

[0053] When more than 2400 electronic medals are won in the advantageous zone, that is, when the value stored in the advantageous zone counter 196a exceeds the value "2400," the AT control means 170 determines that a specific termination condition has been met as a predetermined termination condition for ending the advantageous zone, and executes a predetermined termination process that ends the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game. Therefore, in the slot machine 1, for example, if the value stored in the advantageous zone counter 196a is a negative value of "-900" before the transition to a presentation state in which electronic medals can be won, a total of 3301 electronic medals can be won in the presentation state in which electronic medals can be won: 900 medals until the value stored in the advantageous zone counter 196a becomes "0" and 2401 medals until the value stored in the advantageous zone counter 196a becomes "2401" or more.

[0054] In a predetermined initialization process, the AT control means 170 initializes all information used in various control processes in the advantageous zone, such as each flag set to ON in the advantageous zone and values ​​set in the advantageous zone. Note that the AT control means 170 can also end the advantageous zone when a predetermined end condition (normal end condition) other than the specific end condition is met, and also executes the predetermined initialization process and predetermined end process when the normal end condition is met. Details of the normal end condition set by the AT control means 170 in this embodiment will be described later.

[0055] The complete control means 180 controls the activation of a complete function, which is a function that stops the slot machine 1 when the cumulative number of electronic medals won since the slot machine 1 was powered on reaches a predetermined value (for example, 19,000 medals). The complete control means 180 executes an update process (complete acquired number update process) that cumulatively records the difference value (number of medals difference, number of medals won) obtained by subtracting the number of electronic medals paid out in each game by the number of electronic medals inserted into the medal acquired number counter 197a of the complete storage means 197. Note that the complete control means 180 does not update the stored value of the medal acquired number counter 197a when a replay wins.

[0056] In a complete winning number update process that updates the stored value of the earned medal counter 197a, if the stored value of the earned medal counter 197a becomes less than the value "0" when the stored value of the earned medal counter 197a is subtracted because the number of electronic medals paid out in the game is less than the specified number, the complete control means 180 sets the stored value of the earned medal counter 197a to the value "0." This allows the complete control means 180 to fix the value when the stored value of the earned medal counter 197a reaches its lowest point to the value "0." Therefore, in the control process that uses the stored value of the earned medal counter 197a, it is not necessary to vary the value that serves as the judgment threshold depending on the specific numerical value at the lowest point, and the load of the control process that uses the stored value of the earned medal counter 197a can be reduced.

[0057] The complete control means 180 determines that the conditions for activating the complete function are met when the number of medals acquired from the lowest point of the number of electronic medals paid out after the slot machine 1 is turned on reaches 19,000, that is, when the stored value of the medal acquisition number counter 197a reaches the value "19,000."

[0058] When none of the Regular Bonus (RB) as a first type special feature, the Regular Big Bonus (RBB) as a feature continuous operation device related to the first type special feature, and the Challenge Big Bonus (CBB) as a feature continuous operation device related to the second type special feature is operating, the complete control means 180 activates the complete function after the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop and the left reel R1 to right reel R3 are stopped in a game in which the conditions for activating the complete function are met, based on the establishment of the conditions for activating the complete function.

[0059] On the other hand, when any of RB, RBB or CBB is activated, the complete control means 180 activates the complete function after the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop and the left reel R1 to right reel R3 stop in a game in which the activated RB, RBB or CBB has ended.

[0060] When the complete function is activated, the complete control means 180 sets the complete function activation flag stored in the complete flag storage means 197b of the complete storage means 197 to the ON state. When the complete function activation flag is set to the ON state, the slot machine 1 enters a play-stop state, and no further play can be performed until the complete function activation flag is set to the OFF state. The complete function activation flag that has been set to the ON state is reset to the OFF state by opening the upper front door UD of the slot machine 1 and operating the setting change button BS provided inside. With this configuration, when the complete function is activated, the slot machine 1 is configured so that the complete function cannot be released by an operation by the player.

[0061] The sub-control CPU 21 functions as the performance control means 200. Each means constituting the sub-control CPU 21 reads out and executes each control program stored in advance in the sub-storage means 210 when executing each control process.

[0062] The effect control means 200 controls effects related to the game, such as image and video effects using the display device 410 and sound effects using the sound device 420, based on the effect data stored in the effect control data storage means 211 of the sub-storage means 210. Specifically, when a player operates each component of the slot machine 1, such as the max bet button MB, the start lever SL, the stop buttons B1 to B3, or the count button KB, or when a game event such as a change in the game state occurs, the effect control means 200 controls the execution of effects to liven up the game, assist the game, and notify the player that an operation has been performed, by executing effects such as lighting or flashing of lamps and LEDs and sound output from the sound device 420. In addition, the effect control means 200 causes each component of the effect device 400 to execute effects based on each effect state.

[0063] Furthermore, when executing control related to images and videos, the performance control means 200 draws them on the corresponding layers among the multiple layers provided in the sub-storage means 210. The performance control means 200 superimposes the images drawn on the multiple layers into a single image in the frame buffer 213 provided in the sub-storage means 210, and displays the superimposed image in the display area 410a of the display device 410. When drawing images in the frame buffer 213, the performance control means 200 draws the images drawn on the lower layers in the frame buffer 213 in order, so that images drawn on the higher layers are displayed in the display area 410a in priority to images drawn on the lower layers.

[0064] The medal count control CPU 31 functions as medal count control means 300. Each means constituting the medal count control CPU 31 reads out and executes each control program stored in advance in the medal count storage means 310 when executing each control process.

[0065] The medal count control means 300 is configured to be able to transmit signals to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40, and is also configured to be able to receive signals transmitted from the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40. The medal count control CPU 31 stores the number of game medals, which is the total number of electronic medals that can be used for games in the slot machine 1, using a medal count counter 311, and displays the number of game medals stored in the medal count counter 311 on the game medal number display device MD.

[0066] The medal count control means 300 mainly updates (adds or subtracts) the number of game medals stored (held) in the medal count counter 311 in response to commands received from the main control board 10, notifications received from the dedicated unit SU, or operation of the count button KB incorporating the count switch 126. The medal count control means 300 also displays the number of game medals updated in this way on the game medal number display device MD.

[0067] Specifically, when the counting button KB is operated while play is possible, the medal count control means 300 transmits a value corresponding to the number of game medals stored in the medal count counter 311 to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40, and subtracts the number of medals corresponding to the transmitted value from the medal count counter 311. Here, "while play is possible" means a state in which the gaming machine and the dedicated unit SU are electrically connected, both the gaming machine and the dedicated unit SU are powered on, neither the gaming machine nor the dedicated unit SU is undergoing maintenance, and no errors that prevent play from occurring. Furthermore, when the slot machine 1 is not connected to the dedicated unit SU, the slot machine 1 controls the counting button KB so that the stored value of the medal count counter 311 is not decremented by operation of the counting button KB, thereby preventing a situation in which a signal is not sent to the dedicated unit SU even though the stored value of the medal count counter 311 has been decremented.

[0068] If the count button KB is pressed for less than 500 ms, the medal count control means 300 transmits the value "1" corresponding to 1 medal to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40, and decrements the stored value of the medal count counter 311 by the value "1." Also, if the count button KB is pressed for 500 ms or more, the medal count control means 300 transmits the value "50" corresponding to 50 medals to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40 at the timing of counting after 500 ms has elapsed, and decrements the stored value of the medal count counter 311 by the value "50." Thereafter, every time 300 ms has elapsed while the count button KB is pressed, the medal count control means 300 transmits the value "50" corresponding to 50 medals to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40, and decrements the stored value of the medal count counter 311 by the value "50." Furthermore, if the stored value of the medal count counter 311 is less than the value "50" when 500 ms or more has elapsed since the counting button KB was pressed, the medal count control means 300 transmits a value corresponding to the stored value of the medal count counter 311 to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40, and subtracts the value corresponding to the stored value from the stored value of the medal count counter 311, thereby setting the stored value of the medal count counter 311 to the value "0".

[0069] When the stored value of the medal count counter 311 becomes equal to or greater than the value "16369," the medal count control means 300 determines that a medal overflow has occurred, in which the number of game medals stored exceeds 16368, which is the limit set for storage in the slot machine 1. In the slot machine 1, a medal overflow error occurs based on the determination that a medal overflow has occurred, and when the count button KB is operated to count the number of game medals stored in the medal count counter 311 and the stored value of the medal count counter 311 becomes equal to or less than the value "16368," the medal overflow error is canceled.

[0070] When the power is turned on with a medal count clear button CL provided inside the gaming machine pressed, the medal count control means 300 initializes the medal count counter 311 and clears (initializes) the medal count by setting the stored value of the medal count counter 311 to the value "0." This allows the slot machine 1 to initialize, when the power is turned on, the information on the number of medals remaining in the medal count counter 311 before the power was turned off.

[0071] 2. Configuration of the gaming machine in this embodiment Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 14, details of each component of the slot machine 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0072] <Control of the specified number by the input receiving means> In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, during a deposit acceptance period in which the deposit acceptance means 105 accepts the deposit of electronic medals, when the max bet button MB is operated (bet operation) with the number of game medals stored in the medal number counter 311 being equal to or greater than a specified number, input signals equal to the specified number set for each game state are output. Each time an input signal is input, the deposit acceptance means 105 adds a value of "1" corresponding to one electronic medal to the deposit number storage means 198 of the main storage means 190, and continues to add values ​​to the deposit number storage means 198 up to the specified number set for each game state.

[0073] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the specified number for the non-RT state and the RBB internal state is set to three (first specified number), and for the RBB state, the specified number is set to two (second specified number).

[0074] In other words, when the gaming state is a non-RT state or an RBB internal state, the input acceptance means 105 stores a value "3" in the input number storage means 198 based on the input signal being input three times by operating the max bet button MB when three or more gaming medals are stored in the medal count counter 311. Also, when the gaming state is an RBB state, the input acceptance means 105 stores a value "2" in the input number storage means 198 based on the input signal being input two times by operating the max bet button MB when two or more gaming medals are stored in the medal count counter 311.

[0075] <Winning areas subject to internal lottery> 3 is a diagram showing the winning areas that are the subject of the internal lottery in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, and the winning numbers, winning combinations, and winning combination groups that are associated with each winning area. Note that the slot machine 1 of this embodiment has an RBB as a bonus, which is a device for continuously operating a special combination related to a first-class special combination.

[0076] 3, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the winning areas that are the subject of the internal lottery include the winning area "all small roles", the winning area "all 1-coin roles", the winning area "Replay 1" to the winning area "Replay 4", the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4", the winning area "Rare role", the winning area "RBB & 1-coin role 1" to the winning area "RBB & 1-coin role 3", and the winning area "RBB", and the winning numbers 1 to 15 are associated with these areas, respectively. In addition, in the slot machine 1, the winning number 0 is associated with a non-winning (miss) result as a result of the internal lottery.

[0077] Here, "batting order" refers to the order in which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated. In the following description, the timing at which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated will also be referred to as "operation timing."

[0078] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the batting order, which is the order in which the three stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated, is comprised of six types of batting orders, batting order 1 to batting order 6. Batting order 1 is a batting order in which the stop operation is performed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B2 → stop button B3, which is called a "sequential pressing" batting order. Batting order 2 is a batting order in which the stop operation is performed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B3 → stop button B2, which is called a "scissors hitting" batting order. Batting order 3 is a batting order in which the stop operation is performed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B1 → stop button B3. Batting order 4 is a batting order in which the stop operation is performed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B3 → stop button B1. Batting order 5 is a batting order in which the stop operation is performed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B1 → stop button B2. Batting order 6 is a batting order called reverse pressing, in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B2 → stop button B1.

[0079] In the random number determination process, the internal lottery means 120 determines whether each winning area is a winner in order from the winning area associated with the winning number 15 to the non-winning area associated with the winning number 0.

[0080] The slot machine 1 of this embodiment has small role 1 to small role 8 as small roles that can be won if the internal lottery is won, and has Replay 1 to Replay 3 as replays that can be won in the internal lottery. Each small role and each replay is associated with each winning area by the combination shown in FIG. 3. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, in the slot machine 1, winning areas "RBB&1 coin role 1" to "RBB&1 coin role 3" are set as winning areas that include bonuses and small roles, and winning area "RBB" is set as a winning area that includes only bonuses.

[0081] In the slot machine 1, the winning probability for the winning area "Replay 2" is set lower than that for the winning area "Replay 1." Also, in the slot machine 1, the winning probability for the winning area "Rare Role" is set lower than that for each winning area including the small roles of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" and the winning areas "RBB & 1 Coin Role 1" to "RBB & 1 Coin Role 3."

[0082] Here, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the role associated with the carryover flag is RBB, and the small role and replay are associated with the non-carryover flag. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, when a winning area including RBB is won in the internal lottery, a process is performed to carry over the established state of the lottery flag of the winning RBB until the RBB is won. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 performs an internal lottery to determine whether the small role and replay will be won or not, even in a game in which the established state of the lottery flag of RBB is carried over. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, when a small role or replay is won in a game in which the established state of the lottery flag of RBB is carried over, lottery flags corresponding to two or more roles consisting of the lottery flag of the already-won RBB and the lottery flag of the small role or replay won in the internal lottery are set to an established state.

[0083] The winning role group shown in Fig. 3 is a grouping of multiple winning areas that have the same type of winning role (replay, small role, bonus), function in the progress of the game, probability of being awarded game profit (transition to advantageous zone, transition to CZ state, transition to AT state, etc.). For example, the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 4", which are associated with winning numbers 4 to 7, and the winning area "RBB & 1-piece role 1" to winning area "RBB & 1-piece role 3", which will be described in more detail later, are grouped as winning role group 1 because they are winning areas that have the same function in the progress of the game.

[0084] For example, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" is won, the main control CPU 11 transmits information indicating the winning role group 1 to the sub-control board 20, rather than information that enables the sub-control CPU 21 to grasp the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3 that make it possible to win the small role 1 (information indicating that the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" among the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" has been won).

[0085] In addition, when the main control CPU 11 wins the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" and notifies or suggests the operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3 that will enable small win 1 to be won, the main control CPU 11 is configured to send to the sub-control board 20 a winning auxiliary command that includes information that allows the sub-control CPU 21 to grasp the operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3 that will enable small win 1 to be won, in addition to the information indicating the winning role group 1.

[0086] In this way, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the main control CPU 11 can control whether or not to send a winning assistance command, thereby controlling whether or not to execute a winning assistance command when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won, and when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won, the operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3 that enables the winning of minor role 1 cannot be determined from the information indicating winning role group 1 that the main control CPU 11 sends to the sub-control board 20.

[0087] As a result, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won and the main control CPU 11 does not send a winning assistance command, fraudulent acts such as so-called cheating can be committed and information sent from the main control CPU 11 to the sub-control board 20 can be fraudulently obtained, and even if information indicating that it is winning role group 1 is obtained, the operation mode of stop button B1 to stop button B3 that makes it possible to win small role 1 cannot be determined, and it is possible to prevent small role 1 from being fraudulently won.

[0088] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" is won and the main control CPU 11 does not send a winning assistance command, the slot machine 1 transmits information indicating a winning role group 1 common to the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4". Therefore, in a state in which the sub-control board 20 does not require information to identify which of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" the winning area is, it is sufficient to prepare information indicating the winning role group 1 grouped in the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 4", as the information to be transmitted from the main control CPU 11, and the amount of data required for the information to be transmitted from the main control CPU 11 to the sub-control board 20 can be reduced.

[0089] <Internal lottery table> The slot machine 1 of this embodiment stores, as internal lottery tables that are lottery tables used in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120, an internal lottery table used in the non-RT state (normal state) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table A), an internal lottery table used in the RBB internal state (internal state) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table B), and an internal lottery table used in the RBB state (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table C) in the internal lottery table storage means 192. In each of the internal lottery tables A to C, a lottery value number is associated with each winning area that is the subject of the lottery.

[0090] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the internal lottery table A corresponds 65,536 lottery values ​​to any of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4", winning area "Rare Role", winning area "Replay 1" to winning area "Replay 4", winning area "RBB & 1 Coin Role 1" to winning area "RBB & 1 Coin Role 3", and winning area "RBB", and is configured to win any of the small role, replay, or bonus in the internal lottery.

[0091] In addition, the internal lottery table B is configured so that the 65,536 lottery values ​​correspond to any of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4", the winning area "Rare Role", the winning area "Replay 1" to "Replay 4", and the winning area "RBB & 1 Coin Role 1" to "RBB & 1 Coin Role 3", and is configured to win either a small role, a replay, or a bonus in the internal lottery.

[0092] In the internal lottery table A and the internal lottery table B, the number of lottery values ​​associated with the winning area "RBB" in the internal lottery table A is associated with the winning area "Replay 2" in the internal lottery table B. The winning probability of each winning area other than the winning area "Replay 2" and the winning area "RBB" in the internal lottery table A is the same as the winning probability of each winning area other than the winning area "Replay 2" in the internal lottery table B. Specifically, for example, the winning probability of the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" in the internal lottery table A is the same as the winning probability of the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" in the internal lottery table B.

[0093] The internal lottery table C is configured so that 65536 lottery value numbers correspond to either the winning area "all small roles" or the winning area "all 1-piece roles", and is configured to win a small role in the internal lottery. Also, in the internal lottery using the internal lottery table C, the probability of winning each of the small roles 1 to 8 is higher than the probability of winning each of the small roles 1 to 8 in the internal lottery using the internal lottery table A or the internal lottery table B.

[0094] Due to this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that there will be no loss (miss) in the internal lottery in any of the gaming states, namely the non-RT state, the RBB internal state, and the RBB state.

[0095] <Random number determination process> In the random number determination process, the internal lottery means 120 of this embodiment sequentially subtracts the random number obtained from the random number generation means 110 by the lottery value numbers associated with each winning area in the internal lottery table obtained from the internal lottery table storage means 192, and when the result of the subtraction is a negative value, it determines that the winning area corresponding to the subtracted lottery value number has been won. Also, when the result of the subtraction is a positive value after completing the subtraction of all the lottery value numbers stored in the internal lottery table, it determines that no winning combination has been won, that is, that the player has not won.

[0096] <Reel control means> In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in any game state, the priority order of the winning combinations to be stopped on the pay line L1 in the reel stop control is determined in the order of "replay > small combination > bonus." In other words, when a bonus and a small combination or a bonus and a replay are both won, the reel control means 130 executes stop control to give priority to the bonus and win the small combination or replay.

[0097] Furthermore, as described above, the reel control means 130 is configured to be able to rotate the reels a maximum of four frames from the time the stop button is pressed until the reels stop, and is therefore configured to be able to stop and display the symbols arranged on the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 that are arranged at intervals of four frames or less on the activated line L1 regardless of the timing of pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0098] Furthermore, when the start lever SL detects a start operation and receives a start signal output from a start switch built into the start lever SL, the reel control means 130 starts the rotation of the left reels R1 to R3 and starts one game, and then sets (sets) a waiting time (approximately 4.1 seconds), generally referred to as a wait (or wait time), in a wait timer (not shown) in the main storage means 190 based on the start of rotation of the left reels R1 to R3. Then, when the reel control means 130 receives a start signal from the start switch within the period from when the waiting time is set until the waiting time has elapsed, the reel control means 130 starts the rotation of the left reels R1 to R3 after the waiting time has elapsed. With this configuration, the reel control means 130 can start a game after a minimum game time (approximately 4.1 seconds) has elapsed as a fixed time from the start of one game to the start of the next game.

[0099] <Small win payout> In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, payouts are set for minor prizes 1 to 8 when the first specified number of three electronic medals is inserted and the game starts (3-coin bet), and when the first specified number of two electronic medals is inserted and the game starts (2-coin bet).

[0100] The payout for minor win 1 is the same when a three-coin bet game is played and when a two-coin bet game is played, and is set to 14, which is more than the first specified number. The payout for minor win 2 is the same when a three-coin bet game is played and when a two-coin bet game is played, and is set to 3, which is the same as the first specified number. The payout for minor wins 3 to 8 is the same when a three-coin bet game is played and when a two-coin bet game is played, and is set to 1, which is less than the first specified number.

[0101] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment sets the same payout for all minor roles from minor role 1 to minor role 8 when a three-coin bet game is executed and when a two-coin bet game is executed, so there is no need to set a specified number of parameters for the data related to payout setting, and there is no need to set the payout when a three-coin bet game is executed and the payout when a two-coin bet game is executed separately, so the data capacity of the data related to minor roles can be reduced in the area of ​​the main memory means 190 that stores various data.

[0102] <Setting the number of payments> In the payout process for paying out electronic medals according to the game results, when a small winning combination is won, the payout control means 150 stores a value corresponding to the payout predetermined for each winning combination in the payout number memory means 199 (see Figure 2) of the main memory means 190.

[0103] Furthermore, when a two-coin bet game is played, the payout control means 150 of this embodiment compares the upper limit of the number of payouts that can be paid out with the value stored in the payout number storage means 199 in the payout process, and if the value stored in the payout number storage means 199 is greater than the upper limit, determines the number of electronic medals to be paid out in that game by setting the payout number for that game to the upper limit, and performs control to virtually pay out medals by adding the number of game medals equivalent to the determined payout number to the medal number counter 311. Details of the process of referencing the upper limit of the number of payouts that can be paid out when a two-coin bet game is played will be described later.

[0104] <Game state transition control means> FIG. 4(A) is a state transition diagram showing game states to which transition can be made from each game state in the control relating to transition of game states executed by the game state transition control means 160 of this embodiment.

[0105] As shown in Figure 4 (A), the non-RT state is a gaming state (initial gaming state, normal gaming state) that corresponds to the initial state among multiple gaming states, and is a non-bonus state in which a bonus is not activated or established. In the non-RT state, the gaming state transition control means 160 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using internal lottery table A, in which the winning probability of a replay is set to 8978 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 7.3). In the slot machine 1, when the gaming state is the non-RT state, a first specified number (3) of electronic medals are set to an inserted state, so that a game can be started.

[0106] The RBB internal middle state is a gaming state that transitions when winning in the internal lottery in the non-RT state and winning in either the winning area "RBB & 1 card combination" or the winning area "RBB", and the RBB is set to the established state, and it is in the bonus established state where the bonus is established. In the RBB internal middle state, the gaming state transition control means 160 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table B in which the winning probability of replay is set to 8982 / 65536 (about 1 / 7.3). In the slot machine 1, when the gaming state is the RBB internal middle state, the game can be started by setting the first specified number (3 pieces) of electronic medals to the inserted state.

[0107] The RBB state is a gaming state that transitions when the RBB wins and the RBB activates. In the RBB state, when the number of electronically paid-out medals exceeds a predetermined specified payout number (for example, 12 pieces), the gaming state transition control means 160 determines that the end condition of the RBB is satisfied, terminates the operation of the RBB, and transitions the gaming state to the non-RT state. In the RBB state, the gaming state transition control means 160 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table C. In the slot machine 1, when the gaming state is the RBB state, the game can be started by setting the second specified number (2 pieces) of electronic medals to the inserted state. Details of the gaming properties in the RBB state will be described later.

[0108] <AT control means> FIG. 4(B) is a state transition diagram showing details of the normal section and the advantageous section controlled by the AT control means 170 of the present embodiment, and the effect state controlled during the advantageous section.

[0109] As described above, the normal section is a period in which the control related to the instruction function based on the result of the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is not executed. The AT control means 170 executes an advantageous section lottery, which is a lottery for determining whether to end the normal section and start the advantageous section based on the winning area won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 in the game during the normal section.

[0110] In the advantageous zone lottery, the AT control means 170 first acquires an advantageous zone transition lottery table, which is a data table in which "start of advantageous zone" and "miss (non-winning)" are associated with each of a plurality of random numbers, from the AT control data storage means 196. Then, the AT control means 170 acquires a random number from the random number generation means 110, compares the acquired random number with the advantageous zone transition lottery table, and determines whether or not to start an advantageous zone based on the comparison result.

[0111] The AT control means 170 executes the advantageous zone lottery so that the probability obtained by multiplying the winning probability of the winning area selected in the internal lottery by the winning probability of the "start of the advantageous zone" in the advantageous zone lottery is 1 / 17500 or more.

[0112] The AT control means 170 of this embodiment is configured to execute a lottery for an advantageous zone when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4", the winning area "Rare Role", the winning area "Replay 1", the winning area "Replay 3", and the winning area "Replay 4" are won in the internal lottery in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, and when the winning areas "RBB & 1-piece Role 1" to "RBB & 1-piece Role 3", and the winning area "RBB" are won in the internal lottery in the non-RT state, but not to execute a lottery for an advantageous zone when another winning area is won. Also, the AT control means 170 executes a lottery for an advantageous zone that wins the "start of an advantageous zone" with a high probability of about 1 / 1.5.

[0113] In the advantageous zone, the AT control means 170 has, as states (presentation states) related to the instruction function, a normal state, a CZ state, and an AT state having a first AT state, a second AT state, and an AT standby state, and in the normal state, it is configured not to execute the winning assistance of small win 1 when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" are won, and in the AT state, it is configured to execute the winning assistance of small win 1 when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" are won. Also, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the proportion of players staying in the advantageous zone during the entire game can be 70% or more.

[0114] The AT control means 170 of this embodiment is configured to have processing related to an instruction function that is executed by referring to the AT high probability counter 196b (see Figure 2) of the AT control data storage means 196 in each presentation state during the advantageous zone. The AT high probability counter 196b is set to a value of "0" as its initial value. The AT control means 170 is configured to be able to execute processing that is more advantageous to the player in processing related to the instruction function that is executed by referring to the AT high probability counter 196b when the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "1" than when the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the initial value of "0". Details of the AT high probability counter 196b and the processing related to the instruction function that refers to the AT high probability counter 196b will be described later.

[0115] The normal state is a presentation state (normal presentation state) that corresponds to the normal state among multiple types of presentation states, and is set when there is no transition to another presentation state. When the presentation state transitions to the normal state, the AT control means 170 performs an incremental update to add a value "1" corresponding to one game to the stored value of a normal game number counter (not shown), which counts the number of games played in the normal state, each time a game is played. When the stored value of the normal game number counter reaches the value "700", the AT control means 170 determines that the transition condition to the CZ state (CZ transition condition) has been met, and transitions the presentation state from the normal state to the CZ state.

[0116] The AT control means 170 is configured to execute a CZ lottery to determine whether to transition to the CZ state in a game in which a winning area not including an RBB is won in an internal lottery in a normal state. Also, the AT control means 170 is configured to execute a normal AT lottery to determine whether to transition to the AT state when a winning area "rare role" is won in an internal lottery.

[0117] The AT control means 170 executes a normal AT lottery, and if the "transition to AT state" is won, it determines that the transition condition to the AT state (AT transition condition) has been met, and transitions from the normal state to the first AT state.

[0118] The CZ state is configured to be able to transition to the AT state with a higher probability than the normal state when control related to the instruction function, which determines whether or not to transition the presentation state to the AT state, is executed, and is a presentation state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state. At the start of the CZ state, the AT control means 170 sets a value corresponding to a predetermined number of games (for example, 10 games) to the CZ game number counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 196, and executes a decrement update each time a game is executed, subtracting the value stored in the CZ game number counter by the value "1" corresponding to one game.

[0119] The AT control means 170 executes a CZ AT lottery to determine whether or not to transition to the AT state during each game in the CZ state, and if the "transition to the AT state" is selected, the presentation state transitions from the CZ state to the first AT state after 10 games have been played since the start of the CZ state.

[0120] The AT control means 170 executes a CZ set number addition lottery to determine whether or not to add (add) the number of times one set of AT state is executed for the AT state to which the player is transitioned from the CZ state during play until the CZ state ends after winning the "transition to AT state" in the CZ AT lottery.

[0121] On the other hand, if 10 games are played in the CZ state without winning the "transition to AT state" in the AT lottery during the CZ, the AT control means 170 ends the CZ state and transitions the presentation state to the normal state.

[0122] The AT control means 170 is configured to execute the lottery related to the instruction function executed in the CZ state (AT lottery during CZ, set number addition lottery during CZ) regardless of the result of the internal lottery. Also, the AT control means 170 is configured so that, for the lottery related to the instruction function executed in the CZ state, if the winning area "rare role" is won in the internal lottery, the probability of "not winning (missing)" is lower than when other winning areas are won, and the probability of an outcome advantageous to the player (in the case of an AT lottery during CZ, "transition to AT state") is higher.

[0123] The AT state is a presentation state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state because it allows for assistance in winning small prize 1 when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won. The AT control means 170 of this embodiment is configured to set the presentation state to the first AT state when the AT state is initiated. In addition, the AT control means 170 is configured to initialize the stored value of the AT transition game number counter to the value "0" when the AT state is initiated.

[0124] The AT control means 170 of this embodiment is configured to be able to execute the following as winning assistance for minor winning combination 1 when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are selected in the internal lottery during the AT state: Correct Batting Order Notification, which notifies the player of the stop buttons to perform the first to third stop operations (correct batting order); Correct Batting Order Suggestion, which notifies the player of the stop button to perform the first stop operation in the correct batting order without notifying the player of which stop button the second or third stop operation is; and First Stop Operation Suggestion, which indicates that the stop button to perform the first stop operation in the correct batting order is stop button B1, thereby suggesting that the stop button to perform the first stop operation in the correct batting order is either stop button B2 or stop button B3. The main control CPU 11 transmits a winning assistance command corresponding to the winning assistance executed by the AT control means 170 to the sub-control board 20.

[0125] In addition, when the winning area "Replay 3" or the winning area "Replay 4" is won in the internal lottery in the AT state, the AT control means 170 is configured to be able to execute a correct batting order suggestion that notifies that the stop button to be first stopped is stop button B2, as a winning assistance that makes Replay 3 a winning possibility. The main control CPU 11 transmits a winning assistance command corresponding to the winning assistance executed by the AT control means 170 to the sub-control board 20.

[0126] When the stored value of the advantageous zone counter 196a exceeds the value "2400" in the AT state, the AT control means 170 determines that the AT termination condition has been met, terminates the AT state, and determines that a specific termination condition among the advantageous zone termination conditions has been met, and executes a predetermined initialization process which is a process for initializing information related to the advantageous zone, and a predetermined termination process which ends the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game.

[0127] As shown in Figure 4 (B), the AT control means 170 is configured to set the presentation state at the start of the advantageous zone to the CZ state when the "start of advantageous zone" is won in the advantageous zone lottery in the normal zone and the advantageous zone starts. Also, as described above, the AT control means 170 is configured to end the advantageous zone and start the normal zone when the AT state ends.

[0128] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the CZ state begins when the AT state ends and the normal zone transitions to the advantageous zone, so that the probability of transitioning back to the AT state is higher than when the normal state is set at the start of the normal zone. As a result, once the AT state begins, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment can start the AT state again via the normal zone and CZ state, so that electronic medals can be acquired through multiple AT states, increasing the player's interest in the game.

[0129] The first AT state is a presentation state in which the duration for which it can be continued is managed by the number of games played. At the start of one set of the first AT state, the AT control means 170 sets an initial value (e.g., 50 games) corresponding to the number of games for which one set of the first AT state can be continued in the first AT game number counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 196, and executes a decrement update to subtract the value "1" corresponding to one game from the stored value of the first AT game number counter each time a game is executed. In this embodiment, one set of the first AT state is configured from the time the initial value is set in the first AT game number counter until the stored value of the first AT game number counter becomes the value "0".

[0130] The AT control means 170 is configured to execute a first AT winning assistance lottery to determine whether or not to execute a winning assistance when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won in the first AT state, and if the "Execution of Correct Batting Order Notification" is won in the first AT winning assistance lottery, the correct batting order is announced, and if the "Execution of Correct Batting Order Suggestion" is won, the stop button to be operated to first stop in the correct batting order is announced. Also, the AT control means 170 is configured not to execute a winning assistance lottery when the "miss (non-winning)" is determined in the first AT winning assistance lottery.

[0131] The AT control means 170 executes a lottery for adding the number of sets during the first AT to determine whether to increase (add) the number of times one set of the first AT state is executed, when the winning areas "Replay 3" and "Replay 4" are selected in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 and Replay 3 is awarded. When it is determined to add the number of sets in the lottery for adding the number of sets during the first AT, the AT control means 170 adds a value of "1" to a first AT set number counter (not shown) in the AT control data storage means 196. Furthermore, the AT control means 170 is configured to execute a lottery for replay winning assistance during the first AT to determine whether to execute winning assistance, when the winning areas "Replay 3" and "Replay 4" are selected in the first AT state, and when "executing suggestion of correct batting order" is selected in the lottery for replay winning assistance during the first AT, the AT control means 170 notifies the player that the stop button to be operated first to stop in the correct batting order is stop button B2. In addition, the AT control means 170 is configured not to execute the winning assistance when the replay winning assistance lottery during the first AT is determined to be a "miss (non-winning)."

[0132] In addition, the AT control means 170 executes a second AT lottery to determine whether or not to transition the presentation state to the second AT state after one set of the first AT state has ended, when the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 wins the winning area "rare role." If the "transition to second AT state" is won in the second AT lottery, the AT control means 170 transitions the presentation state to the second AT state after one set of the first AT state has ended.

[0133] When 50 games are played in one set of the first AT state and the stored value of the first AT game number counter becomes the value "0", one set of the first AT state ends, and transition to the second AT state has not been decided, the AT control means 170 refers to the stored value of the first AT set number counter, and if the stored value of the first AT set number counter is the value "1" or greater, it subtracts the value "1" from the stored value of the first AT set number counter and transitions the presentation state to the second AT state.

[0134] In addition, when one set of the first AT state ends, the stored value of the first AT set number counter is the value "0", and transition to the second AT state has not been decided, the AT control means 170 executes a first AT continuation lottery to determine by lottery whether or not to start a new set of the first AT state.

[0135] The AT control means 170 transitions the presentation state to the second AT state when the first AT continuation lottery determines that "one set of the first AT state is executed." On the other hand, when the first AT continuation lottery determines that "the AT state is ended," the AT control means 170 terminates the first AT state and transitions the presentation state to the normal state.

[0136] The second AT state is a presentation state in which the duration for which it can be continued is managed by the number of games played. At the start of the second AT state, the AT control means 170 sets an initial value (e.g., 60 games) corresponding to the number of games for which one set of the second AT state can be continued in the second AT game number counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 196, and executes a decrement update to subtract the value "1" corresponding to one game from the stored value of the second AT game number counter each time a game is played. In this embodiment, one set of the second AT state is configured from the time the initial value is set in the second AT game number counter until the stored value of the second AT game number counter becomes the value "0".

[0137] The AT control means 170 is configured to execute a correct batting order notification as a winning assistance when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won in the second AT state, and when a game is played in accordance with the winning assistance, it is configured to make it easier to win small win 1 when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won than in the first AT state. In other words, the second AT state is configured as a state advantageous to the player, in which the winning probability of small win 1, which is set to a payout greater than the specified number, is higher than in the first AT state.

[0138] The AT control means 170 executes a lottery for adding the number of sets during the second AT to determine whether or not to add (add) the number of times to execute one set of the first AT state, which starts after the end of the second AT state via an AT standby state, when the winning area "Replay 3" and the winning area "Replay 4" are won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 and Replay 3 is awarded, or when the winning area "Rare Role" is won. When it is determined to add the number of sets in the lottery for adding the number of sets during the second AT, the AT control means 170 adds a value of "1" to the first AT set number counter. In addition, the AT control means 170 is configured to execute a replay winning support lottery during the second AT to determine whether or not to execute a winning support when the winning area "Replay 3" or the winning area "Replay 4" is won in the first AT state, and if "execution of correct batting order suggestion" is won in the replay winning support lottery during the second AT, it notifies that the stop button to be operated first to stop in the correct batting order is stop button B2. In addition, the AT control means 170 is configured not to execute a winning support when "miss (non-winning)" is determined in the replay winning support lottery during the second AT.

[0139] The AT control means 170 is configured to transition the presentation state to an AT standby state when the stored value of the second AT game number counter becomes the value "0", and is configured not to terminate the AT state and transition to the normal state when the second AT state is terminated based on the stored value of the second AT game number counter becoming the value "0".

[0140] The AT standby state is a presentation state that continues until transitioning to the first AT state. The AT control means 170 is configured to execute an AT standby winning assistance lottery that determines whether or not to execute winning assistance when a winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to a winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" is won in the AT standby state, and executes the correct batting order notification when the "Execution of First Stop Operation Suggestion" is won in the AT standby winning assistance lottery, and executes the first stop operation suggestion when the "Execution of First Stop Operation Suggestion" is won.

[0141] The AT control means 170 is configured to determine that the conditions for terminating the AT standby state are met and transition the presentation state to the first AT state when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won and a game is played in accordance with the correct batting order notification or the first stop operation suggestion, that is, when a game in which the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop is played. In other words, the AT control means 170 is configured to end the AT standby state and transition the presentation state to the first AT state when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won in the internal lottery during the AT standby state, the correct batting order notification or the first stop operation suggestion is executed, and a game is played in accordance with the executed correct batting order notification or the first stop operation suggestion, regardless of whether or not minor winnings 1 are won.

[0142] 3. Playability in each game state Next, the gameplay in each game state of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0143] <Game results in each game state> Figure 5 is a diagram showing the game results for each operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3 in the non-RT state, Figure 6 is a diagram showing the game results for each operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3 in the RBB internal state, and Figure 7 is a diagram showing the game results for each operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3 in the RBB state.

[0144] As shown in Figure 5, in the slot machine 1, when a winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" is won in the non-RT state, any of the small winning combinations 3 to 8, which have a payout set to 1 coin in a game with a bet of 3 coins, can be won, regardless of the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0145] In other words, in the slot machine 1, when in the non-RT state, even if the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4", which includes the small win 1 with a payout set to 14 coins in a 3-coin bet game, is won, the small win 1 cannot be won.

[0146] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" are won in the RBB internal state, the batting order (correct batting order) of stop buttons B1 to B3 is set so that minor winning feature 1, with a payout set to 14 coins in a 3-coin bet game, can be won with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0147] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won in the non-RT state or the RBB internal state, small wins 3 and 4 will be won with a 1 / 1 probability if stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a batting order that allows for a win, and small wins 5 to 8 will be won with a 1 / 2 probability if stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a batting order that allows for a win.

[0148] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, when the winning area "rare role" is won in the non-RT state or the RBB internal state, the stop button B3 is stopped at the operation timing when the small role 2 can be won, and the small role 2, which is set to a payout of 3 coins in a 3-coin bet game, is won, and the winning probability is about 1 / 1.3. In the slot machine 1, when the winning area "rare role" is won and the small role 2 is not won, it is configured to be a miss (no win).

[0149] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, if the winning area "Replay 1" or the winning area "Replay 2" is won in the non-RT state or the RBB internal state, Replay 1 will be won with a probability of 1 / 1 regardless of the operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0150] In addition, if the winning area "Replay 3" is selected in the non-RT state or the RBB internal state, if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 1, batting order 2, batting order 4 to batting order 6, there is a 1 / 1 probability that Replay 1 will win, and if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 3, there is a 1 / 1 probability that Replay 3 will win.

[0151] In addition, if the winning area "Replay 4" is selected in the non-RT state or the RBB internal state, if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 1 to batting order 3, batting order 5, or batting order 6, there is a 1 / 1 probability that Replay 1 will win, and if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 4, there is a 1 / 1 probability that Replay 3 will win.

[0152] In addition, if the winning area "RBB & 1 coin role 1" is won in the non-RT state or RBB internal state, regardless of the operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3, minor role 3, which has a payout set to 1 coin in a 3 coin bet game, will be won with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0153] In addition, if the winning area "RBB & 1 coin role 2" or the winning area "RBB & 1 coin role 3" is won in the non-RT state or the RBB internal state, small role 3 will be won with a 1 / 1 probability if stop button B1 to stop button B3 are operated in the batting order in which a win is possible, and small role 5 to small role 8 will be won with a 1 / 2 probability if stop button B1 to stop button B3 are operated in the batting order in which a win is possible.

[0154] When the winning area "RBB" is won in the non-RT state, the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped at the timing when the RBB can be won, and the winning probability is 1 / 64. In the slot machine 1, when the winning area "RBB" is won and the RBB is not won, it is a missed win (no winning).

[0155] As shown in FIG. 7, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "All Small Winning Features" is won in the RBB state, if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 and batting order 2, either small winning feature 2, which has a payout set to 3 coins in a game where two coins are bet, or small winning feature 3, which has a payout set to 1 coin in a game where two coins are bet, will be won with a probability of 1 / 1, and if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 3 to 6, small winning feature 1, which has a payout set to 14 coins in a game where two coins are bet, will be won with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0156] The winning symbol combinations for minor win 2 and minor win 3 are configured to include symbols common to the symbols on the left reel R1 and the center reel R2. The winning symbol combinations for minor win 2 and minor win 3 are configured with different symbols on the right reel R3. The symbols on the right reel R3 that make up the winning symbol combination for minor win 2 are symbols with a pull-in range of 15 of 20 frames on the right reel R3, and the symbols on the right reel R3 that make up the winning symbol combination for minor win 3 are arranged so that they can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 regardless of the operation timing of the stop button B3.

[0157] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "All Small Wins" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 and batting order 2, if the stop button B3 is operated at a timing when the symbols on the right reel R3 that make up the winning symbol combination for small win 2 can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1, small win 2 will be won, and if the stop button B3 is operated at a timing when the symbols on the right reel R3 that make up the winning symbol combination for small win 2 cannot be stopped and displayed on the active line L1, small win 3 will be won.

[0158] In the slot machine 1, if the winning area "All 1 Coin Role" is won in the RBB state, regardless of the order of pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3, the small role 3, which is set to pay out 1 coin in a 2-coin bet game, will be won with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0159] Here, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured to set an upper limit for the number of electronic medals that can be paid out when a two-coin bet game is played, and is configured to set the payout number to the upper limit and pay out electronic medals when a small combination with a payout set equal to or greater than the upper limit is won. Specifically, the slot machine 1 is configured to set the upper limit for the number of electronic medals that can be paid out to one when a two-coin bet game is played.

[0160] <Setting the upper limit of the payout quantity> Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an upper limit value setting process in which the slot machine 1 sets an upper limit value for the payout number. The process shown in Fig. 8 is executed after the payout value set for the winning minor winning combination is stored in the payout number storage means 199 in the payout process by the payout control means 150, which is executed when a minor winning combination is won.

[0161] 8, the payout control means 150 first acquires the payout number stored in the payout number storage means 199 (S1). In this process, the payout control means 150 acquires the stored value of the payout number storage means 199, which stores the payout value set for the small winning combination in the current game.

[0162] Next, the payout control means 150 checks the number of electronic medals that have been set to the inserted state for the current game (S2). In this process, the payout control means 150 checks the value stored in the inserted number storage means 198, thereby making it possible to determine whether the current game is a two-coin bet game or a three-coin bet game.

[0163] Next, the payout control means 150 determines whether or not the number of electronic medals set to the inserted state in the current game is two (S3). In this process, the payout control means 150 determines whether or not the stored value of the inserted number storage means 198 confirmed in the process of step S2 is the value "2". By the payout control means 150 executing the process of step S3, the slot machine 1 can determine whether or not the current game has been executed in the RBB state in which the second specified number (two medals) is set.

[0164] In the process of step S3, if it is determined that the number of electronic medals set to the inserted state in the current game is two (YES), the payout control means 150 determines whether the number of payouts in the current game is two or more (S4). In this process, the payout control means 150 determines whether the number of payouts stored in the payout number storage means 199 obtained in the process of step S1 is a value of "2" or more.

[0165] In the process of step S4, if it is determined that the number of payouts in the current game is two or more (YES), the payout control means 150 sets the number of payouts to one (S5). In this process, the payout control means 150 changes the value of two or more stored in the payout number storage means 199 to the value "1", thereby setting the number of payouts in the current game to one.

[0166] This processing in step S5 constitutes a process for setting the upper limit of the number of electronic medals that can be paid out to a specific number (1 medal) that is less than the second specified number (3 medals) when a game is started by inserting a second specified number (2 medals) that is less than the first specified number (3 medals).

[0167] After executing the processing of step S5, if it is determined in the processing of step S3 that the number of electronic medals set to the inserted state for the current game is three (NO), or if it is determined in the processing of step S4 that the number of medals to be paid out for the current game is one (NO), the payout control means 150 executes processing to pay out the electronic medals (S6) and ends the payout processing. In this processing, the payout control means 150 determines the value stored in the payout number storage means 199 as the number of electronic medals to be paid out for the game, and adds the number of electronic medals corresponding to the determined number to the medal number counter 311.

[0168] <Payout of electronic medals in each game state> 5, the slot machine 1 is configured so that a prize is not won based on the winning of the small winning combination 1, which is set to a payout greater than the first specified number, in the non-RT state. For this reason, the payout rate in the non-RT state is configured to be less than 50% regardless of the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0169] The payout rate is the ratio of the total number of electronic medals won during a predetermined number of games (for example, 17,500 games), which is a number of games that is sufficient to ignore the effects of temporary probability bias, to the total number of electronic medals inserted during the predetermined number of games.

[0170] 6, in the slot machine 1, when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 or batting order 2 in the RBB internal state, the small winning combination 1 set to a payout greater than the first specified number does not win, and when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 3 to batting order 6, the small winning combination 1 can win. Therefore, the payout rate in the RBB internal state is configured to be less than 50% when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 or batting order 2, and to exceed 50% when operated in any of batting orders 3 to 6. Also, when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a random batting order in the RBB internal state, the payout rate is configured to be less than 50%.

[0171] As shown in Figure 8, when a three-coin bet game is played, the payout control means 150 is configured to skip the processing of steps S4 and S5 from step S3 and proceed to step S6, determine the stored value of the payout number storage means 199, which stores the value set as the payout for the small winning combination won in the game, as the number of electronic medals to be paid out in the game, and add the number of electronic medals corresponding to the determined payout number to the medal number counter 311.

[0172] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 is configured to pay out the same number of electronic medals as the payout set for the winning small win in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state. In other words, the slot machine 1 is configured to execute a payout exceeding the first specified number when the small win 1 is won in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state where the specified number is set to the first specified number (3 medals).

[0173] On the other hand, when a two-coin bet game is played and a small role with a payout of two or more coins set as the payout for the two-coin bet game is won, the payout control means 150 is configured to execute the processing of step S5 and then proceed to step S6, and determines the stored value of the payout number memory means 199, which is set to the value "1", as the payout number of electronic medals for the game, regardless of the value set as the payout for the small role won in the game, and adds the number of electronic medals (1 medal) corresponding to the determined payout number to the medal number counter 311.

[0174] As described above, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in the RBB state where the specified number is set to two, if the winning area "all minor symbols" is won by an internal lottery, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 and batting order 2, minor symbol 2, the payout of which is set to three in a game where two symbols are bet, can be won, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 3 to batting order 6, minor symbol 1, the payout of which is set to 14 in a game where two symbols are bet, can be won. However, by executing the upper limit value setting process for the payout number by the payout control means 150 shown in Figure 8, the number of electronic medals paid out in a game where minor symbol 1 is won is set to one.

[0175] Due to this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment has the same payout when a three-coin bet game is played and when a two-coin bet game is played, and when small winning combinations 1 and 2, which are set to a payout of more than one coin, are won in the RBB state where a two-coin bet game is played, a payout of one coin is executed, which is less than the set payout and is less than the specified number (2 coins) in the RBB state.

[0176] As described above, when a two-coin bet game is executed, the payout for small winning combinations 3 to 8 is set to one coin.

[0177] That is, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the specified number is set to the RBB state of 2 coins and a win area including a small win is won, a payout of 1 coin is executed regardless of which small win among all the small wins is won. In other words, in the slot machine 1, when the specified number is set to the second specified number (2 coins) and small win 1 is won, a payout of less than the second specified number is executed.

[0178] Also, as described above, the slot machine 1 is configured so that in the internal lottery in the RBB state in which the internal lottery table C is used, the winning area is either the "all small roles" winning area or the "all 1-coin roles" winning area.

[0179] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a first specified number of game values ​​is inserted and play begins, it is possible to execute the payout of game values ​​exceeding the first specified number, and when a second specified number of game values ​​less than the first specified number is inserted and play begins, the upper limit of the number of game values ​​that can be paid out is set to a specific number less than the second specified number.

[0180] Due to this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in the RBB state, two electronic medals are set to the inserted state and a game is executed in which one electronic medal is paid out. Therefore, the payout rate in the RBB state can be reduced to 50%, and the performance of acquiring game value for the state in which the RBB is not activated can be designed, thereby dramatically improving the design freedom of the slot machine 1.

[0181] Furthermore, as described above, the slot machine 1 is configured so that the payout rate in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a random order is less than 50%, and the payout rate in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state is lower than the payout rate in the RBB state (50%).

[0182] Due to this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment has a lower ball payout rate in the RBB state than in the non-RT state where the RBB is not operating and in the RBB internal state, and the performance of the RBB state does not deteriorate excessively, so the performance of the gaming machine can be fully guaranteed.

[0183] <Small winning combinations that can be won in each game state> Next, FIG. 9 is a table summarizing small winning combinations that are awarded based on winning in each gaming state of the non-RT state, the RBB inside state, and the RBB state in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment.

[0184] As shown in Figure 9, minor win 1, which has a payout set to 14 coins when a 3-coin bet game is played and when a 2-coin bet game is played, is configured to not win if it is won in a non-RT state, but to win if it is won in an RBB internal state or an RBB state.

[0185] In addition, minor winnings 2, which have a payout set to three coins when a three-coin bet game is played and a payout set to three coins when a two-coin bet game is played, are configured to win based on winning in the non-RT state, the RBB internal state, and the RBB state.

[0186] Of the small winning combinations 3 to 8, for which the payout when a three-coin bet game is played and the payout when a two-coin bet game is played are both set to one coin, small winning combination 3 is awarded based on winning in the non-RT state, the state inside the RBB, and the RBB state, while small winning combinations 4 to 8 are configured not to award a prize if they are won in the RBB state, but to award a prize based on winning in the non-RT state and the state inside the RBB.

[0187] As described above, in the slot machine 1, in the RBB state in which the second specified number (two) of electronic medals are set to the inserted state and play begins, even if a small winning combination with a payout of two or more medals is won, the upper limit value setting process for the payout number shown in Figure 8 is executed, so that one medal is paid out.

[0188] In other words, in the slot machine 1, the payout when three electronic medals are inserted and play is started and the payout when two electronic medals are inserted and play is started are both set to a payout greater than one medal, and when minor prize 1 and minor prize 2 are won in the RBB state in which two electronic medals are inserted and play is started, the payout amount is configured to be different from when three electronic medals are inserted and play is started.

[0189] In other words, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that when each of small prize 1 and small prize 2 is won in the RBB state where two electronic medals are set to the inserted state and play begins, the payout number is different from when three electronic medals are set to the inserted state and play begins, and is configured so that when the play state is the RBB state, small prize 1 and small prize 2 are won based on the fact that they have been won.

[0190] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, an internal lottery determines whether multiple types of roles will be won, and the multiple types of roles include minor roles included in a predetermined group, and the predetermined group is a group of minor roles that have different numbers of game values ​​paid out based on winning when a game is started after a first specified number of game values ​​is inserted and when a game is started after a second specified number of game values ​​that is less than the first specified number are inserted, and each of the minor roles included in the predetermined group wins based on winning the internal lottery in both a game that is started after a first specified number of game values ​​is inserted and when a game is started after a second specified number of game values ​​is inserted.

[0191] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the minor roles included in the predetermined group include a first minor role (minor role 1) and a second minor role (minor role 2), and if the first minor role is won in an internal lottery in a game that is started after a second specified number of game values ​​has been inserted, the first minor role can be won by operating the multiple stop buttons in a first operation mode (batting order 3 to batting order 6), and if the second minor role is won in an internal lottery in a game that is started after a second specified number of game values ​​has been inserted, the second minor role can be won by operating the multiple stop buttons in a second operation mode (batting order 1, batting order 2) that is different from the first operation mode.

[0192] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in the RBB state where the specified number is set to a second specified number, which is different from the specified number in the non-RT state and the state inside the RBB, the number of electronic medals paid out when small prize 1 and small prize 2 are won is less than the number of electronic medals paid out when a prize is won in the non-RT state and the state inside the RBB; however, by winning based on the fact that both small prize 1 and small prize 2 are won in the RBB state, the performance of small prize 1 and small prize 2 is prevented from deteriorating excessively, and the performance of the gaming machine can be fully guaranteed.

[0193] Also, as shown in FIG. 9, in the slot machine 1, the payout when three electronic medals are inserted and play is started, and the payout when two electronic medals are inserted and play is started, are both set to one. In the RBB state where two electronic medals are inserted and play is started, and in the case where three electronic medals are inserted and play is started, small prizes 3 to 8, which have the same payout amount, are won when a prize is won in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state. However, in the RBB state, small prize 3 is won when a prize is won, but small prizes 4 to 8 will not be won when a prize is won, regardless of the operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0194] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, an internal lottery determines whether multiple types of roles will be won, and the multiple types of roles include minor roles included in a first group and minor roles included in a second group. The first group is a group of minor roles that have the same number of game values ​​paid out based on winning when a first specified number of game values ​​is inserted and game play is started and a second specified number of game values ​​that is less than the first specified number is inserted and game play is started. The second group is a group of minor roles that have a different number of game values ​​paid out based on winning when a first specified number of game values ​​is inserted and game play is started and a second specified number of game values ​​is inserted and game play is started. The minor roles included in the first group include minor roles that will not win when a second specified number of game values ​​is inserted and game play is started, regardless of the operation mode of the multiple stop buttons.

[0195] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that in the RBB state, where the specified number is set to a second specified number, which is different from the specified number in the non-RT state and the state inside the RBB, small prizes 4 to 8, which do not result in a change in the number of electronic medals paid out when won in the RBB state and when won in the non-RT state and the state inside the RBB, are not won in the RBB state.This eliminates the need to pre-store in the reel control data storage means 194 the stop control data related to the reel stop control that makes it possible to win small prizes 4 to 8, and reduces the data capacity related to the stop control data in the RBB state.

[0196] The small winning combinations 1 and 2 constitute the second group of small winning combinations and the small winning combinations included in the predetermined group, which are made up of small winning combinations with different numbers of game values ​​paid out based on winning when a game is started after a first specified number of game values ​​is inserted and when a game is started after a second specified number of game values ​​is inserted, and the small winning combinations 3 to 8 constitute the small winning combinations included in the first group of small winning combinations with the same payout set when a game is started after a first specified number of game values ​​is inserted and when a game is started after a second specified number of game values ​​that is less than the first specified number is inserted.

[0197] <Summary of gameplay in each game state> Thus, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the specified number is fixed to a first specified number (3 coins) in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, which are the first gaming states in which the RBB is not operating, and the specified number is fixed to a second specified number (2 coins) in the RBB state, which is the second gaming state in which the RBB is operating. The slot machine 1 is also configured so that the payout rate in the RBB state is higher than the payout rate in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state. The slot machine 1 is also configured so that the winning probability of each minor winning combination in the RBB state is higher than the winning probability of each minor winning combination in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state.

[0198] Furthermore, the slot machine 1 is configured such that when a prize is won in the RBB state in which a second specified number of electronic medals are set to an inserted state and game play is started, the prize is won based on the winning of minor prize 1 and minor prize 2 when the game state is the RBB state, which are configured so that the payout amount is different from when a first specified number of electronic medals are set to an inserted state and game play is started.

[0199] Then, in the RBB state in which the second specified number of electronic medals is set to an inserted state and play begins, the slot machine 1 executes a process for setting an upper limit on the number of payouts, so that the upper limit on the number of electronic medals that can be paid out in the game is set to a specific number (1 medal) that is less than the second specified number, and therefore, even if small prize 1 or small prize 2 is won, one medal is paid out.

[0200] Due to this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment can reduce the ball payout rate in the RBB state to less than 100% (50% in this embodiment), and the performance in the RBB state can be designed to obtain gaming value when the RBB is not operating while adhering to the performance required for a gaming machine, thereby dramatically improving the design freedom of the slot machine 1.

[0201] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the specified number is set to two coins, and when a winning area including a small win is won, the upper limit value setting process for the payout number (see Figure 8) is executed, and one coin is paid out regardless of which of all small wins is won. Therefore, by lowering the payout rate in the RBB state to 50%, it is possible to design the performance of acquiring game value for the state when the RBB is not activated, thereby dramatically improving the design freedom of the slot machine 1.

[0202] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in the RBB state where the specified number is set to a second specified number, which is different from the specified number in the non-RT state and the state inside the RBB, the number of electronic medals paid out when small prize 1 or small prize 2 is won is less than the number of electronic medals paid out when a prize is won in the non-RT state and the state inside the RBB. However, by winning a prize based on both small prize 1 and small prize 2 being won in the RBB state, the performance of small prize 1 and small prize 2 is prevented from deteriorating excessively, and the performance of the gaming machine can be fully guaranteed.

[0203] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in the RBB state where the specified number is set to a second specified number, which is different from the specified number in the non-RT state and the state inside the RBB, the slot machine 1 is configured so that small prizes 4 to 8, which do not result in a change in the number of electronic medals paid out when won in the RBB state and when won in the non-RT state and the state inside the RBB, are not won in the RBB state. This eliminates the need to store in advance in the reel control data storage means 194 the stop control data related to the reel stop control that allows small prizes 4 to 8 to be won, thereby reducing the data capacity related to the stop control data in the RBB state.

[0204] Furthermore, as described above, in the RBB state in which the specified number is set to a second specified number (2 coins) different from the first specified number (3 coins), the slot machine 1 is configured to execute an upper limit value setting process for the payout number, so that the payout rate becomes 50%.

[0205] Here, as a gaming machine that suppresses the payout rate in a bonus state and makes it possible to acquire medals by executing AT play in a gaming state different from the bonus state (for example, a non-bonus state in which a bonus is not activated, such as a bonus establishment state), there has conventionally been a gaming machine that has a plurality of first winning modes in which a plurality of first specific minor roles, which are set to a payout greater than the number of game values ​​inserted required to start a game, do not overlap with each other but overlap with a second specific minor role different from the first specific minor role, and a third winning mode in which a plurality of first specific minor roles overlap and are won, and an internal lottery means In a known configuration, an internal lottery is conducted in the bonus state so that multiple types of first winning patterns exist, and in the bonus state so that a third winning pattern exists, and the probability of winning the third winning pattern in the internal lottery in the bonus state is lower than the probability of winning one of the multiple types of first winning patterns in the internal lottery in the normal game state and the bonus formation state, and the winning probability of each of all small roles in the internal lottery in the bonus state is equal to or higher than the winning probability of each of all small roles in the internal lottery in the normal game state and the bonus formation state.

[0206] In a gaming machine configured in this manner, the probability of winning the first specific minor role in the bonus state is compressed to the reciprocal of the number of types of first specific minor role (for example, 1 / 4 if the configuration has four types of first specific minor role), while ensuring that the performance in the bonus state is sufficient as required of a gaming machine, and by executing winning assistance for the first specific minor role in the non-bonus state, the probability of winning the first specific minor role is increased compared to when winning assistance is not executed, making it possible to win medals in AT play, but it is necessary to have multiple types of first specific minor role.

[0207] In gaming machines, it is common for small winning combinations that can earn medals by winning to have specific symbols (for example, bell symbols) displayed in a stopped form that is visible to the player. However, if the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are configured so that each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 is visible in three frames in a specific area that makes the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 visible, the number of patterns in which the specific symbols are displayed in a row is limited to five, so if the number of types of first specific small winning combinations exceeds five, it becomes necessary to display the symbols in the specific area in a display mode that is different from the display mode in which they are displayed in a row.

[0208] In addition, in gaming machines, when multiple types of small winning combinations are won in an internal lottery, there are two ways to determine the priority of the candidate stopping positions: a method of determining the priority based on the number of pattern combinations that can be displayed on the valid line L1 (number priority control), and a method of determining the priority based on the number of medals paid out based on the payout that is predetermined for the small winning combination (number priority control).

[0209] Therefore, in a gaming machine, when an operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3 that makes it possible to win a first specific small role and an operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3 that makes it impossible to win a first specific small role and makes it possible to win a second specific small role are set, in order to make it possible to win a second specific small role, it is necessary to make it possible to win a second specific small role by using quantity priority control.

[0210] Due to such limitations, in gaming machines, the more the types of first specific small roles are increased and the payout rate in the bonus state is compressed, the more types of second specific small roles will also increase, and an arrangement of patterns that makes it possible to win with the second specific small roles is also required, so compressing the payout rate in the bonus state tends to increase the data volume related to the small roles and make the design more difficult.

[0211] In contrast, in a slot machine 1 configured so that the payout rate is 50% when the specified number is set to a second specified number (2 coins) different from the first specified number (3 coins) in the RBB state, by executing an upper limit value setting process for the payout number, even if the payout when the first specified number of medals is set to the inserted state and play begins is configured to have one small role with a payout greater than the first specified number, the payout rate in the RBB state can be sufficiently reduced while ensuring that the performance in the RBB state is sufficient as required of a gaming machine.

[0212] By configuring the slot machine 1 in this manner, the payout rate in the RBB state can be reduced, and the data capacity related to small winning combinations can be prevented from increasing when designing medal acquisition performance for a state in which the RBB is not activated. This reduces the data capacity related to small winning combinations and improves the design freedom related to the arrangement of patterns. Furthermore, by reducing the data capacity related to small winning combinations, data capacity can be allocated to various data used in other control processes executed by the main control CPU 11, improving the design freedom of the gaming machine.

[0213] 4.Details of control using AT high-precision counter Next, details of the AT high probability counter 196b controlled by the AT control means 170 of this embodiment and the control related to the instruction function executed using the AT high probability counter 196b will be explained.

[0214] <Details of the winning areas grouped as winning group 1> As shown in FIG. 3, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the winning areas "batter order bell 1" to "batter order bell 4" and the winning areas "RBB & single - card combination 1" to "RBB & single - card combination 3" are grouped as winning combination group 1.

[0215] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the slot machine 1, when winning in the winning areas "batter order bell 1" to "batter order bell 4" and the winning areas "RBB & single - card combination 1" to "RBB & single - card combination 3", and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in batter order 1 and batter order 2, the minor winning combination 3 is configured to win. In other words, in the slot machine 1, when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in batter order 1 and batter order 2 and the minor winning combination 3 wins, in this game, it is impossible to determine which of the winning areas "batter order bell 1" to "batter order bell 4" and the winning areas "RBB & single - card combination 1" to "RBB & single - card combination 3" the winning occurs in.

[0216] Due to such a configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, as a function in the progress of the game, since the minor winning combination that wins when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in batter order 1 and batter order 2 is the same minor winning combination 3, the winning areas "batter order bell 1" to "batter order bell 4" and the winning areas "RBB & single - card combination 1" to "RBB & single - card combination 3" are grouped as winning combination group 1.

[0217] <Control related to the update of the AT high - probability counter> FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the control related to the update of the stored value of the AT high - probability counter 196b executed by the AT control means 170 of the present embodiment.

[0218] 10, the AT control means 170 first determines whether all of the left reels R1 to R3 have stopped (S11). In this process, the AT control means 170 determines whether the left reels R1 to R3, which began spinning when the start lever SL was operated, have all stopped by operating the stop buttons B1 to B3. If it is determined that at least one of the left reels R1 to R3 is spinning (NO), the AT control means 170 repeats the process of step S11 until all of the left reels R1 to R3 have stopped.

[0219] In the process of step S11, if it is determined that all of the left reel R1 to right reel R3 have stopped (YES), the AT control means 170 determines whether or not any of the winning assistances, such as correct batting order notification, correct batting order suggestion, or first stop operation suggestion, has been executed in the current game (S12). In this process, the AT control means 170 determines whether or not any of the winning assistances, such as correct batting order notification, correct batting order suggestion, or first stop operation suggestion, has been executed in the current game.

[0220] For this reason, for example, when the AT control means 170 determines that "execution of correct batting order notification" or "execution of correct batting order suggestion" in the first AT winning assistance lottery executed in the first AT state, it determines that winning assistance has been executed and proceeds from step S12 to step S15. On the other hand, when the AT control means 170 determines that "miss (no win)" in the first AT winning assistance lottery executed in the first AT state, it determines that winning assistance has not been executed although the first AT winning assistance lottery has been executed as control related to winning assistance, and proceeds from step S12 to step S13.

[0221] In the process of step S12, when it is determined that the control related to the winning assistance has not been executed in the current game (NO), the AT control means 170 determines whether or not a winning area included in winning combination group 1 has been won in the current game (S13). In this process, the AT control means 170 determines whether or not any of the winning areas included in winning combination group 1, namely, winning area "batting order bell 1" to winning area "batting order bell 4", winning area "RBB & 1 coin combination 1" to winning area "RBB & 1 coin combination 3", has been won in the current game.

[0222] In the process of step S13, if it is determined that a winning area included in winning combination group 1 has been won in this game (YES), the AT control means 170 determines whether the stop button B1 has been operated for the first stop (S14). In this process, the AT control means 170 determines whether the stop button operated for the first stop is stop button B1, stop button B2, or stop button B3.

[0223] In the process of step S12, if it is determined that control related to winning assistance is being executed in the current game (YES), if it is determined in the process of step S13 that no winning has been performed in the winning area included in the winning combination group 1 in the current game (NO), or if it is determined in the process of step S14 that the stop button B1 has been operated for the first stop (YES), the AT control means 170 executes control related to the instruction function with reference to the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b (S15). In this process, the AT control means 170 executes control related to the instruction function with reference to the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b according to the current presentation state.

[0224] The AT control means 170 of this embodiment is configured to be able to execute a lottery for transitioning between presentation states, for example, a CZ lottery and a normal AT lottery, as control related to an instruction function that references the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b, when the presentation state is normal. When executing a lottery for transitioning between presentation states in the normal state, the AT control means 170 references the AT high probability counter 196b, and executes a lottery for transitioning between presentation states so that the probability of winning the transition from the normal state to another presentation state is higher when the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "1" than when the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the initial value, "0".

[0225] Furthermore, when the presentation state is a CZ state, for example, the AT control means 170 is configured to be able to execute a lottery related to the instruction function in the CZ state (AT lottery during CZ, lottery for adding the number of sets during CZ) as control related to the instruction function that references the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b. The AT control means 170 is configured to reference the AT high probability counter 196b in the lottery related to the instruction function in the CZ state, and to make the probability of "not winning (missing)" lower and the probability of a result advantageous to the player higher (in the case of an AT lottery during a CZ, "transition to the AT state") when the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "1" than when the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the initial value "0".

[0226] After executing the processing of step S15, the AT control means 170 initializes the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b (S16). Then, the AT control means 170 adds the value "1" to the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b (S17), and ends the processing related to updating the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b. By executing these processing, the AT control means 170 initializes the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b to the value "0", then adds the value "1", and ends the processing related to updating the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b, thereby making it possible to set the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b to the value "1" when the next game is started and the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is referenced.

[0227] On the other hand, if it is determined in the processing of step S14 that the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 has been operated to perform the first stop (NO), the AT control means 170 initializes the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b (S18) and terminates the processing related to updating the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b.

[0228] In this way, in a game in which no winning assistance is being performed and the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" is won, when the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop, the AT control means 170 of this embodiment proceeds to step S18 without executing the processing from step S14 to steps S15 to S17, and ends the processing with the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b set to the value "0", thereby making it possible to set the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b to the value "0" at the time the next game is started and the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is referenced.

[0229] As described above, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that when the game state is in the RBB internal state, if stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in batting order 1 and batting order 2, minor winning combination 1, which is set to a payout greater than the first specified number, will not win, but if stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in batting order 3 to batting order 6, minor winning combination 1 can win.Therefore, when play is performed by stopping stop buttons B1 to B3 in batting order 1 and batting order 2, the payout rate is less than 50%, and when play is performed by operating stop buttons B1 to B3 in batting order 3 to batting order 6, the payout rate is more than 50%.

[0230] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the AT control means 170 is not executing winning assistance and the instruction functions of not notifying the correct batting order, suggesting the correct batting order, and suggesting the first stop operation are not activated, the expected value of winning electronic medals when a game is played in which stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting orders 1 and 2 is lower than the expected value of winning electronic medals when a game is played in which stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting orders 3 to 6.

[0231] For this reason, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when in the normal state or CZ state where the winning assistance is not performed, the possibility of winning an electronic medal in the game is higher when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 3 to 6 than when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 1 and batting order 2.

[0232] However, in the process of updating the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b, which is executed after the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 shown in Figure 10 have stopped, if a winning assistance is executed, or if a winning assistance is not executed but the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 are operated in batting order 1 or 2 when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won, the AT control means 170 of this embodiment executes control related to an instruction function that references the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b, thereby executing control that is advantageous to the player, such as making it possible for the presentation state to transition to an AT state that is advantageous to the player.

[0233] Furthermore, the AT control means 170 is configured not to execute control relating to the instruction function that references the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b when the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 is operated to perform the first stop in a game in which the winning assistance is not executed in the process relating to updating the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b and the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" or the winning area "RBB & 1 Coin Role 1" to the winning area "RBB & 1 Coin Role 3" is won.

[0234] With this configuration, when the slot machine 1 of this embodiment stops the stop buttons B1 to B3 in batting order 1 and batting order 2 in a state where the winning assistance is not being executed, it is possible to execute control related to the instruction function that is more advantageous to the player than when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in batting order 3 to 6 by referring to the AT high probability counter 196b.Since control that is disadvantageous to the player is executed when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in batting order 3 to 6, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a strategy of stopping the stop buttons B1 to B3 in batting order 3 to 6 in an attempt to win the small winning combination 1 that is set to a payout greater than the first specified number.

[0235] Furthermore, in the process of updating the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b, the AT control means 170 of this embodiment updates the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b to the value "1" and terminates the process of updating the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b in the following cases: when a winning assistance is executed; when a winning area not included in winning role group 1 is won; and when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 or 2 when a winning area included in winning role group 1 is won, even though winning assistance is not executed. This controls the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b to be the value "1" at the time the next game is started.

[0236] On the other hand, in the process related to updating the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b, when the winning assistance is not executed and the stop button B2 or stop button B3 is operated to perform the first stop in a game in which a winning area included in the winning role group 1 is won, the AT control means 170 updates the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b to the value "0" and terminates the process related to updating the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b, thereby controlling the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b to be the value "0" at the time the next game is started.

[0237] Furthermore, the AT control means 170 is configured to execute control related to the instruction function that references the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b in a manner that is more advantageous to the player when the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "1" than when the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0."

[0238] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in a state where the winning assistance is not executed, in a game (second game) following a game (first game) in which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in batting order 3 to batting order 6, the second game is started in a state where the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b has been updated to the value "0" by the process related to updating the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b. Therefore, even if the control related to the instruction function that references the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is executed in the second game, the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is not updated to the value "1". Since this is relatively more disadvantageous than when control related to the instruction function is executed with reference to the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b, stopping the stop buttons B1 to B3 in batting order 3 to 6 when the winning assistance is not being executed creates a situation where the control related to the instruction function is at a disadvantage over two games, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a strategy of aiming to win small winning combination 1, which has a payout set to be greater than the first specified number, by stopping the stop buttons B1 to B3 in batting order 3 to 6 when the winning assistance is not being executed.

[0239] This stop button B1 constitutes the specific stop button in this embodiment, the left reel R1 constitutes the specific reel in this embodiment, batting orders 1 and 2, which perform the first stop operation on stop button B1, constitute the first operation mode in this embodiment, and batting orders 3 to 6, which perform the first stop operation on stop buttons B2 and B3, which are stop buttons different from stop button B1, constitute the second operation mode in this embodiment.

[0240] <Processing related to transmission of information indicating winning combination group> Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the process of transmitting information indicating a winning combination group executed by the main control CPU 11. The process of transmitting information indicating a winning combination group shown in Fig. 11 is executed when the start lever SL is operated to start.

[0241] 11, the main control CPU 11 first determines whether the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0" or not (S21). In this process, the main control CPU 11 refers to whether the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0" or not, and determines whether the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 was operated to perform the first stop operation in the previous game when the winning assistance was not executed and the winning area included in the winning combination group 1 was won.

[0242] In the process of step S21, if it is determined that the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0" (YES), the main control CPU 11 determines whether the current performance state is the first AT state, the second AT state, or the AT standby state included in the AT state (S22). In this process, the main control CPU 11 determines whether it is in the AT state, and determines the information indicating the winning combination group to be transmitted.

[0243] In the process of step S21, if it is determined that the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is not the value "0" (NO), or in the process of step S22, if it is determined that the current presentation state is any of the first AT state, the second AT state, or the AT standby state included in the AT state (YES), the main control CPU 11 transmits information indicating the winning role group including the winning area won in the internal lottery to the sub-control board 20 (S23). In this process, the main control CPU 11 determines that the value stored in the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0" and the previous game has not ended because the winning assistance is not being executed, and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 3 to batting order 6 when the winning area included in the winning role group 1 is won, and the presentation state is the normal state or the CZ state, and transmits information indicating the winning role group including the winning area won in the internal lottery to the sub-control board 20.

[0244] Next, the AT control means 170 of the main control CPU 11 executes control related to the transmission of the winning auxiliary command (S24), and ends the processing related to the transmission of information indicating the winning combination group. In this processing, the AT control means 170 determines whether or not to send the winning auxiliary command to the sub-control board 20, and if it is to send the winning auxiliary command, executes processing to determine the winning auxiliary command to send.

[0245] On the other hand, in the processing of step S22, if it is determined that the game is not in the AT state (NO), the main control CPU 11 transmits information indicating the winning role group 0 to the sub-control board 20 regardless of the result of the internal lottery (S25), and terminates the processing related to the transmission of the information indicating the winning role group. In this processing, since the current game started with the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b initialized to the value "0" in the previous game, and the game is not in the AT state, the main control CPU 11 transmits information indicating the winning role group 0 to the sub-control board 20 regardless of the winning area won in the internal lottery, and terminates the processing related to the transmission of the information indicating the winning role group.

[0246] By executing the processing of step S25, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the presentation state is the normal state or the CZ state, in a state in which the winning assistance is not executed, in a game (second game) next to a game in which the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 are stopped in batting order 3 to batting order 6, when the second game is started in a state in which the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is updated to the value "0" by the processing related to the update of the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b, regardless of the winning area won in the internal lottery, information indicating the winning combination group 0 is sent from the main control CPU 11 to the sub-control board 20, and the sub-control CPU 21 cannot determine the winning area won in the internal lottery, and the winning combination group 0 is not entered. Since the effects corresponding to the winning areas that have been won in the internal lottery, including effects that suggest possible winning combinations, will not be executed, stopping stop buttons B1 to B3 in batting orders 3 to 6 when the prize-winning assistance is not being executed will create a situation that is relatively disadvantageous to the player, in which the effects that would have been executed if stop buttons B1 to B3 had been stopped in batting orders 1 and 2 will not be executed, and this can prevent the player from trying to win minor combination 1, which has a payout set to be greater than the first specified number, by stopping stop buttons B1 to B3 in batting orders 3 to 6 when the prize-winning assistance is not being executed.

[0247] 3, in the slot machine 1, the winning area "RBB" is set as the winning area to which information indicating the winning combination group 0 is transmitted, but as described above, when the gaming state is the RBB internal state, the winning area "RBB" is not set as a target of the internal lottery. Also, in the slot machine 1, in a game in which the winning area "RBB" is won, the RBB winning symbol combination stopped and displayed on the activated pay line L1 will either win, or it will be a miss (non-win) where no combination wins.

[0248] For this reason, the sub-control CPU21 of this embodiment is configured so that when information indicating winning role group 0 is transmitted from the main control CPU11, it can determine whether or not the information indicating winning role group 0 was transmitted based on winning the winning area "RBB" from information related to the game information and information on the pattern combination stopped and displayed on the pay line L1 when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stop.

[0249] As a result, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when common information indicating a winning role group is transmitted regardless of the result of the internal lottery to prevent the sub-control CPU 21 from determining the winning area that has been won in the internal lottery based on the fact that play has been started with the memory value of the AT high probability counter 196b updated to the value "0", the information to be transmitted can be created without referring to the result of the internal lottery, with the initial value "0" set in each register, and there is no need to prepare a separate data capacity required to prevent the sub-control CPU 21 from determining the winning area that has been won in the internal lottery based on the fact that play has been started with the memory value of the AT high probability counter 196b updated to the value "0", thereby reducing the data capacity of the main memory means 190.

[0250] <Processing related to sending of winning assistance commands> FIG. 12 is a sub-flowchart showing the process of transmitting a winning assistance command executed by the AT control means 170 in the process of step S24 in the process of transmitting a winning combination group.

[0251] In the process of transmitting the winning assistance command, the AT control means 170 first determines whether the current presentation state is any of the first AT state, second AT state, or AT standby state included in the AT state (S31). In this process, the AT control means 170 determines whether the current presentation state is any of the first AT state, second AT state, or AT standby state, which are presentation states that have the possibility of executing winning assistance, and if it determines that it is not an AT state (NO), it ends the process of transmitting the winning assistance command without transmitting the winning assistance command.

[0252] In the process of step S31, when it is determined that the state is the AT state (YES), the AT control means 170 determines whether the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0" or not (S32). In this process, the AT control means 170 determines whether the first stop operation of the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 was performed in the previous game when the winning assistance was not executed and a winning area included in the winning combination group 1 was won, by referring to whether the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0" or not.

[0253] In the process of step S32, if it is determined that the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0" (YES), the AT control means 170 determines whether the presentation state is an AT standby state or not (S33). In this process, if it is determined that the presentation state is not an AT standby state (NO), the AT control means 170 determines that the first stop operation was performed on the stop button B2 or stop button B3 in a state in which the winning assistance was not executed in the previous game and a winning area included in the winning combination group 1 was won, and ends the process related to the transmission of the winning assistance command without transmitting the winning assistance command.

[0254] In the process of step S33, if it is determined that the presentation state is the AT standby state (YES), the AT control means 170 determines whether or not the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" have been won in the internal lottery (S34). In this process, if it is determined that the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" have not been won (NO), the AT control means 170 decides not to execute the winning assistance in this game, and ends the process related to sending the winning assistance command without sending the winning assistance command.

[0255] In the processing of step S32, if it is determined that the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "1" (NO), or in the processing of step S34, if it is determined that the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" have been won (YES), the AT control means 170 executes processing related to winning assistance according to the presentation state (S35). In this processing, when the presentation state is the first AT state, if the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" have been won in the internal lottery, the AT control means 170 executes a first AT winning assistance lottery, and if the winning areas "Replay 3" and "Replay 4" have been won, it executes a first AT replay winning assistance lottery. Furthermore, when the presentation state is the second AT state, if the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are selected in the internal lottery, the AT control means 170 decides to notify the correct batting order, and if the winning areas "Replay 3" and "Replay 4" are selected, it executes a replay winning assistance lottery during the second AT. Furthermore, when the presentation state is the AT standby state, the AT control means 170 executes a winning assistance lottery during AT standby. Note that, if the result of the internal lottery is not a winning area eligible for winning assistance, the AT control means 170 skips the processing of steps S35 and S36 and terminates the processing related to sending the winning assistance command.

[0256] After executing the process of step S35, the AT control means 170 transmits a prize assistance command corresponding to the content of the prize assistance determined in the process of step S35 to the sub-control board 20 (S36), and ends the process related to the transmission of the prize assistance command. In this process, when the AT control means 170 determines in the process of step S35 to execute the correct batting order notification, it transmits a prize assistance command including information that enables the sub-control CPU 21 to grasp the correct batting order set in the winning area that has been won. When it determines to execute the correct batting order suggestion, it transmits a prize assistance command including information that enables the sub-control CPU 21 to grasp which of the stop buttons for the first stop operation in the correct batting order set in the winning area that has been won. When it determines to execute the first stop operation suggestion, it transmits a prize assistance command including information that enables the sub-control CPU 21 to grasp that the stop button for the first stop operation is not the stop button B1.

[0257] <Presentation executed by control using the AT high-probability counter> By executing the processes of steps S21 and S22 in the process related to the transmission of the information indicating the winning combination group shown in FIG. 11, when the production state is the normal state or the CZ state and the stored value of the AT high-probability counter 196b is the value "0", the main control CPU 11 of the present embodiment is configured to transmit the information indicating the winning combination group 0 to the sub-control board 20 without executing the process of step S23 and by executing the process of step S25, regardless of the result of the internal lottery.

[0258] On the other hand, when the production state is the first AT state, the second AT state or the AT standby state, the main control CPU 11 is configured to transmit the information indicating the winning combination group according to the result of the internal lottery to the sub-control board 20 by executing the process of step S23 even when the stored value of the AT high-probability counter 196b is the value "0".

[0259] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured to be able to execute a presentation according to the result of an internal lottery when the presentation state is an AT state in a game (second game) following a game (first game) in which stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in batting order 3 to 6 when no winning assistance is being executed, and when the second game is started in a state in which the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b has been updated to the value "0" by processing related to updating the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b.

[0260] In addition, when the presentation state is the first AT state or the second AT state and the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0", the AT control means 170 executes the processing of step S33 of the processing related to sending the winning assistance command shown in Figure 12, and then terminates the processing related to sending the winning assistance command without executing the processing of steps S34 to S36, so it is configured not to execute the processing related to winning assistance according to the presentation state and not to send the winning assistance command to the sub-control board 20.

[0261] 3, in the slot machine 1, the winning area "REPLAY 3" and the winning area "REPLAY 4" are grouped as a winning combination group 5. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the winning areas "REPLAY 3" and "REPLAY 4" are configured such that when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in the batting order 1, 2, 5, and 6, REPLAY 1 is awarded, and when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in the batting order 3 and 4 in which the stop button B2 is first operated to stop, REPLAY 3 is awarded.

[0262] Due to this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment has the same function in the progression of the game in that when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 1, batting order 2, batting order 5, and batting order 6, the winning replay is the same Replay 1, and when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop in batting order 3 and batting order 4, where stop button B2 is operated to stop for the first time, Replay 3 can be won, so the winning areas "Replay 3" and "Replay 4" are grouped into winning role group 5.

[0263] Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of a presentation executed by the presentation control means 200 based on the fact that, when the presentation state is the first AT state and the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0", information indicating winning role group 5 is sent from the main control CPU 11 to the sub-control board 20 due to winning the winning area "Replay 3" in an internal lottery.

[0264] 13, the effect control means 200 executes a replay navigation effect that notifies the player that the batting order that makes Replay 3 eligible to win is batting order 3 or batting order 4, based on the fact that the winning area "Replay 3" has been won in the internal lottery in the first AT state and that information indicating winning combination group 5 has been received. In the replay navigation effect, the effect control means 200 displays a first instruction indicator 411a above the center reel R2 in the display area 410a of the display device 410 to notify the player that the stop button to be operated for the first stop is stop button B2, and displays second suggestion indicators 411b above the left reel R1 and above the right reel R3 to suggest that the stop button to be operated for the second stop is stop button B1 or stop button B3.

[0265] Also, in the example shown in Figure 13, the slot machine 1 is configured to keep the 7-segment display that constitutes the main control display device 10D in an off state because the AT control means 170 does not send a winning assistance command.

[0266] In this way, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the presentation state is normal or CZ, and the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0", information indicating winning role group 0 is sent from the main control CPU 11 to the sub-control board 20 regardless of the result of the internal lottery, so that the presentation control means 200 is unable to determine the result of the internal lottery, and is therefore configured so that the presentation control means 200 cannot execute a presentation according to the result of the internal lottery.

[0267] Furthermore, when the presentation state of the slot machine 1 is the first AT state, the second AT state or the AT standby state, even if the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0", information indicating the winning role group including the winning area won in the internal lottery is sent from the main control CPU 11 to the sub-control board 20, so that the presentation control means 200 is configured to be able to execute presentations that determine the results of the internal lottery and execute them, such as a replay navigation presentation that can be executed based on information indicating the winning role group 5 sent when the winning area "Replay 3" or the winning area "Replay 4" is won.

[0268] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when in the AT state, in the game (second game) following the game (first game) in which the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 are stopped in the batting order 3 to the batting order 6 in a state in which the winning assistance is not executed, when the second game is started in a state in which the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is updated to the value "0" by the process related to the update of the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b, the main control CPU 11 sends to the sub-control board 20 information indicating that the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0". By transmitting the information indicating the winning role group including the winning area won in the internal lottery, and the information indicating the winning role group including the winning area won in the internal lottery, the sub-control CPU 21 can determine that the second game has started when the memory value of the AT high probability counter 196b is set to the value "0" and the winning area won in the internal lottery.Therefore, even if the game is started in the AT state when the memory value of the AT high probability counter 196b is set to the value "0", it is possible to execute an effect corresponding to the winning area won in the internal lottery, thereby preventing a decrease in the player's interest in the effects in the AT state.

[0269] Furthermore, the effect control means 200 of this embodiment is configured to be able to execute effects according to the results of an internal lottery, such as a replay navigation effect when the winning area "Replay 3" or the winning area "Replay 4" is won, based on information indicating the winning role group sent from the main control CPU 11 when in the AT state and the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0", and when the winning area "Rare Role" is won, since the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0" and the possibility of the processing related to the instruction function that references the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b being advantageous to the player is reduced, it is also possible to perform control such as not notifying the player that the winning area "Rare Role" has been won, thereby making it possible to selectively execute effects according to the progress of the game and prevent the player's interest in the effects from decreasing.

[0270] The normal state and the CZ state constitute the first state in this embodiment, and the AT state constitutes the second state in this embodiment. Also, the main control CPU11 that sets the information indicating the winning role group to be sent to the sub-control board 20 constitutes the information setting means in this embodiment, the information indicating the winning role group 0 constitutes the first information that makes the result of the internal lottery indistinguishable in this embodiment, and the information indicating the winning role group that includes the winning area won in the internal lottery constitutes the second information that makes the result of the internal lottery in this embodiment discernible.

[0271] In addition, the AT control means 170 of this embodiment is configured to, when the presentation state is an AT standby state and the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0", execute the processing of step S33 of the processing related to sending the winning auxiliary command shown in Figure 12, and then proceed to processing of step S34, and if the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" has been won in the internal lottery for the game, execute the processing of steps S35 and S36 to terminate the processing related to sending the winning auxiliary command, so that a winning auxiliary command including information that allows the sub-control CPU 21 to grasp the correct batting order or information that allows the sub-control CPU 21 to grasp that the stop button to be operated as the first stop is not stop button B1 is transmitted to the sub-control board 20.

[0272] As described above, the AT control means 170 of this embodiment is configured so that when a winning area included in the winning combination group 1 is won and the winning assistance is not being executed, and the stop button B2 or stop button B3 is operated to the first stop, the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is initialized to the value "0". Also, the AT standby state is configured to transition from the second AT state. Also, as described above, in the second AT state, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" are won in the internal lottery, the correct batting order notification is always executed.

[0273] Due to this configuration, the AT control means 170 of this embodiment is configured so that in the last game in the second AT state or in the game executed until the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" are won in the AT standby state, if the winning area "RBB & 1 Coin Role 1" to the winning area "RBB & 1 Coin Role 3" among the winning areas included in the winning role group 1 is won and the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 is operated to perform the first stop, the next game of the game will be started with the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b initialized to the value "0".

[0274] Figure 14 (A) shows an example of a presentation executed by the presentation control means 200 based on the fact that, when the presentation state is in the AT standby state and the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0", information indicating winning role group 1 is sent from the main control CPU 11 to the sub-control board 20 due to winning the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" in an internal lottery, and a winning auxiliary command including information that enables the sub-control CPU 21 to understand that the stop button to be operated for the first stop is not stop button B1 is sent from the AT control means 170 to the sub-control board 20.

[0275] 14(A), the performance control means 200 displays a status display 415a indicating that the device is in an AT standby state by displaying "AT standby" at approximately the center in the horizontal direction of the display area 410a of the display device 410 and at the information position in the vertical direction. In addition, the performance control means 200 executes a first stop operation suggestion performance that notifies the user that the batting order that allows the user to win minor role 1 is batting order 3 to batting order 6 and that the stop button to be operated for the first stop is not stop button B1, based on the fact that the internal lottery in the AT standby state has been won in the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 4" and that information indicating winning role group 1 has been received, and that the sub-control CPU 21 has received a winning auxiliary command including information that allows the sub-control CPU 21 to grasp that the stop button to be operated for the first stop is not stop button B1. In the first stop operation suggestion presentation, the presentation control means 200 displays a first suggestion indicator 412a in the display area 410a of the display device 410 above the middle reel R2 and above the right reel R3, indicating that the stop button to perform the first stop operation is stop button B2 or stop button B3, and displays a no-operation instruction indicator 412b above the left reel R1, indicating that the stop button to perform the first stop operation is not stop button B1.

[0276] Also, in the example shown in Figure 14(A), the slot machine 1 is configured so that, since the AT control means 170 sends a winning auxiliary command, the 7-segment display constituting the main control display device 10D is lit in a manner indicating that the stop button to be operated as the first stop is not stop button B1 (in the example shown in Figure 14(A), it is "07").

[0277] Figure 14 (B) shows an example of a presentation executed by the presentation control means 200 based on the fact that, when the presentation state is in the AT standby state and the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0", information indicating winning role group 1 is sent from the main control CPU 11 to the sub-control board 20 due to winning the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" in an internal lottery, and a winning auxiliary command including information that enables the sub-control CPU 21 to understand that the correct batting order is batting order 3 is sent from the AT control means 170 to the sub-control board 20.

[0278] 14(B), the performance control means 200 displays the status display 415a at approximately the center in the horizontal direction of the display area 410a of the display device 410 and at the position of the information in the vertical direction. Also, the performance control means 200 executes a correct batting order navigation performance that notifies the player that the batting order that allows the player to win minor role 1 is batting order 3, based on the fact that the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 4" have been won in the internal lottery during the AT standby state, and that the performance control means 200 has received information indicating winning combination group 1, and that the winning auxiliary command includes information that allows the sub-control CPU 21 to grasp that the correct batting order is batting order 3. In the correct hitting order navigation performance, the performance control means 200 displays a first instruction indicator 413a in the display area 410a of the display device 410 above the center reel R2 to indicate that the stop button to be operated for the first stop is stop button B2, a second instruction indicator 413b above the left reel R1 to indicate that the stop button to be operated for the second stop is stop button B1, and a third instruction indicator 413c above the right reel R3 to indicate that the stop button to be operated for the third stop is stop button B3.

[0279] Also, in the example shown in Figure 14(B), since the AT control means 170 sends a winning assistance command, the slot machine 1 is configured so that the 7-segment display constituting the main control display device 10D lights up in a manner indicating that the correct batting order is batting order 3 (in the example shown in Figure 14(B), it is "01").

[0280] In this way, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured to be able to execute a first stop operation suggestion or a correct batting order notification when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" are won in the internal lottery, even if the presentation state is an AT standby state and the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0".

[0281] As described above, the AT control means 170 of this embodiment is configured to execute a first AT standby winning assistance lottery and determine whether to execute a first stop operation suggestion or a correct batting order notification when the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 4" are won in the internal lottery during the AT standby state. In other words, the slot machine 1 is configured so that, when the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 4" are won in the internal lottery during the AT standby state, either a first stop operation suggestion or a correct batting order notification is always executed.

[0282] Because of this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won in the internal lottery, either the first stop operation suggestion or the correct batting order notification is always executed as a winning assistance. In the AT standby state where the winning assistance is not executed and there is no strategy to aim for the winning of the small winning combination 1 set to a payout greater than the first specified number by stopping the stop buttons B1 to B3 in the batting order 3 to 6, the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is updated to the value "0" by the process related to the update of the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b. Even if play is started in the updated state, if the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won, the winning assistance of either the first stop operation suggestion or the correct batting order notification will always be executed, so that if the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won in the internal lottery while in the AT standby state, the winning assistance will not be executed and the stop button B1 to stop button B3 will be operated to stop in batting order 1 or batting order 2, which will prevent the AT standby state from continuing without transitioning to the first AT state, and the marketability of the gaming machine will not be reduced.

[0283] The normal state, CZ state, first AT state, and second AT state, in which the operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3 that make it possible to win small win 1 is not suggested or notified by the winning assistance, and in the next game after a game in which stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in batting order 3, if the winning area ``Batting Order Bell 1'' to winning area ``Batting Order Bell 4'' are won, constitute the first control state in this embodiment, and the AT standby state, in which the operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3 that make it possible to win small win 1 is suggested or notified by the winning assistance, and in the next game after a game in which stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in batting order 3, if the winning area ``Batting Order Bell 1'' to winning area ``Batting Order Bell 4'' are won, constitute the second control state in this embodiment.

[0284] 5. Summary of this embodiment As described above, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are selected in the internal lottery, either the first stop operation suggestion or the correct batting order notification is always executed as a winning assistance. In the AT standby state, where the winning assistance is not executed and there is no strategy to stop the stop buttons B1 to B3 in batting orders 3 to 6 and aim for the winning of the small winning combination 1 set to a payout greater than the first specified number, the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is updated to the value "0" by the process related to updating the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b. Even if game play is started in this state, if the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won, the winning assistance of either the first stop operation suggestion or the correct batting order notification will always be executed, so that if the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won in the internal lottery during the AT standby state, the winning assistance will not be executed and the stop button B1 to stop button B3 will be operated to stop during batting order 1 or batting order 2, which will prevent the AT standby state from continuing without transitioning to the first AT state, and the marketability of the gaming machine will be prevented from decreasing.

[0285] 6. Variations In this embodiment, the AT control means 170 is configured to determine whether or not the stop button B1 has been operated to perform the first stop operation after the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have stopped in the process related to updating the AT high probability counter 196b shown in Figure 10, and to execute the process of steps S15 to S18 related to updating the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b, but is not limited to this. The AT control means 170 may be configured to determine whether or not the stop button B1 has been operated to perform the first stop operation at the time of the first stop operation, for example, and to execute the process of steps S15 to S18 related to updating the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b.

[0286] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the AT control means 170 is configured to initialize the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b when the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop in a state where a winning area included in the winning combination group 1 is won in the internal lottery and the winning support is not being executed, but is not limited to this. The AT control means 170 may be configured to initialize the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b when the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop in a state where the winning support is not being executed, regardless of the result of the internal lottery.

[0287] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the presentation state is the AT standby state, the AT control means 170 is configured to execute a process related to winning assistance based on winning the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" even when the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0", but is not limited to this. The AT control means 170 may also be configured to execute a process related to winning assistance based on winning the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" when the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0", even in the second AT state in which the correct batting order notification is always executed when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won. When configured in this way, the second AT state constitutes the second control state.

[0288] In addition, in this embodiment, when the value stored in the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0" and the game is not in the AT state, the main control CPU 11 is configured to transmit information indicating winning role group 0, which includes the winning area "RBB," to the sub-control board 20 as information indicating a winning role group regardless of the result of the internal lottery, but this is not limited to this. When the value stored in the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0" and the game is not in the AT state, the main control CPU 11 may be configured to transmit unique information that does not include any winning area as information indicating a winning role group regardless of the result of the internal lottery. Specifically, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, since each winning area is included in one of winning role groups 0 to 7, the slot machine 1 may be configured to transmit information indicating winning role group 8 as information indicating a winning role group regardless of the result of the internal lottery when the value stored in the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0" and the game is not in the AT state.

[0289] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured so that, when the instruction function is not activated, the expected value of electronic medals to be won when a game is played in which the stop button B1 is operated to perform the first stop operation is lower than the expected value of electronic medals to be won when a game is played in which the stop buttons B2 and B3 are operated to perform the first stop operation, but this is not limiting. The slot machine 1 may also be configured so that the expected value of electronic medals to be won when a game is played in which one specific stop button among the stop buttons B1 to B3 is operated to perform the stop operation first is lower than the expected value of electronic medals to be won when a game is played in which a stop button other than the specific stop button is operated to perform the stop operation first.

[0290] In other words, in the slot machine 1, any one of the stop buttons B1 to B3 constitutes a specific stop button, the reel among the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 corresponding to the specific stop button constitutes a specific reel, the operation mode in which the specific stop button is operated first constitutes a first operation mode, and the operation mode in which a stop button other than the specific stop button is operated first constitutes a second operation mode.

[0291] In addition, in this embodiment, when the main control CPU 11 is in the normal state or CZ state and the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0," it transmits information indicating the winning role group 0 to the sub-control board 20 regardless of the result of the internal lottery, and when the main control CPU 11 is in the AT state and the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b is the value "0," it transmits information indicating the winning role group including the winning area won in the internal lottery to the sub-control board 20, but this is not limited to this. For example, in the first AT state in which the execution of the first AT winning support is determined depending on the result of the first AT winning support lottery when the winning area "Battalion Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Battalion Order Bell 4" are won in the AT state, the main control CPU 11 may be configured to transmit information indicating the winning role group 0 to the sub-control board 20 regardless of the result of the internal lottery based on the stored value of the AT high probability counter 196b being the value "0." When configured in this way, the normal state, CZ state, and first AT state constitute the first state, and the second AT state and AT standby state constitute the second state.

[0292] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" are won in the internal lottery during the AT standby state, the AT control means 170 executes a winning assistance lottery during AT standby to decide between "executing the correct batting order notification" and "executing the first stop operation suggestion," and the game is executed according to the determined winning assistance; in other words, when the stop button B2 or stop button B3 is operated to the first stop, it determines that the condition for terminating the AT standby state has been met, and the presentation state is transitioned to the first AT state, but is not limited to this. For example, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" are selected in an internal lottery during the AT standby state, the AT control means 170 executes a winning assistance lottery during AT standby to decide between "executing the correct batting order notification" and "executing the first stop operation suggestion," and when "executing the first stop operation suggestion" is decided and the player operates stop button B1 to stop button B3 in the correct batting order, the AT standby state may be continued and a lottery may be executed to decide whether to grant a bonus, such as whether to add (add) to the number of times one set of the first AT state is executed.

[0293] When configured in this manner, the AT control means 170 is configured to continue the AT standby state if the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" is won in the internal lottery during the AT standby state, and therefore may be configured to transition from the AT standby state to the first AT state, for example, if the winning area including a replay is won in the internal lottery.

[0294] That is, in the gaming machine, the internal lottery determines whether or not a plurality of types of winning patterns are won, and the plurality of types of winning patterns include a first winning pattern (winning area "batting order bell 1" to winning area "batting order bell 4") and a second winning pattern (winning area "replay 1" to winning area "replay 4"), the first winning pattern includes a first small role (small role 1) and a second small role (small role 3 to small role 8), and the first small role is set to a higher payout than the second small role, and the plurality of types of first winning patterns are set with correct operation patterns of a plurality of stop buttons that make it possible to win the first small role, and the control means is in a third control state ( The control means may be configured to be capable of controlling a first AT state (first AT state), and when the first winning mode is won in the internal lottery in the second control state, the control means may be capable of executing a specific operation mode suggestion (first stop operation suggestion) that suggests an operation mode including a correct operation mode, when the first winning mode is won in the internal lottery in the second control state and the specific operation mode suggestion is executed and multiple stop buttons are operated in the correct operation mode, and to grant a benefit related to the instruction function when the second winning mode is won in the internal lottery in the second control state, and to be capable of transitioning from the second control state to a third control state.

[0295] By configuring the slot machine 1 in this manner, if the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won in the internal lottery while in the AT standby state, and the first stop operation suggestion is executed and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the correct batting order, in addition to the payout of electronic medals for winning small win 1, the player can be granted a bonus related to the instruction function.This makes it possible to improve the playability in the AT standby state, where there is a possibility that small win 1 will not be won if the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won in the internal lottery, and to prevent a decline in the marketability of the gaming machine.

[0296] In addition, when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won in an internal lottery during the AT standby state, a correct batting order notification or a first stop operation suggestion is executed, and when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the correct batting order while the first stop operation suggestion is executed, a bonus can be awarded, and when a winning area including a replay is won in an internal lottery during the AT standby state, the AT control means 170 may be configured to be able to transition from the AT standby state to the first AT state based on winning a winning area including a replay in an internal lottery during a game after a game in which the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" is won in an internal lottery at least once during a series of AT standby states.

[0297] In other words, the gaming machine may be configured to be able to transition from the second control state to the third control state when, in a series of second control states, a second winning pattern is won in an internal lottery after a game in which a first winning pattern is won in an internal lottery.

[0298] By configuring the slot machine 1 in this manner, it is possible to continue the AT standby state until the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" is won at least once in the internal lottery during the AT standby state, thereby increasing the possibility of receiving a bonus during the AT standby state, improving the playability during the AT standby state, and preventing a decline in the marketability of the gaming machine.

[0299] Furthermore, the slot machine 1 may be configured to have a Replay 4 having a winning symbol combination that can display specific symbols in a row on the activated line L1, whereby a prize can be won by operating the stop buttons B1 to B3 in batting order 5 or batting order 6 in each of the winning areas "Replay 1" to "Replay 4." After winning the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" at least once in an internal lottery during the AT standby state, the slot machine 1 may be configured to suggest the winning of Replay 4 if a winning area including a Replay is won. Furthermore, when configured in this manner, the AT control means 170 may be configured to be able to transition from the AT standby state to the first AT state, regardless of whether or not Replay 4 is won, if a winning area including a Replay is won after winning the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" at least once in an internal lottery during the AT standby state.

[0300] In other words, in the gaming machine, the second winning mode includes a specific role (replay 4), and in a series of second control states, if the second winning mode is won in an internal lottery after a game in which the first winning mode is won in an internal lottery, it may be configured so that it is possible to suggest the winning of a specific role.

[0301] By configuring the slot machine 1 in this manner, when transitioning from the AT standby state to the first AT state, the slot machine 1 can express that the transition in presentation state is accompanied by the winning of Replay 4, and the use of Replay 4 can improve the playability in the AT standby state, thereby preventing a decline in the commercial value of the gaming machine.

[0302] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to transition from the normal state or the CZ state to the first AT state when a transition to the first AT state is determined in the normal state or the CZ state, but is not limited to this. For example, the slot machine 1 may be configured to transition from the normal state or the CZ state to the AT preparation state as a third state when a transition to the first AT state as a second state is determined in the normal state or the CZ state as a first state, and the AT preparation state can continue until transition to the first AT state, and when a transition condition to the first AT state is established in the AT preparation state, transition from the AT preparation state to the first AT state.

[0303] When configured in this manner, the slot machine 1 may be configured, for example, as a transition condition for transitioning from the AT preparation state to the first AT state, when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" are won in an internal lottery in the AT preparation state, to execute an AT preparation winning assistance lottery as a suggestion lottery in which "execution of correct batting order notification" and "execution of first stop operation suggestion" are the subjects of the lottery, and when "execution of first stop operation suggestion" is won in the AT preparation winning assistance lottery and a game is played in accordance with the first stop operation suggestion as the second suggestion, that is, when a game is played in which stop button B2 or stop button B3 is operated to the first stop, it may be configured to determine that the transition condition for transitioning from the AT preparation state to the first AT state has been met.

[0304] In addition, when configured in this manner, in the slot machine 1, in the AT preparation winning assistance lottery, the probability of determining "execution of correct hitting order notification" is set to a first probability of approximately 12.5%, and the probability of determining "execution of first stop operation suggestion" is set to a second probability of approximately 87.5%, the second probability being higher than the first probability, and the first probability is the probability of determining "execution of first stop operation suggestion" in the AT preparation winning assistance lottery in the AT preparation state, in the game in which "execution of first stop operation suggestion" is determined, In a game in which "execution of correct batting order notification" is determined in the AT preparation winning assistance lottery in the AT preparation state, under the condition that a game is executed in which stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the correct batting order, which is a game in accordance with the correct batting order notification as the first suggestion, when a predetermined number of games (for example, 400 games) are played in the AT preparation state, the probability may be set so that more than one-third of the total number of inserted electronic medals will be paid out.

[0305] That is, in the gaming machine, the multiple reels have a first reel (left reel R1), a second reel (center reel R2), and a third reel (right reel R3), the objects of the internal lottery include specific winning patterns (winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 4"), the specific winning patterns include a small combination of a first payout (small combination 1) and a small combination of a second payout (small combination 3 to small combination 8), the first payout is set to a payout higher than the second payout, and for each of the multiple types of specific winning patterns, correct operation patterns are set as operation patterns of the multiple stop buttons, The operation mode for first stopping the first reel is not set as the correct operation mode in any of the specific winning modes, and there are specific winning modes in which the operation mode for first stopping the second reel is the correct operation mode and the operation mode for first stopping the third reel is the correct operation mode, and there is no specific winning mode in which the operation mode for first stopping the first reel is the correct operation mode, and in the case where a specific winning mode is won by internal lottery, if multiple stop buttons are operated in the correct operation mode, a small combination of the first payout will be won, and if there is an operation mode different from the correct operation mode, That is, when a plurality of stop buttons are operated in an operation mode in which the first reel is stopped first, a small combination of the second payout can be won, and when a plurality of stop buttons are operated in an operation mode in which the second or third reel is stopped first among operation modes different from the correct operation mode, a small combination of the second payout is won with a predetermined probability, and when a small combination of the second payout is not won, no combination is won, and the control means is capable of controlling a first state (normal state, CZ state), a second state (first AT state), and a third state (AT preparation state) as states related to the instruction function, When a transition to the second state is determined in the first state, a transition to the third state is possible, and when a specific winning mode is selected in the internal lottery in the third state, a suggestion lottery is executed to determine whether to execute a first suggestion (announcement of correct hitting order) that suggests a correct operation mode, or a second suggestion (first stop operation suggestion) that suggests an operation mode of multiple stop buttons that includes the correct operation mode, and when a specific winning mode is selected in the internal lottery in the third state and the second suggestion is executed, and multiple stop buttons are operated in an operation mode that stops the second reel or the third reel first,It may be configured such that a transition from the third state to the second state is possible, the probability of determining the first suggestion in the suggestion lottery is a first probability, the probability of determining the second suggestion in the suggestion lottery is a second probability, the second probability is higher than the first probability, and the first probability is a probability set so that the payout of game value exceeds one-third of the total number of game values ​​inserted when a predetermined number of games are played.

[0306] By being configured in this manner, the slot machine 1 can transition from the AT preparation state to the first AT state while aiming to win small prize 1 by using the playability using the first stop operation suggestion in the AT preparation state, thereby improving playability and preventing a decline in the marketability of the gaming machine; and even if the first stop operation suggestion is executed in the AT preparation state and a game is intentionally executed that does not follow the first stop operation suggestion, causing the AT preparation state to continue, it is possible to prevent the payout of electronic medals from being excessively suppressed, thereby preventing a decline in the marketability of the gaming machine.

[0307] In this configuration, the left reel R1 constitutes the first reel, the center reel R2 constitutes the second reel, the right reel R3 constitutes the third reel, the stop button B1 constitutes the first stop button, the stop button B2 constitutes the second stop button, and the stop button B3 constitutes the third stop button. Also, in this configuration, the first reel may constitute a specific reel, and the AT preparation state may constitute the second control state. Also, in this configuration, when the winning areas "Battalion Bell 1" to "Battalion Bell 4" are won and the stop button B1 is operated for the first stop, the probability of winning a small combination set to a payout of one coin is not limited to 1 / 1. The small combination set to a payout of one coin may be won when at least one of the stop buttons B2 and B3 is operated at a predetermined timing, and when the stop buttons are operated at a timing other than the predetermined timing, neither combination wins (no win).

[0308] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the AT control means 170 is configured not to execute the winning assistance for minor win 1 when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" are won in the internal lottery in the CZ state, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured to be able to execute the winning assistance for minor win 1 by determining by lottery whether or not to execute the winning assistance for minor win 1 when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" are won in the internal lottery in the CZ state, for example.

[0309] In the CZ state, if the slot machine 1 is configured to be able to execute the winning assistance for minor prize 1 when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" are won by lottery, it is preferable that the slot machine 1 is designed so that the payout rate does not exceed 100% in the presentation state in which the winning assistance is executed by lottery.

[0310] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to manage the duration of each of the first AT state and the second AT state based on the number of games played, but is not limited to this. For example, the slot machine 1 may be configured to manage the duration of each of the first AT state and the second AT state based on the difference in number of coins, or may be configured to manage the duration based on the number of times the small winning combination 1 is won.

[0311] In addition, in this embodiment, the presentation control means 200 is configured to display the number of games played in the AT state and the number of electronic medals won in the result presentation, but is not limited to this. The presentation control means 200 may be configured to be able to display, for example, the number of sets in which the first AT state was played, or may be configured to display the number of sets in which the first AT state was played instead of the number of games played in the AT state.

[0312] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to manage the duration of the second AT state based on the number of plays, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may also be configured to manage the number of plays that can be played in the second AT state using the number of sets, similar to the first AT state.

[0313] When configured in this manner, the slot machine 1 may be configured to continue a set of second AT states with a higher probability when a set of executable second AT states is not stocked than the probability of continuing a set of first AT states when a set of executable first AT states is not stocked.

[0314] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to execute a process of setting the upper limit of the payout number to 1 when a two-coin bet game is executed, so that one coin is paid out regardless of the number of coins that is set for the winning small combination, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured, for example, to set the payout for all of small combinations 1 to 8 when a two-coin bet game is executed to 1 coin, so that the number of electronic medals paid out when a two-coin bet game is executed is one.

[0315] By being configured in this manner, the slot machine 1 does not need to execute a process for setting an upper limit on the number of payouts (upper limit setting process) in order to set the number of payouts to one coin when a small winning combination is won in an RBB state where the specified number is set to two coins, and therefore the data capacity related to the program required to execute the upper limit setting process on the number of payouts can be reduced.

[0316] In addition, when configured in this manner, the slot machine 1 must be configured so that when a predetermined winning area is won, a prize can be won by operating stop buttons B1 to B3 in a predetermined operating manner for minor winning combinations in which the payout when a three-coin bet game is played and the payout when a two-coin bet game are played are different in the RBB state.

[0317] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to include medal count control means 300 of the medal count control CPU 31 as management control means that manages the digitized medals and is capable of communicating with the dedicated unit SU, and to include the main control CPU 11 as game control means that controls games played using the digitized medals, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured not to include the medal count control board 30, and the various functions mounted on the medal count control board 30 may be realized by various functions mounted on the main control board 10, so that the main control CPU 11 manages the digitized medals and functions as management control means that is capable of communicating with the dedicated unit SU.

[0318] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured not to notify whether or not it is in an advantageous zone, but this is not limiting. For example, the slot machine 1 may be configured to notify that it is in an advantageous zone when the expected value of winning electronic medals is 1 or more due to the support of winning a small winning combination.

[0319] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has a plurality of reels, namely, left reel R1 to right reel R3, and a plurality of stop buttons, namely, stop buttons B1 to B3, corresponding to the left reel R1 to right reel R3, but is not limited to this and may have, for example, a fourth reel and a stop button corresponding to the fourth reel.

[0320] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has a max bet button MB for inserting a specified number of electronic medals, but is not limited to this, and may be configured to have, for example, in addition to the max bet button MB, a single bet button for inserting one electronic medal.

[0321] When configured in this way, the slot machine 1 may be configured to be able to start a game when either the first specified number or the second specified number of electronic medals is set to the inserted state, with respect to the specified number in the non-RT state or the RBB state. When configured in this way, the slot machine 1 may be configured to set the first specified number of electronic medals to the inserted state when the max bet button MB is operated when the gaming state is the non-RT state or the RBB state, and to set the second specified number of electronic medals to the inserted state when the single bet button is operated twice.

[0322] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to set the stored value of each counter and memory means as an initial value, and to perform a decrement update by subtracting 1 each time a game is played, or an increment update by adding 1 each time a game is played, but this is not limited to this, and the method of updating each counter and memory means may be configured to perform multiplication, division, etc., and is not particularly limited. [Explanation of symbols]

[0323] 1. Slot machines (gaming machines) 120 Internal lottery method 170 AT control means (control means) B1 Stop button B2 Stop button B3 Stop button R1 Left reel R2 middle reel R3 Right reel

Claims

[Claim 1] Multiple reels and Multiple stop buttons and an internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery; a control means for performing control related to the instruction function, the plurality of reels includes a specific reel, the plurality of stop buttons includes a specific stop button corresponding to the specific reel, the operation modes of the plurality of stop buttons include a first operation mode and a second operation mode; the first operation mode is an operation mode in which the specific stop button is operated first, the second operation mode is an operation mode in which a stop button different from the specific stop button is first operated, When the instruction function is not activated, an expected value of game value to be acquired when a game is played by operating the plurality of stop buttons in the first operation mode is lower than an expected value of game value to be acquired when a game is played by operating the plurality of stop buttons in the second operation mode, the control means is capable of controlling a first control state and a second control state, When the operation mode of the plurality of stop buttons that makes it possible to win a winning combination is not suggested and the plurality of stop buttons are operated in the second operation mode, if the next game of the game is in the first control state, the operation mode of the plurality of stop buttons that makes it possible to win a winning combination is not suggested, When the operation mode of the plurality of stop buttons that makes it possible to win a winning combination is not suggested and the next game of the game in which the plurality of stop buttons are operated in the second operation mode is in the second control state, the operation mode of the plurality of stop buttons that makes it possible to win a winning combination can be suggested. A gaming machine characterized by:

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